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Silver strands spilled over the text, shifting almost rhythmically with each bob of the university student’s head. With the thick, high-quality headset settled snugly over his ears, one could have drawn the conclusion that his movements were timed to music only audible to him. However, upon closer inspection, one might have noticed that eyelids lowered along with the head and the book over which the young man leaned was in danger of being collapsed upon.
It was not Roka’s intention to take a nap in the middle of a public library. However, he had been up especially the late the previous night attempting to compose music with the inspiration discovered upon the completion of his essay. There was something about being given dull and mundane work that seemed to strike the student with motivation to work on personal projects he otherwise had trouble with.
Unfortunately, having chosen to work on his composition instead of sleep had left him both exhausted and unable to study for the exam in his next class. His head began to sink beneath the horizon of his folded arms like a silver sun, unable to resist the allure of sweet sleep.
It was not Roka’s intention to take a nap in the middle of a public library. However, he had been up especially the late the previous night attempting to compose music with the inspiration discovered upon the completion of his essay. There was something about being given dull and mundane work that seemed to strike the student with motivation to work on personal projects he otherwise had trouble with.
Unfortunately, having chosen to work on his composition instead of sleep had left him both exhausted and unable to study for the exam in his next class. His head began to sink beneath the horizon of his folded arms like a silver sun, unable to resist the allure of sweet sleep.
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Andre didn't particularly like hanging out in libraries. He liked that it was quiet, he liked watching people frantically studying for classes, what he didn't like was that other than that...there wasn't a whole lot going on.
Which was where he was at right now, absently tapping his pencil against his book as he blankly stared out at the other students sitting around. He should be studying for his college prep class but...that was boring. This town was so boring it was going to kill him before any of the vagrants his grandparents were so concerned about him bumping into. He wished someone would try to start something. He was itching to get his hands around someone's throat.
His gaze drifted over to where a silver-haired male was slowly drifting off. He watched his head bob tiredly and he hoped, distantly, that his head would hit the desk. For now though, he took to folding up little pieces of paper to flick in his direction.
Which was where he was at right now, absently tapping his pencil against his book as he blankly stared out at the other students sitting around. He should be studying for his college prep class but...that was boring. This town was so boring it was going to kill him before any of the vagrants his grandparents were so concerned about him bumping into. He wished someone would try to start something. He was itching to get his hands around someone's throat.
His gaze drifted over to where a silver-haired male was slowly drifting off. He watched his head bob tiredly and he hoped, distantly, that his head would hit the desk. For now though, he took to folding up little pieces of paper to flick in his direction.
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The head jerked up with a soft cry as the edge of a paper made impact and Roka’s brows narrowed. He glanced around a little wearily before spotting the purple-haired high-schooler and the lines of his frown deepened. With a very unimpressed expression, he slowly mouthed the question, ‘Did you do that?’ while holding up the offending piece of paper between his forefinger and thumb.
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The teen feigned a surprised yet hurt expression before picking his book back up. With a soft huff he shook his head and buried his nose back into it, though his gaze kept drifting up over the top to peer at the silver-haired male. Whenever the stranger's gaze would avert he would flick another piece of paper before ducking back behind the cover of his book.
It was childish, he knew. But the others irritated expression was entertaining and just the distraction he needed so he didn't have to study.
It was childish, he knew. But the others irritated expression was entertaining and just the distraction he needed so he didn't have to study.
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Roka glared harder. No one looked that hurt about such a small thing unless they were undeniably guilty. Having had a good deal of experience with a troublemaker or two in the past, the college student strongly suspected that the culprit had erected his book as a screen behind which to hide his smile. He glowered at the stranger, studying what he could see of him and trying to make out if the impertinent young fellow was there with anyone else or on his own.
Another piece of paper hit the side of his head and though he kept his head still this time, his eye locked on his suspect in his peripheral vision with the intensity of a predatory bird. After a few thoughtful moments, the older student pushed back his chair, got to his feet, and came over to stand just behind his sly tormentor.
His silver locks cascaded across the other male’s shoulders when Roka leaned forward to murmur in his ear. “You must lead a dull life indeed if the highest form of entertainment you have is tossing paper at people and pretending to be innocent.”
Another piece of paper hit the side of his head and though he kept his head still this time, his eye locked on his suspect in his peripheral vision with the intensity of a predatory bird. After a few thoughtful moments, the older student pushed back his chair, got to his feet, and came over to stand just behind his sly tormentor.
His silver locks cascaded across the other male’s shoulders when Roka leaned forward to murmur in his ear. “You must lead a dull life indeed if the highest form of entertainment you have is tossing paper at people and pretending to be innocent.”
