|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:43 pm
It took a certain air of finesse to just stroll into a book store and not look like a complete idiot, however, it also took a complete idiot to stroll into an evil-looking pharmacy with even the slightest amount of finesse. Although, it wasn't like Nat could do either of these things. He was fifteen, barely a teenager quite yet and not very social, let alone emotional. To stroll any length of any sort required some kind of talent he hadn't quite picked up.
Instead, he walked. And right now, he was more torn between the store he should see first instead of how he should be walking into said store. Emerald eyes sparkled as the brilliant mind weighed the options. There were two, three if you counted going to the food court and just taking more notes. The first choice consisted of spending an endless amount of time in a certain, but extremely alluring, book store in the Chikami Mall. The other choice consisted of walking into that pharmacy over there and dissecting it's shelves for some kind of possible poisons he could try experimenting next. Of course, he would then have to go look up those poisons in the book store because he would definitely need to buy any book relating to poison he liked at the time.
As his mind worked it out, his feet began walking, and it wasn't towards the pharmacy. Something about it just gave him the chills and he didn't really feel quite up to going in yet. Best to try finding some books first... right? He could always go back later! And so with now more purpose to his plain gait of a walk, he headed for the precarious book store that was much more sane than that silly pharmacy. He did so looking rather smug about the whole thing and keen on the idea of more research. For a short time, his cold demeanor could disappear and he could share just a little bit of true happiness with normal people. Perhaps it was only the smile, but that was a helluva lot more than he usually gave anyone. Definitely more.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:57 pm
It was...a rather unpleasant day outside. Well, not too bad, as in it was neither raining or snowing. However, the moist and heavy air on the outside made it near impossible to enjoy or stay in for More as the young man seemed to be getting strange chills about all cloudy weathers lately. So at a (what seems to be a normal day to everyone else) day like this, he chose to stay inside instead. For his daily "social hours", the young man found himself reading quietly inside the bookstore in Chikami mall again. There wasn't a lot of students around at this hour, and the place was rather quiet...
Which suits him. He decided. Cloudy days were not good days to him, perhaps he should mention this to Dr. Manneth too, despite how unrelated it may be.
Taking a small fantasy novel, the blonde sat himself comfortably on a small chair that was just beside several bookshelves. The good thing about bookstores nowadays is that you can read for free all day long and nobody would have any opinions about it. Buying books were for collectors, and for More, it wasn't really necessary, even if he could buy anything he wanted to with Dr. Manneth's money. Of course he'd feel guilty doing do, which was perhaps why he chose to only read instead.
More read for about 2 chapters before realizing that people were walking by. In fact, how long has that brown haired boy been sitting beside him? He must have been so absorbed into the novel that he didn't even realize the boy was there. Now that he did realize, More could not help but to set down his book and glance at the boy with some degree of curiousity. Another student, perhaps?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:15 pm
It hadn't taken more than a few minutes to find everything he'd been looking for and then a place in which he might absorb all of this. Lucky for him it was so empty, he wouldn't have to be bothered. He could be nice on days like this, but only when it didn't interfere with his research. In one hand he had the book open and was reading it. In the other hand, a pencil that was dutifully scrawling notes in a strange notebook. The words were hardly legible and could barely pass as English, but things were definitely better that way. Then people couldn't pry or steal his research. Only the Britain could read it.
On top of poisons, there were plenty of things that messed with nerves and the bloodstream. Assuming the aliens had bloodstreams or even nerves, this could be very useful. And so he was copying it. Eventually all of his compilations would come together to make his currently fruitless revenge far less fruitless. There was a cold vein running through him as he thought briefly of what he'd like to do to those filthy things... and then he noticed the other person sitting next to him, looking at him.
Well. That was... definitely awkward. Had he been so preoccupied in his own mind that he hadn't noticed the other sitting there? He was strikingly blond and much older than the other students... was he a teacher? No... not possible. Was it? Nathaniel was nearly positive that he'd never even seen the other around. He was as new as a blank page, and he was glancing curiously at Nathaniel. How did people handle this situation? Go back to their books? Say hi? Make a smart remark? None of those seemed his style. But after trying to be social when he just wasn't... he wasn't really sure he even knew his own style anymore, let alone a constant form of behavior.
