| Logs |
2002 March 06
| Morning Rain |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Morning Rain Logs |
A Momentary Parhelia
"And in local club news, DJ Mutant-Z has gone missing. Rose Club's owners say the controversial DJ never showed up last night, despite a large turnout. His friends have no idea where he is either, but they're looking and they hope he's okay. In other news, the band Tres Locos was sued by Rob Zombie's label, Geffen..."
The new day dawns, with a touch of morning chill in the absolutely clear sky. The neighborhood has returned to relative normalcy after the events of the previous evening, and the morning shoppers, tourists, and residents begin the stream of people through the area South of Houston Street. The morning rush hour is starting to taper off a little, and the surge and rumble of traffic through the streets of the city assumes its usual background tones.
"Tragedy in Benin, an African nation, today. An invasion from the nearby nation of Burkina Faso was halted when the soldiers came upon a village that had been completely wiped out as far back as two months ago. Initial reports indicate the presence of mass graves. The Burkina Faso troops immediately pulled back to their own borders, and neither government has been available for comment."
Kim is busily tending the store -- despite Bryce's admonition, he showed up at his usual time and caught up on some inventory work, though he hasn't opened the store to the public yet. The radio blares out the usual mix of indie music and occasional news snippets into the background, and a pot of tea has been set onto the small heating pad behind the counter, filling the OutWrite with the delicious smell.
Jade and Nagi show up before the store is due to open, Jade knocking lightly on the back door to be let in, so they don't attract attention. Jade is, as usual, dressed to the nines, although she's not got her professional face on yet. She's carrying a small paper bag of tasty veggie goodies to share with the folks in the store, for breakfast.
Bryce lets his friend and her stoic bodyguard in at the back door, and cheerfully eyes Jade's bag of hidden goodness. His manner is light, but the members of the empathic link brought on by the morning rain that day can feel he's somber under the mask.
Nagi is wearing a slightly less searing Hawaiian shirt today, this one printed with bright pastel irises, but otherwise business as usual. He yawns softly and nods to Bryce on his way in. Jade hands Bryce the little paper bag, then smiles and pats his arm lightly, "We're doing all right so far, Bryce. It's not automatic that Caliban will be bad news... so why so glum?"
Bryce murmurs the warning, "Kim's here early," and blinks at Jade a moment, then lets his face sink. "Merv was shot yesterday... and if he hadn't been wearing a vest, my hesitation to intercede could have killed him. I saw it start getting bad over there, and didn't reach out and stop it because I was afraid of destroying my own life. How should that make me feel?"
Jade nods quietly at the soft warning, murmuring, "But he's all right, Bryce. That's the important thing." She doesn't say anything else as Bryce leads them past Kim to the front... then whispers, "It simply means we're... unpracticed. We'll get better, I'm sure of it."
Bryce whispers back, "Someday we'll have to choose, no matter how careful we are. I just hope it's the right choice." He shrugs, and admires Nagi's shirt with the eye of experience. "A more subtle flavor today. Suited to the occasion. Understatement."
Jade giggles softly at Bryce's comment, then helps herself to a tasty little rice ball. Nagi makes a noise in his throat somewhere between a grunt and a growl by way of acknowledgement. Bryce's face remains perfectly serious, not at all mocking. Then he says, "Gonna share that, Jade?" and grins hopefully.
Jade grins and hands Nagi and Bryce a rice ball each too, then glances hopefully at the quietly steaming teapot, "So... will there be tea soon? And when are we expecting this Caliban person?"
Bryce says, "There is tea now, if you'd like some." He addresses both his guests. "And I have no better idea about our witchspawn than you do. H... Caliban said 'morning.'" Jade nods, nibbling on her rice ball. She quits worrying then, simply enjoying the sensuality of the moment... the gentle flower scent of the tea, the quiet smell of books and learning in the background, the relatively peaceful sounds of her friends about her, and the sweet, delicious taste of her treat as she daintily licks her fingers clean. Bryce moves to bring tea to those who want it.
It's still early yet, even with the later hour of the store's opening, and the sign at the front of the door still says 'Closed'... and just beyond that door, waiting patiently and watching the street in a curious mixture of casual inattention and alertness, still rather vaguely dressed, is the "witchspawn" Caliban.
Nagi munches quietly... then coughs. Jade happily accepts her teacup from Bryce, inhaling slowly... then raises an eyebrow over her tea cup. "Well... it seems a prompt witch's child. Isn't that Caliban out there?"
