6/11/2003

12:27 AM

Logfile from Sebastian.

 

Midnight Delirium

     The steady bass of techno and trance drums steadily, blotting out all rational thought.  Near the entrance, several sets of small tables and chairs lie about for patrons who prefer to socialize, while a staircase leads down to the main dancing area.  At the the front of the room, the DJs spin their mixes; this section of the club is always packed.  People flow with the rhythm pounding in their heads, their limbs, their chests.  Lights in darkened colors flash intermittantly across the already dim area, adding to the chaos.  A bar extends along the eastern wall, its counter and shelves outlined with blue lights and its seats always full.  In the far western corner, a string of white lights leads the way into another room where more hip-hop and rap have been added to the mix.  Most here throw themselves into the music, and hard: in the morning, it'll all be gone.

You see Age of Aquarius Magazine **Free Issue** here.

Obvious exits:

Out

 

Ichijin

Long and svelte, fair and lean, almost everything about him gives to the hint of slim length. As aquiline features attend the almost aristocratic line of cheekbones and the rebellious tilt of his nose, his mouth is a generous addition above a rather strong jaw. Cracked moonlight and shadow have their way with his eyes, dappling irises of malachite with indolent abandon. Brooding rebellion: an ever wayward forelock frequently seems to manage to escape the loose plait his long ash-blonde hair is often bound within, falling negligently over his brow while the rest of his hair descends down to mid-back.

White-pale, the button down shirt that he wears is just that, left mostly unbuttoned, except for a couple in about the middle to not leave too much visible. Silken in weave, the sleeves are short as the hemline brushes just shy of his hips. Contrast stitched leather pants fit vaguely to the long line of his legs, flaring gently at the ankles where he wears a pair of simple, casual shoes that still denote a hint of high fashion.

Ichijin appears to be 25 years, 6 months, and 8 days old.

He is awake and looks alert.

 

Sebastian is settled at the very same table that he was at before when he first met the new Akurei. It could be chance, or some money settled into the right palms that got him this place. Lounging back in the corner of the booth, one arm is draped over the back as the other holds a glass filled with some liquid or another that isn't too neon-blazing. Sip and wait. Sip and wait.

 

Nikki was leery of getting calls while at her host family's home, but since she figures that she's not likely to stay there for too much longer, she took the call just this once. Good thing too as it leads her back into contact with of all people, Sebastian, she shows up at the meeting place just a little late. She's dressed trendy-casual as usual when not in school, looking a little older than she really is, which is a good thing since she doesn't have Rathan to lead her in here this time. Heading for the table, she stops just a few feet away with a wary glance at Ichijin. "Monsieur Bastian."

 

Seitaro is not far behind Nikki, entering the club and casting his gaze about until he spots the other two. The fact that it's the same table does not go unnoticed, but does go uncommented upon. It's really a minor thing at this point. Coming up alongside Nikki, he smiles pleasantly down at her, inclining his head, "Nikki-sama, it's good to see you again. And Davis-san as well. I was surprised to receive your phone call, but pleased nonetheless. Things were... awkward when last we met."

 

Sebastian's gaze lifts as he is first approached by Nikki. No sighs or anything of the sort, he simply slips up from the seat at her presence. "Nice to see you again, Nikki. I doubted you would have too much trouble finding yourself into this establishment again. Resourceful child that you are." He watches her for a moment before waving a hand to the table, "Sit. Can I get you something?" It is the next voice that causes him to hesitate and turn about to face the other man.

"Surprised? How so?" Another gesture to the table, "Take a seat."

Nikki looks up at Seitaro and beams a smile at him for a second before scooting over to the table and taking a seat, primly crossing one knee over the other. "No, it was not difficult getting in. I am surprised to see you again though." she says with just a hint of ire for the man running off and hanging up on her, etc. Still, she's learned quite a great deal since then though. "A little soda for me, thanks." She'll avoid the wine this time.

 

Seitaro sits down beside Nikki, carefully watching Sebastian. "Last I heard, you were not longer in town. I hadn't expect you to come seeking me out. I was certain I would have to relocate you again for another conversation. Though in your absence Nikki-sama, Rathan-kun and I were able to spend a little time together and get things sorted out."

