鏑木・T・虎徹 ᴋᴏᴛᴇᴛsᴜ ᴛ. ᴋᴀʙᴜʀᴀɢɪ (
earnedmystripes) wrote in
savetheearth2013-08-11 03:08 am
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[ Closed ]
Who: Kotetsu, and Nick, followed by Suzaku and Ravi, and finally Karl in part 2
Where: Some random cafe
When: Backdated to Monday, August 5th
What: Gigglewater shenanigans
[There is some sort of saying to be had here about the best-laid plans. Kotetsu had heard the warnings on the network about the water. He'd even managed to avoid it fairly readily; there were plenty of other things to drink at home, and the coffee at the station was terrible, anyway.
Today, though, the matter had slipped his mind. It had been an unusually busy week, a rash of traffic accidents, petty burglaries (with an armed robbery or two) and domestic incidents having managed to actually push his thoughts away from aliens and invasions and past lives for a while.
With things settling down into their usual lull, Kotetsu had asked Nick in between paperwork whether he wanted to grab lunch, and they'd made their way to a little corner cafe just down the street from the station. And then they'd ordered lemonade.
God help them both.]
Where: Some random cafe
When: Backdated to Monday, August 5th
What: Gigglewater shenanigans
[There is some sort of saying to be had here about the best-laid plans. Kotetsu had heard the warnings on the network about the water. He'd even managed to avoid it fairly readily; there were plenty of other things to drink at home, and the coffee at the station was terrible, anyway.
Today, though, the matter had slipped his mind. It had been an unusually busy week, a rash of traffic accidents, petty burglaries (with an armed robbery or two) and domestic incidents having managed to actually push his thoughts away from aliens and invasions and past lives for a while.
With things settling down into their usual lull, Kotetsu had asked Nick in between paperwork whether he wanted to grab lunch, and they'd made their way to a little corner cafe just down the street from the station. And then they'd ordered lemonade.
God help them both.]
Part 1 - Nick, Kotetsu, Suzaku, Ravi
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It doesn't occur to him that the cafe'd use tap water to make the lemonade.
And it still doesn't occur to him when, a little bit after drinking it, he finds something Kotetsu said a little too funny, and ends up laughing a little bit harder than he'd meant to.]
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Which is to say, Kotetsu doesn't realize, either, and honestly in those first, blissfully ignorant minutes, just being able to laugh without the weight of everything crushing down against his shoulders and chest is an incredible relief.]
--A toupee...!
[Until he realizes, in between howls of laughter and fists slamming against the table, that whatever story he was telling about a toupee ending up in a punch bowl, is not actually that funny.
It is an extremely bizarre moment of disconnect, as his mind reaches that point where the laughter should stop, while his chest still heaves, stomach muscles spasming and mouth locked in position.
And then it seems to abate. Kotetsu takes a couple of deep breaths and takes a sip of the lemonade to wet his throat, and nearly chokes as the laughter starts back up, spraying yellow liquid all over the table and floor.
That's when it clicks.]
Sh-shit, Nick, the--ahahahaheeeh--the water! Ehehehe, it's in the, l-lemonahahaha.....
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For a long moment, Nick doesn't realize what's going on, either. It's been a long time since he's laughed like this, probably since before he came to Locke City. It's suspicious, sure, but at the moment, he's attributing it to the fact that everything in his life is just so damn ridiculous right now that he can't help but laugh.
Hysterical laughter, that's what this feels like, going on a lot longer than it should before starting to fade.
Except then, apparently, nearly getting sprayed with lemonade is just as funny as the toupee joke, because it sets Nick off into another round of laughter. This time, he fights to control it, wrapping his arms around himself and shaking.]
Who would've - fuck, ahaha - thought they'd house-make the lemonade?
i'll describe the echo next tag it's late and i have no brain lol
Luckily there are brief interludes, and in one of those, while catching his breath, Kotetsu realizes something else.]
...I don't--know. [A slight wheeze.] Remember what...someone said about the tap water only affecting us?