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Andre snickered softly before covering it with a cough as soft hair tickled his cheek. He didn't try to hide his wide smile or the pile of paper scraps, “Dull indeed.” He agreed, turning his head just enough to peer at the male from the corner of his eye. “And if I didn't make it obvious you would still be drooling into your textbook instead of talking to me.” He flashed a charming smile as he motioned to the chair across from him. “Join me for a bit?”
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The older student’s eyes widened. This impudent, disrespectful, smug little brat…! His face burned as he slowly straightened back up, clasping his hands behind his back to maintain his composure, but unable to dim the fires of fury that flared behind his eyes as he stared down at the seated high schooler.
“There are other, more polite, proper, friendly, and acceptable ways to acquire one’s attention. Especially if you are unfamiliar with each other and even more so if they are your elders.” The fires continued to burn, but they burned cold as Roka continued to remain standing. He was not about to comply with the younger man’s request so easily. Let him remain where he was and hurt his neck trying to turn his head if he didn’t have the decency to get up and properly face the person he was addressing.
“What is your name?” He regarded the blue scarf and attire. “That’s an Azure Valley Academy uniform, is it not? I expected better from one of their boys.”
“There are other, more polite, proper, friendly, and acceptable ways to acquire one’s attention. Especially if you are unfamiliar with each other and even more so if they are your elders.” The fires continued to burn, but they burned cold as Roka continued to remain standing. He was not about to comply with the younger man’s request so easily. Let him remain where he was and hurt his neck trying to turn his head if he didn’t have the decency to get up and properly face the person he was addressing.
“What is your name?” He regarded the blue scarf and attire. “That’s an Azure Valley Academy uniform, is it not? I expected better from one of their boys.”
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When it became apparent that the older male didn't plan to sit any time soon, the purple-haired youth slid down in his seat until he could rest the back of his head against the back of the chair, looking up at the other upside down. “Proper? He repeated, a slender eyebrow raising and disappearing beneath curly bangs. “Proper is dull.” His nose wrinkled in distaste before his expression smoothed out as he smiled, sweet and boyish. “And who’s not being friendly? Especially to a kid.”
He didn't seem particularly bothered by the others demeanour. “Astute observation. I do attend Azure Valley Academie, I recently transferred.” His hand came up in an offer to shake. “You may call me Andre if I can get your name in return.”
He didn't seem particularly bothered by the others demeanour. “Astute observation. I do attend Azure Valley Academie, I recently transferred.” His hand came up in an offer to shake. “You may call me Andre if I can get your name in return.”
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More impudence. Wonderful. Clearly this fellow wasn’t about to let himself be intimidated - something that Roka found both obnoxious and grudgingly admirable. He’s probably just used to getting what he wants like the majority of the rich boys attending that school. Disgusting, he thought, his thin line of a mouth twisting in distaste. Oh well. He’ll get a taste of the real world soon enough.
“Spoken like a truly naive child. One born with a silver spoon in his mouth and raised in a gilded cage.” Why did he have to smile like that? It was pissing Roka off. “I wasn’t the one starved for attention. I have no need to feign friendliness for the likes of you.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he cocked his head slightly, considering the information he’d been given. He’d been lied to before, of course, but what reason would this one have had to? “Where did you transfer from?” he asked, his volume and tone softening somewhat. “Did you move to Destiny City recently?”
The name Andre had been given with more willingness than Roka had expected, but no family name accompanied it and he couldn’t be sure if it was real. Again, though, what reason might the purple-haired stranger have had to lie? It wasn’t as though Roka could have gotten him in trouble for simply tossing a paper or two at him. “...Then you may call me Roka, Andre,” he answered after a long, reluctant hesitation. “I’m a student at DCU. If you’re new here, that stands for Destiny City University.”
After what seemed like an eternity, he accepted the other boy’s hand in a tentative handshake. “If you plan to attend there as well after you graduate, I suggest you correct your attitude and raise your maturity level. It would help to change your opinion on what’s proper.”
He gestured toward the pieces of paper still scattered about the table. “They don’t stand for this sort of juvenile behavior at the university.”
“Spoken like a truly naive child. One born with a silver spoon in his mouth and raised in a gilded cage.” Why did he have to smile like that? It was pissing Roka off. “I wasn’t the one starved for attention. I have no need to feign friendliness for the likes of you.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he cocked his head slightly, considering the information he’d been given. He’d been lied to before, of course, but what reason would this one have had to? “Where did you transfer from?” he asked, his volume and tone softening somewhat. “Did you move to Destiny City recently?”
