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*Attempt to narrow the receiving mode manually* [Failure] You allow the broken hunk of metal to clatter to the ground. It wasn’t clear to you it did anything anyway… DISCO ELYSIUM  ▴  17/–

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“Who’s the king of pinball, Kim.” (Hold out your fist) “Congratulations, your highness,” the lieutenant replies. His knuckles touch yours and he smiles. “That was really impressive.”

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|| Looks like the new stupid(tm) editor from t/unglr takes over when replying to asks and/or trying to edit them from the drafts, and idk how to change that, which sucks. Ugh. So no small font for me anymore (and my tags are also not saved anymore and I am not happy abt that.)

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hi, mun! I have a question for you: why are you uncomfortable with blogs using anime icons/faceclaims for their muses? :O What if they have no other way to make icons and they aren't comfy with using live action faceclaim icons? Would you still interact with them, even if they have to be iconless because they're used to using anime icons? Also another question; do you make an exception for muns that are about to turn 21 to interact with you?

Hi anon,

Simply because I myself am not big into the whole anime-scene in itself, and because sometimes anime-icons just make me cringe internally. This is not meant to be a jab at someone and/or to be taken personally - it's totally fine to use anime icons if you want to. I am just not a fan of it and I am also not really seeing myself interact with any anime-muses to begin with (I just don't think that the setting fits).

I am, however, totally cool with iconless RPs. I am mostly RPing iconless (tho I have a few Kim icons, but only a rare selection as the ingame graphics of DE only gives us so a certain amount lol) so that's no problem at all. I am not judging someone by whether they use icons or not, I am way too old to care about that anymore actually. So no need to worry in that regard.

Regarding my rules: I am simply trying to make sure that every mun I interact with is of age, but I also just have reached a certain age in life where the age-difference can make a huge ...well, difference. I am 33 years old, and from experience, there can be quite a lifestyle-discrepancy happen if there's too much of an age-gap going on; Though this does not apply to every person and every interaction, of course. I've had wonderful interactions with muns 12 years younger than me before, and I never judge anyone because of their age, but that's why I set the line at 21 because, while 18 would be 'a legal age' at most places, it's still very young.

Since you are of age, it's ok to follow me if you are 'only' 20 now. That's probably not going to have much of an impact, so no worries.

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(☞ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)☞ DISCO ELYSIUM  ▴  11/–

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@yefreytor | continued from here [x]

Kim lifts a brow at that - a thin, black one that’s usually hidden behind the rim of his equally as black, round glasses. It’s not the infamous brow of authority, however - it’s a different brow, one that tells different things, painting an emotion across his usually quite neutral expression.

A set of nostrils flare for a moment as the Lieutenant inhales, then exhales, slow and measured, before his gloved hand finds its way to his spectacles; He takes them off in a swift motion before using the hem of his bomber jacket to clean them, an action that creates both the opportunity of him to look distant and hide himself from topics that are hard on him.

Or require some more thought, at least.

“Well.”

The now cleaned glasses find their way back on a curved nose, with Kitsuragi’s hands disappearing behind his back again where they rest on the curve of his behind - spine straight, shoulders pulled back, as usual. Dark irises flick over to his quite unusual partner, taking in the sight of him for a moment or two... lingering.

“---I believe the same thing is said by millions of people every day, Detective. And yet, most of them continue to care - because it’s considered to be part of being alive.”

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|| I unfollowed a few blogs I used to follow back when this still was a multimuse. I just realized I am completely away from any fandoms besides Disco Elysium and I honestly don’t see Kim interact with any DBH and/or RE muses at the very moment, simply because my interests have shifted so much.

Besides that, I am also VERY slow and don’t do that much RPing anymore, simply bc of me not having as much time, so I’ll focus on things that bring me the most joy and that’s everything Disco Elysium at the moment.

I apologize about that, but it is what it is...

I did stay mutuals with a few selected people though, even though they are in other fandoms - because we used to have a lot of contact and/or nice OOC interactions and I just enjoy seeing what they do. Sometimes it’s also just ‘mutual support’ by liking each other’ posts and not expecting to interact, but simply being there and notice each other. It has been happening for months and months so I feel that kind of contact is nice and appreciated.

