Chapter Text
Italic:
“𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰…”
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨… 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨?
‘𝘒𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 ‘𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘺 - 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴’
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬
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“Well, this is it. That’s the list of all the open auditions I could find in the area,” The boy threw the small stack of papers in front of him.
Kakavasha stares at the papers before picking one up and staring at the list. All of the auditions that were happening were from small studios, either for short films or advertisements. Unfortunately for him, he wouldn’t have known that as he understood not a single word since all of the information was written in english. Guess he would have to find one of the other kids in the complex that could read english to tell him what the papers said
“Thanks… Veritas? That’s your name, right?”
“Yes, that would be correct. But please, call me by my last name,” he pauses before quietly adding, “I would prefer my parents didn’t find out I’m associating myself with someone of your social status on a personal level,” Veritas frowns as he digs his foot into the floor, “and I apologise for that”
“Oh ok then, I’ll keep that in mind then” He looks up to make eye contact with the other. “So I should call you?”
He sighs and stares at the magazines that were stacked on the table, “Can you not read? My name is all over those magazines you keep looking over”
Kakavasha smiles sadly at him, ‘No, not English at least, I’ve been having trouble with the reading and writing part of the language,” he pauses, “your pictures just look pretty… Maybe one day I’ll be able to buy clothing like yours”
Kakavasha’s words caught him off guard, but regardless he made an effort not to show it. For all he knew they’d never see each other again after this.
“Ratio”
“What?”
“That’s my last name”
“Oh! Right…” He looks over at the magazines and then back at Ratio, “Man, it must be nice being able to live so comfortably, you must have alot of fans! Right?”
He looked so excited, so full of hope and joy. He didn’t have the heart to tell him his reality. How his every move had to be measured and calculated, that every step and every word he chose to make would determine how the public treated him the next day even at his young age.
He just smiled, afterall, what were the chances that a kid like Kakavasha would make it big from doing advertisements?
“Yes, my life is rather extravagant, and I do have a rather positive public image”
“When I get rich and famous, maybe then your parents will let me visit you!”
“I’m sure they’ll welcome you kindly when that time comes, Kakavasha,” he placed his hand on his shoulder, “And I hope your sister gets well soon”
Kakavasha nods in response and looks at the door of the tiny apartment his family (or what was left of it) lived in. Surely someone as important as Ratio would feel uncomfortable being in such an ugly run down place; he was probably itching to go running out the door as soon as possible
He looked at the plates and dishes stacks next to the sink. None of them matched and most of them had been given to them whenever neighbours or friends had come over with food to share.
He started to imagine what Ratio’s kitchen might look like. It was probably grand with marble counters, multiple stoves and ovens, and multiple sets of china plates and bowls that actually matched with actual metal silverware. All laid out nicely and in order, not a speck of dust or grease in sight.
He continues to daydream about what Ratio life must be like before he hears a ding come from Ratio’s pocket.
He sees the other pull out their phone from their pocket and frown.
“I have to go Kakavaha, my family is looking for me”. Why did he sound so nervous? Or- sad maybe?
He thinks for a moment and gets up to grab something from under a basket.
“What are you…?”
He makes his way back happily to Ratio and bring his fist in front the both of them, “Give me your hand and close your eyes”
He does as he’s told and he feels a small item being put into his hand.
“You can open them now”
A small, silver key. What was he? A crow?
“If you ever have the chance… I’d love for you to meet my sister. So please do come back, Ratio”
Oh
“I will,” he says and digs into his pocket and pulls out a card. “I know you can’t read English but… this is my card, in case you need anything. Just please don’t share this information with the wrong person, ok? I’ll get in big trouble if you do”
Kakavasha gladly takes the card and stares at it. It had neat golden foil that reflected the light when you turned it at an angle. It was beautiful, just like Ratio
“Ok! I’ll makes sure to take care of it. I’ll be sending you all my luck so you get home safe,” he thinks for a moment before spitting on his hand and extending it, “Friends?”
The other boy hesitates and replies, “Sure, but was the spit really necessary?”
Kakavasha smiles wide, his hand still extended, “It’s not a official if you don’t spit on it, that’s what Jelena told me anyways”
He stares at his hand in disgust and thinks for a few seconds. He may never get another chance to make another genuine connection like this, so what’s a little spit?
He then proceeds to spit on his hand and reaches for the other,
“Friends”