Log Title: The Little Things
Location: Wallingford Bungalow - Seattle, WA
Date: November 27, 2024
TP: Kintsukuroi TP
Summary: Tomas and Akari continue to feel out their familial relationship through tiny talks and trips around their new home-city.
As logged by Storm Shadow
Wallingford Bungalow - Seattle, WA <WB>[]
Inside this house shows a bit more of its age with the light fixtures and 70's/80's decor, but it's still in very good shape. Whoever lived here didn't smoke and kept the place very tidy. There's a den/office, a living room, a dining room, and three bedrooms in a line with each other, with a single bathroom located conveniently in the same hallway. On the opposite side of the house is a master bedroom with an adjoining bath and shower.
The backyard is a nice size, and has several trees. One of the trees has a wooden bench swing hanging from it, for those rare occasions when the rain stops long enough to enjoy a little outdoor time. There's also a firepit in the backyard.
There's no house damage to their bungalow, but the lack of power reminds Akari of some of her schooling back home in some dojos and studies where there was no light. Even with power on, Akari's room is dark, minus a candle, which she is using to read. The house kitten is cuddled up beside her. Akari has still been given the very stoic "Yes father" and "No father" to a good chunk of Tomas' inquiries.
Tomas is eying the latest power restoration and brown-out updates as power has cycled up and back down in their house since the storm. At least Edwin being familiar with the area made certain there was a gas generator that kicks in to keep fridge cold and some lighting up and running. He's in the kitchen, sitting at the counter while a small camp stove is used to heat up water for tea. It's sitting on the stove and one window is cracked open to pull any c02 out. With a sigh, he stares off, calculating a few things. Akari's quiet acceptance of everything tugs at his thoughts and with a frown, he cuts the camp stove off and walks to tap on her door. "Akari?"
Akari looks from her bed. She gently places the candle next to her bed stand and gently moves the house kitten to the side next to her pillow. She gets up and stands to Tomas. "Yes, father?" she says, much like she was told to regard her teachers and instructors back home.
A small smile crosses Tomas' face when he opens the door to peer inside. "Ahh, that is where Ichi is." Peering at this small person he's responsible for, he tilts his head, "Thank you for being so patient while the power has been... so on and off again. I know this is not how anyone wishes to spend a holiday week." He pauses and offers with a thoughtful smile, "Would you like to get out of the house and go do something? Anything but sit here in your room." He squints, peering around, "Hmmm, it is dark in here even with the lights. Would you like to go room shopping? Or lunch? Or maybe the Pike Place market and watch them throw fish?"
Akari looks around her room. Yes, it's dark, even with the outdoor light peering in, but it's still the pacific Northwest, even in daylight, the sun has trouble peering in through the clouds. She looks around her dimly-lit room, almost a cave and observes "I don't think it's that dark. The rooms I usually stayed in back home did not have electricity, or if they did, it wasn't in many areas."
She bows slightly to Tomas, given that Tomas has had a busy last few weeks. "I will go where you wish to go, father."
That gets a sigh from Tomas and a "What do -you- want to do, Akari?" Offering a wry smile, "Your manners are impeccable, I would like to do something with you that -you- want to do."
Akari's adjusting has been slow, but honestly, not HUGELY slow. After all, she's only been here for less than six months. She asks in a leading manner "Pike Place Market" is a long drive. But that said, Tomas has seen a bit of child-like wonder emerge from Akari in certain circumstances, and one of them is seeing all of the activity from the fishmongers, the shoppers, and the delicious oysters at Pike Place Market.
That makes Tomas' smile brighten. "I think they should have some good oysters in now. Help me pick out things for dinner?" he offers. "Get your coat and comfy shoes, we can make a day of raiding the market for the little treats."
The comfy 'daughter/father' moment is slightly ruined by Akari bowing and saying with a slight, meekish tone "Yes, father."
But as Tomas leaves, out of the corner of his eye, he may see Akari move in a more exuberant pace, quickly gathering her coat, and her comfy shoes, not to mention a journal that she's been keeping.
Little steps, Tomas is certain that Akari's heard stories of him, bad and less bad. He gets his own battered leather jacket, toeing on well broken in boots and filling his pockets with keys, phone, wallet. He grabs the reusable net and canvas bags he's grown used to using for shopping and remote-starts the car to get the heater and seat warmers going. The little touches of care, soft smile on his face since he 'lost' the other new car to Edwin.
Seattle - Washington[]
Seattle is known as the Emerald City. Its greenness stems from its abundant rainfall which encourages the growth of lush vegetation and also from its reflection in the clear blue/green waters of the Puget Sound. Visiting Seattle creates a mosaic of colorful impressions that shimmer in the imagination long after the visit ends.
Mt. Ranier looks down on Seattle from its majestic heights. Driving through Seattle on a clear day has been compared to floating on a cloud in an emerald sky.
