pretty coin operated voice [open]

[lil]

"You got this. C'mon, Pac-Man. Mrs. Pac-Man is waiting for you. Mr. Casper can't see you... just a little bit farther... oh! No, no, no," The teenager groaned, tightening her grasp on the direction control as the machine changed from the familiar sounds of progress, to the disappointing sound of defeat. The pout she was giving the machine was worthy of someone telling her Christmas was cancelled, rather than just the end of an arcade game.

"I didn't like you anyway, pink ghost." Lilith stated plainly. With that, she reached into her pocket for another quarter, only to find her pocket empty. Just to make sure she hadn't placed any in the other pocket, she removed her hand from the game and dug into the opposite pocket. All she found was a bright pink, semi transparent wrapped sucker, in clear plastic with the brand and flavor- watermelon- in white lettering. The pair of capris she was wearing did have two more pockets to check, but she knew fully well that she rarely, if ever used them. and the light blue tank top left no room for pockets, either.

Not even the jacket had any useful function beyond being annoying. Lilith was itching to get it off. The children that inhabited the arcade with her and the parents that were supervising stopped her, though. A tank top didn't seem appropriate with them as company. But without more quarters, there wasn't much of a reason to stay there with them, anyway. With a sigh, her hands went to her side as she turned away from the machine and began walking deliberately toward the arcade's exit. Time for something new.

[ticklicous]

Ren was near the arcade lounging in one of the chairs for the racing game. It was pretty comfy, he had to admit. This mall was pretty nice, lots of gourmet foods and lots of stores. He lay in the seat with his eyes closed in a light snooze. He hugged a small plush toy tightly in his arms. It was from the Pokemon series, it was called "munna". Since it was small, roundish, pink, and cute, resistance was futile.

He felt at ease just snoozing. He thought he heard a pout scene at the PAC-Man machine. Frankly, he just ignored it. He wasn't going to let a toddler ruin his nap. Sadly enough, he really fell asleep, while he mumbled a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. He was out of consciousness at this point, and should probably be awoken.

[lil]

Lilith was prepared to leave until a boy, no more than seven years in age, approached the chair that Ren was in. The reaction of the boy startled Lilith. Lilith approached the pair quietly while the boy complained loudly about how badly he wanted to play the game Ren occupied. Complete with a string of unfounded insults, the boy showed true anger at being inconvenienced by Ren.

"Hey, kid... Shh.." Lilith murmured. She took a few steps closer before reaching out to lightly shake Ren's shoulder with her right hand. She was slightly nervous even as she reached out. Hopefully he wouldn't be annoyed. She really wasn't trying to scare or disturb him, but if she didn't, chances were the impatient child would make a scene. Surely the sleeping male would find it unpleasant to wake up to that. Perhaps her attempt at waking him nicely was kinder than he might at first believe.

"Excuse me..." Lilith's voice was soft and polite, intended to ease him of any apprehension he might have over someone who would wake him from his slumber. She didn't need to be yelled at just to help an unkind kid.

[ticklicous]

"I love you too!!" Ren yelled as he woke with a start. Momentarily flailing before falling out of the seat. "Owww..." He grumbled before gathering his plush and getting up. To his very surprise, he came face to face with a girl. She must have been the one to wake him! Realizing what he had yelled made it all the worst. He started blushing to where it was quite obvious. With a quick nod to the girl he scurried out of the arcade to a bench.

He was breathing heavily and shaking. He was pretty nervous with people anyways, but what he said when woken up was quite embarrassing. Of course, it had to be a girl that got that reaction. He looked down as his breathing slowed. "I should be okay now..." He assured himself quietly. Although, he felt like he had just fallen into a pit of caterpillars, which in contrast, was quite nerve-wracking.

[lil]

The last thing Lilith wanted was to make the boy uncomfortable. But she'd managed it. Well, sort of. At first she thought he would be fine. He blurted out 'I love you, too', to her complete surprise, and then managed to fall out of the seat. The young boy beside her snickered at the reaction. Lilith ignored him. To make things even more odd, he kept hold of the stuffed animal that had been with him before. So it was his? It was rather cute. Lilith smiled to herself. Next, she noticed the blush, to which she found herself becoming uncomfortable. She expected him to say something... She wasn't going to bring up what he woke up saying... Instead he ran off, leaving her with the boy as he climbed into the seat of the game previously occupied by Ren.

Lilith decided that, no matter how awkward it might be, she at least had to make sure he was okay. He ran out of the arcade pretty quickly. If nothing else, she could apologize for waking him. Lilith followed at a slower pace, finally catching up and noticing that he was now sitting. She approached again, this time staying out of touching distance.

"I'm really sorry for startling you... I didn't want the little boy's yelling to wake you.

[/color]" Lilith explained, her tone quiet once more. "I hope you're not upset.[/color]" The idea of the stranger probably shouldn't have been that alarming to her, and yet, it motivated her to stay where she was, waiting for his response, with a look of concern etched into her features.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[ticklicous]

Ren looked up at her nervously. He shook his head in response to let her know he wasn't upset. Then he started looking around the place, obviously unable to make eye contact. He was pretty bad when it came to using social skills. He always got nervous or ended to running off. He had always been the one to seclude himself or sit alone at meals.

His mind ran through the various memories he had. Somehow in that mix, he started thinking of the girl next to him. He didn't know why. He just knew that she seemed nice so far, she looked like someone who also likes physical activity. Wow, how had his mind strayed to thinking of a girl he hardly knew?

[lil]

Well, that was a relief. If she hadn't upset him, then what had? Curiousity now overtook her concern as his gaze strayed from her. Her eyes followed his gaze, trying to spot out anything amiss. Was there someone intimidating? Was he meeting someone? Could he possibly have reacted because he was late for something? There was no way to find out unless she got him talking. It was either that, or leave him alone. Even she had to admit, leaving him alone was probably kinder. He didn't seem annoyed by her, so maybe she could help him somehow. Her gaze fixed on him again.

"I'm Lilith, by the way.

[/color]" Lilith introduced sweetly, a smile playing at her lips. "Are you looking for something? Or waiting for someone? I can help you, if you want.[/color]" Now it was just time to hope he wanted her help. She had nothing else in mind to do presently. Then again, finding something to do was never a problem for Lilith if she was being completely honest.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[ticklicous]

Ren snapped out of thought back into life. "I'm Ren..." He said meekly. He decided he should be more humane at this point. He looked at her and readied to speak. "Thanks for waking me back there..." He started, "I should have thanked you earlier, but I was just thinking of myself, and I'm sorry." He finished.

Wow, he actually talked to someone who was new to him! He was amazed that he did so. In all his years, he never thought it could be so easy to talk. Of course, he was always so secluded and evasive.

[lil]

"Nice to meet you, Ren.

[/color]" Lilith stated cheerfully, sounding delighted to hear his name. Really, she was more delighted to hear anything that was intentionally spoken, rather than the startled statement from before. When he thanked her, surprise again overtook her blue eyes, setting her lips to slightly part, her eyebrows to raise, all to indicate how unexpected she found that to be. He was thanking her and he was sorry? Wasn't she the one who interrupted his nap?

"Oh, no need to thank me or be sorry. I just thought... waking up to that screaming kid wouldn't be very pleasant, that's all.[/color]" Lilith informed him, knowing fully well she'd said as much before. Truthfully, she didn't know exactly what to say, but repeating herself bought her a little bit of time to think of something more to add.

"I really didn't mind you being in there, I mean... I didn't think you were thinking of yourself.[/color]" Lilith was now in reassurance mode. Despite her words, she wasn't him, so if he felt like he was being selfish with the way he acted, she didn't think she'd be able to change his opinion. She'd still try.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[ticklicous]

Ren looked at her with a light smile on his face. "Well, either way, I am probably going to get some food I guess...". He looked around for the food court. Eventually he saw it a small walk off. He was hungry and would love some food right now. He had about forty on him. The forest was easy pickings, so wasting it wouldn't work anyways.

He looked down to Lilith as he stood. "Want to come?" He said extending his hand to her, "I can pay..." He said lastly. He actually hoped she would come, since two really did seem better than one right now.

[lil]

His reaction was... well, unexpected to put it simply. Lilith smiled politely when he said he'd go get something to eat. Her mind began to quickly seeking out a new use of her time to offer so she wouldn't seem unable to entertain herself if he left. That was, until he asked her to go with him. And he'd pay? While it did make her feel slightly awkward not to be able to offer to pay for her own meal, she was more interested in getting to know him. Besides, it was very gentleman-like of him. And she could always pay it back later. As it stood, she'd brought five dollars with and now the arcade had all of it in their various game machines. Yes. You knew you were a total champ when you wasted all your money at an arcade and had nothing to show for it.

"Really? That's sweet of you. I'd love to,

[/color]" Lilith took his hand, still smiling all the while. "Thank you, Ren.[/color]" Her cheeks turned a light pink. Maybe she wasn't as okay with him paying as she wanted to believe. Oh well. It was too late now, and this could be fun.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[ticklicous]

Ren smile slightly, and when she took his hand he started blushing. He felt warm inside, in a good way. His heart was beating a bit faster now. Was it really what he thought was going on? Did he, have a crush on this girl? But he only just met her, so how could that work so easily?

The thoughts flooded his mind as he walked. Shaking his head, he looked around for an open table. Spotting one to advanced to get it. "Clean as it can get I guess." He said to Lilith. He pulled out the seats for them to sit and decide on some food.

[lil]

"Thanks" Lilith acknowledged as he pulled out the seats for them. She let go of his hand when she sat down, clasping both of her hands in her lap under the table. Her gaze wandered to the other occupants of the food court, her blue eyes alive with curiousity. When Ren said it was as clean as it could get, she looked back at him, slightly confused before she realized he meant the table they were sitting at. Oh, right. That made sense.

"It's perfect,

[/color]" Lilith assured him, fully intending on ignoring the small crumbs that occupied the table top in front of her. It could have been something worse, and anyway, Lilith wasn't one to complain. No, she'd just smile and sit quietly. Her attention stayed on Ren this time, but she didn't lose any of the curiousity from her expression.

"Do you come to the mall often?[/color]" Lilith prompted. She hadn't been at the school long, so this was her first trip here, but if he'd been here several times, she would feel a lot better about not getting lost then.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[ticklicous]

Ren shook his head in reply. "I actually have only been here three times so far." He said more confidently. He was interested in the idea of getting to know Lilith now. So, he figured it would be a good chance to do so. He didn't have many ideas for conversation starters, but he may as well try.

"Uhm, if you don't mind my asking, what would you say that family is to you?" He asked her straight out. He wanted to know if others had families like his. The kind that rejects their kids and send them away because they are freaks. He never did have much connection with his parents.

[lil]

"Oh. Then we can explore it together?

[/color]" Lilith suggested optimistically. Maybe that would be more fun. It was better to get lost with a cute boy than by yourself.

"Family? ...[/color]" Lilith's expression became one of surprise once again. That was not the question she expected. In fact, she hated the question in a way, because talking about her father made her nervous. What if the other kids didn't like her because of who her father was? She couldn't bear the thought of it. But maybe she could be vague. Surely he didn't want to know her father was a government agent. She could just talk about generalities, like, he was kind, a good dad.

"My dad's raised me for several years now. My mom left him before I was born, but he got custody of me when I was young. So, it's just been my dad and me, mostly... I think of my dad as my friend and my biggest supporter. My mom... We don't talk anymore. So.. family's just my dad, and having a friend to count on and love me.[/color]" Lilith admitted. "What is family to you?[/color]" Hopefully he could say he had a more traditional family than she did. It wasn't always easy growing up with just her father, though if she had to chose just one parent, she supposed she'd rather have her dad around than her mom.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]