Full Version: Painted Samurai
The call comes late into the evening for most but, you all however are nocturnal these days. "Aniki will have a car ready for you when you are done with your normal duties. Please call 555-5153 when you are ready." The line drops dead at the end of the short conversation with no time to reply.
A thunderclap echoed in the distance as the Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four peered around the corner of the alley. He moved slowly and quietly, not quite sure what to make of the quiet streets. Somewhere a dog howled, then a cat shrieked in the night.
He approached the back door to the Japanese theatre and then began to slink under the door. His slinking was short lived though, on the other side the Samurai stood waiting. The Samuari stood quietly watching this cartoon hero slinking into the node. He then held out his left hand and his katana flew from the sheath into his hand. The super hero retreated from the node, he had not expected opposition. He expected the Yakuza to not be on alert.
Musouka replayed the scene twice more before closing the window in AR. He had served the clan well today and thwarted yet another assault on their systems. He would have to insure the system admin patched the hole in that nodes firewall. It was sloppy of him not to have done it by now, the vulnerability had been published a week ago.
Looking at the call from Aniki, Musouka checked the time. His shift was almost over. After he made another pass checking the security of the various nodes and insuring the alerts were set to notify him when the alert threshholds were exceeded, he arose from his recliner and headed to take a shower.
He dressed this night in simple, dark clothes. He was new to the clan and unsure what to expect of this night. As he left his simple apartment and walked down the hall he stopped to assist the old woman three doors down getting her back of groceries inside, "Please allow me to assist you."
Once the short task was completed, they bowed to each other and he continues down the hall. As he walks he sends a message back to the number with his address. At the front door, several teenagers are giggling and making racket at each other. Their conversation grows quiet as he approaches, word has spread that he is Aniki's man.
He approached the back door to the Japanese theatre and then began to slink under the door. His slinking was short lived though, on the other side the Samurai stood waiting. The Samuari stood quietly watching this cartoon hero slinking into the node. He then held out his left hand and his katana flew from the sheath into his hand. The super hero retreated from the node, he had not expected opposition. He expected the Yakuza to not be on alert.
Musouka replayed the scene twice more before closing the window in AR. He had served the clan well today and thwarted yet another assault on their systems. He would have to insure the system admin patched the hole in that nodes firewall. It was sloppy of him not to have done it by now, the vulnerability had been published a week ago.
Looking at the call from Aniki, Musouka checked the time. His shift was almost over. After he made another pass checking the security of the various nodes and insuring the alerts were set to notify him when the alert threshholds were exceeded, he arose from his recliner and headed to take a shower.
He dressed this night in simple, dark clothes. He was new to the clan and unsure what to expect of this night. As he left his simple apartment and walked down the hall he stopped to assist the old woman three doors down getting her back of groceries inside, "Please allow me to assist you."
Once the short task was completed, they bowed to each other and he continues down the hall. As he walks he sends a message back to the number with his address. At the front door, several teenagers are giggling and making racket at each other. Their conversation grows quiet as he approaches, word has spread that he is Aniki's man.
Masaru slowly opened and closed his fingers. His hand hurt again, probably another bruised knuckle. He looked briefly at the knife in his other hand, and then turned his attention to the man slumped down in the chair in front of him. The pool of blood around the man was spreading slowly across the floor. Masaru heard his commlink beep, and he set the knife on the table beside him. There was only one person that he'd chosen to accept incoming calls from.
Aniki.
Masaru looked around the warehouse that the Shigeda often used for these types of interrogations. It was completely empty, save for the dying man in the chair in the center of the room, and the table that he kept his things on. He picked up the commlink, listened briefly, and set it back down.
Hmm, He needs me for something else. Hopefully this means that he won't be angry that I couldn't get anything out of this Vory tusker that we didn't already know. Usually it's the orks that give up so easily. They're not so tough when you bleed em.
For the first time that evening, Masaru started to hurry. He gathered up his knives, his commlink, and his Ares Predator. The man in the chair lifted up his head briefly to stare longingly at the gun. Blood dripped down his broken jaw as he attempted to say something, but only unintelligible syllables and bloody spittle came out of his mouth. Masaru stared into the ork's eyes.
You won't last five minutes anyways. Best not to make a bigger mess.
Masaru pressed a few buttons on the comm, and within seconds he had placed a call for a cleanup in the warehouse. He remembered when he had had to do these sorts of body dumps; that was only about a month ago. He took one last look around the warehouse, and then put on his suit jacket. He sneered at the blood all over his shirt. He stepped out of the warehouse into the rain, and looked up towards the sky, letting the rain wash several drops blood from his face. He walked over to his black Mercury Comet, got inside, and ran the engine for a minute before speeding off towards his apartment.
I'd better hurry and get cleaned up. It's going to be another one of those nights.
Aniki.
Masaru looked around the warehouse that the Shigeda often used for these types of interrogations. It was completely empty, save for the dying man in the chair in the center of the room, and the table that he kept his things on. He picked up the commlink, listened briefly, and set it back down.
Hmm, He needs me for something else. Hopefully this means that he won't be angry that I couldn't get anything out of this Vory tusker that we didn't already know. Usually it's the orks that give up so easily. They're not so tough when you bleed em.
For the first time that evening, Masaru started to hurry. He gathered up his knives, his commlink, and his Ares Predator. The man in the chair lifted up his head briefly to stare longingly at the gun. Blood dripped down his broken jaw as he attempted to say something, but only unintelligible syllables and bloody spittle came out of his mouth. Masaru stared into the ork's eyes.
You won't last five minutes anyways. Best not to make a bigger mess.
Masaru pressed a few buttons on the comm, and within seconds he had placed a call for a cleanup in the warehouse. He remembered when he had had to do these sorts of body dumps; that was only about a month ago. He took one last look around the warehouse, and then put on his suit jacket. He sneered at the blood all over his shirt. He stepped out of the warehouse into the rain, and looked up towards the sky, letting the rain wash several drops blood from his face. He walked over to his black Mercury Comet, got inside, and ran the engine for a minute before speeding off towards his apartment.
I'd better hurry and get cleaned up. It's going to be another one of those nights.
Hyo`s muscles stretched and relaxed easily in the short squats he did on the roof of a small shop in the southern Snohomish. Shizemi had requested that he come along tonight as added security. Even though the place was part of their turf, they were renegotiating protection terms and the occupants had been a hard sell six months and rumors were they didn't want to keep up the contract. Shizemi shouldn't have any trouble with the occupants but it was better to be safe than sorry and who knew whether or not they had decided to pick up a cheaper contract wiht someone else.
Then the call came through, a slight buzzing on his hip. WIth a thought he retracted the razors in his right hand and tapped the button on his hip to cue up the message on his contacts.
Aniki? Well, can't stay with Shizemi forever. This night should be over soon and I can get started on this other job.
Hyo` filed the message away quickly, re-extending his claws and pushing himself back up onto his toes to take another pass around the roof and make sure everything was clear. His fingertips tingled with the cyberware imbedded in them, a slight itch that wouldn't really go away until they were retracted or covered in blood. He didn't mind either of the options.
Then the call came through, a slight buzzing on his hip. WIth a thought he retracted the razors in his right hand and tapped the button on his hip to cue up the message on his contacts.
Aniki? Well, can't stay with Shizemi forever. This night should be over soon and I can get started on this other job.
Hyo` filed the message away quickly, re-extending his claws and pushing himself back up onto his toes to take another pass around the roof and make sure everything was clear. His fingertips tingled with the cyberware imbedded in them, a slight itch that wouldn't really go away until they were retracted or covered in blood. He didn't mind either of the options.
Kin wiped the sweat off his brow, he'd been sitting in the small single-story house waiting for the creatures to break in, with only a Colt 1911 he didn't have much of a chance with a full on assault. But with a few more minutes until morning, if he could just wait it out...
There was a buzzing at his leg and it surprised him for a second, then he paused the game and opened the minimized call dialog. He picked up and was about to ask what his role would be before it ended.
555-5153... Aniki... This is way over my head, but it was my fault in the first place. If I would've just passed by....
He saved his game, and turned it off, setting his comm into passive mode so his friends wouldn't message him on his first job, he couldn't afford to screw up this time.
He headed to the home gym for a quick workout before the run. Something to get his mind off the close future.
... I wouldn't be in this drek.
There was a buzzing at his leg and it surprised him for a second, then he paused the game and opened the minimized call dialog. He picked up and was about to ask what his role would be before it ended.
555-5153... Aniki... This is way over my head, but it was my fault in the first place. If I would've just passed by....
He saved his game, and turned it off, setting his comm into passive mode so his friends wouldn't message him on his first job, he couldn't afford to screw up this time.
