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 Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:10 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:12 am
HARUKI HIRES ZHOU TO WORK HIS STORE: PART ONE Quote: Zhou nodded and set the tray down to start. He put a cup and saucer together, picked up the pot, poured the steaming tea into the cup, set the pot down with one hand while getting a packet of sugar with the other hand, put the sugar in the cup, stirred, and handed the now-full cup with saucer to Haruki. Zhou went back to his kneeling position, wondering briefly if he could go back to that more comfortable position he had been asked to take last time. He tilted his head so he could look at the haka without appearing to do so, question in his eyesHaruki took another scent of his tea, enjoying the heat against his hands and watching the servile Gehaka at his feet. "You may... relax." he said briefly, and waved a hand. The Gehaka at his feet looked horribly uncomfortable, and while it could be said that was how one got the best service out of them, Haruki found that salt needed to be applied at certain times to get the best performance from a Gehaka.Zhou nodded again and carefully changed from his kneeling position to a more comfortable cross-legged position. He then went back to looking around him and wondered who else was around. All while keeping an eye on the haka in case he wanted something else.Haruki sighed and took a deep breath. Gehaka were sometimes so dull when they were being quiet little drones. His mother's Gehaka were never this silent unless it was something formal. Of course, they never had figured out which one was his father, so...
He tossed his head, an idle finger tapping on the table to inform the gehaka at his feet that he was hungry for entertainment.Zhou hesitated. He didn't know what to do to entertain this lovely haka. His mother had kept him in the dark of most things every gehaka knew so that he would be subservient. His mother feared that if he was allowed to even pick up a blade, the energetic attitude that had been beaten out of him at a young age would return. He finally, yet slowly, rose, hoping he could somehow buy time to figure out what he could do, his internal struggle showing in his being every so often... Haruki gave a reassuring smile to the gehaka next to him. "I like music." he said finally, wondering if that would help the obviously nervous gehaka relax a bit more. "Do you play any instruments?" Zhou blinked. Ah, music. He could do that. "I do." he said with a bow, keeping his wings tucked behind him. Haruki gave a faint smile and relaxed. "Then play for me.. something lively." he murmured, and sank bak into the chair, taking another sip of his rapidly cooling tea. Zhou nodded, and pulled a small flute from his clothes. Lively would be interesting. He wasn't allowed to do lively normally... But if this one wished it to be so... "Very well," he said politely, then decided against adding that he really wasn't allowed to play lively, since this gave him the chance to do so. He placed the mouthpiece to his lips and started to play a lively tune he knew. Haruki smiled, and set his teacup down, closing his eyes and listening to the song. Another one of his eccentricities, his mother said, that he liked such active music. His hand ran over the bladed fan in his lap- his mother had gone into a fit over that one. Zhou managed to note what the haka did even as he continued to play. He was used to the slower songs, so his lungs had been built up. This meant he could play longer without taking a breath. He tried hard not to add dance to the song, like he had been taught to do, but it was hard. The haka said to play, not dance. Haruki noted the twitchy legs of the gehaka when he opened his eyes and reached for his teacup. Aaaa, it was empty. He gazed at it mournfully for a moment, before setting it down with a sigh. "You can dance too." he said finally. "The music is very pleasant, however." he said, rewarding the gehaka with a compliment. Zhou fought not to grin, since that would distrupt the music. He did, however, start to dance, his moves going along gracefully in time with the music. He noticed the tea cup was empty, but he couldn't play, dance, and pour tea all at once. The current song neared it's end, so he added in the little bit of song that helped transfer songs. It would seem as if two songs were really two parts of the same song. His dancing shifted slightly, to go with the new tune. Haruki barely noted the change, and smiled in pleasure. Ehhh, what was tea. This was much more interesting. He found his hand dancing along with the music and stopped it, placing it firmly in his lap. But aaaa, he was getting parched. With a cough, and a glance at his tea, he asked that after this song neared its end, the gehaka pour him another cup. Zhou did a half-nod, half-bow at the request, and played the current song to its end. He then put the flute away and poured the haka another cup of tea, with a packet of sugar and all. He glanced at the haka. Did he want entertained some more? He could go on awhile longer before needing a glass of water and some rest. Haruki smiled, taking a sip of the tea. "Please, continue." he said, and waved a hand back in front of him. As long as Zhou remembered to keep an eye on his tea, Haruki didn't mind the other Hanze entertaining him. "I am Kumi Haruki." he said finally, watching the gehaka. "And you are...?" Zhou bowed. He took note of the name, then replied, "I am Jian Ni Zhou," as he brought the flute back out. He went back to where he was dancing before and stood a brief moment to come up with another song. He then nodded to himself and brought the flute to his lips to start another lively song, dancing in step with the beat. Haruki settled back into the seat he was in, watching the gehaka dance and play. He seemed earnest, and eager to please, and courteous. Though, Haruki preferred a gehaka who would talk to you more than just his name when no one was around. He liked to be spoiled and respected as much as the next Haka, no doubt about that, but he also liked the thought of having a gehaka he could actually talk with and enjoy when out of the public eye.
He wondered if Zhou would be more accomodating if this wasn't the public eye.Zhou were be more accomodating now if he know how to! He continued to dance and play, eyeing both the tea and Haruki as he entertained. He wondered if perhaps he should have spoken more, but the mere memories of what happened to him if he spoke out of turn surfaced in his mind once more, and a shudder rippled through him in time to the beat. Hopefully, it would seem like he was suppose to shudder there... Haruki sighed, waving his hand. "Stop." he said softly, and pointed for his feet. "I want you to talk to me. Something. Anything." he murmured. "I like hearing people talk to me. Tell me stories, or something." his voice was almost a whisper. Zhou allowed the song to die away, and quietly put the flute away as he walked back towards Haruki. He settled into a cross-legged position, and closed his eyes for a moment as he thought about what to speak of. He finally opened his mouth, and repeated a story he was often told when he was young, about how things changed from what they were. Haruki smiled faintly as he listened to the gehaka talk. Zhou had a very pleasant voice, and, he had to admit, a pleasant face. Zhou continued the story, doing small gestures to help the story along. He opened his eyes to look at Haruki and the tea. Was it running low yet? Haruki smiled at the gehaka's obvious attentiveness. His tea was fine, he was taking care to nurse this cup along. He made a note to ask this gehaka about his family, he'd always wondered about the more... low class families, how they ran things. Zhou lowered his voice some, hoping to preserve it as he continued to talk. He really hoped he would be allowed to have some tea here soon... Haruki smiled. "You may have some tea if you wish." he said, noting the lowering of the voice. His own cup was lowering too, and the tea in it was a bit on the cold side. Zhou murmered a thank you and got a cup of tea for himself. He eyed the tea in Haruki's cup even as he slowly took a sip. This particular pot was wonderful for keeping the tea warm. Did Haruki want more yet, or was he going to drink some more? After he wet his throat and mouth once more, he continued his story, cup cradled within his hands, which rested in his lap. Haruki listened to the gehaka at his feet talk. Ahhhh, such a lovely voice. He'd have to be careful with this one. He was wonderfully obedient, and not exactly hard on the haka's eyes either. Zhou continued to tell the story. It usually took several nights just to tell it, so it wasn't going to end any time soon. He took care to baby his throat with sips of tea when and while he could. He didn't want his voice to go harsh suddenly from all the talking. haruki found himself glancing over Zhou's wrists curiously. Not mated. Well, well. He took another sip of tea, listening avidly to the story. "So, explain that to me." he said, interrupting the gehaka at a part of his story. "What is your opinion on it? What happened there..." Zhou blinked at the sudden question, going quiet all of a sudden. He'd never been asked what he thought of it, at any point... He thought about it for a moment, taking the chance to drink some tea before answering.Haruki scowled down at his teacup, wondering when all the tea had gone cold. He waited patiently for the gehaka to gather his thoughts.
