overjoyed_logs | People Who Make Good First Impressions Usually Suck

[The voices of hecklers blended in with the chatter of the crowd around him as Takasugi roamed one of the many allies full gaudy lights and food smelled of nothing but grease.

A shout of 'Sir! One eye one free chance!' went ignored, left to fold in with the distorted music and incomprehensible mix of voices. Takasugi lowered his head and kept walking. The fireworks display was about to begin. There was no announcement, no fanfare, simply a thinning crowd as everyone found their viewing locations, to herald the show's beginning. Light flashed over the street and Takasugi stopped walking, turning his gaze towards the sky.

His teeth clinked soundlessly on the mouthpiece of his pipe, half-smoked tobacco reignited by a small flame that paled in comparison with the fire above him. Explosions loud enough to make the ground tremor called everyone, even the vendors, to watch the display.

When the last shimmer of color faded from the sky, however, they were back to preying on any passer-by they saw. It seemed he was a target again, a beckoning voice urging him to come try 'just one toss.

Takasugi removed his pipe from his mouth and rolled the shank between his thumb and forefinger. He'd intended to avoid gratifying the hawker with a response, but more shouting followed him, each yell describing him more than the last. 'Pipe smoker!' 'Eyepatch!' 'Swordsman!'

Heads were turning towards him, and a smirk not born from elation but from exasperation spread on his face. At that moment, a child passed by - and Takasugi seized the opportunity. He nodded at the invitation, and then looked down to the boy.] He wants you to play his game. [Takasugi spoke quietly, as if a secret, not a meaningless suggestion, was coming from his lips.]

[...He'd only paused for a moment. Just long enough to watch some old geezer spin a bunch of noodles and set them into the middle of a plate while his sister cooed excitedly over the bright burst of fireworks - the official opening to the festival before the grand display (according to his father), and debated asking his mother to try those.

(They were the first kind of food he'd seen that wasn't coated in sugar, fried, or both since they'd started wandering the streets for this festival.)

On the one hand, he didn't often ask for things while there were out, but on the other... he knew joy was tight and his dad worked himself to the bone for it. It felt wrong, almost, to ask for something so selfishly, knowing that.

Another long moment of debate, before he'd finally turned away, resolute.But when he'd glanced back, both mother and sister were gone.

Shit.

This was definitely going to get him yelled at.

He'd been walking for several minutes now, his gaze intent as he looked for the flashes of black and white that marked his mother's dress when a man stopped him. Glancing up at the staged whisper, Yu blinked, shifted his blue glare at the game vendor, then back again... right before scowling up at the man rather fiercely.]

The fuck would I want to play that dumbassed game for?

[Hope you weren't expecting a cute kid, because that's the one thing you're not getting.]

That shit's for babies or idiots.

[The boy should have asked for those noodles. Giving in to primal desires didn't always mean trouble - sometimes they were trying to tell you something.

Though, distract yourself or a weird guy is going to try to strong-arm you into playing a carnival game might be a bit beyond what instincts could communicate.

Takasugi's smile spread, teeth flashing against the biting response. A ghost of a laugh escaped his mouth in a slow exhale as he turned his head to get a better look at the child.

He saw a specter.

A boy who thought he was above child's play, a boy who didn't know what he'd be missing the moment it was taken from him. Because it would be taken from him.

Takasugi had no desire to help a child like this, but he didn't balk or back away.] Even if they're easy, surely there's someone who would like whatever prize you win. [He gestured to the hanging stuffed animals and toys with the end of his pipe.]

[Especially observant kids can learn all too soon the price of thoughtlessly voicing desires. A bowl of noodles here, joy to play a game there - it'd all amount to the same thing.

His mother's forced smile as she waged an internal war between her own desire to make him happy and the necessity of feeding him tomorrow.

He's done that before, before he'd heard her cries, realized her fears - now, he's older and knows better. Kanda would rather deny himself now, than force her to do it later. which is why, even now, he only gives in enough to cast a childishly longing look one the panda hanging there, before his expression hardens and he shoots the one-eyed man a dirty look.]

