Who I really am

[toobigtohandle]

WHO: Kenta and YOU [with a few closed prompts]
WHERE: the Dojo, the newly-built Ooshima Stables, and Bosuma
WHEN: All over March
WHAT: Some discovery, both personal and of the outside world
WARNINGS: Some mentions of violence and criminal activity.



I. STABLES
[As planned, Kenta has had some state-of-the-art stables built to house his new horse companion. and this has turned into a new business opportunity. There have been job ads and posters with 'help wanted' posted, and he's hiring both for admin positions and for actual stables hands and/or people who can give riding lessons.

He already has quite a a good business plan in place, with getting the stable business off the ground first and then diversifying into giving lessons. And of course, he needs to learn the actual stable work himself, since he now has his own horse.

Come for an interview, or just to help him out learn how to properly care for the majestic animal that is Iwaiichigou!]

II.DOJO [Semi-closed to Derek]

[It's time for another kendo lesson.

Kenta had a bit of free time today so he arrived at the dojo early, and he and a few of his bodyguards are practicing hand to hand. Unlike what you may have seen before, this is not martial arts. This is all out street brawling, and they’re only holding back enough to not seriously injure one another.

Kenta is wearing soft workout pants and a T-shirts. The bodyguards are wearing mostly tank tops or have just removed their tops altogether, which means there are quite a few interesting tattoos on display.]

III.OUT AND ABOUT

[Kenta may not have been able to contact his family for a long while, but Recolle still has quite a few Ooshima Clan allies that need to be entertained, cajoled, or reprimanded, depending on the situation.

And that's how Kenta ends up walking downtown with several bodyguards around him wearing dark suits, on his way to one of those luxury hotels that are the favorite meeting grounds of criminal families.

If you're used to that sort of things, it's relatively easy to see that every single person in that group, Kenta included, is carrying a concealed gun.]


IV.BOSUMA [Later in the month]

[Now that he's regained his skill with horse-riding, Kenta has taken advantage of it to make a few day trips to Bosuma. Because it's close and easy to get to, and also because from descriptions he's heard of, this is the place most likely to fit his tastes, and that is very true once he gets there. Nature, plants, animals, all of these definitely suit his sensibilities, and he finds himself going back several times over the course of a few weeks.

He will enjoy company either on the way or out there, especially like-minded individuals who enjoy quiet and nature.]

I wonder if there's anything I could bring back for Jirou...

Comments

I.

[angealwings]

[ Andrew promised that he'd help, and here he is, once he's rested up from the hell mine and caught up with a few shifts at work. ]

Hey, anyone here?

[toobigtohandle]

[Someone steps out of the office. A man in a suit. He says a few words in Japanese accompanied by a few gestures that seem to mean 'please wait', and quickly opens the door again, calling for someone inside.

A few seconds later, Kenta steps out. He's wearing jeans and a t-shirt and boots, all slightly muddy from cleaning up this morning.]

Hello. Can I help you?

[angealwings]

[ Too bad that Andrew didn't exactly have a chance to learn Japanese, while in the military. He maybe should have, more than the few phrases that most people exposed to a variety of media managed to pick up.

At the address that is definitely for him, he nods. ]

Hi. My name's Andrew and I offered some help with the horse that was suddenly delivered?

[toobigtohandle]

OH. You were one of the people who answered to my post earlier. I'm Ooshima Kenta. Nice to meet you.

[Kenta gives a small bow before he holds out his hand.]

Thank you for coming. I wanted to give you guys a few days of breathing room because I heard the exploration was rather... intense. That's why I didn't message you right away.

II

[blondferret]

[Derek arrives at the dojo a few minutes early, and thus sees the very intricate and huge tatoos on the backs and arms of the men Kenta was sparing with. Those were his body guards right? Do all Japanese body guards have such interesting tatoos? Derek clears his throat and calls out to Kenta.]

Hey Kenta, mate. I'm here for my lesson.

[toobigtohandle]

[Kenta turns around when he hears that voice and smiles.]

Derek. Hi.

[He says a few words to the guards and then leaves them to practice on their own.]

I'm going to go change. Come with me.

