If Only...
cecoil Guest
|
Post by cecoil on Oct 23, 2009 20:00:56 GMT -6
NO ONE CARES, NO ONE'S THERE I GUESS WE'RE ALL JUST TOO DAMN BUSY [/size] AND MONEY'S OUR FIRST PRIORITY IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE ME[/center][/size] A light ripple of autumn wind swept through the local park. The trees rustled with the cool breeze, and a few leaves slowly fluttered to the ground. The few wisps of clouds drifted through the blue sky, now and then covering up the rays of the sun. For once, the weather actually worked to Toboe¡¯s advantage. He wore jeans and a bright yellow T-shirt. He had purposely chosen that color. It stuck out, which was exactly what Toboe wanted to do.
People leisurely sauntered through the sidewalks, chatting with one another. Children ran around, playfully chasing each other. Couples sat under trees, enjoying the sheer feeling of being in each other¡¯s company. And -something that Toboe hated to see- homeless ¡®bums¡¯ sitting here and there, begging for money or laying in the sun, having given up on life.
Toboe snapped his mind back into reality. He had no time to pity others. What could pity do? He had work to do at the park. He could get into big trouble for a stunt like this, but he was sure speaking out would have an impact to all those that heard. He had just finished a sign,. It was a crude piece of large cardboard, and he had sloppily written the words ¡®Toboe¡¯s 'If Only' Speech¡¯. He was not sure if anyone could read his handwriting, but this sign wouldn¡¯t be as important as his words would be.
Toboe leaned the roughly made carboard against the leg of bench and took his place atop the same bench. A couple of adults turned their heads to glance at the ¡®crazy boy standing on a bench¡¯, but they soon went back to whatever they were doing before.
¡° Doesn¡¯t anybody understand what the world is coming to? ¡° Toboe said loudly. This caught the attention of more people. ¡°There are kids starving on the streets in other countries, and no one helps them. If everyone in the world were to help, things like war and poverty and other things like child abuse could be stopped. ¡®If only¡¯ is the biggest issue in the world!¡± He took a pause, feeling his heart thump in his chest. Talking about his ideals always got him excited. A smile reached his lips and he continued.
¡° If only people didn¡¯t fight about silly things. If only we can all be level-headed and peaceful. If only people reached out to help others. If only crime could be stopped. If only. If only. ¡° STATUS: Complete WORD COUNT: 416 NOTES: Moo, to anyone that roleplays with me, critique me as much as you want. I really need it. Oh, and I don't usually post this long.
|
|
hinata Guest
|
Post by hinata on Oct 26, 2009 18:41:40 GMT -6
"People do want to help others, if they have the chance. No one actually wants to see everyone else suffer. They just don't feel confident enough to do it on their own." A gentle voice came through the crowd. They parted a little as a girl with short hair and an armful of groceries stepped forward. The people who let her pass looked a little relieved. The atmosphere had grown a little oppressive with the speech, and her soft voice and softer smile lightened things up a bit.
"In general people aren't used to doing nice things for one another, even if they feel like they want to. They're afraid of being different. They think helping someone is like jumping into a cold pond, but it's not. Helping others is a soft and slow feeling that grows in your heart, like a flower opening up to the warm sun. After you start helping someone for the first time the feeling just keeps on growing stronger and stronger," Hina continued, focusing her attention solely on Toboe. It was so rare for her to hear anyone talking about helping others that she just had to give her own opinion on the matter. After all, helping others was one of the main things all her favorite children's books talked about, and it was a subject she herself was very intent on.
"It could be that parents aren't raising their children to be nice to each other anymore. In that case everyone is just like a big child. Rather than trying to let them fend for themselves we have to carefully guide them in the right path until they learn it. Loving guidance, that's what everyone needs. If everyone had someone to love them and show them how to do good things then the world would become better, right?"
As Hina finished she shifted the weight of the grocery bag in her arms, causing a light crackling sound that echoed in the silent park. The wind blew a little, ruffling her short hair. She tilted her head slightly, and her smile invited Toboe's response.
|
|
|
Post by Mizukami Ayumu on Oct 30, 2009 0:35:25 GMT -6
but a spectator I am... Mizukami Ayumu sat on a bench in the park, cooling himself off. He was in casual wear, his brown jacket all over him like a blanket, his toes free in his sandals. He had already been here quite a while ago, lazing off, enjoying the taste of the breeze, and the taste of the ice cream cone he bought, too. A few drops were already staining his shirt and his jacket, but he didn't mind. It was an afternoon clear as an open mind.
