Broken (Open)

[Connor Dwyre]

OOC: This happens directly after The Scent of Pine is in the air

SMACK!

SMACK!

SMACK!

Connor had set his shades and gloves at the base of the large tree. The rhythm that sounded like a monotonous drum beat was being played by his fists against the trunk of the tree. He had been here for three and a half hours. It was still a bit light out, as the weather was warm. One shot after another, his fists hit the same mark. Right, left, right, left. Straight, hard jabs. The bark was beginning to wear smooth. His knuckles were cut. A mix of fresh and dried blood were all over the palms and backs of his scared hands.

His shirt had joined his shades and gloves. His well toned body shone with sweat. He prayed for rain, though he doubted it would fall. It would help to cover the tears streaming down his face. He was not here to train, though unless someone looked at his face that's what it might appear to be.

They didn't tell me.
SMACK!

They keep secrets from me.
SMACK!

They hurt me.
SMACK!

For someone like him, you would think he was used to pain. The cruel nature of people. However, the two who he thought of when these messages played upon his mind were not just random people. One was his best friend. The other, his sensei and adopted father. Though the situation might have sounded simple, the fact that secrets were kept was what bothered the boy.

He liked Bix. Liberty was dating someone. Bix couldn't be with Connor for a combination of that, and she had little emotion to speak of. However, it wasn't the inability to have Bix that upset him. Sure, it was part of it. But, no one told Connor about Liberty's boyfriend. It seemed many knew, but none spoke about it.

Why didn't they just say something?
SMACK!

How blind do they think I am?
SMACK!

Each hit was harder than the last. It was a miracle he hadn't broken his hands by now. They hurt, but he was numb to it at the moment. Connor didn't have many friends. Well, none really. Who could he turn to? Gabriel? That would be a mistake. Connor wasn't looked at like a friend. No, he was a student and a solider to Gabriel. Connor, at this moment, felt totally alone.

He stopped hitting the tree. Blood dripped from his hands to the ground. They fell in symbiotic rhythm with his tears. He dropped to his knees, and just sat there.

[Tash]

Nice day for a walk in the park. It was a little overcast and breezy, so most people wouldn't think so, but Tash did. Not too many people out, which she kind of liked. So naturally, the sight of a shirtless guy she was pretty sure she'd seen wandering the halls of Moral Crest (they'd never met but you recognized people after wandering the halls for a while) pounding on a tree like it was the source of all the world's pain and sorrow caught her eye.

Curious as she was, she didn't exactly want to interrupt whatever he had going on. Clearly he wasn't in a talking mood at the moment, or he'd probably be doing that instead of trying to make wood pulp bare handed out of the big sycamore in front of him. So she sat a few feet away, watching him, trying to figure out what was up. Maybe he was some kind of Rocky Balboa guy and this was his meat locker. If that was the case she sure as hell didn't want to ruin a training session. But his pace slowed and she started paying more attention to his face than his fists. His cheeks and lips beneath eyes she could tell were probably sightless were lined with smudged tears and sweat. She began to doubt it was a training session. However, she wasn't sure she should approach him. When he sank to the ground, shoulders heaving with sobs, she bit her lip. Okay, Tash, you've waited long enough. She wasn't the touchy feely type - showing emotion wasn't a big thing for her but it wasn't as though she didn't know how to feel. So she wanted to help, but wasn't exactly sure how.

She walked slowly over, Doc Martens crunching the dirt just audibly, then she lowered herself to a crouch a few feet away and braced her elbows on her knees. For a few moments she said nothing, uncertain of where to go from there, then screwed up her courage.


"Hey man, you okay? If it's none of my business that's cool and I understand, but you look like you could use someone to sit with. Or something, I dunno..." She says this softly, her voice gentle but carrying. She shrugs, more to herself than to him really. It's not like she doesn't want to help, she just isn't quite sure of how to proceed. All she knows is that for some reason, she can't just walk away from this.

