3/31/2005

08:34 PM

Logfile from Gabriel.

 

 

Gabriel's

Opening from the front facade is a rather simple plate-glass door, banded on one side by a showroom front window giving hint as to what is currently available and trendy at this moment in time for the fashion conscious. Once within, the smell of new fabric and leather mingles with that of jasmine and tea rose.

The flooring is old wood varnished to new glory, but the entryway is set with a stone mosaic in the form of a starburst, both relics from the original building and diligently revived. Pale blue, nearly white, adorns the walls where brick and mortar do not just as the lighting is warm, hopefully inviting patrons to spend some time within. Clothing racks are set here and there along the floor just as the walls as well, a handful of clothing articles to each setting to dismiss any cluttered appearance.

Trendy desires are in evidence, along with that which might be considered more understated and simple in design -or as the proprietor would say: more able to enhance the person wearing the clothing, not the clothing itself. Along the back wall are a trio of changing rooms, and off to the left side is a long counter where transactions can be made.

Obvious exits:

Exit   Stairs

 

Houki

Deep purple hair falls in silky strands to her waist whenever freed from their usual long braided plait. Asiatic eyes of dark brown enhance the gentle sweep of high cheekbones and creamy skin, their color set off by slightly arched brows. The up-turn of her nose accompanied by the fullness of her lips set off the delicacy of her features without leaning toward frailty. At five and a half feet in height, she could hardly be considered tall, though that takes nothing away from the natural grace with which she carries herself.

Basic red - both bright and rich - colors the lightweight fabric that makes up the tunic style shirt that she wears, its dense material and long sleeves a concession to the current weather. Intricate embroidery twists about the rounded collar in a mix of gold hues which are then mirrored along the edge of each cuff, giving a touch of style to an otherwise plain garment. Her pants are in the same hue, and end neatly at her ankles, where a pair of black leather ankle booths peek out -- yet more protection from the cold.

Houki appears to be 23 years and 21 days old.

She is awake, but has been staring off into space for 2 minutes.

 

Gabriel is settled at the counter. Well, more like draped over it. He rests slumped over with his head settled on an arm, while he stares off into nowhere in particular. Oh look, the seishi is daydreaming, or eveningdreaming, when he really should be doing something else. Like... well, something. It was a long day of dealing with some rather spoiled socialites (which really tends to be rather normal) and one Broadway actress. "Tell me again why I'm doing this..." he mutters to nobody in particular.

 

Sayami is braving the weather again, this time armed with dinner for a certain forgetful seishi shopkeep. She lets herself into the shop, stopping the snow off her boots and pushing the hood off her head. "Gabriel? I've got dinner with me. Have you even eaten today?" It's a bet he's had some good meals since she arrived in town.

 

New York's fickle weather must be following Sayami very closely.  A quiet whistle of wind, just barely at the edge of hearing, gradually rises in pitch and intensity almost immediately upon her arrival, perhaps signalling a yet another storm.  As clothing begins to sway and ripples on the racks, however, it soon becomes apparent that this sudden breeze is not merely slipping its way through the store's entrance; the mysterious wind is instead originating from somewhere /inside/ the shop.  Sharp eyes might spot a small point of darkness hovering in the air just below the ceiling at the room's center point, growing to the size of a marble as the strength of the wind intensifies from a faint zephyr to an intermittent gust, bringing with it the musty scent of ancient decay.

 

Gabriel lifts his head at the voice, showing a bit more life now than he has shown in the past hour. He tucks some of his hair behind an ear while looking after her. "Sayami," he greats warmly. "I'm going to have a belly soon and be unable to fit into my pants if you keep this up." And that simply wouldn't do at all. "I might have had... that smells wonderful? What have you brought?" He slips off of the stool, approaching. At the breeze though, he frowns slightly and glances in the direction of the door, "Did the wind blow it back open? I had thought that was fixed." Looking a bit dismayed, just the slightest of frowns crosses his features -but not too much, that'd just provoke premature wrinkles.

