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 Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:18 am
 The Magoi Gardens was a quaint little shop on the main street of town. It gave the illusion it was small from the front but once entered, the shop was extremely long and opened up into a beautiful public garden in the back. The garden was usually baren, hidden from most even though it was for the people.
The room behind the shop was a living room of sorts; a small table was in the center and a bamboo mat was spread out beneath the mahogany table. Arehoudai Ran sat peacefully at the table, facing the garden outside, viewable from the open doors. Ran was a tall Haka like his son, his hair the same charcoal black but with a distiguishing streak of white in his loose ponytail.
Enju was tending to the garden in the back, hidden from the most part by leaves and taller flowers. Ran observed the garden calmy, eyes closing as the Haka rested quietly, a cup of tea steaming in his hand.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 7:48 pm
 Masae walked alongside Ryuu in silence. The day was sunny and warm, the smell of food stalls and spring flowers all combined to make a rather festive atmosphere. Masae was oblivious to all of it, his mind on the marriage bracer he carried in a box in his hands.
To say he was nervous would have been a considerable understatement. He was petrified. The realisation dawning on him that although a husband meant parental freedom it meant many other things as well. It was the other things that troubled him.
His heart beating hard in his chest they finally reached the flowershop. He breathed deeply, the aroma from the colourful displays was amazing and helped calm him a little. Turning to Ryuu he finally spoke.
"You.." He began. His voice came out as nothing more than a croaked whisper. He coughed to clear his throught a little. "After you Ryuu-sama." trying to joke as he gestured with his hand for Ryuu to go first.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 8:13 pm
Walking down the street Ryuu was acutely aware of the people around him, a few staring, a few bowing, a few running away...he chuckled. But all of this aside, it was the oppressive atmosphere that clung to Masae like mud to a kimono that Ryuu could not stop thinking about it. It was starting to affect him, which was never a good thing. The last thing Ryuu wanted was to be in a foul mood when checking out Masae's potential mate.
Mate.
He rolled the word around his head over and over. To think, that Masae had gone out on his own, and actually spoken to a gehaka. The thought brought him endless joy. He'd had so much fun teasing Masae, but all of that was in the past now. Masae had seriously asked for his help, and he would give it. 100 million percent...that is, if he could get this damn oppression away from.
Upon reaching the flowershop Ryuu stopped, and waited for Masae. He seemed to calm down a little, but not very much. It oozed out out of him without reservation. It was even in his words. Shaking his head slightly, and exhaling deeply, he straightened his teal kimono and his silver hair and walked up to Masae.
Turning to him he reached out and grabbed the box of bracers. "Give these to me. I don't need you acting like an imbecile in there. We're here to make an impression and I'll be damned if you make a bad one. Get ah hold of yourself Ametani-san. Immediately." With that, he grabbed the bracers from Masae and handed them to Yoshi. "Take care of these. You'll know when they'll be needed. Until then please keep your distance."
With a quick glance, and wink to Masae Ryuu entered the shop. He hadn't worn his blood orchid kimono for nothing. Masae would have his mate indeed.( THIS is sorta what his kimono looks like...just picture this colour, plus a few blood red orchids scattered over it. It's handmade, silk, and while appears somewhat simple, is extremely expensive. ^^ )
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 8:49 pm
(Sorry if mine are short <:E *tries his best* )
Ran wasn't very intimidating visually as he sat, legs folded neatly under him, sipping a cup of ivy tea. His long black hair drooped over his eyes messily yet somehow he managed to maintain some dignity in the way he held himself. His kimono was opened loosley, adding to the rather laid back appearance. It was a wheat colored kimono, embroidered with a reddish gold design of a flying crane.
Enju was preening the flowers outside, hair messy as usual and clad in a muted teal yukata top, beige slacks hanging aroud his hips. He was happily unaware of when Masae would be coming, easily distracted by the flowers he was preening. He had been excited that morning and had talked with his mother most of night before. Ran had seemed agreeable to it but was of course, going to be stubborn about it.
Ran's fallen ears barely rose as he caught the sound of footsteps in the shop. He rose slowly, closing the screens to the garden and making his way to the front of the shop. Opening another door, Ran looked calmy at the two Haka, titlting his head to the side curiously. Most of his Gehaka were at the in, leaving only Enju and Ran to the shop. Ran leaned his head back and looking down his nose at them.
"Ametani Masae, I presume," he asked hesitantly, looking at them both and forgetting Enju's description of Masae. The Haka's voice was quiet and raspy and even strangely grim sounding as he examined the two, trying to guess at who Masae was.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:06 pm
((No worries hon....mine will get much shorter.. ^^)) Masae was shocked by Ryuu's firm tone. So shocked in fact he stood at the doorway and blinked. It had even upset him a little. A sure sign that he wasn't being himself. Taking another breath he straightened himself up to his full height and stepped into the beautiful shop.
The haka that met them had a comanding aura about him. One that showed he was usually used to getting his own way...as were all their kind. The look he gave the both of them snapped Masae out of his dark mood and allowed him to move himself forwards, in front of Ryuu.
"I am Ametani." He said with all the superiority he could get together. "This is my friend, The honourable councillor Tsukino sama." He introduced Ryuu with the most pompous title he could think up. He didn't like this old haka much, he seemed to be very different from his son. "I have come to have a word with you about your son." For all the assertiveness he tried to convey, he had to clench his hands into fists to avoid his skaing nerves getting the better of him.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:19 pm
Ryuu's posture straightened as Masae introduced him. He really did hate all the formalities, but in such a situation it could make or break the deal. Glancing over at Masae he was glad to see that some of his strength had returned.
Turning back to face the older haka Ryuu took in deeply his features, and posture. This haka was indeed the type to run a tight ship, and certainly commanded respect, and so, in a rather uncharacteristic move, Ryuu bowed his head first, then addressed the haka.
"As Ametani-san has kindly mentioned, my name is Tsukino Ryuu and I've come purely on behalf of Ametani-san, as a testament to his character. That is all." Then quietly he waited. While the gesture was uncharacterstic, it was simply that, a gesture. Ryuu still maintained his dignity and stature. He could play the game as well as anyone.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:35 pm
(x3 <33)
Ran's arms were limp at his side, his small shady eyes widening at Masae, amused at his straight forwardness. His mouth twitched into a grin, eyes looking closed in the sharp and rather haunting grin. Enju's grins was nearly the same but expressed more happiness then his mother's. He bowed his head at both of them, dragging a hand through his hair fervently, looking as if he was in thought for a moment.
"An honor to make your aquaintances. I am Arehoudai Ran, please come sit, I have some kombucha tea out, hot and ready for drinking," he rasped, his voice often making some think of how a snake might speak, deep and quiet, a hint of struggle in it. The haka didn't look as old as he was, he was a well rested fellow and wasn't much of a worker. His main area of work was working deals and talking. He was all talk all the time, and now was no different.
He led the duo into the room, kneeling down onto the mat and pouring the haka their tea. He had felt the tension in Ametani's voice, smirking as he thought back to his own proposal for his first Gehaka. He wondered if he was a tense as Ametani now as he was then, his mind dreding up a memory of his husband's mothers' throat in his hands. But that didn't need to be thought about now, he was judging how good this haka was going to be to his boy; Enju deserved the best and what Ran wanted him to get, he'd get.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:59 pm
Masae knelt down with a fluid elegance, tucking one foot over the other and smoothing the soft silk of his kimono. He folded his hands in his lap and looked at Ran. He was not sure how to deal with him. The haka was very different from his own mother. The complete oposite in fact. Ran was obvioulsy a man of business, just as Masae was. He would have no misconceptions about what bonding meant to every haka.
"I will speak frankly with you Arehoudai-san." He said softly maintaining eyecontact to show his sincerety. "I met your son the other morning and he pleased me. His manner and his skills were attractive to my needs. You have obviously brought him up well." Masae's words were not said to try and suck up to Ran. Grovelling was not something he liked from other people so it was not something he did in return. "I wish to marry your son. He will be my first husband and enjoy all the priviledges that entails." Masase paused and looked at the tea. "I want to assure you that my business is a popular one. He will live comfortably and be treated well. Would such an arrangement be agreeable for you?"
((meh...not very good...sorry.))
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:10 pm
Ryuu also joined Ran and Masae at the table. Sipping his tea softly he listened as Masae stated his business. Inwardly he chuckled; just like Masae to get right to business. No fooling around.
As much as he wanted to stay engaged in the conversation it was very difficult to. Formalities were not his forte and so if things continued in this manner he was going to have to figure out a way to sneak away and distract himself. He was distinctly aware of a garden out back. The a thought struck him. He'd go find Enju. Yes yes, good plan...and so, he waited for the conversation to get really boring.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:29 pm
Ran played with the empty tea cup, running his finger along the rim as he listened. He liked to get to the point too and cocked his head to the side. At least he wasn't snooty or anything. Ran, unfortunately, came off too often as a lazy, rude haka, only because his mannerisms were slow and to the point. His eyes were on Masae, every once in awhile straying to the Councelor curiously. He stared at Masae for a moment before sitting up, hands folded in his lap.
"Well, Ametani-san, you seem...fit to keep up with him. While I don't think a day is enough time to choose a first husband, I will agree to the marriage. Don't ask why, I have my reasons. Firstly though, I must ask some conditions to this marriage, if you wouldn't mind. I'm sure Enju told you he's my prize fighter and gardener. All that I ask is that you contiune to let him keep up the shop here and keep him in shape. It won't take much time and I'd hate to see 18 years worth of training go to waste. Also, there are some...things I'd like to talk to you about. Privately. If that would be alright, Tsukino-san? I'm sure Enju would be happy to give you a tour of the garden," he finished, his eyes errily steady on Masae.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:50 pm
Masae listened to the calculating haka's words carefully and nodded. He smiled his special business smile. One that showed confidence and that he stood for no nonsense.
"I will allow him to continue his training. As his skill with fighting will benefit me as much as it does you." He agreed taking the cup in his hands and breathing in the scent of the tea. "However with regards to the shop I shall have to ask you to make a comprimise. You see my main reasons for aquireing a husband are to help me run my own shop." He paused to sip his tea. "I can allow him certain days to work with your flowers if it pleases you. Possibly two days a week?"
He was a bit concerned that Ryuu was going to have to leave him now, but he tried to look as unflustered as possible.
"Of course." He said in reply, giving a look to Ryuu that said 'I wonder what?' Soon it would be just him and Ran, the thought was a little intimidating but he would have to sit tight and deal with it.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:59 pm
Ryuu was a little surprised that Ran wanted to speak to Masae alone already, but he certainly did welcome it. Although a part of him wondered if Masae would be alright. Glancing at Masae he assessed that he would. Giving a quick smile to Masae, Ryuu turned back to Ran and nodded.
"Of course. If for any reason you need me simply have Yoshi send for me. He'll know where to find me." and with that, Ryuu stood up in one elegant fluid motion and shuffled off to the garden. He was sure he'd find Enju there, what with all this talk about gardening.
Stepping out into the sunshine filled garden, Ryuu snapped open his parasol rather loudly, and stared out at the few gehaka working in the garden. Now....to find Enju....
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:26 pm
Enju at that moment, was traipsing about the garden, clipping off dead or old leaves. A refreshing breeze ruffled the plants, pushing them down enough to let the counselor spot Enju. He was tending to a plumeria tree, the tree baren with the exception of a few leaves and lovely bloomed flowers. Enju's ears perked up, the sound of the parasol opening alerting him of an unknown prescence.
He turned, seeing Ryuu, eyes widening a bit as he set his tools down. He hurriedly made his over to him, bowing lowly and then rising, head down as he spoke. "Ah, honorable one, what can I do for you," he asked with a grin on his face, radiating a warm welcome.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:48 pm
As the gehaka rushed over to Ryuu, he got a better look at him. It was Enju alright. Just as Masae had described. Looking him over as he bowed, and then spoke keeping his head down, Ryuu grinned he was very well-built. A fighter most definitely. Masae had done well as far as the outside was concerned. Ryuu chucked, if only it was the outside that concerned Masae.
Walking over to Enju Ryuu stopped for a moment beside the gehaka to admire his physique from the backside as well. Letting out a light sigh Ryuu trained his eyes out to the garden.
"I'm afraid Ametani-san's and Arehoudai-san's conversation is exceedingly boring, and I'm in dire need of some entertainment Enju....That is your name is it not"
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Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 1:02 am
Enju, being as tall as he was, found it hard to not glimpse at Haka since they were normally shorter than him by a few inches. His lips pursed in an inquisitve expression, wondering who the haka was and why he was here. He straightened up, feeling the haka's eyes on him. Hopefully he wasn't a suitor or anything. He hoped Masae was coming soon, his ears laying back to hear the haka talk.
At the mention of Ametani, Enju's eyes widened. He was here already? His wings were closed as he became slightly edgy. "Yes...Enju's my name," he mumbled, wondering just what his mother was talking about to Masae. He had a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach that it wasn't something good.
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