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11:26, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

Posted by DragondogFor group 0
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 80 posts
Sun 5 Jan 2020
at 07:23
  • msg #36

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

The bus transfers make the trip take some time, and Tom takes advantage of the extra time to try to familiarize himself with the area.  When he finally gets back to Daiyu’s shop, he finds her busy with an elderly couple, and so he waits for her to finish up.

When she tells him why the Jacobses had come by, he can’t help but gape. ”Fifty million?” he asks incredulously. ”And $1 million of that is going to interior decoration? Shouldn’t that money be going to vaccines or cancer research or something?”

He does some quick mental arithmetic. ”Okay, so that’s only 2% of their financial gift, but still. What did you have in mind for the interior decorations?”

OOC: Tom returned the tag, too, but he still has the coin Sparrow gave him.
Dragondog
GM, 284 posts
GM
Storyteller
Mon 6 Jan 2020
at 00:04
  • msg #37

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

"Nothing yet," Daiyu says. "I'm going to need to see the space first. And think about it. They asked me to come around this afternoon to check it out so that I wouldn't interrupt the staff as much. You can come with me if you like."



[OOC: Based on https://www.salk.edu/news-rele...entific-discoveries/ this additional $50 million donation would be 27.5% of their FY19 revenue.]
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 81 posts
Wed 8 Jan 2020
at 20:08
  • msg #38

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

Nodding, Tom says, "Sure, it sounds like a pretty interesting place. I've passed by the outside a few times, but I've never been inside."

Looking around, he says, "What would you like me to do in the meantime? More training, or do you have some chores I can take care of around here?"
Dragondog
GM, 285 posts
GM
Storyteller
Wed 8 Jan 2020
at 21:13
  • msg #39

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

"More training, but first we need to get you a room," Daiyu says and closes the shop. She then opened another door marked "private" and led you into the next building. And up the stairs to a well furnished room. It was clear that the building was older than Sparrow's and had quite a different floorplan.

"The bathroom is over there." She pointed at another door as the room didn't have an en suite bathroom.

"We're running to the beach and taking a swim. So get dressed for that. And before we leave, I'll teach you how to hide your sword. It is a very useful trick."
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 82 posts
Thu 9 Jan 2020
at 04:56
  • msg #40

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

Following Daiyu up the stairs, Tom looks around at his new digs. "Thank you, Daiyu." He doesn't understand why she has been so hospitable. He guesses it's down to taking care of fledglings, something he would need to do one day. If he lived that long, that is.

After Daiyu leaves, Tom slips on some athletic shorts that double as swimming shorts and jogs back down the stairs. Hide his sword? He figures she means that sleight-of-hand trick she has with business cards and the sword she was using. Wait, does this mean that he gets a sword, too?
Dragondog
GM, 287 posts
GM
Storyteller
Thu 9 Jan 2020
at 09:00
  • msg #41

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

Next time you see Daiyu, she's in a bikini. And she is as well trained as she has appeared to be based on the training she has put you through. She instructs you to bring your sword and leads you back to her gym/dojo.

Over the next couple of hours, she teaches you how to focus, how to see, and how to open up. With much effort, her trick became known unto you.
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 84 posts
Thu 9 Jan 2020
at 19:19
  • msg #42

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

At first, Tom isn’t quite sure how Daiyu is able to make her sword appear and disappear as she does, particularly only wearing a bikini, but he follows her instructions, focusing on the blade and making it appear and disappear. It takes a number of tries,  but the first time he makes it disappear, he gasps triumphantly and smiles broadly.

He continues to practice the technique, training over and over, willing the sword to appear and disappear. Now that he has access to a weapon at any time, he is starting to feel more confident, but he knows he has a long road ahead of him if he wants to become a master like Daiyu.

