What We Started (CPKallday)

Lorin's demeanor quickly shifted at the sight of the large man making his way to him. A large gulp would force him to raise his head up as beads of sweat would begin to drip down his face, a look of fear embellishing it. He could feel his hands start to get clammy as his face grew flush with embarrassment. "Can you read, kid?" He'd ask Lorin, after he'd point at the sign that clearly indicated he didn't belong in the building.

Grasping at his collar with his index finger he'd follow the cotton from one side of his neck to the other. "U-uhmm... Well..." He'd speak hesitantly before the girl seemed to cut into his words about a permission slip from his parents. His face was struck with a bit of confusion and shock, scrambling into his bag to find something that would permit him to be in the vicinity. Though he'd only be searching for a whole lot of nothing, in the end, just grasping at loose threads here while he tried to think of what he was going to say.

He'd wrap his head around the large man peeking over to see what the girl was up to. It had come to his realization that he had stumbled up into a tattoo parlor at which the girl worked for. Clearly, she had to have been running late or something to be in the hurry that she was in. Here he was again being a hero when he didn't need to be and then picking the wrong place and the wrong time to try and do so. He'd ruffle a bit of shirt at his abdomen into his fist and try to bring in some sort of cooling to his body with a few slightly tugs. The grunt of the man would call his attention back once more and startle him back into an erect position, his arms clapping to his sides with closed fists and wide eyes. The man would wander off to grab a book and pull out a piece of paper. All while doing so Lorin remained as still as he could, but the trembling of his mistake of coming inside kept him from doing so.

The man would bring the paper down to Lorin's level, his hands shaking as they rose to retrieve it. "A note from your parents won't do. We need them to fill this out." Lorin would grasp the paper from the man who seemed to hold on to it for a bit longer than necessary. Lorin would look up to the man's face to see a grimace and an eye for someone that was up to no good. In response a small yelp was emitted as he shifted his gaze back to the form with haste, avoiding making any further contact with the man.

"H-hai..." Lorin would agree before reaching his sights around to Jade for a moment before bringing his focus back to the form once more. His eyes darted about the paper reading the information that was required for him to come in and get "work" done on him. He wasn't even entirely sure what was going on here. He didn't mean for any of this to happen, he just wanted to help.

Trembling with the paper in his hand the man would release his grip on it and Lorin would take a step back from his own indirect pull on the paper. A small grunt left his mouth as his fists jabbed into his chest, crinkling the paper a tad. He figured he had to explain himself some way or another. "W-we-well... I was j--just..." He'd pause for a moment, as the beading eyes of the man pressed down into his soul. It was difficult for him to talk. He felt so pressured to get his words out, but he stumbled on them, all the same. "S-s-sir. I had just noticed that that girl..." He'd reach around the man's body once more to get a visual of her as he'd point in her direction. "I thought she was in trouble... and really, I thought that maybe there was something that I could help with." His voice would struggle to get through the words he'd speak. "I just wanted to help, sir. If there is anything I can do to repay you for my intrusion, I will." He'd bend like a twig, snapping at the waist to bow out of respect to the shop's owner, Yama-kun, Jade would call him. When he did so, he'd find his sweaty hairline pressed into the stomach of the man and would be immediately resilient in his maneuver and snap back erect. His eyes would expand in fear as his gaze continued to stay out of the way of the man's.

He'd clench his fist crumbling the paper once more. "My apologies!" He'd rip his head up and look toward the ceiling, his eyes still not looking into the shop owners. He'd be full out planked, with the small mention to his trembling corpse he could feel something brewing in all of this. Was this the girl's job?

Standing on his home within the place, the mat at the front door, he'd remain rather shaken by the events that had taken place. His plans to be a hero had been thwarted by this series of misfortunate events and it seemed to have left a dumbfounded state of him as the fat man, Yama, would walk off to his workstation. Leaving Lorin to dwell on the things that had just taken place. He wasn't sure if he should have offered himself up in such a way and should have just left. It wasn't as if he had anything to do that was better than this, as his decision to skip school had already come into full effect and would leave him to this. What was all of this, though? What would it benefit to him? He wasn't sure where any of this would leave or if it was worth any effort in the long run or not. All he knew was that now that he had said what he had said it would leave things to be said and done.

