Simple Pleasures [Open]

[Reira Ling]

Reira finished scanning the residential areas and the suburban homes for food, water, and other items. After choosing one that seemed safe, she'd enter and begin settling in.

The young lady would first take her switch knife and remove the vent grate to hide her possessions and food there for now. She then proceeded to set up a make-shift home for the next few days putting the broken mattress up against the window and the drapes on the ground for soft bedding despite the dust. After her little nest was created she included some simple traps up for the front and back door. A simple yarn and bell trick to rig the doors, but for now, she simply placed a piece of her hair lodged between the doors as she headed out.

She'd move slow and steady past the homes, hiding in and out moving quickly between the shadows and cover towards an empty park playground that once belonged to an elementary school. With her was her knife, a bottle of water and a quick snack in the form of trail mix and random nuts.

Scanning the area and making sure it was empty, she'd indulge herself on the remaining structure in the playground - the swing.

With a small sigh and a smile, she'd test the structure for stability before seating herself on the swing, and kicking her legs up.

[Date Masamune™]

The dark blue haired boy was on foot for once as he walked through the ruins of the city. He was less on patrol and more on a short walk. A lot had happened in the past couple months and Shugo hadn't quite taken the time to absorb what happened. Shugo had started refugee camp, become the leader of the Paladins, and had nearly killed a man on more than one occasion, something that he never wanted to do.

Shugo would find himself just outside of the Manor's area, in the suburban area surrounding 259. Shugo couldn't help but smile as he got a bit nostalgic. The boy used to live in this area when he had gone to 259 when he was younger. Back when he had decided that he didn't need his family. Boy couldn't help but chuckle at how stupid he had been in the past.

As the boy looked up, he noticed a girl at a swing. Normally this wasn't too odd of a scene. But when you combine it with a broken school building, an overturned slide, and a crater in the ground less than 50 yards away, it was a bit odd.

"Hey there. How's it going?"

The boy's voice came out slightly angry, not that he meant it. The boy's tone came out also somewhat less conversational and almost like he was saying some sort order.

[Reira Ling]

Reira normally wouldn't be as paranoid as she were now, but the problem of surviving on your own for so long wears down on your sanity. At the sound of the voice she immediately jumped off from the swing and into the gravel. She tenses and turns her head towards the sound of the voice with wide eyes, like a deer in headlights, except she was ready to bolt if necessarily.

She was slightly confused by the tone of voice but she was paid no further heed to it as she gave him a small smile.

"I didn't think anyone was around here. Hi."

The woman takes a few steps towards the man but not before glancing around wondering if there was anyone else too.

[Date Masamune™]

The boy was quite shocked to find the girl stumble and fall off of the swing. That combined with the deer in the headlights look the girl gave Shugo as he looked over at him, caused him to do something he hadn't done in quite a while.

"Hahaha."

The boy cracked a smile as he laughed. Shugo would also bring his right hand up to his mouth to cover it as he laughed. Once he was done with his laughing fit, the boy would take a few paces towards the girl.

"Sorry about that. I was just uh.. a bit. Caught off guard."

The boy's tone seemed less hostile than it had before and not quite as domineering. He couldn't help but notice the girl looking around to see if anyone else was around.

"Don't worry. I'm alone. Oh uh. I'm Shugo. Shugo Yuy."

The boy had said his last name out of habit but kind of regretted. People generally got a bit awkward around him if they recognized the name. He was after all the heir to a multi-billion dollar company, not that he seemed like it in the least. The boy wore faded jeans that had been ripped from use, a pair of worn boots, and a simple t-shirt. The only thing that looked new was the leather jacket he wore, but the cold season was only starting and in no doubt, the jacket would fit in with the rest of his wardrobe.

[Reira Ling]

Reira could only relax and bring her hand up to play with her bangs in an embarrassed manner as Shugo laughed. A small lop-sided grin would grace her lips as she chuckled too. He had definitely caught her off-guard there. But, it sure felt good to laugh and hear laughter after all this time.

As he stepped forward Reira did not move back, instead she met him half-way, and relaxes further when he said there wasn't anyone else. Though, truth be told, she would've believed him even if there were others in hiding.

"Hajimemashite" Reira would reply bending at the waist, in a small bow out of habit. She may be half Chinese, but the Japanese culture was more ingrained in her than anything else due to living with the Miyamotos. Straightening herself up she'd introduce herself with a big smile.

"I'm Reira Ling. It's a pleasure to meet you~!"

Shugo needn't be too worried about Reira treating him any differently after knowing his name. She had only been in New York for a very short period of time, and despite knowing of the Yuy name never really knew much about them or figure it more as a coincidence that this man right here carried that surname.

And in contrast to Shugo, Reira was less kept together in her attire. Her jeans were torn, her black knee high boots were worn-out at the soles, heels and toes. Her cargo jacket and white shirt both seem to have had their fair share of dust and tears, especially at the pocket seams.

"Are you from around here?"

[Date Masamune™]

Hajime-what? Despite being a quarter Japanese, Shugo didn't know any of the customs. After all, his dad was the one that was half-japanese and Shugo barely saw the man. Shugo would bow as well out of a sign of respect when the girl did. It seemed pretty lucky for him that the girl didn't recognize his name. What did it matter out here in the middle of nowhere anyways?

"Nice meeting you too."

Shugo took note of the appearance that the girl was in, she was probably another person running from Barker and trying to make ends meet by finding whatever she good in the ruins. At this point, Shugo had met plenty of people like that already.

"I uhh actually run a refugee camp not too far from here."

Now this was the hard part. Shugo wanted to offer some help as he did with every refugee he found, but voicing that was difficult. Some people seemed to think he was looking down on them if he offered help, while others just took it as a bit creepy. For the most part, people took him up on that offer though.

"It's starting to get a bit cramped, but you're more than welcome to stay there if you need to."

[Reira Ling]

Reira didn't find it offensive and was quite moved by his offer. Though, she had to admit, she would love to be the one extending an invitation rather than being on the receiving end. It would be amazing if she would be able to fulfil that goal of hers. The idea of the refugee camp really sparked her interest since it was exactly what she had in mind ever since the Barker incident.

"Is it...by Monica beach by any chance?"

Her prior meeting with Kiyoshi had prompted this question. He did mention having a friend that operated a camp there.

"I would love to be able to help out there actually. Expand the area if possible even. There are a lot more people that will need that camp, especially with all the movement from the contending powers."

[Date Masamune™]

"Not exactly. That would be Tsubame's site. Scary lady, but crazy powerful."

The boy wondered how she had heard of Tsubame's site but decided not to press it. Expand the area huh? Shugo had just built a new addition to his territory and he could use some help defending, but would this girl still be interested? It seemed she had only said she'd help out because she mixed Shugo up with someone else.

"My refugee camp is mainly located in the Downey area, but we're extending into the Sante Fe area as well. If you still want to, we could definitely use the help. I've kind of been a one man army for the most part for a while now."

Shugo didn't have any idea as to what happened to the rest of the Paladins, but it looked like it was just him and Jack left. Shugo figured most of them had either been captured, hiding, or went AWOL.

[Reira Ling]

Reira nods taking in the information with wide eyes. Tsubame, eh?

"I would love to help any way I can. Unfortunately, I don't have too many supplies to offer."

Whether it was someone she knew or not, the idea of a refugee camp is what she had been aiming for and being a one woman or man army was not the way to go. At least, it would be difficult and she learned this with her 'gang' Aegis a long while ago. Where was her partner in all this she didn't know, but Reira could only hope that Taku was still alive.

[Date Masamune™]

"Don't worry about the supplies. I have the supplies shipped in from outside California."

Shugo figured that if this girl was going to be willing to help him out he probably shouldn't try to keep secrets from her. With a bit of a sigh the boy decided to tell her the complete truth. This was the part that Shugo never liked. He always felt like he was being condescending or gloating.

"My parents are pretty wealthy. They own Yuy Corporation and they send me supplies to help build. What I really need is some extra hands around the camp to help out."

[Reira Ling]

"That's...very generous of you." Reira would say with a small dip of her head in respect.

"As for the extra help, I can definitely do that as long as what you remain to do is to help the refugees. I don't particularly wish to be involved in the gang matters."

[Date Masamune™]

"That's fine. I'm not exactly too big on gangs myself."

Shugo would speak with a smile. The boy would test a nearby bench quickly by pressing his foot against it. After being satisfied with the reliability, Shugo would take a seat, leaving enough room for Reira.

"What we're doing right now is building some extra homes so that we can fit more people in the camp."

[Reira Ling]

(OOC: Ack sorry, midterm season!)

"That's a great idea." Reira would nod in agreement, glad that someone was taking the initiative and had the resources to do such things.

"Has there been any conflict in your area as of late? It seems as though everyone seems to be wanting to take control of this area here..." she trails off.

She really hoped that they don't invade the neutral area any time soon. There were still many innocent civilians taking refuge in the area.

[Date Masamune™]

[[OoC: Don't worry about it. I've got some coming up too. Luckily for me mine are at the end of the month.]]

"I've been expanding the walls of my territory."

Shugo was using the word walls very literally as there was a large steel and concrete wall that surrounded the entire refugee camp.

"I haven't run into any fighting in the expansion. I've just been getting extra space to better situate more people. But lately I've been thinking of securing the highways as well to have a more direct route for supplies."

Shugo would scratch the back of his head as he realized just how dictatorial he was sounding like. After all he had said he was expanding HIS territory. Shugo sighed a bit.

"In short. I've been taking up neutral territory, but mostly peacefully. I've had to fight some Barker guards here and there, but never civilians. They mostly just come along and join the camp."

[Reira Ling]

Reira nods.

"Alright, then I'll join you and help out anyway I can to help you expand."

Everything seems pretty good so far! As long as there wasn't a lot of fighting or conflict, Reira was good with it. Or if the fighting was for a decent cause such as protecting the refugees she wouldn't be afraid to lay down her life either. Life goal and all, being the protector or helper of people.