Nothing like a walk on the beach (Izzy tag Any)

[fryn]

"Baka," he replied with a laugh. "I was anything but a hero! Besides," he added, "your omamori kept me safe... remember?" The charm still lay on the small table beside his bed, the herbal fragrance a strong reminder of the day's events but at least that one was a good memory.

"Lia made me a necklace to keep me safe," he explained to Izzy. "Out of herbs. It worked... even if I did end up smelling like an Italian pizza!" he said with another laugh. Her concern had touched him more than she probably realised and he had a great faith in omamori, feeling that it was the only reason he'd been kept safe in the cafeteria. He'd never know if that was true or not but in his heart he felt it to be so.

"Lia... this is Izzy," Taki continued. "Izzy's brother was shot and she was struck on her head. That's why we have to keep her awake as she has... aaaah...." He tried to remember the word Izzy had used and failed pretty miserably in that endeavour. "... a conclusion!" he finished with a satisfied grin. The grin started to slip. "That's not the right word... is it?" His uncertainty showed through very clearly but the word had been long and difficult to commit to his memory.

[Izzy Chen]

When the new girl Lia showed up Izzy smiled even more. She seem just as hyper as Taki did when he rushed up and hugged her, "A necklace. I could have used one." She told Lia. "Sounds like the charm really works. I think we all could use one after today." She admitted. "I am sorry to hear about your brother. I hope he is okay." Izzy offered with a kind smile. It really was tragic for a family member to be hurt. Jett was okay. He was resting at home, but Lia's brother might not be so lucky. "It is a pleasure to meet you Lia." She told the other woman.

Izzy giggled a little when Taki talk about her 'conclusion' . Izzy lightly patted Taki's hand with her free hand and smiled. "You tried and that counts. Its called a concussion, but its just a minor one. I am lucky compared to most people like Lia's brother. They deserve more concern then me. But I appreciate you both talking to me anyway. I could just use some company to be honest." Sure it was true she needed to be kept awake, but it was so minor compared to the other injuries people suffered today.

"My brother is fine. He is resting at home. He was shot in the shoulder. The doctors claim the worst for him was the blood loss. But they also say it could have been worse. Why do docotrs say that? It was bad enough people were shot, why say it could have been worse...is that suppose to make us feel better..." Izzy said rambling slightly. "Sorry. I did not mean to ramble or offend anyone if I did." She just thought doctor's saying it could have been worse, made things, well worse.

[Lia Juarez]

"Taki, conclusion is the end of something, We don't want that for Izzy," Lia said softly. She patted him on the arm. "Language is hard. I always end up offending someone when we go to Finland to visit our mom's family.

"Omamori? Is that a charm? I want to make some better ones... more permanent, but I need some things to complete my altar before I can do that. I am just learning, but I think the herb necklace was pretty good for an emergency." She sniffed Taki and chuckled. "You smell good enough to eat... that's what my mom always says after I've been working with herbs."

Lia nodded and sat beside them. "My brother was shot as well. He almost didn't make it through the operation to remove the bullet, but they think... he will live. But he lost his sight and they can't say if he will get it back. So many people didn't make it so I am trying to be grateful. He was an artist though and it is really depressing for him to think he might never see again. "Have you two eaten? I was going to try to make dinner for Jandro and me if you would like to join us. We live only a few blocks aways from here. I think I have the stuff to make Calzones," she offered, hoping that Jandro would cheer up with some company.

[fryn]

"Ah... concussion," he repeated... not that he'd ever remember that word anyway. He tried, though, but it was one of those words he probably wouldn't really use and so would soon vanish once more. "I'm glad your brother is ok, Izzy but yours is blind, Lia? That's terrible! I pray his vision returns quickly and that this is only temporary."

He felt awful for Lia and for Izzy. Both of them carried so much heartache. He'd escaped lightly on that front, too.

"But yes... omamori is... amulet? Amulet, yes. The word mamori means protection, with omamori it is honorable protector. I haven't eaten yet and would be honoured to dine with you as well as to see Jandro again." They'd parted ways in the Principal's lounge a few hours ago and Takumi hadn't been at all sure that Jandro wasn't going from there to prison. "Izzy? Are you able to also go?" He hoped so as that way they could ensure she stayed awake. "I will need to call home and let them know as they will worry if I'm late but tell me something, Lia... What is a calzone?" Another word he hadn't stumbled across before but he felt sure he'd like it regardless!

[Izzy Chen]

"That is horrible Lia. I hope your brother gets his sight back as well. I can't imagine what he must be going through. I would to help out in anyway. I volunteer at the hospital sometimes so I could make sure your brother is okay when you and your family cannot be there." Izzy promised. IT was just so horrible for that to happen. "Well he is going to live which is good. Hopefully god will return his sight too. I think we could all use a miracle right now." Izzy said with a small smile.

"Honorable protector. I could use one. I think i liked the ghost better. I had a creepy dream about the ghost, but thats another story for another time." Izzy was not about to tell the Taki the dream anyway. She was still confused with how it ended. Izzy shook the thoughts from her head and smiled, "A calzone is good just trust me on that and I bet...." Izzy leaned over and sniffed Taki as well, "I bet if her calzone smells as good as you do then it will be very good." Izzy said with a smile.

"I am sure I can stay I just need to call and check on my brother. There is no one at home watching him. He is being stubborn." Izzy's mom had called claiming she could not come back until next week. Thats her mom for you. Her son gets shot and her mom stayed put. Nothing new.

[Lia Juarez]

Lia smiled thinking it would nice for Izzy to visit Saint. "Saint is still in the ICU but they will have him under Santos Juarez. I think it might be easier for him to talk to someone else. He is used to being the oldest for us and I think he will be uncomfortable showing weakness to us," Lia said, knowing how proud her older brother could be.

Lia laughed when Izzy sniffed Taki too. "Hopefully it will be better. Our herbs are fresher. I grow them in the backyard in covered flats," she informed them. She wanted a greenhouse, but she doubted that would ever happen. The community was talking about a building a victory garden and if so she would apply for space in the green house.

"Ghost? My father's estate in Spain is haunted by a mad monk who is consumed with guilt from participating in the inquistition. The story is that he was visited by an angel who told him that the lady they were going to burn the next day was innocent, but he was too frightened by the other inquisitors and didn't free her. His sin became overwhelming to him and he threw himself from a tower rather than continue with his holy mission. He walks the halls at night looking for the lady he killed hoping for redemption and forgiveness," Lia told them, enjoying sharing a bit of her family history.

"A Calzone is like an encased pizza, you put the ingredients on the crust and fold it in half and seal the dough to make a pocket. We can make one for your brother too. I am sure you know what he likes, Do you want to call here or from my house?" Lia asked not sure if Izzy had a cell or not.

[fryn]

Takumi was intrigued to hear about Izzy's dream and he made a mental note to ask her about it later. He somehow resisted the urge to sniff himself, pretty sure that Izzy and Lia were teasing him about smelling herby. Hopefully, anyway! He'd showered and washed his hair to rid it off Co2 foam but then again, the herb aroma had been potent... He sniffed a sleeve and threw Izzy a grin. "The... ah... calzone sounds good," he replied. The words was definitely a new one for him but he was game to try most foods. He wasn't all that keen on too much dairy products as those didn't play a huge role in Japanese cuisine but he'd try it regaardless.

While Izzy and Lia chatted he rummaged for his phone and quickly called home. His mother was surprisingly ok with him going to Lia's house and he ended the call with a far easier heart.

"You can use mine, Izzy-chan, if you want. I'll just need to dial in the numbers as..." He showed her his mobile, complete with its 'dashboard' of kanji-etched keys. "And thank you, Lia," he added with a slight dip of his head. "Your offer of a meal is very gracious." Old-fashioned perhaps but habits that had been taught him from an early age were going to find it hard to vanish, Such was his upbringing.

(ooc I hate to eat and run but heading off this afternoon to France and not sure if and when I can post again so please don't let me hold anything up. Just drag Taki along wherever - that's fine with me )

[Izzy Chen]

"Just let me know when you want me to visit him, or rather let me know when he says its okay. I would hate to surprise him. Especially if he can't see me, it might be weird for him. I will be there tomorrow afternoon. After the memorial. I was going to go volunteer since I doubt there will be any school." Izzy admitted to them. She eyed Taki for a moment when he gave her a look and then looked back at Lia.

"Oh its okay I have my blackberry so I can call." Izzy had a cell phone and a nice car she drove. Her mom was an actress and they lived in Malibu, but Izzy was not willing to advertise that. "Thanks Taki and Lia just give me a few minutes to make the call." She pulled out her phone and dialed one number. Jett was on speed dial.

"Hey...I am going to a friends house with taki. I will be home soon to check on you. I will bring food to." Jett said something which caused Izzy to begin speaking Korean for a few moments before hanging up. "Sorry he was just complaining about something...he was being my bratty older brother. I think bringing him home food is a great idea. I warn you his tastes are weird. You guys ready. I have my car if anyone needs a ride."

(OOC: Okay sounds good...I will make sure Izzy and Lia tie him up and make him a slave...just kidding..Taki is in safe hands have fun...)

[Lia Juarez]

“I am glad to have both of you, Jandro isn’t much fun at the moment which is understandable, but I was really dreading dinner. Now it will be fun,” Lia responded sincerely. She hoped having guests would cheer up her morose brother as well. He had said he thought Taki was a great guy after his help with the cops and the principal. “I should call and warn him. He has a bad habit of running around in his underwear whenever he feels it is safe.” She gave her twin a call while Izzy was talking to Jett. The news did seem to cheer him up for he offered to roll out the dough before they got there.

“Okay all set. I have my bike, but I can give you our address. It’s 418 Westminster Ave. It’s an odd house that looks like a cross of Navajo and Moorish architecture. I don’t think you can miss it,” Lia explained with a grin. She loved their house it was very different and had excellent Feng-Shui.

“Want me to meet you there? It should only take me five minutes to bike there,” she said confidently. She was used to biking everywhere and was considering trying to get a bike delivery job as soon as she turned sixteen. She knew it paid decently and it had the benefit of keeping her in shape.

(ooc: I am so jealous. I think you should have invited us as part of Taki’s harem. Oh I have some sheepskin lined handcuffs from my medieval reenactment days )

[Izzy Chen]

Izzy smiled and laughed at Lia's confession about her brother, "Thats okay, my brother likes to reenact Risky Business when no one is around. So I understand completely." Izzy said to Lia. She stood up and brushed off her jeans as she took out her keys. "I am looking forward to hanging out with friends and making new friends. I could use some more. Especially now."

"Oh I like the way that sounds. My house is your typical, modern Malibu house. Complete with everything my mother wants and does not need. Especially since she is never around." Izzy tried to laugh it off with a smile as well. But she was very bothered. She wished her mom was around more, but thats why she had Eden, Ben, her brother and now some new friends she thought.

"Okay I will meet you there. I should be there in a jiff. Since it is close." Driving got you every where fast, but Izzy would not mind using the bus or something, but she had a car and might as well use it to be honest. "Thanks again. I mean it. I think we all really do need each other right now."

Wrap or tag to wrap.....btw love the handcuffs, lol