itsfairplay | Mingle and an Intro: Welcome to the Box!

Mingle and an Intro: Welcome to the Box!

[ On today, a long-time business has been bought for the day and paid well. Whoever paid it wants people to eat and make merry for some reason. Must be a holiday? Huh, all devices showing the date day it's the new year. It doesn't matter what day it was for you before now, it's not the new year. And you? You are at the Chloe Café at 1:30PM.

Waiters and waitresses will take your order. Really, it's a chill time. Even if you're supposed to be dead? You're alive now, somewhere in Los Angeles, Japanifornia. Welcome and have a good day, because eventually there's gonna be a murder to solve in this big ol' city. ]

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He's doing well. And he's old enough I think he'll do fine with me being busy. We're looking into extracurricular activities for after school.

[ She is!!! Very proud!!! ]

... That's good. I'm sorry I haven't been around lately. I've been very busy.

[ He hopes she won't ask about Michelle. He really does. He doesn't want to have to explain why he stopped bringing his daughter over to see them. ]

And how's Michelle doing?

[ Listen. Of course she'd ask about your daughter. ]

I haven't seen her in awhile.

... She's fine. She's at a boarding school at the moment.

[ This is a lie, but it's a lie he's told many people at this point. ]

[Godot sat at a corner table in silence, predictably nursing a cup of coffee.

While there were other patrons scattered about the café, he largely paid them no mind - even if the scattered voice briefly caught his attention, or piece of conversation, or familiar silhouette walked past. He took note of things, of course, but he wasn't particularly going out of his way to engage. After all, it's not as though he had anything in particular to say to anyone, really.

It was a bit noisier in here than he would've personally cared for, but that was only to be expected with the offering of an open tab; one that he was absolutely counting on being told he was kicked off of, starting somewhere about nine cups ago.

Regardless, the environment of a café was a familiar and comforting one. He'd be perfectly content to just sit in peace and soak up the ambience, until he'd had his fill and grew bored enough to leave - assuming he didn't have any cases to handle anytime soon, that is.

For the time being, however, he was perfectly content to sit and nurse his eleventh free cup of the house blend medium roast.]

[ Sorry Godot to take the seat next to you, but there's a man in a hoodie pulling it up over his face and letting out a breath. ]

Sorry about this, but if I leave here right now like this, I'm going to get totally mobbed, and I just can't afford that at the moment.

[ He pats the folder in his hands. ]

Too risky. ... This is the only safe spot where they can't see me. Fans...! Crazy, ja?

[ Indeed, this place seems even noisier than usual. There is a small throng outside. A lot of them are wearing shirts with a big "G" on them. ]

You always did want the best for her. I'm sure she'll do fine.

[ Of course. Kachessa wanted Rook close, so... ]

[ Ahhh.

... His soul aches.

He wants to be with her right now. But she's lying in a hospital bed, comatose. And there's little he can do about it. ]

... It's expensive, but I want her to get the best education she can. There's nothing that would be too good for her. I'm sure you feel the same way about your own child.

That would be true, but alas...

[ She'll set it down so he can see: it's a newspaper from a local elementary. ]

It's something I use to keep informed of my son's school. Anything to be as involved as I can. They produce something remarkably professional-looking, so I'm assuming someone there has a passion for the press.

[ Well she's in a good enough mood, and Godot has successfully made an icebreaker. ]

Kachessa Strahl. Pleased to meet you.

Oh, of course. He goes to a premier private school. It's a privilege, honestly. He's already working hard and making friends... The teachers all seem nice.

... Which school, anyway? I'm curious.

[ Because he remembers where he took Michelle. ]

[There's an entire half-second where Godot manages to briefly forget that a quirked eyebrow isn't visible underneath that visor of his, as the blond sits down next to him with a sigh. He finishes cup number eleven, taking quick stock of the current situation.]

Seems like you've gotten yourself into quite the bind. You're a real ladykiller, aren't you?

[Yes, he absolutely is finding some amusement in this mess, and it shows.]

