Waking Up...  [roninc30 & Zorak]
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Zorak on 12-11-2010, 20:29:42</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zorak</strong> on <strong>12-11-2010, 20:29:42</strong>
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				(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/thumb/8/82/Zorak_char1.png/404px-Zorak_char1.png)<br><br>Chris sighed, and put his back against the wall.&nbsp; He'd found a good spot - the wall along the staircase shielded him from the pounding of the stereo which, at the moment, was pushing out Def Metal at a volume he wasn't comfortable with.&nbsp; Taking another sip of soda from the red plastic cup, he tried to relax.<br><br>Somehow, Dale had managed to drag him to yet another house party, and once again he could count on one hand the number of people he knew and with his thumb the number of people he actually cared to talk to.&nbsp; But as expected, Dale was occupied with others at the moment, all three of them blond, and - left to right - each one appearing more vacant than the other.&nbsp; He'd been waved over on more than one occasion but politely smiled and pretended to be on his way somewhere - a bathroom, towards another group, off to get something to drink - anything to avoid being pulled into a circle of people having an excited conversation about nothingness.<br><br>He shifted from one foot to the other wondering how long it would be before Dale got too drunk to stay and he could make a graceful exit as a designated driver.<br><br>Hopefully, Dale would be conscious enough to tell him where to drive though, because this time he had absolutely no idea where he was.&nbsp; There must have been 20 turns from the highway, most of them on unlit roads.&nbsp; Wherever this house was it was in the middle of nowhere - which when you thought about it, probably made it a good place to have a party.&nbsp; Who was gonna call the cops and complain about noise, a three-point buck with a bug up his ass?<br><br>As the tune on the stereo reached a fever pitch heading towards metapocolyptic climax, Chris pushed his back into the corner, took another sip of soda, and wished his shirt was the same color as the wall...
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>roninc30</strong> on <strong>14-11-2010, 22:26:29</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/vkingapt/momoa-200x300.jpg)<br><br>Jason sighed and turned the TV off.&nbsp; He'd been stoked to find the empty room, and since the door was unlocked, he figured it was fair game.&nbsp; He should have realized the music was too loud to actually hear anything on the small television set and already, after only a couple of minutes, he'd been interrupted by 2 couples looking for some 'privacy.'<br><br>Not that he hadn't done that a few times himself in the past.&nbsp; That was then.&nbsp; Now, things were different.&nbsp; Since he'd left a party much like this one exactly 4 months and 2 days ago, drunk and stupid, and crashed into the first light pole that happened to jump out in front of him...well, this just wasn't his scene any more.&nbsp; He wasn't even sure why he bothered to keep coming, bar the fact that it was the only time he seemed to get out of the house these days.&nbsp; <br><br>If nothing else, the wreck had turned a spoiled little rich boy into a responsible young man who was turning his life around.&nbsp; He'd stopped drinking, stopped hanging out with the hangers-on who just liked him because he paid for everything from weekends in Aspen to parties at their favorite clubs.&nbsp; The next step was to find something constructive to do with his time.&nbsp; Using his trust fund to do something good, rather than something destructive.<br><br>He stood up, ran his fingers through dark, too-long hair and shook his head.&nbsp; He told himself he came to these parties to meet other guys, but he had to ask himself - were the drunk assholes downstairs really the kind of guys he wanted a relationship with?&nbsp; And would they even want him, given his rather...unusual preferences in the bedroom?<br><br>To put it bluntly.&nbsp; No.&nbsp; Not just no, but <em>hell no.</em><br><br>Jason left the room quietly, turning it over to a young couple who were practically already having sex in the hallway, and headed down stairs.&nbsp; Time to make his last exit, at his last party.<br><br>Deciding he needed a soda (unspiked) for the road, he made his way to the kitchen, making small talk to friends and strangers who wanted to flirt on his way there.&nbsp; Settling for an unopened can of root beer (about the only thing he trusted not to be spiked), he leaned against the door frame and took one final look around.<br><br>There, just by the staircase, was a handsome young man who seemed about as happy to be here as Jason was himself.&nbsp; A few years younger, a bit shy looking, he looked like he was counting the minutes to get out of this place.&nbsp; Jason knew exactly how he felt.&nbsp; Without overthinking his decision, he made his way over to the other boy and smiled.&nbsp; "They should really turn this music up a little more," he yelled, leaning in so the other man could hear him.&nbsp; "It's just too damned quiet in here!"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zorak</strong> on <strong>15-11-2010, 14:53:39</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Despite his somewhat apathetic attitude, Chis found himself chuckling at the comment.