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tampered2008-06-18 10:27 am
tongari-shaman.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2008-06-18 10:27 am
Log; Complete
When; Wednesday 18th June, Late Afternoon, Outside Akindo
Rating; PG, due to some of Ren's language
Characters; Tao Ren (![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tongari_shaman) and Koizumi Risa (jumbo_gal)
Summary; After trying to ignore his suspicions and lonliness for so long, curioustiy gets the best of Ren, and he goes to Akindo to see if Horohoro has shown up at work so he can drag him back to the apartment. However, instead he gets to talking with the Baka's 'Giant Woman' of an employer.
Log;
Rating; PG, due to some of Ren's language
Characters; Tao Ren (
tongari_shaman) and Koizumi Risa (jumbo_gal)Summary; After trying to ignore his suspicions and lonliness for so long, curioustiy gets the best of Ren, and he goes to Akindo to see if Horohoro has shown up at work so he can drag him back to the apartment. However, instead he gets to talking with the Baka's 'Giant Woman' of an employer.
Log;
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later, though Ren was strong in mind to deny it. Life was just no fun without having his idiot roomate to argue with. Despite all efforts to dedicate himself to training, and have the occasional conversation with Czeslaw over tea (and milk) , he still was unable to feel anything but at ease in the apartment an night, alone.
As he stood outside the store where his missing idiot worked, the Chinese shaman watched as people came and went through Akindo's doors, while inside, he could make out familiar figures of the employees talking to customers and going about their daily business. He had only been inside the shop once, when he went to pick out a new headband to replace the one he took from the Ainu...when he thought he had gone home perminantly...when he thought he would be alone again.
Well he had Yoh there at the time at least. Still, even then, and currently, without the blue haired idiot there for him to fight and boss around...it seemed like there was so little to do with himself.
Shaking his head slightly, Ren huffed in annoyance at himself. He sounded completely foolish, like...some girl mourning over a breakup with her boyfriend! That though though, only made things worse, causing the boys cheeks to turn a light shade of pink. Leaving was probably the best option, he didn't seem to be there anyway...
"Admiring our window display Ren?" came a sudden voice, that caused the shaman to spin around quickly, only to crane his neck up to see a familiar, tall redheaded girl standing in front of him. His surprise was quickly masked though, as he put on his usual indiffierent and irritated expression.
"What do you want?" he asked, causing the girl to roll her eyes at the question.
"Well, you're hanging around outside my store, I figure I have a right to ask why." Risa spoke, though she already had a pretty good idea about the situation. However, she was still a little concerned over the matter.
She had promised Horo she wouldn't tell Ren where he was, or that she knew anything, and she intended to keep her word with her friend. Still, the fact that the younger was hanging around worried her. There was only one explanation, and despite his efforts to hide his feelings, Risa could tell that the whole drama was bothering Ren significantly. Getting him to admit that however, was an entirely different matter.
"None of your business." said shaman scowled, glaring fiercely before turning away again, as if he was about to storm off. However, he halted abruptly when the girl spoke again.
"...He's not here Ren. I haven't heard from him either." she stated, staring right back when she saw his baffled expression, as if shocked she knew why he was there. "It's written all over your face...you miss him don't you?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" he snapped back, growling to himself at the fact that the tall girls words hit home, and hard. But Risa wasn't quite done, despite his attempts to get her to back down.
"Look, I don't know what happened to make you two fall out, but maybe if you just said you were sorry..."
"Sorry? If anyone should apologise it's him!" he spat angrily. He didn't deserve the blame. The Baka was the one who got all upset over nothing! He was the one who had been acting strange when Ren 'died', he was the one who bothered him until he got to see the hickey on his neck. The Ainu had brought it all on himself, why should he be the one to say sorry? "He's an idiot, and a waste of space, I'm better off without him being a burden!"
"That's not true, Horo is a great guy, you're lucky to have him as a friend!" Risa retorted, suddenly walking closer, and learning over Ren; well, her height did have it's advantages sometimes.
Looking straight into his face, the girl took a steady stance, hoping to read the others expression for any detail of emotion.
"Just answer me this...are you any good without him?"
Needless to say, the question came as quite a surprise, causing Ren to blush and stutter furiously. WHY the HELL would she ask something like that, it was just...the implications...it was something he didn't want to think about.
"W-What are talking about?!" he spluttered, the images of the mentally scarring licking incident, and then finding out about the bitemark on his neck all flashing before him eyes.
Still, the reaction seemed to satisfy Risa; Ren did care, even if he was being a complete jerk about it. The whole reason she had used that wording, the same words that Otani had said about their relationship, was to get an honest reaction from the otherwise cold and seemingly unfeeling male. She wasn't of course thinking of the two of them that way, but the fact that there was caring, a bond there, was enough for her to push the fact that Ren had to realize and value his friends, that he couldn't treat people with so little respect, that it was okay to show he cared once in a while.
Pulling away again, she looked down at him, speaking softly, and smiling a little.
"All I'm saying is, you wouldn't be acting like this if Horo meant so little to you." she said, gaze flickering as the Chinese Shaman looked away for a moment, before turning around.
Ren sighed, hating the fact he showed such a weakness to anyone, let alone one of Horo's friends. It was embarrassing to think that he had to depend on someone like that idiot; he didn't! He was strong, capable, why did he need a person, and idiot, a...friend like Horo.
Especially when he showed Ren how pathetic he was at times. Showing how he would never really be able to associate with others, despite trying to change, and yet at the same time, making him feel like he could be part of a group. The fact that the Ainu still considered him a friend, despite everything...it made him feel pathetic.
"It doesn't matter." he muttered, smirking quite sadly to himself. He hated the thought, but perhaps En had been right in one aspect. It was maybe too late for him to ever be able to keep friends. "I was always...meant to be alone."
He would have just walked away there and then, if not for hand reaching and touching his shoulder.
"That's not true either. No one deserves that." Risa spoke quietly, seeming a little sad herself. She really didn't understand Ren all that well, he was very hard to read. One minute he could be cold and bitter, the next almost as if he hated himself. All she really knew was that no one, not even a grouch like the young boy deserved to be isolated. Horo considered him a friend, so there had to be some goodness in him.
Sighing, she let her hand fall from his shoulder, thinking for a moment, trying to to lighten up the conversation.
"Look, why not just show him you appreciate him a little more, I think that's all he'd want." she hinted, but only getting a glare and a huff in return. There goes the arrogance again; he's already closed himself over so quickly. "Is Horo not worth it? Why do you have to give him such a hard time. I know you care, even a little bit, because you came in that day to get him a headband, not just as a replacement, but to say you missed him and you appreciated him!"
"I was also half delierious with fever at the time, I didn't know what I was doing." he retorted.
"Maybe so, but despite all of that, it made him happy that you got it for him Ren." she replied, tone softening on remembering the look on Horo's face. Despite saying Ren was a complete idiot to go out during the rainy day curse to get it for him, the Ainu had the gentlest smile on his face when saw the present, a grin that got bigger when he heard how much time the Chinese boy had taken to pick it out for him.
Eyebrow raised, Ren shook his head. The idiot had told him he liked the headband but still...no, it wasn't right.
"He's an idiot, the stupidest things please him."
"Then do something stupid, get him a gift!" Risa shouted back, surprising the Shaman slightly with the outburst, though he in turn shook his head, almost mockingly at her.
"In case you've forgotten, I dont work, I'm sure that Baka complained about that already." he scoffed. "So I have no means to buy a present regardless."
"But you would like to right?" she asked; Ren had never said he wouldn't like to, just that he couldn't. He DID have a soft spot after all. "You can work here for a day or two, then use the money for a present for Horo!"
"Do I look like I have any interest in clothes?" he replied, giving the girl a sceptical look, to which she only smiled wider.
"Horo works here, and he's no fashion buff either." she said, causing Ren to cross his arms and chuckle a little; that was true. "Come on, just for a little while." she grinned, walking back over the store and opening the door, ushering Ren to come over.