 

Sayami can't help but return the smile with equal warmth, chuckling. "You aren't in any danger of getting a belly. Besides, this is just something I whipped up. A little meat and vegetables with a light sauce." So what if it just happens to be Konanese in origin and a once favorite of the country's young emperor. Before she can say anything else, she's shivering, turning back to door and frowning. "No, I'm sure I closed it all the way. See, it is closed. Is there a back door that could be open?"

 

As the strong draft continues to blow through the store, the temperature drops perceptibly.  Ice begins to rime the wooden floor directly below the point of origin, which has now expanded to the size of a walnut.  The gusts increase in frequency and intensity, strong enough now to knock some clothing from hangars to fall upon the floor like discarded skins.

 

Gabriel chuckles faintly, "Your 'something I just whipped up' would probably gain five star in any critic's column." He flashes her a wink, but moves around as if to see for himself about the door. "Damn weather," he mutters, along with something about the repairman. But another look at the door is rather plain that isn't the source of the chill wind. "The hell..." he frowns, clearly confused, watching the floor. With a frown, he backs away from the ice, reaching a hand arm to try to push Sayami back. "Get back."

 

Sayami blinks, confused, but hurriedly does as she's told, clutching the bag holding Gabriel's dinner as she stumbles backwards and behind him. "I... I don't understand. Is that ice forming on the floor. Where is it coming from?" Wide eyes glance rapidly around the place, seeking more information, trying to bring in her formal training at her family's temple.

 

At complete odds with the arctic chill and the expanding layer of hoarfrost on the floor, the ceiling directly above is beginning to scorch and sooten, adding the smell of slowly-charring wood to the musty odor of abandonment swirling about the room.  More articles are knocked from their perilous perches by the insistent wind, inching their way towards the walls, leaving the center empty.

 

Gabriel bets his dinner is getting cold quick, which really is unfortunate, but that is the least of his problems right now. But Gabe is really quite at a loss as to what is going on, and right smack in the middle of his building. Losing the battle to keep his hair from his eyes, he draws back another step, only to give Sayami a bit of a push towards the doorway. "Get out. Now!" And then he gives her a bit more firm of a push next. He follows after a step, only to hesitate, glancing askance to the stairway that leads up to his apartment, muttering, "I'm not going to lose it again."

 

"I won't leave you," states Sayami, all but stamping her feet to emphasize her stubbornness. "I finally just found you and I'm not running like a coward. I might not be able to fight, but I can lend you my strength of will and my support. That's got to be worth something." Although she's not looking too sure at the moment as the wood in the ceiling begins to char. There's also the fact that Gabriel seems to be eyeing the stairs.

 

The air near the now softball-sized sphere of darkness begins to roil and spark, small thunderclouds forming inside Gabriel's place of business as the proximity of intense heat above and abyssal cold below interact unpleasantly.  Little fingerlets of bluish flame are starting to lick across the ceiling as a light freezing rain gently falls from the nascent storm.

 

What's that about not running into a burning building? Or a freezing one? Clearly seishi don't count. "It'll be worth quite a bit more if you are doing it /outside/," he insists. Gabe really doesn't spare a glances to the thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of original garments that are fluttering about the store. Again, the least of his problems. "Sayami, out!" he thunders as well. Assuming she will simply do as he bellows (which really is assuming too much), he edges around the wall to head for the stairs and up into his loft. Should have just let Chichiri keep tabs on that sword, if he's going to manage to lose it not even a week after getting it. But he is sure going to try not to.

 

"Heika!" Sayami screams, not thinking about the word she's using as she pauses by the door, so close to obeying him due to the tone of his voice. But then the dinner is dropped and she's running forward to grab him by the arm. "No! You mustn't! You are too important. I'll go.. whatever it is you've left up there, I'll get it. You should leave. Call the others. They need you. Please!" It would seem awfully dramatic if she weren't that serious.

