[open]

[deontology]

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.]

Comments

a)

[fingersnaps]

( Manfred has several errands to run in the clothing stores of Cerealia, and he runs his errands like he used to run his trials: timed down to the second. So when the imbecile in front of him halts and then has the gall to turn around, Manfred is utterly outraged.

He taps his cane against the ground to attract the man's attention. )

You should look where you're going.

[deontology]

[An older, outraged, demanding man in fancy clothing does not bring to mind good associations for Sousei. In fact, that's basically what he associates with the worst of things--corrupt governments and his and his selfish, pitiful boss, and all of those things that came of that.

So naturally, he doesn't seem to be very amused by that, even if he can admit he shouldn't have froze all of a sudden like that.

Stiffly, but at least with the thin veneer of politeness--]

Excuse me.

[But it's been a rough day for Various Reasons, so he otherwise isn't getting out of Manfred's way. Yeah, he does absolutely expect Manfred to move for him--or maybe he's being combative simply because he's in such a terrible mood.]

[fingersnaps]

( While those two words compose the accepted phrase for such a situation, for Manfred von Karma it is too little, too late. Now, he'll accept nothing less than a full-blown apology. He taps his cane against the ground again, indicating his refusal to get out of the way. )

Aren't you going to say anything?

[deontology]

I did.

[The response comes immediately, even as Sousei slowly crosses his arms behind his back, posture straightening to be even more military straight. He's in a bad enough mood today that he's perfectly willing to give the metaphorical middle finger to anyone who comes across like that unnecessarily demanding authority, which fits Manfred...perfectly...]

I'm not going to apologize any more than that.

[fingersnaps]

( It is a sign of the times that he is willing to engage in an argument about technicalities with a mere nobody, but it has been a long time since he has had the chance to stretch. )

That's your idea of an apology? Peh. ( His lips curl into a sneer as he musters up all the disdain he can handle. ) You can't ask for permission post-transgression.

( An almost-thoughtful pause. )

'Sorry' will suffice.

[deontology]

[The smugness puts his teeth on edge, even if it isn't obvious on his face. His expression is flat as ever, as is his tone, but it's through a lot of practice and a great deal of effort.]

I have already told you that I do not intend to apologize further.

Stop wasting both of our time.

[fingersnaps]

( He snaps his fingers in irritation. )

'Further' would imply that you had apologized at all, which you did not. ( He pauses for a moment, looking the man over. )

Not that I expect any better from the likes of you.

[deontology]

[wow..... he's well used to that sort of disdainful look, and just from the sort of person Manfred seems to be. It's supremely irritating, but at least he keeps his temper in check, responding only by straightening his posture a little more.

It's already been a long day, and maybe that's why he responds instead of just letting it go.]

You are the one wasting both of our time by making a fuss over something completely inconsequential.

But then, I suppose that is common enough with the likes of you.

[fingersnaps]

Since you interrupted me, I can make the time. ( He'd stopped his internal timer as soon as his path had been obstructed. He crosses an arm over his chest and clutches at his sleeve. ) You are the one who's being stubborn.

[deontology]

[This is like the meeting of two immovable objects.

Still, Sousei finds that to be laughable, almost. They're both being stubborn here. At least Sousei can admit it.]

Don't be ridiculous. You are being demanding for no reason, or do you fail to see it through your entitlement?

[A scoff.]

I don't have time for this.

[fingersnaps]

There's absolutely nothing to 'see through'. You caused me needless hassle, so I am naturally entitled to an apology.

Why do you simply not just say the word instead of wasting more of your own time?

[deontology]

I am not going to apologize to you.

[He just says that flat-out, meeting Manfred's eyes firmly.

When two stubborn objects meet....]

[fingersnaps]

But why? ( This entire exchange is starting to amuse Manfred; the corner of his lips curl upwards as he continues to speak. ) Apart from sheer stubbornness, that is.

[deontology]

[Because....if you superimposed Manfred's face onto the face of the man whose corruption, greed and entitlement very nearly cost Sousei so much, it would be nearly a perfect match. His attitude, his mannerisms--everything is practically the same.

But naturally, Sousei isn't going to say that, even if he's slowly starting to realize it himself.

He straightens, and pulls back his anger a bit.]

Call it sheer stubbornness if you wish. I don't care.

[fingersnaps]

( He folds his hands atop his cane, one over the other, before staring the other man right in the eyes. )

I can, and I will. All that you have showcased throughout this entire exchange is a compete lack of manners.

( He won't stand for it! )

[deontology]

[Ah yes....the rudeness is real.

Sousei stares Manfred down evenly as well, refusing to back down now. It's the principle of the thing.]

I have no reason to offer anything better to you.

[Why should he offer Manfred his respect? That's ridiculous.]

Now get out of my way. I'm leaving.

[fingersnaps]

( Manfred, of course, will do no such thing, standing his ground. Even if an outsider would call it a petty argument, he does not want to lose.

There's a bit of space to walk around him, though, if the other man wishes to utilize it. )

Bah. Fine. ( He waves a dismissive hand. ) I'm done talking to you.

[deontology]

[There's a pause as he considers this. Going around Manfred feels a bit like a retreat, and Sousei doesn't want to lose this petty argument either--but there are more important things he has to do, and people he has to check in on, and he's wasting time here.

So it's that that spurs him on to finally take a step around Manfred without another work, stalking past him with a flick of his ponytail.

He doesn't want to acknowledge that in some ways, that was a loss.]

[fingersnaps]

( True to his word, Manfred says nothing more, simply making a little self-satisfied noise when the man makes his way around him, like he very well should. Once there's enough distance between them, he slowly starts to continue along his usual course of action: running his errands. )