No breaks on this Train [Event Topic :: Afternoon]

“An excuse?” Haru would pause to ponder that for a moment before giving a light nod. “I guess it could be seen that way by some. Though you are the first to actually call it one,” he would say as a small amused smirk crossed his face “You like excuses?” he would ask as he observed the other for a moment with curious eyes.

While the young man was not fond of excuses and on a normal day they could quickly drive him into a foul mood, he found the topic of excuses an interesting play on your ordinary theories of what Fate was. He had never taken the subject from an excuse perspective, so he was interested to see what the other said. Whether or not the other answer this or not, his eyes would drift back to the girl as she asked her question. To this, he his eyes would narrow with the light smile he gave her.

“No. I don’t often get a chance to discuss such things with others. Typically lunch is much more…what is the word?" he would pause as he looked to the side hunting for the right word. “Scripted,” he would say as he looked back at her, his expression a bit sheepish now. He honestly couldn’t explain it better than that. He didn’t have friends and he most certainly couldn’t take up a conversation like that with his parents, so he had learned to simply theorize on his own via note taking, drawing, or other forms of art to keep the wandering thoughts from getting stuck in his mind. On rare occasions, Lisa would humor him a bit with theory, but he knew that she got bored of it after a while, so out of respect he didn’t push his luck too much in that department with her. Today, he had somehow got lucky for a bit to have some that would actually tolerate or listen to the theory and respond. Though he had to wonder if he had perhaps annoyed the girl to get a comment like that. It was hard to tell.

In any case, he would leave the subject there for now as he took note how the other avoided his other question with silence and by looking away. Heh. Well, he had tried, but he suppose not everyone was upfront with their thoughts like he could be. Fair enough. He wouldn’t pry any further for now.

“Mmm. I am quite content to be alone; however, I can agree that having a few around here and there isn’t bad.” Yeah, if he could choose his company rather than be forced to sit with people who were honestly there because they saw him as an investment or idol. Granted this was the first time in forever, he actually got to pick where he wanted to be and who he was with…and while it would be a bit depressing once they had separated, at least he could hopefully have this moment to look back on with a smile. In any case, Haru would become quiet when the conversation turned to ironically conversations in general. As the others spoke he would listen as he managed to neatly clean off a small portion of his food. He really didn’t have much to add onto that one until the end.

“Hm? What do you mean?” he would ask wondering if the comment was referring to the guy’s own taste or was poking at something else. The pry was small and non-hostile, suggesting that Haru had settled alright with the casual chat. Things would remain calm enough until the subject of family came up. By the time this came up, Haru had placed down his chopsticks and had taken a relaxed position in his chair. When questioned by Yomi, he would close his eyes for a moment in thought.

“Dangerous? I don’t think so,” he would say as he folded his arms and reopened his eyes as he looked back at her. “Yeah. They have my number and if they really “needed” me for anything, they would be able to hunt me down. The fact that I am still here and not with them is proof enough that I am probably the last thing on their mind at the moment.”

His tone did not rise or show anger; however, there was a cold edge to the tone that suggested the topic was a sore subject for him. Still unlike some that would shy away from it or even apologize for such a reaction; Haru was unafraid to show his ugly side. Stranger or not, he was what he was, so you either took it or you didn’t. He wasn't changing to please anyone. Regardless of the coldness, he would show it was not directed at her as he looked off to the side with a light huff.

“In any case, there is no need to be worried about me. I’ll live,” he would say his tone softer this time around. Perhaps it wasn’t the best approach, but honestly he could not help, but to get frustrated when it came to his family situation. Hopefully, he didn’t step on toes with that one and if he did? Well…he’d deal with the consequences when they came.

In any case, he would eventually chill out as the subject moved from that to the reveal.

“Yeah tell me about it,” Haru would respond to Noah as he watched the crowd for a moment. Sure…he could tell why some had come, but outside of that, he honestly didn't know what was happening here. It was almost almost as bad as going out on a Black Friday, except no one had been trampled yet thankfully and nothing was being sold, so... What was the deal? What drew the masses in like this?

