week 3 ( sunday )

[subordinacy]

[Hold himself together—he has to hold himself together. Don't show weakness, don't show weakness repeats itself in his head like a mantra, even as he knows he's already failed.

(He wants to cry, scream, hit something—anything. But he can't.)

He can't afford to mope. He just has enough time for the mask of ice to settle, before he seeks out Akira.]

What did you tell Ichigo, exactly?

Comments

[purrtagonist]

[NO PROMISES, HE IS LIKE PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE RIGHT NOW. which, you know, is canon]

You just haven't had real coffee, that's all. This way.

[and he turns on his heel to lead Setz towards the McDonald's!]

[subordinacy]

[He's still very ??? but sure, he'll follow.]

[purrtagonist]

[into the building in which McDonald's resides! and straight to the McDonald's. . . bathroom. . .?]

We hid those eggs, by the way.

[right, let him confirm that, since Sipp said that I could]

The Conductor told us to. I don't know where they came from, though.

[subordinacy]

[Why... are they going to the bathroom...]

Really? Well, they obviously weren't from Max, at least... Actually, when I asked him about them—he reacted about how you'd expect.

[i.e. with complete and utter exasperation over his superior's whims.]

[purrtagonist]

[you'll see. . .]

[he places his McDonald's soda down on the counter and moves to one of the steel, removable trash cans that are inlaid into the wall]

Haha, he was annoyed, wasn't he? Especially about the one found in his hoodie?

[hehe]

I think. . . they really were from the Erased, but the Conductor wouldn't confirm.

[annnnd he pulls the removable trashcan from the wall to reveal a space behind it! in which Akira has hidden one (1) stolen coffee maker and one (1) container of stolen coffee beans from Wildkat. at least both are covered with plastic bags so they don't get dirty, but ya know]

[subordinacy]

[...

Setz just stares, because what the heck, even.]

[purrtagonist]

Hm?

[oh. yeah. this is weird]

Ah. . . my love for coffee is my entry fee.

[air quotes]

Can't be seen making it now, can I?

[subordinacy]

... Please tell me there was more thought put into your fake entry fee.

[Because, uh.

Setz doesn't know how to put this nicely but that sounds really lame, Akira.]

[purrtagonist]

[JUST. GIVES HIM A LOOK]

It was a real one, once upon a time. And the coffee part was symbolic for something a lot deeper.

[soooo Akira is going to make Setz some coffee in the McDonald's bathroom. how about that]

[subordinacy]

... I see. I'm sorry, then.

[This... is getting to be a surreal experience...]

[purrtagonist]

[shakes his head]

No, it's fine. Maybe one day, I'll tell you that story. When I'm not. . . ah. Toeing the line of breaking a few rules.

[a beat]

Totally not a Reaper, by the way.

[subordinacy]

[Dryly,]

Of course.

[Definitely not a Reaper!!]

[purrtagonist]

[definitely not!!]

[the bathroom now smells like coffee]

You go it.

[fingerguns]

[subordinacy]

... You really couldn't have come up with a better place to hide this?

[purrtagonist]

I'm open to suggestions.

[McDonald's is the only constant thing in this world :(]

[subordinacy]

... I guess there isn't...

[what if you run into karen, akira.]

1/2

[purrtagonist]

[he's in the men's bathroom she won't come in here]

[maybe]

[purrtagonist]

[BUT ANYWAY]

[once the coffee is finished, he pours it into a paper cup and hands said cup to Setz]

This is the closest I could get to my favorite blend back home. Let me know what you think.

{spoilers: it's delicious]

[subordinacy]

[Setz takes it. Oddly, something sad passes through his face for a moment, before he ignores it. Not like it's something he can discuss with Akira, at any rate.

He takes a sip.]

[purrtagonist]

[Akira waits quietly for Setz's reaction, although he does make note of that sad expression. something to ask about in just a few moments. . .]

Hm?

[subordinacy]

... Well, now I know why you were so confident.

[purrtagonist]

[quirks a brow, lifting a hand to push his glasses further up his nose]

I learned from the best.

[subordinacy]

Seems like they were a good teacher, then.

[Sipping more of his coffee!]

[purrtagonist]

They were. They taught me how to make curry, too.

[but that's a little harder to get ingredients for]

. . . everything okay, Setz?

[subordinacy]

[...]

Why do you ask?