Brainfreeze (Phennie)

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryph rested his fingers on the keyboard of his laptop, lightly tapping on them, but not hard enough to actually type any letters. His mind was completely blank, this was so ridiculously annoying. It wasn't a late homework, it was due after the holidays, not for one of his catch up sessions, but Gryph just couldn't ffit his head around it. Sighing frustratedly, he closed the document and loaded up the internet. Maybe something random would give him an idea?

He decided to open up his photography blog, that displayed a portfolio of his work as the page loaded. It was nothing to shout about, but it was fairly popular, and got quite a bit of positive feedback, with the occasion comment laced with jealously or bored wickedness. He scrolled through the notes of his most recently uploaded photograph, one of a snowdrop that he had taken when he saw Kelly in the courtyard a few days before. He replied to a few questions, and was halfway through an answer when someone logged onto Skype. He would be logged into that messaging platform until hell freezer over, he preferred it considerably to Facebook. It had the same communication possibilities as the social network he refused to use anymore, without the ridiculous stupities of everyone on there constantly spamming every emotion they ever felt. He liked interacting with people, but that wasn't interacting, it was reading multiple moans and rants and it was just pointless.

He saw another pop-up appear: apparently, Phen was now online. He smiled and opened up the messenger, clicking on his old friend's picture and typing a message:

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): Heeeeey Phennieeee!

After he clicked 'Send', he was reminded thoroughly of everything that had happened between himself and Phen's boyfriend, Oriel.

And prayed to God that it wouldn't come up in the conversation.

[Deleted]

Phen was still pretty clueless when it came to technology. Unlike most people his age, he hadn't spent nearly the entirety of his teenage years on mobile or computer devices, having been too busy lost in his own hallucinogenic daze and uncaring about what was going on around him. Bright screens had hurt his eyes, and he avoided them whenever he could.

Now, however, he was slowly getting used to using a computer, mostly because he had to if he wanted to bump his grades up. It was slow going, and Phen still preferred not to used them when he didn't have to, but there was an assignment that was due when classes started back up that he needed to get done. He would have much rather been up in his room with Oriel, watching a movie or just cuddling or whatever, but he was stuck in the computer labs until he got this over with. Why had he decided to start it so late?

He sighed, and clicked on the Skype icon; maybe someone would be on that could keep him distracted. Like Dani, or Junpei. He'd only just learned how to use the program a few weeks back; he was still pretty crummy at it, and he forgot how to check who was online, so he sighed and started to work on his assignment again when the little sound that he got a message rang out.

Phoenix clicked it, and smiled. There was someone who could keep his mood up despite the work.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): Sorry, who is this? I don't recognize your name

Chuckling, he sent it back, wishing he could see Gryph's reaction in person.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryph loaded up iTunes, plugging in his headphones as he did. He clicked the 'random' icon at the top of the page, because he lived life on the edge. With some bouncy music being played happily into his ears, he heard Skype bleep and returned to the window.

Who was he? Gryph's face twisted in confusion, but all the same, he replied jokingly;

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): Oh no-one
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): Just your WORST NIGHTMARE
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! >:-D

He chuckled as he sent the last message, and then decided to try and get back to working on his project.

So in other words, procrastinating like he had a doctorate in the art of doing so. He opened up Photoshop, the icon of which sat on the taskbar as he used it so much. As it booted up, he went into his documents and found the folder called 'My Pictures', scavenging out some more pictures from the frosty courtyard. He entered into the folder and scanned through the pictures, finding something to edit. This was way better than some dumb essay.

[Deleted]

There was no way that Phen knew how to use iTunes, so he was working music-less. Which was fine - he only really enjoyed musical and Disney music these days (thanks to Squishy and Dani respectively), and he'd end up just singing along to both if he was listening to it. Nope, he was fine like this. Although he'd probably end up taking a break in about ten minutes and zooming up to give Oriel a kiss before coming back down again. It was a good reason to take a break, really.

But for now, he was amused by Gryphon's messages. Phen pulled up the program as it beeped again, snickering at what he'd sent.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): What? NOoooooo!
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): I'll do anything, just don't hurt meeee

He paused, then added with another chuckle:

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): lol, what's up, featherbutt?

Phen opened up a word document and started making a heading, and then he got stuck. He was supposed to write a descriptive essay about Beowolf for his English class - he'd already his a roadblock at the title. Seriously, why was it so hard?

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Featherbutt.

That was probably the best name he'd ever been called. He burst into laughter at the sight of it, and typed back,

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): Nm, just avoiding doing work by editing some stuff
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): Wbu?

