4/23/2003

08:41 PM

Logfile from Chase.

 

The Berkley Apartments - 302

Clearly, apartment 302 is a bachelor's land that knows no womanly touch. While the apartment is clean, even immaculate, it's hard to mistake the gender preferences of the decor. The main room is painted a neutral creme color with a tan border that displays many different kinds of fish around the world; On the walls, glass-windowed storage cabinets hold poles, tack and bridle for horses, nets, ropes, and any number of bestiary-related clutter, most of which can't possibly be of any use in the city. Tools hang on a cork board on the far wall, ranging from different gauges of wire to a welding torch. Contrastingly, the kitchen is decked out in warm shades of red and white, with an expansive spice set and expensive cutlery visible among the otherwise immaculate countertops. Stranger yet is the complete absence of electronics; No clock, TV, radio, or telephone grace the entire apartment, and both the table and the massive bed that sits in the bedroom seem handmade, if awkwardly so.

Obvious exits:

Exit

 

Chase's phone begins to ring.

Chase picks up his phone.

 

<Phone> "Chase? You're actually home?" Don't mind Setsuna if he sounds surprised the phone is being answered after the past few days.

 

<Phone> "Helllllllooo," comes the drawling tone of Chase's voice as he picks up the phone. And there is the very distinct sound of music in the background. "Oh. Hey there, Setsuna. What's up?"

 

<Phone> "I need to speak with you Chase and I would prefer not to do it over the phone. I'd like to come over if I may?" Setsuna raises the volume of his voice in case he needs to be heard over the music in the background.

 

<Phone> Chase will instead turn down the volume as he winces at what he hears. "Speak with me? How come I don't think that you want to speak with me about cookie recipes... If you want to come over, sure, but don't mind the mess. I'm still unpacking."

 

<Phone> Setsuna can smile at that. At least the other seishi isn't completely clueless. "Because it's not about cookie recipes. It's about duty and honor and respect. I'll be there shortly, Chase."

 

Setsuna hangs up his phone.

You hang up your phone.

 

A portal has opened to Dakota-Penthouse-Bedroom 1

Uruki comes out of the portal.

Uruki has closed the portal.

 

The swirling vortex that marks Uruki's version of portaling appears within the apartment, though it barely stirs the air within. Stepping out of it, Setsuna immediately disperses it as he glances about in search of the apartment's resident.

 

Chase is still in the midst of cringing. Yes, cringing at that last bit of what Setsuna said. Oi. Draped over the majority of the couch is quite the array of dirty clothes and various other articles necessary for a few days camping upstate. He tosses quite a bit of it into a basket, looking just a wee bit nervous as he waits for Uruki. He squints at the portal, fidgeting just a little bit as he nods to the other. "Hey."

 

Setsuna eyes the camping equipment a moment, his expression one of serene calm. It's not something he has to work at really, because he does feel calm. Having a few days to consider one's words will bring that sense of peace eventually. "Camping? At least that's more productive then helping to mug my boyfriend in the park, ne? Or stealing cars with the Yin no miko or sleeping in her bed?" Yes, he's just going to lay it all out there to be examined. "I wonder, Chase, if you have forgotten that you are Genbu no shichiseishi? If you have forgotten what that means? Shall I remind you? Or should I call Namame over to remind you? Or Hikitsu? Or Takiko?"

 

Well now. That is as good of a way to begin a conversation as any. Harsh. Chase is wincing just a little at the beginning, his mouth opening to protest at that first question, try to answer the second, but he simply doesn't say anything and makes off a really good impression of a landed fish. He saw a landed fish during his time away, and he would have to agree with that comparison. And so, he closes his yap, reaching a hand around to rub at the back of his neck slightly, "No, you don't need to remind me."

 

Setsuna eyes narrow now, his expression taking on a harsher edge as he stands his ground before the other seishi. "Are you sure, Tomite? Are you very sure? Your recent behavior has been shameful. You have insulted Genbu in your actions. While I think I can understand why it has happened and I can feel compassion for you, I can sympathize, the fact /is/ we are seishi of Genbu and we have a duty to both our god and to our miko. We can try to live our own lives, but we can't hide from those facts, can we? You have to decide if you want to be a seishi or if you want to be a normal human being. If you pick the latter, I will have Namame come here and set your soul free so that we can hope for your reincarnation as quickly as possible. Because the fact is that we need all of the seishi /together/ to keep this world from being destroyed. Do you understand this?"

 

Chase is at least still standing. That has to say something for the boy, although not much. Looking awfully uncomfortable as the other speaks, fingers continue to nervously rub at the back of his neck. "I... I understand. I know, Uruki. Believe me, I know. I'm just..." He sighs, hand removing to instead rub at his forehead, peering just under his hand at the other. "I suppose I don't have an excuse or anything. I... Sorry."

 

"That said, have you heard about Lexie yet, Chase?" Setsuna's voice softens, losing the harshness for the moment as his expression also lightens, though there is something akin to pity within his eyes as he watches Chase still. "I don't know if you do have an excuse for your deeds, but you have reasons, ne? I think it likely that several of us will have words for you, Tomite, but that doesn't mean we do not care. I love you, Tomite and I dislike seeing you in such turmoil. I want to help, we all do, if you would let us."

