Log ;; Complete.

[detectiveorcot.livejournal.com]

When; Mar. 3
Rating; L for Leon [Language as per usual.]
Characters; Leon Orcot (detectiveorcot), Count D (despairingdream).
Summary; Leon's not used to feeling guilty. This is all assuming the Pan crew left when Smee woke up.
Log;

Leon: It wasn't so much guilt as... All right, so it was guilt. Sighing softly, Leon pulled on his jacket before stepping outside - he probably would have noticed the various aspects of the festival had he not been so preoccupied. He shoved his hands into his pockets nonetheless, scanning the area for anyone that resembled D. He did wander a bit - though he was rather unwilling to move -too- far from the shop on his own so soon. Best to get his bearings in check first... When his (admittedly short-lived due to the close proximity he kept) search proved unfruitful, he sighed and returned to where the shop was - standing outside the door and attempting to light a cigarette. When the lighter failed however, it was the last straw. "Shitpisscuntgoddamnmotherfuck..."

Count D: "You shouldn't smoke so near the shop anyway, Detective," chided the all-too-familiar voice--from above. While D wouldn't be visible from Leon's present location, the Count was seated nearer the back of the establishment's roof--pressed idly to one of the subtle rises in the architecture. He was gazing off in the opposite direction, over what he could see of the festival proceedings--taking idle delight in the familiar display, which was only further embellished by the City's interpretation of the event.

Leon: He jumped slightly in surprise - scowling when he noted just how close the voice was; voice soft as he muttered. "You probably watched me the whole time, bastard." It took him a moment to spot the ladder - but when he did he was up on the roof not very long after quickly climbing the rungs; sighing and moving to sit near to D. "I figured so long as I was outside, y'know." There was a faint smile, however - his gaze had taken to following D's into the distance.

Count D: "I could swear that you'd only just said how you preferred it indoors," but he smirked, nonetheless. The Count's hair had been tucked back, and for a brief moment those two-toned eyes were plainly visible--but it was only that moment before he lifted a hand to comb the strands back into their usual position. A warm glow was cast to the roof by the lantern presently situated beside D, one that he'd obviously been carrying earlier--and there was a small tray sporting Yuanxiao, which had already been delved into.

Leon: "I also prefer not being eaten alive." Simply, and not-so-obviously an excuse, seeing as it was probably true. He glanced over at him then - though he said nothing before his gaze turned back outward. He'd fallen silent - knees drawn up to his chest as he let his chin rest atop them. "...Sorry." That sounded rather...paltry on its own, so he elaborated carefully. "I didn't mean to come across like such an ass."

Count D: "I'm quite used to you coming across as such, Detective Orcot," but his tone was not scathing. The Count let his head rest back, thoughtlessly lifting one of the small dumplings to nibble upon as his gaze settled to the sky.

Leon: ...Well, it was true enough. "Well, I figured you should at least be informed of the times I'm not trying to be." He'd tried to sound sarcastic - but paired with the faint smile that was still there, it failed miserably. He did however reach over to snag a dumpling - waiting a short moment in case there was a protest before he took to eating it.

Count D: "Had I known that the City intended to provide I would not have put forth the effort to prepare as such.. " with a vague gesture to the tray from which Leon took, he unresponding to the man's former statement. Of course, he didn't truly mind--the Count had always been rather fond of cooking. "Were you at least able to see some of the lights, Detective?"

Leon: "Some. I was a little preoccupied though..." His smile now was crooked and he leaned back - finally turning his head to look over at D curiously. "Hey, Count?"

Count D: It was a few moments before D actually sought to respond, he finally looking away from the sky to focus on Leon, instead. "Yes?" He didn't seem to pay much mind to the few fireflies lingering about, which would--to Leon--undoubtedly appear as just that.

Leon: "I know you mentioned it being a festival of lights, but is there another purpose as well?" He'd noted the mentions of matchmaking as well - but for the moment, preferred to leave those out. "Well, no, not a purpose...but like, a meaning? Most holidays and festivals and things do."

Count D: "Mmn. The Chinese New Year, or rather, the celebration of it--lasts for some time. The Shang Yuan festival marks the end of those celebrations. It is ... common, though now more for the sake of amusement than anything else, for matchmakers to pair couples and the like. Many western countries compare it to St. Valentine's day; however, Qi Xi is rather closer to that.." Nevertheless, the Count averted his gaze again through the explanation, looking down to his hand when one of the fireflies landed there. He grinned faintly.

Leon: He nodded - having actually paid attention to the whole explanation for once. "It's interesting to say the least." He was rather taken by the fireflies himself - though he was simply watching those that were flitting about them. "I... Mm." He didn't know how to say it; so simply barreled onward. "I'm glad I didn't stay inside."

Count D: D could have laughed then--easily. Ah, he could be so stubborn at times, and this only proved that occasionally it -was- for the worse ... he wondered if it would be remembered the next time they were bound to argue. But the Count did not laugh, instead simply smirked. Then he shifted somewhat, reaching to take up the lantern beside him -- one he had crafted, himself, and that had had a twin earlier on in the night.

"Take this, Detective." And he offered the thing to Leon.

Leon: He blinked over at D then before nodding and taking the lantern from him; and though he was still slightly embarrassed to have admitted such things as he had, all that was forgotten when he turned his gaze again outward. Namely, to the fireflies. "I... Those... You..." A moment's stunned silence - wherein he simply again turned his head - though more quickly than he'd originally intended - to stare at him with slightly widened eyes. "What?" ...Yes, that about summed it up.

Count D: He did laugh, then. A soft sound that was not quite mocking, though it wasn't without a hint of amusement at the other's expense-- "So it isn't impossible. And here I was beginning to think that you would never see them." But he offered no explanation, no answer to Leon's question--simply sat, looking satisfied--as did those that Leon would now be able to see about him, including the one presently lying before the Count, hand set into his.

Leon: "That doesn't explain a damn thing..." It was however a quite subdued statement, as he had taken to watching the fireflies in a mixture of shock and wonder. He did relax after a few moments though, exhaling slowly as he returned his gaze to the Count. This time though, he said nothing. He was torn between knowing there was nothing TO say, and wanting to say something - but knowing it wouldn't come out right.

Count D: "All Chinese animals look like this," he stated, perfectly serious, though the mirth was evident in his eyes--the one visible to Leon, at least.

Leon: "Now you're just bullshitting me." There was a slight smile, however - he still wasn't completely at ease, though he still held to the lantern.

Count D: "Language," he chided, looking forth to the creature knelt before him. A subtle nod, and his hand grazed the back of the firefly's before the thing rose up, hovering there for but a moment before turning to continue into the night. "Unfortunately, they seem more interested in visiting the lake than our doings."

Leon: "Mm." He watched the exchange in silence - only turning his head back to D when he was spoken to. He was silent a short while more before nodding and again resting his chin on his knees. "Well, they have been here a while." He didn't really trust himself to say much else, so simply closed his eyes a moment.

Count D: "Too long~" one of the insects chided openly, before he moved to follow along with the rest--and D could do little more than smile in response to so much, he glancing curiously back to Leon. He wondered whether speech on their part would prove too much for him to handle.

"Not yet convinced that I've drugged the Yuanxiao, Detective Orcot?"

Leon: He seemed to be spending time silent a lot that evening. His eyes had again widened, though this time more so than the first. At D's words however, he slowly turned his head to stare at him once more. "Unless you're openly confessing to it, don't put ideas into my head, Count." ...Or something. He didn't seem to be thinking too straight.

Count D: "I'm surprised that you hadn't come up with it on your own. But that wasn't a confession--" he paused, head falling back again, unusually relaxed as he continued to watch Leon, eyes somewhat lidded though both were now in view. "You're calmer than I would have expected."

Leon: Quietly, now. "I think I'm still in shock." He did manage another of those crooked smiles however as he moved to stretch out his legs. He paused; trying to think of how to word it. "They've...always been like this?" A simple enough question.

Count D: "Yes." A simple enough answer for the same.

Leon: "I...see." He said nothing else - simply sat chewing on his lip in thought.

Count D: The Count allowed that silence to linger for some time, but upon beginning again the train of thought was an entirely different one to what it had been. "Do you intend to remain at the shop, Detective?"

Leon: He blinked then - contemplating a moment before nodding just slightly. "I figure I spend most of my time there anyway, right?" His tone was -slightly- hopeful; though he personally didn't wish to label it as such.

Count D: "Then perhaps you may finally claim a room with a bed, as opposed to remaining in the front. While I hardly mind it seems to agitate some of the animals ... and I don't think it will be well should one in particular ever arrive ..." though it was truly an excuse to offer, above all else.

Leon: His eye twitched slightly at that last comment - he knew exactly which animal D was referring to. "I think that might be best, I prefer my limbs in place and I like being able to sit without a chunk missing." An attempt at humor - though to be honest, it was true enough. "I would appreciate it."

Count D: D smirked outright at that, though it was retained in the manner that Leon did not favour. "And if our world were to right itself tomorrow, Detective? Still would you?"

Leon: The silence now was longer - and he stared directly across at D now. Though his eyes did not narrow, they were close to it. "Yes."

Pause. "Stop being antagonizing, it's just annoying."

Count D: "Ah, to know how I feel for once ... " He relaxed. Just barely.

"Why would you?"

Leon: "Do I need a reason?" He was slightly hunched over, now. "To be honest, I don't really know why."

Count D: "It is the nature of your kind to fixate so wholly on reason, not mine ... " He trailed off then, actually emitting a quiet sigh. "I don't understand it."

Leon: "Only for some things. In others we refuse to believe there is a reason at all..." Like now. "It's hard to explain, other than making things easier for the mind to grasp." A shrug. "I really don't have a reason why though. Your guess is as good as mine." This last part was about the previous question.

Count D: "Mm ... I spoke then in reference to myself, Detective Orcot. Truthfully ..." The Count trailed off for a few moments, and when he next did speak his tone was soft. "Truthfully, I don't understand why I want you to stay."

Leon: The only indication that he'd heard was a faint nod - it was a few moments before he spoke again. "And truthfully... I haven't the slightest why that makes me happy." It made some tiny amount of sense in his mind - that he had someone he knew; could relate to (however slightly) and that in itself was comforting. That it made him happy, however...that much was a mystery.

Count D: "I shouldn't want you to," and that was the last he said of it, letting his gaze fall after a moment. It was difficult. Difficult, when he had resolved to abandon that hope and yet now he was stuck there with it--stuck some place entirely different, without those requirements, without that need to serve as he should have.

Yet it stuck.
Leon: "But you do." It was simple and he didn't bother to try to get D to look at him again - he let the subject drop as well, though it was mainly because he didn't know what else to say. Nothing sounded right - not even in his head. He shifted; tilting his head back with a soft sigh.
Count D: "That does not change the fact that you are everything that I am -meant- to despise." Though his tone suggested that what he felt in regard to Leon was far from it. The Count rose a hand, fingers smoothing delicately through his own hair for the sake of distraction, if nothing else.

Leon: "Forgive me for nattering on about meanings again, but maybe there's a reason for that?" His head was still tilted back - voice quiet; he hadn't missed the Count's tone. "Though again, couldn't for the life of me tell you why..." He was even quieter now; subdued.

Count D: "A reason for which, Detective? I believe that we're covering a number of topics at once ... " and the smirk again made its return, lingering now. "Perhaps you do know and simply won't come to terms with it. In the same manner as you continued to return to my shop despite being well aware of the fact that you would fail to earn your conviction ..."

Leon: "A reason for any of those topics." A pause and he -grinned- faintly, looking over at D. "I was talking about what you said at this point, not what I said." He paused however - body tensing slightly; though what from he was unsure. "What are you implying?"

Count D: "We've both said many things, Detective Orcot. I should hardly think it to matter what order they're addressed in." D glanced over to him, briefly, considering--and then looked forth again. "I couldn't tell you for the life of me, Officer." Grinning.

Leon: "Hn." The silence this time was longer - before he sighed, shoulders slumping forward slightly. "I couldn't tell you for the life of me either, so I actually think we're even on this one." He was still just a bit tense; though not so much as he'd began. "Insofar as I can't put it to words." Simply. His eyes were closed again.

Count D: "So you've said." He shifted then, moving to ease up somewhat, and adjusted his sleeves where they fell about his wrists. "Words are hardly necessary, Detective Orcot. Need I remind you of how well Chris managed to communicate whilst within my walls?"

Leon: "Words are still words, whether they're spoken or just thought." He smiled faintly; however. "I do remember, though. The shop really was the best place for him then... It was nice to see him so happy again." There was a slight melancholy to his words now - but he shook it off after a moment, the smile returning as he returned to the subject at hand. "I just meant I can't even really formulate the words in my mind either."

Count D: "He could not stay forever. It would have done little more than shelter him from that which he would ultimately need to face ... " but Leon's next words made him smile, and he looked to him again, a slight edge to his voice--a challenge. "Actions speak louder than words."

Leon: "That's not what I meant. It gave him the time to heal until the time was right." He paused though - head turning to look directly back at him. "It's nice to know my efforts are going unnoticed. I'll keep that in mind."

Count D: "They've been acknowledged, Officer--are being so. But that doesn't change that there is more to be done." With that D rose, the heavy fabric falling to settle about his ankles. "Let's go back inside."

Leon: "In time, perhaps those things will be done." He stood slowly; stretching and nodding slightly. He did pause a moment though; glancing at D's clothing and for the first time actually seeing it - he'd simply been too occupied earlier. "That one's...different from the ones you normally wear." So he could notice details. A pause; he had already moved to climb down the ladder again. "It's nice."

Count D: While Leon took the time to climb down said ladder, it would take D mere seconds to reach the ground beside it--landing crouched for a moment, though it were only for the sake of assuring that not a single of his dumplings met the ground. When he straightened the tray was fine and in tact, the grin having returned yet again. "I'm surprised that you realized as much."

Leon: "I have eyes." One hand slipped to scratch the back of his neck; though his grin now was slightly embarrassed. "I am a detective; I notice things. I just don't mention all the time..." He moved to go inside, then - pausing at the door to flash him a smile before continuing onward.

Count D: "Sometimes I find myself doubting it ... " but the statement was uttered once the other had vanished beyond the reach of the doorway. D sighed faintly, taking up the lantern formerly so eagerly attended to and moving to hang it carefully from the doorway before he followed Leon inside--first and foremost retreating to cleanse the tray, what little remained set aside for the animals later.

Leon: He'd already flopped onto the sofa by the time D got inside - though it was simply because he didn't know where this mysterious room he'd been informed of was located - so he was still sitting up for the most part. A cat had curled next to him - and since it hadn't taken to eating his face, he'd taken to stroking its fur slowly.

Count D: When D did return at length, it was with a rather awkward look directed toward the sight that met him. Soon enough, though, realization dawned ... he still couldn't see them. An unreadable expression flashed briefly across his features, though it was vaguely amused--and then D simply shook his head.

"Come, Detective; I'll show you to your room."

Leon: He noticed none of this - he'd been brooding somewhat, though D's words brought him back to reality and he nodded. Standing, he sighed - though it was not in any manner but faintly content - and moved to D's side. "Sounds good, I'm tired."

Count D: The Count said nothing in response, bringing his hands to lace idly before his stomach as he moved to duck into the back of the shop. He led Leon into a smaller hallway, down to one of the few doors within that seemed vaguely normal, and there he made to open the thing.

"I doubt that it will suit your tastes, but it is better than sleeping on the sofa."

Leon: "So long as there's something resembling a bed to sleep on, I won't be complaining." He nodded his approval; looking over to D with that very faint smile again. Once the door was opened, he promptly moved to go inside the room.

Count D: "Sleep well, Detective Orcot," D stated, lingering near the doorway for a moment. Of all of the people who could have inspired him to question his purpose as such ... but by this point, he supposed that it couldn't really be helped.

Leon: A nod. "You too. Goodnight." He’d already shrugged his jacket off and was working on getting ready to simply fall into bed - though he knew he'd likely lay there for some time, simply continuing to brood about their earlier conversation. At least now though, he could do so alone.