tushanshu_logs | [Closed] better start swimming

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[Closed] better start swimming

Characters: Alistair Krei and Akito
Date: March sometime, shortly after Callaghan leads Krei to the Hotel
Location: Random place in the city
Situation: Someone apparently needs to take Krei shopping, and that someone is Akito
Warnings/Rating: Spiritual successor to this TDM thread, accounting for wibbly wobbly timey wimey-ness

"I don't have any runs until later tonight so I can buy you an outfit that won't get you beat up. You'll just have to pay me back sometime."

Krei looks down at the scarf, using it as an excuse to think for a moment while he turns it over in his hands. He certainly doesn't feel the cold just yet, not after having to run (yet again), but admittedly he'd been a bit chilly as he'd ventured out from the Hotel today. But taking the scarf from a kid? And a kid this small, in the cold?

Even Krei can't claim to be that self-centered. (Not that he'd ever claim to be self-centered in the first place, of course.)

He shakes his head, offering the scarf back. "I can't take this, but... I suppose I don't have much choice but to take you up on the new clothes. Would you believe this is the second time in as many days that this has happened?" There's a slight laugh lurking behind the question. Force of habit. Laugh it off. He hasn't felt like laughing so little since...

Since Krei Tech came apart, piece by piece.

This has been one hell of a month so far.

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Akito can't help but roll his eyes. What is it with adults being so reluctant to get help from someone his age?

"Keep it until we find you a scarf of your own," he quips. Then, at the man's admittance that this is the second time he's been chased in two days, he has to stifle a snort of laughter. "I told you - it's the suit."

He sighs and tosses the scarf over his shoulders, though he's still too high on adrenaline to feel as though he needs the thing just yet so he won't bother actually wrapping it around his neck for now. At this point it would be rude to refuse. You win, small child.

"And in San Fransokyo it would be considered odd if I wore anything but," he replies with a shrug. "Still, I... see your point."

"And it occurs to me that I don't even know your name."

Considering what the man has been through, Akito can let the botching of the city's name slide. But he looks confused by the thought of people in San Fransisco wearing business suits being the norm.

"Since when do people wear suits as daily wear in San Fransisco?"

He will tell you his name later, businessman. Right now he is mind boggled by this.

"San Fransokyo," Krei corrects him (her?), eyebrows knitting together momentarily. What an odd thing to get wrong. Hasn't everyone in the world heard of San Fransokyo? "It hasn't been called San Francisco in over a hundred years."

Questions of geography aside: "And no, I don't suppose you could call it daily wear exactly. It's just that a suit is expected when you're..."

A billionaire? CEO of one of the largest companies in the world?

"Well, when you're me."

"...What year is it for you on your Earth?"

Because this is crazy news to Akito. And for all that he's startled by the revelation of San Fransisco vs San Fransokyo, he can't help but poke a little bit of fun at Mr. Suit.

"When you're a businessman?"

"2032. What year was it--is it--for you?"

Huh. Krei hadn't even stopped to consider that if most of the Foreigners aren't from San Fransokyo as he and Callaghan are, they might be from other times. Other worlds clearly, as both the child (he still doesn't know his name) and Shudder have proven with the little displays of magic. This whole thing is requiring some massive paradigm shifting.

He sighs. "I don't suppose, if you're unfamiliar with San Fransokyo, that you've ever heard of a company called Krei Tech?"

"2013. And San Francisco is still San Francisco, so I guess we're from parallel versions of Earth."

Which isn't that outrageous of a notion to Akito, especially since he'd already come to that conclusion ages ago. Too many varying Earth histories from everyone he's met so far for there to be any other answer.

"No, never. You work there then?" The business suit would likely fit right in in that sort of environment.

The parallel Earths theory makes sense, insofar as it's not any more ridiculous than the reality that's right before his eyes. Krei's still not entirely convinced he won't wake up either tomorrow or maybe the day after, straightjacket firmly in place. As he considers it a hand strays up to unconsciously tuck the scarf a little tighter around his neck--the adrenaline's starting to wear off, and his suit was tailored to California's climate.

"More like everyone there works for me. We're a technology company. The largest in the world, actually." He holds a hand out; he won't be terribly offended if the kid doesn't shake (given different Earths/different age groups and all) but he's still going to make the effort to be polite. "Alistair Krei."

