Mosaic City, located along China's coast, is quite large city sometimes called the Crossroads Between Nations due to its diverse population. While it was once a large tourist spot, the city was placed under a blockade as the military appeared claiming there was a radiation leak. The true hazard, however, is much more sinister.
Post by Jaelyn Callahan on Feb 24, 2014 4:28:06 GMT -5
"Neither do I," Jaelyn said. Although she was quick to consider violent action, she rarely wanted to actually follow through. She didn't want to end up becoming like her mother, after all. Granted, all she knew about what her mother was like before she was born came from stories, but anything that involved actually stabbing someone was a step in the wrong direction. Save that for shadows and practice targets. As long as she could control that impulse, she would be fine in that regard, right? Totally fine.
Sakuya responded positively to her suggestion of dinner, at least. Jaelyn followed her as she gestured for it, giving one glance back at the overlook as she started walking. "It's been way too long since I've been able to go anywhere nice," she said. Well, actually, it had only been a couple months since she dared try. But when the rest of the time it was instant microwavable meals or take-out, that seemed much longer. "If you know any good places, I'd love that."
Post by Sakuya Kyoudou on Feb 24, 2014 4:48:12 GMT -5
Good, then they were in agreement. Sakuya had hoped that there wouldn't be any attempts at ruining things for one another. She had a weapon as well, and she wasn't afraid to use it. On the other hand, she didn't anticipate there would be anyone around here so she didn't actually bring it with her this night. Oopsie. As the pair of them walked, Jaelyn mentioned that 'it had been way too long since she was able to go anywhere nice.' Perfect opportunity to have Jaelyn to try some 'good stuff', then. She even said, that if Sakuya knew a good place, then she'd love to stop by. Fortunately, all the good places Sakuya enjoyed going to eat at weren't expensive like a goddamn fine dining establishment.
"Alright, that's great~" Sakuya said, leading Jaelyn away from the shrine and on the way to urban civilization once again, making their way to the district where there were malls and all that crap. Fortunately they weren't going inside the mall proper. Sakuya had led Jaelyn to a small, quaint establishment that looked like they served all kinds of various European cuisine. "Hope you like your food European, because I'm taking you out to a personal favourite of mine. Dark Horse, as they call it." Sakuya nodded and took Jaelyn inside.
"Table for twooo, please~"
And just like that, Sakuya and Jaelyn found themselves seated at a reasonably sized table for two at a place that seemed almost way too much like a classy resto bar.
Profile || City Home Null: Dark/Fire/Ice/Lightning/Wind/Pierce
Wk: Light, Strike
--> Heaven's Blade, Bufudyne, Mediarama, Allure
--> Unshaken Will, Passionate Inferno
P-> Kiss of Lilith
Post by Jaelyn Callahan on Feb 24, 2014 5:23:59 GMT -5
European, huh? Jaelyn hadn't had all that much, unless spaghetti and pizza still qualified, but it would still be a nice change from the fast food, Chinese, and instant noodles she usually had. And as long as someone else was buying, she didn't have to worry about sticking to what was familiar. So far, this idea was a victory. The place Sakuya took her seemed decent, too. Certainly not fine dining (a plus if there ever was one, since Jaelyn liked her menus readable), but still just classy enough to make her wonder if she was under-dressed, and comfortable at that. Not to mention it had a bar. Having only gone to the nicest-looking places in the mall whenever she felt like she could indulge, Jaelyn could tell that Sakuya knew much better places to eat than she did.
In fact, the only time she could remember going somewhere like this was on a field trip way back in middle school. "Has to have been years since I've been somewhere like this," she said, looking around. "Hah, I like it already."
Post by Sakuya Kyoudou on Feb 24, 2014 5:58:12 GMT -5
The menus were brought out and there it was probably at least 2 or 3 pages long. One of the waiters who passed by greeted Sakuya with a smile and gave both her and Jaelyn a glass of water each. The contents of the menu wouldn't be surprising to anyone even remotely familiar with food from the various parts of Europe. Of course, you couldn't go wrong with the half-a-page long list of pastas, or perhaps some special pizza. But there were also more exotic offerings to be found, such as French escargot, Catalan 'Cargols a la llauna' or even Greek Chtapodi sti schara (which, if you asked what on earth that was, you would be given an answer akin to "delectable grilled octopus, ma'am"). In other words, this particular establishment had a LOT to offer in terms of food. Jaelyn seemed to like what she was seeing, as well. She mentioned it having been perhaps years since she last went to a place like this.
Sakuya could only smile. "I'm glad you are liking what you see. Please, take your time. I do recommend their Greek and Catalan selection. Full of delicious morsels to be found there. However, if you'd like to stick to what you're more familiar with, that is also fine. I can assure you the food prepared here is really quite good. There's a reason why I'm a regular! It's on me, hun."
