A Quick Visit

[Ren Kondou]

"I'm a hungry spider and you're a beautiful butterfly" ☒ Antonio F. Carriedo ✐ 935 ✉ Here kitty man~ MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS

Ever since the mutants had a breakout, Ren had been busy. Chasing down normal people was something police security had troubles with already, chasing down mutants was an even harder task. Some could turn invisible, some could camouflage, others had the ability to run fast and some others were shape shifters; they probably didn't even look like their usual forms in the underground anymore. What made it even harder was the fact that these mutants could just not use their powers at all and mingle into the crowds of people to sneak away. Of course Ren himself didn't have time to stop every person he was passing by either, so he did his best to stop by places he suspected mutants to be hiding out in. And as his search continued, he was notified that a few mutants were found in past owner's houses or just houses in general, scaring the rightful residents. The search itself could only get so far with having Hachi sniff rags from the underground and try to find the mutants by his nose. Though Ren had to admit the shepherd did a wonderful job, trying to find the runaway mutants, there was always a limit to something one way or another. In this case, the shepherd just kept losing track, and Ren couldn't blame him when there indeed was mutant scents all around the city already, both from the runaways of course, and mutants that were properly bought and walking around with their masters. So while the trusted canine rested back at the station, Ren decided to walk around himself, stopping by a few places that had records of owning mutants and giving great rating in owning them. Entering the road with small local stores lining up side by side, nearly touching, the Japanese man felt slightly nostalgic. Back at home in Japan this was what all the towns looked like. And just like his hometown, people chatted in the middle of the streets, minding their own business and going about their days. Ren too almost wanted to join the carefree citizens, but could only remind himself he was still on duty hours, and though he wasn't exactly dressed like one, he was a police officer. Really, his casual wear was only making him look like he was any man off work for the day, enjoying an afternoon stroll. It wasn't long until he reached his next destinations and the last, he decided, for the day. He gave a small glance to the flowers lined up at window, colors varying from pink to white to blue. According to his files, this store once owned V-66192, a shapeshifting mutant, if he remembered correctly. The mutant ID was transferred to him as one of the runaways, and after looking through recent records of all of them, he found that this was the address logged into the files for this particular mutant, and was returned with overly satisfied results in the survey, which each human filled out upon returning the mutant. The survey had simple questions and a rating choice, some questions asking things such as 'How would you rate your days with the mutant' and 'would you like to spend more time with this particular mutant in the future'. While V-66192 had terrible ratings most of this time, this recent one gave just the opposite, giving overly glowing scores. He also was informed that V-66192 had what they considered a depression-like diagnosis after he was returned, after a day of angered bursts and attacks. Something must have happened in this particular flower shop, and Ren was going to put his bets on it being that both the human and mutant had enjoyed their time with each other, and didn't want to separate. If so, it wouldn't be a surprise if this runaway mutant decided to come back to this house the very chance he got. Just like an animal. Before walking in, Ren decided to peek in through the window. The store seemed empty, for now at least. However, the lights were on, so Ren suspected the owner was somewhere inside, maybe even upstairs (He could clearly see that the second floor was a house). Because of the mutant breakout all over the news, Ren suspected that many of the citizens would come out and talk with one another, but not buy anything, wanting to save their money in case of emergencies. That would make perfect sense as to why no one was entering any of the stores, but were outside talking with one another, possibly sharing their fear of potentially dangerous mutants. Seeing many mutants also wearing collars and tags, strolling silently after their masters, also showed just how indifferent their streets themselves were. With a small sigh, the Japanese man turned back to the door of the flower shop, pushing it open. A clang was heard, alerting the owner or worker of the store that a customer had arrived, but Ren easily ignored it and strolled through the flowerpots, waiting for the owner to greet him. Once he spotted the Spanish man, he blinked, and gave a small grin. "Hello, sir." He said politely, starting off simple. "Nice flowers you have here... I'm not one with much of a green thumb, so the moment I take these home they seem to die on me." Just as he commented gently, he stuck his hand into his pocket and dug around, before he pulled out his badge and shined it in front of the Spaniard's face. "Mind closing the store, immediately, for the time being? I need to talk to you privately."

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

Things had been quiet since the news aired about the large scale break out from the Underground. People either stayed as close to home as possible or if they did leave and linger elsewhere it was more as means of finding new gossip than to purchase anything. Far be it from Antonio to hold it against anyone that entered his shop if they left without buying any flowers – he’d even offered a few free single stems to those that were looking especially anxious as a way to hopefully brighten their day. It had certainly kept him up to date on the subject. Every day he would hear about some new sighting of the police dragging a mutant out of some hideout or busts that ended up fruitless.

Flowers were something that needed care whether they were being purchased or not, however, so he did still have things to fill part of his time in the shop. Watering, pruning, making new bouquets for display. He was just coming in from some cleaning in the back, still drying his hand in a rag, when he heard the bell above the door ring to announce the entrance of someone into the shop. “Be right out!” He called, rag in hand as he stepped out. Not long after his visitor began to speak on his own.

Antonio smiled automatically. He’d heard something akin to that line more times than he could count probably. A great many people thought they had whatever the opposite of a green thumb was and used it apologetically towards anyone selling plants. Most of the time he found it was simply lack of experience and knowledge, both of which he was happy to impart to others. But before he could offer either a badge was produced.