Of course they're not easy. How else would they get all your joy, stupid cyclops.

[He knows the stories about one-eyed monsters that eats humans. He's not going to trust you so readily.]

[What felt like a secretive glance to a child seldom registered that way to an adult, and Kanda fell in with the rest of the stubborn boys in the world as his hesitation went noticed.

Takasugi echoed the boy's gaze, looking to the panda long enough to make the fact that he'd seen obvious.]

The game is free for a cyclops and his companion. You only stand to win. [The vendor had promised ~~almost~~ as much in his heckling moments before, and Takasugi would be holding him to it.

Keep those stories close to your heart, child, there's more truth in them than you know.]

[Oh yeah, he sees you silently calling him on his weakness. It makes him scowl all the more and almost leads him to kicking the man - he even draws a leg back to do so - before he stops.

Blue eyes narrow as they glare up at the man, his suspicion writ large on his face.]

So what do you win?

[He still has the story in mind, sure. But his sister had looked so sad when their mom told her she couldn't get that panda. If he could just make her smile now...

But first, time to let the man know one thing, to protect himself, for now.]

You try any weird shit and I'll bite your nose off!

[The spark of violence, incomplete though it was, only lit up Takasugi's eye with anticipation. A little boy full of pride with nowhere to direct himself but outward.

Suspicion would be met with a softer smile. There was no warmth, but the way his head tilted and the way his posture shifted was a practiced display of welcoming.]

That depends on how good you are. For a large prize- [A vocal reminder of what the boy coveted.] -you can't miss any of your shots.

[With the threat he rose, chuckling to himself as he re-lit his pipe and walked alongside the boy to the kiosk.] Tell that to the vendor, since you've said he's a cheat- [Spoken, of course, within ear shot of the attendant.]

It can't be that hard, even if it is rigged.

[Muttered words, defiant, towards the man - but then he had to involve the game vendor. If looks could kill, Takasugi would be dead ten times over if Kanda's expression is any indication.

Since the bastard is still standing, however, Kanda focuses his attention on the man waiting to bait them into his stupid game.

Two can play that way though, and so Kanda looks up with a childish pout so like his sisters when she begged their mom for something.]

I'm sorry - my dad's a drunk. He's always this mean, but I supposed I could play your dumb game if it'll shut him up.

[Pride barely bitten back between teeth waiting to sink into something to prove their worth seeped from the boy's reply. If he turned that defiance towards himself, rather than those around him, maybe he'd find a satisfying morsel to sate his appetite.

Takasugi returned the glare with a more thinly stretched smirk. No matter how dark the eyes, a child could only appear so dangerous.

His expression didn't change when the boy turned the charade on him, his annoyance (pride was mutual between them) veiled behind a heavy blink. Takasugi leaned against the stand, his 'balance failing him' in his 'drunken state'.] Be sure to get the big one, I don't want to hear you crying yourself to sleep tonight- [He gestured to the panda, then looked to the vendor expectantly.

And a gun was placed in Kanda's hands.]

[There's something definitely off about this man - of that, Kanda's sure. He hadn't really expected to catch the man off-beat, but still - he was quick on his feet, and quicker to adapt. Kind of like his real dad, actually. Not that the two are anything alike, really, but much as the stranger sets him on edge a bit, he's long since lost sight of his mother and sister, and there's a challenge on the table that he doesn't quite feel like walking away from.

Especially once the gun was in his hands.

Small, sure fingers adjust the mock-weapon as he casts one last glare up at this stranger, his 'dad' for the moment, before his head tilts down.

Breaths slow and steady, he closes an eye and sights down the barrel just the way his dad had taught him. Faint traces of the scowl linger as he finally squeezes the trigger with a steady force, aiming not at the center of the stacked target, but the lowermost edge of the top one.