 

The time for indecision -- and heroics -- now passes, as the sphere of darkness reaches critical mass.  Within the brief span of a single heartbeat, the storm blossoms out, filling every corner of the store with howling winds and dagger-sharp shards of ice.  Meanwhile, the ceiling fully ignites, bursting into flames, showering embers upon the floor below, where they are quickly doused by the icy rain, hissing and screaming in impotent igneous rage.  The dark portal grows large enough to admit passage for a dark, man-like shape, but only the vaguest of impressions can be gleaned before the entirety of the maelstrom, fire and ice alike, is suddenly, violently drawn back into the now-dwindling darkness, dragging clothing and debris into the shrinking abyss as well.  Just when it appears the again-pinpoint-sized sphere will vanish entirely, however, it /explodes/, shattering the front door and bringing down much of the charred ceiling -- along with the contents of the rooms upstairs.

 

Gabriel is tugged back as he is grabbed, causing him to hesitate again. "I thought I told you to go outside." In fact, he knows he did. More than once. But now that she is here with him, there really is nothing else to do about it. "Stay close," he prompts, but one hand reaches into a pocket to hand over a cellphone to her, "Pick any of the first five numbers." But he only vaguely pays attention for the need of any 'calls for help'. He wants his shinken. "I-" But he is cut off, abruptly turning his back to the sphere, putting himself between it and Sayami, wrapping his arms around the young woman to try to protect her as well as he can.

 

Sayami buries her face into Gabriel's chest, crying out as the sphere explodes, hearing the sounds of destruction and knowing they're in the midst of it. That Hotohori has placed himself in harm's way to protect her. Her cries of "No! No!" are muffled -- unheard -- over the destruction. The cell phone that had been pressed into her hand is all but forgotten as the panic wells up within her.

 

Shards of concrete and slivers of wood fall like a deadly rain, propelled by the concussive blast.  The supporting walls groan, but hold; much of the ceiling, however, is no more, leaving behind a tremendous heap of wreckage where so recently debutantes and models browsed and bought.  The unnatural chill may be gone, but the gaping entrance now lets in winter's well-known bitterness to insinuate itself within.

 

Gabriel fairly curls himself around Sayami, grunting with the impact of the initial debris. He cringes, gasps, and then cries out in a near echo of Sayami's 'No'. And it is in that when there is a flash of something else, something red. No, not blood. More like a sphere of protection surrounding the pair to try to protect them from the collapse and destruction.

 

Sayami waits for the pain she knows is to come, bracing herself against Gabriel, unable to keep from sobbing into his chest. She feels his body tense, hears his gasps and then his cry, then....nothing. Cracking open one eye, she pulls back enough to witness the sphere that surrounds them, recognizing it for what it is. Eyes go wider still as she turns to stare up into his face, fists clenched around the fabric of his shirt. "Hotohori?"

 

The crimson aura arises in the nick of time, for just as the last bits of ceiling give way, the sizable heap of detritus erupts, thrown back with extreme force as /something/ stands up, arms and -- wings? -- spread wide, a fiery golden nimbus surrounding the creature as the contents of the room are again jarringly relocated, this time slammed against the walls and Hotohori's barrier as the shimmering nimbus flare and expands, clearing a santuary in the middle of the store.  The light then fades as wings are folded back and arms are lowered.  Finally, the entity is visible in all its... no, /his/ glory.

 

Gabriel breathes heavily, from the rush of adrenaline and the near scrape there. He looks down at Sayami with wide eyes, throat throbbing as he swallows, and showing the symbol glowing brightly there. "Are you alright?" are his first words, eyes quickly making a search of the young woman. But at the movement despite the dust and rubble, the man turns slightly, looking over his shoulder at the figure appearing amidst all of the wreckage. "Stay behind me," he murmurs to her, watching the winged figure.

 

This time, thankfully, Sayami doesn't appear to be in any mood to disobey Gabriel. She does stay behind him as ordered, but her fingers can't help but stray to the symbol glowing upon his neck. She's seem it before, in a life she remembers once living, but this time -- this time its appearance means a great deal more considering the gaps in the man's memory.

 

Fawn-hued eyes roam across the room, quickly assessing and dismissing the contents -- animate and inanimate alike -- as inconsequential.  A vibrant growl rumbles up from the depths, giving voice to his displeasure, as the figure speaks, his voice raspy and dry with disuse, his language archaic but recognizable as Chinese.  "Where are they?  They should be here to praise my arrival!"  Almost casually, one hand reaches up to grab a blackened iron girder, almost unnoticeable against his coal-colored skin, and draw it forth, inch by inch, from the muscle it had embedded itself within.  Tossing the gore-coated rod aside, he then wipes away the blood from his already-healed skin before glancing down at his own nakedness.  "You."  His eyes fall upon Hotohori like a weight.  "Clothe me.  Now."

