𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙨: 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 # :two:

The pair of men reserved themselves to the familiar space, a room tailored by James. This time around, his guest had just accepted a refreshment in the form of a lavender latte to set on a end table just to the right of his comfortable seating. "I hope it's to your liking." Hubert comments in the act of lowering his elderly form into a leather seat. James, taking a sip of the drink, conveyed his opinion. "It is. Lavender does well for the nerves. Soothing and somewhat sweet on the palate" Hubert nods in agreement, pleased to know he'd done well in making the drink. "Good to know. Had to dust off your memory to put it together. Which reminds me, you've mentioned the friend of yours that created this drink, correct? Christy was it?" Hubert asked, scouring his memory for the momentary comment his friend had made during a visit to a well reviewed cafe some time ago. James spoke up to confirm the name, the version Hubert had used being a nickname. "Christina. Christina Gracious. She owns and operates her own coffee shop in a city. It's a humble place headed by a humble woman with expansive skill in making beverages, especially those of the caffinated variety."

Hubert jotted down a note of Christina for future reference, a fine avenue of questions avaliable. "I see. Perhaps she may be interested in ing you here one day? It would be a delight to learn the story of your encounters from both parties" James rested his chin on his fist to consider the idea, finding it appealing. "I'm sure I could ask her next time I find myself in her world. I'll let you know if she's up to it" His lip curled from the thought of possibly having a friend at his side, getting to share how they met and such, although Hubert seemed to move attention back to his guest regarding his own personal interview. "I believe I've thought of a possible parameter for your actual interviews from this point forward, if you'll approve" James perked up slightly, leaning forward slightly to display his attention. "I'm all ears." Hubert took the opportunity to share his idea upon gaining interest. "As I've said previously, I can ask questions of random topic as you've requested, although we hadn't settled on how many questions you'd like to go through with every session. I believe five would be an agreeable number, as it leaves time and space for your answers to soak in with the readers and viewers until our next session. Hubert's question had no time to linger, promptly answered by the man of the hour. "I agree. Five sounds fair enough, keeps anyone with a shorter attention span around till the end. And we have all the time in the world to get through everything you'd like to ask" The elderly gentleman pursed his lips in silent approval "That is true. Then I'd say we've come to a consensus. Would you like to get started, James?" Hubert inquired. "Yes, I'm ready" The young man took a long sip of his drink, enjoying the beverage prior to needing to speak in responses to Hubert's questions.

"What is your favorite type of weather?"

James considered the simple question, considering his options out of shifting preferences that complicated giving a definitive answer. "I can't say I have a solid preference. Could I claim more than one type of weather?" He questioned. "Of course, answer however you like, James. Tell all of the relevant details you desire" Hubert clarifies, pleasing James at the freedom he was given to convey his multilayered opinions. "Gladly. Now, my preference can change with my current mood, but I'd say I enjoy a cool overcast day the most out of all. Not much if any sunlight coupled with a mild coolness. Glum to most, comfortable to me. What makes it better is if it's ever so slightly raining in a mist, just enough to tickle my face if I happen to look up. More often than not, I'll just lay down and close my eyes if I can. Not that a bright sunny day is terrible by any stretch. I can surely appreciate the beams warming this tan skin, casting a healthy glow on the landscape. But it can be too 'intensive' at times, while I call that overcast weather a pleasant neutral"

"How would you describe your handwriting?"

"I find it to look fairly decent. I've written libraries worth of words since deciding to make almost daily journal entries. Not to mention countless notes and research papers I've put together on the things I've encountered in my travels. But I suppose most of all, I've had practice on my signature." James weighed the possibility of providing a example, choosing to make an attempt. "Actually, you mind lending me your notepad and pen for a moment, Hubert?" Hubert raised an eyebrow at James's request, but accepted without delay in offering his writing materials. "Not at all, here you are" James took on the items to jot down onto the notepad, offering it and the black fountain pen back to his friend. "You can judge for yourself" James comments just as Hubert peered at the beige paper to behold a elegant signature produced by James. "I find it quite marvelous penmanship. Uniform and unique with every line."

"Do you find comfort in solitude? Or does being alone make you uneasy?"

"I do fine comfort in solitude. Every so often even I need time to myself, by myself. Granted, that solitude is from my own volition of course. If not, I'd consider it isolation instead. Personally, I seldom find time to indulge in true solitude away from others, the most common possible application being throughout nights where everyone sleeps but me. I take those twilight hours to relax and reflect on whatever occupies my thoughts." James subtly clasps his hands in his lap, looking upward to the ceiling in further relaxation while continuing. "When I do have the luxury of being truly on my own, I'm able to make do with many environments. I've spent time on barren islands, within the forests of nature, or simply in my own home away from home. Solitude is healthy, it can allow one to process, recharge, and grow without the pressures of others to taint it. Now being alone, it can sometimes wear on me. I love to socialize, get to have meaningful conversations that get my brain running. So depriving myself of that can invoke doubts. Though when the period of solitude has ed, I'm confidently ready to re the universe and those I've come to know. Revitalized and reaffirmed in my will to keep exploring this existence.

"Does the universe love you?"

James displayed a thoughtful expression, possibly amused. "I can't say for sure. If the universe does happen to love me, it would love me like a parent sending their child out into the real world. To carve my own path, make my own mistakes as an independent and free being. Although the notion of the universe coddling or disciplining me for my actions feels both comforting and concerning at the same time. I doubt the universe would intentionally visit pain upon me, it merely observes my hardships, lets me weather them to change and improve. The potential to survive in the universe resides within my own being, I need only harness it."

"Have you ever been bullied?"

The young man's relaxed posture tensed momentarily, his gaze remaining fixed to the ceiling as the question hung in the air, James's voice breaking the silence with a lighter tone than he'd used prior. "Would harassment in general apply to this question, Hubert?" He sought clarification, finding it in a nod from his elderly friend that experienced a twinge of concern at the change in tone. "Yes, it would" With confirmation, James offered a response after a brief sigh in hopes of relaxing. "I've been bullied in the traditional manner during my times attending various schools and many academies. But the attempts of trash talking and immature pranks are nothing compared to the ridicule I've faced over time, commonly based off my more than human status. Some envy my power, want to use it to serve selfish desires without knowing the true burden of them. Most 'bullies' harass and seek to put me down or end my life out of fear or hatred. When it becomes apparent I won't be slain or persecuted, they settle on making my life on their world miserable one way or another."

James paused, opening his mouth to speak before closing it in possible hesitation. "I don't think I'll go into detailed instances and sour the warm mood just yet, unless a future question asks me to do so." Hubert's expression softens at the reluctance, affirming James's decision was fully within reason. Like he'd said, his guest's comfort trumped all. "I understand. No need to stress yourself, my friend" Not wishing to completely stonewall, James chose to offer slightly more on the topic, although vague. "What I can certainly say is that for some, any act of displeasure by me towards that mistreatment is seen as additional ammunition to continue. So, it can prove complicated in dealing with it..."