Logs: Looking For Group, Part One
(((Kanon Itoh poses.)))
PAULOWNIA MALL is a pretty happening place! Particularly by the fountain in which someone (mysterious) continuously chucks coins into the fountain. SOMEONE IS NOT THROWING COINS INTO THE FOUNTAIN. And that someone who isn't throwing coins into the fountain is Kanon Itoh, tattooed tattooist extraordinaire and half Japanese young woman (mid 20s, who does not seem to wear a lot of clothing despite it being winter). But she seems cool with it. Not just in the sense that it is chilly, but in that she is sitting by the fountain shuffling some cards. She seems relaxed.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
The cold winter air that abounds would bite all those who do not enjoy the arctic embrace. Of course, there are some that do like the chill. Others prefer the heat, and others still cannot make up their mind at which is worse. Some folks just prefer the in-between, retreating between shops when one of the extremes becomes too great.
While it is cold, this area of Port Island still sees much business, even at this hour. As they say, a city never sleeps, and Port Island's mall district is no exception. Crowds rush between shops, darting in and out of human traffic. One has to be careful navigating the tides of people swarming the walkways, especially when holding something rather large. One person of note is doing that right now, sticking out pretty well.
It is a teenage boy, appearing to be around high school age. Sporting a black jacket with several red stripes across it, The teen appears to be holding a rather large box filled with orchids, which were a vivid blue and cascaded to a beautiful violet in the center of the flower. This was the third box in two days he had bought for his 'secret project' he was working on, which happened to be restoring the Lunarvale Shrine. It was something he decided to undertake to try and curb his rather violent tendencies when fights broke out. Of course, one wouldn't know just how violent this child was until something happened, as he was kind, polite, and happy-go-lucky otherwise in normal situations.
This kid is none other than Yoh Yamagatani.
Yoh breaks off from the pack of tourists and shoppers, hoisting the crate high above his head. It was very heavy, but it made for good martial arts training to up his endurance to push himself. Though he had been doing it for a while, so he began making his way towards a small nearby fountain, to catch his breath and pull a drink out of his pocket.
(((Kasumi Horie poses.)))
Kasumi Horie looks around at all the unfamiliar faces. She is not really sure who most people are and is a bit unsure of herself. Even though she has lived in Port Island for awhile she still feels separated from everyone. The coldness in the air just makes her even more uncomfortable but she is determined to meet new people.... even if its only superficially. The fountain at the mall seems to be a good place to start.
(((Kanon Itoh poses.)))
Kanon doesn't immediately take notice of Yoh because, well, he is a teenager in a world full of teenagers and he is carrying a crate above his head so why bother him? Kasumi on the other hand seems to be looking for someone. though even then, Kanon isn't the most perceptive of people and it takes her a moment, likely resulting in some discouragement--but before it gets too bad, Kanon turns her head towards Kasumi, smiles at her, and says, "Hey kid, you looking for someone? Been here a while, maybe I've seen 'em." She speaks in a casual dialect.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
As Yoh closes in on the fount, he spies two girls talking about something. He couldn't quite tell what though. One this is for sure, as he closed in on them, that blasted tingling sensation in the back of his mind kicked up. This was a whole week today that he was having these weird feelings in his mind. He caused him to want to itch the back of his head until it was bloody. He even went to the doctor about it, and they didn't know what could be causing it. At this rate he may have to see a neurologist or something.
As he reached the water's edge, he sets down the crate and takes a deep breath. One could easily see the sweat collecting on his brow. After a few deep breaths, be pops open a can of green tea, and begins to chug. After several, he takes another deep breath. As he sat down, he took out one of the many orchids in the container, and lifted it up to get a better look at it. 'They would look lovely in the courtyard,' he mused to himself. Of course part of his attention was on the two nearby. If he wasn't fighting, participating in martial arts training, or volunteering to help in charity events and whatnot, he was people watching. He almost considered it a sport, as it was fun at times. Course, it also helped him meet people.
(((Kasumi Horie poses.)))
Kasumi Horie speaks quietly and hesitantly at this new face, "Um... no... not looking for anyone in particular. Just hanging out.
For Kasumi talking to others freely does not come easily though she wished it did, like it used to. "Used to", she thought and lets out a huge sigh. Those days seemed so far behind her. She did not know what she was so afraid of. Its not like the people here were bad to her or anything. There was just an innate fear in her. It wasn't that she was afraid of being rejected exactly. Something else kept her from truly letting others she who she was.
(((Kanon Itoh poses.)))
Kanon smiles, tapping the butterfly on her cheek lightly. "Well, you know...uh." She lets her hand drop. "That's cool." She can't read Kasumi's mind, of course, so does not press the issue. But since she's already here, well, "Do you like to play cards?" She isn't actively scanning for potential, never does really. She likes to be more controlled. "I've been messing around but it's kinda a shame without anybody to play with." Even if it's a kid, she reflects. She really needs to meet more adults!
She looks over to Yoh for a moment and says, "You cool with that crate?" to him. He seems to be having trouble.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
As Yoh sat there, taking in the sounds of a bustling city, and of course, a nearby conversation. Though, as he sat there, he felt that tingling become what seemed like a bit more intense for whatever reason. He didn't know what truly caused it though, but in reality, the more awakened around, the worse it got. He was unable to directly feel resonance due to being unawakened, but that sensation only occurred when someone around was emitting one.
The boy jumped slightly at being talked to by one of the people he was listening in on. He swiveled his head around to face them, and naturally presented a smile before speaking. "Who, me? Oh, I am good now! Just needed a break." The boy panted a few more times before turning most of his body toward them now from his seat. "Thanks for asking though! I do appreciate the concern."
(((Kasumi Horie poses.)))
Kasumi Horie was a little shocked that this stranger had actually asked her to play cards. Then she watches the interaction between the girl and this new guy who had approached. She wondered if they knew each other. In the back of her mind she wanted to say no to the girl's offer but she figured it couldn't hurt. After all, her father wanted her to get out more and interact with others instead of spending so much time at the bookstore and her house.
Reluctantly, Kasumi says, "Sure. I don't mind playing a game." As she says this, she is looking at the guy wondering if she has seen him somewhere before but shrugs it off.
(((Kanon Itoh poses.)))
Kanon Itoh: Talks to strangers. She certainly doesn't seem to be the sort of person Mom wants you hanging out with. She has so many tattoos, certainly engages in some manner of unscrupulous activity--though who knows, she may just be part foreign. OR IS THAT WORSE?
"Sure sure. We'll play some Blackjack, if that's alright with you folks. I can deal, I don't mind." She finishes shuffling the cards, looking over to Yoh, "You want in? No pot or anything, just for fun."
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh finishes his cola, and crumples the can in his hand, dropping it in a nearby trashcan. As he looks between the two girls present, he is intrigued by the older-looking one's offer. She looked as though she has partook of her fair share of unscrupulous activity, from her tattoos and such. Of course, he himself did the same during the time in his life he when he was nothing more than a raging punk. So, it wouldn't be right to judge her like that.
Of course, one of the many things he did was street gambling, playing craps and such. Blackjack being a big one along with poker. "Hm, sounds fun!" Since she said no pot, it would be a harmless game, and it wouldn't hurt anything. He grabs the crate and drags it over closer to the two young women. "Oh, I am Yoh Yamagatani, by the way. Nice to meet you both. Thanks for letting me tag along in the card game!" the boy says cheerfully.
(((Kasumi Horie poses.)))
Kasumi Horie looks at Yoh and kind of half smiles. "My name is Kasumi Horie. Nice to meet you Yoh." Realizing she hadn't asked the girl her name she says, "By the way, what's your name?" She figured being polite couldn't hurt. As much as she wanted to just go home and back into solitude she had to make this work. After all, she would be starting high school soon and meeting a lot of new people. It was true that a lot of stuff had happened in her life but that was no reason to shut out everything and everyone around her though she thought, in the back of her mind, that she had a very good reason to.
(((Kanon Itoh poses.)))
Kanon says, "Of course, you have to pretend there's a pot sometimes otherwise you get a little crazy and reckless." And then she laughs, "Course I think we sometimes do that anyway, eh?" She works on dealing cards out. She gives two to each 'player' whether or not they actually intend to play. She looks up at Kasumi and adds, "Uh--hey Yoh. Hey Kasumi. I'm Kanon, Kanon Itoh. I work at the Lucky Seven around here--well, haha, more like I crash there and work there as a side job. Be sure to come visit sometime, okay? We've got slurpees. and we're local!" Oh god.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
As Yoh finds himself a seat among them, he bows politely to both of the girls as they introduce themselves. "Nice to meet you both." After saying that, he glances back at the orchids for a time. Hopefully they would be okay. Well, they were guaranteed to bloom year round, and to withstand the cold. So, things should be okay.
"Oh really?" Yoh says at the mention of the establishment in specific. "Sounds like a fun place! Maybe I will try to stop by sometime soon." Yoh looks at the cards he is dealt, as well as peeking underneath the facedown. He looks back up at them both; his habits of hiding expression from street bets surfacing after remaining dormant for so long. "So, what brings you both here?" Yoh figured he might as well start a conversation somehow. "I came here to buy a specific kind of orchid to help make a butterfly garden. They were out in Inaba and Lunarvale."
