anemoi | 001; action

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001; action

[It's been a couple of days since the absence of a certain warrior. At this point, Saleh's convinced the boy in question wandered off into oblivion or, somehow, went back to that forsaken world of his. Not that Saleh cares -- there's only the tiniest bit of regret that he didn't get his fill of entertainment.

In the halls of the Ermis Suites, Saleh laughs. Perhaps he should've beheaded him, after all.]

I never got to see what would become of you. It's a shame, Lawfer . . . All that awaits you is sure demise. But that's not such a bad thing, now, is it?

[Later, Saleh can be found at the tailor's, where the woman behind the counter argues with him in a futile attempt at keeping him there for a little extra profit. The loose threads at the end should be mended, she insists, but he's not interested. He'd just wanted that tear on the right side gone. He snatches the fixed cape from her grasp.]

That's enough, my dear. I didn't pay you to talk. Or is that too difficult for you to understand?

[With that, he leaves the workshop and fastens the collar of the cape around his neck. Much better.]

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[ Window-shopping isn't all that bad of a thing here and probably more common than most care to admit. Outside of the shop is where she'll run into him.

Literally. ]

H-hey! Watch where you're going!

[ Oh.

The bump doesn't jar him much. Nonchalantly, Saleh brushes his fringe to the side. ]

I am. You simply happened to be in the way.

[Yuri was at the tailor's not because he needs anything tailored, as he can tailor his own suits, but he was asking for advice and discussing various types of fabric. Talking shop, as it were. He can't help but overhear the conversation, and as he was about to leave anyway, he turns away from the counter and heads toward the door at about the same time as Saleh.]

The employees are far more likely to provide extra assistance without charge if you treat them respectfully.

[Saleh continues out the door before he responds with a slight smile. Respectfully? He could laugh at that.]

Then there's nothing to change when I'm not interested in that extra assistance.

If you don't want your garment to be finished, that's your affair, of course. [He shrugs; he's not personally concerned.] The young woman was only trying to be helpful.

Toward herself. She was looking to make more profit, and I haven't even half a mind to indulge her at this time.

Perhaps, but repeat business is any store's ultimate goal. They're willing to do such small things without charge for good customers. I've found them to be amenable here, even in dealing with those who aren't paying.

Wha-?

[ If his goal was to piss off this tsundere, then he can consider it completed. ]

I wasn't in the way! I was here first!

[ Aww, yeah. ]

Yes, and that'd make you the obstacle, wouldn't it?

We are employees of the government, after all.

Well, that's awfully convenient for those who like to use socializing as a tool.

I don't see how the government is relevant in this instance.

Is it? That's as may be. [Not that Yuri would ever do anything like that.] I tailor my own clothes, but they're quite willing to be of service to me.

[He lets out a short airy laugh. From his perspective, it's every bit relevant. But perhaps it's a jaded and biased opinion.]

Fellow tailors, hm? What good friends you must be.

[Yuri continues to smile, pleasantly enough.] Not at all. Where tailoring is concerned, I'm a hobbyist, and we're merely acquaintances.

I am a lawyer.

Oh? That's an interesting choice of hobby for a lawyer. Not that I don't see the appeal behind it.

[Fashionable clothes are always nice.]

That's as may be, but I currently can't remember the reason I took it up, only the hobby itself. [He has a memory of a woman's hands, pushing fabric through the sewing machine as it hums, but it's out of context. He doesn't know whose hands, or when.]

I'm particular about my clothing, so it is a useful skill to have, and I find it relaxing.

No, it'd make you the idiot who's unable to see over their ego!

And what does pointing that out do for you, I wonder?

What a shame. Not even a mild case of déjà vu as to why?

[Though that's a question he can answer for himself.]

Well, given the nature of our stay, it's no surprise.

No, not yet. I'm not concerned. I trust it will return to me, by and by. [He nods.] Impatience will do us no good, and as you say, it's hardly a surprise.

Fortunately, the skill is not affected by my memory of its origins, as I remember being a lawyer, but not becoming one.

[He moves away from the door and takes a few steps down the sidewalk, then turns back around to face Yuri.]

But have you remembered why you became one?

Yes, I have. I believe in justice.

Justice? [There's laughter in his words. Do elaborate.] What justice?

