1. [open]

[kesi]

Who: Takame and You!
When: Throughout May
Where: All around Draega, but mostly around the ports.
What: Lots of Influence jobs
Warnings: Potential violence because It's Him


a. Palate Cleanser

[Exhaustion had no place where there was work to be done.

The residual energies from the webs weaved by those cursed women took their toll. Takame was able to absorb the instructions given by Abigail and Fauyra easily, it was just the part of him that made taking in a habit. The practice was much more difficult, not due to a lack of his own practice with Craft, but because every other moment still felt as though he was being pulled away into another memory even when he wasn’t.

It was a feeling he got used to as the Echo triggered regularly in the past two weeks. He anticipated being drawn elsewhere, causing some webs he weaved to dissipate as soon as they were created. The only inkling of frustration the one working with the Au Ra would catch was that he would occasionally stop and pinch the bridge of his nose or rub at his eyes before continuing as he was even as power from his Purple Dusk winded down.]

Damn…

b. Street Rats

[He owed this much to young Esso and her kin after an incorrect accusation. And Daylight proposed the idea of helping her, so here he was.

There was always a divide in the impoverished and the well-off, no matter where one would go. A simple observation Takame had in his travels, though he paid no mind to it if it was irrelevant to a job. Here would be no different had it not been for his intent to do something to rectify his error. The entire city was in shambles, but by the kami… how this lot managed to survive was a blessing by Them to be sure.

His partner would surely be handling most of the food distribution by his suggestion, his appearance didn’t necessarily scream friendly even as he was covered by a hood and cape. But in the times where he’s not clearing the streets of the vermin, he does make some attempts to share food as well. If only he had better social graces and a longer coat to accomodate for his height and tail…]

c. Trade Wars + Rumour has it

[Through most of the month, Takame will be found hovering around the docks. Several reasons for it, really. Docks are familiar to him, in the Far East and in Eorzea, he preferred to be in places where information circulated the most by force of habit as if you know nothing you’re more likely to be killed and of course one Prince Allairavar mentioned concern in the docks the prior moon. And it didn’t seem as though the trouble was going to cease any time soon.

He hangs around during the earliest hours possible, sometimes long into the day and evening, such has been his routine the past several weeks enough that sailors that have lingered in the area for a while started to recognize him. Not with a name, more with references to his appearance.

If someone else happens upon him to help with the same, he’ll always be unloading supplies and listening more than speaking himself to what the sailors have to say. Major conflicts have yet to break out, but he knew it was only a matter of time before he would have to slam someone to the ground.]

4. Wildcard

[[ Hit me up for plotting at bonpuns ! Also wow holy heck I finally figured out how to CODE my plurk instead of typing it wouldja lookit that!. ]]

Comments

[kesi]

[Katniss' threat only made the jeers louder. Some moved away after seeing her enter a battle stance (though they were eyeing Takame's stature heavily), but the boldest and most boisterous few remained, the smell of alcohol permeating the air around them.

The assumed leader who first took offense berated the few in his group who dared to leave him behind, ensuring what he would do to "these two" they'd get ten times worse. Thinking their threats empty, he threw a wild fist aimed straight at Takame's face.

That the Au Ra caught with one hand, swinging his body around to pin the arm to behind the aggressor's back.]

You've two options. Cease this nonsense and keep the use of your arm, or continue as you are and I will break it. [As if to demonstrate the point, the last words were punctuated by a tight squeeze of the man's arm, pushing the forearm as if he would bend it backwards.]

[burn_with_us]

I can shoot faster than you can come after me, as well, so then you'll be out your arm and probably some other important things. You're going to want to listen to us.

( Under the threat of pain, the man in Takame's grip started to beg to be let go and the others started stepping back a bit. Sometimes the promise of violence is enough but Katniss has learned that sometimes a little force has to be put behind that promise. )

Now, do you want to listen to us?

[kesi]

[Mercy was not in Takame's vocabulary for those who would disrupt the peace. It wasn't until the belligerent mercenary agreed to listen to Katniss and back off that Takame finally released him. Gracelessly. Pushing him away and back into the smarter members of his posse that already began to retreat.]

This will be your only warning. [And even that warning is laced with the threat of violence. He had no issue breaking something of every single member of both groups as he stared down all of them. Especially the instigator, a Blood male who wore Yellow. Completely outmatched by both him and Katniss with a look of fear towards the latter and her bow in his eyes.]

Keep your remarks to yourself going forward and there will be no trouble. [They all quieted after that threat, and slowly but surely dispersed. Not without comments among themselves that Takame brushed off in favor of a nod in acknowledgement towards his partner.]

[burn_with_us]

If things get worse, we might not be able to control them just with simple shows of force. We might end up having to ask for some kind of real help from Fayura.

( Katniss gets the sense the Queen wants to stay as neutral as possible, not favoring one side or the other, but a time comes when you have to pick sides - even if it isn't something you want to do. )

They're getting bolder, much bolder than they were when I first got here a few months ago.

[kesi]

Indeed. [Warmer weather brought about hotter tempers to be sure. The situation was not calm when he arrived, but it was during the winter. He crossed his arms.] Displays of strength are the most effective means of control. [He pauses, realizing what he said. Then clears his throat softly. That wasn't what he should say, he thought. Even if it was true.]

Ah, perhaps... Lady Fayura's presence alone may yet cause them to cease without such displays. [Not the smoothest cover up. But at least he could divert the subject.]

When did you arrive?

[burn_with_us]

Shows of strength are good control? Sounds like you're on the wrong side of the government where I come from. That sounds like peacekeeper talk.

( And not the sort of peacekeepers that Katniss used to deal with in 12, the ones who were fine with her poaching so long as she sold them meat. She's thinking of Thread and the ones in 11, the hardliners. She's thinking of Coin. )

Are you in the military?

[kesi]

[He screwed up. Seven fucking hells, he screwed up and said the wrong thing. Takame tensed up at that question. Visibly. "Are you in the military". His normal movements were often accompanied by a low, steady sway of his tail but it just froze solid.

His shoulders grew stiff and half the fingers in one hand began to ball into a fist. With his right foot he kicked away at some stray rope left behind from unloading ships. All the while his expression did not budge.

He was long ago. He would rather not remember the time he served Garlemald. Any mention of it always sent him into this state he could not well explain. But he needed to give an answer, so he would.]

... No. [At least it wasn't a lie.]

oh god katniss rolled a 15 on perception this never happens

[burn_with_us]

( Katniss isn't the best at reading people. Peeta and Finnick are good at it. So's Haymitch. This has never been her strong suit and, furthermore, she's one to wear her emotions on her sleeves. She can tell the question lands wrong, though, and while she doesn't think he's lying she does think he might be hiding something. Still, it's none of her business same as her life is none of his. )

Fair enough. I thought maybe, given how you handled it, but I'll take your word for it. I think you're good at...all this. Better than me, anyway. We make a good team.

i about lost it when i saw her ask that it was great

[kesi]

[He calmed once she dropped the subject, the habitual movement of his tail returning. He would have put off elaborating as much as possible, but he was thankful he did not need to resort to that.]

... I am used to finishing fights. That's all. [Between Limsa and Draega it was second nature for him to do so with ornery sailors. He knew he was good at it.] So it would seem. You have my thanks, Katniss.

[burn_with_us]

I'll get your back any time I need to, as long as we're working for the same thing. Seems we are, though. And hey - nothing wrong with finishing a fight. I've finished a few myself.

( Her strategy in the Arena had pretty much been to never actually have to fight and to evade instead but when she'd had to do it, Katniss wasn't bad at killing. She was good at it and that'd been the part to scare her. )