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 Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 12:08 pm
Senri was just stepping out of a popular cafe on the crowded streets of a popular shopping street in Destiny City. Of course, its only appeal was not shopping. They had arcades and popular food stores here as well. The streets were bustling with people, many people (that included high school and college kids) who took the opportunity to shop and hang out that weekend.
He stopped at a booth, a booth that was popular for its delicious bubble drinks. The line was somewhat long, but they were efficient in both their cashiering and manufacturing of their drinks. "One mango bubble drink." Senri ordered, paying quickly and recieving the drink shortly after.
"Mm." Senri took a seat on one of the nearby benches, reclining like a lazy cat. "What should I do today..?" Both of his arms rested atop the bench, leaning his head backwards to stare at the clear blue skies. For the first time, he didn't have a purpose, a place to go, or a person to meet. It was the weekend with great weather and time to kill. The silence was broken by the sipping of his bubble drink. Should Senri call up somebody? Maybe one of the girls he knew? But that would mean that he'd spend the day being dragged around as an errand boy. That idea didn't sound appealing either.
Urggggh.
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Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:52 am
It was getting colder around this time and being a true believer in hot drinks, Ladon had stopped off to get a hot chocolate. He wasn't for Styrofoam cups so he brought an Ecco cup that he kept in his backpack and paid to have it filled. With the world being more environmentally conscious, the guy behind the counter didn't seem to mind too much – even though he had a look that said just using a paper cup would have been less work for him. He paid and stepped out, pulling his peacoat closer and shaking off a shiver. Being both short and skinny made winter a horrible season for him. You were stuck indoors with nothing to do aside his sewing, and he more often than not wound up slipping on the ice in public at least once during the season. He hoped people would salt the walks more often than before – though one year he had actually slipped on the rock salt than the ice.
As he moved out, he looked at the few people who dared to enjoy the warm sun overhead, with the cold, clear blue sky. Most of the elderly were inside, leaving younger people sitting about. A few shops jumped the gun and already put up Christmas decorations, and the soft tune of Jinglebell Rock was drifting from a store further off.
Then someone caught his eye, and he slowly tilted his head as looked at a boy resting on a bench. It had been a while. It had been a LONG while. Kindergarten, but it was one of those cases where a friendly face that stuck in your memory made you pick out features in someone else. He wondered if he should dare to even say the boy's name – or if he remembered the name correctly.
Okay. If he was proven wrong, he'd apologize for being a creep dork and run off. Moving over, he raised his hand a little. "Uh…excuse me. Um, can I ask you a question?" He felt like he shouldn’t have done this and should have just let that nagging feeling go, but he continued. He was already brother the boy after all. "Is your name Senri?"
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Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:08 pm
Hm? His name? Senri didn't recognize the voice. Or more accurately, should he know him? It could have been somebody who recognized him from one of his jobs. But Senri had a feeling that it wasn't exactly that. If only from the way that the question was phrased.
"Do I know you kid?" It wasn't exactly the most welcoming of greetings, but Senri didn't look all that bothered. It was moreso mild curiousity. It was better to talk to somebody, if only to relieve himself from the boredom of a few minutes earlier. Senri's blue gaze looked to Ladon, lifting his head up to get a clearer view of the short teenager. He also looked a bit younger, although Senri couldn't judge that with complete accuracy. Although in terms of looks, if one liked the 'cute stuffed doll' quality, this particular male would be appropriate.
He straightened himself, to lean forward in his seat to observe this stranger, both hands holding onto his bubble drink. The other male's hesitancy bothered Senri. But it also seemed familiar.. "You have a right to ask anything you'd like." Senri did believe in the right to freedom. Even if idiots abused their freedom, it didn't restrict others from exercising their rights.
"What's your name?" If he knew Senri's name, it would only be right for Senri to know his name as well.
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:05 am
Whenever anyone called him a kid, he just had to frown. True, he looked as if he was just entering middle school, but he didn't like it pointed out when he was in High School. Still, he had been the one to go about annoying this guy, so he didn't make a fuss over it. He just scowled a bit, which looked more like a pout in the end.
While he didn't answer his question, he didn't deny his name was Senri and he was going to take it that it was a yes. Maybe he was still hesitant to say anything considering Ladon WAS a stranger, and looking at it that way, he guessed it was smart of Senri…or the guy he thought was Senri. At least he had the green light to continue.
"My name is Ladon. Uh..Ladon Shepard. This might seem dumb, but…I think I might have gone to kindergarten with you. I knew a kid name Senri back then and, I know it's been a long time and it's silly to think I could match you up with some little kid, but you looked a little like him. Not saying you look like a small child. Just little things." Boy did he sound like a loon. That was YEARS ago and people grew to barely resemble the kids they once were. Still, it was the memory of this one kid that stuck with him.