The only constant in his life currently was his desire for research. His thoughts and personality kept fluctuating uncomfortably, and today it seemed, would be no different. So, deciding he didn't much like any of those options, he went back to his book and scribbled a few more notes down rather indifferently.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:25 pm
More realized the boy had realized that he was watching him. The blonde gave the boy a small smile instead of shifting back to his book. From the way the boy diligently worked on things, More decided that he must have been a student, and from the book he was reading...he must have been a science student. Smiling a little again, More waited for the boy's response, and, to his surprise, nothing came.
The young man lifted an eyebrow, amused by how the boy had reacted. He must be really interested in that book, or there must have been something important in it. Thinking such, More decided that it was in their best interest not to interferer with the boy's reading. Instead, he looked back to his novel, turning the page and started reading again.
With another person beside him studying like this, More felt somewhat comfortable. The aura felt good, and the environment was meant for studying. He sighed softly, and buried his thoughts into his book, but nonetheless paying attention to what was going on around him now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:35 pm
There was an underlying curiosity in himself and he just couldn't let it go. The other didn't work there, wasn't a student, wasn't a teacher. Who was he? Why was he here? Time was flowing like a wave, caressing each second gently and letting it all pass by in peace. But in the head of the brown-haired student, he was trying desperately to work it out. Both the way alcohol numbed nerves and the reason that other was sitting there. Generally, it wouldn't matter, but on top of his current social problems, he really had no idea how to treat the other.
Supposedly everyone deserved amounts of respect, within moderation and variation. But if you couldn't even tell who someone was, how could you possibly know how to respect them? Then again, he'd never truly listened to much of his father's advice. Why should this be any different? Wouldn't it be better if he just... spoke? But the other had been polite enough to let him go on with his work, without a word.
It was that kind of respect.
The silent alluring kind.
Well that suited Nathaniel just fine. Silent relationships were much easier to handle anyway. Each person understood the other's privacy and space and needs. They stood behind the white border line and red tape, just waiting in their own cubicle. Time stood still inside these areas of workmanship, while outside a million seconds could fly by like birds. Finally, Nathaniel finished the particularly chapter he'd been working on, scrawled some more notes down and then sighed a little in contentment. He had learned a lot, and he wondered if the blonde was learning too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:56 pm
The said blonde was also learning, but in a completely different way. Sure, he was fascinated by the sciences that Lorioth had told him about. He had marveled at the technology and temperature control over in the gym and the fancy equipments there, and he had wanted to learn more about the plants and animal life on earth, simply for the sake of knowing. The young man cared less for Alien wars and possible chance to save the earth (after all, he couldn't possibly save the earth if he couldn't even know who he was in the first place), but nonetheless, he had found the place that surrounded him beautiful and full of interesting things. If anything, he wanted to protect this place without harming others, Aliens and whatnot. Shedding blood onto this innocent land was not in his best interest.
However, for now, he had drowned himself in the stories of things that probably would never happen around him. Fantasy stories, romantic novels. One could probably laugh at him, seeing a full-grown man reading something that a young woman would read on her free time. Yet, there was something in the books that drawn him in. More importantly, he felt as though some of the stories were real, as if they actually had happened here a long time ago. The earth was several billion years old, one could never be sure what happened at a certain year, it was simply too short to be remembered, save for a few. After all, magic was now proven to be existent, and Elves were found living in the human world. Didn't they just have a report about the demons recently? Perhaps races like werewolves and even dragons exist here too...
Of course, the young man had no idea as to why these things were even more intriguing than the sciences, and he didn't have the time to think about it when his thought was cut off with a sigh. More looked up and saw the boy finishing his works. He smiled admiringly at the other. So hard-working...maybe one day he'd be someone equal to Dr. Manneth, or even surpass him?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:31 am
In a moment of fresh embarrassment, he realized he'd sighed a little louder than expected. Involuntary reactions seemed to have their own way of handling a situation, but overall he was rather satisfied. The other boy didn't even seem to be troublesome, in fact... he was smiling. Smiling at ... him? At Nathaniel? There weren't many who knew him that smiled at him. Often they would snarl or frown. He was stuck up, full of himself, rude... they would say. To be honest, he was none of these things. He was polite, intelligent and respectful... merely they pushed the wrong buttons and said the wrong thing. And how could anyone be expected to keep calm when they were having a perfectly useless conversation to annoy him with? He had much better things to do.
