Toshi is one of the awakened who is hard to remember and even harder to find. Gand got the impression from the others that Toshi had once again been all but forgotten. The quirk of awakened nature makes some of the awakened stand out like total freaks and some fade into the background with frightening rapidity.

Gand doesnt like this part of town. Its less the dirty and desperate denizen and more about the memories their faces conjour. Gand parks his grey Land Rover and loudly arms the security system. He wears a grey suit and black tie like armor and never leaves his club or apartments without a concealed firearm.

At this point Gand probably looks the healthiest of all the infected mages simply because he never looks healthy to begin with. Gand will walk up the alleyway to Toshis door whistling a short and dramatic tune to announce his presence before knocking.

 He has caught him in the middle of one of his meditations to his Kami. The incense is strong in the air, his mind at peace pondering what has become and what will be. He hears the faint whistle upon the wind, his mind becoming aware of the imminent person seeking him out.

I stand and smile, my family's ever watchful eye always speaking of what I need to understand should I only choose to listen. I approach the door as I hear the man approach. He is a friend here in this blighted land. He might choose differing ways to reach the one, but they are a personal choice and I am not so blind as to say they do not reach the same results. He is strong, likely strongest here in this foreign land. I know his visit here is something of importance, he has only come to my place once before and it heralded something quite bizarre indeed. I can only guess at what currently awaits my invitation on the other side of this door.

I am dressed in my ceremonial white robe cut of simple cloth that a peasant might afford under a dynastic rule. My tabi socks are silent upon the wood. I wear a simple rope belt to speak of my simplicity and my pureness to my ancestors. My hair is wet and pulled back so that I can see what they wish to show me. I am a simple man.

I open the door, nodding as I do so. He is a great man here and has shown me respect. I can only return such things.

"Welcome my friend, please come in that we may have tea and discuss what will be..."

Gand gives Toshi a nod of thanks and steps into his dojo. His red rimmed eyes dart about the room as if expecting Karlie to come strolling out of some corner again... But as usual she didnt have the conviction to finish what she started.

'I have some bad news for you Nakazawi.'

Gand speaks quietly until the other man closes the door. This is a total role reversal. Usually its Nakazawi who comes to Gand with bad news.

'Are any of your students here?'

Gand asks, looking up at the cieling as if it would focus his hearing on anyone above..

 The dojo is calm, the feeling quite tranquil. The faint smell of cherry blossoms fills the room. In a corner you see a small shrine surrounded by fruit and burning incense sticks. I smile at his question before answering.

"None that are not here at all times. The Kami I pray to are not just my belated relatives, but all those I remember that have passed beyond. I still hold many students within their collection," as he moves to sit, offering the gentleman a chair or some space on the bamboo rug by his choice.

"There is a saying in Japan, that a frog in a well does not know the great sea. I appreciate and honor your friendship to me. I have very few in this city and you have always dealt honestly with me. Please sit, drink some tea with me and tell me what has brought you out to my small home and what I can assist you with that might ease your burden."

He begins to solemnly prepare another cup of tea, but as he finishes pouring this cup he glances at Gand slightly. In one hand he produces an opium poppy that is delicately preserved gesturing toward the teacup. He has seen Gand on many occasions feel more in control while under certain influences and has begun to understand that whatever his own codes state they are not always everyone's. His friend has come to speak and should be offered anything the master of the house can provide for his comfort.

The thought of a hundred dead relatives watching at all times is less than comforting to Gand; but the Opium poppy draws his attention away from that. He cracks a grin and nods to Toshi.

'Just what the doctor ordered. Your a good man Toshi.'

Gand will take the offered seat and consider Toshis frog metaphor. As far as Gand sees it Nakazawi understands better than the rest. Their mutual detachment from the traditions gives them better views.

'The burden is not just mine, but all of ours. That black Monolith dominating our sky has released a virus. Its killing us all.'

 He sits and ponders his friends statement. Could he be infected as well? Possibly, but what is the vector, why had the Kami not told him. He knew immediately why they had not, they were waiting for the right vessel of course. They were speaking to him now, telling him about this man.

"What must we do to eliminate this threat to ourselves? What shall you need of me. I can certainly be of some assistance, I am not well known and have certain unique abilities," he states simply. He had certainly been feeling a bit under the weather as of late. He respected Gand the more for informing him. They seemed to share a certain candor that transcended traditions and factions. They could understand one another and in these times it is a rare quality indeed.

"I am reminded of an ancient proverb, it states 'Don't hope for life without problems. An easy life results in a judgmental and lazy mind.' I have often pondered this and have found it to a very accurate accounting of those like ourselves," as he sips his tea, handing Gand his cup after steeping in the flower. It still lies at the bottom rehydrated as if in bloom again.

Gand accepts and sips at the hot opiate tea. Gand doesnt have proverbs, but he does have odd curses and sayings from his mostly forgotten irish grandmothers.

'My grandmother always used to call it a curse when she said may you live in interesting times.'

Gand sips again at the tea, delaying what he has to say next. The thought of asking Toshi to Asist Aurora, if only for the protection of the more gung-ho, possibly naieve mages makes his stomach turn. Aurora is a siren, she turned even the stubborn Gand, so many years ago...

'There is a plan in the works to attack part of the monolith and one of its outlying offices to retrive a vaccine. I was hoping to convince you to accompany the others. They could use someone with your skills in stealth and close combat.'

