Chapter 1: The Blind Phoenix

Realizing that he would most likely not be alone for too long and being highly curious Takezo starts talking to the bird while examining the cage it is contained in. "So do you have a name or can you even talk." He had heard that some of these things even though they appeared to be animals were quite intelligent and could speak so it was worth a shot.

'Huh stupid bird' Takezo thinks but acting on what he would like to do, which would in the end to nothing and definitely not satiate his curiosity, instead tries to be diplomatic, "Look I gave you some food I got you out of that dark horrible place and when I can figure out how to safely get you out of this cage I will do that as well. So why be so nasty."

Takezo, feeling pretty sure the bird will not be going any where, makes a show of investigating the seals, perhaps hoping to put the bird at ease or at least to get on its better side, then nods to himself. He goes about making a more hopefully comfortable bedding spot for the bird then returns and removes a lighter and burns each seal then goes about opening the cage and carefully and gently moving the bird to the nicer bedding spot offer it some more seeds and water and sits down next to the bird. "Look from my understanding you do not have much longer before you reincarnate and I am just trying to make that time more pleasant. I really do not want anything from you but I am curious about you and was hoping to just chat with you while we waited. I mean if I knew a bit more about you it might be easier for me to keep you safe."

Takezo continues to be pleasant, "True nobody I have ever encountered does anything for nothing but there are many folk who do things just for the gratification it gives them for having done it. Helping others sometimes is its own reward and making new friends can be a great reward. So yeah, I am hopefully not doing this for nothing, but the something that I am doing this for is fairly benign. Is there anything else I can do to make you more comfortable, do you like music?"

Not knowing what a bird would like to hear he considered playing his Biwa but noting the tiredness of it he chooses to play the more meditative Shakuhachi.

Introduction to Scene (HERE) ...

As Lacy enters Ippudo Roppongi, a ramen restaurant, she recognizes Shinmen Takezo immediately. He appears to have just sat down for lunch at a table by himself. Unexpectedly, he looks up at her and makes eye contact. Wow, he is strikingly handsome ... she thinks and then realizes that she's awkwardly staring and smiling at him in a less than professional way. Thinking quickly, she re-adjusts her strategy ... can't be a Hollywood agent now ... I'm a fan, an awkward but excited fan ... she recovers and quickly looks away shyly, trying to act a little star struck.

Moving away from the entrance, Lacy moves towards a table in a different direction, but then after a few seconds she steals a glance and sees Takezo has picked up a menu to read.

Lacy takes a big breath and then winds her way towards Takezo's table acting shy but excited.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, but aren't you Shinmen Takezo? Or should I say Bandō Mitsugorō V?" Lacy laughs nervously. "I'm a big fan. Would you mind if I join you for lunch? I would love to chat about Kabuki Theatre."

He saw Salacia before she even entered the restaurant and he had a pretty good idea why she was here but he also was curious as to what her approach would be. He picked up the menu, even though he had not looked at one of them since establishing this as his got to place for Ramen and tea. The fact that he had a menu at all was just tradition, something as important to this establishment as it was to him. At Salacia's introduction he answers, "Of course Miss Cove, please have a seat." and then sets the menu on her side of the table facing her. Indicating she could order something on him. He notices that his usual waitress is approaching and he just singles her to bring some tea by tapping the tea cup. She was intelligent she would see the new arrival and understand they were not yet ready to order. "It is actually a pleasure to meet you in a somewhat less... formal setting. How have you been of late?" Well it was quite apparent Takezo knew her but how, did their organization have a file on her or did he know her some other way? He did just sort of say they have met before in a more formal setting, but what did he mean by formal?