11317/Checking Up On The Tabloid Fodder

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Checking Up On The Tabloid Fodder
Date of Scene: 11 April 2020
Location: Wade Shaw's Condo, Claridge's, Midtown Manhattan
Synopsis: Murphy Checks up on Nick. Buffy swings by to introduce Katsumi
Cast of Characters: Phantasm (Drago), Karrin Murphy, Buffy Summers, Bakeneko




Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Well, it's been an eventful week, that's for sure. And with the incident outside the shelter making the tabloids, Nick has found himself with an extra few days before he has to go back to the shoot location.

So, with the extra few days off, Nick is taking advantage by staying in. While Wade is out, the musician is sprawled on the sofa, TV turned off and his attention entirely on a notepad in front of him. A kettle sits on the stove, slowly heating up.

Since Nick's inside, he's not wearing the knitcap and instead is wearing just a worn but comfortable looking gray tee and black lounge pants. While cut short at the moment, his hair has a bit of bedhead going on regardless.

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Well then, Karrin's got Easter off. So she's decided to come over and see Nick, because hey why not...why not drop in on him. She's not bought an Easter egg. Instead, she's made one by arranging candy bars to spell out his name. Looking over to the door, Murph knocks on it. "Hey Nick, it's me" she calls, "You up and awake?"

See. Murph's off the clock, no badge, no holster, her trunk in the Saturnn? Full of Easter gifts. One of which is heading, with Murph, towards Nick's condo. Watching the door, Karrin knocks on it and grins.

"C'mon, open up. I got you an Easter gift" she grins.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick glances up from the notebook, hearing the familiar voice. "Karrin?" He asks, not really expecting an answer as he closes the book, setting it down on the sofa along with the pen he was using as he got up from the sofa. "One sec."

Giving a stretch of the arms he pads on over, socks acting as his slippers to help travel the cool wood of the condo floor.

There's the sound of shuffling behind the door as Nick confirms who is on the other side of the door before unlocking it.

The door opens, looking to Karrin, and then the item in her hand. "Easter gift? That's a thing?"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"It is" Murph says fiercely. "At least, in SPECTRE anyhow" she says looking thoughtful. "Pooled our paychecks, got everyone we care about gifts. Honestly I'd rather work and protect people but that's just me. You think Harry would kill me if I got him socks?" she grins. "Actually. Don't answer that" she adds and looks pleased Nick's still alive.

"So, fess up. What were you doing to get into the tabloids?" she asks

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick gives a small smile as he steps aside, allowing Murphy time to step inside before closing, and locking the door behind them. Hearing the faint whispers coming from the tea kettle, he walks over to the counter to fetch two mugs out, setting it beside the stove before turning back to Karrin.

The inquiry into the tabloids gets a sigh. "That depends." Nick responds, "WHICH tabloid story are you talking about?"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Murph laughs gently. "The one about you and the photo gallery. Off the record, what went on? I was worried about you but it looks like you got it handled" Murph nods looking just a little relieved. "See, you even got coffee. See" Murph nods. "I'm glad I drove over here though" she grins.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"That, really does not narrow it down," Nick replies, giving a chuckle and a shake of the head, "Most tabloid articles have pictures when a celebrity is involved."

He leans against the counter, crossing his arms, "But I'm assuming you're talking about the one that gave me a few extra days off." A glance shifts over to a trashcan where a copy Wade brought over is residing. "Thing about Papparazzi is that they don't expect to sell every picture they take, they just take a lot and hope one of their shots ends up having a pay day by the celeb doing something newsworthy. Seems one of them latched on when I went into the hospital with my guitar and just followed along for the rest of the day. Looks like it paid off later."

He pauses as he turns to the stove, removing the now whistling kettle from the source of he heat, transferring it over to another burner and cutting off the other.

