Petting Zoo Safari [open]

[shinsei]

Bright and happy were many people of La Campana. There were many students of many varieties walking around the campus-wide and all too well known event of the Fireworks Festival. Of course, the Fireworks wouldn’t be lit until night. Today, students of the South-East plaza were gathering to the jungle gyms and petting zoo. All the animals here were actually animals from preservations and zoos that were owned by the Honatsu company. And the supposed heir to that company attended La Campana and was at the plaza as spoken.

It was the all too famous heir, and rumored to be gay, Shinsei Uwasa Honatsu. He walked amongst the others, his hair seeming a bit messy since he probably had just gotten up late. There was a certain air about him that was mellow yet charismatic and provided a soothing atmosphere for those around him. In turn, many animals also walked up to him and began following his soothing atmosphere as if he was Noah from the Bible. And he was definitely too tired to pick up a board let alone build an ark.

Despite his black and white strands of hair being mussed up, he wore his earring on his ear correctly. His eyes were half lidded and calm, it appeared to have a haze or smoke in him that made him look as if he was contemplating something. His clothes were messy and he went out without realizing he slapped on his host clothes which included an open t-shirt, a cross necklace, and some loose and baggy-ish pants. But over all, wasn’t too bad and could be used for casual everyday clothing.

He yawned a bit but was cut off when he heard something promptly followed by a tugging on his shirt. It happened to be one of the baby goats. He blinked as his expensive casual shirt was being bitten by the goat and many people stared. However, he sighed amusedly and smiled as he leaned down gently pulling at the shirt and getting the goat to somehow return the shirt to him so he was free. “Now now, this isn’t in your possession. Try a bit of hay.” He said patting the young kid (goat) on the head. He remembered that he had to keep a very professional appearance in public and that was something his mother often reminded him of. Although, it’s not like he would kick the goat if there was no one around. Probably just tug a bit harder on the shirt or actually give the goat his shirt, though he was glad he didn’t.

He sighed and sat down on a bale of hay and picked up a small spotted brown rabbit and laughed a bit as the whiskers of the rabbit tickled him. Well, it wasn’t all that bad being here, he supposed.

[beyond]

Beyond didn't want to be here. In fact, he would much rather just be shut up in his room or finding another little hideaway than being among these people. His lips were tugged into a frown as he continued to walk the South-East Plaza. Festivals were not his favorite things to attend. Actually, he couldn't remember having gone to one but this year he had gone off on a whim and decided to go. What a mistake that had been. Beyond didn't like being around all these people, it put bad thoughts into his head. So many people that he wished he could join, to break into their little circle and be accepted, but he already knew they would turn him away and Beyond was prone to violence. He'd already been taken in before, he'd rather not do anything here when his foster parents were so far away and liable to ignore pleas of help anyway.

Instead he just followed the rumors being spoken about some important family being here. When he heard the name he realized that he'd heard it before and knew it was another person who attended La Campana. Beyond prided his eidetic memory even if he had never spoken to the other boy. It wasn't the other student that drew him anyway, rather the promise of exotic zoo animals that brought him here. Beyond was getting bored and the animals around campus simply didn't amuse him anymore. He wanted to get a look at what was here and then when everyone was caught up in the fireworks later perhaps he would strike. He'd been looking into more anatomy books lately, he wanted to try dissecting tonight.

But the crowd proved difficult to navigate through and as his temper increased, Beyond realized that for now he should perhaps find a place to wait until a more opportune moment came up. He stopped and noticed that he was standing by a large bale of hay and that someone had just sat down on it and promptly pulled a rabbit onto his lap. Beyond frowned at the gentle nature in which this other boy handled the small creature. What was he lacking that made him incapable of showing affection to anything? Beyond canted his head and looked at the boy more and realized that he was the very same Honatsu from La Campana.

"Busy day today," he said casually. Most if not all of his emotions were faked, but he did a good job of it at least as a bright smile lifted his lips. "But it seems as though you've found a way to avoid the madness," he added, glancing at the rabbit.

[shinsei]

He eyed the small spotted rabbit as it seemed perfectly healthy. He did have vets on hand he could call in case this wasn’t the case. But he liked rabbits. They were small, quiet, pleasing to the touch, and also, they didn’t usually go up in pairs of seven like cliques at the school would probably do to approach someone. He’s tried to distance himself a bit from others which give people a feeling of ‘this person is a bit rich and snobby. He’s untouchable’ but he barely uses his riches except for school events such as these. As for being snobby, if distancing himself, though not because of a superiority complex, made him snobby, then he supposed that was true enough. Though, he didn’t really find himself to be snobby.