 

 

4/3/2005

09:44 PM

Logfile from Gabriel.

 

 

Gabriel once saw a movie involving a certain Governor from California... appearing out of nowhere, naked. This isn't at all like that, but it is damn well close enough to at least provoke an honorable mention. He straightens and then deliberately pushes Sayami to stand behind him. You know, protecting her eyes from the sight, or something like that. But Gabe, being the rather inquisitive fellow that he is, babbles a question instead of doing as he is bid. "Who are you?"

 

Sayami is more than happy - now at least - to stay hidden behind Gabriel and not look at the naked, black-skinned, winged ....man? standing there demanding clothing. Somehow she's guessing he's not just some really weird customer. It is New York City after all, but still, this is going a little too far. Still holding Hotohori's cell phone, she decides it definitely is time to call for a little help.  Let's hope Chiriko really did go through with this promise to teach Chichiri about mobile telephone use.

 

Sayami begins to dial her phone.

 

<Phone> Sayami is relieved and it's evident. Well, along with the slight panicked tone to her voice. "Chichiri! You have to come here immediately. Hotohori and I are being... well, this naked man blew up his store and his loft and he's demanding clothes and I saw Hotohori-sama's symbol!"

Chichiri materializes out of thin air.

 

"Who am I?"  The figure rises to his full height, visibly swelling up with arrogance and pride as his wings are half-spread behind him.  "Ask yourself instead this... Who dares to question a god instead of immediately obeying his command?  Who fails to make proper obeisance before a divine being?  Who risks Homasubi's ire with the foolish impertinence of asking a question of the great lord of destruction?"  He stomps one foot upon the ground, cracking the flooring.  "I repeat.  Clothe me.  Now.  I will /not/ repeat this a third time."

 

Sayami hangs up her phone.

 

A crack in the flooring? I doubt that Gabe is going to worry that much about that considering his place is in shambles, not to mention his upstairs living room has collapsed to down into the store. But this still takes him a moment, for it isn't often one receives naked gods in their place of work. In fact, this is a new one for him. He coughs once from the dust, and then clears his throat, and then mutters under his breath, "Someone who just witnessed the destruction of his store, that's who." He flickers a glance back to Houki and murmurs, "Stay back." Pushing this and that aside, he comes up with... his summer collection, involving a strappy sundress. Uhm. "I'm not sure this will fit you." Not to mention the coloring is all wrong. Those pastels will do nothing for that god's complexion.

 

Time for the monk to make an entrance, though it's probably less than impressive. He's still having some trouble with his landings. "Daaa.. Itaiiii.."  Hitting his backside on the floor doesn't phase Chichiri much, but seeing the unclothed god type does. "Aaah!" Jumping to his feet, he moves to attempt to block the god's path and grabs for the nearest bit of cloth he can find. "Cover that up! There's a woman present, no da!" Wait. "Lord of destruction?" A questioning look is given Gabriel. "... I don't think it's his color."

 

Sayami is just going to cower -- with dignity! -- behind Chichiri now that he's arrived. "Chichiri! Thank the gods...er...well, don't think that god. He says he is a god. Homasubi I believe. One of the Yin, isn't he?" If the man is who he says he is, although she certainly has no reason to doubt him at this moment in time. "Hotohori-sama, please be careful!"

 

Sparing barely a glance for the obviously inappropriate garment, the winged menace casually waves one hand in dismissal, sending wisps of golden chi drifting toward Gabriel.  Fortunately, the chi touches the cloth, not him, disintegrating the fabric, leaving but a scrap in the man's hand.  "Is this some sort of joke?"  He looks none too amused at the moment.  "I'm of a mind to lay waste to this entire building in repayment for the lack of honor and respect you are exhibiting towards me."  As if anyone would notice a bit more destruction here at this point.  "If your excuse is ineptitude rather than foolishness, then summon my sacred entourage to serve me in your stead."

