Mosaic City, located along China's coast, is quite large city sometimes called the Crossroads Between Nations due to its diverse population. While it was once a large tourist spot, the city was placed under a blockade as the military appeared claiming there was a radiation leak. The true hazard, however, is much more sinister.
Post by Tenchi Lui on Jan 14, 2014 21:16:43 GMT -5
The young man went through the process of calming down and what a process it was. Tenchi stood back and watched him struggle to calm down but eventually he managed to stop choking on his tears. He felt like he’d be walking on eggshells from this point forward in the presence of this guy. He didn’t want to set him off into another crying fit. He can’t say he had come across a dude that actually cried as hard as he had without receiving a broken nose first.
”I would like nothin’.” Tenchi said evenly. He never wanted anything to begin with. He didn’t even want to be watching the store. Where the hell was his old man anyway? Of course the day that some weirdo walks in, Tenchi is stuck watching the store. He really needed to start painting at home or something so he didn’t get roped into these kind of things.
Now that his customer had calmed down enough to actually think coherently or hold a normal conversation, another problem presented itself, ”Uh… y’said your gonna have trouble findin’ y’way back home, right? Cuz y’can’t see?”
Post by David Moore on Jan 14, 2014 21:31:41 GMT -5
Dave felt like he knew what was coming. It was a natural reaction. He wouldn't be able to see, so the person would feel obligated to go with him. This wouldn't be out of care for his well-being though, it would be only to save themselves from suffering from any guilt if he got hit by a car. This would be no different. He wordlessly got up from the ground and stood there a second, eyes still cast down. "No, I can't see. But don't worry about it, I've bothered you enough already. I'll be on my way. If I make it home, I'll send the store a check as my apology."
He cursed himself. He had used situational language again. That "If" suggested the idea of him dying, which would probably make the stranger feel more obligated. He was sick of doing that. He didn't want to, it just happened. Every so often those desperate pleas would escape no matter how badly it would inconvenience someone else. He began to move towards where he remembered the door was as quickly as possible, wanting to leave before the stranger could do or say anything. After only a few steps, the door came into focus too late for him to react in time to stop himself from crashing into it. He clutched his nose, which hurt like hell and pushed his way outside of the store, promptly tripping over some kind of block in the middle of the sidewalk and falling flat on his face.
Profile|Home 18 years, the boy no longer
waits for love to fall from somewhere
remembering hazy figures always
fading in a heartbeat
Post by Tenchi Lui on Jan 14, 2014 21:38:33 GMT -5
”Dun be an idiot.” Tenchi grabbed the younger man's arm and pulled him back into the store. He crossed his arms over his chest and tapped his foot impatiently as he thought of a better solution, or tried to anyway. Technically he couldn’t leave the store but he could help the guy find his way home since he did sorta break his glasses with his huge feet. The guy should invest in a string or something to keep them looped around his neck if they fall off. He still didn’t get why the man might have taken them off in the first place if he’s as blind as he claimed to be.
”Solution to the problem is simple. All y’need is someone to bring y’home. An’ that’s what a damn cab driver does. All they need is the address. Right? So that’s what we’ll do.” He walked away and slipped back behind the counter where the store phone was. He pulled out a phone book too and turned to the back of the book to figure out what the number for a cab service was. He had never ordered a cab before but it couldn’t be that hard.
Last Edit: Jan 14, 2014 21:41:50 GMT -5 by Tenchi Lui
Post by David Moore on Jan 14, 2014 21:50:03 GMT -5
Dave's body screeched in pain as the familiar pangs of guilt rocketed through it. Why did people have to go so far to be nice to him? He didn't deserve it and he always made it clear he understood that. People shouldn't have to go around pretending to be nice to him when he was full aware they didn't. He stumbled over to the counter and put his hands on it, clutching the edge tightly in his grip. "Please. Just stop." His voice was devoid of any emotion and panic, instead filled with deep regret. "It's entirely my fault. I'm the one that came in here and wasted your time, lost my glasses on the floor, and had a breakdown. Just stop, please. I don't deserve any kindness."
Profile|Home 18 years, the boy no longer
waits for love to fall from somewhere
remembering hazy figures always
fading in a heartbeat
Post by Tenchi Lui on Jan 14, 2014 23:56:14 GMT -5
”What? Kindness? Th’hell y’think this is? I’m makin’ you pay for the fuckin’ cab. You said y’pay for sumthin’ an’ that’s what you’ll pay for. ‘sides, if y’leave this place, an’ walk out in front of a car because y’couldn’t see a damn thing in front of ya, cops will jus’ trace it back to me and shoot me on site. I ain’t risking gettin’ shot in the ass. So stop complainin’ ‘less ya think my hospitality ain’t good enough.” Honestly, this guy just didn’t know when to quit. He flipped another page and found a local cab service on it.
”Here we are.” He dialed up the number and watited a moment, ”Yeah I need a cab here pronto.” He shrugged and hung up. After a moment he realized his mistake, ”Shit.. forgot to tell them where I am.” He dialed the number again and waited until they picked up again, ”Uh.. I jus’ asked for a cab. Lui’s Fashions in Gensou Marketplace. Yep.” He hung up, ”There, problem solved.”
