Voicemail/Tip Box

[tanteiotaku]

Communicator Voicemail box

"You've just missed Shotaro Hidari. I'm probably fighting those that make the city cry. I'll get back to you as soon as I'm done."

Tip Box
The box is cardboard, mostly purple with some black bits. The top has a standup part on it that reads "Hidari Detective Agency". The message on it says: Need help? Know someone that does? See something weird you want someone to look into? Leave me a note here!

Comments

Re: [text]

[tanteiotaku]

You pick a hell of a time to be a human being, Terui.

[text]

[unquestionable]

I know what it's like to lose people.

Re: [text]

[tanteiotaku]

He'll be back tomorrow.

But if you mean it, I could use some bandages.

[text]

[unquestionable]

[ He stared at the first part of the message for several minutes, trying to understand just what Hidari had meant. Maybe it was better to let him believe a delusion for now. ]

I don't say things I don't mean. I'll be there soon.

[Action]

[tanteiotaku]

[When he gets there, Sho has his leg propped up and there's some blood showing through the bandages on his stump. And he looks like hell.]

[Action]

[unquestionable]

[ Finding bandages didn't take too long. When he reached Hidari's cell he grimaced at the sight of him. To say he looked like hell almost seemed like an understatement.

He bent down on one knee beside the place Hidari's foot should have been, inspecting it just briefly before looking to face him. ]

Stay still. I'm going to change this.

Re: [Action]

[tanteiotaku]

[He gives him a level look, deciding whether or not to let him. He just sits back and decides not to argue. He doesn't have the energy for it anyway.

For a long while, he doesn't have much to say. He just watches what Terui's doing and focuses on the pain in his leg over the pain elsewhere. But, finally.] You don't believe me.

[unquestionable]

[ The silence was welcome, but Terui knew it wouldn't last. Hidari liked talking far too much to have nothing to say. He had just finished changing his bandage when he spoke up, but he didn't bother moving from where he was. ]

You're right. I don't.

[ Despite his words, his tone was much less harsh than it usually was. ]

[tanteiotaku]

I don't blame you. But it's the truth. [He pulls himself fully back into bed and throws a blanket over his leg.] It's something they do to keep their valuable prisoners right where they want them.

[unquestionable]

[ He stood up then, crossing his arms as he usually did. ]

You've seen it happen?

[ It sounded like some kind of joke and he knew Hidari wasn't in a stable frame of mind, but Ryu couldn't let go of the idea. What he knew to be reality had already significantly changed once -- who was to say it wouldn't again? ]

[tanteiotaku]

Not first-hand. But some people I've come to trust have. But I guess you'll find out for yourself.

[unquestionable]

What makes you believe you can trust anyone here?

[tanteiotaku]

So you're saying I shouldn't trust you, either?

[unquestionable]

Who you should trust isn't something I'm here to tell you. I'm only asking what has you so convinced that you've found someone you can.

[tanteiotaku]

[He considers for a second. Getting his head back on straight was coming easier.] My instincts, I guess. And if I don't trust people first, then they're never going to trust me. And a detective people can't trust is worthless.

[unquestionable]

[ Ryu shook his head as if to hide that he nearly looked halfway impressed. ]

If it weren't so naive of an idea you'd almost sound admirable saying something like that.

[tanteiotaku]

[He shrugged. But it seemed to him that Terui might be cooling off from the hot rage he had when he first got here.] That's from the Boss.

[unquestionable]

[ It wasn't so much that he wasn't still angry but more that he was finding other places to direct it.

He nodded solemnly, knowing he should have expected Hidari repeat things from Sokichi Narumi. ]

I read a lot about him. [ He hesitated for a brief second before adding something else. ] Was he like everyone said he was?

[tanteiotaku]

Depends on if you asked his clients or the guys he helped put away. [He put a small smirk on his face.] But yeah. The most hard-boiled detective that ever lived.

[unquestionable]

I shouldn't have expected you to say anything else.

[ For some reason it almost made him crack a smile. Maybe because of how palpable his admiration for the man was.

As much as he hated to admit it to himself, it seemed like a foolish notion that he had believed for even a second that Hidari had been the one to kill him. ]

[tanteiotaku]

[How was it that Terui was making him feel better? Guess he was right to follow his gut on this guy.]

I'm going to get us all out of here, Terui. And I'm going to pick up where the boss left off at the Narumi Detective Agency. While, strictly speaking a private detective doesn't need help from the police, I feel like this time I could make an exception.

[unquestionable]

[ At that he gave the hint of a wry smile. ]

Are you sure your partner wouldn't have issues with that?

[ He wasn't about to say yes or no yet, though he had begun to wonder if cooperation between them would bring him closer to the finish line of his more personal goals. ]

[tanteiotaku]

[He shakes his head.] I don't think so. If he's holding a grudge about that punch you just have to let him sock you one back.

[unquestionable]

[ Ryu scoffed, though he did unfold his arms. ]

Unless there's something else you need, you should get some rest.

[ He took a step towards the door, but stopped short. ]

I'll consider your offer.

[tanteiotaku]

No, I think I'm okay for tonight.

[Just before he actually leaves.] Thanks, Terui.