(no subject)

[argueandadjudge]

[Staggers carelessly out of a pub.]

Comments

Here, have someone set even earlier

[colonelcannibal]

Are you alright there, lad?

plot twist: ives is jack the ripper :P

[argueandadjudge]

Tend to your own business, sir. [Reid stumbles a half step and sloppily tries to straighten the collar of his woolen overcoat, swaying where he stands. He might have even sounded authoritative if not for the heavy slur to his words.] And I shall tend to mine.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised, except that Ives probably wouldn't be so wasteful

[colonelcannibal]

Now now, don't be so rude! You look like you can barely stand, good sir; I'm just trying to help.

... that's less reassuring than i'd hoped :P

[argueandadjudge]

[Reid only scoffs in the face of his seemingly good intentions.] How I envy you your utmost concern for such trifles. Are you so attentive to my manners - [Or lack thereof.] that you would - would insert yourself into my life to question them?

Do you have nothing more substantial with which to occupy yourself?

LOL his username is what it is for a reason

[colonelcannibal]

Not at the moment, no. I'm simply shopping for Christmas dinner, a bit of conversation will hardly prevent that. Quite the opposite, actually.

[argueandadjudge]

Conversation with me is likely to ruin your appetite. [Not two weeks ago - perhaps longer? Reid hasn't been sober enough since to know the precise date or how much time has passed - he'd been witness to the mutilated remains of Mary Jane Kelly. The sight would turn the stomach of even the staunchest of men.] I suggest you look elsewhere, therefore, and leave me to my affairs.

[He isn't nearly half as drunk as he intends to be yet.]

[colonelcannibal]

I have a strong stomach and quite the appetite. Why would you make fearful conversation, hmm?

[argueandadjudge]

Because I'm drunk. [And about to be more so as soon as he finds a barman willing to sell him a bottle of whiskey.] And if you are so distressed by mere impoliteness further conversation with me is inadvisable.

[But for all that he claims, Reid has neither the strength nor inclination to move at the moment, sagging crookedly as he is against the wall. He can barely stand upright, let alone find his way to the next taproom.] Step away from me, sir.

[colonelcannibal]

Mild irritation is hardly distress, and I daresay you must have more reason than that.

In any case, you look close to falling over. Let me call you a cab at least, hmm? *His smile is vaguely predatory, not that a drunk is likely to notice.*

[argueandadjudge]

My reasons are precisely that, sir. They are mine.

[Reid only notices in the vaguest sense, his judgment too impaired and his instincts too lax to realize the danger. Even were he aware, what could he do about it? Most likely very little.] Why does this concern you so? You - you do not know me. You haven't a care.

Why are you, sir, so -- invested?

[colonelcannibal]

*Ives takes a deep breath through his nose.* As I said, I am looking for Christmas dinner. Care to donate?

[argueandadjudge]

[Reid is a little slow on the uptake.] It will not surprise you to learn that I am not in a giving mood.

[shootthewall]

[A tall lanky figure is leaning against a nearby building, taking note of the staggering man and coming up next to him.]

Long night, Inspector? [He asks as if introductions were not important.]

[colonelcannibal]

*No kidding.* I think you'll find that I do not care.

[argueandadjudge]

[Though he is a little way outside of his borough - the brew-makers there had been strictly warned by both Abberline and Drake not to provided Reid with further drink - Reid is known well enough on these streets that the use of his title surprises him very little.]

[He barely raises his head in acknowledgment, more greatly concerned with the whiskey he still carries with him, raising it to his mouth to have a generous slug of it before replying.] Is this answer enough for you, sir?

[shootthewall]

[He hums acknowledgement, it didn't take the world's greatest consulting detective to smell the man a mile away. This won't do at all. He signals with two fingers for the cab down the street to move towards them.]

Perhaps a lift home is in order. Drinking one's sorrows away whilst stumbling along the street is an invitation most criminals would not disregard.