New York, New York. Again.

[a_peaceful_aura]

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."

Comments

[wasplisbeth]

With everything that had been going on recently it was nice to do something normal like picking up her friend from the airport. There was no time to rent a car so she took the subway with plans of taking a taxi cab back to the house, the drive really isn't that far but why make it twice? Plus it seems that the chances of getting possessed by a demon or evil spirit are twice as likely on the New York subway then in a New York cab. Arriving early she makes her way down to the luggage claim to take a seat and wait for Taiki's plane to arrive.

It's beginning to look a lot like spring in New York, the temperature is mild and while the sky is overcast it isn't raining. Yet. As long as it doesn't start raining everything will be fine. At least that's one of the things that should not happen in order for everything to be fine. Ordering a cup of coffee at the Starbucks kiosk she watches luggage rolling in and then scans the crowd for Taiki, thankfully he's tall and she's short.

However she doesn't remember him being that skinny. He

[a_peaceful_aura]

Taiki didn't actually check anything so he passes by the carousel without giving it a glance -- three pieces of luggage have been lost over the same number of years thanks to airlines. He packed light, with just a brown leather bag and a wheeled carry-on.

It doesn't take long for him to home in on Lisbeth. So she is alive. Shoulders drop unconsciously as a little tension leaves his body. Still, features are as neutral as ever. His range of expressions at this age is limited. Lisbeth gets a nod and traditional polite greeting.

"Good morning."

He's glad she's alive. Honest.

[wasplisbeth]

"Are you sick?" Ah, this deep, meaningful conversation is what they've both been missing all this time apart. The making of eye contact, the polite conversation and the deep, emotional time they spend together. Wait, that's not how this all goes down. She is happy to see him but she is a little worried about his outward appearance (because that's all she can see.) Sure it hasn't been the best couple of days in his country but didn't he just get back from a vacation in Mexico?

Not only is the question rude but she just stands there, staring at him as if she's not sure that he's real. He sounds like Taiki and looks like him (kinda) but, well, her brain needs to catch up with her eyes for a moment.

[a_peaceful_aura]

A pause and a blink. "...No?" He's not familiar with Swedish greetings but he's pretty sure Lisbeth has never approached him like this before. Usually people ask 'are you well?'...

"Are you?" He shifts the bag on his shoulder, readjusting his shirt and scarf.

((OOC: fffst. I meant to send you a message. I don't think I'm going to include what's happening over in Japan in my characters' stories. Sorry sorry sorry I am full of fail.))

[wasplisbeth]

"You look sick," she tells him because, you know, that makes up for being a rude bitch. "Like you've lost weight." Looking down at herself she takes in stock in how she looks, pretty much like always. Torn jeans, tee-shirt and long sleeved shirt under, all black because that's how we roll.

"No. Just hungry, have you eaten?"

ooc: ooooo okay! no worries! duly noted! :D

[a_peaceful_aura]

He also looks down at himself, surprised and blinking. Totally shocking: he has not been paying attention to it. Even when Lisbeth points it out, Taiki just sort of dismisses it. Worn out psychic is worn out. He's sporting his usual stylish long-sleeved cotton shirt, jeans, and scarf. There's about as much variation in his closet as there are in his expressions.

"On the plane." He says, finally looking up. "I would like coffee, though. We can get something."

[wasplisbeth]

He looks and then she looks, you know, just to make sure they are looking at the same thing and when she's done looking she looks down at the coffee in her hand. Then she offers the coffee to him, she was nursing it, it's still plenty hot, coffee with a shot of espresso. It'll put hair on his chest. "There is a place by the house, we can put your things away and get food. The have good coffee there too."

Still her present coffee is offered to him.

[a_peaceful_aura]

Oh man. There is a serious debate for a split second as he stares down that coffee. But manners dictate that he declines. He holds his free hand up and smiles that lovely little fake polite smile.

"You are very generous. I can wait." But this bag dragging down his shirt and shoulder is becoming a problem. Lifting the strap, Taiki sets the leather duffel on top of his wheeled bag. Much better.

[wasplisbeth]

She gives him a look, and then gives him another look when he gives her that smile. She is not buying it, Lisbeth is not known for her keen people skills but maybe it's just Taiki and knowing Taiki. He's never forth coming with what's in his head or whats under his skin.

Still, she nods and turns to head out of the luggage claim to the taxi stand where they can grab a cab. They are all lined up just ready to be picked, so Taiki doesn't have to wheel his bags very far.

[a_peaceful_aura]

They've known each other a very long time -- Taiki can be very predictable and transparent. Though there's the tiniest little genuine smile when Lisbeth turns away after The Look. Eyes drop to the ground and Taiki follows her out.

Bags are dumped in the trunk and he moves around to the opposite side of the car, allowing Lisbeth to climb in from the sidewalk. Once the seat belt is on and they're off, Taiki sits back. A hand wipes at a tired eye.

"How are you?" He finally asks, turning his attention back to Lisbeth.

[wasplisbeth]

Sitting back against the seat she gives the driver the address and he pulls away from the curb with a nod of his head. Looking over at Taiki she shrugs her narrow shoulders, "this hasn't been the worst week of my life," that was after she woke up in the hospital. "However it hasn't been the best one either. Someone has been stalking Bobby and I." Which is the nicest, simplest way she could put it.

"A half brother," OH LOOK ANOTHER ONE. "Apparently papa couldn't keep it in his pants." For a moment anger flares and then she breathes it out. No use in getting upset over it especially with Taiki right next to her.

[a_peaceful_aura]

Well Lisbeth hasn't actually let him in on her little story so he doesn't know all the background. Though one of these days he's going to end up lashing out at someone, thanks to second-hand anger from Lisbeth. But he's still a little drugged from the flight and so all his senses are a bit dull.

He listens quietly, eyes on the seat in front of him while he thinks. "Has he been caught?" A glance sideways at her.

[wasplisbeth]

Oh yeah, that's right, that will be over breakfast. One fucked up story at a time, though, he asked her a rather general question she should have just started a the beginning. However her brain is currently turning over the last few days so that's where she started. Taking in a breath she shakes her head before leaning it on her hand, her elbow pressing against the window.

"I should start at the beginning and that I will tell you over breakfast, then it will make more sense." Silent for a moment she suddenly feels very relieved that he is here and that he is not angry with her. It wasn't pleasant knowing that he was truly angry at her. She was going to say something but instead she feels it figuring that might be easier.

[a_peaceful_aura]

No, he's very angry. And even more hurt. But Lisbeth asked him to come so he did. It's all part of that not-dealing-with-things shtick that Taiki has going on.

Fingers tap against his knee when mentions a story over breakfast. Avoidance is easier when all parties participate. He would rather just forget that the past couple of months happened and move forward. It's worked so well for him thus far in life...

"How do I help?" He asks, recalling their conversation a couple of days ago.

[wasplisbeth]

Yeah, well, he's getting it anyway and if he doesn't like it then that's just tough. It's never easy to deal with the past but if it's not dealt with then it just comes back to shoot you and bury you in a grave out back.

"It's a big favor to ask," and Lisbeth shakes her head momentarily reconsidering her original ask. Feeling people all around him isn't exactly something fun and it's even worse when she is asking him to feel for someone in a psychotic rage.

[a_peaceful_aura]

It will be good for him. Aneki knows best!

Taiki waits for Lisbeth to go on, finally turning his head to look at her fully. Her reluctance is noted but like the patient psychic that he is, he'll let Lisbeth continue without prompting.