Coincidental Guilt (OPEN RP)

[Rip]

EDIT: The setting in this rp has changed. The two characters are now in a bar. If you want to join, feel free.

Rules:
1. this is basicly a normal person rp. Your character can be a werewolf/vampire, but I'd prefer they didn't spontanously change.
----

The business at the prescient had been annoying and stupid... or well, to the officers it had been annoying, to the kid it had been stupid. Then again, most of his arrests involved stupid situations. He wasn't sure how Lee had done it, but she convinced them all that he was a troubled youth who needed guidance more then punishment (the biggest load of bull he ever heard, but damn if he didn't break a rib trying not to laugh), and his penalty had been reduced to a year of community service and (forced) counseling. The counseling sessions were going to be fun, he'd make sure of that.

As for the EMT visit Agent Jesus had shoved in his face- he didn't want to talk about it. Health care was not Paletown's 'favorite things' category.

Currently though, the kid was feeling awful guilty about a very small offense. Normally, he wouldn't give half a rat's ass about something so simple, so common, but as it were he happened to like the guy he ripped off so... well, the only way to fix this offense was to do a much greater offense. One which he wouldn't feel any shame in whatsoever. This one wasn't a crime moreso a... form of flattery. Afterall, it took alot to get this skinny ass white boy to break into someones house because he felt guilty.

The blonde boy was a tad more cleaned up then he was a few days ago- he had taken a shower, was forced into newly bought closed by a friend, and was sporting a few bandages on his face and arms (and elsewhere hidden, probably), but he still carried the same expressions and the same unpredictable actions. He still had those nimble fingers, and getting into the apartment hadn't been hard. Last time, he had proven himself to be quite fearless with heights, and it helped sneaking in through the window. Inside, he found it dark, so he just waited for his eyes to adjust and asserted himself to a chair and waited- the wallet of Agent Jesus being tossed up and down causally in his hand.

[Obelisk]

That had been embarrassing. John hadn't even realized he didn't have his wallet until the last minute, when he was ready to pay at the register. Thank god it'd been one of those corner "mom and pop" stores and the owner had thankfully known John well. The old man let the agent go with the promise he'd pay him back. John was good for it. He was no thief-- unlike some.

He opened the door to his apartment, sighing as he flicked on the light switch. He was getting so scatterbrained lately, and it was enough to make him worry. Maybe he should go in for a checkup or buy some of those ginkgo memory pills or fish oil (mom said it worked). John couldn't for the life of him recall where he had left his wallet and started to fall into that "I'm getting so damned old" slump of his.

The light flickered on, illuminating the room and revealing a figure that should not have been there. John lived alone. He was divorced. Jack was dead. His heart skipped a beat and he dropped the bag of groceries to the floor. John's hands flew to his side out of sheer instinct, ready to unholster his gun. Nothing was there. He was in civilian clothing. Right.

It was then his mind caught up and he realized who he was staring at. Crazy-but-not, I'm a bomber-but-not, Paletown. What.The.Fuck.

John, he can't hear your thoughts.

Right.

"What the fuck?"

That said it all. John stood in his doorway, door ajar and completely oblivious to the fact milk was leaking all over his wooden floors.

[Rip]

"Hi. I stole your wallet." He crossed his legs, boucing a foot (this time sporting sneakers) on his knee, and tossed the wallet once, just to make sure Agent Jesus saw it. "But I felt bad," continued the kid. "So I broke into ya house to give it back." Pale spoke quite causually- showing that this felony was perfectly acceptable via the cercomstances as any alternitives to 'breaking and entering' wouldn't have been as much fun. Granted, they would have been legal, but when had he ever cared about being a delinquient? Exactly; never.

"You really need a dog or something, man. Or at least a really mean cat. What if I was a terrorist who wanted revenge on ya ass or something? You'd be pretty damn screwed. I was gunna get ya a puppy, but I'm broke, n the ones running around on the street are a lil' too badass for ya." He switched legs. "Yo name's John- that's funny. You looked more a like a Jesús ta me."

