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From the way Toren introduced him to the other man, it was immediatly clear that he was a newcomer. Another chance meeting, eh ? The Acanthus nodded to the Japanese man, and kept on smiling.
"What he said." then shrugged. After a half-breath, thinking it might be short, he went on with his introduction.
"So I get it you're barely come here, Mr ??" and the place where we meet you is in a cemetary... did he think while closing his jacket further against the wind.
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Toren leans over to Miach to answer for the stranger, "Ah, he says his name is Hachiman and that he's from Japan. Interesting, isn't it?"
Turning back to the gentleman, Toren continued with his own questions, "Well if I might ask, what Order of the Pentacle do you fall under? I'm sort of familiar with some of their members, so I could give you directions to their territory. Usually that's the first place people tend to go when they arrive." The Moros smiled helpfully, certain that he could at least help the man with that much information. Of course if the man were somehow an enemy maybe that would be a bad idea. Oh dear, I wonder how I should handle this? Well I guess I'll see how the man answers first. Maybe I could even escort him to make sure he doesn't do anything suspicious.
Hachiman bows slightly to the new person in front of him. "It is a pleasure to meet you." Then, turning back to Toren, attempted to answer his question. "I am not currently part of an Order of the Pentacle, I regret to say. I am merely an Apostate, on the Path of Stygia. I apologize if my being here might attract unnecessary tension on territory, but I was merely getting to know my surroundings." Hachiman looked around as he said this, gazing out at the winter graveyard, thinking on the novel burials.
After a moment, his gaze returned back to Toren and the man aside from him. "So, Toren, Miach. Are you both part of the same Order as well?" Hachiman had a curious look in his eye, wanting to find if he could strengthen a bond with these two, as they were his only means of entering a Consilii in this country as of yet.
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"From Japan, eh ?" Miach replied with an interested look in his eyes. He didn't know much about that country. It had never been part of his travels with Menwel.
"If you're an Apostate, then the man you may want to meet goes by the name of Jammer, I reckon. He owns a club called The Rage." he added after the man's introduced himself. The question hadn't been asked, but if he wanted to get to know his surroundings...
He wasn't so sure about the last question. It was only natural, but as of late, the Enchanter had started becoming less forthcoming with information about his life. Strange what a shot to the genitals could do to the self..."Hrmm... yes, yes. We're both in the Mysterium. Are you an Apostate by choice ?" He had his Sight ready, and tensed a little bit as he answered the Necromancer, though. Looking around, he tried to spot incomers, as well as hiding places...
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"Miach is quite correct," agrees Toren. "Mr. Jammer just recently announced himself as the Apostate Intercessor, I believe. Though I haven't gotten to know him personally. The Rage is just East of here on Kiefer Boulevard. It looks sort of like a warehouse but functions as a club in the evenings I suspect."
"It's interesting, Hachiman, that you mention your being on the Path of Stygia. I too have walked the Leaden Path, so if you plan to stick around maybe it would be nice to meet with other Moros in the community. Actually..." Toren began fishing in one of his pockets for something and his hand emerged with a business card. "Here's my card if you'd like to contact me. I also work as an architect if you have any construction projects you need handled." Toren was always looking for business in his freelance work.
Hachiman first looked to Miach to answer his question regarding his being an Apostate. "Oh, no. I may be an Apostate, but I am interested in becoming a part of one of the Orders. I have not yet had an opportunity to join one." He had said this coolly, but he had always been highly interested in being a member of the Order of the Adamantine Arrow. In the last few years, disciplining his anger and living simply had been like breathing air for him. Attempting to reform his lifestyle to that of one that is a leader is, obviously, no easy feat.
"You should introduce me to this Mister Jammer, Miach. I certainly could use the help finding out about the Orders in the area." Hachiman then looked back to Toren to address him again; holding his hands out to take his business card and bowing simultaneously. "Thank you very much," he spoke almost apologetically, standing straight again. "It is good to meet another Moros here, Mister Toren. I have many questions about the way Americans bury their dead. It is very different from in Japan, as most there are cremated and Buddhist rituals are performed." Hachiman, not wanting to seem too morbid, changed the subject. "But, I hope you won't find me rude by not offering you my business card, as I have none with me at the moment," he fibbed, not wanting to reveal his given name and company. Hachiman scratched the back of his head and smiled softly, "I will certainly keep you in mind if I need work on a building."
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"I could lead you to the Rage, no problem. As for Jammer, I have never met the man, but perhaps we could see to it together ?" he offered with an apologetic shrug. Frosty wind engulfed in his shirt, and he shivered, immediatly tightening his clothes back in place.
Business cards ! Miach would have slapped his forehead for missing something so obvious around a Japanese. He immediatly fished into his pockets, taking his own out, and offering it to the Eastern Moros. It was a pale green card with a number on one side, and the shape of a caduceus printed on the other.
If you'd like, here's mine as well. I'm a doctor, by the way, in case you need one...
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"Hmm, is it that different?" asked Toren when the topic of burial practices came up. "I mean, lots of people still get cremated and I think this cemetery has a crematorium, though I don't think there are many practicing Buddhists in Sacramento. I'd say Christian rituals are more common here." Toren smoothed his hand over his bare scalp thoughtfully. He knew all about crypts, catacombs, and tombs, but was a little unfamiliar with cultural burial practices, which was a bit embarrassing for a Moros. Though perhaps Hachiman felt the same way, unfamiliar in this land. "Ah, umm, actually doesn't Japan practice a type of mausoleum burial? Gongen-style, I think it was?" He thought to add, 'and ancient mound burial' but then every ancient culture practiced mound burial. Either way he only brought it up to clarify his understanding of the difference. Toren had always regarded these buildings as tombs, though he didn't think to wonder if they held bodies or ashes.
Architectural Trivia, 2suxx
Bowing and taking Miach's card in his hands, he stood looking at the card for a moment before putting it in his pocket and rubbing the back of his head apologetically. "Sorry again for not having a card on me. I will be sure to offer you one next time I see you," he smiled weakly. "I will keep you in mind next time I need to see someone for medical reasons."
Turning to Toren again, he spoke with a thoughtful look in his eye, "Yes, Mister Toren. It is very interesting. I am a little familiar with gongen, although you may know more as you seem very familiar with architectural history," Hachiman lowered his eyes for a moment and rubbed his chin. "I believe gongen were shrines in Japan that were meant to combine both Buddhist and Shinto gods. Though they have not made for over one hundred years," he chuckled lightheartedly. "I suppose what I find most interesting with western-style burials is the spaciousness." Hachiman thought of the Japanese graveyards that could be found wedged into small plots of land found between buildings and suburbs.
"It would be nice, though, to find out more about the Orders here and meet more Awakened. I hope it wouldn't be too bold to accompany either of you two to meet Mister Jammer?" Hachiman left this as more of a request but without trying to sound too forward to these two he just met.
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Miach was glad when the topic shifted away from burial customs, because it felt rather uncomfortable, if perhaps fitting to the scenery. It felt so much more comfortable in fact, that he probably sounded over-enthusiastic as he shook his head when answering Hachiman
"Not too bold, no, no. When would you like to go ? And remember I haven't met the man either, so I'd look forward to it too ! Also, if you'd like to find out more about the Orders, we probably could get you in touch with..." the Acanthus turned his head toward Toren, and tilted it, as if waiting for a split second for some input "our boss, Dr Primoria, for instance ?"
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