Such a Gray Day (SG)

[Lady Leaf]

Why out of all the days had today been the day he was out of money? Ok, so it was something that happened often with the reckless choices he made day to day. Yet every time it did happen it always landed on a day when it was cold a hell! It had taken Sen a while to find the city of Evergreen (because he was too lazy to get a map) and when he finally arrived his money had found a hole in his pocket. Or rather… a few bars. He didn’t even have enough left to by himself a hot drink.

So there he was, standing on the side of the street as his dulled purple eyes watched a few people walk by. The sky above was rather cloudy making his hair glisten a pinkish colour over it’s usual pale red. At least the gray of the day would help cover up his planned solution to his money problem. That was, if he could find a victim. He had seen about five people walk by, none brain dead enough to leave their money pouch on their belt. Why couldn’t people be out and about in the cold weather so he could quickly get out of it? So frustrating.

A very small tap was made on the back of Sen’s leg as he continued to stand there making odd remarks about the buildings. You see, Sen was rarely a man to actually stay upset about anything. Sure he was cold. Yes he upset that the streets were so empty. Yet he didn’t show either of these emotions as he stood there with a smile on his face. The tap was enough to cause Sen to look down and notice the large Ariados. Ada was her name, and clenched between her two fangs Sen noticed a rather stuffed wallet. “I really do love you.” Sen complemented the spider as he knelt down and took the wallet. Quickly he opened it up and began counting the money before pulling out a piece of ID. “Billy Frickles. Damn, must hate his parents for a name like that.” He commented before tossing it aside “Lets get me out of the cold.” With that said he began making his way down the street. He wasn’t really sure if he wanted to find an inn or somewhere to eat first. Most likely he would pick the first place he found.

[Admiral Striker General]

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[ Ryan ]

Well damn.. Ryan let out a sigh as he exited a small building. There was yet another interview likely failed. He was lucky he'd put back so much during his years in the Yakuza, but those funds were fading fairly fast. Kitty had stayed with Jae today so he could go job-hunting, but once again he seemed to be having no luck. Mm.. So where next?

As he walked down the street, something shiny suddenly caught his eye, and Ryan looked down to see a discarded plastic card of some sort. After staring for a few moments, he decided to check it out, turning it over to see an ID. "....'Billy Frickles'...?" ...Well. It could technically get worse, right? Like... Brock Lee... Frickles.. Shaking himself out of this, Ryan realized it was really a shame for someone to lose their ID. Looking around, he spotted someone some twenty yards down.

"'Scuse me?" he called out, jogging to catch up to the... was it a guy? "Hey!" As he finally caught up, he could see it was. What an interesting choice of hair.. Huh. "Was this maybe yours?" He offered the ID.

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[Lady Leaf]

The hair on the back of Sen’s neck latterly stood on end when he heard the man’s voice call out from behind him. It had stopped him in his tracks his mind mentally hissing, ‘Don’t be holding the damn card.’ before he finally turned on his heal to see who had called out to him. A rather forced smile had been spread across his somewhat thin features as he turned, locking his purple eyes on the man running to catch up to him. He had been about to claim the card wasn‘t his when… ‘Hot diggity… I’ve got to have him’ Sen’s mind screamed as he took in the full features of the older man.

“My goodness I’d have been lost without that,” Sen lied as he looked down at the ID for a split second before looking back up at the man, “I don’t even know how to start thanking you.” He reached out to take the card back as his mind cringed at the fact that he was now going to have to use the fake name, Billy, instead of his usual pick of a name that starts with an A. He was just being too fickle was all. “I’ll tell you what. Let me take you out for some drinks. On me of course. Ah where are my manners. The names Billy, though you can just call me Bill.” He was talking fast enough that it was almost hard to tell the subject in his sentence’s had actually changed.

Ada, who had stopped only a few feet away, almost felt like tying a thread around Sen’s leg and dragging him away. They were suppose to be using the money she had stolen for a place to sleep not to waste it on a few drinks. She already knew exactly how this going to play out if the man agreed to go for a drinks with Sen. Sen would drink too much, try for a one night stand and if failed, he would end up passing out in some alleyway again. She really didn’t feel like listening to him complain the next morning about being hung over and in pain from his choice of a sleeping spot. Not to mention every time this happened he smelled like an old, fat, dirty pig. Sadly she was pretty sure there was nothing she could do to stop him. Once he had his eyes set on someone, especially a good looking man, he wouldn’t give up. This was going to be a very… very long night.

