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Post by Ito Kiyoshi on Jun 30, 2012 20:07:37 GMT 1
“Why would I ever want to catch you?” Kiyoshi murmured softly into the suddenly empty room. He sighed. He really shouldn't have done that. Ruby was going to think he had been rude to her guest. He covered his mouth with his bare hand, struggling to stifle a yawn then rubbed his sore eyes for good measure. He was tired and his head hurt. He wanted nothing more right now than to be at home in his own bed sound asleep until the cool night air woke him again.
Carefully he tugged the glove back onto his hot damp hand with some effort. The gloves were particularly uncomfortable when he was sweating like this but even more important because of it. He may not have been entirely fair to Gavin in how he had answered his question but he had received the reaction he had expected. The other mutant considered him just as dangerous as the vampires did. His Grandmother had been right that even the other mutants would not trust him.
He glanced around the bakery kitchen, mentally reassuring himself that the dishes he had used were dealt with and that he had touched nothing else. The third Affirmation was entirely fundamental to his way of life. Again he sighed. He needed to go and apologise to Ruby. He turned towards the sunlit doorway back into the little shop reluctantly, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the brightness just as Ruby bustled back in.
He lowered his gaze and bowed his head to Ruby in chagrin as she scolded his unseemly behaviour and then bowed deeply to her, "Moushiwake arimasen deshita.” He looked back towards Gavin where he stood and thought hard with regards to exactly what he would say. He would not be rude again in front of Ruby. He gave Gavin a small bow. “Shitsurei shimashita.” he said softly, and his eyes flicked back to Ruby hoping his apology also met with her approval.
There was an odd little expression on Ruby's face as she looked at him, but it wasn't fear and for that he thanked the Kami. He did not think he could have borne it if she too had feared him now. Gavin McMahon he did not know how he was going to deal with however. The man had seemed quite emphatic that he had no use for someone like Kiyoshi and his reference to his associates Sam and Amitiel, whoever they were, had seemed very much meant as a threat.
He turned back to face Ruby, hoping that she had something else to say that would ease the tension in the room.
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Post by Gavin McMahon on Jul 2, 2012 8:49:27 GMT 1
Gavin followed Gran back into the kitchen and listened to what Gran had to say. He sighed. He didn't do anything but offer to assist a fellow mutant, like he always did. He never picked fights, he ran from them if it was possible to because he promised Gran he would. But Gran seemed to be taking Kiyoshi's side and not thinking about who he was.
He was a respected member of the mutant community, their leader so to speak. But Gran was like his own grandmother and respected her for everything she did to help the cause of his fellow mutants. He loved her like she was his own so he did as she said and nodded. But he wasn't going to let this go without her hearing his side. Not to mention, he had no idea what Kiyoshi said.
"All I did was tell him who I was and what I did. I help mutants live as normal of a life as they can. I put my life on the line every minute of every day trying to help people like him. I give them jobs, clothing, credentials and homes." he said quietly, in a respectful tone.
"He threatened me, I didn't threaten him. I offered to help." he shook his head and looked down, "He could have simply said no thank you." he turned and looked at Gran, "To me, it makes him a threat to you if he threatens people who offer to help him." He took a step toward the door. "If you trust him, I'll have to take your word for it. But if anything happens to you and I think for even a second that he was the cause of it... Lets just say that me and my rescue squad will be paying him a visit, and it won't be to rescue him from anything."
He put his hand on the door knob and gave it a turn. "That's not a threat...its a promise."
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Post by rubywilliams on Jul 3, 2012 14:48:12 GMT 1
She listened to Ito patiently and nodded once slowly. His apology was very sincere. Both of these fine young men were a little bull headed she thought ruefully. It wouldn't do to ruffle either of their prides. " Daijoubu desu Ito san. Please understand that Gavin is very protective of me." She told him though she looked at Gavin. He was. He'd turned out just fine. She also knew how hard he worked putting the needs of others before his own. Far to often for her tastes. It left little time for himself and his own needs.
Ruby, smiled just a little sadly. Inadvertently she'd hurt Gavin's feelings. Now it was time to fix things up. "Gavin. Some do not trust the offer of help so easily. No matter how honest it is. I am sorry, I thought you were picking fights in my kitchen. That was not well said of me. Forgive me that, both of you." She added and looked from one to the other. "I truly would like to see you both help each other." Gavin was inching his way closer to the door. And her lips pursed into a serious frown. His words were true. She knew it. Ruby also knew if any harm befell her it wouldn't be from Ito or any of the other mutants she had helped along the way. Heaven help them if they did.