Haru’s eyes would drift back over to the girl just in time to catch her eye twitch. Between that and her words, the young man would become quiet as he observed her for a moment. Now there was various ways he could’ve attacked that one, but the young man choose a gentle approach rather than a rash one.

“Hm? Is something going to happen that has you worried?”

Yes, he was prying again, but this time he did it because Yomi open the door this time with her wording. Besides if something was going down, he rather know what it was than be caught off guard. Sure, he could be selfish and cruel when he needed to be, but under it all he rather not see harm come to himself or others for that matter. If Yomi knew something, he had hoped she would just say it, but due to previous prying he didn’t know if his direct approach would work. It was hard to say with this one.

Haru would listen to what the other had to say on excuses, raising his eyebrows slightly in wonder at what was said.

“Well now. I never thought I would find someone that actually followed my train of thoughts so closely. Hmph.” A small amused smirk would cross his face briefly, a small sign that the young man was a bit impressed by the other’s way of thinking. It was kind of nice seeing something so clean cut. Perhaps unlike others that chased and used excuses like they were going out of style, this one might actually man up if something went wrong. And if that was the case then, Haru could respect the other easily enough. He liked folk that stood on their own and even when they botched up they could recover and still stand strong. Maybe this Noah fellow was one of those people he could learn to respect fully if they ever got to know each other beyond today; however, that little trail was for another time.

In any case, the conversation would continue shifting from Fate to conversations about conversation. To Noah’s strange words, Haru would blink a bit at the wording as he pondered that for only a second. He might’ve pondered it more; however, at that time the girl would begin to giggle catching him off guard in the process. Looking over at Yomi, he would watch her with a perplexed gaze for a second before simply shaking his head with a small smile. He wasn’t sure exactly what was so funny about the words, but he supposed if one looked at them in a particular light they could come off as silly. Even so, he was kind of happy to see her smiling after all that seriousness around her. Looking back at Noah, he would respond back.

“The rule may apply to traditionalist. I supposed you can say my script is more about dodging things rather than staying silent due to tradition,” he said with a small shake of his head. Honestly these two didn’t know the half of it when it came to his family and “chats”; however, that was not here and now, so he let that train of thoughts pass by easily enough. “Ah. I see. So..which category do you fall in?" he would ask the young man before becoming quiet for a while and waited for answers.

Whether he was answered or not, the conversation would eventually shift to the sore subject of family. While Haru remained cold towards the idea, his expression did not carry too much of his coldness as he considered the words that were said before responding back.

“No. One cannot do such things or vice versa...It makes for a unpleasant affair,” he would say knowing all too well what that sort of life was like...after all he lived that life daily; however...Dark colored eyes would drift back to the girl as she spoke on her relationship with her family. To this he would let at a small sigh as he looked off to the side.

“Smoothering is never pleasant...if applied in the wrong fashion that is; however, from what I can read of you, you don’t seem like the type to smoother for selfish purposes. So while it might not mean much considering we rest on different ends of the pole and are strangers, I think...I think maybe you are much more appreciated than you think. I mean at least you care, so that has to count for something...” he would trail off at the end as his voice remained soft and a tad bit gentle showing that he was being respectful and sincere with the words. He could respect those that held a value for their own as it was a trait that symbolized inner strength within a person for him. While he did hold an inner strength of his own, his did not come from his biological family, but rather the one he had adopted over time. A sad case maybe, but that was simply how his life was.

However, the issue of family would be of little consequence when the big reveal came up, When this happened, Yomi did some things that caused Haru to remain quiet at first as he simply absorbed what she said. While his logical side was ready to throw the words out as nonsense, another side of him was a bit concerned about what she may be implying. After a few minutes of study, he would give the girl tilt his head at the girl.

“Leave? If it is not a bomb or anything of that nature. Why leave?" he asked an unsure smile on his face as he watched her. He didn't know, but something about the whole wording situation rubbed him the wrong way, but which part it was was hard to decipher at the moment.

