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 Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:58 pm
Once he'd made sure that Seung was okay, and having received a text from Sei, the only person Mik had left to check on was Tzao-Hyung - that he knew how to get hold of, anyway. He'd have to get in touch with Caoi and Dusty, too - he'd gotten the deerkitten's text, but hadn't replied yet. Oh, and Morty. He hadn't talked to him in forever, but he did know where he lived. He'd have to check with him, too. Whatever was going on, they needed to figure it out, and quick.
Since the taotie's phone number hadn't made it into Mik's new cell phone, well...he was just going to get a surprise visit in the middle of the night. Bypassing the gate (there were definite benefits to being able to fly), he headed for Tzao's flat and rang the doorbell.
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:47 am
The answer didn't come when it should. Which wasn't to say that it didn't come! That would be rude beyond words, and Tzao was not one who lacked manners. But it was slow; reluctant. And even when it did arrive, well....
"Dùi bù qĭ," came a low mumble from behind the door, triply difficult to understand when muffled. A soft thump on the doorframe, the sound of a limb being rested on it, but not a single rattle of the apartment's knob to suggest the heavy lock had been undone. "Mikhail. I am not taking visitors now, please forgive me." Tzao hadn't gotten much of a look at the angel through that little peephole, to realize that there was more to this visit than social curiosity; but even if he had come to that conclusion, there was something tired in his voice that suggested his own concerns were taking precedence over his duties as a host.
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:48 am
Was Tzao not home? It was the middle of the night! As he waited, he couldn't help but start to worry. Eventually, however, the other Fa'e thumped against the door and talked to him. That was a relief, but why wouldn't he open the door?! Something awful was going on, and the taotie was just holed up in his apartment? This was important! Was he afraid, or was something else wrong?
"Are you alright?" he asked with a touch of impatience. "Something's happening, Tzao..."
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Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:07 am
"I am...." There was a pause, nearly a hiccup in Tzao's speech. "I am aware," he completed his sentence, his voice nauseated. "Very, very aware." His tone seemed to imply that he would be much happier if he weren't, however. "I am sorry, but there is little I can offer. I am in isolation." Isolation - meaning, he was struggling with his hunger. Meaning, he was not in control of himself. Which had depths of meaning that he didn't even dare to suggest.
"Ah, but Mikhail... your Guardian. Are you both all right?" The conversation marched sluggishly onward, but the door still wasn't opening. This, too, lacked the manners Tzao preferred to exhibit - but what could he do about it? These were poor times indeed for such events to be occurring!
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Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:03 pm
In isolation? Mikhail didn't get whatever meaning Tzao might be implying, but...well, now probably wasn't the time to be worrying about it. If Tzao wanted or needed to be by himself, the angel wasn't going to question it. Not out loud, anyway.
"We're fine," he answered. So far, he was unaware of the attacks. "Listen, did you have a dream? And wake up with a piece of paper?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:55 pm
"No. No dream."
Now this, certainly, was a poor thing to be bitter about. But Tzao couldn't much help it. He was, as always, set apart by his nature from the other Fa'e - overlooked, forgotten. And during a time of difficulty, Tzao had no assistance to offer, and it was... terrible. When the time came that he might actually be useful and needed, he was empty-handed. What would his Guardian say, to see him like this? No, he already knew, and didn't care to think about it.
"Have you spoken to many of the others yet, Mikhail?"
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