cocktailparty | WHAT I LEARNED IN BOATING SCHOOL IS -

[Why is this man walking around shirtless.

Why is he glowing fuchsia.

WHY IS HE DRINKING FROM THE WATER FOUNTAIN.

Edgeworth gives the man a quizzical frown, and shakes his head politely. The dude stopped glowing...]

I...I see.

Yeah, that's it. It's all because of that -- not because I can trust her to carry me even when she should leave me behind. [ He's getting angry enough that it's starting to show now. Mostly, it's in his eyes. They swirl, and pierce and focus with such intensity he might as well be blinded. In the end, she knows she's the sun and she knows that he'd still take a bullet for her. His gaze flickers. Betrayal. Hurt. He took it all personally. ] Because Jill Valentine would die for the people she loves.

[ Which isn't meant to imply anything about his relationship with her, it's meant to imply something about his relationship with the woman standing right here. And how he feels about her. She matters to him in a way he doesn't know how to convey, especially not anymore. ]

It doesn't matter what I'm missing! You can insult me all you want, but it doesn't change what you've done. [ Bullet? Who cares, he'd have rather been shot than go down in a sinking ship while holding some false hope that he'd just manage to make it out. ] It doesn't change that you chose to not just walk, but run away.

[ His fingers flex and he wants to punch something. Stick his fist through a wall then go to work and drink until he can't remember her name. You're tearing him apart, Jessica!!! ]

So it wasn't about the pay? [ He laughs because he's losing it. ] It's good to know how little my life was worth.

[ He isn't sure he understood anything any better than he did a year ago, but he knew it was always worse than it looked. Whatever she was involved with it was too big for him. And, without her knowing, too big for her, too. She was just a means to an end. They all were.

But that doesn't stop him from wanting to chase after her like the idiot he knows that he is. He won't. He'll give her a moment then follow out the door before walking off to ye olde stripping club. Great way to go into work. ]

There are other ways that your services may be utilized, I assure you.

What is it that you do, in particular?

[ It's too bad that he doesn't have to respond in kind and she certainly wouldn't mind it! If only he vocalized this! Alas. ]

No, I do not think there are any that cater to a clientele with a sense of humor. May I ask what your hours are? I tend to take odd hours at work, so I do not always operate normally.

[ She's not hugely into the emoticon thing, but it can't hurt to be friendly back... probably. ]

:)

Did you finally realize Toyota is better than Hyundai? [ Holy smoke, Hong Kong, you can't just go for the jugular right out the gate! Have you no restraint? No sympathy?

Apparently not. ]

_{[ He's standing there, holding the fountain button, because it looks like this other guy wants a drink? Maybe?
But when he's just standing there stiff, Aikuro becomes a little concerned. ]}

Ah?
Is everything alright?

_{[ have you been blessed by the nipples is that what this is about. ]}

[ Parker isn't much of a cafe kinda guy. Tea is like trashwater and he's pretty content with almost any sort of sweet -- he's not picky. All he did was grab a sandwich a few blocks down and eat it on the job. He's had a few drinks, but he's just lightly buzzed.

Not enough that Jessica's approach doesn't trip him up after he's finally gotten on his feet again. He had frequently thought of her prior to the incident on the Zenobia, after he'd been shot and come here... more than he'd like to admit, she was on his mind. Her motivations completely escaped him and he wasn't sure if he'd any more insight now than before. Even if her motivations were the same that fueled him to fight, he'd never sacrifice her or the BSAA in the process.

He doesn't spot her until she's right beside him and he remains as still as before, standing outside of the door though when his services are needed it's usually on the inside. She just had to show up while he's on the job. He looks down at his watch as she speaks, trying to decide if he'll ignore her or not.

Ultimately, he decides that it's not going to solve anything and it's not going to make him feel any different. Maybe he'd feel worse if he said something, but it's better than the same or nothing. ]

This is where I work. [ He doesn't answer the last part because he lives alone and there's no way saying that can end well. It can't not imply something -- whether it's he's lonely or is trying to earn pity or something much more awkward. ] Is there anything else? It's getting late so I need to be inside.

_{[ oh damn it. this guy is good.
Aikuro's brows lift as he watches Kondo fix the shirt— that he tore— on purpose.
now he just looks like a effing tool thanks weird guy.

Aikuro rolls with it though. ]}

So it would seem!
Now that I'm properly dressed, is that what all this noise was about, officer?
_{[ is this guy really an officer who knows. ]}

Can I go on my way now?

No, I just like objectifying women.

