Penguin Village

If you like anime then this is the place for you, though the stores
on the upper level look like just any other, with even a pharmacy in
the corner, the lower level that is accessible only by escalator is
a whole different place entirely.
There are roughly a dozen or so shops built in a circle around the
lower level, with another half dozen taking up the center with
entrances towards the main corridor. Within though, it is like
walking into every fan's wet dream. Walls are lined with video tapes
from almost every series imaginable, some even unheard of on the
mass market yet. Toys and models have been propped up in the glass
windows, racks full of cds with music from the series, both imports
and knockoffs. Posters have been rolled up, scrolls tacked up in
tall boxes. What isn't available in one store might be found in
another. Some places offer the Japanese versions of the PSX games
and other systems, still others offer trinkets, clothing, and the
like.

Tomite is here.
Obvious exits:
Escalator

Sayuri is used to the cramped stalls that are found in Penguin
Village because there are more than a few of them in Japan.  Still,
if she wants anime, she must come here.  She's not after the sweet
shoujo anime, but rather a few of the darker, fighting series that
she'd started before she left Japan.  She'd heard that the newest
release is out and that brings her down to the underground shops. 
The cutesy figurines and stuffed dolls are easily ignored as she
browses, hoping to find exactly what she's looking for.

Chase is back from Montana, and has money in his pockets from those
wonderful parents of his. Apparently that whole celestial warrior
thing can get him a little pocket money, but doesn't keep him out of
having to help with branding the cattle and other such work on the
ranch. Anywho, here he is. As quickly as money fills his pockets, it
tends to leave. Yes, new releases and DVDs attract the boy -that and
now the tickle he is beginning to familiarize himself with a certain
Sayuri. Grin. Broad grin. "What is a girl like you doing in a place
like this?"

Turning to look over her shoulder from her crouched position, she
gives Chase a broad smile.  "Well, how is it that people say it
here?  Look at what the rat dragged in."  Seems that she hasn't
quite got the hang of American idioms.  "Is it so unusual to see a
Japanese schoolgirl at Penguin Village," she asks with an arch of
her brow.  "I was starting to feel at home here."  She rises and
arranges the skirt of her school uniform.  She's been enrolled in
summer classes to keep her occupied.  Little does her father know
that she skips out most of the time.  "I'm looking for a certain DVD
called Scorpion's Revenge.  Heard it might be out here, now.  What's
your excuse, little boy?"

Chase arches his eyebrows at her. Both, in fact. "Cat dragged in."
And as far as he knows, there are no Byakko about. "Cat." Hands tuck
into his back pockets as he regards her, rocking back and forth upon
his mountain boots, "I don't racial profile. That wouldn't be
very... politically correct of me now, would it?" He rolls his eyes
though. "Never heard of it. I'm here to... spend my grocery money."
After all, he eats at Brice's all the time.

"Cat, rat, whatever," Sayuri dismisses that one little letter with a
wave of her hand.  "Ne, Chase-kun, have you ever worried about being
politically correct?"  She's heard that phrase more than once in her
diversity class at school.  "Grocery money?  Would your parents
agree with your spending habits?"  She looks over the cramped space
in the shop, barely room for one person to stand and browse, much
less two.  "By the way, where have you been the past week, little
boy.  Missed you down by our old haunts."  Not that she was looking
for him or anything.

"No matter the animal, nothing drug me here except the call of poor
spending habits -as you said," Chase answers with a wry grin and
something of a wink. "Went /home/, Sayuri. Home, home on the
range..." Just without the singing. Sure, he can sing, carry a tune
fairly well, but he won't start in now. Nope. "Awwwww, you ol'
softie. Missing me already?" Yes, he'll reach over as if to try to
ruffle her hair. Yeah... you read that right. Ruffle her hair.

"And just where is home," Sayuri's compelled to ask.  Somewhere with
mountain lions, this she knows, but she never did get to find out
exactly where Chase is from.  His little bit of song just slips by
her, she's not all that familiar with American folk songs.  It just
adds to the idea that he's missing a screw or two.  "I'm not a
softie," she counters with a slight grimace, perhaps because she
feels that she's lying.  And then the hair ruffle.  Okay, now the
Genbu went too far.  Her hand snaps upwards to grab at the boy's
wrist, her eyes narrowing in threat.  "You forget yourself, Chase-
kun."  She'll warn now, hit later.  See, she's actually quite fond
of Chase.  Anyone else and she just would've decked them.

"Southern Montana... if you know anything about your American
states," Chase answers with a shrug of his shoulders. The wrist grab
provokes a blink and then an even more wry grin, "Well, damn... you
are a heck of a lot more fun to hair-ruffle than Anana. She just
pouts, half-heartedly. You actually react. I'll remember that." And
this is the girl that will brazenly try to tickle him. Sheesh. He
rolls his eyes, eyeing her hand at his wrist, "If you wanted to hold
hands, you could have just asked." Grin. Grin. Grin.

"There are too many states to keep track of," is Sayuri's dismissing
comment.  She doesn't even bother to shrug.  She doesn't quite
understand about state pride.  "Don't even think of making a habit
of it, Chase-kun.  I'd hate to have to hurt you."  There's that
brazenness of hers coming to the fore again.  "Anana?  I know that
name... why do I... oh yes, the girl with the pink hair.  She's
cute.  You're girlfriend?"  And then she'll just let go of his wrist
quickly, almost as if the Genbu carried the plague.  Or worse yet,
cooties.  "You're awfully-"  What was that word that she'd learned
the other day?  Ah yes-"Fresh."

Chase chuckles softly, smiling down at her, "And I think that you
should know by now that it takes a little bit of work to actually
hurt me, Sayuri." Even if it used to happen quite often. Ah well.
Fingers waggle at her in teasing, lifting a little as if to start
for her hair only to hold off once again, "Anana? My girlfriend...?"
Okay, he'll shudder now. "Uh, no. She's like... no." The idea of
thinking of Anana in any sort of romantic light when he has always
considered her something of a sister is quite disturbing. "Are you
making the rounds of all of the Genbu or something?" If he didn't
know any better, he'd start thinking she was either another Genbu or
one of those ferret onis. "Fresh?" Eyebrow-quirk. And then the
crooked grin.

Sayuri quirks her lips upwards and notes dangerously, "I'm not
afraid of a little work."  At the finger waggle, she'll step back
and tsk again.  "Now, now, now... this is no place to push your
luck."  She raises a brow at his shudder.  "Ne, Chase-kun, I didn't
think she was that bad.  Like I said, she's kawaii.  Cute."  And now
she'll blink.  "Genbu?  What the hell are the - oh.  I knew Kenny-
san was hiding something.  So you are part of a secret
organization.  Funny, I've never heard of a gang  called the Genbu,
though."  She's going to have to check around and see if she can
find anything else out about their little organization.  "Funny,
naming yourselves after the mythical god of the North.  Or did you
even know about that relation when you chose the name?" 
Smirk.  "Hai, fresh.  And I didn't mean it as a compliment."

Chase scowls, "She isn't bad... she is just... Anana. Cute, yes. I
am her dealer. Of candy." Yes, he deals in candy. Peddling addictive
substances to the chibi. Naughty boy. "She is just a really...
really close friend, nearly a sister, I suppose." And then comes the
smirk, "Yeah, a gang... or something like that." *cough* "Real funny
how that just works out, our naming ourselves after him." Now will
come the eye-roll. "The idea of a compliment coming out of your
mouth almost frightens me, Sayuri."

"Dealer... of candy?  Not laced, I hope."  Sayuri's seen the darker
side of the streets, so she knows about these things.  "Ah, a
sister... well then, your reaction is understandable.  I wouldn't
want to kiss my oniisan."  Shudder.  And then she'll grouse, "I'll
have you know, I paid Kenny-san quite a few last night.  There just
has to be something to compliment in the first place."  Snarky,
isn't she.  "And now suddenly, Chase-kun, I'm not missing you so
much anymore."  Too bad she's trapped in the small aisle with the
DVDs by the Genbu seishi.

Chase will roll his eyes once more, "No, not laced... only with lots
and lots of sugar." And now he will really blink, "You've met Kenny.
My roommate Kenny?" Okay, that makes four Genbu now. "Were you both
playing with shiny, sharp and pointy objects at the time?" Nobody
ever gives him sharp and pointy objects. Dunno why that is
though. "Oh, come on... you know you like me. I'm a very likable
person. Ask anyone." Well, except a couple of the Suzaku that is.

"You introduced me to him, Chase-kun.  In fact, you blew my ruse." 
Sayuri's still a bit miffed about that.  "Hai, you're roommate
Kenny.  And yes, there were shiny, pointy things involved. 
Now /he's/ a good sparring partner."  And the satisfaction of their
recent bout is evident in the younger girl's voice.  "Have you seen
his sword katas?"  And then she'll quirk a smile up towards the
Genbu.  "Hai, hai, you're terribly likable.  I find myself liking
you despite myself."  At least she's being honest.  "But that
doesn't mean you can go around tousling my hair whenever you want."

Chase chuckles faintly, "I'm sure he is a god sparring partner." And
then he'll laugh once more. "I live with the guy, Sayuri. I've seen
his underwear, let alone anything else that he has or does. Do you
really want to go there?" He turns away from her slightly, looking
at the selection of series with a vague air, "Glad to know we agree
on something... my like-ability. You know, that whole boyish
personality and scruffy good-looks. Fine... I don't hair tousle, you
don't try to tickle me."