 

Okay, so is anyone else, god or otherwise, just going to pop out of nowhere into his store? Although this newcomer is quite a bit more appreciated than the god that decided to make an appearance in the middle of his place. "Chichiri, we seem to be in the presence of a god..." And in his birthday suit, no less. Well, we just won't comment on that. Gabe blinks, dropping the remains of the fabric. Dammit, that was expensive too. How is he going to explain this to the insurance company. 'Sorry, I'm a seishi, these sorts of things tend to happen' Not likely. "That wasn't my intent. I apologize, your... entrance seems to have managed to destroy what might have been available to you." Although that could possibly be the remains of his dresser laying on the far side of the room. "Your entourage?"

 

"Homasubi? He doesn't look much like a pig to me, no da." Chichiri takes just a few seconds to make sure that Sayami is all right before he's gazing back at the earth bound god. "It's a little hard to be respectful to someone who's destroyed your home," he points out to the god. "Entoura... your senshi, no da? Why don't you just look around and see if you can find something to wear, yourself?" Because one talks this way to a deity, obviously. Adds, tossing whatever garment he'd picked up at the god, he frowns. "But, whatever you do, put that away. There's a lady present."

 

Sayami is really torn between wanting to watch what's going on and turn away from it all. She does have some propriety. Honest. "Yes, please, do cover up. I'm sure there is something here for you to wear Homasubi-sama, if you only you would be a little more patience, ne?" Chichiri's mention of senshi makes her blink, both eyebrows raised. So this is what Karen meant but 'others' and 'keeping an open mind'.  Oh dear.

 

"Your apology is accepted, grudgingly, since it appears you have no understanding of how to deal with a being of my stature," Homasubi graciously acknowledges, "on condition that my entourage... yes, my seishi... be brought to me.  Enshou, Garanto, Akurei...  All of them.  Especially my Paladin of Devastation, Ichijin."  Chichiri's words, however, stir the god's ire -- or at least his irritation -- once more.  "Any woman in my presence should consider herself blessed to look upon my unclad form.  But..."  Amazingly, the great god is starting to look a little unsure.  "She isn't a shrine maiden...  Not a devotee...  Not awed by my magnificence..."  He almost visibly shrinks as doubt begins to creep into his mind, chipping away at his ego.  Espying a corner of /something/ peeking out of the rubble, he bends down and yanks it free.  Gabriel's bedsheet.  Now serving as a makeshift toga.  "This is Neworksitty, is it not?"  If Homasubi managed to make his 'grand entrance' in the wrong place, the other Yin gods will /never/ let him live it down.

 

Gabriel lifts a hand to try to shield over Sayami's eyes. Really, its enough that he has to watch the man, without the poor woman being subjected to.. well, to /that/. Is it really so hard for a god to come up with something to wear on his own? Divine powers and all. "It is not often that we are in the presence of a... god." A god who is definitely getting the bill for this -or at least his minions. "Yes, it is, but..." He flickers a glance over to Chichiri, "You don't happen to know any of them, do you?" Yes, he is asking this of the monk that just showed up not to long ago too. A glance back to the god, "It is a big... city. It might take awhile to locate them."

 

Akurei comes into the area from elsewhere.

 

Houjun heaves a sigh of relief once the pig god has covered up his piggly wiggly. "Know any? I've only met one other Yin as far as I know. Nainokami, and she had on clothes, no da!" A pointed glance is given Homasubi- it's just hard (Hush, all of you) to be impressed with a god who's running around buck-nekkid. "Mou, he's right, Homasubi-sama. New York is a big city with an even bigger population. It's going to be difficult to find your warriors unless they sense your presence." 

 

It's not that Sayami doesn't appreciate Gabriel's concern. She does -- truly -- but putting a hand over her eyes is a bit much and she reaches up to pull that hand away, giving it a squeeze. "It's alright, Hotohori-sama, I've been looking away on my own. But see, he's clothed now and this isn't a problem. So perhaps we ought to leave him here to find his senshi, yes? Surely one of them will sense him and I'm not too sure we should be here waiting."

