[closed]

[blitzcheer]

WHO: Tidus & others
WHAT: just some closed starters
WHERE: around
WHEN: during january!
WARNINGS: will be hecking added if applicable

tidus

& arkady: link; mention of drug use (in the past)
& harry du bois: link; mentions of drug use, alcohol consumption
& crazy jane: link
& harry du bois, arkady: penguins
& nida nomura: vroom vroom

Comments

arkady & tidus

[blitzcheer]

[ Do you ever get the crazy feeling you keep seeing the same person out of the corner of your eye?

At first, it doesn't really register to Tidus as anything worth serious thought. His life consists of a loose repeating pattern: working at Tifa's bar on the days of his shifts, going out around the city under the guise of jogging in ever-changing locations, and then also checking out the few 'historical' buildings dotted around after an
idea comes to him during an earlier exploration. While the city-scape is always shifting, at least the existence of businesses and the such keep, and it just takes some wandering to find the buildings he's looking for.

And honestly, getting where he wants to be is the easiest part of his search. The actual...figuring out what he's really looking for in any of his searches is the head-scratching part of this whole investigating thing he's doing. Like he knows how the heck to do that.

But that's not the only head-scratcher that appears. Rather--there's a bald head that does. At least, Tidus thinks. He sees them (it?? what??) the first time with an eye on his phone and its road-map and figuring out where one building has shifted to, a bald head that for a second reminds him of a certain woman, but then gone before he might think to look twice.

He doesn't think more of it. Not even as it happens the second time, then a third, and then a...alright, maybe he starts paying attention that third time, especially when he happens to catch the face this time attached to it. He's just coming out from a library, the street littered by passerbys, checking the time when he takes a quick look around and spots her -- definitely her.

Tidus blinks.

is she going to try and hide this time because if not, he'll put a hand up in a somewhat confused wave. ]

Re: arkady & tidus

[hellofishies]

[ The thing about Arkady is that when she decides she likes someone, she's very passionate about liking them. She leaves them things. Back home it was flowers or fruit, strawberries for some. When you live in a seemingly post apocolyptic wasteland strawberries become a rarity. Some might even call them a delicacy that were worth crying over. It's the little things though, isn't it? The small gestures that can make rough times a little less rough. At least that's her hope in doing that.

Here it's a bit different though. She keeps to herself more often than she should but there's some people she's grown to care about. Tidus quickly became one of them. Beyond just caring about him though she also found herself worrying about him. He'd been hurt and wanted to do things to try to stop everything that's happening here. At the same time though he seems rash and she can't shake the feeling that he might get himself into a dangerous situation.

So she does the clearly logical thing: she follows him now and then. Just to check. To make sure he's not too upset. Or too eager to try to fix things. That feeling of concern grew quite a lot after the executions. To say that they've shaken her is a vast understatement. It proves all her fears true but she's trying to ignore it and instead focus on stretching her powers and checking on people. Watching them. Hoping nothing horrible happens to them. She tries to be careful and not get seen but she stands out. It's hard to not know that she stands out. Which means it's really no surprise when he notices her and waves. ]

Jig is up, huh? [ There's an almost sheepish smile on her face as she approaches him and waves back. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ She could've gotten away with it, the extent of this bump in. Dualis has made Tidus a more paranoid person than he's ever had to be in his life, but maybe he's not paranoid enough: he doesn't suspect Arkady of anything more than simply being around, never thought to question the glimpses of the same shape around as anything more than just -- well. A coincidence. A 'huh' in the back of his head.

Later, he might question how easy he is to follow, that he should probably be more alert these days. Instead Tidus stares blankly at Arkady for a good second, before the hand used to wave at her turns into a finger pointing at her, as confused as the expression on his face. ]

Are you... following me?

[ Is that what she's implying?