Zhou quickly placed his own cup down and dealt with the cold tea before he placed in new, warm tea, added another packet,and handed it back. All while talking. Ooooh, this gehaka was good. If Haruki was in a more selfish mood, he might have just dragged him off to find a marriage bracer then and there. Unfortunately, Haruki was currently very comfortable and peaceful, and not feeling selfish. He settled his robes around himself, and listened intently. Zhou noted the attention as he talked, and wondered what the other was thinking. Haruki found himself leaning forward, listening to the story. Glancing out at the street, he stood and glanced down at Zhou. "Come to my shop." he said firmly. Not that he really could be bossing around the gehaka like this, but... "I have some things I have to personally take care of, and your story is amusing."
Zhou blinked, then nodded, but continued to talk, lowering his voice so he wouldn't disturb anyone they came across. He stood as well, and followed after Haruki, wondering what it was that had to be taken care of...Haruki opened the door to his shop and left it open, allowing the gehaka to follow in. Now, to work on some of the designing. "You may take a seat over there." he said imperiously, and busied himself in the scarves. Small things like this he almost enjoyed doing. "Continue your story." Zhou filed in behind Haruki and sat in the seat that was pointed to. He continued to talk as he looked around, feeling a bit more relaxed. Shops he knew. His mother had made it so he was very effective in a shop. Haruki hummed very quietly as he worked, listening to the story. This was very pleasant, really. Zhou continued to talk, working his voice to go up and down with the story, making it seem more real. What was Haruki doing over there? Did he need or want help? Haruki tired fast, feeling an ache behind his eyes, and stretched, hearing his back pop. He sighed for a moment, before walking over and taking a seat on a short stool. He really did need a gehaka to help him set up, but he couldn't keep taking his mother's gehaka for the task. Zhou's eyes widened slightly in alarm as Haruki appeared to tire and walked over to a short stool to sit. He stopped his story at a point where it could continue later (usually the next night before bedtime) and hesistantly asked, "Do you need me to do something?" He wasn't sure he was even allowed to ask, but it looked like Haruki could use some help...haruki looked startled, and knew the gehaka saw it. Carefully schooling his features, he gave a small smile. "No, it's alright. I am very much enjoying your story however. Tell me, what sort of training have you had? You seem rather grounded in the arts." his question was innocent, and based off true curiosity more than any other ideas. Zhou paused a second to compile a list inside his head before answering. "My family makes, sells, and plays instruments. I have been taught to help set up and mind a shop, and how to treat potential customers. I also know how to handle delicate intruments and have usually been the one to show how a particular instrument works. I also know how to make several kinds of instruments, and can play several of them." He stopped and blinked at Haruki. Would he want to know what he couldn't do as well? Haruki wanted to know that, but he found it easier to compile things in his head if he knew from another's point of view their various talents. "And what sorts of things are you NOT talented with? You seem to know your way around a shop..." his interest was piqued. A good, obedient, handsome unmarried gehaka? And just when Haruki was going to start needing one, as the store opened.... Zhou squirmed some. "I may know just about everything about shops, and how to act in public, but I know little else. My mother figured that keeping me in the dark would make and keep me obedient to whoever had control of me so I wouldn't be 'too much of a handful'. His words. So I know little to nothing about weapons, having never been taught; I have only what I remember seeing others do to go off of if I ever get hold of a weapon. I don't even know what all I don't know..." He shifted again, feeling heat come to his face, as he muttered, truely embarressed, "Mother won't even tell me how I came to be..." Haruki nodded. "Of course." he said faintly. Well, the gehaka was still young, and his haka would have plenty of time to learn any skills a haka would need. And surely if he was chosen by a haka, his mother would give him rudimentary... other skills. But when the gehaka's mother wasn't even telling him bedroom skills? That had to be negligence, unless she planned to foist Zhou off on an already married haka, who would teach him those skills himself. Zhou blushed even more and silently cursed the fact that his mother made it near impossible for him to get married. He wasn't even sure if he was being prepared to get married. He knew he wasn't sure if he wanted to get married, but he at least wanted the option if a nice enough haka came along...
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Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:13 am
HARUKI HIRES ZHOU TO WORK IN HIS STORE PART TWO: ENTER JYOGENZU! Quote: Jyogenzu approached Haruki's shop, a new order of bladed fans in hand, fom the more heavy to others just as light as the first for his new husband to keep or sell. His hair was tied tightly up in a bun, only a small tail emerging from the center and hanging down to brush at his neck.
He spotted Jhou almost immediately and noted he'd seen that particular gehaka serving Haruki before. He immediately scanned for marraige bracers but saw none.
Jyo approached his husband quietly, looking to see if he was needed for anything.Haruki gave Zhou a small smile. Really, what with his first husband still spending much of his time working for his parents... and speak of the devil. Haru's eyes lightened, and he found himself almost smiling at Jyogenzu. In front of another gehaka, and in the middle of his store no less! Ah, he needed to work on that. He sniffed and tossed his head. "And what have you brought me today?" he asked almost curiously. Jyo flashed a worried glance to Zhou. It was only a matter of time before he was joined by another. It was just...faster than expected.
He looked again to Haruki, kneeling before his husband and unfolding the bundle. Wrapped in Bamboo, the fans emerged one by one, all still harmless looking with the blades withdrawn. Blue, green, red, purple and white fans, some with heavy dangerous blades, other with tiny serrated blades, and all with the same button switch.
"These fans are a present from Katanagami. Mother wishes a continued business with Jade, and that you will think of him for any and all your weapon needs." Jyo said quietly, folding his hands in his lap. He wanted Haruki pleased with him. Zhou smiled back for a moment before he blinked and went silent at the sight of another gehaka... that Haruki almost smiled at. Oh yeah, this was the gehaka that was promised to be the first husband... What was he doing here? Erm, and what was he, Zhou, suppose to be doing here... He looked around quickly, wondering if he should seem like he was doing something. Then the other gehaka did something... ah. That was why he was here... How interesting. He wondered how many haka had these... He stayed quiet, waiting to be allowed to speak. Haruki accepted the fans, again almost dropping the heavier ones. He eyed them a moment for quality before nodding at Jyo. "UYou can set them over there, Jyogenzu." he said politely. "Zhou here had been amusing me with a story and song before you came in. He is very talented." he gave Jyo (still his fiancee, not a husband yet), a small peaceful look. "And he makes an excellent cup of tea." the last was said in a small satisfied voice.
Tea, the gift of the gods.Jyo wordlessly folded the fans again, jaw taut. He should at least be thankful Haru was in a pleasant mood. Tying up the bundle, Jyogenzu lifted it easily and walked to the place where Haruki pointed him to, careful not to track dirt onto the floors, as he had no shoes to slip off.
Setting it down, Jyo walked back to Haruki and Zhou, sitting a polite distance away on his knees, laying his sword beside himself. He wanted to take out the bun, but was told letting his hair hang in the loose ponytail was unbecoming and sloppy for a more prestegous gehaka.
He cleared his throat, not to get attention, but it was to avoid his angry snort. Zhou watched as Haruki told Jyogenzu where to put the fans and Jyo doing it. He blushed at the compliment before his eyes flickered towards Jyo as he cleared his throat. Was he not wanted here? Haruki ignored his fiancee's irritated-sounding cough-snort, and waved his hand towards Zhou. "Will you please continue with the story? It was really very interesting." Zhou blushed, then flicked a glance at Jyo to see what he thought of this. He then resumed his story just a little before where he left off last time. At a loss of anything commanded for him to do, and with the fear that if he were to try to leave, Haru would become irritable again, he had little to do other than silently sit and keep an eye out for potential dangers. So, like a statue almost, he stood, deep green eyes focused on the door, ears turning from side to side with any noises that caught his attention.