Way he figures it, is the base looks thick, heavy, so hitting the top won't have enough force to knock it down. He's going to have to take his shots to force that top one back, until it unbalances off the other two.]

[The boy's participation was sealed long before the gun was placed in his hands, Takasugi was sure. A challenge of skill - in demonstrating his marksmanship, but - in meeting the stranger's pressure without faltering the boy could prove himself.

To himself.

He watched the child plan his shots, eyes trailing from the target to the tip of the gun to the way breath filled and emptied from the other's chest. Even. Focused. A light note of exasperation was taken when the boy closed his eye - depth perception wasn't to be underestimated.

But the target was hit as intended, and Takasugi figured he could give the child some encouragement.] Ah. You missed. [It was so much more satisfying to prove someone wrong than to hear praise for something simple.]

[Depth perception, says the man with one eye. There's a moment of satisfaction, before the stranger had to go and ruin it. ]

Bastard, I didn't miss. [Glaring up at the man, Kanda actually sticks his tongue out at the stranger before turning back to take aim once again.]

It's called strategy.

[That said, he takes the shot a second time, striking the same spot as the first and sending the base of the topmost bottle kicking out, falling between the other two to knock them over as well. Triumphantly, he half turns to smirk up at the man.]

See? It worked, dumbass!

Edited 2017-01-16 22:30 (UTC)

[You don't know what you've got til it's gone, kid.

Eyebrows raised in mock offense, Takasugi is genuinely amused to see the kid's tongue peek from between his lips. As tough as he tried to sound, he was enjoying this, at least a little.

Even if he wouldn't admit it to himself.] Ah, right. [With absent acceptance of the correction, Takasugi pulled himself from his leaning posture, standing with hips forward to observe the final shot.]

So it did. [He turns to the vendor, gesturing to the panda but not taking it when presented.] Will you need help carrying that? [No congratulations, only another incendiary question to keep the boy from puffing his chest in victory.]

Of course not!

[Clearly, Kanda plays right into the man's trap, because he's all too quick to shout rather than brag. He does, however, step up to take the oversized stuffed animal, only to realize it's quite nearly the same size as he is.

Even so!

The glare he shoots up at the man makes it clear that he's got this. No need to help. He'll just have to walk blindly through the crowds to find his mom and sister...]

She better a'preciate the shit I do for her. Damned brat.

[He hesitates, small face twisting in annoyance before he looks up again. ] ... thanks, old man.

[The boy's predictable rejection of any help was only met with a smile, which only splayed wider on his lips as the panda nearly overtook the child's size. Not that Kanda could see, with the plush fur in his face.]

Aa. [He'd done nothing other than use the boy as a distraction to keep vendor eyes from lingering. But he supposed he was being thanked for his patience, the ability to guide a no-good kid through his pride well enough to have some fun.] Brats need to look after each other-

Find her quickly. [With that, he watched the stuffed animal bob through the crowd, before he turned from the vendor and to linger between two extinguished stalls.

Remorse was far from him as Takasugi's blood ran hot, the only sign of the adrenaline that was coming to a boil under his skin. The first explosion lit up the sky with fire and ember only minutes later - for the first time that night his breaths came easy.

Among the flames that rose, weaving their path through the festivities, people in their stampede to escape blurred, but for a boy. Not the obstinate youth of moments before, but someone far more familiar. A ghost of himself - he supposed he'd killed another of those memories tonight, sent off with the bang of a pellet gun.]

[Loud music and bright lights provided excellent cover, but nothing could surpass an alcohol vendor when it came to keeping a low profile. Takasugi gave the man in the booth his money and a polite facsimile of a smile when some hokk spilled on his fingers as his purchase was handed to him. Departing the throng of people gathering to fill their bellies and empty their minds, he transferred his drink to his other hand and flicked the dirtied hand at his side.

A kiosk with its front face shut for the night was his destination. Takasugi slipped through a thinning crowd, to lean against the coarse wood and sip his cheap booze. This wasn't his first glass, but the only benefit of drinking several was that they'd stopped tasting so horrible.