(((Kasumi Horie poses.)))
Kasumi Horie says, "I just came here to hang out. My dad owns a bookstore in town but he doesn't like for me to be there all the time even though I love it there. She shrugs. "Butterfly garden, eh? Sounds nice..."
(((Kanon Itoh poses.)))
"Butterfly garden?" Kanon says. Well that's an easy way to perk up her interest. Kanon likes butterflies! Why else would she have one tattooed on her face. Well okay maybe she is a freak, but STILL! She likes the idea. "Working pretty hard just to get an orchid, though." She tilts her head, "Wouldn't surprise me of it being out in Inaba, but Lunarvale? Thought they loved all sorts of crazy plantlife there." But well who knows, she contemplate.
"I'm just chillin'. I live here. Ain't a crime to chill."
She has a 7 for her 'upside' card. Not a good start for Kanon.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh's cards consisted of the four of hearts face up. The facedown was the jack of clubs. 'Ugh, a double digit close to the magic 16,' Yoh thought to himself. It was going to be up to the wheel of fortune to see if he got anywhere or not. Of course, a bust can occur randomly, so he didn't have his hopes too high.
The boy looks between his two acquaintances. "Yeah! The garden is going directly in the center of the shrine in Lunarvale. The place seems to draw a huge number of butterflies, even though there are no flowers there right now. I am working on restoring it right now. it is in pretty bad shape." You know, for something he is trying to keep a secret, he sure talks about it a lot. A whole lot. Yoh turns towards Kanon after a moment. "Well, Lunarvale did have some, but not as many as I had hoped for. I ended up buying them all. This crate full of orchids should be the last ones I need. I have everything else besides the four sakura trees coming in a few days."
After a few seconds, Yoh tapped the facedown card twice. Kanon probably knew what it meant; it basically meant 'hit me' to dealers in the know. Might as well take a chance!
(((Kasumi Horie poses.)))
Kasumi Horie looks at her cards.... the 5 of clubs and the facedown card is the 9 of hearts. It is not the best hand but not horrible she thinks. She tells Kanon, "Hit me."
(((Kanon Itoh poses.)))
Kanon HITS Yoh. In the face!!
No, not really. She just gives him a card. 14 isn't the worst hand to get and Yoh is rewarded with a 6, making his total 20. Kasumi gets an Ace, which means she's at 15 now. Scary!
"I'm assuming Yoh is staying. Any more for you?" Kanon asks of Kasumi.
(((Kasumi Horie poses.)))
Kasumi Horie says, "Sure. Hit me again please." What else could she do? 15 is not a very good place to stay at.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh tries to stifle looking surprised. Not from the hand he now holds, rather, at Kanon's guess at him staying. She must be really good at cards. "Yeah, I will stay," the boy states, looking at the facedown once more.
She would probably be a fun person to play cards with at the place she works. He reaches into his pocket and looks at his cellphone at the time. Nngh, nearing eleven. Cutting it a bit close there. But if he took the back ways that one girl taught him, he will make it in time to get out of Port Island before the danger comes.
(((Kanon Itoh poses.)))
Kasumi gets a 3, earning 18! OH NO!
Kanon smiles, then turns over her card, revealing a jack. "Looks like you both beat me. Congratulations." She says. She can't hit again, after all, she's the dealer! And the dealer can't hit past 17! "Seems like this isn't your first time around a card parlor!" She quips.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh smiles, feeling like his card playing helped some. A small part of his hated self still useful!
He looks at the clock once more, then hoists up the crate. Giving a small bow, though rather unbalanced, he bids farewell. "Unfortunately, I have somewhere to be. Bye you two! Hope to see you around sometime!" And with that, he begins to make for the station. Best not to take the chance of getting stuck here.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh Yamagatani walks along with his large crate of orchids, trying to move as fast as possible. As he heads towards the Port Island station, he punches in Shou's number, listening to it ring. "Hopefully he will pick up this late," he says to himself.
(((Shou Hamada poses.)))
Shou Hamada mmm's and mmm's, having a mouthful of Aiya Beef Bowl when his phone starts to vibrate. He gulps it down and tells Tenjou-san who it is and that he'll be just a minute, before he clicks a button and puts it to his ear. "Hey Yamagatani-san!"
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh Yamagatani speaks up after an answer comes. "Heya, Hamada-san. Busy right now? Needed to talk to you about something. Nothing really important or urgent." The boy hoists the crate of flowers into one hand as he speaks.
(((Shou Hamada poses.)))
