[Life is tough. That's what Dice thinks sometimes--though, notably, not all the time--when he's down on his luck. A losing bet can send him into a tailspin with very little else going his way, and today is just one of those unlucky days. He's done his time begging for a second chance, he's tried to weasel his way out of the consequences he unwittingly, foolishly brought on himself... But today just isn't having it.
So, with his days numbered, he heads to the park. It's always where he goes to clear his head and his woes, and if his last cigarette doesn't last him the whole hour, so be it. At least the cherry blossoms are nice. Kind of dreamy, if you ask him.
Wait. Did someone just--]
Huh?
[He looks to the speaker with a start, dropping his nearly-spent cigarette and burning his hand just a bit in his haste to try to catch it. After a false start or two thanks to his fumbling, he curses quietly, then shakes his hand a few times to get the sting out.]
Uh... yeah. I mean they're usually nice? I get kinda caught up looking at 'em.
[ Pretty eyes--that's the first thing he notices. There's an air of something about him that makes Gentaro want to get to know him. His interest is nothing more than curiosity. That he's easy on the eyes is just a bonus.
His ears, fluffy and near-hidden in his hair, twitch. ]
As do I. They tend to inspire me. [ He looks toward the trees, the slightest smile on his lips. ] They're even more beautiful underneath the light of the stars.
Right? I sleep out here a lot, so I get to see 'em all the time.
[It's a very delayed reaction, but Dice finally looks the man over, only to find he's not a "man" at all. He's a pet. A cat, to be precise, with unobtrusive, fluffy ears and a beautiful, distinctive face. He doesn't react to this right away, though maybe he should. It's rare for a kept pet--especially one this stunning--to be out alone, unaccompanied. Maybe his owner died? Maybe he's just really a neat freak.
But that's not Dice's business, really, is it? He's kind of a stray, himself. Probably something a pet would get on some kind of weird, instinctual level or something, so Dice feels an affinity for him the way he feels for the strays he sees in the park from time to time.]
It's better when the ground's warm right around sunset, but the bench ain't half bad, either!
[ He's teasing, of course, but he's not immune to the effects of sun spots. Already, Gentaro's charmed. Strange, to feel a connection--or something like it--so easily. ]
The warmth is pleasant, I can't disagree. But it's just as pleasant to enjoy a cup of hot tea while watching them during cooler nights.
I wish! Cats have it easy, right? Most'a the time. Not that I got it too bad, though. Can't complain, usually.
[He could complain today, probably, and be within his rights. But he doesn't. He just looks up at the trees as a soft breeze rustles them, raining down flower petals. With a grin, he reaches out and waits for one to fall on his hand, even as others unknowingly land in his hair and cling to his shirt.]
It's not too chilly today, so I'm thinking the ground's where it's at!
We all have something to complain about at some point, hm? I see no harm in it.
[ Speaking with a stranger this long isn't his MO. He's still cautious, but it's something he can deal with. He has to stay cautious, too. There's something terribly disarming about him.
But... he finds he doesn't want to turn tail and run.
With a chuckle, he reaches up and plucks a petal from his hair. ]
[Dice makes eye contact again, but this time he tries to hold it it as the stranger plucks the petal from his hair. His eyes flick to the hand only for a moment before he grins again, eyes narrowing very slightly.]
Well, I'm not goin' anywhere! Got nowhere to be for a couple'a days. And talkin' to somebody's kinda cheerin' me up a little, so it's fine if you wanna hang.
[ It's actually a pretty good spot, where they're at. Gentaro moves so they're out of the way before taking a seat on the ground. He gestures next to him. ]
[He takes a seat beside him, tossing the long-dead cigarette a short distance into a nearby trash bin. There's a few petals in his other hand, and he starts fussing with them aimlessly for a moment.]
Nice! Don't get to meet a whole lot of cats here these days.
[Dice sees the ear flick out of the corner of his eye, and he grins before reaching up to brush the petals away.]
Ahhh, nothing I guess? Just needed a place to clear my head and sleep. I need to think pretty hard tomorrow, so I'm doing the minimum thinking tonight. Period.
[ Gentaro isn't expecting the gentle touch against his head or ears. He's always figured they were sensitive, which is why he never allows anyone to touch them. His breath catches in his chest, and he clears his throat. If his cheeks are a little pinker...
At least he can move right on. Gentaro blinks, then raises his eyebrows. While he might not be a stray, it seems this human is. ]
[ Gentaro doesn't find himself speechless very often, but this-- Yeah, it's extremely concerning. He wonders why in the world he's so invested in Dice's comfort and safety, but...
