dumbshow | answer your god damn phone

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answer your god damn phone

[How many calls had he missed from Leorio alone?

Honestly, he preferred not to look at the number. It was wrong, but this wasn't something he could pull any of them into. He'd been wrapped up in his own little world, paying attention to the news enough when it related to his work and his end goal, and while he could have gone to the elections or even to visit Gon (his comrades had, after all), he decided against it. Visiting would have just opened up a whole can of other problems.

Maybe it went against what he'd been thinking before, but he had matured a bit since then. With the Spider desperately working to repair itself, and plenty of its members still on the move, Kurapika had to consider how to handle them-- but he was also sitting right on top of the location of the eyes of his brethren. He had to work up to it, and well... That's what he'd done.

There were a large amount of them recovered (he had to deal with a lot of people to get this collection) and given funerals, but it wasn't enough until he had every last set. There were still leads to follow, and so he continued to climb and gain Nostrade's trust.

Trust, though, is what leads him to pulling his cell phone out now. A strange illness was breaking out in the Nostrade organization, and it was worrying Nostrade himself. A few of his workers had already died, and panic was growing. He demanded that Kurapika find him someone to find out what was going on, but to be sure it was someone they could 'trust', because this could very well be an attack on them.

A doctor that he could trust? His first thought was that there was none. But after just a moment's more hesitation, he gives in and speaks his understanding clearly to Nostrade, hitting the call button on his phone and stepping away. His opposite hand curls at his elbow as he waits. This is pulling him in, but if it's just Leorio... It'll be easier to keep him in the dark about a lot of what he's been doing.

He'll use that to justify this selfish decision.]

Leorio?

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His room, most likely.

[Kurapika looks embarrassed or troubled to say this, but there it is. With heavy shoulders, he gives one last look around the park he'd just been enjoying. It may be the last view.

And he's not sure what Leorio's lack of an answer means, but he's fine with waiting to see rather than pressing it. That doesn't mean he's not going to issue a general warning, though.]

He'll point his anger at me, but that's something I can handle rather easily. Try not to say anything to make him shift to you.

[Because that would be the real hassle, okay.] ...I apologize for having to return. I'll make it up to you later.

[He's a doctor, not a furniture repairman!!

Leorio has a few choice grumbles about where exactly Nostrade can point his anger, but look, if he gets all of them out now - he might not repeat them later. One can hope.

They're almost to the car now, and he waves a hand mock-carelessly as he tugs his other hand free of Kurapika's to move around to the driver's side. It's okay, he means, for a given value of "okay." It's tolerable. He gets it.]

Sure, sure. I'll hold you to that, you know. [This he says while jabbing a pointing finger at Kurapika... from over the car's roof, because he is tall enough to just stare over. Then he'll get in.]

And hey— he didn't see me when I tried to kick down his door. It should be okay.

[He nods silently at that, ducking into the car afterwards. The kicking down the door comment, though, gets a tired look before he buckles his seatbelt.]

You should be okay if you stay quiet. [NO COMMENTARY...

But okay, I assume this is a good point for a timeskip SO. By the time they get to the building, Kurapika is unbuckling his seatbelt before Leorio can even park the car. The car stops, and he pushes the door open to step out already, walking quickly towards the entrance.

Leorio can catch up with his long legs, anyway, and so when he does, Kurapika looks over to spot him.]

Remember what I said.

[No commentary... How is he meant to go on like this? He grumbles on the way back, grumbles as he gets out of the car (mostly about Kurapika leaping out of the vehicle like Nostrade's going anywhere, come on), grumbles about catching up - and then, finally, it's out of his system.

He shoves his hands in his pockets and slouches. Going along with this is a drag. With an annoyed huff,]

I heard you! I'll mind my manners.

[So short... But it's not as if he can blame him in this case. Dealing with this sort of group of people was trying on patience. As much as Leorio seemed informed on things, even in this area, Kurapika wasn't so sure he could handle living it. And that was for the best, honestly.

The couple of members at the front as they enter don't say anything, but there's another one further in that notifies Kurapika that Nostrade is in fact in his office. That saves time.

So, he'll step into the elevator with Leorio and press the button, folding his arms and thinking as he waits.

Things don't become clear until they've made it all the way down the hall of the top floor and Melody is seen outside with both Linssen and Basho. After exchanging looks, Kurapika offers a couple of knocks at the door. No answer, and so he announces simply.]

