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[Dare Madison]

After putting the ointment on Mike’s bruises, Dare got dressed for school in skinny jeans, a long-sleeved Pink Floyd tee and a faux suede jacket. He could afford real leather, but he didn’t believe in killing animals for fashion. Only his boots were leather and that was because his father insisted that footwear be able to breathe. He had practically ruined his sneakers the day before in the rain, so it was boots or bare feet.

Tony drove them to school and went through a drive through on the way in since Dare never ate cafeteria food. Mainly because they wouldn’t guarantee anything as animal product free. He really didn’t want to go in that day, but he wasn’t going to make bad decisions that affected Mike so he slumped in his seat and stared out the window since Mike wasn’t very communicative. They separated at the door rather platonically and Dare figured Mike was going to look for Jade. Trying not to act jealous, though he was, Dare walked away to look for Evan or Takumi, whom he considered his best friends at the moment. He knew if he went off on his own he would sulk and get depressed, something he wanted to avoid more than anything.

[fryn]

Having spent the bulk of the morning trying to track down Izzy - and failing - Takumi finally admitted defeat. Maybe she hadn't even attended school today? Given the death of her mother that would be perfectly understandable. That she was avoiding him honestly hadn't occurred to him. He would call her after school to make sure she was alright as he was worried about her, knowing how upset she was and despite Izzy trying to hide it from the world.

With a sigh he resigned himself to eating his 'bento' alone and so he headed outside... only to run into a very familiar figure.

"Dare-kun!" he exclaimed in open pleasure. "I am so happy to see you. Have you eaten lunch yet? I have some onigiri if not. Just rice and nori... aaah... seaweed. I am sorry I was unable to join your group for a game yesterday but the afternoon seemed to go by so quickly! Did you have a fun time at the bowling alley? It was good to make some new friends as well."

Takumi frowned as he looked more closely at his friend, noting his slightly drooping shoulders. "Everything is ok, otoko?" He felt close enough to Dare to call him 'brother'...

[Dare Madison]

Dare hugged Taki a bit tighter than he normally would and tried to smile. "I have grapes and sun chips, as well as a veggie sandwich, We could share everything," he offered. He didn't know what his friend called him, but he sensed it was a good thing. "I am so glad I found you. I have to admit I was feeling lonely." He pulled Taki over to a bench and set his lunch bag between them. "Mike says he likes me, but he is still in love with his ex. All my life I travelled with my Dad, so he was there or his band who are like family to me. Now its just me and Syn who I barely know and she doesn't really like me either. I was hoping Mike would fill that empty spot.

Dare's smile faded and he looked out at the grey skies. "Taki... what is wrong with me? What is missing that makes me so unattractive to others?" he sighed and opened the bag and begin to set out containers of food.

[fryn]

Takumi took note of the tighter than normal hug and a worried look entered into his dark eyes. Something was wrong. Very wrong... And it seemed he had the entire lunch break to find out precisely what that was as Dare had just offered to share his lunch.

They dropped down on a bench and Takumi set his bento box down next to Dare's lunch.

He didn't need much of the hour to find out what was upsetting his friend as Dare told him immediately.

"Aah so.. a love triangle, hai? But nothing is wrong with you, otoko. If I liked boys I would find you most attractive," he added with the hint of a grin. He was, of course, trying to make Dare laugh... and he had a feeling he almost succeeded.

He took the lid off his bento and offered it to Dare, only taking a piece of onigiri when his friend had helped himself.

"I wish I knew what to tell you," Takumi continued. "Maybe Mike is the right one for you but maybe he isn't. If not then I know you will find that person in time. There is one for all of us. The difficult part is finding them."

He frowned slightly. "You have told Mike how you feel? If he still is in love with someone else then I truly know you deserve better. Someone to love you completely... not just half time."

"Part time," Dare corrected.

Had that been a laugh that time?

"We will do something fun today after school," Takumi decided. "Something crazy. I will grab Thad as well if I can find him and we will strike terror into the Boardwalk!"

[Dare Madison]

"I would be careful, Taki. The last boy I had a crush on was Asian. I might start stalking you or something. But then Izzy would hurt me. I am a coward especially with girls, they can be so evil,"he said shivering as if in fear. Of course most of his female experience was with groupies and they were a totally different breed. They would do almost anything to sleep with their prey.

"How would we terrorize the Boardwalk? I am not very frightening unless you are scared of skinny longhaired boys?" He didn't really know Thad though he knew who he was and he couldn't imagine him being frightening either. In fact he could not think of a less intimidating trio.

[fryn]

Takumi grinned at Dare when he mentioned the stalking thing. He knew his friend was joking around and it was good to witness that happen as Dare had looked so miserable and depressed a scant few moments ago. "You have no need to be afraid of Izzy, Dare-kun," he reassured the other boy. "She is very gentle but I am not sure if she is even at school today. I tried to find her earlier but..." He lifted his slim shoulders in a shrug.

"But yes! Terrorize!" he repeated on a laugh. "I am sure that between the three of us we can think of a way to do that!" He nudged Dare with a sideways bump of his shoulder to his. "You know what? I think you and Mike need to talk and sort out what is going on. If he really wants to be with this other boy then it's only fair that you know that. There are many more crabs in the sea!"

Taki paused. "Crabs? No... Whales... is it whales?" It was some sort of marine life and if only Takumi had realised that he was being far too specific.

He peered at Dare's lunch. "So tell me... what is sun chips? I have not heard of those before..." They looked, at least, pretty normal and knowing Dare as he did Taki was confidant it wouldn't be anything nasty but still... it was better to play safely than to live and regret... right?

[Dare Madison]

"I think Mike was going to look for him when he left me at the entrance. He said we would talk about it later. I am just afraid I guess. The Ex is someone important He comes from a wealthy family and he is very clean cut and athletic looking. I am such a hippy. If that is what he likes, how can he possibly want me. I wish I was still with my dad, but then I wouldn't know you and Evan and that would be sad. I would be in Quebec City right now and be terrified of French speaking groupies. Sun chips are great, you gotta try them. They are made of whole grains and sesame seeds, but they have a wonderful flavor and texture.They are only semi-healthy so don't be scared." He grabbed some grapes for himself because he adored fruit

[fryn]

Takumi frowned slightly, not liking to see one of his closest friends so anxious and upset. He dropped one hand onto Dare's arm. "I am sure it will work out well in the end, otoko," he said and as he spoke Takumi prayed he would emerge as correct. He had a feeling the entire town would hear Dare's heart snap in two otherwise. "So only the afternoon to wait... and then you will find out what is happening but Dare-kun, you have to make Mike see that he can't keep you waiting like this. It is unfair. If it isn't over between him and his ex then you have a right to know that. If he decides to try again with him then he will be the one that loses out. Any boy would count himself most fortunate to have someone like you." Takumi's words didn't make him feel even the slightest uncomfortable. He'd long since accepted that not every boy liked girls and Dare was his 'brother' regardless of anything else. He'd stand by him through thin as well as think. He mentally frowned and swapped those two words around.

Better.

"I will try a sun chip if you recommend them," he said and he picked up a small one and nibbled. "You are right," he exclaimed in some surprise. "These are nice." To prove that point Takumi took another.

"After school... would you like me to wait back to see if it all goes ok with Mike?" If things went badly then he knew Dare would need a friend to turn to and Takumi was more than willing to be that person.

[fryn]

(OOC trying to post this for Ar as she tried countless times and her post kept vanishing - we're continuing in email and if this works for me I will add her tags here as well. Confused yet? Join the club! )


Dare patted Takumi's hand in appreciation. "I will text Mike to let him know where I will be and if he wants me, he can come find me or call. I am not sure it is wise for me to push too much right now,"clearly incapable of forcing a decision on the boy that occupied most of his thoughts. "I don't want to miss out on my chance at terriorism. Do you think that you and Thad could come to dinner afterwards? I am a pretty good cook, even if I say so
myself. Hey Taki what does Okoni mean? I am pretty sure it is something good, but I would still like to know, maybe I can use it someday. I am not very good at languages, but I would like to learn Japanese, especially if we are going to do some J-rock songs."

He gave Taki half his sub sandwich. "Mostly veggies, a little mayo, honey mustard, oil and vinegar, salt and pepper, oh and extra cheese. It's a good thing I didn't decide to be vegan, the cheese would have killed me. I love it."

[fryn]

"Okoni?" Takumin turned to look at Dare with a confused look on his face... And then it hit him. "Aaah the name I called you... Otoko," he repeated with a grin. "It means 'brother'. Close friends are called brother in Japan. It is... aaah...." He looked skywards as he searched his brain for the right word. "Compliment, hai? Compliment." Only really close friends were called
otoko although the term had been adopted by the Yakuza in reference to the other members of their gang.

Takumi bit his half of the sandwich. "Sugoi!" he breathed. The sandwich was awesome indeed. "It's very different to what I am used to," he added. "I am starting to like America even more." He laughed as he spoke before taking an even bigger bite.

"So after school. I will sent Thad a text and see if he can meet up with us. Then we will go to the Boardwalk and see what we can find to do. I would be honmoured to come back with you for dinner, Dare-kun," he said with a slightly formal dip of his head. I will make sure Thad also knows of the invitation. In fact..." He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out his phone with its odd little hiragana symbols instead of numbers. He quickly keyed in a message to Thad. "There. Done," He snapped the phone close once more. "Now, try some umeboshi onigiri. Umeboshi... It is pickled ume... ah... like a plum or apricot. No meat," he added with a wink.