[Connor Dwyre]

In his unfocused state, Connor's normal oversensitive hearing was dulled. All he had was the pounding of blood in his head. His mind was cluttered with painful thoughts. Normally, he would have heard the soft crunching and footfalls approaching. But, he had assumed (incorrectly) that he would be alone, and none would find him. However, he was in the park, and it was public domain. He just knew he couldn't go home. Not right now.

There was a voice, soft and caring, but unsure. It was as if they didn't know how to react. Connor, too, thought at first the voice came from his mind. What he wanted... needed, was someone who cared. Who would comfort his pain. He thought his mind had conjured up a figment. But, he could feel the energy, and knew the person was real.

He didn't know what condition he was in, but he imagined he looked a wreck. His hands were bloody, he had sweat on his brow and body. However, he also realized that his scars and eyes were exposed. Immediately, his normal reserved self kicked in. He needed to find his shades and gloves.

He also knew he had been crying, and he felt his cheeks flush, and felt very embarrassed. "I... um... I didn't know anyone was there." He scrambled to find his things, his hands groped the ground for his gloves, shades, and shirt. He needed to cover the things that bothered others. He didn't want to make this new person uneasy around him. His flaws had done that with so many before. The only one who was fine with it right off the bat had just caused him a good deal of pain.

Once his shades were on, he felt a bit better about talking to the newcomer. His gloves were next, followed by his shirt. "I just... I just had a lot to deal with in a short time." He had lost track of time, as well as where he was. It would take time to get his bearings. He felt his stomach growl, which was loud enough for the girl who was sitting there to hear.

"Honestly, I wouldn't mind the company. If you want, we can get something to eat. I'll treat." He tried to sound friendly, and he did. Though, he was still visibly upset, and his tone showed that. But, it also showed he felt better that he might have someone to talk to.

"I think need to find a bathroom and wash up a bit. Would you help me find one nearby?" He realized he hadn't even introduced himself. "Oh..." Even upset, he didn't want to be rude. He used the back of his forearms to wipe his eyes, trying to keep the blood off his face. I'm Connor. Are you a student of 42 too?"

He gave a weak smile. Right now, he felt very confused, and very defeated.

[Tash]

He scrambled to grab his things, his hands finding purchase on some things and missing others. She pushed a pair of dark glasses and a stray glove towards his searching hands. He seemed embarrassed: she wasn't sure if it was because of the crying or the scars he had. Either way, she wasn't terribly bothered. One of the side effects of having an ex Marine for a father was meeting some guys with some seriously gnarly scars. However, she didn't want to bring attention to the fact that she had noticed them at all, as that was only likely to make him more uncomfortable, so she responds casually. If she acted like everything was okay maybe she could help him calm down and feel more comfortable. Sure the circumstances were a bit odd, but Tash wasn't close minded in the least. She wasn't going to pass judgment on anyone too quickly. He seemed like a nice guy so far and she wondered what was bothering him so badly.


"We're actually not too far from my place." She said, rising after he did and brushing a few clinging blades of grass and clods of dirt from her low slung khaki cargo pants. "If you want to wash up there instead of in a public restroom I'd be cool with letting you use my bathroom before we head out again."

Sure she didn't know him. He could be a real asshole, or a predator or something. But Tash could take care of herself and she was usually a pretty good judge of people. He didn't seem like the type to avoid: she usually got a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach around people that weren't up to any good. She wasn't getting that around him and took it as a good sign. Despite certain oddities about him, he seemed to be purely what he was and nothing more: a guy going through a tough time. Who apparently went to the same high school she did: she'd been right.

"Yes, yes I do. I'm Tash, short for Natasha."

[Connor Dwyre]

Connor was a bit nervous, but mostly numb. He wasn't used to going to anyone's home but his own. And, he had no idea who this girl was. Well, save for her name which she gave quickly enough. He hadn't even noticed that she had made it easier to get his sunglasses. In his small panic, he had just picked them up when they were within reach.

