００２ 。 VIDEO - backdated a tad to this morning!

[selfmotivations]

[Sup Somarium. Instead of Barnaby's usual sullen expression, he's showing a small, cordial sort of smile today.]

As a new member of Somni's police force, I thought I might attend the Banquet tomorrow evening. But I've been left with a small problem.

[The smile grows minutely as he eyes the camera, ever so charming. He's a celebrity, it's well-

Comments

[pugilistinpink]

I'm kinda new here myself, so I hear you.

Good luck, man! [He offers, entirely devoid of sarcasm.] Hope it works out for you!

[selfmotivations]

[There's something about his... well-meaning gormlessness that puts Barnaby firmly in mind of Sky High. He smiles again.]

It can be a little difficult, settling in.

[pugilistinpink]

Yeah. How long've you been around?

Sorry about the delay!

[selfmotivations]

Now? About a month, I think.

[video]

[blazinglunatic]

Bringing your work from Sternbild to Somarium, are you Mr. Brooks? [A small smirk] How noble of you. You're everything a Hero should be.

[video]

[selfmotivations]

Ah - I felt it would be the best application of my experience, Judge Petrov. Are you getting used to this place?

[video]

[blazinglunatic]

You've made a good decision. Perhaps you'll set records in Somarium, too. [He pauses, a small smile on his face] I'm slowly adjusting to life here. It's... pleasant.

[Ah, he has a question... It's important.]

By the way, is Kaburagi also a member of this police force?

[video]

[selfmotivations]

[His eyes widen, and then narrow in scrutiny, his eyebrows knitting. He shakes his head in answer, but his mind is on something else the Judge said.]

Setting records, sir?

[action] OH. I SEE HOW IT IS.

[fiveminutefail]

[He only caught wind of Bunny's new job when he had announced it and presented the letter of acceptance to both Origami and himself briefly. When he'd asked questions, he didn't get answers, just half-heartedly brushed off. When he tried to ask other people questions about it... actually, oddly enough he wasn't even able to. How strange...

But this? This is golden. This right here just warrants the old man stumbling carelessly into the room. He's grinning, he might just be laughing a little, too. This is none of his business, but a lot of the stuff he sticks his nose into isn't.

He's only heard the tail end of the broadcast, but not through watching the video. He heard it through the wall, just that one part, and that's all he needs to hear.

And so he exclaims:] Bunny! Are you asking someone out on a date?

[action] EXCUSE ME??

[selfmotivations]

[He hears Kotetsu before he sees him, and the smile withers into something far more dour. Of course. He should have known that the old man would hear about this so quickly. It's like he has another sense, purely aimed at meddling.

But even as he hears the laughter, hears him enter, he thinks of the tidings Judge Petrov gave him. Jake Martinez, dead, whilst running from himself and Wild Tiger.

Kotetsu had told him the truth, and somewhere, in that fight, they'd worked together to stop him.

When he considers it, it seems overwhelming. He considers saying something outright, confronting him about it.

Instead, he settles for playing it off the time being.

Sighing, he looks over at him, setting the dreamberry aside. That question is just too smug, like the old man is pleased with himself for some stupid reason. When he glances up at him, however, it's like he's looking at the old man especially hard, studying him almost openly.]

Is it that surprising? It's expected of me.

[action] YOU HEARD ME

[fiveminutefail]

[And Kotetsu is completely unaware of how Bunny has now had his eyes opened to the truth... the truth he offered, and got discounted and yelled at for. He'll be sure to lightly rub it in his partner's face when he finds out.

For now, he simply takes several excited steps forward, that smug little smile still playing on his lips. He only slightly falters under that unusually hard studying, but it doesn't put a visible damper on his mood.

He approaches the blonde and pokes him ever so invasively in the arm with a long, tanned finger.]

Expected by society maybe, especially at your age, but that doesn't mean you need to find one so quickly!

[Police ball? What police ball? He did only hear the end of Barnaby's proposal, after all. He continues with an all knowing wag of that same finger.]

That's not the proper way to find a date either, Bunny. You need to go out and meet people.

[action] YOU MAKE NO SENSE

[selfmotivations]

That has nothing to do with it, [he says, coldly, batting Kotetsu's hands away from him.] I need a date to attend. [Otherwise he'd be perfectly happy to disregard such matters entirely.]

I'm a little pressed for time to go out and meet people. You seem to think this means more than it does.

Voice.

[failedprince]

I would not mind to come along.

Clovis la Britannia, Third Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire. How do you do? I love these affairs and would be more than happy if I was able to attend.

Voice.

[selfmotivations]

[A prince.

Well, this was unexpected. But there wouldn't be anything wrong with accompanying him in a professional capacity, would there? Better than the alternative.]

In that case, I would be more than happy for you to attend with me. [A smile, just a tad rueful.] I apologise, I'm not in the habit of addressing royalty.

Voice.

[failedprince]

It's all right. [His brother tells him that he shouldn't -- so. Holding his chin, he decides that it would be wrong to not.] You can just call me 'Clovis.'

Voice.

[selfmotivations]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Clovis. My name is Barnaby. Barnaby Brooks, junior.

[action] I HOPE THAT'S COOL, ROOMIE...

[shushushuriken]

[Hey Barnaby, here's [1] curious little weeaboo roommate, ninjaing like he does so well. He may or may not be standing in your doorway right now (it might be difficult to decide since he does tend to blend into the background rather well). Regardless, he stays rooted in place, hands nestled in the pocket pouch of his jacket. He speaks up after a minute, voice laced with genuine curiosity.]

Ah, Barnaby-san... why don't you just take Tiger-san with you to the banquet? You are partners, after all.

[YEP. PURELY AN INNOCENT QUERY.]

[action] ALWAYS

[selfmotivations]

[The voice from the doorway makes him almost, almost start, but he manages to rein the immediate surprise in. Origami is far too good at ninjaing, and it's a moment before he actually hears what was said. When it clicks, he blinks at him.]

I don't think so. [(nottalking)] I need someone I can rely on not to make an ass out of themselves and, by association, me.

Besides, I already got a ticket for him. You, too, if you'd like to come.

[action] YOU'RE THE BEST.

[shushushuriken]

[At this point, he feels a bit guilty for bothering the older man. He sinks his hands further into his pocket and slouches a bit, an apologetic look on his face.]

A-Ah. I see. [(tears)] I-I'm sorry for assuming, I just thought that with the way things have been lately --

[A pause. Did he really get tickets for both of them as well?] Y-You mean...?

[action] IKR C'MON LET'S GET SOME ICE CREAM

[selfmotivations]

[His eyebrow arches quizzically at that 'the way things have been', but he doesn't ask aloud. Instead, he shoots him a small smile.]

If you're interested. I'm sure that someone will have to chaperone the old man, anyway.