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Post by Juen on Jan 16, 2008 22:28:37 GMT -5
Sacha moved into the tea shop, his backpack slung wearily over one shoulder. This place seemed like a last resort when it came to a place to relax after school. He didn't like going home and being watched over...and all the cool places to hang out were occupied by 'cool' people and thus he was barred entry. That or he felt extremely uncomfortable. So he had come to a tea shop...with small tables set up in the front. He picked one and sat down sadly, dropping his bag to the ground with a depressing thunk.
He rested his elbows on the table, running his fingers through his hair and rubbing sleep from his eyes. He was exhausted...after a long day of school and avoiding all the other students around him. They enjoyed tormenting the mayor's little brat-son. They didn't even try to get to know him...they just poked and teased.
It was humiliating but at least he wasn't a cyborg...they had it much worse.
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flamingi
Android Slave
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Have you seen my ghost?
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Post by flamingi on Jan 17, 2008 18:27:16 GMT -5
Fern had been chatting quietly in the backroom (which also served as the kitchen) with the shop owner, Val, but got up off the counter he had been sitting on when he heard the little bell that warned a customer had come in. He didn't want the tea shop to be misrepresented so he ran a hand through his hair and with the other straightened out his kimono, to make sure he looked decent. Humming softly, he stepped into the front room and quickly spotted the customer, a boy who looked to be in his late teens. He paused for a moment by the cash register, straightening up a little display of teas for sale, while looking the boy over. He looked younger than Fern, but not that much younger, maybe by just a year or two. He was rather cute in his own way, but already the idea of this boy being a possible love interest was fading fast. Highschool students came with parents, and Fern hated parents, wouldn't even be able to last in a relationship where he had to meet the parents and act all nice to them. Plus, parents were more likely to look into his background, and would probably find one way or another of finding out his cyborg status.
He picked up his little notepad and a pen, really just for decoration's sake as he doubted he would manage to forget a lone customer's order, but better safe than sorry. As he reached the table he took notice of the boys sad, little expression. He pulled out the chair across the table and sat down in front of the boy, placing his notepad and pen on the table. He propped his chin up on his elbow and silently regarded the boy for a moment,
"You look sad. Sort of exhausted as well. Customers aren't allowed to be sad in here, they are only allowed to be happy, content, well rested. You must drink, consume, and nap to your heart's content if you wish to stay in here. Tell you what, because you look so forlorn, I'll make your order on the house, it just doesn't feel right taking money from an unhappy individual. I will do this, but in return for your melancholy name."
He smiled sweetly, suddenly excited with the prospect of comforting someone. He was starved for human contact. Usually customers came in as pairs, sickeningly sweet couples with eyes only for eachother and with never a spare word for their server, who put so much effort into not spilling their tea all over their intertwined hands kept in plain view on the tabletop. He hated these sorts of people, but also greatly envied them. Why should he be denied such affection when they so readily received it daily. When the couple was comprised of two men, he could only curse them under his breath as he cleaned up the empty tables around them. Really, what was the chance of stumbling upon another gay male in this city, one who just happened to be perfect for you? What, did they just go around asking every guy, "Hey, are you gay?" until one said yes and also happened to be their exact type? Sure, Fern knew a handful of gay guys, but they were all people he would never be interested in.
This lone customer sparked such joy in him because he could tell clearly from his face that he was unspoken for, he would not croon about his sweet lover to Fern, but only about his bad day or something similar.
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Post by Juen on Jan 17, 2008 20:27:47 GMT -5
Sacha looked up as the server came by, his mind trying to scrounge about for something to order...but he didn't really drink tea...so nothing came to mind that could be called 'specific'. But to his surprise the male server, who looked to be wearing traditional clothes from one of those Asian countries, sat down in front of him. He was so taken aback that he didn't know what to say and instead stared owlishly at the other as he began to speak...and speak quite a bit.
"Sorry..." he muttered, apologizing for looking so 'forlorn' as the other had so bluntly put it. "I'm not looking for a place to stay for a while...just...somewhere I can go to avoid going home." And being babied...he didn't like that.
"I'm...uh...Sacha..." he said finally, giving the other an informal name. It felt weird, having a waiter ask for his name but he wasn't about to not give it to him. He didn't want to shut the other down when he seemed so kind and friendly.
