Nerima park



This is a quaint little park that is quite popular with the local students.  

Stone-covered paths wind around oases of greenery, where trees bring some 

pleasant shade to the benches.  A fountain sings its watery song at the center 

of the park, flanked by several cherry trees that  ensure a very pleasant sight 

during the sakura season.  The sounds of civilization are not far away though, 

Kanno street following the east edge of the part, and another street to the 

west heading to Hisashi way.

[Exits   : (H)isashi way, and (K)anno street ]

[Players : Lina_Inverse, Kurasu, and Red_XIII ]

[Sleepers: Quatre ]

[Things  : black rosebush ]


>Rei . o O ( What are these people doing in my house...?   o.o   Wait, I don't 

technically own this. )

>Saruke looks up and over at Rei, then back at Red and Lina again, one, then to 

the other.

>Red XIII's ears turn backwards as he studies Kurasu, silent..thinking.

>Rei climbs up one of the trees, reclinging on a large branch. He doesn't seem 

to be paying much attention to the rest of you.

>Red XIII's tail abruptly slaps the ground lightly, singing the grass as he 

comes to his decision, "I see. My apologies for bringing up a painful subject.."

Saruke blinks and looks over at Red. She shakes her head slightly. "It'"

>Saruke says, "It's alright, Red. Just....it's fine. Don't worry about it."

>Red XIII looks oddly at Saruke, "....Indeed.." He growls quietly, nodding after 

a moment, "Very well.."

>Lina leans against a tree. "So ... would the two of you like to come to my 

housewarming party this Friday?"

>Red XIII looks at Lina, "Forgive me.. but I do not feel in a mood to do 

..socializing of any sort.."

>Lina asks, "Lemme guess ... you're worried about Cloud, and Shinra, and who 

knows what else?"

>Red XIII just looks at Lina. \.-

>Saruke gives a sigh, and looks over at Lina. "He has a reason to be worried 

about Cloud, you know." You can almost hear the icicles dripping from the words.

>Lina says, "Look, none of us are gonna do Cloud any good by worrying ourselves 

sick about him."

>Rei . o O ( Who's this Cloud fellow? Heard someone else mention him before... )

>Red XIII growls at Lina.

>Saruke rolls her eyes slightly. . o O (Easy for you to say...) She sighs. 

"You're right, I suppose. But do you have a better idea?"

>Lina says, "Yeah ... take a break from worrying, relax, and wait for our 

opportunity to do some good."

>Lina says, "And maybe while we're relaxing, inspiration will strike." ^_^

>Red XIII growls a bit louder, that growl slowly turning into a snarl. 

Inspiration may not strike, but *he* might.

>Saruke looks at Red again, opening her mouth to say something, then shutting it 

again. If he wants to go off half-cocked....well, she's tried to stop him 

before.

>Lina bends down, placing a hand on the back of Red's head - *almost* like she 

were going to pet him. "Red ... listen to me. Right now, there *is* little to 

nothing we can do about Cloud."

>Lina says, "Unless you know something about the situation that I don't."

Red XIII snaps at Lina's hand.

>Lina YEEPS!! and jumps back about seven feet. O.O

>Lina exclaims, "Dammit Red, is that any way to treat a friend?!"

>Red XIII growls but doesn't move any further, just glaring.

>Saruke sighs. "Lina, Cloud's in Hojo's lab, at last check." There. If that 

doesn't explain it...

>Lina says, "I *know* where he is - I haven't had clearance to go in and look at 

him yet, it's locked up in the bureaucracy somewhere."

>Red XIII continues snarling, far FAR too far into feral mode for words.

>Lina asks, ".... ano ... ?"

>Lina . o O ( This is not good. )

>Red XIII isn't going to move.. he hasn't gotten angry enough to just out and 

out attack.. but it would be best for your health, Lina, if you stayed at least 

6 or seven feet away.

>Saruke glances at Red, rubbing her fingers across her forehead briefly, a 

puzzled look on her face.

>And since when does Lina consistently do what's best for her health?

>Rei watches now, out of sight.    . o O ( Hmm, I don't think Red likes Lina... 

because of that Cloud guy? )

>Lina asks, "Red ... ?"

>Red XIII doesn't respond, his snarling settling into a menacing growl, his eye 

fixed on Lina's location.

>Saruke looks over at Red's reactions, rubbing her upper lip a moment, then 

furrowing her brow. It's a look of notable puzzlement, then one of active 

surprise, head twitching back a moment, before she settles her reaction down 

again, shifting her glasses into place with a fumbling shove.

Lina steps to the side, watching Red (and not noticing Kurasu's change of 

expression)

>Red XIII doesn't notice it either, though his ear twitches in her direction 

briefly.. seeing *some* sort of movement. For the most part, he's watching Lina 

silently.

>Saruke recovers about as quickly as she reacted, idly leaning back against her 

tree and watching the pair once again. Yep. Nothing happened. Nope.

>Lina says, "C'mon, Nanaki, snap out of it ..."

>Red XIII glares silently at Lina, fangs bared. \.=

>Rei . o O ( Woah, he IS pissed   o.o )

>Saruke is just staying nice and out of the way, thanks. Safer that way.

