#v; wandering camera man

[gonnachasethestars]

"What's Marilyn Monroe got that I don't got?"

[gonnachasethestars]

"It sounds like what the Earth is slowly turning into. Although we're not that far yet, we're reaching points where fresh food is hard to come by, for those same reasons."

It made him wonder if they came from some world that was somehow a futuristic version of the Earth. But that was because there was also so much he didn't know about where they came from. Maybe someday, he'd learn more, but all in due time. Kounosuke personally stayed away from energy drinks. But he did occasionally sample coffee.

"...You mostly eat fast food?"

Eyebrows furrowed.

"How do you do that and stay so thin? All I have to do is look at dessert and I'm ten pounds heavier."

Maybe he was a little envious, but he'd also never fault Light for the miracle that was whatever kept him thin. Came from a society that treated larger people as though they were worse off. Even though Kounosuke was incredibly healthy, he was told he'd never be as important as someone thinner.

"I wish I could look more like you."

“It’s not so much the being a fan of them, than never really having them.” So far Kounosuke hadn’t given Light a reason not to trust him, so he could talk a little bit about their world. Hopefully this wouldn’t be something that would come back later to bite him in the ass. “We don’t have much in the way of fresh foods. Most of what we eat are processed due to the pollution of our world. There are very few places left that are able to sustain harvestable items.”

That was as far as he was willing to go into it. Light was sure that it had already painted a ‘lovely’ picture of their world for the tanuki, so he offered a small smile. “We’ve been slowly trying new things while we had been staying with our friend and his family. I’ve become quite partial to what is called an energy drink…”

As much as he had read on the web about the drinks not being good for continual consumption, they didn’t seem to have any adverse effects on him. Although the first time did have him awake for 48 hours, but he blamed the caffeine content on that and thought over Kounosuke’s next question.

“What I like…” One hand came to rest on his chin while he considered his options. “I do prefer a more carnivore diet. We tend to eat what most consider fast food. Burgers are something she and I both enjoy.”

Now that he thought about it… There wasn’t actually a lot that they actually tended to eat that could be considered healthy.

[gonnachasethestars]

I miss you, I miss you, I miss you! Trust that your heart will always guide you true Soar up as high as @tentaplenty's dreams can fly!

"I'd say seeing a person rise out of the lake like that was strange, but I've seen much stranger."

Which was why he was smiling. This was supposedly his secret spot, but it seems as though she'd stumbled upon it herself. It wasn't a private area or anything, just a place he felt as though nobody else knew about. The tanuki's shoes were off, bare feet in the water, his pants rolled up a bit so they wouldn't get wet.

He had to enjoy these final days of warmth, pretty soon, it'd be super cold and rainy.

"You're very pretty. You must have lungs of steel, too. I'm lucky if I can hold my breath longer than ten seconds."

[gonnachasethestars]

"Aw, c'mon now! Dance with me!"

[gonnachasethestars]

@burnlikeme said: “N-no, don’t let me stop you. Keep playing. You’re good!” Dents came to the music store looking for a new omnichord, found himself distracted by ukuleles, and followed the sound of piano to a back room where he noticed photography equipment set up as if for a photoshoot. “Heh. I think I might be the one interrupting you in more ways than one, actually…”

"You think so?"

He'd just been having some fun, waiting for some clients to come for their photoshoot. Still life was one of his skills, and this way he didn't have to take photos of total strangers. He was hoping to get something for his photography portfolio. The world was ever changing, and thus to, must his portfolio if he's to keep the successful line of work he'd been an integral part of for a good five years.

"Your hair's a real cool blue."

Closing the bar that kept the piano keys dusty, he rolls in his chair so that he's facing 2D. A moment to adjust his glasses, if just to make sure he wasn't seeing things. You didn't find hair like that in a village like Minasato, most people were older. More set in their old fashioned ways.

"Nah, you're not interrupting me. I was just messing around, I took piano lessons for over twenty years, so I guess that's why I'm so good at it, hehe."

"You're not one of my models, though. Who might you be?"

"僕 和 名前 クリ 幸之助 です。" (My name is Kounosuke Kuri.)

The tanuki laughs.

"That's a formal introduction, you can just call me Kounosuke."

[gonnachasethestars]

"I hope they at least have some kind of guidance, even if it's not school. That sounds way harder than anything I had to do when I was younger."

There were things you learned by trial and error, but not survival. Learning to walk, learning to speak. Those were things only a guardian could teach. But after that, you could be taught anything, as long as you had enough money. The only thing he could think of that he was completely self taught in, was photography. His mother had taught him how to cook.

