Elements of a Shattered Past, Chapter 20: Bookends
#22 of Elements of a Shattered Past
More of a short bonus chapter after the main plot-centric arc surrounding the blackmail and prom plots. Things are calming down in Rhy'Din and Meika is recovering from her injuries.
June 1, 2001
United Kitsune of Rhy'Din Clubhouse
6:03PM
The main room of the clubhouse was busy; multiple kitsune occupying the tables and booths of what doubled as a restaurant and bar. There were other patrons as well; scattered adventurers of various types and locales who enjoyed the clubhouse's out of the way location, quiet atmosphere, and good food. Hanako's tails danced around in a restless, mesmerizing pattern as she worked the kitchen behind the bar; Ichiro was serving drinks as if he had spent most of his supernatural lifespan doing just that.
I was sitting in one of the booths, enjoying a large bowl of noodle soup that Meika had suggested. She sat across from me, blowing on a spoonful of hot broth. Her movements were slow and stiff and her eyes slightly dull, but she was alive and the smile on her vulpine lips was genuine. "I'm starting to feel better," she commented before taking a measured sip of her ramen. "Have you talked with Roland, yet?"
I nodded at her, unable to suppress my own smile. "Yeah," I answered as I took a bite of noodles that I had somehow successfully captured with a set of chopsticks. I wasn't all that used to the traditional ways, but I was trying to learn. "He asked how you were doing and wanted to say he was glad you're doing okay. The DKoR is just about finished with sealing the crypts, and Archmage Thanus accepted my resignation a couple of days ago."
Meika blinked; soft lavender eyes meeting mine with a mixture of concern and confusion. "Isn't that your guild, Marcus? Why would you leave?" Her hand reached out; I blinked as it wrapped around mine, the familiar yet unexpected warmth and softness of her fur gracing the pads of my fingers and palm. My ears perked reflexively at her action.
"Yeah," I affirmed. "I left the door open so that Thanus can offer me freelance jobs for the DKoR, but I think my place is here." I paused for a moment as I felt her hand tighten around mine. "It's been a very long time since I've felt like I'm a part of something; Ichiro and Hanako are grateful for what we've done to stop the undead threat.
"And we are also grateful to you for saving Meika's life," Ichiro's voice piped up as he approached our booth, three cups of sake floating in front of him. As the telekinetically delivered drinks reached our table he plucked the third out of the air. "This deserves a toast to new friendships and new beginnings."
"New beginnings?" Meika questioned; her ears blushing bright red as she turned her attention from me.
The elder kitsune nodded to our enjoined hands. "I am not clueless to what is developing between you and young Marcus," he grinned. "Even if you are not aware of those feelings just yet, I think it's something both of you should let develop." The statement caused me to blink at him. I didn't know Meika all that well, but we had become fast friends.
Meika's ears flushed even redder as she looked away, a bashful smile tugging at her lips. "We would have to see how things go," she commented with a voice tinged with nervousness, "but you may not be wrong?" I distinctly noticed that her hand hadn't left mine as we reached for the glasses that had settled on the table.
"To new beginnings and a bright future," I toasted, raising my glass to the other kitsune. Again, I noted that Ichiro had brought out his private reserve for us; the sake was excellent. "Come what may, I'm glad to have found my place here." I gently squeezed Meika's hand; a squeeze felt in return as Meika looked up to me with that captivating smile of hers.
KitsuneIchiro** : **** ((Blast it, we gotta go. Heavy thunderstorm warning so Hanako-mun and I are going to shut things down. We may not be back tonight))**
MarcusFirestorm** : **** ((S'ok, We've all been busy. Don't forget to unplug the phone cords from the modems; my friend's puter got zapped that way))**
KitsuneMeika** : **** ((yeah, my friend's boyfriend lost his computer when his place got hit by lighting. My boyfriend got him fixed up, but the parts weren't cheap))**
KitsuneIchiro has left the room
KitsuneHanako** : **** ((yikes, we don't want that. Just told Ichiro-mun to get outta here. Have a good night everybody))**
KitsuneHanako has left the room
MarcusFirestorm** : **** ((Yeah, don't play around with lightning; my friend lost his modem and his motherboard... and she's outta here :P ))**
KitsuneMeika** : **** ((at least she's quick to take advice?))**
MarcusFirestorm** : **** ((Yep! First time in a couple of weeks that I've been able to RP, too))**
KitsuneMeika** : **** ((same here. things have been crazy. graduating, family things, new boyfriend, and other stuff. you just graduated too, right?))**
MarcusFirestorm** : **** ((Yeah. End of school things, graduation, and all that. It's chaotic, but not in a bad way.))**
KitsuneMeika** : **** ((congrats! i'm glad things are going well. we deserve a little happiness in our lives. i know it looks like marcus and meika are going down that path. can we stay out of anything risque if that happens?))**
MarcusFirestorm** : **** ((Sure. Weirdly enough I also started seeing someone. I doubt she RPs so I'd rather stay away from anything online and romantic. Maybe we should just keep Marcus and Meika as close friends?))**
KitsuneMeika** : **** ((i'm cool with that. parents are almost finished cooking dinner. i might be on later?))**
MarcusFirestorm** : **** ((No problem. I may be around, but don't hold me to it. I might call my girlfriend, I tend to lose track of time when I'm on the phone with her.))**
KitsuneMeika** : ((i totally get it. if you talk to her, enjoy and have a good night!))**
MarcusFirestorm** : ((See you later, Meika-mun!))**
KitsuneMeika has left the room
[6/1/01 6:43PM] Signed out, terminating log