Text; UN: Godisstilldead

[in_loveless_memory]

So I will make this quick so as to not waste anyone's time.

I'm new and I have a few questions which I would appreciate being answered by anyone NOT named Darth Maul or anyone dumb enough to call themselves one of his cult members.

Are there any actual schools in this place besides an endless amount of weirdo dojos and their even weirder belief systems? [He saw all of the bickering comments.]

How likely is the house I pick to live in going to get wrecked the first month in... mostly because I rather have a car NOT fly through my roof a second time... not that I've seen any cars around but that's beside the point.

Seems like winter is going to be an absolute pain so where can I get decently warm clothes?

Lastly, how often am I going to open a door and experience an Escher painting suddenly surrounding me?

Thank you in advance.

Comments

[saltyadam]

Depending on your educational level I'm sure I could help you with the basics on math and literature.

[He pushes up his glasses, grin widening]

I can definitely help with sciences. I was a college professor back at Deerington.

[He only hesitates for a moment before asking -- he can already feel the approval through the mental link he shares with Takashi.]

If you'd like, you're welcome to stay at Takashi and I's house. At least until you find something better. It's safe, and you'd have your own room. Takashi'd be happy to have you as well. He volunteers at the orphanage.

[in_loveless_memory]

[His ears perk.] You wouldn't mind teaching me?

You're a college professor? Should I call you Adam-sensei? What sciences? [Adam, meet Ritsuka Aoyagi, kitty cat nerd.]

Ah... [His ears bend back before perking back up. He presses his lips together, trying to decide if it was the right move. Adam had only helped him. Had given him space... It would be safe right? Safer than any orphanage. And he could leave, like he said, if he found something better.]

Are... you sure?

[saltyadam]

[Adam barks a short laugh.] No need for the title. And yes, I was one back home as well. Physics was my focus area, but I'm pretty solid on the basics at least on several others. My husband is too. I'm sure he'd be happy to fill in the gaps.

And honestly, it'd be a welcome distraction. I hate feeling idle and I really enjoy teaching.

[His smile softens.] Not at all. You can stay as little or as long as you like.

[in_loveless_memory]

That's so cool. I like physics, my favorite is biology. I really like sciences involving animals. That's so cool. [Adam gets the little tail wag and the ear perk because Ritsuka deeply likes teachers, he's too much of a nerd.] Thank you, I really appreciate teaching. You should meet my other sensei, Makoto-sensei, she's teaching me to cook!

I hate being idle too.

Thank you... Since getting here... you've been really kind...

[saltyadam]

Aah, we had some interesting geological study trips in Deerington. It might be fun to do the same thing. Take notes of the flora and fauna. I know someone here, Sakura I think it was, who has started a similar project. The up side to places like these is that there's so much to learn about the world around us.

[Don't mind his shining eyes, Ritsuka, he's very excited about science.]

... though it's a good thing you have another teacher for cooking. I'm passable, but Takashi is horrendous. He makes kitchens cry.

Helping other people when we have the power to is what makes us people, I think. I'm where I am because I was helped.

[A beat. A broader smile.]

Besides, you seem like a good kid. I like helping you. I'd love for you to meet my husband, too.

[in_loveless_memory]

[Trying to find silver linings in a hell-hole is not a BAD coping mechanism, just one Ritsuka doesn't personally practice.] My camera came here with me, so I can help with documentation if I can find a laptop and printer.

Then, that will be the trade, I'll cook for my keep, that's how I can help. [Ritsuka is very much aware Adam has neither required nor asked it of him to "pay" for his stay or work for it. But he needs this to feel... like he's of some use, that he can bring a skill to the table. Otherwise, it's putting too much trust into a near stranger's kindness, and pure kindness doesn't exist. However, transactional situations have always existed, even before humans ever came out of the primordial ooze.

At the mention of being a good kid, he inhales sharply and his ears press back. Every part of him is desperately screaming that he's not, he's so far from being a good kid... He stares for a long time and forgets he's on video. He shakes his head and has to refocus. What did Adam say that he can respond to? He doesn't want to argue about the good kid thing, he doesn't want to talk about himself.]

Sure, I'd like to meet your husband, I probably should if I'm going to live with you.

[saltyadam]

[Adam brightens immediately.]

Ah, that would be a help! I'm not sure about printers, but we may also be able to rig it up digitally. I can ask around.

[He lets out an exhale that's as fond as it is exasperated. Adam wants to protest his need to pay for his "keep" but has a feeling that at this point it'd be a losing battle. Perhaps with time he'll learn he doesn't have to somehow pay for everything in life.

He also gets the distinct and disturbing impression that this is far from the worst kind of payment he's felt obligated to offer.]

He'll be delighted to meet you. When works for you? This place sort of lends itself to loose schedules, especially when you don't have to worry about things like paying rent.

