10th Turn [Voice/Action]

[redjacketthief]

[July 9: Voice]

Hey, Luceti.

[The thief speaks clearly over the public audio feeds very suddenly that night, with a level of calm that is surprising for some residents he spoke with over his most recent transmission. There's no laughter in his tone, nor any bitterness. He speaks as if he were holding a casual conversation.]

I just wanted to let you know, for those of you who knew him, that Detective Inspector Zenigata Koichi has returned home. Don't worry--he's just gone back to doing what he does best, even if he hasn't yet succeeded. Never let there be a doubt, he is the best damn officer that the ICPO has to offer. 

We're down another lawdog, guys, but we'll manage. Let's make the old bastard proud!

Also...he wasn't here for very long, so I don't know how many people he knew, but Jigen Daisuke has also returned home. Don't worry for him either, because its better for him to be out of here. He's quiet, but places like this never got on well with him.

If you want to honor them in some way, have a few drinks and a few smokes. If that's not your thing, then have a bowl of Miso Ramen for Pops. It's his favorite dish.

[Filtered to Smoker: Unhackable]

Captain? Pops left you something if you want to come get it.

[Considering recent weeks and the whirlwind of events, Lupin appeared to be taking the loss of two of his best friends rather well. Residents of Community House 5 would have noticed the sheer delay he took in actually investigating Zenigata's apartment on the third level. Whether out of physical necessity or his own misplaced lonliness, Lupin spends the night there.]

[July 10: Action]

[Residents of the village will be able to catch Lupin between several places the next day, largely in the area around Community House 5, the Barracks, and the Battle Dome. Although he's physically not fully adjusted to the current conditions left on him by the Malnosso, Lupin treks his way over to the Dome to make use of one of the simulation rooms for target practice. His aim went with his balance, and he intended to rectify that as soon as possible. Acquaintances could call him out on his poor coping skills once more, but that won't stop him from trying.

It's late afternoon by the time he's satisfied enough to leave, although he doesn't quite make it back to his room. Wandering villagers will find him napping anywhere around the Barracks or Community House 5, although a preference for sleeping under or in trees is noticeable. Just...don't ask him if he needs a hand.

If his refusal for aid is unaccepted, he will not be directing people to his apartment in the community building, but to House 46 on the other side of town.

His friends insisted on the change, and he was in no position to argue.]

Comments

[redjacketthief]

...I'm not a good man, Captain, and I made some choices that I never would have made at home recently.

[He looks up at the Marine, dead serious. In all of the chaos between the battle, the storm, Keimi reappearing, and several more residents disappearing, Lupin doesn't blame Smoker for not noticing. He has been busy as well.

A wry smile quirks his lips at the attempt at humor, but he knows that its much more complicated than that.]

He probably would, except it's more complicated than that. Grell...all ready knew, but I asked her not to tell you for personal reasons. Don't worry--I know how she knew too, and everything about her suddenly makes a whole lot more sense. [He chuffs, stalling for his own sake as he gathers the nerve. Though several people knew or suspected, he barely had to actually state it himself beyond bare implications. Breathing deeply, he steeled himself enough to continue.]

Remember that thing with the Blue Man and the decoys a few weeks back? Captain...

I died back there.

[justicereigns]

[His ears flick taking in all the information. So Lupin knew about Grell being a reaper, or something else?

That last part though...

Damn.

Smoker's teeth clench on the cigars. Could have, should have, would have... Could he have saved Lupin? But Lupin was here now and that was what mattered more, wasn't it?]

What was the price paid? [Not that dying in itself wasn't traumatic but since he'd be alive back in his world. Tsk... still, that was how Luceti worked. How the Malnosso worked. And with that said, there probably wasn't a lot of way such a thing could have been prevented. Still a shitty thing to have happened though.]

[redjacketthief]

[He was aware of Grell being a Reaper, but only because she called him out on his death before he even knew that people other than the decoys knew about it. Smoker's rage is palpable even in the dim room, and Lupin feels his own heart pound in sympathy for the man. He was another person angered, and another who wouldn't have been able to stop the bullet from piercing his chest. Jaw set, Lupin tears his eyes away when he replies.]

It's my balance, Captain. I can stand and do things, but it's become a small piece of hell.

