SFFAL Love Hina RPG
This is the combined transcript of the Love Hina RPG being currently played by the members of the Shinobu Fan-Fiction Authors League. Each week, the players submit their chapter, and these are amalgamated and reconciled by the GM who then adds any extra interaction before posting the completed chapter.
Noone has author powers in this game, it is supposed to be in keeping with the LH theme and most players are playing versions of themselves.
Currently you are welcome to contact Baka-Alaskan if you wish to join the league; however the game is not looking for extra players.
Players: Cody (Baka-Alaskan), Al, Lance, Sam (British Dragon), Kyosuke (Blight),
GM: Steve (CheshireCat5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2: The Americans are coming! ARRIVAL
Lance Arrives
Today started a normal day at the Hinata Hot Springs. The old men walked around with no purpose, two young children played in a sandbox, and a three year ronin came across a new direction in the air where he hasn't been punched through before.
But we'll skip that part.
Instead, we'll start with a young boy walking up the stairs to Hinata Sou. Alright, not ENTIRELY young, but around fifteen......ah, screw it, it's Lance Waymire.
"Comedian's Log: I have escaped the wrath of my uncle and have found word of homage at an Inn just north of this town. I have not yet been initiated, but this is my final hope. This marks day one of a new journey, and the end of another......Note: stop acting like an idiot and making cheesy logs."
He nodded to himself and kept on up the stairs, until he reached the entrance to Hinata Sou itself. He tilted his head back to see the view, and found it much better than he had imagined.
"I won't mind living here at all...thank you, Mei!" He marched to the door.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!!
CRASH!!!
"DAMMIT!!" Apparently, Lance didn't know the door was made of glass. And as expected, there was a surge of reaction coming from the inside.
He came into view of an older teenager, log flowing auburn hair, and the most evil look he had ever received in his life. Not to mention a good view around the chest cavity as well....
"And who might you be?" the girl snapped at him.
"Uhm.." Lance thought hard, "...the guy who's very sorry for breaking your door?"
"That's right, but who ARE you?!" she yelled. Lance cringed.
"I'm Lance Waymire...I'm hoping to get a room here..."
Before he could say anymore, he was glomped from behind by someone he didn't know and never seen before in his life. You all know her as Kaolla Su.
"Oooooh, a new boy! Does he have any food on him?" the little girl searched his pockets and backpack, digging around for edibles.
"Su, stop pestering him!" a new voice said from inside.
The owner of the voice was none other than Keitaro Urashima, manager and repair-man of the Hinata Sou. He had a friendly atmosphere around him, which nearly brought tears of joy to Lance.
Keitaro looked over Lance and spotted his large backpack. "Ah, I see you're hoping to become a tenant?"
Lance blinked. "Uhh...yeah, if you wouldn't mind."
Ten minutes later, Lance was in Keitaro's room, looking over the application for tenancy. Keitaro sat in front of him, looking over an information page he received from Lance.
"Hmm..." Keitaro concentrated on a few specific spots, "it says here you heard about the Hinata from Mei-sensei?"
"Yes," Lance replied, "she's my English teacher at Hinata High. I give her my stories all the time for her to read, she says I'm really talented."
"It also says that you're from America?" Keitaro asked curiously.
"Yeah, I moved here from the Bay Area in California after my folks....left."
Lance gulped, trying to keep focused, "And I heard that the Hinata needed some new tenants, so I came right over."
"Well," said Keitaro, dropping his paper, "I don't see why you shouldn't live here. But you need to know a few things first."
"Oh, whats that?"
Keitaro stood up, dressed in his scientist outfit and pulling down a chart. He clicked his laser-pointer on and beamed it on Lance.
"To make this all sound professional, I'll need you to state your name and age." he instructed.
"Er..." Lance tried hard not to burst out laughing, "Lance Waymire, age fifteen. Why--"
"Well then Lance Waymire, age fifteen, there are a few set of rules that you must know before you make your stay here at the beautiful Hinata Hot Springs!" Keitaro clicked a button and a slide appeared on the chart-tarp-thingy, showing a list of specific rules and requirements.
"You will be assigned in room 303, which is next to our two tenants Naru and Motoko. May God have pity on your soul..."
"What was that?"
