2/15/2003

02:28 AM

Logfile from Tomite.

 

Mandarin Plaza - 502

Sparse living at its finest, or worse. The wood flooring once had a luster to it, but has now faded with time to match the same dull facade that gives eggshell-hued walls its worn appearance. As the home of a student, books are an obvious presence. Threadbare couch, simple table and chairs, a tiny kitchen and an even tinier bathroom, A door that leads to the bedroom is off to one side. But it is the additions that seem to give this places its character. Like the expensive stereo system just over there flanked by a couple of towers of CDs, or the dreamcatcher by the window that overlooks the fire escape and the street below, or even the simple bow propped up near the door, and the clearly old and hand-crafted quiver settled beside it.

Obvious exits:

Exit

 

Anana has apparently had the foresight to stop off and pick up some rotisserie chicken, which, for various reasons, she finds amusing to be bringing over to Chase's place. Mostly to do with the fun references to the giant chicken of doom being rotisserie, but then, she's in an odd mood. And thus, there's a knock at the door to Chase's apartment.

 

It is the sound of the stereo from beyond the door of Chase's place, and possibly once in awhile the sound of accompanying singing? And in tune. If this seishi thing doesn't work out, he can always look up Trevor? The door opens, and there is Chase with twitching nose. *sniff* "Hey... come on in."

 

Setsuna is dressed casually in jeans and a sweatshirt, looking very much the seventeen old kid he really is, when he's not solving the problems of ex-oni. He's tagging along with Anana at the moment and he even brought cookies and chocolate for dessert. "Ohayo, aniki," he greets.

 

Anana grins cheerfully at Chase. "I thought that if we were going to come bug you, we might as well feed you. Chicken. Rotisserie, and 'Suna's got dessert, and I have some pop in my bag," she says brightly, slipping past Chase and humming along to the song on the radio for a moment.

 

Chase blinks happily, swinging open the door wide to usher them within. Closing it behind, he is smiling most brightly. "Hey, Suna. Long time, no see." Greedily, eyes watch the offerings as he chews upon his bottom lip. Bouncing forward, he precedes them into the semi-kitchen area to pull down plates and the like with an exuberance. "Wow. You guys can come by any time if you bring stuff like this."

 

Setsuna's warm smile is almost embarrassed, "Hai, I have been busy. Gomen, aniki. My parents have left for Japan and have left me the house. Ever since then, I've had two new roommates. Dylan and Minai are both staying with me." There is a lot unsaid perhaps, but that's enough for now. "What do you think of Anana's change?"

 

"You mean we can't come by anytime?" Anana asks of Chase, giving him her best pout. "That's mean of you, Chase, really. Do you need help?" The teenager's having far too much fun teasing her niichan, after all. Peering over her shoulder at Setsuna, she chuckles quietly. "You need to introduce Chase to Dylan and Minai, you know. He hasn't gotten to meet them. And he saw my change earlier! We were talking at Sambucca's, and it was really nice."

 

Chase washes his hands, and then takes a moment to set the plates, glasses, and flatware upon what serves as a table. He reaches over as if to divest them both of their offerings, setting them down as well. "I think that Hiroshi is in for a whole lot of trouble." He glances over his shoulder to offer a wink to Suna. He glances back to Anana, smiling softly. "Oh, you can come by any time, but I'll be so much more pleasant to be around if I've a full belly." Yes, the chicken is eyed.

 

"Hai, Chase does need to meet Dylan. I'm sorry I haven't invited you over to meet him sooner, but I am a little worried about all those who want payback for his deeds as Sakamaku," replies Setsuna quietly, handing over his bag of goodies. "I hope you can forgive him, Chase. He is a good man now."

 

There're six cans of various caffeinated substances to go with the food, and with the chicken comes two small things of sides; fries and coleslaw, in this case. Anana looks miffed at Chase, then shakes her head. "I'll be very mad if you do anything to bother Hiroshi," she informs him firmly. The question is, does Chase really want an annoyed Hatsui on his case? "And trust that Chase trusts me, 'Suna... he was there when I explained what happened, that day in the park."

