Post by "Lady Luck" Fujiko Mine on Nov 18, 2014 23:51:21 GMT -5
A few short sighs rolled from the back of Fujiko’s throat as she looked over the small portfolio sitting on the island in her kitchen. She stood, despite the weakness in her knees not-so-politely urging her to relieve them. Her hands trembled slightly as she looked at the plain manilla portfolio, her eyes scanning it as if she were watching it for terrible news on her health. After a few moments, she moved her hand away from it and turned away.
A few months ago, Fujiko was approached by her friend and mentor with flooring news. The news was that information on her mother was found. Fujiko had no information on the woman who gave her life, but curiosity and desire to know why she was abandoned carefully ate away at her until she could no longer steel herself against it. She remembered back to the conversation she had with Tj at the time…
[March 2014]
Fujiko Mine: You’ve...found information on…
Tj could only nod in silence. He knew that it had been years since Fujiko had even bothered to ask about information on her mother, but he knew that it had been weighing on her mind heavily...especially leading up to the end of her exile from the ring. With nothing else to do but think about all the questions she could not answer, she began from a state of curiosity, and let it mutate slowly into desperation, and then depression. He could tell she’d begun to subscribe to the scenario in which she’d never find out anything about either of them. She even seemed to be taking steps towards getting better. But Teige knew that he owed it to her to show the truth.
Tj Jones: Your mother, yeah. Well, I didn’t find it. Kiel did. He’s been in Japan, working off of the information that Hiro gave him, and he was able to track down a couple of names that would have fit with the frame. We’ve got nothing concrete at the moment, Fujiko...but it’s a start. A better start than we’ve had since you started asking about...them.
[Present]
Fujiko remembered the cocktail of emotions that this news flooded her system with. It was a mix of relief, trepidation, and dread. That same mixture seeped into her brain again, looking at the manilla envelope. The months since that talk with Tj were the most hectic in her life. She was honestly amazed that she managed to return to a state of happiness after everything that happened. The slow, self destruction of her engagement to Savannah Rae Hawkins, to Savannah’s death, to requesting her release from FFW and sitting at home with no direction. She wondered aloud if looking into file was truly what she wanted to do. She glanced at the clock. 2:41pm. She still had some time before Sasha was going to come home. She hadn’t spoken with Sasha about her feelings on the matter, it was something that she wasn’t prepared to confront her with.
Looking out the window, she let her eyes focus on sky outside.
Her mind gripped onto the fact that inside the portfolio could hold information that could sink her all over again.
But the fear was going to be there regardless. Was she going to let it continue to control her? It’s what drove her away from Savannah. Away from FFW. Away from her dreams. Was it going to control her again?
Fujiko Mine: Ahh….darn it.
She pulled a loose strand of hair down and chewed at it, mulling things over for a moment before sighing with disdain and scooping up the the file. With the knowledge that she needed to know what was inside, she undid the binding and opened it. She did not read it right away, instead noting that inside was just a single sheet of paper. It wouldn’t hurt her. It couldn’t…
Fujiko Mine: Hey, Fujicakes, I hope you’re reading this with a smile on your face…
She smiled slightly. The writer of the letter, Kiel Jeeves, was incredibly casual in the most polite way. She liked that a lot about him. She read on.
Fujiko Mine: I know that reading this can’t be easy for you, but I appreciate you reading it all the same. Hiro sent me all the information that we (being Tj and I) already knew, and a few things that he didn’t know. It led to two ladies that are, at last my sources indicated: still alive. Now, only a DNA test can confirm if either of the two of them are dear old mother, but these are our best shot. I’m going to keep on the search, but these two are our best bet.
A strange, shallow wave of relief washed over her, causing her skin to spike with goosebumps. Her chances of getting answers weren’t extinguished yet. She took his word and tried to temper her feelings.
Fujiko Mine: Now, I purposely left out any specific names, as if there are anyone keeping tabs on things that I’m sending out, they can stay safe. However, Hiro knows who they are, and knows how to help you if you decide that you want to go out looking. Always a pleasure, and I hope to hear good news about you soon. Stay frosty! Jeeves.
Fujiko closed it up and set it back in its place on the island. She then let her mind flow at its own pace. The questions and comments ran through her head like water down a drain.
