3/31/2003

02:16 PM

Logfile from Tomite.

 

Mandarin Plaza - 1502

It looks like an average two bedroom apartment. The furniture is second-hand, and the overall impression is somewhat shabby, with the exception of the shotgun/rifle collection hanging up on the far wall.  Pretty boring place, really, but there's a TV and some game consoles, at least

Lexie is here.

Obvious exits:

Exit

Lexie

It's truly hard to miss the Italian heritage of this woman; As with many Italians, her brassy manner of movement, high-held chin, and intense manner proclaim her heritage. Although her stature itself is an unimpressive petite build of 5'1, Lexie carries herself with a straight and rigid posture that hints at military background more than a cultural one.  Long hair, of a dusky brown, is swept back typically into a ponytail at the nape of her neck, revealing her plain and rounded features.  Her nose is slender, turning up somewhat impishly just at the end; Perpetually at odds with her worldly and cynical dark blue eyes.  Although she might be described as somewhat plain, her figure is whipcord lean and muscular, as if every vestige of softness had long ago been stripped from the woman.

She wears a set of black combat fatigues, a pair of combat boots, and the standard olive drab tee shirt.  Around her neck is a set of dog-tags, to complete the outfit.  Her waist-length brown hair is pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of her neck.

Lexie appears to be 26 years, 4 months, and 20 days old.

She is sleeping.

Carrying:

 Spirit Amulet (#457)

 

Chase is at Lexie's place again, and apparently he hasn't quite learned his lesson. No pack or anything in evidence. He stands just without, rapping upon the door lightly. He takes a step back, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants, only to reach a hand up to adjust his hat, and simply fidget.

 

The place has been patched up considerably since Chase was here last-- But true to habit, she still leaves the door open.  This time, though, it's to air the place out. The miko is actually keeping true to her word of fixing the stereo, one of the few things she /does/ remember from that evening.  At the moment, the table is set up as a soldering bench, as she uses the iron on one of the replacement circut boards with an expert hand.  After all, if she fixed cars and airplanes, one stereo isn't too horrible a challenge.  Just more of one than she'd originally thought it'd be.  She's been working on it for a few hours now, dressed in a pair of cutoffs and a black tank-top.  "Yeah, yeah, whoever it is, it's open! Come in already!" She calls.

 

Chase does actually recall the last time he simply helped himself to entering the apartment, so he does hesitate just without for a moment before peeking his head in. Well, she isn't in a robe this time, and he actually looks a little dismayed at that. "Uh... Lexie?" Hand reaches up to itch a finger behind his ear as he peers at her, and the display upon the table. One foot and then another make their way past the doorway and he stands there, ready to bolt at the first sign of weaponry.

 

Lexie raises the dark glasses she's been using to protect her eyes, a ring of soot marking where they were located. "OH!  Um, hi, Chase."  Now it's her turn to look akward, for a moment. "I'm um, I'm fixing the stereo for you.. But it won't be ready for another day or two." She manages, without faltering.  Talk about uncomfortable!  "Um, d'ya want anything to drink?  Like, a coke or something?"  Beer, obviously, is a bad idea for both of them. She hasn't touched alcohol since, in fact.

 

Chase still has some good humor about him, and the sight of the rings around her eyes, along with the visuals of a raccoon cause him to bite his lip to hold back that threatening grin. Nope, instead he just looks briefly smug. "Uhhh, yeah. You really are going to try to fix it?" Fidgeting stalls for the moment as he crosses inside a little further, "Oh, sure. Don't get up. I'll get it." Finger lifts, he seems to frown momentarily to try to remember where the fridge is, and starts in that direction.

 

Lexie quirks a smile of her own, rubbing at her face.. And smudging it up even worse. "Well, if you're going to be a good host, grab me one too." She teases, smile turning into an outright, if surprised grin.  "Trying nothin'!  I am fixing it. Might look a little weird when I'm done, but it'll work and sound the same."  She pauses, taking a moment to clean the glasses on the fabric of her tank top, buying a moment's time.  "...Hey, look, about the other night.."

 

Chase returns a moment later with a pair of cans. One is set down in a relatively clear bit of table space for her, top already popped open. He cracks his open as well, only to peer at the mess upon the table. "A little weird?" he echoes, skepticism showing in his voice and The Look. "I'll believe it when I hear it work." A shrug of his shoulders then a peer back to her, "Yeah, about that..." He trails off as well, wincing, and then watching her with curiosity.

 

Lexie takes the can of cola, wiping at her forehead with a sleeve. "Hey, if I can fix an F-16, I can fix a stereo. I just can't do much about the holes in the casing, that's all." She murmurs, cheeks heating as she responds to the barb defensively. Way to be predictable, Lex.  "Look, I just wanted to say, um.. That if anything did uh, happen between us, that is to say, you and I.. I'm sorry."  She lets out a deep breath. Saying sorry isn't exactly one of her strong points. Especially not to a seishi.  "...Because, um, I mean, you're probably getting alot of flak for the whole evening, and it wasn't your fault, and I still don't quite remember alot of it.."

