Chapter 1 | Strange New World | Open Log

[lone_horse]

WHO: Kiryu and you
WHAT: Getting to knoooooow you, getting to feel really skeeeeezy (about this situation)
WHERE: Room 7, The Dungeons, around the castle
WHEN: June 12 and 13
NOTES: No warnings to begin with. If you'd like a starter, or to plot for something, feel free to ping me on plurk @ yarnzipan

room 7

[ Kiryu's used to sharing a room with people, given his prison experience, but he's never shared such a nice one. Hell, he's never had such a nice one, even during the Bubble.

It means he's meticulously neat and tidy, and that he's very careful to both keep to his space and respect that of the others. He can't help, however, that this is the place where he's supposed to sleep and he doesn't often sleep with his day clothes on. So it's very likely that one of his roommates may get a look at his back and, by extension, the large and intricate tattoo on it. (They might also catch him moving his slee to the floor with some blankets because he can sort of handle a western style cot but something like this? Too soft.)

They'll also probably catch him at his morning exercise routine, which isn't much but he's getting on in years now. Gotta maintain if you want to keep the muscle.

And, of course, if he sees you? Well, if he knows you, you'll be greeted. If you haven't met yet? Gotta do those introductions, after all. ]

the dungeons

[ Kiryu's priority in these days are those in the dungeons. Perhaps it his own experiences in being imprisoned, and perhaps it's the fact that he knows for a fact (in his mind) that the reasoning for their imprisonment is absolute garbage, but he just can't make himself care about the concerns of an 'honored guest'. Not when there are people below them, suffering the same disconnection and loss of their world as they are with quite a lot less support.

That's why he's going to go between the cells and ask if anyone needs anything, check in to see how people are doing, and (quietly) try to make sure that the guards haven't been abusing anyone. The one thing he has on hand consistently is cigarettes, and thankfully, that little fire spell he's learned is the perfect way to light one up for someone.

Looking for something? Want a companionable smoke? Need a favor? Curious why a 'guest' is down here? Feel free to say hello. ]

around

[ Kiryu isn't the sort to make promises and not keep them, which is why most of his time during these days is spent dealing with the servants, the various people going about their jobs, and he uses every ounce of experience in helping the denizens of Kamurocho to find every potential tasks that someone might need help with and help them out with it. And if he plies those favors and assistance into the kind of supplies he needs for those in the dungeons, so be it: everyone wins. So if you spot him carrying things, doing dishes, watching children, or otherwise doing some menial, random task for someone? Well, he's not going to stop but he will happily chat with you while he's at it.

And if you just happen to be wandering? That means you might find him just about anywhere, the Tower etched on his clothes. If the cloth is thin enough or rucked up in anyway, you might notice another design on his actual skin. ]

Comments

the dungeons

[sunshinehan]

[Majima had cellmates now but other than that not much else had changed since the last time Kiryu had been down here. There might have been a few more bruises on him from the morning's session with guards with too much time on their hands.

Despite this, Majima looked casually indifferent as he leaned against the wall opposite from the direction Kiryu approached rather than sad and despondent against the back of the cell like last time they talked. He had heard the footsteps approaching and after a moment of careful listening to determine whether they were from a guard or not, Majima took his position against the wall to watch and see who was headed this way. His demeanor brightened just ever so slightly as he caught sight of Kiryu on the other side of the bars.]

Kiryu-san. Back again.

[Was that the slightest hint of delight in his otherwise casual tone? Perhaps he had doubted Kiryu would actually return and this was a pleasant surprise. It certainly beat being stuck down here with no one else but his cellmates to bother.]

[lone_horse]

[ He might notice that every time he says 'Kiryu-san', Kiryu looks almost... sad? Weirded out, certainly. But he won't say anything. Instead, Kiryu's going to toss a pack of cigarettes through the bars towards Majima's lap. Wrapped around it is an eyepatch. Right after comes a pair of socks, nice and fuzzy. ]

No lighter. I think most people learn the spell.

[ But Kiryu will put his hand through the bars and perform the spell to offer a small flame for him. ]

[sunshinehan]

[Majima didn't get the chance to analyze Kiryu's facial tics as the items were tossed his way. He caught the cigarettes in one hand and almost missed the pair of socks as he was distracted by the sight of the eye patch wrapped around the former. He set the socks aside, briefly debated which was more pertinent (the eye patch or the cigarettes), and decided not to keep Kiryu waiting. He didn't know how the magic worked so he couldn't be sure the man could keep it going for long.