He blinked as he heard a voice speak to him so casually. He looked up from the rabbit towards the person who spoke. ‘Busy day today’. It really was, but it was to be expected since it was the festival. He’s seen this person before, perhaps in one of his classes. What was his name again? Ah, right, “It certainly is. Especially speaking since the grounds are just like the hallways where they tend to stand in the center instead of one side or the other.” He said smiling back toward the other. “I believe your name was Beyond Birthday? I don’t think I’ve formally met you. My name’s Shinsei Honatsu. Nice to meet you.” He said calmly. He nodded looking to the rabbit, as he allowed it to hop away from his lap, “Unlike most of the people around here, they’re very quiet and make for good company, I think. Though, Beyond-san, you don’t have to fake a smile if you don’t want to. I have to maintain a public appearance which does get very bothersome at times but I think you should at least enjoy this event how you see fit instead of smiling for people you do not want to smile for. I’ve faked a smile plenty of times to define real from fake.”

It was just as he had said. He rarely ever smiled truly for others and he was unaware when he ever did. It’s been so long since he smiled so freely. He noticed this for awhile but had already shoved the thought so far away in his mind that it barely bothered him anymore. The fact that it was barely bothering him startled him a little. “Although I can barely let myself free, I hope you can at least free yourself enough that you don’t have to feel so uncomfortable as to fake an act.” He got up from the bale of hay as he brushed off some hay from his pants.

[beyond]

Beyond chuckled slightly and nodded in agreement. "Oh yes, because it makes so much more sense to block the way rather than making things easier for the people who are simply trying to get where they need to be," he replied. So then he wasn't the only person who took note of that, people irked him, a lot. He was almost surprised that the other student knew him. Granted his name wasn't particular common but Beyond kept to himself for the most part. It told him that Shinsei actually paid attention to the things around him. "Yes, that is my name. It is a pleasure to formally meet you, Shinsei," he replied. Maybe, he couldn't tell if it was going to be a pleasure or not, but he'd grown up faking most of his interactions in the hopes of not arousing suspicion about his character so he wasn't about to change that now.

Once more he was surprised when Shinsei was about to pick that up about him. "Heh, you're very perceptive," he said. Beyond wasn't sure if he was happy about that or not. "Most people see a smile and think that the person behind it is having a wonderful time." He let the grin drop from his features. Yes, this was more him, a monotonous expression that held almost no emotion to it. It was disconcerting to most people, which was why he usually wore his mask. "To be honest, I'm not sure why I even bothered to come here," Beyond replied. "Festivals...aren't really my thing, I don't enjoy crowds."

Of course, Shinsei was giving him a lot of information about himself without rambling on about his history. If he hardly smiled then Beyond could conclude that he never had a reason to which meant that there must not have been many good occurrences with the other boy. If Beyond were capable of true feelings he might have felt bad for Shinsei, he was able to register that it didn't sound like a good thing, but in ways to comfort...he had no idea.

"I find most interactions go more smoothly if I am not being myself," Beyond replied. "People...don't like me when I cast aside the act." Maybe because that side of him that promised something bad showed more clearly. He grinned again, but this time it wasn't forced, it was more playful. "However, since you picked up on the act, I'm sure you won't mind me being more of myself than I'd normally allow. Since you've extended such a kindness to myself, I feel it only fair that you are allowed to do the same. If you fake things with me, I'm afraid I'll have to be offended."

[shinsei]

He smiled, this tactic was all too easy. To pretend to be the social and friendly guy around campus. It was the exact thing that Shinsei had done in class. This method worked well and despite some rumors, he got along well with the class. Counting his wealth, there were some people only out for money which he didn’t care for since, as he said, he only spent large sums of money on the events the school offered to the students. The animals were just a bonus since his father’s animal loving trait probably inadvertently passed into him. They usually didn’t argue and when you choose the right animal, they can be very quiet.

He found himself quite lucky to have gotten Beyond’s name right. It was a name very different from a normal Japanese name. Technically, Shinsei was half English but they took the liberty to give him a Japanese name to follow in the footsteps of their mother. But at the same time, he wished he looked more like his father so he’d look less like his mother. He nodded at the formal greeting that Beyond had given him. This kind of greeting was common and he would believe that if Beyond was perhaps at one of the business parties he’d often been forced to go to, Beyond would probably not like it but would adjust and fit in well with simply faking his personality. After all, it’s already been this easy for Shinsei.