As he drank, families, partners, and drunks alike passed him by. Some smiled, some staggered, and some looked glum as they wandered the street alone. He cast his gaze upwards, drinking his hokk slowly as the stars grew sharper in the sky with the gradual extinguishing of lanterns as shops closed for the night.

In just a short while, they would be dulled by the flames of rebellion, rather than the dull glow of vendors attracting people like moths to the light.]

[ Among those dispersing crowds includes an adolescent boy, long-limbs awkwardly proportioned for his age. He stops abruptly and without warning, almost causing his playmate to crash into his back.

The boy turns, grinning and waving the other child on. ]

Go on, I'll catch up later!

[ But he won't. He's unlikely to ever see them again, and if he does--he probably wouldn't be the same person. Even today he is a different character than the days past, a different person. Today, he is Aki, an overly willful and exuberant child.

A child that has wandered from the shepherd that would keep him under care, his mentoring bookman. It's not immediately apparent to Aki why he's stopped, but he's learned to listen to his instincts and act on them without question, and so he watches the silhouette of the other boy fade, letting some of the childish innocence wash from his face.

Slowly he turns, surveying the area around him with a critical eye that belies his age. A young man catches his attention, evokes a frown to his lips.

There's something very...wrong about him. Out of place. Like he's part of the puzzle that is Sugar Point, but not in the section where he belongs.

Brows knitting together, Aki touches his eye patch curiously, noting the shared quality between them. Though, why hasn't the other had it fixed? Or at least, something sturdier to protect it?

Set upon a question that demands answers, Aki shrugs and recklessly decides to just ask the way that only children ever do. He slips off to the side (never a direct approach, a bookman observes the underbelly, not the forefront), and slinks his way towards the kiosk before unceremoniously plopping down on one of the emptied crates left behind by the absent shopkeeper. Chin placed between his hands, the one-eyed man gets the one-eyed boy's full attention. ]

Hey Mister. What are you doing?

[A Heavy lidded eye passed over the bobbing heads of the crowd, dwelling on no one. Each dip in the procession of festival-goers faded into the night quickly, soon replaced by more of the same swaying parade.

With every sip, the black of the sky overtook more and more his vision.

Until a flash of red interrupted his view with a scamper of hushed steps and a 'thud'. Takasugi lowered his drink, but didn't turn to see more of who had joined him.]

Enjoying the festivities. Aren't you? [With that he'd raise his glass, a silent toast to the sky, and take a drink.]

No, you're not.

[ It's said with the earnestness that can only belong to a child, but the sharpness of someone much further in their years than the adolescent form Aki inhabits would suggest.

He covers with a laugh, but it's forced, not quite practiced and natural yet.

Still staring intently at the strange man, Aki tilts his head this way and that way, making no effort to hide his obvious study of the other. ]

I'm not either. Why don't you use an eyepatch?

[Such a bold declaration turned Takasugi's head, mouth gouged into a thin smirk.

An astute observation followed by a laugh that wasn't entirely sincere - the sign of a child who'd already learned the value of truth and lies. But with a tendency towards the truth.

Dangerous.]

Perhaps there's more to hide than a missing eye. [Scarring extended over his face - but that wasn't his meaning, as they'd both understand.]

[ There’s always more to hide than what meets the eye. If there wasn’t, Aki wouldn’t be who is today, who he’ll be tomorrow.

The childish part of him thinks that would be a better world. The pieces of him already growing bitter know that path fruitless to consider. ]

That’s dumb, though.

[ He doesn’t follow this with any laughter, but a yawn, evidently awake somewhat past his bedtime. ]

Enemies seek out weak points first. If you had a cool eye patch, you’d be better protected. Gramps probably has an extra one, but mine might be too small for you..

You assume I have enemies? [A question so radically misplaced it would stick out like a thorn.

