02 ▌action in...wherever

[creepinginmy]

( Because Jack apparently refuses to make use of his key or accept that he's supposed to live in a house of his own like any normal person, he's been wandering around Splendor and in select Districts, choosing hidden spots and corners to spend the night whenever he brings himself to fall asleep. Cerbos allows him these moments of rest, knowing what

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[aut_augur]

[Oh Mr. Monster 8\ Jast crouches down next to him quietly. He balances his elbows on his knees and his chin in the cup of his hands. What to do... If he wants to sleep outside, that's okay. Jast likes to do it too, but he's not so sure this man is as immune to the elements as Jast happens to be.

He wishes he had a blanket to put over him... and Splendor obliges him.

Oh. Well. Jast puts it over the man, trying not to disturb him.]

[creepinginmy]

[Sleep becomes a harder task to perform when people insist on moving you from place to place. Apparently resting outdoors doesn't seem acceptable to those forced into a home they did not ask for.

Jack jerks back into reality, taking a longer while to wake up and realize he's being cared for. He sits up slowly with a bemused frown, noticing the young man responsible for the piece of comfort placed over him. Pretty blue eyes and a nose that reminds him of someone. He's tempted to think this is part of whatever he was dreaming about just a moment ago.

The inevitable question finally comes, still a bit dazed, without hostility, just blunt confusion.]

What are you doing?

[aut_augur]

[Jast gives a startled little chirp when Jack wakes so suddenly. He really had thought he was being very quiet.

He ducks down between his shoulders a little with a shy expression.]

I'm... sorry.

[creepinginmy]

[Jack looks at him for another moment, palms pressed on the floor behind him, still trying to piece things together. He's failing.

So he looks down at the blanket.]

Is this yours?

[aut_augur]

[He shakes his head.]

For, ah... you.

[creepinginmy]

[He isn't looking at Jast anymore. There's just awkward silence. Does this boy want something?]

... I don't need it. [A beat, picking it up slowly. The next words sound like they're anything but natural to him, looking up and down with indecision.] Thank you.

[aut_augur]

[Jast offers up a hesitant little smile.]

Yes, it's-- [He hesitates, doesn't really know how to say that he hopes it is comfortable and put to good use, so he... stops. Nods in agreement. He backs up apologetically, really hadn't meant to wake him up, so he repeats,] Sorry.

[creepinginmy]

It's alright.

[His tone isn't as soft as much as it's just... flat. He doesn't see much point in aggravating whatever is making the young man so seemingly nervous, but then again, dealing with people isn't his forte. At all.

He's barely awake to begin with.]

... I don't suppose you're one of the locals.

[aut_augur]

[He shakes his head, nope. If he were a local he would not even be having this paltry amount of conversation.]

No. No, from else... e-elsewhere.

[creepinginmy]

... Right. Of course you are.

[There's a deep exhale, he starts to pull himself up to stand on his feet, blanket still clutched in one of his hands. He dusts off his pants before rolling it up to offer the gift back to the benefactor.]

[aut_augur]

[He retreats back shyly.]

I... I.

[Why do you keep making him talk, monsterboy? He shakes his head. He had wished for it, it wasn't his, he wouldn't miss it.]

[creepinginmy]

[Awkward silence it is.]

It's yours.

[aut_augur]

[Headshake headshake headshake.]

N-no.

[creepinginmy]

[A beat. He's not so much complaining as much as he's just pointing it out.]

You can't expect me to keep it.

[aut_augur]

[....have the biggest puppy dog eyes in the world, Jack. Because, yes, that is what he had hoped.]

For. Mmm... when you s-sleep.

[creepinginmy]

[God, he is so unused to simple kindness. He doesn't even know what to think of anymore, but another moment spent staring at Jast is followed by a drop of his shoulders, retreating his hand. Jack debates back and forth on saying goodbye and getting on his way to the next spot, looks down and decides to stay.

He's dreading Cerbos' inevitable comments.]

What's your name?