Drew almost laughed at Kiyoshi. The man was utterly taken with the puzzle box. Drew thought it was a neat idea and could see having some fun with it but he doubted that he'd be quite as interested and certainly not willing to spend that kind of money for a trinket. The box didn't -quite- qualify as a trinket but it was along the same lines.
He wandered away again but kept half an ear and half an eye on Kiyoshi. After all he was kind of responsible for them being here and he didn't want to ditch the other man. He really should be checking his phone to see what the GPS had to say but he was having a hard time pulling his eyes away from things. He was currently puzzling over what looked to be a framed mummified kitten mounted on black velvet. It was the first cat he'd ever seen that hadn't immediately tried to kill him.
Drew frowned a bit at the old guy. He seemed more than a little forgetful, messed up. Sam was probably older than they thought and if he didn't get a lot of visitors it might be easy enough to get confused. It would be a shame if some one tried to take advantage of the old guy though.
"Do you get a lot of folks in here Sam?"
Maybe it was a family business and Sam had a child or grandchild that helped keep the books or something.
Lost in Nachton (invite only)
Kiyoshi was pretty sure he'd already passed the same convenience store three times. Either it was the most convenient convenience store in Nachton or he was completely turned around. He'd gotten directions from a co-worker on how to find a store that would sell him some food he wanted. Kiyoshi was a notoriously picky eater, and he'd been in hog heaven with the deer he and Evan had hunted a few weeks ago. Now that that meat was gone he'd searched online for, and found, a vendor in the city who supplied restaurants with unusual meats. Alligator, ostrich, bison, rabbit, venison, bear... those were just some of the menu items available and Kiyoshi had to admit, game was his favorite. Storebought fish and steaks just weren't the same as something fresher.
The trouble was, the butcher was located out of the way on a side street of an alley off a sidestreet or something crazy, and here in the heart of Nachton his keen senses were as much a detriment as an asset. He could smell everything, everyone. It was dizzying. Every time he thought he caught a whiff of fresh meat it was gone again, overpowered by perfume or cologne or street food.
Trying to follow his nose had gotten him nothing but lost. Normally he wasn't so bad with directions but the city threw him off. In desperation he'd pulled his Nachton mini-map out of his backpack, which was mostly empty in anticipation of carrying plenty of food home. He'd have called Evan but his boyfriend was likely asleep and Kiyo didn't want to wake him. That, and stubborn pride insisted there must be something he could do without going running to his partner for assistance.
So there he stood in the middle of the day in the middle of a fairly busy street somewhere in Nachton. It was grey and overcast and Kiyo was starting to get cold. If he hadn't been so flustered he might have noticed he was holding his map upside down.
Drew
12 years ago
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
Sam looked at Drew at his question. "Oh, I didn't even see you there. Well, not a many as I used to get. People like other things nowadays. Electronics and such. But I have a few loyal customers who are into this kind of thing and keep me from going hungry."
Kiyo could only imagine they did, with this kind of price tag. Even the mummified cat Drew was standing next to had a three digit price tag. He peeked at it surreptitiously and was surprised.
"That cat used to belong to..." Sam thought for a second. "Oh I don't remember. Some queen of somewhere. I've got it in a card in a file if you're interested."
Kiyo shook his head, glancing back at the puzzle box. When he tore his eyes away from it, Sam was regarding him with a knowing expression that seemed completely unlike his forgetful self. Kiyo took a small step back. He was getting the creeps now, not from the shop but from its proprietor.
Leaving Drew to converse with the guy Kiyoshi edged his way toward the front of the store, sliding in and out behind a rack of very old coats. He paused and looked at them briefly; they seemed quite vintage but in beautiful condition. They weren't his thing, but he still liked the fact that he was possibly touching something that had been around for centuries.
"Are these real?" he found himself asking, without really meaning to.
Sam looked up and nodded. "Oh yes, very real. Very authentic, too. You'd look good in a nice coat." Then he tilted his head. "I think you would, anyway, it's hard to say when you're bundled up like a marshmallow."
Kiyo blushed and looked down at his coat. "It's cold out," he said meekly.
Sam came over and patted him on the shoulder before he could edge away. "There there," he said. "I didn't mean to embarrass you. You're a very small marshmallow."
Coming from a man who was even smaller than Kiyo, that comment didn't help his embarrassment much.
Kiyo could only imagine they did, with this kind of price tag. Even the mummified cat Drew was standing next to had a three digit price tag. He peeked at it surreptitiously and was surprised.