“I’ve been taught to be very good at faking things. Quite literally speaking.” He said as he watched the grin drop from the other’s face. Ah, this was better. A more comfortable face than the other but at the same time, he envied it. A face that the other felt comfortable with but Shinsei would not be allowed to make if he wanted to at that moment. “I’m sure that for the chairman of La Campana, he wanted to give the students a chance to relax but also split them up into things they enjoy: Food, talents, animals, etc. They probably believe that there must be someone of the opposite gender amongst us who will stop our believed problem of being gay or bisexual. After all, that is the purpose that this school is here for.”

He knew that feeling all too well. Especially since he had to make ‘Shinsei’ look good amongst others. “Because humans are fickle, more often than not, they will take a personality they find better contrary to the personalities they look down upon. They can say that they don’t discriminate or want to ‘help’ but not many people do so. Though, that doesn’t mean everyone does so.” He knew this concept and he didn’t meet many people who fit the criteria of non-discriminatory and those who go through with their word. They probably feared becoming an outcast to their own group or some other reason. He looked to the playful grin on Beyond’s face, quite a change to him since it didn’t appear to be faked. “Sure, you can allow yourself to act more like yourself around me. However, even if I wanted to be ‘me’, the near entirety of my life is supposedly to be devoted to not being me. So in that way, I can’t quite be myself even if I wanted to. I apologize if it makes you feel offended, Beyond-san.” He said smiling a bit towards Beyond, though it was faked of course.

[beyond]

For the most part, people who were fake irked Beyond. He knew it was hypocritical of him, but he only faked things so that he wouldn't be sent somewhere worse than this place. He did not desperately cling to the popular crowd in the hopes of boosting his own name. No, Beyond wanted to be remembered, but it would be through his own power and volition, not because of the people he knew. However, Shinsei seemed as if he fell into a similar category that he did. Beyond got no sense that the other boy longed to be socially crowned among the other students, but more that he was simply faking things so he wouldn't have to deal with their juvenile games. "It's a pity," Beyond said softly. "But then, most people do it."

Beyond snickered a bit at the next thing Shinsei said and he shrugged lightly. "I find the whole principle of this school amusing. Reformation through force, continually trying to bring the opposite genders together, they should know that it won't work," he replied. He shook his head and sighed. "I suppose if throwing these events together makes them think that a girl and a boy will suddenly fall upon each other than it's not my business to ruin their fantasy." Honestly, sometimes he wondered why he was even in this place. Beyond didn't really think about sexuality all that much anyway. On rare occasions he was attracted to someone, and yes sometimes that someone was a boy, but it was hardly the focus on his life.

He liked how Shinsei viewed things, it was almost blunt but it was a relief to hear someone else was able to point these things out rather than walk blindly past them. He shrugged again. "I make no false promises," he admitted. "If I can help someone I may choose to do so, I will not, however, say that I go out of my way to do so. Most people would find this selfish, but I wouldn't deny that to be true. I am a selfish person," he said. Beyond didn't care if people were turned off by his mannerisms, maybe admitting such a thing would make Shinsei want to leave this conversation behind, to be honest, Beyond didn't care. He didn't care about a lot of things, especially people. Not in the genuine sense anyway.

Still, he found Shinsei's inability to be himself as a challenge. If he could somehow break him of this facade then what sort of person would he be looking at? Beyond wanted to know, it was almost growing to the point where he needed to know. Beyond hated being ignorant of anything, the more knowledge he had the better off he felt. "There are ways," he said. "For example...what is one thing you want to do right now?" he asked. "It could be anything so long as it's nothing ridiculously impossible. Once you get that answer, just do it and forget about the consequences it may carry."

[shinsei]

“Because it’s in human nature. I guess it’s like you can’t treat a bird in the same way you treat a fish since one is bound by sea while the other can fly. And even then, some birds can’t fly, and some fish are not actually fishes, like dolphins and whales who are actually mammals. The whales can coexist with the fishes but at the same time, there are predators who prey on whales. A never ending cycle similar to society, though I suppose that technically speaking, even if we are humans, we are also ‘animals’.” He said calmly. It wasn’t going to do any good if he just yelled and screamed, kicking his arms and legs everywhere like a spoiled brat. Though he supposed that would be the closest thing to something he would do by now since he wasn’t raised correctly nor was he given that feeling of support that allowed him to get away from trying to cling to something, also like a scared child.

