New York, New York. Again.
2011 has not been Taiki's year. Too much stress, too many directions. He's thinner and more reclusive than ever. Mexico was supposed to relax him but it only served to reinforced his resurrected mentality: "Developing relationships is kind of annoying. You always learn about incomprehensible and annoying traits."
When he steps off the plane Thursday morning, Taiki immediately finds a washroom. A direct flight from Tokyo to New York is 12 hours and 45 minutes. Thirteen time zones means Taiki arrives at roughly the same time he took off -- though considerably worse for wear. He changes out of his stale top in a stall. When a clean shirt is in place, Taiki double checks that the blue checkered scarf covers the scar on his neck. At the sink he washes his face, pointedly avoiding the reflection in the mirror. Taiki is fully aware of his aura's sorry state.
New York. He knows that there is nothing inherently evil about the state... But it is very difficult for him to maintain neutral feelings towards it as well. Jobs rarely go smoothly and he's tired of being possessed -- no other region of the world has given him so much trouble. Unfortunately this is the largest branch of Murasawa's company outside of Tokyo. It's been a year almost to day since his last visit -- certainly a trip is necessary at this point. But this time he's here at Lisbeth's request. She asked him to come out and as the dutiful lillebror he obeyed without question. ...Even though this is the exact opposite of what he wants at the moment. But his feelings don't matter and so he stuffs them down, choosing to ignore them as usual.
A swipe of a damp paper towel removes the toothpaste from the corners of his mouth. Taiki is cleaner but he still looks exhausted and strung out. His clothes don't fit and hang off him awkwardly -- it's obvious that he was never meant to be so angular and all the attractive roundness is gone from his face. The stress of coming was stronger than the pills he took to sleep and Taiki spent most of the trip staring out the black plane window with black glazed eyes.
But he feels a little better now that he's on the ground and cleaned up. A cup of coffee (...or three) and Taiki is sure he'll be fine. Two slow, deep breaths and he heads for the door. Stepping out into the airport, Taiki merges with the crowd and follows the signs to the baggage claim. A hand readjusts the scarf around his neck out of habit -- just to be sure.
At the very least he'll be able to verify whether Lisbeth is actually alive or not. That's something.
Sunday Reveries
"I’m terrified that I can’t fix this. That this is just who I am."
--Olivia Dunham, Fringe
When he steps off the plane Thursday morning, Taiki immediately finds a washroom. A direct flight from Tokyo to New York is 12 hours and 45 minutes. Thirteen time zones means Taiki arrives at roughly the same time he took off -- though considerably worse for wear. He changes out of his stale top in a stall. When a clean shirt is in place, Taiki double checks that the blue checkered scarf covers the scar on his neck. At the sink he washes his face, pointedly avoiding the reflection in the mirror. Taiki is fully aware of his aura's sorry state.
New York. He knows that there is nothing inherently evil about the state... But it is very difficult for him to maintain neutral feelings towards it as well. Jobs rarely go smoothly and he's tired of being possessed -- no other region of the world has given him so much trouble. Unfortunately this is the largest branch of Murasawa's company outside of Tokyo. It's been a year almost to day since his last visit -- certainly a trip is necessary at this point. But this time he's here at Lisbeth's request. She asked him to come out and as the dutiful lillebror he obeyed without question. ...Even though this is the exact opposite of what he wants at the moment. But his feelings don't matter and so he stuffs them down, choosing to ignore them as usual.
A swipe of a damp paper towel removes the toothpaste from the corners of his mouth. Taiki is cleaner but he still looks exhausted and strung out. His clothes don't fit and hang off him awkwardly -- it's obvious that he was never meant to be so angular and all the attractive roundness is gone from his face. The stress of coming was stronger than the pills he took to sleep and Taiki spent most of the trip staring out the black plane window with black glazed eyes.
But he feels a little better now that he's on the ground and cleaned up. A cup of coffee (...or three) and Taiki is sure he'll be fine. Two slow, deep breaths and he heads for the door. Stepping out into the airport, Taiki merges with the crowd and follows the signs to the baggage claim. A hand readjusts the scarf around his neck out of habit -- just to be sure.
At the very least he'll be able to verify whether Lisbeth is actually alive or not. That's something.
Sunday Reveries
"I’m terrified that I can’t fix this. That this is just who I am."
--Olivia Dunham, Fringe