 

Chase smiles over to Suna. "As long as it is okay with Anana, it is okay with me, Suna. Don't worry about it. Hey, I'm happy you've got someone, even if he was messed-up once upon a time. But, you know, we all have our bad days when gods screw with our lives." He glances over to Anana with a smile, indicating a chair for her to sit upon. "Have I bothered Hiroshi yet? No. Sheesh. Jumping to conclusions."

 

Setsuna does look relieved by this. The Seiryuu might still be an issue later one, but at least his own faction won't be. "Hiroshi-san makes Anana smile. I think it's sweet that they can now be more expressive of their feelings without being made to feel like little children. But what about you, aniki? You should have someone too."

Anana pulls a face at Chase. "In this case, you deserved it," she mutters under her breath, settling down in the indicated chair and opening a Coke. "'Suna? Playing matchmaker?" This seems to amuse her, indeed. "Let Chase find his own person. I'm sure he's got his own taste. I mean, if I'd known about Dylan, then we wouldn't ever have found out who he really is."

 

"I should have someone too?" Chase echoes, flickering a glance over at Suna. He smirks as he takes a seat, waving him over to pull up a chair as well. "We /really/ don't need to get into that. Why is it that those who already have themselves a significant other feel the need to hook the rest of us singles up." Never mind the slight touch of embarrassed flush to his cheeks. Hardly there. He blinks over to Anana and winks.

 

Setsuna gives Anana an almost pained smile, "Dylan and I would have found each other. We did, after all, without my needing to know he was seishi. You do recall he was there that morning, Anana. Before the rest happened." There, he's admitted it to Chase at least. "And I would continued to have seen him even if he stayed an oni. There's little I could have done at that point. But, I'm not saying I would find something for Chase. He should have someone, but he should have someone he wants. Everyone should. I'm not trying to 'hook you up' either, aniki."

 

Anana returns Setsuna's gaze from overtop the rim of her can of Coke. "It's a good thing, then, that he turned out to be who he is, 'Suna," she says seriously, then, in the span of about two seconds, she's back to her usual self, grinning teasingly at Chase. "Because people want you to be happy. But matchmaking can sometimes have the opposite effects. Is Brice trying it yet?"

 

Chase begins cutting up the chicken on the table, looking askance to Suna as he finishes. "Well, good thing that you have destiny and such working for you, Setsuna. Convenient, that." But, he is making it a priority to stare down at his plate next. "I really, really don't need any help like that now. It's not like I can't do fine by myself or something." Yeah, he is actually blushing now.

 

"Fate is a fickle mistress, Chase. I wouldn't call it a good thing entirely, but I'm happy enough," 'Suna replies, his tone growing serious for only a moment. The blush is noted however and he usually genki man can't help but comment, "Anana, I think he already has met someone."

Anana gets to her feet, setting her drink down to wander towards the kitchen and watch Chase chop up the chicken. It's fascinating, really -- mostly because he's blushing. However, she pulls back briefly to peer at Setsuna. "If he has, does that mean we have to tease him about it?" It's actually a question, as though Anana's not sure of the answer. "Have you, then, Chase?"

 

Chase gives himself a healthy portion of that chicken before reaching for the 'slaw. "I've met plenty of somebodies, Suna. Its just a matter of picking and choosing." Yes, the typical cocky answer to try to avoid any further questions. He really doesn't need this aggravation. "And I really don't need any more teasing from the likes of you all. It isn't as if I catch hell enough as it is."

 

And speaking of catching hell... *bam, bam, bam* Knocking is heard from the door, loud enough to catch the attention immediately but not loud enough to annoy. Apparently, Brice isn't in the joking mood tonight - and it's apparent. He's dressed a lot more messily than usual, in old, faded jeans and a t-shirt (aside from his cold-weather gear), and his skin is obviously paler in bright lights. He just stands at the door, hoping Chase is in and waiting for him to come and answer it.

