maskormenacelogs | F IS FOR FRIENDS WHO DO STUFF TOGETHER...

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F IS FOR FRIENDS WHO DO STUFF TOGETHER...

WHO: Kotetsu Kaburagi and Yuri Petrov
WHERE: Some bar in Heropa
WHEN: Half an hour after this thread ends
WHAT: The f-word.
WARNINGS: Not really? Will edit if necessary!

[Spending an evening in Kotetsu T. Kaburagi's company is not what Yuri expected to be doing shortly after welcoming the veteran Hero back to Heropa. Nevertheless, there he is, in a bar vaguely reminiscent of the sort the Heroes used to frequent back in Sternbild. The seat across from him in the booth (chosen for its clear view of the interior of the establishment) is reserved for Kotetsu upon the other man's arrival; an extra drinks menu has been placed there for the other man's convenience, too...though it also serves as a reminder to the waitress that more than one will be served at this table tonight.

Yuri imagines that this meeting can only end hideously, of course, but that is part of its appeal. This business of Kotetsu deciding to call him a friend is something that Yuri feels he needs to nip it in the bud right away. Ideally, he should do so before things get out of hand and Kotetsu begins making intrusions upon his civilian life the way he does his other life, the one Yuri lives behind a mask and the purpose of bringing retribution to sinners.

There will be none of that tonight, though. No masks; no business; and no suits, heroic or otherwise, will be present. Even Yuri has forgone his usual attire, choosing instead to don something a little more appropriate for tonight's excursion: the semi-formal (almost casual for him) combination of a simple white tee, an unbuttoned black over shirt, and a pair of dark, form-fitting trousers. There is a complete absence of any necktie.

When Kotetsu finally arrives, Yuri sips his virgin martini and gestures for the other man to take a seat.]

You appear to have made it here without incident. That is good.

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[For once, Kotetsu actually manages to arrive on time. Part of that is luck--he doesn't run into anyone in trouble on his way there that he'd need to make any detours for. Other than that, though, the bar seems like rather an appealing prospect now that he's found out Barnaby has left Heropa. He doesn't intend to get drunk, because he's with company, and generally that sort of drinking is best left for when one is alone, but still. A drink or two will perhaps take the edge of the sudden prospect of the loneliness of being separated from his partner.

One advantage of his return over his initial arrival is that he has his clothes this time instead of merely a ruined power-suit and half his chest visible through the singed black fabric of his undersuit, so he looks decently presentable when he arrives, faint slump of his shoulders and the hat shadowing his face aside.

He raises an arm when he catches sight of Yuri, signaling his presence as he makes his way over and takes a seat.]

Yo. [He tries for a little grin] Looks like you got started without me. Not that I blame ya.

This? [Yuri tilts his head and indicates the drink he holds.] I hope you do not mind. I was not certain how long you would be and it is often frowned upon for an individual to sit in a bar for any length of time and not order anything. Rather unfortunately, these seats do not pay for themselves.

[As someone with a better-than-average sense of advertising, such things are often in the forefront of his mind. When it comes to bars, their seats are absolutely everything; true, those closest to the counter itself generate a lot more in terms of revenue, but there isn't a one that doesn't matter. If people who don't intend to pay for services are to occupy seats without consequence, bars would quickly find themselves in debt and then out of business. In all, not a simple concept to understand and, in a way, it is much like Heroics. Those companies with Heroes who do not successfully promote them tend towards poorer sales year round. In extreme cases, the companies themselves are bought out by larger-scale organizations or they go completely under, are simply...lost.]

If I may get something out of the way...we are in agreement that this is a friendly excursion, correct?

[He holds Kotetsu's gaze, and while there isn't any sympathy behind his eyes, he says in a voice that suggests some level of deeper understanding of the man's poorly hidden feelings...]

You will not mind my calling you Kotetsu, then? [Like they are old friends already.] As I will expect you to call me Yuri.

[If only both of them could turn a blind eye to the confirmation that Barnaby Brooks Jr. was indeed...gone. Making Kotetsu decide against building anything more than a strictly professional relationship between them would be so much easier if that was the case. Now things are just...complicated.]

[Kotetsu blinks twice, then waves a hand dismissively at Yuri's explanation.]

Nah, I was just foolin'. Course I don't mind.

[He supposes he ought to have figured a judge--especially one as perpetually stern-faced and somber as Yuri Petrov--might be the sort that would take things entirely too literally. And while part of him is a little--flustered, that his joke fell entirely flat like that, it's also...kind of amusing in its own way.

The question, though, is a confusing one. He tilts his head a bit, brows knitting together.]

Huh? ...Ye...ah, I mean, that's the point, right? If it weren't...friend...ly, then we wouldn't really be sitting together.

[There's yet more blinking at that last part.]

...Sure, you can call me Kotetsu if you want. And I call you...Yuri, huh.

