|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 7:56 pm
It was a nice morning, but the warmth of it already told Brad that the day was going to be a scorcher. The man sighed to himself through his teeth, glancing at the people already out and about over his slim sun glasses. He wore his typical and favored casual attire - a not-fully-buttoned button-up long sleeve shirt, sleeves folded to his elbows, a comfy pair of jeans and well loved sandals - finding that it didn't matter how much he tried to not stand out, that he would always manage to. He was like some type of flypaper for his co-workers and customers, and had given up on trying to pretend he'd ever have time to himself.
He sat on a bench in the park, soaking in the morning coolness beneath the shade of a tree, one hand around a water bottle, the other resting over the back of the bench. It was peaceful, with the lull of traffic in the distance, the chirping of birds near by the rustling of leaves as dew drops continued to burn off. Brad loved the mornings like this, and would take all he could get before the day released the rest of New York into the streets.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 8:23 pm
The warm air felt good on his cheeks; driving away the chill that car always gave him. Hearing the horn honk and his driver call out that he’d return in a few hours for him as per his father’s request. The little freedom he and Lee had was to be well spent, as it came rare as of late. Breathing in deeply, he listened to Lee’s faint panting, the eagerness to get moving evident in his little wuffs he made. Shifting the shoulder bag he had, he started down the sidewalk.
The DJ on the radio this morning had promised this weather would last a few days, so Haru had asked for his summer clothing to be dragged out. Currently he was dressed in black shorts with thing criss-cross patterned gray lines on the, a light gray shirt with a nice orange design across the chest. His favorite sandals finished off the nice summery look for the lanky male.
Listening quietly, he could hear the children playing off to his left, a smile on his face at the spirited giggles. For the first time in a while he was completely relaxed, not much of a care till he heard the sound of approaching wheels. Waiting for Lee to veer to avoid the oncoming person, he let out a surprised cry when someone knocked into his left shoulder. Out of instinct he let go of Lee’s harness to put out his arms as he fell to his knees, his shoulder bags contents clattering around him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 9:04 pm
Brad's eyes had closed as he simply listened to the drone of each sound melting into one, and he likely would have dozed off if not for the sudden cry and clatter that jerked him out of his stupor. He blinked, looking around the park, finally finding the source of the noise on the sidewalk.
The man leapt to his feet, moving instinctively towards the young man who had fallen, growling at the biker who had slowed but not stopped, "Your name isn't anywhere on this road so watch where you're going." Content that his big-man-growling had possibly scared the person into the next week, he kneeled by the young man, gathering up his belongings. "Hey, you okay?" he asked in a much kinder tone of voice, glancing over to the dog. He was impressed that the animal hadn't bolted, as most do when released from their leash.
It was then that he noticed there was a vest on the golden furred animal. He blinked his indigo eyes and looked back to the young man, a little surprised. And angry. The biker was damn lucky he wasn't in shouting distance at this point in time. Brad extended a hand to the young man, brushing it over the other's knee, "Can I help you up? I have your stuff right here." He patted the bag with a dull thumping noise as if to prove his point. He'd never dealt with someone who had a seeing-eye-dog, and wasn't sure if there was some sort of...rule or courtesy line that he was breaking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 9:43 pm
Haru panicked a little when his things clattered around him and he couldn’t feel Lee against him. Biting his lip softly, his hands groped out to find his things and hopefully Lee near by. He paused at the voice yelling over top of him, flinching back a little. When the other mans tone softened towards him, he relaxed a little. “ A little startled but fine thanks…” He replied quietly, smiling when a wet nose pressed against his cheek. A warm wet tongue licked up his cheek, signally that Lee was there. Lifting a hand to find the dogs head, he sighed in relieved when his hand was nuzzled by the large soft head.
A deep scarlet passed over his cheeks when a hand touched his knee, causing him to start a little from the contact. “Help would be nice thanks….” He smiled a little, “ Thanks for getting my things… it would have taken me forever to find everything,” He said gratefully.
Suddenly he felt soft fluffy fur and the roughness of his companions vest brush against him. He could only assume Lee was trying to stand between his master and t he stranger. “Neh Lee its fine… no danger…” He patted the dog’s side with a laugh, coaxing the canine to back up, which he did and sat down. “Sorry about him, he’d never hurt a fly… well… okay he does eat them on a slight occasion but he’s a big baby I swear” Haru giggled a little, his face bright despite his situation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 10:38 am
The man would have been amused by the blush, if not for the condition the man seemed to be in. It seemed a lot of people he met lately were quite prone to blushing. "It's not a problem," he assured the young man, "people are rude more often than not. Just glad to help-woah there boy." Brad lifted a hand so that the dog could smell him if he so chose, chuckling softly, "It's okay. He's just doing his job. Lee, is it? Well I'm Brad Lee, so make sure you use my first name or we're going to be terribly confused."
