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The market is, objectively speaking, a miserable place. Precious few of the merchandise are happy to be there, nude and bound and collared - sometimes even caged - free for every prospective customer to examine. Few of the customers are happy either. Prices are high, and the press of so many bodies create a stifling atmosphere.
All in all, it is exactly what Jade had expected. He strolls leisurely through the market, not particularly bothered by what is going on around him. It was one of the reasons he had been chosen for this assignment. Today is his first day at the market; he's meant to speak with the vendors, make connections, and walk away with a cheap but handy acquisition.
He's working on the last part now. It's surprisingly difficult to find someone useful and docile, but still with some spirit left - he does not trust the older slaves who are complacent with the system.
It's during his second time looping through the market that someone catches his eye - for all the wrong reasons. He stops, stares at the familiar figure in front of him, an uncharacteristically surprised expression flashing over his face.
Then he's smiling again. He's still unsure if this is a good turn of events, but perhaps he could use this to his advantage.
"My my, I didn't expect to see you here."
All in all, it is exactly what Jade had expected. He strolls leisurely through the market, not particularly bothered by what is going on around him. It was one of the reasons he had been chosen for this assignment. Today is his first day at the market; he's meant to speak with the vendors, make connections, and walk away with a cheap but handy acquisition.
He's working on the last part now. It's surprisingly difficult to find someone useful and docile, but still with some spirit left - he does not trust the older slaves who are complacent with the system.
It's during his second time looping through the market that someone catches his eye - for all the wrong reasons. He stops, stares at the familiar figure in front of him, an uncharacteristically surprised expression flashing over his face.
Then he's smiling again. He's still unsure if this is a good turn of events, but perhaps he could use this to his advantage.
"My my, I didn't expect to see you here."
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Which is also why, though he flinches, Shinjirou doesn't mutter keep your voice down.
"Not here." Looking over his shoulder, there's another couple nearing the section. They seem happier than the one from before, but they're also quieter. "And I don't think there's anything else you'd be all that interested in."
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"Is that so?" He taps lightly on the leather collar, once, then smiles. "I'm afraid you're not entirely correct. I'd like to hear whatever you have to say."
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"I'm pretty boring and you kinda already know more than anyone else. I mean if I tell you that I sometimes have nightmares, that's just normal?" Their content, not so much. "And I don't wake up screaming anyway, so whatever."
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But if what Shinjirou is saying is true, then Jade feels mildly sorry for him.
The feeling doesn't last for long; he's more interested in the almost defensive way Shinjirou is carrying himself in.
"What else?" If there's one thing he knows, it's that Shinjirou is far from boring. But he doesn't plan on grilling him any further than this; they are in public, and he's fine with letting Shinjirou keep some secrets (for the moment, at least). Approaching him like this probably won't yield much results anyway.
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The young woman nearby gasps and Shinjirou jumps, glancing at her. It turns out she's fawning over a jacket for her boyfriend. Sighing, he pulls the vest over his head and pushes it into Jade's arms. "It's getting late," he says, carrying the notion that it's Jade's fault entirely. "Let's go and look for ties and a belt."
Marginally less frustrating than talking about himself in public. He doesn't know what to do with the attention anyway. Having someone focus on him this much is something he normally shies away from by scaring them off; impossible with Jade, unfortunately.
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Interesting. Where would Shinjirou have obtained an axe? And what did he need one for? It doesn't mesh with his fear of doing harm either. Jade is half-tempted to ask him more, but Shinjirou is already turning away, and he had promised himself not to inquire any further for the moment.
Jade folds the vest neatly and drapes it over one arm, at the same time adjusting his grip on the bag with the shoes. "This way," he says, leading the way to the ties.
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There's no one else around looking for ties which is an improvement over the other sections. On the other hand, they are ties. It can't get more formal in Shinjirou's opinion. This stuff is for uniforms and business people. He makes a face, picking a random, marine-blue tie up and turning it over in his hands.