[The locker room is small but functional, and Kenta pulls a kimono and hakama from one of the lockers. He's already sweaty, but it doesn't really amtter, eh'll shower afterwards.]

[blondferret]

[Derek stares at the guards for a second and then follows Kenta into the locker room. Leaning up against a locker, Derek stares at Kenta for a second.]

So, do all Japanese body guards for rich families have those... interesting tattoos? I mean, to each their own, but wow. I mean, how to you manage to find guards that have that amount of tattoos? Is that like a requirement for your family?

[toobigtohandle]

Hmm? No, it's not a requirement, not in this day and age at least. Most of them get them because they think it looks cool and it's keeping up with tradition.

[Not that he's saying which tradition, but if someone has seen enough Asian movies, it's probably relatively easy to guess.]

I think most of them start getting tattooed after they start working for us. I've never really asked.

[The truth is if he were keeping with tradition he'd probably have a few of them himself, but since his family wants him to be low-key here, his body is completely unblemished.]

III

[sakeplz]

[There have been times in the past where Jirou has gone with Kenta places. However, Kenta usually goes into the meetings and Jirou wanders off somewhere. Today will be different because he knows that he has an image as the fiance of the heir to a yakuza family. A dangerous position but one that he knows he can handle.

So today he's dressed in one of the kimono Kenta's purchased for him and his hair and makeup are done to perfection. To keep everything looking lovely he has a paper umbrella while they walk. He really does make for a perfect image of a Japanese bride to be with her future husband.

If you ignore that those golden eyes of his seem to be cleverly taking in everything around him. You know, details.]

[toobigtohandle]

[The guards who live with Kenta in Recolle have known him and Jirou long enough than none of them were even the slightest bit surprised when Kenta announced he and Jirou were engaged.

Kenta suspects Tanaka-san knew but didn't say anything because he figured Kenta needed to do this at his own pace.

He does appreciate the fact that none of them objected or brought up his father or the Clan. Instead, they've simply adopted Jirou. More than even before.

Once they get to the hotel and are shown to the meeting room, one of the guards quickly goes to fetch a cushion.]

'Please have a seat, Aneki.'

[sakeplz]

[Jirou moves to sit on the cushion, moving so elegantly. Not at all like a drunken fool. When he wants to he can be the perfect Japanese bride.

And you know he likes making good impressions too. There's a time and place for being silly. This isn't it.

Of course he smiles at the guard who provides him with the cushion. This is very lovely indeed.]

[toobigtohandle]

[Kenta makes sure Jirou is comfortable, and asks for both tea and sake when they are offered refreshments.

He's not going to be talking much here, only a few pleasantries, with Tanaka-san doing the bulk of the talking. This is only a small business connection, so the meeting is meant more to impress them than anything else.

When the guests arrive, Kenta doesn't move from his place or say any greetings. Instead he waits for the guests to be led to him and introduced before giving each of them a terse nod of acknowledgement.

And then he goes to pour some sake for Jirou.

Sorry guys, you are small fry.]

IV!

[okitactless]

[Since Yasusada stayed in Recolle for the original excursions, he's been curious to hear all about them, and when the opportunity arose to venture out of the city, he'd taken it without second thought. Kenta is a good companion for trips like this, after all--cautious, but a strong ally in case they found themselves in trouble anyway. And out of everything he's heard, Bosuma is the place he's been most interested in visiting.

Since Kenta's been here before, he's content to follow for now, being careful not to snag his new haori on any branches as he looks around.]

Some of these plants are pretty, but I don't know if they'd last long... did you have anything in mind?

[toobigtohandle]

I was thinking it's probably better to ask the dryads that people helped last month. I wouldn't want to do anything like take something we're not supposed to or disturb them, since it's their living space.

[Now that they've made it there, Kenta isn't riding but walking next to the horse. There are too many branches that could slap him in the face if he stays on.]

That's a Shinsengumi haori, isn't it?

[okitactless]

That's true... have you seen them before? [He hasn't heard much about them, but then, he hasn't heard all that much about any of these new places--hence the excursion. It is pretty lovely here, though; even if he can't bring back anything, he makes a note to bring Kashuu here sometime too.

Yasusada, for his part, helps to make sure the path is clear for Iwaiichigou. Horses, he's fine with--while he's kept a little distance between them, it's mostly to respect the animal's space than anything else. At some point, he'll give in and go try for nosepats and mane ruffles, but for now, his attention is mostly on their surroundings.

--Until Kenta asks that question, that is.]

Hm? [He lifts a hand, clutching at the large sleeves on reflex.] Oh, yeah. I got it about a week ago... you recognize it?

[He can't quite keep the hope out of his tone--does Kenta know others who might have one?]

[toobigtohandle]

I've seen it in my Japanese history books. And some people were wearing those as costumes last Halloween.

[He's looking around at the beautiful flowers.]

I've seen a few Dryads from afar last time I was here, but I did't approach then. I didn't want to impose or make them uncomfortable.

iii.

[yakan]

[ People packing guns, huh, yeah he's seen plenty of that since forever. That sure looked like yakuza, that's funny. Wonderful. And after Kiyoshi came to America to get away from the yakuza (though he was only a low-level nobody, his father was a lawyer and legal advisor for the yakuza and had pretty well known to the family). But maybe he's just imagining things except why would there be that many suits in once place. Conspicuous as hell, that is.

He spotted them by coincidence when he exited a shop and was petting his bearded collie and eating donuts. But because Hestia is curious about everything and everyone, the dog is cheerfully barking at the suits (partly because he noticed his owner was looking) tail cheerfully going back and forth. Hopefully that's...not a bother... Worrying about people isn't something that this dog does unless his owner shows outright hostility toward someone; but Kiyoshi is only a little wary at the moment. ]

[toobigtohandle]

[If there is one thing that Kenta loves, it's animals, even though most of them are usually a bit scared of him because of his size.

So when he hears the barking, he actually looks around to locate the source of it, and smiles when he sees the happy dog.

That one is cute.]

[yakan]

[ Of course, Beatrice is absolutely adorable. The dog thinks he's the most adorable of all three of Kiyoshi's dogs. The breed called cats are not at all as cute as his breed. Nor are they as fluffy.

And of course Beatrice's attention has to be noticed and Beatrice has to notice that. It's like he says pet me pet me! to the stranger. Kiyoshi will just..let him because he means no harm and it's too late not to be noticed. ]

i!

[sharplydressed]

[STABLES... Not exactly his first choice when it comes to the list of places he wants to spend time. The smell of horses and hay isn't exactly refreshing, but he stops by all the same once he catches wind of the new building in town.]

Ah, this is kinda nostalgic... [At least he's not being thrown into the sun by the horses here??]

How's everything working out so far?

[toobigtohandle]

Rather well.

[Kenta is wearing rubber boots, dirty jeans and a a muddy T-shirt and he still manages to look like a model on a photoshoot somehow.]

It's a lot of work, but I have a good team now, and I make sure to get down there at least three times a week, and at the weekend.

[sharplydressed]

[Some people just have all the dang luck.]

Wow, you're really turning this into a full-fledged business, huh? The horses all look happy, too. That's pretty impressive considering where we are and all.

[In the heart of urban-suburbia-meets-survival-fantasy-video-game.]

iii.

[foeyay]

[Anyone with half a brain would have felt the heavy atmosphere and moved to the other side of the street when they caught a glimpse of this shady sight. Kamui, however, can only be intrigued. The boring sword lover is surrounded by body guards so obvious their suits might as well be neon green. Each and every one of them is carrying.

This? This is a decidedly not boring development.

Without a second thought, Kamui abandons his shopping trip to sidle on up beside them and blind them with a winning smile.]

Out for a picnic, sword lover?

[toobigtohandle]

I beg your pardon?

[That was so sudden that it takes the guards a second to react. A few of them even start reaching for their weapons before Kenta stops them with a sharp word.]

Oh. You're the swordsmith.... Sorry, I forgot your name.

[Did they even introduced themselves back then? Maybe not. But Kenta knows he has the guy's card... somewhere.]

[foeyay]

It's Kamui! Kamui Brisby. And when I saw your cool new posse, I had to check it out! [He cocks his head to the side as the corners of his lips curl into a sneer, unfazed by Kenta's jumpy bodyguards.] If you'd had these guys down in the tunnels, would I be dead now?