Late Night Call

Subject: Late Night Call Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:06 am

Outside, the moon looms in a dark sky casting its dull glow over the city. The inside of my apartment is dark and for the most part empty. From within, there is the sound of footsteps approaching from the outside. There is movement within the apartment as a small furry creature hears the approach of a person and moves from its resting position on the arm of the couch to the center of the space in front of the door. The footsteps come to a stop and the door opens up. Looking down, I notice Little Ghost as he looks up towards me and give a soft mew to welcome me. Entering the house, I step past him and closing the door behind me. What a night it had been. Once again, I was thanking my lucky stars to be alive. I was starting to realize that it was hard being an illegal operator in a city full of others who are after the same goals. Aside from that, how many times could a strip club possibly be raided in one month? I pull the shotgun from behind my back as I make my way into the bedroom. I had walked in without even calling for the house night-lights to illuminate. Reaching my closet, I set the shotgun in it. Besides the drama that ensued yet again in the same club, I was a bit bothered for other reasons. I hadn’t gotten used to being around dozens of nude women who all work towards pleasing any man who requests it. That damn Jr. had paid for me to get a lap dance after everything was over too. That didn’t help things for me at all, but he, Lil Knock, Prettyboy and Tre all found it amusing. “Slap that ass, Ghost!” I sigh and shake my head. I was hanging out with buffoons. Reaching within the coat, I pull the pistol from its holster and place it into the closet then start to take off my coat. The kitten follows me into the room and sits down looking up at me as I undress half way. As I am putting away my coat, a piece of paper falls to the ground. Lowering, I crouch to pick it up. Looking at it, I remember it is the number from the girl who works at Moonbucks. It had been a few days since I had gotten the number, yet I had not gotten a chance to call her back, nor had I been back to Moonbucks since. “Maybe…” I murmur lightly. No… It was way too late, and what was I expecting. My way of thinking was wrong. With a sigh, I hold the paper in my hand and make my way into the living room. I wasn’t tired, so I could at least check my messages and watch the television for a while. I sit on the black leather couch in my socks, black slacks, and white undershirt. Little Ghost follows me and hops up onto the couch to my side. “Visual screen on,” I say calmly. There is a soft tone and light fills the dark room as the screen illuminates and the welcome screen shows up. There were no email or voice messages. “Move to television mode,” I continue. The welcome interface rolls out and infomercials fade in. My gaze shifts back down to the piece of paper in my hand. Now that I thought about it, she might be working right now. It wouldn’t hurt if I left her a voicemail or something, but she might think it weird that I called so late… Well, she said call anytime. “I’ll just call and leave a message so she knows I haven’t forgotten her,” I rationalize to myself out loud. There is a soft mew to my side, to which I answer, “your opinion doesn’t matter.” I open the piece of paper in my hand and speak them out to the visual screen and then submit the call. As the call begins to connect, I begin to wonder what I should actually say on the voicemail. 686

Subject: Re: Late Night Call Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:58 pm

Sleep. What the hell is sleep anyway? Thank kami my body can run off a low amount of it. I had gotten the lecture of a lifetime from Yume when I returned covered in demon blood. It had taken forever to wash the shit out of my hair. I sigh as I sit on the couch with a tub of chocolate brownie ice cream. I am not depressed. Dammit. Okay.. So maybe i am a little. Getting yelled at by Yume always got me down. But hey.. I was saving people. I pop another spoonful into my mouth and moan happily at the taste. Nothing is really on any channel and I had resorted to watching some old anime episodes I hadn't watched in a long time. Still my mind is fading in and out on different subjects.

Jyn.

The name flickers through my mind and I suddenly pout. He hadn't called me. Maybe I really wasn't his type. Another spoonful of ice cream as my shoulders slump. I knew he was too good to be true. Damn I need a beer. Can't stand smoking so alcohol is the best solution. I scoop up more ice cream and place it in my mouth and hold the spoon in my mouth for a moment as I gaze blankly at the television. Its a dull buzz now. My blade pulses next to me and I look over at it. It is trying to cheer me up. I smile around the spoon in my mouth and reach over and gently graze my fingertips over the hilt, making it calm at the reassuring touch.

Suddenly music plays and I blink. Why do I hear the Sailor Moon theme song. Wait.. My cell! I quickly set the tub of ice cream on the coffee table and scramble off the couch and jump upon my purse and pull out my cell. I look at the caller ID. I blink at the number. Ano.. I don't know it. I shrug as I lay on the carpetted floor and flick it open and press it to my ear.

"Moshi Moshi, Shiori desu!" I say, curiosity in my voice.

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:28 pm

My head leans back resting on the back of the couch as the call goes through and I await the messenger system while thinking of the script I would use. Suddenly, the call is answered and I can hear Shiori’s voice on wafting through my apartment audible from the visual screen. My head leans up slightly. Crap, had I woken her? It didn’t sound as if Moonbucks was in the background, so she probably wasn’t at work right now. The voice doesn’t seem offensive, but questions a number she probably did not recognize. Quickly, I answer back, “um… Shiori. I didn’t expect you to answer this late. This is Jyn… from Moonbucks before with the spilled café americano and the arguing people…” Though my voice was calm, as it normally was, speaking to introduce myself was a bit awkward. “I didn’t wake you, did I?” I ask her. 150

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:24 pm

“um… Shiori. I didn’t expect you to answer this late. This is Jyn… from Moonbucks before with the spilled café americano and the arguing people…”

That is the first thing I hear and nearly drop the phone in surprise. He.. He actually called back. I sit up and sit back on my heels on the floor, perking instantly. He then asks if he woke me and I find myself smiling at his concern on the matter. I laugh softly before answering. "Iie.. I was awake and munching on ice cream in my depression," I joke. I scratch the back of my head sheepishly. That came out wrong. "Ah. Gomen. My room mate yelled at me and I'm a bit down. I went and took on a.. Well I got into a fight before getting home and it was dangerous. So.." I sigh at the end. "Gomen. Didn't mean to say that. But it spilled out," I feel a bit foolish. "Also.. I'm happy you called me. I thought you had forgotten about me," I say with a hint of embarrassment in my voice. I look at the time and blink. "Ano.. You are up quite late yourself, Jyn. Late night work?"

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:55 pm

It gives me a bit of relief when I hear her laugh softly; I took it to mean that she did not take offense to me calling this late at night. Aside from that, she seemed to be very awake. It was too bad about her roommate and the misunderstanding that they had. Then again, it was understandable if her roommate was the type to worry about her. I didn’t know if the fight she spoke of was with her roommate or someone else. Rationalizing it, I could see her getting into a fight with her parents, or maybe siblings. Since the mention of the fight was vague, there wasn’t much that I could assume, but I knew that it would be inappropriate for me to pry into this aspect of her personal life my first time calling her. ‘It’s fine,’ would be what I would I assure her with to the apologies for speaking too much, but she inquires to why I was up so late, so I would have to address that. “That’s right,” I agree, “I just got off work.” I pause for a moment and continue, “don’t worry about saying too much. Sometimes it’s good to get things out. But, no, I didn’t forget you. I’ve just been a little busy, but I have been thinking of calling lately.” 223

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:07 am

I listen as he tells me he just got off work. I suddenly feel like a high school girl all over again by talking with him. I smile as I listen to him and I move and sit with my back against the couch, legs out in front of me. His next words make me blush and my heart is doing that weird flutter. I shake my head. I won't fall for this guy. No. Relationships only complicate things and I've had my hopes broken way too many times by men who appear to be something and turn out to never be the prince I want in my life. I mean.. Is there really no good man out there who can like me for the way I am and treat me right. No way in hell will I end up like my parents. The old bat is trying desparately to place me in an arranged married. I've avoided it only by going to school and using very little of my parents money for anything. Thank kami for scholarships and a job.

"You poor dear getting off this late," I finally say. "Also.. I'm glad you thought about calling me.. Honestly thought I had scared you off when I mentioned being kendo captain. I tend to get a very negative reaction when I mention it. I'm expected to be cute and sweet just cause I look it. I kind of hate the sterotype. Hell.. Most people think I'm a guy because I go by Kyro-san in the dojo," I laugh a bit at the end. "Also the kendo gear doesn't allow you to decifer gender," I add in an amused tone.

"But really.. You've made me one of the happiest women in the world by calling me back. I happen to be horrible when it comes to men. As much as that would seem false.." I admit to him a sheepish tone.

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Mon Mar 09, 2009 1:36 am

Poor me indeed. I would have preferred to get in much earlier and without the frustration of having a bare naked woman gyrating upon my clothed genitalia while my peers “made it rain.” I entertain the thought of attempting to gear the conversation to meet up with her, but knowing that would probably be in appropriate I push the thought away and internally scold myself. My left hand rises up and prompts the digital keypad for the visual screen. Typing on the translucent halogram, I begin to browse the various channels of the television. Maybe the ero channel would assist me a bit tonight. As she speaks, it kind of confirms my suspicious that she liked to exist outside of the box. It was a shame that people would dismiss her because of hobbies, but I suppose male’s ego could come into play when it comes to a girl who shows so much masculinity in sports and competition. I lean back and relax a bit as she speaks. The small kitten that rests on my side moves up a bit and ducks its head beneath my hand to prompt me to pet him. My hand moves unconsciously over him as I speak back, “I’m glad I could make you happy.” Unfortunately, I was far from a Prince Charming. I had no car, no real job and not a lot of money on me. Perhaps her luck in men hadn’t changed drastically with my appearance. But still, we were just getting to know one another. There was a chance I could end up being a good friend instead of a boyfriend. I don’t know if I would like that. I assure her, “don’t worry, I won’t expect you to be cute or sweet. I now know better.” It was a little bit of a tease in my normal calm tone with a light air about it. 315

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:04 pm

"Hey!" I protest his tease and then laugh. I calm and blink. I feel at such ease talking with him and i hardly know this guy. Bit of a shock really. Yume is one of the few people I talk to this easily. Well there is the kendo team but that's different since they are my team. "I can be sweet when its earned," I add with a playful huff before covering my mouth as I giggle. I feel kind of girlish. Its odd but nice at the same time. I relax, happy he actually called me and we were talking with a simple ease that is kind of rare for me when talking to someone.

"Eto.. Jyn. Are you doing anything tomorrow afternoon? I can get my fukutaicho to run the practice tomorrow if you wanted to.. I don't know. Get coffee. Maybe have lunch?" I suddenly ask. I really wanted to see him again. I bite my lower lip. I have a habit of speaking before thinking. A guy is supposed to ask a girl. But then I have all ready been forward with him by giving him my number first. Still.. Maybe this was too forward? Still.. I can't change myself overnight. And he didn't seem to mind me being forward a couple of nights ago.

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:41 pm

The conversation was going well so far. As her question comes in, I pause to think about it for a moment. I didn’t have much to do tomorrow. If it were the afternoon, it could be fit between not doing much and going to weapons training at the City Metro Range. I suppose the answer to the question depended on what would be done, but it probably wouldn’t be too hard to cancel on Nigel to pick up my weapons training at a different time. It was about time I did something like this to reward myself for… being me? Answering affirmatively, I speak, “I can be available tomorrow afternoon. That sounds good.” I joke, “seeing how late it is, that’ll probably be around the time I wake up… but I’m not really that sleepy at the moment.” There is a slight pause before I add, “where will you like to meet, tomorrow?” 153

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:29 pm

He agrees and I nearly get up and dance in happiness. But that would be silly and very.. Childish. Still I'm excited. A place to meet? "Hmm.." I begin to tap my chin in thought as I look up at the ceiling, cell phone pressed to my ear. Where could we meet? It had to be somewhere we both knew and that was close to something to eat, yet far enough that I would have anyone recognize me and begin rumors at the university. It was so hard for me to date without my whole team finding out about it. The boys were protective. Takuto especially. Guess he was like the brother I never had. I then perk.

"How about we both just meet at Moonbucks and go from there. I'm not really good at planning things out like this. I kind of just like going with the flow and mood of the moment.. If that is all right with you?" I say to him. I was telling the truth. I sucked at planning dates. Honestly if you didn't know the person too well yet.. How could you know their likes and dislikes before the planning. So doing it at the spur of th moment was better because you would find out on the way and never be completely disappointed since you picked it out of the spur of the moment.

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:40 pm

So she sucked at making plans. That had its many implied implications, but for my purposes thus far, it shouldn’t affect me seeing her a few times. It seemed to fit with her personality that she would fly by the seat of her pants. So long as I didn’t get stood up, then things would be fine. Not that I really would take offense to it, more so I liked to be in charge of my own time. I didn’t think something like that could happen but by the laws of spur of the moment, it was quite possible. I wondered if this would be a good time to mention that I didn’t have a car. I suppose if I were meeting her somewhere, she would have her own form of transportation. If not, hopefully wherever we go would be in walking distance. Then again a train ride is common on dates sometimes. Thinking over things, this would be one of my first dates in a while. “Moonbucks it is,” I agree, “I’ll meet you there tomorrow afternoon.” Afternoon was vague so I clarify, “how about around 2 o clock?” That would give me plenty of time to get anything out of the way I might need to do in the morning. 212

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:42 pm

I smile as he agrees. I like to be.. What's the word? Spontaneous? Yea that's it. Spontaneous. Life needs surprises otherwise its boring. Yume had reamed me out for having fought that demon on a whim. But that is just how I am. If I lived a boring life.. Can I even really say I lived at all when its time for me to leave this plane? He then gives me a time and I think over the bus schedule and subway at the same time. I don't have a car. I don't need one. Why pollute the air with another vechile when I can walk or take public transportation? Not hard at all and I bought yearly passes for both which is super cheap when you get them during their season pass sales.

"Two it is then. I'll probably all ready have a cup of coffee by the time you get there since the subway tends to drop off near Gothstone at around one thirty. Do you want me to get an venti cafe americano with no room for you? I'll make sure this one doesn't get knocked to the ground," I joke, laughing a bit. To think he and I met because of me nearly falling on my ass. Its quite a cute beginning to this somewhat fairy tale that my mind is creating. Hopefully Jyn is the dark prince I'v been searching for.

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:08 pm

The time is agreed on. In a soft tone, I smile lightly at how considerate she was being and answer Yes, that would be fine.” The assurance is given on the selection of coffee; she remembered the kind that I liked. That was cute in its own way. With that settled for now, I would not allow the conversation linger for too much longer. Now that the frustration had subsided a bit, I felt I could go to sleep after a little bit of effort. I had calmed down after the job and the after party and it was getting rather late. If I were to be energetic tomorrow, I would need at least eight hours, and I was running out of time. Deciding to end the conversation here with the anticipation set for the date tomorrow, I conclude, “Well then, it’s been nice speaking with you. Have a good night and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” 159

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:37 pm

I nod then realize he can't see me. "Hai. I'll see you tomorrow, Jyn. Oyasumi nasai," I say to him and hang up my cell phone. I blink and stare at it before hopping to my feet and doing a stupid little dance. I then pause and look around. Okay.. No one saw that. No I did not just make a fool of myself dammit. But.. Hey I can get excited about something like this dammit. I look at the television and smile a bit. Even Yume being upset still doesn't faze me. I have a date. And with a cute guy too. "Yosh!" I punch the arm and giggle. Now.. To bed with my ass. I pick up the ice cream and place the lid on it then shut off the television and walk to the kitchen. I put the ice cream back into the freezer and hum happily as I go to my room. Tomorrow was gonna be a good day. I would make sure of it.. Or so help me I would find a way to get revenge on the kamis above us.

I shut my door behind me, picking my way through the slight mess in my room and flop down on my bed. I suddenly feel tired. I yawn and nuzzle into my bed sheets. THey fell clean. Yume did the sheets recently and changed mine. She's too good to me sometimes. Another yawn escapes me and I find my eyes closing. I would see Jyn tomorrow and go on a date with my new dark prince. Please..Please let me not screw this up. I like him already and I barely know him. SO please.. No more false hopes and broken hearts.

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:51 am

After the mutual wish for a good night comes, the call disconnects and the screen returns to television as a full screen after the time of the call blinks in the upper right hand corner of the screen. I give the verbal command for the visual screen to cut off. The room darkens as the light from the visual monitor fades away. So I had a date tomorrow. Cool. Standing up, I displace the kitten. I walk to my bedroom and get ready to lay down for the night. I would see what this girl had to offer tomorrow on our date. 102

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Subject: Re: Late Night Call Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:35 am

Updated

» Late Night
» Site Event - Anarchic Ruckus [open globally]
» The Call (Intro) - Item Acquisition
» Call of the Cicada
» .Call me when your sober [Jyn]