Midnight Run [Catherine, Isamu]

Somehow, someway, the two of them always inevitably ended up working together. Whether this was some cruel stroke of fate or simply a universal constant, he was uncertain. What he did know is that he didn't particularly have it in himself to turn down the opportunity for cash. Was he exactly chompin' at the bit to work together so soon after the awkward situation?

No, of course not, but he wasn't going to pursue that subject unless it was broached indirectly. At any rate, they were here now. As expected, she's up ahead, forming a sizable distance between them. Naturally, not one to fall too far behind, Isamu strides forward with enough pace to his step that he's now walking beside her, onyx eyes exploring the surroundings.

Honestly, it was somewhat nostalgic to be back in his homeland, even if this wasn't his specific neck of the woods. He wasn't some "land of the rising sun" zealot or anything, but he took pride in his origins here. Turning to observe her quietly, he simply spoke the first thing that came to his mind.

"Kinda shocked ya didn't resist workin' with me like ya usually do. Any time we cross paths on missions like these, you're usually beside yourself. Ya been findin' better ways to relax and unwind like I've suggested so many times in the past, Cath~?"

"You and I both know that's a lie. Ya seen your eyelids lately? I reckon you and a good night's sleep don't get along too well."

Voicing that thought plainly, Isamu chortled softly as he observed her reaction. The typical annoyance, the visible agitation - her eyelids.

He was no expert on the physical condition, but someone would have to be pretty damn oblivious to ignore that she felt pretty tightly wound at all times. Naturally, he always assumed that was a basic facet of her personality.

Outside of the other night, it wasn't as if he knew her enough to confirm that opinion, but that was neither here nor there. From all the times they've met so far, he certainly feels confident enough to challenge her on the subject.

"Doesn't have to be any of what I do to relax, but like... think about it. The same way you care about me and want me at optimal condition is the same way I want you at your best. Little R&R and never hurt anybody, right?"

"Uh-huh. And ya know what else creates droopy eyelids? Exhaustion and a lack of sleep, ya grouch."

Isamu reflexively nudged his shoulder against her own as they walked side by side. He was half-tempted to flick her across the forehead, but since they were in motion, she might have attempted to evade and kick him in his shin. He didn't agree with her train of thought at all. On one hand, he understood her strategy. Constant activity ensured you were always achieving what you wanted out of a day.

On another, he considered the strategy unhealthy. From his point of view, even a moment of respite would aid in enhancing one's overall workflow. If he applied Catherine's strategy to himself, he would probably be miserable. Bold as he always was, he pressured the subject differently - voicing a genuine question with a playful smirk.

"Movin' past the fact that that sounds pretty unhealthy... when's the last time ya ever tried takin' a break, hm? Sure, you're nothin' like me, but I remain in tip-top shape when business calls, even after all the fun is over. When I take a mission? I'm locked in. After a mission, I treat myself. And I'm still the same man the next day. Tell me, when was the last time you actually ever tried it? I mean, genuinely?"

"What do you mean you'd die if you quit moving? That doesn't make any sense. One idle moment or two won't kill you, Catherine. At the rate yer goin', all the exhaustion and stress'll probably kill ya first."

Flashing a scrutinizing eye in her direction, Isamu tilted his head to the side quizically. He understood the whole "I must remain vigilant at all times lest I die" but did she have no place of comfort, truly? Nowhere she could simply relax? Or was she simply incapable of it without being pushed toward it? Even if her explanation helped, he couldn't believe she was using that time to actually do anything that would potentially aid the crux of her issue.

Moving past the fact he was a little salty about not being invited to any of those festivals or parties, he wondered what any of that entailed, wondered how she interacted in a setting like that. Was it the same way she operated around him or was she more relaxed?

"Can't believe ya never invited me to one of those. I love festivals...."

He wasn't always catching her on her days off, and when he did, she was always regarding him with that typical mood she always did. Curiously, he posed another question, one that arose immediately in his mind after the admission that spilled from her lips.

"Anyway, how do you even manage to stay awake for so long? What're ya doin' durin' those breaks? I sure as hell don't believe you're using it to follow any of the advice I'm suggesting. If I'm not seein' you mean muggin' me or us meeting up like this for a job, I don't have much to go off of, do I? Don't even get me started on that one time I had to toss you into a river because you were pokin' a sword at me and hallucinating..."

He certainly figured she would remember what night he was referencing in particular.

"Figures. I can't imagine yer stayin' up too much otherwise without something to keep your adrenaline in overdrive. Ya sure as hell don't strike me as a caffeine junkie. I'd say using drugs to keep yourself awake is pretty unhealthy... but then again, I take drugs, so what ground do I have to stand on?"

Isamu sighed softly as he ruffled his hair. He did not agree with her stubborn point of view. Her current means of staying in the zone was pretty unhealthy no matter how she tried to convince him otherwise, but if he was going purely off of what he saw in action, her resume spoke for itself and he therefore had no ground to stand on.

Would that stop him from pressing the subject, though? Hell no. His foolish pride as a man wouldn't allow him to back down so easily. To him, a good night's rest was essential to tackling a day without issue.

While he could understand injecting the system full of some drug to stay awake, he could also imagine how unpleasant the side effects might be. The manic highs and the manic lows. Hallucinations. Any number of things. As one who partook in his own variety of drugs - mainly with that special lady friend in Brazil - he wasn't going to tell her how she should live her life in that regard.

At the same time, he could offer his point of view and keep heckling her until she gave in. After all, he was here. They were on a mission. After it was over, there could be ample time to stay in one place and simply rest. Nothing or no one would harm her. And he'd be there, prepared for action if something went amiss.

"No time for my suggestions, huh? Well then, Catherine. Let's bet on it, then. See who is right and see who is wrong. You know I won't stop heckling you about it. If it wasn't obvious, I do care about your wellbeing, but I know yer stubborn as hell. The only way I stop is if you prove me wrong. After this thing is over and the hollow's been handled, let's try my strategy. We'll relax and fill the time hanging out, and maybe you'll feel a little bit more at ease than ya felt before. If it doesn't work, you can say I was fuckin' wrong and call me an idiot like you always do. Win-win, right?"