savetheearth | action; open post

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action; open post

[It's a pretty nice evening. Sunset, or about that. A nice breeze through the trees and...]

[There is a dog in one of the downtown parks. This would not be an unusual occurrence, except that the dog in question is about the size of a Great Dane, purple, and made of metal. Its eyes are also glowing -- orange, actually. Not that it thinks of itself as a dog, oh no.]

[It's a wolf, dammit.]

[The canine in question seems relatively unconcerned with the fact it's snooping through the park, without anyone else in tow -- such as an owner, or partner who should be keeping tabs on him. He -- because he'd be the first to tell you he is very much a "he" -- just seems to be out for a stroll, trotting about, and exploring. He's been in the park before, sure. But never like this.]

[Do you approach?]

[A) while he lurks in the bushes, watching you? Glowing eyes and all.]

[B) while he gives in to some inane canine desire and goes chasing after a wayward ball across an open field?]

[or]

[C) while he slinks off toward the park's restrooms, carefully looking around for any prying eyes... he left his clothes in there, after all.]

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[While Rakka didn't go out as much as she used to, she still liked to go to the park and stretch her legs. She'd spent some time here feeding the birds before the sun began to set and Rakka made her way out of the park.

Of course, as she passes the bushes, she can't shrug off the feeling that she's being watched, even more than usual.]

[Well. What looks like a kid out on her own... toward evening. He can't say he's terribly fond of children, but looking out for them is kind of part of being a cop, isn't it?]

[This would also be the perfect time to test his sneaking skills. Skulking along in the bushes as she walks.]

[Keeping an eye on her. Because that's not creepy at all.]

[A teen, actually. Someone has almost outgrown her icons. It's still not creepy, not at all.

She continues along the path, oblivious to whatever was watching her, or not. She comes to a stop and begins to look around, obviously feeling like she's being watched.

It's probably just the crows.]

Ah-!

[He might have echoed back a good deal of ninja stalking skills. But he's still not entirely used to utilizing them. There's a vaguely canine yelp, and he does his best to flatten himself down in a bush slightly too small to contain him.]

[That sure is a foot poking out of the undergrowth.]

...What...

[Okay, so that was seriously something watching her. Her attention, actually was drawn to the crow in the tree above him. It squawked once before taking off, but by then Rakka's attention was already drawn to the bushes.

...Oh god, was she being followed by another spirit guide?]

...Uh, hello?

[He freezes. As if, by some weird miracle, that's going to help something. Or make him invisible. After a pause, he pulls his foot a little closer to himself.]

[Yeah. Smooth.]

[There is a very long silence after she speaks. Then, almost sheepishly:]

... Nothing to see here!

[So very smooth.

Clearly, he is the master of stealth.]

Uh...!

[Welp, there's cause for alarm now. Rakka takes a few steps away from the bushes, keeping her eyes trained on the spot where the foot was.]

I, uh....

[What does he even say here. How does he -- He can't even change back into his usual self. There would be a distressing lack of clothing involved.]

[He just leaves a long, awkward silence right here.]

...

If it isn't obvious I mean you about as much harm as a dust bunny would, I'm not sure how else to make that clear.

[It would be very distressing for Rakka to suddenly find a naked guy watching her in the bushes, yes, which is why that should really not happen.

And, yeah. A thing in the bushes talking to her. This isn't something she was thinking would happen.]

...Well, I mean, you could stop... hiding?

... So long as you won't panic.

[There's a quiet rustling in the bushes.]

You have my complete and utter word -- I've no ill intentions whatsoever. So... please, don't panic.

[Could she really make that promise?]

...Uh, okay...

Right. Well.

[He stays put a little bit longer. Before he heaves himself to his feet, and slinks out of the bush, his head hanging.]

[Like a sulking dog, really.]

[HOLY

Uh, well. Huh.

While Rakka does take a step or two away from the big, metal dog, she doesn't run. She seems to be trusting the beast.]

Whoa...

[Well, that's slightly encouraging. Since she hasn't run off yet or anything.]

[He sits, tilting his head at her.]

Yes, well. I suppose it is rather impressive.

[Yet.]

You're... you're a robot dog.

[At least, that's what she thinks he is.]

[He sits up a little straighter, looking indignant all of the sudden.]

Wolf. I'm not a dog.

[Yes you are.]

[Yes he is.]

Uh, okay then, robot wolf.

[Totally a dog.]

Why were you watching me from the bushes like that?

[He deflates a bit, looking far less indignant than before. But cocks his head to one side.]

[... just like a dog.]

You were alone in a park at night. I was making sure you got out safely.

[Rakka briefly glanced at the setting sun. She'd almost forgotten how late it was.]