>Lina steps forward, holding her hands out at her sides. "Red, *stop*. Getting 

all mad at me isn't going to do any good - "

>Yrmia comes in from Hisashi way.

>Yrmia has arrived.

>Red XIII growls as Lina steps forward, his hackles up.. taking a half step 

forward, \.=

>Lina pauses, not aware yet that Yrmia's in the area.

>Rei sits on a treebranch, several feet off the ground, and a good distance away 

from the others

>Saruke is leaned against a tree and just watching, staying out of the way of 

the pair. And thoughtful-looking.

>Red XIII is snarling at Lina, but not making any movements to attack. Yet.

>Yrmia slips quietly into the area, moving as close as possible to the group 

without being noticed.

>Lina takes another cautious step towards Red. "C'mon ... I'm a friend, 

remember?"

>Red XIII hisses, flattening his ears menacingly.

>Lina . o O ( I have to get Red to calm down ... somehow ... damn, I wish I knew 

that Enhance Calm spell well enough to cast it. )

>Rei speaks up, probably making everyone else here notice him for the first 

time. "What happened to this Cloud guy, anyway?"

>Red XIII RRRFs, snaping his heaad over towards Rei warily, taking a step back 

from Lina as he forces his thoughts into coherence.

>Lina replies bluntly, "Controlled by a super-powerful lunatic, and being held 

for observation/possible treatment by Shinra."

>Lina asks, "Red, are you okay?"

>Oh that was a good way to put it. He's snarling again.

>Rei hmmphs. "Everything I hear about them is bad... why are they allowed 

around, anyway?"

>Saruke shifts from one foot to the other, settling herself into a better 

position to run. Juuuuust in case. She hasn't got a reason to move yet, though.

>Red XIII glances at Rei, "The public does not know the truth." He growls, "And 

if they did, it is a long shot that it would be believed."

>Rei frowns. "Real tyrants, eh?"   . o O ( Just like the plant...   <.< )

>Red XIII mrrls, growling as he nods..

>Saruke shrugs, then nods, looking up at Rei. "It's...a polite way to put it, I 

think."

>l yr



Yrmia



Yrmia is a tall, slender woman with piercing green eyes. Her fine steel gray 

hair cascades down her shoulders, reaching to the waist, and is held away from 

her face by a gold tiara, inset with a faintly glowing green gem.

 Her statuesque form is clothed in a lowcut white silk tunic, worked with 

intricate gold dragons, and tight silk pants, similarly decorated. On her feet 

she has a pair of white leather boots, one of which has a stiletto tucked into 

it. Her swordbelt has a sheath which contains a highly decorated fencing blade.

Carrying:



Red XIII pays Lina no mind. he's calmed. He's not speaking.

>Rei leaps down from the tree. "And it's safe to assume that they got good 

security too, eh?"

>Red XIII mrrls, nodding. -.-

>Lina says, "Reasonably decent ... nothing that could keep me out if I made a 

concerted effort, but said concerted effort would draw more attention than I 

want."

>Rei rubs the back of his neck. "Then... it's better to take a little time to 

think up a plan that'll work, then rushing in. Or not thinking at all."

>Red XIII bristles slightly.

>Saruke glances at Rei. "We've been thinking. And we've spent a lot of time with 

it. And we don't know how much more time we have."

>Red XIII bristles worse.

>Red XIII looks at Saruke flatly.

>Rei rubs the back of his neck some more. "... What're they doing with him, 

anyway? Locked him in the dungeon or something?"

>Red XIII rrrrrllllllssssss...

>Saruke looks back at Red and shrugs slightly. "I don't know, Red. I don't like 

it any better than you do...we do need to think about it, but..." She leaves it 

at that, then looks to Rei. Umm....hm.

>Lina says, "Rei, I *THINK* we really ought to change the subject." ^^;;

>Lina says, "So. You two up for the housewarming party?" She looks at Red and 

Kurasu.

>Yrmia leans against a tree, out of sight, eavesdropping.

>Rei crosses his arms, after making a glance at Red  ^^;   "Eheh. None of my 

business and all that..."

>Red XIII looks at Lina coldy.. no..not just FERALLY.

>Saruke looks at Lina at that. "Why? You had something planned?"

>Lina says, "Yeah. Mass relaxation. Get our minds off of various forms of work."

>Lina says, "Believe me, Red ... you and your allies *need* that break."

>Saruke scratches the back of her neck slowly. "I don't know. Maybe..."

ponder Sheesh... these Shinra guys have Red and Lina ready to kill each other...

>Rei . o O ( Sheesh... these Shinra guys have Red and Lina ready to kill each 

other... )

>Red XIII gets up and walks away.. opposite Lina.. to the far side of the park.

>Yrmia sighs quietly. . o O ( These mortals are so boring. )

>Saruke keeps her attention faced towards the wandering Red XIII, watching as he 

moves off thoughtfully, then leaning back to her spot again, closing her eyes.

>Lina glances around the park briefly ...

>Red XIII mutters under his breath as he settles in a shadowed corner of the 

park \.-

>Lina looks at Kurasu. "Well, are *you* interested?"