Gryph continued to chuckle lightly, and his laughter soon escalated in volume and manner, until he was cracking up completely. Barely able to see the keyboard, he typed another message.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): Yoi can probsbly heat me laughinf, im so loud, bit featherbuttt? Niiiice xD

He minimized Skype so his editing software filled the screen. The picture he was editing was one of a bench, the frost gave it a glittering texture and Gryph was intrigued to see what he could do to it.

[Deleted]

Phoenix was pretty proud of that nickname. He was grinning to himself, hoping Gryph would respond to it well. Knowing his friend, the boy was probably laughing his featherbutt off.

He chuckled at Gryph's honest response.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): You're such a bad student ;P
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): I'm trying to start an essay, I'm stuck on the title. Wtf am I supposed to title an essay about Beowulf?

He'd done his best to understand the story. It was interesting, sort of, but he didn't understand why the writing was the way it was....

Phoenix blinked as another quick message came through, and he read what was written, immediately bursting into giggles himself. Silly boy couldn't even type right!

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): You need to get a spellcheck, doofus, you can't even type right

Okay, focus. Maybe if he just started writing and did the title later, something would come to him. Phen slowly started the first sentence, but it wasn't great. Ughh, why was starting so hard?

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryph read through Phen's messages, then scavenged for the sheet that had his essay target-thingies on (yes, he had intended on beginning to write when he didn't even know the subject matter, give him a round of applause), and sure enough, he was writing about Beowulf too, apparently. He snorted a laugh and replied,

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): Tis my duty, good sir n.n
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): and title it...
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): um @.@
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): this is difficult, and im supposed to do this for myself as well. damn essays :L

As for typing correctly, that wasn't his fault. Phen was just too funny, it was a disgrace. He sat up a little more and had calmed down by this point, but still replied smirking

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): eeeeh just don't make me laugh and I wont type bad
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): that alright with you, glasses?

If Phennie was gonna be dishing out the nicknames, so was Gryph. Or Featherbutt. Both were suitable names. He went back to his editing, but realized a few seconds into it that he should just get the essay over and done with. Sighing, he saved his work and loaded up a document again. Similarly to Phen, his mind came up blank. He hoped his friend was beginning to fair better than him, as he watched the placemarking cursor flicker at regular intervals.

[Deleted]

Two sentences in. Phen was doing great! By that point he had to rummage around in his bag and find his copy of the story, which was filled with bright-colored tabs to remind him of important bits in the story (a tip he'd gotten from one of his mentors, which was actually helping immensely, since his memory was rubbish). He'd just opened to the first one when Skype beeped again.

All the smilies made him giggle as he replied:

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): Wait, you're doing the same thing too?
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): Ugh, it's such a dumb assignment, what's the point?
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): Not like I'm gonna need it later in life...

English in general was a crummy subject for him. Well, all of them were, really, except biology, which actually kind of interested him. He was only doing this assignment because he knew it was a big part of his grade and he really wanted to improve them.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): I'll do what I want! And I like making people laugh, featherbutt
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): Hey! You're the one that kept stealing them, I think I should call YOU glasses. Doofus.

He was giggling uncontrollably by this point, and pushed his dark-rimmed glasses up his nose, unable to focus back on his project now that he was laughing so much.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon lifted his laptop off of himself and onto his bed, next to him, before venturing over to his desk, where he scrounged through the twin towers of books to find Beowulf, but it didn't seem to turn up. He shrugged his shoulders, he'd do without it would be a challenge!

Especially seeing as he could hardly remember a thing about the damn literature.

His laptop bleeped at him and turned round to it, kneeling on the floor next to his bed and keeping the laptop where it was as he typed.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): I can't wait to go to a job interview after this helpful essay
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): they'll be like 'who inspires you?' And I'll be like 'Beowulf'
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): and theyll be like 'why?' And ill be like 'coz Shakespeare' p.p
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): I'LL BE THE CEO OF MACDONALDS IN NO TIME ;D

Academic prowess was not one of Gryph's traits, as much he would want it to be. He was creative, free-flowing... different. So the sciences didn't appeal to him, maths didn't appeal to him, English didn't appeal to him; anything that involved thinking with intelligence was off the list of his abilities..

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): it's great that you like making people laugh, but cease fire, I can't breath e.e

He paused for a moment, and then began loading up a synopsis of the book. He was going to do atrociously otherwise. He chuckled a little and returned to Skype.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): You got anything? Because im really struggling hereeeee >.< pheeeeniieeee~ help meeeee~

[Deleted]

Aaand three sentences! Boy, Phen should take a break, he deserved it. He opened up Chrome and went to Youtube (which he had just found out about the same time he had Skype, and loved it). As he usually did, he opened up a cat video, giggling at the adorable mewling creature.