 

"I should have known that Nainokami would already have arrived," Homsubi comments mostly to himself.  To the two men, he offers these words, "If this city is too large to be easily searched, then I shall bring my warriors of the apocalypse to me.  I can assure you that if they have not made note of my arrival already, then they soon shall have reason to easily 'sense my presence,' as you phrased it, masked one."  Raising one arm towards the gaping hole in the ceiling, Homasubi smiles in anticipation, revealing slightly protruding lower canines.  His outstretched hand glows briefly, the color of a dying sun, before the god releases a powerful bolt of chi skyward, tearing a whole through the roof of the building to match the one in the ceiling.  The chi blast continues straight up for half a mile before it suddenly explodes in a visible flare of light, a temporary star that will shine in the sky for almost a full minute before fading away.  "And now I wait."

 

Gabriel isn't so sure he will much like the idea of some toga-clad god running around the city, senshi or no senshi to keep him in line. "I'm fairly sure I haven't any of them on speed-dial," he murmurs, and then looks back to the god. Oh he is not going to... okay, maybe he is. "Sayami..." he utters, moving that hand to instead press her back and away from any excess falling debris. "I'd get you some tea, but I'm fairly sure I won't be able to find anything to make it with." Let alone heat it.

 

"Daaa!" A hand is held upward in automatic protection from the blast and or falling debris, regardless of where said blast is aimed. Even if he had a few seconds of warning, Chichiri hadn't exactly been expecting a chi blast (Although, one might wonder what he did expect. The pig signal?). The barrier meant to protect himself and those near him from falling bits of ceiling disappears as he glances back at the pig god. "You know, I need to explain the concept of the phone to you. It's an amazing device, no da." Glancing back at Sayami, he frowns. "Maybe it might be a good idea, but I hesitate to leave something like this to its own devices."

 

Seitaro is ducking away from the falling debris even as she is herded by Gabriel to a safer location. Which really is miles away from this location, but she's not that sensible. "Thank you, Chichiri," she says as the monk makes sure to keep them protected. While the girl might not be a seishi or anything of the sort, she is smart enough to figure out a little of what the god is doing. "Oh dear," she mutters, glancing upwards. "This certainly can't be good."

 

Sayami is ducking away from the falling debris even as she is herded by Gabriel to a safer location. Which really is miles away from this location, but she's not that sensible. "Thank you, Chichiri," she says as the monk makes sure to keep them protected. While the girl might not be a seishi or anything of the sort, she is smart enough to figure out a little of what the god is doing. "Oh dear," she mutters, glancing upwards. "This certainly can't be good."

 

Seitaro had a devil of a time trying to direct the cab driver to somewhere within the vicinity of the source of chi he had been able to sense. Of course the huge blast of chi made it a little easier, although he was smart enough to tell the man to let him off a block away. Of course, the small crowd of people gathering, those drawn by the destruction and those actually involved is also quite the giveaway. Subtly is such a lost art.

 

"Ahem."  Homasubi clears his throat self-consciously.  "Might I try all of this again now?  This was not the grand reception I expected.  Obviously, something went wrong..."  Straightening the makeshift gown -- toga! -- he folds his wings tightly against his back.  "You see... My arrival was supposed to have been heralded by a wave of carnage and devastation across this Neworksitty city, followed by an announcement by my loyal senshi that the great lord of destruction would soon be present to receive the tribute owed to him for centuries of neglect.  Apparently, this did not occur."  He no longer looks awesome and angry so much as peevish and disappointed.  "My reaction to your behavior should therefore be understandable."  Yet if Nianokami had planned this, everything would have gone exactly according to her schedule.  Entirely unfair.

 

Gabriel stares in disbelief at the god. He wants a 'do over'? "If you'll pardon me for saying... I believe that you managed to do quite a bit of damage with your appearance. In fact, you accomplished quite a bit with this display." Unfortunately. Although he'd rather keep the destruction to a minimum. "I'm sure that... blast there will get quite a bit of attention, from both your... seishi, and more than likely a few others." Like the locals, everyone on the block, probably the entire city.

