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Micah Bradley:
Having finally settled into his new home in Philly and recently gotten integrated into the local Autumn court, the young Fae-Touched decided that it was time to explore the Hollow he would be frequenting during his stay here. He seemed able to go where he would like to in this Freehold, so might as well get to know the place. Also, it helped that being in the Hollow kind of satisfies that craving to explore the Hedge. And it was safer! Win win!
Hands in his jeans pockets, he looked around as he wandered directionlessly...
Saya Kemmochi:
A lot safer! Saya isn't much of a hedge explorer herself. While physical appearances are often not very meaningful for the Lost, she doesn't look at all like a fighter. On the other hand, she does look like a weapon, kind of.
She's a tiny woman, only four and a half feet tall, who comes into the Hollow not far behind Micah. She's wearing a pleated skirt that comes to about mid thigh, black thigh-highs, a pair of loafers, and a sweatshirt about the same color as her pink hair, with a cute panda face on the front of it. One arm of the sweatshirt is pinned up at her shoulder, since there's only a couple of inches of arm to fill it. As she moves along, further into the Hollow, there are occasional sounds like metal edges grinding against each other from her body, and no shortage of fine or not so fine cracks running through the metal of her skin.
When her path crosses Micah's she pauses to look at him, then smiles and raises her one hand to wiggle fingers in his direction.
Micah Bradley:
Catching sight of the Lost, he grinned and waved back before walking over to her. His eyes roamed her features quickly, then concentrated on her face. When he got to a respectful distance away from her, he bowed and introduced himself in a cheerful and British accented voice. "Good day! My name is Micah. I hope you are doing well."
Micah himself looked like a normal rugged and athletic guy. Definitely European features with a neat beard and a charming smile. His skin was slightly tanned, telling of hours spent outdoors in the sun. He wore simple and plain clothing, green t-shirt and dark jeans with black running shoes. Obviously, he was not one of the Lost. Or... Perhaps he is simply strengthening his Mask? There was no reason for it, but you never really know among the Ashen court, do you?
Saya Kemmochi:
"Hello, Micah," Saya says, giving his bow one of her own in return, bending forward at the waist. Her own accent is Japanese, and a bit odd even for modern Japanese, but in a way that someone who isn't really familiar with the language probably wouldn't notice. "I'm Saya. Would I be correct in guessing that you're one of the Fae-Touched? Or a Brit-Elemental?" The smile she offers at least suggests that last is a joke. "At least, if I got the accent right?"
Micah Bradley:
He does indeed get the joke, letting loose a short bark of laughter. "Hah! That is a good one, Saya. Yes, I am an Avowed. And you must be from an oriental country!"
Rieko Sato:
Rieko happens to step into the Autumn Hollow at this exact moment but pure coincidence. With a tip of her hat to the very helpful NPC that let her in, she saunters over. There's a wave, and she finally stops with her hip cocked to one side, and a hand resting on the hilt of a bowie knife. Y'know, like a lazy movie cowboy.
Which is a very funny look for a woman wearing athleisure wear and shudder shades.
Oh. Y'know... and a terrifying oni with butt-length, blazingly bright hair, 12" horns, and claws.
"Oh, a Brit-Elemental then? Fascinating." She tips her battered hat again. "Saya."
Saya Kemmochi:
"I think Asian is the preferred terminology these days," Saya answers, not sounding like she took offense. "I'm from Japan, but moved here to Philly... a year and a half ago? Something like that. What brings you? And do you mind if we find somewhere to sit? My legs are killing me today." She extends a hand out toward Rieko. "There you are. Can I lean on you for a moment, Rieko? Rieko, this is Micah. Micah, Rieko."
Micah Bradley:
Micah turned to appraise the newcomer just as quickly as he did Saya, then gave her a short bow as well. "Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Rieko. I must say, a Brit-Elemental would be quite the interesting Lost. I suppose if the Gentry were to fancy making them fit their origins, they might be a Water Elemental. You know, because it rains forever there." he grinned with a thoughtful expression.
"Yes, let us sit somewhere. The Lost I am connected to brought me here." he then added casually.
