BERTOLT

[bloodread]

Comments

[perspire]

[ it certainly was something.

bertolt normally has a lot of nervous energy, but there's more than usual because of what just happened. he's spent some time wandering around the city following the trial trying to calm himself down before he makes it back to the hotel. it's by luck that he enters the lobby around the same time as akira. ]

Oh, Kijima. Are you heading out somewhere?

[bloodread]

[ Oh, it's Bertolt. He's really not up for much company but this is different. He stops with a nod. ]

Somewhere I can punch things. Interested?

[perspire]

... Actually, yeah. I am.

[ a beat ] Do you mind waiting a moment so I can change?

[bloodread]

I'll be outside. [ And he actually will be, leaning up against the facade of the building, staring up at the sky. ]

[perspire]

[ it's quick, probably because as a soldier he can change quickly but when he comes outside, he's changed from his normal sweater over a long sleeve shirt to his military uniform ]

Hey, I'm ready.

[bloodread]

Let's hit it. The beach OK with you? [ More space, hopefully less people. ]

[perspire]

Yeah, the beach is fine with me. [ BEACH EPISODE TIME ]

[bloodread]

[ To the beach they go! On the walk there: ]

I'd ask what you thought of that whole shitshow, but I think that's the only way to describe it. You were ready to tackle that asshole at the end, weren't you?

[perspire]

[ he pauses but nods ]

Yeah, just in case it was needed. But I'm glad they had it covered.

[bloodread]

I don't think anyone liked that guy, so he had no chance. Wonder if they're just gonna throw him in jail and leave him to rot.

[perspire]

--Would that be fair? He did cruelly kill Marius.

But I don't know if everyone here would want anything else to happen.

[bloodread]

I think so, but who knows what the old geezer or everyone else thinks. [ He means van Zieks. ]

Just killing him is an option too.

[perspire]

[ nods ]

Isn't that how it usually goes? You kill someone and get caught, you get executed?

[bloodread]

Not if you're a believer in the "justice" system. Where are you from, anyway?

[ His tone conveys that he has little faith in the police, perhaps for many reasons. ]

[perspire]

Probably someplace very different from what you're used to.

[bloodread]

Another one of those Africa places, huh. [ Don't ask. ]

Where I'm from there's a whole court system but in the end some old guy decides what kinda punishment you get.

[perspire]

Probably something a lot more distant than... Africa? [ what is africa? ]

But we have courts too, and with how limited resources are, our punishments can be a lot tougher.

[bloodread]

[ Africa is pretty damn far for someone like him who's never been out of Japan, but he's learned his lesson in trying to figure out geography here. ]

So you execute people cause it's easier than keeping them locked up?

[perspire]

--Only those who are really a danger. We wouldn't kill a thief. [ PROBABLY ]

[bloodread]

I think some cops would do that if they could get away with it.

[perspire]

Oh, I think so too.

[bloodread]

[ Akira just shakes his head, smh cops. They're probably at the beach now, so he scopes out a good spot where the sand isn't too packed. ]

You spar with any rules?

[perspire]

Just first one to get knocked down, usually.

[ a beat ] I'm fine with whatever you want.

[bloodread]

Fine by me. Don't hold back.

[ timeskip to after sparring since fight threads are hard? ok with whoever winning or a draw! ]

[perspire]

[ dice roll says akira wins! ]

[ but he's panting as he's lying on the ground, but there's a slight smile to his face ]