Big brothers from far off places

Claire

Claire

Spicy Bean Water
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Nov 10, 2013
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For some reason, Karic got a bit self-conscious when the older man mentioned that others had been in a similar situation. He didn't feel special anymore. Not that it was the point of getting his pants ripped and eventually getting helped, but he wanted to see it in a different light; that Neon wasn't doing this because he was used to damsels in distress.

He looked over at the lady that he talked to, not saying a word. He had no reason to, he didn't need to pry into Neon's life because he felt closer to him than what was real. "Oh uh, okay." He tried to gain his usual attitude again. It was just one man out of hundred of people that just decided to help him. The minute he got new pants on and returned his coat to him, he would be gone. He walked over, still moving his legs awkwardly as if the coat would fall off if he didn't. Maybe he hadn't tied it tight enough. He picked up a pair of black cargo pants, about 6 sizes too big. Karic put them down nervously, half dropping them and half almost falling over. "Maybe you have a suggestion?" It was a stupid question, but it seemed that Neon knew the store a bit better.
 
Poppy

Poppy

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Mar 18, 2015
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As Karic got to work on looking for a pair of pants, Neon hovered to the shirt rack. He went through them with delight in his face, hovering over several tacky rocker shirts. He pulled a black crop top with a star. Nice.

It wasn't long when his browsing was cut short. Neon looked away from the rack and hung the crop top back, giving Karic his undivided attention. "Let me see that..." He took the pants from Karic, and immediately burst into laughter. "Pfft! If you're shopping for me, that's very flattering. This is just my size."

He lowered the pants waist-level to show that it was pretty close to his size. Five dollars? Neon put the pants on his shoulder so he could buy it later before helping Karic to the pile of pants. "Give me a bit. I'm a thrift shop magician."

"Robbing Goodwill, more like," Hannah said from behind the counter.

"Love you too, babe!"

With some determination, Neon managed to finish out something around Karic's size from the pile. He handed it to him with a grin. "There's dressing rooms behind the counter. Try it on!"
 
Claire

Claire

Spicy Bean Water
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Nov 10, 2013
3,735
Canada
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She, Her, Hers
He felt a flash of embarrassment as the shorts seemed to be the right size for his taller counterpart. He cracked a half smile as Neon took them, happy to be of help to him. He was fascinating to Karic, like some everyday super hero that was saving him from his ripped pants crisis. He would have to make sure to thank him later on.


Karic nodded and held his hands together, waiting for his almighty powers to kick in. Hopefully the savy shopper could find a pair or two. As he presented him with a blandly colored pair of shorts, it made him smile brightly. "Thank you!" He shouted a bit, wanting to show his appreciation. Holding the pair of shorts behind him, he still wanted to be extra careful no one saw. Taking a change room, he gently placed the man's coat on the hanger, making sure he didn't damage it.

Not even a second after, he ripped the rest of his pants off violently, grunting loudly for the whole thrift store to hear. He was done with them. As Karic looked at himself and put them on, he was satisfied with the way they felt on him. He took the coat and the savaged pants in different arms before walking out. Shoving the sullied shorts in a rather small trash can, he walked away as if he hadn't done it. "They fit." He echoed to Neon, as he slowly locked his eyes on the man, running up as he handed him back his coat like a little school girl.​
 
Poppy

Poppy

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Neon gave Karic a mock salute and a bright laugh. Cute kid! It probably wasn't kosher to pinch a high schooler's cheek, so Neon settled with a pat on the head. As soon as he disappeared from view, Neon leaned on the counter and piled on a few clothes, the tacky ripped shirt he found earlier, the pants Karic got him, a striped tank top, and high waist shorts. It was near impossible for him to go into a thrift shop without checking out several things, really. He was still profiting from the time he stole Klaus' wad of cash from their... little encounter.

He grinned at Hannah. "I'm rich now, babe. If you go out with me on Friday, I'll buy you some escargo and champagne. We can go on a hot air balloon. We can get a jet to New York and go to Broadway."

Pink dusted Hannah's cheek, before she shoved his head away from the counter. For a brief moment, they heard the violent rip of the pants. Ah, that could be awkward. Neon distracted Hannah by arguing about the finer points of being rich before Karic resurfaced. "Hey! Can you put those pants in my purchases, hun? Please and thank you."

