[Log] Rangiku Matsumoto, Toushirou Hitsugaya
Title: Pleasure's All Mine, Really
Characters: Rangiku Matsumoto (some_scribbles) and Toushirou Hitsugaya (kellenanne)
Timeline: April 7, 1948
Rating: PG
Summary: All Toushirou needed was a table. Maybe directions, too. Perhaps even rescued from himself. Rangiku was more than happy to provide.
Who needed furniture? Toushirou was sure - absolutely sure - that getting furniture was just overkill. He should have had some of Granny's furniture shipped from Erie, but it just didn't seem practical at the time. The more time Toushirou spent shopping, though, the less he was seeing logic in leaving all that at Granny's old house.
The man who'd been "helping" him was, to say the least, unpleasant. Toushirou had spent most his time arguing over something: no, he didn't need anything but the table. No, he really didn't need that nicer table with the decorative embellishments. Yes, he was sure. No, he did not...
Well, wait. Yes, he did need delivery. Damn it. He knew he should have written down his new address. The man laughed at his lapse and Toushirou ended up gritting his teeth against the next string of comments about his height and (apparent) young age. Oh, and something about his hair, too. That was new.
"Would love to just pay for it now," Toushirou finally said, speaking over the man.
The man frowned - apparently he wasn't a fan of being interrupted - and then gave Toushirou the price.
Toushirou frowned this time; that was more than he'd thought it would be, but there wasn't much he could do about it. He didn't know a thing about this town, didn't feel much like arguing, and wanted out of this damned store. He pulled out his wallet and, while pulling out the cash he needed, spoke. He hated having to ask this man especially but he'd be hopelessly lost if he didn't try. "How do I get to the nearest subway stop from here?" He'd gotten completely turned around somewhere between stepping out of his apartment and stepping onto the street.
God, what the hell had possessed him to move to this crazy city?
The man nodded. "Oh, yeah, that's easy." He launched into a series of directions that had Toushirou wishing he'd brought a pen and paper along with him.
Dear God, how many lefts?
He blinked. "Right." Or left. Or something. He'd follow it to the best of his ability. He might find something worthwhile before the night was out.
Maybe.
Days off were made for shopping. And Rangiku was on a mission to find the perfect wind chimes to hang over the window. The City was beautiful in the spring, and she kept her apartment windows open as much as she could. A wind chime would be perfect, if she could just find the right one. So she was searching through some of the bigger shops before making her way into the ones in Chinatown.
As she browsed she couldn't help overhearing one of the salesmen trying to pull a grift on some rube. From what she could tell, it was working. Rangiku started walking around one of the shelves, unconsciously trying to get a closer look.
She glanced over out of the corner of her eye. The salesman was failing to conceal his bald spot with too much pomade and was cracking on the kid's hair.
Was it a kid? The boy's voice had sounded young, if overly serious and irritated. But his hair was so blonde it might as well be white, and it was sticking up in a way that only the very old or very young would be able to pull off. She had to get a closer look.
Rangiku craned her neck to confirm--yup, that was a kid all right. A kid who was asking for directions. Her eyes narrowed as she listened to the route the clerk described. That wasn't the way to the nearest subway. In fact, if the kid managed to follow them, he would find his way in a very nasty little alley.
"Hey! That's not the way you're supposed to treat a customer!"
That was one hell of a loud voice and Toushirou figured he could be excused for jumping out of his skin for it. He started, eyes going wide and noting with grim satisfaction in the midst of all of it that the bald man looked just as startled as he was. His wallet slipped from his fingers and that was enough to bring him back to his senses. Shouldn't go dropping his wallet; God, what kind of detective was he?
He picked up the wallet, sighing and turning to face his unexpected benefactor.
Oh... well... Oh. Now that, or eh those, were... big. He shook his head once; goddamn it, why was he at eye level to all that? His wallet slipped from his fingers again - yes, he was stupid - and he stumbled forward to catch it.
Stumbled forward just enough to, when he finally regained his balance, realized that he was putting his nose right where it did not need to be. His nose did not need to be planted into... those, but that's right where it went.
Oh, well. Maybe if he suffocated he wouldn't have to face an indignity from all this later.
