Appreciating the Art (open to all)

[Chiara "Romana" Vargas]

((No idea. I know Germany is busy with school, China made me admin because she just got home and "is lazy", Canada kinda lurks and England is ready to RP [you should reply to her diner-thing ;P]. Is it time to start nagging everyone else? xD))

Chiara nodded periodically throughout the man's rambling, and only hald-paid attention. She understood most of the speech. Calling him "Toris" would be much less bitchy than Mr Something-Long-And-Foreign. And he was from... Lifuanya? She had no idea where that was, and she was afraid of that. She felt so stupid- this man lived his life in a far away land, with some crazy language that gave him that interesting an accent, and she didn't even know how to pronounce it. Or where it was. Or that it existed until now.

"Oh- um, yes. I am from Italy," she replied, noticing he had finished speaking and asked her a question. "I have lived in America for about three years."

For a moment, Chiara felt as though she'd forgotten to answer part of his question. It took her a moment to backtrack through the small speech Toris had given. Oh, bene. He wanted to wander the art show. She suppressed a groan at the idea of this art. "And I could tolerate the art for a bit longer. I guess."

[Toris Laurinaitis]

((Lol, China's lazy? And I'll see what i can do at the diner xD;; And everyone else...must be busy off somewhere =w= ))

"Oh, one of those..warmer countries or so I've heard." Toris said as he started off to the area where the art exhibits are being displayed. Toris really didn't have any intention of really looking at anymore of the art and judging from how Ms Vargas replied, he was pretty sure she couldn't have cared less if they went to look at more of the so called "art". But Toris couldn't possibly take back what he's said and just had to go on with it.

It was getting even more awkward by the second and Toris decided to continue the conversation and nervously started while pushing through the small crowds of people huddled around the exhibits. Probably won't be able to look at any of the displays even if they wanted to. "I've also been living in America for about three years, moved here with my family..what about you?" Um! You don't have to really answer that if you don't want to though!" As Toris realized how that was kind of a personal question to be asking.

[Chiara "Romana" Vargas]

((She SAID she's lazy. The girl has never had a lazy day in her life xD And you're probably right :3 Silly kids these days and their priorities..~))

"Everywhere has seasons. Italy included. But it was warm," Chiara replied, scowling a bit. With most people she would have slipped the word "asshat" somewhere in there, but she thought it would scare the man away. Not that she would admit to wanting to talk to him.

She glared at the crowds of people, while trying to find a decent response to Toris's question. She hated people who stood in the middle of walkways chitchatting, despite knowing they were blocking everyone else. The worst part about these people was that they we're standing around looking at some of the least-lookable art she'd seen in a very long while.

Doing her best to seem the least nasty as possible, she replied; "I ran away to America. You're very lucky to be with your family." She stopped their, hoping he wouldn't press for details and go off about his family. She'd prefer not to discuss her own.

[Toris Laurinaitis]

(( I should be busy off studying for my O levels and yet here I am. I really should be on hiatus or something But i Unfortunately have no self control -dies and rolls off cliff- )

They managed to push past the last of the huddled groups of people which turned out to be a bunch of gossiping ladies, all of whom doesn't look like they were there for the art at all and were just eyeing some of the more important or good looking men in the area and glared daggers as Toris and Ms Vargas intercepted their path to approaching another group of men who didn't seem to notice they were being watched as they continued looking and commenting on some picture.

The two eventually walked straight into this empty area where there wasn't such a high concentration of people and Toris decided to just stop there. Since it was near impossible to actually see any of the "art" with the sea of people out there. An awkward silence slowly followed as Toris didn't know what to say after knowing that Ms Vargas ran away to America, and that he was considered lucky to have came here with his family. He sure as hell didn't want to bore her with the little details of what happened in the past three years while he was here since he was pretty sure that being alone and having the need to run away to America must have had an even...sadder back story. Which led him to be standing in awkward silence as silence can be in a room full of chit chatting people.

