<@Wataru> [Friday January 16, 2004. Late afternoon.] <@Wataru> [Kaede has approached Kyon offering a third perspective on the Fuyuken situation, and what better to accompany such a discussion than elegant sweets and a nice cup of tea? Easy Epoque is a little on the full side this afternoon, but there are a number of nooks among the unusual decor that are both secluded and unoccupied, and a smooth bossanova cover of London Calling blends the sound of people <@Wataru> talking into an unobtrusive sussurus.] <@Wataru> [Session start!] * Kaede arrives fashionably early of course, fingers in his suit coat pocket as he glances around at the various tables in the crowd. He's, of course, not ordering until there's a spotting and a greeting of Kyon. That'd just be rude. * Kyon comes into the cafe exactly on time! He's wearing sunglasses and a black and grey tuque, as well as his ash-grey coat, dark blue jeans, and dark grey boots with orange piping. He surveys the place to look for relevant people. * Kaede is, in theory, relevant. As he is one of the people that had this time proposed. Or maybe Kyon came to chat up the cashier, who knows? Either way, he's waiting until he's approached to order. <@Wataru> [There are still a number of empty tables, and the wait staff are waiting after having offered to seat him once and being declined!] * Kyon spots Kaede, and stalks over to him. It's not hard to spot him. "Hey." * Kaede isn't hard to spot no, although he does stop playing with his phone in his pocket. He gives a light nod of the head, expression still neutral. "I could not be sure if you would make it on time, but you did give your word." * Kyon smirks. "Which I never did before. So now you know." <@Wataru> [Mimi likes being played with. Still #1!] <@Wataru> [The young woman at the counter smiles at Kyon, since she has tried smiling at Kaede about five times to no avail. "Welcome to Easy Epoque, can I help you, gentlemen?"] * Kaede does play with his phone, it's true. Fingers all over it. Except when he doesn't need to use his fingers. He nods in reply, not responding to the smirk, at least expression-wise. "So now I know." He gestures to the cafe floor and finalizes on the woman at the counter without looking at her. "Shall we order before they begin stacking chairs upon tables just for our convenience?" * Kyon nods to the clerk, then. "Right. Large Earl Grey, cranberry scone." <@Wataru> [She rings this up. "And for you, sir?" She smiles at Kaede for the sixth time.] * Kaede doesn't smile back. So bad at this. He does at least give the woman behind the counter the benefit of eye contact though, so there is that. "Matcha and the lemon cake." * Kyon tugs out his wallet. "Can cover all that." <@Wataru> [She nods. "That will be \1340, sir."] * Kyon hands over a 2000 yen bill. * Kaede raises an eyebrow at Kyon but does take a small step back. There are better things to fight over than who picks up the check. Especially in front of the poor waitress who deserves a tip for her botox injections after all that smiling. <@Wataru> [She gives him back his exact change and bill in short, expert motions. "That's \660 change, sir. Thank you very much for your patronage. Your order will be out soon, please feel free to choose any table in the main area!"] * Kaede does gesture for one of the secluded, sectioned off tables. Much quieter over there. "Shall we?" * Kyon takes the change from the little tray, and nods curtly, heading off for that table. * Kaede follows Kyon. They are men of actions, not words! Which is why said actions take them in the direction of the table. HOT TABLE WALKING ACTION. <@Wataru> [The song is now Panic by the Smiths, with a smooth sax and breathy lady singer.] * Kyon settles in at the table, taking off his sunglasses, but leaving on the hat. * Kaede does cast his eyes up to the hat, looking at it curiously, expression softening though still very serious. "Cunning disguise?" * Kyon shakes his head curtly. "Doesn't have to be fancy to work. More fancy works worse." * Kaede snorts then looks down at the table before shrugging off his coat. "Better you than me. Surprisingly enough "Top rising model's rarely seen on camera manager" does not quite draw the same crowd in public." * Kyon unzips his jacket, as well. "Top rising model's rarely seen on camera boyfriend might," he says, smirking. * Kaede shrugs off the other sleeve before settling the jacket on the seat before looking at Kyon. Clearly We are Not Amused. "Which is why it is all the better that Katie and I have formed a unified front. We may fend off the crowd properly with pitchforks and torches when it comes down to it." * Kyon snorts. "Expecting a mob?" * Kaede tilts his head forward, pushing up his glasses and deadpanning. "Now that is simply ridiculous. *No* one expects a mob. If you expect a mob, it is not a proper mob, now is it?" * Kyon shrugs quickly. "See them coming or not, you get enough people, it feels like a mob." * Kaede folds his fingers together and sighs, tilting his head and looking at Kyon properly. "Paparazzi. Believe me. Have already dealt. I suspect that is the worst part of my job..." He then settles back, taking off his glasses and cleaning them. "Life *does* have a weird way of turning full circle." <@Wataru> [A ponytailed waitress appears! "I'm terribly sorry for the wait," she says, formulaically. She lays out their food and drinks. "Can I help you with anything else?"] * Kyon looks at his tea, and then shakes his head quickly. * Kaede looks up at the waitress and gives her a small hint of a smile. *Look*. All her hard effort paid off! "Quite alright. I believe we are good for now." <@Wataru> [Too bad it's a different waitress! She blushes demurely at the smile though, and leaves with a bit of a spring in her step!] * Kyon nods quickly, and breaks off a piece of scone, and cocks his head. "Used to managing press before?" * Kaede draws the tea closer, not noting or caring for the blush, fingers tapping against the edge of the glass. "Can't say from before. Although Sanada-san *does* have her own special knack. Though I must admit, I'm surprised more severe tactics were not attempted on her over time." * Kyon shrugs quickly. "Don't want the extra attention if it's not totally necessary. Probably." * Kaede sips on his tea. That's good tea. "Or perhaps overconfidence. We ran into much of that. The Magician being one of the largest. And his sibling cohort..." He sighs a little then glances at Kyon from over the ridge of his teacup. "We are getting off track however." * Kyon nods quickly. "So you have a perspective to share." * Kaede nods quietly, then settles down his cup in the saucer. "And you have the inclination to listen, it would appear." He takes his fork now, digging into the cake. "Did you have lingering questions or shall we simply dive right in? It is not often you took the time to listen to my opinion. It's strange really." * Kyon pops the scone in his mouth. "But you're right. I wasn't there. Don't have all the info. And you can observe. You want to share, can't turn that down." * Kaede nods carefully, then pinches his nose, taking his glasses off before his fork scrapes against the plate a couple of times before he picks up a small piece. "It's...rather complicated. Or was. I'm sure you're aware...when Andrews was hunting Tenjirou, I'm sure Kinsha-san told you..." His voice sounds a bit distant, his eyes not looking at Kyon. * Kyon takes up his tea, and sips, watching Kaede, waiting. * Kaede settles down and sighs, looking over the cake on the fork, squinting. "It was somewhat of a mess. Katie and Haruko vehemently disagreed on how to manage and handle the situation. Katie wished to end it. Haruko wished under no circumstances to act. Which was leading to a stalemate. Something was bound to break." * Kyon nods quickly, and takes a piece of scone. Nothing surprising there, so he just watches still. * Kaede tastes the cake carefully. "As is the norm, action won out over inaction. I had already said my piece to Katie Andrews. I wanted no part in it." His mouth covers the whole of the fork and cake and chews. * Kyon nods quickly. "Yeah. I know you didn't back her on it." * Kaede nods, then picks up his glasses, resettling them on his face and looking at Kyon. "I'd imagine. But I'd also imagine the meaning may have been muddled." * Kyon raises an eyebrow questioningly. * Kaede has turned away at this point, grabbing a spoon and stirring his tea. "Make no mistake. Tenjirou was going to be a problem for us. And a long standing one. He....I....really the fact that he had survived that long was my fault...." And his voice trails at the end there as he picks up the teacup, not looking at anyone. * Kyon cocks his head, and considers him for a beat, saying, "How's that?" * Kaede looks up and his eyes flash with an expression of something long since hidden and buried, but it only lasts for the moment as he looks back down into his tea. "I had opportunity, Kyon. I had reason. Some...vain noble spirit in me told me that if I treated him as not even worth my time, that he would fade into obscurity and we would not have to deal with him any longer..." * Kaede sighs, and his voice gets softer as he laments into his teacup. "I had the chance, Kyon. Twice. I did not take it. I may never forgive myself for that..." * Kyon regards him, and sets his tea back in the saucer. "When were those?" * Kaede sighs carefully, settling down his own tea. "When we first met him. Then the other some time after Senshirou. The first would have been clearly stupid. The second though..." * Kyon shrugs quickly. "But when? Whether you could have or not, it's timing." * Kaede gives Kyon a smirk of his own, actually focusing on the man now. "What, so you're trying to convince me I was right in not killing him?" * Kyon smirks back. "Nah. But no point in blaming yourself if it wasn't a good opportunity." * Kaede smiles now at Kyon and then sighs, going back into cutting his cake. "Hence the issue. I wish you were there. It would have made a far clearer argument." * Kyon nods quickly. "Yeah. Just changes things. But we needed to take care of that, too. Wouldn't have traveled if I could've helped it." * Kaede carves out another piece. "Tenjirou still had support. If we were going to take him down, we would have had to fend off that support. Plus you can no longer claim moral superiority once you go down that path. If we could have done it in a way in which his supports would have crumbled, then I may have been more supportive..." He lets out a deep sigh. * Kyon shrugs. "You have to be strategic. Just self-defense with someone like that. Couldn't even help himself. Just need the right tactics." * Kaede rubs the bridge of his nose. "Hence the other issue..." He pauses. "The Fuyukens were an unexpected factor. But we should have seen something like them coming. Not them *specifically* necessarily. But the Fuyukens were a symbol. And one Katie was a bit too blinded to see..." He looks pained to say so really. * Kyon looks back. "What kind of symbol?" * Kaede tilts his head to look at Kyon, expression neutral. "Katie said it. Connections. Supports. Misguided supports at that. Ones who will defend you despite all your faults without fail and blind themselves to the truth..." He sighs then picks up the cup, shaking his head carefully. "Moral relativity. The Arcana Club was well full of that..." * Kyon smirks. "Can't argue with that. But some people were still worse than others." * Kaede frowns slightly as he responds, "...I can't say we could have gotten the Fuyukens on our side. We at least got them to be less hostile. And Shika's guilt...well..." He lets out a small breath, rubbing his glasses. "The problem was Haruko did not agree, but she did not really take a strong stand either...which lead to a divide...I suppose going to run interference was one method but..." * Kyon breaks off a piece of the scone, and taps it on the plate. "Shouldn't blame yourself. Didn't have to be a good way through in that situation. That's where I've ended up." * Kaede does give a small breath. "I suppose not. Not entirely. But it didn't help with my later fears and worries..." He focuses on his cake, then sighs again. "The thing is...once you cross the line from self- defense, you had better be clearly justified...if you expect there to be rules, you have to follow your own. Otherwise, no argument you put forth explaining your actions holds any merit. One continues to kill the other and you are left with no rationale for anything..." He pokes at his cake, hissing out. "...which is far easier to say in hindsight." "Right. But can't say it wasn't justified. He was a special case. Unrestricted mind control? And the desire to use it? Can't keep that." * Kaede sips on his tea some more, nothing in his expression really marking disagreement. "Yes. And I personally have the scars to prove that. But, as you said, it is a question of timing. And Shika...the unknown....and Yusuke...the limp wristed blinded support of a brother..." He makes a face, as if suddenly getting bitter distaste for the tea that he sets down in that saucer. "How did someone like that have so many connections? It is as if the Wheel was playing a gigantic practical joke on us." * Kyon waves a hand dismissively. "Could have been that. Could have been people picked a side, didn't like moving. Same with the Band. Not like they liked mind control boy. But they made their choice, so they stuck around." * Kaede snorts in response to that, blowing ripples across the tea before he sips it more idly. "If they were unified, they could have been more passive about it. Let Tenjirou do his own thing and take his own fall. But no, there was active interference, active defending. These weren't people who simply had grown complacent. These were people who had convinced themselves they were right. With Natsuko's death, I believe the motives had decreased but..." There's another sigh. "Sometimes I envy people who can look at things so simply...would have made things far easier..." * Kyon shakes his head quickly, and takes a swig of tea. "Never good to wish to have less mind than you do. Just would make the rest of it worse." * Kaede smiles. At the tea. Not at the Kyon. It's a small smile. "In theory. But if you are not intelligent enough to see the long-reaching consequences of your actions..." The smile is lost. "I suppose one still has to deal with the fallout. But Tenjirou was shielded from that fallout. Largely what lead to *our* problems. You can never know..." * Kaede does look up at Kyon at this point. "We are getting off track..." * Kyon nods quickly. "Right. So go ahead." * Kaede fiddles with his cup at this point, looking down and for once seeming slightly uncomfortable in his seat. "I suppose that lead me to do what I did. My thoughts...the potential ramifications of the fallout of what was intended...regardless of whether it was right to do so or not. Was too large to ignore. We had no way of really knowing *how* large, but there are rare times to consider an outside view..." He closes his eyes and breathes carefully. "Plus, I knew when push came to shove, I couldn't remain complacent. I feared myself really." * Kyon watches him, and sips his tea. "Okay." He's clearly waiting for the next part. * Kaede glances up at Kyon, countering as he watches him in response. "How would you react, Sorata-san? Would you put down one of your team members, or one you perceived as a team member, if it seemed necessary?" * Kyon considers this for a beat, looking back at him impassively, before saying, "If they endanger everyone else? And if there was no other way? Then yeah." * Kaede nods, ever so slightly. Then sighs, tapping his teacup. "Fortunately, it never came to it. It was a point where I could distance myself from it a bit. It put me in a better position to make connections with the Fuyukens later on, I feel." He hisses in through his teeth and then looks away. "Though I'm not...those thoughts had crossed my mind before. But never in that context. And never in a context where I'd thought I might be forced to act on them..." * Kyon nods quickly. "One way we got lucky." He smirks. "One of the only ways." * Kaede snorts then flexes his fingers before he grips the handle of his teacup. "I thought we established a long time ago that we make our own luck. And fate. Wheel be damned." He winces at the statement. "As much as it tries to pull us in." Figure of speech. Not thanking any lucky gods. * Kaede nods slightly, though now he's fully watching Kyon. "You've been fairly quiet during all of this. Not that I expected anything further. I'd like to know your thoughts." * Kyon breaks off a piece of scone, dunks the end of it in his tea for a brief moment, and then pops it in his mouth. "You had a chance to take him out, but it wasn't a sure one. That kind of decision? It only looks bad in hindsight. Might have been better chances. I wasn't there. So I can't say I'd have done the same. But I can't say I'd have done different." * Kaede sighs and looks in the cup. "The chance to take him out was before then. For some bizarre reason, I suspected calling an ambulance might have been the option to appease us both. I must have had an aneurysm." * Kyon shrugs quickly. "So you'd do it differently now?" * Kaede gives Kyon his own smirk and then taps his glasses ever so slightly. "Hindsight. As you stated. I could not have gained the knowledge that it was a bad idea until after experiencing it as a bad idea." * Kyon nods curtly. "So now you'll know. For next time. If there is one." * Kaede smirks even more at that and then tilts his head to watch Kyon's expression. "What? To take out someone mercilessly when we have the chance? We already had that. In theory." He lets out a long sigh and finishes his cup. * Kyon snorts a laugh, and shakes his head. "Never know when it'll come again," he says, slightly amused. * Kaede gives the slightest of nods, then looks down at his empty cup on the saucer for some time. "Perhaps. At least it's clearer now where the lines lie. That has to account for something." * Kyon nods quickly. "Knowing the situation means a lot. Information's still power." * Kaede tilts his head to the side, expression unreadable as he comments, "Is that why you kept so much from us early on?" * Kyon shrugs quickly, looking fairly level. "I didn't know you people early on. And it's not like we had no problems. Not everyone ended up being trustworthy." * Kaede nods, then hesitates, unsure where to procede from here. There's a minor swallowing, barely noticeable, then "I suppose I understand that better now. At the time, I can't say that I was pleased. But given what we are going through now, I can't say we're not doing precisely the same thing...well. Some of us, at least. I can't speak for all of us." * Kyon frowns, and says, "With the sociology student." He shifts in his seat, and continues, "Not at war now, though. Things are different. But you're right. Don't want to give away too much." * Kaede sighs, tilting back in his chair but not quite looking at Kyon. "We're constantly at war, Kyon. Whether we choose to believe it or not. It's just a matter of how hidden that war happens to be. But you honestly believe there aren't others out there who survived the confrontation not contemplating what to do next?" * Kyon scowls. "Probably there are. And that's why we're being careful. Keeping an eye on the situation." * Kaede pushes his glasses up, expression impassive. "Glad we're in agreement." He sighs as he rises up. "The brother, I can see, as being openly remorseful. But Shika... I think part of her still blames us. And herself. Something to keep a watchful eye on for certain." * Kyon nods curtly, and watches Kaede get up, staying seated himself. He looks curious, though. "You been hearing something there?" * Kaede gives a half-smile, though there's very little in the way of pleasure to it. "I work with Shiraishi-san on a regular basis. She's *connected* with Yusuke Fukuyen. I can't help *but* hear about it. I can't guarantee my reports are not biased though." * Kyon nods quickly. "But you'd say if you thought there was something for us to follow up on." * Kaede nods curtly. "Things are settled. For now. If anything is simmering, it's beneath the surface. If it becomes more than that, I'll let you know." * Kyon nods back, and then downs the rest of his tea. "Right." After a beat, he adds, "I will, too." * Kaede nods and then gestures over to the waitress. "I believe I need to take this to go. Sorry for the inconvenience." <@Ciara> [The waitress nods and goes off to procure a box.] * Kyon works on finishing his scone. Not enough of that left to be worth taking. * Kaede turns back to Kyon and then gives him a small bow. "I'm sure we'll have more of this in the future. But until then...well, you have my number." <@Ciara> [The waitress returns with a box and delivers it to Kaede with a polite bow. As he ate part of his food, he apparently gets to take care of his own boxing.] * Kyon nods curtly. "I do. And you have mine. Or you can get me through Katie." He smirks. "That's fastest sometimes. If I'm on the road." * Kaede tilts his head, though his face betrays no amusement. "Fastest, perhaps. Also potentially the most dangerous. Don't you feel she's already suspicious enough about these daytime clandestine meetings?" * Kyon shrugs. "If she asked what we talked about, I'd tell her." He smirks. "Living with Katie means figuring everything's coming out in the end." * Kaede snorts and pushes up the glasses. "The information broker became the supplier? Surprising." He then breathes out and looks at Kyon more insistantly. "I don't ask you to keep anything from her. I'm far too honest for that. And for my own good sometimes. But I'd hope you realize that Katie Andrews does not always know herself what is best for herself." * Kyon nods curtly, and smirks more fiercely. "That's the other thing about living with Katie. Lets you see where it's time to push back more clearly." * Kaede snorts again. "It took living with her to figure *that* out?" He picks up the box and then shakes his head. "I'm not sure whether we see eye to eye on some things, Kyon. But at the very least, it *has* been worthwhile trying to talk to you without wishing to put my hands around your throat." * Kyon barks out a laugh. "First time for everything." <@Ciara> [Session End!]