|
Recruitment/OOC chatter thread Original photos by Yuki Shimazu, Luke Zeme,ORAZ studios, Terence T.S. Tam, and Tamura Shogundo Change rode on the crest of the tsunami. Kiyoshi Inagawa, the boss of the Inagawa-kai, was not too pleased with any of it. Two months ago, in February, he had decisively settled the issue of who would succeed his late adoptive father. Then he learned that the Yamaguchi syndicate had taken advantage of the power vacuum presented by the Inagawa succession matter and moved in on Inagawa turf in Tokyo. It was not just a case of them courting a gang away, as the Yamaguchi had done with the disloyal Patriotic Society. The Yamaguchi were deploying their own men, Soga men, and cutting into the bottom line for smuggled goods. And worst of all, the Yamaguchi syndicate godfather, the man known as the Hidden Leader, was getting out of prison. With him running things directly, it could be assumed the Yamaguchi families and associates would be much harder to displace. In Kiyoshi's own words, “The only bright spot is the tsunami made it possible to quickly raise extra operating capital. But that is a silver lining, since now there is much greater scrutiny on things than before. What is done with that money will determine the fate of the Inagawa clan. We will do what we must before the Yamaguchi godfather can take it as a personal affront.” ========================================================================================= Noboru's computer finished playing back Kiyoshi Inagawa's recorded conversation. It was luck, pure and simple, that one of Inagawa's lieutenants had gotten their boss talking about his worries and that his smartphone had been infected by Noboru's monitoring program. Unfortunately, even with his own lieutenants, the Inagawa boss tended to not spell out the details more than necessary. What he planned to do with that money, besides somehow use it to get Soga out of Tokyo, wasn't known. It was enough to convince Miyoshi Soga, the boss of the Soga clan and Noboru's and Katashi's adoptive father to boot, to shuffle resources around. The business that Inagawa was worried about was an excuse for Soga to even be in Tokyo, but it was critical it be maintained. Without the Soga's help, it was very likely that Patriotic Society's troubles would tear that gang apart. Which was exactly what the Yamaguchi syndicate did not want. Boss Soga looked unamused, and said, “Since it would be very unfortunate for our special project to fall apart right before the Hidden Leader's return to civil society, I am giving you boys extra help.” “Thank you, boss.” “I can spare Tanaka-” a prospect that both gladdened and worried the two Soga lieutenants, given the hitman's fearsome reputation, “- and can tell Saito to be at your disposal. He may be able to learn what the Inagawa intend to spend their money on.” Katashi replied, “That's good. No telling what Saito might learn from his gamblers.” Noboru asked, “Mr. Saito is one of our pachinko hall operators, then?” “Yes, and a competent soldier. Go and pay him a visit tonight to plan your strategy. Tanaka will be there. And anyone else Mr. Saito thinks may be useful.” ========================================================================================= Neither the topic of the missing highschool student Norie Gensai, nor of the evidence of the Patriotic Society's dysfunctional boss murdering one of his own whores, had come up during the meeting with Miyoshi. Neither matter obviously related to the issue of Inagawa deciding to make a move on Soga's Tokyo branch, and with a little luck the issue of what to do about the Patriotic Society could be resolved without fuss. Gwak Min Seong, the debtor who stole from one of the fishing boat captains Soga collects money from, didn't even rate as a potential issue to bring up with the clan head. But he is still out there, somewhere. =========================================================================================  Photo by Michael Dunn Welcome to Compact Enforcement Region 7. With the scene set, the game proper can begin. I'll ask that the following conventions be observed: put your character name in bold at the top of your post, and any skills or abilities relevant to your character's actions at the bottom of your post, in italics. Underline uses of limited use abilities like Luck, Serendipity, or Gizmo. The Luck advantage runs on game-world time instead of on real-world time, per the option in GURPS Powers. Hours can pass between posts and I've never found pegging a certain number of pages of progress to Luck resets to be satisfactory. If you want to perform actions which the other players may not know about, you can either hide the information in spoiler tags (trusting to the honor system that no one will act on the information there) or you can just contact me through private message, email, or IRC. Dramatis Personae: Katashi Soga, a ranking lieutenant of the Soga crime family. He took his boss's surname when he was formally adopted into the family. He's a solid generalist in the ways of Yakuza with a moderate talent for business. Has a wife and daughter. Originally from Kobe. Noboru Soga, a trusted second lieutenant of the Soga crime family, and a social climber rapidly rising up the ladder. He's the family's computer expert, and is currently attached to Katashi. He and Katashi are personal friends. No children, no wife. Taka Jō, a tattoo artist. Thanks to his misspent his youth as a hoodlum, he knows many of the local Yakuza and has a reputation as being willing to run small time smuggling, forgery, and