|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:24 pm
He didn't often pass by the park on his way home from classes, but it was a nice day out and Nathaniel thought that maybe it would be better to spend time enjoying the pleasant weather while it lasted. He could get some studying done in the meantime, and there would be sunshine and a cool breeze - and, best of all, at least in Nathaniel's mind, the scent of freshly cut grass and flowers from the nearby bushes.
This time of day, late afternoon, the park had clusters of students crowded over picnic tables, people lounging lazily on blankets in the grass, fitness trainers jogging along the edges. Nathaniel bypassed most of the more occupied areas and headed for the quieter, open areas a short distance away, pulling out one of his textbooks as he did so.
Preoccupied with trying to figure out which page he was supposed to be on, Nathaniel didn't see that there was a figure up ahead until he almost ran straight into him.
"Oh - I'm so sorry - "
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:39 pm
For today's exercise, Shun didn't really feel like jogging. And things were a little too crowded at the gym today for his liking, so he had to make due with something else. An open area, away from the bulk of other park-goers was as good as anything for now. It was a nice little quiet clearing anyway. After doing his stretches, he began to do some warm ups by performing some basic drills. Though, he soon came to a sharp halt as someone came very close to colliding into him as he turned around. He furrowed his brow, noting the book the young man was carrying. That explained a thing or two. "No harm. But you best watch where you are going," he stated a little flatly. Had this been one of the more crowded areas of the park, an actual collision could have happened for this kid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 9:20 pm
Nathaniel felt the slightest hint of a flush across his cheeks. It was bad enough that he'd almost run into someone; even worse when he was called out on it, after having apologized, even, for not paying attention. But he tamped down on the desire to say something negative in return, swallowing it away.
Now was not the time.
"Ah...yes," he said instead, Nathaniel carefully adjusting his books. He offered the man a small smile. "I was thinking I'd get a little studying done here..."
He glanced around at the mostly deserted part of this park.
"Were you doing some sort of tai-chi or something?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 10:23 pm
Shun supposed this was a decent spot to be studying outside. It was away from most of everyone else in the park. Though, he personally would have just stayed inside for that sort of thing. He was a little surprised to see someone studying already. School had just started, hadn't it? "Not tai-chi exactly," he replied with a raised brow, "Another martial art. Just some basic karate drills to warm up."There was a pause, as he glanced to the book. "What are you studying, exactly?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 11:01 am
"Oh," said Nathaniel, and then, after a second, "For any specific reason, or do you just like being strong? Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course," he added quickly, "I've never really done any karate or martial arts at all."
It was probably evident in his slim form, though Nathaniel was trying not to think too much of this. He followed the man's gaze to his book, and gave a little half shrug.
"Calculus, mostly," said Nathaniel with a small smile. "I'm a Calculus major, but I thought I'd do a bit of Biology as well, maybe some reading for my history classes as well."
His eyes moved to the man's face.
"Are you still in school, or are you done?" He did look several years older, just on first glance, but maybe he was a grad student.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 12:00 pm
There was a slight tilt of his head at the first question, which came off a little personal, to him. "Staying physically fit on top of things if possible is certainly important," he replied, folding his arms over his chest. At the mention of which subjects he as studying, Shun gave a light nod. Well, the kid being studious should hopefully mean he'd keep out of too much trouble, not that it would do much if he ended up getting caught in the undertow of all the magical things. He gave pause as the next question came, and he couldn't help but scoff lightly at the thought. "No. I have not been in school for some time now. I work at the Police Department," he explained.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 3:00 pm
"I've heard that," said Nathaniel agreeably. "I can't say I'm all that great at being physically fit myself, but I've tried to, you know, keep up in all of my physical education classes and all that. Sometimes I go to the gym, when I have time to."
And money, he thought, but didn't say it, wishing somewhat ruefully that he had at least six more hours in the day and about sixteen thousand more dollars at the same time. There was only so much he could do on a meager temp job salary and scholarships.