Many had come through her doors during her years. It was what kept her going some days the chance to do good and help. It is what caused her to buy out the apartments next to her shop with Gavin's help. It offered them places to stay if need be. Her little half way home was never without occupants. Ruby thought of them as the children she never had. Loved each them for who and what they were. Perhaps that is what the good lord had intended for her and kept her around for. She was not certain any longer. Only thing she was certain of was she was not getting younger.
"Please, do not leave yet Gavin. I have some other things for the children besides the cookies. If you'll just give me a moment to get them." She added. The box of clothing she'd been stitching was full and ready for him to take.
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Post by Ito Kiyoshi on Jul 3, 2012 22:41:50 GMT 1
Kiyoshi was initially angry at Gavin's response, the man had no manners at all and was as brash and threatening as any human. He had offered a perfectly good apology for his actions but Gavin did not seem to wish to take any responsibility for his part in the disagreement. Not that Kiyoshi allowed his irritation to show on his face, that would have been even more rude than Gavin was being. The other mutant was no longer even addressing him directly but deferring formally to Ruby. That at least made things a little easier for him given Ruby had known his Grandmother and himself for many years, and he followed suit.
“I believe that is exactly what I did say earlier to Mr. McMahon.” Kiyoshi held himself stiffly, he was being very formal now, it was the only reaction he had for a situation like this. “I informed him of exactly what I am and offered a small demonstration. I have already offered apology for the inappropriate manner in which I did so, I can do no more. I have borne trouble to your house, and I am deeply sorry, I should not have come here like this and frightened your friend.”
He knew that he had done wrong and whilst he was ashamed of his actions he would not shame himself further by denying them even if Gavin had nothing to say to him. “There is nothing for you to apologise for.” Kiyoshi said quietly to Ruby. “Your words are both correct and true. I behaved poorly and in a provocative manner. I have shamed myself in your house.” He bowed deeply to Ruby once again before he turned slowly to address Gavin directly.
“You are not alone in being prepared to do whatever the Kami require to safeguard our Grandmother. I was ready to do you harm when I thought you had hurt her. I have no desire for conflict with you or your associates Gavin McMahon, the greatest Principle is harmony in all things, but I will not endebt myself to you for aid I do not require and which you do not believe I can repay. If you have no use for my Gift then I have nothing to offer you and I can accept nothing from you.”
“Jā, shitsurei shimasu.” he said again directed to Ruby and he turned to leave back out through the shop as he had entered.
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Post by Gavin McMahon on Jul 13, 2012 11:16:49 GMT 1
Gavin stopped cold in his tracks. Gran asked him not to leave and out of respect for her, he would not. But Ito's words annoyed him to know end. First he kept speaking some kind of gibberish and expecting him to understand. Obviously, Gran understood it but he didn't have any clue. They both sounded like some mutant confounded thier tongues. He waited for Gran to leave the room and fought the urge to pop Ito in the mouth. It would not do for the head of the MPS to act violently toward another mutant in Gran's house.
Once she was gone, he turned to Ito, "Hold on there, "Ito San." he mimicked what Gran had called him, "Whatever that is supposed to mean." He let go of the door knob now since he had been requested to stay. "First, there is a difference between fear and self preservation. Second, how the hell am I supposed to know what you are saying to me, you sound like someone tied your tongue in knots. I know that some sort of different language and just because you understand it and Gran understands it, doesn't mean a self educated man would have any clue what you are saying. I had enough trouble teaching myself the common language." He blurred to the door Ito was going to go out and put his hand on the door.
"Look, Gran doesn't need this stress." he whispered sharply, "She is over 100 years old and isn't going to be around forever, we, her family need to keep her as stress free as we can so we don't lose her before her time." he knew she probably had death cheated, living this long. Sometimes he hoped she managed to live this long because somewhere she had a little mutant in her. "I never said I didn't need your gifts, I just don't need to to use them on me. Now, if you want to help our cause, I can use all the good man I can get. The VSF is constantly up my ass for the actions of mutants that just won't behave, the more we have on our side, on our payroll the better. The VSF governs only one way, a swift death. If we want to survive, we gotta bad together, live by a code. Maybe you can do it on your own, maybe most of us can, but there are children out there that the VSF would not hesitate to take out just for being mutant." He let go of the door and stood back, "Come work for me. I promise you won't regret it."
