The Open Art Gallery (Kansuke / Tomomi)

"That's a dumb question." Kansuke spat back, irritated. He took the picker, giving it a few experimental snips before opening his hand out again. "You're wasting your time doing this, and I've not got my paints. Give me a bag."

He held there, hand unfurled in expectation. It was this that bugged him the most - the wasting of time rotting Endymion's spirit. In his freedom, he'd sacrificed money and strength to do what he wanted, when he wanted. In search of money, Tomomi sacrificed freedom to waste the hours picking up the droppings of the city. What would he do with the free time, he wondered? What would anyone do if they could rip from their bondage the way he believed he had?

"Um... Okay, so... Rules of safety... One, since you don't have proper safety equipment such as gloves or a mask, please refrain from picking up anything that looks similar to a container, or has any grime... I know it's a bit... Um... Extreme, but, well, safety protocols... If you see something other than that, just let me know and I'll deal with it... Furthermore, um, while holding a picker, you're supposed to make sure to never point the stick in front of you unless you are clearly going to pick something up. This is to avoid any injuries caused by potentially tripping, or walking into someone else. They aren't really sharp enough to cause serious harm, but, there's always the risk of getting taken to court for assault if you're unlucky... I can hold onto the bags, since they can be a pain to manoeuvre, so, um, when you pick something up, just let me know, I'll open the bag up, unless it's at the point when it's just stuck open from being filled enough, in which case just put it in... Um, what else... Oh, right, um, this sounds like a no brainer, but if you see anyone that looks like they need medical attention, please inform me immediately, and then call for medical services. It's not technically in the job description, but, as public um... Servants, it's important to make sure nobody is hurt on our watch, like, with a stroke, or heart attack..."

Sighing as he got the speech over with, the boy wiped his forehead. "Um, as thanks though, instead of pay, I can always buy you like, a lemonade or something next time I see you? If you, uhh... Like lemonade..."

Blink. Kansuke heard the words, to be sure, but of the essay Tomomi dumped on the man, he recalled only that he should stuff things in the back, and not use his hands. Something about other people, too, but he'd long since stopped caring and went about his newfound business, picking and poking at cans and scraps with questionable gusto.

Whilst he did not regret offering a hand in helping Tomomi finish, Kansuke certainly chafed under the rules of engagement foisted upon him. Who cared about using your hands? Trash is trash, just pick it up and bin it! Realising it was faster, he started doing just that, pulling his sleeves over his palms to make crude coverings. Barely gloves, but it meant he could work faster.

Originally unaware of what Kansuke was doing with, or in this case without, the picker, Tomomi had resumed his usual pace and way of doing things, surprisingly deft with the picker due to years of work with it. As he turned and noticed that Kansuke was picking stuff up with his hands despite Tomomi's saying against such, the boy quickly felt the feeling of panic rising. "Ah! Um... I uh, I can do the rest alone! Um, I, uh, really advise washing your hands as soon as you can! The reason that, um, using hands is not advised is because we don't know what sort of um... Germs and problems could come with picking up stuff, so, please you know, hand me the stick back, and then go wash your hands as quickly as possible... Nothing will probably happen, but, um, better safe than sorry!"

"You're kidding, right?" Kansuke clapped his hands together. "Spend all this time picking up other people's shit and you're still afraid? Trash is trash - I'll wash my hands when we're good and done. If I cut myself, I'll bandage it. I'm not an idiot."

He carried on despite Tomomi's protests, though he did back off on making the point of using his hands. A combination of picker and fingers saw him trying to match Tomomi's pace, but never exceeding it. "Besides. I'm not working for them or you. Just a citizen helping out. They can't file a report on that."

This was certainly the first time someone helping Tomomi and being kind to him actually frightened him. He really, really hoped he didn't have to end up looking after Kansuke if the other boy got injured. Still, it was clear that trying to argue it wouldn't matter. "Um... Fine... But, uh... I wasn't saying it because of reports, but, because it can cause harm to you if you pick up something unexpectedly sharp..."

Still, beneath the mask, Tomomi had a nice smile. Even at the risk of harming himself, and even though he wouldn't get anything from it, this guy still wanted to help Tomomi. Looks were clearly deceptive sometimes. It was... Oddly nice.

Protests thusly stifled, Kansuke grunted and grouched his way through the rest of the work. In some small way, he could see the value of such labour. Shutting one's mind off and autopiloting through the tedium freed up space for other thoughts, allowed one time to process, digest and muse. It certainly helped him with his current problems, so much so that he found himself less tightly wound than usual.

Or perhaps that was the fatigue of a hard job well done. Maybe both. He tried not to think about it.

As the two finished what Tomomi's route was, the litter 'professional' smiled beneath his mask, holding out a hand for the picker, this time due to the work being done. "Thanks again for the help. I really suggest um, washing your hands the first chance you get. I'll take these bags to their specific places, and um, if you ever run into me again or I see you around, feel free to say hi. Heck, um, if I have money on me, I'll go buy you a drink or something as thanks."

Removing his mask slightly so that Kansuke would see him smile, Tomomi nodded. "Thanks again. And be careful when you next do some uh, spraying, or whatever the official term is. Especially since you don't really want to get caught doing that." At this, Tomomi turned, taking the pickers and bags and walking away, job done and satisfied, to finish everything up, and then go home for a nice shower. Truly though, he appreciated Kansuke's help.

[Exit]

Kansuke returned the picker handle first, sure to keep his hands out of his pockets. "Grab me again for this," he grunted, "Faster you get done, faster you can do what you actually want to do, right? No point you working yourself to death."

He didn't want to admit that he'd been caught already, clearing his throat and matching his farewell with a gruff, succinct. "Later."

And off he went. After such a shift, he felt himself keen for a bath. A proper bath.

And weren't the hot springs nearby...?

[EXIT]

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