And then, there were no delinquents..

Long was her patience like a deep well, but such well even has an end. Everything has an end, it was the natural order of things. Every start has an end, and every end would signal a fresh start with a new thing to do. And so, the cycle continues to eternity. It was good to cling into hope knowing fully that there were still other other chances to behold. Even in death, it was not the end but the beginning of another journey. But, this was not a story of death though.

Tomoe or rather if it went by her true name 'Ai' was not dressed int he normal school outfit which was mainly reserved for her previous occupation as a Yakuza and since there was no Yakuza by then, The Aerugese vixen would dismantle her old uniform and weapons and clad herself in a new setting which would signify perhaps an independent entity and a change in personality. Regardless, she was dressed in black. The wildflower found allure in that color and didn't break loose from her former tradition. Indeed, a black business suit with high heel boots -unusual- leather gloves and a purple necktie.

In an alley nearby her residence, Tomoe stood tall, around her a toughened up group of a pomade hair-styled delinquents who were taking their slight nap, thanks to her. Those guys were under the Yakuza protection but the Lady in black didn't like them a bit. Respecting the deal between the former organization and this small group, Tomoe was not ale to raise a finger. But since the former disbanded, the Aerugese vixen crushed the latter. Good, now people would be able to sleep and certainly, she was going to enjoy her Manga making in her studio..

But Tomoe thought to herself while resting an extremely long wooden blade on her right shoulder, the Aerugese called Nodachi. That in essence, she was too a delinquent of sorts, being a former Yakuza and all and squishing this small group of immature teenagers like bugs. Carrying out a shy chuckle, she tried to brush away the weird idea, it still bugged her..

Was that woman clad in black a delinquent ?

OOC:

Her black suit, disregard the eye patch.

Spoiler:

Otto walks around the streets of Aerugo whistling as he goes. He is currently wearing a navy blue turtleneck sweatshirt, black pants, and black shoes with navy blue highlights. His long hair is tied back into a spiked ponytail, and his chain is shining brightly. He walks with slow steps not rushed but as if he was just passing time.

Otto passes a wide alley and stops with a thoughtful look on his face. He watches as a raven haired woman makes short work of several men with bad hair. He considers interfering, but realizes that she has this is going to win this fight easily, and there is a difference in rescuing someone and making a fight even more unequal.

The woman finishes the delinquents and stands in the middle of the men victorious holding a wooden blade on her shoulder. Otto finally approaches not bothering to step over the men, he walks on them. However, before he gets into the range of her blade he says, “Impressive, Most people could not handle so many assailants, and I’m certain they couldn’t do it as quickly.”

OOC: First, I want to apologize for my very delayed post, My focus was fixed somewhere else on the last days. So, please do forgive me.

IC:

The lady currently in black with no white except her snow-white skin defying the true color of her oriental race turned around to face the man who complemented her acts of redemption. Was it repentance? Was she doing something good in all the bad that she did? Killing people were certainly evil if there was no righteous cause behind it. But what is 'righteous' cause? The wildflower was raised to very zealously follow the traditions of the Bushi since the Yakuza ever since considered themselves true inheritors to the samurai's will. Maybe she did that because she wanted to do it and not for the sake of any good whatsoever.

So the beholder of such voice with none other than Aerugese which was apparent by both accent and looks. A skin more akin to pale still yet not as hers. Spiky hair and well able body. The aspect for another person to draw near whilst a full fledged woman was standing there with a No-dachi that long resting at her shoulder with youth lying around whose pride became by then so much broken was actually surprising. The Aerugese vixen was not a vixen because of her looks but because for her wits, the very reason she was able to survive until then. So that man either very capable or a militant which tend to be well versed in the arts of battle. Either case, this was not good if his intents were malicious.

This No-dachi can be inconvenient for those who are not used to follow the ways of the blade. It was a very hidden threat coated with the most eloquent words of polite. I beg your pardon, but may I know who you are? depending on his answer, the former yakuza would act accordingly.