 

Chase perches upon a chair next to her, only to blink across to the woman. Please say he didn't just see the yin no miko /blush/. Ooooooh boy. He spends the moment drinking from the can, frowning faintly. A riot of thoughts flash through his head, but all he manages for the moment is another shrug, "Ah, don't worry about it. It was... odd. And vaguely fun, I think. And if something did, uh, sorry, but I don't remember a bit of it, so I can't go off crowing about it to everyone." He offers her a wry grin, "Nah, I've got into trouble for far worse things. Just lay low for a few days and they'll forget. I'm used to it by now."

 

Lexie has to chuckle again at the nonchalant attitude.  "You're a raffish guy, you know that?   I have no idea how you got to be a seishi.  You don't have enough of a stick up your ass for it."  She pulls down the glasses, abandoning the can in favor of finishing the board she's been working on.  "Sadly, it was probably the best company I've had in a long time. It's allright if you make fun of me for having to kidnap my friends.  Believe me, in this job, you get used to critisism from /everyone/."  She adds, good humor fading a notch.  "I guess it's just as well that I haven't found any rings."

 

Chase takes another swig of the pop before setting it down once more. "You know, you aren't the first person to wonder that but Genbu clearly had a strategy in mind when he brought someone with my obvious good looks and charm into the celestial mix." He follows with another wry grin before flickering her another glance. "Well, with the oni you've got, I'm not surprised. I mean really... oni." He shakes his head from side to side. But, yes, the pause at her last statement, "No? Uh... that's good." A relief actually. "Didn't happen to find my cell around here, did you?"

 

Lexie shrugs, pausing in her work to stifle a laugh. "He must've been on a celestial something, that's for sure." She declares, with a wry smile.  "Anyways, I'm beginning to think the seishi and oni are similar in some respects.  You have your good ones, your bad ones, and your dammned annoying ones.  Don't even get me started on Dylan's latest antics."  She scowls, going back to the tedious work of repair.  "Anyways, if you try to please everyone, you'll make nobody happy.  Knowing this, I save myself the trouble and just try to make everyone mad at me in the first place. This way, I don't dissapoint anyone but myself.  It sounds weird, but it works for me."

 

Chase is chuckling softly before flickering a glance to the ceiling and the heavens above. He slowly shakes his head from side to side, before bringing his gaze back down and across to her. "I won't get into an argument with you on my opinions of the placement of the oni in your categories, namely just one." He simply smirks at the Dylan comment, but doesn't start in on that one. Nope. He is sighing though, smirking at her, "Sounds like you are putting way too much effort into that. Make them angry to save grief later? Yin no miko considering the impression she makes on others?"

 

Lexie finishes out the board and turns off the soldering iron, removing the glasses and putting them away.  "Neither of us is an authority to argue on the other side, as we both have our own biases and preconcieved notions."  She walks over to him and plunks down next to him on the couch, folding her arms.  "But by the same token, we don't know one another worth a damn. Of course I consider the impression I make on others.  For starters, I don't want the oni attached to me, as I'm quite replacable unlike your mikos.  They may not like me much at all, but when I dig in my heels, they listen most of the time.  I'm nobody's pawn.  I've had enough bullshit in my life that I don't want to play games of this friend and that friend anymore.  At the same time, I don't want to get anyone's hopes up. I'm not a good person, as you're well aware."

 

Chase is smirking once more, possibly even a roll of his eyes was thrown in there, but that was about it. Nope, back to caffeine and carbonated-soda drinking. He watches her as she speaks, consideration even with a bit of skepticism present in his gaze. "Sounds lonely as hell. But if you think that is best, who am I to say anything different." He shrugs his shoulders, slumping back into the cushions of the couch. "I'm not going to say that you are a good person or not. All I've got is that you are a Yin and a couple of drunken days that fuzzy as anything."

 

Lexie laughs at the thought, shaking her head.  "It's damn lonely, yeah.  But why should you care, Yang?  I thought you just wanted your stereo back.  Anyways, I chose to be what I am, and I don't regret it. Not everyone has a life of sunshine and daisies waiting for them, Chase.  This is infinitely better. And I /do/ like the oni.  I know 'em better than they think and I see more than they know.  Which is why this arrangement suits me so well.  I get my freedom of thought and movement, they get something to complain about.  Speaking of which, I'm not planning on mentioning this whole fiasco to them anytime soon.  I'm sure someone will, but it's not going to be me. /Especially/ if wedding documents turn up.  Can you even imagine trying to make something like that work?  I think 'Until death do us part' would be the key phrase there. "  She laughs at the thought, rare humor crossing her expression.

 

Chase is shooting her another glance, "I couldn't be lonely if I tried. /They/ won't let me, and I rather like my friends and family." Yes, the social creature that he is. "Don't get me wrong though. I prize my times alone." Typically leading to getting into trouble. He shorts and gives her a healthy nudge, "I do want my stereo back, but you're the one who started in on this. I'd sure as hell love to know why girls always suddenly feel the need to tell me... Aw, never mind. It's got to be face, only thing worse would be if I actually was cursed with dimples." He is smirking once more though, "I'd get my ass kicked from here to kingdom come if that was true.  Amusing as all hell, but screwy." 

