estoria | ( OPEN ) red light, green light

Entry tags:

( OPEN ) red light, green light

Who: Haruka Nanase (

freed), Makoto Tachibana (

cordated), and YOU!
When: IC 1/9 —1/11
Where: Nearly every district! Not limited to: CERES Food Stop, CERES Game Center, a bunch of nondescript street corners, and jail.
What: Bending the rules, breaking the rules, and ~~cheating~~ beating the system?! Or trying to, at least.
Rating/Warning: PG.

1. CANDY SHOP.MP3 (ceres food stop.)

[ upon entering the shop, a one-sided conversation ensues as the only shop attendant speaks in stifled tones to ... what seems to be himself, if his gaze wasn't stubbornly trained to a certain spot behind the counter: ]

both

[ but once the door opens with a protracted tinkle of a bell, he turns. eyes drawn in assiduous focus, he dolefully grins as he angles his attention to the customer venturing out to browse the wares. ]

[ at this point, he's interrupted by a rather plaintive mewling (miaow, miaow) warbled from somewhere around his feet. visibly paling, makoto coughs a few times and resumes speaking. ]

haha

[ one hand sweeping over the display case, he makes a point to tap the sweets display case several times in quick succession. ]

2. TMW YOU CAN'T WIN HELLO KITTY FROM THE CLAW MACHINE (ceres game center.)

[ or you might find makoto situated in one of the various arcades in the conglomerate sprawl of game centers, studiously trying his luck (and a substantial amount of his daily paycheck) on one of the claw machines. mouth puzzled open on a sigh, he's even got his head tilted a few degrees to the side in a futile effort to win the only cat plush in the glass chamber, only to come up with empty hands on his last try, not any closer to his goal than he was on his initial run. ]

[ retreating from the machine, he holds out his only inadvertently-won prize (a rather squashed-looking stuffed animal of indeterminate origin) to the bystander standing in the line right behind him. ]

[ a beat or two passes, and then: ]

3. KIND OF LIKE A SLASHER FLICK EXCEPT NOT (random street corner ... seedy alleyway, perhaps ...)

[ so: you're in a derelict alleyway sometime in the evening. nightlife solidifies with all the risqué robot models strutting over the various walkways when you get the distinct sense you're being followed.

it's just an inkling of a doubt, but it's enough to take caution, all up until the point someone's hand clamps tightly on your shoulder. assuming your heart didn't stop and leave us one man down in this scenario, you are now very near to one tall and mildly anxious looking boy with green eyes and brown hair, as well as a shorter boy with black hair and blue eyes. it is the latter of these two who speaks to you.]

[a flyer is held up to you with THIS FACE]

[a second flyer with THIS FACE in his other hand appears!

upon closer inspection (as if you need it to be closer than RIGHT IN YOUR face but you know…) one will notice descriptions under the pictures as follows:

RIN MATSUOKA:

— answers to rin-rin
— likes romcoms
— really pointy teeth

KISUMI SHIGINO:

— tends to sparkle
— liberal use of emojis when texting/speaking/breathing
— pink

if you're quiet/silent/have been startled into death for too long, well, eventually the blue-eyed one here will simply….

…blink expectantly as if to say well?…without actually saying it at all. ]

4. IN THE SLAMMER (ceres government center.)

[ the first day in central holding, makoto learns two valuable things about going to prison:

a) it's actually called jail, not prison, for a short-term stay behind bars. more specifically: an overnight stay for a benign misdemeanor, or so they inform him.
b) the "one phone call" bit is a complete hoax. if anything, calls are encouraged. not that knowing that helps him in particular, but it's good to know, nonetheless.

notwithstanding the fact he couldn't ask haru to bail him out, considering they were held up in the same communal cell with at least three other people with them, makoto's absolutely terrified. over the course of two hours, he's kept his eyes peeled staring at the clock and trying to will himself to remain silent and moderately low-key. and makoto fails spectacularly, for the most part, his voice rising entire octaves as he babbles on and on to a relatively levelheaded boy sitting beside him. ]

bad

when everyone we know publicly disowns us

streets

[ when he doesn't get the validation he desperately needs (you know, something beyond placid one-word remarks), he turns to the closest onlooker, doing his absolute best not to stutter. ]

( NOTE: this is a partial joint post with

freed for part 3 + 4! it'll go: you > one of us > you unless you'd prefer no tag order or you'd like us to tag you separately. )

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[ this guy. preoccupied with dolling out cotton candy for the children reaching sticky-fingered hands for the sweets, makoto answers out of unconscious habit. ]

Well, no, actually, this type is pronounced more like —

[ and abruptly freezes when it sinks in. luckily, none of them noticed (or frankly don't care), since all they've done is hopped in the general direction of the jellybean section while he makes headway toward jack, voice tuned down to just a whisper. ]

Please don't tell anyone! There's a cat in here, but he'll be going soon, I promise. [ look at him, making strangely illicit-sounding promises to innocuous bystanders. it's like only one notch above breaking the law. ]

[The guy isn't panicking over the amount of children - in fact he's doing his best to feed them all, and Jack can appreciate that. But that won't stop him from laughing his ass off at Makoto's sudden freezing and whispering.]