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flamingi
Android Slave
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Have you seen my ghost?
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Post by flamingi on Jan 17, 2008 20:39:59 GMT -5
Fern smiled,
"I see. Sacha, the Russian nickname for Alexander, in most cultures thought to be a feminine name but in Russia, a perfectly acceptable name for a male. Cute, reminds me of a bear. Or maybe a good name for a little pug puppy. Hmmm."
He grinned at the thought, wondering if he could afford buying a puppy anytime soon.
"So then, you've come here to avoid your home, so I assume it sucks. But don't all our homes suck, rife with androids and the gloomy feel of the artificial. Would you like to share your sorrows?"
He patted the boy's hand,
"Ah, and, to spare you the trouble of asking my name, I'm Fernley, but you may call me Fern."
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Post by Juen on Jan 17, 2008 20:57:01 GMT -5
The other had picked out the roots of his name so easily it brought Sacha to an embarrassed blush and he looked down to the table's surface, nodding his head silently. "My house...." he said, getting a little defensive about it, "Isn't that bad...I just don't like having people looking over my shoulder all the time." The androids from his house, a couple of them were close to being family. They had been around since his mother was alive and were kind to him and listened to whatever he wanted to say. It was the one body guard model that bugged him...stern...like an overbearing parent...like his father.
"I mean...I love my dad and all...and the androids at my home are nice but...everybody is either overprotective of me or they hate me...it's a life filled with two equally uncomfortable opposites."
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flamingi
Android Slave
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Have you seen my ghost?
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Post by flamingi on Jan 17, 2008 21:04:39 GMT -5
Awww, this boy was so adorable to Fern, blushing so easily.
"Hmmm, I see your problem. Yes, I had the same childhood, well, minus the hate until.... well my parents were overprotective as well. Comes with being chronically weak and sickly. So I feel for you. Such a household is truly... unbearable. Parents were made to rebel against. They act like they love you so much, but you make the slightest mistake and it's like you are worthless to them. Just to make you feel even worse, your androids were probably programmed to be nice. They are the biggest lie, giving people false hope for the future."
He scowled, turning his head to stare out the shop window for a moment until he turned back to Sacha,
"So then, tea? Would you like some? We have dainty, little pastries as well."
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Post by Juen on Jan 17, 2008 21:08:35 GMT -5
"Uh yeah....tea is fine," he nodded.
He looked up and found the strength in him...to disagree. He normally didn't do that, suppose it came with the other being so inviting and being a stranger. "Androids have free will though...they're programmed to know things and do things but they have rational thought just like a person right? Well...they have to follow orders...but they don't seem to mind...I dunno...maybe they were programmed to be nice but...I think that's okay...it doesn't really feel like being nice is being forced upon them. They're just..."
He sounded like an idiot.
"I sound like an idiot," he cut himself off, hanging his head in shame. He hadn't brought up his father though, that was really best left unsaid.
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flamingi
Android Slave
Is Amazingly Cute
Have you seen my ghost?
Posts: 59
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Post by flamingi on Jan 17, 2008 21:14:51 GMT -5
Fern sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Have we really become so hateful that we cannot stand other humans for companionship, but instead strive to create perfect 'lovers' and 'friends'? Androids take all social development out of life, they take away the challenge of making relationships last. It's so pitiful. A man can't get off his ass to shave his beard, clean his apartment, and put on a little cologne, but instead gets some android girl to fuck into oblivion. Tasteless."
He made the effort to smile, taking the subject back to an enjoyable thing.
"You don't really sound stupid, you just were raised with this idea. So, you want tea, but, there are so many different types of tea. White tea, black tea, red tea, green tea, chai tea. Pick your poison, dearie."
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Post by Juen on Jan 17, 2008 21:31:18 GMT -5
"Uh....anything is fine," Sacha said, keeping his gaze low. The other seemed to be sticking to his argument and Sacha wasn't a fan of confrontation...he didn't think he excelled at making his points in a clear enough manner to get his opinion across. That and he didn't like being shot down himself. You couldn't get married to an android...he didn't see what was wrong with having an android as a friend...in the safety of your own home.