Rangiku blinked and glanced down at the kid who had somehow managed to nestle his face right between her breasts. Well, that was unexpected. Were the tips of his ears turning red? That was too cute. Funny, he was staying there but he didn’t seem like he was enjoying himself (which was a good thing for him, because if he had tried anything she might have to hurt him, but since he just seemed uncomfortable--cute).
She turned her attention back to the clerk, who was looking at the kid with a mixture of disgust and envy. “You think you can scam him just ‘cause he’s a little kid? I didn’t think this store was such a disreputable establishment.”
The clerk sputtered, “I don’t know what you mean, ma’am.”
Rangiku reached over the kid’s head, really was he trying to suffocate down there?, to poke the clerk in the chest, “That table is worth less than half of the price you quoted to him.”
“That table is made of the highest quality-“
Her eyes narrowed, “And let’s not even get in to the ‘directions’ you were giving him.”
He heard every word she said - boobs were apparently not the greatest of earplugs - and instantly bristled. A little kid? Sure, he was short and young-looking, but he was not a child, damn it. He got enough grief for that! He did not need some broad assuming he was that young before she'd even met him.
It did not bode well for him, if this was how the average person was going to see him. He'd never get respect. Might as well turn in his shield and join a circus.
He flailed a little and finally found purchase for his hands on her arms - God, he hoped he was shoving against her arms. He pulled back, almost fancying he heard a "pop" as those monstrous things let him go, and glared up at her. "I am not a child." He wasn't, despite the tips of his ears were turning red. Being buried by... those... would do that to anyone and so what if he didn't know current furniture prices?
He stilled, though, and blinked as the rest of what had been said registered. "Wait. What directions?"
Rangiku blinked at the face which had appeared in front of her. He was right, he didn’t look as much of a little kid now that she saw his face. She made him for around 18. His brows were pulled together in a fierce glare and he was scowling at her.
Of course, the scowl didn’t really help him look any older, as his lips were a little too full for the affect and it made them pucker so it looked like he was pouting. But he probably thought he looked very, very serious indeed. So cute!
Ran had a feeling he wouldn’t appreciate it if she reached out and ruffled his-white? Yes, it was well and truly white-hair. So she just smiled at him and slung a companionable arm around his shoulders, spinning him so that they both faced the clerk.
“Our kind salesman Bob here-“ Rangiku started.
“Actually, my name’s not Bob-“ the clerk fiddled with a nametag which clearly read ‘Stanley.’
“Bob seems to be a bit confused. I clearly heard you asking for the next subway stop. He must be having a very bad day, first picking up the wrong name tag, then getting the prices mixed up on this table, and then getting confused enough to mix up directions to the subway. Would you believe, poor Bob was about to send you down a very nasty alley? I’d hate to think of what would happen to someone going into that neighborhood alone. And just think of what it would do to the reputation of this store if word got out about Bob’s honest mistake. That would be just horrible, don’t you agree, Bob?”
The clerk gulped.
This... woman... was very lucky that Stanley - or Bob to those would couldn't read nametags - started looking nervous at her accusations. (That, and he was too busy beating himself up over being so gullible to blame her for anything.)
Toushirou turned his scowl from the woman to Stanley-Bob, his expression darkening with every word the woman said. Even if he was one hell of a stupid man for falling for it, he could at least try to rectify the situation.
Or scare the damn clerk into never doing it again.
He pulled out his badge, shrugging her arm from his shoulders in the process, and took the two steps forward to the counter. Without a word, he slammed the shield down, stepped back, crossed his arms and glared for all he was worth.
The clerk looked positively faint.
Rangiku was extremely proud of herself for not bursting out laughing at the way Bob paled when the kid slammed his badge down on the counter. Oh, this was too good. The rube was a cop. If she had anything to say about it, Bob would be giving that table away.
The kid’s scowl had turned into a full-on glare, his brows furrowed and lips compressed into a thin line…by the lines on his forehead it looked like he did that a lot. What a serious habit for such a short bird.
He probably thought he looked intimidating. Ran still thought it was cute. But Bob didn’t seem to be having a similar experience. The badge and the stare and the silence were proving too much for him, and he was starting to babble wild excuses. What a dumb mug.