[in_loveless_memory]

If I'm living with both of you, shouldn't I meet him right away? There's no proper school here so that's not exactly an issue and it's more than a little weird to let someone live in your house but not meet them.

[saltyadam]

It's entirely up to you. I know Takashi won't mind, so you can take this at your own pace or meet him right away. Whatever makes you more comfortable.

['Won't mind' is an understatement. He already knows his partner is absolutely thrilled. But given Ritsuka's reactions on the beach he certainly didn't want to force the boy into interactions with strangers.]

[in_loveless_memory]

I don't... mind meeting him whenever he's able. [He'd rather do it right away, in fact, since the idea of living with someone he hadn't met was an uneasy feeling for him.]

He really won't mind my living with the both of you? You really don't mind?

[saltyadam]

If you'd like I'm sure I can reach him now. He's probably free. And I'm sure you want to meet him before you move in anyhow.

I really don't mind. And Takashi will be relieved, honestly. We have a large house, and it has several empty rooms. Takashi hates an empty house. He'll be glad to see it fill up a bit.

[in_loveless_memory]

Maybe... that... would be best, yeah. [He's not EAGER, but it would be WEIRD otherwise.]

I um... I don't really have an opinion one way or the other about empty rooms and empty houses.

[saltyadam]

Alright, let me send him a quick message and I'll see when and where he'd like to meet up.

I don't either, honestly. But it makes Takashi antsy. I think he just doesn't like to be alone with his own thoughts some days, and having a full and lively house makes him more comfortable.

[in_loveless_memory]

I'm... only recently used to super lively. I don't enjoy too much noise but I don't mind people as much anymore.

[saltyadam]

Well, at the house you'll have a choice. Lock yourself in your room or come out to the center area where the kitchen, living room, piano and general excitement happens.

[in_loveless_memory]

Oh... um... I... guess I will figure it out once I know how "exciting" you all are.

[saltyadam]

"Exciting?"

[Adam lets out a short laugh.]

I'm afraid Takashi and I are kind of boring. I spend most nights reading, personally.

[in_loveless_memory]

That's how I like to spend my nights, that or playing video games... I'm more used to being alone.

[saltyadam]

I was too, before coming here. I lived with Takashi for a bit before coming here, but--

[He breaks off for a second, a little hesitant to share what was something of a complicated story.]

We dated for a bit back home, but had broken up before we both arrived here. So I was living on my own at the time. And did for awhile after arriving in Deerington, actually.

CW: references to an Adult/minor relationship

[in_loveless_memory]

[His mind brings up Soubi, about how Soubi abandoned him before Ritsuka wound up in Deerington. Then Soubi found his way into Deerington and they reconciled... but then Seimei came as well and Soubi went back to him.

Soubi would always pick Seimei above Ritsuka.

It was... fine, no, it wasn't fine but Ritsuka knew Soubi didn't have much say in the matter. He also knew Soubi lied.

Soubi was ordered to love him, and Ritsuka knew, if Seimei ordered it, Soubi could be ordered to stop loving him, and it didn't matter if Soubi liked it, he'd do it.]

I visited Soubi pretty often but I didn't live with him, even when he came to Deerington, we didn't live together.

[saltyadam]

[Adam smiles a touch. This is the first time Ritsuka's alluded to a past partner. A boyfriend, perhaps?]

I'm afraid I didn't know him. But that's not terribly unusual. A lot of couples live separately, some do forever. What matters is what you want, and what the two of you want together, and those being the same things.

CW: Adult/minor relationship

[in_loveless_memory]

Admittedly, Soubi doesn't really like... people so, that's not all that shocking. But if you did meet him, you'd remember him. Soubi's really tall, like Shiro-san tall, he has long blonde hair and wears glasses, he's got bandages around his neck pretty much all the time. He smokes all the time, it's gross. I wish he'd quit.

As for what Soubi wants, I don't think even HE knows. Even going to college I think wasn't really something he picked for himself. Until he was with me, most people didn't care what he wanted so. [He shrugged.] I don't know what I want either. I thought I did but so much has come up... I know... what I want can't exist anymore.

1/3

[saltyadam]

[Adam nods along, not recognizing the description but noting it in case he shows up, wrinkling his nose in agreement at the smoking comment. Such a nasty, smelly habit.

Then---]

2/3

[saltyadam]

[Record scratch

Did he say

College?]

3/3

[saltyadam]

[Something sour pooled low in Adam's stomach. Ritsuka couldn't have been older than thirteen. White hot rage sears across his vision, he doesn't even have time to shoot Takashi a quick warning across their link for the onslaught he's about to endure.

He forces himself to swallow. To school his face carefully blank.]

College? So young? He must be quite smart for his age.

[Not everything is the same everywhere, Adam. Perhaps college happens at a younger age where Ritsuka is from. Perhaps this Soubi is a gifted anomaly.]