 

Setsuna answers Chase with, "Not all of us are so blessed, aniki, but when anyone blushes like that, it's usually because they're thinking of one person in particular. If we promise not to tease, will you tell us more about her?" Look, he's giving the other seishi one of his stellar, genki smiles. Resist if you can. Go on, try.

 

"Stop bugging Chase, 'Suna," Anana says, hopping up to peer out the spyhole. "It's Brice, I'm gonna let him in." She pulls the bolts back, then peeks out at him from behind the door. "Hi, Brice. We brought food over." A mischievous grin tugs at her lips, fading as she takes in his appearance. "What's wrong?"

 

Chase must resist Suna, because if he were to falter, he will be Doomed! But, he is saved by Brice! Suna is given a shrug and a grin, and then the boy is pushing to his feet to go answer the door.  But, the thing is that Anana is already there, leaving him looking a little embarrassed. He slowly lowers his rear back down, waving a hand to Brice. "Chicken and everything else. Join us..." But, he is frowning at big brother, frowning in concern at him. "Are you okay?"

 

"Anana?" Yes, Brice is mildly surprised to see the not-quite-so-chibi at Chase's place. "Who else is here? 'Suna?" He should expect it; the Genbu like to group up. So he heads in, peeling off his jacket. "I'm okay - just haven't been getting much sleep lately." Notice he doesn't mention why, it's kind of weird and he can't make much sense of it. "What else is there besides chicken? I can do with a free meal for once." And he drops onto a convenient place to sit - not sits, drops. He /is/ tired.

 

Setsuna waves to Brice as he walks in, finally making his way to collect a plate of chicken and slaw. "You don't look so good, aniki. Not that you need me to tell you that after everyone has, but it is true. Did something happen?"

 

Anana wanders back to the table, settling down in her chair and picking up her drink. "Why haven't you been sleeping, Brice? You look like you need it, and you've got classes, and Ash probably..." Pause. Let's not complete that thought. "Anyway, there's coleslaw and fries. 'Suna and I picked it up on the way here."

 

Chase goes to eating some slaw, chewing away as he watches Brice with a curious eye. "Come on, brother. You know you can tell us all what's bugging you. If you can't tell your family, who can you tell?" He offers Brice a warm grin, reaching over to push the 'slaw and fries over closer to Brice.

 

John knocks absently at the door. No, he didn't know there was a party here. He just has good timing, that's all.  His foodsense is tingling. "Hello?"

Chase shoots up this time to answer the door quickly, opening it to admit John. "Come in. Eat. All we need is Ash now."

 

Food? Food! Free! Watch out, six-foot-tall senior college male coming through! Brice maintains his dignity enough to actually get something to eat off of before grabbing a handfull of fries, oddly silenced by the "family" comment. "Thanks, you guys." Even with his real family being supportive, this is just one of those things they wouldn't understand. "I haven't been sleeping well... Not because of Ash, or at least not Ash now... Probably not Takiko either, I can't tell. I just keep having these... pretty weird dreams." He can't think of any way to better explain them. "They've been making me wake up, and keeping me up." He shakes his head, reaching for the ketchup. "I don't know much about them, but on some level... they scare me." He's admitting fright, to someone other than blood family or Ash. It's either veryvery weird or pretty damn bad.

 

Setsuna chews a bit of chicken, listening to Brice with a look of concern in eyes. John's arrival does bring back a gentle smile and a welcoming, "Niichan, you've found us!" The big man would be glomped if the boy didn't have a plate of food. It is to Brice again that Suna turns his attention, tilting his head to the side, "Dreams usually can't be ignored. Would you share them with us, aniki? Perhaps we can offer some insights."