He had been mildly startled when the boy had placed himself, a stark appearance in the scattered crowd, and begun talking. Then again, he kind of had an inkling of what he was going to do; his actions had called attention to himself, beforehand. He seemed relatively normal, in his assessment, though Ayumu was trying not to be... too judgmental. He didn't seem to be one of those people with ulterior motives, even if those kinds of topics seemed to be usually used by those kind of people. He had a point, and he listened attentively, licking his dessert. His tongue missed twice.
"Things don't change so easily." he mumbled to himself. Still, he liked the guy. He was declaring his wishes, his dreams, for this world. After all, this was the only world they knew, and that they had. Besides, he, the boy, they were but children still... but perhaps somebody else might hear. Affecting such large issues were on a case-to-case basis. One can only do one's part. Well, he was encouraging people to do their part. Sort of.
Another voice responded. It was a girl's. Ayumu was intrigued. He didn't expect anybody to react to the orator's efforts, much more with some more words. Words were things to digest, to pick apart, and to think about. Words were the only things humans had of conveying what they wish to, although words can also be used as tools of deceit. Indeed, if only... it was a simple message. He wasn't as good nor as brave a speaker. Though he may not be noticed, since he was quite a handful of meters away, he clapped, not so loudly, for the two of them.
|
|
cecoil Guest
|
Post by cecoil on Oct 30, 2009 19:38:10 GMT -6
As Toboe continued to talk, his attitude became more as if he were scolding his listeners. It was intentional. Just a spur of the moment kind of thing. The voice that spoke after him was soft and kind, though. The girl that the voice belonged to was not too older than himself. She was relatively short for her age, not to say that Toboe was tall. At first, he had thought that she was a feminine boy due to her short hair.
Toboe was astonished, to say the least. No one had ever replied to anything he had publicly said. No one. But now that changed. He couldn't help but let a small smile creep onto his face. Though it seemed like she had softly spoken against him, at least she had the guts to speak at all.
"People do want to help others, if they have the chance. No one actually wants to see everyone else suffer. They just don't feel confident enough to do it on their own." She started out. She continued on along those lines, such as saying that "people aren't used to doing nice things for one another" and "It could be that parents aren't raising their children to be nice to each other anymore. In that case everyone is just like a big child." Her perspective was something new to Toboe. Something that had momentarily thought about by Toboe but quickly dismissed, not because it was incomprehensible or because it was irrational but because it wasn't how Toboe tackled problems like these.
Her solution was 'love'. Of course, love was implied when helping those across the world or your next door neighbor, but her idea seemed to revolve solely around love. Loving guidance, she had called it. As long as everybody had someone to love and show them what to do, the world would become a better place.
But wasn't that how a lot of religions start? Especially Christianity? All those gods and goddesses claiming to love their 'creations'. Verily, Toboe was an atheist, someone who did not choose a religion. Perhaps cults and religions did influence a large majority of the world's population to do good, but didn't Adolph Hitler kill thousands of people because they were Jewish?
" That may be true, " Toboe said, hopping down from his 'throne', "But what good does fear do? If a person won't try to help, no one gains anything from it. Not everybody has someone to show them the way to success, too."
STATUS: Complete WORD COUNT: 400 NOTES: Sankyuu all for joinin' mah thread ^_^
|
|
hinata Guest
|
Post by hinata on Nov 3, 2009 18:12:41 GMT -6
"If people don't have good role models in their lives, then that's the thing we need to fix first of all," Hina replied, glad that the boy had chosen to respond to her.
"There's not really much I can do for older people, but I try my best to at least give children someone to look up to that does good things... whether real or imaginary," she said, referring to her work with kids books. "As for adults..." she trailed off, tilting her head thoughtfully... "Well then it's either Jesus, Buddha or Mohammed, right? Whether they were real or not, they were the best examples... as long as you don't misinterpret their words."
