thattimeofthemonth | Open RP Post

Jake nodded, opening the gate for them all. "I've got a few hours in me. I usually get out about 7ish, then I'm up until maybe 9, then wake up earlier so I'm kind of up some of he same time as most people." He laughed a little though. "And that's just on late nights. My job doesn't have any issue in scheduling me on a day shift twice a week though."

Which was awful. It was just like a punishment instead of a job.

"Those hours still seem rough," Draco commented with a frown. He really needed to get a job somewhere else. "Can't you request to do one or the other? At least then it might be easier to schedule things."

He diffidently would have put up a fight or just left.

"It was what they could schedule me on, so not really. I still work down at the record shop when I can, too. Rent isn't cheap." He shrugged, no big deal, really. Draco had no idea what it could be like when your choices were limited on money.

"Right...you did explain that part before." He gave a nod, clearly not understanding what it was like having to have to work. He didn't even have to go to be a healer...but he wanted to. He wanted to do something for himself instead of just living with his parents and living off their money.

"You should let me know what your schedule is so I can pop by after your shift is done."

"I usually wind down after a shift, might be boring. Quick meal, walk Lucky... But I'd like having you there." He looked over to Draco with an odd expression, wondering if the other was suggesting what he thought he was suggesting.

Maybe. Not that he'd mind. He would enjoy it, even if he knew where it was all leading.

Around the corner was a small park, looking tucked away among the trees. Lucky clearly knew it and was super excited about it.

He smiled, pleased to see Jake happy with the idea. Draco wasn't sure where this was going. He was simply following what felt right. If their friendship became more then that then he would be pleased. If they were just friends he was content with that too.

"Someone is pretty happy to be at the park," he commented.

"Because this is someone's favorite place to be," he said in return with a laugh, while Lucky tried to sniff everything in reach of his leash. He moved to walk right beside Draco, looking up towards the sky.

"I heard they have proper seasons in America other than just rain and winter," he said jokingly, but also a hint of teasing towards their own country.

"I've heard rumors. Not so sure if they actually do exist," Draco responded. Although it was an interesting point to note-- that there would be quite a climate change. "Did your sister have a hard time adjusting to living there?"

He was going to have to talk to Melinda somw more as well about America.

"She complained about the humidity!" He chuckled at the memory. "It's so different over there, she said, but it wasn't long before she was in love with it because there's so much more sun. Now she has a tan! I'm not even sure it's possile to get a tan proper here." He spread a hand up towards the sky, indicating the bleak morning.

He made a face at the humidity not so keen on that aspect. "A tan?!" Draco replied a little surprised. "So that's the trick then. Although with how naturally pale my family is-- I wonder if that's possible."

It was more teasing then anything, but he did briefly dwell on the possibility.

"I'd be more worried you'd step out into some proper California sun and whoosh!" He gave a little rising flail of his hands. "Go up in flames, like a vampire." He laughed, then sobered up just a bit. "You're going to need some good sunscreen if you go over there."

Draco couldn't help but laugh. The entire conversation was crazy and he never knew what to expect from Jake in his responses. He never joked around like this with his other friends. If only Jake knew that there were actual vampires around...not that he's seen them. Mostly they tended to be rumors.

"I am going to end up having to research this whole idea. There's so much I don't even know what to expect." Draco replied after a pause.

Jake couldn't imagine the idea of not joking around with friends, without teasing and the give and take of it, without just being... himself. He had a vague concept from movies and the telly that the rich had a different sort of air to keep up, but around your friends? They're not friends, otherwise. Just people you know. Not even well, either.

He would have been in awe on the idea of vampires, absolutely in awe. Not that he would want to go find them, but the sheer fact they were real, that any of it was real! It didn't matter though, did it? Anything he ended up involved in, he would have to forget. Wiped.

"Well... given your sort of weird hippie life style, I'm kind of doubting you've ever really used a computer then, have you? That'd be the best way to research living in America." Not that wizards really would put that kind of information on a Muggle device. ..Right?