"Nothing! Now, we have a natural hot spring in the back, and it is open for all males on Tuesdays and Fridays. You will also be assigned different chores around the building, since Shinobu and I can't handle the place ourselves. Tell me, what skills do you have?"
"Well," Lance thought back, "Carpentry has run in the family, and I've been told to be pretty good at it--"
"Excellent! Then you will work with me on repairs. But, this isn't all." Keitaro flipped the chart-thingy back up and turned off the laser-pointer, looking sternly at Lance. "I must STRICTLY enforce that you do not enter the hot springs on any other day than Tuesday and Friday."
"And..why is that?" Lance asked.
"If you really want me to explain why I can be punched into the Earth's orbit, crash through walls, ceilings, buildings, birds, and other people, and live to tell that tale, then go and find out yourself. I wouldn't reccomend it though."
"All right, I get it," Lance said at last. "Now, can I be directed to my room?"
"Rushing things so soon?"
"It's a habit..."
"I should introduce you to Auntie, then."
*WHACK!!!!!!*
"HARUKA, HARUKA, HARUKA, I'M SORRY!!!!!!!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cody Arrives
A young man walks up to the stairs of the Hinata Sou with his bags in his hands.
"Wow, big place." he says to himself as he walks to the door and rings the bell. Keitaro anwsers the door.
"Hello, how can I help you?" Keitaro asks the young man.
"Hello, my name is Cody Bowie, I was told that I could find room and board here?" Cody anwsers his question.
"Oh yes, please come in." Keitaro says as he lets Cody into the entryway. The two remove their shoes and move to the lobby, where Kitsune and Su are watching TV.
"Oh, hey Keitaro, Who's this guy? A new Boarder?" Kitsune asks in her sightly drunk drawl.
"Yes he is." Keitaro answered Kitsune's questions, expecting more of a negative reaction - but Kitsune was much too far gone in sake for her to cause a problem.
"My name is Cody Bowie. I am 18 and from Alaska, a state in the U.S., I've always wanted to come to Japan, and being I just graduted from high school, I decided to take a trip. So I'm here for awhile, might even try to go to school here, but its just an idea. Its really nice here too...Opps sorry I'm just a little nervous.. First time from home some where I don't know more than a couple of people." Cody says to introduce himself.
"Nice to meet ya." Kistune says as she shakes his hand.
"Hallo!! " Kaolla says with a really big smile.
"Your Japanese is very good," adds Keitaro, in admiration. "We seem to be getting a lot of Americans suddenly! You're the second today... anyway, Bowie-san, " he continues, "how did you find out about the Hinata?".
"Umm... from a person named Cheshire-san, on a Japan web board. I think he's a teacher at some school here. You can call me Cody, my dad is Mr.Bowie." Cody answers Keitaro's question.
"Oh, yes I know of him." Keitaro comments. "Well, lets pick out a room for you."
Keitaro leads Cody upstairs."This is room 206." He says as he comes to the first open room.
"This well be perfect thank you very much." Cody says as he starts to unpack.
"A few more things..." Keitaro continues. "There are a couple of house rules, and I'm going to have to ask for your first month's rent up front. Not that I don't trust you, but I really need the money now!"
"No problem," replies Cody, as he hands over a bundle of yen. "I'm not sure if this is the right amount?"
Keitaro takes the notes, and tears of joy flood down his cheeks. In fact, he is so pleased, he completely forgets to pass on certain vital information such as the hot-springs times. Instead, he gets up to leave for his room and start counting out the cash...
"I'll come get you when dinner is ready and you can meet the rest of the boarders" Keitaro says as he leaves Cody to un-pack his bags and settle into his new room.
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Al's Arrival
"BOO FRICKITY YA!!!!" Screamed a slightly over-enthusiastic teen as he stood gazing over the sheer wonder of the city that was spead out before him.
He smiled, feeling better after letting out that yell, he sat on his vespa and dug around in one of his saddle bags, looking for his map.
"Let's see here, I thought it was...OW!" Al withdrew his hand from the bag, pulling with it the small gray weasel with bluging eye's that had dug it's teeth into his hand.
"Ahem..." He closed his eyes and a sweatdrop formed as his pet realized it's mistake and allowed his hand to go free.
"That's a good boy, now what do we say?" The blond asked, speaking like he would to a three year old.