Often, he wondered why he even tried to work out this social defect of his. It wasn't as if he hated the world particularly. No. Overall it was a good planet. A good place. It kept it's secrets, like the elves, but secrets were kept for a reason. Though, it was a little annoying sometimes. Like when a bad day would keep him from going somewhere, or his work kept him from seeing his only companion, Jaden. That wasn't pleasant. There was a necessary need to have that blonde boy around. He was a vital everything and if Nathaniel didn't see him for long, even he wasn't able to concentrate on his work.
But that didn't affect him now. Instead, he decided that he would try and find out about this boy. Try was a good word. He could barely go up to someone and say hi without measuring out their authority and deciding how to treat them, let alone make small talk in a book store. Still, it was worth a shot. Jaden had tried to encourage him to make friends... they could help in the long run. But when you were so wrapped up in yourself and could do it alone... did you really need them? Not really. But a friendly acquaintance was good too. The other was highly respectful of him and liked books too.
And so, in a vain attempt at idle chatter (somehow managed in silent gestures), Nathaniel turned his emerald green eyes on the boy, and smiled back, patting the book he'd finished, the front cover read: Biological Deterrents. Then he made a small gesture with his hand, indicating the question of what the other boy was reading, politely of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:25 pm
The green eyes that had met his single dark blue eye had a deep and sophisticated feel to them, that was what More first thought of when the boy looked up. It confirmed his previous thoughts about the boy, and, satisfied that he was right, the young man's smile became wider. At Nathaniel's invitation he looked down at what the boy was reading, then looked up again with a nod, indicating that he had understood and approved of the other. Of course, the entire process was done in silence, for neither talked first. Although, in this situation, More found a strange peace within the silence, a mutual respect for each other. He chuckled a little at the thought, then, at the other boy's gesture, held up the novel that he was reading. He turned it so that the book cover was facing Nathaniel. Comparatively, the book was not even half as thick as the one the other had been reading. More shook his head and shrugged, then started to chuckle again as he realized how clear of a contrast the two had made. One was deligent and hard worker, the other...well, studying had never been on More's mind.
But he supposed, he had more important things to do than studying right now, personal things, that is.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:43 pm
For a moment, sand drained through the hourglass like water and Nathaniel's eyes widened ever so slightly, but not betraying him in the least. The other's eyes... eye... only one, the only he could see, was a dark blue. It was darker than any eye color he'd ever seen before and he knew that that was simply not logical at all. Immediately his mind ran through a checklist of possibilities, reasonings and genetic structure ideals. None of them truly matched up. But... they weren't cold. They were as polite as he was, with interests buried in them, just like his. Different interests, yes. But still, interests.
The other's chuckle was a sort of ice-breaker for the silence, but still Nat wouldn't speak, wouldn't even laugh. His eyes betrayed his thoughts of curiosity, and the smile nodded his acknowledgment kindly. It wasn't particularly a book he'd ever read, nor did it seem like it could be useful for anything, but a book was a book. He'd known tons of kids out on the plains that could barely write their names, let alone read an entire book. Here, things were radically different and rightly so. This was a school for the intelligent.
Nathaniel wasn't so sure the other was reading them for fun though... perhaps he was trying to get something out of it? Then again, not everyone thought like he did. So it was entirely possible. Still... it really didn't matter to him either way. It was nice though... the respect, the not-so existent conversation... this whole thing. Something about it was calming. He didn't know who the other was, didn't even know his name... but the diligently courteous silence was polite and he approved. It was like taking a breath of fresh air after being couped up for so long.
A breath he hadn't realized he'd needed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:47 pm
Goodness, that was quite embarrassing.
He was still smiling, but the smile faded just a little as More realized that his outburst might have shocked the other boy, and the other's lack of reaction indicated that he probably did not pay particular interest in the book nor the person reading it. It was perfectly fine for the blonde, but still...
This other boy was so cool. Cool enough to make More feel embarrassed on the spot to be sitting next to him.