 

"Dreams?" Anana echoes, not feeling the need to reaffirm the fact that they're his family; it's so ingrained in her mind already that it doesn't need repetition. She glances worriedly aside at Setsuna and Chase, then blinks at John's arrival. "Hi, John!" She's quite happily settled upon her chair with a drink in hand, not having taken much to eat save for stealing a fry or two. "Can you tell us what you /do/ know about them, Brice?"

 

John removes his coat, hanging it up neatly inside the door. "What're they about?" He asks, in a somber tone.  He's with Setsuna on this one. Of course, his affection for Uruki means he's with him on alot of things, really.  And is that.. Free food?  Oooh.  He wanders near the table, removing his hat and rubbing at his head. Well, he'd just eat it all, but boy does it look good.

 

Chase chews on a bit of chicken, frowning over to Brice even more, "Yeah. Tell us about them. I'm sure at least someone around here can figure it out." Chase is quick to pull a bit more meat from the chicken and put it upon his plate before John can take the rest.

 

And Brice takes his own share of chicken quickly. Not passing it up, no way, no how. He briefly considers saying 'I don't want to bother you all,' but he knows that nothing will deter them. The Genbu are a stubborn lot. Pity them if there's ever serious infighting. "Well... there's chaos. That's the best way I can describe it. It feels like a battle's going on, or something like that." He hesitates a moment, then convinces himself they'll get it all out of him eventually and it's better to just volunteer it. "I'm pretty sure I know what it is, actually - a memory from Hikitsu. But he - I - was really young, so it's not entirely clear. But the me in the dream is scared, and running, and pretty damn helpless. And... I'm pretty sure the end of the dream is me discovering my powers." He shrugs uncomfortably. "I just don't know why I'd dream about that."

 

Setsuna has a theory about why his aniki would be dreaming about such things. "Hikitsu, do you really want me to say what I think it means? I'm not sure you want to hear it." And he's not. He shares a glance with Anana, brow furrowed. Life is complicated.

 

Anana frowns slightly, drawing upon her old memories... and finding nothing to account for it. The glance at Setsuna is met, and she sighs quietly. "I'll say it," she murmurs to him, then looks at Brice. "Because you don't have your powers now, and the part of you that's Hikitsu, all your memories, personality and everything is trying to make you remember how to use them instead of suppressing them." Or it quite well could be the opposite; there're always two sides to the coin in psychology.

 

John steals the remainder of the chicken. Willpower only goes so far and his just ended with a tummy rumble.  He debates his own words carefully.. Sure, he's worried about Brice, but he's not much for analyzing dreams, and this is like Genbu's dinnertime theater. "Need to awaken."

Chase drinks from the soda pop, watching Brice with dark eyebrows that draw together to add to his frown. He clears his throat, flickering a glance over to the others before looking back to Brice. He listens quietly to the others before offering up his own bit, "You're around all of us, big brother. Things are happening, and I suppose something is trying to tell you that it's about time that you start remembering the rest it, and your powers. I'm thinking... that you should start trying to... embrace, I suppose, what you're dreaming. It'll probably tell you quite a bit."

 

Brice stops eating - he subconsciously suspected that was what it all was, but there was no way he was going to acknowledge it in his own mind. Not unless he's forced to, like he's being now. "No," he replies calmly - almost too calmly. Maybe full-blown Hikitsu really /is/ starting to surface. "I refuse to accept that as fact. I remember everything as clearly as Hikitsu remembered - the memories aren't perfect, but even my memories from this life aren't. Having my powers would be nice, but I can't accept that I need to lose half my sight to get them." It's funny that he's still fighting it - the dream obviously begins with two-eyed sight, then ends in one - and a giant flash of green. He knows what needs to happen, he just won't accept it this time.

