What a stupid thing to need, but there was no going around it anymore. He had taken to carrying his wallet in his jacket recently, after the last time it had been lifted…


He found the person that had stolen it and gotten it back, but that wasn’t the point anymore. That was the fifth time this month; he was just too sidetracked to realize what people around him were doing. A five year old could pick his pocket if they wanted too. So he decided to get a chain, something that would provided a little more protection for his identification and limited money.


And where else would one get a wallet chain than the mall? Standing in front of the wall where the chains were displayed he zoned out again, the music above him helping him to drone out. There were so many to choose from, little black things that didn’t show. That would work… save for the spikes on them that he knew he’d find every time he reached for it. he knew he got hurt a lot, but really now, he didn’t need something on him every day to add to it.


A long green one caught his eye for a moment. It would hang about to his finger tips. That could be nice… but the rainbows… no, not quite. He wasn’t that open. Heavens, there had to be something…

Elu was so zoned out of it by the time that his shoulder had been touched. He didn’t notice the hand at first, and he most assuredly didn’t notice the child trying to get his wallet. It wasn’t until he heard the voice by his ear that he ever remembered where he was. And even then it took a few moments. With a start Elu twirled around, pressing himself into the wall of chains and putting his hands over his chest, like he was trying to keep his heart from breaking through his ribs.

“Oy! Don’t sneak up on me like that! Holy cow…” Green eyes wide he sucked in a lung-full of air, quickly scanning over Aaron. “Who are you?” Couldn’t be helped, it had to be asked.

He was a lot calmer now, pulling away from the wall and brushing off his coat… which was beyond salvage anyway.

“It’s alright, I know you didn’t mean it. It happens a lot to me, people coming out of nowhere that is.” Oh, someone noticed that he was in la-la land. “Yes, sadly. That is rather normal for me. Sorry if I scared you or anything. Nice to meet you, Aaron. I’m Elu.” He took the proffered hand, brushing off the manners thing. Really, he hardly gave anyone his name right off the bat.

“Guitar? You from the school?”

“Five year old? Ah crap!” Elu felt all of his pockets to make sure his wallet was still there. It was. Huh, that’s odd… it was still there.

“Did you chase him off? He’s been after my stuff all day, little brat. I swear, if he comes after my butt again…” He decided it better not to finish that thought. “Yes, sadly, it does happen a lot. I normally get it back, but there are times I don’t. Thank you for help on that. Wow, a wind player. I was starting to think that the only thing this school had was singers and string-players.”

Elu grinned in thanks to Aaron; glad someone was at his back anyway. As much as he hated to admit it, he wasn’t the easiest to watch over. He was always in trouble in one form or another, be it his grades in classes that weren’t music, or crossing his eyes at one of the jocks the wrong way, or getting his wallet stolen by random kids.

“That’s very kind of you. But if anything, I’d like to have one picked to I don’t need a body guard. You have any idea what would work?” Most of these seemed more for girls than anything else, but that was life and there wasn’t much more for it.

“You’re pretty talented then. That’s always a good thing to have, being able to pick up anything and play it. Makes you more versatile, more able to fine work after school and the like. You’re very lucky for that. Is it muscle memory, or eidetic?” Ooh, big words for such a spaced-out kid. And yes, he knew what they meant.

The thought that Aaron was boasting didn’t even cross his mind. He liked hearing about other people, even if he didn’t like always being around them. People were so different, so strange that no two were alike no matter how close they seemed. It was finding the differences that made life interesting.

Elu listened politely, eyes following Aaron’s method of choosing with interest. So he was a bit absent minded too. Well, that works well. At least he had something going for him. Everyone should have at least one thing that they could call their own talent. Elu could memorize music very fast, Aaron could pick up a tuba for the first time and play it like a pro, Sid could make her own music. That was always something to look forward too. And hey, that chain just might do the trick.

“I like it. Sure, I’ll go for it. It’s a good thing that you have something that keeps you busy. We all need a habit and a talent. So long as you enjoy it, there’s nothing wrong with it.” Taking the chain off the hook, he started heading off to the counter.