>Saruke blinks. "Huh?" She shakes herself out of the 'reverie', then looks over 

at Lina. "Interested in..? Oh, wait. The housewarming." She looks thoughtful, 

then shrugs. "I don't know for sure. When was it planned?"

>Lina says, "This Friday evening."

>Saruke says, "Well, hopefully I can be there. It sounds like it could be 

interesting. Or at least relaxing."

>Lina nods. "That's the general idea ..." n.n "Besides, I've found that taking 

time off is a good way to get ready for tough situations."

>Saruke shrugs. "Well then, I'll try to be there." She closes her eyes again and 

sighs. "And if nothing else, it'll give people a chance to relax. And discuss."
>Rei asks, "... Anyone invited?"

>Rei . o O ( Might be able to get some free food, at least   <.< )

>Lina nods. "I'm sorely tempted to forbid any discussion of business during the 

party ... " She looks up at Rei. "I dunno ... you want to come?"

>Saruke grins some at Lina. "Believe me. I doubt you'll be able to enforce it. 

But at least give it your best try, ne?"

>Lina nods to Saruke. "By the way ... what name are you 'officially' going by?"

>Rei crosses his arms and comments, half smirking, "I don't have anything else 

planned."

>Saruke blinks again. "Huh? Offic..OH! I see what you mean. Saruke. It's Saruke."

>Lina says, "Okay."

>Lina looks at Rei. "Feel free to drop by then ... oh, ground rules - " She 

raises her voice slightly, "Just so the three of you know."

>Lina says, "No fighting ... no spellcasting ... if you inflict any damage to 

anyone or anything, you're responsible for it. Anyone who breaks the rules at 

the party answers to me."

>Rei sweatdrops. "Sounds reasonable."

>Saruke nods in agreement. "That works."

>Lina says, "Oh, and if anyone has the bad manners to damage the house itself 

..."

>Rei waits patiently   ^^

>Lina says, "... then costs for the repairs come out of his or her hide. I will 

see to that personally."

>Saruke *ahems*. Goooood policy. "No problem, Lina. I'll remember that."

>Rei sweatdrops. "Gotcha."   n.n   oV

>Lina nods, "Good." n.n

>Rei . o O ( Maybe this isn't such a good idea, if she needs rules like that...  

 ^^; )

>Lina says, "- Oh, and all weapons and materia not belonging to residents will 

be left at the door. *Residents'* weapons and spellcasting implements will be 

put away."

>Saruke nods. "I figured on that, at least."

>Rei says, "... Makes perect sense."

>Lina walks over towards Red.

>Red XIII opens his eye, growling immediately as he hears Lina's approach.

>Lina says, "Red, for Ceiphied's sake - and/or Bahamut's, if you like - would 

you *RELAX*?! You're worse than Zelgadis ..."

>Red XIII shifts his posture, putting his back to Lina and closing his eye 

again. \.-

>Saruke just grins a little bit at the growl. Yep...a lot of names she doesn't 

recognise. Oh well. Probably should go over and hel;p out with this....she 

starts to stand and walk a little closer to the annoyed creature.

>Lina says, "You're invited to the party too, Red ..."

>Red XIII keeps his eyes shut, his ears flat against his head, not responding. 

\.-

>Yrmia opens a glowing gateway in the air in front of her, and steps into it, 

vanishing instantly.

>Yrmia has left.

>Saruke stops a little way away from Red. "Hey, Red?" She makes a point of 

putting some space between herself and Lina, just in case. "It's going to be 

fine."

>Lina glances around again as Yrmia portals out ... and just misses seeing the 

gate itself.

>Red XIII says, "......." \.-

>Lina sighs faintly. "Guess I'll leave sourpuss here to enjoy his sulk ... " She 

turns, and starts walking away.

>Saruke looks over at Lina, then sighs and gives a little nod. "I'll see what I 

can do about him." Well...sorta.

>Lina asks, "Don't worry yourself too much over it, ne?"

>Saruke shrugs silently.

>Lina asks, "So ... what've you been up to, Saruke?"

>Saruke shrugs some. "Ehh, not a lot, really. Things have been quiet 

lately...almost too quiet. Maybe the party'll help me meet a few other people 

as well."

>Lina says, "Saruke ... *never* say it's 'too quiet.' Things tend to react."

>Rei smirks, slightly

>Lina looks around warily.

>Saruke ohs. "Probably a good idea." She looks around briefly as well, as though 

checking the same areas, then looking back at Lina with a shrug. "Gomen."

>Lina says, "I don't think we're about to get jumped for it."

>Saruke shakes her head. "I hope not. I'd hate to think that just because I said 

something like that, someone would decide to make a fool of themself."

>Lina hms.

>Rowan comes in from Hisashi way.

>Rowan has arrived.

>Rei leans against a tree

>Lina waves to the new arrival (Rowan)

>Rei grins, slightly

>Saruke looks up at the young lady moving through the park a moment, then hms, 

turning her attention back to Lina again. Red's still ignoring them. That's 

fine....really.

>Lina says, "Heya ... " to Rowan.