Which one of them is my mother?
What if neither of them are?
Is he sure they’re both still alive?
Should I go out to find them?
I doubt I can do anything if I did go looking.
What if I wait to go looking?
Haven’t I waited long enough?
[An entire life is too long to wait to know where you came from.]
That last sentence kept repeating in her head, echoing incessantly. She couldn’t deny that the thought was one she’d agreed with...but it was going to have to wait. She promised Hiro that she was going to make him proud one day. And she figured that she owed him that more than she owed it to herself to find out who this mother of hers was. He had been there for her as long as she could remember. All the energy, time, and effort he put into making her something of a decent human being.
Finding her mother could wait...she hoped. Making Hiro proud was priority one.
A few smouldering ashes fall from the cigarette that is held between the fingers of a man who has his face hidden in the shadows. He places the small, half burned cig back between his lips, the end glowing bright orange as he draws in a drag. A slow exhale allows smoke to roll out of his mouth, and he leans forward, enough for a light overhead to expose the wrinkles around the tired eyes of one Hiro Nagashima. He was not usually a smoker, but this time felt appropriate.
He’d been traversing European lands for months, searching for the woman that his charge, Fujiko Mine, belonged to. He now found himself now in Sweden, with the end of his lead in sight. He wasn’t just looking for her sake, but for his own knowledge as well.
After stumbling upon Fujiko at a young age, he took her on as his own child. While initially treating her as someone else’s child, it was predictable that eventually he would grow to love her as his child. When he found her, she was alone, so any clues as to who left her behind. He left enough time go by without finding answers. Having his fill of the smoke, he drops it on the ground and stomps it out, extinguishing it. Raising his head slowly, he scans the street out in front of him, before sighing and drawing a slight smile up, he declines to make a move.
Hiro Nagashima: You need not worry about me, Jeeves-san.
Laughter rang through his ears, a laugh with a twinge of respect to it. Jeeves was slightly surprised that he was discovered, but knew that if there was anyone that would have heard him, Hiro would be the one to do so. He emerged from his own personal shadow, not making eye contact with Hiro, and in fact standing a bit further away. Putting on a casual front, he popped a pair of white earbuds into his ears, and pretended to look at his phone.
Kiel Jeeves: Always impressive, Mr. Nagashima.
Hiro slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out his own phone. Pressing it to his ear, he elected to converse with him in Japanese, trying to further blur the lines of anyone thinking that they might be speaking to each other.
Hiro Nagashima: <You must practice. You are getting...’rusty’.>
Jeeves wandered a bit further away, gesturing to continue the illusion.
Kiel Jeeves: Sweetie, I was going to call as soon as I got out of work….no, I haven’t. I’ve still got it.
A common tactic. It did not take Hiro long at all to follow along with the conversation.
Hiro Nagashima: <Well, stay vigilant. They may very well be around, and if they find either of us…>
Jeeves slapped his hand against his side, eyes rolling.
Kiel Jeeves: No no no, We had a huge meeting, and they couldn’t even name a single place where we should move next. I had to cover everything. It took about ten minutes or so.
Hiro’s eyes flashed. If he interpreted Jeeves’ words correctly, he was urging Hiro to move forward. Hiro hesitated for a moment, pulling the phone away for a second before pressing it back to his ear.
Hiro Nagashima: <Fine. I am going.>
Without another word, he jammed the phone into his dress pants pocket and crossed the street quickly. As he did, He faded out of earshot from Jeeves, who continued the charade of a conversation behind him. Ahead of him is a small, hole in the wall bar in the middle of Stockholm. The name of it wasn’t worth remembering. He kept his senses sharp as he approached the door, doing his best to resist the urge to peer back at Kiel, who was providing support. He pressed his right palm into the door and stopped.
It wasn’t like him to overthink things, but now he was finding himself doing just that. Perhaps he felt fear over not finding the ‘right’ answer for either of them. For himself, he hoped that he this woman was here, and she was the one she was looking for. To get this over with and end the search…
BLAM! BLAM!
Hiro felt his blood run cold. It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in many years. He pressed
is body against the door and tried to adjust his eyesight as it gave way. The smell of gunpowder attacked his nostrils, followed by the stink of something he didn’t want to smell again.
Blood.
He cursed under his breath and placed a hand on his CZ P-07 duty pistol. He scans the room, seeing the two bodies slumped into one of the booths to his left. One of them was female. He gnashed his teeth together.
Just his luck…
He approached, careful to not make any extra noise on the traverse over. As he reached them, it was clear that only one of them was still breathing. The female. She drew ragged breath, blood pouring out of the wound that punctured the right side of her chest. He put his hand back into the blazer pocket, producing a purple rubber glove. Slipping it on his hand, he pressed two fingers against her neck. Her pulse was slowing.
Hiro Nagashima: Damn. Damn it all…
He could not call for help from his phone. He couldn’t be connected to this in any way. Years of experience in covering his tracks and essentially disappearing prepared him properly. The panic and fear that would normally be present was dulled out of notice. He made a move to check the male’s pockets, when:
Woman: Puh...please...help…
Hiro stopped, his gaze turning on her. Looking at her face. Her hair. It was brown. She looked absolutely destroyed by drug use and abuse. She would likely fit the profile of someone who would have a child and ‘forget’ her in an abandoned building. He placed his hands on her purse, popping open the clasp and rummaging inside. Finding a wallet and phone, he placed both on the table in front of the woman.
Hiro Nagashima: I’m sorry. There is not much I can do.
She looked into his eyes with a mixture of panic and hurt. Hiro felt the faint pulling of heartstrings, but he was not here to be a hero, pun unintended. Dialing an emergency number, he placed the phone in her hands.
Woman: I can...t...help m-
“...What is your emergency?”
Hiro said nothing. He peered in the purse again, and pulled out a small blue booklet. Her passport. Looking in it, he wasn’t sure if he could place her as the one he was looking for. Holstering his gun and exchanging it for his phone, he took a picture of the vital information and replaced it carefully. He hoped it wasn’t her, or he would have to give Fujiko terrible news.
His attention was suddenly split, as the sounds of sirens filled the air. They were close. Not close enough. Turning his back, and without another word, he calmly made his way to the exit. He thought he heard her pleading for him to return, but he pushed it out of his mind as he slipped out the front door and down the street. He checked to see if Jeeves was nearby. He was not.
They would have to have a very serious talk once they regrouped.
A few months ago, Fujiko was approached by her friend and mentor with flooring news. The news was that information on her mother was found. Fujiko had no information on the woman who gave her life, but curiosity and desire to know why she was abandoned carefully ate away at her until she could no longer steel herself against it. She remembered back to the conversation she had with Tj at the time…
[March 2014]
Fujiko Mine: You’ve...found information on…
Tj could only nod in silence. He knew that it had been years since Fujiko had even bothered to ask about information on her mother, but he knew that it had been weighing on her mind heavily...especially leading up to the end of her exile from the ring. With nothing else to do but think about all the questions she could not answer, she began from a state of curiosity, and let it mutate slowly into desperation, and then depression. He could tell she’d begun to subscribe to the scenario in which she’d never find out anything about either of them. She even seemed to be taking steps towards getting better. But Teige knew that he owed it to her to show the truth.
Tj Jones: Your mother, yeah. Well, I didn’t find it. Kiel did. He’s been in Japan, working off of the information that Hiro gave him, and he was able to track down a couple of names that would have fit with the frame. We’ve got nothing concrete at the moment, Fujiko...but it’s a start. A better start than we’ve had since you started asking about...them.
[Present]
Fujiko remembered the cocktail of emotions that this news flooded her system with. It was a mix of relief, trepidation, and dread. That same mixture seeped into her brain again, looking at the manilla envelope. The months since that talk with Tj were the most hectic in her life. She was honestly amazed that she managed to return to a state of happiness after everything that happened. The slow, self destruction of her engagement to Savannah Rae Hawkins, to Savannah’s death, to requesting her release from FFW and sitting at home with no direction. She wondered aloud if looking into file was truly what she wanted to do. She glanced at the clock. 2:41pm. She still had some time before Sasha was going to come home. She hadn’t spoken with Sasha about her feelings on the matter, it was something that she wasn’t prepared to confront her with.
