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 Posted: Fri May 06, 2016 11:39 pm
Saturdays were usually one of the more busier days at June Nights. It wasn't a popular joint as it was, but it could still attract a crowd as long it was the weekend and there were thirsty young adults hankering for a drink. While Minoru enjoyed a social bout every once in a while over a beer, he also came to JN for its quietness, so some of the rowdier groups in the back of the bar caused his eyebrow to twitch with every whoop and shrill laugh they made.
It didn't help either that it was Phil manning the counter that weekend, not Xenia. His longtime friend with benefits could bring calm to whatever turbulent waters he found himself drowning in, but with Phil, the owner, they were just friends, but not of the sociable variety. He was more inclined to cater to paying customers, not the lazy teal-haired soul still nursing a bottle of Corona.
So he let out a long sigh and glanced up to the clock beyond the displayed liquor of the bar. "You're probably bored as hell in your night class," Minoru said to himself, thinking of his friend. "And I'm bored as hell here."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 12:15 am
A older teen's head swerved as he passed the bar counter. He knew that voice. Where had it come from? He was lucky enough to catch the second sentence of the fellow who had been speaking, but when Kit realized the stranger was only speaking to himself, he had to laugh.
"Wow. I've heard of talkative drunks, but I didn't know people got so talkative that they ended up talking to themselves," he said, walking up to stand just behind the teal-haired man's chair. "Or did you decide to speak up when I was walking by because you knew I'd remember that voice?" He leaned over so his lips were right near Minoru's ear. "Ey, 'Trooper?"Unoderi ((It's awesome! Thanks so much! X3))
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 12:31 am
Whatever the set of circumstances, whatever power of fate compelled it, when Minoru felt that voice, it took everything in his being not to launch to his feet. Instead, he steadied himself by curling fingers around his beer and taking a swig after having it sit there untouched for who knows how long.
Xenia would tug at his earlobe and he would bat her hand away, chagrining. It was a weakness he detested.
Trying to play it cool (as cool as a guy steeling his resolve can be), Minoru turned to that voice and said, "I'm not drunk, just... musing. But had I known you were here, I would've spoken up sooner." His eyebrows quirked up a bit. "Small world, I wasn't expecting to, well, see you again." And so soon at that.
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 12:42 am
Kit's grin broadened as he watched the teal-haired man's reaction, observing the way he took a long drink and his fingers tightened around his bottle. As someone who sketched a lot, he liked to pay attention to details, especially when it came to people. He was used to people reacting badly or violently toward him, but by this guy's behavior, he seemed to at least have a good deal of self-control.
"Would you have?" the black-haired high schooler mused. "I know I wanted to at least ask you about the helmet thing, but I'm surprised you would have wanted to talk to me again. Especially since we were on opposite sides and all."
Beaming, Kit slipped onto the bar stool beside his acquaintance. "Name's Kit. I've been keeping an ear out for that voice of yours so I could ask you about what you said to me before. Would have annoyed the heck outta me if I never found you again, heh."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 12:52 am
"Well, I just thought of the whole event as a game." His eyes followed his new companion as he took a seat, and then he turned back to his drink. "So"—eyes lingered on him again—"it was not within my mind not to talk to you."
Kit's words surprised him a bit. "I didn't think I was sought after," Minoru said. "Though I understand why, my reply... was vague." His lips pursed slightly. "But I meant what I said, hiding my face and all. And the name's Minoru, though Min works if you prefer. Pleasure to actually talk to you without the helmet on."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 1:04 am
"Oh, of course. But the fact that we chose different sides still suggests a difference in ways of thinking or personalities, doesn't it?" He shrugged with a smile. "Not that I'm much of a Star Wars fan, nor was I particularly devoted to the side I picked.
"But you know, the funny thing about that series is that I remember the Jedi saying something like 'only Sith deal in absolutes'. And yet the Jedi themselves are the ones who divide people into the dark and light sides. Not to mention having a lack of emotion or attachment. If those aren't absolutes, I don't know what is." He chuckled lightly. "But I guess that's what Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker were there for; to show that balance is essential and that there is always an in-between."
The tattooed teenager cocked his head at the other man. "I thought it was an interesting answer. Made sense. But what I wanted to know was why - why you wanted to hide your face. Doesn't seem like you have any reason to hide it to me." He sneered and held out his hand to shake if the other so chose. "The pleasure's mine."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 1:15 am
Unfortunately, Minoru wasn't affiliated with the Star Wars mythos as he wished he was then and there, so the most he could offer to Kit's words were a hum in recognition. Suddenly, he wondered if he sounded more bored than intrigued.
You could at least contribute something, he thought to himself, but before he could, the topic returned to him and his mind was elsewhere.
"I... know a lot of people." Dated and slept with were the actual truths. This realization made him stretch a hand for his beer again. "So I felt a... tad embarrassed if someone I knew were to see me there. That's all, honestly." A drink and then a pert smile as he shook Kit's hand. "Would you like a drink? I can have Phil bring you whatever you want."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 1:27 am
"Oh yeah?" He smirked. "You afraid of being thought of as a geek or something?" Kit laughed lightly. "The majority of other people there would have probably been considered the same, so what would there have been to worry about? Them thinking that you were one of them?"
Kit couldn't help it. Upon receiving Minoru's hand and shaking it, he then attempted to bring it to his lips in a kiss, keeping his gaze locked on the other's the whole time.