"That cat used to belong to..." Sam thought for a second. "Oh I don't remember. Some queen of somewhere. I've got it in a card in a file if you're interested."
Kiyo shook his head, glancing back at the puzzle box. When he tore his eyes away from it, Sam was regarding him with a knowing expression that seemed completely unlike his forgetful self. Kiyo took a small step back. He was getting the creeps now, not from the shop but from its proprietor.
Leaving Drew to converse with the guy Kiyoshi edged his way toward the front of the store, sliding in and out behind a rack of very old coats. He paused and looked at them briefly; they seemed quite vintage but in beautiful condition. They weren't his thing, but he still liked the fact that he was possibly touching something that had been around for centuries.
"Are these real?" he found himself asking, without really meaning to.
Sam looked up and nodded. "Oh yes, very real. Very authentic, too. You'd look good in a nice coat." Then he tilted his head. "I think you would, anyway, it's hard to say when you're bundled up like a marshmallow."
Kiyo blushed and looked down at his coat. "It's cold out," he said meekly.
Sam came over and patted him on the shoulder before he could edge away. "There there," he said. "I didn't mean to embarrass you. You're a very small marshmallow."
Coming from a man who was even smaller than Kiyo, that comment didn't help his embarrassment much.
Drew
12 years ago
From the prices Drew had a feeling that one purchase could cover expenses for the week and two would keep him fed. In this neighborhood it was possible Sam lived up over the store. So all of that made sense. What he didn't get was, who the hell bought this stuff. Mummified cats, top hat, puzzle boxes, cast iron banks and none of it cheap not even remotely.
"Ummmm... no thanks. Not much of a cat person."
Drew backed carefully away from the artifact. It wasn't like it was the first mummified cat he'd ever seen, but they still sort of creeped him out, probably due to his relationship with the live ones.
Kiyoshi wandered in one direction and Drew pulled out his phone and poked at it trying to get GPS up, but he was right, there didn't seem to be any WiFi here and the GPS was not happy. Drew frowned, he didn't have a ton of money and his phone was one of the very few things he'd splurged on and it was just for the GPS. He flipped a few settings and got a sign of life.
But by the time the GPS seemed to be working his attention had been caught by something he didn't really believe existed. It wasn't flashy or anything and it was covered in dust. He didn't take his eyes off it but Drew still laughed at Kiyoshi's comment.
"It is that. I thought it was March that came in like a lion and went out like a lamb... or something."
Although, the snow was white and fluffy so maybe this was just the lamb getting frisky or something.
Right back to his little fascination. It was an old milk can, like the one Houdini escaped from. It couldn't be real though. Obviously it was real it was right there, it just couldn't be one of Houdini's is all.
"Ummmm... no thanks. Not much of a cat person."
Drew backed carefully away from the artifact. It wasn't like it was the first mummified cat he'd ever seen, but they still sort of creeped him out, probably due to his relationship with the live ones.
Kiyoshi wandered in one direction and Drew pulled out his phone and poked at it trying to get GPS up, but he was right, there didn't seem to be any WiFi here and the GPS was not happy. Drew frowned, he didn't have a ton of money and his phone was one of the very few things he'd splurged on and it was just for the GPS. He flipped a few settings and got a sign of life.
But by the time the GPS seemed to be working his attention had been caught by something he didn't really believe existed. It wasn't flashy or anything and it was covered in dust. He didn't take his eyes off it but Drew still laughed at Kiyoshi's comment.
"It is that. I thought it was March that came in like a lion and went out like a lamb... or something."
Although, the snow was white and fluffy so maybe this was just the lamb getting frisky or something.
Right back to his little fascination. It was an old milk can, like the one Houdini escaped from. It couldn't be real though. Obviously it was real it was right there, it just couldn't be one of Houdini's is all.
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
Kiyo was somewhat relieved when Sam turned away and focused on Drew. The taller man was looking at something Kiyo wasn't familiar with. Something old and metal and dusty. ow was that in any way as cool as a Chinese puzzle box?
"That's the real deal," Sam said, moving toward the side of the store the metal thing was on. "You a fan of magic? I have a lot of good stuff. Want me to cut you in half?"
Kiyo blinked at that. It was one thing to have an illusion in his store, but to understand how to do them? That was kind of cool. Interested, he ventured back into the store to see what would go on with the metal jar thing.
"What do you mean it's the real deal?" He asked, unable to contain himself.
Sam turned, as if surprised to see Kiyo there. "That milk jug there," he said. "Used to belong to some magician. Harry someone or other."
