drear | god, he called for rain

Does command know about your friend?

[His friend's house is surprisingly close to the base, and it makes Naoto more cautious. She shifts slightly, hands wringing a bit restlessly in her lap.]

What? Why would they...

[ on second thought, that's not that far-fetched of a question. ]

Hans knows I know people, since he's been around since I was... younger.

[ hans also knew his parents, so he knows way more about heine than heine would like. as long as he doesn't share it, though, it's not a problem. ]

He wouldn't know his name or where he lives. [ a brief pause. ] Leaving's not illegal, you know.

[The halted question merely earned a small quirk of an eyebrow from Naoto. Considering command made kept neat little files of all their quirks, weaknesses and strengths, and mental states, she wouldn't put it past them to have a list of important people.

The look softened however when Rammsteiner mentioned his name finally.]

Before you became a pilot?

[That seemed like an awfully long time to know someone, especially outside of command. She was a bit regretful she wasn't going to be able to meet him.

At Rammsteiner's statement about leaving, she stiffened. She supposed it was pretty obvious, and yet... It almost felt that way.]

I know. I am grateful you're here to help.

[An understatement. Rammsteiner was the one who had all the connections and had a plan.]

[ the look she gives him is fair, so he just shrugs. ]

Yeah. [ he's known hans for a long time, mostly because of "family" ties, but he'd rather not mention that part to fuyumine right now. it's not even like he and hans have a good relationship.

her thanks gives him an even longer pause. heine glances at her sideways. ]

Uh... no problem. I—was thinking about leaving anyway.

[ the bus rattles on, turning a corner and throwing the occupants around a little. heine gazes out the window, content to try and think about nothing until the bus stops at the right location. ]

[Naoto will leave the silence as it was, since there was no point in repeating herself. She was grateful that Rammsteiner had brought her along, no matter what the reason.

Instead she took a curious inventory of the other passengers on the bus, wondering if the news of the rift being destroyed had reached the outside world yet. Perhaps not, considering command had still been planning the press tour when they had left.

As their stop came up, she stood, letting a few other passengers pass before grabbing her effects and following.]

Is his house far?

Couple minutes' walk, maybe. [ heine slings his own bag over his shoulder as they get off the bus. it's really not far off from the bus stop at this point.

the streets are still populated, but the sight of people walking around with duffel bags isn't all that strange. heine finds the right apartment building—relatively new, but still battered by the elements and the constant stress of being near the shore—and the right apartment on the second floor.

there's a spare key in the old place that he remembers, under a loose corner of carpet on the opposite side of the hallway. the inside of the apartment is unkept and messy, but not terrible. heine makes a face at the ground but puts the key into his pocket. ]

You can put your stuff wherever. Not like it's going to matter.

[Naoto followed along in silence, taking in the neighborhood, scanning for anything unusual or dangerous. The abundance of people was comforting, their anonymity almost assured. Not even Rammsteiner seemed to get more than a glance as people made their way around.

She had been expecting worse when Rammsteiner had mentioned the apartment would be messy, but it seemed lived in. Cozy. Still, she set her bag down on the couch, looking around the apartment curiously.]

What does your friend do?

[She wouldn't rifle through anything, but she would take in whatever was strewn about.]

[ people are often more concerned with their own affairs than those of others these days, which helps when they're trying to keep a low profile. heine keeps his head down when they pass by people. ]

These days? Smuggling.

[ maybe he shouldn't have said that so easily, but crime is far from uncommon. ]

[She was a bit curious to hear more, since it sounded like there was quite a story there, but she let it go.]

So he's the one who can help us leave.

[Naoto made her way back to the living room, satisfied that she knew the layout of the place well enough.]

How can I repay him?

[She didn't like leaving debts open, and even being allowed to use this place deserved some compensation. After all Hans didn't know her. He didn't have to extend his hospitality.]

[ repay him? the guy who owns the apartment, murphy, won't be inconvenienced by two people staying in it while he's out, and heine doubts that naoto is a messy roommate, either. ]

He'll probably be happy just knowing that the—that we closed the Rift.

[ heine looks around the room briefly, setting his hands on his hips. ]

I guess we could clean up or something.

Have you told him?

[Rammsteiner didn't seem the type who divulged information easily, long time friend or no. She shot him a thoughtful look before nodding at his suggestion. Closing the Rift had been an order, not something she had done to cash in on it.

She started with something easy, straightening the papers lying around and picking up trash.]

I wonder how they'll tell it without us being there.

[Some of the higher ups had already been jockeying for glory, but most seemed to have their hearts in the right place.]

No. [ heine had barely spoken to him outside of vague exchanges in the months preceding, and the shatterdome must be keeping the news on lockdown. ] Didn't think of it.

[ while fuyumine gets started picking up some of the surface-level debris, heine stays standing nearby, unsure as to how to begin. he's never really lived in a place like this, and bothered with cleaning even less. ]

They'll probably pretend we're traumatized and in hospital, since we won't be there. Covering up the fact that it was us is probably too hard, though.

[The fact that neither of them was eager to divulge information to anyone, even close friends, about the Rift being closed made her wonder. Had that trait been one of the reasons they'd been chosen for that mission? Several pilots would have jumped at the chance to brag before the world as to what they'd done, and yet here they were...]

It would be nice if they gave someone else credit.

[It might make her feel less unbalanced and guilty for one.

She straightened the furniture slightly, glancing around for any sign of a vacuum or broom. Coming up empty handed, she turned back to Rammsteiner, thoughtful.]

Should we get better disguises than hats.

[Dying her hair might not be too difficult, or finding wigs. Maybe get contacts for Rammsteiner.]

Then they'd be lying.

[ heine points this out without any particular condemnation in his voice. whether they get the credit or not, he's just glad that it's over. ]

I mean... probably. [ they're both fairly recognizable at this point. heine touches his hair absently before starting to walk toward the kitchen to look for a dustpan and broom. ] Sounds like it'd be trouble, though.

[ after some rummaging, he returns with a ragged-looking old sweeper and equally grimy dustpan hanging from his fingers. success..? ]

[That statement got a slightly surprised glance from Naoto, eyebrow quirking. She hadn't thought he would be such a stickler for the truth, and it showed on her expression.

Deciding not to comment, starting to dust.]

I can get the supplies. What color hair would you want?

[It was the least she could do, considering. It would be strange to see Rammsteiner without his signature white hair, but it would be for the best. She could probably lighten her own hair as well.

She made a noise of satisfaction at Rammsteiner's discovery, though her nose did crinkle at its appearance. Obviously they weren't used that often.

Still, she'd hold her hand out for it.]

[ the place really is in need of a good dusting. heine's pretty sure that he'd be able to see the clouds rising if the place were better lit. he touches a countertop and makes a face at both the grime on his finger and fuyumine's suggestion.

it's a legitimate suggestion, and really, a good idea. white hair on a young-looking person is conspicuous as hell. ]

Uh... brown.

[ he hands the dustpan and broom over. ] Whatever's least weird, I guess. What are you going to do?

[Naoto tossed the rag that she had been using to dust, giving up in the war against all the dirt and grim ingrained on every surface, turning to look at Rammsteiner and trying to picture him with brown hair. It might be fine, but his eyes were also a problem.]

My hair is too dark to dye successfully. I will try to lighten it, or put in highlights.

[She fiddled with a lock of her hair, frowning at it balefully. Highlighting it outrageous colors might suit the more... outlandish clothes her friends had gifted her with at any rate.]

I've heard there are contacts you can use to change your eye color, so until I can find those, maybe get glasses for each of us.

[She stood, starting to sweep as she thought.]

What do you think?

[ he imagines fuyumine with bleached hair. it's slightly horrifying. she's not bad-looking, for sure (he can admit that), but bright blond hair combined with her dark eyebrows and eyes would be... an interesting look. ]

Highlights. [ a pause. ] And maybe cut it. Pretend you're a punk.

[ this time he can't quite hide a small snicker. ]

Contacts are a pain in the ass. [ and he would need prescription ones; his albinism affects more than the color of his eyes. it's not something that he mentions to fuyumine, though. it's a weakness he doesn't want to verbalize. ]

Maybe sunglasses.

[That expression on Rammsteiner's face had Naoto, scowling slightly, her chin tipping up defiantly. She had seen odder fashion styles, so surely lightening her hair wouldn't be so terrible.]

Should I have you pick out my wardrobe then?

[She had a hand on her hip, her expression unimpressed, before she turned back to sweeping.]

Sunglasses until we can get something more permanent is fine. Do I need to get different clothing for you?

[ unfazed, heine smirks back. ] Better than those frilly dresses you have.

[ he's seen them a few times, though fuyumine doesn't seem particularly happy wearing them. then again, he's not sure if he's seen her genuinely happy in many situations. ]

I have shirts and jeans. Should be inconspicuous enough.

[ having lived in the hong kong shatterdome for the better part of the last several years, however, they're all lightweight. ]

[Bringing up the dresses was almost enough to make her sputter, but she reigned in her expression as quickly and cleanly as she was able to.]

Those were gifts, and they'll fit with the punk look.

[Because that sounds really convincing.

She held the broom and dust pan back to him.]

If that's all, I'll leave this to you.

[ uh-huh. punk indeed. ]

You might have to tear them up a little.

[ he takes the broom and dustpan, though not without smirking a little. he'll take his time tidying up the room; he kept his own room in the shatterdome clean most of the time, and the process is at least regular in an unfamiliar place.

once he's done, he sets about finding the bathroom to wash up in. ]

I'll leave my wardrobe in your hands.

[Her tone was dry, and she went through her bag to dig out some cash, heading out without waiting for a reply.

There's a corner store not too far from Hans' house, and it doesn't take her long to pick up what they need. On the way back she read and reread the instructions, hoping it wouldn't be too difficult.

She heard the commotion in the bathroom and headed there first, boxes still in hand.]

We can try out mine first. Highlights should be easier than dying everything.

[ that's probably not a safe thing to do, but heine at least doesn't take a pair of scissors to fuyumine's various dresses. after washing his hands in the sink, he takes a shower just to clean off the grime of the day.

he's done by the time fuyumine returns, but only half-dressed. thankfully, she hasn't reached the door yet when she starts talking. to stop her, heine takes a big step toward over the slightly damp tile, crossing the bathroom, and leans heavily on the door. ]

Hang on a second—I have to get dressed. [ working in what's essentially the military and close quarters means forgetting about a lot of modesty, but in this situation, it's a little awkward. ]

I wasn't aware you were so modest.

[Her was amused, and she was tempted to add that Rammsteiner's virtue was safe from her, but she decided against it. She stopped as bidden, turning her attention back to the hair dye. Should she have picked up foil or was there some here? Perhaps she should find towels too... Her brow furrowed slightly, a small frown on her face.]

Are there extra towels in there?

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