Nagi clears his throat, "*hrk* Bryce... you have a customer." Jade grins sideways at Nagi, a teasing sparkle in her eyes... then demurely goes back to appreciating her tea.
Bryce notices the arrival and gets the door for their mystery guest. "So it is, and I do, thank you." He opens the door and smiles easily. "Come in, have tea."
Jade murmurs quietly after Bryce, "And a ball..." She looks utterly guileless, of course.
Caliban turns as Bryce opens the door, and smiles warmly, nodding. "Good morning. And thank you, tea sounds wonderful." At the very least, Caliban doesn't seem to be too much of a morning person, as it steps in. "I hope I didn't show up too early..." It glances around, and the surprise is hidden but noticeable on its features when it sees the number of people in the room.
Jade smiles sweetly at Caliban. Nagi just munches intently on his rice ball. Bryce says cheerfully, "They're just as interesting and open-minded as I am, don't worry... here's your tea. Have a seat, please. And a rice ball if you like." Jade studies the curious individual closely over her teacup.
"Thank you," Caliban says, smiling. "The tea smells wonderful, actually." After a sip and a moment to consider, Caliban looks up to Bryce. "I'm sorry if I sounded so mysterious yesterday. I... am not really sure how to put this. I suppose you could say that..." Caliban looks a bit uncomfortable, as if all of a sudden this is something being made up on the fly. "Well... I know it's not exactly the same, but I am... attempting to look into... what can be done to promote... transhuman rights. I realize that transhuman and gay rights are both very separate things, but the work you've done has been... very positive, and I was hoping that I might... well, uhm, talk with you more about it. What you've done, that is."
Towards the end, Caliban is very clearly talking on the fly. Jade smiles into her tea. Chalk one up for their guesses.
In the daylight Caliban is no less androgynous, and still wears fairly non-gender-specific clothing, but there's a hint of femininity by the slender-banded and jewel-less ring the person wears on its little finger. That appears to be the person's only piece of jewelry, however, and nothing else is exceptional... except for the faintest of odd, dusty or musty scents that Jade detects, like a warm cellar. Jade sniffs discreetly, then studies her tea thoughtfully as she thinks. Caliban definitely smells... dusty, musty... like it just spent the night in a cellar, oddly enough. And yet... it's quite meticulously groomed. Odd.
Bryce's eyes widen slightly, and he murmurs, "Oh, I'm sure there are gay transhumans, so it's not always very separate... but that's an excellent idea, Caliban. I'd like to talk with you about this, yes. Do go on? I'd love to hear your ideas. The main problem seems to be the same between both movements... gay people and transhumans being seen as threatening. Do you have ideas how transhumans could be promoted as non-threatening, good neighbors?"
Caliban seems to relax a little, and smiles wanly. "Well, after what's been happening lately, it's very hard to promote transhumans as non-threatening. Even when they... well, like what happened last night in this neighborhood..."
Bryce nods encouragingly. "Go on... I wasn't able to run fast enough to keep up with the action myself, I'm afraid."
Jade looks up interestedly, "Oh, were you the transhuman that stopped the shooter, Caliban?" She smiles warmly, her professional face smoothly in place, "If so, thank you ever so much!" Bryce grins and projects friendliness. Subtle, girl, very subtle.
Caliban almost, but doesn't quite, drop the teacup. "Me?" It looks at Jade, then gives a quiet smile, shaking its head and chuckling softly. "No, that wasn't me. Whatever gave you the impression I was a transhuman?"
Bryce listens with carefully hidden amusement. Kim, for his part, is half-inventorying Biographies, and half listening curiously. Nagi says, "It seems odd that a human would be campaigning for the rights of transhumans, given the current... attitudes. Traditionally, downtrodden peoples have had to make their own way." Bryce nods respectfully at Nagi's point.
Caliban looks to Nagi, and shakes its head a bit. "Someone has to. Considering that most proven transhumans tend to be 'asked' to 'help' the various research studies involuntarily, there aren't many who can speak publicly. I can assure you that, for example, Jamie Strauss will not be seen in public again in the near future."
Jade points out pragmatically, "You turned up precisely after the attack; you have a hand-lettered card, so you didn't want a professional printing shop doing them; your hair color and skin color are strikingly unusual; you're currently quite nervous as we discuss transhuman rights; you were startled to see Nagi and myself here, and thus quickly re-imagined what you were going to say at that precise point; and you are... not specifically gendered." Her cheerful smile is disarming as she adds, "So... just so you know, Officer Samuels is expected to recover nicely -- only a few broken ribs! He was wearing a safety vest, fortunately." She grins, then adds sweetly, "More tea?"
Bryce smothers a snicker behind a drink of tea. Jade raises an eyebrow... her scenting told her Caliban didn't seem to be lying at all, but did seem flustered and a bit stressed, as if talking about transhuman rights was not quite what it had expected to talk about... but now... it's very clear to her. Caliban is initially flustered -- then surprised. Now, with what she's saying, Jade realizes she's making Caliban very, very nervous... not unlike backing a dog into a corner... she adds softly, "If we were not grateful for your efforts on behalf of Officer Samuels, we would not be so open, Caliban-san. Please... relax. You are with friends here." She's suddenly glad Nagi's there. She's still learning caution in regards to transhumans.
Nagi is as still and quiet as ever, but behind his thick shades he watches Caliban very closely to see how it reacts. Bryce nods and adds his own reassurance... "We are all sympathetic to transhumans who do not harm the innocent, here. You have nothing to fear from us." He raises his voice. "Kim. Could you please raid the register and get us a supply of lollipops from the corner store? Story Day is tomorrow."
As Jade speaks, Caliban watches her very carefully, not even fidgeting, and sets her tea cup down on the counter, taking a slow breath. "Ms. Ayakarimono," and she pronounces it reasonably well, in fact, "I am... not one of the transhumans who aided in the apprehension of the shooter yesterday. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I cannot claim responsibility, positive or negative, for that. I am glad to hear that those who did would not be unwelcome in this neighborhood, however..."
Jade thinks for a moment, a puzzled expression crossing her face... then ahs! -as she recalls who Jamie Strauss is... then looks suddenly unhappy, "They... just... took her?! That's... horrible!"
Bryce says, "I can't speak for the entire neighborhood, sadly... but this bookstore, yes."
Kim pokes his head from around the corner and glances at Caliban warily. "Well... if you're sure about it, Bryce, no problem..." He's a little discomfited about leaving his friends alone with Caliban, but does as Bryce asks, slipping outside.
Bryce sighs with mingled regret at the Jamie Strauss news, and relief, as Kim leaves earshot. Then he says, "How do you know about Ms. Strauss, Caliban?"
Caliban shakes its head, sighing. "I have a few friends out in Oklahoma City. She was 'asked to assist' the authorities. As I understand it they were on-scene within half an hour of her stepping out of that flaming car wreck. From what I heard, she went willingly, but all the same, she's not a lab-rat." This last is actually said with a bit of vehemence. It looks to be a bit surprised at Bryce's request of Kim, and after the young man departs, looks at Bryce questioningly.
Bryce glances around at his partners in deviance and wishes he could share more than feelings -- it would be so much easier to be able to ask if they want to 'come out' this way... he settles on saying to Caliban, "Kim is a sympathetic but young and rather normal boy. I thought you might like a short chance to speak more freely without his ears here."
Jade sniffs quietly as Bryce speaks, trying to figure out if the strange and flustered Caliban is a bit less tense now. Then she sighs softly in relief, disguising it as an attempt to cool her tea. Good... Caliban smells normal, relaxed, at ease -- still tense, but not from the conversation.
The person looks curiously at Bryce, then seems to visibly relax. "Thank you," it says quietly, actually letting some of its frazzled nerves show. "When one of the hunters can appear within half an hour of a sighting, it makes one extremely cautious." Caliban smiles wanly to Jade. "I'm afraid I'm not thoroughly good at this. My compliments."
Jade murmurs curiously, "Compliments on what, please?"
"Oh, at your ability to see right through me. I'll have to work on that a lot more." Caliban straightens a bit. "I'll... be quick, then, since your friend will return soon. You're right, I am a transhuman, and I feel comfortable enough telling you that. The reason why I feel comfortable is... something I would need to show you. In short... I wasn't lying when I said that I was interested in transhuman rights. I have a very keen interest in it; however, as I said, it's... not easy to work towards that goal when you yourself are a transhuman."
Jade looks keenly interested when Caliban says it would have to show why it would feel comfortable! Bryce's ears perk, metaphorically. He lets Jade do the talking, since she seems to be doing well with their guest. Jade smiles, encouraging Caliban to continue. Bryce concentrates on looking interested, harmless, and friendly. Nagi just watches, monolithic and garishly attired.
Caliban picks up the teacup again. "Another reason I am concerned about this is because my father is also a transhuman... and that's partly why-"
At that moment there is a pleasant knock on the front door. Jade sighs in slight exasperation, glancing up at the door. Who is it? Bryce startles slightly. Goddamnit. "I guess I'll get that. Moment, folks. Poke me if it's your Dad, call like a wounded giraffe if it's an enemy, Cali." Jade giggles softly into her tea. Bryce gets up and walks to the door, a friendly shopkeeper look plastered to his face.
"A methamphetamine lab was raided in Las Vegas today, but police say that when they got there... the lab was frozen." "It was... like a freezer in there, everything was frozen, there was condensation, ice everywhere. We found the four suspects huddled together for warmth in a locked closet, which had been encased in what looked to be a foot of ice. It was pretty clearly a meth lab, though, I don't think there's any doubt about that" "Las Vegas police are saying, cautiously, that this was the work of transhumans." Pause. "Well, duh."
Outside, there is a young, dapper looking man in a tan business suit and a look that screams 'upwardly mobile!' "Good morning!" he says, smiling. "My name's Josh Fairbairn? I'm with the Justice Department. Can I ask you a few questions about yesterday?"
Jade points, sharply but silently, at Caliban, intending to get its attention and waves it towards the back book stacks. She tucks her teacup out of sight, reaching for Caliban's -- then pauses and raises an interested eyebrow. She saw Bryce go to the door, then noticed Caliban... simply isn't sitting there any more -- just the teacup on the counter. She quietly shifts to take it, then settles. Her teacup, what's the problem? She raises an eyebrow at Nagi, wondering if he noticed too.
Nagi shakes his head. He uncrosses his arms, letting his hands hang ready at his sides. Jade nods once to Nagi... then simply goes relaxed. There's a bodyguard and pretty girl author here sipping tea and waiting for her book signing to start; nothing more.
Bryce says, "Of course, Mr. Fairbairn. I'd like to hear more about it myself, if you can tell me anything more... that's our local officer who got hurt. Would you like some tea?" He steps aside and adds, "Won't you come in? Tea's inside. One of my best-selling authors and I were just having some." Jade beams cheerfully at Bryce's compliment, then turns her high-wattage smile on the irritating interloper.
Fairbairn smiles as Bryce lets him in. "No, thank you, I've had the morning caffeine. Smells good, though." He smiles cheerfully to Nagi and Jade -- especially Jade -- as he digs into his pocket, pulling out a notepad. "Yes, I understand that Officer Samuels was the beat patrolman. He's doing okay, if you're wondering; I talked with him a couple of hours ago."
Jade brightens at that good news, then politely goes back to her tea. Bryce lets relief wash across his face. "It's so good to hear that, Mr. Fairbairn. Merv is a good man."
Fairbairn nods. "That's what I've heard. Ah... I'm with the N.Y. State Justice Department, the Transhuman Incidence Investigation Project. There are... some reports that there might have been some... events last night that saw some transhuman involvement. I'm just asking around the neighborhood to see if anyone happened to see anything or anyone or... well, any special effects, so to speak."
From where she's sitting Jade can't immediately see Caliban... but then she catches that musty scent, and casually looks back. She notices Caliban standing very quietly far in the back of the store, down one of the aisles. When it notices Jade looking at her, it raises a finger to its lips with a somewhat pleading, nervous look. Jade looks utterly calm-faced, as if there wasn't really anything there to see, as she looks back at the Justice Department flunky... then goes quietly still -- the man's words just gave her the creepiest sense of... what... impending danger? She frowns slightly, glancing at Nagi and wondering if she just imagined that 'cold finger down the spine' feeling... Nagi doesn't appear to have noticed. He's still watching the Justice Department rep.
Bryce looks deeply embarrassed. "I couldn't run fast enough to catch up to the young goon with the gun... I didn't think I was that out of shape, but... I missed the action, I'm afraid. All I saw was a fiery flare after I had to slow down and walk for a while... and when I saw that, I turned right around." He sounds ashamed of his cowardice.
Jade looks back at Fairbairn thoughtfully... if there's one thing she's learned from researching crime stories, it's that witnesses never agree with each other... and everyone saw something -- even those that didn't. She smiles with warm interest at the Justice Department man, hopefully distracting him from Bryce, and says excitedly, "Oh, I was watching, yes! When that unpleasant fellow shot at poor Officer Samuels, I saw a bolt of red light shoot out at him! -and there was like a white glow around the officer! but I couldn't see where it came from."
Fairbairn nods, jotting notes as Bryce talks. "Flare... yeah, that's what a lot of people saw. Okay, good. I wouldn't worry too much about that other part really, it happens, sir -- uh, what was your name, please?" His attention perks as Jade speaks, looking over to her and appearing much more interested as he listens to her -- even more so when Jade mentions the white glow. "Oh? A white glow around Samuels? Odd... I'll have to look into that. May I have your name, too, please, ma'am?"
Bryce says helpfully, "Bryce Michaels, Mr. Fairbairn. This is my bookstore."
Jade beams, "Certainly, officer! I'm Jade Ayakarimono, the author of The Zen of Pikachu. Would you like a signed copy of my book?" She grins, not able to resist gently teasing Fairbairn so, then adds interestedly, "So there really were transhumans helping there?! How exciting! Did you find them? Who are they? Was that nasty thief-boy a transhuman too? Did you catch him?"
Fairbairn nods, writing it all down. "Great. Thank you, Mr. Michaels. And you too, Ms. Ayakarimono." He even manages to get out the mostly proper pronunciation of her name, and smiles enthusiastically at her. "That's what we think, yes. This is the most blatant occurrence of transhumans in the City in the past month; we're all really excited about it and we hope we can find them soon, and that they can help us understand just what the Transhuman Incidence Event was. Oh, and Ms. Ayakarimono, may I have your, er, a number which you can be reached-"
The Justice man's cell phone rings, and he frowns, pulling it out. "I'm sorry. Please excuse me, this shouldn't take long... Josh Fairbairn. Yeah, I am. Uh huh... they what? One of them was a... oh, geez... right... right, I'll be right over. Nah, I'll flag down a cab, there's apparently no rush, is there? Okay, be right there. Thanks, bye." He closes the cell phone, already pulling out a business card and offering it to Bryce. "I'm sorry, Mr. Michaels, I've got to go. Give me a call if you have anything to add, please? Thanks! Good day, Ms. Ayakarimono." And with that (and nothing more) he heads out the door and heads south.
Jade grins, waving, "Goodbye! Good luck!" and manages to hold back her giggles until after the Justice Department flunkie has left the store. Bryce locks the door, remembers Kim, sighs and unlocks it again. Jade finally manages to pull herself together, after her giggle fit, then grins, "Okay, so where were we? Oh, right... Caliban!"
Bryce turns to rejoin the group. "Yes. Caliban."
Jade looks around, calling cheerfully, "Caliban? Hello, still here?"
Bryce says to thin air, "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition."
Nagi says, "What a... very American young man." Jade nods amusedly in agreement to Nagi.
Bryce eyes Nagi suspiciously. Then Jade. "Thanks, guys. A lot." Jade hms cheerfully at Bryce? Bryce says, "You do realize that insult hits me too?"
Jade says just as cheerfully, "Nonsense, Bryce. When you ask for my phone number you don't have any ulterior motives!"
Nagi says, "I was only making an observation."
"Alan Greenspan is saying that the economy is going to go further into recession but we can expect an upturn sometime in the next few months. When asked why, Chairman Greenspan only said that all indicators point to that, for those that could see them. The Dow jumped one hundred and fifty three points following the press conference."
Caliban steps forward from the back of the store, shaking its head, though clearly not laughing. "Ecce venator," it says quietly. "You handled that well. And thank you for not drawing attention to me, not that he was looking for me, but... the less attention known transhumans have with him and the other hunters, the better. Though that's really my cue to leave, I'm afraid, since your friend will be back soon. This may be an imposition, but may we meet after business hours tonight, perhaps? We can meet at the Pen and Ink II for dinner, down on Chambers Street, if that'd be more comfortable for you?"
Jade blinks at the news... then at Caliban's return, and just starts laughing. Bryce snorts and lets it go to answer Caliban, "Why not a more private place, if you're worried? Like my apartment? I'll even cook. I'd rather be able to speak freely. Unless Jade wants to entertain, of course."
Caliban considers for a moment, then nods, smiling quietly. "That would be wonderful, Mr. Michaels. I appreciate your trust. Thank you." Its look becomes a bit merry. "And I'm looking forward to trying your cooking."
Jade recovers from her delighted laughter finally, and says cheerfully, "Wait, wait -- I'm going mad from curiosity! I simply must know -- what gender are you, please, Caliban?" She grins at Bryce, then at Caliban, adding, "And... do you like Vegan cuisine?"
Nagi says, "Seiko... tsk." Bryce rolls his eyes silently.
Jade is still smiling, but looks faintly abashed at Nagi's remonstrance. She half-bows politely in her seat, "Pardon me... that was rude."
The person looks in surprise at Jade, then laughs warmly. "Oh... oh, my. No, that's quite all right. Well. 'The Morning Rain gaveth, the Morning Rain tooketh away,' but the name I was born with was 'Sera.'"
Jade tilts her head, biting back on her curiosity at the tantalizing non-answer -- best not to be rude again, she supposes. Still... she wonders if 'Sera' is a common, gendered name somewhere else... it doesn't mean anything to her, except maybe in regards to that song. How'd it go... 'que sera, sera, what will be will be'?
Bryce blinks mentally. Gave and took away? Er... well, I'm not asking for proof. Might have to keep a leash on Jade, though. He says, "Well, I guess it's my house for dinner, guys. Vegan okay with everybody? That's veggie minus the milk and cheese and eggs, Caliban, by the way... may I call you Cali? Less obviously literary, especially in public... I'll go find paper to give you directions."
Caliban puts her -- that seems to be the best pronoun to use for the time being -- hands in her coat pockets. "That sounds perfect, actually. And 'Cali' is fine, most people I know call me that."
Bryce nods, smiles, "Ok," and draws directions.
Cali accepts the directions gladly. "Well, then. I'll see you later tonight?" Kim decides to enter at that moment. "Hi, Bryce!" he says cheerfully. "They finally got the Tootsie-Pops in; they'd been out for ages..."
Jade has a bit of a mental struggle, but manages not to burst out with more questions for the enigmatic Cali. Bryce says, "Oh, good! Thanks, Kim." He grins at the young man, thinking, I wasn't just getting you out of the way. Really! You were helpful! Believe me... believe, young Jedi... Then he nods to Cali, "Sounds good. Later! Take care." He smiles.
Kim beams to Bryce, and sets the candies neatly to the side. Caliban doesn't take much more time, pleasantly bidding the others a good day as she heads out and walks casually down the street, distinctly in the opposite direction from the one the G-man took.
"This just in: police have told us that a street gang implicated in the shooting of a beat cop turned out to have a transhuman amongst their number. Police officers were knocked on their backs when the back door to the prisoner van was blown open during a routine prisoner transfer, and the gangers fled. We'll have more for you as this story unfolds..."
Jade looks at Kim, looks at Bryce... and doesn't quite explode in wild questions! Instead she glances irritatedly at the radio, "Well, foo!"
Nagi mms quietly. "I suppose this means I have to kill them next time. Pity." That might be to himself; it's hard to tell.
Bryce growls... then says, "Foo?"
Jade gives Bryce an amused/exasperated look, "I don't know enough Japanese to swear, Bryce -- give me a break!"
Bryce says, "I'm buying you a slang dictionary for your birthday, Jade." Jade grins. Bryce says, "Or ask Nagi."
Jade laughs! then ruefully adds, "He won't tell me... it's not polite."
Kim blinks at the radio, and shakes his head. "Oh, damn," he murmurs. "That's not going to make people too happy..."
Bryce says, "Nagi? You know I'm not polite. Tell me the juicy stuff." He winks.
Nagi says, "If I were to speak that way in front of Jade, her father would force me to commit seppuku."
Jade laughs delightedly! -then says in mock fierceness, "Oh, don't you dare tell him if I don't get to know too, Nagi-kun!"
Bryce says, "Even Jade hits the bathroom sometime. It'll be a guy thing." He grins.
Jade glares amusedly at Bryce, "You fink!" Bryce smirks quietly.
Nagi says, "I'll consider it." Bryce's smirk flares into triumph, and he arranges the Tootsie Pops with demonic glee.
"An earthquake measuring four point seven on the Richter scale struck Japan today. The epicenter was ten miles from Hokkaido in the South China Sea, a place not known for tectonic activity. The damage from the earthquake was heavy, but it was the tidal waves which did the most damage. Japanese officials say that they're still evaluating the damage and no numbers of casualties are listed."
Nagi mms, frowning at the radio. I should call my parents. And Jade's father... Jade listens in suddenly intent interest... then gives Nagi a worried glance. Her father is based in Tokyo, but she doesn't know where her bodyguard's family is.
Bryce puts the store in order for the night, thoughts distant, and yawns a bit to Kim, "Go ahead and go... I've got the lockup in hand. See you tomorrow if the world doesn't end." He glances at Jade and Nagi as the radio chatters, and frowns. That may have been tactless. Shit.
Nagi hms. "Strange. One would have thought that would have disturbed the faults further north. I suppose it's lucky that it didn't."
Jade murmurs softly, "Nagi... do you want to borrow my cellular?"
Kim, another day none the wiser, nods and gathers up his stuff. "Thanks, Bryce. See you tomorrow!" He almost, but doesn't quite, look like he's going to give a peck on Bryce's cheek, before heading out. Bryce narrowly avoids mild panic and grumps back over to his friends. Jade can't hide a small smile at Kim's departure... then she looks back to Nagi inquiringly.
Nagi says, "Yes, if you don't mind. I should call my parents." Jade nods, promptly handing over her phone, and silently blessing her father's insistence it have a global range.
Bryce eyes Jade's smile and says, "You're no help." His expression softens for Nagi, and he quiets and steps back to give the man privacy. Jade grins quietly at Bryce, then does much the same... she slides quietly through the bookracks. Curiosity has her... she's checking to see if Caliban is still around.
The phone call is routed through what seems to be a dozen operators, and it takes forever. However, eventually there is a familiar (for Nagi) Japanese phone-ring, a click, and then, "<<Moshimoshi>>!" The connection is surprisingly bad for the cell phone, sounding scratchy and tinny, like alternate lines are in use.
Nagi says, "<<Okaa-san? Boku da. Daijobu?>>"
Jade listens with half an ear as she idly searches... then finally heads back towards the front of the store. No Caliban. Good day, though -- what she considered a truly astonishing number of her books were sold, and from the few distracted moments she had from signing, it looked like Bryce had had a bang-up day too. So... she's tired but pleased. Dinner should be lovely, too... interesting people, and Bryce is a good cook.
There is actually a slight delay in the reply, and the line requires a keen ear to listen to the other party -- which Nagi and his father both have, fortunately. "<<Son? Ah, Mother, it's Aaron! Hello, Aaron. We are all right here, there was only a little flooding. Mother's exotic vegetable garden won't be the same.>>" In a lower voice, Nagi's father adds, "<<Fortunately.>>"
Nagi sighs a bit, "<<Good... good. I'm glad, father. That's a relief. Please, if things get worse, I want you and Mother both to come to Kyoto... stay in my apartment, or with Aunt Takako, but please, stay safe.>>"
"<<We will do that, Son, thank you. We are both following the news carefully. There are a few aftershocks, but so far nothing serious. But we will not be stubborn and not move if things turn worse, I promise.>>"
Nagi says, "<<Good... excellent. Take care of Mother, please, and I will call you again soon.>>"
Jade leans on the counter and stretches her legs as Bryce counts and closes the register. At Nagi's words she flashes a cheerful -- and relieved -- smile at Bryce. Sounds like things are okay for Nagi's family. Bryce feels and shares the atmosphere of quiet relief.
"<<Of course, Son. We look forward to hearing from you. You've made us proud, Son, no matter what, and we know that you are amongst the very best at what you do.>>"
Nagi smiles, "<<Thank you, Father. I will do my best. Have a good day, and tell Mother the same for me.>>"
"<<I will do that, Son. Stay well.>>" The line hisses briefly, then Jade's phone bleeps to indicate the end of the call.
Nagi folds the phone and hands it back to Jade as he comes back to the front of the store. "Thank you."
Jade straightens, smoothing down her short skirt. She smiles, accepting the phone back, "I'm glad they're all right. Well, then... if Bryce is done here, let me get my coat and purse, and we can go have an intellectual and culinary feast!"
Bryce cracks his back and says, "Hear, hear."
Nagi says, "It seems it's been a long day for everyone."
Jade nods, with a faint, smiling sigh, "I think so... my right hand may never recover!"
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