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]

"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.