Chapter 5
The dwelling seemed to have aspects of several different cultures' architecture though Ronin knew he was no architect. Just from pictures he had seen, he recognized elements of Asian work ranging from Chinese like that of the Great Wall to Thai, like that of the Buddha statues stretched out on their sides with their heads propped up on one hand to look down at all who passed under their gaze.
Ronin knew this was now his home but still felt the need to use the knocker on the door to announce his arrival. A short man answered the door and looked on in undisguised surprise. The man recovered quickly enough and said: "Lord Raiden? You have changed somehow." The doorman stepped aside. Ronin took that as his sign and walked in as he said: "Yes. I have changed. Your former master has returned to the mortal plane and chose me as his replacement. I will understand if you choose to leave this house and my employ but I ask you not to just yet. I could use any aid you might give me, so that I might settle in quicker."
The doorman followed Ronin into the main foyer and said: "While it is true that your predecessor was the only one I have ever known, my service is to the office itself not any one person, though to be honest, I never expected him to step down." Ronin smiled and said: "The offer to take his place was just as unexpected, I assure you. What is your name and how many staff does this house have?" The doorman said: "My name is Spark; I am the majordomo of the house. I coordinate all of the lesser aspects of the office leaving you to address the more important ones, whatever they may be. The house has a cook, a housekeeper and a concubine. Would you like to meet them?" Too focused in the moment, Ronin didn't hear the word 'concubine' and asked that they all meet with him in the study in two hours. Spark acknowledged his orders and left to attend to them as Ronin walked into the study and was struck speechless by the sheer number of books available to him.
Many of the books were in languages he couldn't decipher until he focused on any one book and a moment later, the lettering on the binding morphed into English. Ronin saw some of the classics of his own age as well as others: Hagakure, the Book of Five Rings, the Art of War, I Ching, and the Unfettered Mind. More books than he could ever have read in a mortal lifetime, Ronin knew he would be spending much time here. As he walked over to an elegant desk, he saw the journal the previous Raiden had mentioned, and started to peruse a few pages at random. As with the books, the language morphed into English as he focused on it. There were, in just the few pages he saw references to the Deadly Alliance and a realm called Outworld as well as its former emperor, a being name Shao Kahn. Ronin sat down in the chair at the desk and turned to the beginning of the journal and started reading an entry dated some 50000 years prior.
Before Ronin was aware of it, two hours passed and there was a knock at the door. The sudden sound in the quiet of the study startled Ronin as he sat up and snarled out: "ENTER!" The door opened and the household staff came in single file and stood in front of the desk Ronin sat at. Spark, hearing the annoyed tone in Ronin's voice said: "I apologize for interrupting you my Lord but you did ask to meet the staff in two hours." Ronin said: "It is I who should apologize to you Spark; I didn't mean to come across so rudely. Please, introduce yourselves." Spark, having already made his introduction earlier, indicated the others and as he named them, they stepped forward, and bowed the same way that the previous office holder had at the end of their match, right fist covered with the left hand and a dip of the head.
When the cook stepped forward, Ronin saw what appeared to be an older Chinese man with a wispy, pencil thin mustache and Fu man Chu beard. He was dressed in spotless black pants with matching tunic. He said: "Lord Raiden, it is an honor to be met by you. I am called Jiro, and I have knowledge of any culinary art or form you could possibly want, any dish, any drink, any recipe. You have but to ask and it shall be done."
The housekeeper was a matronly figure of an older Chinese woman, dressed similar to the cook but she carried herself differently. She said: "Lord Raiden, I am called Mariko and though you are master of this house when you are here, I am its mistress when you are away. I have held this position since Raiden himself was born. I have been his caretaker, his tutor and his equal in standing since before the dawn of recorded mortal history and with all due respect, to use one of your kwai lo phrases, I won't take guff from anyone, mortal or immortal." With that she stepped back into line only to be spoken to by Spark sternly in what sounded like Chinese. This started an argument between the two there in the study.
Ronin, though he did not speak or understand Chinese (yet, he swore to himself) understood the basic tone and recognized a dressing down, and said sternly: "BE QUIET!" A clap of thunder could be heard in time with the order as both offenders and bystanders took an involuntary step back at the anger in Ronin's voice. Both Spark and Mariko straightened into a stance of attention any drill instructor would be proud of. Ronin said: "While the previous office holder may have been amused by your antics, I am not. As that this is to be my home from now on, I will not tolerate such a disruption in its harmony again! Do I make myself clear?" Both of them cast their gaze down due to the loss of face.
Turning to face the housekeeper, Ronin said: "I can appreciate your experience and provided you obey my order for peace, I would like to speak with you at length of the previous office holders. Or, if you wish, I will see about inquiring if you can be given mortal status and I will also look into it that you are released from my service and allowed to join the previous office holder. He may want to have a familiar face around. It's up to your because I will not force your service to me if you don't want to." The housekeeper's face displayed near horror at the very thought and she said as she bowed again: "Forgive me Lord Raiden. I meant no disrespect to you. You are the master and I would serve you as I have served all others if you will have me."
Ronin said: "Apology accepted venerable elder. Raise your eyes to me and we can forget this episode." She did so as Ronin turned his gaze to Spark and said: "The same can be said for you Spark. I would hate to lose you as an asset to this house but I must have harmony in my home or how can I possibly ensure harmony for the Earth Realm in my role as Protector?" Spark too, bowed low and said: "My Lord, forgive me." Ronin said: "I accept your apology majordomo. You too may raise your eyes to me, and we can forget this incident." Spark's relief was visible as he stepped back into line and Ronin's gaze shifted to the last member of the staff.
She was a young Asian woman, who appeared to be in her mid-twenties. Raven black hair that was styled into an elegant braid the likes of which Ronin had only seen in pictures, framing a finely featured face. Her dark eyes gently almond shaped, above an almost regal nose. Her lips were naturally full and rose colored, and her chin was flawless in shape. She wore only the slightest touch of make-up and it truly accentuated her natural beauty. Dressed in an even more elegant kimono, she stepped forward, bowed and said: "Lord Raiden, I am new to this house. My name is Amperica and I am to be your concubine if you wish it." Ronin's pulse quickened at the notion as he stammered: "C-c-concubine?" Spark stepped in and said: "At the request of your predecessor, I secured her services. Your predecessor took his relations out of the house but knew that you might have need of some . . . pillow company and took measures to that end."
Amperica stepped back into line as Ronin regained his composure. Thank you all. You are dismissed to your duties." To Jiro, Ronin said: "I like breakfast within an hour of waking unless I have pressing matters elsewhere, lunch and dinner when I get hungry. I'm sorry I can't be more specific, I've never had a cook of my own before." The cook smiled and bowed in acknowledgment and left with the others. Just before Amperica left, Ronin said: "Amperica, please stay a moment." She stopped shy of the door as Spark closed it behind him. Using a graceful stride he had only seen in movies, she walked back to his desk and facing him began to disrobe when Ronin shot to his feet and said: "No. That's not necessary Amperica." Ronin placed her kimono back on her shoulders as she said: "Lord Raiden, please allow me to serve you in my intended function. Or do you find me undesirable?"
Ronin took a deep breath to calm his pulse which had accelerated due to his touch on the kimono she wore. It was softer and more sensual to the touch than silk or satin as he said: "Not at all. In fact, women of your beauty often inhabit my dreams and you are as flawless an example of womanhood as I have ever had the privilege of meeting. It's just that where I come from, concubines don't exist. They have other names, but none of them are very flattering. Please give me time to adjust to your presence." She bowed again and said: "As my Lord Raiden commands, so shall it be done." Ronin said: "Please Amperica, just call me Ronin when we are alone." She bowed again and said: "As my Lo-, yes Ronin." This time though, there was a softening of her voice and a slight change in her eyes as she recovered from her bow. Ronin said: "Tell Mariko that you are to have a room of your own made up. If she asks, and I think she just might, tell her I said I was too tired for . . . company tonight." Amperica said: "Yes Ronin, sleep well."