But for RP stuff, I am away from DBH and RE. I fell out of the fandoms. I’m sorry. I hope you all are doing well wherever you are, and if you are one of the ones that got unfollowed by me - please don’t take it personal. You are a beautiful person. It’s really just my interests shifting. ♥

Edit: Oh also, feel free to unfollow too because of this, of course. You don’t need to follow me if you don’t want to, and/or if you’re never going to be part of the DE fandom or are not interested in what I write/post. No hard feelings. ♥

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– I’ve got Kim. – Just make sure you don’t lose him. You’ll not find another like him… – It’s true in more ways than you know.

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zonnelicht​:

Kim:

-

      CONCEPTUALIZATION – What do you suppose he’s thinking of?

It’s funny how quickly Harry had learned to read Kim. How it could take just a glance to get a broad sense of what was going on behind those guarded walls – sensing what sorts of thoughts and feelings were coursing through the lieutenant. While other times it felt like staring at a blank page. Written on in invisible ink, the contents there but unknowable until such a time where Kim may choose to reveal the words. Watching him now felt like the latter. Try as he might, Harry couldn’t figure out where Kim’s mind had wandered off to, if it was wandering at all.

      PERCEPTION – He is content. That’s all that I can tell you.

Following this train of thought brings him to do some reflecting of his own. Memories from before Martinaise are few and far between. The past shrouded in a fog thicker than the Pale itself. Most of it, though, is nothing but pain and disappointment.   (  A life wasted, thrown away like rubbish. A life you must forget if you wish to keep living.  )   It’s unpleasant to linger here.

He’s not free from his past — C-wing and the RCM at large are a daily reminder of that. Harry tears into his burger again to shake this line of thinking; a mixture of sauce and melted cheese smudging onto his chin as he eats with reckless abandon. The greasy taste of grilled meat is a welcome distraction from bitter thoughts.

Whatever happened before doesn’t mean he can’t forge a new future. One heralded by a blue sports car, recklessly driven by the orange-clad man sitting across from him.

Is it wrong of him to look at his partner like a shining beacon and think the world of him? Not just for having supported the poor bastard through relearning the way of the world, but for indulging him. Or, perhaps more accurately, for joining him in his often-outlandish ventures. Many of the choices he’s made that first week working with Kim, he would make again in a heartbeat.

But the memories did taste all the sweeter for having the lieutenant there.

Kim made him feel at ease, made him feel like he had a place in the present. That was enough to make Harry want to try his best.

      SUGGESTION – Because he makes you feel wanted.

Grey-green eyes flick back at the sound of the lieutenant’s voice. Brows furrowing at the continued talk of paperwork. The comment elicits an exaggerated groan in response.   “C’mooon, it’s not like anyone’s actually expecting it to ever get done at this point.”

Harry’s picking through his pile of fries to break eye contact, stuffing a handful into his mouth in a most inelegant manner before stealing a glance to gauge Kim’s reaction.

      VOLITION – His smile – secret it may be– is brilliant. He’s partially teasing you. You’re a grown man, so take the comment in stride and don’t act like a scolded child.

Be that as it may, it’s difficult to ignore that the old squad at the 41st didn’t seem to hold out hope of any files older than two months ever being completed. So long as the important details were there, anyway. And Harry was content with that – that gave them more time to tackle more cases and do something actually useful.

Not that he didn’t understand the importance of not just leaving a paper trail of their conduct, but indexing their cases properly in general… it just really, really sucked to do. Knowing Kim’s been taking on the burden himself, well—

It’s proving a little difficult not to let a sense of guilt creep into his expression now.

      COMPOSURE – Stop feeling sorry for yourself and pay attention. You’re going to need to hold yourself together.

      ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Woah! Woah woah WOAH! Y’feel what those words do to you? That’s a delicious toe-curling command right there. C'mon big guy, you want to be a diligent boy when he says it like that. Make him say more of that!

Harry snapped back to attention. That's…. Oh boy, that’s a big revelation to suddenly take in all at once. He sits just a little straighter. Alert and listening, mouth agape and food momentarily forgotten. How is he supposed to respond to that without coming across as a babbling fool? No, it’s better to stay quiet and swallow down his reaction. Pray the red tinge colouring the tip of his ears goes unnoticed.

