[Ryunosuke gives it about two days before he decides to go knocking on Kazuma’s door.
That’s probably more time than he should give, but. Considering the sheer breadth of earth-shattering information they’ve learned, he finds he needs some time to process all that before he can even think about addressing any personal issues…
Okay. No. That makes it sound like he’s coming to speak to Kazuma purely about the lingering strain between them, which he is decidedly not. This is about the orb mission? It's about responsibility and risk. It is not about his confused feelings about Kazuma, nor is it about any sense of hurt or anger he may or may not still be feeling as a result of certain information recently coming to light. Information which completely re-framed the way he looks back on his entire nine month stay in London.
Information… Information that provokes feelings that Ryunosuke hasn’t had much of a chance to process yet. Nor had the two of them had any time to discuss with each other face to face, before Ryunosuke had gone and left the country.
…
This is about the orbs.
Kazuma gets at least a bit of a heads up before Ryunosuke shows up at his room. A quick text message sent ahead:] Are you in? I’m coming over.
[More of a statement than a request. He shows up outside Kazuma's room about 15 minutes later, regardless of his answer.]
[Kazuma has been anticipating this ever since the reality of their situation had settled in. Not only do their current bizarre circumstances beg discussion all on their own, but not a week ago they'd both thought they were to be separated for--at least a number of months, if not years. It had been enough to reaffirm their friendship and agree to set aside the hurt long enough for them both to process and heal, individually. Or at least that's that Kazuma had told himself at the time.
Here and now, though, he has run out of places to hide from Ryunosuke Naruhodo. A conversation is inevitable, and he is not sure whether Ryunosuke taking the initiative sooner than later instills him with dread or--well, no, it's mostly dread, but there is a sense of relief knowing that a reckoning is imminent.
Kazuma doesn't bother responding to Ryunosuke's message, which is also cowardly, but they both know it was little more than a warning. And when Ryunosuke shows up, he doesn't bother acting like he wasn't expecting him. He does at least attempt a wry smile, though it feels wrong on his face, considering he feels a little like a man facing his execution.]
[Fantastic! He only just got here, and already he can tell the vibe is off. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why that is, but he can definitely localize the source to Kazuma himself. Something about the way the man is holding himself... Along with that wry smile, and lackluster greeting...
Ryunosuke nods and slinks into the room as indicated, all the while pushing back against the insidious and familiar anxieties that threaten to well up inside him. Every time he has a slightly awkward interaction like this with his friend, they bubble to the surface...
This is about the orbs.]
Sorry to barge in on such short notice...
[Well. Not really sorry. Actually, he is a bit annoyed that he's the one who had to take the initiative to meet up. And it's not like he hasn't noticed Kazuma pointedly avoiding being alone with him for longer than a few minutes...]
[Avoiding being alone with him and avoiding quite looking at him, too. This is already off to a great start.]
I'd offer to make tea, but...
[Among other reasons, he still has no idea how to use most of the appliances around here. He isn't sure he could figure out how to boil the water.
And, well. They're best friends, aren't they? They don't need such formalities to break the ice. Or they shouldn't.
They don't. And now that the situation can't be escaped, Kazuma feels inclined to be the one to take the bull by the horns, if it's the only way to be in some semblance of control. He still has to take a small moment to steel himself.]
[Tea actually would be nice... He could really use one of Iris's herbal blends right about now. No chance of that though, obviously.
Ryunosuke huffs a noise that's somewhere between a groan and a sigh, closing his eyes a moment.]
Actually, I was hoping we might discuss... Er, rather, I wanted to ask you... Your opinion. About this whole station, I mean. And its mission, now that we have a better idea of what it entails...
[He peers at Kazuma, brow furrowed slightly in unavoidable concern.]
Do you... Actually intend to stay here and participate?
[Kazuma feels his shoulders deflate almost immediately. He's both relieved and... disappointed, oddly, that this is what Ryunosuke is here to talk about.
