2019-09-27 - Hierarchy of Nerds

It's not much of a zoo. It can't even really be called an aviary, with what little there is there. But it's there, and it's just off the path from Gray pond, and that's where they'd been walking, so that is where Tobin decides to head. "There's like, some ducks, and this one white peacock. It's not really a zoo. Not even sure if it ever was a zoo. But the peacock is kind of pretty," Tobin explains as they drift along the path from the pond.

Raf has dressed for the weather, taking advantage of what passes for summer in the pacific northwest to break out the shorts and sandals. He's even wearing a shirt without buttons! It's a Christmas in July miracle. "Well, I promise I won't judge your small town.. not really zoo thing." He laughs and shakes his head. "You know, even with a huge zoo near where I lived, I almost never went, so.." He shrugs. "Just forgot it was there."

Except that it is late September now, but some of the warmth still lingers in the air, though soon it will be getting a little more chilly. Fortunately, even in the fall, the temperatures don't dip that far. "Really? I would have gone if there was one nearby," Tobin says with a little sidelong grin. "And museums, and theatres, and.. everything. I can't even imagine what it must have been like to live in a place so full of things and people." He lets his gaze drop to the path as he continues to walk along. "Here there's just.. not very much to see."

"All of which costs money." Raf says with mild humor. "Including the super high rent for what was basically a broom closet with a bathroom. And music isn't a great paying profession unless you make it big. I went once in a while, but it's the thing about having things nearby, you don't really appreciate them like an out of towner does. Like here, you see the sea every single day, but I'm not used to seeing something so.. natural." He reaches out and takes Tobin's hand in his. "I'm enjoying what this town has."

"I guess that's true," Tobin says. "The little museums and things around here are free, or cheap, and the rent's not that bad either unless you live in Byron's building." He doesn't dwell on that for long though, not wanting to think about Byron's building, or everything that's been going on there. Today is for distraction, and not dealing with all the things. He smiles a little when Rafael mentions seeing the sea. "Isn't the city surrounded by water? I mean, I guess, there's more nature around our water. That's true." He pauses when Rafael takes his hand and smiles over at him. "Yeah? Good. I'm glad that it hasn't bored you yet."

"Yes, the city is surrounded by water. Water that smells funny. Cleaner than it used to be but I still wouldn't swim in it." Raf shakes his head, wrinkling his nose at the thought. "With how busy I've been trying to get a business going I'm surprised you haven't gotten sick of me being a flake." He laughs slightly but glances over at Tobin for a moment.

"You withstood meeting my friends in what turned out to be an intervention," Tobin laughs a little bit, "And then still went out with me for coffee again after. You've managed not to be run off by this tiny town, or its weird. Honestly, most people leave after labor day who come here in the warmer months. Summer tourists. I'm not used to still having someone /to/ flake out on me past then." He smiles a little crookedly and then nudges Raf with his shoulder, continuing their slow walk, but not releasing his hand. "Besides, it's in my best interest that you have a solid business here. You'll be more likely to stay."

"Not the worst intervention I've been to either." Raf admits with a bit of a crooked grin. "The best one had bar-b-que, so you might want to suggest that for next time. Not many people can be angry when you give them a rack of ribs. Except I guess vegetarians." He shrugs. "Well, now that I have family hanging around here who seems perfectly content to stay.. It just checks another box. Family. Check. Job. Check. Hot guy with a boat. Check."

Tobin can't help but laugh and says, "Ribs. Duly noted. Man, I hope there will not be a next time, but if there is -- ribs." He grins a bit to himself and shakes his head. "I don't think I know any vegetarians. So, we're safe there.. I think." That smile only grows as Rafael ticks off the reasons to stay. "Guess when you put it that way, there are at least a couple of compelling reasons to stay." He wanders past one of the aviary cages whicn houses a variety of local birds to the area and then says, "Ignacio's really taken to giving the tours, too. He's about as good with crowds as I figured he would be. I get lots of compliments from guests."