[Admiral Striker General]

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[ Ryan ]

Ryan blinked a bit in surprise. ...Come to think of it, this guy really didn't look like the picture on the card at all, did he? He'd just called out to the nearest person without thinking... But then, he'd really only glimpsed it, so he didn't really remember clearly what the picture did look like, nor had he seen how old that ID might have been. People changed, right? Mentally shrugging it off, then, he decided no one would claim a name like that if it wasn't really theirs.

Drinks, he'd said? "Er uh... Sure. Why not?" he half-sighed, shrugging. It had been a pretty long day already. If the guy was offering, a drink or two sounded pretty nice. Jae wasn't expecting him to be picking up Kitty until tomorrow morning anyway. "I'm Ryan, by th'way.." He rolled his shoulders a bit, eager to find a place to sit down and rest. "So where'd ya have in mind, Bill?"

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[Lady Leaf]

“Awesome,” Sen replied when Ryan agreed to the drinks. Ada on the other hand sighed and got ready to follow them. She wouldn’t go into the bar or tavern but she would wait outside until it was determined if she would need be watching over Sen’s drunken body tonight or not. “Not a clue, but I’m sure we can find something up ahead.” Was Sen’s answer to Ryan’s question as he turned to lead the way down the empty streets. He hadn’t been in the city long enough to figure out where the local bars were but he was use to cities. He figured it couldn’t be too difficult to find a decent looking place.

Sure enough a bar presented it’s self to them after passing only a few clothes shops and small restaurants. The Ninetale Grill and Bar. It was a wooden building with outdoor dining, pool tables, a few card tables and a bar. No one was sitting outside due to the cold but looking into the windows you could tell that there were a few people inside. It was perfect. “This place doesn’t look too shabby. What do you say?” Sen really had no idea if this man was local or not. He was certain if the man was local he’d be able to speak up and tell him if it was indeed a good place or not. Sen really wasn’t very picky either way.

[Admiral Striker General]

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[ Ryan ]

Ryan just gave a light shrug in reply. It seemed Billy here didn't know anything more about Evergreen than he did, but.. well... "Heh. Yer payin', right? It's up ta you.." As they seemed to be in agreement, then, Ryan followed the other man inside, finding himself wondering if this evening was going to get more social once they found a seat or if it would stay as quiet as the walk here.

Upon surveying the floor a bit, he realized they had food here as well. Ooh... He hadn't really been planning to go out, but he hadn't eaten since that morning, and they were already here... "Hey.. D'you wanna get dinner too? I don't mind payin' for my own; I'm just sorta hungry..." Sorta meaning he could probably eat a table if it were easier to chew, but that didn't sound as nice out loud.

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[Lady Leaf]

Sen simply smiled at the man’s comment and took the reply as a yes. Without a word he pushed the door open and walked into the grill and bar. He stopped once the door shut behind them and looked around. He was just about to pick a spot to sit down by the bar when the man suggested to get food as well. He truly was making this much easier than Sen was use to. Perhaps he wouldn’t have to play it so safe with this man. He had originally thought he would get Ryan a bit drunk before coxing him into doing anything else.

“Ah well, there we have an issue then,” Sen replied, turning to face the man with a smirk, “I only get dinner with those I’m taking out on a date,” He leaned a bit closer to Ryan and reached a hand out to set a finger under Ryan’s chin, “And I always expect a bit… extra after words. Think you can handle that?” The sly smile that had spread across his handsome features grew a bit larger when finished speaking. His purple pupils never once left the other man’s face as he spoke and now waited for a reply.

[Admiral Striker General]

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[ Ryan ]

"Ah-.." Ryan's mouth fell open at the younger man's proposal. Wa-..was he asking...? After a few moments just staring and blinking several times, the redhead realized he was gawking and shook his head a bit as if to clear it, though his thoughts remained just as jumbled. "Wh-what? No I-...." ...He what? Kitty wasn't here, and wasn't expecting him back. For once, Ryan actually had the entire night to himself, to do whatever he wanted... or whoever he wanted. This thought brought a bright blush to his face. He.. had said he was giving up that lifestyle even before he gave up the rest of the wild life, but... Damn it had been a while... But of course.. there was that other issue too..

