forum Crushing Hearts [Repost] (1/1)

Started April 05, 2023 by @RhysTheFirebird group

tune

Cyris nods slightly, “You did, and I never doubted it.”

He smiles slightly, “What do you like about the city proper, now that you live in it?”

Arthur shrugged. "I guess the convenience of things. Stores, food, entertainment, all close by. But honestly? Like I said, I get away regularly. I guess I don't really like it all that much. It just… it's where I've got a piece of my parents. One that isn't tainted by a lot of memories. I didn't hang around my dad's real estate a lot, so it's not like every time I come down the street I remember him and feel sad, or something. But I do feel close to him, living in something he built. And that's all I can ask, I guess."

Cyrin nods slightly, listening to Arthur speak. "I spend a lot of time in my sister's room, honestly. Most times, it hurts more to leave than enter." He takes a drink of his soda, " But everyone deals with grief diffrently, and it makes sense that you wouldn't want to be in the same house with all the memories, but still be close to them."

Most days though, Cyrin didn't want to get out of bed. He wanted to stay there, but that would lead to him getting sick. He couldn't put his parents through that, so he got out of bed. And though he never tried to act like it was all perfect, he wondered if his parents thought that was what HE was trying to do.

"How about. . . Favorite movie? Book? And Genre?"

Arthur watched Cyrin talk about his grief, his expression sympathetic, understanding. Here, they had a bond of common grief. He'd lost family, he knew what Cyrin was feeling.
He had to wonder about some of Cyrin's darker moments, or darker feelings, and while he wasn't prying at those, he wondered if he'd ever be able to tap into them a bit… those could be very useful.
"Favorite movie is that Fables comic they adapted to a screenplay a couple years ago, 'Wolf Among Us'. Pretty neat concept. Favorite Book?" He thought for a second. "Probably 'Deathworlders' by Philip Johnson. Genre is fantasy or sci-fi, though I've found I really like gritty modern-day slice of life stuff, but centered on fantastical characters."
He chuckled ruefully, looking down. "Real escapist kind of stuff, I guess…"

Cyrin smiles, “Never heard of any of that, to be honest.” He laughs softly, grinning slightly. “But then, I haven’t heard of much beyond the world of music and dancing.”

He takes a moment and then laughs softly, “That makes me sound so narrow minded. . .” He clears his throat softly, “I mean, I do my best, but. . .” He shakes his head slightly, “It’s difficult to find other things to enjoy when I’m always busy with work.”

Arthur pretended to look deeply offended. "Never heard of any of it?!?" He grinned after a moment and shrugged. "I probably wouldn't know any of the music or dance stuff you know, so. We'll call it even."
He shook his head. "You're not narrow, just… limited. It's different. Narrow sounds like you don't care about other things, or don't want to know about things. Limited just means you've not had the chance or opportunity."
His expression turned sympathetic as Cyrin went on. "I can understand that. I don't think I'd have any hobbies if I hadn't inherited a small fortune…" He looked deep in thought for a moment, before asking a quiet question.
"If you had the opportunity not to have to work so much, would you take it?"

Cyrin looks thoughtful, thinking for moment, thinking. He then lets out a breath, “The only reason I would work less would be if I had enough money to not need to work all the time, so it depends, do I have enough of an income to support my family and relax at the same time?”

Arthur nodded. "Yes. Enough money to support your family and live comfortably as well, without having to work more than a usual 40 hours a week, likely even less than that, more like 25 a week. Would you take a deal like that, if it allowed you to have more of a life?"

Cyrin thinks for a moment, “Yes. . . I would.” He sighs, “But I would still spend hours in the studio. But my weekends would be free.” He smiles softly, “I would figure out what I like besides dancing. Probably try to go to collage again.” He thinks for a moment, “Chase the art I tried for before, or maybe dancing.” He shrugs slightly.

What a BORING human being… Sixclaw rolled his eyes.

Arthur, however, nodded kindly. "So… if I offered you a job that would allow that kind of life… would you take it?" He leaned forward, smiling at Cyrin. "I need a building manager for the apartments. Pay isn't quite 6 figures, but it's close. You'd be comfortable, and it's not a high demand job. I'd do it myself, but due to some legal technicalities, I can't. I only recently found that out." He waved his hand; the technicalities weren't important.
"In any case, I'm offering you the job, and more than that, a chance at the life you just described."

