mad tea party

26 / m / behavioral analyzer / sweet tooth with a mind of its own associated with simplexsomnium-rpbody, a:hover {cursor: url(http://cur.cursors-4u.net/food/foo-4/foo349.cur), progress !important;}

[storytellerofcrossroads-blog]

The split second of expression from the other man’s face would have made Levi ask what was up, but at the hearing the other’s schedule was clear, it pushed the queries onto a shelf.

For now.

Hopefully, the man’s vision didn’t catch Levi fist-pumping into the air as he mentioned of being a guide.

What? The area was a bit too crowded for him to try anything if the freaking shadow thing came back.

It would be one thing if he could grab onto it, but anything that would make that possible was under his bed at home. That and it being a literal shadow. Levi had better chances of putting his own in a bag and shipping it to someone that cared.

Back to guide-thing though, the man looked familiar enough to the area - his vision either deteriorated after living here for awhile or just expansion of the senses to compensate for the one - so they probably won’t get lost.

Saying that like Levi wouldn’t be able to get back to the house, but trying to explain it being exactly what the rumors said to someone else - especially a possible skeptic - sounded to a tiring conversation.

Not that he wouldn’t like to have a sympathetic ear to complain to about the wretched place. Everyone else in Levi’s contacts all told him that he knew beforehand what he was going into and it was his own fault.

'Levi,' they say, 'you know how things are, yet you jump right into the beast's jaws.'

They act as though Levi had much of a choice in the matter! His phone refused to leave the page for the freaking house or call anyone except for Mouse’ buisness!

Pulling himself back to reality, Levi laughs, “Sounds like you’re volunteering to show me the town,” he motions for the other to lead- then mentally kicking himself for it because this is exactly the crap that pisses off Mano.

"Well, let us go-!" Levi catches himself, and claps his hands at his own forgetfulness (his excuse was a good one, if asked), "Why a journey with no introduction at the start for the travelers is bad luck, no?"

Steadying his voice, “I’m Levi Chesterfield, and its a pleasure!”

Well, way to be awkward on the introduction! No wonder your writing is in a rut, Levi.

[crimesceneteaparty]

'Perhaps it sounds that way because that's precisely what I just offered' Ah, but Break didn't say that bit out loud. He needed to keep up his image, after all. Especially since this guy was so hard to read! And taking that into consideration, that might meat that he- sorry, Levi- was good at reading people himself. And we couldn't have him figuring out anything important about Break, now, could we? Most certainly not.

"Well, I certainly hope it sounds that way. Otherwise, I might need to rethink that 'great conversationalist' award I made for myself in grade school." No that wasn't a joke. He seriously had that. Printed on really nice paper and everything. It may or may not be framed. Ironically, of course. Maybe. Probably.

"As for me... Just 'Break' should suffice." Honestly, when was the last time he even so much as told anyone his first name? Did the interns at work even know? Did half of the people with real jobs there actually know?

Well, he's always preferred the name Break over the name Xerxes. The only person who calls him by his first name anymore is his mother. Break has just always seemed to suit him, somehow. Ironic, how he preferred to be called that even before his eyesight started to weaken. Just another strange, hard to believe coincidence in his life, he supposed. But a coincidence nevertheless.

"Well, now that introductions are out of the way, I suppose we should be on our way, hmm?" With no real destination in mind, he chose a random direction to walk in. Reveille was a big, fancy enough place. They'd be sure to run into something interesting fairly soon.

"Ah, and, of course, as your tour guide, I'll be sure to give you the full tourist's guide to the city. Pray tell, Sir Levi, are you ready to hear of the dark, mysterious history surrounding this town?" Did Reveille even have a dark and mysterious history? Break had no idea. He'd never really cared enough to listen to all of those ridiculous city pride speeches his history teachers would give. He always thought of the city as a strange, almost mystical place, though, so he was sure he could come up with something semi-believable.

[s-doradus-deactivated20160818]

His cool composure from before evaporated into mischievous giggles. This was fun! It was always fun meeting interesting people, he didn’t exactly want to say it out-loud, but normal people were far too boring.

"Alright, so what if we meet once a week and exchange information? It could be new or old, but it you have to tell me something I don’t know or vice versa. There could be rules, like for the next week it has to be news about a certain topic, or if I tell you something you already know, I have to come up with a new bit of information even more odd. Its not anything spectacular, but it breaks up the ordinary just enough don’t you think?"

That had probably been the most he’s spoken in a long while. When he gets excited he talks a lot and he talks fast. He didn’t even know this guy’s name but he was already hoping to plan for some kind of odd interaction or adventure. 

A huge grin was plastered on his face as he sat in his seat, hands clutching the edge of the chair like a little kid.

[crimesceneteaparty]

Although Break was more or less expecting the younger to say something of that sort; something about how they should be friends or meet up sometimes or exchange phone numbers... He still found himself blankly staring at the boy, blinking considerably more than usual.

