[OPEN] in defiance of fortune

[grimreaping]

WHO: Death the Kid + OPEN
WHERE: Government prison facility, then other places
WHEN: Throughout March
WHAT: Kid's been arrested for assisting in Debrecen following the bombing. He's put in jail for a week, before being released under a probation officer.
WARNINGS: Will add if needed.


A. March 5-12 - IMPRISONMENT

Following Kid's return from Debrecen and his subsequent network post, he was arrested by the authorities and taken to the government holding facility. Inhibitors had nulled his powers -- although since Kid had not gained any new abilities upon his arrival from the Porter, it was as if his very senses had been stripped down to their bare basics. He couldn't use his Soul Perception, nor summon Beelzebub, nor conjure his usual shroud. He hadn't tested it, but he wasn't even sure if his ability to heal was compromised. In short, he was restricted to nearly-human levels.

It was disconcerting. His Father would probably have cracked a joke about it.

Despite that, Kid was absolutely sure that what he'd done was right, and didn't regret it, or the resulting punishment. It was only going to be for two months, in any case.

Once he'd been processed, he was allowed to receive visitors, though he wasn't sure if anyone would.

B. March 13 & ONWARD - ON PROBATION

Once he'd been processed, he'd been released into Count Dooku's supervision, who would act as his probationary officer. He didn't know the man personally, so this would be interesting. He was saddled with a curfew at 10PM every night, as well as a host of other restrictions -- most of them he wasn't worried about, like the illegal substances -- but the curfew certainly chafed for him being so nocturnally inclined.

i. Maurtia Falls #002
Once released, Kid was all to happy to return to his housing to pick up some of his things. It seems that the house has gained a few new arrivals since he'd left, to the point where all the rooms were full. His own was untouched though, and for that he was grateful. He'd gotten everything set precisely symmetrical, and he had enough on his mind without having to measure the millimeters of the bedskirt at the moment.

So any of his housemates might see him for the first time in a few weeks, rummaging through his drawers with the bedroom door open, packing what looked to be an overnight bag.

ii. Community Service - various cities
As part of his sentence, Kid was assigned to community service. There were a large selection of tasks that he was assigned, depending on the day: making care packages for seniors, doing grocery shopping for disabled people, organize food baskets at the local soup kitchen, and cleaning up local green spaces.

iii. Krakatoa Nightclub - Downtown Heropa
Because of his new curfew, Kid couldn't do his work at Krakatoa at his typical hours, which meant he was coming into the club during the daytime in order to balance the business's books. Since the weather was becoming nicer, he sometimes sat outside on the patio, a black ledger open in front of him, writing studiously with a packet of receipts to check against.

iv. Wildcard - add your own thread
Or ping me on sojourney for a starter!

Comments

b, maurtia falls community service

[brushoff]

He had to meet up with Kid. Because Dorian went home for a few days in January and returned to this world with an actual soul. So yes, here he is, immortal Dorian Gray though now not soulless and he absolutely hates it. Due to the circumstances in which he got his soul back, Dorian's trying his hardest to keep his soulful state as quiet as possible. But then there was Kid. One of the few people here who Dorian knew could read souls and one of the ones who he hoped he could convince to keep quiet about these affairs.

After all, Toby couldn't know. He couldn't stop Kid from spotting his soul but he could definitely stop Kid from talking about his soul. So, as he spots Kid cleaning up part of a local Maurtia Falls park (and thankfully, cleaning it up by himself), Dorian sums up his courage and walks over towards Kid, nodding slightly as he approaches.

"No good deed goes unpunished, I see." Sucks to be you, buddy. "Hopefully you don't have Alenko as your probation officer, I'm afraid he's rather dull."

[grimreaping]

Kid started a little when he heard Dorian speak; without the senses he'd grown up relying on -- literally since birth -- he was finding that his spatial awareness was all thrown off.

But he recovered a moment later, offering the immortal a wry smile. "So it seems," he agreed. "And no, a man named Dooku. How have you been?"

Not a mention of a soul... Kid literally couldn't see it, or that of anyone else at the moment. He had no idea something was amiss.

[brushoff]

Whereas Dorian...is just assuming Kid has all his senses and is casually not mentioning the soul thing because it would be awkward. Wonder how long this assumption can last before Dorian steps in it.

He can't help but frown a little at the name Dooku. He...has no idea who that person is, so he can't offer Kid any advice. Sorry buddy. As for the question though, Dorian simply shrugged. "As well as any of us can be, I suppose. I thankfully skipped out on that hotel situation a few weeks back. What about you?"

[grimreaping]

"As did I," Kid grimaced; it wasn't the first time he'd been temporarily Ported out only to miss a large event, and the coincidence was starting to wear on him. "I only returned in time for the announcements about the Soviets withdrawing... and then the bombing."

The effects of which, obviously, his post had made clear.

[brushoff]

Dorian can't help but roll his eyes a bit as Kid mentioned the bombing. Yes, the effects were clear. Based on the post, he knew entirely what Kid thought about the bombing. But Dorian...thought differently.

"You're Death Junior, surely you know that actions like that, while obviously despicable, are a part of modern warfare as a whole." He says 'obviously despicable' but Dorian's tone is more bored than anything else. Yes, yes, the bombing, whatever, war targeting civilians happened all the damn time.

[grimreaping]

The young shinigami's eyes flash at that, seemingly one of the only outwardly non-human traits he's retaining under the power inhibitors, and his voice becomes decidedly frostier when he answers.

"Knowing it and accepting it as legitimate are two very different things, Mr Gray."

Never a good sign when they're back to formal titles.

[brushoff]

That is not a good sign. Dorian matches Kid's frosty glare with an idle frown of his own.

"There's a difference between accepting it as legitimate and accepting that it will happen. I've been in enough wars that I've accepted the fact that bombings and murders of civilians will happen no matter what. Do I like it? Not particularly. But that doesn't change a thing, does it."

A, March 6th

[fridgeflower]

It's the first day she's had off since Kid's address to the Network and subsequent arrest. Anything that she could've said to him then might have been futile, and there'd be so much swimming around in her head that it was hard to pinpoint what ought to be said. Not that she was any better off for it now, but... Things had escalated yet again. They had to be tempered or talked through. Or something. Anything.

Talking here will be useless, most likely. He'll be monitored, but she wants to make sure that she catches him before his probation starts, before there's a whole new set of hoops to jump through. It's just to touch base, really, for the sake of friendship. Serious hashing out can come later.

She takes a seat across from him in the designated meeting area, casting her eyes nervously once again to the guard who brought her here. Her hellos are quiet, and she taps her nails on the table before she gets out a substantial sentence. "I'm sorry. I... I didn't know what to say yesterday, over the Network. I thought I'd just wait until you were back."

[grimreaping]

Kid appreciates seeing a friendly face, no matter what Laurie might actually be wanting to say. He follows her glance at the guard, then lifts his shoulders as though to say, what can you do?

"That's not something you need to apologize for," he answered. "I realize my message must have seemed... abrupt."

[fridgeflower]

"Maybe? I don't know." She doesn't know if it's abrupt. She just feels like she'd be better prepared for everything that's happening if she were somehow able to get over whatever disconnect she's been lost in lately. She feels like she shouldn't known more and known better. "If I wasn't so distant lately... Well. I can't say what I would've done."

Everything's confusing and disturbing lately, and it's incredibly selfish of her, but all that she wants to do is hide away from it when possible. She holds no respect for what the government's done, but she hadn't exactly done anything about it. She hasn't even talked about it with anyone. Maybe she thought it would go away if she could somehow ignore it. Anyway... How much of an ass she is isn't really important right now. Kid is.

"So, what... What's the rundown? How long are you going to be here? Do you know yet?"

[grimreaping]

"From what I understand, there were enough things you've all endured over the last month with the occupation," Kid answered, doing his best to sound reassuring that he didn't blame Laurie. He'd missed the entirety of that, having been unceremoniously Ported out, returning only have the Soviets had been routed from the Porter cities.

"At the moment, they're trying to secure me a probation officer," he explained. "Since my crime was non-violent, evidently I qualify. I'll be released into his or her custody once they select one. Until then, I have to remain in here."

It wasn't the cell that bothered him, but the lack of his normal senses because of the inhibitors that felt more claustrophobic than any steel bars.

[fridgeflower]

"Oh. Well, that's not..." She wanted to optimistically say that it was so bad, but any length of imprisonment or parole for a crime that shouldn't be a crime was pretty bad. This place was so hard to live in properly sometimes. They were surrounded on all sides by controlling, willingly destructive forces.

"How loose are the terms of probation here? Do you have to keep the dampeners? Or stay inside? Stuff like that?"

[grimreaping]

Kid smiled a little, having gleaned what Laurie was planning on saying before she'd cut herself off, and gives her a nod. It wasn't optimal, but it could be worse. He would take a bit of levity in the sentencing where he could find it.

"Once I'm assigned to a probation officer, who will be another imPort," the young shinigami relayed, recalling the information he'd been given earlier during his sentencing, "I'll be released. I'll have a curfew, a set of restrictions that I have to follow, regular meetings with my new keeper..." He gives a sardonic shake of his head, at that.

"As well as mandatory community service. And yes, the power dampeners are to remain in effect for the duration of the two months. That..." He hesitated. "That's going to be the most difficult part. My abilities are not Porter-bestowed, they're inherent to me. I'm literally missing senses I'm supposed to have."

B(i)

[dun_moch]

[As Kid begins his probation, his supervising 'officer' pays him a visit at home: a tall and regal old man with a booming voice. He regards Kid with penetrating eyes before speaking.]

What a brave young man you are. A little foolish perhaps, but brave nonetheless. When I volunteered to assist with probation, I expected to be dealing with fearsome criminals. But I suppose we both know who the real criminals are in this situation, don't we?

[His lips twist in a sarcastic smile.]

