open and closed and clopen

[newphew]

WHO: hunter and other people
WHAT: mom says it's my turn to make a catchall
WHERE: everywhere all at once
WHEN: what if i use this for the whole ass year
WARNINGS: bad jokes

Comments

[cosmarchy]

[ Unluckily for Hunter, Jinwoo has been observing his reactions all this time, so when he sees the way he's looking at the shark, he picks it up from the shelf. ]

Did you want this?

[ There's a man looking their way, eyes narrowed as if upset Jinwoo took the last shark. Too bad for him, but Jinwoo got it first, so by the unspoken rules of life, this is his now. Unless Hunter wants nothing to do with it. ]

Or should I give it to that guy?

[ He knows this isn't part of the mission, but still. ]

[newphew]

[ jinwoo is indeed wise to hunter's shenanigans. the tips of his ears get red, but he clears his throat ]

No, of course not. He can have it.

[ his body language does show a little bit of regret, but he's going to keep up this pretense. after all, he is a soldier!! soldiers don't need toys!! ]

Let's continue with the mission.

[cosmarchy]

Something tells me that's not what you really want to happen. You sure?

[ Before they continue on with the mission, that is. Does Hunter really want to give this shark away? Jinwoo is dangling it in front of him. ]

[newphew]

[ a very long moment passes, and then, finally, almost too quiet for jinwoo to hear: ]

I want it.

[ he finally relented and admitted it.... ]

[cosmarchy]

[ It would be easy to miss, but Jinwoo was waiting for it. ]

Alright. Let's go get it, then.

[ Now the toy is tucked under his arm while he surveys the rest of the place. Maybe there are other clues that might point them towards what they're looking for, but at least Hunter will get to have a souvenir later on. ]

I don't know if there's anything here. We should try another store.

[ Time to go pay for the shark. ]

[newphew]

[ jinwoo is so patient with hunter's tsun ass ]

[ it's true, hunter now has a new souvenir from this important mission. whatever the reason for the popularity of these bizarre toys, they seem to be popular of their own merit. which, for once, hunter actually understands, because that's the kind of toy horrors that exist in the boiling isles. ]

... Thanks.

[ also mumbled, as he is embarrassed. but as they head to the counter to pay, hunter nods ]

I know of another one on this block. They're competitors, so there might be something there.

[cosmarchy]

[ Once the toy is paid for, Jinwoo deposits it in Hunter's arms before ruffling his hair. Sorry, he can't help it. ]

You might be onto something. If this store is doing well by its own merit, then I wouldn't be surprised if their competitors resorted to tricks so that they can keep up.

[ He gestures for Hunter to lead the way, following after him soon enough. They're on the lookout for any shoppers acting suspiciously, eager to spend all their money on the next nonsensical thing. ]

Are the downtime missions usually like this, by the way? Low stakes and all.

[ At least, he assumes this one is pretty low stakes. ]