abraxaslogs | Chapter 1 | Strange New World

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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. ]

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[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.]

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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?

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. ]

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?

[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.]

[ 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?

[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.]

[ Kiryu doesn’t know how to call him anything else. He’s had enough destabilization lately, between his life and being brought here. Seeing Majima as he is now is strange enough, but he’s still Majima. He can’t even help that a part of him is waiting for his friend to ask him for a pair of scissors and a snakeskin coat because he’s done with his little game. Majima’s certainly pulled some intense gags before. Even if he’s never heard that low tone for so long in a row. Even though the face is just too young to be real.

To the question, though... He shakes his head. No, no real changes. There is some news, however. ]

There’s going to be a festival. And there’s some sort of diplomatic envoy that is considering strengthening ties with this country.

Most of the servants have been incredibly busy, [ considering the festival, of course ] So I’ve been helping out for supplies. I got to look after a little boy for most of an hour just before I came down.

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. ]

[Majima frowned thoughtfully at the news Kiryu told him. It wasn't much to do with them, not directly anyway, so it was hard to see an angle of usefulness on it. Maybe he'd give it more thought later and see if anything came of it. Maybe it would mean more afterwards? Especially if the honored guests got to participate and got more information to share about this world.

For now, he's distracted by the next tidbit Kiryu said. His brows lifted at the last part. Then he reassessed Kiryu's age by giving him a closer look and considering the information just given.]

Ah. You a father or something? Sound pretty giddy for such a thankless job being put on ya.

[ There’s a blink, a frown (he is *not* “giddy”) then a glance away. There’s obviously a lot there, and he isn’t sure how to get into it. Even with Majima. ]

I took in a girl some years ago. She had a son a year or so ago.

[ So… a grandfather.]

I also just like working with children. I grew up in an orphanage.

[ He can agree with her on that. From those he’s met, they all come with different skills and talents. He doesn’t agree with the concept that some here should be venerated and others kept in a dungeon, but most of the decisions make some sense. ]

Most of the servants and staff are working hard for the festival coming up.

And I didn’t know what else to do. Is there something you needed assistance with?

[Majima's lips curled as Kiryu glanced away, amused by the reaction. Nailed it, he thought. No, Kiryu was not "giddy" about anything as far as Majima could tell so far. But there had definitely been just enough of something for Majima to read on.

Or maybe it was all in his head. Who knew. He was still amused. He could use all the good humor he could get.]

Oh? Wouldn't'a figured you for the fatherly type. Then again, you do care a lot about lost causes, eh? [He deliberately looked away to finish tidying up the eye patch before he put it on.] Must be a lot of work for an old man.

[ Majima has no idea what he poked at calling Haruka a lost cause, which is why Kiryu can reign in a less than placid response. On reflection, he can see Majima is just being self-depreciating, which is… interesting to see. All there’ll be to see is a slight widening of his eyes. ]

I had recently retired before I came here. [ “Retired” is a good word for it, if not entirely accurate. ] But it looks like these people decided it will have to wait.

[ A look at Majima. ]

You’re not a lost cause, Majima-nii-san. If telling you that is the only useful thing I do here, it would still be worth it.

Edited 2021-06-14 02:11 (UTC)

[A slight narrowing of eye at the word 'retired'. As Majima recalled from their last conversation, Kiryu was just as submerged in the yakuza scene as himself. Which was hard to get out of without being expelled or killed.

He didn't ask. If for no other reason than Kiryu was doing the thing again. The stupid thing where he tried to insist that Majima was a good person or something.

Majima tsked and looked in the opposite direction, feigning trouble with the eye patch as he finished putting it on.]

These people decided a lot of things. Maybe they're right about some of them. Maybe they know something we don't.

[ Kiryu looks at him, directly, intently. And he’ll give a grunt of confirmation, but not agreement.

Fine. They can disagree.

Other topics then. ]

Do you like to fight?

[Majima let his head loll back around towards Kiryu and stare at him with a thoughtful gaze for a moment.]

Sure, guess so.

[Said with a more casual tone than was felt. He supposed that's what Kiryu wanted to hear or else why would he bring it up. That answer wouldn't have flown with the Lord of the Night persona though. Made it a little awkward for him to just admit it openly.]

[ Kiryu’s going to watch him for a moment before, looking almost like a sad puppy, he’ll reach into a pocket and pull out some dice. ]

Cho-han?

[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.

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Chapter 1 | Strange New World | Open Log

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