[Obelisk]

John was left staring at Pale as if he'd just sprouted an extra head, appalled by the man's nonchalant attitude towards, well, towards everything/ It was as if the kid hadn't realized he'd just broke into a person's house -- a SWAT agent's no less. He definitely had a few screws loose. John was torn between yelling like a madman or wrapping his hands around Pale's neck to give him a good shake. Maybe that'd knock some sense into.

He settled for stomping (angry footfalls) towards Pale and snatching his wallet from the guy, leaning down to stare the kid directly in the eye, all glare and flashing annoyance.
" You. Are. Insane." He annunciated slowly, just so he was certain he got the point across. The tall and older man stepped back and placed his hands on his hips, pacing around while turning his head to look at Pale again and again.

" Do you REALIZE that you've just broken the LAW? Ever hear about 'breaking and entering,' or 'theft'?! I could have you arrested. HELL I could arrest you." He was all worked up now, in his full out "angry father" lecture mode. " And what if you stole from the wrong GUY? Someone who'd frickin' KILL you if they had the chance?! Are you even CAPABLE of thinking things through?"

The man finally came to a halt, arms now crossed against his chest as he stared down at Pale with the most disapproving look he could muster.

[Rip]

Paletown expected as much, so he resumed the 'student in trouble' position, which included a sloutched posture half way down the chair, arms which dangled over the sides, legs that refused to hold the body up, and limp hands. His eyes rolled this way and back as John lectured, only half paying attention if that (it sounded morel ike BLAHBLAHBLABHALBHAB) however, he did happen to catch the 'YOU KNOW YOU BROEK A LAW' part, so he held up one finger and recited:

"Sec. 15-31. Breaking and entering.

Any person who unlawfully, willfully, maliciously and forcibly breaks and enters, or unlawfully, willfully and maliciously, without force through open doors or windows, enters into any dwelling, office, shop, storehouse, warehouse, factory or other business establishment, garage, trailer, motor vehicle, watercraft or any other building within the city, without the implied or express consent of the owner thereof, shall be guilty of the offense of breaking and entering."

After that though, he said nothing else and just let angry Jesus Agent continue to rant and rave until he was done. Once he was, the kid slipped his hand into his own pocket. "You know Jesús, you seem awful stressed man." Pulling out a pack of Camels, he continued with a, "Cig?"

[Obelisk]

That ultimate of "I'm so very disappointed in you" expression turned into an utter look of surprise. John was flummoxed. All he could do was stare for long-drawn out moments, mouth slightly parted and strong brows furrowed in his indignation. This kid was just too fucking much. He seemed to get his shits and giggles from getting a rise out of other people, even when he knew the consequences.

He thought about breaking into another tirade of words but was smart enough to realize that they would do no good. Nothing could get through to Pale, nothing John had to say, at least. The man summoned all the patience and willpower he could and squeezed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, willing away what he knew was fast becoming a headache.

Alright... he wouldn't kill the kid. He could imagine it, sure, but to actually commit a murder? He was a SWAT agent for Chrissakes, that'd look pretty damned bad on his record. Not to mention he'd be thrown into jail and who knew what past "acquaintances" he'd meet in there.

" I should have your ass thrown in jail," The man muttered darkly, dropping his hand from his face and slipping his wallet into his back pocket. " But I don't think that'd do you any good." The stern look was back and his lips formed a thin line -- a habit of his when he was mulling something over.

" And did you ever consider why I'm stressed? Could it -possibly- be that a smart-ass kid just broke into my apartment to return the wallet he STOLE from me?" Sarcasm rang clear in his voice, but the effect was almost lost when he sighed.

" I won't arrest you -- but you'll make this up to me. Somehow." He looked down at the groceries then back at Pale. " You can start by picking those up and cleaning up that mess. And for god's sake. Put those things away. They'll kill you."

[Rip]

Honst to God, Pale did look histericlly pleased with himself; his face showed nothing but pure amusement as he crossed his legs, straightning up and waitied to see what John would say. Despite obvious actions and impressions, he was an amazingly intelegent kid and this was, indeed, how he got his kicks. Well, some of them. Unfortinatly, John probably didn't realize that Pale's return of the wallet meant that he liked the guy (if John would like that fact is probably up for debate), but it was, in a strange twisted way, flattery. Regaurdless, it looked like he was pushing this unpushible guy and it was really, really fucking funny.