Sharp. A warning.

Children out past their bedtime always did get into trouble - and children who thrived in mischief under a dark sky, looking at adults like walls to scale (or to knock down), were the most interesting sort.

They always had enemies of their own.]

That's dumb, too.

[ Aki rolls his eye, evidently not aware or just indifferent to the threat implied in that tone of voice, turning to shift on the box so he can lay flat on his back and stare at the sky. Whoever this guy is, he's a poor read in the dark, and Aki hasn't yet learned the patience to wait it out.

Mistakes of youth. ]

Everyone has enemies. Everyone is an enemy to someone, at some point.

Geeze, didn't you ever go to school?

[ Not that Aki has gone to school himself, strictly speaking, having a more.. hands-on education in war, as it were, but he's aware this isn't the normal. ]

[School?

Takasugi laughed, his chuckle high and clipped. School wasn't for learning about enemies and allies -

It was where you learned your place. Whether you stayed there or broke away rested on the will of the individual, not on any teachings.]

And whose enemy are you? [Takasugi didn't particularly enjoy being called 'dumb' by a child. Repeatedly. But someone so boldly approaching, so confidently speaking of conflict, could hold his interest as he passed the lingering moments of the night.]

[ This guy is good at never answering questions.

Aki didn't notice it before, but replaying the conversation in his head, he hasn't gotten a direct answer out of anything--just evasion and returned questions.

Idly, Aki stows that information away, notes it as a technique. Some day, he's going to use with pristine skill himself, but that's not today. ]

Don't know yet. I'm too new.

[ An implied "give it time" left there, Aki cranes his head to look at the laughing man again, one eyebrow raised. His next words are surprisingly bright for a child declaring himself a nemesis, if a little overly matter-of-fact.

Kids can be so annoying. ]

So I guess that makes you the first, Old Man. I'm Aki. Who are you?

[An important skill to have - Aki does himself well to recognize that.

Making enemies was an equally valuable ability, and one the child seemed to possess no shortage of desire to learn. Takasugi's laughter repeated - though this time it was a breathy huff that sounded from his chest rather than his throat.]

Your enemy, apparently. [He tilts his head, finger running idly over the smooth length of his pipe.] Are you sure you're ready for such a commitment? [He shifts, not a meaningless motion, turning to face the child more completely while bringing the sword on his hip come into view.

It wasn't a threat, simply an addition to the atmosphere.]

[ For someone considerably smaller and definitely less prepared for battle, Aki doesn't flinch at the sight of the sword. He just regards it like another aspect of the environment around him: a detail to notice.

A man who is careful not to answer questions isn't someone who will in turn slice him down in public. For all this stranger knows, Aki has a dedicated family looking for him, and there have already been witnesses to their interactions.

So he just smiles a little more, fingers locking behind his head in a careless show of nonchalance before his gaze turns back to the bandaged man. ]

I think I can handle it, ya. Appreciate the concern, No-Name.

[A dedicated family who will soon go up in smoke, as might this child, should he chose to continue partaking in the festivities. Assumptions of safety shouldn't be so easily made - had Takasugi seen the need, he may have cut the child down.

And the potential for consequences would burn, engulfed in the coming repercussions of reducing tenuous peace to embers.]

Aaa, then I look forward to our strife. [A voice that echoed the boy's display of nonchalance. Though, for all of the dullness in his tone, the man's eye is alight - distant - with a voracious gleam.

It's a flicker, gone as quickly as it came when he turns his head back to the passers-by.]

[ well excuse him for not being as bitter and jaded as you are, takasugi. he hasn't had the same amount of time.

But he has been alive long enough to watch people with a keener understanding than he lets on, chin canting faintly again with that razor-quick shadow dancing over the man's face.

Aki suddenly has the sense that he's in the presence of a very, very dangerous man.

Springing up, Aki is careful to keep his movements casual, stifling a yawn behind a hand as he swings his legs over the crate. ]

Me too. [ Cheery enough. ] But I should probably go find my grandpa. It was nice to meetcha, No-Name.