[Chiara "Romana" Vargas]

((I'm pretty sure I'm too American to know what O Levels are xDD But I should be studying for my PSATs **flail-related death**))

Chiara happily followed Toris into the small pocket of free space between the huddles of people. She couldn't understand why they would chose to stand in groups to strategically be in other people's way. They also had the balls to glare at her as if she had blocked their paths. It was nearly criminal- and if anyone knew criminal, it was her. More than once, she whispered "puttana" while walking by a group of adequately rude women. The chances of them hearing her and speaking Italian were slim, but it made her feel a bit better nonetheless.

The awkward silence only deepened, as the chitchat faded to the background. She regretted saying anything about having to runaway. It made others uncomfortable, and she could do that well enough on her own by telling them what she did in her spare time. Hindsight being 20-20, she should have just told him she did not want to answer. But then she would have seemed rude... People are confusing! She thought dumbly, unable to think of another topic.

Just as the discussion was reaching its peak of awkwardness, and even neighboring groups of people were beginning to feel their overall clumsiness with others, Chiara decided to take the easy way out, and continue with the previous failure of a topic. Quietly embarrassed, she continued on to say; "I did come here with my brother, so running away was not very bad... We were simply separated and deciding to live together in America... What's your family like?"

She had hoped that was a smooth way to move on to a slightly different topic. And, knowing Toris for the very short time she'd known him, she was already very sure that he could monologue about his family for more than long enough for him to forget that she'd even been a runaway.

[Toris Laurinaitis]

((And I'm pretty sure I'm too Asian to know what PSATs are XD;; But O levels is just this national exam thing that has to be taken by everyone in the country when we're finishing secondary school. High school in your terms i guess. The papers are set by a buncha Brits down at Cambridge though =w=;; ))

"Oh, my family..?" Toris thought about it for awhile, he didn't think anyone would've asked him that question and when it was raised, he didn't know whether he should say good or bad things about them. Don't get Toris wrong, he loves his family more than anything but since moving to America was all their idea, everything turned out to be quite a mess. And at the moment, he's not quite sure how his parents were even getting along. But in any case, he still decided to answer the question.

"...Lets just say my family is made up of nice people and really meant well when they decided to move to America but just...did it at the wrong time. I suppose at times like these, getting a job would be hard. At least..the ones that get you money the legal way. My dad got one of those jobs though, he's a good man i guess but being a good person doesn't put food on the table or help to pay rent. So I guess i had to get a job too but then, like I said, good jobs are hard to come by and telling you what I do might just get me arrested. " Toris said the last part with a small laugh, hoping that the other might just take what was previously said as a joke despite it being more or less true. He was also pretty sure that what he said didn't exactly answer Ms Vargas' question and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, that probably didn't answer your question"

Toris didn't realize he was actually staring down at his shoes until he finished talking and quickly looked back up. "So..what made you run away to America? " trying to steer the conversation away from himself.

[Chiara "Romana" Vargas]

((PSATs are pre-SATs, which is a completely worthless test given to American secondary-school kids to judge whether or not they should be put into a good college based on their vocabulary and math skills. It's made by a fancy-pants Ivy League school, I believe Princeton :I
And, good luck, future graduate!~))

Chiara nodded along while Toris monologued, only half-listening. To her, he seemed to have come from a nice home, in a cruel world. But, the world was a bitch to everyone, even the nice guys. She was a bit suspicious about his job, though. One had to wonder how dangerous a job had to be before the employee was arrested for having it? She was a bit less suspicious when he laughed it off, and cracked a fake smile as if she thought it was funny as well. Maybe she counted him out of the mafia a bit too soon?

As pleasantly as the conversation had become, she felt her blood chill in her veins when he asked why she'd run away. Chiara didn't have an answer. Well, that was a lie- she had a thousand answers, each of them more dysfunctional than the last. Embarrassment and anger seemed to build up, boiling throughout her. There was no way to sum up the confusion, and shame and loss that she connected with Spain and Rome. She tried, running over and condensing in her mind all the bigger events in her mind; but there was no way she could shrink everything that happened so that he could understand, yet not be horrified. She didn't need his pity, and she didn't need him to scoff at the vague reply "They didn't treat me right".

