Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

[sumarusfinest]

The wonderful thing about the Nexus is that it's usually fairly easy to find the regulars because of their preferred spots for lounging about the forum. This makes Katsuya's current task all the more convenient as he makes his way from the stall of the Velvet Room.

The suspect had to be around here somewhere. Always lounging about and starting fights with the resident magi of the Nexus. He finds what he's looking for in a blonde man working on a small glass device on one of the many Nexus couches, a cup of coffee sitting next to him.

"I need your assistance in regards to a case of the utmost importance. Your cooperation would be...appreciated."

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

Most things are better than fighting. Watching paint dry. Waiting for moss to grow. Flossing.

She hums softly when he starts stroking her hair. If she were a cat, she'd be purring. "Thank you. I really do appreciate it." She's not sure she should be enjoying anything right now, but she has a feeling he'd tell her to shut up and enjoy it (but more politely). "I didn't get you any presents. I'm sorry."

[sumarusfinest]

This is what he had hoped would happen from the start of the whole endeavour. The cuddling, not so much the miscommunication. That was not enjoyable.

He reaches over and soon get new people otter is wiggling its head in her direction.

"You let me in and listened. Opened up to me. That's more than enough."

[brave_heart_verity]

No, but they worked through it. That's the important thing.

She's not used to his being so playful, and the surprise of it helps surprise a laugh out of her when she reaches for the otter. "That doesn't seem like much. But if you're sure."

The otter is set down on his knee where she can look at it without leaving the cuddle. "He needs a name."

[sumarusfinest]

Katsuya likes cute things and making Verity laugh is its own reward as far as Katsuya is concerned. He's glad she likes it. The idea of a 'fake' toy animal was something he wasn't sure if she'd like or not. But it's purple and she seems pleased.

"I'm afraid otters aren't a very well known animal where I'm from, so I don't know of any 'appropriate' names for him."

[brave_heart_verity]

She'd never been much for stuffed animals or dolls when she was a kid, but she's mellowed considerably over the last couple years.

No, really.

"Hmm. What made you pick him? You're not trying to tell me I'm shellfish, are you?" Nobody panic she's teasing. It's only a joke. A bad pun, but still technically a joke.

[sumarusfinest]

Meeting Loki will do that to you or drive you crazy, so it's good that it was healthy for her.

"To be honest?" Katsuya chuckles a bit before reaching behind to hold him in such a way that he's free to wiggle the otter's arms from where it's sitting on his knee.

"It was purple."

[brave_heart_verity]

Mostly healthy. They'd both admit it was pretty toxic.

The cuteness gets another giggle from her, and she reaches out to pat the otter's hand. "Well, that's a place to start. I'll have to think about it. It's so soft." This is a revelation for her. "Did you have stuffed animals when you were little?"

Maybe it's a good thing Loki never told her where the ring came from. She wouldn't like an otter to cuddle so much if she knew.

Did I seriously accidentally pick an awful thing again holy butts XD

[sumarusfinest]

Katsuya is so relieved to hear her laughing again. Not just today---at all, since the events that unfolded. It makes him feel like things are going to be alright. Not right away, but definitely someday.

"I'm sure I did when I was very young..." He doesn't remember having a favorite per say, but he does remember putting on little shows with them for Tatsuya. "I used to have them perform little skits I'd come up with when I was watching over Tatsuya. I'd grown out of them by the time he was starting school so I gave mine to him."

He's certain they were packed away once Tatsuya outgrew them, but it was probably lost in the downgrading when they got rid of the house.

"I had a popular cartoon character stuffed animal, Doraemon. He was a catlike creature, very popular around the time I was growing up."

Nope, it's fine, she doesn't know about the otter or the fish or the bazooka or any of that.

[brave_heart_verity]

It's a relief to be laughing. In the midst of grief, there's a time when it feels like laughter will never come again. Breaking through that, even only temporarily at first, is a huge relief.

"Doraemon. And now you have Helios. Sounds like you have a 'type'," she teases quietly. "I wish I could see those skits. You must have been the most adorable child."

She has a new shopping list. Never give a grieving woman a quest for something cute, Katsuya, unless you're prepared for the inevitable outcome.

Whew.

[sumarusfinest]

"I am rather fond of things I can't have." Katsuya agrees with a self depreciating chuckle. "I honestly don't recall them too clearly. I gained an interest in baking at a young age and followed that whole heartedly for many years when I was younger."

"But I do know that's how I learned to pose and gesture with them." Purple Otter wiggles it's head back and forth, as through twitching its whiskers. "I was determined to perfect my performances, that much I remember."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Not just things you can't have, I hope." Because she's right there. "Well, it's nice to know you did them all the same. Tatsuya was lucky to have you."

Whisker-twitching cuteness gets another giggle from her, and earns the otter a boop on the nose. "You're such a perfectionist."

[sumarusfinest]

"Of course not." So literal. Katsuya chuckles again. "Exaggeration, somewhat." He hums in agreement to her statement and lets himself enjoy the moment they're sharing.

Tatsuya was fine, wherever he was. Theo had helped him remember just how strong the younger Suou was. Katsuya had to have faith. So, for the first time in many months, he doesn't shy away at the mention of his brother. He just nods.

"You're only now finding this out about me? I must be losing my touch, Ms. Willis." His tone is very obviously mocking. No, they are not back to that again, worry not Verity.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I know. I was teasing." Only about that part. Never about his brother. It's far too painful a wound to poke at idly, the same way he wouldn't dare tease her about her father.

"No, just remarking on it, Mister Suou." She knows he's joking and will play along. "Your ruse has not fooled me. I knew you'd be back to your perfect suits and perfect manners soon enough." Lifting the otter from his hold, she moves it up to bop Katsuya's nose with the furry one. "Mister Otter and I are on to you."

[sumarusfinest]

"Ma'am, I can assure you any suggested tellings of a ruse are entirely coincidental and essential to the case I am working on."

He even does his best to make his 'just don't, son' face at the otter.

"Perhaps your friend should be made aware of the laws regarding assaulting an officer then?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Mm-hmm. Sure. You say you're undercover, but I think you're really just trying to hassle my otter friend. That's anti-otterism."

Mister Otter doesn't care about your faces, Katsuya. But Verity's giggling again.

"It's not assault!" Boop. "He's being affectionate." Boop. "And anyway it's two against one." Did Katsuya forget she's got this whole other hand? Because she's been working it around to the small of his back, and now... tickles!

[sumarusfinest]

"Can one even apply the penal code to otters?" This requires further thought and investigation.

The Boops make this difficult. His eye is twitching trying to hold a straight face.

"Sexual harassment then." But before Katsuya can mount another verbal offensive his defense is crushed by tickles. "Ngyah!" His back arches off the couch comically as a few startled laughs rip themselves out of his throat.

"Y-you are both under arrest for harassing an officer of the l-ahahaha stop it! Verity! Yamete yamete-hehahaha!"

[brave_heart_verity]

"If you can't, you can't complain," she points out. It's one or the other, Katsuya.

She laughs at the way he squirms and jumps to get away, but the second he tells her to stop she does, drawing back slightly so he can catch his breath without worrying she's going to start again anytime soon. Her hands fold in her lap, on top of Mister Otter, who doesn't look sorry at all.

"Under arrest, are we? Really?"

[sumarusfinest]

Mister Otter is devious indeed. He needs a sinister name befitting his villainous nature. Snidely Whiskers or the like. The clever fiend.

Katsuya's sunglasses are askew and he pants to catch his breath. Thankfully Verity has already pulled back so there isn't a need for whining or hand swatting. She's so nice. Curse your influence Mister Otter!

"Gunned down in the line of duty. A most noble end."

[brave_heart_verity]

She would so name Mister Otter "Snidely Whiskers" if someone suggested it, because that is a perfect name for her new partner in mischief.

Slowly, carefully, she reaches out to straighten his sunglasses and smooth his hair back into place. No more tickles and Mister Otter is being held safely in her lap.

"And no one will ever know it was me. The perfect crime."

[sumarusfinest]

"Are you kidding? The significant other is always the primary suspect." He appreciates her attentiveness and lack of repeat offences.

"Though if you come into the station and make a statement concerning this villainous creature's input, they might give you leniency. And to think, the officer brought such an evil menace into your home unknowingly..."

[brave_heart_verity]

Well, if that's how he's going to be, she's going to muss his hair again. "No! Mister Otter and I love each other and we're going to run away together and you can't stop us." This is delivered in her best 'petulant teenager' voice, which, well... she got a lot of practice with when she was younger.

She clutches Mister Otter to her chest and retreats to the other end of the couch, which leaves her poor feet exposed and with nothing more than socks to defend them from retaliation.

[sumarusfinest]

Ack!

"Well considering Snidely Whiskers over there decided to encourage you to commit murder just to have an affair, I suppose I can't stop you. Since you know. Gunned down. I told you the significant other is always the prime suspect." He adjusts his glasses dutifully and regains his composure.

"Though, it should be warned....I will haunt you for this." Let his poltergeist be known by his beyond the grave foot ticklings!

[brave_heart_verity]

"Snidely Whiskers?" Hmm. That has a nice ring to it. She looks down at Mister Otter thoughtfully and doesn't even see the tickles coming.

Clearly, she trusts him too much.

"Ack!" She doesn't love Snidely so much after all, because he's launched at Katsuya's head. "Hey! Stop that!" The next thing to come to hand is a throw pillow, which she bats at him with. Gently, and only on the arms.

[sumarusfinest]

Snidely gives one last Boop! to Katsuya's head before tumbling off the couch and onto the floor.

"Whoa, otter down. Otter down." Katsuya stops to lean over the couch and scoop him back up. Just because he's a suspect doesn't mean he has to be brutalized. Let it not be said that Officer Suou is not just.

He also stops because Verity told him to and that's only fair considering she stopped when he asked earlier.

"You think we can call it a truce?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Mmm. Okay." But she's going to shift to sit with her feet under her, just in case. It also makes it easier to lift herself on her knees, if he comes close enough to get kissed.

She holds out a hand for Snidely, addressing the little furball as she does. "Sorry darling, but it was you or me and you would have done the same thing."