"Did you go to Mrs. June's kindergarten class by any chance?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 9:54 pm
If one had observed Senri's growth, they might have said that Senri slowly degraded over the years. In that he rarely was considerate of what offended other people. No, it wasn't so much that he wasn't considerate.. but his natural demeanor rubbed people the wrong way. Although Senri wasn't too bothered by that. No he saw it as pretty fun! (Although that was worrisome in itself.) But that was just the way he was now.
The male was beginning to babble, Senri realized with a slightly amused smile. Senri wondered if he should have told the young male so. No, it was best to let him go on. Senri didn't know what was happening already, but there was a point to this. Most likely.
The last question caught him off guard. He blinked in surprise, "..." The silence remained. Senri's brows furrowed in thoughtful recall. Mrs June's...? Kindergarten? His memory was vague, Senri filtering through his memories. He had barely been a child then, and had moved shortly after kindergarten had ended. But the fact remained that he had taken kindergarten in Destiny City. "..I was." Of all the things that he had imagined that the Ladon would ask, that was not it.
Senri examined Ladon with more interest now, pausing to ask the first and vital question. "You're the same age?" And secondly, "Ladon, was it?" Senri , "You recognized me from that long ago? I'm impressed." He then sipped the straw on his bubble drink. "In this case, should I say nice to see you again?" His mouth curved onto a friendly smile, holding out his hand to Ladon. Indeed, he was the very same Senri.
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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:40 am
He was glad that he might have the right person. He couldn't help notice the features that still remained, but he was wary since he had changed. It was also an insane thought to think he might be able to pinpoint someone he rarely knew as a child and didn't know now. When he had a closer confirmation that he was meeting the right person, he gave a weak smile. "Not that great of a memory. I have a picture of our class before you left. You were older than me when I was there, and I remembered a kid who had stuck up for me a while ago. One of the few that did. I think that since I see my kindergarten picture at my house, I just noticed you more than I would if I didn't see it all the time."
He took the teenager's hand and shook it, the grip steady, considerate, yet firm enough not to give the impression of lacking self-confidence. "It's a pleasure seeing you. I did think I was being a little…crazy for thinking I'd know someone from that far off, but I do remember you. You use to fight a lot with the other kids that tried to start things on the playground. You once stopped a few bullies from attacking me. I think that's why I remember you more vividly than anyone else." He also had to smile. It was such a strange meeting, but he felt as if he was meeting someone again from the past. "I'm sorry for bothering you, but I just wanted to be sure I wasn't losing my mind."
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 12:20 pm
"Ah." That explained a great deal of it. Senri had little pictures in his home, but he imagined that he had the same picture. But whether that was in a dusty attic or a public storage room, Senri didn't know.
".. I see." Now that Ladon had brought that up, Senri had a vague recollection of the incident. But it sounded much more heroic in Ladon's memory then Senri's. Even as a child, Senri didn't bother to follow orders. Especially not orders of some kid who thought that they could intimidate others. It was more of "Why should I have to listen to you?" with his arms spread, a shrug, and a condescending scoff. By extension, why were other kids obligated to listen to them as well? That, of course, led to some trouble. But still, Senri didn't imagine that anyone would remember that insignificant incident. He sighed, good-naturedly though, "I didn't imagine that I would see you again." There was that familiar feeling like when one fconnected a puzzle piece of an old childhood puzzle.
Senri invited Ladon to sit on the other side of the bench, gesturing to it. It was an indication that Senri didn't mind Ladon's intrusion. "How are you now? Still having the same troubles? Or have you grown out of it?" His eyebrows raised at the latter sentence. It was true that Ladon had grown, apparently not enough. He would still be considered short for his age, although Senri had to allow for the fact that Ladon might have a grow later. "How is school in Destiny City?"
"Any pretty girls?"
And that lead to, "Have you had a girlfriend yet?" Ladon must have had one or two, correct?
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Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:46 am
The memory was more vivid in Ladon's imagination and as Senri thought, it had only put the other boy in a good light. Having been picked on at an early age well into middles school, he had been the easy target of many the bigger boy out to prove himself. It didn't help that he had been a bit of a crybaby when he was younger, and had often been pushed into sandboxes or had his toys taken from him – the most notable one being Elliot. He had clung to that stuffed animal for dear life for the better part of his childhood years, the toy substituting as a friend and one he often talked to. It was what made it easy for other kids to grab the dog plush and try to take it from him. It was while he and Senri were playing with some toys that the other kids came for their rounds and picked on him and, because Senri was playing with him, on the boy. While Ladon was ready to run to the nearest teacher for shelter, Senri had stood up and pushed the boy's back. It was such a new thing to be defended by another boy that Ladon had remembered it despite his young age. It was probably the first time anyone had done that for him aside from his sister.