The kid was still glaring, seemingly getting more irritated with each word Bob said. Understandable, really. Bob was rather irritating.
“There, there, Bob. We understand, it was just a very bad day. And it seems like the officer over here really just wanted to pay for his table and leave. Why don’t you go take very good care of that, or do we have to call the manager over and speak with him as well?”
Stanley-Bob kept babbling, right up until the broad cut him off and started babbling herself. Toushirou rolled his eyes. Great; he would be rescued - and he hated thinking that; he did not need rescued - and then get his ear talked off. She wasn't even talking to him and it was irritating. (Even if it was on his behalf. That probably made it all the more irritating.)
He waved his hand. "Just get the table... Bob." Why argue with precedent? He was now Bob, whatever his nametag said. Toushirou would be unable to ever think of him as Stanley now. "Delivered at no charge, if you want me to forget anything."
Bob nodded once and was around the counter like a shot, murmuring some such thing about lowered prices and managers not being necessary. Toushirou only shook his head and glared as Bob left. Without a word, he stuffed his shield back into his pocket.
Damn thing came in useful once in awhile.
Rangiku couldn’t help but grin when she heard Mr. Short and Serious call the clerk Bob. She didn’t think he had it in him. She couldn’t help but be slightly disappointed that he had settled for a discount and free delivery, but if he wanted to pay for the table after the way he’d been treated, that was his business.
Now that they had been left alone, she waited a moment for him to say something. When he just maintained his stony glare, Rangiku realized that she could walk out of the store right now and he probably wouldn’t even look at her. His pride was probably hurt. The way he had slammed that badge down on to the counter and then carefully tucked it away told her his authority meant something to him-even if the glare and the scowl and the pout (so cute) weren’t hint enough.
That didn’t excuse his rudeness, but Rangiku could understand it. In fact, her eyes narrowed slightly, there was probably even something she could do about it. It wouldn’t do to have one of the city’s finest wandering around it without a clue.
So Ran stuck out a hand and gave him a friendly smile, “Rangiku Matsumoto.”
Toushirou turned his glare from the clerk only find the woman smiling. He barely suppressed a wince at her grinning face.
Here it came. He'd never get out of here alive, much less with his anonymity and dignity intact. She stuck out her hand and introduced himself and he sighed. He couldn't be overly rude to the woman; Granny would have had his head if he was ever brusque with someone who'd just rescued him.
Perhaps he could at least keep a little of his dignity. "Captain Toushirou Hitsugaya," he said and, after a moment's hesitation, took her hand.
Rangiku’s eyebrows shot up. A captain, huh? The kid must be older than she had thought…or else the NYPD was getting really, really desperate.
She gave his hand a firm, business-like shake before dropping it to put both hands on her hips and slowly eyed him up. He didn’t look stupid, and he obviously took himself very seriously. It would be interesting to find out what her boys knew about him, and another connection in the police department couldn’t hurt. Besides…she really hated to see a kid walk around like such an easy mark. And showing the kid the ropes promised to be…entertaining at the very least. If he took her up on her offer.
Bob returned with a receipt. “He-here you see the discounted price of the table for police officers, and if you’ll just sign here for delivery, we can get this all taken care of.”
Ran leaned her elbows on the counter and regarded Bob with an evil smile, “I didn’t know this store had regular discounts for police officers. I’ve got a couple of friends who’ll be very glad to hear that. Yumi’s been looking for a new lamp.”
Bob paled.
Rangiku’s smile grew. If she couldn’t get the kid a free table, she could at least get Yumi a discount on something. It would serve the man right to lose some commission.
“I’ll make sure to tell them to ask for you.”
Toushirou took the receipt and eyed it critically before signing anything. He could safely say he learned his lesson this one; "Bob" here wasn't exactly an honest sort and he was definitely taking a look at that receipt before agreeing to anything.
And he definitely did not smirk at the overheard "conversation". The woman - Rangiku - definitely knew how to work an angle, he could certainly give her that. He signed the receipt quickly once he'd determined it was all on the level. Waiting around for any more blows to his dignity wasn't an option. He handed the signed receipt to "Bob" and gave him a look that set most people to cowering. The clerk wasn't an exception. He started babbling something about getting it delivered right away, definitely right away, sir!