Looking out the window, she let her eyes focus on sky outside.
Her mind gripped onto the fact that inside the portfolio could hold information that could sink her all over again.
But the fear was going to be there regardless. Was she going to let it continue to control her? It’s what drove her away from Savannah. Away from FFW. Away from her dreams. Was it going to control her again?
Fujiko Mine: Ahh….darn it.
She pulled a loose strand of hair down and chewed at it, mulling things over for a moment before sighing with disdain and scooping up the the file. With the knowledge that she needed to know what was inside, she undid the binding and opened it. She did not read it right away, instead noting that inside was just a single sheet of paper. It wouldn’t hurt her. It couldn’t…
Fujiko Mine: Hey, Fujicakes, I hope you’re reading this with a smile on your face…
She smiled slightly. The writer of the letter, Kiel Jeeves, was incredibly casual in the most polite way. She liked that a lot about him. She read on.
Fujiko Mine: I know that reading this can’t be easy for you, but I appreciate you reading it all the same. Hiro sent me all the information that we (being Tj and I) already knew, and a few things that he didn’t know. It led to two ladies that are, at last my sources indicated: still alive. Now, only a DNA test can confirm if either of the two of them are dear old mother, but these are our best shot. I’m going to keep on the search, but these two are our best bet.
A strange, shallow wave of relief washed over her, causing her skin to spike with goosebumps. Her chances of getting answers weren’t extinguished yet. She took his word and tried to temper her feelings.
Fujiko Mine: Now, I purposely left out any specific names, as if there are anyone keeping tabs on things that I’m sending out, they can stay safe. However, Hiro knows who they are, and knows how to help you if you decide that you want to go out looking. Always a pleasure, and I hope to hear good news about you soon. Stay frosty! Jeeves.
Fujiko closed it up and set it back in its place on the island. She then let her mind flow at its own pace. The questions and comments ran through her head like water down a drain.
Which one of them is my mother?
What if neither of them are?
Is he sure they’re both still alive?
Should I go out to find them?
I doubt I can do anything if I did go looking.
What if I wait to go looking?
Haven’t I waited long enough?
[An entire life is too long to wait to know where you came from.]
That last sentence kept repeating in her head, echoing incessantly. She couldn’t deny that the thought was one she’d agreed with...but it was going to have to wait. She promised Hiro that she was going to make him proud one day. And she figured that she owed him that more than she owed it to herself to find out who this mother of hers was. He had been there for her as long as she could remember. All the energy, time, and effort he put into making her something of a decent human being.
Finding her mother could wait...she hoped. Making Hiro proud was priority one.
A few smouldering ashes fall from the cigarette that is held between the fingers of a man who has his face hidden in the shadows. He places the small, half burned cig back between his lips, the end glowing bright orange as he draws in a drag. A slow exhale allows smoke to roll out of his mouth, and he leans forward, enough for a light overhead to expose the wrinkles around the tired eyes of one Hiro Nagashima. He was not usually a smoker, but this time felt appropriate.
He’d been traversing European lands for months, searching for the woman that his charge, Fujiko Mine, belonged to. He now found himself now in Sweden, with the end of his lead in sight. He wasn’t just looking for her sake, but for his own knowledge as well.
After stumbling upon Fujiko at a young age, he took her on as his own child. While initially treating her as someone else’s child, it was predictable that eventually he would grow to love her as his child. When he found her, she was alone, so any clues as to who left her behind. He left enough time go by without finding answers. Having his fill of the smoke, he drops it on the ground and stomps it out, extinguishing it. Raising his head slowly, he scans the street out in front of him, before sighing and drawing a slight smile up, he declines to make a move.
Hiro Nagashima: You need not worry about me, Jeeves-san.
Laughter rang through his ears, a laugh with a twinge of respect to it. Jeeves was slightly surprised that he was discovered, but knew that if there was anyone that would have heard him, Hiro would be the one to do so. He emerged from his own personal shadow, not making eye contact with Hiro, and in fact standing a bit further away. Putting on a casual front, he popped a pair of white earbuds into his ears, and pretended to look at his phone.
Kiel Jeeves: Always impressive, Mr. Nagashima.
