Such A Wonderful Day, Not

[Sly Cooper]

"Building huh--" Jacob wasn't sure what to think of that. He tried to offer a reassuring smile to the other, "What do you do with them when you're done?" it was an honest question, even if it may not be considered a kind one. "See-- like with my drawing-- I draw it then it washes away or gets crinkled up or something. There's no use for such things in our society." He let out a deep, heavy sigh, following the other, "Which kinda sucks. I want people to look back see my work and appreciate it. Instead I have to worry about getting lashes or something."

He was inside a bit excited that someone (that wasn't Damon) wanted to see his work, but he tried to play it cool like it wasn't a big deal. "But if you really want to see sometime-- I can sketch something really quick sometime." A big smug grin spread across his features. He then ran his fingers through his short, dark hair. "I mean-- it's no big deal. Maybe you can show me one of those clubhouses in return."

[Runako Xanthias Bachur]

“No, no, no, it’s not like that,” he said as he set down the wheelbarrow and rounded about to face the other. “What I build, they usually stay. I use boards, bricks, old stuff I can find, and I throw them together and keep them together with some nails, some rope, things like that. Some of them did go when I first started out, but I figured out how to keep them firm and together. Those, I sleep in when it’s either raining or it’s too cold to be out in the open. I guess the only thing that could take these things apart is a tornado, or someone else tearing at them.” He sighed, as he had indeed seen someone older than himself doing that to one of his earlier clubhouses. “I made sure to hide my clubhouses, though. Most of them are hidden in alleys or even inside basements. But… eh, you won’t find a lot of basements with them… I don’t like the spiders that live in them. Actually, I also use car parts, sometime.”

He gave a slight smirk at that, and then turned around again to pick up the wheelbarrow. At this point Jacob was talking about showing him his drawings, but he wanted to be shown his clubhouses as well. “Gee, keep your pants on!” He said to the other, chuckling, “It’s not like we’re going to go out or something like that. I will be glad to show you my clubhouses sometime. I actually think I have a stack of papers in one of those clubhouses, you could draw on them if you’d like.” He smiled kindly at the other and then started going forward again. “I think we’re getting close,” he finally said after a few minutes had passed, when he had started hearing voices. “Close to the clearing, at least. That’s better, it’s usually easier to get out from there than from inside the cornfields themselves. “That’s a good thing, we will be getting out soon just as soon as I put this down over there.”

[Sly Cooper]

It's not like were going to go out or something like that. Jacob found that statement a little strange, be he shrugged it off. It's not like he this stranger, would know about his secret. No not his drawing, something, he felt, was much worse. Admittedly, he did get a peculiar look on his face at first, but he made sure to hide it quickly. What is that supposed to mean? And even if he did know—he wouldn’t be implying to spread the secret like wild fire— Jacob then decided to watch his wording and gestures more closely.

“Paper huh? And you think that I won’t have to destroy it afterwards? I’ve always had to dispose of them after drawing them. That’s the way of Gatlin.” His dark-blue eyes narrowed slightly and his normally friendly features switched to a very serious and defensive look. The other boy just rubbed him the wrong way, although it was just his over precaution. But the look whipped off his face, and he tried to be friendly again. “I hope we really are almost out of here. Most days I spend most of my time wandering around the cornfield, trying to get out.”

[Runako Xanthias Bachur]

He chuckled. He could sense a change in the other’s attitude but it didn’t bother him much. It didn’t bother him mainly because he was usually calm and collected, but he also didn’t know why Jacob’s mood would’ve shifted. He wasn’t aware of there being any possible reasons, except for Jacob just being shy. He listened as Jacob continued to speak some more, and then shrugged slightly. “Not if you can hide them. Most of my clubhouses are hidden well around the town. If you find it, you’ve either stumbled into it or it was just an obvious clubhouse.” He smirked at the other.

Finally they had arrived at the clearing. There, he would then carry the wheelbarrow to a particular group here or there and hand them a few straws. He took the corn cob to the girls who were cooking, and then headed to the edge of the clearing after emptying the wheelbarrow and leaving it by the others. He glanced around, looking for his new friend, and would wait patiently until Jacob could arrive at his spot. From here, he knew where to go to get back into town, at this particular spot of the clearing, so he waited for the other to arrive. He wasn’t sure where Jacob was intending to go, but he knew that for himself he would most likely want to just take a shower so would probably go into someone’s house and use the cold water. Ever since they turned off the lights they hadn’t had hot running water, just the cold. But he was pretty much used to it.

