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Who: abe no "i'm so gloomy now" sousei & all of you people
When: IC: 1/21-23 || OOC: 6/17-20ish WHENEVER
Where: Various, catch him wherever suits!
What: What do you do when your partner's gone missing? Do dumb things and check on all of his adopted children, naturally.
Rating/Warning: None!

a. open - around the shopping district;

[At first, he didn't really think anything was wrong. Tenka going missing was naturally concerning, but he could've been at work, or the like. But as the day drags on and he doesn't show up, Sousei actually picks up his phone to call him.

User not Registered.

That's...that's very bad. Don't mind Sousei just standing in the middle of the sidewalk staring down at the CereVice in his hand.

At least, until he snaps back into action, turns abruptly, and starts going in the other direction. Too bad he didn't look where he was going first, hopefully his abrupt stop and equally abrupt direction change didn't cause any traffic jams.

Otherwise he can be found poking his head into shops and through alleyways and possibly even opening up and peering into trash cans. What does he think he's going to find there? Who knows. He has to give it a try, though. Even if he does look ridiculous with a trash can lid held over his head.]

b. open - gym;

[And as it drifts into the next day with still no Tenka, Sousei has to admit what he very much doesn't want to--namely that Tenka's gone, and they have no idea if he'll come back or anything. The city has only just started to run properly again after that entire ghost scare; still, it's hard to really appreciate that when it's becoming starkly obvious that everything is not quite right now.

Which is why he can be found in the gym even before his shift begins, practicing. It's good to practice. It's a good way to stay fit, and sharp, which is necessary after that entire fiasco.

Of course, he may be taking this a little too far, as the time drags on into hours and his breathing comes in short, sharp pants. He should probably take a break, but it doesn't seem like it's all too likely right now.]

c. semi-open: to tenka's close cr/people he adopted/etc;

[If Tenka knew you or was trying to take care of you or wanted to help you in some way or was even just amused by you, chances are he told Sousei. And now, as it edges into the third and four and fifth day and still no sign of Tenka coming back, he has to admit that that's probably the case. It had taken Soramaru two weeks to come back, so it isn't as though there isn't hope--but even so, he can't leave this for two weeks.

So he goes to perform his Not Fun Dad duties (which, for the record, he never signed up for). So if Tenka knew your address, he'll be awkwardly knocking on your door, or if he otherwise sees you around the city, he'll be approaching.

Awkwardly.

Sorry if you've never met him before, but he has a Duty to perform, and that duty is looking out for Tenka's gigantic swarm of adoptees and making sure they're all okay after that entire ViViD and technological fiasco.]

Excuse me.

[Don't mind him. He's just a little more Awkward than Tenka--and he's a little tired, though it's hard to tell from his face.]

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[Not hearing from Tenka for a couple days is strange, but not unheard of. Even with his dad tendencies, Peko is hardly one of his needier children, considering she has yet to even knock on his door to bother him without an invitation.

So the knock at hers, when she isn't expecting Kuzuryuu to come by, takes her by surprise. Most people she's familiar with would call first... or just try to pound down the door. So she makes a point to grab her sword and peer through the peephole without a word, before finally unlocking the door.]

Abe?

[She sounds confused and a little concerned as she glances up at him. There's a few faded bruises and healing cuts still visible from her experiences in ViViD, but otherwise she's no worse for the wear than usual. She's dressed in a plain, navy blue yukata for casual wear, sheathed katana still held loosely in one hand; while she doesn't invite him in, she doesn't shut the door on him, either. It's like she's not entirely conscious of the idea that it's good manners to not leave someone standing on the doorstep.]

What is it?

[HMM what's this, a gloomy guy in the dojo sparring for way longer than he should be?? Who could this possibly remind Kashuu of...

It's the familiarity of the sight that gets him to pause first, and the fact that he recognizes Sousei soon after that gets him to actually say something. He's here for practice too - only just arrived from his shift - but a sword doesn't need to be around watching the entire bout to be able to read how it's gone in the movements of a person. As he removes his shoes and goes to put his bag over by the side of the door, he calls out with a light-sounding:]

Haven't you been in here for a while?

[It's nice to have lights back in the city. All things considered, Leia is in a decent mood as she strolls the shopping district. She isn't looking for anything in particular for the moment, but this kind of aimless wandering is just what she's missed. There are just some things you can't do in the dark!

... At least, not without some risk.

Normally she'd be okay with that, too, but it's nice not to have to worry as much, after everything that's happened.

She sighs and walks past a trashcan she's probably seen a million times before, but literally backtracks when it hits her what she just saw.]

... Mr. Sousei?

[Well, that's convenient that she was home and present, at least. Sousei probably did not exactly think this entire Quest through, but if he had, he might've backed out and that would've been no good.

So here he is instead.

It takes him a moment to respond; he's looking her over, noting the bruises and cuts and trying to look for further injury. Upon finding none, he does relax, if a fraction.]

Pekoyama.

[At least he doesn't seem to mind the lapse in manners--he's not really great about manners himself half the time.]

I've come to check in on you. [A brief pause.] And to inform you that Tenka is no longer in the city.

