tabularasa_rp | open | i hit the bottom but I'm on the mend

(It's not a surprise to see Damien sitting on the tables outside the cafebar. It's a sight he's grown accustomed to, with the lack of options for lounging on this part of the Void.

What is interesting is the sign. Ren approaches, almost like a curious cat.)

Like what?

[Damien studies Ren for a moment, trying to come up with something, before ultimately shrugging]

If you hadn't already taught me shogi, I might have asked about that. [as it is, though, he's gotten pretty good at it, since Ren taught him however long ago. he likes the strategy of it] Otherwise, though ... [that's up to you, Ren. what'cha got?]

(What can he teach Damien... There's so much he has learned this year, from fighting to public speaking and as Damien brought up himself, shogi... Ren hums, politely bowing before taking the seat in front of the other. He's not teaching him anything that requires physical training, so his options are a little limited.)

I can teach you about the coffee blends we have inside. (That's one.) Or some principles of cooking.

Public speaking... (More humming, Ren curling the tips of his hair while he thinks.) Basic Tarot principles... Perhaps Japanese? (He laughs, since there's not so much use for that last one when he is speaking it, and Damien comprehends it.)

I can teach you about Japanese society too, since you've asked me about it in the past.

A shame the logistics of teaching me Japanese are -- difficult, at best.

[it's the one that interests him the most, but how would that even work when, while he knows Ren is probably still speaking Japanese, that's not what he hears? he supposes he could try writing down the romaji for different words for him, so he can sound it out, but how would they know when he actually succeeded, since Ren would be able to understand him either way?]

[what a shame]

I wouldn't mind learning more about your society, though. [that's a close second] Maybe you can keep me from screaming 'tourist', if and when I ever get to visit Tokyo in my world. [if and when he doesn't end up dead, whenever he goes home]

I can teach you to write, I think.

(He will be able to read, but surely he would be able to see the alphabet as it is, won't he?

He smiles a little, only because he pictured Damien absolutely lost.)

Sticklers. We have several rules for several situations that are followed through generations.

(And finally, he tells Damien something about himself, look!)

You'd think Tokyo is different because it's modern. I come from the country and culturally, it's the same.

We'll come back to the writing. [because that might be more doable, and yep, still interested] For now, though -- where do we start? [with all the tradition and all. he is, as always, an eager student]

For starters, you can't get your coffee and drink it on the run.

(He calls the attention to a habit he has noticed about Damien, with his little tumbler.)

And punctuality is key, so put that into consideration when making plans.

[Damien stares at him for a moment, and then barks out a laugh. look, he came out to have a good time, but honestly, he's feeling so attacked, right now]

Duly noted.

[a beat]

Both parts of that, actually. [he may have had the occasional issue with punctuality, back home. it wasn't a habit, mind, but -- well, who doesn't get absolutely absorbed by something, once in awhile? people in Japan, apparently]

(He laughs too, a little quieter than the other before shaking his head.)

Not a drive-by. (He won't expect something like that from a foreigner!)

Reputation is everything as well.

[he sobers a little, as Ren continues, attentive, and at the idea that reputation is everything, he's silent for a moment, before:] I know there's some sort of -- for lack of better wording -- business with business cards, isn't there?

[something like you're actually supposed to pay attention, when someone hands you one of theirs?]

There is.

(Ren nods, trying to remember if he has any with him, but he doesn't, unfortunately!)

It's respectful to read and not just store away. You're aware of bowing, too, right?

(He figures. He has bowed to Damien several times as of now...)

[Damien will answer the question in a second. for a brief moment, instead, he squints at Ren before he shifts, reaching for the wallet in his back pocket. he hasn't touched it, since they arrived here, since he doesn't have to pay for anything (or pretend to, if he's just going to steal the money from someone else), but he does actually have one of his business cards]

[he holds it out to Ren, to inspect, and well, it's a simple thing, the same blue-gray as his hat, with silver writing on it. there's a seal the top, made up of a silhouette of Chicago's skyline and the words Chicago RFL, and below it, the basics -- his name, job title, phone number and extension, work email address. Damien waits for him to go through the motions of checking it out, and either putting it away somewhere safe or handing it back, before he finally answers the question]

I've noticed it. [a beat] But there's something ... [hm, how to explain what he's trying to say?] I've noticed it's different, depending on who you're talking to. [different depths to the bow, different time spent holding them, that kind of thing. what does that mean? does that mean anything, or is it just personal preference?]

(Mhm? Is Damien reaching for a demonstration?