“From my perspective it is,” Haru would say and then smirking slightly at Noah he would continue. “Then again, I mostly get the perspective of extremists, so I can’t really give a direct answer to that.” It was an honest statement. Most of the “guests” his parents had over were either all for Fate or completely against it. Honestly, it depended on who they were trying to impress more than an actual opinion. It was a sad and disgusting case, but that is what happens when one was trapped most of the time and forced to deal with the fake. Never could find an honest answer in those sort of conditions.

In any case, the conversation would continue on, the tone going from serious to amusing as easily as the tides washed upon the shore. The change up was nice and for a moment Haru simply enjoyed it until the situation came back to family and such. Even when the subject was a sore spot for the young man, he did his best to keep his peeved nature in check. He managed to keep a straight face and a cool exterior despite the negative emotions that swished about within. He didn’t hate his family, but at the same time he didn’t exactly love them in the fashion that most did. His relationship with his family was complicated to say the least and the less they dug into that subject the better. Regardless of these thoughts, he would continue the conversation normally enough.

“Gloomy?” Haru would ponder that word for a moment before shaking his head lightly. “Perhaps being said or written it seems that way, but in actual application? Well, it actually works better than it sounds.” Haru would give a light shrug afterwards. There was no better way to describe it and probably no way to get another to understand the tactic unless they were to literally swap places with him and live out his prison-like life style. In any case, he would leave it at that allowing the other to translate the words as he saw fit as he looked back at the remainder of the food on his plate. Hmm…he’d have to find a to-go box….

“Heh.” Dark colored eyes would drift back up to the male as he gave his answer on where he fell in the conversation categories. “Pretty flexible then. Must be nice,” he would say his tones amused as he watched the other with serious eyes. This one was an opposite to himself and while he was curious to see just how far apart they were, he would keep his curiosity down low for now. There was no reason to over chat someone on a first meeting now was there? In any case, Haru would let whatever happen there happen for the time being as his focused shifted to Yomi.

While it was true, he didn’t have the best outlook on family life, he knew how to be respectful of others and was highly aware of their emotions…despite what his seriousness or moodiness would suggest. That is why in his own way, he tried to cheer up the girl, but how effective he was he was unsure. That was why it was a bit of a surprise to hear Noah back him up and even more surprising when the girl thanked them both for being kind?

It was kind of odd receiving thanks in this fashion, so the young man would give her a light nod rather than words. He would let the other speak on that topic if he had something to respond with. In any case, he would take the moment to recompose himself a bit.

That awkward moment aside, things would become odd in a different sort of fashion when they began to talk about what was going on with the big reveal and such. It started with Noah’s theory. He didn't like the sounds of that idea, but...

“Well…that is a possibility. People can start things. A shooting does sound a bit more likely than a bomb or war, but then again the masses are strange when scared…” he would say rubbing his chin a bit in thought. Did Haru think that something bad would actually happen? Well, he couldn’t say considering Yomi was indeed acting like something was about to happen. Everything from her words cryptic words from earlier to her sudden change to protector mood just seemed strange. As she stood and made her statement, Haru would tilt his head at her with a confused expression on his face. Now she was telling them to forget what she had said? How do you forget such forbidding words? He would stare at her for a moment about to ask her a question, but there was something about the way she seemed to glow in some fashion or another that made him back off the prying. Well, she seemed confident enough about whatever she was going on about, so maybe the earlier gloom wasn’t that threatening at all. Pushing the thoughts surrounding said gloom down a bit, Haru’s face would relax a bit as he smiled at the girl.

“I see. Then I’ll try not to worry so much,” he said to her and then became silent as she made her exiting remarks.

“That sounds pleasant. Until next time then, Yomi. Take care,” Haru would say as he gave her slightly deeper nod than before in response to the bow. After that the girl took off, leaving him with Noah.

“I hope she will be okay….” he would say as he looked back at the other, trying to bury worry under the calm gaze he watched the other with. He was quiet for a moment as he considered the dark hair guy next to him. “Noah, what do you---?"