What do you mean? Usually I just eat whatever. It's not like I'm all fancy and shit goin' to restaurants.
[Anyone would be worried? Dice is not worried.
His stomach does choose this moment to rumble a bit, and it's probably hard to hear for anyone but a pet. He comically covers his stomach and doubles over.]
I don't guess I've had a whole meal today... Who cares, right? Life's too fuckin' short to care!
You know, if you don't eat proper meals, life will be even shorter. You needn't go to restaurants, but quite literally anything is better than nothing.
Ehh, that's not a problem! I'm probably gonna bite it in a couple of days, anyway.
[He manages to say this with a smile, though maybe it's a touch grim.]
You wanna buy a guy his last meal or somethin'? Naaah, I'm kidding. You're somebody's pet, right? You're too pretty to be a stray. They wouldn't let you spend their money on some guy like me. But I'll try to eat somethin' after you leave, if it'll make you feel better!
[ This time, Gentaro can't stop his startled, concerned look. He still isn't sure why he feels so strongly for Dice in particular, but he knows he would rather not let Dice starve to death. ]
It's more of a formality at this point. Besides, I have my own place. I also have a steady, generous source of income.
[ He stands, and gestures for Dice to do the same. ]
[Wait, why is he asking? It might be pointless, but he scrambles to his feet anyway. There's just... something about this guy. He's obviously made of money and happy to throw it around, so why say no?]
[ Now that he knows Dice is going to follow, he can't help but feel flustered. You're too pretty to be a stray, Dice had said so easily. He can't recall a time when he's felt more flustered. ]
Do you have any preference? Otherwise, we'll go for ramen.
[ This is the moment Gentaro realizes he's doomed.
Dice is charming and kind of an idiot, he thinks, but it's endearing. He hasn't spoken to someone like this for a long time. It's refreshing, and even though Gentaro is the pet, he might want to keep Dice as long as he's allowed. ]
Perhaps it was fate that brought us together. [ His ears twitch, flicking off one of the petals. ] This must be your lucky day.
[He'll have plenty of time to be confused over this inversion of the norm later. Right now, he's shoving his hands in his pockets and trotting alongside Gentaro like he's the pet. If he was one, his tail would be wagging like crazy. As it stands, he just beams.]
I get to have a big dinner with some decent company! Gonna go out with a bang, heh...
[Dice nearly faceplants at that, he's so excited.]
You're making me a kept guy for twenty-four whole hours, huh? I do need to think pretty hard tomorrow, so I'll take you up on it, too. Normally I'd be able to pay you back, but this time it's kinda impossible! Sorry!
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So, with his days numbered, he heads to the park. It's always where he goes to clear his head and his woes, and if his last cigarette doesn't last him the whole hour, so be it. At least the cherry blossoms are nice. Kind of dreamy, if you ask him.
Wait. Did someone just--]
Huh?
[He looks to the speaker with a start, dropping his nearly-spent cigarette and burning his hand just a bit in his haste to try to catch it. After a false start or two thanks to his fumbling, he curses quietly, then shakes his hand a few times to get the sting out.]
Uh... yeah. I mean they're usually nice? I get kinda caught up looking at 'em.
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His ears, fluffy and near-hidden in his hair, twitch. ]
As do I. They tend to inspire me. [ He looks toward the trees, the slightest smile on his lips. ] They're even more beautiful underneath the light of the stars.
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[It's a very delayed reaction, but Dice finally looks the man over, only to find he's not a "man" at all. He's a pet. A cat, to be precise, with unobtrusive, fluffy ears and a beautiful, distinctive face. He doesn't react to this right away, though maybe he should. It's rare for a kept pet--especially one this stunning--to be out alone, unaccompanied. Maybe his owner died? Maybe he's just really a neat freak.
But that's not Dice's business, really, is it? He's kind of a stray, himself. Probably something a pet would get on some kind of weird, instinctual level or something, so Dice feels an affinity for him the way he feels for the strays he sees in the park from time to time.]
It's better when the ground's warm right around sunset, but the bench ain't half bad, either!
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[ He's teasing, of course, but he's not immune to the effects of sun spots. Already, Gentaro's charmed. Strange, to feel a connection--or something like it--so easily. ]
The warmth is pleasant, I can't disagree. But it's just as pleasant to enjoy a cup of hot tea while watching them during cooler nights.
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I wish! Cats have it easy, right? Most'a the time. Not that I got it too bad, though. Can't complain, usually.