The name Andre had been given with more willingness than Roka had expected, but no family name accompanied it and he couldn’t be sure if it was real. Again, though, what reason might the purple-haired stranger have had to lie? It wasn’t as though Roka could have gotten him in trouble for simply tossing a paper or two at him. “...Then you may call me Roka, Andre,” he answered after a long, reluctant hesitation. “I’m a student at DCU. If you’re new here, that stands for Destiny City University.”
After what seemed like an eternity, he accepted the other boy’s hand in a tentative handshake. “If you plan to attend there as well after you graduate, I suggest you correct your attitude and raise your maturity level. It would help to change your opinion on what’s proper.”
He gestured toward the pieces of paper still scattered about the table. “They don’t stand for this sort of juvenile behavior at the university.”
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“Spoken like someone who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and is trying to leave the gilded cage.” Andre fired right back before huffing a soft laugh. “How is that working out for you? Have you flown the coop?” He asked, head cocked slightly at an uncomfortable angle. His smile never wavered despite the waves of disapproval rolling off the other male.
“My family moved from France just a few months ago.” He shifted so he could fold his arms over the back of his seat, his cheek falling to rest on them. “I've only recently joined them though. I've been here oh…” His eye lifted to the ceiling in thought. “Two weeks? Two and a half?” He shrugged lightly, his gaze turned back to the other with interest. “Roka…” His cool fingers curled around the others hand before bring them to his lips so he could kiss his knuckles. “It's a pleasure to meet you.”
A soft, airy laugh slipped past his lips as he released Roka’s hand to sit up properly. “I'm not concerned with all of that right now.”
“My family moved from France just a few months ago.” He shifted so he could fold his arms over the back of his seat, his cheek falling to rest on them. “I've only recently joined them though. I've been here oh…” His eye lifted to the ceiling in thought. “Two weeks? Two and a half?” He shrugged lightly, his gaze turned back to the other with interest. “Roka…” His cool fingers curled around the others hand before bring them to his lips so he could kiss his knuckles. “It's a pleasure to meet you.”
A soft, airy laugh slipped past his lips as he released Roka’s hand to sit up properly. “I'm not concerned with all of that right now.”
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What the fu-?! How had he figured out something like that? Was it something he’d said? He hadn’t thought he’d given anything away… Hadn’t he just spoken and acted like any other normal university student might have acted?
Realizing his mouth was hanging open slightly, Roka abruptly closed it. That smile...I’m going to get rid of that smile if it’s the last thing I do. Imagining the ways with which he could accomplish such a task, he forced his own lips to curve into a similar, if strained, expression.
He listened carefully, his countenance like chiseled stone as he carefully noted and categorized each new fact about this most recent, irksome acquaintance. Roka reminded himself also that this person could have been a pathological liar and none of what he said might have been true, but unless he had to do something with the information, there was no reason to question its validity.
…?!!
“WHA - “ The recollection that they were in a library cut short the exclamation.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” The breathy inquiry was so strong and sharp it tested the boundaries of what could have been considered a whisper. His face bloomed scarlet as he frantically rubbed the back of his hand and wiped it on his clothing with the urgency and panic of one fearing contamination by a deadly virus.
He should have known. Someone as impudent as this kid with a smile that disarming couldn’t have been trusted to execute a simple, hormal handshake. By the time Roka had recovered the presence of mind to jerk his hand away, the deed had already been done.
Yup. This one was trouble. He should have just trusted his instincts and just gotten up and left the moment he’d laid eyes on that ridiculous smile. “Oh, really? And just what are you concerned with right now, then?” He reached across the table for his textbook. “If you’re not interested in reading, I suggest you leave the library.”
Realizing his mouth was hanging open slightly, Roka abruptly closed it. That smile...I’m going to get rid of that smile if it’s the last thing I do. Imagining the ways with which he could accomplish such a task, he forced his own lips to curve into a similar, if strained, expression.
He listened carefully, his countenance like chiseled stone as he carefully noted and categorized each new fact about this most recent, irksome acquaintance. Roka reminded himself also that this person could have been a pathological liar and none of what he said might have been true, but unless he had to do something with the information, there was no reason to question its validity.
…?!!
“WHA - “ The recollection that they were in a library cut short the exclamation.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” The breathy inquiry was so strong and sharp it tested the boundaries of what could have been considered a whisper. His face bloomed scarlet as he frantically rubbed the back of his hand and wiped it on his clothing with the urgency and panic of one fearing contamination by a deadly virus.
He should have known. Someone as impudent as this kid with a smile that disarming couldn’t have been trusted to execute a simple, hormal handshake. By the time Roka had recovered the presence of mind to jerk his hand away, the deed had already been done.