Skype beeped, though, and he paused it, giggling at Gryph's response.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): You are hiiiilarious, I'm seriously laighing over here, now it's my urn to get tupos xD
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): CEO of McGonalds? Sounds horrible

He paused, then added,

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): You thinking about getting a job?
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): I was talking to Dr. Neville about it the other day... Might look into it too

He flipped open his phone to text a quick 'miss you' message to Oriel, even though it'd been like no time at all. Clingy boy was clingy. With that done, he read over Gryph's other messages and, still chuckling, continued.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): So I... Really take your breath away, huh?

He sent that, then frowned, wondering if it was too much. Ah well! It was all fun and games, didn't mean anything other than that.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): I got three sentences. Working on the fourth. I'm not much heeelp! Besides, I'm stuck in the computer lab until I'm done, I don't have a laptop ><

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryph began typing carefully and slowly, minorly determined to get some of this essay behind him, 'B-e-o-w-u-l-'

*bleep*

Well, he was trying at least. He was sat back on his bed now, his legs crossed with his laptop perched on top of them. His headphones were in again and he continued to listen to music as he laughed, which he never really stopped doing, it just died down a little in between messages, and began typing again. at the moment. Phen mentioned the possibility of getting a job and he thought for a second before replying this time.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): yea, i wanna earn my own money, and a job could be fun
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): as long as it isn't toilet cleaning or something, that wouldn't be fun AT ALL c.e

Gryph clicked back onto his Word document and finished typing the word 'Beowulf' by adding the '-f', before maximising Skype again. He read the most recent message and smirked, cheeky Phennie!

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): yea ;P
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): you take my breath away x
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): like a vacuum cleaner

He laughed at his own comment, he wanted to add it to keep the laughter levels up. He swivelled a little, keeping his laptop in his lap. He leaned back a bit until he was comfortable half sitting, half lying on his bed.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): well, ive written the word 'beowulf', i think you're doing better than me. and no laptop? that must suck
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): im just in my room
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): lying
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): on my bed
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): jealous?

Gryph bit his lip. That may have been pushing it a little...

...oh well!

[Deleted]

If Phen was really wanting to get work done, he'd tell Gryph he had to focus on his work and close out of Skype. As it was, he kept it open, trying not to respond too quickly, but... He was giggling and smiling so much over it, he couldn't help but click the tab as soon as it blinked.

Jobs. Definitely something Phen needed to think about more seriously; at least Dr. Neville really was helping.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): I'm pretty much broke right now, gotta start making some money, especially if I wanna graduate this year >< Gotta afford a house and all

Not to mention be able to provide some for Oriel, just... Because Phen was older and felt like it was partially his duty to.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): Eww, no.... I was looking into maybe seeing if this pet store has an opening, they have kittens and puppies and eeee >w<

Phen opened the essay back up and tapped his fingers lightly against his keyboard, not typing anything at first, but finally managing to finish the fourth sentence. And it'd been what, only ten, fifteen minutes? He was doing great!

Another blink.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): Ahh, so you're saying I suck, huh? ;P
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): Jk, hehe

There. Phen smirked a little, wondering what Gryph's reply would be to that. Still, he felt a little warmth in his cheeks despite himself.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): At least that's something
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): and shutup
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): I can't afford a fancy laptop, ok? T-T
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): So my scrawny butt is stuck in this hard, uncomfortable chair until I'm done
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): Featherbutt

Yes.... He was a little jealous. The quicker he got this done, the sooner he'd be able to get back into bed with Oriel! He finished off the first paragraph and came to another stop, quickly flipping through his Beowulf text in order to figure out what to write next.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryph had been casually scanning for jobs recently. It wasn't a top priority, but he wanted an idea of what he could be doing to earn money. A lot of the ones he had found involved either cleaning or getting coffee or something tedious. Gryph didn't want to be doing that. He wanted a cool job, even if it was temporary.

Gryph didn't have the problem of having a lack of money, thanks to his dad, because even though he was a greedy egotistical bastard, he still gave Gryph more than enough money to be living on, and Gryph had an extra year of work ahead at Hammel, thanks to his setback.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): yikes :s

He thought for a second, and sent another message. He didn't know how to form it correctly, but he tried his best.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): um, if you ever need money you can ask me

For some reason, that sounded bad.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): if you're just a bit behind on a rent or something, you know
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): just tell me

He decided to stop there. He wasn't sure if he was digging himself a hole, or saying something that might offend Phen, so he didn't want to go much further on the matter. But pet stores were nice. Yes, you'd probably spend half of the day around pet food, cleaning out cages, but Gryph loved nature. Animals were amazing creatures, he'd love to care for some!