He didn't even look to Jhou again when the story was resumed. It was of little interest to him already half over. Zhou continued to tell the story, wondering what Jyo was doing... Haruki noted Jyo's impatience and sighed a bit. He settled back into the chair. "If you're not going to listen to the story," he informed his betrothed tartly, "You can make me some tea. I'm thirsty. And make some for yourself and our guest as well." Jyogenzu stood up, retying his sword. He quickly turned and departed to make tea.
Making tea was a task he'd undertaken hundreds of times before for different Haka, but it was one that did take a few minutes, for the water to warm and to soak the flavor from the leaves.
He let Haru and Zhou have the time to themselves. Zhou blinked at the change of events. Jyo was to go get tea for the three of them and he was left alone with Haruki. He glanced at Haruki as he continued to talk. What would Haruki do in that time? Jyo busied himself with fixing up a nice tray with sprigs of mint, as well as cream and sugar for the tea. He fixed three cups beside the sugar bowl, and set the kettle down as well. Admiring it for a moment, he added a little more mint for garnish, and carried the tray out. Ears down, watching the floor, Jyo came upon them again and set the tray down before Haruki.
He quickly poured out three cups of piping tea, setting down the kettle again. haruki waved an imperious hand for Zhou to continue telling his story. Jyo made him nervous, and exciteable. In a way, it was a very good thing that he spent so much time helping his mother instead of his future husband. Haruki may have fits, and that would be very bad for business. Zhou continued to tell the story as he watched Jyo come back in. Ooo... Tea... "Sugar?" Jyo piped quietly. Zhou was definately interested he could tell, and was willing to serve the tea himself. Haruki was a whole nother matter, enigmatic in the presence of others as always. He seemed indifferent, but there were little things Jyo picked up on. Haru tended to tremble when trying not to seem too anxious. Zhou blinked at the question, then nodded slightly in case it wasn't directed at him. All the while, he continued to tell the story, although he was really hoping to get some of that tea soon... Haruki's eyes trailed back to his future husband, and the bracer on his arm. Someone no one could take away from him. Haruki was frightfully posessive, and relished the thought of Jyo being HIS. And his fiancee was being strangely polite and obedient tonight. He gave Jyo a smile, and held out his hand for a cup of tea. Jyogenzu quickly added just a smidge of sugar for Haruki, stirred it in and handed the warm glass to the Haka with a slight smile. He nodded as Haru took the glass and he set about preparing Zhou's tea as well. He stirred in the sugar and handed the glass to the lemon colored Gehaka.
Jyo took his tea plain, and stared intently into the glass, watching his breath make tiny ripples on the surface. Zhou took his cup of tea and stopped talking long enough to blow gently across the surface in an attempt to cool it a bit before he took a sip and started talking again. There was still quite a bit of story to tell, but what was he to tell next once it ended? Or would Haruki not want another story right away? Haruki took a delicate sip of his tea, his eyes thanking Jyo. "Continue with your story, Zhou." he said softly. "Unless your mother has chores that you need to do." he wouldn't demand another story. After he finished his bit of tea, he sighed and stood, moving back over to the sashes and fans. There was a certain way he wanted the store set up, and he wasn't willing to trust it to the clumsy touch of his mother's warrior gehaka any more. Zhou quickly shook his head, indicating no. He elaborated, "Mother gave me the day off today. I don't have to be back until sunset at the earliest." He rather not add that he had the day off since one of the lower gehaka his mother had recently married had become clumsy at the wrong moment, breaking several expensive pieces of instruments. Since he tended the shop front and it was closed for the day... He continued with the story. Jyo waited until his tea had cooled before downing it swiftly. He set the cup down, spotting Haruki's gaze and nodding to him with a smile. Haru stood and walked to the back of the room, beginning to rearrainge the shop front. That left Jyo with Zhou, who continued to speak his story.
His temper had cooled a lot since he had entered, and now Jyogenzu took deep breaths to attempt a little meditation before he was needed again. His ears were still cocked and alert. Haruki listened to the story, stopping Zhou every so often to ask him questions about it. Finally he sighed again. His head was hurting something awful. He moved gracefully back to his seat and closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. Asked Zhou another question about the story, and debated sending Jyo to the apothecary for something to ease his headache. Zhou stopped to answer questions before starting again each time. He eyed Haruki with concern when the haka gracefully sank onto a seat once more. He carefully lowered his voice in an attempt to not grate on Haruki's seemingly already frayed nerves. Jyo was fortunately on top of what was going on. Haru was suffering a sinus headache from the way he was rubbing his temples. While by no means a healer, Jyo needed a basic knowlege in first aid and wound tending, and that included knowlege of a few herbs and their healing abilities.
He stood quickly and retreated to his things, withdrawing a small packet of anti inflammitory, which would reduce his sinus pain. Returnig, Jyo poured out a smaller glass of tea, and dumped some of the herb powder into it, stirring it away and adding a little sugar.
"Kumi-san." He said quietly, extending the cup. "If your head bothers you, this should help." Haruki nodded up at Jyo. "Thank you." he muttered, and took a sip of the tea. He smiled, noting Zhou had changed his pitch. Those two were wonderful. He sat up straighter, cracking his back. He was exhausted- the fans Jyogenzu had handed him earlier were heavy, and he wasn't used to shop work. Zhou couldn't help but wince some at the sound of Haruki's back cracking. Ow. He continued to keep his voice low as he told the story, taking sips of tea every so often to keep his throat moist. Jyo bowed politely back to his position, finally tuning in to the story Zhou was telling, ears cocked forward. He did have a nice speaking voice, which before only droned on into white noise, but now was really rather soothing. Jyo always liked myths and stories, but earlier he was in no mood to listen.
The tea kettle was starting to get cold. Jyo stood and took it to reheat the tea inside. In a few minutes Jyo was back with a fresh pot of hot tea for the story teller and his Haka. He set it down on the tray and backed up again, quickly withdrawing his sword and inspecting it with a critical eye for a moment before sheathing it again and watching Haru for any further signs of distress. Haruki relaxed a bit, listening to Zhou's soothing chatter. "You said you have been trained in how to mind a store?" he asked again, at legnth. He took another sip of his tea, knowing he had probably startled both gehaka with his off the wall question. Zhou barely reacted as he had been taught. He simply turned his head in Haruki's direction. He stopped the story so he could answer. "Yes. I have been." He didn't take up the story again as he blinked, wondering where the question came from... Jyogenzu blinked at Haru but said nothing. He knew Haru was looking out for someone who could assist him with the shop, as Jyo was still occupied with Katanagami. His ears flattened slightly, but he didn't appear at all peeved. He too was learning to control his emotions. Haruki pondered for a moment, sipping his tea. Was it socially acceptable to ask another haka for loan of their son? He needed someone to help mind his store, but he was loath to marry ANOTHER one. One gehaka was unplanned and unwanted enough, really. And Jyo would still be working his mother's weapons store, at least, that was the plan. So Haruki needed someone else to help run the shop. "Would your mother hire you out?" Zhou jerked back some and openly stared at Haruki for a moment with his jaw open before he blinked, snapped his mouth shut and looked down. Wow. He actually didn't know the answer to that one... "I'm not certain. I think he would, if you asked..." It seemed like Haruki was fairly powerful; if he somehow compensated for Zhou's time gone from the shop, his mother might go for it. He looked up, and said sheepishly, "It would have to be you that asked, however. I don't think my mother would believe me if I did the asking..." Haruki made an almost impatient little noise. "I'll need to know where I can find your mother. You seem to be a good, hard worker, eager to please. You're polite, and you have a pleasant voice. I would like to speak to your mother. You would, of course, be compensated well for your time." Jyogenzu focused his pointed gaze outward of the shop to keep from shooting a narrow glare at Haruki. Almost every compliment to Zhou seemed a direct insult to Jyogenzu himself, who's disobediance was what landed the two of them in this ordeal anyway. Good, hard worker, eager to please, polite with a pleas-- well Jyo had a good enough voice, that wasn't a comment on behavior. Zhou blinked, then said, "Usually at the shop, but he can also be found at home..." He blinked again. His spoken directions were not the best, and he was often left with complaints about where he directed people who had not understood him. "Should I take you to him?" There was an unasked Now? that hung in the air at the end of his question. He snuck a glance at Jyo, who did not seem happy one bit. He winced internally, hoping he wasn't disturbing anything between Haruki and Jyo... Haruki didn't MEAN them to be insults, but if Jyogenzu got a guilty conscience from all the praise he was giving Zhou, all the better. After all, if Haru was having such a time with the naughty gehaka BEFORE the wedding, he could only imagine AFTER the wedding.
