- RP Date
- 44.6
- RP Location
- Old Tokyo, Tanaka Sweets Cafe
Part 1: Memories of A Kind Old Peacekeeper
Tanaka Sweets Cafe
Old Tokyo, Jiyuu IIIIt had been two years since Tio and his friends hid away at Mrs. Tanaka's Cafe, it was hard to believe so much time had passed, not that it mattered serving a life sentence tied to the service of the military. Shoreleave had been awkward, most of the time Tio didn't bother returning to the family home at all, let alone Asagumo-jo or Motoyoshi-jo, as much as he wanted to see his son he knew he would never be given a moment alone with him, a sentence he figured was well deserved considering. Tio passed the window to the Cafe's kitchen as he walked through the alley, the window was still broken from the shot that had killed Mrs. Tanaka, a reminder that even the kindest of hearts could be snuffed out in an instant. Tio continued to the front door of the cafe and placed his key in the lock and turned it. He had not been there since he bought the place, his duties on the Mazu had to come first - even before his own wallowing in the past. The little bell jiggled on the door as he opened it. The place was as one would expect after being closed up for two years, dusty with the scent of mold in the air. The former Prince tossed down his duffle bag and closed the door behind himself. He looked around, the lights flickered and power was restored to the cafe, there was a flash over his right shoulder as his KAIMON Ascendant Companion activated, and took the form of a frog wearing a rather ridiculous top hat - at least he could still make someone laugh. It helped guise those who laughed at him in with those who laughed with him.
Tio unzipped his duffle and pulled out a bottle of water and headed towards the living room-like area with the rocking chair where he had spent several nights running from the Tange and the brainwashed followers of his now deceased sister. He was not surprised his family had killed Kiyoko when they found her, he wouldn't be surprised if they finally decided to end him as well - something told him though that Taro was enjoying his punishment, serving in the Star Army as the perfect way to draw that out. He popped the top on the bubbly water and took a long sip as he leaned back into the chair and started to rock slowly back and forth. Maybe he should have taken Tachiko up on some better leave plans, but eventually, he would have had to of taken some time to put some work into this place - he needed something, anything away from the rest of the clan where he could be out from under their thumb. Cobwebs dangled from the light fixtures, and the place was a mess. He looked over by the sofa where Eisuke had slept most nights, there was a pillow and a sleeping bag on the couch - had someone been crashing there? Had Eisuke or his brother maybe come back on their leave as well? It was strange but Tio didn't have the desire to get up from the chair. He just wanted some time to lose himself in his own thoughts.
The former Prince had followed his mother's new career as Premier, not shocked that she was already causing a commotion. It didn't take much genius to figure out what had triggered her, the views of that Elysian Senator were something Tio knew all too well. It always looked good on paper, just like it had with him in those early days chasing after that Tange Senator that had turned his entire life inside out and then birthed him a son he'd now never raise. Tio never voiced anything political since he returned to the fold, he knew better. It was Motoyoshi's traditions and philosophies all the way, even if in his mind he still believed in the utopia he once preached - damn Kiyoko and her Tange followers for their treachery. They were the reason this cafe was so empty too, he missed that motherly-like treatment of Mrs. Tanaka filling his cup and listening to what he had to say. She was more of a mother to him than Katsuko was, he liked breathing though so he always put on a smile when she called to check on him during deployment. To do that impossible woman proud, now that would be something he could only dream of.
He closed his eyes and began to drift off, he didn't even hear that trap door in the floor open.
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