[Log] Consultations on a matter of some import (Part I)
WHO: Maria Tegawa and Jiro Rainomine (with occasional OOC commentary from Greed)
WHEN: Monday, Dec 29th, 2008
WHERE: 12th precinct, LAPD
WHAT: Legal consultations on a matter of some import
WATCH FOR: The beginning of a very long night.
The cops at the 12th precinct have seen some stranger cases in their lives, but only because they live and work in Hollywood.
"...I have to tell you, Miss, we're at a bit of a loss here," Detective John Reilly says, pausing to sip his coffee. The detective is standing in a room attached to an interrogation room, on the other side of one of those infamous one-way mirrors. The detective has a small folder in his other hand, and he glances at it briefly before resuming his narrative, looking up to regard the occupant of the room. "Jiro Rainomine," the detective reads aloud, pronouncing the last name (improperly) Rye-oh-mine (like a miner). "Age 30, Japanese citizen. Computer engineering consultant. Visited the US twice before on business, no priors," he continues, flipping the page with a flick of his wrist. "Cleared customs without incident at LAX this morning, then promptly walked up to Patrol Officer D'Kanyeh Smith and handed him his wallet, which he thought he'd lost. The officer thanked Mr. Rye-oh-mine and put the wallet away, at which point the guy handed the officer his wallet again." The detective's mouth quirks. "After he did it a third time - in full view of two officers, neither of whom saw him take it - Officer Smith arrested the suspect and brought him in."
The suspect in the interrogation room - which features a plain table, two chairs and an overhanging light - is a decidedly unpretty Japanese man in a cheap black business suit. Jiro is sitting politely in one of the chairs with his eyes closed. He is of a fairly medium build, and his nose was at some point in his life broken and improperly set, which does little for his looks. His straight black hair is cut short.
He is also practically bleeding Legend.
The detective clears his throat. "We called in the embassy to translate, but apparently Mr. Rye-oh-mine refused the embassy guy's help, and said he wanted to speak to a lawyer. He gave us your name, Miss," the officer says, tossing the folder onto a nearby desk. "And that's about that." Reilly sighs and rubs his eyes. "Look, Miss - I'll be honest with you. We just want to know why the hell a tourist with no priors robbed an officer twice in broad daylight and then pleasantly walked back to the station with us. If he's got a reason for it that makes half a lick of sense, hell, we'll release him if he tells us how he did it."
When a person down at the station asks for a specific lawyer by /name/, something is fishy. When it's the name of the lawyer primarily associated with practicing in Massachusetts, that's even /more/ suspicious.
Maria Tegawa had just gotten back from that very same airport after flying in from her change-over at RDU in North Carolina which her flight from London had flown in from. Due to this, she's dressed a whole lot more casually than when she normally meets with clients-long pleated skirt, blouse, flat shoes, and a black longcoat. "Well." Maria says honestly, eyes narrowed at the man behind the glass. "My name does reach odd places."
The legend is overwhelming, but also largely indiscriminate to the lawyer, something she usually associates with one pattern she's encountered so far: actual Gods. She begins to wonder if this is another disguise of Susano-o. But this individual was not drunk enough to be Susano-o. Perhaps Izanagi?
"I think I have an idea. I'll need to have a word or two with him alone." She doesn't wait for the go-ahead in the matter and invites herself into the interrogation room, shutting the door behind her. She walks around the room once, sizing up Jiro-or trying to and still getting indeterminate readings-before stopping behind that other chair.
She rests her hands on the back and leans forward just slightly. "Well, you seem to have wanted my attention." she says, her voice low and with a slight unamused tone to it. "How can I /help/ you?"
Jiro opens his eyes and turns them toward the door as the handle clicks. A faint hint of a smile touches his lips as Maria appears, and the godling rises from his seat as she walks into the room. He holds his silence until Maria has had her look from all angles, and he sizes her up a trifle as well, his eyes flickering briefly to her stomach before quickly rising to her eyes again.
This may provide a clue as to his parentage.
After Maria breaks the silence, Jiro smiles more fully. [[Tegawa-dono,]] he intones formally, offering her a deep, graceful bow. [[I am Jiro Rainomine, son of Raiden-sama. It is my humble pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.]] He moves behind his chair as well, matching Maria's stance - if the lady will not sit, neither will be.
[[I did desire an audience with you, I will admit, for two reasons,]] Jiro continues. [[The first reason is simple - I wish to retain your services as a lawyer. If you agree to this request, I will explain the reason why I am here, and answer any questions you may have.]] He looks over Maria's shoulder toward the mirror, offering it an elaborate wink. [[Once you are satisfied in your understanding of my situation, I will make my second request of you.]]