Very politely, Ren reaches with both hands to accept the card, with the thumb and forefinger of each hand gently taking the card into his sight and performing a standard 30 degree bow before he tends to it. Of course, his eyes travel the card carefully, noting the details and the personal information in it. It's almost an extension of Damien in a way, so he takes time to appreciate it.

Instead of going into a pocket, Ren just leaves it on the table, placed with the information facing him.

Of course, there probably is much more to it, but it's not like Ren spends a lot of time in business meetings in a suit. He's only done what feels natural.)

There are many rules, but I can't say I know all of them. Akechi might be better for business related traditions. (He recommends.)

There is. Different levels of respect.

[he was, and he watches Ren with interest, before leaning back where he'd leaned forward a little. interesting]

I might ask him about them.

[he also might ask after Akechi, period, once there's a pause in the lesson. he suspects Ren wouldn't be here, if something had gone awry, if the wound was infected or something, but -- well, has he mentioned he likes Akechi?]

[but anyway]

Like the honorifics you all use.

(He has! Ren likes him too, to nobody's surprise.

Damien is absolutely right. If Akechi hadn't been in a good shape, Ren definitely wouldn't be here, just chatting.)

That's right. Everything rotates around respect, reputation and hierarchy in Japanese culture.

Edited 2020-10-08 18:03 (UTC)

[Damien hums, and -- well, he's ask another question about Japanese etiquette, maybe if it bothers Ren that he doesn't use the honorifics, too, but now he's sort of hung up, thinking about Akechi. he frowns a little, that in mind, before:]

How is he, by the way? Akechi?

(At the question, there's just a tiny smile in Ren's lips. Damien really cares about Akechi, doesn't he?)

He's getting better. Thank you for helping him. (He offers Damien a short bow, in both respect and gratitude.) He's staying with me for the time being, you're welcome to visit.

(It's only a beat later that the subject reminds him - he actually meant to talk to Damien about something really important.)

I actually have something to ask you, speaking of.

[he's the one person who sees all of him, here -- who he doesn't have to watch himself around. Tifa's a close second, for all that she saw some of him and didn't flinch, but Akechi's ... ]

[yeah, anyway]

[he frowns a little, somewhat disappointed that Akechi's not just next door, anymore, even if he can figure out the reasoning behind it. a raised eyebrow follows, at the not-quite-question] Which is?

I know what you saw from him.

(A battered, badly injured Ren, a dead officer, a silencer and a bullet right in his forehead. Nothing.)

Can I trust you'll keep it a secret?

(Ren's gray eyes fix on the other's.)

Ah.

[he shifts slightly in his seat, trying to cover a tension that came with the lead up to the question. he's not sure what he was expecting, but it wasn't something as comparatively innocuous as that]

[either way, after a beat, he hums, nods] Your secrets are safe with me. [assuming they don't give him reason to use them against them, anyway]

(He's not sure, if he's completely honest. Damien did see him getting shot in the head, it's such a serious situation that even if it weren't real and Ren is right here, the murder part of it still stands.

Complicated.

Well. Akechi hadn't told Ren what he saw from Damien, if any, and Ren kept it for himself too. Too personal to just throw out there.)

Thank you. (Right now, he has no other choice but to trust, does he?)

[isn't everything complicated?]

[but anyway]

You're welcome. [a beat] And for the record, I haven't run around screaming what I saw of yours from the rooftops, either. [and as with Akechi, he won't, unless he gives him reason to. he may not be looking to actively blackmail anyone here, yet, but he still very much operates on the principle of an eye for an eye. if anyone realizes the truth behind what they saw of his, if anyone starts passing it around -- well, he knows shit now, too]

I was running on the assumption that anything we discussed, that day, was in confidence.

Awkwardly enough, you wouldn't need to.

(Because surely a good chunk of his stolen memories was that one ins specific anyways. Still, he drops the intensity just a tad, long nails tapping on the table.)

Don't worry, it's really all I know. It is and it will continue being no matter what.(Ren wasn't told a thing about Damien's, and he surely won't tell anyone about what he saw, even with it being a strong bargain chip. He wouldn't really go through it.)

But I think you can understand why I'm asking you this.

Still.

[a beat]

And I absolutely understand. If what happened between the two of you got around -- well, it would put something of a scarlet letter on his chest, wouldn't it? [even if it wasn't real, the intent was still there. Akechi's still a murderer. he'd still read as dangerous, insane if anyone else knew]

I do have one question, though. [and there's another pause] Which me keeping my mouth shut isn't conditional on you answering. [just for the record] But well. Call me curious.

(Still for the fact his silence remains or still for the fact that Ren knows Damien knows?

He says nothing when there's no reason for it - Damien got it. There's no need to repeat what he has jut said.)

What is it?

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