 

Setsuna sighs deeply, "Aniki, we all have that which we must give up for our powers. I think, when it happens, you will prefer to be one with your own power once more rather than have two eyes. I'm not saying that it is a poor sacrifice, but how can you hope to protect Takiko as you are now? You cannot. Memories or no. So the question becomes -- what is more important to you? Your vanity or the safety of your miko?"

 

Anana shares another glance with Setsuna, expression somewhat less bright than normal, less bubbly. And in that look, there's her usual stubbornness manifested doubly. "He's hiding from it because of that fear, 'Suna," she says quietly, looking at each and every one of the people there, finally letting her gaze rest upon Brice. "Because he hasn't answered that question himself: the miko, or his looks."

 

John raises a finger, a small dot of green chi appearing at the tip.  "We all can protect her, and you cannot." He drones, chin raising slightly. "Being a seishi is painful sacrifice sometimes, which is why we have one another. I will help you awaken."  You know, considering John isn't the most, ah, subtle person in the world, is that a good idea?  Hmm. That small ball of chi is growing bigger..

 

Chase stops drinking his pop as well, watching Brice with a deepening frown. He reaches a hand up to rub at his forehead, flickering a glance to the others. He smirks at what is being said, before peering to Brice. "Hey, guy... they might have some of the right of it. I'd listen to them, and then figure out what you think is best. After all I..." John is scowled at. "Put that away. I'll loose my deposit if you start in with that stuff."

 

"It is NOT about my looks!!!!!!!" And he leaps to his feet. Okay, he's snapped, at least on that front. Brice cares about his appearance, but not to that extent. "I'd LOVE to have my powers! Then I wouldn't have to depend on you all every time or Nakago to protect Anana or anything! I love Ash, I want to protect her /myself/!" The thing he's scared of is the trauma that comes with the experience - becoming a seishi last time scarred his small mind very badly, and while a twenty-two-year-old will definitely take it better, little Hikitsu's emotions are holding him back. "JOHN! Don't you do it! /Don't/! DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!" He's more on the verge of going ballistic than ever before - and something's starting to quake in the back of his mind.

 

Setsuna trusts John completely and although he knows what he's about to do is going to possibly get him into a lot of trouble, he rises from his seat, setting aside the plate and raises his right hand toward Brice. The wind immediately gusts through the room and focuses in on Hikitsu, curling around his limbs and rendering him immobile in the face of Inami's demonstration. Uruki pales slightly, but other than that his face is set in a grim expression of determination. "It is time, Hikitsu."

 

Familiar with both Hikitsu and Brice, it requires less than the usual physical contact for this sort of thing, but she does shake her head at John and Setsuna, mouthing, 'No.' as she rises to her feet. Anana closes her eyes as soon as Brice's nigh-panic hits, ignoring other distractions as she rebuilds an old link, then twists it a little bit, pulling herself in and giving Brice a mental shove into that memory. Scuba diving, here we go! Ahem. She follows him, acting as a buffer against the dangers of memory.

 

John smiles wryly, although his symbol is now glowing brightly, and the ball is indeed expanding in his hand. "I am sorry. We need you, Brice.  We can't do this without you."  Still, too many people are saying no. With a grimace at Setsuna, he blows at the ball of chi, which scatters like dandelion seeds.    Wimps.

 

Chase blinks at the others, and then actually startles, scrambling to his feet. "Guys..." there is a tone of worry in his voice, not so much for his poor, abused apartment as for Brice's current state. And Suna's cute little wind isn't doing his homework any good. He mutters a curse, moving over towards his brother with a hand to steady him no matter whatever happens next. "Come on, Hikitsu..."

 

And with Anana's help, he's gone. Brice Kent doesn't exist any more; neither do the apartment, nor the city, nor the country. He is half a world and a thousand years away, and he's short and curious and four. Yes, four, no age for any child to experience trauma, much less war, but that is practically what he's in the middle of at the moment. A raid on Emtato's clan by an opposing clan, a fairly normal occurence that became deadly, one of the two times in his life - though the second one would leave him alone and homeless. And Emtato is running on his short legs, running away from the flames and screams, soot particles flying into his eyes and nearly making him blind, and his little heart is beating so fast it feels ready to jump out of his chest.