He glances at the door. [[If you do not wish to serve as my lawyer, you are free to decline. I must inform you before you decide, however, that my presence here is in no way related to your...to any of the Amatsukami,]] he corrects smoothly.
That is quite a clue, yes, and it certainly does not go unnoticed. Raiden? He's unattractive, but not nearly unattractive enough to be Raiden...right? She can't make any solid conclusions here, which is pretty annoying.
Or he could just come out and /tell/ her. She can't help but cringe and fight back the urge to simply refuse his request. [[I had the feeling that this was something of dire importance. I rarely get requested by name, especially considering that I'm more commonly known as someone who is based out of Boston. /Someone/...]] she pauses, [[...has been paying attention.]]
...a little /too much/ attention it seems, that or he was making a very unfortunate assumption. Those well-manicured nails dig into the chair she leans against, regardless of what sort of material it is made out of, even metal. Lowering her head just slightly, she glares at him. She moves now, unshouldering her coat and slipping it over the back of the chair. With a smooth sidestep, she seats herself soon afterwards. [[Before I agree, are you really requesting my services to defend you from a ridiculous misdemeanor or is there something more dire?]]
[[Both,]] Jiro answers simply, dropping into his seat as Maria does. [[Although the significance of the second request is significantly greater, I admit.]]
Jiro reaches into his lapel pocket for a battered pack of cigarettes, then pulls one out and holds the pack out toward Maria with his other hand. [[But I do wish to procure your services, all the same - both for your legal opinion and because I wish what I speak of to remain between us.]] Jiro smiles. [[...and I trust that you, Tegawa-dono, would respect this wish of a client.]]
Maria makes a dismissive gesture at the pack of cigarettes. Not a smoker, it seems.
Her hands are then neatly folded before her, resting upon the table. [[Both.]] she repeats with some scrutiny. He's not lying, from the sound of it, though at the same time he hasn't let on much further information. Perhaps a murder confession of some sort was to follow, or something more supernatural. [[Of course, client-attorney communication is confidential.]]
She straightens, suspicion flickering in her eyes. [[Very well, I will serve as your defense attorney. Now what seems to be the issue?]]
[[Also one second.]] Maria taps a finger to her iPhone earpiece and murmurs a few words before unclipping it and slipping it in a pocket.
Jiro nods and picks the pack back up, waiting as requested for Maria to make her note. [[Before I explain my request, I should first relate to you something of my history.]] He replaces the pack of cigarettes and clears his throat. [[I will attempt to be brief.]]
Jiro leans back in his chair and stares up at the light for a moment. [[My grandfather, Hiroshi Rainomine, was one of the first mortals chosen to receive the honour of coupling with the Amatsukami - with Amaterasu-sama, to be precise,]] he adds, returning his gaze to Maria's eyes. [[She bore a daughter, Mikage, and my grandfather was given the honour of training her to be a weapon against the Titans.]] Jiro pauses in his narrative to place his cigarette in between his lips, continuing to talk around it as he digs in his pants pocket.
[[Two years after she came into her power, Mikage Rainomine was struck down in an ambush that slew most of her band. Though she survived where many did not, her injuries were of sufficient gravity that she would not be able to continue in her role, and her power would soon wither from disuse.]] Jiro raises his hands to his mouth, a cheap Bid lighter tucked in his grip and lights his cigarette, the acrid smell of it quickly wafting out. Jiro pockets the lighter and continues speaking. [[My divine father had other plans. He spoke with my mother and grandfather, and offered to sire a child on her while she still was in the flower of her gifts. My mother agreed, and thus did I come into being.]] Jiro takes a long drag, then blows smoke from his noise before resuming his narrative.
[[My history - up until a year ago - was eventful, but not pertinent. I have fought Titan spawn, in the Home Islands and here in America. I have served in the place of my divine father when he was...]] Jiro pauses. [[...otherwise engaged,]] he says with a very slight frown. [[I am certain it is not entirely dissimilar to your own tale.]]
Listening intently, Maria slides her chair backwards as the smoking becomes well underway, finding the fumes of his cigarette pretty noxious in such a small space. Moments later she is waving her hand in the air to chase away the smoke, though all the time her eyes remain pinned on the somewhat ugly Japanese man.
Quite a story, though a Scion's life is never pleasant or filled with happy and successful ventures into titan spawn slaying.
[[No.]] Maria interrupts quite abruptly, [[My circumstances a very different from yours.]] Swallowing her bile, she clenches her teeth and manages a thin smile. [[Go on.]]
Were Jiro a small big-headed psychic boy, he might yowl like a cat in response to the unrestrained venom in Maria Tegawa’s voice. As he is far more restrained than that, however, his reaction is to start a bit, and then blink like an owl for a second, visibly surprised. [[A...as you wish,]] he says quietly, then frowns and picks up his tale.