“Speaking of the school, it’s idiotic really to send us all together. Rather than telling us to change our orientation, it more so encourages it. Though if the school chairman is that naïve, I won’t argue since it seems the majority of students here enjoy intermingling with other people of similar sexual orientation. Humans still have basic human thoughts that need a comfort zone. When all else fails, they’ll believe in their illusions until they believe it as truth, no? Even I have fallen prey to this theory a few times.” He said truthfully and bluntly. “But as you said, it’s not up to me either.”

How long really has it been since he’s talked about such ideas that were thought of as ‘grim’? Silly humans, we merely made up standards that defined things as grim, cheerful, modest, etc. If they’re going to make such boundaries, then why not listen to truth rather than trying to hide their ears from thoughts that did not go in favor of them? “I don’t want to be depended as such as if it was my duty. What if I wasn’t able to help them, whoever it may be? Then wouldn’t the blame be put on me even though they called out for me? Such things are troublesome but I guess that’s why I often times don’t walk out of line. You’re very good at admitting your selfishness, Beyond-san. However, it’s in a human’s nature to be selfish. It can be any kind of enticing sentiment to make one selfish. Even if it was a heartfelt loving emotion, in the end you want that person’s love. If you’re someone who’s cold, you’ll more likely try to seek out warmth.” He said, once again with the analogies.

He smiled a bit toward Beyond, the one thing that he wanted to do? “I’ve never really thought about it. The straight A, supposedly straight, friendly, and proper heir to the Honatsu company, that’s the guise I’ve been going under for too long. However, why would Beyond-san want to know about me? What I want to do, how to break my walls down..Do you feel that indebted for me allowing you to speak freely that you want me to speak freely too? Or is it of selfish reasons for yourself?” He asked, “I won’t reprimand you either way.” He said flatly. The true him really was only a child: Scared of being alone, scared of walking outside the line, and still a little brat who does what he is told. What more was their to ‘Shinsei’ or his true self?

[beyond]

"Hmm a fair point," he said to Shinsei's analogies. He smirked inwardly though. Such things were true of course but one never really had a chance to truly talk about it such as this. "I only wonder about those who fall outside of human nature, there are those that, try as they might, can never seem to follow the standardized codes that seem to have befallen us all." Such as himself, he supposed. Beyond knew enough to know that harming animals, killing them and wishing to extend such practices to his fellow man was anything but normal. However, what was he supposed to do about that? Confess everything? It would fling him to the bottom of the food chain, prey to the justices of the world and locked away for the safety of the rest. Beyond wasn't ready for that quite yet.

He could only shake his head when it came to the school. "You're right, and I'm sure the rest of the students would be livid should someone point this truth out. Naturally being placed in the same setting is more of a convenience than anything, this school probably serves a better purpose of making people more comfortable with their sexuality considering they are in a setting with more people such as themselves," he spoke as if he were not one of them, and he supposed that he wasn't really. He was sent here on a exaggerated opinion of his foster parents, not for any solid evidence.

Beyond grinned again and nodded. "Ah, yes see? I was beginning to think that no one else shared my views on things. It really doesn't matter what you say your cause is for, in the end it always winds up being for yourself, or at least part of it deals with your own benefit," he said. His eyes flashed slightly. "Anyone sent here can vouch for that, their parents think this is the best 'cure' for them, I say there is nothing really to cure, it is simply a way for the parents not to deal with it."

People utterly disgusted him. Let them think what they will about him, he didn't care, as long as he wasn't like them he wouldn't care. He sighed and when Shinsei asked why he wanted to know, Beyond took a moment before answering, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Selfish reasons, I suppose," he admitted. "You are not like the other people around, shallow and insignificant. You are, however, like a puzzle and all puzzles are challenges and I do so love challenges." Beyond smirked a little and shrugged. "I want to know about you because your mask is well intact."

[shinsei]

“That is to say that some people do things outside of their ‘common sense’ as people say? I guess then that would be instinct. Simply doing what drives one to do it without a logical explanation. It’s been a long time, if ever, that I’ve done something out of what people call ‘common sense’.” He brushed back his silvery white strands of hair, gently feeling the sleek texture of his cross earring. He knelt down on the ground to pick up a tiger cub that had been rubbing up against his leg like a cat. He petted the little creature as he had difficulty with the little thing scrambling around so much.

