2021-01-31 To the Pain
To The Pain
Participants: Patrick Haruka Kwan Julith Kiyoshi Clover Robert Minerva
Storyteller: User:Polk
Location: Paul's Kitchen
Date and Time: January 31, 2021
Summary: Certamen, but no death
Mood Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoX5Nwznlko
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The scene: Paul's Kitchen is a quaint 'mom and pop' Chinese restaurant located in the Fashion District of Downtown Los Angeles. A staple since the late 60's, the small restaurant and tea house sits among similar small businesses within what was once the city's fashion industrial sector. Traditionalists would know the location as the Akashic Brotherhood's mission where they conduct business while also welcoming visiting or newly arrived members of their order. One would need to only come in and order a meal, requesting it to be made 'to ba jou', and they will soon be visited by an emissary from the ancient Tradition.
This afternoon, though, the restaurant has been closed for lunch with signs indicating it as reserved for a 'special party'. The main dining room is empty and the kitchen has been prepared for the challenge agreed upon by two of the city's most notable Tradition members. A small buffet has been setup to one side with items from the complete menu as well as various choices of tea and soft drinks. A single bottle of fifteen year Macallan whiskey is present with a note that simply says: "Do not touch!"
Kwan Seong stands with Kiyoshi near a large convection oven, currently set to a blistering temperature with it's door propped open. The mid-thirties Korean-Nepalese woman is wearing a pretty yellow dress of East Asian design and she stands in a well balanced posture next to the ovean, a calm and serene expression on her face as she waits for everyone to gather.
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Haruka comes wearing a trenchcoat, driven over in Thomas's red Ferrari. She carries a fancy, high-tech helmet. Taking a deep breath, she takes the coat off, revealing her suit of power armor beneath in all its glory. Wearing it, she aprpoaches Kwan. "Thank you for agreeing to resolve this. Like, the sooner it's over, the sooner we can get back to work." She then finds a space off to the side,and opens up the suit.
Putting the helmet on the suit, she gets out. Weraing her cyan spandex pilot suit, with matching booties and gloves, she will step up to the oven, pulling off one glove, and wriggling her fingers.
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Kiyoshi, on the other hand, looks decidedly worried. His smooth brow is furrowed and his gaze downcast. It's entirely possible that he doesn't like what's happening at all, but doesn't feel it's his part to say. He's mostly here to assist Kwan in whatevershe needs. He is dressed conservatively in a white button-down shirt, black vest, black slacks, and black dress shoes instead of his usual sneakers. Kiyoshi smiles at Haruka as she approaches, giving her a small bow, then looks to Kwan. "Is there anything I can do for you, Sister?"
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Minerva makes her way in, tucking her phone into a hidden pocket in her skirt and pausing back near the entrance, gaze scanning theroom with a gimlet eye. Not finding whatever it was she clearly didn't want to find she relaxes visibly and makes her way fully in.
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Robert looks mildly concerned, but the man is quiet as he takes a position to observe. He's got a first aid kit ready just in case something goes wrong, but hasn't even put on something a little more respectable than his beat up labcoat. He takes a spot with decent vision, and ability to respond quickly if his first aid kit is needed.
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Kwan clasps her hands in front of her against the lower tummy of her pretty little dress. She turns toward Kiyoshi and regards his worried expression for a lingering moment before answering in a soft, near-tender voice. "Begin by easing the worry that is rising from within you. Help instill a sense of calm as this emotional event commences and..." light-brown eyes turn toward the group as it gathers, all while her voice adopts a more firm and commanding tone, "...make sure -no one- steps foot in the circle, no matter what happens."
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A black sedan pulls up, being driven by Niles. Patrick steps out and calmly enters the kitchen. He looks to Kwan and offers a nod to her. "Thank you for your help. And for hosting." He then looks to Haruka. "Let us settle this and be done. I wish you luck." He then steps to the side and places his staff against a wall and reomevs his robes. He is wearing pants and sandals and is actually in really decent shape for such an old man. He steps up to the oven. "When you both are ready."
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People would notice several scars over Patricks body.
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A woman walks in wearing a black hoody and black jeans. She makes her way to the side immediately upon entering and finds a place to sit, somewhere near the back, remaining quiet and unobtrusive. She keeps her hands in her lap and sits straight backed in the chair, waiting patiently as she watches the proceedings.
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Kwan inclines her head to both Haruka and Patrick as each address her, then she moves to stand in front of the oven. The heat wafting out of the open door is quite hot enough to stir the locks of her hair as it mixes with the 'cooler' air of the warm kitchen. Beads of sweat will form on her neck in no time.
