RP: A Date

[roberthope]

Date: October 8th, 2011
Characters: Robert Hope, Taehyun Yi
Location: Arts Goggle (Starting at Park Place Block Party and then...)
Status: Private
Summary: Robert and Taehyun take in Arts Goggle.
Completion: Incomplete

Comments

[roberthope]

"Sure, I can't remember if the metal artists are along the way. Just so you don't think it's for me but if you see some crazy metal sculpture that the artist says is a cow or a chicken or something, let me know. My mother is really into crazy animals." Seeing Taehyun's smile made Robert smile back, feeling a lot better about the day. His purchases in one hand, Robert snagged Taehyun's hand with the other. "Lead on, MacDuff," Robert said as he waited for Taehyun to guide them. "I need to explore the city more. I know a bunch of ghost hunting sites but the good stuff, like restaurants and stuff, I have no clue. I know what's around my apartment but that's it. Riley, that's my friend, moved down here a few months ago and I swear she knows more about the city than I do.

"Not that I'm complaining about working. I love my job. Like, absolutely love it. Can't imagine doing anything else. I mean, what's not to love about getting paid to dress up in ridiculous costumes and tell ghost stories for a few hours?" It took a minute and then he realized that Taehyun sounded like he maybe didn't like his job. "You like your job? Or you thinking of something else? Silly date question, if you could do anything you wanted to do, without worrying about having to eat or live or anything, what would you do?"

[taehyun_yi]

"Whatever you say," Taehyun said with a smirk. "You sure you don't want some crazy chicken sculpture? I don't mind trying to find the metal stuff first." He was mildly surprised when Robert grabbed his hand again, but decided to just let it be as he still didn't really dislike it. "Well, there're a lot of different areas in the city. I've only lived in Fort Worth for the past year. Was in Denton for school up until then." He shrugged, surprised by how easy this whole conversation thing was turning out to be. In comparison to most of the conversations he'd been having this week anyways.

"That's good then." Once again Taehyun found himself wondering if he was the only person who didn't just abso-fucking-lutely love their job. He knew there had to be more unhappily employed people in this damn city. "My job is alright. Keeps me busy." So he didn't have time to think about what a joke his life was, or whatever other depressing things would creep up on him.

As silly as it was, Taehyun seriously thought about Robert's question. What the fuck did he want to do? The answer kind of pissed him off. "I guess I'd like to write music. I do that on the side every now and then." And there he went bringing dumb shit up again. Did he need a fucking muzzle or something?

[roberthope]

"You got me. You should see my apartment, it's full of crazy chicken sculptures. Wanna come back to my place and see my crazy chickens?" Robert poured on the leer, waggling his eyebrows and hamming it up. He'd really started enjoying himself and was relaxing. Probably not a good thing as anytime now he would crack a joke that would go a bit too far and then Taehyun would smack him or something. "School? What'd you study?"

Just then, he spotted one of the metal artists and was disappointed that all the works appeared to be normal. His mother might like the metal face but she really liked the crazy and unique. Probably why Robert was her favorite child whereas his father liked the staid and normal, hence why his father loved his brother more. Robert didn't much care, he'd gotten the better end of the bargain as far as he was concerned. "Busy and having fun are two different things. I think writing music sounds like fun. There much money in it? Enough to live on? If so, then why not do it more and wait tables less? Maybe? I mean, it's your life and all."

Robert decided to quit while he was ahead and change the subject, "Which way to that coffee photography thing?"

[taehyun_yi]

"I think I'll pass on the chicken sculpture gallery, but thanks," Taehyun replied, trying not to laugh at Robert. "I studied Art History at UNT."

Taehyun could feel the familiar urge to clam up when the questioning turned towards music. "Yeah," he agreed with a shrug. "They're a bit different. The music thing kinda depends on the person. Some people can be super successful with it while others just...aren't" Taehyun was definitely one of those who could make a living off of it. Well, he'd already made more than a living off of the song writing and performing. "I just have issues with the industry I guess." He shrugged, hoping that Robert would drop the topic.

"It's this way," Taehyun said. He forced a smile on his face as he led Robert in the right direction. "Tyler had a gallery there at one point. I didn't get to stop by then, so I wanted to today. But did you not want to stop at one of the tables we just passed?" He had noticed a table that looked like it had some metal work.

[roberthope]

"You sure? I'd even let you see my super special chicken sculpture. It's amazing," Robert said as he leered again, barely keeping his laughter in check so he didn't ruin the leer.

"Issues, huh? Well, if it doesn't make you happy, you shouldn't do it. Like, I tried to use my business degree in an office and let me tell you, I was miserable the whole time. I hated answering to other people and listening to them tell me the right way to do stuff when I knew, damned well, that there was a better way to do it. Ironic thing is that now I get to tell myself how to do the same shit, when I'm in the office." Robert allowed himself to be led and then smiled at the way that Taehyun spotted a table. "Oh, yeah! Thanks. And look, there's a cow!"

Robert hurried over to the table, hoping he wasn't dragging Taehyun with him, and laughed at the expression on the cow's face that said "what the everlasting fuck am I doing here?!" It was absolutely perfect for his mother. Not only did the cow have a great expression but he was obnoxiously colored, too. Perfection. "Someday, if you play your cards right, I might just buy you a crazy cow, too." Robert laughed at the idea of it. Taehyun didn't strike him as the crazy sculpture type. Deciding that the date had gone well enough so far, Robert gave Taehyun's hand a squeeze before letting go to pick up the sculpture and look at it, admiring the metal work but not admiring the price. No price was too much for his mom and he bought the small thing, putting it in the bag with the soaps. Triumphant grin in place, he turned to Taehyun and said, "And Christmas shopping almost done. Now I get to avoid the malls."

