#--  thread

[ikkinakamura]

WHERE: Rafael & Ikki's Scottish Chateaux WHEN: 5th of March WHO: Rafael @rfjofficial​

'Vacation' was not something Ikki usually found himself taking. Especially not when he'd just been on the Femenias Super Yacht on what he would consider a 'vacation'. But as he was not allowed to go into the office, Ikki agreed that he could stand to spent the weekend with Rafael at their Costal Scottish Residence. He could easily do his work from there, besides the past few days had been a lot for both of them, the past few weeks had been even more. Not that he hadn't had his own hand in a few of the problems... But the past month wrapping up in a little explosive bow was certainly fitting for how the rest of it had gone. Maybe a vacation wasn't a terrible idea. 

Honestly, he would have been happy with any reason to get out of the city and away from prying eyes, and overly persistent questions about his personal life.

Rafael had gotten the place renovated for a reason, and that was for them to enjoy. So, currently Ikki was lounging on the couch, feet up on the ottoman, and laptop perched on his lap as Rafael sat next to him flipping through Netflix selections as the sun went down over the coast line outside of the Chateaux. The renovations had been successful, the location was pleasant -- maybe the weekend would be nice. Rafael seemed like he could use a break, and if it seemed like Rafael could use a break, Ikki had to wonder what he seemed like himself.

His dark eyes flicked down towards his phone as a few texts from Wren flashed across the screen, picking up the phone, and after a few texts back and forth he sighed,  "Ah-- joudan daro,"  you’re kidding me,  he muttered and held his phone up for Rafael to read off the quick texts asking for time off from work, due to them being poisoned.  "I'm glad Kitty is on babysitting duty,"  Ikki said, not a terrible amount of concern in his tone. If they were texting they were fine.  "Retaliation for what we sent Wren off to do, you think?"

[ikkinakamura]

[ text, 4 February: in & km ]

TO » KITTY MALLICK: Hello.

TO » KITTY MALLICK: There were no bomb threats, or assassination attempts that broke out during the press conference today, so you've already taken the news better then I expected you to.

[ikkinakamura]

where - The Femenias Estate when - 3rd of February who - Rafael @rfjofficial​

The night had been long and almost never ending in a way that only happens when you're in this sort of business. Things happened so quickly, and took so long to set in that last night blended into the next morning, and already the sun was slowly rising in the sky shining through the windows of the Femenias Estate.

Ikki had his own things to deal with, while he fielded any problems from the lower ranks so that the Femenias family wouldn't be bothered. However when they were given the news that Rafael Snr was conscious for the time being, there was a sigh of relief from some. And anxiety building in the unknown from others. Ikki stayed cool headed through out the night as it dragged on, his attitude unchanging until he saw Raf finally appear from his father's side and wander off down a side hall.

Getting up, Ikki politely excused himself from the room before he followed his friend. The pathway was familiar enough that he could put together Rafael was heading to his bedroom, finally after hours. Ikki stayed quiet as he followed though he was not being subtle about it, so whether the other man realized, or was too distracted by everything going on in his head at the moment was really unknown until they reach Rafael's destination.

Ikki reached out placing one hand on the door, and the other on his friend's shoulder squeezing it softly.  "Hey, I was thinking of heading to my house to grab a few things. Do you need anything?"

It was a practical question. Everything else felt strange. 'Are you okay?' No. 'How are you doing?' Bad. What did people say to loved ones after their father was stabbed and their entire life was thrown into upheaval? Maybe he was just over thinking. Ikki was good at a lot of things, comforting people was just not one of them. Despite his desire to be there for Rafael, and tell him that. Something got caught in his throat, unable to express any of this. As usual. And instead he remained in his own comfort zone. Practical, reliable, and cool headed. Someone had to keep their sense about them in times like these...

That's what he told himself.

[ikkinakamura]

where - ikki's london townhouse when - 26th of january who - wren @oflightfeet​

Ikki did not like people coming over to his house. Well, that sentence could have been stopped directly after ‘people’ and it would hold the same truth but that was hardly the point at this very moment. The point was he didn't invite people over, he was a private person, who liked to be alone. Besides Rafael who had his own bedroom. The Reyeses, his parents, his sister... He'd certainly never invited them over, yet somehow they'd found themselves here at one point in time or another.

And now there was Wren, who was here for a specific purpose. Sometimes he was too busy to go home, and he needed a person to look after the birds. He hadn't exactly told Wren what he was expecting from them as he took them up to his Victorian Townhome, just expected them to listen and not ask too many questions that were unnecessary. He opened the door, standing to the side as he allowed them in. The more traditional architecture of the townhouse contrasted with the more modern interior that matched more of Ikki's style. He didn't bother to give a tour, Wren was smart enough to know what a a kitchen looked like. Though he did politely point out where the guest bathroom was, should they ever need it.

He walked directly through the house, past a not exactly comfortable looking sitting room, and glass walled off study in the center of the house. Then into a more modern extension off the back, a rectangular building made of glass and cedar, where there was a Japanese garden. As best as one could replicate in a place like London. With a centered rock fountain water feature in the middle of the room, and many smaller trees and bushes reaching up to the glass ceiling of the room. The three birds who particularly inhabited this place easily made themselves known by the large amount of noise they made when the door opened.