Post by David Moore on Jan 15, 2014 12:45:56 GMT -5
Dave was a bit confused. Of course he was going to pay for the cab. The entire incident was his fault, so why would he not? That didn't solve the issue of making up for ruining the guy's day. If he was able to get another look at him up close, he might be able to guess something useful the guy might need and offer it. People were usually more receptive if tantalized with a specific item they wanted. Unfortunately, he couldn't get a good look at the guy without completely invading his personal space, and his glimpse before he had lost his glasses hadn't been enough to properly remember. All that came to mind when he tried to recall the image was that the store clerk had appeared thug-like.
He tried to comprehend the guy's logic. Why on earth the police would go after a store clerk if Dave was hit by a random car on the street? It's not like the guy was involved or anything, unless he was driving the car, but then that would probably be justified for the waste of time he experienced today. Still, he knew that there was still some kind of due process to the law, so the guy, even if he was tracked down, should be completely safe. Police Officers didn't typically just bust into a shop and shoot a suspect without warning. Maybe the guy knew something that Dave himself didn't? Dave decided not to think on it anymore.
After the guy had finished making both calls, Dave finally responded to the earlier comments. "You're hospitality is extremely generous and, of course, is good enough. What I'm trying to say is that I'm not good enough for your hospitality." He was hoping this guy would finally understand that the nice behavior wasn't necessary anymore since he would know he was dealing with someone he knew was lower in society. Dave sighed. He couldn't figure out any better way to explain how he was aware of his situation. He could just outright say it in a clear and detailed speech, but for some reason people tended to freak out even more when he did.
Profile|Home 18 years, the boy no longer
waits for love to fall from somewhere
remembering hazy figures always
fading in a heartbeat
Post by Tenchi Lui on Jan 15, 2014 18:58:39 GMT -5
”You’re a real uh… downer, ain’t’cha?” Who actually walked around telling people that they weren’t good enough for something? Sure people thought such things, Tenchi thought such things all the time, but people didn’t actually voice it out loud to others. Maybe significant others said such things but this guy wasn’t his significant uh… other.
”Ya know, most people generally don’t feel I’m worth their time. An’ that’s their words, not mine. A wise man knows his weaknesses and his faults and in that knowledge he strives to fix them and correct it so that he may find peace with himself.” He’s fairly certain he jacked that from a fortune cookie but it was probably worded differently and probably made a lot more sense than what Tenchi was trying to get across.
”Dun matter either way, cab’s a’ready on its way. Jus’ don’t walk ‘round otherwise ya might end up walkin’ into sumthin’.”
Post by David Moore on Jan 15, 2014 19:40:08 GMT -5
Dave sighed. It hurt to hear the guy showing kindness hadn't received the respect he deserved. It was to be expected, not everyone could like everyone. That didn't change things so. "That's different." Dave said quietly. "People say you're not worth anything to insult you. I know that my role in the world is to be worth less than others so they can feel better. There's nothing I can do to change that, just like you can't choose how tall you are or who your parents are." He had said that then. It was basically the gist of the truth he had come to realize over the course of his lifetime. This guy would probably understand now. You can't fight the rules of the world.
Profile|Home 18 years, the boy no longer
waits for love to fall from somewhere
remembering hazy figures always
fading in a heartbeat
Post by Tenchi Lui on Jan 15, 2014 19:46:06 GMT -5
”That’s bullshit.”Tenchi immediately responded when his customer finished. How did anyone even believe that kind of thing, ”The only thing holdin’ a person back is themself. If you’re content with your position, that’s one thing, but if y’ain’t, then all y’need to do is change it. All y’need to do is just knock some heads in and show’em what’s what. Ain’t like you’re a slave or sumthin’ an’ if ya were, then there’s some serious screwed up shit goin’ on that needs to be addressed with the cops.” No one was less than society unless they willfully put themselves there. If he wasn’t content then all he needed to do was stick his foot up some asses and make room for himself to rise up. That’s what Tenchi does… sorta… kinda… sometimes… mainly for a cigarette if people are taking too long at the checkout.
Post by David Moore on Jan 15, 2014 21:29:52 GMT -5
Dave smiled sadly. It was almost cruel what this guy was doing to him, trying to get his hopes up. Almost cruel, but he knew he deserved it anyways. Everyone had to get their kicks somehow. Still, it was best to at least humor the conversation. "That's a nice sentiment, but it doesn't apply. You can't break the laws of physics, and you can't break the other rules of the world either. I have tried, a lot of times, but it doesn't make any difference because no one cares enough anyways." He looked up at the clerk, unable to see him, but aware of which direction he was. "I've been given a role to fill, and it's my job to fulfill that role. If I don't, there's pretty much no reason to even be around. I know even you don't really care. You wanted me out, too. You wanted to get rid of me the second you saw me. It's a universal thought. The only reason you're bothering with talking to me right now is because you feel like you are supposed to pity, even if you wish I was just gone."