[wow cushion that blow a little, Sousei.]

[Who could it be!!!

But no, Sousei really hadn't had any intention of stopping, even with interruptions--but he recognizes the voice, and he knows how persistent Kashuu can be, and so ultimately he lowers his sword (his proper sword; there's no need to use a practice sword when there's nobody around) and turns to face him.

So he worked up a sweat and his arm might be trembling a little, no big deal.]

Perhaps. Did you need something, Kiyomitsu?

[Look.

There might have been a crabhead in the trashcan.

You never know. (Though Sousei wouldn't really want to consider the state Tenka would have to be in to be in a trashcan.) Regardless, he sets the lid down, frowning at it, before turning his attention back to Leia.]

Rolando. What is it?

[NOTHING AT ALL STRANGE HERE, MOVE ALONG...]

[She opens her mouth to start to ask if something had happened that would cause him to check on her -- something like the memory-dreams again, perhaps -- but then he states that Tenka is no longer in the city, and her mouth closes again without a sound. That grip on her sword loosens slightly for a moment with shock, then tightens, squeezing the lacquered sheath as if to force herself to focus.

Her expression doesn't change much beyond a faint ripple of shock as her eyes search Sousei's face. Considering it's Sousei, she doubts this is a joke.]

Is that... so?

[And even she's surprised by how hesitant her voice is, like someone else is speaking for her.]

You're certain?

[No one really comes knocking on her door. Honestly she'd half-expected to see Sano on the other side of the door, as he's the only one she could think of that would seek her out for any reason, so Sousei at the door is met with open surprise, and then unease.

She's got a bad feeling about this.

Oona's managed to, well, sort of ignore Tenka's absence. They've just been missing each other, that's all! They were fairly busy people, they had things to do, places to be, people to see. It wasn't anything to get alarmed about, right?

But seeing Sousei there made her stomach twist uneasily] ...Sousei? [A mumble, almost, and with a frown she steps aside to let him in. Her apartment is surprisingly neat, if a bit cluttered with the pretty objects she buys liberally, and the holoshit set up to make it seem like some underwater grotto.]

I am certain.

[The shock isn't a surprise; it's...a shock. For anyone. For everyone. It feels like just yesterday Tenka was grabbing his arm and saying they had to do everything together, that "so long as it's you"--

Which is pointless now, of course. Tenka's not here.]

It has been a few days now. I have seen instances of people returning after two weeks, but... there is no guarantee. That is the situation.

[And if he does return, he might not remember--

That's a difficult thought for him to swallow too.]

[He steps in because she invites him in, and it's polite, and he knows this isn't going to go over well, but Oona has the right to know, and needs to know, and it falls upon him to deliver this news.

And Tenka deserves so much misery for putting him in this position, but that's the rub, isn't it? Tenka's not here.

So Sousei crosses his arms neatly behind his back, posture as military straight as ever, and meets Oona's eyes.]

... Oona. [...he thinks he should probably check on That Other Thing before he drops the drama bomb.] How are your injuries?

[His posture bothers her even more and she finds herself twisting her hands together as she watches him.]

Eh? Ah... [Right.Injuries. She looks down at herself. A couple of the wounds had needed stitches like she's expected, but she'd been diligent in cleaning them. Probably they wouldn't scar too badly and even i they did they'd just blend in with the others.] ...Itchy.

[Which meant they were healing, but it wasn't very pleasant.] But healing. Will be fine.

...You did not come just for seeing wounds.

[So long as she's healing, he doesn't really intend to press; he believes her, after all, and...well, to drag this out any longer would be deceptive and painful to her (to the both of them).

So he nods.]

That's correct. [A breath, but he stays steady, and his voice is as calm as ever (calmer, maybe, flatter and more devoid of emotion, because he's putting an effort into keeping it just that).] Tenka is no longer in this city.

[What's the good in prevaricating?

The fact of the matter is, they're alone.]

Yes... two of my classmates have gone missing recently, as well.

[Again, it kind of sounds like an echoing in her ears, like someone's kindly holding a normal conversation in her place while she's still struggling to process it. It's one thing for Souda and Hanamura, classmates she was never particularly close to, to suddenly cease to be an outlying part of her life, but for someone who'd gotten so close in such a short period of time...?

Before she can comment further, there's a high-pitched whistling from within the apartment that jolts her back to herself.]

Ah... I was... making tea. Please, come in.

[Finally remembering her manners, she takes a step back to invite him in. Her apartment doesn't look terribly different from Tenka's and Sousei's, at least since she'd last been over. Hardwood flooring, a couch, and a low table with cushions for seating sit opposite a television. In one corner, there's a small kamidana mounted on the wall, in another, a folding screen with a tiger on it.]

[She's seen stranger things, certainly, but the scene does raise a few questions. Of course, Sousei's allll business... so she won't beat around the bush, as much as she enjoys the pleasantries.]

Oh, no... it's nothing! I was just passing through.

[...]

If you lost something, I can help you look.

[ Mary would have to be oblivious not to notice Tenka's absence, when she usually came over for tutoring sessions. Not every day now, not when she's still trying to recover from the city's 'cleansing' spree, and when she answers the door, she looks... tired. And slightly bandaged up. ]

... Sousei-san?