Hina knew very little of dealing with adults, and tended to act the same with them as she did around children. Actually, interacting with others was never a hard thing. There wasn't anyone who wouldn't appreciate a smile and some kind words and maybe the offer of a free home-cooked dinner.
Speaking of dinner... The bag in her arms was slightly awkward to hold for a long time, and she still had a little ways to go to get home. She knew she should probably take her leave, but she wanted to hear more of the boy's words. She shifted the bag a little but kept her clear eyes on the boy, intent on his reply.
|
|
|
Post by Mizukami Ayumu on Nov 6, 2009 21:58:36 GMT -6
the looming vulture doth... Ayumu stood up. His tongue played a little more with his cold, sweet snack. The flavor was vanilla. It was a nice day, and a nice topic was being brought up. That was enough for the usually unbound boy to drive deeper into something. It wasn't that he knew a lot about what was being discussed; he considered himself not really knowing that much about anything. Rather, that was his reason. One can only learn, if one realizes how empty one is. So many ones in a sentence. Geez, he should stop pretending to be a philosopher. It sometimes makes his temples ache.
He started walking over. At any rate, he wasn't much of a person that called attention to himself. Still, he might be noticed since he was the only one amongst the multitude, which was mostly uncaring, to come nearer the two speakers. It seemed his crowd appeal was eroding quite fast; it was swiftly turning into a simple conversation between the two. He did not mean to snoop, but the origin of the discussion was a public one, so he felt he had some right to listen in on the matter. Or maybe he really meant to snoop.
So it was that the ice cream eater went obviously near to the two. He said nothing, but his ears seemed a little up. Maybe they were trying to catch every word said. Maybe he was exerting pressure? It didn't seem to matter to Ayumu if he might be making the two uncomfortable. "Go on.", he mouthed, just in case the two would react to him. After all, he just wanted to know how they viewed the world. It was always interesting to look through another's window... even if it is only through arguments and phrases.
He licked yet another stray drop of the melting treat.
|
|
cecoil Guest
|
Post by cecoil on Nov 10, 2009 18:12:39 GMT -6
¡° If people don't have good role models in their lives, then that's the thing we need to fix first of all¡± Once again, her ideas were good, but they would also need a great deal of support and/or money. ¡°There's not really much I can do for older people, ¡° Toboe was about to interrupt her there, but decided better on it. Once again, his nasty habit of insulting a person because the person didn¡¯t agree with him almost came out. He closed his mouth, intent on waiting for her to finish speaking. For the spontaneous boy Toboe was, it took a great deal of self-control. ¡°but I try my best to at least give children someone to look up to that does good things... whether real or imaginary¡± This confused him a bit. Real or imaginary? What was that supposed to mean? Did she write or draw or baby-sit some kids? It was understandable, for sure, but it took Toboe off guard for just a moment.
¡°Well then it's either Jesus, Buddha or Mohammed, right? Whether they were real or not, they were the best examples... as long as you don't misinterpret their words." She even added the religious part Toboe had just been thinking of moments ago. Perhaps they weren¡¯t so different after all, even if their ideas seemed to disagree or ¡®clash¡¯ with each other.
Toboe noticed that she shifted the grocery bag in her arms, becoming uncomfortable in one position. He almost told her to leave. Gently, of course, but his curiosity and fascination for her words made him rethink his decision. He also noticed one particular person in the crowd. A silver-haired boy, also older than himself. Was his hair silver? It looked almost light blue from the way Toboe saw him. He was eating ice cream, too. He averted his attention back to his fellow ¡®care-about-the-world¡¯ member, but not before he saw the boy mouth the words¡¯ Go on¡¯. Seeing this as encouragement, he smiled, looking straight into his conversational partners eyes.