"Well..."

I don't want to be alone...

There's a shake of the head. It didn't matter. With everything soo finished, the tanuki plates everything, and though he's smiling, there was obvious pain behind it. He set the plate down, a place where a true beast, rather than beastman, could properly enjoy it.

"I'll just be happy if everyone else is happy."

Kounosuke takes a breath, and smiles a little wider.

"I guess there's not much I can do. As long as you understand that you'll always have a place here."

— ☽○☾ —

The wolf thought that notion was naive, to not harm another person, but the two of them were also very different. She could tell that much the moment they had met, and he offered to feed her. She would never do such a thing, even if she did have a house to share or food to spare. Or so she told herself. Maybe if she did have those things, if her life was different, she wouldn't be so jaded. Who could really say?

"You seem the type. To have gone to school, I mean. That's a luxury where I'm from. Most people, Beasts anyway, learn by doing. They learn how to survive by trial and error." Just like herself. And her experience had been hard, harder than most some might have said simply because of what she was. It was ridiculous, but it was the life she led and there was no changing that.

She survived by her own skill, and the naive grace of others. Like this tanuki. Everything he said puzzled her. Why would he put so much effort into others...?

"You're a special kind of breed, aren't you? You do all this for others, but what is it that you want?" There had to be more to his intention than just wanting to help. There had to be.

"It doesn't matter. I can't stay here. I have a goal to accomplish."

[gonnachasethestars]

"People who use the term 'lighten up' as an excuse to make fun of you aren't friends. I learned that the hard way. A lot of times."

[gonnachasethestars]

I miss you! I miss you! I miss you! Trust that your heart will always guide you true Soar up as high as @koopaprince's dreams can fly!

Oh. It was a kid.

It wasn't uncommon to see unsupervised children in Minasato. It was such a lovely, friendly place to live. Crime rate was nonexistent. If a child was older than five, parents would generally let them come here, to the square. It was the center of the town, and more importantly, near the candy store!

Now of course, his big brotherly senses kicked in. There was immediate care, and interest in this child's protection. He knew it wasn't necessary, but that wouldn't stop him from making friendly conversation. Maybe make a new friend.

"It's like another world, isn't it?"

Kounosuke spoke to Junior, drawing attention to how they were in the square's gardens. Gardens that Kounosuke himself often helped take care of. The beautiful flowers of spring were blooming, the trees would be sprouting cherry blossoms soon. Lowering himself, he sat on his knees so they could be closer to eye level.

"Are you doing okay? Minasato is beautiful in spring, isn't it? Especially when it's not raining, hehe."

Though he wanted to put a hand on Junior's shoulder, he would do no such thing. You were never to touch another person without consent, in any way whatsoever.

"Mind if I ask your name? I'm Kounosuke. I was just taking in the view. If anyone tries to be mean to you, just send 'em to me."

Proudly patting his round physique, which bounced from the impact, the tanuki's eyes were closed, a mischievous grin on his face.

"I'll bump into 'em and send 'em sky high!"

[gonnachasethestars]

I miss you! I miss you! I miss you! Trust that your heart will always guide you true Soar up as high as @the-devils-toybox's dreams can fly!

"Hey, you!"

Out of the tanuki's pocket, came a lens, which he soon attached to the camera hanging around his neck. An extra fine lens, meant to capture great detail. The speed of which he attached it was nothing short of professional, made it look easy, even though attaching lenses was something that ordinarily would take at least ten seconds.

"Mind if I take your photograph? I'm doing a study on life, and I have to admit, you look pretty dang cool."

[gonnachasethestars]

"Whaaaat?"

He wasn't expecting there to be so many things that were seen as cute, others generally didn't make such comments. The most surprising of all was the interest in his body type. That was something people generally used to treat him as some kind of joke.

"...Err, anyway."

Quick, shake it off.

"It's a big deal to me. I don't think things like that should be considered normal. But I also don't know how to help with night terrors, I've never had them."

"Hmmm, best feature? Your smile, that's for sure. But your belly is cute too, and so are your ears and mask and eyes," he replies. His hand reaches up to his head to scratch his scalp for a moment.

"Eh, it's just night terrors I have. Have had them since I was young. It's hard to sleep and to stay asleep. But I've been living this way without much sleep for years, my whole life almost. So it's no big deal," the villain replies with a soft shrug.

[gonnachasethestars]

"Sometimes I don't think people take me seriously enough."