[It sounds strange on his tongue. Like calling Lloyds 'Alexander' or Maverick 'Albert' or something.]

Of course. [Because Kotetsu is someone who often fools around. Why should now be any different?] I am glad you do not mind.

[He isn't, of course. Glad, that is. In fact, if he feels anything more than indifference, it's entirely impossible to tell.]

This will take some getting used to. [It is said as much for Kotetsu's sake as it is for the sake of voicing his own thoughts.] We might as well resign ourselves to the fact soon, however. It will make things much easier.

[Yuri takes a sip of his drink, then watches Kotetsu over top of the rim of the glass.]

Besides...I am no longer in a position where our being friends would be a conflict of interest.

[...

Okay, now that earns a raised eyebrow and a squint. Kotetsu doesn't look...offended, exactly, but he certainly seems unimpressed with that notion.]

You don't gotta "resign yourself" to anything. If bein' friends with me is something you don't wanna do, then we can just cut this short'n go home now.

Friendship isn't some kinda business decision that you gotta weigh the pros and cons of.

[Okay so maybe he's a little offended. For his own part he wanted to give it a genuine shot, so it kinda stings a bit to hear Yuri talking about resigning himself, as if Kotetsu were imposing himself against the judge's will.]

[The former judge shakes his head, his brow furrowing while he adopts something of an apologetic smile.]

No, of course I needn't...but I think you misinterpreted my meaning. I meant that we should resign ourselves to this situation taking some getting used to, Mister Ka...Kotetsu.

[The verbal slip is right on cue, though not at all feigned. It is simply habit to call the other man by his surname, whether with him or in the presence of other people. Even more peculiar is looking across a table at Kotetsu and not down upon him from the bench in his courtroom.

How absurd...that they should be equals.]

In any case...there is no harm in weighing the pros and cons in any relationship. Such behavior is not limited only to business decisions. [Yuri takes a sip of his drink before fixing Kotetsu with a very pointed stare.] Some of your decisions could benefit from that kind of careful thinking. For example, how did you get here this evening? And how do you intend to get home? Did you weigh in the back of your mind that I would be responsible enough for the both of us in the event you get carried away? Which is not to imply that you will, of course. Merely...pointing out that practicing foresight is not so terrible.

[There's several blinks as he tries to re-process what's going on here, because you, sir, are very confusing, okay.]

...Are you talking about the name thing? 'Cause if it's too weird, we can just stick to what we already call each other. I mean, bein' friends's got more to do with enjoying being around each other and stuff than what name we use, right?? I mean, Bunny used to call me 'old man' and things worked out fine.

[And let's not forget how 'Bunny' started out as a taunt before it became an affectionate nickname.]

Anyway, I was just gonna walk. And if we did get drunk, there's always calling a cab. Just goin' with the flow isn't so bad either, y'know.

[The more Kotetsu says, the more Yuri finds himself questioning why he ever thought this might work, that he could dissuade someone as persistent as Wild Tiger from wanting to socialize with him by socializing, even knowing full well that the attempt would result in this: hideousness and confusion on both their parts.]

...May I simply say that I am pleased there is not much of an age difference between us for the usage of such a nickname to be warranted?

[Meaning their proper names will work just fine, he'd only said anything about them in the first place because...well, he's not sure why. It seemed the thing to do, but clearly it had not been. How was he to know Kotetsu would stumble all over - no, no - he should have expected such blundering...

He frowns at his drink, then up at the other man noticing Kotetsu's lips are still moving. And Yuri has...only heard part of what Kotetsu has said. Splendid.]

Ah?

[Oh, right. Getting home.]

Of course, my apologies. I am sure it is no secret that I...do not get out much. The demands of work and all.

[So if he's uptight, you know why. :| It has nothing to do with him disliking you, Tiger. ~~Only it does.~~]

Whaaaat? Not a fan of nicknames?

[He teases, lightly, and it's a good thing for you he's feeling kinda subdued because of the whole...Bunny's not here anymore thing, or he'd probably be thinking of something ridiculous to call you right about now.]

Oi oi, work doesn't mean you can't take time out for yourself to have fun every so often!!

[Points at. The Heroes find time to at least have drinks and the like every so often, despite being on-call pretty much 24/7, so that's no excuse, mister!!!]

Not particularly...

[Oh my god, do you know how rude it is to point like that? If not, let Yuri tell you. Because he is going to. There's no stopping the impending lecture...!]

You shouldn't—

[The waitress comes by at that point and interrupts with a smile and a chirpy tone of voice.]

Good evening! [Yuri has a drink that is mostly full, so she looks at Kotetsu.] Can I get anything to drink, sir?

[And Yuri's complaint dies on his tongue. He finds something across the room to stare at while the server—who probably recognizes Kotetsu as some kind of overly generous tipper when he's drunk (it wouldn't surprise Yuri at all)—deals with the other man and attempts to take his order.]