When the woman turns around Otto finally gets a good look at her, she has darks black hair and eyes on possibly the palest skin he had ever seen. She was clad in all black and despite taking down several men she hadn’t even broken a sweat.
She replies to his comment by saying:
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“This No-dachi can be inconvenient for those who are not used to follow the ways of the blade.”
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Otto chuckles at this semi-threat and says, “As you can see I have not brought my blade; I’m not here to end your story… this meeting is purely fate.” While he says this he gestures at his back as if to show her that there is nothing there.
The woman then asks:
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“I beg your pardon, but may I know who you are?”
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Otto thinks it over then smiles warmly and says “my name is Otto Kamekaze, what’s yours.” He says the last part with a raised eyebrow obviously wondering if she is going to believe him about not being out to kill her.

So he was not there to end her story. Oh, how very poetic and eloquent depicting her life as a story. Indeed, people were just stories written in the books of fate, what they did do and what they didn't do with the most extreme of details given the choices made at turning points of one's life. But leave us from philosophical arguments and debates since most people wouldn't believe in it, what most Ishvallans believe in..that's all was written, there is no need to fret after all.

But the meeting was purely fate as he said with no weapon on his back. So, he was either a weapon artist of sorts or a militant. A hearty and magical smile on his face, the gentleman asked her for her name, but she was Hagoromo Gitsune, the Kyuubi in her own right, a nine tailed fox was not to be subdued by his moves of courtesy. However, he meant well verbally and the former appreciated thaat even if his intentions were untrue to his words.

Her name, by then there was this dispute in her mind, which name to tell? Her life as a Yakuza had ended since she wouldn't serve other than Makoto, but her father was a yakuza unrelated to the Yamaguchi-gumi. Regardless, her real surname wouldn't lead to anything and though indeed her real identity was presumed dead, she wouldn't tell him her real name. According to the Aerugese tradition people were called by their surnames.

You can call me, Matsudaira. if he was into Aerugese history, that Otto would know who the Matsudaira were. Indeed, Shin Ai -Tomoe- was of Okinawan birth and lived most of her life there but the main clan lived somewhere else and was not yakuza at all, they lived in the Aichi-ken. It came to her mind, why she didn't go there until now?

The wildflower kept her vigil though with no where she would sheath her wooden blade; she kept it rested on her shoulder. Tell me then, since you are used to hold a weapon on your back. Are you a volunteer practitioner of the sacred arts or the same but a militant?

You can call me, Matsudaira.
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“nice to meet you,” Otto says, although he still does not approach mostly because he would be at a disadvantage if he did.
Otto knew she was lying about her name but to be honest this was their first meeting if she told him the truth it would be extremely odd considering someone of her skill was obviously employed somewhere. He looks at the woman again then realizes that he is going to have to be careful, because although he is not there to kill her she could still be here to kill him.

Otto briefly looks at the men on the ground then thinks, ‘obviously she is an extremely talented fighter, she talks extremely poetically this hints at a very educated history, the woman was also very pretty despite being rather pale and she was well dressed.’ Otto thinks this in a matter of seconds mentally putting together all of the clues to this woman’s true identity
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Tell me then, since you are used to hold a weapon on your back. Are you a volunteer practitioner of the sacred arts or the same but a militant?
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Otto taps his chin with a curious look and thinks about what to tell her “… I am a student of many different arts from swordplay to literature.” He smiles again and asks her “what about you are you a militant, local do-gooder, or… a rival gang member.” As he says the last part he gestures at the men she took care of.

OOC: Otto, please go to the new Aerugo classifieds and get yourself a position.

IC:

A fellow samurai or perhaps he belonged to those who dwelt within the shadows. Tomoe never knew and probably would never know about the real him. Shisu ken was so much secretive, however according to the new regime, they were called Mujitsu. Untrue and false, the never leave a scent behind and they always bewilder sounds being always silent themselves. They are colorless despite codenamed by colors, which was quite the controversy which proved how untrue and false, they were.

The Aerugese vixen was not out there to kill him, actually both of them would be allies in the future. Since the wildflower was bound to join the Onna bugeisha and return back to her true name. Still, he concealed the fact that he was a militant and contended with just saying that he was a student of the very fine arts. Actually, he inquired more about her, courtesy of curiosity. Perhaps, the courtesy of the militant.

