tsunderebunny | Episode 1: The Day After is Always the Hardest to Handle [accidental audio/action]

[That was some adrenaline rush.

Barnaby groaned when the distant rumble of thunder and the cold patter of raindrops on his bare skin pulled him back to consciousness. The muscles in his arms, shoulders, and back ached like he knew they would. The battle atop the Justice Tower had been long and vicious-- sleep was bliss after that beating, that rage-- He fisted a hand in the sand, and his thoughts ground to a halt.

Why was there sand?

Thunder rumbled once more, closer than it had been moments before. Barnaby abruptly sat up, his already electrified instincts snapping him into action in less than a heartbeat. He knew that there was no more reason for him to fight, but there were some habits that would never change. Not so quickly.

His momentary spark of irritation quickly gave way to confusion. Barnaby ran a hand through his sodden curls with sand covered fingers as his mind tried to register the sudden change in his surroundings. This wasn't his bed, his flat, or even anywhere in Sternbild.

Why was he at a beach?

The rain started to fall harder, prompting Barnaby stiffly pull himself up from the sand. He hadn't noticed the book that was lying on it's open pages nearby, just barely within reach of the receeding tide.]

...Honestly. [His voice was weary, exasperated.] They couldn't have bothered to put up a shelter?

[Later that day, after he's settled (after a fashion), Barnaby can be found in the shops around the plaza, gathering his few belongings and proper furnishings for his new flat, or holed up in a quiet corner of the library to peruse both his journal and any informational book that he could find. He just couldn't trust any of the evidence he had, not when it was so blatantly absurd.

It'd be wise to avoid mentioning any large, stuffed pink bunnies that he might be seen with that day. He couldn't just leave it in the shops for anyone to take!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Malnosso like to call them that. I just call them "annoying."

[Grell shrugged and then paused, looking at Barnaby a little closer.]

...

Do I know you from somewhere? You seem terribly familiar.

[He eyed her back, suddenly confused.]

I don't believe so, Miss. You'd be a hard woman to forget.

Well, aren't you a handsome flirt.

[Grell smiles and steps closer, leaning the umbrella back a bit.]

I could have sworn you were familiar though - and I do try ever so hard not to forget pretty faces.

[He hadn't intended it to be flirtatious, but he felt that he would insult the woman by admitting that. Instead, he returned her smile.]

It takes a little practice, but I make it a point to remember everyone I speak to.

[She knew something, or there were more problems than he wanted to admit.]

Lovely practice, that. Good in case you need to know everyone and anyone.

Name?

[Grell knows why she might know someone without them knowing her. She reaches into her jacket, pulling out a black leather folder to peruse the stacks of paper inside. Unlike the journals, this folder has no name on it and is rather nondescript.]

Barnaby Brooks Jr.

[He watched her leaf through the folder.]

Miss, what are you looking for?

Not looking.

[She stops on a page and looks up at him, then back down the page. Definitely him. Same name, same looks.

But that date is all wrong.]

Finding.

You're quite the fashionably late sort, aren't you? He's waited a year to see you again and here you are - just a moment too late.

[His eyes narrowed, suddenly wary of this woman. Of all of the people she had to mention--

There was only one man who could be mentioned like that.]

What are you talking about?

What? Don't you remember?

I suppose it has been quite awhile. Normally it only takes one week, but here you are, a year later. They all gave up on seeing you again, you know.

[He bristled at the mention of memories. There were some things that he wasn't willing to talk about, and that was at the top of the list.]

I still don't know what you're talking about. Please, speak clearly.

I'm not sure how much more clear I can be-- [She checks the folder and snaps it closed.] --Bunny.

If you're still unclear, that's less my fault and more the fault of you being dead for a year.

[He froze for a heartbeat, stunned, before the first hint of anger sparked in his eyes.

Forget being dead.]

How do you know that name?

[Ah, there it was. The little sparks that made certain people so much more interesting than the common sheep.

Grell smirked at his question and slipped the folder back into her jacket.]

Privilege.

Strange, that you're more concerned for that than you are about your rumoured demise.

[He was getting there.]

Don't try to change the subject. Only one man calls me that. Where's Kotetsu-san?

[Ew. Grell shrugged and the umbrella bobbed up and down on her shoulder as she stepped away.]

Ugh, why would I ever want to talk to that man? I offered him help and he refused it all because I made a few remarks and he took them the wrong way.

[Barnaby clapped his hand to his forehead, wearily clenching his fingers in the curls.]

That sounds like Kotetsu-san...

Where is he? And what did you mean about earlier?

How should I know?

[She tapped her breast pocket.]

He's not listed in here so I have no agency or interest in him. As for earlier?

[Grell smiled and bowed, dropping the umbrella low to obscure Barnaby's view of her. When the umbrella hit the ground, she was gone. Her voice came from somewhere above and behind him.]

If you don't remember, perhaps it's better that I keep it my little secret.

[Barnaby dropped his umbrella and whirled around, searching for the taunting, teasing woman who definitely knew far more than she let on.]

I think I'd remember dying. [Painfully. He wasn't going to forget recent events anytime soon.] Explain yourself.

Evidently not.

And I'd rather not explain a thing. Against regulations, you see. You'll just have to figure that little conundrum out for yourself.