[[A year ago, or slightly more, I was fighting a pair of oni in Tokyo during a typhoon, when I was struck through a wall and into a private residence.]] Jiro rubs his eyes with his free hand, looking slightly pained for a moment - this is not an entirely pleasant memory. Still, he continues. [[I discovered that two women - a mother and her teenage daughter - were in the room with me, on opposite sides of the chamber, and as I rose to flee the edifice, I saw the second oni had hurled a large tank of propane toward the building...and I faced a difficult choice.]]
Jiro taps his cigarette against the edge of the table, dropping ash onto a corner. [[The women were too far apart,]] he sighs. [[I had time to save one, or neither. Not both. And so, in that instant, I chose to save the daughter.]] His eyes darken as he looks down at the table. [[I suppose I believed the mother would never forgive me if I saved her at the cost of her child's life. The building erupted in flame, and my back caught fire. Though injured, I managed to defeat the oni and protect the girl.]]
The demigod leans forward, rolling his cigarette between two fingers. [[I left her there,]] he says quietly. [[Though it shamed me to do so, I had been told of what occurs when those of our kind meddle in the dealings of mortals overmuch. In my own way, I sought to spare her that.]] He shakes his head and laughs, mirthlessly. [[I was too late. Far too late,]] he repeats, then looks Maria in the eyes. [[You know, I trust, of Fatebinding?]] he asks before taking another drag.
Silent again, she continues to absorb the tale. Right up the point where he mentions 'of what occurs' and that word 'Fatebinding' is mentioned. She cringes again, though this time not in hatred directed at a man that, somehow, managed to be /accepted/ where she was tossed aside.
[[All too well. It is a dangerous thing and not just limited to...plain mortals.]] She had her suspicions that she had become Fatebound to a few acquaintances since growing in power, neither of which could be considered mortals. It was bound to happen in her high-profile job, unfortunately.
[[You were Fatebound to the victim.]] she concludes before he can continue. [[Weren't you?]]
Jiro nods and taps out ash again. [[I was,]] he says. [[She blamed me for her mother's death, and sought to find me, to seek vengeance.]] He sighs roughly. [[I did not see her again until last month, when an oni far more powerful than any I had ever faced tore my apartment from its complex. It nearly slew me in the first assault, but I rallied and managed to defeat it,]] he explains. [[As I prepared to finish it, the creature changed - it was....]] Jiro pauses, coughing softly as he struggles to control himself. [[It was her,]] he says, then sighs and leans back, staring up at the ceiling for a moment.
[[I did not know what to think,]] he finally says. [[As I stood there, I was...approached by a man, of sorts. One of our kind, a descendant of a god...but one who had Fallen,]] he says, emphasizing the last word. [[A Titansworn.]]
Jiro clenches his fists. [[I prepared to do battle once more. But the bastard smirked, and said he had simply come to claim what was his - the girl had offered him her soul in exchange for power. Even if I saved her life...her spirit would be his plaything for eternity.]] Jiro stabs out his cigarette. [[And the fault, though unintentional, was mine.]]
More cringing. A terrible role to be Fated into. A determined mortal could potentially do a significant amount of damage as Jiro proves seconds later as he continues his story.
[[Disgusting.]] Maria spits. [[And unfortunate. You have my...sympathy.]] How much sympathy is questionable since she doesn't sound that sympathetic. All she has to do is imagine someone close to her in that role, her mother perhaps, but she would /never/ swear service to the Titans. [[What happened to her soul?]]
There is a slightly awkward silence as Jiro considers how best to respond to Maria's question. He settles for folding his hands in his lap and meeting her gaze. [[This...is where we come to the heart of the matter,]] he says softly. [[Honour...and fate...bound me to acknowledge the obligation I had toward the girl. It was in my power to save her. And so...I bargained.]]
Jiro rubs his eyes again. [[I am a warrior,]] he says softly. [[I am not a lawyer, nor a scholar, and I did the best I could. I refused to give up my soul, knowing the damage the Titans could cause with it would be far worse than I could imagine. I have heard the tale of Jason Stevens,]] he says softly. [[He proposed a compromise. I initially refused. He threatened to take the girl's soul and walk away. Ultimately, I had no choice but to accept.]]
Jiro leans back in his chair and places his hands on the table where Maria can see them. [[There is no gentle way to say this,]] he says ominously. [[The girl's soul was released in exchange for a geas of sorts. I am required to find and destroy five demigods. In exchange, the Titans have agreed to spare Japan for all of time.]]
A smile spreads across her face at Jason Stevens name. [[Heard of him?]] she laughs. [[I /stopped/ him. I and many others took him out when he attained the power of a god. I have seen my former Bandmates fall before the sway of a Titan and I see one in my current band straying close to that path.]] She pauses and takes a deep breath, sinking back into her seat.