So, you were protecting me.

[She looks at him confusedly, until she asks,]

Are you another spirit guide or something?

In a way.

[His ears flick, and he cocks his head to the other side.]

Mm, no. Not as such. I'm with the police force.

[It's late and L has no good reason to be in a park alone. Belle was home this evening and the coffee shop has a couple people staying, meaning that privacy in either place isn't guaranteed, and with his cheap prepaid cell phone and Greek language skills, L needs privacy if he's going to continue to investigate the case of Cesar's missing brother.

Curved spine against the outside of the apparently deserted park's restrooms, he's exchanging foreign, hushed words with an informant. He stops mid-sentence, though, when he sees a dark, approaching shape. Clearly, he was mistaken when he assumed that this park was seldom in use during these lonesome hours.]

[His ears perk at the voice, even as it cuts off. His steps pause, and he goes still, alert and watching. He really needs to get home -- and to do that, he sort of needs his clothes. His keys are in there.]

[Very slowly, he starts to inch forward. Maybe if he goes slowly enough, he'll slip under the proverbial radar.]

[L also goes still, phone slipping down around his shoulder after he murmurs a quiet excuse in Greek for ending the conversation abruptly. From what it looks like, the shape isn't human, and looks like a prowling wolf or large dog.

There's no hope getting under the radar, because right now, L's edging toward the bathroom door, thinking that maybe if he can put a door between himself and the animal for a time, it'll lose interest and leave him to walk home in peace. Of all the nights to leave his ice staff at home... he's defenseless, and as a result, pretty wary.]

[Ugh, no, that was the opposite of what he was hoping would happen. If he can't get in there to get his clothes, what the hell is he going to do? He can't walk home like this. Can he access the network in the dirt? Draw in the numbers?]

[He huffs, and hunkers down in a patch of brush, hoping maybe the lack of movement or other such obvious presence will make the guy leave the bathroom door, at least.]

[L hates bathrooms. They tend to be smelly and cramped, but they also tend to be private, and he decides it's a great place to resume his cell phone conversation. He hits call, redialing his Greek contact's number. One option while he waits for the man to pick up is to look at his ashen, gaunt reflection in the mirror. The other is to survey his surroundings. He opts for the latter, the detective's eyes wandering idly around the bathroom to pass the time... and pick up on anything that might be out of place.]

[He actually growls in frustration. No, he needs his goddamn clothes. His phone. His wallet -- okay, so maybe this wasn't the best idea he's ever had. But no one was supposed to go in there.]

[But -- maybe he can wait this out.]

[Smart men became bored easily, but true geniuses didn't remain bored for long. Stuck in a public bathroom, waiting for his contact to pick up, he's fidgety and starts roaming... until his eye catches a glimpse of a plastic bag tucked away in a bathroom stall.

Seems someone left some rather essential things here...]

[Damn it...]

[He huffs, and sucks it up. He needs those things. And he can hear the plastic rustling from here. Attempting his best growl... he shoves at the door with his head, trying to remember if it's pull or push and hoping for the latter.]

[L has barely begun examining the contents of the bag, which remind him disturbingly of the personal affects a family member is given following a death in a hospital, when he hears a sudden snarl and sees the door swing suddenly inward as the beast he's trying to avoid tries to plow its way into the bathroom.

Clearly, his attempt to hide and wait for it to lose interest wasn't very effective. Cursing under his breath, he ends his attempted call and throws himself against the door. He's a skinny thing, 110 pounds soaking wet with a willowy, insubstantial build. If the animal outside is persistent, it'll probably overpower him relatively quickly.

He has worked too hard to die here. He raises his voice, making it sound as rough and fierce as he possibly can as he braces against the door with every ounce of his strength.]

If you're intelligent... numbered... you'd better show me a sign quick. I'll use my powers to defend myself as a last resort, and trust me, you do not want me to feel like that's necessary...!

[It's a bluff that he tries to keep from sounding as desperate as it is. L has no powers, no weapons, no ability to even make a fist with either hand.]

[He pauses mid-step as he becomes aware of someone - or something - watching him. It sends a prickle up his spine like some long-forgotten instinct and slowly, his attention falls on the pair of glowing eyes watching him from some nearby bushes.]

Uh.

[Spooky. He clears his throat, not quite able to see what the source of the light is.]

Sweet trick, what's your next one?

[... crap.]

[He really needed to work on this whole ninja stealth business. Clearly, he wasn't very good at it. He shifted in the bushes.]

I'm... just a figment of your imagination.

... Uh huh.

[Nope.]

And I was born yesterday.

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action; open post

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[C]

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A // late tag is the latest

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