[Either the light would fade from the child's eye in time, or he wouldn't live long enough to feel his joy seep from his bones. The future was cruel, without exception.

The dangerous man tilted his head, a sidelong glance all that was spared to the child's abrupt leave. Aware beyond his years Aki may have been, but his subtlety had not quite caught up.

But Takasugi gave a one sided twitch of a smirk and a nod in acknowledgement of the child's inconsequential plan.] Enjoy the night. [A knowing remark, as Takasugi watched the child depart towards the festival's center - the first of the night's targets.

It seemed the boy was drawn to the flames.]

[Shinsuke scrunched his nose as he sat at his desk, feet wrapped tightly around the legs of his chair. No, he didn't want to participate in a 'welcome' song for their guests, and he didn't want to show anyone around, either. There hadn't been much of an argument - just a simple 'nah' - before he leaned back at his desk and watched the other kids leave.

Only once his teacher left with the rest of the class did he let his displeasure work it's way out of him. He was bored. 'Just stay in the classroom' was fine in the face of public embarrassment, but it was quickly growing into the punishment it was meant to be.
He let his feet dangle lifelessly.

He couldn't stay here. Shinsuke stood, pushed in his chair, and exited the room, slipping down the hallway of classrooms as purposefully as possible. If he looked like he was in the middle of something no one would stop him-

It had been a noble goal.

But soon an executive official would pull him aside with a smile that made the man look like a crook. There was a VIP, and Shinsuke was to show him the facility. Even rolling his eyes couldn't get him out of it, and he was so helpfully escorted to the main office where he'd meet their guest.]

Yo. [Begrudging and casual, his introduction made the official's eyebrow twitch. The man would finish the rest of the acquainting, presenting 'Shinsuke Takasugi' as one of the school's finest gentlemen.

He stifled a laugh and offered his hand for a handshake.]

[ The most important thing about this outing is that Koon doesn't want to be here.

It's nothing against the school — it's probably a fine establishment, and there's more than enough reasons for someone of the Nine to visit. But there's no reason for a child to visit, Koon wants to argue, but one look from his mother has him quiet down, eyebrows furrowed.

Once he's outside though, he's the picture perfect form of a well-behaved child. A well-behaved noble, with his head held high and an air of superiority that ... perhaps shouldn't be coming from a child, but there's always exceptions to the rule. He tries not to make a face at the blatant pandering the officials give to his family, already bored; his eyes flicker from wall to wall, to room to room, until they're finally ushered into an office.

By they, it's really Koon, and he's left to watch the back of his mother get a... official tour, or something. While he's destined to either be stuck in the library forever, or...

Come into contact with another disgruntled child who easily wants to be here just as much as Koon does ( which is not very much ). He can respect that — solidarity. Which is why the casual greeting ( and the twitch of the official's eyebrows ) tug at the corners of his lips, into a carefree smile. ] Yo.

[ The same greeting parroted back to him, his hand reaching out to shake the other's properly. ] Koon. [ No point in the rest of his name, when he's got a clear preference already. ]

[Their handshake was everything it was supposed to be - firm and brief, a display of mutual self-respect.] Pleasure to meet you. [Shinsuke gave the expected response, though his mouth twisted into a mischievous smirk as he spoke.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Koon appreciated his greeting, and thus opened the door to every opportunity for Shinksuke to show off how much he hated this place.]

I'll show you around, so follow me. [With that he'd leave, ignoring the official suggesting the best route to take.

The first stop would be the cafeteria. No matter how obnoxious the teachers were, how boring the other students were, or how useless the lessons were, sugar remained a constant.

Cookies had been set out as a treat for the visitors, and Shinsuke took two without hesitation.] I'm showing you the best part of the school now, so don't waste it.

Likewise. [ The hate is a mutual thing — Koon's not exactly the type to befriend everyone he meets, but he can certainly band together against a mutual enemy. In this case, the chore of having to look around a school he could care less about.