Ryan swallowed hard. Now that he really looked... Billy was pretty cute, too, wasn't he? No, no he really shouldn't... "I don' reckon ya'd stell be-" His mouth clamped shut tight on that horrid drawl, face brightening further before he cleared his throat hard. Trying again, he corrected in a very slow and deliberate tone, "I don't suppose you'd still like just drinks then..." If he didn't have goosebumps he'd be surprised... In the course of a few seconds, he'd gone from completely relaxed to so nervous-... yeah. Fifteen years trying to cover that damn accent and this still happened..

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[Lady Leaf]

Sen’s finger fell from the man’s chin when the first ‘Ah’ came from the man’s mouth. However he still stood there, waiting and listening the man stumbled over a few words. How he managed to keep a straight face the entire time, especially when the man ended up blurting out a few words in an accent, was only an answer the masters of the world could answer. Sen himself was finding it rather hard to keep a straight face but he managed right up until the end when Ryan asked if he could still like just the drinks.

At first it started as a small chuckle as Sen finally stood up straight. Once the chuckling started Sen just couldn’t hold it anymore and he burst into a fight of laughter. “Oh… my god… you are so… gullible!” He blurted out between his laughter, “You’re so cute. But seriously…” He claimed his laughter finally though a few chuckles still escaped his throat here and there, “You can order anything you want. I don’t really care if you eat or not.” He let out one last chuckle before turning around and finding a table. He hadn’t even taken note of the people who had turned their heads to stare at them when he had broken out into a fit of laughter. Surely Ryan would believe it all to have been a big joke. Partly, it was, because Sen lived for those reactions. The half really did want the man, but he would settle for anything at the end of the night. Be it that bit more between to people or simply him passing out somewhere one the streets alone. He was use to both.

[Admiral Striker General]

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[ Ryan ]

Ryan jumped a bit when Billy suddenly went off on a gigglefit, but as the moment of shock wore off he found himself suddenly unsure if he should be more confused, embarrassed, or pissed off. Granted, 'you're so cute' certainly made it seem more harmless, but still. Ryan.. did not enjoy being laughed at.. Had he seriously been joking then? ...Meh. It wasn't worth ruining his night over.. If it became clear humor at his expense was going to be a regular thing he'd make his exit, but one incident shouldn't ruin free drinks, right? Sighing, he took a seat across from Sen, then. "I just don't like ta eat in front o' people if they ai- aren't eating too..."

As he looked over the drink menu, Ryan debated whether he wanted to go for something fancy or just have a beer, eventually realizing he'd have to wait to see what Billy was spending on himself before he'd know what range they were talking anyway. It seemed he had some time to kill unless he wanted to ask directly then, and in this his thoughts fell back to the previous conversation. ... Dammit. And now that it wasn't actually on the table anymore Ryan naturally found himself wondering if he wouldn't have leaned more toward a yes. Did he play that joke on everyone, he wondered? "Y'know I'd watch that humor.." he warned as he continued gazing over the menu, trying to get an idea of what he might want for any various price range as well as to keep his eyes off of Bill. "What're you gonna do when someone leaps at the offer?"

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[Lady Leaf]

“Well if that’s the case I can’t very well be a poor host.” Sen replied as the man mentioned being unable to eat if he wasn’t either. It was sort of a silly quirk really but it wasn’t the first time Sen had met someone with the same issue. They just didn’t normally admit to it. Most would simply say nothing and stay hungry for the rest of the night. Really Sen would never understand it but who was he to judge? After all, he was no one special.

Sen’s posture in the benched seat was slightly different from most but a tad more civilized than normal. Instead of folding his feet on top of the chair like he normally would, he found himself simply lifting one and crossing it over the other. The upper half of his body leaned to the right a bit as he rested the side of his head on his knuckles and looked down at the menu. He didn’t spend much time looking at each page he flipped through until finally he closed it and pushed it to one side. His purple eyes than looked up at Ryan, waiting to see if the man had chosen what he wanted. That was when the man spoke up again causing Sen’s smile to return.

