circle7 | aujima tieeeem

[Dojima's breath is still catching up to him as he listens to the 'dying' words of that Ameno-whatsitsface. The voice is deep, and distorted, but somehow the words still ring clear. It's almost amazing, too, to see how determined his nephew and his friends are to keep justice and peace - it brings a tired smile to the man's face, despite the hardships they've all faced up to this point. The strength of heart truly is something.

It's not quite over yet, though. Eventually, after the speech, Ameno-sagiri fades away, and leaves his partner in his wake. The team looks at Dojima, Adachi, then back at each other.

"You think... it was controlling Adachi-san?"

It's hard to say if Dojima's listening; he's already walking over to where Adachi is lying on the ground, brushing past the scraps of police tape, avoiding the cracks in the cement.

"Who can say...? I believe it was at least partially his own intention as well."

Dojima stops at Adachi's feet, looking down at the other man. His partner is looking elsewhere, inhales and exhales looking almost painful to keep up. If it is painful, well, Dojima can't say he doesn't deserve it.

The team stays behind just a ways off; still within hearing range. (They're still curious teenagers, and they've been chasing Adachi in circles all this time themselves, after all.) The air is suddenly heavier, though, even if Dojima himself has seemed to lighten up. The events haven't been given much time to sink in just yet, and well, there's relief in just knowing it's over. Their killer is caught. It doesn't change the fact that it's his partner, in the end, but he's had more time to let that fact sink in. He already gave him what he had coming, and now it's time for him to pay his dues for what he's done.]

...Adachi.

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[But before Dojima can fly off the handle again, Adachi takes something out of his pocket - a white envelope, unwrinkled but slightly bent from his carrying it around. He slides it across the table, fingers at the farthest edge.]

I need you to give this to someone.

[Adachi knows his temper all too well, sometimes. His mouth opens to snap at him again, before he notices him reach for something, pausing. He straightens when he sees the envelope, but doesn't make a move to take it just yet (despite noticing what he thinks is Souji's name on the front). Just because he's diffused him for the moment doesn't mean he's convinced he should do anything for Adachi.]

Just what makes you think I'll do that? Did you think I'd just agree after all you said?

[He doesn't let go of the envelope quite yet for exactly this reason, and begins sliding it back towards him instead.]

Well, I could just drop it in the mail, and it'd get to him eventually, too. Just thought you'd like to see my pretty mug again too.

[A hand falls over the letter, though, stopping him from moving it any further.]

If you could do that, you wouldn't have called me here.

What's in it that's so important you'd ask for me to hand deliver it? Maybe I'll consider if you give me an honest answer.

[A touch of a smirk creeps into the line of Adachi's mouth as soon as Dojima's hand falls. Seems like he was waiting for just that.]

Well, there's some stuff in there I'd rather not have the guys around here checking out, you know? I mean, as soon as they start seeing talk about other worlds and televisions, they might put me up to a shrink in addition to all the other crap I have to deal with around here, you know?

[Adachi slants a look up at Dojima's face.]

I just thought it might be better to hand it off to someone who'd understand.

[Dojima frowns, more at the tone of voice than anything. It sounds almost insincere, and he's almost ready to refuse. But he confirms the 'Souji Seta' written (more like scribbled) on front, and this time slides the letter his way.]

Might as well take it. He's leaving in two days; no way it'd reach him.

[He sounds more resigned about it, now. But Adachi must know that he plans to read it, anyway; he seems to be infamous for that.]

Two days?

[Adachi's eyes lower, letting go of the letter before sliding his hands in his pockets - a nervous gesture that's new to him (something he must've picked up in jail). He mumbles something under his breath, something like, Guess there's not much time.]

[It's an odd gesture indeed, catching Dojima's attention. He raises an eyebrow, turning the letter over in his fingers.]

What?

It isn't a lot of time.

[He nods at the letter again.]

You should hurry.

[For a moment, Dojima just stares down at him. Something's strange about that urgency. He supposes he'll find out soon enough, pocketing the letter with a sigh, looking slightly irritated (yet much, much less so than earlier).]

...Alright.

[Dojima stands up, shaking his head, convincing himself he's doing this for Souji and not Adachi. It could be important, after all.]

I'll make sure it gets to him.

[Not quite a smile, because he doesn't really smile all that often when it's not a smirk nowadays, but a little tension drops away from his shoulders, barely noticeable. He exhales, almost like he had been holding it.]

Good. ...It's good that you came.

[Not quite a 'thank you' either.]

[He's not quite sure what to even make of that much, but thanking him might've been just as awkward. Dojima just gives something of a half-shrug.]

...Mm.

[Making his way across the room, he stops, fingers paused on the door handle.]

Take care of yourself.

[Adachi doesn't respond to that, merely making a sound of amusement as the officer comes back in to re-cuff him and take him away. He goes without resistance, moving in cooperation, even, like he's learned that resisting is useless, or not worth the effort.]

[Once to his car, Dojima settles in the driver's seat, just staring at the letter once he digs it from his pocket. He hesitates a moment, wondering if he should; but it's not like he owes Adachi for anything. In fact, this is a favor for him. (That convincing doesn't really work, but curiosity overrules it anyway.) Didn't he say it had to do with the TV world, also?

Sighing to himself, he grabs a pen from his dashboard, running it along the opening. (He can just give Souji the contents, if anything.) He pulls the pages out, straightening the creases along the paper before reading.]

[The first line is: "Figured you couldn't resist, Dojima-san."

What follows after is nothing as sentimental as asking for forgiveness, or even as petty as asking for help. His pride's too strong, and his apathy too great. Surprisingly, it's not a taunt, either (maybe he's had enough of games, or maybe starting ones that are impossible to win are just getting boring, ironic as that is). Unfortunately, it's no explanation, and Adachi was still largely a blank, even if a particularly volatile one.

It is, however, food for thought. Since Dojima was 'initiated' rather late, a good portion of it doesn't make sense to him, but it goes on anyway, rambling about a hand, a headache, a beginning to this mess. Think about it, it says, underlined so that it seems more like a command than a suggestion, even if he's in no position to be making demands. At the end, there's a reminder for Dojima to be sure to tell Souji this, as it'd probably be more useful that way. There is no signature and no closing pleasantries. It's obvious from the tone that he doesn't expect a reply.]

[Augh. Caught.

But he reads it through, anyway. Some of it does go over his head, despite that it's vague to begin with, except the message to Souji. (Even though, in a way, it's written for Dojima himself.) So basically, this started somewhere, and it's not the end of the TV world, huh? Adachi always knew much more than he let on.

Dojima might not be cut out for it anymore, but if anything, he knows Souji and his friends can pull through. (Did Adachi figure that, too?) He folds the pages back up, carefully sliding them into the torn envelope. Dojima won't be writing him back, but in the back of his mind, he knows he'll probably see him again. Just to tell him how it went; that's all.

Starting up the car engine, Dojima shifts out of park. At least he's following through on a promise, for once, ironic as it is who it's for.]

Edited 2009-11-08 07:18 (UTC)

aujima tieeeem

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