Cloud

Nín shì fángdàn (You are Bulletproof) (Cloud & Chupatoasta)

Aaron smiled a bit from Josie's compliment. "There are things that I am not good at." he spoke, looking around for a bit. "I can't cook, for one thing" he laughed a bit. "I use to help my mom sometimes in the kitchen and help her cook. I would get scolded every time for burning the rice. I'm not lying" He smiled a bit more, remembering that fond memory. Soon he saw Josie get up to go get the dinner, coming back with a bowl of rice and chicken which he happily accepted. "Xièxiè" he spoke in his native tongue, with a smile as he started to eat some of it. It was really good, and he knew it because it showed on his face. He set the bowl down on the coffee table and took a sip of his wine, then set it back down. "I haven't traveled anywhere, except maybe to South Korea when I was young, and a little bit of Japan during my High School years. And then here, America which was 5 years ago..."

It felt nice to sit here and converse with someone. It had been far too long since he held and active conversation such as this. But Josie was nice, so it made him feel like he belonged in a way. Instead of the outside world that despised him, except for Sean Wesley, his boss.. And the people down in the Underground Subway, like the kids. "You know, I've always wanted to travel back to Taipei, Taiwan... I use to feel homesick upon coming here to New York, but.. It almost feels like a second home, even though Taipei is where I am originally from..." he sighed.

Nín shì fángdàn (You are Bulletproof) (Cloud & Chupatoasta)

Aaron slowly nodded his head, listening and understanding what she was saying. "I could see that you lack in cleaning. I guess it slips the mind sometimes, right? Or just use to the good lifestyle back in Sweden maybe? It becomes a habit to those who are not use to cleaning if others are cleaning for them." He set the cat down on the ground and went to go sit on the couch. Just as he did, he heard Josie ask what he wanted to drink. "Wine is fine, and I guess Cabernet will do" he spoke. Aaron didn't normally drink wine, as long as he didn't drink a mild amount that is. He was known to get drunk pretty easily, so he always had to ease himself on the drinking. Right when she had brought the drinks over, he took it carefully, saying a simple thanks before taking a sip and then setting it down on the coffee table. He heard Josie ask what it was like in Taipei.

"Taipei?" he questioned, thinking for a bit. "It's pretty busy, kind of like New York, just, a little more crowded. Crosswalks never seem safe because there is always a few cars that run the light.. I call them "Red Light Runners" he said, smiling a bit. "Almost got hit, quite a lot actually. I got bumped once or twice but..." he paused for a moment, taking another sip of his drink. "Taipei is a bit like New York, except there are a bunch of signs on EVERY building. Lots of markets, night markets and stuff. Enjoy watching the kids walk to school and stuff. Sometimes I follow them just to make sure they get to school alright. Kids are, very sensitive creatures who have to learn and look up to their parents or elders even." Sitting there, he stared at his glass of wine for a moment, taking another sip before setting it back down. Sighing, he looked up at Josie for a moment, then looked at the table, reaching over to grab a blank piece of scrap paper and took a pencil. He started to write something in Taiwanese on the paper, the writing that he knew Josie could not read at all. He then started to sketch something next to the words, a cartoon lion of some sort, holding a balloon. He drew a speech bubble around the words, as if the lion were saying it. Then, he drew a dog, a Shiba Inu who was reaching out to accept the balloon. The words he wrote in the bubble was: "忽略消极别人给你的生活。原因总是有一个人谁可以把它两倍的更好。", "Hūlüè xiāojí biérén gěi nǐ de shēnghuó. Yuányīn zǒng shì yǒuyī gèrén shuí kěyǐ bǎ tā liǎng bèi de gèng hǎo.", then he said, "If you are curious about what it means, it says 'Ignore the negativity that others give you in life. Cause there is always that one person who can make it twice as better.'" Aaron looked at the floor for a moment, then lifted his head to look at Josie. "You can keep it as a reminder if you want..." he handed it to her.

Nín shì fángdàn (You are Bulletproof) (Cloud & Chupatoasta)

Aaron smiled a bit at Josie as she handed him the black trash bag. "Back in Taipei, I use to do a lot of the cleaning because my mother wasn't home and always working. It's a second nature" he spoke as he went around to pick up the trash and stuff it into the trash bag. But he moved around quickly too like he had said. Soon enough, he had finished in exactly 10 minutes. Aaron set the trash bag by the front door so it would be taken out tomorrow. Turning his attention to look at Josie, he could see that she had a hairbrush in her hand, pretending to use it as a microphone when she had turned on the radio. He couldn't help but laugh in amusement. She sure had high spirits, and that was good, high spirits and a happy attitude was just what he needed tonight. The 'microphone' was tossed to him, and he smiled a little bit shy about it. But he didn't hesitate, he decided to be a goofball too since Josie was the one that started it. The song that was on the radio was "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons. Though, he tried to not sing too loud, mind you they were in a apartment, no need to get scolded at, right?

