where the fuck did he go?[break][break]

oh, excuse her language: where the ever living hell did he run off to? there was a particular swindler she was in charge of trying to find, seeing that said swindler had the habit of conducting their activities on her particular block (and it's because of that, she's getting an earful from her superiors). at this point, fiora's gotten a migraine just hearing the man's scolding. most days she'd be at a loss, but today? today was different; because she finally got some god damn permission from her higher ups to ask store owners and civilians about any sketchy people. thank arceus. [break][break]

she enters an apricorn cafe that seems to be bustling, alone, only because her partner said something about needing a sick leave. so she was the only one doing this. wonderful. [break][break]

she approaches the cashier, then the manager, with a notebook out whilst asking a few questions here and there. the usual 'have you seen anyone suspicious?', 'has anything happened these past few days?' and so forth. it was really the last question that mattered: whether she could ask some of the patrons while in the cafe. thankfully, she's given permission, and she doesn't waste any time. [break][break]

so she moves around a bit, trying to ask some civilians here and there. it's a struggle, because surprise surprise - people don't want a cop asking questions when they're in the middle of their coffee or drink. fiora sighs, softly, as she impatiently taps her pen against the surface of the notebook. "god dammit.. i won't get anywhere like this.."

Dal-yong Nam [break]

☉

Oh, now wasn’t this a bit interesting?[break][break]

Naturally, most people sought to give their attention to new occurrences. The sound of chimes? A bump on the window? An opening of the door, followed by the appearance of whoever it was that strode through at that moment? There were honestly a plethora of things that could be considered all of the above (including the above, of course), but also in the case of most people, that attention was nothing short of fleeting.[break][break]

It was only when certain things happened did their attention become truly caught.[break][break]

Exhibit Number One: the lady that was obviously, so obviously an officer, or at least some person of authority. Between the number of people she approached and that pretty little notebook in her hands, it was only the safest and easiest conclusion to draw. With a subtle eye, he followed her path throughout the cafe for a short while; the lingering taste of pumpkin spice alongside the aforementioned apricorn dancing still upon his tongue, all the while.[break][break]

He turned in his seat after some time, smiling and raising a brow while crossing his legs.[break][break]

”...You’re really in a rush, aren’t you~?” he called out amidst the surrounding noise, chuckling.

FIORA HYE-JIN YUN [break]

☉

she's not amused. [break][break]

not when the hunt has led her to such an inconspicuous place. she's half the mind to give up, especially considering how dismissive the people around her ended up being (and it's reasonable, since she was rude enough to interrupt their meals. but was it so difficult to answer just a few question when it involved someone who looked suspicious? maybe it was because she still didn't look like a proper officer, in spite of the blue uniform she wears? who can say). [break][break]

another failed attempt to speak with a passing witness, and she sighs. once again, the snake was going to slip through her fingers, and she was going to be left in the dust, one step behind - and at this point, it'd starting to feel like an insult that sat like tangy iron on her tongue. that is, until a voice chirps up not too far from her, called a man with a playful smile. [break][break]

and the woman pauses, eyeing him for but a few moments as his words register. not only his words, but the fact that he was speaking to her, the officer who probably looked like she was running around like a torchic without its head. though that's embarrassing was how he could tell that she was running around, nearly clueless (she's never had to handle this kind of work alone, after all). "oh, yes--" she starts, moving to the man who so casually stays seated. she takes a deep breath "have you seen anyone suspicious come in here, recently?" asides from herself.

Dal-yong Nam [break]

☉

What a dilemma~.[break]
...For her, of course. What a pity, being ignored.[break][break]

A hum resonated softly within his throat as he eyed her; a brief sense of (faux) thoughtfulness surfacing as he folded his hands within his lap. As if truly thinking upon the matter, he quirked his lip and eyed the side for a small while, though before long could pass, he shook his head and looked towards her, once more. ”Can’t exactly say I have~,” had been his initial choice of words. A gentle incline occurred within his tone, all while paired with a subtle, apologetic shrug. ”Then again, though, there’s a fair amount of people here… May be a bit hard to scope a single person out~.”[break][break]

He eyed her for a little while more, sipping his drink (not quite enough to form any sort of cheek pouch).[break]
His gaze lingered upon the uniform for only a split second before meeting hers, once more.[break][break]

”...Tough luck on the case, Officer~?”

FIORA HYE-JIN YUN [break]

☉

like that, her hopes, shattered. [break]
her berry garden, unwatered.[break]
her feast, eaten. [break]
her hotel, trivago'ed.[break][break]

anyone looking in would be able to tell that the woman deflated, physically and mentally. the notebook is lowered and the pencil is tucked into the coil of the memo pad. where had they gone?[break][break]

a hand plays with a braid in her hair, and the uniformed woman grumbles, softly. disappointed. "you could say that.." between not being taken seriously, and the feeling of defeat that dawned on her that the criminal could have been long gone, now. maybe she was too bold with her approach. [break][break]

lilac eyes narrow, slightly, as she shifts her weight to one foot. it's faint, but there's a soft pout that follows her soft words "and chances are they're long gone, by now.."