She pauses, her eyes widening as realization dawns upon her. [[It was...Jason Stevens that...]] She stands abruptly, staring down at him.
About twenty seconds of silence tick by.
[[Are you telling me.]] she says her voice low, [[That you want me to die for Japan?]]
[[No,]] Jiro answers honestly. [[That is not the case, Tegawa-dono.]] The demigod keeps his hands where they are, keeps staring into Maria's eyes, keeps speaking in a level tone. [[Though this is our first meeting, yours is a name I have heard on the winds for quite some time. I believe your divine father was, if you will pardon my transgression, a fool for acting as he did,]] Jiro adds, his eyes warming a little. [[I have the greatest of respect for you, and for the work you have done. I do not /want/ you to die for Japan. I do not want anyone to die for Japan.]]
Jiro slowly pushes his chair back from the table, drops down onto both knees in seiza. [[I am, however, bound by obligation, by duty...and by Fate to do what I must for the people I am charged to protect. And thus, I must make of you my second request...to share in my fate.]] Jiro inhales, and then bows forward until his forehead is pressed against the cold granite floor.
[[Tegawa Maria, once daughter of Hachiman-sama. The Amatsukami have not been kind to you. But I, Rainomine Jiro, son of Raiden-sama, beg of you. Would you give your life not for me, nor for the Amatsukami...but for the people of Japan?]] Jiro moistens his lips. [[The only comfort I may offer you is that I ask of you nothing more than I ask of myself.
[[The fifth demigod I will slay will be myself.]]
Yes o
No
[OOC] Maria Tegawa DIES.
[OOC] Greed LOL!!
Yes
No x
[OOC] Jiro Rainomine says, "But thou must!"
[OOC] Greed says, "She can't, anyway, her life is mine ]("
[OOC] Maria Tegawa says, "NEVER!"
[[He isn't my father anymore!]] Maria snaps. [[He cut that tie years ago, his blood no longer runs through my veins!]] Her typical calm disappears completely, the small woman finally looking quite /furious/, not only with the man lying at her feet, but every blasted kami responsible for his existence.
[[Do you really believe that Japan is that close to oblivion? Do you really believe that the /Titans/ will stay true to their word? No, Jiro. No.]]
Like a caged tiger, she begins to pace around the room angrily. [[If I die, how many people would not be protected? How many innocent mortals will no longer have a shield to cover them? If I die, who will guide a newly awakened scion struck with the realization that he is not the frail person that he believes he is? No, Jiro, I have heard the Fates speak. Giving my life to Japan is not my fate.]]
She stops before him, towering over him only because he is bowing before her, fury in her eyes. [[And I will be DAMNED if I allow Jason Fucking Stevens to score a point from /beyond the grave/!]]
Jiro Rainomine sighs softly. It was to be expected. [[I understand,]] he says quietly as he straightens, and even in the face of Maria's fury, there is a pleasant smile on Jiro's face, open admiration shining from his eyes. [[It may be improper of me to say this, Tegawa-dono, but I envy you. I was crafted to be a spear against the Titans. You have forged yourself.]] He bows again, to the same depth, and holds it. [[You may be the strongest person I have ever known. It is an honour to be in your presence.]]
There is a brief but significant pause. [[I will respect your answer,]] he says softly. [[But if there is one thing I have learned from the lesson of my honourable mother, Tegawa-dono...it is that none of us are irreplaceable.]]
The man who straightens from the bow and slowly rises from seiza is not Jiro Rainomine. Legend flows out from pores that begin to redden as an aura of vileness, or terror, of /ugliness/ shines forth, his visage overlaid with another, more terrifying face that strongly resembles a crimson horned demon. The police officers behind the mirror are driven into a catatonic stupor upon seeing it, sends others who merely feel its presence fleeing in terror as the station begins to empty. The son of Raiden, meanwhile, reaches into his pocket, removes a cigarette and places it unlit into his mouth.
"I do believe," he says in slightly accented English, "We should be stepping outside."
It's an odd thing to be faced with /respect/ after savagely chewing a person out. Generally there was hatred, resentment, defiance, or even submission. Then in the case of, say, Mercade there would be that mischievous, mocking smile followed by a total non sequitur in an effort to throw off her focus.
[[To those who we form our bonds with, fated or otherwise, we /are/ irreplaceable. As you have your duty, I have mine...and...I plan...]] Her words slow as he stands and allow his visage inherited from his father leak from him. Based on the look of revulsion upon her face, she seems to be fighting the urge to vacate the premises as well. Not only is he a vile Amatsukami, but he's /hideous/. [[..to fulfill it.]]
Swallowing, Maria forces herself to look away. "Yes, I agree." she says stiffly before all too quickly pulling the interrogation room door open and storming through.
It was going to be a /long/ night.
WHEN: Monday, Dec 29th, 2008
WHERE: 12th precinct, LAPD
WHAT: Legal consultations on a matter of some import
WATCH FOR: The beginning of a very long night.
The cops at the 12th precinct have seen some stranger cases in their lives, but only because they live and work in Hollywood.
"...I have to tell you, Miss, we're at a bit of a loss here," Detective John Reilly says, pausing to sip his coffee. The detective is standing in a room attached to an interrogation room, on the other side of one of those infamous one-way mirrors. The detective has a small folder in his other hand, and he glances at it briefly before resuming his narrative, looking up to regard the occupant of the room. "Jiro Rainomine," the detective reads aloud, pronouncing the last name (improperly) Rye-oh-mine (like a miner). "Age 30, Japanese citizen. Computer engineering consultant. Visited the US twice before on business, no priors," he continues, flipping the page with a flick of his wrist. "Cleared customs without incident at LAX this morning, then promptly walked up to Patrol Officer D'Kanyeh Smith and handed him his wallet, which he thought he'd lost. The officer thanked Mr. Rye-oh-mine and put the wallet away, at which point the guy handed the officer his wallet again." The detective's mouth quirks. "After he did it a third time - in full view of two officers, neither of whom saw him take it - Officer Smith arrested the suspect and brought him in."
The suspect in the interrogation room - which features a plain table, two chairs and an overhanging light - is a decidedly unpretty Japanese man in a cheap black business suit. Jiro is sitting politely in one of the chairs with his eyes closed. He is of a fairly medium build, and his nose was at some point in his life broken and improperly set, which does little for his looks. His straight black hair is cut short.
He is also practically bleeding Legend.
The detective clears his throat. "We called in the embassy to translate, but apparently Mr. Rye-oh-mine refused the embassy guy's help, and said he wanted to speak to a lawyer. He gave us your name, Miss," the officer says, tossing the folder onto a nearby desk. "And that's about that." Reilly sighs and rubs his eyes. "Look, Miss - I'll be honest with you. We just want to know why the hell a tourist with no priors robbed an officer twice in broad daylight and then pleasantly walked back to the station with us. If he's got a reason for it that makes half a lick of sense, hell, we'll release him if he tells us how he did it."
When a person down at the station asks for a specific lawyer by /name/, something is fishy. When it's the name of the lawyer primarily associated with practicing in Massachusetts, that's even /more/ suspicious.
Maria Tegawa had just gotten back from that very same airport after flying in from her change-over at RDU in North Carolina which her flight from London had flown in from. Due to this, she's dressed a whole lot more casually than when she normally meets with clients-long pleated skirt, blouse, flat shoes, and a black longcoat. "Well." Maria says honestly, eyes narrowed at the man behind the glass. "My name does reach odd places."
The legend is overwhelming, but also largely indiscriminate to the lawyer, something she usually associates with one pattern she's encountered so far: actual Gods. She begins to wonder if this is another disguise of Susano-o. But this individual was not drunk enough to be Susano-o. Perhaps Izanagi?
"I think I have an idea. I'll need to have a word or two with him alone." She doesn't wait for the go-ahead in the matter and invites herself into the interrogation room, shutting the door behind her. She walks around the room once, sizing up Jiro-or trying to and still getting indeterminate readings-before stopping behind that other chair.
She rests her hands on the back and leans forward just slightly. "Well, you seem to have wanted my attention." she says, her voice low and with a slight unamused tone to it. "How can I /help/ you?"
Jiro opens his eyes and turns them toward the door as the handle clicks. A faint hint of a smile touches his lips as Maria appears, and the godling rises from his seat as she walks into the room. He holds his silence until Maria has had her look from all angles, and he sizes her up a trifle as well, his eyes flickering briefly to her stomach before quickly rising to her eyes again.
This may provide a clue as to his parentage.
After Maria breaks the silence, Jiro smiles more fully. [[Tegawa-dono,]] he intones formally, offering her a deep, graceful bow. [[I am Jiro Rainomine, son of Raiden-sama. It is my humble pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.]] He moves behind his chair as well, matching Maria's stance - if the lady will not sit, neither will be.
[[I did desire an audience with you, I will admit, for two reasons,]] Jiro continues. [[The first reason is simple - I wish to retain your services as a lawyer. If you agree to this request, I will explain the reason why I am here, and answer any questions you may have.]] He looks over Maria's shoulder toward the mirror, offering it an elaborate wink. [[Once you are satisfied in your understanding of my situation, I will make my second request of you.]]
He glances at the door. [[If you do not wish to serve as my lawyer, you are free to decline. I must inform you before you decide, however, that my presence here is in no way related to your...to any of the Amatsukami,]] he corrects smoothly.