He nodded to Zhou finally. "Please. We may as well get it over with, yes?" Zhou stood nervously, placing the cup of tea next to the kettle. "Very well then..." he said, showing how nervous he was with that statement, and went over to the door. He turned back, making sure he didn't lose sight of Haruki. That would be very, very bad. Haruki nodded and grabbed his fan and a parasol, following after Zhou. "Lead the way, quickly." he ordered. Zhou quickly led the way first to the shop, where it still looked closed. He peered in and asked where his mom was. He withdrew his head, turned to Haruki and said, "Must be at home then," and led the way to his house, where he quickly snaked past everything between him and his goal and finally opened the front door. He asked a nearby gehaka if he could get his mother - and please make it fast, it was important - and turned to make sure Haruki followed him all the way.Jyogenzu wasn't a normally disobediant gehaka, but rather just a strong willed one. And he followed Haruki, as he was apt to do as his fiance, sword at ready. He followed a few paces behind, almost fading into the crowd, but always keeping a sharp eye and ear out. Haruki had followed, parasol kept carefully over his head to block the sun from his pale skin. Zhou somehow managed to keep outwardly calm until his mother came in, raging as only a haka can, "Now what was so important that you had this one," his eyes flashed warningly as he jerked a thumb back at the gehaka Zhou had asked to get his mother, "drag me away from..." He blinked as he noticed Haruki. He blinked again and turned towards Haruki to greet him before saying to Zhou in a calm voice while eyeing his bare wrists, "What have you gotten yourself into this time..." causing Zhou to blaunch. Perhaps he should have given the gehaka some infor... no. He was right in telling nothing. He hoped. He waited for Haruki to say something. Haruki smiled at the other haka. Ewww, how crass, he had to shake its hand. He could hardly see how such a rude haka had turned out such a polite son. "I am Kumi Haruki. I am interested in hiring your son to work my store, Jade, during the day. I would, of course, compensate you for the loan of such a talented young gehaka." he smiled faintly, offering the other haka a small purse generously filled with coins. Idle curiosity and he wondered if the other would be so crude as to count the coins in his presence. The purse was heavy, would that be enough? Zhou's mother just stood there for a moment as it sunk in. Kumi. One of the high houses. Haruki. Who wanted his son to work in his shop. Calculating eyes drifted over towards the small purse to examine it and a corner of his mouth twitched upwards. He looked at Haruki and bowed slightly. "I am Jian Li Zhou's mother. I accept your offer for my son. You may hire him." Zhou wondered if his mother thought Haruki would do more then hire him. He wondered if his mother would be right. His mother held out a hand for the purse. It would be rude to count, but weighing it would do. Besides, Kumi was a high house, and did not get there by cheating. Zhou's ears twitched, and he slid a step closer to Haruki, hoping the haka would somehow offer protection from his mother. haruki handed over the purse silently. "And I will pay that amount every third day that your son works in my shop. I will expect him from sunrise, to an hour or two after sunset. Do you accept?" he tilted his head. He would be willing to pay a bit more, if the haka went about it politely. And even this was a large amount for a mere employee. However, Haruki had high hopes for this pleasant gehaka, and would make sure he worked his money's worth. The haka made very certain he was polite, even as he felt the weight of the bag. It was enough to pay the setback for all broken instruments right now. "I do accept. From sunrise past sunset. Payment every third day he works in your shop. I understand." He turned his head to drill holes into Zhou's mind. "We shall make sure he arrives on time every day he is needed." Zhou thought he would arrive on time every day even if he was not needed as his mother turned back towards Haruki. His mother made sure to keep all disdain towards Zhou out of his voice as he offered, "He may go with you now if you need him." Although why any haka would want such an annoying handful as that stupid, worthless Zhou... Haruki nodded cordially. and waved his hand towards Zhou. "Come." he ordered gently. Ugh, what an awful mother. Haruki made a mental note to cherish all of his children, even if they were gehaka. Zhou gladly followed Haruki, even as he felt the questioning eyes of his mother boring into him. His mother may have raised him to know about shops, but he knew his mother generally found him worthless, and made certain to keep him that way. Not even his father could do anything to help. He shivered. Much as he feared marriage, it was his only escape from his mother. He hoped he got married soon... Haruki had, for a moment, debated dragging the gehaka from his mother's house by his ear and slapping a marriage bracer on him, but he didn't really need to take on a second husband in a fit of temper. But he'd be keeping a close eye on his lemon-colored assistant. One mis-0step, or one day late, and he'd assume it was his mother's fault, and that mother would be short a son, and he'd get a crappy "bride-"price from Haruki too. Zhou hurried to keep up with Haruki, who seemed very close to a tearing rage. Apparently, Haruki didn't like his mother much either. Good. So it wasn't just just him. He had to drag his mind to the present, otherwise, he might just lose sight of Haruki for however briefly. Where were they going? Would they get there soon? Could he spend the night? He smacked that last one down and simply followed Haruki. No need to get all jumpy right now. He could do that later. They reached Haruki's shop again soon enough, and Haruki stormed inside. That haka was a COW! He flung himself into a chair. Tea? he felt the teapot, and cursed mentally when it was cold. He wanted tea, and he wanted it now. "There are bladed fans, over there." he pointed towards the fans Jyogenzu had brought in earlier. "I want them moved up and set up around the front counter. The heavier fans, hang them on the wall. The lighter fans can be set up on small stands." he rubbed his temples, ashamed of his sudden terseness with Zhou. Zhou scrambled to do as Haruki asked. Definately in a cranky mode. His mother had that effect on most of the household, so he was used to it. He did wonder what he had interrupted in order for his mother to act like that towards a guest, however. Finally finished, he turned towards Haruki, breathing deeply as his arms burned. He was used to lighter instruments, and he didn't think fans could get that heavy! Maybe he shouldn't have carried them in groups. How strong were the haka really? He then noticed the cold tea. Haruki would tell him to make more tea if he wanted some, yes? Haruki sighed, watching his new assistant work. Quick, yes, but he was barely suited for doing something Haruki himself was unable to do. However, he had a pleasant voice. If nothing else, Zhou could play for his customers, and work with the lighter items, and mind the counter. ((The RP ended there))
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Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:14 am
Zhou's first day of work for Haruki, and at the Katoga Katanagami!: Quote: Zhou had just enough time to register that someone was over his bed before he was drenched in cold water. He bolted upright with a gasp, nearly hitting his head on the bucket that had contained cold water just a moment ago. If whoever poured the water over him hadn't been expecting him to react like that... but they did, so they also knew to dodge his off-aim swat as he crawled out of bed. He finally had the chance to glare at whoever did the evil deed... Mother??! He instantly snapped fully awake and attempted to go into the kneeling position his mother usually insisted he take whenever in his presence. Too bad the soaking wet sheet was still wrapped around his foot. He got caught up in the covers and struggled to get out. He could have sworn he saw a smirk as he got himself untangled. His mother waved off his attempts to kneel and said, "Time to get up. From sunrise to after sunset. That was the deal. I want you cleaned up and ready to go in ten minutes." he went towards the door, paused, and turned back long enough to say, " And your bed better be made and dry by then too." Zhou about wailed as his mother finally left the door. None of the gehaka sent to wake him were nearly this mean! He quickly gathered up all the wet bedding and placed them where they could dry. On his way to get new, dry bedding, he looked out a nearby window and groaned. It was nowhere near sunrise! He hurried to get the new bedding and quickly made his bed. It instantly became slightly damp from location, but he hoped that would dry soon. Very soon. He quickly got washed, and he hurried to get dressed, dripping water as he went. He found new, nicely made clothes waiting for him where his old ones usually were. So, his mother wanted it to seem as if they were well off, huh? As long as he didn't get castoffs anymore. He quickly donned the clothing and checked the bedding again. Dry. Good. He mentally checked for time. Still had some. He quickly did his hair, and padded out to present himself for his mother. After an intense moment of being critcally surveyed, his mother turned him loose with a wave and told him to hurry to Haruki's shop. He bowed quickly and nervously and bolted out the front door.Haruki was hardly there at "nowehere near" Sunrise. In fact, Haruki abhorred Sunrise. Nasty little birdies going tweet tweet, and his mother's happy little "rise-and-shine" gehaka tralalaing in his bedroom down the hall, and uggg. Haruki buried his face in his pillow. He was never up before noon if he could help it.