Looking at the tall female questioningly, Ren could see no reason to distrust Risa. She had a big mouth, but still...
This didn't mean he cared though, it didn't. He didn't really want to get the Baka a gift, no of course not. He just needed a little extra money until Horo came crawling back. And he would. Even if things were rocky between them, Ren knew the Ainu had too much loyalty to the other people he cared about in the City to disappear perminantly.
No...he would ignore that stupid part of him that said he really cared...that said he needed the other support...that he just didn't want to be like before..classed as alone...
Well, not like he had anything better to do anyway.
As he stood outside the store where his missing idiot worked, the Chinese shaman watched as people came and went through Akindo's doors, while inside, he could make out familiar figures of the employees talking to customers and going about their daily business. He had only been inside the shop once, when he went to pick out a new headband to replace the one he took from the Ainu...when he thought he had gone home perminantly...when he thought he would be alone again.
Well he had Yoh there at the time at least. Still, even then, and currently, without the blue haired idiot there for him to fight and boss around...it seemed like there was so little to do with himself.
Shaking his head slightly, Ren huffed in annoyance at himself. He sounded completely foolish, like...some girl mourning over a breakup with her boyfriend! That though though, only made things worse, causing the boys cheeks to turn a light shade of pink. Leaving was probably the best option, he didn't seem to be there anyway...
"Admiring our window display Ren?" came a sudden voice, that caused the shaman to spin around quickly, only to crane his neck up to see a familiar, tall redheaded girl standing in front of him. His surprise was quickly masked though, as he put on his usual indiffierent and irritated expression.
"What do you want?" he asked, causing the girl to roll her eyes at the question.
"Well, you're hanging around outside my store, I figure I have a right to ask why." Risa spoke, though she already had a pretty good idea about the situation. However, she was still a little concerned over the matter.
She had promised Horo she wouldn't tell Ren where he was, or that she knew anything, and she intended to keep her word with her friend. Still, the fact that the younger was hanging around worried her. There was only one explanation, and despite his efforts to hide his feelings, Risa could tell that the whole drama was bothering Ren significantly. Getting him to admit that however, was an entirely different matter.
"None of your business." said shaman scowled, glaring fiercely before turning away again, as if he was about to storm off. However, he halted abruptly when the girl spoke again.
"...He's not here Ren. I haven't heard from him either." she stated, staring right back when she saw his baffled expression, as if shocked she knew why he was there. "It's written all over your face...you miss him don't you?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" he snapped back, growling to himself at the fact that the tall girls words hit home, and hard. But Risa wasn't quite done, despite his attempts to get her to back down.
"Look, I don't know what happened to make you two fall out, but maybe if you just said you were sorry..."
"Sorry? If anyone should apologise it's him!" he spat angrily. He didn't deserve the blame. The Baka was the one who got all upset over nothing! He was the one who had been acting strange when Ren 'died', he was the one who bothered him until he got to see the hickey on his neck. The Ainu had brought it all on himself, why should he be the one to say sorry? "He's an idiot, and a waste of space, I'm better off without him being a burden!"
"That's not true, Horo is a great guy, you're lucky to have him as a friend!" Risa retorted, suddenly walking closer, and learning over Ren; well, her height did have it's advantages sometimes.
Looking straight into his face, the girl took a steady stance, hoping to read the others expression for any detail of emotion.
"Just answer me this...are you any good without him?"
Needless to say, the question came as quite a surprise, causing Ren to blush and stutter furiously. WHY the HELL would she ask something like that, it was just...the implications...it was something he didn't want to think about.
"W-What are talking about?!" he spluttered, the images of the mentally scarring licking incident, and then finding out about the bitemark on his neck all flashing before him eyes.