He stood, bending down to take the young man's hand and put it on the forearm that was wrapped around Haru's belongings, gently using the other hand to help lift him. "It's okay Lee, we'll get this charming young man up and moving again in no time." Brad had a soft spot for animals, and a dog after his own namesake was no exception. That the youth himself seemed optimistic and jovial enough to joke was also a nice change of pace.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 11:21 am
The dog sniffed Brad eyeing him a little as he sat as his master had instructed, calming once he was sure everything was safe. Wuffing a little, he looked at his master, nosing the side of his arm a little.
Haru couldn’t keep himself from laughing a little at the name situation, rubbing the side of his face a little. “Well I’ll be sure then to mind who I’m addressing” he grinned a little. He found it funny that such oddities still seemed to happen, not often you’d run into someone who had the last name that is the same as your dogs name. “Now unless you have a dog somewhere by the name of Haru Kajinu we should be fine” Haru gave him a playful grin. “Nice to meet you Brad”
Once standing upright, he slipped a hand into his pocket and produced a little dog treat, laying his hand flat so Lee could take it. “Charming? Me? Hardly, if anyone was charming I’d have to say you have the natural knack for it” Haru smiled, feeling Lee snuffled up the treat into his mouth. Patting the furry head, he then reached out and grabbed the harness again and smiled a little. “By the tone of your voice I can tell you’re an animal person Brad, any pets of your own?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 12:27 pm
"Hmm," Brad pretended to contemplate, before chuckling. "Nope," he said decisively, "no animals by that name. Lucky for us in that case, Mister Kajinu." He was momentarily surprised by the sudden formality from himself; it occured to him that the people he'd met - all of them - were on a first name basis. The man wasn't sure any of the people he knew even had a last name, come to think of it.
Snapping out of his revelation, he chuckled at Haru's words, unable to hide his amusement that even a blind man could hit the nail on the head so easily. "You could say it's my job," he chortled. "You're not half bad yourself, you know." Indigo eyes shifted down to the dog again, watching him enjoy the treat with a faint smile. "Unless you count the people I work with, no, I have no pets of the four-legged and furry variety." He kneeled for a moment, watching the dog with a kind expression, but mindful not to reach out and pet him. Lee was a seeing eye dog, and had to take care of his owner; it would do no good to treat him like your normal, everyday slobbering furball.
"Been thinking of getting one," he mentioned off-handedly. "Cat, likely, since dogs wouldn't have much room to roam where I'm currently living." He recalled Socks and smiled to himself; yeah, having a cute vibrating alarm clock could be interesting. Might be nice to have the company, too, although that wasn't something he'd immediately admit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 12:54 pm
Haru too seemed a little surprised at the sudden formality, shaking his head a little. “Just call me Haru, formalities I find a little distancing from the person your talking too” he smiled lightly and blinked a little. Chuckling a little, he pulled back a purple touched black lock away as it tickled his face a little. “Why thank you, I need some kind of redeeming attribute” The young male grinned playfully. A soft snerk came from the teen, trying not to laugh too hard at that comment. “AH I see, well that’s too bad, they’re wonderful company… I’ve had Lee here since I was twelve and he’s made my life easier to handle” he smiled fondly, patting the dog again.
Lee peeked back at Brad as he licked his own nose thoughtfully as he finished his treat. Craning his head to look at Haru, he took a few timid steps forward and sniffed Brad, tail wagging. Lee deemed this man safe for his owner, he smelt alright and his movements weren’t very quick.
“Cat? Well one of my maids cats just had kittens a month or so ago… I think she said they were a cross with a Siamese and a Himalayan” he mused a little at the last part. “All I know is that they are very fluffy and drive Lee crazy since they like to climb all over him… but if you’d like one I’m sure she’d let you have one”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:01 pm
"Haru it is, then." Brad smiled a little; not only was he running into people who blushed a lot, but these people also seemed to have self-image issues. Unfortunately, he didn't work with this gentleman, and couldn't launch into a tirade fit to embarrass them both. Maybe later.
The man extended his a little more towards Lee, murmuring softly to the animal, all smiles. His face was going to start hurting at this rate. "He's a good looking animal. You both must take good care of each other," he commented lightly. There. See, he COULD compliment a person in a round-about way. Brad glanced up to the young man's face, thoughtful, before looking back down to the dog. "I was thinking I'd check shelters and stuff first. I appreciate the offer - very much, actually - but I really need to find an animal that wont drop all their fur on my stuff while I'm at work."
