( 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]

Everyone's got the hots for Justice.

"Oh, probably this morning. I'm usually good about it, but I had a busy day." Heiji read through the menu, deciding on toppings. So many choices! So little time. "You know what it's like!"

[apolly]

Hot damn.

"I, unfortunately, know way too much about that." He just orders one dog for himself, stirring the condiments to make sure they were still good. Years of cooking for himself made him an extremely picky eater, so he just goes with the simple stuff and calls it a day.

"What were you doing all day, then?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji sighed and restricted himself to one as well, though he looked a little regretfully at the stand as they walked on.

"Well, this dude almost ran me over at an intersection today, helped an old lady across the street, went to the library, ran into this one guy who came by the cafe a while ago, then it turned out someone had tried to dress up a suicide as a murder case..."

In other words, a lot. "I been thinking of quitting my cafe job, actually. I still like it, but there's a ton to do in London. I kinda want to see it all, y'know?" He sipped at the lemonade he'd bought. "Wow, that's sour."

[apolly]

... Heiji mentioned the murder thing way too casually. And it actually scares Apollo that he's way too used to it, and it shows in his shoulders and face. This guy was a piece of work sometimes.

He bites into his food as he listens, just savoring what was a real meal after what felt like days.

"I didn't even know you worked at a cafe. I guess we all need to have something to do if it isn't... stuff." Underground stuff, anyway.

"What, were you planning on moving?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Wait and spend a little more time with Heiji, Apollo. Then you'll understand.

"Only part-time -- I thought it'd be neat to meet other people. Basically, I didn't think I'd stay here past a couple months. But now..." He shrugged and took a bite of his hot dog. "Maybe I'll get an apartment. Where do you live, do you like it there?"

[apolly]

"I live in Hounslow. My apartment's small and a little compact, but it's really nice for someone like me." Apollo was deeply considering getting a cat, though he'd have to ask if it was alright.

Did Heiji live in the Other Realm or something? He never actually asked. ... He could technically ask now, so.

"Where do you live right now?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Apollo should definitely get a cat, it would definitely not spy on him or anything.

"Well, I guess you could say I live at a shrine...? And sometimes I just crash at someone else's place. Back home I had a proper address and a house and everything, but I don't technically need one."

Foxes had simple needs; he could probably just dig a burrow somewhere. "Still," he said thoughtfully, "It could be nice..."

[apolly]

... Oh right, foxes meant needing minimal living space. That would make sense.

"Well, in your case, I would recommend a roommate." Apollo nods in emphasis, like yeah dude, this is a good idea. "No sense in spending all that money if it's a luxury for you, y'know?"

[detectiveofthewest]

One day someone would give him a doghouse as a present and they would get their hand bitten.

"A roommate?" Heiji took another bite of his hot dog. "You wanna move in together? I dunno, I mean... I'm sure your place is nice, but you do work two jobs. You probably have to take phone calls, too, right? So it'd be pretty busy..."

[apolly]

"... No, not me. My apartment's way too small, anyway." He thinks about all the crime stuff Heiji would bring back and it makes his head spin.

"But I mean, I'm sure you can find someone around the office or... wherever the hell you hang out."

[detectiveofthewest]

But think of all the business it would bring in...

"Hmm... nah. I'd rather have my own place. Then I can come and go whenever I want." Maybe he'd find a house and install a little door for if he didn't feel like unlocking anything.

"You dating anyone yet?"

[apolly]

... That makes Apollo halt, holding his hot dog dumbly.















"Come again?"

[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?"