Let's say I am a local do-gooder, they were pestering people from sleeping and thanks to them I was unable to draw. Anyway, what would you have done if I was a rival gang member? Now that was a valid question, through that she was probing him.

OOC- thanks for telling me that could have been a disaster
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Otto was still trying to figure out this intriguing woman, she obviously thought he was lying about his career but the truth was that he just left out what actually paid the bills. He had considered telling her he was militant, but she was not being honest with him so they both would just have to start the guessing game.
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Let's say I am a local do-gooder, they were pestering people from sleeping and thanks to them I was unable to draw. Anyway, what would you have done if I was a rival gang member?
---------------------------

Otto smiled at the question and said, “probably much the same just slightly less intrigued… you see a gang member is like a soldier they get orders and they execute them, this would explain your skills.” He then half smiles, “however, a local do-gooder raises way more questions.”

Otto thinks, ‘so she is or was associated with a gang in the past, interesting. It also should be noted that she is probing me for information rather skillfully I can’t let down my guard.’ Otto finally approaches “Matsudaira” and asks simply “I’d imagine that being a do-gooder does not pay well, what do you do for a living.”

The mujitsu was analyzing her, cautiously that is. So, the disguised ninja would think of her less, if the wildflower showed true signs of fealty for a Daimyo, whatever their directions and intentions were. Indeed, The woman in black and white served the daimyo of the underworld before the yakuza would disband. And by then, they let her free, master-less like a Ronin. A point of difference probably between the duo would arise and their way of thinking. Tomoe, it seems that she was destined to be an Onna bugeisha to bow before her lord but that was another tale in the future to be told.

Indeed, with such skills of hers. It was undeniable that attention would be drawn to the Aerugese vixen lest she was incautious. Truth to be told, Tomoe didn't expect someone to approach her in an alley nearby her studio, for that reason the lady of monochrome took the liberty of dispatching some unmemorable thugs. And hence came the predicament, the stranger was more interested in her by then.

Otto, the raven haired man decided to close his distance to her whilst the latter firmly held the hilt of her wooden no-dachi for the former would hear her hand squeezing on the cotton bandage wrapping the hilt of such grand blade resting on her shoulder, a premonition of an impending strike if he would try something naught.

What did she do for living?

Mangaka..an amateur though. But mainly, my profession is that of medicine. Courtesy dictates that you would reveal of yourself like I did to mine. To him, that she said while her black pearl eyes kept him within her range of perception and cunning ears like that of a fox for whatever that would come.

Otto Looked at the woman in front of him with apparent interest usually he could determine who or what a person was just by talking to them for a little while. However, so far he had very few clues to who this woman was.Then again it could be said that until they both started to be honest they would never get to know each other. Otto was perplexed by this woman he wanted to figure her out even if he had to give out a little more info to do it.
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Mangaka..an amateur though. But mainly, my profession is that of medicine. Courtesy dictates that you would reveal of yourself like I did to mine.
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Otto looks at her and thinks about telling her more about himself, it was only fair. Otto sighs then says, “Well it would be more than fair to say that my job is to send people to you… in a state that you wouldn’t be able to help much.” As Otto says this he scratches his scalp thinking about how to say this without giving too much away. Otto thought this was the best way of saying it; he didn’t give her a reason or definite description just enough to, allow her to figure it out.

Otto finally told her what his profession was although if she had any deduction skills she probably already knew. Otto then asks her, “Have any of your manga’s been published.” Otto enjoyed reading, it is was an interesting past time in moments with a good book one can be pulled into a story and immediately feel for the characters.

An indeed proper choice of words that let her firm grip over a hilt wrapped in cotton go loose. Certainly, he was was one to cause this collateral damage rendering his opponents and adversaries into a state of helplessness and no motion. But that was not the reason, the lady in most black and little white let loose. His choice of words, to deliver people to her in such state..Ah, he was politely courting her still the Aerugese vixen kept her hand holding the hilt nonetheless.

A manga. Ah, she was drawing one but decided completely against continuing it, no longer it became and no more. It was about the yakuza and based on the disbanded yamaguchi-gumi where the protagonist was someone who had a knack too challenge everything and anything, there was this woman who over protective about him. Of course, they were based on real people whom Tomoe-gozen wouldn't meet again. The Kyuubi resolved to make a social based and romance oriented Manga instead but she didn't decide on a name yet.

Not yet, I am still deciding on one. Tomoe said opting to narrow her eyes signifying the inquisitorial nature of her next question. So, do you lull them into eternal slumber? she paused for a second Are you that sure about being that close to me? That too, I do wonder. Tomoe inquired more. See, he was by then within the range of her wooden No-dachi, a weapon she was becoming more attuned to every second.

So, do you lull them into eternal slumber?

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Otto blinks and says “you have a very poetic way of putting things… I wouldn’t call it lulling but I do put them to sleep for eternity none the less.” Otto surveys the surrounding area quickly to make sure that should the woman attack he would be prepared even if he doubted that she would. The alley was not unique it contained trash cans some puddles of water not to mention the scattered bodies of the gang members.

_______________________________
Are you that sure about being that close to me? That too, I do wonder.

_____________________________
Otto rubs his chin as he thinks of a way to answer her, he then smiles and says, “to be honest I doubt you plan on attacking me; you would have done it by now rather giving me parts of who you are.” His smile fades, “However should I be wrong I am fully able to defend myself.” This was completely true and he hoped she didn’t take it the wrong way; in his line of work he needed to be able to defeat most adversaries, Even more now that he was second in command to the mujitsu.

“So matsudaira, would you care to reveal you real name, in all fairness I’ve given you mine,” he says this with the casualness one would use to ask about the weather. However her answer was critical to wheather or not he had any reason to worry.

The ways of speech differs from one to another, this was the whole case. Poetic, perhaps but the Matsudaira took the mantle of a nine tailed fox that has a liking to bewilder and mystify others in the shroud of her words. Granted, Ai can be very direct to whom her heart deemed cherished and those can be counted by the fingers of a one hand. Maybe only one finger. The tranquility of death is worthy of praise, the lulling itself describes skill and talent to dispatch one's foe with one's blade clean. Of course, merciful the death, the better. We are all humans and death is sure to be coming, so expect what you do to others, to be done to you.

Of course, she was not an advocate of different types violence and all kinds of vehemence. Despite being a former Yakuza, Ai loathed herself for participating in such deeds. All what she wanted was to be Mangaka and live peacefully but her heritage had other say in this. Regardless of this predicament, Otto was quite confident of his abilities of self-defense and if reversed other-offense.

No, you are not wrong Otto-san. I mean you neither ill intentions nor evil designs. Strangely enough, Ai kept her guard nonetheless as he probably kept his. They were both strangers and there were delinquents knocked cold around, not to mention they were in an alley. Not a friendly environment for an amiable chit-chat.

Her name? Ah, it seems that the Aerugese vixen didn't introduce herself properly due to the current circumstances. Watashi wa Matsudaira, Shin-Ai desu. Domo yoroshiku onigaishimasu.. Ai gave him a small polite bow after introducing herself as Shin-Ai.

No, you are not wrong Otto-san. I mean you neither ill intentions nor evil designs.

_________________________
Otto rubs his hand through his hair and smiled, he would take her word for it. ‘ugh I’m so trusting right now it’s weird,’ as he thinks this his smile briefly fades into a frown then back into a smile.

______________________
Watashi wa Matsudaira, Shin-Ai desu. Domo yoroshiku onigaishimasu..

__________________
Otto squeezes the bridge of his nose as he realizes how un-Aerugese his name is. In fact, his first name was not Aerugese at all. After he is done with the brief moment of realization he looks around, “maybe we should change the location of our chat.” He says this with raised eyebrows and a slight smile, showing that he is rather amused by their current situation; making small talk among the scattered bodies of her foes.

“Do you know any better places in which to hold this chat ,as this is your neighborhood?” As he says this he turns around and walks closer to the side walk (still stepping on gang members). To turn his back on Matsudaira was his best way of showing respect and trust. In fact it was the only way to determine whether or not Otto respected someone. He was an assassin; handshakes could be fake, words could be fake even his identity could be faked but to leave himself even slightly vulnerable was a true sign that he respected someone.