 

Sebastian wasn't really planning on feeding the fire-starter alcoholic beverages anyway. Her request for soda earns the girl a nod as he takes the arm of a waitress to make the order. His grin turns wry though, flickering a glance at the pair of them for a moment. He waits until they are seated to do so as well. "It really wasn't my intention to surprise either one of you -although to think that I wouldn't have contacted you again..." There is a hint of reproach in his voice. Taking a sip from his drink, he continues, "Get things sorted out?"

 

Nikki nods slowly in agreement with Seitaro. "Yes, a few things worked out, like... this business of being a miko." she says quietly, folding her arms on the tabletop, her schoolgirl demeanor being replaced with a more serious look. "I've been studying up on some of those eastern philosophies and other related subjects. Just to know a little more of what I'm getting involved with here." And she hasn't run away screaming, isn't that nice? "It did seem like you were running off or something last time, Monsieur Bastian, or should I be calling you..." She tries to recall the various star charts and such she had to leaf through. "Ichijin?"

 

"It's not that I thought you wouldn't have contacted either of us again, Sebastian-san, but I suspected that Nikki-sama and I might have to seek you out sooner rather than later, as we didn't know when you'd be returning to the city," replies Seitaro, nodding back to what Nikki also says. "I know there was some question of Nikki-sama being our miko, however, I can assure you that she was indeed chosen by Homasubi-sama. She bears his chi mark upon her. There is no question. As for other things being sorted out, I have since been informed of the situation with the former Akurei. I apologize for my abrupt manner in introducing myself before, but I had no idea of the implications of my arrival."

 

Sebastian turns his gaze back over and towards Nikki, nodding slowly. "If you want some more information, I'm more than able to supply you with more, if necessary, Nikki. In public, Sebastian... or Bastian is preferred. Elsewhere, however you wish." He sits back a little in the seat, glancing to the other man, seemingly studying him once again, "A poor reaction on my part, but that is over with now. Homasubi saw fit to make you Akurei, and far be it for me to even question that.... or now Nikki being our miko."

 

Nikki does look a little less certain of herself for a moment, not that it would stop the stubborn child for long. "Ah yes, that..." She turns steely blue eyes on Sebastian and asks softly, "So the woman I saw was the previous Akurei then?" She says the name very quietly, barely audible over the noise of the club. "Who or what was responsible for that? I mean... as miko, I feel that a certain measure should be taken about things like that. I mean..it's like I lost one of you even before I began, not a good thing. Is there something that can be done, or is this something that should be left alone?"

 

Seitaro isn't able to answer Nikki's questions considering he only knows the very basics. Settling into silence, he watches the other two with interest, wanting to hear more about his predecessor. It is a subject his thoughts of turn to more than once, ever since he did discover that he was not the first oni to bear the name of Akurei. His one conclusion is that she must have been quite effective for Homasubi to want to replace her so quickly.

 

Sebastian blinks for a moment, hesitation obvious as he slowly sets the drink back down. He looks back to Nikki, watches her, and then finally replies softly, "Yes, that was her." And then the coldness seeps into his voice, "My half-sister was. She made herself off as one of Sungnochas, inserted herself in our life, and then killed her. Apparently Aubrey, the one who did it, was the representative of another... entity. Not Yin or Yang." He licks his lips before continuing, "My skepticism as to your timely presence was in reaction to that occurrence, Nikki. Simply believing you to be my miko so quickly after what had happened was impossible." And still, there is a but a hint of hard caution to his eyes as he looks to her. His gaze slides over to the silent Seitaro for the moment.

 

Nikki purses her lips, straightening up in her seat as a waitress comes by with her soda. Waiting till she's gone, the miko manages to keep off her frown till then. "Another entity? I didn't know... there's so much more to learn." she groans, but at least the girl is putting effort into it, not just blindly stumbling into things. Or hitting people on the head with lamps, etc. "I guess the timing was bad, though in my defense /you/ were the one who decided to bring me home right then." she says with just a hint of typical adolescent defensiveness. Hmm, she's been so busy studying, she hadn't even set anything on fire in a while. Nikki'll have to do something about that soon.