"Grrr." was the rodents response, bowing it's head in a apology.
"Yeah, yeah, it's ok, i'm hungry too, we did eat the last of our ramen last night."
The boy remembered fondly how he had spent his first night in Japan sleeping under the stars, camping out in a park -- a nice place, swings, a sandbox... He might go back there to draw later, it might be inspiring.
Snapping back to the moment at hand, the boy dug back into his saddle bag and pulled out a newspaper he had discovered and used as a blanket the night before, and began reading it.
After a few moments he grumbled about paying more attention to his "Learn Japanese in Three Easy Steps" tape, and handed the paper to Dizzy. He could speak Japanese fairly well, but reading the language was just beyond him at the moment.
"Do me a favor buddy, look up jobs, and places to rent while your at it. We can't go on living as hobos -- I mean, my folks want me to go to school somewhere."
His weasel (who is apparently fluent in Japanese) scanned the paper and pointed to a advertisement.
The American made an attempt at reading the article, and then just handed the weasel a piece of paper and a pen whereupon the weasel transcribed out in English the gist of the text.
"Hmmm ok, Cosplay cafe? I guess I could ask Mom to ship me my Vash costume from the states, or my Lupin the III outfit... now let's see about this other place, Hinata Sou eh?"
The boy pocketed the paper and pulled his helmet on over his bushy blond hair.
"Ready to roll, Dizzy?" The wesel, wearing a matching helmet and goggles gave him the thumbs up and seated himself in the boys right breast pocket on his blue jean jacket.
"All right then, look out Hinata, here comes Alex!!!!"
Alex turned the key to his vespa, and nothing happend.
"GRRRR!" This time it was Alex doing the growling.
* * *
Alex arrived at the address of the infamous Hinata house that evening. It must have been at least six, though Alex was still adjusting to the time change.
He walked twords the doors, trying to explain to Dizzy why it was so hard to read street signs in Japanese when he was supposed to know Japanese by now.
"Hello?" Al opened the door and walked in, looking around as he slipped off his worn old sneakers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hello?" Al opened the door and walked in, looking around as he slipped off his worn old sneakers.
Fortunately for Al, the first person he encountered was Keitaro, who had just finished repairing a broken pane of glass in the door and was about to return the tools to the store room. On hearing Al's voice, he turned to greet the newcomer.
"Hello!" he said brightly. "Er - can I help you?"
"I hope so," Al replied, "we need a place to stay. I heard that you have some rooms available, so I thought we could check it out?"
"Er... we?" said Keitaro in puzzlement, only to be enlightened when Dizzy poked his head out of the bag, looked around, and held up the newspaper on the Hinata advertisement page.
"Stop interfering!" admonished Al, to which Dizzy stuck out his tongue and returned into hiding. Keitaro sweatdropped.
"OK... well, maybe we should go and sit down, and discuss things." mumbled Keitaro, and led the way to the seating area.
"So," Keitaro started, after they were comfortable, "what is your name?"
"Alexander J Jones." came the prompt reply.
"May I ask what the J stands for? "
"Jim, James, Jimmy Jhon Jacobs, I dunno anymore, I usually just go by James though when people ask. "
"...OK...um, your age James-san?"
"Well, believe it or not, 16."
"Wow!" responded Keitaro, in surprise. He has assumed the newcomer to be several years older.
"I know, I look older, it's just the goatee..." explained Al. Keitaro wondered if all westerners were so hairy.
Keitaro decided to get back to business. "Alright,lets see... any allergies we should know of so we don't make some food that will disagree with you? "
"Nope, I'm pretty much good to eat anything, but I'm allergic to trading cards. "
"Trading cards? "
"Yeah, I got really into the pokemon craze, and I mean REALLY into it deep, and when I got out I found out that I had devloped a fear of trading cards, they actually hurt me if my skin makes contact with them."
Keitaro facefaulted, as Al gave him a blithe smile as if this sort of affliction was perfectly normal.
"Well... I think that's all," Keitaro hesitantly continued. "I will need a month rent in advance though," he quickly added, remembering the urgency of the financial situation.
"Oh, no problem!" replied Al, digging into his wallet and pulling out a crumpled one dollar bill, American.
Keitaro looked worried.