"Why ya so clumbsy, huh? Goddamn, for a SWAT guy you got really suck ass reflexes. Should chucked that bag at me." He said, standing up and gently taking one of the ciggertes between his teeth. "I'll pick it up though. And you won't throw me in jail. I'd get charged for murder within a few days o' being there, you know that." He paused, giving a slightly more dangerous look, not nessisarily at John even though thats who he was looking at. "Don't gotta drop no fucking soap for those bastards to turn pedo." Then it was gone and he was back to his normal self, grinning, swooping up the bag. "I dun smoke." he continued. "You smoke you croak. I just hold em in my teeth. Ya gotta get me a towl, robo cop, 'less you wanna have me go snoopin' til I find some."

[Obelisk]

He was not used dealing with situations like this and when he didn't know how to react, John was pretty much a spazz. He'd yell, gesture wildly with his arms then fall deathly silent, consumed by his thoughts. Right now, after having yelled, John was in his quiet phase. The man started to worry about shit that probably would sound ridiculous to Paletown. Now that Paletown knew where he lived, who was to say the kid hadn't spread his address around and made it common knowledge? John could wake up and find a pack of hobos lounging in his living room. Hell, he could come home to find fucking ninjas running amok. It wasn't like the guy knew what kind of people Paletown associated with.

Hobo ninjas. Totally could happen. Or not.

John was sobered instantly by the sudden and drastic change in Pale's demeanor. His brows knit together and he watched the other closely. In an instant the kid was back to his cheeky self and that left the agent wondering. Just what kind of shit had this guy gone through? Enough to make him a little off kilter, apparently.

He chose not to speak on the matter. Pale had shifted subjects immediately so John would follow suit.

"Well that's a complete and utter waste of money." He said, referring to the boy's cigarette habit. "Stay here and. Dont'.Touch.Anything." With that John vanished into his bathroom, reappearing with a towel in hand. He chucked it at Pale, grinning a bit lopsidedly then went to kneel before the mess of groceries. He would've made Pale put them away but it was quicker with two, and John was hungry.

On cue his stomach growled, causing the man to give a breathy chuckle.

"Well, since you're here... are you hungry, -Joshua-?" The man grinned widely. He'd caught the guy's full name when he'd glanced over the kid's record.

[Rip]

The kid was facinated by the confusion and uncertaintly he was causing, like some little boy might watch a magician or puppet show. John, as a whole, was a predictible person and who's daily pattern was not hard to memorize at all, especially not for someone of Paletown's calibar. Sure, he acted like a complete whackjob, but only complete idiots said the kid was entirely stupid. As it were, Paletown was enjoying himself. It had been a longgggggggggg walk over here, but so far it was SO worth the extra effort. He could probably get Robo Cop to give him a lift to Lee's house too, long as he played on how tired he was...

In truth, Pale was good with secrets, and the location of one's home just happened to be a secret. He didn't tell people were friends lived; he hardly told where enemies lived. It was just one of those things you don't parade around screaming. Plus, he liked SWAT man so he had no intention of giving the adress to wouldbe harm doers. Now, things like giving the adress to birthday clowns and the local exorsism community... that was completely different. He was already planning to give him a little present for being such a good sport but-


Well, since you're here... are you hungry

"HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLS YEAH AGENT JESU-"

Joshua

.....

Joshua

......................................

Joshua

All of a sudden, Paletown went completely silent, completely still. He stared at John as if he had a bomb strapped to his chest. As if he had just exploded into flames. As if he just proclaimed himself as Satan. And then... after a very long 4, silent seconds.... the milk in his hand went flying at the guys head.

"DON'T FUCKING CALL ME THAT YOU SON OF A FUCKING CUNT DOUCHING CRACKER WEDGING WHOOOOOOOOOOREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"

Well, the entire apartment complex now knew John had a visitor.

