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[ RE419S | TEXT | 001 ]

[ After the message (warning?) has blared two successive times, Rust waits about an hour and sends: ] Progress on locating unauthorized transport?

[ OOC: Threadjack to your heart's content! ]

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[ There's a laugh, but it sounds like the person on the other end is trying to suppress it, like he doesn't want to laugh but can't help himself.

In truth, the attempt to suppress the laugh is forced, but laugh itself is genuine. ]

Yeah, uh. That's him. [ You can hear the wince in his voice. ] Like I said, I have a son that age, so I'm used to it.

Right.

[There's silence for a long moment. He shouldn't avoid these people just because one of them is wildly annoying. Although, there's a serious temptation.]

Okay. That's... sure. I hope he's a little less... that in person. Guess I'll find out. [The last comment is muttered before he speaks louder.] I'm Martin, by the way. I know he's Kokichi. What's your name?

Oh, trust me. He's exactly like that in person. [ A chagrined laugh. Mostly; Kokichi has proven to be a little more demure and thoughtful in person compared to the bombastic way he presents himself over the walkies. But he's definitely still Like That. ]

I'm Ben. Uh, Ben De Guzman. Officer Benjamin De Guzman. Sorry, uh, I'm a little new at, uh--

[ He trails off, as if embarrassed. Then swallows. ] Uh, this.

[Officer. Suspicions rising. Basira and Daisy, in particular, slip into his mind as the police officers he knows the most about. But there's no need to be rude, either.]

N-no need to apologize. I think we all are, Ben! [He'll wait to be told to use the title.] New, I mean. Unless anyone's holding out on us about that time they were living the real-life version of "Castaway." I guess it wouldn't be so bad if they're actually like Tom Hanks... He seems nice?

[ Lalo doesn't instruct him to use the title, and if anybody ever does use it, he'll be quick to tell them that "just Ben" is fine.

He continues on, as good-naturedly as before. He even laughs at the reference to Tom Hanks. ]

Maybe we'll get lucky and somebody'll find a volleyball. Who knows? That could be the key we're all looking for.

[In spite of himself, that does make him crack a smile.]

Wilson knows all. I'll keep an eye out while I'm walking. I've seen some interesting-looking crabs, at least. So... if we could catch them and make a fire, we could- Wait. Can you... grill crabs? Or do you have to boil them?

¡Ay Dios Mio! "Can you grill crabs?" [ Lalo's incredulity is actually 100% sincere right now. ] Are you kidding me? Sure you can! I am telling you, you're missing out if you've never had grilled crab legs.

Edited 2023-05-18 00:17 (UTC)

[There's a moment of silence, of some... mild humiliation. He's eaten crab outside of the tinned stuff maybe twice in his life, and they'd both been at holiday parties for the Institute. Martin tries not to let the self-conscious of his own poverty shine through as he replies.]

G-great! Yeah, that's awesome. Well, it'll be something new to try, right? Just have to be quick to catch them. And... and avoid the claws!

[ Lalo, who was raised with a silver spoon in his mouth -- a silver spoon funded by criminal activity, but a silver spoon nonetheless -- is unable to relate to the idea of anything material ever being out of reach for him. He notes the beat of silence, though, and can guess what it's about, and is about to not give a shit, carrying blithely on, when he remembers he's supposed to be a nice (gag) guy.

So instead of barreling right along, he pauses. Like he didn't mean to cause any self-consciousness. Well, that much is true, anyway. He really hadn't meant to; he just has to pretend to care about the fact that he did.

He clears his throat. When he speaks, he sounds apologetic. ]

No, I-- I mean, it's-- hey. Don't worry. My wife didn't know when I met her either. My family taught me to cook when I was young, so that's the only reason, I uh-- [ That part, for once not a lie! He did learn to cook young! He lets an apologetic silence hang in the air a minute or two longer before he continues. ]

Yeah! Yeah. Look out for the claws. Eeeugh.

Right. Well. I'll start heading north! Ish. Sort of north. Hopefully I'll run into you today. Or maybe tomorrow?

I'm not the smallest guy, so... hard to miss if I keep to the beach.

I'll be looking forward to it! See you soon! [ Added reluctantly, like he doesn't want to remind himself there's a chance they might not run into each other, but feels compelled to acknowledge the possibility anyway: ] I hope.

[ There's a pause. ] When you say "not the smallest guy..." ...how tall are we talking about here? Six-one? Six-two?

Edited 2023-05-19 14:51 (UTC)

Six-three.

[He's not sure why the specifics are important.]

I'm not... athletic or anything, though. Sorry?

[ idk man it just sounds like a cop kind of question to ask, just go with it. They always care way too much about your height and your race and what kind of gun you were concealed carrying without a permit.

Lalo laughs, warm, at Martin's admission to not being athletic. ]

Hey, hey. Don't talk about yourself like that. You shouldn't be sorry for being who you are. I'm sure there's a lot you can do to help us out.

[ Besides, he's athletic enough for everyone here, Lalo is pretty sure! ]

[Martin has his doubts, but he keeps them to himself. He forces a fluttery, nervous laugh in return.]

S-sure! I'll do my best. Over and out.

Over and out!

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