Apparently this god has the subtlety of a thrown brick. Hopefully he won't have the temperament of the child who threw it.  "They'll certainly be here shortly," Chichiri agrees, moving to be out of the way lest more of the ceiling is blasted. "I think it's a bit late to start things off on the proper foot, no da." Oh, but look, there's a crowd gathering outside, too. 

 

Sebastian saw that. Felt it too. Thus it isn't all that much long after that chi blast that the oni is stepping through a rip in the air and into... a war zone? The hell? The man is looking rather seriously unamused by his current surroundings, or a summoning from something he has no clue as to. His gaze sweeps the room, passing over each and everyone present as if they were nothing more than statuary that really don't require a second thought. "Delightful," he drawls, complimenting the destruction. Messy though it is. Now whyever was he called here. But he pretty much well figures that out the moment his eyes alight upon Homasubi. Immediately, he drops into a well-trained and penitent bow. It isn't often he is on his knees in public.

 

Sayami takes in the sight of both Sebastian and Seitaro, stepping closer to Gabriel again and tugging on his sleeve. She doesn't want to point, but then Sebastian is making himself known by bowing to the god. She's bright enough to figure out what that could mean. "See Hotohori-sama...Chichiri. They've come for him at last. Surely we could depart for now?" Pretty please.

 

Seitaro steps forward behind Sebastian, executing his own bow of obedience -- such as it is -- for his god. Certainly not how he pictured the entrance of the deity who gave him his life back in exchange for loyal servitude. Hmm. "Homasubi-sama, a pleasure to see you in the flesh at last. If you had sent signs about your arrival previously, we would have been able to better prepare ourselves." Really, why is the man wearing a bedsheet for clothing? Akurei spares a questioningly glance for Ichijin. "You've been an oni longer....did you know anything about this?"

 

"Ah, the foremost of my senshi has arrived to honor me properly."  Ichijin's entrance and sign of respect somewhat restore the piggy's confidence.  "Rise, Ichijin.  And Akurei, I did send signs, or rather, I instructed that they be sent.  Did you not receive them?  The dream portents?  The crazed prophet?"  Homasubi makes a mental note to never delegate such responsibilities to a spiritual underling ever again.  He then shrugs it aside.  "It matters little, really.  What does matter is that I have arrived, albeit with less than a fitting reception, and that you have come in response to my summons.  These others..."  He offhandedly indicates the others present.  "They knew not who or what I was, nor do they understand how to properly honor a divine being.  The thought had occurred to me that they should be obliterated for their insolence, but one does not punish a dog for its lack of wit or understanding.  They should be taught proper behavior and manners, however."

 

Oh look, the clean-up crew has arrived. Gabe nearly heaves a sigh of thankfulness as obviously the other seishi (the ones that belong to the god) have come to pick up their deity of choice. At the tug on his sleeve, he blinks down at Sayami. He gives a glance with Chichiri, before nodding to her. "It would be best that we go. This is no place for you. Let me help you out." He bends down as if to take her in his arms, so as to climb over the rubble of his store and home. And he might just move a little faster at the god's words. So much for trying to beat a hasty escape unnoticed.

 

Houjun is already moving toward the other two Suzaku. "I think he just gave orders for us to be paper trained, no da." He's been in the city long enough to have overheard a few conversations. "It's time for us to leave. His own can figure out what to do with him, we can watch from a distance." The butt of his staff is struck to the ground and the three non Yin are gone, leaving only a faint trace of Suzaku flavored chi in their wake. There is, however, another and much stronger flare of chi that belongs to neither Yin nor Yang, which disappears as soon as it's felt.

 

Chichiri has opened a portal to 125 E. Houston Brownstone-#4

Chichiri has entered the portal.

You step into the portal, sensing an odd disorientation for a moment.

The sense of distortion continues, with a sense that your forward rush of motion is much greater than your initial step into the portal...

125 E. Houston Brownstone-#4

 

Subtle blues and greens tint the walls of this second-floor apartment, a small alcove holding a coat and shoerack, the tiled floor easily cleaned of any mud from the streets outside. Several pairs of slippers of varying sizes rest upon the rack, one pair clearly more used than the others.