Turning his head to see Josie walking towards him, he smirked and held the brush up so she couldn't reach it. But just then, she tripped due to the cat. He watched her tumble towards him, grabbing his sleeve and literally pulling him with her. "Whoa" he said surprised as he was pulled down. While Josie hit the ground, Aaron almost fell on top of her, but he had his arm resting on the edge of the couch. So he saved himself there. He stared down at her, seeing her laughing and covering her face as if embarrassed. Aaron realized the position he was in and fixed himself, standing up and reaching out his hands to hold hers and pull her up from the floor. "Took a little fall, eh?" he smiled, laughing a bit. Looking down at Vigo, the cat, Aaron reached down to pick the feline up and hold him, petting and scratching him behind the ears.

Nín shì fángdàn (You are Bulletproof) (Cloud & Chupatoasta)

Aaron followed Josie into the apartment building, nodding his head slowly when she spoke. "Someone that cares, right?" he asked as he followed her. Stepping into the elevator with her, it almost reminded him slightly of being back in Taiwan. Though the home he lived in was a decent home, before things went bad that it. Soon enough they made it to her apartment and they stood outside of it. Josie had warned that it was a mess, to which he responded, "Hmm, a mess huh? I'd offer to clean it if you'd like" he spoke, laughing a bit. When they entered into the apartment though, he could see that she was right, it was a mess. "Wow" he said, walking in through the front door. Closing it behind him he took his guitar case off of his back and went to set it down by the couch. Soon enough, he saw a cat which he assumed was Josie's only roommate in this small home. The cat had walked over to him, seeming to enjoy his company. Aaron lifted his head when Josie mentioned how the cat normally hated visitors.

"Animals can tell when a person is good or bad." he said, getting down on one knee to be at semi-level with the cat. He flashed a smile as he scratched the cat behind it's ear, petting it. "Guess he knows I mean no harm then..." Aaron stood back up and walked around the small apartment for a bit, scanning the few messes here and there. "I'm sure I can clean this up in about 10 minutes if you give me a trash bag" he stated with a smile. "Since you're helping me out, why not return the favor, right?"

Nín shì fángdàn (You are Bulletproof) (Cloud & Chupatoasta)

Aaron didn't know what to feel right now, just looking at her as she wiped his tears away. She could tell that she wanted to help him, but was it worth it? Wouldn't he just be a hassle for her? Even though he wanted to deny her offer, he had a very kind soul. So instead of pushing the request aside, he tried to accept it. Following Josie to the Subway where she was trying to usher him onto it. He hesitated for some time before following her. He stood there in the aisle, holding one of the handles with a firm grip. His guitar case strapped across his back with the lights of the subway hitting the white paint written taiwanese writing. He appeared to be looking out the window right now, wondering if it was ok to be doing this. "Sorry..." he spoke quietly to Josie. "I didn't mean to come off like that in front of you... My emotions kind of took over..." It had always been like that., but if you were to look on the brighter side of life, Aaron alone was a charming individual. He wasn't one who tried to act tough, he was one who had a heart that expressed emotions out in the open.

Upon waiting for a while, the train stopped and the two had gotten off onto the platform. Aaron had his hands in the pockets of his jeans as he walked along side with Josie. "Why... Why are you being nice to me?" he asked her, not looking at her and only focused on looking forward as they walked. "I mean, I know you're nice and all, but... Why are you?" He was curious to know why this girl was being exceptionally caring to him. Looking out for him as if he were crying out for help. "You don't have to tell me though, I'm just a little happy to know that I wasn't left in the dust is all..." he spoke, trying to muster up a smile of some sort. It was a weak one, but it would have to do, right?