We--we gotta get...out of...
[And then there's the heartbeat sensation he's grown so familiar with, and Kotetsu's expression goes blank as he zones out.]
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Still, at Kotetsu's words, Nick nods and attempts to stand. They do have to get out of there.
Or not, apparently, as the same sensation overtakes Nick, and suddenly he's remembering. It's one he's already had before, but now the memory feels fresh, and it -
It isn't any less horrible than the last time it'd happened. Fighting with that woman, her face something monstrous, the taste of blood in his mouth when she bites him after he kisses her.
Watching her soul get ripped out of her body, and knowing that he was the one who did it.
The shaking from suppressed laughter still hasn't stopped, and now with the echo on top of it, Nick's hand jerks, sending his glass to the floor.]
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The name is muffled and with what awareness is retained during these visions, for a moment he's almost—disappointed. But then the vision continues, and he keeps failing to drink the tea until a phone call interrupts them, and it’s that moment that Nick’s glass falls and shatters on the ground, snapping him back into reality as his own vision ends.
The sound of breaking glass has gotten the attention of people in tables around them, and many of them staring as two grown men twitch and shake at the table in uncontrollable laughter. They need to get out. They need to get out now.]
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The laughter makes his brow furrow, wondering if these guys are out to cause trouble...until he sees them jerking strangely where they sit. Are those guys having some kind of episode? At the same time?
...Is that even possible?
Suzaku shakes off his surprise and stands, patting his pockets for a phone. Of course, this would be the day he'd leave it at home. His godfather'd have it rigged up like some frankencell by the time he got back for sure.
He looks around swiftly, and not seeing a phone in the open]
Damn...
[He mutters it, and when he speaks again, it's in a tone that anyone should be able to hear. The place isn't that big after all]
Someone, call 911! Those men need medical attention.
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[but the call of "someone call 911" brings his attention back to it, and he reluctantly resigns himself to getting involved. this is water-related, he's pretty sure, and calling 911 is not going to end well.]
I'm a nurse. [GOOD-BYE SPOT IN LINE... he hurries over to their table and realizes he has NO idea what to actually do about this. he shoots the rest of the room a nervous glance.]
[...maybe he could try that hangover spell he echoed back? it seems like it'd be applicable to toxicity, if that's what the tap water issue is. but he definitely can't do that in a public place like this and risk people seeing it...]
[facing away from the rest of the cafe, he leans on the table and whispers to Kotetsu and Nick: ] If you can manage to get into the restroom, I think I can fix this.
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Nick knows too well what the police are looking for, and that's the first thought in his mind when he hears someone shout for people to call 911.
He tries to say that they're fine, really, but all he manages to get out is a slight snicker, and then he decides that it's better to just try to hightail it out of there.
Before he can manage to haul himself up from the table, there's a nurse heading towards them, and Nick's pretty sure things can only get worse from here. For a moment, he's ready to deny the man's offer, because he's pretty sure that nothing medical can fix this.
But the restroom is closer than the front door, so Nick jerks a nod and pushes himself up, heading towards the restroom while trying not to burst into laughter.]
assume this is one of those single restrooms without stalls lol. u.u
(if it weren't for the laughter making it hard to focus, he might have registered that it was rather curious Ravi was whispering about their--condition, of sorts)
He shoots Nick a look to convey that the nurse can probably be trusted and staggers to his feet himself, wrapping his arms around his torso to try to stifle the shaking, mouth clenched shut despite the feeling like he can't quite breathe.
It takes some doing, but they finally make their way into the restroom, and Kotetsu's barely in the door before he trips on a crack and sprawls on the ground, laughing hysterically once again.
...He's never been so grateful for a bathroom door being lockable.]
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[he isn't even going to look back at the rest of the room because he doesn't want to see the weird looks people are giving him. he's just going to calmly follow them both into the restroom and pretend everything is perfectly normal and that he is NOT calling unwanted attention to himself]
[he nearly trips over Kotetsu.]