[Sly Cooper]

The clearing. Jacob had a sudden happy spell. He could see much more clearly there. Sure, it wasn’t exactly where he wanted to be, but it was still where he could see without squinting, and become quite dizzy. He took a deep breath then looked up to the sky. And, if this stranger knew his way, that means he was even closer to getting home! He was mostly at peace, mostly because he could breath—but then he heard a familiar voice, and it wasn’t a good one.

“Jacob!” a high, girly screech came out. One of the girls that was cooking the corn, or supposed to be, Sunshine never did any work what so ever, just happened to catch her favorite boy in the corner of her eye. But before Jacob could run in the other direction, she was all over him like stink.

His face crinkled. “Sunshine.” He didn’t sound nearly as enthusiastic as she did.

“So like, I think I look really great in this outfit,” she started, “And I’m glad you just happened to be coming by. See out of everyone in Gatlin, your opinion is most important to me!”

He moved slowly to the other boy who was waiting on the other side of the clearing. His adoring fan hanging onto him the entire way, talking his ear off. “Yeah Sunshine, that’s—wonderful.” He tried to be nice, but sometimes it was just so hard. “Right, are we going to be on our way?” He looked at Nako with a rather pathetic look.

“But Jacob! What about my hair! Aren’t you going to tell me how beautiful I am?” He of course ignored her and her usual clingy, attention grabbing comments.

“Sooner better than later. Please.”

[Runako Xanthias Bachur]

He had been waiting for quite a bit, but long enough that he had started to lean against some kind of wooden contraption that the kids had built up long ago. It was slowly falling apart, to their dismay, and of course, Nako would’ve been more than obliged to help out and make it stronger, but he felt that if they knew how he had the experience and knowledge, they would find out about his clubhouses. Certainly they would find out eventually, but it was better later than sooner. These clubhouses could come in handy one day, and he intended to see just how they would. Other than there being rain when they could serve as shelter, of course.

Finally, Jacob had caught up to him, and apparently had brought unwanted company. A girl that seemed to be more of a fanatic over the boy than of just a friend or even a girlfriend, Nako was quick to smirk at Jacob. But the expression, the body language, and the statement of wanting to leave sooner than later had him think otherwise; he obviously didn’t like this girl, and Nako was starting to dislike her as well. It seemed all she really cared about at the time was just getting attention and knowing what her crush would think of her. Girls weren’t usually like that unless they had an issue. “Hmm, well, I think it’s nice.” He said calmly before reaching up to pat Jacob on the shoulder then continuing, “Ready to go, Jacob?”

[Sly Cooper]

The idea that Jacob (or any boy) eluded Sunshine. Nako complimented her, and that’s all she knew. She of course took it a step to far. A compliment meant that they totally wanted her. “Oh! Hear that Jake! He thinks it’s nice!” She tried to make Jacob jealous.

He cringed, for a few reasons, one being called ‘Jake’, two being hung on, and three her huge ego just got bigger. Granted, Sunshine was a very pretty girl, but she didn’t have a personality to match. “Yeah, I’m more than ready to go. Hit the road. Be on our way“ he tried to come up with some more to just state how badly he wanted to leave. He was pretty sure that Nako could tell that he was very uncomfortable.

“Ooh I want to come!” once again Jacob’s actions went way over her head.

He let out a heavy sigh, “But Sunshine, aren’t you working?” once again trying desperately to push her away.

“You actually think some one as sexy as me would be working in the field. No silly, I was looking for you! Couldn’t you hear me screaming out for you till I got to tired to scream any more?”

“Wha—What!” Jacob not only looked concerned, but also began to blush madly. “No! Why would you do that? Nako—let’s go—right now—“

[Runako Xanthias Bachur]

He cringed as well, as he had realized he just made things worse for the two boys. He then recognized the girl as Sunshine, and his recognition was confirmed when Jacob had mentioned her name. He was very sure at this moment that his friend was very uncomfortable, and so grabbed his wrist and started to tug. “No, we both have to work, Sunshine, and if you come with us you would have to work with us, too. We have to dig up a lot of holes. A lot of them.” His expression was firm, so she would most likely fall for it if she didn’t know how people lied. He was very disgusted that this girl would think herself as sexy, as she wasn’t all that pretty to him. Granted, she was definitely pretty, but she wasn’t pretty enough to attract a monkey. At least that was his opinion.

