Beware Of The Boys

[ViolentMedic]

Naomi was a teenage girl. An obvious statement to most, but she always tried her best not to act like one. At least not the typical image associated with teenage girls. Giggling and obsessing over lipstick and terrible literature.

But there was one part of the teenage experience that, unfortunately, Naomi couldn't avoid. Infatuation. Annoying crushes that she didn't want nor need, but they were certainly there. Looming and waiting to catch her off-guard when some pretty, charming guy asked for help on some Math work. In this case, it was Paris Ardennes. It had just... happened. One moment they'd been discussing calculus and the next they were set to meet in a coffee shop.

Which was where she was now. Sitting in a coffee shop called 'One Of A Grind,' waiting for Paris to show up. How had this happened? Oh, right. He was charming and not a moron. Also pretty. Very pretty. ...Not that Naomi was that shallow, of course. But she'd checked around a little to make sure she wasn't walking into anything horrible, and by all accounts Paris seemed to be normal. No inclinations to go to loud parties, consume chemicals or hump anything that moves. The closest thing she'd heard to negative was that he was very religious, but she could handle that.

Naomi sipped her coffee and flicked through the book she was reading, A Clockwork Orange. It was one she enjoyed immensely. She'd read it before, but she hadn't wanted to bring anything new. If it was a good book, she would have difficulty putting it down during this date, and if it was terrible she'd be bored until the date started.

Plus, reading something that was a piece of iconic literature (okay, the film was probably more iconic, but she preferred the source material) was a lot better than reading the latest story about a soppy and/or creepy romance with a mythological being. Made her look more intelligent, because she was. And if she had to have these ridiculous crushes, then she at least wanted to make a good impression on them.

Naomi sat there, holding the book with one hand and turning to the page where they started the treatments, all the while trying to maintain a picture of detached coolness. The only nervous tic she was displaying was that her other hand was absently fiddling with an empty sugar packet.

[Ruggahissy]

Paris walked into the coffee shop at a leisurely pace, bobbing his head to some music he was listening too. There seemed to be something rhythmic about the very act of walking as he strolled. One foot in front of the other with his hands in his pockets and stylish sunglasses making it impossible to see where he was looking. He was wearing a plain maroon t-shirt and a fitted black jacket with straight-legged jeans.

He was there to meet Naomi. He'd been confused over a problem in math and she so graciously was willing to help him. He liked talking with her, she seemed to be intelligent and had interesting things to say as well as being pleasing to the eye so he decided to invite her to talk more over coffee. He saw her sitting in the café reading. She was studious. He liked that.

Paris smoothly slid into the seat opposite of her and pushed his sunglasses.

"Hello, Naomi."

[ViolentMedic]

Naomi looked up when she heard the door open and saw Paris strolling in. On time, as well. Punctuality was always a plus. Naomi brushed some hair away from her face and smiled as he sat down.

"Paris. Glad you could make it."

Naomi placed a bookmark at where she was up to and shut the book. She placed it neatly to the side, still in reach in case she needed to entertain herself. She brushed the cover with her finger tips lightly before saying, "It's an interesting book, A Clockwork Orange. Have you ever read it? Or seen the film, either one."

It was a better icebreaker than 'how's the weather,' she supposed. With both hands now free, she started shredding the empty sugar packet she'd been playing with.

[Ruggahissy]

"Of course. I wouldn't stand you up."

Paris looked to the chalkboard behind the counter at the various beverages and foods offered at the establishment. He lifted the sunglasses up and pushed them onto his head, revealing now his green eyes.

"Haven't been waiting long, I hope," he said, turning back to her with a smile. Her hands was half obscuring the cover of the book she'd been reading upon his entry. A Clockwork Orange.

"I've heard of the book and the movie, but I've never seen it. No interest in it, I suppose, though I guess I don't really know what it's about."

She was very pretty and very dignified. Naomi was someone he could see himself spending more time with. She seemed demure and intelligent, but not ostentatious.

"If you find it interesting, I'd like to hear about it."