>Rei doesn't know Rowan, so he doesn't comment

>l rowan



Rowan





Washed of color, this pale skinned girl seems. As if she hadn't seen true 

sunlight in years, her skin is a pale smooth, perfect ivory. Locks of soft 

blue, more white than anything, with just hints of cerulean to it frame the 

sides of her face in a short almost militarily regulated page boy; the tips 

curling up around her cheeks. Eyes of the palest sea green, outer edges of the 

iris being a thick ring of hunter green. The main color of her eyes seems to 

shift in the light, changing with her mood into more colorfull shades, though 

this is the main hue they tend to stay when preoccupied with her own thoughts. 

Her form is small, lean and frail seeming, though well muscled like a gymnasts 

body. She seems to draw herself inward, making her seem smaller and younger 

than what she truely is, though her age is apparently well into her teens. Her 

descently sized chest is concealed by a black body suit with triangles of grey 

on the shoulders. The suit just serves to make her seem even paler than what 

she is, though she makes no indication that she cares at all what she seems to 

anyone. Grey boots with a zipper on the sides go up to her knees, the thick 

material helping to protect her legs somewhat. Over the main of the body suit, 

is a dark blue hooded jacket. The jacket cinches around her waist with a black 

belt, while the bottom falls down to the back of her knees. The long sleeves 

conceal her arms, tapered hands and finely boned fingers reaching out of the 

material easily. 



Carrying:



***Rowan sees you looking at her.***

>Red XIII is off at the far side of the park, in a shadowed corner, and paying 

little to no attnetion to the others anyway. SO he doesn't comment either.

>Rowan walks in staring at the ground, seemingly oblivious to the fact that 

she's walking into a place full of people. The voice snaps her out of her 

thoughts though and her head jerks up; green eyes wide in surprise. And, even 

though it's a futile gesture really since she's already been spotted, she 

dashes quickly to duck behind a nearby tree, in an attempt to get out of sight.

>Rei looks at Rowan. Hmm, tree next to his, go figure. He smiles, showing a 

fang, but it doesn't look intentional.

>Lina says, "Sorry, did I startle you?" ^^;

>Saruke blinks at that reaction. . o O (Whew. Jumpy.) She watches the girl for a 

moment or two, then looks back over at the sitting Red, edging over that way 

again.

>Red XIII doesn't make any sort of acknowledgement that Saruke is edging towards 

him.

>Rei smiles, keeping his lips closed this time. "Something wrong?"

>Startle? Her? Naww.. Of course, the odd girl doesn't answer. A blue haired head 

slowly peeks out from around the trunk of the tree, peering at the group 

gathered. Well, one woman she recognizes instantly, and is therefore wary of.. 

The other's however. Hm. Well, the friendly redhead is her height at least. 

Maybe age too..she kinda looks younger though. Kind of. Ah well, in any case, 

she stays behind her nice safe tree trunk, as silent and watchfull (or perhaps 

more watchfull) as ever.

>Rei blinks and shrugs   . o O ( Something spooked her  <.<  )

>Lina pauses for a moment, gazing at Rowan briefly ... keeping her expression 

friendly, though.

>Saruke shrugs a little at the girl. Oh well. Let it be that way. After a second 

glance, she turns her full attention towards Red, who's still ignoring things. 

Inch inch. "Hey? Red?"

>Red XIII doesn't answer,..however his ear does twitch in Saruke's direction, 

indicating that he's at least listening to her.

>Lina circles towards Rowan, slowly.

>Run Rowen! Lina's hungry!

>Saruke (OOC) LOL!

>Red XIII (OOC) grins

>Rei (OOC) swats Red   O.<

>Red XIII (OOC) OOFS at Rei, "how'd you guess? ^_^"

>Lina (OOC) Dill Brands the spoofer. "If I were hungry, I'd be snacking on 

*you*."

>Rei (OOC) I'm psychic   @.@

>Red XIII (OOC) goes flying, "I shoulda mauled you when I had the chance Lina  

^_^"

>Red XIII (OOC) grins t'Rei. "Riiiiight."

>Rowan stays silent. What, you were expecting speech from her? Quickly she ducks 

back behind the tree, almost as if uncomfortable from the fact Lina was still 

staring at her. Or maybe she guessed what she was about to do. For several 

moments nothing is seen or heard from her. Then a soft rustling of leaves comes 

from the treetop, moving along with the path Lina walks.

>Lina stops, blinking ... then casts Detect Magic, on a particularly 

off-the-wall hunch ...

>Lina frowns. "Where'd that girl go?" she wonders quietly. . o O ( And why did I 

just pick up a hint of Mazoku presence ... ? )

>Rei stays where he is, occasionally making glances at Saruke and Red. "Don't 

that just beat all..."

>Saruke finally reaches a hand out, offering to set it on the big cat...er, 

wolf...er, on Red's shoulder. "Hey, Red. It's Ok. Really. It'll be alright."

>Red XIII tenses and almsot -ALMOST- snaps at Saruke's hand. He catches himself 

in the nick of time, and glanecs at Saruke measuringly for a moment..then nods 

slowly, ears lowering as he rests his chin on his paws again with a sigh.