That depends on the situation, doesn't it? The law is no simple matter. [He pauses, sure that there is something quite specific which he doesn't remember.] Criminals should be punished for their crimes, and the innocent protected.

And the law is but a set of rules that can be bent all too easily. In your eyes, what makes the innocent, innocent?

As I said, it depends on the situation. The law is not perfect, as no human institution is, but it is what we have to work with.

Perhaps they are not innocent in the sense of being what we would think of as "good" people, but those who commit violent crimes should be stopped from harming others.

Yes, yes . . . in which case, you have your work cut out for you. There are enough hero types in this city.

Yes. [He actually doesn't believe Kotetsu seems all that competent. He's giving him the benefit of the doubt for now, and he doesn't know enough about the others, but he is dubious.] So it would seem. I'm more concerned with the law as it currently operates than "heroes", but they must be taken into account.

I'll do what I can to protect them.

Protect . . . ?

[That's rich.]

Interesting, isn't it? That a "hero" should ideally be able to subdue the criminals, yet he himself cannot act with impunity should something go wrong.

But do try your best. I look forward to it.

Yes, I don't approve of amnesiac amateurs jumping in to dispense vigilante justice. They should obviously be regulated and organized. [Though it's about as easy as herding cats.] I am not worried only about their well-being, but also the safety of the citizenry. [He's a bit annoyed about it, but as he's self-appointing himself liaison between the city government and these people, he has no choice but to deal with it.]

I'll do what has to be done.

Vigilantes are little more than idealists. Regulating and organizing them will be difficult. [So have fun dealing with that, Yuri. On his end, Saleh finds Kotetsu, at the very least, amusing enough to observe floundering.

As for that last segment . . . now that's what he likes to hear.]

[Yuri is fond of Kotetsu in his way, as he clearly means well; the man is simply too rash and irresponsible. He wishes more people would follow his sensible advice, as Keith does.] I don't fault them for their idealism, merely their unwise expression thereof.

It doubtlessly will not be easy, but I will make the attempt. [He does enjoy organizing, and he likes having a project to occupy his time, but one wouldn't guess that from his tone.] If they do violate the law, I will have no choice but to see that they are prosecuted, like any other criminal.

It makes me not an idiot!

But it makes you foolish for attempting to reason with someone whom you deem can't "see" properly.

And what fun that'll be to witness!

[A hero turned criminal? Yuri doesn't seem like a pushover in his profession, which makes it all the better.]

I'll be sure to follow your progress, dear lawyer . . .

You're right. Get out of my way then.

Not the polite sort, are you?

You haven't done anything to earn my manners.

I wasn't demanding them. In fact, it's more entertaining this way, don't you think?

[Yuri doesn't particularly like this man. He feels civility is important. Yet because of that, he remains civil himself, so he replies quite politely, if matter-of-factly.]

My name is Yuri Petrov, and the law is not a spectacle.

Saleh.

[Of something, he knows there's that much. Shame he hasn't recalled it yet.]

But isn't it? It's a wonder, the kind of kick you get out of watching others face so-called justice.

[He nods acknowledgment.

As Lunatic, he would point out that justice and the law are quite different, and he does have a certain love of spectacle, but he is only Yuri now.]

Not at all. I carry out my duty in the courtroom impartially. I am a prosecutor, a public servant. I don't act for my own personal satisfaction.

You don't? That's what they typically say.

[People are just that selfish.]

Though I don't blame them for it. And you might just be different.

[Not even Lunatic is selfish; he's sacrificed everything to protect the weak from the wicked, and in Yuri, too, there is something of that cold, distant love of justice, divorced from himself.]

I take pride in my work, and in doing it well, but it is not a game, not a matter of my own selfish pleasure.

Pride, you say . . .

[But is it fun? However, he doesn't word it this way. This man doesn't quite seem like the type to use that word carelessly.]

Is it enjoyable?

[Yuri isn't sure why something about this conversation strikes him as odd. He's not particularly taken with Saleh, but that isn't it. It's frustrating that there are memories that return in pieces so small, there's nothing to them, just the most vague of feelings. There's something he doesn't understand, but he answers in accord with his feeling.]

It is not. It is necessary.

[Necessary? Now, how many people answer that way? And how many do things they like over things that are necessary? Fascinating, fascinating. For now, anyway.]

That's how it is, then. It's all quite interesting, really.

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