Sengoku
Recruits
Local bucket head of the Japanese variety.
Posts: 70
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Post by Sengoku on Oct 31, 2023 0:38:05 GMT
After Emi, Naoyoshi took his seat, then Akamaru. As the oni set down their shared loot, he leans over and peers into Emi's camera screen as her fingers swipe across it, sliding through a full gallery of digital photos.
"Generosity?" Akamaru repeated? "I'm holding up on my end of the pact I made with the boy, nothing more, nothing less. I don't need thanks nor payment for obeying the contract." His head cocked to the side for a moment, seeing images of parade floats with papier-mâché constructs in the image of yokai put onto motorized stages. The oni scratched at his beard again when he saw a float of a stylized oni. "You humans enjoy holding onto memories of the past, don't you? Never could understand that."
At that point, Akamaru's further thoughts were interrupted by the food's arrival. Emi's full banquet was on display, drawing the attention of other customers in the food court with them, with some of the children there going wide-eyed with awe, pointing at the extravagant display. Akamaru's meal was four plates of Japanese style hamburger patties, served on rice rather than in a burger. The gravy that was slathered on top of it had a tint of red, serving as a visual indicator of the immense spice. For Naoyoshi, a plate with four onigiri wrapped in roasted and slightly-salted nori was placed before him. Each of the rice balls was above average in size compared to the typical ones seen in convenient stores. Naoyoshi and Akamaru joined Emi when she clasped her hands together.
"Itadakimasu," they both repeated with her. And with that, Akamaru began to wolf down his cuts of minced beef with reckless abandon. Forgoing chopsticks, forks, and spoons altogether, the oni practically shoveled the food into his mouth. A stark contrast to Naoyoshi who sat there and ate his onigiri with one hand. Back straightened, shoulders broad, the samurai maintained courtly etiquette even in an arcade's food court, yet he ate with a speed similar to Akamaru. Big bites, swift yet quiet chewing, and repeat. The smell of tuna and beef lingered around the onigiri as Naoyoshi bit through the condensed rice to reveal the meaty contents.
"You enjoy photography?" Naoyoshi asked Emi. "I recommend Kyoto. I'm not fond of the Ashikaga Clan that rules there, but they have the best-looking traditional castles. There's no contest in that matter."
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Post by Ram on Nov 6, 2023 0:05:28 GMT
“Oh oh? Then thanks for carrying a few of my things.” Emi sat up and patted Akamaru’s upper forearm as best of a high-five as any since the real targets were on the table. She went straight ahead to sampling her pasta. A lil kick in the spice and blended cheese. The noodles were slurped away with an admired stirring of her deep sea themed drink. The swirling jellies of stars and sugar bits had the woman humming in awe for how this was made. After a few bites of the pasta she went to cut a sample of the hemburg steak. Notes of miso and umami flavors to the meat easily made one forget how the beef patties tend to be dry and oily but Japan always had some trick it make it juicy. With a quick sip to wash down the oils with a cooling ocean breeze refreshment, Emi had the yakisoba pan in hand when taking a moment to answer their inquires after enjoying each bite with a hum most infectiously performed in every cartoon made.
“Oh no, well yes but no. I work for a magazine to make some funds since the kind of work they need is pretty easy to do. There were some temp jobs before but they didn’t last too long due to delays or weather getting in the way.” Emi explained with a pause to make half of her yakusoba pan disappear in a few bites.
“Took a page from my bro and it’s been working out pretty decently since. Oh yeah! I should visit Kyoto. I should get some clearance with some grounds keepers for the photos. They probably won’t like it much that I’m strolling around areas not meant for the public.”
The rest of the yakisoba pan disappeared to have her eyes scan over the little cakes with weaponry decorations. “Ya sure ya don’t want one of these? That blueberry cheese cake Saber cake is pretty but then again…. that german chocolate Beserker has some heft to it. Oh, hey, are you allergic to any? I forget to ask these things for some folks.”
Her hand worked to take a Castor purple breaded cream puff to pop away and lick some of the cream from her fingers. “Speaking of jobs, you work? I mean, not in a bad way but ya know what I mean, right? Do you and Akamaru go out in jobs?”
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Sengoku
Recruits
Local bucket head of the Japanese variety.
Posts: 70
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Post by Sengoku on Nov 9, 2023 10:14:53 GMT
Akamaru paused when Emi offered him and Naoyoshi bite-sized cakes with weapon symbols drawn on the top via frosting. The oni turned to his master as he gulped down another full cut of hamburger steak drenched in spicy sauce.
"It would be rude not to accept gifts, boy."
"This is an excuse for you to gorge yourself."
"And?"
"...Fine." Naoyoshi relents, bowing to Emi in his seat as Akamaru mimics his action. "Thank you for sharing your meal. We will repay you for this." Naoyoshi himself plucks the cake with the Saber symbol in blue frosting while Akamaru swallows whole the chocolate cake with a Berserker symbol. Unlike his contracted yōkai, Naoyoshi chews on the cake carefully, noting the individual flavors.
"Sugary. Vanilla cream. Similar to castella with added frosting. Westerners enjoy their extreme sweets, don't they?" he notes. As he continued biting into the Saber cake, he moved his plate of onigiri over to Emi, though only a single spicy tuna rice ball remained, flaked with bits of sesame seeds and wrapped in a cut of roasted, slightly salted seaweed. "Please help yourself if you don't mind spice." When the girl asked the brutish duo about work, Akamaru snorted for a moment before he returned to scarfing down his banquet.
"I work directly for my clan, so anything regarding military and security affairs in the Kōzuke Prefecture are within my jurisdiction. Rogue yōkai, human criminals, threats to the general public. If there is an issue in which the Ii Clan is able to intervene even outside of our borders, than I too am given authority to act there, though this becomes difficult should the job demand that I operate in enemy territory."
"Like that time we were in Satsuma," said Akamaru, his chuckle sounding more like rhythmic growling. "Damn near reignited Ii and Shimazu hostilities with that temper of yours, boy." Naoyoshi's eyes narrowed at Akamaru with disapproval and said nothing further on that matter.
"If you'd like to take pictures in Kyoto, I'm finishing up my last year at Abe no Seimei University there. Combine that with clan privileges, I should be able to clear you for at least some exclusive areas for photography."
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Post by Ram on Nov 28, 2023 11:17:20 GMT
Emi waited till her mouth was no longer stuffed with dessert and sipped away the ocean soda till it was cubes and jellies. These two made a pair, or three when including the warrior dog Ichigo. “Were you allergic to any?” She asked, missing the point of whatever their banter was about in whomever was the rude party here. She waited to see if this was true.
Neither case happened which made her smile and twirl up a ball of spicy noodles. Having company to eat with her outside of home was always a treat. Plus it makes the table look far more festive. Her eyes then catch the waitress’s as the lady came over with the bag of food to-go. “Ah, thank you,” she gratefully took it. Smells of garlic and fried goodness in the bag. Emi’s mouth was watering as she opened up one and ate it while it was still hot. “Oh! Oh these are fresh! Mmn~l” Emi hummed and snuck another one out as she went about her buffet sampling.
hearing about their antics and what clan he represented, Emi blinked and took at the boy. Was he clearly that important of a person? “Oooh,” she popped the nugget in her mouth to chew on it and began to clap her hands at the most accomplished member on the table. Again there was a pause before swallowing what was in her mouth. “So that means if ya come with me then I can get some better shots? That it? Ooh then we gotta do a whole food walk of Kyoto. There has to be something popular but tucked away.”
Her hands moved the bag to the seat the paper pup Husker sat in and he climbed on top of it. Pulling the plate of pasta towards herself, she made another rolled fork of noodle while explaining her plan. “I’m thinking some passes as guests for our magazine while you help me get some leveling shots and panoramas. Then hit up as many food stops we can before the day ends so we can send in some pictures of what’s a highlight to have. Gotta know the good haunts and eats of places they’re famous in. Then maybe get some supplement materials over how you guys handle yourselves. University, dealing with yokai and a clan, what would be after university for you two?”
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Sengoku
Recruits
Local bucket head of the Japanese variety.
Posts: 70
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Post by Sengoku on Dec 23, 2023 6:05:52 GMT
"I don't believe I have any allergies." Naoyoshi finished off the Saber cake within three bites, each one a mouthful filled with sugary bread and icing. As Emi continued to dismantle the feast before them, Naoyoshi cast a look from her over to the pile of empty plates. "You eat fast. That's a good habit if you serve in the military. Helps you get back into the fight quicker."
When prompted about photos at Kyoto, the samurai pulled out a smartphone from the inner pocket of his kimono. Several swipes on the touch screen were accompanied by soft clicks and taps as the device unlocked itself and revealed photographs. "As a fourth-year there, I can at least take you to sites on campus that outsiders normally can't access." The first photo was of Naoyoshi wearing traditional clothes similar to what he wore now alongside his family consisting of what looks to be his father, mother, and younger sister. And, of course, Ichigo. They stood before cherry blossom tree as white-pink petals fell in the still-frame with more trees behind them and the university buildings even further in view. The second photo was him in kendo armor with other club members in the same gear posing in front of a pond with ducks swimming about as well as the occasional turtle. "You can see where most of our tuition money goes into here at Abe University. Still, you might like the sights. Kyoto's famous for aesthetics."
Naoyoshi eased back into his seat, stacking his own empty plates up and pushing them to the side. He sipped on a glass of water that came with the food earlier, ice clinking gently upon the glass. "After Abe?" He looked out at the window as he answered. "Military service. For us samurai, that also mixes in security detail with Prefectural and City Police. Given how things are right now, peacekeeping seems to be what I get to look forward to, save for the occasional rogue yōkai. I'll have to get used to working with the Yōkai Hunter's Guild." He turned back to Emi. "I take it you'll go into photography? Films, magazines, that sort?"
"You should consider being war photographer," adds Akamaru with a grin, his fangs jutting out of his mouth. "Might catch us on the job one day."
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Post by Ram on Jan 13, 2024 2:16:25 GMT
“Sites outsiders can’t go to. Hmm.” Emi mused at the thought as she began snacking on another garlic flavored chicken nugget piece then resumed polishing off the last bits of pasta. The empty plates stacking away to her left. The thought that there were other areas at the old university left to see did make her want to go back and look. Maybe something new showed up
However, out of all the topics of career paths between the two of them, there was an odd word put in from the Oni. “Is there a war happening soon?” She wondered if that was true. Why be a war photographer unless a war was to happen at some point? Having only read about it and what historical media has shown, it looked messy with far more arguments than progress. The girl pondered on the task but couldn’t wrap her head around all the nuances. If such a war is to happen soon, maybe giving her folks a call and check in would be in order.
“I can make some career in that. Currently the magazine was just making money for personal needs than anything else. If I can find somewhere that pays a bit more then I should have a free schedule to do both. A shame that we may not run into each other much if you’re going into military work. Think only family can do close visits or something, right?”
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Sengoku
Recruits
Local bucket head of the Japanese variety.
Posts: 70
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Post by Sengoku on Jan 27, 2024 13:42:06 GMT
"All-out civil war is unlikely in the foreseeable future," replies Naoyoshi as he shoots a disapproving glare at Akamaru. "My pact partner runs his mouth before thinking."
"Ah, but I listen well on what your parents discuss..." the oni sneered. "The Shōgun has been underperforming as of late, does he not?" Naoyoshi answered with silence as he stared back at his empty plate with hint of annoyance. His expression was enough to confirm the oni's comments. Only when the armored Shiba Inu barked twice did the silence break.
"Clan relations between age-old enemies still persist in modern times," explains Naoyoshi. "The Shōgun's job is to manage such bitter rivalries and ancient feuds to ensure a unified Japan. That is the role of the Tokugawa Clan. If such management fails, then the Tokugawa must rely on the more militant clans like the Ii, Honda, and more to forcibly put down potential rebellions before the Imperial Diet takes matters into their own hands." Despite the heavy topics, people around Naoyoshi and Emi seem to show no signs of concern - they don't even seem to be actively eavesdropping. The common folk hardly understood the fragile peace that existed among samurai clans. Such intricacies were far above them, concerns that only the warrior-nobility were embroiled in.
"You don't need to worry too much," reassured Naoyoshi. "Samurai politics. That's the short and simple answer. Now then..." Naoyoshi stood up as a waitress pulled a cart over to start collecting empty plates and bowls. "Would you still like to visit Abe Military University? We can catch the next train to Kyōto and reach there in about two or three hours of transit."
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Post by Ram on May 6, 2024 8:55:03 GMT
"So...who checks in on the Shogunate? It is our current government," Emi wondered between mouthfuls. The political climate was difficult to navigate when factoring in the other clans that seem to have a stake in what's going on. Or not. It was above her head and pay grade as a civilian photographer for a magazine. Her brow furrowed just thinking about how to untie the scribbling knot of thoughts on her head. Naoyoshi gave a most reassuring voice that this is all above her head but also gave way to the natural course. As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss.
"Let's head there right now. I haven't been there in a while. Arrange some photos for their annual advertisements every year. A few checks to cash in and done." At that, Emi finished her meal and clapped her hands together. At peace with the meal and her to-go snacks for the train ride back, the girl got up and pointed to the door. "Let's go now before the campus closes up for the public."
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Sengoku
Recruits
Local bucket head of the Japanese variety.
Posts: 70
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Post by Sengoku on Jun 12, 2024 20:31:50 GMT
Abe no Seimei University. Located in Kyōto, the spiritual capital of Japan, the University is where the strongest and brightest end up in to learn from the best. Samurai, ninja, onmyōji, sōhei, and more. The top school in Japan for martial, spiritual, and broad academic studies. Yet another reason as to why Kyōto sees so many tourists on a yearly basis. Pink petals still dance in the wind as they flutter down upon Ichigo's head, the armored Shiba Inu swallowing one to satiate his curiosity. Through the entrance gates are a myriad of students ranging from their late teens to early twenties walking around. Only a few classes are still held on Saturday, with only a handful of students seen in uniform. The vast majority seem to be in whatever attire is fitting for their club, be it a martial arts gi or paint-stained smocks.
There are armed guards at the entrance, sporting armor of the Abe clan.
"Identification?" one of them demands. Without a word, Naoyoshi offers a card to them for inspection. "Ii Naoyoshi?" the guard repeats after reading the card. He nods and further presents a golden badge with the Ii clan's kamon carved on it. "And her?"
"Visiting friend," Naoyoshi replies.
"She stays with you. Anything happens, you're responsible for it."
"Understood."
With that, Emi is given permission to set foot on campus grounds. As they travel deeper into the campus, the more specialized students can be seen now, many of them on the verge of becoming full-fledged samurai. A duo in armor walks by, chatting as they each carry a naginata in hand. Elsewhere, a trio of onmyōji are conversing in their ceremonial robes as a kappa and nekomata sit idly next to them. There's a girl who walks by them in a standard uniform, dropping a shuriken as she passes the two. "Oh shit," she mutters, hastily kneeling down to swipe the throwing star. She shoves it into her purse and hurries along with her head down.
"Welcome to campus," Naoyoshi says to Emi as he leads her through the winding pathways. "Higher education for samurai. And onmyōji. And shinobi. Though I wouldn't recommend you talk about them out loud beyond campus grounds." As if agreeing with him, Ichigo barks as he looks up at Emi, wagging his tail with vigor.
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