This boy seemed genuinely happy and excited about this for some reason. Why? It wasn't as if Break was someone that anyone would (or should) jump at the chance to befriend. He was, well. Annoying! Obnoxious, irritating, unbearable, so why...

Before he could make sense of any of it, he found that there was a peculiar smile forming on his face. Not peculiar in the sense that it was strange in any way. More peculiar in the fact that it was a fairly regular smile. Bright and dare I say sort of cheery instead of one of his sarcastic smirks. And was he... laughing? Really laughing? Not just some small, showy giggle for the sake of annoying someone?

"I think you've got yourself a deal. So... I believe introductions are finally in order, then?" He says, and then does not introduce himself. Seriously, what are you getting yourself into, Leo? I meaN University Student that Break does not know the name of yet.

[camelliassin]

She blinks. Did he just- surely she misheard him. Right? Because it sounded like he just referred to her as a Lady.

Milady. The last time anyone called her that was in a dream. A dream filled with silks and dresses and titles, everything you could imagine in an old aristocratic lifestyle, everything she ever wanted. Such an outdated referral in these times, yet it sounded so natural coming from him. Something swells in her chest, something that makes her sit straighter and smile wider.

"Of course."  She says, standing up to pour him a cup of tea. Rather than add such a ridiculous amount of sugar herself, she slides a bowl of sugar cubes toward him, an open invitation.

"So, Break," She begins, sitting back down, a coy smile on her face. "Is there anything else I should know about you before I offer you a job?"

[crimesceneteaparty]

Surprisingly, what he thought was a slip up, seemed to work towards his advantage. An unexpected turn for the better! It even sounded like his use of the word had won him the job! Excellently done. Now that he thought about it, though... that word never quite fit his mother. The smile she gave him when he used it on her was sweet and all, but there was always something a little off to it. The way this girl reacted, though... It was perfect. It was everything he'd ever dreamed of with the word! Ah- Whoops. She was speaking again.

He brushed some stray strands of hair off to the side. Not enough of them to reveal that second eye of his, though. Nah, that wasn't important for her to know about. It was sort of annoying how intrigued everyone seemed to be with it, so he'd rather keep that to himself for the time being.

"Well, I suppose you should know that, technically, I'm already employed. And by the government, no less!" Right? Did he work for the government? He was like 80% sure that he did. And if he was wrong, eh. Whatever, dude. "But it never hurt to do something else on the side. Besides, dealing with criminals day in and day out gets old after a while." Actually, it didn't. Either way, he ended his reply with that, reaching over dumping the entire bowl of sugar cubes into the tea he'd been offered. Perfect.

[blendendx-deactivated20141106]

Perhaps it would get better, right? Perhaps, his unluckiness of being alone at that party was just temporary, and sooner or later someone would show up to talk to him — possibly even a single girl! The blond was trying to think positively, to believe that the given situation would turn out to be something better later on. That was all that he could do for the moment, given people there were kinda unapproachable. 

He was so distracted with his own thoughts he barely noticed the man coming up. Oz didn’t even think about how the guy was possibly breaking into a college’s party despite being of such a difference age, he just wanted attention. Even so, given the tone and face of the subject, the blond highly doubt the guy thought it was sad — perhaps he enjoyed seeing people suffer? Oz was kind of a sadist sometimes too, so he understood, although it wasn’t much appreciated when it was his mood that was down.

Even so, perhaps he could use a conversation with this man. It was pointless just to stand alone there, so he might as well try! Even though he wasn’t really hopeful that something good could come up from it.

"Ah… It was just wasn’t what I was expecting", the male ends up letting out with another sight, taking a cookie from his plate and pondering how to continue. "How about you? Enjoying yourself?" 

[crimesceneteaparty]

Ah, the poor kid. Normally Break enjoyed observing people in their worse moods, listening to the desolate tune that they spoke in and imagining those beautiful frowns... Oh, humans! What interesting creatures! But with this boy, Break couldn't help but feel a little bad for him. How long has it been since he's last felt sympathy for anyone? And has he ever truly felt sympathy towards anyone other than his mother or that creepy handcrafted doll that he still carried around sometimes? Ah, Emily. What a tragic back story she has.

Really though, how was he even supposed to act here? Would it be okay for him to drop his act a bit in order to make someone feel better? Eugh, then again, was that really something he wanted to do? Probably not. And yet, part of him, somewhere deep deep down, did sort of want to. Gross, dude.

"Honestly? Parties were never my thing." Because that is most definitely how you be sympathetic. This was going to take some work. He shrugged, more to himself than to the boy, taking a seat next to him and- ooh! That was most certainly the smell of sweets, wasn't it? Yoink. Two cookies into his mouth at once. A real talent.

