Username + ID#: ThatPinkThing + 300398
Kalon Link: Kenji
Chosen Prompt: How did they meet their bestie/friend/love?
Prompt Response: [791 words = 5 tokens]
Kenji was a loner by nature and out of habit, so when he expected to be alone, such as walking along a secluded area of the beach at sunset, he was not at all looking out for others. There should be no one to look out for. So when he suddenly tripped and heard a sharp, "Ow!" under him, he was surprised and confused.
An orange kalon much smaller than Kenji had been laying in the sand enjoying a book. He'd heard Kenji's steps but thought the man would go around him. He shook sand out of his book and sat up with a scowl. "Dude, watch where you're stepping."
Kenji was caught off guard by that. Usually his looks and resting angry face made others watch their words around him, but this little guy said it how it was. "Maybe don't lay-"
The orange kalon snorted, "no man, there was plenty of space to go around me," but he wasn't being rude or argumentative, he was conversing. Even when Kenji was... Kenji.
"Uh.. yeah, sure. Whatever."
"What are you doing down this end of the beach anyway?" The orange kal asked. "Most folks don't think this spot's the place to be."
"I saw it from the road when I arrived in town earlier and, like you said, it seemed quieter. I prefer to be by myself." Kenji replied.
"Yeah, me too. At least when it comes to when I'm trying to read. Kits with their games and yelling doesn't make for good reading atmosphere... I'm Ariel by the way. Nice to meet you."
"Kenji, and uh... same I guess." Kenji stood there trying to figure out if he should leave and let Ariel read or if the other still wanted to talk. Ariel answered that for him.
"Hey, since you're new in town and you like the quiet spots, want me to show you my favorite one? Might make a good retreat if the folks in town are asking you too many personal questions." Ariel said with both jest and sincerity. Kenji appreciated that the guy could pick up on his loner preferences and was willing to help him find a hiding spot. He nodded and Ariel put his book away and hopped up, nodding down the beach. "It's not far."
Ariel led Kenji to a cave on the beach, ducking in and walking along the water that was about ankle deep inside. He led the way in and down the tunnel which got darker and darker. After a while of walking, Kenji began to wonder if the munchkin kal was crazy, but right as he was about to say he was heading back, a strange light caught his eye up ahead. Ariel turned suddenly into a side tunnel that Kenji hadn't even noticed, and while he followed his guide, he did look back at the strange spot of light in the main tunnel. He made a face. "Hey, what was that-" his jaw dropped when he focussed again on Ariel and made a few more winding turns, arriving in a gorgeous cavern filled with light. Bioluminescent something was all over the walls of the cave and even under the water, which babbled quietly as it bubbled up from a spring and formed a cool pond in the cavern. The water got a little deeper in here, now up to Kenji's knees, but the cold water didn't bother him. He was too baffled by the sight.
"Algae or something," Ariel answered the unfinished question. The lone patch in the main tunnel that Kenji had seen was the same as this stuff. Ariel sat atop a smooth stone that came up out of the water. He looked quite pleased with himself for impressing Kenji. "Don't know for sure. I could probably ask Fiona - the town scientist - but then she'd wanna see it and I don't think this place would stay serene for long 'cause she talks a lot."
"People really don't know this is here?" Kenji asked in disbelief as he waded around the pond and looked at the glowing patches on the rocks.
"A few do. Me, Damon, and Sawyer for sure. Probably a couple others. But it's fun to keep it secret. Feels like a treasure."
"Then why show it to a new stranger in town?" Kenji asked suspiciously. Ariel tilted his head and smiled.
"You seem like the type to really appreciate the treasure too, like the rest of us who know. Consider it a welcome gift, but not one you have to politely eat while the maker watches you."
Kenji snorted. "Thanks."
He didn't know it in the moment, but Kenji would later become close with Ariel. So close that he'd consider him his first best friend.
Previous Responses: dream home / comfort food
stairs, escalator, or elevator?/a smell they HATE
self portrait/what they're in prison for/stars or sunrise?
Kalon Link: Kenji
Chosen Prompt: How did they meet their bestie/friend/love?
Prompt Response: [791 words = 5 tokens]
Kenji was a loner by nature and out of habit, so when he expected to be alone, such as walking along a secluded area of the beach at sunset, he was not at all looking out for others. There should be no one to look out for. So when he suddenly tripped and heard a sharp, "Ow!" under him, he was surprised and confused.
An orange kalon much smaller than Kenji had been laying in the sand enjoying a book. He'd heard Kenji's steps but thought the man would go around him. He shook sand out of his book and sat up with a scowl. "Dude, watch where you're stepping."
Kenji was caught off guard by that. Usually his looks and resting angry face made others watch their words around him, but this little guy said it how it was. "Maybe don't lay-"
The orange kalon snorted, "no man, there was plenty of space to go around me," but he wasn't being rude or argumentative, he was conversing. Even when Kenji was... Kenji.
"Uh.. yeah, sure. Whatever."
"What are you doing down this end of the beach anyway?" The orange kal asked. "Most folks don't think this spot's the place to be."
"I saw it from the road when I arrived in town earlier and, like you said, it seemed quieter. I prefer to be by myself." Kenji replied.
"Yeah, me too. At least when it comes to when I'm trying to read. Kits with their games and yelling doesn't make for good reading atmosphere... I'm Ariel by the way. Nice to meet you."
"Kenji, and uh... same I guess." Kenji stood there trying to figure out if he should leave and let Ariel read or if the other still wanted to talk. Ariel answered that for him.
"Hey, since you're new in town and you like the quiet spots, want me to show you my favorite one? Might make a good retreat if the folks in town are asking you too many personal questions." Ariel said with both jest and sincerity. Kenji appreciated that the guy could pick up on his loner preferences and was willing to help him find a hiding spot. He nodded and Ariel put his book away and hopped up, nodding down the beach. "It's not far."
Ariel led Kenji to a cave on the beach, ducking in and walking along the water that was about ankle deep inside. He led the way in and down the tunnel which got darker and darker. After a while of walking, Kenji began to wonder if the munchkin kal was crazy, but right as he was about to say he was heading back, a strange light caught his eye up ahead. Ariel turned suddenly into a side tunnel that Kenji hadn't even noticed, and while he followed his guide, he did look back at the strange spot of light in the main tunnel. He made a face. "Hey, what was that-" his jaw dropped when he focussed again on Ariel and made a few more winding turns, arriving in a gorgeous cavern filled with light. Bioluminescent something was all over the walls of the cave and even under the water, which babbled quietly as it bubbled up from a spring and formed a cool pond in the cavern. The water got a little deeper in here, now up to Kenji's knees, but the cold water didn't bother him. He was too baffled by the sight.
"Algae or something," Ariel answered the unfinished question. The lone patch in the main tunnel that Kenji had seen was the same as this stuff. Ariel sat atop a smooth stone that came up out of the water. He looked quite pleased with himself for impressing Kenji. "Don't know for sure. I could probably ask Fiona - the town scientist - but then she'd wanna see it and I don't think this place would stay serene for long 'cause she talks a lot."
"People really don't know this is here?" Kenji asked in disbelief as he waded around the pond and looked at the glowing patches on the rocks.
"A few do. Me, Damon, and Sawyer for sure. Probably a couple others. But it's fun to keep it secret. Feels like a treasure."
"Then why show it to a new stranger in town?" Kenji asked suspiciously. Ariel tilted his head and smiled.
"You seem like the type to really appreciate the treasure too, like the rest of us who know. Consider it a welcome gift, but not one you have to politely eat while the maker watches you."
Kenji snorted. "Thanks."
He didn't know it in the moment, but Kenji would later become close with Ariel. So close that he'd consider him his first best friend.
Previous Responses: dream home / comfort food
stairs, escalator, or elevator?/a smell they HATE
self portrait/what they're in prison for/stars or sunrise?
Username + ID#: ThatPinkThing + 300398
Kalon Link: Kenji
Chosen Prompt: What is something that they are truly neutral on?
Prompt Response: [631 words = 5 tokens]
Kenji sat at the far corner table in the cafe, away from the windows, the registers, and most importantly, away from other guests. It was hot today and the cafe had gelato which always makes a heavily-fluffy kalon feel better. So Kenji sat far away, eating his two scoops of some berry flavor from a tiny cup with a tiny pink spoon while wearing a very contrasting grumpy face. He sighed and looked out the front window when two kits came in very loudly and excitedly. One had purple fur and her paws tapped excitedly as she talked, and the other was smaller and missing a hind leg but didn't seem at all hindered. The smaller kit, Daisy, ordered first, and Caroline, the purple kit, followed after her, paying for both their treats with money given to her by her mother.
Kenji was doing his best to ignore them. They were loud and young so their voices were shrill. He took another bite from his tiny pink spoon.
After the girls got their orders, an argument sparked. It was hard not to overhear.
"What do you mean though? Chocolate's not the best, vanilla is! Vanilla goes with everything and doesn't stain your fur when it drips!" Caroline said. Daisy shook her head.
"Maybe, but chocolate's better! It tastes better, and there's more chocolate stuff. Chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup, chocolate milk, chocolate bars-- when've you ever heard of a vanilla bar? Never!"
"That's because vanilla is refined, it doesn't need to be dumped into every little thing! It's-"
"It's boring is what it is," Daisy snickered, threatening to spill chocolate gelato on Caroline's fur. Caroline screamed and Kenji closed his eyes, mumbling to himself about never having kits.
"Girls, would you mind using inside voices?" He asked them firmly. His expression was unamused and his tone uninviting, but Daisy spoke to him anyway, which made him sigh.
"Yeah but first you have to tell Caroline that chocolate's better than vanilla."
"Nuh-uh! No! You tell HER that vanilla is superior-" Caroline said haughtily.
"As if!"
"Girls." Kenji said firmly. They both stopped and looked at him. He looked between them. When he was satisfied that they were paying attention, he gave his answer. "They're both fine. Neither's better than the other. It's up to personal preference."
The kits' jaws dropped. "What?" Daisy gasped.
"Yeah, what? Vanilla's so obviously better and if you can't-"
"It's not better," Kenji said.
"Ha!" Daisy laughed and pointed at Caroline. "Chocolate wins!"
Kenji shook his head. "No, chocolate's not better either. They're both fine."
"Okay, sure, but which one do you like better?" Caroline pressed. Daisy leaned in expectantly. Kenji leaned back. They were both in his personal space bubble. He knew his answer would not make them happy and he had already tried to settle their fight so now he just had to tell them his opinion. Who cares if they didn't like it, he could just tell them to go away after this, they had pestered them enough.
"I don't like either." Kenji said flatly. The kits blinked. It took them a minute to process but they could tell he was being serious. If he didn't like either, then what kind of man was he? Crazy? They looked at each other and then back at him before slowly leaving his space and sitting a few tables away, whispering to themselves and hurriedly eating their gelato, which had started to melt while they argued.
Kenji sniffed and went back to eating his own gelato in silence and looking out the window. It was nice to have peace again. Even if the kits did think he was off his rocker for not liking vanilla or chocolate. He frankly could not care less what they thought of him.
Previous Responses: dream home / comfort food
stairs, escalator, or elevator?/a smell they HATE
self portrait/what they're in prison for/stars or sunrise?
Kalon Link: Kenji
Chosen Prompt: What is something that they are truly neutral on?
Prompt Response: [631 words = 5 tokens]
Kenji sat at the far corner table in the cafe, away from the windows, the registers, and most importantly, away from other guests. It was hot today and the cafe had gelato which always makes a heavily-fluffy kalon feel better. So Kenji sat far away, eating his two scoops of some berry flavor from a tiny cup with a tiny pink spoon while wearing a very contrasting grumpy face. He sighed and looked out the front window when two kits came in very loudly and excitedly. One had purple fur and her paws tapped excitedly as she talked, and the other was smaller and missing a hind leg but didn't seem at all hindered. The smaller kit, Daisy, ordered first, and Caroline, the purple kit, followed after her, paying for both their treats with money given to her by her mother.
Kenji was doing his best to ignore them. They were loud and young so their voices were shrill. He took another bite from his tiny pink spoon.
After the girls got their orders, an argument sparked. It was hard not to overhear.
"What do you mean though? Chocolate's not the best, vanilla is! Vanilla goes with everything and doesn't stain your fur when it drips!" Caroline said. Daisy shook her head.
"Maybe, but chocolate's better! It tastes better, and there's more chocolate stuff. Chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup, chocolate milk, chocolate bars-- when've you ever heard of a vanilla bar? Never!"
"That's because vanilla is refined, it doesn't need to be dumped into every little thing! It's-"
"It's boring is what it is," Daisy snickered, threatening to spill chocolate gelato on Caroline's fur. Caroline screamed and Kenji closed his eyes, mumbling to himself about never having kits.
"Girls, would you mind using inside voices?" He asked them firmly. His expression was unamused and his tone uninviting, but Daisy spoke to him anyway, which made him sigh.
"Yeah but first you have to tell Caroline that chocolate's better than vanilla."
"Nuh-uh! No! You tell HER that vanilla is superior-" Caroline said haughtily.
"As if!"
"Girls." Kenji said firmly. They both stopped and looked at him. He looked between them. When he was satisfied that they were paying attention, he gave his answer. "They're both fine. Neither's better than the other. It's up to personal preference."
The kits' jaws dropped. "What?" Daisy gasped.
"Yeah, what? Vanilla's so obviously better and if you can't-"
"It's not better," Kenji said.
"Ha!" Daisy laughed and pointed at Caroline. "Chocolate wins!"
Kenji shook his head. "No, chocolate's not better either. They're both fine."
"Okay, sure, but which one do you like better?" Caroline pressed. Daisy leaned in expectantly. Kenji leaned back. They were both in his personal space bubble. He knew his answer would not make them happy and he had already tried to settle their fight so now he just had to tell them his opinion. Who cares if they didn't like it, he could just tell them to go away after this, they had pestered them enough.
"I don't like either." Kenji said flatly. The kits blinked. It took them a minute to process but they could tell he was being serious. If he didn't like either, then what kind of man was he? Crazy? They looked at each other and then back at him before slowly leaving his space and sitting a few tables away, whispering to themselves and hurriedly eating their gelato, which had started to melt while they argued.
Kenji sniffed and went back to eating his own gelato in silence and looking out the window. It was nice to have peace again. Even if the kits did think he was off his rocker for not liking vanilla or chocolate. He frankly could not care less what they thought of him.
Previous Responses: dream home / comfort food
stairs, escalator, or elevator?/a smell they HATE
self portrait/what they're in prison for/stars or sunrise?
Username + ID#: ThatPinkThing + 300398
Kalon Link: Kenji
Chosen Prompt: Are they logical or emotion based in their decisions? Perhaps even both?
Prompt Response: [263 words = 2 tokens]
Kenji bases his decisions in logic and what will best benefit him in the long run, but every once in a while he can be persuaded to make a decision by emotion.
His most notable and jarringly 'logic-over-emotion' decision was the end of his first relationship, which had been serious for some time and they had talked about marriage even, but when his girlfriend needed to move to accept a dream job and Kenji couldn't stand the city she'd need to move to, so he let her go. It broke her heart more than his, but he made his choice thinking long term. He wanted her to be happy and successful and fulfilled. He wanted her to take that job. But he knew he wouldn't do well there or with a long distance relationship. The strain would make the relationship sour and likely end in flames, leaving it a painful memory rather than a treasured one. So, to preserve the memories they'd made and make sure they could both be happy in the future, he chose to break both their hearts in the present.
He also chose to live in a tiny house for convenience and independence. He values those more than he seems to value settling down and setting down roots somewhere. He enjoys seeing the world and chose a home that would let him do that. He may fall in love with a place but at the end of the metaphorical day, there is more to see out there, and he wants to see it, so he stays on the move.
Previous Responses: dream home / comfort food
stairs, escalator, or elevator?/a smell they HATE
self portrait/what they're in prison for/stars or sunrise?
Kalon Link: Kenji
Chosen Prompt: Are they logical or emotion based in their decisions? Perhaps even both?
Prompt Response: [263 words = 2 tokens]
Kenji bases his decisions in logic and what will best benefit him in the long run, but every once in a while he can be persuaded to make a decision by emotion.
His most notable and jarringly 'logic-over-emotion' decision was the end of his first relationship, which had been serious for some time and they had talked about marriage even, but when his girlfriend needed to move to accept a dream job and Kenji couldn't stand the city she'd need to move to, so he let her go. It broke her heart more than his, but he made his choice thinking long term. He wanted her to be happy and successful and fulfilled. He wanted her to take that job. But he knew he wouldn't do well there or with a long distance relationship. The strain would make the relationship sour and likely end in flames, leaving it a painful memory rather than a treasured one. So, to preserve the memories they'd made and make sure they could both be happy in the future, he chose to break both their hearts in the present.
He also chose to live in a tiny house for convenience and independence. He values those more than he seems to value settling down and setting down roots somewhere. He enjoys seeing the world and chose a home that would let him do that. He may fall in love with a place but at the end of the metaphorical day, there is more to see out there, and he wants to see it, so he stays on the move.
Previous Responses: dream home / comfort food
stairs, escalator, or elevator?/a smell they HATE
self portrait/what they're in prison for/stars or sunrise?
Username + ID#: ThatPinkThing + 300398
Kalon Link: Kenji
Chosen Prompt: What's their dream companion?
Prompt Response: [107 words = 1 token]
Kenji's dream companion is a tortoise, surprisingly. He'd like to have a pet to keep him company, but not one that constantly needs attention like a dog or a bird. He's had cats and while he enjoys having them, he also finds himself frustrated cleaning up dead birds and hairballs. Lizards are too fragile to him, he worries when they shed and about the specific enclosure needs they have. And rodents are far too small and speedy and tricky for him. A tortoise seems to suit both his needs and wants. And it helps that he thinks they're interesting creatures, being fascinated by their shells and lifespans.
Previous Responses: dream home / comfort food
stairs, escalator, or elevator?/a smell they HATE
self portrait/what they're in prison for/stars or sunrise?
Kalon Link: Kenji
Chosen Prompt: What's their dream companion?
Prompt Response: [107 words = 1 token]
Kenji's dream companion is a tortoise, surprisingly. He'd like to have a pet to keep him company, but not one that constantly needs attention like a dog or a bird. He's had cats and while he enjoys having them, he also finds himself frustrated cleaning up dead birds and hairballs. Lizards are too fragile to him, he worries when they shed and about the specific enclosure needs they have. And rodents are far too small and speedy and tricky for him. A tortoise seems to suit both his needs and wants. And it helps that he thinks they're interesting creatures, being fascinated by their shells and lifespans.
Previous Responses: dream home / comfort food
stairs, escalator, or elevator?/a smell they HATE
self portrait/what they're in prison for/stars or sunrise?