The Art of Trial, Error, and Pursuit (for Exellda)

[Chthonic]

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Tao is 20 and a new transfer student to Kataki University (random made-up name is random). He is just over 6 foot, his body leanly muscled. His hair just brushes his waist, and its dark mocha color stands in sharp contrast to his pale skin. His eyes are a rich chocolate, and would almost be warm, if he spent less time scowling.

 

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

The fog of early morning settled about Tao, dampness clinging to his pale skin, cool and refreshing. He inhaled with a sigh of relief, some of the tension ebbing from his lean body. It had been a long few days, fraught with bustling activity and far to many people. The beginning of a new semester. He supposed he should be excited, and maybe he was in part, but any enthusiasm he'd had had quickly evaporated in the din of hundreds of freshman moving into too crowded dormitories. The campus was alive with activity, students like so many ants scuttling about. There were orientations and club recruitments, parties and mixers. You couldn't go out without some over eager student volunteer shoving a flyer at you.

 

Welcome Week, they called it. Tao would have sooner called it Hell.

 

Classes began today though, and for the first time, it was calm. Quiet. Tao savored it.

 

Honey-hued eyes scanned the quad until he found a nice place under a large oak and Tao let his pack drop from his shoulder with a thud. His back gave a satisfying pop as he stretched before bending to retrieve his bokken, twirling it end over end with practiced ease. The wooden sword was a familiar weight, the handle smooth and worn from heavy use. Tao raised the weapon and slid into his starting position.

 

A small smile managed to play at the corner of his mouth.

 

Finally.

 

The relief of simple movement washed over him even as he surged forward, bokken slicing the air with a whoosh.

[Exellda]

 

Name: Sakana Aoitori

 

Age: 19

 

Height: 5'10"

 

Sexual Orientation: Demisexual.

 

Romantic Orientation: Gay

 

Personality: Sakana is creative, with talent that surpasses many his age. He does everything from sketching to painting and even sculpting. There was no reason to create, it just happened. Creating this just came more natural to him. Nothing gets in the way of his art. His muse has yet to drain from him. Sakana even likes to do a little singing on the side. He never considered himself an excellent singer, but it was something fun to do when he was not creating master pieces of art. Sakana is known to be a little moody, using his art to express how he feels on the inside. It is his motto that he never looks back to the past and only looks forward to the future. Sakana is as bold as his art. He makes an effort and gives it his all. Overall he is passionate, and even more so for someone he likes and is not afraid to declare his love or caring for someone else.

 

---

 

It was the beginning of the year. Welcome Week. The week were clubs desperately get together and try to recruit new members... Sakana supposed there would be at least two clubs he would consider to join. However, he did like his solitude. Perhaps he could come and go?

 

Although, it was pretty obvious what hind of person he was. Sakana was carrying a sketchbook, in plain open view, drawing, sketching whatever caught his interest in the moment. Today he was feel particularly good. Maybe it was the 'new' vibe around here. Everyone was new, starting new, fresh, new ideas... and so much more. Sakana himself, walked around the Welcome Week, accepting flyers to be kind, though he knew he was going to throw away most of these when he got home... Or perhaps to the nearest trash can. However, there were two clubs he did settle to join, regardless if he showed up...

 

The Art club and Music club. Sakana could say that he was passionate about the arts. To say the least once an Art club member saw his sketch book they immediately admitted him. That was okay with him. He signed up for the Music club because he had a fondness for music, though not as passionate as he was for art.

 

After that, Sakana saw no reason to really stick around, he found himself wandering around the campus...

 

Only to stumble upon something he found interesting... He stood from afar, both in awe and inspiration for what he saw. Never before had he had such a strong will to draw. So that's what he did, he had to draw what he was seeing right now... Some guy, practicing with a wooden sword. Sakana didn't know what inspired him so much...

 

Quickly, before he could think about it, his pencil found it's way across an empty page of the sketchbook. It happened so fast... Sakana didn't think he could be so engaged into a piece. That with every fluid movement the other male did, in turn, Sakana seemingly recorded it with a stroke of his pencil.

 

Absolutely flawless... A new inspiration...

 

And even when the drawing was done, he stood there watching quietly, wondering if the other had noticed him yet.

[Chthonic]

This was what he'd needed.

 

Not having to worry about the throngs of strangers or classes in a few hours. Not trying to learn the lay of the land or the names of his professors, or any of the other hundred new things jarring for his attention.

