Seeing Red

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

"Hey, you need any help?" he asked before he really saw the face of the browser. When Trent's eyes met his, Yukito couldn't entirely hide the surprised look on his face.

Trent looked distracted. "Oh-- You weren't here last time I came in here."

Yukito smiled. "Oh, hey. Sorry, I didn't recognize you at first."

"Yeah." If Trent had acted shocked at all at the statement, it wouldn't have been so funny. He knew exactly what Yukito meant, and he didn't bother to hide it. But neither would say it out loud. What a weird game it already was, just to speak after a quick punch in the face.

"You...finding everything alright?" Yukito asked out of not habit, but requirement.

Trent looked away, casual, "I probably know this place better than you, actually." It was a flippant comment, Yukito supposed it was meant to show off or impress, but it did neither. Yukito really didn't feel like debating through the fogged up mess it already was, so he didn't really counter.

"Maybe," he mumbled, hoping it was enough to momentarily satisfy an ego. I don't really care. You being stuck in a single music store for the last few years doesn't really make me feel inferior. It doesn't make you better because I had to move across the world.

"So when did you and Erin make up? She never said, just all the sudden one day she wouldn't shut up about you during practice..." Trent glanced up with a strange smile. He wants to freaking chitchat. Yukito shrugged, using the movement to shove his hands into his pockets. It's not even any of your business. Did you ever think that might be why she didn't tell you?

"There isn't really a pin-pointed time on it, but I think it's safe to say the night you let her get ridiculously drunk," he said in a deadpan voice. More quietly, he added, "But I'm glad she's happier." Even when I'm not around. You always worry that she's just putting on a smile to keep peoples' spirits up.

[GGJ5]

Trent Fisher

He couldn't help but ask, the words slipping onto his tongue before he could really stop them. Even if he knew they made him sound stupid. "So when did you and Erin make up? She never said, just all the sudden one day she wouldn't shut up about you during practice..."

Yukito shrugged, using the movement to shove his hands into his pockets. For some reason it seemed that he'd hit a sore spot, even though Trent couldn't figure why it would be sore. Maybe he wasn't as in to her as Erin made him out to be. It wouldn't surprise him at all.

"There isn't really a pin-pointed time on it, but I think it's safe to say the night you let her get ridiculously drunk," he said in a deadpan voice.

The way Yukito said that made Trent's eyes widen just a bit in surprise. Well, at least he didn't say I made her do anything, like what what's-her-face said...

More quietly, Yukito added, "But I'm glad she's happier."

"Yeah... me too." Trent glanced at a poster on the far wall behind Yukito. Even if you don't believe it. "I didn't let her do anything that would put her in danger or anything... I would have taken care of her. I was watching her." I just wanted her to be happy again. You weren't helping her any. So don't talk to me like I was doing anything wrong.

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

"There isn't really a pin-pointed time on it, but I think it's safe to say the night you let her get ridiculously drunk," he said in a deadpan voice. Trent's eyes widened slightly. More quietly, Yukito added, "But I'm glad she's happier."

"Yeah... me too." He looked up to meet Trent's gaze, but the guy was looking glassy-eyes at something behind Yukito. The way he said it made Yukito wonder if it was something he felt like he had to put his pride aside for to own up to. "I didn't let her do anything that would put her in danger or anything... I would have taken care of her. I was watching her."

Yukito watched Trent intently. "I could see that." I had a problem seeing you there with her smiling at you like that. Unrestrained. Unplanned. I had a problem with newbie 'clubbing' being your first option to pick her spirits up again.

"Look, I'm not gonna..." He sighed, ran a hand through his hair, and frowned. "I know it can't all be pinned on you. But you still had your part in it, and I'm still not okay with that. I'm gonna just forget." But for Erin's sake I'm not gonna keep regurgitating it.

Yukito's expression looked torn and hesitant, then he muttered, "Is... Veritas still looking for a practice spot, by any chance?"

[GGJ5]

Trent Fisher

"Yeah... me too." You'll ruin it again for her in a month or two, though, and I'll still be there for her when you're not. "I didn't let her do anything that would put her in danger or anything... I would have taken care of her. I was watching her."