He blinked, “oh, sure! Give me one sec,” and, casual and oblivious as ever, set aside his towel on the counter and moved past the visitor – sorry, cop. Detective? Law… enforcement? – to turn over the sign in his door to CLOSED. With that finished he turned back, pointed to the door upstairs to the apartment above. “Do you want to go upstairs to talk? I have coffee, tea.” Anyone else might have begun to try and piece together paranoia-fed reasons as to why a cop had come into their shop. Alas, Antonio Carriedo was anything but anyone else. If there were any sort of guesses for this visit going through his head they would probably be more along the lines of just simple checking around the neighborhood or questioning after any possible odd happenings, sounds in the area. More those than any possibility that he was in trouble or in the line of questioning to some crime.

Words: 453

Tags: Ren Kondou

made by MISSO for use only by BECCA

[Ren Kondou]

"I'm a hungry spider and you're a beautiful butterfly" ☒ Antonio F. Carriedo ✐ 606 ✉ MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS

Was it a common saying? Perhaps so. Ren had no doubt that the man in front of him now had heard the said 'compliment' about the green thumb several times. Most flower owners just took it and let it slide; it was perhaps just one polite way to say hello to florists, a way to show that the customer, in this case a cop, had no intentions on causing any harm to the very being. At least Ren knew enough around the culture, both Russian and Japanese, to provide a polite aura around him in times as these. For once, he felt confident in his own heritage of being Japanese, perhaps one of the only few Asians in Arcadia alone. Over the years Ren noticed that the city he was made to protect was a mixed race culture, people from all over the world having come over to buy mutants for their own everyday gains. That being said, the Japanese man found himself for the first time speaking with someone with an unusual accent, making him blink slowly. He was able to not let it show on his face, but a question came in his mind, wondering what ethnicity this man was. He seemed to be somewhere from Europe, maybe South America? Or even, possibly, Mexico... Possibilities were all over the area in terms of countries. Deciding to put it aside, maybe even use the topic later to make the man talk in case he suddenly played as if he couldn't speak or fell deadly silent to his questions, Ren took a few steps forward following after the man as he headed and pointed to the stairs. So he was right... The first floor was a store, the second was a residence. Not all that new seeing there were several as such back at home in Japan, but a rare sight to see here. "That will be wonderful, thank you. I prefer coffee, if you don't mind." Ren commented, putting the badge back into his pocket, noticing the folded paper he had in with it. He brought V-66192's copied file from his office. Before following Antonio up the stairs, Ren gave one last glance around the store, the colorful flowers decorating the area. If he were actually interested in plants, perhaps he would've bought one here and taken it back to his dull office of grey and brown. Other staff members often had some sort of flower or decoration on their desks, and would sometimes tell him jokingly that his was plain, and would advise to add a fake tree or a fish tank of some sort to spice things up. Ren always ignored such ideas (Though at that moment in time he would smile and pretend to agree with them), seeing his office was meant for work and only work. If he started decorating that, he figured he would be in that room for the wrong reason. Besides, he had a loyal canine to help him out now anyway. No need for extra junk. "Ah, before we begin to speak, please provide me your name and some sort of ID? I would like to know who I'm talking to, exactly." The person on the paper was 'Antonio Carriedo'. With so many people faking their names these days, it was hard to trust anyone. Ren had to be extra careful to not give out information to con artists and other criminals, one of the biggest dangers being Freedom Fighters. "I believe you've heard the news? Mutants breaking out and all... Such a horrible incident, don't you agree? So many are frightened, and I don't blame them..."

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

Antonio was already beginning to ascend the stairs when the detective asked for his ID, having begun to do so automatically when a preference for coffee was given. He could only assume that meant that his invitation upstairs was taken and expected forthwith. ID though… He stopped and turned on the step, patting at his front pockets. Nothing. Back pockets… also nothing. Hm. Usually he at least had some candy or something. How odd. While he was still trying to think where he could have left his wallet, and how odd it was that he didn’t have it on him, there was more.

He chuckled, light, shaking his head. A reaction he gave to just about everything. “I wish I could call that an exaggeration, but I can’t. Unless I’m going to the grocery for food for me or my cat, I don’t really go out. And flowers aren’t enough of a necessity for people to venture out much either. Probably why I haven’t bothered to keep my wallet on me this week. Let me start your coffee and I’ll get it,” he laughed, making a small wave of his hand in apology before he finished climbing the stairs. As promised he turned on the coffee machine in his kitchen, allowing it time to warm up while he headed to his bedroom. There was no real worry he felt towards leaving a police officer unsupervised in his home for that brief amount of time.

It only took a moment for him to locate the wallet and ID on the end of his dresser where he usually left it when he changed pants. He came out and set them on the kitchen table to be looked over. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name, Inspector-? Or is it detective… Officer?” Each new title made him pause a second more while he was reaching into a cabinet to pull out mugs for their coffee. Was that sort of thing normally on the badge? He probably should’ve paid more attention. Badges tended to look different in various countries anyway. Maybe those given to Russian officials were different than the ones Spaniards carried.

Words: 359

Tags: Ren Kondou

made by MISSO for use only by BECCA