Ah… Of course. A wife wouldn't want to share her husband, even a scummy one, with just anyone.
[ He hopes that came out even-keeled enough.
At first glance, what Agent Choi says is like any other instance of a senior imparting a piece of wisdom to his rookie subordinate. It is good advice, and perhaps the cold current that sweeps his mind and washes the back of his neck in sweat is truly just a hijinks of his ruined nervous system. A product of his work history being what it is. He knows this has been nothing but pleasant, knows his face warmed and a laugh rose from his chest and he meant it. But Agent Choi talks about danger without knowing that he's the most dangerous person to Soleum right now. His supervisor is right. He can't forget to see the situation for what it is.
If Soleum's not careful, he'll start of to think of this as a conversation and not just a script reading. ]
Yes, sir. [ Better to stick to the safe answer. ] I'll be vigilant. That civilian we'll be searching for — he'll have been inside the disaster for two weeks now. [ Due to their mission backlog and understaffing. It's not a good time for the bureau. ] I know you know this… but it's hard to say what kind of contaminated state we'll find him in.
[They've really fallen behind, haven't they? Thankfully it doesn't sound like there's a risk of death for this victim, assuming he's managed to survive, but what the heck have the other dispatch teams been doing to leave a possible victim suffering for two weeks? Recruitment really has been taking a nosedive, hasn't it...]
[Well. If their Destruction Rookie thinks he might have an idea about how to seal this, no reason to stop him.]
Oh, right - The costume. [He has the turtleneck, but he'll have to borrow the suit from a bureau-affiliated supplier. They'll figure that out tomorrow.] What are you thinking of wearing?
[ With only three functioning dispatch teams, the bitter pill is that there's bound to be a few cases that fall through the cracks. Not to mention, the Disaster Management Bureau doesn't receive same amount of funding as their more visible public order counterparts. The after-rescue support will have to do the heavy lifting there… that is, if the case doesn't evolve into a recovery mission.
Though Agent Choi can't see him, Soleum's head lightly shakes. ]
I don't think that I need to look too different from usual. I was planning on taking my jacket off and wearing what's underneath. And you would wear my glasses.
[All he's going to do is take off his jacket...? The disappointment is audible in his voice.]
I see... [Sigh. He really thought Soleum would dress up for this situation!] I was imagining you showing up in a robe and house clothes... You know, like a wife who finally cut her losses and rushed out after her cheating husband or something. But I guess a collared shirt would work well enough...
[It'll be cute to see him without his glasses, at least. But he really thought he'd see Soleum in some civvies!]
Well, should we go right after work tomorrow? I remember sunset was the trigger for the entry timing in previous reports, but it might be different if you're trying to provoke her directly. We might be able to finish without overtime, Grapes.
That's what you thought I would wear? I don't… have clothes like that.
[ Or the type of connections Agent Choi has that would make it easy to acquire or rent a housewife's traditional attire. Also, it's sad to say, but Soleum's only pair of civilian clothes — a dark shirt, dark pants, dark zip-up jacket — hardly fits his senior's criteria. Asking any of the other agents is clearly out of the question as well. He doesn't need anyone adding other strange, unnecessarily creative titles to his name.
However, he can't just leave it alone, either. ]
Agent Choi.
[ With a smudge of static from pressing his mouth too close to the receiver, his small voice picks up over the senior agent's expected forecast. ]
Considering the unknown status of the civilian, every second counts. So if you think, ah, having me dress that way would help us execute the plan more efficiently, I can look into it.
[...Does Choi use his seniority to get Soleum to show up in house clothes and a robe...]
Should I supply you a costume?
[No, this is better. If it's from his own management funds, it's fine. In fact, he'll let Soleum keep these later because - What does he mean, he doesn't own house clothes? Doesn't he ever take it easy?]
[Ignoring the sounds of his glass house shattering from all the stones he's throwing, he goes on.] What are your three sizes? Haha, just kidding~ [He'll make a run by the store during his lunch break tomorrow.] Don't worry, I'll take care of it! I'll have it ready by tomorrow evening. You just get a good night's sleep, it sounds like you've prepared enough up to now.
[ Soleum quiets. Growing concern over what he just agreed to wear aside, he's going now…?
