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?

[gotyourhair]

[The man who steps in knows he looks out of place. How can you not when your suit costs more than the whole joint, probably five times over? But, he takes his seat anyway, becuase he figures that no one will tell him no. What would someone do? Finger him as a crook? Point out he has a drug ring, not to mention his fingers in every protection racket in the city? Of course not, Congressman Kura is a respectable man, and every case against him - well, the witnesses had this tendency to never show up in court.]

[second_first]

Someone else.

But I'm supposed to close soon.

[Rei draws closer, nodding to Kura.]

[gotyourhair]

[He lights one of his expensive cigars and looks over the counter]

Just coffee.

There was just something about this dame that drew him back here. Not the way his girls did, frankly, she was too young to rank interest on that score, but something about her quiet intelligence was intriguing.

[second_first]

[With a nod, she moves to fill a cup and brings it back to him, along with sugar and cream, so he can make it to taste.]

That's not it.

[action]

[jivitadana]

[The diner. It's seedy and shady, but that's the way things were, are, and had been. If the streets were as good as my instincts, then I'd be out of business. And I wouldn't have the chance to introduce my friend so often. She's the quiet type until someone pisses her off. You don't want to see her when she's upset. She's a close friend all right, and travels with me in my holster.

As I take a seat near another table she's wiping down, I don't think about how she ended up working here. It's not my job. No one's paying me to find out either. The girl working here's also the quiet type. You can see my taste in friends. Another one who I wouldn't want to see upset.]

You're still here.

[action]

[second_first]

It's Minato. He's armed.

For another hour. [She puts aside the rag and comes closer.]

[action]

[jivitadana]

[I could be miles away and still hear the dot dot dot of inner monologue from this girl. The silence is deafening, but I'm used to it. It's better than having to listen to nervous or hysterical dames. Because when you're in my line of work, you find out most of them are both. But I can't choose my clients.]

No one's caused you trouble?

[action]

[second_first]

[Trouble? .... But what would trouble be?]

No one.

[turn4bout]

Coffee.

[ I demand it quick with teal courier crackling at my words. Further clarification isn't necessary. The blueberry snowcone waitress knows me by smell. She knows what I'd want. ]

[second_first]

[I have the cup in hand before she's done speaking. Because I know. I bring her cream and sugar too, to let her mix it herself.]

[turn4bout]

[ Smart dame. I take this java like it's the Ark of the Covenant.

Which it is.

I've been stalled like a boiler under the burning Alternian sun. My case is caseless; the perp almost handed a Get Out of Jail Free card.

But this liquid brown miracle.

It will guide me.

My tongue must investigate its golden prophecies. ]

[second_first]

[I watch her with vague curiosity. This particular cop/PI/whatever she is there are too many of these people here has some interesting methods when it comes to catching her man.]

[nomansplaything]

Oh these streets. Oh these crooked, slimy, disgusting streets. It's been a long day, watching all these corrupt Men go about their crooked lives, and it will be an even longer night. I had better grab a bite to eat before I head for another high perch.

[Bagheera pushes the door to the diner open and slinks inside. He sees Rei, tips his head in a greeting, then makes his way to his usual seat. And by that, I mean an ottoman at the end of the table.]

[second_first]

Bagheera. My favorite.

[She comes closer, a tiny smile on her face.]

[nomansplaything]

Ah darling Rei. How are you tonight?

[second_first]

[She crouches in front of him.]

Well. You?