Relax, I'm not on the responsibilities' side. [Trouble is his second name, and he won't be telling on anyone for something so silly as a cat. Still... he can have some fun with this, right?] I may need something to keep my mouth shut, though. Something sweet?

[Hey, if he can get some free candy out of this one, then he's gonna do so and enjoy the hell out of it.]

[call him a killjoy, but haru manages to have the timing of sheer coincidence down to a would-be science: he somehow ends up behind the counter with the cat, perhaps without either of the other two noticing, and the way he swoops the feline up into the crook of his arm is so easy one has the impression he's done it before. (truth: he has. the strays back home frequent his porch and backyard more than actual people, and haruka is fine with this.) as the cat makes a mild protesting noise, he placates it with a scritch to its ear which has it subsiding quickly into a deep, rumbling sort of purr.]

I'll be taking him.

[that's as much notice as he gives, not saying anything to the subject of bribery or candy; he just doesn't care, but he blinks down at the pale-haired boy a little curiously as he passes him, heading for the door, leaving makoto to fend for himself. it is his job after all.

without warning though, as he walks by, the cat makes a swipe at the boy. haru intercepts the clawed paw however, makes a 'tsk' sound under his breath, and ...exits the premises without a backward glance. ]

KITTY!

[The kids didn't hear the cat but they sure see it when Haruka picks it up, and they run around him, trying to pet it. Jack is surprised to see this new teen, he didn't notice his arrival. Where does he even come from?

When he gets blinked at, Jack waves in return, wondering if this is another guy with his face permanently stuck in a line. Judging by that retreat, he probably is.]

...talk about a killjoy. [He turns to Makoto again.] Can I still have some free candy? There's a bunch of disappointed kids that need the hollows that cat left in them filled with sugar.

[ what just — ... what? what? that was bizarre, unexpected, and so horribly, horribly convenient that makoto kind of spaces out, unsure whether to thank haru or assidiously ignore this well-timed getaway as just another thing that happens when you believe hard enough. ]

O ... Okay? I'll see you later, then.

[ HE'S LOST. HE'S SO LOST and he doesn't even have half the suaveness to take this in stride beyond one clumsy nod as haru vacates the premises, only to turn back to stare at jack with the same level of dazed, teetering astonishment.

(that's not even addressing the heartbroken kids currently smearing their frustrations — and their sticky-sweet hands — all over the counter as mr. kitty and company leaves the candy shop.) ]

Sure, I don't see why not? Which ones do you want to try?

[ as an invention of inordinately terrible pandering, yeah, makoto's a good candidate for suckering into bribery. ]

[Yep, that's a lot of dazed staring. Jack waves his cold hand in front of Makoto's face, wondering if he should hit the guy with a snowball to-- ah, never mind, there we go.

He shakes his head at the sudden reaction, this is too amusing. (And too easy!)]

What about stuff without cat hair on it? [Just teasing, promise. the kids soon change their crying out of "kitty!" to "candy!" and Jack... well, he's not exactly stopping them.] And you may want to hurry up before they...

[Grinning, he leaves that sentence hanging there totally on purpose. Jack? Enjoying this? No way.]

Edited 2015-06-26 02:52 (UTC)

[ as luck would have it, he breaks out of his trance before jack commits the grievous misdemeanor of pelting a poor candy shop cashier with a snowball, but makoto's not out of the woods just yet.

the planets must be in cosmic misalignment this week, judging from the uproarious fanfare of toddlers swarming around him, shrieking with incoherent delight at the thought of free samples.

man, he's going to have to answer to so many aggravated parents when their children come back to them intoxicated on lollipops and saltwater taffy. ]

None of them should have any cat hair on them, but would be a wrapped candy bar be alright?

[ he's already counting out of his paycheck as lifts up a box resembling the sort that girl scouts use during their fundraisers, except it's totally loaded, and definitely, definitely cat-free. ]

Just take one!

[ makoto's already crossing his fingers in the fervent hope that he's currently situated in the security camera's blindspot ... ]

[Makoto can relax, if someone gets blamed for shit, it's always Jack. Chuckling a bit more, Jack shakes his head, again thinking too easy.]

It was a joke. Are you always in cloud nine or it's just the post-cat effect?

["One" is a very special number, a number not many kids are fond off. As soon as Makoto offers his box, the children start pushing and throwing their little fingers to snatch some candy. Bless this guy and his illegal pet!

