10

[chalicejoker]

[A - 2239 Stevens]

[Hajime goes out to get the mail this morning, and, to his surprise, there are two small packages addressed to him. He knows others have been getting things back from home, so he quickly takes them inside, parks himself at the kitchen table, and opens them up to take a look. At this point, he's not too worried about any potential disastrous effects from his packages--he's already gotten back the worst of what he could regain.

The first, slightly heavier envelope, contains an assortment of odd-looking playing cards. He's clearly pleased as he flips through them; he almost has all of his cards back now. Only the Royal Undead are missing, and as far as he can remember, he never had the King to begin with... The second envelope was roughly the same size, and he's assuming the remaining two cards are in there.

To his surprise, a photograph slides out. He kind of locks up when he sees it; this is really the first he's seen of his adoptive family since he came to Mayfield, and this picture in particular is rather important to him. He likely won't notice anyone coming into the room for a bit and is ripe to be surprised.

[B - John Doe Park]

[Hajime is spending a rather quiet afternoon out in the park. He'll be out through the early evening. You might find him out and about photographing things. He might also be seated on a park bench, changing the film in his camera or examining the cards and photograph he just regained.]

Comments

B;

[encored]

[it isn't often he sees people taking pictures of anything in town, so he stops on his way through the park to watch the stranger for a few moments before piping up.]

Are you a photographer, or simply looking for something?

B

[chalicejoker]

[Hajime glances at the one asking him the question before snapping another shot.]

Just a photographer. It's something I did quite a bit back home.

[encored]

I see. Don't you find the scenery here to be a little... lacking, as far as inspiration goes?

[a genuine question; most of the novelty Mayfield had to offer wore off after about a year for him. there isn't much of anything he'd find particularly photograph-worthy.]

[chalicejoker]

[He takes another picture of some random scenery.]

It's excruciatingly boring subject matter for the most part...but there's still some value in it. Lets me hone my skills.

[encored]

Sensible, I suppose. [but scenery aside, that gives him an idea.] You ought to try taking pictures the next time the town starts acting up.

[chalicejoker]

[Hajime arches an eyebrow.]

The next time that happens, I'll probably be busy with more important things.

[encored]

[oh right, that whole 'trying to survive' thing people did... one shoulder lifts in a nonchalant semi-shrug.]

It was just a suggestion to keep in mind. There is a surprising amount of rest time in between attacks, injuries or death in most cases.

[chalicejoker]

That's probably for the best.

[He casually takes a few shots of a tree.]

Most around here would not adapt well to a constant flow of battle.

[encored]

Most around here don't adapt well to anything. [which is just his humble opinion, but one he'd stick by since his opinion of the town on a whole is pretty low.]

Everyone would agree that the occasional break is nice, though.

[chalicejoker]

Some do, some don't. Just like it is anywhere else.

[A very rueful smile passes across Hajime's face for a brief moment.]

Even so, that break's a bit of a change for some.

[encored]

You should hear the amount of complaining done on a regular basis. [even though it's all valid complaining since nearly every change in Mayfield is for the worse, and he complains too.

another somewhat lazy shrug.] But that much is true. It's almost more irritating that they throw the breaks in, to be honest. It's such a pain, getting used to boring town life and having it thrown off again repeatedly.

[chalicejoker]

I've heard enough of it. The energy spent complaining would probably best be placed towards other things...even if any complaint about this place is probably valid.

[He shrugs.]

I like to look at it as just giving life a bit of variety.

[encored]

While the complaining is tedious, what else can they do?

[he shifts to rest his hands against his hips, arching a brow in clear amusement.] Yes, it's certainly a bit of variety. I'm certain everyone appreciates the mixed bag of life and death here.

[chalicejoker]

That's just one more irritating thing about this place, isn't it? Being unable to control one's fate...

[He reads that amusement and isn't quite sure what to make of it.]

You could say I'm still somewhat unused to having downtime like this.

[Granted, that was something he was working on adapting to before coming to Mayfield...]

[encored]

Calling it an irritation may be a bit of an understatement in the eyes of some. [which would include him if he happened to be honest with himself, which isn't the case.]

Is that so? These past few months have been some of the quietest that I can remember.

[chalicejoker]

Very true.

[He shrugs.]

I've only been here a few months. Aside from the town's general bouts of strangeness, it's been relatively quiet by my standards, yes.

[encored]

Do you come from a busy lifestyle? [there's a marginally uninterested but semi-polite note curiosity behind his question] The difference would be striking for someone like that, I'd imagine.

[chalicejoker]

You could call it that, yes.

[Just going to take another random shot of something and look a little bored as he says that.]

[encored]

[he watches in silence for a moment, at least marginally interested in the art of photography. when he speaks up again, there's a vague sort of disinterest in his tone.]

Well, don't get too comfortable with the down time. The slew of new arrivals seems an ill omen to me.

[chalicejoker]

I'm always ready for a battle. Always.

[encored]

For your own sake, I do hope that isn't an exaggeration.

[he shifts his weight so he's balanced on the tips of his toes for a moment before setting them flat against the ground again, seemingly ready to carry on with his walk.] --Ah, your name?

[chalicejoker]

[At that, Hajime sort of glances appraisingly at the other, like he's briefly sizing him up for a fight.]

I assure you, it's not. I'm quite capable.

I'm Hajime Aikawa. And you?

[encored]

[the look certainly isn't missed, though he doesn't address it with anything outside of a vaguely amused smile.]

Excellent. All too often, people find themselves struggling here because they aren't. [he inclines his head forward just slightly in greeting.] My name is Charles.

[chalicejoker]

This isn't a kind place to those who cannot fight.

[Hajime nods in return at the name.]

[encored]

An unavoidable truth. [his nose wrinkles for a moment like he's displeased with something, but it doesn't last long.]

Well, I'm going to finish my walk. If you'd ever like to photograph a more interesting landscape [understatement of the century] feel free to stop by my house. I'm at 767 Bunker Street. There are several large rose bushes and a bull in the front lawn, you can't miss it.