One Case Closed

[miamijustice]

[ACTION]

[Having arrived in one of the minority of empty houses to be found, Horatio Caine was spared the indignity of walking around shirtless. He's already got his suit and shows and all that classy stuff on before he's ready to set out into town. Moreover, he also has gone out of his way to skim this book he found. It seems almost like a

Comments

[ratatosk_knight]

[In the Welcome Center sits this kid, just sort of curled up in one of the chairs and staring at the floor.]

[miamijustice]

[...Well H can't much ignore a kid in a ditz like this. This is oddly similar to about half his moments in the canon there, so after his basic introduction, he's going to walk on over to Emil and sit next to him]

[ratatosk_knight]

[He doesn't even look up as the man sits down, just curls up a little more.]

[miamijustice]

[And thus, it's time for gentle tones:] My name is Horatio Caine.

[ratatosk_knight]

[And now he'll glance up cautiously to study the newcomer.]

... I'm Emil.

[miamijustice]

[Horatio is well-known for being very good with kids. He's giving off that whole "fatherly" vibe about now, with a smile that's known to be really encouraging and reassuring and all]

Emil... that's a nice name.

[ratatosk_knight]

[And indeed it does make Emil feel a little better-- the guy is obviously a New Feather, as Emil has never seen him before, yet he doesn't seem too distressed.]

T-thank you.

[miamijustice]

Emil, are you new here?

[That was his immediate assumption, being in a place like this. He's pegging Emil at being maybe sixteen tops, so this sort of reaction might be understandable]

[ratatosk_knight]

[Headshake. No, he's far from new, though right now he wishes he were.]

I'm waiting for someone.

[miamijustice]

I see. [Horatio is used to this - this is the reaction of a kid whose parent died, or something like that. He can only imagine that is the only thing which would produce this sort of level of being withdrawn. Thus, he's going to adjust himself to get comfy] We'll wait together then.

[ratatosk_knight]

[Emil's head jerks up, surprised-- this man doesn't even know him; why would he offer to wait with him? He wants to tell him not to bother, that he'll be okay by himself, but for some reason he finds himself choking back a lump in his throat and he quickly turns his head away to hide the tears prickling at his eyes. Talking is out, so all he can do is nod in gratitude.]

[miamijustice]

[Caine knows that reaction too. Still, he smiles there all reassuring as ever, and silently pats Emil on the back there. Paternally, that is to say. He doesn't know who we're waiting for, but then, that can wait. Kids really want to talk most of the time anyway, so this is what he can do for now]

[ratatosk_knight]

[Crying in front of a near-stranger is really not something Emil wants to do, but he's getting dangerously close. Instead, he'll focus on taking deep breaths to calm himself down. Even after being here for more than a year, he's still not entirely used to people treating him this kindly.]

[miamijustice]

[And Horatio Caine will just be sitting here with the guy as a paragon of strength and justice. He's got nothing better to do, but even if he did, it's doubtful he'd go out of his way to leave here]

[ratatosk_knight]

... Richter.

[miamijustice]

Richter... is he your family?