 

Lexie folds her hands behind her head, amused again.  "I don't feel the need to tell you anything, Chase.  You're a seishi, and I could completely disassosciate myself from you with hardly a second thought if I felt like it. But you're fun, so I don't mind having you around.  You'll have it back in a few days when I'm done with it.  And if you're afraid of the big bad Yin, you don't even have to come visit anymore. I'm sure your friends and family just understand you soooo well that you don't need anyone like me, huh?"

 

Chase is smirking for about the millionth time now. "Well, hell, it is nice to know that I have my uses, and at least some person in this city realizes that.. yes, I can actually be fun from time to time." Dependant upon the fun, that is. "Afraid of the Yin?" Okay, that one earns a roll of his eyes. "Uhm. Let me think about that one for a moment here... No." As for that last part, he just smirks, again.

Lexie beams widely at the answer.  "Oh, really?" She asks.. And without warning, pounces, tickling mercilessly.  "Who's a helpless seishi? Say it, say it!"

 

Oh my god. Somehow the Yin have managed to figure out his one weak point. Okay, one of many, but still, this one is pretty huge. Clearly they were spying upon the various snowball fights he managed to get into during the winter involving other seishi. Yeah, one could say that Chase is ticklish. So the slouched seishi is completely taken off guard by a pouncing, and tickling, yin no miko. "Well, I... -ACK!" He... hee-hee. HeeHeeHeeHee-Heee. Here we go. "Stop. No... stop. Lexie. Heh. Lexie... I- Oh!"

 

Lexie headlocks from behind, with a manic smile. Oh, she'll have to remember this!  As for her, it was just a good guess. "Saaa-aaaay it! "  She calls, and thank goodness nobody else is walking in on what must look like a really compromising situation.  "Say it!"

 

Chase is wiggling. Yes, wiggling. That is what people do to try and get away from those with fingers of torture, tickle torture. "I ain't saying anything!" he cries out in between the snickers and yes... the odd giggle, that are forced from him. He bursts into laugher once more, both hands trying to reach up and dislodge her arm from around him.

 

Lexie finally relents, face flushed from the arduous activity of torturing seishi. God, she loves her job.  "It's still true!" She exclaims, between chuckles.  Hot damn, she doesn't have this much fun with seishi on a regular basis, to say the least.  Angst would probably be a better word.  "I win!"  She sticks her tongue out at him.

 

Chase is trying to catch his breath as well. Once free, he is clambering over to perch upon the arm of her couch, and well out of reach for any further torture. Hat is plucked from his head, fingers dashing through his hair to pull it away from his eyes as he peers over at her. "Is not, and you /so/ didn't!" This is exactly why he is so much better at /ranged/ attacks. Get too close, and he is screwed. "Evil woman," but he is following it with a bright grin as well. And two can stick out their tongues.

 

Lexie waves a hand in the air, trying to stifle giggles.  "Seishi propaganda, I tell ya! I'm as pure as the pope's ass!"  She declares, managing to stand.  "You know, you look better without the hat. I like your hair.  Want to stay for dinner, or retreat back to your buddies?"

Chase flings the hat at Lexie, primarily on principle. "Now that is a visual I could have really done without. Thanks, Lexie." He slides off of the arm of the couch, setting down lightly to his feet. "I don't retreat, you should know /that/ by now. And it depends on what you are making."

 

Lexie catches the hat and puts it on, beaming. "Oh, hey, now I've got a collection of your clothing going.  Well, I was thinking primavera with lots of sauce, some white wine to go with it, and some braciole steaks to round it off.  Up for it?  It's nothing fancy, just, it's easier to cook for two people than one, you know?"

 

 

3/31/2003

04:53 PM

Logfile from Tomite.

 

Lexie catches the hat and puts it on, beaming. "Oh, hey, now I've got a collection of your clothing going.  Well, I was thinking primavera with lots of sauce, some white wine to go with it, and some braciole steaks to round it off.  Up for it?  It's nothing fancy, just, it's easier to cook for two people than one, you know?"

 

Chase can't rightly recall the last time he was offered that much food. And it shows as he peers across to her with a slightly hopeful look to his eyes. "Ohhhh. Well, if it wouldn't be too much of a problem for you, I suppose I could have a little... did you say primavera?" Yummmmm.

 

Lexie waves her hands, laughing. "Yes, primavera. Italian's about all I know how to cook.  Common family staple, and even when you're little, you help out.  I promise, it'll be edible."  She stands and retreats to the kitchen, to check for all the ingredients. "What kinds of foods do you usually eat?"

 

Chase trails after, a little hesitantly and first and then with a bit more of a grin. Yes, still wary of any wayward fingers of her's. "Uh, namely just whatever I pick up at the street vendors, or on the off chance there is something in the fridge back at Brice's or John's. But I'll eat just about anything." Bottomless stomach.