¡° That may be true, but a few people in a city isn¡¯t going to cut it. There are people in Africa and South America who still have not had any contact with the outside world. They may even still use human sacrifices. ¡° Toboe said, taking a breath after each sentence, ¡° Regarding adults, most of the world¡¯s population are atheist. Even if they weren¡¯t atheist, a lot of religions are filled with bloody histories of fruitless attacks or strange rituals of death. ¡° STATUS: Complete WORD COUNT: 424 NOTES: I'm surprised I'm making such long posts O.O
|
|
hinata Guest
|
Post by hinata on Nov 12, 2009 18:05:46 GMT -6
Hina was a little surprised at Ayumu's suddenly getting closer and encouraging the conversation. She looked around a little and noticed that most of the crowd had dissipated after she and Toboe had started talking to each other more than to the people at large. She listened to Toboe's words but there was no real reply since, as she had stated, the adult world was not one readily known to her. She was still just a high school girl who liked children's books.
"Well, the crowd has gone away, and I've got to get these groceries in... Why don't you two come along with me to my house and we can talk more there? Have you two eaten dinner? I always cook too much anyway, so if you'd like to join me..." Hina said, leaving the implied invitation to dinner hanging in the air. If they refused she would probably stick around anyway but she had the feeling neither of these boys were in any hurry. Of course the thought that inviting two strangers to eat with her could be a little odd never crossed her mind. Hina didn't even know what the word caution meant when it came to strangers.
|
|
|
Post by Mizukami Ayumu on Nov 13, 2009 9:08:39 GMT -6
break, break. Ayumu calmly moved his eyes from one to the other. They were both almost just his age, but they were different in many other ways. The boy had fire in his eyes, zeal, a wish that he was impatient with; in some ways, his drive may fail to make him see the limits of what he and what he can do... and probably, what other people, what all people, even when together, can do. He had confirmed that for him, with his words and with his actions; in contrast, he admired how he remained civil. Flames can send certain moths burning.
On the other hand, the girl was kind; if the boy was hot, she was... well, she wasn't cold, she was more of warm... she seemed more content than the boy. True, the world is something that, when we look at all the bad stuff going on, probably needs some change... a lot of change... but certain changes happen slowly, gradually, like a river carving a canyon to shape. Very few changes are like a volcano's eruption.
The girl was like that river, and the boy like that volcano. Still, those metaphors seemed unwieldy for poetry... well, rivers were always nice, but he didn't like volcanoes... not that he didn't like the guy. He should go over what he remembered them saying... later. Maybe he'll participate later. If he felt like it. He had some of these nagging things on his mind... the boy was saying of things he might not fully understand, or fully appreciate how people felt about those kind of issues. Certain things weren't so easily done, and in the same vein, certain things weren't so easily said, if one did not wish for certain... dire consequences.
The girl had turned her attention to more practical matters; Ayumu's eyes now darted to her hands when she said 'groceries'. He had merely not noticed that she was carrying anything. Well, ice cream was simply something nice to be involved in, and couple that with an impromptu conversation between strangers that you get to hear. Ayumu liked such oddities. He nodded slowly towards the female, and looked if the male would acquiesce; he had an apologetic look on his face, since they were going to interrupt the discussion for a bit.
He crunched on the cone; he was almost done with the vanilla. "Need help carrying that?" he mumbled, a little too softly.
|
|
cecoil Guest
|
Post by cecoil on Nov 15, 2009 16:58:38 GMT -6
¡°Well, the crowd has gone away, and I've got to get these groceries in... Why don't you two come along with me to my house and we can talk more there? Have you two eaten dinner? I always cook too much anyway, so if you'd like to join me..." Toboe expected another statement concerning that world¡¯s problems, so he was completely off guard at her sudden invitation to dinner, even more so at the inclusion of one of the spectators. There was no harm, Toboe was sure, but how would her parents react to their daughter bringing home two adolescent boys? They didn¡¯t even know each other¡¯s names. Heck, people had to start somewhere, no?
The other boy replied before he could. Well, it wasn¡¯t much of a reply. More of an offer. He spoke softly, but he didn¡¯t seem to be the type to be shy, but who cared? Stereotypes can become such a negative influence on people.
¡° Ah¡ I guess if it¡¯s fine with you and your parents¡ ¡° He tried to expel the uneasiness from his words. Surely, his mother and father wouldn¡¯t mind if he was an hour or two late, as he often is any day of the week, but he was more worried for the kind-hearted girl that stood before him. It would cause Toboe to feel guilty if she was scolded for his own mistake. STATUS: Complete WORD COUNT: 233 NOTES: My burst of muse died
|
|
hinata Guest
|
Post by hinata on Nov 21, 2009 1:22:51 GMT -6
Hinata didn't catch Ayumu's offer of help, and tilted her head a little with a light "Hm?" However, she figured he had just said something to affirm his intention to follow along since he didn't look like he was rejecting her offer, so she just took it in stride.