He jerked awake, suddenly remembering- "Zhou." He groaned, grumbled, and dragged himself out of his bed, calling for the gehaka who did his hair in the mornings and pulling on a dressing gown. Damn him anyways for saying sunrise. Maybe he'd give the gehaka some chores around his little house?
Either way, Haruki was opening the door to his store at exactly two hours after sunrise. Luckly, there was no one outside the front door, otherwise Zhou might have plowed into them. He raced all the way to Haruki's shop, only to collapse at the front step and pant from running so fast, so far, and in such short time. He took a moment to glance at the sky. Not even a hint of the sun. He moaned to himself and hoped Haruki was at the shop. He really didn't want to go back to his mother. He flicked a glance at the shop. Huh. Not very surprising that it seemed shut. He forced himself to his feet and checked the door. Locked. He silently cursed his mother both ways for getting him up so early. Did he know this would happen? Zhou didn't know, but he hoped Haruki would be there at dawn. He sat down to wait.Well, Haruki wasn't there at dawn, but when he came walking up the street, giving a polite little yawn, he noted with pleasure the gehaka waiting there. "Zhou." he greeted simply. "You will be showing me what you know today. Demonstrating knowledge of money-handling, mayhaps how to do simple, mundane tasks such as folding scarves." with that, he unlocked the door and let them both in.
Setting his parasol down in the corner, he waved towards a table loaded with scarves. "Show me how you fold them, and I will correct you as needed."
At least Haruki hadn't forgotten him, even if he did have to wait until after dawn for Haruki to show up. He got up and moved aside for Haruki, nodding at the directions, then followed him inside. He glanced at the scarves, blinked, nodded once in understanding, and slowly started to fold the way he had been taught. His mother was possessive of his scarves and had wanted them folded just so. It had taken several painful hours for him to learn that, but he did, and now he knew how to handle scarves. His mother's way, anyways. Haruki watched for a moment. Well, at least he knew how to fold. But that wasn't how he wanted them folded. That was like... when you folded the laundry. Well, he had worked in a music store, after all. "I prefer them folded as such," he said, and lifted one of the unfolded scarves. He demonstrated quickly, almost sighing in annoyance. Well, as long as Zhou learned quickly, and Haruki didn't have to explain too much. He handed another scarf to the gehaka and leaned back, watching him critically. Zhou blinked at Haruki's quick demonstartion and half-wished Haruki had done that just a tad slower. He caught it, but he half-wished it was done slower. He took another unfolded scarf and began to fold it Haruki's way. Haruki watched him for a moment, and realized he may have gone a bit too fast. "I'll show you one more time." he said, lightly swatting the gehaka with his fan. Slower, he demonstrated the proper folding of the scarves. "We do the same with sashes and handkerchiefs. The only real difference is the shape, and that is easy to overcome." he raised an eyebrow at the other hanze, silently asking if he comprehended. Zhou's ears flicked back for a moment at the light touch of the fan, but perked forward again in interest as Haruki demonstrated again, slower this time. He nodded in understanding and redid the scarf he had just done, correctly this time. "Like this?" He really did want to do this correctly. He just hoped that he could separate the styles once he was back home. Haruki's lips ttwitched and he nodded. "Yes. Just like that." he sounded very satisfied. "I'll start you out, go ahead and do some of the folding for a while. Then I want to see how you handle money." The haka turned and moved over to some of the lighter boxed fans and began to open them and do another check for quality. Idly, his mind was already going on. "Zhou." he asked, "Tell me, what sorts of accessories to gehaka like. What would they find useful? This shop tends to cater more to the haka, but there are more of you." He was genuinely curious, carefully hiding it behind the haka mask of command. Zhou grinned slightly at having done it right after so few tries. He started to fold the scarves. He paused for a brief moment before continuing at the question. He'd never really thought about it. He'd never been asked about it. He silently folded some more as he thought before he risked a moment to take an eye off the scarves to look at Haruki and answer honestly. Haruki listened a bit, finally nodding. "Alright." he said simply. No thanks for poor Zhou. The haka sighed, cracking his back, and began putting the lighter fans up on the shelves. The LAST time he would leave his mother's gehaka at home. He climbed up on a stool to put one of the fans in a slightly higher place, and felt his balance shift, and with a cry, began to topple off the stool. Zhou was very glad he kept an eye out for Haruki. He quickly moved over to Haurki and caught him as he fell. It hadn't quite registered that there was a haka in his arms as he continued to hold him for the briefest of moments to make sure he wouldn't drop him... Haruki didn't rightly care how non-haughty he looked as he grabbed hold of Zhou, panicking. His eyes were wide as he regained his composure, finally nodding for the gehaka to let him go. He nodded to Zhou, not quite sure anymore of exactly what to do. Should he thank him? He kind of wished he'd paid more attention in Haka 101 class. Zhou just then remembered that he had a haka in his arms as Haruki grabbed hold of him and gently he put the haka down firmly on the ground. He was blushing a bright red at this point, unsure of what would happen next. He had been taught not to touch a haka unless they wished it, but Haruki was falling and there was no one else to catch him... He removed his hands from Haruki and took a step back, his ears flat against his head and head slightly down as he waited and hoped the blush would go away before Haruki saw. Haruki decided thanks wasn't what he was supposed to do and eyed the gehaka for a moment. "Ummm..." he found himself saying, and then he coughed. "Anyways, stack the fans in there. Carefully." he said firmly, and moved over to fold the scarves. Zhou blushed even harder if that was possible and nodded at the change in chores, his ears starting to un-flatten. He started to stack the fans where Haruki pointed, using his wings to balance when needed. Haruki nibbled on his lower lip as he worked quickly, occasionally barking out a random order to his hired hand. Ugggh, he couldn't believe he'd been so clumsy in front of a gehaka he wasn't even married to! There was a difference in that, you see. A hired hand was public humiliation, and for Haruki, that was almost unacceptable. Zhou was quick to follow whatever order Haruki barked out. He didn't know haka could become embarrassed, but it did seem like Haruki was embarrassed from that scene as well. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but Haruki certainly kept him busy! Every so often, he would have to slap down a half-thought, half-hope that if he did well enough, Haruki would marry him and take him from his mother's house. After all, his mother would still want him to do chores at home now, no matter what time it was. He doubted he would get much sleep from now on... Haruki finally ran a hand through his hair. "Lunch." he said abruptly. "Did you bring anything to eat?" he asked curiously. He himself was going out to eat, but he supposed he could give Zhou some change to go buy something to eat at one of the food stands around town. He eyed the blonde gehaka, flushing almost at the thought of the stregnth in those pale arms.