John glances at Brice, wandering over to the man with a worried expression. The fella looks like he's gone wonky, or something. "Wake up."  He states.. and pounds the hapless seishi on the back.  Nothing to see here!

 

Setsuna closes his hand and sends the wind away the moment John releases the ball of chi. His silver-blue eyes are all for Hatsui now as he moves to her side and sits, without touching her. He's well aware of what she's attempting and of the risks she faces each time she dives into another's psyche. "Hai, wake up, Hikitsu.  Please."

 

Chase flickers an almost annoyed smirk at Inami, before looking back to Brice. He swallows, nervously looking back up at his brother a little anxiously. The teenager reaches over to keep a hand at least on Brice's arm, quietly waiting.

 

Anana merely stays where she is, though she's quite well aware of Setsuna next to her. Metaphorically speaking, she's fully rigged out in mind-diving gear and as armored as she possibly can be against shocks. She's gotten a lot better at this particular aspect since the first accidental time, and while she might not like what she's got to do, there's the inevitable sense -- passed along the link -- that this has to be done. She's just there to catch him if he falls and to cushion the shock.

 

John stares down at Hikitsu, raising an eyebrow. "....Ooops."

 

Yeah, thanks John, Brice's gonna feel that in the morning.

 

John rubs at the back of his head, sheepishly.

 

Hikitsu never told anyone his past, except Tomite heard parts of it at the end, but Anana's getting a pretty significant eyefull at the moment. Little Emtato is now running through a forest - and it appears to be winter, because he's shivering, and there's snow all around - although when /wasn't/ there snow in Hokkan except in summer? But he's sure he's alone now, with no bad men chasing him, so he stops by a tree to catch his breath. But then there's the crunch of snow and the jingle of metal, and when he turns around, there are two large men behind him. And they're looking at him in a very, very bad way.

 

Setsuna's eyes have taken on a distant cast, something perhaps Anana would recognize but she's not quite /here/ at the moment. A frown mars his lips at something unseen or unheard as well as the scene enfolding before him. "We should pick him up, Chase," suggests the younger seishi, slipping off the couch to join Brice on the floor. "Though I'm not sure if we should interfere until it's over."

 

Soooooo, Brice is on the floor, care of John. Chase smirks once more, and then frowns at Suna's words. "Grab a pillow from my room. We'll at least cushion his head." Slowly, he moves to roll over Brice so that he is on his back, still watching the man with a worried expression.

 

And the two men are saying things. Bad things. He can't quite tell what they mean, but he doesn't like the way they sound. Or the way they keep looking at him. Or the pointy, very sharp spears and swords they both carry. Something is shaking in his mind, and has been the entire attack, but when the men start to come closer, not listening to his young, pathetic cries to go away, the 'something' explodes.

 

Anana moves to settle beside Brice, her gaze focused upon him. How undignified a position, really. It's definitely a weird thing to see, especially with the green glow (of home?) around them. She's caught up in the memory, too, though simply an intangible presence at this point -- until that something explodes, and she buffers the young boy in the memory against the shock of what is inevitably to come.

 

Setsuna slips into the bedroom, finding it easily enough and returning with a pillow which he slides carefully under Brice's head, sharing a concerned glance with Chase. "I hope he'll forgive us all for this when it's over." There's an answering glow of his own symbol where it lives above his navel, dark green leaking through the sweatshirt covering it.

 

Chase shoots another very worried glance at Anana, before it is back to Brice once more. "Brice..." he murmurs, not quite managing to keep the tense and distinctly worried tone from his voice. Yes, another glance is shared with Suna, before he is reaching over as if to take Brice's hand, giving it a firm squeeze.