"Well, follow me. My house isn't too far," Hina said, adjusting the groceries in her arms yet again and cocking her head in the direction they should travel. She was glad neither of them had said 'no', since they were both interesting boys and it was always a treat to meet extraordinary people.
"My parents?" Hina paused as she heard and replied to Toboe's question. "Oh. Well my mother died a long time ago, and my dad's really busy, so I just live with Waka and Tono for now. There won't be any problem at all."
Hina smiled brightly even as she spoke of her own lonely situation, but she didn't seem to be faking her happiness. Here was a girl who was alright on her own. Of course, as the identities of 'Waka' and 'Tono' were ambiguous it could be assumed she was referring to her grandparents or someone else, though from the names one would possibly assume she was talking about dogs or cats.
Regardless, she led the two boys down into the residential district and up to a small but very nice little home. She unlocked the door and let the two in, calling out as she did:
"I'm home! And I've brought some guests!"
She seemed to be aiming this at two teddy bears; one black, one white, that were sitting on the floor in front of the door, arranged to look as if they were waiting for Hina's return. Hina stepped past them and headed into the kitchen.
"Um, could you guys carry Waka and Tono into the dining area? Got my hands kinda full at the moment," Hina said, her voice drifting out from the kitchen.
|
|
|
Post by Mizukami Ayumu on Nov 21, 2009 20:14:56 GMT -6
baggage. [/center] Ayumu interpreted her ignorance as a refusal; he was okay if the girl wanted to carry the stuff all by herself. Trailing off leisurely, Ayumu let himself be lead off by their host. She seemed a nice person. Maybe he'd even find out her name by the end of this little debate-slash-journey-slash-whatever. That is, if he remembers to ask. He wasn't really very keen on those social things. They seem irrelevant at times.
Oh, so she's alone. Ayumu thought, just like that, as the girl replied to the other boy, the instigator. Maybe he should just subconsciously name them Instigator-san and Host-san. Or something. Inappropriate (as long as they weren't really rude) nicknames were fun. Ayummu hadc learned to keep the nicknames he gave to people to himself. Finishing the last of his ice cream, he looked around, taking in the sights of the path they were traveling. He failed to notice the uneasiness in his male comrade's voice. Well, there were some things that Ayumu often did not notice. He was more interested in finding out who Waka and Tono were. Butlers?
"Sorry for intruding." Ayumu muttered customarily, as he had seen other Japanese people do, as he entered the grocery girl's house. With their entrance, and the lass's greeting on two stuffed toys, Ayumu thought it was safe to conclude that these were Waka and Tono, although he wasn't sure which one. He took off his jacket and slung it on his shoulder. Always quite happy to oblige, with the female's request, the aloof boy went to the white bear and carried it by the armpits, so that the bear's face was still facing forward and not into his shirt.
He wondered how they would continue the discussion... over a meal? People's temperaments were mjuch nicer during a shared meal. Sharing a meal, well, even just a table during a meal, meant you trust that person enough to eat with him. Yes, Ayumu did trust the girl, she thought she wouldn't randomly put cyanide in their food. Hohum.
"So... " he said, turning to the other boy. "Are you sure of all that you have said up to now? Those are pretty big claims." He was referring to the boy's most recent argumentative statements, although the boy might not understand him. It was pretty abrupt to speak like that and bring things up again, but this was Mizukami Ayumu. Although he might not be taken that seriously, with a white bear in his arms and all. He slipped slowly into the direction of the girl's voice. [/size]
|
|
cecoil Guest
|
Post by cecoil on Nov 25, 2009 18:57:00 GMT -6
The girl misunderstood the other boy’s offer to help, so she just continued on to lead them to her house. "My parents? Oh. Well my mother died a long time ago, and my dad's really busy, so I just live with Waka and Tono for now. There won't be any problem at all." Toboe was a little taken back by how calm she seemed at such a touchy subject. Surely, if Toboe’s parents would have died, he would take months to overcome the grief. Of course, that was because he was such a sappy guy. But still, she didn’t seem shaken or sad at all. He almost regretted bringing the subject up for fear of she spontaneously crying, but it didn’t seem like it affected her at all. And Waka and Tono? Were those her legal guardians? It seemed like some kind of a nickname. As he thought about this, he responded with a simple “ Oh. “
The trip was rather quiet other than that, but the awkwardness didn’t seem to affect Toboe so much. He was too happy that he had found another brethren in the fight for helping the world to feel awkward or embarrassed. The feeling of awkwardness would never help in a situation like this.
