this place

“If by busy, you mean some photoshoot and trying on clothes, sure. Busy,” said back Jason with a shrug. “Oh I’m not bothered exactly, but I’m bored more than anything and I would assume you’d be willing to go and cause some mischief around, Damian. But if you’re not that interested, I can always go and ask Nathan.”

He didn’t expect Jason to appreciate his work much. It was quite a world away from his, and frankly not really something he thought Jason would be interested in in the slightest. Mischief? Well of course he wasn’t gonna turn down an offer like that. His interests were perked immediately, and his composure echoed his interest - straightening up, shoulders rising a little, and head cocking just a fraction. “What you got in mind?”

She’d been walking by when she saw the young man practically sprinting, then he rushed past her, nearly knocking her over. She started to say something in protest to his actions when she saw him scoop up the little cat. And he did turn back and apologize. “It’s alright,” she waved him off. “Glad you got to him in time. He’s cute, does he have a name?” she asked, looking at the cat and then back to his owner.

“Damian.” He answered the pretty lady, a devilish grin flashing across his features as he adjusted his grip on the creature in his arms to ensure it couldn’t escape. “And the cat’s name is Bathtub.”

“Legally out of trouble,” repeated Oogie with a face. “Those are words I wouldn’t think I’d hear come out of your mouth, Damian. I would have thought you were more interesting,” said Oogie with a smirk. He could care less about his personal life and such. The important part he cared about was mostly Lock being available to cause some trouble.

“You know I’m a busy kid, right? I have a job and a career.” He almost rolled his eyes, feeling the weight of Jason’s ever judgemental gaze on him. Somehow, not being in trouble seemed like it made Jason think less of him. And here he was, trying to be a good boy. “Why you so bothered about it? Should I be in trouble?”

“Yeah, they scratch everything. From what I read it’s because of stress and to take care of their nails. Getting the cat to actually use that pole to scratch it is another story,” said Benjamin with a  shrug, figuring he’d have to teach the pet to do it. “I mean, there are articles and such that talk about how to do it.”

Damian was grimacing at him, now learning all the things he had neglected to consider.“If I’d have known I was signing up for this...” He grumbled. “Do you have the cat already? Or are you getting one?”

“The only good news? I would expect for someone as influential as you to have more to talk about rather than me and my car accident,” said Oogie with a hitched eyebrow. “You’ve stayed out of trouble lately? That’s quite boring.”

“Legally out of trouble.” He shrugged at the comment. “Works work. Barrel’s a different story, though. Depends what you count as trouble, I guess.” He wasn’t sure what of his relationship life he was alright with Jason knowing, and hoped Jason’s disinterest was extended toward it.

Noah laughed and shook his head. “Nah, no law enforcement. I’ve got other ways to deal with them if it came to it.” Not like he really did anything to have to use that, but celebrity did come with a bit of power. “Yeah, I wish it was an ex. That would be better than a group of screaming fan girls. They’re vicious in packs.”

Now that Damian could sympathise with. His mouth formed an ‘o’ shape, and he straightened up his posture. “Oh, well then. In that case I can relate, and I sympathise. That’s why you gotta wear glasses in public, man. And nothing else that gives you away.”

“As long as you’re a good multitasker.”

After only a brief moment, Damian was pulling away, a sheepish look on his face. “I’m sorry, but- no. This ain’t working for me.” He avoided girls that reminded him of Astrid...

“Whatever suits you then,” said Oogie with a shrug, not that he cared much about the whereabouts of Damian. He was a big kid and he could take care of himself, let alone, he knew what had happened was dealt so there were no loose ends. “Well. As you can see I’m fine. It was nothing to worry about after all.”

If Oogie wasn’t worried, then Damian had no qualms that he would become a prosecuted criminal anytime soon. Oogie standing upright with no trouble was a great relief too, though he tried not to let his concern for the man show in any way. His lips cracked at the corners to a vague, but still there smile. “Well, that’s the only good news this week then.”

“That’s one way to describe it. I love my program but there has got to be a better way to evaluate people than this.”

“At least you love it?” The boy offered. “Sometimes that helps to get you through. But then again, they also say if you do what you love, you'll learn to hate it. I don't agree with that myself, though.”

“Oh, okay. Well, uh, if you need something, just ask. I know you don’t know me, but ask anyway.” Herc was the type of person that cared about people and wanted to help if he could.

Kind strangers were kind of weird. Damian was nice when it meant he could be sarcastic or end up in a new number in his contacts. But people who were polite and nice just to be police and nice? Weirdo’s... “Uh, cheers man, but I’m fine really. Just a bit of good old work stress, you know?” He offered him a small smile in an attempt to appease him.

“I suppose not. They do have quite a,” said Benjamin as he looked at the shelves of cat food they had to offer, “A wide variety to choose from. But I do see a lot of people taking those cans of food. Those must be the ones to go with,” he said with a shrug. “And I think just some few toys would be useful, and a scratching pole or a surface so the cat doesn’t destroy my furniture.”

Well, any cat food was a good choice for Damian to give his new... friend. If this guy was choosing it, he’d choose it too. “Oh yeah.. that’s a good point. Wait, do cats do that? Man, I have leather sofas. This things gonna wreck my house.” He grimaced, a mumble tone to his voice that gave it a childishness.

“Dude what the hell?” She pressed down on the boys shoulders, sitting him down on the chair behind him. “You’re safe. You’re at Fall Technologies. What’s wrong?”

“You again?” Damian was blinking dumbly at the figure who spoke. Did she just wait at places where he was meant to meet someone else?

“Hey! Can you just look like you’re talking to me real, quick? I’m trying to avoid someone. Thanks, you’re a big help.” Noah turned so that his back was facing the rest of the street and with one last look, he turned to face his new friend.

“As long as it’s not the law you’re trying to avoid. I don’t want to talk to them either.” His lips quirked in his usual grin, a small laugh leaving him. He eyed over this man, and opted to be friendly. He needed more friends. “Go on then- who you hiding from? Ex?”

“I am looking for students and new dancers to help out at the studio,” Marie explained, holding her hot chocolate close to her. “So if you fit one of those qualifications, you should follow me there. It could be a lot of fun! Disaster or not.”

“Dancing is one of the few things I will gladly hold my hands up and say; I’m not good at. It isn’t for me. I like to play music though. Not like, amazing or anything, just good enough to read a decent sheet and play it.” He thought for a moment, seemingly contemplating something to himself. “I do have a couple friends who like to dance though.”