abraxaslogs | Chapter 1 | Strange New World

Entry tags:

Chapter 1 | Strange New World | Open Log

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Not quite the reaction Majima was expecting, he blinked at Kiryu for the secondary sudden topic change. Was this normal? (Or was he doing it wrong? Throwing off the old man's perceptions somehow?) He shook his head to clear it and then looked at the dice.]

Ain't got anything worth bettin'.

[Said with a smile as he deliberately pushed the pack of cigarettes into the back of his pants. He moved closer to the bars and sat facing Kiryu directly though, ready to play.]

Stories.

[ He looks over at Majima and shakes his head immediately to dismiss any concerns. ]

Not from home. Here. Loser answers the winner’s question as best they can.

[Kiryu had his attention at the first word. He didn't lose it per se by adding the condition but it did cause him a bit of puzzlement and curiosity for what the other man expected. Either way-]

Accepted. Toss 'em.

[ He’ll take a seat on the floor outside of the cell and he’ll shake them between his hands before cupping them on the ground. He’ll wait for Majima to make his call before he gives his own.]

[With only two of them, there wasn't much to the game. Majima hummed thoughtfully for a second anyway then tapped his temple.]

Odds.

Evens.

[ He’ll lift his fingers and show that the dice are showing a four and a three. He’ll dip his head to Majima. ]

You win. What would you like to know?

[ He’d said that it should be stories from here, but he wouldn’t tell Majima no if he asks for something back home. ]

[This actually made Majima frown slightly. He had half hoped his luck would hold true and cause him to lose the first round. If only to get a feel for what Kiryu had meant by his condition of the stories.

Fine then. He'd give it his best. Ask a question that seemed to fit the criteria.]

Hm. Let's start with something easy. What happened when you got here?

[Obviously it was different from the way they treated the guests thrown down here in the dungeons. But he didn't know how exactly.]

[ Kiryu nods. ]

I assume the manner of our coming here was roughly the same: the darkness, the fountain, the wizard.

[ But he doesn’t stop there. ]

They claimed my arrival as a success, and then I was cleaned up and given clothes. They tried to tell me all manner of things about this world, but my mind was too clouded by the experience.

[Majima listened and hummed thoughtfully.]

Least they told you things. They marched me down here mostly in silence. Except for the berating.

[Mostly about his symbol--sign, arcana, whatever--when he asked about it. It wasn't really something he wanted to learn about so much but it'd been etched onto his clothing and he'd stared at it until he'd finally gotten the urge to ask a question. It had elicited a response other than rough mutterings and shoves to keep quiet and keep moving so that was something at least.]

[ It's clear from the stormy expression on his face that Kiryu's less than pleased by the whole thing, but he can't help but nod. ]

No one will answer why you and the others are down here. I would understand if both of us were here.

But if they had a problem with yakuza, I should be behind bars as well.

[Majima cocked his head at Kiryu and stared at him with his one good eye.]

Really? Hmph. [He almost sounded amused.] Guess you got some quality I don't.

[There was almost a lilt to his voice like he thought it was obvious. He looked away and then down at the dice. He gestured at them with his head.]

Toss 'em.

[ There's a glance at Majima before he nods and shakes the dice, cupping them on the ground before he looks over at Majima. ]

I say evens this time. [ A short pause. ] And if I lose, you can ask for other stories. You just seemed [ he considers which word he'd want to use here and decides on ] troubled by what I said about my time.

[Majima frowned at Kiryu's words but instead of commenting he simply nodded in acknowledgement. No use in arguing over semantics. He certainly didn't know what to think of Kiryu's tales from home. But he was intrigued by them.]

All right. Odds then. Reveal 'em.

[ The hand is lifted and- ]

Evens.

[ He'll leave the dice on the ground as he looks at Majima. ]

How did you get those bruises, the first time I was here?

[It wasn't a grin so much as a grimace that twisted his lips at the question. Wry and dry of humor.]

I'm sure you've guessed. [But he knew that wasn't an answer so after a dramatic pause he huffed an annoyed sigh and let out the truth.] The guards' welcoming gift to me. Guess I drew the lucky lot. They're so generous in fact they still dish it out once daily. It's mild as far as torture goes, almost pleasant.

[He forced his lips higher into a fake smile and then barked out:]

Toss 'em.

[ This Majima has no idea what's etched on his back, but he might get a clue from the way his eyes turn to the nearest set of guards and the pure, unadulterated menace from them, the anger- the smoke curling out of his nose may as well be the herald of their immolation. Kiryu is going to talk to those guards.

But the moment passes and he nods, murmuring 'yes, nii-san' before picking them up again and rolling them around in his hands. He'll slam them down on the ground again, holding his hand over them. ]

You choose first.

[Majima looked on curiously, his eyes sharp and hard as he watched Kiryu's reaction. It was interesting. He wondered what would come of it later--if anything at all.

Furthermore, he was relieved when Kiryu asked nothing further of him, did not try to discuss it any further. His demeanor softened, relaxed as Kiryu curiously obeyed and Majima watched him in fascination.

His expression slipped back to something less readable and he nodded once.]

Evens.

Odds, then.

[ A pair of threes is revealed a moment later and he dips his head towards Majima. ]

Whatever you'd like, Majima-san.

['Whatever you'd like. The phrase rolled around in his mind like a tantalizing dream he dare not reach for. But he was curious, wasn't he? About so many things. This man, his life, how he knew Majima, what happened. How could he resist?

That selfish, ugly part of him deep inside couldn't resist after all. He asked a tentative question. He didn't say it tentatively but rather blurted it out quickly after his pause of consideration but it was only half of what he wanted to know. An opening, so to speak. Like the first trickle of a dam ready to break.]

Do you know of Saejima Taiga?

[ He's not at all surprised this is the first real question. Of course Majima would ask after his kyoudai. Both because of the relationship and because it's Majima. His loyalty, including putting those he cared about over himself, is something that has never changed. ]

Saejima-nii-san is a good friend, a trusted ally. His family was doing well the last I heard.

Edited 2021-06-18 16:22 (UTC)

[The man called Saejima his brother as well, was his first thought. The second quickly on its heels about being an ally, but the one that struck the hardest was the final part about his family doing well. It sounded like he was out of jail; good. But was Kiryu referring to the Sasai family in general? But why did it sound almost as if he was referring to something more specific... as if Saejima has his own family to run.

Which was great. Nothing would make him happier. Majima's eye closed as he forced himself to keep his composure mastered.]

...He made it through his sentence. And...his family? His?

[ There's a moment where he's clearly considering how to put it, but he nods. Then nods again. ]

He was in for a long time, but he got out a few years ago and he was given a family of his own. He's been in for shorter sentences, but he was free before I was brought here. He's well regarded as one of the pillars of the Tojo Clan at this point.

[ There's more he could say, but he was only asked about Saejima. ]

That's good. Real good.

[He sounded relieved, glad...but there was also something else there. Something that kept his tone modulated away from true happiness. Trepidation perhaps. Fear of what else there was to know.]

Does that mean...? Am I-

[He can't bring himself to say it.]

Do you know he's my kyoudai? Do you know what happened to us? Why he's in jail and not me?

[ He’s careful as he nods, because he knows how much that relationship means to him. As much as anyone but the two of them could. ]

I do. I know a lot about that situation. Seeing you two together shows a lot. [ And he’s not sure how he can be sensitive about this. ] And if you want to know, I can tell you. But I know from experience: some truths don’t help.

[Majima was quiet for a lengthy moment as he took into consideration Kiryu's words of advice. Then:]

Let's let the dice decide. Toss them.

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