(Everyone finds them all boring- lol)

Cyrin pauses, “What would I be doing?” He asks, tilting his head, curious. He takes a drink of his soda, looking at Arthur.

Arthur held his hands out, palms flat. "Nothing hard. Mostly organizational stuff. Making sure rent gets paid on time by sending out reminder emails or texts. Paying the building utilities every month. Scheduling repairs, updates, and maintenance. It's basically a desk job. You would handle anything the tenants need done, largely just scheduling. Though I've not had anyone complain in quite a while. Needed som plumbing work done about a month ago. You know, that kind of thing." He smiled. "It's not a lot of responsibility, and I'd pay you well enough to take care of your family. The hours are super easy. 5 hours daily on call. Doesn't even mean you necessarily have to be around, just so long as the tenants know they can get ahold of you during certain hours. Maybe longer weeks during times when a lot of work needs done, like renovating, but other than that… Cyrin, take it, buddy. I'm trying to help you out."

Cyrin looks at him contemplating the offer and then nods, “Sure.” He rubs his forehead, “Why not?”

He leans back, finishing his soda. He stay quiet for a moment, watching Arthur.

Arthur beamed at him. "Great! Wanna start Monday? I have the contract all written up, just gotta fill in your name and your salary!" He was clearly happy about a chance to help his friend.

He stilled, and his face fell a bit, as he considered Cyrin's completely unenthusiastic response.
"Or whenever you want to, I guess…"

Cyrin sighs, “Yeah. Sure.” He leans back, “I’m just. . . That kind of job isn’t what I’m interested in. But I can certainly try it.” He laughs softly, “I’ll try anything once.”

He smiles at Arthur, “I just. . . Don’t want to mess up.”

Arthur waved his hands again, frowning just slightly. "Cyrin, you're missing the point. Let me lay it out clearly for you." He leaned forward. "My building is relatively new and recently renovated. I only have a few tenants. I've had 1 complaint in the last several months. I'm paying you to handle that, and make sure a couple of reminder emails get sent in a month." He made hard eye contact. "You're barely going to have to do anything, and I'm going to take care of you and your family. In fact, I'm only having you sign the contract because you wouldn't take the money otherwise. This is to help you! It's not about how 'well' you do the job, or if you like it or not. This is a chance, an opportunity. I care about you, a lot, and I'm trying to help you!"

His frustration bled through a little bit. Cyrin had shown him some level of affection the other night, but had been completely frosty otherwise. It was beginning to drive him crazy.

Which you like, a little bit… admit it…

Cyrin sighs, “Look, I’m sorry if I’m upsetting you, but I just. . .” He shifts slightly, shaking his head, “Sorry. . .” He mutters, his demeanor softening slightly.

He looks at Arthur, reaching out with his hand slightly, “I’m just not used to help. I never really know how to handle it when it’s offered.”

Cyrin looked sad, or frustrated, or something, and Arthur's frustrated expression turned sympathetic.
He reached across the table, slowly, and rested his hand on top of the one Cyrin had reached out with. He kept the contact light, not wanting to force anything.
"Well… handle it by letting me help you. You deserve it, Cyrin. You've carried so much for so long, you're strong and independent, and I'm not trying to squelch that, but… I want to do for you. To give you things you've not had. I want good for you, Cyrin." His voice had gone more quiet, earnest, gentle, but persuasive.

Cyrin looks at their hands, then back to Arthur’s face. He relaxes slightly, sighing softly. He hesitantly and light rubs his thumb over the back of Arthur’s hand, “Yeah. . . I know. I’m trying. I’ll take the job. . .” He smiles slightly at Arthur.

Cyrin was trying his best, but help was not something he was used to. He was used to no one wanting to help him, but the feeling of someone wanting to help him. He could get used to it.

Arthur smiled at him, his smile only growing as Cyrin stroked the back of his hand with his thumb. He gave the smallest squeeze, trying not to push Cyrin, but indicating he was happy with the contact.
He nodded happily when Cyrin accepted the job. "Good. And you gotta know, it's kinda selfish on my part…" He flushed slightly, glancing at their hands. "If you're not working so much, maybe I'll see you more… maybe we can explore some more hobbies together…"

Cyrin smiles, “I’d love that. And it’s not selfish. It’s perfectly acceptable to be selfish sometimes. Even I am sometimes. Very, very rarely, but I am.” He laughs softly. “It almost never happens.”

He keeps moving his thumb, going quiet and just enjoying the moment.