needabourbon | [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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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.