Yup. This one was trouble. He should have just trusted his instincts and just gotten up and left the moment he’d laid eyes on that ridiculous smile. “Oh, really? And just what are you concerned with right now, then?” He reached across the table for his textbook. “If you’re not interested in reading, I suggest you leave the library.”
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Andre's smile only grew into a full out grin at the surprised look on Roka’s face. It was something he got often, right along with the forced smile. “You don't have to force it.” He motioned to the elder male's smile with a casual wave of his hand. “Did what I say offend you? I didn't mean for it to.” Though he wasn't going out of his way to not offend him, either. “Or were you just surprised that I knew?”
The teen watched the other with no small amount of amusement. “Where I come from, it's a common greeting.” He explained, making no effort to hide the glee in his voice. “Your reaction was a little dramatic, but cute all the same.” His hands dropped to his lap but his gaze never left the silver-haired male in front of him. He didn't stop him from plucking up his textbook, a heavy medical journal his father had given him before he left the house that morning, but cocked his head.
“Well,” He began, leaning back to pull the chair up onto two legs. “Right now I'm interested in you. So I suppose the library is the best place for me to be.”
The teen watched the other with no small amount of amusement. “Where I come from, it's a common greeting.” He explained, making no effort to hide the glee in his voice. “Your reaction was a little dramatic, but cute all the same.” His hands dropped to his lap but his gaze never left the silver-haired male in front of him. He didn't stop him from plucking up his textbook, a heavy medical journal his father had given him before he left the house that morning, but cocked his head.
“Well,” He began, leaning back to pull the chair up onto two legs. “Right now I'm interested in you. So I suppose the library is the best place for me to be.”
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Oh no. No no no no. He meant for that smile to disappear, not grow. The silver-haired young man spitefully stretched his own lips so tight they hurt. Roka refused to back down against this one. Just because this Andre might have thought he knew a thing or two didn’t mean he’d won no matter how much he acted like it. Roka couldn’t allow himself to be psyched out by the other’s seemingly unwavering confidence.
“What makes you think you even know what you’re talking about?” he retorted irritably, swallowing a thick knot of aggression and hostility as best he could manage. It was difficult, however, especially when disrupted with the flood of embarrassment that washed over him with the comment of his overreaction. Andre was right. His panic had been far greater than a normal person’s might have been and thus he had reacted much more exaggeratedly. Why did the high schooler have to pick up on that?
“...In case you didn’t realize, this isn’t where you came from. If I were you I’d turn around and fly right back to your planet, because here, people don’t generally go around kissing each others’ hands; especially the hands of men. Here, that would be considered over-familiar and inappropriate, so you’ll forgive me if I disagree in the opinion that I was being dramatic.”
He turned his head to the left, his curtain of asymmetrical bangs concealing Andre’s view of his face from the right. It was unnerving knowing he was being scrutinized so carefully, particularly because that gaze wasn’t budging. ’Cute’? This guy is seriously just trying to piss me off… “Furthermore, you’re being condescending to your elders. Cut it out.”
“Well, right now I'm interested in you. So I suppose the library is the best place for me to be.”
Before he could think twice about what he was doing, Roka’s hand clamped on the back of the precariously-balanced chair and yanked it downward.
“What makes you think you even know what you’re talking about?” he retorted irritably, swallowing a thick knot of aggression and hostility as best he could manage. It was difficult, however, especially when disrupted with the flood of embarrassment that washed over him with the comment of his overreaction. Andre was right. His panic had been far greater than a normal person’s might have been and thus he had reacted much more exaggeratedly. Why did the high schooler have to pick up on that?
“...In case you didn’t realize, this isn’t where you came from. If I were you I’d turn around and fly right back to your planet, because here, people don’t generally go around kissing each others’ hands; especially the hands of men. Here, that would be considered over-familiar and inappropriate, so you’ll forgive me if I disagree in the opinion that I was being dramatic.”
He turned his head to the left, his curtain of asymmetrical bangs concealing Andre’s view of his face from the right. It was unnerving knowing he was being scrutinized so carefully, particularly because that gaze wasn’t budging. ’Cute’? This guy is seriously just trying to piss me off… “Furthermore, you’re being condescending to your elders. Cut it out.”
“Well, right now I'm interested in you. So I suppose the library is the best place for me to be.”
Before he could think twice about what he was doing, Roka’s hand clamped on the back of the precariously-balanced chair and yanked it downward.