Rieko Sato:
"'Course ya' can," Rieko offers one arm to Saya with a smile, letting the blade lead the way to wherever she'd like to sit. She tips her hat at Micah, flashing a wink. "Pleasure's all mine, friend. Which lost was that, by chance?"
Saya Kemmochi:
Saya shifts over to Rieko's side to lean against her, letting her take some weight off of pained legs. She gestures for Micah, or someone, to lead the way to seating. "That was going to be my question, too. That and how long has it been, I suppose."
Micah Bradley:
With permission to lead the way, Micah glanced around and hummed in thought. And then he picked a random direction to walk, as if he had been here before and knew the way. Interestingly, he does indeed lead them to several couches set up like a lounging area... Quickly too.
"Who do you think it was?" he asked, voice tinged with smug curiosity on their thoughts.
Rieko Sato:
"Well," Rieko drawls. "Honestly, I don't know shit about fuck. Especially with who all exists in this freehold in the past year plus." There's a flash of fangs as she smiles, and the smell of petrichor briefly clings to the air. "So my wild-ass guess is... Sturm?"
Saya Kemmochi:
"I was going to guess... who's that guy..." Saya has her only hand looped around Rieko's arm, so she can't gesticulate to make her point. "You know the one," she tells Rieko. Who almost certainly does not, because there's been no description other than 'that guy'.
Micah Bradley:
"I don't think I know anyone by the name of Sturm." he responded as he gestured to the couches for them to sit.
Rieko Sato:
"Oh, yeah. Uhh. What's his name?" Rieko snaps at the air for a second. "Wait, no. That guy's a vampire. I don't think a vampire can do that, Saya. Who ever heard of a fae-touched vampire?"
There's a little smirk, and she gently leads Saya over to the cushion, waiting until she sits before adopting a perch in the arm of the couch.
"She's one of the Lost, that's for sure ... but if it ain't her, I give up."
Micah Bradley:
"Well..." he started as he too settled down on the opposite couch. "Think... Cold... Yet hot too. He's very artistic."
Saya Kemmochi:
"I think that describes half the men in the Freehold in one way or another," Saya says, but her laugh hopefully makes it clear she's messing around. When she's lead to somewhere to sit she gives Rieko a grateful look and lowers herself down onto the cushions, where she lets out a sigh. "I probably should have stayed home and played video games," she mumbles. "Or found someone to give me a piggy back ride in here."
Rieko Sato:
Rieko offers a puff of laughter at Saya's joke. "Well. It wouldn't be the first time I've carried you, but it would be the first time I carried you on my back. Maybe. I think." Then she tilts her head to the side. "I'm not going to lie, when you said cold but also hot and very artistic I was like 'I already guessed Sturm!' until the pronouns caught up to my brain."
She pauses. "Uhhh. Okay. Let's try a different tactic. Is he a Summer Courtier?"
Micah Bradley:
The guy giggled, clearly enjoying himself with the Q&A. "To be fair, half is still narrowed down from all of them! Greener than the Crimson Court."
Saya Kemmochi:
"I'm a nerd who stays home and plays video games most of the time. I don't know a lot of the Lost in the city," Saya admits. "Winter? Is white greener than crimson? And don't ask me about how you carried me. I was an insensate chunk of metal most of the time. For all I know you could have gone around balancing me on your nose like a seal with a ball."
Rieko Sato:
"I bet you money I could still balance you on my nose like a seal with a ball. I am incredibly powerful, good with my hands, and... regrettably very dog-like." Rieko cackles.
"I'm going to guess Spring, because spring is green!"
Gosh, she's so lucky she's hot and strong.
Micah Bradley:
Micah politely averted his gaze as they flirted. But he continued to reply to their guesses as to who his Lost was. "You are getting warmer." he chuckled softly. "Yes, he is of the Verdant court. I shall give you another clue.
What is hard and yet fragile, clear but can be opaque too.
Sometimes used for drinking, other times used for looking through.
You could shape it in whatever form you wish but only if you know how.
You can find it everywhere, even perhaps, on me and you."
Saya Kemmochi:
"You know, English isn't either of our first languages," Saya says, but it seems like Micah is enjoying himself, she's not actually bothered, and thus the words come out jokingly. "Can you translate that to Japanese? I might be able to figure it out, then. Although you're right, Spring is warmer than Winter."
Rieko Sato:
Rieko pumps her fist as she successfully secures a clue. There's a little laugh, and she ponders the clue for a moment.
"Honestly, at this point? I'm so out of practice that might make it worse." She clears her throat. "Okay, so. The answer to the riddle is glass, right? Does that apply to the Changeling? Is he made of glass? I don't think I know anyone made of glass. Do you, Saya?"
Micah Bradley:
He looked over at the bladed Changeling apologetically. "I apologize, I know a few languages, but Japanese is not one of them. But, Ms. Rieko solved the riddle! The answer is indeed glass. Bravo." he said, turning to face the horned one next and to clap in her direction.
Saya Kemmochi:
"I'm joking anyway," Saya says with a polite smile. "But like I said, I'm a computer nerd who spends most of her time at home. I don't think I know who you mean, sorry. There are quite a few Lost who I don't know, in this city."
Rieko Sato:
Rieko pumps her second fist into the air. Woo! Nailed it. Then she nods at Saya.
"... aaaand I've been out of town for like two hears. I don't think we're gonna be guessing this one correctly, partner. I give up."
Micah Bradley:
A brief look of disappointment and sadness flashed over his face. "Oh, I see. That is a pity. I am connected to Aurelio. He is a glass-worker."
Saya Kemmochi:
"Oh! I've heard that name, but I haven't met him," Saya admits with a shake of head. "My apologies. I might have to change that, since I wouldn't want to disappoint you a second time." She looks Micah over and asks, "you decided to go Autumn instead, though. Interesting. Not in a bad way, I mean that it's good you didn't feel like you had to do whatever he did, court wise."
Rieko Sato:
A spark of recognition flashes across Rieko's face, but then her brow furrows. Yeah, she doesn't know who that is. Fortunately she takes a queue from Saya.
"That is pretty interesting, actually. What made you choose Autumn?"
Micah Bradley:
He shrugged and spread his hands apart in a 'not entirely sure' kind of way. "I am aware that many Avowed feel inclined to join the court that their Lost feel connected to. And though I can see myself joining the Verdants, I feel more at home with the Ashens. Perhaps because of my curiosity? In any case, I do not believe Aurelio minds and would much prefer I choose my way myself."
Saya Kemmochi:
"I'd hope so, since it would be kind of a dick move if he expected you to join the same Court as him just because you made some major unrelated promise to him at one point, and tried to keep it." She seems pretty familiar with English slang for someone who was just trying to claim English being her second language was why she didn't know a riddle's answer.
11:04 PM]Micah Bradley: "Hah! Yeah, he would be a downright tosser." he agreed with a wide grin. "I think I would not have stayed if he was that way. But he is a nice enough fellow. Perhaps we could all meet for tea one day!"
Saya Kemmochi:
"Now there's one thing the British and the Japanese have in common," Saya says with a laugh. "That might be very pleasant, and I'll have to consider the kind invitation. What was the connection between the two of you, if I might ask? Before or now, I suppose. Are you friends? Relatives? Lovers? I promise you that I don't care if you're lovers. Rieko and I were, before we were Taken. Since then... 'it's complicated', as they say."
Rieko Sato:
"I'd love to get tea," Rieko offers a polite smile and nods along. She winces as the nature of the conversation shifts, but she rolls her shoulders back and takes it in stride. Her hand falls, absent-minded, to the hilt of her bowie knife and she nods along. Simply listening.
Micah Bradley:
"It would be quite awkward if we were lovers." he chuckled in a carefree manner. "Aurelio is my Great Grandfather... Well, many many generations between. So he is family."
Saya Kemmochi:
"Sorry, Rieko. I shouldn't have brought it up," Saya says in a gently apologetic tone. She tilts her head at Micah, though. "Consanguineous marriages were common in a lot of places and times. They weren't that particularly unusual where and when I came from. I do understand they're not well accepted today, though. Not in most places in the West, anyway."