Though it's certainly also something worth discussing, and of immediate importance. He shouldn't have been caught by surprise. Further surprising is the realization that he... actually hasn't thought about this at all. Rather, he'd put it to the back of his mind for later processing, almost mechanically, as if he was subconsciously aware that it was a topic that would cause him some stress.
Well, here he is, his procrastination on feeling his feelings coming to bite him in the ass again.]
I... suppose so, yes. I'm under the impression that these orbs are quite dangerous if left alone.
[Which makes helping the morally correct thing to do, if they're capable of providing it. Right?]
[Finn walks up to the box, squinting down into it thoughtfully. Apparently, gift giving was the custom around here. A human custom, as far as Finn could tell. The thought gives him a weird fluttering in his stomach as he focuses on one of the new people he's met -- human or not -- racking his brain for what they might want...]
This guy is good at like, most things. [Stated as if it were a flaw. Which, in the case of gift giving, it kinda was. Then, Finn smiles:] Except technology. Even I'm less confused than him, so... a book, about that? Kazuma seems like he's a real book-liker. Uh, no offense, pal.
Later...
[This month's supply drop has arrived and with it, a little something special for Kazuma. He'll see a box wrapped in creamy purple paper, a deep red bow, and a small glittery gold tag with 'From Finn' printed on it. The wrapping job is too neat to be from Finn himself, clearly created by the ship's replicator based on his gift request.
Inside the box, he will find a book. The supply drop either had a fun sense of humor or was seeking some lukewarm revenge for their fallen cleaning brethren...]
[After the supply drop, a small box wrapped in a pink furoshiki makes its way into Kazuma's room. On top of it is a Christmas cracker made of bright red paper, and on top of that is a slip of paper with a short note written in English:]
Kazuma, I know you didn't really care for these, but I didn't want you to feel left out, either. Perhaps you'll change your mind by the time you have your first Christmas in London?
[When Kazuma pulls open the Christmas cracker, it'll pop open with a bang, of course. Inside it are the usual trinkets-- a few caramel candies, a bright red paper crown, a figurine of a cat and a mouse, and a little slip of paper with a very terrible joke on it. ("What did one ocean say to the other? Nothing, they just waved.") There's also an omamori in there-- meant for attaining success in one's goals.
As for that furoshiki-wrapped box... tucked under the knot is another folded-up note, written in Japanese this time.]
Kazuma, [There's a little spot of ink on the paper here, like the pen hovered over the page for just a bit too long. (This is only a note tucked into a gift. He can't possibly say everything that is yet to be said on a single hasty page.)]
I pray for your safety, health, and happiness this year and every year. Know that I am proud of the man you have become. [No matter what.]
- YM
[The box is made of wood and lined with fabric; inside it is a finely-crafted English pocket watch, polished and gleaming an impeccable silver. Underneath it, however, is an somewhat older-looking pin shaped like a very familiar crest.]
[The same day that this happens, Ryunosuke sidles up to Kazuma as the group sets off. Because like, obviously, they're going to walk together and chat a bit? Duh?]
You know, your mention of it earlier just gave me the most brilliant idea? We should ask if Kokonose-san if he would be willing to make sukiyaki for us, once this mission is over and we're back on the station.
[Kazuma realizes his mistake as soon as Ryunosuke steps into place beside him: there's no way he won't figure out what Kazuma is doing eventually. He's too sharp by half, and there's no way Kazuma would be able to avoid him for an entire day besides. Case in point: the situation at hand.
Oh well, though--it's harmless, ultimately, isn't it? And it's only for a day. Maybe it can even be a kind of game between them, to see how long it takes for Ryunosuke to figure it out. They need something to do on this dreary walk, don't they?
He makes a show of considering the idea, then shakes his head, fighting back a grin.]
I can't say I'd be interested. You know I don't like sukiyaki.
[It takes at least a couple of days for Ryunosuke to wake up. Between the blood loss and the exhaustion from all the pain he'd suffered, rest is the thing he needs second most urgently... Or. Maybe third most urgently? Third, right behind the antidote to the dremnin venom and a blood transfusion.