Red pupils flick to the time in the top right corner of his screen: It's late. Later than what he's usually in bed by. He hasn't even brushed his teeth yet. Ending the call here is the right idea if he wants to at least attempt to get a few hours of rest beyond laying in bed wide awake, waiting for the light behind his blinds to brighten. ]
I see. I'll let you go, then. But before you hang up…!
[Overboard? Since when does he go overboard! Agent Choi laughs and dismisses the idea, tells him again to get a good night's sleep, and finally hangs up. Overboard... Ha! He would never.]
[He comes back an hour late from his lunch which is fine since he was working anyway and sets two shopping bags down on Soleum's desk, eagerly asking if he wants to try them on or maybe they can try and coordinate for the one that would look best with the white coat he got from the bureau supply wardrobe earlier? (Jaekwan tries to interrupt the situation and urges Soleum to ignore this non-work-related talk but Choi cheerily tells him, no, this is, in fact, work-related! He's so delighted to be able to turn that back around on him that their Bronze seems to wilt and fall back from his attempted rescue.)]
[But he doesn't think he went overboard! Not really. Sure, the first one is a little feminine, but it's definitely fine to wear outside for the situation and definitely captures the image of a neglected housewife. The second one is more on the cozy side - maybe the wife is practical, maybe she's concerned with function as well as comfort, something like that? And the third one... Okay, he didn't go overboard with it or anything, but when Soleum pulls it out he's quick to explain that it was on sale, so he was actually saving some money, and besides, it looks pretty cozy, so he shouldn't discount it so quickly!]
But I'll trust your judgment, Agent Grapes! [He's grinning, clearly pleased with his hard work, like a dog proudly displaying the rabbit he caught without minding that it was never asked for.] Pick whichever one you think will suit the mission best! I'll go get changed, too!
[ Barricaded behind the shopping bags, Soleum doesn't look up from his monitor until he's finished filling out his inventory request for more printer toner. His appearance is somewhat haggard, little flyaway hairs sprouting from his head in every direction, the bags under his darker. His face, paler. It actually suits the image he's trying to portray, but it's clearly unintentional on his part.
Warily, he lifts the robes out from the bags, carefully laying each one side-by-side on his desk. The blue one is delicate and lovely, exactly the type of clothing he'd expect a wife setting out in the middle of the night for an unplanned confrontation with her husband to wear. It's more breathable material than the brown pullover, but the latter makes more sense to wear on a colder night.
The robe with cat ears…
………
Soleum takes off his glasses, wiping the lenses with his shirt.
For real? Like, really, for real? This is absurd. ]
[Agent Choi watches with baited breath as Soleum examines each one, staring eagerly to see his reactions to each one, the minute twitches of his brow, or how his pupils dilate, how his lip twitches. He wants to delve into his explanation for why he chose each one, the thought process he had behind the color choices and whatnot and especially go more into his idea of the different kind of housewife with a cheating husband who would buy this one and that one, but when he pulls out the third robe and sets it down, takes his glasses off and begins to wipe them down...]
[...His preference? His eyes dart to Ryu Jaekwan seated at his desk, openly watching with a guarded expression. Their gazes meet and his seems to say, Don't.]
Hm...
[He never listens to Ryu Jaekwan when he should. In fact, it's a major issue at times. His junior is smart, observant, and logical. He should take his insight into account.]
Since it's white, that last one you took out might match best with what I have.
[ He feels sorry for Jaekwan for having to play spectator to this train wreck, but Soleum's situation is like being a dispatcher — he's in correspondence with the conductor, can see a monstrosity speeding to trouble, offer to reroute them, but he's ultimately not the one behind the control panel. ]
If they were on better terms, I could understand matching.
[ Still. The primary job of a junior agent is basically damage control. He arches his frames toward the fluorescent ceiling panels, checking if the lenses are rid of smudges or if he needs to go back in. ]
[Ah. He's thinking about this so seriously. In Agent Choi's opinion, this is all a gamut to lure our a specter who is kidnapping young men with glasses, and this whole cheating couple thing leading up to it is simply another case of Agent Grapes going above and beyond the call of duty that he's all too happy to assist with. Exactly why he was so adamant he stay in their team, for one thing. But he's also his senior and should give his honest opinion on this, so he hums as he considers Soleum's words seriously in turn.]