[ Though he might turn into a patron these days, who knows? He's feeling a bit lonely and after a few drinks and seeing her here... well, he'll pay a girl to stop dancing and maybe pat his shoulder. They keep him company sometimes when he drinks as it is. They probably pity him -- which is a thought that is unsettling.

Maybe she thought she was doing the right thing and maybe he might think the same if he knew all the details, but that's not how it works. When you get your hands that dirty, it's never going to be for the reason you think it is and it will always turn around on you and bite you in your ass.

In her case, it was potential Complete Global Saturation.

He doesn't make eye contact with her when she moves in and his heart palpitations are off the chart. Fighting monsters of all shapes, sizes, and varying in sudden appearance (sometimes behind him)? Nothing. This, though? His heart might explode. He'll feel her touch long after she's gone, wake up in the middle of the night remembering it and the way she smells and the way she looks; she'll haunt him like a ghost.

The funny part about that, though, is that he's the one that's going to die. He hasn't drowned or anything back on that ship, but he's certain when he gets back there it'll be the end of him. He's better off here, starting a new life. ]

You just said there's nothing else to be said. I'm going inside. [ He's removing himself from her personal space now, distancing himself physically in the hopes it will distance him in other ways. He dips into the entrance and opens the door -- which any other time, he'd have made sure to hold open for her. ] What you do is none of my business, Jessica. It never has been.

[ Stubborn? True. This time, it's at least more fair than ever. He doesn't wait for a response and goes into the place (which is pretty nice, actually) and heads straight for the bar. He was going to take it slow and he still would, but he needed something harder. Bourbon on the rocks. Maybe the sting would distract him.

At least until he sees or hears (of) her again. It makes him sick how much this still affects him when he should be able to brush it all aside and tell her to fuck off and leave him be. If only. ]

[Kudos to his rolling with The Shit skills. He's clearly needed them in this life maybe not the next so much.]

Yeah, now you're all set and you don't have to worry about getting too stuffy, you've got your own vent right there. [Kondo how are you so good just HOW are you so damn good???

he does have one wanna see it? No that is not an innuendo its probably made of paper] I guess....so you don't have any questions or anything? Like why you're here or where the nearest strip club is? Or where's the best place to get a polo?

_{[ you'd think the typical person would ask what he was doing here— why— and yes, somebody like him curious about the strip club. ]}

Talk to me about the schooling system here.

_{[ he seems pretty serious about this. ]}

Give me as much detail as possible.

[He's taken aback by this because he could have sworn he'd pegged this guy for a really dedicated stripper so why is he asking about the schools?? Aiming a weird look his way Kondo continues anyway]

Well we've got an elementary school, a middle school and a high school. There's no uniform but I think the kids are pretty good at being trendy and appropriate. There are teachers who are residents here and really engage with the kids but for the positions that aren't filled in there are also NPCs. [Oh man what else is there...] There's a student council that's gonna kick off here soon..clubs...sports anime....the usual stuff.

_{[ He listens, and keeps a stoic expression. ]}

Go on.
Give me as much detail as you can.
If you're done talking about schools, talk to me about the caste system here.

[Scratching his head] Obviously I'm an adult and I haven't gone to school here but I had kids at one point here and they seemed to like it enough. Not the homework but the hanging out and being cool cats part.

Caste system...? [His eyebrows raise to nearly his hairline] There's the landlord and then there's us. Yeah a bunch of us have jobs and different positions but I don't think that puts us above or below anyone else. We're all here trying to stick together and make the best of it.

Edited 2014-09-02 03:11 (UTC)

_{[ Finally, Aikuro nods, seeming satisfied with this information. There is a smile, and his hands lift, and he places them with a rough pat on Kondo's shoulders— both of them.

cue the shoujo sparkles and cherry blossoms blowing in the wind. ]}

Thanks for the information.
I'll figure everything else out on my own.

_{[ ~*glistening*~ ]}

[Cue Kondo's features twisting comically and severely, like he's about to sneeze. Wow those sparkles are hell on the sinuses...but he manages a smile! He feels like they got off to the wrong foot but obviously a guy who cares (???) about youths and the underdog can't be that bad.]

No problem. Any time, man. Good luck! I'm sure you'll find out a lot but don't feel shy about asking anyone else for help.

[When he smiles his teeth glint! Or that might be lettuce stuck in there]

Take care.

_{[ And so, Aikuro gives him one last grin before turning and beginning to take his leave.
but wait. what is this.