"He's always been like that. He was perfect to take over the family restaurant. Cooks well, great with the customers.. I've always been the quieter one. Most of the trouble we got into as kids was because he decided to do something stupid and I went along to make sure he didn't kill himself." Raf gives a small shake of his head. "In case you haven't noticed I'm not quite as much a people person as he is."

"I like that it gives me the opportunity to just steer the ship and not have to worry about having to entertain people, to be honest. It's not that I don't like people -- it's just that if I had my preference, it'd be someone else on the microphone. Now, it is," Tobin says with a little grin. "Yeah, I couldn't help but notice that you're definitely the quieter one of the two. But, then, I tend to be quieter, too. So that suits me just fine."

"It might also be dealing with children on a regular basis." Raf grimaces, then laughs. "I need the quiet after them. Some of the kids are great, but I do not remember having that much energy as a kid. Then I see Iggy running around and it's.. oh right. That type." He nudges Tobin with his shoulder. "You should meet my sister someday. She can outdo Iggy on being the center of attention, no problem. I think it has something with having older siblings. More you have the louder you are. At least it's my theory."

Tobin chuckles and says, "Yeah, the kids are alternately the best customers, and the worst, depending on the day. They're great because they are usually the ones who are most into it and having the most fun on the boat. But at the same time sometimes they're really exhausting." His eyes widen a ltitle bit at the nudge and the claims about their sister. "I'd like to meet her, if only to compare her to the two of you and see how that whole dynamic works. Siblings always kind of fascinate me." Since he's an only child.

"Do you want to?" Raf says with a moment's hesitation, then clarifies. "Come with me to her wedding I mean? I really don't have the funds to travel out there other than for that. And my father will be pissed if I show up. And he'll be even more pissed if I bring you." He presses his lips together. "But fuck him. I just should give you fair warning you'd be getting the stink eye the whole time, at least he probably won't talk to me or anyone I come with."

"Meet your.." he starts but then Rafael clarifies, and Tobin nods, not even really needing to think about it. "Of course. I think you should be there for your sister. It's her wedding, and if you want to go, I'll go with you. So what if they give me the stink eye? They don't know me. I don't know them. And since neither of us can afford to be making constant trips to New York, the likelihood we'll have to see each other is pretty low." He shrugs his shoulders. "The only people whose opinions matter to me, are the members of your family who love you."

"Well.. don't take Iggy's opinion too seriously in that case." Raf teases lightly as he nudges Tobin with an elbow. "I'll let you know when she figures out when it's going to be." He rolls his eyes as if this is something he's quite used to with her. "Chances are it'll be in a year with two months' notice."

Tobin laughs a little at that and says, "Iggy has nothing but good things to say about you, you know. I know it might surprise you, but he actually likes you." He takes the nudging in stride, a little smile on his lips. Then he nods and says, "Well, whenever it is, you let me know, and it doesn't matter how short notice it is. That's the beauty of running my own business. I can pick up and go when I need to." He smiles, "Besides, the hopeful part of me likes the idea that you might still want me to go with you a year from now."

"Ah, I was afriad he'd think I was a bit, um, pole up the ass lately. Stick in the mud, whatever you want to call it." Raf shrugs. "Well, like you said, not many gay guys in town. It's just good luck we actually happen to like each other. Imagine if we didn't, that'd suck." He laughs a bit and shakes his head.

"So what you're saying si that I'm convenient, and passably cute, and thus will do, given the lack of other options?" Tobin asks with a little bit of an amused smile. "Very, very smooth there, Raf." He then shakes his head and says, "Nah. I think Ignacio's got his own shit he's dealing with right now. I don't think I've ever heard him say a bad word about you. I mean, he'll tease, but I'm given to understand that's a thing that siblings do."

"I'd say more than passably cute. I'd give you at least a down-right attractive." Raf smiles slightly, not seeming bothered by the jab. "I mean, you're the one that told me the lack of options in the first place, so I should wonder why you brought it up." He winks and leans in close against Tobin for a moment. "It is. And you'll get a dose of it if you hang out long enough."