Sayuri didn't want to even picture Kenny in his underwear, but
thanks to Chase, she gets the mental image.  Gyaa.  "I wasn't
talking about that," she sniffs superiorly.  "And no, I would not
like to - how did you put it... go there."  As he turns away, she
makes a face, sure that she won't be caught.  It gives her a brief
sense of satisfaction.  "Anyone ever tell you that you've got quite
an ego on you, Chase-kun?"  Say just shakes her head and rolls her
eyes.  "Sounds more than fair to me, but any sign of a hair tousle
and you're in for it."

Chase runs his fingers over the various series cases, ticking
through them with a clucking tongue. "Hrm? Well, not all of us can
be so blessed with sharp and pointy object -or at least the really
long ones." Nope, his are all short, tend to be jagged, and are a
bit more complicated here and there. "It isn't so much an ego as the
truth. I know I'm not some tall, long-haired girly-man like some
guys..." One-eyed guys, for just an example. "But I know I'm damn
likeable in other ways." He flashes her a wink, and then goes back
to looking through dvds.

And Chase had to put things like that.  Sayuri's not easy to
fluster, but to go from underwear to being blessed with long, sharp
pointy things has a faint tinge of color highlighting her cheeks. 
Hopefully the bad lighting in the store hides the evidence. 
Deciding to turn and look at the dvds herself, she kneels down to
look at the lower selections.  "Oh really, and in what other ways
would those be, Chase-kun?"  She peeks out of the corner of her eye
to study the seishi thoughtfully.  "Anyone ever tell you that you'd
look good with long hair?"

Long hair? Then he won't get people trying to compare him to a
certain Suzaku seishi with nearly identical hair to his? "Long hair
just gets in the way." And just as Chase says that, he is brushing
those overly-long bangs of his away from his eyes, "As if I need
that in the way when I'm trying to aim." But in the next breath he
is blinking down at her, "My hair is just fine, thank you." And yes,
the blush is noted and given an almost confused blink.

Does Tomite get confused with Tamahome, then?  "Kenny-san seems to
be able to deal with having long hair just fine," Sayuri notes with
a sniff and then reaching over to tug at his bangs.  "Anou... I
can't agree with that, Chase-kun.  Seems you could use a haircut. 
You're getting quite shaggy."  And then she turns her face upwards
to look at the seishi.  "What do you mean aim?  As in guns?"  And
now she's just shaking her head in disappointment.  "Such unromantic
weapons, guns.  No skill involved really, just point and shoot, ne? 
Not at all personal."  She prefers hand-to-hand interaction
herself.  And she won't comment on the flush, because hopefully it's
gone now.  Didn't exist.  Nope.

Chase snorts. Basically all of the Genbu, except him, have long
hair. "You just ask Brice about the dangers of long hair some
time... He's sure got a tale to tell about it." And still the man
wears his hair long. One would think he'd have learned his
lesson. "I am not getting my hair long because I could
really /really/ do without any further Legolas generalizations."
Because that would be too annoying. Even more so then now. "Depends
on the gun. Shotguns are messy... but get a good rifle..." Ah,
bliss. So fun to play sharpshooter. "Guns. Archery. Whatever..." And
then she had to go and add in that last part. "Oh... damn. Don't
even start on that. I get bitched at for getting into a one-on-one
brawl with someone, and then I get heckled for being the long-
distance shooter of the bunch. Can't win with either one." Yep, she
just hit his sore spot and now he is pushing away from the display
and turning away to start down the aisle. "I'm sure I'll see you
later."

"Legolas?"  Sayuri doesn't see it.  "Hai, you're right, I suppose." 
She has seen some impressive tricks with guns.  But she's also seen
the point and shoot and hope you get lucky method.  And then she's
blinking as he starts walking away, debating on whether to go after
him or not.  But something keeps her pressed down on the floor, just
watching him leave.  "Perhaps," she returns as he heads out.  She
has a confused look on her face as she's not quite sure what sore
spot she hit, but then gives a dismissive shrug.  "Tch, touchy."

Elizabeth Street
Despite the lesser traffic on this street, it's still wide enough to
let through the cars that do pull in through here. Unlike some of
the places in Chinatown, there's almost always at least one police
vehicle parked on the side, just a sort of sentry presence rather
than a need to keep an eye out on this particular stretch of road.
It's more a quiet residential rather than business orientated, save
for the broad entrance of the community mall that is right across
the street from one of the most upscale dimsum houses in the area.
Tomite is here.

Chase finally makes his way out onto the street. Yes, apparently
over his little snit because he isn't scowling anymore. No, instead
he squints for a moment back and forth across the street, hands
delving deep into the pockets of his jeans. Well, maybe not
completely over it. He'll roll his eyes once, probably mutter
something along the lines of being unable to please everyone, that
Legolas is a poor example of bow-wielders the world over. 

Not long after Chase makes his appearance, Sayuri comes out the
doors of the mall.  She's not sure why she's compelled to soothe the
Genbu's sore feelings, but she's a creature of impulse, so here she
is.  "Chase-kun," she calls, making her way over to the other
teenager and frowning.  "Gomen nasai.  I hadn't realized that my
teasing would hit such a sore spot."  She pauses, glancing up at
him.  "You know that I tease you just because it's so easy to do,
ne?"

Chase puts one foot out in preparation to start across the street,
only to hesitate as he feels Sayuri's approach. He sighs, glances to
the heavens, and then takes a step backwards and turn to the
girl. "No, really. You don't need to apologize." Hands pull back out
as he waves one negligently at her as if to wave off the apology as
well, "I'm just... maybe it is just jet lag or something." But in
the next breath he is quirking her an almost odd glace for the
apology, as if in disbelief. The next moment and he smiles
faintly, "Getting your jollies teasing me, eh? Well, as long as I am
entertaining." *wink*

What, Chase expected a sensitive apology from Sayuri?  "Have to get
my... jollies, did you call them?  Have to get them somehow, ne? 
You're just the lucky one for today."  Shifting her stance to a more
casual one, she asks the question that he had to know was
coming.  "So why such an obvious sore spot, Chase-kun?  You know,
getting so emotional about something like that's a pretty big
weakness.  Someone could use it against you."  Someone like Say if
she's wasn't already predisposed to like him.  "Have any other
topics that I should know to avoid in the future?"

Chase blinks at her for a moment and then rolls his eyes. With a
sigh, he flickers a glance around the area before reaching over as
if to try to tug her towards the stoop of one of the more affluent
buildings in the area to sit -that is if she is so inclined. "It
isn't a weakness... just annoying as hell. Really annoying." He
moves to sit upon the stairs, resting forearms upon his drawn up
knees. "Uhm... Elves. And a couple of other things that would
probably fly right over your head."

Sayuri is easily led towards the stoop, settling down with her knees
touching.  The downside of a skirt is that if one's not careful, one
could flash the entire neighborhood without realizing it.  "And
why's it so annoying, Chase-kun?  They're just words, or opinions
really.  If someone truly thought so low of me, I would have to
wonder if they were truly a friend or just claiming to be one." 
Pause.  "Elves.  Back to that Legolas reference now, ne?  Really,
you look nothing like him.  He's too pretty for his own good." 
Leaning back, placing her hands behind her to help support her
weight.  "Genbu things, ne?"

Chase looks after Sayuri, looking awfully wry, "Because it is.
Because..." Another sigh. "Damn. I know. Just annoying when it is
mentioned by..." The teenager rolls his eyes, leaning back a
little, "You all make it sound like I'm cheating or something. Do
you people have any /clue/ what it takes to be able to hit a target
like I can? 'That isn't real fighting'... whatever. Just because I
can't slice up some opponent hand-to-hand with a shiny knife and
instead take them out from a good hundred yards or more off... And
who.. /who/ is the first person they call on to take out some shogun
beyond the front lines?" Another eyeroll and then a sigh. "Sorry.
Never mind. Just venting."

Sayuri bumps shoulders with the seishi, eyes dancing.  "Sounds like
you needed to vent some, Chase-kun.  I don't mind, though all this
talk about shoguns..."  Yeah, he's moved over into Insanityville,
population 1.  "You know your worth, never rely on someone else to
define who you are.  If you're as good as you say you are, then
you're an asset to anyone's cause, ne?"  She blinks and
adds, "Though I do know what it's like to wish you were appreciated
for who you are.  Not who you pretend to be."  There's a story
there, but there's also a hardness that sets her features,
indicating, perhaps, at a reluctance to speak any more about it.

Chase and Sayuri are settled upon the stoop of some affluent place
or another. Yes, just a couple of loitering teens out of the
evening, or something. He smirks faintly, "My venting usually takes
part in a good spar at the dojo... or throwing things at Brice."
It's happened before. Poor Brice ends up on the receiving end of
more of Chase's tizzies then anyone else. Aniki is good for more
than just the food in his cupboards. He is rolling his eyes again
though, "Next time I get all grumpy like that, just bop me on the
head. Tends to work." Addles whatever brains he has, but still
works. He flickers a glance askance to Sayuri though at the change
in the girl's last comments, frowning faintly. He leans over,
nudging her with his shoulder, "Not pretending around me anymore, I
hope...?"

Karen is just leaving that affluent place for whatever reason, and
finding two teenagers sitting on the steps is enough to make her
almost trip, but recover gracefully. "...what is this about
pretending?" she asks, blinking at the two and shifting a bag of
folded fabric from one hand to the other. "Excuse me, I was just
trying to go down the steps."

Bopping Chase on the head, and with permission.  Sayuri's definitely
going to follow up on that suggestion.  "Throwing things?"  No, she
won't remark on how immature that sounds, because then she'll
probably find herself in a situation where she'd like to throw
something.  "I'll keep that method of countering your pouts in mind,
Chase-kun, though I'd hate to resort to that."  Oh yeah, right she
would.  She'd actually probably get a kick out of it.  "Pretending
around you," she blinks and gives the Genbu a rueful smile.  "What
do you think?"  Oh no, she can't make things easy on him.  She's
opening her mouth to continue when the door opens and she's blinking
up at Karen then moving to rise politely.  Darn those ingrained
manners.  "Sorry to block your way."  But she won't comment on
pretending.  She has no clue who this other woman is.

Chase blinks back over to Sayuri as he is bonked. Well, he has
nobody to blame for that but himself. "Try to be conservative in the
its use, Sayuri. Too much and I might get a little miffed at someone
else instead." Pretending comment garners a snicker from
him, "Well... you know... first impressions." And her pretending
then. But, Chase startles a little at the sound of the door opening
behind them. He turns a little, perched and ready to pounce away
should the owner feel the need to berate the loitering teens, only
to be greeted with a vaguely familiar sight. "Oh... what is your
name..." he mutters, gaze flickering to the side. "K... Kourin? You
know, I've been meaning to get into contact with you about that card
game..." Wait... something doesn't feel quite seishi here. He frowns
after her for a moment in consideration.

"You are losing brain cells every time someone hits you over the
head, you realize," Karen comments with amusement, regarding the
pair with humor. "It's fine, I am in no rush, and it seemed an
interesting conversation. Pretending to be that which you are not?"
And here's a perfect example -- Chase mistaking her for her
sister. "I won't do that. No, that is my neechan -- my older sister.
I'm Karen."

"That sounds like an invitation to me," Sayuri teases from her
standing position.  And then she's blinking innocently at Chase and
cocking her head to the side.  "First impressions?  Anou... Chase-
kun, what /are/ you talking about?"  Blinking at the Genbu's
reaction to the older woman, she smiles over at Karen.  But doesn't
offer a name.  She'll wait until she knows what to make of
her.  "Anou... it's not that interesting at all," she demurs.  "In
truth, I'm finding it quite dull."  All is said with innocent
politeness to take the sting out of her blunt words.

And Chase doesn't have all that many braincells to spare as it is?
Figures. The teenager smirks up at Karen and then blinks in
realization. "Ahhhhhh. Then I suppose setting up a date with you for
a little poker and drinks wouldn't work out." He really must get
Kourin's number and call her up about that. Drinking. Gambling.
Seishi night out. It would be great! But he is flickering a glance
back over to Sayuri, frowning just the slightest at her tone before
reaching over to give her skirt a tug, "Sit?"

Karen tilts her head in amusement at Sayuri's apparent switch in
personalities, from teasing to innocence to politeness. "You know,"
she says to the young woman, "You don't have to pretend to be polite
if you don't wish to be; it takes a great deal to offend me." A
laugh follows the comment about a date. "That depends on whether you
would want to deal with someone who can take a great deal more
alcohol than I can and who has a better poker face? Neechan is
such." Boys tugging on skirts. It's an old, old play.

Flicking her skirt out from Chase's grasp, Sayuri settles down next
to Chase again.  "I'm not pretending," she lies easily.  She's just
trying to live up to the expectation of a Japanese schoolgirl.  "But
what's this about drinks and a little poker."  Sounds like fun to
the girl, especially if money's involved.  "Why don't you ever make
that sort of offer to me?"  And now she'll look offended.  "Karen-
san, would you be up for a friendly game or two."  She won't cheat. 
Much.

But poker players who get drunk quick and show all of their emotions
during a game are easy prey -and more than welcome to have around.
Chase flashes Karen a broad grin, "Hey... I wouldn't mind at all if
the both of you were there." Well, that is unless they've got one of
those weird vibe things, that is. He flickers a glance askance to
Sayuri as she sits, his grin growing ever more, "Mostly because I
didn't know you played...?" He gives her another nudge, "That and
I'd really rather not get stuck if you suddenly got all grumpy over
a hand and thought /you/ were being cheated. You know how that thing
just comes... flashing out of nowhere." WinkwinkNudgeNudge.

Karen does, unfortunately, have one of those weird vibe things. Her
expectations of the typical Japanese schoolgirl, however, range
wildly from those who are very traditional to those who dye their
hair bright colours and talk on cellphones all through class (if
they even bother to go). "I am not a very good player,
unfortunately," she says to Sayuri with a chuckle. "Though... stuck?
What comes flashing out of nowhere?"

Chase is just asking for another bop to the head, isn't he?  "Of
course I play," Sayuri huffs.  "It's good for keeping boredom at
bay, ne?"  And she loves the rush of winning and the thrill of
perhaps getting into a fight as tempers soar and desperation causes
all sorts of last chance efforts.  So much for hoping that Karen
hadn't caught Chase's words.  *thwap*  Don't mind her as she whacks
the back of the Genbu's head.  "Once again, why don't you take an
add out in the New York Times, little boy," she growls.  Frowning,
she looks up at Karen and shrugs, "He's giving my secrets away.  I
have a dagger hidden up my sleeve."  It's somewhat true.  "Though
telling everyone about it takes away the element of surprise."  And
now she'll just roll her eyes.  "Want to talk about ice sculptures,
comic book boy?"

Chase is constantly fielding blows to the back of the head. He has
learned to expect it and roll with the hits, head rocking
forward. "Damn, girl!" he protests though, glaring over to
Sayuri. "What the hell do I care? I froze her sister's miko into a
block of ice and played a little game of Shinzaho Keep Away with the
rest of them," he babbles, rubbing the back of his head where he was
thunked. Squinting back up to Karen, he grunts, "Well, I could teach
you as we go...?" Easy, easy target.

Karen settles down upon the step below the two with a laugh. "Hidden
up your sleeve? That would be difficult as your shirt is buttoned at
the wrists." Trust Karen to notice clothing. "Ice? Ahh, I see." Her
lips quirk as she regards Chase, then Sayuri. "Though what I know is
limited by what certain people were willing to tell me; in this
case, my sister's boyfriend." Amusement ripples through her voice as
she turns her attention fully on Chase. "Why do I think that should
you teach me as we went, I would lose a great deal of money before I
began to win?"

Sayuri glares right back.  And then blinks.  "You froze her sister's
priestess?  And what the hell is a Shinzaho?"  Chase has gone off on
one of those little loony jaunts of his.  He's been doing them more
and more frequently.  He's one of those people who's just crying out
to be medicated else he might end up as one of those homeless
doomsayers that litter the street corners and subway
stations.  "Fine, fine, spew out all the nonsense you want, but
leave me out of it next time."  And she'll just roll her eyes.  Is
it any wonder that she told Kenny that she worries about Chase's
self-preservation.  "It's a rather nifty trick," Sayuri shrugs at
Karen's remark.  "But hard to explain."  The more they continue
talking about this, the more she fumes.  Chase is getting into more
and more trouble.  "Karen-san, I'd make sure that he didn't cheat
you, perhaps you could form a team, the both of you against me?"

Chase glances back up to Karen once more, and then chuckles, "That'd
be the one. I hear he wants to find me too." *snicker* Yes, the
teenager is quite amused by that. Although his hand is going to rub
a little harder at the back of his neck, "Uhh... yeah, I suppose
that could be a downfall of it?" Smile. Oh, how he smiles. The
crooked, Cheshire smile. And then he'll glance back over to Sayuri,
waving a hand to her negligently, "Oh, just forget it. Forget
everything I said. And you are trying to team up against me already.
Figures."

"There're a great many things that are hard to explain in this
city," Karen says to Sayuri, lips twitching in amusement. "Such as
the case of the miko-tachi and the Shinzaho. I wouldn't worry about
it, though. Not just yet." Her attention turns to Chase, and that
slight amusement turns a bit brighter. "Downfall? More than that,
I'd say. We're not teaming up against you. Are we?"

"It's already forgotten," Sayuri returns, though there's something
in the calculating mahogany of her gaze that belies her words. 
She's not sure what's going on with Chase and the other people in
his gang, but she aims to find out as much about them as possible. 
Starting with these mentions of mikos and shinzahos.  Leaning over
to tap the seishi on the nose, she tsks, "And we're not going to
team up against you, unless you want us to."  Grinning up at Karen,
she shrugs and notes wryly, "So I'm finding out."

It must be some kind of female thing. Has to be. Chase's eyes
temporarily cross as his nose is tapped by the other girl. He blinks
back to focus, reaching a hand up as if to grab that wayward finger
of Sayuri's. "Poker game hasn't even been planned yet though. Which
is why I've got to talk to your sister about that. Although, I
haven't seen her in... /months/ which could be a problem. Ah well.
But he is blinking at the pair of them, grinning faintly.

"I would think that almost most men would like us to team up against
them, in a sense," Karen says, keeping her tone perfectly even
though there's a laugh behind the words. "She would appreciate the
distraction. I think she's moving, though, along with her roommate,
to be closer to her boyfriend." She slants an amused look at
Sayuri. "I'm sure you haven't found out the half of it."

Sayuri's finger is grabbed and she turns a questioning gaze towards
Chase, arching a brow.  "Did you need my finger for some reason or
do you just randomly snatch at girl's fingers?"  And then she'll
tug, because it's disconcerting to have it so easily
imprisoned.  "Or we could hold a game without this missing sister,
ne?"  Say's looking for some sort of excitement tonight.  "We could
have a practice match tonight, at least.  Or a game now and then
hold one later when Karen's sister's free."  And then she'll smirk
at the designer and shake her head.  "You perhaps, but I'm not much
to look at."  She doesn't put in the effort.  "I haven't?  Well
then, I shall have to work harder."  Perhaps get Chase drunk and
pump him for information.

Chase blinks after Karen and then chuckles just the
slightest. "Yeah..." Visions must be banished. His gaze flickers
back over to Sayuri at her response, "Sure, much like girls who like
to hold my wrist, eh?" He gives her another nudge just because he
wants to before blinking. "Oh... you mean right now? A game? I'm not
doing anything other then being followed around by a tag-along in a
fuku. Sounds good to me... you... that is if Karen is up to it." As
for getting drunk, Sayuri would find that extremely easy,
considering Chase is rather a young light weight as it is.
     
Karen gives Chase an innocent look before she gets to her
feet. "Unfortunately, I have other responsibilities that I can't
deny," she says to the pair. "If you do want to put in the effort,
though, and we see one another again, it is always an interesting
thing to do." She half-bows to the both of them before turning to go.

It's only because Chase would probably cease to function properly
that Sayuri keeps herself from thwacking him again.  "Stop picturing
that," she growls.  And then she sniffs.  "The wrist grabbing was in
response to the hair tousling.  If I wanted to hold your hand, Chase-
kun, I would."  Or would she?  The fuuku comment has her sniffing
again and rising, "Ne, if you didn't want me to join you, you should
have said something."  She'll smooth down her pleated skirt
carefully, muttering something about ingrates and general derogatory
remarks about boys in general.  But then she's interrupted in her
huffy litany by Karen's farewell.  "Does that mean we're not playing
poker tonight after all?"

Chase blinks after Karen as she heads off, watching the woman. Yes,
that is disappointment there. He shoots a glance askance at Sayuri
and restrains himself from sticking his tongue out at her. "I'll
picture whatever I want, thank you very much. He seems to consider
for a moment before looking back at her with lifted brows and a
sneaky smile, "Do you want to? Kenny might be home... but I don't
know."

"Fine, then picture her," Sayuri grimaces, tugging down her skirt
unnecessarily.  But then she's meeting his sneaky smile with one of
her own.  "If you don't mind losing your shirt, then yes, I believe
I'm up for a game or two."  Perhaps she can use the game as a
distraction to pump the seishi for more information about the Genbu
and mikos.  She might not even have to resort to alcohol considering
the amazing amount of nonsense Chase manages to blurt out at her
randomly without being intoxicated.

Chase used to actually be pretty good about keeping his mouth shut
about all of this Yin/Yang business. But, well... he tends to
blabber around Sayuri, obviously. "I like this shirt -and you only
want to see me bare chested again." He is then hopping off of the
stoop, dusting his hands on his thighs, "Lets go then. Coming?"

The Berkley Apartments - 302
Clearly, apartment 302 is a bachelor's land that knows no womanly
touch. While the apartment is clean, even immaculate, it's hard to
mistake the gender preferences of the decor. The main room is
painted a neutral creme color with a tan border that displays many
different kinds of fish around the world; On the walls, glass-
windowed storage cabinets hold poles, tack and bridle for horses,
nets, ropes, and any number of bestiary-related clutter, most of
which can't possibly be of any use in the city. Tools hang on a cork
board on the far wall, ranging from different gauges of wire to a
welding torch. Contrastingly, the kitchen is decked out in warm
shades of red and white, with an expansive spice set and expensive
cutlery visible among the otherwise immaculate countertops. Stranger
yet is the complete absence of electronics; No clock, TV, radio, or
telephone grace the entire apartment, and both the table and the
massive bed that sits in the bedroom seem handmade, if awkwardly so.

Batting her lashes at Chase, Sayuri makes a pouty moue.  "Am I so
easy to read, Chase-kun?"  As she's already standing, she nods her
head and follows the Genbu home.  "I wasn't talking literally," she
feels the need to add, just in case he decides to change the terms
of their game.  "We're only gambling for money here."  And then
she'll do a little test probe for information.  "So how many of you
Genbu are there, anyway?"

Chase leads her through the city and eventually to the apartment.
Unlocking and opening the door for her, he ushers her
through, "You're the one who mentioned the taking of my shirt, you
know." Ah yes, the apartment. The home of a pair of bachelors and
one dog. Yes, there is the TV and such around, but Chase keeps it
clean. Not spotless. But clean. Mom taught him well. With school not
in session, there aren't any school books in evidence either. And
just as he speaks, there is a scatter of nails on wood and
eventually the behemoth that is the rott, Benito, peers his dark
head from around the corner at Chase's bedroom. No barking, just the
canine stare. "Kenny isn't here," he mentions without needing to
look around. Sixth-sense 'n all. "And that is Benito." Gesture to
the dog. "Come on in. He won't bite... hard." He starts away from
the door, seeming to consider for a moment.

Egads, that behemoth's a dog?  Sayuri hovers uncertainly near the
door, just in case she needs to escape quickly.  Chase probably
wouldn't like it if she had to skewer his pet.  "I said you losing
your shirt, not taking it off," she retorts distractedly, one eye
still on the dog.  He couldn't have a cute little Japanese Chin or
anything, could he.  No, he had to have the big, scary, psycho-dog. 
And she's so distracted by the animal that she doesn't really react
to Kenny being in the apartment or not, though he would have made a
welcome addition to their game.  She would have loved to try to
fleece the older teenager.  "Thank you so much for that, I'm feeling
ever so much more confident now, Chase-kun."  Can't you just hear
the sarcasm?

Chase chuckles, trying to push around her to close the door. "I'm
just kidding. He won't attack unless you provoke him. Benito is a
good boy, aren't you, Benito?" And in response the animal barks once
in his gruff manner, nails clicking once again on the hard wood. He
is patting his thighs though to call the dog to him, and Benito does
come forth. "Let him smell your hand... make friends." And then he
leaves the pair of them too it as he bustles about, searching
through cabinets for... well, cards, chips, whatever he can
find. "Got to be around here somewhere..."

But Sayuri's very good at provoking.  She does it without thinking,
in fact.  "Anou..."  And then the dog's coming closer, and she's
stepping back in the first time that she can remember, actually
intimidated by the beast.  "Chase-kun, don't you dare leave me alone
with him."  And yeah, that means she'll trot after him as he
searches through the cabinets.  Which probably means that Benito's
trotting after her.  "Where did you get such a big dog anyway? 
Compensate much?"  And then she frowns, "You never did answer my
question, just how many Genbu are there?"

Chase continues to rifle through drawers 'til finding a deck, and a
box of chips. "Wow... Either John had a habit I didn't know about or
Genbu is being nice." Probably the former instead of the later.
Speaking of Genbu... "No, I didn't... there are enough?" Holding
deck and chips in hand, he turns about only to nearly collide with
Sayuri, "Careful... Oh, hell. He won't bite unless you make friends
with him. I got him as something of an inheritance, I suppose. His
original owner died and nobody else was going to take him in, so I
did."

Trying to avoid a collision with Chase, Sayuri steps back quickly. 
Thank goodness that her reflexes are better than average or she
might have ended up clinging to the seishi in an attempt to maintain
her balance.  Now that would have been embarrassing.  "Do I have to
make friends with him," she nearly whimpers.  Sheesh.  Hearing the
tremor in her voice, she squares her shoulders and makes her way
over towards Benito with an air of trepidation.  "You know, you
never mentioned anything about a dog."  It might have influenced her
decision.  Or at least she would have been prepared for the
discovery.  "And how many's enough?  Twenty, thirty perhaps?"  But
she doesn't pry anymore, instead she considers the dog
thoughtfully.  "He wouldn't be a legacy from that girl that you told
me about before, the friend of yours who died?"  Pause.  "By the
way, did you ever go after the responsible parties?"

Chase watches after Sayuri for a moment to make sure she doesn't try
to climb out the fire escape or make a dart for the door because of
the rott. But, Benito is a good boy. Sniffing at her, and then
offering one of those big, wet, sloppy, drooly licks. Naturally. "I
didn't mention him before? Huh... Well, you're meeting him now." He
slips around the girl and the dog to stop at the kitchen table,
dropping the cards and chips only to hesitate and go for the fridge.
Opening it up, he mutters, "Why does it matter how many there are?
Keep asking stuff like that and I'll figure you for a Yin." A
sigh, "Yeah, he was her dog. And no... I haven't."

Eww.. Sayuri has doggie drool on her fingers.  Holding out her hand
rather disgustedly, she decides to make her way into the kitchen and
wipe her hand off on the Genbu's shirt.  "And what the hell are
these Yin you keep talking about," she asks with a grimace, making
sure to dry off both sides of her hand.  "I don't understand you,
one minute you're more than happy to tell me all sorts of things,
the next you're so tight-lipped that I might as well pull out dental
tools to try to extract any sort of information."  Stepping back now
that her hand's dry, she frowns over at the Genbu before
shrugging.  "It's your choice, after all, it's your conscience."

Chase eyes her hand as it wipes over his shirt. His clean shirt. His
only clean shirt. Great, now he really is going to have to do
laundry tomorrow. "Well, when you ask questions like that, of course
I'm going to wonder about it, she who looks at me as if I've lost my
marbles." Looking not all that amused, he reaches over to pull out a
chair and offer it to her, "Go ahead and mix up the deck while I
find us something to drink." And you know what that involves? That
means that he is actually going to leave the apartment and close the
door behind him. Leaving her alone with Benito. Naturally though,
he'll return a few moments later with booty from Brice's place.
Beer. Twelve pack. Unopened. Aniki will probably kill him, but such
is life. He left money on the counter.

"I would like to think that any rational person would look at you as
if you've lost your marbles."  And then Sayuri'll smirk at the drool-
spotted shirt before taking the proffered seat.  Pulling the cards
to her, she shuffles the deck with the grace of a professional
dealer, forming the bridge as she mixes the cards together. 
Quirking a brow up at the seishi, she grins, "Something to drink? 
Such as sake?"  But then he's gone, probably before he can hear her
request and back with beer.  She suppresses the wrinkle her nose
just *wants* to do.  Weak stuff that.  But she's a guest, so must be
polite.  "Ah, beer."  And then she's motioning to the chair across
from her as she deals the cards.  "Here's the game, Chase-kun, five-
card stud, no wilds.  And what are we playing for, anyway?"