[taehyun_yi]

Taehyun had a difficult time containing his laughter. "I'm flattered, but still gonna have to say no."

The fact that Robert just accepted his answer and didn't push for more information was really weird after his encounter with Noah. Weird in the best way possible though. It was also weird hearing Robert describe feelings that had been damn near close to exactly what Taehyun had felt. He was going to say something when Robert spotted the cow sculpture.

Dear god, why would anyone want that? Taehyun had a sneaking suspicion that Robert wasn't entirely normal though. "Oh you don't have to do that," he said seriously. "Not really a crazy cow sculpture person, to be honest, so we can just save those for other people." The idea that someone wanted that anywhere near their living space, quite frankly, baffled Taehyun. He shook his head, before walking away from the table. "I honestly probably won't even think about Christmas shopping until December." Not that he had a lot of gifts to pick out anyways.

[roberthope]

"Your loss. You should see that thing. It's amazing. It even does tricks." Robert sighed dramatically and shook his head.

Once he caught sight of Taehyun's face, Robert couldn't help the laughter. "Back when my aunt was still alive, my mom and her had this competition to see who could get the most ridiculous thing into the other one's house. Like, it started with lawn art but then it moved into things like this. Tacky, ugly, weird, unique, doesn't matter, my mom loves stuff like this."

Robert slung an arm around Taehyun's shoulders. "Stick with me, kid, and you'll love it, too." Robert tried for a Bogart accent but failed miserably. "And December? Are you a masochist? God, those ladies in the mall with all those fucking kids? They run around everywhere. I had one spill ice cream on me last year and his mother screamed at me for ruining the little brat's 'special treat'. I hate the mall normally but shopping in December? No way."

[taehyun_yi]

"Well," he responded, "I'd say that cow sculpture certainly fits that category." He supposed it could serve as a reminder of her sister. Fuck, Taehyun didn't even want to think about what would happen to his mom if Minji died before her. He'd been sending money to his aunt since he moved to Texas, but it wasn't like he was actually there to take care of her or anything. That was all Minji.

Taehyun couldn't help laughing at Robert this time. "That was special. And, honestly, I just forget about Christmas shopping until then." Besides, he only ever sent stuff to Minji, Yu-mi, Dongahe, and Jinseok. Not like that was a horribly long list. "I avoid the malls anyways."

[roberthope]

"Definitely fits the bill. I think my mother is planning on leaving me all this crap when she dies. I'm either going to have the most awful house ever or the most chaotically awful house ever. I haven't decided which. I just hope it's a very long time from now." Since Taehyun didn't seem to mind, Robert kept his arm around his shoulders as they walked. "You do the internet thing, then? I always feel like I'm cheating if I don't go out there and find the good bargains. My mom's coming into town for Thanksgiving and I know I'm going to have to do the Black Friday sales with her.

"You want to get a coffee or something when we get there? Or you hungry?"

[taehyun_yi]

"Oh god." That was a terrifying future in his opinion. It was kind of difficult walking with Robert's hand around his shoulder. "I only go to the internet if I can't find anything else. There are a couple of good shops around town that I usually find stuff in. Here," he said, moving Robert's arm from around his shoulder and holding his hand again instead. "Easier to walk that way." Normally he didn't really feel the need to explain his actions, but...he just felt like doing it now.

"I could go for coffee," he answered. He'd had something to eat before he met Robert. "We don't have to or anything though."

[roberthope]

Robert beamed at the way that Taehyun entwined their fingers. He thought to himself, score! but kept walking. "I bet you can't find cow sculptures in those stores, though. I just don't know what sort of good shop they can be," he said with a sad shake of his head. Shaking the cow sculpture at Taehyun, Robert added, "So when's your birthday?" He coupled the question with an evil laugh.

"Coffee would be good. You mind if I get a danish or something?" Robert hadn't eaten beforehand, he'd been too nervous and, possibly, slightly hungover from the night of drinking with Riley and Laszlo last night.

[taehyun_yi]

"I wouldn't put it past some of the antique shops Denton, actually." Denton was definitely an interesting place. College town with a lot of hipster kids. Taehyun rolled his eyes at Robert's antics. "Don't get to excited, it's not until June 13th." It struck him then that Robert might not even be around by then. Or after today really.

Taehyun rose his eyebrow at the danish comment, amused. "Do you know a lot of people who are offended by danishes?"

[roberthope]

"Uh, no. No one I know get offended by danish. Donuts, though, I know a few people that are very anti-donut. You're not one of those, are you?" Robert could hear the changing music as they approached a place with some women dancing along with some decent music. "We close?"

Robert was starting to get hopeful that he'd get a second date. Maybe even a third. Riley was going to be shocked at the news.

[taehyun_yi]

"No," Taehyun replied. "I don't identify with an anti-donut agenda." He looked around trying to see if they were headed in the right direction. It was a little difficult to tell with it being so crowded. "I think we're getting closer. Should be that way. I think."

[roberthope]

"Good. I don't think I can date someone that's anti-donut. There's just something wrong with people that don't like donuts. They're like happiness in a little round ball. Donut holes, that's where it's at."

Robert could see a small sign ahead, hoping that it was the coffee shop. And, he thought he saw Ty, from the Pride parade, up ahead.

[taehyun_yi]

Taehyun simply nodded in response. Date? Like, was this going to happen again? He thought about it for a little bit. As far as he knew -and he was certainly no expert- dating required a fair amount of sharing feelings and shit. The closest he'd gotten to that in awhile was that talk with Harley. Taehyun wasn't sure if he wanted to repeat anything like that, given how fucked up in the head he'd been since. Just don't think about it, he told himself. That didn't ever get him anywhere.

"Oh," he said when he spotted Forty-Two Cups. "There it is."