 

Seitaro reaches out to lightly touch Nikki's arm. "Nikki-sama, you can hardly fault Sebastian-san for his reaction to a difficult situation. It's not as if things have not since been set to rights in regards to you and who you are, ne? That is all that matters." The man turns his gaze back to Sebastian, expression carefully neutral. "Nikki-sama is going to move in with Rathan-kun soon. As soon as arrangements with her host family can be made. Speaking of which Nikki-sama, if you wish for those people to be removed from the picture, I would prefer if you left that to me. I can arrange for a tidy accident that would keep any suspicion from falling upon you. That would be best."

 

Sebastian nods his head in admission to the girl. "Whatever Rathan hasn't told you, I can fill in if need be. Yes, quite a bit has happened and there is always more to learn. Nearly every day." As Seitaro speaks, the man listens silently for a moment, considering his words before nodding slightly. "Having her away from those others would certainly be best... and with Rathan... good."

 

Nikki nods back at Seitaro and turns to look back at Sebastian apologetically. "You're right..it's been a troublesome time." She sighs with slight disappointment though as she glances back between the two oni. "Awh, he gets to have all the fun? How boring. I suppose though, that for once I'll have to consider what is expedient over my own wants, hmm?" That annoying daughter of the hostfamily just has to go though, the pimple-faced spoiled brat.

 

Seitaro chuckles quietly, "Not to worry, Nikki-sama, I'm sure we can devise other means of entertainment for you soon. Now then, if you'll two excuse me I have other business of my own to attend to and this way you can both discuss those things that our miko has yet to know. I hope you and I will get a chance to talk more in the near future, Sebastian-san. Rathan-kun speaks very highly of you."

 

Sebastian arches a glance at Nikki, smirking faintly, "Hopefully things will change though. As for fun... we'll see." Being purposefully mysterious or not, he still leaves that statement as is. As Seitaro moves to leave, the man moves to stand as well, nodding to him, "I will get into contact with you again. Hopefully soon. I am sure that we have much to discuss. Thank you for coming."

 

Akurei goes home.

 

Nikki waves as Seitaro leaves, leaving the miko once again alone with Sebastian, but at least the girl doesn't appear as upset over that anymore. "Fun, Sebastian? Have you any ideas? I know now that Homasubi-sama is the Lord of Destruction and that is undoubtedly the reason he choose me." Ichijin did find her torching a building all on her own, just for entertainment. "I am wondering if there is something that we should be doing?"

 

Sebastian looks after Seitaro for another moment, watching the man with no obvious sign of discomfort. It is Nikki's voice that drags him out of his thoughts and back to her, "Because you tend to enjoy a good fire -or the creation of such and the torture of the victims of it?" Rhetorical question, because he considers. "There are plenty of ideas, Nikki. It is often implementing them to the best of our ability that is often the problem. Once upon a time, I could count the number of oni in this city upon the fingers of one hand." Said fingers are tapped upon the table. "We were terribly restrained in what we could accomplish. And there were failures... incompetency with some of the other onisenshi, and our miko at the time. That and the sheer numbers. They had to many, we had so few." Another breath. "You ask what we should be doing? I have asked that myself, and others have asked the same thing. Things have been actually rather quiet in the last few months -despite Reese's death and Aubrey's betrayal. Although I hear rumor that the collapsing of that bridge recently has the prints of another onisenshi behind it."

 

Nikki did manage to sneak out long enough to try and survey the damage at the bridge for herself. "I saw the damage, it was a good job there." Not that she could get all that close, but there were observation posts up at the top of Fort Tryam Park by Washington Heights where she could get a pretty decent view. It was magnificent..if you like destruction, death, carnage, and tragedy. Which meant she was having a field day. "I like fire, is that wrong?" she says with stunning innocence on her face, smiling ever so sweetly. Pure facade though, she's about as sweet and innocent as a crocodile. "Failures? I hadn't heard much about that. Then again, Seitaro-kun wouldn't have been around to know and Rathan hasn't had the opportunity to explain to me yet. I suppose he will once I move over to his place." She steeples her fingers as she stares over them at Sebastian. "Is it just the three..four of us then? I was doing reading like I said, a total of seven warriors should belong to me. I suppose the others are not around yet or we don't know about them?"