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Post by Ito Kiyoshi on Jul 14, 2012 15:37:51 GMT 1
Kiyoshi looked at Gavin apprehensively as he mimicked Ruby. “It is a politeness, no more. Grandmother Ruby is always most polite.” he did not add that he thought Gavin could use a few lessons in that. It was after all Kiyoshi himself who had begun the deliberate unpleasantries between them. “She was friend to my Grandmother, she understands... things.” He left it hanging that he was unconvinced that Gavin either did or wanted to.
“I know the difference.” Kiyoshi murmured, still embarrassed. “...but fear was my expectation and so my intention. Thus it is for that which I apologise. I would never have tried to actually harm you here in Ruby's house.” He shook his head a little. “This language has no virtue for apology, encompassing only blame and not responsibility. 'Sorry' is a word without weight or proper meaning and not one I would choose to use without absolute necessity.”
He flinched back as Gavin appeared before him, blocking access to the door. “If 'sorry' is the word you need to hear Gavin McMahon then I am truly sorry that I sought to provoke you. I expected a particular reaction and acted in a manner to elicit that response which confirmed my own prejudice. I have no cause to trust anyone in this City and every reason not to. I cannot 'behave', my existence is contrary to their law. The vampires would never permit me to live if they knew about me and what I do.”
It occurred to Kiyoshi that this was the longest conversation he had engaged in with another person for many months. It was disheartening that it was an argument. “I see only danger for you in knowing me and no law abiding purpose to which you might put my Gift.” He sighed softly, composing himself, knowing now how this conversation had to end. “I do not know how I can be of aid to your cause but Grandmother Ruby is as usual correct, it is the proper thing to do and so if I can be of use then I shall.” Kiyoshi hoped his Grandmother's spirit would understand. “Grandmother Ruby has the favour of the Kami. I pray that they will keep her amongst us for many years to come.” He gave Gavin another small bow and waited patiently to hear more of what he proposed to do about Kiyoshi and his mutation.
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Post by Gavin McMahon on Jul 17, 2012 12:27:06 GMT 1
Gavin really didn't know how to respond now. He just said what he wanted. He wanted Ito to join his team. Once again, Gavin was putting the cart before the horse. He did that often; too often. He thought for a moment how to respond. What did he need to say to Ito?
It was there in the back of his mind but...what? Then it came to him. Gavin was a smart man, it just took him some time to find the information he wanted from his brain when pressed for it.
"I'm assuming you're a toxic biochem. Maybe a poison, a drug or a tranquilizer or something?" it was more of a statement than a question. The later would be great but any of them would be useful. "Why don't you tell me exactly what you can do, other than do something about a Kami something since I have no idea what that is. In layman's terms please." he requested.
"Once I know exactly what you can do, I will know where you best fit in our organization." he began feeling a little dizzy from hitting his head so he moved away from the door and leaned against the counter with his arms crossed again. The cookie was making him nauseous now and that wasn't good, he must have hit his head harder than he thought.
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Post by Ito Kiyoshi on Jul 22, 2012 7:20:36 GMT 1
Layman's terms? That was going to take some doing. Kiyoshi had managed to attend the vampire run trade school for a few years whilst his mutation was still developing and had learned some basic laboratory techniques supposedly in preparation for taking a technical support job at the hospital. But in practice it had allowed him to gain a far greater understanding of the nature of his mutation than he could have without that background knowledge. He took a deep breath and tried to keep the explanation simple. “My body generates a combination of chemicals in all secreted fluids.
“The first is a powerful hallucinogen, the exact effects vary based on dosage and delivery but primarily it blocks pain sensations and can give you a relatively harmless 'trip' with euphoria and perceptual delusions, along with a degree of suggestibility. Larger doses sharpen awareness and reflexes and can give feelings of great strength and invulnerability or induce paranoia and violence. Overdose results in fever, delirium, respiratory and heart failure. The second is a carrier that bypasses the body's normal barriers and allows for transmittance directly into the bloodstream for instant effect.”
Kiyoshi gestured to the manner in which he dressed, two layers of clothing the inner absorbant the outer heavier and the combination entirity too hot for comfort in the Nevada heat. “The hallucinogen lingers on formites for quite some time. The carrier evaporates quickly but can penetrate thin clothing easily, and especially rubber or plastic.” He looked expectantly at Gavin. “Is that sufficiently specific for now to assist you?” he asked without even a hint of sarcasm. “...and Ama-no-Uzume is the goddess of intoxication.” he added with a slight smirk.
Kiyoshi frowned at Gavin's distraction. “You do not look well Gavin McMahon. Are you quite certain you do not wish for me to demonstrate? You would feel better...”
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Post by rubywilliams on Jul 28, 2012 19:37:16 GMT 1
Ruby came back in with the bag of clothing she had been working on. There were pants and shirts made especially for several of the unique children that Gavin's organization helped. It would be awfully hard to find clothing that allowed for tails and other things. Settling the bag on her hip she looked to both the men in her kitchen and hopped they had worked out everything. As she looked at Gavin again, he appeared to be a little green around the gills.
"Gavin McMahon you best sit right back down and take a load off for a while. The kids will not starve without their goodies. Here is the bag of clothing too." She said and sat the bag down next to the bag of goodies. Luckily neither were very large or heavy. She eyed him suspiciously and hopped that he didn't have any sort of concussion. Head wounds could be devilishly tricky.
"I'm going to assume while I was fetching the clothing that you boys came to an agreement of sorts and all is well now?" Ruby moved in front of Gavin and mentioned for him to lean down a little. "You feeling dizzy at all?" She asked him getting to the point. "More then likely you gave yourself a bit of a concussion and should take it easy the rest of the day.. No speeding." She added while looking him in the eyes to make sure he knew she meant business.
Turning her attention to Ito she smiled, "You will do your grandmother most proud to work with the Mutant Protection group. They will enable you to be safe without the added fear of detection from the vampires. Trust in this." she told him and knew that while he had been on his own for some time now it would be better for him to be involved with this group.
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Post by Gavin McMahon on Aug 2, 2012 1:36:41 GMT 1
Gavin’s head was swimming, causing an uneasy feeling in his stomach. He knew Gran was right and he also knew he wasn’t leaving without her go-ahead. “Uhg, Sam is going to kill me.” He moaned and put a hand on his swimming head. “I promise, no speeding.” This was one of those times he wished they had snatched up the VSF communicators while they had the chance. He nodded when Gran informed him that he may have a concussion. It would not be his first.
“Yes, Gran." he complied with her request, "I know, no speeding, no sleeping for 8 hours. I’ll see the healer before I go to my place.” He made eye contact for a moment so she could see his honesty but quickly closed his eyes to the spinning room. “And no, I don’t need your…help, Ito, I appreciate the offer though, thank you.” He said kindly. He listened to her speak to Ito and nodded again. “No vampire detection, guaranteed. And if you know anyone else who might be able to help the cause, send them my way.” He added with his eyes still closed. “We need people who can get in and out of places undetected. Espionage types.” He added.
Most mutants knew other mutants who knew other mutants. It wouldn’t be long before Gavin had a little army of his own. Maybe, one day, they could take up one of the smaller towns nearby just for the mutant population. The thought of leading a place like that made his head hurt even more. He let out a soft groan. “I think I need to wait for Sam to come get me if I’m going to make it home.” He said softly. He always was whiney and needy when he didn’t feel good.
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Post by Ito Kiyoshi on Aug 11, 2012 11:19:07 GMT 1
Kiyoshi considered that it would probably do Gavin the world of good to relax a little. Given he would not be speeding but waiting for his associate now seemed the perfect time. It was not however up to him to decide. His Grandmother had ingrained that deeply enough into his psyche that his ability was a gift, a blessing from the Kami, and whilst he had embraced the more technical definition of 'mutant' he would still never force his ability on anyone, except of course in self defence. Even the gentlest Kami was formidable when vexed and Ama-no-Uzume was no exception; he would not lose her favour for that.
It seemed to him that they had said now almost all that needed saying. Kiyoshi had agreed to play a part in the MPS, though exactly what that part might be was yet to be determined. “I shall be certain to extend your invitation if and when it seems appropriate.” he responded. It was a guarded promise true, but it was honest. Kiyoshi was very careful about whom he had contact with. “How should I stay in communication with you?” he queried. He had extended more trust to Gavin than to anyone in a long time but he still did not feel comfortable telling the man where he lived yet.
Another thought then occurred to him. If Gavin had a concussion would he remember what Kiyoshi had told him about his mutation? He would show good will he decided, and leave Gavin a sample. He removed a sheet of rice-paper from his pocket and tore off a small square which he touched to the tip of his tongue before placing it carefully on the table beside Gavin on top of one of Ruby's disposable paper napkins. “In case you change your mind...” he added softly with a smile, “...or to do with as you see fit. Just dissolve it in your mouth; do not swallow. Do not wrap it until it is dry.”
Stifling another yawn he bowed to Gavin and again to Ruby. “I need to go home now; daylight does not agree with me. Sayōnara.” and he made to take his leave.
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