[ He chuckles. His grin is quick and easy, though. The kind of effortless smile that comes from years of practice at it, and also just, in general, enjoying attention. ]

... If being loved is a crime, then I guess I'm going to have to call up a detective and turn myself in. What can I say? People love a man who can play. Ach! I'm telling you. It's only inconvenient on the days I'm trying to get some peace and quiet.

But I hate being crammed into my office all the time. I'm a bird. I have to spread my wings and soar.

[ A light pause. ]

... Also, I received a noise complaint.

Crystal River Academy. It's a lovely place.

[ She's making sure he gets the best start. ]

... I think that's where I took Michelle back in the day. It's a good place, yes.

[ He is proud of her for doing her research, at least. ]

You've always been rather thorough, haven't you?

I wouldn't be in this new line of work if I wasn't.

[ She's smart. Not a prodigy defense attorney, but smart. ]

You'd be a rarity. Unfortunately, most prosecutors are out to win regardless of who gets caught in the crossfire.

[ Hate to rain on your parade but... ]

I'm sure you'll go far. Just try not to frustrate me too much, if you can avoid it. I think I've had enough of that for five lifetimes.

[ He would seriously rather not have to deal with her... if he ends up in a case with her, it's going to be a nightmare. ]

[ Better pray, Gallerian, that she's not as good at this job as she seems she'd be. ]

I'll try not to.

... Some defense attorneys, too. There's a lot of people who go into this line of work... for the wrong reasons. Oh, the tales you hear!

[ Sad smile. ]

... But so what? Can't let a few bad apples ruin the whole bushel, right, Fräulein?

Look, I trust you more than some attorneys I've met. You've got a good head on your shoulders, and your heart's in the right place. I'm sure you'll do fine.

[ His smile is honestly genuine. He's sweating bullets inside, but part of him... does want her to succeed. ]

In a lot of cases I've ruled over, the wrong person was often indicted with the crime. That happens a lot in this system.

[His expression softened as she revealed the type of newspaper that it was, and nodded attentively as she went on to explain that it was her son's school. It was noble, really, that she was trying so hard to be actively engaged in her child's academic life.

As she offered her name, a genuine smile crossed his lips.]

Godot. The pleasure's all mine.

[He raises his mug at that, in a very typical "cheers" sort of gesture.]

I have to agree on the quality of that newspaper - I was genuinely fooled by it, myself, at a glance.

I'm impressed that you manage to find the time and energy to be so actively engaged in his schooling, though; I know how demanding this kind of work can be.

[He's absolutely being polite and not fishing for more information than what she chooses to give up willingly - he's not some kind of creep, after all.]

[He makes a subtle handgesture over at the waitress, as he had several times earlier today, to signal that he'd like a refill.

People love a man who can play

Well, that's a clue as to what is actually going on with this guy. That, paired along with the mention of a noise complaint, makes him wonder if he's probably dealing with some kind of musician. That would also account for the fans standing around outside in their G-blazoned shirts.

...It would not, however, account for the seemingly confidential file folder.]

A noise complaint?

I do my best thinking when the music is loud. I suppose most people at the prosecutor's office... don't really like that.

[ Man, why does he feel like he's seen this guy somewhere before? Cereal box? No. Hrmmmmm... ]

Everyone's so uptight. Nobody knows how to have any fun anymore.

[When the waitress comes with cup number twelve, he's not long taking a sip; he's at least smart enough to not just down this one - even if the temptation is absolutely there.

A fellow prosecutor? He absolutely must've misheard that. There's absolutely no way. His expression of momentary disbelief is absolutely telling on him for a moment or two while he's trying to make heads or tails of this before quickly pulling it back together.]

Define "fun", in this context? Because, I have a funny suspicion that the prosecutor's office was never very tolerant of things like loud music.

[He sips his coffee, calmly awaiting a reply.]

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Mingle and an Intro: Welcome to the Box!

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God-Os: As dark and bitter as his soul - Now with MORE intense coffee flavor!