Spanning the Ages-Reira

[Linx]

Humming softly to himself, the red haired man wandered the streets of Hallowton as the sun began to set, casting the city into twilight as the moon rose higher. He smiled pleasantly as the cool breeze washed over the town, bobbing along slowly as he sought a place to rest for the night. Dressed in his usual attire of a loose double shirt and pants, he already stood out. Dressed as an old days Japanese man marked him apart from the people, as did the sword bouncing at his hip, seemingly a normal katana. His long red hair was bound up in a pony tail that hung down to his waist, and he bore a cross shaped scar on his left cheek, a remembrance of an old grudge. His also rather cheery demeanor seemed apart from the dour looks most in this world carried, not wrongfully however. His sandaled feet made little noise as he walked, bright blue eyes taking in the area around him, apologizing occasionally as he bumped into other people.

After awhile, he found himself in a cleared area, and he settled in as he rested his back against a tree, smiling pleasantly. The area around him was fairly open, it seemed like the most comfortable place to stop and rest for awhile. He lowers his pack to the ground as he folded his legs beneath him, tucking his hands into his sleeves as he rested his sword against his shoulder, turning his eyes skyward. He wondered how all his friends were doing back home as he watched the stars come out, wondering if he'd ever make his way back. After a few thoughtful moments, he pulled out a little box of rice balls, sitting down and eating slowly, remembering the last time he'd stopped to rest and eat for a little while. He'd encountered a rather friendly butler who'd restocked his provisions before sending him on his way. "Hmm. I wonder if stopping to eat and meeting new people is going to become a habit?" he wonders thoughtfully to himself before shrugging, chewing slowly on his rice ball as he set up his little teapot, setting it to boiling as he settled in to wait for it to finish.

[Saasha]

She had begun her walk just like she had done, letting her feet take her wherever they decided to land. It was how she had come across so many interesting places in the past, why should now be an exception. Only this time, her thoughts were not of the humorous kind. Her dark brown eyes stared straight ahead to her path, though at the moment they were unseeing. Her mind's eye had taken over as she thought about her 'family.' How was she going to get back to them? Moreover, how was she going to explain-

Her thoughts and feet stopped there. It had happened. It had really happened... She never thought that it would have been possible but... it had happened. She had died. True she was alive and well now- sort of. But that didn't stop her from realizing what this all meant. How was she going to explain this to her family. She sighed to herself. So foolish, this wouldn't change a thing. They were still her family, no matter what. She had gotten so attached her friends and their ancestors spirits that she rarely remembered that they were not of the same blood. They were more then her friends, her companions- they were her family.

She dropped her left foot far behind her, leaning deeply into her Battojutsu stance, her eyes trained on an invisible opponent and her hand hovering over the hilt of her black katana. They were her blood, and she would do anything to protect them! The exclamation shot through her mind and with a quick flick of her thumb, her blade launched from its sheath. She ripped the blade smoothly and violently upward so fast that the human eye wouldn't have been able to even see the draw. It had been so accelerated that a visible scar of wind and dust flew from the blade, a vacuum. It tore the ground up at it sailed far across the field.

She spun lightly and unleashed another vicious cut at her invisible adversary, again the vacuum causing the ground to explode on either side of its path. She slowed her slashes now, not wanting to rip such a beautiful clearing to shreds and settled for her standard training. If she couldn't get back home just yet, the least she could do was train. She let her sword dance how it wanted, blocking and swiping through the air so quickly that surely the blade should have whistled as it went, but no sound was made.

An occasional grunt or growl dotted her apparent free-form kata, adding to the ferocity of its appearance. Finally, she let out one last shout and stove her blade straight forward, the palm of her right hand on the bottom of the hilt and her right curled carefully around the lacing. That is when she heard it, a heart beat besides her own. She had been so caught up in her thoughts and form that she had not noticed it until she had paused.

She did not turn in the source's direction just yet though, she wasn't done. Slowly, she closed her eyes and lowered the blade, flicking it to the side to signify the removal of any blood that might have accumulated on it before she swiped it to her left side, letting the back of the blade slide from hilt to tip on the thumb of the hand that held her sheath in place. She slide the sword back into it's home.

She turned to her guest with an embarrassed smile, eyes still closed and her hand rubbing the back of her neck, "I am so sorry, I didn't realize anyone else was-" She opened her eyes to meet a sight she hadn't expected at all. "Here..." Once again she was thankful for the white adhesive patch that covered her left cheek. Her companion was as confused as she was.

[Linx]

He smiled as his tea water came to be ready, pulling it aside and pouring it into his cup, setting it aside to let it steep for a moment as he reduced the fire, leaving the water over it to keep it hot and ready for a second cup, if he felt like indulging himself that was. Truthfully, he'd probably have to stretch it out again, doubting he'd find a way to replenish his supplies again. He doubted anyone would be as friendly as the butler Sebastian had been towards him. He sets his food aside, laying it on the small spread at his side to keep it clean as he sipped his tea slowly, enjoying the taste of fresh tea, as opposed to his recycled tea he'd been drinking for years now. It had truly become little more than water with the barest hint of flavor, but it had been the memories it brought him that had mattered.

As he sipped, becoming lost in though, he heard the sound of footsteps. Blinking curiously, he poked his head around the tree, noting a woman approaching. For a moment, he'd began to fear that he was intruding somewhere again, noting the katana at her side, he wondered if she was going to be substantially less friendly than Sebastian had been. However, his eyes narrowed as she dropped into an all too recognizable stance, the Battojutsu stance. As she drew her sword and let fly a powerful swing, he grew concerned. The speed of her draw and attack were almost completely beyond him, and that meant she was very proficient in the Battojutsu technique. Had he been a normal swordsman, there was no way that he could have followed her attack. He watches as he notes the after effects of her attacks, a vacuum left behind the slash. Her every swing seemed to be aggressive and angry, and that worried him. No swordsman should carry such anger into battle he felt, it was what created people like Enishi. Even Saito hadn't been so angry.

As she finishes and returns her weapon to her sheath, he felt himself frowning. Every movement she made showed long term use and proficiency. She would be a very challenging opponent, should anyone have the misfortune to face her in battle. His expression clears as she begins speaking, noting her brief drop off at the end of her sentence. Did he remind her of someone? He smiles sheepishly and rubs his head. "Eh heh heh, well, you see, I'm just a wanderer. There's no reason to apologize, you didn't harm or interrupt me after all." he says, smiling brightly at the woman.

[Saasha]

The spirit at her side remained silent and unseen, though it's confusion and shock was clear. Melany dropped her hand back to her side and rested her left loosely on her sword out of habit. It was not a move of hostility or even of fear, it was simply something she had always done when speaking to someone. How could this be? There was no way that this was who she thought he was. The worlds are combining. Tony's words floated through her mind. Could it be possible that there was another universe out there with the Himura bloodline in it?

Her smile never faded once, "Are you certain?" She laughed a bit and motioned to the small set up under the tree. "Well I will leave you be. Enjoy yourself." Please don't ask. Oh please don't ask. She chanted mentally.

[Linx]

He smiles pleasantly at her. "You're more than welcome to join me of course. I don't have much, but what I have I'm more than willing to share. I've got water ready if you'd like a cup of tea, and some rice balls." he says, gesturing to his little spread before him. "It isn't much I'm afraid, but you're welcome to it, unless you have somewhere to return to. I'd think after a display such as that, you might be a little hungry." he says, laughing again, wondering briefly why she seemed ill at ease. His perceptive eyes took in more information as he was able to study her while speaking, and it only made him more curious. She had a bandage on her cheek that was almost impossible to notice, and he wondered why. She might be an outlaw, hiding a distinctive feature or scar, or she might simply be embarrassed over a birthmark. Her hair was red as well, and that set him to thinking. 'Is this someone who's lived my life, on another world? Is that even possible?' he wondered to himself.

He blinks as he remembers his manners, smiling apologetically at her, offering her a small bow. "Oh excuse me, I forgot that it's polite to introduce myself. My name is Kenshin, Kenshin Himura." he says, smiling brightly at her. He dismissed the rather disturbing notion as an over active imagination. What were the odds that there was another Battosai out there? One was bad enough, the world didn't deserve a second.

[Saasha]

So she was right... "This is going to get some getting used to" she thought to herself as she extended her hand cordially to him. She extended her hand out of politeness, "I'm Melany Kaumpkof." She almost slipped and gave her real last name. Well, it wasn't techincally her real last name seeing as she had taken it to honor her ancestor. But now was not the time to complicate things. So, with that thought, she gave her family name prior to the change.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Himura." She sighed internally but in the end decided to stay. She didn't know why, but she did. Perhaps she was curious how this Kenshin was different from her own. Perhaps it was because she wanted to know more about this world. But whatever the reason, she found herself rooted the ground. "A cup of tea would be nice." Her throat was a bit dry and her head was beginning to hurt from the pounding again. Another thing she was going to have to get used to.

