[ Since speaking with Daniel and Robby, there are few things Chozen has been sure of among the many thoughts he is turning over about the situation unfolding with the students of Miyagi-do and the mysterious Miss Makima. One of those few sure things is that, whatever is truly happening, he has ample reason to pursue his concerns. Another is that he has several more people he wants to speak with before he can be sure of anything else.
Kageyama Shigeo is the first he approaches. Mob is a different sort of teenager than Robby in Chozen's estimation, so the tack he takes is also different. It is still not exactly an ambush, but first step is a bit more...direct.
Chozen waits until Mob has come to the dojo to practice his communication skills, observing the young man's arrival from a concealed angle around an outer corner of the building itself. Mob looks very much as he always does, and Chozen wonders with a touch of internal bitterness how much he has allowed himself to overlook behind that placid surface.
He unfolds to standing and emerges from the shadow of the house, lifting his hand in greeting. ]
Hello, Kageyama-san.
[ Between the two of them, one on one, he uses Japanese. ]
[mob makes his way through whatever routine he has when entering the dojo for lessons- if his gi is needed that's changed into, he goes to check on the bonsai just because he likes them, he usually goes to greet daniel and whoever else may be around.
in this case chozen approaches first, getting a polite bow of his head.] Hello, sensei.
[the japanese is nice, familiar. sensei toguchi is very, very different from sensei larusso but in a way that mob finds kind of comforting. his own master back home was a bit of an oddball, after all.]
[ The gi is not strictly necessary for these lessons, but Chozen likes to wear it when teaching - especially since he has been running so damnably hot the past few days. It is nice to be in something that breathes. Whether Mob joins him in that is, of course, up to the boy, but Chozen certainly would not discourage him. ]
You look well. [ He says, with warm politeness. ] Come. I will make tea.
[ He will lead Mob into the living area of the dojo instead of the training side, bringing him to the low tea table in their sitting room. As promised, there is a tea set and waiting kettle already there. Chozen takes a kneeling seat on one side of the table, house slippered feet tucked nearly underneath him, and flicks the kettle on. ]
[he will go with the gi, mostly because he's a creature of habit more than any genuine reason. he will also follow after chozen when he leads the way.] So do you, sensei.
[a calm enough start to the new month in terms of trench related drama. less so in dojo related drama, but he kneels across from chozen and considers his question.]
I'm fine. Bausphomette gave me a pretty rock. [frankly? not a bad birthday gift, even if he has yet to see it as anything other than 'cool rock.'] Miss Makima got hurt but she's doing better.
[ That is certainly a mixed bundle of news. Chozen's face brightens at first at the mention of the Patron, but draws together with concern at the worrying report on Miss Makima's health. ]
I have been well. [ He opens up the box of loose green tea. ] And I did not know you and I shared a patron spirit.
[ The approval in his tone makes it clear this is a good thing. Chozen respects Bausphomette highly among the Pthumerians, and there is a reassurance in having been chosen by them instead of, say, The Reckoning. ]
I am sorry to hear about Miss Makima. What happened to her? Is she in need of any help?
Oh. Does that mean your birthday is this month? [or 'blessed day,' he still mostly just sees it as someone's birthday. important information, he'd need to get chozen a gift if so.
a fellow baus appreciater. mob offers a tiny smile.] Yeah, I'm glad too. Some of the pthumerians are really dramatic. [moss king.] I think learning to be better is really important too.
[a small shake of the head.] I don't think so. Ritsu, Sunny and I have been taking care of things at the house, and people have come by to see her and help. [because miss makima is very kind and has many friends, obviously.] She got hurt by a beast. It must have been a lot, Miss Makima is really strong.
[like in will and the time she just blew up santa's head.]
[ Chozen brings his hands up and shakes his head at Mob's mention of birthdays. ]
Ah, don't worry about my birthday. At my age, who can remember anything like that?
[ It will be his birthday soon, by this world's calendar. He wonders if he should try to reconcile the dates with the calendar of his world to calculate a 'truer' date, and then dismisses the thought. He will not be marking the occasion this year, with everything going on, and no Kumiko to insist. ]
I also think it is important to improve where you can. [ He lets his hands drop back to his thighs. ] And I have been hearing that about Miss Makima. She works for the government in her world to control abilities, yes? I imagine it is a difficult job, if they have abilities like the ones we have here. She must be quite capable.
But still...perhaps I should come by myself anyway. She is looking after so many of our students. It seems only fair we look after her. What do you think?
[mob considers that for a moment. there's practically a loading bar above his head as he turns the thought around.] But birthdays are also for people to celebrate that you're in their life, aren't they?
I guess the attention is kind of a lot, but I'm really glad you're here, sensei. [so... he wants to get you a gift, chozen. maybe he'll ask daniel about it. man could at least make a mean pasta about it
the rest gets a little nod.] She does. She's helping me control mine. [a faint uncertainty there, through the bland. mostly because several people have been very unhappy about the contract business and he's starting to feel like it's better not to mention it.] And she is very capable. She's the smartest person I've met besides Ritsu and- Robby.
[a faint pause there. talking about robby still stings a little, then gets pushed down. (32%)
but the idea of chozen coming to visit perks him up a little. even if makima doesn't need the help mob would enjoy having him over anyway, and miss makima might like the company.] I think that would be nice. Maybe you can come over for dinner? Sunny and I have been trying to do the cooking, we're not as good as Miss Makima but Sunny's gotten pretty good at stirfry.
[ There Mob goes again with the forthright gentleness that Chozen has noted in passing before. He has what can only be called a good heart, whatever terrible destructive forces he might be able to wield when that heart is in distress.
It is touching. It is concerning. It drops a rock into the pit of Chozen's stomach, knowing that Mob has been suffering from alienation from his friends, from the discord brewing that seems to always lead back to the mysterious Miss Makima. ]
I am sure you and Sunny-san are doing your very best, but I would be happy to bring dinner for all of us to share. [ Normally, he would ask Daniel to cook, but - not this time. ] I will reach out to her, see when there is a good time.
I would like to thank her for helping you...even though I still don't understand it, I am afraid. [ The kettle clicks over into quiet. Chozen starts an internal timer to measure the point where the water will reach the correct, cooler temperature. ] She makes...contracts with people, I'm told? It reminds me of old stories. Folktales. Did your parents ever tell you stories like that? My uncle would, sometimes, when I was very young.
Of course, Miss Makima doesn't sound like a ghost or spirit, if she is eating stir fries and working for the government.
Oh, do you cook too, sensei? [the first time mob met daniel it was over a dinner daniel made, which cemented the man in mob's mind as a real chef. he's starting to wonder if cooking and karate go hand in hand then, if both senseis can do it.
but contract talk, normally he'd be a little concerned given how people have reacted to the word so far but chozen doesn't seem bothered. maybe he thinks it's just a word too, like mob does, though framing it in terms of spirits-
well, that's something that gets a curious tilt of his head.] My parents didn't, but I've seen spirits who do that sort of thing. It leads to a lot of curses master Reigen and I had to take care of.
[which hey, gives him a moment's pause and a blink. ah, he can see a little better why sunny's concerned about the wording, if he's thinking things like that.] She's not a spirit though, at least she doesn't feel like one. Sleepers are kind of weird, I guess. [everyone's a squid deep down, so everyone feels kind of odd here.] The contract feels kind of like one of the bonds here more than anything. I wonder if it's power similar to that.
I can cook a little. Not as well as your other teacher.
[ It's all bachelor food save for a few more elaborate dishes he learned to impress students' parents. He thinks he can still whip something up that will serve to get him over Makima's threshold.
He makes sure to look like he's thinking of recipes and not contracts, even while he pins some tentative hopes on Mob's pause and blink. The boy has proven capable of inference before, and perhaps he is proving it once again. ]
It sounds like you are much more of an expert on the topic than I am. [ He's sincere, without pandering or hidden implication. ] If you think it's a power like that, I'm inclined to believe you.
[ And that does not inspire hope, tentative or otherwise. ]
Sensei Larusso should be a chef. [that is mob's important opinion on the matter, said as placidly as anything else.
probably better to focus on this conversation though, especially given it's offered a way of looking at things he hasn't really considered before. he offers a little shake of the head- not an expert, really, but at least he has some idea of these things in his own world. enough to reflect a little more.]
I'm not really sure. When she was in danger she reached out to me the way I can reach out to her. But Sunny and Jun, she turned off my powers when they were in my body. I can't do that to her, at least I don't think I can.
[he's almost positive he can't. after a long moment he looks at chozen more steadily and says,] I know a lot of people are worried about it, and about her. But... you saw what I did to sensei. Don't you think it's better someone can stop me before it gets that far again?
I tried to change, and I still am trying. I want to be someone who doesn't need to rely on someone else to solve my problems, but until I am that I just... I don't see how this isn't better.
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early may | action
Kageyama Shigeo is the first he approaches. Mob is a different sort of teenager than Robby in Chozen's estimation, so the tack he takes is also different. It is still not exactly an ambush, but first step is a bit more...direct.
Chozen waits until Mob has come to the dojo to practice his communication skills, observing the young man's arrival from a concealed angle around an outer corner of the building itself. Mob looks very much as he always does, and Chozen wonders with a touch of internal bitterness how much he has allowed himself to overlook behind that placid surface.
He unfolds to standing and emerges from the shadow of the house, lifting his hand in greeting. ]
Hello, Kageyama-san.
[ Between the two of them, one on one, he uses Japanese. ]
no subject
in this case chozen approaches first, getting a polite bow of his head.] Hello, sensei.
[the japanese is nice, familiar. sensei toguchi is very, very different from sensei larusso but in a way that mob finds kind of comforting. his own master back home was a bit of an oddball, after all.]
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You look well. [ He says, with warm politeness. ] Come. I will make tea.
[ He will lead Mob into the living area of the dojo instead of the training side, bringing him to the low tea table in their sitting room. As promised, there is a tea set and waiting kettle already there. Chozen takes a kneeling seat on one side of the table, house slippered feet tucked nearly underneath him, and flicks the kettle on. ]
How have you been keeping lately?
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[a calm enough start to the new month in terms of trench related drama. less so in dojo related drama, but he kneels across from chozen and considers his question.]
I'm fine. Bausphomette gave me a pretty rock. [frankly? not a bad birthday gift, even if he has yet to see it as anything other than 'cool rock.'] Miss Makima got hurt but she's doing better.
[that's his news.] How have you been, sensei?
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I have been well. [ He opens up the box of loose green tea. ] And I did not know you and I shared a patron spirit.
[ The approval in his tone makes it clear this is a good thing. Chozen respects Bausphomette highly among the Pthumerians, and there is a reassurance in having been chosen by them instead of, say, The Reckoning. ]
I am sorry to hear about Miss Makima. What happened to her? Is she in need of any help?
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a fellow baus appreciater. mob offers a tiny smile.] Yeah, I'm glad too. Some of the pthumerians are really dramatic. [moss king.] I think learning to be better is really important too.
[a small shake of the head.] I don't think so. Ritsu, Sunny and I have been taking care of things at the house, and people have come by to see her and help. [because miss makima is very kind and has many friends, obviously.] She got hurt by a beast. It must have been a lot, Miss Makima is really strong.
[like in will and the time she just blew up santa's head.]
no subject
Ah, don't worry about my birthday. At my age, who can remember anything like that?
[ It will be his birthday soon, by this world's calendar. He wonders if he should try to reconcile the dates with the calendar of his world to calculate a 'truer' date, and then dismisses the thought. He will not be marking the occasion this year, with everything going on, and no Kumiko to insist. ]
I also think it is important to improve where you can. [ He lets his hands drop back to his thighs. ] And I have been hearing that about Miss Makima. She works for the government in her world to control abilities, yes? I imagine it is a difficult job, if they have abilities like the ones we have here. She must be quite capable.
But still...perhaps I should come by myself anyway. She is looking after so many of our students. It seems only fair we look after her. What do you think?
no subject
I guess the attention is kind of a lot, but I'm really glad you're here, sensei. [so... he wants to get you a gift, chozen. maybe he'll ask daniel about it. man could at least make a mean pasta about it
the rest gets a little nod.] She does. She's helping me control mine. [a faint uncertainty there, through the bland. mostly because several people have been very unhappy about the contract business and he's starting to feel like it's better not to mention it.] And she is very capable. She's the smartest person I've met besides Ritsu and- Robby.
[a faint pause there. talking about robby still stings a little, then gets pushed down. (32%)
but the idea of chozen coming to visit perks him up a little. even if makima doesn't need the help mob would enjoy having him over anyway, and miss makima might like the company.] I think that would be nice. Maybe you can come over for dinner? Sunny and I have been trying to do the cooking, we're not as good as Miss Makima but Sunny's gotten pretty good at stirfry.
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It is touching. It is concerning. It drops a rock into the pit of Chozen's stomach, knowing that Mob has been suffering from alienation from his friends, from the discord brewing that seems to always lead back to the mysterious Miss Makima. ]
I am sure you and Sunny-san are doing your very best, but I would be happy to bring dinner for all of us to share. [ Normally, he would ask Daniel to cook, but - not this time. ] I will reach out to her, see when there is a good time.
I would like to thank her for helping you...even though I still don't understand it, I am afraid. [ The kettle clicks over into quiet. Chozen starts an internal timer to measure the point where the water will reach the correct, cooler temperature. ] She makes...contracts with people, I'm told? It reminds me of old stories. Folktales. Did your parents ever tell you stories like that? My uncle would, sometimes, when I was very young.
Of course, Miss Makima doesn't sound like a ghost or spirit, if she is eating stir fries and working for the government.
no subject
but contract talk, normally he'd be a little concerned given how people have reacted to the word so far but chozen doesn't seem bothered. maybe he thinks it's just a word too, like mob does, though framing it in terms of spirits-
well, that's something that gets a curious tilt of his head.] My parents didn't, but I've seen spirits who do that sort of thing. It leads to a lot of curses master Reigen and I had to take care of.
[which hey, gives him a moment's pause and a blink. ah, he can see a little better why sunny's concerned about the wording, if he's thinking things like that.] She's not a spirit though, at least she doesn't feel like one. Sleepers are kind of weird, I guess. [everyone's a squid deep down, so everyone feels kind of odd here.] The contract feels kind of like one of the bonds here more than anything. I wonder if it's power similar to that.
no subject
[ It's all bachelor food save for a few more elaborate dishes he learned to impress students' parents. He thinks he can still whip something up that will serve to get him over Makima's threshold.
He makes sure to look like he's thinking of recipes and not contracts, even while he pins some tentative hopes on Mob's pause and blink. The boy has proven capable of inference before, and perhaps he is proving it once again. ]
It sounds like you are much more of an expert on the topic than I am. [ He's sincere, without pandering or hidden implication. ] If you think it's a power like that, I'm inclined to believe you.
[ And that does not inspire hope, tentative or otherwise. ]
So does it go both ways, then, like a bond?
no subject
probably better to focus on this conversation though, especially given it's offered a way of looking at things he hasn't really considered before. he offers a little shake of the head- not an expert, really, but at least he has some idea of these things in his own world. enough to reflect a little more.]
I'm not really sure. When she was in danger she reached out to me the way I can reach out to her. But Sunny and Jun, she turned off my powers when they were in my body. I can't do that to her, at least I don't think I can.
[he's almost positive he can't. after a long moment he looks at chozen more steadily and says,] I know a lot of people are worried about it, and about her. But... you saw what I did to sensei. Don't you think it's better someone can stop me before it gets that far again?
I tried to change, and I still am trying. I want to be someone who doesn't need to rely on someone else to solve my problems, but until I am that I just... I don't see how this isn't better.