10/7/2003
03:35
PM
Logfile
from Toshie.
New
York Deli
Like
any New York Deli, the place seems to be divided into different sections, the
first part a small mini bakery that satisfies the early morning needs with an
assortment of bagels, rolls, pastries, danishes, and pots of coffee always on
the boil.
The
deli counter itself holds various different kinds of breads and rolls for
sandwiches. Beneath the glass counter, there is a fine selection of different
meats and cheeses, both imported and domestic. Ceramic pans are filled with
different types of chopped salads, potatoe, lox, whitefish, egg, tuna,
ambrosia, olive, etc.
Jars of
perserves line the windows, strings of dried sausages and pepperoni dangle from
the ceiling over the small eating section with the simple tables and chairs, a
quick spot to eat in the noon rush of the city, or a quiet spot for a morning
cup of java.
Nakago
is here.
Obvious
exits:
Exit
Dosekiryuu
comes into the area from elsewhere.
Jonathan
called it an early day today, after the foreman got on his case about not being
careful enough up on the 35th floor. A
cold smile spreads across the large man's features as he takes a bit of his
reuben, thinking with satisfaction about the likely reaction the foreman will
have when he returns to the worksite tomorrow morning. To find the concrete substructure has
developed numerous cracks -- mini faultlines, reall -- overnight. It might only be a small step, but it /is/ a
step in the right direction; the company Jon currently works for is responsible
for numerous instances of ecological disasters, and they're finally being
repaid.
Toshie
is perched at one of the many tables at the deli, settled near the windows and
off in a corner so as all the better to drink in the sun from outside and avoid
being jostled by anyone who passes by her table. Caesar salad with grilled
chicken seems to be the order of the day, although it seems as though most of
the chicken has been pushed over to the side. Why? To be fed to that gluttonous
and spoiled bird that is Shen, of course. Sure, one would think a raptor
perched on the napkin holder on the table would be rather alarming, but
apparently not a soul notices (because they can't see the bird). "Stop
gulping down your food. You will choke," she admonishes.
Dosekiryuu
Towering
over six and a half feet, he possesses the brawny, well-developed frame of a
weightlifter, stopping just shy of being overly muscled. Native American ancestry is strongly
suggested by his harsh, chiseled features and skin the color of burnt umber, as
well as the straight, glossy blue-black hair often bound in a ponytail to drape
down past his shoulderblades. Proud,
expressive eyes of lustrous amber peer out from beneath a prominent browridge,
while thin, severe lips rarely hold neither smile nor sneer. When he speaks, it is in a rumbling bass
rusty from disuse, seemingly almost deep enough to cause the ground itself to
tremble.
Clothing
is obviously not much of a concern for this man. An oversized simple black t-shirt, faded to dark grey, hangs
loosely from his broad shoulders, while frayed stonewash jeans are worn
beltless. Black steel-toe workboots,
scuffed from frequent wear, encase his feet, and there is no sign of jewelry or
other adornment anywhere on his person.
Dosekiryuu
appears to be 21 years, 3 months, and 12 days old.
He is
awake, but has been staring off into space for a minute.
Yuurin
Delicate
of presence is she; this svelte young woman of just a little over five feet is
but a wraith in form with her sinewy build and vaguely asian features. A wealth
of sloe-black hair generally descends to about mid-back with the shine of
health evident along those silken tresses. Feline-lilted eyes with irises of
seemingly sundered amber and flecked with pyrite's false glimmer are rimmed
with thick, dark lashes. Pixie nose is perched over a pair of dark lips, her
face accented with cheekbones' dramatic angle only to be softened with a pair
of youthful dimples. This young woman is a sinewy sylph by all accounts with
muscles borne of an athletic life and a silent grace very well tamed.
Ash
grey but set with darker striping, a raptor's feather is attached with a small
bead of jade to a singular plait in her hair.
Vintage
blue jeans with that dirty look quite popular now hang just off of her hips,
adorned with a wide black leather belt and silver ring. Pants drop with a
straight leg down 'til meeting a pair of black leather boots with just the
slightest of heels and mostly hidden underneath the pant leg. Button-down
school girl shirt is left mostly unbuttoned except for a couple in the middle,
the front of the white shirt tied in a knot at her midriff just as the sleeves
are rolled up to just shy of her elbows. A series of chain necklaces, mostly
silver and some with pendants, are quite evident with the number of buttons
left undone in her shirt. Her hair is drawn up in a series of braids and twists
in an organized chaos of sorts to crown her head. Bright red and startling
white streaks to go with the overall darkness of her straight locks, the
majority of which hang down haphazardly.
Yuurin
appears to be 17 years, 7 months, and 1 days old.
She is
awake and looks alert.
Carrying:
Shen (#406)
Why is
it that Jonathan always has the misfortune of sitting near the crazies in this
city. Of course, perhaps it's due to
the increasing number of unbalanced people, no doubt a reflection of the
earth's own sickening condition. All
the same, it's so distracting, but at least this one is just talking to herself
and not singing Elvis songs backwards, like the last one. Continuing to slowly devour his sandwich,
the native American does keep one eye on the young woman seated just two booths
away, though, just to make certain she doesn't suddenly devolve into worse
behavior.
Toshie
pushes around her salad with her spork, apparently not all that interested in
it until she unearths a tomato wedge. Yum. Popping that in her mouth, the girl
leans back in her seat with a sigh. "We should go to the park today. Maybe
you can chase around more of the pigeons. You really have to leave the dogs in
the neighborhood alone. One more of those little Taco Bell dogs go missing, and
people are going to start getting wise. Chi... Chi... Chiwow-somethingoranothers."
Shen gulps down another bit of chicken, rather wishing it still alive instead
of some cooked stuff. The bird turns one eye onto Jonathan across the way as
soon as Tosh leans back, revealing her finely feathered self. Peer.
Blink. Blink blink. It /is/ always possible that Jonathan is the one going crazy, not
the girl. he'd swear one of those
pieces of chicken just disappeared. And
then... Taking his drink in one hand
and the plastic basket of sandwich and chips in the other, he rises, and rises,
and rises from his seat, until all 6' 7" of construction worker is
standing up. "Pardon," he
says politely as he edges out of his booth and steps around one of the
employees before heading towards the young woman's table. "Chihuahua," is all he says when
he's standing just beside it, although his eyes are not on the girl. Nor the salad.
"Wow,"
Tosh mutters, looking, up, up, up at the person before the table. Why is it
that all of the guys she comes across are so tall. Makes her wish she put on
boots with at least another inch on the heel, for all the good that does.
"Chihuahua," she repeats, the word still unfamiliar upon her lips,
and not sounding quite right, but close enough. "Thank you." She
blinks at the man, and then slowly turns her head to look at Shen (who is
staring right back at Jonathan), and then back again. "Is there
something...?"
Is
there something? "Probably
not," the enormous man replies.
"Just wondering who you were talking to. And who you were feeding."
Perhaps this is one of those seishi people that Chiaki and Kieran had
told him about. Or maybe he really was
just seeing things... or not seeing things?
"If you don't like the chicken, you can get the salad without, you
know." His deep, gravelly voice
almost seems to make the floor vibrate as he speaks.
Toshie
blinks at Jonathan for another moment, and then turns her head to peer back at
Shen with uplifted brows. "He can see you, right? Are you going to tell me
if he does? Shen, you can be quite stubborn." There is a note of
exasperation in her voice as the teen finally turns back around to face the man
standing there. She plucks up a piece of the chicken, ready to pop it into her
own mouth, only to have the bird pounce forward and steal it out of her fingers
with a snap of her beak. A scowl at the falcon, and then she slants a gaze over
to the man.
While
he cannot sense the flow of nature's energy on his own, years of working with
his grandfather and his family's spirit rattle have made Jonathan at least
slightly sensitive to the chi around him.
Especially when the 'feel' of that chi is identical to the power that
runs through his veins, courtesy of the powerful spirit named Nainokami. He thus gets an impression of what stands
before him, even if his vision is by no means clear. "You are young to be a shaman," he states, assuming the
creature to be a spirit guide.
Realizing he's still holding his food, he sets it down on the edge of th
girl's table.
Toshie
has been called a few things in her life, and that certainly isn't one of them.
She peers up at Jonathan for a long moment, blinking owlishly at him. Feet
plant against the floor, pushing her back up from her slumped position.
"What sort of one is he, Shen? A nice one?" The bird doesn't seem to
interested though, busily gulping down chicken as if it is about to go out of
style. "Are you?" She licks her lips though before biting down on her
bottom lip, waving a hand at the seat across from her.
It
takes longer for Jonathan to wedge himself into these booths than it does to
get out of them; they just weren't built for people his size. By the time he's through, his knees are
resting on the underside of the table, but at least he's politely not invading
the girl's leg room. "Thank
you," he offers as he slides his food and drink in front of him, tossing a
chip into his mouth as he looks more closely at the young woman. "Am I a nice one?" His dark, impassive features don't change as
he considers the question, giving it serious thought. "That depends. On
what you consider nice."
Toshie's
eyes manage to open even wider as he climbs into the seat, teeth biting even
harder on her bottom lip to keep from giggling. As the table is jostled
slightly, Shen shows her displeasure by shooting the man a glare, and then
begins again on the unprotected chicken, tearing it into strips before eating
it. "I have only met one person who was not so nice. But I have been
listening to her. She is getting better." Her head cocks a little to the
side as she watches Jonathan, "You seem nice so far. Who are you?"
"You
certainly speak like a shaman," the man rumbles. "Many words come from your mouth, but little meaning
accompanies them. I'm too plain to
speak in riddles, so I will answer simply.
I am Jonathan. I am one who wishes
to answer the earth's cries. I am still
hungry." So he picks up his
sandwich and takes another bite, before any of /his/ meat can be snatched up.
Toshie
blinks at him, reaching a hand up to tuck a stray braid behind her ear.
"Nice to meet you, Jonathan," she replies, forgoing her salad and
reaching over to take up her splurge item, a strawberry shake. "Shen seems
to accept you, so you must be someone that I should know. Are you one of Her's?
Karen told me that there was another one, but I don't think that you are the
one that prefers to stay away from people."
To
anyone else, the girls words would be meaningless, but to Jonathan... "I
should have known," he comments as the sandwich is lowered again. "Sakamaku did say that I would find
what I needed as long as I held true to my path." He offers what might pass for a smile on his
usually dour face. "I assume you
are one of Her's as well, then. And I
was correct; you are a shaman and that is your spirit guide." Another chip vanishes into his mouth. "I know of Karen, though I have yet to
meet her; she was mentioned to me by the others."
Toshie's
lips tighten briefly for some reason, and then she nods her head slowly. Her
hand slips over, gently drawing over Shen with fingers that pet through the
gray falcon's feathers. "I am not sure if shaman is the right term. But if
you wish to say that, then that is fine." Her golden-irised gaze finally
lifts back onto him, "I live with her. Protecting her if it is necessary,
although it hasn't been so, yet."
"You
must be quite favored by our patron to serve as the priestess' guardian,"
Jonathan observes, although his tone is not dismissive in the least. "I had thought to offer my own services
in that regard, but if it is unnecessary, I shall reconsider my
role." He pauses for a sip of cola
-- this /is/ his lunch, after all, before belatedly inquiring, "What are
you called? I have given you my name,
and I know how you refer to your guide, but I do not yet know your name."
Toshie
watches him quietly for a moment, refraining from correcting his words.
"Toshie. But I tend to be called Tosh most often though. I do not mind
being called either way though." Her hand draws away from the bird,
dropping down into her lap. "Reconsider your role?"
"It
is good to meet you, Toshie," Jonathan states before explaining. "The abilities given to me by the great
spirit Nainokami, they have many uses, but only if I have a specific task to
apply them to. Often, I simply wait
until a task arises, but I had hoped to make myself more useful by offering my
service to the priestess. If you
already fill that position, then it seems I must resign myself to further
waiting, since using my powers needlessly might be counterproductive to what we
all hope to achieve in the end."
Jonathan's coworkers would be amazed that the man was speaking this much
in one sitting. Of course, they'd also
be amazed at the content of the conversation.
10/8/2003
12:13
AM
Logfile
from Toshie.
Toshie
continues to enjoy that yummy strawberry shake, slurping from the straw as she
peers across to Jonathan. "It is not so much as filling a position,
Jonathan. And it is not something exclusive to me. You can do so as well. I do
not mind sharing, if it is even something for me to share. 'Resign yourself'?
You make it sound like something less?"
"Boredom
takes me on occasion," he admits.
"I do not have visions like Sakamaku, nor do I socialize with
people like Higuchi. So if I do not
find some other way to spend my time, I'll be doing little other than working,
watching for signs, or speaking with the spirits. I am patient... but even my patience wears thin after many
months." He flips off the top of
his reuben, scrapes off the kraut, and slides the basket towards where he last
saw the spirit beast. "Does Shen
like corned beef?"
Toshie
blinks for a moment at him, and then nods her head slowly, "Boredom? It
should not be like that. You need a place where you are comfortable... not to
say bored, or stimulated constantly. But... comfortable. I do not think that is
what you have yet. That might be your problem. A role? That sounds too defined.
Unless you prefer that sort of definition." Her head tilts just a little
as she asks him, only to blink as Shen leaves off her chicken and finds some variety
with the offered sandwich meat, and causing a stifled giggle. "I think
that is a yes."
Massive,
heavily-callused hands rest on the tabletop as Jonathan clarifies, "I do
not need definition so much as I need a direction. Always have I had something specific to achieve or accomplish,
but now I have only a nebulous goal to attain and a barest hint of a path to
follow. Thus far, I have faithfully
trod the path and I have been rewarded as a result, but I miss the certainty of
having firm objectives." He's a
doer, not a thinker, but having nothing to do leaves him little to occupy his
time but thinking. "When I was
younger, my grandfather laid tasks before me.
Then, simple survival became a goal in and of itself. Now... Now I strike against those who rape
the earth as the opportunity arises, but I am often left to my own
devices. Sakamaku has offered guidance
when he receives his visions, but those have been but few and far
between."
Toshie
frowns briefly once more, only to listen closely to him. "You need to
think for your own, Jonathan. I have... been in Nainokami's presence but twice
in my life. When first I was lost and alone... and when she asked Karen to be
the miko. Neither of those times did she tell me what I was to do, nor did I ask
for it. And I have never been fortunate enough to even meet Sakamaku. So, I
have chosen to do what I think is best, and Shen has been there for that. I
love Karen, and that is why I protect her and live with her. Nainokami did not
direct me to do that. She has yet to ever direct me."
"When
I was in a dark place in my life, She came to me and gave me a reason to
continue. That is what I live for now;
I have no doubts or hesitations about what purpose my life is to serve. But on a day-to-day basis, I wish to be
useful to the great spirit we serve. If
not by fulfilling Her wishes directly, then by placing obstacles in the paths
of those I oppose, or by assisting those who are integral parts of the path I
myself follow. The former I have been
achieving on my own, but the latter requires outside guidance." Jonathan's words are solemn and serious,
spoken in an almost meditative rhythm.
"Always has my life been guided by the spirits, directly at times
but more often through intermediaries.
When I was young, I did not realize this to be so, but now I do and so I
seek to place myself in service to the earth in whatever way I can. It has likely been different for you; the
path of a shaman is a much more individualistic path. I, however, was raised to be a warrior and a protector. I must do that for which I was raised."
Toshie
is listening to him quietly once more, a hand reaching out to try to still the
gluttonous Shen, or at least slow her down some. That is going to be one
bloated bird. "I am not so sure you will be able to find that, Jonathan. I
am curious to know what you have been doing since that time? Simply sitting by
and being bored, as you said? I am not sure... but maybe Karen can help you?
Maybe by just talking to her, or seeing her. Maybe you will discover from there
what you need to do. If it truly is what you at first desired to do, protect
the miko, then you should do so. When you meet her, you can make that decision
as well." She gently slides to her feet, moving to stand with a dancer's
grace. "I suppose I am asking if I can take you home with me? Or are you
busy now?"
"Even
if I was busy," the large oni states in his gravelly voice, "I would
make time to meet my miko, regardless of the cost. As it is, I happen to be entirely free. My boss and I had a... disagreement... today, so I am not going
back to work with him anymore. So I am
certainly not busy." With the
young girl no longer sitting at the booth, Jonathan opts to just slide the
table over to make standing up easier.
Of course, the table /was/ bolted to the floor, but the bolts were
rusty, right? It's not as if the
concrete floor just gave way around them.
"Do you often ask men to come home with you?" It's so hard to tell if Jon is cracking a
joke or not.
Toshie
blinks at the noise the table makes, which is also enough to cause the raptor
to cling to the plates, but finally just give up and take to the air. More than
likely making a deliberate pass to flick a wingtip at the other man's head.
Tosh blinks and giggles though. "Oh no. You are the first." She
reaches over as if to grab at his wrist to urge the big guy on. Kieran doesn't
count. And neither does Malachai.
Royal
Elizabeth - Suite 502
Soft
lighting warms the gold and burgundy tones of this apartment into something welcoming
and faintly sybaritic. The walls of the main living area are painted in a rich
russet shade, a border in golden hues near the top showing faintly Japanese
hints. A multi-segmented couch curves around a soft Oriental carpet, a
cherry-wood coffee table set on each end and a matching longer one in front.
There is a television, a simple TV-VCR combination with a shelf beneath its
stand for two different gaming systems, along one wall, the other covered with
a number of framed photos and paintings of Japanese autumn and the change of
the leaves around various temples and shrines.
The
kitchen, while small, is scrupulously neat, the cupboards and fridge kept
well-stocked with all sorts of food, the drawers quite tidy. There is a small
breakfast nook off of the kitchen, a small table with four chairs set about it.
Karen
is here.
Obvious
exits:
Exit
"I
feel honored, then, to be the first man you invite to your place,"
Jonathan mentions simply. "And you
need not fear for your virtue in my presence.
Especially with your guide keeping watch. No man works well under pressure, especially not when the
pressure comes from being eyed by a predatory creature of the spirit
realm." It's certain now; Jonathan
is teasing. Unfortunately, he hasn't
yet learned to modulate his voice from anything other than that serious bass
tone to indicate an attempt at humor.
Toshie
simply gapes at Jonathan as he says that, and then can't help but giggle in
response. "You do not have to worry about Shen so much as me, dear sir.
But she appreciates the compliment." She obviously meaning Shen. But, tug
Tosh does... but not quite all the way to the apartment. A key works in the
lock, and then the door is pushed open to reveal Tosh and Jonathan. She pats
his arm once more and skips ahead into the place, "Go ahead and find a seat. I can get you a drink... and find
Karen. Karen?" Her voice raises at that last, then the girl skips forward
in search for her miko.
Draped
in just-cut fabric at the moment, with a mouthful of pins, Karen's not exactly
her usual tailored self -- but she /is/ comfortable, at the very least.
"Ara?" No more pins in mouth. It makes talking hard. Shifting the
cool blue fabric onto her other arm, she pokes her head out of the bedroom, her
braid tumbling over one shoulder. "Toshie-chan? I heard another
voice..." And indeed, there's the owner of that voice. An inquisitive look
is given first Jonathan, then Toshie, but she continues on easily. "Were
you looking for me?"
Since
the chairs around the table in the breakfast nook look like they'd shatter
beneath his weight, Jonathan opts for the sectioned couch, settling himself
upon it and stretching out his long legs.
As soon as the miko pokes her head out, though, he quickly rises again,
inclining his head respectfully.
"Priestess." In place
of a name, he uses her title, and for the moment that's all he says.
Toshie
bounces forward as soon as Karen shows herself. The girl reaches out to try to
slip that fabric rather carefully from off of Karen, and set it aside. Once
that is done, she reaches out now to take Karen's wrist and tug her into the
main room. "Come. I have someone to show you. You will want to meet him.
His name is Jonathan, and he says that he is one of Nainokami's. Shen seems to
think he is alright too." Releasing the miko though, the girl pops back a
step to watch.
The
fabric is easily slipped off -- it's light, the inner lining of something,
perhaps. A few steps (especially with Toshie's help) bring Karen out of the
room entirely and into the living room, her expression remaining curious, then
a flicker of triumph is swiftly replaced by formality -- she bows to Jonathan.
"Senshi," she greets, "But please, just Karen -- if I may call
you Jonathan?" She straightens up smoothly, reaching for Toshie's hand
once more to give it a thankful squeeze. "It's good that you met
Toshie-chan. Do you have anything you wish to tell me, though, or have you come
to meet me?"
"I've
come to meet you and to offer you my service," Jonathan rumbles. "Toshie has told me that she already
serves as your protector, but I too wish to serve you in that capacity if you
would permit it. As I have told the
shaman," he explains, indicating Tosh with a nod, "I was raised to be
a guardian. Currently, you are the most
vital item in need of protection, since without you, my path will never come to
its proper end." No, he doesn't
/always/ speak like that, but it occurs more often than one would guess.
Just
that hand-squeeze by Karen is more than enough for Tosh to bounce to her toes
in happiness, barely contained excitement glimmering in her eyes. She
deliberately bumps into Karen softly with her hip, muttering to the miko,
"Hear that. He calls me a shaman. It is nice." Her eyes flicker back
to Jonathan though at his words, and then a curious and almost expectant glance
to Karen. "He is quire serious about that."
"Ah,"
Karen says, changing her hold on Toshie to a loose arm around the younger
girl's shoulders, dropping an affectionate kiss upon her dark hair before her
gaze turns back to Jonathan. "I thank you, and you may do as you wish;
what can I do to make this easier for you? I am not the type to walk into
danger, I assure you."
"But
danger may walk into you, and I would not want the great spirits desires
extinguished because you were not amply guarded. Neither do I wish to impose upon you if you do not wish my
protection, though. If you accept my
offer, I would take up residence with you, or nearby at least, where I could be
at your side in a moment if trouble did arise.
During the day, when the risks are typically less severe, you would walk
freely, but I'd ask that I be allowed to accompany you once the sun passes
below the horizon for it's nightly rest.
Unless you were already being accompanied by Toshie and did not wish me
to be present; the great spirit would not provide you with a shaman who is
incapable of serving to defend you.
Would this be acceptable to you?"
Jonathan asks a lot of someone he just met.
Toshie
smiles softly, leaning in to the miko with an sigh that is just this side of
being awe-struck. "Karen is a very nice lady. Danger of no sort has ever
found its way to our door, but that is never to say that it could at some
point." But she abruptly falls silent at what the man is requesting, provoking
a blink, and then speculative glance up to Karen. She keeps silent now, waiting
for a decision, if any, to be made.
Karen
hears Jonathan out, considering this for a moment. "Toshie-chan?" she
asks of the young woman, turning to look at her, "What do you think? I do
not mind, Jonathan, but this is not only my home but Toshie-chan's as
well." She's not taking all the responsibility for this, no. "Were I
to walk after dark, Jonathan, much of the time I would want a guard, but there
are times that I do not -- as Toshie-chan has said, we have been lucky thus far
with avoiding trouble, simply because of the seishi, only some of the Suzaku --
not those who directly oppose us -- know that I am the priestess, as far as I
know."
"I
would, of course, respect your wishes in such matters unless you were clearly
making an unwise choice. Meeting with
these seishi by yourself, for instance, whether or not they directly oppose us,
is something I would strongly oppose."
Jonathan decides to seat himself again, in large part so that the
priestess and shaman do not have to continue to look /up/ at him. "I would let my actions be guided by
the both of you in all other circumstances; I am but a tool of the spirit,
after all, while you are her avatar," he says to Karen, then directs his
attention to the other woman, "and you are her medium, her eyes in this
realm. As long as you were not placing
yourself at needless risk, I would provide whatever service you asked of me or
provide no service at all."
Toshie
shakes her head from side to side. "It is not for me to decide. I am here
because of you." She turns her head though to look at Jonathan, watching
him quietly. "It is easy to see that Jonathan is quite large. And quite an
impressive presence. He would be a good protector for you. I would think twice
in trying to harm you if he were around. There might be other rooms avialable
on this floor or one near to it. And if he were to stay in here... I will
happily give him my room and bed, because I do not think he will fit all that
well on the couch." He doesn't seem to fit all that well on it when he is
only sitting there. "You must decide for yourself this time, Karen."
Karen
smiles gently at Jonathan as she moves to settle upon another portion of the
couch, trying to tug Toshie along with her for moral support. She's quiet as
the two speak, then she nods. "If you were able to find another place
here, it would work well... but Toshie-chan, are you so willing to leave
quickly?" she asks in a quiet tone. "I would prefer that you did not,
but I am not going to keep you here if you wish to leave. Jonathan, shall I
arrange for another apartment to be leased in your name?"
"If
you would not mind my presence here, the floor would serve adequately. The closer I am to you, Priestess, the more
secure I would feel, but I also have no desire to incovenience you,
Toshie. I own a sleeping bag fitted for
my height, and I spent much time as a boy sleeping in the forest. Compared to rocky ground, your floor would
be more than comfortable." In case
that idea is not agreeable, Jonathan does concede, "Otherwise, yes, a
nearby apartment would be appreciated if you can arrange such matters."
Toshie
is easily tugged along. She drops over onto the couch as well, leaning her head
over to rest upon Karen's shoulder. Her hand slowly draws down Karen's braid as
she speaks, "Not unless you ask me to leave." And, naturally, there
is a reluctant note in her voice at ever the possibility of that. She looks
across to Jonathan though, blinking at him. "He is quite adaptable, isn't
he? I don't suppose he would let us play dress up with him though." Yes, a
flicker of amused teasing there.
Oni
women. Scary people, really; always threatening dire things like dressing
people up. Resting her cheek upon the top of Toshie's head, Karen straightens
only to shake her head at Jonathan. "There is no need for that; I believe
I can find another apartment in this building for lease that is suitable,"
she says warmly. Toshie's reassurances make her relax a touch, losing an
unconscious tension there. "Adaptable, yes. Thank you for speaking with
me, and coming to meet me, Jonathan... may I offer you anything else,
though?"
Jonathan's
response to Toshie's teasing comment might surprise her. "If it meant you did not have to invite
a stranger to the apartment, then yes, I would permit you to 'play dress
up'." He does add a
condition. "As long as no
photographs were taken if the clothing was... inappropriate." Karen's words are then considered, and
dismissed. "The thanks belong
entirely to you, Priestess. And no,
there is nothing else I need, although I do appreciate the consideration. Shall I depart and leave the two of you alone
now?"
Hey,
Malachai still owes her an afternoon. And she plans on enjoying every bit of
it. He really does have such wonderful hair for playing with. Shen would really
love to play with that hair too. Tosh does blink at Jonathan's response,
causing the girl to sit up abruptly and peep across at him. "He might be a
tricky one, Karen," she eases slowly. No malice or anything of the sort,
just more speculation. "But good to have around."
Karen
laughs. "You may live to regret that," she says to Jonathan, a flash
of humour in her expression. "Whether you leave or you stay is up to you;
I was working on something-" That being the lining that's gotten put
somewhere else. "-and I may soon return to it, but for now, I think I am
content here. Definitely good to have around; what is it that you are gifted
with, Jonathan?"
"The
great spirit has gifted me with two powers," Jonathan freely admits, since
the information could likely prove useful to Karen. "They would likely be easier to demonstrate than to
describe, however. Have you a pin or
needle I may borrow?" Hopefully
this demonstration will reinforce Tosh's comment about Jon being good to have
around.
Toshie
was quite happy to lay there, snuggled up against Karen, but something or
another causes the girl to suddenly boost to her feet. She is up and peering
out the window with quite a concentrating look. "Shen... don't you dare...
I would think she would be too fat right now to bother the McKinney's
cat." She hesitates, casting an apologetic glance at the pair on the
couch. "I'm sorry, but she if finding mischief again." A dimpled
smile makes an appearance, offered to the both of them. "I hope that
everything will be all the more... better with you here with us Jonathan. And
that you have your direction." Tucking a few stray locks behind her ear,
the girl darts for the door.
10/8/2003
04:07
PM
Logfile
from Toshie.
There're
always pins and needles around -- in this case, there's a pincushion on the
table. Karen leans forward, unburdened by Toshie at this point, and nods to it.
"Always," she says with a wry smile before her attention goes to
Toshie. "Oh dear. Toshie-chan, do come back when Shen is happy once more?
Take care."
It
seems Toshie's spirit guide can be quite troublesome. Better that she possess such a dubious gift than he; Jonathan
much prefers his more concrete abilities.
Leaning forward to selecting the longest pin available, he examines the
sliver of stainless steel held in his right hand while he splays out his left,
palm up. "If you need proof that
the great spirit intended for me to be a protector..." The pin is forcefully jabbed into the palm
of his hand, but rather than drawing blood, the steel gives way and bends.
Karen
shakes her head. "Proof is not what I needed," she says simply.
"Toshie and Shen said that you were who you claimed to be." And
that's proof enough for her -- though she'll mourn the loss of one nice long
pin. Holding a hand out for the pin in curiousity rather than doubt, she
regards Jonathan steadily. "What do you wish for from this?"
Jonathan
extends his hand to offer the ruined pin back to the Priestess, but before he
relinquishes it, his eyes close as the man's brow furrows in
concentration. Of its own volition, the
metal pin straightens until it is once again perfectly straight, undamaged. His eyes open. "What do I wish for from you? Or from Nainokami?"
Karen
won't have to mourn the pin after all, it seems. Instead, she takes it back and
examines it, testing the point with her fingertip and finding that yes, indeed,
it's still sharp. His queries, however, earn a moment's thought.
"Both," she says simply. "We both serve the same god."
"From
you I wish only that you fulfill your role as priestess and avatar. Whatever Nainokami decrees, I ask that you
do it without hesitation, just as I myself serve Her." Leaning back more comfortably, Jonathan
rests those massive hands on his thighs, casting his gaze towards the ceiling
as he considers how best to respond to the rest. "From Nainokami, I only wish what she promised me. An end to the tortured cries of this
earth. A balm for the goddess'
wounds. A chance to exterminate the
parasites who feed upon our great mother." That's all. Nothing
extreme.
Moments
before Tosh enters back through the door, swooping through the open window is
Shen. The bird pays no mind to those on the couch and simply keeps going right
on into one of the bedrooms. The girl finally enters, casts a glance to her
bedroom, and then looks at the pair on the couch with question in her eyes.
"Is everything alright?"
A nod.
"Then things will be well," Karen says, settling back and continuing
to toy with the pin. Shen's entrance earns an amused, if appreciative look --
after all, it's difficult not to appreciate Shen sometimes -- before the miko
shifts over to make space for Toshie once more. "We were discussing what
Jonathan wishes from this."
"If
it is not rude of me to ask, would you be willing to answer the same
question? I realize that the path I
follow does not lead to the same goal as sought by the others; Sakamaku has
said as much, and Kieran did not dispute him.
What then did the great spirit promise to the two of you?" At least Jonathan doesn't want to know
anything personal.
Toshie
drops into an open spot on the sofa, drawing a leg up only to curl an arm about
her bent knee. "Oh. Alright." Fingers lightly pluck at the seam of
her jeans, picking at a loose thread. She glances askance to Jonathan, as if
considering what she should or shouldn't say, and then glances back to that
thread. "Nainokami. She... actually roused herself to notice me, and take
me from a place that wasn't good for me. She did not so much promise anything
as noticed me. That is enough for me."
Karen
folds her hands in her lap, cradling the abused pin between them with care.
"It is not rude to ask... I had people that I wished to protect, and to
free from the cycle that the Yang gods have created. And... there are those I
love here," she replies, her voice quiet. "I will get two wishes to
do with as I will. The third is the goddess'."
"Thank
you for telling me," Jonathan says solemnly to both women. "We are now bound by the shared
knowledge, just as we are bound in Nainokami's service. And I can readily understand your reasons,
Karen, but what of yours, shaman? I
would not have thought you difficult to notice, by either mortals or
spirits." His broad shoulders then
rise and fall in a massive shrug.
"Please forget I inquired, Toshie.
It is a private matter, and likely of no concern to me.
Toshie
rocks her head against the back cushion of the couch, her eyes looking up to
the ceiling. "It was a bad time, I had made too many mistakes to count,
and I was in a place where nobody cared." Her head tilts over to the side,
laying her cheek against the upholstery. "The details are boring. But that
was then, and this is now. I like where I am now. I like who I am around and
what I am doing." Her smile shows once more, "It is okay. You are one
of the few that actually asked."
Karen
reaches over to brush a hand over Toshie's shoulder briefly before settling
back, silent for the moment to let the two speak. There are times when it is
best to observe, or simply say nothing. Though she does look briefly abashed at
some inward reflection.
"I
am glad that the spirit took notice of you then, shaman. it would not have been good for the earth if
one such as you had been overlooked or neglected." The big man inclines his head towards
Toshie. "I know that I am
insignificant in comparison to Nainokami, but let it be known that I notice you
as well, not as a pretty young girl, but as an indomitable soul sharing the
burden of the great spirit's work."
His amber eyes then focus on the quiet priestess. "And I notice you as well, Karen, for
your willingness to change the world to right the wrongs you have
perceived." Now it is his turn to
fall silent, as if Jonathan is running low on words to speak.
Toshie's
smile is slight, warming as she looks across to Jonathan. "I think that I
figured it out now. It really shouldn't have taken me so long. I am sort of
embarrassed by that. But, I think... that you must be one of the nice ones,
Jonathan." She winks across to him, only to peer back at Karen. "You
are so quiet. This is not often like you. We aren't making you fall asleep now,
are we?" She gives the miko a brief poke, smiling at her.
"No
poking me, Toshie-chan," Karen says, laughing softly. "I simply
thought that it was best o be quiet. You /are/ beautiful, and do not deny
it." Dark eyes turn to Jonathan. "I wish to change some things... but
if the world is swallowed by a void, then that may be the end of it all. And so
be it."
He
returns Toshie's small smile with one of his own, but Jonathan feels he must
again point out, "Some would think me not very nice at all, Toshie. I am /not/ very nice to those who block my
path. but to those who share the path
with me, whether we seek the same destination or not? We are brother and sister in spirit; to my family I try to be as
nice as I am able." To Karen, he
protests, "Even Nainokami can not undo the great mother, even if She
wished to. At worst, the earth would be
cleansed and left to experience a glorious rebirth, with the plague of humanity
no longer troubling the great goddess.
I hope such is not the case, however, since even now there are still
those who hold the great mother in proper reverence, but I would not shed even
a single tear if all those who rape the land were to perish."
Toshie
curls a finger around one of the random red-tinged lengths in her hair,
watching as the tip of her finger begins to turn blue before loosening the
coil. "Yes. Well, I have been known to be cranky when I am not being
spoiled too." She slants him a glance and a grin. As for discussions of
the fate of the world, she'll just keep silent there, mostly because she really
hasn't thought that far ahead before.
"Perhaps,"
is all Karen will say in response to Jonathan's protests, though a touch of
concern shows in her eyes. "Chiaki-san has shown me an outcome of this,
and it... well, what I can gather of it is that those who have an ability of
their own, gifted by gods or naturally inherent, will remain while others will
not."
"Other
than our counterparts who serve the spirits of the Yang, most of those I have
encountered who possess unusual abilities have a greater respect for the earth
than the average person. If they were
the only ones to survive the changes wrought by Nainokami and her brethren, I
would be satisfied that the new generation of humans would be better prepared
to accept their partnership with our earth rather than seeking to dominate the
great mother who gives us all life."
In other words, Jonathan isn't too concerned about that possible
outcome.
Toshie's
lips draw into another fine line, still curling that lock of hair around her
finger and releasing it as she will. "Either way, it will be something
that would be quite..." She sighs, allowing her words to trail off.
"I am not sure that I like thinking about a future like that, or if I am
willing to accept it. It is not something that I have really thought about."
She collapses back into the corner of the couch, quietly pondering to herself.
"For
now, I will not worry. For now, I am happy." It's Karen's little mantra,
really. Scooting over to hug Toshie and press another kiss to the young woman's
hair, she sighs, then smiles. "And what will happen will happen; perhaps
it can be changed, perhaps not. Saa. Jonathan? What would you wish for in an
apartment?"
The
look Jonathan casts towards Toshie is somewhat surprised. "Have you not considered what the
effects might be when Nainokami and the other great spirits are freed to invoke
their will upon the earth? Admittedly,
until the events actually occur, none of us can be certain of what the results
will be. I doubt even Sakamaku's dreams
could penetrate the veil of time to accurately foresee all of that future. But you should have some idea of what you
will do when it comes to pass, since it is very likely you will survive to see
the events unfold. After all, I have
offered my protection to the priestess /and/ the shaman; if it is in my power
to do so, you will see the future that Nainokami creates." He then nods at something Karen says. "The priestess is correct, however. While you should think about the future, do
not let it concern you overmuch. Leave
it in the hands of the spirits."
And now back to more mundane matters.
"A space to sleep, a place to cook. That is all. My current
residence is a small utility apartment; I have little in the way of personal
needs."
Toshie's
smile brightens at Karen's attentions. Is it any wonder that the girl is so
awe-struck around the miko? Alas, her smile dampens somewhat at Jonathan's
words. Again, a thoughtful line draws down at her eyebrows, watching him, and
then a silent bob of her head in understanding. Her smiles returns at the
mention of his apartment needs.
"All
right. I'll see if there're any bachelor apartments available." Karen,
somehow sensing that Toshie's unsure of things in this, seems more than happy
to focus on the mundane for now. "There should be, and things will be
well."
"I
hope there is one available. I do not
believe the management would appreciate it if I unrolled my sleeping bag in the
hallway outside your door if there were no suitable apartments in the
building." Again, it's hard to
tell if Jonathan is being serious or joking.
[Yin]
Mitama has a giant asian grocery next door. All my pocky and junk food supplies
are taken care of. *eyes two bags of junk on desk* This is not actually a good
thing
Toshie
smiles, going back to fiddling with that loose thread once again. "And I
am not sure our neighbors would appreciate that. If all else fails, there is
always right in here. Karen really is a good cook."
Mental
note: fix that loose thread fairly soon. Karen has this thing about working
with material, and loose threads are just one thing that Cannot Be (unless it's
in the name of Fashion). "Our neighbors are interesting people -- there is
your place, Toshie-chan, which is also Kieran's, and perhaps that would work as
a place... and then Saegusa-san, who is an onmyouji."
"Since
you seem to know much about this building and its inhabitants, I shall leave
the details to you, Priestess, if that is acceptable. For my own part, I should return to my current place of residence
and pack my few belongings. Now that I
have met you, and you have agreed to permit me to serve you, I wish to begin
doing so immediately." Jonathan
rises from his seat, once again revealing exactly how large of a man he
is. "Thank you, shaman, for making
this all possible."
Toshie
will more than likely end up pulling out the seam of her jeans yet. Her fingers
still though, glancing to Karen and then back to the other oni. "Hopefully
you will be able to move in here soon." She bounces up from her place on
the couch, blushing at first and the smiling, "Ah. It shouldn't be me to
thank, but... well... /Her/."
Getting
to her feet as soon as Toshie does, Karen bows to Jonathan once more,
accentuating the difference between their heights. "Thank you,
Jonathan," she says, straightening. "I will try to get everything
sorted as soon as I can."
"I
give credit where credit is due, Toshie.
Even if She guided us to meet, it was you who led me here to the
Priestess." Jonathan then inclines
his head to both women. "Thank
you, Karen. I shall see both of you
again very soon." And with that,
he departs.
Toshie
sees Jonathan out the door, and then closes it behind her by leaning back into
it. She looks back over to Karen, watching her carefully. "What do you
think of him? I probably should have called to tell you we were coming, but I
was so excited after meeting him."
Karen
settles back down on the couch, looking over at the door. "Mm... he is
very focused, very intense," she says, her opinion delivered in a
considered tone. "It's all right, I am glad you brought him home. You are
happy to have found him? What do you think of him?"
Toshie
nods her head, "He certainly seems that way. Very serious. He kept saying
that he wanted a direction. That he is a warrior and needed to do something
like such. It was very important to him." She finally pulls away from the
door, both arms wrapped around her middle. "Of course I was happy to find
him." And then her eyes light up again. "I am happy there is another
with us."
"You
worried me, saying that you would leave so easily," Karen says with
concern, watching Toshie. Perhaps she shouldn't care, but she does. "He is
kind, or seems so, but I would much rather have you here with me, you and
Shen."
Toshie
blinks, moving over to perch on the arm of the couch. Bad habit, that.
"Oh, I wouldn't leave you so easily. I know that I can protect you. Not in
the same ways that he can, but I can do it. Because he is quite large."
Understatement. "There are not that many reasons for me to go, and there
are none that I can think of right now. You can not get rid of me so
easily." *smile*
Karen
chuckles, tugging on Toshie's arm to try to unbalance the girl -- good luck
there, really -- onto the couch proper. "Good," she says. "Being
rid of you is not something that I ever wish to do. It would be horrible."
She shudders visibly at the thought. "What would you like for dinner,
though? To focus on happier topics."
Toshie
easily flops over onto the couch, giggling as she bounces onto the cushion.
"What would be horrible is if Shen actually did get the McKinney's cat. It
is bad enough when she goes after all of the Chi... Chi... Oh, what were those
called again? What did he call them? Oh, the little dogs you see on the
commercials." Anyway. "I would like to go out for dinner. No cooking
for you tonight." Tug. "Lets go."