 

Brice in the present, and Emtato in the memory, are suddenly blazing with green light - the physical manifestation of energy, of ki. Emtato throws his arms up to hide his face, eyes closing at the something explodes - so he doesn't realize what the 'something' took from him. It's /very/ apparent in Brice, however: his right eye is suddenly /gone/, replaced by smooth skin, with no sign of even a socket. His face, throughout this whole thing, has been immobile, calm, as if he were sleeping, even when John pounded him. But Emtato's panic releases something - a large sheet of ice, six inches wide, to cover the ground in Hokkan and trap the men where they are, mysteriously leaving Emtato alone. And it should be apparent that if someone can't do something fast that Chase's apartment is going to suffer the same fate and everyone will be frozen to the floor.

 

And this is where Anana takes over, having expected it. The threat of the ice to her is enough to trigger that innate power that's saved her life more than once, the green doubling and redoubling as she bites her lip. There is a crackling from outside the window, and frost rimes the panes in lacelike designs; the side of the building now has an even, thin layer of ice. And then she's a presence in his mind again. "Come back, Hikitsu." And there's the offer of a 'hand' out of the memory, as well as a gentle sense of sorrow at what she had to do.

 

The pulsing of his own answering chi makes Uruki grimace and a sudden warning of, "Be careful of him!" is called out only moments before the seishi calls the wind to him, solidifying it about Brice where lays, in effort of capturing any burst of power that escape. Reaching through that barrier, he grasps Brice's shoulder and shakes him, "Hikitsu, Hikitsu... you must control yourself." Still more wind swirls around the inside now, reinforcing the walls, keeping them all tightly tucked in a haven that will serve to keep damage to a minimum and neighbors from being too nosy. It is a lot for Suna though, who is white as sheet from the outpouring of his own chi.

 

Chase is watching Brice expectantly, undeniably frightened as he fastens his eyes upon his brother. He shivers though, clenching Brice's hand a little tighter as he tries to ignore all of the buzzing this rather flagrant show of chi is providing. "Hikitsu? Please? Come back to us. We're waiting for you. Hikitsu?"

 

The two minds finally separate, and slowly things come back to Brice: his name, his family, his current living situation. And there's the memory-hand, something he gratefully accepts, and lets it tow him out of the memory. Now that the need to use his powers is down, the ki starts fading around Brice, except around where his eye used to be - and the two-line, two-dot kanji for "dipper" can be seen glowing softly, almost contentedly in a strange way, on the empty plain of skin. As he gets closer to reality he registers voices - especially Chase's. And for the first time he really responds to that name, and comes back to himself very quickly, the ki finally fading entirely. He takes a gasping breath and clutches Chase's hand in return, using it as a life-line, then opens his... eye. "Oh no..." he whispers so quietly it's almost inaudible.

 

Setsuna releases his power quickly, falling back against the couch for support. Tired, but immensely pleased as Hikitsu finally returns. He reaches hand for Anana's, needing that bit of comfort.

 

Anana settles back on her heels, looking rather weary indeed. "I'm sorry, Brice," the teenager says, expression pained as she rises carefully to her feet, holding a hand out to Setsuna as he reaches for her own, the two more in synch than one might have thought. "Welcome back to us."

Chase is still trying his best to keep those nerves of his from exploding, but as soon as Brice's one eye opens, he is offering a warm smile to Brice. His own gaze searches him for a moment, "How are you feeling?"

 

Brice doesn't respond to either of them for the moment, instead reaching up his free hand to carefully feel all around his face. And he honestly doesn't like what he finds; his skin, already pale, turns ashy. "No... Not again, no..." Maybe he hasn't quite gotten out of the memory, or maybe the memories are just more clear and accessible now, but in whichever case he is feeling not only his own shock, but also four-year-old Emtato's. "No... I hurt people like this, I don't want it..." But it's too late to take it back.

