peachpenguin

K: Misconceptions

Kouki Kumini
Kouki looked up at the lady, eyes wide and filled with tears (because no matter how soothing someone's voice was it would never be enough to sooth the pain of a broken wrist and badly burned skin). "A blue knight..." he said very quietly. Once, when he'd asked Mikami where he went every day, Mikami had replied with that he was a King with lots of blue knights that carried swords and protected people, so he had to go and protect people too. He'd latched on to that idea. Maybe he'd jumped to that conclusion because he'd lost his glasses in the blast and couldn't exactly see clearly and clearly the lady in front of him was wearing a lot of blue, but it was hard to tell. Instead, he just let the girl talk. He was surrounded by people he didn't know and was in some pretty bad pain, so being inquisitive wasn't the first thing on Kouki's mind.

As Rin said that they wouldn't be going anywhere, a thought crossed Kouki's mind. If this lady really was one of the blue knights his Dad had told him about, maybe then she would know him. And then maybe she could get him to come here and then he could make him stop hurting. Between sobs, he looked at her again, trying to muster the courage to talk her. "Miss...," Kouki said as he wiped some of his tears away, only for them to be quickly replaced by more. "You don't know my Daddy, do you?"

There was a spark of hope in the back of his mind, desperately wanting to believe that she would say yes. He didn't want to be around people he didn't know anymore.

---

Tadashi Sakurai

Tadashi watched from a safe distance. He'd gone back to his bike shortly after the bombs had been dropped off where they were supposed to be, just to make sure his baby was still there. As soon as he made sure she was still there, Tadashi went back to the site of the bombing. As soon as he saw the damage he'd been partially responsible for, Tadashi's stomach dropped and he felt like he was going to throw up. There were so many people hurt. Without thinking about it, he moved his hands to cover his ears, trying to block out the sounds of people in pain and the ambulance sirens. He'd known people were going to get hurt, but they weren't supposed to get hurt like this. There weren't supposed to be children sent away in ambulances.

He took a deep breath, telling himself to do his job. Matsura was sure this was what they had to do, so he'd do it. In truth, Tadashi held his King on a bit of a pedestal, if he was being honest. He really couldn't place why either. So Tadashi put on a brave face and continued on with his job. Right, he had to draw the Red's away from the scene so that team that was planting the bugs could plant them. After doing a quick look around, Tadashi determined that the Blues were around now too. "Damn, this makes things complicated." What he did notice though was that there was no trace of either King. Well, that was a slight plus.

Figuring it was better to assess the situation first, Tadashi walked over to one of the Blue clan members, trying to look as innocent as possible. They shouldn't really know what any of the green members looked like apart from maybe the King. After all, they'd been pinning everything on the Reds and keeping a rather low profile otherwise. "Hey cutie," he said to a woman with gray hair in a Scepter 4 uniform. "What's going on here? Is there anything I can do to help?" Tadashi might not be that great at information gathering, but he'd at least give it a shot.

K: Misconceptions

If someone wants to, I could have Tadashi do something to draw attention to himself. I'm pretty sure he was supposed to lure some of the reds away from the scene of the crime anyways.

If so, I'll just edit something for him into my last post.

K: Misconceptions

Sorry I wasn't around much this weekend guys. I had a friend over for the entire weekend and that kind of took up all my time.

K: Misconceptions

Peach and Demon Collab Part 1

"That is a very valid train of thought. I'm sure we're both horribly busy," (Mikami somehow doubted Shunsuke would ever be as busy as he was) "so we might as well take this opportunity when it's presented to us." He set his now finished drink back down, wiping his face once before meeting Shunsuke in the eyes again.

"Busy? Well while I'm sure the levels of paperwork are worlds apart, I do have to agree. Unlike the orderly blues it's a full time job keeping track of each and every member of HOMRA. Not to mention everything that's been happening lately. It's exhausting don't you think? All of this added tension and work?" Shusuke smirked not elaborating on what he meant. However, he did assume Mikami had his own suspicions. Still it wasn't like the Blue King could simply listen to the words of the Red King who was in the predicament he was in. Still he was sure that the suggestion to move would be taken.

At the suggestion of a change in scenery, Mikami could tell that the two were on the same wavelength about what was about to happen. "I think a change of scenery would be appropriate." Mikami never really sought out a fight. He'd had to step in on fights some of his clansmen were involved in before, but they never lasted long. No matter how strong a member of a clan was, they would never beat a king. But for some reason, the saber at his hip was growing more tempting as the moments passed.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, surely a message to him about the current situation. It would have to wait. The other blue clan members would take care of things just fine. He trusted them. Besides, something was telling him that HOMRA wasn't behind this. The way that two of their members rushed out of the cafe made him wonder just who the culprit could be. Something as dangerous as a bomb didn't seem to fit the Red's. They were violent at times, sure, but a bomb in places that would hurt civilians was unheard of.

"I say we should leave and find a more appropriate place to talk. Wouldn't want to cause the people around here anymore confusion than they're already being put through." With that, he turned towards the door, beyond positive that the Red King would follow.

As Mikami thought for a moment Shusuke remained silent. He was calm for now, but he was itching to trade blows with the Blue King. Being enemies at the moment was just an excuse. He'd probably have wanted to take him on just as much even if they were friends. He finished his drink waiting for Mikami to speak before nodded in agreement. "I'll allow you to lead the way. Though I do wish you were at 100%." He said referring to how Mikami looked as if he hadn't slept properly in a bit. It wouldn't stop the inevitable, but it would diminish a bit of the fun. At least it would in Shusuke's mind.

He followed after Mikami calmly leaving the cafe his hands resting casually in his pockets. "Tell me something. Have you ever really looked at your clan. The way they can respects us. Fear us. Envy our power. Yet not know the true fear we have." He said calmly making conversation as they began their journey to a more private and "safe" location. "They look at us with very little understanding of the Sword of Damocles or our situation." Of course, he was speaking assuming that Mikami knew of the story of Damocles.

Mikami allowed himself a glare at the Red King. Although it was expected that a touch of makeup to mask his dark circles under his eyes wouldn't fool one of the few people he stood on equal grounds with. "My physical state is of no concern to you. I assure you I've been far worse off than this." A few nights of sleeping on the couch wouldn't effect his physical state to badly. Although the guilt was beginning to effect him mentally. "If I couldn't handle this, I wouldn't be fit to lead Scepter 4." Turning back around, Mikami kept on walking towards a series of warehouses and alleyways he knew to be abandoned during the day. They were filled with all kinds of people who led typically undesirably ways of life once the sun went down, but during when it was up they were almost completely empty.

Mikami tensed as Shunsuke brought up the one subject he hated thinking about. He had thought about their situation many times, often in the middle of the night, long after Kouki had fallen asleep. He understood why Kings weren't supposed to get attached. In fact, he'd never heard of one having a real family before him. It was a dangerous game to play. For years he'd been careful. Always careful. "I can say with confidence that I have thought of those things before. I would wager I've been a King longer than you, which has given me plenty of time to think." He didn't add the 'and there are people actually depending on me' part on, even though he was thinking it. The clan would be okay if he was gone. The same couldn't be said for a certain five year old. "A lack of understanding keeps them safe and it keeps us safe. Attachment and sentimentality makes one's judgement clouded." You're a damn hypocrite Mikami. One of the biggest hypocrites you've ever met.

Seeing and hearing Mikami's reaction to Shusuke's comment regarding his physical state caused the younger of the two kings to chuckle. "My apologies Blue King. It seems I've struck a nerve." His brief moment of laughter, however, ceased almost immediately upon his observation of the surrounding. This would work quite nicely. Though there would be many who'd need to find a new place to play for the night. He could tell at least this much. "I supposed it's to be expected that someone of your caliber could easily find a suitable place to hold our meeting." He shook his head. "Still I hope your body can hold up." He commented again, perhaps to simply enjoy irritating the Blue King. It was interesting to see how a man of his stature might be capable of releasing the calm guise he'd held for so long. And after the glare Shusuke knew it was possible.

Still even without the impending battle the conversation was interesting in his own right. There was that word again. Always popping into his mind. Interesting? He shrugged it off when he noticed Mikami tense up in response to the subject of the Kings and the Swords of Damocles and all that stuff that the Kings went through. His response wasn't exactly what the young King expected. He assumed since they seemed to be so different that their view points would be worlds apart. However, it was half true. He agreed with half of what Mikami had said. Only half. "Sure the lack of knowledge of our clansmen, but isn't it true that attachment and sentimentality can help keep one grounded? Give them something to strive for? To protect?" He stopped after that thinking about it for a moment. He couldn't help, but feel that what he was saying might seem naive and childish. But he held onto it. Perhaps Mikami had been like that once. Perhaps. But would he understand now?