He tapped on it gently, listening to the ringing sound. "Yep. He escaped from it a long time ago."
"How do you know it was this one?" Kiyo asked.
He wasn't expecting such a vehement response, but Sam's eyes suddenly seemed a little sharper, a little more keen, and they pinned right onto Kiyo like daggers.
"Boy, nothing in this store is fake."
Kiyo rocked back on his heels, then wisely took a large step back. "Yes sir."
"That's the real deal," Sam said, moving toward the side of the store the metal thing was on. "You a fan of magic? I have a lot of good stuff. Want me to cut you in half?"
Kiyo blinked at that. It was one thing to have an illusion in his store, but to understand how to do them? That was kind of cool. Interested, he ventured back into the store to see what would go on with the metal jar thing.
"What do you mean it's the real deal?" He asked, unable to contain himself.
Sam turned, as if surprised to see Kiyo there. "That milk jug there," he said. "Used to belong to some magician. Harry someone or other."
He tapped on it gently, listening to the ringing sound. "Yep. He escaped from it a long time ago."
"How do you know it was this one?" Kiyo asked.
He wasn't expecting such a vehement response, but Sam's eyes suddenly seemed a little sharper, a little more keen, and they pinned right onto Kiyo like daggers.
"Boy, nothing in this store is fake."
Kiyo rocked back on his heels, then wisely took a large step back. "Yes sir."
Drew
12 years ago
The bastard moved quietly, Drew had to give him that. He hadn't really heard Sam cross the store. Glancing down at the little man and tried to study him, discreetly. He was a peculiar little man and Drew just didn't know what to make of him. He seemed nice enough, just a bit peculiar.
The offer to cut him in half was intriguing. Somehow Drew suspected that Sam could actually do it too. The trick, not the actual cutting in half or maybe... For a second Drew wished for a bit of the intuition and insight some of the Pack had. Without that though, he was forced to go on his gut and he did always try and think the best of people.
"I might just take you up on that. Do I need an appointment or is it something you can do without much preparation?â€
He was a bit taken aback at Sam's vehemence to Kiyoshi's question. Where Kiyoshi took a step back Drew stood his ground. The challenge hadn't been addressed to him but it also wasn't his nature to just back down. There was apparently more to Sam than met the eye though. Perhaps offering to let the man cut him in half hadn't been the best decision.
Hoping to diffuse the situation a bit Drew tired to turn the subject back to magic.
"I remember being fascinated by birthday magicians. But it looks like you've made quite a study of it, the history that is.â€
People didn't pick up Houdini's milk can by chance, to say nothing of the puzzle box. Drew half expected to turn up a cursed monkey's paw in a glass case. Sam apparently knew his trade, what that trade was, however, was up for grabs. Drew doubted it was actually the shop.
The offer to cut him in half was intriguing. Somehow Drew suspected that Sam could actually do it too. The trick, not the actual cutting in half or maybe... For a second Drew wished for a bit of the intuition and insight some of the Pack had. Without that though, he was forced to go on his gut and he did always try and think the best of people.
"I might just take you up on that. Do I need an appointment or is it something you can do without much preparation?â€
He was a bit taken aback at Sam's vehemence to Kiyoshi's question. Where Kiyoshi took a step back Drew stood his ground. The challenge hadn't been addressed to him but it also wasn't his nature to just back down. There was apparently more to Sam than met the eye though. Perhaps offering to let the man cut him in half hadn't been the best decision.
Hoping to diffuse the situation a bit Drew tired to turn the subject back to magic.
"I remember being fascinated by birthday magicians. But it looks like you've made quite a study of it, the history that is.â€
People didn't pick up Houdini's milk can by chance, to say nothing of the puzzle box. Drew half expected to turn up a cursed monkey's paw in a glass case. Sam apparently knew his trade, what that trade was, however, was up for grabs. Drew doubted it was actually the shop.
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
"Oh any time will work," Sam said to Drew as they moved over toward the milk can. Then the older man stopped, paused, and looked around. "Come to think of it we might need an appointment... it has gotten a bit cluttered in here."
That much was true. Kiyo couldn't imagine where they'd lay Drew down in order to cut him in half. That was how they usually did it, as far as he knew, but what did he know about magic?
He looked at Drew. "Birthday magicians?" He didn't quite understand what that meant. Was that a special kind of magician? It took a moment for him to realize Drew meant the smalltime magicians who traveled to your home and put on magic shows. "Oh, right."