Toushirou grunted in acknowledgment - he'd be checking on the delivery very, very soon - and left the shop, nodding towards the woman on his way out. (As much as he hated to admit it, she had saved his ass.)
His business was done. He was not sticking around any longer; his dignity had been pricked enough for one day.
Rangiku blinked. That was it? He was leaving? And just exactly where did he think he was going? Was he going to ask some random stranger on the street for directions, or did he pull the answer out of the air somehow?
With a cheerful wave at Bob, Rangiku turned to follow the captain out. He was standing in front of the store. She came up right behind him before speaking. “So! Captain Toushirou Hitsugaya! Did you figure out which way to nearest subway? Or were you planning on wandering the streets, looking for someone to help you, and completely ignoring a potential source? That’s hardly good policy. You gonna run all your investigations this way?”
He was glad he wasn't holding anything. He might have dropped it when he most definitely did not jump or start. That was the last thing he needed, really. He turned slowly - after taking a few seconds to compose himself - and raised an eyebrow.
Were all broads in this city as crazy as her or had he managed to run into someone special? He leaned toward special, since that would be just his luck. "How I run an investigation is none of your business." At least he hoped it wasn't; he hadn't seen her around the precinct and he might have remembered if someone mentioned a woman with assets like hers was his boss.
Oh, God... That was the scariest thought he'd had in awhile. Almost as frightening as... as not knowing where the subway was. He sighed. Fine. "So where's the nearest subway, Rangiku Matsumoto?"
“You remembered my name! I’m impressed,” Ran said. “Got to work on your interrogation techniques though, Captain.”
She crossed her arms and met his faint glare with a stare of her own. “I’ll tell you what, it’s your lucky day! I happen to have the afternoon free. The Big Apple’s my old stomping ground, and I’d like to see that she’s taken care of by police officers who actually know where they’re going. If you think you can keep up, I’d be happy to show you around.”
He raised an eyebrow, refused to cross his own arms, and appraised her with a critical eye: she seemed honest enough, after that debacle with "Bob" and her demeanor was open and friendly.
Too friendly? He narrowed his eyes. No. Not overly friendly. Just... honest. Very straightforward, this woman was. He could appreciate that.
He could also appreciate someone who knew where they were. Damn it, but following her around could be useful. He did owe her something; she had rescued him from his own incompetency. "You think I can't keep up?"
This tour had better end at a subway station.
Ooo, feisty. It was good to see that the kid had some life in him. It was starting to look like this would be fun after all. Plus, she liked the honest way he rose to the challenge. It made for a nice change to know exactly what you were getting.
She could get to like this kid.
“I dunno,” Ran grinned. “You are awfully short for a Captain. But you seem smart enough once you get going. I think you’ll be all right, if I go slow. I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine once you get the hang of it.”
He bit back his first response - height had nothing to do with landing his position - but he knew that would just come out defensive. He did not need to start with defensive. He'd already shown her he could be damned stupid. Adding defensive to his list of crimes would not do.
He waved his hand, gesturing toward the street and the city in general. "Lead the way then." He paused. "I'll try not to slow you down."
This could either be a good thing... or something he'd regret very, very much before too long.
Rangiku bit off a laugh at his response. She had a feeling the kid-Toushirou Hitsugaya, NYPD Captain, would not appreciate it. And she was glad he had said yes. Maybe if she was lucky, she’d be able to pick up some wind chimes on the way! Shopping was so much more fun with two people…
She turned and started walking towards Chinatown. “The first thing you need to know is that the city has its own beat. A lot of people compare cities to women-and maybe New Orleans is like a woman, but New York City? It might be easy to call it her, because it sounds better, but really, it’s like a man. Tough skinned, cranky, and suspicious. But once you get to know him, well, I think the two of you will get along fine.”