...Wherever it actually falls in the order, the point is he needs it. Desperately. It's possible some of the med crew might have even been keeping him sedated, largely for his own good, so he doesn't suffer needlessly while the venom works its way out of his system. Bottom line, it really shouldn't be too surprising that he doesn't so much as stir for a good long while.
But, oh, if only he'd known he'd been keeping Kazuma waiting...
When he does come around, it's somewhat gradually. He's flat out on his back, limbs spread out like a starfish, when he finally blinks his eyes open with a soft groan. Will the first thing he sees be the infirmary ceiling...? Or will it be his anxious partner's face?]
[It's the infirmary ceiling a split-second before it's Kazuma's face, because he'd been absorbed in his own thoughts when Ryunosuke's soft groan tipped him off to his impending consciousness. It's an effort not to crowd Ryunosuke as soon as his eyes crack open, Kazuma torn between wanting to fuss and wanting to give Ryunosuke space to breathe.
He compromises by hovering anxiously on the edge of his chair, not quite leaning over Ryunosuke but close enough to reach out and touch him if the impulse occurs to him.]
You're awake.
[He opens his mouth to say something else, probably something like How are you feeling?, but thinks better of it. It's a pointless question, really, of course Ryunosuke feels terrible; he's been mauled and poisoned and even with the most advanced of medical treatment he'd still needed to rest for days. And Kazuma had been useless in the face of the entire thing.
There's nothing he can say to encompass all of that, so he simply trails off awkwardly.]
[Ryunosuke blinks slowly a couple of times, taking a moment to both make sense of his surroundings and recollect what was even going on before he lost consciousness. Pain still lingers throughout his body, and he winces as he thoughtlessly tries to lift his injured arm to rub at his eyes. He croaks, voice raspy with disuse:]
...Unfortunately, yeah.
[His lips quirk very slightly in an expression of wryness as he says it.]
[Kazuma smiles a little in response, but it slides off his face quickly. It's hard to maintain much cheer when Ryunosuke still looks so unwell.]
How are you feeling?
[It's a stupid question, if he feels anywhere near as awful as he looks. But Kazuma feels like he needs to say something, and it's all that comes to mind.
(Well, that isn't entirely true, but now doesn't seem like the right time to bring it up.)]
A bit like I've been run over by a carriage, if I'm being perfectly honest.
[With most other people, he might try to sugar coat that a bit simply out of courtesy, not wanting to sound like he's fishing for sympathy or attention. Not with Kazuma, though; he gets the unfiltered truth.]
Um. Are YOU alright? I don't... Really remember much of what happened....
[ kovacs has been keeping himself busy, and maybe it hasn't entirely been about the mission either. it turns out that bounty hunter work is a lot more suited for him than it probably should be, considering how good he is at the gigs, collecting his awards and watching his reputation skyrocket to respectable levels in a quick flash of time. he likes pulling off things he's skilled at, and in light of everything he's mentally had to endure as of late (returning from a quick trip back home wasn't any kind of pleasure cruise), giving a constant fuck you to the federation in this part of the universe seems plenty suitable to pass the time.
he eventually slips into a bar for a drink (possibly a bar, or just a cafe, or some kind of combination of both, the ad for hard liquor on the window was enough to draw him in), signs of what he's been doing for a living barely a secret with the rough state of his knuckles, full of scrapes, plenty of new scratches upon his cheek and nose.
in the corner of his eye, as he steps towards the counter, he spots a familiar face, a fellow orber doing his own best to blend into society here, no doubt. he nearly snickers at the contrasting appearance between the two of them, clearly at odds with their choice of undercover occupations. ]
You look clean. [ he mutters below his breath, not quite looking kazuma's way, even if there's no doubt the comment is for him. ]
[Kazuma doesn't respond to Kovacs at first, beyond a brief glance in the man's direction to let him know he'd heard the comment. He'd already been feeling out of place before Kovacs' arrival, both because he doesn't make a habit of frequenting bars and because he sticks out like a sore thumb among the place's typical clientele. Only a few months and he's already forgotten how to blend in with a crowd. He'd really hoped he might be able to find some leads in this part of town, but no dice.