A light jingle from his pocket cut him off. Without even going for his phone that had made the noise, he would shake his head as he gave the other a small smile.

“Sometimes I hate schedules. They always manage to ruin things,” he said as he stood up and began collecting items that had gotten off the tray. He would place the items in neat stacks to keep them from falling or taking up too much space. Habits.

As he did this, he would continue to speak. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Noah. I hope that we can meet again down the road. In fact,” he would pause in his collecting and pull out his phone, the sleek black exterior shimmering slightly in the light of the area giving the flame design on the back what appeared to be life. His eyes would glance at the reminder, but ultimately he’d ignore it for now.

“I would like to exchange numbers with you, if you don’t mind. Might make it easier if you decide to take my offer in the future,” he would say as he used his thumb to move to a particular screen. Once he found what he was looking for he would look back at Noah and await his decision wondering if the other would take the rare offer.

Social Qualities:

Haru would give Noah a blank expression at first as he let what was just said sink in and then slowly but surely the expression would change. It would start with a small smirk that would eventually grow as Haru began to chuckle lightly at the word and then he was laughing. Actually laughing! While the comment was harmless, the irony of it all was just too much not to laugh at. It was funny and yet sad because it was so true.

In any case, he would take a moment to compose himself as he looked back at Noah, chuckling a bit.

“Oh you have no idea guy,” he would say his voice amused and surprisingly unrestrained by whatever control he had earlier….and without the control barrier there the young man seemed more natural. Was he perhaps hiding his true self behind the wall of control? It was a curious change up and even more curious when a few moments later, he seemed to suck some of the relaxed personality back in just a bit. What an odd young man. Anyway…

The young man would shake his head at the words about conversations.

“Perhaps not, but it works so I honestly have no reason to unlearn the habit,” he would say as he sat up a bit rubbing the back of his head a bit. It probably was a bad habit…and maybe one day it would get him in a world of trouble; however, it helped him get by in life, so was it really that bad to keep?

In any case family matters aside, Haru would catch the wink Noah gave him and smirk slightly at the words. “I have to agree adaptability is a good trait to have for all aspects of life. We can’t have the world getting to boring now can we?” he would say in a tone (that while still soft as ever it) held some form of playfulness to it. Though said playfulness was under tight control, did this suggest Haru actually had a mischievous side to him? It was hard to say and probably didn’t matter much anyway.

The play would end as a slightly softer side of the boy began to show as the focused switched to Yomi instead. Sure, he wasn’t great at expressing said softness, but it seemed between himself and Noah, the once gloomy girl was able to pick herself out of whatever hole she had been in and perked up. As the whole vibe around the trio seem to improve, Haru was able to breathe a bit easier.

“That is true. Though on one hand, I wish someone would be direct about what is going on and on the other I kind of want the surprise, so I can’t say if I am happy or not about this whole thing,” Haru would begin before shrugging lightly as a light grin came to his face. “I suppose I’ll figure out the answer when I come to that bridge.” No use in worrying about things that didn’t happen, yet right?

Dark colored eyes would look up at Yomi as she stood. Farewells would be given and then the girl was gone. With her gone, Haru had to wonder if he would ever see her again. He wasn’t sure why, but that outburst about saving everyone rubbed him the wrong way. What was there to protect everyone from here?

“Mmm. Perhaps you are right. Maybe I worry too much about things,” he would respond back to Noah with a soft smile. Shortly after this the young man would be interrupted from the chat by the reminders from his phone. With a sigh he would get up and prepared to leave. As he was doing this, he would pause and take Noah’s number (and give his own) before with an appreciative nod, he would slip his phone back in his pocket.

“I am more busy than I’d like to admit, so I have to plan carefully most time. Perhaps if we meet again, I might tell you the reasoning behind it all,” he said as he picked up the tray of neatly stacked items.

“Thank you for humoring me and my request. Well then. See you around, Noah. Take care,” he would say and then with a slight bow to the other, he would refocus on his task of getting rid of the trash and then going back to the cage before his “masters” could call him themselves….

~Haru has exited the thread~