![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
[ OPEN ] want to be free
WHO: Kim Kitsuragi (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
aceslow) & YOU
WHAT: Various July activities -- both for the event (happy to receive items/memories too!) and for every day activities.
WHERE: Throughout the City; bank, shopping centres, parks, etc.
WHEN: Through til the end of July.
WARNINGS: Probable discussions regarding racism, loss, and the diaspora.
[ EVENT ] a. in the vault.
[ The deserted bank is an eerie place as it is. On a Lieutenant's salary, Kim barely has enough money to put in the bank as it is, let alone frequent one as extravagantly wealthy as this one; the minute he steps foot in it with his grubby boots and worn - though well-maintained - jacket, he feels immediately out of place, a sense of unease dogging his steps. His footsteps are loud in the echo chamber that is the grand hall. Eventually, he makes his way back to where the keys are, name after name etched on the side of the keychain. It's a trap if he's ever seen one. He hesitates, hand hovering just over the keys, brow furrowed. ]
This is almost certainly a trap.
[ Then, decisively, he yanks it off the wall, then glances behind him towards whoever his companion may be. ]
But it's the best lead we've got. You coming?
[ OOC NOTE: The item I've chosen concerns racism & the diaspora, please only respond to this prompt if those are subjects you're comfortable with! ]
[ EVENT ] b. out and about.
[ After the whole messy incident with the vault, Kim's taken to keeping the toy plane with him, burning a hole in his pocket. In all honesty, it's not something that brings him any solace, any comfort; if anything he feels desperately uncomfortable about it. But after everything, it feels almost sacriligious to leave it in the apartment he's hunkered down in, unguarded, unprotected, the sole personal possession next to the rest of the nondescript apartment. It feels equally as wrong to leave it in the bank where he had found it, as though abandoning it again means --
God, he doesn't know. He's not one for analyzing his own thoughts and feelings. Straight ahead, down his narrow, narrow path. That's how he's always been, how he'll always be. So he puts it firmly out of mind for the time being as he goes along his daily business, pacing about the city, investigating every nook and cranny with a fine tooth comb, and largely trying to keep himself busy, whether that's in the park, in a store, or even roaming once more through City Hall. Whatever public place you can think of, he's there. ]
[ OOC NOTE: We can wrap the event into any of the other prompts as well, but this one is intended for sharing of objects/memories! Please feel free to have your character share theirs first (or have only them share it, without that reciprocation) if you like; I never mind a backstory dump. :) ]
c. daily life (shopping / exercising / a midnight smoke).
[ With little else at his disposal other than the grim dawning realization that if he truly has to start making a functional life for himself here, Kim can be seen during daily life in the City taking what he needs.
Perhaps you find him in the supermarket or convenience store, the handle of his shopping basket nestled in the crook of his shoulder as he stares at the shelves with a light frown on his face, combing the shelves for this and that: salt, cabbage, meat and onions rank chiefly among his purchases, but it looks like he's working his way towards a very bland meal -- that, and he seems to be pretty concerned about getting really badly injured, if the amount of painkillers, bandages, and other first-aid goods are of any indication.
Or perhaps you find him in the park, jogging around its perimeter again, and again, and again, and again... he'll periodically stop, huffing and puffing more than he'd care to fess up to. There's nothing better to do around here, after all, and he feels a certain compulsion to remain in shape (though all embarassing stretches take place in the privacy of his own bedroom; an old man he may be to some here, but he's not old enough to start congregating in the park with the other seniors) to face whatever dangers he's convinced have yet to come. If you catch his eye, he'll nod in greeting with a small smile, wiping the sweat off his brow, suddenly self-conscious. ] Afternoon. Pity there's no gym in this place.
[ Or maybe you're another night owl, coming across Kim leaning against a wall, silhouetted by the street lamps above, staring contemplatively off into the distance as he lights a cigarette. Before he takes a single drag, he takes a deep breath, as though even contemplating his cigarette brings some measure of serenity to his soul. He takes that first drag like an addict does; savouring it, hoping it never comes to an end. But as he blows out a large plume of smoke, he'll look your way, nodding in greeting. If you're clearly of age and look interested, he'll extend the cigarette carton in your direction, asking, ] Want one?
d. weapon creation.
[ It's been long enough that Kim has gathered the fact that all of their weapons have been forcibly taken from them, right down to the blade attachment in his poor multi-tool. With just one glimpse of Kim, it's easy to see that he's not a man who's used to getting into physical altercations all-too often, preferring to rely on the security of his firearm, but it's not as though he can make a gun.
Besides, this isn't purely for self defense. Rather, it's an experiment: if weapons are so highly prohibited, then is the creation of them also prohibited? Will he wake cuffed like that fellow on the network behind him? It's a small punishment, as punishments go, so Kim decides to risk it, heading to park as the sun begins to wane, long shadows cast over the entire area. After gathering some of the natural resources around the park, as well as a few helpful items lifted from shops here and there, he sits cross-legged on the grass and gets to work, beginning by taking some kitchen utensils and industriously hacking away at a particularly sturdy branch to attempt to make a fine point.
From his grumbling, it's not going particularly well. He could really use a hand. ]
Ugh. I could really use my damn knife right about now.
e. wildcard!
[ Wildcard! Feel free to make up your own prompt - Kim can be found out and about the City at large - and I'm happy to roll with it! Feel free to brainstorm with me on my plotting post or hit me up on plurk! I'd be happy to write custom starters as well. ]
aceslow) & YOUWHAT: Various July activities -- both for the event (happy to receive items/memories too!) and for every day activities.
WHERE: Throughout the City; bank, shopping centres, parks, etc.
WHEN: Through til the end of July.
WARNINGS: Probable discussions regarding racism, loss, and the diaspora.
[ EVENT ] a. in the vault.
[ The deserted bank is an eerie place as it is. On a Lieutenant's salary, Kim barely has enough money to put in the bank as it is, let alone frequent one as extravagantly wealthy as this one; the minute he steps foot in it with his grubby boots and worn - though well-maintained - jacket, he feels immediately out of place, a sense of unease dogging his steps. His footsteps are loud in the echo chamber that is the grand hall. Eventually, he makes his way back to where the keys are, name after name etched on the side of the keychain. It's a trap if he's ever seen one. He hesitates, hand hovering just over the keys, brow furrowed. ]
This is almost certainly a trap.
[ Then, decisively, he yanks it off the wall, then glances behind him towards whoever his companion may be. ]
But it's the best lead we've got. You coming?
[ OOC NOTE: The item I've chosen concerns racism & the diaspora, please only respond to this prompt if those are subjects you're comfortable with! ]
[ EVENT ] b. out and about.
[ After the whole messy incident with the vault, Kim's taken to keeping the toy plane with him, burning a hole in his pocket. In all honesty, it's not something that brings him any solace, any comfort; if anything he feels desperately uncomfortable about it. But after everything, it feels almost sacriligious to leave it in the apartment he's hunkered down in, unguarded, unprotected, the sole personal possession next to the rest of the nondescript apartment. It feels equally as wrong to leave it in the bank where he had found it, as though abandoning it again means --
God, he doesn't know. He's not one for analyzing his own thoughts and feelings. Straight ahead, down his narrow, narrow path. That's how he's always been, how he'll always be. So he puts it firmly out of mind for the time being as he goes along his daily business, pacing about the city, investigating every nook and cranny with a fine tooth comb, and largely trying to keep himself busy, whether that's in the park, in a store, or even roaming once more through City Hall. Whatever public place you can think of, he's there. ]
[ OOC NOTE: We can wrap the event into any of the other prompts as well, but this one is intended for sharing of objects/memories! Please feel free to have your character share theirs first (or have only them share it, without that reciprocation) if you like; I never mind a backstory dump. :) ]
c. daily life (shopping / exercising / a midnight smoke).
[ With little else at his disposal other than the grim dawning realization that if he truly has to start making a functional life for himself here, Kim can be seen during daily life in the City taking what he needs.
Perhaps you find him in the supermarket or convenience store, the handle of his shopping basket nestled in the crook of his shoulder as he stares at the shelves with a light frown on his face, combing the shelves for this and that: salt, cabbage, meat and onions rank chiefly among his purchases, but it looks like he's working his way towards a very bland meal -- that, and he seems to be pretty concerned about getting really badly injured, if the amount of painkillers, bandages, and other first-aid goods are of any indication.