“I would consider myself luck.” he replied as if the answer was obvious from the start. After all, it was the truth. He wouldn’t turn such a thing down, though he wasn’t sure if that had been the answer Ryan had been looking for. Not that it mattered. Sen could care less about the impressions others got from him. It was rare for him to ever meet them again anyway. “Live life day by day, take what’s offered to you while you can and never do anything you believe you will regret on a later date. Those are my morals.” Sure many would argue that those were poor examples of a morals but Sen could care less. It was what kept him happy each and everyday and he truly did live with no regret. At least, none that he knew of. For those who actually knew Sen for longer than a day… well they did tend to find it odd that he never seemed to get upset over anything… ever. “I’m getting the honey dipped chicken wings and Smeargle Blue.” He finally announced. Always something sweet. Always Smeargle Blue beer.

[Admiral Striker General]

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[ Ryan ]

Ryan barked a laugh. "Word of advice, kid," he all-but-retorted, knowing full well that this 'kid' couldn't have been too much younger than he was... Maybe ten years at the very most, but probably not. "Those things don't always line up the way you want them to." Hell, half the time an opportunity offered seemed to lead to regret whether it was taken or not... He didn't seem to give much thought to the other's order, but when a guy came by from the bar to take their orders, Ryan ended up ordering the same, except barbecue rather than honey wings.

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[Lady Leaf]

Kid? Well, that was interesting. It was rather rare that anyone called him kid other then Kel and that… that was different. Yet Sen made no comment on this and instead listened to the advice this man was giving. Ah, the advice most like to give him when ever he mentioned his ‘morals’. “You are absolutely right.” Sen stated his smile growing larger and head sinking a bit further down his fisted hand, “If things did, you’d have said yes.” He knew that wasn’t the point Ryan had been trying to get at but it was rather fun playing with the man. If Ryan wanted to treat him like a ‘kid’ he was perfectly fine with that. However, it didn’t mean he was actually going to take the man seriously. Sen couldn’t remember the last time he took anyone seriously even when life was on the line. He had the bad habit of making a joke out of everything which either pissed off people or had them laughing right along side him. Of course it did cause many issue… many, upon many… but that was the very reason Sen never stuck around one place for long anyway.

“Now if you want, you can lecture me further on the subject or” He removed his head from his hand and leaned back in the chair, “You can accept that I have accepted my life will be short, sweet and un-meaningful from now until that fateful day.” He had grown up as a thief his entire life. He rarely gave anyone his real name. His only true friends were the pokemon he traveled with. Sure, he knew he could turn his life around and actually make the things he did meaningful but then… that just sounded boring to him. He had no reason to change his way of life before so why change ever? “Either that you choose is fine with me. After all, being a few… ahhh” He pretended to count on his fingers, “years or so younger than you I’m sure I have a lot to learn.” Yes it was true, he was mocking the man now but his words were still truthful. He would listen. He loved listening to others. The more they spoke, the more Sen got to learn about them. It really was a neat trick.

[Admiral Striker General]

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[ Ryan ]

Ryan rolled his eyes at the mocking gesture. Yeah, he could think what he wanted. It was that apparent optimism that had spawned the title more than his age in the first place. Ryan knew what it was like to hold life in his hands, in every sense he could think of. Unless Billy had seen as much death and influenced lives as much, he felt more than entitled, but he wasn't nearly about to get into that. "All I meant," he corrected, "was that you can't avoid regrets entirely, whatever ya do." After a moment, he shrugged and added lightly, "Not if ya have a conscience, anyway." At that, though, he sighed a bit and seemed to drop it.

Propping his chin on a fist, now, he leaned in, wondering just what to make of this guy. "I'm afraid I don' get yer logic though..." He'd sort of thought this at the answer before, but when Billy'd mentioned it again... "How'm I gullible when ya seem pretty serious about this...?"

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[Lady Leaf]

“Hum, I suppose you are right. I’m sure to run into regret someday in my life” And perhaps sometimes he did feel regret. If even for a moment. Though he could think of no incidents of when he did regret something. Had he ever felt regret when he got for stealing? No, there was no regret for stealing what he stole. There was no regret for getting caught. It didn’t happen often, but he did have blood on his hands both young and old. Did he fell regret for those lives he tool? No, not that he could recall. Perhaps he would regret getting sleeping on the streets tonight. He had very little doubt he would regret it but in all logic, perhaps he would. Most things he just shrugged off. Some would say there was something wrong with him.