He turns to reach into a cabinet, pulling out one green tinted packet, "I stuck around to make a statement so its on record. I didn't use any powers or anything. Tea or cocoa?"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"Cocoa" Karrin says quickly looking like she walked into that one. "Yes, but I said photo gallery. Which means more than one photo. Yeah that article. See. You're doing good work" she admits taking a look around the condo. Looks as neat as ever, Karrin thinks with a grin watching Nick for a moment then grins. "Ah, you and I both know how cruel the media can be" she says simply.

"See" Karrin nods, finding a spot to sit. "So you got time off, what's up then?" she muses, finding a spot to settle finallly and relaxes.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods, reaching back in to the cabinet to pull out a larger white package. "It's the dirty side of fame." He agrees, looking back to the mugs to continue prepping them.

"The article actually summed it up ok. I was dropping off my violin for maintenance and picked up my guitar. I was near a hospital so on a whim I checked if the children's wing would like any impromptu music. After they checked me out, I played a few songs. Ran into a nice girl and on my way home I stopped by New Hope Shelter to see if they needed any help. "

After opening the packets and putting the contents into their respective mugs, Nick reaches a hand over to grab the kettle by the handle, bringing it towards the mugs. "They were slammed and needed someone to drop off some of their surplus stuff at another shelter so I left my guitar in one of the offices and took the box over- annnnd that's how we ended up with that big photo."

After pouring the hot water into their mugs, he sets the kettle back down on one of the stove burners. "Studio's giving me a few extra days before I head back in case there are follow up questions."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Karrin nods and watches Nick pour the water in, looking relieved he's (apparently) alright. Shaking her head Murph nods and looks for sugar and marshmallows and creamer and things, too. Can't have cocoa without all the neeeded things...

"Hang on. You're telling me the tabloids ran an accurate story? jesus Christ, that's a first" Karrin says with a smile. "Had to happen eventually however huh?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well, when the truth is stranger than fiction," Nick replies, pulling out a spoon to stir up the cocoa. He grabs the tea mug and steps away, granting Karrin access to her mug in case she wishes to modify it any further.

"They left out some things but they didn't make anything up. So that's a win for them." He moves over to the table, setting the container down before pulling out a napkin to set to the side of it. "For one, they did not point out that a loaded down bookbag will do for a weapon in a pinch."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"True" Karrin muses looking thoughtful. "Though let's be honest, truth is often weirder than fiction" Karrin shrugs. "So they did good being accurate is what you're saying?" Murph asks. Oh she wants to add all the accessories to her cocoa. Yes. Yes please.

Turning she looks to Nick and grins. "Ever thought of a career punching bad guys in the nose?" she nods, saluting with her cocoa and sips it with a grin.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers has had some extra time on her hands, between spring break, fewer hours at work and with Thomas away for a few days at a busomess meeting out of town, she had grown restless. She was also concerned about Nick after being dragged out of a nightclub gone bad in addition to a tabloid announcement recently. She also hoped to introduce Katsumi to her friends properly, and so had dragged her along with her on her way to Nick's condo. "Cmon Kats, let's introduce you properly!"

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro has not been feeling so hot. After the nightclub, wherein she just wanted ONE NIGHT to share something she cared about with a new friend, guns were drawn and fights broke out. Not the fun kind of fight, but the sort with deadly weapons being aimed at the few people she gives a hoot about. Is she cursed? Is that it? Her life is so beyond destroyed that she can't even have just one night to be happy?

Katsumi had hidden herself away in her hotel room for a couple days, miserably self-reflective. Buffy had to manually bug her to make herself presentable. But now, in the wake of her murmuring repeated apologies to Miss Summers over the incident in which she had zero control, they're here. "You sure about this?," asks a very flat-voiced, unenergetic diva.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
A brow raises as Karrin mentions punching people in the nose before glancing away, checking the tint of the water the teabag was seepng in. "Punching bad people? Yes. Making a career of it? No. I think I get paid more with the music and acting gigs. Should probably milk that for all its worth before I no longer can."