Addressing the larger group, "We have all gathered here this afternoon to witness the settling of a dispute between two members of our society, Patrick Cornelius Belford, bani Tytalus of the Ascension Lodge, and Haruka Watanabe of the Glendale Tool Company." Kwan adopts a pleasant smile again, calm and confident, as she continues in a soft and tender voice. "Theirs will be a contest of physical endurance and strength of will, both measured as a test of their conviction. Let it be clear, though, that no matter who wins this contest, their dispute shall be considered resolved by everyone when it is concluded."
Gesturing for both Patrick and Haruka to get into position, Kwan will help as needed to position their hands and forearms in place, ready to begin. "And so we will begin when you both are ready."
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Kiyoshi nods at what Kwan says to him, closing his eyes and clasping his hands in a similar fashion, looking almost meditative for a moment before he opens his eyes again. Then he looks upon the combatants with a cool, rather detached gaze, or as he much as he can muster for the moment.
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Patrick nods a single time to agree with Kwan and then raises an outstretched hand calmly. "I accept and prepared..." He says in anold and tired voice.
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Haruka stretches her arms out behind herself. Dressed lightly. In her combat uniform. Everything covered but the one hand. Looking over to Patrick. "This ends now. Then we get back to work." Then to Kwan. "Ready." Bare fingers wriggling, she offers her wrist to be guided.
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Minerva offers her arm to a spectator for a lean in if she's willing to take it. She's definitely watching the happenings with curiousity but she murmurs very softly to the spectator as she does so.
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Kwan immediately turns on the toes of her cute, yellow high-heeled sandals so she is facing the oven, back to the crowd. "Then, please... begin."
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Patrick remains quiet as his hand is inserted into the heat of the oven. He turns to stare Haruka in the eyes with a straight face.
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Haruka is off to a bad start, but she grits her teeth and remains in.
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Kwan is ever calm as she stands at the ready to jump in if someone passes out. Otherwise, she stands between but slightly behind the two now with her back facing the crowd.
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The woman in the back watches on, quietly observing. She takes out her phone and beings to tap away at it without ever looking down. She seems intuitively used to being able to manipulate the device without so much as a glance. He fingers dance over the screen and it doesn't bother her in the least to do two things at once.
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Haruka goes a good while without so much as flinching, but she has another spasm of pain. She flexes her hand held in place, and grunts. "Way of the future," she whispers.
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At some point Clover had made it to the challenge, though uninterested in putting her mouth in her foot she stays wisely quiet, stepping carefully through the crowd for a front row spot.
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Patrick grits his teeth momentarily but nods to Haruka quietly.
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A first aid kit has also been procured as well as... massage oils, body creams and incense? Kwan, Kiyoshi, and the Akashic Brotherhood seem prepared to handle any lasting damage from the ordeal once it is complete.
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Patrick tenses a bit but holds fast.
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Haruka lets out a grunt now, as the heat throbs. But she's not so much as moving from her spot yet.
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Kwan stands calm and serene, well balanced in her emotion even as the two begin to suffer in front of her. She clasps her hands behind her at the small of her back and stares ahead, into the shimmering heat of the oven.
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Patrick seems to sweat a bit from the heat and clinches his teeth.
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Patrick grunts slightly.
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Haruka has gotten into a rhythm. Her hand is burning. It hurts. But she's not going to give this one up. Not for her friends, her mentor, her heroes.
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Patrick starts growling, trying to contain the pain.
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The woman in the back watches intently and begins to sniff the air to see if she can smell the sizzling flesh of the participants yet. She does not have a good view from the back of the room, nor does she move to get a better one, but there were other senses to explore and she focuses on scent.
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Patrick's eyes roll back and his knees buckle from beneath his body weight. He has collapsed. Hand blistered and burned...
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"Kiyoshi!" Kwan speaks swiftly before she unclasps her hands and steps forward, slipping in behind Patrick and grabbing himfrom behind. She grunts softly and does her best to drag him away from the oven over to a clear spot on the floor.
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Haruka is straining hard. Face twisted. But then Patrick falls. She gawks, and then well, lets herself go. Once it's confirmed Patrick is out, she just lets herself stagger and fall on her butt. "Owo wow ow I need a freeze ray owowowowwo oh my god" she whimpers, sweating, barely on the edge of consciousness.
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Clover would attend Haruka if not prevented, a simple first aid kit and some disinfecting burn spray at the ready.
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Kiyoshi quickly moves to help Kwan with Patrick, pulling him back to the floor with his fellow Akashic. "What can we do forhim, Sister?" He looks across with alarm at Haruka as she exclaims in pain, too. "Clover, do you need any assistance!"
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Minerva hisses and shakes her head as she watches the denouement, and perhaps thanks her lucky stars she's not on either side. There is no clapping, and she stays well out of the way of the people who can actually get in and heal them.