 

Lexie grins earnestly, safely occuping her hands with pulling out the ingredients-- And she does make it the traditional way, no less.  None of this bottled sauce stuff, and fresh pasta instead of boxed.  "Well, if you tell me you like my cooking, I might consider letting you off easy in the tickle department." She teases, setting aside a bottle of white wine from her cupboard.  "I'll just make a good portion, so there's some left over for me, too.  Sounds like they starve you."

 

"Its not like I'm the local pet to be fed or anything," Chase adds a little defensively. "I get fed plenty." Seems to be on the cookie diet lately though. "But it has been awhile since I had honest food." The kind without all of the preservatives inside of it. "Can I help? I can cook, somewhat. And I already like your cooking." There. Safe.

 

Lexie waves a hand, flustering at the sudden defensiveness.  Give her some time, she's not so good at social situations.  "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But you don't feed yourself. Remember, my culture tends to equate food with love.  If you don't eat enough it's practically insulting.  My uncle Paulo gained a hundred pounds courting Aunt Rosa."  Although, come to think of it, he might take the meaning of that a bit the wrong way.. Oh well.  It can't be helped.  "Yeah, mind setting some water to boil, add a pinch of salt to it, by the way.. And I guess we'll eat on the couch since the table's covered with electronics."

 

Chase can boil water. Hey, that's easy. Necessary when one is making Ramen or Mac and Cheese. And so, he scrounges for a pan, then fills it with the water, even that pinch of salt. "I eat enough." Never mind just how skinny he really is. It's genetics. "And Aunt Rosa was the one who taught you how to cook?"

 

Lexie shakes her head, grinning. "No, she liked making pesto and gespacho and flan. Aunt Rosa is from Argentina, unlike the rest of the family.  I have scads of cousins, aunts, and uncles from both my mom and my dad's side.. I learned a little here, a little there.  They kinda took a hand in my upbringing after mom died.  Italian families are kinda complicated, actually.  Very noisy, very emotional.. Well, some mafia ties, but we don't talk about those so much.  Either way, you can't grow up around them and not learn how to make a few decent meals."

 

Chase flickers her a glance askance, smiling once more, "With that kind of family with that kind of ease with food, I'm surprised you aren't as big as a house." Yeah, he noticed, kind of hard not to. "My cooking skills follow along the lines of being able to read directions and not being so bad with a grill, but that is about it. Mom liked to cook herself, and would shoo us all out of the kitchen whenever she was doing it."

 

Lexie laughs, shaking her head. "I keep in shape.  I got into the habit of PT when I was in the Marines and never gave it up.  Anyways, that seems like a shame. Alot of families don't spend any time together.. If I compare my old man to my aunts and uncles, I can see the difference it makes.  Unlike them, the old goat never cared much for company or mutual meals.  Eating just isn't fun when you do it alone."  She starts up the sauce, crushing some fresh garlic as she speaks.

 

Chase leans a hip up against the counter, watching her as she begins with the garlic. "Careful. Not too much of that or I'll have all the ladies running for cover." What ladies? Fingers are finding their way over to try to sneak an ingredient or two, "No, all of our meals back at home were a family affair, and if you weren't at the table at the right time... well, mom was really good at the ol' Evil Eye."

 

Lexie laughs, and halves the amount she was going to put in. "Oh, that's what after-dinner sorbet is for.  Clearing the palate and making sure you don't kill plants as you pass." She teases, allowing him to add what he likes.  "But allright, allright. I don't want to mess you up with the ladies.  What kind of foods did you guys eat?"

 

Chase isn't adding ingredients, he is just picking at them and popping them into his mouth. This is exactly why mom kicked him and the rest out of the kitchen. "Grew up in Montana, what else is there to eat but good ol' American fair and red meat. Of course, mom would try to spring in some Chinese now and again when she could get her hands on the right ingredients."

 

Lexie laughs at the thought, discovering that Chase prefers to eat ingredients.. And finding it charmingly endearing, surprisingly enough.  "Ay, poor thing! Montana, middle of nowhere.  You need Italian cooking. It's the best in the world." The French of course, can go get stuffed.  Stupid non-bathing people. "Still, it's small wonder you're so skinny. Eating like you've been will kill your metabolism later down the road, you know."

 

Chase pops a couple of tomato pieces in his mouth before replying, "Yeah, you could say that. But plenty of room for me to get into trouble and nobody would be the wiser." He finishes with a wink before shrugging his shoulders, "Hey, I'm a seishi. I really doubt that not eating right is going to be my downfall. And like you said, 'down the road', so I'm not worried about it." Ahhhh, youth and the impression that he is immortal. Kinda.

 

Lexie leans closer, managing to steal back one of the remaining slices of tomatoes and popping it in  her own mouth. "Yeah, okay, that's true.  I guess being dead already once can give a guy the long view on things.  Mind popping the cork and letting the wine air, so I can add the ingredients before they're all gone?" She teases, grinning.

 

Chase, with a dramatic moment of reluctance, goes over to find the wine to do as bid. "Hey, I've already managed to live longer than last time, despite how I look now. So all is good. And my metabolism isn't going to worry me any." Yeah, that is followed by a roll of his eyes.

 

Lexie makes a face. "You're such a sarcastic person!  I was just being nice. Anyways, you mean to tell me that you were younger when you died?  That's some crazy stuff. I don't envy you for it, at all. One life is already too many for me."  She minces up some sweet onions and sweeps them in with the braciole, before starting to get out place and fixture settings.

 

Chase sets the wine upon the table and then returns once more, hazarding a finger towards what is being cooked. Just a taste test. "Yep. Sixteen. Got feathered quite nicely, but I couldn't tell the archer that before I died. Only regret was Hikitsu being a dumb ass and charging after me. But fate just works odd that way." He glances back at her, "Not like I had a choice in this seishi stuff happening again. But we're needed, and so be it."

 

Lexie takes a turn at smirking herself, for a change.  "Arguably, I might say I need the seishi like a hole in the head, but I'm sure you don't see it that way so I won't press the point." She winks, nudging him with an elbow.  "I'm glad you get a second chance, though. Sucks to die at sixteen.  I don't much know the Genbu that well, really. Hatsui, a little.  And a bit about Uruki, since he's taken up with two former oni." Her expression speaks volumes on what she won't say about that arrangement.

 

Chase grins faintly, chuckling, "Be nice now. I didn't come here to discuss religion with you, or my family and your opinions of them." Yes, he actually does remember Lexie threatening Anana, and that only earns her a thin-lipped glance. "But yeah, I'm making the most of my second-chance as you put it. Definitely won't let it go to waste."

 

Lexie shakes her head, moving over to work on the pasta.  "Believe me, it's the last thing I'd want to discuss in depth anyways.  I've given up the idea of seeing eye to eye at that.  But I'm glad to hear you're working at it. Are you, um, going to be stuck like that?" She asks, gesturing with the hilt of a steak knife at him.  "Frozen at one age, as it were.  Sorry if it sounds intrusive, but.."  She shrugs, giving up on the topic. "Oh well. Want another tomato?"

 

 

4/1/2003

12:42 AM

Logfile from Tomite.

 

Chase is leaning a hip against the counter, watching her. "Like this? Looking like I'm the same age when I left the book world? I sure as hell hope not. Whatever god pulled this one off would really be sticking it to me this time -and I didn't do anything to them. Well... besides slandering the Suzaku, but that's doubtful." He sighs softly, "Cat said she could timewitch me back to as I was before, but only for a handful of hours."

 

Lexie offers another tomato slice, frowning. "Seems weird to not be in control of one's own fate.   Then again I guess I'm not much different like that.   But we won't think about that stuff, then. Say aah!  It should be done cooking soon, you know."

 

Chase is shrugging his shoulders once more, "Sounds like a plan to me. I get enough of an ear-full of the seishi stuff and fate or whatnot from the others." And now, he is being hand-fed slices of tomatoes from Lexie. Obligingly, mouth opens to receive it.

 

Lexie is probably enjoying the whole thing entirely too much, but think about it.. How often does she get dinner company with a relaxed aire about the whole thing, anyways?  "It's a deal, then.  Would you strain the noodles while I finish up the steak?" She asks, walking over to the medium saucepan and flipping the thin-cut braciole over, wrapping it around two portabella mushrooms.  "I think we're just about ready. You like any music or TV or anything?"

 

Chase chews away, nods his head in agreement and goes to fiddle with noodles. Attention flickers to the steak and mushrooms, nose twitching just the slightest at the smell, an appreciative twitching at that. "It's your place. I'm fine with whatever, or none. Doesn't matter to me." Nope, his mind is upon the food.

 

Lexie laughs, carrying out the sauce and steak. "I think I'll do without, tonight. Just dinner, anyways."  She murmurs, mischeviously tossing him a few napkins. "Five bucks says you'll need extras. Italian's good, but messy. Ready to eat, then? I think we're all set."

 

Chase captures the thrown napkins in one hand while the other brings out the pasta. "You're on. At least you didn't throw me a bib." Because then he might have pouted or something. He follows after her, setting down his bowl with a grin. "Think so. If it tastes as good as it smells and looks..." Mmmm.

 

Lexie settles herself down into a seat and pours two glasses of the wine.  "Now this is food. Not too expensive, but there's nothing better in the world.  All that namby-pamby stuff that rich folks eat can't top it."  She waits for him to serve himself first.. Only polite, and all.  "Hey, it's kinda nice to have you over, though. Thanks for coming." 

 

Chase wrinkles his nose, "Couldn't agree with you more, but seeing as I've never had any of that namby-pamby stuff as you said, I suppose it doesn't rightly matter." He shrugs his shoulders, glance to her, and then serves himself in the meantime. "Yeah, and there were no bullets flying, icy circumstances, or spiritual old men to deal with. Just... food."