Profile || City Home Null: Dark/Fire/Ice/Lightning/Wind/Pierce
Wk: Light, Strike
--> Heaven's Blade, Bufudyne, Mediarama, Allure
--> Unshaken Will, Passionate Inferno
P-> Kiss of Lilith
Post by Jaelyn Callahan on Feb 24, 2014 6:47:12 GMT -5
And still, despite it not being some fancy fine dining place, Jaelyn still couldn't recognize half of the things on the menu. Some of it was recognizable, mostly anything Italian, but it ranged from that to a few items under the Greek section that she couldn't even pronounce, much less recognize. Sakuya recommended the Greek and Catalan selections, but... "I don't have any idea what most of this stuff is," she said with a frown. Instead, she flipped back over to the parts she did recognize, and eventually settled on one that looked good. "I think I'll have this," she said, pointing out a pasta sample platter consisting of ravioli, spaghetti, and lasagna.
"So I'm curious," Jaelyn said once her order was taken care of. "Just what do you do that lets you afford to take me to a place like this?" Even from her own unorthodox money-earning methods, Jaelyn was barely able to afford fast food most of the time. Even when she did overindulge, she had never dared to go to a place like this. So if this girl, who was her age but couldn't even attend school could afford it, then what was Jaelyn missing?
Post by Sakuya Kyoudou on Feb 24, 2014 6:58:44 GMT -5
Jaelyn opted for the simpler selection, which was fair. Everything on the menu was quite good, according to Sakuya, anyway, who opted to have this dish called, 'Apaki,' it was a Cretan specialty in fact. Lean pork marinated in vinegar, smoked with aromatic herbs and shrubs, before being packed in salt. The price was also shockingly affordable for what it was. "It's alright," Sakuya smiled. "I'm sure you won't be disappointed anyway." She pointed out her order in fact, a pasta platter. The pasta here was commendable, is what Sakuya was about to say, before Jaelyn shot a question at her - how was she able to get all this money? At this point, Sakuya was at a crossroads. She could either tell her the truth, or she could lie out of it. To be fair, neither option seemed rather appealing at this point. Fortunately, the establishment was empty and so the former seemed to be the wiser choice than the latter. Of course, Sakuya needed confirmation from Miss Callahan if she really wanted to know.
"You ask a legitimate question," Sakuya sighed. "Unfortunately, it's... a rather delicate subject. My trade." Briefly getting up from her chair and approaching Jaelyn, Sakuya went to her ear and whispered.
"I'm a hitwoman. People hire me to kill criminals. Usually men that I kill." upon answering her, she sat back at the table. "If you know what's good for you, you'd keep that knowledge to yourself... It'll be safer. Of course, if you want anyone taken down yourself... Well, there's always that avenue."
Last Edit: Feb 24, 2014 7:01:39 GMT -5 by Sakuya Kyoudou
Profile || City Home Null: Dark/Fire/Ice/Lightning/Wind/Pierce
Wk: Light, Strike
--> Heaven's Blade, Bufudyne, Mediarama, Allure
--> Unshaken Will, Passionate Inferno
P-> Kiss of Lilith
Post by Jaelyn Callahan on Feb 24, 2014 7:42:15 GMT -5
Jaelyn suspected that Sakuya's answer would be one she wouldn't want to hear from the moment she asked. This was reinforced when Sakuya answered that it was a delicate subject, and confirmed when she actually answered, claiming to be a hitwoman. If she was surprised by the answer, it didn't show in her face. She maintained a stoic expression as Sakuya sat back down, following her with her eyes but not saying anything just yet.
And, well, it would pay decently. Anything illegal demanded a higher price than a legitimate job, especially when there were victims involved. Jaelyn wondered if Sakuya was just trusting that she would keep it to herself, or had only mentioned it because she had said earlier that she was good with knives. Technically, it was something she could do, but it had always been a last resort option. If there was nothing else she could do to survive, she could kill for it. But she hadn't gotten nearly that far yet. And until she did, that was a path she didn't want to walk.
Not just yet, at least.
Finally, a faint, barely noticeable smile came to her face. "You sound like my mother," she said. That could be taken a number of different ways, all of which were probably true. But perhaps more importantly than what she said, Jaelyn was still sitting there, just like before Sakuya had said anything, completely and utterly failing to be scared off.
Post by Sakuya Kyoudou on Feb 24, 2014 7:50:39 GMT -5
"I suppose, then, you have no qualms with my line of work? Then, I hope my answer has been satisfactory to you, dear," Sakuya smiled, trying to play off Jaelyn's evident display of stoicism as a positive thing. Usually, if she had told anyone else, they'd try to get people to jail Sakuya's underage ass. Sakuya also had to spend a moment or two to parse the fact that Jaelyn simply responded with - 'You sound like my mother.' Now, that was a random-ass comment to come out as a response. Sakuya had a larger grin on her face. Was Jaelyn's mother still alive? What exactly did she even do that prompted the response? Did Jaelyn's mother also kill, as she did? Questions, questions. Not all of them needed answering, though. They were irrelevant to the task at hand.
"Your mother, huh... I'm not sure whether to take that statement as an insult, or as a compliment, hun," she continued, tapping her fingers on the table as after a while, the orders of both Jaelyn and Sakuya had arrived. "...Though, come to think of it, I do want to get to know you a little bit better... I want this to be your evening, after all~"
Profile || City Home Null: Dark/Fire/Ice/Lightning/Wind/Pierce
Wk: Light, Strike
--> Heaven's Blade, Bufudyne, Mediarama, Allure
--> Unshaken Will, Passionate Inferno
P-> Kiss of Lilith
Post by Jaelyn Callahan on Feb 24, 2014 8:08:40 GMT -5
Jaelyn shook her head as Sakuya responded to her. Not sure how to take what she'd just said...well, there was something else they had in common. "Neither do I," she said. "Before I was born, my mother did something very similar. Although I don't think she would have ever called it a profession. She scared the hell out of me, but at the same time there's no one I respected more. So...I guess it's a compliment, if you look at it that way." Of course, it also meant that she was now making friends with another killer, one who seemed to be going very far out of her way to be nice to her. But in a way, it was only fitting. The only people she could fit in with were people just as messed up as she and her mother were.
Maybe, so long as she didn't become a target herself, it wouldn't be so bad.
While she was thinking about that, their food arrived. Jaelyn took a bite of the lasagna, and sure enough, she wasn't disappointed. In fact, it ranked up there with Luka's stew as one of the best things she had ever tasted. She tried out the other two things on her plate as well, with similar results.
"I'll say this much, at least," she said, once she was satisfied that she had chosen wisely. "If I did have a problem with it, I would have left already. It's not the kind of thing normal people would stick around after hearing."
Post by Sakuya Kyoudou on Feb 24, 2014 9:33:35 GMT -5
Jaelyn had elaborated on what she meant by her statement. She too, was unsure, but upon careful introspection, out loud, she seemed to come to the conclusion that it could be seen as a compliment. As such, Sakuya felt it was only just to take it as it was. She learned that Jaelyn's mother, had also been one who took the lives of others. However, it felt as if she did it wontonly versus how Sakuya had turned it into a profession. On top of that, it wasn't clear to Sakuya who exactly Jaelyn's mother targeted. Sakuya had it in her mind she would eliminate only those who posed distinct threats to her or her fellow femalekind. Soon, Jaelyn said that if she had felt something was wrong, she would have left already.
Sakuya could not argue with that logic. A normal girl, by any means, would have already run away calling her a deranged creep, or some synonym for the phrase 'crazy bitch.' She was used to it by now. Years of wandering and murder, it would take their toll. In this case, just not for Sakuya. "You're right, Miss Jaelyn," Sakuya could only sigh. "I guess I do have certain issues. Sometimes... certain applications of violence really were the only way I could quell... particular emotions inside me, you know? But don't worry... I wouldn't want to harm or do anything intentionally malicious to you."
Unless you provoked it or made me do it, hun. Sakuya had omitted that thought. But she wondered if it really needed to be said. Hopefully not.
"...Are you liking the food, by the way?" she soon asked a seemingly random question, in an attempt to diffuse the situation. Sakuya had been picking at her own food, which she usually found delicious. Was she being enamored by Jaelyn? Perhaps, but it was too early to say.
Profile || City Home Null: Dark/Fire/Ice/Lightning/Wind/Pierce
Wk: Light, Strike
--> Heaven's Blade, Bufudyne, Mediarama, Allure
--> Unshaken Will, Passionate Inferno
P-> Kiss of Lilith
Post by Jaelyn Callahan on Feb 24, 2014 20:40:34 GMT -5
Issues, huh? That made two of them. Jaelyn just hadn't gone so far as to actually follow through on the things she occasionally wanted to do yet. She'd 'tamed' that urge, so to speak. It wasn't like how it used to be, where she'd break someone's fingers or put a pencil through their eye for trying to bully her. No, she managed to keep things like that safely in her own head now. But perhaps that was the biggest difference between the two of them. As for Sakuya...Jaelyn wondered if her disgusted comment about males earlier had something to do with those 'issues'. She had said she usually went after men.
"That's good to know," she said as Sakuya promised not to harm her. There was an unspoken 'unless provoked' in there, probably, but it wasn't important. If anything, it would be Jaelyn who ended up being provoked. And if it came to that...well, she'd just have to take her before she could react. Hopefully that would never happen though. "And thanks for telling me," she added, remembering how her mother's revelation had come as a final shock along with the news that she was dying and sending her halfway across the world. "I don't mind, but...it's nice to actually know something like that."
She took another bite of her food, just in time to be asked if she was liking it. "It's amazing," she said. "I don't ever get to eat anything this good."
Post by Sakuya Kyoudou on Feb 24, 2014 21:10:41 GMT -5
Sakuya was able to calm her nerves down to properly enjoy her food at this rate. It was just the same as always. Never failed to disappoint her. Indeed, Sakuya did have... issues. The Shadow had not anticipated it at first, but the memories still lingered; upon death, they were much too strong to disappear like that. She, the human who had died, had never managed to move on from those traumatic experiences. Killing men had never felt this good before, in fact... Revenge was a dish usually served best cold, after all, and what's colder than cold-blooded murder, indeed? Anyway...
Jaelyn had thanked her for warning her about it. Well, it was weird, but she probably had her reasons for it. A bad experience? Was it related to her mother? Sakuya didn't really feel it was necessary to ask right now. It might just bring up something bad and she reaaaaally didn't want to ruin the moment especially after the exchange they had just now. Jaelyn also, at last, mentioned really liking the food. That was a plus.
"I'm very glad you're liking the food. It's good to have something substantial once in a while. Keeps your energy up and stuff, you know?" Sakuya smiled. "Hmm... What do you enjoy doing in your spare time, then? Got any hobbies?"
Profile || City Home Null: Dark/Fire/Ice/Lightning/Wind/Pierce
Wk: Light, Strike
--> Heaven's Blade, Bufudyne, Mediarama, Allure
--> Unshaken Will, Passionate Inferno
P-> Kiss of Lilith
Post by Jaelyn Callahan on Feb 24, 2014 21:49:13 GMT -5
'Once in awhile' was one way to put it. Jaelyn could stand to have something substantial all the time, if it came to it. Yes, as Sakuya said, she needed to keep her energy up. She was fairly active, and going out into the outer circle to fight shadows always left her exhausted when she was done. She needed as much energy as she could get. Besides, real food was good. After so long of having nothing but small, simple meals and microwave trash, actually being able to eat something substantial was heavenly. "I wish I could do this all the time," she said.
Then the subject turned to hobbies. "Other than anything involving knives? I'll read or watch movies when I can, but I usually can't afford all that much." There was always the school library, of course, but it usually had a piss poor selection of anything she would actually be interested in. And movies cost money no matter where she got them. "Mostly though, I end up just wandering the city. Or what's left of it at least." She opted not to mention anything involving the outer circle or shadows. While this girl might at least humor her, there was no way she would actually believe it. No point saying anything about that then.
Post by Sakuya Kyoudou on Feb 24, 2014 22:05:35 GMT -5
Sakuya took a sip of her water; by now she had finished about half of her meal. It was good to see that she was helping Jaelyn out... through means of sustenance. Food, anyway. Idly, Jaelyn mentioned wishing she could eat out like this more often. Possibly all the time. Well, if Sakuya could, she probably would. Not like the invitation was ever going to close. Soon, she responded to Sakuya's query on hobbies. Reading books... or watching movies... But wasn't that loaded to afford too many of such things. Also, she mentioned knives again. At last, she added that she usually wandered the city. Or what was left of it, at least. You see, Sakuya had two homes. She had her apartment in the city, and she also had her refurbished, ruined villa in the outer circle. So it was really easy for Sakuya to detect what she meant by her statement.
"What's left of it? Hmm... I see. So you go to the Outside. Is it tiring? What do you do there?" Sakuya said softly. "It must certainly be less boring out there than it is in here, anyway..."
Profile || City Home Null: Dark/Fire/Ice/Lightning/Wind/Pierce
Wk: Light, Strike
--> Heaven's Blade, Bufudyne, Mediarama, Allure
--> Unshaken Will, Passionate Inferno
P-> Kiss of Lilith
Post by Jaelyn Callahan on Feb 24, 2014 22:31:19 GMT -5
"That obvious?" Jaelyn asked. She hadn't meant it like that, but if Sakuya suggested it, then she probably knew what was going on. Was she a persona-user too, then? Or just another person who had managed to survive that disaster area without awakening? Well, whatever. She didn't actually care much if other people were persona-users. Setsuna was one thing, since she was (presumably) counting on Jaelyn to help her, but with people who already knew what was going on she didn't see much reason to make a big deal over it. "Not always. I end up wandering around the inner circle as well, but yes, I do sometimes go to the outside."
She took a deep breath. "It's exhausting. I mostly end up getting attacked wherever I go. I can fight back, of course, but I still feel dead on my feet whenever I get back. But yes, it can get..." she gave a crooked smile, "interesting."