Be My Muse .::James::.

[cass]

Tiny, white wings flapped against the breeze of indoor ventilation, steered aimlessly overhead in a tizzy. One sharp hit of air against the nose was all it took and the poor thing spiraled down to crash-land on an open book below. Long, deft fingers slid forward from their idle audience of the collision to grab the little, folded creation. Brought up to eye-level of it's creator for inspection, papery limbs askew, it's creases were fixed carefully under scrutiny of periwinkle eyes behind too-red frames. Then, once repaired, it was time for yet another flight, and Sunny tossed the airplane up as he had done not minutes before. The book laid flat for reading had been soundly abandoned, along with the short pile beside it. Sunny had absolutely no intent to even skim the pages, and instead watched his paper toy plummet in the same way as last time, except onto his hair instead of his textbook.

A few design schematics and notes for a line of air-capable toys were strewn across his lap an the desk. He had come to a bit of an end with that inspiration and was patiently awaiting the return of whatever muse had brought up the idea for aerial gadgetry. No sense forcing himself to draw if he didn't know what to draw. And if he studied now then he'd never finish the pre-blue-prints which so far had eaten up two hours of his time in the library. Sunny plucked the paper airplane of his head and held the back of his neck in thought, stare on the library surrounding. Plenty of students, though less than he'd originally guessed there would be, all loudly chatting amongst themselves. He didn't mind their noisiness- in fact, it was helpful. He couldn't work properly without background sound. Sort of like a rhythm to write to. He didn't even need headphones, though they stayed loyally around his neck just in case.

Sunny looked back down to the book which he hadn't yet attempted to understand. He was supposed to be studying; Aunt Nana had made him swear he would try to study more, but so far it was harder than he'd thought. He tried to focus and stay attentive to the books words, had gotten a little under a paragraph in, but then he saw it. Another student, across the way, playing with a paper plane. It made him curious enough to fold his own, then that simple distraction morphed into a mountain of ideas. Toys, flying toys, that could stay up in the air regardless of control, be propelled by electronic programming. He knew they'd tried people-operated, remote-controlled things, but what if they took it a step further, eliminated the need to keep the toy up manually? With the technology they used for music players that followed people, he could probably manipulate the planes to be similar.

But, muse gone and mind drained of anything useful, Sunny remained with a pencil held limply in one hand. He tapped the eraser against the wood surface of the table he'd chosen. Most of his friends were probably all either talking in the band's favored classroom or out in the courtyards. Sunny yawned and leaned forward onto the books and papers he'd made a mess of. If he just let himself relax, let his brain take a moment to recover and his left wrist have time to slacken it's muscles, then the muse might pop back to him. He unhooked the pin from his hair and let purple hair fall forward into his vision, obscuring some of the room from view. Sunny crossed his arms loosely over the book and rested his chin on the spot his wrists met. Spine arched and bent over to accommodate the table, too low considering his height, Sunny skidded his chair out a bit to fit the position.

Half-lidded eyes swiveled around the library, the people inside it. Sunny had already napped in his class, so being tired wasn't really the problem, it was more just a lack of anything to do or anyone to talk to. He tilted his head this way and that to tug some of the cramped muscles there, then breathed a sigh upward at his bangs to make them flutter out of the way. Hair-pin and pencil left to wait on one of his doodles, Sunny finally shut his eyes and hummed as fingers fiddled mindlessly with his bracelet. He'd just have to wait for a muse.

[sakaha]

James walked around the library aimlessly. He had nothing better to do so he had came here but he was just as bored. He stood in front of the large mirror in the corner fixing his hair from where the open window had messed it up and covered his violet eyes.

After a quick smile to his white haired mirror self he went hunting for something to do. He thought deeply on the homework he could do, but wouldn't for that was far to much work. He ran his fingers over all the spines as he skimmed the names flashing by, barely remember one from another.

He spied a children's book section and garbed two books that had multiple stories. He was so glad they had books in English on American tales, he had missed these after moving here. He always had a thing for children things.

He looked around scanning the room. His hands were to full to leave and go to the gazebo,with his coat in the crook of his arm and the books cradled to his chest. He spotted a person in a table all by themselves and waltzed right up asking politely,
"Can i sit here?"