From the dining room atop the Space Needle, a meal can be enjoyed along with a panoramic view of the whole city.
Pike Street Market is a medley of fresh fish, fruit, vegetable and flower shops right on the water. Sitting at a sidewalk cafe, one can watch the men who work in the fish markets throwing the fish from back to front. As a customer asks to purchase a fresh fish of a certain size, one man selects a fish from the barrel of ice, throws it to the weigher who is positioned in front of him, who in turn calls out the weight and throws it expertly to the wrapper who packages it and hands it to the customer. It is not unusual to see huge tubs of Alaskan salmon, king crab legs, and Dungeness crab awaiting this process in the market.
Businesses for which Seattle is world famous include Nordstrom, Microsoft, Weyerhaeuser, Starbucks, Amazon.com and Price Costco. There were also the three college students who opened a little coffee stand called "Starbucks." In the 1990's Seattle revolutionized the music industry with the advent of punk rock bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. The city's progressive politics, inventive culture and ready access to outdoor recreation continue to attract people to Seattle steadily.
Akari dutifully steps into the heated car that he is now forced to drive. After fastening the seatbelt, Tomas pulls out and heads to the city. Akari's gaze then turns to the window. Part her own personality, part just being a teenager, she gazes out wordlessly.
Tomas pulls up the GPS so they can navigate the least offensive traffic on their route to the market south by southeast of where the house is now. He doesn't force Akari to speak, but he does point out things here and there along the way. "The Asian art museum has a Saturday event this week. And if you wish, they have Tea Culture demonstrations." Faint smile tugging at his own face, "And if you wish to see where I nominally work now, it is not that far from the Market. The Nihonmachi district is smaller here than in San Francisco though."
GAME: Akari PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of Above Average difficulty.
Akari listens as she observes the landmarks that Tomas points out. She looks over at Tomas. "Do you...like your new job?"
"I believe I can learn to enjoy some parts of it." Tomas replies after a moment. "It is.. not.. what.. It is different from what I have done but some skills apply. Teaching, listening, watching. I do what I do for family. And you little one." He takes an exit from one freeway to another, a drive he's been learning since his assignment. "My father did some diplomatic work as did my mother. What little I remember of them before..."
"And Oba as well, you know. Our family has a deep history, and not all of it is 'ninja' things. Or what others consider 'ninja'." Tomas snorts at the term.
GAME: Akari FAILS an INTELLIGENCE roll of Very High difficulty.
Akari squints at Storm Shadow and says "It doesn't sound like you enjoy it though?" She observes "I know classmates - who tell me their mothers or fathers hate their jobs. That does not sound like a job I would want as an adult."
Tomas cocks a brow upwards, "It is new. And not something I had ever thought I would be chosen to do, this attaché' and diplomatic thing. I may not enjoy it, or all of it, but not all things we do are enjoyable all the time."
GAME: Akari FAILS an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.
Akari nods and looks out at the window, her view focusing on the deep redwood trees and a few mountains in view.
"No...no they are not" in a very teenage passive-aggressive retort.
Tomas side-eyes his offspring. "Homework, warm ups for martial lessons, chores." he lists off a few things then adds, "Being relocated to a whole new country after the death of a parent."
Akari nods and lets out a sad sigh. "I miss them - " She looks back at Tomas. "I am glad I am here...but I miss them."
"Missing them is okay, Akari. Grieving is okay." Tomas notes, looking over with a sad smile, "It hurts, the losing of a parent. The sudden change in everything that was safe, comfortable, known. You.. are doing well, better than I did."
Akari nods. She looks back at her father, asking with a slight tone of pain in her voice, but the overall tone is that of curiosity "When did it stop...hurting?"
Tomas sighs, "It really doesn't. It just.. grows smaller with time. I still miss my mother, my uncle. My father... I do not remember him so much, just little bits as he was a working Arashikage."
Akari's expression brightens as they get to the market. She looks over at Tomas. "When do you need to get back to your duties?" (obedient daughter code for 'how much time do we have')
"Monday 9 am." Tomas grins, "Although I would be a poor parent if I did not factor in my wonderful daughters need to rest and read her manga while raiding the snack pantry." He winks as he pulls into a parking deck. "And a fight with that damn oven to make something edible for tomorrow, if only for you and I."
Akari blinks and looks at Tomas with concern. Even though she did not celebrate Thanksgiving back home, she's become familiar with the tropes thanks to her classmate. "Wait...where is Edwin going to be?"
Akari hops out of the car and gets her bookbag with her journal inside.
"I am not certain if his schedule will have him with us." There's a small frown from Tomas, "I hope, but his work is important, if not tomorrow perhaps we will have him Christmas instead. They do trade off who works which holiday." A wiggle of brows, a tiny, impish smile. "If they persist in scheduling him for both, well.. We will just have to steal him away for the New Year and go visit Oba for two weeks. So you can see her and spend some time with those you consider friends and family at home."