jikan_rpg | Just gimmie the gun. (closed-ish?)

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Just gimmie the gun. (closed-ish?)

⌛ Who: Kinn, Vegas, Pete? Mafia crew?
⌛ What: Fixing up the Hotel California
⌛ When: Mid-November
⌛ Where: At the future site of Hotel California--in the Kohaku territory
⌛ Warnings: Injury and things associated with that. Blood, swearing, blah blah blah. Kizuna break. VEGAS BEING NICE

Today was the day Kinn needed to assess which walls needed to be done over completely. There was one large section of the wall that Kinn had chosen to be something of an onsen and workout area that was going to need to be replaced. Everything had rotted out so badly that the only recourse was to tear the worst bits down and then patch it up. Or maybe he would put a door in that spot. He should put a door in that spot! It would make things easier and having a door opening out to the courtyard area wasn't a bad thing. Especially if this place would have guests one day.

As he hefted the sledgehammer to knock out another piece of timber, he felt it. It was a gunshot--who the fuck was shooting at him here?! He felt that 'bullet' rip right through his shoulder and he gave a strangled cry, the sledgehammer hitting something he hadn't intended and knocking out a weight-bearing post, causing the rest of the wall to crumble, hitting his head and back until the roar in his ears deafened him. Another snap, this time said bullet was in his arm-and Kinn cried out, struggling to get up and fight, confused as to where the attack is coming from. Was it an attack? He usually was more observant about his surroundings than this! What the hell happened?

Still in major pain (almost climbing to 'stepping on a lego' level,) Kinn struggled to get up. HIs left shoulder and forearm were on fire and throbbing, with the rest of his body feeling like it had gone through a rock tumbler. As the dust settled, he realized he was pinned a bit by the debris of the wall, and any way to contact for help was... it wasn't here, at least.

Fuck.

Kinn groaned, letting his head drop back as he felt some dizziness overcome him again. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

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If Kinn hadn't been in the midst of pain, he would have noticed the knife as well. Right now, he was resisting the knee jerk reaction to lash out because he was in pain. Later, when his pain was pleasantly dulled to the point that he didn't care that he hurt, he could appreciate the fact they have a new ally. One who was close to their new home and now they had a way to keep Wen Qing out of their more questionable exploits.

"Thank you," he rasps harshly as Waisu. "We are in your debt. What's your price?"

"Price?" Waisu looked at all of them as if he was realizing who he was dealing with. Suddenly his demeanor changed and he looked down, shuffling a step back. "Nono, no price. I help out of the goodness of heart."

Kinn knew exactly what that meant. The man had been harrassed in the past, hadn't he? His eyes lift up to Vegas and he gave a slight nod. If they were going to carve some territory, they could start here and now. Thwy needed to kbow who was harassing the bone setter and figure out a way to make it known he was under Theerapanyakul's protection now.

Pete heard that right away. He knew that one so well and he understood that someone was harassing this man. Who had agreed to help them. He frowned and then glanced at the door. No one was there. With a nod, he slipped the knife away and put on a smile as he went over to Waisu.

Very politely, he bowed to the man again. "We would like to help you and take care of you since you took care of us. If you could let us know who is bothering you then we can make sure you'll be protected."

And he bowed again. "It would honor us to give you this gift in gratitude for what you have done for our family. You have earned that and so much more."

It was so easy to fall into this role. Being the trusting face to reassure someone that things were going to be alright. He well understood how safe he could make someone feel and how vital that could be to establishing the start of something like this.

Besides, Waisu deserved to have someone to have his back.

Vegas raised a brow, but... this was a good way for them to establish a presence here. And they did owe this guy for his help. Vegas wouldn't scoff at that. Pete definitely was the most trustworthy face to be making this offer. Kinn was in too much pain and Vegas? Well, he knew what his face looked like without him crafting one of his masks. This Waisu's already seen Vegas with alertness and violence in his eyes. Pete was definitely the best choice at this juncture. So he simply nodded in agreement.

Waisu avoided looking any of them in the eye as he continued to bow low, insisting that he was fine and didn't need the assistance they were offering. There was no need to bring the samurai into play, either. All the while, Kinn sagged in the chair, breathing slowly to collect his strength again. He looked around, catching a toy here and there, noting he didn't hear any small patter of feet around.

His eyes roll over to Vegas. "We...should have Riley draw our crest. Have medallions made for places under our protection." And to have the Theerapanyakul crest on their businesses, too. Sucking in a breath, he moved to sit up so he could focus a bit. "Where are your children, grandfather? Grandchildren?"

Waisu froze, staring at Kinn as if the man had read his mind. He locked eyes with the other men for a second and then lowered his face, falling silent. Kinn's face turned hard as he watched the man. "Who? When? Where?" Had they been taken by another clan? "Yokohama?"