He chuckled softly. "Even so...I'll consider it. Thank you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:46 pm
Falling silent for a moment, he listened to the people walk by and talk all in excited voices. The heat was starting to rise, causing Haru to rub at his forehead a little and sigh quietly. “Ah thanks, he’s my best friend I suppose one could say, he’s the most important to me… I’d do anything for him” he smiled a little as he heard Lee wuff a little, most likely at Brad.
”Oh, that’s one of the best ways to go about it! That’s very honorable of you to start there” Haru replied in all seriousness, though a smile still pulled at the side of his mouth. He faintly started to wonder if he was holding the other from something, possibly why he was here in the first place.
”What brings you to the park on a fine morning like this one?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 10:49 am
The older man was pleased that Haru approved of his decision to check the shelters first; although, it was less of his decision and more a knowledge that his sister would beat him within an inch of his life if he did otherwise. Brad stood after a moment, looking back to the bench he'd been seated at. "I was simply enjoying the fine morning," he replied honestly, tucking his hands into his pockets. "To take a moment to get away from the demands of life. Would you like to join me? Or...ah, I'm sorry, you probably have things to do," he ammended quietly.
Brad was thinking along the same lines as the younger man, assuming the youth wouldn't be out at the park of all places without reason. It didn't occur to him that the other might have people who helped him, or that he might actually just be out to take advantage of the weather as he was.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:14 am
Before he had lost his sight, Haru used to spend his days fawning over his friends numerous rescued pets. Always having been a big softie for dogs, just having seen the shape that some owners left their animals broke his heart. So hearing someone opt to going to a shelter was a nice thing.
Falling away from his musings he had accidentally let himself settle into, he smiled to cover it up. “Its hard to pass up mornings like this, we’re expected to have quite the warm summer this year” Haru replied then paused at his second reply. “Hrmm? Oh no I honestly just came here with no set plan besides go for a nice walk” He shifted his hold on the harness, “ I’d love to join you actually, its not often I get to meet devilishly charismatic hero’s” he teased playfully. It was refreshing to meet someone who didn’t tip toe around him as mostly everyone did at home. He tended to feel smothered by his fathers constant worry and fussing, though he knew he did it out of love.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 1:11 pm
That actually prompted Brad to laugh a little, shaking his head and running a hand through his hair in an old nervous habit. "You flatter me, Haru," he chuckled, still caught off guard by the easy compliment. He could readily prepare himself for them from anyone at work, but for someone met off the street, it was exceptionally humbling.
The man had never been good at walking on egg shells - it ran in the family, to be honest - so it was a great relief that the young man did not seem offended or put out by his actions or words. "I'd be just as happy to join you on your walk, if you'd prefer to stretch out a bit," he offered, eventually shoving his hands into his pockets again. "Not often I get to meet such a warm and noble soul." He smiled to himself at the comeback compliment; it just came with the territory for him. Brad had always tried to return any kindness (or cruelty) shown to him with equal or greater value, and his company was no exception.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 1:34 pm
Haru smiled broadly at the others laugh, glad that the other was warming up a little. Brad gave off a very serious yet mysterious vibe, which was quite interesting. Tucking some of his hair back behind his cuffed ear, he let his hand drop to clasp at the side of his neck a little. His motions were fluid and easy, no hesitation what so ever.
”How about a compromise? There is a very lovely fountain further into the park where if I remember correctly are some benches” He suggested, happy enough to just have company right now. He knew the layout of this park well, having counted all of the paces once so he could get around easier. A thin eyebrow arched at the complement before a tinge of pink and a small laugh came from him. “Noble soul? Never been called that before…. thanks” Haru genuinely surprised by the fine gesture of words.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 1:43 pm
Brad pursed his lips, nodding thoughtfully. "Compromise is good." He listened to the directions, pretty sure he knew where Haru was indicating, but content to allow the other to lead the way regardless. "Sounds perfect. Should be cooler near the water, anyway." He took a few steps back, hoping the soft clack of his sandals would be enough to indicate they could move on. He really wasn't sure if he was supposed to do anything at all, so he just tried to be normal. Haru seemed to get around quite well, and he wouldn't be so insulting as to insinuate that the other was incapable of such a thing.
Another quiet chuckle escaped him. "Anyone with a heart for animals has to have some nobility," he smiled a bit, "it takes a great deal of kindness to care at all." Brad almost laughed again, opting for a restrained grin instead, allowing the mirth to be heard in his voice, "That's the second time I've been called a hero just this week, but ever in my life. I wonder if I'm missing something."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
