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Post by JUN SHI WEI on Oct 27, 2013 15:18:53 GMT -8
tagged: Keijiro time: May 25th, 3AM. speech: Jun Shi. notes: - - -. What a nice night. Well, almost. It was three in the morning and as far as he was concerned, it was some ungodly hour where most people were still curled up in bed. Jun Shi happened to be one of those more nocturnal sorts, though. Why not? His work ran on his watch, and if he wanted to work during the night rather than the day, then so be it. If he wanted to put it off until the morning, why not?
But he was taking time to himself at the moment. Jun Shi lay reclined on his bed, alone in the big, dark apartment with his brother just overhead and life going on in its sleepy state just below. The light in his room was still on, though. He didn’t need it off; he wasn’t bothering anybody with it, was he? If he was, then he didn’t quite care.
He let his mind wander, a sketchbook on his nightstand and a small package of pencils nearby. The page he was turned to was blank, but the previous ones were littered with anatomical drawings of hands. Twisted fingers and exposed sinew, bones jutting this way and that, swollen joints and bruised muscle. A few references needed to be found, but he could say that he was competent enough to do most of it on his own.
He licked his lips, giving the pencil a few strokes along the paper. His mind began to wander off to… other things. Lucien’s hand. Small, delicate and twisted under his own. Jun Shi let out a slow, steady breath, his eyes closing halfway as he put the image together in his head. Beautiful.
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Post by KEIJIRO WATANABE on Oct 30, 2013 8:59:05 GMT -8
Keijiro was the sort of person who was traditionally early to bed and early to rise, but that schedule broke about twice a month. Twice a month he made a point to stay up late, calling people back in Japan. If he stayed up until three in the morning, it meant he was calling at four in the afternoon to back home. He would get a nice chat with his mother, or his father, or occasionally even his sort-of-siblings (who were really more like cousins). This night, though, was something entirely different.
It had been a long time since he'd spoken to Jun Shi. It had been easier to talk to him when he'd still been in Japan, only a timezone or two apart. Now things were more difficult. He had to arrange time, and he felt like a bad friend just for not talking to him. He dialed as the clock hit three, hoping that Jun Shi wasn't in a business meeting as he sprawled out on his bed, waiting for him to pick up.
Jun Shi was one of the people he missed most from back in Japan, aside from his family. He'd always been good to talk to, and he'd been vaguely disappointed that he wouldn't be able to see him during his time in college. Maybe Jun Shi would get to come out and visit sometime, but Keijiro knew that was a stupid pipedream--Jun Shi was a busy person, and he had no time for Keijiro's idle form of puppy love.
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Post by JUN SHI WEI on Oct 30, 2013 15:01:17 GMT -8
tagged: Keijiro time: May 25th, 3AM. speech: Jun Shi. notes: - - -. One hand idly played with the end of his belt, whistling a small tune to himself as he sketched with the other hand and occasionally glanced up at the glass wall that showed him the clear night. He should’ve been in bed, he supposed. Sleep was necessary, but what work did he have to do tomorrow? Make a couple more calls for that little blond brat; his brother was proving a hell of a time to find, and despite his experience and connections, very little seemed to come up.
His eyes drifted half shut for a few seconds, the faintest of grins on his face, the closest Jun Shi ever looked to peaceful before he was snapped back to reality by his phone ringing. He tilted his head curiously for a second; who the hell would call him at 3am? He had most telemarketers blocked, his brother was probably tucked up and asleep just above him, and nobody from home really called him at all.
The curousity turned into a sly grin when he checked the number. Ah, little Keijiro finally decided to show his face after all. He was aware that he moved to LA not too long ago, but he’d never told him that he moved as well. He let it ring for a second, then snapped it open.
”Hello?”
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Post by KEIJIRO WATANABE on Oct 30, 2013 15:06:55 GMT -8
It was nice to hear his voice again. The same accent as always, distinct and melodic. It wasn't hard to guess that he had caller ID, but not everyone looked at those things before answering, and old pleasantries died hard, even if he was an ocean away and in a completely different language.
"Hello! It's Keijiro. I hope I'm not interrupting anything." He was grinning like an idiot, happy to just be able to talk to someone from home. He pushed himself up on the bed with one hand. "Timezones are hell. It's 3AM here." He commented almost entirely offhand.
It was at that point that he noticed something--a light. His room was almost entirely dark, with only the light of the phone and a small glow lamp. It didn't have a proper bulb, and didn't really shine, but served to keep the room lit up enough that he wasn't going to trip over anything. Even so, there was clearly a light on, and he paused, pushing himself off the bed to investigate.
