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Post by Shura on Feb 18, 2004 8:12:34 GMT -5
'You said you had a trip planned,' asked Nick, 'What's that about?'
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Post by Akiko Shima on Feb 18, 2004 10:48:29 GMT -5
"The trip is to the local seismology base where we are to get the data for my latest readings and epicentre focal points,....but you'll need to take some photo's of the equipment for the newsletter,...*Akiko laughed to herself* the seismology data is for my own research, I hope that's not too dull for your first assignment,...shooting some photos of boxes that go into the ground." She looked at Nick with a hopeful expression.
~I don't want to lose another helper on this newsletter,...I hope he isn't put off by the work he has to do.~ She thought.
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Post by Shura on Feb 19, 2004 15:43:41 GMT -5
Nick smiles reassuringly. 'I can't knock it till I've tried it. It's something new, at any rate. Say, you up to anything now? I feel like getting out a bit. Where do you go to hang out in the city?'
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Post by Akiko Shima on Feb 21, 2004 15:13:54 GMT -5
"Hhmmmmm......." Akiko mused.
"I don't do much besides work,....but....*She smiled* I do spend quite a lot of time at a friends ramen place of mine; I get quite a lot of free food there actually just as long as I let her get a few stories published via some contacts of mine. She's a struggling writer you see,...she does some great horror novels."
Akiko smiled and stood up.
"You'd like her, how's about we go get some free grub huh?" She rubbed her hands together and looked dreamily ahead,.....
This friend's food of hers must be pretty good.
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Post by Shura on Feb 21, 2004 16:14:00 GMT -5
Nick sounds interested, 'I've always wanted to try my hand at a novel myself, once I settle down. And it's been since I've had some hot food. Sure, I'm game.' He gets up, smiling, 'To see the look on your face, she must be a very good cook.'
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Post by Akiko Shima on Feb 23, 2004 3:50:02 GMT -5
Akiko blushed and then 'noogied' her new worker.
"She cooks very well,....I guess if it wasn't for her I'd be starving,....*She laughed at herself*......I guess I'm just too darn busy to cook something,...plus there is my lack of cooking skills!"
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Post by Agent Regina on Feb 23, 2004 3:56:25 GMT -5
Following Akiko out and away from his appartment building they went into Akiko's run down old car,...it seemed that she didn't even have the time to maintain her ride, but it was nice nevertheless.
Nick noticed the smell of her purfume evident in the vehicle, along with lots of papers and files in the back seats, a few empty ramen take-away boxes and a book or two about fossils.
She sped along the high-way and pulled up in the back alley of the hub of food courts.
The place was quite 'homey' and rather traditional for a Tokyo restaurant, but it gave Akiko a bright smile on her face.
Nick couldn't make out the Japanese lettering on the small overhead sign for the shop......
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Post by Akiko Shima on Feb 23, 2004 4:00:15 GMT -5
Akiko giggled and then said to Nick;
"It means 'Naoko Miyake's Ramen shop'....come on lets go and get some grub,...usually by this time in the afternoon it's quiet so we'll have the hostess to ourselves."
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Post by Agent Regina on Feb 23, 2004 4:53:22 GMT -5
Entering the shop Nick could see that Akiko was right, there was a few small tables and cushions seated around them, and only one other customer in the small room.
He was reading a newspaper whilst his bowl lay empty infront of him, and a pot of green tea was cooling with the last remnants of the drink.
Following Akiko Nick walked up to the front counter and watched as she called out....
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Post by Akiko Shima on Feb 23, 2004 4:56:30 GMT -5
"Hey, Naoko,...it's me Akiko!" Akiko shouted out into the kitchen, and sure enough through the door came her good friend Naoko....
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Post by Naoko Miyake on Feb 23, 2004 5:16:55 GMT -5
"Akiko,...so good to see you, I'll get your usual!"
She stopped speaking for a moment and then studied Nick, she shoved her face right up to him, her eyes squinted whilst she studied the new worker, her face almost touching his,.....
She backed away and laughed.
"I take it this is the new worker Akiko,....he looks alright better than the last one! How's about some food you two!?"
She disappeared behind the door again into the kitchen whilst Akiko took some green tea from behind the counter, she looked rather silly as she struggled over the high counter and reached down.
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Post by Akiko Shima on Feb 23, 2004 5:20:39 GMT -5
Coming back from reaching over the counter she smiled and laughed almost like a child as though to excuse herself.
"Sorry 'bout that,...hey let's go and sit whilst Naoko gets our grub ready!"
Smiling she turned to sit at one of the tables she poured herself a cup of green tea and then motioned for Nick to join her;
"Would you like some aswell?" She asked.......
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Post by Shura on Feb 24, 2004 15:53:38 GMT -5
'Hai, Dozo (yes please),' Nick looked a little embarrased, hoping he hadn't made a mistake with his Japanese. He hadn't actually had green tea before, but had heard it was good. 'I'm afraid that you might have to give me a few japanese lessons before work if we're going to be doing a lot of talking. I know the occasional word, but my vocabulary's not up to much. I'd like to say that you speak english really well, though. I'm impressed.'
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Post by Akiko Shima on Feb 27, 2004 5:57:29 GMT -5
Akiko looked quite impressed with the newbie and smiled saying;
"Don't worry about the language, I'm sure you'll pick up the odd phrase here and there,....kinda just like you demostrated ey?"
She poured him some green tea, and then sipped her own before talking again.
"You're impressed with my English? Thanks Nick,.....umm you don't mind me calling you Nick do you?....*Akiko had a look of concern on her face.*......My English is good because of Naoko, her mother is English and so she taught the both of us,...plus when we were kids I was always round her home, and so I picked it up from her family talking in perfect English,...I'm no where near as good as Naoko or her husband but,...meh, I try."
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Post by Shura on Mar 2, 2004 16:13:23 GMT -5
Nick smiled at her self-depracation. He knew she was being modest, and thanked her for her compliment on his japanese, 'Domo arigato, Akiko-sama'. For a second, he wondered if he was being overly familiar. He took a sip from his drink, ' This tea is excellent. Subtly different from the regular brew I have, but with a nice flavour. So what are we having? Hope it's something warm.'
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