Al rolled his eyes. "Oh man! How could I have spent all my money!" he asked himself, only to receive "Grrrr" as a response from Dizzy as he poked his head out of the bag again. "Oh yeah...that pinball game we spotted on the way...well that was dumb."
Dizzy gave another "grr" as if to say, "Well, that's what I told you at the time".
"Oh, shut up..." replied Al, irritably.
Keitaro watched this byplay with disbelief.
"I could just take this and you could pay double next time?" he offered, mentally kicking himself for taking in yet another hobo.
"Would you, oh thank you kind innkeeper!" Al responded with a gracious bow, "I'll make this up to you, I'll do extra chores, I'll drive you to work, thank you so much! " he gushed as Dizzy peered out with an exasperated look on his face.
"No no, really no problem," grumbled Keitaro, "Kitsune does it to me all the time anyway..."
Keitaro led Al up to room 306. "Well, we already have a crazy foreigner who speaks to turtles, lets put the crazy foreigner who speaks to weasels nextdoor to her," he thought to hmself. "They deserve each other!"
"Oh yes.." he added aloud, "since you have yet to pay any rent, I'm holding you to the offer of chores around here. I'll give you some things to do tomorrow. Also, you can only use the hotsprings on Tuesdays and Fridays -- but there's a notice up to remind you of that. You could meet the other residents today, or wait until tomorrow..." depending on how long you want to keep yourself uninjured, he added, but only to himself.
* * *
"So... three new residents already, and all Americans!" Keitaro thought to himself, later on that evening. "Although only one of them has actually paid me yet. Still... if they prove difficult about paying, I'm sure Haruka can help me to convince them. Maybe I shouldn't have put Lance between Motoko and Naru, but he just annoyed me by smashing the window like that -- I think he deserves what's coming to him!"
Keitaro looked slightly guilty about his last thought.
"Oh, well, I can always move him to 207 later I suppose, if he gets too beaten up. At least Cody in 306 looks normal..."
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GM notes:
I know there are no 206-208 and 306-308 rooms, I have put them in the east wing, the next three rooms to Kaolla and Shinobu respectively. A few liberties have been taken with the canon in order to fit things in.
This is the combined transcript of the Love Hina RPG being currently played by the members of the Shinobu Fan-Fiction Authors League. Each week, the players submit their chapter, and these are amalgamated and reconciled by the GM who then adds any extra interaction before posting the completed chapter.
Noone has author powers in this game, it is supposed to be in keeping with the LH theme and most players are playing versions of themselves.
Currently you are welcome to contact Baka-Alaskan if you wish to join the league; however the game is not looking for extra players.
Players: Cody (Baka-Alaskan), Al, Lance, Sam (British Dragon), Kyosuke (Blight),
GM: Steve (CheshireCat5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2: The Americans are coming! ARRIVAL
Lance Arrives
Today started a normal day at the Hinata Hot Springs. The old men walked around with no purpose, two young children played in a sandbox, and a three year ronin came across a new direction in the air where he hasn't been punched through before.
But we'll skip that part.
Instead, we'll start with a young boy walking up the stairs to Hinata Sou. Alright, not ENTIRELY young, but around fifteen......ah, screw it, it's Lance Waymire.
"Comedian's Log: I have escaped the wrath of my uncle and have found word of homage at an Inn just north of this town. I have not yet been initiated, but this is my final hope. This marks day one of a new journey, and the end of another......Note: stop acting like an idiot and making cheesy logs."
He nodded to himself and kept on up the stairs, until he reached the entrance to Hinata Sou itself. He tilted his head back to see the view, and found it much better than he had imagined.
"I won't mind living here at all...thank you, Mei!" He marched to the door.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!!
CRASH!!!
"DAMMIT!!" Apparently, Lance didn't know the door was made of glass. And as expected, there was a surge of reaction coming from the inside.
He came into view of an older teenager, log flowing auburn hair, and the most evil look he had ever received in his life. Not to mention a good view around the chest cavity as well....
"And who might you be?" the girl snapped at him.
"Uhm.." Lance thought hard, "...the guy who's very sorry for breaking your door?"
"That's right, but who ARE you?!" she yelled. Lance cringed.
"I'm Lance Waymire...I'm hoping to get a room here..."
Before he could say anymore, he was glomped from behind by someone he didn't know and never seen before in his life. You all know her as Kaolla Su.
"Oooooh, a new boy! Does he have any food on him?" the little girl searched his pockets and backpack, digging around for edibles.
"Su, stop pestering him!" a new voice said from inside.
The owner of the voice was none other than Keitaro Urashima, manager and repair-man of the Hinata Sou. He had a friendly atmosphere around him, which nearly brought tears of joy to Lance.
Keitaro looked over Lance and spotted his large backpack. "Ah, I see you're hoping to become a tenant?"
Lance blinked. "Uhh...yeah, if you wouldn't mind."
Ten minutes later, Lance was in Keitaro's room, looking over the application for tenancy. Keitaro sat in front of him, looking over an information page he received from Lance.
"Hmm..." Keitaro concentrated on a few specific spots, "it says here you heard about the Hinata from Mei-sensei?"
"Yes," Lance replied, "she's my English teacher at Hinata High. I give her my stories all the time for her to read, she says I'm really talented."
"It also says that you're from America?" Keitaro asked curiously.
"Yeah, I moved here from the Bay Area in California after my folks....left."
Lance gulped, trying to keep focused, "And I heard that the Hinata needed some new tenants, so I came right over."
"Well," said Keitaro, dropping his paper, "I don't see why you shouldn't live here. But you need to know a few things first."
"Oh, whats that?"
Keitaro stood up, dressed in his scientist outfit and pulling down a chart. He clicked his laser-pointer on and beamed it on Lance.
"To make this all sound professional, I'll need you to state your name and age." he instructed.
"Er..." Lance tried hard not to burst out laughing, "Lance Waymire, age fifteen. Why--"
"Well then Lance Waymire, age fifteen, there are a few set of rules that you must know before you make your stay here at the beautiful Hinata Hot Springs!" Keitaro clicked a button and a slide appeared on the chart-tarp-thingy, showing a list of specific rules and requirements.
"You will be assigned in room 303, which is next to our two tenants Naru and Motoko. May God have pity on your soul..."
"What was that?"
"Nothing! Now, we have a natural hot spring in the back, and it is open for all males on Tuesdays and Fridays. You will also be assigned different chores around the building, since Shinobu and I can't handle the place ourselves. Tell me, what skills do you have?"
"Well," Lance thought back, "Carpentry has run in the family, and I've been told to be pretty good at it--"
"Excellent! Then you will work with me on repairs. But, this isn't all." Keitaro flipped the chart-thingy back up and turned off the laser-pointer, looking sternly at Lance. "I must STRICTLY enforce that you do not enter the hot springs on any other day than Tuesday and Friday."
"And..why is that?" Lance asked.
"If you really want me to explain why I can be punched into the Earth's orbit, crash through walls, ceilings, buildings, birds, and other people, and live to tell that tale, then go and find out yourself. I wouldn't reccomend it though."
"All right, I get it," Lance said at last. "Now, can I be directed to my room?"
"Rushing things so soon?"
"It's a habit..."
"I should introduce you to Auntie, then."
*WHACK!!!!!!*
"HARUKA, HARUKA, HARUKA, I'M SORRY!!!!!!!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cody Arrives
A young man walks up to the stairs of the Hinata Sou with his bags in his hands.
"Wow, big place." he says to himself as he walks to the door and rings the bell. Keitaro anwsers the door.
"Hello, how can I help you?" Keitaro asks the young man.
"Hello, my name is Cody Bowie, I was told that I could find room and board here?" Cody anwsers his question.
"Oh yes, please come in." Keitaro says as he lets Cody into the entryway. The two remove their shoes and move to the lobby, where Kitsune and Su are watching TV.
"Oh, hey Keitaro, Who's this guy? A new Boarder?" Kitsune asks in her sightly drunk drawl.
"Yes he is." Keitaro answered Kitsune's questions, expecting more of a negative reaction - but Kitsune was much too far gone in sake for her to cause a problem.
"My name is Cody Bowie. I am 18 and from Alaska, a state in the U.S., I've always wanted to come to Japan, and being I just graduted from high school, I decided to take a trip. So I'm here for awhile, might even try to go to school here, but its just an idea. Its really nice here too...Opps sorry I'm just a little nervous.. First time from home some where I don't know more than a couple of people." Cody says to introduce himself.
