The dojo under the ownership of Aaron Tanaka, specializing in kendo and other forms of armed combat. It is a two story building, the dojo taking up the majority of the first floor, and Aaron's apartment above.

So sure he could go to Lucas's dojo but truth of the matter is after you spend almost a month with someone, especially a boy scout like him, you want to find little excuses to get away.  Cruising through the yellow pages he managed to find this place.  Now he would have called, but his mind still had a chance to wonder and it wouldn't do for his powers to kick in during the phone call with someone that didn't know of his abilities.  Flexing his hands slowly he gives a sigh as he runs a few fingers through his hair, closing his hands behind his shades.  Checking to see if the door is unlocked, he'll open it and head on in if it isn't.  Otherwise he'll stand at the front door and knock quietly against the glass with a key or ring a doorbell if one is available.

The door was unlocked, and, in fact, there was a current lesson in progress.

"Again!" an authoritarian voice shouted, instructing the myriad children and young adults to perform the stroke. With several shouts and cries, the class brought their boken down in an almost synchronized motion. "Again! You will do this strike until it is engraved in your mind! Until you do it in your sleep! Again!" the voice said again, coming from a lean man in a black gi at the front of the class.

He gives a glance to Hotwire, then one to the clock. "It appears our time is up. Remember, students, honing the mind is as important as honing the body. Meditate on what you have learned today," he said. Bowing, he finished, "Respect and honor." The class repeated in chorus, and went their separate ways.

Making his way over to the newcomer, Aaron said, "Welcome to my dojo. I am Aaron Tanaka. You do not appear to be one of my students. Are you seeking lessons?"

Zeke quietly, respectfully, looks over the class as they excercise.  Standing off to the side.  Now he can share the physical description of a number of people.  It isn't known that the guy who was sighted in three different states; Idaho, Montana and Florida in that order, has any connection to the Legacy.  Sketches of him were plastered on the news though most people that see him in passing just brush it off as coincidence and the few that do are politely told they are mistaken.  Showing them a video he took of a party he was at that day with a few friends in Weston at his apartment.  He started carrying it around becuase he was tired of having to discourage the few people that approached that the sketch was infact not him.  The house in Idaho was melted while the family was out camping, the elderly man in Montana was saved from having a heart attack and the family in Florida firmly denies ever having seen him, despite their neighbors for a time saying otherwise.  What was most odd of the sightings was that they all took place within a two hour window.

"Ezekiel Urban, folks just call me Zeke though.  And yeah, was looking for a dojo to take lessons in.  My mentor from Juvee said I should look into the martial arts.  At the time I suggested he do something that was anatomically impossible but well I had a bit of a life changing experience lately and thought maybe the guy was on to something."

A hand is extended towards him as he approaches and Aaron introduces himself.  Zeke also has yet to remove his sunglasses.

With a smile and a handshake, Aaron responded, "Well, I'm honored that you'd choose my establishment. I mostly focus on kendo, the art of traditional Japanese swordsmanship, but do offer training in many other styles, both armed and unarmed. The schedule for lessons is different, depending on the art. The general cost is about $180 total for a year, not including equipment if required. Interested?"

There was only so much he could tell the guy in a way, and if not for just the mental discipline and hand to hand combat so he wouldn't have to always resort to using his gadgets he'd think this was all rather silly.  Remembering the class from before there is a soft chuckle at the thought of it, a grin that likely would have had Friday locking up all pieces of loose tech in Machinesmith's lab in a second if she saw it forms over his lips.

"Sounds great.  I have to say, Kendo ...  I am guessing that is what I saw earlier?  Sounds quite intriguing.  I was thinking just an unarmed Martial Art but well this could be quite interesting.  When would I be able to start and thank you for not asking me to remove my sunglasses.  Admitedly you're the third dojo I've tried in the area.  Parahumans are still rarely trusted it seems."

His voice quiets and after the students had cleared out he felt it only right that his future sensei? would know why he would wear the sunglasses during his training.  The blood vessels and irises of his eyes were a decidely bright green color.  Every once in a while a pulse of light would travel along one blood vessel that traveled from one side of his eye to another.