[ And staring up at him with some trepidation, because he's never come to her apartment before, and maybe he's mad-- ]

[Wow just his presence is enough to inspire a break?? Incredible. Persistence pays off!

He'll glance over once he's set things up all nice and neat, setting his hand against his hip. He definitely notices that trembling, okay, however slight it might be... Good lord. Is it just his destiny to be surrounded by this type of bonehead?]

I'm here to practice. You planning on taking a break any time soon?

[ While most trash cans contained an assortment of... trash, this particular can proved different. Slightly. When Sousei pulled back the lid, Jaco sprang up with his gun; pointing it at the sky. ]

What are you doing?! You will ruin my cover!

[ If this little reveal didn't already blow his cover, Jaco's yelling certainly killed it. Far across the street, a native of the colony seemed startled by their antics and ran into a passing crowd. ]

Drat!

[It's strange. Though Oona's reasonably sure she's still standing in the same spot, it sure feels like the floor's just dropped out from underneath her.

She stands there, clutching her hands together in front of her chest in a pose that might have been demure if it wasn't for the fact that it was Oona doing it. Frozen, maybe, would be more apt, her eyes wide and fixed on Sousei, searching for any sign that he doesn't mean what he actually means.]

What city did he go to, then? [Oona speaks in that careful way of hers' that she gets when she's trying to make sure every word is clear and understood. Tenka was still here, in this world, somewhere, wasn't he? He had to be.

He had to be.]

[ Shinpachi has actually already noticed Tenka was gone. By coincidence, actually - he wanted to call the other guy to let him know they should have another bar night with all of them together, but the moment he tries to click Tenka's profile, he gets another message.

He's seen it before. When Leanne disappeared, when many of the Shinsengumi disappeared. It means they're no longer in this place - or at least, not among them. And while it's not uncommon for people to return sometimes like Saitou did (surely Tenka would, right? who has more of an unbeatable spirit than that guy all of all people?), it's still rough in a sense.

But Shinpachi knows it's got to be rougher on one specific person than anyone else. And he did promise Tenka to look after Sousei if he couldn't, so right after work, Shinpachi is making his way to the first place he knows he'd find Sousei. And it's then that he spots the other guy, looking completely exhausted (even if he's still going) after doubtlessly hours of this training. Bingo.

Waiting for a moment that the other man has to rest inbetween exercising to catch his breath, Shinpachi strikes, draping his arm straight over the other's shoulders. ]

Yo, Sousei..!

[ There's nothing about his cheerful greeting that betrays the intentions behind him searching out the other, at least. Good job for once, Shinpoodles.. ]

[After the situation with the debt collectors, Sayo have been... quiet for a while. Although he's usually quiet, it's clear that he's been very affected by it. In order to distract himself and keep himself busy, he's been helping out around the apartment even more than usual. Well, whenever he doesn't have school stuff to worry about.

Sitting in the living room, he's been watching his pet caterpillar interacting with his CYbuddy kitten without a word. When he heard Sousei's voce, he glances over and see him.]

...Sousei-san.

[Sup.]

[Hinata doesn't expect Sousei at his door at all... but there he is, standing right there. His party before had been surprising enough, never you mind a visit seemingly out of the blue.

He spends a long moment just blinking before OH RIGHT.]

Sousei, hey.

[He opens up the door wider, trying not to pay attention from the faint sense of unease somewhere in him.]

[ It isn't everyday that you find somebody checking out the trash. And this guy totally looks respectable, too!! Athena feels like she's talked to him before, but she isn't sure if it's the right guy. There's so many people here, after all. She could be wrong.

She tries to sneak up on Sousei while he's fixated with the bin. Athena can be playful, but she isn't going to shove an old man into the trash just because he's calling for it. (It would be great, though.) Instead of that, she just tries to surprise him with a loud: ]

Boo!

[Just as he's doing that thing where he's turning abruptly, a small number of people spill to the side. Vietnam, being just behind them, managed to skip back in order to avoid being crushed by a few.]

Goodness!

[And that's when she spots--] Sousei?

...Thank you.

[...Ah. Well. If she's inviting him in, he'll accept the invitation. It's only polite, after all. And not even Sousei can ditch and run after dropping something like that on Peko.

Quietly, politely, he removes his shoes before stepping in (her decor is as traditional as theirs, and it at least feels good to acknowledge some of the traditions that are specific to their country, rare as it can be) and then he pauses, inspecting the rest of the apartment without...actually physically poking around.

Admittedly, the kamidana is fascinating to him (it would have to be, with his family's background), but he doesn't go prying further. Yet.

Instead, he'll continue the conversation.]

Two of your classmates as well? How recently is this? [There haven't been any patterns so far, but...he can't just give up. He has to try.]

[Boneheadedness runs in his character archetype.

Nonetheless, Sousei arches an eyebrow at Kashuu at that. He totally knows why Kashuu is asking.

But he'll feign obliviousness anyway.]

No, I am not yet finished. [with...whatever he's doing. Who knows.] Don't allow me to keep you from your practice.

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