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duchessofc: “Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. It has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. In measurements, the building is 108 metres long across […]
Hattori had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from commenting on Hakuba’s choice of… words. He closed his eyes, but only for a few seconds, and regained himself, smile playing on his lips once again.
“Yeah, I guess ya could say tha’.” Hattori fiddled with the napkin once again, licking his lips. Why was this so awkward? He kind of just wanted to sink into the floor, maybe it was the formal atmosphere – he hated formal parties, they were just so… formal…
“Ah…” His father yes… his father. They weren’t exactly on… the best of terms. He didn’t hate his father, no, but he didn’t get along with his as much as he did his mother. “Ya could say tha’, I guess.” He knew he was repeating himself, but honestly, best to skip that subject.
Alas, the difference in perspective had effectively jackhammered a wedge into the fissure between them, and Hakuba had yet to even notice that there was a problem. In fact, he was convinced that the entire affair had proceeded quite swimmingly. Indeed, he couldn’t have been happier with the way things had gone thus far.
Though, the repetition in the Osakan’s broken and stilted Kansai-ben did give him reason to pause. Glancing back at his companion, Hakuba lifted a brow, smile tilting ever so slightly to quirk higher on the left.
“That’s… good to hear,” he said, and let the smile fade. No, there was certainly something amiss here, and Hakuba had finally noticed.
Letting out a little breath, he drummed his fingers on the edge of the table, then swallowed against the nervous lump in his throat.
“Ah…” Hakuba struggled to find another conversational topic to offer in an attempt to salvage the conversation, but found nothing further than shop talk. Did he really need to resort to that? Perhaps so. Business. Detective work. He quirked another, new smile, though this was significantly less confident than the last. “Have you read the latest article on the use of three-dimensional printers in artificially growing bone matter with stem cell research?”
Blink.
“Er.” The foreign detective shifted awkwardly on his side of the bench. “Or, rather, ah, are you… attending the police benefit’s ball in Kyoto at the end of the month…? Or, no, wait; you don’t really like the more formal affairs, do you?”
Hakuba bit his lip. Think, dammit… think!
“Ah, you… … you like some sports team, though, correct? The… the one on your hat, perhaps? Where, ah, where is your trademark baseball cap today, anyway? I was under the impression that it was somewhat of an… extension of your person? Aha…"
Hattori had gotten the message loud and clear. It wasn’t that he was really expecting anything else from the half-Brit. They were just two guys having dinner, an awkward dinner, but dinner none the less.
“Tha usual.” Hattori waved a hand, his focus now completely on the menu before him. “A cheating husband here, a jealous wife there.” It was all really boring. “Nothin’ too big.” Hattori placed down his menu, he’d already chosen what he’d be getting a few minuets ago, and took to playing with the napkin.
So far, so good. It seemed that the reaffirmation of the less formal kun had been taken quite well. Hakuba was relieved that he wouldn’t have to revert to the more distant sanafter all; he did intend to remain friends with the other detective, even if things had become decidedly tense between them. Or, perhaps friend was a bit too strong of a word? Acquaintance? No, no- that was a step in the wrong direction. They were colleagues. That was comfortable, respectful, and amiable enough.
Yes, it seemed that his generosity, thus far, had not been misplaced. Whew.
In response to the answer, Hakuba tilted his head to express his interest, mild though it was. “It seems as though you’re keeping yourself busy, at least; that’s good. The more cases you successfully resolve, the stronger your curriculum vitae will be, thus improving your chances for university and the field… I’m certain that’s pleasing your father, correct? He must be… quite proud.”
He cleared his throat with a small cough and returned his attention to the menu in front of him. Udon was preferable to ramen noodles, though had a higher potential for spillage. This wasn’t something that he felt he could risk in front of his rival. Er, colleague. Still, though; to sacrifice his preference to save face? …it really wouldn’t be the first time. Hakuba shrugged, setting his menu down to give himself the fullest vantage with which to flag down a server, passively giving the rest of his attention to Hattori in the interim.
