[Day: Tuesday, March 4th. Time: 2:50 p.m.] [Weather: Cloudy, but surprisingly warm.] [Yesterday, you were all in Chichibu for (literally) some strange, unknown reason. You took the train back. Today, Haruko and Kaede head to the lockers, only to find... nobody else.] [Session Start] * Kaede goes to his locker and opens it up, doing mundane routine stuff of switching stuff in and out...and stops and blinks around. * Haruko walks along reading 'Shinto and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' she's about a fifth into it. * Haruko glances up. "Hey Kaede... where's everybody else?" * Kaede adjusts his glasses and looks around, frowning. "That's what I was wondering..." I suppose we should wait a few minutes.. maybe they're late. * Haruko leans against the wall aned puts her book away. She seems unimpressed. * Haruko glances back and forth. "Oh.. Kaede I have a question for you while we're waiting." [Makoto and Makoto walk by, confirming that there's no field up. Probably.] * Kaede looks up slowly, blinking. "Yes?" Could you do a websearch for me and keep it a secret? Its in regard to that whole maybe way of finding what happened to Reiji thing. * Kaede slowly tips his glasses down and looks at her over the rims, considering her for a moment. * Haruko waits patiently. I can't guarantee anything until I know for certain what it is. * Haruko nods. "I can understand that, all too well really." * Kaede leans back against the lockers, closing his eyes. "What is it then?" * Haruko rubs the side of her head for a moment, looking more thoughtful than perturbed. "Just a second, could you give me a feel for when you'd have to share what I'm asking you to do?" When I'd have to...I don't get your question, Haruko. I'd think you'd know why anyways... * Kaede lets out a deep sigh. * Haruko kneels down next to Kaede. "I don't doubt that if you felt someone would get hurt otherwise than you'd reveal it, but could you keep the secret otherwise?" If I feel it's important to say, I'll say it. If I don't feel it's important to say, I won't say it. It's as simple as that. * Haruko frowns. * Kaede pushes up his glasses and looks steadily at Haruko. "It's a matter of respect and privacy. I'm not going to share it if it's unnecessary. I'd do that even if I didn't promise to keep a secret." * Haruko looks up. "Necessary I can accept... But I'm afraid important isn't good enough." * Kaede rolls his eyes. "That's the trouble with you Haruko." * Haruko tilts her head. "Oh?" * Kaede gestures vaguely. "You mingle too much over...words. Specifics. There's...a more overall picture...I don't know how it happens, but it gets lost in the shuffle." There's not really that much essential difference between necessary or important. And that you would accept one from me and not the other shows that you really don't know me at all. * Kaede eyes Haruko evenly. "Because if you did, you wouldn't even need to ask if I could keep a secret." [Saki comes along. She's got her hands in her jacket's pockets and is walking somewhat hunched over. Luckily, she doesn't look like she wants to eat you. Right now.] * Haruko looks confused and then nods. * Haruko looks up, looks worried for a moment, and then waves. * Kaede puts his hands in his jacket too and sighs, drooping his head a little. "Good afternoon, Morikawa-san." * Haruko watches Saki expectently, but keeps a friendly expression on her face. [Saki looks up only briefly. "Mm." is about all the reply you get as she continues on her way.] * Kaede watches her pass, trying his best to avoid staring. * Haruko shrugs and turns back to Kaede. "I'm sorry.. obviously we think about these things in different ways... your important will be just fine." [Kaede finds that hard; Saki's so incredibly beautiful that she's sure to be distracting anyhow. :P] [Ryuji comes along too, rather slowly. He's staring at Saki as she makes her way out.] * Kaede isn't enamored by stunning beauty as much as you think so hah! * Haruko stands up and nods at Ryuji, she has a curious expression on her face. * Haruko walks over to him and quietly inquires, "Is something wrong?" * Ryuji nods, not taking his eyes off Saki. "A little." * Haruko is careful to not block Ryuji's view of Saki, she keeps her tone hushed. "Is she alright? She seems... distracted." * Kaede raises an eyebrow but doesn't say anything. Hmm... It's a little complicated. I'm not sure where to begin. * Kaede chuckles slightly under his breath. "When we're involved, nothing's ever just a "little" complicated." * Haruko nods. "Would you like us to tag along? In case we can help?" * Ryuji folds his arms. "Hmm... Alright. But first we should see Eriko." * Kaede lets out a little nod and picks up his kaban silently. * Ryuji rests on his katana for a second. "She's probably at the computer lab." * Haruko stays by Ryuji's side, and she looks mildly confused. "Oh? She have a paper due or something?" * Kaede shakes his head and walks towards the lab. "Is this something to do with the drugs or is it something different?" * Ryuji starts towards the computer lab, looking down at Haruko. "No. I believe she was called to talk to the vice president of the computer club. I'm sure it won't take long." * Ryuji shakes his head. "It doesn't. At least, not directly." * Haruko looks up, intrigued. "She is? That's great! I was afraid the computer club guys would scare any girls out of the lab, let alone the club." Hm. Well, I'm not sure what to say to that. It's not really my place to explain it. [Sure enough, Eriko is talking with Hirokazu right outside the computer lab. Neither one seems to have noticed you yet.] * Haruko nods, chipperly. "I'll talk to her about it sometime. I never realized she was the technical type." Well, you could point out that finding guys to scare of Eriko is like finding a fistful of people that don't irritate Saki at one point or another... * Haruko waves Kaede off. "It's not about fear, it's about being comfortable." But she's pretty good with them, yes. * Ryuji frowns a bit. "I think you may have a few misconceptions about Saki." As far as I can tell..she definitely has an interest. And Eriko, for that matter. * Haruko glancees at Hirokazu and comments quietly. "I'm surprised she doesn't have him trained or driven off by now." * Kaede sighs and looks at Ryuji. "Perhaps...." But you must admit, that's their reputation..I'm not saying it's the real them. * Kaede shakes his head and frowns. "I'm one who knows about false reputations all too well..." * Ryuji looks down at Kaede. "I don't mean to be vague, but it's not my place to explain the way others act. But I think after today, you may feel differently." * Haruko looks up at Ryuji and adopts a more serious expression, as she remembers why she's here. * Kaede looks back up at Ryuji. "Maybe....I sure hope you can convince me otherwise...especially about Saki..." * Haruko makes one last very quiet comment to Ryuji. "The guy there is an Arcana, four or five of cups I think." Four. You'll see. You can decide for yourself afterwards. He doesn't know yet. * Eriko finally notices you and finishes her conversation with Hirokazu. He takes a quick glance at Haruko as he heads into lab. Meanwhile, Eriko comes over and gives Ryuji a questioning look. "Has something come up?" * Ryuji shakes his head. "No. I just thought you might like them to come with us." * Haruko listens for the moment. * Eriko gives Ryuji a glare that practically screams 'Why on Earth would you think that?!' But it only lasts for a split second as she starts to think about it. Finally, she nods. "Okay." * Kaede gives Eriko an odd expression. ...if we're a bother... * Haruko bides her time. * Eriko shakes her head. "No. Not really." * Eriko heads back towards the lockers. * Ryuji follows. * Kaede rubs his head. "To be honest, this isn't quite how I pictured my afternoon either. But I still think it'll be helpful.." * Kaede walks back after, still rubbing his forehead. * Haruko tags along, quiet for a moment to see if Ryuji is going to give information before she starts babbling. [When you get back to the lockers, you see Katie waiting. She has a copy of the school's newspaper, meaning Chikako must have been there already.] * Haruko turns to Eriko. "So.. you're a techie? I didn't know." * Katie looks up from her paper with a relieved expression. "There you are." * Kaede lets out a deep breath as he comes to the lockers and gives a bit of a relieved expression himself. "I could say the same thing." A what? * Haruko gives a cursory nod to Katie and turns back to Eriko. "Skilled with technology, particularly computers." * Kaede whispers to Eriko. "She found out that you like computers. Now you're going to have to be careful before she overwhelms you." * Haruko pays no heed to Kaede. * Katie waves at Ryuji and Eriko (though she's likely not paying attention), then turns back to Kaede. "Where were you?" * Kaede blinks slightly. "Where was I when? Just now?" * Eriko lights up a cigarette. After puffing on it once, she looks at Haruko. "I'm not." Yeah, just now. * Haruko tilts her head, she actually doesn't flinche at the cigarette. "C'mon, nothing to be ashamed of. Much the opposite really." I didn't know you were keeping track of me... * Katie grins. "What, you didn't notice the tracker I put on the back of your neck? Really, Kaede." I rub it all the time, how could I not notice? ... I'm not a techie. * Kaede lets out a slight sigh and gives Katie a more serious look. "When no one else showed and Saki walked past looking awfully morose or something...Ryuji asked us to come with him.." * Katie blinks, then nods. I know...it's odd for me too.. * Eriko eyes Ryuji. "You didn't tell them where we were going?" * Ryuji smiles at Eriko. "It's not my place to. It's yours." * Haruko pouts and narrows her eyes. "Alright, don't let me stereotype you. But if you're good at computers that something you should be proud of, even if you aren't a techie." * Eriko rubs a hand through her hair and grumbles. "Figures." * Eriko sighs and turns to Haruko. "Look, I'm not a 'techie', okay? I don't know a damn thing about computers." * Haruko looks damn confused. "Then why hang around labs and talk with.. that guy, what's his name." Don't try to figure it out, Haruko. Just accept it. * Kaede smiles slightly at that. * Katie watches, but doesn't add a thing. * Haruko doesn't seem to notice Kaede's comment. * Eriko puffs on her cigarette again. She looks back and forth to make sure that nobody's watching, then says, "'Cause. Same reason I don't care if you go out with Ryuji or not." * Haruko eyes go wide. "You're dating him?" * Katie facepalms. * Kaede doesn't, but it looks like he wants to. * Eriko eyes Haruko "... Please. That guy? Hell no." Um..isn't he still here? Oh, I'm sure she meant 'hell no' in the nicest way possible. * Haruko wipes her forehead. "Oh.. whew.. good." * Ryuji stands calmly as always, betraying no emotions. He's good! * Haruko snickers. "Alright... I won't press, but I'm glad to know you have taste." She then grins. * Eriko rubs her forhead. * Haruko leans against a locker. "I mean, he's an Arcana, but someone really needs to teach him to treat girls with respect." * Katie notes Eriko's motion with one part amusement, one part sympathy. You mean instead of postits on his computer games? * Kaede pushes his glasses up his nose with a neutral expression. * Eriko glances at Haruko again, and puffs on her cigarette. She looks at Kaede, too, then Katie. "And what about you? What do you think?" * Haruko nods at Kaede. * Kaede blinks slightly. "Think? About what?" Hirokazu, and people like him. * Haruko then resumes pouting and looks disappointed. * Ryuji leans on his katana, waiting patiently. I think that there'll always be impossible people in the world and it'd be wonderful if we could just avoid them...but we can't always, so we find ways to deal. * Eriko rolls her eyes. "Not you." She points to Katie. "Her." * Katie looks up at Eriko. "Hirokazu? He needs to grow up." * Kaede rubs his forehead, speaking slowly and carefully. "...Then why did you answer my question if you didn't want me to answer...?" Grow up how? * Katie considers for a moment. * Haruko continues to concentrate on pouting and mutters under her breath. "Why can't I meet any girls that are into computers? They should be out there, I mean it's the twenty-first century for Kami's sake." From what I know about Hirokazu, he needs to learn that women are people. (Sorry, Haruko. Maybe you can get Taki to pick up an interest. ;P) ( ;_; Maybe.. ) * Kaede sighs slightly. "I'm sorry that I'm not enough for you, Haruko-san." * Eriko closes her eyes. After a while, she opens them and finishes her cigarette. "Yeah. I guess so." * Eriko tosses it in the nearest trashcan. "Well, we'd better go before it gets much later." * Haruko glances up at Kaede and looks sheepish. "You're too stressed to really talk about these things to." The way she says it isn't entirely convincing. ...right. (The trash goes up in flames!) * Kaede nods to Eriko. "Where are we going then?" ( FWOOSH! ) * Eriko is careful to avoid any eye-contact as she says, "Flowershop. Then graveyard." * Haruko stands up. "'Sides.. some of the mechanics already know this stuff, just not Maki so much." * Katie nods slowly. "Okay." Oh... * Kaede frowns and nods. "Let's go before it gets dark then." * Eriko nods and starts for the door. * Ryuji follows. * Haruko follows, far more downcast than she had been when she walked up. * Katie walks along. * Kaede follows too. [Time: 3:40 p.m.] [You arrive at a small graveyard sorta on the outskirts of the city. Y'know, more towards nature. Eriko bought a bouquet of flowers.] * Haruko approaches respectfully and in a manner consistent with her upbringing in Shinto. * Katie looks around, her eyes skimming the trees. (Not that I know what that manner is... ^^; ) * Eriko heads in. Ryuji follows, carrying his katana as always. * Kaede looks around the graveyard, walking slowly with his hands in his pockets, his head in a humble pose. * Katie walks after Kaede. * Eriko eventually stops at a medium-sized tomb, "Chiaki Miyashita 1957-2000". There's a single black rose already lying at the base of the tomb. * Kaede looks down at the grave, his eyes scanning over the tombstone. * Eriko kneels down and picks up the flower. "Figures." She puts it back, and leaves the bouquet beside it. * Katie watches. * Eriko stands back up and sighs. "Well, there ya have it." * Kaede's staying quiet. * Haruko nods and mixes a look of respect with sympathy. * Katie searches for something to say, eventually settling with, "I'm sorry." As am I. * Eriko shakes her head. Well, there's not much that can be done about it. ...you can't...bring back someone you've lost... Only work to make sure it doesn't happen again. * Kaede lets out a deep sigh and wipes his glasses off with his shirt. * Eriko pulls out a cigarette. "Can't exactly happen again." She stops just before she lights it up, and changes her mind, putting it away. * Haruko nods mutely. * Kaede puts his glasses back on. "You know what I meant." * Eriko nods. "I guess." * Katie stays silent, looking at the tombstone. * Ryuji stays silent as well, observing in general. It's a little late to say this, but it looks like Saki has been here as well. * Kaede nods. It looks like it, yeah. Was she a friend of Miyashita-san? * Eriko nods. She must have lost a great number of people over the years. * Ryuji adjusts his weight on his katana. "I can guess that Saki probably went to visit my grandfather right after, as well." * Kaede seems to be deep in thought. * Ryuji looks off towards the horizon. "It must be difficult for her to see her friends age. I can't imagine what will happen when they begin to die." I...kind of wonder about that... * Haruko looks thoughtful, but has nothing to say. * Eriko nods. "She doesn't age, but she isn't very old, either. Most of the friends she had are still alive." * Kaede looks up in the sky slightly. "But I don't imagine she hasn't thought about it." * Katie sighs and closes her eyes for a moment. "But they won't stay that way. Living forever isn't..." She nods. Naturally, she's probably thought about it every day. No wonder she doesn't let anyone close to her. * Ryuji nods. "You see why, now." * Kaede kneels down to the tomb, brushing his hands over it a little. I hope someday she'll be able to find balance. She doesn't deserve an eternity alone. ...maybe. But that still doesn't mean I'll hesitate when I think she's wrong. * Kaede smiles slightly as he stands. "I'm just not like that." * Ryuji smiles. "Not many of us do. Except Eriko." * Eriko rolls her eyes. * Haruko smiles slightly. * Katie smiles faintly, too. * Kaede puts his hands in his pockets carefully. "You can tell her we're looking into the drugs ourselves if you want. But we're doing it our own way." * Kaede shrugs slightly. "You know her better...if she'd react badly you don't have to tell her. I don't mind either way." * Haruko glances at Kaede. "Perhaps we should leave the cemetary before having this discussion." * Ryuji nods. "To be honest, Saki hasn't been going about this in the best of ways." Why? Not like anyone's gonna bother us. I heard about what she did at Seiryuu. As have I. * Katie winces. "Yeah." * Haruko shrugs. "It's important to be respectful to the dead.. but likely this would not offend them." * Haruko looks over to Eriko and Ryuji. * Eriko shrugs. "Mom's the last person who'd get offended about this conversation." * Kaede gives Katie a firm look. "Do you want to go to the jail today? I'm not sure about the others...if they'd want to be involved or not..." * Haruko smiles slightly at Eriko. "Alright, in that case I certainly won't object." * Katie looks up at Kaede. "We can. I don't know what's going on about that." You'll see. If we go, I'm sure I will. * Haruko takes out a sheet of paper and sketches something out while Kaede and Katie talk. You realize that the way Saki handled things at Seiryuu was better in the long run, I hope? * Kaede narrows his eyes at Ryuji. "No. Maybe it's because I haven't lived through a war, but I just can't see the purpose of it." * Haruko listens but concentrates on her paper. If she hadn't, that girl would have become a drug addict. Willingly. * Haruko nods slightly in response to Ryuji's comment. * Kaede winces slightly at that but doesn't respond. He turns around. "Let's go.." * Ryuji looks at Eriko upon hearing Kaede's response. She shrugs. * Katie looks at Ryuji and nods. "Sure," she says, then pauses. "Is this a private thing, Kaede?" * Kaede doesn't seem to be answering. He's just walking. * Katie shakes her head, sighs, and follows. * Haruko hands her paper to Eriko or Ryuji, who ever is closer. "I've figured out a way to determine if Saki transforms into the doppleger or if it's a seperate entity. One that completely respects her privacy." * Eriko grumbles when Kaede gets out of earshot. "Saki's not the only one who's stubborn." * Haruko grins in response to Eriko's comment. "Hardly." * Ryuji looks to Haruko. "If you'd like, we could visit my home. Although I suppose I should warn you that Saki's probably there, too." * Haruko nods. "That wouldn't bother me, there's no reason she can't hear this." * Ryuji starts walking. "She probably won't be paying much attention anyhow. I could almost guarentee that right now, she's sharing a cup of sake with my grandfather." * Haruko walks. "Alright.. My idea is fairly simple. We create a device to track when she enters fields. The doppleganger often as a field around her, so if the device reports fields Saki doesn't remember and can't explain, then we'll know she's transforming." * Eriko follows. How the heck would you create a device for that? * Haruko shrugs. "Kaede can make electronics work in fields. Perhaps he can make one that will work outside of them... if not, then we can use his talent to study them." If he were willing. * Haruko grins at Eriko with a faint trace of a smirk. "Happily for you, that will be my problem." * Eriko chuckles. "Guess so." Now, if Saki is transforming and the doppleganger keeps her memories, she'll likely throw the device away or break it, as it will be tamper proof. But that would be evidence in and of itself. Either way we learn something. * Ryuji nods. "It sounds like a fine idea, if you can get it to work. But I still find it odd that your group is the only one to ever see her like that." * Haruko nods. "My other idea is to have Kaede find a camera or something to take a picture next time we see her like that. It is very odd and I'd have a hard time hearing this about one of my friends." * Ryuji nods. If it worked. * Haruko walks along and then grins at the two. "And if you like, I could even make up a lead case for the field sensing device. So Saki could carry it at all times without worry of being tracked." * Haruko outright smirks at Eriko. "Kaede may prove tricky, but these are technological problems. Technological problems, unlike people's, can be easily solved. That's part of why I love it." That isn't up to us. Huh. * Haruko nods to Ryuji. "Right. Here, hand me the sheet for a second. I'll write that down to, Saki can keep it for whenever she wants to read it." * Ryuji does so. * Haruko is as good as her word and then returns the paper. [Eventually, you walk back to the trainstation and (presumably) buy tickets, then head to the platform to wait.] * Haruko smiles slightly coyly at Ryuji. "Neither Kaede and I are really fighters, and this will probably take a lot of research at the tower. I'm sure one of the rest of the group will be able to accompany us there most of the time, but..." * Ryuji nods. "I understand." * Eriko folds her arms behind her head and grumbles sarcastically. "Tower, huh? Wish *I* could get in there." * Haruko looks over at Eriko. "So what happens? Can you not enter the down elevator?" There isn't any. At least, not for me. So... if Ryuji walked into it, would you just see him disappear into a wall? * Eriko shakes her head. There aren't so many special effects involved. The down button simply wouldn't be there if a non-Arcana got on the elevator. [The train comes!] * Haruko begins to chart the possiblities in her mind. "I guess it would disappear if Arcana entered first, and then a non-Arcana entered... or maybe it can sense motives and the future... Wow." * Ryuji and Eriko get on. * Haruko gets on, though she's in her slightly distant mode. There's no use in trying to explain it. * Haruko nods. If you could explain magic... Well, I suppose it wouldn't be magic. [The train goes! There's nobody on this car, so you have it all to yourselves and can talk about this schtuff.] You're probably right. But I'd like to be able to predict how it interacts with things, even if I can't understand the why behind it. * Eriko snickers. "Then you're in the wrong profession." * Haruko is jolted as the car moves, she hadn't really been paying attention to the train itself, she flails to catch a pole or something. * Haruko falls onto a seat, and hastily tries to right herself in a less than credible attempt to make it look like she meant to sit that way. * Eriko snickers. "Work on that, too." * Haruko rubs her side slightly and smiles sheepishly. "Wish I could work on healing myself." She then looks up innocently at Eriko. "But what do you mean by me being in the wrong profession?" * Eriko chuckles. "Being Arcana. Just a joke." * Haruko smiles. "Ah.. yeah... really." I just don't tend to think of Arcana as my future profession, but I may be deluding myself in that count. Who can say? It could very well be that we're all immortal. * Haruko nods. "Another one of those hard to predict things." Your past reincarnation, was he able to lead anything approaching a normal life? He was married wasn't he? * Ryuji nods. "Yes, but I don't remember enough about him to be sure. I don't even know his name." * Haruko smiles faintly. "Oh. Well even if the details are faint I suppose that's something to hope for. I want to use my powers to help people as best I can, but I don't want that to be everything about me." * Eriko nods. "Yah, just like I use my lack of powers." So how come you didn't ask about my mother? * Haruko looks up at Eriko. "I know I sort of pushed about the technology, but I try to be respectful when it's important. I'd like to hear about her, but it's your choice if you want to tell me." * Eriko shrugs. "I don't mind." * Haruko nods. "What was she like?" It's no coincidence that we three came together. I mean, Eriko, Saki, and myself. * Haruko nods and listens attentively. She was nice. Seemed like she always knew the answer to everything. Completely different from me, I guess. * Ryuji smiles. "Although according to Saki, she was very much like you when she was younger." * Haruko nods. "And from what I know you're both good people." Bah. I still don't believe it. * Eriko peers at Haruko. "You sure about that?" Honestly, I'm only speaking from what I know, so no, I'm not sure. But if I didn't think the three of you were probably good people, I wouldn't be trying to bring out groups closer together. * Eriko lights up a cigarette. "If you say so." * Haruko smiles slightly at Eriko. "I do." * Haruko seems basically resigned to Eriko's smoking, she scoots slightly away from it, but doesn't otherwise react. But go on. Shoe was on the other foot an hour ago. * Haruko looks a bit confused. "I don't quite follow what you mean." Back when you got it in your head that I was a techie, or dating Hirokazu. I'd have loved it if you were a techie, but that's about me, not you. And I'd question your judgment if you were dating Hirokazu, but it wouldn't make you a bad person. He's probably not a bad person either, he just needs to learn a few important things. * Eriko shrugs. "Well, I guess we all do." * Haruko nods. "Do you think we should tell him about this Arcana stuff? If he doesn't already know." I dunno. Don't think he does, but... * Eriko shrugs and puts her cigarette out. "Don't know him that well. * Haruko nods and appears slightly more comfortable. "I don't even know if it would be better for him to know or not. Yet, I suppose I'd rather know than be ignorant. But we don't have to dwell on this now." * Eriko shrugs. "Could just leave him with his visions of girls. I'm sure he'd be happy." * Haruko frowns slight. "But that's not just about him. Girls have the right to use the lab, to join clubs, to deal with technology without being leared at. The school's mechanics club is just fine now, but there were some guys like that a while ago, and I didn't like it." * Eriko shrugs. * Ryuji is very pointedly not paying much attention to this conversation, in case you were wondering. ( I was. ^^ ) * Haruko plays with her hair for a moment. I guess you're right, but it doesn't do poor people like Hirokazu much good. * Haruko tilts her head and looks at Eriko for a moment. "I suppose you're right, I never really thought about it that way. Maybe I should talk to him about it some time." * Eriko smiles. "Maybe so." [Session End!]