"Yamato-Nara-gumi," Waisu stuttered, sounding absolutely wretched as he covered his face with both hands.

A name Kinn heard in passing a couple of times. They worked under the shadow of Yokohama, the family that claimed the Port Market as their own. It made sense that the bone-setter didn't want the samurai involved: more than likely they wouldn't give a shit what the Yamato-Nara did as long as they didn't cause trouble for Yokohama.

"They're underlings for Yokohama," Kinn muttered under his breath to inform Vegas of that. He wasn't surprised in the least that there was something as dark as trafficking here. It was probably the perfect place for it, too: refugees came and went without so much as a by-your-leave, right? Natives might disappear but for different reasons as well.

Edited (It took me 3 whole hours to figure out UNDERLINGS) 2022-11-25 14:49 (UTC)

Pete was noticing what Kinn was noticing too. Signs of toys. If he had to guess he'd bet that they were little girls. And given the age of Waisu? Grandchildren. Rising up, he went over to the older man and waved for him to continue to help Kinn. As he did, he took in the name of the group that the man had spoken of. He knew it well. The group that he'd been gaining favor with considered the Yamato-Nara-gumi their enemies.

This could be good for them on more than one level.

Waiting until Kinn's arm was set, Pete stepped forward again with a kind smile. Remembering his Japanese honorifics, he used that now. "Waisu-sensei. Do you have any pictures of your grandchildren? I would like to help you for the kindness that you have shown us. We may not seem like much but we are stronger than we look and have been building allies here."

He gently rested a hand on the man's shoulder. "You are under the protection of the Theerapanyakul and soon they will be too."

Even Vegas didn't mess with kids. That's pretty low-class even by his standards. He listened and nodded to Kinn's suggestion. He'd make a note and talk to Riley about it soon. It would make a good sign to the people who already did their unsavory business in the area that there was a new family in town. Between the bar and what will eventually be the hotel. Now this? They're showing up fast and hard. Best to get a reputation before anyone can challenge it.

Vegas' expression hardened and he nodded in agreement with Kinn and Pete. This was a good situation for them and, if they could get the kids back, it would make a point to others, too. And offering their protection to Waisu also cleared any debt they owed him. Between the three of them, they could manage this task.

He waited patiently as his arm was secured, finally wrapped for the time being against his chest to help with the swelling. It wasn't until Waisu had gone about to offer tea to them that they started getting the rest of the pieces put into place.

Waisu's son, Shimabuku, and his wife, Keiko, had twin daughters. Keiko had fallen ill shortly after the girls' births and passed, leaving Shimabuku and Waisu to care for the girls. Shimabuku had pulled a loan out with the Yamato-Nara in order to help his father with the girls but was unable to pay it back in the timely manner Yamato-Nara wanted. Shimabuku was killed by the Yakuza when the girls were three. Waisu had been trying to raise the girls on his own and rectify the debt his son had made but things just weren't as successful as he hoped it would. So Yamato-Nara took his now five-year-old granddaughters. Where they were now, he had no clue.

Kinn listened to it all, looking almost disinterested in the story. Inwardly, he was flipping back and forth between rage and determination. They could pull this off. The four of them. There were weapons, and he was fairly certain that Yamato-Nara carried a false sense of security considering whose shadow they cowered under. He sipped his tea, thinking it over, plotting as if they already knew where they were. Finally nodding, he lowered his cup.

"I'm sorry, we were not here sooner to help prevent the tragedy to your family," Kinn started. He still sounded rough, but the tea helped and he could manage to ignore the throbbing ache in his arm now that the break was in alignment. "But we will find your granddaughters and return them to you. And Pete is correct, you will be protected by the Theerapanyakul's, now."

"Please forgive me," Waisu said, his eyes still averted. "But I have not heard of you until today. I appreciate the offer, but what can a family do when they have no clout here?"

Kinn looked at the elder man, nodding again. "That is the beauty of surprise. Those who don't know our name will learn very quickly. Mess with what is ours, and they will pay very, very dearly. We do not tolerate those who use children as weapons, and if this is what the families here do? That will change." There was an underlying tone of danger in his voice as Kinn was more than accustomed to being the Voice for the family.

A shuddering sigh came from the little old man slipped from his seat to fall into a Dogeza, forehead touching the floor. "Their names are Rin and Riko, Theerapanyakul-sama."

Pete listened to everything and took in every detail. He remained smiling and supportive of the elder man though, never seeming like he was memorizing every word said. Even the names of the twin girls. Rin and Riko. They'd have to make sure Kinn was somewhere safe and then go to get the girls.

Kneeling down, he didn't make the man get up but he did rest a hand on his back.