The question presented by the woman that was now standing would disrupt his thoughts, making him shake his head a bit to bring himself back to reality. His mouth would hang open as he did so and would blink a few times as he tried to wrap himself back into what was going on around him, blinking profusely as he did so. She'd ask a simple question, though it would take him a moment for it to register. "Oh! Lorin!" He'd come to with the exclamation, feeling a bit more at ease now as he sheepishly laughed and smiled to her direction. "What's yo--" His words would be cut off sharply as the man had finally decided how things would play out for the remainder of this day. He wished for Lorin to play maid within the shop, this seemed like the typical job for someone of his age at an establishment like this. Though, things seemed to be rather tidy as far as he could see. He'd look around for where to start, before looking to Yama and giving him a reassuring smile. "Leave it to me!" He'd say, not too entirely worried with the task that had been bestowed upon him. If things were this clean it'd be no problem for him to make things just a little bit better.

Lorin had no intentions of making this a daily routine, the place in a whole was rather cool and all. However, he couldn't see his family agreeing to him spending his days within a tattoo parlor. Then again, he probably wouldn't have to tell them if Yama agreed to such terms. He was sixteen, after all, and he'd be coming up on seventeen soon. This would mean that he'd have to start making his place in this world. Coming to the conclusion that he could see this to possibly work out for him for the better, after all. He did have a rather good affinity for drawing, but it wasn't something that was too entirely great he just did things in his art classes. They would sometimes win prizes in their annual art event held at Karakura, but it seemed to depend on the medium. He wasn't overly meticulous with these projects either, he typically rushed his way through.

As he began his duties, he would take himself all about the shop and even outside. He'd ensure that ever nook and cranny was met by his brush and dustpan as he tried his best to do complete the job with all his ability. When he'd get close to the girl and her workstation he'd stare at the spot that the client was getting tattooed one, watching as she carried on with her art. She seemed rather lost in her work when she did, not paying much mind to him traveling about her area. So long as he didn't come in contact with her, he figured he'd be fine with just hovering for a moment. He'd attempt to be unnoticed in doing so. He'd watch as the blood swelled up at each marking made into the skin and that she would work in a rather routine manner. Dragging the gun across the skin a few times, then wiping it down with a paper towel to gather the blood that trailed away from the markings. It was a rather neat design, overall. It was something that he couldn't seem to grasp as to how they managed to do so with a tool such as that, but he wouldn't dwell on it too entirely long and would go back to his duties.

As time rolled on by, the customers would come and go and Jade would finally come to an end on hers. Lorin would stand a few feet away, polishing the bottom of a chair that stood at another workstation. He'd watch as she put the bandages on, catching a glimpse of the final product. "Wow!" He'd shout, not meaning to startle her if he did. "I can't believe you did that!" He'd say with excitement and surprise. Sure, he had seen tattoos before, but he had never seen one that was as fresh as this. A tattoo always looked its best when it was freshly completed, the swelling of the skin always seemed to bring out the lines and detail so much better than when it would fade. He'd get up and follow the two as they proceeded to the register. Staring at the piece without noticing that he'd be intruding the client's personal space. Growing with curiosity he'd venture over to what Yama was doing as well, making sure that he was extremely careful with his actions to not alert the man and interrupt his work. However, he couldn't help but hum over the concept of the piece. It looked intricate, though he wasn't sure what it meant.

A shrug would bounce his shoulders and he'd carry on back over to Jade, wherever she might be. "So... I guess you were just running late, huh?" The sheepish laugh would return as he queried. He had realized that she really wasn't ever in any trouble, just a hard working woman. It was respectable, nonetheless.