[. . .]
[quietly eases door shut, stares uncomfortably at the cop sprawled on the floor...]
[does not remember to actually lock the door...]
[he kneels beside Kotetsu and sets one hand on his shoulder, holding the other a few inches away from his chest. he has no idea if this is actually going to work, but he figures if it can detox a hangover, it might be able to detox whatever this is.]
[He concentrates and channels the magic from that strange warmth behind his heart, weaving it into that familiar, yet unfamiliar, spell that he's used before. it appears as a golden light in his palm, visible for a brief moment before he lays his hand against Kotetsu's chest. the magic will feel warm and soothing, like liquid sunlight washing through Kotetsu's body. It lasts maybe six seconds, and then Ravi pulls his hands away and it fades, along with the giggles.]
[Ravi was right, the principle of the spell is the same, but this is his first time trying it in this form, so he might not have managed to wash it out completely.]
Better? [tentative. he's not sure yet if it actually worked]
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The laughter doesn't stop when the nurse approaches Kotetsu, even though Nick knows he should be doing something about it - a medical professional's opinion on this is not what they need right now, even if Kotetsu thinks they can trust him.
But it's only because of Kotetsu trusting him that Nick doesn't jump to his feet to intervene when the other man calls up some kind of golden light and puts his hand against Kotetsu's chest. Well, all right, that and the fact that Nick's laughing too hard to move quickly, and it's over too fast for him to do anything about it.]
What the hell?
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Although the bathroom really doesn't seem like the right place to conduct any sort of medical treatment...
Suzaku approaches the door, hears someone talk, and pauses. After a moment's debate, he knocks on the door once]
Everything alright in there?
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...That is, of course, until that golden light appears in Ravi's hand, and his eyes widen in shock before it's pressed to his chest, and the muscles in his chest and stomach slowly calm, the laughter fading out, for the most part.]
You're--...network, aren't you.
[It's semi-wheezed out, as he attempts to speak in between catching his breath.]
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Yes.
[Suzaku's knock and the question that follows startle him; he freezes up, staring at the door. that guy, he doesn't know is network. there is no assurance of safety there. and he has no idea what to say to cover for himself.]
[that's the part where he usually looks to someone else to take the reins, but in this situation, he is the expert. he is the one who's supposed to be in charge of the situation. no matter what answer he gives, it is far more suspicious for someone other than him to be giving an answer.]
Ah--it's fine.
[that is definitely not enough to satisfy any curious bystanders]
It was-- [oh my god, quick, what's a good bullshit medical excuse...] --the lights. You know, some people are very negatively affected by certain types of lights. A few minutes in a dark room and they are fine.
[wow that is. so bullshit. hopefully Suzaku is not also a medical professional.]
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Right, glowing lights, of course it-
[He's cut off by gritting his teeth against more laughing, and by the arrival of - yup, someone who followed them and is asking questions, perfect.
Nick would try to give a better explanation, but honestly, he doesn't have one.
That, and the comment about life made the laughter win, and now he's busy laughing again.]
He's right, it's the lights. You have to admit that's hilarious, I'm not a jerk for thinking my friend's allergy is funny.
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Ravi being network, though. He definitely wouldn't have seen that coming, but then again, it wasn't as if one could predict who would receive a number and become part of this supernatural insanity. Part of him is curious how long Ravi's been one of them, but now isn't the best time to ask.
...Especially with some well-meaning stranger having apparently followed them to the bathroom. Shit, the glowing golden light might be visible from the space under the door if Ravi attempts to fix Nick next.
Going off the nurse's cue (and honestly, if he were the one on the other side of that door, he would totally have bought that bullshit), he adds:]
Y-yeah...yeah, it was the lights. Uh, m'fine, now, but y'know, it'd be--even better if there wasn't any light coming through from under the door, s-so if you wouldn't mind running and grabbing some towels or something......
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The bathroom has the same lights in it.