>Saruke pulls her hand back in a jerk at the tensing, even if he doesn't snap. 

She watches the glance, then nods back at him, turning back around to face the 

other people. Well, that didn't work as well as she planned. Oh well...at least 

she can say she tried.

>Lina looks up into the tree's branches.

>Lina asks, "Are you up there, kid ... ?"

>Rei idly comments, "Wonder what spooked 'er?"

>There's nobody here but us birds!

>Lina shrugs.

>( A pair of watchfull eyes well camoflaged by the matching green of the leaves 

peers back down at Lina. Still no answer, though judging from the odd shadow 

hunched among the branches, she more than likely is. Not that she's gonna say 

so. )

>Lina asks, "You're not gonna suggest that she's scared of li'l old *me*, are 

you ... ?"

>Rei says, "Well, there's nothing frightening about ME"

>Lina pauses to take a good, long, hard look at Rei. "You mean besides the fact 

that you look like a tiger/human hybrid?"

>Red XIII lifts his head and shifts his posture, facing the group.

>Lina drawls, "Welllll, Rei-kun?"

>Rei looks to each side. "What's your point?"   o.o

>Rei . o O ( Hey, I'm perfectly normal. )

>Saruke is staying out of the way, standing near Red at the moment. She's not 

scary, nope. Not her. Not a bit.

>Red XIII is perfectly normal where he comes from. What's so scary about him? \.n

>Lina says, "*You* look a lot more frightening than I do to someone who doesn't 

know anything about ither of us."

>Rei rubs the back of his neck. "Maybe."

>( A flicker of light and shadows comes from above. A bird taking flight from 

the tree perhaps? Of course, that's impossible as there's no flapping of wings 

to go along with the shadow. And it's MUCH too large. Mosty because it's a 

small girl, not a bird. Rowan was making an attempt to escape the park by 

leaping from tree to tree..but alas, the branch she ends up landing on wasn't 

quite ready to support her weight so suddenly, and snaps under the pressure. 

With a startled yelp of surprise the girl comes crashing down through the 

branches, landing with a not-so-soft thud at Rei's feet. )

>Rei blinks, and leaps back   o.o   "!? ... Oh."

>Lina blinks, and jogs over to where the girl fell. "Hey, you okay?"

>Red XIII twitches his ears slghtly.

>Rei says, "I didn't do it."

>Saruke winces and starts heading that way. That sounded painful.

>Red XIII sideglances at Rei. o O ( Guilty conscience? )

>Rowan begins to try and sit up quickly in an attempt to avoid Lina, inhaling a 

sharp hissing breath as she does so. Ack, and there's the girl coming toward 

her. She backpedals untill she finds she can't move any further, having an 

obstical in her way. Slowly she tilts her head back to look up at what it is. 

And..up..and up... at Rei. She blinks a few times and just stares at him 

speechlessly. Like she ever spoke before.

>Rei is innocent. Of everything. Really.

>Rei grins down at Rowan. "Hiya. You seem to have slipped."

>Lina bends down, offering a hand to help Rowan to her feet. "It's okay, I don't 

bite ... "

>Rowan blinks a few more times, coming to her senses. She's cornered, nothing to 

do right now. Besides... A blue sphere of light flares up around the girl as 

she hunkers down lower, wrapping her arms around her knees. The light 

solidifies into something firmer looking; a shield meant to keep everyone out.

>Rei blinks   . o O ( Hmm? Haven't seen too many wizards here. )

>Lina's hand bonks against the shield. "That's weird ... " She steps back, 

lowering her hand.

>Red XIII . o O ( .... )

>Lina . o O ( Good thing my hand wasn't closer. o.o )

>Saruke blinks and lowers her eyelids, then blinks them again. She shakes it off 

after a moment, then looks at the girl once more, just...watching.

>Shadow comes in from Kanno street.

>Shadow enters with Interceptor following behind.

>Shadow slips in and hides up in a tree.

>Lina's hand glows slightly ... (recasting Detect Magic)

>Rei leans against a handy tree, Rowan on the ground in front of him

>Saruke is standing a little ways away. She's paused in her walking back over 

from Red, just....watching the girl on the ground.

>Lina studies Rowan's shield for a moment. . o O ( Hmmmm ... - chotto, there's 

the Mazoku again ... ) She looks around.

>Red XIII watches silently, his tail twitching from time to time.

>Rei taps the shield. Lightly.

>Rowan seems to notice something too as well now, her head swiveling to face 

toward Saruke. For the first time her mouth opens to mutter a single word, 

barely able to be heard. Sound something like 'leech'

>Lina's gaze comes to rest on Saruke ... she looks back at Rowan briefly, then 

at Saruke again ...

>Red XIII's ear flicks back and forth o O  ( ... )

>*thokthok* Yep, that's the sound of Rei tapping on a sheild. Well, what do you 

expect, it is hollow after all.

>Rei hmms. "Don't that just beat all."

>Saruke looks from Rowan, to Lina, to Red. Her look is a total 'what did I do?!' 

look. She shrugs, then resumes her looking at the girl again, leaning back on 

her heels a little.