Well, he might as well strike up a conversation with someone he knows won't try to pick a fight, as long as he's here. Kazuma manages to make it look coincidental enough when he slides into the seat next to Kovacs, as if the man had no impact whatsoever on Kazuma's sudden decision to sit at the bar.
Nobody's really looking at them, but he keeps his voice quiet anyway.]
[ it's not as if kovacs does too fine of a job at blending in either. when he had more opportunities of switching out between bodies — sleeves, as he'd normally call them — he'd try to take advantage of picking the kinds that best suited whatever undercover position he was going for, whether he knew strength would be an advantage or if it would be stealth or poise. more than a number of times, he'd worn a woman's sleeve, aware that being underestimated based on appearance often worked in his favor.
this, however, this body he's been stuck in for well over a year now, the body of one elias ryker, had a way of drawing too much attention, too tall and bulky to blend properly into the shadows, with a face that had a way of making even the most peaceful personalities want to punch it. if he was ever hopping not to draw eyes, he'd be out of luck, which is why he doesn't really bother trying. ]
Must be the clothes. [ he mutters, like it's half a joke, half advice.
before he's even had a chance to order a drink, he's digging out his carton of cigarettes from his jacket pocket, slipping one between his lips with a movement as natural as muscle memory before he holds out the box in offering to kazuma, in case there's any interest in taking on. ]
You could throw yourself on the ground for a bit. Roll around in the dirt. Matches up the formal attire around here better.
[He will take a cigarette, with a murmur of thanks. Kazuma doesn't make a habit of smoking, but he won't turn down a vice when offered. He could use the stress release.
At the joke, he smirks in acknowledgment. It's true, Kazuma's attire does tend toward the pristine, which likely isn't doing him any favors down here. Sue him for vanity. At least the bartender is still willing to serve him drinks, for all that she keeps sending suspicious glances their way. (Which is a little unfair, in Kazuma's opinion. There's certainly a mundane explanation for why an apprentice prosecutor and a bounty hunter would be meeting up in an underworld bar. People skip bail all the time.)]
I'll make sure to do my due diligence next time. [The bartender finally wanders out of earshot, and Kazuma releases a sigh.] Perhaps I should take it as a sign and cut my losses. I don't suppose you've had any better luck?
[For the first day or so it seems as though Yujin's taking his adjustment to sailing life well. About as well as a man unaccustomed to manual work can, anyway. But on the second day, Kazuma gets a quick text--]
Kazuma-kun, I think I might need your help. Could you come onto the deck when you get the chance?
[--after which, he'll find the good professor near one of the ship's masts, standing at attention as he inconspicuously keeps a watch. Other sailors bustle around, hard at their daily upkeep of the great vessel in the sky they have all boarded.
Yujin doesn't verbally Kazuma when he draws nearer-- just nods at him, distantly acknowledging him-- but he does send a second text...]
My foot's stuck in the rigging and I dont know how to undo the knot. Everyone's watching.
[Kazuma wastes no time getting to his feet when he receives the first text--not because he is worried Yujin may be in any particular trouble, but because responding to the Professor when asked has always been the least he feels he can do. He isn't sure what sort of help he's expecting Yujin needs when he gets there--and he certainly looks whole enough--
--but then he receives the second text, and his expression flattens in disbelief.
He is decorous enough to keep a straight face until he's within range that they can have a quiet conversation, at least.]
[As if to steady his own nerves, he clasps his hands behind his back, not making eye contact with Kazuma and the withering expression that he expects to see. Oops.]
I was only trying to help with a bit of cargo... no one told me these ropes closed on your ankles like snakes.
[Translation: he stepped in the wrong place, and when the ropes tightened-- well.]
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Action; Backdated to the start of the month.