[One that was getting better, and one that he could deal with. Luke and Adele were both working with him on planning his movements better, and everyone from Shikamaru to Obi-Wan Kenobi has offered to assist him in any way that he needs.

He wanted to continue training with Smoker. Badly. But he had a feeling that he physically backslid in his progress as well alongside of his problems.]

[justicereigns]

[Grunts.] Well, I guess you won't be walking any catwalks soon. [Oh god, he's picking up theater speak from Grell. This can't be good. He doesn't seem to notice though, just nods.] I'll see what I can do about finding exercises to cater to that instead.

In your... former training -- [The words sound like ash on his tongue, and from his distaste it's obvious that he means as a thief.] Did you learn how to take a fall safely?

[redjacketthief]

[He giggles with too much force and catches it when it's too late to stifle it. Grinning, Lupin tries to keep his focus straight when he returns his gaze to the Marine--without much luck. Between the stress of finding out about Zenigata's return and his own lingering concerns over his recent actions, keeping his vision straight was too much work. The hand braced on the sofa grasps the solid cushioning so hard that his knuckles turn white as he clings to an anchor in his quiet distress.

There wasn't much else to say. What else could he say?]

...Thanks. [He found it in him to breathe.] That might be for the best...

[The laughter died down to a bitter chuckle.] I can take a fall, Captain. Off of skyscrapers, even. It's dangerous, but I think I can handle it.

[justicereigns]

[Arches an eyebrow. He has no idea what Lupin's world calls skyscrapers but that can't be healthy. Still that's a good start at least. At least he knows Lupin won't be too bruised from just practicing.]

You don't have to try so hard thief. [Let it be noted...... That is crazy rare for Smoker to actually say. His solution to everything is "get stronger." In this case though, he thinks Lupin needs to chill though, since the guy is more wound up than Smoker.] All right, I think I know where to start if you still have the time and inclination anyway.

[redjacketthief]

[He leads an unhealthy lifestyle in any world, and Luceti is no exception. Lupin stares at Smoker for a beat longer as his words sink in, fully comprehending the deeper meaning of the phrase. He's never seen Smoker actually tell someone to hold off for a while, not like this, in all of his six months training with a man. Little more than a week had passed since he returned to the enclosure, and the concern that everyone was showing had him worried that he was slacking in his own skills. Had he really become that readable and well known to the general population?

It was too much to think about that night. Sighing, Lupin flops back into Zenigata's old couch. It was a comfort, even if it was only temporary.]

Everyone's telling me that, and I don't do sitting still very well. Even though Luke's been helping me with meditation and Adele's been helping me rethink how I walk, it's not going to be quite enough.

...I promised Keimi-chan that I'd work on learning magic from the spirits here with her. It will give us both something, but we'll have to see where that goes. There isn't much else that I have going right now either, Smoker.

I can start any time.

[justicereigns]

[A shrug.] Suit yourself. [If Lupin got antsy enough to join in on Tony Stark's fight club sessions, of course he was going to be antsy while healing. That's how he was. Still, Smoker didn't just mean physically in this instance. But he had a feeling Lupin got even more fidgety without extreme mental or emotional distractions. It explained a lot about the man.]

But right now I still want a drink and ramen if you're up to it.

[redjacketthief]

Drinks and ramen...right.

[It was his intent anyway, and part of the reason he called Smoker over. Pops deserved a toast and a good send off--but. He was rattled by the current state of affairs, and he had a suspicion that he would have trouble along the way to the restaurant. Lupin pulls himself up regardless, and pauses momentarily to fight back an impending wave of vertigo.

It had been getting better; clearly he needed to calm down.]

We can go...just don't go too fast, okay?

[justicereigns]

Are you sure you don't want me to carry you? Or better yet, bring it back as take out?

[redjacketthief]

[The suggestions earned a bitter chuff from the thief.]

I don't want to be here all night wondering if he's really just hiding in a closet and waiting for the right moment to surprise us. I'll probably come back later...but it's better to get out for a while.

Besides, this is my last night in this building. My neighbors below are moving to House 46 on the other side of town, and they want me to come along. It's single level, and one of them is a really good friend. It's a better situation overall for me right now.

[There were too many ghosts in Community House 5 for his tastes anyway. Between Jigen and Pops, it didn't feel right to stay. His only qualm was leaving Fujiko behind.]

