forum Heyo!// rp with FanficFanatic

Started January 25, 2021 by @ElderGodSwimwithGamers group

tune

"Ah, actually, these papers are my work," Darius explained. He lifted one up, showing Mara it.
"My teachers want me to answer all these questions and take them back in tomorrow to see if they're right."

Mara furrowed her brow as she read over the paper. “What does that do? I don't understand.”

"It just shows my teachers I understand what they want to teach me," Darius continued. "And that I can use it."

“But why do you have to use paper to show that?” Mara asked, looking back at Darius since she didn't understand the words on the paper. “Don’t you just use it to show you can read and write?”

"Well, reading and writing is part of it," Darius agreed. "But we use it to record everything we know so we don't have to all tell the teacher, which would take too long."

Mara nodded slowly as he explained. “What else do you learn then?” she asked curiously. Everything that she had learned had been to help her survive in this much larger world.

"Well, how to work with numbers, how to write stories and essays, how to plan out big projects. How to run a business, mostly." Darius shrugged a bit, not seeing much of a big deal.

“Why do you need to know that stuff?” she asked again, not understanding how that was important. Stories were fun when you had time, projects… Mara considered planning how she was going to gather what she needed something of a project… and when she needed to make things like new clothes or blankets.

"Well, it shows you can think well, and people will pay you more money if you're good at it. Plus, with learning how to run a business, it'll help me make more money." Darius shrugged just a touch.

Mara nodded slowly, only having a vauge understanding of money as she had occasionally found some runaway coins in places people like Darius couldn't reach. "People will pay you if you can think well?" she asked, still confused. Why would the ablity to think be something you can be paid for?

"Well, they'll pay you more for your work," Darius corrected. "They think you'll be able to do a better job than someone who doesn't have the schooling you do."

“Oh.” Mara nodded, finally understanding. “So, if you do good on this work, then people will think you can do good on the kind of work you get money for. That makes sense.”

"Mhm!" Darius smiled, then looked down at the pile of work he had. "I got a lot of work to do, though…" The man let out a sigh, shaking his head some.

“Oh, ok.” Mara nodded. “Um, if you want to put the picture up so you can work, I won’t mind. I should probably work on straightening the rest of my home out a little more anyway.”

"Okay, then." Darius stood, picking the picture back up.
"So… talk to you soon?" The man was holding the picture up by his chest, not putting it in place yet as he looked at Mara. This was the closest he'd gotten to her by far.

“S-sure. I'll be around.” Mara smiled softly, a little surprised at herself for wanting to see him again. It was strange but she actually was starting to like his company.

Darius offered a sweet smile, nodding once. Then, he lifted the picture up, pressing it in place and covering up the hole. He couldn't help but still smile, a very light blush on his cheeks.

Mara smiled back and gave a small wave as the picture hid her home from sight again. In the dark again, she lit a couple homemade candles and started cleaning the rest of her home. It wasn't too bad, just a little dusty… But she was sure she could find a use for the white powder.

Darius stepped back when he had set the picture back, moving to sit down on the couch. He couldn't keep the smile from his lips, knowing Mara was still right there, in her home.
So, over the next few hours, Darius did his schoolwork, organizing the papers by class and tackling them one subject at a time. The writing was the hardest, but he was pushing through.

Mara hummed softly to herself as she picked up some of the knicknacks that had fallen over. Fortunately nothing was broken and nothing in her "pantry" or bedroom was disturbed, though there was a thin layer of dust on her bed. Honestly, she didn't blame Darius for this. It could have ended up much worse for her if it had been anyone else who found her.

Darius had to admit, he was glad he had been the one to find Mara too. He had no idea what one of his friends would have done if they had seen her, or god forbid been the first one to her. He'd have to keep this top secret.
So, as time continued, Darius got more and more of his work done, finally laying down on the couch with a soft moan. He'd finished, but at what cost to his sanity?

With her home in better order, Mara had started cooking. She was just planning on a simple soup tonight… maybe with some pieces of those crackers that weren't too crumbly. Not that she minded, she often used the crumbs to make bread and it usually turned out pretty good.

Darius pulled his couch pillow close to himself, burying his face in it. God, that'd taken way too long. After a few minutes, the man stood, shuffling out to the kitchen to get some food for himself. He started with a glass of water, pulling out his bag of pizza rolls.

(That's a mood)

Mara sighed a little as the usual silence of her home lacked the comfort she was used to and now felt more oppressive than normal.

(mhm XD)

Darius found himself glancing out to the living room more and more as he put some pizza rolls onto a tray and sticking them in the oven. It felt… weird to him, how Mara was right out there, but Darius still felt alone. He couldn't help but keep thinking of the woman, wrapping arms around himself.