 

Lexie grins widely, taking a portion for herself.  "Ah, my spirit guardian. Yeah, the old man.. Well, I guess he isn't going to hell so long as he's bound, but still.. It's good for him to do something useful, even though he's dead.   It's also good to have a /little/ protection when upset guys come calling for their stereo.  But you know what else is cool? I can even make him do dishes.  I have to admit, that's the best part about it. I hate dishes.  How's the sauce?"

 

Chase grins, "It's been my experience that while one does the cooking, the other does the dishes. So I'll do your dishes for you, and you won't have to go searching around on the spiritual plain for help this time around. And yeah, its good." But it takes a moment, and then he blinks over at her, "Wait.. as in that guy is honestly the spirit of your old man? Bound in there and everything? Is he conscious? How did you manage...?"

 

Lexie takes a bite of the pasta, considering just how to answer. "Well, to understand that, you need to understand a little of my family history.  If I tell you about it, will you give me your word that you won't go spreading it all around? To be honest, it's kinda not anyone else's business, but I think you might understand."

 

Chase is looking just a little uneasy here, and it is becoming evident in the way that he watches her. He seems to consider for a moment, "As in blabber it about to just everyone and anyone? No, I won't." He quiets though, watching her with a touch of a frown.

 

Lexie folds her hands, abandoning her food in favor of a quick sip of the wine.  "Well, to make a long story short, he was an alcoholic.  A very mean one.  My mother hung herself when I was three, and I guess things kinda went downhill from there.  Although I've got alot of great cousins and aunts, my respect for the old man is absolute zero.  He took the family business, a garage, and ran it into the ground so hard that each time I thought I almost had it out again, he'd blow everything we'd made.  It was a relief when he finally drank himself to death, and I had him buried on the grounds and tried to salvage what was left."  She folds her arms across her chest, regarding Tomite with a direct expression. "One of my oni, however, was trying to come up with a good guardian to bind to me.  I think it's damn fitting that after all these years piping to his tune, that he's now at my beck and call until I choose to release him.   Maybe it's revenge, and maybe it's poetic justice. I dunno."  She shrugs, and tries some of the steak. "Hey, this turned out well."

 

Chase listens to her quietly for a long moment, hesitating in his eating. His expression begins to grow serious after a moment though and he is pushing away his plate. "So you had his spirit bound to you. That was what I was messing with before?" He frowns faintly, "Should have known..." He reaches a hand up to rub at his forehead before peering at her once more, remaining silent.

 

Lexie nods, pouring herself some more wine. "Yep.  Without destroying the bind point, you can't destroy him. He'll reform through physical or chi attacks, you name it. Damn handy, if you ask me.  Anyways, I meant it when I said I wasn't a good person. Good people don't have their old man dug up to torment him.  Not that hell wasn't waiting for him anyways, but still."

 

Chase knows a thing or two about this sort of stuff, and so he is left to simply smirk at her, and then sigh. "The bind point?" He seems to think on that for a moment, "I suppose it's something physical you've got, seeing as its forced?" He moves to take a swig of the wine, a very long, long drink from it before waiting for her to finish with the bottle so he can refill his glass once more.

 

Lexie waves a finger, handing over the bottle and tucking into her primavera again.  "Ah, trade secret, I'm afraid.  But you've got the right idea, generally.  So, do you think less of me for it, or wasn't that possible?"  Her smile returns, and she waves a fork at him.  "Just call me curious.  Not that it matters what you think of me or anything."

 

Chase pours the wine into the glass, sighing. "Ohhhhh. I don't know. But speaking as a spirit that was once bound myself, I can't exactly say I'm all that thrilled to hear of it, but I'm not exactly all that surprised myself." He takes another long drink from the glass, watching her with something along the lines of consternation.

 

Lexie raises both eyebrows. "Well, that I didn't know about. Want to tell me about it?  I guess the subject interests me, and stuff."  She shrugs, affecting a nonchalant expression. "The old bastard got what was coming to him.  A hundred times what I can do wouldn't be enough to make him pay.  Maybe it sounds vindictive, but it's damn true."

 

Chase is rubbing at his forehead again, sighing before speaking. "Look, Lexie. Binding spirits isn't exactly something that..." A mutter and he is leaning back, shaking his head from side to side. "My spirit was bound to protect the shinzaho, back in the book world, but I did it willingly and for over two hundred years -to sum it all up," Chase replies, still watching her steadily.

 

Lexie rubs at her chin, watching him evenly. "Sounds lonely.  I hope the old man is half as miserable as you must've been. But you did something worthwhile. Is that so bad?  Look, I'm not doing this with any illusions that he likes it.  Half the point of it is that I'm getting back a peice of my own life.   Well, and there really weren't any other suitable spirits. None I'd put through this, anyways. Just him."

 

"No, I had Hikitsu with me. While not exactly the strongest conversationalist in the world, he was a willingly bound spirit as well," Chase replies softly. He frowns, and takes another sip from the glass. "Just so you know, if I ever find out how or where you bound that spirit, I'll break it. Sure, this guy sounds like he fucked you and your life over real well, and making him pay into the afterlife sounds like a great way for revenge and getting you some protection at that, I don't like it." He shrugs his shoulders, "Just want to make sure you know where I'm coming from, okay?"