"Hey," Tobin says, "I was just explaining why I never had any kind of a long term relationship given that I'd never lived anywhere else, not..." He waves ahand a little bit, flailing slightly. "I would have liked you if a whole gay cruise ship full of guys pulled up into town and flooded it." He grimaces a bit, and then that expression fades into a smile when Rafael leans in close. "Good. I'm looking forward to it."

Rafael rubs his chin as Tobin talks about a cruise ship then shakes his head. "Oh god.. That would be like a.. I don't think this town could handle a spontaneous pride parade through the middle of the streets. I think some of the old folk would have a heart attack. At least most around here seem accepting. That was my worry coming to a small town."

Tobin smiles and says, "Yeah, that might be a little much for Gray Harbor." He then says, "I haven't noticed anyone really blinking twice about it. I'm sure there's some folks, but either they're mercifully silent on the topic or I just haven't noticed any side-eye." He shrugs his shoulders slightly. "And I knew my friends would all be accepting. I always knew that, even though it took me a long time to tell them."

Raf comes to a stop by one of the benches in sight of one of the monkey enclosures as takes a seat, motioning for Tobin to join him. "Well, that's just generational I think. Trust me, I got some first hand experience with that. Sad that I feel more accepted here than in the house I grew up in though." Still, he smiles for a moment at Tobin.

Tobin comes to a slow and then a stop by the bench near the monkey cage and does settle down onto it next to Raf, leaning in against his shoulder a little bit, comfortably. "I'm sorry that your dad is a dick about it." He considers. "I have no idea what my father would think. Sometimes I wonder, you know, where he is, whether he's got a whole other family now. Part of me wants to believe it was him that you ran into, who gave you my mom's name." He smiles a little lopsidedly, "Is that completely insane?"

"Well, dad's very.. old country. He's a stubborn old goat." Raf just shakes his head, not looking sad, just, well, disappointed? "I guess we can bond over our mutual dad issues." He smirks slightly and puts an arm along the back of the bench behind Tobin. "And maybe it was, who knows."

Tobin chuckles, "Hooray abandonment issues?" But then he nods and says, "Well, we'll just have to show him that he can be as stubborn as he wants, it's not going to stop us from being happy, and celebrating with your sister, and looking good in a suit... or.. whatever the dress code ends up being for this theoretical eventual wedding." He then says, "Who knows, indeed." He then smiles and looks over toward the monkey cage, watching the little things inside for a moment or two. "So, I think Kevin's finally going to get that game together. Going to let us turn you into a nerd like the rest of us?"

"Oh, it'll be suits. My sister loves any excuse to dress up as fancy as she can. I'm sure someone will need to talk her out of making it white tie or some insanity like that. I don't need or want a top hat." Raf leans back and watches the monkeys for a moment, grinning slightly. "I'm already a nerd. I just have never played a D&D game."

"I don't know, I think you'd look adorable in a top hat," Tobin says, reaching over to lightly ruffle at Rafael's hair teasingly. "Well, whatever it turns out being, I'm sure we'll have fun." Then he says, "Yeah but you're a music nerd which makes you way cooler than a garden variety nerd."

"Well.. I did have a tux with tails for the really fancy concerts... I think I have it in storage, if it even fits." Raf just shakes his head. "Surprised I didn't pawn it, actually." He scratches at his cheek then smirks at Tobin. "I'm also a book nerd, so don't put me too high on the cool scale."

"Music nerd and a book nerd," Tobin considers as though weighing these things, "Still puts you slightly ahead of role-playing nerd, but with a little less ground between." He's clearly teasing, between the amusement in his eyes and the way he gives it exaggerated consideration. Then he says, "I actually have a few fancy things, mostly for when I do the real fancy dinner cruise and charity party things for work. Not for any particular fun reasons. So I do have a tux, but the occasions on which I wear it are very few and far between." He chuckles. "Vivian tried to ge me to wear it for Byron's birthday party, but that whole thing was a wash with everything that was going on at the time."

