open

[strictdiscipline]

Who: riza hawkeye (strictdiscipline) & open!
What: a catchall, basically
When: all month
Where: oot 'n aboot
Warning(s): none yet, will update if necessary


I - SHADES DARKER

[ Work at Shades Darker, despite the customer base, is far more tame than she imagines. For the most part, she completes and files paperwork in the back, tidying up schedules and correcting small mistakes in wages for employees whose names she's slowly beginning to commit to memory.

But sometimes she's expected to put on a good face for the public, especially when information's needed, and so she treks outside to the streets, false modesty and cheer on her face as she flags down passersby. ]

Excuse me, we're looking to gather opinions for our next [ entirely made up, please don't kill me mods ] promotion. If you could take a look at these two photos—

[ At which point she hands over said photos. Both are very revealing, though of entirely different things. ]

Which do you prefer?

[ THE QUESTION: Are you a tits or an ass person, please respond truthfully. ]

[ ooc: feel free to assume some basic handwaved cr if your character also works there. ]

II - SHOOTING RANGE

[ Somewhere between Shades Darker and the gun range, her persona shifts. The polite smile drops from her face, her shoulders straighten, and her stride takes on an almost dangerous efficiency as she collects her equipment and heads out to the back. There's been little use for a firearm of any sort so far, her job now dealing with wealthy clientele rather than criminals, but she's hardly about to sit around and wait for the next emergency to occur.

She's a regular at the range, and if there's anything particularly notable about her, it's the way she never smiles after making a perfect shot (often) and makes less noise than the gun in her hands. It's obvious she means business, though less obvious just what exactly she's training for.

But if you're struggling, or you ask nicely, she'll offer a few tips here and there. ]

III - OUT AND ABOUT (FEAT. DOG)

A - [ Riza's not the only one that needs exercise. Twice a day she grabs the leash hanging by the door and takes Hayate out for a walk around the city blocks. For the most part, the walk's uneventful, halted by a cursory sniff here and an obligatory bark there.

But as it turns out, lengthy periods of stasis and an entirely new environment does no favors for anyone, least of all a dog still partly in the throes of puppyhood. Something - a squirrel, another animal, that tasty sandwich in your hand - catches Hayate's attention, and he bolts, pulling the leash out of Riza's hands as he darts towards the newest thing to catch his eye. ]

Hayate!

[ Better move quick, else there'll be a small dog getting all up in your business. ]

B - [ On her days off, and when he behaves, she takes Hayate out for a bonus walk, but not through the main city area. Instead, they turn off towards the nearest park, meandering until they find an unobtrusive spot by a tree. There, she runs him through drills - sit, lie down, stay, and come to name a few - careful to reward him after each trick accomplished. It's a surprisingly successful session up until the last trick: she lifts her hand and mock fires a gun, but instead of collapsing and rolling over, he merely wags his tail, tongue lolling out one side of his mouth.

Well, she tried. ]

IV - WILDCARD

[ ooc: you know the deal. write a prompt, or leave me a blank comment/comment with any prefs and i'll write you a custom starter! feel free to hit me up via PM or private plurk at speedforce to discuss anything. ]

Comments

I

[planetary_bonds]

[She caught him outside a junkyard hauling a few pieces of scrap in his arms. Yusei shifts them around so he's holding them to one side so he can look at the...samples, raising an eyebrow. He'd turned around to answer politely on reflex, but he's apparently regretting that decision, if the long period of staring at them with absolutely no change in expression means anything.

His eyes shift from one photo to the next, back and forth, before looking back up at Riza. Somehow, even with just his resting neutral expression, he doesn't look very amused.]

I don't.

[Oh.]

[strictdiscipline]

[ Why you gotta be like this, Yuusei, it's a perfectly valid question!

And while she's hardly the type to pry on a person's private interest - do unto others as you would unto yourself, after all - somehow she's unwilling to believe such a statement, especially after such a long pause. If he truly had no opinion, he would have said so from the get go.

