020 | Action

[second_first]

[Rei is working the late late shift at a seedy diner all by herself. And by seedy diner, I mean the dining room. That somehow employs people for the duration of the event but really isn't that much different, except all gritty and film noir-y

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[demiurgos_girl]

The air outside was warm and humid, pressing down against my skin and draining me of what little drive was left. I thought the diner might be closed by now, but I decided to try my chances, edging in and shutting the door behind me to keep out the warm night air.

It was dark. Covered in the shadows of the room was another woman who I recognized. I slipped down onto a chair and sighed heavily, the kind of sigh that spoke of long nights with too much of nothing to do- too much chasing around after ghosts of crimes, always on the heels of the real detectives. It was the kind of sigh that measured tiredness in its breath, that talked about all the things a young woman wanted to do but never could. It was the sigh of the downtrodden and hopeless. It was the most heartfelt sigh the world had ever heard, and it lasted all of one second. It was profound. Deep. Inscrutable. Even worth an entire paragraph of study.

Hi. Are you still open?

Rei's internal monologue is so fail

[second_first]

Someone came in. Elaine.

She looked unhappy.

[Rei comes closer to where Elaine's sitting with a nod.]

Yes.

fff oh rei. next thing she'll be talking in haikus. haha

[demiurgos_girl]

I didn't know how long I'd stay. Until I felt better, maybe. Rei was difficult to read, as always. Some detective I am- can't even see past the diner girl.

I'm starting to think I'll never get to be a real detective.

oh god, don't tempt me

[second_first]

She could be anything. I know it.

You will.

Do you want something?

goooo gogo you can do it

[demiurgos_girl]

I glanced up at her. I thought I heard her say something about me- but it can't have been. Maybe it was the night that was getting to me. I was tired, and part of me knew I should be home at this time.

Some chocoloate if you have any.

It'd eat up a portion of what little money I had to go by, but it felt like I needed it tonight.

And some conversation, if that's okay?

Look. Look what you've done.

[second_first]

Chocolate, is it?
I will not charge her for that.
That might cheer her up.

Alright.

[She gets a mug of hot chocolate for Elaine as well as some actual solid chocolate and sets both in front of her.]

For free.

I REGRET NOTHING

[demiurgos_girl]

Surprise. My hand's already holding the money, and I almost force the issue. It didn't seem fair to pass on my misfortune, but I knew, and she did too, how stretched I was for cash. I put the money away.

[Elaine smiles up at her.] Thanks. It feels wrong, but... [She shook her head.] Thanks.

[second_first]

[Rei takes a seat near her, a glass of water cradled between her hands.]

It's a small thing. It isn't wrong.

[demiurgos_girl]

[Elaine sighs.] It's nights like this that a girl gets to thinking. And too often I wonder what it's all come down to.

What's wrong with this town, Rei?

[second_first]

It rains too much.

That's not what she means.