needabourbon | [004] [Voice → Video]

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[004] [Voice → Video]

[Voice] [The sound of his journal clicking on is subtle, so subtle that maybe you didn't realize it was even on until he begins talking. His voice more rough than usual and the pouring sound of liquid into a glass is the only ambiance.]

We checked out Goemon's place again. I think we're just assuming the worst... No. The best? That he is out of Luceti. He'll be alright but I'll miss him.

[Video] [All is quiet. Maybe you thought he shut off the journal but he didn't. The sound of glass to a table, then Jigen flips on the video feed. He's quick not to let the screen catch his face as he turns it away. In view now is a scaled replica of Cagliostro... Created entirely from bits of matchsticks. Beside the model you can see a full pack of cigarettes sitting next to a packed ashtray. His glass of bourbon is also beside an almost empty bottle. He turns the camera towards himself now—when was the last time he slept or smoked? Those dark circles look hideous.]

If anyone could bring me more matches, I'd appreciate it... [Pause.] Maybe some bourbon too.

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[That pulls a sudden, surprised laugh from her. She shakes her head and smiles at the feed.] That phrase takes on a slightly different meaning when used with someone trained to dance en pointe.

Ballet, right? I didn't think of that. [A soft chuckle.] I don't know much of dancing. Sorry.

Oui Monsieur. [She smooths a loose curl back behind her ear, grinning.] Not my profession, but my passion. Though it is only here that I have time to indulge in it once more. One does not need to know much of dancing to enjoy it. They simply need eyes to see and a heart to feel.

That's quite lovely, actually. [He's relaxing back in his seat now. For a moment he realizes how long he's been sitting and a pinch in his back forces him from the chair. Grabbing the journal, he moves to lay on his bed and set the journal on his bedside end-table.]

'fraid the only dancing I was ever exposed to was something of a waltz... Which was supposed to be used during a heist but I ended up disguising myself as a chef instead.

The French are well known for their romantic notions and the poetic language they use to describe said notions. Some are more inclined to perpetuate the stereotype than others.

[She waits for him to finish relocating to...a bed? Ah, good. Better for him by far, perhaps he would manage to sleep sometime after their conversation ended.] Ah, the Waltz. Elegance in simplicity. Classic, anyone can be taught, and for your part Monsieur, your job would have been easy. The lead is...the frame, yes? He is there to make the painting, the follow, look lovely. I am certain you would have been able to manage that.

I know a thing or two about the French and their romance. [His comrade Lupin III is French--which is probably the worst example considering how much of a horn-dog Lupin usually was. Jigen has picked up on mannerisms and visited parts of Europe several times over the years though.

He gives a slight nod as he rests against his hand, his pillow cushioned in the crevice of his arm to give comfort to the position.] Can't say I was good at it but I managed, yeah. [Small shrug.] I'm more of a chef than a waltz-er. That's why I took that disguise for the gig anyway.

Enough to be enchanted, or enough to be wary? They are not mutually exclusive of one another, either. [Adele shifts on the sofa as well, twisting to tuck her feet under a pillow on the far side, unconsciously mirroring Jigen's posture.]

Perhaps all you need are lessons, though I do not know if I would be entirely qualified to teach. [A quirked brow and flash of a grin.] What was the gig, if I might ask?

If you know more than I do, then you'd be the perfect teacher... [He smiles and goes without answering her question for a moment, simply turning onto his back and pushing his arms up above his head in a stretch. After a small grunt and pop of his back, he places his hands behind his head and closes his eyes.]

We were infiltrating a private auction for something called the Mermaid's Scale... That's a whole other story though.

Just as it is quite likely you know more than I of cooking. [She is tempted for a moment to go fetch another mug of coffee, one eye on the video feed, the other on the kitchen door. It would not be too far to walk, and she is about to stand when Jigen's voice picks up again. For the moment, she remains on the sofa.]

A Mermaid's Scale? Would that be a metaphor, an allegory, or an actual object?

It's a jewel. [He gives another chuckle. Had it been a real scale, it probably would have been much more difficult to steal.] There were actually two of them. The Mermaid Scale and the Scale of Heaven. When you lined them up just right, it showed a map leading to a small island in the Sea of Japan—-that's where the real treasure was hidden...

[The coffee can wait, she decides, more than happy to prop the journal off to one side and settle in for what would most certainly be another fascinating story.]

And what, pray tell, was the real treasure?

[A slight pause. Where to start? There was so much to be known of this adventure... He was going to do his best to sum things up though.]

There was a story that went with the scales. About a nun called the Yaobikuni who never aged. She sealed herself away in the base of that island for over 800 years, still never aging... Himuro was a deranged man and the leader of an evil plot to become immortal. He was obsessed with finding the cells of the Yaobikuni to find what made her live forever.

Though, to even enter the sealed room you would have had to gotten passed the traps, had both Scales, and paid mermaid's blood as a tribute to open the seal. [He paused.] Misa. A young girl who had fallen victim to Himuro's evil plot... She could be harmed but never die. She was the mermaid's blood that he needed.

It backfired when Himuro tasted the Yaobinuki's blood. He turned into a monster full of rage. He gave us quite a bit of trouble but it eventually killed him. The Yaobikuni finally passed away... Her resting place was destroyed and Misa was turned mortal.

[He shifts uncomfortably. Perhaps it feels odd to leave that one part out. The part where, if Misa had not been immortal, she would have died in Jigen's arms after sacrificing herself for him...]

[This was...far more a fantastic tale than the last. Adele wants to question, to pry, but. She's no right to it. The experience, no matter how outlandish, is Jigen's, and his alone. An immortal woman was a medical impossibility in her world, a mermaid even more so but, where he is from? Apparently it was not so outlandish.]

I suppose that was the best outcome for all the parties involved, yes?

It was. [If Adele were to hear more of Jigen's tales, she would learn that his world is full of possible impossibilities... time travel included. He seems to be getting tired now, so any further stories will have to wait for another time.

He yawns briefly. Moving to lay on his back and tip his hat over his dark-circled eyes.]

I think I'll be cooking tomorrow night. You're welcome to join.

[Adele waits it out, smiling a little to herself. She'd managed to get him in a place, and mindset, that was restful if nothing else. She has no idea if he'll actually sleep, but this was a good start. The offer gives her pause.]

...I would love to, Jigen. Truly. But you live on the sixth floor, yes? [She could, maybe. If she took her medication. And spent the whole meal a twitching, tense wreck.]

Fifth floor in community house 5, actually. I'm right next door to Lupin.

If that will be a problem, I could always bring it to you. [He's curious but decides not to pry. He's flexible.] Perhaps cook at your place?

[She could just take her medication but...he offered to come over, she couldn't cook for anything and Helios would most likely enjoy the break. It takes a moment for her to mull it over but ultimately, she nods with a soft smile. Kind of him to offer.]

That may work best, actually. The kitchen in the house seems to have more space than the communal kitchen available I saw in community house one, while I lived there.

[He's drifting off now but after a few moments he's managing a small smile.]

Right. Just let me know when you want me over and I'll be more than happy to make you something interesting...

I will. [She chuckles and murmurs softly.] Rest well Jigen.

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