Profile|Home 18 years, the boy no longer
waits for love to fall from somewhere
remembering hazy figures always
fading in a heartbeat
Post by Tenchi Lui on Jan 15, 2014 21:48:03 GMT -5
This guy was cramping up his style. Really, Tenchi didn’t know what the hell was wrong with him. It had a lot more to do with then him stepping on his glasses and pissing him off. He almost considered giving the guy a good hard punch to the side of the head to see if it would make him talk more sense. Tenchi didn’t pity the guy, not the least bit; if anything, he was simply confused. Why the hell was he even trying to play the counselor? He wasn’t the type of person who sat around and had people talk their problems at him; he’s got enough of them as it is.
They guy was projecting his inner feelings and self doubts a lot better than Tenchi ever could do. The way Tenchi projected them was through anger and punching things until his knuckles bled. Maybe he should call the suicide hotline instead of the cab because he was beginning to think the guy was teetering on the edge of that based on the way he was acting. This was so totally about more than just glasses.
”Right, well… whatever man.” Tenchi reacted the same way he did whenever he found a problem that he can’t fix; he just gave up. ”We all got problems, an’ I ain’t puttin’ pity on ya for that. Pity is for those who try shit and no matter what they try, they find themselves hittin’ a wall. Seems to me that you stopped fightin’ before the fight even began, but the hell would I know? I don’t know ya, don’t know what the hell y’goin’ on ‘bout. All I’m tryin’ to do is get you a safe route home.”
Post by David Moore on Jan 15, 2014 21:59:44 GMT -5
"I wasn't able to change anything before whenever I tried. If the fight hadn't started yet, then there's no way I would have lasted. I appreciate the kindness. A check should arrive in the mail soon." He suddenly sobbed. He covered his eyes in his arm and began ti bite his lip until it bled. He had agreed that he would stop crying. He couldn't break that promise. But he was. The sleeve became moist in the tears and another racking sob came out. Dave tried holding his breath, but these only extended the time between the pathetic sobs. "I'm sorry," He said in between gasps. "I just can't do anything right."
Profile|Home 18 years, the boy no longer
waits for love to fall from somewhere
remembering hazy figures always
fading in a heartbeat
Post by Tenchi Lui on Jan 15, 2014 23:31:17 GMT -5
Tenchi
155 WORDS
Tenchi did the only logical thing he could think of at the moment, he closed his fist and punched the top of the counter—hard. It had enough force to shake the counter and the walls. Tenchi didn’t just look like he could hit hard, he could actually hit hard. His knuckles burned lightly from having hit something that didn’t want to give. He was crying again too. This guy needed some serious help and it was help that Tenchi was not qualified for because he wouldn’t know the first thing to do in order to help.
”Yes, send a check. An’ ya know what? When a check arrives I’ll have sumthin to wipe my ass on because I told ya time an’ again, I ain’t takin’ your damn money. Do I look like some god damn punk who jacks other people’s money? And stop friggin’ apologizin’ to me.” Where the hell was that cab?
Post by David Moore on Jan 16, 2014 7:47:42 GMT -5
Dave's mind froze on a thought during the clerk's outburst. He didn't think the guy looked like anything. He was practically blind without his glasses. He couldn't even see what the guy looked like, much less if he was a mugger. Then again, Dave remembered the guy looking punk-ish enough to cause him to freak out and lose his glasses. In all actually, he might actually look like the type of guy that "jacked" people's money. Dave chose not to mention this. The guy was already mad.
Wait, the guy was mad at him again. Dave had once again succeeded in pissing him off. He clenched his teeth, angry at himself. Why couldn't he get it right? He groaned and fell back to his knees, resting his forehead on the edge of the counter "So-" He paused. The guy told him to stop apologizing. Then what would he say? That was the cornerstone of what he had to say to people. It didn't take long to find an alternative. "I regret that I've made you angry again." That was good. It wasn't technically an apology as much as acknowledging he did something wrong and showing guilt for it.
He suddenly realized he was cold again.
Last Edit: Jan 16, 2014 7:48:38 GMT -5 by David Moore
Profile|Home 18 years, the boy no longer
waits for love to fall from somewhere
remembering hazy figures always
fading in a heartbeat
Post by Tenchi Lui on Jan 16, 2014 15:30:05 GMT -5
Tenchi
155 WORDS
Apparently angry outbursts just set the guy back to his knees and Tenchi released a sigh. He really didn’t want to start off with the guy back on his knees in front of him crying as if he were about to be pounded on by Tenchi. It just wasn’t right. He didn’t want to beat on a guy that didn’t fight back. It was poor sport but he also didn’t have the patience or social skills to actually prevent himself from lashing out on people.
”Uh… y’want some water or sumthin’? Prolly be good since y’been leakin’ fluids an’ shit.” Did crying dehydrate a person? He wasn’t sure. He imagined it was like sweating. It was salty and wet and came from the body. There wasn’t much that was salty and wet that the body released, but he knew that sweating dehydrates the body so in theory, tears should too… maybe.
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Last Edit: Jan 16, 2014 15:30:45 GMT -5 by Tenchi Lui