Another dead end, wait, was that the same dead end as before?! Setsumi's right eye twitched as she stared at the small narrow hallway that lead into a empty space with nothing but a decorative vase displayed on a medium size pedestal. This had been the fourth time she had walked into this same, exact, hallway. In fact she had taken pictures of the same vase at least twice now! With a camera in hand Setsumi sighed and turned the lens around to face her. With a frustrated grumble she hit the button and took a grin-baring smile. At least now if someone found her dead, tucked away in one of these BLASTED hallways. They would know her story from the moment she came in, to the place she died, all stored on her new Nikon D36. 

" You can't get lost in the shrine, they said. Oh you'll be fine Setsumi, get out and take some pictures, Setsumi. Well what do you know...HERE I am taking pictures and I'm lost! Hip-hip hurray!." Setsumi whimpered sarcastically, turning around and walking the other direction. Maybe this time she would find life! A humanoid that could show her to way out of this maze of...well right now hell. Sure it was beautiful, but at the cost of never finding your way out again! 

Lost in her own thoughts Setsumi just kept on walking. Taking turn, after turn, after turn until finally low and behold... Another dead end... Hey this time it it wasn't a vase at the end of the hall, it was a room. From what she could see the room was empty; but large and spacious with candles and a thick aroma that lead her curiously to the door. Even as her knees began to rattle in excitement and fear, Setsumi bravely stuck her head into the room.

" wow.. This must be where you can meditate." she spoke aloud, talking to herself again as usual except this time somewhat disappointed that there wasn't anyone there. However, glad sense she had just spoken aloud and didn't interrupt anybody. So with a heavy sigh she brought her camera up to her face and took another picture to add to her portfolio. After the flash from her camera faded, Setsumi left the room to once again set out to find the allusive Hikawa Jinja exit. However, as she began to walk out into the main hall her feet managed to some how trip over themselves. 

" Oh my ~!" 

Setsumi yelped, stumbling forward and rolling out into the hall landing flat on her back. Blue-teal eyes now stared up at the ceiling, glasses tilted on her face and limps sprawled out like she was some sort of blue-sweater wearing- starfish. Sadly as she laid there, through the brief moment of pain a chilling thought came to mind. 

" I really hope this floor is clean. " 

"It should be I cleaned it"

An amused drawl came from the end of the hallway, soon a young woman stood over the starfish of a girl. Violet eyes hiding thinly veiled amusement, why on earth would one lay on the floor if they were worried about it being dirty. She leaned against a broom; her long purple hair fell in soft waves to her hips. The white sleeves of the miko's standard dress rolled up to her elbows. A delicate eyebrow was arched up; the girl look positively defeated. Valdis crouched down and poked the girl on the arm.

"Then again one can only clean where people walk around barefoot so much....we had someone with a particularly nasty foot fungus in earlier."

A grin spread across her lips, it was hard to tell whether she was joking about the foot fungus or not.

The noise in the corridors stirred David from meditation. Not like he was meditating that effectively, he thought. Keeping his eyes closed, sitting still, not even in lotus position, but crouched on the floor like an animal stalking its prey, it was hard to stay focused. Priestess Hino would complain, of course, how he was failing at the most basic functions. Thankfully, he wasn't trying out for the priesthood, since they wouldn't grade on effort.

Standing up, hearing Val outside talking to someone he didn't recognize, Yinko moved cautiously along the floorboards of the small spare room, opening the door as quietly as possible. The girl Val was talking to, well... she was rather cute. David blinked for a minute, wondering where that thought came from, then shook his head. The comment about foot fungus... he couldn't help but cringe at that memory.

"Do you know anything about when to keep your mouth shut, Val?" David grumbled. "Besides, I swept this part of the floor to spec not an hour ago." Turning back to the visitor, Rhodes found himself stiffening, and giving a formal bow, or at least his best impression of one.

It was not the warzones of California, nor the tainted streets of Tokyo. This place, this was like college and the NROTC drills all over again. Presenting himself in as best a military manner as he could, his only example of formal structure, he addressed the young woman crisply, his voice clear and direct.

"Miss, what can we help you with?"

Setsumi blinked at the sudden appearance of the exotically dressed girl, whom had made her presence known by telling her that the floors 'Should of be clean". Did she say should be? SHOULD BE?! Setsumi jumped, her head picking right off the hard wood floor. "Should?!" She asked, her eyes locked on the other girls purple eyes. Then the girl decides to tell her about someone having a contagious fungal problem walking around here barefooted, possibly hinting to this very spot, which made her skin crawl in pure terror.The thought of a million germs and fungal spores jumping onto her to hitch a ride. She just stared back at the girl with this look of horror, followed by a quivering bottom lip that only lasted about a two seconds. The next second she sprung up onto her feet. Hands rapidly brushing over the area's that hit the floor.