He headed to the home gym for a quick workout before the run. Something to get his mind off the close future.
... I wouldn't be in this drek.
Match stepped into his apartment with the same sense of pleasure as always - the satisfaction of entering his own personal kingdom for a well-deserved rest after an honorable day's work. In a way, his father would be proud...in a way.
He slipped off his hand-tooled shoes in the genkan and strode into his apartment, a flick of his AR gloves keeping the lights low, instead of coming on to his pre-set parameters. For a moment, he would gaze out his floor-to-ceiling windows at the running lights of the boats out on the Sound. With another subtle finger movement, soft strains of the koto wafted from the surround-speakers seamlessly embedded in the walls, and the sliding doors opened to bring a chill salt breeze washing over him. In his silk socks, his toes gripped the thick carpet reflexively.
And then his reverie was broken by an incoming call...flagged in red as coming from Aniki's office. He answered immediately - "Hai!"
The voice on the other end was not his revered elder brother himself, but a flunkie. It seemed Aniki would be sending a car - of course Match preferred his bike, but refusing his senpai's generousity was of course unthinkable.
He must prepare at once. Quickly stripping off his clothes, he entered the utility alcove naked, enjoying the unfettered feel of his tall, steel-sinewed frame moving through space. He applied some stain remover to his bright yellow silk shirt - it was self-cleaning, of course, but blood could be stubborn. He chuckled to himself. Namaikina yatsume. At least the ill-mannered lout's friends had been wise enough not to interfere with the lesson - but their wisdom was overshadowed by their cowardice and disloyalty. He would talk to Dekapai tomorrow about having her crew absorb the upstarts and then purge the unworthy from the ranks. Good for her, good for the Clan.
After a quick shower, he allowed himself five minutes - he could not face his betters with such an aroused mind. Entering the washitsu, he assumed a seiza position before the tokonoma containing the calligraphy his mother had penned before taking her own life. Sad though it was, it kept him mindful of the ephemerality of this world. And of the need to live every moment to the fullest, even if in fullness he found death.
Passing through his bedroom, the light in his walk-in closet sensed his presence and came on. He selected his best violet shirt, complemented with a fabulous zebra-skin tie. Over the shirt he strapped on his jack-ass rig, and then with a flourish donned his black leather duster. Popping his trademark wooden matchstick into his mouth, he dialled the number to signal his readiness as he stalked to the elevators to meet the car out front.
He slipped off his hand-tooled shoes in the genkan and strode into his apartment, a flick of his AR gloves keeping the lights low, instead of coming on to his pre-set parameters. For a moment, he would gaze out his floor-to-ceiling windows at the running lights of the boats out on the Sound. With another subtle finger movement, soft strains of the koto wafted from the surround-speakers seamlessly embedded in the walls, and the sliding doors opened to bring a chill salt breeze washing over him. In his silk socks, his toes gripped the thick carpet reflexively.
And then his reverie was broken by an incoming call...flagged in red as coming from Aniki's office. He answered immediately - "Hai!"
The voice on the other end was not his revered elder brother himself, but a flunkie. It seemed Aniki would be sending a car - of course Match preferred his bike, but refusing his senpai's generousity was of course unthinkable.
He must prepare at once. Quickly stripping off his clothes, he entered the utility alcove naked, enjoying the unfettered feel of his tall, steel-sinewed frame moving through space. He applied some stain remover to his bright yellow silk shirt - it was self-cleaning, of course, but blood could be stubborn. He chuckled to himself. Namaikina yatsume. At least the ill-mannered lout's friends had been wise enough not to interfere with the lesson - but their wisdom was overshadowed by their cowardice and disloyalty. He would talk to Dekapai tomorrow about having her crew absorb the upstarts and then purge the unworthy from the ranks. Good for her, good for the Clan.
After a quick shower, he allowed himself five minutes - he could not face his betters with such an aroused mind. Entering the washitsu, he assumed a seiza position before the tokonoma containing the calligraphy his mother had penned before taking her own life. Sad though it was, it kept him mindful of the ephemerality of this world. And of the need to live every moment to the fullest, even if in fullness he found death.
Passing through his bedroom, the light in his walk-in closet sensed his presence and came on. He selected his best violet shirt, complemented with a fabulous zebra-skin tie. Over the shirt he strapped on his jack-ass rig, and then with a flourish donned his black leather duster. Popping his trademark wooden matchstick into his mouth, he dialled the number to signal his readiness as he stalked to the elevators to meet the car out front.
Tonight Yukika was working as greeter and as the floating hostess for the traditional games, which was becoming standard as of late at the Golden Tiger Garden. For the last hour though she'd been serving food and drinks in the Cho-Han room. Normally the house didn't care if there was some cheating in this dice game, they collected a percentage either way, but there was a problem with what was happening. The major one was the dealer could not figure out what was going on. Which meant all kinds of bad things in the long run. The other was the players were starting to become a bit unhappy. They could sense something was not quite right, and if the Golden Tiger Garden couldn't run a straight game, then there other places which were less blatant at ripping off customers. The gamblers were here to have fun. It's one thing to suffer at the hands of Lady Luck, another to be a victim of a crooked dealer.
Yukika couldn't figure it out either, but she was going to do something about it. At least she figured out who was cheating, and from there finding out how was relatively straight forward. She shuffled into the room, knees on the mat, and gave Jimmy No the sign. Jimmy No usually ran the door, but for these things it was better for the two of them to work together, they were able to read each other, which kept things much more discrete for the customers.
Jimmy No went to work, signaling the dealer it was time for his to shift to end. The man stood up out of his seiza position and pulled on his shirt, bowing and making formal excuses as he left. As Yukika moved into the position and disrobed herself the mild murmur of discontent at the sudden change in dealers was ameliorated by her presence. While she wasn't completely naked from the waist up, it was only practical for her to bind her breasts to keep them out of the way, she was using very light revealing gauze, more to preserve the appearance of not cheating, then as any kind of practical cover.
While she settled in with some pleasant commentary to the regulars, Jimmy No directed two of Butterfly's newer recruits to satisfy a couple of the regulars Yukika had indicated. They had been given specific instructions as to when to act.
Eighteen throws later it was time to act. The target was going for the big kill, betting odd for the ninth time in a row. Everyone else had bet against him, it was a huge pot. She still hadn't seen how it was done, but it was going to stop. Butterfly's people had gotten their guests to plunge on this bet, which was exactly what Yukika needed for the next phase. It also bound them irrevocably to what was about to happen next.
Calling out the traditional words she shook the dice, rattled the cup, and thrust the container down.
"Aniki will have a car ready for you when you are done with your normal duties. Please call 555-5153 when you are ready."
The trick here wasn't that she would alter the cast of the dice after she'd set the cup down. That would be extremely difficult for her without being able to see the pieces of wood. But she'd been prepared and during the shaking of the cup, while she could feel and touch the dice, she'd animated them, making them move to her will, rattling dramatically on their own, with a push of will setting them to irrevocably in the way she wanted. Hopefully this would work.
"Hai!! Snake Eyes!"
The large group roared in excitement as the streak ended. The dice showing up with a pair of ones, brightly painted eyes.
With a shocked expression the target started stammering as the crowd gathered around insisting he pay up.
Only minutes later, after reassuring everyone the Golden Tiger would cover the debt, and whisking the two regulars who could sense she'd done something, even if it wasn't anything they could see exactly, off to their hour or two with Butterfly's Pearls of Heaven, along with their winnings, the target stood in front of her, Jimmy No behind him. She poured some tea.
"Please sit!"
After the target sat, she poured tea and after stirring with a bamboo brush and whisking it handed him the cup. Next she opened a purse full of house markers and counted out a stack one by one and placed it slightly to the side. Jimmy No picked up the stack representing tens of thousands of nuyen and left the room for a few minutes, then returned to his position.
"Your tea is turning cold."
Embarrassed the target sipped at his cup.
"You are Ichiro Yamahiro. Senior student at Boeing Aero Spatial Institute for Atmospheric Studies. I hear you are an excellent student, and I am interested in hearing about your latest experiment and how it works."
"Ah... well..."
"Please."
"It involves a piezo electric smart material dot and a special prepared tatami mat skinlink."
Jimmy No nodded, "Explains why we don't capture a signal, but the mat..."
Yukiko nodded once in response, then continued, "You owe the Golden Tiger Garden 25,650 nuyen. Leave. Think on how you can repay us."
"But .. but Miko didn't know what I was doing!"
Yukiko calmly put away the tea as Jimmy No lifted Ichiro up and assisted him out of the room.
"The debt you owe her, I leave for you to consider. The Golden Tiger Garden will collect what she owes us."
Yukiko sat for a moment contemplating the stupidity, Miko only had to have informed them of the scheme and everyone could have benefited, but now she was going to have to suffer for her selfishness.
It was time to get ready for Aniki.
Yukika couldn't figure it out either, but she was going to do something about it. At least she figured out who was cheating, and from there finding out how was relatively straight forward. She shuffled into the room, knees on the mat, and gave Jimmy No the sign. Jimmy No usually ran the door, but for these things it was better for the two of them to work together, they were able to read each other, which kept things much more discrete for the customers.
Jimmy No went to work, signaling the dealer it was time for his to shift to end. The man stood up out of his seiza position and pulled on his shirt, bowing and making formal excuses as he left. As Yukika moved into the position and disrobed herself the mild murmur of discontent at the sudden change in dealers was ameliorated by her presence. While she wasn't completely naked from the waist up, it was only practical for her to bind her breasts to keep them out of the way, she was using very light revealing gauze, more to preserve the appearance of not cheating, then as any kind of practical cover.
While she settled in with some pleasant commentary to the regulars, Jimmy No directed two of Butterfly's newer recruits to satisfy a couple of the regulars Yukika had indicated. They had been given specific instructions as to when to act.
Eighteen throws later it was time to act. The target was going for the big kill, betting odd for the ninth time in a row. Everyone else had bet against him, it was a huge pot. She still hadn't seen how it was done, but it was going to stop. Butterfly's people had gotten their guests to plunge on this bet, which was exactly what Yukika needed for the next phase. It also bound them irrevocably to what was about to happen next.
Calling out the traditional words she shook the dice, rattled the cup, and thrust the container down.
"Aniki will have a car ready for you when you are done with your normal duties. Please call 555-5153 when you are ready."
The trick here wasn't that she would alter the cast of the dice after she'd set the cup down. That would be extremely difficult for her without being able to see the pieces of wood. But she'd been prepared and during the shaking of the cup, while she could feel and touch the dice, she'd animated them, making them move to her will, rattling dramatically on their own, with a push of will setting them to irrevocably in the way she wanted. Hopefully this would work.
"Hai!! Snake Eyes!"
The large group roared in excitement as the streak ended. The dice showing up with a pair of ones, brightly painted eyes.
With a shocked expression the target started stammering as the crowd gathered around insisting he pay up.
Only minutes later, after reassuring everyone the Golden Tiger would cover the debt, and whisking the two regulars who could sense she'd done something, even if it wasn't anything they could see exactly, off to their hour or two with Butterfly's Pearls of Heaven, along with their winnings, the target stood in front of her, Jimmy No behind him. She poured some tea.
"Please sit!"
After the target sat, she poured tea and after stirring with a bamboo brush and whisking it handed him the cup. Next she opened a purse full of house markers and counted out a stack one by one and placed it slightly to the side. Jimmy No picked up the stack representing tens of thousands of nuyen and left the room for a few minutes, then returned to his position.
"Your tea is turning cold."
Embarrassed the target sipped at his cup.
"You are Ichiro Yamahiro. Senior student at Boeing Aero Spatial Institute for Atmospheric Studies. I hear you are an excellent student, and I am interested in hearing about your latest experiment and how it works."
"Ah... well..."
"Please."
"It involves a piezo electric smart material dot and a special prepared tatami mat skinlink."
Jimmy No nodded, "Explains why we don't capture a signal, but the mat..."
Yukiko nodded once in response, then continued, "You owe the Golden Tiger Garden 25,650 nuyen. Leave. Think on how you can repay us."
"But .. but Miko didn't know what I was doing!"
Yukiko calmly put away the tea as Jimmy No lifted Ichiro up and assisted him out of the room.
"The debt you owe her, I leave for you to consider. The Golden Tiger Garden will collect what she owes us."
Yukiko sat for a moment contemplating the stupidity, Miko only had to have informed them of the scheme and everyone could have benefited, but now she was going to have to suffer for her selfishness.
It was time to get ready for Aniki.
The limosine picks you all up in order that you called. The car is an older model the leather seats are well broken in and the inside has the begining scent of stale cigarettes. After the last of you is picked up, the long ride to Everret begins...
Musouka does his best to remain aloof as he awaits the car in front of the apartment building. Standing off to the side away from the youthes, he controls the urge to release a sigh of relief when the limo arrives.
Climbing inside the limo, Musouka settles into the seat feeling almost like a child. Even though the car is older, he has never ridden in a limo before. He takes a moment to remember the path that has driven him here. Father, I will make you proud.
As the car pulls up to the next stop, he sits quietly distracting himself with a vid in AR.
Climbing inside the limo, Musouka settles into the seat feeling almost like a child. Even though the car is older, he has never ridden in a limo before. He takes a moment to remember the path that has driven him here. Father, I will make you proud.
As the car pulls up to the next stop, he sits quietly distracting himself with a vid in AR.
Masaru hated waiting. In this case, however, it was a necessary evil. He relaxed in a comfy leather chair in the foyer of his apartment buidling and peered out the window, looking for the car his "elder brother" was sending by. Despite his somewhat foreboding appearance and presence, he made small talk with the doorman. The doorman knew him by now, and there would be no trouble; this was a nice building. The property management company had obviously gone to great pains to ensure that the foyer looked very nice. This only served to remind Masaru that "his" money was running out. The stipend that the Yakuza provided him with was nice, but it was not enough to keep living here.
At last, the limousine pulled up in front of the building. Masaru stood, smoothing out the jacket of his freshly cleaned suit. He gave a slight bow to the doorman on the way out.
"Have a good evening, Mr. Tsuneoka."
Masaru stepped to the limousine door and waited for the driver to open it impatiently. He climbed in, and was momentarily surprised by Aniki's absence, but the shock wore off quickly. He sat down across from the Limo's lone occupant and took off his sunglasses, revealing cybereyes that were a crude approximation of normal eyes. His gaze went to the young man across from him. The young man's attention seemed to be far away; Masaru guessed that he was doing something in AR.
Well, this kid doesn't seem like he'd be tremendously useful in a stand up fight, and he doesn't seem too talkative, so either he's one of our hackers or he's a spellslinger, or just some helpless sap. The message had implied that Aniki had business with operatives other than me tonight, though.
Masaru decided to try and engage him in conversation in English, bringing up one of his friends who was also a Yak hacker.
"It appears we have at least one acquaintance in common, our older brother. Do you also happen to know Jiro Kobayashi, by any chance?"
At last, the limousine pulled up in front of the building. Masaru stood, smoothing out the jacket of his freshly cleaned suit. He gave a slight bow to the doorman on the way out.
"Have a good evening, Mr. Tsuneoka."
Masaru stepped to the limousine door and waited for the driver to open it impatiently. He climbed in, and was momentarily surprised by Aniki's absence, but the shock wore off quickly. He sat down across from the Limo's lone occupant and took off his sunglasses, revealing cybereyes that were a crude approximation of normal eyes. His gaze went to the young man across from him. The young man's attention seemed to be far away; Masaru guessed that he was doing something in AR.
Well, this kid doesn't seem like he'd be tremendously useful in a stand up fight, and he doesn't seem too talkative, so either he's one of our hackers or he's a spellslinger, or just some helpless sap. The message had implied that Aniki had business with operatives other than me tonight, though.
Masaru decided to try and engage him in conversation in English, bringing up one of his friends who was also a Yak hacker.
"It appears we have at least one acquaintance in common, our older brother. Do you also happen to know Jiro Kobayashi, by any chance?"
Musouka watched as this new man entered the limo, but paid him no heed for the moment. He did this not as insult, but more out of intimidation. Something about the muscle always tends to intimidate him. It was not that he feared that they hurt him, just that they had the potential. In the matrix, in VR, he is the strong one. The warrior. The samurai.
Looking up as he is now spoken to, Musouka mentally pauses the video and moves it out of his vision. Such a simple thing to control AR with just a thought, yet so many people required extraneous movements. Like eyes. Why can't everyone control AR as easily as they control their eyes?
"Jiro Kobayashi? Hmm.... Perhaps. My name is Keragi. Most people call me Musouka though."
Looking up as he is now spoken to, Musouka mentally pauses the video and moves it out of his vision. Such a simple thing to control AR with just a thought, yet so many people required extraneous movements. Like eyes. Why can't everyone control AR as easily as they control their eyes?
"Jiro Kobayashi? Hmm.... Perhaps. My name is Keragi. Most people call me Musouka though."
Hyo` called the provided LTG when he arrived back at his doss, a simple message that said he was ready, nothing more or less. His place was a small apartment in one of the buildings renovated by the Clan, a simple high rise of low maintenance apartments used for those new to the Clan or to the city. He was the latter. His place was simply furnished with a low table and traditional sleeping mat, a small personal kitchen no bigger than a closet and a closet no bigger than his kitchen. There was also a tiny bathroom behind one of the wooden panels, barely enough room to turn in place and splash water over your body.
Hyo` went to the closet first though, stripping off his night gear and stowing it away in the back of the closet. He then quickly donned a pair of loose dark green BDU style pants and a tight black full sleeve athletic shirt that clung to his body like a second skin. He put on his street shoes, light running shoes with excellent grip on the soles and tossed on his dark armored jacket over it all. His commlink stayed on his hip along with AR gloves on his hands but he left his gun secured away in his closet, preferring not to show any disrespect by coming to his elder brother's meeting armed. Well, visibly armed. His fingertips still itched from the lack of action tonight, Shizemi was good at his job and Hyo` had not been needed to step in.
He then slid back out of his apartment, locking it securely behind him and stepped out onto the stoop on the building to wait for the ride from Aniki. He did not have to wait long though as the limo pulled up within a few minutes and Hyo`entered the ride smoothly, quickly checking out the other two occupants with his slitted yellow cat eyes. Tonight may just be eventful afterall. It appears big brother is assembling us for something special...
Hyo` went to the closet first though, stripping off his night gear and stowing it away in the back of the closet. He then quickly donned a pair of loose dark green BDU style pants and a tight black full sleeve athletic shirt that clung to his body like a second skin. He put on his street shoes, light running shoes with excellent grip on the soles and tossed on his dark armored jacket over it all. His commlink stayed on his hip along with AR gloves on his hands but he left his gun secured away in his closet, preferring not to show any disrespect by coming to his elder brother's meeting armed. Well, visibly armed. His fingertips still itched from the lack of action tonight, Shizemi was good at his job and Hyo` had not been needed to step in.
He then slid back out of his apartment, locking it securely behind him and stepped out onto the stoop on the building to wait for the ride from Aniki. He did not have to wait long though as the limo pulled up within a few minutes and Hyo`entered the ride smoothly, quickly checking out the other two occupants with his slitted yellow cat eyes. Tonight may just be eventful afterall. It appears big brother is assembling us for something special...
Kin was in the lobby of his parent's condominium complex where he anxiously waited for the car that would be picking him up for his first assignment. He tried to distract himself by messaging his friends Akio and Akira with the conversation topic being that he was on hiatus for clubbing and the like, because he was grounded from his comm. An obvious lie, but through the void of emotion that was AR messaging he pulled it off. It was a common punishment anyway, why wouldn't he get it? He made a not-so-far-from-the-truth lie about how he'd angered his father by not having goals in life, what with still living in his parents home at 21. Feigning his parents arrival he set himself back in passive mode as before the conversation when the limousine arrived.
Well, just don't act like a douche bag and they won't give you flak
He sighed, fiddling with his hair and his glasses hoping he looked all right. As he walked up to the limo opening the door, he peered inside to see if the man called "Aniki" would be there. Two people had already been picked up so far, so his assumptions as to who Aniki was would have to wait. At least he wasn't last on the list, that was a good sign. He bowed to both respectively.
"Konban Wa"
He said politely to Masaru, Hyo' and Musouka, closing the door behind himself, sitting in an empty section of the seating near the driver's window. He cleared his throat in an attempt to cover up the reflexive cough of displeasure now inhaling the prevailing atmosphere of old cigarettes and cologne. He looked away from the three other passengers as he attempted to acclimatize himself, looking at the driver's barrier window.
Tinted and rolled up already? Either one of these guys does lame jokes, or this is some seriously shady business.
He thought, paused in morbid curiosity. To counteract his impolite silence for those few seconds, he smiled and decided to relieve the emptiness of introduction in the air, as was only proper.
My name is Kin Himura, most people call me "Yukio" though.
He knew talking too much in this kind of situation would be foolish so a name was good enough for now until they wished a conversation along the ride.
Well, just don't act like a douche bag and they won't give you flak
He sighed, fiddling with his hair and his glasses hoping he looked all right. As he walked up to the limo opening the door, he peered inside to see if the man called "Aniki" would be there. Two people had already been picked up so far, so his assumptions as to who Aniki was would have to wait. At least he wasn't last on the list, that was a good sign. He bowed to both respectively.
"Konban Wa"
He said politely to Masaru, Hyo' and Musouka, closing the door behind himself, sitting in an empty section of the seating near the driver's window. He cleared his throat in an attempt to cover up the reflexive cough of displeasure now inhaling the prevailing atmosphere of old cigarettes and cologne. He looked away from the three other passengers as he attempted to acclimatize himself, looking at the driver's barrier window.
Tinted and rolled up already? Either one of these guys does lame jokes, or this is some seriously shady business.
He thought, paused in morbid curiosity. To counteract his impolite silence for those few seconds, he smiled and decided to relieve the emptiness of introduction in the air, as was only proper.
My name is Kin Himura, most people call me "Yukio" though.
He knew talking too much in this kind of situation would be foolish so a name was good enough for now until they wished a conversation along the ride.
On his way out, Match stopped long enough to chat with Walt, the doorman, about the weather and Sonics game - tedious topics that made the servant like him. Pressing a Y50 note into the menial's hand with a brotherly smile, he pushed through the double glass doors saloon style, every centimeter of his frame in full swagger. Stepping onto the curb, he lowered his dark glasses long enough to wink lecherously at two passing kogyaru, prompting saucy giggles, a pouty voiced "Yabai naa!," and some commcode AROs that may or may not have been legit.
After only a few moments, the limousine pulled up. He was pleased to be accorded such transport. Settling into a seat, he saw four other men, and chided himself for being relieved that they were all human and Japanese - that was not a proper attitude for an adherent of the New Way. He knew two of the faces, although both were new to Seattle - Tsuneoka, the tax collector, and the cat-eyed one just arrived from some rumored monastery or something of the sort. Sounded a bit outrageous, but if Aniki had placed faith in him, then maybe his skills were authentic.
The other two he was not familiar with - and neither appeared to be talking - one lost in some AR amusement, and the other seated far from the others near the front of the vehicle.
After only a few moments, the limousine pulled up. He was pleased to be accorded such transport. Settling into a seat, he saw four other men, and chided himself for being relieved that they were all human and Japanese - that was not a proper attitude for an adherent of the New Way. He knew two of the faces, although both were new to Seattle - Tsuneoka, the tax collector, and the cat-eyed one just arrived from some rumored monastery or something of the sort. Sounded a bit outrageous, but if Aniki had placed faith in him, then maybe his skills were authentic.
The other two he was not familiar with - and neither appeared to be talking - one lost in some AR amusement, and the other seated far from the others near the front of the vehicle.
Musouka looks to the new arrivals, preoccupied with serveral status windows. One downside to always being connected was that you were on call 24x7 or at least getting updates.
Focusing his attention to the new arrivals, "Konichi-wa. My name is Keragi... I am generally called Musouka though." The irony of his nickname meaning Day Dreamer is not lost on him, but it no longer bothers him.
Focusing his attention to the new arrivals, "Konichi-wa. My name is Keragi... I am generally called Musouka though." The irony of his nickname meaning Day Dreamer is not lost on him, but it no longer bothers him.
Jimmy No was back at the door of the Golden Tiger Garden when Yukika stepped out. It was a time of night that the doorman was busy ensuring the customers got safely on their way home, or more usually to the nearest convenient coffin hotel that had paid the appropriate finder's fee to the Golden Tiger Garden. Her silk white on white kimono was covered against the cold night air with the protective padded faux silk coat Jimmy No had recommded, it wasn't incredibly stylish, but good enough, and it wasn't really important since she certainly wasn't a street walker.
The sidewalk was impeccably cleaned, and properly elevated so she wasn't worried about her sandals and silk socks getting stained, and her small bamboo parasol was certainly enough for any light rain. The only thing unusual was that she was standing without escort when the limo she was waiting for took it's turn to come through the drop off circle. Most of the other woman had either a family escort, or were at least paired with another girl, or in some cases other boys.
The limo door opened, and she saw the crowd inside. Gracefully entering despite the restrictions of her outfit, she eased in and knelt down comfortably with an amused turn of head and shy smile, which allowed her to scan everyone in the vehicle casually. Enough to recognize enough of them to realize what was happening.
As the limo pulled away and she shifted and reached into the well stocked fridge and pulled out a flask of whisky, snapped off the top, took a slug straight out of it, then settled on her knees. Holding out the bottle invitingly in one hand, with her other she flashed out a fanned hanafuda deck.
"Koi-Koi anyone? Long drive."
The sidewalk was impeccably cleaned, and properly elevated so she wasn't worried about her sandals and silk socks getting stained, and her small bamboo parasol was certainly enough for any light rain. The only thing unusual was that she was standing without escort when the limo she was waiting for took it's turn to come through the drop off circle. Most of the other woman had either a family escort, or were at least paired with another girl, or in some cases other boys.
The limo door opened, and she saw the crowd inside. Gracefully entering despite the restrictions of her outfit, she eased in and knelt down comfortably with an amused turn of head and shy smile, which allowed her to scan everyone in the vehicle casually. Enough to recognize enough of them to realize what was happening.
As the limo pulled away and she shifted and reached into the well stocked fridge and pulled out a flask of whisky, snapped off the top, took a slug straight out of it, then settled on her knees. Holding out the bottle invitingly in one hand, with her other she flashed out a fanned hanafuda deck.
"Koi-Koi anyone? Long drive."
The Dancing Ronin was a popular night club in Seattle, not as megaolithic as the others, but it had a certain style on to its own. The rumors abound about it as being a place for the Yakuza to hang out. These rumors were never encouraged or denied and runners who came tend to watch their mouths and manners when they were allowed inside the establishment. Tonight was every other night that blended together for the dancers and boozers who came in to have a good time. The well trained bouncers would make sure that no one would step out of line lest spoil the night for everone else.
The bouncers were only concern with one persons night being spoiled, the man who trained them. Who always sat at the bar having a quiet drink, flirting with the ladies or talking with his friend who could come in from time to time. Reliving the past, talking about future adventures, and trading favors for jobs or information.
Nagisa Tenchi was good like that; a good friend and a good boss for a low level establishment on the Yak business ventures in the city.
He already put the call in for the car to come pick him up after it got the rest. He spent the time focusing his mind, keeping it quiet from possibly questions as to why he was being called out of his den. One never called on his family unless it was important. No one ever cracked an egg with a .44 magnum unless egg was it full of poison and the person about to it was too important to let die. He was as well knowen as the rest of his family, now was the time for him to make a name for himself in the life he chose to follow. He was faithful to what his family chose to do with their fates in life. He was the good son. He was ambitious too, like the rest, and tonight no doubt was the chance for him to start to make his climb up the ladder into emiance.
Death of course was a harsh reality as well, but who thought about such things? If the situation was too important for the clan, then Tenchi would give up his life if it would see their goals blossem. No, he didn't plan on dying tonight unless the fates had decreied otherwise. Such was the life of a outlaw samurai.
The signal on his commlink informed of the approach of the car. He gathered his things and made for the door. The doorman nodded to him and opened it allowing Tenchi to walk outside unhindered. Tenchi slipped the remaining bits of his gear into place, his white heavy duster blowing in the city breeze that labor to clean the dirty air out of the city. The family mon was color on the right lapel of the jacket and on the back. The rest of the package wrapped the coat wasn't too bad either. heavy muscles rolled from movement, he wasn't too bad looking and apppeared to be unscarred from previous damage. Either it was a sign that he was just starting out, or he was just that good in what he did in life.
He paused a moment to listen to distant thunder coming from the bay. The sea seemed to approve of his going out tonight. It was a good sign.
Tenchi opens the door and slides inside surveying the others. He smiles and takes his seat, look lingering on the female for a moment of appriciation. Sitting back he looks to the rest again, "For those that don't know, I'm Tenchi. Seems we have a wide assortment of new faces in here tonight. Whats your names?"
Of course he was looking at Yukika first.
The bouncers were only concern with one persons night being spoiled, the man who trained them. Who always sat at the bar having a quiet drink, flirting with the ladies or talking with his friend who could come in from time to time. Reliving the past, talking about future adventures, and trading favors for jobs or information.
Nagisa Tenchi was good like that; a good friend and a good boss for a low level establishment on the Yak business ventures in the city.
He already put the call in for the car to come pick him up after it got the rest. He spent the time focusing his mind, keeping it quiet from possibly questions as to why he was being called out of his den. One never called on his family unless it was important. No one ever cracked an egg with a .44 magnum unless egg was it full of poison and the person about to it was too important to let die. He was as well knowen as the rest of his family, now was the time for him to make a name for himself in the life he chose to follow. He was faithful to what his family chose to do with their fates in life. He was the good son. He was ambitious too, like the rest, and tonight no doubt was the chance for him to start to make his climb up the ladder into emiance.
Death of course was a harsh reality as well, but who thought about such things? If the situation was too important for the clan, then Tenchi would give up his life if it would see their goals blossem. No, he didn't plan on dying tonight unless the fates had decreied otherwise. Such was the life of a outlaw samurai.
The signal on his commlink informed of the approach of the car. He gathered his things and made for the door. The doorman nodded to him and opened it allowing Tenchi to walk outside unhindered. Tenchi slipped the remaining bits of his gear into place, his white heavy duster blowing in the city breeze that labor to clean the dirty air out of the city. The family mon was color on the right lapel of the jacket and on the back. The rest of the package wrapped the coat wasn't too bad either. heavy muscles rolled from movement, he wasn't too bad looking and apppeared to be unscarred from previous damage. Either it was a sign that he was just starting out, or he was just that good in what he did in life.
He paused a moment to listen to distant thunder coming from the bay. The sea seemed to approve of his going out tonight. It was a good sign.
Tenchi opens the door and slides inside surveying the others. He smiles and takes his seat, look lingering on the female for a moment of appriciation. Sitting back he looks to the rest again, "For those that don't know, I'm Tenchi. Seems we have a wide assortment of new faces in here tonight. Whats your names?"
Of course he was looking at Yukika first.
Masaru had decided to abandon his attempt at conversation with the daydreamer after it had not started strongly. The man was obviously busy with something, it was best not to bother him, Masaru supposed. Masaru sat casually in his seat as the other arrivals entered the Limousine, one by one. He did not recognize the first, and was slightly relieved when he saw Match enter the limo. He'd met the man, once or twice, and if his reputation was to be believed, then he knew how to handle himself. Masaru smiled as Kin entered the limo.
All of us are Japanese, all of us are human. At least Aniki has good taste.
Masaru knew that the Shigeda were a new-way clan, but that didn't stop him from disliking having to work with trogs and gaijin. He leaned back in his seat a bit, getting more comfortable. He didn't want to betray any hint of nervousness if he didn't have to. Both of the last two individuals to enter the limousine looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place either of them. He took the proffered flask from Yukika's hand, making sure that his fingers lightly brushed hers. Hopefully his tailored pheromones would give everyone in the limousine a better impression of him, but if they only worked on her, they'd have been worth the money. He supposed that perhaps a game of cards in the Limousine would not be the height of professionalism, but he liked to project an easy-going attitude on meeting new associates, so that they might underestimate him later if he needed them to.
"I'd love a game, Ms..."
He let his sentence hang for a second, waiting for her name, and then continued: "I'm afraid I'm not the best player of Koi-Koi, I don't seem to know when to let go of the hand."
Masaru chuckled. As Tenchi entered the automobile, he bowed briefly to him before turning his attention back to Yukika.
"Masaru Tsuneoka is my name, but please, just call me Masaru."
All of us are Japanese, all of us are human. At least Aniki has good taste.
Masaru knew that the Shigeda were a new-way clan, but that didn't stop him from disliking having to work with trogs and gaijin. He leaned back in his seat a bit, getting more comfortable. He didn't want to betray any hint of nervousness if he didn't have to. Both of the last two individuals to enter the limousine looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place either of them. He took the proffered flask from Yukika's hand, making sure that his fingers lightly brushed hers. Hopefully his tailored pheromones would give everyone in the limousine a better impression of him, but if they only worked on her, they'd have been worth the money. He supposed that perhaps a game of cards in the Limousine would not be the height of professionalism, but he liked to project an easy-going attitude on meeting new associates, so that they might underestimate him later if he needed them to.
"I'd love a game, Ms..."
He let his sentence hang for a second, waiting for her name, and then continued: "I'm afraid I'm not the best player of Koi-Koi, I don't seem to know when to let go of the hand."
Masaru chuckled. As Tenchi entered the automobile, he bowed briefly to him before turning his attention back to Yukika.
"Masaru Tsuneoka is my name, but please, just call me Masaru."
Hyo` sat with a facade of relaxation in the limo, his toes posed to send him moving in any direction if need be, his claws itching for something. The group looked legit, as legit as Clan members can look, but he still never dropped his guard. His sensei had drilled that into his head...
"Watch your steps boy," the old man called from the roof top overlooking the log field. The log step course was one of the first in the long series of tests going up Koga Mountain and Hyo` was having difficulty with it. He could maneuver fine despite the meter and a half gaps between them all, but it was the random illusory logs that were holding him up. He had already missed a few of the jumps and almost tore the metal claws under hs nails out of him on a particularly harsh fall that he barely stopped. "Expand your senses boy, know your surroundings at all times and you will never fall."
After the last man had entered the limo Hyo` took a better estimation of the group. The woman was obviously the miko for the group, she partically called out priestess in her white kimono. The daydreamer was the hacker, that or he was just spacey though Hyo` was inclined towards the former with Aniki's reputation behind this group. The others were less obvious in their specialities, but the last man in the white coat thought himself the group's de facto leader by the way he seemes to comman their names out of them. This Tenchi fellow is either very good or very foolishly cocky....
"Konban-wa, Watashi-no namae-wa Hyo` desu. <Good Evening, My name is Hyo`.>" Hyo` answered in japanese.
"Watch your steps boy," the old man called from the roof top overlooking the log field. The log step course was one of the first in the long series of tests going up Koga Mountain and Hyo` was having difficulty with it. He could maneuver fine despite the meter and a half gaps between them all, but it was the random illusory logs that were holding him up. He had already missed a few of the jumps and almost tore the metal claws under hs nails out of him on a particularly harsh fall that he barely stopped. "Expand your senses boy, know your surroundings at all times and you will never fall."
After the last man had entered the limo Hyo` took a better estimation of the group. The woman was obviously the miko for the group, she partically called out priestess in her white kimono. The daydreamer was the hacker, that or he was just spacey though Hyo` was inclined towards the former with Aniki's reputation behind this group. The others were less obvious in their specialities, but the last man in the white coat thought himself the group's de facto leader by the way he seemes to comman their names out of them. This Tenchi fellow is either very good or very foolishly cocky....
"Konban-wa, Watashi-no namae-wa Hyo` desu. <Good Evening, My name is Hyo`.>" Hyo` answered in japanese.
Shifting around on the floor between the rows of seats to make more room for everyone, and now with both hands free she cut the deck once quickly and started a cascade of flower cards leaping up from her lower hand across the forty centimeters up into other hand.
In the lower hand she fanned out a set of three flower cards. a Paulownia, Pine, and a Plum Blossom, bringing the set of winter flowers in a fan before her lower face she answers, "Yukika."
Idly reshuffling the deck in a cascade of flowery images flying back and forth between her two hads, in japanese, "Perhaps we should play Sakura instead? 100 nuyen a point?
In the lower hand she fanned out a set of three flower cards. a Paulownia, Pine, and a Plum Blossom, bringing the set of winter flowers in a fan before her lower face she answers, "Yukika."
Idly reshuffling the deck in a cascade of flowery images flying back and forth between her two hads, in japanese, "Perhaps we should play Sakura instead? 100 nuyen a point?
Masaru knew full well that he was most likely about to lose a decent sum of money to the siren in front of him, who handled the hanafuda cards like they were extensions of her own hands. However, he didn't want to lose face in front of his new business associates, and perhaps if some money changed hands Yukika would have a better opinion of him.
"I agree. To both the terms and the wager." Masaru looked around the limo. "Will it just be the two of us?"
"I agree. To both the terms and the wager." Masaru looked around the limo. "Will it just be the two of us?"
Hyo` watches the woman handle the cards and knows that she does it for a living. He would much rather keep his nuyen on his own person than hand it over foolishly. "Kekko desu. Watashi-no nuyen de nokoru konban. <No thank you. My nuyen will stay with me tonight.>"
Match recognized Tenchi as the manager of the Dancing Ronin - not a bad place - and he liked the way the latecomer's white duster contrasted perfectly with his own black one. Shiro naraba shiro, kuro naraba kuro, he thought appreciatively. He figured Tenchi already knew who he was, too, but rather than appear presumptive, he gave a sharp nod and grunted Match desu. Yoroshiku.
Then he took off his shoes and sat on down cross-legged on the floor to better reach the cards. Yappa yaruze! he said, laying a thick stack of cash in front of him and smiling appreciatively at Yukika.
Then he took off his shoes and sat on down cross-legged on the floor to better reach the cards. Yappa yaruze! he said, laying a thick stack of cash in front of him and smiling appreciatively at Yukika.
Kin smiled politely as he looked to all the occupants of the limousine, greeting those that had entered in after himself, introducing himself as well. A man in white that radiated a heroic stance, the beautiful maiden with no doubt a skillful hand in both illusion and deadly force, maybe with knives, and a shining smile that would almost make one welcome the dagger whole-heartedly. The two he would have the most fun getting to know, Tenchi because he'd be easy to please, Kin sensed he was laid back and most likely to be a casual conversationalist, perhaps a good drinking buddy. Yukika for the challenge it would be to gain favor with her, she was obviously in no need for an admirer that much was evident, she played the fool but it was inherently the opposite, she was polite, well-mannered and an expert at subtlety of expression, though hidden well. Musouka, the hacker, was a distracted individual, but where his attention was not, it was ingrained in a place more important. Kin knew better than to get on the bad side of a hacker, he would probably be easiest to reach on a conversational level over comm. Hyo' and Masaru were both reserved individuals, one a disciplined man the other with an air about him that was pleasant yet clouded, so as they were not so socially inclined Kin assumed they were the closest to the covert muscle of the group or perhaps the same as himself analyzing those around them, if not humble with those regards. They would be difficult to fully get anything interesting out of, maybe a snippet here and there of useful information, but otherwise it would be clouded by subtle subject diversion, white-lies or silence, he thought. Lastly was the man calling himself Match, he probably expected people to know who he was, so this man held his image in high regard and his greatest falling would be women, and courteous positive comments about his dress style might be a benefit to his standing with such a man. Match would most likely fall prey to Yukika's mirage. But then again, there was no shame in that at all.
Hmm... Maybe I'm analyzing them too quickly, but it helps to get on the good side of everyone. "Friendship has no limit of admission."
He thought to himself, now that there were more people in here, this was the time to shine.
"I apologize for my silence, but I was reserving my greetings past a polite "hello," until I was sure that everyone was present, now that we're a while into the trip and I haven't noticed anyone else joining our group I'm sure that is so. I am humbly honored to be within the presence of you all, I won't feign a common knowledge of how things are done here, but I hope to learn much from those among you who would help me on my way." He paused, with a modest look, downward cast, and humble. "I just wanted to say that so there are no surprises between us. Domo Arigato."
He sits back in his chair, but facing them rather than the window to see the reaction of others. Bowing curtly.
"The wisest man is the one that doesn't claim so."
Hmm... Maybe I'm analyzing them too quickly, but it helps to get on the good side of everyone. "Friendship has no limit of admission."
He thought to himself, now that there were more people in here, this was the time to shine.
"I apologize for my silence, but I was reserving my greetings past a polite "hello," until I was sure that everyone was present, now that we're a while into the trip and I haven't noticed anyone else joining our group I'm sure that is so. I am humbly honored to be within the presence of you all, I won't feign a common knowledge of how things are done here, but I hope to learn much from those among you who would help me on my way." He paused, with a modest look, downward cast, and humble. "I just wanted to say that so there are no surprises between us. Domo Arigato."
He sits back in his chair, but facing them rather than the window to see the reaction of others. Bowing curtly.
"The wisest man is the one that doesn't claim so."
Musouka continues half focused on the filling limo and half focused on the incoming notifications from the Matrix. Feeling increasingly outnumbered amongst the group, he brings forth one of his favorite family guardians, Ryu a small eastern dragon that appears on his shoulder in AR/VR.
Realizing he had not introduced himself yet to Tenchi, he follows Kin's introduction, "I am called Musouka.", with a slight bow to Tenchi. Musouka now focuses his attention on those engaged in conversation, ignoring the game of chance and the distractions of the digital world.
Realizing he had not introduced himself yet to Tenchi, he follows Kin's introduction, "I am called Musouka.", with a slight bow to Tenchi. Musouka now focuses his attention on those engaged in conversation, ignoring the game of chance and the distractions of the digital world.
"Sakura then!"
Cheerfully Yukika fans the entire deck out to show all the cards, all grouped and in order, then stacks them all into a neat deck and places it on the floor.
"Please, one of you must help and be the dealer."
As the cards get shuffled she turns and scans the interior of the fridge again, then turns her head asking all the others, "What do you wish to drink to celebrate this auspicious occasion?"
Cheerfully Yukika fans the entire deck out to show all the cards, all grouped and in order, then stacks them all into a neat deck and places it on the floor.
"Please, one of you must help and be the dealer."
As the cards get shuffled she turns and scans the interior of the fridge again, then turns her head asking all the others, "What do you wish to drink to celebrate this auspicious occasion?"
Tenchi returns the nod to Match. Its hard not to miss another man with the same talents as himself. It was good to get acquainted with the rest, saying 'hey you' for duration of their gathering could have become tedious after a certain amount of time. Now that the greetings were over he could start interacting with them.
"I do believe, I would love a drink and would like to join in your game. Tenchi leans over from his seat to get on the game of Sakura, chipping the money he was willing to part with in case the Fates were most unkind with him.
"I do believe, I would love a drink and would like to join in your game. Tenchi leans over from his seat to get on the game of Sakura, chipping the money he was willing to part with in case the Fates were most unkind with him.
Maa, shochu ja nee ka, replied Match to the drink request, making no move to be the dealer.
Masaru picked up the cards, gave them a good shuffle, and began dealing them out to the four participants. He looked over at Yukika. "Ten to each, correct? Oh, and I'll have Awamori, on the rocks, if there is any."
Pouring generous portions of each drink request and handing them out with tiny bows, Yukika also gives instructions in laying out the hanafuda cards in the sakura game, a great deal depending on the number of players.
"Thank you, I think it shall be five or six cards each, depending on if we have 3 or 4 players, and seven or eight in the middle. Everyone ready?"
She's taken off her dark black jacket and placed it on the floor like a mat under her brilliant white on white kimono, revealing a changing pattern of falling snow flakes, crystal white against a flat white background, flickering in a slow motion snow fall. The pattern swirling occasional in random wind changes. Clipped to her waist is the latest fad decorative casing of an animated chicked white masking her commlink, and tucked into her waistband is a closed decorative laquered bamboo fan.
Her smiling red painted lips contrasting with naturally pale skin, "Ah, there are some snacks too, wasabi peas anyone?"
"Thank you, I think it shall be five or six cards each, depending on if we have 3 or 4 players, and seven or eight in the middle. Everyone ready?"
She's taken off her dark black jacket and placed it on the floor like a mat under her brilliant white on white kimono, revealing a changing pattern of falling snow flakes, crystal white against a flat white background, flickering in a slow motion snow fall. The pattern swirling occasional in random wind changes. Clipped to her waist is the latest fad decorative casing of an animated chicked white masking her commlink, and tucked into her waistband is a closed decorative laquered bamboo fan.
Her smiling red painted lips contrasting with naturally pale skin, "Ah, there are some snacks too, wasabi peas anyone?"
Looking at the bowl of little pods, Musouka perks up. Taking a few, "Thank you!". He raises a hand to gesture no thanks to the card game though. "I'll take a water also please."
No replies. This was a much more reserved group than he had anticipated... Or more focused on betting games and Yukika. Having no rhyme or reason to consider betting in a game he had never played, it would have been unwise of him to consider.
"Thank you very much for the peas, although I'll have to decline participation in the game... Did they stock tea bottles in there? I'll have one of those, please."
He was bored, anxious and bored were not two good bedfellows. Kin decided AR would be a more appropriate setting to deal within for the remaining spare time, as he placed the ear buds in, the small overlap of Augmented Reality cascaded down the inside of his glasses as he placed on his gloves and switched the comm out of hibernate. He moved to the Virtual Surround Music filtered into his ears he changed it to Powernoize, selecting Jergen Fitznoch's "Be the Revolution." After a satisfied bobbing of his head to the beat, he moved his cursor over each of the active profiles of the people he saw before him checking the small bits of information they had placed in their own PANs, Mosouka last because he knew he was active for sure.
<You ever play Men at Arms?>
"Thank you very much for the peas, although I'll have to decline participation in the game... Did they stock tea bottles in there? I'll have one of those, please."
He was bored, anxious and bored were not two good bedfellows. Kin decided AR would be a more appropriate setting to deal within for the remaining spare time, as he placed the ear buds in, the small overlap of Augmented Reality cascaded down the inside of his glasses as he placed on his gloves and switched the comm out of hibernate. He moved to the Virtual Surround Music filtered into his ears he changed it to Powernoize, selecting Jergen Fitznoch's "Be the Revolution." After a satisfied bobbing of his head to the beat, he moved his cursor over each of the active profiles of the people he saw before him checking the small bits of information they had placed in their own PANs, Mosouka last because he knew he was active for sure.
<You ever play Men at Arms?>
Hyo` had watched all the passengers of the limo carefully for the last couple of minutes and he was fairly sure that they were all legit. He leaned back into a bit more comfortable position in his corner of the limo and fell into himself in preparation for the meeting.
Sayasaki burst into the small dormroom, leaping from the door entrance 4 meters to land on the foot of Hyo`'s bedmat. "I have been chosen! I am going to Seattle to help in the spreading of the tradition. Sensei said that I was ready for the world outside of Koga," the smaller man exclaimed as Hyo` looked up from the pepper pouches he had been working on. A small smile crept onto hHyo`'s face, but his eyes betrayed him. Sayasaki had come to Koga at the same time as he had and they had progressed through the training together. Now Sayasaki was leaving and Hyo` was going to be left here on his own. He was a mixture of emotion, jealousy, anger, sadness, and joy for his brother. "Good luck brother...." responded Hyo` as he returned to working on his pouches, as the other man slowly left the room.
Hyo`'s hands moved a hair as he cued up his comm into Active mode, turning on a mellow japanese folk song in his Virtual Music player and activating the Pet program he had installed when he left for Seattle. The Pet programs were installed in all the recruits comms so that they didn't get depressed from loneliness when they first came to the UCAS. His was a panther kitten, Koneko, that he has grown quite fond of since it was installed. He petted the virtual kitten subconsiously as he began to scan the PANs of the other occupants of the limo.
Sayasaki burst into the small dormroom, leaping from the door entrance 4 meters to land on the foot of Hyo`'s bedmat. "I have been chosen! I am going to Seattle to help in the spreading of the tradition. Sensei said that I was ready for the world outside of Koga," the smaller man exclaimed as Hyo` looked up from the pepper pouches he had been working on. A small smile crept onto hHyo`'s face, but his eyes betrayed him. Sayasaki had come to Koga at the same time as he had and they had progressed through the training together. Now Sayasaki was leaving and Hyo` was going to be left here on his own. He was a mixture of emotion, jealousy, anger, sadness, and joy for his brother. "Good luck brother...." responded Hyo` as he returned to working on his pouches, as the other man slowly left the room.
Hyo`'s hands moved a hair as he cued up his comm into Active mode, turning on a mellow japanese folk song in his Virtual Music player and activating the Pet program he had installed when he left for Seattle. The Pet programs were installed in all the recruits comms so that they didn't get depressed from loneliness when they first came to the UCAS. His was a panther kitten, Koneko, that he has grown quite fond of since it was installed. He petted the virtual kitten subconsiously as he began to scan the PANs of the other occupants of the limo.
The drive is long but you find yourselves lost in memories, AR, or the lively game of cards you are involved in. The many constant stops, starts and turns blend into a rythem you become accustomed to. So accustomed to this rythem that the stop doesnt register until the door opens up letting in the stale smell of the streets acompanied by the salty air.
Aniki stands there looking in, his sunglasses hide any hint of emotion you may otherwise glean from his impassive face. Aniki takes a moment to look at all the faces, sliding into the seat his monotone voice cares. "Good, you all here." Aniki fumbles into his pocket were he pulls out a pack of cigarettes and retrieves one from the pack.
Aniki stands there looking in, his sunglasses hide any hint of emotion you may otherwise glean from his impassive face. Aniki takes a moment to look at all the faces, sliding into the seat his monotone voice cares. "Good, you all here." Aniki fumbles into his pocket were he pulls out a pack of cigarettes and retrieves one from the pack.
The pompadoured former speed-triber wasted no time living up to his street name, instantly producing a fresh wooden match, lighting it on his thumbnail, and proferring it respectfully to his nine-fingered senpai.
Hyo`'s body tensed instinctively as the door opened up and only relaxed a hair when he recognized the man in the door way. Aniki had a reputation and by all accounts he deserved it. Hyo` bowed as the man entered, bending in his seat but never removing his eyes from the vicinity of the other man.
"Konban-wa senpai,konban o-genki desuka? <Good evening older brother, how are you tonight?>" greeted and asked Hyo` when Aniki was properly seated and his cigarette was lit.
"Konban-wa senpai,konban o-genki desuka? <Good evening older brother, how are you tonight?>" greeted and asked Hyo` when Aniki was properly seated and his cigarette was lit.
Musouka accepts Kin's offer to play Men at Arms in AR.
<[Musouka] No, but I am intrigued to learn. Shall we?>
As the game begins he selects a number of retro tracks from the last century by the heavy metal band Metallica, starting with Creeping Doom.
When they arrive, Musouka offers a proper salutation to Aniki and remains quiet otherwise as the others do the same.
<[Musouka] No, but I am intrigued to learn. Shall we?>
As the game begins he selects a number of retro tracks from the last century by the heavy metal band Metallica, starting with Creeping Doom.
When they arrive, Musouka offers a proper salutation to Aniki and remains quiet otherwise as the others do the same.
Tenchi sits back in the seat as the car door opens and Aniki gets in with them. He is still looking at his cards. He's not being rude per say, but he didn't come all the way out here for the man to state the obvious and to watch him smoke.
Match seethed at the sight of Tenchi practically ignoring Aniki - he felt an almost uncontrollable urge to beat the lout to a bloody pulp, or at least call him out - but he was loathe to disturb Aniki's wa in such a manner.
Instead, having already lost Y300 to Tsuneoka, he quietly placed another five Y100 notes - one after another - in front of his fellow kobun. There, he said quietly, deliberately speaking English, You are sure to win anyway, and I cannot concentrate on two things at once. Please enjoy your winnings.
Instead, having already lost Y300 to Tsuneoka, he quietly placed another five Y100 notes - one after another - in front of his fellow kobun. There, he said quietly, deliberately speaking English, You are sure to win anyway, and I cannot concentrate on two things at once. Please enjoy your winnings.
Yukika bowed and had kept her face down and staring at the floor as Aniki entered. After the brief set of movements as people rearranged as spoke as they saw fit, she firmly ended the card game, throwing the cards in a pile to be collected later and distributing the pot and bets in economical movements.
Now that everyone was here, the real business would start.
Now that everyone was here, the real business would start.
As Hyo' scanned over Kin's PAN, he picked up some small information, a small bio describing what Kin liked in a girl, how he described himself and a small questionnaire. The only thing of relative importance was under his father's name was Satoshi Himura.
Before he started up the game, and transferring the necessary files to play over their PAN's he bowed to Aniki as was only proper turning off his AR just long enough to focus on his location, then flipped it back in and pulled a cartridge no bigger than his finger from his pocket it had an ARO of a holographic blood stain behind scratchy-looking Kanji saying "Men at Arms."
<[Yukio] It's no problem, I already got a friend to dub this copy so it's transferable over networks, and the best parts its an invisible trace, but I'm sure you've passed that grade of comm-on knowledge
. I guess this'll have to wait until Aniki-sama is done describing the job.>
After transferring the files over, he shuts off his AR and sets his Comm into hibernate mode. Waiting for Aniki to begin.
Before he started up the game, and transferring the necessary files to play over their PAN's he bowed to Aniki as was only proper turning off his AR just long enough to focus on his location, then flipped it back in and pulled a cartridge no bigger than his finger from his pocket it had an ARO of a holographic blood stain behind scratchy-looking Kanji saying "Men at Arms."
<[Yukio] It's no problem, I already got a friend to dub this copy so it's transferable over networks, and the best parts its an invisible trace, but I'm sure you've passed that grade of comm-on knowledge
. I guess this'll have to wait until Aniki-sama is done describing the job.>After transferring the files over, he shuts off his AR and sets his Comm into hibernate mode. Waiting for Aniki to begin.
Masaru watched as Aniki entered the limousine, and gave him a deep bow from his kneeling position. Masaru didn't bother with a spoken greeting, the bow would show the proper respect, and he knew Aniki and Aniki knew him well enough. Masaru bowed again to Match, less deeply this time, as the man counted out the winnings in front of him. He pushed back the five extra bills.
"Please. I could not accept money that I did not win fairly." Masaru noticed Tenchi's complete lack of acknowledgement of Aniki, and Match's reaction to it. With a glance that slid from Tenchi to Match, Masaru spoke further: "This seems a natural conclusion to the game." Masaru's frown was intended to show Match that he was not happy with Tenchi's arrogance, either.
"Please. I could not accept money that I did not win fairly." Masaru noticed Tenchi's complete lack of acknowledgement of Aniki, and Match's reaction to it. With a glance that slid from Tenchi to Match, Masaru spoke further: "This seems a natural conclusion to the game." Masaru's frown was intended to show Match that he was not happy with Tenchi's arrogance, either.
Aniki sits there smoking for a few seconds before reaching into his coat. Aniki pulls out a leather bill fold that is so packed with money it is at least an inche thick. Aniki sets the wallet down next to his leg on the seat "Eh, another go?" Aniki clearly means to play cards by the way he taps the wallet and his gaze at the cards piled up.
Aniki looks up and over to the small wet bar, "any Suntory whiskey?" Before getting an answer Aniki points at Tenchi with the two fingers that also hold his lit cigarette."You...go in store and get me Koba Cola."
Aniki looks up and over to the small wet bar, "any Suntory whiskey?" Before getting an answer Aniki points at Tenchi with the two fingers that also hold his lit cigarette."You...go in store and get me Koba Cola."
Smoothly, her face still mostly lowered, carefully looking down, Yukika collects the hana fuda cards and expertly stacks the deck in a neat pile ready to be shuffled. Leaving the pile of cards for the dealer, she turns quickly to the small fridge and selects a square bottle, a small glass, and a single ice cube.
"Hibiki 30.", holding out the bottle to display the label for approval.
"Hibiki 30.", holding out the bottle to display the label for approval.
Masaru smiled. It seemed as though Aniki was in good spirits today. Relieved, Masaru picked up the cards and began dealing another round of Sakura.
"I'm sure you're familiar with the game, Big brother?" Masaru grinned at Match. "Eh, Match, another round? You can still lose that 500 to me fair and square."
"I'm sure you're familiar with the game, Big brother?" Masaru grinned at Match. "Eh, Match, another round? You can still lose that 500 to me fair and square."
Watching the trading of traditional blows for and against honor across the limo amuses Hyo` from his seat in the corner of the limo. But seeing Aniki pull out a billfold to join in the game set him right off his balance, albeit not physically. With a grin Hyo` reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled out his own wallet of bills and placed it next to his own feet. "Watashi-wa kangae kaeru. Konban Sakura suru. <I have changed my mind. I will play Sakura tonight.>" chimed in Hyo`, as not to disrespect Aniki anymore than he already has by Tenchi.
Keragi aka Musouka; PAN = Hidden
Musouka listens to the conversation and begins to feel more at ease. Big Brother appears to have had a good day. Perhaps tonight is truly a social gathering after all...?
The ancestor stays on his shoulder in AR but respectfully, Musouka silently wills away all the windows and other aspects of AR. He had not thought to play to the game before, but did not want to unintentionally render an insult now. Speaking in Japanese, "Yes, we have quite a few players tonight." he says with a small smile as well.
Musouka listens to the conversation and begins to feel more at ease. Big Brother appears to have had a good day. Perhaps tonight is truly a social gathering after all...?
The ancestor stays on his shoulder in AR but respectfully, Musouka silently wills away all the windows and other aspects of AR. He had not thought to play to the game before, but did not want to unintentionally render an insult now. Speaking in Japanese, "Yes, we have quite a few players tonight." he says with a small smile as well.
The only reason Aniki didn't die right there was because someone would miss him. Someone more important then him, some more important then Aniki who needed a job done. Tenchi folds his hand and goes to get the man his drink. After retaining it, he awaits to open it for him with glass in hand.
After refreshing and dispensing drinks and snacks, Yukika sat back on her heels, relaxing and drawing out her fan. Unfurled, the snowy woodland scene painted and lacquered over provides a contrast against her pale skin and white dress. Fannign herself delicately, she comments with a half hidden smile, "So many strong men, I feel a little warm!"
From behind his designer sunglasses, Match had kept his eyes on Tenchi until the man was out of the limo - he had been sorely tempted to offer Tenchi the Y500, but who knew how the proud samurai would react to such an insult. Match had heard that he was a dangerous guy - making him in equal parts an asset and a threat.
But in any case, Match couldn't help but admire his fashion sense.
Once the club manager was out of the car, Match nodded silently to Tsuneoka and with a deft hand movement pulled the cash closer to himself, leaving it in front of him as his stake for the ongoing game.
But in any case, Match couldn't help but admire his fashion sense.
Once the club manager was out of the car, Match nodded silently to Tsuneoka and with a deft hand movement pulled the cash closer to himself, leaving it in front of him as his stake for the ongoing game.
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