And Zhou wasn't even a warrior! Haruki stood, moving over to get his small moneypurse and his fan, eyeing Zhou. "Well?" Just as Zhou thought he had quit blushing, Haruki asked if had brought anything to eat and brought the blush back. He shook his head quickly, indicating no. He had been half-asleep, and in a rush to get out of the house, that he had forgotten completely about lunch... or dinner for that manner. He turned towards Haruki, ducking his head down to hide his blush. "No, I did not." He didn't think Mother would like him having gotten anything from the house either, come to think of it. Food or money. "I didn't think Mother would like it if I did..." At the mere mentain of food, his stomach started to awaken... Haruki rolled his eyes. "That cow of a haka..." he murmured.
"Is your family so ill off they can't afford a bit of the money I am paying to buy you food?" he asked harshly, and pulled out a few coins, dropping them into Zhou's hand. "I will pay you extra every week, and expect to see you with a good lunch. Tell your mother that one day I even doubt that the money was not spent on your lunch, and she will lose that income." Zhou blinked with shock, even as his hand came up on its own to take the coins dropped into it. He shuddered briefly at the mere thought that his mother would even consider that, and replied, "I'll tell him." His family wasn't so ill off, but his mother didn't consider him really worth the effort to properly take care of. As far as his mother as concerned, his was the "runt" of the litter, the one you watch to see if they would die, and snort with disdain if they didn't. The other gehaka tried to help him every so often, but there wasn't much they could do without risking the ire of his mother. "You better tell him." Haruki snapped fiercely. "I am paying your mother quite well, to have him send me a gehaka that will be weakened by lack of food." Haruki stomped his foot, seething. He grabbed up his parasol, and turned to Zhou. "I expect you back in an hour, and I want to see you with a dinner as well. We won't have a dinner break." he said, and swept out the door. Zhou blinked again at the suddeness, then nodded. Lunch and dinner. He curled his fingers around the coins in his hand, and watched with awe as Haruki swept out the door. He timidly followed after. Lunch and dinner. He knew where to get something to eat and something for later. Haru ate quickly, debating what he could do to ensure his employee was fed properly. Finally he stood, paying, and stalked back to his shop.
Oh, he knew what he could do. And it wouldn't involve putting food in the mouth of that cow of a haka. And Zhou was attractive enough, and pleasant-voiced enough. Though he really didn't want another mate, but... Zhou came back well within the time limit. He had eaten lunch, and had gotten a few pieces of food that would last until dinner. He still had just a bit left, and had tucked it away, unthinkingly hiding it from his mother. He looked around for somewhere to put dinner so nothing would happen to it until then... Haru debated stopping by the forge to see his fiancee before jumping into another decision like this. He really, REALLY didn't want Jyo mad at him. So before he would do anything "rash", Haruki turned and headed towards the forge where his fiancee worked. Jyo was sweaty with exertion. Under Kihara's Gehaka's careful eye he was crafting a new longsword with a gentle arc. That entltled taking the raw metal, inserting it into the flames, waiting until it was soft, flattening the metal by pounding it with a mallet, folding it, flattening it again, and repeating several hundred times until it had aquired the right shape.
Since it seemed Jyo had the basic rythem down, the Gehaka had left until it was time for the complicated refining process, but that could take weeks.
He was hot and tired, and was about to take a break. Setting aside the sword in making, he peeled away his kimono top and set it aside, picking up the sword again and setting it back into the flames. Haru nodded to one of the other customers as he stepped through the door and looked around. Stopping one of the gehaka, he asked, "Where is Jyogenzu?" The gehaka waved towards one of the forges and Haruki slipped around, peeking in. Jyogenzu was quite lovely actually, muscles gleaming and ripply, and yummy- not that he'd EVER admit that. Patiently, he watched while Jyo beat away at a sword, watching his fiancee with the gentlest eyes a haka would dare have in public. Despite the fact Jyogenzu was well muscled from years of hard training and physical labor, he still maintained a strong sense of elegance and nobility, from the steady and intelligent gaze in his mossy green eyes, to the simple flowing way he walked. Kihara, Jyogenzu's mother demanded that warriors must be both strong and flexible, and actually changed the way he performed forms from simple excersizes to what more resembled dance.
Sighing, Jyo set the sword aside and stood straight, cracking his back, and retreating to a chair to rest. Haruki gave a slow smile (that probably looked quite frightening judging by the way gehaka were jumping out of his way) as he saw his fiancee hadn't noticed him. Excellent. When Jyo sat down, Haruki smuck up behind him, bending down to whisper "Boo."
His eyes were laughing as he moved around the chair to look down at his fiancee. "Hey." he murmured, knowing his voice was throaty and intimate, something daring even among the noise of the forge. Haruki was fortunate Jyogenzu hadn't a weapon, as it would have been pressed to his throat a split moment after the voice reached his ears. Knowing he was in the forge, and it was likely one of his mother's idiot Gehaka, he mearly sits up, startled.
He seemed a little put off when it turned out to be Haruki, out on a rare errand on his own without escorts, back into the forge no less. He ought to find a place where the soot wouldn't get into his tabi.
"Hey."
Instantly Jyo's ears perked at the tone, a small smile crossing his features.
"Yes, Kumi-san?" He asked, leaning back again, still breathing heavily. Haruki was fortunate Jyogenzu was to be his mate. It meant his security should be almost absolute. Haruki gave Jyo a small smile, since he was facing a wall. "I was wondering if you wanted to do me a favor." his eyes were dancing. Of course, he had also wanted to see his beautiful fiancee, but he wouldn't admit that. He tugged idly on Jyo's sleeve, and nodded his head towards Jyo's mother's private office. He wanted to be able to talk to his mate with no eavesdroppers, and without having to keep up his haka mask. Jyo was shirtless, but Haruki tugged at his wrist lightly. Standing, Jyo capped the coals, grabbing his Kimono and sash and slipping them on. As they walked past the other Gehaka, he simply told them he had an important meeting, no interruptions, and to tell his mom when she returned.
He led Haru inside, and closed the sliding doors behind them. He watched at the door for any potential eavesdroppers, and satisfied, eventually turned to his fiancee.
"What do you require of me, Haru?" Haru waited until Jyo turned to him before he pounced, reaching up to give his fiancee a quick little kiss on the lips. "I have a small problem. I hired Zhou, the gehaka you met a couple days ago, to work in my store. However, his mother is an absolute cow, and I'm afraid he won't listen to Zhou if I send my message through him alone."
Haruki sat down delicately in a chair and glanced over at his future mate. "So I thought I'd ask you to go." Jyogenzu was honestly suprised at the affection, even behind closed doors. Haruki had never been anything aside from subtly callous or indifferent toward him before. He smiled into the kiss, rather pleased actually.
At mention of Zhou, he looked mildly miffed. Timid, obediant Zhou with the pleasing voice. He was skinny for a Gehaka, Jyo noticed, and he wasn't particularly fond of the lemon colored rival of Haru's affections.
"I don't have much of a choice, do I? What's the message I need to deliver." Jyo asked. He wasn't in much a mood to deal with a pissy Haka, but since Haruki asked him so nicely... Haruki smiled. "The witch isn't FEEDING him. I paid him more than enough to pay for him to be decently clothed, fed, and housed, and he came in today with no lunch or dinner. I just wanted you to tell his mother that I fully expect him to have lunch and dinner, or money for them from now on, and a decent meal too. He is an employee of mine, and I won't have him being mistreated. I... Jyo, I actually thought about taking him as a second husband. He's a fast learner, and he's very talented." Haruki glanced up at Jyo. "I thought you should know I am debating it. Jyo raised his eyebrows and nodded. He did quite agree with the point Haruki was making, though telling this to his mother sounded like seriously bad news for himself. He was glad Haka were not strong enough to make their bite as bad as their bark, though even the weakest of them had razor tongues.