"The only problem most people have with kendo," Aaron said with a small sigh, "is that it's not exactly... capable of being used for self-defense. Carrying a sword in public is a bit of a... social faux-pas, if you will."

Aarong grinned when Zeke mentioned parahumans. "You will find that I am most accepting of parahumans. While most fear them for being different, I respect - or disrespect, as the case may be - them for what they do. As for being the third dojo... have you tried Dragon and Tiger? Because of you turned them down in favor of me..." The smirk grew wider, and a mischievous glint came to his eye. "I would be most honored.

"I'm friends with Lucas Martinez.  Spend a bit of time with him already, thought it would be nice to have a bit of my own time here is all.  So yeah, I was using Dragon and Tiger as a last resort.  As for socially acceptable, I gotta say, I've never been one for caring what society thinks of me, I am who I am.  Then again it's nice not to have people stare at me too every single second."

Slipping his shades back on he looks around at the dojo again, giving a slow breath.  The old Zeke never would have showed his face in a place like this.

"I certainly have ways of concealing a sword though it will probably be a while till I get one.  Probably longer till I can actually use it effectively or even have a chance, but a little discipline certainly wouldn't be too bad for me.  When would it be good to get into a class?  And thank you."

Walking toward the back, Aaron gestured Zeke to follow. <Brown>"I'll get the registration forms. Just a few things, general information and mostly for formality. The next class is two days from now, but, seeing as how I yet have a few minutes before locking up, I can give you little primer on the basics now, if you wish.

Following after him easily he keeps his body relaxed and looks over the dojo a little closer.  Just taking in the small details.  Force of habbit taking in the entrances and exits.  Almost like he was casing the place.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind a little impromtu warm up for the actual class since you're offering."

Nodding and tossing Hotwire a boken, Aaron said, "Alright. The basics. I have numbered the eight basic strikes, a thrust being nine, and a parry ten. However, you will need to learn the numbers in Japanese, for it's my habit to shout them as such. In the eight cardinal directions, clockwise, it goes ichi, ni, san, shi, go roku, shichi, hachi." As he said the words, he demonstrated each stroke with a boken of his own. "Kyuu," he said as he thrusted the wooden sword forward, "And jyuu." he finished, bringing his false sword across his chest in a parrying motion.
"Understand? Be warned, I will not say them in order all the time. For example, ichi, go, jyu." As he said them, he brought his sword down, then back up, then across in a parry.
"Show me you understand the stikes, in order."

Catching the boken easily he tests the balance and looks it over carefully, taking in every detail.  What he had planned was going to take some getting use to, but this gave him ideas.  A brush of his fingers is given to the hilt and shaft, taking in their features.  He is paying attention to Aaron as well and when he gives the assignment, Zeke nods and demonstrates the movements.

He was used to some movement, having stayed in relative good shape though still a bit of a beanpole.  He was going to have to adjust it slightly, and there is evidence of the gears rolling slowly in his head as he demonstrates them first in order as almost mirror images of how Aaron showed him as well as a second round of more sure movements and shouts though with one distinction.  He was already taking the first steps of making the art his own.  Of note mainly, there is much care taken to keep the blunt side of the blade farther out from his body.

A grin slowly forms and an apologetic nod is given.

"Sorry.  In class I won't do that.  It's about your teaching and staying with everyone else, right.  I was in a fencing club back in Juvee.  Some where between my attitude and improvisation, the teacher decided I was going to be detrimetal to the class."

It didn't help that he wiped the floor with who the teacher decided was going to be his star pupil, either.

"No, no, don't. That sort of dedication is more than what I'd look for in a pupil. The martial arts are just that: arts. They are meant to be taken in and adjusted with one's own personal touch. It will be an honor to see you in class."

Aaron gave a wide smile before before finishing, "Now, I must be locking up for the night. Oh, and the next time you see your friend Lucas, please do mention that you're going to be a member of my dojo."