It was the mirror he'd picked up the day before, and while he'd yet to actually set it up on his desk properly, it was showing a light. Looking into it, he was beyond confused to realize he wasn't seeing a reflection at all, but another room entirely--one that had a small lamp on.
JUN SHI WEI | MAY 25TH, 3AM |
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Post by JUN SHI WEI on Oct 30, 2013 15:16:43 GMT -8
tagged: Keijiro time: May 25th, 3AM. speech: Jun Shi. notes: - - -. ”Oh, hello Keijiro. I haven’t heard from you in a while.” He sounded pleasantly surprised, grinning faintly as he reclined on his bed and stared up at the ceiling, before his gaze went over to the window. Ah yes, he didn’t realize that they were in the same time zone and city now.
”Yeah, time zones are odd. How are you dealing with LA?” He knew that he’d been pissy as hell for the first while. The time zones were completely inverted, and the times he was usually asleep were now the times that people were making the most noise. Lovely, wasn’t it?
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Post by KEIJIRO WATANABE on Oct 30, 2013 15:24:11 GMT -8
Keijiro bent down to stare at the mirror, his confusion only mounting. Was it a mirror? It couldn't be a mirror, because it should have been showing him his face. Instead it was showing him somewhere else. His initial thought was that it was a picture, but after a moment he realized that it was moving. He paused, picking the mirror up as he balanced the phone on his shoulder, carrying it over to his desk and turning the room light on properly.
It didn't help--the mirror stayed as dark, as if it was a television showing a darkened room.
"Oh, LA is fine. Lots of people staring, although not for the usual reasons at least." Jun Shi would know what the 'usual reasons' were. "I've got a little apartment, but school doesn't start for another few months, so I have time to kill."
JUN SHI WEI | MAY 25TH, 3AM |
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Post by JUN SHI WEI on Oct 30, 2013 15:29:27 GMT -8
tagged: Keijiro time: May 25th, 3AM. speech: Jun Shi. notes: - - -. Jun Shi shifted in his bed, rolling over to his side to take a few flips through his sketchbook. He debated putting his phone on loudspeaker for a second before deciding against it. Another glance down at his book, the various crooked and flayed hands there, and he quickly snapped it shut and sat up a little more.
”That sounds nice…” A quaint answer, a quick answer, one that didn’t require too much commitment. He really had very little concern over what Keijiro was really doing. His schooling wasn’t much too important to him, after all. Still, he tried to sound interested, at least.
”What took you so long to call?” He asked playfully, then paused. ”I missed you.”
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Post by KEIJIRO WATANABE on Oct 30, 2013 15:39:23 GMT -8
Ten minutes ago, Keijiro would have found himself flushing with embarassment when Jun Shi said that he missed him. Now there was the tiniest bit of that, but most of his mind was occupied with figuring out what the hell was going on with his mirror. It was a trick mirror of some variety, but what was the trick? What the hell was it? The details were vague, but it was obviously some kind of room--a bedroom most likely--and the figure was sitting on the bed flipping through what looked like a book. He squinted at it before sitting down himself.
"I missed talking to you too. Timezones make it hard to call--I don't want to wake you up when it's first thing in the morning for you." He commented, a little smile on his lips. Even if he was alone, he still found himself making an attempt to be presentable, to not be acting like a damned schoolgirl.
JUN SHI WEI | MAY 25TH, 3AM |
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Post by JUN SHI WEI on Oct 30, 2013 15:46:43 GMT -8
tagged: Keijiro time: May 25th, 3AM. speech: Jun Shi. notes: - - -. ”Yeah, I know how that is.” And he had, for a while. He’d called his brother at least once a week while they were separated, oftentimes more because he hadn’t quite realized how much he was used to having him around until he was sent to LA. It was a relief now that he was here, though. He rarely, if ever, called his parents and vice versa. If they called, they wanted Kun Shui.
”But I’m glad you’re doing well.” He said quietly, his voice taking on a more hushed tone. He fiddled with his belt for a few more seconds, the gears clicking in his head. ”Have you seen anything interesting in LA, yet?”
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Post by KEIJIRO WATANABE on Oct 30, 2013 15:59:46 GMT -8
Anything interesting in LA? He almost brought up the mirror, and then decided against it. It would make for shoddy conversation, considering he didn't understand what it was he was even looking at. He leaned it forward, picking along the edges to look for hidden wires or hidden anything as he continued to talk. There had to be something behind the glass, some kind of thin screen or something. Only there wasn't--the back was plain and indistinct, and even when he peeled it away, there was nothing but the back of the mirror.
"Interesting in LA? No, not really. I've done some of the tourist stuff. Hollywood walk of fame, with all the stars, and I've been touring around. Mostly I stay around Little Tokyo." He paused, considering for a moment before leaning back in his chair, letting the mirror rest. "How are things at home?"
JUN SHI WEI | MAY 25TH, 3AM |
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Post by JUN SHI WEI on Oct 30, 2013 16:07:52 GMT -8
tagged: Keijiro time: May 25th, 3AM. speech: Jun Shi. notes: - - -. Staying in Little Tokyo, as he expected. It wasn’t much too far away from Chinatown, where the Wei family had bought a building, crushed it into oblivion and made their headquarters there to watch over the part of LA. Their part of LA, as Kun Shui sometimes put it. It was strange at times, to hear his brother claiming such a large space for the family. Still, there wasn’t much else that could be done if anybody wanted it done. The police were paid handsomely to turn a blind eye, and like politicians cared about much else but their paycheques, anyways. Other syndicates were either refurbished and merged or kicked off the turf. It was the law of the land.
”Things at home are fine.” And it rolled off his tongue so smoothly. ”My brother is usual. He’s taking care of business while I do nothing much.” A bit of bitterness there, sprinkled in for good measure. Realistically, they were both working now. He wondered when Kun Shui would start asking him about what he was doing with himself, though he knew. He knew, and he asked anyways; it was a sort of silent warning that if he decided to start messing around with the triads, he’d swiftly be given a slap. He’d never dream of it.
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Post by KEIJIRO WATANABE on Oct 30, 2013 16:16:17 GMT -8
The mirror made no movement. The figure remained where it was, and Keijiro found himself watching it as he continued the conversation. "I haven't gotten to talk to him in a bit. Did he tell you? We went to a little candy store and tried to find things you'd like. I don't think any of them would hold in the mail though. If you come to visit, I'll buy you some." Which was a bit silly, because they both knew that while Keijiro was firmly middle class, the Wei's were actually rich. Keijiro's father was well off, but most of the money went back into his company, and they lived modestly.
"You should come visit if you aren't doing anything though." As if he needed an excuse to go anywhere. "You can stay with me if you want, if your brother doesn't have room." Which he probably did, but Keijiro felt like offering anyway, even though his apartment was really much too small to have anyone stay over.
JUN SHI WEI | MAY 25TH, 3AM |
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Post by JUN SHI WEI on Oct 30, 2013 16:28:15 GMT -8
tagged: Keijiro time: May 25th, 3AM. speech: Jun Shi. notes: - - -. ”Yeah, he told me about that.” About the candy store, and how he’d run into Keijiro, his little friend while he was there. Of course, there was no mention of the scar. Kun Shui was awfully polite like that. As for room, of course his brother had room. He had a whole building to his own and he could kick tenants out as he pleased, but he seemed to pause and consider that over the line for a few minutes.
”Maybe…” He muttered softly, squinting out the window again. The streets were still dark, and the only things lit up were a couple of streetlamps and a couple of windows from people just as preoccupied or undirected as he was. He pressed his lips into a tight line, finally reaching over and flicking on the light switch.
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Post by KEIJIRO WATANABE on Oct 30, 2013 16:49:27 GMT -8
Maybe? Well crap. Keijiro glanced around his tiny apartment, unsure of where, exactly, he'd sleep. Jun Shi on the bed obviously, so he'd probably have to sleep on the floor. That was fine for a few nights at least. "I'd like that. It would be good to see you."
He faltered as the mirror changed--a light turning on, and he leaned in, eyes widening. It wasn't just showing some random room--the man lying on the bed was definitely Jun Shi. He might have thought it was Kun Shui if not for the phone at his ear, and he felt his cheeks flush immediately.
Was he spying on Jun Shi? It didn't make any sense at all, nor did the fact that wherever Jun Shi was, it was dark outside. It was beyond confusing, and he found himself staring, waiting for Jun Shi's mouth to move, just to watch. Was it going to sync up? Was it going to match? Was he losing his damn mind?
"I'm hoping school will be enjoyable. Have you ever thought about going to university?"