Nín shì fángdàn (You are Bulletproof) (Cloud & Chupatoasta)

Aaron didn't really say much after that, watching Josie look at the locket and admire his family. "I feel that if I keep pictures of them, I'll never forget what they look like. Then they are not completely gone from my life, you know?" he said quietly. "A normal person would go visit their deceased family and friends. But considering my circumstances right now, and the fact they are all buried in Taiwan.. I can only thank them each night as it is." He watched as Josie had leaned forward to put the locket back around his neck where it belonged. He gazed down at it for a moment, the lights reflecting off it's silver exterior. Soon enough, the two had left the club and were walking down the street together now. As they walked, they walked rather slow as if to enjoy the beautiful night. "It's alright, Josie..." he spoke to her finally after a long silence. Lifting his head to look at her for a bit and then out at the sky.

"Sometimes I think that life is just testing me. Throwing obstacles in my path to see how I can deal or cope with them..." They continued to walk. It looked like Aaron was trying to hold back tears, often times looking away to try and hide them. Though when he spoke, his emotions were very much there, sadness. "It's alright to be sad about losses. It's life, and they were bound to be taken from me one way or another. Loneliness is a sad thing to think about, and I try to not think about it too much. Sadness brings heartache..." he said. "Did you know that you can actually die of a broken heart?" Silence again as they walked, a few tears slipping from his eyes, trailing down his face and chin. "Life gives me heartache...."

It was often times that he was a well rounded happy guy. But when sad thoughts came to mind, it was hard to bring his mood back up. Although, he forces himself to be happy. As they walked, he heard Josie speak to him, asking about going to get dinner. He stopped walking, lifting his head to look her in the eyes with his saddened, red and puffy eyes. "Thanks for the offer, Josie... But I don't handle restaurants of the sort very well. Sorry about that..." he apologized. Even so, Aaron hadn't eaten at all today, but it didn't concern him much as he tended to be like that often.

Nín shì fángdàn (You are Bulletproof) (Cloud & Chupatoasta)

Aaron accepted the coke, "Thanks.." and took a sip of it. On most cases he didn't drink a whole lot of soda, and the carbonation feeling from the soda was always a weird feeling. Even so, he set the drink down on the table, listening to Josie speak about what she thought the saying meant. He nodded his head, "Yeah, you 'hit the nail on the head'" he smiled. Soon enough he watched to see a young gentleman who appeared drunk had come over to ask Josie to dance. Though, even with his rude behavior, it didn't bother Aaron much. "It's alright," he spoke, smiling at her. "But, yeah, you are right on what you said. Many people whom are beautiful or handsome may look like they have a lot in life. Some do, but there is always a catch to everything in life. You never know what pain and suffering a person has gone through in their life..." Aaron was quiet for a moment, staring at the table with saddened, dull eyes. Eyes that were not lit up with happiness anymore. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but nothing came out and he closed his mouth again. Rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, he sighed and lifted his head to look at Josie.

"I've been honest with you from the start, so I'll let you know this much." he started to say. "I didn't live a very good life, you are right. Sure, I was blessed with good looks, talent, wisdom even... But the only thing I'm lacking in.. is family." Aaron was quiet again for a moment. He lifted a hand to reach up and wrap his fingers around the silver locket around his neck. He held it close to his chest, as if reminiscing old memories. "My father was ill when I was young... He was battling lung cancer at the time. I use to go see him everyday after school, talk to him and tell him that he'd be fine. I use to think it was just a regular sickness, but each day I went, it got worse. And after 3 months of doing that, he passed away..." Quiet yet again, he reached over to take another sip of his coke, setting the can back down. "At about the age of 17, my sister got into a car accident with some friends. She was in critical condition, but she too didn't make it."

His eyes gazed around the room, the sound of the band playing. But he faded out the music from his mind. "Our family was becoming poor, and unstable back in Taiwan... My mother was having difficulties and we were both grieving over the losses of both my father and sister. So we moved here to New York when I was 20... She worked as a Waitress at a Cafe.. But she had heart problems, a tumor in her heart... By that time, she had passed away. And I've been living here in New York alone for the past 5 years. You could say I was stranded, abandoned, or simply just lost..." His voice grew quiet as he clutched the locket firmly in his hand. But he slowly released that firm grip and gently took the locket off from around his neck and handed it to Josie to open and look at the family pictures of his parents and sister.