He smiles a little at that, he had some work to do and some things to pick up.  He thinks it over, there were plenty of places for him to go.  He was going to need parts and he still didn't like the whole idea of buying stuff.  Too easy to trace if things get stolen after all.  But if the item is already stolen, well who are the 'bad guys' going to go to except other bad guys.  And even then, no honor among thieves, it'd be a while till they could get things organized.

Setting the boken back where Aaron had taken it from he gives a slow nod.

"Of course, and I will do that.  He will understand I'm sure."

He'd also need his help aquiring some of the items.  He was pretty good in a fight himself, if he had control and the element of surprise.  But he wasn't as skilled at fighting as the others and he was still very squishy.

"I guess bring my check to the first lesson then?"

He asks as he and presumably Aaron head out of the dojo so he can lock up.

OOC: Actually, Aaron locks up from the inside, his abode is the apartment above the dojo.

With a nod, Aaron says, "Yes, that'll do. Look forward to seeing you in our next lesson!"

Locking up after Hotwire has left, Aaron headed upstairs to his apartment, showering before he looked over his wardrobe. Night was approaching... Pulling his "costume" out of the closet, he slipped it on and equipped himself.

Stretching, he recited his mantra: "I am the black void. I am the cold steel. I am the just sword. With blade in hand shall I reap the sins of this world, and cleanse it with the blood of the guilty. I am Shadowstrike. Penance has come."

With that, he opened the window leading to the alley behind his dojo, focused his ki to his legs, and lept to the building across.

> To Rooftops >
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:47, Fri 13 Nov 2009.

Psyche, now Katy all dressed up (putting make-up on was so much easier with good ol' TK) in a black dress that fell down just below her knees. Matching heels were off to the side, laying rather unceremoniously on the sidewalk next to the mat in front of the door. Katy, sitting Indian style, her eyes closed, was meditating. Out of all the things Aaron had taught her, this was the one that helped focus her powers, and ultimately further her Psyche.

"Aoooohmmmmmm," she repeated again, her patience more than tripled as she waited for Aaron to open up.

Cursing under his breath as he came inside and saw the time, Aaron stripped himself of his ninja gear, throwing it unceremoniously in a pile on his bed. After a quick shower and shave, he dressed himself in a nice black suit, deciding not to fumble with a tie. With a squirt of cologne, he was ready, if weary.

Trouncing down the stairs, he was about to open the front door when he noticed a meditating Katy on the stoop. Wincing as he glanced at the clock again, Aaron slowly opened the door and gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that... I had some, er, unforeseen distractions..."

Katy opened her eyes slowly, as if coming out of a trance. She looked up at Aaron, and smiled brightly, getting up and grabbing her heels. Using Aaron as support, Katy began putting them on, while simultaneously talking to him. "'s no big deal. You keep telling me I need to meditate, so I figured while I was waiting, why not?! I'm going to hate these heels..." She trailed off on other meaningless babble till she got her heels on, then put her now-heeled feet on the ground, took Aaron's hand, and began to step down the stoop.

"So, we're heading to...Versuezi's? I kind of...forgot where it was. D'you remember?"

"Hmm..." Aaron said, his brow creasing in concentration. "I'm fairly sure, but if we get lost, it's my fault. I remember you mentioning something about another couple? Are they going to meet us there, or were they unable to make it?"

Katy smiled, chuckling quietly. "They're going to meet us at the restaurant. Have you ever heard of Lucas, the guy who runs Dragon and Tiger? A Friend of mine, Friday, is bringing him," she said as they began walking down the street.

Mentally, Katy called out to Friday.

Hey, Friday! We're headin' to Versuezzi's. You gonna join us, or do I have to drag you and Lucas there?

Aaron's eyes widened in pleasant surprise when Katy mentioned Lucas. "Know him? Of course I do... our dojos have a bit of a... rivalry, so to speak. It's nothing fierce, of course. Boys will be boys and all that, you understand. It will be a pleasure to finally meet the woman he's talked about."