other side jobs. Does good work with inks, both on flesh and on paper. Doesn't talk about his personal life to clients. Ichiro Tanaka, Yakuza hitman/enforcer. He's a cold sort of man, which is fitting for the son of a sushi chef (a good sushi chef needs cold hands, or so the saying goes). He is unquestionably loyal to the point where Boss Soga would have adopted him into the family, except for his drinking problem regularly interfering with his work. One wife, no kids. Melissa Mayfield, a struggling actress from America. She was not very lucky when it came to finding a reputable talent manager, and besides her legitimate work she found herself being drawn into the criminal underworld. So far she's only been involved in small things: helping run interference as an obvious distraction, putting on show fights where she was the predetermined loser, the softer side of criminality. No family in Japan. Naomi Aoshima, a castaway from another world. Destitute and alone after being ripped from her homeworld, the first people to actually help Naomi were the Yakuza. Her world-spanning travels imparted the artist with an ability that her rescuers realized they could capitalize on: when she wills it, she can turn into a giant. In exchange for financial support and the means to live life as a legal non-entity, Naomi helps do the rounds frightening and intimidating reluctant debtors. Life has been hard for her, and her new home seems to be full of no end of strange things. Kenichi Saito, a pachinko parlor operator who lives and breathes Tokyo. Thousands pass through his gaming parlor's halls, and he always seems to know the right guy for whatever you need done. He's a sharp businessman, but he's bought into the propaganda about his heritage meaning he's less of a man than "pure blooded" Japanese. Has a sister he supports. John_A_Tallon fucked around with this message at 05:48 on Apr 17, 2014 |
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 02:58
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 25, 2024 17:24 |
|
|
Saito's Pachinko Parlor, the Manager's Office Sometimes helping people is its own reward, and sometimes having them feel like they owe you enough that they'll show up to a late night meeting with a couple of scary men was the reward. Teinosuke Minobe is obligated to be present, of course. He is Saito's assistant manager, competent at running operations when Saito wasn't present. He had to be involved in this meeting. He was the very definition of a forgettable man- average build, average face, average looking suit, graying hair. He could have been a salaryman getting ready to retire from any company in the city. The two Soga specialists, Katashi and Noboru, were the whole reason the meeting had been called. They and the hitman assigned to them, Tanaka, oozed serious business. The other people... well, presumably Minobe had a good reason for calling them in. He usually plays things cautiously, but he'd been the one to get the call from Boss Soga about the meeting, and he had arranged things for Saito during the day shift. Everyone, with the exception of the women, knows Taka Jō if only by reputation. He is Minobe's cousin, and while technically not a part of the Yamaguchi syndicate is quite friendly with them. The bosses more or less overlook that he is not formally a part of any family, in light of his generally good reputation and the small scale of his involvement in the Yakuza way of life. Saito recognizes the two women at the meeting as well. One was the illegal immigrant who Minobe had taken charge of and taught how to make herself useful enough to justify keeping in food and shelter. The other was the actress Saito had pointed to an entertainment industry associate of his. Why Minobe had called her up was anyone's guess; Saito had implied he might call on her for a favor or two someday, but what she can do to help the Soga tonight is not clear. Maybe Minobe is finally going senile. There are seats for everyone, though the office is a bit crowded with eight people. From Naomi's perspective, her immediate boss simply demanded she show up at the office tonight. So, she did. When Mr. Minobe wants something done, or even worse if his boss Mr. Saito wants something done, it has to happen. They were very clear about how quickly the help she was getting could go away. Melissa is in much the same boat as Naomi, though from her perspective this is all very irregular and weird. She's an actress, and these men are clearly not producers or directors. Maybe Mr. Minobe was mistaken in calling her? No. No, the older businessman doesn't make that sort of mistake. For Tanaka, the matter is extremely clear. Boss Soga said to help Katashi Soga however he wants. So that is what is going to happen, until either Mr. Soga or Boss Soga say otherwise. This is everyone's chance to describe their characters, and have their characters introduce themselves. You can question each other, or Minobe, as much as you want. If your character isn't the sort to introduce himself or herself, Minobe will do it. Katashi has rank within the Soga equal to Saito's, but has greater status thanks to being formally adopted into the clan. John_A_Tallon fucked around with this message at 03:30 on Apr 1, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 02:59
|
|
|
