SLUTTY GENDICE POST FOR SLUTTY GENDICES

[soulager]

Comments

[catarou]

If you're not careful, I may decide to keep you longer.

[ Apparently, Dice is one of those people who's so disarming. Gentaro does a great job of keeping his cool, at least. ]

I have no need of repayment, so don't worry about that.

[chronicgambler]

Phew... good deal. Man, thanks! I'll try not to get too excited, but I'm not guaranteeing anything!

[He doesn't know where they're going, but he walks a half step ahead of Gentaro and turns so he's walking backwards for a bit.]

Think my luck's changin', since I met you! Maybe I'll do okay tomorrow after all. You don't know where I can make, I dunno, a couple hundred thousand in a day, do you?

[catarou]

[ ...... ]

I'm afraid not. [ He clears his throat. ] But perhaps, in the future, I may have something for you.

[ Dice has a very nice voice, the type that's suited for voice acting. ]

[chronicgambler]

[Dice just laughs at that. No sense in stressing when he's got a whole day tomorrow to figure things out.]

Like a job?

[catarou]

Exactly that.

[ They've arrived at the ramen shop, and Gentaro walks inside. It's a quiet little place, not too busy, and comfortable. Gentaro takes a seat. ]

Feel free to order whatever you would like.

[chronicgambler]

[It's probably too quiet for a loud guy like Dice, but at least he'll mostly be busy eating. He slips into the seat beside Gentaro and slides a menu over for each of them.]

I gotta get the pork... With an egg, too!

[catarou]

[ Since he nearly always eats alone, Gentaro is suddenly very aware of how close the seats are. Their knees are touching, and he feels Dice's warmth this close together. ]

The pork is excellent here. You have good taste.

[chronicgambler]

Oh yeah? Kinda thought you'd get the miso broth... Huh.

[He's just beaming. And knocking his knee jovially against Gentaro's.]

What else d'you recommend?

[catarou]

[ Oh, yes, he is absolutely doomed. He gives him a smile, and to keep himself from just running, he pokes Dice's cheek. ]

Didn't anyone tell you that looks can be deceiving? Now I have to ask you why.

As for recommendations, I would suggest anything, really. I am fond of the chicken, though.

[chronicgambler]

Heh, that's more like it. Cats don't eat pork.

[In Dice's mind, cat pet person = cat = eats fish. And also, pigs are bigger than cats, so pork makes no sense to him. Dice logic.]

So what do you like to eat, anyway? Just whatever? Chicken makes almost as much sense as fish, but like I said, pork doesn't... I guess you're more person than cat that way, right?

[catarou]

[ ... Clearly, Dice's brain works in mysterious ways. It's so unexpected that he lets out a laugh. ]

Ah, well. Yes, I do tend to eat whatever. You're right in that I'm more person than cat.

[ Okay, he can't help but tease him a bit. Gentaro leans in close. ]

Even though I'm less cat than human... would you like me to purr for you?

[chronicgambler]

[Oh. He's close. And it makes Dice's heart leap into his throat inexplicably. His eyes go wide. But he can't lie, really.]

M-maybe after dinner?

[catarou]

[ Ah. ]

We'll see.

[ He says that, but... he finds he wouldn't mind. Maybe inviting Dice, a complete stranger, was a poor decision in hindsight. At least he doesn't have to dwell on that for too long as he gives his order. ]

Now, to wait.

[chronicgambler]

[Dice orders his own food with enthusiasm, leaning back afterwards and stretching his hands, arms, and back with an almost graceful arching that lifts the hem of his shirt up dangerously.]

Maaaan, what a day!

[catarou]

[ Likewise, Gentaro polishes off his food, though with a bit more chill. His eyes rest on his stomach, but he quickly averts his gaze. It's a different kind of hunger he feels now. ]

Mm, it's been quite exciting. I didn't expect to pick up a stray myself.

[chronicgambler]

Thought you might be a stray when you started talkin' to me!

[He grins at him and drops a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it good-naturedly.]

But I guess not. Too bad for me, huh? We could keep hangin' out if you were!

[catarou]

Oh?

[ He looks amused more than anything. Before he can catch himself, he leans into that touch. Quickly, he pulls back. His ears twitch, and at his comment, Gentaro raises his eyebrows. ]

Why, Dice, I'm not sure what you mean. Who said I was going to allow you to stop hanging out with me?

[chronicgambler]

I'm planning to hit the road in a couple of days. If you were a stray, you could come with me!

[How and why is a guy with no money or home hitting the road?]

I'm in some trouble, so I don't reeeeeally think I oughta stick around to find out what they're gonna do to me.

[catarou]

[ Hm. He regards Dice curiously. There's that pull again, a connection he's never felt with anyone before. It's compelling. ]

Why, that's quite the assumption. I can come and go as I please, you know. After all, I don't need to stay in one place to make a living.

[ He's loaded already, anyway. ]

[chronicgambler]

I dunno... You're too classy to get caught up in this, probably. You're probably really used to havin' nice things and not worryin' too much.

[He beams, but it's a little sheepish.]

That's the way it oughta be for guys like you, anyway. You should be livin' the comfy life with no worries and everything right where you need it.

[catarou]

[ ... Interesting. The more Gentaro listens to him, the more he realizes how good his heart is.

He chuckles softly. ]

It does sound nice, doesn't it? That's the sort of life anyone would wish for. [ He sighs. ] But it's become terribly boring. Pets like myself are held in high esteem by virtue of being who we are.

It's a lonely life, and I've become tired of it all.

[ He reaches out, fingertips light against his cheek. ]

Won't you take me away from here? Show me how you live.

[chronicgambler]

[Those fingertips touch his cheek and something like electricity shoots through Dice, going places he refuses to think about for the moment. He just... he's thinking with his heart right now, and his heart says otherwise.]

I dunno... Even if you're tired of it, wouldn't you wanna be safe and stuff? Have a comfortable place to sleep, lotsa food, nice clothes? I got absolutely nothin' to offer a guy like you, you know? You're gonna get sick of me real fast and I'll end up doin' somethin' stupid over it.

[catarou]

Hmmm.

[ He pulls his hand away, even though he wants to touch him more. ]

That's an understandable concern. However... none of that matters if I find no excitement to live for. If you're truly worried, then I propose a compromise: You save me from this dull, boring life, and I will fund our travels.

I won't go all out, of course, even if I could afford it. Just enough to survive and keep us afloat.

[chronicgambler]

[It... sounds like a good deal, from Dice's end.]

People're gonna think you're mine and all that. What's your owner gonna think?

[catarou]

[ He lets out a laugh. ]

We had a mutual separation. Well... mostly mutual. He was reluctant at first, but I can be terribly convincing when I want to be.