But appearances are appearances; showing a blatant dislike for something usually gets used against him at some point down the road. So with a small nod at the official he slips out of the room with Shinsuke, smile staying firmly on his lips as he walks half a step behind his "guide".

A guide that immediately takes them to the cafeteria. At least it's obvious what the guy's priorities are. Koon's eyes dance in amusement as he peers over at the cookies, before taking one. ] Okay.

[ He peers at the baked good in his hand, blinking once, before taking a bite. It's delicious; he's had his fair share of good food back at home, but this is... Well, it's definitely worthy of being called the best part of school. ]

It's good. [ After swallowing, because Koon has manners. ] Do you get this everyday?

[Imagine having to go there every day. Terrible. Takasugi was eager to share his suffering - it was a far more poignant to communicate a feeling than to discuss the 'wonder of learning'.

The wonder of killing someone's soul with stifling boredom.

Even if the cookie had tasted like dirt, it would have still been the best part of the school.] Yeah, if we pay for it. [He moved down the table, taking a small drink for himself and his company.

He handed it over.] But that's all. Anything else they say they give us is just to make them look good. [Takasugi wasn't nearly as reserved about his revulsion as Koon.

And maybe he was showing off, just a little.]

[ Okay, the wrinkle of his nose this time is completely, and genuinely honest. Because what kind of place makes good cookies and then makes the kids pay for it?? Or something, who knows, just let him express his displeasure in peace.

A quiet thanks once he grabs the drink, and a low hum ( he doesn't take a sip from it, not just yet ). ] That's stupid. [ The epitome of eloquent words: 8-year-old Koon. ] What do you do here, anyway? Aside from "learning". [ Heavy emphasis on the last word, because that's the one part he doesn't care about. ]

Edited 2016-12-21 17:24 (UTC)

[Each family that sent its child to school here had the money to pay for some cookies. Some children could be bought with such a cheap allowance, behaving for the sake of not losing their precious stipend of Joy and sugar.

Takasugi hadn't eaten one of these cookies since the opening celebrations at the beginning of the year. They were free then, too.]

Heh. [Yeah, it's stupid. He agreed, taking a gulp from his drink.] What do I do? [Or what else did the school try to say it did? Takasugi wouldn't even offer that alternative.

Too boring. He was far more interesting.] Get in fights. [He shrugged.] Think about where I want to go from here. [Because he wanted to go. As soon as he could.]

Sounds a lot more interesting than what I was thinking of. [ Though "fighting" isn't exactly on his top list of hobbies; it's messy, requiring physical force that's exerted he doesn't want to waste. He'll watch them though.

A tilt of his head— ] Aren't you like, 10? When are you getting out?

Yeah- [He's almost gloating, finishing his snack with no attention paid to manners.

As he swallowed, Takasugi squinted, lips curling at the estimate.] Twelve.

And I don't know, but I'm not going to wait around like everyone else. [It was a dream, more than a plan, but one the boy was stubbornly attached to.]

[ Two entire years, amazing — he knows it's probably not a big deal to adults, but to a kid?

His eyes widen just slightly, surprised. ] Huh.

[ His head's back straight again. It's stupid to offer something like this, it's impulsive and his mother would shake her head, but... ] If you ever need help after you get out, let me know.

[Stupid and impulsive are what Takasugi likes to see, and he greets that offer with a self-assured smirk. It would have been a grin, but he has an image to maintain.]

Don't know how much help someone on the inside's gonna be, but I'll remember that. [He stuffed his hands into his pockets, making way for the door out of the cafeteria.] You sure you don't wanna ditch it too? [The open house, or the nobility?

Both.]

[As soon as Shinsuke was able to slip away from his responsibility as a noble, he was out the door. So what if he'd left an 'important guest' stranded? The school wasn't a labryinth - anyone with enough brains to be someone who mattered could find their way. Or not, but then they deserved to be lost.

He climbed the fence surrounding the playground with practiced speed, dropping to the ground. The ground was wet from the morning's rain and his footing slipped, sending him to a knee. He felt it scrape on his pants, but all he let out was a hushed grunt of pain before standing.

The playground was empty, all of the other students occupied with the activities of the day. He wandered its perimeter, looking over the equipment with a blank stare. There was no piece he considered his 'favorite' - it was all childish - but Takasugi quickly decided his destination. The metal of the jungle gym was cold as he climbed, his hands wet with drops of rain that had clung to the bars. When he got to the top he'd sit, precariously balanced with one leg bent up so he could rest his arm on it, and the other dangling over the ground.

He didn't intend to stay for long, but it would serve as an acceptable perch from which to consider his next move. The moment he decided on something, he'd jump down, but time passed and Takasugi remained. Everything sounded trite. Each minute that passed guided his eyebrows closer and closer together, the onset of frustration slow but steady.

Until someone joined him on the playground.] Hey. You lost? [He tilted his head, giving the other child a flat stare. It wasn't anyone he recognized - a visitor? Or maybe just another boring student he hadn't bothered to remember.]

[ Being taught privately ('homeschooled' wasn't quite right) might've been more efficient, more honed to what a future warrior needs and values, but it isn't always fun and games. Actually, it's very little of that—how often does he get to see a playground? A classroom, a school yard?

And most invaluably: another boy.

Cu does seem out of place—slipped away from his guardian handlers, no doubt—but he swings about bodily towards the sound of another (if older) kid, perched up high (as all things are, to someone young and small), eyes set on him hard as a hawk's. After a moment, ]

Nope.

[ Hard to be lost when he wasn't aiming to be anywhere in the first place. Whatever disappointment he might've felt to an empty yard (really, wasn't this a school...?) fizzles fast, mouth curled into a bright grin. ]

You go here, don't you—? Where's all the rest of ya?

[ Nevermind that this dude's clearly just playing hookie like he is. He's a guest, he doesn't know how this place works. ]

Edited 2016-12-12 06:09 (UTC)

[Being taught privately was more stifling than sitting in a classroom. At least there, a window or even the ceiling provided some sort of solace from the droning of the teacher. One on one, Takasugi always ended up receiving the rap of discipline.]

I do. [He curled his lips in disgust as he confirmed what he wished wasn't true. It was nothing to envy, being surrounded by idiots both young and old.] They're all inside, at the open tour.

[Caught between smiling and shrugging, Takasugi let his eyes linger, looking the boy over for any sign of why he was here. He swung his hanging leg, turning his position to face the newcomer.] I wouldn't go in there if I were you - too boring.

Edited 2016-12-14 02:39 (UTC)

[ There's nothing that sets him apart overmuch, besides the fact that he's not where he belongs (and maybe his obnoxiously blue hair, that ain't natural). Much like this other kid is. He's close enough to see the momentary lift of his lip, the obvious disdain in it, and cackles. Literally too cool for school... ]

What, and you're more interesting? [ The jeering's lighthearted, and he's already going over conquer the jungle gym himself, scampering up the side to peer more closely, curious. ]

What're you doing out here that's so fun—?

[ That one's an honest question. Sitting around outside is an improvement to some dumb tour, sure, but only by the barest of margins. ]

[Yes, as a matter of fact, he was.

And as much as he wanted to use that to bolster his pride, a rock on the ground was more interesting than school. So it wasn't a lofty compliment.]

Eh- [Takasugi shrugged, twisting on the bars and letting his torso hang between them in a position that mocked lying in comfort.] Talking to you, now.

But that's not gonna stay interesting. [A smile grew on his face.] Not for you, either.

Wanna go somewhere else?

People Who Make Good First Impressions Usually Suck

kanda ✿

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

lavi ✿

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

gives up on kid icons

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

koon ✿

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

lancer ✿

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject