Chapter 1 - Meeting at the Cafe

[Shuu]

[ Setting ]

A crisp, autumn day in Tokyo, Japan. The air is a bit cool, with a gentle breeze, but not enough to deter people from straying outside. The sun shines in the cloudless sky, and the leaves are starting to drift down from their branches.

It is late-afternoon by now, and people are beginning to head home from work or school by now. However, it is just before the evening rush so local cafe's aren't swarmed with people yet. It is, however, the perfect day to relax with a hot cup of coffee or tea at a local bistro...

[tenka]

**Caecus Pietus & Kismet Chauncey **

Tea. Did she even like tea? Caecus couldn't think of any moment in her life where she'd actually consumed the stuff, but something told her that she didn't like it. Her argument hadn't won Kismet, however, and the faithful guide/bodyguard/babysitter was waiting patiently for their order. He had insisted that Caecus sit while he ordered, that way she wouldn't have to worry about maneuvering around the people. Of course, Caecus didn't have to worry.

She knew that the table next to them was occupied by two young men and a woman, each quietly absorbed by a variety of electronic items. A laptop, a tablet, a cellphone... And the woman and one man were wearing earphones, listening to some god-awful J-Pop that sounded like chipmunks were being murdered. Why Japan? Of all places, why did Caecus feel compelled to journey to Japan? What in blue blazes would she possibly find here to explain her strange dreams, her strange power... Her strange everything?

[ree]

Yasashii Kida // I Need a Drink

It was cold out. Far too cold for wearing a skirt but Kida had a reputation to uphold after all. If she didn't wear her absolutely adorable creations and act as a walking advertisement, she'd never get any orders. So she'd been out and about all day, just wandering around, and had even browsed in the local bookstore for some exposure. She'd made her entire outfit, a velvet coat that fell to her knees, which flared out in a nice little poof. Of course it did, she had maybe three layers underneath: dress skirt, petticoats, and some very tiny shorts to cover up anything should a gust of wind decide to be more than just "playful". She'd even worn her comfortable Mary Janes and while she'd gotten several looks, no one had come up to ask her about where she found her clothes yet.

"Maybe I'm just in the wrong neighborhood," she concluded and left the bookstore. A fresh gust of wind made her shiver and she practically ran to the coffee house next door. "A cup of hot chocolate and perhaps a scone or two and I'll be on my way."

So Kida ordered the biggest hot chocolate they had with whipped cream and cinnamon and settled in with two cookies at a corner table. Business was brisk but she wouldn't let it hurry her. She simply draped her coat across the back of her chair, crossed her ankles, and sipped her drink as she watched the people. Some were fun to watch, others were just boring.

"Ah well," she sipped and made a soft sound of contentment as the warmth spread through her. "Mmm, that's good."

[sylver]

Zorion Heulwen - Fashion and Coffee

There was just something about the cool breeze in the air that made the idea of sitting on the bench reading the latest work her agent had sent her unappealing. After all, this was her first time in Japan and she was looking forward to seeing what this place had to offer. The first thing she wanted to find, though, was something warm to drink. It didn't take her long to find a coffee shop, but by the time she got her cappuccino with a large dose of caramel, she was burning up. 'Fall fashion, my ass. This thing is horrible,' she thought to herself as she pulled at the furry-lined collar of her coat.

With her drink in hand, she was headed for the door when she spotted a dark-haired woman draping a velvet coat across her chair. It was certainly better than the hideous thing she was wearing, regardless of how much she was getting paid for it. Making her way through the throng of customers, she stopped next to the table where the woman was sitting.

"Excuse me, but, can I ask where you got that coat?"

[Shuu]

[ Sagasu Irei ~ The Usual, Please! ]

Today was a great day.

Irei had expected to be in court well into the evening, and not expecting to be at home, relaxing until it was night. But, the case went better then she expected it to, with the jury hardly wasting any time squabbling behind their closed doors (Which, of course, she claimed was because of her kickass prosecution). Another day, another pervert in jail! Nothing could lower her mood right now.

On her way home from wrapping up the paperwork, Irei stopped at her favorite cafe. it was situated right between her law firm and her home, and had the best double-chocolate mocha in all of Tokyo! She found a decent parking spot and strode into the building, clad in her very sharp pinstripe dress-suit. The server recognized her instantly, grinning over at her as she strode to the counter.

"The usual, Sagasu-san?" The server asked with a bit of a flush on her cheeks.

"I told you already, Keiko-chan, call me Irei." The older woman said in a low voice, flashing her charming smile down at the young adult, who only giggled sheepishly and went about making the mocha.

Whilst waiting for her drink, Irei swung around and leaned against the counter, scoping the place out. She half-hoped the defense attorney would be here, so she could goad the fat idiot a bit.

[pysi]

(Shan Nagori - What a day)

Nagori made her way down the streets of Tokyo, books in hand, weaving in and out of the crowds of people and tourists. She had had a busy day at the job that she was suprizingly allowed to maintain. She wasn't the most useful of her little side group at this time, so her mistress(s) seem to have just pushed her off to the side. This gave Nagori time to feel a bit more alive then the rest of her "commrades".

She loved her job, working for a small design firm on a new winter collection, but lately her ideas were drying up. She needed a break to cleanse her mind. She was so ingrossed in her own thoughts, that she almost missed the perfect place to sit and just think. Nagori ended up having to double back and smile at the little coffee shop. She made her way in and ordered a wonderful carmel mocha, tallest she could get. She then curled up at a small table in a corner, her sketch pad and design books spralled out over the table.

With one sip of the coffee, Nagori's body warmed up and felt so much better. She took off her cocoa brown and burnt orange houndstooth wool coat and flung it over the back of her chair. She grabbed her pencil and opened up her sketch book, only to divert her eyes more toward the people in the small shop.

[tenka]

**Kismet Chauncey & Caecus Pietus**

Kismet was patient in waiting for his order. Two cups of tea, nothing fancy. He knew the girl behind the counter was making eyes at him, trying to be sweet and flirty, but Kismet pretended to not notice. He had to tend to his boss' granddaughter, who was essentially his boss in her own right. He didn't have time to fool around.

The girl seemed a bit disappointed that Kismet ignored her advances, and handed him his order a little dejectedly. He thanks her graciously and walked away. Carefully manuevering around the other patrons, he approched the table where he had left his charge, and was surprised to find her in a heated debate with another patron.

"She sounds like a chipmunk being murdered," she argued coolly. The female teenager looks thoroughly upset and almost seemed to be held back by her male counterparts. "I simply cannot understand how your eardrums can tolerate such high-pitched audio."

"You are a foreigner!" the teenage girl argued. "You are not meant to understand!" The girl stood up and furiously stormed off to a table on the other side of the cafe. The two males with her gathered up their drinks and belonging and hurried after her. One muttered a list of profanities in Japanese.

"I hear that!" Caecus shouted after him.

"Ma'am, please," Kismet begged. "We've only been in Japan for a week. Please be a little more open-minded and respectful of their cultural differences." Caecus muttered something under her breath about not understanding why she was there and glanced away. Kismet was a little confused. After all, going to Japan had been her idea in the first place. With a sigh, he made to sit down, but could feel the eyes of the girls behind the counter watching him. "Ma'am, if you'll pardon me, I shall try to save some face with the staff." Caecus muttered a response that Kismet didn't quite pick up on. After hanging his jacket on his chair, Kismet moved back toward the counter.

"Is there a problem?" asked one of the older girls.

"No, my boss is simply a little... Edgy," Kismet explained. "Please, accept my sincerest apologies on her behalf." The girl nodded and then moved to help a customer. The girl who had been making eyes at him started to walk by, and Kismet motioned toward her. "Please, do not mistake my disinterest for... Well, disinterest. I am simply not at point in my life where I can afford to lose my focus on my career."

"Oh, another career boy," the girl lamented. "It seems all of the worthy-looking guys that come in here are too focused on work or school to be interested in us..." She pouted a little, and Kismet couldn't stop a stray thought that found it cute. He glanced back toward the table. Caecus was holding the cup of tea warily and kept lifting it to her nose, sizing up her current opponent.

"Well, if you have a moment today," Kismet said quietly, "I wouldn't oppose more interesting company." He gave the girl a sincere look. She grinned wider than he had ever seen anyone grin.

[ree]

Yasashii Kida // Oh! Hello!

Kida had been indulging in her hot chocolate when she heard footsteps and a voice asking her where she got her coat. Perking up immediately at the thought of a new customer (hopefully anyway), she set her hot chocolate down and picked up the coat.

"Actually I made it myself. It's made from a silk velvet," she carefully spread the coat out over the small table, the emerald green fabric shining slightly in the light. "It's a heavy fabric, so it keeps me nice and cozy in this weather, I didn't even have to line it with anything."

She went on to explain the different stitching she used and pointed out the cleverly concealed pockets and how the buttons detailed not only the cuffs but the front part as well. It zipped but the flap on the front made it appear to be buttoned. Finally she realized she was babbling a little bit, blushed, and put a hand to her mouth.

"Oh dear, forgive me. I'm so sorry, I'm just...I actually make clothing on commission, Lolita clothing actually, so whenever someone asks, I can't help but talk about what I've made," she smiled. "Silly isn't it? I'm Kida, by the way, it's nice to meet you, Miss...?"

[sylver]

Zorion - Is it wrong to pet the coat?

Zorion smiled as she listened to the dark-haired woman begin explaining every little detail about the jacket. She put her drink down on the far side of the table from the coat and removed her own. She draped it across the chair from Kida before sitting on it and running her fingers over the coat. "It's beautiful. And I'm sure it's wonderful for this weather. L.A. designers have no idea how to design a real coat."

When Kida blushed and covered her mouth, Zorion chuckled slightly. "I don't think it's silly at all. You're obviously a woman who is very dedicated to what you do. And if this coat is anything to go by, you're very good at it. I might have to hire you to make me one." A smirk crossed her lips when Kida asked her name. 'I could get used to no one knowing who I am.'

"My name is Zorion. It's very nice to meet you, Kida."

[Shuu]

[ Sagasu Irei ~ Mmm, Mocha! ]

"Sagasu-san!" Irei turned around when the young bistro worker said her name, presenting the mocha before her. Irei flashed an amorous smirk down at the young adult, who merely blushed and averted her gaze down towards the counter.

"Still so formal, Keiko-chan?" Irei commented in a low tone. The girl nodded sheepishly, causing Irei to chuckle. "I'll find a way to open you up, mark my words." With a wink, she took a sip of her mocha and entered into the busy cafe.

Brushing past a table where two girls sat, discussing a coat, Irei glanced down at the pretty things and hoped to catch their attention, giving a flirtatious wink down at them before sitting at a near-by table, happily sipping at her mocha. Mmm, chocolate...

[ree]

Yasashii Kida // Oh My, So much Attention!

Kida draped her coat back over her chair once Zorion had stroked it and settled back into her chair.

"You're from Los angeles? Oh my, I don't think anyone would wear a coat like this, even in the wintertime over there,' she chuckled. "But if you would like one I'd be happy to create something for you. I don't have my sample book with me, but..."

She rummaged around in her purse looking for the little box of business cards she kept printed. She glanced up once and noticed a very tall, very...."gifted" woman walking by with a mocha and blushed as she was winked at. She was getting so much attention! It was strange but in a good way. Clearing her throat, she finally found the little box (at the bottom of course), pulled out a card, and passed it to Zorion.

"Everything I make is one of a kind and the highest quality," which meant she was a bit on the expensive side, but worth it. "Right now it's a bit slow, so if you wanted a coat like the one I'm wearing, I could make it in about a week."

[sylver]

Zorion Heulwen - Very Friendly Country

"Most of them don't even know that winter is more than just a color scheme," Zorion replied. She wrapped her hands around her drink and watched Kida dig through her purse. "I'd love it. It'd be nice to wear something my publicist didn't choose for me."

Someone brushed them and she glanced up to see Irei sit at a nearby table. She wasn't sure she had actually seen the other woman wink, but when Kida blushed, Zorion grinned. "A week is fine. It doesn't look like I'll be leaving Tokyo anytime soon, so I may have to commission a few items from you. I do need to blend in, after all."

She picked up the card, glanced at it for a moment, then reached for her own coat to find her phone. "Friend of yours?" she asked, glancing over at Irei. She heard a commotion a few tables away and glanced over to see two women arguing and their male companions trying to break it up. "Some people should order decaf."

Once she had her phone, she turned back to face Kida. She placed Kida's card into the holder on the back of the phone and pulled out a card of her own. "Ignore the numbers on the front," she replied, handing her the card. "Mine's on the back."

[Minxie]

{ Alexis Caldwell-Blakeney :: I think a pot of tea is in order... }

Alexis loved ice-skating, she truly did. However, for some reason today the rink had been busier than usual, and she had had to exercise more than her usual restraint - not to mention needing to leap out of the way of numerous low-flying novice skaters. Usually she didn't mind - after all, it took time to learn to skate - but she never used to have to be quite so energetic. She was more weary than usual when she left the rink, and so instead of taking her usual leisurely stroll, Alexis opted to purchase a cup of tea in a quaint-looking cafe. Much to her surprise, halfway to the counter she was forced to side-step to avoid the low-flying young woman being hauled away by friends, looking outraged.

