Interesting Conversations
Characters: Jason and Zach Setting: Cafeteria, morning
Zach was still getting used to his own free time, his own space, which meant that he had his book next to him at the table when he went for breakfast, though the message on the computer had him keeping from picking it up just yet. He didn’t quite want hugs sprung on him, not the type to get behind physical contact. He didn’t shy away from it, but he didn’t openly welcome it either.
So the book sat unopened next to him as he worked through a bowl of oatmeal, watching the people coming in and out of the cafeteria. It was easier to memorize little bits of them, but he guessed it wouldn’t pass Ru’s test.
Jason wasn't really sure this whole hugs thing was the best idea, especially not so soon after everything had gone down a couple of days ago. Sure, it was an easy way to earn a few extra credits, but like he had said to Reggie, it was also an easy way for someone to get themselves into a bad position. So he found himself with mixed feelings about the whole thing: he didn't understood the idea of encouraging more interaction amongst the people here, but he wasn't sure paying people for hugs was the best way to go about it.
Grabbing a packet of pop-tarts from the kitchen, as well as some coffee, Jason made his way into the cafeteria. There was a man sitting by himself, watching the few people around as he ate. Even though it wasn't what the people in charge were asking for, Jason made his way over to the other man. They wanted them to interact more with other people, and he didn't recognize this man, so this was a step in the right direction. It wasn't a hug - and wasn't going to earn him any credits - but it was the intention that counted, right? Setting his coffee on the table in front of the other man, Jason took a seat, smiling slightly in greeting. Taking a chance based on the other man's body language - as well as the fact that he wasn't exactly running up to people hugging them - he asked, curious, "So, what's your opinion on what the administration wants us to do? Hugs: yay or nay?"
Anyone else would have had a visible reaction to Jason’s arrival at the table, but Zach wasn’t the type for visible reactions. While he did feel himself jolt a little internally, the only outward sign of suddenly having someone join his table, was him reaching to adjust the glasses he wasn’t wearing today. The muscle memory just didn’t seem to go away, but that was something for him to note and not mention. For an instant he took in the other man then forced a shrug that didn’t match his lack of an expression. “Depends on what you're asking. Do I have an opinion on their approach or do I have an opinion on hugs? I believe you unintentionally asked two questions.”
There was something... odd about the lack of expression on the other man's face, even as he shrugged. The over analyzing of his question threw him as well, although when he thought about it, Jason realized the other man had a point. Taking a moment to consider, he grinned before answering. "Well, originally, I was asking about your thoughts on their approach. Of course, I was assuming that most everyone had a generally favorable opinion of hugs, at least when coming from someone they like. But now I'm curious, so I'm going to have to say I'm asking both."
Zach stirred his oatmeal while he considered both questions. Once he had something close to a conclusion, he set the spoon down and laced his fingers together. “I think of the approach as an experiment. Testing who’s comfortable with physical contact, for how long, and with whom. It’s a daring tactic, but possibly very informative. There’ll be people who react both in a wanting the contact, or taking the contact way and those who will avoid it.” Resting his chin on his hands for a moment he considered the other question. “As for my opinion on hugs...I suppose I fall into the category of those who would avoid them.”
Jason listened to the other man as he chewed on a bite of pop-tart. As he finished, Jason swallowed before asking another question. "If you're looking at it as an experiment, what hypothesis would you be testing? You pointed out the sort of information they could gather, but I think the real question is what they hope to answer with that data." He mostly figured the people in charge were more interested in who would do what they said than anything else, but he was interested in what sort of ideas this man could have.
Before, he probably would have been surprised at the answer given, but - and perhaps there was a little bit of stereotyping going on - with the way this man was talking, as well as his body language, Jason wasn't terribly shocked to hear that the other man tended to avoid hugs. "Is it just hugs you avoid, or physical contact in general?" he asked, curious. He enjoyed physical contact - hugs included - with certain people, although he could sympathize with not enjoying it from just anyone. Still, the idea of not enjoying hugs, or physical contact in general was an odd one.