He is so confused. ]

[hellofishies]

Maybe. [ Surprisingly there's no hint of sheepishness in her tone. In fact she just kind of seems vaguely amused that he's now noticed. Partially because it's a bit amusing it took him so long to actually catch her fully. She smiles, it's not an overly exaggerated smile but it's warm. A potentially vague attempt at being comforting. ]

Yes. Sometimes. Not all the time. [ Which makes it better, right? ] Just to make sure you're okay.

[blitzcheer]

[ He continues to stare at her with confusion, like there's something here that he's missing. Maybe? Possibly? ]

I'm okay! Nothing's wrong with me. [ He says it reassuring, or aims for that, while not being entirely certain of what has Arkady concerned. There was the conversation they had a while back, but that was, well, a while back.

But then Tidus remembers the next biggest event to happen lately, and his features ease a little. ]

Oh, you mean 'cause of... the stuff on TV?

harry du bois & tidus

[blitzcheer]

[ continued from this ]

[ When a guy in the midst of drinking says, give me ten minutes, Tidus is going grant them that time and wait, as boring as that is and as impatient as he is. But that's exactly why he learnt about the wonderful world of phone apps to chip down the minutes until he finally decides Harry has had enough time to...

He doesn't know. Clean up? Put on those pants? He's not going to judge. Harry can live his life however he wants.

So there comes the knock-knock-knock eventually to Harry's door, Tidus waiting on the other side dressed casually, one hand in a pocket and his other holding his dualis-provided phone, which he lifts to give a greeting with. ]

Yo. Everything safe inside?

[hobocop]

[Swinging the door open just-so, Harry blocks the entrance for a moment as he takes in the corridor, Tidus and the phone in one long, surveying sweep.]

Hey.

[Seemingly satisfied, he steps to the side and waves Tidus in.]

You want something to drink?

[With its wide collar, garish patterns (a collection of painted cockatoos duck in and out of foliage) and rolled up sleeves, the shirt Harry's chosen could generously be called retro. Less generously, a horrible disco-holdover just about sums it up, but then again, that could be a descriptor of Harry himself, so... it suits him, really.

And speaking of disco, We Go On by the Ostentatious Orchestrations is busy firing away from the reel player set up in the corner of the room. It's not obnoxiously loud, but it's not quiet either.

He continues:]

I got Pilsner, Commodore Red...

[He trails off, keen not to add anything that doesn't fall into the cheap and cheerful category.]

[blitzcheer]

[ Coming from a world without disco, the shirt can best be described as outlandish (or a disaster), but definitely suited for Harry's quirky personality as Tidus knows it so far. He enters with an automatic look about the room, and it's not really surprising, that or the smells.

Not like he was keeping his own dorm room in a better state before he got a roommate. He's glad for the music already playing though, and Tidus slips his phone away into his pocket when Harry makes the offer, half-wondering what the heck that genre even is.

But -- ] I'm good.

[ What he will do instead is nick the one chair in the room from the desk, discard anything that might be on it before sitting on it backwards, one leg bent to sit with him. He leans on the back, arms crossing over along the top. ]

You said you were a detective, right? Back in your world?

[hobocop]

[There's a flash of disappointment on Harry's face, but he hides it pretty quickly. Tidus just had to refuse the drink, huh? There's something sad about drinking alone, and in case the music choice isn't clear enough, he's not going for sad right now.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY — You've got company. That's literally the OPPOSITE of alone, brother!

...Can't argue with that! Harry retrieves his bottle and shoves the bed-debris further towards the wall so he can perch on the edge of his mattress.]

That I did!

[He cranes sideways and plucks both a pack of cigarettes and a blue rectangle of plastic from a zipped pocket in the leg of his pants. The former, he frisbees to the right. The latter, he then holds out to Tidus like he expects him to take it. It's a totally unnecessary gesture, but it's automatic, like he thinks nobody would ask that without him having to prove it. LTN-2JFR HARRIER DU BOIS stares up, looking at least ten years younger. The stupid grin in the photo is echoed by the current Harry, too.]

Why? You got a case worth investigating?