" Are you serious?! " Setsumi questioned, her tone some what still a little horrified. When she finished brushing herself off, she paused, then stared blankly at the other girl in a blank trance. She finally pieced together in her mind that there was actually someone that could give her actual directions! She wasn't going to die here in this temple, she now could get out of this place! However, when she was about to open her mouth to speak again, a male had suddenly approached and had addressed the other girl. Some what shocked Setsumi just stood there for a moment and listened to the scolding comment of given by the man about cleaning the floors an hour ago. Out of habit her eyes turned to look back down at the floor. It did look clean... But then again, you never could be so sure.

Once Setsumi looked back up, she was surprised to see the man was giving her a formal bow. Maybe it was something these people did here at the temple? Setsumi wondered, bringing her hands to the front of her skirt as she gave a bow out of reaction and response to his clearly more disciplined one. When he addressed her Setsumi blinked, somewhat impressed by his manners. It took her even a few seconds to remember what she was going to ask the other girl. Once she recalled what it was, her face and demeanor seemed to cheer up.

" Oh yes, sorry for my rudeness! My name is Setsumi and i've seem to have managed to get myself lost while taking pictures." A light laugh escaped her lips at the last part about her being 'lost'.

" I was wondering if either one of you would kindly show me the exit or at least tell me how to find it." Setsumi asked, looking at both the man and girl.

Bingo! Judging by that reaction Val had a germaphob on her hands, really it t'was the most amusing phobias well amusing for her. When the girl stood so did Valdis, not long after Yinko appeared. At this rate he was going to be the second knight she spent the most time with. Which lead to the thought of where her would be Knight had been off to...she was seeing less and less of him. Valdis looked up at Yinko with a sideways glance, a thin smile gracing her lips. Mischief gleamed in her violet orbs.

"Dear David; not only do I know when to keep my mouth shut I also known when and what to speak especially when the results end up in amusement of the highest caliber."

While the mischief never left her eyes a mockery of a thoughtful expression crossed her features, her long delicate fingers tapping her chin.

"Well I swept....and you swept, then we can be sure that we have concord at least the dust bunnies...however have either of us mopped yet?"

She would let the girl stew on that for a moment before putting the thing out of her misery.

"But mopping is only needed rarely, considering we do give out disposable slippers for guests to use in order to prevent such fungal spreading's....that and its usually much too cold to go barefoot anywhere these days. So I suppose the floors are safe you may go back down to enjoy them if you like"

When the girl introduced herself and then gave her explanation Valdis eyebrows shot up in surprise....The girl had a Japanese name however was it possible she was a tourist? Her eyebrows knit together and her features turned to that of a concerned look as she glanced back over at Yinko for a second, then back to the girl.

"A pleasure to meet you miss Setsumi, I'm Valdis Mortimer...Setsumi is it possible you have asked permission to take photo's on shrine grounds? While it is permitted in some areas of the shrine it is not in others due to the delicate nature of some of the artifacts stored here."

It was a shift in personality where Valdis was genuinely concerned; her tone was polite and sincere with no hint of teasing. Despite her own habits to poke fun around the shrine that exasperated granny to know end she still had taken it upon herself to study the traditions and beliefs of the shrine. After all if she was to volunteer their, even if it was for another motive she still put her all into knowing everything. In this she was a perfectionist. She applied the same ethic to her musical career.

"I'm sure we'll both be happy to escort you to the exit miss Setsumi"

Something twitched in David's mind, and he was hoping, praying, even, that Val would know when to keep her mouth shut, and stick to business. Fortunately, the gods he was supposed to represent but didn't believe in must have been smiling, as the lavender-haired woman eased up on the teasing. Finding they were in agreement was... unusual. Still, it was pleasant, and seeing Setsumi ease up made things oddly better.

"Sure, we can guide you," David replied, nodding in agreement to Val. "Which direction are you trying to head?"

Setsumi stared at the girl with a twitching eye. Was she serious?! No she couldn't be, could she? The thought was terrifying in it self. A floor that was always swept but never mopped? Oh that would just be... No! Setsumi shook her head, rejecting the very thought. Of course you would have to mop a place like this. She interjected the idea in hopes of ignoring what the other girl had openly discussed with whom she guessed was named David.

