doublesmall | [AUDIENCE] junpei

Yeah, yeah, not enough power, I have to sleep with you first. I know. [But. AHHH.]

I've died way more than I've ever wanted to, Chuuya. I'm not interested in doing it again, and I can't. I have things I have waiting for me, so...it's not an option. I was just wondering what can be done.

I feel like I have to be clear about that, considering some people-- but at least we're in agreement there, too.

[he's just saying...

he pauses again, though, frowning slightly before he decides to just be blunt-]

There's nothing you can do for her.

[Just. A blank stare for a moment before there's a slow nod again.]

Okay. [...what else can he say? Escha's going to die tomorrow, they're losing one of the roles he was supposed to find (the one who started pointing him in the right direction), and there's literally nothing he can do. It's not the greatest feeling in the world, but feeling sorry for himself is something he can do later.] Okay. I...appreciate the honesty.

[Even if it fucking sucks.]

Am I allowed to ask you for advice, or is it another "you can ask but I won't be able to tell you exactly" thing?

You know what they say about the truth.

[sometimes, it fucking sucks!]

Depends on the kind of advice you want-- try me on it.

[There's a look that says yeah, he knows, but...he goes silent again as he thinks.]

I need to figure out a faster way to confirm the roles of the people I'm finding. I'd rather not waste my chance on Tuesday checking people who've told me on their own, but some of these are so specific I'm having trouble figuring out what to do with them. Playing the question game worked for Dick and Escha, but for some others it's too hard to specify.

So you observe them. Spend more time around them, pay attention to what they say and what they know-- and who they know. See if you can find any kind of clue in there that'll let you ask them better questions.

You're going to be stuck working within your ruleset no matter what, so gather your information outside of it and bring it back within that framework when you're ready to use it. If you've got a network, use that too.

[did he expect anything different from mafia boy, here.]

What do you think I've been doing? [Now he just sounds amused.] It's how I got Haymitch to admit that he had a role, too, even if I'm still not entirely clear on everything. As far as I know, there hasn't been a lot of solid links between the people with roles.

[So. No. He expected nothing different.] I think I'm just thinking about the next step. When I do find all of these roles and who they are and what they do. My job isn't over after that, is it?

Oh, you found that one out too? You really do work fast.

[but he hums thoughtfully, considering.]

...that's something to ask again later. Keep doing your job for now, okay?

He approached me confirming that I had a role, but there's nothing in my rulebook that says I have to answer just because someone says so. So...I made it work. Right now it's me, Dick, Beck, Kagachi, Taako, Haymitch...and Escha. Those are the ones I know, plus others I suspect based on things people have brought to my attention.

[So yes, he's steadily working and by working I mean people are just showing up for no reason.] ...if you think that's best, I have no reason not to listen. [A pause.] One of my rules still bothers me because I can't figure out why that's going to change anything. That's all.

You mind if I ask you to talk about the one bothering you later? Not to tell you to just suck it up for now, but I think we could both use a break.

[as he rolls over onto his stomach instead, head pillowed on his folded arms. thank god this bed is giant and there's no fear of touching.]

[There's a low, uneasy kind of laugh but he doesn't disagree. He's also staying on his side and settling for shutting his eyes instead.]

Point taken. It's not like I don't have weekly dates with you anyway. [Maybe don't phrase it that way, Junpei.] What do you even do on breaks anyway?

'Date' is a little bit of a strong word for you asking me shit I can't answer and sucking off a fake dick for information.

[he's half-laughing as he says it, shaking his head.]

But we can add real ones in there, sure. Don't get to do many of those where I don't kill the other person when we're finished.

[chuuya.]

[He rolls his eyes.] So I've never properly dated, sue me. It's still more action than I usually get with people.

[Stop. Still, he cracks open an eye and just stares at him for a moment.] I can't tell if you're serious or not, and the worst part is I'm pretty sure you are.

[He doesn't specify which part he thinks is true, because the answer is "yes" regardless.]

You guys should all know what I do for a living by now, if you bothered reading my profile before it went crazy on me. Getting rid of people's a basic function of the job.

[a shrug, again... these things are everyday business to him? don't get offended on him.]

And maybe sometimes I'd like to do something besides just fuck and play 'answer or censorship'-- you have any idea how busy you people have been keeping me?

I've dealt with a lot of people in my line of work, but "mafia" is new. Job function's the same as some of the cults I've broken up though. [That is to say no he's not bothered but also wow, this job is a downgrade.

Still...there's a snort.]

I can guess. [Especially when he just called Chuuya out of the blue to badger him for answers.] ...if you're really that bored, I can summon you for whatever you want. Carlos seemed to imply he can't spend a lot of time on the living end of things and I'm not sure what it's like for you and Nathan, but...[Shrug.] Sort of seems like people forgot you started out just like us before Polly fucked everything up.

Cults? Come on. We're more legitimate than that, we've got the Special Ability Business Permit to prove it.

[thank you very much!]

... doing our job still comes first, regardless of how we started out. If I can't go home and do my usual work yet, then I'll dedicate myself to this so that I can get back to it sooner. But-

I'd still go a little crazy if I didn't have a few co-workers I went drinking with back in Yokohama, you know? There's more of a divide here. Kind of helps to just hang out sometimes-- you're not the only one, but not that many do.

Oh, right, a permit. How could I be so silly to ignore that? [He knows Chuuya is serious but he's still pushing his limits a little because he can. Still...he makes a face that's basically like :T]

...I get it. Knowing you're the only ones who can do this particular job kind of forces your hand a little, but it makes sense. It's still a choice either way, you could ignore all of us if you really wanted to. I think. I didn't take a ton of breaks when I was working on cases but sometimes it helped to step away and be around other people to get fresh ideas. [And like. Not work. But Junpei's goals were too lofty to really stop and his trauma from his experiences was enough to keep finding shitty ways to cope. But like. He doesn't say that.]

Nathan said something similar and maybe that's why I'm surprised. I text Carlos sometimes just to see him, but I'll work time in for you, too. [It's like a business relationship, but also he's having a hard time imagining just hanging around waiting to be varying degrees of useful.]

-thanks. You're not bad company.

[that gets him to crack a grin, and he considers something.]

I think I've got a pretty good idea of somewhere I want to go next week, so... meet me a day early?

[Despite himself, he looks pleased by that assessment. People are dead, people are dying, and Junpei still can be both startled and happy with compliments.]

Monday it is. I'll send you a picture first thing. By then, the whole...touch thing will have worn off, too. [And he won't have to worry about sending people into a horny spiral.]

Ugh, don't remind me about that. I'm going to put a leash on Higekiri if anything ever goes around through touch again.

[he's SO FUCKING TIRED.]

Swords know no social boundaries. [He says, as someone fucking a sword on the regular now and still unsure how to feel about it.] It just means he likes you, it's kind of cute.

[...he looks like he's trying not to laugh, actually. RIP Chuuya.]

He's extremely lucky that he's cute.

[but despite everything, he also sounds faintly amused? or maybe just a tiny bit fond.]

Part of his charm...him and Hizamaru both. It's a little scary to think about. [The genjis sure are Something.] But he seems to like your company. He talks about you sometimes.

Is that so?

You know you can't just say that and not share.

Sure I can. Just ask him yourself, he's talkative enough. I was having him do some legwork for me.

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