[action!]

[deathisanopendoor]

[Wherever you may be—at home on your farm, out and about in town, exploring the wildlife, or perhaps even wandering through the more dangerous areas—someone has come to approach you, seemingly patrolling the area with a confident stride.]

Excuse me. I wanted to inform you that I have assumed the position of Sheriff. My name is Munakata, first name Kyousuke, and I can be contacted under that name at any time if you have issues that require police intervention. If you are capable of taking care of yourself I encourage you to apply for a position under me. We could use greater numbers to enforce order.

[Kyousuke himself is white-haired and imposing, with large snowy owl wings on his back and feathers covering the area where his right eye should be, like so. He is visibly carrying a sword, with another one tucked hidden in his coat in a compact state. He doesn't give off the impression that he's going to be a very easygoing Sheriff... but at least if you're in danger, that might be reassuring?]

Do you have any further questions or suggestions?

Comments

[ringrust]

[Guess who's going to give Maera some grief the minute they have a moment together. GUESS.]

How's the K9 Unit doing?

[THIIIIIIIIIS GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUY]

[rockyxiii]

Don't act like you're not part of it just because I'm the only one with the ears.

[Come on, Mallory, they're both Kyousuke's dogs and they know it.

He smacks Mallory on the back. It's kind of awkward, not being the sort of stupid bro thing he does often, but the truth is he just wants an excuse to touch him and this is the one his brain came up with. He regrets it basically immediately.]

. . . Quiet place. I'm not really complaining yet. Ask me again in a month, maybe I'll go crazy.

[ringrust]

Tch... [IT'S TRUE, BUT HE SHOULDN'T SAY IT...!!]

Going stir-crazy from peace and quiet's probably a ton better than going crazy from stress.

[You know, like half the damn 6th Branch. Jesus.

Anyway, he's just going to take advantage of that thinly-veiled excuse for a little comforting touch and clap his hand to Maera's shoulder... then immediately trail it down his arm and bring his prosthetic in for a closer look because he's been dying to investigate it since he got here. Talk about an upgrade!]

Hmm. [It's more of a muted 'ooh, ahh' than a sound of judgment.]

[rockyxiii]

[The new prosthetic doesn't look like a real hand, having no skin-like covering or anything like that, but it's shaped like one, with four fingers and a thumb, and it's hard to tell the difference when it's gloved. Maera lets Mallory hold his hand (kyaaaaaa!) and wiggles the fingers, such as that goes. They're nearly as mobile as his original hand in terms of how they can move, but they're much slower. It takes a while to transfer the signal.]

. . . It's not good for everything, but it's great for some stuff. I still switch out for the other one when I need it.

[ringrust]

Mm... It sure looks a hell of a lot more sophisticated than that hook.

[He has to wonder just what constitutes switching back to that one. Then again, either of them are more useful than what Mallory has (doesn't have) going on right now.

Maybe someday.

For now he slides his fingers back up to meet real flesh, because he is totally being paid to stand around touching himself on the job. Wow. But he also reeeeally missed Maera's comforting and familiar presence and he wishes he could just say that without feeling stupid about it.]

[rockyxiii]

More sophisticated isn't always what I need. It's useless for crap like taking care of Kyousuke's wings . . . I need the hook for that.

[Which is undoubtedly a very, very important thing he does with his "hands," okay.

So is this. Maera shifts just a little closer, wordlessly inviting the contact. Doing it out loud or too obviously would ruin the moment! They can be stoic assholes about this together!]

You busy after hours?

[ringrust]

[Ah. At that he grunts a pure and wordless understanding. Getting to groom Kyousuke's luxurious wings... he'd love to have a go at it himself one of these days. But if he doesn't have a hook of his own, what's the point? He can't compete with his own damn self.

ONE. DAY!!!]

...Me? Not really- what do you think I'd even be doing? [Really, Maera. If there's something he's trying to ask, why can't he just say it instead of making it sound like he's trying to casually-

oh god is he asking him out. Oh god. Don't laugh, don't laugh, don't even crack a stupid grin. But if he is, that's all kinds of hilarious. And cute. And probably weird, but Mallory's used to that part by now.]

[rockyxiii]

Hell if I know, I don't keep track of all your plans. If you don't have any, maybe you do now.

[Uh, yeah, this is definitely asking him out. He starts off brash as usual, but by the end he's trailed off into some embarrassment, as always creeps in around the edges when he's trying and failing to be smooth.]

[ringrust]

[He is absolutely being asked out. And Maera can't even just be direct about it, not even with him! Never mind that Mallory's the same way - he knows he is, and that's why it's all the more embarrassing to have it shoved in his face like this. He wrinkles his nose a little and glances away.]

Oh yeah, like what?

[Say it so he doesn't have to!! GOD!]

[rockyxiii]

[FINE! No, Maera's gotten used to that. He may do his dance around it still, but he's had to learn to be at least, if not direct, anywhere near the point at all ever. It's a process.

He sighs.]

There's gotta be someplace we can get drinks together in this place. If you're interested.

[ringrust]

[CUTE...

Like. Embarrassing!! But also cute.]

Huh... I might have been eying that big tavern out by the town square.

[rockyxiii]

Mind some loser tagging along?

[The benefit to being the same person is that he can casually insult both of them at the same time. Only he would find that a benefit.]

[ringrust]

...Jeez, it does take a real loser to invite someone out and then ask if they can go too.

[Look at his stupid scrunched up face, he's trying really hard not to laugh.]

Guess I have to let you come out of pity now.

[rockyxiii]

Yeah, that's what I was going for. Ultimate seduction technique.

[Look, even he's pretty embarrassed by all this, and aware he is digging this hole deep and he'd rather not be, so, he shakes his head and runs his hand through his hair. Awkward.]

Can't even ask myself out on a date. How'd I end up with anyone at all?

[ringrust]

[Oh god it was a date date. Is this second-hand embarrassment, or still technically first...? 1.5-hand embarrassment. Would this have been as painful for everyone involved if Mallory was the one asking? He doesn't want to think about that!!]

Maybe the pity thing worked in our favour after all. Maybe we should brush up on our charm after drinks.

[After, because he's going to need to have plenty of booze in him to not punch the wall and run away in shame.]

[rockyxiii]

Practice on me all you want, we can drink to forget it.

[If them being the same person didn't already make this kind of the weirdest date ever, before it even begins, it's only getting weirder, apparently.]

[ringrust]

Except I don't have to try to seduce you.

[rockyxiii]

Worried I might distract you?

[ringrust]

Maybe, considering you'd have your pants off before I'm even halfway through a pickup line.

[rockyxiii]

You better watch out with that crap, or maybe I'll get on my knees right now. You never know with me, huh?

[ringrust]

I think I know you better than anyone. You've been wanting an excuse to do it ever since that one night.

[At least, Mallory has. How can he forget making out and fondling scars under the stars? Good times.]

[rockyxiii]

I don't need an excuse, just an opportunity. Probably not while we're on the clock.

[But that's not for much longer, now, is it? That realization sinks in seconds after he says it. No, date first, then their reward. Their long-awaited reward . . . ]