RMH
🪼
occasionally subtle
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Product Placement
Jules of Nature
blake kathryn
he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
taylor price
Three Goblin Art
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open
Claire Keane
#extradirty
Andulka
Origami Around
Misplaced Lens Cap
Aqua Utopia｜海の底で記憶を紡ぐ
tannertan36
Kaledo Art
PR's Tumblrdome
seen from United Kingdom
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@ltcolonel-faraj
Hey, you deal with everyone's personal shit, but what about yours? Don't you have personal shit?
Of course I do. I am a human being.
If I had the time and luxury, I would see my own psychiatrist for a objective analysis of my "personal shit", but I don't. Rather, I find that my work and my Rep & Red family are all I really need for the time being. If I really needed to I'm sure I could use Jay or Sark as a punching bag for alleviating anxiety!
What'd you do before the war?
Oh, normal stuff I would think. I studied quite a lot, majored in criminal psychology, shadowed and worked for the FBI as a criminal profiler before the war. It was… a turbulent place to work because law enforcement was on the brink of collapse at that time. You were hard pressed to find an agent who wasn’t corrupt, but they did exist.
I spent a lot of time with my family and husband before they passed away. Praval, the oldest, liked to go on adventures and hiking and camping. Arjun, the second oldest, liked cars and motorcycles and partying— I’m sure he and Regina would have gotten along well. And I was the youngest and the most studious and that of course gave Arjun permission to spill MOTOR OIL all over my books apparently.
This is a picture of me when I was still in school.
Levers & Gears; [Sark and Nasirah]
"So what do you think, doc? Is my head okay?"
"Unfortunately, Regina, you're perfectly normal. Everything sounds healthy and boring." Nasirah looked up from her writing and grinned at the mechanic. "You haven't changed much in... two days."
"Hey, I wanted to make sure. The fumes can get to you some days, man." Regina jumped up from the couch and stretched, and peered out Nasirah's office window. Nasirah stood up and together they walked to her door. It was getting late in the afternoon, the clouds taking on a purple hue as the sky melted into warm orange. With the only lamp on Nasirah's desk, the natural light flooded her office, sparing only the shadows in darkest corners.
"Aw dang, I still have to fix up Jay's motorcycle. It's not even broken. I just like touching it, it's really pretty beautiful. Who do you have coming in next?" Regina asked as she wrapped up Nasirah in one of her customary 'good-bye' hugs. She smelled of the garage she loved to work in, of the motor oil, of weed, of love and enthusiasm. It was a scent that had come to comfort Nasirah as well as jar her memory of her brothers-- It was the tiny, strong sensory experience and the fact Regina had no idea how much it affected Nasirah that made her love the mechanic more and more.
"Sark. He should be coming now, actually."
"Ooh. So he probably won't notice if I play with his doggies a bit while you're keeping him busy, right? Thanks, Nasi!" And she was gone before Nasirah could explain Sark could look over the security footage to see Regina distracting his huge, menacing guard dogs with cuddles and kibbles.
Nasirah retreated back into her office. The sun was setting now. The couch was askew from Regina reclining and rolling around in it and she set about facing it back straight towards window. People often relaxed when they had things to look at and ended up rambling on about things they didn't intend to. They opened up more once they forget a professional was watching them and writing about them (She often shared her notes with them at the end of the session or at their request- It helped them to get an objective, clinical perspective), arguably the most difficult part of the process. They did not ask Nasirah any questions about herself unless they were being dodgy or evasive about her questions. It was, perhaps, better that way. No one wanted to know personal details about a psychiatrist. They especially didn't want to know their psychiatrist was just as troubled as they were.
Coffee boiling, couch fluffed, Nasirah opened Sark's notes to review. They were, surprisingly, few. Often during their sessions she ended up being too busy listening or discussing to actually write anything down because his sessions were one of the most absorbing. The war, losing family, it was just as real to Nasirah as it was to Sark. Nasirah would be lying if she said she didn't have a personal stake in Sark's progress.
It's been a while since A Song of Ice and Fire ended, but I thought this was fun. Also acceptable was House Martell, but I'll live. Hear that, Jay? Don't wake the dragon!
Arrival and Departure
Nasirah glanced back at Sark when he arrived and shot him a grin. Swift as always, even if she or anyone else hadn't seen him in a few days. It never failed to inspire confidence (Especially in clients who came to Rep & Red for help) that he'd come immediately, quickly and quietly, at the faintest sign of a threat. "It seems as though Fenrir thinks Mr. Yamada is his newest playmate." Which was leagues better than thinking he posed a threat.
