A New World

[BabyGabrial]

Kotei Okami is walking to his beautiful Sapporo home surrounded by his most trusted bodyguards. He looks around as the snow  falls and  he turns and see kids playing  in the snow and that brings a smile to his face. He like children  and wish he and his wife did not have trouble conceiving one of their own but he did have sort of an alternative  and he can't  wait to get  home and be able to talk to them.

[TEW]

The plane ride was anything but calm and relaxing. Indeed, it had been filled with anxiety and fear, primarily based around the unknown world into which she would soon be descending. Why had she done it? Why had she given up the security and safety of life in the United States for a complete unknown in Japan? 

For Ciara, life was anything but humdrum. It was tumultuous, and yet, simultaneously lonely as hell. The silence and indifference in her life were constantly and consistently both loud and abrasive.  Her family ensured that she was never complacent, training her in much the same way as the jungle trains a wild cat... By brutal coldness and detachment from sentiment.

But nonetheless, it was HER life.

Why did the young lady, at 20 years of age, decide to suddenly and irrevocably uproot herself and travel across the globe for an unknown?  She combed through every rational and irrational thought in her brain... trying to answer this question. This solitary question which vexed and taunted her with its simplicity. So, as the plane slowly descended onto Japan, her spirit and mind were racing wildly. Should she do it, or should she flee, back to her jungle?

The man, Kotei, had been friendly enough. But would that last? Would there be some dark secret lurking in unknown recesses of a country and a relationship she had never really experienced and was thus incapable of navigating?

Her body seemed to move without her express approval, as some unseen force propelled her from the plane and into the busy airport. Through sheer Grace, she found her bags.

Now what had he told her? What was she to do? As the myriad of sounds began to form itself into one deafening noise... as a blur of people rushed past her to unknown and mysterious destinations... she covered her face with her slender, alabaster hands, trying to keep tears from forming in her emerald eyes; or at least, to keep anybody else from seeing.

[BabyGabrial]

Kotei Okami age 34 married to Marriko Okami for 10 years gets to his home in the hills of Sapporo looking to relieve stress. He relieves his gaurds of there duty and goes to greet his wife with a smile. She had grown up in the underworld being the daughter of his boss so she understood his profession and it only made her smile whenever he came home. "Why don't you go  have a bath and relax Marri-chan" he says to his wife as he heads off to his private office where he goes to have time to himself  and talk to his favorite "little girl" Ciara who hasn't talked to in almost  two days and he's honestly  getting worried. He types up "daddy's home baby girl where are you?"

[TEW]

Social Anxiety Disorder. That's what they called it, anyway, when she had finally gone to see a counselor about her inability to process her surroundings when she was caught in situations like the one in which she currently found herself. 

Focus. Focus on something small. Some little piece of information, some distracting texture to hold, some simple idea, some sound...

Her phone went off. 

There he was, letting her know that she was not alone. That somebody else saw her, even if the hundreds of people racing around her did not... Even if she, so focused on the chaos in which she felt she was downing, was unable to really see herself.

With renewed energy she began to move through the mass of humanity. Her eyes darted around the busy airport, seeking some sanctuary from... The Noise. Desperately she sought respite, until like a beacon, her eyes came to rest next on a bright red wire bench. She flung herself toward it, and collapsed onto it, as she pulled her phone from her little shoulder bag and stared at the message. She immediately recognized the temerity of the text, and yet, also found her slender fingers shaking as she typed out her simple response...

"The Airport"

[BabyGabrial]

He was confused. The airport, why would she be there? "Are you going somewhere Cirara-chan?" He typed up and sent to her. Where would she be going? From what she has been telling him she doesn't have any known friends or family  outside of her hometown. Is she going on vacation somewhere or maybe  it's something worse. Maybe she met another daddy online and he's coming to visit her. Which was something he couldn't do due to his line of work and he hated it. He wanted to meet her in person and comfort her but it would be too dangerous if he went to her so maybe she moved on.

[TEW]

She took a deep sigh as she watched the little dots bounce on her phone screen. He was sending a message to her. He was there. She wasn't alone. In a sea of uncertainty, those little dots were dancing - just for her.

When she got his message, she didn't so much read the words, as hear them spoken. She instinctively bit her bottom lip. What to say?

"No. Not anymore. Hopefully not again for a long, long time."

She sent the message and waited. However, as that old anxiety started clawing at her brain, she found herself sending another message, one that, in its simplicity, was loaded with possibility and precarious potential:

"I'm here"

[BabyGabrial]

Being someone in his position Kotei has always been able to read messages loud and clear so when Ciara sent him her most recent message his stomach  dropped and his face goes pale as he gains a bigger fear than he has had before "Ciara-chan where are you right now" he typed worriedly hoping and praying to anyone who would listen that he did not make a mistake in telling her what part of japan he is from

[TEW]

The message came in quickly, and caused her to pause. Was she unwelcome? The thought came upon her like a crushing weight... On both her mind, and on her spirit. Suddenly, every move that she had made felt rash and impetuous.  All of the world seemed to slow to a crawl, indeed, almost to a complete stop.

What was more unsettling, was how every face in the airport seemed to be staring blankly... directly at her. The Noise had quited to a steady hum, more of a vibration really.

Nervously she typed:

"Sapporo-Okadama Airport"

[BabyGabrial]

And like that his biggest fear came true. He had two options. Leave her there never make contact again when she more than likely had nowhere to go, or quickly go and get her before something happened to her. Both choices sounded bad for her health but at least if she is with him she can keep a watchful eye over her.  "Stay there and don't move I'm on my way" he typed and immediately ran out of his office and past his wife and told his gaurds to start up the limo. He got in and told his driver to get to the airport  as fast as possible.

[TEW]

She saw the message come across her phone, and felt a mixture of insolence and security that was new to her. 

On the one hand, what if she wanted to move? She looked around and saw a kiosk offering a variety of stuffed animals that were distinctly Japanese in appearance. Then, as if Eros himself had made the trip with her, she spotted a Seafoam Green Narwhal with a Pink horn. Instantly she realized that she had never wanted ANYTHING, as badly as she wanted Norman.

On the other hand, the message hadn't left a lot of room for interpretation. She didn't want to start off by deliberately disobeying him, did she? Not to mention, standing between herself and the absolute best friend she could ever hope to have, was a sea of strange faces that made the crossing feel like something akin to swimming across an alligator invested moat.

For the better part of 30 minutes, she debated with herself, until finally, under no power of her own conscious mind, she stood and began waking through the mob towards Norman. 

Some malevolent spell, no doubt. Surely he would understand.

[BabyGabrial]

It took about  45 minutes to get to the airport  due to traffic in the late evening  and he immediately got out of the limo and rushed in followes by his gaurds. People instantly recognized his face plus the badges his men wore on their suits. He has seen her face from pictures before so he walks around looking for her. "Ciara? Ciara-chan where are you!?" He called out in near perfect English. Everyone he passed by felt sorry for whoever this Ciara girl is. As rumors fly around about the famous Kotei Okami and tge Okami yakuza family. Some true some exaggerated.

[TEW]

She was standing at the stall, having rescued Norman from the crushing imprisonment of the wire rack he had been so mercilessly forced to lay in. As she held him close to her face, she whispered all of her fears, at least, as far as this encounter was concerned, to Norman. She explained, telepathically - as everybody knows the telepathic ability of seafoam and pink narwhals - her apprehension at this meeting, and her absolute bewilderment at her own, impulsive actions.

Then she heard her name.

It wasn't a scary voice. Rather, it was a soft and warm voice, which seemed to simultaneously rise above The Noise and carry a distinct, cutting, severity.

Instinctively she turned around, bashfully recognizing when their eyes meet that they had both instantly recognized one another. With a trembling hand, she gingerly waved at him, blushing as a slight smile found its way to the very corner of her mouth.

She clutched Norman to her chest, just in case.

[BabyGabrial]

He looks deep into her eyes and can see that it's her.  Its Its really her. Here in Japan. Part of him is happy that his baby girl is in daddy's homeland but on the other hand she shouldn't be here at least not at this time. These were trying times for his family and she was putting herself in danger but at the same time he opened his arms for his baby girl to run to him and give  him a big tearful hug with her new friend in between. He knew he was taking her home with him.  If she had to be here that was probably going to be the safest place he just needed to find a way to explain this to his wife as well as her father, his Oyabun 

(Oyabun is the head of a yakuza family)

[TEW]

It was odd, she thought, how a body could independently react to things on its own. When she saw him smile, it wasn't with his lips - though they were definitely smiling. His smile though, originated in his eyes. She thought for a brief moment, before realizing that no, she had never seen that before. She wondered how she smiled. Did she ever fully smile?

There was no time to contemplate it though, As she and Norman were bounding toward him. Before she knew it, they were locked in an embrace. She nuzzled against his chest; well, she AND Norman did. Finally she looked up, to see that all of the alligators in the moat had simply, and without a whimper, become normal people... Simply going about their business. A few even smiled at her.

As she pulled back, the awkward silence between them was broken by a single, simple word.

"Norman"

She offered, holding up her friend.

[BabyGabrial]

He chuckled and patted Norman's head "Kon'nichiwa Norman welcome to Japan." His smile briefly  fades and he puts an arm around  Ciara "come on Ciara-Chan. Daddy needs to have a chat with you in the car" he says being a bit stern but he knows she is scared so he will still be gentle with her as he guides her to the limo and has his gaurds put her bag in the back and helps her in and tells one of his gaurds in Japanese to buckle her up and has his driver take the scenic route home so he can have time to talk to her and think about everything 

[TEW]

She smiled broadly at that. From all of the vague statements and innuendo that he had used with her online, she had gleaned that he was a manof some import. For him to take a moment and recognize somebody like Norman... Well... That just spoke volumes about his character.

When his voice took on more of a serious tone, she was completely astounded by her total lack of fear. Rather, she was overtaken by a feeling of respect and... Something else. A feeling she didn't fully understand. But nonetheless, she was able to nod her understanding without looking away. Something, it occurred to her, she could not remember ever having done before.

As the men guided her toward the car, she took measure of them. The smallest one stood close to her, and led her through the airport. However, when she held up Norman in an attempt to learn the man's name, he only looked away. However, the biggest one carried her bags and chanced a smile in her direction. When she attempted to serve in her role as Norman's emissary, this man smiled warmly again and placed his hand on his chest, offering a greeting and a name that, by the time she was buckled into the car, she had forgotten.

As the car pulled away from the airport, she let out a sigh. It was not frustration or even exhaustion, but more the sound of one who had toiled all day, and finally laid their yoke aside.

[BabyGabrial]

Kotei noticed her relaxed expression and was happy sje felt comfortable already to some extent and decided to make a joke "that face tells daddy he should have taken you to the potty before leaving the airport" he says using their online relationship as humor just a little something to break the ice before he gets to the serious stuff

[TEW]

The familiarity with which they are able to be around one another envelops her like a warm blanket as the car pulls away. 

The tension of the men is not lost on her, and indeed, she intended to ask about it. However, as he takes a parental role with her, her heart seems to beat both harder and faster, while her pulse seems to slow to a minimal thump. Completely irrational. But perhaps that was the best way to describe her feelings.

"N...No sir. I...I'm...I'm good..."

She barely manages, before fixing her gaze on Norman. Norman would bridge the gap between her feelings, Norman would slow things down. Norman would be her constant, no matter how outlandish her feelings or thoughts became. After all, What else are Psychologist Narwhals for?

[BabyGabrial]

"Ciara-Chun daddy is very upset that you would come here without warning. There are things daddy hasn't been honest with you about for your own safety. Daddy runs an organization and being a leader comes people that don't like daddy" he says pouring his heart out to her as he puts his arm around  her and pets Norman seeing that he will probably be who he has to talk to for her to listen.

[TEW]

She nodded in agreement. It HAD been a rash decision. But how do you explain the way that indifference, coldness, and isolation can be suffocating to someone like him? The way that you stare into the shadows, and try to maintain silent conversations with your subconscious when you can't sleep? It was this rash action, she firmly believed, that would keep her alive... She had to believe it. With everything she had... And was.

The thought of him having been dishonest with her made her feel uneasy in her stomach and made goosepimples race up and down her arms. Oh God, what had she given herself into? Surely, it couldn't be THAT bad... He was just being melodramatic. Right? I mean... Right?

In her rush to answer, both her own insecurities as his statement, she blurted out thec only thing that she could think.. Instantly blushing after the words escaped her lips.

 

"Like... A politician?"

[BabyGabrial]

"No baby i have power like a politician just on the other side of the law" he says looking her deep in the  eye and shows the pin on his suite that Yakuza wear to pretty much show that they are yakuza. 

[TEW]

She would stare at the pin for a long moment, wanting desperately to reach up and touch it, but instead choosing to adhere to the sage advice of Norman and leave her hands planted firmly in her lap.

She did, however, nod her understanding. But how could she ever really understand? She felt stupid. Ignorant. Foolish. Exposed.

She had been desperate, and had attempted to take control of her dismal life. Now, she was on the other side of the planet with a Mafioso, scared to death that as his newest inconvenience, she would wind up sleeping with the dishes.... Or fishes....fishes? Yeah, fishes. No Narwhals.

But how could all of that be true, and he be gently rubbing Norman's head to comfort him on his new journey? The two seemed ill suited to one another. Indeed, the aura he gave off was completely counter-intuitive. Maybe.... But how......

She stared at her feet, wishing they were a rocket that could blast her out of the car and far away. But then, his arms wouldn't be around her anymore. And Norman would be absolutely terrified.

"So... I messed up?"

[BabyGabrial]

"Yes and no" says to her kissing her forehead  "it is very dangerous here especially around me. I will have to keep a close eye on you and keep you in my care" she scolded her but then gets a tiny  smirk "buuuuuut on the bright side daddy's little baby can be watched by daddy and be forever under his care." He lays her head in his lap and rubs her back and he moves one of her hands up to his chest to cover his pin and he has her look at him so she can see the man he is not the monster 

[TEW]

She rocked a bit in understanding, allowing herself to be guided to his lap. His entire being seemed to embrace her as she lay there, gently rubbing his pin. It felt more dense than it looked at first blush. In fact, it almost seemed... heavy. She supposed it probably was, and was thrilled that while she could touch it, She didn't have to wear it.

She did reckon it would look very dashing on Norman though. And the creature had already proven himself a stalwart ally in the airport. She secretly promised Norman that she would ask about it, once they were, all three of them, settled in.

She stared up into his eyes for a moment and felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her body and spirit. With heavy eyes, She stared at the window and watched as the scenery slowly began to change. Light came in brief intervals and then, out of nowhere, everything went black and stars filled her vision. Stars everywhere, like a sky filled with candles. And Norman... Riding a Clydesdale that was... Dressed like a clown? Chasing a ufo between the stars?

She was silent as she slept, though her hand never released its grasp of the arm of his suit.

[BabyGabrial]

When they got to the house she picked her up and held her to his chest and takes a breath and gets ready to see his lovely wife and come clean to her about what.....this...is. "Marri-chan! Are you up dear. Can you come to the loving room?" He calls out before he sits down still holding a sleeping Ciara in his arms and takes a breath and takes a tough stance to explain things to his wife. She is a Yakuza princess so she is a very tough woman and has even taken charge of her father's family in his absence at points so this will not be easy.

 

(Can you play Marriko?)