"I could see that." Sarcastic. They didn't get it. Nothing else worked. And he wouldn't see her so depressed anymore. Heck, if it wasn't for him, then Erin wouldn't be any better now, so really, he should be thanked! ....Well, that was probably pushing it... a lot... But sure as heck, it wasn't as bad as all her friends liked to make it out to be.

"Look, I'm not gonna..." He sighed, ran a hand through his hair, and frowned. Not gonna what? Screw her over again? "I know it can't all be pinned on you. But you still had your part in it, and I'm still not okay with that. I'm gonna just forget."

It was Trent's turn to let out a sigh, one of frustration. He didn't get it! "Right." He bit the inside of his cheek thoughtfully. Just like I'm going to forget what you did to her. What you'll do to her again.

"Is... Veritas still looking for a practice spot, by any chance?"

He raised and lowered a shoulder. "A permanent one. We've gotten pretty used to bumming places from people willing to put up with us for a few hours. Going unplugged when we need to." He knew Erin wanted Yukito in the band... and he wondered if they'd talked about that. How it would be to play music with him, and with her. He mentally groaned. "You know some place?" he couldn't help but ask in spite of himself.

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

"Look, I'm not gonna..." He sighed, ran a hand through his hair, and frowned. "I know it can't all be pinned on you. But you still had your part in it, and I'm still not okay with that. I'm not gonna just forget."

Trent let out a sigh of his own. "Right."

Yukito shot Trent a strange look, one masked by conflicted feelings. "Is... Veritas still looking for a practice spot, by any chance?"

A shoulder gesture from Trent. "A permanent one. We've gotten pretty used to bumming places from people willing to put up with us for a few hours. Going unplugged when we need to."

He gave a slow nod, mostly to reassure Trent he was actually listening. Inwardly, he weighed the options of telling Trent first what he figured out. Perhaps it was best to tell Erin. She'd be more ecstatic about it, for sure. But that might have been what made him want to tell Trent before her. He might see it more seriously, and consider it, before jumping on the idea.

"You know some place?" It was one of those tempting questions people couldn't avoid asking.

Yukito shrugged, then met Trent's gaze. "Churches. They're your best bet. I'm not religious so it didn't occur to me until recently. Lots of them have large, open rooms with good acoustics and already working amps, and decent setups. I've already called several local places, first the ones closest to the high school. I kinda expected a lot of hang ups and rude remarks, but several people actually listened, and a couple said they would to talk to their 'dean' or 'leader' whatever." Another shrug, and his gaze fell on the lineup of CDs that they'd been lingering around for the last few minutes.

"They're your best bet, in my opinion. You're desperate enough to make compromises, and they're decent enough people to work with you on what you need. Worst case scenario, you find someone who lets you practice there but wants you to play for their kid group, too. Or whatever its called." A beat. "Try St. Mary's Assumption and Trinity Episcopal."

[GGJ5]

Trent Fisher

He'd done good ensnaring the next question from him, Trent had to give Yukito that much. "You know some place?"

Yukito shrugged, then met Trent's gaze. "Churches. They're your best bet. I'm not religious so it didn't occur to me until recently. Lots of them have large, open rooms with good acoustics and already working amps, and decent setups. I've already called several local places, first the ones closest to the high school. I kinda expected a lot of hang ups and rude remarks, but several people actually listened, and a couple said they would to talk to their 'dean' or 'leader' whatever."

Trent couldn't help but smirk a little at his lack of lingo. It was just a sign that the guy was clearly not from around here. He wasn't trying to be rude about it or anything; it was just a natural reflex. For explanation, Trent added, "It's probably priest or father if you're talking about the ones around here."

Yukito just shrugged. Of course. Why bother trying?

"They're your best bet, in my opinion. You're desperate enough to make compromises, and they're decent enough people to work with you on what you need. Worst case scenario, you find someone who lets you practice there but wants you to play for their kid group, too. Or whatever its called."

