Point Dume Lighthouse - stage 1 (open tag!)

[fryn]

Determined to set the evening's adventures in motion, Takumi set off towards the northern bay of Santa Monica Bay... namely an area called Point Dume. The location of the ghostly lighthouse. His Vespa would take the best part of an hour to reach there but the end goal was very much worth it. Besides, the coastal ride was magnificent and the weather fine and warm. With the ocean to his left and Malibu hills to his right, Takumi relaxed back and enjoyed the scenery... almost as much as he was relishing thr prospect of tonight. He wasn't sure if Izzy would go through with it - or any of her friends - but if not he'd return later... alone.

Point Dume itself was little more than a barren headland. The highway circled well to the north of the area and so Takumi set off through the side streets. He'd read up a little on the place and knew it was the location of a couple of well-known movies. It had been used in the Planet of the Apes as well as the site of some 'Normandy landings'. All in all it was a desolate and remote part of California... and perfect for a ghostly setting.

The lighthouse dominated the craggy cliffs above the beach and Takumi headed there first. He wanted to deal with their entry point before he explored the beach itself.

* * *

"Before the installation of lighthouses on the Pacific coast, many ships and seamen went to their graves on its rocky schoals. Shipmasters deplored this dangerous stretch of coastal water. On May 1,1926 their petitions were answered when the U.S. Lighthouse Service began the operation of the brightest beacon in Southern California, Point Dume Lighthouse. The 1000 watt bulb, focused through a five foot lens, could be seen over twenty miles. The lens, hand ground by Paris craftsmen in 1886, saw forty years of service in Alaska before its installation here."

The tour guide droned on about the lighthouse's past and most of it was lost on the Japanese youth. He trailed at the back of the small group, brightly-hued information leaflet in one hand. In amongst all the other languages they hadn't had one in Japanese but the girl in the kiosk had kindly tried to hand him a Norwegian one instead. Whether she though Japan to be close to Scandinavia remained to be seen but Taki had just as kindly declined.

"The tower itself is 67 feet tall but the main beam of light marks Point Dume from a height of 185 feet above the ocean. Built on plastered reinforced concrete, it is very similar to one on Anacapa island in the Channel Islands chain. Operation of the lighthouse was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939. The Lighthouse was manned until automated equipment and remote control operators took over in 1971..."

Takumi fell back even more until the group had passed into the next room and started to scale the steps. He could hear the tour guide's voice continue speaking...

"That is when the "Lady Of The Light" appeared. In the dim light through the painted windows, some saw the shape of a tall serene woman in a flowing gown who would slowly pace the tower's walkway.
"... Some said she was the ghost of the first lighthouse keeper's wife who stumbled from the edge of a cliff one foggy night. Others say she waits for the return of a lover lost at sea, while still others think she is the shade of a heartbroken woman who threw herself from the cliffs when she found herself abandoned by her intended. "

Interesting indeed but Takumi had to see to the window before he could catch the group and hear the rest of the tale. He unhooked a small window and eased it open... Just a fraction... wedging it with the leaflet that he'd folded up into a small square. Only then did he jog after the others.

"There you are!" exclaimed an elderly lady. "I was worried you'd gone and got lost, dear."

He smiled at her and took his place back amongst the group...

[fryn]

The evening's adventure had been set in motion and Takumi left the lighthouse, satisfied with his work. The lower floor window had been wedged open and it would be a simple task to gain entry later... after dark. Once inside he would then be able to search for signs of a supernatural presence. He had to admit, though, he'd far prefer to have some company and so reached for his phone to contact Izzy and then Ezzie.

"Confusing names," he murmured to himself, sending a text message to each of them. A reminder for the former and an invitation the latter. Should he also try and talk to Annie? Perhaps as she might be up for it but he didn't have her phone number and so wasn't sure how to go about that. The same went for Ashton.

He quickly sent the two messages and then snapped his phone closed before pushing it into the pocket of his jeans. With luck at least one of the girls would get back to him before then end of the afternoon and they could work out a place to meet up before breaking into the lighthouse.

With the rest of the day at his disposal, Takumi returned to his Vespa and headed back down the coastal road to Santa Monica. With luck he'd bump into at least Izzy and if she'd had a change of heart he might just be able to talk her around...

[Thad Cotton]

Thad had not gone back home after breaking out of his room with Roxy. He had accompanied her back to their neighborhood, had climbed the tree between their houses but after she had vanished he had sat staring into his bedroom, unwilling to return when he knew the reaction that was waiting for him. So he had slid silently back to the ground, making his way to the beach. He had spent most of the night prowling -- he could almost understand why Sidra was so enamored of the undead; it was quite exciting, dodging from shadow to shadow -- and had eventually fallen asleep on a rather uncomfortable bench, cold and cramped and damp, until the sun had decided to inconveniently show herself.

He rubbed his eyes, trying to stifle a yawn. His clothes were rumpled, his hair a mess, his eyeliner running, but he felt remarkably free -- and ravenously hungry. He glared down at his stomach as it growled, reminding him that this freedom from parental authority meant he couldn't rely on them for sustenance; and although he wasn't really planning on running away, he had no interest in going home just yet.

He didn't know exactly how he was going to spend this day of freedom, however, as he had spent what little money he had brought with him last night with Roxy. So, he picked a direction at random and trudged slowly along until he spotted a familiar figure on a Vespa. He tried to recall the other boy's name; it was something really odd, though that wasn't surprising, because he was a foreigner. Ta...Tak...Taxi? He didn't think that was it, exactly, but he couldn't help blurting it out anyway. "Taxi! 'ey, Taxi!!!" He stretched his arm into the air, waving frantically, hoping to get the Japanese youth's attention.

ooc: Fryn, I feel so inadequate after reading your posts. They are entirely too amazing. o=

[fryn]

ooc LOL! Daftie - I blag my way through my posts completely but am happy if you like 'em!

--

Taxi? Takumi stopped, the hint of a frown across his forehead, and turned towards the voice, recognising it right away. The frown evaporated and a smile replaced it. The boy wasn't hailing a car but calling out his own name... well, as close as he probabl remembered it. It was fine with Taki as he'd been called a heck of a lot worse! Some not entirely repeatable, in fact.

"Thad-chan!" he called back and he drew up at the edge of the road, smiling at the ounger boy. "I am ver pleased to see you. I hope your balloon is still alive! You are going somewhere? I am hungry... can you join me or..." He glanced over Thad's shoulder to check he wasn't with someone else. "My treat!" he added with a bright grin, remembering how little mone Thad had the last time they'd met. His mood was seriously good thanks to his profitable morning... and due to the excitement that la ahead after dark.

"Climb on the back," he added, shifting forwards on the scooter. Neither boy was particularly big and so there would be plenty of space. "Is there somewhere nice near here?" he asked as he pushed the scooter into gear. Sushi would be great but then he had a feeling he was hoping in vain. Still, without hope what was left?

[Thad Cotton]

Thad hopped eagerly onto the Vespa behind Takumi, offering up a very heartfelt prayer of thanks, feeling for the moment that Takumi’s appearance and offer of food was excellent proof that there was, in fact, a God. “I’m ravenous!” He cheerfully took the Japanese youth up on this very generous offer, deciding that it wasn’t taking advantage of the situation at all as long as he could find some way to pay the other back later.

“Whatcha like?” He inquired, attempting to mentally catalog every restaurant withing scooter distance. “There’s Modica’s Deli, they got pretty rad sammiches. Long Beach Café is pretty good, too, if ya dig Greek food. Ummm. Taco Bell?”

There was one Japanese restaurant that he could think of, but he was not about to suggest Sushi Roku when a friend was paying; it was definitely on the pricey side. And anyway, in his mind food should be unhealthy, or at least quick and easy, which meant sandwiches and burgers and fries.