The main living area of the apartment is open-concept, the neatly-stocked kitchen leading into the living area without a wall or door to block it off, a small bar-style countertop with several stools set beneath it seeming to be an eating area, a wide picture window looking down over the playground outside hung with simple white curtains. A television rests upon a low table, though it seems to serve more as a flat surface for several houseplants than any entertainment, while a computer rests upon a desk beside it, high-powered and up to date. Built-in bookcases hold a wide variety of books in different tongues, all neatly indexed.

 

Chichiri is here.

Obvious exits:

Exit

There is an open portal to 120 E. Houston Brownstone-#4.

The distortion ceases abruptly as you step out of the portal.

Houki comes out of the portal.

Chichiri has closed the portal.

 

It's been rather a long time since he's been suddenly teleports somewhere else. So there is definitely a moment of disorientation before Gabe drops into... well, here. But he does so with grace, including landing upon his feet and not on his rear like some others. "Chichiri... you couldn't have done that at a better time. Are you alright, Sayami? Were you hurt at all?"

 

Sayami found herself swept up and carried through a portal -- not an everyday occurrence, certainly. She's relieved when they find themselves safe and sound in her apartment, although the fact that she's still being carried by Gabriel does make her blush. As does his concern. "You kept me safe, Gabriel. You used your seishi powers as a matter of fact. I saw the symbol upon your neck glow. You are most definitely Hotohori-sama, so you should not doubt yourself anymore. And, oh, you can put me down if you wish."

 

Houjun is getting better at his landings.  "I'm just glad his own warriors are there to take care of this mess. Let's just hope that they don't make an even bigger mess than your building, no da." It doesn't take much thought to know that the monk is having visions of chi blasted buildings, because he's seen them (Not to mention the chi blasted people, but he doesn't want to go there). There's a definite smile for the pair with him, but the monk doesn't comment. Instead, he looks around the room expectantly. "Now where..."

 

Gabriel gently sets her down, but only after he is satisfied in making sure she is fine does he really let go. He glances ruefully to Chichiri, "I don't believe it is possible to make it any worse... other than knocking it down to the foundation." He sighs heavily, brushing back dusty hair. "Of all places, why did he have to appear in the middle of my place." He shakes his head and murmurs, "There will be much to do tomorrow. Explanations to the authorities, cleaning up..." The man trails off though, looking very, very worried.

 

"Nyan!" Popping through the wall and tumbling through the air, the adolescent figure lands with ease, holding the sword in one hand and its duplicate in the other. "I did it!" The monk is given a sullen look. "You were hard to track down this time!" The two swords are studied with some consternation before one is shoved into Gabriel's hand, the other into Houki's.  "You'll have to do the rest yourself. There's only so much I can fix!" A victory sign is flashed before the girl points to the monk. "You promised! Remember!" And then she's off, through the wall and into goodness knows where.

"Tomorrow is tomorrow, Gabriel. Right now we should all be grateful that Homasubi-sama didn't decide to do worse things to everyone in the city. I am sorry about your store and your loft, but you are more than welcome to stay here and use my spare room for as long as you wish. I would be happy to have your company and..." But before Sayami can say anything else, there's a Nyan-Nyan in her apartment, handing her a sword. The shinken, which she does recognize. Of course, she's utterly confused now.

 

Gabriel was about to say something else when yet something else just pops into existence before them. He really should be getting used to this. He blinks as the sword is given to him, and the poor man nearly comes close to fainting right then and there. "Oh, thank the gods," Or Nyan-nyan, "I had thought it was lost to me again." He sighs with thankfulness, and then nods to Sayami, "If I might borrow your cough for the night, thank you... or that spare room."

You nominate Chichiri for exceptional roleplay.

 

Houjun nods at the Nyan-nyan, laughing at her words. He doesn't explain, but merely nods before looking between the two swords. "It was broken into two parts for safety, all of them were. I have to admit that I knew something about it, but.." His most apologetic look is given. "Mou, I had to promise not to tell, and so here you are with both of them. You have to join the two parts together by placing them one atop the other and you have to do it together."  The monk turns toward the door with a half wave, smiling again. "It's going to be a very long night." 

Chichiri nominates you for exceptional roleplay!