Seeing the boy now, he had the same impression that Senri was a caring, nice person standing up for the little guy. Not that Ladon needed it now. "I'm much better now. Most people have grown out of picking on people and I hold my own." Well, he more or less changed himself so that there was little reason for kids to pick on him. There were still some occasions, but he wanted to make a good impression with the other boy and kept that to himself.
"School here is nice. I go to Meadowview, and should be graduating soon. After that, I don't know. I guess I'll look around and decide." It wasn't the best plan, but he just wasn't focused on college. It seemed pointless with other, bigger things in his life. Earth saving things.
As for girls, he flustered a bit. It seemed that recently, a lot of people were asking if he had a girlfriend, and he was becoming more and more aware that he should be dating around this time. While it was natural to ask, he didn't like the question – namely because he avoided the issue.
"Oh…ah, no girlfriend. I just..haven't found the right person yet." More that no one wanted to be with him. That and he didn't think he could go up to another and ask them out. He was sure they would say 'no', so he gave up before trying. It was probably one of the few things he wasn't ambitious enough to at least put some effort in.
Wanting to get out of talking about it, he threw the question back. "How about you? How has life been treating you? Do you have a girlfriend?" Might as well ask.
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 4:45 pm
"Mm." Senri said noncomitally, not looking bothered by Ladon's lacks of future prospects. Whereas any other caring adult would have expressed some degree of concern, suggesting to Ladon about college or a job. No doubt that Ladon had probably heard similar criticism from his parents or his school counselor. Senri didn't believe either option was crucial to a person's life, if that wasn't the life that they desired. And that wasn't mentioning the fact that Senri wasn't exactly a caring adult. He wasn't there to direct Ladon, letting Ladon make his own choices and if necessary, mistakes.
Ladon's fluster had Senri chuckling at the innocence of it all. "Is that so?" Senri slid back a doubtful smile, as if he was asking Ladon if that was really the real reason. He had heard those lines before.
Still, Senri indulged the young boy and accepted the change in the conversation. "Haha, no girlfriends." Not that Senri was necessarily looking for a girlfriend, preferring to avoid bothersome attachments. "Unless you count convenient dates, friends with benefits, and flings?" The casual way that Senri remarked on the above implied that Senri was well acquainted with the concepts. Senri didn't explore the emotional aspects, but he was more then willing to explore the physical aspects.
"You should try it." Although Senri said it, he doubted that Ladon would. Ladon was much too innocent in that particular category to treat intimacy like a transaction. If Senri had to stereotype it, it would be the faithful puppy-dog type, the kind where his heart came along with the package.
But that was none of his concern. Senri stood up, dusting off his pants before directing a glance to Ladon. "Anyways, are you hungry? I'll buy you something." There were food stands all around them -- crepes, hot dogs, and several fast food resaurants were a few out of their many choices.
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Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:42 pm
Dead on with his assumption, Ladon shook his head. The very idea of sleeping around just didn’t appeal to him. In fact, it frightened him a lot. He could not only find himself just sleeping with anyone, but he had been keeping something to give to someone special when the time came. He still couldn't wrap his head around the idea that so many kids in school could just go out and sleep around. Didn't they care? Didn't they want it to be special? Weren't they afraid? He could only hope they were safe about it but enough rumors at school about who was pregnant and wasn't told him that they weren't. It was that idea of giving yourself entirely to one person in such a deeply intimate setting that upset him the most only because he didn't feel he could do that with just anyone as if it was nothing. It wasn't. Flings and friends with benefits just were not the type of relationships that Ladon could have. He was very much an invest-everything-for-love or nothing-at-all type of person. (He wasn’t a half-a** it sort of person when it came to important matters.) Right now, it had been nothing at all which tended to make a person feel very left out and lonely.
At the invite to eat, he stood up. "Oh…okay. I mean you don't have to." He didn't want to be a bother, but remembered it was still insulting to decline a kind gesture. "…thank you." That fixed it. As food stands went, his family had adopted a no-junk policy. His mother often said that if you wanted to eat carnival food, you might as well open a trash can and eat that since that's all you were getting from it. Still, it all smelled so….good!
He didn't know what to try seeing as he never had most of it. Instead, he followed Senri, acting similar to the leechy kid he was when he was young, unsure but willing to follow the more confident, bigger person instead. As he did, he thought out loud. "So, you're not into being with one person?" He asked, wondering why most kids liked messing around with many people. Did they not like the idea of being with just one person? It was all rather confusing.