Nick lifts the tea bag out, setting it onto the napkin, watching as the moisture seeps into it, "Got to go with what you're good at, right?"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Murph's settled in a chair and looks pleased with the cocoa concocction. Cococation, even as she sips it silently just enjoying the peace and quiet. See. See. Karrin, Buffy's BFF, is in the sort of mood that's lending itself to staring into mugs of cocoa and self reflecting. Which is exactly what she's up to now.

She lifts her gaze and looks to Nick. "See, you're not that bad are you? I still remember your mom freaking out about strangers, but you're a musician, You play to crowds whenever you take the stage" Karrin nods

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles as she leads Katsumi to the front door, finding Nick's room number and pressing the buzzer, "Cmon, it'll fine, I promise! And well just have to make up fir the last night, honestly don't feel bad..,I'm a bit of a trouble magnet myself.."

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro exhales a gentle sigh, her head hanging with her face framed in a curtain of silky black hair. She'd look like an onryu if she were whiter. "I'll make it up to you," she murmurs to her. And in the back of her mind, she assures herself that someday she'll get to do karaoke again. Every time she tries in the States, something stops her. Whether an overzealous person who thinks they're helping, or a two-bit hood with a gun.

She remains silent when the door is buzzed, and when it's subsequently answered. "And.. sorry I dragged you out of there. I just- I didn't want you getting shot. I freaked," she murmurs a little quieter, to not be heard over the security.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick pulls out his chair to sit next to his tea. "Well, I think mom had a good reason to..." He tries to come up with a more suitable term for his mother, "... be overly cautious. I don't know much about my father but I know enough to know he's not a good person." A finger taps on the handle of the mug, "I've had difficulties. But the music is pretty good therapy most of the time."

The musician glances up as he hears a buzz. "Hmm. Doorman must be taking a break..." Getting up, he moves over to the intercom, pressing the button to speak, "Yeah?"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Watching her cocoa, Murph perks up hearing a buzz. "See. I don't use the intercom. I knock and wait" she nods looking thoughtful. "Wonder who is outside. I've not got my gun or badge but I can throw cocoa mugs at people huh?" she laughs not getting up from her spot yet. If anything, she's waiting right there in her seat.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers evidently doesn't visit Nick's condo as regularly, she peers over the intercom and smiles, "Hey Nick, it's me Buffy. I'm here with Katsumi, mind if we come in?" glancing at Katsumi, she shrugs and grins, "No sweat, I know my way around guns." no she's not bulletproof but.."Honestly it's fine, gut reaction. You responded well to the situation. Too bad I didn't get to introduce you to Nick,."

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro isn't pleased with that answer, and it isn't Buffy's fault. She knows Buffy can probably handle herself, with everything that's been said. But still. She freaked. Buffy didn't. She panic-dragged the Slayer away to safety. She knows why she did it - Buffy's a rare commodity in her life, and guns are terrifying. But that night was meant to be fun, and-

Her mind is on a loop. She nibbles the inside of her cheek. "He's the one that smacked that guy, right?," she asks. She isn't sure Buffy even saw that. "I- I don't know if I'm really in the best frame of mind to be meeting anyone who's important to you. I could be possessed, remember?" It's a vague plead to back out, and nakedly obvious.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"I think they're waiting to be let into the building." Nick replies after taking his finger off the button, "The doorman typically would let someone in but if he's on break and not there to monitor who comes in and out, well..."

Hearing Buffy's voice start up, he hits another button to signal that the door can be unlatched. "Come on in, Karrin's here too."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Murph nods. "Hey Buffy, c'mon in. We got cocoa" she says enthusiastically. As if her adding sugar wasn't bad enough, seeing Buffy brightens her day up more. See. See. Karrin's honestly, genuinely glad to see Buffy and Nick.

Going for a refill of cocoa Karrin grins looking amused at Buffy showing up here with, ah yeah, a friend.