 

Lexie surprisingly enough issues a soft smile, leaning across the table to plant a kiss on his cheek. Talk about weird, huh?   "Allright, I think I can accept that.  Maybe I'll even let you figure out the bind point one of these days.  You can be my reason, because according to my oni, I don't have any.  And I'll admit it's pretty easy to be blinded by my feelings about the old bastard.  You've got a deal."  Well, how about that?

 

Chase is left to blink. Yes, blink. And he manages to do it quite a bit. "Me? Your reason? Clearly you have me mixed up with someone else, either that or your oni really are a sad lot. I'd get laughed out of this city if anyone said that I was their reason." And he simply has to add, "I find it strange as hell that I've been kissed by more Yin than Yang."

 

Lexie laughs, at that. "Nope, you heard me.  And why would I want to take cues from any of them?  If they weren't screwed all to hell, they wouldn't be involved in this whole thing.  Anyways, you're probably right. It must be your face.  So be good or I'll do it again." She winks, and finishes the last of her wine, with a sated sigh. Good food.. "Besides, none of them have experienced the whole thing firsthand. That's why I trust your judgment in the matter considerably more."

 

Chase isn't quite sure how to respond now, and it shows from the confusion in his eyes and the fidgeting of his fingers as they tap along the rim of his glass of wine. "Uhm... yeah. I'll take your word for it." A little more fidgeting before he finally adds, "So, maybe you aren't all that bad, I suppose. I might have possibly jumped to a few conclusions and such, considering the Yin thing and the stuff that I heard about you. But you cook okay, give me alcohol, aren't too bad on the eyes, and I suppose that if I had to get taken hostage or kidnapped or whatever, you aren't too bad of a captor. And, admittedly, you're a fair shot."

 

Lexie shakes her head, grinning. "Oh, sure, take all the fun out of it!  Well, okay, you're allright too. And I'm still really damn sorry if anything uh, happened." She coughs politely into a hand.  "Anyways, most of what you've heard is probably true.  But I still cook well enough."  She shrugs again, amusedly.  "More wine?"

 

Chase blinks for a moment, and then chuckles. "As... uhm... weird as things were, I don't think anything happened, other than me using you as a pillow." And what nice pillows she has. "I would have /had/ to remember something else happening, otherwise I'd be feeling damned cheated right about now." Glass is drained to the last drop and then raised towards her once more. "Sure. It's good stuff. Thanks."

 

Lexie looks relieved, pouring both glasses full again. "You must remember more than me, then. I was damn seriously looking for rings or papers.  I um, I don't usually get that plastered.  Too much like the old man to do it often. So I guess I kinda overdid it that evening.  Still.." She grins widely. "A damn fun kidnapping.  It really was.  You're welcome over here anytime."

 

"This and that, and half-way through I actually tried to sober myself back up. You know, escape and stuff. Didn't exactly work though, and I know I didn't drink as much as you. But this wine is awfully fine," Chase responds, raising his glass to her and taking a generous drink. He snickers, "That'd be damn funny if you did find something. I could take you home to Brice... just the look on aniki's face would be worth it." *snicker*

 

Lexie pauses a long moment, choking on her own wine.  "Sweet Mary Moses on a stick.. Can you /imagine/ me taking you home to Sebastian and the crew?"  She manages to stop coughing, still scarlet with trying to contain hysterics at the very thought of bringing home a 'husband'.  "God, that'd be the best april fool's joke /ever/.   And the look on /Dylan's/ face, that'd be priceless!"

 

Chase's snickering turns into something a bit more substantial, laughing. "Yeah, I bet that would go over really well. Both your side and mine." He is shaking his head from side to side, mirth and amusement obvious. "Hey... look what I brought home. I'm sure you know Lexie. We just got married, and we're planning on a honeymoon over at Niagra. We're going to live happily ever after and have a bazillion kids, the white picket fence and a /dog/. In fact, she already has one. Isn't it /perfect/!?"

 

Lexie pounds on the table, unable to hold back her choked laughter anymore. "Oh, yeah, It's just a match made in heaven!  I hope you don't all mind if we put the whole religious war thing on hold for a bit?  Loooove just doesn't wait!  Oh, by the way, our wedding register is available. You can pay in advance for years of therapy for the kids.  Who wants to be godparents?"  She manages to quiet long enough to take the last bite of her pasta, grinning. "You know, it would be one hell of a joke.  I'm sure we could get something convincing looking for april fools drawn up, but ah, I guess it'll just stay in the realm of funny idea.  Poor Benito will be so dissapointed."

 

Chase can't help but laugh even more as Lexie starts in. Just something about listening to another laughing that causes someone to do it even more. "Damn, sounds like something a Suzaku would say."

*snicker-snicker* "Ohhhh, I'd so get my ass kicked from one side of the city to the other, and they would be sooooooo mad." A hand lifts up rub at the corners of his eyes, "But it would be funny as hell." He downs yet more of the wine, hiccuping once afterwards.