“Ah, you’ve caught me red handed.” Sen teased after the man spoke about being confused over why Sen believed him to be gullible, “I merely wanted to see what sort of reaction I’d get from you. It really didn’t matter if you said agreed or not.” In that light of things, Ryan could decide on his own if the joke before had truly been a joke or not. It still left the man gullible in his eyes because he had still given a reaction rather than catching on to Sen’s… test of sorts.

Just as he finished talking, the waiter stopped by their table and placed two drinks and two plates down in front of them. Yet Sen did not move to touch any of the food or the drink. Instead he just sat there, his eyes fixed on Ryan.

[Admiral Striker General]

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[ Ryan ]

... Uh-huh. So if that were the case, why did he keep bringing it up? Well, they'd see either way. Ryan gave a light shrug in reply and a somewhat bored, "If you say so.." And he left it at that. Part of him wanted to rave about how something so blunt and sudden would catch anyone off-guard, but he ignored it. Rather, he just found a window and watched it. Currently, he would be more than content to accept his dinner in silence and find the nearest place to crash. Two frothy mugs were brought out soon enough, and Ryan took a straw to his without ever breaking his gaze at the window. It was quite clear if the other man wanted conversation of any kind, he'd have to start it.

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[Lady Leaf]

Sen watched as the man shrugged his answer off and turned to the window. This man was so full of emotion it was truly amazing. Perhaps he had upset the man. That or he really was bored. Sen really couldn’t be sure. He wasn’t great with people unless he was hitting on them or doing a job with them. Even then he seemed to piss people off. It was actually quite funny. Well, if he couldn’t cheer the man up, the drinks eventually would.

“So, what do you do for a living?” He asked with a large smile, still not touching his drink or food, “Local, not local? You’re obviously single, and not from a wealthy family and a bit older than me. So spill it. Anything you tell me about I’ll you about me.” He had played this game with a few people before and often found it ended well. Unless the other person really didn’t feel like telling anything to Sen, which often ended the game rather early. Not that it mattered. Most of what Sen told anyone was a lie anyway. After he spoke, he finally picked up his drink and took a swig, not bothering to use a straw.

[Admiral Striker General]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/Ryantable.png);color:#990000;width:470;height:294;][atrb=style,border:3 darkred groove,bTable][scrolly:h(202),w(240),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:52px;margin-left:14px;margin-right:175px;)]This got Ryan's attention again. "Hm?" Now why was he so sure of those things? Granted, certain things did imply them, he supposed. But other than age they weren't so 'obvious', were they? "Now why're ya so sure I'm single?.." he asked, glancing sideways at Billy.[/scrolly]

[Lady Leaf]

Sen simply shrugged his shoulder’s at Ryan’s question, “You just have that feel floating about you, of course I could be wrong.” He replied, still smiling. He would have answered that it was due to the reaction of Sen’s little test earlier but that was what had upset the a moment ago, right? Bringing it up again would just cause Ryan to stare out the window again, right> Heh, for all Sen knew he could making it all up in his head but this what he believed for now. “You didn‘t even answer one question.” He laughed a little at this before picking his drink up again and taking another swig.

[Admiral Striker General]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/Ryantable.png);color:#990000;width:470;height:294;][atrb=style,border:3 darkred groove,bTable][scrolly:h(202),w(262),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-top:52px;margin-left:14px;margin-right:175px;)]Ryan barked a small laugh again, but seemed in better humor about it this time. "Well that makes no sense... but yer right anyway," he replied with a shrug. Now then... What else had he mentioned, and what else could he tell him that wouldn't give away too much? "Letsee... I'm 28. 'riginally from out West, currently travellin' lookin' fer a job.. The only family I'm still in touch with is my kid sister Cat, who's with 'er sitter right now." He'd prefer not to mention the reasons for losing touch with his parents. Eh, what else? ..Heh. Well, trivial shit was always fun. "My favorite color's red. My favorite Pokemon is my Volcarona. My first Pokemon was a Torchic. I love spicy food. And I love surfing." Never mind that he was pretty terrible at it. All that mattered was he enjoyed trying, as well as watching other people. [/scrolly]