Fantasy RP Red Strings | Knight & Sol

[Solaris-]

For Knight_of_None and myself

 

[Solaris-]

​

It was barely evening, and Tomoe felt exhausted already. He was returning to the okiya with supplies in hand for that night. They were entertaining some big named Shogun. He often volunteered himself to pick up supplies even though that task was usually delegated to the boys who were on the lower rungs of the hierarchy of the okiya. The fresh air was a godsend compared to the confined spaces that was already loud and cramped with all the milling about. He hid his poor health from his employers- putting on a brave face even when his lungs burned and he could barely see straight. He hadn't spent all this time becoming the favorite just to piss it down the drain now. He'd heard all the warnings the tea-house owner had had to give him any time they had an important client such as this one.

In this section of the red light district, Tomoe stuck out amongst the others; the fine silk kimono that he wore was a symbol of wealth that many an entertainer would be lucky enough to have one of in their lifetimes. To him, however, the blue silk that adorned him was casual wear compared to the finely embroidered kimono he was normally dressed in when he was 'Himawari'. All around him, the noise and bustle of the never-ending business that the brothels in the area around him brought in filled his senses as he made his way back toward the okiya district. There was something there that gave him quite a bit of pause; he thought he was seeing ghosts. Was seeing things something he could add to his list of afflictions? He almost laughed at the thought. At first, the figure off in the distance reminded him of someone that he'd not seen in quite some time. Tomoe veered from his determined path as if drawn to the figure. It couldn't be; it just couldn't.

He was acutely aware of the sound that his footsteps made against the road. The wooden geta on his feet sounded loud and matched the nervous beat of his heart as he neared. His mind was flooded with nostalgic memories of himself playing with another boy whose face he couldn't quite remember- chasing off village guards who came after them for stealing food and supplies. It was hard to believe the two of them had grown apart in completely separate worlds. Tomoe had grown up in the tea-house- not knowing much outside save for the bits and pieces he'd learned through history, politics, and poetry he'd learned when he'd risen through the ranks. His concerns had drifted from his own safety and well-being to how beautiful and desirable he could make himself to potential clients in hopes that one day, he'd be free of the contract he'd unwillingly been signed into. He stopped himself as the man had turned around. They were several yards away from one another, but the face was unmistakable. Tomoe drew in a breath and his hands shook slightly as they held the paper parasol with a white knuckled grip.

"Is it really you?" His voice was quiet, but still audible. "I thought I'd never see you again." Tears threatened to prick at the corners of his eyes, but he remained steadfast. Crying was a courtesy allotted to children- not a courtesan who carried himself with grace.

Their promise to meet up that night all those years ago had been broken, and he knew he'd been the one to break it- although unintentionally. The orphanage that had raised them made a deal with the owner of the okiya that they would take one of the children in their care off of their hands for a hefty sum, and Tomoe had been the unlucky one that'd gotten picked. It made him feel guilty even though he knew the situation had been out of his control. "Is this a place you frequent often?" He asked- a playful smile pulled at the corners of his lips. He couldn't help but throw the playful tease in the man’s direction.

 

[Knight_of_None]

"Is it really you?"

The question was simple, yet it spoke of 100 things unsaid, unseen. In a black silk kimono, wrapped at the waist with a stark white obi belt and blue Hakama, was a samurai that was head and shoulders above most. He has definitely grown up, a mountain that looked down upon Tomoe. His hair was tied up, and on his his was a katana. His face was clean cut, but had a small cut on the left cheek, where he had sliced himself while tripping face first into the orphanages cat bed and the tiny terror tried to teach him a lesson. His brow furrowed...then recognition sparked in his eyes. "Tomoe?!" He said pushing forward a few steps, the small crowd traffic jumping aside. But the Samurai froze as Tomoe barbed with with another question.

"Is this a place you frequent often?"

His face colored and folded his arms under his sleeves. "I have visited plenty of places like this..." He said with small smirk. It was crooked, the youthful memory of Tomoes oldest friend, Zenbē flooding between them. "I seek them almost exclusively."

 

[Solaris-]

The blonde’s mind was filled with many thoughts. Happy and sad both for a myriad of reasons. Hearing his name- his true name rather than Himawari- filled him with a joy he’d forgotten how to feel. Stormy hazel colored hues couldn’t help but ogle the man that had quickly closed the distance between them. He had grown up well. Tall and muscular with a handsome face. So much unlike Tomoe who had grown up slender, willowy and beautiful. They were close enough now that Tomoe could reach the hand that wasn’t holding the grocery bag up to rest against the man’s scarred face.

He certainly felt corporeal enough for the boy to believe that he was not hallucinating.

So much that he wanted to say, but he was well aware of the eyes of not only other samurai on them, but also the denizens of the entertainment district watching them as though they were watching a drama play. All those things he had going through his head would have to wait until they weren’t being watched. The sun was starting to set, and if he didn’t return to the Okiya soon, the madam would send people after him. He didn’t want to give her any reason to suspect him of sneaking around.

A honeyed colored brow rose at the admission of his friend. “It’s cruel that you show up now when I have such little time to appreciate your company.” He offered a quiet laugh through his nose at his own words. “But good to know that asking you to visit me tonight wouldn’t be out of the norm for you.” His hand moved from the man’s face. He pulled a small metal broach from a pocket of his own kimono. It was shaped like an orchid flower and glittered in the dying light of the sun behind them. “Please visit me tonight at Kintsugi Okiya. Ask for Himawari, and I would be happy to entertain you for the evening.”

 

[Knight_of_None]

Zenbē reached out, a calloused hand picking the broach from Tomoe's hand. "I look forward to it...we have alot of catch up to do." He said as he drew it into his sleeve, hiding it away. "I was planning to visit that one soon...how fortunate." He said smirking slightly.

 

[Solaris-]

Tomoe hated the idea of leaving once again. It took almost every ounce of his will power to tear himself away from the pleasant interaction. But he had faith that Zenbe would meet up with him later in the evening.

By the time he'd returned to the okiya with the supplies, there was a buzz of conversation. Courtesan and apprentice alike were buzzing with excited conversation. Rather than join them, however, Tomoe pushed past them to his room to prepare for the evening.

The doors to Kintsugi teahouse opened not too long after the sun set, and Tomoe left the comfort of his own chambers draped in a black silk kimono- hand painted with gold, silver, and vermilion flowers. This was the most expensive piece of his wardrobe, and he felt it offset his pale complexion and pale hair well. Black enameled hair pins held heavy blonde hair from the back of his neck.

He'd told the apprentice before leaving his room that he was expecting a personal guest that night and that everything should be ready for it. The request left no room for questions of the inquisitive sort. There was no need to know that he only intended for his guest to talk with him privately out of the reach of prying ears and eyes.

He descended the stairs carefully- taking in the sights and smells of food and conversation. He wore a coquettish smile to hide the fact that for the first time in quite a while he was nervous.

 

[Knight_of_None]

As the evening began, nobles, merchants and their retainers coming in to mingle and collect good proper company. But Tomoe's eyes saw what he was looking for, his attendant getting signaled as a small host of samurai had come in. Courtesans moved to be selected, standing out and trying to flaunt their talents and beauty. A chorus of giggles before Zenbē was led from the main group and brought to wait.