[Obelisk]

He'd expected the kid to be indignant but furious? John, despite his SWAT training, had no time to react (he couldn't anyway, his brain just kind of fizzled). He blinked. He blinked again, this time to get the milk out of his eyes. He was wearing his goddamned milk. Did the guy have ANY idea how GODDAMN expensive milk was these days? Granted, most of it had spilled all over the floor prior to the tirade. But if Pale was going to be mad, so was John. Even if it was just over spilt milk.

The man drew in a deep breath, brown eyes gleaming and opened his mouth, ready to let loose on the boy --

" I'm sorry."

Well that certainly came out wrong. The better angels of John's nature must've been working overtime that day. The older man, and god was he ever feeling old that night, took the towel and wiped his face off, sighing into the fabric. In his younger years he'd probably would've throttled Pale. Now all he wanted was to get the mess cleaned up, eat then sleep for the next week. Month. Year.

" Most people don't react that badly to their given name. What should I call you then -- to save myself from further milk cartons in the face? And, ow, my ears." His voice was subdued and hell, he didn't even sound angry in the least. He must've petered out with the first yellings/lecture he gave Pale earlier. His rage capacity had shrunk. He hated getting old.

It was a poor attempt at lightening the mood but, lord, was he ever tired. His eyes flicked to the clock. 8pm. Two hours to his regular bedtime.

[Rip]

Oh no, John had hurt Paletown's feelings and now he was stalking, slowly picking up the items on the ground and whiping his eyes vigerously with the free hand. He sniffed once or twice, looking pissed about it, and just went back to quitely cleaning up. Was he honist to God crying? Who really knew? He was Paletown afterall and his antics were never as expected. They might have been crocodile tears, or they might be real. It didn't really matter since he was generally angry, and was actually doing what John had originally asked him too. While using that first name had shamed and inferiated him to a level not even HE could quite understand, it also threw him into a more calm, sullen state that controdicted the firey, sarcastic, random kid he was two minutes ago. This being a good thing or not is entirely up for debate.

"Don't call me that again, or I swear to god I'll make you cry like a little girl." He grummbled under his breath, and the threat might have been pretty valid. Who exactly knew how much of John's file he had read? How he got it... that was different and no one was really brave enough to ask.

"My name's Paletown. Pale. Town. Not J.... Not J.............. it's Paletown, ok. You don't need to call me anything else. I won't call you Robo Cop or Jesus or make you cry like a pansy long as you call me Paletown, ok? Agreed? And by the way, you hurt my feelings. Bad. Seriously man, that's totally not cool." He threw an angry glare over his shoulder. "And yes. I'm hungry."

[Obelisk]

He hated seeing young people cry. He hated it even more when he was the reason that they cried. Pale's tears, real or not, made John wither a little inside and made him believe that he was currently the biggest jackass on God's green earth. That's why he'd never been the disciplinarian when he was married. His wife had always been the "strict" parent. John gave in (eventually) every time Jack cried or gave the slightest lip wibble. He was pathetic, but he -had- been the favorite, even though he was away on the job a lot.

John chose wisely to ignore the teen's threats. He wouldn't react, not now. He was trying to smooth things over so getting angry again wouldn't be the smart thing to do. The middle-aged man cleared his throat and stifled the urge to sigh.

"Yeah. Alright. Deal." His eyes flicked to Pale's and this time he did sigh. " And I said I was sorry." Two apologies in one night, John was on a roll. Hungry? Right, the man had nearly forgotten that he needed to eat.

He sifted through the groceries on the ground and picked up two items, holding them up for Pale's inspection.

"Pizza or a T.V dinner? Your choice." They were cheap, they were easy to make, and they were relatively edible. Plus... John couldn't cook worth shit. Last time he set off the damned fire alarm. That'd been embarrassing.

[Rip]

Food made everything better, it was a proven fact, and thus, it made this situation much, much easier to deal with. Infact, the kid decided to completely forgive him for calling him...the J word as soon as he mentioned 'pizza', and the grinning Paletown returned to normal. He finished scooping things up that were dropped and put them in the kitchen (which wasn't hard to find). However, the mention of a 'frozen' pizza turned him off, and he scrunched his nose. "You need to live a little, ya know? C'mon man, it's 8 o'clock 'n there's better out there in life then these damn dinnas." The kid shouted from the kitchen, looking over Robot Cop's choice in food with disgust.