That’s probably more time than he should give, but. Considering the sheer breadth of earth-shattering information they’ve learned, he finds he needs some time to process all that before he can even think about addressing any personal issues…
Okay. No. That makes it sound like he’s coming to speak to Kazuma purely about the lingering strain between them, which he is decidedly not. This is about the orb mission? It's about responsibility and risk. It is not about his confused feelings about Kazuma, nor is it about any sense of hurt or anger he may or may not still be feeling as a result of certain information recently coming to light. Information which completely re-framed the way he looks back on his entire nine month stay in London.
Information… Information that provokes feelings that Ryunosuke hasn’t had much of a chance to process yet. Nor had the two of them had any time to discuss with each other face to face, before Ryunosuke had gone and left the country.
…
This is about the orbs.
Kazuma gets at least a bit of a heads up before Ryunosuke shows up at his room. A quick text message sent ahead:] Are you in? I’m coming over.
[More of a statement than a request. He shows up outside Kazuma's room about 15 minutes later, regardless of his answer.]
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Here and now, though, he has run out of places to hide from Ryunosuke Naruhodo. A conversation is inevitable, and he is not sure whether Ryunosuke taking the initiative sooner than later instills him with dread or--well, no, it's mostly dread, but there is a sense of relief knowing that a reckoning is imminent.
Kazuma doesn't bother responding to Ryunosuke's message, which is also cowardly, but they both know it was little more than a warning. And when Ryunosuke shows up, he doesn't bother acting like he wasn't expecting him. He does at least attempt a wry smile, though it feels wrong on his face, considering he feels a little like a man facing his execution.]
Come in, I guess.
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Ryunosuke nods and slinks into the room as indicated, all the while pushing back against the insidious and familiar anxieties that threaten to well up inside him. Every time he has a slightly awkward interaction like this with his friend, they bubble to the surface...
This is about the orbs.]
Sorry to barge in on such short notice...
[Well. Not really sorry. Actually, he is a bit annoyed that he's the one who had to take the initiative to meet up. And it's not like he hasn't noticed Kazuma pointedly avoiding being alone with him for longer than a few minutes...]
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I'd offer to make tea, but...
[Among other reasons, he still has no idea how to use most of the appliances around here. He isn't sure he could figure out how to boil the water.
And, well. They're best friends, aren't they? They don't need such formalities to break the ice. Or they shouldn't.
They don't. And now that the situation can't be escaped, Kazuma feels inclined to be the one to take the bull by the horns, if it's the only way to be in some semblance of control. He still has to take a small moment to steel himself.]
What was it you wanted to talk about?
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Ryunosuke huffs a noise that's somewhere between a groan and a sigh, closing his eyes a moment.]
Actually, I was hoping we might discuss... Er, rather, I wanted to ask you... Your opinion. About this whole station, I mean. And its mission, now that we have a better idea of what it entails...
[He peers at Kazuma, brow furrowed slightly in unavoidable concern.]
Do you... Actually intend to stay here and participate?
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[Kazuma feels his shoulders deflate almost immediately. He's both relieved and... disappointed, oddly, that this is what Ryunosuke is here to talk about.
Though it's certainly also something worth discussing, and of immediate importance. He shouldn't have been caught by surprise. Further surprising is the realization that he... actually hasn't thought about this at all. Rather, he'd put it to the back of his mind for later processing, almost mechanically, as if he was subconsciously aware that it was a topic that would cause him some stress.
Well, here he is, his procrastination on feeling his feelings coming to bite him in the ass again.]
I... suppose so, yes. I'm under the impression that these orbs are quite dangerous if left alone.
[Which makes helping the morally correct thing to do, if they're capable of providing it. Right?]
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LMAO I didn't even realize I accidentally switched to prose on the last tag
it's all the same thing tbh 🤷
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action (kinda);
This guy is good at like, most things. [Stated as if it were a flaw. Which, in the case of gift giving, it kinda was. Then, Finn smiles:] Except technology. Even I'm less confused than him, so... a book, about that? Kazuma seems like he's a real book-liker. Uh, no offense, pal.
Later...
[This month's supply drop has arrived and with it, a little something special for Kazuma. He'll see a box wrapped in creamy purple paper, a deep red bow, and a small glittery gold tag with 'From Finn' printed on it. The wrapping job is too neat to be from Finn himself, clearly created by the ship's replicator based on his gift request.
Inside the box, he will find a book. The supply drop either had a fun sense of humor or was seeking some lukewarm revenge for their fallen cleaning brethren...]
crimbo....
Kazuma,
I know you didn't really care for these, but I didn't want you to feel left out, either. Perhaps you'll change your mind by the time you have your first Christmas in London?
[When Kazuma pulls open the Christmas cracker, it'll pop open with a bang, of course. Inside it are the usual trinkets-- a few caramel candies, a bright red paper crown, a figurine of a cat and a mouse, and a little slip of paper with a very terrible joke on it. ("What did one ocean say to the other? Nothing, they just waved.") There's also an omamori in there-- meant for attaining success in one's goals.
As for that furoshiki-wrapped box... tucked under the knot is another folded-up note, written in Japanese this time.]
Kazuma, [There's a little spot of ink on the paper here, like the pen hovered over the page for just a bit too long. (This is only a note tucked into a gift. He can't possibly say everything that is yet to be said on a single hasty page.)]
I pray for your safety, health, and happiness this year and every year. Know that I am proud of the man you have become. [No matter what.]
- YM
[The box is made of wood and lined with fabric; inside it is a finely-crafted English pocket watch, polished and gleaming an impeccable silver. Underneath it, however, is an somewhat older-looking pin shaped like a very familiar crest.]
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You know, your mention of it earlier just gave me the most brilliant idea? We should ask if Kokonose-san if he would be willing to make sukiyaki for us, once this mission is over and we're back on the station.
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Oh well, though--it's harmless, ultimately, isn't it? And it's only for a day. Maybe it can even be a kind of game between them, to see how long it takes for Ryunosuke to figure it out. They need something to do on this dreary walk, don't they?
He makes a show of considering the idea, then shakes his head, fighting back a grin.]
I can't say I'd be interested. You know I don't like sukiyaki.
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[He is staring really, really hard at Kazuma's face now, trying to read his expression for some sign that he's... Joking, maybe? Pulling his leg?]
...No. I don't know that, actually.
[That's all he can think to say at first. He squints harder.]
Are you... Feeling alright?
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[He doesn't suppress the grin this time, so Ryunosuke knows he isn't being serious. Come on, partner, can you figure it out?]
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Alright, what... What is this you're doing now? [He squints.] Some sort of... Opposites language or something?
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Action; backdated to the 2nd week of Feb
...Wherever it actually falls in the order, the point is he needs it. Desperately. It's possible some of the med crew might have even been keeping him sedated, largely for his own good, so he doesn't suffer needlessly while the venom works its way out of his system. Bottom line, it really shouldn't be too surprising that he doesn't so much as stir for a good long while.
But, oh, if only he'd known he'd been keeping Kazuma waiting...
When he does come around, it's somewhat gradually. He's flat out on his back, limbs spread out like a starfish, when he finally blinks his eyes open with a soft groan. Will the first thing he sees be the infirmary ceiling...? Or will it be his anxious partner's face?]
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He compromises by hovering anxiously on the edge of his chair, not quite leaning over Ryunosuke but close enough to reach out and touch him if the impulse occurs to him.]
You're awake.
[He opens his mouth to say something else, probably something like How are you feeling?, but thinks better of it. It's a pointless question, really, of course Ryunosuke feels terrible; he's been mauled and poisoned and even with the most advanced of medical treatment he'd still needed to rest for days. And Kazuma had been useless in the face of the entire thing.
There's nothing he can say to encompass all of that, so he simply trails off awkwardly.]
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...Unfortunately, yeah.
[His lips quirk very slightly in an expression of wryness as he says it.]
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How are you feeling?
[It's a stupid question, if he feels anywhere near as awful as he looks. But Kazuma feels like he needs to say something, and it's all that comes to mind.
(Well, that isn't entirely true, but now doesn't seem like the right time to bring it up.)]
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[With most other people, he might try to sugar coat that a bit simply out of courtesy, not wanting to sound like he's fishing for sympathy or attention. Not with Kazuma, though; he gets the unfiltered truth.]
Um. Are YOU alright? I don't... Really remember much of what happened....
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this tag is just the mental equivalent of him sliding to the floor going UUUUGGGHHHHH
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action; during a matter of import
he eventually slips into a bar for a drink (possibly a bar, or just a cafe, or some kind of combination of both, the ad for hard liquor on the window was enough to draw him in), signs of what he's been doing for a living barely a secret with the rough state of his knuckles, full of scrapes, plenty of new scratches upon his cheek and nose.
in the corner of his eye, as he steps towards the counter, he spots a familiar face, a fellow orber doing his own best to blend into society here, no doubt. he nearly snickers at the contrasting appearance between the two of them, clearly at odds with their choice of undercover occupations. ]
You look clean. [ he mutters below his breath, not quite looking kazuma's way, even if there's no doubt the comment is for him. ]
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Well, he might as well strike up a conversation with someone he knows won't try to pick a fight, as long as he's here. Kazuma manages to make it look coincidental enough when he slides into the seat next to Kovacs, as if the man had no impact whatsoever on Kazuma's sudden decision to sit at the bar.
Nobody's really looking at them, but he keeps his voice quiet anyway.]
Am I that obvious?
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this, however, this body he's been stuck in for well over a year now, the body of one elias ryker, had a way of drawing too much attention, too tall and bulky to blend properly into the shadows, with a face that had a way of making even the most peaceful personalities want to punch it. if he was ever hopping not to draw eyes, he'd be out of luck, which is why he doesn't really bother trying. ]
Must be the clothes. [ he mutters, like it's half a joke, half advice.
before he's even had a chance to order a drink, he's digging out his carton of cigarettes from his jacket pocket, slipping one between his lips with a movement as natural as muscle memory before he holds out the box in offering to kazuma, in case there's any interest in taking on. ]
You could throw yourself on the ground for a bit. Roll around in the dirt. Matches up the formal attire around here better.
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At the joke, he smirks in acknowledgment. It's true, Kazuma's attire does tend toward the pristine, which likely isn't doing him any favors down here. Sue him for vanity. At least the bartender is still willing to serve him drinks, for all that she keeps sending suspicious glances their way. (Which is a little unfair, in Kazuma's opinion. There's certainly a mundane explanation for why an apprentice prosecutor and a bounty hunter would be meeting up in an underworld bar. People skip bail all the time.)]
I'll make sure to do my due diligence next time. [The bartender finally wanders out of earshot, and Kazuma releases a sigh.] Perhaps I should take it as a sign and cut my losses. I don't suppose you've had any better luck?
text/action... hhial mission
Kazuma-kun, I think I might need your help. Could you come onto the deck when you get the chance?
[--after which, he'll find the good professor near one of the ship's masts, standing at attention as he inconspicuously keeps a watch. Other sailors bustle around, hard at their daily upkeep of the great vessel in the sky they have all boarded.
Yujin doesn't verbally Kazuma when he draws nearer-- just nods at him, distantly acknowledging him-- but he does send a second text...]
My foot's stuck in the rigging and I dont know how to undo the knot. Everyone's watching.
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--but then he receives the second text, and his expression flattens in disbelief.
He is decorous enough to keep a straight face until he's within range that they can have a quiet conversation, at least.]
...How on earth did this happen, Professor?
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I've only been on steamships before.
[As if to steady his own nerves, he clasps his hands behind his back, not making eye contact with Kazuma and the withering expression that he expects to see. Oops.]
I was only trying to help with a bit of cargo... no one told me these ropes closed on your ankles like snakes.
[Translation: he stepped in the wrong place, and when the ropes tightened-- well.]