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Post by Lukas Thomassen on Mar 19, 2012 23:12:39 GMT -4
This man was truly a weirdo. “Hva en merkelig mann.” Lukas muttered as he watched the man hoping to figure out why he was doing this. “Why would you waste your money tipping someone? I’m not government store so why should I charge their ridiculous prices. That would be complete nonsense.” His voice took a slight edge towards the government.
“He is a teenager now, around seven years younger than me. I never went through a rebellious phase, why would he?” Lukas was confused even more so, though he continued handing containers to Sadiq. They were brothers why would his brother go through something and not Lukas. “How old is your brother?” Lukas was actually curious about that. Sadiq was in his thirties at least so how much younger was his brother? “I’m not kind. I started the shop to get money so I could take care of my brother and I. Helping people was a small part of the decision.”
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Post by Sadiq Adnan on Mar 20, 2012 0:00:51 GMT -4
“Why is it a waste? Though if you don’t want the tip, but it down as a credit towards my next purchase. Whichever would make you happy. “Hearing the change in his tone, he held up his hands in an easy motion. “Easy there, I wasn’t trying to suggest anything, just a statement in general. “ He truly didn’t mean to offend the other, he was just stating why he didn’t mind giving the other a tip.
“Not everyone does, I know I did when I hit my teenage years and it didn’t stop until my mid to late twenties. It’s not something that runs in families, it just happens.” He continued to put the containers on the shelves, having to start a new row. “My brother is fourteen, I’ve raised him myself since he was eight after our parents died, that’s actually what got me out of my rebellious tendencies. Who know, if it wasn’t for that, I would be in a lot worse shape than I am now.” He had no idea why he had just told that to a man who was almost a complete stranger to him, but he found that he really didn’t mind telling him. He felt he could trust the other and didn’t question it. He always went with his gut instincts and it kept him alive so far. Shaking his head, he heard the others explanation and shrugged. “Whatever you say Lukas, I still think you are a nice man.”
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Post by Lukas Thomassen on Mar 22, 2012 21:39:50 GMT -4
Lukas frowned a bit. “It’s not a waste to tip someone who makes their money from tips, like a waiter or someone like that. But this isn’t a service industry in that sense so it doesn’t make sense to tip me.” Lukas decided he like the credit. It didn’t feel like he was stealing someone’s money that could be used for something else. He wasn’t really offended, more like he was extremely confused.
“My parents died when I was very young and I’ve been taking care of my brother since. “ Lukas really didn’t like the idea of his brother going through something that he didn’t. How was he supposed to relate to his brother if he didn’t understand what his brother was going through? “That’s very sad and a very good turn of events.” Lukas didn’t know why his face felt hot but he wasn’t sure if he liked that very much. “Then you are a very nice man as well.”
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Post by Sadiq Adnan on Mar 22, 2012 23:46:46 GMT -4
"I follow what I feel, and I wanted to tip you. Not everything has to make sense, just go with the flow." He really didn't mean to confuse the other as much as he apparently had. He really should start thinking before he did stuff, but that usually took to much time when he need to act quickly. Perhaps he just start thinking about what he said when he could.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure they were wonderful. Then I don't think he will, he might just need some time to himself. He'll come around when he's ready. He might not want to worry you about the small things when you've always been there." He was sure that his brother just didn't want to bother him more than he already did, it seemed like thoughtfulness might run in his family. "I'll tell you what, if he does start going through a rebellious phase, I'll talk to him. I've been through there myself so I'll be able to help him..that is if you don't mind?" He hated seeing people go through what he put his parents through, he knew how much pain he caused them and if he could prevent others from feeling it, so be it." He put another jar on the shelf and completely missed Lukas's blush. "Thank you." He had to smile, it had been a long time since he had been called that.
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Post by Lukas Thomassen on Mar 23, 2012 3:24:00 GMT -4
Go with the flow?? This man was strange but he seemed to be very insightful. Sadiq was refreshing change from most of the people who came into the store. “I don’t think I have ever gone with the flow. My little brother has always said I went my own way and at my own pace.”
“From what I can remember they were. I’m sure you weren’t that bad. You seem to kind to be a troublemaker. And I’m sure your parents loved you no matter what.” Lukas was once again surprised by his offer. Why was the man being so kind to him? “If you want too, you’ll probably be able to get through to him better than I would.” That stung a bit. Lukas was about to hand another jar when the familiar burning behind his eyes began. That always signaled a vision. Before he could set the jar safely back in the box, he was pulled into a vision. He could hear the distant shatter of the jar meeting the ground, but he was more focused on what was happening. Two government officials were walking into a store that was a few blocks away from Herbal Healing. How stupid could Lukas be? Today was collection day. Lukas was pulled back into his body when a wave of fatigue hit him and he collapsed.