Ikki turned to Wren as he pulled out his phone,  "I'm sending you the schedule I need you to be here at to feed these three. Every day, exactly. Got it?"  He looked around the aviary, before pointing out the large blue Macaws that batted their wings, and squawked at the two.  "This is Treachery, that one up there is Heresy, and that one over on the tree is Fraud."  Hyacinth Macaws were not exactly easy to tell apart, but perhaps Wren would learn over time.

"Oide,"  he said, holding his hand out to one of the birds, Treachery possibly then holding the bird out for Wren.  "You don't speak Japanese do you? -- It's fine, we'll have you take some Duolingo lessons..."

[ikkinakamura]

where - The Thames when - 2nd of February who - Domenico Chambers @nicochambers​

Things descend quickly.

It's not often Ikki is taken off guard but he had a lot of things on his mind, he hadn't seen this coming. It's a little like a magic trick, he'd been so focused on War and what should happen with them that he hadn't taken the time to worry about Pestilence. So, he's surprised. Standing somewhere in the back of the group as things quickly break out. Always the pragmatist -- and perhaps self serving -- he is unable to stop himself from wondering where this leaves him in the long run, but there is hardly enough time to figure that out with the fighting, and gunshots that ring out in the cold night air.

He looked around the group, eyes scanning the crowd for Rafael though movement catches in the corner of his eye. He turns to see someone running towards the bridge with a rifle. What's his name? Domenico, Ikki believes. Recently promoted? Member of War? That's as far as Ikki really knows about him, and it’s all he needs to know. Quickly pursuing as everyone else seems too involved in their own issues.

It does not take much to quickly and quietly catch up to the other man, though he's briefly lost what to do after that. It's not as if Ikki is often out punching people. Certainly he's not incapable of fighting, but close range? Luckily he has the upper hand and that upper hand immediately loops through the strap of the long-range rifle attached around Domenico's arm and PULLS until it's in his own possession. 

"What is this for, I wonder?"  He says, before swinging with intent of the butt of the gun colliding into the jaw of the other Dominion.

[ikkinakamura]

where - elite when - 22nd of january who - wren @oflightfeet​

It was late enough at night that it could be considered early morning. The sun wouldn't be rising for a few more hours, but soon enough early risers would be getting up and getting a start on their day. Taking dogs for walks, going for a jog, heading to work. Ikki's own day would be starting in only a few hours as well, but that was nothing out of the ordinary. Be the first to arrive and the last to leave, no other way would you get a true picture of how things went. At least not in Ikki's not so humble opinion.

That was why he was sitting in one of the back rooms at Elite on his umpteenth cup of coffee while most others were long gone. In their bed, or someone else’s -- or a hospital bed if the night had gone particularly poorly.

The only thing that gave away the fatigue Ikki may or may not have been feeling was the decline of his typically impeccable posture. The slumping of his shoulders, the elbow resting on the table in front of him, and perhaps the yawn he stifled behind his hand as the door open and wren walked into the room. Because if he was staying this late so was the person working beneath him, but they didn't have a desk job they had to get to in a few hours. Yet.

Ikki straightened up, giving them a nod of his head,  "how did things go?"  He asked, referring to the money. A good haul wasn't going to cut it that night, they had to really make a good showing that night. He had his own opinions, but he silently looked at Wren, waiting for their own opinion on the night. A bit of a feeling of  ‘if you answer this incorrectly, I will remember’  hanging in the atmosphere.

[ikkinakamura]

WHERE: The Docks WHEN: 11th of February  WHO: @queenwar

It takes a moment for his eyes to refocus, and Ikki has to shake his head to attempt to clear the cloudiness that seems to remain in the front of his mind. It also takes him a moment to remember where he is, and why he's there in the very early hours of the morning. Only a moment, however. Because a moment later, Ikki leans his head back against the pipe he's still cuffed to and gives a deep groan.  "Fuck."  He doesn't know how poorly things went down with the rest of his team, but if his situation is any indication it did not go well. Hopefully they all managed to get away with their lives in tact, at the very least. One could hope.

Then he has to figure out ... how the fuck is he going to get out of here. Ikki tugs experimentally on the handcuffs latched securely around the pipe and takes a deep breath.  "Fuck."  His phone is not on him, of course. It's down in his car safely not being searched for ... whatever that asshole was after. He couldn't let himself think too hard about that at the moment, he would assess the Samir Kotecha situation after he got off of this rooftop. Where was the walkie he'd been given? Not on him. Great. So. 

So ... 

So, he was stuck up here until the group met back up and realized he wasn't there. Then Kitty would come up here and free him, and he'd have to hear her gloating about one thing or another. Telling of the situation that he didn't think he would mind it so much as long as she brought something to get him out of here. Sure, that would not be his first choice, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. All he had to do was wait. Ikki leaned back against the pipe, resting his head against it, as his eyes drooped closed.  "Fuck..."