As the trio reached their destination, Toboe took note of her house. A very nice, quaint home it was. She unlocked the door and wordlessly invited them in and called out to the mysterious ‘Waka and Tono’, announcing that she had brought two guests. The words were oddly named at two stuffed animals. Bears, apparently. Before he entered, Toboe took his shoes off, setting them neatly inside her house.
Toboe found it a bit weird that she talked to stuffed animals, but a lot of people did it. Even he, now and then, talked to himself or to other inanimate objects. As she left to, what Toboe guessed ,the kitchen, he called out a request to carry the stuffed animals to the dining room. The other boy made the first move, picking up the white bear. He, in turn, picked up that black one. He observed it carefully and turned it around slowly, head slightly cocked, until the other boy addressed him, obviously trying to start up a conversation.
“ Ah, well, I haven’t done any major changes in the world yet, seeing how I’m this young, but every little bit helps. I believe in a better world. “ Toboe answered and followed the older boy, bear in hand. STATUS: Complete WORD COUNT: 423 NOTES: ^______^
|
|
|
Post by Mizukami Ayumu on Dec 7, 2009 17:53:17 GMT -6
hide the counterpoint. Ayumu said nothing immediately after the other boy's pronouncement. He found a seat for the white bear, the one he was holding, pulled it up, and then promptly, but gently, put the fluffy figure in it. He wondered if he should say more about what he thought. Then again, maybe he was just being nitpicky; after all, his little corrective complaints, his criticism, were directed to the details, and not the general point, of his speech. That was why, sometimes, Ayumu found debates constricting; sometimes, two people want the same thing for each other, but couldn't agree on how to do it. To get it. Precisely, basically. That was what his nitpick was all about. He wondered if he should make his earlier words clearer...
He pulled a seat for himself, too, and with a little abandon dropped unto it, as though he were testing if it would collapse under the abrupt change of weight it was supporting. He looked to the direction where the girl had went; he wondered how long she would be there. He wondered if she knew how to cook; well, it seemed like she was self-sufficient, since the two bears hadn't joined her in the kitchen to help. Maybe they were delegated other tasks. Like being huggable. He smiled, swimming in his introspection. He wondered if it was hard, living with only two soft, unmoving creatures (or maybe they moved; Mizukami Ayumu would like that. No, not the mechanical move thing), and being, simply, alone. Well, the girl's world, compared to the world at large, was at least peaceful; if this great world, which was composed of the many worlds that we make up, that sometimes intersect, has at least a bunch that were tranquil, maybe Earth wasn't such a hopeless case.
Ideas. Some people fought about ideas. "Some things you said... some people may not be bound to agree on... I may not be bound to agree on." he said this, as if it were no great matter, stroking the head of the white bear. The bear deserved it for keeping company of the maiden for so long. Well, he didn't exactly know how so long. "But I like your general direction." His eyes looked fogged in thought. He was torn between spilling what he thought and considering if the boy would understand. He had... strange ideas, sometimes. Or at least strange ways of saying them. He beckoned his fellow visitor to sit down.
|
|
|
credits
Clannad is a product of Key. Dango Daikazoku holds no legal rights or claims to the images or the characters that are used on the site. No materials on this site are used for commercial purposes.
Site code provided by ProBoards and modified by Karu. Skin created by Karu. Site created by Whammy of RPG-D. Please do not copy without consent.
Site banner made by Pixiv id 13750517.
Background image by Cynnalia-stock.
Cafeteria image by Pixiv id 202175.
|
|