Also she's pretty sure Koralle would just tell her to go right back out if she stopped at such a vague answer. ]

No preference whatsoever?

[ She looks completely unfazed by his garbage answer, and her voice holds a doubtful tone. Try again. ]

[planetary_bonds]

[He's a garbage man, from a garbage land, with garbage in his hands, and only garbage plans. The garbage answer is totally valid.]

None.

[Now that he's ascertained that this really isn't some kind of joke, he's able to give the answer straight up, at least. Sorry, Riza, you picked the shonen protagonist with a laser focus on his designs.]

[underwhelms]

[ A date had been set, Riza had graciously accepted, and JJ had whipped out the clothes he'd gotten from home for the occasion, obviously excited for their "celebrating being alive" date. It's still a little more than he could really afford—the only reason he was saving any money was because he barely did groceries. Cooking was beyond him, so he spent most of his money on fruit, eggs, and chicken.

He hadn't had a decent meal in a long time.

Which is why he's actually enjoying himself tonight, walking out of the little theatre with Riza, eyes bright and enthused by the performance they're walking away from. ]

It's a musical. [ This is important. ] It's supposed to make people want to sing.

[ Even if they don't know the words...

He fixes her with a small frown. ]

Did you think it was annoying?

[ Which is rare, JJ usually doesn't acknowledge that anything he does is less than amazing and perfect. ]

[strictdiscipline]

[ They have similar things back in Amestris, though of a more classical bent than the show they'd seen tonight. But it had been enjoyable all the same, the lively music enough to put a smile on even Riza's face for the entire evening, even if she still doesn't fully understand why every conversation needed a corresponding song. Wouldn't a simple conversation be much shorter?

But that hadn't been the point, as JJ's so kind to explain, and when it comes to things of a more modern she's willing to trust his judgment. (Everything else though....not so much.)

She's more subdued than he is as they walk down the streets, though it's evident that she's in a good mood in the easy gait of her steps. ]

I think they could have solved their problems far more efficiently if they hadn't burst out into song every ten minutes. [ Really. ] I hope that's not how people converse in the time period you're from.

[ Truly a nightmare, if so. ]

wildcard

[ghettobatman]

[i love making Val do work]

[ssoooooomething dumb, like last time]

why are you like this, sipp

[strictdiscipline]

[ The near proximity of the Red Light District to the Theater District means that Riza's frequently in and out of the latter as she heads to work or back home. Her feet move slower in the evenings, the absence of work enough to ease her usual business-like efficiency, and most times it's worth it to linger a few extra minutes to watch the tail end of a street performance or catch the last few notes of a soulful song. But sometimes, it gets her into a spot of trouble.

Like tonight: she's been 'volunteered' (to put it nicely) into acting on stage for a quick short, the plot of which is finally being explained to her as they grab a second 'volunteer' from the crowd. Something about an epic battle and the lady dying in the arms of her beloved as she confesses her love and— ]

—don't forget to plant a nice fat one on his lips to show you truly mean it!

[ Which comes right as they hustle over her partner for the night, one (1) Mr. Matt Mattson Murdock.

Well, this is awkward. ]

I....obviously

[politrick]

[The only reason Merlin ever approaches the red light district is to make deliveries, which is the only sort-of-job he's picked up in all this time. Mostly he delivers messages, some of them on gaudy perfumed parchment from the brothels going who knows where, but whatever - he doesn't have to read them. The parcels are more mysterious and so much worse, but he tries to get in and out and not make any more eye contact than necessary while he's there.

But not the way that sounds.

It's the fact that he's talked to Riza before that makes him stop when she starts in with her... survey, which is obviously his first mistake of many. He genuinely doesn't seem to see where this is going until she holds up the pictures, at which point his eyes go wide and he looks quite abruptly at the sky before he looks back down, speaking to a space over her shoulder. Eye contact: dead.]