Not wanting to get caught in the swarm, Jack takes off and hovers above them, keeping a close eye on any possible accidents. He doesn't mind breaking stuff, but children are his responsibility!]

That sound-- [The excited squealing, he means.] --is kid-speech for thank you.

[ it's like his fate to be tortured and spun in mental circles by the supernatural. first, a ghost at a carnival ride gone awry. next, the manifestation of trickery and maybe christmas, judging from his preternaturally white hair. maybe he's another eccentric anime kid. it's a sad day when flying isn't the weirdest thing he's ever seen in the candy shop. ]

A little bit of both, to be honest. It's been a really long day, and I'll be leaving early this shift to go out looking for my friends again. Haru could've at least given me a heads-up. He's supposed to be collecting posters from the print shop right now! They might toss them out if he's late.

[ and now they're fighting over the candy box?! it idly occurs to him he should've just counted their heads (plus the overgrown one ... hovering ... around them like an overprotective mother goose), but the time for crying over spilled milk has long-since passed. he leaves the content of the boxes at their whims as he props his arms on the counter, sighing resignedly. ]

Remember to brush your teeth afterwards! You guys wouldn't want to get cavities, right?

[That is the smartest decision Makoto can take. The kids quickly take the box and start sharing out the candy. They offer some to Jack, too, who doesn't hesitate on taking them with a thank you. It seems the cotton candy sample wasn't enough (as if he needed to eat anyway).]

I'm guessing Haru is Mister Lineface? He doesn't look too fun to spend your evening with. If you're looking for someone, why not asking the network?

[It's the one good thing about being locked in a city, Jack supposes, there aren't many places people can escape to. The mention of teeth brushing makes him pause, and suddenly Jack's expression softens, his chuckling not being at Makoto but at a good memory coming to him. The children nod eagerly and tell the guy they know that already! They need to keep them clean and healthy for the Tooth Fairy, Jack said so.]

You really sounded a bit like Tooth just now.

[ and makoto grins. it's no cool, disaffected veneer because he's an incorrigible sap and pays no heed to maintaining even an ounce of professionalism as he outstretches his hands to collect the wrappers, dumping the mess in the garbage bin and propping his elbows back on the counter. he hums, something like a laugh ensconced at his throat at their smiles because it's literally his lifeblood to see people happy. jack can't be that bad of a guy if he's got a whole legion of adorable children trailing after him, babbling away at full throttle. ]

Don't tell anyone, but he's a little shy. Haru's a good guy, though. Trust me. [ cue a genial nod, even as he grimaces at jack's ensuing commentary. ] ... Well, I wouldn't want to obligate someone on the network to watch my cat.

[ enabling him to use virtual skype for finding a feline-sitter is the privilege of people who aren't as wildly self-conscious as makoto. imagine being forever known to the online community as the guy who can't take care of a robot cat properly. it's a pretty mortifying prospect.

thoughtfully, he glances back up to regard jack with a contemplative air. ]

... Your friend's on the right track, then! Is Tooth also here?

[Jack can't be that bad of a- oh, Makoto, you sweet swimming child. Let's not ruin that naive image of Jack for now. Since he's in a good mood now, thanks to the sugar and the cute kids, it means he isn't his usual asshole self. Well, not as much anyway.]

Just a little shy? [He arches an eyebrow. Uh-huh, sure.] Still easier than printing posters.

[Jack shrugs. If Makoto wants to choose the longer, more boring way, then that's his problem. At Makoto's question, his face falls a bit - he wants to see the Guardians again, but at the same time, he isn't sure if he should wish this place on anyone.]

Nah, she isn't. I hope the kids here still get something under their pillows, she wouldn't take it well if all these teeth weren't properly safekept.

[ jack hangs out with small children who don't mind his presence at all, so that's as good a reason as many for makoto to trust him. he doesn't probe too deeply into questions whether the guy's an out-and-out rogue with a penchant for trickery and a backstory that'd reduce makoto to tears. ]

Very shy. He sulks a lot, so you'd never guess it, but give him a chance and he'll warm up to you right away. [ this could logically segue into talking about their ~~robot-cat~~ CYbuddy, who shares many of the same traits, but he'll spare jack the drivel about felines and people with an eerie resemblance to their pets.

offhandedly, he picks up a stray wrapper that missed the trash can by a few inches, brows scrunched in contemplation. ]

Their parents probably do it for them. [ it's a bit of a delayed reaction when he glances back up, gauging jack with some stupefaction. ] Wait — your friend —

... s-she's the tooth fairy?!

[ ???????????????????? ]

[Don't worry, Makoto, Jack quickly notices the parallel too, and now he's imagining a much older Haru under a sakura tree surrounded by cats.]

Oh! So he's just a bigger cat. Maybe a snowball should visit him in the future...