Sam had gone n to show Drew an interesting collection of mirrors. "Can you guess what these are for?" He looked at Kiyo, including him in the question. Kiyo just shrugged. He had no idea.
His eyes slid back to the puzzle box. Would it be terrible to buy it? Would Evan be annoyed with him for making such a frivolous purchase when he didn't contribute much to the bills as it was?
It was so pretty, though, in its beautiful reddish wood, with little dark brown inlaid details. And it was mysterious! When Kiyo turned back to Drew and Sam Sam was smiling at him.
"Really stuck on that box aren't you?" he asked cheerfully. "Well, if you want to buy it you should jump on it. There was a guy in here just last week looking at it. I remember, because it was snowing."
Kiyo sighed.
That much was true. Kiyo couldn't imagine where they'd lay Drew down in order to cut him in half. That was how they usually did it, as far as he knew, but what did he know about magic?
He looked at Drew. "Birthday magicians?" He didn't quite understand what that meant. Was that a special kind of magician? It took a moment for him to realize Drew meant the smalltime magicians who traveled to your home and put on magic shows. "Oh, right."
Sam had gone n to show Drew an interesting collection of mirrors. "Can you guess what these are for?" He looked at Kiyo, including him in the question. Kiyo just shrugged. He had no idea.
His eyes slid back to the puzzle box. Would it be terrible to buy it? Would Evan be annoyed with him for making such a frivolous purchase when he didn't contribute much to the bills as it was?
It was so pretty, though, in its beautiful reddish wood, with little dark brown inlaid details. And it was mysterious! When Kiyo turned back to Drew and Sam Sam was smiling at him.
"Really stuck on that box aren't you?" he asked cheerfully. "Well, if you want to buy it you should jump on it. There was a guy in here just last week looking at it. I remember, because it was snowing."
Kiyo sighed.
Drew
12 years ago
Drew grinned but was just as glad that they weren't going to put this to the test. There was a limit to his nerves of steel. Besides, if you were going to get cut in half you should have some one you trusted around. Sure Kiyoshi seemed like a decent guy and he didn't think the bartender would stab him in the back or help Sam kill him or anything but that did not a lasting binding friendship make.
Looking at the mirrors Drew frowned in concentration. They must be for an illusion of some kind maybe they messed with the light or made two of something.
"Nope, I'm stumped. I never could figure out how they did the tricks."
His uncle had gotten him a beginner's magic kit for his birthday once. Sure it had been cheap and cheesy but Drew had thought it was quite entertaining and had practiced religiously for a while but they'd never had the money for anything more than that. Even the birthday magicians had been hired by the few friends he had off the reservation.
"Somehow I don't think I should break one though."
Kiyoshi's attention turned back to the box and drew hid a grin. Hopefully the man made good tips at Terminus because that box was not cheap. It was rather funny how fascinated Kiyoshi had become with it so fat, he sure couldn't make that kind of impulse buy though.
And then Sam faded again. If he hadn't seen how sharp the shop keep had been, even if it was just for a few seconds...
"What do you think Kiyoshi? It is pretty cool."
And god knew they'd never find this shop again. -Ever-.
Looking at the mirrors Drew frowned in concentration. They must be for an illusion of some kind maybe they messed with the light or made two of something.
"Nope, I'm stumped. I never could figure out how they did the tricks."
His uncle had gotten him a beginner's magic kit for his birthday once. Sure it had been cheap and cheesy but Drew had thought it was quite entertaining and had practiced religiously for a while but they'd never had the money for anything more than that. Even the birthday magicians had been hired by the few friends he had off the reservation.
"Somehow I don't think I should break one though."
Kiyoshi's attention turned back to the box and drew hid a grin. Hopefully the man made good tips at Terminus because that box was not cheap. It was rather funny how fascinated Kiyoshi had become with it so fat, he sure couldn't make that kind of impulse buy though.
And then Sam faded again. If he hadn't seen how sharp the shop keep had been, even if it was just for a few seconds...
"What do you think Kiyoshi? It is pretty cool."
And god knew they'd never find this shop again. -Ever-.
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
Sam chuckled as he held up the mirrors. "Kids these days," he said. "Don't know a mirror when they see themselves in one."
He held one of them up in front of Drew and then peered around it. "It's for looking in," he said, irony in his voice.
Kiyo let out a little sigh again, pinching the bridge of his nose and laughing softly. Sam grinned at him and held up the other mirror. "Not as fun as the puzzle box, huh?"