[blitzcheer]

[ Tidus has no idea what Harry is doing, could be offering, but he kicks his foot along the ground and wheels his chair a few inches to take the card. Stares at the front, and even with the name on it, it takes Tidus a good second to go-- ]

Whoa! That's you? You're like two different people!

[ There's nothing intentionally rude meant about it, just surprise--a good amount of it. Tidus even lifts the card so he can level it with Harry's face in his vision, put the two faces side by side. ]

You're like your own dad!

[ Whoa. It's a fascinating comparison Tidus doesn't get to see everyday. ]

crazy jane & tidus

[blitzcheer]

How do you find someone you know nothing about? By pure dumb luck, probably, and that’s about all Tidus had to rely on in this case. The woman he’d met briefly -- more than brief, with her quick whizzing around talents -- had seemed familiar, and he’d been able to remember why in time: his first NAPs, but that meant less than zilch when it came to a name or a way to locate her.

It wasn’t exactly pressing. It was just--concern, a desire to know she’d gotten out okay, give some late thanks he didn’t think at the time (did he? didn’t he?) to give. It bugged him more than it usually would after the executions than took place on TV, none which involved the woman, but--

It may be the reason why the few days after that, up in the third floor lounge and with Tidus popping his head in while searching for someone else, than when he spots her -- pausing first, the realisation taking a second to really hit -- he sounds excited when he comes out with, “Hey-- hey! It’s you! You’re okay!”

And pleased, too.

[fuckregularpeople]

It wasn't a big dorm, and Jane had been spending less time at the Gallows these days. It still didn't feel safe after the NAPs and the giant predictive painting of the Heart's executions hadn't helped, so she was sticking close to home for now. Running into Tidus might've been less luck and more probability, but Jane remembers him from the disastrous Heart meeting and the few seconds they'd spent together.

“Hey,” she says back, flashing him a fleeting smile. “I'm okay. Are you?”

It's half a sarcastic retort, half a genuine question. Half a dozen other personalities had been fronting in the fight when Tidus – “the kid” in her mind – called on them, but she knew firsthand that he had been sharp and helpful. And he'd also let her get away with kicking Travis's ribs, so he's endeared himself to her.

[blitzcheer]

He may be slightly aware that yeah, getting excited and just going 'it's you!' isn't the greatest of second (third?) meetings with a total stranger, but Tidus can't be bothered to be sheepish to the slight mocking edge in her response. Hey, better that than... about most other possibilities in this place.

"Yeah, I'm fine! I'm just glad to see you after..." He waves out a hand, needing a second to think up, "the last time."

If it wasn't for the pause in between, it might sound like any other conversation, but discretion wasn't a skill easily learnt, or not for Tidus. Regardless, he did know it was better not to get hung up on small hiccups, make them even bigger ones, so he carries on with the same easy cheer.

"Thanks for your help with that, by the way. We got everything done a lot quicker 'cause of you."

So to speak.

[fuckregularpeople]

“Yeah.” She remembers the last time. “You too. Glad you're okay, kid.” She turns away, heading down the hallway towards the exit. “I'm getting a mocha. You coming with? I'll buy you some chocolate milk.”

While Jane is in the mood for coffee, she also figures the walk to get it would make the conversation harder to surveil than if they talked in the dorms.

“That wasn't me, but I'll pass it on.”

[blitzcheer]

His answer would be quicker if not for that last part -- 'that wasn't me' -- which confuses him, though he is following to keep up with her despite that. Offering to go anywhere usually meant let's talk somewhere else around here.

But still it comes, if dumbfounded. "Uh, sure. I mean--I can get myself something." That isn't chocolate milk. "Do you have a sister here?"

Because it had to either be that or denying any connection to what he was talking about. Sorta?

harry du bois & arkady

[blitzcheer]

[ Deciding on a time and day for the three to meet, Harry’s job at the zoo had come up, and working around that seemed pointless when it could work in their favour for being inconspicuous. All they had to do was meet initially, start up Arkady’s mind-talking talents, and Tidus and Arkady would get to enjoy the animals while the start of a plan -- whatever that would be or involve -- could be decided up in their heads.