Or perhaps you find him in the park, jogging around its perimeter again, and again, and again, and again... he'll periodically stop, huffing and puffing more than he'd care to fess up to. There's nothing better to do around here, after all, and he feels a certain compulsion to remain in shape (though all embarassing stretches take place in the privacy of his own bedroom; an old man he may be to some here, but he's not old enough to start congregating in the park with the other seniors) to face whatever dangers he's convinced have yet to come. If you catch his eye, he'll nod in greeting with a small smile, wiping the sweat off his brow, suddenly self-conscious. ] Afternoon. Pity there's no gym in this place.
[ Or maybe you're another night owl, coming across Kim leaning against a wall, silhouetted by the street lamps above, staring contemplatively off into the distance as he lights a cigarette. Before he takes a single drag, he takes a deep breath, as though even contemplating his cigarette brings some measure of serenity to his soul. He takes that first drag like an addict does; savouring it, hoping it never comes to an end. But as he blows out a large plume of smoke, he'll look your way, nodding in greeting. If you're clearly of age and look interested, he'll extend the cigarette carton in your direction, asking, ] Want one?
d. weapon creation.
[ It's been long enough that Kim has gathered the fact that all of their weapons have been forcibly taken from them, right down to the blade attachment in his poor multi-tool. With just one glimpse of Kim, it's easy to see that he's not a man who's used to getting into physical altercations all-too often, preferring to rely on the security of his firearm, but it's not as though he can make a gun.
Besides, this isn't purely for self defense. Rather, it's an experiment: if weapons are so highly prohibited, then is the creation of them also prohibited? Will he wake cuffed like that fellow on the network behind him? It's a small punishment, as punishments go, so Kim decides to risk it, heading to park as the sun begins to wane, long shadows cast over the entire area. After gathering some of the natural resources around the park, as well as a few helpful items lifted from shops here and there, he sits cross-legged on the grass and gets to work, beginning by taking some kitchen utensils and industriously hacking away at a particularly sturdy branch to attempt to make a fine point.
From his grumbling, it's not going particularly well. He could really use a hand. ]
Ugh. I could really use my damn knife right about now.
e. wildcard!
[ Wildcard! Feel free to make up your own prompt - Kim can be found out and about the City at large - and I'm happy to roll with it! Feel free to brainstorm with me on my plotting post or hit me up on plurk! I'd be happy to write custom starters as well. ]
no subject
[ While Kim may not be a cop here, he's an investigator down to his bones. His mind immediately flits through several different instances of what he could possibly mean by that, scenarios dancing through his mind in quickfire. While Kim has certainly been tricked before - he's less of a good judge of character than he wishes he was - the man certainly seems earnest enough, open to a fault, wearing his emotions on his sleeve. He also seems to be well in his right mind, no physical indicators of drug or alchol abuse that he can see, from the clear whites of his eyes to the steadiness of his hands against the communicator.
Not involved formally in organized crime. But maybe on the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak. The extent of his injuries are also worrisome, seeming to him like someone who had set out to hurt him, and hurt him bad. You don't aim for the throat and face unless you're seeking to inflict serious harm, in his professional opinion.
He frowns, the furrow between his brows deepening. ]
Were you in trouble back home? [ Oh. If not himself, then perhaps delinquent youth? He has a feeling that he'd feel inclined to protect his charges, if it came to that. ] With criminal activity and the like? [ He gestures at his own face and throat meaningfully. ] Injuries like that aren't exactly what I imagine to be sustained in a fair fight.
no subject
The fact that he's right about some things here comes very rapidly obvious too. Especially when the man lets out that final statement. It makes Daniel's gaze dip, avoiding Kim's own, something twisting his expression to look a little more embarrassed and guilty. No, whatever happened to Daniel, it's clear from the other's reaction that it wasn't a fair fight. It's like Daniel is shrinking on the spot as he thinks back on what happened.
He doesn't reply right away too. His phone still held in his hand, but nothing being entered on it. Instead he idly rubs the knuckles of the hand that's holding the phone with his free hand, seeming to think. It's not like Daniel likes talking about any of this, but-- on the other hand, he's not really sure what kind of impression he'd be leaving behind on Kim if he were to say nothing here, and his impression of the other is, in turn, positive enough that he doesn't want to ruin his own impression, just because he feels nauseous thinking back on what happened.
Daniel breathes in, and then types again. ]
I was trying to protect the kids.
[ Another count Kim is right on, despite not even voicing that one out loud. ]
It didn't go as well as I hoped. [ A twitch at Daniel's lips, a smile that doesn't reach his eyes in the slightest - instead just looking sad as he looks over at Kim. ] Can't do anything about it now.
no subject
That's precisely what I thought! It all added up. I could be wrong, since we only just met, but you don't strike me as the sort to get into scuffles like that for the hell of it. Being that you run a centre for kids without asking for pay, that meant you were largely dealing with underprivileged youth, and all that entails, so...
[ Kim shrugs, a little helplessly. He had been an underprivileged youth himself. He had never grown close to any of the kids he'd grown up with, not really. But they kept tabs on each other in small ways, even if it was just seeing what they were up to from time to time. Few of them wound up anywhere good.
His excitement over a correct deductment isn't appropriate. The poor man looks like someone has kicked him emotionally as well as physically, the way he's simply shrunk in on himself. ]
They were lucky to have someone willing to protect them, [ he reassures him. ] Even if it didn't go as well as you'd hoped, they'll remember that you tried for the rest of their lives. If not for this occasion, then for many others. I can promise you that.
no subject
Besides, he can recognize the other is trying to cheer him up at the end there. Or perhaps just reassure him, even if it doesn't do a whole lot. Daniel knows that the threat he was trying to protect them from is still at large back home, after all-- and Daniel isn't there himself to try and stop anything from happening again. It's terrifying.
Not that he confesses to that part. He carefully keeps it to himself, not wanting to burden anyone else with it. Instead he tries to smile a little, though it's weak. ]
Thank you.
[ It's the least he can write - and have his phone read out - when Kim is going out of his way to say that last part, right? ]
If it is not too much, I would like to ask you for a favour. I will do you a favour in return as well, of course. [ Even if Daniel isn't too sure what Kim could even ask from him in return-- but the other seems decent enough that he's pretty sure Kim wouldn't ask anything that'd even come close to bothering Daniel.
It's also why he trusts the other with this request in the first place - especially if Kim has some experience with troubled teens. ] That boy I showed you on the photo earlier. My student. Since he's here in the city as well, could you help keep an eye on him if you ever happen to come across him? Especially if there ends up being trouble.
[ Daniel doesn't trust this city to stay relatively quiet one bit. ]
no subject
[ He thinks that perhaps he gave Daniel the wrong idea. He's invested in the welfare of minors because that's the fundamentally correct thing to be concerned with, but being around them has rarely been a comfortable matter for him. If Daniel thinks that he's able to help guide his charge, he's sorely mistaken, though Kim doesn't think that's actually what he's asking for. Still, good to clear that part up straight off the bat.
Besides, everything Daniel has mentioned about the kid has been glowing. Blindly so, perhaps, but not the sort of thing that Kim would expect even the most loving guardian and mentor to say to, say, the likes of Cuno. He doesn't expect that Daniel's student will spend most of his time screeching slurs at Kim to provoke a reaction, so at least there's that. ]
But of course I'll keep an eye out for him. Especially if things go south. No reciprocal favour needed for that, [ Kim says, shaking his head. ] If I'm around, I'll make sure no harm comes to him.
[ Wryly: ] Though I'd be a lot more confident about my ability to do so if this place didn't take my firearm away from me. Once you're recovered, maybe you'll have to show me a thing or two.
no subject
Getting Kim's agreement is a definite relief, and Daniel's shoulders even lower a little, like some pressure is sliding off them.
Though he can't quite resist adding: ]
You're a good man. [ Maybe it's a little bit early to judge, but.. with the way Kim has been talking about kids and other matters, and even with him agreeing to do this without needing a favour in return?
Daniel thinks that speaks for itself enough. ] I do not think you need to mentor anyone on purpose to be a good influence. Your presence might do it naturally.
[ Sorry, Kim, he is still typing to address that last part of what you said. But with Daniel being Daniel, he just couldn't resist sneaking in at least a slight compliment for the other. Especially with what Kim was willing to agree to. Daniel even gives the other a slight smile.
Then he's done typing, and the phone now reads out: ]
I also definitely wouldn't mind teaching you some karate once I'm more able to do so, if you're sure you would like that. My style is very oriented towards self-defense, so even knowing some basic moves might come in really useful here. Practice also helps me clear my head. [ .. not that he knows if the last part is something the other needs.
Though being an Adult with Adult Responsibilities (even in this place, where said responsibilities don't involve an actual job) in general means you can use something to clear your head every once in a while, as far as Daniel is concerned. ]
no subject
If you say so. A bit early to be making those sort of assumptions, isn't it? [ It's all right. If he gets disappointed later, it's not Kim's fault. It's just a rather sunny way of viewing the world, isn't it? Few people are as they present themselves to be, and for all of Kim's focus on his own presentation, he's not sure what he's presenting at the moment.
Aside from being a tired old man. Because that's precisely what he feels like, these days. Ironically, the less he has to do, the more tired he feels; it's precisely the sort of thing he hopes having a task like learning a new skill will help amend. ]
Exercise helps me clear my head too. But there's no gym here, so... [ So he doesn't have his beloved precinct gym treadmill at his disposal. Something like martial arts seems like it might be the next best thing. ]
You let me know when you're recovered. Maybe we can teach each other a thing or two. My name is Kim Kitsuragi, by the way -- I don't believe we introduced ourselves. That's the name you can find me under on these mobile devices.
no subject
Which.. could be bad. Sure, it's not like Daniel can't understand that it really is too early for that, and he knows that he's been fooled by someone's first impression before. He knows trusting too easily can be dangerous.
But maybe it's exactly the nature of this place that makes him want to trust all the same. That makes him want to believe that there's at least some good and reliable people here, even if this place as a whole is awful-- and Kim sure seems like a good person. ]
My name is Daniel LaRusso.
[ That's the thing he answers to instead - perhaps wincing just a little bit at the way the robotic phone voice pronounces his name, but sure.. That works, he supposes.. ]
And I also use that as my name on the devices too. [ See, this is clearly why Kim is a normal and reliable guy. He's a guy who understands the importance of not using weird usernames!! ] Let's make sure to get in touch again later.
[ And he even dares to admit: ]
I certainly would like that. [ You know, as if him smiling at Kim just now like he's stupidly glad wasn't enough. Please, Daniel, you wear your heart on your sleeve, my dude. ]
no subject
[ Kim also pronounces his last name incorrectly, his thick accent marrying the consonants, lingering on the vowels, but it's clear that's not going to change; when introducing himself, he even said his distinctly Japanese sounding last name in the very same accent. He holds a hand out to shake Daniel's hand firmly. He hadn't been expecting this encounter, but it's pleasant to meet someone that comes across as being half-reasonable, half-normal; Kim often feels out of place here, out of sorts, an inarguably ordinary man in an inarguably unordinary world. To have fellows here is a boon. ]
We'll be in touch -- after you're better. If you're going to teach me a thing or two, you'll need a voice. [ And maybe that will be some motivation to rest up, if his puppydog-like enthusiasm wasn't enough. ] So do me a favour and go home and rest up, will you?
no subject
Instead he just shakes the other's hand before letting go, the smile on his face turning a touch more sheepish when Kim points out the obvious here.
Is it a little embarrassing to have to be talked into taking care of yourself as a grown adult? Yes, definitely, but there's still something about the kindness of someone he's only just met that warms Daniel's heart all the same. ]
Alright, I get it. [ The phone reads out a moment later, after Daniel has both of his hands available again to type. ] I'll go home now, and contact you again when everything is a little better. Thank you, see you again.
[ And with that - and a last smile offered right after - the man does turn to leave, actually planning on going home, rather than making just an empty promise. He probably should rest up some after a lengthy social interaction in his current state, anyway. ]