[cass]

Hm. Sunny furrowed his brows and his eyes fluttered open. That was weird. It sounded like someone had asked to sit with him, but he hadn't expected any company, and it didn't look like anyone was there. Or, well, he couldn't exactly see if anyone was there or not, his purple fridge created a fairly annoying wall to being able to see shapes, especially if they were higher than eye-level. Curiosity peeked, Sunny lifted his head from his wrists and pulled his bangs back atop his head where they were supposed to be. Cherry red glasses slipped down the bridge of his nose, Sunny looked over his lenses at the other. White hair, he noted thoughtfully. Who did he know with white hair? His mind answered with a resound nobody. Huh.

Sunny's blank expression switched to a friendly smile. He scratched the top of his head with the same hand holding his hair back and waved the other hand at the available seats. "Sure, be my guest," he offered light-heartedly, straightened up a bit more in his seat and pulled his chair back in. Without really thinking about it, he dragged a few of his papers closer and flicked the little, bent-up paper plane onto his open book. He let his hair fall back over to hide his eyes, propped an elbow up on the table and rested his chin in his left palm.

From behind purple strands and half-mast eyelids, he could see the other student. The longish snowy hair, the mildly feminine features he decided were synonymous with cute, kind of purple eyes, shorter than himself maybe by a head. He fit the table much better than Sunny, at least. And he'd brought two books with him to read, it looked like. But they certainly weren't regular textbooks, or anything he would guess somebody in the library to be pouring over. Definitely not, considering the fanciful covers and the English writing, they looked rather childish, like fairytales Aunt Nana used to read. Immediately, this sparked his interest. Sunny's eyebrows raised and he queried the stranger casually, "Whatcha' reading?"

Talking would definitely help to ease his mind, help him relax. He wasn't good with silence unless working diligently on a project, and background noise only helped so much. Plus, if he found someone with similar, child-like interests, he would be able to share his ideas. Most of the other students, when he showed them his art, simply patted him on the arm and told him they liked it, but beyond that didn't register it. Teenagers just didn't care about toys as much as kids did, and while he was determined to discover some design that would interest them it hadn't worked so far in focus groups. But, maybe, if he could just talk to another like himself...

[sakaha]

James nodded and smiled when the other opened his eyes and accepted his proposal. He dropped his coat on the back of the chair and set the two books down before pulling back the chair and gracefully falling into it, arranging himself till he was fully conferrable.

He watched the other collecting quick data on who he would be sharing the evening with. Purple hair covered the head of his partner, who had pulled back his bangs to show eyes a bit similar to his own but only at times does his eyes go that color the others held. He dreadfully needed a haircut for he was sure it was hard to see through the hair covering his direct vision. He also seemed to be interested in children's things, he had shoved a toy plane into the cover of a school book.

He waved over a waiter to get a glass of pop for he was feeling slightly parched when he heard the others voice ring again.
He looked back to the desk and saw he was asking about the books. He blushed brightly embarrassed he was holding such childish books but stuck out his chest and replied,

"American children books." Running his fingers over the bright desires of both books. He loved the old versions of the tales, which was the second book, by the grimm brothers but he still loved dearly the new versions of the tales.

[cass]

The other blushed, he noticed, but then explained what the books were with certainty and confidence in his body language. Adorable, Sunny's mind supplied dumbly, a bit distracted by prettiness as was a weakness. Body language happened to be his first language- children were prone to it, and knowing it helped to know them grandfather always said. His lip twitched upward in curiosity and optimism, chin suddenly off his palm. Sunny couldn't stop the notes of naked amazement and excitement when he spoke, "Wow, really?.. That's fantastic." He truly couldn't help it, this was great, somebody he could relate to maybe.

A grin spread across his face and he tugged his hair back again, hand going for the clip to keep it in place. If he was going to have a conversation, eye contact was a definite necessity. Business meetings with men decades his elder had taught him that; people liked seeing eyes. While Sunny lodged the pin into it's rightful spot, holding most of his fringe back, he tried to keep conversation, "Which ones've you got there?" He nodded down at the two books, hands still at his head to fix the hair-pin.

When he'd finished controlling his bangs, he continued his thought, "I love children's books." Because he did. A lot of good toy ideas came from fairytales, he'd once helped to come up with a fantasy line for the Takeuchi designers, back in his earlier years when electronics weren't quite as advanced. Dragons that could shoot fake fire and flap about, princesses that could sing, elf dolls you could wind up to make dance. His grandfather had even sold fantasy-styled headphones and music players, speakers and radios, things to match the more child-oriented side of their company. Sunny could still remember a lot of the stories, though most of them had been Japanese. His family never did like to talk about his not-Japanese half.

If it was in English, from America, he'd probably never really read it. But, no harm in checking anyway, and if it was one he'd never heard of before then perhaps he could ask to share it. Studying was dull, drawing was out of the question until he could find that spark once more. He knew English well enough to read it, it was one of the language classes he'd chosen. Maybe not speak it, not fluently, but he retained most of the words and really if this was a children's tale how difficult could it be to understand? Easier than the text in front of him now, no doubt. Nothing about long-division in algebraic trigonometry or how to cross-multiply in parallel formulas. Sunny sent the book a mildly resentful glance but then was back to smiling big at his table partner.

[sakaha]

James was kind of scared he would have to find another table till the other said it was amazing. His head tilted to the right when he smiled brightly at the other before he was giving his drink. He gave the waiter a thank you and sipped his drink.

He was pleased when the other clipped his hair back to show his eyes, it was rude not to look someone in the eyes when you spoke to them. At the others question he held up the first book, then second midway through his sentence.
"This is ' Bedtime stories, special addition' and this one is 'Grimm's fairy tales'."

When the other controlled his wild bangs James swished his to the side with a head turn. He was a bit surprised when the other said he like fairy tales, most girls liked them and older children but now a days people act too old for them.

"I can read them to you if you want or just skim for the good stories only?" He was slightly hesitant, people did not like being babied but it was so natural for him to! He looked to the side slightly and drank his pop waiting for a reaction.

[cass]

He slapped his own book shut on the airplane to flatten it, hoping to keep the creases crisper for when he'd have a closer look at it once back home. Sunny leaned in hopefully on his elbows, smiling as curious as ever, "You'd be willing to read 'em to me?" The last time someone had ever read a fairytale to him he'd been nine years old. It was thunder and lightening outside, so Aunt Nana had thought maybe some stories would help him to sleep. Of course, she'd been right, and he'd slept soundly through the storm. After that, though, he'd been expected to read the books on his own; if he was old enough to attend business meetings, he was old enough to read books by himself. The idea of being read to seemed like such a throw-back to his childhood that he couldn't resist.

Plus, this would skip over any of his short-comings with the English language. No matter what his family history claimed of him, Sunny never did feel anything other than Japanese. Maybe there was something to these Grimm stories, he knew they were popular, perhaps they could be fuel he could work with for toys. Or inspiration? Honestly, deep down, he just couldn't get over the fact that someone might read something to him. It seemed like one of those experiences he'd missed out on, since Aunt Nana wasn't always there to read him stories. Something parents did with their kids. That sounded nice. Sunny glanced down at his own shut book and smaller stack of studying materials. He'd need to move.

With a quick moment to decide if this was the right course of action or not, Sunny grabbed up his stuff and hopped up to full-height. Papers and books a precarious jumble in his arms, he hurried around their table to take up a chair beside the other boy. Sunny dumped his rather awkward pile onto the table, then made sure to shuffle it a bit so that the mess looked a little more presentable. Not everyone was a fan of clutter, he knew, and not everyone liked their personal space being invaded. So, it was with great care and politeness that Sunny shifted in to face his maybe-new-friend, then bowed his head in way of greeting, "Sorry, that was kind of rude- I'm Sunny. S'nice to meet you." He really hoped they were going to be friends. He also really hoped the other wouldn't feel too put off by this sudden company. Not everyone wanted people around all the time like he did.

Sunny pushed his red glasses up the bridge of his nose and glanced over at the two books, elbow casually placed on the tabletop at per usual. They were American fairytales. Hm. Maybe he should have realized this sooner. Lavender-blues flickered up to darker irises thoughtfully. Most people liked to read fairytales from their homes, right? Or, at least, he assumed that's how it worked. You get told the tales of the land you hail from and whatnot. Sunny scratched the back of his head while cogs twirled in his brain. Did that mean he was from America? Huh. Sunny had gone to the United States once on vacation, and he knew a lot of Takeuchi products were shipped there. His lips twitched again in interest. America. It seemed like such a fun country to live in, at least from his tourist-based view.