 

Just this.

 

The radiating warmth spreading through his muscles as he moved. The sweat beginning to slide between his shoulder blades, making his t-shirt stick to his skin. The way his bokken sliced the air with each forceful strike. He could loose himself in this for a little while.

 

All too soon though reality would come creeping back. What time was it now? 6? 6:30? That left him an hour to get cleaned up...Add in a little extra time, just in case he had trouble finding his classroom...

 

The bokken slipped, catching Tao's left index finger.

 

"Shit!" Tao cursed. He shook out his hand, scowling. Well, that was going to hurt later.

 

Damnit. It looked like reality had decided to show up a little early.

 

Tao huffed, and leaned his bokken against the shady oak before sliding down the wide trunk himself. Sucking his throbbing finger into his mouth absently, Tao surveyed the campus around him.

 

The first few waves of students had begun to stir, making their way to their respective classes, most bright eyed with enthusiasm, though some were still rubbing the sleep from their eyes. Banners wove in the light breeze, merrily declaring welcome and good luck on the new semester. Tao wished he could be excited.

 

He'd finally made it, hadn't he? He'd struggled so hard for this...

 

Tao shook his head ruefully, some of his dark hair falling free of the messy bun he wore. He had better things to worry about, like a shower. Retrieving his pack, Tao stood and made to head back to his dorm, only to catch a flash of bright blue out of the corner of his eye.

 

Another student sat on a low retaining wall not 20 feet away. Normally, he'd had given precisely zero fucks and continued on his way, but if Tao didn't know any better, he'd have sworn the other guy was staring at him. In fact, he was sure of it.

 

Tao's brow quirked in irritation, shooting the blue-haired boy an icy glare. Just what the hell was he looking at anyway?!

[Exellda]

Sakana watched in awe for a little bit longer, he even saw the other males' hand slip which caused him to injure himself. He seemed to be so absorbed in what he was doing. It kind of reminded Sakana of himself. He would get absorbed into his peaces. There was no other state of mind, nothing else was on his mind whenever he was creating his pieces.

 

However once the other male was done, Sakana knew he had been spotted as the other male gave him a seemingly cold stare. Though, it had no effect on Sakana, not to mention he didn't know what he was doing wrong. He naturally starred at people... Especially if they influenced his art. Whoever this guy was, Sakana wanted to see if he could know more about him... And perhaps, draw him some more...

 

So when he received that glare, Sakana took it as an invitation to come closer. He wanted to talk to this mystery guy. Sakana was very stubborn and dedicated to his work... He wanted this guy to model for him... Or at least let him watch him... Sakana could almost feel his hand cramp up as he approached the other male. The urge to draw was strong.

 

And of course the first thing that passed his lips was, "Has anyone ever told you that you're handsome?" he said, letting the words past his lips. It was an honest opinion. He didn't have to think too hard nor hesitate to say it. As of now he was only thinking in terms of art. "Your form is beautiful." He complemented.

 

Sakana's main goal right now was to get this guy to agree... However, perhaps he should befriend the fellow first. "My name is Sakana, please to meet you. I was watching you over there." He pointed behind him and then brought out his sketch book, going to the page where he drew the guy in front of him, "Normally, I would at least ask before I draw someone... I don't know. I saw you practicing a moment ago and I just couldn't help it." And when he finished talking, he turned his sketch book to the other male so he could see.

 

The drawing itself was beautiful, as if each line was thoughtfully and carefully placed upon the paper. Sakana had so much inspiration at that moment that he didn't even hesitate nor think about it. It was as if someone had taken a photo and put it right into the sketch book, with the exception that it was in pencil. It was the male, positioned, hair flowing to the side as if the wind was caressing it. He was in the pose of 'striking' the air, his bokken yielded in front of him.

[Chthonic]

Tao couldn't believe it. Not only did the death glare he'd just shot the other man not seem to phase him, but the blue-haired boy was actually coming closer. And what's more, Blue Hair didn't look upset or even miffed at tao's attitude. No, he seemed down right excited.

 

What the absolute hell?

 

Normally Tao's seemingly perpetual scowl was enough to ward people off, not to mention an actual glare, and that was how Tao prefered it. He'd always been more of a loner, and not always by choice. Why not take the preemptive stance?