 

Lexie wipes at her eyes with a sleeve.. When was the last time she laughed this hard?  She can't even remember.  "Oh, yeah.. Fighting for true love, justice, and peace.  Haha, hey, don't overdo it there. You might just wake up in Vegas!"  She pounds the table, losing it again.

 

"What? Think I'd get drunk and just let you to steal me off to Vegas for a quickie wedding. 'Least my drivers licence still has me at eighteen, so you wouldn't get wrote up for something along the lines of the delinquency of a minor." Chase flashes her an almost exaggerated wink before sitting back once more, another drink of wine going down the gullet.

 

Lexie tosses her hands up exaggeratedly. "It's not my fault you can't hold your booze!" She declares, before jogging her brows at him. "Hey, didn't you hear? I'm evil. Of course I'd take advantage of you in your vulnerable, intoxicated state. "

 

Chase is immediately protesting. "Its only wine, and I'm only a little woozy. Just a little." Fingers pinch together as well, just to show how little. So drinking with Tomite is pretty much well assured that at some point the guy is going to pass out on you. Nope, doesn't take much at all to get him fuzzy. "You didn't take advantage of me before. I.... okay, so maybe you did a little." Another moment of pinched together fingers. "But not to taking me to Vegas to get married. Or, at least we don't think that happened... naaaah."

 

Lexie has to wipe at her eyes, finally calming herself down suitable. "Oh, lord, you're hillarious.  No, plane tickets are kinda expensive. "  She's noticing this, of course.. But, well, he's fun to have around anyways.  "Heeeey, I don't remember taking advantage of you. Kidnapping you, sure.  Taking advantage.. Nope, all fuzzy. Can't remember a thing.  D'ya wanna spend the night?" Let him take that as he will.

 

Chase is waggling a finger at her, "You got me drunk to play with me. I know what you were about... I think. Or something along those lines. You just wanted someone around to play video games with and... and... drink. Yeah, that too." Sure. That has to be it. "Spend the night?" he echoes. "I'd have to call someone though and tell them where I'm at. They got all kinds of grumpy last time I didn't do that."

 

Lexie grins widely. "Okay, maybe that's true.  But I didn't know we'd get /that/ drunk!"  She holds up her hands in a 'telephone' pantomine. "Hi, guys, can I spend the night over at Yin no miko's place? What? Evil? Jeez, you shoulda told me that before I married her.  We even put a deposit down on the white picket fences!  What do you mean, you're going to boil me alive? That's not very goshdarn nice, guys."

 

Chase snickers, then chuckles, and is right on back to laughing again. Alright. Even more than that, he is howling. He points a finger at her, still for a moment, and then is bursting into laughter yet again. It takes him a long moment to finally be able to put at least two words together, and those would be, "Too true." He draws in a steadying breath, "Okay, so I wouldn't say that, but..." *snicker*

 

Lexie holds her cellphone out, waving it at him. "Oh? And what /would/ you say? There's just no good way to explain fraternizing with the enemy!"  Clearly, she's still having a hell of a good time. "You can just tell them that you were out late and plunked down in a hotel or something.  Nice folks and all, but I really doubt they'll understand.  Else, that'd be hella good phrasing. "

 

Chase eyes her and the phone, and is quickly waving his hand from side to side, "Ohhhh. Well, damn, when you put it like that, I suppose I could just as easily do as that old saying. Better to ask for forgiveness than permission? Brice can just cool his heels for a bit." Just a touch of coolness there, and then he is offering a bright smile. "The hell with calling. I don't need to."

 

Lexie claps her hands, beaming. "Aha!  That's me. Corrupter of innocence!  Except, well, you're too wickedly fun to ever have been innocent.  Now that we're finished with dinner, what do you wanna do now?  Got plenty of games and stuff.."

 

Chase slouches back, flashing her another bright grin, but this one imbued with quite a bit of puckish mischievousness. "Not so much innocent, nope. As for corrupted... well, who the hell cares?" He is snickering once more -but at what is anyone's guess. He reaches over to run a finger over his cleaned plate, picking up some extra sauce and seasonings and then popping it into his mouth. "Mmmm. Dunno. Whatcha got? I don't remember most of it..."

 

Lexie flops down on the couch, grinning.  "Well, there's always Harvest Moon." She comments, wickedly.  "Anyways, look for yourself. I've got a buncha stuff. "  She folds her arms behind her head, stretching out. "Damn, that was a good dinner. Anyways, I'll take the couch. You can have my bed. "

 

Chase isn't moving all that quickly at the moment, remaining as is on the couch. "Never heard of it." Head lolls to the side, and he watches her, "Now, that's not right. You take the bed and I'll take the couch. I'm sorta used to sleeping on one, and this one is awfully comfy." He turns in place, only to kick his legs out as if to rest them in her lap. "See. Comfy."

 

Lexie laughs, allowing him to get comfortable. "You know, this is easy to get used to." She mentions, judiciously. "Allright, allright.. Shoes off!"  She starts pulling off his footwear and socks, shaking her head.