He nodded and accepted her offer. "Thanks." He wanted to smile, to show appreciation for her kindness. But, he just couldn't. Though part of him was in control, most of him felt like it was in a daze. Part of him hoped that what had been going on was some kind of bad dream. He had felt like that on occasion, but it had been in reference to his past. Now, it was because of the now.

The offer was much better than the alternative. She must have picked up that he was embarrassed, and privacy would be better than doing a sink bath in public. He figured if she was there for even a short while, she would have seen. See his scars from the crucifixion. Maybe even seen his eyes. Yet, here she was, offering help. Perhaps someone to be a friend? Connor had so few, and the closest had hurt him. He honestly didn't know what to make of anything right now. His perception was off.

The girl led them away. As they walked, he became more aware of his current physical condition. The blood that was fresh was dried, his hands were throbbing. His knuckles especially. It was a brutal form of training, and Connor had not been trying to strengthen anything. He needed to vent, to let his anger and pain out. Instead, he hand only managed to hurt himself.

His gloves were ruined. No matter, as he had more. He would need to toss them, but then his hands would be uncovered. Well, he had pockets. His shirt was also now covered in sweat. He could soak it in water and ring it out. It would be damp, but wearable. His jacket would cover him if need be, something he had discarded before he started and remembered to grab just before they got up.

Connor still had no idea where the house was. For all he knew, they could have been right next door to his own home. Doubtful, but possible. As he became aware while they walked, he managed to calm a bit and regain some of himself. It might only be temporary, but at least the real Connor was there.

"Tash... um... I really appreciate this. Kindness doesn't always follow me around." He smiled, and it was genuine. "When we get there... I think it might be best to have paper towels. I don't want to get blood on anything." He had no witty of funny remarks. Not right now. What he needed was to wash up, and eat. He also needed a bit of company that wasn't Bix or Suichi. Tash at least acted like she wanted to do that.

He let her continue to lead the way. The walk wasn't long and soon they were standing in front of the house. He hoped her parents were open minded people. Or that they might not be home. He didn't know how it would look for their daughter to bring home some sweaty, bloody guy home into their clean house.

[Tash]

She didn't take him by the hand: even though she'd never dealt extensively with anyone who was blind, she knew that the rest of their senses were very sensitive. He could probably follow her by sound and she didn't want to risk insulting him by taking him by the hand. The walk from Jefferson Square was about a five minute walk from her SoMa loft so it wasn't a big deal. He seemed to be in a bit of shock for most of the walk over, but for some reason she didn't find it intolerably odd.

It wasn't like her to get involved in any sort of drama - which, from the looks of it, this guy had plenty of - in fact she usually shrugged off any sort of complications. But she had a heart, and it had put her in a full nelson the moment she'd seen him and didn't really leave her a choice. Not that she minded all too much. She might not know what had made him so upset or why he chose to vent his frustration this way, but if there was something Tash could recognize, it was someone who felt alone. As they approached her apartment complex, her mother came to mind.


"Posso ora sentire appena il mio Mamma: Natasha, non potete portare a casa ogni cane esterno che fa i grandi occhi voi! Bene, Mamma, potreste essere di destra, ma quello non significa che non posso provare. Tash pazzesco."

She mumbled to herself in Italian with a small smile as she toyed with a white gold ring that hung on a long chain around her neck. They came to the lobby and she pushed the button on the elevator, turning to look at him as he spoke. "Hey, no problem. I'm not really much of a people person, but I've been raised to be open: big Italian family, and all that. This is kinda second nature to me." As she replies, she fishes around in her voluminous messenger bag for her keys, finally locating them in one of the side pouches. The elevator pings and the doors open: she steps inside and holds the door for him, waiting for him to follow. "My parents live in Walnut Creek; the apartment manager here is a friend of the family and we get a good monthly rate on this place. It's just me here, so don't worry about surprising any housemates."

[Connor Dwyre]

Connor was thankful. She didn't treat him like he was flawed. He was more sure she had seen the things he was embarrassed about, and still, she hadn't turned away like so many others. She was offering a helping hand. He started feeling at least a little better. His wounds were a bit deep. He heard the Italian, though he didn't understand it.