"I wasn't aware the nerd heirarchy was quite so rigid." With his arm behind Tobin, Raf risks putting a hand on his shoulder. He rubs the back of his neck with the other hand and shakes his head. "Yeah, well, crazy seems to just happen without warning and at inconvenient times around here. At least it keeps things interesting on occasion."

"Oh yes," Tobin says, leaning back comfortably into the touch to his shoulder, "There's a whole feudal structure to the thing, except without the fancy titles." There's the utmost of confidence in his words, though his eyes sparkle a little bit in his lack of seriousness. "It definitely does keep things from getting dull. That's for certain." It's about then that the pure white peacock comes ambling by and lets out that loud squawk that peacocks do, expressing its opinion, loudly, before ambling on.

"I think feathers over there disagrees. Or maybe he's just being contrary." Raf mumbles as he watches the peacock strut by with a shake of his head. "So then, what type of nerds to roleplaying nerds outrank? And if I add roleplaying nerd to my list, does it lower my standing from music nerd, like averaging out, or do I still get to claim my highest title?"

"Historical reenactment nerd," Tobin says, quite seriously, when Rafael asks what type of nerds roleplaying nerds outrank. "Way too serious, man. Way too serious." He grins then and shakes his head, "Nah, I think you get to claim your coolest nerd cred and the rest you're just forgiven for because you've got a talent people like."

"Hmm.. I was thinking you were going to say anime nerds. But yeah.. I can see that. The armor looks cool though." Raf laughs. "And I'm afraid to ask where acting nerds fall in the pile." He shrugs. "At least music nerd keeps me towards the top. Speaking of which. If you're free this weekend I have a gig in the next town over playing at this little bar. I wouldn't mind some company."

"Theatre kids, Drama Club, that sort of thing don't even fall into a nerd category properly. Theyr'e too popular, usually," Tobin sniffs, derisively, as though scoffing at the total lack of nerdiness there. But then he grins and says, "You're definitely toward the top." He shifts a little closer then, so that rather than leaning against the back of the bench, he is leaning back into the crook of Rafael's arm. "I'd like that. I want to hear you play."

"I'm not so sure about that. They weren't in my school. And being in the band, I usually played for them when they did musicals." Raf nods as if that settles it. "I'll drive so you can drink, too. I've been told my singing voice sounds better when drunk. It's why I stick to singing in bars."

"You know, I don't really drink all that much, to be honest. So, no pressure or anything, but if you're counting on me being sloshed so you can slack off, you're not going to get away with it that easily," Tobin says with a little sidelong smile. "But, I will definitely let you drive."

"Well, a permanent designated driver is one of the benefits of keeping me around." Raf laughs softly at his own comment, still watching the peacock strutting around like he owns the place. Probably does in all but truth. "Well, have at least one drink on me. Probably best that you're not to heavy a drinker." HE winks, trying to make the comment a bit more lighthearted.

"For your wallet, anyway," Tobin says with a grin, "Unless I just drink one really expensive beer. I hear there's this Founder's stout that's like $22 a bottle." The peacock lets out another squawk and Tobin says, "I was just kidding! Man, opinionated bird." The peacock continues to stroll along through the place. It's only when he gets to the edge of the trees that he disappears from sight.

"I mean, there's thousand dollar bottles out there, if you wanted something expensive I'm sure you could find it." Raf chuckles with another shake of his head, wincing at the squawk from the bird. "Seriously.." He leans over and stagewhispers to Tobin. "I don't think feathers likes you."

"I don't think so either," Tobin says, eyeing the bird a little bit suspiciously. Then he turns his head, taking advantage of the fact that Raf is leaning toward him to press a brief kiss to his lips. Then he grins just a bit and says, "I probably could. But expensive booze really isn't my thing."

Raf grins after the kiss. "Well, the bird obviously has bad taste then." He sighs and leans back, looking up at the sky with a slight smile. "It's the lack of noise I think. It bothered me at first, it's just too quiet. But I think I'm starting to get used to it."

