[center][h1]Ren White[/h1]
[h2]The Coffee Pot[/h2]
[@Rabidporcupine][/center]

Ren watched in slight fascination and slight disgust at how somebody could possibly shove so much food into his mouth in such a short period of time. Joseph talked about his life as requested and Ren had never felt more like a sheltered toddler in his entire life in comparison of everything Joseph had experienced. 

[color=lightsteelblue][i]"That's quite the tragic backstory you've got there. Next thing you know you'll be fighting crime in a back alley wearing tights and a cape."[/i][/color] The mental images of the rather tall guy running around in a homemade superhero costume almost made Ren laugh out loud. Almost. Ren didn't really feel like he was in any position to comment or say something sympathetic to him either. He's just met the guy after all and it was not in his place. He brought the cup up to his face, enjoying the scent of the brew for a minute before drinking. Joseph asked him about his life in return. 

[color=lightsteelblue][i]"I am pretty sure my life is nothing of interest. It's just the story of another privileged boy following his fathers foot steps because of his own indecisiveness."[/i][/color]

He sighed, and took a small bite of a sandwich. Carefully chewing and swallowing while looking around the café. The line had cleared out, and there were a couple of other people occupying several other tables. A very petite, browned haired girl was talking to some of the waitresses, but it was too far away for Ren to overhear the conversation. Not that he particularly cared. [@Poi] 

[color=lightsteelblue][i]"I'm in my first year at the university here, aiming to be a doctor it seems. My father would be outraged if I even considered anything else, so... It's easiest this way, I think."[/i][/color] 

Ren was saying this as much to himself as he was to Joseph. Clearing his throat, he continued. 

[color=lightsteelblue][i]"And as I've already told you before - I have never seen that person before [b]in my life[/b]. Besides, I'm not - it's not like I... I'm not ga- Ugh, shut up."[/i][/color] 

Ren was getting tongue tied. This was a subject he normally avoided. He had been suspicious that he didn't care much for girls for a while, but dating had never really been an option for Ren when he lived at home under strict supervision of his parents. Now that he was free to do as he chose, it was a topic he was too scared to explore. He was expected to take over the family pharmaceutical company one day, but before that he was instructed to get a proper degree. Nothing about his upbringing had been up for discussion, and Ren was the person who had the least to say on the matter of his own life. Dying to change the subject, he grabbed a napkin and scribbled down his phone number in barely readable writing.

[color=lightsteelblue][i]"Well, [b]wanderer[/b], if you're ever in the neighborhood again and settling down on my doorstep, just text me instead. I can almost guarantee that my sofa is more comfortable than the pavement."[/i][/color] Ren slid the napkin over the table in front of Joseph while avoiding eye contact. Ren would rarely engage with other people. Why did he bother to be nice with this guy? Maybe it was the association of a wounded animal that pulled on his heart strings. [color=gray]It's not a crime to try to be friendly every once in a while, is it?![/color]