"I guess we asked for that one," Kiyo said, relaxing a little. He was about to ask Sam if he was sure they weren't for some kind of illusion but he remembered what happened the last time he questioned Sam's knowledge so he held off.
"They do get used for regular illusions," Sam said.
"Really?" Kiyo asked. "What illusion?"
The older, shorter man gave a wicked little chuckle. "People keep lookin' in 'em and thinking they look great in whatever they've got on."
Kiyo blinked, then shook his head again. Moving in front of the mirror he held his arms out and turned around. "Nope. I'm still a marshmallow. Just, a very small one."
He looked at Drew and shrugged. If you couldn't beat them, join them in their madness.
He held one of them up in front of Drew and then peered around it. "It's for looking in," he said, irony in his voice.
Kiyo let out a little sigh again, pinching the bridge of his nose and laughing softly. Sam grinned at him and held up the other mirror. "Not as fun as the puzzle box, huh?"
"I guess we asked for that one," Kiyo said, relaxing a little. He was about to ask Sam if he was sure they weren't for some kind of illusion but he remembered what happened the last time he questioned Sam's knowledge so he held off.
"They do get used for regular illusions," Sam said.
"Really?" Kiyo asked. "What illusion?"
The older, shorter man gave a wicked little chuckle. "People keep lookin' in 'em and thinking they look great in whatever they've got on."
Kiyo blinked, then shook his head again. Moving in front of the mirror he held his arms out and turned around. "Nope. I'm still a marshmallow. Just, a very small one."
He looked at Drew and shrugged. If you couldn't beat them, join them in their madness.
Drew
12 years ago
Drew did a double take it took a moment or two but he did crack a smile and couldn't help but laugh at himself. It had been a good joke, sharp and well played. Maybe Sam wasn't as confused as he seemed. That was twice how he'd shown himself to be rather astute and alert.
"Magic or no, it is still seven years bad luck if I break it."
He said with a grin. It didn't bother Drew to be the butt of the joke, no point in taking himself too seriously after all. He was some what gratified to see Kiyoshi laughing.
Sam didn't seem ready to let it go and turned his dry wit on Kiyoshi next. He wound up laughing again, a little louder this time. Shaking his head at Kiyoshi he quipped right back,
"Small or not... I don't think you're going to fit in a cup of hot chocolate. Not unless Sam is willing to fill that milk can up with Swiss Miss."
And that would just destroy the value, he could only assume it would any way. At the very least it would make the can sticky and it probably wasn't dishwasher safe.
He smiled carefully at Kiyoshi trying to make sure the man knew he was kidding, it was a joke. Drew didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
This, however, had to be a little bit like Alice felt when she fell down that rabbit hole, or popped through the looking glass.
"Magic or no, it is still seven years bad luck if I break it."
He said with a grin. It didn't bother Drew to be the butt of the joke, no point in taking himself too seriously after all. He was some what gratified to see Kiyoshi laughing.
Sam didn't seem ready to let it go and turned his dry wit on Kiyoshi next. He wound up laughing again, a little louder this time. Shaking his head at Kiyoshi he quipped right back,
"Small or not... I don't think you're going to fit in a cup of hot chocolate. Not unless Sam is willing to fill that milk can up with Swiss Miss."
And that would just destroy the value, he could only assume it would any way. At the very least it would make the can sticky and it probably wasn't dishwasher safe.
He smiled carefully at Kiyoshi trying to make sure the man knew he was kidding, it was a joke. Drew didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
This, however, had to be a little bit like Alice felt when she fell down that rabbit hole, or popped through the looking glass.
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
Kiyoshi smiled; now that he knew no one was actually making fun of him, just teasing a bit, he could play along. "I thought milk baths were good for the skin," he said. It wasn't exactly the word he was looking for but he didn't know the English word for 'complexion,' just the Portuguese, Spanish, and Japanese. It was close enough however.
He looked into the milk jug, "Doesn't really look like my size anyway," he said. "How did the magician get into it in the first place?"
That seemed like just as mysterious a trick as the getting back out again. Kiyo looked to Sam for an answer but he just shrugged. "Can't say myself," he replied. "I just collect. I don't know how all of them work. Just some of them."
Kiyo looked outside again; it was still snowing and showed no sign of letting up. Who knew there could be a snowstorm this late in the year? He supposed it must happen once in a while. He wasn't going to let it deter him from his course, though.
"So, uh, Sam, since you've been here for so very long do you think you could help us out? We came in because we got a little turned around. We're trying to get to Water Street."
Kiyo pulled his map out and showed it to Sam, who favored him with an odd expression.
"Water Street? You're on the wrong side of the city. Here, let me show you."
With a highlighter he retrieved from his pocket Sam showed Kiyo the best route to the store he wanted. Then, with surprising accuracy for someone who seemed so absentminded, Sam wrote detailed instructions on a sheet of paper and handed that to Kiyo. "Don't stray from those directions, and you'll be there in no time," he said.
Then he smiled. "It sure is a nice day for a walk."
He looked into the milk jug, "Doesn't really look like my size anyway," he said. "How did the magician get into it in the first place?"
That seemed like just as mysterious a trick as the getting back out again. Kiyo looked to Sam for an answer but he just shrugged. "Can't say myself," he replied. "I just collect. I don't know how all of them work. Just some of them."
Kiyo looked outside again; it was still snowing and showed no sign of letting up. Who knew there could be a snowstorm this late in the year? He supposed it must happen once in a while. He wasn't going to let it deter him from his course, though.
"So, uh, Sam, since you've been here for so very long do you think you could help us out? We came in because we got a little turned around. We're trying to get to Water Street."
Kiyo pulled his map out and showed it to Sam, who favored him with an odd expression.
"Water Street? You're on the wrong side of the city. Here, let me show you."
With a highlighter he retrieved from his pocket Sam showed Kiyo the best route to the store he wanted. Then, with surprising accuracy for someone who seemed so absentminded, Sam wrote detailed instructions on a sheet of paper and handed that to Kiyo. "Don't stray from those directions, and you'll be there in no time," he said.
Then he smiled. "It sure is a nice day for a walk."
Drew
12 years ago
Drew chuckled a bit as Kiyoshi responded to their teasing with his own quiet good humor. Not having an answer to the milk bath question Drew just shrugged.
"I heard he was able to dislocate his shoulder... shoulders? He dislocated something. Helped with the straight jacket escape too."
It was one of those random useless facts that Drew collected. He also knew how Houdini died and was able to swallow keys to help him with handcuff and other escapes. But no one had asked that.
Following along as Kiyoshi asked for directions, and not at all offended that the other man would do that, Drew scratched his head trying to figure out how they'd gotten that far off course. At this rate he might need a hotel, there was not guarantee that he'd be able to get back to the Den given the way it was snowing. It couldn't last much longer, or stay on the ground that long. Although, in a bit they might be able to make a snowman.
"Good for a walk or maybe some sledding. Know any good hills?"
Poor Kiyoshi, it was probably colder now than it had been when they'd ducked in. Of course, his coat wasn't really suited to this weather either but it wasn't the worst he'd ever done.
"Or we could go find this place... what is at this address any way?"
Drew hadn't asked that before out of consideration, but he was a little curious.
"I heard he was able to dislocate his shoulder... shoulders? He dislocated something. Helped with the straight jacket escape too."
It was one of those random useless facts that Drew collected. He also knew how Houdini died and was able to swallow keys to help him with handcuff and other escapes. But no one had asked that.
Following along as Kiyoshi asked for directions, and not at all offended that the other man would do that, Drew scratched his head trying to figure out how they'd gotten that far off course. At this rate he might need a hotel, there was not guarantee that he'd be able to get back to the Den given the way it was snowing. It couldn't last much longer, or stay on the ground that long. Although, in a bit they might be able to make a snowman.
"Good for a walk or maybe some sledding. Know any good hills?"
Poor Kiyoshi, it was probably colder now than it had been when they'd ducked in. Of course, his coat wasn't really suited to this weather either but it wasn't the worst he'd ever done.
"Or we could go find this place... what is at this address any way?"
Drew hadn't asked that before out of consideration, but he was a little curious.
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
Kiyo blushed when Drew asked what exactly was at the address he'd been trying to get to. He was well practiced at lying though, and generally performed just fine when he wasn't flustered.
"It's a butcher shop," he said. "All natural stuff, game animals like venison and boar and bison. Things you can't get at a normal supermarket. A friend gave me a recipe to try and I wanted to, but it calls for a few of those."
He looked out the window, where the snow was still coming down thick and white. "It seems kind of silly to try to get there now. We'll be lucky to get home at this rate."
That thought made him sad. He didn't want to spend the day away from Evan... he had planned to make this a quick trip and get back to Terminus before Evan woke for the afternoon. Then they had all evening and all night to spend together. If Kiyo didn't get home, he would miss out. He didn't want to miss out!