Marge came not soon after, and Nasirah wondered vaguely who was looking after the pleasure house in her place. Nasirah kept an eye on Yamada and gauged his reactions to her coworkers. He was undeniably polite and every word and action seemed to be well thought out, smooth in a precise, analytic, almost mechanical sort of way.
"I was just about to help Mr. Yamada with getting the books sorted out," Nasirah held up the Popsicle-stick-receipt creation and narrowed her eyes at it. "You two are more than welcome to stay if you're not busy. I'd certainly enjoy your company, haven't seen either of you for a few days."
It was at that moment that Regina seemed to hear of the newcomers' arrival and wandered in, a slice of pizza in one hand, a wrench in the other. She saw the Popsicle-stick-receipt creation, then Nasirah's expression and widened her eyes guiltily. "That wasn't me," She blurted. A beat. "I'm really sorry, Nasi. Everyone was super super busy and I was bored!"
Regina spotted Yamada behind Nasirah. Her mouth became a nearly exaggerated 'O' shape and she rushed forward. "I knew there was supposed to be three of you!"
"Regina, this is Mr. Yamada Ichiro," Nasirah said with bemused smile and took a seat at the table. She kicked out two seats for Sark and Marge, should they decide to stay. "He's our accountant now."
"Oh wow! So you must be a genius. I say that 'cause I know a friend who did accounting at her university- She said it nearly made her homicidal, which I took to mean it's horribly difficult." She took a breath and held out her hand. "Anyway! I'm Regina Garza. The mechanic. I fix the motorcycles and sometimes Sark's cameras. Not saying they're shoddy, just the wear and tear of things. SO pleased to meet you."
commander-oliver replied to your post: Aw goddammit. Rookie mistake. But don’t call me OLIVER. Unlike some people, I have a first name that close acquaintances and friends could casually use in a friendly manner, you know. That’d be nice. - JAY
Is the musical you’re thinking of Annie? It’s Annie, isn’t it. There are no Olivers in Annie. BUT PLEASE. SING FOR ME.
Ohh, you’re close. Very close. In fact, I think Annie suits you better than Oliver, wouldn’t you say? I’ll have to get Nasi’s opinion on that one. Maybe it can be your new nickname.
Only if you’re good.
I like Annie for our Jay. He's already eager to do all that singing and dancing in all those flouncing dresses. Did he tell you about our backup plan for us in case Rep & Red falls through?
Yesss pleasssse to the booze. Especially after this shit mission, I think. I vote Italian over sushi, though. I kind of want to only take them to foreign foods. And also not attempt to use chopsticks in front of people that learned how to use chopsticks when they were babies.
Of course, of course. Alcohol is the most efficient ice breaker, after all. So is good food. After eating some of our famous chili at the table with us I'm sure they'll start to feel more at home.
Everything going okay with the mission, I take it?
Why are you hungry? I ordered so much pizza for all of you. All the best flavors of pizza. Eat those.
I already ate some- I let the new ones have most of it. And we always have pizza. Why don't we take all of us out for sushi later on?
Or Italian.
Eh? I'll even buy the booze.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
Arrival and Departure
~
The first and only question came from Fukushima Keitaro, who miraculously seemed to still have energy after they arrived. He was the only one who giggled when she teased them about the pleasure house and even after the long flight he still had a smile, albeit an exhausted one.
"Is it alright then, if we have some food?"
"Sure," Nasirah said and grinned. "Although I'd recommend you save a piece for Jay Oliver and Mr. Nezumi. We've found that the greasiest foods make for the best rewards after a mission."
Fukushima nodded eagerly and ushered Torishima back down toward the living area, ignoring Yamada, Nasirah noticed. Was Yamada alienated from the others or did he intentionally distance himself from his colleagues? Did they simply not get along? It was her job to get a feel for the newcomers, assess their cognitive abilities, and maintain their mental faculties as well as their emotional stability. The last part was especially important, considering Nasirah herself saw how mental illness or trauma could incapacitate the most stoic of men. Whether people realized it or not, mental health was the grease on the gears. Without it the machine would be ineffective and cease to function cohesively. She knew her job was gravely important even if other people didn't. It kept her wrath under wraps- it kept her sane.
Torishima was psychic. That she would have to address later, in her office. She could get a feel for Yamada now, perhaps make him feel welcome. There was a difference between introversion and self-alienation, and the latter wouldn't do well at Rep & Red.
"Jay actually wanted you to have a look at the books, when you're feeling up to it," Nasirah said. She smiled. "I haven't seen them once since I've been here, but I'm sure he'll have them laying out for you somewhere." I hope.
The 'books', as it would turn out, were just a stack of stained, sticky papers and recipts practically glued to the dining table near the lemonade. There were some popsicle sticks stuck to several sheets (Gum was used as the adhesive. Nasirah HOPED it was gum)- undoubtedly the mark of either Jay or Regina. Nasirah's cheeks burned.
She was saved from making excuses for her coworkers when Fenrir, Sark's Doberman started snuffling and licking up to Yamada's neck.
Nasirah hushed Fenrir and tugged him back, but he whined. She narrowed her eyes to a small device on the dog's collar as it whirred and contracted-- a hidden camera.
Arrival and Departure
-
Jay shrugged. ”Yep. Used to be that you couldn’t even go on it anymore, which is probably why it wasn’t bombed. The eight lane causeway that used to be next to it, on the other hand, was killed first, before the attack on the city.” He said it brightly, casually. Stared at his fingers, tapping impatiently on the wheel. Listened carefully to any small sounds in the rest of the car. ”Very logical, that decision. They used to order us to destroy landmarks. Statues, government buildings, you know. Japan’s forces always destroyed the useful things, in a sensible order.”
By this point they had rounded down the other side of the bridge, and in the suddenly available darkness, it was easy to see across the black water to the little glowing spots spaced distantly across. ”Islands of it survived. There’s a memorial on one, and a few ridiculously wealthy people have built ridiculously large homes on the others. So it goes, you know?”
Almost there.
“Given the choice between strategically important targets and culturally important ones…” He trailed off, mouth set in a contemplative frown. “Well, it is not really the kind of decision a military should make in the first place.” He shrugged, but his lip. Turned back to the window. They passed back underneath the sheltering cover of high-rises and overpasses, and without meaning to, Nezumi found his head leaning to the side until it met the glass. It was too early in the evening to think about going into standby, but he found himself at a loss for what to do.
Before he could manage to string anymore words together, the car slowed to a halt. The building they were parked next to was brighter than the surrounding ones, draped in colorful, flashing signs and lit up from all sides by a variety of different-sized lights. Not very subtle, was his first thought, followed closely by, he wasn’t joking when he said it was a casino.
Standing out front, silhouetted by the glow from behind and still against the flow of people on the sidewalk, was an unfamiliar woman. She stepped closer, and he recognized her as fitting the picture and description of Lt. Colonel Nasirah Faraj.
In contrast to the neon signs and glitter, Lt. Colonel Nasirah Faraj was an image of modesty and self restraint, with hands clasped in front, dressed in a dark green sari, her hair tied back in a simple bun. At her side was a massive Doberman whose head reached Nasirah's rib cage. Its ears twitched at the newcomers, though it stood firm and gazed steadily as they emerged from the car. Nasirah nodded at Jay and Nezumi before they drove off, then turned her attention to the three men in front of her. "My name is Nasirah Faraj, your Human Resources director." Her smile was cordial, dutiful. "You all must be tired. Please follow me. And try not to linger, we've lost enough people to the pleasure house as it is." She winked and ducked back into the casino. The dog followed her, only stopping to look back at the men to make sure they kept up.
She led them past the machines and the vibrant posters and the balmy air and up to the second floor to a door near the bathrooms. Inside was dim, abandoned looking with old props and machine parts. Towards the back was a partially concealed door with a fingerprint pad.
"Rest assured, this isn't the only security measure we have here," Nasirah said to no one in particular as the door clicked and allowed her entrance. "Sark, our Head of Security, planted dozens, maybe hundreds of cameras in the facility. And he's a security measure all his own." She took them past the living room, cluttered and roomy and warm with a large pizza and a pitcher of lemonade sat on a messy table, and took them up to the floor of bedrooms.
"And here is your room. Feel free to make yourself at home and have some food, your job begins soon. And when I call you for a talking session, consider my requests mandatory, although please don't think of them as a chore-- it's my job to keep you in your best shape, mentally." Nasirah smiled. "Any questions?"
Please welcome our new Sark! Send him an ask!
TEXT: Almost there. Talking about how the causeway's blown up; it's fucking great. Come out and fetch the three kids when I pull up? If they get lost in the Pleasurehouse Marge'll eat them.
TEXT: The causeway, huh? Hope their seat belts are tight. Things will be less awkward after pizza and lemonade. I'm sure they're just tired.
Sure, I'll fetch them. I can give them a tour- Maybe they'll like Sark's dogs.
Lino Villaventura
history meme. ten moments: the funeral of Edward VII. 10 MAY 1910. His funeral at Windsor, following a procession through the streets of London, was one of the largest gatherings of European royalty ever to take place. It was also one of the last assemblies of its kind before the First World War shattered the bonds that united the interwoven monarchies. The conflict would destroy two of the most powerful royal houses and leave several of the others severely weakened as the political map of the continent was redrawn. (x)
