recolle | November catch-all

[ He's been going out far more often, Noctis realizes. Leaving the house hasn't been easy in regards to this new power he's struggling with, but he hasn't felt the need to spend nearly all of his free time at home.

He's got Tiny with him today; she's actually very well-behaved when it comes to going out and running errands. She hardly needs a leash, walking right beside Noctis and not at all feeling the need to run off.

Noctis passes by a newspaper stand, where they often house comic books, perusing his choices until he sees a familiar face. He smiles, waving. ]

Officer Togusa. Good to see you.

[ He much prefers studying at school; there are less distractions in the form of video games and fuzzy companions. But it's slightly frustrating that the sun is already down and he's not at all where he wants to be in his study guide for his upcoming test.

Noctis taps his pen at the table, seated in Rosalind's classroom well past office hours, but he knows she sticks around longer. Plus, he needs her help. ]

My eyes are going cross with this scalar quantity thing. I can't stand math.

[ He rubs at his face in frustration. ]

[ It's been a while since he's been out and about. And so his eyes glance over the bakery and cafe that Minako works at. She... Should be working today, shouldn't she? Noctis figures it's worth a shot to check. Worst case scenario, he gets some donuts to bring home and grabs a cup of coffee to prep him for studying.

He parks his corvette and walks in, seeing her familiar face behind the counter. ]

こんにちは.

[ He says it with a smile, coming over to the counter. ]

Figured you'd be here today.

Togusa is back on his beat, after an administrative leave, but he's got a particularly bright smile on his face. That one that he doesn't always realize is there when people are looking at him. It's easy to turn that smile towards Noctis, and he raises a hand in return.

"Noctis. How are you doing? I'd been meaning to run into you."

But he always has to be careful about walking that balance of showing that he cares without running people down when they don't want to talk. So, this is better.

[ He usually ends the day with figuring out whether or not Prompto will meet at his place, or Noctis will meet at his. Not much word on that quite yet, and so Noctis takes it upon himself to stop by the apartment he and Cloud share. Might as well. He doesn't have school tomorrow, so he can afford to stay late or pass out here for the evening. Which is what he usually does.

Noctis knocks on the door, smiling when Cloud answers. ]

Hey, man.

[ He holds up a bag. ]

Brought some beer and burgers. You guys busy?

[ Tiny bounces where she stands, walking over to Togusa to sniff him and paw at his ankle. ]

Haven't staged any shootouts, I promise.

[ Noctis holds up his hands playfully, setting them back down. ]

Yeah, what's up?

Okay, there are serious conversations to be had, but there is also a dog to pet, so Togusa crouches down where he stands. "Hello to you, too," he offers a hand to sniff. "I might smell like a different puppy, but he's okay. Sorry I don't have Daidai out with me, hunh?"

Togusa looks up at Noctis. "I had a lot of people to check up on after- October." And everything that happened during the month, Retrospec and non-Retrospec-related. "Things closer to back to normal?"

[ Tiny wags her tail, making a little pounce-like motion to playfully encourage more pets. Noctis laughs as she starts lapping at his hand. ]

Yeah, it's good to see buddies when we go out, huh Tiny? Good girl.

[ Noctis ruffles at her fluffy head and straightens. Reflecting on October is weird because that month in general was... Off. He sighs as he looks up in thought, holding out his hand to physically count off the events with his fingers. ]

Let's see...

Constant nightmares, Ifrit a.k.a. "Chill Satan" tormenting the streets at night, I'm phasing in and out of walls and objects at random, got a boyfriend...

Aaaand learned that the world I'm connected to apparently went through some darkness apocalypse. Still not sure what my connection to that is.

[ Noctis crosses his arms. ]

So, yeah, by Recolle's standards? Pretty normal.

You?

[ It's not too late, but it certainly isn't early either. Around the start of the evening, Noctis rolls up to Ardyn's home. And this time, he's brought tea! Some nice tea, actually. Mostly as a good gesture, because Ardyn's been suffering much like him, and tea at least settles the stomach.

Warping is not fun. Not yet. He's not convinced that this is a cool ability.

He knocks at the door. ]

I'm just here to see the cats.

[ A joke. But only a half-joke. ]

Oh nooo puppy. Togusa reaches out to skritch both sides of Tiny's head with both hands, making sure to get right behind the ears in play-petting. "Gooood puppy."

Togusa keeps an eye on Noctis, and he can't help but tilt his head to the side at the comments. There's a lot there. But okay, if we're comparing notes...

"Machines in my brain. That's new. Going after a real-life psychopath made me remember the guy Retrospec wants to show me going after a psychopath. And I don't know if he caught the guy yet."

A pause, but that stupid smile comes back again. "But, got a girlfriend. So. Normal by Retrospec's standards."

Of course there's one piece of information in there that stands out. "Congrats, though. Who's the lucky guy?"

[ Machines in his brain? Chasing a psychopath? Noctis looks interested. He points his thumb behind him. ]

Wanna grab a coffee or something? I think I may want to hear more about this

[ He makes a kissy noise to Tiny, signaling that they’re about to walk. She barks happily, prancing to his side.

Noctis stops, however, to the question. ]

Ah... Prompto, actually.

[ And he sounds a bit meek there, smiling awkwardly as he rubs the back of his head. ]

Been going on a few weeks now.