The young man sighed and shook his head to shake off the thought of how embarrassed he was and looked around. There was still not a lot of people in the book store, and the place was still quiet. Something lively, however, kept stirring within More, and although he wasn't sure what it was, the young man was moved enough to not able to sit still and keep staring at the other boy, who, as More thought, probably liked to read more than talking, especially to someone who didn't look nearly as sophisticated. More was a genius at working out, physical strength...but he had to admit that he was only an average individual when it comes to thinking. Perhaps that was why he reads novels instead of those big science books in the first place?
That must be it. Science books are for cool people, like the one sitting besides him.
More turned back to Nathaniel, smiled a little, then looked down at his book, too embarrassed to start talking for the fear that he might say something stupid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:10 pm
And then came the turning point in which silence no longer suffices for much. There was a pang about it though and the British boy felt almost like he was falling, or as if something was slipping between his fingertips. Almost, he'd almost had it... almost grasped, but now it was letting go, releasing him and he would fall shortly unless he found ground to stand on. But of course you couldn't stand on air, and if he didn't figure it out quick, he felt like he was going to fall. He needed a platform... but how? The best way in life to get what you needed... was to do it yourself. His father had always believed in that. Individuality was good, but being a good worker on your own meant you were independent. And that somehow worked out better in the overall ending.
The only problem was, Nathaniel wasn't good at this. Books. Research. Cooking. Composure. Responsibility. Fine. That was all well and good. Interaction? People? Sociality? No. Those were not his talents. In fact, he was still terrified of forcefully interacting, trying to make silly chit chat and friends. He was actually nervous. Usually the other people spoke first and the conversation became easier. It had never occurred to him that someone else would be like him. Would not speak first either. Then again, that was another point for the blonde, who continued to be strikingly interesting.
"Uhm..." he said, speaking at last. His voice was slow, the British accent from his heritage not so obvious. Emerald eyes dulled a little in nervousness as he looked back down at his book, took a short breath, and then up again at the blonde, "I'm... er... I'm Nathaniel Jacobson." So much for the epitome of manners. He could barely say his name, let alone shake hands. Still though, he tried to offer a reassuring smile but even a fake one didn't look too good. Why did being social with random people have to be so difficult? He'd been perfectly fine with teachers, as well as when he'd been chattering about things he knew. But this? This was five thousand times harder.
Still... he finally had a platform to stand on. It was a relief to say the slipping and falling feeling was finally gone. Truly a relief.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:37 pm
If Nathaniel felt he was falling, it was more literal for More. The young man slipped his fingers around the novel that he was trying to read upon a sudden voice from the other boy, dropped the book on the floor, and nearly hit his head on the table corner when trying to reach it on the floor. It was strange. He acted perfectly fine in front of Dr. Manneth and Headmaster Norman, and even the blonde haired skateboarder the other day. But with the thought that made him embarrassed in the first place, More failed at holding his position, miserably.
The young man blushed faintly upon finally getting back to his seat, giving an awkward smile to the other boy and blamed himself for acting like an idiot. It was no big deal, he kept telling himself, but...
"I'm sorry, ur." More stumbled through his words while putting the novel back in place. "I'm not good at meeting with new people, you know, unprepared like this." He chuckled to himself and shook his head. "Sorry if I startled you."
But now that the boy finally spoke, More felt a little more comfortable talking himself. For one, he already made himself a clown in front of this other boy (who he thought was cool), so it didn't matter much how or what he spoke now.
Mentally making himself adjusted to the situation, More gave Nathaniel a brighter, more sincere smile and lend out his hand (out of habit). "I'm More Krovaski, it's a pleasure to meet you, Nathaniel."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:53 pm
Slowly Nathaniel reached up and ruffled his own brown locks, a bad habit he'd picked up lately. That had to have been the most awkward thing that had ever happened in his short fifteen years of being alive. The sound of his voice had startled the other so much... he had fallen off a chair! For some reason, this made the British boy's face grow hot and he flushed very slightly, looking apologetic. Perhaps being forward with your name wasn't always a good idea. Especially if people kept reacting like that! It was definitely not a good idea. He made a mental note to talk to Jaden about it later... maybe the other could make sense of the peculiarity of sociality.