Nín shì fángdàn (You are Bulletproof) (Cloud & Chupatoasta)

Aaron was pulled into the club where he saw a lot of people standing around and talking to one another while a band was playing. He had taken note of the two gentleman off in the corner. Aaron however, wasn't really much interested in such record labels as those. If he had a choice for one, he probably would decline them. He liked performing for sure, but wasn't one to be caught up in fame and money like that. Maybe it's because he lived in 5 years worth of being poor and homeless? Then again, maybe it was his mind telling him to not bother in general. But just by looking around the area, there were a lot of people who seemed to have dressed quite nicely. Aaron was semi-formal in a way, semi-formal, semi-casual. Then again, even when he looked around to admire everything around him, often times some girls would look at him. He had gone to a place like this with a friend once maybe a year or two ago, and girls would always try to hit on him. Anyone would be surprised that he was still single, with his complexion, body, talent. Maybe because he felt guilty of himself for some reason?

When Josie had asked if he wanted a drink, he thought for a moment, then nodded his head. "Yeah, sure..." he gave her a small smile. It seemed that he was thinking about something, wondering. He could feel the eyes of girls around the club eyeing him. Even hear whispers that were nearby, or those that were audible that is. "Do you... remember that saying I told you about back on the train?" he asked Josie, looking at her for a moment. "That saying... a beautiful person might not have a beautiful life? What do you... What do you think it means - to you that is" he spoke the last part quickly as he sat down at an empty table to rest for a bit.

Nín shì fángdàn (You are Bulletproof) (Cloud & Chupatoasta)

Aaron nodded his head when Josie had said that they should get to know one another better. Which would be nice, if they were seeing each other this much now, maybe it was a good idea. Soon the subway had stopped, and he was surprised when he saw Josie being flung into him, he had to catch her to make sure she didn't fall. After she had pulled away and apologized, it seemed that they had arrived at their destination. Following her out onto the Platform, he followed after Josie who seemed to urge him to go up the stairs. But if you were someone who literally stood all day, you probably didn't want to move any faster than you could already. But it was ok with him, he didn't mind it much.

As he followed her, it seemed she had to grab his hand to pull him along. He couldn't help but smile about it, a little eager, she seemed to be. "I'm not slow," he commented back to her with a laugh, "If you had my job, standing for practically over 12 hours I am sure you would not want to run either." In a way, he was saying 'my legs hurt but since you keep pressing me on I will keep moving'. Soon enough, the two arrived towards a club where he assumed the show was being held at. Aaron stopped for a brief moment outside the club, breathing heavily for a bit. When he could catch his breath, he stood up straight and looked around. Even if it was a thunderstorm that would clear up soon, there was also the potential threat of gangs out at night. This was New York, and New York had trouble with gangs for sure. They lurked everywhere if you were in a place you knew you shouldn't be walking at that hour. But, he'd find a way around that after the show.

Nín shì fángdàn (You are Bulletproof) (Cloud & Chupatoasta)

It was true, Aaron did spend most of his time here in the Subway as it was a place of relaxation. Even when kids would ask for another song, Aaron had a soft spot for kids and would often play songs for them. Old songs even since he enjoyed most music. When that song had ended though, he heard Josie ask about a show that was going on tonight. "A show, huh?" he spoke, pondering the idea. "I don't think I've been to one of those in... maybe 12 years?" he said. Man, it sounded really long ago, but it was true, he hadn't been to any concerts in a long while. Watching her go to catch her train, he wondered on the thought.

Soon enough, over the crowd he could see some police coming his way. "Uh-Oh, time to go" he spoke, putting his guitar back into it's case, closing and latching it shut and slinging the strap over his shoulder. Then, he high-tailed after Josie, practically running into her into the train. He had to wrap a arm around her waist and use his other hand to grab hold of those handles that hung down on the ceiling for those who didn't have seats and had to stand. Sighing in relief by a quick save, and the train doors closing just in time when the police had come to see that Aaron wasn't there. When he felt safe, Aaron turned his head to look and see he was still holding her, to which he avoided eye contact immediately and quickly removed his arm. "Sorry.." he spoke, taking a step back and holding onto one of the handles above.

If you looked hard at him, you could be able to define each thing about Aaron. He was about 5' 8" or so. His hair was styled neat, he had beautiful brown eyes too. His body and frame were to die for. You would think that he was the most attractive guy that any girl could ask for. The only downside, he was poor and homeless and lost his family in the past. He lifted his eyes slowly to look at Josie for a moment and said, "You know..." he started to say, "There's this.. saying.. It's a Taiwanese Proverb of course..." he spoke. "a beautiful person might not have a beautiful life" pausing for a moment, then he said it in his native tongue, "Yīgè měilì de rén kěnéng bù huì yǒu yīgè měihǎo de rénshēng"