Private Insanely Rich Area To (A)mend the Minds

[Kaii Nashirou]

Another rather successful day for the lone member of Nashirou's dynasty.

Well, it was hard to say he was lone anymore. Sure maybe he was the only one with his family's name, but he had friends. One beast he would openly call a brother and one beast he would dare to call a love interest. The recent time between the deployments surely changed the marble fox and his life. He still was in many ways a model of efficiency, an inscrutable yet brilliant mind, stoic and ever calm, if socially flawed beast he always was. But in all that, he got to learn the true warmth of the relationships. One that kept the void that he himself created and nurtured to survive at bay. Seeing how harmful it was, he slowly but surely was now getting to enjoy feeling things anew.

After spending whole day on designing and building a mechanical toy for a very satisfactory price, he got to see Mina and spend some time with her. Later he did stumble across Swifttail and Silvertongue and stopped for a nice chat. He planned on seeing Darragh for he needed some ink, yet he was missing at the time he visited the shoppe the Stoat was staying at. Returning to his home, he did his usual evening kata, then he decided to work some on perfecting few of his personal designs. The weather was rainy so Kaii sat in the Nashirou's Family's Crypt, warmed and lighted by one central braizer he dutifully kept going.

He expected nobody to come tonight, and with his clothes and fur wet, he sat bare over the drawing board, meticulously trying to figure out how to resolve the issue with apparent inefficiency of the steam engines. The physics and math showed that the pressure inside should carry much more power and yet what he saw on Hide, while impressive, was not at all as powerful as the numbers were showing. Something was missing somewhere and Kaii, while finding already quite a lot of little things to fix, still looked for that big issue that needed solving.

Once more needing a break, he put the drawing board to the side and placed his paws on his knees, taking a moment to practice zazen and clear his mind. He was both worse at it and better now that he wasn't bottling all his emotions. Slowly breathing in and out, Kaii surely allowed himself to get into the raw state of taking his surroundings free of his mind.

@Arthur Barrett

 

[Arthur Barrett]

It hadn't been too difficult getting Kaii's address. The ship's register wasn't hard to get your paws on. Still, the address caught him off guard. Kaii had the mannerisms of a rather eccentric beast at times, so perhaps the rumors were true.

The rain started that morning -- a pleasant drizzle. If you were out, you'd eventually be soaked... But the weather was so warm you'd hardly mind it. Towards the afternoon it grew a little heavier, leading the marten to pick up an umbrella in addition to his officer's coat.

Part of him hoped he'd not encounter the fox. Perhaps he'd just miss him by a few minutes, and would leave a simple card. Or perhaps Kaii would need to leave for some meeting, and have to give his regrets. A rainy night alone at home alone with a fine scotch sounded like a perfectly wonderful evening. But then again... Arthur did have a certain affection for the fox.

Of course, he couldn't stop in unannounced without a gift. On the way, he ducked into a store and picked up a bottle of sake, overstock from the Westisle Cultural Appreciation day. He purchased two cups as well, and made his way towards Kaii's estate.

Or, the ruins, rather. Arthur didn't know what to expect, but this was at the bottom of the list. Completely razed to the ground, without a stone unturned. Well, except for that building over there. With the light fading, Arthur made his way into the crypt.

He was surprised to find a brazier burning -- more so, the fluffy fox in his birthday suit. Arthur was no prude, but still! Undress was one thing in the infirmary, it was quite another in someone's home. Though, they were close enough that there was no use in hiding the intrusion, or pretending it didn't happen.

"Fyadorians have such... An interesting relationship with clothing!" he said dryly, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. Fetching the bottle from the bag, he held it out, while looking modestly in the fox's general direction. "Have I come at a bad time?"

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Of all people that Kaii could've expected visiting him, Barrett was not really one beast Kaii anticipated when thrown out of his meditative state. He very quickly recovered and defaulted into his stoic state. There was truly no bother in this fox when he wanted to and now, unsure of the Doctor, even as he brought a gift Kaii certainly would consider thoughtful, there was no better way to approach this scenario than with sharp and calm mind.

"Mister Barrett." Kaii started as he did stand up, looking to his neatly organised piles of items for something to wear. "By no means, I simply expected no visitors tonight. And while I know to most locals it is most unorthodox, I see no reason why being alone at my own home, I should bother with clothing. Especially as my fur is still quite damp from the weather." Kaii finally spotted his Mofuku and promptly started putting it on. More for the sake of the old chirurgeon than any shame Kaii would've felt.

Working on the proper folds, Kaii continued of course speaking. "Nevertheless, I welcome you to Nahsirou's Family Crypt. Here, ashes and blood of all my ancestors are stored and meticulously recorded on silver." Indeed, around him, the walls that had distinct reliefs on them, representing various events and achievements of the house as a whole, were also covered in hundreds of small shining plates. The crypt itself was rather large to fit them all, the brazier, despite its size, barely managing to lit the whole place. Under the wall behind Kaii, a well with a small fountain of fresh water could be found. The crypt while rather a work of art, clearly was built with intend to serve as a safehouse should a need arise.

Kaii finally got himself proper and thus walked closer to the Doctor and took the bottle he had offered, inspecting it. "I appreciate the gift you bring to my household and as a guest, I assure your safety and respect, as long as you respect the rules of my home." Kaii offered with a small bow to complete the proper ritual before he set the bottle down and reached to one of his sacks for two small ceramic bowls for drinking.

Setting them down, crouching on his hind paws and opening the bottle to fill the bowls, Kaii leisurely asked. "To what do I owe your visit? Is there something you wish to discuss that is urgent?"

 

[Arthur Barrett]

Arthur couldn't help the playful smile that spread over his face. Kaii didn't seem to be terribly bothered by the... ermherm. State of affairs. The marten had grown up in a different time himself, and wasn't unused to such things. There was a certain fraternal intimacy it fostered -- though that time had come and gone for him. Kaii's hyper-rational response was endearing though, and Arthur couldn't help but chuckle. "Ah yes, the rain... Well, that's reassuring. A tomb is a rather odd place to be naked, and I was starting to worry about you," he teased dryly, looking off respectfully while the todd dressed.

His expression softened though, concerned he might have offended the todd. "I jest, Mr. Nashirou... forgive me. The world is a wretched place, and I hoped it might lighten your mood too," he said with genuine apology.

Assuming the offense could be smoothed over, Arthur took a seat on the floor as it was, and accepted the bowl. "I came to thank you for saving my patient's life. Morgan would have certainly perished had you not intervened with Finnian and Swifttail. I know Mr. Fairpaws assisted you, but it was your design that saved her -- and for that, you have my gratitude."

He raised his bowl in a toast. "To the rebuilding of your family's estate! May it be restored to it's former glory."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii took to the toast with appropriate respect for the words offered. "And to quell the strains of our minds." He added before moving the bowl to his muzzle and taking a sip. It was a second time Kaii had sake within a month. He quietly did swear in his mind to not touch any drink till return from the next Hide expedition whenever it should come. He settled the dish, now half-empty from his long sip. Then he sighed and looked around the crypt.

"I appreciate it Mr. Barrett. I am not in the trade of saving lives, so forgive me for my lack of proper procedure, but I have seen people losing life to the procedures themselves. Hence why when any, even most experimental, solution is available, I deem it better than lack of those." Kaii explained as he felt the need to now that the chirurgeon was way more amicable.

Working backwards in the conversation, Kaii did let out a short sigh and looked at his interlocutor. "And it is as such precisely because the world is wretched. Standing still and stagnating in what we know it to accept that as part of our lives. And as I uphold it to myself to become a better beast, I do not allow myself to stagnate, not anymore at least." Kaii sombrely admitted before raising his bowl again to take another sip.

"My apologies, I assume you came not to listen about the philosophical thought I foster and exemplify. I am glad to make amends however, even if I took no offence in any situations we have quarrelled." The marble fox stated the truth while taking a moment to refill the bowls again.

 

[Arthur Barrett]

Arthur dipped his bowl to drink -- but was caught off guard by Kaii's addition to the toast. He raised his bowl again, before drinking with the fox. The marten was quite the drinker, and forgot that others didn't drink as frequently as he did. For him, it was the first time he hadn't drank alone this month. The companionship was... it was nice.

His expression soured for a split second as Kaii gave the justification for his actions. For most beasts, Arthur would have interpreted this as "Sorry, but..." Kaii, however, wasn't most beasts. The fox just suffers from an excess of rationality, and a lack of social graces, Arthur... he means well, he thought to himself. After all, lacking social graces... there's the pot calling the kettle black, now isn't it? With a sigh, his expression relaxed, and he offered the fox another gentle smile as he refilled the bowls.

"No, it's... nice to be sharing a meal with someone. (Is this a meal?) Nice to not have the pressures of life aboard the Hide," he said. Lifting his bowl again, the marten took a more measured drink. "Have you been working during your shore leave?" he asked, making idle conversation. Arthur seemingly wanted to get to know the fox a little before getting to business.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii promptly have nodded and took another sip himself. Whatever Doctor Barrett came with, definitely wasn't too urgent and gave Kaii a general idea that he can at least slightly relax. Trying to be a good host, while the marten spoke, he stood up again and moved to his items, producing a small pack of rice cakes, glazed with soy sauce. He put them onto a nice serving plate he had and delivered to to space between them, sitting once more in a position to answer.

"Whenever I could. My days are split between doing all sorts of engineering work. I repair cranes, locks, toys, clocks... anything that ought to move really with any mechanical complexity to it. I also design and manufacture those for some clients, I am after all an artisan. I also did a few requests regarding optical equipment and spectacles... but I mostly work within the area I am most familiar with to ensure proper quality of my craft." Kaii explained and took one of the cakes. It was salty, umami, perfect hors d'oeuvre to go with the sake, at least to him.

After biting into it, enjoying the rare opportunity to host somebeast, as well as the taste of the rice cake, Kaii gently hummed and spoke again with slightly softer, less stoic expression. "And in what time I have to spare, other than meeting with the few friends and kind beasts I know, I tend to work on my own designs and prototypes. I have to say, after the whole situation with Morgan... I got interested in engineering devices for medical purposes. I did my research on basics of biology of beasts and their anatomy to expand my capacities. Though my primary work lies with engines and research into electricity..."

Kaii stopped and shook his head a bit, he could talk about his passion forever, but it was no way to go in conversations and he knew it well. Instead he looked at the doctor again, with slight wag of the tail from the excitement. "I assume you were just as busy though. you are among one of few beasts from the Hide crew I have not seen or heard about ever since we have left the ship. What were you working on Mister Barrett? I assume that in your field, innovation is a forever goal like in mine."

 

[Arthur Barrett]

Sitting was a luxury not often afforded on the Hide. Old marten that he was, he didn't seem to mind sitting on the floor. He waited for the fox to return, and took a rice cake to nibble on while he listened. Kaii was quite the busy beast, and seemed to have vast amounts of esoteric knowledge to go along with his behavioral quirks.

As Kaii asked his whereabouts, he nearly choked on his rice cake. Heavens, he should have anticipated the question, but it still caught him off guard. He'd have quite the answer if he told the unadultrated truth -- drinking himself silly, visiting mystics, falling down stairs... Reaching for his sake, the marten took a drink to clear his throat.

"Oh, no..." he said, clearing his throat. "I... ...mostly keep to myself now adays," he said vaguely. "Gardening is enjoyable, until we disembark again. I have a blueberry bush that I'm proud of, but it's dormant right now. Speaking of Morgan..." he said, taking the opportunity to shift the conversation away from himself. "Have you got any drawings of your device? I should like to take you to the notary, and have you file your schematics and designs with the Ministry of Innovation first, so that you are able to secure the rights to your design. Meanwhile, I have... ...some contacts that I can arrange a meeting with..."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii did of course notice how the Doctor choked almost upon hearing pleasantries. This was unfortunate, but Kaii despite everything did not want to assume anything about the doctor. After all, being aware of his own shortcomings, it would be rude to think that Doctor was hiding something from him. Maybe he just wasn't happy with lack of achievements? Still it wasn't for Kaii to ponder.

The shift in topic came with a small smile and nod of approval from the Marble fox. He was in the end given word, seeing as it was kept, was something Kaii approved of greatly and it definitely made the atmosphere more amicable. He finished the cake he ate and once more stood to get to his tool bag, from which he had produced metal tube. Returning to the doctor with it, he then used his claws to pry open lid from one end and fished out rolled blueprint from it. It took him two more attempts to get the correct one.