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Kwan 's light-brown gaze sweeps the gathered crowd. The hint of a fond smile threatens an appearance as Clover steps forward to tend to Haruka, though it's Kiyoshi she speaks to as she helps Patrick from the floor. "My oils and lotions, please. I can tendto her hands, after, if she would like me to."
Looking toward the crowd, "Could someone fetch the Macallan by the buffet? I was saving it for the challengers to share as a sign of resolution." She doesn't wait for an answer before turning to Patrick. "May I tend to your hands, Chancellor?"
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Haruka lets Clover tend to her hand. Breathing shallowly, wincing as her bright red hand is tended to. "Chanc... Chancellor," she stammers. Sharp, fast breaths. "Next time... let's be... on the same side... You're tougher than you look"
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Clover sits on her bum beside her teacher and boss, going for a second spray that can at least dull the pain before simple treated bandages are wrapped, then a protective layer. Clover comments frankly to Haruka, but quietly, "Your fingernails are really damaged.You both are insane." There's not judgment in her voice, but she seems to feel the weight of this event personally.
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Minerva is leaning in to her friend in the back and speaking softly, perhaps discussing the philosophical underpinnings of intermural conflict resolution.
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Patrick grunts a bit and comes to. He says, "It is done... Please fetch Niles." He then shakes his head to Kwan. "No.. This wound is needed.. Leave it be."
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Kiyoshi rushes to grab Kwan's supplies from the counter, and the first aid kit, too. He brings it back to Kwan and stares at the awakening Patrick with visible alarm on his face, exchanging glances with his fellow Akashic.
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The woman at the back stands when the contest is called over, but doesn't leave. She continues to tap across her phone and observe,sending and communicating as necessary. A blondish-brown curl of hair falls out from the hood of her sweatshirt when she stands andshe brushes it back inside with a casual swipe of her hand.
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Kwan steps away from Patrick and inclines her head. "Of course, Interim Chancellor." She turns away from him so she can collect her massage oils and skin creams from Kiyoshi. Her fellow Akashic's glance is met with a fond smile, "Thank you, Brother.", before she turns to approach Haruka and Clover. "May I see to your hands, Haruka?"
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Haruka nods to Patrick. "Be ... careful." Still breathing shallowly after Clover takes fcare of the initial first aid, she looks upto Kwan. "Okay..." She looks over to the spectators. Particularly one spectator, to whom she mouths "I'll be fine."
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Niles enters and moves to collect Patrick and his things. He remains quite but knows what to do. Patrick mutters, "You will have your letter as agreed apon.." And then Niles gets him to the car and they drive off.
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Kwan kneels down next to Haruka and sets her oils and creams down on the floor beside her before she takes the woman's injured hand within her own. A glance is cast toward the others and the first real betrayal of emotion appears, curiosity in this case. "Please, help yourself to some food. Clear your minds and calm your hearts. The dispute has been settled and we are once again friends."
The Akashayan quiets at that and turns her focus back to the challenge winner. She settles in to provide a tender, and rather affectionate hand massage, all while humming softly under her breath as if in a trance. Haruka may interact over the next severalminutes, but Kwan herself is 'in the zone'. Eventually, when it is all said and done, the burns are gone and Haruka's hand is healed.
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The woman at the back of the room finally slips out, quietly sliding her phone into her pocket as she exits Paul's Kitchen. Her heavy boots clomp along as she moves out into the streets of downtown LA.
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Minerva watches Patrick go with a small shake of her head and turns to her friend. "Gosh sometimes I hate being right." she says and then, not at all willing to let food go to waste, she gestures for the Etherite to join her and heads to the steamer baskets and looks for the xiaolongbao.
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Haruka sits there, letting Clover and then Kwan do their thing. Once she's feeling, well, remarkably better, she exhales. "Good cream," she whispers. "I could eat, Thank you." She then slowly stands. and trise putting the glove back on. "Should we open this now? I think some of us could use some of this," she'll sao to the drink.
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On the topic of Drink Clover shoots Haruka an impish grin. "I don't know, caaaan we?" No she's not old enough, yes this is common knowledge. SHe gets food but watches her boss's reaction closely.
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Kwan finally nods toward Haruka and offers a warm smile. "I'm sure someone can grab some glasses from the rack over there."She collects her items and returns them to the counter where the first aid kit was set, then she makes her way over toward the ovenand turns it off. As the others eat and drink, the Akashic will busy herself by cleaning up any signs of the earlier challenge.
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Minerva makes sure that her friend gets some soup dumplings and scallion pancakes and wings. "Should we go over and give our congratulations to the winner?" she asks her friend. And then says "I mean, if you need a hug first, I offer those freely too."
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