[ViolentMedic]

"No, I haven't been here long at all." It was a lie. Naomi had gotten there half an hour early just to make sure that she didn't keep him waiting. She disliked keeping people waiting, it made her feel sluggish even if she was on time. She returned the smile, taking care not to giggle or avert her eyes in a nervous manner or anything that would ruin her dignity.

She raised an eyebrow slightly when he said he didn't know what the book was about. How could he not know at all? It was an iconic piece of literature, he must have at least seen mentions or homages to it. Still, she supposed it was preferable to admit ignorance of a topic than to try and bluff through it. Naomi wrinkled her nose for a moment, thinking over the best way to explain it.

"You likely would have at least seen a homage... it's about a teenager who is eventually arrested for his horrific crimes, and they try injecting him with medicine that makes him ill while showing him footage of the crimes he used to enjoy, so that he gets ill whenever he even thinks of doing bad. Then they release him back into society, but of course society wouldn't accept him because he was still the same kid that tormented otheers for the fun of it, and even though he was forced to behave through psychological blocks, he was still a horrible person inside. There's a lot that can be taken from it, really."

It was about that point that Naomi realised he'd done the same trick that she often did on others. Show brief interest in a subject that she didn't know or care about, and the other person would plow on ahead, babble for several minutes and then come off with the impression that the other person was easy to talk to because they didn't tell the babbler that they were being dull.

Was she being dull? Of course not, but others might not perceive it that way. It depended on interests and intelligence. Maybe Paris really was interested, but... well, she couldn't know for sure, without hearing his opinion on classic literature. Well, at least she'd realised that she was dangerously close to going on a sermon about the qualities and flaws of classic literature.

"Do you read much? A Clockwork Orange is only one book out of billions," Naomi said, picking up her coffee as she spoke.

[Ruggahissy]

After Naomi was done with her explanation Paris held up a finger and left the table briefly. He returned with a beverage and settled back into his seat.

"Sorry for excusing myself. That does sound unusual. It's an interesting concept to be sure. It sounds like a bit of a shame that the experiment didn't stick. I mean, surely he would have been better off as a good person, wouldn't he? Though I guess it's preferable if he had found something to inspire him to be good, it might have stuck then."


He leaned forward with both hands around the warm drink. He mirrored Naomi and took a sip of whatever was in the cup and smiled. She seemed nervous, which was really quite cute to him. He supposed her nerves came from a place of wanting to impress, which showed a level of caring, but not too dominating.


"Yes, I am aware that there are many other books that exist other than Clockwork Orange," he said with a good natured chuckle. A little teasing wouldn't hurt her too much. "I do read quite a lot though. The Alchemist is one of my favorite books and one that I've read recently. Other than the Bible of course."

[ViolentMedic]

Naomi shrugged. "Maybe someone less monstrous would have done better. But seeing as the treatment only failed to stick after the main character had attempted suicide, I very much doubt he was happier being 'good.' Of course, he stops his psychopathic ways in the final chapter of the original, but I never liked that chapter. It was too sudden and optimistic compared to the tone of the rest of the book. They don't even include it in the American version, nor the film."

And off she went again. Why did she have to bring a book she could talk about at length? Maybe a terrible romance novel would have been better, after all. ...No, her dignity couldn't have suffered that blow.

But she was feeling fairly comfortable right now, or else she wouldn't be slipping into rambling so easily. And then he just had to bring up the Bible. Not in a way that suggested he was about to talk about it, but still. Naomi did not want to go near that conversation. She didn't mind other people believing in it. But she also didn't want to give away the fact that she was an extremely stubborn atheist.

Naomi sat up a little straighter, moving her coffee mug to the side. She quickly zoomed in on the part of the conversation that wasn't connected to the Bible at all.

"The Alchemist, hm? I've heard of it, but I have yet to read it. I hear it's rather similar to one of the tales from 'One Thousand and One Nights,' isn't it?"

Naomi watched to see if he'd notice she was trying to avoid talk on religion. She couldn't pick up much from him, which was unusual. The few boys she'd gone this far with had been more obvious in intent. Paris was subtle and polite, but beyond that wasn't giving away anything. Naomi wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

[Ruggahissy]

Paris took another sip of his hot drink and nodded sagely. A barrista came by and set a plate of biscotti at the table. He picked up one of the thin cookies and took a bite out of the end.