Rangiku paused for a beat, and then continued, “Now, the first thing you need to know about the layout is that it was really designed to be simple. It’s all straight streets and parallels, except for by Washington Square, but we don’t need to get into that yet. Traffic is going to be a big clue, because a lot of it runs one way. Even numbered streets flow east, ‘e’ is for ‘even,’ see, and so you can use that to figure out which way you’re going…”
Characters: Rangiku Matsumoto (some_scribbles) and Toushirou Hitsugaya (kellenanne)
Timeline: April 7, 1948
Rating: PG
Summary: All Toushirou needed was a table. Maybe directions, too. Perhaps even rescued from himself. Rangiku was more than happy to provide.
Who needed furniture? Toushirou was sure - absolutely sure - that getting furniture was just overkill. He should have had some of Granny's furniture shipped from Erie, but it just didn't seem practical at the time. The more time Toushirou spent shopping, though, the less he was seeing logic in leaving all that at Granny's old house.
The man who'd been "helping" him was, to say the least, unpleasant. Toushirou had spent most his time arguing over something: no, he didn't need anything but the table. No, he really didn't need that nicer table with the decorative embellishments. Yes, he was sure. No, he did not...
Well, wait. Yes, he did need delivery. Damn it. He knew he should have written down his new address. The man laughed at his lapse and Toushirou ended up gritting his teeth against the next string of comments about his height and (apparent) young age. Oh, and something about his hair, too. That was new.
"Would love to just pay for it now," Toushirou finally said, speaking over the man.
The man frowned - apparently he wasn't a fan of being interrupted - and then gave Toushirou the price.
Toushirou frowned this time; that was more than he'd thought it would be, but there wasn't much he could do about it. He didn't know a thing about this town, didn't feel much like arguing, and wanted out of this damned store. He pulled out his wallet and, while pulling out the cash he needed, spoke. He hated having to ask this man especially but he'd be hopelessly lost if he didn't try. "How do I get to the nearest subway stop from here?" He'd gotten completely turned around somewhere between stepping out of his apartment and stepping onto the street.
God, what the hell had possessed him to move to this crazy city?
The man nodded. "Oh, yeah, that's easy." He launched into a series of directions that had Toushirou wishing he'd brought a pen and paper along with him.
Dear God, how many lefts?
He blinked. "Right." Or left. Or something. He'd follow it to the best of his ability. He might find something worthwhile before the night was out.
Maybe.
Days off were made for shopping. And Rangiku was on a mission to find the perfect wind chimes to hang over the window. The City was beautiful in the spring, and she kept her apartment windows open as much as she could. A wind chime would be perfect, if she could just find the right one. So she was searching through some of the bigger shops before making her way into the ones in Chinatown.
As she browsed she couldn't help overhearing one of the salesmen trying to pull a grift on some rube. From what she could tell, it was working. Rangiku started walking around one of the shelves, unconsciously trying to get a closer look.
She glanced over out of the corner of her eye. The salesman was failing to conceal his bald spot with too much pomade and was cracking on the kid's hair.
Was it a kid? The boy's voice had sounded young, if overly serious and irritated. But his hair was so blonde it might as well be white, and it was sticking up in a way that only the very old or very young would be able to pull off. She had to get a closer look.
Rangiku craned her neck to confirm--yup, that was a kid all right. A kid who was asking for directions. Her eyes narrowed as she listened to the route the clerk described. That wasn't the way to the nearest subway. In fact, if the kid managed to follow them, he would find his way in a very nasty little alley.
"Hey! That's not the way you're supposed to treat a customer!"
That was one hell of a loud voice and Toushirou figured he could be excused for jumping out of his skin for it. He started, eyes going wide and noting with grim satisfaction in the midst of all of it that the bald man looked just as startled as he was. His wallet slipped from his fingers and that was enough to bring him back to his senses. Shouldn't go dropping his wallet; God, what kind of detective was he?
He picked up the wallet, sighing and turning to face his unexpected benefactor.
Oh... well... Oh. Now that, or eh those, were... big. He shook his head once; goddamn it, why was he at eye level to all that? His wallet slipped from his fingers again - yes, he was stupid - and he stumbled forward to catch it.
Stumbled forward just enough to, when he finally regained his balance, realized that he was putting his nose right where it did not need to be. His nose did not need to be planted into... those, but that's right where it went.
Oh, well. Maybe if he suffocated he wouldn't have to face an indignity from all this later.