&nbsp; Most of the time, if someone said something sarcastic to him, he'd respond with a "look", or by rolling his eyes.&nbsp; But there was something about the completely casual manner in which the guy said it that it seemed more friendly than snippish.<br><br>Rather than answer, he just nodded.<br><br>The man who'd approached him was a good head taller and had a look about him that was both disheveled, and clean at the same time.&nbsp; No... not "disheveled", that wasn't the right word, maybe "relaxed".&nbsp; His hair was long and hung off his head in random strands - some curling other straight.&nbsp; But his beard was impeccably trimmed.&nbsp; No, the man took care of himself, this was just how he looked - and Chris felt immediately small.<br><br>Never much for idle chit-chat, Chris decided that he should recognize the man for having spoken, so instead of trying to say something, he just raised his red plastic cup in a half "cheers" and settled for just giving back a small smile.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>roninc30</strong> on <strong>16-11-2010, 23:58:27</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Jason decided right away that he liked the other man's smile.<br><br>He raised his own cup and nodded, then leaned back against the staircase.&nbsp; There was just too much to look at here.&nbsp; Couples hooking up, making out, trying to find a room, getting shot down.&nbsp; Once he'd reveled in this kind of scene, but now...he was more than a little bored.<br><br>He took another drink from the cup in is hand, draining it all in one swallow.<br><br>Just as the music slowed, then stopped before another song began blasting, he looked over at Chris and smiled.&nbsp; "You look like you want to be here about as much as I do," he grinned.&nbsp; "I just come out of habit now, I think.&nbsp; I personally would rather be at home with a book.&nbsp; Or a Stargate DVD.&nbsp; You?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zorak</strong> on <strong>17-11-2010, 15:28:21</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Chris took another sip from his cup.&nbsp; Usually when he hid at a party like this, one of three things happened - either people asked him what was wrong and why wasn't he enjoying himself out in the crowd, they physically grabbed him and tried to drag him out into the crowd with a big drunk grin on their face, or, they left him alone.&nbsp; This guy, for some reason, had chosen option four - none of the above.<br><br>He found himself in an uncomfortable position - it would be rude not to talk, but he didn't want to talk.&nbsp; He also didn't want to be rude because there really wasn't anything the guy had done to merit being either snubbed, or treated badly.&nbsp; So he was stuck.&nbsp; He'd have to make "chit chat".&nbsp; Problem was, he really wasn't much of a talker when it came to people he didn't know.&nbsp; He never knew what to say.&nbsp; Everything headed for his mouth tended to get evaluated by his brain only after it was spoken, so what tended to happen was that something stupid got said, and afterwards, his brain would slap him on the back of the head and say to him "why did you say something that stupid?"<br><br>So he sighed, nodded. "Yeah... I'm here... um... kinda under duress."&nbsp; It came out a little stammered, and his smile wavered into one that wasn't insincere, but clearly betrayed his nervousness.&nbsp; "You know... someone had to drive... with all the drinking you know..."<br><br>And his brain popped in saying... "now he's gonna think you're a pussy 'cause you don't drink, which you DO, but not today 'cause you're driving.... and that sounded as if you had something against everyone else in the room... idiot."<br><br>So to compensate, he spit out something else that sounded equally stupid, "Um... I mean... not that I don't like beer, 'cause I do... just...um..."<br><br>Rather than cause himself more confusion, his brain told him to just shut up at that point.&nbsp; So his eyes went back down into the cup, and he focused on the little bubbles coming up from the bottom.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>roninc30</strong> on <strong>18-11-2010, 22:56:46</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ah yes, the designated driver," Jason said, his eyes darkening for a moment before he remembered where he was.&nbsp; "I stopped drinking a few months ago, but I don't think anyone's realized it."<br><br>He wasn't going there, he just wasn't.&nbsp; &nbsp;He eyes the man beside him and decided that yeah, he was worth staying for.&nbsp; No doubt.&nbsp; If he was interested.&nbsp; <br><br>The problem with being into the lifestyle he enjoyed was that there was a hell of a lot more to flirting or asking someone out than whether they were interested or not. And, he'd never really found the right time to ask that all important, "hey, would you be interested in letting me tie you up and maybe order you around a bit?" question.&nbsp; First date was too soon, third was too late, and the second....well, he had yet to try that little query on anyone on the second date.&nbsp; <br><br>He'd thought about getting a tattoo on his wrist that his date might ask about.&nbsp; A rope, or a knot or handcuffs, but yeah....lame.<br><br>So, here he was, floundering a little with a guy who was just his type, made his pants a couple sizes smaller just by standing there, and....going to drive someone else home.