He placed his hands together, wringing his fingers and palms in a restless manner.
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flamingi
Android Slave
Is Amazingly Cute
Have you seen my ghost?
Posts: 59
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Post by flamingi on Jan 17, 2008 21:37:25 GMT -5
Fern sighed again,
"I'm sorry, I meant to cheer you up but I can't help stating the way I feel about all this. Our rotten society. Just being a regular angsty teen, hate society, hate government, all that sort of stuff you're supposed to do at my age. So... how old are you anyway? You're in highschool right, how is that treating you?"
Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the shop owner near the counter and waved her over. He requested a cup of green tea for Sacha, sweetened with honey but also with a bit of lemon for taste.
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Post by Juen on Jan 17, 2008 21:46:01 GMT -5
"I'm seventeen," the boy answered, still avoiding eye contact. He wasn't trying to be mean, or to give the other the perception that he was upset or angry with him. Or that he didn't like the company. He was just a self-conscious boy with self-esteem issues that needed a bit of ironing out. But he had yet to find a way to accomplish this.
"High school is...well, not that good..." he admitted, "I don't really have any friends...which makes things really difficult."
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flamingi
Android Slave
Is Amazingly Cute
Have you seen my ghost?
Posts: 59
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Post by flamingi on Jan 17, 2008 21:57:26 GMT -5
Fern pouted, disliking that the boy kept his eyes down. He reached over and poked the boy in the head,
"It's good manners, very polite, to look people in the eye when you speak to them. Gives them the impression you know what you are saying and are confident in what you have to say. I can see that you lack this confidence, but there's nothing wrong with pretending, in a world of lies."
He drummed the table lightly,
"Ah, yeah, well, that's highschool for you. Friends are overrated. So quick to betray. I spent most of my highschool life curled up in corners, leafing through books. I recommend it, an enjoyable passtime. Immerse yourself in fantasy. Books can be your friends, just like a variety of animals. I assume the reason you don't have friends is not from a lack of trying?"
The shop owner returned with Sacha's tea in tow and she placed it on the table in front of him, saying a soft "Enjoy" and throwing a scowl at Fern, who truly should have been the one to fetch the tea. Pursing her lips, she retreated back to the backroom.
Fern smiled down at the tea,
"The steam looks wonderful, it must be delicious. I would get my own but I have already drank so much today I'm sure my veins are swimming with bits of aromatic herbs."
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Post by Juen on Jan 17, 2008 22:06:07 GMT -5
Sacha's eyes flickered up momentarily to look at the other's nose...he couldn't actually make eye contact without feeling absurdly strange and immediately afterward took to looking out the window. He cleared his throat but that didn't seem to work and shielded his mouth as he coughed several more times. "I'd like...friends..." he finally said and the tea came and he stared at it, the aroma hitting his nose and the steam making his eyes water.
"You know...they talk about people being there for you...they can't be fake...there has to be a truth somewhere in that story..." He rubbed his nose, the scent making it tickle and making him want to sneeze. "I want some of those...if it's possible....I dunno..."
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flamingi
Android Slave
Is Amazingly Cute
Have you seen my ghost?
Posts: 59
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Post by flamingi on Jan 17, 2008 22:15:21 GMT -5
Fern laughed, feeling the need to,
"Well, that was a bit of a failure. Very smooth, Sacha dearest, very smooth."
He paused for a moment, contemplating the boy's words.
"Yes... there are such people as that.... but they are a rarity. You may find a handful throughout your lifetime. If you'd like, I could be your friend. I don't actually have very many to speak of... maybe Val, the shop owner... but that's it. I have been self-isolated from society, I find it so... troublesome."
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Post by Juen on Jan 17, 2008 22:19:36 GMT -5
"Can you do that?" Sacha asked, tapping the cup with his fingers and testing the radiating heat. "Can you just ask someone to be your friend...does it work like that?" He wasn't sure. One television and on the internet friends magically appeared but in real life...did you just have to ask and wait for a reply? Was it like dating?
Somehow...he doubted that.
And it wasn't that he wouldn't want this man for a friend...he seemed nice enough, if not a little bit forward. But it was a confusing thing to talk about...friendship...and if that was something you could just ask for.
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