Togusa nods as he stands up, sorry, Tiny, there will be more pets later. "Definitely. I swear there's a rational explanation to this all. I only have a chunk of that explanation, but I can give you what I know."

There is the tiniest raise of an eyebrow, and Togusa has to tailor his first response carefully. So that's what Dante was bitching about. "Double congrats, then. Suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Never got the story of how you two know each other so well, after all."

It's not far to the coffee shop, one of a few that Togusa is a regular at. All depends on which section of the city he's patroling that day. He holds the door open for Noctis. "Question for a question, since it seems like we've got a lot to tell each other."

[He's ushered in, and the tea doesn't go unnoticed. What a kind gesture; advantageous to the both of them when they've been both feeling rather sick as of late.]

Maybe the cats don't want to see you.

[Which is obvious such a lie, considering they're all at Ardyn's feet and mewing up at Noctis right this very moment. He grins.]

[It's Cloud's day off, too, so the sight that greets Noctis is not one of a greasemonkey for a change. He's dressed casually, skin and clothes clear of oil and grease stains. He grins faintly at Noctis and his offerings.]

Beer and burgers, huh? Whose good side are you trying to get on?

[But they're obviously not busy, not with the way he steps back to let Noctis inside.]

こんにちは！

[She's bringing out a tray of new cupcakes, so with her hands full and unable to wave, she winks at him instead.]

Come to get your sugar fix?

Hell yeah.

[ Noctis comes over to the counter, fishing for his wallet. ]

Got any of those puff pastries? I’m dying for one of those. Some coffee, too.

[ And, as always, he stuffs a nice tip into the tip jar. Noctis wears his usual sleepy smile for Minako. ]

お元気ですか?

[His smile is endearing as usual, and she is quick to smile back, but she also makes a point not to look too long, because that smile of Noct's that reminds her of her brother? Well, she finally found him, and Minato's been the root of several worries of hers lately. It is, quite frankly, kind of depressing to think about.

Oh hey, a distraction!]

元気です！仕事すぐに終了するよ～　And one puff pastry and coffee coming right up!

[She slides the new tray of cupcakes in the rack, and then reaches into the display case with her tongs to nab him a nice big puff pastry.]

A cup of French Vanilla okay?

[ Noctis takes a seat at his usual spot, leaning back with his arm draped against the chair. ]

Sounds great.

[ Noctis wrinkles his nose in thought, trying to think through the words. Over time, he’s gotten a bit better with conversing in Japanese. But he’s still a touch slow when he speaks. Also he is totes your second brother! ]

今日は忙しいですか？

忙しすぎる。

[Comes the reply as she turns to the coffee machines. Time for a nice big cup of French Vanilla for her second brother!]

But there's a cute puppy and dinner waiting for me at home, so I'll be able to unwind in a bit. [She glances over her shoulder.] ノクティス、ポットローストが好きですか？もらってあげましょうか？

Nonsense. You're perfectly decent at it. Take a deep breath and look over the problem once more.

[She doesn't glance up from her own book. For once in her life, she's on top of her work, and so she's reading for pleasure right now. There's a cigarette dangling from her lips, despite the fact the university frowns on it; they've a window cracked, and the chilly evening breeze takes away most of the scent.]

[ Noctis softly chuckles, walking in when Cloud gives him room to. ]

If I say who it is, will I get confirmation that it's working?

[ Because, come on, gotta impress the brother. But that's not the full intention here. Noctis actually thinks Cloud is a pretty cool guy. Way cool, actually.

Taking one glance around the apartment confirms that Prompto isn't home yet, which is perfectly fine. So he takes it upon himself to start putting the beer in the fridge and set the food on the counter to the kitchen. ]

Almost didn't recognize you without the engine oil and grease all over you. You off today?

[ Noctis steps inside, greeted instantly by meows and purrs, complete with the sweet little rub against his ankles. He smiles as he kneels down and scritches their fluffy heads. ]

Aw, that's totally false, isn't it guys?

[ Noctis: the cat whisperer. He laughs as he stands up straight, handing over a tin of nice, high quality tea. ]

Here. If you've been as nauseous as I've been, this'll help.

[ Hell yes coffee. Noctis makes a very excited little expression for a moment as he pulls the cup closer to him and leans in. It smells delightful.

He perks up at her response, but he tilts his head. It takes a second for him to know what she's asking him.

Pot... Ro-- Oh! Pot Roast. ]

アノ...

いいですね。私はしたいです。You plan on cooking after working all day?

Mmh...

[ Sure, he's decent at it. But he hates it, and he's lazy. And so he's rather piss poor at math because of it.

Noctis taps his pen against the desk a moment, wrinkling his nose as he fusses with his hair. Eventually, he sighs, setting his pen down and leaning back in his seat. ]

I'm taking a break. My head's pounding.

[ He looks over towards Rosalind, smelling the smoke and tilting his head. ]

Since when did you start doing that?

Since I was your age.

[She glances over at him.]

Don't pick it up. It's a terrible habit, but it's one I'm seemingly stuck with, either until Fawkes gets tired of smelling it or I manage to find something that suits me better.

November catch-all

♚ Togusa

♚ Rosalind

♚ Minako

Re: ♚ Togusa

♚ Cloud

no subject

no subject

no subject

♚ Ardyn

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject