[Friday, February 13, 2004 - Morning in Maine, Late Night in Japan]

[Ciara]
Satoshi managed to get a little more sleep before getting up and prepping 
for the ride down to Boston.  Nothing like a four-hour bus trip.  At 
least Alabama-Huntsville came to them last weekend.  At any rate, he 
explained to Liam that he needed to check his texts this weekend since 
there was something of an emergency back home.  Liam agreed, as Satoshi 
had been good about not texting ever since the incident of a few weeks 
ago, and really, he's not the type to make things up.  (Or so Liam 
thinks.)

First he sends off a quick one to Wataru: "Heading to Boston, so won't be 
able to reply much, but everything okay with you?"

Then he sends one off to Kaede, figuring that Kaede will respond to it 
whenever he can, but now is definitely the time to talk: "Hey.  What 
really went on earlier?"

[Rowyn]
Kaede actually responds relatively quickly. Especially for him. He must 
not be sleeping tonight. Akemi fretted and fussed over him enough, which 
is probably a discussion for another time before he glances at his phone. 
Well that's unusual...

Texting is a lot easier when he can forgo all the button nonsense. <Nice 
to hear from you too.> Send. Then a moment later: <What's the cover 
story? It might not be something good to send over text.>

[Jihatsu]
Wataru replies around 1:30 PM Japan time. "Things are so-so. Katie is 
being looked after, but we might have more book trouble than we bargained 
for. Don't worry about it for now, I'm looking into it. And yes, I'm 
being careful ;) Have a good game! Nobody likes Boston!"

[Ciara]
(I assume that Kaede and Satoshi have been keeping in touch in general; 
it's just hard for them to find time to actually talk to each other.  So 
probably texts and e-mails that have happened offscreen.  Anyhow!)

Satoshi replies to Kaede: "Yes, hi.  Cover story?  Like why I'm texting 
you?  I explained to a few people that there was a minor emergency back 
home; things were much better but I wanted to check in.  That was it.  
They're not going to pry."

He hits send and looks around the bus at Grant having a conversation with 
one of the other goalies, Joshua talking with a few of the guys about a 
TV show, other people listening to music or napping or doing homework.  
Liam is sitting next to him, going over one of his papers.  He raises an 
eyebrow at Satoshi briefly when he notices Satoshi looking.  Satoshi 
gives him a quick smile and then goes back to his phone.

[Ciara]
Satoshi sends a followup text: "Regarding other things, we can avoid 
names and if there's anything I ask about that you don't feel comfortable 
divulging, I can wait for a more secure way."

[Rowyn]
Kaede's response comes a little ways after: <Cover story, yes. It'd be 
helpful to know what the others already told you if I'm to tell you how 
ridiculous it all is> Looking over the text, he adds: <Though it might be 
best to wait until we can talk over the phone if you can wait. I think 
this is something that would work better vocally.>

[Ciara]
"Ridiculous, huh?  Somehow, I find that oddly reassuring coming from you.  
Okay. If there's anything else you think I should know right now, please 
tell me; otherwise, we can talk when I get back.  Been meaning to call 
you for a while anyway.  It's been too long."

[Rowyn]
<I'm fairly certain that's the first time I've been called "oddly 
reassuring." But I'll take it. Without going into too much details, 
everything seems settled for now. Though apparently this Yamada-san is 
part of our group now. Personally, I feel we're far too easy in bringing 
someone else into our fold.>

[Ciara]
"First time for everything, right?"
"We can talk about this more later, but for what it's worth, I do trust 
him.  Also, am thinking about sending a message to her later saying I'm 
glad she's safe and I'm thinking about her. Good idea?"

[Rowyn]
Kaede looks over the text and lets out the small sigh as he grabs his 
coat and goes for a small walk. Needs some fresh air, needs some time to 
think. Akemi's already asleep regardless. It'd be a hazard to wake her.

After closing the door, the text goes back. <Watanabe-san, we won't go 
over your level of trusting. You do know you trust far too easily beyond 
what is healthy. As for Katie...>

There's a thoughtful pause as he considers what exactly to put here, text 
parser hovering and glowing in the dark. And then he types <Do what you 
think is best. You know where your relationship is at with her better 
than I. Personally, though, I wouldn't be surprised if she's more than a 
little frustrated with feeling people making a fuss, especially tonight.>

[Ciara]
Satoshi sends a quick reply: "Yeah, I wasn't going to do it before 
tomorrow morning your time.  Hopefully she's sleeping now.  And I'll send 
you my schedule and we can work out a time to talk once I'm back.  Night, 
Kaede."

[Ciara]
That night, after the game (so it would be early afternoon on Valentine's 
Day, Japan time), Satoshi sends a brief text to Katie: "Hi.  Just wanted 
to let you know that I'm glad you're safe.  Hugs, Satoshi."

[Ardweden]
Katie has just left Wataru's building when her phone buzzes. She takes it 
out, flips it open, looks at it, and then tucks it back in her pocket.

Some twenty-five minutes later, after she's walked out of the closest 
subway station to Kaede and Akemi's place, she takes her phone out of her 
pocket and reads the message again. She moves out of pedestrian traffic 
to respond.

"thanks."

Katie peers at her sent message, biting the inside of her cheek briefly. 
The sensation helps. She pecks out and sends another one.

"isn't it late there? what are you doing up."

[Ciara]
It is late, and by that point, he's no longer up.  The text goes 
unanswered until that night her time/the next morning his, when she gets 
a reply: "You're welcome.  And you're right. It was. ;) But I just wanted 
to let you know I was thinking about you.  I hope today is better for 
you."

[Ardweden]
Katie is crosslegged in the living room when her phone buzzes. She 
glances over at Kyon before checking it. She reads and then pecks out, 
"thanks it was. spent lots of it cleaning up the living room." And then: 
"happy valentines day."

[Ciara]
Katie gets a quick reply: "I'm glad.  And thanks.  Talk to you more when 
I get back?"

[Ardweden]
"y. see you online."

[End!]