That is quite a clue, yes, and it certainly does not go unnoticed. Raiden? He's unattractive, but not nearly unattractive enough to be Raiden...right? She can't make any solid conclusions here, which is pretty annoying.
Or he could just come out and /tell/ her. She can't help but cringe and fight back the urge to simply refuse his request. [[I had the feeling that this was something of dire importance. I rarely get requested by name, especially considering that I'm more commonly known as someone who is based out of Boston. /Someone/...]] she pauses, [[...has been paying attention.]]
...a little /too much/ attention it seems, that or he was making a very unfortunate assumption. Those well-manicured nails dig into the chair she leans against, regardless of what sort of material it is made out of, even metal. Lowering her head just slightly, she glares at him. She moves now, unshouldering her coat and slipping it over the back of the chair. With a smooth sidestep, she seats herself soon afterwards. [[Before I agree, are you really requesting my services to defend you from a ridiculous misdemeanor or is there something more dire?]]
[[Both,]] Jiro answers simply, dropping into his seat as Maria does. [[Although the significance of the second request is significantly greater, I admit.]]
Jiro reaches into his lapel pocket for a battered pack of cigarettes, then pulls one out and holds the pack out toward Maria with his other hand. [[But I do wish to procure your services, all the same - both for your legal opinion and because I wish what I speak of to remain between us.]] Jiro smiles. [[...and I trust that you, Tegawa-dono, would respect this wish of a client.]]
Maria makes a dismissive gesture at the pack of cigarettes. Not a smoker, it seems.
Her hands are then neatly folded before her, resting upon the table. [[Both.]] she repeats with some scrutiny. He's not lying, from the sound of it, though at the same time he hasn't let on much further information. Perhaps a murder confession of some sort was to follow, or something more supernatural. [[Of course, client-attorney communication is confidential.]]
She straightens, suspicion flickering in her eyes. [[Very well, I will serve as your defense attorney. Now what seems to be the issue?]]
[[Also one second.]] Maria taps a finger to her iPhone earpiece and murmurs a few words before unclipping it and slipping it in a pocket.
Jiro nods and picks the pack back up, waiting as requested for Maria to make her note. [[Before I explain my request, I should first relate to you something of my history.]] He replaces the pack of cigarettes and clears his throat. [[I will attempt to be brief.]]
Jiro leans back in his chair and stares up at the light for a moment. [[My grandfather, Hiroshi Rainomine, was one of the first mortals chosen to receive the honour of coupling with the Amatsukami - with Amaterasu-sama, to be precise,]] he adds, returning his gaze to Maria's eyes. [[She bore a daughter, Mikage, and my grandfather was given the honour of training her to be a weapon against the Titans.]] Jiro pauses in his narrative to place his cigarette in between his lips, continuing to talk around it as he digs in his pants pocket.
[[Two years after she came into her power, Mikage Rainomine was struck down in an ambush that slew most of her band. Though she survived where many did not, her injuries were of sufficient gravity that she would not be able to continue in her role, and her power would soon wither from disuse.]] Jiro raises his hands to his mouth, a cheap Bid lighter tucked in his grip and lights his cigarette, the acrid smell of it quickly wafting out. Jiro pockets the lighter and continues speaking. [[My divine father had other plans. He spoke with my mother and grandfather, and offered to sire a child on her while she still was in the flower of her gifts. My mother agreed, and thus did I come into being.]] Jiro takes a long drag, then blows smoke from his noise before resuming his narrative.
[[My history - up until a year ago - was eventful, but not pertinent. I have fought Titan spawn, in the Home Islands and here in America. I have served in the place of my divine father when he was...]] Jiro pauses. [[...otherwise engaged,]] he says with a very slight frown. [[I am certain it is not entirely dissimilar to your own tale.]]
Listening intently, Maria slides her chair backwards as the smoking becomes well underway, finding the fumes of his cigarette pretty noxious in such a small space. Moments later she is waving her hand in the air to chase away the smoke, though all the time her eyes remain pinned on the somewhat ugly Japanese man.
Quite a story, though a Scion's life is never pleasant or filled with happy and successful ventures into titan spawn slaying.
[[No.]] Maria interrupts quite abruptly, [[My circumstances a very different from yours.]] Swallowing her bile, she clenches her teeth and manages a thin smile. [[Go on.]]
Were Jiro a small big-headed psychic boy, he might yowl like a cat in response to the unrestrained venom in Maria Tegawa’s voice. As he is far more restrained than that, however, his reaction is to start a bit, and then blink like an owl for a second, visibly surprised. [[A...as you wish,]] he says quietly, then frowns and picks up his tale.
[[A year ago, or slightly more, I was fighting a pair of oni in Tokyo during a typhoon, when I was struck through a wall and into a private residence.]] Jiro rubs his eyes with his free hand, looking slightly pained for a moment - this is not an entirely pleasant memory. Still, he continues. [[I discovered that two women - a mother and her teenage daughter - were in the room with me, on opposite sides of the chamber, and as I rose to flee the edifice, I saw the second oni had hurled a large tank of propane toward the building...and I faced a difficult choice.]]
Jiro taps his cigarette against the edge of the table, dropping ash onto a corner. [[The women were too far apart,]] he sighs. [[I had time to save one, or neither. Not both. And so, in that instant, I chose to save the daughter.]] His eyes darken as he looks down at the table. [[I suppose I believed the mother would never forgive me if I saved her at the cost of her child's life. The building erupted in flame, and my back caught fire. Though injured, I managed to defeat the oni and protect the girl.]]
The demigod leans forward, rolling his cigarette between two fingers. [[I left her there,]] he says quietly. [[Though it shamed me to do so, I had been told of what occurs when those of our kind meddle in the dealings of mortals overmuch. In my own way, I sought to spare her that.]] He shakes his head and laughs, mirthlessly. [[I was too late. Far too late,]] he repeats, then looks Maria in the eyes. [[You know, I trust, of Fatebinding?]] he asks before taking another drag.
Silent again, she continues to absorb the tale. Right up the point where he mentions 'of what occurs' and that word 'Fatebinding' is mentioned. She cringes again, though this time not in hatred directed at a man that, somehow, managed to be /accepted/ where she was tossed aside.
[[All too well. It is a dangerous thing and not just limited to...plain mortals.]] She had her suspicions that she had become Fatebound to a few acquaintances since growing in power, neither of which could be considered mortals. It was bound to happen in her high-profile job, unfortunately.
[[You were Fatebound to the victim.]] she concludes before he can continue. [[Weren't you?]]
Jiro nods and taps out ash again. [[I was,]] he says. [[She blamed me for her mother's death, and sought to find me, to seek vengeance.]] He sighs roughly. [[I did not see her again until last month, when an oni far more powerful than any I had ever faced tore my apartment from its complex. It nearly slew me in the first assault, but I rallied and managed to defeat it,]] he explains. [[As I prepared to finish it, the creature changed - it was....]] Jiro pauses, coughing softly as he struggles to control himself. [[It was her,]] he says, then sighs and leans back, staring up at the ceiling for a moment.
[[I did not know what to think,]] he finally says. [[As I stood there, I was...approached by a man, of sorts. One of our kind, a descendant of a god...but one who had Fallen,]] he says, emphasizing the last word. [[A Titansworn.]]
Jiro clenches his fists. [[I prepared to do battle once more. But the bastard smirked, and said he had simply come to claim what was his - the girl had offered him her soul in exchange for power. Even if I saved her life...her spirit would be his plaything for eternity.]] Jiro stabs out his cigarette. [[And the fault, though unintentional, was mine.]]
More cringing. A terrible role to be Fated into. A determined mortal could potentially do a significant amount of damage as Jiro proves seconds later as he continues his story.
[[Disgusting.]] Maria spits. [[And unfortunate. You have my...sympathy.]] How much sympathy is questionable since she doesn't sound that sympathetic. All she has to do is imagine someone close to her in that role, her mother perhaps, but she would /never/ swear service to the Titans. [[What happened to her soul?]]
There is a slightly awkward silence as Jiro considers how best to respond to Maria's question. He settles for folding his hands in his lap and meeting her gaze. [[This...is where we come to the heart of the matter,]] he says softly. [[Honour...and fate...bound me to acknowledge the obligation I had toward the girl. It was in my power to save her. And so...I bargained.]]
Jiro rubs his eyes again. [[I am a warrior,]] he says softly. [[I am not a lawyer, nor a scholar, and I did the best I could. I refused to give up my soul, knowing the damage the Titans could cause with it would be far worse than I could imagine. I have heard the tale of Jason Stevens,]] he says softly. [[He proposed a compromise. I initially refused. He threatened to take the girl's soul and walk away. Ultimately, I had no choice but to accept.]]
Jiro leans back in his chair and places his hands on the table where Maria can see them. [[There is no gentle way to say this,]] he says ominously. [[The girl's soul was released in exchange for a geas of sorts. I am required to find and destroy five demigods. In exchange, the Titans have agreed to spare Japan for all of time.]]
A smile spreads across her face at Jason Stevens name. [[Heard of him?]] she laughs. [[I /stopped/ him. I and many others took him out when he attained the power of a god. I have seen my former Bandmates fall before the sway of a Titan and I see one in my current band straying close to that path.]] She pauses and takes a deep breath, sinking back into her seat.
She pauses, her eyes widening as realization dawns upon her. [[It was...Jason Stevens that...]] She stands abruptly, staring down at him.
About twenty seconds of silence tick by.
[[Are you telling me.]] she says her voice low, [[That you want me to die for Japan?]]
[[No,]] Jiro answers honestly. [[That is not the case, Tegawa-dono.]] The demigod keeps his hands where they are, keeps staring into Maria's eyes, keeps speaking in a level tone. [[Though this is our first meeting, yours is a name I have heard on the winds for quite some time. I believe your divine father was, if you will pardon my transgression, a fool for acting as he did,]] Jiro adds, his eyes warming a little. [[I have the greatest of respect for you, and for the work you have done. I do not /want/ you to die for Japan. I do not want anyone to die for Japan.]]
Jiro slowly pushes his chair back from the table, drops down onto both knees in seiza. [[I am, however, bound by obligation, by duty...and by Fate to do what I must for the people I am charged to protect. And thus, I must make of you my second request...to share in my fate.]] Jiro inhales, and then bows forward until his forehead is pressed against the cold granite floor.
[[Tegawa Maria, once daughter of Hachiman-sama. The Amatsukami have not been kind to you. But I, Rainomine Jiro, son of Raiden-sama, beg of you. Would you give your life not for me, nor for the Amatsukami...but for the people of Japan?]] Jiro moistens his lips. [[The only comfort I may offer you is that I ask of you nothing more than I ask of myself.
[[The fifth demigod I will slay will be myself.]]
Yes o
No
[OOC] Maria Tegawa DIES.
[OOC] Greed LOL!!
Yes
No x
[OOC] Jiro Rainomine says, "But thou must!"
[OOC] Greed says, "She can't, anyway, her life is mine ]("
[OOC] Maria Tegawa says, "NEVER!"
[[He isn't my father anymore!]] Maria snaps. [[He cut that tie years ago, his blood no longer runs through my veins!]] Her typical calm disappears completely, the small woman finally looking quite /furious/, not only with the man lying at her feet, but every blasted kami responsible for his existence.
[[Do you really believe that Japan is that close to oblivion? Do you really believe that the /Titans/ will stay true to their word? No, Jiro. No.]]
Like a caged tiger, she begins to pace around the room angrily. [[If I die, how many people would not be protected? How many innocent mortals will no longer have a shield to cover them? If I die, who will guide a newly awakened scion struck with the realization that he is not the frail person that he believes he is? No, Jiro, I have heard the Fates speak. Giving my life to Japan is not my fate.]]
She stops before him, towering over him only because he is bowing before her, fury in her eyes. [[And I will be DAMNED if I allow Jason Fucking Stevens to score a point from /beyond the grave/!]]
Jiro Rainomine sighs softly. It was to be expected. [[I understand,]] he says quietly as he straightens, and even in the face of Maria's fury, there is a pleasant smile on Jiro's face, open admiration shining from his eyes. [[It may be improper of me to say this, Tegawa-dono, but I envy you. I was crafted to be a spear against the Titans. You have forged yourself.]] He bows again, to the same depth, and holds it. [[You may be the strongest person I have ever known. It is an honour to be in your presence.]]
There is a brief but significant pause. [[I will respect your answer,]] he says softly. [[But if there is one thing I have learned from the lesson of my honourable mother, Tegawa-dono...it is that none of us are irreplaceable.]]
The man who straightens from the bow and slowly rises from seiza is not Jiro Rainomine. Legend flows out from pores that begin to redden as an aura of vileness, or terror, of /ugliness/ shines forth, his visage overlaid with another, more terrifying face that strongly resembles a crimson horned demon. The police officers behind the mirror are driven into a catatonic stupor upon seeing it, sends others who merely feel its presence fleeing in terror as the station begins to empty. The son of Raiden, meanwhile, reaches into his pocket, removes a cigarette and places it unlit into his mouth.
"I do believe," he says in slightly accented English, "We should be stepping outside."
It's an odd thing to be faced with /respect/ after savagely chewing a person out. Generally there was hatred, resentment, defiance, or even submission. Then in the case of, say, Mercade there would be that mischievous, mocking smile followed by a total non sequitur in an effort to throw off her focus.
[[To those who we form our bonds with, fated or otherwise, we /are/ irreplaceable. As you have your duty, I have mine...and...I plan...]] Her words slow as he stands and allow his visage inherited from his father leak from him. Based on the look of revulsion upon her face, she seems to be fighting the urge to vacate the premises as well. Not only is he a vile Amatsukami, but he's /hideous/. [[..to fulfill it.]]
Swallowing, Maria forces herself to look away. "Yes, I agree." she says stiffly before all too quickly pulling the interrogation room door open and storming through.
It was going to be a /long/ night.