[gonnachasethestars]

I miss you! I miss you! I miss you! Trust that your heart will always guide you true Soar up as high as @brawlligator's dreams can fly!

Just sitting in the park. Kounosuke was situated on the grass, concentration on his work. Not a photograph this time, rather, the tanuki was sketching a ladybug. Pretty soon, it would be too cold for many insects, they'd have to go into hiding. He had to make the most of what little time he had left to get some good sketches in, as he included them in his portfolio.

A photographer that could also draw would be in high demand.

Sketch finished, he stands upright, patting the grass off of his jeans. It's only then that he realizes he's not alone. It was pretty rare to see someone around his own size, though this person was clearly taller than the tanuki. All of Kounosuke's friends were either skinny, or muscular. He always felt like the odd one out, though he accepted himself for who he was.

"It's like another world, isn't it?"

As he spoke, a breeze blew by, ruffling his hair, and pulling at the hem of his shirt, which didn't fit all that well. Though the other was definitely the type to look intimidating, it was rare for Kounosuke to immediately be intimidated, even by monsters. He'd been raised to accept anyone for who they were, not what they looked like.

"There's a level of peace in nature I've never found anywhere else. What about you, Mr.?"

[gonnachasethestars]

I miss you! I miss you! I miss you! Trust that your heart will always guide you true Soar up as high as @kingbcwser's dreams can fly!

"And here I thought I was big!"

He didn't mean that in a bad way, quite the opposite. Kounosuke was perfectly comfortable in his body, and it would be his hope to make sure everyone he met, no matter their shape, size, or stature, felt the same way about themselves. That was why he was smiling, his tone being rather friendly.

"You look pretty strong, too! Mind if I snag a picture? If it's okay, be sure to strike a super cool pose!"

He should have been afraid. But Kounosuke had never been the type to be afraid of anyone, really. Even those he should have been afraid of. He felt as though he didn't want to be judged for the way he looked, so who was he to judge anyone else for the way they looked? Everybody needed at least one friend.

"Hehe, sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. My name's Kounosuke, what's yours?"

[gonnachasethestars]

@fabulousflynn said: ❛  have you seen this anywhere ? i must’ve lost it.  ❜

"...Well, no. But! I have a photographic memory!"

It was a truth, Kounosuke could remember details that many would ordinarily forget. Did it come from studying so many photographs? Maybe. More importantly, they had to find what was lost! Taking on a large grin, the tanuki placed his hands upon his hips. This couldn't be too hard, could it?

"Do you remember the last place you saw it? I know that's a really obvious question, but it could lead to clues about where it is now. Don't worry, I'll make sure you get it back safe and sound!"

[gonnachasethestars]

@un-chained Said: "Oh, and what might you be? A plump critter. I wonder what you taste like."

"In my culture, my species is a sign of good fortune. Haven't you ever seen a tanuki before? And besides, I'm hardly plump at all."

Says the Beastman whose shirt only barely covers his body. But he was amused at the idea that someone wanted to taste him. That wasn't the general response Kounosuke usually got whenever someone saw him for the first time.

"It's not very polite to go around biting strangers, so I think you should reconsider the concept."

[gonnachasethestars]

I miss you! I miss you! I miss you! Trust that your heart will always guide you true Soar up as high as @spectacular-solarflare's dreams can fly!

"No, no..."

The tanuki was walking in the rain. He held a clear umbrella along with wearing an insulated rain coat. His eyes were closed, not the best idea, but his mind was all jumbled up. It meant he didn't see a thing in front of him. Shoes press softly on the sidewalk, a gentle splashing sound each time.

Thoughts were on how to design a lens that could do everything. Take a well defined picture of the sun, while simultaneously being waterproof.

B O N K !

Should have been paying attention. Kounosuke walked nose first into a crossing light. A sharp cry of pain was emitted, as he held his nose for a moment. Rubbing it a few times, the tanuki came to the realization that he wasn't the only one here. How embarrassing.

"Sorry you had to see that."

Shaking his head, mostly in an attempt to get the dull ache to go away, he smiled.

"Well, anyway. What brings you out on a day like this?"

Being the friendly man he was, there was genuine curiosity in his voice. Strangers were just friends you hadn't met yet, right? She may not have looked like what society considered normal, but who cared? Goodness knew Kounosuke had been judged when he was younger, generally for his size.

That was the past. He was fully comfortable in who he was now, round, soft body included.

"You'd better be careful not to catch a cold! My name's Kounosuke."

He struck a pose straight out of an anime.

"I'm a photographer from the stars! Hehe."