Shou Hamada phones: "Not busy at all, really, just sitting down for a beef bowl with Tenjou-san. What's up?"
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh Yamagatani clears his throat for a moment, talking to someone nearby for a moment. Kind of sounds like he is giving directions. "Oh, sorry. Eh, it is some kid that wanted me to find people for something. Anywhere I can meet you to talk about it?"
(((Shou Hamada poses.)))
Shou Hamada reclines on his stool as he speaks, sitting at the bar in the restaurant, and grins, "No problem. Well, we're at Aiya Beef Bowl in Inaba right now, but if that's not convenient for you, I could be wherever."
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh Yamagatani can be heard flipping through some papers, and asks someone a question about train routes. After a minute or so, he comes back on. He sounds like he is running or something now. "Yeah, that works! Hang on a second!" The wind against the phone speaker can be heard easily now. One could guess he was sprinting. After a few seconds, Yoh can be heard laughing. "Barely made it. I will be right over! Got on an express route. Give me a few minutes."
(((Shou Hamada poses.)))
Shou Hamada blinks a bit, as it sounds as though Yamagatani is going through some sort of bevy of activity. 'Does he have to rush like that?' he wonders, but doesn't think of it as a big deal, but then forms another grin when he makes it on the train and laughs. "Awesome, good job man. See you soon!" Shou clicks the phone off and pockets it, going back to Tenjou and his beef bowl.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
After a small while, with a crate of orchids in hand, enters Yoh. He looks rather cheerful today, being a rather good one in his book. He got to meet some new people at the mall area in Port Island, got the last of the orchids in hand he needed to complete the garden in the shrine, and nothing weird happened! he does look a bit tired though, but at this hour, who isn't?
As he steps inside, he begins glancing about for the person he was meant to meet here. Hopefully they still remained, and he didn't take too long.
(((Shou Hamada poses.)))
Reclining a bit on his bar stool, Shou pats his stomach briefly, satisfied with his empty bowl. He didn't finish the MEGA BEEF BOWL CHALLENGE, but still.
After a moment, the tired looking Inaba student, his backpack resting gingerly at the base of his stool, crooks his head to spy...a box of flowers with legs? After a moment, he realizes he's actually looking at Yamagatani, carrying said box. That does make more sense.
Shou raises a hand with a tired, but glad grin, "Yamagatani-san!" He calls out to him and lifts a hand in casual greeting.
(((Yuu Tenjou poses.)))
Yuu turns to look at said box of flowers with legs as Hamada-san calls out to Yamagatani-san, seated next to his classmate on the next stool over. His own bowl is still in front of him, not even half-eaten. Maybe he should play less with his food and actually eat it sometime? ...Eh.
He also waves a little at the newcomer, remaining quiet but smiling politely.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh gazes about the tables until he hears a voice ring out. Turning to it, sure enough it was Shou and... Yuu? Neat. What a coincidence to see him again so soon. He waltzes over with a rather goofy smile on his face, thinking to himself what Yuu would possibly think about him, seeing him once again with an almost identical box of the same colored vivid blue orchids as yesterday.
"Hey Hamada-san! And..." It took Yoh /much/ less time to guess Yuu's name this round. "Tenjou-san! See? After a few visits, the names start to stick!" He sets the crate down by the table. "I know, what you are thinking, and no, it is a new box of orchids I got today. thankfully the last one I need." The boy looks about for a moment. "Mind if I take a seat? I won't take too much of your time."
(((Shou Hamada poses.)))
Shou grins a little at all the talk about the box, but leaves it between them for the most part. "Hey Yamagatani-san. Sounded like you really rushed here." Mr. Ponytail looks around, then at Tenjou tentatively, "I don't mind if you sit, of course."
(((Yuu Tenjou poses.)))
Yuu smiles a bit more, his expression reserved yet friendly enough. "Hey Yamagatani-san..." He eyes the crate of flowers that does indeed look identical to the one yesterday, chuckling quietly as he mentions it. "Well, I suppose you need quite a bit for the shrine, mm?"
He then looks to Hamada-san as he agrees politely, "Sure, take a seat, by all means."
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh bows politely to excuse himself and fetches a chair from a nearby unused table. Pulling one up, he relaxes into the seat, stretching a bit. As he looks between the two, he thinks abut what he was going to say, before putting it into words, remembering what that strange child said.
"Well, I wanted to invite you guys to something, at least I think it is something that will happen." Yoh ponders the child's words: 'Play game. Bring friends, lots of friends.' "Anyway, I know this kid named Wataru, and he wants to get some folks together to play some sort of game to have fun. Now, I think he has some kind of psychological disorder as he talks funny and such, but I figure it would make his day to get a group together to play. I have met him a few times, and he seems really nice, though he has trouble communicating."