Though, it was just as much of a surprise when Nathaniel heard the other boy speak. He spoke quite a lot, a great deal more than he himself had spoken. And this was to be admired, not at all apologized for. It gave Nat a small bit of confidence, and he sat up straighter, proud of himself for reasons only known to him. About him he drew the aura of a noble prince. It wasn't for conceit, it was just to try and make himself feel more polite... though... it seemed kind of negative anyway and he kind of dropped a small bit of it and let a sheepish smile shine through the facade.
"Me neither," he returned kindly, understanding completely and bonding with it. Familiarity was making him a near instant companion out of this one. Respect and problems greeting people? Though things were awkward... it seemed impossible that they wouldn't make fine acquaintances after they had a small chat perhaps. Perhaps even... even friends. But Nat didn't want to get that far ahead of himself. He'd only said hello. The conversation could go to s**t in seconds, and he knew it too.
Firmly he reached out and shook the other's hand. It was formal, but formality was something Nathaniel could handle. It gave him a place to stand, far firmer than his makeshift platform. Formality meant respect. Respect was good. Mutual or otherwise. That gave him a position to act. Equality. That was good. (It had never occurred to him that equality was always a good place to start anyway.) "The pleasure is mine." Cue charming smile.
He must've been a real teacher's pet... and truthfully, and not shamefully... he was.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:11 pm
More raised an eyebrow at the other boy's reply. "Oh?" The young man looked mildly surprised. The expression then immediately softened into a gentle but reassuring smile. "Don't worry, you are a lot better than you think. You were the one who spoke first, after all."
Formal gestures aside, More looked at Nathaniel, not bothering to hide his curiosity. The boy acted so...noble, according to More. He must have been from a well educated family(unlike himself who didn't even know who he was). The other was good mannered and soft-spoken. In adittion, there was an air of pride flowing about him. Not exactly confidence, but more of an inner pride of being and knowing who he was. That was something More lacked. Not able to remember his past took a good chunk out of the young man's self-concept. For a moment More wanted to know who he was, even if it's just to match Nathaniel's pride.
The other boy was cool after all. He was right again.
"So...are you a science student?" More asked, after realizing that he was staring at the other for an awkwardly long time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:35 pm
There was a light airy laugh at the comment. So he was better simply because he could initiate a conversation? How silly the two of them must look. From another distance, they were two strangers who had sat in complete silence, after which one of them spoke, causing one boy to fall out of the chair and for a blabber of conversation to strike up. It was just amusing. Of course, Nathaniel didn't really find the situation funny, merely that the other thought he was good at being social. It seemed that people like him were more forgiving of his flaws than he thought. However, it was a mistake to let people see too many of these flaws. They could take things away, and they could hurt.
And then he wondered if this would hurt his other blonde friend. This idea that letting people in would selfishly hurt him. He was sure if he told Jaden he was hurting him ... just by ... being there... the other would be just as hurt. How was his mind getting on all these tangents? It had to be the hair and kindness from More. It reminded him of the other blonde he knew, whose hair was borderline white. Sunshine marshmallows. That's what it was. And then he let his eyes shine a little as he set his own book on the table and checked his notebook again before closing it gently in his lap.
Calmly, he sat through the visual examination. When he was very young, he got used to such things. Father's friends would always size him up and say how fine a young lad he was, and that if he was especially good like this, he would get a treat someday. They'd been wrong of course. Good manners had gotten him nothing more than a respectful conversation and good grades from his tutor, who was far too simple-minded to really teach him proper biology. Or chemistry for that matter.
"Yes. I'm quite interested in ... uhm... poisons actually." He'd paused quietly, nervously. Was it really proper to say you liked poison? That kind of made him seem like a murderer already. Or some kind of psychopath. Yup. He was definitely sure the other would think of him like some kind of insane psychopath after that statement. What fifteen year old kid liked to study poison? In vain, as he put up a mask to hide his embarrassment behind a facade of composure, he tried to change the subject to the other boy, "Are you a magic student?" He waved his hand lightly, having noticed the material was far too light to be of use perhaps to a science student. Maybe someone more flamboyantly airy like a magic student, hence the suggestion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