Akito eyes the man - Krei - carefully, suddenly wondering how competent he is without people around to do things for him. Sano had assistants for everything you could think of if he so chose, but he still knew how to defend himself. Somehow though, given the situation Akito found Krei in, he thinks that money and status are likely the only thing Krei and Sano have in common.

"Like Apple," he compares, taking the proffered hand and shaking it politely, then deciding to just keep a hold of it and drag the man along with him toward the nearest shop he can think of. "I'm Akito."

"Ah... something like that, yes." Apple had been a big name when he was growing up, and it had been no small point of pride when his own company had thoroughly eclipsed it, even as old and "uncool" as Apple had become.

It's a pleasant surprise when the kid--Akito--actually shakes, although he finds himself a bit confused as the hand doesn't go away.

Alistair Krei doesn't hold hands.

He... well, okay. Maybe when he's being dragged around foreign cities he does.

Akito liked iPods, sure, but whenever he had the choice he'd go for a Blackberry. It makes him wonder how Zanru is doing at reverse engineering his old cell phone. Maybe he should visit Stark Industries tomorrow and ask how things are going.

"We'll get a jacket for you first."

It's not a question, which is made especially obvious when he drops Krei's hand and starts chit-chatting with a kedan shop owner, pulling out a few neutral- and cool-toned winter coats from their shop. He motions for Krei to come over. "Try these on."

As much as Krei isn't used to taking orders anymore, he's also taking orders from a person roughly half the size he is, so some small part of his brain rationalizes that it's probably acceptable. Besides, Akito's doing him a favor, and Krei can at least respect that.

What he can't respect is that second jacket, going so far as to literally wince as it's held out to him.

Not that there's anything wrong with it, precisely, but the fashion sense here in Keeliai is a far cry from what he's used to. He reaches instead for the first one, which is a good deal less out there than the other, and shrugs it on.

My kingdom for an Armani.

Yeah, some of the choices suck, and the look on Akito's face makes his own opinions known. But they're also the warmest options within a decent price range. He's doing Krei a favour, but he also has to keep in mind that he has bills to pay each month.

Akito glances at Krei's hands, then grabs a few pairs of warm leather gloves for him to try on. They'll have to go to another shop for basics - a pair of pants and a shirt for everyday wear, and something for sleep, he supposes. A pair of boots too, since business shoes are not made for this sort of climate.

He knows he has no right to complain. Really, he does. Being one of the wealthiest people in the world does tend to skew a person's ideas of the value of objects, but he's not so blind that he doesn't realize he's taking charity from a child. He has literally nothing to his name, and even his name doesn't mean much of anything in Keeliai. So from this point on he does his best to keep his mouth shut about the clothing as they go along, only offering up any sort of opinion when there are equally priced alternatives.

Besides, "not being mugged again" is still pretty high on his list of priorities. And he's still quailing internally over having to take charity from a child.

At some point, in between trying things on: "So tell me, Akito, what sort of work do Foreigners usually end up doing here? Since I'm going to have to find a way to repay you."

"Ah?" Akito looks up from where he's been investigating a cute hat he's tempted to buy. "Um, whatever they can find, usually. It's easier to find work now that the Kedan are less hostile, but there's still a schism between us."

Deciding that no, he already has a hat and shouldn't buy another, Akito continues: "The best way to find work is to be polite and respectful, and to find business owners who could use someone with whatever skills you have to offer. I'm small and fast, and have no allegiance to any particular political family, so I can offer courier services with a guarantee of neutrality. They pay me well because they don't have to worry about sabotage."

Speaking of his courier service, he quickly converses with the shop owner to see if there are any packages she needs delivered while they look for more necessities.

"Have you figured out what you like best yet?"

"Mm? Oh, yes."

He's amassed a small collection of things, one of each kind of item they'd deemed necessary for his immediate survival in the city. For the moment, however, he's suddenly more interested in Akito's knowledge of the city than in the material possessions the boy is supplying him with.

Not that he's not grateful for those as well, of course.

"Political families? I remember hearing a little about them after I arrived, but I can't say I was paying much attention at the time." New world and all. Giant turtle. Politics hadn't seemed quite as pressing.

"These families are important then, I take it?"

Akito gestures for Krei to take the items to the cashier so he can pay for them, then takes his time thinking over the man's question. He thinks he knows a good comparison, provided his America is similar to the one in Akito's world.

"The families are important similar to the Liberal party and the Conservative party in America, if your America has those. Except pretend there is a third party too - kind of an Environment party?" He waves a hand dismissively, because that isn't what's important. "So all the families are vying for territory and power just like each political party is in the states, and each has different views on how things should be managed in Keeliai. Heojin is the leader of the Woodsmen, and they don't have much of a presence within the city. They stay on the outskirts in the rural areas, managing farming, logging, and other produce. So they are more interested in the ecological state of Tu Vishan. Then there is Zanru and the Metalworkers, who would be the Liberal party - they're all about moving forward and advancing society, with a focus on technology."

He'll begin paying for the stuff Krei needs, not bothering to barter for lower pricing since he knows she won't try to rip him off. To Krei, he continues: "Finally there is Yunxu and the Snakes. Yunxu likes things to be very traditional, and out of the three of them vies for the most power. He and Zanru have a strong rivalry that's best not to interfere with. If you have dealings with the Snakes it's best to speak with Meisheng rather than Yunxu. She's less... Um, abrasive? But she doesn't take shit from anyone so you've got to be super respectful. The Snakes took over the old law enforcement so... There really isn't any proper policing force in Keeliai. If a gang attacks you and you can identify which one they're part of - even if it's just describing the symbol they wear - you can go to Meishen and inform her. Yunxu will hand out what he believes is the appropriate punishment."

Meisheng is super cool, and it's pretty obvious from his tone that he looks up to her. "As for their views on the Foreigners, out of the three Families Heojin and the Woodsmen still have the most reservations about them. Yunxu considers us all under his protection but that doesn't mean he likes us. I'm pretty sure it's just a political move to keep us from rebelling against him, or something stupid like that. He's also upset that the Foreigners have been demolishing the old palace to reclaim the land for housing, so don't mention it to him.

"Zanru is the most willing to hire Foreigners who prove themselves to her, though everyone has to start at an entry-level position and work their way up. She's the one who is the most serious about respect, since she will totally kick you out if you don't respect her or her employees and then you're screwed with the Metalworkers until you make it up to her. Her secretary is Ayin, and if you treat her nicely she's more willing to arrange a sooner time-slot for a meeting with her boss."

Krei follows Akito's lead, taking the armful of items to the cashier and wincing ever so slightly every time the cashier picks one up. He's lucky to have found the boy--or the other way around, really--and he knows it, but each item paid for is another notch in the debt that he's going to owe.

The information about the city and its families might be even more valuable, however. He follows along with the narrative as best he can, though the names are unfamiliar and that's just a lot of information to digest all at one time. He'd be tempted to take notes if the last twenty four hours hadn't left him completely bereft of any sort of electronic device with which to do so.

Where's your assistant when you need one?

"Right, so this Zanru is the one who's advocating technology, and she's willing to hire Foreigners. So I should start there, then?"

Paying for the items doesn't put a huge dent in Akito's savings, thankfully. He bows his thanks to the shop-owner and waits for Krei to gather his new belongings (and put on something warmer so he won't freeze) before grabbing the edge of his sleeve and tugging him on to the next shop.

"Un, go to Stark Industries and be very kind and polite to the secretary. That will give you bonus points to start with, and a higher chance of meeting Zanru ASAP."

It's a short walk to their destination, and Akito quickly deserts Krei in favour of eying up a pretty hanfu. It's quite obviously too long for him, even hung up, but Akito has a seamstress for a friend now. This opens up many new clothing opportunities for him.

"Not as nice as a yukata or kimono, but still pretty!"

"Stark Industries. I think I can remember that."

Before leaving the shop he shrugs his new coat on, overall pretty pleased that not only will it be a good deal warmer than his suit jacket but that it's not quite as bad as he'd thought initially. Besides, it really depends on what the kedan consider to be fashionable, doesn't it? He'll have to find out before he ventures out looking for this job.

He follows along dutifully to the next shop, looking somewhat puzzled as Akito ditches him to go look at pretty things. Having nowhere else to be at the moment he'll just mill around the shop and glance at things for a while, in order to give the boy some space.

He's pretty sure Akito is a boy at this point.

But he's from San Fransokyo in the 2030s, and the idea of a boy making starry eyes at pretty girl's clothing doesn't really phase him the way it might someone else. It's none of his business either way.

No no no, Krei, you're supposed to be looking for casual clothes here. Akito will notice this after a moment, hanfu in arms and ready to purchase. "Why aren't you looking for clothes?"

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[Closed] better start swimming

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