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Post by Kelathi on Nov 25, 2018 11:26:43 GMT
You’re telling me! It would make no sense at all if she did not manage to get anything out of him. She held her tongue, anyhow, hardly about to voice this to him, and after all she did have somewhere to start now- she had a name. When it seemed he was about to take her up on the offer of tea, she tried her best to look nonchalant, lifting her own cup to her lips again and diverting her eyes. Was she about to see his face? “It’s Karkade.” She added encouragingly as he moved towards the hearth. For her, the tea, amongst others, brought up memories from her childhood, and overall, did it’s job well in calming her.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Nov 25, 2018 23:17:24 GMT
Kitsune almost paused at the name, surprised by the encouragement, but took the cup anyway, knowing that with his current thirst, he had indeed been out for a time, and needed to go easy. It was the only way he was certain he’d manage to get out of this bizarre situation and go back to protecting Naoki. His brother had to be panicking by now, with news of the fight between Karyuudo and an unknown spreading fast by news and word of mouth. Of course, he saw himself as elusive and not easily recognized, so it would have genuinely shocked him for the other to find his name so familiar.
The hand that had been holding onto the back of the chair moved to pour himself tea, but for a moment he seemed as if at a loss. He would have to remove his helmet, after all… at least, that was how it seemed. In truth, he was making sure his hand was steady enough with the tea to reach up to the mask, putting pressure in just the right spot to slide the glass portion up, leaving the lower part of his face visible - just enough to be functional, if a little awkward.
As if very aware of how different he would sound without the mask, Kitsune quietly drank from the cup, the warmth helping to steady the world around him. Or was it just the inhibitor that was keeping him from feeling the effects of passing out? Maybe he really was beginning to rely on it too much. But what else could he do? It wasn’t like he could choose to not wear it…
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Post by Kelathi on Nov 26, 2018 0:56:06 GMT
If she thought she was going to get a glimpse of the man behind the helmet, she was sorely disappointed, as he lifted up his visor only enough to be able to drink. Thankfully, she had steeled herself so that her reaction didn’t show. Her own cup empty now, she placed it onto the windowsill next to her, but instead of drawing her hand away, it lingering on the clay. A finger trailed around the rim of the cup, her gaze focussed on the motion but mind clearly elsewhere. Her next words were not accusative, but they were rather blunt, her eyes still on her hand and the cup.
“Why are you an enemy of Karyuudo?”
It was perfectly reasonable to assume that Kasumi had either seen them fighting or Karyuudo had made it clear that, although he was sparing Kitsune, he was an enemy. She was careful not to frame what she wanted to ask as ‘why were you hunting Karyuudo?’ which might reveal that she knew about the circumstances in which they had first met, with Kitsune clearly being the hunter.
Why indeed? Now she had had time to think, instead of just acting, time to mull over the day’s events- something about all of this just did not sit well with her. Assassins had been sent in the past, and all had been self-righteous and honourless, with little care for right and wrong, or who might get in the way in their quest to fell her. She could not see any of them risking losing to Karyuudo to save a child in the midst of chaos- and yet Kitsune had done just that. She remembered now, when replaying the scene, the child clinging to him, and he, just before he noticed her presence, trying his best to comfort her. It seemed like at least some of their values were aligned. Then why were they enemies?
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Nov 26, 2018 15:08:52 GMT
Without the mask to hide the smaller sounds, the pause of breath was audible, if only just. He seemed to study her carefully before answering, deciding how to answer - or if he even would. Taking another long sip of the tea, he seemed tense, even though there was no physical sign of it, only that every move was being carefully calculated.
“It’s… complicated,” he finally settled on, his voice readable as having conflicted feelings himself. No, he didn’t want to be an enemy of Karyuudo, but his tone stated flatly that he had no choice. As if self aware of his giveaways, he slid the glass back into place, speaking again with the slight muffle that removed subtler emotions. “Karyuudo and I ended up on opposite sides. There’s no fix now.” Kitsune’s voice seemed a little flat even through the mask, as if he was regretful to end up in such positions, but still resolute to hold to his role. As if only the worst thing imaginable would happen should he waver.
