Random meme, gakked from Bakerstreet....

[surprisingwolf]

The Hello meme!

How does it work? Quite simple actually!

1. Post with your muse with "Name|Fandom"
2. Say Hello to others.
3. No, really, just say hello. No prompts, no RNG, just say hi and start up a conversation and see where it goes! Don't know the person? Doesn't matter! Just say hello!
4. PROFIT!

Comments

[interpolate]

I can't help but notice the familiar way Shoutarou's hand linger's on Philip's shoulder. There is definitely something more to their relationship, and I try not to let it distract me from the conversation at hand.

I raise my eyebrow once more at his familiar little head tilt and near salute.

"I'm a member of the Special Missions department with the Energy Management Center." I confide in them finally. "And I suppose it would be trés remiss of me not to ask what brings a pair of private detectives to our fair city."

[Shotarou, then Philip]

[eightypercentandadevil]

"We aren't actually here on a case," I reassure him. "Don't be alarmed. We have friends in this area, or at least we had thought they were in this area. As it is, I think we've passed each other on the road, ships in the night, you know?"

I grin, proud of finding another opportunity to work in a literary reference. It adds a certain je ne sais pas to my speech, hinting at the mystique that enwraps the detective's soul like the mist on the docks when the wind's brought a cold-eyed killer to town, and the only thing standing between him and the vulnerable souls of this city's people is the soft walk and heavy hand of Fuuto's--

{Just stop, already?}

******

"We're visiting," I simplify.

Honestly. How anyone would think *I* was the difficult one is beyond me. No amount of research will make Shotarou's detective delusions seem reasonable.

[interpolate]

"Well, that's a good thing." I say softly, though I'm not entirely sure I believe even my own words.

I realize, a bit belatedly, that I'm a bit conspicuous standing here in suit, and I reach for my Brace to cancel the henshin. My suit dematerializes and I give Shoutarou and Philip a sheepish little grin.

"Could I maybe be of assistance?" I ask curiously. "Perhaps I know your friends, or know of them."

[eightypercentandadevil]

"Doubtful," Philip responds. "In a population of this size composed of randomly assigned people, networked organically through social structures of convenience, it's highly unlikely that a chance meeting of any two otherwise unrelated parties would share a common link between them, particularly considering the theory of pertinent of association posited by--"

I shut him up with one palm. "What Philip means to say is, we appreciate the offer, but it's unlikely and we also would prefer to search on our own. There's a matter of some personal delicacy involved, you understand."

[interpolate]

I can't quite help the way my eyebrow rises at Philip's explanation. I'm not about to argue with them if they don't want y assistance, but I didn't really need the probability.

"Je suis désolé," I bow quickly. "I don't mean to intrude, of course. Just trying to do my part. As a... A seeker of justice and a protector of the city and all that." It's true, too, and I mean it, I'm not trying to tease Shoutarou.

Much.

[Not trying to tease him? You have nothing to worry about...]

[eightypercentandadevil]

I really like this kid's style. Gripping his hand in both of my own, I shake firmly, the eager but earnest parting handshake that's shared only between men of the same calling, the same dedication, the same--



OWWW.

I do my best to recover my grin, maintaining as much dignity as is possible with Philip twisting my ear so hard that my whole head's yanked upside-down. The height difference doesn't help, either.

"You're a noble person, Étienne-san. Please keep protecting your city and its soul full of energetic dreams. Fuuto's soul is in its wind and its windmills. This city's soul is bright with its Energon, I can feel it. And it's in love with you, Étienne-san. This city loves its guardian angels... as sure as Fuuto loves we detectives who wipe away its tears."

Philip's let go of my ear, finally -- and oh, shit, he's walking away already. I am really going to have to talk to him about that.

"...I apologize for my aibou. It's not personal, really."

"Yes it is!" calls Philip as he walks away, but the tone doesn't make sense - it's like he's directing it at me and it's obvious he ought to be speaking to Étienne, but even he wouldn't say that, so his action must be based on a different 'personal' offense, but that only leaves me, and I didn't even SAY anything...

I don't notice I've gotten myself lost in thought for a few long moments.

[interpolate]

My head sort of turns on it's own, mirroring Shoutarou's pained angle, only without the benefit of someone tugging on my ear to facilitate it.

Then again, it's not like I can exactly blame Philip for his action. shoutarou is an odd duck, that's for sure. I suppose Philip keeps him in line, or Fuuto would probably be crying a lot more, if they're the city's only means of protection.

Then Philip is walking away, and I lift a hand to wave good-bye. Shoutarou seems to think I'd be insulted by the sudden end to the conversation, but really, you can only spend so much time with robots before you start to think like them. We had nothing more to say to each other, so the conversation is over.

"It's fine. You should probably catch up with him." I restrain myself from making a shooing motion.

[eightypercentandadevil]

"Huh? Oh! Oh, right!" Jogging backwards after Philip, I wave an enthusiastic goodbye to our new friend and ally.

"Goodbye, Étienne-san! It was a pleasure to meet you!"