[temperedloyalty-deactivated2015]

Gilbert arched an eyebrows momentarily in the direction of the stranger. Soon enough his head turned back forward as the rest of his body was stationed up against the wall. Certainly his annoyance wasn’t wavering with the figure, but there was no way in hell he’d allow his stubbornness to wear thin with someone who clearly took the time to poke out at him when he held no real desire to speak with anyone. Honestly, in the raven’s trail of thought, he knew this guy should be long gone as it was. The man wasn’t budging, so what was the point? Wasn’t he going to go take it up with perhaps a manager, or a shop employee who might show a little more sympathy than a random guy might?

It got right up under Gilbert’s skin which made him even more fixated as he was than before. It hardly helped that this guy chose to point out such a minor misconception. Did it even appear that Gilbert cared about one little thing spewing from his lips? Oh no, not at all. This stranger was annoying on so many levels that Gilbert lost count. Then again, people were always so irritating to him. At times he felt he shouldn’t even be a human at that, but would it make any difference if he were any other sort of animal? Perhaps everyone gets annoyed with their own species. It was the exact reason he chose to stay aloof from anyone around him, keep to himself than allowing anyone in under his shell. People could say they knew who Gilbert was, but could never say they knew him well.

Truth be told, even his own family hardly understood the raven even if they’d known Gilbert his entire life. In a way, it was sad, but Gilbert preferred this solitude than getting closer to anyone, even with those haunting dreams in the back of his mind where he felt close to so many people, reality was a whole different ball game. A gruff scoff passed out of him soon enough as he raised his cup of coffee up to his lips. A tilt of it just enough to send the warm liquid flowing through his mouth, down his esophagus, and into his stomach. Once he’d taken his drink, Gilbert once again lowered the cup to speak up, canting his head just enough to not look the guy head on but still to see the expression written on his face.

Perhaps he was annoyed too.

"That’s great. Perhaps I should give you an A for being the only person who’d point that out. Alice in Wonderland is Alice in Wonderland, book or movie, lengthened title or with sequel; it’s still Alice in Wonderland.” He paused for a moment as the mock smile slid away off his lips with the return of his gaze back forward. He appeared to be in thought before finally speaking anything more to this guy. “Are you just dumb or low enough to pick a fight over the titles of movies and books. Or perhaps you’re just bored, huh?” A raised of his cup before attempting to copy his voice. “I’ve got to pick a fight with the nearest person who’s just minding their own business because it’s the right thing to do!" Last four words he shook his raised arm with emphasis. Even though Gilbert might appear calm, his temper was boiling over beneath the surface.

This was wasting his time. Gilbert easily could’ve walked away without a problem if it weren’t for his pride and stubbornness. If this guy wanted him to move, then he wasn’t going to move. Just hopefully this wouldn’t run his schedule off balance. He’s yet to be last to work for the six years he’s been working at his job, so it would be something that the raven just couldn’t have. Though, he needed to cool down before he could enter the bakery, or else he’d break the rules with customers. Just because the raven might really hate people, he still had to be nice toward the customers that walked into the shop. If he wasn’t, it could jeopardize his job when he’d yet to find a job where he could actually have a salary pay rather than part-time where pay equals the number of hours worked.

Lowering his raised arm, he raised the other one that held onto his cigarette rather than the coffee cup. His nerves were shortening out, but there was no saying even a cigarette at this point could really relax him back out. With his temper having yet to surface, only doom lay bare at the end of this tunnel. End of the cigarette placed between his lips, the raven-haired man took a drag of stick, inhaling the smoke to his lungs with trained reflexes so as not to cause any coughing. Removing the cancer stick he gradually breathed out the grey smoke, watching it billow and twist upward before his eyes before vanishing into the rest of the air.

[crimesceneteaparty]

There was something about the man's next words that sparked something within Break. Though the words were harsh, perhaps even harsher than what he'd said before, a small, eerily content sort of smile found its way onto Break's lips. That pathetic, lowly feeling of losing an argument was all but gone, replaced with a new air of dignity. What an embarrassing display he'd put on before. How immature and pathetic. But he wouldn't make that mistake again. How could he, with what he'd just been supplied with? Brutal as they were, the thing's this man said would prove to be useful ammo on Break's side, as well.

But where to start? Perhaps he should start with a few theatrics, now that he had the opportunity. After all, this man hadn't been given the pleasure of seeing the full extent of Break's dramatic acting abilities which was, of course, a real shame. Both that he hadn't seen them before, and the fact that he was to deal with them now. After all, this dark haired lout didn't seem the type who would enjoy Break's finer pieces of performing art.

"Oh, you've figured it out!" The smile that had appeared on Break's face widened into a mischievous sort of grin as he momentarily placed the backside of a hand to his forehead to pretend to feel feint. "That's me, all right. A sad, pitiful man who has to confront others about such trite things in order to make himself feel whole." Although his words were partially true, no sign of that shone on his face. After all...

"But are you any different? A man who stand his ground when asked such a simple, teensy request. And for what? To become entangled in an arduous debate? Over such meaningless things, too! Why, pray tell, haven't you simply left?" He paused a moment to tip his head to the side just a bit. "Is it that you have nothing better to do? Oh, I do wonder." Another momentary pause, this time to tap the tip of his finger against his chin thrice or so in a facade of deep thought.

"Or perhaps it's an ego issue? Finding yourself trapped, impossible to choose between continuing such a pointless task or damaging your image?" Ah. He knew the feeling. Either way, he shrugged, his eye widening a bit as his smile became a more relaxed and casual one.

"So tell me, do you truly think you're any better than I am? Or that we're all that different?" If his speech didn't get through to the other, Break was sure the last comment of his would, no matter how small their effect. Any reaction was a good one, after all. Especially since it wasn't very pleasing to be told you're similar to someone you dislike. He's learned that from his own past experiences.

[blendendx-deactivated20141106]

And so he went to that party — perhaps thinking he’d have a good time there, perhaps thinking he could even meet the one. But it was growing to be quite boring, as he didn’t know anyone in there and they all seemed to be talking to other people, and all the girls in sight were apparently taken or in groups, what was quite frightening. Sighs.

[crimesceneteaparty]

Investigations often led Break to strange placed. Butcher shops, junkyards, old apartment buildings, abandoned clinics... And he loved them all! Today's hunt, though. Weeeelllll, it was less than enjoyable. Just another lover's quarrel gone terribly wrong. The crime scene hardly even had any interesting blood splatters. So, he gone his separate ways with the officers that he'd spoken with earlier. After all, he didn't have to participate in an investigation that he didn't want to be a part of. Those weren't even a part of his job.

So, somehow, he found himself at a party. Goodness, these things were dreadful. Loud music that was anything but classical, less than intelligent insults being slung around, and them, of course, there was that terrible alcoholic stench. Which, of course, didn't help the formerly mentioned insults become any more clever. Everyone here seemed pretty average. Normal. Boring. Regular. He made his way over to a quieter section of the room. Heightened senses due to nearly complete blindness could be a real burden sometimes. And that's when he heard it. The sigh! Oh, what a beautiful tone. So pleasing of an execution! And  possibly... familiar? Yes, that was it. Familiar; despite the fact of it being so unique.

"And who do we have here? Not enjoying yourself? How sad..."

[thitinn]

Jack says nothing, but such silence easily passes through the crowd dressed as the concentration of an artist at work. It escapes between those close bodies with little resistance and vanishes out through the shop door. 

Grassy gaze flicks up towards the stranger’s face, and some unspoken consideration seizes the corners of his mouth and curls them into a smile with invisible hands. Honeyed words drip from his own lips, Break, and so the taste of your saccharined comments does not bother him. For buried deep beneath each resin’d layer of sweetness the core may very well be rotten, and there may yet be bitterness secret to all but himself.

"Well, I am a crafter of things, so I would think that of myself, yes.”

A fair brow quirks at Break’s observations, and it gives the amusement purchase enough to keep a handhold on the blonde’s smile.

"I’m afraid I’m not so inclined to agree. Plays perform before a crowd, hm? So this might be my stage, then. I don’t mind the noise. Besides… not having them here would make for quite a boring store front, don’t you think?"

[crimesceneteaparty]

"Plays?" The small, sarcastic sort of smile that had played on his lips previously began dancing to a new tune. One that rarely showed itself to the everyday residents of the city. No, this smile, this beautiful, musical display was one that was normally reserved for criminals. Ironic, too, since the grin made him look like one himself. It was the smile he usually wore when he felt that he'd won an argument, having figured out everything he needed to know about the other.

The way his eyes narrowed, but not in any menacing sort of way; narrowing in a way that would have made him look relaxed if it weren't for the ominous glint that shone in them. While the corners of his lips pointed to the side in what might have been a gentle sort of smile on someone else, it was sharper than usual. More defined and because of that, more... petrifying? Menacing? No, neither of those were quite the right word.

Well, he supposed it didn't matter. Before speaking again, though, Break took a moment to lean an elbow on the nearby counter, supporting his chin in the palm of his hand as he leaned a bit closer to the man. Oh! Was that green blur a pair of eyes, perhaps?

"Well, what are you? A craftsman... or an actor? Mmm, you seem to be more of an actor, if you'd allow me to give my two cents about it. Oh, how pitiful! The way the other craftspeople must view you... A shame... A man who sells his merchandise through theatrics instead of quality. Using performing to make up for your sad works..."

[queenofhurt-deactivated20160124]

Miranda shut the book she was looking at with a prompt snap, and turned her attention in full to the peculiar man. “So you’ve either business, or none at all. Perhaps we have something in common then.” She shifted, cradling the tome in her hand for a few minutes, before grasping it more firmly. If she already owned it, she was sure the maid would notice and inform her.

"What else interests you other than fine literature, or should we speak more about that? I’m always looking for more books to add to my library." It was a true statement, though honestly, her library housed scarcely any fiction to speak of. Miranda did have fancies, but they didn’t typically reside in the world of stories. Information is what she always craved, fiction in comparison seemed a poor substitute. "Or perhaps shall we move the conversation somewhere else." She looked him over before giving a sly smile. "You do seem to enjoy the art of appraising people." Something she also found great pleasure in, though that wasn’t something she wouldn’t volunteer just yet.

[crimesceneteaparty]

Well, he wouldn't say he came here with no business in mind. Little business in mind, sure, but none at all? He wondered- Did he ever do anything just for the sake of doing something? It seemed he always had some sort of ulterior motive in mind, despite how little or insignificant.

Sure, he'd mostly come here simply to browse the store's collection and to smell that wonderful new page smell, but he thought it might be fun to mess with whoever was in charge of the register today, too. You know, explaining books to them that didn't exist and listening to the anxiety in their voice when they were unable to help a customer find what he was looking for.

"Ah, well, you know. The usual. Crime, sweets, mingling with strangers..." Not the usual at all, dude. The proposition to actually go somewhere with this woman was interesting to say the least, though. Perhaps if he let her choose the location he'd learn something new about her!

"But, of course, if you have a place in mind, I'd be more than glad to accompany you." And if she didn't have a place in mind, maybe he could take her to a bakery and guilt her into buying him some cake.

[s-doradus-deactivated20160818]

"Oh?" Leo’s voice deepened as did his interest. Thats not something people usually say off the drop of a hat, not unless they were certainly strange indeed. He nodded to himself thoughtfully. Yes, yes, that was something he could understand. Granted, it seemed like this guy was even more oddly anti-social than the teen. However, Leo really did have trouble connecting to other people.

It was all fine on the surface level, but knowing someone more deeply meant he became closer to more fits and anger. He had always been surrounded by hot-headed people, so in some sense he also had a quick temper. But, he never felt satisfied after a fight. He still felt drained or disgusting even after everyone else seemed to have a quick recovery. In that case, the problem may be that Leo felt emotions too deeply. And so, having a hard time with some meant he really had a hard time.

It was easier to relax and be himself when he was alone, so even though he enjoyed being with other people, being alone was much easier.

Although, considering this guy might be even more against friends than he might be, then that might lead to something fun. Especially, since this guy seemed to be rather mischievous, 

"Hmmm…"

His voice wasn’t as playful as before, but he still smiled just a bit.

"If neither of us are exactly the ‘sociable’ type… Would you like to hear a proposition?"

[crimesceneteaparty]

And there it was. The most interesting thing so far! A proposition? How could he refuse responding to such a tantalizing question? Especially with the use of such a strong vocabulary word. This kid wasn't in school for nothing, no siree.

"Mmm? And what would that be?"

Whoever he was, this boy was certainly... something. Break actually found himself enjoying the conversation! Which wasn't so strange, he supposed, but there was something different about this one. It brought him some, hmm. Genuine sort of happiness? He wasn't quite sure what part of it all brought him that foreign emotion but he was glad, to some extent.

Was it strange to be happy about being happy? Ah, who knew. But perhaps he wouldn't walk away from this kid without learning his name like he normally did with the people he pestered. Maybe he'd even give him the honor of becoming one of the new people Break terrorized on a regular basis. Ugh, such wishful thinking. It was disgusting.

[temperedloyalty-deactivated2015]

Gilbert really could care less on the reaction he gained out of the words that dripped from between his lips. Only times he ever truly cared was either when he was behind a counter serving up different sort of sweets from the family-owned bakery he worked part-time in for the time being or when it came to his own family, as disoriented as it presented itself to be in more ways than one. Anyone else Gilbert really could care less how he talked to them. After all, the man really had no desire to let anyone in under his shell that easily. Why should he? No one would ever understand.

Watching the other’s expression, he figured he got under his skin in a way that the ivory-haired man could hardly feel pleased about. That sort of was what Gilbert had been aiming for, considering this guy chose to stop on his own accord just to talk nonsense and metaphors at him. He didn’t have to cease waltzing in unlike everyone else just to point out one little thing while the man leaned up against the wall just enjoying himself a nice smoke with his coffee. Agitation already came with his morning attitude when he didn’t get his fix before heading off to work. Today it just so happened he got up late since he finally got some easy rest for the night when typically it proved to be a problem if he didn’t take his pills to try to fix his insomnia problem.

Still, he tended to not like taking any sort of medication which never helped his problem in the slightest bit, only making it worse.

Thus, at present moment, he came off as more irritated and irrational than he tried to be on more occasions. Gilbert hadn’t been bothered about his position at all until this guy showed up so suddenly to bother him as he was prepping himself to be a little more nicer than on average when welcoming customers into the small corner shop that the bakery rested upon.