"Youth?" Trent offered, trying not to snicker at the mental image of him playing Jesus songs. He'd have to wear a hardhat. The roof would definitely fall in. Or he'd get struck by lightning. Something, anyway.

"Try St. Mary's Assumption and Trinity Episcopal."

"Yeah, they tend to be better for acoustics," Trent mused aloud, tone hesitant. He kept his eyes on the merchandise. "I dunno, though, for sure... Some are pretty picky about who they let use their place..." He laughed quietly, still imagining playing praise and worship on Wednesday nights... Are we really getting this desperate? "But we'll look around about it... church on every corner, you know," he muttered with a nod to the outside window.

The feeling was awkward. Really, really awkward... the whole conversation. It was like they couldn't decide whether to hate each other or not. After all, this was the same guy that tried to punch his lights out and practically ripped the heart out of one of his favorite people. He wanted to warn him not to screw her over again. That if he broke her heart, Trent would break his face. Instead, he just reached in his pocket and felt nothing besides his phone. Perfect.

"Left my wallet," he muttered aloud. "Be back later," he tacked on half-heartedly. Just don't be on that shift then, okay? Do me that favor at least. He slipped out of the store, feeling more mopey than he cared to admit. Talking to the person who could hurt Erin so much, it was depressing.

Erin Spenser

She missed Trent entirely, coming in about thirty or forty minutes after he'd gone. Her parents had been willing to drop her off there as they went grocery shopping or something boring like that. She'd neglected to tell them Yukito had started working there. Although, when Erin had gotten that text from him with his new number, she'd squealed a little for no apparent reason to them.

Inside, Erin immediately scanned for the familiar face. It didn't take her long to spot him, and Erin didn't even bother to wave hello before taking off to greet him in a hug. "I'm here to visit you, to brighten your boring work day!" she sang out to him, leaning her face up to give him a quick kiss on his cheek. Only afterwards did she debate if that was a good idea while he was at work or not. "Was that okay?" she whispered, and then asked at her normal level, "How's it going? I got your number!"

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

The knowing smirk on Trent's face didn't warm Yukito to the conversation by much. "It's probably priest or father if you're talking about the ones around here."

Yukito just shrugged. What else could he say to that? Trent would just pin it on his inexperience or pompous attitude. Whatever. It wasn't a big enough deal to debate his reasons for not knowing on. "They're your best bet, in my opinion. You're desperate enough to make compromises, and they're decent enough people to work with you on what you need. Worst case scenario, you find someone who lets you practice there but wants you to play for their kid group, too. Or whatever its called."

"Youth?" Trent offered. Yukito was tempted to narrow his eyes in irritation. But then he noticed that there was the same kind of half-amused half-helpful tone to Trent's voice Yukito had heard in himself when trying to explain things to Aidousan. Guess I can let him have his fun thinking he's smarter than me. Goodness knows I'm not here to impress him.

"Try St. Mary's Assumption and Trinity Episcopal." He offered simply. He had gotten some secretary-type ladies to answer his questions with some alacrity. Maybe even a slightly-creepy eagerness.

"Yeah, they tend to be better for acoustics," Trent mused aloud, tone hesitant. Yukito kept on a light frown of solemnity. I was referring to your chances at getting an easy deal at a practice area. Acoustics was important, but not a priority. "I dunno, though, for sure... Some are pretty picky about who they let use their place..." Trent let out a light laughter. "But we'll look around about it... church on every corner, you know," he muttered with a nod to the outside window.

"Yeah," Yukito was done offering help. If he wasn't still suppressing a bitterness towards the guy, he would have noticed Trent seemed to be considering the idea at least semi-seriously. That was something.

"Left my wallet," Trent muttered aloud after a quick search. Beautiful. "Be back later," He started for the door as quickly as he could without loosing his cool. Yukito called out after him.

"You don't have to tell her it was my idea. Maybe it'll keep her focus on the actual practice session for awhile, you know?" I don't try to keep her chattering on about me. But it is cute to imagine her doing that. Yukito went back to the counter for the next half an hour, milling back and forth numbly between check-out and asking the same dumb question of customers.

"No one wants any stupid help, so why am I required to bug them?" he mumbled under his breath, returning for the hundredth time to the spot he had mentally dubbed 'his post'. "It's not like they're flipping idiots, and don't know how to browse properly."

He jumped and stiffened as someone hugged him from behind, sighing with relief when he heard Erin's voice. She's gonna kill me. "I'm here to visit you, to brighten your boring work day!" she sang out to him. He smirked and turned to face her, just as she she gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. After a second, she looked nervous, whispering, "Was that okay?"

Yukito smiled more broadly, "I don't see why not. It's just a peck on the cheek. Now, if we started making out...I think that would be disruptive. We'd...uh... distract people...from the merchandise, I guess..."

"How's it going? I got your number!"

"I know," he said simply, holding her gently by her arms as he met her gaze evenly. God, he'd missed her today. "It's been alright. Kinda dull, but hey, I need some cash inflow, and it's an easier job than most."

[GGJ5]

Erin Spenser

"I'm here to visit you, to brighten your boring work day!" she sang out to him as Erin surprise-hugged Yukito. It didn't occur to her until later that maybe that wasn't such a bright idea, and that he probably didn't like it how she did.

He smirked, turning around to see her as she she gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. After a second, she looked at him anxiously and whispered, "Was that okay?"

Yukito smiled more broadly. "I don't see why not. It's just a peck on the cheek. Now, if we started making out...I think that would be disruptive. We'd...uh... distract people...from the merchandise, I guess..."

"Aw.." Erin voiced, pretending to be disappointed. It didn't last long at all, and she immediately perked up. "How's it going? I got your number!"

"I know," he said simply, holding her gently by her arms as he met her gaze evenly.

"Well I know you know," she echoed, rolling her eyes. "I just felt like sharing my excitement with you! What kind of phone did you get? Can I see?"

"It's been alright," Yukito said in answer to her question about his day. "Kinda dull, but hey, I need some cash inflow, and it's an easier job than most."

"So you're actually gonna take me shopping? Were you serious about that?" The idea made her excited. She didn't really go shopping--real shopping, not window shopping-- very often, and if she did it was usually with her mom. Oh, she'd go window shopping a lot, whenever a group of them were just hanging out. But it was hard when you didn't get allowances to actually buy things. And shopping with Yukito.... she really liked that idea. "When can we go?"

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

"How's it going? I got your number!" Erin seemed to thoroughly enjoy lighting up a room. Yukito started to imagine how many cities could be given full-blown electricity when she decided to laugh.

"I know," he said simply, holding her gently by her arms as he met her gaze.

"Well I know you know," she echoed, rolling her eyes. "I just felt like sharing my excitement with you! What kind of phone did you get? Can I see?"

He pulled it out of his pocket to show her, feeling a little deflated to see it again. "It's just a cheap go-phone for now. I don't need much, as long as it can text and call." The truth was, he couldn't afford much else now. He was already too used to over-spending, particularly when it came to Erin. The phone was simple, no flipping parts, no decent rings, no frills. And he only had Erin, Cassie, and Kagasan's number in it so far, since he couldn't imagine needing to call anybody else up at the present time.

Now, he turned to her initial question, "It's been alrigh. Kinda dull, but hey, I need some cash inflow, and it's an easier job than most."

"So you're actually gonna take me shopping? Were you serious about that?" She asked, looking utterly elated. Yukito sent her a smile.

"Would I lie to you?"

"When can we go?"

"Um, not right now. But...you know, my schedule is pretty open." He shrugged. "When is the longest I can steal you for?"

[GGJ5]

Erin Spenser

"What kind of phone did you get? Can I see?" She was secretly hoping for an excuse to play with an iPhone or Droid or something like that.

Instead, it was one of those ultra-cheap bought-on-the-fly ones. Which made sense, really, since he probably had to pay hundreds of dollars for that stupid freaking hotel... "It's just a cheap go-phone for now. I don't need much, as long as it can text and call."

"Aww...." She got the feeling he wasn't a fan of the thing, either.

"It's been alright. Kinda dull, but hey, I need some cash inflow, and it's an easier job than most."

"So you're actually gonna take me shopping? Were you serious about that?"

Yukito sent her a smile. "Would I lie to you?"

Ignoring the question, Erin asked, "When can we go?"

"Um, not right now." Erin rolled her eyes. I wasn't thinking that, goof... "But...you know, my schedule is pretty open." He shrugged. "When is the longest I can steal you for?"

Erin considered his question for a second. "Umm... indefinitely?" she tried, giving him a bright smile before breaking away into a laugh. "Can we go this weekend?" Her arms causally encircled him. "Where're you gonna take me?"

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

"So you're actually gonna take me shopping? Were you serious about that?"

He smiled at her disbelief. "Would I lie to you?"

"When can we go?" His smile faded significantly - the way she'd ignored his half-question bothered him. A lot.

"Um, not right now." Erin rolled her eyes and he could only offer her a shrug in response. "But...you know, my schedule is pretty open. When is the longest I can steal you for?"

Erin considered his question for a second. "Umm... indefinitely?" she tried, giving him a bright smile before breaking away into a laugh. The corners of his lips began to rise. If only, if only. "Can we go this weekend?"

"Sure thing," he nodded, even as her arms encircled his waist.

"Where're you gonna take me?"

Another shrug, and another smile. He could picture them in several stores, but the whole point of them going shopping together was, secretly, a good excuse to find out more about the things she wanted and liked. "Anywhere and everywhere you want," he responded simply, "My biggest budget is gas, anyways." He stopped to think, almost chuckling. "Hmm...maybe we should get a motorcycle...that'll be cheaper...What would you say to something like that?"

[GGJ5]

Erin Spenser

"Can we go this weekend?"

"Sure thing." He gave her a nod as she pulled her arms loosely around him.

Yes!! "Where're you gonna take me?"

Yukito only shrugged, giving her a cryptic smile. "Anywhere and everywhere you want."

That made Erin laugh brightly. "Wow, you're brave... I could make you go to all kinds of places, you know."

"My biggest budget is gas, anyways." He paused for a moment, looking a little amused by a little private joke in his head. She liked that she was getting better at telling what his faces meant, even if it was only a tiny bit better. Erin wasn't getting better with anyone else. She liked that it happened with him, though. "Hmm...maybe we should get a motorcycle...that'll be cheaper...What would you say to something like that?"

Immediately Erin rolled her eyes, sure it was more of a joke than serious suggestion. "You'd die on a motorcycle.... there aren't any seatbelts," she teased, giving him a smug little smirk. Then her expression became cracked with little bits of laughter as she repeated his words in her head. "You said 'we'," Erin pointed out excitedly. And despite her better judgment-- it was still Yukito's workplace after all-- she kissed him. It was a short one, because Erin pulled back, looking demure. "Sorry." It's your fault, though, for being so freaking likable...

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

"Where're you gonna take me?" Yukito only shrugged, giving her a cryptic smile. "Anywhere and everywhere you want."

That made Erin laugh brightly, as though ideas were struck into her mind like lightning bolts just at the suggestion of such power. "Wow, you're brave... I could make you go to all kinds of places, you know."

He shrugged. "You don't scare me." Then he smirked. "My biggest budget is gas, anyways." As if what she'd meant by 'all kinds of places' had anything to do with distance... It almost made him laugh. "Hmm...maybe we should get a motorcycle...that'll be cheaper...What would you say to something like that?"

Erin's eyes did a nice little skyward roll, right on cue with her disbelieving look. "You'd die on a motorcycle.... there aren't any seatbelts," she teased, giving him a smug little smirk. Then her expression became cracked with little bits of laughter as she repeated his words in her head.

"Heeey... how do you know I won't compromise? You have to wear a helmet." He might have added, 'and hold tightly to my waist', but he stopped himself, his expression falling slightly to one of a more serious nature. Like he could let her hold him like that the whole time he was driving. Okay, so she's right. I'd probably die on a motorcycle. But it would be cheaper...

"You said 'we'," Erin pointed out, laughing before she raced forward to kiss him again, a short-lived little one that nonetheless make him smile. Erin pulled back, looking demure. "Sorry."

"You're gonna get me fired the first day if you hang out here too long..." he teased, his eyes flickering up cautiously to see no one was even paying them any attention. Well, there was one girl who glanced their direction, but she seemed to be just surveying the room. Yukito smiled and met Erin's eyes again momentarily, before his gaze flickered down to her lips. He let out a sigh, making out like he was getting quickly exasperated. "I don't know if you can stay here if this keeps up, Erin..."

[GGJ5]

Erin Spenser

"Hmm...maybe we should get a motorcycle...that'll be cheaper...What would you say to something like that?"

Erin's face clearly reflected that she didn't believe a word of that. "You'd die on a motorcycle.... there aren't any seatbelts," she teased, giving him a smug little smirk. She started giggling about the way he'd made his comment plural, including her in his theoretical purchase.

"Heeey... how do you know I won't compromise? You have to wear a helmet."

"I would not wear a helmet," Erin protested, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "You are not allowed to see helmet hair on me... not!" She found herself laughing again. "You said 'we'," she said, not pausing to think before she gave him a kiss-- though she did manage to keep it short. "Sorry."

"You're gonna get me fired the first day if you hang out here too long..." he teased as he glanced around. Erin followed his gaze automatically.

"Oh, I'm not staying that long," Erin retorted, brushing off his comment quickly as she took a hold of his hand.

Yukito's response, to her surprise, was to sigh. "I don't know if you can stay here if this keeps up, Erin..."

Her face falling, Erin loosened his hand from hers. "Fine," she muttered, hearing his comment as a serious reprimand. "I didn't mean to bother you." She didn't bother to say goodbye as she turned and headed out the store, disgruntled.

Erin left the stooore D: awww... triste! [/u]

[Elda Forever]

OOC: Yukito made a very sad face when I read your post, sensei. It was very cute. XD MTM, this area is now open for you to add Raiu in. BIC:

Yukito Maki

"Heeey... how do you know I won't compromise? You have to wear a helmet." This was his weak attempt at a counterattack during their motorcycle discussion. Like it was seriously an option or something like that.

"I would not wear a helmet," Erin protested, wrinkling her nose in disgust. The gesture made him grin - sometimes her expressions were so childlike. "You are not allowed to see helmet hair on me... not!"

"But you'd made helmet hair cute...." he mumbled, but she was already giddy with another comment of his she'd noticed and liked better. "You said 'we'," she said laughingly, giving him a quick kiss before drawing back. "Sorry."

"You're gonna get me fired the first day if you hang out here too long..." he teased as he glanced around to ensure they weren't being watched.

"Oh, I'm not staying that long," Erin retorted, brushing off his comment quickly as she took a hold of his hand.

Yukito, still playing with her, let out a dramatic sigh. "I don't know if you can stay here if this keeps up, Erin..." He started to lean towards her and steal another kiss anyway, but her expression altered, freezing him in his tracks. Her hand slipped away, and he felt like she'd burned it when she left it.

"Fine," she muttered, surprising him. "I didn't mean to bother you."

"Wait, Erin. I didn't --" his widened eyes followed her as she quickly vanished before he could even explain that he'd been teasing. He stood there stupidly for a moment, staring after her, feeling like a lame idiot who had been trying to pretend it was okay to just say what was one the tip of his tongue. People in books threatened to 'kick themselves' a lot. Yukito was seriously tempted to do just that. He swore under his breath and pulled his phone out of his pocket, slamming out the apology text. 'Im sry i ddnt mean that. plz come -- ' He paused, staring at the unfinished sentence, and swore again. He deleted the extra until he was just left with 'Im sry', and clicked send. As he finished, someone came up to the counter and he had to try and pick up his expression to the usual boredom, even if Erin's last words were still picking on the frayed ends of his patience and making him feel bitter and stupid.