"Well, to be fair, we're really weird looking birds -- probably neither of us is his type." He grins and then looks around, studying the area around them for a time, taking it in, trying to absorb it with the perspective of an outsider, rather than someone who has lived there his whole life. "Yeah, I could see that. The city must constantly have a lot of different noises. I mean, there's a lot of natural noises around here but it's.. quieter." He turns then and gets back up to his feet, offering a hand to Raf. "Come on, let's go check out the three ducks, and then I think you'll have seen it all."

"I'll need to tell you about the time I fought a goose." Raf takes the offered hand and gets up off the bench. "Word of advice? Don't fight a goose. The goose is going to win." He shakes his head a moves to follow Tobin to the ducks. "Okay, let's see these three ducks of yours."

"I've heard that they can break your arm with their wings, they're so strong, and ornery, and they bite," Tobin chuckles and then raises a brow, glancing over to Raf as he leads ihm slowly down the steep incline toward the duck pond, taking care not to actually slide down it. "Why on earth did you fight a gooze?" he laughs, then. "Did it owe you money?" There are in fact more than three ducks. There's a whole pond with several of them. There are probably more ducks, per capita, than any other animal in the "zoo".

"I was busking in the park, and the goose wandered up and plucked a twenty out of my case. Well.. I was hoping I could just snatch it back.. I might not have been thinking." Raf carefully maneuvers down the incline. "I mean, the twenty dollar tip doesn't happen often, and of everything in the case it grabbed that." He shakes his head. "I ended up scratched up and missing twenty dollars."

Once at the bottom, Tobin begins to walk along the edge of the pond. Some of the ducks come over, as though expecting to be fed. Most people probably do feed them, but Tobin hadn't been thinking of coming here initially when they'd begun their walk, so he has no bread to throw to them. "Ouch," Tobin winces and looks over at Raf sympathetically, "Insult /and/ injury. I watched a cat steal a ten dollar bill out of a pocketbook once. It was pretty impressive. Cat snatched it and took off up the stairs with it. My guess is she owed her 'nip dealer."

"That was a terrible joke and you should be ashamed." Well, Raf says that but he's still grinning as he surverys the pond. "Hey, you lied. Look at all these ducks. There's more ducks than people in this town." He laughs and shakes his head. He digs in his pocket when the ducks come waddling over and pulls out a granola bar. He shrugs with a look to Tobin as he opens the pack and breaks off a few pieces to throw for the ducks.

"No, seriously.." Tobin laughs, "I did see it happen once." And he certainly doesn't look ashamed at all, even about the lie about the duck. "Okay well, there are more ducks here than the last time that I was here." He stage-whispers to the ducks "You're totally making a liar out of me, guys. This is not cool." The ducks seem delighted by the granola bar and some from across the pond start swimming over to see what all the commotion about. Soon there's a bevy of ducks all quacking and poking at the ground to get the granola.

"Drink water guys, it's a really dry granola bar." And because it's only a granola bar and not a whole loaf of bread, it runs out quickly, much to the disappointment of dozens of ducks. "Maybe I shouldn't have done that. You think they might go into a feeding frenzy?"

"We may want to back away slowly," Tobin says at the prospect of a duck feeding frenzy. And he does just that, slowly stepping backward, one foot behind the other, careful not to step on any ducks underfoot, not that there's any real danger. The ducks are much more preoccupied with the granola bar, what's left of it, than they are with them. He then grins and says, "Thanks, by the way, for coming out with me today. To see the wonderful sights of Gray Pond and the infamous Zoo."

"Of course, it's nice to get out to the parks when I'm not having to play in them. And I'm learning that doesn't work around here unless it's tourist times." Raf shrugs as he moves away from the ducks, gladly not being assaulted by any on his way. "What say you we feed ourselves something. I'm craving Chinese."

"Chiense sounds good, especially since you just gave away that tantalizing granola bar," Tobin says with a grin. "Let's head back into town. We can stop at this little place I know. It's.. the only chinese place I know.. but at least the food is decent?" He then nods in the direction of the park, and where they'd left Tobin's car, before beginning to head back in that direction.