 

But Blue Hair seemed completely oblivious, or simply didn't care. He was hurrying over, eyes alight and face too eager.

 

If he hands me another damned flyer, so help me... He was technically armed. Tao pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled a calming breath. He was just about to tell the other young man that he wasn't interested when the boy spoke.

 

"Has anyone ever told you that you're handsome?" Blue Hair blurted.

 

"What?!" Tao sputtered indignantly, completely disarmed. Did that guy really just call him handsome? What the hell?

 

The other boy was still talking, but Tao was still stuck back at handsome. Who just walked up to someone and said that? He could feel his face heating, though whether from embarrassment or anger was anyone's guess. Another guy had just called him good looking.

 

Sure, Tao had known that coming to a big university would be different. More people, more ideas. It wasn't the small town he'd grown up in, but you just didn't do that!

 

He could feel his heart hammering in his ears, muscles twitching with the need to just get away from this situation. It was only the first real day of the new semester and already part of him was wishing he'd never come. Never believed that he could really fit in with people like Blue Hair...

 

"I don't wanna join your club, alright?!" Tao shoved the book the other was holding away and stalked off towards the solitude of his dorm room.

[Exellda]

Judging by the way the other male reacted, Sakana believed that no one, or at least a guy, had ever just walked up to him and call him handsome. The brief moment of shock on the other guys' face was priceless. Didn't he know that it didn't matter that they were men? Today's society was more open to things like this... That, and Sakana was an artist. He wanted to seek this man out for the art perspective. No big deal, right?

 

Well apparently it was a big deal to the other male because he not only smudged Sakana's drawing but slightly crumpled it when he pushed it away. Sakana gasped as his mini master piece was basically ruined but after a little pause he realized he couldn't stay mad... He still had plenty of opportunities to draw this guy again...

 

The way the other male's face lit up red, Sakana couldn't tell if the other male had been insulted by his compliment or flattered... He could only say that over all the other male was shocked. If there was one thing that Sakana knew, watching the guy leave wasn't getting him anywhere...

 

So he pursued.

 

"No, no, no." He said, calling out to the other male, "I didn't want you to join any club! You obviously were not listening." He accused the other as he lightly jogged to catch up to the other male. "What's your name? All I want to do is draw you. I am serious. You don't have to do anything. You don't even have to pose! I just want to draw you and your natural beauty, please!" Sakana asked persistently. "You should give it a shot." He tried to sway the other male as he walked beside him. His hand was still cramping to draw again.

[Chthonic]

I just need to get back to my dorm. Tao thought, steps hurried and mind racing. His skin felt hot and he knew he was likely ten shades of red. Perfect. Tao cursed his pale skin. All he wanted was to retreat to the safety of his room and pretend he'd never laid eyes on that little blue-haired human smiley face. Honestly, why was everyone around this place so eager to meet and mingle and join clubs?

 

And what was with just flippantly calling him handsome? He'd had someone say he was pretty once, but that wasn't meant as a compliment, and Blue Hair actually seemed sincere...

 

Was that just how it was outside of homophobic little backwater towns? Tao's stomach did a weird little flip. He'd never met anyone else like him...

 

His train of thought was derailed by the sound of footsteps behind him. It was that other boy again.

 

"What's you're name? All I want to do is draw you!"

 

For the life of him, Tao actually stopped and turned around. It would have been so easy to just keep walking, but for reasons unknown, he found himself turning around.

 

"Wait. What?"

[Exellda]

Sakana was in disbelief. He sure caught himself a handsome one with great posing potential... Yet he got one who wouldn't listen to him. All he wanted was to draw this guy! And finally once the guy stopped, he had the nerve to ask him what he was talking about? Jeez... This guy... Sakana sighed, flipping his sketch book open once again to the picture of the other male that he drew, "All I wanted... was to draw you... I just wanted you to model for me, please. I'm sure you have some free time. Even if you are practicing, I'd be happy to draw you. Whatever feels natural- That's what I want because you have a natural beauty."

 

What was up with this guy? Sakana could only guess. "That's all I want is to draw you... Do you understand? Or do I have to repeat myself a fourth time..?" He grumbled, getting slightly frustrated by the lack of progress. He wouldn't know why this guy would say no. Clearly, if he did, he was not fully aware of his beauty. Sakana wasn't expecting anything other than a yes. There was no 'no' in this situation. He would have his way, either way. Sakana was very persistent and he would make that fact very clear, even if he had to follow this man around for a bit. "I won't take no for an answer." He smiled softly and friendly.