Perhaps not literally so, given that he turned with just the slightest wobble, better for the recovery but far from healed. With no show of malice, he began to move towards the end of the bed where his weapons sat, centering himself and forcing his step to grow steady again. “Thanks for your hospitality,” he offered Kasumi, those few words being enough to show he was preparing to leave. The longer he was there, the more at risk Naoki would be, most likely frantic with worry and not wise enough to stay home where Kitsune would undoubtedly look first.
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Post by Kelathi on Nov 27, 2018 0:28:19 GMT
He seemed… Repentant? But then he had closed his visor, shutting away any slight advantage she might have gained from being able to hear his tone. His answer made her tip her head slightly as she considered his words, curiosity clear on her face even if she did not press him further. As he approached the weapons, even though she knew by now that she had no reason to think he would cause her harm, the fighter within her still caused her to tense, perhaps momentarily forgetting she was dressed as a civilian. “I did as was asked.” She merely replied to his thanks, shifting her attention back to his words rather than his actions. Her tone had seemed cold, but when she next spoke, it was marginally different, almost teasing. “Just try not to come bleeding on my doorstop again, will you? I only have so many bandages.”
(Sorry for shortness, I have more to say in my next post )
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Nov 29, 2018 4:19:04 GMT
Kitsune merely chuckled at her little joke, genuinely amused by the idea. “You might want to reconsider your options when asked in the future,” he replied in kind; almost teasing. He walked over to her, slowly, still testing his balance, and still pushing himself on. Quite obviously, he had very little regard for his own condition.
Meeting her at the window, he reached out to her, gently as to not startle her, picking up her hand and pressing it to his helmet as if kissing it. “Stay out of trouble,” he said rather than some romantic line as his gesture had suggested, and promptly vanished. Already next to the window, Kasumi would be able to see him appear in the street below, deciding to take a different route to freedom. Glancing up to see the rooftops, and he was gone again, but slow in his jumps this time. He needed it physically, but he also needed the time it gave him to practice.
“Naoki, I’m sorry… Naoki. I’m sorry. Damnit…”
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Post by Kelathi on Nov 29, 2018 5:01:15 GMT
It would be a lie to say she didn’t tense as he approached, even if it was clear in his demeanor that he meant her no harm- the suspicious part of her considered that he might have suddenly figured her out, even if it was illogical. His actual action though, took her by surprise, and that was clear in her face before she had chance to mask it. At his words, a slight smile flickered onto her lips, but then he was gone. It took her a moment to register what had happened, and then it occurred to her to look outside, where she just about caught sight of his retreating form before he disappeared amongst the rooftops. She knew what she had to do. To let him go now might seem from the outside an odd decision, but she wanted to find out more about him before they came again- And now she had a name to go by.
As soon as he had left, she went to retrieve her things from the cellar, and as she left (locking up and leaving the key beneath the doormat, where she hoped the innkeeper would find it easily) she made a note in her head to repay the man at a later time. She didn’t don her armour and mask though, wrapping it up so that it just appeared to be an innocent, if rather heavy bundle, and set about preparing for the journey ahead.
It was evening by the time she finally set off to leave the city, her things wrapped up securely in one of the saddlebags, the other bearing food and two flagons of water, which were then strapped to her horse. A beautiful stallion, one she should have liked to keep had she use for it. But apart from the odd rare excursion such as this, in the city she had no use for such a creature, preferring to be on her feet within her streets. But for now he would serve his purpose, and she was sure to dote upon him for the short time they were together, feeding him a sneaky sugarcube moments before they set off.
The journey to her mentor was two day’s worth, and she had more than enough provisions, with, of course, the ability to hunt should ill weather choose to make her journey longer. She was loathe to leave the city, as she always was, like a protective mother having to leave her child behind. But she needed to know about this ‘Kitsune’, and who better to ask than the one whom had taught her all? If, on the rare occasion he could not personally help her, he had many precious scriptures that he would be sure to let her peruse.
Yuudai.
She was looking forward to seeing him after so long, but the thought of him also sent a pang of regret through her being. It had been a long time, too long, since she had visited, which did not seem right after she owed him so much. He was sure to have heard the news, even being so far away, he had his own personal scouts that travelled to the city and back to keep him well informed. She had seen the propaganda herself, there had been another attack on the ‘beloved emperor’, instigated by the ‘vicious’ masked outlaw. All mention of the name Karyuudo had pretty much been outlawed in itself, if a guard heard you so much as utter the legend’s name you ran the risk of being accused as a conspirator against the emperor. No doubt her mentor’s scout had gleaned the rest of the info that the papers would not tell from putting his ear to the street, maybe even down to Karyuudo escaping; alive but severely injured.
She didn’t blame Yuudai for not moving closer, where he lived was indeed beautiful, nestled in the snow-capped mountains, his house a traditional one with screen doors and wooden, weather-beaten walls, still holding strong after all these years. Back when she had been taken there as a child, it had been old even then, she doubted if there was anyone alive who knew just how many years were held within it’s oak walls.
Memories of the place were sweet, as long as she didn’t think too far back, as to the reason why she had come here in the first place. Those were bitter thoughts, ones she didn’t wish to mull on right now. So she set her sights to the darkening sky, thought about the idyllic place with it's tranquil settings... and smiled as she set off.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Nov 29, 2018 16:06:05 GMT
He had practiced the entire way home, only to confirm a fear: Naoki wasn’t waiting for him there, but had decided to be proactive himself. It at least gave Kitsune a chance to enter and handle the bloodied and torn clothing after texting from his phone, left at home. He was still surprised to have been bandaged up by someone supporting an enemy that he had made himself.
Almost as if on cue, when he was ready the downstairs door burst open, an utterly panicked Naoki rushing to the stairs where Ryo met him in a silent hug, all the practice from the trip home dying on his tongue in the embrace.
---
“Naoki, I’m sorry, but that’s one of the worst ideas you’ve ever had…”
As concerned and angry as Naoki had been to discover Ryo reappearing so many hours after the huge confrontation with the Karyuudo, it had seemed to steel his determination and as Ryo recovered, he had been working hard. But his solution was met with resistance for the first time.
“Why? You keep getting hurt, and you keep not noticing until you’ve passed out!” Naoki shouted back, the dark circles under his eyes only one of a dozen indicators of having slept very little for the last few days. “Yeah, but tech is hackable - you put a tracker on me, and someone else can track me,” Ryo argued, genuinely concerned. Naoki didn’t let up, pointing back to his desk. “I’m a hacker! I hacked through the security files to get the design of the inhibitor, didn’t I? I can design it to be hack-proof!”
“Nothing’s hack proof, and you know it, being a hacker… If anyone I’ve gone after finds out where I call home…”
“Then what can I do?!”
Ryo’s arms dropped to his sides at the words, unsure how to handle Naoki’s sudden tremble. He had expected fury, which he had gotten some in silent cold shoulders, but not this. It wasn’t always clear which of the two was the caregiver, given how Naoki had often taken over his grandfather’s role in keeping an eye on the ever-reckless Kitsune.
At first tentatively, Ryo walked over to hug his little brother again, Naoki slowly putting his arms up in return. The silence spoke volumes between them, settling the two, but it had to be broken. “I have to get Karyuudo,” Ryo finally said, Naoki sighing. “Even though you don’t think it’s right,” he muttered, pulling away with a continuing pout. Ryo sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I don’t have a choice,” he replied, and at the look of teenager calling bullshit, added, “If it’s a choice between protecting family and anyone else… there’s no choice.”