Rieko Sato:
Rieko offers a peal of laughter, and there's a distant rumble of thunder as her mantle flares with the mirth. "Fair, okay."
Rieko offers Saya a small nod of thanks, and a soft smile. "It's fine. You don't have to apologize. I was just making jokes moments ago. I should be better about not being so touchy."
A few moments later she redirects her focus to Micah, cocking her head to the side. "... though now I'm very curious. How did you even find him after so many years? How did you even know to?"
Micah Bradley:
He nodded to Saya, completely ignoring their intimacy. It wasn't that he didn't want to acknowledge their relationship with each other, it was more that he was being polite about it. "Yes, indeed. I am aware of consanguineous marriages, especially in my line of work. But I do not think it will work in our favor, especially as I do not know him like I should, if that makes sense."
Then he turned to Rieko with a smile. "Many years of research." he winked in reply.
Saya Kemmochi:
Saya acknowledges Rieko's comments with a nod. "What line of work is that?" she asks Micah. "And, I suppose, I understand why just because it's possible doesn't mean you should. It's not like I'm one to be suggesting people should be in relationships every which way, since I've been single since I got back. I was just saying it doesn't inherently have to be awkward. It just might be very much so in this circumstance, and that's fine."
Micah Bradley:
He leaned forward, clasping his hands together and resting his elbows on his knees. "I am a Genealogist. I study family trees, connect lost relatives, figure out family origins... Things like that. If you have family or perhaps even friends, you wish to find, let me know and I will do what I can."
Rieko Sato:
Rieko appears to have completely lost the plot on this one, but she nods along with the conversation all the same. "I mean," Rieko squints. "I was an only child, so I don't think I have any siblings to find and I definitely don't have any children." There's a moment where she pauses as if to say right?! but continues onward.
"... and something tells me that looking for Saya's family wouldn't quite flex your searching skills."
Saya Kemmochi:
Saya laughs. "Yes, I think that's probably true," she agrees with Rieko. "If you'll swear not to reveal my family name to anyone without asking me, Micah, I'll tell you why this is so funny to me. If you don't want to swear it, that's fine. I'll simply keep my secret."
She gives Rieko a puzzled look and truly sells it when she says, "what, did you just forget the five kids we had together?"
Rieko Sato:
Rieko nearly knocks Saya over by accident in her hurry to leap off the couch. She runs two clawed hands through her hair, tugging at the glowing platinum blonde as her eyes completely but out.
"Five?! You mean I-- I fucked up s--" Rieko's jaw drops, and her brow furrows as a sudden rush of emotion grips her so mighty that it might as well have been physical. "I w-was responsible for forcing five children grow up without parents?!"
Have you ever seen a dog when someone accidentally stepped on its tail? Thats about what Rieko looks like. Big dumb golden retriever eyes brimming with tears.
"W-why don't I remember them?"
Micah Bradley:
Watching the situation seemingly take a turn for the worse, Micah remained silent, frowning worriedly at Rieko as she started fumbling with her speech.
Saya Kemmochi:
Saya leaps to her feet a second after Rieko does, rather adeptly despite her injures, and she switches to Japanese without truly thinking about it. "Shit! I'm sorry, Rieko. I was kidding, and it wasn't funny, and I should have known better. You were right, as far as I know you have no kids."
She remembers there's someone else there and switches to English again. "I don't actually believe you would forget something like that, I'm just a dumbass who forgot how convincing she can be. This is my fault, not yours." She puts her hand on Rieko's arm, trying to reassure her.
Rieko Sato:
Rieko has passed stuttering and gone directly to hyperventilating. There's a moment of honest animal panic visible in every minute behavior, and suddenly?
She just fucking bolts. It's unclear whether or not she heard the extent of what Saya said, or if she was just unsure of how to respond in a way that wasn't exploding.
Either way, she's gone. Poof.
Saya Kemmochi:
Saya starts after Rieko, cursing up a storm in Japanese, but she has no hope of catching the Darkling.
Micah Bradley:
With a sigh, Micah just... Gets up and goes back to exploring. He wasn't about to butt into the problems that many Lost face if he was not invited to.
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