The Shadow

"Hey, ah, hey it's Doc. I'm afraid I'm gonna have to cancel... I really didn't want to, but one of my friends has a hardcore problem with me learning to shoot. I don't really understand-- but, pardon the pun, apparently it's somewhat triggering, and I don't want to cause tension. But, yeah, please don't think I'm flaky, and I'd like to-- definitely like to learn... if there's anything else you're willing to share. I mean, nothing top secret or anything, but I'm new at this and I respect what you do."

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I wouldn't let someone else's fears prevent me from learning something useful, when there's no risk involved, but you didn't seem all that set on it.
I'm recovering, but I don't have anything pressing at the moment. I don't know what else you're interested in learning.

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"I had actually been really looking forward to it. Me and him argued about if for longer than I'd like to admit. We were in a time machine, so we had... we had a while to argue. I said that there was no risk, that I didn't plan to carry a gun, and that it was for the love of learning not the love of violent acts. I'm really, honestly, I'm interested in learning everything. Focusing techniques, good styles, just... even just swapping stories would be cool. Anything you're willing to share I'm willing to learn."

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I don't argue. I decide what I intend to do, and I do it. On the other hand you are a very young woman, whereas I am a potentially cantankerous old man.

I know quite a few languages, marksmanship, fencing, jujitsu, meditation, yoga, hypnotism, sleight of hand, chemistry, some psychology, electrical engineering, piloting, a little acrobatics... I'm sure there's other things, but they aren't coming to mind right at the moment. My arm is mostly healed and my ribs are fine, so there's no real physical restriction now. I'm not about to make a regular habit of teaching you, my schedule's too erratic for that.

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"That would be-- oh my goodness, that would be amazing. And I understand, I have a pretty crazy schedule too. But, yeah, wowzer, those all sound like really cool things to learn about."

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I didn't mean I'd teach you all of that. Pick one. I don't think I'll live long enough to teach alf of what I know to anyone.

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"Oh yes, I knew that. It's just hard to choose, you're dropping a kid in a candy store here! Acrobatics work for you?"

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Not quite as well as they used to, but yes. Well enough to teach, I think. When and where?

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"Same time, day, and place we would've done the other learning still good?"

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That's fine. I needed the rest after Green's work, but I'm restless now. Just give me PINpoint cordinates.

((I don't know where you want to thread...))

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((Either journal works for me! However you want to do it. Unfortunately, I'm going to be on only at very short intervals until Sunday.))

[and there are coordinates! Nice sets of numbers, very clearly stated. (Her secret was that she wrote them down first and traced each number with her finger as she spoke them so she wouldn't get out of order)]

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((We can play slowly until then, or simply hold off until next week, whatever works best for you. Would you like me to set up a post?))

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((That would be fantastic, thank you very much!))

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((Sorry if I'm late. I hope this post will suffice? I'm not clear on what sort of location she gave him coordinates for.))

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Sir -

If you have a chance to come to the Nexus, would you perhaps be willing to talk to some friends of mine about the work I did for you? One of their number is considering similar work, and I think it might put their minds to rest to know someone else has had it done.

If it is not possible for you to speak with them, I understand - you are exceedingly busy right now, after all.

I hope things are going well with you.

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I think I can find the time... Specific PINpoint coordinates?

((Because the plot has been stalled due to real life matters, I've been playing THNM with him. We do mean to get the big battle scene started soon, though.))

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A string of numbers and letters

[Ah, spiffy. But really, it's fine - real life is always more important than fun times.]

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A message appears on The Shadow's PINpoint as he is working with Burbank. The number is Reldon's device.


Reporting in.  Relocated.  Are you out of the Clinic?

A set of coordinates appears on the PINpoint following the message.

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Yes. Rettigue's apt. Are you well?

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A message pings into The Shadow's PINpoint, the number is one he's seen on the screen often.

Have PINpoint but communications may be spotty. Availability questionable. Family Matters.

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Report Rcv'd. Contact if difficulties.

He'll be expecting a full report on her return, of course, even if this doesn't technically concern him.

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Weeks pass without a word otherwise, until finally a message arrives early in the evening:

Back home. Mission successful. No red necessary.

There may be a hint of pride at her general measure of success. Considering her recent run of back luck, it's been a fantastic break for her.

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Injuries?

His concern might be touching, were he not so brusque in expressing it. The Shadow worries when his agents are out on a mission, particularly one he knows so little about.

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None.

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Good. Will there be a full report?