Rangiku blinked and glanced down at the kid who had somehow managed to nestle his face right between her breasts. Well, that was unexpected. Were the tips of his ears turning red? That was too cute. Funny, he was staying there but he didn’t seem like he was enjoying himself (which was a good thing for him, because if he had tried anything she might have to hurt him, but since he just seemed uncomfortable--cute).
She turned her attention back to the clerk, who was looking at the kid with a mixture of disgust and envy. “You think you can scam him just ‘cause he’s a little kid? I didn’t think this store was such a disreputable establishment.”
The clerk sputtered, “I don’t know what you mean, ma’am.”
Rangiku reached over the kid’s head, really was he trying to suffocate down there?, to poke the clerk in the chest, “That table is worth less than half of the price you quoted to him.”
“That table is made of the highest quality-“
Her eyes narrowed, “And let’s not even get in to the ‘directions’ you were giving him.”
He heard every word she said - boobs were apparently not the greatest of earplugs - and instantly bristled. A little kid? Sure, he was short and young-looking, but he was not a child, damn it. He got enough grief for that! He did not need some broad assuming he was that young before she'd even met him.
It did not bode well for him, if this was how the average person was going to see him. He'd never get respect. Might as well turn in his shield and join a circus.
He flailed a little and finally found purchase for his hands on her arms - God, he hoped he was shoving against her arms. He pulled back, almost fancying he heard a "pop" as those monstrous things let him go, and glared up at her. "I am not a child." He wasn't, despite the tips of his ears were turning red. Being buried by... those... would do that to anyone and so what if he didn't know current furniture prices?
He stilled, though, and blinked as the rest of what had been said registered. "Wait. What directions?"
Rangiku blinked at the face which had appeared in front of her. He was right, he didn’t look as much of a little kid now that she saw his face. She made him for around 18. His brows were pulled together in a fierce glare and he was scowling at her.
Of course, the scowl didn’t really help him look any older, as his lips were a little too full for the affect and it made them pucker so it looked like he was pouting. But he probably thought he looked very, very serious indeed. So cute!
Ran had a feeling he wouldn’t appreciate it if she reached out and ruffled his-white? Yes, it was well and truly white-hair. So she just smiled at him and slung a companionable arm around his shoulders, spinning him so that they both faced the clerk.
“Our kind salesman Bob here-“ Rangiku started.
“Actually, my name’s not Bob-“ the clerk fiddled with a nametag which clearly read ‘Stanley.’
“Bob seems to be a bit confused. I clearly heard you asking for the next subway stop. He must be having a very bad day, first picking up the wrong name tag, then getting the prices mixed up on this table, and then getting confused enough to mix up directions to the subway. Would you believe, poor Bob was about to send you down a very nasty alley? I’d hate to think of what would happen to someone going into that neighborhood alone. And just think of what it would do to the reputation of this store if word got out about Bob’s honest mistake. That would be just horrible, don’t you agree, Bob?”
The clerk gulped.
This... woman... was very lucky that Stanley - or Bob to those would couldn't read nametags - started looking nervous at her accusations. (That, and he was too busy beating himself up over being so gullible to blame her for anything.)
Toushirou turned his scowl from the woman to Stanley-Bob, his expression darkening with every word the woman said. Even if he was one hell of a stupid man for falling for it, he could at least try to rectify the situation.
Or scare the damn clerk into never doing it again.
He pulled out his badge, shrugging her arm from his shoulders in the process, and took the two steps forward to the counter. Without a word, he slammed the shield down, stepped back, crossed his arms and glared for all he was worth.
The clerk looked positively faint.
Rangiku was extremely proud of herself for not bursting out laughing at the way Bob paled when the kid slammed his badge down on the counter. Oh, this was too good. The rube was a cop. If she had anything to say about it, Bob would be giving that table away.
The kid’s scowl had turned into a full-on glare, his brows furrowed and lips compressed into a thin line…by the lines on his forehead it looked like he did that a lot. What a serious habit for such a short bird.
He probably thought he looked intimidating. Ran still thought it was cute. But Bob didn’t seem to be having a similar experience. The badge and the stare and the silence were proving too much for him, and he was starting to babble wild excuses. What a dumb mug.