It eventually became too much for her small frame to contain. Mindful of the people around her, she kept her screeching at a reasonable volume to avoid a scene and replied; "Bastardo! Che palle! Such a personal question! No manners here! What in the name of God made you think that was an okay question to ask?!"

After releasing some of her anger, she began to feel guilty. Toris hadn't known that it was a sensative subject. To him, it must have looked like she randomly exploded into a fury; and was most likely insane. She blushed, and looked off to the side, a bit too ashamed of her childishness to make eye contact.

[Toris Laurinaitis]

(( Ohh! So thats What PSATS mean, i only heard it on tv or in movies sometimes and just decided it was an American thing XD;; So you have to get into college? And thanks >w<))

Toris wasn't at all ready for what came next. Ms Vargas suddenly screamed at him though not loud enough to actually draw much attention, it only went as far as to the people standing around them. Whom mostly proceeded to slightly edge away from the odd couple who from one minute went from awkward silence to scolreply,

It made Toris jump slightly, he didn't know how to reply, it really was an insensitive question to ask. Surely there was something deep and personal behind the reason that would lead to her running away. Toris felt really bad at this point and was pretty sure Ms Vargas wouldn't want to talk to him anymore. He looked away and tried gathering up his thoughts which scattered right after the scream.

"I-I'm really sorry...I didn't mean to a-ask something so personal.." He paused for a second "um..I just wanted to continue talking to you and.. I didn't know what to say" That came out alot more straight forward than Toris hoped for but it was true. He hoped he didn't offend her...that much anyway since she was clearly offended and very angry about it.

[Chiara "Romana" Vargas]

((Colleges judge people to accept based on out-of-school activities, grade point average, class rank and SAT scores. So, if you don't have an SAT score fewer colleges will accept you.))

Feeling guiltier and guiltier by the moment, Chiara focused her glare at someone standing behind Toris, who was just standing there. Staring at her. He must hate her, now; she knew it! She was too harsh with him; it wasn't right to go screaming when he didn't know she would get so angry. She wasn't even mad at him- well, not mad enough to scream- she was mad about everything that she thought about trying to answer the question.

But, it was a rather personal question. So... she had the right to scream... didn't she? Even more heat rose to her face, as she thought about how embarrassing the situation was.

After what felt like centuries, Toris stuttered a response. And he wasn't angry, and he didn't hate her. He was sorry. That blew her mind for a moment. It was very rare for someone to apologize to her. And he actually wanted to talk to her. That was a first as well. Even rarer than an apology was a person who liked talking to her.

"I forgive you, I guess," Chiara mumbled. She looked him in the eye again, and continued on to say, "And I guess I'm sorry too... For screaming... and stuff..." She didn't apologize often, and when she did she didn't usually mean it. But she was sincere; this time.

[Toris Laurinaitis]

"It's..um..okay. You shouldn't apologize though..i really should've thought the question through before actually asking about it.." Toris said with an apologetic smile. He himself can't believe he could still smile at a time like this when he's really actually very much terrified that he might do something that's going to just piss Ms Vargas off again.

But the atmosphere just got a little bit lighter again and the random chatter coming from the other groups of people doesn't sound as distant as before and Toris felt alot better being forgiven by Ms Vargas. He had a feeling that she might be feeling really guilty even though she really shouldn't be and felt really bad to have put her in a situation like this. But at this point he really didn't know What to say anymore. He then realized they were still kinda making eye contact and quickly looked away, scratching his head in embarrassment.

[Chiara "Romana" Vargas]

((I feel like a jackass, but school/the play I'm in decide to punch me in the ovaries with work. I'm sorryyyy!!!))

It was a very unfortunate evening when two people so damn awkward tried to have a conversation. Internally, Chiara cursed them both for even attempting to talk. She didn't understand why she tried talking to 'normal' people, or made an suggestion to someone she wanted to be friends. It was all just a freakin' waste of time!

Chiara noticed him avoid her gaze, decided that it must be something she did, and continued to beat herself up. She'd scared him off. Now he hated her. This is great. This is really, really great. She blushed what must have seemed to be neon red at this point, and stared at Toris's shoes like they were the most interesting thing she'd ever seen. Dark brown, quality leather, neat laces... Chiara must have spent five minutes just glaring at them in sheer embarrassment, and had come to the conclusion they were damn nice shoes, and that if she stood there in silence any longer; she'd scream.