Hattori accepted his menu and opened it up, eyes glancing over the different items, every once in a while flicking upwards to look at Hakuba. It was, rather awkward, though he didn’t really understand why. They were just, two guys having dinner together.
“Thank ya, ya look pretty good yereself.” Hattori answered, eyes back on his menu.
“Thank you, Hattori-kun.” Hakuba was careful to give the kun just a little bit of emphasis, just in case the Osakan had forget where their current formality level lay. At least with Hattori’s attire, it was easier for the half-brit to suspend his sense of reality, shifting focus to, yes, a pleasant dinner with a client. Someone in need of his assistance. That was far easier to deal with than, er, anything else at present.
After a moment of deliberation, he glanced up from the laminated cardstock to look the other detective over again, then offered a small, polite smile.
“How have your cases been, as of late?”
Hattori watched Hakuba’s face. He was easy to read, for once, it was a little unsettling. He could see the shock, and then frown. Hattori paid no attention to it, planning to keep this dinner as argument-free as possible. No insulting, no getting angry, just, an enjoyable night out.
“Ah.” Hattori replied to his explanation of the case files. He relaxed back against the booth, placing his hands down in his lap, fidgeting with the ends of his suit shirt – he really hated these things.
“Thank ya fer inviting me.”
“Certainly."
All right, so they were off to a somewhat awkward start, but at least nothing terrible had happened yet. The blonde detective offered a menu to the Osakan, then looked over the remaining one, keeping his gaze carefully averted.
"Your appearance is quite sharp, by the by. It’s a good look for you.”
Hattori removed his motorcycle helmet as he parked his baby near the entrance. He had arrived five minuets early, but he figured, better a few minuets early then a few minuets late.He’d also opted for a suit, rather then his normal clothing. He’d left his hat – though it had pained him – behind as well, and came dressed well, nicely. He didn’t really know why he was bothering to dress up like this, but, well, it couldn’t hurt, could it?
He headed into the ramen shop and scanned the area, eyes falling upon Hakuba, who looked to be busy with case notes. He let out a soft snort and made his way over, taking the seat opposite of Hakuba.
“Wha’ kind’a case are ya workin’ on?” Hattori asked.
“Same old, same old,” Hakuba said, lifting his head to regard the other detective as he firmly closed the case file in his hands. Then he paused. Hattori dressed up? He looked… really nice, well-groomed and cleaned up. Professional, even. The smallest of frowns came to his lips as he considered this, visibly halted in his normally smooth conduct. Huh.
After a moment longer, he shook his head and turned to stow the folder in the briefcase on the bench next to him, grateful for the convenient opportunity to turn his head.
“More gang territory issues, nothing of import.” He waved a dismissive hand, then looked back to the Osakan, reaching for the glass of water on his side of the table, taking a drink to buy himself just another moment to think. Even then, all he could manage was an almost anxious chuckle, followed by: “Thank you for coming, by the way."
Hakuba arrived at the little ramen shop fifteen minutes early. He hadn’t intended to, but with the way that the train schedules worked and his calculations (nerves factored in), it had just sort of… happened. Wringing his hands, he scanned the area to ensure that Hattori hadn’t yet arrived, then requested a booth from the girl on staff. There he settled, keeping track of the time with his wrist and pocket watch, and went over a stack of case files while he waited.
Nothing to it. It would be fine. Just like an awkward business lunch. He just needed to think of Hattori as a client. Yes, that would do.
{ Jeanne says mun is mean and she’ll be gentle today. He even can sit on her lap and sob on her shoulder if he likes. Smiles angelically. }
((That’s very sweet of her. Awww. I don’t think that he’ll sit in her lap, though. Maybe sit next to her and lean on her shoulder, mopey and pitiful…))
{ Awww does he need some Jeanne-lovin’? Though he might hurt more before he feels better… }
((OMG. I … OMG. I don’t even know what to say to that. LOL.))
(( always good when there are muse tears. ))
((he’s just sitting there sobbing at his desk. ALL I DID WAS PLAY A SONG and now he’s all bent out of shape geez ugh…))