 

Setsuna sighs, holding tight to Anana's hand. "Hikitsu...  you only need to hurt if that's what it takes to protect yourself and our miko. Please, aniki. We needed you here with us, we need your powers." He turns a pleading gaze on Chase, "Tell him, Tomite. Tell him how much we need him."

 

Anana frowns slightly at Brice's denials, but sighs. "Brice," she says softly, "You told me that you wanted your powers back. Whether Hikitsu wanted you to have them... I don't know. But we needed them here and now." Her hand tightens around Setsuna's briefly as she looks at him, distress in her eyes. She didn't make a mistake, she knows it -- but there's always the doubt.

 

Chase doesn't even look at the others, his gaze remains trained upon Brice, worry slowly disappearing to be replaced by an almost steely resolve. "Brice? You're older now. You're wiser. You aren't back then anymore, you are right here. Right now. You damn well know you can do this. You /have/ to do this. We are all here with you now, and there is a reason, a /reason/, that this is happening again. I know you can rise to it, as you did before. Come on, Brice. Don't go there. We need you here and now, and that means everything that Hikitsu brings as well. Lets go, brother. I /know/ you can do it."

 

He should get over it. He knows it. But Brice can't. Now he's got new memories, stuff that he didn't /want/ to know - and still doesn't. But... Hikitsu can get over it. Or at least hide it. So Hikitsu takes control, pushing the panic down and turning his head to look at the others. "I know." The universal answer to all questions. "I just don't want to hurt you." And he doesn't, he really doesn't.

 

Setsuna smiles gently, "You love us, aniki and we you. You would never hurt us. We all know this. We are family. It is good to have you back." He leans his head against Anana's, hand still held by hers. "What would we do without you, Hatsui," he whispers before giving her hair a light kiss.

 

Anana peeks up at Setsuna, then smiles slightly at his words, snuggling close; she may seem like a fifteen-year-old or older sometimes, but she saw and experienced the exact same thing that Brice did, and it's made her rather quiet indeed. "You couldn't hurt us, Brice," she says quietly, resting against Setsuna. "You have /far/ more control than that."

 

Chase agrees with both Suna and Anana in that, slowly bobbing his head as well. "We will always have faith in you. Always. Don't worry about hurting us." He casts a glance askance to the others, before looking back to Brice. "How about you stay here tonight, Brice? You've got quite a distance to go, and we can sit back, watch some TV, eat whatever leftovers John didn't get to."

 

He won't say it now, but their faith is far more comforting than even he expected it to be. So even though he's exhausted, he starts feeling a little better. But the exhaustion is still winning over - nights of not sleeping, full days in class and work, worry, the memories, and then discovering powers are not good for a person. His eye is closing again. "Thank you... Do you mind, Chase?"

 

"I think that's a very good idea, Chase," says Setsuna, nodding back to the other two on the floor. "Brice, you should take a day off or two. At least until the shock of everything wears off, ne?" He glances to Anana, weariness reflected in his own eyes. "I should go home myself. Shall we share a cab?"

 

Anana glances up at Setsuna again. "I should go home," she says to him, then offers Brice and Chase a tired smile; she's about at half her usual energy, save for the part that she can't touch herself. "Let's share..." She trails off, laughing softly at Setsuna. "Old habits, it seems. Let's go." As she gets to her feet, she rests a hand briefly upon Brice's hair, the touch feather-light and gentle. "Love you, Brice." A smile goes to Chase. "Love you both." And then she turns to Setsuna, tugging gently upon his hand.

 

"No, I don't mind... but you can at least get off the floor and take the couch. I don't want to hear you in the morning whining about my hospitality." And Chase can just hear it too. Every droning, whining, lousy bit of it. He glances over to the others, smiling faintly, "Thanks for coming over, guys. Next time I'll grill you steaks straight from home. Best corn-feed beef stock you ever did..." Run, quick! Yet the teenager is getting up, moving to do something or another. Maybe pick up whatever mess was left behind in the wake of this all. Wind. Bah.