Sir? I'm coming in. [With a courtesy wait of three seconds exactly, and no reply to tell him to stay out, he takes it as permission and enters, gesturing for Leorio to do the same.

The room is quite literally a mess. It's practically barren, with only a desk and a chair, and whatever paperwork had been stacked on the desk is now scattered across the room, some pieces crumpled, others stepped on, the rest untouched but completely mixed. Similarly, Nostrade is on his knees in the center of one of the piles, holding his head like he's about ready to pull his hair out.]

Sir--

[Immediately, Kurapika is interrupted.]

I don't need anything from you. [Again, Kurapika grows silent, simply watching the man from where he was. He's not about to patronize him with any overly comforting actions or concern. That would only make things worse.] My daughter... My poor baby, no matter what I do, she can't tell any fortunes at all!

[He's halfway to sobbing, at this point. It's pathetic to watch.] What am I supposed to do?! What can I...

[This is getting out of hand. He knows this song and dance by now, and so Kurapika speaks again, even with his feet planted firmly in place, just a few feet from the door.] If you're struggling, I can--

What the hell do you know?! [Snapped immediately, Nostrade finally raises his face to view the both of them.] You don't know anything about this! Stop acting like you know everything! You're not going to help, he's not going to-- [A pause, and he points at Leorio. It's not quite hopeful, more like demanding and a little crazy.] He's not going to help her, is he?!

[It's not possible. He knows that, after trying every expert that owed him favors, but still--]

You're going too far. [Kurapika speaks again, but this time, it's more stern. Warning. Spoken with a twinge of rudeness that gets Nostrade to look at him again.]

Your daughter's ability is gone. [Those words alone make something snap further (was that purposeful?) and Nostrade mutters under his breath, something like 'you bastard'. He's about to throw another fit.]

[Leorio has nothing to say on the way up to the office - he figures it will help him remember to keep his mouth shut later if he starts as soon as possible, honestly.

At least, he thinks it will help, until he follows Kurapika into the room and sees the state it (and Nostrade) is in. What grips him suddenly isn't pity for the man - he's not that much of a bleeding heart - but instantaneous frustration that this is the man leaving messes for Kurapika to clean up after. Part of Leorio still blames Nostrade for how far the incident with the poisoned nen progressed, the way he sat up here in his office and moped, apparently, with that much apparent disregard for the people who work under him.

As he stands just behind Kurapika and scowls down at the man on the floor, nothing Nostrade says changes his mind any which way. If he pities anyone now, it's this daughter everyone seems really concerned about— her father's a useless lump on the floor while she's in need of help. What's worse, the way Nostrade is talking about her...

Forget manners!! He steps to the side, just so Nostrade can look all the way up at him as Leorio jabs a finger at him, loudly unimpressed. He doesn't even spare Kurapika a "Hang on" or anything before he cuts in, oops.] Who's the bastard here, huh?! What kind of father talks about his daughter like that-!!

[Like she's not as important as her ability... What is it with all these shitty dads he keeps running into?]

You're sitting on your ass up here having a tantrum while half your men are dying and your kid's— [He cuts himself off before he really does deck this jackass, straightening from his angry stoop and taking a Deep Breath.] Where is she, anyway?

[don't tell him... don't tell him he'll be madder] Is she even here?

[Leorio steps around him before either he or Nostrade can speak any more, and Kurapika's stomach just about drops. Idiot! He opens his mouth to call out his name in protest, but that wouldn't look much better, and so he closes it again, shutting it tightly as he stands stiff in place.

It's just the three of them, right now, so it's easier than if there had been a crowd. Nostrade is quiet only for the brief moment it takes for him to shoot Leorio a crazed look that says he has no right-- and then he's pushing himself up from the ground.]

Who the hell do you think you are? [To Leorio now, stumbling forward with his next step like he might start a fist fight. That's when Kurapika steps forward as well, not physically stepping between them (yet), but speaking up enough that it causes Nostrade to pause in place.]

Sir, you should sit down. You're getting--

[Nostrade interrupts him.] Neon is at home! I'm doing business here, trying to clean up this mess, and since her power hasn't returned, I sent her back. [It's like a Nostrade-Leorio-staredown right now. He's standing tall, trying to sound more pulled together.] What are you getting at?