See. Karrin's easy to please. And then some. And then some more...

"Gotta get a chair for Buffy and her friend yeah?" she asks Nick.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers doesn't seem phased by whatever is bothering Katsumi. "Cmon, you worry too much. It'll be fine!"she smiles reassuringly at her,patting her shoulder lightly before moving to open the door, guiding her towards Nick's condo. "I'm sure Nick is cool with it too, he's pretty chill." hopefully the door is open as she tries it, stepping in and peering around, "Heey Nick, Karrin! Wassup? I thought I'd drop by and check on you, I also wanted to properly introduce my friend, Katsumi!"

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro slinks in with Buffy like an uncertain kitten. Her arms fold around her torso, her head ducking again. But the interior gets a curious examining, at least. It's passing, but it keeps her from withdrawing further. "Hey..," she offers quietly, guarded. Considerably different from when she met Giles. "Sorry things went bad at the club," she adds to Nick, whom she does indeed recognize.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"On it." Nick replies, turning to the wall next to the kitchen table. Pulling off the decorative chairs from their individual hooks, he unfolds them and sets them down before tugging the table, the design of it causing for another leaf to glide out from underneath one of the visible ones to fill the gap of the parting table. Sliding the two chairs under the now four seater table, he has enough time to turn and smile in greeting to the two newcomers as Buffy opens the door. "Hey guys!"

He pauses, listening to Katsumi's apology before shaking his head. "No worries. It's not the first time that's happened."

He gestures over to the newly placed seats, "And good timing, kettle just came off the burner." He glances to Katsumi, "Would you like tea or cocoa?"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Karrin grins, looking to the kettle as she steps out of the way. Don't get between a big muscly wrestler girl and cafffeine. Even if Karrin knows martial arts. She could probably hold her own in a shoot fight, really...but....but....nope. Murph isn't trying her luck...yet. Instead she settles back on her seat. She'll get her cocoa after Katsumi does. Because, survival instincts

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro, big and muscly? Gosh no. She is, at best, sleek. Svelte. Lithe. Toned, but in no way bulgy. Well, except in normal, more feminine ways. But even then!

Katsumi regards Nick with a sad, somewhat crestfallen look and tiny, subdued frown that seems altogether too perfect on her pixie features. "That's the problem," she says quietly, cryptically. Her inhumanly magenta-hued gaze drops to her feet. "I don't wanna bug." Cocoa is a comfort food, right? It sounds good. But trusting a stranger in their house, even in these circumstances, feels so foreign. Nevermind that everyone here IS foreign to her. "But.. uh.. maybe the cocoa?" Her index fingers poke tentatively together at the tips.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick pauses in his walk over to the counter at Katsumi's mumur, looking to her curiously. When she states her choice he nods, "Cocoa it is."

Grabbing two more mugs and two more packets. One white, and one blue. Tea and cocoa added to their respective mugs, the hot water is soon added. "You're fine, Katsumi. I welcome the visit."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Murph settles in loooking to Katsumi. "You've nothing to be sorry about, seriously" Murphy says taking off her leather jacket and finally now hanging it over the back of her chair. She's gtot on jeans and a t-shirt and sneakers. Yeah. Murph wears /sneakers/. Whoa. Murph. Sneakers!

She gives Kats a questioning look. "You alright or you need a sympathetic ear?" she asks quietly.

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro seems disinclined to elaborate on whatever she meant. But being fussed over is also a thing to which she is unaccustomed. The fingertips poke together a couple times more. Poke-poke.

"Hnh?," she vocalizes inquisitively to Karrin. Did she know her? She doesn't look familiar. Was she there? It's possible. Maybe this Nick dude's date. Wait, wasn't he totally scoping out on Buffy? She glances about to those gathered, realizing just how uninformed she is. She moves a little further into the room, finally bringing her hands down to the sides of her skirt. Normally she'd have saucy things to say, but today - she's just not herself. "Nothing I really wanna talk about. Just mopey junk. Coping." She tightens her jaw a little in an effort to not look so miserable.