Hiro slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out his own phone. Pressing it to his ear, he elected to converse with him in Japanese, trying to further blur the lines of anyone thinking that they might be speaking to each other.
Hiro Nagashima: <You must practice. You are getting...’rusty’.>
Jeeves wandered a bit further away, gesturing to continue the illusion.
Kiel Jeeves: Sweetie, I was going to call as soon as I got out of work….no, I haven’t. I’ve still got it.
A common tactic. It did not take Hiro long at all to follow along with the conversation.
Hiro Nagashima: <Well, stay vigilant. They may very well be around, and if they find either of us…>
Jeeves slapped his hand against his side, eyes rolling.
Kiel Jeeves: No no no, We had a huge meeting, and they couldn’t even name a single place where we should move next. I had to cover everything. It took about ten minutes or so.
Hiro’s eyes flashed. If he interpreted Jeeves’ words correctly, he was urging Hiro to move forward. Hiro hesitated for a moment, pulling the phone away for a second before pressing it back to his ear.
Hiro Nagashima: <Fine. I am going.>
Without another word, he jammed the phone into his dress pants pocket and crossed the street quickly. As he did, He faded out of earshot from Jeeves, who continued the charade of a conversation behind him. Ahead of him is a small, hole in the wall bar in the middle of Stockholm. The name of it wasn’t worth remembering. He kept his senses sharp as he approached the door, doing his best to resist the urge to peer back at Kiel, who was providing support. He pressed his right palm into the door and stopped.
It wasn’t like him to overthink things, but now he was finding himself doing just that. Perhaps he felt fear over not finding the ‘right’ answer for either of them. For himself, he hoped that he this woman was here, and she was the one she was looking for. To get this over with and end the search…
BLAM! BLAM!
Hiro felt his blood run cold. It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in many years. He pressed
is body against the door and tried to adjust his eyesight as it gave way. The smell of gunpowder attacked his nostrils, followed by the stink of something he didn’t want to smell again.
Blood.
He cursed under his breath and placed a hand on his CZ P-07 duty pistol. He scans the room, seeing the two bodies slumped into one of the booths to his left. One of them was female. He gnashed his teeth together.
Just his luck…
He approached, careful to not make any extra noise on the traverse over. As he reached them, it was clear that only one of them was still breathing. The female. She drew ragged breath, blood pouring out of the wound that punctured the right side of her chest. He put his hand back into the blazer pocket, producing a purple rubber glove. Slipping it on his hand, he pressed two fingers against her neck. Her pulse was slowing.
Hiro Nagashima: Damn. Damn it all…
He could not call for help from his phone. He couldn’t be connected to this in any way. Years of experience in covering his tracks and essentially disappearing prepared him properly. The panic and fear that would normally be present was dulled out of notice. He made a move to check the male’s pockets, when:
Woman: Puh...please...help…
Hiro stopped, his gaze turning on her. Looking at her face. Her hair. It was brown. She looked absolutely destroyed by drug use and abuse. She would likely fit the profile of someone who would have a child and ‘forget’ her in an abandoned building. He placed his hands on her purse, popping open the clasp and rummaging inside. Finding a wallet and phone, he placed both on the table in front of the woman.
Hiro Nagashima: I’m sorry. There is not much I can do.
She looked into his eyes with a mixture of panic and hurt. Hiro felt the faint pulling of heartstrings, but he was not here to be a hero, pun unintended. Dialing an emergency number, he placed the phone in her hands.
Woman: I can...t...help m-
“...What is your emergency?”
Hiro said nothing. He peered in the purse again, and pulled out a small blue booklet. Her passport. Looking in it, he wasn’t sure if he could place her as the one he was looking for. Holstering his gun and exchanging it for his phone, he took a picture of the vital information and replaced it carefully. He hoped it wasn’t her, or he would have to give Fujiko terrible news.
His attention was suddenly split, as the sounds of sirens filled the air. They were close. Not close enough. Turning his back, and without another word, he calmly made his way to the exit. He thought he heard her pleading for him to return, but he pushed it out of his mind as he slipped out the front door and down the street. He checked to see if Jeeves was nearby. He was not.
They would have to have a very serious talk once they regrouped.