Making my way down town... (Open)

Drake walked down the street with his hands buried in his jacket pockets, muttering himself as he walked

"Of course they had to ask me for my ID... It's my first day here and it's already a bust.

As Drake walked he kicked a nearby can before stopping and looking up at the sky. The sun almost blinded him but he didn't let it bother him too much. He took out his phone and checked the time before sighing and placing it back. Before resuming his walk, he took out a silver poker chip and let it shine in the sun for a few seconds before placing it back in his pocket.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

Nozomi was walking down San Malarus one day. Man things were looking pretty alright for him that day. It certainly was pretty good. He had money in his pocket and he was all cleaned up and everything. Every time he scrounged the desert that had overtaken the school he kept finding cash that just helped him out in meager amounts.

That is when Nozomi suddenly found someone that was unfamiliar to town. The guy looked strangely lost and Nozomi wasn't one to turn down helping people.

As he approached the guy Nozomi said the following to him in a friendly tone.

Hey there. Are you new around here?

Drake continued to walk down the street before noticing someone around his age start to approach him. He had a buzzcut and a black jacket. Drake decided to stop and see what the guy wanted.
Doesn't really look like he has much money on him... Drake thought to himself.


"Hey. Yeah, I just moved here from Vegas. Needed to get away from... something. You needed something?" Drake quickly looked the guy up. He just looked... plain. But there was something Drake didn't trust about him, as normal. Maybe it was the buzzcut?

The guy looked pretty alright. None too shabby if anything. In fact he looked like he was around Nozomi's age actually. He figured it was worth a shot to actually approach this guy. Maybe welcome him to the city n everything.

Well I noticed you looked pretty new around here and a little lost. Was wondering if you needed any help getting around or anything. The guy really did look a little lost. It was as if he didn't have much of a sense of direction around here at all. Then again that was to be expected of someone who just came here and all. He didn't recognize the boy at all actually.

Drake narrowed his eyes when the guy spoke. He seemed too... nice?
I'm not going anywhere in particular. Just kind of walking around. Names Drake, and you are?
He may not trust the guy, but he might as well try to seem nice...

Well I mean hey if you need any help getting around I'm your man haha. I just moved here recently too actually! Nozomi said looking plainly into the boy his age directly. He seems pretty alright. Not the most amazing guy in the world or anything but alright.

You look around my age. Do you go to school by any chance? The boy said as he surveyed Drake.

My name is Nozomi by the way.

Drake listened to what the guy - Nozomi - had to say patiently. He had apparently moved here recently too.

Huh? Well, I guess... class 2-C at the academy, but I haven't been there yet. I really only arrived today. So, do you go to the acad too Nozomi?
As much as he disliked it, Nozomi was probably Drake's best chance of learning about the city and where everything was. Even if he was some stranger, he seemed nice

Uh.... See I don't know if you'd want to see for yourself. But the academies closed actually Drake. It's uh... Covered in Sand. Nozomi told the boy as he gave a sheepish smile about it.

Yeah there was some freak accident and the School was nearly turned into a desert. ALot of sand is covering it now that was being cleaned up for a while actually.

Personally I'm glad. I didn't like school that much either.

All Drake could do was blankly stare Nozomi straight in the face. He wasn't lying, unless he had a very good poker face...
What? What kind of freak accident is that?!? Drake was skeptical, but he didn't want to push his luck and scare the guy away.

Well, atleast I don't have any lessons now... Is there, uh, a hotel or something booked for students staying at the academy dorms? The whole desert theme wasn't in the brochure and I didn't come expecting something like this...

Well.... I have no idea at all to be honest about what cause the incident. Personally I saw it myself. It was rather strange Though.... Eh...... Atleast there isn't school! Haha. The young boy cocked his head eagerly. As if this was some new found excitement to him. Why wouldn't it be? He didn't have to do anything in terms of school work and could focus on other things.

I....Have no idea about that actually!If you want I could try helping you get that sorted out. There may be reperations. In fact there's a office near here where we can sort that out if you walk with me. He said as he gestured for drake to walk with him.

Drake eyed the boy carefully - he seemed to find the schools sand flooding humorous...

Uh, sure, as long as it's not too far I guess Drake was hesitant to wander off with a stranger but he had to take the gamble. It might have been his only way of finding a place to crash

Drake started walking forward as Nozomi gestured to him. He tried to stay a few paces behind Nozomi, just in case something happened...

So uh yeah. What made you want to move over here exactly? Most people had their reasons for moving over here. Nozomi was only here because his family had finally decided to settle down in a place which made him pretty glad.

Yeah don't worry about it. The place is actually around the corner nearly. We'll be there in a few minutes.

So did you rely on living in the academy dorms?No family to take you in over here or anything?

At first Drake hesitated. He didn't trust this guy nearly enough to tell him that. But he had to say something.
Wanted to get away from Vegas. Possibly kick my gambling addiction and move somewhere there's no desert. Looks like it followed me here though.
Drake felt like he shouldn't be lying about his addiction. He wasn't planning up on giving up playing poker and all that but being judged by his addiction is something he didn't want.

As Nozomi explained where the office was, Drake just nodded his head along and tried to memorize the route as best as possible.

Drake tried to hide his wince as Nozomi said "family". To his knowledge the only family he had alive was his father, who was probably still in Vegas shuffling cards at the casino.
Only family I have are on the Strip still. I don't have much money either so the academy dorms was the best option. What about you? You living with parents or something?

Gambling addiction? You know I have played cards a little myself. Recalling back to his own expertise with cards. Nozomi wasn't exactly an expert but he was pretty decent when it came to things like poker and blackjack.

Nozomi noticed the boy wince when he asked about his family. Though he figured that mean't not to push that onto him or anything. The last thing he wanted to do was provoke him when he just moved to the city. Especially with not really much family around either.

Ah alright. Me I live with my family over here actually. They wouldn't stop switching where they lived and finally decided to settle down over here.

I wouldn't be too worried in your case. They usually have some form of backup plan for student dorms being closed.

Oh really? What games did you play? Would be great to find someone local to play with. And possibly win money off, but Drake would rather not say that out loud.

Must've been tough moving around everywhere huh? I would hate to do that. Drake remembered when he first moved to the foster care home. He had no idea where anything nearby was for weeks.

Well, hopefully they can find somewhere for me soon. I'm starting to feel tired from my journey here...