JUN SHI WEI | MAY 25TH, 3AM |
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Post by JUN SHI WEI on Oct 30, 2013 16:59:20 GMT -8
tagged: Keijiro time: May 25th, 3AM. speech: Jun Shi. notes: - - -. For all intents and purposes, he had no idea that he was being spied on. He grinned faintly to himself, letting things bubble around and click in his head. He eased his head back, lying and reclining among the many pillows, easing himself as he spoke. Realistically, he had absolutely nothing to worry about.
”No… well, yes, for a little while. But not now. Not really.” Why would he? He didn’t need a university education to be able to find people for pretty pennies. He’d already done plenty of that and so far, had technically earned to have his own home in LA. His brother insisted that he stayed at some points, though he was aware of the money he made trafficking and prying people out of well hidden holes.
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Post by KEIJIRO WATANABE on Oct 30, 2013 17:07:50 GMT -8
Keijiro actually choked a little bit when he realized. It was him. He was watching him right then. His mouth was moving, albeit a tiny bit delayed on the phone end, and now he was reclined back...
Oh. Keijiro felt himself blushing as he watched, embarrassed by everything. He was spying on him. Should he tell him? He hadn't chosen to spy on him. It wasn't like he'd picked it. It was just supposed to be a normal mirror and instead he was watching him and Jun Shi probably thought no one was, and...
Well, it was just bad. But it didn't make sense. Why was it dark? Keijiro paused, and then couldn't help it, completely missing Jun Shi's answer as he blurted over it with his own question.
"Is it dark there?"
JUN SHI WEI | MAY 25TH, 3AM |
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Post by JUN SHI WEI on Oct 30, 2013 17:22:54 GMT -8
tagged: Keijiro time: May 25th, 3AM. speech: Jun Shi. notes: - - -. The question he was asked caused him to pause, eyebrow raised curiously. Dark? Why the hell would he ask if it was dark? It actually caused him to pause where he was, a finger hooked through one belt loop and idly thumbing at it. He needed to keep his hands busy, after all. If drawing wasn’t an outlet, then toying with something was.
”…dark? What do you mean?” He glanced out the window. Definitely dark, but not dark in Hong Kong. Time for a bit of stalling, maybe.
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Post by KEIJIRO WATANABE on Oct 30, 2013 17:30:41 GMT -8
He could see him damnit. He could see him look out the window as he spoke, as if confused as to how the hell Keijiro had known. What was going on? Wasn't he in Hong Kong? Maybe he was on vacation.
He faltered just the same, clearing his throat. "Yeah, I mean... stupid way to ask, it's just dark as hell here. I wasn't sure if you were actually in Hong Kong or if you'd gone somewhere on vacation." He paused awkwardly. "You know, since you're not working." He could just got anywhere he wanted, couldn't he? There was nothing to stop him.
JUN SHI WEI | MAY 25TH, 3AM |
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Post by JUN SHI WEI on Oct 30, 2013 18:35:17 GMT -8
tagged: Keijiro time: May 25th, 3AM. speech: Jun Shi. notes: - - -. A reason. He needed a reason, and then one practically plopped straight into his lap as Keijiro asked him if he was on vacation. Another glance out the window, into the darkened sky and he grinned faintly once more. Vacation, yes. He could technically not even be lying. He’d come here on his own accord… for a job, sort of, but he could take his sweet time. Vacation… what a nice vacation in LA.
”Yeah, a little vacation…” He relaxed again, trailing his voice off oh so subtly as he let his muscles go slack. ”It’s not much, actually. No tropical paradise for me. Just another city. I thought a small change of pace would be nice.”
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Post by KEIJIRO WATANABE on Oct 30, 2013 18:53:24 GMT -8
Oh. So he was on vacation. That didn't explain the mirror showing him what Jun Shi was doing, but it did explain the darkness. Oh. Vacation. Another city though, and he didn't seem enthusiastic at all. Maybe he was in the United States, which would explain how dark it was. Maybe New York? New York had plenty of business going on, and it wouldn't be out of place for Jun Shi to be there.
It didn't matter. He was still blushing. "You should take an actual vacation. Down to Los Angeles. I'm sure Kun Shui would be happy to see you." And so would he. Jun Shi had always been a good friend--someone who had never judged him for his scar, or for the simple fact that he was definitely not Japanese. Jun Shi always seemed to judge people for the right things, and while Keijiro had a slightly idealized view of what Jun Shi was like, he was fairly set on it.
JUN SHI WEI | MAY 25TH, 3AM |
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