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Post by Sadiq Adnan on Mar 23, 2012 4:10:23 GMT -4
"That's also a good way to be, there is no one true way, so whatever works for you, you should stick with. You've managed this long with it, so its working." It truly did work out like that. If you tried to push your ways on others, they rebelled and no one was happy. That was one of the reasons why everyone hated the government. While everyone was merely surviving, no one was truly living, it was just try to make it to the next day, staying out of trouble, avoiding the government.
"Based on how you turned out, they were great parents." He had to laugh, if only he knew. "I was a little hellion. The stories that Cassandra could tell you about me..I'm lucky to be a live frankly. I was in a gang for quite a few years, caused all kinds of trouble." A softer smile crossed his face as he thought back, how long had it been since he had thought about them..."Yes, they always supported me, thought they hated what I was involved in." He shook his head and nodded, looking back at Lukas. "I'm sure he's fine and I won't have to talk to him. He just might want to give you a break from worrying about him, which we know only makes you worry more. "
He held his hand out for another jar but Lukas didn't give it to him, he stood there starring at him. "Hey, are you alright?" He saw the jar drop from Lukas' grasp and watched Lukas fall. "Lukas!" He knelt next to him and picked up his supper body into his arms. "Lukas, wake up! Come on buddy, wake up!" He was tapping his cheek, hoping it would wake the other up. What could have made him collapse like that?
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Post by Lukas Thomassen on Mar 31, 2012 0:12:21 GMT -4
Lukas fought against the inky darkness that was trying to drown him. He had to wake up. It would be really bad if he was unconscious when the collectors came. As he finally began to regain consciousness he felt muscled arms surrounding him. “What?” Lukas’ mouth felt ridiculously dry. He really hated how his power wiped him out so bad. When he was a child he would get physically ill for days afterwards once he came to. Thankfully his stamina was much better now than it used to be.
Once he got his bearing and his throat didn’t feel like a desert. “What’s wrong Sadiq. You seem worried.” Worried wasn’t quite the word, but Lukas wasn’t sure what else would fit. Once Sadiq set him on the ground, Lukas had to focus so he wouldn’t fall on his own legs. “Sorry you had to see that.” Lukas did not want to seem weak.
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Post by Sadiq Adnan on Mar 31, 2012 1:13:55 GMT -4
He felt relief when Lukas opened his eyes. He had no idea what had happened and was worried about him. "I was worried about you, are you alright?" He had never seen anyone react like that out of no where, it had startled him and frightened him slightly, and it took a lot to frighten him.
"You passed out. We were talking then you got an odd look on your face and then fell over." Setting him down, he kept one hand on his shoulder to and one on his elbow to steady him and catch him if he passed out again. "There is no reason to apologize, I'll just be happy if you are alright..though I can't say the same thing about the jar that was in your hands." Motioning with his chin, he looked at the broken glass and spilled herbs on the floor. "Do you need to sit down for a while?"
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Post by Lukas Thomassen on Mar 31, 2012 1:55:12 GMT -4
“I’m fine. I have episodes like that fairly often. You get used to them after a while.” Lukas wouldn’t necessarily say he was rambling, but he was very close to it. Thankfully unless you knew him very well, you couldn’t read Lukas’ face. Sadiq wouldn’t notice that he was highly embarrassed.
Lukas’ eyes drifted to the shattered glass. At least no one was hurt and he said as much. “Thank you for catching me. It would have been very bad if I had fallen on the glass.” It had happen before and Lukas was very grateful to have avoided a repeat.
Hearing a knock on his door, Lukas quietly cursed in his mind, where his words tended to like to stay and forced himself to walk/limp to behind the counter. He knelt and opened the safe that resided hidden there and pulled out a manila envelope. Shutting the safe, he stepped in front of the counter and waited for who he knew was coming.
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Post by Sadiq Adnan on Mar 31, 2012 3:23:21 GMT -4
Sadiq looked him over, wanting to visually see that Lukas was telling the truth. "Alright, I'll take your word for it." He would keep a close eye on him to make sure he wouldn't fall again. He didn't want him to get hurt through carelessness.
He nodded and smiled at him, he was glad that he could have helped. "It's no problem, I do not like to see people get hurt when there is no need. Thought I wouldn't have minded taking treating your wounds." While he was serious about it, he didn't know how Lukas would react to how upfront he was.