 

Chase nods his head slowly in the affirmative, chin dropping slightly so that his hair overshadows his eyes. "I know what happened to her. Mina made sure I stayed away after she told me, otherwise I'm sure you all would have had quite a bit more to say to me." As he speaks, his words grow a bit more tight. He sighs though, trying to lose that tenseness, taking a moment before looking back across to him, "Yeah. I know. Inami... Namame, Hikitsu." He draws in a long breath, frowning but nodding his head slowly.

 

"But you don't want our help? Or you don't want to be a seishi or what? It's not an easy life, believe me, I know this. I know you've had it a bit more difficult than most of us. You were so young when you died last time and now you are that age again. It has changed you, but the question is why do you think that is? What is it you want out of this life, Chase?" 'Suna steps forward now, reaching out a hand for Chase's shoulder.

 

Chase looks a little uneasy at first, but then comes the groan, "No, I want to be a seishi, that isn't something that I've ever not wanted to be. And you guys... you've got to know that I'll always /always/ be there for you. You can't question that." But he is frowning again in the next moment, "Look, Suna... trust me, I know the value of being alive, no matter that everyone seems to want to bash me in the head to tackle me when they think I'm out to get killed. But I'm not going to sit around on my ass when something needs to be done just so I can still be breathing tomorrow for everyone else's sake."

 

"Don't you dare stand there and tell me that you will always be there for me and the others. Because you haven't been there Chase. You've been, up until recently, practically living with Lexie, ne? You were stealing cars because you were bored. How childish and petty is that, Tomite? How dishonorable? Yet you aren't embarrassed? This isn't the Tomite I remember." Uruki sighs then, shaking his head, a deep sorrow showing itself upon his face. "I don't think you should be kept from fighting, but you should know and understand what you are fighting for and whom. Not doing it because you are bored with your life. Killing someone should not be done out of boredom. That is a waste of life. What you had been doing goes against the duty we have agreed to do. You think Lexie was going to give up her life as the Yin miko and live happily ever after with you? The woman threatened to kill me once Chase. For the fact that I was a seishi involved with Dylan. Evil or not, she is what she was. She was a servant of the Yin gods. They killed her for what they felt was disloyalty no doubt. You want Genbu to do the same to you? Iiee, don't tell you will be there for me. You haven't been. For me, the others or for Ash. /Our/ miko. Remember her? What if Inami had hurt Suki? Not that he can't easily defend himself, but what if? All because you were too busy entertaining yourself to bother to care enough. What if Inami had been hurt? You didn't think of that, did you?"

 

Chase shouldn't have even opened his mouth. He should have figured this out long ago, but clearly hasn't learned anything since then. But as Uruki even questions part of that, the teenager is immediately glaring back at him, "Oh, yes, I have! You all just expect me to sit here on my ass day in and day out, going to classes and being all good little Genbu for your benefit, so that maybe... just maybe... I'll be around for if you call to make sure I'm being tame enough for you, for your convenience. So you can sit up in your nest with Dylan and the rest of that family and not be bothered, so Namame and Hatsui can bicker away to each other, and Hikitsu and Ash can play house. And I'll just hang out here, waiting and hoping that maybe once... just once someone will actually ask me to get involved. But hell no. It's Tomite, and we just know he'll end up killing himself or some other crap. You say I haven't been there for you guys... it's because you guys sure as hell seem to find that the only reason  to even bother to tell me anything, is if you wanna bitch at me." He shakes his head from side to side, "I hung out with Lexie because she was /fun/. She was someone I could actually be around and not have to get grumped at for every single thing that I do. I know I couldn't redeem her or any of that crap, and I wasn't planning on it. And for you to get on my case for something you don't understand at all... just get this over with, Setsuna."

 

Setsuna blinks back at him, then sighs, "You think that's how it's been? You don't understand either, Tomite. You want to be a part of something? You want to feel included? Hell, come live with me then. I mean, what's more. You can share a room with Darren if you want or use our couch. You want to see how much of a 'nest' the place is, then by all means. You want to be included, then live with Inami and watch out for each other. Or live with Mina. Gods know that girl needs someone to keep her from getting herself killed. You want to be included? Then stop acting like a damn spoiled brat, Tomite. Stop with the mememememe and feeling sorry for yourself. No one said you had to listen to us, but at least use your common sense. If you start doing that, I'll stop worrying that you're going to get yourself randomly killed. Start acting like you have pride in yourself. Because the fact is, I do understand. I know what it's like to be alone. I know what it's like to be babied. To listen to the other seishi tell you not to use your powers. To want you to promise that you won't do your duty as a seishi because you may kill yourself in the process. I know and understand that quite well."

