( open ) it's 19c in london right now and i'm jealous

[apolly]

A. REDBRIGHT INSTITUTE: CLASSROOM

It's after hours for Apollo and he couldn't be happier, even though the feeling of exhaustion he could do without. While it's a job he loved he could definitely do with a vacation anyway.

He's currently struggling to erase the top of his chalkboard where a taller student wrote out the answers. Smart kid, but liked to quietly pick on Apollo for his size anyway, and he's close to stomping into the nearest library and grabbing a stepladder.

B. ON THE TUBE.

Apollo has a better idea of where to go for this and that, thanks to it being a few months since his move. He's currently sitting in one of the trains, coming back from Harrow, though there's one problem.

He fell asleep, earphones in, cheek pressed into the silver rail and leaving an opening for anything to be taken. Genius.

C. MISC tell me whatever and we'll do it. brackets are awesome

Comments

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji looked back at him, like what's wrong dude. Is there something wrong with your leg.

"You been here for a little while, right? But I always only see ya at work."

[apolly]

"I... no. I'm not dating anyone."

Wait, why did he sound shameful about this, it's not like he should care. "Uh, are you?"

That's what bros do, right? Talk about dating stuff?

[detectiveofthewest]

"No..." said Heiji thoughtfully, taking a sip of his drink. "I was sorta seein' someone before -- a reporter. But he's real busy with work, so he kinda disappeared off the map. And he wasn't really into dating, anyway."

Yes, definitely. They talked about dating stuff.

[apolly]

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Apollo's not exactly sure what he has to offer. Like... oh! Oh!

"Uh. I'm good at astrology, what's your sign? I'll tell you who's compatible!" WHAT

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji seemed a little off-balanced by the sudden show of enthusiasm. "O-oh yeah? I'm a Leo. My birthday's August 15th."

Was Apollo really good at astrology? He didn't seem the type to read the horoscopes...

[apolly]

"Leo, Leo..." Apollo's filing through his mental bank as he resumes walking, finally finishing off his hot dog.

"Uh... Leo's a fire sign so Aries and Sagittarius. You'll do well with Gemini and Libra too."

[detectiveofthewest]

"You know that offhand, huh?" That was... sort of impressive? Maybe. Heiji followed Apollo along, taking another bit of his own hot dog.

"What about you?"

[apolly]

"Me? Oh— I'm a Virgo. September 18th."

Considering his overcritical nature and focus on work, it's a pretty nice fit.

[detectiveofthewest]

That seemed to fit, from what he remembered of astrology, anyway. Detail-oriented, fussy, over-critical. "Alright, so what're your requirements? What're ya looking for?"

1/3

[apolly]

Apollo stares for a minute, confused on what the hell he means—

[apolly]

Oh.

[apolly]

"I like someone with nice... eyes? Smart. Um. A clean house. A clean... uh, um." He's trying. He's trying so hard.

"I. Yeah, just. Somebody."

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji stared at Apollo. He took a sip of his drink.

"...So, just out of curiosity. How many people have you dated?"

[apolly]

"I— a couple, okay? Through college, I swear!"

He's not even sure why he's getting defensive over this. They're finally at the front of his office, where Apollo shoves the key into the lock. Almost violently, even.

"It's... just! Been a while or something!"

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji nodded sagely. Don't worry, Apollo, he understands. He finished his hot dog and waited patiently and understandingly for Apollo to open the door.

"Dry spell, huh?"

[apolly]

"I don't wanna call it something like that," Apollo explains as he opens the door to his office. It was a fairly sized lobby, Sasuke's desk empty with whatever files he left for Apollo placed neatly in the side rack.

Apollo's quick to pull the papers out of it, skimming through the pages and flipping through them with his fingers before tucking it under his arm.

"It's been, well, over a year. I'm happy enough with just working."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Well, if you say so," said Heiji, watching Apollo flip through his papers. What a respectable-looking law office. What neatly filed papers. The practice seemed to be doing well, even with Apollo working two jobs.

"Do you like ladies or dudes?"

[apolly]

... Why does Apollo feel like he's going to regret this entire conversation? Then again it's Heiji. Someone who he expects a lot of regrets from.

"I, uh. I've been on dates with both? So..."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Oh, okay. Cool." Cool. Coolcoolcool. Apollo was 100% not going to regret this ever.

Heiji began rummaging around in Apollo's things, inspecting the sofa, paging through books, and looking for a minifridge. What was he looking for? Certainly not panties.

[apolly]

THERE ARE NO PANTIES IN THIS FUCKING OFFICE.

Heiji is doing exactly what he pictured Heiji doing the second he met him. And that was touch everything ever. Of course this was going to happen, of course he was going to be a babysitter.

There is a minifridge set up but not yet installed, Apollo giving up yesterday to get other things done and pull a so-called important all nighter. "Uh. Do you want another drink?"

[detectiveofthewest]

"Sure, d'you have any green tea?" He opened a file to one page, shook his head and clucked his tongue at the police report in disapproval.

"They're just gonna ignore that nail hangin' off the top shelf, huh? What, were they gonna be late for dinner?"

[apolly]

"Sasuke brought some in, though you'd have to brew it." Tea always had to be hot, around here. At least it seemed that way.

"And besi— wait, what?" He peers over Heiji's arm (since he very well can't peer over his shoulder) to look at the photos quizzically. "You found a nail?"

[detectiveofthewest]

"Oh, gotcha. Where's your kettle?" Just going to put the file on the table, it's fine.

"Check figure A-13. See that little dark spot near the vase in the upper right? My guess is that there's blood on it, but they didn't notice it because of the contrast. It there was an early or droplet or two on the floor, it could have been covered by the exsanguination once the body was in position."

[apolly]

Yeah, that's fine. Everything's okay. "Next to the coffee machine." An electronic kettle, no less.

Apollo fits through the appropriate images, tongue clicking in his mouth. ... It felt bad, but maybe he should bring this up in court himself and get an advantage for it. It was desperate, but it'll work.

"Uh, all right. I'll jot down a note. Why don't you just make money out of being a detective?"

[detectiveofthewest]

It could be revenge for all those times he had to cross-examine a dog or a parrot or something.

"Oh, I don't work at the cafe for money," he said, as if this should explain everything. "My family's pretty well off!"

Though even if they weren't, it'd be easy to illusion money into existence. Humans, with their pieces of paper and now their little ones and zeroes, which were even easier to manipulate. "You should worry more about yourself, workin' two jobs like that."