 

"Regardless if you actually agree to pose for me, I will still have to draw you... My hand is cramping right now to sketch away." Sakana said honestly, "Probably sounds a little weird but it's the truth, I assure you... So what do you say?" He asked politely. He would much rather draw this guy if he was willing... But if he had to, he would persist.

[Chthonic]

He wants to...draw me?

 

Tao must have looked comical, eyebrows knitted in confusion at the strangeness of the situation. Sure, he supposed artists needed models, but did they all just walk up to total strangers and insist on drawing them? And were they all so damn pushy? Not taking no for an answer?

 

Everyone around this place seemed to have that attitude. Join my club, sign this petition, go to this party. Honestly, why did they think he cared about any of that? He was here for one thing, one purpose, and socializing wasn't it. He wanted his freedom...

 

"You can't just draw me 'cus you want to. It's not my problem, alright?" Tao snapped, shoving past the other boy. He was done with people for the day. "And I don't care if you feel like you just have to, or whatever. I don't belong to you, okay?!"

[Exellda]

This time when the other male scolded him, Sakana was ready. He willingly let the other male pass him... His cramping hand would just have to wait. The blue haired male vowed to get this man to pose for him... Whether he wanted to or... Would eventually want to. He really wanted this guy to model for him, at almost whatever cost. Sakana would probably get on his knees... and beg if he had to.

 

But Sakana had a feeling that the beautiful male would accept his offer sooner, rather than later... So he would persist. This guy didn't look like a lost cost. Perhaps all he would have to do was show the other male how dedicated he was to his work... To make him understand that Sakana was serious and really wanted to draw him... Crap he should have asked for his name... Oh well... He would be getting it soon enough... That's what his gut told him.

 

"Alright fine!" He called out as he watched the other male leave him, "But you'll come back to me, I know it!" He tucked his sketch book back into his backpack. With a huff he turned to head back to the college. With one glance towards the other male, the same one who made his hand cramp, he muttered, "We shall see about that... I'll show you that you already belong to me... Because I've already captured you in one drawing... It's only a matter of time before I catch you again..." A smirk settled onto Sakana's face. He made the mental note to tell that to his face later, if their paths crossed. He thought himself to be clever...

[Chthonic]

(((I'd like to edit this before you respond. I'm just not happy with it. I was majorly distracted and Hubby was pestering me, lol. )))

 

 

((( Sakana's a possessive little thing, lol. Feisty! )))

 

What a total freak! Tao fumed as he stomped down the sidewalk that lead back to his dorm. That someone would just causally walk up to a complete stranger and all but demand a modeling session. Was that something all artists just did?! And what's more, refusing to take no for an answer. And what was that bullshit the little punk was yelling at the end? Something about being back? Tao could only shake his head.

 

By the time he reached his room,though, some of the irritation seemed to have melted off, leaving mostly just confusion behind. Tao's mood had turned contemplative. Gears turned and thoughts coalesced as Tao ambled about his small room, and before he'd really realized, he was standing naked under the spray of a hot shower.

 

Rivulets of water ran down over pale skin to pool at his feet as Tao stared off in to space, lost in his thoughts.

 

He'd only been at university for a little over a week now, only really met one person, if you could call what just happened 'meeting'...He'd known it would be different, had theorized over and over just how it would be different. Had tried to be prepared for all the differences.

 

And then that blue-haired brat had blown it all to Hell.

[Chthonic]

(((It seems like you can only edit a post once? At any rate, it won't let me edit or delete my previous post, so I guess just disregard it? )))

 

What a total freak! Tao fumed as he stomped down the sidewalk that lead back to his dorm. That someone would just causally walk up to a complete stranger and all but demand a modeling session. Was that something all artists just did?! And what's more, refusing to take no for an answer. And what was that bullshit the little punk was yelling at the end? Something about being back? Tao could only shake his head.

 

The campus was huge, with literally thousands of students, and Tao doubted he'd be in the same classes with the other boy. That brought a little sense of relief. Yes, he'd probably seen the last of Blue Hair. It wasn't even worth thinking about anymore. Now, he just hoped the rest of the student population was a little more inclined to keep to themselves.

