A/N: Behold, part two of Akira's POV chapter.
Peace Sell's But Who's buying is only a few days away now (from 10/03/19 that is). It is well worth the wait.
Thanks everyone
Blackmambauk
Putting down the tablet for just a minute or two as she got off her bed. Those tablets were prone to heat up quickly Akira had found if she held them for too long. She would have to prop it up with something so they could talk without having to hold it in their hands.
Bringing a plate to take a swipe of the Chicken Nanban on the dining table, a dip of soy sauce, some rice and some soba noodles to finish. Along with making herself a nice cuppa of Tetleys.
Taking her sweet time in dipping her Nanban into her soy sauce. Laying it in there until it was fully wrapped in gorgeous brown layers. Taking a slow and lovely bit out of it.
She could hear crunchy sounds coming from Nathaniel's end. Most likely the hula hoops he was eating. She remembered the time he talked in his sleep about them. Going on about how Hula Hoops were round and they be around forever like that advert for them had done.
"Whoopies, i left this window open form before. Sometimes i'm so forgetful about stuff." Akira could hear Nathaniel speaking as the sound of a window closing echoed.
"Nevertheless, I certainly love hearing your voice, even more so when you blow into my ear and whisper every syaballe. I mean that Akira, your voice is wonderful to hear. Never let anyone tell you otherwise." Nathan countered smoothly from the tablet that still sat on Akira's bed.
Akira opened her left eye slightly with her eyebrow raised to look back a the tablet, a little bit of rose forming on her cheeks. Then looked away again. He wasn't getting off that easily if her suppressed little smirk and the likelihood of him resting his chin on his hand that he often did when he was like this was any indication.
She let him stew for a few more minutes while she indulged in the noodles and rice. Slurping the noodles every time as she sucked them into her mouth.
Oh but she was going to save her sweet sweet dessert for last so he could see her eat something he can't.
Akira eventually went to pick up the tablet from her bed, but didn't look at the screen until she was back at her Marble table and found something to hold up so she could be free of straining her hand. Nathaniel had obviously found something on his end to hold it up judging by the fact he had his boots on the table. Grinning all the while at Akira as if he hadn't been cheeky before.
"Well, I was going to surprise you with a little something I got when I went to pick up alongside my Kimono yesterday from the designers. But if you are going to be like this…" Akira then glanced at her Kimono hanging on the rod that she hung it on and the surprise next to it.
All patterned and colored to Akira's specification. She had brought over everything else needed with her from India already.
Nathaniel merely raised an eyebrow at that remark.
"Now that's just mean of you Akira, I bring forth praise of that ever so smoothing Scottish twined with sexy Japanese voice. Just for you to cast me down so cruelly. And to think, I had all the videotapes set up for you to see if the Right Said Frank wannabe brothers beat up Barry at the pub this Friday night. I guess i'll just have to tape over it with Jim and him presenting a speedboat again, I certainly hope Ganabati's put his he won on the show to good use, It will do nicely going up some rivers,"
"Yes, I remember him on darting on that show, still got the tape of him. I certainly hope he put that hoover and fridge he also won to good use. His workshop tends to be a cesspool at the worst of times and he leaves out out of date milk to foul it up further." Akira said as she reminisces about Mr Ganabati's appearance on that game show after Nathaniel convinced him that it was the Darts her nose in disgust of that fact.
Akira started eating on her lovely Honey toast, taking her time to eat it slowly. Making mmm sounds all the while as she could see Nathaniel' try to suppress his tongue from moisturising his lips. Which he retaliated by opening his wine gum pack and downing a fair few in one go.
Personally if she ever found herself on a gameshow. She would choose Mr Chips and that fine Irishman Roy instead. She would ace that like she used to ace her English classes back in Aberdeen Primary.
"I was also going to bless you when we are together again in Japan. That would have made what I did in Britannia for Michelle and Adrianna as part of our little trade for their aid in getting the arefect look like the pre show of her worlds smallest violin i played for her also that night."
Nathaniel finished by grabbing his banana from the table.
Using his teeth to pry the top of it opened as the peel slowly came down of it and laying bare for Akira to see. She merely shrugged and continued with her toast, dipping the blueberries in the honey sauce.
"I would have gone all-the-way-down, exactly how you like it." Nathaniel demonstrating by entering all of the banana into his mouth. Holding it in for a few seconds before digging into it with his teeth.
Swallowing about half of it as he continued to munch on it in his mouth as he chewed with his mouth open on purpose. Akira continued on with her strawberry crepe.
"But now, well you be lucky if i share a bed with you once i'm over. Oh well, i guess i'll just have to put Lucius there instead when you are fast asleep like i used to do back in the day with my first snake." Nathan finished by consuming the rest of the banana with vigor, then throwing the skin right into the bin in the corner without evening looking at it.