Just hopefully, it wouldn’t be too distracting for Harry on the job, whatever exact zoo things it was that he did. At the very least, they had worked it out to meet him during his break.

So the plan was popped over to Arkady as a friendly hang-out request, and everything was set. Tidus has been to the zoo once, back with Yuna, a memory noted even before he finds himself recognising some of the paths. But they have a meeting spot to get to, so Tidus tries not to get too distracted what he remembers and doesn't, though he might make a mental note for them to...backtrack to one or two, over their stay.

He's the one with the colourful map of the zoo held open in both hands, glancing between a printed path and the real thing. ]

He should be just over...this way. [ Which Arkady will have to garner the direction by the swing of said map, along with a nod of his head, before he starts walking.

Now--where in a zoo would Harry decide to have anyone meet with him? ]

[hobocop]

[Harry's pretty sure there's a correct choice when it comes to picking a conspiratorial meeting point — and he's also pretty sure this isn't it. That he chose his location pretty fucking poorly.

The giveaway there are the vast number of beady penguin eyes following his every movement. The fact that they crane their necks upwards as he pulls a lighter from his impossibly khaki uniform. That their mass acts like a wave of black and white arrows just... pointing at him.

In his defense, it isn't feeding time.

In their defense, they're penguins. They can't possibly know that.

Still, he finishes lighting his cigarette (a nervous habit that... may or may not be banned out in the open like this) and does his best to ignore them. If they're stuck staring at his back long enough, they'll get that he doesn't have a feeding bucket on him and go back to waddling around and shitting everywhere. In the meantime, he's going to go ahead and scan the crowd.

And maybe pace.]

[hellofishies]

[ The truth is always somewhere in the middle of one idea and another right? Sometimes. At least that's what Arkady had heard other people say. She's not really sure if that's the case though because the truth about why she jumped at the zoo was 100% the fact that she just wanted to go to the zoo. After zoo had been mention she partially checked out on what the real point of them going even was. All that mattered was they were going to a zoo. Not only that but they were going to the zoo to meet a potential new friend. That was even more great!

Once they get there Tidus slight distraction isn't lost on her but she doesn't bring it up. Instead she just wraps her arms around him from behind as he looks at the map and then moves with him as he starts walking, sliding an arm down to lock in his. She's touchy feely and really can't help it. Especially once she starts to really like someone. ]

Penguins!!! [ That's the area they're approaching at least and she's super excited about it. Maybe a bit too excited about it because she starts to pull Tidus along towards the penguin spot. ] We have to go see them! Pingu penguin! [ Enjoy the bald excited girl in a flowing almost see-through skirt and the boy with the giant park map coming towards the penguins, Harry. It's going to be a great first impression. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ The good thing at least is that Arkady is a distracting presence -- a fun distracting presence! -- for Tidus's wandering mind, helping to pull it back on track along with their oversized park map. He isn't going to complain or make any mention about the arm hooked in his, either -- it's nice. A kind of physical affection he forgot to miss for a while. ]

Wh-whoa now! [ And it's also the perfect way to tug Tidus along and have his legs stumble, but he laughs as he manages to keep up with Arkady's enthusiasm, the wall of the penguin pen rising and the little black and white blobs coming better into view, and. Tidus spots Harry, but honestly?

Looking up penguins online does not prepare him for how utterly...goofy they look in perfect, surrounding Harry's feet, like a litter of puppies. And if puppies could stick out their front paws, awaiting for a hug.

Now those are a fun distraction, where super secret illegal mind conversations aren't exactly at the forefront of Tidus's mind when he calls out, raising his Arkady-less arm. ]

Harry! Hey! Penguin dad!

[ It's a jovial greeting, the map flapping from Tidus's hand. ]

[hobocop]

[The moment he spots Tidus, Harry feels a kind of cold dread trickle down his spine. Despite the mild chill, the small of his back feels like a swamp. He's sweating.

It's not completely unexpected, he supposes, but it's a heavy contrast to the bright grins slapped across the pair's faces — and the sheer excitement of the woman causing his current wave of anxiousness. The... incredibly bald woman.

INLAND EMPIRE — Para-natural baldness. Her powers are such that the hairs are constantly released with a kind of... psy-static. A mystical follicle anomaly.

Harry gives his head an almost bovine shake, like he's trying to rid himself of a fly. With a brief (and rather despairing) look at the just-lit cigarette pinched between his fingers, he edges around the mass by his shins and approaches the wall. Grins with that rigor-mortis expression he sometimes wears when panic begins to set in.

There's the faint pap-pap-pap of dozens of feet as he leans forwards and grinds the cigarette out against the concrete.]

Tidus! How's it going?

[Warm, because... you know, the head knows that they know each other.]

And who's this? [The grin relaxes into something less strained, and suddenly he's shoving his other hand out. Big, blunt-ended, nicotine-stained fingers spread and ready for a friendly shake.] You guys on some kinda zoo date?

nida nomura

[blitzcheer]

[ There's something that's been bugging Tidus.

There's a lot that's been bugging him, but since the chaos at the warehouse (and more than just the Heart's absolute mess of getting anyone on their side -- a moot point now), it's really started to stick. Little things building, and now with Squall's girlfriend disappearing--

it could mean nothing. Just a tragedy as anyone else being taken. But-- but there's a thought and feeling that won't go, that he can't get it out of his head. He needs to let it out to someone, tell him he's crazy or point out what he's not considering.

So he goes knocking on Nida and Squall's dorm door, expression impassive beyond the slightly dipped brow when Nida answers it. ]

You got some time to spare?

[ A question he's asked before for sparring, but not like this, voice close to monotone. Hopefully, Nida can get that this isn't a hangout he wants to do where they can be overhead. ]

[skyward_eyes]

[An arrival? Nida hesitates before moving to the door. He hadn't been here very often since Rinoa's 'departure'. His desire to remain bunking here was almost null, but that meant packing things up. For him. Possibly for Squall. So, that someone had arrived to talk to him is a shock. He definitely hesitates before barely opening the door, and he doesn't even open it wider when he sees who it is. No, it isn't until Tidus asks that Nida sighs. And he opens the door after grabbing his coat and keys. One goes on, the other goes in his pocket. Then he opens the door and grabs two motorcycle helmets off hooks by the door.]

Nope. But I have to drive by the grocery store. You can talk on the way.

[His lie for the possible surveillance in the room.]

[blitzcheer]

[ There's what seems to be an added layer of caution when Nida opens the door, and Tidus can take an easy guess why with the latest developments; both with Squall, and knowing he and Nida were from the same world.

It makes Tidus wonder if this is the time. But that's a thought that comes too late, so instead he nods at Nida, backs away from the door to give him room. ]

That's fine. Thanks.

[ He wants to ask, say something about Rinoa, but when his mouth opens and looks between Nida and the door, he closes up again, looks away when he turns on his foot.

It doesn't feel right. It doesn't feel safe.

At least it won't take long to get out of the dorm. ]

[skyward_eyes]

[Don't mention Rinoa. Don't mention his sister. His life is HORRID. And he's angry too. But for right now, he's moving on. Far on. Look at him guiding them out.]

You need anything at the store? I need junk food. Lots of it.

[blitzcheer]

Well -- if we’re heading for the junk, I’ll see what they’ve got. [ A pause, and his voice grows lighter. ] But if they've got any kinda sweet bun on sale in the bakery section? That's me done for. Doughnuts too. Don’t care about the cream ones, but anything with too much chocolate or caramel over the top?

[ Uh huh. ] What about you?

[ It took him a second, but once he starts talking, Tidus figures how to keep going, help to fill in that empty air. Helps that it’s not a complete lie. ]