“Unless I can find a cure myself,” Naoki shot back, softly, defiantly, making Ryo smile. Like he hadn’t seen the papers strewn across the teenager’s desk, all case studies and results of attempts with fixing Noroi. He decided to instead change the subject, since centuries of a disease that still was completely unexplainable hadn’t yielded any cure yet.
“Y’know, you sure don’t act like a seventeen-year-old. I can’t really do anything for a few days… why don’t we act like normal brothers for a little. Mm?” The proposition seemed to brighten Naoki’s mood, considerably as he suddenly smirked a little.
“Wouldn’t that require you to be normal for once?”
Naoki didn’t escape getting a noogie that time.
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Post by Kelathi on Jan 16, 2019 22:16:14 GMT
As he opened the door, she immediately tipped her head respectively, but raised her closed fist over her heart, like a soldier might. “Shifu…” But before she could finish the formal greeting, the man had stepped forward and dragged her into his arms with a happy exclamation- “Nǚ'ér!”. And Kasumi’s seriousness melted away. With a smile, she lifted her arms and embraced the old man just as tightly.
***
“A dragon, you say?” Yuudai muttered, face serious now and breaking into a frown. Kasumi had been filling him in on her skirmish with the emperor whilst she sorted dinner, and was now dishing up the noodles. When she had announced she was going to sort their supper, her former mentor had point-blank refused, arguing that they were equals and that he should help. Eventually, she had proved to be the most stubborn, and won the kitchen to herself whilst he sulked at the table. Bringing two bowls over, she placed one in front of the old man, and then kneeled down at the other side of the table with her own. “A dragon.” She confirmed. “Borne from air, just like the Seven.” She picked up her chopsticks and began to eat. Yuudai did the same, not before muttering, “That is worrying. You must find out more about this Emperor’s capabilities before facing him again.” Kasumi nodded in agreement, but then paused for a moment before continuing. “What do you know of Kitsune?” At her words, Yuudai’s hand halted halfway to his mouth… which then broke into a smile as he set his chopsticks back down. “I wondered when this day would come. You met with Kitsune? What was he like, what did he say? Tell me everything!” His reaction perplexed her, and it easily showed on his face because he seemed to hesitate, smile fading. “You look troubled.”
“I…” She began, pausing, then reframing her words. “I met him, but we did not exactly converse… except perhaps through weapons.” Yuudai looked at first shocked, then angry. “You fought him? Why?” At the sound of his voice, she realised he was actually more incredulous than angry. “Because he attacked Karyuudo. He is an enemy. What do you know of him?” Despite her words, Yuudai did not seem willing to accept them, shaking his head and starting- “That… that doesn’t make sense. Why…” But upon noting her intense gaze, he tried to explain what he knew. “Kitsune is defender of the people, much like Karyuudo. His reach is not as… well, as Karyuudo moves in the light, Kitsune moves in the shadows.” Kasumi’s eyes widened slightly as he spoke. Yuudai pushed away his bowl of food then with a sigh, his appetite suddenly waning with the troubling news Kasumi had brought him. “For centuries Kitsune has helped Karyuudo take down their foes, offering guidance and skill as and when needed…” Kasumi was shaking her head, she couldn’t stop herself, and as her mentor paused she spoke what was on her mind. “If he is such a prominent figure in history why have I not heard of him before?” A slow smile spread onto Yuudai’s lips now, a look she recognised all too well. “Yes, you have. Think back to some of your earliest teachings. The Lion, the Fox and the Crow.”
The Lion, the Fox and the Crow…
She remembered the story of course, and all stories were teachings. The trinity ensured the balance. The Lion was Karyuudo, of course. The fox... “I thought…” she began, “I thought the fox and the crow were metaphorical.” She admitted, finally. Yuudai laughed then, and for some reason, what she had said seemed to have eased the tension. Enough for him to resume eating, anyways, if the way he dragged his bowl closer was anything to go by. “You should know better. The Lion and the Fox are caught in an endless cycle of bloodshed, both working to slay the Crow, which represents the evil in the world, and at the moment, represents your Emperor.” He took a mouthful of noodles, and murmured appreciatively before continuing. “The fox is Kitsune. If you’ve found him chasing your tail instead of the crow’s, then something is wrong. You should speak to him.” It was Kasumi’s turn to laugh this time, although it was a bitter sound and void of mirth. “I don’t think he’s interested in speaking.” Yuudai raised his eyes to her before answering. “Kasumi, listen to me. You don’t want him as your enemy. You must do what you can to restore the balance. You need to track him down, and you need to talk to him.”
***
She was sorry to leave Yuudai’s home, the walls familiar and soothing, but as she stepped foot back into the city, that feeling of longing was quickly replaced by the feeling of belonging. These were her streets, and she would not change them for all the world. Yuudai’s home had once been her own, but that was the place of her past, this city was her present and future.
She sold the horse to her nearest stable, but did not return to the old part of town where the wreck of her home stood. Instead, she was aware of a certain amount of excitement in the street. It took her a moment to realise that the elevated mood was due to the fact that it was market day, and as with most events, the city embraced the fact whole-heartedly and with an over-zealousness that was admirable. Deciding to take part in the merriment and also gather some much-needed supplies, she followed the crowd of people to the great square that would hold the stores. Guards would be about, but clothed as a civilian as she was, she felt no danger as she let herself be swallowed amongst the throngs of people.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jan 17, 2019 0:08:30 GMT
“I absolutely regret suggesting this.”
“What? Going out and being normal?” Naoki’s confusion was genuine, making a face as his brother lingered in the alley, not eager to join the crowds… “Oh. You mean going out on a market day.” Despite his excitement about doing something normal together, Naoki was very understanding of Ryo’s hesitation, patiently waiting for him until he gathered the courage to step out. Years of being traded between foster homes, of always being on the outside, always the one deemed abnormal… he’d lost his faith in most people. Only Masahiro and Naoki had accepted him for who, and what, he was. Little wonder he had devoted himself so whole-heartedly to them.
Unusually, Naoki’s headphones had been left at home rather than sitting around his neck waiting to be used, still wearing his usual jeans and t-shirt and looking every inch the scrawny teenager. Ryo had followed with a similar style, save with a high-necked sleeveless shirt that showed the arm-length tattoo, along with the bandaid that was still protecting the healing arrow wound the Kitsune had suffered. Wraparound sunglasses hid his eyes from sight, wanting to avoid any curious glances at the jade green in his eyes, and in general avoid attention. Even as they wandered about, Ryo seemed uncomfortable in the scenario but kept walking with Naoki. In spite of everything, he was enjoying the time with his little brother, looking over food and produce, food carts, tourist trinkets and anything else being hawked.
It didn’t take long for the two to also be swept into the square with the crowds, Ryo finding himself occasionally having to resist the urge to escape the sometimes pressing number of people. He didn’t let Naoki know, however, the teenager looking happier and more alive than he had in weeks. Despite his young age, Naoki was exceptionally empathic, often taking on others struggles as his own if from a different angle, from his brother’s unease with a crowd to Kitsune’s risk-taking for a cure. Finally taking a break, they purchased big bowls of noodles to enjoy in the small, relatively open space surrounding the central fountain in the square, watching the crowds barter, talk, travel and, in one case, get thrown out of a bar for already being too drunk. For once, the guards surrounding the area did a good job, carrying the abusive man away from the festivities.
Almost done with his bowl already, Naoki had just begun to voice a joke about Ryo being done yet when he noticed the other had stilled, watching someone in the crowds. Leaning over to look, he squinted his eyes, trying to figure out what, among a throng of people, Ryo was looking at. “Earth to Ryo?” he finally asked, Ryo pulling back sharply before settling again, glancing back into the crowd. “That girl, in the kimono,” he said, Naoki again leaning over to look, now with a studious expression. “Ok… so?” he asked, curious why Ryo wasn’t simply dismissing his attraction to someone as he so often had before. “She was the one Karyuudo left me with.”
Naoki pulled back to his seat, eyebrows raised. “Really?” he asked, musing for a moment. Finally, he quickly drained the rest of his bowl, Ryo finishing the last few of his own bowl when he slowed, watching Naoki with growing suspicion. Taking the bowls to dispose of them, Naoki pretended to dust his hands, ready for his new task.
“Well. I’m going to go talk to her.”
“Naoki, wait-!”
Naoki only stopped because of the sudden panic in Ryo’s voice, jumping to his feet to try and bodily block him. “Why would you wanna talk to her? There’s no point in talking to her!” Naoki noticed Ryo’s slight embarrassment, amused at the thought that his brother had apparently arrived at - unsurprising giving what Naoki had done a few times when much younger - but he was determined.
“Of course there is… if she was trusted by Karyuudo, she might be able to help get us into talks with him.”
Ryo’s expression went blank; “What?” Naoki sighed, losing the mischievous look at Ryo’s misunderstanding. “I don’t care what the emperor says,” he said softly, firmly adding, “Karyuudo isn’t an enemy. It doesn’t make sense, for someone to play at the hero of the people just to hurt them… and Grandfather wouldn’t have been such a fan of someone who was evil. It’s wrong to be fighting him.” Caught off guard, Ryo’s fears surfaced in his voice a little too easily, but all it did was stiffen Naoki’s resolve. “I… I can’t protect you if I lose to Noroi…”
“Then let’s talk to Karyuudo about it. There’s as much myth as fact about Noroi… maybe he has something we can use.”
A hand to his brother’s shoulder in reassurance and Naoki started out again, erasing the serious look from his face to look bright and friendly. He reached out to tap the woman on the shoulder, offering a wide grin. “Hi! Sorry to bother you, but I thought I’d give my brother a hand. See, he’s really shy, but he was telling me about how pretty he thought you were, so I thought I’d get the ball rolling for you.”
Ryo, meanwhile, had rushed to catch up to his brother, with one more reason to not change tactics now that they had involved the emperor, but all of that disappeared at Naoki’s “innocent” words. His eyebrows visibly raised with a wide-eyed expression, identifiable even under the sunglasses, with some mix of shock and a sudden desire to strangle the teenager flashing across his reddening face.
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Post by Kelathi on Jan 17, 2019 1:12:39 GMT
“Kasumi! It’s good to see you. Where have you been?”
Kasumi had just been passing by, but she stopped and smiled at the store-holder, recognising the elderly man and approaching him. He was on old friend of her family, and after… the event, he had tried everything he could to help, often sending parcels of food to Yuudai in the mountains, and asking for news of her. He did not see her about much nowadays, except for when she needed provisions, such as today. Even so, it had been a good week since he had last seen her.
“Zǎo, Jing-sheng.” Kasumi greeted him with a smile. “I was visiting Yuudai. He wishes you well, as always.” Jing-sheng grinned at the mention of her old mentor’s name, and began to gather up a mixed parcel of fruits. Wrapping them and handing them to Kasumi, she looked at him questioningly as he began to explain. “For you, no charge. When you next see him tell him he’s overdue for a visit.” She tried to refuse the gift but he would hear nothing of the sort, so with grateful thanks she packed the parcel into the tote shopping bag slung over her shoulder. Just then, she felt a tap on her shoulder, and upon turning she was faced with a stranger rather than someone she knew. She automatically smiled in greeting, wondering what the young man could want and thinking he had probably mistaken her for someone else. At his words, she seemed amused, and looked up to search for the boy he was referring to, expecting another teenager of about the same age, ready to thank him for his flattery, and assure him he was a little too young for her… when the boy was joined instead by a man. Judging by his panicked expression, even with his eyes momentarily hidden, this was the brother he was referring to. Regarding him, she steeled her expression. “Are you the brother that finds me to be ‘pretty’?” she questioned, crossing her arms, as if about to chastise him. A shared glance between herself and the young boy, however, showed her good humour with a momentary quirk of a smile on her lips.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jan 17, 2019 1:30:16 GMT
For a moment, Naoki was unsure of the change in the woman’s expression, but caught the glance and had to keep his head turned away to not let his expression give up the game, biting his lip to keep quiet. This was, truthfully, the only time he had done such an introduction without being sincerely honest in his efforts, so having a secondary purpose was new, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t enjoying his brother’s reaction.