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“Your reaction tells me what you didn't.” He said lightly, pale gaze roaming over the others body with obvious intent. “You were surprised that I had figured it out so easily and became defensive when I asserted my observation. If you really weren't from a wealthy family you would have had no problem informing me that your complex stems from an outsider's perspective.” He tapped his chin lightly. “Feel free to tell me if I'm wrong, though. I'm always looking to improve my skills of observation.”
Andre snickered softly and shrugged his shoulders. “That sounds a little xenophobic, wouldn't you say?” He quipped, his smile growing. “But if I'm met with such open hostility in the future I know how to defend myself.” He would love a reason to show a few people that he wasn't someone to mess with.
“Am I being condescending? I- !!” His breath caught in his throat as the chair suddenly tipped beneath him, sending him toppling to the poorly carpeted floor. The scrape and clatter drew the attention of some of the surrounding students but Andre paid it no mind as he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position. “Ouch, so mean.” He laughed, lifting his palms to inspect the tender, carpet burned skin.
Andre snickered softly and shrugged his shoulders. “That sounds a little xenophobic, wouldn't you say?” He quipped, his smile growing. “But if I'm met with such open hostility in the future I know how to defend myself.” He would love a reason to show a few people that he wasn't someone to mess with.
“Am I being condescending? I- !!” His breath caught in his throat as the chair suddenly tipped beneath him, sending him toppling to the poorly carpeted floor. The scrape and clatter drew the attention of some of the surrounding students but Andre paid it no mind as he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position. “Ouch, so mean.” He laughed, lifting his palms to inspect the tender, carpet burned skin.
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-the ?! Is this a*****e actually checking me out right now? A vein began to throb in the older man’s temple. You’re a couple years too young to be looking at me that way, you little pissant.
No, no, he had to calm down. The kid was probably just reading his body language. Wasn’t body language 75 percent of non-verbal communication or something? He was supposed to have learned that in one of his interpersonal communication lectures, but at the moment he was too angry to even think straight.
As things stood now, he seemed to be playing so completely into the purple-haired student’s hands that Andre didn’t even seem to mind telling him he was. Perhaps he was under the impression that there was nothing Roka could do about it even if he was aware. And here Roka was, letting the brat get to him and acting completely immature instead of maintaining an outward composure, much less an inward one.
And yet...the accomplishment of toppling the smug smartass from his chair, however childish, had been so, so satisfying. The false smile eased slightly into something slightly more genuine and a great deal more malicious.
“Oops! I’m so sorry,” he apologized, his voice just a tad too bright to be sincere. “I know you said you think proper is dull, but being improper - such as the way in which you were sitting - does have its consequences.” Suddenly, the smile was gone and Roka’s countenance hardened into a mask of ice. “I thought I’d help you to correct it, but my hand must have slipped the other way.”
Side-stepping Andre, he snatched up the textbook from off the table and turned to go. Perhaps in part due to his emotional impairment at that moment in time, alongside his exhaustion from lack of sleep and his eagerness to be gone, little did Roka realize that he picked up the wrong book. While he had intended to snatch up the text that had nearly become his pillow earlier, what he left the library instead ended up being a heavy medical journal belonging to a certain Azure Valley Academy student.
No, no, he had to calm down. The kid was probably just reading his body language. Wasn’t body language 75 percent of non-verbal communication or something? He was supposed to have learned that in one of his interpersonal communication lectures, but at the moment he was too angry to even think straight.
As things stood now, he seemed to be playing so completely into the purple-haired student’s hands that Andre didn’t even seem to mind telling him he was. Perhaps he was under the impression that there was nothing Roka could do about it even if he was aware. And here Roka was, letting the brat get to him and acting completely immature instead of maintaining an outward composure, much less an inward one.
And yet...the accomplishment of toppling the smug smartass from his chair, however childish, had been so, so satisfying. The false smile eased slightly into something slightly more genuine and a great deal more malicious.
“Oops! I’m so sorry,” he apologized, his voice just a tad too bright to be sincere. “I know you said you think proper is dull, but being improper - such as the way in which you were sitting - does have its consequences.” Suddenly, the smile was gone and Roka’s countenance hardened into a mask of ice. “I thought I’d help you to correct it, but my hand must have slipped the other way.”
Side-stepping Andre, he snatched up the textbook from off the table and turned to go. Perhaps in part due to his emotional impairment at that moment in time, alongside his exhaustion from lack of sleep and his eagerness to be gone, little did Roka realize that he picked up the wrong book. While he had intended to snatch up the text that had nearly become his pillow earlier, what he left the library instead ended up being a heavy medical journal belonging to a certain Azure Valley Academy student.
insidiousEnigma