There was the faintest of smirks on Zach's features at Jason's question. It was intelligent and he appreciated that. "If I had to guess it's merely a small portion of a larger experiment. The hypothesis could be as simple is how long will a collection of convicts last in an enclosed space. Or what will they do." The second question had him looking back at the oatmeal, eyes catching the edge of the fabric twisted around his wrist. "Most physical contact. I'm not well versed in the intricacies." Except, apparently, when it came to Ru's experiments.
The only reason Jason noticed the faint smirk on the other man's face was because that was the only expression he had seen so far. As small as the smirk was, it was noticeable simply because of the lack of any other expressions from the man. It made him wonder, briefly, what he had said - or done - to elicit that reaction. Still, he nodded thoughtfully at the other man's response, tapping his fingers against his coffee mug. "An experiment like that would almost make more sense than their claims. Personally though, if I had to guess, they're more interested in seeing who will do as they request. For now, at least." While not surprising, the answer to Jason's second question was almost depressing, at least to him. He might not seek physical contact out from just anyone, but he enjoyed it, as well as took a great deal of comfort in it, especially from Reggie. "Do you not like the contact because you aren't familiar with the, as you called it, intricacies involved? Or do you simply not like the contact, and being unfamiliar with the intricacies is just a result of that?"
It occurred to Jason, belatedly, that this was actually a fairly personal topic to be discussing when he didn't even know the other man's name. That, at least, was easy enough to remedy. "I'm Jason, by the way. Sorry, I probably should have started with that." He didn't try for a handshake, even though it was a habit. Trying just seemed... rude, especially if this guy really didn't like physical contact.
“Zach Briar,” the other man gave in return, giving his whole name if only to help with the connotation. He’d made national news. “Possibly the lack of familiarity. I don’t think I’ve had much since I was child.” And he hadn’t seen the point in seeking it out, not when tragedy followed him like a shadow.
The name was familiar, though Jason wasn't sure why. No, that wasn't entirely true. Jason was smart enough to guess that, if Zach was in here, and his name was one he recognized, that meant Zach's crime had been a big enough story to be publicized nationally. Still, beyond that, he couldn't recall why he'd know the name; he had never been good with names, and he had only ever paid passing attention to the news. He didn't ask though, even if he was curious. That was one of those topics that people tended to be sensitive about, and their current topic of discussion was already personal enough. "Really? That's... kind of depressing. So there's no one here - or on the outside, even - that you enjoy contact with?" Because here, in addition to the emotional side of things, the physical contact he had with Reggie was amazingly comforting, and helped to settle his normal restless energy.
“It’s only depressing to have something you’re used to taken away. I’ve not really thought of myself as at a loss for it since I was a teenager.” He shrugged one shoulder, frustrated that Ru’s image popped into his head at Jason’s question. That wasn’t supposed to be part of the equation, but there she was, lingering in Zach’s mind. “Perhaps there is someone,” he settled on by way of an answer.
Jason supposed Zach had a point there. You could only miss what was there to begin with, after all. Still, that didn't change the fact that he found it terribly depressing, not to mention lonely. But then again, he was a social person most of the time, so maybe that was just him. Still, given everything Zach had said previously said, he was caught off-guard when he admitted that there might be someone with whom he enjoyed contact. "Really?" he asked, surprised. "That's good though, right? Or well, at least, if they're here. I guess not so much if they aren't. But here... It's got to be kind of a comfort to be able to enjoy something as simple as human contact, especially here, right?" God know it was for him, and the addition of the... emotional connection that was developing between Reggie and him - as well as that feeling of... something more than fondness even, but that he was unwilling to put another name on, growing inside his chest - made this, all of the crap of this place, worth it.
“I’m not sure what it is.” Zach frowned, clearly frustrated by it for the moment before the expression faded again. “It’s not what you have.” Because he’d met Reggie and he was aware of the relationship of sorts the two men had. His interlude with Ru had been enjoyable and memorable even without his capabilities, but he couldn’t define it.
Jason could sympathize with the obvious frustration on Zach's face. Hell, he was pretty sure most people who had ever been involved with other people could. However, the next part of what Zach said made him go still, a slight tension filling him. Because as much as he had thought it, he was positive he hadn't mentioned Reggie or any of that to Zach. And while the idea of people knowing didn't bother him, the fact that Zach seemed to know for no apparent reason did. Making a conscious effort to relax, he unclenched his fists and reached out to take a slow sip of his coffee. "And what, exactly, is it that I have?" Jason asked as he finished, watching Zach closely, trying to figure out why he knew what he did.