She was relieved however to find out that everyone here either wore slippers instead of going barefooted. So if that was the case was all that before just teasing her?! Setsumi blinked, now completely unsure how she thought of this other girl, who introduced herself as Valdis. Blue-green eyes lowered down to the medium size black camera in her hands. She hadn't asked for permission, nor did she know who to ask. Her parents came here all the time, but she had no desires to tag along. In fact the last time she ever came to this temple was when she was 10. " I didn't take a a lot of pictures inside, in fact most of the pictures inside are the halls. " Setsumi pulled her camera up and turned the screen around. She was more than happy to show the Valdis and David what she had taken pictures of. Clicking the button she scrolled through the beautiful snow scenes outside the temple, the symbolic styled photos of statues and random odds and ends. The last ten pictures however were of the main hall, five being of a vase.

" I'm sorry, I didn't ask permission... I can delete the pictures. I don't want to upset anyone after all." Setsumi nodded, looking over to David with a warm smile.

" Oh?! Thank you very much. You see I got lost looking for the exit. " Setsumi admitted poking both her index fingers as she gave a nervous chuckle.

How she loved germaphobes; they were so easy and by the girls reaction she was definitely a germaphobe of the highest standards. When the girl explained about the pictures Valdis nodded a half smile on her face.

"As long as you didn't use flash I don't think we need to worry about any damage being done; and even if you did the deed is done, you know not to do it again. I see no reason to have to delete them. Plus there very well taken it would be a shame to have you delete them"

Valdis nodded when the girl asked to be shown the exit.

"We'll be happy to escort you out. If you would just fallow us out Setsumi"

Valdis began to lead the way off the grounds.

"This place does get confusing, but you learn your way around eventually."

As they approached the grounds Valdis stopped and glanced around. Something was off that didn't feel right. She checked her watch and turned to David and Setsumi.

"Forgive me but I just remembered I have business with Granny that I am late for. I will leave the rest of your escort in David's capable hands here."

She bowed and winked at David before heading off in the opposite direction.

Over the course of escorting Setsumi back to the grounds from the shrine, David glanced back at Val. As his...friend? Yes, he thought, Val was closer to a friend than the others were at this point. Sophia was a source of information and a person he could trust, but Val served more as a person he could talk to without judgment. Yes, his friend was walking away, winking at him. David blinked, and as understanding dawned on him, gave a slight blush.

"Have you been touring Tokyo for long, or have you recently arrived?" he asked. As he waited for the response, the girl's nervous twitches became more apparent. Taking a slight step to the right and ahead, giving her some additional space, Rhodes considered the problem as they made a simple loop around the grounds. "Getting a position fix anywhere in the city, especially the more rural areas, is a bit tricky. Best thing you could honestly do is grab a solid compass, and start learning the grid coordinate system."

Setsumi didn't say a word as they both escorted her through the shrine grounds. In fact she seemed rather content and pleased that she didn't have to delete the images she had taken that day. When Valdis stopped at the entrance and had announced she had business else where, Setsumi nodded and smiled. " Thank you Valdis-chan for helping. Maybe our paths will cross again." Setsumi nodded, giving a respectful bow as Valdis walked away.

When Valdis had left, Setsumi turned around just in time to catch the slight blush in David's cheeks. Even though she didn't say anything, Setsumi just smiled even more. Unaware of why he was blushing in the first place. Even through her sweet smile, she was still very wary. Socializing had never been her strong point, let alone talking to boys! She could feel her cheeks flush as he asked her a question.

" I've lived in Tokyo for a while now, I just haven't really 'explored' in a long time." Setsumi replied, her fingers fiddling with the buttons on her camera. Was she actually making conversation? With a GUY?! Oh this was exciting and yet terrifying to say the least, an he wasn't staring at her like she was an alien! Her excitement started to build as she picked up her pace in order to be able to actually see half of his face.

" A compass? I guess I can go out and buy one later. I'm sure I can look through my father's map and geography collection in order to learn how to read one."

Setsumi said while counting her fingers, calculating the cost of buying an actual useful compass in her head before looking back up at David. " So what about you David? Oh, sorry I hope your name is David, I heard Valdis say it several times but I wasn't sure if that was your actual name or not." Setsumi nodded, now feeling some what awkward that she had be traveling with a guy whom she assumed was named 'David'.

"I'm... fairly new here," David answered cautiously. His head constantly on a swivel, searching left and right for the first signs of trouble, he tried to maintain the illusion he was simply a pacifist new to the priesthood. Of course, he had no knowledge whatsoever how to work in the shrine, and relied entirely on Priestess Hino's orders like a mindless drone. Too bad the only other option was for her to turn him loose. No one, not even Setsumi, he assumed, liked Yinko, and somehow, unlike the others, he started to think it was better to keep that portion of his history insulated.

"Yes, my name is David," he replied, giving a gentle smile. As he turned to face her, the left wrist of the robe pulled up slightly over his forearm. It was a size too small, he knew, but the best Priestess Hino could do on such short notice. Still, as he faced the girl, he knew the barcode tattoo on his inner wrist was visible, and making a gesture to hide it, he found his eyes trailing to the ground in shame.

Sophia and Val would know more about him than this girl ever would, and the sad fact this was the ideal situation stabbed at his brain. Why was he hiding? What good would it do? Oh sure, he'd live longer, he'd blend in better to society compared to that horrible fiasco at the Imperial Gardens, but was hiding in isolation truly better for him?

Sluggishly, he let his left wrist go, exposing the tattoo. He'd hope she wouldn't ask, but if she did, he'd tell her something. It wasn't a lie if he simply declined to answer certain questions, right?

"Oh? Well that's okay. It just means your ad venture has only just begun. As a thank you I can possibly show you around some time." Setsumi laughed aloud, ending the sentence with a nervous chuckle. What the hell are you doing!? Setsumi thought, adoptiong the theory that she might have fallen in a worm hole or something a few days back. All thanks to some talking cat at the ice rink... Now She was actually talking to a boy. A real boy! Not one from the internet, but a breathing, tall, and some what attractive guy was having an actual legit conversation.

Hell must have frozen over...

Still some what embarrised, Setsumi followed side by side with David the entire time. Her attention mainly focused on the floor except for the occational glance over. That is when she started to notice some paculuar behavoir. David was clearly a character she couldn't place. He had the priest attire on, but his paranoid actions suggested something more. A simple priest wouldn't be too wary about his surroundings, so what was he really looking out for? While Setsumi pondered about his strange behavior, she hadn't noticed that she'd been spacing out until he confirmed his name was indeed David.

Setsumi blinked as he turned to face her, his gentle smile catching her off guard for a brief moment. Her cheeks flushed as her blue-teal eyes trailed down. That was when she caught a quick glimpse of the strange tattoo on the inside of his wrist. A barcode? Setsumi wondered not very sure why the strange tattoo intrigued Her so. Both lips curled inwards, forcing herself not to ask personal questions sense he obviously was ashamed of it for some reason. However, the forced shut lips didn't stay closed forever as curiosity took over even more.

"That is a very interesting tattoo. Did it hurt?" Setsumi asked innocently, her mind fixed on the idea that such a tattoo would be painful to get in a soft, tender spot like the under side of one's wrist.

" I didn't think they allowed priests with tattoos? " Setsumi wondered, unaware that she had spoken aloud. 

"That, would be nice," David answered, making eye contact once again. This girl, this Setsumi, she was offering to show him around? That would be a drastic improvement compared to the land nav approach he was using to reconnoiter the area. In all honesty, he hadn't gone out to do too much with the others, not since the incident at the aquatic park. He was always too serious, and he knew people teased him or prodded him because of it. It was different to find someone who treated him well, even if he was constantly in lock-down.

Then, of course, she had to mention the tattoo.

David started to cover it initially, gripping his wrist with his other palm. Slowly, however, he let the limb go, and counter to everything in his training, he turned his forearm upward, letting her see it. He didn't know why he did it, why it was important, but he couldn't seem to resist answering her questions.

"Oh yes," David started, his voice growing dark. "It hurts... along with everything that comes with it." Biting his tongue from saying anything more mysterious or creepy, he mentally kicked himself. Squeezing his eyes shut as he gathered his thoughts, David turned back to the girl in his most polite, military manner he could muster. "I've only recently become a student here," David started, his left hand trembling. His gaze shifted ever so slightly, more distant, like he was staring off into space. Still, he tried to maintain the illusion that everything was fine. "It would be nice... if you could give me a tour of the area. My interaction with others has been... limited."

Pausing for the longest of moments as they talked, Yinko noted something in the distance, something out of place. There was a small, slightly overweight boy being huddled into a group of taller boys, their voices rising over the common shuffle of the small crowds. It was slow compared to most weekdays, but not so slow as to reveal the confrontation.

"I'll be back in just a moment," a darker, heavier voice croaked out, David's right hand already reaching into his robe for something. His steps were slow, methodical, like a stalking predator. Nearing the trouble, he watched the tall, lanky boy, maybe thirteen or fourteen at most, shoving the kid in the center. Before he knew what he was doing, Yinko set a hand down on the taller boy, spun him around, and found his glowing, cobalt eyes piercing into the boy's face.

