<@Grysar> [Date: Sunday May 2nd, 2004] <@Grysar> [The move went relatively well, Taki even managed not to lose anything. She's got her books, proper work attire for the school, and her classes are all signed up for.] <@Grysar> [She's getting to know some of her fellow students too, no close friends yet, but between classes and hanging out there hasn't actually been much down time. So today, she's off to do errands. What are you hitting the market for, Taki?] <@Grysar> [Start!] * Taki is after some fresh fish for both dinner and homework tonight, a few spices, maybe some vegitables if anything happens to be on sale ... and an egg whisk which has not suffered an unfortunate accident with a closing drawer. <@Grysar> [As she's searching for the fish, out of the corner of her eye she notices someone that looks vaguely familiar transporting several crates of seafood on a dolly. His hair is blond, he's got two earrings in his right ear, and his grey gloves are a bit incongrous with the work pants and apron he's wearing. That said, he's facing the other way and it's hard to be sure.] <@Grysar> [Also, there's a sale on yellow tail today, must have been a good catch.] * Taki steps to the side and stoops to use her phone to double check if yellow tail is valid for the homework part, she's 95% sure that any whitefish would work and they wern't calling for something like tuna steaks, but there's always that little bit of doubt. <@Grysar> [Good news! The assignment does allow for any white fish. You feel accomplished for focusing on what's really important, take +1 forward. As you put away the phone, a not that familiar voice calls out, "Good afternoon, Shimiru-san."] * Taki starts and looks up. "Ah?" <@Grysar> [A tall young man with black hair, split down the middle and a shiny pair of chrome riding goggles stands a few feet away. He's wearing an oxford shirt and black pants. He cleans up okay, I guess, depends on your taste really.] <@Grysar> [You think he was one of the Jackals maybe, you prefer not to really think about that sort of thing. That said, that probably means medium height, medium build blondy over there is Toshiki. Guess that's what he's been up to since he can't fight Saki anymore.] <@Grysar> Good to run into you. * Taki waves in a totally-not-convincing-at-all-that-haven't-forgotten-who- you-are way. "Hey, what brings you all the way down to Osaka?" <@Grysar> Been here a few months. <@Grysar> * Tall Jackal gestures over to a nearby vending machine, "Drink?" He walks over and gets a can of Coffee Boss for himself. 06[20:47] * Taki starts to shake her head and then changes her mind. "I've got a little free time." She looks over the machine for a bit before picking a dragonfruit and key lime flavored soda. <@Grysar> * Tall Jackal pays for it and tosses it over. "Good, good. So how are you?" * Taki catches it and tries to remember what the heck Tall Jackal's power was, or what her nickname for him was, or his actual name. "Not bad, still getting used to getting around in a new city." <@Grysar> [Let's see, not Akito, he's dead. This was the one that Akari thought was hot. Picked fights with that lawyer guy. You recall he was there for the big battle against the reversed, but his part was to slip around back and peal off one of their heavy hitters.] <@Grysar> There's a lot to like about my city. <@Grysar> [Kei, Kei was his name...] * Taki blinks and opens the soda to give herself a second to think. "Were you from around here origionaly?" <@Grysar> [You think you actually may have seen him around earlier, though he might not have noticed you that time. Him and Toshiki, who incidentally you remember was the Seven of Wands, were both in the Jackals and weren't the closest, as you recall. That said, Kei is keeping an eye on Toshiki's back and doesn't seem in the least surprised. This is pretty obviously a set up, not a chance encounter...] <@Grysar> Yeah. And now I take care of it. Ahhh... <@Grysar> [He obviously wants something, but it looks like he has a game to play before he asks. Given the way he looms over you and the what you're now remembering of his old behavior, wouldn't suprise you if there was a bit of a dominance game to be played first. He doesn't seem to care if you put all this together, but he does care about figuring out your boundaries.] <@Grysar> And the day may come when I need your help. I had hoped to avoid trouble during the two years I'll be temporary resident of your fine city and learning at one of the finest culinary schools in our country. <@Grysar> * Kei opens his coffee. "We all have hopes." He takes a long sip of his coffee. "Trouble is, not all hopes are based in reality and not all are good." * Taki nods. "I'd like to think that peace and quiet are always good." <@Grysar> * Kei barks a laugh. "Good? Sure. Plausible?" He shakes his head. I have to hope, but now I'm talking in circles. I'll fight to protect myself and my friends, so, if you have a large enough problem, I suppose I'll have no choice but to get involved, but please don't drag your problems to my doorstep. If for some reason you need my services as a chef, I will be more than happy to help you. <@Grysar> [Kei's got enough of an aura of menace about him that even in an oxford shirt, people are giving you a bit of a berth. The market is a crowded grid of stalls, with larger aisles for transporting goods and smaller for shoppers. Toshiki was far from the only one moving a dolly around. The smells are a medley, predominantly fresh.] <@Grysar> * Kei looks a little surprised at this speech. "To the point then." He snaps his fingers and calls out "To!" The surrounding people suddenly vanish and the light dims to beams from the skylights well above your head. <@Grysar> 'The Chemist' mean anything to you? * Taki shakes her head and tries to keep at least an ear out for Toshiki or other Jackals. "I'm afraid not, should it?" <@Grysar> [You actually hear Toshiki grumbling about his nickname from a couple aisles over.] <@Grysar> [He may be making his way here, but no rush.] <@Grysar> Black card. Went to ground when you all busted the Osaka operation. <@Grysar> * Kei's tone is still dismissive, in this case he puts the emphasis not on the 'you' but on the 'all.' That said, there's a smidge of respect in busted up. * Taki can't stop herself from making a face at the mention of the Black Cards. "Was he the one that was making the drugs for Sho, then?" <@Grysar> * Kei actually looks a little taken aback by that. "Yeah. Uh..." He gives Taki an appraising look for a moment and then continues. "I don't intend to give him peace and quiet." I ... yeah. There are some people in Tokyo I should talk to first, but I find it hard to believe that somebody involved in something that horrific isn't still dangerous. If he's not up to something right this minute, I'd like to finish my shopping. <@Grysar> * Toshiki took a moment to drop off a delivery while the pathways are clear. He's left the dolly somewhere and is wandering up through one of the stalls, leaping from cash register to counter to fish tank edge to precarious stack of plastic crates. He's got his usual grin and is resting his glass staff on his shoulders, wrapping both arms around it even as he crouches or jumps. His cat eyes <@Grysar> are showing and he navigates the poor light environment with ease. "Yo! Been a while." <@Grysar> * Kei frowns. "Careful who you talk to. Some of your people can't keep their mouth shut." * Taki nods at Kei and then waves up at Toshiki. "For some things, the more the merrier isn't true... Speaking of which, is it just the three -well four if you count the Black Card- of us in Osaka, or do I have more surprises to look forward to?" <@Grysar> Just the four I know of. I am sooo bored. Want to fight after this? <@Grysar> * Kei nods at Taki's comments and then barks anouther laugh at Toshiki before turning back to Taki. "Wouldn't bet on him being alone, but none of us confirmed." * Taki smiles up at him. "Not at all, but I'll make a nice fish dinner for you this weekend if you'd like." <@Grysar> * Kei coughs and then stands to his full height, "So when the time comes, I need my posse together fast. You do exactly what I say, we all get through this alive and protect my city." * Taki takes a step back, mostly so she doen't have to look as far up at him. "I'm... I need more than that. If you don't want to tell me your plan now, that's fine, but I'm gonna need it before I agree to go with you." * Toshiki licks his lip and taps Taki gently on the head with his staff. "Dinner, then a fight." He grins, "Girl, I saw you against the reversed. I've taken a punch from you. It's not Tokyo anymore, you don't have to pret--" Kei cuts him off... <@Grysar> I got hunting and I have sources. When we get a lead, you get there, take Toshiki, and he tracks the Chemist to his base. Once we know his home, I can hold him, but I need you for logistics and scouting. I expect unpleasant surprises. If you can keep Toshiki under control, I'll drag him around for you, I won't promise anything more than that right now. <@Grysar> If your worried about scars, I'll be careful. It's good pr-- <@Grysar> To! Heel. * Toshiki grumbles. Not good enough. We may have people to save. People that think we're the enemy. <@Grysar> * Toshiki does back off some at Kei's command. He's got his eyes on you though. * Taki doesn't take her eyes off of Toshiki. "But you don't know that for sure yet, right?" <@Grysar> Right. So your role doesn't end when we get there. <@Grysar> [Kei has been super vague about a variety of things. What are his sources? What's his larger goal? Is he working with anyone outside of Osaka? But as for the actual things he's said, he's actually slipped into a different planning tone of voice that is deadly serious. He's highly motivated to do this and he wants you working for him. Can he be absolutely sure that his plan will work? No, but he has thought this through and thinks that with the team he has here, discipline, and teamwork, you can all get through this alive and successful.] <@Grysar> * Toshiki grins, somewhat sheepishly for a moment. He's stepped back for a moment and watches appraisingly. He lowers his glass staff so that one end rests on the ground. Like I said, I need to talk to people in Tokyo. People who were there the first time. <@Grysar> * Kei nods. "Talk all you want. Pick up the phone when I call. Or if you want to lead this, take me on and earn it. Those are the real choices you have." He gives Taki a business card that's notably vague about what exactly it is that he does. * Taki takes it and exchanges it with her own brand new one, mostly out of force of habit and politeness. It still says Student on it, but the contact info has been updated. <@Grysar> * Kei politely takes it in turn and puts it away in a chrome case that matches the goggles that rest on his forehead. He bows and walks away, "Don't forget your promise." I won't. <@Grysar> * Toshiki sticks around for a moment and then bows down to his knees, spinning his staff with an elaborate motion, he looks up from that position with a smirk. "So later this week, I buy groceries, you cook. Afterwards, I'll give you a minute to try to take me down, I won't make it easy but I won't hit back and I won't run..." <@Grysar> * Kei is so walking away from this without looking back. ... Just. No. Not right now. I don't want to deal with this. I want my space now. You can have your dinner and no fight, or nothing at all. <@Grysar> * Toshiki stands up and shakes his head. "Pass. You want to be able to protect yourself and your friends? You need to deal with things you don't wanna." He turns, "If you were still at the top of your game, my staff would never have touched you. We both know that." * Taki forces her hands to unclench. "I'll keep that in mind too." <@Grysar> * Toshiki is just loping away, without waiting a for a response. If you let the slide with no more comment or action than that, he'll hold a string on you. What do you do? <@Grysar> [And the field goes down, leaving Taki with her yellow tail and her anger.] * Taki goes to throw away her frozen can of soda, pays for her fish, and storms off - whisk forgotten. <@Grysar> [End!]