At the mention of a prompt second marraige, Jyogenzu's ears flattened completely. It was bad enough HE got caught up in this marraige, and now he was debated having to share Haru. His green eyes darkened with distaste, and to avoid pointing the glare at Haruki, he shot it to the floor.
"Haru you...Will you be taking him as an working husband, or...Or a lover?" Haruki's eyes darkened. "Well, most likely as a working husband. I'm not interested in a lover at the moment, in any way. I'd like to at least get to know my fiancee before jumping into an intimate relationship." he tilted his head, and reached out to tug on one of Jyogenzu's ears. "Don't give me that look. I do need the help in the store, and if nothing else, at least you'll know I'll be working with someone whose first priority would be me, and not trying to please his mother." "I can leave Katanagami any time, if you merely ask it of me." Jyo said quickly, "As my fiancee, you are always my first priority now."
Haru caught his ear and pulled it, causing Jyo to wince slightly, and unfold them back to a neutral foward facing position.
Well, a few things had been confirmed. One, Zhou wasn't a potential lover, well at least, not at the moment, and two, neither was Jyo.
He wasn't sure if he should be relieved, or dissappointed. As much as Haruki could be snotty and brattish, high tempered and vengeful, he could also be very honest and caring. Also, he was very good looking. Jyo should consider himself fortunate to have such a wealthy and prestegious haka for a fiancee, though his becoming so was not from affection, but because Jyo royally pissed him off. He sighed. Way to go, Jyogenzu. Haru's eyes softened a bit. "I don't want to drag you away from your family until we are married. Thenn I'm afraid it will be unavoidable. You'll be my first husband, and I'll need you at my side more than ever." he smiled for a moment. "I'm just surprised I got to you first." his eyes were admiring as he eyed his fiancee. "How did you keep from getting taken?" his voice was a quiet query. Haru didn't really care, but he was surprised that so handsome and takented a gehaka could keep from being taken as a lover-husband long before now. "Well...Most Haka are violently repulsed by disobediant Gehaka. No one ever has shown even a remote interest in me once they learned I can think for myself." He said quietly, still suprised with Haruki himself.
"And...And these." Jyo reached into his hakama, pulling imitation marraige bracers from the hidden pocket.
"You however caught me without them, and mother never knew I had them." he said, hiding them away again.
"Life is scary when you can be snatched up against your will, and though it meant often beatings, I'd rather be smacked and single than married to someone like Zhou's mother." He admitted quietly. "I'm glad you found me, though." Haru snorted. "I don't like a disobedient Gehaka either." he informed Jyo, and stuck out his tongue. "But unlike many of my brethren, my mother taught me to catch more flies with sugar than salt. And besides, it will provide me some interesting conversation on those lonely nights, right?" he raised an eyebrow at the bracers and held out his hand for them. "Very convincing. I suppose I should count myself as lucky." his eyes glittered with laughter. "You know how much trouble you'd have been in if anyone had caught you? "No worse than if I had been commited to some shrew." Jyogenzu said very seriously. "When it really comes down to it, which is worse? Death, or a lifetime of suffering under domestic abuse?"
He folded his arms and gazed at Haruki, wondering if the Haka could ever seriously imagine such a situation, or put himself into a Gehaka's shoes, and realize what an unfair society they lived in.
"No night will be lonely when i'm with you." Jyo's face broke into a boyishly coy grin. "You claim to not like disobediant Gehaka, but who's engaged to who now? I'm sorry for the way I acted that day." Haru smirked at Jyo. "Don't worry. I'll tame you." he said with a wicked grin. Never break you, I like you lively, but tame... that's a different story." he moved over to his shirtless fiancee, enjoying the way the gehaka's muscled rippled. "And I would have to say death would be worse." his chin lifted. "Even when you are being abused, you can still feel happiness, find happiness if you seek for it. If you are dead... you can't feel anything at all. No pain, no love, no desire." "I would disagree. Happiness for a Gehaka is rare enough. Under the thumb of an opressive or violent tempered Haka, every day seems like another death, each word spoken a blow to the frame, chained to the foot of who you serve. My own opinion is, at least."
Jyo inhaled deeply, Haru's scent causing him to smile. He smelled clean, with just a hint of expensive perfume and high quality silk. So haughty and confident, chin up with his convicion. He'd dare say naive, as well. But, Jyo was a teetering log between optimism and pessimism.
The prospect of being tamed caused him to lift an eyebrow. The first thing that came to mind was highly erotic, but knowing he wasn't yet on the lover list, became a forbidden thought to keep behind dark eyes. Hey, if Haru was willing to put effort into him, who was he to complain? Haru bit his lip. He wasn't one to focus on the gehaka opinion. It just... wasn't done. The gehaka were there to serve and protect, and while the Haka shouldn't abuse their husbands, like some of the lower-class ones apparently did, nonte of the gehaka he'd met before had ever bemoaned their fate as the respected mate of a well-0off haka, many of them being adored behind closed doors.
Jyo confused Haru, made him even more nervous when he'd seen that flash in his eyes over the prospect of being tamed. Haru knew he was fully clothed, but something in that gaze made him feel naked, and he lifted his chin defiantly. Jyogenzu realized immediately Haru had taken what he said the wrong way, and became defensive, as though he personally was under attack. Seeing the futility of trying to explain it, Jyogenzu sighed. A Gehaka wouldn't dare admit to being abused. It was a sign of weakness in the Gehaka himself, and his his mate found out, it would mean even worse. Jyogenzu let his mossy green gaze fall away from Haruki, staring at the paper screen on the door, ears lax and to the side. It wasn't that Haru had taken it the wrong way, it was that Jyo's nearness made Haru think of things... he wasn't ready to think of. Like touching him, and wondering if he tasted sweet, or salty, or... if his skin was rough and calloused only on his hands, or if he was just naturally rough. Or how those hands would feel caressing him in the night.
He reached out and rubbed Jyo's ears gently. "Don't be mad at me." he murmured throatily. "Okay?" he gave Jyo a sad little look, honest and open. "I don't want you mad at me." Jyogenzu had briefly wondered what his mother was up to. Usually he wasn't gone for such a long time, and he'd probably catch hell for neglecting the sword. Oh well, he'd understand if he was caught out on an errand for Haruki.
Those thoughts all fled away the moment Haruki reached up and began to rub his ears. Jyo's ruddy colored ears were soft, flexible, and almost irritatingly sensitive. The most sour of his moods were lifted with frightening speed by someone just taking the time to give him a nice pet and ear rub.
"Ohh...Oh Haru..." Jyo moaned quietly, losing his composure as little shivers coursed along his body. Of course, Jyo having the sultry bedroom voice he did, didn't help alleviating Haru's wonderings.
When Haru stopped to gaze at him, Jyo had all but completely forgotten being mad at all, and had a dazed smile.
"I'm not mad at you." He said finally. Haru's eyes widened at Jyo's little moan, and Haruki was so, so, SO very glad they weren't in public. He stepped closer to his mate, wrapping his arms around the larger male's neck, and nuzzling up to him. "I'm glad." he said firmly, and kissed his fiancee gently on the lips. His mate smelled like sweat, and while on many gehaka he found the smell... rank... on Jyo it smelled good. It smelled... like Jyo. Sweet, and bitter, and wonderful. Oh yes, that would be quite a thing to explain in public, wouldn't it? Jyo couldn't really help it, not that he particularly wanted to. He embraced his fiancee when Haru sidled up to him, being affectionately nuzzled no less. He was tempted to push his luck with the kiss, gently pushing Haru's lips open to deepen it, keeping the kiss searingly hot, but not disgustingly invasive. Jyo did have a sense of class after all.
"You might not want to hug me too much in this state." He said a little hoarsely when they parted. "I don't think anyone else will take to the smell of forges like you do."
Jyogenzu leaned down to experimentally kiss at the tip of Haru's ears, though he knew no one else who was affected quite like him, except maybe his father. Haruki's ear twitched and he gave a little laugh. "Alright, anyways." he said, shaking his head and moving cleanly from affectionate to business mode. "You would be so kind as to go pay a visit to the cow, and I willgive the cow a few days to comply with my request." he kissed the tip of Jyo's nose, smiling at him. "And now, I have to get back before I find out something like he's a secret clutz and burned down my shop." Haru's nose wrinkled and he kissed his mate again, before pulling away and slipping out the door. Zhou had not burned down the shop. He was folding scarves and doing other unfinished chores as he patiently waited for Haruki. He did, however, wonder where Haruki was and what he was doing. Nope, Haru's ears were normal. Jyogenzu laughed quietly as his fiancee exited Kihara's office. Leaning back, he slipped his kimono top back on, tying the sash quickly. Kumi Haruki, what an enigma. Standing back upright, he quickly queried to Zhou's mother's residence, and departed, message hot on his tongue, as was the taste of Haruki himself.
He delivered the message, which was as expected not well recieved, and Jyo was only too happy to beat it out of there before all sense was beaten out of his brain.
By the time he returned, Kihara was home, and dismissed him for the day to return to Haruki's shop after taking a much needed bath. Jyo complied, and squeaky clean with his hair done up in a tight bun with the remainder hanging off the back, walked into Jade. Haruki reached the store and nodded to Zhou. "I have some boxes in the back I need moved." he said without preamble. "Hats and heavy needles that need to be unpacked, and then we have to see how you handle money." he said firmly. Jyo had made him question himself again, and he was eyeing the gehaka in front of him with a more critical eye. His eyes wandered the store, to find scarves nearly folded, and a task of other little chores many gehaka might not have noted being done.
He sat down, and pulled out a book, intending to read while Zhou did all the heavy lifting. When he heard the door bell ring, he lifted his head to turn away the customer, as the store was not yet open, but found his lips turn up into a smile when he saw Jyo. "You can help Zhou in the back." he said with laughing eyes, and turned his attention back to the book, wondering if the other gehaka would notice if his employer assaulted his future mate in the main room. Zhou barely twitched as Haruki finally came back in. He caught the nod and nodded back as Haruki told him what to do next before getting to work in the back. His ears turned towards the main room as Jyo entered, but Zhou did little else beyond continuing his work.There wasn't much for Haruki to do, and he didn't mind. It was nice being able to relax. And Jyogenzu's offer made him smile softly. Maybe Zhou wouldn't be the reviled addidtion to the house like he'd feared. And it WOULD be cheaper to just marry him and be done with it. "Mmmmm? Oh." It finally sunk in who said what, and what they were offering. Zhou turned towards Jyo, a box held between his hands. "Help couldn't hurt. The job would go faster that way too." He set the box down and waved with one hand towards the stuff that he needed to deal with. "I'm to move the boxes and unpack the hats and heavy needles. I'm not adverse to you doing either if you feel like it." That said, he got back to work, hoping Jyo would help out given the answer he received. Jyogenzu was extraordinarily effecient when he was in a good mood, and now was one of them times. He'd gotten his ears rubbed, which would keep him in a good mood for the rest of the evening, unless something catastrophic happened. Plus, when he got over the petty jealousy, Zhou was kind of cute. He could see why Haru fancied him. Jyogenzu absently wondered how sensitive the lemon colored Gehaka's ears were.
Despite having already worked all day, the boxes were moved and stacked within minutes, and the hats and heavy needles were well on their way to being unpacked and reorganized. He even did begin to hum, the same lullabye actually he could create with his singing sword. Haruki's ears twitched when he heard humming. Oh well, they seemed to be working well enough, he wouldn't comment on it. He settled back in his chair, and found himself tapping his nails on the chair in time to the music. Zhou listened to the tune for awhile, bits and pieces coming back from his own memories as time went on. His ears twitched in time with the beat, his wings fluttering every so often. The boxes were moved, and almost all the hats and heavy needles had been unpacked. Zhou was thankful to see Jyo reorganize the has and needles, and was smiling as a result. Soon they were done, and Zhou looked towards the main room, wondering what Haruki wanted them to do next. Haruki tapped his finger, debating what to have them do. Things seemed to be progressing rather well, he supposed he could send Zhou home early. That would give him some time. "Zhou!" he called, "You may have the rest of the afternoon off. Here is some money, go find something to amuse yourself. Jyo, if you would stay with me, please?" Zhou blinked and went pale for a moment at the prospect of having the rest of the afternoon off. He then blinked again as color came to his face. He just had the afternoon off. He didn't have to go back to his mother's. He decided he would at least come back around evening in case Haruki wanted him to do something more, but for now... He went into the main room, accepted the money from Haruki, and had to force himself to not skip out the door with glee. He wasn't at his mother's, and he had the afternoon off! He couldn't remember the last time he had any time off... So what more could a gehaka in his position want? Jyo hadn't realized his humming may have been irritating anyone, as he was focused on his work, but he did notice eventually Zhou's ears slightly flicking in tune. He smiled gently. Both Gehaka were pleased by this point, and if all was well, Haruki was as well. He had the urge to practice his forms, wanting to do something a little more creative and not so labor inclined. Perhaps he could inquire if Haruki wished to have a lesson in combat with a bladed fan?
The voice of his fiancee snapped him out of his thinking, and soon, almost regretably, Zhou was dispatched for the day. Perhaps if Haru did indeed marry him, he'd get a chance to speak with and get to know the golden Gehaka. All his earlier resentment was unjustified.
Jyogenzu was called into the main room. He walked up and bowed politely to Haruki, still aglow with happiness.
"You need something, Kumi-san?" He asked, trying not to beam too much. "You seem to like Zhou a little more now?" Haruki said with a grin, setting a small marker in his book and laying the volume to the side. Zhou had almost skipped out the door, something Haruki had noted with as much amusement as the current glow on his fiancee's face. "So, you won't have a problem with what I discussed earlier?" his eyebrow cocked, and he watched his fiancee intently. Jyogenzu's smile was instantly recognized. He balked for a moment and looked embarressed, hoping Haruki would never use his insta-good mood against him, or when he wanted something.
"After thinking about it, I realized I was unfairly judging him. I suppose I was a little jealous, but it's a futile excersize." Jyogenzu admitted aloud, keeping proud the fact that he was to be husband number one, most prestigous under only Haruki himself. Besides, Haruki was a good Haka, and Zhou deserved better than what he got from that evil witch he lived with. Jyogenzu could never hold a grudge to save his life, he was too smart for that. Even Haruki who he'd been initially bitter toward was earning his affections, albeit hastened by the return of affection toward him. Haruki stood up and brushed a light kiss across Jyo's cheek. "I suppose then to be polite I should ask him tomorrow his own opinion. I may call his mother a cow and a witch, but I know children usually can't help but love their prents, no matter how asinine they may be." he rolled hs eyes delicately, and motioned towards the door. "I was wondering about you spending the afternoon with me, in my home, getting to know me more privately, where I don't have to play up to prestige." his eyebrow raised. "Maybe get some lessons with that bladed fan?" Haruki's small kiss brought the smile right back to his face. But he was right. At least, most children wanted to feel loved, and wanted to love their parent, even when they were abusive, Jyo was grateful his own mother was understanding. He was strict, but never uneccesarily mean.
"I would be honored, Haruki, to do just that. Where would you like to begin." "Haruki led the way out of the store, closing and carefully locking the door behind him. "I suppose with the basics." he said with a smile, leading Jyo down the street for where he still lived with his mother, and most likely would until their wedding night. ((THE RP ENDED HERE))
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