Something was nagging Aaron at the back of his mind. There was absolutely no doubt about it; Katy was the woman he had seen at the Bertelli's. But he knew he couldn't say anything, as it would compromise Shadowstrike's identity. Hopefully, she didn't recognize him...

Katy giggled just the tiniest bit, and said: "Shall we head then, Aaron?" She began walking alongside him to Versuezzi's, her mind flicking through the several scenarios that could have went down. She knew there would definitely be some teasing, knowing both Friday and Lucas.

"Oh, and Aaron? This is the first time I've actually...erm, showed up in front of my friends with a man. Please, don't be offended if they tease just a little bit," she said.

-->Versuezzi's

"Don't worry," Aaron said with a chuckle. "With Lucas and I together, there won't be time for him to say anything about you."

>>> Versuezzi's >>>
This message was last edited by the player at 18:18, Mon 28 Dec 2009.

>>>>>>>>>From The Rooftops>>>>>>>>>

Lucas retracted the armor in an alleyway not far from the dojo. He looked around for a moment, noticing that the dojo had been....abandoned?

That didn't sound like Aaron. What happened to him? Unless Oni managed to use the most obscure connections in his life against him? That would be a switch.

It wasn't like Aaron Tanaka to just up and leave town though. He had been a fierce rival, both as a businessman and as a fellow martial artist. But they were, to some extent, friends. There had to be something more as to why the Tanaka Dojo had suddenly shut down.

But that mystery would have to wait. At least for the moment. Lucas then began to search around the area of the dojo to see if he could find signs of anything that might be amiss.

Lucas continued to look around the dojo. There were no signs of foul play, no signs of a struggle. And Lucas knew that Aaron Tanaka was a VERY well trained martial artist. If he did disappear...it was either under his own terms...

...or something that was equally frightening....Aaron may have met up with someone who was better than he was, and may have been defeated.

Lucas shook his head. The mystery of what happened to Aaron Tanaka would have to wait. But only for the moment. Now....he had to go and obtain a tuxedo. Or at least get measured for one.

>>>>>>>>>>To Weston Mall>>>>>>>>>>>

The mysterious man known as Shadowstrike watched and waited. The murders of the Bertellis had, for the most part, went unavenged. No Mob power vacuum...no open gang warfare. Things were quiet...too quiet.

Then the buffoon known as Dragon Fist went snooping around the dojo. Shadowstrike knew that he would never see eye to eye with the hero who wore the armor of a Dragon, and perhaps there may be a confrontation between the two. He hoped not too soon, at least for the moment.

No...there were scum to be dealt with tonight. Scum that needed to be cleansed. And Shadowstrike would be the one to do it.

Once again donning the uniform, Shadowstrike soon would become known to Weston's criminal element once again, for the merciless justice he meted out.

There were rumors of a new and upcoming street tough rumbling. Shadowstrike would just have to see this sight for himself.

>>>>>>>>To The Streets>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>From The Streets>>>>>>>>>>>

Shadowstrike soon returned to the dojo without any issues. The blood of the guilty had been shed as several of the various street toughs and drug dealers met their demise by the hand of his blade.

Something was horribly wrong. Katy was missing. She was out there. Somewhere. She seemed to appear for brief moments in where he thought he saw her. But those turned out to be nothing more than apparitions. Illusions and mirages that he wished were real.

He soon began to kneel in a meditative stance, and closed his eyes and focused himself. But he soon felt another presence in the room with him. Several, in fact.

Opening his eyes, he looked around. No one else was here. No one that he could see anyway. But the chill of the presence was still there.

Soon, manifestations of ethereal samurai warriors numbering four surrounded him. Drawing out their ghostly katanas, they all had a stern expression on their phantasmal faces.

"Say it! Say it! Recite your oath!" one of them called aloud. "Reaffirm your commitment!"

He soon pulled his mask over his nose and mouth, and closing his eyes, recited "I am the black void. I am the cold steel. I am the just sword. With blade in hand shall I reap the sins of this world, and cleanse it with the blood of the guilty. I am Shadowstrike. Penance has come."

The ghostly samurai bowed, then seemed to dissipate. The great spiritual presence that had inhabited the dojo now left, leaving nothing but eerie silence in its wake.

>>>>Timeskip>>>>>>>>

Aaron had spent most of the night in solitary meditation, as he contemplated the visit by the spirits he had encountered earlier. Reaffirming his mantra, being baptized in the blood of the guilty, it all had felt right.

And no doubt, this night would bring the baptism of more blood. The blood of the guilty who oppressed the innocent. And it seemed that new bloodshedders had arrived in Weston.

The Yakuza.

They creeped in like a shadow in the darkness, with their unique methods and rites. They would surely bring ruin to Weston if left unchecked. The fools of the Legacy were too busy dealing with "super villains" to even care about a development such as this.

No...this deserved the steady, unflinching hand of the one known as Shadowstrike. And his hand...with the blade...they would receive.

Shaking his head, Aaron briefly looked out into the Weston streets, surveying the city he had sworn to protect. From itself.

Aaron then went back and began to practice with his boken. Focusing his thoughts, he soon put himself into a near trancelike state. Where he could see and feel nothing except for his own energy. Becoming one with the weapon he held.

Something was on the horizon. Something bad. And it was coming soon. A darkness like no one could even fathom or imagine.

And so Shadowstrike would prepare to fight and defeat this darkness. By any means necessary.

As Aaron continued to meditate on the possible coming darkness, he was visited once again. Only this time, it was one ethereal being that came to visit him. The being appeared to wear a white kimono, had long, dark unkempt hair, and white facial makeup, almost like a kabuki actor. Above his right eye was the kanji of "Heaven" or Ten, tattoed in red. This being could only be interpreted as an Onryo. The Japanese Spirit of Vengeance.

"Aaron Tanaka....known to the world as Shadowstrike...you have been chosen as the representation of Vengeance. Vengeance will pick up where Justice has failed, and make things right. The blood you shed will be the blood of the guilty. Those who put themselves above the law."

Aaron nodded, and the Onryo smiled, satisfied that Shadowstrike now accepted this burden. He was merely doing what he had always done, only now with a sort of supernatural endorsement.

>>>>>>>>To The Rooftops>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>From The Rooftops>>>>>>>>

Shadowstrike was one with the night as he made his way back to parts familiar: the Tanaka Dojo.

Making his way through the access point, he removed his mask. What he found tonight was troubling. The Yakuza were in Weston, and even Shadowstrike himself might not be able to stop him. No, they were being driven by a force..a force that he had never seen before.

But this was his burden. And his alone, for now. He needed to learn more about his enemy.

And so he went to his laptop, and began to search for information on The Yakuza. As for the mysterious force behind them, that was something he could not find out through a website. He would need to seek out the various magicians who called themselves "heroes."

Aaron had a few "outside sources" when it came to searching for the Yakuza. Their foot soldiers were extremely loyal, even to the point of death. They wore the tattoo of oni on their backs. But they usually didn't have any sort of supernatural characteristics. And that's the part that troubled him.

Someone...or some THING...was assisting them. To what end, no one knew yet. But he could be sure that as the foot soldiers were making their way here, so too were probably the Yakuza's most dangerous assassins.

And that usually meant NINJAS. Long-thought myths, now becoming an all too dangerous fact.

Aaron's trained hearing soon picked up on several footsteps that could be heard throughout the dojo. These steps would not have been heard by anyone else, but Aaron was no mere sensei. He stood to his feet, minimizing the browser on his laptop, and grabbed a wooden bokken. Only ninjas could be this sneaky.

"Come out and show yourselves and I promise to make your defeat quick. If you persist in toying with me, you will be in for a lesson in pain."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:17, Thu 03 Nov 2011.

The ninjas didn't come out immediately. It seemed that they had opted for the lessson in pain.

Aaron's eyes narrowed as a ninja dressed in black came out. This one was trying to throw his attention off while the other one flanked him from behind.

It would not work.