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Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:02 pm
"..." Senri crushed the empty cup in his hand and tossed it into the trashcan, done with the bubble drink. Without waiting for Ladon, Senri began to walk down the crowded street. "Mm." Senri said vaguely not sounding as if he completely paying attention to Ladon. "Did you have a preference?" Senri glanced over his shoulder, asking Ladon if he had taken a liking to any of the food stands. But if the younger boy was eyeing the taco stand, Senri was definitely going to leave him.
But at least Senri was paying attention. To stay with one person, huh..? "I can't say I have thought about it." That thought had never occurred to Senri. Not had it been proposed since the girls that Senri chose to associate with knew the procedure, and often didn't push the model for more. if Senri found somebody interest enough, it was possible. But seeing Senri's personality, it wasn't going to be an easy task.
On the other hand, according to Ladon's ideals and previous answers.."You're innocent, aren't you?" It had been a long time since Senri was in that sort of company. Senri didn't dislike it. Senri abruptly stopped, causing Ladon to bump into him. He leaned over to be at eye level with Ladon, with a definitely amused smirk like when somebody found a secret. "..So. How innocent are you? ♥" Senri definitely wasn't nice enough not to tease Ladon.
"Any hand-holding? Kissing? If only you weren't a guy." Senri sighed disappointingly. Ladon might have been cute if he was a girl. Or he might be mistaken for one with those large eyes, and small frame.
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:02 pm
When asked, he shook his head. "I don't know what. I …usually don't eat this sort of stuff. Any suggestions?" He asked, not too sure what to pick. All of it sounded rather horrifying yet smelled inviting. He knew what they were, but he was hesitant to try anything in case he was disappointed. Mainly because he would still have to eat it. Ladon wasn't one for wasting food. It was wrong, and even if it was garbage, he'd try to eat as much as he could. Was there anything savory to eat here anyways? It all looked like quick snacks. "I'd rather not have anything sweet." As he just didn't feel in a candy-ish sort of mood. He rarely did.
Just as he was looking about, he bumped right into the other and paused, stepping back and quick to apologize for not watching where he was going. It was then, with a close ease, that Senri leaned in, causing Ladon to turn frigid and arch back. Wh-wh-what was he doing?!
At the jabbing of his so-called "innocence", the shorter boy grew warm in the face and then frowned, flustered and upset. "Th-That's none of your business, and it's mean of you to ask. To talk that way at all." He stepped back, large eyes narrowing as he looked at the taller teen. "I know what you're trying to jab at and it isn't funny." He didn't like people using cute names for saying he hadn't been with anyone, hadn't gone anywhere, and had no experience. He hated it more when it was obvious to everyone and there was no way he knew to hide it. It wasn't like he LIKED that he never held hands, or kissed, or anything else for that matter. It was like people found it cute he was alone or that he was somehow stupid like a child for not knowing more than kids his age in that…department. He didn't like it at all, and he didn't like talking about it.
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Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:44 pm
"Is that so?" Senri patted Ladon's head by way of apology, realizing that he had taken it too far. Senri was far too used to teasing people, not used to sensitive people. This topic was particularly hard on the younger boy as well. He could deal with annoyance or irritation but Ladon was neither of the two.
Senri viewed their surroundings for a few moments, wondering how to distract Ladon now. "..I know a good stand over there." Senri jerked his thumb to a takoyaki stand behind him. Destiny City was culturally diverse, meaning that there wasn't only hot-dog stands and burgers sitting on the streets of Destiny City. This time, Senri was a bit more polite waiting for Ladon to calm down and to make sure that he was ready to follow him.
"Sit down." He gestured Ladon towards a nearby bench. "I'll get our orders and bring them to you." With those words, he left Ladon. Ladon really hadn't changed, huh? Senri was being nicer then usual -- attributing it to Ladon's influence.
WHen he arrived at the stand, "Two orders." Senri flashed two fingers, the owner of the stand giving them a curt nod. He then concentrated on flipping the nearly-finished batter balls. When they were done, he expertly forked them onto plates and added the finishing touches. A few moments later, Senri paid for their orders and came back to Ladon with his hands full.
Takoyaki was a Japanese snack, fried octopus balls wrapped in fried battle balls that was drizzled with mayonnaise, tonkatsu sauce, dried bonito flakes, and aonori (dried seaweed). They were freshly cooked as well, Senri handled over the small boat-shaped plate with twelve pieces. "There's octopus inside. Don't eat it if you're allergic to seafood." He should have considered it before hand, but he imagined that Ladon would have brought up any allergies at the beginning if he had any. "Try it." Senri had already popped one into his mouth. He knew ladon wasn't used to street food. "It won't hurt anybody. Besides, wouldn't you say that being bad once in a while is a bit more fun then being good?" He sent an easy grin. "But if you really don't like it, I'll buy you something else."
Senri knew the dietary rules of life, but he could ignore them once in a while.
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