The kid was still glaring, seemingly getting more irritated with each word Bob said. Understandable, really. Bob was rather irritating.
“There, there, Bob. We understand, it was just a very bad day. And it seems like the officer over here really just wanted to pay for his table and leave. Why don’t you go take very good care of that, or do we have to call the manager over and speak with him as well?”
Stanley-Bob kept babbling, right up until the broad cut him off and started babbling herself. Toushirou rolled his eyes. Great; he would be rescued - and he hated thinking that; he did not need rescued - and then get his ear talked off. She wasn't even talking to him and it was irritating. (Even if it was on his behalf. That probably made it all the more irritating.)
He waved his hand. "Just get the table... Bob." Why argue with precedent? He was now Bob, whatever his nametag said. Toushirou would be unable to ever think of him as Stanley now. "Delivered at no charge, if you want me to forget anything."
Bob nodded once and was around the counter like a shot, murmuring some such thing about lowered prices and managers not being necessary. Toushirou only shook his head and glared as Bob left. Without a word, he stuffed his shield back into his pocket.
Damn thing came in useful once in awhile.
Rangiku couldn’t help but grin when she heard Mr. Short and Serious call the clerk Bob. She didn’t think he had it in him. She couldn’t help but be slightly disappointed that he had settled for a discount and free delivery, but if he wanted to pay for the table after the way he’d been treated, that was his business.
Now that they had been left alone, she waited a moment for him to say something. When he just maintained his stony glare, Rangiku realized that she could walk out of the store right now and he probably wouldn’t even look at her. His pride was probably hurt. The way he had slammed that badge down on to the counter and then carefully tucked it away told her his authority meant something to him-even if the glare and the scowl and the pout (so cute) weren’t hint enough.
That didn’t excuse his rudeness, but Rangiku could understand it. In fact, her eyes narrowed slightly, there was probably even something she could do about it. It wouldn’t do to have one of the city’s finest wandering around it without a clue.
So Ran stuck out a hand and gave him a friendly smile, “Rangiku Matsumoto.”
Toushirou turned his glare from the clerk only find the woman smiling. He barely suppressed a wince at her grinning face.
Here it came. He'd never get out of here alive, much less with his anonymity and dignity intact. She stuck out her hand and introduced himself and he sighed. He couldn't be overly rude to the woman; Granny would have had his head if he was ever brusque with someone who'd just rescued him.
Perhaps he could at least keep a little of his dignity. "Captain Toushirou Hitsugaya," he said and, after a moment's hesitation, took her hand.
Rangiku’s eyebrows shot up. A captain, huh? The kid must be older than she had thought…or else the NYPD was getting really, really desperate.
She gave his hand a firm, business-like shake before dropping it to put both hands on her hips and slowly eyed him up. He didn’t look stupid, and he obviously took himself very seriously. It would be interesting to find out what her boys knew about him, and another connection in the police department couldn’t hurt. Besides…she really hated to see a kid walk around like such an easy mark. And showing the kid the ropes promised to be…entertaining at the very least. If he took her up on her offer.
Bob returned with a receipt. “He-here you see the discounted price of the table for police officers, and if you’ll just sign here for delivery, we can get this all taken care of.”
Ran leaned her elbows on the counter and regarded Bob with an evil smile, “I didn’t know this store had regular discounts for police officers. I’ve got a couple of friends who’ll be very glad to hear that. Yumi’s been looking for a new lamp.”
Bob paled.
Rangiku’s smile grew. If she couldn’t get the kid a free table, she could at least get Yumi a discount on something. It would serve the man right to lose some commission.
“I’ll make sure to tell them to ask for you.”
Toushirou took the receipt and eyed it critically before signing anything. He could safely say he learned his lesson this one; "Bob" here wasn't exactly an honest sort and he was definitely taking a look at that receipt before agreeing to anything.
And he definitely did not smirk at the overheard "conversation". The woman - Rangiku - definitely knew how to work an angle, he could certainly give her that. He signed the receipt quickly once he'd determined it was all on the level. Waiting around for any more blows to his dignity wasn't an option. He handed the signed receipt to "Bob" and gave him a look that set most people to cowering. The clerk wasn't an exception. He started babbling something about getting it delivered right away, definitely right away, sir!
