In which absolutely none of my icons are appropriate

[serengalen]

[Because Junkos.

Anyway, at some point in the timestream, after drunken shenanigans, and possibly on a totally different round of leave, there is someone in the law section of the library, grumbling invectives and balancing a great deal of heavy books on every part of her body she can arrange to carry them.

She'll be fine, so long as no one surprises her in a strange and hilarious turnabout.]

Comments

[deadbymidseason]

[It would be terrible if someone saw her like that. Like someone got time off and decided they'd catch her at work, and her coworkers told him that she was at the library, and now he's headed up the stairs and trying to text at the same time only to find this.]

[serengalen]

[I'm sure an industrious young man could find something to do with the knowledge his girlfriend can balance several lawbooks on her head.]

Stairs, stairs, why are there still stairs in this day and ag-- Ah.

[You've been spotted, and for once, Riku is at a total loss for how to explain...all of this.]

[deadbymidseason]

...Give me those.

[Taking the books off her head, as well as any precariously balanced books, and just raising an eyebrow. You're being judged, Riku.]

[serengalen]

...I only have two hands, don't give me that look.

[holding still enough nothing falls when he grabs for it, and sighs.] I didn't know you were off today.

[deadbymidseason]

We didn't need all the mechanics and I drew the long straw. I've got an evening off. I thought I'd come see you. Didn't realize you'd be working on your acrobatics act.

[serengalen]

Well, you know, running away to join the circus is where the real money's at.

[Siiiigh.] Honestly, I just have to take these over to the lazy bigshot asshole who can't find his own goddamn references and leave them.

Mind you, only one of them is the one he actually needs, but since he couldn't name it, it'll be a good experience for him to find out which one it is.

[Do not taunt the happy fun riku, apparently.]

[deadbymidseason]

...Given this is a mission of vengeance, I feel like I should be giving you these books back.

[But he's walking anyways.] How much longer do you have on shift?

[serengalen]

It was technically over an hour ago. This is apparently a difficult concept for some.

So it's righteous vengeance.

[deadbymidseason]

So we're running an errand for your boss after hours? Weak. We'd better go do something better after this.

[serengalen]

Oh, don't worry...

[Did she just drift right into your personal space to murmur in your ear when your arms are full of books? You bet she did.]

I've got all kinds of ideas~

[...It's funny how she can make what's really a completely innocent sentence sound absolutely filthy, isn't it? And she's right back out of his bubble after.]

It's just down the hall, so let's get this over with quickly.

[deadbymidseason]

...Better be good ones.

[It's not a very good comeback, but it's about all he can muster without just basically losing his capacity for words entirely. He's rather obdiently following along though, with the massive stack of books in hand.]

[serengalen]

[Annd here's the door. She just wanders in without knocking...which is apparently happening because the person in question's not here. She'll just be stealing his letterhead to write a note--]

Just leave them wherever and we can get out of here.

[deadbymidseason]

[Stacking them on whatever desk is available and then wandering out. It's obvious he doesn't like being there, though for what reason is anyone's guess.]

Done. Let's bail.

[serengalen]

[She's not going to question it, since that means it takes longer to leave; she'll just grab him by the hand to drag him on out.] Have you eaten yet?

[deadbymidseason]

[Okay fiiine she can have his hand. Gripping hers tightly and following her out of the building.]

Base food. Thought I was going to work all day. Have you?

[serengalen]

Uh...[Let her. think about that one for a second.]

Mostly just snacks, there hasn't been a lot of time today.

[deadbymidseason]

Right. Let's get some food in you. Can't just have you falling asleep on the way wherever.

[serengalen]

That would be just a touch embarrassing, yes...There's a ramen bar not far from here.

[deadbymidseason]

Good idea. Lead the way.

[Kind of bumping her lightly with his shoulder. It's not like he knows the way.]

[serengalen]

[Leading him off down the street!]

Here we are...they say there used to be bars like this all over, before the calamity.

[deadbymidseason]

Huh. Can't imagine that. The amount of resources people had then must have been staggering.

[But he'll follow her along to a table or the booth or whatever, opting to sit next to her rather than across from her.]

[serengalen]

[It's a booth, which means she can lean on you while she reaches for the menu.]

Who knows? I just know the food they came up with is delicious.

[deadbymidseason]

[Which means she gets an arm wrapped around her, too, hugging her a little closer.]

Yeah, I agree. So damn flavorful. Glad farms are a thing again. Powdered meals get old.

[serengalen]

[Doot doot picking out something and flagging a dude over.]

...Kinda feel sorry for the people who only had powdered food to rely on.

[deadbymidseason]

[Tilting his head and leaning it on top of hers.]

That's a lot of people. Grandparents, mostly. Underground life sucked...

[serengalen]

Yeah..I think people still do in places, too, don't they?

[deadbymidseason]

Yeah. Twenty years isn't enough to rebuild the infrastructure entirely.

[serengalen]

...[Well now my ramen is seasoned with sad. :c]

[deadbymidseason]

[Cheek kiss.]

....Don't frown. You ruin your looks.

[serengalen]

...Smooth. [But he did get her to laugh, so success?]

And I dunno, it seems to work out stunningly well for you.

[deadbymidseason]

[Looking up at the ceiling.]

I don't like seeing you upset. It bothers me.

[serengalen]

...That's really sweet of you, you know.

Thank you, Zhang.

[deadbymidseason]

[Waving his hand.]

It's nothing. Really.

[serengalen]

It's something that makes me happy. So it's not nothing.

[deadbymidseason]

Then let's get out of here, when you're done, and go do something. Even if it's just going back to your place.

[serengalen]

[She's. Just going to tilt her head a little and look at you thoughtfully for a moment too long.

Zhang, you gonna get topped.] No preference from you what it is, huh?

[deadbymidseason]

[One of these days, he might catch on that that look is a very scary thing.]

None. I just don't like sitting around in shops. I've done too much sitting around.

[serengalen]

Mm, mm...I think I have an idea, then.

[deadbymidseason]

...I get this feeling I should get up and start running.

[serengalen]

You'll never make it to the door, but honestly, it's not dangerous.

[deadbymidseason]

Don't be so sure. I'm a soldier. We're hard to stop.

[Rolling his neck.] I'll play along.

[serengalen]

Ramen first, though. [And here it is DELICIOUS NOODLES COME TO HER.]

[deadbymidseason]

[Ramen for her, relaxing the booth for him. Turns out to be a fine time for everyone involved!]

[serengalen]

[If a bit short, because that ramen disappears at an unseemly rate. Where does she put all that?]

[deadbymidseason]

Must have been hungry.

[Standing up from the booth and untangling himself.]

Okay. Lead on.

[serengalen]

Just a bit. Come on, this way.

[LET'S GOING...to...the more nightlife-focused part of town? Oh, you may want to run, Zhang.]