As she turns, she spots the assortment of instruments beneath the bed. Her eyes widen, mouth opening for a moment - and then she fidgetingly turns to Nick. "Will you get, um, super p***ed if I touch your instruments?" She points indicatively towards the bed.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick turns his head, blinking at the unexpected question. He turns his head, glancing to a wall clock to determine the time of day. "Sure, go ahead. But be careful, don't open any of the cases, and leave any notebooks you find where they lie. If you want to drum away, try using the drumpads. They won't disturb the neighbors."

He grabs the mugs and carries them over to the newly made spaces at the table, setting Katsumi's cocoa down in the empty spot. "Your cocoa's ready too."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Murph settles back into her new seat, not at the table, but she closes her eyes to rest for a while. Cocoa's good but she's sleepy though. She closes her eyes and plans to take a nap. Thta's the plan. But she goes and leaps off the cliff of sleep. In other words. Insert cartoon z's above her head and snoring sound effect. Or, Murph's asleep. As in, properly asleep...

Bakeneko has posed:
Narcolepsy is a hell of a thing!

Katsumi takes the invitation to immediately invade that bedspace. But it isn't to the guitars or cases she advances, but rather the keyboard. Her world is hyper-focused, noting the brand, the octave range, the condition of the instrument... and before she even realizes she's doing it, she's running a finger delicately along its back rim, as if affectionately stroking a pet. A quiet breath escapes her. She flips the power button. Should it not turn in with the familiar, faint hum of its kin, she'll hunt down a cord to plug in. Either way, she wants power in it.
hernce done, she moves a slender hand to the keys - and hesitates. A glance is cast back to the window, noting the light. A second more, and the fingers of her right hand dance over the keys in a delicate ascension of notes; first four, then five. A simplified preamble to Billy Joel's song "Just the Way You Are."

She pauses again in silence. After a couple heavy blinks, she directs her gaze to Nick, as if asking permission.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Feeling like he's being looked at, Nick glances up to see Katsumi looking towards him and gives a nod. "Good choice. Go for it. Volume's not set that high. Headphones are in the open equipment box if you need it louder."

Bakeneko has posed:
She doesn't need it louder. This isn't a performance. This is personal; a conversation with herself. Therapy, in a way.

Katsumi looks back down to the keyboard and positions herself a little more comfortably before it. Her mouth opens, but she stops. There's a tightness there, a haze threatening to spread. Her mouth closes again, and she gingerly taps out the beginning, upper octave notes of the lyrics with only the right hand. It gets past only the first stanza before her left hand joins to flesh out the melody. The notes remain light, but grow in richness and subtle complexity, adding trills and gentle runs.

The last four notes of the first verse are delivered with the same single-fingertipped delicacy as the opening, and she hesitates.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Katsumi plays and Murphy provides the accompiament by sawing lumber, Nick glances over to Buffy quietly sipping tea and lifts up his own mug, sipping away. He doesn't say anything else and instead quietly listens as Katsumi gets in some music therapy.

Bakeneko has posed:
There really is no other way to describe it. It doesn't make her feel better about things, but it allows her to center herself in a warm, familiar way. It allows her to say things she'd never otherwise let herself say - or admit.

When the second verse begins, it's a smooth, effortless roll of notes - not over-embellished, but allowed to breathe. Somewhere in the middle of it, Katsumi's eyes started to burn in an all-too-familiar feeling.

'Don't cry don't cry don't cry,' she mentally repeats to herself. She's in a stranger's home. She's playing music. She'd never live it down.

At the end of the second verse, which was allowed to be much more relaxed, there's only a light sniff in the lull going into the bridge.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick lowers his mug slightly, backing around to the kitchen, leaving Katsumi to just the view of the slumbering Murphy. He moves over to the counter, setting the mug down to turn his attention to the kettle, popping off the lid before he goes to put a bit more water in to bring up the levels some more.

Bakeneko has posed:
The rest of the song plays out, with Katsumi's gaze breaking from her handiwork only long enough to cast a surreptitious glance to the others. No one in sight.

Screw it.

The foreign girl lowers her defenses and lets the song do what she may have subconsciously been trying to from the start. The rest of the song is carried to the faint backdrop of crying and intermittent sniffles. And she does her best to not make poor Nick's keyboard gross.

The final notes of the song linger before falling completely into silence. And even though it's finished, Katsumi continues to stand over it, quietly reeling. But with her hands completely free, she can at last run the backs of her wrists against her damp, flushed cheeks.

"Stupid f***er, learn to wear sleeves," she discreetly admonishes herself. It takes her a while, but after a couple extra minutes, she decides she's as composed as she's going to get.

Katsumi emerges, head sheepishly low and hands linked together before her hips.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Katsumi finishes up her song, Nick has put the kettle back on the burner so there can be more hot water by the time the second round of drinks may be needed.

"Don't forget about your cocoa." Nick reminds as he hears Katsumi's shifting back over to their side of the wall. "It's set at the table. Seat next to the napkins."

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro gives a stiff, dutiful nod and inches her way to the table. A few self-conscious glances are given. Did he know? Is it secret? Is it safe?

She sits in front of the mug, staring down at it. "Th- that, um, is a nice k-keyboard," she mentions, a quaiver still creeping in the back of her voice.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick keeps his back to Katsumi as he straightens up the countertops, gathering up the torn packets to put into the trash with the discarded tabloid.

"Thanks. I might try to save money a lot of ways, but I try not to cheap out on the stuff I need for work."

The cupboard claps shut as Nick turns, grabbing some of the hot cocoa topping supplies Karrin pulled out, bringing it over to the table to set in the center. "In case you'd like to jazz up your cocoa a bit. I'm heating up some more water in case any of us would like a second drink."

He pauses, listening to the snoring in the other room, "I think she's done with hers though."

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro quietly appreciates the fact that he isn't facing her. She knows she must still look... well, not right. She paws patiently at her hair in an effort to settle it down, then takes another moment to wipe furiously at her criminally long eyelashes.

"Work..?," she asks. "What's that? I- I mean, like, what do you do? Not 'what is work', I'm not stupid," she pre-empts. Her normal self is starting to sneak back in.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Eh, a bit of this and that." Nick replies, trying his best to sum up the various types of jobs he does, as he runs out of things to look away "Entertainment basically. Mostly music related. Some acting." He pulls up the seat next to Katsumi, facing the empty seat that was Karrin's. "And what is it that you do? We didn't really get much of a chance for introductions last time."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers had sneaked into the other room for an extended phone chat with Thomas, actually, and had totally lost track of time when she returns. "Sorry about that! Got a bit distracted..How are things here?"

Bakeneko has posed:
She can't be sure she's in the clear, but time has run out. Nick will just have to be met with faintly streaky cheeks and reddened, puffy eyes for a little bit longer. Katsumi can tell the latter is still an issue, at least - her eyes are still stinging, still mildly raw. Sigh.

"No kiddin'?," she asks, her voice starting to normalize again. "That's what I was gonna do. I studied music and audio engineering in college, and oh my god, /way/ before that too." She puts on an only-slightly-strained cheeky smile. "Japanese parents, know what I'm sayin'?"

Finally, a light giggle escapes her. "Oh yeah, we didn't have much time. You were too busy eyeballin' the hot piece of blonde, as I recall!," she shamelessly accuses. "But I'm a professional wrestler."

She suddenly swallows.

"Was."

Thankfully, Buffy had returned! "Just talkin'. Missed me make the musics."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Your tea is probably getting cold, Buffy." Nick supplies, "But I'm heating up more water so there's a chance for seconds."

He turns his head, looking to Katsumi, aware that she had been crying but opting not to point it out. "I got into music when I was 18. No college. Just, a lot of work, practice, and training. Actually my roommate and I were bandmates when I started off. He now owns a recording studio."

He glances towards Buffy, shaking his head, "I wasn't eyeballing. I was saying hi. Like friends do when they run into each other."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers blinks, "Oh really? Was I gone that long.." she pouts, glancing around, "Darn, did Karrin leave? I must have lost track of time.." with a sigh, Buffy sinks into one of the chairs, "Soo what did I miss?"

Bakeneko has posed:
"Nothing," Katsumi replies instantly to Buffy, almost at a snappy level. She may not be able to physically hide it so well, but she doesn't have to admit anything. A follow-up glance is cast to Nick.

"Anyway..," she resumes more modestly, "You were totally eyeballing her. It's fine, it's like whatever." Teasing him seems to be putting her more at ease, letting her natural self seep back in. "And being in a band sounds cool. I only ever got to resample myself like four times to do mixes. Always thought working with another musician would be nice."

At last, the mug is raised between both palms. "I loved music. Still do. Had a real passion for it. But my heart belongs to body bodyslamming people and pinning'em down for an audience."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"She passed out on the sofa." Nick answered, "Seems cocoa has a sleepy effect on her."

Nick looks back to Katsumi, "Huh? No. I was saying 'hi'"

He shakes his head, listening to the rest of what Katsumi says about bodyslamming people for an audience. "I'm not that surprised at such a transition. The eight years before I switched over to music, I was pretty much made to fight other people." He lifts up his tea, the scar on his forearm exposed as he does so, "You guys ever notice there's kind of a rhythm when you fight?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smiles and nods, "Oh yeah, I mean the line between fighting and dancing is a fine one." she chuckles, "Sooo what exactly DID you do before you became a musician? I know you hinted at it before but I never got the full picture." she quirks a curious brow regarding Karrin, "Fell asleep huh, must have had a busy day. That's too bad we needed to catch up on stuff.." she sighs, glancing between the two of them, "Looks like Katsumi's learning to relax a little? That's good.."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks over to Buffy, "Exactly? I guess the easiest way to describe it is learning to survive?" He shakes his head, "Ok, oddly enough the most peaceful point of my childhood was in Gotham. With one major exception. I got shipped back to Hell's Kitchen when I was ten and the next six years was basically me learning how to defend myself from random jackasses coming out of the woodworks to attack me on a daily basis. Switched to homeschooling, got my GED. Then ended up working a convenience store where I got this."

He nods to the scar, "So- surviving. Coincidentaly enough, I got this scar on the night I ended up in a band so... funny that. All that fighting apparently gave me a great sense of rhythm."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers arches a curious brow at Nick as he reveals a bit more of his history which until now, she'd never bothered to ask about. "U, wow..I mean Gotham is nothing to laugh at either.." she sighs, shaking her head in disbelief. "You sure had it pretty rough..And all this time I just assumed you were just another spoiled, celebrity.." she frowns, "Sorry you had to go through all of that. And how are those scrims sticks working out for you?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"It's understandable. I don't like bringing up the past and it probably doesn't help that there's a whole stage persona thing either. And to be honest, before the accident, well, we did party a lot."

At the inquiry about the Escrima sticks, Nick smiles, "They're pretty alright. I've been practicing with them when I get a chance. But I didn't really have time to get them out of my bag when the guys in the van came up so I improvised."

He brings his arm back, mimicing the motion, "Slung my backpack off, and swung it by the tail at the guy with the bat and apparently got him in the head which seemed to slow him down enough for others to show up. So seems they hurt pretty good."

The smile widens, "Oh and added bonus. Turns out they ARE technically street legal so I was not in trouble when the cops showed up. So definite bonus there. They count as walking sticks."

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro had falle totally quiet while they geeked out about sticks and stuff. Normally she would've probably geeked out about music and fighting - by a /lot/ - but she had cocoa occupying her. And she needed a few more minutes to calm herself down from her earlier breakdown. She hadn't felt that... uncomfortably vulnerable in a long, long time. And of course it had to be in a stranger's home.

The mug is set back down, now empty.

A meek glance is shot between Buffy and Nick.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers hmms, "So any idea why those thugs were after you? I mean, didn't realize you were so high profile. Maybe you should consider hiring a bodyguard?" When the kettle boils, she does pour herself a cup of sweetened cocoa because it seems to be of good quality, apparently enough to kill Karrin to sleep. But with Katsumi falling unusually silent, she peers at her, concerned, "You okay, Kats?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick hrms at the question. "Honestly?" He replies, "I don't think they were targeting me specifically because of who I am. I was severely dressed down from what someone who follows my career would be used to, the facial hair and haircut's a pretty new thing. Also my being there was an absolute fluke. Factoring in the number of suits that popped up when those guys showed up. Something was going on around that shelter for awhile."

He looks over to the stove when the kettle whistles, but with Buffy taking care of it, he remains seated for a few more moments. "Also the last bodyguard I ended up with did even worse against the stalker than I did."

He turns to look towards Katsumi, glancing to the mug. "Another cocoa?"

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro is very much left behind here. She doesn't keep up with local events so much, so what they're talking about, she's completely left behind. But she /is/ familiar with her own world. So when Buffy addresses her, the blonde is met with an uncharacteristically warm smile. "Doing better now."

Simply put, she needed to cry. She'll never admit that.

To Nick, she lets out an airy giggle. "Nuh-uh! I'm already gonna be crazy wired tonight. And hey, I didn't wanna interrupt what you guys were talking about? It sounded f***ing serious and s***? But, /hell/ /yeah/, music goes with fighting. I train to music, work out to music, and sometimes when things go a little... rough... in a club or bar? I'll tell the musicians to keep playin'."

She leans back, shoulders shrugging loosely, languidly, and a comfortable purr of sorts escapes her, "Mmm'yeah... fights have rhythm. And that's a beat I can always dance to."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers quietly sips the hot cocoa, adding a bit of sugar but not too much to get her wired. She's not super hyper usually but she has her moments. With a soft yawn, she settles back on the couch, taking another sip of the warm sweet chocolate drink. "Hmm, moot point, I mean, you clearly know how to take care of yourself but.." she frowns, "So you think those thugs were after the shelter itself? Or case of mistaken identity perhaps?"

To Katsumi, she quirks a slight brow, biting how she seems a bit toned down from usual, but doesn't comment on that. "Hmm yeah, I sure like fighting vamps when listening to a good mp3 track myself." she chuckles. "Got any favourite styles?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Katsumi turns down another cocoa and agrees about the rhythm in fighting. Nick cocks his head to the side slightly before reaching over to take the empty mug.

"I'd probably have to ask around but, I think that its a possibility that they were targeting those that stay there. I did just leave from there, in an incredibly dressed down state."

He gets up from his seat to take her cup over to the sink, depositing it in there. "...I might want to also check to see if New Hope is having the same issue. I haven't had as much time to pop over there with my current schedule."

Bakeneko has posed:
Katsumi Oshiro spins aside in her chair and pops up to her feet again. "Of course I have some favorites! Electronic, orchestra, rock," she begins listing. She then pauses and considers the response in progress. "Might be easier just to say I hate country. Like, the modern country. I just can't get into it. The second a guitar makes that 'wyyaarr' sound," she says, attempting to emulate the trademark sound of a country twang, "my brain deflates and cousins start looking attractive."

She crinkles her button nose.

"Next time you'n I wrestle? I'm bringing some tunes." She bobs her index finger between herself and Buffy.