She bit her lip in thought, and tried to look more towards his face (as she'd noticed eye contact is rather nice in conversations). After another moment of trying really, really hard to think of something intelligent, she mumbled out something along the lines of: "So, would you enjoy to continue perusing this rather mediocre gallery with me?"; but had probably sounded like : "Wanna look at more crappy art..?" Internally, she sighed at her own awkwardness; yet again.

[Toris Laurinaitis]

(( Its okay!! My national exams just started so I really shouldn't be checking up on this place so much either ;;;;
that and quite a few people are still constantly coming online but don't seem to be posting anything ><;; ))

Toris made a mental note to himself to never try to start a conversation with anyone while alone ever again. Granted, it was nice to be able to talk to someone. But it just doesn't seem to go anywhere when the person you're talking to is just as socially awkward as yourself.

After what felt like an eternity, yet again, Ms Vargas asked whether Toris wanted to go look at more art. This evening don't seem to be getting anywhere as it drags on so Toris just smiled and said "S-sure, um, you lead the way." Great, where the heck did that come from? He thought inwardly. He looked at the crowd of people in the art gallery, most of them seem just as bored and Toris wondered whether they could just leave whenever they want to or was there anymore speeches or talks about to be made that they have to stay and listen to.

[Chiara "Romana" Vargas]

((xD Good luck!!
Yeah, I don't get what's going on with that. I think everyone's waiting for somone else to reply, you know?))

All Chiara had to hear was that she was to lead the way before she regret her request to walk around. She had no idea where the hell she was going or what meaningless attraction to walk towards. She knew Toris didn't either, but at least she wasn't usually the one awkwardly leading the way. With a sigh, she turned around and blindly walked towards a small structure, without any people around it. It seemed to be the artist's idea of a sculpture.

It absolute crap, and Chiara wasn't even quite sure what it was supposed to be. A... dog? Maybe? Or a pony? Something like a child's clay creation. The only thing attention-grabbing about it, was trying to stare through the shittiness and tell what it was.

She hadn't looked behind her, or even glanced to either side to see if Toris had followed. She assumed he had, but was a bit suspicious that this had been a plan to lose her, and he really did hate her. Still staring at the sculpture, and hopefully not talking to no one, she asked, "What the hell do you think it is?"

[Toris Laurinaitis]

Toris followed the Italian lady through the crowd of people until they eventually arrived at an exhibit area that's surprisingly empty. Which really was surprising since Toris was sure that whoever who might actually bother looking at these kind of "art" are people who might just be very easily amazed or just blind.

They ended up staring at this piece of clay structure thing. Toris was asked what he think the...object was. But you could take years just staring at it and not figuring out what was.

He scratched his head and tried to think up of an intelligent answer as to what it is but the most that came out of him was just "I really don't know...it looks like a mix of a girrafe and a cat...maybe ;; ?" Toris tilted his head a little as he said it and yeah, it does a little like what he said. If you squint hard enough. But overall it just look like a poorly sculpted piece of clay.

[Chiara "Romana" Vargas]

Chiara narrowed her eyes at the sculpture, thinking deeply and considering all the possibilities. Toris said... 'cat and giraffe'...? She supposed she saw that, but it didn't completely explain it at all. She tried squinting, turning her head, scrunching her face, and glancing at it quickly then looking away. But, no matter what she did, the sculpture still looked like complete nonsense. Just analyzing the damn thing pissed her off. There was too much confusion in the 'sculpture'.

"I think it just looks like crap. Or something someone's dumbass kid made in about twenty minutes," she grumbled, turning away from it, to face Toris. After a brief attempt to look him in the eyes, she blushed and focused next to his head. She couldn't pinpoint what embarrassed her, but she blamed all the stupid stuff they'd already so far that night. Not that she hadn't done more embarrassing things... But this man was a stranger. A stranger she happened to know a far amount about, but he was still a stranger she'd made a fool of herself in front of. And it was still relatively early.