11th Turn [Written/Action]

[redjacketthief]

Luceti.

Two things:

1. Whoever it was that found my work shop, return the pieces that you stole before the end of the day. I’ll be in the Barracks. If you fail to comply, I will find you.

It won’t be pretty.

2. What do the rest of you think about the last Shift? Was it good or bad? How did the loss of memory affect you? Do you think it left any long-term impact for yourself, your friends, and the rest of your stay in this village?

-Also. Prism Black. You deserve to be commended for your heroism. Never forget that.

Filtered to Trafalgar Law: Unhackable

I have a problem and I’d like a second opinion on it. It’s not big, but it could become complicated.

-I’d promise coffee, but I have an unrelated problem with getting it. I’ll be in the barracks.


[True to his word, Lupin will be in the barracks all day. His encounter with Spock on Monday, combined with his activities from earlier in the week had finally caught up to him. Fatigue was inevitable. He had spent the better part of the last few days asleep, never very far from his new charge. The veritable plague of crows that had been set upon him by an angered god was an unnecessary incentive. He kept the windows shut, locked away the gnawing need for a cigarette that bit at the back of his mind, and tried to ignore the judgement he saw reflected in the eyes of his avian watchmen—but he would have stayed close to the barracks regardless of their looming (and aggravating) presence.

While the days spent between dreams and fleeting considerations over recent affairs had rejuvenated him, it didn't stop the inherent restlessness that was his constant foe—the core problem that would never entirely leave. The people who knew him would be able to identify the briskness of his step and the cool control with which he held every action and every word. He was distracted by a new project , one that was completely foreign to him, and was unwilling to divulge details until the proper time came.

The thief had returned to work, but nothing was as it seemed.]



((ooc: Thread with Spock is chronologically last.))

Comments

[redjacketthief]

I know. It makes me want to kick them for this.

-You are allowed to speak if that's easier. this is just an annoying shift effect.

[Voice for Fujiko / Written for Lupin]

[doubleppk]

On top of the other? Seems like I should do the shooting them for you.

Filtered: Unhackable

[redjacketthief]

and on top of the third too! it makes me wonder if they really are sadists.

Filtered: Unhackable

[doubleppk]

You have to wonder?

What are you, getting rusty already?

Filtered: Unhackable

[redjacketthief]

not rusty. just tired of this shit.

Filtered: Unhackable

[doubleppk]

I don't want to talk on the journal Lupin. Where are you now?

Filtered: Unhackable

[redjacketthief]

the barracks. watch out for the birds.

Filtered: Unhackable

[doubleppk]

Birds? What birds?

[When she finds out about Saori's crows she's just going to laugh at you dude.]

Filtered: Unhackable

[redjacketthief]

you'll see. just don't shoot them, because that might make it worse.

Filtered: Unhackable

[doubleppk]

I don't shoot birds, only idiots.

[She shoots people, Lupin. Not animals. Animals are friends. Get it right.]

Okay, I'll be over there in bit, don't do anything stupid.

[redjacketthief]

[He'll be waiting in the back of the building with a cigarette crushed between his long fingers. It had gone unnoticed--he was too lost in thought.]

[doubleppk]

Should I light this, or is it more for the sake of chewing it~?

[Lightly teasing and goes for the lighter... only to have to dodge a crow pooping by rolling for cover.]

Okay, what the heck is that about? More Malnosso tricks?!

[redjacketthief]

[He pulled her through the door and slammed it shut, blocking more crows from their continued harassment. He quickly scribbled out a note in choppy, uneven writing.]

not malnosso. more irritating. stay inside.

-did you want to smoke? i do with my trainer in here all the time.

[doubleppk]

What kind of a trainer smokes? [Arches an eyebrow.]

[redjacketthief]

he's made of smoke

[doubleppk]

That's even weirder Lupin.

[redjacketthief]

compared to nessie?

[doubleppk]

Nessie's not weird! Nessie's adorable!

[redjacketthief]

[He just smiled at Fujiko, all boyish fun and delight. There was no argument--he would agree with her on that front any day.]

[doubleppk]

[Takes his hand for a little bit and coyly looks up at him, a little concerned and knowing full well that such concern was likely to rankle him.]

Are you okay? [In the grand scheme of things, with regards to the vertigo and all the rest.]

[redjacketthief]

[Her concern was noted, but not as frustrating as she would have thought. The worries that his friends held for him had become an unwelcome but old friend at this point. Lupin was tired of it, but he was also tired of fighting it.

But knowing these concerns had never stopped him from acting on his own.

Lupin leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the forehead before he wrapped his arms around her to more easily write his reply.]

I'm fine. Life is a little more complicated than normal right now, but I'm fine. You know that I take it.

[doubleppk]

I know. It's also why...

[Why doesn't believe him.]

[She leans against him and pets his cheek though, as though suddenly struck by inspiration, even though it's definitely been on her mind for some time now.] Lupin, are you done playing Musical Apartments?

[redjacketthief]

[Lupin snorted in amusement at her sudden question and sentiment--not at her, but at himself. The same question had been lingering under the surface for him since July, when he formally bid farewell to Zenigata in that empty apartment in Community House 5. After his fight with Luke, and the absence of Jigen...

That building just didn't feel the same any longer.

The last couple of months spent with the residents of House 44 and House 46 had thrown another factor sharply into focus. He liked people, and living with them was the only way he could deal with not having the crush of the city at his shoulders and buzzing in his ears. But, above all, he wanted people who understood, and would let him be as he is.

Fujiko was all of that, and more. She was now his only link to home, and a part of him was desperate not to lose that link.

He placed his hand on her's when his breathing steadied, and his smile was sincere. A single nod, just once, and he brushed his lips against her forehead once again.

Yes, he was done. He was done and he was fed up with being done and god he missed Fujiko and their eternal game.]

[doubleppk]

[Blushes a little and draws her toe one the floor, making slight circles with the toe of her shoes.]

Maybe we should look for a place together this time. I'd used my points for my apartment's bath, but with the all the shifts, the apartment's lost its attraction for me. Seems like I could use a watch-wolf instead of all the bear traps for a little while. What do you say? [Wraps her arms around his neck, already fairly certain of the answer.]

[redjacketthief]

[He smiled and nodded, having been wondering about the same thing himself since he heard about how her apartment had been broken into. Lupin squeezed her into a hug, completely unable to communicate his concerns for the moment.

What mattered was that their thoughts were the same. It was the best thing that he could ask for.]