scene xvii

[decadenzas]

[they say hindsight is 20/20 and now that he can look back on it, he sees that letting his guard down was a big mistake. a lot of good that does him now that Diva’s already been droned, which takes the situation from his hands entirely.

at least there’s the hope that it will be a short one; he’s not willing to accept that it might be permanent

Comments

C!

[vertulpen]

[Bike riding. Whether it was to relieve some boredom, escape from his drone wife for a bit, or just to gather his thoughts Netherlands enjoyed riding the bike he'd found in the garage. He'd taken some care to get it in good shape, even attaching some nice little reflectors to the front and back to make it safer in the evenings. Netherlands rode it to work, he rode it home, and more often than not he'd ride it in the afternoons or evenings to wherever he needed to go, and sometimes just because. He met more people when he rode the bike, and he'd need to do that if he ever wanted to get out of this place -- and he did very much.

So he'll just be cutting through the park at a medium-speed.]

[decadenzas]

[it's not uncommon to see drones in the park at night, but the bike catches his attention and he leans forward in his seat a bit. it would certainly be a little more entertaining to chase down a bike than someone on foot, but at the last minute he decides against it and sinks back into a more comfortable position. as soon as Netherlands gets within earshot, however, he cups a hand round his mouth and calls out.]

You there!

[vertulpen]

[. . . there was someone in the park? Probably not a drone; many tended to be inside once it got dark, and they didn't usually go out of their way to talk to strangers. The last time he stopped his bike in the dark he regretted it, but he'll slow enough to set his foot on the ground, not quite getting off.]

. . . Hallo?

[ooc: Incidentally, anything is fine.]

[decadenzas]

[he'll probably wind up regretting it this time, too. charles has already noticed a distinct lack of drone qualities in this one, and the regular citizens have much nicer blood.]

Ah, pardon, I mistook you for someone I know. [not at all, really, but innocent conversation starters are always good for lowering guards]

[vertulpen]

Ah, goede nacht.

[Well if that were all it was. He sets his foot back on the pedal, pushing off the path. He's still a bit away, not really noticing the trail or the other's clothing.]

[decadenzas]

Good night.

[about three seconds later the back tire of his bike will suffer quite a loud puncture. must be some glass on the sidewalk, right?

he's still sitting on the bench should Netherlands look over, swinging his legs so the soles of his boots scuff against the ground, hands folded neatly in his lap.]

man sorry so much tag fail.

[vertulpen]

[He winces a little as the bike gives a hard bump, braking to a stop. Crouching down, he examines the tire once the bike is laid down on the grass.]

Verdomme. All the way through. . .

[He wasn't anywhere near Mitchell Road, either. With a sigh, Netherlands picks up the bike, glancing around for what could have punctured it.]

haha no worries ;u;

[decadenzas]

[the ground itself seems completely clear of debris save a few pebbles dragged over by drone kids from the playground - certainly not enough to burst a tire. he may notice a few wet patches on the ground, however.

after a moment, Charles calls out again.] Are you quite all right?

/o/

[vertulpen]

It's only the tire.

[He gives the back of his head a slight scratch. Odd. There must have been something there he was missing; the inklings of a suspicion about the person on the bench formed in his mind, but he really didn't see any way he could be responsible.]

[ooc: How old does Charles look?]

[decadenzas]

[he leans forward on the bench, peering at the bike from his seat with a look of mild curiosity. there's something that's just a tiny bit off about it, though, something that seems just a little too close to an actor hamming it up on stage and not someone who's actually concerned.]

How unfortunate. Do you live nearby?

[ooc; about twelve!]

[vertulpen]

[He edged closer, just to see the boy better. He didn't talk like. . . well, like a boy. Like somebody Lucas' age, and from what he could see he looked around the same age. 'How unfortunate'? Sure. With the people around here, it's probably best he let this one alone for the time being, especially now with his bike unrideable. It felt odd to be uneasy from a child, but he'd met enough odd beings in Mayfield by now that he knew better.

]

Ja, not far at all. Thanks.

[Just starting to walk away with the bike now.]

[decadenzas]

[oh, that simply won't do. he is such a concerned citizen, don't you know? it would just be irresponsible to leave someone stranded without proper transport in the middle of the park.

despite the distance between Netherlands and the bench he had been sitting on, he's suddenly right beside the bike.] It would be rude of me to allow you to continue home by yourself at this hour.

[vertulpen]

[Of course he starts, stopping in his tracks. Was this kid one of those super heroes? Like the girl who teleported his sofa into his house? ]

How did you do that?

[He decides to ask right away, as he often does.]

[decadenzas]

Ah, it's just something I've earned back from being here for so long. [it's a subtle dodge of the question and after answering it he smiles, gently resting a hand on the front of the bike]

Allow me to assist you.

[vertulpen]

[Staring, staring and . . . don't touch his bike. He's just going to move it a bit to the side and start walking again. . .long strides moving faster. . .]

Really, I'm fine.

[decadenzas]

[internally laughing so hard right now so hard but he somehow manages to keep it internal and tags along anyway]

Are you certain? There isn't a need to be in such a rush, you know.