[closed] everyone was watching you as everything just slipped away

[condoner]

Who: Akane Tsunemori (condoner), and friends.
When: 17 April (IC)
Where: The Chilling Cave
What: The Psycho-Pass cast (and then some) go ice skating.
Rating/Warning: Warning for Gino's sadness.

---

[ upon kogami's suggestion, akane's taken it upon herself to find a suitable (ha ha) way of celebrating her 23rd birthday! she found the chilling cave by coincidence while patrolling the streets once and decided that she wants to try ice skating.

so after texting the guys (brother, mom, and dad), as well as a couple of friends (really, it's just a couple. she doesn't have much friends) if they're free on the 17th, she waits outside the chilling cave, hoping to meet up with her friends.

it's time… to chill! ]

Comments

[coefficiency]

[ Never fear, Gino is here to rain on everyone's parade.

Except he starts out the evening with being relatively neutral and borderline pleasant. He's making an extreme effort to be nice because it's Akane's birthday. She doesn't deserve all the toxicity. ]


[ Anyone looking for him in particular can find him skating (shakily at first) around the rink, face impassive. Later, he seems to have gotten a handle on the balance and isn't sticking as close to the guard rails. He's also pointedly ignoring any interaction with Kogami. ]

[condoner]

[ meanwhile, akane is just like a fairy as she casually slides around the rink. she slows down when she sees ginoza and starts walking alongside him. ]

I'm glad you could make it.

[ she's also here to play matchmaker and get him to talk to kogami. have fun with that. :) ]

[coefficiency]

[ Ok but when isn't Akane kind of fae-like? Ginoza slows his own pace, knowing how his long legs can put him ahead of her too easily. ]

Of course. I'm not about to skip out on celebrating your birthday, Inspector. [ He's smiling, just a little. His normal politeness is still there, but he's got a fond tone. Akane's done a lot for him.

That would shatter, naturally, if Kogami were introduced into the conversation. ]

[condoner]

[ come to think of it, there's a lot akane doesn't know about ginoza. let's start with the basics- ]

Is it your first time ice skating?

[coefficiency]

It isn't.

[ Though, the last time he went, he'd been young. Hand in hand between his parents. ]

It's been many years, however. And yourself?

[condoner]

I used to do this with my friends, [ kaori and yuki, she means. ] but there really hasn't been that much time for recreation.

[ even in this place. ]

[coefficiency]

[ Ginoza casts a glance her way, frowning a little. ]

And you say I work too hard. [ He does, but there's a point here. ] I did this with my parents, when I was much younger. Things....didn't turn out like I wanted, eventually, but it's something I have positive memories of.

[ It's his way of reassurance. Empathy, because he knows loss digs deep. ]

[abhors]

[ You can't avoid him forever, Ginoza!! In fact, after a while Kogami just idly skates right next to the man, as if it's some coincidence that he didn't even plan... but of course he did. He told Akane he would speak with Ginoza.

He's also having a smoke as he skates because Fuck The Police. ]

...Hey.

[coefficiency]

[ Ginoza smells the smoke before he senses Kogami next to him. Before the quiet greeting, which makes him press his lips into a thin line, brows dropping and furrowing. He promised himself he'd be civil. Tsunemori would want it. ]

Hello.

[ What do you want? ]

[abhors]

[ Suddenly the whole mood in the rink goes down.......

It's ok, Kogami, use your wit to navigate through this awkward storm. ]

So, read any books lately?

[ Two things Ginoza absolutely loves; small-talk and callback humor. ]

[coefficiency]

[ The cold fury is at least making sure the ice doesn't melt right? ]

No.

[ He's not entertaining this conversation any further. Resolutely, he skates ahead, wanting to escape Kogami's bad humor and his smoking and his existence. ]

[abhors]

[ He skaaaates right up to him again. Sorry, bro, it's a one-way lane. ]

You're upset. I said some things I shouldn't have.

[ Hurting Ginoza wasn't his intention. He wants to blame it on the books, but that seems like a cop out. No doubt it would infuriate his friend even more. ]

[coefficiency]

[ Upset doesn't even cover the half of it. Gino stubbornly doesn't even look at Kogami as the man catches up to him, nor does he make effort to keep pace with him. ]

You're really going to bring this up here?

[ He's trying so hard not to upset Akane on her birthday. ]

[mombastic]

I'm impressed. [ This coming from the young woman who is still sort of wobbly but doggedly making her way around the rink. Is she still sticking close to the guard rails, YEP. ] You seemed to be having as much trouble as I was earlier.

[coefficiency]

[ Atthe sound of being addressed, Gino slows to a stop and glances over at the young woman. She's clinging to that wall for dear life. Hm. ]

I've done this before, a long time ago. It just took me some time to get used to it again. Are you going to be okay?

[mombastic]

Oh, sure! [ cheerfully. ] It's just that I'm not that great at finding my balance yet.

[coefficiency]

I see. [ Why does he get the feeling this will end in a tumble. ] Did you want a hand?

[ Now that he's found his center of gravity, the balancing act isn't as hard. Lending someone some help would be fine. ]

[mombastic]

If you don't mind... I'd hate to pull you down with me, though.

[coefficiency]

You won't.

[ He's pretty sure of this. Skating a little closer, he holds both hands out seriously, ready to catch her when she lets go of the wall. ]

[hoasen]

[Gino apparently you're meant to be really sad?!

But oh, look at that! He's skating better than she did.] Ginoza! You're doing well.

[coefficiency]

[ Ok but when isn't he sad........ ]

Miss Viet. [ A small nod, acknowledging her presence, as well as a partial greeting. Here's someone sensible.

Well. He's conveniently forgetting that incident in the library. Which unfortunately, he's remembering and biting the inside of his cheek so he stops blushing. ]

How are you?

[hoasen]

[Opens mouth...closes it. Good question.

She's a little puzzled by his behaviour at first, then she remembers why.

Thanks Gino, now she's embarrassed too?!]

A-ah, I have been well. Well enough since last time we met. I-I mean, I was well then too, aside from...things. [Oh my god shut up.]

why are you using that icon are you going to paddle him viet???!?!

[coefficiency]

[ Oh.

There's the recognition. Curse his complete inability to deal with situations like this. Kagari had always been the one he'd send to deal with these situations. Or Kunizuka, because she was unflappable. ]

Right. Me too. Except I really don't think I was well...then. Physically yes, of course–

[ what on earth ] In any case. Are you enjoying yourself?

WELL...yes--NO I MEAN NO.

[hoasen]

[Someone just mercy kill these two, god.

She can feel herself getting more red by the second now? Look, he was really charming then too, even if they were under influence.] Y-yes, well, I am glad that you are well. Now! I mean. Then too, but mostly now. [sTOP.

She quickly nods, thankful for the change of topic.] I am! I am no good at ice skating, but it is an experience. What of yourself?

YOU SURE

[coefficiency]

[ Gently kills them honestly

Ginoza can see Viet blushing out of the corner of his eye, so he doesn't really look at her. She probably wants to be embarrassed without calling attention to it. Good. Glad they're both ignoring it. Indeed. ]

You seem to be doing well enough to be away from the wall. [ The mark of a true beginner. ] It's...different. Somewhat nostalgic, but not in a bad way.