Nathaniel's brows rose.
"Oh, the police department?" he said, smiling, although his heart seemed to wilt inside of his chest at the very thought. "I, ah...I'm afraid I don't have much experience with them at all."
A lie, but who was to tell.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 6:18 pm
"There is more than one way to stay sharp. The mind is just as important as the body."There was another raise of his eyebrow at the comment regarding the police department. "I would think not. Most citizens that have a lot of experience usually have caused trouble or have had trouble," he stated. There wasn't really much other reason for the average person to have a lot of dealings with the police.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 9:07 pm
Nathaniel felt the corners of his lips quirk involuntarily up. It sounded like something he'd read in a book somewhere or seen in some movie - the mind is just as important as the body. Maybe a comic? It had been a while since he'd read any comics.
"A sharp mind is just as brutal as a knife sometimes," Nathaniel quipped cheerfully, readjusting his hold on his books, although he was slightly disconcerted by a conversation about the police. There was only one person that he felt comfortable discussing things with when it came to that part of his life.
"Depends on the definition of trouble, I suppose," said Nathaniel as casually as he could. "Why did you choose to go into the police as a career? Any particular reason, or did you just feel like shooting people?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 9:17 pm
"..."Shun raised his brow at the boy, as the student asked him why he chose this career. Maybe it was a result of hearing of all the trigger happy cops in the media. Granted, he was still a fairly violent person in his own right. If that was what drove him, he could have just stayed in the 'family business'. "If that was my reason, I probably should not have pursued this," he flatly stated, "No. Simply put, people are s**t and do s**t things. Things that if left alone, only get worse."He shrugged, then looked over the student once again as he folded his arms over his chest. "Sergeant Shun Kuroda. Who are you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 8:05 am
He'd meant it as a joke, but clearly this was not someone who was capable of taking jokes, or maybe even smiling, come to think of it. Nathaniel felt the first brush of mingled embarrassment and the faintest trace of annoyance flickering its way through his veins.
"I'm sure that's a good reason enough as any," he said, with a touch of coolness to his voice. "I suppose an argument could also be made that some things are meant to be shitty."
The friendly smile had gone from his face, relaxing into something more withdrawn and a little tense. As the man - Kuroda - had made no attempt at a handshake and seemed not to know how to, for that matter, Nathaniel did not offer his hand either.
"Nathaniel," he said, deliberately leaving off his last name. "I'm a student at Rider-Waite, though not, as you could probably tell, a law enforcement candidate."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 8:39 am
"That is entirely possible. But why leave it at that? Especially if you have the means to potentially do something about it?"Shun gave a shrug. While there had been somewhat of a shift in demeanor for Nathaniel, his own expression hadn't really changed at all, nor the tone in his voice. He just nodded as the student gave his name in turn. "Understandable. It is not a career for everyone. In any case, I should probably let you do your studying now."He still needed to get on with his own things as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 4:26 pm
"Not everything can be fixed," murmured Nathaniel, something distant flickering across his face. "Intentions are fine and well, but some things can't be changed no matter how much you might have the 'potential to do something about it.' And, of course, there's the matter of if you should do something about it at all in the first place."
He seemed lost in thought for a moment, and then shook himself out of it, Nathaniel's gaze flickering back up to the sergeant. A small, resigned smile tugged at the corners of his lips; he could sense a dismissal when he heard one, after all.
"Yes, and you have to return to your training," he said mildly. "For...whatever it is that you feel the need to train for. I'm sorry again for almost running into you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 4:30 pm
Shun tilted his head at that reply. There was something in that in which he couldn't quite pick up on. Perhaps something within the boy's personal experience? He wasn't sure, and it wasn't his place to ask. Instead, he just quietly nodded to Nathaniel, then turned to give the student some room. There was enough space in this clearing for the both of them, should the other decide to stick around here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
