[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

Twilight graced the skies with the dusky pastels of evening’s approach. Lamp posts flickered on along one of the many streets between UAU and Noyote, her favored location to rest her weary bones, to combat the coming darkness. They were well lit paths that Kioko would have been more familiar with had her life’s plan not gone up in a spectacular inferno. Tragic, but spectacular nonetheless for those that had followed the scandal on the news over two years ago.

She traversed them now with the intent to track down the worthless mooch that was Sebastian Sinclaire. Kioko had a bone or several to pick with him over their newest arrangement—one that left her footing the bill for his cellphone. What Kioko hadn’t agreed to was all of the strange charges populating the invoice. Charges Kioko assumed came from one Sebastian shenanigan or another. Of course, she wasn’t allowed on university grounds. She wasn’t a student and there was the little issue of her being a known murderer. Kioko was the embodiment of a security risk by any metric. How fortunate for Sebastian. Not that Kioko expected to find him there. He was hardly ever where he was supposed to be, but someone near the school might provide her with the info she needed to track him down.

What Kioko didn’t expect to encounter on her quest as she stalked with the predatory gait of an apex hunter down the street was the panic cries of a young girl in tears beneath the awning elevated high above the door of a tea shop—or the rotund cat contentedly roosting upon said awning far out of the reach of anyone sans a giant courtesy of the branches from a nearby tree. Tall though she was, Kioko was not technically a giant. Even with the boost from the stilettos she wore, she wouldn’t be able to reach the cat. Not without her Quirk or climbing the twisted arboreal ladder. One involved more jail time. The other involved effort on behalf of a snotty child to whom she had no connection. Kioko wanted nothing to do with either option and fully intended to ignore the girl.

Fate, it seemed, had other plans.

It always did.

Notes & Tags: Samaritan | Outfit

[Samaritan]

Reaching Out

Michael… well what should have been a casual walk home had become something much longer. Having finished up with classes at UAU, Michael was invited to come visit his parents at their home. They had offered to send a car to pick him up, but Michael insisted on walking as he had been in classes all day and wanted a nice stroll. However, what should have been a casual trip from campus to his family’s estate had turned into couple hours of assistance to any and every person he passed in need.

Michael was a polite and helpful young man who went out of his way to assist anyone he could. It was just in his nature to see the best in people and offer whatever help he could. For the past two hours, Michael had been helping people carry their groceries, helping the elderly cross the street and even help change a flat tire; all the while brandishing a smile that couldn’t be seen on his balloon shaped head, but could be felt through his demeanor and enthusiasm.

All of this culminated to a head as the sound of crying from a heartbroken little girl caught his attention from more than a block away. Michael jogged swiftly towards the little girl and knelt down beside her. “What’s the matter?” Michael asked but almost immediately saw the problem: a rotund cat, perched contently on the awning over the teahouse they were outside.

It would likely be an easy stretch to just inflate himself to get up to the cat… however that wouldn’t be necessary. Next to the teahouse, with branches reaching close enough to the awning, was a tree. A lucky break for trying to get the out of reach kitty, but also was likely how the cat got up there in the first place. “Don’t worry kiddo, I’ll get them down.” Michael beamed brightly to comfort the young girl as he stood back up. He began to climb the tree, making his way onto the thicker of the branches outstretched towards the shop’s awning.

“Here kitty kitty. Don’t worry. I’m not gonna hurt you.” Michael spoke soothingly to the cat as he gently reached out to the cat with one arm while his arms and legs held him to the branch.

Notes & Tags: Kushiki Kioko | Outfit (Ignore the normal headed model)

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

Serpentine eyes lifted to the sky to avoid the weeping child as Kioko strode past. She was very nearly free of any sort of obligatory burden when a voice from behind beckoned her curiosity and gaze back over her shoulder. A shock of recognition rippled through her monolithic frame. Part of having been declared a prodigy in her youth had been because Kioko’s mind was a veritable steel trap when it came to retaining memories and information. Yet even someone not so gifted as to be deemed a genius would have difficulty in not remembering someone with a vibrant red balloon for a head—even if the last memory of them had been from pre-school years.

She halted then turned to retrace her steps right up to the underneath of the tree. “Michael?” Her incredulous tone underscoring an already icy voice would be understandably startling for any not prepared for it. At that moment, the little girl and her feline at the very least fell into that category. The former yelped causing the latter to jump up from its resting spot and then farther up until it was now perched on the ledge of the roof and, unfortunately, farther from Michael’s grasp. Perhaps it had not been a cat’s own curiosity in the old adage that had gotten it killed after all.

Notes & Tags: Samaritan

[Samaritan]

The Upside

of Upside Down

Michael reached out towards that cat slowly hoping to not startle it further. “Don’t be scared. I’m just here to get you down.” Michael said in a soothing gentle tone, focused on the cat as he inched his body along the branch. He was so close; he could almost grab hold of the cat when suddenly an abrupt sound snapped into the scenario.

“Michael?” A firm feminine voice broke the tense quiet like bursting a bubble. This had startled everyone there enough to cause everyone to jump slightly. The cat jumped the most, leaping further up the building to the roof overlooking the awning. Michael however was adequately startled by the sudden and stern use of his name. He lost his grip of the branch and swung down with his legs coiled around the branch.

Hanging upside down from the tree’s limb put him at almost exact eye line with the tall serpentine woman that had barked out his name who stood right-side up on the side walk. Their inverted faces only a few feet from one another, gave Michael a rather full view of the woman’s face. Michael blinked heavily in surprise behind his latex face. Even upside down and startled from her outburst, Michael’s mind shot back to only one person from his life with such sinfully silver snake-like features. “Kiki-oneechan?!”

Notes & Tags: Kushiki Kioko

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

The indifference composing Kioko’s usual facial facade cracked for a heartbeat. Whether it was a wince offered for Michael’s predicament or a grimace on her own behalf at hearing such a childish moniker attributed to her depended on perspective. Could any of the girl she had once been when Michael last knew her still remain? Or had she truly become what the media had painted her as. Kioko offered nothing else to confirm or deny either alternative as her countenance smoothed back into a mask of stoicism.

Part of Kioko had always wondered whether or not Michael had been real and not a figment of her young mind. An imaginary friend of sorts. He did have a balloon as a head. What child didn’t like balloons? But perhaps it had been more than that. He had been in her life once and then he was gone as she grew up. It was very imaginary friend behavior, truth be told. Yet here he was in her present. Hanging upside down from a tree right in front of her face.

“I suppose some people just don’t grow out of monkeying around.”

She couldn’t help herself.

“Nice to see you, I guess. It looks like you have this under control though, so I’ll leave you to it. Bye.”

He was probably fine. Being a bit of an airhead, possibly literally as Kioko didn’t know if there was anything beneath the latex, would work in his favor if he fell. As long as something sharper than her wit didn’t get in his way. But surely that wouldn’t happen, right? And if it did, was it really any business of Kioko’s after all these years?

Notes & Tags: Samaritan

[Samaritan]

Falling into Place

Michael hadn’t been expecting to see such a blast from his past as one of his few childhood friends had found him up a tree. He was pleasantly shocked to see her after all this time. She was lovely and so very fashionable but she also had such an air of disdain that made her mysterious and even alluring. She clearly had grown since the last time that had seen each other, which in fairness was over 10 years but it still was a bit of a surprise. Michael had more dream-like memories of those days since he was so young, but Kioko had been like a big sister to him. He remember playing with her but one day the playdates just stopped. He didn’t understand why, but he had missed her. He didn’t have many friends growing up so her absence was noticeable.

Kioko acknowledged him but immediately turned to leave. “Kiki-neechan, wait!” Michael said after her reaching up to try to regain his balance on the branch so he could hop down. However, his abrupt comment had restartled the cat, causing them to jump up and yowl tensely. The cat leapt from the roof and landed claws first onto Michael. It wasn’t really enough to puncture too deeply into Michael’s latex skin but it was enough pain to cause him to fall from the three. Despite the pain, Michael shifted his body to quickly wrap his arms around the cat to keep it safe as he fell and bounced on the ground like a rubber ball. “Ow… are you okay Kitty?” Michael asked through the discomfort. The cat leapt from him and into the little girl’s arms. Michael was relieved they were reunited even if at his own detriment.

Notes & Tags: Kushiki Kioko

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

Were her back not already turned and Michael not actively plummeting to the ground mere seconds after committing his sin again, the eye twitch in response to his preferred method of addressing her would have been far more noticeable this time around. She pivoted back, her venomous dagger of a tongue unsheathed to wage war on behalf of her pride. Verbal blades were staid by self-sacrifice. Good natured hearts were always punished by the universe. Kioko had witnessed proof of that through Renjirou over the years. Heavens and hells knew neither she or Sebastian qualified as good, so they often made each other suffer instead.

Long-legged stride brought Kioko back to Michael’s side. She extended her hand down to him to help him up, an olive branch of cold slender fingers and black nails carved to sharp points. A seemingly friendly gesture in a not-so-friendly package.

“Still letting being nice get the best of you, it seems.”

The little girl and cat still tarried at the edges of Kioko’s peripheral. She was either brave or stupid. Or maybe just grateful. “Thank you, Mr. Balloon! Tell him thank you, Muffin!” The cat stared blankly at Michael and Kioko before opening its mouth wide. A meow didn’t come out as expected. Instead, it was the deadpan voice of a middle-age woman working at a diner in the 1900s that happened to have one hell of a chain smoking habit.

“Thank you.”

Then the girl, with Muffin in tow, skipped off.

Notes & Tags: Samaritan

[Samaritan]

Michael Faraday

Familiar Eyes

Michael winced and signed out lightly in pain from the fall, that in all fairness didn't really hurt his balloony body, and the light cat claw punctures, that most hadn't broken his latex skin but still stung. The deepest injury was just embarrassment over the fall in front of that little girl and the friend he hadn't seen since she had been that girl's size. Michael looked up toward Kioko who had extended a hand down to help him up. Her attire was even more lovely upright. So fashionable as it monochromatic color scheme accented her silvery features and black painted nails marvelously. Darker tones than Michael preferred for himself, but they were immaculate with her complexion and figure. It was hard to recognize the young friend he once knew under the layer of glamour she wrapped herself in, but her eyes had been a dead give away. He had been so struck by their familiar color and shape, Michael hadn't seemed to recognize the distinct look of disdain that she had.

"Heh, so it seems." Michael said with a small laugh of embarrassment. "Still, it's just nice to know I could help." Michael took her hand and let her help him to his feet. Michael was smiling brightly beneath his balloon face. Because of her height being the same relative to him when they knew each other, she looked all the more like the Kioko he knew back then to him. All the aged beauty and even cold facial expressions seemed to just melt away with familiarity. Michael was snapped out of his deja vu when the girl and the cat both thanked him for his rescue.

As the little girl left, Michael was now reeling from how jarring Muffin the cat's voice was. "Well... that was unexpected." Michael laughed heartily to Kioko. Now that Michael recognized her as his childhood friend it was hard for him to see her any differently. "It's so great to see you again! What has it been? 12- 13 years since I last saw you? How are you?" Michael said to Kioko with the energy and friendliness of a golden retriever, oblivious to the hard life she had grown from and the woman she had become.

Notes & Tags: Kushiki Kioko

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

Kioko was left with an incredulously arched eyebrow in wake of the unexpected before Muffin’s exit stage left. Her features reverted back to their frosty facade when she realized Michael’s attention was upon her once more. Complete this time with her hand withdrawn to join her arms in folding standoffishly across her chest as she gave him a pointed once-over to see if he was making light of her situation with his question.

It was a normal inquiry for one old friend to ask another, but nothing about Kioko’s more recent, and highly publicized, past had been normal. One would think that gauging Michael’s intentions would be more difficult for a lack of expression to read, but his genuine nature radiated outward through body language and tone. Kioko detected no malice nor ulterior motive. Only a genuine curiosity, and perhaps concern, stemming from the wellspring of a softheart.

Fool.

She couldn’t help the thought, but that was exactly how he had ended up in his earlier predicament. At the very least, she uncrossed her arms. A gesture of lowered hostility more than lowered guard.

“You really don’t know, do you?”

Typically those in their families’ social circle in the upper echelons of Japanese society hungered for a good scandal. That he wasn’t nose deep in gossip and rumors surrounding her fall from grace spoke as much, if not more, in favor of Michael’s goodness than his actions in saving the girl’s cat earlier. Or perhaps he really was an oblivious fool.

Notes & Tags: Samaritan

[Samaritan]

Michael Faraday

What Happens Outside Playdates

Michael would have given a puzzled expression if he could have. Michael didn't know anything about what had happened to her. Whether his parents had just kept the information from him or they hadn't known either wasn't clear, but Michael very clearly had no idea what Kioko was talking about. Her jaded tone and indignant posture started to be more apparent to Michael as he started to get concerned for her.

"Kioko-neechan, are you okay? What happened?" Michael asked with genuine worry. All that bright and bubbly warmth wasn't gone, but was instantly cooled as Michael's concern took over. He just wanted to help her however he could.

Michael finally took in the fact that he hadn't seen her in over a decade into account. He remembered how they use to play with each other every week, but then just one day she stopped coming. He had asked his mother about where she had gone, but never was given a clear answer. Something had happened to her... all that time ago... she had needed his help and he wasn't there, he didn't know. He was her friend, even if he was just a kid, he could have done something, his family could have done something for her, why didn't they do something for her?

Michael looked up at Kioko. "Kioko... what happened?"

Notes & Tags: Kushiki Kioko

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

The most unladylike sound emanated from Kioko. A snort. It was the complete antithesis to her normally regal composure. “Am I okay?” It was an absurd question. But he didn’t know that, did he?

Kioko crossed her arms once more. There was a subtle difference in the motion this time. It was less an act of keeping the world at bay and more a motion to hold all of the shattered pieces of her former self together by hugging them more tightly to her own body. From that position, she shrugged.

“Sure. Why not. I’m okay.”

She turned from Michael again, clearly ready to walk off. To run away from the conversation in a very literal sense. But she knew him. Or at least, she used to know him. If she ran off now, he’d just chase after her like a lost puppy until he could fix whatever was wrong.

But there was nothing left to fix.

She turned back around. “Look. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you if you really want to hear.” She would tell him part of it. No one knew the full story. Not even the two other Nobodies. “But I’m going to need a drink to do it.” And that meant the usual place.

Notes & Tags: Samaritan

[Samaritan]

Michael Faraday

Balloon in Hand

Michael felt the gravity of just what he had missed from her turn. He could be easily seen as naive in many ways, but it was more of a desire to see the best in people, to be the gentle strength that others needed in had times. In moments of tension like this Michael wasn't ignorant enough to believe bubbly positivity was enough to overcome trauma. But to his core, positivity was one of his greatest strengths, even if it needed to be subdued like a warm blanket rather than a bright spectacle. Michael's shoulders loosened as he let himself take a step back for what his friend needed.

Michael stepped to his old friend's side and gently took her hand. "I know a place where we can get something to drink." He didn't push for more information yet, he didn't even pull her along to the pub. He just took the first steps, letting her have the control of the situation. She could let his hand go, she could decide not to follow him, she could choose not to talk about any of it. But he stayed close, just so she had the option to have him there. From the tone, Michael figured he couldn't help, but he could at least be there for her, like he should have been when she needed someone.

Notes & Tags: Kushiki Kioko

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

The Kioko of old never had issues with touch, but she was no longer that person. Elitism had set in during her teenage years. A toxic superiority that made Kioko inclined to believe no one was worthy enough to touch or be touched by her. Especially without permission. Attempts were met with a haughtiness so scathing, one might think it was her Quirk with the psychic damage it inflicted.

Renjirou and Sebastian had whittled away at that mindset. Renjirou, as always, did most of the work. Alas, the progress was fleeting. Torn away by betrayals from people she had trusted not to betray their access to her—and now she was about to explain, at least in part, one of those instances. Just not without first freezing like a feral animal when Michael took her hand. It took the vast majority of her willpower to neither recoil nor lash out verbally. Instincts finely honed by the kind of company unwillingly kept in the underground and among the seedier elements of Tokyo in general.

Instead, through great effort on her part and a display of gentle deferment on his, she would let Michael lead her to whatever location he had in mind. She had thought about Noyote, but perhaps it was best not to introduce him to that place yet. It was nearly sacred to her, held on a pedestal of the past in her mind. A place to be protected. A place to be kept separate from the rest of her life because the last dregs of her old one filled the back booth when she met with Renjirou and Sebastian. The thought of them seeing her there with someone else solidified her decision.

“Okay. Lead the way,” she said. Michael had managed to do what took most months if not longer. He had scraped together a modicum of trust from Kioko. Then again, like the other two that held it, he had the benefit of a shared youth that she secretly valued still tethering her to her former bonds.

Notes & Tags: Samaritan

[Samaritan]

Michael Faraday

Balloon in Hand

Michael smiled warmly from Kioko agreeing to come along with him. Keeping his loose grip on her hand Michael lead her down the city block. He gave friendly waves and greetings to the people they passed on sidewalk. The guy was like the host of children's show, that enthusiastic and friendly demeanor that would seem disingenuous by practically anyone else. One could almost hear the sickeningly sweet upbeat theme music that played under him as he strolled along. All the while gentle escorting this tall elegant storm cloud of a woman along with him. It was a rather polarizing sight for anyone that saw them.

When they arrived at a cross walk, a small old woman stood waiting for the light to change. Keeping his hold of Kioko's hand he looked down to the older woman. "May we assist you across the street auntie?" The little granny looked up at Michael and then Kioko, and smiled fondly. She wondered if she needed to fix her thick glasses' prescription as she struggle to comprehend the pair. "Why thank you dearie." She breathed out behind her smile. She reached a hand up and took hold of Michael's offered arm just as the pedestrian light indicated they could cross. The spectacle that was Kioko and Michael grew more greater as now it appeared they were helping an elderly woman across the street together.

"It's just around the corner here." Michael told Kioko as they made it to the other side of the road. He turned back to the old woman. "Take care auntie."

"Thank you! Such a sweet couple." The old lady said as she turned to go down another direction.

"Not a couple, but thank you auntie." Michael said as he gave her a light wave and continued on his way with Kioko.

Shortly after that, they arrived at a small ramen shop and bar that seemed squished in between a drug store and a small office building. As Michael walked in, there was a united greeting from the staff to which Michael joyfully returned. The shop was virtually empty aside from a pair of business men having beers at the bar and a high-schooler eating ramen while looking through text books. Michael sat down at booth away from everyone else so they could talk. A waitress came over to them, "Michael-san so nice to see you again." Michael was a regular here, at least enough to know the staff by name.

"Thank you Yamatori-san. Can I just a number 3 and some tea?" Michael smiled to the woman. She turned toward Kioko and handed a menu to her. "Do you need some time miss?" The waitress asked Kioko.

Notes & Tags: Kushiki Kioko

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

Evening ambience muffled the heavy exhale from Kioko’s nose when Michael offered his, and therefore their, services to an elderly woman posted up at a crosswalk devoid of any other white knight than Michael. The sound bordered on the verge of a snort. Lingering manners of a former socialite and Kioko’s understanding of who and how Michael was dulled the sharpness just enough for her to pass it off as a deeper breath from the walk if heard above the evening unfolding around them—unfortunate, she had her limits.

Gratitude laden with assumptions about their status called forth an unfettered snort this time. One complete with a roll of her eyes. Her reaction wasn’t because she had been associated with Michael, but that she had been associated at all. Nor had it been entirely a sound made in defense of and at the behest of her own honor and independence. Michael didn’t deserve to be tied, even in passing or rumor, to someone like her. Not if he wanted to keep the shine of his own reputation.

Kioko kept her silence otherwise. Offering no elaboration on her reaction. Were his ego wounded by an inaccurate interpretation of her behavior, he would have to ask. She wasn’t the type to offer information unprompted—she barely did so when actually prompted. That she had consented to tell Michael even a part of her tale was a small miracle in and of itself.

Reticence receded only when they had laid claim to a back booth and her order requested. Kioko required only a few seconds to analyze the menu while Michael put his in first. “No,” she said. “I’ll take a lemon ginger tea and a cup of miso soup.” Alcohol might have made the act of confession easier, but there were still secrets that needed to be held under lock and key. It was better to calm her stomach than it would be to sooth her nerves and loosen her tongue in the process.

Once the server left, there was a noticeable softening in the rigidity that Kioko had carried herself from their initial meeting point to the now. She sank back into the booth in such a way that she no longer looked to be the amazon that she was, but something more normal. More human. More mundane. Whether truth or illusion, the effect was lessened by serpentine eyes locked directly onto Michael. Pupils perpetually slitted and a gaze seemingly indifferent even as she verbalized her way into treacherous territory with a question.

“Do you remember how my family acquired both fame and fortune?"

It would have been considered a tactless inquiry in their formerly shared circle. There were certain social protocols involved in boasting about wealth and power. Kioko wasn't boasting though. None of that belonged to her anymore because she no longer belonged to it in turn.

Notes & Tags: Samaritan