[justicereigns]

[A small laugh himself at that.] That would kind of be his style, huh.

[Rubs his chin and nods.] All right, your call. It's pretty nice out now, we could grab foot and hang around the fountain. [And then he will escort you home like a gentleman. This is not a date at all...]

[redjacketthief]

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. [Because he did need to get out for a little while, and spending the night out with Smoker sounded ideal. Between his training efforts and bearing his emotional burden, he was starting to feel the strain...

"You don't need to try so hard." There was a point there.]

You know, Captain. I was going to have it be a surprise, but...I'm gonna steal that fountain one of these days. We all need a good laugh, and that will be the best joke this place has seen for a while.

[justicereigns]

[His ears just flick at that.]

Is that even possible? [Seriously. How much does that thing weigh anyway?] What are you even going to do with it? [It's... a fountain after all. It doesn't do much other than decorate town squares.]

I appreciate the heads up though. [That way he won't try to stop and/or chase Lupin. Since it's not like it belongs to anyone other than the Malnosso, and fuck those guys. Then again, it does sort of belong to all of them too.] You are going to return it eventually right? Keimi loves that thing.

[redjacketthief]

I've stolen bigger. [Much bigger.] And all I'd be doing is relocating the thing for a few days...

It would be returned, no worries. My plan is to show people that we can do something around here, and that we have no reason to give up. This place is too quiet, and...it feels like the population is broken. [It's hit a point where he wonders if its affecting him too...]

I hate seeing a place in stagnation. Really, I do. Moving it, even an inch, would change the playing field. Hopefully it will be enough to get people to smile again.

[justicereigns]

[Small grin as he gestures for them to head out the door, though he waits to give Lupin an elbow in case he needs it. Not a date.]

You know, I think the Inspector might have had a point after all then. You're secretly pretty heroic sometimes.

[redjacketthief]

I'm not that heroic...

[The elbow is accepted, though. The medication that Law prescribed is starting to work, but it didn't help the original balance issue. It's not a date, but he wants to have some manner of independence too.]

Don't you go accusing me of going straight either--it'll ruin my rep around here! [It's said in jest, though he has a feeling that his 'rep' is all ready ruined.]

[justicereigns]

[Another quick laugh.] Around here I'm not sure it matters much. Between Trafalgar Law and Straw-Hat, "villains" have to take a backseat here.

[Takes his time leading Lupin out so he can get a better grip on balance and adjusting to it.]

[redjacketthief]

[Balance, adjustment...there were so many things that he just didn't need to think about before. His posture and foot placement used to flow so naturally, but recent days left him bracing a hand against walls as he moved or just giving up and lounging all day. Even having a friend as a guide felt better than that.]

What difference does it make anyway, when we all share an enemy that we haven't found a good way to touch yet? It's just easier to call a truce and deal with it.

Pops and I did that on a number of occasions...and it tended to work.

[justicereigns]

Exactly.

Though I'm sure my truces are a lot more tentative than yours. Maybe it's the number of years.

[redjacketthief]

Maybe. Who knows? Luffy does genuinely like you, so maybe he'll find a way for you two to team up some day. Kid like that...he's got determination.

[justicereigns]

I'd rather he didn't all told. Since that would mean he found a reason to make me risk my entire life's work and go against the brass even more than I already cross the line.

[Not to mention Luceti already gives too much for Smoker to thing about when it comes to moral ambiguities, the only consolation prize is that back home he won't remember it.]

[redjacketthief]

Understood, Cap'. [He offers a playful salute.] I still think it might be good for you eventually. Even if it is only here.

[justicereigns]

[Snorts.] It's fine the way it is for now.

[Mind you, the minute he canon updates this will all have come to pass, but hell if he knows that. Luffy might when he returns though....]

I'm still trying to work out peace with his brother, and that's easier since I know I don't have to deal with him back in our world ever again, and yet it's still harder than it should be. [Because of his own stubbornness? Meh. Too much thinking it over.]

[redjacketthief]

...Just don't think about it so much. [Kettle paging Pot: you're black.] The only baggage here is the baggage that we bring ourselves. We have no rules and no laws except for basic morality here. Things should get easier between you and Ace if you just let go of the thoughts that are holding you back.