Akira merely raised her eyebrows at Nathaniel's full on display. Biting her lips as she brought a finger of her lips to be coy.
"Oh really Nathaniel, you were going to do all those ravishing things to me and that it would top the show you gave me and our favourite siblings in New Blackpool. My my, how thoughtful of you to give me the preview of it all. I'm expecting a truly wondrous night when you join me here." Akira said in response as she gave her finger a little lick in delight.
"Indeed, there's nothing like sharing a night of passion with the one person that fulfils you." Nathaniel putting his hands behind his head as he grinned gleefully.
Goddess, just thinking of it how that night is going to go reminded Akira of how pleasurable her bath had been for her today.
She had needed to feel the warm sensation of a bath on her skin to wash off all that unpleasant feeling and stresses the day had brought her, she still was scolding herself while running the hot water for allowing to be drawn into a fight with Mr Kirihara. He certainly knew how to push her buttons. She had spent the first 5 minutes of her bath just lying at water level and blowing bubbles with her mouth while she steamed off.
The nice warm moist water washing the dirt away from her body as she layed in a proper bath, Ryokans were never made for fit someone of her unique size. Bubbles tingling her nipples on her ever growing breasts as she ran her sponge across them. The feel of her favourite shampoo glossing in her hair and the smooth tense of her brush drying up the water afterwards and untangling the knots that often form in her hair all sent that tingling feeling up Akira's spine.
Only thing missing from it was the feeling of holding in her hands, the ever beautiful biceps and nips of her Nathaniel as he sits between her legs in the bathtub while she massages them, sharing the same height made stuff between them so much better both work and personal wise, pressing her face against his soft neck and giving a lick or two, Nathan really loved it when she plants little kisses on his cheeks. It causes him to giggle so adorably. No wonder he loved doing the french greeting with her.
Along with the most important element. Having his buttocks right against her crotch for her to enter into eternal bliss.
Of course, Akira took as much as she gave, which was a big part of why their relationship had progressed. There was nothing like feeling the cute little fangs of her viper nibbling on her ear or neck, or when she had her backdoor being knocked in. Oh the wonderful sensation of just being carried in his arms, sitting on his lap as he does marvellous things to her.
"Right erm continuing on where we left off before all of this, I knew you would choose the best and relevant bits to pitch to Oboro and Saburo. It's one of the things i treasure about you as my partner Akira. You know how to take what I give you and style it to what you do best, which is selling our plans and propositions. And vice versa as well, in me being able to use any info you find or get out of people to inform my decisions or to complete the full picture i'm looking for in running our network. Since one must believe in the sales pitch they are giving to anyone, especially when we are dealing with a legend like Oboro Iga/Shinozaki. I have wanted to work with her for years"
"Besides, if people can't be bothered to read up on or uncover everything that is possible to uncover, to know their enemy. Their environment, the political players, the factions, people and groups on all sides in our line of work. Then they will end up the same fate as our predecessor here did. As corpses buried or burned to the ground. Or left to rot in the basement for the rest of their career filing paperwork. I have no intention of either happening to us." Nathan finished by crossing his arms as if he had triumph in the FA Cup final.
"Agreed, we have worked too far and sacrificed too much to let anyone stop us now." Akira just nodded her head to Nathan.
"So just to ask, what did you make of Oboro and her husband at the meeting? Were they as we have been led to believe?"
"Oboro Kirihara/Shinozaki is perspective, gracious in her manners and in her decoration. And is not afraid to put her foot down as her quack demonstrated. She also showed that she had obviously been doing some digging on us and… from her husband's interrogation."
Nathaniel gave a slight chuckle at hearing Akira's reply.
"She actually quacked during your meeting? Oh this is too good, i'm going to love working with her. Since you are already on a first name basis with her. And what did you make of Saburo Kirihara?
Akira felt her eyes and lips frowning at hearing his name.
"Mr Kirihara was shall we say, was aggressive in challenging us and our intentions on the whole China affair. No doubt he believes that we are like Extra Order or the other merc groups that engage in the sort of behaviour some of his superiors engaged in during the war. Though this did allow me to gage what his views are. Though i believe he was influenced by the fact that I ahem, revealed myself to him?" Akira muttering the last bit out.
Akira could see Nathaniel's lips curling up as both his eyebrows raised at the same time.
"Akira, you didn't did you?" Nathaniel's voice lowering as he gripped the table.
"I did, I let them see my neck area. So they know that I-am-a-woman and to show a sign of my trust to them." Akira said non chantey.
"W-Why did you do that Akira! You know how I feel about you doing that. Remember the last time you did that, it nearly got us all killed and we had to fight our way out of that camp. You know how dangerous it is, the amount of your people that have been assaulted or killed over it. Oh Akira, why put yourself at such risk like that?" Nathaniel practically crying out at this point as he motioned his hands over his head.