Unrolling it on the floor, it was one very detailed schematic, including methods of optimal manufacturing, all necessary calculations to both prove that it works, explain how it works and all physics behind it, with many many sketches from various sections. More importantly, there was a very proper signature in the bottom-right corner made in elegant cursive.

Schematic and project made by:
Baron and head of Nashirou dynasty
Kaii Nashirou
With assistance and prototype manufacturing provided by:
Swifttail Fairpaws

Next to it, Nashirou's family crest was stamped in both ink and wax.

"I appreciate you keeping your word doctor. I did in fact properly prepare for that day. I do have a lot of pending talks with Ministry of Innovation when it comes to patents but I do use the privilege coming with my title as a form of not having to go through a notary. Unless of course you do require so for the procedures of medical nature. I am not exactly aware how their bureaucratic process goes." Kaii added while being as close to beaming with pride as this ever stoic fox could be.

 

[Arthur Barrett]

As Kaii began the process of fetching the blueprints, Arthur set his bowl and rice cake down to search for his reading glasses. He patted his pockets, until finding them in his breastpocket. In a practiced ritual, he rubbed them with his hankerchief, and carefully put them across the bridge of his nose to examine the documents.

Arthur seemed immediately impressed by the quality of the blueprints, and studied them with satisfaction. He glanced up at the fox for a moment, who was rightfully chuffed with himself. "Mr. Nashirou, you are full of surprises!" he said, a smile growing on his face. "This is all your own draftsmanship? The quality is excellent..."

His eye was drawn to the elegant signature, and he studied it closely. "Baron?" he asked, his voice betraying the surprise. "You are full of surprises... And you intend to submit a copy to the medical college soon? It should be a fairly simple matter of delivering it to their communications department. Of course, I'll have Captain Gyles write you a letter as your patron and sponsor..."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii shook his head, before taking another sip from the bowl. "You see Mr.Barrett, I am primarily in need of somebeast with proper and sanctioned medical knowledge that could put their signature under it as well. After all, without it, one could see it as an engineering dream. I know that what works on a paper, may not work in reality due to way too many unforeseen variables we have no control over like atmospheric pressure." Kaii elaborated and then reached back to get his pen from his toolbag.

"Should you do it, I would be happy to do as you've mentioned. You did see it work after all, can confirm it is operational and would for sure utilise well your standing within the academia that I do not have among medical circles." Kaii then twisted the pen in his paw, turning the handle part towards the chirurgeon.

Before speaking again however, he let out a slight sigh. "Though I am aware you are not exactly approving of this idea. After all, you did share your worry about not being comfortable with that responsibility. But I do not know many medical experts or scholars. I am simply lacking options here."

Straightening up however, he looked at the marten and put his claw on the crest of his dynasty, pressed into a wax seal on the blueprint. "I am however a baron, if a disgraced one, left with a title, razed and looted land and legacy that I alone have to carry. It is this legacy that I ask you to trust, if you find my persona too unworthy of it."

 

[Arthur Barrett]

Arthur held his breath, and let out a rather tense sigh. He was hoping Kaii would accept Captain Stowett as his sponsor, but the fox was interested in him. The marten's ears folded back in a rare moment of shame, and he hesitated. "I'm... touched that you'd want me to be your sponsor, after all we've been through. Regrettably, it seems we have a mutual problem..." he said. "You a disgraced baron, and I, a disgraced surgeon."

"I bear the Minister no ill will -- but I'm sure you know he has a certain reputation as a black sheep." The marten paused as he seemed to search for a delicate way to express his thoughts. "The... medical community saw it rather fitting to offer me a post on the Golden Hide. I rather think they were hoping we wouldn't make it back, actually."

Looking sheepishly down into his bowl of sake, the marten took another long drink. "I suspect if my name were attached to your proposal, they'd reject the application out of mere spite. Captain Stowett would surely be your sponsor -- or even the Minister himself. Even with his reputation, he still weilds substantial influence in the ministries. I could assist you in ghost writing the proposal, help you hone your presentation... ...I just think you may fare better if I work from behind the scenes."

The marten nearly choked on the sake as he returned to it. "Gates, if you told them you saved a patient I'd written off as lost, it'd probably seal the deal!" he laughed.