<@Grysar> [Date: Evening of Friday May 7, 2004 in Maine. Morning of Saturday May 8, 2004 in Tokyo. The high in Maine is the low in Tokyo, and Japan is the muggier of the two by far.] <@Grysar> [Final day of exams, although Satoshi finished on Thursday. He's gotten to hang out some with Joshua and Grant, who had also finished early before saying his goodbyes to everyone.] <@Grysar> [Grant did have some gossip to impart. First, Satoshi apparently has a fanboy in another freshman, a promising benchwarmer named Craig "Dougie" Douglas.] <@Grysar> [Dougie has a solid build, and isn't necessarily the brightest, although Grant notes that he had seemed interested in Ji-yun a couple months back, so can't fault his taste.] <@Grysar> [What stands out about him to you, Satoshi?] * @Satoshi likes his enthusiasm, and is looking forward to seeing more of his defensive skills next year. They're going to need some strong defense, especially since some of their top guys are graduating. <@Grysar> [Otherwise, Grant does report that some of the womenfolk are going up to a cabin trip in Quebec. He seems to attach some significance to this and does not appear to be unhappy. even if it means no Skyping with Ji-Yun for a while.] <@Grysar> [As everyone else goes there seperate, Satoshi checks into a hotel in Bangor with the world possessions he's taking back to Japan and a different bag packed for adventure.] <@Grysar> [Start] * @Satoshi has left most of his winter clothes and his bike in a storage locker that he rented near campus. He's only got a couple of suitcases with the intention to maybe hit the mall and get a few summer things before he leaves. You know, after this whole Tower thing. He's trying to be positive and think ahead. * @Satoshi also has the duffle bag, with the camping lantern, a ruler for measuring diagrams, matches, a couple bottles of water, some protein bars, and the very last strawberry Kit-Kat from the care package that Katie and Wataru sent him. * @Satoshi sits on the hotel bed. It's almost time. It's almost... yeah. This is finally going to happen. * @Satoshi takes a deep breath and pulls out his phone. Time to start making calls, let people know that it's almost time for him to head in there. Katie first. * @Satoshi hesitates for a second, then pulls up her number in his address book and dials. * Katie picks up after a couple of dials. "" she says from the other side. In English, as always. <@Satoshi> "" * @Satoshi shifts slightly. "" He pauses. "" * Katie makes a small 'heh'. "" She sighs. "" * @Satoshi is quiet for a moment, then lets out a soft sigh. " He's trying to keep his tone light at the end, but Katie can probably tell he's forcing it. * Katie goes with it. "" <@Satoshi> "" <@Satoshi> * Katie is silent for a few seconds, then says, "" <@Satoshi> <@Satoshi> * @Satoshi takes a deep breath. "" <... You want me to tell them when?> <@Satoshi> * Katie snorts a little. "" <@Satoshi> * Katie blinks. Satoshi can practically hear her blink. "" She obviously hasn't been thinking about that at all. <@Satoshi> * @Satoshi is quiet for a moment. "" There's both surprise and warmth in his voice. "" He pauses, then adds, "" * Katie lets out a faint 'heh'. "" <@Satoshi> <@Satoshi> * Katie considers. "" Followed immediately by, "" <@Satoshi> <@Satoshi> * @Satoshi chuckles. "" <@Satoshi> <@Satoshi> <@Satoshi> <@Satoshi> * @Satoshi takes another breath. "" * Katie says again, and more quietly, "" She sighs. "" * @Satoshi nods, not that she can see it. "" * Katie laughs, a bit. "" <@Satoshi> "" <@Satoshi> * @Satoshi hangs up, then puts his free hand to his forehead. * @Satoshi takes a deep breath, then slowly exhales it. Right. On to the next phone call. He dials Haruko's number. * @Haruko's phone rings a few times before she picks up. Her voice is a little groggy, "Moshi moshi. Good -- evening Satoshi." <@Satoshi> Morning, Haruko. How are you? * @Haruko clicks her tongue, "Up to late finishing a dress. Somehow the work it takes to make them motorcycle friendly always surprises me, but the crafting room at the new place is pretty great. How are you? Finals over?" * @Satoshi takes a moment to process that. "Yeah, finals ended yesterday. The reason why I called, actually, is because I'm planning on heading to the Tower soon. For the ritual." * @Haruko nods. "I wish I could be there with you. Are you all prepped?" <@Satoshi> Aww, thank you. And I think so. Oh, wait, I was going to get a pencil and paper to take with me, and... aside from that, I guess I'm as ready as I'm going to be. * @Haruko nods. "Good idea. Let's see, do you have any water? Or maybe something with eloctrolytes? * @Satoshi laughs softly. "Of course you'd think of the water. I do have a couple of bottles, although getting a sports drink wouldn't be a bad idea. Got some protein bars, too." <@Haruko> Good man. And water may be fine. That was usual for me, but it sometimes doesn't cut it for dance practice. <@Satoshi> How's that going? <@Haruko> A little weird since I brought Hibiki in and now we're kind of awkward. But, hmm, this will shock you I'm sure, but sometimes it feels like something just clicks when I'm on stage. I guess I've had enough practice now that I'm not thinking about the moves and how people are perceiving me but instead slipping into the flow of the performance. * @Haruko speeds up a little while sayin that, starting with the Hibiki stuff. "That make sense or is it just a bunch of theater nonsense?" * @Satoshi refrains from commenting on the awkward. "There's a zone you get into. Dancing, skating... when you find it, it can be amazing." * @Haruko mmms in agreement. "We need to go dancing or skating when you get back. Like a group thing. Or maybe we can just put on some music in the lake house." <@Satoshi> Sure, we can totally do that. <@Haruko> Right, so double checking, who is on the invite list now? <@Satoshi> Uh, gosh, um... was I in charge of that? Because if I'm supposed to be I have totally forgotten about it. * @Haruko laughs. "It was probably me then. But let's see, you, me, Katie..." She slows down a little, "Kyon and Wataru." She thinks another moment, "And no objection on my end to Kaede and Akemi." <@Satoshi> Yeah, that's everyone I was thinking of. Arcana road trip, huh? * @Haruko nods eagerly and grins. "And I think there's like, less than a ten percent chance Shiraishi-chan somehow turns it into an orgy." * @Satoshi is quiet. Very quiet. <@Haruko> If I manage to get you to blush when we're not on Skype, you'd tell me, right? It's for science. <@Satoshi> ...kind of cannot even make words right now. * @Haruko smirks. "Fair. So, I'll make sure everyone knows they're invited. Also, little favor on the invite list..." <@Satoshi> Yeah? <@Haruko> At present I'm kind of single. I may be dating Hibiki again by the time it rolls around. If I am, could you find out if people are okay with him coming? If the answer is no, I understand. I suspect it would be. But I want to check without anyone feeling pressured. <@Satoshi> Uh, okay? * @Haruko closes her eyes. "He and Kyon actually talked. I'm not sure what about. But well, still here. And I think I'm at peace with whatever way things will go." <@Satoshi> That's good? Sorry. I'm having trouble with words again. I want you to be happy, you know? Like, genuinely happy, and I hope that you keep finding what makes you feel that way. <@Haruko> Thanks Satoshi. It's a lot less scary to try things, and sometimes make mistakes, and sometimes turn thins down, when a friend has your back. I pray you have the same and I'm glad hockey does so much for you. <@Satoshi> I wish I could bring all you guys with me for this ritual. * @Haruko's turn to be quiet for a few moments. She adds softly, "Me too." <@Satoshi> But it'll be all right. I'll be all right. And then I'll buy tickets for home and I'll see you all again soon. <@Haruko> And that will be excellent. <@Satoshi> So I'll remember to pack a pencil and paper, and I'll stop by a convenience store along the way and get a sports drink or two. * @Haruko nods. "You've got this. Text when your done? No need for a full report, just an all clear." <@Satoshi> Yeah, I'll let you guys know as soon as I'm done. I promised. * @Haruko's eyes don't even flash or anything when Satoshi makes his promise. "Thanks." <@Satoshi> You're welcome. And I'll send you guys a quick message right before I go in, too. <@Haruko> Good. I don't want to stop talking, but I think I should let you focus. My prayers will go with you, even if we can't. <@Satoshi> Thank you, Haruko. That means a lot. <@Haruko> [And after they say their good byes Satoshi returns to his preparations.] * @Satoshi hangs up, and does in fact grab a pen and pad of paper from the desk of his hotel room and puts them in his duffel bag. * @Satoshi then turns back to his phone, and dials his third number of the day. It rings and rings, and Satoshi eventually gets to voicemail. "Hey, Kaede. It's Satoshi. I know you're busy right now. I just... wanted to let you know that I'm heading for the Tower soon. I'll send you guys a message before I go in, and then as soon as I'm done, I'll let you guys know. As soon as I can. Listen, though... if you happen to see Katie today, just... look out for her, all right? She's really worried. I'm sorry to make her worry. Hopefully, there'll be nothing to worry about. And I'll be seeing all of you soon. Take care." * @Satoshi, having done that, then sits back down on the bed to make his last call of the evening. <@Haruko> [End!]