[Come on Kurapika, he can punch out an old man!! Or is that the point... Leorio throws him a glance, somewhat impatient because he's already sick and tired of walking on eggshells around Nostrade (and he hasn't been, which speaks its own volumes).

Still, it's only a brief look at Kurapika before Nostrade has his attention again. Leorio stands even taller (not difficult), jabbing a finger at him again with his other hand balled in an angry fist at his side. Just one punch through the floor, that's all he needs...]

Don't give me that crap!! What's your business, knocking over furniture?! [He takes a step forward like he's ready to really take a swing at him, but stops short.] You should be at home with your daughter, you cold bastard!

[The look from Leorio actually helps to calm Kurapika. His plan was a more civil end to Nostrade's position, but this is leading into something that could both work out and form Leorio a nice place in the group. Whether he intends to or not.

Nostrade's face twists in his anger. He's being insulted. His pride is at stake. Kurapika has seen this before. Normally, someone else would throw the punch first, but he can recognize his moves going for it now. The tensing of the muscles in his arms, the balling of his fists, the step forward.]

You don't know anything about Neon!

[A balled fist shoots up and right for Leorio's face. With the ruckus, the mafia members who'd been outside enter through the door, but Kurapika has already stepped back and extends an arm to keep them back. With just one simple exchange of glances, they all understand, and relax.

At least no one will be prying Leorio away from the 'boss' and scolding him, now.]

[Leorio notices it too— this old man is actually going to punch him. Well, let him! Getting knocked in the head first will give him plenty of excuse to send him flying, right? Right. So—

He takes the blow to the head, but turns with it to lessen the impact. His glasses nearly fly off from the momentum, and he's shoving them back up the bridge of his nose even as he turns to swing a fist right back at the side of Nostrade's head. He had something that sounded cool planned to say in reply, in the split-second before he got whacked in the face - something about how Nostrade clearly doesn't know anything about her either, because he's crying on the floor like a pathetic bastard all the time!! But-

Instead-] Shut up already!!

[He doesn't seem to have noticed everyone else just showed up, no. Hm.]

[Melody is the only one who winces as Nostrade is pushed back, and that's thanks to the volume more than anything else. He hits the ground, probably with a bloody nose since you get those no matter where you're punched in anime. It's enough to have him covering his face as he glares back up. First, at Leorio, then over to the others.]

None of you... None of you understand anything! [The cool punch moment didn't actually help to shut him up, it turns out.] Do you think you can clean up this mess by yourselves?!

[Kurapika can only watch with cold distance as he continues. This is what he'd wanted from the start, after all. To take them out one by one after earning their trust and climbing to the top. Right now, even with Nostrade's faith faltering, he had the backing of the rest of them. And Leorio waiting for that punch to hit before throwing his own had been perfect, as well.

Nostrade was saying things without thinking, and it would all end in their favor.]

You think you know my own daughter better than I do? [He's more emotional now than he's ever been, Kurapika notes. The loss of his daughter's powers lead to this snapping point, but this was beyond that. He'd been a twisted man all along. Nostrade is getting back up to his feet now.]

Kurapika. [He calls out, and Kurapika responds with a 'Yes?' as usual.] I'm going back with Neon to find her a cure. I'll leave things in your care permanently this time.

[...That surprises him. Nostrade has stopped being aggressive at Leorio. Instead, he looks a resolved a little, wiping his face with the back of his palm. This isn't the direction he was expecting after that question at all. What's...]

I'm going back to Neon.

[To say Leorio is satisfied would be an understatement. He's honestly proud of himself, as much as he's still glowering down at Nostrade as he hits the ground. Nostrade earned it, as far as he's concerned, and he's still standing there on guard in case he has to do it again.

It's then, when Nostrade looks past him, that Leorio's gaze flicks back over his shoulder and he realizes they have an audience besides Kurapika. He blinks and his cool expression drops into surprise, as do his hands to his sides. Is he... hm, was that the wrong choice to make, in front of everyone? It's all he can do to look back and forth between all of them and Nostrade as the man keeps talking. And he's- going back to his daughter?

Leorio frowns again, despite that statement. He doesn't even know this girl, but if her crazy dad doesn't take care of her, he swears...