When he came back into the livingroom, he hand his hands behind his back innocently. "Lets go get food. I have cash, bucko- n' itta be betta then the shit you got stocked up on that table in there, ya know? C'mon man. Ya carry a gun around 'n shoot terrorists, then go home n' eat some damn Hungry Man Meals?"

[Obelisk]

John had put the groceries in their rightful places as Pale piled them into the kitchen. Agent Jesus had a mild case of obsessive compulsive disorder. Everything had its own special place to belong. It was practical, after all, to put things back in the same place time and again to make them easier to find later on.

Going out didn't sound like the best idea. He had a sneaking suspicion that Pale was going to keep him out far passed his bedtime.

Wait. Bedtime?

That's right... he had one.

Only little babies and old fogies had bedtimes. John was filled with a sudden surge of energy. He threw on a jacket and got his keys, checking his pocket to make sure his wallet was still there. Oh he was going to be a REBEL tonight. He was going to stay out as long as he wanted. He wasn't old. He was still young. He wasn't in the throws of a midlife crisis. Oh no. Not at all.

" Alright. Yeah, why the hell not? The night's still young. We'll go out and get us some real food. I'll pay and you pick the establishment. God knows the only place I know of is the doughnut shop near my precinct." John shot him a warning look. "Yeah, I know it's cliche but whatever. Save your jokes. I've heard em' all."

With that he was out the door and on his way towards his old Ford truck. It was old. It was ugly. But it ran. Besides having a rundown vehicle saved him from burglars, or so went John's logic.

[Rip]

Pale hadn't exected such a reaction. Infact, he had a whole plan in his head about picking at John's age, which would cause him to eventually agree to this very not-smart plan to climb into a car with a well known delinquent and impulsive head case... but Jesus had declined the need for such a plot. Hell, the guy was going with the initional idea! What in the world... Paletown decided that the life of John Gallagher was indeed as stale as a three year old corn chip. However, the timing of the agent's age crisis was not the best, as he was in the presence of a well known delinquent and impulsive head case.

Regaurdless, Paletown had no concious in doing what he was planning to do. Fun was fun, right? Right.

"Alright, good-" But the swat man had beaten him out the door. Ooohhhh boy, it was going to be an interesting night. The kid just shrugged and followed. Once he saw the car, he snickered but didn't say anything else. Hell, his friend drove an old Saturn that broke down every other day- he was used to shitty vechicals. And, surprisingly, he actually used the door to get into the passenger's seat instead of the window (might be because the window was close, though). Once in his seat, Pale mummbled an 'oh' and dug through his pocket, pulling out a wad of money. "If your paying, you might need this back."

Down the road, Pale watched out his window, half day dreaming, half watching where they were going. This guy wanted an establishment, huh? The kid guessed he wouldn't like some of the places the kid frequented, many of them quite unsavory and dangerous to say the least. Plus, he also had to keep in mind that the guy he was with was a cop. So which place? Plus, he was also hungry and wanted a little action, and damn it was only 8 o clock. While he actually DID Want to return home for once, it was too early for that crap. Maybe around 3 or so he'd bug his law enforcment buddy for a ride- if he wasn't completely buzzed by then.

Pale let John drive around for a while, compeletly silent, and then, out of the blue, the kid launched himself over, grabbed the wheel, and forced them to make an extremely sharp right. "TURN HERE, OK."

The place they were sitting outside had a sign which said 'Satisfaction Brought it Back' in neon lettering, though the 't' and 'c' were flicking. Pale, who expected a lecture or some sort of yelling, leaned over quick to say "Don't act like a cop." in an extremely serious tone of voice before getting out.

The 'establishment' was a bar, which was just beginning to actually get a little life- by 9 it would be alright. It had the same drowsy lights to protect the delicate eyes of those hung over and the same stools, glasses and so on as most other places, but it was a bar with quite a few attractions. For once, standing on a stage were 3-5 young girls (in their tweenties or so, since these broads were often collage kids), dancing with more of an exotic zing then you could ever find in a forigen country.