[Obviously what this guy needs is a little fun magic, right? Jack will keep it in mind for later. Now it's time to, well. Snicker. Because of course Makoto is confused by what he said, bu he's gonna try and play it cool anyway. Funnier that way.]

Duh, of course she is. Who else leaves money in exchange of the teeth under your pillow?

[The kids raise their hands and cry out excitedly, they know the answer! Jack calms them down with a finger against his lip. Let the teen have this one.]

[ hilarious. ]

Pretty much. Don't be too disappointed if he waves it off at first, though. He has a hard time having fun if it's not related to swimming.

[ despite weird first impressions, jack is turning out to be a pretty good guy. someone definitely yanking his chain and spinning tall, grandiose tales in the same breath, but he can't fault him for being a pretty good comedian. either that, or makoto's brand of humor is a little stale (probably the latter). ]

You've gotta' be joking! I think I would've known if it someone besides my parents leading quarters underneath my pillow when I was younger, but nice try. You almost had me going for a second there.

Swimming, huh? [Look at this grin. Just look at it. WHO MENTIONS WATER TO THE ICE GUY COME ON.] I know exactly what to do with a pool.

[And that is, freezing it over. Let's see how the guys swims then.

Now, Jack jokes a lot, that's true, but right now? Makoto's (stale indeed) brand of humor offends him. He's not pouting, no really - or maybe he is. A little bit.]

Or maybe you grew up and stopped believing in what is important.

[...no, that's not swimming.]

... Huh? Are you going to put confetti in the pool or something?

[ makoto's gone about his pitiable life in tellus without ever once catching jack in action, so it stands to reason he isn't aware of his ability to freeze things over. haru might potentially flay them both if he found out, so it's better if he keeps this conversation to himself.

he can't help his desiccated humor, though. that's a lifelong attribute. stop bashing swimming, though????? he doesn't insult your weird comedic act, okay. ]

I don't know about it. I wouldn't call myself a superstitious person, but I don't think I've ever stopped believing in what's important to me.

[ coincidentally, his words can also be interpreted as: how overreliance and defunct coping mechanisms ruined makoto tachibana. ]

Confetti? Not what I had in mind, but I like it! Thank for the idea.

[If Haru ever asks, Jack will just point in Makoto's direction. He's just a innocent bystander here, being fed evil thoughts by the candy seller. Sweet, sugary extortion, that will his excuse!

Jack stares at Makoto for a moment with deep, old eyes. The kids are about to finish their candy, and soon will want to go. But first their caretaker has a point to make.]

If you haven't written to Santa in a while then I don't think you have.

[And that's said with a total serious face. Because he means it.]

[ if he ever finds out jack was the perpetrator who ended up spraying some kind of weird cat joke on his apartment door, he's gunna' reserve his right to deny him entrance in the store, lest he pull a sleight of hand and gyp him into inciting his superior's ire by offering a bunch of random bystanders candy. ]

Sheesh. If you really do it, remember to clean up afterwards! I know Haru wouldn't think too much of it, but you might scare another swimmer down by the gym pool if you time it wrong. He's usually there really early in the morning or late at night.

[ sabotaging his friends with harmless pranks is a non-issue to makoto, apparently. but at the probing focus of jack's stare, he visibly quails, examining the grain of the wooden countertop the children are still jostling up against, content to tune out some (nearly) grown man's acute embarrassment. ]

It wasn't too long ago.

[ he participated in the secret santa event way back when he first arrived, okay ....... cut him some slack .......... ]

Scare? What is scary about confetti?

[This guy makes no sense, but hey, thanks for Haru's schedule, Jack appreciates the information. Look, he's even smiling! At that and at the fact Makoto has written to Santa. Jack has heard some stories when he arrived though...]

I hope you don't mean you wrote to those crazy Santas people keep telling me about. They're an insult to poor North. [With the candy gone, the kids are ready for more playing and they say exactly that, pulling Jack's clothes as they do so.] Yeah, yeah, we can go now. What do you say first?

[A chorus of "thanks for the candy, mister!" echoes in the shop. Cute, aren't they?]

You're planning to give Haru the shock of his life, right? If he finds out, he might end up holding it against you.

[ see: the span of kisumi's entire relationship with the quiet but deadly resident ~~dolphin~~ swimmer, haruka nanse.

but makoto's more than content to chuck the topic of "crazy santa people" in the metaphorical garbage bin, free from the ears of these poor, impressionable children, and bid jack and his delighted gaggle of kids a deeply affected wave. ]

I'll catch you all later! Remember to keep a balanced and healthy diet, okay?

[ a little hypocritical coming from the candy shop cashier, but it's not like makoto's ever pay that any heed. ]

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( OPEN ) red light, green light

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oh my gdo ...... also i'm really sorry for the wait

np!

:')

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