Dal-yong Nam [break]

☉

Oh, she hadn’t known- and he hadn’t intended for her to find out. Between her remarks, as well as the fact that she had supposedly been pointed to that specific cafe for reconnaissance, he had a fairly large hunch as to whom she had been attempting to track down. It was a shame, truly. She seemed to be so, so driven in her sense of justice, as well; something that had been purely evident through the sheer frustration and the like that practically radiated from her expression.[break][break]

In some other world, she may have managed to catch up.[break]
This hadn’t been that world, though.[break][break]

So, with an idly amused hum, he pursed his lips and clicked his tongue, all while furrowing his brows within a light, sympathetic manner as he eyed her. ”Mmn… They may. They may not be,” he started off with a pondering hum, ”but either way, I’m sure you’ll find them~.”[break][break]

He offered her a smile before sipping on his drink again.[break][break]

”Who knows? They may be closer than you think~.”

FIORA HYE-JIN YUN [break]

☉

ah, this frustration brings her back.[break][break]

it returns with a sense of familiarity, and she can't say she likes it. it brings her back to her earlier days, when she was frustrated with a case that she's rather not think about (her first case wasn't kind, so it's a relief that this first case in hoenn wasn't so heavy). still, she's tired playing cat and mouse with a man whose face she's never seen. [break][break]

just her luck, wasn't it? [break]
but it's only her luck that would let her have a casual conversation with the person you're supposed to arrest. [break][break]

her grief is only soothed by the soft scent of pumpkin spice, and the apparent, sympathetic tone that the man gives her. it's.. admittedly refreshing, considering the earlier, cold reception from the other citizens she's attempted to interview earlier. "i do hope so.." she raises her hand, gently rubbing the side of her neck before tucking the pen into the coil of the notebook. [break][break]

"i've been chasing him for weeks, by this point.."

Dal-yong Nam [break]

☉

Hah. Weeks, huh~?[break][break]

An unspoken inquiry, of course; one well masked beneath a thoughtful and curious gaze in her direction in light of her words and demeanor. After a smaller while had passed, he sought to rest his cup upon the table yet again; instead going on to lean forward as he rested his chin within his hand. ”You say that with such a dour look on your face~...” he mused with a low, almost teasing tone within his words. Nevertheless, however, his smile remained constant, and towards the end of his words, even seemed to inherit somewhat of an encouraging touch to it. ”Cases could often take months to solve, though, no~? …Just because you’re at a loss now doesn’t necessarily mean the case will go cold…”[break][break]

FIORA HYE-JIN YUN [break]

☉

"... a little sour, i guess." [break][break]

she's an officer, so she shouldn't be getting like this. shouldn't be getting frustrated, shouldn't be ranting a little bit, shouldn't be burying her face against her hand while trying to run in circles with someone who should already be behind bars. his attempt to cheer her up doesn't go unappreciated, base on how she can only give him a slightly wry (tired) smile as sherubs her face once again. [break][break]

fiora sighs "even so, it shouldn't be taking this long.." and she's distressed, slightly. if she can't do something as small as this, then it was going to be a problem, wasn't it? [break][break]

.. oh, but what is she stopping by to talk to a patron of the cafe for? especially when he doesn't have important information? the officer straightens herself back up, pen from the coil in between her fingers. [break][break]

"i'm sorry for taking your time.. i still should try to look for this person." she was still on the clock, after all.

Dal-yong Nam [break]

☉

”...Mmn? Ah, of course— and I should be the one to apologize~. Still on shift, after all~.”[break][break]

The words came in the form of a hum, only ended with the lift of a cup once more. Lifting his arm as the cup touched against his lips, he eyed the watch upon his wrist with an initial idleness that immediately seemed to turn into what could only be some form of realization.[break][break]

”It looks like I should get going, too, anyways~. Lost track of time, myself.” He pushed his seat out just enough in order to allow himself the room to stand, smoothing his clothes down and sparing the woman by him another look. ”Don’t give up hope so easily, though, Officer. I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to catch whoever it is.”[break][break]

His lip quirked into more of a slightly teasing smirk, as did a brow as he nodded in encouragement.[break][break]

”For some reason, I have a hunch that you’ll make a breakthrough soon. Keep your head up~.”

FIORA HYE-JIN YUN [break]

☉

she's really taken more time than she should have. at this rate, she was probably going to run late, though.. her target has most certainly been long gone. [break][break]

gathering herself, she manages to give the man a slightly brighter smile. she couldn't very well go.. ruining his day or his mood by venting a little bit, right? then she perks up, letting his words sink in, that time to give a warmer smile his way in response to his encouragement. [break][break]

"thank you, the encouragement helps~" the officer chimes, tilting her head slightly, then moving out of the way (both for him and herself, to begin making her way out of the cafe). she has.. other work to take care of, anyways. like patrol work. [break][break]

.. is what she would do, but then she gets a little call on the walkie talkie.

Dal-yong Nam [break]

☉