"You can choose attachment and sentimentality if you so wish. It won't be you hurting in the end. It'll those people you're trying to protect." It was far from the first time Mikami had ever had thoughts along these same lines, arguing with oneself over what was right. "Think about it this way," he said, stopping and turning around to face his adversary, hand on the saber at his hip. "Scepter 4 existed before me. Scepter 4 will continue to exist after I am gone. They will find a new King." He drew his saber, pointing it at Shunsuke. "But what will become of HOMURA once you are gone? My clansmen will mourn my death, but they will move on. Will yours be able to?"

Mikami chuckled a bit. Not at the situation, but at his own hypocrisy. How can you preach being unattached when you are the most attached of all? But would you really do things differently? If you could go back would you have abandoned Kouki or walked away from being King? You're a liar and a coward. He looked directly at the Red King. He was young, naive. There were people you had to protect that you couldn't make your clansmen, that you couldn't protect by giving power. They were in danger just by being near. "The top is a very lonely place. And the fates have put us at the top." There was a certain twinge of sadness at the edges of Mikami's voice, like he felt sorry for himself and the others unfortunate to bear the crown he also bore.

Finally Shusuke stopped walking. "Tell me... Why is it that you don't seem to fully believe what you've been telling me?" He stopped himself from questioning further. "Forget it. I assume you wouldn't want the likes of me prying into your life." The Red King was silent for a bit after that. He was thinking. He'd yet to respond to any of Mikami's question. But there wasn't a yes or no answer. Until finally he smiled and began to laugh a bit. "You know. I've thought about that before. I have to admit I haven't ever really taken the time to worry about what would happen to HOMRA. However, my clansmen, Saito, Rin... All who join. They all share my beliefs to an extent. I have no doubt that they would be able to continue their lives. A leader would most certainly rise and whatever legacy I manage to leave behind will have had some impact." Shusuke finally stopped and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Now let me ask you something." He took a moment to gather his thoughts and finally spoke again. "When you died. After the mourning, after a new King has risen, will your legacy... your beliefs carry on? Would your memory remain? Or would it be forgotten? Would you be able to look back on what you've done and feel satisfied and know full well that what you believed and stood for wouldn't simply be replaced?" Shusuke didn't really know if what he was asking made sense. It did in his head, but aside from that he couldn't help, but wonder if he was making sense to Mikami. Whatever. He thought before letting out a small sigh.

K: Misconceptions

Sure. We can collab kitty. Just a warning though, I'm gonna be kind of busy the next few days so I'm not sure how fast things will progress

K: Misconceptions

Yeah, that's fine.

K: Misconceptions

Kouki Kumini
Kouki had been chatting adamantly with his neighbor and frequent babysitter, an older woman who he referred to as Miss Akemi, about how he'd lost his glasses last week only for his father to find them between the couch cushions, when the bomb went off. He rather liked Miss Akemi. She was sweet, and didn't seem to have issues with the dream beasts that made people's eyes dark like his father did. Plus, she let him have candy whenever he wanted, as long as he made sure to brush his teeth every night. He preferred his father, because most children had a preference for their parents over anyone else, but she was a good second.

The blast sent the two of them flying in different directions. The pain consumed all of the young boy's mind. He didn't let out any cries in the moment the explosion went off, nor for a few moments after he hit the ground. Then the adrenaline wore off and the horrible feeling of burning skin and injured bone from being thrown so far away set in. Whimpers escaped his lips, his mind too focus on dulling the pain to think about crying out for help. Tears flooded down his cheeks and Kouki did the most natural thing he could think of and curled in on himself. Holding his injured arms close to his chest. They had taken the worst of the damage, with burns up and down them. His legs had suffered almost as badly. His right wrist throbbed with pain, more than likely broken. Although Kouki registered none of these sources. All he knew was that he was hurting all over and he wanted it to go away.

The small part of his mind that wasn't focused on dealing with the pain, realized that he was alone. Miss Akemi was no where to be found. That absolutely terrified him.

K: Misconceptions

I'm gonna put up a very quick post about Kouki and then head off to bed.
Tadashi isn't doing much right now, so no need to post as him.

K: Misconceptions

Okay. I'll post later. I have a marching band thing tonight, so it'll be a while until I'm able to.

K: Misconceptions

I'm good.

I was wondering if I should post or wait for Demon to post. I was kind of inclined to wait until everyone in the cafe besides Mikami had reacted to post again, but if you guys think I should post again I will.