I'll have a beer, thanks.

[She asks him if there's any particular brand he'd like among the ones they have and he picks one, offering a smile as she leaves to go fetch it. Kotetsu rests his chin on a palm, then, tilting his head at the judge as he looks over at him.]

What were you saying, again? Some sorta thing I shouldn't be doing?

[And because he's a little shit sometimes, he adds, with a smirk--]

Don't worry. I'm not planning on causing any damage fines in here.

It's nothing.

[Yuri shakes his head, though in honesty, he can barely recall what he'd been about to lecture the other man about. So many things come to mind that narrowing it down to one is a monumental task in and of itself...

Or it is up until the point Kotetsu makes a terrible, terrible joke. And Yuri demonstrates just how impressed he is by the statement with a very flat stare.]

I would hope that you wouldn't plan on causing any damage at all.

[And because Kotetsu T. Kaburagi is a mature, adult person, he totally doesn't do anything childish and absurd like puffing out his cheeks and sulking....no, that's actually exactly what he does.]

Bah. You don't gotta nitpick on wording. It's a joke! Maaaan, I'm starting to think courtrooms make people allergic to fun or something.

[Because Edgeworth is terrible at fun too, it's absurd :T!!!!]

[He doesn't want to be the one to suggest that they are much too different for this to work, but Kotetsu's behavior is strongly making him want to.]

...My apologies, then...although, I am fairly certain that you of all people know why I might not find that particular brand of humor to be amusing.

[He is, after all, the judge who presided over Kotetsu's damage fines cases in court. Which, at least as far as Yuri thinks, should be all the more glaringly obvious a reason as to why they should not be friends, but it would seem that Kotetsu is determined to be oblivious to the fact.

With a sigh, Yuri takes a sip of his drink. It's going to be a long, aggravating night...]

You're the only one the joke'd make sense with.

[Being the damage fines judge is the whole reason he made the joke in the first place, ok. The only other one who'd understand the joke is Barnaby, and he a.) isn't here and b.) lectures him about a lot of things, so the specific joke wouldn't fit.]

[He is still not amused, Kotetsu...but he forces a partial smile just the same.]

Of course.

[There has got to be something they can do to occupy some of their time? Anything that will keep Kotetsu focused on not making any other poor attempts at being humorous.

There is always billiards, and...]

Do you play darts, Kotetsu?

[Wouldn't you know it, the edges of his smile appear a little more natural for just a moment.]

Eh?

[He blinks, turning over to the dartboard. Somehow it almost seems weird to imagine the judge actually playing a game just for enjoyment's sake.]

Yeah, I've played before. [He turns back then, tilts his head. Points to the drink in Yuri's hand.]

Wouldn't I kinda be at an advantage though? I haven't had anything to drink yet.

[It is for the sake of silencing your teasing prattle and for the sake of enjoyment, Kotetsu.]

I have barely touched my own drink.

[And even if he'd had four or five, it wouldn't make a difference. There isn't a drop of alcohol in his virgin martini, though he's not about to tell Kotetsu that.]

Besides, the waitress will be back with your beverage soon and then things should be squared. Unless of course you'd rather sit here and...talk?

[Yuri doesn't want to, that's for sure. He doesn't know what to talk to Kotetsu about, for one, and for another, he loathes idle conversation and small talk.]

I don't mind either way. We can do whatever.

[As if on cue, the waitress arrives with Kotetsu's drink. He smiles and thanks her, taking a long sip.]

As you do not seem too enthusiastic about the idea, I will assume you would rather not.

[So the judge remains sitting and takes a sip of his drink instead. What to talk about...what to talk about, indeed. He's not great at making idle conversation. In fact, he's really quite awful at it.

After a moment of awkward silence, Yuri signals the waitress for a refill of his drink, and then turns to Kotetsu.]

Is something on your mind?

[...Eyebrow raise....]

I meant it when I said I didn't have a preference either way. [Siiiiip.] You don't gotta read into stuff so much.

[As for that question...well, he just came 'back' from home that he had no memory of leaving and got six months of those memories crammed into his head all at once. Of course he has things on his mind, dude. He rolls his shoulder in a shrug.]

Nothing important.

[LET'S BACK AWAY FROM THIS BEFORE IT GETS TOO AWKWARDLY PERSONAL AND WEIRD.]

Hey, I've got an idea. We oughta play a drinking game.

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F IS FOR FRIENDS WHO DO STUFF TOGETHER...

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and then i spent two weeks stuck on what drink he should order LOL

asfjhsdf insignificant detail :|!!!!

DETAILS, THE DEVIL IS IN 'EM!!!

>_> I can maybe forgive u for using that line...

lmao which one

The devil's in the details~ it's a good line, and I appreciate good lines :3c

excellent, then! the line appreciates being appreciated uvu

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