recolle | Open

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ouroboros: ikuo ryuuzaki

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WHO: Potemkin/Peter Hoboken and You
WHERE: Around town (mostly nonresidential areas like Apprassage, Tisse, Chata, etc.)
WHEN: Throughout the mini-event
WHAT: Peter tries to return to being normal. Too bad he just keeps meeting people who make that difficult.
WARNINGS: None

With the entire city restored, buildings undestroyed and reality saved, Peter can look back at pristine uninterrupted Recolle that hears the phrase "regular monster attacks" to be as crazy as he thought it was, literally as soon as it was over. As if all of that never happened.

Peter wants to go back to that. But he's finding that the difficulty comes from him. It's him that feels like the element that doesn't belong. Peter knows one way of solving this: order and routine.

Nice streets.

[Peter reclines in the seat police car, which has turned out to be a major source of the beloved familiarity he seeks now. His regular patrol has turned out to be a successful relaxing activity, especially since his normal route is so quiet. In all truthfulness not a lot has ever happened on it, which is just the way he likes it.

"Relaxing" doesn't mean he relaxes on the assignment though. Whether he's moving to another location or taking time on a corner outside, he stays at attention to the general passing by of people and what they are doing.]

Gimme a donut.

[After the hours creep on, human needs should start to get at him, but Peter stays on the job. At some point an extremely generic and very readable donut icon pops up above Peter's head.

The officer is the very picture of duty otherwise, but it seems like the thought bubble gives everyone the alert but himself, because Peter doesn't notice it. He still has the image of himself as having a perfect record of focus.]

[OOC: All prompts are open but I'm happy to write more specific top levels, or plan here or in PMs/plurk.]

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[ it's difficult to catch john not smiling; however, in this instance, it's evident that he's gone the extra mile in trying hard to suppress a laugh. passing by, he'd been attempting to keep to himself for the most part, while remaining keenly aware of law enforcement in the vicinity— despite stereotypes, it'd just been an unexpected image. ]

[ a thought, likewise, hovers over his head: Seriously? Cops and their donuts... That was almost picturesque. hey, as wary as he might be around officers, conscious thought control is easier said than done. ]

[It is pure dumb luck that brings Tatsuo to Peter's patrol area. A coworker had called in sick, but had forgotten their phone at the lab the day before. So Tatsuo offered to bring it by while on his lunch break.

As he's walking to the bus stop that'll take him back to Tribunal Terrace, after dropping off the phone, Tatsuo spots Peter's patrol car and recognizes the number. So he detours and walks up to the passenger side in order to bend down and look inside.

Someone's hungry.]

Miss breakfast, Officer Hoboken?

[Unlike the way John tried to withhold his laughter, Peter's reaction is very much not restrained.

It's true that Peter was literally looking for suspicious things, but he was hoping to see normal crime. Not weird. Not reality breaking.

So floating cartoon thought bubble right across the street gets a - ]

What!?

[He doesn't give any indication of what he actually read though.]

[Peter gives a professional nod of acknowledgement to Tatsuo passing by, though he also has a subtle, affirming smile. It's nice to be both back, and Tatsuo looking cleaned up brings relief to him.]

Mmmm, I didn't do anything different today.

[What a odd thing to start conversation with.]

[ well, shoot. john halts on the spot at being addressed in such a manner, his shoulders rising a few inches in a brief showing of defensiveness. but then he's quick to adopt (what he hopes to be) an easygoing smile, languidly waving his hand through the air to attempt to placate the situation. ]

Nothin', sir— Sorry 'bout that! [ the smile softens. ] Just couldn't help but notice you're a lil' hungry, is all.

[ ... sort of. ]

[It's amazing what a hot shower, a good night's sleep, and a shave will do for a guy.]

Then this is just a normal craving?

[Tatsuo grins as he points at the spot over Peter's head where the donut emote is hovering]

[Peter stares right through the man's head, which seems like an extreme reaction to just an odd face. It doesn't look like he's even trying to put John on the spot, but something in his direction (and slightly up).

He hates to do this, but it's the most efficient way to clear things up and communicate.]

Retrospec. Does the word Retrospec mean anything to you?

[ when john doesn't immediately get a response, his smile falters for about a second. but then the question to follow comes as something of a relief and his expression renews. ]

Oh, yeah! A real ass of a company. [ —and then another thought, appearing quick as lightning and disappearing just as fast: Shit, this is a cop. Language, Becket! ] Err, sorry, sir. ... But yeah, I know 'em!

[Peter languidly wonders what Tatsuo is talking about, because it's not like he could know... the smallest amount of confusion creeps into his eyes, just before they head straight up.

The man in front of Tatsuo transforms from relaxed to flustered, as a quick succession of questions start crashing into each other, foremost "how long that's been up there?".]

Uh-huh-hmmm...

[Peter's eyes drop and he shakes his head, like he confirmed an unpleasant fact.]

I'm sorry to inform you, but they're at something again. [He points up above his head, and reads out loud in a monotone:]

"Shit this is a cop. Language Becket."

[He doesn't care to embarrass this man any more than necessary.]

[Oh, now that is interesting. A thought bubble appears above Tatsuo's head with a little thinking emoji inside.]