"Very good," he beamed. "For someone who hasn't heard of it you know a little known fact," he said pointing to her with a wink. "There is a story in One Thousand and One Nights that has a similar structure to that presented in The Alchemist. It's very short in Arabian Nights though, the story is only about 7 pages long. I imagine it was one of the nights that Scheherazade was a little tuckered out," he said, amused at his own joke.

"It's a story of self discovery through a journey. Finding oneself through experiences and faith and eventually finding what you were meant to do. There's something very comforting and appealing in thinking that we all have a thing meant for us and that we'll find it."

He ran his long fingers around the outside of the smooth white surface of the plate the cookies were resting on. Looking a bit absent and lost in thought for a moment, tracing around and circling the middle of the plate.

"In the case of your young man if he wasn't happy being good, that's not really the concern of everyone else. If he wasn't going to be good and couldn't be happy being as one should, it seems fitting that he try to kill himself. Maybe it is a bit of a cop out for him to become good if your impression is that he couldn't be. A little cynicism is good for the blood, but only a little. I must admit that I didn't take you for someone to eschew an overly optimistic ending, but it's a twist that I like in you."

Paris held out one of the cookies to her. "Biscotti?"

[ViolentMedic]

Naomi chuckled lightly at the joke about Scheherazade. Other than that, though, she quietly listened to Paris' explanation of the tale. She inwardly twitched at the word 'faith,' wary that he was about to bring it back to the Bible, but he didn't. At least for now. This sounded like a story about destiny and fate and such things, however. Naomi wasn't a fan of that, either. She didn't like the notion that she had no control over where she'd end up. If it were true, she might as well just lie down on the floor of the coffeehouse and slumber until life brought it to her.

"Yes. Comforting," she said lightly, trying not to give away that the idea made her rather uncomfortable.

She kept listening, nodding a little at his opinion. Personal happiness didn't matter much compared to the greater good of society, this was true. When Paris threw in a quick compliment, Naomi went very slightly pink and smiled wryly. She knew flattery when she heard it. ...Didn't mean it wasn't working, but at least she knew what it was.

"Optimism is fine if it makes sense. In that case, I don't feel that it did," Naomi said. She didn't continue beyond that point. Naomi sipped her coffee, and took a biscotti when Paris offered her one. "Thank you," she said, smiling politely back. As she nibbled on the biscotti, she wondered what would be a safe topic of discussion beyond books.

[Ruggahissy]

He looked cheerful over the edge of his mug. Paris liked her thus far, and in fact, wanted to know more to make a more complete judgement.

"In any case, thanks so much for helping me out earlier. You're a real life saver, Naomi. And it seems so weird that we've never really talked much one on one. I hope you don't think I'm too annoying or forward. I imagine someone like you would have a lot of guys asking her out and it'd break my heart if I knew you were just too polite to turn me down," he said, clutching his heart and dramatically slumping. He popped back up and continued munching on a cookie with a smile.


"You're a lucky duck, though, you know? Naomi, it's a name from the Old Testament. It's Hebrew for beautiful. It'd be kind of awkward if you were given that name and turned out to be a aesthetically challenged," he said thoughtfully.

[ViolentMedic]

"No trouble at all," Naomi said lightly. "If I hadn't wanted to be here, I would have refused. Politely, of course, but refused nonetheless." She smiled a little at his dramatics, but the next compliment he brought up made her wary again.

This was getting difficult. Paris was charming. Possibly one of the most polite, flattering boys her age that Naomi had ever met. She knew it was all flattery, but that didn't stop it from working. And she didn't mind it too much. The issue was that was the second time -- third if the mention of faith counted -- that he'd brought up the Bible in a completely irrelevant context. Yes, there was someone called Naomi in the Bible, but he could very well have left it out.

At the moment, it wasn't too intrusive. Naomi would be very pleased to see him again. But she had to know, before this went any further, what sort of religious man he was. If he was the sort to let others believe what they wanted to believe, that would be fine. Naomi personally thought religion was a silly thing to believe in, but she didn't begrudge those who did.

If he was like the sort that came to her door wanting to talk about Jesus, however... well, Naomi would just have to put her foot down. She had to know now, when it would be easiest to break things off if they were clearly heading in a terrible direction.

"It would be awkward, yes," Naomi murmured, tersely brushing off the compliment. "You bring up the Bible a lot. I assume you're very devout, then?" she added, before taking a sip of her coffee.

[Ruggahissy]

"Mmmhmm."

Paris nodded deeply, eyes closed.

"It's been a real anchor in my life. I'm very dedicated to my faith and I think it provides good guidance in people's lives, including mine. My mother and I are both very involved in the church. My..."


Paris looked downcast for the first time since entering the shop. In fact, it was a very unusual expression for the normally fairly chipper young man.

"My father was a kind of hedonistic sort, quite irresponsible. To me, that's the sort of thing that happens when you don't have the guidance of faith with you. You become susceptible to unsavory influences in life. There is a certain comfort in knowing that there is a plan for us. That is, if you are willing to devote your life to Him. That keeping on a path that is asking of you will lead to inner peace."

Paris fiddled with his cup for a moment before taking another sip and brightening back up again.

"It's very important to me, yes. Sorry that was so round about!" he said, seemingly waving away the temporary drop in spirit.

"And you?"

[ViolentMedic]

Naomi was surprised to see the sudden depression on Paris' face, which was even more disconcerting because it went away as quickly as it came. The downcast expression, she simply didn't understand. Someone's father being overly indulgent wasn't a cause for that much sadness. Annoyance, yes, but sadness?

Although he had said 'was.' Either dead or now rejecting hedonism. The sad expression suggested the former.

The rest of what he said... well, Naomi considered it all to be a big pile of meadow dressing. How was some omnipresent giant that she'd never met running her life a source of comfort? Of course, she couldn't say that out loud.

"Well, I suppose that makes sense." As much sense as that moron Veveris worshiping his stupid bicycle. "I'm an atheist, personally, but to each his own."

Code for 'we'll get along fine if you don't rub your faith in my face.'

[Ruggahissy]

Naomi didn't seem very receptive suddenly. She expressed her atheism as Paris was ringing the biscotti plate with his finger again. Round and round until she'd spoken and then suddenly his long index finger arched and his nail scraped against the ceramic noiselessly and then stopped. Paris bit his lip for a moment. He sat up a little straighter and pushed his slightly wavy hair away from his face.

"Sure. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion."

Paris smiled at her just like he'd smiled at her before. Not unusual as he was frequently smiling. And though his smile was the same there was something intangibly different about the way that he smiled. His large, deep eyes seemed a little more defined due to the narrowing of his dark lashes.

Paris tilted his head to one side and his gaze moved over the girl across from him. His smiled had faded a little while he looked over her.

"If you don't mind me asking, what brought you to that conclusion?"

[ViolentMedic]

Was it just her, or was the room chillier all of a sudden?

Naomi considered whether to go into detail about why she chose atheism. He already seemed... not angry, exactly, but... less cheerful, certainly. Naomi drank some more of her coffee to buy some time as she considered what to say. She couldn't exactly go 'just kidding, I believe all your ridiculous ideas about omnipresent deities.' She supposed if she didn't explain, she'd just come off as one of those plebeians who denounced important issues that they knew absolutely nothing about. Paris couldn't very well get annoyed if she explained her opinion in a calm and rational manner.

"I'm just not one to believe in something with no proof. I wouldn't believe there had been dinosaurs if fossils didn't prove or at least imply such a thing. I have never heard substantial proof of any religion, including Christianity. I know faith is centered around believing without solid proof, but... it's just something I'm unable to do. Nor something I particularly strive to believe in, as I find the idea of an omnipresent deity watching and guiding every move we make to be... disquieting."

Naomi took another sip of her coffee and quickly added, "Though I do see that it would reasonably appeal to some people." She didn't want to end just by saying 'your ideas make me uncomfortable.' That'd just be rude.