2/12/2003

01:13 AM

Logfile from Ichijin.

 

Central Park Zoo

The 'animal conservatory' is ostensibly split into two areas. First, is the Children's petting zoo, which has recently undergone a major rennovation. The entire upper area is now netted, so that free flying birds within the zoo can spread their wings while remaining in the small area. A huge, fabricated tree is the centerpiece, around which small, dirt paths lead the wanderer to view and pet the animals available, including goats and sheep and a surprisingly gentle ram.

The other area is much larger and contains the main viewing spots for the larger animals. An oval pool complete with a center island and large rock hideaway is the first sight you see, with about six sea lions diving up and down within the clear glassed-in tank. Around this point, there are several buildings representing the different temperate zones where animals live - polar, temperate, and tropical.

Obvious exits:

Central Park (EA)

There is an open portal to Canal Street - Eastern End.

 

Kourin is, of all places, standing in front of the bear enclosure with a wry smile quirking her lips. She's not exactly sure what's got her wandering out to the zoo to stare at this place, but she's learned not to exactly question fate or intuition. Not when your previous life resides inside your mind and mingles with your present day one. Hands are tucked into the pockets of her jeans as she continues to stare off into the pen.

 

Sebastian is walking with a pair of others. All men in suits, but one in the khaki's of the zoo. He is shaking his head from side to side, "Now, I wish to make a donation to the boar exhibit, but I really need to see what it looks like now. No, not tigers, and definitely not the Komodo dragons. The /boars/.... Trust me, it'll be a draw." As they pass by the bear exhibit, a certain young lady draws his attention. He hesitates, smiles to himself, and then waves the others on, "My lawyers will discuss it with you. Continue."

 

Kourin's shoulders tense the moment she hears that particular voice. It's not as if she's likely to forget its cultured cadence. She tilts her head to look one shoulder, confirming the speaker's identity with a muffled explaintive. The bear exhibit gets a view of her back as she turns around and leans her backside against the railing, arm crossing over her breasts as she openly stares at him.

 

Sebastian is stared at. Clearly this is a good sign. Instead of crossing his arms like she is, he lifts his hands up in the classic 'unarmed' gesture. See, he isn't packing anything, or something. A bow is sketched to her, eyes remaining on Kourin's form -because you never know if she might do something. "Truce?"

 

"Beating the shit out of you in the middle of the zoo is not my idea of a good time," is Kourin's sacrastic response. "Here I was reminiscing about old times and who should happen by... Sebastian, ne?" Her gaze flickers over him from head to toe, giving him an appreciative nod. "I suppose I should thank you for not killing any of us. Especially Hiroshi. Of course, considering what that blast of yours did to Michael, perhaps it was an accident any of us survived."

Sebastian quirks a brow at her words, his smile still present though. "Reminiscing? I sure hope there was fondness in your thoughts if I happened to plague them." He licks his lips before continuing, moving a little further to find a position near to the wall. "No thanks are necessary. I was only doing as was willed. It was all a matter of accidental circumstance that things happened as they did."

 

Kourin finds herself laughing softly back at him. "Brains, beauty and a sense of humor. What treasures for an onisenshi," she quips. "But no, fondness would not be how I'd describe my feelings for you, Sebastian. Annoyance, irritation, anger... those would suffice."

 

Sebastian turns his gaze onto the bear exhibit. Clearly she hasn't any clue what it took to actually go down there and mark a spot for him to create a portal too. Must planning and perpetration that. Those Suzaku were trouble from start to finish. He chuckles, gaze drawing back over to her, "No? I'm hurt by this, Kourin. It truly pains me to leave you with such poor memories of our time together."

 

Kourin smiles with a false sweetness, "Does it? Pity. You should have taken me up on my offer when you had the chance, Sebastian. Or was it Ichijin. I seem to remember hearing several names during that time. But, alas, if you weren't who you were, I might apologize for my callous words. However, I don't think I can bring myself to apologize to you. I think you'll understand."

 

Sebastian chuckles once more, shaking his head from side to side, "As tempting as the offer was, it really wasn't in my best interests at the time. I'm sure you can understand my denial of your numerous charms, lady." Green-irised gaze flickering to her to watch Kourin for a moment. "So, you are taking my affiliations into consideration here then? I don't quite hold your being Suzaku against you. These things happen."

 

Kourin shrugs her shoulders, "The offer was made because I thought I would need to bargain something to get my friends out of there and at the time, all I had was myself. I did notice the one called Reese seemed rather unhappy with my particular negotiation too. I certainly hope I didn't cause any problems there. No, really." She flashes him a sly little grin and a wink. "What I do hold against you is that you hurt my friends. That you plan to destroy my world. Those things tend to make people upset and a little put out."

 

Sebastian smiles at mention of Reese. Yes, this is a genuine smile. "She is protective of me. And rightly so. No, despite your efforts to tumble me into bed, all is well with my family." Yeah, never mind that little incident earlier today involving guns, blood, and chi. Trevor would have had heard all kinds of excitement at the neightbor's place if something actually drastic happened. But he draws in a breath, exhaling it with a wistful sigh. "This is true. But, it was all in the service of my god. I'm sure you would understand that."

 

Kourin is nodding back to him, "Of course I understand such duties, being a seishi. It would be pleasant to think that this was all something that could be worked out and we could share a drink and a big mac and go home, ne? But that isn't the case and I won't pretend it is. You'd kill me in a heartbeat if you thought that's what had to be done and honestly I doubt I'd hesitate in doing the same to you. I don't think friendship is in the cards for us. I suppose I can be pleased that you and she have some happiness together."

 

Sebastian drops back, resting a forearm on the lip of the barrier between them and the bear exhibit. "My, you make it all sound quite so final, Kourin. It is a quite sobering that you have such an outlook on things. Not nearly as optimistic as I would imagine your kind would tend to believe." Another long sigh. "But, seeing as the cat is proverbially out of the bag, here..." Hand delves into a pocket, pulling out one of his many business cards, and he holds it between two fingers before her. "I don't deny what I am or what I'm about, nor what your mission in this life is. But, you never know how that future might play itself out, lady."

 

Kourin takes the card from his fingers and pauses to glance down at it a moment, one eyebrow arching before she tucks it inot a pocket. "I am anything if not blunt, Sebastian. There's little I can do if that offends you. As for my optimism... When you have already given your life to save your friends, you learn to be a realist. Do I hope to live through all this? Of course. But I'd rather see my friends survive. Before, I was the first of the Suzaku seishi to die. I was not there at the end." There is a pause as her gaze drifts away from him, staring out over the open spaces of the zoo. "Actually, I was there, but not in physical form. Not that it matters to you." Her eyes shift back and she smiles slightly.

 

Sebastian draws himself back up, watching her with an almost emotionless gaze. "That is your story, Kourin. And a fascinating one that I'd more than love to hear in greater detail. But do not imagine that your sacrifices in another lifetime somehow manage to belittle that which I'm willing to do for my god and my family now. We have our duties, and whatever exits of our lives. What you make of it is your own."

 

Kourin smiles thoughtfully, "I had no intention of belittling you or your family, Sebastian. I hope you'd do all the same things I would for mine. Hell, I suspect you'd do more in ways I wouldn't consider because my powers aren't the same. I'm well aware that there is a lacking balance between the Yin and the Yang and because of that, we are all here. I know it's not a strict matter of good versus evil either. There are seishi among us who would compare to that one called Dylan. I'm not living a fairytale here, Sebastian. I'm living my life."

 

Sebastian blinks at Kourin, and then actually chuckles with mirth once again. "Yes, well... Dylan was clearly a special case, seeing as he wasn't even one of ours to begin with. Amazing how the gods work at times, isn't it? And how old instances of days gone by can come to haunt you as well?" A hand smooths over his jacket as he continues, "Please don't hesitate to get in contact with me, Kourin. I do so enjoy our discussions. Maybe next time we can wax poetic on something else over tea?"

 

"I can't promise anything, but perhaps I will. Tea is something I always appreciate." The oni gets a friendlier smile from her this time, even a shake of the head, "I don't trust you, just so we're clear on that fact. I can certainly admire your handsome looks, but beauty without doesn't always contain beauty within, ne? Still, you have always been charming and polite, in your own way. Even when you were bringing down the museum around us."

 

Sebastian shrugs his shoulders indolently. "It was necessary to help accomplish what we set out to do." But there is a moment before he continues, "And I prefer to leave an memorable first impression. My ego and my god demands no less." He drops back a step, sketching her another bow. "I'd take your hand and offer a kiss to it, but I fear for my knuckles. Just so you know that is where my intentions exist. A pleasure, as always, Kourin."

 

Kourin nods her head to him and even gives him a half-wave. "Good-bye, Sebastian," she offers before tucking her hand back into her pocket and pushing from the railing as she strides along one of the zoo's walkways, heading back toward the entrance.

 

Nuriko exits the zoo.