I guess this is what they meant by 'pretty harmless'.

[ congratulations, peter, you're probably the only one to embarrass john this bad for the entirety he's been on retrospec. and it wasn't even purposeful! he flushes all the way to his ears as those thoughts are recited aloud, anger briefly flashing in his eyes.

he takes a breath. there's no harm, no foul. ]

... Yeah, always up to somethin', aren't they? [ a raise of his eyebrows. ] You had a donut appearin' over your head a few moments ago.

[That went over decently well... Peter was looking out for signs of panic, because he considers Retrospec activity to be something like to disaster or similarly bad news, but what he catches looks like something different.

He doesn't have long to think about it though, because Peter does not return with equal composure. Suddenly he feels heavy enough to sink into the concrete.]

Uuuuuh...

[Just a piece of a phrase and Peter is rubbing his face, and internally groaning while he's at it too. That freeze signaled a transformation, and a pleasant mood had been turned around into a headache.]

Retrospec... why can't they just leave us alone. When I'm working...

[ hmph...! ]

[ his countenance relaxes a little, though. as fantastic as that donut moment may have been, he can't find fault with someone for becoming hungry on the job. so, he'll further prompt: ]

Didn't bring anythin' with you to eat?

Search me.

[then Tatsuo grins]

Hey, maybe this is a lucky thing after all. There's a donut shop down the way that should still be open. What do you want? Chocolate iced and some coffee? I'll make a delivery.

I can't leave.

[Peter answers promptly, before his posture has even recovered from the hit, like it's the simplest answer to give and he's just responding to a question about what time is it or directions to the nearest restroom. Or coffee joint. Damnit. ]

[Peter takes his hand off his face, but doesn't open his eyes. He doesn't look like he's relieved any tension from that either. When it looks like he's just ignored everything Tatsuo just said, he speaks up. Peter answers back like he's trying to say something underbreath despite nobody listening. Neck kept straight, but his words seem directed downwards at the ground instead of at Tatsuo.]

Thank you.

Whatever kind of frosted they have, plus the coffee, black.

[ john arcs an eyebrow at that admission... but it's fair, being on patrol and what not. he sticks his hands into his pockets, eyeing peter up and down as he weighs potential responses to that. how sympathetic did john feel? a bit. enough to offer to run and get anyone food? unfortunately, he's got that whole "cop" thing working against him, so... ]

How hungry we talkin' here? Cuz I could offer you somethin', but I'd bet you'd just sneer at it.

[ how mysterious... ]

I'm not up for bribes, if that's what you're referring to.

[Again Peter's mind is running surprisingly fast for someone who just had some psychological wind knocked out of him, as if John is tapping into the parts that can work automatically.]

[ ah-- for the second time in this conversation, john feels anger flare in his chest. his smile becomes strained, wherein restrospec betrays him with another hovering thought: What an asshole.

and still, oblivious to its appearance, he tries to mask his annoyance with a chuckle. ]

Haha, was gonna offer somethin' for free, actually! [ he always carries a snack around for hungry moments like these... so, pulling a hand from his pocket, he waves that hand dismissively. ] But nevermind that!

[Peter can read that in a steady mindset, like being called an asshole to his face doesn't even register as a blip. And maybe, it really doesn't given al the people he's had to deal with in the past. It certainly doesn't show in his appearance (other than a line of ellipses that start trailing above his head and don't stop).]

I see. Anyway, this is an issue I should have dealt with on my own.

[Afternoon hunger is a tiny thing to hold as a personal responsibility, but it's a responsibility nonetheless.]

[ his eyebrows furrow together, briefly... but, allowing his moment to have dissipated, he absentmindedly adjusts the hat atop his head. ]

Guess so!

[ an exhale of breath. he glances up and down the street, considering. ]

Before I quit distractin' you from your duties— You got a name, Officer?

Coming right up, Officer.

[And less than ten minutes later, Tatsuo is back, a bagged donut and coffee in each hand.]

Chocolate frosted with sprinkles and coffee, black.

[Tatsuo grins as he leans in Peter's passenger window, holding out the snack.]

[By the time Tatsuo comes back carrying the goods Peter has already resumed his serious face, almost like Retrospec never tattled on him at all.

But when he turns to see Tatsuo the longing can be seen in his eyes.]

Uh-huh!

[The cup and bag are quickly brought into his domain, to be put wherever he feels like.]

Thank you, Mr. Kihara.

[Peter knows that he probably doesn't want his name to give friendlier greetings in the future. But there's no hesitation in asking - why would he be afraid?]

Officer Hoboken, Mister. Have a good day.

[Tatsuo takes a sip of his coffee, which in the three minute walk from the donut shop has cooled from tongue-melting to mildly scalding.]

No problem. Can't have you getting hungry while on patrol.

[he glances at the clock on Peter's dash]

Anyhow, my lunch break will be over shortly so I'd better get back to the lab.

You too, sir.

[ yeah, john's screwed up. he realizes this, too, which is probably one of the more aggravating features of this exchange. there's a mental of gritting of teeth. but finished with the adjustment, apparently, he tips that hat in farewell and then begins off down the street. ]

See you 'round, Officer! [ hopefully not..................., ]

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