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[deadtective]

We've got posts up playing icebreakers and asking for people to regale them with the exciting tales of their weekend, so I think it's safe to say that we're past the current crisis? We better be, because I'm sick of slicing my fingers up leafing through the classifieds and don't need anybody jumping on me for being flippant during a tragedy.

[so preemptively defensive, Hazel. maybe you should have had somebody proofread this before sending it out.]

I'm looking for a job. I had this whole thing typed up with my preferences and abilities, but it ended up sounding like I was looking to run bootleg liquor over the border.

Which. I mean, if there's an opening for that I'm totally down for an interview? But that's not exactly the kind of thing you advertise for.

I was a private detective back home, buuut honestly I think I broke more laws than solved actual cases. No convictions, though! Uh. The point is I have a shitty skillset and I am super desperate. If the job's not boring as hell and it can finance dozens of pre-ordered video games I'm interested.

Look, it's this or I start prying radios out of hovercars. The crime rate of Heropa is in your hands!!

Comments

[ Text ; Private ]

[deadtective]

Nah, it's whatever. I was 'out' for the worst of it, and it's not like I can feel anything now. I think you might be the only one who's glad I can fire off pithy comments 24/7, though.

[it's a joke, thrown out there because it really touches her that he'd say something like that. she and Kaneki certainly weren't close before all this blew up, and the conversations she'd had in the past had mostly been gentle good-natured harassment, but...it's rare to hear something like that, even now.]

Don't worry about it. I'll figure out something myself - I've got enough time to do it in.

[and she's slowly amassing a small skeleton that she'd like to pick with Suzuya, so. something was bound to happen eventually, whether she pulled favors from people successfully or not.]

[ Text ; Private ]

[enucleation]

And your amazing driving skills.
Speaking of which, I'm sorry I destroyed your hoovervespa. Do you want mine?

Be careful. [ he won't say anything else about the suzuya matter ]

[ Text ; Private ]

[deadtective]

What? Oh, no, don't do that. I got the stupid thing for free, it's not like I'm out any money. And I kind of knew what I was getting into when I committed to the whole distraction fight thing.

[not that she was going to keep talking about it anyway, but the offer of a new vehicle certainly startles Hazel to the point where she's not even thinking about Suzuya. very clever, Kaneki.]

[ Text ; Private ]

[enucleation]

[ yes, good ]

I no longer need mine. And after destroying yours, I feel like it's fair.
Though, it's not as flashy.

[ Text ; Private ]

[deadtective]

That's not really a problem, you'd be really surprised what a paint job and some really cute designs can do for a

[WAIT A MINUTE NO SHE'S NOT TAKING THIS STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. THIS IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A GUY FEELING BAD ABOUT SOMETHING HE CAN'T HELP.]

No, come on!!! I'm not even wrecked from all of this, and that's a big gift!!

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[enucleation]

[ he is not that kind.

he really doesn't need the hoovervespa anymore. So it's basically two in one: give it away to someone who would want it, and take the chance that person got hers wrecked because of Ken ]

Mine is just going to gain dust. I told you, I no longer need it. Don't consider it a gift, consider it a donation.

[ Text ; Private ]

[deadtective]

Just because I need a job doesn't mean I'm a charity...

[but she really does miss her vespa; there's a difference between reckless speed driving and walking everywhere, even if she doesn't actually tire anymore. and he seems pretty insistent on unloading it. it's fine, right..?]

But, fine. Only because you really seem to want to unload it, ok?

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[enucleation]

[ it's fine, yes. Just take it Hazel ]

Alright. I really want to unload it. [ he is amused ]

I have it in Heropa. Let me know when you can pick it up.

[ Text ; Private ]

[deadtective]

[this isn't funny it's a serious moral dilemma!!!]

I can pick it up pretty much anytime. I'm in Heropa too and I have literally nothing important to do at any point on any given day.

[ Text ; Private ]

[enucleation]

[ it is because he doesn't care at all about the hoovervespa anymore ]

Alright. Then meet me at the imPorts residence in 20 minutes?

[ Text ; Private ]

[deadtective]

Sure, no problem.