"We'll get Rin-chan and Riko-chan back. We actually have some ties to people here even if our name is not so well known yet. The Kosaku Clan is already fond of us." Which was a mild lie. They were fond of him because they'd been dealing with him. But he knew that they'd support Kinn and Vegas as well because they were his family. And he knew they were also a family with greater influence who wanted the Yamato-Nara dealt with for their unsavory dealings.

What a way for this to fall into their laps. Gain favor with a more liked crime family and remove a rival and spread their name at the same time.

Pete gently rubbed the old man's back.

"We're going to get them back to you safe and sound."

Not only were they going to get the children back, they were going to teach a lesson. The Theerapanyakul family might not be well-known outside of the one guy Vegas let live from an unknown gang, but they would be after this. And their message? Leave the innocent out of it. Vegas couldn't really give a shit about guilt and innocence, but kids didn't do anything to earn this. It wasn't enough just to rescue the girls. People had to learn to be afraid of crossing them going forward. That's where Vegas would come into play.

"No one's going to bother you again," he agreed.

Maybe it was instinct, maybe it was the new dynamic they all had with each other. Kinn had the feeling that the other two would want to go out as soon as possible to find the girls. He agreed with that mind set too.

"Get a hold of Tay," he said, realizing that his own device was somewhere in the rubble of the destroyed wall. If all was well, it hadn't been damaged. "He can come fetch me and we can go back while you two go look for the girls."

This was the part he'd been dreading. Pete looked at Vegas with an expression that warned him this might not go over well. Then he looked back to Kinn.

"Tay...isn't here anymore."

There was no point sugar coating it. Kinn deserved the truth.

Vegas moved around Kinn and laid a heavy hand on his shoulder. So that explained the way Pete's expression changed earlier when he tried to reach out to Tay. No wonder he hadn't brought it up immediately. Kinn was in too much pain then. Probably still is now, but there's no avoiding it.

"Isn't--"

Not dead. Just not here. Which meant... Kinn's eyes turned inward as he remembered how the pain lashed through him and now the pieces fell into place. But now wasn't the time to fall apart and feel that loneliness that had been riding the edge since he arrived.

Yes, Pete and Vegas were here, and he had Riley, but...it wasn't the same. None of this was really helpful for him and he felt it more keenly now than before. Not because he had a romantic relationship with Tay but because there was a comadare there that their significant others were not here.

"Go," Kinn said then, covering his eyes with his good hand to stave off a headache. "Get the girls. They're more important."

Waisu watched a moment more and then rose to his feet, addressing Pete and Vegas. "Go. He will be safe here. I am old, not defenseless." He motioned to the objects over the door frame: a wakizashi and tanto. He added in what he heard where his granddaughters could be and offered a low bow. "He will be safest here with me. I will offer more tea for the pain."

Pete wanted to confirm Kinn but he knew that there had to be other priorities right now. So he put on his bodyguard mask and nodded. Then he nodded to Vegas before turning to Waisu.

"Thank you for keeping our family safe, Waisu-sensei. We will get the girls back."

With that he bowed low before heading for the door. They'd have to stop by the hotel where he'd left his shotgun but that was close by and wouldn't be a problem.

Vegas squeezed Kinn's shoulder before moving to follow Pete. He nodded once to Waisu both in thanks and to assure him everything would work out. Between him and Pete? This was something they could handle. It did cross his mind to call Riley and have him come collect Kinn. But Kinn would probably want to rest and be there when they get the girls back. But, he'd feel a little better if Kinn wasn't alone with a stranger right now, too.

Once they were out the door and out of earshot, Vegas sighed heavily. "We're gonna have to keep a close eye on Kinn. This is gonna fuck him up." His lips pressed together in thought. "You think it's okay to leave him alone? We can call one of his newer friends to go get him while we deal with this."

"I think we should call someone to be with him and Waisu. Can you do that while I run into the hotel to grab my gun?"

Because if they were about to save a pair of twin girls then he wanted to be sure that they had the firepower for it. They might not even need it but he wanted to be safe rather than sorry. He and his husband had already taken down one gang, what was another?

"I know he'll be safe but I think he needs someone who knows him for his mental state..."

Vegas nodded in agreement. "I'll call Riley." They seemed close. Close enough that Kinn took him as family. The little Fae was also the only other person Vegas knew Kinn was close with. He didn't keep tabs on his cousin's social life here.

He didn't get any bad vibes from Waisu. One thing Vegas was good at was detecting danger. A manipulator usually knows manipulation when they see it. Vegas got none of that from Waisu and his story. So, yeah, he agreed Kinn was safe and just needed a friend in this trying time.

"Do what you need to, babe. I'll handle this side of things."