“Yeah, Jacob, let’s go. We’ll get in trouble if we don’t get going now,” he stated firmly as he stole a glance at the girl once more and then looking back at the clearing. “Besides, Sunshine, you’re supposed to be working with the other girls, so, yeah, get going. I will tell you a secret, though,” he put a hand on her shoulder and pulled her close to him before whispering into her ear, “The best way to get a man is to get through to his stomach.” With that, he pushed her away gently and gave her a wink. Then he turned to Jacob with a soft chuckle and placed an arm around his shoulders, “Let’s get going, man, before she comes back!”

[Sly Cooper]

The look on Sunshine’s face was that of when a girl just got ditched. Granted, that’s exactly what happened, but she didn’t know that. “Through his stomach?” It was something foreign to her. Since when did anyone attractive eat enough to talk about it? But if a boy said it it must be true! But the truth was, she would probably stand around, and when the food was prepared say she helped out even though she didn’t. But that was better than digging holes, getting dirty, and sweaty, ew.

Jacob chuckled softly to himself. He was very pleased with Nako’s quick thinking. It wasn’t going to get her to go away, but it would get her away for a little while, and that was enough to make him happy. After they got a ways through the corn, he turned to the other boy and said quietly, “Thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate you getting her off my back.—and believe me she is on it often!” He shook his head in disgust. “She never listens to me. And when she does it’s only what she wants to hear. So your interference is exactly what I needed.”

[Runako Xanthias Bachur]

He was kind of amused that the girl had been stupid enough to fall for his lies, but at least what he was trying to do had worked. He wasn’t normally good at lying, except about himself and well, he usually only lied when it was an absolute emergency, absolutely necessary. He nodded as the two now went through the corn, ready to get out of this bloody field. After a short while, Jacob had stopped and turned to think him, and he simply nodded in response with a friendly smile. “No problem, man, maybe she’ll come to her senses one day.” He then started to walk again, as he could feel that they were close to the town now, almost out of here. “Let’s keep on going, man.” He said as he turned back to see if Jacob had started to follow him again.

“So why don’t you like her much? She seems to really, really like you.” He chuckled softly as he finally exited from the cornfield and stood now on a road leading into town. “I mean, you two might end up getting married.” He shrugged but then threw the subject away as he spotted a familiar building. “Up there, man, I got a clubhouse. Want to go see it now? I think it’s the one with the paper.” He was certain that eventually they would have to leave outside and get dirty so that Sunshine would continue to fall for their lies. “We would just have to remember to get dirty before we go back for supper. Otherwise Sunshine will be pissed. And I mean pissed. I’ve seen girls pissed, man.” He started for the building, and finally approached at it within a few minutes. “The clubhouse’s way up in the attic.”

[Sly Cooper]

“She’s—not my type.” Jacob was honest, he just didn’t go into the entire truth. “I don’t want to ever marry her. She—She’s way into me. And I know a lot of the guys in the communal home like her. But—“ he tried to think of how to word it. “She’s my best friend’s cousin, and she’s eighteen. So she’ll be gone soon anyway.” Then the other stopped to point out one of his clubhouses. “Yeah I would like that. Then I can draw you something. I used to have my friend pose for me—“ He stopped right there thinking about how wrong that may have sounded. He grew silent, then the other was saying how girls would get pissed, and when they got pissed boy did they. He nodded in agreement. “But if Sunshine wants to get mad at me, she blames Damon instead. She blames him for everything.” He chuckled, “All the more reason to get dirty.”

[Runako Xanthias Bachur]

He chuckled but nodded to show that he understood his friend well. “I don’t like most of the girls around here. I would move if I could, but you know the rules, no one can leave Gatlin. It kind of sucks, but at least we’re here. Got to do with it the best we can,” he said calmly, sounding a bit disappointed, but then he smiled at Jacob. “Not to worry, though, there are plenty of fish in the sea, man.” He nodded as he patted his friend’s shoulder lightly and then started up the stairs having opened the door by now. Jacob had mentioned at this point about his friend using to pose for him.

“Well, what happen-” He started to ask, but realized that it might be too personal, so instead of continuing with the question, he simply made a quick statement to replace it, one that he hoped would cheer up his friend. “I can pose for you, man, anytime. Just don’t tell anyone, I suppose!” He chuckled as he arrived at the second floor and then had to open another door. “Locking many doors equals extra security.” He smiled at Jacob once again. “Although, I couldn’t lock the third door… The key’s gone missing. I would’ve been sure if I had dropped it but I know if I lose my keys, and I know I didn’t lose any… Except for that one, so I keep the third door open.”