"That's awfully sweet of you, angel-face, but then I'd be in your debt. Besides, not sure what I'd drink here since I'm underage." Releasing Minoru, he then leaned his elbow on the bar counter and made a fist to prop his head up against. "You must come here a lot if you know the bartender by name."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 1:50 am
"No, no, it wasn't anything like that," Minoru admitted. Just as he put his beer down, he wanted to pick it up again. "I'm not used to large congregations of people. I prefer one-on-one conversations, like this. There was just some security in wearing something like a mask... or a helmet, to be frank. That anonymity is preferred."
That quiant gesture tugged the corner of Minoru's mouth into a simper. He reached that same hand up and thumbed Kit's bottom lip, just to feel that softness again.
"Just being polite," he said, gaze half-lidded. "Though, how young are we talking? I don't want to be overstepping my bounds." He hand fell to the bar top. "And yes, I am quite frequent here. I like the quietness when it isn't the weekends, at least. And you? What bring you here?"
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 2:14 am
"Ahh, I see now." He smiled at Minoru's beer. "That's cute. And here I'd thought the answer would have been something like 'people look cooler when you can't see their faces'. Like how people like wearing sunglasses. I figure it's because you can't tell what expression they're wearing so they're hard to read and they seem stoic." A pause. "But even smiles can serve as masks."
Blinking in surprise as the teal-haired young man touched Kit's mouth, the Hillworth senior exhaled sharply. Well, he certainly hadn't expected that. He felt his face - no, his whole body - get warmer at the contact. ...Damn.
"Eighteen," he answered automatically. "Almost done with my last semester at Hillworth. Why, how old are you?" Kit snorted. "Seeking quiet at a bar...now that's one I haven't heard before. But I guess you're right, probably wouldn't be so busy on weekdays."
He cast Minoru a wicked grin. "Oh, just looking for someone to play with is all. Was feeling a little lonely by myself in my dorm room."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 2:32 am
Minoru smiled. "Very true, even smiles can serve as masks," he said. "But no, it's just that. Nothing else."
"Twenty-two," he replied promptly. "Going into my last or so year at Sovereign Heights. Hillworth, huh? I had a few friends from there when I was in high school." And their reputation never proceeded them considering the type of school it was. "Still the same? Military-style and full of rabble-rousers?"
He muffled a chuckle under the curl of a finger and glanced to the right to make sure Phil wasn't within eavesdropping distance. "I should correct myself: There is no one here on a weekday. It's, well, JN's an absolute dump. Phil is lucky he gets even me to come here. Since I"—he smiled down to the bar counter—"stop by when I am feeling a little lonely as well. Though being someone to play with, well, I hope I am keeping you entertained? Because, without a doubt, your company is for me."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 2:52 am
Kit's brows shot up. "Sovereign Heights? What a coincidence; I was just talking to a girl from DCU about it the other day 'cause I wasn't sure what to do after high school graduation. Did you like it? Hehe, guess it makes sense you would have gone to Hillworth, too, since I hear SHP is recommended for high schoolers coming from all boys or all girls schools." He ran a hand through his hair. "Yup, still the same. That's what makes it so interesting, though; never a dull moment."
"Hahaha! Wow, really?" The younger male slapped his palm on the bar counter in amusement. "Then I may just have to drop by here more often myself. On weekdays."
Minoru's words caused Kit to hesitate before responding. "Ooh, hell, I'm in trouble. What a suave flatter," he remarked with admiration in his eyes as he regarded Minoru more seriously than before, looking him up and down. "Alright, smooth-talker. If my company's so entertaining, how come you keep reaching for that beer of yours, hmm? It's not because you're just forcing yourself to put up with me?" he teased, his playful expression indicating he was not offended in the least.
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 3:08 am
Minoru gave a one shoulder shrug. "It's okay," he said offhandedly. "I couldn't care less about the workload, which is heavy at that, but the people and faculty are great. Then again, I'm really only going to please my mother, aha."
Minoru blinked. "Hmm, what are you—" Just as he said this, he reflexively raised his arm once again toward his drink. Come this realization, he lowered it sheepishly into his lap and averted his eyes to the clock. "I— Well— It isn't that, I swear. It's just... You've charmed me, that's all. Since the Star Wars event." Minoru just couldn't look at him again. "It's a tad embarrassing to admit."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 3:21 am
"Oh, the mother," he groaned theatrically, putting his palm to his forehead as if he had a headache. "Been there, done that. Thank god she seemed to give up on monitoring me after I moved to Hillworth. Can't imagine what it must be like for you, though. That's the problem with being such a promising youth full of potential - everyone expects great things from you."
Smiling when Minoru appeared to realize what he meant, Kit reached over to put his arm around the teal-haired fellow. "Not sure how I managed to do that when all we did was play glorified laser tag. Unless it was my 'playing dirty'," he added, snickering. "But if you're telling the truth, then I guess I should tell you I find you just as charming." He reached out to tap Minoru lightly on the nose. "Especially the way you seem to get so easily embarrassed."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 3:33 am
"Pretty much," Minoru said, wincing a little to also express the pain of smothers. "Thank god she did, it isn't that when they continue to hover." He sighed. Oh, how he wished he had the freedom to move out. If putting in the effort to do adult things didn't take so much effort (and he wasn't so damn lazy), Minoru would've done it ages ago.
"That's why it is embarrassing to admit," Minoru said, snubbing at his nose like a child. "Always quick to fall for people." He gave a dry laugh. "Thank you all of the same, though."
Kitomyx sorry for the short replies, ahhh;;;
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