Post-shower Joe

[blueondeck]

[You could find him walking from the direction of the showers. Hair wet & washed, new clean clothes, relaxed, and hasn't even gone home yet.]

Comments

[strooonger]

[And coming out of Basco's house is this rather innocent looking girl that if you had any soul and knew who Basco was, you'd be wondering why she would be in the area.]

[blueondeck]

[I do have a soul and know who Basco is, but I'm going to assume she's related to the idiots you hang out with and automatically shake my head over it]

[strooonger]

[Looks over and notices you back and clean.

...now how to approach this situation?]

Can you help me find Basco?

[blueondeck]

[Quickly and pointedly answers]

No.

[strooonger]

[Walks up to you to grab your hand and squeeze tightly while smiling.]

Please? I'm worried something might happen.

[blueondeck]

[What the hell is up with her grip?!]

Worried? About him? You're better off letting it happen.

[. . . Should a person be smiling while worried?]

[strooonger]

No, something happened to him recently.

[blueondeck]

Basco can handle himself.

. . .

[Trying to take his hand away ... and back up a comfortable step]

[strooonger]

[Yeah, that's not going to happen.]

But that's the problem. He's not himself right now.

[blueondeck]

[Taking the step anyway and just not going to look at you!]

Not himself now?

[strooonger]

Something happened and now he's changed completely. That's why I want to go look for him to make sure nothing happens to him.

[blueondeck]

[On the one hand... Basco changing. On the other hand ... every sensible reason to let him suffer. ...

placing free hand to forehead in dismay and sighing]

Fine. Fine I'll help you even if it's a terrible idea.

[strooonger]

Why is it so terrible for you to help? You usually are around him.

[blueondeck]

That's no less terrible.

[strooonger]

Then why do you?

[blueondeck]

Do you want to find him or not?

[strooonger]

I still want to know. You can tell me while walking, can't you?

[blueondeck]

Why I do what I do is none of your business.

[looks at you and then away]

Let my hand go.

[strooonger]

[Presuming I'm just holding it too hard and lets go]

[blueondeck]

[Doesn't hold the hand, crosses his arms over his chest instead]

Where are we going to find him?

[strooonger]

[What do I know about Hina to make a guess at where she would go in his body...hygiene might be the biggest issue]

Where do you get clothes around here?

[blueondeck]

[... Basco? Shopping? So it really is bad.]

This way...

[Walking on.]

[strooonger]

[Following. Somewhat surprised you didn't think that a girl would know where to find clothes but, not complaining.

Although it's really hard to follow in these damn girly shoes so, grabbing on to the back of your shirt.]

[blueondeck]

[Jumps and arches away from the touch almost automatically, his arms unfolding from his chest.]

[strooonger]

[.....What the hell was that?]