[Voice / Action] backdated to afternoon

[meshninja]

[It's been a while, but Susumu has decided he's long overdue for some Sen investigation. The last few days have left him puzzled; he knows there are holes in his memories, and he hates having his memories tampered with. He can't go around questioning people normally - too suspicious - but someone like Sen...]Oh my... it's been a strange couple of

Comments

[compos_mentis]

[Yeah well this man was shopping. Was. He's now just kinda lurking outside the grocery, smoking a recreational cigar like its no one's business and... people-watching. It's not immediately obvious, but to someone like Susumu/Sen, it might be apparent he's doing more than just casually. He's doing some recon here of his own]

[meshninja]

[Shopping, right. Susumu attempts to do much the same as the man is; watch without really watching, lurking casually, normal ninja stuff. He's interested in why this man is doing the same thing, however, so eventually he sidles over, attempting his best "Sen" performance yet.]

Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice you there. You look a little distracted, is everything alright?

[compos_mentis]

[Oh, hello girlie. He arches an eyebrow and to give himself room to speak takes the cigar out of mouth. He also exhales to the side to try to lower the whole "smoke in face" thing, but you know the smell of a cigar fills the whole area where the smoker is, so I hope you don't mind, Sen]

I look that out of sorts, huh? Sheesh, and now I'm worrying young women.

[meshninja]

[There's a flash of indecision across her face - one, a ninja never shows his or her feelings on whatever situation they're in; two, a trained young woman should be just as restrained; three, any respectable woman would be disgusted by such a foul smell - before she finally settles with coughing delicately into a fist and politely ducking her head as she takes a step back. He is, after all, the man.]

My apologies if I've bothered you. It's just that today is a little cold for simple sightseeing.

[compos_mentis]

[Greg she pauses here before shrugging. Only a light grin] Eeh, I didn't think of it it. Been through worse and all that, so it didn't seem that biting to me. 'Course-

[One little tug of his hat yes he needs something over the bald later, he pushes off the building he's leaning on] I'd never call a heartfelt suggestion a bother.

[meshninja]

[She musters a small, reserved smile at that, hands clasping together and tucking into her kimono sleeves.] I'm glad you feel that way. Are you from a cold region, if I might ask?

[compos_mentis]

More to say I have family in one and I've needed to visit them more often than I'd like. [A pause and then a short little bark of a laugh later, he clarifies] Or well, in laws.

[meshninja]

Oh my, you're married? [Good, that'll make it easier to keep his distance.]

[compos_mentis]

Sorry to disappoint.

[With a mock-suave tone. Greg couldn't pull it off to save his life, but he can pretend. Or maybe Nina's just projecting her opinion of him on it. Oh well]

Yeah... been married a while now. Wife's not here, sadly.

[meshninja]

Oh, I'm quite sorry to hear that. It must be lonely for you.

[Something was a little off about that last phrase - though it's hard to tell - so she watches his reaction closely.]

1/2

[compos_mentis]

[Was it that off, or was it just gruff? Nothing is off here, because the actress now moves on to Greg's projected response to that inevitable question. Namely, a light frown and shaking his head before putting on a light little smile. The eyes still look sincere in the respect that he's lying here, but the lie is the obvious one]

I'll manage, though I sure appreciate the sentiment.

[compos_mentis]

[And now, a quick change in subject. The change of the grown man who doesn't want to dwell on his spouse being absent]

So, anythin' I can do your for?

[meshninja]

[Something tells her she's not going to get much information from this guy; he's too good, so much that it makes it hard to decipher just what is or isn't sincere. Maybe Ayumu might be able to get something from this, but not "Sen"... not Susumu. Not this time, at least.]

Mm, no, I think I should take my leave, if you're alright. I just thought I would be a good neighbour.

[compos_mentis]

[Wry grin and a little nod there] Always good to meet the neighbors. Largest community I've been in fer a long while, still getting used to it myself. [Yes, he likes to talk and that sentence came out apologetically, as if to say "hope I wasn't being a bother"]

I'll be seeing you?

[meshninja]

Certainly. I'm Sen, by the way. It's been a pleasure. [She bows slightly, lips pursing. Not exactly informative, but it's getting late, and Hijikata would be expecting a report soon. Best not to push her luck.]