“I know fully well that you’re throwing metaphors at me, considering it’s not that hard to figure you must be stuck on the story of Alice in Wonderland. It wasn’t that great of a story, in my opinion.” He paused momentarily to raise his cigarette back up toward his lips. The end rested on the plumpest spot of his lips right in the center as lungs inhaled the nicotine burning from the paper and plant particles, holding it in only for a couple of seconds to move the cigarette away from his lips right as he exhaled the thin line of gray smoke back out into the surrounding air. Still, at least he’d been humane enough to turn his gaze away from the other as he breathed out instead of right into his face as he honestly felt like doing.

“Oh boo hoo, sorry to hear it bothered you so much that I didn’t give in to your little metaphors.” If he was being fired at, then most definitely the raven would fire straight back. He’d shaken off the feeling of this guy seeming to be familiar to him, as there’d be no way he could’ve known a guy like this, right? “I don’t need you to tell me that much, but I’m not the only smoker around these parts. I need my fix, so I’ll get my fix in any place that’s not a smoke-free zone, seeing as I have the right do so. As I’ve said, if you have such a problem with it, take it up with someone who’ll care.”

[crimesceneteaparty]

One small, calming breath. Blinking. Once, twice. Maybe that elementary school therapist wasn't a complete quack after all. Although that still doesn't make Break regret getting him to opt for early retirement. Best accomplishment of his 5th grade career, I tell ya.

"Mmm, it's not very polite to criticize topics you know nothing about." Not that this guy cared about being polite. Obviously. But if Break walked away from this without getting this guy at least a little riled up then he would- well, he wasn't really sure. He'd... lose, he guessed. And a loss wasn't something Break wanted on his personal record. Especially not one like this. He dealt with criminals and serial killers, so the fact that some random pedestrian might walk away from this conversation as the winner? That was simply out of the question.

"Well then. If you're not a fan of linguistics, allow me to be frank with you about something. 'Alice in Wonderland' is a movie. An absurd retelling of Lewis Carroll's novel titled 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Disney which mixed in aspects from Carroll's sequel 'Through the Looking Glass.'" Okay, yeah, the book's title was commonly shortened to Alice in Wonderland, but that didn't matter right now. What mattered right now was besting this guy. Somehow. Some way. There had to be a way, didn't there? Humans were fragile creatures, after all. They were usually easier to crack than an egg! But... perhaps eggs are a bit harder to crack when you're frustrated.

God, he should just walk away right now. 'Avoid the conflict in the first place' in the words of anti-bullying advocates. But he wasn't a kid. He was a grown man. Who ate dessert after every meal and who, regrettably, starting to feel like a child who didn't get their way. How sad. How utterly, pathetically, miserably and foolishly sad.

He wasn't even sure what to do or say next. He was at a loss for words for what had to be the first time in the entirety of his life. He was only going to embarrass himself further if he stayed here, but to let this wretch have his way might actually feel worse than the loss of his nonchalant act and possibly, dare he say, reputation.

So the least he could do was deny this man the isolation he clearly wanted. It wasn't much, but at least it was something. Sure, it was a childish way to handle the situation, but it was a way. And frankly the only way he could think of to get on this person's nerves. Well, maybe if he could learn to stomach this guy, he'd actually start to learn how to break him. Hopefully. Please. God, please.

[storytellerofcrossroads-blog]

Levi couldn’t make eye contact.

Giving a once over of the other man- same odd ball hair colour as Levi so congrats on greatness, he clearly was the type of person to stare you down, so it not happening is off-putting to say the least. Sure, lax posture, but considering he pulls that one off himself, just holding that stance gives nothing to one’s personality and is merely a division.

There also was how the other man’s red eye was moving, it reminded him too much of how his friend’s looked around.

This guy couldn’t see him.

Maybe he was like Mano, just being able to see enough to get by, but certainly not enough to handle that shadow. Then there was the nagging feeling that it wasn’t aiming for the map, like Levi first thought, but was aiming for his chest. If where the map was torn apart was any indication, it was trying to get Levi’s heart.

It didn’t make any noise, so unless this guy has a good nose, it would catch both of them off guard. The one day Levi decides to go out without protection.

God, he was getting old if he was getting itchy from not being armed.

Well, there goes that fun day of surveying…

If this guy couldn’t see him then he was going to be courteous and not fling limbs around like a fool as Mano would yell because it kept catching in his vision. Levi groaned obscenely loud, “Only way to get by is to look to bright side and laugh at it!”

He would be lying if he said he didn’t flinch when the other man said ‘strange things’, but obviously, just meant Levi falling because of nothing.

‘Play it cool, Levi, he meant you not the other thing,’ he told himself because this is the natural choice because no one chases after shadows.

"I only just got here," Levi throws his arms wide because 1) if it comes back, he can grab the white-haired pixie-stick and run for it and 2) common enough tourist motion that any onlookers would merely ignore him, "so any places around here you’d send a newcomer?"

Silently screaming internally, “Anywhere that isn’t right here!”