Apparently it was her family who raised her to be open. Well, that was good. At least someone around here seemed to have a decent family life. And, the benefit of trusting your children meant trusting them alone. That meant he wouldn't have to worry about someone else looking at him funny. Well, one good thing about being blind... you never really see the judging eyes. You could still feel them, though.

From Tash, there wasn't that feeling. At least, not right now. "That's good. Somehow, I doubt many housemates would feel alright with some strange guy just showing up out of the blue." She had taken them up to her place, and led him to the bathroom. The paper towels would keep him from staining things. Even without sight, he could keep the room clean. He closed the door, and removed his gloves. He wrapped them in one of the paper towels, and shoved them in his pocket. He would toss them later. He turned the water on, using another towel on the handle.

He managed to rinse most of it off, the dried stains coming off. He found the soap, a dispenser. Thankfully, it took the rest off. He wet one paper towel, and wiped the sink down, just in case. The shirt was next, and he soaked it and rung it out, careful to keep the water in the sink. He wet his hands, and pooled the water in his hands, getting his face and hair. Afterward, he put his shirt on. The cool feeling was refreshing.

Connor cleaned up nice. Though he never saw it (for... well obvious reasons) he was good looking. A boyish charm with a mature way about him, combined with a naive innocence. His hair with that nicely messed up wet look thanks to the sink. The used paper towels were balled up neatly, with a clean one to cover the mess, and the tight wad wad discarded in the trash.

He emerged after the cleanup, his shades still in place. His hands, which throbbed a bit from the few hour long beating of the sycamore, were placed into his pockets. Though he knew she had seen, he still kept them out of sight. "Well, that is a bit better." His voice was still done, his tone defeated. But, it was more open and friendly, more so than before.

He didn't stutter, something he had done around Bix frequently. "Oh, and thanks again. For this, and for not treating me like I'm different. I appreciate it." There. He had finally gotten around to saying what he wanted to before. Though, he thought she hadn't led him by his hand due to the blood. That still could be the case. But, he doubted it. No, he had the feeling she just assumed he could follow her without the need for assistance.

"I'd like to repay your kindness. My invitation is still open. That is, if you want to go and grab some food." He smiled, which held more of that boyish charm. "You pick, I'll buy." Connor was straightforward, and the generous type. Besides, he still wanted company. He liked meeting new people. In this case, he just couldn't go home. Not just yet, anyway. There were people he didn't feel like facing. Spending time with Tash was a much more appealing option.

[Tash]

She smiles and gives a little laugh at his roommate comment. "Glad I don't have to deal with that shit." She heads over to the kitchen area as he disappears into the bathroom, pulling out two glasses from a cabinet and filling them with cold bottled water.

There was no sense in standing around waiting, so she turned on her iPod where it was docked atop a large pair of speakers. Incubus thumped out "Aqueous Transmission", mellow and transient. She sat with her eyes closed and her glass of water in hand.

Well this was an interesting twist in the day. She hadn't planned on meeting anybody new but here she was letting a guy from her highschool she hardly new anything about borrow her bathroom. Life pulled some crazy stunts on you sometimes. From the looks of it, it had done a real number on him. No matter what kind of scars, physical or otherwise, he'd ended up with, he shouldn't be treated like a leper for them. That made no sense to her. He looked like he had dealt with his fair share of misery: whether or not he deserved it was another matter. But so far as she had seen, he was a sweet guy and until he gave her a solid reason not to trust him, she'd be happy to do what she could for him. That was just the way she worked.

He came out of the bathroom, his hair damp and tousled, the sweat and dirt cleaned from his skin. The boy didn't clean up half bad. He had a kind of kid-poster boy charm he didn't really seem to be that aware of and she liked that. She didn't meet too many gingers who she considered good looking but she could put this one on the list. It wasn't as though she was on the market, but hey she could appreciate, couldn't she? There was nothing rendering that illegal.