[It's a flat statement of fact, his tone heavily skeptical. While Suzaku is willing to believe there was a nurse present, he's not sure about the excuse, nor the decision to go into the bathroom.
Probably the filthiest place to take anyone who's happened to fall ill]
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[aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa what does he do now omg noooooooooo WHY CAN'T YOU JUST ACCEPT THE BS STORY HE'S TELLING YOU, STRANGER]
[Ravi freezes up, staring at the door. he...has nothing. he has been caught. there is no way out. trapped!! and he hasn't even cured nick yet!! WHAT IS HIS LIFE]
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Then he attempts to get up, leaning heavily against the door. Both because he needs it to stand, and because he's trying to keep it shut, although given his current state, it's unlikely that it'd take much to push him over.]
They're not florescent in here. It's a different wavelength. Look, I don't know how the hell allergies work, man, why don't you-
[Except he doesn't finish, because the little snorts and chuckles that have interspersed his speech turn into full blown laughter, and it's suddenly hard to breathe.]
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...Nick, it's cool, you can stop now. He's figured it out. [Beat] You caught us, we were just--faking it. It's...for, um. [...] A movie. The, uh, the director thought the scene'd be more realistic if the crowd reaction wasn't scripted. There's--there's hidden cameras all over this place, see...
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It's not my business, as long as nobody's dying in there [and obviously, they weren't] so do us all a favor and cut the crap.
[After a beat, he adds something else]
You'll look conspicuous if you hang around in there too long. People already seem curious.
[Having said that, he steps away from the door. It seems those seizure fits weren't so bad, considering those guys were both trying to come up with reasons - strange reasons - for what's going on.
And he doesn't believe any of it, but he's accomplished what he wanted to. They're fine and that's what he wanted to know.
A personable teenager he is not, but at least he's not prying]
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[Ravi just stares at him in horror. IS THIS REALLY THE OPTION YOU WENT FOR? REALLY? REALLY?!?]
[he can never come to this cafe again.]
[he will miss you, amazing cupcakes...]
[but if Kotetsu is taking the fall then he is just going to do his best to pretend he does not exist. let Kotetsu handle it, Ravi has other things to worry about.]
[he moves to Nick and duplicates the process he used on Kotetsu. One hand braced on his shoulder, gold light gathered in the other and then pressed against his chest. That feeling like liquid sunlight washes most of the toxin out of Nick's system in a matter of seconds]
[when he's done, he pulls back and stares at Kotetsu some more because seriously what now???]
Part 2 - Nick, Kotetsu, Karl
So sorry for the late!!
While waiting for the drink, he spares a quick glance around. People watching proved a good way to kill time. It occasionally led to learning fun, if informative things, as well.]
<3! hopefully this is good, let me know if either of you want changes?
Fortunately, they'd manage to conceal it enough that anyone not belonging to the network had just thought they were having seizures - and even more fortunately, the nurse who happened to be around when someone wanted to call medical help did belong to the network.
Of course, when that's taken care of, Nick still has a few muffled giggles.]
looks good to me :D
…That, and the fact that Nick’s muffled giggles are accompanied by a rather loud hiccup from Kotetsu.]
You’ve gotta be kidding.
me too~
Those two couldn't possibly be... Only one way to find out. Feigning a look of disinterest so not to instantly rouse their suspicions (best err with caution when dealing with other cops, after all), his eyes stray from the pair and continue glancing around while keeping those two within his periphery.
A few seconds later, an employee calls out his drink. A thank you gets uttered to the girl before he starts walking towards an open seat. This particular seat happened to be right next to where Officer Hiccup and Mr. Giggles were. How particularly lucky.]
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I hate my life.
[At least he manages to get that out without laughing, though Kotetsu's hiccup had earned a snicker.
And then, of course, the seat next to them is taken, cutting off any more of Nick's complaining, though he can't stop another chuckle.]
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Another hiccup, and he just...groans. Maybe if they just...ignore the other guy he'll leave....]
Mine [hic!] too.