Chase smirks faintly as he sets down the pack and then peers across
to her, "That's all he has. Brice is about the worst sort of penny
pincher there is. And he is the only one who can buy. So..." He
isn't about to complain. "You're underage anyway." So is he, but
still... He drops into the seat looking across to her, "Bragging
rights? Or have you got something else in mind?"

"Just because I'm underage doesn't mean that I don't have my
sources," Sayuri returns with a smirk, her eyes dancing.  "But...
what is it you say here, beggars can't be losers?"  Ah, the joys of
American idioms.  "And no, bragging rights is far too dull.  Money,
Chase-kun, that's what adds the thrill to the game."  She ponders
the other teenager with a cocked head, "Although perhaps we should
choose something else as you've got the poor student look about
you."  Hrm.  "What about favors?"

"Choosers," Chase corrects lightly and with a soft smile. He leans
back in the seat, peering down at his cards for a moment before
looking back up at her, "That's my grocery money you are tempting
there, little girl." Never mind the fact that he eats at other
people's places all the time. "Favors? Now... that's dangerous
territory. Favors can mean just about anything. Winner of it all
gets a favor from the other then?"
"I was thinking a favor per hand, keeps the thrill, ne?"  Sayuri
studies the back of her cards as well, quirking up her
lips.  "Wouldn't want things to be too tame, ne?"  She flashes a
wide grin, "We could just keep it at one hand if the stakes are too
high, Chase-kun."  And doesn't she sound just a bit too disparaging
as she says it like that.  "Or we could stick to money, because you
were going to blow your grocery money on toys anyway.  Might as well
give it to me."

Chase seems to consider for another moment before shrugging his
shoulders. "Per hand works for me..." Sure, there is still a little
uncertainty in his voice, but at least he agreed, right? Cracking
open one of the cans and taking a drink, he nods back across to
Sayuri, "So sure of yourself, eh? They teach you poker back at that
fancy school of yours?"
The bet decided, Sayuri picks up her cards to study her hand.  At
Chase's question, she quirks up a brow.  "What do you think?"  But
then she'll take pity on him and admit, "Actually, there's not much
to do there, it's really quite boring."  Though she should approach
Nikki about a game or two, she bets the other teenager is quite
skillful at the game.  "I learned the game on the streets, one of
the more innocent pastimes one picks up there."  Her face is kept
carefully neutral, not letting any reaction show as she peers across
at the Genbu.  "How about you, pick it up in that southern Montana
town of yours?"

Chase looks down at his hand again too before opening with a chip to
start things off. "Sounds wonderful. Makes me glad that my college
is over for the semester too. I probably should have taken some
summer classes -but if I doesn't have to be in school, why torture
myself?" Logic to him. "Grandpa, of course. He taught me all the
basics. Grilling a good steak, tracking, playing cards..."

"How many cards," Sayuri asks, gesturing towards Chase's hand,
waiting for him to remove any of his cards that he doesn't want to
keep.  As she's waiting, she tosses in a chip as well, though
they're just symbolic.  "Your grandfather, huh?  Sounds like he was
a big influence in your life, Chase-kun."  Tracking, she'll have to
remember that if it ever comes up.  "What about dares instead of
favors, Chase-kun?"  Those seem less dangerous in the whole scheme
of things.  Course she could just be suggesting this because she's
not happy with her hand.  With Say it's always hard to tell.

Chase drops three cards to the table in the sign of how many he
needs, "He's something of a tribal mystic. Knows all the lore,
dreamwalking and the like... figured me out when I needed the help,
that sort of thing." He is blinking back up at her though, "Dares?
Now are we going down into the realm of sleepover dares or something
a bit more interesting?"

Sayuri takes three cards from the top of the deck and slides them
face downwards towards Chase.  "Tribal mystic," she blinks over at
the Genbu, studying him curiously.  "Funny, I wouldn't have taken
you for the native type."  Of course, she's not very familiar with
the exquisite facial features that most Native Americans
possess.  "And what sort of help did you need?"  She takes three
cards herself, not letting anything show as each is revealed to
her.  "Depends on what you're thinking about when you say 'something
more interesting.'"

"I don't mean.... go over to the window and moon the people the bums
in the alley sort of dares, Sayuri," Chase mutters rather flatly.
Another drink is taken, or guzzled more like it. "You would rather
have taken me for a mutt, then? It's no big deal." Never mind the
dreamcatcher in his room. "Help figuring out well...
things. /Mystic/ type-things." Taking up the cards, he doesn't
exactly scowl but he does blink. Not a stunned blink, just a blink,
and then toss in a pair more chips.
...and moon the bums in...

"Well mooning's a bit childish, ne?"  Oh the slang Sayuri's been
picking up.  "Fine, we'll do more interesting dares."  After all,
they have to be safer than actually being indebted to someone else. 
She pulls a can of beer towards herself and pops the top, taking a
tentative sip.  It's not what she's used to, but it'll do.  "Not a
mutt, just an American."  And she's never seen his room.  "Though
many Americans are mutts, ne?"  Yeah, she's rather proud of her
pure, Japanese blood.  "And what sort of mystic type things?  You
can't just leave it at that."  She tosses in the same type of chips
that Chase does, plus another one, raising the bet.

Chase doesn't quite look annoyed at the raise of the bet, but he
does tap his fingers once upon the table before seeing it, and not
raising. "That's what I meant. Childish. Sounds like something
little schoolgirls would do." Yes, he'll give her a grin right about
now. "Yeah, I suppose I am something of a mutt. Mixed Chinese. Mixed
Native American. Crow and Sioux. I guess that I'm all kinds of
messed up." Yep, a mutt. He takes a drink from the can, flickers a
glance to Sayuri's can, and then looks back to her. "You know,
things like /that/." Yes, another glance to her can, her
now /frozen/ beer can. Cards are dropped as well. Full House with
tens high.

Sayuri snorts, "Or little schoolboys.  Can't see girls willingly
flashing people, dare or no dare."  She frowns as Chase sees her bet
but doesn't raise.  "Looks good on ya," is all she'll comment,
perhaps trying to disarm Chase as she flips over a pair of Jacks,
the rest of her hand trash.  As her gaze follows the Genbu's to her
can, she whistles, eyebrows raising.  "Neat parlor trick, bet you're
a hit at parties."  And here she thought that all he could do is
make ice daggers and slicks for unwary schoolgirls to slip on.  "I'm
starting to get a general idea of what you're talking about."  And
then she's frowning at his full house.  Damn.  "So, what's my dare?"

Chase chuckles faintly and then will simply blink at her. Okay,
first she says he might be good looking in long hair, and then she
is complimenting the physical effects of his bloodline. Uh...  And
here he isn't even trying with the ice play either. "It has its
uses. Maybe I should go into the ice sculpture business and make my
own fortune." Okay, now he'll roll his eyes. "You want to do the
dares now... or just sort of surprise each other with them another
time?" He reaches over to take the chips and then take the cards to
shuffle.

"Now," is Sayuri's definite response.  "Don't want the dares hanging
over my head."  And she noticed the blink, blinking back in return. 
Playing innocent.  "Ice sculptures, huh?  Very pretty, but they
don't last long.  I like more permanent types of ice, myself."  She
watches him shuffle the cards and quirks up a brow, adding, "Seems
you want to wait until later though.  If you make it something
quick, we can continue on with our little game."  Because yeah, she
doesn't trust him not to ask her to do something embarrassing in a
crowd.

Chase continues to shuffle as he peers across at her. Cards are
settled down though and he drains the rest of the can. All
gone. "Now? It is no fun if it is now. I'll save it for later." He
watches her while dealing the cards, looking both smug and
challenging. Basically, that is one of his favorite and most used
expressions. And he would ask her to do something in a crowd. Yep.

There's nothing that Sayuri can do but try to win the next hand, so
at least she can trade embarrassment for embarrassment.  Damn, all
her efforts to disarm Chase fell flat.  Guess that's what she gets
for not worrying about her looks.  Definitely a drawback when trying
to soften a guy up.  "Suit yourself," she returns with a shrug,
still keeping her poker face present.  Wouldn't do for the seishi to
see how disconcerted she is.  At his smug look, she just arches an
eyebrow and flashes a grin, "Hope you've got something to back that
smirk up, little boy."

Chase reaches for another can, popping it open and slurping down the
contents. Naughty, underaged drinker. He chuckles faintly, glancing
at his cards, and then looking back over to her, "I always do,
little girl." Another drink and a nudge under the table with his
foot. "You keep baring your teeth like that and I'll start to think
you either like me or have turned feral and are ready to tear out my
throat."

Sayuri taps a finger against her frozen can, somewhat disgruntled. 
It'll melt soon, ne?  Picking up her cards, she studies the cards
with a blank expression before peeking over the top of the cards at
her opponent.  Arching her brow at the nudge, she warns, "Watch what
you do with that foot, little boy.  Would hate to disrupt the game
because you're getting fresh again."  And then she's flashing her
grin again, adding a dark chuckle.  "Hrm, one of those assumption's
correct, I'll let you guess which."  And then she's setting down two
cards.

Chase hands her over two cards and is once more giving himself
three. Sure, it'll melt. Give it a couple of hours though. "If I was
playing footsie with you, you would know it, Sayuri," he answers in
near mocking of a statement she said before as well. Gaze flickers
around. Where is some peanuts or popcorn to throw at her on
principle? "So... what are you betting?"

Guess that means Sayuri will have to open up another can, and so she
reaches for one.  With a *snick* of the top, she gulps down a
swallow, wiping her lips with the back of her free hand.  Picking up
her two cards, she laughs, the sound genuine in its husky
clarity.  "Touché, little boy."  And the she'll study her two cards,
tossing a negligent, "I thought we would stick to the same stakes, a
dare."  She peeks under her lashes at the boy and quirks up one side
of her lips.  "Unless you have something more interesting to bet."

"The only interesting things that I've got that you'd be interested
in are my dashing good looks and mesmerizing charisma," Chase
responds with a good laugh, tapping his cards on the table. "But
other than that, another dare it is, little girl." Little boy.
Little girl. Can't they come up with anything better than that?
Nagging as it is though. He takes another drink from his can,
leaving only half left within.

"And you wouldn't want to bet those, now would you," Sayuri returns
with a chuckle of her own.  She tosses a chip onto the middle of the
table and takes another pull from her can of beer.  "I've already
got plans for you, Chase-kun."  And now she'll smirk over at the
other teenager.  "Still sure you want to play with me?"  She pauses
and then asks, "Chase who?"  The question's easy to misinterpret, so
she expands upon it.  "I mean all I know is your first name, Chase-
kun.  What's your last one?  After all, I know where you live now,
might as well trust me with your full name."

Chase adds a chip and another couple more to the pot to raise
her. "Oh, but I like playing with you, Sayuri. We should go out and
play tag in the park some time. Maybe I should drag out the Twister
game," he responds with a teasing grin as broad as anything
before. "Isard," he responds with a wry grin. "William Chase Isard
of the Montanta Isards," he answers with as much of a snooty voice
as he can carry off. "Your turn."

Sayuri sees Chase's addition and after studying her cards, raises
him another small chip.  "Tag in the park?  Sorry to disappoint, but
I'm not quite the tag type.  And as for twister, didn't we roll
around enough on the mats for you, Chase-kun?"  Eyes dancing, she
just shakes her head.  "I suppose you'd want me to play in my fuku
as well, wouldn't you?"  She tsks.  "I thought you said that my
school uniform did nothing for you.  See, you are like other men." 
Pause.  "William Chase Isard?  Why don't you go by your first name,
Billy-goat?"  Montana Isards, she's never heard of them, but they
could be a prominent family for all she knows.  "Kyoujin Sayuri,"
she introduces herself with a polite bow.

Chase bursts into laugher once more at her responses. Well, that is
only to scowl as he is raised again. Okay, so the chip is met and
two more are added. "Never underestimate a good game of Twister, my
girl." He reaches to drink from the can again, only to find it
empty. Durn. And so, another is opened. That makes two down and
starting on the third? Shouldn't he be getting a little fuzzy now?
Pathetic lightweight. "Uniform would be fun. Oh yeah."
*grin* "Because I'm just called Chase. That's why. Only my college
professors and telemarketers call me by my first name." Yes, another
grin, "Nice to meet you, Kyoujin Sayuri." *snicker*

Matching Chase's 2 chips, Sayuri frowns and then adds another,
looking up at Chase with a rather worried expression.  And then
she's raising her eyebrows and shaking her head.  "Perhaps we can
play a friendly little game of Twister next time.  And invite Karen-
san along as well."  She saw that disappointed look as the older
woman walked away.  "You really should meet my friend Nikki, Chase-
kun.  She's stylish, and her skirt's shorter than mine."  Just let
him imagine that.  Still nursing her own beer, she watches him open
his third can but says nothing.  Hey, if she doesn't have to ply him
with alcohol because he's willing to do it himself, more the
better.  "College professors, telemarketers and me," she
corrects.  "Though you don't look like a William."

Chase would growl if he was so inclined at her raising the bet once
more, but he doesn't. "If you want to invite her, that's fine," he
responds with a soft smile Although, neither of them got her number
or address, and he doesn't have Kourin's either. "Nikki? You mean to
say that you have other people that you pal around with besides me?
I'm crushed, Sayuri. Say it isn't so." He taps his cards once more
before raising her yet one more chip, rather hoping that she'll
either fold or call. "That's why everyone calls me Chase." Duh.

Sayuri studies the pot, rather sad that they're not playing for
money.  She'll match Chase's last card to call, looking rather
worried about it.  And then she'll snort.  "Oh, I'm sure it's fine. 
Want to see if she has a school girl uniform as well?"  She's
teasing, because the chances of her playing Twister in her fuuku are
rather slim to none anyway.  "I've mentioned Nikki before, she's
cute, she's blonde, and... she's French."  Not to mention she wears
the same uniform that Sayuri does, only a bit more chic.  Isn't that
any hormone-riddled boy's ideal of the perfect woman?  So she likes
to light things on fire now and then, at least she has a
hobby.  "Had to find something fun to do while you were away, Billy-
goat.  That's what you get for leaving me alone."  She smirks.  "But
the thing is, you don't look like a Chase, either."

"Well, then what do I look like? And if you start calling me Bob,
I'll probably have to start calling you Sissy. But I've been called
Tomi on occasion, I suppose?" So many names. Chase sighs for a
moment and then sets down his cards. Two pair, seven high. "Well,
then you will have to introduce me to this Nikki of yours. She
sounds fun, especially if she is considered fun by you, Sayuri."

"You look like Trouble," Sayuri returns with a wolfish grin.  "And
I've got a weak spot for trouble."  Erg.  How much of that beer has
she had?  Coughing and trying to change the subject, she asks
curiously, "And who calls you Tomi?  Is that a childhood nickname?" 
Setting down her cards, she reveals a straight, ace high.  "Guess
that means you owe me a dare too."  And then she's smirking, "Oh
yeah, I think you and Nikki would get on well.  And hai, she's a lot
of fun.  A real wild child."  And now she'll peek from under her
lashes to see if Chase is drooling yet.

Chase doesn't drool. His head might turn to follow after a good-
looking girl now and again, but he refrains from drooling. That's
what fangirls and fanboys do. You know, like Legolas
lovers. "Trouble? Oh, I like that. Gross generalization, but I still
like it." Such a smile that follows as well. "Short for Tomite...
and it is a lot easier to yell out. I should know, I get yelled at
often and with great gusto." Yes, the cards are earned a
scowl. "Dammit. Yep, both owe each other a dare."

"Seems to fit more than anything else," Sayuri notes as she gathers
up all the cards and reshuffles before dealing again.  "Tomite, what
the heck kind of nickname is that?  How the heck did you end up with
Tomite, anyway?"  Talk about a random childhood name.  Blink.  "So,
who's been yelling out your name?"  She won't say it, she won't. 
She hasn't had enough beer to be thinking naughty thoughts.  "And
like I said, Tomi-kun, I've got something special planned for you." 
And yeah, it involves a fuku.

Chase blinks owlishly at Sayuri for a long moment, blinks some more,
and then suddenly bursts out laughing once again. *hick* Next come
the snickers. "Kind of silly, isn't it?" Hand waves vaguely towards
the heavens, "One of those higher power sort of things, you know?"
Actually, she probably doesn't, but that doesn't stop him from
saying it. Never stopped him before, and that little bit of alcohol
in his system loosens things up as well. When was the last time
something good happened when he was a little inebriated? Another
blink, "Something planned for me? Like what?" Forearms rest upon the
edge of the table as he leans towards her. "What?"

Sayuri gives up at cards as Chase starts hiccupping.  But hey, it
plays right into her plans for the evening.  "Higher power sort of
things, hrm?  Why don't you tell me all about it, Tomi-kun?"  And
she'll lean forward, inviting him to continue on the subject.  Three
beers.  He's a cheap date, that's for sure.  "Ah, now that I can't
say.  It's a secret, ne?"  And she'll wink, her mouth twisting up in
a rather smug smile.  "But I think you'll like it, considering your
fetishes."

It was just one hiccup. Just one. It really sucks sometimes to have
a sixteen year-old's body. Well, not that he was any better at
eighteen holding his liquor as well. "Oh yeah..." he drawls. Finger
jabs towards the ceiling. You know, the higher power of the ceiling -
whoever lives above them. Or not. "All kinds of higher powers
playing their games. You saw the mark, right? Right." Yeah, you
guessed it. Fingers are already curling in his shirt to tug it
upwards to bare the lower area of his back. Despite that, he leans
even further over the table towards her, but protests, "I don't have
any fetishes. At least I don't think that I do."

Sayuri is sixteen and she can hold her alcohol.  Chase is just a
wuss.  She blinks as he points upwards, frowning in
speculation.  "All kinds of higher powers?"  And then Chase is
taking off his shirt.  Squeaking, she assures him, "Hai, hai, I saw
the mark.  I remember you saying that it was nothing, ne?"  So it's
connected with these mysterious Yin and Yang higher powers.  She's
getting more and more intrigued as time goes on.  As he leans
forward, she tweaks his nose and laughs.  "Everyone has fetishes,
even if we don't know about them.  Those certain little things that
turn us-"  She cuts off her sentence.  She can't believe that she's
having this conversation with Chase.  "Look, you have a fetish. 
Trust me on this."

Chase is not a wuss! And he would protest that -if only he could
read minds, that is. "Oh yeah, all kinds." Fingers are brandished,
one coming up after another, "Genbu, Byakko, Seiryuu, and Suzaku.
And let me tell you something, the Suzaku are about the most
worthless bunch of seishi I have ever had the displeasure of coming
across." And he could go on and on about that subject, only to be
distracted by Sayuri again, and he nose tweaking. Nose tweaking that
briefly causes his eyes to cross, and then he is batting at her
hand, "Turn us...? On! On! You were going to say on! What's your
fetish, Sayuri? Comic books, isn't it?"

"Genbu, Byakko, Seiryuu, and Suzaku?  You mean the four ancient
gods?  But they're just myths, Chase-kun."  Sayuri shakes her head
and just gives the other teenager a pitying look.  Drunk makes him
looser, but also a bit more wacky as well, it seem.  Still, perhaps
there's a grain of something in what he's saying.  After all, he
still hasn't explained about the mark.  "And so where does Tomite
fit in with these four gods?"  Seishi.  Warriors.  Perhaps if she
keeps him talking, he'll eventually make sense.  Passing over her
can of beer to Chase - wouldn't want him to sober up - she laughs as
her hand's batted away.  "Perhaps I was," she comments
blithely.  "But we're not talking about me, Tomi-kun.  We're talking
about you."  Can't let him get distracted here.

"Myths!" Chase bursts with a slap of his hand to the table. "She
calls them myths.. if only. If they were just myths, I probably
wouldn't be here right now. And while I like a second time
around, 'n such..." Wait. More distraction. A can. Hopefully the can
that isn't frozen, but he is going to take a drink anywho because
that doesn't even cross his mind. "And Tomite fits in right there
with all of the rest. You know, like Hikitsu and Inami and Hatsui
and... are you sure you don't want to talk about your fetishes? It
might be fun." And he leans forward even more only to blink and
scowl. "I can't talk to you with a table in the way, come on." He
slips from he seat, keeps his feet, and then moves to try to grab
her wrist again. "Lets see what's on TV. Get off the couch, Benito!"
Because that is where he plans on seating her.
     
Chase drunk is a force in itself.  "Then they're not... wait, what's
this about a second time around?"  And no, it's not the frozen can,
it's the rest of her second beer, the one that Sayuri had been
nursing while he was obviously well on his way to drunk.  "Hi-
Hikitsu and Inami and Hatsui?"  Blink.  "What the hell's an Inami? 
Or any of the rest of them for that matter?"  Smiling sweetly, she
nods her head, "Hai, I'm sure that talking about my fetishes would
be far more boring, ne?  And I wouldn't want to be the boring sort
of girl."  And then she lets him grab her wrist and tug her towards
the couch, a laugh escaping despite herself.  "Although I'd much
rather talk than watch TV, Tomi-kun.  Wouldn't you?"  And now she'll
bat her lashes at him, because it's evident that he's not thinking
too clearly.

Kenny does have really incredibly... bad timing doesn't he? The door
rattling is all the indication that someone's at the door before it
opens. Hey he's got a key at least, Kenny walking in with a
equipment bag over his shoulder and looking like he just got back
from work. Which is pretty much the case. "Hey Chase, I'm ho...
Ooer.. Heya, Sayuri." The seishi blinks as he steps away from the
door and closes it behind him. "Not interrupting anything am I?
Sorry, I just wanted a shower and change, I'll scoot once I get
cleaned up."

Chase felt the buzz if Inami somewhere in the back of his head as
the man made his way through the building, but along with the buzz
of alcohol as well he really didn't pay all that close attention to
it. He is flopping onto the couch and dragging Sayuri along with
him, "Oh, Inami... that's Kenny. And Hikitsu is Brice and Hatsui is
that girl with the pink hair. You know. And we're all seishi and
we're here to do whatever the gods want us to do. Maybe summon and
make wishes with the miko. I don't know. They never tell me about
that sort of stuff." Maybe because of instances like this? Eyelash
batting is earned a broadening grin, "I suppose we could talk, but
you're too busy asking me all of these silly questions about me, me,
me. Going to tell me about your fetish yet? I'll just bet it is
scrappy-looking bow-wielders who are called Trouble." And then the
door opens, and there is Kenny. "Hey, Kenny! See, Sayuri. Him.
That's Inami. His second time around too, the old guy."

"Inami is Kenny?  Hikitsu is Brice?  And Anana is Hatsui?"  Sayuri's
rather quick on the uptake most times, but even this has her
lost.  "Summon?  Summon what?  And what does a miko have to do with
wishes?"  The more she finds out, the more lost she gets.  "Well, I
suppose I could-"  The jangle of the door interrupts her.  Look,
sanity just walked in the door!  "Kenny-san," Sayuri smiles in
greeting at the other teenager.  "Iie, you're not interrupting
anything at all.  Tomi-kun and I were just about to... watch
television."  She'll just have to pump the other Genbu for more
information later, it seems.  Still, since he's such a light-weight,
it shouldn't be too difficult.  One cup of sake should do the
trick.  "There's no need to leave."

Kenny scowls slightly as he crosses through the living room, aiming
for his bedroom doorway. "Hey watch it Chase, who're you calling
old? I'm only nineteen, sheesh. It's not my problem that you're the
one who acts like some sort of spoiled brat." he snips, but winks at
Sayuri. Good thing he didn't hear more of their conversation or he'd
be doing more than just giving thought to smacking Tomite across the
back of the head. Then his seishi name registers and he blinks in
surprise at the other Genbu, flicking a quick glance at the girl
before he does glare viciously. "You and your big mouth, Chase. What
do you think you're telling her?"

Chase nods his head to Sayuri. Oooooh. Look. He is a bobble-
head. "Summon Genbu, of course. All of us seishi get together, and
she summons him, and there are these wishes, and there is this whole
order to the thing." Hand waves vaguely and then he is shifting to
lean against the girl. "If I was spoiled I wouldn't have to go down
to Brice's to take his beer and still leave money on the counter for
him. Wait... we're watching TV now?" *hick* Another blink over to
Kenny, "I'm just answering her questions. Not only is she handy with
pointy objects, but she is curious one too. Asking me all kinds of
questions."

Sayuri flashes another smile at Kenny at the wink, looking well and
bemused.  And then she has to defend Chase, kinda.  "Anou, Kenny-
san, it's my fault.  I asked him what an Inami was."  Uh-oh, Chase
is in trouble.  But is she making any effort to leave.  Not on your
life.  Even if Chase is using her for a pillow now.  Sigh, she
should have known that he couldn't keep her part in the mess
quite.  "I was just making friendly conversation, Tomi-kun," she
snorts.  "After all, you were making all sorts of weird
references."  And now she'll look around for the remote, tickling
Chase slightly to get him to move slightly.  "And hai, we're
watching television now."

Kenny is really going to have to keep an eye on Sayuri now, the
former spy is ever paranoid, but it comes with the territory. "Gods,
Chase! You and your big mouth! Shut up already! Argh!" No wonder
Genbu locked him in a cave for 200 years." n.- The elder teen shakes
his head and resists the urge to eliminate witnesses and take care
of this 'incident' but you know, it's not the war against Kutou
anymore, so lucky for Sayuri. "You're a dead boy Chase." he growls
under his breath as he stalks towards his room to clean up. Oooh,
he's gonna tell Namame about this!

Chase is blinking once more, "Yeah, she was asking me all of these
questions 'n stuff. And I was just being friendly and explaining
things. See, friendly." Only to burst into laugher at her tickle,
that causes him to hitch away for a moment, batting half-heartedly
at her hands. "Watch it, girl. You just keep those fingers to
yourself or I might think you are being fresh with me again." Old
joke, getting older. At Kenny's words though, he settles, looking
just a little chagrined, "Oh, damn. Brice is going to be mad at me,
isn't he? He is always getting mad at me for stuff. Even when you
are the one who pushes Dylan in the river, I'm the one who gets
blamed because I am simply /there/. Called out on the carpet three
times. /Three/! Bet you didn't even get growled at once." *dramatic
and greatly aggrieved sigh* He babbles. Obviously.

Sayuri tries to look innocent and harmless as Kenny rants at Chase. 
Wouldn't want him to think she's a loose end that needs to be tied. 
Nope, no need to shut her up.  Blinking up at the older Genbu, she
just looks from one to the other, trying to keep the amused quirk
from her lips.  Detracts from the image that she's trying to
portray.  "You never think I'm being fresh," she decides to lighten
the mood and perhaps change the subject.  "All you do is threaten
and growl, more bark than bite."  See, she feels safe with Chase,
thus her willingness to go home with him and get drunk.  Okay, get
him drunk.  "Is Chase-kun always such a flirt, Kenny-san?"  And
though she wants to ask just who Dylan is, she won't.

Through the door of his bedroom where the sound of a shirt can be
heard being thrown against the wall. "It was not a river!" Kenny
yells, a low growl following. "It was just a pond and you could have
warned me about who he was, dumbass!" Yep, the older Genbu is
feeling irate alright. No answer is given to Sayuri though about
Chase being a flirt though, because the sounds of a shower
immediately follow.

Chase is always getting ranted at by the others. If Sayuri is going
to hang out with him, she had better get used to it, because he is.
If he wasn't drunk, he'd have probably just sat there and
waited 'til Kenny was done -then again, if he wasn't drunk, probably
more or just about all wouldn't have been said anyway. "I never
think you are being fresh because you are always denying it." At the
sound of Kenny in the shower, he leans over to Sayuri and nearly
stage-whispers to her, "He wanted to go out and mug someone for some
money, so I followed him. After all, the guy just showed up, and I'm
not about to see him leave already.  I even /tried/ to suggest that
we get some drug dealer, he wouldn't have anything of it. Gave him
my handgun, followed after him, and then he goes and picks out this
Byakko to mug. A Byakko. Before I can say anything, he is trying to
mug Dylan. Now /who/ is the dumbass now. Of /course/, he didn't get
blamed. I do. I even got threatened by one of them saying he'd
rather have me killed and wait for my reincarnation if I didn't
straighten out and prove I'm still with the Genbu." More
babbling. "Were you ever being fresh with me, Sayuri?" Puppy-dog
eyes through the overly-long dark bangs of his. 

Kenny's undressing?!  And then showering?!  While she's there?  Talk
about comfortable.  Sayuri just blinks.  No, she's not flushing. 
She never flushes.  She's too hardened to flush.  Really.  The
slight color on her cheeks?  Well that's just due to the heat,
because it's awfully hot in the Genbus' apartment.  Now she's ready
for that iced beer.  Only thing worse would be both of them taking a
shower.  She has hormones as well.  "Wha-huh?"  She returns her
attention to Chase only to be bombarded with another confusing run-
on sentence.  "A Byakko?  What the heck's that?"  And then she'll
lower her lashes and peek out at Chase from underneath them, at odds
with her wolfish grin.  "What do you think, Tomi-kun?  Do I look
like the kind of girl that gets fresh?"

It's a good thing Inami didn't hear all that while he was in the
shower, or he wouldn't bother telling Namame, he'd go tan Tomite's
hide himself! And no picture them in the shower together either!
Yeek! The shower stops and more movement can be heard in the
bedroom. Emerging dressed in a tee and jeans, while still toweling
dry his long hair, Kenny looks around the apartment
suspiciously. "You better not still be babbling Chase, or I'll send
you into a cure all detox program." Called older brother
bitching. "Sayuri.. don't take this hogwash he's saying too
seriously, as you can see, Chase is a complete waste after just a
few drinks."

Chase is nodding his head, "Sure thing, in the flesh. I mentioned
that name before, didn't I? I think I did... anyway." Distracted by
the smile and the eyes. "Hrm? I think that you are the kind of girl
that would kiss a guy and in the next breath stab him in the back -
or try to kosh him over the head. But we both know you are just a
softie under all of that attitude." His head turns as Kenny returns,
nodding his head in affirmation, "Yeah! Like the time that Lexie
kidnapped me and got me drunk just so that she didn't have to keep
me tied up and we could play. I did try to escape though. Nobody
believes that I did, but I honestly tried to. Right out the fire
escape, only the window kept moving on me."

"I'm not soft, not at all, Chase-kun," Sayuri denies, getting rather
prickly, because hanging around the Genbu is indeed making her
soft.  And she doesn't like it.  "And perhaps I would stab him or
kosh him, but that just adds to the thrill of kissing me, doesn't
it?"  As Kenny emerges, she wipes the wicked grin off her face and
lets out a husky laugh, "I'm taking his words with a grain of salt,
don't you worry, Kenny-san."  Only, she's seen his kanji, so the
grain's terribly, terribly small.  "Lexie?  Who's this Lexie?"  All
these new names she has to figure out.  Good thing she has a talent
for them.  She patpats Chase's leg, giving a pitying tsk.  "I hate
it when that happens."

Kenny has really little knowledge of this Lexie person, so he can't
really comment. "Maybe if you only pretended to be drunk instead of
actually getting stinking drunk, you could have gotten away." What
he wants to say is a lot less kind, like telling Tomite what a sucky
seishi he is. n.- "I don't know much about Chase's ex-girlfriend.
Sorry Sayuri, can't help ya if you want to know more." The older
teen tottles towards the kitchenette to find food.

Chase leans in a little closer to Sayuri, smiling faintly, "Oh,
maybe that could be one of your dares. Daring me to kiss you to see
if you do actually do that or not. That could work." Her laugh
causes him to snicker though, shifting a glance back on to
Kenny, "She was an evil woman. Kept giving me cans of beer. Was it
any wonder she was the Yin no miko?" And then comes the slight
frown, peering on to Kenny for a moment. "Wait... have I said too
much?"

"Oh, I wouldn't waste a dare like that, Chase-kun," Sayuri replies
ever so sweetly.  "After all, I've only got one, and I've got plans
for you.  Remember?"  He'll have to think of another way to risk
life and limb if he wants to sneak a kiss.  Blinking at Kenny's back
as he tottles into the kitchen, she puts two and two together.  "Is
this Lexie the girl we were talking about before?  The one that was
killed?"  Pause.  "The Yin no miko."  All of these references to
priestesses.  And now she'll blink again, putting on a slightly
confused mien.  "Chase-kun, all this stuff you keep telling me just
ends up confusing me more."  Uh-huh.

Kenny comes back out of the kitchen, not with food, beer, or even a
soda. Nope, he's carrying a roll of duct tape. *skrrt!* He yanks off
a strip of it and starts stalking across the room towards
Chase. "That is enough out of you!" the older Genbu growls, though
he tries to dampen down that reaction in front of Sayuri as he tries
to slap the tape across Chase's big mouth. "He's drunker than I
thought, Sayuri-chan. He gets these moments of delirium you see. It
comes and goes, unfortunately most of the time he's off his rocker.
That's why he's always just bumming around at home. Can't hold a
job, unstable." Uh huh.

"That fetish thing again, eh? I'm telling you, I haven't got a
fetish. You're the one with the love of long, pointy things," Chase
replies, looking as serious as an inebriated youth can look. "Yeah,
same woman. And you should probably take a drink too... so you can
forget it all." Beer can is offered. And then Kenny appears, with
tape. Now, typically, Chase would be scrambling over the sofa and
twisting away from the other man and his tape. But he is actually
quite comfortable upon the sofa, next to Sayuri. And is so a very
easy target for tape. "Aw, come on now, Kenny. Who wants to hold a
steady job anyway? That means paying taxes, punching a clock. There
is so much more money to be made in getting bounties. Just imagine
how much I could have got for turning you in. That'd have paid for-
mmmmmmmmm." Taped. The jaw tries to move, some sounds come out, but
that is about it. He'll slump back now, looking rather defeated.

"Actually, I'm partial to daggers, not swords.  Though Kenny-san's
an absolute artist when it comes to working with the latter." 
Sayuri gives praise where praise is due.  "It takes more that a
drink to get me drunk, Chase-kun," she replies archly, settling back
against the cushions.  As the duct tape appears, she looks vaguely
worried until it's clear that the older Genbu has a different target
in mind.  "Ah, moments of delirium," she agrees with a confused
nod.  "That explains all the things that he seems to have been
blabbering on about."  Such as mikos, and summoning, and wishes
and "Turning... Kenny-san in?"  Now she'll arch a brow at the
longhaired Genbu and pluck at the tape that's holding Chase's mouth
shut.  Because that sounds like an interesting story there.  "Is
that what you were referring to the other day?"

"You damn me with faint praise." Inami remarks to Sayuri, though he
inclines his head at her for the acknowledgement. "Yes, delirium.
Can't you tell? A smart girl like you should be able to tell when
someone's obviously had a little too much to drink and is completely
off his rocker.." The swordsman rests his elbow on top of Tomite's
head and grins ferally. "He's babbling in other words, Sayuri.
Turning me in, indeed. There's no record on me." Because Chiriko
fixed it. Whew. "Nope, that wasn't what I was referring to at all. I
just had an interesting childhood, that's all." Right.

Is she going to pluck at it, or simply rip it away from his lips?
Either way, Chase isn't going to like the removal very much. So much
to respond to, and he does as well as he can despite the fact that
his lips are taped shut -so it simply comes out and incomprehensible
mumbling. And now with Kenny's arm on his head, this causes the boy
to slump a little further down in the seat. Mumbling, exasperation,
the inability to draw in air through that 'big' mouth of his, the
fact that he did drink a few beers, the warmth to one side of him.
It all conspires to cause the boy's vision to haze. Unconsciousness
to follow. Slump. Out.

Okay, that explains the drunken rambling, but it doesn't explain all
the times Chase let loose about Yin-Yang matters without the
additional help of a little beer.  Still, Sayuri's a smart girl and
realizes when it might be dangerous to her health to admit these
sort of things.  "He's got quite a vivid imagination, doesn't he?" 
Yes, she'll talk about Chase as if he's not there, her deep mahogany
eyes dancing with mirth.  "Wonder where he comes up with these
stories."  Or why Kenny reacted the way that he did.  She'll still
just pluck at the tape, tugging at it at odd moments, because she's
evil that way.  Or she was until he passed out.  "Chase-kun?  Chase-
kun?!"  Okay, now she'll rip off the tape.  At least he's out so he
can't feel it.

Kenny is quite relieved when Tomite slips off into unconsciousness,
though a whole host of different pranks suddenly runs through his
head. Stenciling his forehead, tattooing his ass, wrapping him in
bubbletape and shipping him off to Uruki's or something. "I have no
idea where he gets these ideas. He's definitely got a vivid
imagination, probably a bad case of drugs while he was younger."
Yeah, right. "Looks like he's out for the count though, should
probably dump a blanket on him and just leave him here on the couch.
He'll be fine."

Ouch. Getting duct tape ripped away from your cheeks and mouth hurts
like you wouldn't believe. Well, that is unless the majority of
Chase isn't already numb from the alcohol. There is actually
something of a wince to his features though, head rocking to the
side as the tape is pulled away. But other than that, no response.
Maybe he'll have to beg another kiss to get rid of the hangover from
Cat again. Shameless, this one.

Oh the things that they could write on Chase's body.  Good thing
Kenny doesn't bring up the idea, because Sayuri's just bad enough to
want to find a Sharpee and add to the general chaos.  "Hai, Kenny-
san."  And she'll rise and leave that detail to the older Genbu,
because he's probably more certain of where the blankets are
kept.  "I'll call it a night then," she adds blearily, "Otousan
might be getting worried."  Though the chances of that happening are
slim to none.  "Oyasumi, Kenny-san."

"Oyasumi, Sayuri-chan. See you around I guess." Kenny says with a
grin, waiting for her to go before starting with the forehead prank
at least. Okay, he'll just write 'Stupid' on Tomite's head instead,
but it's well deserved. "I'll keep you in mind the next time I'm
having a sword duel though!" Especially if she's going to turn out
to be a liability of some sort.