 

Sebastian takes another sip from his drink before responding, "I find absolutely nothing whatsoever wrong with fire." How could he? "I have actually found that I have something of an affinity to it. I'm fond of fire, that is." Very fond. Extremely fond. "Rathan should be able to tell you quite a few things, I'm sure. I will also be sure to fill you in on things as well. It is good that you are moving in with him though." In more ways than one, that is. "When that has happened, I can supply you with an allowance of sorts to see to your needs. You won't want for anything. As for the Homasubi. Yes. Myself, Garanto, Akurei, and now yourself. No, there are no others that I know of, but I have no doubt that they will eventually find their way to this city, we all seem to."

 

Nikki smiles again, sipping her soda. "Glad to hear that you do. Seitaro-kun and Rathan said they'd help me move my stuff. Silly men, all I have is a suitcase of clothes and the books Seitaro loaned me." She was just a poor exchange student after all. "Rathan just has a big mattress on the floor or that was the impression he gave me. Don't suppose we could scrounge up a bed or something? Though I suppose I could share that mattress with him." she says slyly, looking up at her oni through her heavy lashes. "Oooh, an allowance too? That would be quite useful."

 

Sebastian smirks just the faintest, "I have seen the place he is living in now. It isn't anything greater then simply a hole in the wall. I'd be far happier in setting you both up in a place near to where I am, but if the man actually makes an effort to be around that apartment, it will please me all the more. Through my allowance to you, hopefully you can make some improvements to the place." At mention of the mattress, his grin simply turns wry, "If you don't mind the seishi that might find her way into it as well, by all means... do so. Who am I to deny you the attempt?"

 

Nikki sighs softly at that. "Yes, Mina-san. I've met her already. I had no intentions of letting Rathan's pet seishi know who I was, but Seitaro kept 'sama-ing' me and I'm sure that look on her face meant that she guessed why I might be important. I'm sure though, that it was the /only/ intelligent thought she managed that whole night." Nicolette shrugs at the thought of a hole in the wall. "I am well used to..less than stellar accommodations, Sebastian. I'll make do, it won't be the first time I've had to and it's a small price to pay for gaining a little freedom to go about on my own." Well, 'cept for the watching eyes of her oni.

 

Sebastian really /wants/ the watching eyes of the oni on her. He would have shoved her into his own penthouse to keep an eye on her. Only.. well... it is nothing but cinders now. "It is best to try to make nice with the Yang for all intents and purposes, at least for the time being. Show them what a delightful young woman you are, as I'm sure was obvious from the start." Sarcasm. "That's all I ask for now, Nikki." And he nods his head again, "You will be provided for, and enough so that your accommodations will improve if you see fit."

 

Nikki is probably going to be slippery as an eel when it comes to being put in one place when she thinks she's in no danger. When there is clear trouble, she's a good girl, but there's always been a drawback with using young girls as mikos. Between being willful and strong minded, they've all got that insane element where they run off into danger. "Make nice with them? You mean set them up for a fall right, not actually..making /peach/ with them or anything rihgt?" Oh that look of distaste is a bit immature, but she's still rather new to all this yet. "Thank you for your generosity Monsieur Bastian. I suppose though, I should get going soon. It's a little tedious, but my host family expects me to be home at a decent hour." Then she sneaks back out on her own most of the time, when they think she's asleep.

 

Sebastian actually chuckles just the faintest at Nikki's words, "Just try to behave yourself around them? I understand a desire now and again to want to light one on fire. I could even direct you to a couple that you might want to center your own fiery talents upon, but please try to make note that you /are/ a miko now. The gods have already killed off one, and if you were to die doing your little play... we would have to get ourselves another, and I think you might be a little bit more agreeable to me then the last one I had to deal with." Nope. No love lost between a certain Yin no miko and himself. He nods to her once more, "It isn't so much generosity, as seeing that your need are seen to. I'm sure we will see each other again soon. Have a good evening."