<@Ardweden> [Sunday, May 2, 2004.] <@Ardweden> [It's Golden Week! School's out, work is out, everything is out for celebration and relaxation! Apparently this opened up some time for Kyoko, as she let you guys know (through Kaede or Haruko, whoever poked her first) that she has some time off today, and Reiji's been pretty calm of late, so the three of you are welcome to come over to do... whatever it is you're going to do.] <@Ardweden> [The last of April's showers poured out all day yesterday (which is May, I know, shhhhh) but today is beautiful and warm, with clear skies and the sun baking up the last of the rain water.] <@Ardweden> [You're gathering outside Kyoko and Reiji's apartment building, possibly to discuss strategy or maybe just to go in together, at the appointed time in early afternoon.] <@Ardweden> [Start!] * Haruko slept in a bit, but had already laid out her clothes and equipment the night before so has no trouble arriving on time. She drove up on her own wearing jeans and a simple pale blue shirt with 3/4 length sleeves. Her hair is bound up in a bun and adorned with a white ribbon. She removes from her motorcycle truke one of her larger purses and a tote bag with a sakaki-tree branch poking out and a folded red hakama and white haori inside. * Wataru is in jeans, a new dark purple t-shirt with a faint geometric pattern on one side of the chest, and a light cotton hoodie in beigy tan, loose and unzipped. He's got his (discreetly Zelda themed) satchel slung across his chest, and arrives on foot, just about on time. * Haruko smiles to see Wataru arrived. "Good to see you, I'm glad we can do this together." Her eyes rest for a moment on the neat t-shirt under the hoodie, but if she recognizes the discreet Zelda theming on his satchel she doesn't show it. * Wataru smiles faintly, too. "Thanks, me too. I like your hairstyle!" * Haruko waves off the compliment but her appreciation shows in her eyes. "Oh, this is one I used so often at the shrine that I could do it in my sleep." * Kaede steps away from his bike with the rattle of chains connecting it to a nearby fence. He's in a nice breezy long-sleeve overshirt and jeans. No Zelda theming on his end. A laptop carrying case is at his side as he walks up to the group, then glances at the apartment. "Well..." With a bit of a sigh. "Hey, Takeuchi-san." * Haruko gives a quick bow, "Afternoon, designer-in-chief-san." She steps back from the entrance doorway to let another take the lead. * Kaede snorts. "Designer-in-chief. When did I take *that* title?" But then he goes up to the place and moves to ring the bell. "Thought that was the plan," Wataru smiles. "Designer, Healer, Caster." * Haruko nods but does not press. * Kaede lets out a light sigh, running fingers through his hair. "Plan. Yes. From a reading. When did we get so dependant on those again?" He waits for Kyoko to answer as he looks at the door. "Well. I suppose it works out in this case..." * Haruko looks like she's considering saying something, but thinks better of it. * Wataru cocks a brow. When *didn't* we depend on readings...? * Wataru says nothing, though. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko's voice comes over the intercom. "Yes?"] * Kaede responds right back. "It's us." His voice is calm. <@Ardweden> [A few seconds later, there's a buzz to let you know that the front door's unlocked.] * Kaede gives a nod, then turns to the others, giving someone else the chance to take the lead. Though if not, he'll do it. * Haruko waits about half a second, notices that Kaede is not leading, and heads up herself, making eye contact for just a second as she passes. * Wataru sure as hell isn't going first. He looks at Haruko. * Kaede meets the gaze too, though he's not sure what it means then, as she heads up first, looks at Wataru with a small gesture. Heading up? * Haruko gives a quick update as she climbs the stairs, "I've been by once in the interim. Their first aid kit is well stocked and I gave Kyoko-san a quick briefing on my, uh, abilities. I should probably fill you in on one other thing as well Wataru-san." When she gets to the door she gives a quick knock. * Wataru will go second, sure. He follows Haruko. * Kaede follows from the back, hands shifting to his pocket. He moves behind the rest, letting Haruko take the knock. <@Ardweden> [Shortly after the knock, Kyoko opens the door. Her hair is up in a ponytail, as usual, and she's wearing a white t-shirt with a black-and-pink floral skirt that goes down to just above the knee. She almost-smiles and bows. "Welcome to our home," she says, a tad formally, before stepping aside so they can enter.] * Haruko gives a habitual bow and apology for the inconvenience of their visit. She steps in and removes her shoes before entering the apartment proper. "I like your skirt, fits the season well." * Wataru's eyes go a little wide. He will follow Haruko in, saying the proper formalities and leaving his shoes in the appropriate place! * Kaede does relax as he enters in, working on taking off his shoes. "You look relaxed for once. It's good to see. Forgive the intrusion..." Normal Japanese formalities. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko manages more of a smile. "Thanks. Sleep probably helped."] I hear that a lot. My experimental evidence is minimal, but looking positive. * Kaede blinks, then turns to Haruko. "In sleep?" * Haruko takes in the room, curious whether Reiji is out here or back in the the bedroom. * Wataru just lets the conversation happen, since the other two seem to know Kyoko much better. He looks around the apartment, passively. So this is where Reiji has been all this time... * Haruko blushes slightly, "In a full nights rest, yeah. You've seen an early morning email or two from me, and that's not always my best." * Kaede nods, then rubs his nose. "What's sleep?" is all he says. * Haruko snorts, "Do you sleep Takeuchi-san? Or do you just let one of your processors rest when you're only dual-tasking?" <@Ardweden> [The apartment is small. The kitchen is tiny but clearly well- used, with a clean sink and dishes drying in the rack next to it. There's the familiar smell of rice cooking, or at least staying warm. On the coat rack, among other things, hangs a Pao Pao Cafe apron. The eatery is just as tiny, with only enough room for two people.] <@Ardweden> ["*I* slept," Kyoko says, leading them all of three or four steps into the living room, which is a bit cramped and has a kotatsu and enough actual sofa/chair space for three people. Reiji is taking up one of them; he on the end of the loveseat and drawing something in a notebook, not paying any attention to the conversation. His hair's overgrown but he's clean- shaven, a little thinner than any of you remember, and is wearing sweats and a loose t-shirt.] * Wataru silently catches his breath, his hands making loose fists. There he is. He's really there. <@Ardweden> [The living room also has a CRT television set, a Playstation, and a bookcase that's... half full of books and half full of what might be family pictures. And crumpled up notebook paper. For that matter, on the kotatsu in front of Reiji, there's a pile of crumpled up notebook paper as well.] <@Ardweden> [There's a very short almost-hallway from here that ends with a few doors; it's easy to guess that one's the toilet, one's the sink, and two are bedrooms. They're all closed.] * Haruko glances over at Reiji and gives him a quick bow and greeting, and glances at his notebook and the papers as she does so. <@Ardweden> [He's drawing something with intense concentration and doesn't look up at Haruko. Kyoko looks around. "Sorry," she says, "There's not enough seating - let me get some chairs from the kitchen." And she goes to do that.] * Kaede tries to get a small look at the notebook. And at Reiji. He wasn't expecting him to be out of his room much. Really though, he goes to pick through the notebook paper, carefully. Interested in checking it out. <@Ardweden> [Reiji frowns, tears out the piece of paper, and crumples it up in his hand. He sets it on the stack and goes back to drawing on the new page underneath.] * Haruko goes to help Kyoko so she doesn't have to move two chairs at once. When that task is done she takes a moment to look at the family photos on display. They're a bit more prominent since the place is cleaned up. * Wataru is wary, but approaches partway towards Reiji, as well, staying out of everyone's way though. <@Ardweden> [They're mostly of Kyoko or Reiji, from a few years back or longer. Reiji almost always looks withdrawn and serious, even when he's clearly making an effort to be cheerful; Kyoko tends to have more smiles and mud or sand on her. Adults are largely absent, though there is one with an older Japanese woman, maybe old enough to be their grandmother, in a nice dress and seated formally with Kyoko (maybe age 4) and Reiji (maybe age 6) in what is obviously a Family Photograph.] * Haruko's eyes widen slightly as she notes the ages when an adult is prominently in the picture. She takes a slow breath in and masks it, but when next she looks to Kyoko there's a bit more admiration in her gaze. * Kaede opens up the crumpled picture. Well, a few of them, but keeping his eye on Reiji's reaction if it gets too much, before looking it over. <@Ardweden> [Reiji's ignoring Kaede very thoroughy. The chairs are now set up for everybody! It's entirely possible to sit down and not share the couch with Reiji, now.] * Haruko takes a seat, one of the ones closer to Reiji but not next to him. She sets down her bag and purse beside her. <@Ardweden> [Kaede sees a series of lopsided circles. The few that are more even have one or two lines drawn through from one point to another, but then were apparently discarded for the next circle.] * Wataru sits down wherever is convenient - even next to Reiji is fine, but he'll let Kyoko pick her seat first. * Kaede glances now at Reiji, then looks at Kyoko. "Has he been very responsive...?" <@Ardweden> [Kyoko sits next to Reiji. "This is one of his better days." She looks down at Reiji's notebook - which he makes no effort to hide from her - and sighs. "Pentacles again?" No response.] * Kaede settles down in a convenient spot. If it's the floor, that's fine too. "He's still stuck then...?" * Haruko stays silent for now, holding a hand out to Kaede towards the paper he's holding. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko shrugs. She nudges Reiji's arm - not the one attached to his drawing hand. "Hey," she says gently. Reiji makes a small sound, and Kyoko nudges him again. "Hey, Reiji." He looks up at her, blinking. "We have company," Kyoko ponts out, and Reiji looks at the lot of you.] * Wataru takes the closest chair to Reiji, maybe. Yeah. If no one else wants it. <@Ardweden> ["I've seen you," he says.] * Kaede looks at Reiji, expression impassive behind his glasses. "Yes. We've seen you too. You've helped us out a lot in the past. Do you remember?" * Haruko lets her hand drop and cycles through watching Kaede, Kyoko, and Reiji. <@Ardweden> [Reiji squints slightly at Kaede, then says, "Yes." Which is followed shortly by, "I think." He points at him. "You're the Two of Pentacles. I had a Pentacle."] * Kaede nods, solemn. "You did have a Pentacle..." he agrees, then raises his eyes to look at Reiji. "Can you tell us about it...?" * Haruko shifts her attention over to Reiji, listening intently and still not speaking for now. <@Ardweden> [Reiji frowns, and he looks at the paper in Kaede's hand. He points at it.] * Haruko glances again at the paper in Kaede's hands, trying to make out what's on it. * Kaede looks at the paper, then looks at Kyoko. "Does he talk about it more than just try to keep drawing it?" <@Ardweden> ["Not really," she says, and Reiji frowns at Kyoko now. "I'm right here," he tells her. She rolls her eyes, which makes him roll his.] * Wataru smiles a bit, in spite of himself, at this cute eye-rolling exchange. * Haruko gives up at looking at the paper. By implication its a pentacle, that's enough. Kaede isn't seeking her help on this so best to stay out of his way. So if her role here is as a healer, it isn't necessarily just for Reiji so much as the family. She pays starts focusing her attention on the spear-wielding head of household. * Kaede fingers the paper, then turns to Wataru, holding this drawing out to him. "Do you think you can get a better look at this?" * Wataru takes it carefully, casting a sad look at all the wobbly inchoate Pentacles. "If... if you're saying what I think you are, then yeah, I think so. Anything in particular?" He glances at Reiji, though. It feels weird to be talking around him, rather than to him. <@Ardweden> [Reiji turns his attention from Kyoko to Kaede, when he speaks, and is now looking at Wataru. He does seem to be tracking the conversation at this point.] <@Ardweden> [Kyoko's hand is resting gently on her brother's forearm.] * Haruko comments quietly to Kyoko, "So while the men look at that, I'm tempted to go change into my miko-garb. That said, this is your household, not my father's shrine. So while it fits my role, to be honest I'm not sure it will help, and I don't want to do anything out of place." * Kaede frowns a little at the question. "Unsure. So I suppose not. We might have some more clarification after..." He notices the look, then sighs. "I know..." <@Ardweden> [Kyoko leans over to Haruko, whispering, "If you think it'll help, do whatever." Her hand doesn't leave her brother's arm.] * Haruko stands up and says quietly. "If you'll all excuse me for a moment." She makes a quick bow to the group, oriented in Reiji's direction, and then goes to the bathroom with her bag to change. <@Ardweden> ["I'm right here," Reiji reminds them.] * Kaede nods, turning to Reiji. "Will you talk to us then?" <@Ardweden> [He nods. "I'm talking." Well, he is. And he looks at Wataru. "You're the Hanged Man. I remember you."] * Wataru smiles, face gently lighting up with pleased surprise. "Yeah," he says. "I am. It's been a long time." <@Ardweden> ["It has," Reiji agrees. "I saw you..." He trails off, then tries, "I heard you..." and trails off again.] <@Ardweden> [Kyoko's grip tightens just slightly on her brother's arm, then relaxes.] * Kaede frowns at that and then glances at Kyoko, back to Reiji. "Hard to remember?" he inquires. <@Ardweden> [He shakes his head, frowning.] * Kaede glances at Kyoko with a bit of sympathy. "Good day, you said?" "We were in the same homeroom," Wataru reminds. "In high school. I didn't know about any of this stuff back then, though, didn't want to. I did a lot of running away." * Kaede lets Wataru have his side conversation while he has his side conversation with Kyoko. It's a side conversation sandwich! * Haruko reemerges from the bathroom, wearing the red hakama and white haori. There's stitchwork on both, adorning sleeves and cuffs with thread of the complementing color. She listens as Wataru speaks and goes to ritually wash her hand in the kitchen, laying out a small offering of golden week blooming flowers and a small saucer with water from Maine. <@Ardweden> ["Oh, yeah. A very good day," Kyoko agrees, talking to Kaede.] <@Ardweden> [Reiji hmms, tilting his head, and then says, "Yes. Fleeing isn't the same as sacrifice. But you have sacrificed. I think..." He trails off again.] * Haruko lays out her offerings on the kamidana shelf and says two quiet prayers she memorized earlier, one for healing and one for protecting the household against malign forces. * Wataru is intrigued by this, and shifts to make himself more comfortable on the chair. "I'm fleeing less, now. I'm just as scared, but I met good people. I used to think I'd only be safe if I was alone, but I'm not ... I don't think that's true anymore." He surprises himself, a bit, with the truths tumbling out of his mouth. But why hide anything from Reiji? <@Ardweden> [Reiji's brow furrows a bit. "I went alone."] * Kaede rubs his nose. "We're not good people. We're just better people than most..." He nudges on. "Anything from the paper?" * Wataru nods. "Yeah," he says. "I can't speak for anybody else, but... I did the best I could with who I was back then, but I'm painfully aware it wasn't a hell of a lot. But if you and your sister are willing, I'd like to at least try and see if me and my friends couldn't maybe help you now." <@Ardweden> ["Help me?" Reiji asks, slightly confused.] * At this, Wataru glances to Kyoko. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko shrugs. "What've you got?" she asks.] * Haruko returns to the group after her prayers, she carries her sakiki branch with her as well as the household first aid kit. The former she lays on her lap when she sits. The latter she places discreetly down at her feet. "Help things be clearer. Hopefully." Kaede adds, carefully as he glances at Reiji <@Ardweden> ["How...?" Kyoko asks Kaede.] * Haruko also looks to Kaede on this one, as she's curious too. * Kaede sighs a bit, looking down and unravelling the paper. "It's...complicated. And I can't say I know all the parts yet. But it definitely has something to do with this, right...?" He pokes at it, pointing at the crudely drawn pentacle. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko nods. "I think so." Reiji looks at it, too, and he points at the pentacle. "I keep trying," he says.] <@Ardweden> ["But I think it's wrong," he adds, shortly after that.] * Haruko nods. "It being your drawing?" * Kaede frowns. "It is wrong. The true Pentacle was lost..." He hesitates, looking at Reiji. "As far as we know..." Then he turns to look at Wataru. "Yamada-san. May I?" Tell them, that is. * Haruko glances between Kaede and Wataru. She's piecing a thing or two together, but still in the dark. * Wataru looks at the drawing, wondering how Reiji sees it, how Reiji would want it to look. "Yeah," he says to Kaede, nodding. "Go for it." * Kaede gives a nod, closing his eyes. "Basically, we've talked about "connections." Yamada-san can see things through connections. Now we aren't exactly sure what that *means*, but I have a theory..." He glances at Kyoko. "A theory that it might make things easier to see things through your brother's eyes. As he sees them..." <@Ardweden> [Kyoko's eyes widen slightly, and she looks at Wataru. "Are you sure that's safe?"] * Kaede is subconsciously plucking at a deck he's pulled out of his pocket at this point, picking at the corners. "No. No we aren't. That's the thing..." * Haruko listens intently. "I've done it before, and nothing bad has happened. But..." He looks at Reiji, then back to Kyoko. "This might be a different kind of story." Especially given I've considered that this might go as far as needing a piece of the Pentacle itself... <@Ardweden> [Kyoko laughs, suddenly. "So mostly safe but potentially *un*safe?" she asks. "Sure! Why not!"] <@Ardweden> [Meanwhile, Reiji's peering at Kaede. "The Pentacle," he repeats, slowly.] * Kaede frowns as he looks down. "I mean...do we really know what the artifacts *do*? Not really...other than the sealing ritual, they were just..." He looks at Reiji. "...only he really may have found out. And it drove him mad..." <@Ardweden> ["I'm not mad," Reiji points out.] * Kaede stops when Reiji speaks to him. "Will you tell us about the Pentacle then?" * Haruko watches Kyoko and Reiji's reaction and then holds up a hand, requesting a chance to speak. She waits for the moment. <@Ardweden> [Reiji puts his hand over his heart and looks down, clearly thinking about Kaede's request. Kyoko, meanwhile, looks at Haruko. "Yeah?" she asks.] * Wataru gives Kaede a pointed glance that seems to say, ~Jesus, give the guy some breathing room~. But who would say that out loud! * Haruko glances to her companions before speaking to the Ozoras. "So you're right. It is potentially unsafe. Think of it as an experimental medical procedure. The Pentacle left scars, that's not surprising, I remember what it felt like to use the Cup. But our best available guidance, the cards, say that there is real hope, the Star, for a procedure designed by Kaede, cast by Wataru, with me playing the role of healer. But, we're just the technicians, it's a family decision and you have the right to all the information we can give you." * Wataru nods. "Yeah, for sure." * Kaede doesn't *quite* catch the glance, as he's looking at Reiji. Then he does. He looks confused for a moment at Wataru, then back at Reiji, who has hand over his heart. "Is that okay?" His tone curious. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko bites her lip, then says, "Okay. But you have to stop if it's too much."] "In theory," Wataru says, "I mean... the only person I could imagine this being dangerous to i-is me. I don't think Reiji would be hurt at all by my looking through his eyes." <@Ardweden> [Reiji looks back to Kaede and says, hesitantly, "You shouldn't. I think. He could explain...?" And Kyoko looks at her brother, alarmed. "Reiji, no." Reiji: "He *could*." He looks at Kaede. "I could take you to him." And Wataru, and Haruko. "All of you."] * Kaede blinks, head turning to look more at Reiji's eyes. "Him?" * Haruko looks back and forth, listening. <@Ardweden> [Reiji nods. "Him. He told me and then... I knew I had to find it. He'd know. He could explain." And he looks at Wataru. "Sacrifice, right? You should understand."] "Who do you mean, Reiji." * Haruko bites her lip. She has an answer in mind, but she doesn't like it. <@Ardweden> ["I can show you," he declares. And even as Kyoko yells, "Reiji!", the entire world goes hazy. Kyoko's saying something else, but her voice fades away as everything turns black.] <@Ardweden> [Wataru wakes up to find that he's fallen asleep in his chair. Around him are Kaede, slumped to one side on the armchair, and Haruko, having fallen to the floor. Kyoko is curled up on the couch.] <@Ardweden> [They're in the Ozora apartment, but the lights are off. There's crumpled paper, and Reiji is nowhere to be seen.] <@Ardweden> [The other Arcana seem to be, well, sleeping.] * Wataru stands up immediately, running first to Haruko who seems to have had the hardest time of it, then to the others, checking to see if they're breathing, if they're rousable. <@Ardweden> [They just seem to be sleeping. Kyoko's even snoring, a little!] * Wataru notices that they seem fine, which is some small amount of reassuring. He glances around the room quickly to see if there's any sign of Reiji, notices the crumpled paper and makes a mental note to get it later, and then returns to Haruko. "Haruko, Haruko hey, wake up." * Haruko slowly comes out of it, gazing at Wataru's face. Disoriented, she stares at him for a second, "Oh." She blushes, "Hey, Wataru. Uh, how drunk did we get?" * Wataru lets out a sigh of relief, then goes to Kyoko. "Not drunk," he says over his shoulder to Haruko, "But I think Reiji did something. Help me wake up Kaede, okay?" * Haruko looks around and then shakes her head and snaps out of it. "Right, field of some sort." She sits up and then walks over to Kaede. Restraining herself, she taps him on the shoulder, "Takeuchi-san, we got knocked out, Takeuchi." * Kaede makes a small noise, then a groan, moving his head, like a headache. "Ugh...well..." He glances around, looking at the apartment. "Reversed? Not reversed?" * Kaede frowns, searching for his cards. Still in his hand? "Are you all right, Ozora-san?" Wataru gently touches Kyoko's arm. "Please, wake up. Something happened." * Haruko stands up and goes over to Kyoko, kneeing down by her. "We haven't scouted yet. Could be some kind of field, reversed world, or something in between." <@Ardweden> ["ngh," Kyoko mumbles, sticking her face farther into the couch cushion, until she stiffens at Wataru's touch, which is all the indication he gets before she bolts upright, completely awake. "Shit."] <@Ardweden> [Kyoko climbs clumsily to her feet.] * Haruko helps Kyoko up. "This ever happened before? We've seen field misfires, but that wouldn't take us to 'him,' whoever he is." * Wataru goes to the table next, to look at the new paper that has been crumpled on it. Maybe Reiji left them a clue. <@Ardweden> [Wataru finds another series of failed Pentacle doodles.] * Wataru hmms, and takes it too. He actually looks around a bit to see if there's anything else of note physically present in the room, and if there are more Pentacle doodles, he might collect some of them as well. <@Ardweden> [Dude, there are SO MANY pentacle doodles.] <@Ardweden> ["Yeah," Kyoko says, more annoyed than anything. "This has happened before." She walks to the window, pulling open the blinds, and points out at Tokyo Tower, hovering in the distance, downward from the sky. "We're in the World Reversed."] * Haruko nods. "Didn't realize Reiji had that power." She lets out a breath, "That's better than some of the alternatives. Any guess on 'him?'" * Haruko snaps her fingers. "Wait, no, this happened before with him." * Wataru is collecting Pentacle doodles and filling up his bag with them, but he pauses to walk over to the window. "," he says, in English. * Kaede groans some more, reaching up to the top of his head, patting it again. Ugh. He draws himself up slowly and glances for the window. "Yeah. Just great..." * Haruko glances at the door, it open? * Kaede swivels around after looking at the window, making his way straight for the door and to open it without a second thought. <@Ardweden> [Door's not open, but it is locked. Kyoko is still scowling, and she marches over to get her shoes. "Come on."] * Kaede's hand goes up as Kyoko comes closer to him, then gets a good look at her, groaning. "Ugh. Great. Not *you* again. Don'tcha think I'm tired of dealing with you chumps already?" <@Ardweden> [Kyoko blinks, recoiling from Kaede's language, or maybe tone. "I'm sorry-?"] * Wataru frowns sharply at Kaede. "What the hell, man." * Haruko follows Kyoko and Kaede's lead. She glances over at Kaede, puzzled. * Kaede keeps an eye on Kyoko, not leaving for one moment. "Dunno what you did to knock me out, but you ain't shanking *me* again..." He rubs his face. "Ugh. Shoulda brought my gun." <@Ardweden> ["A gun...?" Kyoko looks at the others, particularly Haruko. She points at him. 'A *gun*?' she mouths.] * Haruko eyes go a little wide and then she puts two and two together. "Two of Pentacles, we just woke you up. That's not how you 'shank' someone. We're all in the same predicament and we aren't your enemies, so ease up with the threats." * Kaede looks Haruko over for just a moment, up and down with an unusual calm, even for Kaede. "Nice getup, Isao. Wasn't expecting them to get you too. But we ain't got time for this." He glances back at Kyoko. "*He* knows where the Pentacle is, don't he?" * Wataru's brow shoots up when he hears Haruko referred to as Isao. Ohhhhh SNAP. Time to try to remember Katie's helpful notes! Except... they never made it to Pentacles.... She doens't know more about that than you do. We're here on a rescue mission, the Eight of Cups got scarred by the Pentacle, if we can deal with that, it solves your mission too. So lets work together without any more wild accusations please. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko looks confused, then at being called a 'he', understanding comes to her face and her mouth thins into a line. She yanks on a pair of boots, steel-toed and not at all matching her cute outfit. "Get your shoes on," she tells everybody, and to Kaede: "Including *you*, asshole. You'll thank me when you get over yourself."] * Haruko gets her shoes on, sneakers, they don't quite match the Miko ensemble, but she figured she wouldn't be leaving the apartment dressed like this. * Kaede groans, rubbing his face. "Fine. But I ain't gonna *like* it. Playing chums with Council lackeys don't sit well with me..." He pats his head for a moment. "Any of you seen my hat?" * Haruko walks up and offers a high five to Kyoko, that woman has spunk, Haruko likes spunk. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko gives Haruko a solid high five. She unlocks the door and stands ready to open it, not answering Kaede about his hat and not yet opening the door. Maybe she's worried someone will bolt without their shoes on.] * Wataru toes into his sneakers and looks around for anything like a dish with coins or bolts or anything in it, anything small and dense and easily pocketable. * Haruko intertwines her fingers with Kyoko's after the high five for just a second before letting go. "Afraid not, you can use my bike helmet if you like. Though it would only ride two of us, so we may want to steal a car instead." * Kaede rolls his eyes at Haruko and gives her the biggest "Ugh" look, then clicks his tongue as he gives Wataru a wink, turning back to the door. <@Ardweden> [Wataru finds a small dish of loose change on the kitchen counter, and Kyoko is too distracted by Kaede's... Kaede-ness right now to notice him eyeing it.] * Haruko laughs and holds her hands up, "Sorry, sorry, not your style, I'm sure." * Wataru grabs it as discreetly as possible, with a little bit of TK to smoothe it along if necessary, and shoves it into his jeans pocket, trying to be silent and quick. Hell *no*, it ain't my style, Isao! A man's gotta look good with his hat going out into the field! You *know* this! * Haruko grins, "A true gentleman like yourself carries himself with style, no matter the circumstance. Let's focus, I promise you'll be wearing your usual headware by the time we're out again." <@Ardweden> [End]