 

Chase fully expected to get yelled at right on back again, and was already gearing up to it. Only to be responded to with Suna's words. He mutters something under his breath, and then frowns, "No, I don't. That's the /last/ thing I want, to live with you guys. Or Brice... or anything like that." Although he really doesn't mind at all if Inami set up here as well. His lips twist into a sullen line at mention of acting like a brat, and he glances away with a smirk. "Look, I'm not dumb, no matter how much you all keep saying. And I know how important being alive is, but I'm not going to waste it away and be careful, getting my head bashed in so I'm unconscious for your benefit, or whatever else you guys keep nattering at me about. Suna... that isn't being alive, and I plan on living this lifetime as much as I can before I get taken down. So I'm going to enjoy it, but you can't expect me just to stop everything 'til we summon. That's asking too much."

 

"Have I told you to stop being yourself, ever? Have I told you to keep yourself locked away? No. I will ask you to refrain from mugging and stealing. You need a fight, go to the dojo. Get Namame to keep you on your toes. If you continue to behave has you have been, they you are of no use to Genbu or to the other seishi. You would considered unrealiable." Setsuna, shakes his head again. "You also need to consider that maybe you're going to live this time, Tomite and consider that maybe that's a good thing. You talk about living a life, but living as a means to pass the time until you die is not living. Anyway, I will ask Inami if he'll want to live with you. He might as well. I also need to tell him that I asked Chiriko of the Suzaku to clear his records electronically, which he has done. If he can keep from being arrested, in a short while there will be no one who can prove he did a thing records wise. It maybe there on paper in a few places, but he's not in the system anymore. If you see him before I do, tell him that. Can I trust you to do that? Can I trust you to stop acting like an ass?"

 

Chase is scowling once more, a protest rising to his lips, but it simply fades away. Well, maybe a little protest, "You know, I asked Inami if we could just mug a drug dealer instead, and he was the one that jumped Dylan before I could say anything."  Yes, rather halfhearted, and fairly sure the other either won't believe him, or won't care. He almost doesn't anymore. He nods his head slowly to Uruki before moving over to slump upon the recently cleared off couch. "Okay. I'll tell him." He hesitates a moment, and then looks back up to the other, "The idea that you think that I'm not there for the rest of you guys, that you think you need to question that... I'm not sure whether I should be mad because you would even question that, or frightened." After a moment he adds, "Anything else?"

 

"I'm not the only one questioning. Surely you can see why? If not, you should think about this, Chase. Think about it quite a bit. As for the mugging, I do know this, but the fact is that neither of you should have been mugging anyone. What could would it do our god or our miko if you two cannot be there because you were in jail. You have good intentions, Chase, but poor executions of those intentions. I am sorry I haven't been there for you, Tomite. I had gotten used to leaving you to Hikitsu. I didn't think you wanted me around much. That is my own fault." Uruki shakes his head then, saying, "I have nothing else. Is there anything more you wish to say to me or to talk about?"

 

Chase flickers a glance to Uruki, eyebrows coming down with a frown that shows belligerence more than anything. Any further arguments are bit off though, and he shakes his head from side to side, "I don't need to be left to anyone, but I'm planning on talking to Hikitsu anyway.

Setsuna has to resist the urge to soften his previous words, but he knows this would not fix anything. Either Chase will consider what he's said or this distance between them will remain. For now, he'll leave it be. "Alright. Good night, Chase." The other seishi summons up the vortex again.

 

Uruki has opened a portal to Dakota-Penthouse-Bedroom 1

Uruki has entered the portal.

Uruki has closed the portal.

 

Inami comes home.

Namame comes into the area from elsewhere.

 

Kenny comes in the door, using the keys to the place that probably belonged to John first. Only he's got an arm over Travis's shoulder because he's limping bad and just looks like he ran a marathon, but then again if you had to sprint away from the cops through CHinatown, you probably did run a marathon. "Yeah, I lived damn long. Never would have figured, right? It's not all it's cracked up to be, really."

 

Travis helps the limping seishi to the couch, bending and indicating that he should be allowed to look at the cause of the limp. "Tch, you? I figured you'd outlive a few of us, just not by much," he jokes, looking about the apartment.  "I figure I wouldn't like it much, but .. damn, at least these lives've got to be better, ne? Sucked last time around."  Then again, Kenny's is no cake walk.

 

Chase will just remain behind the closed door of his bedroom. Yep. Safest for the time being. Gives him a chance to put all the camping stuff away and avoid any further phone calls that will leave to the inevitable yelling. Best, that.

 

Kenny falls back on the couch with a groan. "Yeah I know, just imagine the stupid long white beard and being called wise and sage." He pauses to laugh. "Sorry, that never happened. Had a beard, but it was short and I don't think anyone was nuts enough to consider me a sage." Just as well, it would have been frightening. Groaning, he pulls his leg up to yank off a sneaker and gingerly tests the swollen ankle.

 

Travis wouldn't yell at Chase, honest! In fact, he'd be damned civil to the boy, just because it would be funny as hell, really. "Beard? Tch, anyone calling you wise probably forgot to tack on 'ass' at the end.  Saa, Inami, you should watch where you're going. You keep doing this sort of thing and all the speed in the world isn't going to get you anywhere."  After a moment's consideration, an ice-pack is found and handed over, though he does pause.  "About all that. ..damn. Sorry about, you know, going nuts like that. The upside is that I stopped being crazy during that last battle."  And, as if that were that, he sits back on the floor, inspecting the ankle again. "You probably need to put that up for a while."