Writing Prompt #7 - Level 1 - (1/9 - 1/23/17)

[Custodian]

Now that we're all holiday-ed out, let's get back to writing! Here's an easy prompt to start off the new year.

LEVEL 1
Write about your character's first day on the job. This could be their initiation into their society, their first real case, their first day on the field, etc!
​

You can post your reply directly into this thread, into the Storybook, or in both places, if you wish! Please remember to follow the rules when sharing your response(s). Love one of the responses that you've read? Shower the author with compliments here!

 

[Fushichou]

Aka was waiting near the beach side of Naha, it was not a particulary sunny day but he felt hot under the heavy biker vest he was told to wear. Green with a yellow coiled snake pattern, he would have prefered it red with a tengu but those were the orders.

As he watched toward the beach he recalled the words of his oyabun and grandfather.

"Go to the Beach Side near the Pacific Hotel, Kenta has prepared the clothings and vehicule you would be using, you will know when it is the right time."
Aka looked at his watch, the time was near and the wailing sound of sirens started to echo in the distance confirmed that.

Now is the time.

He lowered his visor and started the engine. The smell of burnt rubber started to engulf his location when a motorcycle with driver wearing a green and yellow jacket appeared like a cannonball in the traffic.

Among the flow of vehicles, a van with a Korean Restaurant Roster logo opened his rear and the mysterious driver jumped in and seemingly vanished in it as if sucked out of this reality. Aka darted and slalomed into the myriad of automobiles just as half a dozen police cars appeared and gave him chase.

For a while he managed to evade them then another wave of police cars appeared as he was about to exit the highway and that forced him to a secondary road where he soon found himself blocked by two more cars.

He saw a path out but that was not the mission, instead he made a controlled stop right in front of the two car as policed officers went out and pointed their guns at him.

Putting his hands up Aka offered no resistance when he was beaten to his knees by tonfa and arrested.

In the distance smoke could be seen from the top of Simon Trust tower, the newest local subsidiary of Faust Investment.

 

[Kuro-Hebi]

*Before people go all crazy on this, yes, I took some liberty regarding lore. It's strictly headcanon, as we don't actually know where the Dragon was prior WW2. As the Dragon dies and get reborn - and change location everytime it does - I depicted the Head of the Dragon as an old man, since Kuro met him in 1933 and WW2 is not too far in the future. So again, this is my own headcanon and I never bring it up in game either, or very vaguely, not mentioning dates or locations, as to not contradict anyone on that matter.

2017.03.12 - Kuro-Hebi (Level 1)
Write about your character's first day on the job. This could be their initiation into their society, their first real case, their first day on the field, etc!

It was his twentieth birthday and, despite the smile he showed to his uncle and his family, inside he was all but calm. He knew that, as soon as tomorrow came, he would have to leave this house in which he spent the last ten years of his life, among his uncle, his aunt and two cousins.

Upon the death of his father ten years ago, as the man gave his life to close a hell rift that had opened near their house in Izu Oshima, young Katsuro was sent to his uncle, Haruto Miyamoto, who was living in Tateyama (Chiba Prefecture) so that he could continue the boy's martial training. On the pretext of driving him to school each day, his uncle would instead take Katsuro to a dojo belonging to the Dragon, where they'd train all day long. The boy also had private teachers coming there so he'd be prepared to face the world upon reaching adulthood. Everything was calculated and prepared in advance and, as his 20th birthday came closer, the plan the Dragon had for him was set into motion - graduation, job opportunity abroad, place of residence selected...

It was all a big lie though, a nice story the Dragon had to weave so that his uncle's family would stay unaware, not being part of the Secret World. Thus the young man that Katsuro had become celebrated his coming of age with them, his mother even traveled to Tateyama for the occasion. His baggage were already done, his plane ticket bought. He barely slept that night and dawn came way too soon. He remembers that day as if in a daze; the drive to the airport, the tearful goodbyes, the restless flight to China and his arrival, momentarily lost and a bit confused. At least there was someone with a cardboard with his name on it.

Following his guide, they took a taxi that drove them to one of those luxurious hotel in Shanghai. The ride up in the elevator seemed to take forever and, though Katsuro expected for them to climb all the way to the last floor, they stopped before reaching the top. The long corridors on both side where modern and uncharacteristic and all the doors identical. They walked some distance before his guide stopped in front of one; the door was opened without the need to even knock. Stepping inside, Katsuro had a moment of hesitation - this really wasn't what he'd expect to find. What should have been a large hotel room had been stripped and replaced with a dark wooden floor, Dragon's banners lining the walls and, in the center of the bare room, sat an old man on a simple wooden chair, flanked by two men with sewed lips and strange symbols tattooed on their skin (that he'd soon learn were called Mute Monks). The man, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, looked at him intently, a smile dancing on his lips. There was something about him... a power Katsuro couldn't explain. His guide stepped aside and Katsuro slowly walked forward before kneeling and bowing deeply to the old man, his forehead touching the floor. There was long seconds of awkward silence.

"Rise, Katsuro Wakahisa. And welcome to the Coils of the Dragon."

Slightly startled, Katsuro looked up to see a young Chinese woman by the old man's side. She had a somewhat pleasant smile, though it was distant and formal.

"We were eagerly awaiting your arrival." The woman continued. "Our condolences for your father, though he raised you well in the time he had. As did your uncle after him. There is no need to go over your duties to the Dragon; I believe you know them by heart. Unlike most of our new agents, you will not be required to go through the regular training. Instead, you'll be send to advanced training right away, as we wish for you to be operational as soon as possible."

She paused a moment, letting it all sink in. Katsuro, sitting seiza, simply acknowledged his understanding with a nod.

"The Dragon is soon to die and be reborn, and we wish for you to be ready when this happens. Your training will last a year and, upon your return, you will have chosen a new name for yourself. It is both a custom of your family, but also it helps to preserve your anonymity. Arrangements have been made for your travel."

She made a motion toward Katsuro's guide and the man bowed before walking back toward the door. He waited patiently as Katsuro bowed again to the woman and the old man - whom he now knew was the Head of the Dragon - and they both left the room.

***​

Katsuro would be sent to a secluded location somewhere in China for a whole year of intense training with other Dragon agents. Upon his return, his right arm would be adorned with a full-sleeve Japanese tattoo depicting a black snake. Again, he'd be escorted to stand before the Head of the dragon. But this time, his stride would be far more confident, the determination and devotion plainly visible in his black eyes.

"Welcome back to the Dragon's Coils." The same Chinese woman he'd met a year back would ask. "Tell us the name you have chosen for yourself."

"From this day, I shall serve the Dragon until the day I can no longer carry my sword." He'd reply, his voice unfaltering.
"And I shall answer by the name Kuro-Hebi"