He slid a cig out of the pack and inched closer to the bars, lighting the cigarette with the flame. Took a deep breath. Exhaled slowly. That hit the spot.]

...thanks. A place like this? A lighter? Not surprised they don't have 'em. But ya would think they'd have some matches around for those without nifty fire spells.

[After all, how was he supposed to light a cigarette after Kiryu was gone? Then again, beggars couldn't be choosers. He'd just have to be grateful that Kiryu did this much for him and hope he could swing some method to light the others later. Or use them as currency for something else.]

[lone_horse]

[ He nods, and he's thinking that they have to have them. Someone has to have them. It's a basic necessity. ]

I'll keep looking. I think it might be my fault, since I asked one of the apprentices.

[ He needed to check with the kitchen staff, which he'd do on the next venture up. But at least the man would get a smoke now. He's down here often enough anyway. ]

How are you doing, nii-san?

[sunshinehan]

[Ah, there he went again with the brother nonsense. Majima decided not to bother an attempt to correct or dissuade him. One, he wasn't certain it would work. Two, if he didn't alienate himself too much he had a more likely chance of continuing to take advantage of the care of the old man.

As strange as it may have been, and awkward it may have felt, to think this man knew him in a future he knew almost nothing about--it was also the best bet he had. The closest thing to a friend he had here.]

Oh, you know. Peachy. [He took another hit from his cig then started to unravel the eye patch from the pack.] Better food than you would expect down here at least. What's it like upstairs? No changes yet, I take it.

[It had really only been a day, two, right? Nothing seemed to have changed in the mood of the guards so he doubted anything new had come up yet. Nothing pertinent to himself and the other new guests anyway.]

around

[necrosaint]

[ Harrowhark has seen him leave the room next to hers; she is in six, he is in seven, she knows not who he is but she knows from where he comes. At least in terms of the rooms. He is an honored guest like she is; thus, she gives Kiryu the strangest befuddled look. ]

You are not a servant.

[ She points this out like Kiryu may have missed the memo. ]

[lone_horse]

[ At the moment, Kiryu is gently rocking a small child who has definitely fallen asleep in his arms. There's a tenderness to his care for the little one; the man hardly sees this as worth the extra blanket he'll be getting for this favor but he wasn't about to turn it down.

When the girl points out the obvious, he frowns and looks around and raises an eyebrow at her.]

Did someone tell you I was?

[necrosaint]

No, but you are acting like one. So people may have the misconception that you are, if you aren't careful.

[ Harrow Disapproves. Enough it deserves a capital D. ]

[lone_horse]

Why would I care what they think? [ The way he asks, it isn't defiant or angry. It's a genuine question. And not a naive one either. ]

There's no shame in serving others. What else should I be doing?

[necrosaint]

Allowing yourself to be treated as the honored guest that you should be. But if it makes you happy.

[ Harrow shrugs; she is unable to argue with someone else's desire to help the way they desire to help. She even has to admit it, looking down at the floor briefly before looking back up. Learn from your experiences, Harrow. ]

I suppose we were all brought here to help in our own way. [ Unsaid: Mine doesn't involve direct human interaction, but that doesn't mean yours doesn't. She thinks it, but she doesn't speak it. ]

Room 7

[moremilkplz]

[This is all so very new. Not the luxury, no. Or the bed, which is too small, too lumpy, and too much the same as everyone else's and someone will hear about this as soon as he finds someone to complain to. They brought him here to protect them all, and how was he supposed to do that, when even the bed was all wrong.

Homelander sits on the edge of his bed, watching the tattoo-guy work through several strenuous looking exercises.]

What are you up to, buddy? That looks exhausting.

[lone_horse]

[ At the moment, he’s just doing a simple set of sit-ups. Nothing too strenuous or difficult, just enough to get the blood flowing and to get a nice burn in his abdomen. He’ll look up as he finishes his reps and dip his head in both a greeting and an acknowledgement. ]

Exercise. I like to get it done in the morning.

[ He realizes that, unfortunately, they haven’t made introductions. This isn’t the ideal position to offer them, so he switches to kneeling and offers a short bow of his head. ]

My name is Kiryu. Kiryu Kazuma. I sleep here.

[ He gestures to his bed. ]

[moremilkplz]

[Ah. Homelander smiles like those words mean anything to him, outside of a brief sponsorship back in '08 and he nods in return.]

I'm the Homelander.

[He strikes his signature pose, the one that tested through the roof with ages 14-45. His clenched fists at his waist and his head held high. It inspired hope. He also nods to the bed closet to the window.]

That one's mine.

[lone_horse]

[ His immediate mental reference is for the old super sentai shows. He can’t help that it brings a little curl to his lip in amusement. R-right. Like Curry Man. Okay.

He nods. ]

Nice to meet you, Homelander.

Have you had breakfast already?

[moremilkplz]

Not yet.

[Mostly because the selection put out at the time, had been sad. Just, a sad collection of sad looking food that he didn't want and no one listened when he tried to order a double-latte with soy.]

Is this going to be something you do every day? Laying on the floor?

the dungeons

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien has been watching Kiryu as he approaches the nearby cells, and so when he arrives at his own, he's already formed an opinion. His gaze flickers over the other man warily, sizing him up for a few moments more before he answers. He straightens up from where he's been doing abdominal curls on the floor.]

...And here I thought aiding your lessers was frowned upon.

[He has plenty of bitterness to go around, even if Kiryu isn't a reasonable target. He's mostly interested to see how fairweather these friends will be.]

[lone_horse]

[ Kiryu looks troubled, not with Estinien but by what he’s said. But he shakes his head and reaches back to offer the usual supples he brings: extra food, extra water, a blanket, and cigarettes. ]

I don’t worry about the opinions of people who think like that.

Do you need any of these?

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien watches him for a few moments longer, tilting his head in contemplation. The blanket is a particularly bold choice of offerings to bring - making use of it would hardly go unseen, and it had to come from somewhere.

Finally, he pulls himself up, extending to his full height. He's easily 6'8" and exceptionally long in neck and limb. He comes to the bars silently - but in the end, he'll take everything but the cigarettes. Cigarettes are definitely a thing where he's from, but indulging would have only lowered his combat potential, which made it unthinkable in his youth.]

...My thanks.

[He seems a bit skeptical, but he at least has to offer what's due. He understands that meddling with the prisoners is a risk.]

Whether or not I heed them, their thoughts keep me in chains regardless.

[lone_horse]

Which is why I brought more than my opinions.

[ But he’ll dip his head towards the other man in acknowledgement. Estinien is taller than him, by at least eight inches, but he doesn’t seem troubled by it. He’s troubled by the bars. He’s troubled by the situation. ]

Does anyone else in your cell need anything?

[coerthantorment]

[He seems to be caged with two teenaged girls and his friend from home, some sort of lizard woman, and so Estinien easily decides to ask for as much from Kiryu as he can get without causing a fuss.]

Enough for all of them - have you the means.

[Between Kiryu and Pheonix, they may actually have enough to eat and drink normally. The idea heartens him - if this continues, he'll be able to stay fit, retaining his strength long enough for a chance at freedom to arrive. This moment of hope may actually be enough for him to stop being such a pill.]

...What have they told you of us?

[By they, he means the people upstairs.]

around

[dreamtofheroics]

[ Belle's made a trip or two to the kitchen over the past few hours. if she's bringing that food elsewhere - to people who need it - at least she's quiet about what she's trying to take along with her. normally she'd already be on her way, but seeing Kiryu washing dishes sparks her curiosity. they're all struggling with how they've been summoned here, it is interesting to see someone who's trying to help.

so she sets her package aside for a moment and pulls up her sleeves, walking over to the man with a smile on her face.] Would you like some help? I can wash, or dry. Whichever you'd like.

[lone_horse]

[ He doesn't mind the help and he'll offer a dip of his head towards her as a greeting. The answer is simple. ]

I'm fine either way. Perhaps it would be better if you dry, since my hands are already wet.

[dreamtofheroics]

[ she reaches for a clean cloth without hesitation, moving beside him to take the dishes once he's washed them.]

I don't believe we've spoken before. I'm Belle.

[lone_horse]

Kiryu.

[ His family name as opposed to his given name, but they have just met after all. It's what he's used to from most people. ]

It's good to meet you, Belle.

[ More quietly. ]

I thought I saw you in the dungeons as well.

[dreamtofheroics]

It's nice to meet you, Kiryu.

[ she nods, unashamed to own up to visiting the dungeons. as far as she can tell, they were warned against going down there too often to protect their reputation. she doesn't waste her time on things like that.]

They don't belong down there. I try to help where I can.