[For Takatora, or anyone else who knows Ryouma and wants to meet his ~sweet otouto~]

[skybowknight]

This isn't my first time in Zawame City, though the first time I visited my brother, it was a trip purely for the luxury of it, so to speak, and he met me at the main city entrance and took me directly to his office, then to his apartment. We didn't see much of anyone else, mostly because I was there to see him.

This time is a little different. Zawame is slightly outside of my assigned region, but my personal association with the area was given precedence over the Knight that would usually be dispatched to deal with a Horror here.

Not that my "estranged" older brother is that common of knowledge.

Still, he doesn't know I'm coming this time, though I do intend to see him. I remember where his office is located- it would be hard not to, considering how ostentatious that tree shaped tower is- so I head there first.

It doesn't even occur to me that, much like my associates among the rest of the Makai order, Ryouma's associates within Yggdrasill might not know he even has a brother, much less a twin.

Comments

[doesntfallfar]

I must admit I had to do something of a double take when I saw the doppelganger walking up the hall. Doppelganger was notably my first thought for many reasons. For one their manner of presenting themselves was completely different. Even when looking closer, their face had little differences I could point out even from where I stood.

To admit paying any attention to that zany scientist was embarrassing enough. To prove on top of it that you could look at what should be an exact duplicate and know it's him would no doubt earn me teasing of some sort. It's in fact almost enough to claim I never saw him to begin with. Curiosity is what takes me, however.

"Pardon me," I call out to him as I watch him walk to what I can guess is his brother's office, "you're going to Ryoma's office?"

After it left my mouth I realize that was probably far too familiar a way to refer to him to his own kin. As a business man and a Kureshima, manners and presentation is usually at the forefront of my mind. When it comes to Ryoma though, I sometimes forget myself.

[skybowknight]

Probably I should have let my brother know I was coming before I waltzed right into the Yggdrasill tower. As it is, since I didn't, I had to sneak in, and now I'm obviously out of place- especially among all these proper black-tie suits and lab coats. My duster is outlandish both in style and color, I'm realizing quite rapidly.

I have already gotten lost once, but I've found the path he took me the first time I visited here and gotten back on track when I hear someone calling with a purpose that I can tell is directed at me. I pause, consider breaking for it, remember that I'm not in Volcity, also that it's daylight out, so it's certainly not a Horror.

I hope. The last thing we need is another city dealing with the potential lingering menace of Madou Horrors.

I smirk a bit, calming myself when I realize that this is merely an associate of my brother's, apparently a peer judging by the familiar form of address, who must be startled by my appearance.

I turn to face him, and offer a slight bow, though with my head up.

"I am, in fact, seeking Ryouma." I take a step nearer to him. "I take it you know him well. Perhaps you could direct me to his office?"

[doesntfallfar]

"I'll take you there," I respond without a need for second thought.

He did look odd in the way he dressed, but truth be told Ryoma's style of dressing wasn't any less concerning. Essentricties just seemed to run in the family, it seemed.

There truly was no reason not to lead him there. If Mitsuzane was wondering around the building, I would certainly hope Ryoma would lead him to me. This is, as they call it, common acts of friendship, right? After the strange twins manners, it would have been hard to send him away anyway. Ryoma was a treasured co-worker, and this was the least I could do. Yes, this explanation is better and less ...'heartfelt' than the other.

Turning, I began to lead him to Ryoma's office. It was down the hallway and some few turns away anyway, not all that far. What I had planned for my time could wait, seeing as it wasn't something that couldn't wait.

[skybowknight]

I raise one eyebrow at how quickly he accepts my presence here, and nod and bow slightly at the offer.

"Thank you." I say, and I really properly mean it. I would have found my way there eventually, but this will save me some time. I'm even more convinced now that he knows my brother very closely, though I'm admittedly a little curious as to why he wouldn't question me or my appearance here. Does he also know about me? Does Ryouma talk about me more than I ever bother talking about him?

A question for later. I fall into step with the stranger. "My name is Aguri." I tell him after a moment. It's only polite, after all. "I take it you know my brother well."

[doesntfallfar]

"Takatora," I respond after a time. With a hand in my pocket and my eyes forward as usual, I can only imagine what he must think of me. For leading him there with no question. For not even asking for proof of identity or something of the sort.

"Ryoma is an important person here. Many know him," I answered, sparing a small glance. It didn't feel like the real answer though, almost as if avoiding if I really knew him 'well' or not. After meeting this Aguri, I truly had to wonder if I did know him at all.

Turning the corner, I noticed the stares he was receiving. I suppose the wild state of dress truly was awkward to others. I certainly couldn't judge, seeing as I had to moonlight as a masked man in honeydew armor. We all have our things.

[skybowknight]

I turn slightly, raising an eyebrow at him. I find it a bit odd, admittedly, that he introduces himself by his first name only.

To be fair, he most likely assumes my surname is the same as my brother's, even knowing I exited doesn't necessarily mean Ryouma is particularly forthcoming about the fact that his surname is assumed.

"Takatora-san." I say, somewhat pointedly on the honorific, and nod. "So I have gathered, the last time I visited him." One doesn't receive an office and a full lab on the highest floor of any building without some sort of respect or considerable sway. "Do you work with him on his project?"

[doesntfallfar]

He's quite polite for a man that's related to Ryoma. It was almost odd to hear, but nice. Manners are a good thing that Ryoma had only in strange senses.

"I'm the project manager," It was something to take pride in, regardless of the fact it was in a strange state. Anyone walking around knew that, so it wasn't as if it were a secret or something no one talked about. It was just the street rats who never thought about where things come from and who's providing.

"I've known Ryoma since university, but he earned his position all on this own. Knowing a Kureshima doesn't mean a free ride, but that great things will be expected of you."

[skybowknight]

I smirk a little bit at the idea of my brother expressing unwarranted self-importance with regards to this project he's been working on for a few years now.

"So it would, in fact, be more accurate to say that he works with you on your project." I note softly.

University, huh. A strange concept at the best of times- my wild and flighty and potentially mildly insane brother, sitting dutifully in a classroom or lecture hall, taking tests and answering questions and, apparently, making friends. Or associates. Or however hey define one another and their relationship with each other. Which, knowing my brother, could potentially be different between them.

"He's very intelligent." I allow, leaving off the usual note that he uses that to make up for his lack of physical strength.

He says the name like I'm supposed to recognize it, what I assume is his name. "Your family is important, then?"

[doesntfallfar]

"It would sound accurate...," I begun. The fact I'm the protect manager would say that it's my project and that he's just a bit player, but that was untrue. In the scheme of things, there wouldn't be a project at all without Ryoma, and I'm sure he knows that. "... but his work defines the project itself. Without him, I wonder if there would be one at all."

I've never asked Ryoma, or wondered, how he must define our friend and/or relationship. With all that went on, I've not been truly sure what the eccentric man thought at all. Between those who undermine my authority because of Mitsuzane (Which should Sid be right, means that he's an issue because he made him an issue, and he'll be rightfully taken care of for doing so) and those who expected me to do everything for them, it was hard to tell what anyone thought of me.

"Yggdrasil is my father's company," and it was hard to go anywhere in Zawame and not realize they had a hand in everything. We were akin to royalty due to my fathers efforts, and our job was to serve the city.

[skybowknight]

I raise an eyebrow, but nod all the same. So he's not overstating his importance. Well, I guess that's good in its own way.

"Well, it's good that he came here, then." I say cautiously, again unsure how much of his family life he has ever spoken about with anyone, never mind this one specific person.

"I see." I continue as he explains his personal significance, to the company that employs my brother, who owns this tower, really, who own this city. As far as my research has gone, these Kureshimas have no connection to Inga or Madou, there's no particular reason to presume the worst, but the way this company rules this city can't help but call the Kaneshiro family to mind.

"Forgive my inquisitiveness." I say after a moment. "My brother does not share many details about his work, though I suppose there is likely a reason for that."

[doesntfallfar]

"It might be something he should inform you about himself," I thought out loud, stopping at the door to Ryoma's office. It was possible to tell them the things he wondered, but It wouldn't be my place to interfere with what Ryoma may or may not want to say. 'If it was Mitsuzane' is something I have to keep in mind rather often.

I motioned with my free hand to the door, sparing it a small glance. We were there, and he could finally visit his brother if he truly wished. For something like family time, I didn't want to hang around and be a third wheel to.

"This would be it," I announced. "He should be there right now since it's not time for his usual break." Although that didn't mean so much with the man. It was a chance. Just a chance.