Toushirou grunted in acknowledgment - he'd be checking on the delivery very, very soon - and left the shop, nodding towards the woman on his way out. (As much as he hated to admit it, she had saved his ass.)
His business was done. He was not sticking around any longer; his dignity had been pricked enough for one day.
Rangiku blinked. That was it? He was leaving? And just exactly where did he think he was going? Was he going to ask some random stranger on the street for directions, or did he pull the answer out of the air somehow?
With a cheerful wave at Bob, Rangiku turned to follow the captain out. He was standing in front of the store. She came up right behind him before speaking. “So! Captain Toushirou Hitsugaya! Did you figure out which way to nearest subway? Or were you planning on wandering the streets, looking for someone to help you, and completely ignoring a potential source? That’s hardly good policy. You gonna run all your investigations this way?”
He was glad he wasn't holding anything. He might have dropped it when he most definitely did not jump or start. That was the last thing he needed, really. He turned slowly - after taking a few seconds to compose himself - and raised an eyebrow.
Were all broads in this city as crazy as her or had he managed to run into someone special? He leaned toward special, since that would be just his luck. "How I run an investigation is none of your business." At least he hoped it wasn't; he hadn't seen her around the precinct and he might have remembered if someone mentioned a woman with assets like hers was his boss.
Oh, God... That was the scariest thought he'd had in awhile. Almost as frightening as... as not knowing where the subway was. He sighed. Fine. "So where's the nearest subway, Rangiku Matsumoto?"
“You remembered my name! I’m impressed,” Ran said. “Got to work on your interrogation techniques though, Captain.”
She crossed her arms and met his faint glare with a stare of her own. “I’ll tell you what, it’s your lucky day! I happen to have the afternoon free. The Big Apple’s my old stomping ground, and I’d like to see that she’s taken care of by police officers who actually know where they’re going. If you think you can keep up, I’d be happy to show you around.”
He raised an eyebrow, refused to cross his own arms, and appraised her with a critical eye: she seemed honest enough, after that debacle with "Bob" and her demeanor was open and friendly.
Too friendly? He narrowed his eyes. No. Not overly friendly. Just... honest. Very straightforward, this woman was. He could appreciate that.
He could also appreciate someone who knew where they were. Damn it, but following her around could be useful. He did owe her something; she had rescued him from his own incompetency. "You think I can't keep up?"
This tour had better end at a subway station.
Ooo, feisty. It was good to see that the kid had some life in him. It was starting to look like this would be fun after all. Plus, she liked the honest way he rose to the challenge. It made for a nice change to know exactly what you were getting.
She could get to like this kid.
“I dunno,” Ran grinned. “You are awfully short for a Captain. But you seem smart enough once you get going. I think you’ll be all right, if I go slow. I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine once you get the hang of it.”
He bit back his first response - height had nothing to do with landing his position - but he knew that would just come out defensive. He did not need to start with defensive. He'd already shown her he could be damned stupid. Adding defensive to his list of crimes would not do.
He waved his hand, gesturing toward the street and the city in general. "Lead the way then." He paused. "I'll try not to slow you down."
This could either be a good thing... or something he'd regret very, very much before too long.
Rangiku bit off a laugh at his response. She had a feeling the kid-Toushirou Hitsugaya, NYPD Captain, would not appreciate it. And she was glad he had said yes. Maybe if she was lucky, she’d be able to pick up some wind chimes on the way! Shopping was so much more fun with two people…
She turned and started walking towards Chinatown. “The first thing you need to know is that the city has its own beat. A lot of people compare cities to women-and maybe New Orleans is like a woman, but New York City? It might be easy to call it her, because it sounds better, but really, it’s like a man. Tough skinned, cranky, and suspicious. But once you get to know him, well, I think the two of you will get along fine.”
Rangiku paused for a beat, and then continued, “Now, the first thing you need to know about the layout is that it was really designed to be simple. It’s all straight streets and parallels, except for by Washington Square, but we don’t need to get into that yet. Traffic is going to be a big clue, because a lot of it runs one way. Even numbered streets flow east, ‘e’ is for ‘even,’ see, and so you can use that to figure out which way you’re going…”