He had by now arrived at the fourth door, and unlocked it as well. “One more floor and then we’re there, man.” He listened as his friend mentioned Damon. He wasn’t familiar with who Damon was so he simply shrugged with a friendly smile. “Ha, still, I wouldn’t want her thinking I was a bad influence on you or something. Some girls do go crazy. Just crazy enough.” He sighed but chuckled as he finally reached the last door and opened it. Moments later, he would be under an attic door with a string hanging down in front of them. He grabbed it and made sure the area was clear before giving it a strong tug. Attic stairs came rolling out of the hole in the ceiling until they landed on the floor. “Well, there we go.” He went up the attic and waited for Jacob to follow. Once Jacob had entered, he would then pull up the stairs and then flipped a few latches locking the attic door. “I’m a little paranoid… I wouldn’t want anyone coming up in here and killing me in my sleep just in case I have to sleep in here one night. There’s the clubhouse over there,” he pointed.

It was a small one at that. There was a tent near an window that actually had a sheet draped over it. “I can see out through the sheet. They can’t see in from the ground!” He smirked as he headed over to the window first to peek out. Then he headed to the tent. “This is not just a tent. There’s pillows over there to form walls around, the tent is actually a tarp over a couple of dressers. Speaking of that, the paper is in… Ah! Here it is!” He pulled out a large stack of paper and there were also several pencils of different lengths in there. “Here you go, man.” He smiled kindly.

[Sly Cooper]

Jacob thought about the question not quite presented to him, what happened. The truth was it wasn’t that long ago that he posed for him. Actually it was a few days ago. But he figure that now that he was married they wouldn’t spend any time together. The other boy offered to pose for him instead. So instinctively he looked him up and down. Looking to see what his bone structure and muscle tones were like. “Well it’s not like I’d have you pose naked or something like that.” Jacob chuckled.

They kept walking in door after door, to Jacob it seemed like a lot, but it was really only three doors. “Yeah I used to have a key to my shed behind my folk old house, but it went missing. I used to keep artwork in there—What do you suppose happens to all those missing keys? Or is it like the left sock epidemic where a fawn from a secret world hidden in the washing machine—takes it.”

He continued to follow Nako, all the while thinking one more floor. “Sunshine has a short memory span. She’s like a pigeon. So even if she thinks you’re a bad influence, she won’t remember that the next day.” He looked around. He would’ve shown that he was impressed if it weren’t for how tired he was. “Nice place you got here. I take it you don’t sleep in the communal homes then. You’re lucky.” The other boy showed him around, and some of the inner workings of the tent, before handing him a stack of papers. Jacob got a giant sleepy grin on his face. “Thanks.”

[Runako Xanthias Bachur]

He simply shrugged but he did blush quite a little, while looking away, upon the comment of posing naked. Just the idea of it could be embarrassing for him, since he was generally shy to even be shirtless; in fact, if there was a crowd of shirtless boys, he would be the only one standing out because he would be the only one wearing a shirt or two. But he might make an exception for Jacob, as long as he didn’t show anyone the drawing if it was really good. Then again, maybe Jacob wasn’t really all that good at drawing. He didn’t understand why he felt comfortable with Jacob, especially when they had just met, even though things were awkward from time to time.

He nodded with a concerned half-smile on his visage as Jacob mentioned his own key going missing. “Maybe someone’s taking them and hiding them, though I don’t know why they would do that.” He didn’t really believe in the magical part, as he wasn’t fond of magic. He had learned every secret that there was to know, at least that for his age, by reading through books for magicians. But he did chuckle out loud at Sunshine being like a pigeon. “More like a magpie that’s obsessed with you,” he said as he chuckled before sitting down on the floor under the tarp. “No, not really. I do make sure that I sleep with the others many times so that they don’t get suspicious. Although I’ve noticed how we aren’t always together at night, it’s like some of us are away sleeping elsewhere so I guess it doesn’t make much of a difference where we sleep.” He nodded kindly with a gentle smile, “You’re welcome, dude.”

[Sly Cooper]

“A magpie obsessed with me—“ Jacob thought about that, “I thought magpies liked shinny things. But either way she does seem to flock to me, no pun intended.” After receiving the paper he sat down and looked around for something to draw with. It took a while but he found an old pen, he scribbled in the corner of the page with it till it was writing again. “Hmm—“ he thought about what to sketch for a moment. But it came to him, draw what comes most naturally. He began to sketch out lines for a face as lightly as he could with the pen. “Have you ever noticed that in the communal homes, there are always people running around naked and boys that stay up screaming out profanities all night long. It’s really hard to sleep there.” He drew out the basic shapes that then formed into a face and he added a few small details. He grinned, proud of himself, he had finally memorized how to draw his best friend. He set it down on the floor in front of him and looked closely at it. “What do you think? And don’t lie!”