[sakaha]

James jumped when the other slammed the book, squeaking at the loud bang. His gaze jerked to the other before he slowly went back to a relax form.

"Of course, why else would i ask? Though if you don't mind me asking, why would you like to listen to American tales?" James was just so curious. He liked them cause he was American but why would a Japanese person care for such fairy tales as these? He did hope this question did not scare the other away for he missed being able to read stories to others, his cousins were getting a bit to old to be read to and being heirs to major toy factories it was hard to find time to do children stuff anymore.

He was shocked when the other stood up, god this man was huge, far taller then him by a foot probably! He raised an eyebrow as the other made his way over to him, dumping his stuff on the desk and then making it neat. He giggled at the awkwardness the other was holding.

"Oh my god! How rude of me too! I'm sorry!! My name is James Luciant, nice to meet you Sunny." He blushed brightly feeling embarrassed that he was going to read to someone who didn't even know his name.

[cass]

James, he noted, his name was James. That certainly sounded like an American name. Sunny put more weight on his elbow and leaned his cheek against knuckles, hummed to himself as if deciding how to answer. "Well," he started a bit whimsically, "My family's toy company has kind of hit a snag for designing. I guess I thought maybe the stories would help gimme some ideas." He waved his other hand at the books to convey just what he meant and his bracelet jingled accordingly. Sure to be completely honest, though, Sunny went on, "But I guess it's also 'cause you reading to me sounds nice," he paused there to smile gratefully, "And 'cause I've never heard those stories before- 'm kind of curious." There wasn't any reason to withhold his meandering logic from James, and he decided that being open about it felt good; lying or half-truthing always left a bad taste in his mouth.

He pondered for a second, then spoke again, his expression one of mild understanding, "And what better way to read American stories than hear 'em from an American?" He had confidence his assumptions were right. Sunny grinned happily and winked, pulling his limbs together to reposition himself in the chair. Legs criss-cross-apple-sauce like he remembered from his tutors, though they nearly bumped into the table with how long they were. He still wasn't used to that. His hands fell loosely into his lap and he was faced slightly towards James so as to listen. Idle fingers picked habitually at the bottoms of his pant-legs, while red glasses slipped right back down Sunny's nose when he peered inquisitively at the other.

He wasn't worried about appearing too child-like at the moment. Obviously, James wasn't the person to dislike childishness, not if he was holding fairytales and offering to read them. Not that he ever worried about appearing too child-like. That was sort of his job in life, really, everyone expected him to always be ten years younger and ten years older. In class, he sat like this. In band, he sat like this. At the Host Club, he sat like this. Though, he generally avoided the practice around most new acquaintances and business partners, seeing no reason to scare them off with his behavior. Let them get to know him before judging him on how he sat or spoke. But this was definitely an exception.

Eyebrows up and eyes wide, he reached across a little haphazardly, not actually thinking the motion through, to point at cover James had indicated were the Grimm tales. "Wait- is that the book with the frog and the princess? And the red-riding girl?" He knew some about the tales, but only their most basic components. Things he'd learned from general media exposure. Otherwise, beyond maybe the titles, the stories were lost on him. Sunny smiled at James, a little proud that he might've guessed something about the books right.

[sakaha]

James bit his thumb as he listened without really knowing he was doing it till he caught himself and then placed his hand under his thigh. It was hilarious to meet a person who owned a toy factory when his guardians own some too.

He was kind of surprised when the other figured he was American till he really thought of it, his name did give it away being one of the most popular names there was in the English language. He watched as the other got conferrable next to him so he decided he should two by pushing the chair back a bit and crossing one leg over the other.

While weighing the options of which book to read first he heard the others question and couldn't help but laugh for neither story was named that.He seemed so proud to be able to, he thought, name some of the stories,

"There are stories like that. Which book would you rather read? I've got to grab my glasses or i won't be able to read so you pick while i do this." He pulled his bag up to him and dug through it, putting the large objects on the desk so he could find what he was looking for. He put a box of foods on the desk, two textbooks, and a bag of random stuff no one needed to know before finding his glasses case. After cleaning them up correctly he slid the black rimmed rectangular frames on his nose blinking till his vision cleared up. After shoving all the crap back in his bag he turned to the other smiling apologetic for the wait.