(((Shou Hamada poses.)))
Shou blinks a few times in thought, looks at Tenjou, then looks at his conquered beef bowl. He lifts his eyebrows in a 'Sounds good to me' expression "I don't see why not, Yamagatani-san." His face shifts a bit more, into more of a grin, "It's a bit of an impromptu request, but if it's sort of for a good cause." Why does he have to go out of his way to find people for a kid's game? Maybe it's going to be something kind of complex. Well, whatever the case; Yoh's a good guy.
(((Yuu Tenjou poses.)))
Yuu looks between the two of them, an eyebrow cocked in curiosity on an otherwise modest expression. What an odd request... "Huh... Do you have any idea what kind of game this is?" His introversion doesn't exactly lend itself well to events where groups of people will be, but he /is/ curious.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh nods to Shou. "It should be fun, actually. He said it would be, anyway." As he looked around, he realized he had never been in this particular restaurant, but it looked nice. he should come back one day to eat here.
As Yuu speaks up, Yoh looks over to him next. He actually wasn't sure to say. "Well, to be honest, I do not know. He only keeps calling it 'the Game'. I wasn't sure what to make of it, but considering what I have seen of him, it should be completely harmless."
(((Shou Hamada poses.)))
Shou's head follows Yuu. That's...a pretty good question, actually. His tired face makes his ponderance clear, though he just follows the conversation.
But hey, how bad could it be? There's -no way- is related to all this crazy PERSONAPERSONA crap, and it's just a kid. Certainly not one he's met, certainly not playing with a freaky glowing fish at the riverside. "When's he want to play, Yamagatani-san?" Shou smiles and teases along Yuu's line of thought. "If he wants to play doctor or something, though, I don't think I'll want in."
(((Yuu Tenjou poses.)))
Yuu hmm's softly, looking a bit thoughtful. Well... if Hamada-san would be there, maybe it would be okay. He's been kind enough to Yuu so far, and Yamagatani-san seems like a good enough kid too. If it was awkward for him, he could always just bail, right? Not like he's never done /that/ before in uncomfortable social situations, heh. Not to mention it'd give him yet another reason to avoid home... eh.
"I... suppose I could come and check it out, if you need more people." He then looks to Hamada-san as he asks about the "when," then back to Yamagatani-san for a reply.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh nods rapidly at the thought of getting people to join. "Yeah! Hopefully it will be fun!"
He looks back to Shou, then at Yuu. "Well, that I am not sure. He pretty much said he would get in touch with me when I found some folks. How he will do it, I have no idea, he doesn't have my number..." The boy shrugs. He was running into him a lot, so he didn't quite doubt the kid's ability to find him. "I will probably get in contact with you both when it will happen."
(((Shou Hamada poses.)))
Shou's grin widens as Yuu accepts, and then Yoh explains the time issue. "Sounds good to me, then. I can't guarantee I'll be able to come running if it's spur of the moment, but I'll stay open to it."
(((Yuu Tenjou poses.)))
Yuu nods a bit in agreement with Hamada-san, "Same here." He looks to Yamagatani-san again, smiling amiably. "Just let me know. You've got my number."
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh clasps his hands together for a moment. "Well, that settles it then! When it happens to go down, I will make sure to get a hold of you guys somehow and we can have fun! At least, if the game is indeed fun." He still had his doubts, but anything was worth a shot.
The boy flips open his cellphone and looks at the time. "Well, I better get going. It is pretty late, and i still have to run this box to the shrine. He stands up and hoists the box up to his side. "Well, until next time, fellas! Need help with anything before I go?" He adds the last part quickly.
(((Shou Hamada poses.)))
Shou nods, "Sounds like a good time!" He then does the same and "Whoah"s at the time. "It is actually getting about that time." Shou looks back up, then, and smiles, tilted. "I'm good, Yamagatani-san. You take care."
(((Yuu Tenjou poses.)))
Yuu waves a little in farewell to Yamagatani-san, eyeballing his crate of orchids with poorly concealed interest. Plants<3 "Ahh... I'm good as well. See you around, Yamagatani-san." As for the time, Yuu attempts to disguise a rather nonplussed expression at the realization; he should head home, but...
Well, hopefully his parents were asleep, or something.
(((Yoh Yamagatani poses.)))
Yoh bows to both his friends, and wishes them good fortune as he takes his leave. Lugging these flowers around sire tuckered him out. As he left, he couldn't wait to hit the hay. He only needed to find a few more folks for this supposed game.