"Nice to meet ya." Kistune says as she shakes his hand.
"Hallo!! " Kaolla says with a really big smile.
"Your Japanese is very good," adds Keitaro, in admiration. "We seem to be getting a lot of Americans suddenly! You're the second today... anyway, Bowie-san, " he continues, "how did you find out about the Hinata?".
"Umm... from a person named Cheshire-san, on a Japan web board. I think he's a teacher at some school here. You can call me Cody, my dad is Mr.Bowie." Cody answers Keitaro's question.
"Oh, yes I know of him." Keitaro comments. "Well, lets pick out a room for you."
Keitaro leads Cody upstairs."This is room 206." He says as he comes to the first open room.
"This well be perfect thank you very much." Cody says as he starts to unpack.
"A few more things..." Keitaro continues. "There are a couple of house rules, and I'm going to have to ask for your first month's rent up front. Not that I don't trust you, but I really need the money now!"
"No problem," replies Cody, as he hands over a bundle of yen. "I'm not sure if this is the right amount?"
Keitaro takes the notes, and tears of joy flood down his cheeks. In fact, he is so pleased, he completely forgets to pass on certain vital information such as the hot-springs times. Instead, he gets up to leave for his room and start counting out the cash...
"I'll come get you when dinner is ready and you can meet the rest of the boarders" Keitaro says as he leaves Cody to un-pack his bags and settle into his new room.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Al's Arrival
"BOO FRICKITY YA!!!!" Screamed a slightly over-enthusiastic teen as he stood gazing over the sheer wonder of the city that was spead out before him.
He smiled, feeling better after letting out that yell, he sat on his vespa and dug around in one of his saddle bags, looking for his map.
"Let's see here, I thought it was...OW!" Al withdrew his hand from the bag, pulling with it the small gray weasel with bluging eye's that had dug it's teeth into his hand.
"Ahem..." He closed his eyes and a sweatdrop formed as his pet realized it's mistake and allowed his hand to go free.
"That's a good boy, now what do we say?" The blond asked, speaking like he would to a three year old.
"Grrr." was the rodents response, bowing it's head in a apology.
"Yeah, yeah, it's ok, i'm hungry too, we did eat the last of our ramen last night."
The boy remembered fondly how he had spent his first night in Japan sleeping under the stars, camping out in a park -- a nice place, swings, a sandbox... He might go back there to draw later, it might be inspiring.
Snapping back to the moment at hand, the boy dug back into his saddle bag and pulled out a newspaper he had discovered and used as a blanket the night before, and began reading it.
After a few moments he grumbled about paying more attention to his "Learn Japanese in Three Easy Steps" tape, and handed the paper to Dizzy. He could speak Japanese fairly well, but reading the language was just beyond him at the moment.
"Do me a favor buddy, look up jobs, and places to rent while your at it. We can't go on living as hobos -- I mean, my folks want me to go to school somewhere."
His weasel (who is apparently fluent in Japanese) scanned the paper and pointed to a advertisement.
The American made an attempt at reading the article, and then just handed the weasel a piece of paper and a pen whereupon the weasel transcribed out in English the gist of the text.
"Hmmm ok, Cosplay cafe? I guess I could ask Mom to ship me my Vash costume from the states, or my Lupin the III outfit... now let's see about this other place, Hinata Sou eh?"
The boy pocketed the paper and pulled his helmet on over his bushy blond hair.
"Ready to roll, Dizzy?" The wesel, wearing a matching helmet and goggles gave him the thumbs up and seated himself in the boys right breast pocket on his blue jean jacket.
"All right then, look out Hinata, here comes Alex!!!!"
Alex turned the key to his vespa, and nothing happend.
"GRRRR!" This time it was Alex doing the growling.
* * *
Alex arrived at the address of the infamous Hinata house that evening. It must have been at least six, though Alex was still adjusting to the time change.
He walked twords the doors, trying to explain to Dizzy why it was so hard to read street signs in Japanese when he was supposed to know Japanese by now.
"Hello?" Al opened the door and walked in, looking around as he slipped off his worn old sneakers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hello?" Al opened the door and walked in, looking around as he slipped off his worn old sneakers.
Fortunately for Al, the first person he encountered was Keitaro, who had just finished repairing a broken pane of glass in the door and was about to return the tools to the store room. On hearing Al's voice, he turned to greet the newcomer.
"Hello!" he said brightly. "Er - can I help you?"
"I hope so," Al replied, "we need a place to stay. I heard that you have some rooms available, so I thought we could check it out?"
"Er... we?" said Keitaro in puzzlement, only to be enlightened when Dizzy poked his head out of the bag, looked around, and held up the newspaper on the Hinata advertisement page.
"Stop interfering!" admonished Al, to which Dizzy stuck out his tongue and returned into hiding. Keitaro sweatdropped.
"OK... well, maybe we should go and sit down, and discuss things." mumbled Keitaro, and led the way to the seating area.
"So," Keitaro started, after they were comfortable, "what is your name?"
"Alexander J Jones." came the prompt reply.
"May I ask what the J stands for? "
"Jim, James, Jimmy Jhon Jacobs, I dunno anymore, I usually just go by James though when people ask. "
"...OK...um, your age James-san?"
"Well, believe it or not, 16."
"Wow!" responded Keitaro, in surprise. He has assumed the newcomer to be several years older.
"I know, I look older, it's just the goatee..." explained Al. Keitaro wondered if all westerners were so hairy.
Keitaro decided to get back to business. "Alright,lets see... any allergies we should know of so we don't make some food that will disagree with you? "
"Nope, I'm pretty much good to eat anything, but I'm allergic to trading cards. "
"Trading cards? "
"Yeah, I got really into the pokemon craze, and I mean REALLY into it deep, and when I got out I found out that I had devloped a fear of trading cards, they actually hurt me if my skin makes contact with them."
Keitaro facefaulted, as Al gave him a blithe smile as if this sort of affliction was perfectly normal.
"Well... I think that's all," Keitaro hesitantly continued. "I will need a month rent in advance though," he quickly added, remembering the urgency of the financial situation.
"Oh, no problem!" replied Al, digging into his wallet and pulling out a crumpled one dollar bill, American.
Keitaro looked worried.
Al rolled his eyes. "Oh man! How could I have spent all my money!" he asked himself, only to receive "Grrrr" as a response from Dizzy as he poked his head out of the bag again. "Oh yeah...that pinball game we spotted on the way...well that was dumb."
Dizzy gave another "grr" as if to say, "Well, that's what I told you at the time".
"Oh, shut up..." replied Al, irritably.
Keitaro watched this byplay with disbelief.
"I could just take this and you could pay double next time?" he offered, mentally kicking himself for taking in yet another hobo.
"Would you, oh thank you kind innkeeper!" Al responded with a gracious bow, "I'll make this up to you, I'll do extra chores, I'll drive you to work, thank you so much! " he gushed as Dizzy peered out with an exasperated look on his face.
"No no, really no problem," grumbled Keitaro, "Kitsune does it to me all the time anyway..."
Keitaro led Al up to room 306. "Well, we already have a crazy foreigner who speaks to turtles, lets put the crazy foreigner who speaks to weasels nextdoor to her," he thought to hmself. "They deserve each other!"
"Oh yes.." he added aloud, "since you have yet to pay any rent, I'm holding you to the offer of chores around here. I'll give you some things to do tomorrow. Also, you can only use the hotsprings on Tuesdays and Fridays -- but there's a notice up to remind you of that. You could meet the other residents today, or wait until tomorrow..." depending on how long you want to keep yourself uninjured, he added, but only to himself.
* * *
"So... three new residents already, and all Americans!" Keitaro thought to himself, later on that evening. "Although only one of them has actually paid me yet. Still... if they prove difficult about paying, I'm sure Haruka can help me to convince them. Maybe I shouldn't have put Lance between Motoko and Naru, but he just annoyed me by smashing the window like that -- I think he deserves what's coming to him!"
Keitaro looked slightly guilty about his last thought.
"Oh, well, I can always move him to 207 later I suppose, if he gets too beaten up. At least Cody in 306 looks normal..."
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GM notes:
I know there are no 206-208 and 306-308 rooms, I have put them in the east wing, the next three rooms to Kaolla and Shinobu respectively. A few liberties have been taken with the canon in order to fit things in.