1 It was a bright, beautiful day. Clear skies, not many clouds to obscure the sun from shining down and brightening everyone's day.
Levi hated it. He hadn't slept well last night, like most nights, and the bright light was giving him a headache. Would it kill Those Who Were There to let them have a cloudy day every so often? Its not like he's asking for rain or something, it could still be a nice day. Not that he believed in Them or would bother to actually ask them for anything. But he could sure grumble about them.
He was outside anyway, though, because the fresh air was nice and, mostly, because he wasn't supposed to smoke in his apartment. So this morning, like most mornings, he was out loitering in the town square, sitting on a bench and people watching while having a smoke. It was nice and warm out, so he's got short sleeves that leave the track marks on his arms visible to anyone paying attention. The bags under his eyes were quite obvious. Despite how idyllic Aldrip usually was, Levi had still managed to have a tough time.
2 One thing Levi would actually admit to liking in town was the casino. He wishes it had shown up earlier, but he hung out enough at/by it in the afternoons and evenings that he almost made up for it. Since he rarely had any money, and was not a good candidate for employment (and he didn't want a job anyway), he was usually found outside of it. Sometimes Levi would hang out near the entrance, other times out back. Maybe talking to people and socializing, maybe just smoking by himself. Possibly out near the back to take some minorly illegal odd jobs or purchases.
Some nights he managed to have enough money that going inside was worth it. He'd play various games each time, but often ended up playing poker. It was one of the few things he was good at, since his poker face was somehow almost perfect.
(( ooc: I took some liberties(?) here... hope it's okay! but please let me know if it isn't! ))
[ Perhaps unbeknownst to Levi, he's being observed by a cop — one tasked with investigating the very group of dealers with whom the boy is secretly doing business.
Ryuki's been using a crowd as cover to watch the group for a short while now, only losing sight of them once they diverged from their spot to presumably carry out their business. He waits until the boy and the group part ways and the former is on his own again, to walk up to him. ]
[ Seeing as the boy doesn't seem particularly startled by the interruption, Ryuki settles for a more casual approach. ]
You're a resident here, right? I was wondering if you could tell me anything...
[ His words trail off as his attention temporarily drifts to the marks on the boy's arms. From a distance it was hard to tell what those were, but looking up close...
[ Now that reaction only makes things harder... Even if it's just part of his job at times, he never really liked the idea of using authority to drive others into a corner. ]
... Ah, um, about how to go back to the main entrance from here. I got a bit lost.
[ Shh, there are absolutely noooo signs this far in the back, so this excuse should work, right?! ]
[This guy is either on something or has ulterior motives...but the casino's a crowded place, right? He should be okay as long as this guy doesn't want to go somewhere private. Not that he made a habit of going 'somewhere private' with people, let alone ones he just met.]
Y-yeah, I'm headed over that way myself. Follow me.
[ Ryuki nods in acknowledgement and follows the boy, letting a comfortable distance slip between them.
Sure, that was an awkward thing to ask. But that was just to cover up an even more awkward approach to a delicate subject...! Which comes not too long after the pleasantly(?) clumsy silence has settled in. ]
[Of course. It was only a matter of time before he got that question. Even though rumors traveled fast and his status as a junkie wasn't hidden in Aldrip sometimes people still asked. They hadn't heard, or were from out of town, or wanted to hear for themselves. This Levi isn't ashamed of it, but he doesn't like to talk about it. It invited people trying to tell him what he should do 'for his own good.']
Nothing. I just scratch a lot.
[He does so now, scratching at the underside of his elbow. See? That's totally what happened.]
[ Well, Ryuki was hopeful the boy would be less guarded about it, but perhaps it's to be expected.
And given his own experience with alcohol reliance, it's not like he doesn't understand why one would turn to substance abuse to cope with life's challenges, either. ]
But doesn't it hurt?
[ The meaning behind the question is left open to interpretation. ]
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expiationlogs2024-03-09 08:37 am
Early Days
It was a bright, beautiful day. Clear skies, not many clouds to obscure the sun from shining down and brightening everyone's day.
Levi hated it. He hadn't slept well last night, like most nights, and the bright light was giving him a headache. Would it kill Those Who Were There to let them have a cloudy day every so often? Its not like he's asking for rain or something, it could still be a nice day. Not that he believed in Them or would bother to actually ask them for anything. But he could sure grumble about them.
He was outside anyway, though, because the fresh air was nice and, mostly, because he wasn't supposed to smoke in his apartment. So this morning, like most mornings, he was out loitering in the town square, sitting on a bench and people watching while having a smoke. It was nice and warm out, so he's got short sleeves that leave the track marks on his arms visible to anyone paying attention. The bags under his eyes were quite obvious. Despite how idyllic Aldrip usually was, Levi had still managed to have a tough time.
2
One thing Levi would actually admit to liking in town was the casino. He wishes it had shown up earlier, but he hung out enough at/by it in the afternoons and evenings that he almost made up for it. Since he rarely had any money, and was not a good candidate for employment (and he didn't want a job anyway), he was usually found outside of it. Sometimes Levi would hang out near the entrance, other times out back. Maybe talking to people and socializing, maybe just smoking by himself. Possibly out near the back to take some minorly illegal odd jobs or purchases.
Some nights he managed to have enough money that going inside was worth it. He'd play various games each time, but often ended up playing poker. It was one of the few things he was good at, since his poker face was somehow almost perfect.
2-ish
[ Perhaps unbeknownst to Levi, he's being observed by a cop — one tasked with investigating the very group of dealers with whom the boy is secretly doing business.
Ryuki's been using a crowd as cover to watch the group for a short while now, only losing sight of them once they diverged from their spot to presumably carry out their business. He waits until the boy and the group part ways and the former is on his own again, to walk up to him. ]
Hello. Can I have a word with you?
its cool!
Uh...
[He looks around, just to make sure this guy isn't talking to someone else but there's nobody close.]
Me? About what?
no subject
You're a resident here, right? I was wondering if you could tell me anything...
[ His words trail off as his attention temporarily drifts to the marks on the boy's arms. From a distance it was hard to tell what those were, but looking up close...
That alone explains a few things. ]
no subject
Anything? About what?
no subject
... Ah, um, about how to go back to the main entrance from here. I got a bit lost.
[ Shh, there are absolutely noooo signs this far in the back, so this excuse should work, right?! ]
no subject
[This guy is either on something or has ulterior motives...but the casino's a crowded place, right? He should be okay as long as this guy doesn't want to go somewhere private. Not that he made a habit of going 'somewhere private' with people, let alone ones he just met.]
Y-yeah, I'm headed over that way myself. Follow me.
no subject
[ Ryuki nods in acknowledgement and follows the boy, letting a comfortable distance slip between them.
Sure, that was an awkward thing to ask. But that was just to cover up an even more awkward approach to a delicate subject...! Which comes not too long after the pleasantly(?) clumsy silence has settled in. ]
Mind if I ask... what happened to your arms?
no subject
[Of course. It was only a matter of time before he got that question. Even though rumors traveled fast and his status as a junkie wasn't hidden in Aldrip sometimes people still asked. They hadn't heard, or were from out of town, or wanted to hear for themselves. This Levi isn't ashamed of it, but he doesn't like to talk about it. It invited people trying to tell him what he should do 'for his own good.']
Nothing. I just scratch a lot.
[He does so now, scratching at the underside of his elbow. See? That's totally what happened.]
no subject
And given his own experience with alcohol reliance, it's not like he doesn't understand why one would turn to substance abuse to cope with life's challenges, either. ]
But doesn't it hurt?
[ The meaning behind the question is left open to interpretation. ]
no subject
no subject
[ Then a touch of concern slips into his voice— ]
And you never considered trying to get help?
no subject
I don't need help. I just need people to not give me trouble about it.
[He can stop anytime he wants. Really.]