Trusting Vegas to call Riley, Pete headed into the hotel to where he'd left his shotgun. He'd left it here in case the other two needed it while he was gone. He was glad now that he'd brought it here from the west. Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he headed back out, adjusting where he stored his knives to make sure they were easier to reach.

Nodding to his husband, he turned to head to where Waisu had said the girls were likely being kept. "When we get there we should scout to see if we can spot the girls. Figure out the safest way to get them out."

He might not look it, but Vegas was armed to teeth. Knives in his boots, one in his pocket, the gun tucked into the waist of his pants. He felt better knowing Pete was going to have the real firepower, though.

While he waited, he made a quick call to Riley explaining the situation: Kinn got hurt working on the hotel, possibly because of the bond breaking with his best friend Tay's departure back to their world. He gave some instructions on how to find the bone-setter's place and that he was safe, but Kinn just needed a friend until they could get back from some business.

Pete debated it a bit as they started to walk and then he finally made his decision. Signaling to Vegas, he guided him a different direction than where they were told. Because if he could get the support of the family he'd been building trust with then they could really sky rocket that relationship.

"We're going to the clan that I spoke of. When we get there let me take the lead okay? They know me and I can introduce you. They'll be able to give a more solid lead on where the girls are. I'm sure of it."

Vegas moved closer so they could converse a little more privately. Pete's decision didn't come as much of a surprise. It's a good idea. Not only would they be establishing their influence, but strengthening ties with another group.

Vegas nodded in agreement, his mouth set in a determined line. "You got it, babe. I'll follow your lead."

Appreciating his husband standing by him on this, he led the way down a dark alley where he knocked on a door. With a cheerful smile, he waved at the pair of eyes who looked out at them. They were let in right away because they knew and liked Pete. They were even allowed to keep their weapons because of the goodwill he'd created. People waved at him and greeted him by name as he went.

He'd been working hard on this family. And it was paying off as they were brought before a kitsune woman who had a sleeve of tattoos all down her one exposed arm. She smiled at the sight of Pete who introduced his husband to her and let him know that this was Kosaku-san, the leader of the clan. Quickly he explained the situation that they were facing and her expression turned serious and then disgusted before she said they would have her clans full approval.

More than that she had a map brought to him with the location that clan brought children they took as leverage. If Pete and his husband were to take down this small family then she would be most grateful and even be willing to owe a favor.

Bowing low, he took the map and headed back out with Vegas, smiling at him when they were back on the streets. "Let's get the girls."

Vegas did as requested: following Pete's lead. These were Pete's contacts, after all. It wouldn't due for him to roll in and act like he had some clout among them. This wasn't Bangkok where even the minor family's Vegas Theerapanyakul could demand respect by name alone. He wasn't about to ruin Pete's hard work. he knew enough about Japanese etiquette to even bow politely when he was introduced to Kosaku-san. He said nothing from then on unless he was spoken to directly, allowing Pete to remain in charge. He followed suit, bowing again when the map was given.

Once they were back on street, Vegas clapped Pete's shoulder and let a somewhat unhinged smile come over his features. He was ready to do some damage. And, you know, rescue some kids in the process. The trick was not to do any of the damaging in front of the kids. That sort of thing wasn't for their eyes. Even Vegas knew that. "Just like last time, we need to let some minor member survive."

Edited (typo, ofc) 2022-12-01 09:12 (UTC)

Pete agreed with that. Kosaku-san would probably deal with that member but that wasn't for them to decide on. It was her choice. Keeping a minor member alive though would mean that she'd be able to hear about what they did. So he nodded his approval and smiled at Vegas again before opening the map to get a better idea of how to approach this.

When they got over to the area, it was easy to see what was going on. The gang was relaxed at the warehouse, clearly not expecting an attack like this. That would give them an advantage for sure. But first they needed to find the girls. And he suspected they were probably in the back in that office he could see through a window.

Chewing on his lip, he looked over at his husband. "One of us should give the other a boost so we can see into that window better. My gut tells me we'll see the twins if we do."

Because he knew how gangs like this operated.

Vegas should be used to getting on his knees for Pete by now. He doesn't even hesitate to take a knee and thread his fingers together to help give Pete a boost up. One thing that could be said about him: he didn't mind getting in and doing the dirty work. Sure, he might've frequently used his own bodyguards as human shields, but he never shied away from getting in the rough stuff with them, too.

Another thing? Like Pete, Vegas was stronger than he let on. So getting his husband a better vantage point wasn't a taxing endeavor. Once he had Pete's foot in his hands, he hoisted him up, not even bothered by the potential for dirt on his pants when Pete's other foot landed on his kneeling leg. He wasn't in his nice clothes. They'd originally been going to do construction, after all.

"Can you see them?"

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