Still, the reaction seemed to satisfy Risa; Ren did care, even if he was being a complete jerk about it. The whole reason she had used that wording, the same words that Otani had said about their relationship, was to get an honest reaction from the otherwise cold and seemingly unfeeling male. She wasn't of course thinking of the two of them that way, but the fact that there was caring, a bond there, was enough for her to push the fact that Ren had to realize and value his friends, that he couldn't treat people with so little respect, that it was okay to show he cared once in a while.
Pulling away again, she looked down at him, speaking softly, and smiling a little.
"All I'm saying is, you wouldn't be acting like this if Horo meant so little to you." she said, gaze flickering as the Chinese Shaman looked away for a moment, before turning around.
Ren sighed, hating the fact he showed such a weakness to anyone, let alone one of Horo's friends. It was embarrassing to think that he had to depend on someone like that idiot; he didn't! He was strong, capable, why did he need a person, and idiot, a...friend like Horo.
Especially when he showed Ren how pathetic he was at times. Showing how he would never really be able to associate with others, despite trying to change, and yet at the same time, making him feel like he could be part of a group. The fact that the Ainu still considered him a friend, despite everything...it made him feel pathetic.
"It doesn't matter." he muttered, smirking quite sadly to himself. He hated the thought, but perhaps En had been right in one aspect. It was maybe too late for him to ever be able to keep friends. "I was always...meant to be alone."
He would have just walked away there and then, if not for hand reaching and touching his shoulder.
"That's not true either. No one deserves that." Risa spoke quietly, seeming a little sad herself. She really didn't understand Ren all that well, he was very hard to read. One minute he could be cold and bitter, the next almost as if he hated himself. All she really knew was that no one, not even a grouch like the young boy deserved to be isolated. Horo considered him a friend, so there had to be some goodness in him.
Sighing, she let her hand fall from his shoulder, thinking for a moment, trying to to lighten up the conversation.
"Look, why not just show him you appreciate him a little more, I think that's all he'd want." she hinted, but only getting a glare and a huff in return. There goes the arrogance again; he's already closed himself over so quickly. "Is Horo not worth it? Why do you have to give him such a hard time. I know you care, even a little bit, because you came in that day to get him a headband, not just as a replacement, but to say you missed him and you appreciated him!"
"I was also half delierious with fever at the time, I didn't know what I was doing." he retorted.
"Maybe so, but despite all of that, it made him happy that you got it for him Ren." she replied, tone softening on remembering the look on Horo's face. Despite saying Ren was a complete idiot to go out during the rainy day curse to get it for him, the Ainu had the gentlest smile on his face when saw the present, a grin that got bigger when he heard how much time the Chinese boy had taken to pick it out for him.
Eyebrow raised, Ren shook his head. The idiot had told him he liked the headband but still...no, it wasn't right.
"He's an idiot, the stupidest things please him."
"Then do something stupid, get him a gift!" Risa shouted back, surprising the Shaman slightly with the outburst, though he in turn shook his head, almost mockingly at her.
"In case you've forgotten, I dont work, I'm sure that Baka complained about that already." he scoffed. "So I have no means to buy a present regardless."
"But you would like to right?" she asked; Ren had never said he wouldn't like to, just that he couldn't. He DID have a soft spot after all. "You can work here for a day or two, then use the money for a present for Horo!"
"Do I look like I have any interest in clothes?" he replied, giving the girl a sceptical look, to which she only smiled wider.
"Horo works here, and he's no fashion buff either." she said, causing Ren to cross his arms and chuckle a little; that was true. "Come on, just for a little while." she grinned, walking back over the store and opening the door, ushering Ren to come over.
Looking at the tall female questioningly, Ren could see no reason to distrust Risa. She had a big mouth, but still...
This didn't mean he cared though, it didn't. He didn't really want to get the Baka a gift, no of course not. He just needed a little extra money until Horo came crawling back. And he would. Even if things were rocky between them, Ren knew the Ainu had too much loyalty to the other people he cared about in the City to disappear perminantly.
No...he would ignore that stupid part of him that said he really cared...that said he needed the other support...that he just didn't want to be like before..classed as alone...
Well, not like he had anything better to do anyway.