He turned to Sam and thanked him for the directions. Then he looked at Drew. "I'll go alone," he said. "Thanks for your help... you don't need to go with."
He might be able to travel faster without Drew. As a werewolf, Kiyo was still stronger and faster in human form than the average human. He could run to the store with these directions and then make it back to Terminus in no time at all, and still be able to have his evening with Evan.
"It's a butcher shop," he said. "All natural stuff, game animals like venison and boar and bison. Things you can't get at a normal supermarket. A friend gave me a recipe to try and I wanted to, but it calls for a few of those."
He looked out the window, where the snow was still coming down thick and white. "It seems kind of silly to try to get there now. We'll be lucky to get home at this rate."
That thought made him sad. He didn't want to spend the day away from Evan... he had planned to make this a quick trip and get back to Terminus before Evan woke for the afternoon. Then they had all evening and all night to spend together. If Kiyo didn't get home, he would miss out. He didn't want to miss out!
He turned to Sam and thanked him for the directions. Then he looked at Drew. "I'll go alone," he said. "Thanks for your help... you don't need to go with."
He might be able to travel faster without Drew. As a werewolf, Kiyo was still stronger and faster in human form than the average human. He could run to the store with these directions and then make it back to Terminus in no time at all, and still be able to have his evening with Evan.
Drew
12 years ago
"Oh that sounds really good."
Drew said with unfeigned enthusiasm. That would be quite tasty. Granted he took most of his meals at the Den and it was a good spread but now and then it would be nice to cook, for varying definitions of cook, for himself.
The snow was pretty bad, but he wasn't worried. The thing was he couldn't really justify going with Kiyoshi, they didn't know each other that well and obviously he'd done a rotten job of getting them where they were going.
"Shouldn't be that bad. I mean this can't last forever and it won't stay on the ground that long. I don't mind helping out if you want. Might be a bear handling the shopping on your own."
If he ate like Drew did any way. Pounds took nothing to put away and it all burned right off. He assumed Kiyoshi would be wanting more than a couple of burger patties too. Maybe Terminus was trying something new in the kitchen. No, wait, Kiyoshi was the bartender not the cook.
At least he felt better for having offered. Humans could be a little delicate and having already witnessed the other man's reaction to the cold Drew was a little worried. As long as he let Kiyoshi navigate and they stuck to Sam's directions it shouldn't be too hard. That and he really didn't know which way the Den was right now.
Drew said with unfeigned enthusiasm. That would be quite tasty. Granted he took most of his meals at the Den and it was a good spread but now and then it would be nice to cook, for varying definitions of cook, for himself.
The snow was pretty bad, but he wasn't worried. The thing was he couldn't really justify going with Kiyoshi, they didn't know each other that well and obviously he'd done a rotten job of getting them where they were going.
"Shouldn't be that bad. I mean this can't last forever and it won't stay on the ground that long. I don't mind helping out if you want. Might be a bear handling the shopping on your own."
If he ate like Drew did any way. Pounds took nothing to put away and it all burned right off. He assumed Kiyoshi would be wanting more than a couple of burger patties too. Maybe Terminus was trying something new in the kitchen. No, wait, Kiyoshi was the bartender not the cook.
At least he felt better for having offered. Humans could be a little delicate and having already witnessed the other man's reaction to the cold Drew was a little worried. As long as he let Kiyoshi navigate and they stuck to Sam's directions it shouldn't be too hard. That and he really didn't know which way the Den was right now.
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
Kiyo smiled but he waved off the offer of help. At this point he wanted to get there, if he could, and hurry himself back to Terminus. He was warm now, having been inside the store for a bit, but just looking outside made him shiver a little.
"It's ok, but thanks," he said. "I might just wait until tomorrow at this point. it's probably for the best. I mean, it looks like it might snow for a while. I'd rather go home and watch a movie or something. It was nice to meet you though, thanks for your help."
He folded his map back up and tucked it into his backpack. Turning to Sam he said, "Thank you for the directions. I'm sure they'll be handy tomorrow."
He cast another long look at the puzzle box. Kiyo wondered what Evan would say if he told him about it. Maybe he could gauge his partner's reaction; if he was interested in it perhaps Kiyo would come back and get it. If Evan seemed irritated by it, he would know Evan thought the purchase frivolous. In the back of his mind he knew that what Evan thought shouldn't really matter, but it did, very much. Kiyo wanted to please his boyfriend very badly.