>Lina sighs. "Saruke ... could I talk to you for a sec?"

>The odd sheild around Rowan flickers and dies out. She moves now to sit closer 

to Rei, actually..yes, she is, huggling onto his leg. Well hey, he's the 

largest, meanest looking person around here, and he's also the only one that 

hasn't actually tried to like..uhm..grab her or anything yet. Besides, he's a 

big kitty-kit. Cute and cuddly.

>Saruke blinks and shrugs a little, nodding. "Now?" She looks at the orb-bound 

girl briefly, then blinks as she starts kitty-cuddling. Ooooookay.

>Rei blinks, just kinda staring down. "..."

>Shadow looks down through all the thick branches and leafs. . o O ( Hrm.. she's 

here. But these people I've never seen before.. better not show myself just 

yet. They might be hostile.. )

>Lina nods. "Now."

>Red XIII yawwwnns.

>Rei grins like an idiot and rubs the back of his neck. "Uh... hiya. I'm Rei."

>( Rei has a terminal case of orphan static cling. )

>Rei (OOC)   ;_;

>Rowan (OOC) patpats n.n

>Saruke shrugs again, then heads over that way, nodding. "Sure. I suppose so." 

Again, she pushes her glasses up. Makes it harder to see if she's nervous or 

not.

>Lina heads into the trees a little ways ... just out of sight, and partway out 

of earshot.

>Rowan glances uuuuuup at Rei with a mildly bewildered look, as if she's not 

quite sure what to make of him. *pikupiku* Ah well. "...Rowan.." She mutters 

under her breath, as if she weren't really sure how to make the sounds come out 

right and so is hesitant to do so.

>Rin comes in from Kanno street.

>Rin has arrived.

>Saruke follows along behind Lina, curious. Yeah. She doesn't know what's going 

on, nope. Not at all.

>Red XIII's ears twitch in a new direction as he hears Rin's entering.

>Rei crosses his arms, grinning. "Something wrong?"

>Rin somehow finds herself here by accident. n.n;

>Lina_Inverse mumbles, "...  ....  have  ...  been  a  ......." to Kurasu.

>Lina and Saruke are some ways off, screened from view by the trees.

>Kurasu mumbles, ".  ....  ..  .  don't  know  what  ...  ....  ..  Lina  .." to 

Lina_Inverse.

>Shadow watches Lina and Sakure from the tree as they talk. Narrowing his eyes 

as he examines Lina, "......."

>Rowan blinks a few more times, then shakes her head slowly. No, nothings wrong. 

The odd redhead trying to grab her's gone off now. Nothing wrong. Nope. She's 

just a little kid is all.

>Lina_Inverse mumbles, "Dragon  dung  ..  you  .....  ..  You've  ...  a  ...... 

 ...........  about  you  ..  ..  .." to Kurasu.

>Rei grins   . o O ( Why me? Oh well, she seems harmless enough, even if she's a 

wizard. )

>Kurasu mumbles, "What  ..  ..  ....  what  ..  ..  ..  ........  know  ..  I  

never  ...  any  Sense  .......  ..  know  ..  ....  ..  if  it  makes  ...  

feel  ......  ..  it's  at  least  as  new  to  me  as  it  ..  ..  ...  .." to 

Lina_Inverse.

>Saruke blinks and shrugs as she mumbles, looking mostly bewildered.

>Rei scratches the side of his head. "So... uh... where do you live?"

>Lina frowns ...

>Lina_Inverse mumbles, "You're  ....  about  ....  .." to Kurasu.

>Rowan's eyes shift quickly from Rei's face to glance him over. Hm. Weapons.. 

any money? Not that she can see anyway, which means more than likely, nothing 

worth stealing. Her attention jerks back to Rei as he speaks, a genuinely 

innocent look on her face as she answers him simply by pointing up.

Saruke nods at the question in answer. After a moment's thought, she goes back 

to mumbling again.

>Rei (OOC) Hey, if you swipe anything from me, it'd be secondhand stealing   @.<

>Rowan (OOC) grins evily

>Kurasu mumbles, "Sure  as  .  ...  be  ..  ......  ..  .  can't  deny  ....  a  

few  things  ...  happened  ...  ..  but  .  ......  ....  what  it  ...  .." 

to Lina_Inverse.

>Lina_Inverse mumbles, "....  ....  ..  odd  things  .." to Kurasu.

>Lina seems to perk up as she mumbles ...

>Saruke shrugs again.

>Kurasu mumbles, "....  ..  the  .......  ..  on  things  I  ........  before  

.." to Lina_Inverse.

>Lina hmmmms ...

>Lina_Inverse mumbles, "..  ..  .." to Kurasu.

>Rei exhales. "No house, huh? Can't help you there..."

>Kurasu mumbles, "Not  .  ...  else  to  ...  ..  ......  .." to Lina_Inverse.

Lina mm-hmms.

>Rin waves to Red and Rei, since she knows them. o.o

>Red XIII waves his tail at Rin, close to falling asleep.

>Saruke nods, then scratches the back of her neck a moment, before crossing her 

arms, pulling them in against her body before leaning against a tree.