      AUTHORITY – Really? What it takes to consider doing an important part of your job is being told to do it?

      ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Excuse you. It takes being praised. The rush of serotonin is a great motivator. Who knows what else he wants you to be diligent in, Harrier. Ask him.

      VOLITION – Do not ask him anything of the sort. Behave.

If there ever was an opening to ask, it’s gone now.

“I–”   the detective pauses, absentmindedly moving the back of his hand over his chin to wipe away the sauce still sitting there.   “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”   Suddenly self conscious, he turns his gaze to his stained hand. Contemplating licking the sauce off of it. Impulse wins out, his hand quickly brought up to his mouth to let tongue swipe over it before he continues,

“I appreciate it, though. Hearing you say that, I mean.”

“So… ”   fingers drum restlessly on the table now.   “You said you’d let me ignore the paperwork for a little longer. Does that mean you’re ready for another case? Because I overheard Jean talking about something that sounded right up our alley.”   And by ‘our’ he most definitely means ‘his own’. Side-quests, baby.

“---There is precisely at least one person who would like to see those reports getting finished, Detective. And that person is Captain Pryce.”

Unbothered by his unusual partner’s comment, using the moment of conversation to bring himself back into reality - away from his own thoughts, back into the here and now, the important part of his existence - Kitsuragi takes another bite of his sandwich; A bit of mayonnaise threatens to squeeze out from between the slices of lettuce and meat, so he quickly takes another, smaller bite from the side to make it disappear inside his mouth instead.

He swallows, then chews, taking his time as dark brown eyes focus on his meal for a while, then to the window by their side, where his gaze latches onto the very faint reflection of the other he can see from there. It lingers, perhaps three seconds so, before it takes in the sight of the outside world instead, accompanied by a sigh.

“Besides - working on those reports, handing them in, would be a great way to improve your...”

Kim hesitates, thinks about how to put what he wants to say into appropriate words.

“...Relationship with the Precinct. You know, because of... certain events that have happened. A while ago, yes, but still fairly recent. ---All of that.”

You’re lucky you’re still there, is what he says without voicing any of those syllables out loud. And he suspects why that is; Harry is old (in comparison to a lot of other RCM Officers), he’s been promoted twice, he’s solved more cases already than the average Lieutenant does during his whole career.

But that doesn’t mean that he should rest on top of all of those achievements - because Du Bois’ very latest downfall may has caused a lot of that throne to crumble, threatening to break. It’s time for him to fix it, to start repairing the damage - and what better way would be there than to work on... well, paperwork?

Because the Lieutenant isn’t exactly expecting a reply, he doesn’t wait for it - he uses his free gloved hand to bring his drink up to his lips instead and takes a sip, then places the glass back down onto the scratched surface of the table in between them.

He also doesn’t say anything in reply to Harry’s other words, regarding him being appreciative of what Kitsuragi has said before - but he takes them in, recognizes them, and saves them somewhere inside his brain.

I hear you, his gaze seems to say as Kim’s almost black irises flick back to the much brighter ones of his partner. Expression neutral as always, but... softer than it is out there in the field. More personal. Private, even. It means he feels secure where he is - content to be with Harry, all things considered.

Trusting him, still. Like he has trusted the man during the Tribunal.

“---I’m an Officer of the RCM, I am literally expected to be ready for cases whenever they pop up. Even when in the middle of eating dinner, so - yes, Detective, I am ready... as ready as a man of my age after a long day of running and case-solving can be, that is.”

A hint of tiredness clings to the corners of his eyes, but that won’t stop him from listening.

He is just as eager about solving things than Harry is. They work well together in that regard.

[voltadcmar]

Baby, light my fire 🔥

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“---Such a poor little meow meow indeed...”

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zonnelicht​:

Kim:

-

The moment of silence between them is comfortable, allowing the background noise to set the mood. Harry’s focus shifts, listening to the pitter-patter of the rain against the window. The sizzling HISS coming from the kitchen, and the chatter from other patrons behind them.

      PERCEPTION [HEARING] – The old couple three tables down is arguing about the food. “It tastes like cardboard.” the old woman complains. Across from her a man – presumably her partner– sighs softly, reaching out a wrinkled hand to rest it upon hers. “It’s the same as it’s always been, Agheet,” he whispers gently.

