Joseph Sutherland's Links
Absolutely fucking disgusted. When Joseph had just dropped everything to move to this city with Tholo ten years ago, he had nothing except a job contact he had managed to reach out to ahead of time. They were both Mignyans with a passion for writing, old clothing, movies... Joseph was truly under the impression he had found a friend to hang onto during the shakiest period of his life. If only he had actually read Alan Fitzgerald's books. Every red flag looks the same when you're wearing rose-tinted glasses. If this man ever tries to contact him, or God forbid, get anywhere near his child, Joseph is going to tear him apart limb by limb. Sometimes when he leaves the apartment at night, or hell, even day, some anxiety bubbles up in his throat when he can't see around the shadowy corner to the stairwell. -- "... Alright. Deadbolted. Tholo. Tholo? Hey, are you listening to me? Sorry sport, I don't mean to talk to you like that, but this is serious, okay? Please promise me that you'll never leave the apartment without me; that you'll NEVER sneak out at night. If you ever want to go somewhere, you can just ask me, okay? Please. Please promise your dad. You know I love you to the moon and back, kiddo."
After all this time, I still think all those spindly limbs look like a bundle of roses. They would look better trimmed, though. ":-)"
Joseph holds no ill bearings towards Murakami nor his appearance, and makes it a verbal point by sitting down in the barstool next to him for conversation, or by throwing out a greeting as he walks past. He feels bad for the poor man, but would only show it by treating him as he would treat anyone else. -- "Mr. Murakami. Burning the candle at both ends, eh? How's your latest call going? Actually, while I'm here, you wouldn't mind me slinging a market opportunity your way, would you? See, gazette just lost... huh. Funny. The name escapes me, but you know the guy who does the, uh, typefaces?"
Murakami is very relieved to have Joseph's company. Something about the way he talks and carries himself -- in any other case, Murakami would immediately assume the usual pity conversation, but Joseph is so nonchalant and dulcet in a way that makes him only /slightly/ anxious. He appreciates that most conversations are work related.
"Oh.. haha, um, you mean the typesetter... ? And, um, good, thank you. Just stopping in from a, uh, grocery run, you know how it tends to be... maybe I.. could call over K-Koji to fix a drink?"
Joseph's been chasing after photos of Glasgow for months. He knows what the pattern IS, he just has difficulty following up on the locations. It slightly frightens him knowing something like this roams around in the same city as his son. He has a few blurry photos pinned to his cork-board at home. -- "If he was in the east section of the district this week, then..."
Glasgow is very aware of Joseph Sutherland's occasional presence at his soirées. He knows that he's perched on the roof vantage point right now. He knows the name of his gazette. He knows his name. In fact, he might even know where he lives. But it's fine, for now.
"... ...Hmhm."
Joseph wouldn't even come close to attempting to keep a tab on Lazarus -- some things are best left unknown. He's exchanged respectful and polite banter with him; respectful enough to stand his ground and hold an edge. So many offers. He's declined them all. -- "Indeed. I suppose I'll forget on my own, eventually. This brain of mine, you know? Hohoh. Thank you as always, though."
Mr. Sutherland. Such a fine night. Such a clear sky. What was it we were discussing? Ah... don't you wish you could forget? ★
It's very simple: Joseph does not like Koji. For him, the fake niceties that drip from the other man's shark smile are clear as glass. As the bar is a key meet-up point, he doesn't point it out and simply returns his own pleasantries; taking a seat as far away as possible while still remaining within earshot. Though he doesn't particularly care about the infection method, Koji is still one of the many unsavory characters that Joseph keeps a tab on. -- "Oh, sure. Great weather tonight. Real clear sky... would be difficult to get anything past it, haha. You know."
Koji doesn't like Joseph that much either, which is ironic considering he doesn't particularly fit into any of the "mignyans Koji dislikes" categories. Not necessarily due to anything he does, mostly just in a What Do You Want With Me kind of way. Struggles to figure out the man, not sure of his intentions but can kind of sense a mutual feeling of :poker: in the air whenever the two of them talk. Still makes an effort to be nice to him and act pleasant (or as pleasant as he's able to make himself out to be at this point) around him since, yknow, he kinda has to.
ruh roh
Fukujirou isn't too sure why he's so open to Joseph about certain aspects of his personal life. Mostly the Mugi parts. Though it's likely because he's never met another single father as sensible as him before. Tries his best to hide what he does for a living, but aside from that enjoys chatting with him. Struggles with small talk though and doesn't know what to say 70% of the time unless the conversation topic is Mugi.
Joseph is tentative towards Mugi. They first met while Tholo was practicing at the ballpark, and Joseph was inwardly thrilled to bits that his son could have an older Mignyan friend to look up to. During the following visit, however, Joseph unfortunately immediately recognised his infamous yakuza father... whom he had been collecting tabloids on for weeks. Even more unfortunate was when he heard Mugi rattle off a solid line of violent swears in front of Tholo, and nearly subsequently passed out before remembering his son doesn't understand Japanese. Joseph still organises play-dates since Tholo is fond of him, and although he likely wouldn't admit it, but to talk to Fukujirou as a fellow single father. -- "Go ahead and set up your game Tholo, I'll just be a second over here, okay? ... Uh, hey.. Mugi. Sorry to pull you aside like this. Do you think you could play a little nicer? Y'know, be a little more careful with how hard you throw the ball, uh... I don't mean to go off the handle with this, but for the love of all things holy, please don't swear around my son. Thanks, sport. Oh! Actually, sorry to grab you, but before you get to it, I overheard you mention something about your manga and uh. Toy collection? Think you could maybe show Tholo some of those some day? If you don't mind, 'course. I think he'd like it."
Mugi is.. also tentative towards Joseph! Though he's also mildly intimidated by him, solely because he's afraid he'll infect his dad. Tries his best to stay on his good side and makes it a habit to /politely/ ask him (though on the first few occasions it was more like begging) to spare Fukujirou every opportunity he gets. All that aside however, he doesn't mind his company because he's glad Fukujirou is beginning to have more people to talk to. Since Mugi thinks he has no friends. He enjoys having Tholo around too, and usually tries to act cool in front of him. Joseph is probably one of the only mignyans Mugi will take orders from. "..WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY THROWING.. チッ. CAN'T PROMISE ANYTHING, MAN. I TALK HOW I WANT. S'NOT LIKE HE UNDERSTANDS ME ANYWAY. B..BUT.. I'LL TRY. PLEASE BE NICE TO MY DAD. HE LIKES YOU.”