[OPEN] Survelliance and Lolita Cafes

[chainjailer]

Who: Kurapika and YOU!
When: Dec 13th~16th
Where: Cosplay cafe, CERES research tower, residential district
What: Trying to snoop into/get hired at the research tower. Also, crossdressing.
Rating/Warning: None.

a; cosplay lolita cafe
[For once, the crossdressing was not his idea. Kurapika had earnest such an infamous reputation at his job because of his temper, the only way to remedy it had been to give him a professional make-over, from boyish aristocrat to classic lolita. He was now the designated tsundere--twin-tailed wig and all.

It was completely degrading. Kurapika loathed every moment of it, but the customers who sat at his tables loved it. Lucky for him he wouldn't have to deal with this job much longer, if his plans for the CERES Research Tower pulled through...

For now though, he was begrudgingly waiting his next table, eyebrows knit with irritation.] May I take your order?

b; research tower
[Kurapika was wearing another one of his disguises again, this time dressed up as a modest secretary. He figured it was an innocuous enough role to infiltrate CERES with, and it--hopefully--kept his identity hidden.

But before heading inside he hung out nearby, asking anyone who looked like they were heading into the building:] Excuse me. Do you work here?

c; residential district/choose your own adventure
[As he made his way through the residential district, Kurapika was carrying a bag full of candles, tea, flowers, and one mysterious cake box. So many candles. Did he not have lights in his apartment?

(He didn't, actually. He took all his light bulbs out after realizing they might have surveillance devices in them.)]

Comments

b!

[meriter]

[ Unlike Kurapika, who has enough common sense to properly deck out for the occasion, Elliot's just in his regular stuffy attire, every ruffly cuff a callback to his inadequacy to accurately read a situation. In any case, he doesn't even make it to the entrance — and when he's accosted, he merely swivels to face the stranger with every intention to use extortion to the best of his capabilities.

The question's nothing short of unexpected, though. Elliot could just answer it, all implications notwithstanding, but being emotionally obtuse is never that simple. ]

I don't recognize you. What are you here for?

[ JUST THE USUAL, dodging an answer while springing yet another inquiry one misstep away from trespassing research grounds, because that's always a fun way to start the day. ]

[chainjailer]

[Kurapika's expression remains neutral as he better takes in the stranger's appearance. Upon second thought, he doesn't exactly look liked someone who worked at the research center.]

I was hoping to apply for a position--at the research center, in particular. [He'll repeat his first question.] Do you work there?

[meriter]

Why? [ Elliot doesn't overtly appear like he works anywhere, derisive hellion that he is, but at least he hasn't bolted off the first minute he was spotted?! Come to think of it, the guy he's approached by doesn't fit the profile of a security guard — he's spent plenty of time hanging around the area to get acquainted.

He rubs at the flat of his nose. ] The working hours at the research center star early, don't they? Private information wouldn't be readily accessible just because you managed to sneak in.

[ It's not as much an answer as it is an admittance, in any case. ]

[chainjailer]

Ah. [That confirms that rather quickly.

Kurapika looks about as far from a security guard as possible, given the business casual skirt and wig.]

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. [He wasn't about to blow his cover just because this guy had no sense of subtlety. If he could help it, he'd rather not waste an entire disguise.

However, he realizes the value in someone who shares the same goals as him, and he has nowhere else to start yet, besides trying to get a job at the place. The guy doesn't really look like he knows what he's doing though, so he best be wary.]

Perhaps we should talk somewhere else?

[meriter]

You don't work here.

... I don't plan to out you. [ Or he'd give himself away in the process. It's a precarious position.

He half-asses just about everything, so that explains his discernible lack of composure in the matter as his expression knots into half-cooled discomposure. He's spent the last few weeks traipsing around, never getting close enough for comfort. It's better that he kept his distance, anyhow — no use ruining what was bound to work. But in the wake of Kaoru's sister disappearing, he evidently jumped the gun, warranting the notice of another. Suspicions had only accrued in the wake of the recent disappearances.

Elliot eyes him in lukewarm appraisal. ] If it's something worth talking about, then I'm not disinclined.

[chainjailer]

[Kurapika's eyebrow twitches.]

Obviously not, I'm trying to get hired. You make a lot of assumptions, you know. [He's leering now, because if this guy lacks any more subtlety in his general direction, his cover's going to be blown. What if someone from CERES is watching--eavesdropping?]

Why don't you just follow me. [Before you mess things up any further.]

[meriter]

[ YOU KNOW, maybe Elliot doesn't care about the end goal anymore. Maybe he just wants to see Kurapika burn??? Anyone with more than an iota of common sense that doesn't automatically bend the way he wants gets on this dork's (s)hit list, anyways.

Yeah, CERES officials are probably live-taping it as they speak. This mission was a bust. ]

Then you don't have to be furtive about it. Directness is key.

[ DESPITE THE FACT HE WAS CREEPING AROUND HIMSELF ... ] What, so you can rail on me? You don't provide much to go on.