Still, he can't just let this go without saying anything - he started this, don't think he'll pass the baton to Kurapika so easily!!] You- you better!! Or you know what you'll get upside the head again!

[But just in case it were unclear, he raises his fist and waves it again. So cool.]

[Well, Leorio will get his wish, at least. Nostrade turns back to face him as soon as he speaks.]

You're the doctor Kurapika brought to deal with the poisoning from before, right? [He doesn't even know for sure... But also, it seems Kurapika had referred to him as a 'doctor'. Well. He was. Kind of.]

Come with me. If you can find a way to bring my daughter's ability back, I'll give you as much money as you can think to ask for.

[The guy in debt saying this... But well, if Neon could tell fortunes, he wouldn't have to worry about that anymore.

MEANWHILE... Kurapika is having a heart attack in the corner, and even his composed straight face has his eyebrows furrowing as he concentrates. It's enough that Melody looks over to him in concern.]

[That's—what? He looks surprised yet again, and at first all he can come up with is,] Eh?

[Hang on, hang on... That takes a moment to really sink in, but then he stiffens and looks as offended as he can be after punching someone in the face. His mouth twists into a frown as he wonders what's the most polite way to tell Nostrade to go fuck himself without being overtly hypocritical - he did start this...]

That's not— that's not how it works. [At least he HOPES SO, feel free to jump in at any time now with that busybody smartypants knowledge, Kurapika!!] I don't want your money, either.

[At least he can say that with a little more conviction... please, if he wanted dirty money he'd go scrape it out of a back alley himself.]

[Nostrade is going to argue his point. Kurapika can see it from here, and before he can think of what's a good way to stop it, or what's a sensible thing to stay, he steps forward and brings a hand to his chest as he speaks.]

I need Leorio to stay here. [And that... certainly comes out unusual, for him. All eyes are on him shortly after, including Nostrade, and seem to be waiting for an answer. He's composed enough to not sputter, but he does blink a few times in a row as he picks one point to focus on.

Right, just... don't look at Leorio. It's fine. It's cool. Melody knows, though-- god damn it.]

...While the immediate threat is completely gone, there are still remaining members of the family that poisoned us before. Rather than follow you all the way back, sir, they're more likely to target the group as a whole.

I'd like to propose we move, ourselves, and as a precaution, I'd like for Leorio to stay if anything goes wrong. [The best part about his coverups are that he doesn't lie. He stares seriously at Nostrade for a few minutes, who looks both annoyed at Leorio's answer and at his wishes not coming true immediately, but in the end he nods.

Logical. As always. With a wave of his hand, he moves towards the door, saying something like 'That's your decision to make.'

And then he's in the hallway, on his phone, and heading to the elevators, leaving Kurapika to hold back the huge sigh of relief he wants to let out right now.]

[That's not the way Leorio had hoped Kurapika would bail him out of this request, upon immediate reflection. In his defense, he doesn't react in a way that's particularly damning - he looks over at Kurapika with the rest, like he's also just interested in the explanation and not grateful for this despite the fumbling. That was definitely a fumble. Melody definitely knows.

It seems Kurapika has a good enough handle on the rest, though, leaving Leorio to stare down Nostrade again like he'll make another scene if they turn this into doctor tug-of-war. Surely everyone can see that would inconvenience him, right, he's not technically taking a side-!

Once Nostrade leaves, Leorio does let out a sigh, slouching and rubbing the back of his neck like all his ability to be serious has gone out of him at once. It was nice while it lasted.]

I don't know about you, [he addresses... the room, hi everyone] but if nobody else goes crazy or drops dead anytime soon, I'm calling this one a win.

[At the very least, in reaction to Leorio's line, Melody offers a small chuckle and Basho smiles a little. The others are more of a tough crowd, Kurapika included. (He can't believe he fumbled...)

Kurapika's looking too focused, right now, around at the mess of the room. One arm folds over his chest to hold the elbow of the other that lets his hand lean against his chin in deep thought.]

Is everyone alright with what I proposed?

[Of course, he's back to business already. He hadn't meant for this to come out yet, but it did, and now he's got to plan-- apparently.]

If so, I could have the date set for the end of the week.

[A glance around at them gives him just affirmative nods and some kind words from Melody about him always knowing best, but he's still going to look over to Leorio for his opinion, last.]