Goodness... She thought with a slight twist of her lips. What sort of place had she taken herself? Perhaps she should have walked a little further on? But it had seemed like such a pleasant place... With a little sigh she continued to the counter, and in her heavily-accented Japanese ordered a pot of tea. Alexis hoped to heaven she had managed to get the wording right, as the young lady at the counter looked rather unimpressed. Either she hadn't, or the girl was not impressed that she was ordering English tea.

And again, I feel much like I am on the outside...

She sighed inwardly, very politely thanked the serving girl, and found the nearest empty table to perch delicately down upon the chair by it. She went through the little rigmarole of wiping the table down with the antibacterial wipes that resided in her handbag, then she went through the pleasant motions of pouring herself a cup of tea and relaxing back slightly in her seat.

Aside from the little altercation earlier, this place looks pleasant. And this tea is indeed lovely... She sighed aloud, a little smile on her lips. Finally she could relax...

***

{ Laila Sindry :: I think I'm lost... }

She was sure she had walked this route before, but after half an hour Laila had to admit she was probably lost. The little music store she had thought was around...well, it wasn't. She did find a nice-looking coffee-shop, however, and decided that stopping for a hot chocolate would be a good idea. Perhaps then she could catch her bearings, and see if her exciting new smartphone could help her find her way back. First off, she wanted to sit down and relax.

The cafe was quite busy, and Laila almost turned tail and left again, but she was quite taken with the very pretty coat that a pretty lady had draped over her chair. She was so entranced by it, in fact, that she couldn't stop looking at it, and promptly fell base over apex thanks to her feet getting caught in someone's chair.

"Ack!" She yelped, hitting the floor with a clatter of body, bag, and the cane beside the chair. "Oh my good God I am so sorry!" She cried, looking absolutely horrified. Haphazardly she attempted to pick herself, her bag, and the cane up all at once, which made a terrible noise and probably looked absolutely ridiculous. Laila was feeling absolutely mortified.

[tenka]

** Caecus Pietus & Kismet Chauncey **

Caecus had to sigh. She knew the girl was coming uncomfortably close to her table, but she hadn't actually expected an incident. It was just one more reason that Caecus wishes she could be rid of that obnoxious walking stick.

"Oh my good God I am so sorry!" Caecus was calmly turning toward the scene as the girl unsuccessfully tried to gather every fallen item in one swoop. Caecus stood tall and slid her walking stick from the jumble effortlessly.

"Hey there! You need to watch where you're going!" Kismet was quick to respond, making his way from the counter in record time. "If she hadn't been sitting down, you could have seriously injured her! She couldn't have seen you coming-"

"Kismet, that is enough." Caecus' words were authoritative and final as she looked her dead eyes dtraight at Kismet. "Contrary to my grandfather's concerns," she then continued, her English glossing over at least half of the patrons, "I do not need a babysitter and am perfectly capable of handling a situation on my own." Caecus reached out and took the girl's arm. "Now, as I feel a bend in my walking stick, I shall speak with this young woman ALONE regarding its replacement. You can go back to whatever has had your fancy for the past 15 minutes." Caecus pulled the girl toward the table and looked away from Kismet.

The man, for his part, was flabbergasted. He had been told-off before; It was certainly nothing new. However, he still couldn't get used to the way she actually LOOKED at him when she spoke. It was just.... creepy.

Before Kismet could argue or move away, he felt his arm get pulled down. The young woman from behind the counter was holding him tightly. "I'm on my break," she said. "Come on, you can sit with me!" Kismet was both grateful for the escape and worried at leaving his duty behind. However, he duty had just made it clear to the entire coffee shop that she was capable. It was just as well that he was being pulled away.

[Minxie]

{ Laila Sindry :: Oh I am so for it now }

It was like some sort of nightmare, really, for Laila. She had rather hoped that she could have just gathered everything up, returned the stick, and made a break for freedom. Even being lost was better than being an embarrassment. The quick-fire Japanese might have lost her had she lived there for less time; as it was it was still a struggle for her to compute it through the myriad languages she spoke. The curt English of the lady whose stick she had knocked over - Oh dear gods she's blind I could have seriously wounded her oh gods I'm such an idiot! - was quite a relief. What was said, however, was less of a relief.

"Now, as I feel a bend in my walking stick, I shall speak with this young woman ALONE regarding its replacement...'

Replacement? Laila had no idea how much such a thing would cost, and moreover she was feeling rather flushed at being manhandled -womanhandled?- in such a way. Maybe she wouldn't usually have reacted that way, but the lady whose stick she had knocked had such an air about her...

"I - I didn't - I'm not - I mean I -" She reverted to a jumbled mix of English and German as she tried to find a way to explain herself.