[Linx]

He smiles self consciously, shaking her hand. "Please, just Kenshin, no sir is needed." he says with a light laugh, gesturing for her to make herself comfortable. He filed away her near slip, and wondered why she was hiding her name from him. Maybe she was on the run from something, or feared he might be something other than he seemed. Which was fair, many people seemed to be hiding from something in this world. He smiles as he pours her a cup of tea, holding it out for her with a bright smile at her. "It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Melany. Are you a native to this world? Or did you find yourself here too?" he ask curiously, wondering about her.

He settles back in, folding his legs beneath him as he rests his sword beside him, pay careful attention to her. Not merely out of politeness, but out of a genuine curiosity. "If you don't mind talking, I'm an excellent listener, indeed I am." he says cheerfully to her, smiling still. It was pretty much his default setting. "I more than willing to listen and to answer any questions that I can, though I don't know much about this world." he says, smiling apologetically at her. He was more than a little curious about her, wondering what was going on in her head. She was certainly an interesting one, that was for sure. He smiled pleasantly as he waited for her to speak.

[Saasha]

Melany nodded his request and added on of her own, "Then I must insist you call me Melany. A fair trade yes?" Melany knelt with her legs under her much like he had and drew the sword from her belt. Laying it to the side with one hand she took the cup from him with a head bow in thanks. It smelled delicious. Upon taking a small sip she found that the taste was just as satisfying. It felt wonderful sliding down her throat- My blood. Wait... Now that she thought about it, the blood on her lips hadn't tasted like hers... So that is what he had meant. She took one more swig of the tea, slightly off put by the realization of what he had done. Oh well. Her face didn't reveal any of her inner thoughts however.

"No I am not from this world. To be honest, I am still not quite sure how I got here to begin with. But I suspect that I will not return as easily as I came." She set the tea cup down in front of her. "You are not from this world either I take it? You were a swordsman in your world?" She asked, nodding to the sword at his side. Better to play the innocent for now, she might find out more about him than she ever could otherwise.

[Linx]

He smiles, laughing as he rubs his head. "Well, yes, I was, but not a very good one I'm afraid. You see, this is a Sakabato, given to me by an old friend. It isn't very good for killing, which is what everyone wants a swordsman for I'm afraid." he says, smiling lightly, thinking back on his old friend. He turns his head upwards to look at the stars again, thinking once more about all his friends waiting for him back home. "I don't know if I am able to return home however. I don't really have the means, and even if I did, there isn't anything left." he says, smiling sadly at the girl. He liked to imagine that everyone was still there waiting for him, but in his heart, he knew the truth.

He sips his tea slowly, thinking on everyone that had been lost in the war, and the countless others that must've died in the final conflagration that consumed his world. He turns his eyes back towards Melany, smiling softly to hide the pain and loneliness he felt in his heart. "And what of you? It seems you're not unfamiliar with a blade, and that was a very interesting stance you had, I've only seen it used by one other person before, and that was many years ago." he says, thinking back on his old Master, Seijuro Hiko, the one who'd rescued him as a child and taught him the Hiten Mitsurugi style of swordsmanship. "If you don't mind my asking, were you a swordsman as well? What was your world like?" he says, trying to distract himself.

[Saasha]

It was her sense of emotions that kept her from asking what he meant about his world. Leave it to her to bring out pain and saddness in people she had only just met- seemed to be a common theme so far. She wouldn't pry into that question, but she would comment on one topic when he had finished speaking. "A sword is just a sword. It is not the sword that kills, but the person behind the hilt. Even if it is only a reverse blade, it is a devastating weapon nonetheless if wielded properly. Why not serve as a protector rather than a killer?" She almost slapped herself. Did she really just say that? Outwardly, however, there was no change as she scolded herself.

"In my world, swords have long since died out from popularity. They have been reduced to novelty items or for decoration. Not many people appreciate their true beauty and the skill it takes to wield one properly. But then again there is really no need for them seeing as more advanced weapons have taken their place."

She looked down to the katana that had seen her through many, many a grim situation rather lovingly. "Unless you are in a dojo, your own home, or have a permit, it is illegal to carry a blade around." She turned back to Kenshin with a soft smile, "Good thing I have a permit. But as for my being a swordsman... Hmmm, I suppose I would have to answer yes." She gave a short laugh, "I have never really thought about it."

[Linx]

He smiles lightly, "Well, I don't really like fighting you see. I don't really like people getting hurt." he says, smiling sheepishly. The truth was, he had been a protector, fighting when he needed to in order to protect the lives and happiness of others. But they were all gone now, and he had nothing left to fight for. The worse part about it was, it was all his fault too. He shrugs away the thoughts as he takes another sip of his tea. His face remained smiling, tinged only by a hint of sadness in his eyes as he thought about his home, and he didn't even realize it would be there, for those skilled enough to see it. He continues to listen to her, wondering about her world.

"Where I came from, swords were still a part of everyday life, if getting rarer. Innovations were being made that was advancing the sciences above the traditional styles of belief. It was even illegal in some places to wear a sword openly as I do." he says, smiling lightly. "It's a shame to hear that new weapons are replacing it, I guess the way of the swordsman is truly dying out then. I'd much rather the world become a happier place without fighting, but I suppose it's inevitable, as long as there are people, there will be conflict." he says, thinking about the wars that had happened back home. "But I suppose we just do the best that we can with the lives we have, don't we?" he says, smiling brightly at Melany. "What is your world like? I've heard stories about how the future would be of course, and everyone thinks it's something different. I'm curious as to how one future actually is." he says, watching her with a light smile.

[Saasha]

Melany proceeded to tell him all about her world, starting with her country. She describes in great detail the architecture, large cities, smaller ones, the different vehicles and modes of transportation. Air travel, sea crossings, and cross country methods of travel. Melany especially well describes the foliage and forests- national parks and wild life. Redwoods and willows, riverbeds and skyscapes, her passion for the wilderness of her world is plain and clear as she speaks.

When she is finished, she is smiling broadly at the images flashing in her mind. She felt suddenly lighter, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She certainly hoped that her description had cheered him as much at it had her. She didn't say anything after she was done, waiting to see his reaction.

[Linx]

He smiles pleasantly as he listens to her speak, enjoying the tale she told of her world. It indeed sounded like a wonderful place, much more peaceful than the world he had known what seemed so long ago. He leans back against the tree, turning his eyes skyward as he listens, watching the stars above as he takes it all in. He remains silent for a moment as she finishes speaking, lost amidst his memories before realizing she was quite, turning his eyes to her, still seeming so far away. "It truly sounds like a wonderful place. I'd like to have seen it myself." he says, thinking about his world, and what he could share with her. He decides to tell her as he chose to remember it, the wonderful place it had been.

"Technology wasn't so advanced in my world. Guns were just coming into being, and most travel was done by boat or carriage, if one could afford it." he says, thinking back to the lands he'd traveled. "I spent much of my time wandering, taking in all the sights of the world really, never settling down. I wandered and learned much during my travels, meeting many interesting people as I went." he says, thinking of the wonderful friends that he'd known. "Magic was more common then instead of technology, and it was a part of everyday life. It was a very interesting place." he says, laughing sadly. "But that all came to an end by the time that I arrived here on Genesis. Things had changed, and the world I'd known had ended." he says softly, trailing off into silence as his gaze goes out of focus, trailing a finger along the scar on his cheek idly, lost in sadness.

[Saasha]

He light ribbing of his scar caused Melany to involuntarily caress her own. That had been so long ago... She realized what she was doing and dropped her hand back to her lap. She was actually a little curious as to how he would react if he found out about who she was. Obviously he was not her ancestor, but how would he react to finding out that she was the descendant of him from another dimension. But in either case, she had not meant the conversation to become painful. So in a quick shift of comment, she glanced at the sword next to him. A beautiful piece.

"Do you mind if I ask what style you use? For some reason I find it hard to believe that you are as unskilled as you say. A sword is a dangerous weapon- reverse blade or not. And no amateur would think to carry a reverse blade. They are too hard to use for a person with no training and take practice for even a skilled swords master to get used to." She offered a friendly smile at the end of her words to show that her words were to be taken in jest. She was interested in this Kenshin. How much did he differ from her own?

[Linx]

He laughs, rubbing his head sheepishly. "Maybe not an amateur, but certainly an idealist I suppose. You see, I really don't like fighting. I don't like the thought of having to kill someone. Besides, this sword was a gift, it'd be rude to not carry it." he says, wondering how to answer her question about his style. It wasn't like it was any great secret, but he really didn't like talking about it. Most people that knew it felt he would be a good challenge, and then he usually had to fight, and he really didn't want to do that. He noted that she rubbed her cheek when he'd touched his scar, right where her bandage was. Perhaps they were more alike then he thought? He shook the thought away, smiling lightly.

"It's an older style that I learned from someone who saved my life." he says, wondering if he should name it for her. He mulls it over for a moment, before sighing mentally. It'd be rude to ignore a direct question like that. "It's called the Hiten-Mitusurugi style, known by various names as I understand it." he says, smiling to disguise his trepidation. What now? Was she going to want a fight? He felt certain she'd know it. No either style he'd ever heard of would use the Battojutsu stance. He prayed silently as he watched her. 'Please, not another Battosai. The sins of one were enough for a world, don't let there be another.' he thought to himself, before turning the question back to her. "What about you? What is your style?" he asks, certain he knew the answer, and dreading it already.