I, hmm, you know, that's a fascinating question and I'm sure someone out there is more qualified to answer it than me, being as I am myself, you know, and I'm— I have so many places to be I think I might come apart at the seams if I'm- here. Or rather, not there. Late.

[So.]

8)a

[strictdiscipline]

[ You know, for a young man of some twenty or so years of age, that is an awfully evasive response to a perfectly simple question. Surely his eyes have wandered a little before to one region or the other, even with his apparently immense amounts of shame.

She ought to be nice, let him go to whatever imaginary appointment he's supposedly late for. But his fluster is, quite frankly, the most hilarious thing she's seen all day, and it seems a waste to let that slip out of her fingers so quickly. Besides, if he's going to be out and about in the entertainment district more than once, he might as well get used to everything it has to offer.

So the pictures stay right where they are, held firmly in front of his face. ]

Actually, I think you're fully qualified to answer. [ Being possessed of a set of eyes and all that, you know. ] I don't need a complicated reason for it, a gut feeling will do.

[ So long as that gut feeling isn't to get the hell outta dodge. ]

iii-a. doges!!!!!

[exonerated]

[ Luckily, the man the dog runs up to is quite knowledgeable and friendly with animals, so Edmund lets the dog do as it pleases. If the dog were to try and climb on his legs, probably trying to get a good look at the Royal Guard brooch on his breast, Edmund would laugh and stroke him behind his ears. ]

You're quite excitable, are you not?

[ He notices the collar and leash soon enough, and looks up to see who the owner is. ]

Forgive me — is he yours?

doges!!!

[strictdiscipline]

[ Save for a few initial upward jumps of excitement, Edmund's new four-footed friend remains largely well-behaved, the majority of his puppy motion location in his furiously wagging tail. He's decidedly far more exuberant than Riza, whose own expression sits somewhere between annoyance and apology. ]

He is, though I thought I trained him better than this.

[ There'll be no extra treats for him once they return home, especially not after she sees the tracks of dirt now scuffing up the man's pants. ]

I'm sorry if he's bothering you at all. [ And, towards Hayate, she utters a very pointed: ] Sit.

[ To which he does respond with a reluctant sit. ]

IV

[volumeone]

[Them maybe following up on a rumor or side hustle after their fooling around? Peter could be both company and handsome distraction]

let me know if this doesn't work!

[strictdiscipline]

[ Gossip spreads like wildfire among the employees of Shades Darker, usually of a person's favored kinks or which client carries the largest purses. For the most part, Riza lets these murmurs slip in one ear and out the other, not particularly interested in the private lives and interests of the brothel's patrons. (Spending a night with any of the men and women mentioned rates low on her to do list in Olympia, so why should she care?)

But in recent days there's been a different thread, slow to start and murmured in low voices rather than boisterous tones. Mentions of Wyver and smuggling all in the same sentence, though what exactly's being smuggled no one will quite say. And while it's no longer her official job to track down potential criminals, she can't help but slowly attune her schedule around the suspect's, carefully trail him as he leaves Shades Darker for the (late) evening.

Though none of that really explains why she's got actual company walking right next to her rather than just the shared company of the people still up and awake at this late hour. There's a displeased set to her jaw as she glances over at him. ]

Are you really sure you can afford to take the night off?

[ He doesn't really need the cash - she's seen enough of his guestbook names to know - but he'd sure struck her as the type to wholeheartedly enjoy his job. Surely he's got better things to do, in both the literal and metaphorical sense. ]

i & ii.

[fakers]

[ two prompts for the price of one! actually idk, I just makes more sense since they actually are coworkers, but i want to do II. i'm greedy. whatever, i'll make it work.

having finished a shift recently himself, archer is just leaving shades darker and making his way out of the entertainment district when he stumbles upon riza. he's never really been the type to socialize much with his coworkers, but he's had to deal with koralle's assistant on occasion. if anything, he can respect her professionalism... something most of their coworkers don't seem to have very much of for the most part. ]

Done with the fliers already?

[ ...he'd probably gotten one earlier, only to make some sarcastic comment and refuse to answer before hastily retreating. er, that is to say, before Important Security Duties required his attention elsewhere.

besides, what is the point of asking him his preference when he works there... it's not like he's going to be patronizing the place as a customer any time soon. he's Seen Too Much. ]

[strictdiscipline]

[ wow rift!!! going wild already…Also maybe Archer's Seen Too Much but has he Done Too Much yet? (Probably. Don't answer that.)

She's changed, swapping out her usual Shades Darker attire for something more sensible: a shirt and pants getup with no dangling bits or cutouts placed in random locations. No point in accidentally killing herself at the range.

Her steps slow at the address, gaze shifting until she spots Archer heading her way. The man's welcome enough, the question less so, and she lets some of her displeasure show on her face. ]

For today. I still have plenty left to pass out tomorrow. [ Emphasized by a quick heft of her bag. ] Are you heading home?

shades darker

[emblazes]

[Patrolling the spot as a Royal Guardsman lands him in questionable situations almost nightly. They range from cases of prostitutes with sticky fingers to herding the drunks into a direction indicative of where their home (or friends) may be. Tonight's first encounter is more of the benign variety. He stops abruptly, regards the pictures with indifference, then levels his gaze with Riza's.]

Aren't they the same thing?

[A nakedish girl.]

[strictdiscipline]

[ How did Keith get onto the Royal Guard without a useful pair of eyes, what was Ashti thinking. There's clearly a difference between the two pictures??

She looks down, making sure she hasn't actually pulled out two of the same picture (she hasn't), then looks back up at Keith. Well, if he's going to answer like that: ]

So you like both equally?

[ That's what she's going to assume now, thanks. ]

IV

[hannya]

[If Riza is looking for a (sorta) friendly bartender or sparring partner OR BOTH? Majima is here for any back tattoo buddies]

sorry for the delay! let me know if this doesn't work

[strictdiscipline]

[ As nice as discounted (and, occasionally, free) drinks are, Riza doesn't solely frequent the bar at Shades Darker. Not all of her compatriots are comfortable in the Red Light District, and she values their well-being more than she values her own convenience. Besides, different information travels in different circles through different locations; it's worth branching out just for that.

She meets a man named Majima Goro during one of these excursions, behind the bar rather than out front, and while he's not the friendliest man she's ever met, they strike up enough of a conversation. Harmless chatter regarding the mostly stable atmosphere of Olympia, for the most part, though it does lead to a sparring session the next day, both in agreement that it's best to keep in shape despite the relative peace.

And so here they are, limbering up with some stretches. ]

I hope you won't suggest a celebratory drink after this if you win.

[ Her liver's not that strong, and also she can't tolerate alcohol at 9 in the morning. ]

I. i just feel riza needs a lady in this sea of men

[goldsteins]

[ To the best of her abilities Tina avoids the Red Light District. She has no need of it nor does she have any interests. For the most part she manages it, especially given that the area she patrols within the Guard is in the marketplace. Unfortunately, it's the latter that also ends her up here sometimes-- especially if a criminal decides to make off in the direction.

She doesn't always get to escape and now is simply one of those times. Currently her clothes are transfigured into the required black color, one hand kept loosely in the pocket of her trenchcoat resting against her wand. Dark eyes scouting the area as sounds and light flooded her vision. She might not particularly like it here, but she's not unused to unsavory places or disguises--

But, still, she can't help but hesitate when a voice hails her and she halts in her tracks. It's not abnormal for a pedestrian to stop someone in the guard so she turns, but a brow arches in curious surprise at the woman. If she's embarrassed by the images (she is) she holds it in well. ]

I think you'll need to find someone much better suited than myself for that answer. [She says it simply, but hopefully not too rudely.]

you're doing the lord's work, save me from this testosterone party

[strictdiscipline]

[ It's not the first time she's received an answer along those lines (and she's sure it won't be the last) and if there's any offense to be taken in the cool tone of the woman before her, Riza certainly doesn't take any. Likely she would have answered similarly had their positions been reversed.

But she'd hardly be earning her meager wages if she accepted every non-answer so easily, and so instead of backing down, she merely follows up her first question with a second, polite expression never changing. ]

What makes you say that?

[ No judgement, only healthy curiosity. This woman's personal life is her own, certainly, but surely even she can make a quick decision. ]

iv

[vacuum]

[ Apparently, there's supposed to be a themed party scheduled sometime this month. Parties like these aren't an uncommon affair for a happening club like Shades Darker. Models and staff alike get dolled up in pretty or sexy costumes according to the theme, and the whole place comes to life for the party. As the newbies, this might be their first time helping to prepare for it though. Riza's job today? To pick out the tantalizing outfits her colleagues (and herself) will be wearing on that day, and the theme is servitude. Yes; maids, butlers and (for the particularly spicy) slaves.

i am also making things up, don't hate me mods.

Chuuya likes to think he was chosen to help Riza out because of his impeccable sense of style. Truthfully, he probably just got chosen because he's strong enough to haul the many outfits back. ]

At least Koralle recognizes that when it comes to picking out nice clothes, I'm the person to ask. [ ok nobody cares shut up ] C'mon, I think I see the tailor's shop.

[strictdiscipline]

[ caps your kinks are really shining through here

Truthfully, Chuuya's probably telling the truth in this particular instance. While Riza's gotten a good idea of what styles and trends Koralle prefers to see on her female models, her eye for male fashion is a bit lacking. His company's welcome all the same, even if his ego draws a bit of a dubious look from her as she follows behind him to the tailor's.]

Are you well-versed in the finer art of servitude then?

[ They're shopping for sexy maid outfits, not a formal gala here. ]

iii!

[illuminating]

[It's routine for her to be (or at least seem) as if she's in more place than one—she likes to go from person to person and visit who she can, meet someone she hasn't met yet, run small errands or favors, seek something misplaced without being asked, put tireless effort into establishing herself as someone useful. Her lupine nature and tendencies mean she's not often in one spot long, unless it feels absolutely necessary to her to linger. There's so many people to look after.

As of now, she's coming from having just left someone, and—as is also routine—she's drifted off in her thoughts through her strolling, and so it isn't until little dog has cut past in front of her after something squirrel-like that she starts to become better aware of her surroundings again. Her face is turned in the direction he's gone, watching blankly, until an accumulation of Riza finds her through the air, the woman who bought her some food back a little while ago, and she turns to look the other way to see her hurrying after him.

Suddenly, Amaterasu's joining the chase, and holy moly, good as she was with those dogs before, surely she can help get a handle on him—

Oh, no. …Sorry, Riza. The little squirrel creature is hilarious scampering around, and she's actually… helping puppy chase it now, too… furiously wagging her tail, rumbling with playful growls—an absolute indication that she's not seriously hunting, since there's no point in warning prey that you're going to attack.

Listen, though. She's a wolf god, not a human god. What do you expect from her.]

[strictdiscipline]

[ She might be a strict mistress, but she's also a polite hostess, and while the park might not be her realm it is a public space, free and available for whatever whims might strike its patrons.

Which, in this case, seems to be an enthusiastic game of chase shared between two canines and a squirrel. The squirrel, despite being the one being chased, seems awfully aware of the lack of danger from its chasers and darts from tree to tree, pausing just long enough for Ammy and Hayate to catch up before it runs forward and continues the game.

Between quick footsteps and loud barks and a great deal of running, the game shifts at some point from squirrel chasing to simply playing, Hayate's boundless puppy energy overflowing as he circles around Ammy, tail clearly representative of his joy at having a new friend to play with. He barks, lowering himself closer to the ground in an invitation to play even as his butt wiggles in the air.

And all the while, Riza watches on, content for the moment to watch the two canines play. ]