>Saruke and Lina are off and away from the group, talking in low voices.

>Red XIII is sleeping in a shadowed section of the park.

>Rowan shrugs slightly as if she really hadn't been expecting any help. And she 

wasn't either. Keeping one arm well locked around the taller boy's leg, she 

turns her attention down toward the ground as she idly begins digging her 

fingers under a small stone to pry it free from the hard packed ground.

>Lina_Inverse mumbles, "You  *really*  don't  know  ..  huh  .." to Kurasu.

>Rowan is clinging to Rei's leg like a scared wild animal c.c

>Shadow jumps down from above the tree that Sakure is leaning against, landing 

softly on his feet and straightening up. He looks over at Sakure and nods, then 

gestures somewhere.. and a large doberman pads out of hiding as well.

>Rin is just sort of ... wandering through.

>Lina o.o and straightens up as the ninja and the dog descend.

>Rei blinks, narrowing his eyes at the new arrival.

>Rin blinks.

>Saruke suddenly nearly has a heart attack at the sudden leap of the ninja. For 

the second time tonight, she skids out of her spot, whipping around to face 

down the man with her hands in a ready position. Once she realizes just who it 

is, she relaxes and shoots him a glare, leaning back against a tree. A 

different once. "You startled the heck out of me." she says. Yep. Hey. 

Conversation change...can't complain.

>Red XIII gives them about as much attention as he would a bug right now. None.

Lina asks, "And who might you ... two," she amends with a glance at the dog, 

"be?"

>Rowan practically squeels in fright at the sudden appearance, though she 

doesn't make an actual sound as per say. More people..oh joy. Her emerald eyes 

flit around the area as if she were looking for a way out, or assesing how many 

people she'd have to plow through to make a way out.

>Red_XIII has disconnected.

>Rei steps forward, in front of Rowan, between her and the darkly-clad man. 

Guess those chivalrous instincts come to the forefront again...

>Shadow looks at Saruke and shrugs, "If everyone knew where I was, then I 

wouldn't be much of a ninja, would I?". The large doberman pads over to his 

master and sits down by his feet, "Who wishes to know?" he says to Lina.

>Lina replies matter-of-factly, "Someone who doesn't like being dropped in on 

like that."

>Saruke grins a little bit, shoulders shaking once or twice at the restrained 

chuckles. Nope. Don't laugh at Lina. Bad thing.

>Or at a man with a large dog, for that matter.

>Rei doesn't grin at all. He keeps his arms crossed, though his 

weapons are sheathed beside him

>Shadow crosses his arms, lowering his gaze at Lina, "You should get used to 

it.. no one is ever truely alone." he looks over his shoulder at Rei and Rowan, 

looking at them calmly, though Intercepter growls softly.

>Rei . o O ( Don't even start something, fella... )

>Rowan rises to her feet as well, seeming to take a cue from Rei and become on 

guard. Like she was the picture of relaxation before. Her arms cross over her 

chest in the manner that a child might do when steeling themselves for a 

lecture or scolding, hands up the shirt sleeves of the opposite arm. Weapons? 

Her? Naw, she doesn't have any daggers stuffed up her sleeves. Reeeaally.

>Mousse comes in from Hisashi way.

>Mousse has arrived.

>Lina asks, "So ... do you have a name?"

>Lina folds her arms, regarding the ninja.

>Muu-Tsu enters the park bearing a practice post, but pauses when he sees all 

the people.

>Rei stands protectively in front of Rowan. Don't make him angry, it's a bad 

thing.

>Saruke is standing away from them, talking with Lina. Well, Ok...leaning 

against a tree and watching Shadow and Lina talk.

>Rowan shuffles from foot to foot, glancing at yet -another- arrival. Boy does 

she want to bolt. Running would be so nice. But she isn't rude or foolish 

enough to run away from her protector, who could surely handle anyone here 

better than her. He is like..a foot taller than her. Her arms tighten around 

herself as if she'd be able to hug away her fear. Or maybe she just wants to 

get a better grip on those daggers hidden up her sleeves.

>Muu-Tsu. o O (Quite a few people. I wonder what is going on?) and does not 

really approach the crowd, but hangs back nearer to the street.

>Shadow looks away from Rei and Rowan, either bored with them or not finding 

them a big threat. "You'll know my name soon enough.." he regards Lina for a 

moment, then looks at Saruke, "You have an interesting assortment of 

companions."

>Saruke shrugs at Shadow, then grins. "They aren't all companions. They just 

happened to be in the area, mostly. I was just out for a jog, myself."

>Rei grins, but he keeps his eyes narrow. "Never met her before, myself."

>Shadow nods at Saruke, shrugging and simply stating, "There are sure a lot of 

talking animals in this world."

>Rei growls quietly.

>Lina snorts derisively.

>Rin looks around and decides that things are getting too confusing and starts 

to wander off.

>Lina asks, "What, none of them do that where you come from?"

>Saruke just stays quiet. Mostly quiet, anyway.

>Rei . o O ( If you try to hurt the kid, I'll... just don't... )

>Rin waves over her shoulder to everyone as she walks off.