Taking his bokken, Aaron sidestepped his adversary as he came out, levying a blow to the ninja behind him, instantly rendering him unconscious. In the same fluid motion, he brought forth his bokken to his oncoming adversary, doing the same to him.

Crouching in a defensive position, Aaron looked around the dojo. All was silent. Eerily so.

Suddenly, the ninjas bodies began to smoke around, with the smoke turning into a clear vapor, and their bodies were completely gone. Either they were dead or not really there in the first place.

Satisfied that he had dispensed with this latest annoyance, Aaron put the bokken away.

As the ninja seemed to disperse, Aaron found himself seeing things in a more unique light. As the smoke that was once the essence of the ninja floated away, Aaron could distinctly see the life energy...their chi....floating as well, and in the center of each of the smoky forms, he could see what appeared to be a snake.

Aaron? A voice echoed throughout the Dojo, unmistakably a familiar Police Department worker recently gone missing. It was curious, almost unbelieving, with a hint of amazement.

Aaron was still on edge after the skirmish with the ninjas, hearing a voice he hadn't heard since....

It couldn't be her. And if it was? He had felt her awareness somehow, but wasn't entirely sure if he would acknowledge who it was.

"Katy?"

Aaron!!! Her voice exclaimed in near shock and awe. The tone almost begged romantic music and Katy to rush up to him and hug him, and indeed her mind conjured up such music and Aaron would feel warm air snaking it's way around his waist that, if she were there, would be her hugging him. But alas, as the voice faded and Aaron realized she wasn't in the room with him, an awkward feeling emanated from seemingly nowhere.

I...er, have some explaining to do. About how you can hear me. Um, when I'm rested, I'll meet you at your Dojo......okay? she asked.

The strange thing was, Aaron might or might not notice that while he couldn't hear the voice, he still heard it.

"I'll be here..." Aaron replied back, out loud, though it weirded him out slightly. He wasn't sure if this was a trick by his new enemies, or if this was the actual genuine article.

Katy meandered along the streets of Weston, not particularly interested in a specific destination. Her walk eventually ended up in front of the Tanaka Dojo. She stared at the building for a moment or two before walking up and knocking on the door. She was at least four hours before her date...But she couldn't wait. Not any longer.

Adjusting her blouse and fixing her purse-strap, Katy knocked on the door several times, waiting for an answer.

  Aaron answered the door, dressed in his teaching clothing, and said "Katy!  I didn't expect you so early.  I bed your pardon, I am not yet dressed for our date."

'God help me,' Katy thought as Aaron opened the door. She had no idea how to go about this, and she couldn't stand it any longer. She was done with the secrets and the cancelled plans...well, the cancellations were mostly legitimate, being a police officer and all that, but keeping her powers secret weren't.

"Um, Hi Aaron. It's okay, neither am I," She said, "Um...Can I come in? We need to talk. It's... kind of important."

  He nodded, and stepped back, gesturing for her to enter.  He said quietly "Come to my office, I will lock up the outside doors so that nobody interrupts us then.  Do you know the way, or shall I show you first?"

"I remember the way," Katy said quietly, stepping in and making her way through the training room to his office. She waited patiently while Aaron locked up, her heart pounding in her ears. She had no idea how she was going to say this, but at least she could set her mind at ease now.

Katy fidgeted as she took a seat. Time seemed to slow down for her. It was probably adrenaline or some form of it. What should have been a few minutes, most likely less, seemed like hours. She felt cold, not to mention every ache and bruise she had since two months ago had decided to ache. Not that she'd let anyone else see that, of course, it was one of the perks of being an illusionist.

She stood up, leaning against Aaron's desk and continuing to fidget with her hands. Whatever happened, Katy was determined to at least let the truth out. Now all she had to do was wait for what seemed like an eternity.

  Aaron came in, and said "Please, have a seat.  Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please," Katy said, after what felt like eternity. But she couldn't sit. She was too nervous. There was no backing down, and she wasn't going to let her relationship with him continue until he knew the truth. But she wanted it too, she wanted to be happy, and the temptation to reach deep into his mind and look at his deepest thoughts was great. But she didn't. She resisted, remembering what had happened the last time she did that.

Katy took the cup of tea as it was given to her, sipping slightly. "Aaron, I...Haven't entirely been truthful with you about some things," she said, trying to keep her voice even. "I told you I worked as a detective at the police department. Well, that's only part of it. I'm the head of the Psychic Investigations Unit created by Captain Jordan when Para-humans started becoming Police Officers. I'm a psychic Para-Human, Aaron. I can move things telekinetically, and I can read people's minds. I-I don't do it as a matter of respect, but I can. I can see where an object has been before and I can create illusions that look and feel real." To punctuate her last point, she let the illusions she conjured up around herself fall, revealing layer-upon-layer of yellowing bruises on her arms, as well as the top of a black tattoo on her chest. Almost as quickly, the illusions sprang up again, concealing her battle-scars.

"...I'm also known as Lady Psyche to the public world. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Aaron, I just... I didn't know how."

And with that, her heart stood still as she waited for Aaron's reaction.

  He tilted his head, and sipped his tea before he spoke.  A quiet admission.  "It appears neither of us has been completely truthful.  I am also possessed of dual identities.  I can hardly hold a secret identity against you when I have also held one myself."

Katy paused for a second. "Wait, what?" was all she could say as she sat down, looking at Aaron with a perplexed look on her face.

  Aaron gestured at the chair opposite his own, and said "Please be seated, Katy.  We clearly need to talk more, and I think you will want to sit down.  More tea, or sake?"

Katy nodded and sat down opposite Aaron, sighing as she did so. At least he wasn't angry. Or he didn't look angry, at least. It was hard for Katy to read his expression.

"Sake, please," She said. It was going to be a stressful talk, and something strong was in order.

  Aaron nodded, and poured them both cups of sake.  He then sat back down, after placing a small bowl of some sort of assorted nuts.  "I work at things on the side as well.  But not as Aaron.  I go by Shadowstrike."

Almost without hesitation, Katy downed the sake in a few gulps, wincing slightly as the drink ran down her throat. "Shadowstrike?" She said, "And what abilities do you have?"

Katy could feel the adrenaline in her veins fading, relaxing ever so slightly. At least she didn't feel like her heart was going to jump out of her chest now, but she couldn't help but shake the feeling she'd heard the alias before...maybe from Lucas or Hotwire.

  He sipped his sake, and said "I manipulate my own chi.  It can be used to produce a variety of effects.  Depending on what I need at the time."

Katy looked at him for a moment. "So you can use the same energy that Dragon Fist uses? talk about irony," she said, smiling slightly. "I suppose we've been leading two lives, haven't we? I've been fighting with the Legacy and you've been masquerading as a ninja....Well, as long as you don't die, I can deal with that."

  Aaron smiled, and sipped his sake before he asked "So, are we making this date a casual clothes date then, or do you still want to dress nice and hit our favorite Italian scene?"

Katy smiled, letting out a long held in breath before saying, "Why don't we just skip the fancy clothes? I don't have anything nice to change into, although..." Her smile turned into a sly grin, followed shortly after by a haze of purple mist taking shape around her and Aaron. Simple blouse and jeans turned into high heels and an elegant black dress that barely touched the ground, while Aaron's garb turned into a matching Armani suit.

"...I mean, if you really want to dress up, I suppose we could manage." She said, her smile never fading in the slightest.

  He smiled, and said "I do like to treat you like the lady you are, Katy.  Shall we go to our favorite Italian hangout now, or go for steak and sushi?"

"Sure," she said, "Italian sound great right about now."

  He smiled, and offered her his arm as he said "Then allow me to take you out to our favorite Italian hangout and give you an enjoyable evening, my dear Lady Katy."

"Why, I think I'll do so, Sir Aaron," she said, taking his arm and letting him lead her out the door, before promptly engulfing them in purple smoke and disappearing, reappearing in front of Versuezzi's.

-->To: Versuezzi's