That's true, isn't it? That a feuding couple wouldn't try to match. But there's something to be said about seeing the forest for the trees, too. For example...
[He hears Jaekwan audibly sigh. Are you guys really arguing about this? seems to be the meaning behind the noise.]
If you're watching a drama, you can tell which characters are together based on the framing and the dialog, but there's more to it - like the costumes or their personal styles. So sometimes it's good to have them look similar or matching to let the viewer know they're supposed to be together. Right?
[He needs to argue this, he'll explain to Bronze later. Because can he imagine their Grapes willingly putting this outfit on for any other reason? No, they need to think about this in terms of rescue but also in terms of workplace well-being.]
Plus, you're the one who said we should use specific nicknames, given that codenames would be unwieldy in this situation. Wouldn't this outfit only strengthen the appearance of our partnership even more?
[Some would call him pushy, but Choi rejects that. He's just thinking about the whole forest!]
If I called you kitten in the middle of things and you were wearing a fuzzy sweater instead of the white one, the scene wouldn't be as impactful, would it?
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no subject
[ He hopes that came out even-keeled enough.
At first glance, what Agent Choi says is like any other instance of a senior imparting a piece of wisdom to his rookie subordinate. It is good advice, and perhaps the cold current that sweeps his mind and washes the back of his neck in sweat is truly just a hijinks of his ruined nervous system. A product of his work history being what it is. He knows this has been nothing but pleasant, knows his face warmed and a laugh rose from his chest and he meant it. But Agent Choi talks about danger without knowing that he's the most dangerous person to Soleum right now. His supervisor is right. He can't forget to see the situation for what it is.
If Soleum's not careful, he'll start of to think of this as a conversation and not just a script reading. ]
Yes, sir. [ Better to stick to the safe answer. ] I'll be vigilant. That civilian we'll be searching for — he'll have been inside the disaster for two weeks now. [ Due to their mission backlog and understaffing. It's not a good time for the bureau. ] I know you know this… but it's hard to say what kind of contaminated state we'll find him in.
no subject
[They've really fallen behind, haven't they? Thankfully it doesn't sound like there's a risk of death for this victim, assuming he's managed to survive, but what the heck have the other dispatch teams been doing to leave a possible victim suffering for two weeks? Recruitment really has been taking a nosedive, hasn't it...]
[Well. If their Destruction Rookie thinks he might have an idea about how to seal this, no reason to stop him.]
Oh, right - The costume. [He has the turtleneck, but he'll have to borrow the suit from a bureau-affiliated supplier. They'll figure that out tomorrow.] What are you thinking of wearing?
no subject
Though Agent Choi can't see him, Soleum's head lightly shakes. ]
I don't think that I need to look too different from usual. I was planning on taking my jacket off and wearing what's underneath. And you would wear my glasses.
[ Problem? ]
no subject
I see... [Sigh. He really thought Soleum would dress up for this situation!] I was imagining you showing up in a robe and house clothes... You know, like a wife who finally cut her losses and rushed out after her cheating husband or something. But I guess a collared shirt would work well enough...
[It'll be cute to see him without his glasses, at least. But he really thought he'd see Soleum in some civvies!]
Well, should we go right after work tomorrow? I remember sunset was the trigger for the entry timing in previous reports, but it might be different if you're trying to provoke her directly. We might be able to finish without overtime, Grapes.
no subject
[ Or the type of connections Agent Choi has that would make it easy to acquire or rent a housewife's traditional attire. Also, it's sad to say, but Soleum's only pair of civilian clothes — a dark shirt, dark pants, dark zip-up jacket — hardly fits his senior's criteria. Asking any of the other agents is clearly out of the question as well. He doesn't need anyone adding other strange, unnecessarily creative titles to his name.
However, he can't just leave it alone, either. ]
Agent Choi.
[ With a smudge of static from pressing his mouth too close to the receiver, his small voice picks up over the senior agent's expected forecast. ]
Considering the unknown status of the civilian, every second counts. So if you think, ah, having me dress that way would help us execute the plan more efficiently, I can look into it.
no subject
Should I supply you a costume?
[No, this is better. If it's from his own management funds, it's fine. In fact, he'll let Soleum keep these later because - What does he mean, he doesn't own house clothes? Doesn't he ever take it easy?]
