[Date: Friday, November 5th. Time: 2:40 p.m.] [Weather: mildly cool, rather cloudy skies] [The story starts at Morikawa High, a lovely school modeled after a Victorian building. The campus is huge and stunning in the spring, when the cherry-blossom trees are in full bloom. There's even a lake on campus. At the edge of Izumo city, the school rests close to the wilderness.] [The school is very prestigious, hailed as one of the top schools in Japan. As one could imagine, many of the sons and daughters of the wealthiest families of Japan go here. But for those less fortunate, the school has fairly low tuition rates. Thus, there's a variety of students from different social backgrounds that attend.] [One class in particular is our focus: class 1-4. Here, roughly 30 freshmen students await the end of homeroom so they can go home or participate in after school activities or... whatever it is they do.] [The homeroom teacher discusses various items of note before the bell rings.] * Hinata Nakajima, age 31. A fairly pretty teacher with wavy, shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes. She's single and, as rumors have it, desperate. She's usually nice, but if she loses her temper she's known to take it out on students. * Hinata finishes up one topic and starts on another. "The last item up is the field trip. As you may recall, in two weeks we will be visiting Tokyo. If you wish to attend, please pick up one of these permission slips on the way out." She puts a stack of papers on the corner of her desk. The trip will be all day long. We probably won't return until night. Also, it will probably be pretty cold that day, so dress appropriately. * Hinata claps her hands together and smiles. "Any questions?" A blond student raises his hand. "Um..." * Arthur Pickles. Age 15. A fairly handsome exchange student from America. He is on the baseball and basketball teams, and is also known for his intellect. He speaks with a notable New Yorker accent, but aside from that has a good mastery of the Japanese language. * Hinata smiles at him. "Don't worry, Arthur. I've discussed your situation with the Principal, and we have an arrangement in mind to accommodate you. See me after class." She looks around. "Any other questions?" [A plain-looking girl with short black hair raises her hand. "Will it cost much?"] * Junko Ichimaru, age 16. She's a quiet, reserved girl from a poor family. She shows promise as an artist, but her presence in the school isn't tolerated by the wealthier students. (... we are the normally named people in this world. I just know it.) (Every other Japanese person is named like a sleythin.) (Stupid lizard people.) (Junko Marx.) (Sweet! Cham, your character should've been named Junko Marx.) (Hell no.) (Didn't you say this school normally has students from across the social stratum? Why does she stand out?) ( The majority are rich, and the others tend to be at least middle class. Junko is hecka poor. ) * Hinata answers. "There will be a charge to cover necessary costs." Seeing Junko's crestfallen face, she smiles. "But perhaps we can work something out. See me after class as well." Any other questions? * Chisato raises her hand. * Hinata gestures at Chisato. "Yes, Kotani?" "What are the arrangements for meals?" * Isamu is sitting in back, looking incredibly bored, as usual. His gaze is fixed on the window, though Chisato's question brings it to her. He snerks and goes back to looking out said window. "You will be given time for lunch, and are free to eat where you please. Of course, you can bring a lunch if you prefer. There may be an opportunity for dinner if there's time as well." Are there any other questions? * Hanase is scribbling in a notebook, gaze fixed on the teacher in the style that means she's not paying attention. She sneaks looks downwards occasionally. [The bell rings.] * Hinata glances at the door, then declares, "Well, then. Class dismissed." [Students gather in groups to talk or head out the door. Arthur and Junko go up to the teacher, as instructed.] * Hanase grabs her notebook, flips it shut, and stands up. * Hanase blinks for a second, then sneers disdainfully. * Isamu stands and grabs his stuff before wandering over to the desk and grabbing one of the forms. He's tall for his age, well built, and reasonably good looking, with slightly mussed, short black hair and dark brown eyes. He's wearing the black school uniform, jacket closed, as usual. * Chisato pauses for a second as she gathers her things, and shakes her head a touch sadly. Then she heads over to where her friends are. * Isamu glances at Junko and Arthur as he leaves. [Chisato and another girl gather around a third's desk.] * Naoko Nishimura, age 16. She's above average height and has almost black eyes behind her glasses. She's got short black hair with red streaks. She's known for being fairly cynical. * Chisato's a slightly chubby girl, with a pudginess to her face, and she wouldn't be considered attractive. Her long black hair hangs down her back in a single braid. * Naoko is standing next to the desk of another girl. * Hanase slips the notebook into her satchel, and walks out of the room. She's 5'5", 16, muscly and thin but attractive. Her blonde hair arcs around her face and ends at her chin line, and she's wearing small oval glasses. She shoots a glance back at Chisato et al and glowers. * Shinju Mimura, age 16. An attractive girl with a noticeably large chest. She's got long hair in slight curls and purple eyes. She's known around school as... well, to put it mildly, interested in guys. She's currently staring at the front of the classroom. * Shinju remarks, "He's hot," to Naoko, just as Chisato approaches. "Who is?" * Shinju points up front, to the obligatory bishonen surrounded by girls. * Mitsuru Takaoka. Age 15. A fairly tall, athletic and good-looking boy. He's got neck-length, black hair and green eyes. He's on the soccer team and is known as generally being a good guy. But he's constantly being admired by girls, knows it, and doesn't seem to like it. Rumor has it that he's gay, but there doesn't seem to be strong evidence supporting this. He's also known for frequently getting into fights with Isamu Kobayashi. * Shinju sighs happily as she watches Mitsuru head out the door. "I should ask him out." I bet he's the one for me. * Naoko rolls her eyes. "I thought Gojiro was 'the one'." "And Shuya," Chisato adds. [Gojiro's not in this class and you probably don't know him, so he gets no description. Nyah!] Oh, they are SO yesterday's news. They don't compare to Mitsu-kun. "So why don't you ask him out?" * Shinju sighs. "He's never accepted any girl before." * Shinju grins. "Not that I'm going to give up, mind you. I just have to wait for the right opportunity. Once I find out his type, I'll have him begging to date me." I bet. * Chisato nods. Hey Chisato, don't you have drama club today? "Uh huh. I should get going." Chisato looks at the clock. "I'll catch you guys later, okay?" * Shinju grins. "He's so mine. Bye bye Chisato!" * Naoko waves. "Later." * Chisato grins at her friends as she turns to depart, snagging a form on her way out into the hall. [On the way, Chisato runs into another friend of hers. "Hi there!"] "Hey," Chisato greets her in return. "Got your lines memorized?" * Chisato's question is clearly good natured teasing. * Michi Kinoshita, age 15. A short, very pretty girl with long, straight brown hair and a hair band. She's got brown eyes, like most Japanese people. Michi is also in the drama club with Chisato. Everyone who knows her knows her dream is to be a real actress. But they also probably know she has little talent. * Michi pokes her fingers together. "Um... Not yet.... Do you, Chisato-chan?" * Chisato smiles. "Uh huh. Okay, we can go over yours together when we get there." Really? Thanks! [The two get to the auditorium, where they're met by a third.] "Don't mention it." "Hey Yukiko!" * Yukiko Oda, age 16. Shoulder-length black hair, black eyes. She's tall and muscular. Not unattractive, but not really all that appealing, either. She recently came to Izumo from a small fishing village and is somewhat intimidated by city life. * Yukiko waves. "'Ey, Chisato-han." She has a noticeable accent. "An' Michi-han too. How ya doin'?" "I'm good. How about you?" * Michi smiles. "I'm good, thanks!" * Yukiko nods. "Me too. 'M lookin' forward t' today. This play's startin' t' grow on me." * Michi explains, even though she and Chisato already know this, "Yukiko's never read Romeo and Juliet before." * Yukiko grins. "Nope. Sure haven't. 'S good." (http://www-tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/romeo_juliet/) "It is. But I think some of the translation is a bit off." Really? Wouldn' know, meself. * Chisato shrugs. "I'm just guessing. Some of the flow feels wrong." * Yukiko scratches her head. "Oh, well, ya'd know better than me, Chisato. What say we get ready t' practice?" * Chisato nods. "I think we're on Act 1, Scene III, right?" * Michi clenches her fists and grins. "Okay! Let's do our best today, Chisato- chan!" Yep. * Chisato smiles at Michi. "Okay." (*snerks* Between this and 2S, I'm going to have to reread my Shakespeare) (I'm sure he doesn't mind. ;P) (Well, R&J isn't my favourite, because it's not a proper tragedy.) (It's a comedy! I laugh. Oh wait, I laugh at the other ones, too.) * Koki Fumawara, age 47. The teacher in charge of the drama club, and also the self-appointed director. He likes it when plays go as he envisions it and hates when students try to improvise. * Koki is an averagely built man with balding black hair and a mustache. (Are there other students around?) [There are, but right now they're all extras :P] [Chisato and her friends go in and prepare. Minutes later, they're on stage.] Places, everyone! Let's do this right! Act I, Scene III: A room in Capulet's house. Lady Capulet, the nurse and Juliet are all present. "Mr. Fumawara?" * Koki settles back into his chair as they get into place. "Yes?" * Chisato sounds a bit reluctant but doesn't hesitate to say, "Juliet actually doesn't enter right away. She should be offstage at the start." ( http://www- tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/romeo_juliet/romeo_juliet.1.3.html ) That's what I meant. Didn't I say that? I meant that. Juliet! Off stage! * Michi blinks a few times and hurriedly gets off stage. (It's the informative RPG that teaches players and other people inexplicably watching about Elizabethan drama.) Places! Ready? Aaaaannnnnd.... ACTION! * Chisato looks to Yukiko. [The other students stand at the sides of the stage, watching.] * Chisato's bearing suddenly changes, and she stands tall and imperious. "Nurse, where's my daughter?" she demands archly, all her normal good humour gone from her voice. "Call her forth to me!" * Yukiko bows slightly. "Now, by me maidenhead, at twelve y'ar old, I bade 'er come." She searches around the stage. "Wha', lamb! Wha', ladybird. God ferbid! Where's this gal? Wha', Juliet!" (*snickers*) * Michi walks out onto the stage. "Hi now! What do you want, dearest mother?" CUT!! * Chisato deflates again into her normal pose. * Koki stands up. "Kinoshita, what do you think you are doing?" * Michi looks taken aback, but before she could speak, Koki continues, "Those are not your lines! You must be perfect! P-E-R-F-E-C-T! You did practice, didn't you?" * Michi nods. "Y-Yes! Every day after school, for two hours!" She sounds like she means it, too. "I'm sorry Mr. Fumawara. I just got so excited that I forgot-" Well, see that you don't! Try it again, from the top. * Michi walks back off stage, unsteadily. "How now, who calls?" Chisato whispers to Michi before the latter departs. * Michi smiles at Chisato and mouths a "Thank you!" [As she walks off stage, Michi passes by the boy who plays Gregory. And although she's not focused on him, Chisato sees, in the corner of her eye, something bulge suddenly in his shoulder.] [Chisato feels a little warm. Maybe it's from suddenly being surprised; as she looks at the boy closely, she doesn't notice anything strange about him anymore.] And... ACTION! * Chisato blinks. She pauses a second to look at Gregory, but he seems normal now, so she turns back to face Yukiko, and slips into character once more. "Nurse, where's my daughter? Call her forth to me!" * Yukiko repeats her motions. "Now, by me maidenhead, at twelve y'ar old, I bade 'er come. Wha', lamb! Wha', ladybird. God ferbid! Where's this gal? Wha', Juliet!" * Michi walks out. "How now! Who calls?" "Yer modder." (*dies*) (Yukiko is awesome.) Madam, I'm, like, here. What is your will? ("Yonda lies da castle o' my fadder.") CUT! (*cracks up*) "This is the mat-" * Chisato breaks off as she hears Koki. Kinoshita! What do you think you are doing?! * Michi fidgets. "I'm sorrrrry! I didn't mean to! It just sort of slipped in!" Well. See. That. It. Doesn't. From. Now. On! * Chisato gives Michi a sympathetic look. * Michi sighs, depressed. "Y-Yes sir." From the top. * Michi heads back off stage. As she goes, she smiles at Chisato hopefully. [As Michi walks past the boy who plays Gregory, Chisato catches it again. It's not just a bulge; it looks like a face is growing on his shoulder, beneath his clothes.] And... ACTION! [Chisato is starting to feel quite hot, and she's getting a headache.] * Yukiko glances at Chisato. * Chisato winces, and she puts a hand to her head. "Mr. Fumawara? Can I get a glass of water before we continue?" No! Finish the scene first. You can get one after. * Koki can get quite mean when he's upset. Now... Action! * Yukiko shoots Koki a look, but says nothing. * Chisato nods and takes a deep breath. Once more, she assumes the persona of Lady Capulet, and once more she intones, "Nurse, where's my daughter?" There's a slight pause before she continues, and it doesn't seem just to be for effect. "Call her forth to me." * Yukiko repeats her motions. "Now, by me maidenhead, at twelve y'ar old, I bade 'er come. Wha', lamb! Wha', ladybird. God ferbid! Where's this gal? Wha', Juliet!" * Michi comes out on stage. "How now! Who calls?" "Yer modder." * Michi bows slightly. "Madam, I am here. What is your will?" * Chisato waits before replying, breathing heavily. Finally, she speaks. "This is the matter. Nurse, give leave awhile. We must talk- * Chisato's voice gives out, then her eyes roll up. Her knees give out and she pitches forward, landing face down against the stage with a thump. * Yukiko stares. "Chisato-han?" * Michi dashes out on stage. "Chisato!" [The last thing Chisato hears before losing consciousness is Koki's voice.] CUT! (*snerk*) [Chisato is standing on a stone path. There are red archways overhead, like the ones on the way to a temple, but they seem to extend forever along the path. The sides are blocked with steep hills.] (Hi! Welcome to the Temple of the Starburst Crystal!) * Chisato blinks at the sudden change of scenery. She turns to look behind her. [Chisato sees a woman dressed in traditional Shinto garb: A white robe and a red hakama. She's got pale white skin, as though she has lots of makeup on, and two spots on her forehead above her eyebrows. Her hair is black, straight, and falls all the way to her ankles. She is some distance away.] * Chisato turns around to face this woman and starts to walk toward her. "Excuse me! [Chisato walks towards her, but doesn't seem to get anywhere... until she blinks. Then suddenly the woman is right in front of her.] * Chisato automatically takes a step back. "Excuse me," she repeats. (Who hopes the mystery woman has the same accent as Yukiko?) (Heheh. That'd be cool. And she might trip on her hair.) [She reaches out and touches Chisato's chest. Several images enter Chisato's mind all at once, so many that she can't grasp them all. Darkness. Pain. Sorrow. A multitude of negative feelings enter her. Then at last, it ends. Chisato sees the image of an old Japanese temple, somewhere in the wilderness.] [Then Chisato finds herself in a bed, with a wet cloth on her forehead. Michi is there, too.] * Chisato gasps. * Michi grabs Chisato's hand. "Chisato! I'm here!" She smiles. "You must have been dreaming." ("You were there! And you and...") [Chisato feels a weight on her chest where the woman touched her. Probably because there's something there, on the covers.] "I had... a nightmare." * Chisato tilts her head up to see what's on her chest. * Michi frowns "Oh. Well, don't worry. I'm here for you now." (*snerks*) (Aww!) (So cute) (Yes, the Taki player would think that. :P) (Duh ;P) [It's a mirror. It's round, about the size of a steering wheel, with a polished surface on one side and some dragon engravings on the back.] (Mind you I'd say the same thing if she did that for a boy, or it was a boy doing it.) "What's that?" (Shiny!) * Michi notices Chisato looking at the mirror, and smiles. "I think it's a gift. Yukiko and I took turns watching you, so I don't know who left it, but I guess someone was pretty worried about you." It's a really nice mirror, too, isn't it? You're so lucky! * Chisato blinks. "Uh huh. But I think I want to find out who gave it to me." Oh, of course. I'll try to help. ( It better not be Mitsuru, though, or I'll kill you.) ( Anything else to say? ) * Chisato sits up, pushing the mirror down into her lap, and turns to Michi. "Did I miss the rest of the rehearsal?" ( Nah, it was cancelled when one kid's shoulder ate the teacher.) We cancelled when you collapsed. Mr. Fumawara must have felt bad for how he treated you before it happened. He didn't know you were sick. ( Then it ranted about finding the Potter boy and he left.) "It happened suddenly." Oh. I guess you must have just caught it. You should go home and rest. Want me to come? (... If she starts offering soothing massages next...) ( No. She's not lesbian. ) You were out for a while, too! It's already 6:00 p.m.! "Uh huh." Okay! I'll make sure you get home safe. [End Chisato branch.] [Meanwhile, two hours earlier, Hanase is in full kendo armor. She's currently facing a boy in the same, as a row of students watch.] * Ryu Hazuki, age 17. A handsome senior and captain of the kendo club. He excels at the sport and is always enthusiastic when talking to people about it. Unfortunately, he seems to have little personality outside of the sport; anything non-kendo is non-important in his eyes. Ready... * Ryu raises his hand, then brings it down. "Begin!" * Hanase is holding her shinai in the ready position, and looks peeved. [Keigo, Hanase] * Keigo Yamada, age 16. A member of the kendo team, he's a sore loser. He's strong on offense but has very little skill at defending himself. * Keigo charges at Hanase, yelling, "Yaah!" as he brings his bokken down and slices sideways at her side. She's quite easily able to avoid this attack, though. * Hanase breaks out of ready position, which is up by her right shoulder, and takes two steps back quickly. She then counters with a low strike on the same side as her opponent just struck. * Keigo steps back and avoids the blow, then brings his sword up and slices vertically at Hanase's wrist. * Hanase shifts to the right a little, causing Keigo's blow to strike right above the pommel. She pushes forward, throwing off Keigo's sword, and makes a lunging strike for his torso. * Keigo steps aside and aims a blow at Hanase's torso as she passes, but she moves too quickly and he comes up short. * Hanase spins on her heel, and comes around with a high strike towards Keigo's left shoulder. * Keigo takes the blow on his shoulder. THWACK! Hah! * Ryu raises his left hand. "Point: Inoue!" Grrr. * Hanase smiles smugly. * Keigo raises his shinai overhead and goes for a headshot. * Hanase raises her shinai to block with a resounding clack. She pushes Keigo back again and swipes for his torso. * Keigo seems as though he was waiting for that, and he smacks Hanase's wrists with enough force to cause her to drop her shinai. * Ryu raises his right hand. "Point: Yamada! Return to the center!" Ow! Fuck! * Keigo smirks at Hanase as he heads back to the center of the room. * Hanase snatches up her shinai angrily and returns to center, then assumes ready position. She looks like she wishes she had a real sword. * Ryu calls: "Ready!" [Hanase, Keigo this time.] Begin! * Hanase just flat out launches for a throat strike. * Keigo is struck solidly in the throat. He steps back and coughs, staring at Hanase in shock. His armor protected him from any real damage, though. * Ryu raises his left hand. "Point: Inoue!" * Keigo charges at Hanase, going with an overhead attack. "Yaaa!" * Hanase drops back into a guard stance. She's smiling again. * Keigo lands his blow on Hanase's head, causing her to see a few stars. She's probably thankful for her facemask. * Ryu raises his right hand. "Point: Yamada! Next point decides the match!" * Hanase shakes her head to clear it. "You're not going to take me today, Keigo!" She makes an overhead strike at _his_ head. Let's see how HE likes it. * Keigo steps to the side. "Wanna bet?" He slices at Hanase. * Hanase deflects his strike, then spins her blade slightly and goes for a side attack. [THWACK! Keigo is stuck in the side.] * Ryu raises his left hand. "Point and match: Inoue!" Ha ha ha! [There's some applause from the students watching.] * Hanase doffs her helmet and smirks at Keigo. * Keigo raises his shinai and nearly throws it to the ground, but he stops himself at the last instant. He pulls off his helmet and scowls at Hanase before heading over to his friends. [One chimes, "Dude! You just got owned by a chick!"] Stuff it, man. [Another: "Yeah, listen to Keigo. After all, there's no girls on this team."] [Third: "Yeah, Inoue's just a guy with a really short- hey, Keigo!"] * Keigo just grumbles and walks off to the lockers. His cronies hurry to catch up. * Hanase shoots the guy a look that could kill at 20 paces. Sadly, he's at 30. She watches them go and clenches her fists. [Another student comes up to Hanase. "Inoue-san! Congratulations!"] * Ryoma Shibara, age 15. He's a messy-haired freshman who recently transferred to Izumo from Hokkaido. He's not particularly bright, and is extremely gullible. He also seems to have no skill at anything, not even kendo. But if there's one thing he has, it's optimism. * Hanase then smiles and chuckles to herself, rests her shinai on her shoulder, and turns to look at the student. "Well, he should have known he was going to lose, is all." She almost makes a face as she realizes it's Ryoma, but manages to keep a smug smile. Really? It was a close fight, though. * Ryoma is very honest, too. Annoyingly so. * Hanase looks at him icily. "I've merely been feeling slightly off today. Must be a mild cold." * Ryoma looks like he buys it completely. "Ohhh." * Hanase starts walking towards the lockers. "Not sparring today, mm?" * Ryoma chuckles and rubs behind his head. "I still need practice. But don't worry! Wait until you see me in action: I won't let you down!" * Hanase doesn't actually look at him, but looks generally over her shoulder. "I'm sure you won't," she says dismissively. * Ryoma grins widely. (Oh, he so has a crush on her.) ( Or he's an idiot :P ) (Or both.) (I'd bet he's the Guy Who Looks Up To Her.) ( Well, one of those sentences is true ^^ ) (Or both, yeah. In fact, the former kind of requires the latter.) (That's what I figured.) [Some time later, Hanase has changed! So have the other students, and most of them have gone home. Ryoma and Ryu remain to put the equipment away.] (Hanase has changed. For the better! She's not a bitch anymore. :P) (Hahahaha no.) (She turned into a beeeeautiful butterfly!) (She's been vamped.) (Now that I could see.) (... That's not a butterfly.) * Hanase is idly typing into her cell phone by the locker door, distracted by something before she got the hell out of Dodge. * Hanase closes the phone and looks up. She walks over to Ryu, but doesn't actually bother to help him with what he's doing. "Went well tonight, hmm?" * Ryu nods. "Yes. If we continue to improve like this, we might make it to the nationals." * Hanase gets a gleam in her eyes. "That would be excellent for sure." (Fer sure!) * Ryu gets a similar gleam in his eyes. "I know. Keep up your practice, Inoue. If you perform well in the upcoming days, you might be selected to be on the team." [Side note: The kendo nationals team consists of five people from each participating high school. One will be the captain, i.e. Ryu, which leaves four spots available for others.] It won't be easy, but this year I think we have a good chance at winning. * Hanase smiiiiiles. "I'll make sure to keep up, then." Good. You and Keigo are very promising. * Hanase frowns for a second. "He's okay." He needs to remain calm, and he needs more practice at parrying attacks. Mmm. ( How about I BEAT HIM until he gets the idea?) ( I think I may need to arrange an... accident.) * Hanase smiles again. "Well, I have to get home. Don't let Ryoma talk you to death." She heads towards the exit, fairly prancing. * Ryu nods. "Goodbye, Inoue." (* Hanase skips! She frolics through meadows of flowers, killing each one she steps on!) * Ryoma yells from across the room, "Sayonara, Inoue-saaaaaaaaan!" * Hanase blissfully ignores it. [Hanase heads out of the gym and onto the campus. There's no students at this time; most have gone home by now.] * Hanase's smile vanishes and she gains a glower +1. Fricking Keigo. You're not getting my spot. [Keigo doesn't respond. 'Cause he's not there!] * Hanase isn't prancing now, or even close. She's definitely trudging. "Rrr. Got to keep calm. King's pawn to E5, queen's rook to A3..." [Hanase leaves the campus shortly.] [She enters the city, although there are no towering skyscrapers here.] * Hanase keeps walking homewards. "Queen's bishop to D6... wait... oh, hell." She pulls out her cell phone, flips it open, and scans through a file. "D8. It was D8." She flips it closed again and looks up at the sky. [Hanase is walking across a road when she hears a car approach... FAST!] ... wha? Gah! * Hanase tries to throw herself out of the way. [Hanase narrowly does as the car speeds by, passing through a red light and not slowing.] Goddamn crazy driver! I'll sic my dad on you! * Hanase gets to her feet and dusts herself off. "Goddamn crazy driver..." [Shortly after, Hanase hears sirens some distance away. Guess the guy attracted the cops.] [And he's not stopping, either, because the sirens get quieter until they're out of earshot.] * Hanase looks into the distance. "Jeez." * Hanase gets back to walking. Her fists are clenched again. [Hanase makes it home without further incident.] [The lights are off when she enters. Seems nobody is home.] * Hanase walks in the house, drops her coat on the banister (sp?) and flips on the lights. "Another great family dinner. Thanks, mom." She rolls her eyes and wanders into the kitchen, leaving the lights on as she goes. [On the kitchen is a pre-prepared salad and a small note, reading, "Hanase, your father and I won't be home until later tonight, so please eat this instead. Love, Mom."] (Instead of what?) (*snerks at unintended double meaning of note*) (That HUMAN FLESH they left in the fridge?) (Instead of THEM.) (YES.) ( Instead of JUNK FOOD ) (Eeeexcellent.) * Hanase picks up the note and reads it. She then tosses it over her shoulder with a dismissive snort and an eye roll. [The salad has eye rolls. I mean, egg rolls.] * Hanase frowns. She picks up the note again, then tries the eye roll first and THEN the dismissive snort/toss. Then she nods and throws open the fridge. [In the fridge are leftovers and drinks and stuff.] (Stuff. It's what's for dinner.) [None of it tries to eat Hanase or teach her the meaning of life.] (It's EVIL is what it is.) [But give it another three weeks, and who knows?] * Hanase grabs a diet soda, some form of salad dressing, a fork and the salad, then heads up the stairs towards her room. [Hanase succeeds.] (In three weeks, opening the fridge will lead to Gozer.) (Is it Diet Pepsi?) * Hanase plops down, pulls her laptop out of her satchel, and boots it up while liberally drizzling the salad with Ancho Chili Lime Ranch. (No. Diet Coke. She's not THAT evil.) (Diet Pepsi?) (Diet Pepsi = Evil) (It does.) [The 'puter boots and the salad dresses.] (Does the salad dress itself?) ( In a pink dress. ) (Sweet!) * Hanase digs in while scanning her forums for new posts since she checked at school and logging into her chat programs. ( And then the Burgertime Pickle attacks! Oh noes! ) (OH NOES) [The salad is.... not bad, in a literal sense. Meaning, not particularly good either. But what can you expect from something premade?] * Hanase begins a blistering response to someone's questioning of her intellect, sexual preference, heritage, and general demeanor. (i.e. flames someone) [Hanase is unable to finish her response, however. After her next bite of salad, she feels something caught in her throat, and she can't breathe!] ...furthermore, when your mother was screwing the eighth dog, the mailman decided he'd have a go at your dad. Have a go? No... give him a good rogering... hrk! * Hanase clutches at her neck wildly. * Hanase then frantically looks around for her cellphone. [That doesn't help! Hanase can't breathe!] (So if Chisato got a mirror, does that mean one of us gets a sword, and the other gets a red orb thing?) [It takes some searching, but she finds it.] (... it's not 911. There. What is it.) (Ambulance/Fire: 119, Police 110) * Hanase punches in 119. Rather quickly. [It slowly rings while Hanase slowly dies.] [Things start going dark, but Hanase finally gets a man on the other edge, "Emergency response. What seems to be the trouble?"] * Hanase tries to speak, but then realizes that won't work. She tries to bang the phone on the floor to make noise, though. ["Agh. Hello?"] (Hanase dies. Stupid salad.) * Hanase presses phone buttons! Anything! [Hanase lucks out, as she can feel herself about to throw up.] * Hanase, for once, welcomes it. [And Hanase does throw up! All over the carpet on her bedroom floor. But it's not salad that comes up. It's a whole lot of blood. And also the thing that was making her choke: A curious red stone, shaped like a 9.] [The emergency man asks, "Hello? Is anyone there?"] * Hanase sits there in shock, gasping for air and staring at the blood. She's quite pale, and not just from lack of oxygen. [The stone is small enough to fit in the palm of one's hand. Or throat.] Was... choking. * Hanase crawls over and picks up the phone. "I was choking!" "I see. But you're alright now?" * Hanase is understandably hoarse. "I guess... there's a lot of blood." She picks up the stone as she's talking. "We have a patrol car on the way... Would you like us to send an ambulance?" [It's not a very heavy stone.] * Hanase pauses a moment. "No, I... yes, I'm okay. Thanks." "Are you sure?" Yes. * Hanase holds the stone up to the light. ["Okay. Have a safe, pleasant night." He hangs up.] * Hanase drops the phone. She takes a deep breath. [The stone doesn't look much different in the light.] * Hanase tucks the stone in a pocket, then goes to get a towel for the blood. Her parents are gonna kill her if that stains. [Here ends the Hanase portion.] [Shortly after the bell rings, Isamu heads out.] * Isamu does head out! He stalks out towards his locker so he can dump all of this stuff off. Other students are doubtless causing noise and trouble and whatever it is students do. [That they are.] [But one name catches Isamu's ears, as he overhears a guy say, "Hey, Mitsuru!"] (Idly notes that Japanese students keep their shoes in their lockers and not their books since they spend all day in THE SAME DESK) (Well, wouldn't YOU want to get your shoes?) * Isamu stops and looks that way. * Mitsuru is some distance away, talking with two guys on the soccer team. There's a buncha girls there too, but he seems to be ignoring them. * Isamu eyes that for a while, then he goes back to reaching his locker, which is hopefully nearby. And hopefully nobody's in the way. [Isamu hears a voice behind him. "Tch! Look at that guy. Thinks he's hot stuff."] Yeah. Wonder if he picked a boyfriend out of the soccer team yet. * Isamu doesn't bother looking at Shin, figuring he looks like... well, like Shin, and opens his locker. * Shin Kotohoki, age 15. A tough guy with a haircut that spikes upwards in the front, presently dyed red. He stands with his hands in his pockets and severely bad posture, and currently has his grey eyes fixed on Mitsuru. [Isamu hears another voice behind him, next to Shin. "Wish he would. Frees up some of the chicks for me."] * Isamu snorts and says, "Nah, you don't get it. If he's into guys, that means they want him *more*. Chicks are like that." * Youji Sano, age 16. Another tough guy with closely cropped hair and large muscles, and much taller than Shin. He has a reputation as a womanizer. Can't blame them. I'd feel the same way about two girls like that. Moron. That means you couldn't have either. * Youji looks like he's about to respond, but he says nothing, figuring he'd only make things worse. Hey Isamu, what do you say we ditch these losers? Yeah. Let's go pick up chicks in the city. * Shin eyes Youji, then just shakes his head. * Isamu dumps all of his books into the locker and switches shoes. Yes, all of the books. He kicks the locker closed and looks to the other guys. "We're not gettin' any on a Friday night." * Youji looks disappointed. * Isamu looks to see if Mitsuru's still there. [He is!] Awww. Poor wittle Youji. What happened to your last girlfriend? You know, the one with the boobs. What was her name? * Isamu barks out a laugh. "Yeah, the *only* one with boobs." * Youji glances at Shin. "Shinju Mimura? I got tired of her long ago." Heard she went out with like three guys since I dumped her. Hmph. Should've kept her. At least she had looks. She got old, man. They all do. Sounds like she's got no trouble getting guys after you. * Shin snickers. Hey! Of course she does. She's a slut. 'S got nothing to do with me. Yeah, sure. She sleep around while dating you? Who knows, man? Who knows? More importantly, who cares? It's Friday. Let's go drink our asses off. * Isamu reaches back and scratches at the nape of his neck. "Yeah, not like there's anything better to do." * Shin nods. Yeah, I guess not. * Isamu grins at Youji. "'Salright, man. We'll get you a new girl. Tomorrow. I'll try not to steal her next time." Hey, whatever, man. Look, guys... * Isamu eyes Shin. "Yeah?" I found this new place, a bar. I talked with the owner, and I think I can get us drinks there. Guy doesn't seem to care if it's illegal as long as we've got the cash. * Isamu considers that for about .5 seconds, then says, "Beats what we usually do." * Shin nods. "Alright. Meet me there at six." * Shin gives an address. * Isamu nods. "Sure, I'll be there." Yeah, me too. Awesome. Catch ya later. * Shin heads out the doors. * Youji also goes out the doors. "Hopefully there's plenty of hot chicks there, too. Later, Isamu." * Isamu waves distractedly. "Yeah, later." * Isamu kicks his locker again, glances over at Mitsuru, and decides that taking him *and* his flunkies on at the same time is too much effort. * Isamu heads out, because out is the general direction to home. And getting plastered. [Some time passes. That night, Isamu heads off to the bar, to get totally wasted.] (Woo hoo!) [There's no subway in Izumo, so he has to walk.] * Isamu walks, then. He's wearing slightly torn jeans, a dark brown t-shirt, and a leather jacket. His hands are shoved in his pockets. [It's a quiet night, but pleasant. And it's not *too* far of a walk to the bar Shin mentioned.] * Isamu is also listening to an mp3 player with the sound turned up, which must do *wonders* for hearing awareness checks. [Isamu continues along, oblivious to certain doom.] * Isamu is at least listening to music while doom approaches! He doesn't notice much of anything, so he keeps walking as before. [About six blocks to the place, he finds his path blocked by a stray cat.] (And he never heard it coming!) * Isamu eyes the cat and does *not* step on it. He steps around it. What, does he kick kittens and puppies for fun now? (He didn't!) [The cat follows him. It mews, too, but he can't hear it.] (STEALTH KITTY!) * Isamu glances back and eyes the cat. "What do you want?" Not that he can hear the thing. [It tilts its head.] (It's really Luna, and she's going to turn me into a magical sailor- suited senshi!) ( Close ) (It's a monster!) ( She's going to turn you into a magical sailor-suited... bear. ) ( You can be Fukubear! ) * Isamu stops and removes one of the earpieces, looking half over his shoulder at the thing. [The cat mews.] Look, I don't got any food. Go bother someone else. [The cat mews again.] * Isamu waves. "Go away. Shoo. Uh, whatever it is you say to cats to make them go away." [The cat mews again.] Yeah, okay. Mew. * Isamu puts the earpiece back in and goes back to walking. [The cat follows!] * Isamu manages to make it another block before looking back and throwing up his hands. "What the *hell*." (It implanted a tracking device in you.) [The cat pauses too, and looks up at Isamu.] Do you want to be petted? Is that it? [The cat mews.] ... Guess so. * Isamu crouches to get a better look at the cat. "Okay. If I pet you, will you leave me alone?" [The cat mews.] Why the fuck am I talking to a cat? Maybe I need the girlfriend. [The cat mews. Isamu can't help but think that it's giving its assent.] (He's hoping that it will turn into a cat girl) (Ha.) * Isamu nods at the cat. "Yeah, definitely need to find a girl." He reaches over to rub its head. [The cat tries to eat Isamu. No, really. It's mouth opens a good two feet high and closes around Isamu's hand!] (I predicted that it was a monster!) (Kamineko!) (So wait, one of us faints, another chokes, and *I* get stuck with the DEMONIC CAT OF DEATH?) [Isamu draws his arm back just in time as the cat closes its jaw, tearing off a bit of the sleeve of his jacket. The cat's mouth is full of very sharp teeth, and now extends all the way down to its neck.] [Isamu is, as you can imagine, waaaay freaked out.] (Isamu just broke his tiny little mind) [Isamu, cat] (Dude, my mind would break if that happened to me.) (True, I'd run like hell at this point) * Isamu yanks his hand away, looks at the tear in his *leather* jacket, then looks at the cat, and his eyes go wide and he understandably screams, "HOLY SHIT!" He backs away, slowly for about as long as he spent thinking about going to the bar in the first place, and then faster, and then he's running like mad. [The cat chases!] * Isamu runs! He's in good shape, and good for him. He glances around, frantically looking for a way to lose the cat or whatever the heck it is now. [Isamu sees a side street he can probably use to get away.] * Isamu turns and dashes down the side street. [Isamu runs! And starts to gain distance on the cat! ... Until a dog comes around the opposite corner. The sides of its head buldge, and then horns burst forth.] [Isamu is caught between a rock and a hard place. If you will.] * Isamu gasps for breath. "I'm in a fucking nightmare! It's gotta be a god damned nightmare!" He whirls to face the cat. "Any time now. Wake up ANY time now." [But Isamu doesn't wake up, and the cat and dog pad their way towards him.] * Isamu backs away, then stops as he realizes he'll back into the *dog*, and just turns and backs to the side, trying to keep an eye on both of them. Come on, come on. * Isamu swallows, trying to ignore the fact that he's shaking. [Suddenly, a man rushes around the corner. He darts at the dog and impales it on the edge of... a katana? Looks like. He drags it along the ground as he doesn't stop running, until the dog slips off the blade. [Just then, the cat lunges for Isamu. Gimme a def roll, Isamu!] * Isamu stares for a second, then he realizes the cat can get him and here it comes! [Isamu steps back as the cat strikes. The cat leaps as soon as it lands, but in midair its mouth meets with the edge of the man's katana, and the cat is neatly cleaved in two.] * Isamu stares again, this time turning his attention from the cat and katana and to the guy. [The man wipes off his katana with a cloth and turns to face Isamu. "You okay?" He asks before realizing who it is.] ... son of a... * Isamu blinks, then he says, "The fuck aren't you on the kendo team, man?" * Mitsuru says, simply, "Kobayashi." There's some hint of disgust in his voice. * Isamu laughs at hearing Mitsuru say his name, softly at first, but then it's out and out hysterical. He staggers and leans against the wall, laughing and laughing. * Mitsuru isn't laughing. "Listen up. This never happened. You didn't see me. You didn't see those things. None of it happened. Got it?" * Isamu laughs, doubling over and clutching his stomach. "Yeah. Nothing-" He laughs some more, and he chokes. Right. You got lucky tonight, Kobayashi. Count your blessings. I don't like you much, so be thankful I was here to help. * Isamu ends up sitting on the ground, against the wall. He doesn't seem to care about the bloody animal parts around him now that they're dead bloody animal parts. "Didn't happen." He slowly calms down, then looks up at Mitsuru. "What didn't happen?" Everything you just saw. * Mitsuru turns and starts to walk away. * Isamu narrows his eyes, and he's on his feet. He takes a few steps towards Mitsuru and grabs him by his arm. "Like Hell, Takaoka." [All of a sudden, the dog trembles, then gets up and lunges at Isamu. Seems it wasn't quite dead after all.] [Mitsuru is too slow to respond, and the dog impales Isamu! ... Well, almost. Just as it's about to hit, a straight-bladed sword bursts out of Isamu's right palm, striking through the dog's head.] * Mitsuru turns, and stares wide-eyed. But not at the dog. * Isamu whirls around, brings a hand up to protect himself, and that happens. He stares, too, and this time at the dog. With the blade. (Did that hurt him at all?) ( Yes. It hurt a bit. ) * Isamu sensibly screams, but it's more a scream of anger than pain. He shakes the dog off and kicks the animal, sending it a good distance. (How long was the blade?) ( About the size of a standard broadsword. You're holding it now. ) * Mitsuru grabs Isamu's sword arm and stares at it, then at his face. "How did you do that?!" * Isamu, having gotten another point for the home team with the dog, stares at the sword, too. "Fuck if I know," he says, back to shaken. * Mitsuru scowls. "You... you should not be able to... Something is seriously wrong." What? I thought I was supposed to forget everything. You still are. Put your sword away and don't take it out anymore. Don't tell anyone what went on here. * Isamu lifts the sword curiously. "Well, if I can make a fucking sword come out of my hand, I don't think I'm gonna forget that." He takes a few practice swipes. [The sword feels lightweight and easy to use, but since Isamu has no practice, he's rather clumsy with it.] Crazy. You had better. This is not something you should be involved with. * Mitsuru walks off. "Go home." * Isamu turns to look at Mitsuru. "Yeah, like I shouldn't be chased by housecats and saved by *you*." * Mitsuru stops. He turns around. "Not because I wanted to, Kobayashi. Not because I wanted to." Then he really does walk away. * Isamu growls. He walks after Mitsuru, ignoring the blood that likely got splattered on him and the fact that he's holding a freaking broadsword, but hey. "No. You tell me *what* the fuck is going on." [When Isamu turns the corner, Mitsuru is gone!] * Isamu eyes that. "God, I fucking hate him." He looks at his sword and tries to make it go away. Unsummon it. Absorb it. Whatever. [The sword enters Isamu's palm again. Once that happens, a scar appears.] * Isamu winces with a grunt as he absorbs it, and then he brings his hand up, palm towards him, so he can see it. But not too close, because maybe the sword will impale *him* through the head. [The scar is curiously shaped like a cross, but doesn't *really* stand out.] * Isamu traces a finger lightly along the cross. "Huh." And then he looks down at himself, checking his condition. [Isamu seems fine, but his palm hurts and his jacket is torn.] * Isamu glances back down the alley, then turns his attention ahead and sighs. "I need a fucking drink," he decides, and he starts walking to the bar. [Isamu gets there, where he finds Shin and Youji.] Hey man, what kept ya? Get into a fight? * Isamu ignores the guys and just sits and pulls out some cash, plunking it on the counter. "Anything. Anything strong." [Here ends the Isamu section.] [And the first San Session. Woot.]