The boy started to protest, but Yinko's left hand dug into his shoulder, squeezing the arteries, forcing the boy to kneel. The right hand, meanwhile, felt along the surface of the tactical knife. The boy stared, seeing the shape concealed by the robes, and started to squirm. In a way, he reminded David of the starving kids in the Camps, watching them shuffle and flee when someone stronger was nearby. Then again, when someone weaker was around, they would creep in during the darkness, and take what they wanted.

"You remind me of someone," a disembodied, raspy voice gnashed out at the boy's ears. "There was a kid, a boy not too much older than you. I watched him smash the brains out of a little girl with a rock, all for a piece of bread." David leaned in closer, the other boys starting to back away. "You know what I did to that boy?"

Yinko remembered the screaming mother in the low-security sector of the camp, pointing and waving her accusing finger at the boy, a horrific smirk still etched across his face, dried blood still stuck to his hands. The woman handed Yinko the knife, and pushed him towards the boy. As Yinko stared him down, the boy had frozen in place, unsure of what to do. Attacking someone smaller was so much easier, but an adult, someone hardened, lean, in fighting condition wasn't an idea situation.

It was when he reached out for the boy's shoulder the woman came in from behind, a large rock in her hands. Had she not stepped on the branch, David knew he wouldn't be standing there with Setsumi. But the woman had made a mistake, and was too slow from malnutrition.

When the boys at the shrine retreated, leaving the smaller kid in the center, David scooped him up. There was no blood on his hands, not today. Shivering, Yinko picked the boy up, brought him towards the small administrative office of the shrine, and after several probings for his phone number, gave his parents a call.

"Yes," David answered, turning back to Setsumi. "It hurts... it still hurts all this time."

Success! Her awkward stumbling and out of place remarks hadn't scared him away, yet. In fact, his ' That, would be nice.' answer took her by complete surprise. With big sparkling doe eyes, Setsumi seemed to lose herself in her own emotions and reality. Her eyes staring off into the great unknown until David had spoken again.

This time his demeanor was completely different. He was more ridged and straight forward, much like a military soldier. Even his politeness gave off the vide of being someone of military origins. Which brought her curiosity to an even higher level than what it was currently at. However, his response to her question about the tattoo on his arm caused her to fidget uncomfortably with her fingers. Had she asked something too personal?

" David, it's okay." Setsumi smiled, giving him a confirming nod. " It's okay, You have a good aura about you. If it's too personal, then that is your business. Besides, I'm a total stranger after all, I have no right to judge anything you do or have done." Setsumi nodded, her eyes trailing after David as he walked over to a small group of young teens.

She watched as he grabbed the boy's shoulder, spun him around and just stared into his eyes. Unsure what was happening Setsumi just watched. Her hands clasping tightly at her camera strap that hung across her shoulders. She couldn't hear what David was saying, but she could feel the tension building. When the boy dropped to his knees, Setsumi took a few steps forward. Concerned she kept her focus on David, unaware of the concealed weapon that was hidden in David's robes.

" David…" Setsumi whispered to herself, seeing the younger boy becoming more panicked. Fear washing over her as the thought of the giant serpent and people fighting came back into mind.

" Please stop." Setsumi mumbled, her knuckles turning white from how hard she was gripping hold of the camera strap. She didn't want to see anyone get hurt. Especially by someone she had just met! It was when David released the boy and the rest retreated did Setsumi become more relaxed. A deep sigh and she released her camera's harness, allowing her hands to drop back down to her side. Blue eyes following David as he carried the boy away and called the poor kid's parents.

When David turned to talk to her once again, Setsumi just stared at him blankly. Fear still present in her eyes, but the way she was staring at him suggested that she was more concerned than scared.

" David, are you okay? " She asked her tone more serious.

Setsumi was beside him in an instant, asking questions, staring at him like he was a madman. It wasn't surprising, really. Glancing over his shoulder towards the adults who had seen the conflict, he could already hear the whispering, see the pointing fingers, and watching another part-time priestess trying to ease the tensions with the crowd. At least Val wasn't handling the crowd, or he'd look like the good cop.

"You asked about the tattoo," David started, leaning on the railing of the administrative building, slightly hunched. "It's Nihil standard issue in the Camps..." His voice was cold, raspy, and, in an odd way, it seemed to resonate about him, emerging from the atmosphere itself.

"Maybe... discussing this later, when I'm off duty would be better." He sighed, reaching out to her hand. "I'm sorry." Starting to scribble down his number, he started to hand it to her, before freezing in place. Putting a hand up to his eyes, he could see the reflection of a dull blue glow. It was manifesting again, and there was nowhere to hide.