City stroll

[evillurks]

The Shadow arrives at Ichi's apartment by the door, rather than by PINpoint, and his knock is distinctly different from that of Chaz Walters. He is quick to greet Ichi once the door is open, however, trusting the other man to recognize his voice. "Afternoon. Feeling recovered from yesterday?" There is quiet amusement in his tone. He carries two canes, his own with the ebony eagle's head, and another wrapped in paper. Ichi will have a proper red-tipped white cane for the city streets, and the old man has even brought him a pair of dark sunglasses.

Comments

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

"Dime." He reaffirms the word, making a note to remember it. These details, he knew, were important. "I'll get it soon." He smiles, raising his head a bit as they walk into a more direct beam of sunlight that's made its way to the street between buildings.

"Fast city, fast people. What food do they like best?" Being a bit of a foody at heart, Ichi's interested in what other meals may be available, apart from what Chaz has brought him, and what he finds in his refrigerator and pantry.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

One eyebrow rises, but all Ichi has to interpret is the pause before the answer. The Shadow is familiar with many foods, simply as an aspect of his knowledge of different cultures, but it's not something he thinks about often.

"People from all over the world come to live here, so they bring a wide variety of cultures and foods. I suppose the traditional American fare is hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza." What Chaz has an has not introduced Ichi to on that front, he doesn't know. Certainly pizza seems to be the first food of choice among people her age.

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

"Pizza. Chaz talks about that." Most of Ichi's meals have consisted of Chinese food, mostly due to the fact that he had no idea what else to ask for, aside from more of the same. He hasn't tried it yet, though. "Now that I can get out, I will have to try more food here." He pats his stomach with a chuckle.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

There is a very quiet sound of amusement, nearly lost in the din. "I'm sure we can arrange a pizza for you. There's a variety of toppings to choose from." He tends to eat relatively healthy, most of the time, but he's not averse to junk food on occasion. "I'll make sure to allow you a food budget..."

((I'm terribly sorry I fell behind...))

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

((No worries! :) ))

"Heh, now there's a thought. A man like me, getting an official stipend." These sorts of things only happened for magistrates and people of rank. "I'm going to be spoiled for when I go back home after all this."

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

"Hm. I could let you starve." There is not a serious note to his tone, there. "I always make sure my agents have what they need." There is a distinction, of course, between what they need and what they want, and there are times he is even inclined to deny them the latter if he feels it conflicts with their duties for him. The Shadow is not a cruel master, but he is a strict and demanding one. He has been lenient with Ichi, thus far, but that may not last forever.
Their course leads them toward the park, and presently he may hear the difference of wind in the leaves ahead, while on either side the tall buildings make harsh, unnatural echoes of sound that he has already learned to ignore. There are the scents of nature, faint, but a blessed relief from the myriad stink of the city.

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

The more familiar scents gain his attention and Ichi perks, pointing his nose in the direction of the park. His senses are momentarily diverted as he feels a moment of relief before returning his concentration to the walk.

"I like not starving." He smiles as he ambles along. "I want to do good. You've done much for me, I owe you."

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

The subtle expressions are noted, and correctly interpreted. "Central Park. It's better if you avoid it at night, but during the day it's a pleasant break from the city." While he assumes Ichi can take care of any muggers he might encounter here at night, the results of his self-defense could be awkward.

"Mmm. Then I'll be sure to put you to work soon. You have valuable ears."

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

"I'd like that. Work makes me happy. I stay out of trouble." He chuckles. "Bad trouble."

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

They pause at the sidewalk, and cross a street that sounds less busy than the last, and when they reach the far side he can feel the shade of the trees. "There's a fence ahead, follow it to the left." The park is bordered but black enameled fencing, at least as high as Ichi's shoulder and cool to the touch.

"I'm afraid the work I assign won't always keep you out of trouble..." The Shadow will have some idea beforehand what manner of trouble he may be sending Ichi into, at the very least.

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

His cane taps the fence when they reach it and he puts out a hand, feeling its cool texture under his fingers as he drags them along a brief moment. He raises his head to the flickering sensations of sun and shade on his face with a smile.

"A little trouble for a good reason. Not all bad." His cane clicks against the fence at a set pattern, allowing him to locate a break when they finally reach it.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

The quick staccato of Ichi's cane along the fence is reminiscent of a child's running along one dragging a stick, or a baseball card in the spokes of a bicycle wheel, and for a brief moment The Shadow is lost in a fit of mild nostalgia.

"Mmmmm?" It is a distant, thoughtful sound, as if his mind was briefly very far away. "If I put you into something where you may need to defend yourself, I'll warn you, but it's very likely." Most of his agents are expected to have some kind of fighting ability, and to protect themselves when necessary.

[blind-masseur.livejournal.com]

And The Shadow knows, Ichi certainly has the ability to protect himself.

"A warning." He chuckles. "How nice." He feels the grade of the pavement change and his cane returns to the path before him.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

"More than you usually get in life." There's the trace of a smirk in his words. As they enter the park, there's the shade of trees overhead, and a number of soft nature sounds. The further they go along the path, the better the trees will block the street traffic, although there are people at play somewhere ahead in the park, too.