Yes, that was what he should do... he'd just discuss it with Evan. He was certain that Evan wouldn't lie, and Kiyo could go from there. Nodding to himself he said thank you to Sam again.
The shorter man nodded absently and moved to open the door for Kiyo. As he did he did a double take outside and said, "Well would you look at that? A spring snow storm! We just had one!"
Muttering to himself he closed the door. Kiyo chuckled and turned down the sidewalk back towards where they'd come in. Once he found his way back to the main street he turned and began to jog, his sneakers kicking up puffs of fluffy snow.
It took a little while and a few wrong turns but he eventually did find the shop he was looking for, and spent what was probably way too much money. With his backpack full and the goods inside in no danger of getting warm on the trip home, Kiyo headed back to Terminus at full speed. It was a little later than he'd wanted but with some luck he'd make it home with plenty of time for slacking off. In fact, he did hear his phone chime as he headed down the street.
He'd have picked it up, except that he might have succumbed to temptation. His mouth was too full to speak, being full of boar flank.
((ooc: Kiyoshi out))
"It's ok, but thanks," he said. "I might just wait until tomorrow at this point. it's probably for the best. I mean, it looks like it might snow for a while. I'd rather go home and watch a movie or something. It was nice to meet you though, thanks for your help."
He folded his map back up and tucked it into his backpack. Turning to Sam he said, "Thank you for the directions. I'm sure they'll be handy tomorrow."
He cast another long look at the puzzle box. Kiyo wondered what Evan would say if he told him about it. Maybe he could gauge his partner's reaction; if he was interested in it perhaps Kiyo would come back and get it. If Evan seemed irritated by it, he would know Evan thought the purchase frivolous. In the back of his mind he knew that what Evan thought shouldn't really matter, but it did, very much. Kiyo wanted to please his boyfriend very badly.
Yes, that was what he should do... he'd just discuss it with Evan. He was certain that Evan wouldn't lie, and Kiyo could go from there. Nodding to himself he said thank you to Sam again.
The shorter man nodded absently and moved to open the door for Kiyo. As he did he did a double take outside and said, "Well would you look at that? A spring snow storm! We just had one!"
Muttering to himself he closed the door. Kiyo chuckled and turned down the sidewalk back towards where they'd come in. Once he found his way back to the main street he turned and began to jog, his sneakers kicking up puffs of fluffy snow.
It took a little while and a few wrong turns but he eventually did find the shop he was looking for, and spent what was probably way too much money. With his backpack full and the goods inside in no danger of getting warm on the trip home, Kiyo headed back to Terminus at full speed. It was a little later than he'd wanted but with some luck he'd make it home with plenty of time for slacking off. In fact, he did hear his phone chime as he headed down the street.
He'd have picked it up, except that he might have succumbed to temptation. His mouth was too full to speak, being full of boar flank.
((ooc: Kiyoshi out))
Drew
12 years ago
"Nice to meet you too. Get home safe."
Although Drew would try and remember to ask the bartender where this butcher was. It sounded delicious. Of course, he could just Google it too. It was a little surprising he hadn't found it before, but he didn't really cook -that- much so maybe it wasn't that surprising.
He gave a half smile at Sam's absent mindedness, he really did hope the guy had some one who was looking out for him. He seemed like a decent guy and Drew really hated to see decent sorts taken advantage of.
"Yeah it is kind of crazy weather isn't it?"
He agreed with the shop keeper.
"I'd better run before it gets too bad."
There was nothing there he wanted to buy there, although he might try and remember where this was. It was a cool shop, odd, but cool.
Ambling out into the snow Drew frowned, fired up his phone and made a stab at getting back to the Den. He made surprisingly good time, once he got back to the library and started over.
((OOC... Drew out))
Although Drew would try and remember to ask the bartender where this butcher was. It sounded delicious. Of course, he could just Google it too. It was a little surprising he hadn't found it before, but he didn't really cook -that- much so maybe it wasn't that surprising.
He gave a half smile at Sam's absent mindedness, he really did hope the guy had some one who was looking out for him. He seemed like a decent guy and Drew really hated to see decent sorts taken advantage of.
"Yeah it is kind of crazy weather isn't it?"
He agreed with the shop keeper.
"I'd better run before it gets too bad."
There was nothing there he wanted to buy there, although he might try and remember where this was. It was a cool shop, odd, but cool.
Ambling out into the snow Drew frowned, fired up his phone and made a stab at getting back to the Den. He made surprisingly good time, once he got back to the library and started over.
((OOC... Drew out))