Zach was watching Jason just as closely. “Reggie?” He ventured. He knew the names, those he wasn’t able to forget. This wasn’t the man he’d expected he supposed, but he wasn’t one to guess those sorts of things.
The fact that Zach knew Reggie's name didn't exactly ease Jason's tension. He didn't deny it though, couldn't bring himself to despite the circumstances. "That might be true, but that's not what I meant." Zach hadn't answered anything other than the exact question he had asked. He tried again, this time being more specific. "What I want to know is, why do you know that?" Maybe it was a bit of paranoia, brought on by the cameras having first been down, then the feed being visible even on his computer, as well as the fact that, a couple of days ago, he had spent the day following Ryan, although Ryan had known about it. Still, it made him wonder just how easy it would be for someone else - other than the administration, of course, because they probably already knew everything - to find out about every aspect of their personal lives here.
The reaction was interesting, the change to the specific question, the change in tone. Zach made a mental note of it for later. “Because he told me.” There was a tone of ‘how else’, but Zach didn’t say it.
Zach's response, as well as his tone of voice, had Jason relaxing instantly. He supposed he could have gotten indignant about the tone of voice, but it wasn't worth it, and the implication that he had just been being paranoid actually made him feel better. Now that he was relaxed, he couldn't help but grin at the mention of Reggie, as well as, to a lesser extent, the knowledge that apparently he had also been talking about it to other people, or at least Zach. "In that case, yeah. It's... yeah." His grin was probably giving away more than his words could, so he didn't bother to try and put his feelings into words. And now that he wasn't so concerned about where Zach had gotten his information, he could concentrate on what the other man had said before. "And as for your... whatever, with whoever, it doesn't really matter if you can't define it. As long as you both enjoy it, that's what matters, right? There are a lot of types of... human relationships that don't exactly fall into easily defined boxes."
Only Zach didn't quite know. The grin hinted at something, but while someone else might have gathered more specifics, all Zach could determine was that Reggie was correct in thinking he had some connection with this man. "I'm afraid, I am not entirely sure where she stands on enjoying things." Ru had seemed pleased with the success of her experiment, but he was willing to guess that had to do with being correct rather than enjoying the contact between them. His eyes ticked to the fabric around his wrist, wondering how that had factored into the equation as well and coming up short.
It seemed no matter what he expected, Zach kept managing to surprise Jason. He had to wonder how Zach wasn't sure whether or not she - whoever she was - enjoyed the contact she had shared with him. People tended to have tells, often obvious ones, about that, so he had to wonder if she was just particularly difficult to read, or if Zach simply wasn't good at reading people. "Then I'd say that is what you should worry about first. 'Cause that's a whole lot more important than defining things between the two of you."
The situation had been too abnormal to go off cues. There weren’t cues. It was an experiment, one he’d embarrassingly enjoyed and couldn’t stop thinking of. “I suppose that is the next step. I’ll ask when I see her next.” It wouldn’t hurt to at least find out. Even if just for the sake of science.
Nodding slightly, Jason picked at the last of his pop-tart before stretching slightly. Pushing himself off the seat, he grabbed his trash and his coffee mug. "Well, I think I'm going to head out." He had laundry to do before he headed to the gym, and then he'd probably go find Reggie. Grinning down at Zach, he told the other man, "Good luck with your girl. Try to enjoy it; don't think about it so much."
Zach was sure his room was waiting for him, if only to avoid more hugs, but he wound up staying seated and nodding at Jason. “I will try,” he said, feeling more like he was answer the sentiment as was appropriate rather than with an honest statement.
Jason wasn't sure he believed Zach, but he wasn't going to call him out on it. Zach could do what he wanted. Turning, he made his way back to the kitchen. He'd head back to his room so he could grab his clothes to do his laundry, and while he was doing that, he could work on figuring out what, exactly, he was going to do for Reggie as a thank you for the night before. But first, another cup of coffee to make laundry a little more bearable.