[The Golden Petal Okiya] The Bagman Cometh... (Satsumaiha)

[Su Farong]

TS: 1st Cycle Immanis, Era XV pf
Location: The Golden Petal Okiya
Candlemark: 14th

Outside the wooden gates of the Golden Petal Okiya sat a Kemite man smoking a thin cigar. A bored look stretched across his face as he blankly watched people come in, come out, pass by, and generally bore the hell out of the tough from the Kitsune District. However, Su "Wrong Way" Farong was a man with very little friends, the ones he had were indeed precious. Su was a man beholden to no one- not a triad boss, not a clan, he was a free agent whom made his living on the fringes of society. A friend had asked him to help him and Wrong Way could not say no. After all, one had to live by codes, right?

Farong ashed his cigar while going over them in his head. Do not murder civilians, never lie to your friends, stay loyal to your word, and strike to kill. He was taught that by an old stick up artist that mentored the young and starving Wrong way. Did that mean he was a very nice person? Well, no, Su Farong was a calloused soul, a man whom watched his mother die due to her addictions. A man who killed his first person at 12, who killed not for the joy but it was either them or him. That was how the game was played, and Su was a player.

But he did have friends, it was a little sliver of humanity he possessed. Rai was a friend, one of his only friends. He worked as a body guard for the Quan Triad, counterfeiters and merchants of the underworld. The Quan's fenced stolen goods, loan sharked, and controlled the south side of the Kitsune District. Su sometimes worked for them, busting skulls and shaking down people light on their loan payments. He was dependable and professional. Su Farong had actually known Rai since they were boys- Wrong way was an street urchin stealing meat pies, Rai running the local street gang. They had engaged in a series of bloody fist fights before one day a common enemy forced them to join forces. They had been friends ever since.

Tama he did not remember so well. But Rai had begged Su Farong to deliver a pouch of crowns to her. His job prevented him from doing this, but since Su had nothing much else to do, Wrong Way was the perfect man for this job.

Wrong Way looked at the sun. Has it been 3 candlemarks he sat out here for?

Just wait for her, she will be out soon enough on an errand.

You gotta be fethin' kidding me brother...

Do it for me Wrong Way... I just can't leave the boss...

Alright my man... You can count on me.

The cigar had burned to the end so he flicked it into the street. It almost hit a passerby who shaked a fist. Su Farong laughed.

[Satsumaiha]

Afternoons in the okiya were given over to training and the occasional formal tea with patrons and fans, but the Keme'Dral tended to unfurl their golden petal at dusk. A few passed in and out, drawing notice as their bird bright kimonos and pale faces floated over the stark snow. Their dark hair was hung with tiny chimes and adorned with rich flowers even in the cruelest of seasons. But none resembled the girl Rai described.

A more secretive gate finally slid open with a papery swish, and an elder Maikami gently ushered a young Kemite girl out. Snatches of conversation were heard, but the words were lost. Only the spring sweet tone of the younger's voice was heard in ripples of sound. Then the door promptly shut as the girl was deposited on the street.

Hazel eyes, more amber than evergreen flicked from side to side, painting the passerbys with a long stroke of her lashes. She shared that color with her brother and precious few Kemites. Rai's, though, had significantly more jade, and tended towards brooding. There was an alchemical glow to hers. The world was upside down and unruly, but her eyes righted it before it reached her thoughts. Apart from that and her speaking voice, she was unremarkable. Small for her age, round 14 or so with black hair and two gold feather's knotted in the strands about her temples.

A staff was in her hand and she moved with a rolling hitch beneath a plain Kimono usually worn by Dyma Keme'Dral. A reed basket rocked between her shoulders as she began to move over the packed snow.

[Su Farong]

What wouldn't Su Farong give for a drink of something to warm the flesh in the snowy streets outside this fancy girl academy! He should have thought of that before he arrived. He was down to his last cigar and feeling like this was another brightening wasted.

People must of thought him a beggar because of his long face. The kindest of them tossed some coins which gathered at the base of his feet.

"Hey! I'm not a-" clink! Another coin was tossed. A thought struck him and Su Farong gave a approving nod as he inspected the 2 and a half crowns gathered before him. "An alm for a poor soul?" He started to ask passersby.

Begging would never be a career suitable for such a motivated man like Su, he could make 100 times this by performing a caper or shaking down a cornerboy for his stash. Rai owes me for this. Big time. he thought as dusk blanketed Zinn'sunn.

Finally paydirt. A secret gate opened, a young girl walked out. (Su remembered this for a future opportunity. You never know when you might need such information.) This had to be her. Su Farong fervently wished. I can hardly feel me rear from sitting on the frozen streets!

He awaited the secret door to close before making his move. His long strides brought him quickly beside her. He placed his hands on the reed basket.

"Allow me to help you, Satsumaiha... I will carry your basket and do not mean any harm." He said quietly in the nicest voice he had. He smiled. "Do you remember me? I'm your brother Rai's friend from back in the brightening. He sent me here to deliver something to you. Let me help you with your burden, Tama, he'd like me to do that."

[Satsumaiha]

Su's hands on the reed basket, made the slight Satsumaiha pitch back a bit. A soft, "Oh!" of surprise accompanied the motion. For almost stumbling, she did not show prolonged signs of being startled. Keme'Dral were taught to recover rapidly and gracefully from any error or impolite gesture.

She had barely righted herself when Su began his quick introductions. While he was all haste and getting to business, the Kemite girl stood on propriety. A slight bow was given towards him, the kind proper for elders of unknown station.
"Thank you for your offer, Sir," a bud sized smile touched her mouth, "But the basket is a lesson." Sensing that some greater explanation would be required to dissuade him she added, "If I carry a burden with fine posture, then I will carry myself with grace."

If the girl could display an aura it would have been a delicate shade of rose. Her hands moved like drifting petals but she maintained a cautious sort of modesty in her gestures. A traditional Kemite woman would have been proud of the little Dyma, save her gold eyes were too quick, too eagerly raised at times. They were almost molten when her brother was mentioned.

Satsumaiha bit back a quick breath, "Rai sent you?"

She withdrew in manner and glance, returning to the sparrow like creature of moments before.
"I have not heard news of him in so long." And she questioned whether she should trust what came to her now, but this doubt did not linger long. What would come would come, embracing opportunity was the only way to see its true face.
"Your face is familiar, Mr. Farong." She colored apologetically, "But forgive me for not recognizing you. I am a seven years younger than my brother, so my memory of his childhood is not perfect."

[Su Farong]

"Er," Su Farong stood uneasily with the reed basket, the tiny Dyma's elegance made 'Wrong Way' acutely aware of his own lack of sophistication. Normally it wouldn't bother him in the least, but for some reason he wished he wore his nice pair of pants. "Suit yerself then..." Was all he could manage to say as he dumped the basket back into her arms.

"Yeh, Rai, we still tight ye know. I haven't seen you since you were a lil' shorty." Su chuckled. "He's still working as muscle for the Quan's, doing well for himself." Su started to walk down the street while beckoning Satsumaiha to follow along.

"Saw him last darkening tol' me dat he misses you something fierce. Wishes things weren't so fethed..." Su 'potty mouth' Farong blushed, and immediately corrected his curse. "So screwed up. Wishes things were different but he's still your brother and blood still counts. If you don' stand for your blood or your comrades, you don' stand for anything... you know?"

While walking Su Farong deftly slipped a linen pouch into the reed basket.

"He's still lookin' out for ya, and wanted me to give you dis. He heard that something unfortunate happened. Tol' me to deal with it if you needed this problem dealt with." He emphasized the last phrase with a knowing glance and left how Su would deal with it unsaid.

[Satsumaiha]

With the reed basket re-adjusted on her back Satsumaiha limped after Su, one hand grasping a canvas strap that kept the basket in place. Her rolling gait was simultaneously comical and sad. She was trying to move quickly but maintain some degree of smoothness, an impossibility with her injury. The attempt at mincing gestures was abandoned for the span of a yard or two until she was at Su's side.

Her little staff pressed into the slush that was shuffled into patches over the streets of Zinn'Sunn. It struck a steady rhythm to accompany her melodic voice.
When the swear stung the air, the girl coughed lightly into her hand covering a blush with her hair. She forgave the faux pas with the display of a bashful smile.

Her upturned face looked at Su with a veil of surprise when he finished talking about the sovereignty of blood. She had murmured her brother's name to Torek in so many prayers, wondering if some string still bound them across the eras and conflicting choices they had made.

The linen envelope made her start with a quick bob of her shoulders. The girl halted in the snow, making poor Su an awkward witness to her overwhelmed spirit.
"Send him my love." She tried to vindicate her brother further, though there was no need to convince Su.
"He used to send what he could when I lived with our Uncle. Our Uncle was unlucky in cards with the crowns, but Rai tried to help for a long time."

She looked forward, already making peace with a hope being stoked then smothered.
"I am glad he has found me again." A hopeful smile, "Someday he might even come in person."

Moving forward again, the little Kemite began to make the strange pattern of her steps and staff in the snow again.
A frail laugh flowed beneath her words as she continued, "Ah yes it was unfortunate, but I do not intend to deal with my difficulties in such a way." Her gold eyes darkened to amber, "He will understand if you say I visited mother for her birth brightening."

When she glanced up again, she seemed only a trace tired but her visage was all soft kindnesses.
"Thank you for your offer."

A child's curiosity focused her expression.
"You are a good friend to Rai to do such favors for him. Do you work for... Quan?..." she was unsure of the name. "...As well?"
Her tone was gentle but wistful, "You seem good at heart, like Rai." It still puzzled her as to why Rai walked into such company and violent work.
"My brother used to want to be a Black Rose." Her inquisitive nature lifted its youthful head, "Did you always want to do what you do now, Mr. Farong?"

[Su Farong]

"Ain't no man going to be calling Farong his hired arm. Su Farong don't run that way." Su explained that he was self-employed. "I've never been one to run with the crowd, swim with the school of those fishes around in the big ol' Kitsune Ocean. No ma'am. I am self-employed and directed." Su actually cracked a genuine smile. For whatever reason the small, petite girl was so incredibly opposite of everything in his life- it was amazingly wonderful. And frightening. If Su Farong divulged too much would be be horrified of both his and her brother's actions?

Su Farong sighed.

"Good heart? Ma'am with all due respect regardless of what in here..." He pointed to his chest. "In the Kit only thing that keeps you alive is dis." He held up his fist. "Rai and I both dreamt of bein' Black Roses, but who would have us? Street kids without any clan ties. Ain't no option but to make da best out of da situation. An' sometimes da only option is violence."

Su Farong laughed sadly.

"Those clans." He said with clenched teeth. "Tossed us in a corner of d city for us to slowly rot and kill each other. What did I ever do? Or Rai? We no differen' than some clan *#@#$&$ riding his fancy rick-shaw or some ridiculous contraption. Only difference was we were born in #*#&." Su Farong wiped his face.

"Look, sorry Tama, there's no need to burden you with my troubles. I'm out of line. Pay me more mind. Have you any message for me to bring him?"

[Satsumaiha]

Whether the girls of the Golden Petal were chosen for possessing this skill, or taught it was a topic of debate between the city's okiyas. Either way, the Golden flowers had a talent for listening, and for bearing other's stories and secrets. And a disarming sincerity was laced through their features as they bore all tales and grievances in respectful quietude. Though still a Dyma, Satsumaiha shared this trait.

Her expression moved with sympathy as Su verbally punched at the air, fuming over where he felt the clans had trapped him. Perhaps she saw her brother's frustration mingled with Su's, and it moved her all the more. They were thrashing with troubles they had neither the power nor means to alleviate.

But unlike her brother, Satsumaiha was bolstered with hope. While her profession was not one of power, it was one of art and beauty. Created to enchant and soothe others. That was enough for her. She fed on gentle hopes and faith in Torek.

The little Keme'Dral colored at Su's swears, but it was out of innocence instead of censure.

At the end of Su's reply, her golden eyes rested on him kindly. She had no judgment only compassion. As if someday, all could be made well in him. What flaws that possibly held fast in Su and her brother could be transformed into the nobler versions of themselves.

"There is no burden in listening, Mr. Farong, only privilege. Please do not think I listen unwillingly."
And the confounded Kemite meant it. She limped a little faster, stopping in front of his path.
"A message for my brother, and you, if you will bear it."
The girl bowed her head, "You are in my prayers. And my hope is that Torek will overtake you one day and draw you to him with joy."
She lifted her head again, "But I understand that few paths are made entirely straight."
A quick smile, "For my brother alone, tell him to not worry overmuch. I have a dear friend who watches out for me. A friend who once was a Black Rose."

[Su Farong]

For a moment the hardest man in Zinn'Sunn looked on the verge of tears. Most of his interactions were rather rough and tumble and he was unprepared for compassion. The last time anyone felt anything other than terror or anger towards him was eras ago, at least since his mother. But this little Keme'dral, this tiny little limping flower whom bore her burden with dignity got to him. Su Farong frowned in confusion to the whirlwind of different emotions that swirled around and inside him.

"I have not thought of Torek in quite awhile." Su said softly and suddenly awfully clear and without the tinge of street slang he usually draped over his sentences. "If anything I have ignored him because it has seemed that he has ignored me."

As she smiled, the now rather bashful Su Farong answered with a small bow and smile of his own.
"I swear that Rai will hear those exact words Tama." His body loosened, emotionally vulnerable Su Farong was melting away to be replaced with his usual incarnation. A wry and humorous grin came to his face. "Oi, Tama, a Black Rose? I don' know if one of those jive-ass- (Oi! Forgive my swearing!) I don' know if the Black rose ain't some sort of state sanctioned goon squad pretending to be all good and @*&!. Oi! Sorry once again! All they do is continue to enforce the rampant inequalities of our society. Rich, elites thugs, I call him. But I'm sure your friend is a'ight. Jus' don' forget your people in the Kit, we's got you back, don' forget us." He motioned for Satsumaiha to continue to lead the way.

[Stargrace]

Small snippets of conversation could faintly be heard by Satsumaiha and Su as people passed them by. Occasionally a person would look at the two and within moments an expression appeared upon their faces revealing their inner thoughts on the two companions walking together. After briefly observing the Keme'Dral and then the male close to her side, the expressions varied between giving the two no further thought whatsoever conveying a knowing grin, a smirk or making the small sound of a snigger that proved to be easily identifiable to the ear; others, more of the feminine kind, looked at the two before they quickly averted their eyes away, whilst others merely blushed. Yes, people whom did not have any right to pass judgement or make any assumptions did so anyway. People were as curious as cats in this way. The only difference was that humans did not have as much lives.

The next person to come up close to the two companions was well aware of this fact and took great pleasure in the knowledge. Unlike the other observers, these three men did not reveal any expression upon their faces except for that of cold despise. One tall Kermite male of a strong and well-toned build, stepped up behind the Keme'dral and placed his hands firmly upon her shoulders. His grey eyes eyes fixed upon Su with cold calculaion as his two friends made their presence known on either side of Su.

"Oh this pretty lil' thing will fast forget the likes of you maggots. Don't worry we will take gooood care of her. In fact, we will treat her like a queen..." Finally expressions could be seen and heard from the three dressed in simple tunics heavily adorned in weaonry. Sniggers, leers and foul grins seemed to suck all the cleanness out of the air. From their appearance it was impossible to guess who they were exactly and of what clan they belonged to. The only thing that could not be underestimated was the seriousness of their demeanour and their intentions. "In fact, we might let her do nothing but rest up on my bed...she will certainly need her strength."

The man behind Satsumaiha leaned over and whispered into her ear. "Wouldn't you like that darlin'?"

[Satsumaiha]

His promise was a boon. Ruffian, fighter, criminal, it did not matter to her. What good the man possessed was being extended to her, and that was a fine gift.

Satsumaiha was touched by a discreet smile over Su's speech on the empire's "goon squad". Part of her wanted to laugh and part of her wanted to scold, not for any especial allegiance to the Empire but for the sake of her friend. Yet she absorbed Su's opinions with patience and sifted through them, earnestly seeking the root and substance of his exclamations. Words often resembled an elaborate kimono, obscuring the shape of what moved beneath it.

Whatever Su's position in the hierarchy of Zinn'Sunn, it had no bearing on the weight she gave his commentary. The girl lacked that inordinate respect of person so common in those her age. She addressed each station properly, like any well-trained Keme-Dral, but her favor was magnanimously bestowed. She finally spoke again, punctuating her answer with a thoughtful nod.

"It will be a good day when a man's worth is dictated by more than his rank. I am glad that Torek does not see the same way we do, he is able to look at the heart."
Gentleness was in her liquid eyes when they lifted towards his.
"My friends will never be forgotten, in the Kitsune or elsewhere. Sometime I think I have written their names on my palm."
The girl looked toward her destination again.
"My Black Rose friend is a good giant. He has done much to help those who need it. So he is…" a coy smile, "…'A'right'."

Satsumaiha's glance skirted over the crowd, not comprehending that she was being stared at. The Keme'Dral was still a Dyma, nothing to take great notice of. Her profession however was obvious by the mincing way she limped and the cut of her kimono. Some judged her with the worse measure of what a Keme'Dral could do and others recognized that okiya's like the Golden Petal frequently abided by a "look but do not touch" policy. Okiya's housed the highest clan daughters and the finest courtesans, wrapping each in a pale and silk mystique. Whatever each Keme'Dral did, entertain with an enchanting art or seduce with swaying bodies and red mouths, they did it with greater skill then any other.

The little bird began to draw in her wings as hawks began to gather. She lowered her eyes and tried to press through, but heavy hands jarred her shoulders. The reed basket she carried on her back seemed suddenly unwieldy and she teetered against her staff.

If Su's swears had made her blush, the men's suggestions turned her crimson with acute discomfort. She squirmed under the gray-eyed man's hands, twisting and wheedling to get away.

His hot breath intimately filled her ear with threats and poured shame on her head. Satsumaiha tried to pull away, stubbornly using her staff for leverage.

"I am not for the taking. Leave me alone."

[Su Farong]

Su gnashed his teeth in frustration. He was listening and paying attention to Satsumaiha more than he was on his toes. He noticed the catcalls and glared menacingly around the street, but he did not feel anything more sinister than crudeness to be planned this brightening. He found themselves ambushed and himself embarrassed. It hurt is pride how could he protect Tama if he was easily waylaid by crude alley brigands?

"Buddy..." Su's body relaxed and began to loosen up in preparation of combat. His knees bent slightly, his arms dropped to waist level and his hands were balled up into fists. "Trust me, you don' want dis. Whatever it is you tink you 'bout to do ain't going to end pretty. For you."

Su's eyes narrowed and focused with a cold, murderous energy upon the man near Satsu.

"Now, I know places you can get the satisfaction you crave. But not here and not with lil' shortie der." Su turned his head to and fro and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear him.

If Satsu wasn't here the fight would already have begun. However, her safety made him a little more cautious. He could explain away any injuries to himself, but to her? What would he say to Rai? She was but a girl and no doubt not much of a help during a fight. Su Farong would first try to talk their way out of it. Then he would hunt these men down and kill each and every one of them.

"You might not know who we are, but trust me if you take another step you'll bring a storm down on your clan. Her people are part of da Kitsune, and you don' want no Axes comin' down here to get revenge- if you catch my drift." Su threatened with the very real possibility that the organized criminal clan would retaliate. Satsumaiha's brother was a member of the Quan Triad and would not leave this unanswered. Neither would Su.

"You got one second to get walking." Su threatened with his right hand hovering near his dagger in preparation. If any of them so much as sneezed he'd slit their throat.

[Stargrace]

Upon hearing the beautiful and fragile flower's words, the man leered and replied to her as one hand lifted from her shoulder to roughly caress her cheek. "Oh I think there is much for the taking with you my dear. Some of it you will enjoy...other parts...perhaps not so much...but it shall be defining factors of the future path your tiny feet will walk upon."

The two men standing on either side of Su had their full attention on the man; They knew almost everything about the man, they were even privy to some secrets the Kitsune clan member was not even aware of. They took pleasure in this knowledge. They took pleasure in this very moment; having both the male and the female together at the same time was unexpected and thus it proved to be a pure delight. It seemed Torek had shone a light upon the men and had played a hand in choosing what was left entirely up to fate to decide. With both Torek and fate on their side how could the present and also what they had planned for the future, go any more perfect? And not to mention their most careful planning and diligent attention they had put into this feat. This assurance showed in their expressions and the way they held themselves: with confidence, reassurance layered with a blatant cockiness one could only expect from such strong brutes like these men were.

If there was only one man, even if there were two of them, Su may have stood a chance at victory but with three and a flightless bird added into the mix, Su did not stand a chance.

The man to the left of Su hit him across the back of the head with force. The hit came unexpected and before Su could regain his footing and grasp his weapon that his hand hovered oh so close to, the other man seized the dagger while his comrade seized Su's arms and wrenched them gruffly behind his back. Pain laced through Su's shoulder blades. People on the street kept their distance as their eyes remained fixed upon the group.

Only when Su was contained did the leader of the group address Su. With a grin apparent on his face and sheer amusement shining in his cold grey eyes he said, "My, such threats you give....too bad you cannot back them up. But to be fair to you, you are slightly outnumbered." He paused just long enough for a smirk to show before he continued speaking. "We are well aware of whom this beautiful female and most importantly, who her relations are..." Harshness entered into his voice upon the last words departing from his lips conveying perhaps more than just his feelings on the matter.

His tone then returned to its previous coolness threaded with amusement that all the while held undertones of dead seriousness. "And we know who you are Su Farong. Oh we know much about you..." The man leaned his head forward closer to Su and incidentally became close to and aligned with Satsumaiha's own face. "The question is, do you yourself know?"

[Satsumaiha]

Satsumaiha was a stranger to the habits of criminals, the dialogue, the posturing. Her troubles and hurts had been earned in more winding settings, not in the swift and arbitrary style of violence for money, respect or to satiate an impulse. No, she had only been fortune's collateral damage.

Su's promises and warnings were as rough as the threats doled out to her. But she found comfort in this quick and dirty defense on her behalf. The trio overwhelmed the lone Farong, who was partially restrained by her presence. The best promises, though, were the sort that took their time in coming. Retaliation could linger on the doorstep, not knocking today, tomorrow or a cycle later, but it would visit soon enough. Even as his arms were held, Su likely considered this principle.

The man's lascivious touch on her cheek was akin to being brushed by a dead thing. Satsumaiha pinched her eyes and turned her face away, with another fruitless tug to escape.

She was too tender an age to not tremble under such depraved threats. Despite the sickening feeling in her core, she set her jaw and braced her shoulders. Her gold eyes were wide and liquid when she lifted them towards Su.

And then the little bird gave a peck of her beak. The staff gripped in her hand struck suddenly over her shoulder, where the speaking man's head hovered. An endeavor to crack his nose while he sputtered about knowing far more than any of them.

[Su Farong]

Su grimaced, simmered and soon boiled over. The pain of in his shoulders, the blow to his pride, and the worry about Satsumaiha was making Su a bit angry. He swallowed the majority of this anger down and kept it cool for the time being. Lull them into a false sense of security and then strike. And strike their families while he was at it.

His eyes met Satsumaiha's for a second. His dark eyes fury retreated and was replaced with worry. The cougar of Kitsune seemed for a moment a kitten, his outward violence defeated by a delicate flower. How ridiculous, he thought. I must be getting soft!

"Don' worry Tama..." He gave a reassuring smile.

To the man who dangled the tantalizing clue in front of him Su merely spat in his face. The Kemite was partially troubled by this talk of knowing stuff about him... What didn't he know? What were these guys talking about? The only thing this guys going to find out is what a foot in the ass feels like! Su mused sarcastically for a moment.

*whack!* Tama suddenly lashed out with her tiny staff! Take that you jerks!

"Tama! Get out of here!" Su pleaded for the tiny keme'dral to get free and flee.

Now, it was time for the Cougar to spring, or try to. Su Farong brought his right foot high in the air and sent it crunching onto his oppressors' foot. If that was successful he'd try to wrench himself clear and immediately kick that man in the crotch.