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): if there's more than one opening there, can you tell me pwease? it sounds fun, and animals are cute :3

Gryph giggled and grinned at Phen's next comment. This was a great distraction technique, talking to Phen. He was socializing and avoiding work. It was killing two bir- killing two squirrels with one stone. He was working hard on sorting out his language, and that saying was pretty hated when it came to the birds themselves, for obvious reasons. He was getting better, but every-time he thought he had it down, there was something else he had to censor or adapt for the birds' sake. It was a long, difficult process, but it would all be worth it in the end.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): well... maybe you do

That was crossing a line somewhere, he was certain of it.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): aha xD ignore me
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): im sorreh
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): your butt must be really sore, poor baby <3
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): want me to kiss it better?
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): Glasses B-)

He went back onto his word document and wrote the first thing that came to mind, occasionally flicking back to the synopsis he had up on the internet for ideas. This was difficult, but it was what he got for avoiding it.

[Deleted]

Phen was still scanning for the information he needed in the text when Skype beeped again. He flipped the book over onto the table and pulled it open, sighing with a chuckle as he realized this was going to be very, very slow going no matter what he did.

Unfortunately, Phen really didn't have much of a source of income at all. He hadn't talked to his mother in... A very long time. He really needed to call her one of these days.

The offer was extremely sweet, and Phen sat back in his chair, staring at the messages pop up. How could he reply to such a generous thing? It reminded him of Junpei - his rich-as-hell Japanese friend. Phoenix didn't know how he ended up with such giving friends...

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): That's so sweet of you Gryphy... Thank you
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): I'll let you know... And would definitely repay you

He paused. Then:

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): <3

Phen had a hard time making money, but if he was in serious trouble, he'd remember this. Phoenix knew he wasn't in any position to let his pride get in the way of the matter; as long as he repaid his debts, he told himself it was alright. He felt all warm and comforted knowing he had that sort of support.

But the topic was back on jobs, and he smiled again, laughing quietly at Gryph's response.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): I'll definitely tell you. It'd be awesome to work with someone I like ^-^

Any job would be more fun with friends, right? Phen didn't have any experience with work, but it seemed logical.

He forced himself to get another two sentences out before he continued talking to Gryphon. He thought he was doing pretty well - so far he'd only had to use the spellcheck on a couple things, and his writing wasn't too shabby, if he did say so himself. He might just get a good grade on this yet.

If he ever finished. He pulled Skype up again.

Phoenix snickered. Him sucking could definitely mean more things, but... Gryph wouldn't write with that sort of intent in mind, would he? Nah! He nearly - no, he did snort at what came next, nearly toppling off his chair as he giggled and flapped his hands, as though Gryphon could see him.

Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): I think... My butt is good ;P
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): Generous offer, though xD
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): It really is gonna get sore, though
Phoenix Tang (Squishylover): And staaahp! I can't help that I have to wear these dumb thiings

He'd probably end up having Oriel massage it out for him or something. Maybe. He rolled out his shoulders and opened up Word again, tapping his bottom lip as he tried to continue. Now he was way too distracted thinking about butts and things one could do with a butt.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryph began writing what some might call an introduction, and what others might call a sentence formed to make sense with no meaning, which was exactly what he had done. Eh, he didn't care too much anyway, English wasn't a priority for him. His priority was Phen, who had just sent another reply.

He began typing a reply when a late message came through, and it made him smile. Phen was literally the definition of adorable.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): its not a problem phennie what friends are for and all that shit, right? ^^

He didn't want Phen to have to worry about repaying him, it really wouldn't be necessary, but he didn't want to go into that right now, so he left the topic be.

Gryph's ego broke out of its shell as little as he acknowledged the message relating to jobs. Smirking, he typed more sentences than would ever probably go into his essay.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): yeahehe, especially me, because im awesome!
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): and I can talk to the birds! I could tell them about whatever and they can complain about their lives! ITS PERFECT

Gryph was a pretty flirty creature when he wanted to be. So he did have thoughts like that running through his mind as he typed again. He suddenly liked this conversation for another reason.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): what a shame
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): I had my hopes up
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): shame on you
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): and maybe you should've brought something fluffy to sit on or something, like a cat idk xD
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): stahp complaining, your glasses are helping so they aren't stupid ;P

He caught sight of the dark picture on his arm and suddenly Gryph had another topic to elongate his procrastination activities.

Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): so, speaking of things you need, you still wanting a tattoo of some kind? If I remember correctly, you dooooo have some interest in getting one, yeees? A.A
Gryph Matsuoka (freedomphotography): what kind of ink do you want? Im sure you can get a unicorn tattooed onto your forehead, if that's what you so desire