Lorin scratched his head as the money was sent his way. He had no plans on being paid or anything of the sort for the little work that he did. Sure, he'd put his all in doing so, but he did it as an act of resilience to his prior actions of intrusion. He didn't wish for any sort of monetary reward, but he wasn't going to deny it either. With wide eyes and an expression full of glee he accepted the money that was given to him, flipping through the bills as he did so to count it out. His gaze shifting from the small amount of money to her with joy consuming his being. "Wow, thanks! I've never had a job before!" He'd exclaim, trying to collect his thoughts on whether or not he had ever been rewarded for something had done with monetary notes. He'd draw to a blank, not having any recollection of such a thing. He'd shrug his thoughts off and stuff the money into his front pocket. An overwhelming sense of accomplishment seemed to embellish his persona. Sure, he had done choirs around his house before, but he was always taught that it was his duty to do such and that a reward wasn't to ever come. It was "earning his keep", they would always tell him and he knew no different and thought that it was what everyone did. He didn't question it or complain about it, he just did it. In result, his parents would be overly trusting of him. Which in the near future they'd come to find to be a mistake, as he'd stop going to school as much and find himself in places such as this. Not necessarily a bad place, but there were more prestigious things that he could have spent his time doing that didn't include lollygagging around town. Nonetheless, he'd make his first buck here. A memory that would likely be stored in his memory for the remainder of his life. He didn't feel too entirely driven to say that the work was too much or too easy. It was just busy work, it consumed his entire day. It may not have been what he had planned to do, but

When she'd come to answer to his following remark on her running late he'd draw up a small smirk to the right side of his face, "Oh, well ok then." The sheepish laugh continuing on, only to be cut off by her next question. A small eep would resonate from the back of his throat as he did so, before falling back into yet another chuckle. His swollen cheeks glimmered red and forced his eyes shut. "Well..." He'd start as he'd ruffle the hair upon the back of his head, removing his beanie with his free hand. "I came here with the intention of helping you... I'm not sure if what I did was much or even provided you any sort of help, but I suppose I tried." His words would fade and his head would drop slightly as his words would carry through their course. "I don't know, though... Thought if I helped you, I'd be able to make you smile... it's hard to explain." His face would turn beet red, he felt as though he was giving the wrong impression. When really he just wished to make her seemingly bad start to her day a bit better. He wasn't sure if he had accomplished this or not, but he could only assume that he at least helped their shop a bit. Which may have helped her a little in return, also. So far, this was just a series of unfortunate events that led to obtaining two thousand yen. So he couldn't really complain, his misfortune had been fortunate to him this time around.

He was able to at least tell that she was proud of what she had done with her day, he could see it resonating from her accomplished demeanor. It wasn't too hard to tell or see, but she didn't verbally express it which show some amount of subtleness. Her celebration would be drawn to a conclusion by the fat shopkeep standing up and shouting her name. The name was fitting for someone that worked in an establishment like this, the thought of the theme of the store and her name being a seamless resemblance of one another only brought a smirk to the ginger's lips, indenting his right check. When his name was called he shifted back into his plank-like stance, shifting his body in a square motion to the man. His words were rather kind, which was relieving to Lorin. It seemed that he didn't rub his stomach in the wrong way with his forehead, after all. A sigh released from his mouth, his eyes growing dim and loosening his body. "Arigato, gozaimasu!" Lorin would bow to Yama, thankful for his offer and kind words.

His attention would draw back to Jade that was getting ready to leave. He'd watch as she left the shop. He didn't know how exactly to react, but he figured he would wait around for Yama to leave and continue pointlessly cleaning things until Yama told him to leave or they closed things down. However, that thought immediately left his mind when she asked him if he ate. His eyes grew wide as his stomach bellowed a massive roar, his face turning red in result of this. He hummed for a moment raising a finger. "Uhh, yes. Yes, I do. Is this an invitation?" He'd query, following her lead to the door. Turning as he walked, waving a hand to Yama. "Sayonara, Yama-sama!" His words unintentionally rhymed, and he'd swing his body back around to the exit where Jade stood. This would be his own way of saying, "I'm coming whether you like it or not," without actually bringing the rude words into play. If she didn't wish for him to join her, she shouldn't have mentioned it! Returning to the mat he remembered feeling uncomfortable on for what seemed to be hours, which was realistically only minutes. All in all, the day was pretty great so far despite all of that. Though he was curious as to who this Jade girl really was.

