Last Time | Ichitaiyo's Epilogue
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2025 9:31 am
6th of Boar
"Come here."
Thus Ichitaiyo obeyed, striding on to stand besides the chairs that faced Lady Kitsuki Futaro's desk. They were simple, yet well cushioned, comfortable, and more decidedly, not for her. A little thing to remind others of their place.
Futaro was a stodgy and experienced woman, with dark pronounced eyebrows that somehow only could express disdain or disappointment, with a permanent aroma of cigarettes clinging to her office and gravely voice, and a long silken hair that often was knotted in creative and regal ways.
"I've gotten your report, and the results from the bidding activities have been out."
A context and fact, the preface for the sentence that awaited.
"The results are disappointing, Ichitaiyo."
Ichitaiyo closed her eyes and lowered her face, understanding what was to come. The older woman reached for her cane, masterwork of mahogany and leaden pommel with the head of a dragon, and stood from her throne, walking around their barrier, now rotating around the underling with a predatory miasma.
"I thought you understood well the importance that expanding Dragon business ties was, and how the unsatisfactory results harms our clan's prospects on the long term."
"Forgive me, Kitsuki-sama." Ichitaiyo pleaded, bowing in turn.
It was ignored as discipline for failure was dealt with swift strike of the baton right on her cheekbone, violently jerking her head asides and sending the rebreather flying and clattering into the ground. Right away she left her lung turn leaden, and her breaths roll with gentle graveling as the overpowering smell of smokes invaded.
She couldn't avoid a little cough coming out as everything felt burning within. The pressure aided for a red trail to pour from the new wound.
"You don't understand the levels of mercy I am showing you. Any other person would have already disposed of you for your constant failure, and yet, here we are again, needing me to exact discipline again."
"I'll swear I'll do better, Kitsuki-sama." Ichitaiyo trembled under the scrutiny of Futaro.
Other swing hit the back of her knee, forcing her to stoop down further.
"Better doesn't cut it. Never has in all these years you have served me. Your use is limited to whatever price your life has and nothing more."
And the matronly lady drifted back to her chair. "You are dismissed, await new instructions in your communicator."
Ichitaiyo begrundgily stood up and bowed before her torturer. "Thank you for your mercy, Kitsuki-sama."
There wasn't much of lie, this time she had been 'merciful', or as much she was within the injustice.
With any other word, she bent to pick her rebreather and allowed herself to breath again, before turning and leaving the office.
Play the victim, plead mercy, for as long as she needed to be free. Somehow, beneath the rebreather, she managed to smile.
====
====
17th of Boar
"Futaro-san, please come in. Take seat."
The Matron Administrator sat before the her own Lord, and set her gaze up to him, the sharp incandescent light above him hiding his features beneath shadows.
"Yes, Kitsuki-sama. To what do I owe this meeting?"
The figure leant forwards. "It's more of an informative reunion. One of the tools assigned to you has found has attempted their own way out of the box."
"Ichitaiyo, isn't it? Flexible, discrete, ambitious.. it only took her twelve days of freedom. It would be a shame to let her services go."
"Indeed, and she coalesced quite the case for herself- allies and favor in the Tamori, some local fame in Green Carp. A clan magistrate's letter of recommendation. She is on a spotlight, any corrections would be noticed."
"So. If the decision is taken, I guess I am here for the followup question. No, she doesn't know. She believes she carries secrets, but those are mere court gossip. She won't compromise us or herself."
"Good. I will approve the requests then." beat. "I would like to remind you that the stick is not the only way to ensure our tools remains under control. Ensure you do not lose any other ones without something to gain. That will be all, dismissed."
====
21th of Rat
It had taken a bit to get used to the massive steed that rumbled beneath her. Heavy, loud.. but more practical than she thought with the big cases she could add on them. Riding Shiwahime's last gift to her, bearing a light black leather and tan pants, she stopped before Tetsuo Auto Repair.
It was time to begin her new life.
Roll Credits.
"Come here."
Thus Ichitaiyo obeyed, striding on to stand besides the chairs that faced Lady Kitsuki Futaro's desk. They were simple, yet well cushioned, comfortable, and more decidedly, not for her. A little thing to remind others of their place.
Futaro was a stodgy and experienced woman, with dark pronounced eyebrows that somehow only could express disdain or disappointment, with a permanent aroma of cigarettes clinging to her office and gravely voice, and a long silken hair that often was knotted in creative and regal ways.
"I've gotten your report, and the results from the bidding activities have been out."
A context and fact, the preface for the sentence that awaited.
"The results are disappointing, Ichitaiyo."
Ichitaiyo closed her eyes and lowered her face, understanding what was to come. The older woman reached for her cane, masterwork of mahogany and leaden pommel with the head of a dragon, and stood from her throne, walking around their barrier, now rotating around the underling with a predatory miasma.
"I thought you understood well the importance that expanding Dragon business ties was, and how the unsatisfactory results harms our clan's prospects on the long term."
"Forgive me, Kitsuki-sama." Ichitaiyo pleaded, bowing in turn.
It was ignored as discipline for failure was dealt with swift strike of the baton right on her cheekbone, violently jerking her head asides and sending the rebreather flying and clattering into the ground. Right away she left her lung turn leaden, and her breaths roll with gentle graveling as the overpowering smell of smokes invaded.
She couldn't avoid a little cough coming out as everything felt burning within. The pressure aided for a red trail to pour from the new wound.
"You don't understand the levels of mercy I am showing you. Any other person would have already disposed of you for your constant failure, and yet, here we are again, needing me to exact discipline again."
"I'll swear I'll do better, Kitsuki-sama." Ichitaiyo trembled under the scrutiny of Futaro.
Other swing hit the back of her knee, forcing her to stoop down further.
"Better doesn't cut it. Never has in all these years you have served me. Your use is limited to whatever price your life has and nothing more."
And the matronly lady drifted back to her chair. "You are dismissed, await new instructions in your communicator."
Ichitaiyo begrundgily stood up and bowed before her torturer. "Thank you for your mercy, Kitsuki-sama."
There wasn't much of lie, this time she had been 'merciful', or as much she was within the injustice.
With any other word, she bent to pick her rebreather and allowed herself to breath again, before turning and leaving the office.
Play the victim, plead mercy, for as long as she needed to be free. Somehow, beneath the rebreather, she managed to smile.
====
Dear,
It has been merely a week, and yet I long for your soothing certainty, the firmness to your hold, and I can just imagine the sting of antidesinfectant on a cut I just got would be so much sweeter with your hands behind them.
I am working, doing my best so I can return to you. I promise I'll be back, or I'll be dead.
Yours, Ichitaiyo
====
17th of Boar
"Futaro-san, please come in. Take seat."
The Matron Administrator sat before the her own Lord, and set her gaze up to him, the sharp incandescent light above him hiding his features beneath shadows.
"Yes, Kitsuki-sama. To what do I owe this meeting?"
The figure leant forwards. "It's more of an informative reunion. One of the tools assigned to you has found has attempted their own way out of the box."
"Ichitaiyo, isn't it? Flexible, discrete, ambitious.. it only took her twelve days of freedom. It would be a shame to let her services go."
"Indeed, and she coalesced quite the case for herself- allies and favor in the Tamori, some local fame in Green Carp. A clan magistrate's letter of recommendation. She is on a spotlight, any corrections would be noticed."
"So. If the decision is taken, I guess I am here for the followup question. No, she doesn't know. She believes she carries secrets, but those are mere court gossip. She won't compromise us or herself."
"Good. I will approve the requests then." beat. "I would like to remind you that the stick is not the only way to ensure our tools remains under control. Ensure you do not lose any other ones without something to gain. That will be all, dismissed."
====
====Dear,
Everthing is in motion. Wait for me. I can only hope I occupy your dreams as you occupy mine I am on my way.
Yours, Ichitaiyo
21th of Rat
It had taken a bit to get used to the massive steed that rumbled beneath her. Heavy, loud.. but more practical than she thought with the big cases she could add on them. Riding Shiwahime's last gift to her, bearing a light black leather and tan pants, she stopped before Tetsuo Auto Repair.
It was time to begin her new life.
Roll Credits.