"Well you clean up nice." She says, standing and moving over to the kitchen table. "There's a glass of ice water on the counter to your left if you want it."

Tash finishes her own glass and sets it down in the sink. Connor offers her lunch and she smiles. So there were men left with some sense of chivalry left. It wasn't as though she'd expected compensation: it was just nice to be offered it. Plus, it would be fun. A break from routine with a new friend and all that.

"I'd love to," She says, hoping he can hear the smile in her voice. "Do you like Italian food?"

[Connor Dwyre]

he blushed at her comment. That was something else he wasn't used to. Compliments. She offered him the water, and he thanked her again. She didn't bother leading him again. She directed him. He gave a small tap followed by a second, and got his bearings. He could make out the obstacles, did a quick memorization as was usual in a new area for him, and headed to the glasses.

Gently and slowly, he slid his hand so as to not knock it over. He found it, and brought it to his lips. He found he was more thirsty than he realized, and ended up downing the glass in one shot. He thought about this for a second. She could have put something in there. Could have given him something other than water even. But, she hadn't. She had been kind. But, then again, Bix and Suichi had been kind to him as well. Connor was unsure what to do. All his advice and wisdom had been spawned from what Suichi taught him. Now, not knowing if he should listen to the man who was his mentor, he didn't know what to do.

He decided to follow his heart. Though it brought him pain, it also led him down interesting roads. Tash was nice, and explained why she was open enough to help him. There was no ill will here. Connor was put a bit more at ease.

She accepted his offer, and he smiled. "Italian? Not a problem. I'm not exactly picky. And, from my experience, Italian's know food." Her choice was not surprising. He had recognized the language before after all. He could only assume she had Italian blood in her. He would let her lead again, and again she seemed to trust he could follow without needed her to baby him.

"Tash... um... if I get quiet at times, please don't take offense. With everything recent I... it's just hard to trust people sometimes, you know?" He blushed hard. "Not that you don't deserve it. We just met, and your really nice... I'm rambling, aren't I?" the last bit he had said sped up, and nervous. He didn't want to offend her. He was trying to explain, but his emotions made that difficult.

He calmed himself, and managed to regain composure. At least for now. "The two closest people to me hurt me. I'm not exactly mister popular at school. So... I just feel empty." He sighed. "Sorry. I don't mean to bring you down, too."

Thankfully the place they were going to be dining at was nearby, and Connor didn't have time to ramble on. if Tash wanted to know, he would tell her. But, he always thought of others. He didn't want to burden her with his problems. The scent of the various foods managed to provide a small distraction. The place wasn't tremendously busy, and it was quiet. That was very important.

Once they were seated, they were given menus. Regardless what language the menu was in, Connor wouldn't have been able to make much use of it anyway. He grinned sheepishly. "Um... I'm going to assume you know the food better than I would. I'll go with your recommendation. Besides, the menu is going to do me very little good. It's about as good to me as a window seat on a bus."

He wasn't shy about his condition, and didn't mind making lighthearted jokes about it, either. It was the way his eyes looked that people were uncomfortable with. Again, he kept his hands out of view as well. Down at his sides, so the scars would be out of sight.

[Tash]

He blushed. She decided not to comment on that: again, it wasn't every day you ran into a guy without a massive ego. Most of the guys at 42 were all swagger and testosterone. Connor was a really nice change.

"Tash... um... if I get quiet at times, please don't take offense. With everything recent I... it's just hard to trust people sometimes, you know?"

Out of pure complacency - she was already accustomed to treating him normally - she nodded, then quickly added an acquiescent, "Mhm, no prob." As it occurred to her he of course, would not be able to see that. Mental facepalm moment.

She still wasn't getting a clear reading on what it was that had upset him, but now it was more clear it was a person - or more than one, who had done the most recent damage. What that damage was she had no idea. For some reason, she felt like protecting him, which was ridiculous because it was obvious that despite his condition he was a guy who could probably take care of himself despite his condition without her help. Ah, that good old Italian Mamma in her couldn't help coming out sometimes could it? She shook her head and smiled wryly to herself. Crazy Tash. Crazy Crazy. Most people wouldn't be so easy going about this she guessed, from his reactions of surprise and gratitude to her offers. But hey, she'd always been told she was pretty easy going.