As he remembers Michelle Yeoh greeting Chow Yun Fat in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Tom forms a fist with his right hand and cups his right right hand with his left. He says, ”Thank you for the sword, Daiyu. Or what’s the term - Sifu? Should I call you that instead?”
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Thu 09 Jan 2020.
Dragondog
GM, 288 posts
GM
Storyteller
Thu 9 Jan 2020
at 19:37
  • msg #43

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

"That would be the traditional term," Daiyu says as her left hand cups her right fist. "And for more contemporary use, when your sword is hidden, not even the TSA with all their toys can find it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:47, Thu 09 Jan 2020.
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 85 posts
Fri 10 Jan 2020
at 02:57
  • msg #44

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

Tom nods. "Then we're always armed. That sets my mind at ease a little, but I keep thinking about that Mediterranean guy. I hope I don't run into him anytime soon."

"So Daiyu, may I ask how long you have been in America? Why did you leave China? I've always wanted to go. I'm going into the Air Force after I graduate--or at least, that's the plan. I'm not sure how all of this is going to change things. But I hope I get stationed in Korea. I've always wanted to explore Asia."
Dragondog
GM, 289 posts
GM
Storyteller
Fri 10 Jan 2020
at 04:10
  • msg #45

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

"When I died, I really couldn't stay," Daiyu says. "We traveled off the beaten path so it took quite a while. Through China, Tibet, Gurkani Persia, the Golden Horde, the Principality of Kiev," she smiles as if recalling a fond memory.

"The first time I was in the US was before the civil war. I've been back and forth a number of times since then."

"There's a lot to see in Asia. I'm not sure how much you can explore while in the military though. Do you want to be a pilot? Is that why you joined the Air Force?"
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 86 posts
Tue 14 Jan 2020
at 01:29
  • msg #46

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

"Before the Civil War, huh?" Even though Tom has met all manner of long-lived supernatural people, it still seems incredible to talk to someone who has been alive for hundreds of years.

When she asks whether he wants to be a pilot, he shakes his head. "To be honest, the main reason I signed up with the recruiter is that they offered me a scholarship. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do, but it will probably be something related to communications. Probably a desk job, you know?"

"I've got a couple of cousins. One joined the Air Force, and the other the Army. They've been all over - Machu Picchu, New Zealand, the Maldives, Tibet, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Greenlad. Their Instagram feeds are amazing. I want to see what's out there."
Dragondog
GM, 290 posts
GM
Storyteller
Wed 15 Jan 2020
at 03:31
  • msg #47

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

"That's very practical of you," Daiyu says. "Join the Air Force, get free college and see the world. Any other questions? Or are you ready for our run?"
Dragondog
GM, 293 posts
GM
Storyteller
Sat 18 Jan 2020
at 17:00
  • msg #48

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

The two of you start your run. It took you a little over 15 minutes to get down to the beach near the La Jolla Shores Hotel. And then out into the ocean. For some distance. The swimming class you took in your first semester at Croatan was very useful to you now.

"And for the next step in your training," she says, swims close to you, pushes you down under the surface, and without taking a breath she follows down, down, down into the deep. Pushing you further and further.

[What do you do?]
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 87 posts
Thu 23 Jan 2020
at 04:27
  • msg #49

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

At first Tom panics when Daiyu begins pushing him down into the depths of the sea. His first impulse is to struggle, but then he relaxes and allows her to drag him further down. She wouldn't have spent so much time training him if she intended to kill him, and besides, he is functionally immortal now, which should apply to drowning.

OOC: Tom will allow Daiyu to keep pushing him further down.
Dragondog
GM, 298 posts
GM
Storyteller
Thu 23 Jan 2020
at 04:40
  • msg #50

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

Daiyu held the non-struggling Tom under the sea. Even when his breath was running out, when panic grabs people to force them back to the surface so that they can live, Tom remained still. Confident that his Shifu didn't intend to end his life. And even if she was, that drowning wouldn't be a permanent problem.

But when his lungs were empty and reflexes took over, he breathed, and his lungs were filled with air again.
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 88 posts
Mon 27 Jan 2020
at 07:08
  • msg #51

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

Though Tom trusts Daiyu to a reasonable degree, wild thoughts still flit through his mind, whispering that he’s a fool to trust anyone in such a life-threatening situation. Still, having conquered his fears, he now finds himself flooded with amazement. He isn’t drowning! In fact, he seems to be able to breathe normally underwater!

He laughs, sending up bubbles of air, and gives Daiyu a thumbs up sign.
Dragondog
GM, 299 posts
GM
Storyteller
Tue 28 Jan 2020
at 19:11
  • msg #52

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

Daiyu returns the thumbs up sign, returns to the surface, and swims back to shore.

"How do you feel?"
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 89 posts
Wed 29 Jan 2020
at 20:32
  • msg #53

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

“Surprised,” he says, once he’s back on the shore. “I wasn’t expecting to go all Aquaman down there. It seems like there’s quite a bit more to this than just fighting with swords. What’s next on our training regimen?”
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Wed 29 Jan 2020.
Dragondog
GM, 301 posts
GM
Storyteller
Wed 29 Jan 2020
at 20:48
  • msg #54

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

Daiyu looked around. The beach was empty. "Feel the Quickening within you," she says. "Listen to the Quickening surrounding you. Draw upon it. Do you feel it?" She was moving her feet in the sand as if she was a bull preparing to rush a matador. "Do you feel it? Run. Run. Run!" And she started to run.
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 90 posts
Sat 1 Feb 2020
at 04:27
  • msg #55

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

What? Tom looks at Daiyu in askance, but when she starts running, he takes off after her. The Quickening? He's not sure what she is talking about, but he isn't going to take any chances.

OOC: Ruuuuun!
Dragondog
GM, 307 posts
GM
Storyteller
Sat 1 Feb 2020
at 08:24
  • msg #56

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

As you run down the beach you soon catch up with Daiyu and as she increases her speed, so do you. Keeping in step with her. Soon running faster than you have ever run before. Faster than you ever thought possible. It's exhilarating. You see the wind blowing through her hair, making it billow behind her.
Dragondog
GM, 309 posts
GM
Storyteller
Wed 5 Feb 2020
at 14:02
  • msg #57

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

You return to the house and get ready to visit the Salk Institute.
Tom Flanagan
PC Immortal, 91 posts
Fri 7 Feb 2020
at 07:09
  • msg #58

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

The Salk Institute seems pretty classy, but Tom doesn't have much in the way of business casual wear. He does have a pair of chinos and a button-down shirt, so he changes quickly. He practices summoning his sword and hiding it again. Unreal. A card trick compared to coming back from the dead, but it still blows his mind that what he can only think of as magic is really possible.

He goes downstairs to the main lobby to wait for Daiyu.
Dragondog
GM, 312 posts
GM
Storyteller
Sat 8 Feb 2020
at 20:31
  • msg #59

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

The Salk Institute is housed on 27 acres. The two original mirror imaged structures have four levels and flank a grand travertine courtyard with a stream of water flowing in the middle. They have clean lines and are built with simple, strong, and durable materials that are as maintenance-free as possible. 50 feet by 25 feet lightwells provide sunlight for an additional two levels underground.

On the way to those structures, you pass through a citrus grove containing several orderly rows of semi-dwarf Valencia orange trees.

Kim Winchester, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration shakes hands with the both of you and introduces herself. She is accompanied by man in a suit and sunglasses that seems to be a bodyguard.

"Welcome to the Salk Institute," she says. "We are looking forward to having you spruce up this place."
Dragondog
GM, 313 posts
GM
Storyteller
Sat 8 Feb 2020
at 21:02
  • msg #60

Re: 1.2 Family - Old and New (Tom)

She gave you a tour inside.

It was very open. Few, if any walls in the laboratories. Facilitating quick and easy reorganization of space. Even the lights could be moved on rails in the ceiling.

On the higher floors, glass walls were used to the various offices. Sunlight illuminated a large portion of the place through windows or lightwells.

Most of the place was very sparce.

During your tour, your phone rang. It was John Baldwin, your maternal grandfather.
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