As he walks off, Kondo may or may not notice Aikuro's absence of trousers.
yes, those trousers that you were mocking him earlier about.
they're gone. off of his body. in all of his proud glory.

when did this happen. why didn't you notice. why didn't you stop him.
he could have been stalling. it might have been when you were explaining things— he's that stealth.

at least he has on a purple speedo. i mean.
it's something. ]}

[THATS NOT SOMETHING CRACK IS STILL SHOWING THERE IS A CHEEK RIGHT THERE THE SHAPE OF THE CHEEK the police are on their way if there were sirens they would be going right now so he's gonna have to make due with the wind blowing an ominous tune betwixt his asscheeks or something jesus christ why.]

[ She doesn't let him off the hook at all. He's that fish that's been hooked and left in the boat flopping around, gasping. When he's finally about to be put out of his misery, he's set free to swim around.

But the hook and line are still in him, just with leeway to do what he wants until she pulls it again. ]

Yeah, I'm sure you will.

[ He isn't sure how much he'll need to drink to forget all of this. To forget how he feels when he's with her and in the past, how she'd raise his spirits with such ease. Before she gets the chance to walk far enough away that he'd have to chase after her, he takes a step toward her back and he knows that she expected it.

But he's just a pawn anyway. The least he can do is be an honest one, on is own terms.

He reaches for her, hand just below the back of her shoulder. ]

If it had been you, I wouldn't have hesitated. Even after you pressed the button. You are not disposable to me, Jessica.

[ The touch ghosts against her, lifting but lingering close while sliding down then pulling away. He doesn't disguise the gruff sigh when he finally does move away from her with his shoulders hunched all the way into the club, even as he sits down. He just needs a moment to clear his head, so he presses it into both of his hands, covering his eyes. He feels nauseous.

Leave it to a woman to do that. ]

[ She's the one that would prefer a dark corner but has opted for the easiest route to quick service, sitting down before the counter. There's a few stools between her and the only other patron present at the moment, which she had assumed was enough of an indication that she'd like to drink alone -- or, at least that she didn't wish to bother the other person present.

When addressed, she looks to her other side first. Expectantly, like someone else may be here. ]

No, that's alright. [ She raises a hand, tries to appear pleasant and congenial. ] I prefer to buy my own drinks.

[ Normally, she'd leave it at that and she intends to, turning back so her body faces the bottles lined up behind the counter. But she's not familiar with this person -- and it's not that she's nosy (but she is) but... well, it couldn't hurt to be neighborly, could it? ]

I've not seen you around here before. Is it your first day? Why don't you allow me to treat you, instead?

[ Boy, oh boy, did you ever choose the wrong gal to police... not that she's going to throw something at him or climb up there and wrassle him to the ground or anything. She can't quite pinpoint the direction the voice came from beyond a little to her left and it takes her a moment to realize it's coming from up above -- though when it does click, she folds an arm over her waist and makes sure the pest is plenty aware that she is aware. ]

Oh? And why is that?

[ Her tone indicates that she ain't in the mood for this shit, so you should tread carefully. All that will happen if he doesn't is a lecture, though. Lectures from her can be pretty painful, so it may not be worth taking your chances... ]

It is my first day. I'm learning.

_{[ He watches this girl carefully, analyzing her features from her face down to her hair. She looks professional, he gathers.
And, he's not going to turn down a drink, even if it is from a lady.
he's nice, but he's not that nice, thanks. ]}

Of course! Once we get the bartender's attention—

_{[ Aikuro stands, leaning over the bar and gesturing for the bartender before slipping down back on his seat. ]}

Bourbon whiskey on the rocks.

_{[ because he can't have two frou-frou drinks in a row, nope.
Aikuro settles, then puts his attention back on this girl. ]}

Are you somebody of importance here?
_{[ kind of rude BUT YOU KNOW. ]}

You lived in a real castle?

[Okay, now she's a bit curious... Maybe he's from Europe? Or a fanciful rich guy who had a place built to look like a castle?]

Watching for what? Thieves? I reckon most folks would be more alarmed to find that a stranger was climbing up onto their roof. They might think you're a burglar and call the police on you.

...Yes. [he doesn't know what to follow up with-- "it used to be beautiful" or "i hated it" or "you didn't?", so he doesn't say anything more.

he hums again, and then sighs.]

I don't know what the police is. [so whatever it is, he doesn't care.] I'm watching for something. Stars. People. Animals. What does it matter?

[who u callin a pest? no. BEAST. kids these days... he narrows his eyes at her, and rumbles. he doesn't want to snap at her-- that's not his intention, but that tone is the worst thing he's heard in a while. it reminds him of his mother. which is... not what he should be reminded of.]

It could be dangerous.

[he's fully aware the town is quiet, but there are shadows everywhere. who knows what's hiding in them?]

WHAT I LEARNED IN BOATING SCHOOL IS -

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oh boy indeed

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puttin this off because my heart hurts

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yep

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