"Hey, don't worry about it okay? I get what you're saying. I don't know what whoever it was pulled on you but I can bet it wasn't fair. People can be such jack asses sometimes. Now, I don't know who they are, if I know them or not, or what, but from my probably biased opinion of only having met you right now I'm of the opinion that you're a sweet guy who didn't deserve whatever shit they dumped on you. And I bet you deserve better."

That was when their waiter brought them each a menu. She gave a little chuckle at his comment. Well he didn't wallow in his condition, which she liked. Couldn't be easy for him, she gave him credit for that. She doubted she could have been that positive about it.

"Well....I'm assuming you've had Italian before. What's your favorite? You tell me your favorite and I bet I can find you something new you'll probably love."

[Connor Dwyre]

She treated him without pity, but with kindness. Though it conflicted with his 'don't trust anyone right now' mentality, he was having difficulty not being himself. or at least playing his normal part. Here was someone who was just nice. Period. How she was outside of his meeting her, he didn't know. He had, after all, just met the girl. But, she summed up his problem, and said he was sweet, and deserved better.

Deserved better... better than Bix? Like a better friend? Maybe find interest in someone else? His mind tried to apply what she said to what was going on. Tash still didn't know the full story. Part of Connor was bursting, needing to get it off his chest. Another part brooded, and was still angry and hurt. Yet another, the prominent one, was just enjoying having someone like Tash to spend time with.

It was a good thing she knew Italian food, or there might have been a problem. Her response made him smile. Connor loved trying new things. It made life interesting. "Well, I've had raviolis before. But, it wasn't the most exciting dish I've eaten." Connor wasn't a picky eater, so more than likely Tash would find something that agreed with him.

He grinned. "Hit me with your best shot."

[Tash]

Tash watched him, thinking how true it was that the eyes were the window to the soul. Despite his blindness, the "empty" eyes were by no means blank. Still though the pools might be, there was life in their depths. Expressions flickered through them and across his face with amazing and bewildering fluidity: almost imperceptible. From the hurt that registered, if only for a fleeting second, she made a wild guess that it was a girl that had him hurting. Her intuition was usually a pretty accurate tool but she wasn't going to call any assumptions.

He said something about ravioli but she was still stuck on that pause he'd made earlier and the tempest of emotions that had boiled just below the surface only moments ago.


"Hey." She says, her tone serious and firm but not by any means harsh. "If you ever need to talk, I won't mind listening. I know sometimes you just need to get things off your chest. Doesn't need to be here or now or any time soon. Or it could be. Or not at all. Whatever you want. I understand. Sharing sob stories and life lessons with the world? That's just never been my thing. I'm not the kind of girl to broadcast any little someone might trust me with. Hell, I don't even broadcast my own personal life. So don't worry, if you ever need someone to hear you..."

She trails off, leaving it at that and looks back down at the menu again. This place was good even though it was a little hole in the wall - the couple who ran it was actually Italian so the food was pretty legit. Back to the food.

"Well, let's see. Back to food, glorious food. If you like stuffed pastas I'd recommend either the Agnolotti or Scarafiuni. If you want, I can explain what that is, or you could just wait and be suprised."

[Connor Dwyre]

She knew. She could tell he was thinking, almost like she could read his mind. Was he that obvious? Connor had no idea his eyes could give anything away. He assumed, albeit incorrectly, that because he was blind, his eyes reflected nothing at all. However, they still showed everything. One could almost see the story and thoughts playing out in his faded orbs.

He didn't answer right away, and Tash returned to food. She mentioned two things that he had never heard of before. He was a bit curious, and kind of wanted an explanation. But, he also liked to be surprised, at least when the surprise was pleasant. So, he grinned a bit. "Surprise me."