[Ignoring the sounds of his glass house shattering from all the stones he's throwing, he goes on.] What are your three sizes? Haha, just kidding~ [He'll make a run by the store during his lunch break tomorrow.] Don't worry, I'll take care of it! I'll have it ready by tomorrow evening. You just get a good night's sleep, it sounds like you've prepared enough up to now.
no subject
Red pupils flick to the time in the top right corner of his screen: It's late. Later than what he's usually in bed by. He hasn't even brushed his teeth yet. Ending the call here is the right idea if he wants to at least attempt to get a few hours of rest beyond laying in bed wide awake, waiting for the light behind his blinds to brighten. ]
I see. I'll let you go, then. But before you hang up…!
[ … ]
Don't go overboard, please.
no subject
[He comes back an hour late from his lunch which is fine since he was working anyway and sets two shopping bags down on Soleum's desk, eagerly asking if he wants to try them on or maybe they can try and coordinate for the one that would look best with the white coat he got from the bureau supply wardrobe earlier? (Jaekwan tries to interrupt the situation and urges Soleum to ignore this non-work-related talk but Choi cheerily tells him, no, this is, in fact, work-related! He's so delighted to be able to turn that back around on him that their Bronze seems to wilt and fall back from his attempted rescue.)]
[But he doesn't think he went overboard! Not really. Sure, the first one is a little feminine, but it's definitely fine to wear outside for the situation and definitely captures the image of a neglected housewife. The second one is more on the cozy side - maybe the wife is practical, maybe she's concerned with function as well as comfort, something like that? And the third one... Okay, he didn't go overboard with it or anything, but when Soleum pulls it out he's quick to explain that it was on sale, so he was actually saving some money, and besides, it looks pretty cozy, so he shouldn't discount it so quickly!]
But I'll trust your judgment, Agent Grapes! [He's grinning, clearly pleased with his hard work, like a dog proudly displaying the rabbit he caught without minding that it was never asked for.] Pick whichever one you think will suit the mission best! I'll go get changed, too!
no subject
Warily, he lifts the robes out from the bags, carefully laying each one side-by-side on his desk. The blue one is delicate and lovely, exactly the type of clothing he'd expect a wife setting out in the middle of the night for an unplanned confrontation with her husband to wear. It's more breathable material than the brown pullover, but the latter makes more sense to wear on a colder night.
The robe with cat ears…
………
Soleum takes off his glasses, wiping the lenses with his shirt.
For real? Like, really, for real? This is absurd. ]
Which one do you prefer, Agent Choi?
no subject
[...His preference? His eyes dart to Ryu Jaekwan seated at his desk, openly watching with a guarded expression. Their gazes meet and his seems to say, Don't.]
Hm...
[He never listens to Ryu Jaekwan when he should. In fact, it's a major issue at times. His junior is smart, observant, and logical. He should take his insight into account.]
Since it's white, that last one you took out might match best with what I have.
[But he never does, so why start now...]
no subject
If they were on better terms, I could understand matching.
[ Still. The primary job of a junior agent is basically damage control. He arches his frames toward the fluorescent ceiling panels, checking if the lenses are rid of smudges or if he needs to go back in. ]
But would a feuding couple?
no subject
That's true, isn't it? That a feuding couple wouldn't try to match. But there's something to be said about seeing the forest for the trees, too. For example...
[He hears Jaekwan audibly sigh. Are you guys really arguing about this? seems to be the meaning behind the noise.]
If you're watching a drama, you can tell which characters are together based on the framing and the dialog, but there's more to it - like the costumes or their personal styles. So sometimes it's good to have them look similar or matching to let the viewer know they're supposed to be together. Right?
[He needs to argue this, he'll explain to Bronze later. Because can he imagine their Grapes willingly putting this outfit on for any other reason? No, they need to think about this in terms of rescue but also in terms of workplace well-being.]
Plus, you're the one who said we should use specific nicknames, given that codenames would be unwieldy in this situation. Wouldn't this outfit only strengthen the appearance of our partnership even more?
[Some would call him pushy, but Choi rejects that. He's just thinking about the whole forest!]
If I called you kitten in the middle of things and you were wearing a fuzzy sweater instead of the white one, the scene wouldn't be as impactful, would it?