      SHIVERS – An ageing balding man leans over a hot stovetop. Spatula scraping food around on top of it, restless and incapable of stopping. Further back in the kitchen, a lanky teen skulks around the sink. He is half heartedly doing the dishes, sighing every few seconds whenever a breeze wafts through the open window just above his head. It carries with it the scent of rain, cold air, and smoke. He’s off the clock soon, his friends already waiting outside. They’re huddling near the door in an attempt to shield themselves from the rain, smoking a pack of stolen cigarettes to pass the time.

It beats the silence of his apartment – the entire place as dreary as it is cold. Large and empty while at the same time too full of trash. ‘A dead place for the desperate and suffering,’ the softest of the dark voices in his mind helpfully supplies. Bubbling up from just below the surface. ‘You know it, Harry-boy’. With a shudder, his gaze flicks to Kim’s hands, watching the dew on the outside of his glass settle against supple leather.

      ENDURANCE – None of this self-pitying shit tonight.

Right. No use in letting any negative emotions take the lead here. Kim decided to join him here on their evening off. Just to do, what? Enjoy the detective’s company?

      SUGGESTION – You’re like his cigarette habit. A small indulgence of which the boundaries are worth testing, but never worth breaking.

Harry exhales softly and settles back against the plush upholstery of the seats of their booth, finding it impossible to keep himself from smiling when faced with the lieutenant’s smirk.“I’m totally a superstar-cop. You’ve seen me perform. Everyone at the Whirling adored my song.” Sure, part of him is playing along – but it’s not just playing along, now is it?

      DRAMA – You were born for the stage – belting out ballads not only about the vast inner workings of your very being. Combining it with your talent for solving crime to dazzle them all. Truly, Sire, your capabilities cannot go overlooked. You deserve an audience! A crowd to gaze upon this beacon of pure talent.

      CONCEPTUALIZATION – It’s good to have a dream. So keep dreaming.

Ah, but there it is; genuine praise given to him by the one person whose opinion has come to mean the world to him. Harry preens under the compliment. Not a doubt in his mind about Kim’s sincerity. “ High praise, coming from the 41st finest. You bet your ass I’m going to enjoy this.”

One of the servers comes up to their table before he has a chance to say more, her presence softening away the edges of smugness that had crept into his smile, beaming a little less as he turns to face her. The young lady couldn’t be older than 25. A face full of freckles, and brown hair pulled up into a messy bun – too many strands of her unruly locks threatening to escape the hair tie. Her tone’s chipper and bubbly. Customer service mode: engaged.

“Here you go, officers! Enjoy your meal!” Their plates are gently set out in front of them. She looks to be taking quick stock of their drinks situation before taking a step back. “If there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to call me over.” With her script sufficiently rattled off, she takes her leave, making a beeline for the front of the diner to help other patrons.

      ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Brother, that shit smells good. And you are STARVING

Harry’s meal smells devine to him. A large double stacked burger sits in the middle of his plate, cheese and sauce oozing from between bun and patties. It sits in the middle of a circle of fries, and the world’s most pathetic side salad that will be ignored. Greedy hands grab the burger firmly, holding it carefully above his plate as he leans in for a bite. God, it’s so good.

Mouth still full of food, he hums his satisfaction   (  a sound bordering far too close to a moan.  )   before swallowing it down. Now that the craving is dealt with, there’s time to respond.

      EMPATHY – Is it just me, or does the lieutenant look…sad?

“You, uh. You don’t mind being stuck with me then?” Stupid question. The answer was just established. “Forget I asked that — I’m glad you got my back. Especially with the paperwork. I would be working overtime for an eternity if it wasn’t for you. Like tonight.”

      VOLITION – Good, lighten the mood again. No damage done.

Actually, Harry does have a point there - his performance back at the Whirling had been quite extraordinary on many levels and even surprised Kim, a man who has seen (and heard) a lot of things during his 43 years of existence.

However, it had been the first time for him to watch another Officer of the RCM feel the urge to sing a song in the middle of trying to solve a case. But... everything happens for the first time at some point, apparently, and it includes experiencing a man like Harrier Du Bois finding back to himself after having almost killed his own being in what must have been a true manic episode, filled with depressive thoughts and the urge to end the mysery he’s felt with the help of Commodore Red and Speed.