He was placing his faith with her as far as food goes. But, her words still rang in his head. The waiter had come, Connor ordered a drink, but let Tash do the rest. When they were left alone again, Connor took a breath. "Um... I don't usually spill my story to anyone. But, I didn't want to go home. That, and you're really nice, even though you don't have to be. You didn't show me pity. I... needed company, and it's not like I have a school full of friends to turn to."

He shrugged. "The whole thing sounds stupid at first. There is a girl, someone who I consider my best friend. She had a bad home life, and she's actually my roommate now. But, anyway, I like her more than just a friend, though. Today, I met a kid from our school in the park. As it turned out, he was her boyfriend."

"I don't know for how long they went out, or what. But, the thing that bothered me wasn't that she's with someone. It's that she kept it a secret. Not only that, but my sensei, it's his house we live at, he knew. He knew, and didn't tell me."

Thinking about the secrets being kept had him upset again, but he managed to remain calm. "It just makes me wonder what else they don't tell me. Like I'm so blind I won't figure things out. I was open with them both. I didn't keep secrets. I was always honest. I don't care she has a boyfriend. I that no one told me anything. If they had just said something, I would have been fine."

He took another breath. "I know... sounds stupid, right?" The situation might have been. Connor felt stupid for feeling that way. At least a little. But, he had never had a close relationship to anyone but his sensei before. Now, he had Bix, but they had both hid things from him. He was more confused than anything.
The drinks had come, and he took a long drink before speaking again.

"Sorry. For unloading. Thanks for listening, though." It was obvious he didn't like burdening people with his problems. Connor was more likely to take on others pain before dealing with his own. Tash's company was right now very therapeutic.

[Tash]

"Hey," She shrugs: an off hand gesture, and then immediately feels like an idiot, hoping fervently the motion carries through her voice. "Don't worry, it's not stupid. I mean maybe it's not stuff that's worthy of a Peter Jackson epic, but what hurts hurts. Whether or not the situation is big, being lied to and having things hidden from you isn't fair and is going to hurt."

On impulse, she reaches across the table and touches his hand. It's brief contact: solid and real, but gentle, like the rest of her. Then her hand is gone and back in her lap. She's not sure if she's crossing the line here, but it was a gesture of friendship that didn't feel wrong to her. Hopefully, it hadn't made him uncomfortable either.

"Don't feel stupid, Connor. You got burned. It wasn't your fault. You're allowed to get hurt - just not to get stuck on it forever. You seem like too good a guy to get stuck in that kind of rut, okay?" She says, her voice steady and sure.

Presently the waiter reappeared and Tash smiled, greeting him in Italian - he was the owners' son and she was a regular here. She decided she was in the mood for gnocchi, which she ordered with a light red sauce. Connor had said "Surprise me." so she kept speaking Italian when she ordered for him as well, deciding on the Agnolotti and then thanking the waiter before he disappeared into the kitchen once more.

[Connor Dwyre]

OOC: Sorry for the delay.

The hand that touched his was a nice gesture. He wasn't uncomfortable with it, just a little surprised. He was more used to contact of a violent nature. He smiled. Her words helped, too. Yes, it was nothing to shatter the Earth. But, he had been hurt. He was allowed to be hurt. Don't get stuck on it. Well, that would be tough. But, at least someone understood.

"Thanks."

She had made a judgment call on his character. Too good of a guy to be like this, huh? Maybe. He heard the waiter come back, and she had talked to him in Italian. Connor had absolutely no idea what she had just ordered for him. But, he did ask her to surprise him. She seemed to enjoy that. He could hear the smile in her voice. Her personality and energy alone were enough to help lift his spirits.

"You've made me feel a lot better than I did a little while ago." He smiled. "If you ever need a friend, you can count on me. Though, something tells me you're way to easy going to be hurt easy." He shrugged. "But, even if it's just to vent, I'm always around." He smiled inwardly, too. He had made a new friend. But, now he was a bit curious what had brought her to this school. That, and he would rather be thinking of something other than what had brought him to the park in the first place.

"So, what brought you to 42?"