With Karic's pants paid for and Neon's purchases bagged, he slung it over his shoulder and gestured for Karic to leave the shop with him. "So, how do they fit? Good? That pair's like ten bucks but they can last you a month if you wash them properly, no heavy softeners and such. I recommend you buy real pants, though. We don't want a repeat of that."

He smiled. "Where do you live, champ? I can walk you, if you want."
 
Claire

Claire

Spicy Bean Water
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Nov 10, 2013
3,735
Canada
Pronouns
She, Her, Hers
"R-Right." He nodded eagerly as he turned his lower half to the left, then to the right. They felt good enough. As he caught up with Neon, he cocked his head upwards so that he could see the man's features. "I'll make sure to wash them like you said. I mean thankfully I have others." He smiled gleefully up to him.

"Oh, I live in the dorms, the school ones." He clarified to Neon, not sure if that was too far away. "B-But don't feel obligated to take me, I should be fine if you have other things to do." Karic gave a short nod and continued on beside him.
 
Poppy

Poppy

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Neon gave a thumbs up. After that, he wasn't sure if he'd made a good impression on the kid, but he was going with his gut feeling and saying he did. Neon pulled on his coat and stretched his arms very casually.

"I can walk you. Got nothing better to do." It was a reassuring tactic, but also the truth. Neon had been jobless for several months now. He'd been free since he walked out of a dead mechanic's home. "Besides, thrift stores are shady, we don't want a repeat of that. Think of me as the Guardian Angel of Public Accidents. Trust me, I've been through waaay worse, so I can sympathize."

True to his word, Neon headed for the school. "Quite the adventure, huh? Is your stay eventful so far?"
 
Claire

Claire

Spicy Bean Water
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Nov 10, 2013
3,735
Canada
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She, Her, Hers
It felt nice to know that he had someone that would protect him; at least until they parted ways once they got to his dorm that is. He was allowed to rely on someone, even if that person was a super tall neon sign. Karic walked with a bit of a jump in his step, as he felt almost like a princess as he walked with Neon. "Thank you, really. It means a lot to know that someone isn't laughing at me behind my back." Though people had before, this time would be different. Neon was nice.

"It's been interesting for sure." Today alone was even more excitement that his old like had offered. "I guess I just find it hard to try to fit in, you know?" It was pretty obvious that Neon himself wouldn't have any issues with fitting in. He seemed like the type of guy that was a social butterfly.
 
Poppy

Poppy

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Neon made an incredulous face at that. "Laughing at you? Why would they be? I think you're a fine young man." He knew kids were innocent, and somehow ruthless within that. But he wanted to stay optimistic, first and foremost. Kids grew, and they picked up a little empathy along the way. It was rough now, but Karic was going to be just fine.

"Yeah..." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I like to think of Manta Carlos as an island of reject puzzle pieces. The good thing about that is that you don't have anything set for you. You just find where you fit, and form your own picture together. Does that make sense?"

He smiled at him. "It's rough now. But you'll find your place to. If you want, you can call me. I'll be happy to help you around."
 
Claire

Claire

Spicy Bean Water
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Nov 10, 2013
3,735
Canada
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She, Her, Hers
A fine young man. Those words shocked Karic. They fluttered him, as it wasn't hard for him to look up at Neon like some big brother. He was tall, confident, as well as aiding him when he needed it the most. He was like some type of motivation for Karic. He liked the presence of the bright man beside him. "Thank you." He smiled lightly, feeling as if the compliment was very personal.

"Yes it does. It's just hard sometimes because I didn't really ever fit in." Even at his orphanage, he had never really fit in with the other children. Only the few odd people had ever taken an interest in him. In his mind, the thought of 'why should they now' always echoed. "But I'll try." The next comment almost made him pee himself with happiness. "I-I don't have a cell phone, but I can use the school phone and just memorize your number?" It wasn't like he had any others to remember.
 
Poppy

Poppy

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Neon smiled at him back. He really felt like he made a difference for him. He didn't do things for the praise, but it was good when it came up. Some people just need patience, is all.

It didn't take long for them to reach the gates of the school. Neon stopped right in front of it, and pulled out a pen from his pocket. As a rule of thumb, Neon carried a pen in his person at all times. He didn't know when he would be giving someone his number. This... wasn't the type of situation that he needed to give someone his number, but he raised Karic's hand and put the number on his palm anyway. "Write it down on paper when you get to the dormitories."

He ruffled his hair. "Looks like it's our stop. I'll catch you later, Karic."
 
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