Akira took a deep breath to compose herself, though that didn't stop her from glaring at Nathaniel for his words. This was exactly what she had meant by his perchance to lecturing.
"Nathaniel, I was under no risk at anytime meeting with the two. Despite Mr Kirihara's predictable reaction to it all. I know the risks, i'm the one who has to hide all the time. Hide my body, hide the truth from everybody but the few that do know, something you do not. This was my decision and I stand by it. Oboro was fine with it all and she will no doubt tell Sumeragi Natsumi of it, that will heighten her interest to us since she known to have a liking for people like us. Please Nat, accept the decision I made was mine alone to choose." Akira said firmly as she stood her ground.
For a few seconds, Nathaniel stuttered as as he ran his hands over his hair, as if trying to prevent himself pulling any of it out. Before facing Akira with his jaw clenching and eyebrows disappearing into his shades.
"I-I don't have to hide myself? Akira Maclean, you know better than anyone else that I have had to hide myself for years. To repress a part of myself that i was born with, that Society deemed a disability, a disease, not me, not my people, Society did. Don't you ever say that I don't know what it's like to hide myself because you know that to be untrue."
Silence and awkward tension filled the rooms for a few minutes. Neither party letting up or backing down in the staring.
Nathaniel eventually let out a tired sigh as he tapped his cane on the table.
"Akira, your decisions are your decisions at the end of the day. I respect that, you are a grown person. Just as I know you respect that i'm only looking out for you because you are important to me and do not want you taking any unnecessary risks that could bring harm to you. Nor raising any possible tensions with anyone we work with. I know you are not fond of the Indians and some people in GC, but we need them right now to achieve our aims and goals. Debts are owed and i will see them paid. So please, do not risk yourself recklessly Aki. I got enough stresses to deal with at the moment." Nathaniel stopping his cane form tapping any further said.
"I know Nat I know. Don't worry you know you can count on me to keep things in shape. I'm-I'm sorry for losing my temper there. But we have talked about about your tenancy to fall into lecturing others, when you don't mean to. To which you did then about my actions today. I'm not made out of glass plating which you well know. You trust me to represent our interests to people, so please trust me to decide who knows about my transition. By being open about it when i know i can be open about it, I can broaden other's opinions and lessen ignorance about my people. Something i'm sure is what happened today." Akira said as her eyes softened from it's firm stare form before.
Which caused Nathaniel to quiver his lips as his shoulders lumped.
"Alright Aki, I won't say anything else on the matter. I'm sorry for making you feel i was lecturing you on what to do, that wasn't my intent at all. It's never my intent to make you feel that you aren't capable of deciding for yourself. Which you fully are. I just wish I could kiss your forehead to make you feel better."
"I appreciate it Nat, it really warms my heart to hear the sentiment. Apology accepted. Now shall we proceed with our discussion again?"
"Ok, moving on, Now that we have met with Natsumi's front people. It's time for us to truly go deeper and see exactly what our prospective Japanese allies are truly made of, along with expanding our horizons as well. You still have the list of people i gave you Akira to look up and see if they could be of aid to us?" Nathan asked as he put his hand on his chin.
"Yes I do, the list of people i am to enquire into and possibly seek out if i deem them to be sympathetic and capable to our cause. I'm planning on visiting them over the next week or two and have arranged meeting times with most of them."
"Excellent, definitely visit Dr Yoshi Mori at the University of Tokyo. The man's thesis on Sakuradite and some of his prototypes I have read on cyber/robot technology is something i am fascinated to learn more of and possibly invest in. Especially since Kirihara Industries and Kurugui Corporations turned him down. He's been rumored to be searching around for a backer for his projects, since the Clements have proven to be a disappointment so far in results and tech that we need for our operations beyond these lumps of tablets. If they don't improve by next year and produce something for us to truly invest in. I'll redirect our funds to other companies within the EU that are showing promising signs of producing some interesting tech."
"Will do, though just to note Nathan, Dr Mori has yet to respond to any of me messages i have sent both by letter and my messenger i sent over yesterday."
"See if you can visit him in person during a lecture or at his lab. I know you'll find a way to meet him, you always do. Have Belyana, Marco and Alistair meet with the others if you don't have time to, make sure the safe-place is ready in case things go belly up at the Conference next month. Make sure to grab some of the holo technology I hear is being studied on at Tokyo Tech when you visit Mori. Let Sancho know to continue preparations there and get in contact with Oboro's persona as well. Out Bel on the Russian lead, as she has history with cheap arse Vasili who is apparently meeting with... is it the Kosa Council according to Sancho's intel reports form Thailand?"
"Of course. Dr Mori will make time for us and i'm sure his projects could be of some real use to us. Yes I believe that is the case with Mr Laptev and will allow Bel to proceed with that case, though may i ask why we are currently tracking his activities? I'm assuming it has some relevance to us and to Bel?" Akira deepening the tone of her voice said.
She was interested in why her partner was digging up on somebody they hadn't dealt with in years and had as far as Akira knew, been irrelevant to anyone but the people he was now with.
"It does, Vasili has information about somebody in his organisation that's been making waves in recent years in the underworld. Someone who apparently matches the description and details of someone we fought during the war and he has history with he wouldn't care to remember but would interest the people in question. Someone that could be of use to us concerning the situation in Russia with Euro Britannia sniffing around it from Turkey and Georgia. Who could be of use to Bel and her people there as they contain the mess the EU allowed to fester, along with other stuff they are rumored to have had a hand in. Plus, if their hotel business are planning to move into Japan as his presence indicates. It could be of interest to us in someway. Since we might need alternatives in the event we can't get any of the Kyoto House to work with us. Not going to put all our eggs in Natsumi or Hui's basket."
"Fair enough, though I hope you are thinking this through Nathaniel. On if we can rely in the long run on somebody that is in the criminal line of work or anyone else we are looking at." Akira thinning her lips to show Nathaniel that she meant what she said and that he needed to take it into account.
He positioned his body language and face to match Akira's.
"You know I am Akira, we wouldn't be we are today if we didn't think these things through. There's no one scenario to all of this, in business you plan for all possible ones that could happen."
"Moving on, Is everything all set up for our base down at Haneda Ports as well when me and the rest of our unit come over in the next few weeks along with the ships we sent off from Newcastle yesterday? It's been a real hassle sorting everything out for it since we did preliminary checks last year and chatted with the landowner there," Nathan raising his eyebrows said as he moved his hand to rest his cheek on it.
"It is, I signed the lease with the bureaucrat at the tax office yesterday, though it took pretty much three hours to do with the amount of paperwork and proof they wanted to transaction it all. I was sure he was trying to squeeze more money out of us as we sat for the first hour sorting out the costs each month. We've had more subtly dealing with the Scottish crime lords trying to extort us than this ninny. He obviously thought I would fold because of my gender. He didn't count on me knowing the Japanese laws of how much they can legally charge or the Key costs either." Akira thinning her lips and frowning her eyebrows at remembering having to deal with that unpleasant man.
Nathaniel sighed as he ran a hand over his face and his chin.
"Bureaucrats, always think people don't read up on contracts or laws or don't grasp tax rates etc. and sadly too often they get away with it because the government doesn't give people the information they need to know their rights on rent, on claiming money back on the poll tax or discount on Council Taxes. If it wasn't for services like the Citizen Advice Bureau or other charities we fund to help people in need since the Government won't. Loads more would be homeless or struggling with the mess the pissants down in Westminster and Whitehall have left us. No such thing as society my arse you old hag," Nathaniel ranted bitterly.
"I mean how how many times has Dinky Dick been condescending to us in our annual budget meetings or found ways to spite us because of bellends like Jane? Or thought we couldn't grasp what he was saying despite how obtuse he was being. If Ganabati hadn't punched him out at the Christmas duo last year, i would have by now. I tell you Akira, sometimes I wonder why we don't just pack up and form our own land? Our own society, laws etc. It's only a few more years until the place we could call our new home is supposed to appear again for us to do a new expedition to."
Akira merely sighed at the mention of that last bit. This was one of Nathaniel's more grandiose interests that she worried was becoming an obsession of his along with the whole matter of Arturia and all the drama surrounding it.
"Nat, it's is a mere legend within our lore and history texts. We have tried looking for it before. We found at best a few rocks and possible remnants of a ruin in the ocean archaeology experts with their own equipment we sent down there. I want to believe in that the mystical place our ancestors sung tales about, of somewhere that's said to protect those that follow the old ways. That it's is real as much as you do. But we shouldn't put so much stock into it when our homes require our help." Akira said softly. Not wanting to be a sourpuss, but hoping that Nathaniel would see the rationality of not letting heads climb too high into a cloud that was thin enough as it was.
"Yes, but still. I have faith that we will find it one of these days. Especially since what is supposed to be there would allow us to create a place where we would truly belong and decide things for ourselves. Since society and even other minority groups refuses to recognise the autistic and trans community for what we are. It's up to us and the binding our communities have formed to change that. As history proves that sitting and waiting achieves nothing. If you want the government, powers or whoever to change their ways, you have to kick them right up the arsehole.. England will not be my home again until it is purged of all that currently taints it." Nathaniel bellowed out as raised his fist up into the air.
"Indeed, together we will forge a place for ourselves by our own hands." Akira bringing her hands together in a prayer gesture.
"We shall also achieve by making sure that our potential partners in Asia are up to our standards. Have you arranged to meet Sumeragi Natsumi yet Akira?"
"Oboro said she would talk to Sumeragi about me meeting her within the next week either at one of her clubs or somewhere that would guarantee privacy between us."
"Set the date as soon as possible, we need to iron out the details if any potential alliance is to take shape, we must have in place before the conference happens just two weeks time and Hui knows for sure that she can walk into it with a plan in case anything happens. Not to mention we need to know for sure if Sumeragi Natsumi really does have a reasonable chance of becoming Prime Minister, if she really has any sincerity in her views on disabled people and on if she really has a real interest in our culture and our history. Along with if erm, certain rumors about her have any basis?" Nathaniel growing sour at the end said as he scowled.
"Certain rumors?"
"About her alleged drinking and partying habits, Gene who has met her before told me of when he saw her last year along with the Malcal family. She got so drunk that she ended up dancing on a piano and then falling through one of those sliding doors where a family was celebrating their kids party. I want to be sure it's not going to be a problem or that she will do anything that will undermine her position. There is too much at stake in all of this and too much work that has and is being put in to be undermined by the possibility that she can't hold her vices in check and cost herself of her ambitions. So i want this rumor either confirmed or squashed"
Akira found herself drawing a slow breath as she felt her fingers pining the thin line of her bridge. Dragging out the skin for just a quick sec as she composed herself before she replied to Nathaniel's word.
"Nat, don't you think your being a tad harsh in jumping to a conclusion on someone we haven't met yet based on rumors and alleged stories that might or might not have happened according to Mr Smilas? I think we should give Miss Sumeragi the benefit of the doubt and put faith in her abilities and being able to handle her vices. Drinking is far from the worst of vices we have dealt with in people we do business."
Which caused Nathaniel to sigh. Taking a sip of water before he answered Akira's words.
"I wish I was Akira, but you know what the scenario is here and the context of it all we are dealing with here. As you have explained to me in the past, Japan has and still does look at Woman less as equals and capable in their own right. More as being there to advance the male line and to basically sacrifice their agency, their lives, their happiness being reduced to insignificance in the name of patriarchy, tradition and culture. The ingraining of it throughout Japan's history, culture that extends to current day. Despite notable women like Murasaki Shikibu and her wonderful writing of the Heian period. Hôjô Masako and her marvellous ability that led her to become the Nun Shogun. Or even today with people like Natsumi's mother Kaida, the Sly Silver Fox that has the ear of all those that have a measure of power, status or wealth in Japan and campaigned for years for more women rights, more investments across the world. What a person she is." Nathaniel's stopped to allow himself another sip of his water and consuming a fudge from his pick and mix. Taking his sweet time of chewing on it.
Akira took another bite of her Crepe. Savouring the rich texture of the strawberry and cream in her mouth.
"The fact there is only I believe at most a marginal number of women in the Diet. The rivalries of Kyoto House to consider. Means Natsumi has a hell of a fight on her hands just to become Prime Minister. To which anyone that opposes her and that will be a decent number, means she will be scrutinised, challenged and rumors like the ones of her drinking, being drunk at conferences and behaviour at do's will spread. Which makes it all the more vital we know for sure that our investment in all of this has a measure of protection and that Natsumi can live up to her end of that and not let any vices, any doubts or any possible skeletons in the closet hamper her or us. We cannot afford to have another slip up like the ones that happened with Russia and Eastern Europe thanks to an EU that after nearly a decade when it came into existence with the Paris treaty of 87,"
"That still can't decide what it want to be with all of the hassle between the Council of Forty that all but allows dictators of Africa to have a voice there. Where the two nitwits that claim to be our counterparts to vulgary indulge on their hobbies. Three Presidents that veto anything the other offers or out votes anything that threatens their position, Euroforce trying to centralise everything. The EU Justiciar body trying to bring law changes and rights that governments won't look kindly on. The risks we are taking in trying to bring about these changes are high and the consequences if we fail we cannot even think of. The places we know we will be heading along the way. Makes it all the more vital we pad our ship now so we don't end up in Davy Jones's locker or as corpses stewing away where the world forgets and ignores us." Nathaniel said as stopped to catch his breath for speaking so long.
Finishing off the rest of his water vividly. Perching his mouth afterwards at re-hydrating himself.
Akira kept a blank face through all of this, not giving anything away in the process.
"I know Nat, I understand better than anyone else you know of everything you have said. But let me meet with Natsumi, get to know her and her people. Of what she thinks of the situation in China, of the EU and us. Convince her to truly go through and commit to bringing changes this world needs. Quell your doubts lest they eat you Nathan. Besides, if you really didn't think Sumeragi or Ying had a chance in all of this. We wouldn't be offering to support them now would we hmm?" Akira said as she allowed herself a sly smirk.