[and since she...doesn't really leave the house...she's probably going to be found sitting out there 5-10 minutes early. inside, outside, there isn't much of a difference.]

[enucleation]

[ and ken will arrive exactly one minute before the set time, carrying the Hoovervespa on his side, while he has both hands on the handle. When he sees Hazel he nods, but decides to say "Hello", if only so she will recognize him.

After all, kaneki knows he looks different. While hair, tired face, lacking that awkwardness and shyness. However, he still has that eyepatch over his eye. ]

[deadtective]

[it's such a small change in the grand scheme of things, but somehow it manages to look much more striking than it should be. still, Hazel picks up on who it is pretty quickly and returns the hello with a wave.]

Guess I won't be running you down anytime soon, huh.

[wow what an awkward joke to open this up with, but it's the best she's got.]

[enucleation]

[ kaneki smiles at the joke ]

You always have the chance to run others down, now. If I recall, you are a very eager driver.

[ and reckless. ]

[deadtective]

Hey, hey, easy now! You're making it sound like everyone doesn't want to take huge jumps after being given a flying vespa for the first time.

[but she's laughing a little even as she holds up her hands in mock defense. for a moment it looks like Hazel wants to say something else, but she refrains. somehow it feels kind of tacky to say that she was really glad to see him in one piece.]

[enucleation]

[ he hums ]

I wonder why we don't see everyone doing that, around here.

[ kaneki reaches for his pocket, taking out the keys to the vespa, throwing them back at Hazel ] Here. They're yours.

[deadtective]

[she actually catches them! and takes a moment to look briefly surprised at herself. wow, sometimes she can actually be coordinated.]

Thanks. For everything, I mean.

[not just for the vespa, but for being understanding of what she was, for just being ok himself. the last part is less for herself and more for her friends, knowing that his return must bring at least a little peace of mind. it was...relieving.]

And, um. I know this sounds really shitty after everything, and it's not that I don't trust you, but - that thing we talked about, about me. Please don't tell anyone.

[she honestly feels pretty bad having to say this, and it shows on her face. she doesn't really believe that Kaneki would have told anyone, but after Kangmo's betrayal at the worst possible moment, she needs that extra confirmation.]

[enucleation]

[ can he not be okay? He is a cannibal who tried to eat his best friends.

Kaneki shakes his head softly ] You don't have to thank me and you don't have to worry. I'm not known to share other people's personal life.

[ hey. he too had secrets, so many of them. Like "I am actually pretty insane now" one. Yeah. ]

My lips are sealed, Hazel.

[deadtective]

[Hazel has a very broad definition of what ok is ever since being resurrected. don't count on her for a normal assessment of a situation.]

Thank you.

[there's a lot of emotion in those simple words. whether she has to or not, she's going to say it again. fuck, she'd say it over and over if she had the time for it.

but the moment passes as quickly as it comes and she's gathered herself behind wry playfulness again. it's probably been pretty heavy for Kaneki lately, no need to pile some more of that onto him.]

You better be careful, though, or I'll try and make it up to you when you least expect it.

[enucleation]

[ everything is heavy for Kaneki, of late, to be perfectly honest. And it'll continue being because of his mental state, but he tries to ignore it, push it away, think of something else and keep busy. ]

I should be careful for that? How do you usually make it up for others, then?

[deadtective]

[an excellent strategy, in her opinion: why deal with something when you can just pretend it doesn't exist in the first place?]

Come on, that'd ruin the surprise! You'll just have to wait and hope for the best.

[enucleation]

[ exactly.

Kaneki shakes his head ] Is it really"the best"? Should I really trust you with your surprises?

[deadtective]

You don't have much of an alternative, do you? I've got all the time in the world to wait for the perfect opportunity!

[enucleation]

Hm. I think I will live in terror from here on, then. [ he smirks back at her, plaufully ]

[deadtective]

Just make sure you're covering up all that stress with a decent makeup job. There's definitely going to be pictures, and it'd be a huge waste if you ended up looking shitty in them!

[she grins back, hands on her hips in mock authority.]