Melissa Mayfield Why the hell am I in Japan again?Melissa bitterly asks herself, standing respectfully when the door opens to reveal the gentleman coming in from the electronic dings and clanks of metal balls in the parlor. She tries to relax but it can be clearly seen that she is out of her depth. Here she is, a cougar from the East Coast having a midlife crisis stuck in the Far East doing odd bits, getting on the fight circut as the 'Number 1 kickboxer in the World' to get beaten up by the upbeat and oh God so loving annoyingly cheerful domestic talent right in the face, and seemingly pointless errands extending her visa and reducing her debt in Japan. All this so not to resort to the classical career of a foreign actress to be in the porn industry or worst. Inhaling slowly, she wills herself to calm down so she can be ready when Minobe makes his introductions of the 'lesser' people inside. AmyL fucked around with this message at 03:43 on Apr 1, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 03:28
|
|
|
Taka Jō Taka Jō adjusted his tie and tried to relax in the crowded office. When cousin Minobe had called him earlier for a meeting, he'd been curious. When he told him it was for a meeting with some higher ranking Soga and he potentially had a job waiting for him, he'd been nervous. Now, he was worried. Taka was an unattractive young man in his early 30s. His nose had been broken and fixed at least once, and he had a few ugly scars on his chest and face. Thankfully, he knew how to wear a suit, and the sharp blue number did much to hide any unpleasant injuries. It didn't stop the ends of his tattoo sleeves from showing if he stretched the wrong way however. But his tattoos showing wasn't what worried him at the moment, he'd done so many for Yakuza clients that he'd have a hard time thinking it was a problem for them. No that wasn't it. Taka rubbed his fingers together, feeling the cigarette that wasn't there as he took in the room, and more importantly it's occupants. Cousin Minobe looked nervous, he was doing a good job containing it though, and Taka doubted anyone else would be able to pick up on it. The owner of the pachinko hall they were borrowing an office looked a bit confused as to why the women were here, Taka couldn't blame him for that. Tanaka, the famous hitman was across from him, calm, composed, serious. He occasionally glanced at the women in a way that made it clear to Taka that he didn't know why they were here either. One of the women he sat near, a foreigner was restless, she didn't seem to know either, which confused Taka a bit. The other simply looked attentive. Two suited men, bit of a difference in age that matched the quality of their suits were sitting together. Both looked like they had things on their minds, but the confusion shared by the rest didn't show on them. The Soga men then. Taka briefly clenched his fist to stop himself from seeking a cigarette, this wasn't the time for that. Calm down. Taka exhaled softly as he slipped into the mental pathways that had been drilled into him from his time in temple and made himself comfortable in the chair as he watched, and waited. The reason they were here would make itself clear soon enough. Empathy BuBuBear fucked around with this message at 02:48 on Apr 2, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 04:22
|
|
|
Ichiro Tanaka Ichiro's nerves calmed as he left the crowded pachinko hall for the small meeting room. The clicks and beeps force him to close out external stimuli, which makes him vulnerable for attack. Ichiro has never been in this room before but it is familiar enough, one backroom made for unwritten contracts is much like any other. He rests his right hand just inside his jacket lapels in a classic display of danger, just a hairbreadth's away from his knife. When meeting new associates for the first time, one must not exude an air of friendliness, especially not when the associates are not Yakuza. Ichiro knows that sort of air can lead to one believing one's own presentation which leads to exposure of one's weak spots. Ichiro's blue-grey suit had been chosen only hours before by his wife, who said it brought out the subtle colouring of his brown eyes. The burnt orange turtleneck had been his choice, no tie for assailants to grab. Ichiro is a tiger ready to pounch, and still slightly hung-over from last night. quote:Ichiro Tanaka Ekkerates fucked around with this message at 04:54 on Apr 1, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 04:23
|
|
|
Naomi Aoshima - Saito's Pachinko Parlor She kept her fingers clasped to keep them from dancing for a cigarette. She'd had to stub out a fine one only half-smoked when her phone had jangled with the tone she reserved for Mr. Minobe alone, but to smoke in the presence of the organization's superiors without leave to do so seemed the proper, respectable thing to do. The Japanese thing to do, maybe. If she was back in Aoteara, she'd have lit up without a care--yet Aoteara was far away, and her cares were close enough to touch. Whether or not her cares were the same as the others at the meeting--not likely, she thought with a wry, inward smile. No doubt they spoke the same mushy standard as everyone else, no doubt they had no trouble blending into a crowd of their countrymen. Except for the European, at least. Naomi had given her a careful look when she'd come in. What the hell could a European bring into consideration that the Japanese couldn't do equally well themselves? It could be that there was more than she was seeing. She tapped her cheek with her right index and middle fingers, anything to make them forget they weren't holding a cigarette for a while longer, while she buried her fear. Four months--it wasn't enough time to get used to this. Hardly enough time to forget that her life was a chopstick balanced on a rice grain.
|
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 04:30
|
|
|
Ichiro Tanaka "I believe it is customary when one meets people for the first time to give one's introduction" Ichiro says in calm, measured tones reserved for those of unknown affiliation and in-laws. He speaks in Japanese (and will always speak in Japanese unless otherwise stated). "I believe some of you may have the advantage on me, but my name is Ichiro Tanaka, I am a specialist and the group which utilizes my special skills is, I believe, well known to all present" Ekkerates fucked around with this message at 05:05 on Apr 1, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 04:43
|
|
|
Naomi Aoshima - Saito's Pachinko Parlor Naomi looked the man up and down. Squarish head with the hard-packed look of the sort of enforcer she'd had to dodge time and again on the streets of Tamakikyo--she didn't expect to find hidden depths under an exterior like that. He spoke in the overly formal, standoffish tone that was so common in this Japan and which she was still having to get used to. There were just as many people in Aoteara, but at least people there were direct. Conversation here seemed more like dancing with words. "Naomi Aoshima," she said with a nod of the head. She would speak as properly as she could manage, but drat if she would put her family name before her own. Not even the Home Islanders did that, not the ones she'd known. "I'm something of a specialist as well."
|
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 05:14
|
|
|
Noboru Soga Noboru sits patiently in his chair. He is a man of average height with a trim, athletic build. Wearing his slim, black suit with his hair slick and parted he is the picture of a Yokuza brother or perhaps a young businessman. It is a difficult distinction for many, a fact he is most grateful for. His sleepy eyes gaze out from amidst sharp features to observe all those present as they begin to introduce themselves. Saito he had met before and Taka Jō is a known affiliate and well regarded for his craft, yet the two women were unknown to him. Curious. Unfolding his hands and rising to his feet he begins to speak in Japanese. "Thank you for getting us started Ichiro and thank you for arranging this meeting Minobe." he says, regarding the aforementioned men before speaking to the whole room "I am Noboru Soga and this is my Elder, Katashi Soga. We are here to protect the interests of the family and our mutual employer has asked you, Elder Saito, to assist us." he pauses purposefully "As well as any outside assistance you may call upon. We will discuss everything tonight-after introductions of course."
|
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 07:10
|
|
|
Taka Jō Taka bowed slightly as the younger Soga spoke his piece and cleared his throat as he spoke "Taka Jō is my name. I am an artist, body art is my specialty. Beyond that I do odd jobs here and there. I am very good with my hands" Taka waggled his fingers to punctuate his statement, a small smile following. "If you are in need of an item or service, I may be able to provide it or find someone who can."
|
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 07:45
|
|
|
Melissa Mayfield Melissa bows slightly and respectfully, waiting to speak till Taka Jo is finished. "My name is Melissa Mayfield and my specialty appears to be put in the spotlight while everyone in the background takes care of the important work," Melissa smiles wryly, "An actress by trade." AmyL fucked around with this message at 21:03 on Apr 1, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 14:58
|
|
|
Ichiro Tanaka Tanaka's face brightens slightly, a small smile begins to form on his lips. "Mayfield? Weren't you in that gender-swapped production of South Pacific last year? I loved your Emile, the plantation owner."
|
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 15:18
|
|
|
Melissa Mayfield "Ah yes, thank you, it was fun to be in that play," Melissa nods, trying to frantic to recall the half-drunken, half-depressed hazed when and where playing that one night at something something God forsaken place in, where was that again? "It was good that I seemed to be stretching my roles in unique and profitable ways that are unknown to traditional actresses not involved in the usual sidework," she coughs slightly over not wanting to offend anyone, but she is curious now to why she, the only apparently obvious foreigner of the group, is involved, well all in good time right?"
|
|
#
?
Apr 1, 2014 21:10
|
|
|
Katashi Soga Katashi leans back in his chair and rubs his forehead, as silent as Noboru's damnable car, while he waits for the others to speak. When the room is silent once more, he stands and straightens his suit before bowing shallowly. "Welcome, everyone. And thank you for the use of your building, Saito-san. As my little brother has said, I am Katashi Soga. For those of you who are not familiar with us and our business, the Soga family have recently come to Tokyo to support our allies the Patriotic Society. This has upset a more powerful group, the Inagawa-kai. "Previously we have been working under the impression that our operations were small enough to fall beneath their notice, but Noboru recently managed to intercept communications that indicate we have become a problem to the Inagawa. One they want to remove, and soon. With the information we have now, we believe that they will attempt to remove our presence within the next six days. They will begin politely, but our position in Tokyo is not something we can give up. They will soon progress to violence. However, if we can resist their endeavours until those six days have passed, they will not be able to continue without provoking more serious repercussions. "What I need to know from you, Minobe," he says, indicating the man who gathered this oddly disparate group, "is how an actress, a tattooist, and..." He looks at Naomi appraisingly. "...some kind of fighter will be able to assist in this?"
|
|
#
?
Apr 2, 2014 02:34
|
|
|
Kenichi Saito Saito took a sip of his coffee. They had assembled a bit of a motley crew here, to which he could only guess at the purpose. Two foreign women... the higher-ups weren't planning on having him set up some kind of weird long con, were they? Best not to think too hard. "I am certain most of you are well acquainted with myself..." he stumbled, "Ah, but you may not remember me very well; Miss Mayfield, Miss Aoshima. Kenichi Saito." He grinned. "I apologize if I am being direct, but it does seem like you are a bit tense. I assure you, there's probably no need to be too worried. We're all friends here." And then Soga had to ruin the mood. "Minobe's judgment is much like that of a Zen monk. It's ineffable until... POW, you are suddenly enlightened." Cardinal Ximenez posted:Kenichi Saito, aka 'Teriyaki-san' Cardinal Ximenez fucked around with this message at 18:05 on Jul 24, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 2, 2014 02:40
|
|
|
Saito's Pachinko Parlor, the Manager's Office If Mr. Soga is confused or angry enough to be so straightforward and blunt, then placating him is the unspoken priority of everyone in the room. He is the man in charge here, after all. Minobe plasters on a smile, grinning and bearing the very direct question. "Sir, I was told that if we had anyone with any special talents I should have them available. These three, Mr. Jō, Miss Aoshima, and Miss Mayfield- well, I believe they fit that description. Mr. Jō's talented with his hands, and has a wide variety of skills that may be helpful. Miss Aoshima is, as you said, a fighter, and is not what our opponents may expect. A surprising woman." The way he worded that suggests that he believes other organizations to not expect Soga to be using a female fighter. "And Miss Mayfield is an actress. Her talent, her job, is getting people to pay attention to her and believe whatever she's trying to convey. A distraction apparently unconnected to us can be very helpful." He pauses, and then says, "And as you said sir, we must only resist for a week. If we can learn what the Inagawa have planned, then we can use our enemy's strength against them. Like in judo."
|
|
#
?
Apr 2, 2014 23:45
|
|
|
Ichiro Tanaka Directly and bluntly addressing these peoples uses seems like a diversionary tactic to Ichiro. Minobe has some important information and he seems to want to make a show of it. Once Minobe goes quiet, Ichiro places his hands on the table and clears his throat. "Very informative, Minobe. But I think you may have missed the esteemed mister Soga's actual underlying question. What new information do you have which makes these people useful to us?" Ichiro turns his head slightly towards Melissa. "No disrespect intended, miss Mayfield." and turns his gaze back to Minobe. "But whatever it is, it must be important to involve a foreigner civilian." Ekkerates fucked around with this message at 00:16 on Apr 3, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 3, 2014 00:14
|
|
|
Saito's Pachinko Parlor, the Manager's Office Did a drop of sweat just roll down Minobe's brow? The older man says, "I was only told to get our special associates, if we had any, ready to be briefed and made available to Mr. Soga."
|
|
#
?
Apr 3, 2014 00:31
|
|
|
Ichiro Tanaka Ichiro places a hand on Noboru's shoulder and whispers in his ear "I don't want to question your or Katashi's association to these people. But I don't trust this man. From my point of view he seems to be hiding something, but due to your seniority I will not act on my suspicions unless you do."
|
|
#
?
Apr 3, 2014 01:54
|
|
|
Naomi Aoshima - Saito's Pachinko Parlor "I'm sure we would not have been assembled if the need was not pressing," Naomi said with quiet calm. It drat well better be pressing, she could have been finishing a new cityscape sketch otherwise. "Nevertheless, speaking as a... foreigner, of sorts, there is a certain advantage in bringing unanticipated elements to the field. Surprise can be worth an army, if used properly." GTD Aquitaine fucked around with this message at 04:53 on Apr 3, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 3, 2014 04:25
|
|
|
Taka Jō Taka glanced between the Elder Soga and the known hitman as the woman who called herself a foreigner spoke. For some reason they had decided to put a bit of pressure on cousin Minobe, perhaps he could step in there. Besides, they were questioning his value, and that would not do. "As Naomi-san said, there is value in having a variety of skilled individuals on a task. Perhaps we could better address the matter of exactly how we can bring those skills to bear if you -ah- explain what kind of violent measures the Inagawa are likely to take, and if we are to be on the offensive or defensive for, Soga-san"
|
|
#
?
Apr 3, 2014 07:22
|
|
|
Saito's Pachinko Parlor, the Manager's Office Katashi rubs his temple, feeling a headache coming on. These people have no idea what they're getting into. But, if they're all Minobe can get, they'll have to be put to some kind of use. He says, "It can't be helped. If any of you have ideas on how your skills could be used, or on what Inagawa will try, say something." Seven-and-ten wrote most of that, and in the interest of moving the game along a little I'm just posting it and having Katashi issue an invitation to brainstorm here.
|
|
#
?
Apr 6, 2014 03:50
|
|
|
Noboru Soga Noboru's expression goes unchained as Ichiro whispers into his ear, as if what he were being told were the details of the day's weather or the status of his latest bid on Ebay. No mind to the fact he was actually eagerly awaiting the shipment status of his NISMO chip. It would drive so well...no-focus, focus. He smiles and holds up a hand to Ichiro before shaking his head once. Saying, softly, "Withhold for now." before turning his full attention back to the conversation. "Violent measures? They will begin by assaulting our men, attacks of opportunity at first. Clients who pay us to protect them are also at risk. Any property of ours could be targeted, I would not discount arson. Should none of this work, and it will not, then they will draw arms and the streets will see blood." he says with a contemplative frown, eyes far away for a brief second "Our goal to prevent this from happening." he hopes it will not come to that and his left hand secrets itself into his pocket, he feels for the beads of the rosary. It is no time to pray, but simply feeling them is comfort enough. "I will of course try to learn what I can, but we will need to cast a wide net and use whatever methods we have if we are to learn the exact details of their plans before they act." His other hand pulls out a smartphone and his fingers fly over the screen. Stolen Secrets Database PythagoreanCup fucked around with this message at 05:33 on Apr 6, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 6, 2014 05:07
|
|
|
Naomi Aoshima - Saito's Pachinko Parlor "Intimidation absolutely has its place in any proper arsenal," Naomi said. She was still unsure regarding the precise politics that circumstances had thrust her into, but some things were universal--people would be themselves, no less and no more, regardless of which Japan she was in. "The best way to win a battle is to convince the enemy to concede the field to you. I would imagine my own particular talents lie in that direction."
|
|
#
?
Apr 6, 2014 05:29
|
|
|
Kenichi Saito He chuckled. "What sort of intimidation are you supposed to pull off?" he asked. "No, no, really, that's a serious question. I presume you have something up your sleeve if you were brought to me." "For what it is worth, we should be pretty careful. Doing something overt could just be used as a pretext against us. Which is why a group of plausibly deniable... ah." And thus Saito was enlightened.
|
|
#
?
Apr 6, 2014 12:59
|
|
|
Naomi Aoshima - Saito's Pachinko Parlor Naomi regarded the man Saito with a look that was half pitiful and half predatory. There was no way he could know if he hadn't been told--no way he could even guess, unless he was mad. Naomi herself would have thought the same way only months before. The world was a certain way, after all, and some things just couldn't happen in it. Until, of course, the day that they could. "Some things are more than can just be seen," Naomi said, standing up from her seat. "I've seen things, Mr. Saito. Things that made me learn. Things that made me... well, I suppose I can show you. If we're to be working together, we should all know what we're capable of... what each of us brings to the fore." She walked to as open a spot she could find in the cramped room, knelt--the roof was low enough that she couldn't quite judge it, and a concussion would be an unpleasant end to her usefulness--and took a long, calming breath. Then she grew, reveling in the sensation of warmth and power that shot through her, until she reached her full scale. Her proper scale, it felt like, in which she could be the person she'd always been meant to be. "As you can see," she said with a smile, "I do indeed have something up my sleeve."
|
|
#
?
Apr 6, 2014 21:07
|
|
|
Kenichi Saito He pinched himself. "...did everyone else just see Miss Aoshima... transform?" he asked, meekly.
|
|
#
?
Apr 6, 2014 21:53
|
|
|
Melissa Mayfield "Yes, yes we did see her loving sprouted like a beanpole," Melissa breaks the silence, wondering why she didn't take her family's advice to stay back home. "Ok, what are we suppose to be doing again? Pull a circus act so we can frighten them to pieces?" She tries to relax from being agitated, inhaling and exhaling to get her thoughts in order.
|
|
#
?
Apr 6, 2014 22:44
|
|
|
Katashi Soga Katashi pushes his chair back and reaches into his jacket before calming down. That was not the kind of specialist he was expecting. "That is certainly very impressive, Miss Aoshima, but could you please sit down?" Having settled down from the shock of seeing a woman grow several feet in a matter of seconds, Katashi considers the consequences of this new information. She'll definitely be useful, but if the Yamada family finds out... He turns to Minobe. "Did you know she could do this?"
|
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2014 02:10
|
|
|
Ichiro Tanaka Much like his superior, Ichiro reached for his gun, but unlike his superior, Ichiro actually brings it out. He stays his hand and does not point it at Naomi. He holds the glock 17 in place over his chest, before replacing it in its holster. "That's... quite disconcerting, miss. But may I ask that if anyone else has a similar revalation that they please state what it is before showing us. I think we wish to avoid any nervous gunfire." Ekkerates fucked around with this message at 10:44 on Apr 7, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2014 10:00
|
|
|
Kenichi Saito "Wait, wait, everyone loving believes this? People don't just turn into giants! Like, where does all the energy come from? It doesn't make any goddamn sense! It's far more likely I've been drugged. ...or had my brain damaged."
|
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2014 12:36
|
|
|
Naomi Aoshima - Saito's Pachinko Parlor "This person does, in fact, just turn into a giant," Naomi said with a cat's grin, as she moved to sit cross-legged on the floor. If some of them were having such trouble with her being nine and a half feet tall, better that they accustom themselves to it now--in the heat of battle, there were enough distractions that no one could control. "The world is not as limited as what you can see. Believe what you want, or the evidence before you."
|
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2014 15:03
|
|
|
Taka Jō Taka blinked slowly and purposefully as he struggled to accept what his eyes were telling him. The reactions of the others in the room meant that either what he was seeing was real, or they were all suffering from some mass hallucination...or himself a rather vivid reconstruction of the world in a limited hallucination. This time, when he found his hands reaching for a cigarette, Taka did not stop them. He slid the unlit stick into his mouth as his eyes flickered from the gun the enforcer so brazenly pulled out and the frankly unbelievable sight of a woman that just grew 4 feet in a handful of seconds. Were he not at the cusp of his meditative trance, this may have been a much more devastating revelation. "...I can't say that I can do anything quite like that. But as I said before I am good with my hands, and those who know of me should also know of my skill as a smuggler and procurer of items and information. If you need someone to get to items computers can't reach, I should be able to serve handily. Beyond that I also know some first aid and can serve as a medic for those you'd rather not take to the public hospitals" Unable to help himself, Taka reached out towards the giant woman as he spoke, his desire to confirm what he was seeing to himself outweighing his more reserved habits "Naomi-san, may I see your hand?" BuBuBear fucked around with this message at 20:21 on Apr 7, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 7, 2014 20:18
|
|
|
Saito's Pachinko Parlor, the Manager's Office It is like something out of television, or a bad comic book; a little unreal moment was demanding its place in reality. One moment, the woman had been sitting in her chair at attention. The next, she was kneeling by the door, her head nearly touching the ceiling. Naomi’s change into a giant had only taken a second. Her clothes had been chosen or designed to be able to take their owner suddenly going from a size 15 to a size 40T (not that anyone makes ready to wear stuff that large). Her baggy pants had stretched into capri leggings. Her running shoes were made of some sort of stretchy material- they had enough give that she could probably get around in them. Panels on the back of her overly long windbreaker had unfolded to allow the garment to still fit, though its hemline was now midriff, and the t-shirt she was wearing underneath exposed. Minobe is the only person in the room who didn’t look surprised at Naomi’s special ability. He wears a neutral expression when Katashi asks another pointed question, and replies, “Yes, Mr. Soga. She needed help when she came to Japan, and we have employed her with simple tasks while she learns how to properly help us. Mr. Saito was aware of her, though not of her special talent.” Minobe’s a second lieutenant, roughly the same as Noboru, but he’s been relatively ambitionless. Most people would probably classify him as a good worker, a solid and conservative pair of hands to keep daily operations going while his supervisors are busy with other things, and no more. If such a man thought an implausible event would upset or trouble his supervisor, he might try to hide it instead of address it. Taka and Saito both know, with certainty, that doing so would be relatively normal for Minobe. Not that there’s really anything normal about this woman who talks with a weird accent and can turn herself huge in an instant.
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2014 02:33
|
|
|
Naomi Aoshima - Saito's Pachinko Parlor "You may, Taka-san," Naomi said. The honorific still tasted odd in her mouth, as if she was speaking a language hundreds of years dead. The executives and courtiers in Chukyo loaded their mouths until they overflowed with grandiloquence, but it only hid souls tarnished and dim. Here--she still hadn't made a decision about here, yet. "I apologize for demonstrating my talent in such a crass manner, but I trust its helpful nature is clear."
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2014 05:19
|
|
|
Taka Jō Taka takes Naomi's hand, gently at first as if afraid something horrible will happen, and then firmly when it becomes clear that it will not. ...hopefully Taka holds her much larger hand in one of his, the other running over the surface and pressing down at certain points. The hand...feels real. Flesh, muscle, bone, all there. Her acupoints felt normal and were as far as he could tell, all there. He ran his hands briefly along the fire and metal meridians while shaking his head in wonder. After Naomi's big reveal, he had begun to assume that this was all a dream; the meeting, the Soga, the giant fairly attractive woman was probably some joke by his subconscious that he'd have to bury and never speak about, but now... "...how are you doing this?" he said, as much to himself as anyone else as he released her hand Esoteric Medicine BuBuBear fucked around with this message at 13:45 on Apr 8, 2014 |
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2014 13:38
|
|
|
Naomi Aoshima - Saito's Pachinko Parlor "I just do," Naomi said. "But it was not my intention to distract us. We did not assemble so that I could be the center of attention. I'm sure there are far more vital things that need to be discussed."
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2014 17:16
|
|
|
Ichiro Tanaka "Uh, right. Miss Naomi is of course right." Ichiro says. "We should of course discuss our plan of action. Mister Minobe could you send for a waitress to bring us... on second thought, no, nevermind that." "We are all here quite aware of the importance of appearances, the simple fact that Miss Naomi here entered the room being of average stature proves that. What we have at the moment is evidence that points to the Inagawas intent to harm our little family, unfortunately this evidence, and I intend no disrespect, was gathered in a way that does not reflect well on us if it were to be revealed. I believe firmly that we should strike first against the Inagawas, what with their quite dishonorable intent to turn against a close family, but first we must have something which justifies our own attack against them, but which does not mark us as an untrustworthy ally. While maintaining our business is top priority, maintaining face is the highest priority of all."
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2014 22:24
|
|
|
Kenichi Saito "So... let's assume we all take this seriously. If we are to exploit Miss Aoshima's abilities, we will have to be very careful. If a giant woman shows up in public or at a sufficiently large gathering of people, we attract a lot of attention, and not the good kind. ...it's like the proverbial bringing an ICBM to a gunfight." Saito, making sure to roll his eyes in passing at loving Minobe, that bastard, faced Aoshima. "If you could not turn into a giant monster, what else could you do? This is very important. If you cannot get out of sight of whatever you are brought in to wreck up, really loving fast, you are of little use to us at present."
|
|
#
?
Apr 8, 2014 23:58
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 25, 2024 17:24 |
|
|
Melissa Mayfield "It would be easy enough to disguise her and to be fair, if none of us have heard about someone rampaging in downtown Tokyo, it shouldn't be that hard to keep it a secret if we are careful." Melissa nods thoughtfully while hiding her glee at her chance to take the piss at someone remotely connected at her woes in this miserable country. "After all, we are all here today to serve for the greater good."
|
|
#
?
Apr 9, 2014 02:33
|
|