[crimesceneteaparty]

A newcomer, eh? Well, that explained why the man seemed so out of place in comparison to the rest of the city-goers. Either way, it was... nice in a way. Refreshing, almost. As much fun as it was to toy with the bad tempered people around town, it was a relief to find someone he could just be straightforward with. Well. More straightforward with than other people.

But at the same time, his optimism was sort of... threatening. Was that the right word? Break wasn't entirely sure. Break's attitude was completely artificial, and if this guy was really being genuine, then that was almost scary. How could anyone in this world be so carefree and happy? It seemed inhuman to him. So... maybe the word Break was looking for was something like "envy" or "jealousy."

He did his best to shake off those feelings, though. After all, feeling negative emotions really wasn't his thing. Never had been, never would be.

No matter how it made Break feel, though, he had to admit that this person was interesting in more ways than one. And he was in luck since the man didn't seem to have any real destination in mind. The cases at work lately were so dull and tedious and easy to crack. One missed day without a call wouldn't get him fired, would it? Probably not. Well, maybe. But he'd worry about that later. Or never. Probably never.

"Well, as it turns out, I've got nothing planned for today. My schedule's as clean as a whistle!" Clean as a whistle was a weird phrase. Whistles were never clean. I mean, how could they be? They'd be covered in saliva and whatever else came out of a person's mouth. Wait, where was he?

Oh, yeah.

"So if you're in need of a guide, it seems your optimism isn't too misplaced." Maybe he'd send someone a text later to let them know he wasn't showing up today. Maybe. And that's a big maybe.

Where to go first? Maybe a cafe would be best? It'd been almost an entire hour since he'd eaten his last pastry, after all. Or maybe a touristy spot would be a good first choice? He might even be able to spout fake history and have the man believe his every word! God, the possibilities were endless.

[crimesceneteaparty]

Break never asked for much for his birthday. In fact, it was rare of him to ask for anything except maybe for his mother's key lime pie. His celebration was always rather small, so small that it was rare for anyone to recognize it as anything significant. After all, Break brought sweets and candy to work every day, and no one really cared enough to comment on the small candle stuck in his piece of pie on a specific day.

One thing he'd always wanted, though, ever since they went on that field to the local police station in the third grade, was to run that front desk. Just for a day. How great it'd be to give citizens a hard time when they came running in with their miniscule problems!

And today, he'd got it, Sure, it was almost two weeks too early to be considered any sort of birthday present, especially considering he was the one to make it happen, but here he is. And to think it was easier than he'd thought it'd be! If he'd known all it took was a few phone calls and some (read: several) lies, then he would have done this years ago!

But we can remissness about the finer details some other time. What was important right now was to greet the first person that waltzed in.

"How may I help you?"

[queenofhurt-deactivated20160124]

Miranda shifted her gaze back to her book, and turned a page. “Ah, but the hair is only one facet. True, it does attract attention, but I assure you, I have many other..” she paused, and shifted her head to the side “..pleasing qualities. Don’t get caught up in esthetics, good sir. Even roses have their thorns, as I’m sure you know.”

The man struck her as flippant, and playful. She wondered if she would consider those positive traits, or not. It remained to be seen, regardless of what conclusion she came to. “Have you some business with me? Or do you always go bouncing around in shops for someone to play with?”

[crimesceneteaparty]

"Implying you're feistier than you seem? Such a bold statement!" He didn't doubt it, though. After all, that much already seemed obvious about the woman. Ah, what luck! It wasn't often that one of Break's random encounters turned out to be this exciting. Normally, he would have walked away a long time ago, having grown bored from the simplicity of the conversation, but this woman was different somehow. It was... really refreshing.

"It seems you've found me out, though. What a cruel fate! My true intentions! Discovered so easily by a complete stranger!" More over-exaggerating, of course, but it was for different reasons than it normally was. After all, Break was actually starting to think that he might have genuine feelings of friendships for this girl. And if that were really the case, then it would be the worst thing in the world for her to actually figure that out. Break? Liking someone? Impossible. Not allowed to happen.

[chellychuu]

[storytellerofcrossroads-blog]

Brushing away the not-actually-there hand as through it were dirt, Levi picks himself up because no matter what the too quick whispers gleefully say, he is not an old man. Or, at least, he thinks he’s not… hard to tell these days. For all purposes, his head hitting the ground that hard should of cracked his skull open as through it were made of an egg’s shell instead of bone, but nope. 

It saved him from becoming acquainted with the medical care individuals of the city too soon, so no fretting over buckets of blood that should have spilled all over the stone walkway.

Picking up the ripped pieces of his map, Levi could just barely make heads-or-tails of it - okay, only the river, but still something recognizable. That thing could of done more damage to his person’s which means that its target was actually the map…? 

Shoving the torn paper into his coat’s pockets, Levi turns towards the other man, "Nah, it really isn’t, but what can one do to prevent something inevitably as falling." Patting the back of his head with a grunt for show because there wasn’t even a bump or pain to fret over.