>Shadow speaks to Lina, "No, only a talking moogle, but he's rare." he shrugs, 

"I've not any luck with the person.." he says to Saruke, "I'm begining to think 

I was sent on a wild goose chase."

>Rin heads to the east edge of the park, then south on Kanno street.

>Rin has left.

>Lina hms? at Shadow. "Who're you looking for?"

>Saruke nods at Shadow, just as quietly, then looks over at Lina with a 

half-shrug.

>Lina continues studying Shadow ... gradually moving towards Interceptor.

>Muu-Tsu watches everybody.

>Shadow shrugs at Lina, then says to Saruke, "Just wanted to see if you're well. 

I'll take my leave now." he politely bows his head and turns away, his armor 

glows faintly as his form slowly warps and fades from view. As everyone watches 

Shadow leave, Interceptor slips out of sight as well.

>Lina says, "..."

>Rei says (all together now), "Don't that just beat all..."

>Muu-Tsu is quite impressed by Shadow's exit.

>Saruke just looks back over at Lina with a 'where were we?' look in her eyes. 

Yep. Interesting way to break an uncomfortable conversation.

>Rowan takes a tentative step forward to peek around Rei, having found something 

else to glomp onto since she's no longer sitting so his leg is out of reach. 

She clings the tail to herself as if it were a lifeline, eyes warily scanning 

around for any sign of the dissapeared ninja and his dog.

>Rei winces as his tail is grapsed onto   @.<

>Lina scratches the back of her head. "Huh ... oh well, guess I'd better head 

home too."

>Lina says, "Girl like me needs her beauty sleep, after all ..." n.n

>As much as they can get. It takes a lot.

>Saruke nods at that, straightening from the tree she was leaning against. 

"Alright. Hope I'm still invited to that party on Friday."

>Lina nods. "Yeah ... assuming the others don't try to gatecrash."

>Rei 'ow's' quietly

>Muu-Tsu hmms and shoulders the wooden post with the pigtail.

>Mousse heads to the west of the park, then south towards Hisashi way.

>Mousse has left.

>Rowan blinks at the 'ow', then blushes darkly and releases Rei's tail. Whoops. 

"Sorry.." She mumbles quietly, going back to watching Saruke warily. Oh yeah, 

she remembers her. Okay, so they met for like five minutes, and the guy she was 

with was more memoriable..but still.

>Lina says, "Oh well. Oyasumi, minna ..."

>Rei takes a step back, so she can glomp on to his leg, at least, instead   O.<

>Rei says, "G'night. Be at your party..."

>Lina asks, "Okay." ^_^ "You bringing her along?"

>Rei looks down. "..."

>Rowan is a bit tall to glomp onto his leg unless she's sitting. Which she does 

anyway, flopping onto the ground and reclinging to the leg. Easier not to be 

noticed if she's closer to the ground.

>Someone's got a crush on Rei.. o/~

>Rei grins like an idiot and rubs the back of his neck. "Well, I hope you aren't 

planning on staying with me... I only have a tent..."

>Lina waves again, heading out of the park.

>Saruke nods at Lina, waving her good-byes.

>Lina_Inverse heads to the west of the park, then south towards Hisashi way.

>Lina_Inverse has left.

>Saruke waits until Lina has left the park, then lets out her breath in an 

audible *whew*

>Her? Naww..she'll probably unglue herself from Rei's leg as soon as more people 

clear out, and head off on her merry way. Just too many around right now to do 

that without someone seeing where she goes <.< >.> Paranoid? Her? Hell yeah.

>Rei rubs the back of his neck. "So... Saruke, right?"

>Saruke huhs? She looks over at Rei and nods. "That's right. Saruke."

>Rei grins. "Just checking."    n.n   oV

>Somewhere down around the vicinity of Rei's foot comes a sing-song child's 

chant of "Liar, liar, pants on fire."

>Rei looks down.

>Saruke does as well, blinking at the girl. She frowns at her, narrowing her 

eyes a moment, then shrugging, looking at Rei with a grin.

>Rowan blinks innocently back up at Rei, then glances at Saruke. She knows she's 

lying. It's so easy to see..why can't anyone else? Not that she knows -why- 

she's lying, or what her real name is..just that she's lying.

>Rei shrugs. He kinda figured something funky's going on between her, Red, and 

Lina, but he isn't going to press it.

Saruke glances between the pair. "Anyway, I suppose I should leave you two to 

talk out..uh...living arrangements."

>Rei gets a blank expression on his face. "Thanks."

>Rei . o O ( At least there wasn't a fight or anything. It does seem calm around 

here... )

>Saruke gives the girl another cursory glance, then turns and starts to head 

off. . o O (Another psycher...maybe Burn knows more about her...)

>Ah, everyone's leaving. And the figure of Saruke's scrutiny isn't an exception. 

The extra weight to Rei's leg disapears, as does the girl who was the cause of 

it. Well, not really disapear, just quick moving and usage of shadows and a few 

other tricks.

>Rei looks around   . o O ( Where'd everyone go...? )

>Rei . o O ( Oh well. )


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