Centennial Celebration

[evillurks]

On the seventh of January, in what is now 1992 in the Old Tiger's world, a gift shows up in Myra's home in New York. It's a fairly large box, neatly wrapped, and the less she ponders over that the better. On Christmas day a basket of teas and an elegant little dagger showed up, unmarked but too utterly familiar as a seasonal gift from him. This, so soon after, could make her suspect the sinister hand of someone else, but there is a small tag attached to the ribbon neatly marked with the characters Lăo hŭ.

Inside is a silk kimono robe, elegantly embroidered with a tiger. The very nature of the gift borders on daring a familiarity he is usually careful not to take with her, but it is an outer robe, at least. When she lifts it out there is also a small red envelope with a little money, of the sort usually given on one's birthday. It is not her birthday, of course, but on his centennial The Shadow has decided to take a somewhat backwards approach.

Comments

[evillurks]

He would prefer not to be nursing a chest cold over his birthday, as poor health simply grinds in the thought of how old he truly is. Just in the last week he was in a minor shoot-out with some drug dealers, however, and certainly he's come out of that and every other move against crime the past month with relative success. It is some small consolation, to still be hard at work, at an age he never expected to attain.

Carefully, he lifts his gaze to meet hers, and gives a mild nod. "You're welcome. I have no need for more things, and it seemed a fitting celebration to send out a few gifts instead. I'm just lucky Green hasn't tried to throw me a party." He gives a mild grimace at the idea. It was suggested, of course, but he's never liked social gatherings. Like all things that bother him on some emotional level, The Shadow prefers to mark this event as he chooses, then swiftly move on to his latest work. Myra's reaction, quiet as it is, pleases him more than any gushing over his longevity ever could.

[myra_reldon]

At the mention of Green throwing him a party, Myra finally smirks and shakes her head.

"I haven't seen Green in a while, but if I hear anything, I'll let you know." She's not a fan of surprises herself, particularly parties, so she doesn't feel bad letting him know if Metody contacts her about any sort of gathering in his honor.

At least his gift isn't an omen. True it marks an unusual age but, even with a chest cold, he's incredibly lively and she knows now that she can look upon the dress with fondness instead of dread.

[evillurks]

Knowing Metody, it would be likely to involve bright colours and lots of food, but perhaps he knows better than to try pushing something like that on the old man.

"We spoke in the Nexus not too long ago..." He does hope Myra wouldn't enter into conspiracy against him, however well-intentioned. In this he will trust her at her word, however. They are both, he has been very surprised to realize, his friends, but Myra has had more time to learn his likes and dislikes, with the advantage of knowing his close alternate. She knows better, and she also seems willing not to pester or baby him about his health. Perhaps she's simply more subtle.

He sips his tea, breathing in the steam, which can only help to ease the mess in his chest. "Anyway, I'd rather you didn't remind the other me." That warning given, he's quick to move on to work. "I've done a fair job catching up since I got back, but this cough has me back to paperwork the past couple of days. I need a good pair of eyes to check out a couple of things."

[myra_reldon]

Myra's fairly certain that the younger Shadow wouldn't need reminding. He was well-aware of the date in the Old Tiger's world, and likely kept abreast of exactly how old he'd be. She wonders briefly what it would be like to imagine meeting yourself at 100 years old, and being greeted not with frailty, but vigor.

Then he's back to business and her wandering mind returns, hinging on his words with a solemn nod.

"You know I'm glad to do whatever I can." It doesn't need saying, but she does anyway. She's eager for work in his world, and the type of jobs he gives her are more challenging, the kind he prefers to reserve for himself, the kinds his younger self also prefers to handle personally. The last thing she'd wish upon him is a cold, but she does find a perverse enjoyment at the chance to push her skills.

[evillurks]

While his alternate is certainly capable of noting the date and its significance, both men prefer to focus on their work, and the Old Tiger would prefer not to remind him. Only Myra, Metody, and Ichi have received gifts to mark the date.

As far as vigor goes, he's certainly felt better, and the chest cold grates at him. It's taking him far, far longer to recover from this than he'd like, and only that continued cough has prompted him to restrict himself to lighter work. Myra should be grateful, not only that he's making some effort to take care of his health, but also that this effort gives her more exciting work than might otherwise be available.

The Old Tiger gives a couple of rattling coughs and sips his tea before he continues, mind racing down several tracks at once, as always. "The arms dealers are, for the time being, either in chaos or laying very low, so we're back to chasing down drug traffickers. I suspect ultimately the higher-ups will prove to be outside the country, but I need to pick up some more solid leads. Keep your PINpoint handy, I want to post you in a tight spot or two to listen in. How's your Spanish, by the way?"

finally. BACK for a while. /so late to all the things

[myra_reldon]

Spanish? While in her time there were enough immigrants speaking Spanish to be of some note, her background is certainly not one that inclines her to have learned the language. She gives a telling grimace and shakes her head.

"Not good. I can work on that." At least she has a propensity for languages, though certainly not to his degree. Still, she can muddle along and if all she needs to be is a pair of ears, then she can learn to understand the language enough to dig out the information he needs while playing the part of an oblivious party.