It didn’t take long for Naoki’s words to ring true, however, because the question was taken seriously. Ryo managed to form words with his mouth but was unable to make a sound come out, finally opting to shut his mouth and take a moment to recover.
“I’m… so sorry about my baby brother annoying you, miss…” he began through gritted teeth, deciding his best course was to ignore the question entirely, still not making it clear if he understood the joke quite yet, reaching over to grab the hood of Naoki’s jacket to drag him back. The teen immediately resisted, swatting at the hand holding the hood to no avail. With one swift move, Ryo had pulled it over and yanked it down over Naoki’s face, making it easier to push him away from Kasumi.
The… the woman. Couldn’t admit he knew her name…
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Post by Kelathi on Jan 17, 2019 1:45:21 GMT
His reaction had been rewarding and predictable, but she had not meant the exchange to be cut short so quickly. So she tried another tact. “It’s no bother.” She replied, trying her best not to laugh at the comical image of the man trying to silence his mischievous brother, the teenager trying his best to thwart the man’s efforts. “It’s a shame, though. I should have liked to meet such a flatterer.” At the subsequent pause, she shrugged. “Well, there’s no harm in it, is there? In fact, I might have asked such a man to join me over there…” She paused, nodding her head towards the fountain a few metres away, where a woman was serving tea in the shade of a couple of blooming sakura trees. The small area seemed a welcome oasis in this busy market, with people sitting about on the sides of the fountain and taking a moment to drink and watch the world go by. “…to drink tea under the trees. Wouldn’t that have been nice?” She commented wistfully.
Then, before he could answer, she appeared to draw herself away from her momentary reverie. “Never mind. Good day to you both.” She finished up with a smile, and then turned to leave, silently curious as to whether he would be bold enough to accept her quite obvious invitation. It was a far-cry from the relatively aloof woman whom he had met before, although of course, she did not yet know that they had met before.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jan 17, 2019 1:56:50 GMT
Unsurprisingly, Ryo’s response to Kasumi’s suggestion was wide-eyed uncertainty, looking over at the sakura trees and back. He knew what she was suggesting, but seemed rather surprised that she was actually suggesting it. Naoki, meanwhile, looked surprised and then delighted, with a lopsided grin as he glanced between the two. At least, for a few moments after the woman decided it was time to leave, and Ryo was somewhat shocked into place.
Before his chance was gone, Naoki went up and shoved Ryo as hard as he could after her. Ryo’s hand brushed her arm as he recovered his balance from nearly being thrown at her, glancing back at Naoki with a look of shock and newly acquired anger, but was cut off by Naoki’s insistent gestures to go with her. So much for being focused on finding out about Karyuudo… although Ryo knew that Naoki would claim such a noble reason for all of this.
Realizing very well that he was getting too much attention from other bystanders, he swallowed hard and tried to focus on Kasumi, still needing a moment before he found his voice. “Would… would you like… a tea?”
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Post by Kelathi on Jan 17, 2019 2:09:36 GMT
At the brush of her arm, she halted in her retreat and turned to him. Inwardly, she was pleased he had decided to stop her from walking away. He was not the first to make advances, but normally she put an end to such quickly, much too preoccupied with her duty to even consider indulging in anything like this. But for some reason, not only had she had decided to go along with it, she had somehow even set the terms for their impromptu date. She ignored the grin from the store-holder, whom had been watching the interaction with amusement, turning her full attention to the stranger. “I would love some tea.” She responded smoothly, a smile forming on her lips with ease. Instead of waiting for him to lead, she began to walk towards the fountain, pausing once to look over her shoulder to see if he was coming.
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