<br><br>"I've been hiding up in one of the rooms trying to watch TV but that damn music is so loud I finally gave up," he said, leaning in so the other man could hear him.&nbsp; "I never thought I'd say this, but I need to go somewhere a little quieter.&nbsp; Want to join me?&nbsp; We could grab a couple slices of pizza and just go for a walk out back or something?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zorak</strong> on <strong>19-11-2010, 00:08:47</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Chris swirled the half-empty cup, watching the bubbles form on the edges and working their way back down the side.<br><br>Well, they guy hadn't laughed at his stammered response, so that was good - or not - depending on ones point of view.&nbsp; Making an ass of himself could have resulted in him being left alone, which was really what he was trying to achieve in the first place.&nbsp; But that was just a jaded, self-loathing way to look at things.&nbsp; 'Someone's being nice,' he told himself.&nbsp; 'Be nice back - or you really <em>are</em> an ass.'<br><br>He nodded in response to the comment about drinking.&nbsp; There really wasn't anything appropriate to say to that - what would you say, 'congratulations?' which would translate into 'good thing you're no longer an alcoholic' which was hugely rude - and besides - he didn't know the guy's full situation so it would be retarded to make assumptions.&nbsp; Better just to indicate understanding and move on.<br><br>'Maybe,' he thought, 'I'm not the only one who doesn't want to be here.'&nbsp; And that kind of made him a little less distant from this "intruder of his solitude", so the suggestion of a bit to eat, and some fresh air didn't seem so unsettling.&nbsp; Just that the guy wanted to talk, it appeared, and that was something Chris wasn't very good at.&nbsp; But then, it wasn't every day that someone actually afforded him anything more than a passing glance (and he was VERY adept at being inconspicuous).&nbsp; So instead of shaking his head and saying, "no-thanks-good-night", he nodded, managed a smile, and said, "Sure... why not."<br><br>He took a last sip of the soda, then offered a handshake - "Oh, Chris, by the way."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>roninc30</strong> on <strong>23-11-2010, 16:09:46</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Jason took Chris's hand and shook it.&nbsp; "Good to meet you, Chris.&nbsp; I'm Jason."&nbsp; <br><br>He looked around the room, then back at Chris.&nbsp; The other man seemed almost reluctant to talk with him; or to go with him in general.&nbsp; Maybe he hated Jason on sight.&nbsp; Or maybe he was just shy.&nbsp; He chose to beleive the latter.&nbsp; He was interested.&nbsp; Very.&nbsp; Chris looked just like the type of man he'd always looked for.&nbsp; Shy, gentle, submissive in nature though he'd undoubtedly never realized it.<br><br>Taking a chance, he looked around one more time, seeing that no one seemed to be paying attention to either of them.&nbsp; "I'm not taking you away from a date or anything am I?&nbsp; I mean...I know you're the designated driver and all, but are you 'with' someone who's going to miss you if we go outside?"<br><br>Not very subtle, but he wanted to know if Chris was attached.&nbsp; No one seemed to be looking at him&nbsp; - or them, so maybe, hopefully, he was alone.<br><br>The next step was to find out if he was interested or not.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zorak</strong> on <strong>23-11-2010, 16:27:37</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				There was something in the handshake that felt different.&nbsp; It wasn't a "two dudes" handshake.&nbsp; It was a firm one though - Jason was strong.&nbsp; To look at him was to know that - but the handshake confirmed it.&nbsp; It made Chris's hand feel small somehow.&nbsp; He wondered if Jason could sense that.<br><br>Chris's head dropped then, at the mention of being taken away from a date.&nbsp; He shook his head, then sighed slightly.&nbsp; "No... no date.&nbsp; I came with Dale, " he pointed at the far end of the room where Dale was seated with one woman on each arm, a red cup on the table in front of him, and a bottle of vodka next to it.&nbsp; "He kinda... figured I should get out more often.&nbsp; We've known each-other since we were kids, so I guess I'd rather let him drag me to one of these things every so often rather than hear about his car wrapped around a tree or something."<br><br>He stopped himself then.<br><br>"Sorry... there was no reason to tell you all of that."&nbsp; He paused a moment, then added, "Listen, I appreciate you being nice and all... but I'm not very good company - I'm not good with... with people I've just met.&nbsp; I tend to say stupid things."<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>roninc30</strong> on <strong>29-11-2010, 00:32:58</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Jason shook his head and waved a hand between them.&nbsp; "Dude."&nbsp; He laughed and blushed at the same time.&nbsp; "About a month ago, I was at this really boring party - kind of like this one - and went upstairs to find a room with a TV.&nbsp; I sat down on the bed and watched some lame TV show for, like, half an hour.&nbsp; Then I got bored and thought I'd just rest for a while, then go home.&nbsp; I closed my eyes for a few minutes, then heard, "do you think he's asleep yet?"<br><br>"Turns out I was laying on top of two guys who'd snuck upstairs for a little 'alone time.'&nbsp; I jumped about a mile up from the bed, screamed like a fucking girl and landed on my ass in the floor."&nbsp; He laughed and shrugged, his face growing darker at the memory.&nbsp; "So just remember...there's nothing you can possibly say that's stupider than what I did.&nbsp; So...come on.&nbsp; Let's get so pizza?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zorak</strong> on <strong>29-11-2010, 14:52:23</strong>
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				Chris smiled.&nbsp; "Yeah... that would... kinda be embarrassing I guess."<br><br>There was something nice about the way Jason was treating him - as if he really did want to make a friend.&nbsp; It was strange.&nbsp; Most people didn't approach him that way.&nbsp; Sure - he made friends like anyone else, but usually it came after a period of working together on a project or something.&nbsp; At a party like this, the only reason someone would approach him was because they needed something he had, or wanted help or advice because their computer was slow - as if he had a clue how to help them... 'just because I work on computers doesn't mean I know how to fix your laptop'...&nbsp; He'd lost track of the number of times he'd repeated that phrase - albeit with a little more tact.<br><br>No... if Jason needed something, he was taking way to long to get to the point, so the only assumption was that there was no "point"... and Chris didn't know for sure if that should make him uncomfortable, or grateful.<br><br>His brain sent out several warning signals that were quickly evaluated, then discarded.&nbsp; No... he'd given Jason ample time to bail and he hadn't.. so.. what was the harm in letting his shields drop for a little while, and maybe - gods forbid - actually have a nice time at one of these things.<br><br>"Sure." he answered then, with a bit more confidence in his voice... "I could do with a snack and a little less noise," his last comment coming just as someone had managed to find a Megadeth album and '99 Ways to Die' was pounding out on the 20-odd speakers scattered around the living room.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>roninc30</strong> on <strong>07-12-2010, 03:02:00</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Jason winced as the music changed and ducked into the kitchen.&nbsp; He knew kids his age were supposed to like loud music, but honestly....his ears were ringings.&nbsp; A moment later he was back with two plates, each loaded with a huge slice of thick, greasy pizza, a whole back of chips and two cans of Pepsi.&nbsp; "Hope this works," he said as he handed Chris a plate and a can, then opened the double doors that led outside.<br><br>To the left was the pool, which, of course, was crowded, so he followed the trail to the right that led to a small picnic table.&nbsp; Even this far outside, the music was still loud, but a bit more bearable.&nbsp; He realized he really should have gotten napkins, but decided it just wasn't worth taking the chance on getting stopped by someone who wanted to talk or dance or find a room to make out in.<br><br>Jason sat down at the table, and smiled up at Chris, who was a few steps behind him.&nbsp; "So.&nbsp; Now that I can hear you, tell me about yourself?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zorak</strong> on <strong>08-12-2010, 03:56:18</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				He sat down .. took a long deep breath of the cooler air, then a bite of the pizza as he considered a response...<br><br>"Not much to tell," he found himself offering up an answer without a great deal of thought.&nbsp; "Spent too much time studying in high school and not paying enough attention to - you know - people stuff... ended up graduating a year early.&nbsp; Went to college, and didn't do much there but study either.&nbsp; I think that's why Dale keeps dragging me out places - says I need better 'people skills' "&nbsp; he chuckled a bit... "I think I might be a 'project'.&nbsp; He keeps trying to set me up with these girls he meets at parties like this... it never works of course."<br><br>He took another bite, then a sip of soda.&nbsp; "So... I get up in the morning, go to work... hack code all day, then back to my apartment with my best friend, 'Tivo'... I'm really quite boring." he finished up with a half smile... there was truth to it of course - he was kind of boring.&nbsp; But he had other interests, just things most people in his line of work had little interest in.<br><br>He took another swig from the can, then, "What about you?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>roninc30</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 17:17:14</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Jason listened intently, a bit disappointed that his new friend mentioned only girls, but continued.&nbsp; "I don't think you're boring at all," he said, taking a bite of pizza and chewing thoughtfully as he looked at Chris.&nbsp; "Different people have different interests and all that.&nbsp; Different friends too, though I admit, you and I have something in common - Tivo and I are pretty close as well."<br><br>He took a sip of soda, then shrugged.&nbsp; "No much to tell about me either.&nbsp; I used to come to these parties to meet someone - guys, actually - but nothing every really worked out, so then I just started coming to be sociable and see friends.&nbsp; The last few parties though..I don't know.&nbsp; They've all been too loud.