Here they are now, though - sitting in a Diner, getting their food served, and the man is still alive. He’s sung the song of the smallest church while wearing a bow tie and a hilariously questionable robe, caused people to applaud him, dedicated said song to Kitsuragi (no one has ever dedicated a song to him before) before then, almost casually, finding out that the murderer they’ve been searching for had been an old man sitting on an island, the Insulidian Phasmid’s pheromones causing him to lose his mind with the years passing by.

Part of the Lieutenant still cannot believe it - all of it. That none of what he’s just thought of is just a fantasy but reality instead. That everything had amazed (and is still amazing) him so much that he agreed to even join Harry, become part of Precinct 41, leaving behind his own mysery he’s been stuck with for decades.

The sandwich that’s placed in front of him feels like it’s the most normal thing he’s experienced in quite a while - two slices of slightly toasted white bread, stacked on top of lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, bacon, ham, onions, cheese and more lettuce to top it all off. It smells delicious, so does the side of chips it’s being served with; And yet, when Kitsuragi touches it, he’s almost surprised about being able to actually grab it, to bring it to his mouth and take a bite, the savory taste spreading across his tongue like a wildfire.

Perhaps Harry is a superstar cop - if not one that’s definied by norm, he’s something he’s defined for himself, made it a new reality and placed it into Revachol like it belongs here. Harrier Du Bois, Double-Yefreitor, singer and actor, living the smallest church before hunting down whoever has killed their last unfortunate body that they’ve found just a few hours ago. Jamrock-shuffling his way through private property, accidentally discovering new species of animals and insects, taking on side-cases to go along well with his main-cases, serving them on a silver platter for Kim Kitsuragi to gaze upon with a mixture of awe, wonder and disbelief.

This is his life now. Kim’s life. He’s part of it, and sometimes - like right now - it overcomes him like a wave, causing him to take a break and breathe through as he tries to sort his mind.

He’s never met a man like him, someone who fascinates him so much on so many levels.

Is that a dangerous thought to have?

Perhaps.

Kim already knows where it might lead him to, and he’s afraid of giving that possible destination a name just yet. Leaving that part blank within his imaginary notebook.

“---Don’t think you’re off the hook, Detective. The paperwork still exists, and one day you have to tackle it all.”

Dark brown eyes flick back over to his partner, accompanied by another hint of a smile that’s meant for only Harry to see, tugging at the corners of his full lips. Gloved fingers bring that glass back to his mouth then and Kitsuragi takes another sip of the liquid in between chewing, then takes another, large bite from his sandwich, his appetite big after not having eaten much for the whole of the day.

“I might let you get away for now - but don’t mistake my kindness for a way out. I’m still keeping track of all the files that are stacked on top of each other, HDB written onto them, waiting for a diligent boy to fill them out and finally finish them off after years of neglect.”

Oh, and said diligent boy won’t be Kitsuragi - oh no, he won’t take that weight off of the Detective’s shoulders.

But perhaps he’ll be by the poor man’s side, bring him a coffee every now and then. Maybe even a snack, if Harry behaves well - a bag of chips, some gummy candies or a Kebab.

... Yes, Kim actually has already done some of said paperwork, finished it himself, but... he won’t mention that. He knows that Harry knows, a secret shared between them. That doesn’t mean that the other doesn’t have an ass full of workload ahead of himself still waiting at the Precinct.

A pair of nostrils flare briefly and Kim inhales, then exhales, smile fading for a moment as his gaze turns a bit more serious. There is no need for him to say what he’s going to say, but... for some reason, he feels like he has to voice it out loud once more. Make it a reality for the two of them:

“---And no, Harry. I do not mind about being stuck with you - because I am not. I could leave whenever I want, but I don’t.”

That’s it, however. He won’t speak the rest out loud.

[voltadcmar]

Has this been done before?

[voltadcmar]

zonnelicht​:

voltadcmar·:

-

Harry watches the lieutenant carefully. Observing him digest the words. He knows that whatever kind of a response he’ll get won’t reflect Kim’s true thoughts nearly as well as the miniscule tells that might cross his face, or subtly change his posture. He doesn’t want to needle him, or god forbid try to can-open the man. Still, he’d like to see the truth. So he sits and watches, drinking Kim in.