He watched as Lukas walked over to the counter with a limp and frowned. Why was he limping. He didn't injure a leg, did he? He walked in front of the counter and he watched. Who had knocked on the door that would require the a manila envelope?
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Post by Lukas Thomassen on Apr 1, 2012 13:48:00 GMT -4
Lukas could feel Sadiq’s eyes on him. It made him feel….weird. It was like he was happy for the attention but embarrassed at the same time. The reason why he was limping was when he originally fell he twisted his ankle slightly. Nothing to cause any lasting damage, just slight uncomfortable to walk on at the moment.
Lukas could feel a blush spread across his pale skin. He was definitely not used to people being so forward with him. “You might want to watch what you say or I might think you are flirting with me.”
Shortly after the knock, the scum of the earth, also known as Collectors, strolled into his store acting like they owned it. Lukas could feel the previous blush drain from his face and he was sure it was normal stoic look on his face. He handed one of them the envelope and watched as they left to go the next store. He let out a sigh.
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Post by Sadiq Adnan on Apr 1, 2012 19:31:26 GMT -4
He liked watching Lukas. He usually watched people out of necessity, but he just wanted to watch Lukas. He didn't feel the need to watch everything, and while that slightly worried him, he enjoyed it. He felt able to relax. With Lukas, it was a pleasure and he liked what he saw.
He saw the blush form on Lukas face and smiled slightly. He didn't mean for his words to have that affect, but he didn't mind it. He heard what he said and grinned. " Would it be a problem if I were flirting with you? You are rather cute." Well, it would either earn him a blush, or earn him a one way ticket out the door.
Watching the men enter the building, he felt his instincts warn him and he watched them to make sure they did nothing to hurt Lukas. He watched them leave and sighed, he hated when his instincts flared like that, it could mean anything was going to happen. He walked over to Lukas and put a hand on his shoulder. "Who was that, and is your leg alright?"
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Post by Lukas Thomassen on Apr 1, 2012 19:54:51 GMT -4
Lukas had to think about that for a second. Did he want Sadiq flirting with him? Almost immediately after he thought ‘No he didn’t mind’, at least Sadiq wasn’t a loud nuisance who made his life miserable. “I wouldn’t mind if you did, but I’m not cute.” How someone with the facial range of a rock could be considered cute was beyond him.
“Those people were collectors. Once a month they come around and collect a portion of the revenue made from the previous month. If you fail to make collection, then you have to pay a fine with a pretty bad interest. If you don’t pay that fine within whatever time frame they set, you lose your business.”
Lukas had glanced down to his leg. He had forgotten about that when the collectors came. “I just twisted it when I first collapsed. It’s nothing to worry about. I promise.”
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Post by Sadiq Adnan on Apr 3, 2012 0:04:28 GMT -4
Grinning, he leaned against the desk and cocked his head to the side. "Good to hear you don't mind, I find you rather interesting and would love to get to know you better."
Hearing about the collection agents, he frowned. "That's not right, not right at all. Are they government workers or just some fucking freelance taking advantage of the situation and using the proceeds to get out of working themselves?" To say that he was unhappy was an understatement. Something needed to be done about this situation and he had to make sure that the others knew what was going on.
He sighed at Lukas' attitude towards his leg, he needed to make sure to care for it or it would get stiff and hurt worse. Walking over, he lifted Lukas and placed him on the counter before taking the ankle in hand and started checking for strains. "You should really take care of this now, I'd hate for it to get all cramped up and you to hurt worse." He gently ran his calloused, lightly scared hands over his ankle and up his calf, checking for pulled and strained muscles.
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Post by Lukas Thomassen on Apr 3, 2012 23:08:33 GMT -4
Lukas fought the blush on his face. “I’m not really interesting, but I would like to get to know you better.” Lukas wanted to ask him out but the words were frozen in his throat.
“The collectors work for the government, naturally. The revenue is used for developments in weapons and campaigns against the resistance.” Lukas could understand the resistance’s motivation, but he didn’t understand why they couldn’t see the hardship the common people had to suffer because of them. In fact the collector program had only started when the Resistance had gained more power and influence.
Lukas blushed when he was set upon the counter. “What are you doing?” He asked even more quietly than his usual tone was. His face turned even more red when he felt Sadiq touch his ankle. “I-it will be fine. I know medicines that will help.” He stuttered hiding his face behind the bangs that weren’t clipped back.
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