text; [you tried] sticker goes here

[ourtomorrow]

My name is Ken. I need a job and a roommate.

[ ...that's it, right? Those were the first steps recommended to him, and they make sense. If this world can only be saved by people touching, then first Ken has to find people he's comfortable enough around to touch. He needs to form relationships.

He has no idea how. But he has to.

The world depends on him. ]

Thank you.

[ ....incidentally, anyone walking by Ainea's temple might notice a kid sitting outside of it, absently yet intently people-watching. ]

Comments

[ourtomorrow]

[ Ken has to pause again, this time, but not because he doubts his answer....he just isn't sure how much to share.

Yet, why not? This is a place about connections. If he doesn't reach out, if he isn't fully himself, Ichijouji Ken, he won't be able to do that, will he? ]

Running hurts more.

[5thchild]

[ sometimes, yes. It probably does. ]

Are you scared?

[ourtomorrow]

Are we still talking about my being here?

[ He'll be led, but he also notices things. Sometimes. ]

[5thchild]

[ Ah.

(: ]

In a way, it's related to that.
Running away is a choice. Some choose it, others do not. Each person weighs their choices based on possible outcomes. If running away pains you more than the possible outcome, perhaps acting is for the best.

But it's always based on a possibility. There is always a small doubt in the back of your mid, "Which is the right choice?"
It can be scary, making a decision, for you never know how much it will hurt you.

Are you scared of your decision not to run away from this?

[ourtomorrow]

[ Well, that's a lot. Ken has to read it several times before he even gets to the question at the end, but fortunately, he knows the answer to that - even if he's not sure about his answer, or his opinion, regarding the points raised above.

Running away is never the right choice....is it? Why would it ever be? Are there things he's confronted that he shouldn't have....What would something like that look like? Why would anyone suggest this? ]

I'm not.

[5thchild]

[ kaworu is a lot, let's be honest ]

I see.
That's very brave of you. [ many wouldn't be so certain ]

[ourtomorrow]

Thank you.

[ He's never...been called brave before. Though, he has heard things, from a friend...maybe it's a version of brave? More like - because he's worked hard to change, there's nothing to be scared of any more.

Right, that's a good reminder. There's nothing to be scared of any more. ]

What do you think I should do next?

[ Keeping in mind that he wants to Not Run Away, etc. Asking for advice from someone who has inquired after him isn't a bother, is it? ]

[5thchild]

You wish to help this world.
Therefor, contact with another would be the most logical step, right? [ that's what they are asked to do here. ]

[ourtomorrow]

Right.

[ Hm. Um.

This is the part where he asks this person if they want to meet, isn't it.

And yet, Ken hesitates. Texts are one thing...

No, he can do it. He will do it.

He just needs a moment. ]

[5thchild]

[ take your time Ken]

You also wished to find a job and a roommate. Which would also be steps you are interested in taking.
Have you found those?

[ourtomorrow]

A roommate. I have leads on temporary jobs.

[ and one, uh, permanent yet rather amorphous employment theoretical that appeals for reasons he hasn't examined yet ]

I hope...that's a start.

[ ask the person, ken, it's not like you aren't curious

ask the person ]

[5thchild]

I see.
Then you are on a good path.

[ourtomorrow]

Thank you.

[ This is the moment. The moment is passing. Uh. Um.

He is not going to start this adventure with regrets, here goes. ]

I have another question.

[ oh gosh he's doing it ]

[5thchild]

[ Kaworu is usually the one asking all the questions] Yes?

[ourtomorrow]

Would you like to meet? In person.

[ Specifics are important. ]

[5thchild]

[ well, he doesn't see why meeting Kaworu is important but he is also not going to say no to interaction with others]

Certainly. We can meet now if you'd like.

[ourtomorrow]

[ Now?

Ken almost types that - in fact, he does, then erases it. They wouldn't have sent him this if they hadn't meant it. Now. They want to meet him right now. ]

Thank you.

[5thchild]

I will wait for you by the fountain.

[ourtomorrow]

See you soon.

[ The fountain is one of the places Ken knows in town, so he hurries over, head up and alert for anyone who might seem like they're anticipating someone. Come to think of it, he has no idea what to expect, nor does the person he's looking for...

Anyway, here is a literal child. Glancing around. ]

[5thchild]

[ Kaworu is a teenager which is, in a way, a child. Not that anyone in his world cared, it seemed.

In any case, Kaworu is easy to spot if only because there aren't many people there at the fountain. As usual, he has a smile and hands in his pockets, as he approaches Ken ]

Hello. Are you Ken? [ kaworu never did introduce himself did he? ] I'm Kaworu. Kaworu Nagisa.

[ourtomorrow]

Nagisa-san. [ Ken bows - he's not quite as proper as one of his friends may be, but that doesn't mean he has no manners. ] I am. Ichijouji Ken, that is.

[ This is going well. ]

It's nice to meet you.

[5thchild]

Just Kaworu is fine. [ he doesn't care much about names, but knows to be called by his surname lacks intimacy. And Kaworu surely is all about intimacy. ]

It's nice to meet you as well. [ he smiles wider leaning forward a bit what is personal space ]

[ourtomorrow]

[ --He's forward in body language just like he was with his questions. Somehow Ken was not expecting that, and steps half a pace back.

While realizing he wasn't sure what he wanted to do here.

...Oh, right. Saving the world.

Ken sticks out his hand. ] You helped me a lot. If you don't mind, would you like...?

[ Is this what he has to do? To save everyone?

Why is this harder than shooting lasers at evil? ]

[5thchild]

[ Kaworu looks down at the other's hand. Who is being forward now? It seems Ken doesn't fear contact at all.

And neither does Kaworu. His hand reaches for Ken's and he holds it with much gusto. Kaworu does like contact even though he... Never really had any.]

To help this world, right?

[ourtomorrow]

Right.

[ And that's what's helping Ken give this a try now. He'll...do his best to make this a good hand-hold, whatever...That means.

.....Is something supposed to be happening? ]