      PERCEPTION [Sight] – See that? His ears are turning red.

      ELECTROCHEMISTRY – Oh yeah baby! He took a good look       at this wild, untamable Disco-Beast and recognizes your       pure, raw, sex appeal. Now reel him in. Wait, no, pounce       on him! You’re a beast, better act it. Seems he likes that.

      VOLITION – You will under no circumstances do that.

A light dusting of pink rises to his cheeks at the thought. Something which Harry hopes isn’t all too noticeable, what with the permanent red coloration pigmenting his skin since his drinking days. An interesting thought —

      LOGIC – Of course that isn’t it, This is Kim. Your partner.       Your very professional partner. He wouldn’t fraternise       with his coworkers.

And just like that the thought’s shattered, subconsciously deflating the Detective’s posture. If there was any doubt, then the words spoken next drive the reality of the situation home. And like Kim, Harry finds himself averting his gaze, too.

      EMPATHY – Don’t take his deflection to heart. The lieutenant       does not deal with emotions very well. He’s already laid bare       more than he would like you– or anyone else– to see.

“Are you kidding? I’m the one who couldn’t have done it without you,” any of it, “That’s why we make such a great team. We complete each other.”

There it is again. That unflappable earnesty bursting out of him without a second thought. Unaware of how it may add to Kim’s discomfort. He deserves to know how much him staying means. How much it already has meant since the first day they worked together.

There’s nothing he can say to adequately express the depths of his gratitude. For the patience, the support, the trust. He doesn’t doubt he’d have been back in the gutter with a bottle and a needle somewhere in his arm, were it not for the grounding presence of lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi.

      EMPATHY – Stop giving him those puppy eyes.       You’re making him much more uncomfortable than he already is.

“Or-”    he starts casually, not bothering to suppress the grin creeping up, a mischievous glint reflected in dull green eyes. “- you really couldn’t have done it without my help. That’s alright, Kim. We can’t all be a superstar-cop.” Quick, throw in another round of fingerguns and waggle those brows. Drive home you’re only ribbing.

POW-POW ! ! !   Got ‘em again.

With a sigh leaving a set of full lips, the Lieutenant decides to reach out for his glass that’s placed in front of him, on top of the not-so-smmoth surface of that wooden table between them; While it looks like it has been polished at some point, one can see the age stuck to that piece of furniture, gotten it all roughed up with the years passing. Despite this, the small diner they sit inside feels comfortable and cozy in a way, smelling of fried foods and warm beverages that set steam off into the air surrounding them.

He sips his water, then - letting the cool liquid pour into his mouth, swallowing it down shortly after, before the glass comes into contact with said table once more. Slender, gloved fingers stay curled around it, however, and dark irises flick over to the window by their side to look out into what is truly bad weather... cold, rainy and dark, since it’s already after eight in the evening.

It had been Harry’s suggestion to rest here for a moment - today has been a long day, the workload a bit more heavy, causing them to forget about time and the sun to disappear behind the horizon too quickly for the Lieutenant’s comfort. Sure, he could have gone home by now and just... did his thing, whatever he does there each night, but he’s decided to follow his unusual partner to have dinner instead, so here Kim is.

The food they’ve ordered is still being prepared, leaving the two men to chat for a while as they wait.

That’s why - and how - they ended up here, talking about... well, this.

“---Never said that I’m a superstar-cop, Detective.” With a hint of a half-smirk stretching itself over his features, Kitsuragi hums as he looks back at Harry, amusement written into the dark of his eyes as they meet the pale green ones of the other. “And neither are you, I’m afraid. ---However, you do have... skill, I have to admit that much. I can see why they’ve offered you a promotion twice, causing you to earn the title ‘Double-Yefreitor’.”

And in fact, the Lieutenant does see this almost every day, now that he’s transferred over to Precinct 41. Harry is practically living that infamous Jamrock Shuffle, and despite being quite lazy with paperwork, he is surprisingly diligent when it comes to fieldwork and trying to find clues. He loves to be out and about, to find possible murder weapons, question suspects and witnesses, loosing track of time easily because he’s so focused...

But that also explains why the Detective’s health had deteriorated so quickly - mostly mentally, causing him to stick to the bottle and drugs to keep himself going...

“So, yes, take that compliment and enjoy it, Detective. You’ve earned it... once in a full moon.”

With said smirk widening briefly at his own teasing, Kim sighs once more before his gaze flicks back to the window, staring at the dark street, the wet droplets running along the glass. Thoughtful, perhaps. Smile fading.

“...I agree, though... we do work well together. It makes things a lot easier.”

[voltadcmar]

thank you disco elysium for the best idle animation ive ever seen

[voltadcmar]

The ‘raw sex appeal of this Disco-Beast’. Sure.

The very same Disco-beast that does the whole fingerguns-schtick at the very same time, combined with a wink and a smile that shows a surprising amount of teeth that have somehow managed to hold onto the Detective’s gums during all the things he’s done to himself over the course of years. Decades, perhaps?

A black brow is lifted from behind the equally as black rims of circular glasses. Full lips remain closed.

And yet, Kim has stayed. Upon seeing the man stumbling down the stairs of the Whirling-In-Rags, wearing only one shoe, he could have turned and left, decided that none of his efforts would be worth whatever the outcome might be in the end. But he had stayed, because he’s wanted this case to be solved, the box to be ticked off on his report, a satisfactory piece of paper to exist which he could push into one of the many folders existing within Precinct 57. Case solved, case closed, K.K.

Perhaps he’d already known that, back then, he wouldn’t have been able to solve THE HANGED MAN on his own. Maybe he could have done it, but... looking back at it now, it would have been hard to do such. Impossible, even. So whatever had glued him to the floor of the hostel that day - and the two days prior - had probably known that both Lieutenants had been needed to figure out how exactly the murder had happened on that faithful day.

And he’s gotten to know Harry a lot better. Has seen behind all the things that stick to him like neon signs, glanced around the corners to look at what the man truly is, and that there is more to him than what he (and a lot of other people) thought of him to begin with.

...Is all of that enough justification to say those words that have slipped from Kitsuragi’s mouth before, though? Sounding like a... confession, perhaps? Probably a bit too personal, a bit too direct, a bit too... unprofessional. Perhaps he shouldn’t have allowed himself to say such.

But here his unusual partner is after playing his act of the sexy raw Disco-beast, adds something more, something vulnerable and honest just a second later - which causes the Lieutenant to swallow, accompanied by him clearing his throat soon after, a set of dark brown irises flicking away to look elsewhere.

The tips of his ears feel warm. They have no right to do so.

“Khm. Well, I... ---I am glad as well. We managed to solve the case, after all. I doubt I would have found out the true reason of that man’s unfortunate death without your assistance.”

Ah, there - taking away some of the deeply personal bits by applying whatever has been said to a much more professional setting: Work. Murder. Dead people. All of that.

“When I saw you, I should’ve kept on going but I couldn’t move.”- @voltadcmar

      EMPATHY – Oh. That’s…a confession of some type.

      DRAMA – Best to deflect it with some humor, Sire.

The corner of Harry’s mouth twitches and pulls upwards. A toned-down version of the well-worn Expression. “Not everyone can stomach the raw sex appeal of this Disco-Beast, Kim.” POW-POW ! ! !   Kim’s shot with a pair of trusty fingerguns. Satisfied with the carnage, Harry brings his hands up to his mouth, blowing away imaginary smoke from the tips while giving his partner a wink for good measure.

Was he that much of a mess?  ( YES ) God knows he was. Stumbling down the stairs like a newborn deer just finding its balance; clothes stained to hell and back in fluids no one wants to think too hard about, wearing just one of his shoes. Anyone sensible would’ve bolted at the sight.

      AUTHORITY – Incompetent. And an embarrassment to the RCM.

      EMPATHY – But he did not leave.

Something clicks. A realisation that, in hindsight, was incredibly obvious to anyone with half a working brain.  ( Of course you hadn’t actually put it together until now. You never were kind to yourself. )  Whatever Kim saw shamble towards him that day… it was still someone who somehow held some worth. Why else would the 41st send,    well,    you.

“I’m glad you stayed.” The words spill from chapped lips before he had a chance to think about them. Earnest, & a smidge desperate.

[voltadcmar]

I have started playing Disco Elysium.