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Myra looks at the PINpoint, briefly tempted to say 'no', but knows better. Events weren't entirely restricted to personal matters, and may very well affect events in her own near future.

As events pertained to international relations, yes.

It will require time, but I will let you know I just spent the last couple weeks in Manchuria, apparently now called Manchukuo.

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Somewhere across decades, in another New York, secure in the knowledge that she cannot hear him, The Shadow swears profusely. Such events transpired so long ago, for him. Now that he is reliving it remotely through her, history seems to be advancing too quickly to keep up. He has been busy in her absence, pushing himself to return to his usual duties against any medical advice. There is no one else he can trust to perform certain aspects of his work.

Understood. In your own time.

He is not a naturally patient man, but he tries to school himself to it.

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Also, news from The Chief: events in Europe progressing well.

Need to catch up on sleep.  Will notify when ready.

Myra had nearly forgotten in the haze from the whirlwind events, that she had talked to Burbank shortly before sending The Shadow her second reply. She had reported a summarized version, and would provide more details to him eventually, but she had requested a moment to collect herself in order to provide a more complete report.

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It still bothers him to see someone else referred to as 'the Chief', even when that someone is his own alternate. At the very least he is willing to give her that moment to collect herself unasked.

Sleep. Not needed immediately. Glad to have you back.

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Thanks.

Talk to you soon

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A new number appears on The Shadow's PINpoint with a terse message as part of its accompaniment.

We need to talk. It may be a while.

A set of coordinates labeled "Twambley" appear on the PINpoint

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While he recognizes the alias, the Old Tiger wonders if it implies some subtle jab. At least he has had some measure of forewarning. This meeting is not likely to be pleasant for either of them, but it seems best to get it over with.

Early evening, tomorrow.

Only his current work prevents him from making the appointment an immediate one.

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Received.

He assumes the Old Tiger knows what accommodations are available in the Twambley apartment, one of them not being air conditioning.

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((Twambley apartment))

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Notice: Reldon unavailable for a few days. Medical. No emergency.

Discovery of the reason was inevitable, but there was little point to including more details than he deemed necessary.

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Damn. I don't have immediate need of her, but still...

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Sayre will monitor progress. You will be notified when she is released for duty.

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Thank you.

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blind-masseur.livejournal.com

((Heh, couldn't resist before I went off to bed.))

A message flashes onto The Shadow's PINpoint only minutes after he's returned home. It's a voice-mail.

"Shadow-san. Get some sleep. Whatever was troubling you will be there when you wake up. If you need the Anma, you know where to find me."

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The reply comes some four hours later, potentially waking Ichi wherever he may be. His voice is tired yet, which should be little surprise after only a few hours of sleep, but lighter than before.

"You sure you're not just after your sake? Let me know and I can arrange something. Work is routine, at the moment."

He is almost never not working, of course, but there are some things that can be put aside for the sake of a visit.

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blind-masseur.livejournal.com

Ichi wakes with a snort and fishes groggily for the device. At least The Shadow sounds a bit better. The voice that replies is ragged with the sound of having just woken up.

"Whatever works for you, Shadow-san." There's a yawn at the end that's clipped off, but Ichi's awake now, and he's never been one to care if he's awake during night or day.

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Hm. I'll stick to tea-" A cough interrupts the message, underscoring the statement. "But I can have sake hot at the apartment in half an hour or less. Same coordinates as before." They are attached again, as an afterthought, just for Ichi's convenience.

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blind-masseur.livejournal.com

"I'll join you for the tea. Bring a bottle of sake if you want, though."

Half an hour later, a minute or so late, Ichi PINpoints into the Rettigue apartment.

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"I wanted to let you know that my life has gotten slightly less ridiculous.

No more weird phone calls, or other surprise unpleasantness... ess. No, just "unpleasantness," that's the right word.

Thank you again for all of your help."

Edited Date: 2009-11-22 02:46 pm (UTC)

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That's very good to hear. If it had traced the call, I would have been glad to make a visit to the caller...

All the same, it's better if the trouble is over. Don't hesitate to contact me if that or something like it ever comes up again.

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There is little to report from the Nexus.

I have described people to the best of my ability. I must note that I have difficulty distinguishing between the various races, as the differences are rarely in the bone. If I saw these people again, I would recognize them, but I doubt that the methods I use would be of any practicality to anyone else.

This represents quite a bit more people than I have seen lately, but my perception of time and space is rather erratic even when I am in my own world.

A question from a young man named Kaito (or possibly his alternate; he was dressed differently than normal, though this is not a reliable metric). You may have met him before - light skinned, possibly Asian, in his late teens or twenties, blue hair, slender build, average height. Normally wearing a scarf, today dressed like a toy soldier and asking about the strangest thing people have done for their carreers.

A fair Caucasian man who appeared to be in his late teens or early twenties, wearing glasses, curly brown hair, average height and slight build, dressed casually in button that would be appropiate for a business-casual situation in standard earth 2009. He was holding a large, old, very dusty book; I could not see the title of it. He asked what it felt to be out of place and added that he was writing a poem.

What appeared to be a prepubescent rodent-girl holding a doll that looked like herself. Caucasian? (her body-fur was midway between peach and tan), green eyes, glasses, shoulder length dark brown hair, and an extremely squeaky, high-pitched voice that reminded me of someone who had inhaled helium. She appeared to be of average build for a human girl of similar apparant age and height; I did not get the impression she was skinny or fat. I am not sure of what kind of rodent she is; she has protrusive, curved front teeth, but no visible tail. She entered speaking to someone not present, and appears to be a newcomer to the Nexus. I am speaking to her, as she appears a bit alarmed and lost.

Animal-like people are not uncommon in the Nexus, though I have the impression that cat-people are more common. Children, too, are not rare.

A text question asking about best Christmases and solicting advice for snowball fights against superpowered relatives.

A fair Caucasian man in his twenties, collar-length brown hair, average height, slight build, dressed as for business in a brown jacket, button down suit and tie, asking how one celebrates the holidays when everything is unraveling.

A pubescent woman appearing to be in her teens, slightly olive or dusky skinned, dark brown hair, wearing a uniform from McDonalds, longish dark brown hair pulled back so that I could not see the exact length, dark eyes. Average height and build. Wore a uniform from McDonalds and a string of glowing lights. Asked what one gets for a guy who has literally nothing.

Two text questions, the first about what keeps you going and the second about who you feel responsible for. The first claimed it was from someone named 'Gloria' and had a very different tone and voice from the second.

Beyond that:

The mistletoe is still up. I have not found any other area-effect LOLs. The anti-violence field does not appear to be in unusual or above-normal motion. I have not had any trouble in traveling to any of the worlds I regularly frequent. I slept in the Nexus last night, and when I woke, my home was covered in what appeared to be snow but turned out to be large, flat, snow-like flakes of sugar. This has never happened before, but does not seem out of character for the Nexus. Someone attached a gigantic poinsettia to the toe of the Giant Red High Heeled Shoe. Last year, I believe, it was a cluster of holly leaves.

Merry Christmas! Thankyou for the stocking and the skull. They are very nice! I know exactly where to keep the skull. I have presents and stuff from you, but will not send them until I am sure it would not cause you trouble for them to appear.

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((Oh my! I didn't really expect in-character reports! This is delightful to read though, especially the 'rodent-girl' ;-D ))

Report received.
Replied to some of these by text. Anything material can be PINpointed to the apt. under name James Rettigue (coordinates attached) I take Nexus visitors there on request but I cannot always be relied upon to be there. Working part time in my alternate's world and often unavailable until case with Shiwan Khan is resolved.

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((I was bored and it seemed like a good idea at the time! Besides, this means someone else gets the benefit of Metody's highly individual version of what 'twenty four hours' is!))

Okay. Have sent stuff to the apartment. if there is anything I am missing in the report, please let me know.

My home is infested with mouse-sized reindeer, all with glowing noses. Wretched Nexus!

A package is PINned into Rettigue's apartment. It has two parts. The first is food, and packed in sealed bags of ice: A generous slice of goosebreast, two slices of venison, little containers of orange sauce and horseradish sauce, containers of pearl onions and potatos, that awful greenbean dish with the cream of mushroom soup and a paper packet of onion crispies, a little thing of cranberry sauce, a purple chopped salad that tastes of seafood but has the texture of chicken salad, a bag of candied nuts, a roast sweet potato, a small jar of molasses-black honey labeled 'winter 2009' and a little dish of butter. Also included is a plastic plate and plastic silverware.

The second part of the package is presents. They're wrapped in deep blue velvet with strings of seed beads and silver ribbons coiled around them. Inside are soft, warm gloves, a skullcap that would likely fit nicely under a standard hat, and a long scarf, all finely knit in black. There is also a folding knife made out of bone. It is a little larger than a pocketknife, and if opened, proves to be remarkably sharp.

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