Lorin would shrug his shoulders, following her outside in the brisk night air. From inside the shop, you wouldn't think that so much was going on outside, but people were out and about. It was typical for things to be this pace at this time of night, people wished to shop and go out to eat or partake in other social events that were taking place. While others enjoyed a nice bottle of sake or two and making a fool of themselves in public. Either or, Lorin wasn't much for all of the crowds. He wasn't one to really enjoy all of the constant chatter and movement around him. It made him rather anxious most of the time, but right now he didn't feel it so much. He was calm and more focused on how he had just gotten paid for doing some choirs at a tattoo shop. Weird day, but it was whatever. He wouldn't mind, more than he had before he had it. He'd close in on her location as she'd begin to stretch and continued talking to Lorin.

Lorin wasn't a very tall kid, nor was he very meaty either. Standing at five feet and three inches and weighing but a measly one hundred pounds, give or take, he was a rather frail kid. It wasn't because he didn't eat much, though it wasn't very apparent to such for today as he was kept busy and didn't ask for any breaks, nor did it come to mind. He just had an extremely fast metabolism and it prevented him from gaining a tremendous amount of weight. It was a curse at times, and a blessing at times, as well. Most people would see it as a blessing, though. However, there were times where he wished he had a few extra pounds on him as it didn't seem that many girls were into the whole skin and bones thing he had going on. Sure, he was rather muscular, but that was only due to the lack of fat that fit between his skin and his muscles. He didn't care too much about it, nonetheless, but it was something that he was slightly insecure about. Not enough for him to speak on it frequently. If he was called out on it, he'd have some sort of intelligent rebuttal to back him up as he had thought about it and encountered the conversation a plethora of times. Nonetheless, when she'd come to stretch she'd tower over Lorin just a bit, he'd arch his back away from her bringing up his elbow slightly to ensure she didn't fall over on him, something that was capable of happening when getting lost in a prolonged stretch. Though, he'd hear her words loud and clear and would nod before responding in a nonchalant manner. "It's no problem, really. I do things like that all the time at home, at least I got paid for it this time. Thanks, again." He'd waft his hand as though he was swatting away her words with a brushing motion. He really didn't mind helping, it was an obligation to him.

The two would carry on down the road, neither entirely too sure where they were going. Lorin wasn't ever in this part of town, at least not on a frequent enough basis. He could only remember coming here two or three times with his parents if that. Though they'd just come to get something to eat and leave, or they'd come to watch a show at the theater. It was never anything crazy or an all day event. Though, his parents did like to come here without him on their own, likely to have a date with a few drinks and not having to worry about a child. He didn't care too much about being left alone, really. Especially at this age, he yearned for solitude but then whined about being lonely. It was conflicting, but such was the convolutions of being a teenager and raging with hormones.

He wasn't all too entirely sure where they'd go when Jade would ask and send an elbow in his direction only to catch it with his hand as he saw it out of the corner of his eye. He'd shift back ahead before looking up to the purple sky, his hands laced behind his head. He hummed for a few moments, debating on what he was in the mood for. He really wasn't a picky eater, honestly, but when he said that people would always rag on him for it. So he didn't really want to do that, he'd rather leave her in suspense for a moment as he dwelled on it with himself. It wouldn't take too much time to do so, ripping his arms down and snapping his fingers when he had figured it out. "Curry!" He'd exclaim, though his excited face would soon grow with gloom. "I don't know where anything was here, though, do you?" He'd ask looking over to Jade a look of concern on his face. He was worried that she was asking for a destination rather than a dish, but maybe that wasn't it. After all, there were a lot of places that they could choose from, the majority of them served curry. Though, who knew one was better than the other, he sure didn't.