 He sits and ponders his suggestion for a bit. He had never felt particularly endeared toward the others in Sanfield, but he could not knowingly refuse. Gand had granted him numerous favors and he knew that he must learn to be more trusting of the others.

"I shall do what I can, I must say that I do not know them. I will hope my presence can assist them in some way. I am glad that you have asked this of me, for I have something I must ask you. We are few and I am far from my homeland and culture. I strive to keep alive my traditions and teachings. Even in my homeland my learned masters are few, the rigors it requires to grasp the deeper mysteries are rare," as he develops a serious look. "I have encountered some difficulty in challenging my growth and you are the most learned that I have met. Originally I had found you hedonistic, but with time have begun to understand your enlightenment. I am Shinto and have dabbled into Tantric texts, it was when I meditated upon your essence that I realized that you could possibly assist me in my pursuits. I know this is much to ask..." as he stares at him with an honest, stoic look upon his face awaiting an answer.

'I would rather teach you than one of my own.'

They have reached an agreement. Both favors will be difficult and dangerous. Gand has never taught someone who didnt share his particular paradigm so this should be a very unique experience for them both.

'The others seem to have forgotten about you. There are a few new faces as well. A woman named Aurora will be trying to lead the others. Ive known her a very long time and she is far more dangerous than she lets on... You will not be fooled by her charms, but i fear Seamus or even Nikki could be.'

 "I have never met any of them except Nikki and that was just in passing. I can not say why it seems that I do not imprint more powerfully on individuals, but I assume it is connected to our way of approaching our arts. We have been hiding for so long that we have incorporated it within ourselves," with a mischievous smile.

"I shall pay close attention to this Aurora, she has a powerful name and they would be wise to notice its significance. I will do whatever I must to watch them and observe their interactions with this other woman. What shall I say as to my reason for joining in this endeavor? I merely wish to know if your name should fall from my lips or not. Either way shall not pose any significant dilemma, but I would like to know before I show up."

He sits comfortably, sipping from upon his cup of tea. He is glad that Gand was willing to work with him. He knows the path will be difficult, but avoiding a challenge will only take yourself from your destiny and that would be a travesty.

His references to the others is cataloged in his mind. He is certain he will be fine, but his warning about this dancing light is heeded well. He is certainly not one to dismiss anything that he would take the time to have spoken aloud. If anything it should be remembered at all times.

'Tell them I sent you.'

Gand tells Toshi very straightforward.

'This is a two part endeavor, in truth. I would much rather ask you to come with me than with them, but my plan of escape cant work for two people.'

Gand drinks deeply of the opium tea again. Opium is a rare thing around here and he will definitely enjoy its effects.

 "If that is what you wish," as he nods in acknowledgment. To have questioned or wondered why he had stated his reason would only suggest he were a simpleton or a fool that needed his plans surveyed, Gand is far from this and he is certain that he has went over them thoroughly. He can trust that should he be needed elsewhere he would have asked him to join him.

He smiles enjoying the tea, "So with that business out of the way, how have you been lately?" wondering if Gand is ever asked such simple niceties. He is not seeking his deepest secrets, only a question amongst friends of their own assessment concerning the state of their own life. Toshi has always found that the individual in a calm state of mind can truly surprise oneself on how they feel about themselves with such a simple answer.

Gand probably gets questions regarding the impending apocalypse more than he gets asked how hes been. He hesitates as if he doesnt quite know how to answer it before chuckling akwardly.

'Ive discovered theres alot more paperwork involved in running a strip-club than youd imagine.'

That is of course code for: Alice left me. Gand sips at the tea in his hand. Small talk is one of the most difficult things; Maybe because you can reveal too much, or never know exactly what someone really wants to know. Gand will try to divert the conversation off himself with a question in return.

'Hows things around here? Is Karlie still your student or did she lose interest?'

 "I can certainly agree about the paperwork, I believe that is why I choose such a out of the way location," with a smile. He had followed most of the laws and no one ever really expected a shitty dojo in the slums to turn a profit anyways. Honestly almost anyone that might look into it usually thought it was long closed from its outside appearance and that idea suited him well enough.

"It would seem that she has lost her interest. I still have some of her things if you think you might see her before I, otherwise it can certainly stay here. I myself have been quite busy as of late, it seems that a few of my students have been thought quite highly of my school and class. There is always an endless supply of new students, some learn some leave. I have seen both before and shall certainly see them again. My neighborhood has been quiet ever since the event with that demon," whom he had long since decided Yin was. "I burned her polluted belongings the day after, so that she may no longer have any ties to this home. She has bothered me no more, have you perhaps heard any more of her exploits?"

Gand grins at that. Yin a demon... in truth all women are demons, at least as far as Gand can see.

'Not a word, Its a good day when the dead stay dead.'

Gand nods affirmitively and finishes off his tea, leaving hte opium flower shirvelled on the bottom of the cup.

'Karlie cant actually see me for a while, but ill leave her stuff at the Rabbit if its taking up space. She usually turns up eventually.'

 "Well as always I appreciate your company," feeling the end of the conversation drawing close.

Toshi stands and nods respectfully toward the man. "I hope your endeavors are achieved to your desires and that we shall meet again shortly after. To your luck, Mr. Gand the Great, may you live up to your name yet again," with a smile and wink.