"So~," Levi laughs, "it must be that someone was probably remembering me, something silly I did, and wants some retribution of some sort!"

'If that were true', he mused to himself, 'my corpse would be in a ditch somewhere being eaten by local scavengers.'

[crimesceneteaparty]

Well this guy was certainly cheery. It was actually sort of... off putting, for some reason. Which actually caused Break a moderate amount of confusion. As to why? He'd have to get back to you on that.

There was just something odd about this fellow. While the glee that rarely failed to be present in his own voice could quickly be seen as an act by anyone of even average intellect, the motive behind this man's jolly disposition was eluding him. And he hated it.

If only he could make out the man's face. Perhaps then he'd be able to make sense of his behavior, but alas. Such observation skills were beyond his abilities now. In fact, all he could see of his features was that long, white blur which Break assumed was his hair.

Strange that the only other cheery person in the whole city would have the same, strange hair color as himself, but such are the coincidences of life.

"Well, aren't we optimistic," he mused. Perhaps a few seconds too late, but then again, Break never cared too much about being on time, as any of his co-workers would tell you. "Bit of a strange thing to see around here, wouldn't you agree?" Haha. See. But sight jokes aside, this guy... Really didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the city goers.

[s-doradus-deactivated20160818]

That smile was definitely unnerving, but it somehow seemed dangerous and not dangerous at the same time. When any other person would have the sense to try and avoid a creepy guy like this, Leo seemed to be missing something in that respect. Instead he stayed put and listened intently to see just what this stranger was getting at.

"Hm, thats quite the philosophical response."

Leo wasn’t trying to be sarcastic. He was surprised and a little impressed, really. Its not everyday a typical conversation takes a jump like this. He cocked his head to the side a bit while he drummed up some kind of answer. 

"So basically what you’re saying is… We’re both weirdos who refuse to sit with normal people, right?"

"Or…"

He paused for a second.

"Maybe that high and mighty attitude of yours made your friends mad so you came over here to bother me instead. After all, I look like easy pickings all huddled in a corner."

The teen smiled lightly even though he insulted both himself and this older man. Whether or not he was even aware of that was up for debate.

[crimesceneteaparty]

"Would you look at that! He understands after all!" His voice was filled with pure delight. Although whether it was genuine or not? That was a mystery that even the best detectives might find themselves unable to solve.

He had to hand it to this kid, though. He was catching onto all of this fairly quickly. Well, faster than Break had expected him to, anyway. And he even made an attempt to throw the older of the two off his game! Commendable, to say the least.

Of course, it wasn't like him to have his feelings hurt so easily. Perhaps the comment would have meant something if Break actually had anyone he considered to be a friend, but, well.

"But between you and me, friends aren't necessarily my thing." Honestly, the closest thing he had to a friend was his mom. Which was actually pretty pathetic.

[thitinn]

Jack always harbored some secret glee during such demonstrations at his shop, and not so much for garnering all this attention from those onlookers but more for the fact that it provided the perfect opportunity to study his potential clientele — and, well, barring any purchases, a chance to feel them out.

Take, for instance, the youth just to the front and left of him. Tall. Lanky. Not a strong build. Dusting of freckles. Crooked nose. Unfortunate spectacles. In severe need of a haircut. Nervous eyes darting about as though he were a caged rodent but always returning to gaze at the tools resting upon the workbench. He, like so many others in the shop, would be held seemingly entranced by those pretty little trinkets hanging in the window, and their flashes of rich color twinkling in the sunlight were far more beacons than kitschy novelties.

And he, sitting among them, might hide in plain sight.

Broken from his reverie by a comment from the crowd, the glassmith hazards a quick glance away from the molten glass and towards some curious patron… and, of course, by curious he meant more the fellow’s appearance than any sort of glint of interest in his eye—

Red. Red. That red. And yet, not that red.

"Just craftin’ a vase, sir. You’re welcome to stay an’ watch should that suit your fancy."

[crimesceneteaparty]

"Oh, a craftsman, then, are we?" Musical and saccharine as always, his voice carried a slight sour tune to it too. Well, that explained the smell. Molten glass, he presumed? It did seem a little warm in here. No wonder he didn't recognize the scent.

God, how he hated such needless showmanship. Ironic, admittedly, as he put on his own dramatic performances nearly every day of his life, but at least the onlookers never reached that great a number. Honestly; making a show of something that could just as well be created

How much time is wasted by these poor people? How many times has someone found themselves watching this charlatan take eons to create a single piece when he could finish up much quicker without all of the attention? Even though it took him longer this way, it was hardly art. It was trite entertainment. Break imagined the pieces created "on stage" were less detailed than the others as well.

"Thank you for the offer, craftsman, but, sadly, I'm afraid it doesn't suit my fancy. The noise and bustle of the crowd... it ruins it, don't you think? How is one supposed to concentrate on artistic creativity when surrounded by such ruckus?"