I am Count Dooku. I will be supporting you during your... rehabilitation.

[grimreaping]

[ Kid certainly hadn't expected to do this meeting in his own home, where it might inconvenience his housemates. Nonetheless, his tone is level when he replies. ]

I would have met you somewhere.

Foolish is a matter of opinion, however.

[dun_moch]

[The Count had considered summoning his new charge to his own home, or meeting him somewhere in-between, but decided that taking the initiatve to visit Kid on his own territory would best convey the impression he wanted: of a supervisor who was engaged, knowledgeable, and authoritative.]

Many things are matters of opinion, I would say... including justice. That is why we are here, after all. A difference of opinion on that topic, between yourself and our gracious hosts.

[The inflection Dooku puts on that title makes it clear whose side he is on.]

Let me ask you this: was it worth it?

[grimreaping]

[ Had Dooku asked, Kid would probably have said it came off as overbearing and invasive. But he said nothing to that effect, assuming that there would be some kind of adjustment period necessary. ]

Justice is immutable-- legality, on the other hand, does seem fairly fluid.

[ But, in interests of not seeming too antagonistic, he inclines his head to show it was only the word choice he was refuting, not the concept. ]

Of course it was. Lives were saved when they might otherwise have not been, though too few for my own comfort.

[dun_moch]

I see.

[It has been a long, long time since Dooku saw 'justice' as something objective and immutable, instead of as a word to be wielded as a tool. He takes a few steps across Kid's floor, pacing thoughtfully as though this was his own home. 'Overbearing' is a word often applicable to Count Dooku, though rarely spoken to his own face.]

You value the ideal of justice and the lives of others more than the laws of politicians. Many would call that heroic. Unfortunately, those who control our nanites disagree. And so here we are, for the next two months.

[He sighs at the sad injustice of it all.]

I intend for this period to pass as painlessly for you as is possible- within the boundaries we are both forced to abide by, that is.

[grimreaping]

[ Kid shakes his head at the mention of it being heroic; he didn't think of it as such, any more than he thought of being part of Shibusen was heroic. It was simply something he was born to do -- quite literally, in his case. ]

For the next two months, yes. Presuming I'm found to be sufficiently rehabilitated by the end of that period.

[ His tone made it clear just how little he cared for those who'd be pronouncing that judgment. Still, it was in his interest to play along with their rules, since he could help more people when he wasn't inhibited by the nanites as he currently was. ]

Should I take that to mean you've got my guidelines?

A - March 6th

[112ounces]

Carl saw Kidd's network post. He doesn't even bother to comment on it. He just made an appointment, arrived at the scheduled time, and sat down on the table opposite of Kidd.

He will look more or less the same - although someone had give his hair a trim so he doesn't look as shaggy as he used to be, but more importantly: Carl has a bandage wrapped around his right eye. He stares at Kid with his lone eye.

Carl doesn't beat around the bush when Kid finally sits down.

"What were you thinking?"

[grimreaping]

The question, however, is going to have to wait, as the neutral expression Kid's been wearing for the guards is quickly replaced by concern as he sees Carl's bandages. Concern, and a bit of consternation; that is so uneven, there should be bandages on both sides if he's going to--

"What happened to you?"

[112ounces]

"Got told I got shot. Lost an eye. I don't really remember it."

Carl says this in a casual tone, like he's been asked this question a thousand times, by both imPorts and natives. He sighs and leans forward, elbows on the table.

"Kidd, what about you? Please tell me you actually told someone what you were doing before you decided to go AWOL."

[grimreaping]

Kid partly stands, his hand moving in an aborted gesture like he wants to reach for the bandages but manages to stop himself. "What do you mean, you got shot?" he asked, his voice ticking upward. How dare they. Who did this to you?

It takes a moment, but he seats himself again. "I didn't, no. It was faster for me just to fly there on my own."

[112ounces]

"I mean someone pulled the trigger and the bullet ricochet off my face."

Carl doesn't even want to go into the identity of his shooter. By now Carl suspects that this all came from Carl being Ported out and cam back during the Seminar. The person who shot him was probably someone from his group, or one of the Alexandrians. Who ever thought it was a good idea to shoot a giant herd of walkers needed to be punched in the face.

In a lot of ways, Carl got lucky: he probably wouldn't've been able to resist the brainwashing otherwise."

"You've could've gotten killed, man. Or worse, captured. You do know what the Soviets would do to you if they caught you?

[grimreaping]

Kid, too, had been absent from the Seminar's timeframe. Missed almost the entire month, as it had turned out, and that was another thing he intended to pursue as soon as this being in jail thing was sorted out.

Carl's statement wrung a rather startled laugh from him, although he dips his head as if to convey he didn't mean to do it. "I suspect they'd have rather had a hard time accomplishing that," he said. True, there was the possibility of the inhibitors -- they were working well enough right now, smothering out his senses, almost claustrophobic -- but at full power, they would have found it a challenge to kill Death's son.

"It was an acceptable risk to me."