[He could complain today, probably, and be within his rights. But he doesn't. He just looks up at the trees as a soft breeze rustles them, raining down flower petals. With a grin, he reaches out and waits for one to fall on his hand, even as others unknowingly land in his hair and cling to his shirt.]
It's not too chilly today, so I'm thinking the ground's where it's at!
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[ Speaking with a stranger this long isn't his MO. He's still cautious, but it's something he can deal with. He has to stay cautious, too. There's something terribly disarming about him.
But... he finds he doesn't want to turn tail and run.
With a chuckle, he reaches up and plucks a petal from his hair. ]
Would you object to my company?
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Well, I'm not goin' anywhere! Got nowhere to be for a couple'a days. And talkin' to somebody's kinda cheerin' me up a little, so it's fine if you wanna hang.
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[ It's actually a pretty good spot, where they're at. Gentaro moves so they're out of the way before taking a seat on the ground. He gestures next to him. ]
So, do you have a name, stranger?
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[He takes a seat beside him, tossing the long-dead cigarette a short distance into a nearby trash bin. There's a few petals in his other hand, and he starts fussing with them aimlessly for a moment.]
What's yours?
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[ A few petals have fallen on his head, making his ears twitch, but he makes no move to brush them off. ]
So, what brings you to this park in particular?
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[Dice sees the ear flick out of the corner of his eye, and he grins before reaching up to brush the petals away.]
Ahhh, nothing I guess? Just needed a place to clear my head and sleep. I need to think pretty hard tomorrow, so I'm doing the minimum thinking tonight. Period.
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At least he can move right on. Gentaro blinks, then raises his eyebrows. While he might not be a stray, it seems this human is. ]
Do you often sleep in parks?
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Parks are kinda the ideal, but I get kicked out a bunch! So, you know, whatever works otherwise! Alleys, benches, whatever.
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Well. Anyone would be worried. ]
I... see. What do you do for meals, Dice?
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[Anyone would be worried? Dice is not worried.
His stomach does choose this moment to rumble a bit, and it's probably hard to hear for anyone but a pet. He comically covers his stomach and doubles over.]
I don't guess I've had a whole meal today... Who cares, right? Life's too fuckin' short to care!
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Gentaro just barely manages to visibly react. ]
You know, if you don't eat proper meals, life will be even shorter. You needn't go to restaurants, but quite literally anything is better than nothing.
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[He manages to say this with a smile, though maybe it's a touch grim.]
You wanna buy a guy his last meal or somethin'? Naaah, I'm kidding. You're somebody's pet, right? You're too pretty to be a stray. They wouldn't let you spend their money on some guy like me. But I'll try to eat somethin' after you leave, if it'll make you feel better!
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It's more of a formality at this point. Besides, I have my own place. I also have a steady, generous source of income.
[ He stands, and gestures for Dice to do the same. ]
Come. I am going to take you to dinner.
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You for real? You're really gonna buy me dinner?
[Wait, why is he asking? It might be pointless, but he scrambles to his feet anyway. There's just... something about this guy. He's obviously made of money and happy to throw it around, so why say no?]
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[ Now that he knows Dice is going to follow, he can't help but feel flustered. You're too pretty to be a stray, Dice had said so easily. He can't recall a time when he's felt more flustered. ]
Do you have any preference? Otherwise, we'll go for ramen.
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[Dice tosses his handful of petals playfully on top of Gentaro's head, then falls into step beside him. Now he's prettier.
It occurs to him, given reasons, that this could be a trap. But he doesn't give one single fuck. He's getting free food.]
Thanks a lot! I didn't actually think I'd get to eat! Man, I've asked ten people today!
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Dice is charming and kind of an idiot, he thinks, but it's endearing. He hasn't spoken to someone like this for a long time. It's refreshing, and even though Gentaro is the pet, he might want to keep Dice as long as he's allowed. ]
Perhaps it was fate that brought us together. [ His ears twitch, flicking off one of the petals. ] This must be your lucky day.
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[He'll have plenty of time to be confused over this inversion of the norm later. Right now, he's shoving his hands in his pockets and trotting alongside Gentaro like he's the pet. If he was one, his tail would be wagging like crazy. As it stands, he just beams.]
I get to have a big dinner with some decent company! Gonna go out with a bang, heh...
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[ It sort of slips out. Gentaro clears his throat. ]
That is, you did say you need to think pretty hard tomorrow. A park is hardly conducive to that.
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You're making me a kept guy for twenty-four whole hours, huh? I do need to think pretty hard tomorrow, so I'll take you up on it, too. Normally I'd be able to pay you back, but this time it's kinda impossible! Sorry!
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