 

Trying to lay some of his irritation aside, Tao made his way back to his single dorm room so he could clean up before his first class. The room was small, as dorms typically were, but tidy. Clothes were folded and put away, books sitting on an other wise empty desk, ready for the day ahead.

 

Tao hung his bag by the door and put away his bokken before stripping off his dirty clothes and depositing them in the hamper. As he took the hair tie out of his long, dark hair, Tao caught his reflection in the mirror.

 

Beautiful... The word just seemed to pop into his head, along with the blue haired boy's face.

 

Tao growled irritably, forcing the idea away. It was just a strange thing to say. That was all.

 

He felt better after his shower, at least, having lost himself in the mindless routine of lather and rinse. His mind had floated instead to classes and what they'd be like, making sure he had everything that he would need. He ran a comb through his hair, going over the list again. Books, notebooks, paper, pens, pencils. Well, he was as ready as he'd ever be.

 

Tao pulled on dark jeans and a tight black t-shirt, piled his books into his bag, and set off for the science building.

[Exellda]

With a sigh Sakana decided to call it a day. He walked back to his dorm, somehow he managed to score a single room with no one else to occupy it. It was great because that meant more room for his art. Speaking of which, his hand started cramping up again. Damn it all... Sakana tossed his bag to the side, taking out he sketch book and let his hand have its way...

 

For the next couple hours he kept making sketches... All of them... Were of the same person- the same guy he had seen earlier... And for the life of him, he couldn't draw anything else. But every time he drew the other male, Sakana became less and less satisfied... His drawing felt off and incomplete... They didn't look like the man he saw... And it frustrated Sakana severely... To the point that he threw his pencil after he broke it in half.

 

Next thing he knew, Sakana found himself taking a shower. In the hopes of clearing his mind, and get the other male of his mind. He couldn't help it... He wanted to draw him so badly. But there was this gut feeling inside of him that said he would have his chance. Sakana's gut feeling had never been wrong before. This brought some sort of relief to him as he stepped out. His skin a light pink from how hot his shower was. Sakana liked scorching hot showers. They helped him relax and unwind.

 

With that, the blue haired male made his way to bed, not even bothering to put something on. He slept naked usually every night. Not even five minutes pass before he falls asleep.

 

The next morning, Sakana awakes feeling refreshed and exhilarated. He knows he will see the other male again... The question was, when? The blue haired boy makes his merry way to class after getting dressed, packing his back pack, and getting a cup of joe. Sketch book in hand, Sakana's eyes made sure to stay alert for the male he saw yesterday. Sadly, he didn't see him as he made his way into his science class. With a sigh, Sakana took a random seat. He was one of the first few people in there. He could only hope that he would get to draw the other male today... Regardless if he was posing or not. The simple drive to create was what kept him going.

 

Only a couple of minutes until class started... And Sakana found himself lazily sketching the other male... Again.

[Chthonic]

The science building was on the opposite side of the campus from Tao's dormitory and by the time he'd fought his way through the throng of other students and up the three flights of stairs to his destination (The elevator was out of order, of course.), Tao was flushed and all but panting from the exertion. He paused in the hall just outside to recheck his schedule with the number on the classroom door and caught his breath a little. He'd have to remember to leave earlier next time.

 

The large classroom was set up almost like a theatre, a stage down in the front and seating going up at an incline with a set of stairs on either side. Tao could hardly believe the size of it, or the fact that the entire room was packed, with hardly an unoccupied seat left. He knew the campus was large, sure, but actually seeing so many people in one place really brought it home.

 

He stood in the doorway amid a small group of other students and scanned the rows, trying to find an empty chair. Every place he looked, he'd end up having to sit next to someone. Trying to pick the least threatening looking person out of a group of complete strangers felt like Russian Roulette, and honestly, Tao would probably prefered the later anyway.

 

Damn it. Maybe I'll just sit on the stairs. Tao thought, seeing a small group take that option. But I'd have to write on my lap...

 

Tao's eyes darted along the rows.

 

Come on. Come on. Wait...No fucking way.

 

A bright spot of blue suddenly caught his eye.

 

What the absolute hell? Out of all the people and all the classes that little blue haired weirdo was HERE!There was even an empty seat. Tao seriously considered just walking right back out the door. The first day was never that important anyway, right? Maybe it wasn't to late to switch classes, or hell universities?

[Exellda]

~ discontinued ~

 

 

:Wink: