tushanshu_logs | But he's such a nice boy.

Entry tags:

But he's such a nice boy.

Characters: Korra, Ryou Bakura, Thor
Date: December 10th, after this
Location: Wood Sector - Jade School of Kung Fu Dojo
Situation: Korra meeting and hiring Ryou | Ryou meeting Thor and the Sennen Ring
Warnings/Rating: N/A

While it's not as dusty as it once was, the dojo still needed some cleaning up before she could open it officially. The only area that's fairly cleaned aside from the office was the one she'd been using to give Stiles lessons. The last person to use it to the fullest extent had been Korra and Dinah; then when Dinah left, Korra didn't come back.

Until today anyway.

In the office, Korra was working on a list of the potential teachers that offered to teach and their level of skill along with a list of those expressing interest. Mostly kedan, but a couple of foreigners were on there as well. Her writing's much more legible than before since she'd been trying to focus more on English instead of Chinese.

The name of one of the foreigners on the list made her give light laugh. Ryou seemed way too polite and Korra was sure she'd have to nudge him to be a little more aggressive when she started giving him lessons. In fact, she left the dojo open and had been keeping an eye on the entrance since he agreed to come by later.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Promptly Bakura arrives at the dojo, stamping snow from his newly purchased boots and shaking it in fluffs from his white hair. There's more than a hint of distaste for the cold and icy weather but it's easily smoothed away under the guise. The inside of the dojo (familiar, if abstract, from Ryou's memories) looked largely unkempt at the moment but it also bore signs of use.

He hoped it would be as informative as he was expecting, both on the variety of people here and what abilities they possessed. Bakura took a scant moment to quiet the unexpectedly insistent ghosts in the back of his mind and then modulated his voice to that of the high school teen.

"Hello? Miss Korra?"

The stamping got her attention, but instead of checking to see who it was- she already knew; Korra went to get out two mugs and some cookies from the cupboard. The tea she had was still cold, but she could fix that later.

At hearing his voice, her head pops out from the side of the doorway to the office. "Hey Ryou! Come on in. You can see I wasn't kidding about needing help, huh?" Her smirk is playful and her head goes back into the room. By the time he would get to the office, she'd be pouring tea for both of them.

"Oh, I'm sure it will look good as new soon enough," he demurred, pulling off his jacket and hanging it on a hook near the door. "Is that tea? How wonderful... this winter is quite cold, even by Japan's standards."

She nodded as she finishes filling their mugs. "Japan’s one of the countries on Earth I think." From what she’s learned from other foreigners, Korra would be from China since her language is nearly identical to it. "I don’t know how cold it gets there, but just be glad you don’t live at the South Pole."

Pushing her lists aside, Korra set the plate of cookies between the mugs on the table and sat down.

"So when would you like to start?"

"That's right," Bakura said agreeably, nodding as Ryou would. He doesn't seem puzzled by the analogy as though he's gotten used to hearing normal places referred to in the abstract. He brightened at the cookies. "Oh, thank you. Those look very good."

Taking another glance around the dojo, he laughed a little. "Perhaps I should start today."

Smiling, Korra tipped up her chin at the cookies. Help yourself.

"I’m up for it if you are, but warm yourself up first. I know it’s cold out there." She took a sip from her steaming tea and looked at Ryou curiously. From what she could tell, he was in her age group; but Korra couldn’t help feeling that he was younger than he looked.

"Did you have any style in particular you wanted to learn?"

Bakura took a cookie and nibbled at it, then took a larger bite when he found he liked the taste. It was sweetened with honey rather than with sugar, which he had always preferred.

"Ah, that's... I really don't think I'd be any good at it. I wouldn't want to waste your time, surely you'll be busy with actual students," he said.

Korra gave a pleased smile when she saw him hungrily dig into the cookie. They were her favorites and she had them to snack on while she set everything up. Honey was Korra’s favorite sweetener, whether it was in a drink or on food.

"You won’t know unless you try. I mean, if you’re going to be here every day then you may as well learn. Couldn’t hurt."

Too much protesting would cause suspicion, so Bakura merely ducked his head in feigned sheepish acceptance. "All right," he said. "I'll give a try, but you must promise not to laugh if I'm not very good at it."

He finished the cookie in his hand and then took a sip of tea, making it seem as though he was trying for small talk. "Is training people something you do regularly, Miss Korra?"

"Not too hard, I promise." she said playfully, but her reassuring smile was there to back up that she was kidding.

"Not really, I've only ever had two students. Usually I'm the one getting the training. My master took charge of this dojo when she was here and was training me. So I figured I should keep it going."

"That's a relief," he replied, uttering a good natured laugh to her teasing.

He looked around the dusty room again. "Have you been here so long?" he asked quietly.

"I really haven’t been in the dojo for almost three months. I usually train my students at my suite." Except for the one time recently where she decided to open its doors again. Then she blinked and took a sip of her tea. "Or did you mean on Tu Vishan? Because I’ve been here for almost eight months now." After she said it, Korra raised her eyebrows as if the information was new to her too.

"Eight months," he echoed, looking both impressed and uncertain, while Bakura's mind turned that piece of information over. He knew that people had been here well over a year, having gone back to the earliest entries on the network but having firsthand knowledge of it was always better.

"That's a very long time to be away from your home," he said carefully.

“Tell me about it.” Korra said wistfully and sighed. Hardly a fraction of her world was here, and she was even grateful to have her car just because it reminded her of Asami. Finishing her tea quietly and eating a couple of cookies along with Ryou, Korra went to get up.

With only two weeks, he probably still had home fresh in his mind and Korra didn’t want to drag Ryou down by talking about their worlds. “Come on, I can start showing you the daily stuff you’ll be doing tomorrow.” Not even offering him the position, Korra was already set to have him start working.

Hurriedly finishing his cookie and gulping down the last of his tea, Bakura stood to follow her. "Yes, please do!"

Appreciative of his enthusiasm, Korra guided Ryou around the first floor pointing out the basics. Windows, sweeping, mopping, dusting, and then other things such as putting left out equipment back to storage, towels to wash, and so on.

"That's just the daily stuff, but we should focus on dusting first. Got to make sure it's in the best condition when we officially open up to the public."

Grinning, she looked at him. She never promised it was going to be easy. "Think you're up for it?"

Bakura took note of where Korra indicated everything was, what supplies were stored there. He also automatically committed to memory where each door, window, and blind corner was, the size of the rooms and points of spatial advantage. All of this was cataloged without ever losing the look of pleasant interest on his face, or straying even a step behind the Avatar's lead.

"Yes, I think that's all very straightforward," he said once she'd finished. "This place certainly could use a good scrub, I think you're right to start there. Once it's back to a normal state, it shouldn't be difficult to keep up."

If anything, this was actually going to be easy. Ryou had been (was) a naturally cleanly person and often indulged in it particularly when he wanted to ignore the glaringly obvious (to Bakura, at least) signs of having a second mind overlapping his. Then again, his host was stubbornly defiant. Still, the thief could use the familiarity with the various tasks to his advantage.

Seeing Ryou as a naturally attentive and helpful person, Korra's somewhat proud of his assessment of her and the dojo.

"Glad to hear it." said truthfully, she really was. "Once everything's up and running, we can do some lessons when I'm here."

Now that she had time to think about it, she never told him just how often that would be. "There's a few places I work at, but you'll see me every day." More so until the dojo's back up to its former spotless condition. "I'll see about getting a key made for you today."

"You work at more places than just here?" Bakura asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise. True, he'd been told that like all the others Foreigners he'd need to be employed but the monetary requirements given how much seemed to be provided for them up front, like housing, didn't strike him as needing to hold down multiple places of employment.

Without missing a beat, nodded. "Yup. I fish, volunteer at the Natu clinic, barback at the Brazen Turtle, work at the Welcome Center, and now I got this dojo. Keeps me busy." Now that she had free reign to be where she wanted and do what she wanted, Korra didn't hold back in the slightest.

"But trust me, just one job will get you more than enough juulan to buy food and stuff you want." Then her eyebrows shot up and she hit her palm with the meat of her hand. "That's right! Your pay. I was thinking five juulan an hour, what do you think?" Korra knew the general standard was three, but she took a shine to Ryou.

Equal parts impressed and baffled by the rhyme of jobs she'd listed off, he was nevertheless quiet at the offer. As one of the first things he'd looking into upon his arrival was the type of currency system used here, the named amount is immediately recognized as generous, enough that Bakura actually pauses.

"That's... certainly more than the job is due..."

"Actually I could hire two maintenance employees, but I think you'll do fine." She was making up excuses and making it sound like the job's harder than it really was. "That and Christmas is coming up, so you'll need to buy a tree and things for your suite."

Inadvertently Korra pings Bakura's prideful spirit when she says that; of course he'll do fine, he doesn't do anything that he wants to in a halfway manner.

So it's not without a touch of (seemingly uncharacteristic) arrogance that he nods. "I will."

To Korra, that’s the first sign of confidence she’s seen since she met him and it made her proud to be capable of inspiring that in someone like him with a few strong words of encouragement.

"Then I’ll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," Bakura echoed, still smiling. "I'll see you then, Miss Korra."

Working for a lumber company meant Thor was in a new place of the Wood Sector practically every day. The sound of a tree falling can most definitely be heard, and seeing a six foot five blond figure carrying the entirety of it on one shoulder is slowly becoming a regular thing.

"Watch your head!" Even though he’s taller than the white haired boy that’s in his path back to the pile he’s making to be picked up later, Thor had to call out warnings when he worked as deemed by his supervisor. Honestly, he would have done so anyway.

Aside from his usual work attire, which is what he had been wearing while on SHIELD’s helicarrier, Thor also has Mjolnir attached to his belt and on the other side of his waist is a jingling golden ring.

Bakura had been picking up some supplies for his new job at the dojo when he came across a large man felling trees. He would have passed him by were it not for a familiar golden glint swinging from his belt.

The Ring is here?! the thief thought, in equal parts angry and baffled that he'd not been able to sense it. Yet even as he identified the object it seemed to return the favour and sent a shiver of energy through the air.

Now how to get it from him? It was clear the blond man had not tried to put it on, looking soundly unscorched but should Bakura try to take it either by stealth or force? Or did he play the different route, asking for it as a possession of the one he was pretending to be...

After ripping all of the branches off with his bare hands, Thor tossed the tree onto a collection pile to picked up later. When he began to head back to the designated area of trees cordoned off to be cut down (or in his cased, knocked down), Thor saw the young boy still there.

"Are you lost?" he asked with polite curiosity. Despite his height and build, Thor’s easily the most amicable of the Avengers roster from his world.

"I ask because this area has been deemed dangerous until I have finished my task."

Bakura made a split second decision based on Thor's demeanor and his visage melted into Ryou's amicable smile as he took a step forward. "No, but I must really thank you! You've found my pendant!"

Edited 2013-12-16 22:09 (UTC)

"I have?" said with earnest, mild surprise. At first, Thor had no idea what the boy meant and then he looked down at the ring.

"I’ve heard that the belongings of foreigners have been found at auction, but I’ve not actually seen it happen." Detaching it from his belt, Thor held the ring out and warned: "I fear something may have happened to it while it was in the care of the auction house. What exactly, I am not sure." Even holding it he could feel an oddness to it, a hint of something that he couldn’t quite describe.

Bakura's fingers tingled, that same shiver of energy moving through him but he resolutely kept Ryou's mask firmly in place. "Something happened? But it's only... it's a gift from my father. He sent it to me from one of his archeological digs several years ago. He isn't home often, you see..."

The thief let his expression fall briefly, for a few moments before seeming to 'remember' he was standing in front of someone else. "A-Ah but that's... a strange thing to hear from a stranger, no doubt..."

"That you treasure a gift from your father?" Thor gave a single laugh that ended with a strong smile on his face. "Not that strange at all." Without even knowing it, his other hand rested on the grip of Mjolnir. A gift from his own father that has never left his side, save for when Odin was ashamed of the Prince of Asgard.

"You may take it freely, I’ve lost nothing in purchasing at the auctions."

"You purchased it?" Bakura echoed, immediately beginning to pat down his pockets for some juulan. "Oh, no, I'll pay you back for it then! How much was it? I simply couldn't-- I wish I'd seen it there myself..."

"I don’t recall the price." Said with a knowing smirk and Thor even winked afterward. The price had been so little that he even managed to get distracted into conversation with Billy Kaplan and still win it.

"You may not wish so. It was in rather poor condition then, more suitable now that I’ve polished it properly. Do you know what it symbolizes?" An earnest question, because Thor had no idea in the slightest.

This is almost too easy, Bakura thought, glad that he had chosen this method of approach rather than a combative one. He ducks his head as though overwhelmed by the generosity.

"Thank you... you're truly too kind..."

"It was not meant for me." Stated as if that was a standard and well used excuse. "Your treasure would have wasted away sitting on my mantelshelf."

Realizing that he had not even introduce himself, he put out his hand; though it was angled upwards to grasp a forearm. "Thor, of Asgard."

It was most certainly not, Bakura thought viciously, though no trace of it coloured his expression.

The thief recognized the gesture and, suddenly and inexplicably, wanted to return it properly. But his host wouldn't know it and so he purposely fumbles the grasp, trying to shake Thor's wrist ineffectually (and it was like gripping a band of steel, he'd have to remember that) and laughs a bit awkwardly.

"Ah, umm... I'm Ryou Bakura. Of Domino? Or-- maybe of Japan? I'm not sure what the equivalent here should be..."

"Well met Ryou Bakura."

A toothy smile is all Thor can give at the awkward laugh, the wrist was close enough for him and he gave a healthy shake; a gentle firmness that hinted at his strength.

"Of Earth perchance?" He had New York and New Mexico down. Apparently, there was a lot of new things on Earth, especially since Jane was located in New Zealand. But that was close to the extent on his geography. "I’ve found most are here from Midgard."

"Oh-- yes," Bakura replied, startled. "Well, yes, in the broadest sense. I'm sorry, I didn't... does that mean you're not?"

"No. I hail from Asgard. My people protect the nine realms, including itself and Midgard. This world exists outside of them, or perhaps between them. I’ve never encountered it before or heard any others who might have."

Like the Shadow Realm? Bakura wondered, though of course could not voice such a question directly. Instead he slipped the cord of the Ring over his neck, letting its familiar weight settle against his chest before looking back up at Thor with a curious expression.

"Nine realms, goodness. That's a lot of responsibility. Is Asgard like Ea... um, Midgard?"

The question makes him take deep breath through his smile, laughing afterwards.

"Were it that easy. They are vastly different." There were some basic things that overlapped, but otherwise Thor could hardly even put into words just how much of a time he had understanding the realm when he first got there.

"Like the foreigners that are having trouble settling into this city, I had just as much of a time doing so on Earth. But it proved a good experience; better to know the realms that we protect than keep a distance."

"I'd like to learn about them some time, if it's all right with you," Bakura said, injecting as much polite interest as he was capable into the question.

"I have no qualms with it." Said easily, but then he held up finger. "But my home of Asgard differs from the other Thor Odinson and his younger brother, Loki in ways I am still learning."

"Mm, that's not so strange," Bakura confided. "There are many people here who say they're from Earth but what they describe is nothing like what I know."

"I’ve yet to talk to that many of the foreigners here. I find the console- to be a struggle." It may seem like point and click for most, but for Thor it’s more of weird glowing box that SHIELD should be using, not him.

But he had to admit. "Though if Asgard varies, then surely the other realms must as well."

"Really?" Bakura let curiosity colour his voice. "But you seem very, ah... outgoing."

It was less a remark on his personality however, and more of a subtle probe to see what kind of allies Thor might have. As someone who would know that Bakura was in possession of the Ring, it was in the thief's interest to know where that information might filter out.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

But he's such a nice boy.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject