|
|
Post by Iuchi Hajime on Jun 20, 2017 15:57:44 GMT 10
Hajime had agreed to talk to Tamiyo in private, though she wasn't comfortable with the idea at all. When the two actually get alone in the ship's smoke room, however, she feels a rush of buried emotions and memories surfacing, and that makes the Iuchi very anxious and pissed off at herself and in a bad mood as a result!
"Well, here we are. Is this where you rip your own clothes and say I attacked you?" she says with her arms crossed and tapping her foot.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ikoma Tamiyo on Jun 20, 2017 17:40:14 GMT 10
"Ah..." Tamiyo looks down at her feet before looking up, not quite daring to meet Hajime's eyes. Even avoiding her eyes proved distracting however. It's probably the sake, yeah. "Look, sorry. Really."
"I couldn't really say anything else in public, could I? I mean, Producer-dono would expect nothing else. Actually he already wanted a great deal more to begin with."
She takes a deep breath.
"It's like I said, he wanted you away from that planet and if it was up to him, the solution to that problem would have a great deal more permanent." Before she can stop herself the words come stumbling out. "I mean, I didn't grow up happy with my mother and father in the suburbs, no brother or sister, like my karmapedia page says. In reality my parents died in Red Field, leaving me and my kid brother to fend for ourselves. And we had no money, you see."
She looks away, but now that she had started she couldn't stop.
"Anyway, I was caught stealing food, but along came Arasou-dono. He saw something in me and got me out of there. He created Tamiyo, gave her a new past and a bright future. I can't see my brother anymore but he got him in one of the best dojo. Producer-dono is my daimyo and I owe him everything.
Finally Tamiyo meets Hajime's eyes, looking quite miserable. "I'm really sorry I have to keep up appearances and can't exonerate you. It's actually dangerous enough as is for you to be near me. I already went against Producer-dono by keeping you alive, I really don't want him to think you are a threat..."
|
|
|
|
Post by Iuchi Hajime on Jun 21, 2017 0:48:18 GMT 10
Hajime frowns at the Ikoma's words. "You could have just not said anything at all. What could you possibly gain from bringing this up after all this time in front of the freaking Dragon Champion other than completely ruin me? Is that what you want?"
As Tamiyo shares her sob story, Hajime's stern features gradually soften up. She would never ever have guessed the two have so much in common. The Ikoma's story really messes with Hajime, who is unsure of what to think about her, understanding that she could very well be in Tamiyo's shoes if she hadn't been so lucky to be rescued by Kailen's parents. She is amazed by such a coincidence! ... coincidence, huh? The Iuchi suddenly realizes this sounds way too convenient to be true. But she wonders how Tamiyo could have found out about that, as she is pretty sure she never mentioned it to her. But then again, with her resources it wouldn't be difficult to find out the exact date Hajime had her first kiss if she wanted.
Hajime narrows her eyes on Tamiyo as she finally decides to look at the Iuchi in the eyes but only more confusion comes out of it. Although Tamiyo looks genuine in her regret, it is the fact that she just confessed everything knowing that Hajime was recording everything that makes the Iuchi unsure. She could prove her innocence and expose Tamiyo right now and finally clear her name, but for some reason the thought of doing that makes her feel like crap. So she decides against it, rationalizing that if did so she would be no different than the Ikoma in front of her. "I'm not a threat, you know that. I've never opened my mouth again after you explained the situation, why would I do that now? But when you throw me under the bus like that I have no choice but to act."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ikoma Tamiyo on Jun 21, 2017 1:23:13 GMT 10
"I know you're no threat." Tamiyo continues softly. "If anyone is a danger to the other here, it's me to you, by not keeping up the charade in public. If Producer-dono ever thinks you might damage the Tamiyo brand, well..."
And he'll probably ask me to do it...
"That's what I had to gain by bringing all this back up in front of the Dragon Champion. Not to ruin you, but keep you alive. Nothing I said I haven't said before after all, but still, I can imagine it hurts. I am not proud of doing this. Look, you hate me, and I really can't blame you for that, but I'm really doing my best."
She pauses for a second.
"I should have followed orders back then, but I didn't. I really should not have told you any of this, but I just did. I don't know why I want to explain myself to you, probably the saké." She looks annoyed with herself. "Look, you are much better of just hating me. And delete this recording before it ends up killing us all..."
|
|
|
|
Post by Iuchi Hajime on Jun 22, 2017 8:33:53 GMT 10
Hajime just sighs tired. Tamiyo's words just don't make sense to her! "Look, everybody fell for it back in the day. Kami knows all the crap I took because I took when this exploded. And then I could finally take a breath and do my thing again. You say you did this to keep me alive but the only reason I wasn't told to commit seppuku was because my old sensei intervened for me. Nobody remembered this incident anymore. What reason could you have to bring it up again only the two of us really care about it nowadays? Or I do anyways..." she sighs.
The Iuchi shakes her head. "I don't hate you... well, I might hate you a bit now after the stuff with the Dragon Champion. But I'm more scared of you than anything, really. I mean, it's pretty scary how things changed all of a sudden from us...you know..." she looks away embarrassed. "and then suddenly all this stuff happens and my rep is ruined... kinda went from one extreme to another." she says and frowns at herself. What the Jigoku is she saying!?
Her 'accidental' openness makes her become more defensive, and it's really easy to see. "Look, I'm not going to expose you, but neither will I delete it! If your Producer-dono does anything to either you or me, this goes public."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ikoma Tamiyo on Jun 22, 2017 15:45:00 GMT 10
"Yeah, my fanbase can be quite ferocious. But trust me, people remember. Just wait till some sleazy Scorpion paparazzi gets a picture with the both of us on it. It'll all be dredged up again..."
Tamiya smile reappears as Hajime admits to not hating her, though it's fragile.
"Yeah, I know. It was quite a shitty period, for me as well. I was and still am really sorry I hurt you. Believe what you will, but I'm not that good an actress. We had..." The Lioness echoes Hajime's sigh. "Yeah, well, anyway. I'm happy you're doing well. You look good." She can't help but make eye contact, looking for... something. However brief, and even she started it to destroy her reputation, it was... special, they had a connection...
|
|
|
|
Post by Iuchi Hajime on Jun 23, 2017 6:49:21 GMT 10
Hajime laughs at that. "I honestly have no idea how you can endure that. I was 'famous' for what, a month? And I felt like killing myself. Let alone a good chunk of your life. Ugh." she says and winces at the thought.
The Iuchi can't help but smirk at Tamiyo's choice of words. Something about being one of the few people who knows what the real Tamiyo is like turns her on and makes her feel closer to the Ikoma, but good luck getting her to admit that! She shakes her head at her. "Don't be sorry. You did what you had to. I've already accepted that. What pissed me off was you bringing it up after the matter was supposed to be closed." she nods at her, looking away with a blush. "Yeah, thanks. I don't really care about what others think of me to be honest but I having too much crap being talked about me reflects bad on my family and clan, and that's when things get edgy." she says and glances over to her, but quickly averting her gaze once their eyes meet. As brief as the eye contact was, Tamiyo can definitely see the something she was looking for, and clearly so does Hajime, judging by how embarrassed and awkward she looks!
|
|
|
|
Post by Ikoma Tamiyo on Jun 23, 2017 15:39:07 GMT 10
Hajime laughs at that. "I honestly have no idea how you can endure that. I was 'famous' for what, a month? And I felt like killing myself. Let alone a good chunk of your life. Ugh." she says and winces at the thought. Tamiyo shrugs, smiling at Hajime's good mood. "Yes, well, You get used to it, I suppose. Just play your role when you're out in public. And I really do like to perform. Nothing quite like connecting with your audience and several thousand people singing along to your songs. For me it's the ultimate high!" The Iuchi can't help but smirk at Tamiyo's choice of words. Something about being one of the few people who knows what the real Tamiyo is like turns her on and makes her feel closer to the Ikoma, but good luck getting her to admit that! She shakes her head at her. "Don't be sorry. You did what you had to. I've already accepted that. What pissed me off was you bringing it up after the matter was supposed to be closed." she nods at her, looking away with a blush. "Yeah, thanks. I don't really care about what others think of me to be honest but I having too much crap being talked about me reflects bad on my family and clan, and that's when things get edgy." she says and glances over to her, but quickly averting her gaze once their eyes meet. As brief as the eye contact was, Tamiyo can definitely see the something she was looking for, and clearly so does Hajime, judging by how embarrassed and awkward she looks! "Yeah, look, I really have to keep up the charade of what happened back then, but I promise I will only bring it up if I feel pressured into it. How is that? would that work? And sure, I did what I had to do, but that doesn't mean I can't feel sorry for hurting you." Her voice turns soft and Tamiyo briefly touches Hajime to get her to turn her head again. It's like a little bolt of electricity shoots through her and she wouldn't have dared doing that if she hadn't seen what she did in those eyes of her. Now that she had, she is hungry for more. "I hope I get the chance to make it up to you at least a little. Because, while I regret how it ended, that's certainly not the case for everything that came before..." |
|
|
|
Post by Iuchi Hajime on Jun 25, 2017 17:27:30 GMT 10
Hajime laughs softly. "Well, if several thousands of people ever 'connected' to my singing chances are I'd be lynched to death. I guess dark and wet caves are more up my alley."
She takes deep breath. "I see. Well if that's what you gotta do, then..." she says with disappointed look in her eyes and shrugs. "Well, I won't stop denying it though. If I suddenly admitted, it would raise a lot more eyebrows anyway." she shrugs.
The Iuchi was getting ready to call the meeting over and head out when Tamiyo suddenly and unexpectedly touched her to make her look at the Ikoma in the eyes again. A surge of different emotions rush through her heart as once again their gaze meet and though she is nearly panicking and knows this is a bad bad idea, she finds herself unable to resist her own feelings this time. "W-what do you mean?" is all she can say in response to the Ikoma's gentle touch and soft words.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ikoma Tamiyo on Jun 26, 2017 5:48:00 GMT 10
"What do I mean? Well, I guess I didn't want to do what I had to do. I wish I had something that was just mine, and not someone else's. Not Producer-sono's, not my fans', but just between and me and, well,... whomever understand the difference between the real me and Tamiyo the pop star."
The lioness is somewhat emboldened by Hajime's reaction and reaches for her hand.
"It's a shit deal, because I can't ever... I can't ever fully commit and belong to someone. But this mission will not be over soon and I can try to give what I can. If you want, I mean..." She looks away. "It won't ever be enough, I know that, but it'll be what I can give..."
|
|
|
|
Post by Iuchi Hajime on Jun 26, 2017 17:56:40 GMT 10
Hajime furrows her brows as she ponders Tamiyo's words. "Hmmm... I can definitely the difference between the you and Tamiyo the popstar, but is there a difference between the real you and Tamiyo the Producer-dono's lackey?" she asks thoughtfully.
And once again, the girl gets the chills as Tamiyo takes her hand.
"It's hard to tell what was real and what was not but I liked the Tamiyo who cursed and whispered dirty things to my ears." she says and sighs. "What exactly are you proposing?" she knows this is stupid and she should end this now before it's too late but she simply finds herself unable to!
|
|
|
|
Post by Ikoma Tamiyo on Jun 26, 2017 20:51:54 GMT 10
"The same difference as for any samurai caught between their individual desires and the wants of their daimyo and duty. Enough difference that I already disobeyed him once when it came to you..."
Tamiyo smile turns downright mischievous. "As for what I'm proposing?" She leans over to whisper in Hajime's ear. "How about this?" She guides the Iuchi's hand somewhere very inappropriate which reveals her obvious eagerness with what is about to follow as her other hand finds it's way to the back of the other girl's head and draws her close for a passionate kiss.
|
|
|
|
Post by Iuchi Hajime on Jun 27, 2017 15:32:55 GMT 10
Hajime nods at her words, satisfied by her answer, as weird as that might sound.
The Iuchi can't help but smirk at Tamiyo's whispers and gladly squeezes wherever the Ikoma led her hand to, looking as eager as her! Just as things get heated however, she notices something and her eyes widen, but before she can say anything she caught by Tamiyo's kiss and is completely unable to resist it, giving in and going along with the kiss. By the kami, has she missed this! Once the kiss breaks however, she smirks and whispers back to her. "Do you feel like putting a private show to Biru-san?" she points to the camera as she whispers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ikoma Tamiyo on Jun 28, 2017 2:40:31 GMT 10
"Oh!" She blinks and grins. "Why don't you turn that off and lock the door. Saves me the trouble of hacking their system and deleting it." With that she gets up, flips open her wristcomp to put on a suitable tune to dance to and ever so slowly and teasingly starts getting rid of her clothes.
<fade-to-black?>
|
|
