Sake owed

[evillurks]

The Rettigue apartment has sat empty for a few days, as The Shadow worked out of the Sanctum and another apartment across town, closer to the area he's been watching. With another drug ring at least temporarily stifled, he is ready to migrate back to this place that is the closest thing to a home he has.

He is also likely to arrive late to his own arranged meeting, leaving Ichi to jump at the opening of the door. The muted sounds beyond indicate a quiet hall rather than the outdoors, and the rattling cough that accompanies the entrance should reassure him to who is entering there.

Comments

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

Ichi listens, the expression on his face shows that he's straining every sense he can to take note, and memorize the sound. Even if he can't fight, he wants to know so he can at least duck for cover.

"Good to know." Ichi has had guns pointed at him on many occasions, at this point he's starting to develop a grudge against them, and so he's not about to ask to hold The Shadow's weapon.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

The Shadow drops the cartridge out, and lowers and cocks the hammer a few more times for Ichi's benefit. "Most people will be going into a fight with the safety already off, so it's the cocking of the hammer you should listen for. I always find the best policy is to try to wait until what I hope is the last second, and then drop. People aim for the chest or the head, as a rule, so if you can drop low enough when the gun goes off... I know you're fast." He aims the emptied gun at Ichi and cocks the hammer again, unsure if the sound will be different down the length of the barrel.

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

He gives a dry laugh at The Shadow's remark about his speed, but when the gun is pointed at him and cocks the hammer, there's a very visible flinch in his posture as he moves away from the sound the best that he can while sitting. Lacking a cane, his hands grasp the air at his chest for a brief moment before he flattens the palms on his kimono as it trying to dry them.

"They still use black powder?"

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

"...Sorry. But it does sound different depending which direction it's aimed? That might be useful to learn the sound of, too." He is genuinely apologetic, even if that feeling is fleeting. "Technically, but not the way you're used to. Do you want to look it over, I took the cartridge out, there's no bullets to fire." The cold steel of the gun is nudged lightly against his hand.

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

"Sorry." Ichi bows deeply, he feels bad, realizing too late that the flinch could be taken as an insult.

At the nudging of the gunmetal, Ichi's face becomes troubled, but he still reaches out, taking it tentatively and exploring it with careful hands. Not once does he ever actually hold it properly, but it's obvious he's aware of the business end, and the general shape, enough to figure it out on his own. After a few quiet, and tense moments, he holds it back out to The Shadow, glad to be rid of it.

"My cane, please." It's still by The Shadow. He feels too vulnerable, between the gun and the lack of the item, it will help him maintain his tough-guy poise a little better.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

The Shadow does not seem to be offended, but the request for the cane makes him frown. "That's a psychological crutch, you know. I'm not going to hurt you, and if I were, I'd do it from out of swordreach." The cane is set into his lap, rather than his hand. "Leave it there, I want your hands free. Our bullets aren't what you're used to, either." It seems he is not ready to dismiss Ichi from the impromptu lesson yet.

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

Ichi's closed eyes narrow as The Shadow calls him out on his dependence, even though he's already admitted to it. He waxes defiant as he picks it up, but leans it against the couch so it rests gently against his thigh. Both his hands are free again and he sets them in his lap. He'll continue along with the lesson accompanied by his crutch, thank you.

"They have to be smaller, from the size of that muzzle."

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

"Smaller, and more complex." He can tell by Ichi's reaction he's hit a sore point, but he makes no apology for it. Instead he moves along to having Ichi feel the cartridge, explaining the rudiments such as how it holds multiple bullets and enables him to fire off a number of shots between reloading. He also hurries to the bedroom and returns with a small case of gun supplies, letting Ichi feel two different caliber bullets, and an old and little-used revolver. As the skilled fingers explore the shape of a bullet, he explains what's inside, and the very fine markings engraved in the metal. There's plenty to learn, and it could all come in useful.

"Sorry I don't have any spent casings for you, but you'd probably be able to recognize one if you came across it, now."

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

"That's fine." His face has remained grave and focused during all of this. He's taking in every detail. "So this would be gone..." He taps the top of the bullet with a finger. "And it'll be lighter." He rolls the bullet between two fingers much like he does with dice, and feels the markings on the end before handing it back to The Shadow. "Even our revolvers are not quite like the one from earlier, but it's familiar enough."

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

"Like a hollow tube, with the sharp end torn up." He puts everything back away in the case, giving a few more rattling coughs, and sets it aside. "Revolvers are still in use, but automatics, like the one I first showed you, are getting more popular. When I started using them they were considered pretty heavy weaponry..."

He swallows the dregs of his tea with a wince. "I could take you outside in my world some time, but you'd need a change of clothes first."

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

"Some time, but not today. You've had enough rain, eh?" He makes an amused sound as he reaches out for the sake. It's cooled, but he doesn't much care. Now that the handling of weaponry seems to be over at least, he feels it shouldn't be in poor taste to continue working at his payment for the massage. He sips at his refilled cup.

"I'll be interested to see what it's like wearing the kind of things you do, though. It all seems done up very tight." He makes a cinching motion near his large belly and laughs.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

"Hmh. Didn't even think of that..." He gives a few more coughs, however. It wouldn't do for them both to catch cold, and he still sounds sick enough that he ought to keep as dry and warm as he can. There's a faint rattle and wheeze to his breathing.

"I'm old-fashioned. We could put you in a track suit or something, that might feel more like what you're used to. I'll have to guess at the size." Certainly nothing he owns would fit Ichi, due to differences in height as well as circumference.

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

"Hmph." He makes an admonishing sound. "Here your death rattle comes back and not even a thought about the rain." Ichi gives a gentle pat on The Shadow's shoulder and shakes his head with a smile. He's not surprised.

"Whatever you think works." He tugs at the rag of a kimono he wears. It's probably nearing the end of its use, the color is badly faded, and any seeing person would have replaced it long ago. "I don't know what's good on me, only what's comfortable." At least it's been cleaned recently?

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

"It's not a-*cough* death rattle." The retort is grouchy, but only for the look of the thing. "Anyway, I can't just hide away indoors. The criminals are out there."

The Shadow eyes his grubby robes, and makes a mental note to get him something new for Christmas. He tends to dress well out of habit, and while the ragged state of Ichi's clothes doesn't really bother him, it seems like fitting payment for the unfamiliar attempts of friendship. "I'll look around. You'll have to make several outings, I think, to get used to cars."

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

"Heh." He prods The Shadow's shin gently with his cane and grins. "Not all of 'em." Apparently he's referring to himself.

"Cars?" The word is a poor attempt at its English pronunciation, but he manages it well enough to get the question across. Quickly he waves his hand, dismissing it like smoke. "Later, perhaps. You've filled my head enough for one day. And the longer I sit around here, the less time you have to go after trouble."

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

The prod extracts a faint smirk, and a roll of the eyes, all of which are likely to be lost on the blind man. The amusement in his tone is easier to read. "Just keeping you out of trouble. Play with the coins until the next time I see you. There'll be a test later." It is only half a joke.

Anything else he might have had in mind to say is cut off by another bout of coughing, followed by a quiet groan. The Shadow does not like being sick, although perhaps it would do him good to give in to it and get some rest.

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

The look of deep concern returns to Ichi's face as he lowers his head, his ear tilting toward the cough and groan. He purses his lips as he seems to weight the small amount of sake left in his cup, and then sets it back on the table, unconsumed.

"I should go." He stands hastily, bumping a shin into the table and giving a hissed curse as he crouches, rubbing the spot. "Aye! That table's bit both of us now." He winces as he stands and gives a bow to The Shadow, forcing himself to slow down. "You need your health. Thank you very much for the sake, Shadow-san."

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

As he recovers with a wheeze, watching Ichi injure himself on the table, The Shadow reflects that he'd still be available for Burbank if he just lies on the couch for a bit... Sometimes three hours of sleep just doesn't feel like enough.

"Maybe I should get a softer one?" He coughs and runs a hand over his eyes, forcing himself to stand. "Take it easy. And... thank you for the massage." There's a certain weariness to the rough pat on the shoulder he gives the shorter man, but the massage has left him feeling better. "Sorry to wake you for it."

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

Ichi nods in his typical manner that seems to involve his whole body as The Shadow pats his shoulder.

"Anytime. I mean it." Tonight is proof that he doesn't mind the irregular hours. He reaches out, setting a hand on The Shadow's arm gently as the other searches for his PINpoint in the front of his kimono. "You get feeling better soon." He finally manages to pull it out and searches the face for the button to send him home. "See ya' later." He disappears to return back home.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

Left alone, The Shadow sinks back down to the sofa. The cups sit waiting to be washed on the coffee table, and there's always paperwork to be done. After gazing at these for uncounted minutes, he stretches out on his side, closes his eyes, and drifts into a comfortable doze instead.