[He can't even ask for water to calm these fucking hiccups, life is cruel and unfair.]
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The complaining about life? Normal. Doing so while giggling? Abnormal. The fact the, for of a better word, goofier one didn't get a drink for those hiccups said a lot, as well. A few thoughts of what may be causing their behavior cross his mind, but Karl holds off on drawing any conclusions until more data has been gathered.]
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He's not so much worried about his occasional snickers and chuckles - he knows what the police are looking for, and they're coming rare enough that it likely wouldn't fit the bill. It'd probably only be suspicious to anyone who knew the truth about the water, and, well. At least then Nick would know something, too.]
How much trouble do you think we'll be in if we just never come back from lunch?
[He says it like it's a serious option, though it obviously isn't. Neither of them really call out when they're actually sick, let alone when they're not.
Well, sort of a serious option, considering it was interrupted once or twice for another chuckle.]
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[Also said as if it's a serious option, though he is actually honestly considering whether he wants to deal with this in front of their coworkers for however long it lasts--especially considering that they are the ones most likely to get suspicious about things.]
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Karl takes another sip of his drink. He'll wait just another moment before jumping in to this litle conversation. Best to make absolute certain about who they are, after all.]
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Nick doesn't like lying outside of the interrogation room, and he already has to do it enough as is.]
Hopefully no one will ask. They'll just assume we're being workaholics like usual.
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[Perhaps not someone involved with the conspiracy, but even if not, they might confront them about what the hell nonsense that was. Of course, there's an irony in the fact that he's asking this with "someone from the station" sitting only about a foot away.]
We should settle on some sorta story, just in case. Don't wanna get caught saying different things if it gets down to it, right?
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Being on the same page alone may not be enough to convince a superior officer to permit you to essentially skip work.
[Maybe he is a bit of a hardass with that himself, but mostly precisely because of officers trying to skip work like this. Who knows how their precinct's superior is? And if he sees the odd giggling on top of weaseling out of work? That may have an unpleasant end.]
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Now Nick's really glad they'd kept the conversation vague enough that, to anyone not in the network, it would've just sounded like two guys trying to skip work.
Granted, the giggling concerns him a little, but whatever Ravi'd done had killed the effects enough that they didn't resemble anything close to what they'd been asked to look out for.
Nick gives a shrug, cutting off any conversation about potential explanations.]
It's just talk, man, no one's skipping work. I'm not even sure he understands the concept.
[He tilts his head towards Kotetsu, giving a slight smile.]
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He offers a weak chuckle at Nick's words, shrugging vaguely as if to show that yeah, there was no serious contemplation of shirking their duties.]
He says, as if he's any better. The kinda overtime he puts in'd put bees to shame...
[Get it, worker bees, ha, ha ha ha, please leave now stranger see there's nothing at all suspicious going on here, just some coworkers giving each other shit....]
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A look gets spared first at Nick and then at Kotetsu. Is he completely certain they're with the Network? No. Is he about to risk other officers seeing them in this state if they are? DEFINITELY not. With that in mind, Karl closes his eyes and turns back to his drink.]
I see. Then my intended offer of calling your current on-duty superior to attempt to reprieve you both of police duties today won't be necessary.
[The causal way in which that gets said almost feels as though it's a comment on the weather. He'll just allow that to sink in while sipping away at his coffee.]
gah, sorry for the delay! i was waiting on a response from the mods
At the offer, Nick's other eyebrow goes up to join the first. He wasn't expecting that, and now curiosity mixes with wariness.]
Why would you be willing to do that for two officers you don't know?
[Technically, Nick doesn't need it - he's the homicide supervisor, so he pretty much assigns his own duties - but the offer itself interests him.
Either this guy's extremely laid back about actual work duties and is willing to help out a fellow officer, he made the offer to goad them into agreeing so he can report them for shirking duties, or - he's on the network, and knows exactly what the giggling meant and why they're not eager to go back to the station.
And somehow, Nick seriously doubts it's the first one.]