"Are you sure this isn't going to look silly on me? I guess if someone decides to choke you on the spot it's kind of useful."
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He picks up another tie as well, one in an even more subdued shade of blue. A second later, he puts it back down. "Of course, if you want to give someone a convenient handhold, I wouldn't object."
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"Y-yeah, of course you wouldn't." Even the image of a blank-faced guest yanking on his tie can't shake the unease that settles over him like a cloud of dust. "A tie's better, then."
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"I'm glad you agree." He takes a step closer, looking at the tie in Shinjirou's hands. "Have you made your choice?"
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"Did you know that my old school uniform had ribbons?" It's direct, yes, but he's doing his best to sound casual, turning towards a selection of belts.
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His blood pumps through his veins, neck twitching with his pulse. "Just small talk."
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He doesn't usually lie outright, but in this instance, he's aiming to unsettle Shinjirou. It doesn't really matter if he's convincing or not.
"I thought ties were a more common choice for senior grades?" His other hand is on Shinjirou's tie now, toying with the silky fabric between his fingers. "Or did you leave before then?"
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Bending forward as if to fight off stomach cramps, he tries to find his voice and a way, any way, to calm down. It wouldn't help his case if he started freaking out in public. "Guess the principal likes ribbons." His voice sounds strained, but he manages to get the sentence out without tripping over the words.
"And technically I'm still enrolled."
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Shinjirou's body language is becoming unacceptably extreme; they might attract attention if this goes on. Jade crosses the two ends of the tie together, right over Shinjirou's throat. "Stand up straight. Is something wrong?"
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He takes a deep breath, then rolls his shoulders and straightens. "... you know what's wrong." He raises both hands, wrapping his fingers around Jade's grip. Despite everything, the physical contact soothes him. "Can I please sit down for a minute? I'm dizzy."
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"Now?" He asks instead. "We'll have lunch after this. Can you hold on until then?"
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He drops his hands slowly. It's difficult to stand the way Jade wants him to when he'd rather dash and hide from the attention. Staring at Jade, though his eyes are unfocused, surprisingly helps. Even if Jade knows things Shinjirou would have rather kept away from him, he still doesn't want to disappoint him.
"What about that tie now?"
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Jade works faster than he had in the changing room. They're no longer alone in the aisle now; Jade can feel curious eyes watching them, and he acts accordingly, quick and deft as he does up the tie. But his touches are far from innocent. His hands brush along Shinjirou's neck, his chest, and when he pulls the length of tie taut against Shinjirou's neck, it's with a very deliberate intent.
When he finishes, he pulls the tie up tighter than it needs to be.
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Taking a sharp breath, he cups one hand with the other, fidgeting. The sudden tightness drags a surprised sound of discomfort from his lips. He could loosen the tie; he doesn't. The pain is good. It grounds him, it distracts him. "Do you like it?" He's not sure if he's asking about the tie anymore; when he quietly adds, "I think I do," he's talking about the sensations, not the look.
He's not even glanced at the tie, after all.
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"Then let's keep it." He's not exactly talking about the tie either. They'll have to be careful, of course, but Jade doesn't see the harm in keeping it this way for now. It's a good look for Shinjirou anyway. He looks very proper, his warm cheeks the only sign that there's something going on below the surface.
After adjusting the tie one last time to center it properly, Jade lets go. "Did you pick out a belt yet?"
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Blindly he reaches for a simple black belt. Letting it run through both of his hands, his mind paints a picture of red streaks across his back. It's better to think about than fearing Aki may learn about his secrets, though his chest feels uncomfortably tight. He holds the belt up higher for Jade to take a closer look.
"This one?"
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Not today, though.
"I think that's everything we need. Unless you'd like to have more?" He does his best to sound inviting, although he doubts Shinjirou will take him up on his offer.
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A woman sneaks past him, smiling coyly, their shoulders touching. He immediately takes a step forward to make room for her and get away from her at the same time. Telepathy may not be a thing that exists, but he doesn't want to risk traumatizing anyone with his thoughts. "Let's leave."
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