"Nope...." Draco replied with a confused expression. He had heard Melinda mention before and a few students. But otherwise he had never seen or used one before. "I suppose I should also mention my family doesn't even use electricity..."

He gave a sheepish grin, realizing how awkward that was going to be. It was sch a funny term to pronounce, but he was at least familiar with it since the Lupins use it.

Jake's expression of laughter fell and he blinked, just looking to Draco in utter and complete confusion. ...How- how did anyone live without electricity and also be rich? How was that even possibly a thing? He tried to understand the idea in his head and the whole thing just sort of backfired on him.

"You- You're serious?" Because what did you even say to that?? How did someone live without something so basic? "I mean, how- what-" Where did he even start to understand.

He gave a nod in return. He didn't mean to make the conversation serious again...but he figured that he had to explain this. When he spoke it was in a soft voice mainly so others wouldn't hear.

"Yeah. It's just how it's always been. You would think with the way we have money we would be like everyone else. Their money has been in the family for a long time, the beliefs they follow has been old, and along with the way of life. Granted...that way of life is slowly disappearing. We're probably one of the few still clinging to the old ways."

Luckily, it could all be taken in another way for Draco - that his family was somewhat insane and decided this 'down to earth' thing was the only way. Old money made sense, so they never had to work or come out into reality since they had more than enough money to last generations... the whole thing was just a little crazy, but he couldn't imagine Draco to be lying about something like this.

He slowly ran a hand back through his hair, blinking slightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude about it, I just... never imagined anyone still lived like that." But he had a thought that when he got home, he would Google to learn more about it.

"Not insulted. I knew it was going to get awkward the moment I mentioned it. I probably said too much trying to explain," he replied in a reluctant voice.

"But how can I not explain this with the way you and your friends live and with how I've always lived? There's quite a lot I don't know."

"I- bloody hell, I really don't mean to make it awkward. That just was.. even for you, unexpected." Jake reached over and touched Draco's arm, just for a second. "I mean, are you happier like this? Something more... modern? I don't mean to push you, mate."

"Not your fault," Draco replied. He glanced up at Jake at the brief touch and there was some hesitation at the answer to his next question.

"Before coming here I thought nothing of it. Everything was fine and didn't think how strange it was to have that life style. On top of that my parents had always been careful with who I associated with. So I never saw anything that portrayed a different lifestyle. Now I'm really not sure what to think. It's a lot to take in."

"Well, you've got me," Jake said quietly, offering a small, warm smile to Draco. "You've come a long way already, from what I've seen when we first met. I'm here to show you the way into our crazy electronics, if you want that help."

He offered his hand over to the other, a physical and symbolic gesture. "Told you before I'd handle all this crazy stuff as it came."

"You think so?" Draco asked not fully buying the fact that he's already come along way. "It's only been a few days since I've arrived here."

There was a slight pause before he reached over and took Jake's hand. His last comment earned small smile. He was grateful that he had met Jake, he doubted others would have been so accepting.

"Trust me, you're changing. In a good way." He squeezed Draco's hand tightly before holding up their combined hands, raising a brow. "Wouldn't have done this a few days ago, right?" That smile of his, all white teeth and hair in his eyes.

Lucky came trotting over, tongue lolling, and he nosed up to Draco eagerly.

Draco found himself blushing again, yet that smile of his caused Draco's own smile to grow. Had this been in their own privacy, he would probably would have kissed him. Right now he wasn't so ready for such a public display. Holding Jake's hand was a small risk he was willing to take.

"I suppose you have a point there. And this would all be Lucky's fault." Draco said and with his free hand reached over to pet the dog.

"You know what they say about dogs; they know people better than we do." Jake smiled as Lucky leaned into Draco happily, tail wagging furiously as he pushed his head into Draco's petting. "Looks like he was right about you."

Jake yawned for a moment behind his hand before he suggested, "early for it but the stores are opening... Do you still want to get your camping equipment today?"

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