“So whatcha out here for?” He wondered aloud, pleased though he was to see a familiar face (that wasn’t going to turn him in to his mothers.) “The b’lloon is kinda…wiltin’.” He admitted, “Las’ I checked which was ummm like yes’erday afternoon.” Now he felt guilty about leaving it all alone in his bedroom; maybe he should have taken it with him!

[fryn]

"Taco... Bell?" Takumi smiled. "That sounds nice. What is it?" He hadn't a clue but as the name appealed he opted for that choice. "Which way?"

Thad gave him the directions for the fast food place and he prepared to leave... pausing only when Thad asked why he was in Santa Monica.

"A shame about your balloon but it had a good life. Don't mourn," he said over his shoulder. "But I was up the coast a little more. Exploring. I came back to Santa Monica to find something to eat and instead found a friend. I feel that makes my trip very worthwhile. I will tell you what I was doing while we eat..."

Taki set off, making for the Taco Bell on Lincoln Boulevard, drawing up at the side of the building and switching off his scooter. The two boys scrambled off the machine and wandered inside...

Takumi stared at the brightly coloured menu board on the wall above and behind the counter.

"What'll be, boys?" asked a bored-looking woman.

Taki stared at the strange items and their names before throwing Thad a panic-riddled glance. "I cannot read these words, Thad-otousan. Burr-ito? What is that? Can you choose something for me? I don't mind what..." He was so hungry he'd wolf down whatever was placed before him. Well, within reason.

Thad ordered two meals and handed one lot to Takumi. A chicken soft taco with fries.

"Anything to drink?" the woman asked.

That was far easier for him. "Sprite, please," he replied and Thad also responded, allowing Takumi to pay at last. Finally the two boys were free and they made for a corner table.

"Taco," Takumi repeated. "In Japanese that means octopus. Does this have octopus in it?" He took a bite. "No... no tako... niwatori. Chicken." He took another bite. "This is good," he declared. "Very different to food back in Japan but in a good way!"

He set the taco down and snagged a fry. "Now... what I was doing earlier," he began, leaning forwards and closer to Thad to tell him all about the lighthouse..."

... "and so I am going back there. Tonight," he finished. "To find out if this ghost really exists. An adventure, yes?"

[Thad Cotton]

If there was one thing about Takumi that made Thad like him, it was his enthusiasm; even when he had no idea what something was, he was interested in trying it. The freshman would never have said he disliked those without enthusiasm, but a quick look at his friends revealed an abundance of youthful energy and enthusiasm, with a dash of ill thought out rebellion.

Thad shoveled food into his mouth as Takumi explained all about his earlier exploration and his plans for future fun, brown eyes wide at the thought of ghostly ladies stalking the local buildings. "It's haunted?!" He whispered once Takumi had finished revealing his story, feeling that any discussion of ghosts must be done as softly as possible. "I never heard that..." He mused, wondering why nobody had told him about this story. He wondered if Roxy knew; she had lived in Santa Monica longer than he had, so she ought to have heard! But if she had, why had she never said anything to him? Had she assumed that he would already know? Probably; with Sidra for an older sister, he really ought to know every haunted location in the whole state of California.

"I wanna go!!" He informed the Japanese youth, determined that if there were really ghosts he wanted to witness them for himself. Ohhh, Si would be so jealous, too! Maybe he would text her and invite her along, if Takumi didn't object. He certainly was not going back home now, not when there was the prospect of ghost hunting that night, so he couldn't just ask her to her face.

"Sounds like a blas'!" He added, mind racing with scenes of chasing ghosts in the dark, away from the prying eyes of adults. He stood, picking up his plastic tray (now filled with trash), "Man, tha' was delish, thanks!" It looked like Takumi had enjoyed his own meal, too, despite not knowing what any of it was (Thad hadn't been entirely sure at first if Taki was telling him the truth about liking it or was just being polite, but it had disappeared rapidly enough), which made him feel good about his choice. "Gotta keep up th' energy if we're gonna find us some ghosts."

[fryn]

"You are most welcome," Taki replied to Thad's thanks. "But otousan," he continued. "We could be in trouble if we are caught." Taki felt protective of Thad and dragging into the local police station along with himself was hardly responsible. But then he looked at Thad... and his soulful eyes. "Ok, ok!" he added on a laugh. "But if we ARE caught you hide until we've been taken away."

He sat back and slouched in his seat. "I admit I am happy for your company," he confided. "I didn't really like the idea of going alone. Besides," he reasoned, "we have to have at least two people there to... ah... to vouch for the sighting of the ghost... right?"

There was still time, he knew, for Izzy and Ezzie to reply and Taki was fully aware of the fact that he was conveniently forgetting that fact in order to justify Thad coming with him.

"If you aren't busy we could spent the afternoon on the pier perhaps. Then after some dinner we can head up to the lighthouse." He paused, a slight frown in place. "But of course you are having dinner with your family. We can meet after that. Would 9 o'clock be ok for you?" It would be starting to get a little darker by then, giving them time to ride up the coastal road before night fell completely. "We will need flashlights. Do you have any? If not I can run back down to Venice Beach and collect some from home." If Thad had any, though, it would save him the trip.

[Vic Webber]

Vic was sitting at a table, reading a book of urban legends. He didn't really believe them but they made some fun but rather gory reads especially when one was eating and chimichanga dripping with so much hot sauce even a die hard Texan would be complaining. He didn't mind listening to the two talk behind him then they mentioned the lighthouse and ghosts! His favorite!!

He turned around. "You mean Point Dume Light house? I know the story of the haunting!" He didn't care if they wanted to listen or not, he loved telling this story.

"Back in the 50's there was a young man named Tom Stewart, who came from a well to do family and in a few days he was to be married so he decided to have a fling with a woman of the night." He took a drink of his soda before continuing. "When they were done, the woman was wanting more than what Tom offered and she threatened to tell the whole town of their encounter. Clearly he couldn't have this happen, so he took her to the lighthouse saying how beautiful the view was from the ledge. Together they climbed the stairs and stepped out onto the ledge. She held back, slightly nervous but Tom told her the view gets even better so she stepped forward when the railing broke!" *CRACK!* he smacked his hands together. "She held on for dear life begging for Tom to pull her back up but instead he turned away and she plummeted to her death...her body was never recovered." If he didn't have them before, he was sure he had them now. "Now all sounds perfect but its not, a few days later Tom started to be haunted, like he'd hear her voice on the radio when it wasn't on or he'd swear when there was wind it would say 'Tom Stewart killed me!' the worst of it was on the wedding day when he bride went to put her dress on and it was covered in dried blood and seaweed!" His face was deadpanned.

"Tom had enough, he stormed to the lighthouse and raced up the stairs to the ledge. He looked around for anything he could and that was a fatal mistake, the girl's ghost came floating at him which made him lose his balance and plummet to his death right where she had. And to this day the two still haunt the place." He sat back in his seat and waited for a reaction.

[fryn]

Ok, so Takumi only followed perhaps 1 word in 5 but that was more than enough for him to grasp what the other boy was saying. "Sugoi!" he breathed when the boy finished speaking. "Yes, we were talking of the lighthouse at Point Dume. It seems there might be more than just the one ghost, otousan!" he stated to Thad. "This poor woman and also the one called the Lady of the Light." They might, of course, be the same one but Takumi was hoping that wasn't so. This was most definitely a case of 'the more, the merrier'.

"I am definitely going back there tonight now!" declared Taki... and he knew Thad was equally as determined since he'd heard the tale, too. "I intend to visit the lighthouse this evening and spend the night there. Hopefully something will happen." He peered at the other boy. "You know a lot of local folklore?" he asked. If so it might be a good idea to get to know him a little better. "I am Takumi and this is Thad," he went on. "Can we join you at your table?" The last thing he wanted was for anyone else to overhear their conversation as that could see an untimely end to their planned night's adventures.