[Thanks for nothing, Kurapika!! At least Leorio has two of them on his side- the side of good humor. After that, though, he's automatically sort of taken a mental step back if not a literal one, right back out of this mafia business. He might have just punched out Nostrade in more ways than one, but it still hasn't occurred to him what that means for him rather than the group...

All this means in the moment is that when Kurapika looks at him, he's not paying attention at all. He's either deep in thought or just staring without seeing at some of the trash on the floor, and it takes a decent length pause and one of the others clearing their throat for him to catch on.]

Huh? What? [no one will ever believe he was cool just a few minutes ago] Sure.

[He notices that blanking out, and so after Leorio responds, he doesn't for a few moments, lost in his own thought. Luckily, Melody, being the saint that she is, picks up on it and speaks up in order to help them.]

Then we'll wait for your word on what to do. [That's to Kurapika, of course, spoken gently with a smile to match, and then she's looking to the others.] Let's get back to work.

[It's a lot less awkward than it could have been, but the awkwardness doesn't leave completely. Basho is left hesitating at the door before squinting a little and shutting it, like he's not quite sure if he was supposed to or not, and then they're gone.

Kurapika can only bring a hand to his own face. Where does he even start...]

[And there they go... Leorio waves, for some stupid reason - he's waving at Melody, okay, she's helping!! - and when the door is closed, looks at it for a beat instead of over at Kurapika. Then he figures he'll inspect the back of his hand, since he did just clock Nostrade pretty good, so that takes another few moments...

He'll start, how about that. With a glance Kurapika's way,] I wouldn't have gone, y'know.

[To give himself something to do, he lets his hand drop and bends down to pick up the bunches of trash. He'll clean up the room slowly, as they talk. Those words make him feel a little guilty, somehow, because of the worry that had gripped him for a minute, but--]

I know. [He had said he wouldn't ask if he meant it again.] But the fact that he was asking... In order to keep him from pursuing it further, I needed to think of a good reason. I wasn't prepared to have to defend that so soon.

[So he fumbled a little, okay.]

You didn't have to. [This comes out more petulantly than angry; Leorio's quite confident in his ability to say "no" all by himself...! He wanted backup that nen doesn't work like flicking a light on and off, if anything, in that moment. That was all! Instead, this fumble-]

Well, I bet you spilled the beans to Melody. [how AWFUL but not really, all things considered.]

I don't need you scolding me.

[He's embarrassed enough by it to warrant him snapping like that. But as he tosses balled newspapers into the trash bin, avoiding looking Leorio's way, he sighs, a short and quiet sort of exhale.]

Have you thought about this at all? You gave me a blank look, earlier.

[Wow, who fumbled!! It wasn't Leorio! He only scoffs and shrugs theatrically in response to that, before switching gears to that question.

... Thought about what...]

I didn't think I was supposed to help make mafia decisions. [Another shrug, less ridiculous this time. There's still some disconnect about that whole area, it seems.]

C'mon, who wants to be stuck in this place forever?

[This time, he makes himself look over to Leorio. He's so carefree... And normally it's admirable, but this time, it's just concerning. He understands that he said he's willing to do this, and so he won't question that, as he said he wouldn't. But this... Is he thinking about anything seriously at all?]

For large decisions that affect all of us, you'll be able to speak your part. You're a member now, after all.

[That's what he agreed to. With the last bit of trash tossed into the bin, he steps over, keeping his eye contact. Melody is long gone by now. He'd seen it in her eyes. Her desire to help him out here, her understanding.

So yeah, maybe he spilled the beans. Shut up, Leorio.]

So you should stop referring to it like that. [He understands. Of course he does. 'The mafia', spoken with such dislike... He's crushing it from the inside out, here. He relents from his intensity a bit, curling some of his hair behind the ear with his earring.] I'm not proud, but that doesn't mean that I can take you speaking down on me so often.

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can this be replied to??? YOU KEEP SAYING I LEAVE THINGS TO REPLY TO BUT.......

well i am replying

point

ah it's been a whole like 300 comments since leorio yelled at the mafia

has it really, that's far too long

here, leorio levels up

dING DING DING level 9 nerd, also does some lame thing here I guess

kurapika ~*~*~the mastermind~*~*~

kurapika doesn't know where the toilet paper is kurta

he's come so far

truly

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kurapika ~~~the mastermind~~~