This made Nathaniel laugh out loud.
"Ooohh, look at you all cocky Akira, well played love. Like i have said before. It's why you are there. Because I trust you to build it all up. To smooth everything out so all of us benefit. I think we have covered everything relating to our business. Thank goddess we have, but business needed to be covered. The vid you gave Oboro today will provide her what she needs to make her move with Natsumi,"
"Anything else you want to discuss before i leave you to rest up?"
Was it that time already? Akira looked out of her window and saw that it had already gotten dark. Obviously they had been chatting for over an hour now if it was total blackness outside as the glitter of lights indicated.
Akira's face became serious, she wanted to know if there was anything that was concerning her partner.
"Outside of our work and duties, how are you doing Nathaniel? Are you sleeping better than you were a few weeks ago when you had those nightmares again about ...a-about Romania?"
Nathaniel's face basically went solid frozen at Akira's question, clearly he wasn't expecting to be asked about that. Not a single muscle on his face was moving, his lips gaping as he seemed to try and get a word out or two. His gloved hands merely scratching the table as his breathing became.
"Romania...i-i, Oh-oh godness no-no… those poor children. What they-did-to-them-there. All those bodies." Nathaniel weep as he removed his glasses to cover his face in his hands.
Oh Goddess, Akira was worried this would happen if she asked, but she couldn't just leave it aside when it was clear still affecting her partner deeply. Akira's face fraught with worry as Nathaniel continued to mumble incoherent words into his hands and his breathing grew harder and harder.
"Nathan remember, breath deeply, slowly, take your time in gathering your thoughts and words. Find something to write on if you need to. Remember what Kayci said in our confessions to her." Akira practically whispered to her partner.
To which Nathaniel nodded as his breathing became more controlled. Though still heavily with his hands starting to tremble as his anxieties crept up.
Akira remembers just much Nathaniel torments himself over it. She had caught him practically torturing himself about it more than once. Once, she found him watching a pink vid after he went silent, went out and came back with a whole case of video cassettes, sat them and watched each and every one of them, until that one he had been looking for. that was obviously bad quality and cut up, but the few bits where it worked. What it showed, the tears and cries… the bruises and helplessness of ones so young. Especially the one that covered her face as she cried her heart out in pain. That sent Nat into a flood of tears as they did… things so sick and inhuman that she slapped his face, told him to never watch it again as she couldn't bear to ever to or to see him harm himself and her as well like that.
It had truly taken a true demon to force those kids into the ginger house to be gobbled up. Even more than what those lads did to the Jaime kid at the same time as well.
'Sometimes I wonder, does he secretly force himself to watch it in the way he can when i'm not around? If there's one thing about Nathaniel that has always been apart of him since i have known him. Is his hatred of himself, not getting something right and remembering his mistakes. Especially those he cannot do anything about.'
The amount of sweating as he cries in pain and sorrow in his sleep. Everytime, Akira would pull him so close to hold him as tightly as she could in bed. Him grasping her in return as she ran her hand on his back as he pushed his face into her neck, the sweat of tears drizzling down her body, whispering into his ear words of comfort as he slowly cooled down from reliving the experience and running a hand through his messy, dripping in sweat but soft hair. Gently running a smooth cool towel over him, changing the bed and pillow sheets so they could sleep comfortably.
Afterwards holding hands, or Akira resting Nathaniel's head on her breasts, as they fell back into their dreams. Pleasant dreams where the two could share in.
Her mother had said relationships were a lot of hard work. Hers was no different, sometimes it felt tiring to deal with the things she does. Words were said when sleep deprivation affected things. Having such shadows linger on in the cold darkness and other… other things that haunted Akira truly tested things at times.
Despite how much sleep was lost each time it happened or how annoyed some of the other people in the barracks found it, gossips among some of the mercs of how unmanly it was to cry over such stuff, of being a sign of weakness, the level of callousness that made Akira despise such vermin and remember how most in the GC were not their friends, not their comrades or true believers. It would never stop her or Nathaniel from being that open to their feelings. To show they did cry and other stuff.
Nathaniel was always there for her to lean her head on his shoulder when she needed it. Does the same for her when she has her own demons pop up of running the towel, changing pillows for her to sleep on a fresh one, make her a cup of Tetley's. Singing or humming a tune to send her into a lullaby. Her favourite was the spin on a classic.
My heart is pierced by Cupid
I disdain all glittering gold
There is nothing can console me
But my jolly Aki-kun
Many a pretty blooming
Young girl we did behold
Reclining on the bosom
Of her jolly sailor Aki-kun
Come all you pretty fair maids
Whoever you may be
Who love a jolly sailor
That plows the raging sea
While up aloft in storm
From me his absence mourn
And firmly pray arrive the day
He's never more to roam
Should she return in pov'rty
From o'er the ocean far
To my tender bosom
I'll press my jolly tar
My heart is pierced by Cupid
I disdain all glittering gold
There is nothing can console me
But my jolly Aki-kun
Making a joke to lighten her up on her down days. Cuddling her with up even when she had a cold or migraine. Running her a nice warm bath and moving the sponge smoothly and carefully across her body. Always accompanying her to the clinic for her checkups, no matter what their schedule is like.
No matter how much the hedgehog pringles in a relationship. Of pain and other negative emotions propping up. Their relationship would weather all storms. This was their life and it's one they both chose.
Finally, Nathaniel composed himself enough for him to get the words.
"I'm, I'm sorry Akira, no matter how much I try to clear my mind of what happened there, no matter how much I tell myself i couldn't do anything about it or tell you and Kayci about it. I still see the tubs of floating bodies, the sprawling of blood all across the floor we walked on. Still, hear the never ending tune... of rhymes being sung, by those that were so twisted by those that should have given them a life all children deserve. One of… happiness. Yet denied, because of those that did those things to them, denied because of that fucking malaka and the EU let them slip through their fingers and allowing that masked twat to take them. B-because of us not doing what we should have done." Nathan said, his body slumped in his chair as he looked away from the screen.
"Nathan, you can't keep blaming yourself for what happened to the kids, it ended up out of our control we simply couldn't no prevent even if we went back and did it all over again. Especially the two that we know were not too long ago well... you know. You need to let this go."
This caused Nathan to turn his face back to Akira. Pointing a finger directly at the screen.
"If they are truly as the rumors say they are, then why is it that I still hear them calling out to us? Why do I still hear their rhymes of sadness playing in my dreams. Why do the rumors speak of creatures that walk around with fangs bearing out reach our ears every so often. Hell I even went all the way to Southern Africa to confront the Bighorn about his last job, his account merely gave me when it supposedly happened and who was there,"
"Had our people in Thailand check out the other rumor that's been going about. Even gave them permission to dig up. They found nothing. If there's no body. Then someone is not dead. You know Akira that lab had certain things going on that would give us the clear picture we need. It bears all the markings of- you know who. The one we have been after for years, the one that-that. No Akira, we cannot let this go. You didn't let what happened in Glasgow to us go and I helped you with that despite all the attention it brought us and-what you did to them all, they are still running a investigation Akira, still looking for any clue that will lead them to us. I will not hear otherwise when it comes to all of this!"
Putting down the tablet as Akria could hear him get up from his chair and walk away along with what sounded like him taking off his gloves as he walked into the hallway. Putting Lucius back into his glass window.
Akira, clammed up at those spoken words, eyebrows furrowing in thought, mouth gaping like a fish. Stumbling to try and find the right thing to say. If she was physically with Nathaniel. She would know what to do, embrace him and tell him it's not his fault. But that wasn't an option. She had to do something here.
His cowboy boots echoing the noises as he seemed to walking up and down. Akira could hear sounds of mumbling as well.
Akira knew that Nathaniel pace himself, it was his way of what was called stimming when he wasn't spinning his cane.
A thud came a second later. Nathaniel was prone to banging into things, he never had the best of coordination, every now and again he would bump his knee into a table, fit his foot into the side of the door every no and again. Another trait of his Autism she knew.
"Fucking paint can." A loud kick and spilling noise echoed across the floor Nathaniel was on. Akira could see the slosh of white paint dribble down.
Then came what sounded up thumping against a wall. Oh Goddess, he was punching walls again with his bare hands. Akira knew she had to stop Nathan before he bloody his hands as he's done in the pass boxing walls in frustration.
What could Akira possib- ah she knew. She often used this when signs of a meltdown were apparent. Music and the sound of instrument could bring peace to even the most frazzled of autistic minds.
Moving her tablet so that she still had view of Newcastle, straddling the strap around her neck, quickly prepping her vio and strings.
Taking a quick breath t as she prepared to take stage.
*Stroke*
The tune of The Wren played as Akira lightly ran her lin across her Crwth as she immersed herself in the field of sound, striking each string as the dances of classic Celtic music carried across the waves, the through the mountains, the fields of grass, all the way to where they could be heard on the other side of the world. While the sounds of Crwth mostly occupied her ears, she could still hear the slightest hint of clicking boots moving. Picking up the pace, she continued to dig her instrument into the side of her body. Crafted polished woodpine poking at her kidney.
Suddenly the view of her partner became clear, though he wasn't holding the tablet. It must be Marcus holding it. Her partner slowly turned his head to face. The Splats of blood on the wall said it all. Though Akira couldn't see Nat's hands and no doubt the damage done to them.
Seeing her partner in view again, gave her more confidence to press on. Nathaniel taking a deep breath as he held out his arms, as if to accept the offering he was being given. Like a pouring of rain to wash away the ill markings. With the bloodied marks of his knuckles leering down on his tattoos that covered his hands.
A clearing of his throat. His breathing and anxiety cooling further as he prepared to join her in the dance. His lip began releasing the choral that was in them.
"Droolin, Droolin, where's your nest?
Tis in the bush that I love best
Tis in the bush, the holly tree,
Where all the boys do follow me
Mrs. Clancy's a very good woman,
A very good woman, a very good woman,
Mrs. Clancy's a very good woman,
She give us a penny to bury the wren."
Her Nathaniel rhymed as he matched her pace and continued the rhyme a few more times. Lips widening all the while as the feeling of pleasure embraced both of them as Akira slowly brought her lin to quiet the melody they were in.
A sigh of joy escaping Akira's lips as she finally finished. Nathaniel did the same as he took a seat when.
"Goddess bless you Akira, that was exactly what i nee- ah!"
*Crrreeeeek*
The sight of the chair finally giving away to the weight that had beheld it all day.
Sending her Nathaniel tumbling to the ground backwards as the sight of his butt mooned her.
Akira tried, but the force of laughter couldn't be withheld. Covering her mouth as she laughed via her teeth. She knew it was going to break at somepoint that chair. But crikey, the timing of it just now was spot on.
The tablet on Nat's end was shaking hard as well, Indicating that Marcus found it hilarious also. Nat slowly pulled himself up to his feet with Marcus lending his golden gloved hand to help him out. Hand covering his mouth as he failed to hide his own laughter at breaking his own chair.
"Serves me right for sitting on that chair, oh gods we needed that." Nathaniel said as he continued to chuckle while he composed himself.
The feed of the tablet went silent for a moment as Akira could hear what sounded like Marcus jumping back to his lookout position.
Wincing a bit as he brought his black leather gloves back to his hands. But not before using what was left of his water to drench the blood out.
By this point Akira had gotten all of the laughter out of her system.
"Are you okay Nat? I mean not just from the fall, but from everything we were talking about before."
"I-I've been better Akira, considering what we just talked about. But, it was helpful to get it out. To remind ourselves of our regrets, of our own humanity and what we have at stake. Of those injustices that are to be righted in this world. Of the work we need still need to do."
"Something that needs clearing up that I need to know, you said the Polis are still looking into… what happened back then. Where did you hear or find out this information from?"
"From our person inside the Glasgow bobbies Akira. They said they came across the investigation office with photos of the perps that attacked us and the report of it they filed when they questioned us at the Hospital. Obviously they wouldn't be looking into it unless someone told them to or because it relates to we are doing in Scotland with your contacts at Scottish Parliament and businesses."
"Well, it's not likely they will find anything, we were pretty through with the cleaning up process and our contacts will make sure any investigation doesn't go far."
"But still, they have better tech these days than they had back then. It's not like the families have forgotten their loved ones that someone will take notice of, it's something we need to keep an eye on for sure. Especially as the Scots look for more powers for Devolution from the gits down in London. Something they have always loathed to loosen their grips on. Keep an eye on it all Akira. Even with you being the other side of the world."
"Will do Nat."
"I know, but enough now. I better get down to the Strawberry before Ganabati wonders what's taken me, got to finish planning for this upcoming footie match we are putting together with King Kev and the ahem, Dubai Football team during a spring break period they have coming up that Ganabati's bosses will be there for and the other tribes. You have a nice rest now, but just before that. Could you do one last thing?"
"And that is?"
"Could you play a bit of Crwth for Tokyo, let them know the beauty of our music, let them know we are here to craft our ballad. Let them here the joy and salvation that we bring."
"Oh alright. I will be sure to let them know we are here. Good night Nathan." Akira finished, taking her glove off her left hand between shuffling her Crwth between her neck. As she put it on the tablet.
"Night Akira." Nat doing the same with his left hand, the vein tattoos on their hands connecting them wherever they were in the world. Until feed gave way.
Akira made her way to her balcony. Opening the door as she stepped onto ti,.
From her view, she could just see the Imperial Palace where the Emperor and his family once lived in when it was Edo. Now it served as a beacon for the Sumeragi's whenever they were in tokyo, of a time that still lingered on in it's own way, of a remainder of Japan's culture no matter how much it changed. Which many in Japan look to the Sumeragi's for, being one of the last connections to the Emperor's divine bloodline. With the Kururugi and Kuboin Clans the only other clans with strong connections as well.
Bring her vio to her strings, smoothing her throat and tinkering just to make sure all was right.
Akira played the night away.