&nbsp; I graduated from UAC last year and think I might have just outgrown my friends.&nbsp; I grew up in a fairly well off family and I'm lucky enough that I don't have to work at the moment.&nbsp; I just think some of the guys hung around me so I'd buy the food and pick up the checks, you know?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zorak</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 16:47:24</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Chris listened...&nbsp; Jason's voice was even, deep - it carried a confidence and strength that made him easy to listen to.&nbsp; His manner was relaxed too, and he found himself relaxing a bit more himself.&nbsp; Why be tense when those around him weren't?<br><br>He nodded at the comments.&nbsp; "Sucks when people hang around you just because they have something to gain... something to get from you.&nbsp; Then when it's not there anymore, they run for the hills and leave you standing there like an idiot."&nbsp; He sighed - that had happened more than a few times.&nbsp; At school - it was help in their classes they wanted... now... corporate politics.&nbsp; It was something he couldn't stomach, and as a result, had more or less stopped looking for any relationships.<br><br>One thing did catch his ear - Jason came to these parties to meet men.&nbsp; Was that what he was doing right now?&nbsp; Chris was a little confused.&nbsp; He wasn't certain if Jason's intentions were simple friendship, or if he was... interested in him.&nbsp; That was a situation he'd not been in, and he found he wasn't able to tell which it was.&nbsp; And that brought up another subject - if Jason was interested in more than being friendly, how did he feel about that?&nbsp; It wasn't immediately objectionable - maybe because he had quite a few friends and acquaintances who were either gay or lesbian... with the world becoming more open, it was rare for someone to be able to say 'I don't know any people who are gay'.&nbsp; His brain spun a bit... then came out with an answer...&nbsp; no... he wasn't opposed to it, or found it objectionable.&nbsp; What it was, however, was an unknown, and he wasn't sure now, exactly how to behave - was there a right way?&nbsp; a wrong way?&nbsp; would he accidentally send the wrong message?<br><br>He wasn't certain for sure if his inexperience with these situations was going to come out in his voice or words now... that made him more uncertain... "It must be nice to not have to go into an office every day... deal with the politics... phonies... posers... with people who are less experienced and clearly stupid, telling you what you have to do."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>roninc30</strong> on <strong>24-12-2010, 00:37:50</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Jason nodded and gave Chris an "exactly" type of smile.&nbsp; "I want to do something, I'm just not sure what.&nbsp; &nbsp;I'm lucky that I have a while to decide.&nbsp; My parents...they worked hard for what they had and when they were killed last year, they left me everything.&nbsp; That just kind of made all the people that had ever once laid eyes on me consider me their best friends and....I'm king of getting tired of it."<br><br>He looked out over the garden for a moment, then shook his head, not wanting to scare Chris into thinking he was a miser if he actually got up the nerve to ask the other boy out.&nbsp; "It's not that I mind really - I always pay for dates, or when I go out with friends or something because it's not a big deal.&nbsp; It's just them expecting me to, you know?&nbsp; Without asking.&nbsp; They'll all just leave the restaurant or the bar or the bowling alley or whatever, and I'm stuck with the bill.&nbsp; I just think that's kind of rude."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Waking Up...  [roninc30 &amp; Zorak]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zorak</strong> on <strong>05-01-2011, 18:50:46</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Chis nodded his head... his eyes going down.&nbsp; "I'm sorry to hear about your folks... I... can't even imagine how hard that's gotta be."&nbsp; He never knew what to say to people when they mentioned death.&nbsp; Everyone seemed to say things like '<em>if there's anything I can do</em>' and such - as if there possibly were... just shallow words... so he let it go at what he'd already said and was grateful that Jason moved on past it - for a brief moment he'd been afraid of being pulled into a two hour session of listening to someone lament - which he'd do willingly for a decent person but really never felt comfortable with it.<br><br>"It is, " he mentioned when Jason brought up the subject of dates and money.&nbsp; "I mean, if I'm taking someone out - like on a date - I expect to be the one paying... but when people know you have money and just assume it's unlimited and you'll pay just because... that's not right...&nbsp; and..." he paused a moment, not certain if he'd be insulting Jason or not if he continued, but went ahead anyway - "and I don't think those people are really <em>friends</em> you know... like I think people use the word 'friend' too liberally - there's a lot of people I know and might hang out with from time to time, but... real friends... maybe one or two I think... "<br><br>He took another sip from the soda and another bite from the slice of pizza... then looked up at the sky...
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