“It’s not really so bad though. It gives a more relaxed atmosphere for the students knowing that there are people of similar interests. If not, there’s probably a higher chance of meeting someone who is likely to form a couple since gay and bi relationships on campus seem to go up rather than down. With that, it’s a wonder from each of our perspectives why the other of us two has a fake mask on.” He said calmly speaking. He did see it that way, wondering why Beyond was wearing a fake mask to begin with. However, this was his own little curiosity so he wasn’t going to try poking too much at it.

“I suppose that means I’m the first? I’m quite flattered. I try to think realistically on some levels though I sometimes forfeit what I guess are my ideals during my current act. There will never be one set cure, I believe. That’s because every person is different so they’re more likely to lessen our numbers if they dealt with us in different ways. Though I’m not about to tell them that since they might actually enforce it. I rather like it here more so than hate because I’m not locked away for now.” He said while petting the soft fur of the tiger cub. Orange with black stripes as well as a soft white underbelly. It didn’t appeal too much to him as the Siberian tiger with its white fur but he couldn’t care less at this point.

He smiled, sighing slightly as if it was a chore to be explored for his fake mask. “I thank you for your honesty. However, in the end, I’m still just a human. Nothing exciting or surprising is under my fake mask, I assure you. In fact, it’s rather embarrassing and humiliating to me what is possibly my face underneath my mask. That is to say that it’s not very hard to pry off my mask apparently. There is someone idiotic, a bit too kindly, and a bit perverted that I wish couldn’t pry off my mask so easily [referring to Kohaku lol], and I find it very sad that I’ve fallen so low to have my mask ripped off that easily.” He sighed, “But in any case, I suppose I do feel a bit more relaxed to have my idiotic side come out every once in awhile.” He said slightly in defeat. “As cliché as it might sound, I’m still waiting for someone to capture my entire being. Whether I like or dislike them matters little, though there are some issues of like and dislike, but I want to be captured to the point where there is no escape. Where I will be forced to remain where I am by the person who restrained me. Ah, it sounds a little weird now that I say it.” He said a bit bluntly. "This kind of me must disappoint you, ne?"

[beyond]

"I suppose instinct can get you by on occasion," Beyond concluded. He, however, was a person who preferred logic. Every move had to be calculated, all possibilities thought of and all reactions anticipated before he carried out a plan. It was for protection. If he came up with too many scenarios that led to danger, then he simply wouldn't do it. But sometimes, that danger was what drove him, what made the act exhilarating. He shook himself mentally, he had to stay in the present here. "Then again, some people's common sense isn't sense at all and they're better off going on instinct."

He was listening to Shinsei as he continued, but his gaze shifted towards the tiger cub in his hands. The little creature was looking at him and he noticed the fur on the back of its neck bristle a bit. He smirked inwardly. Animals didn't like him, but he supposed with what he did to them whenever he could that was only to be expected. They could sense what he was more than any human ever could. "To be honest, whatever makes people happy is fine with me, for the sole purpose that someone who is content is less likely to bother me than someone whining." He looked up from the cub again. "As for me, I don't mind it here, but then I hardly belong, but this place is as good as any."

Beyond tilted his head to the side again. Nothing interesting or exciting? That was a pity. He chuckled slightly and shook his head. "Ah, well as I am none of those three things, you should take comfort in knowing that your mask may stay well in tact while you speak with me." Well, that wasn't completely true. He supposed some people would consider him a pervert, but he didn't like to fall into mundane categories such as that. He took a moment to deliberate Shinsei's question about whether it was disappointing or not. He wasn't the type of person to sugar coat anything and say that that wasn't the case at all. Beyond was an incredibly blunt person because he didn't care enough to make sure he kept everyone's feelings up.

"In a way, I suppose it is," he said. "But I suppose everyone wants what you want in some variation or form. I only say it is slightly disappointing because I do not, but then...I don't think I'm wired the same way normal people are," he continued with a smile. He chuckled again and shrugged. "But people can change after all, and whether you find such a person isn't really up to me. I'm sorry to say I'm not the type who spits out such things as 'you'll find him eventually'. That prescribed bull shit isn't something I care to dwell on."

Harsh, perhaps, but Beyond was a harsh person through and through. Besides, this was only the surface of how cruel he could actually be. If Shinsei was put off by this, then he'd never be able to handle who Beyond really was.