False flags

[ugyuuya]

[1]

[After the base has been secured Yuuya is standing outside his unit looking at the paint marks on his leg and across his unit.]

Looks like we were holding our own fairly well there but they won't fall for that again. Leon and Sharon were also in position for me to pull that maneuver, should have guessed they'd know I wouldn't have let one of them on my tail like that without having some way to turn it around.

It's going to be that much harder to trump them next time, and I'm sure they'll up their noisemakers to really confuse us.

[2]

[You see a meeting between Cryska Barschowa, Yuuya, and two of the infinities pilots. As you approach Cryska is picked up by other members of her flight and the infinities drive on in their own vehicle. As Yuuya turns to walk back to his barracks he sees you pauses for a moment before approaching.]

Well, I'm sure you have some questions about that little meeting. Especially after Leon's little bit of showboating calling me out so obviously during the mission. Go ahead and ask, I resigned myself to answering everything when they joined the exercises.

[3]

[As you enter a busy restaurant outside of Yukon you find celebrations in full swing as the various Eishi flights are boasting about the exercises and swearing revenge in the spirit of playful banter. Of particular note is the cluster of the Argos flight and what you would hazard to be the Bao Feng flight as the only Chinese unit in the region. Yuuya seems to be trying halfheartedly to push one of the flight members away as he seems more interested in the bowl in front of him and the pot sitting in front of Lt. Takamura.]

[4] [dated a few days after 3]

[As you walk past one of the exercise rooms purposed for martial arts in Alhambra you notice something you never would have expected. Yuuya is dressed in a proper gi and is standing awkwardly with a Bokken in hand. His moves are still awkward but he appears to be practicing Kendo.]

Comments

[caressthedarkness]

...So, it is similar to what I had to go through?

[Only with a costume and obviously less specific feelings.]

[ugyuuya]

I think it's more getting into the appropriate mindset to really focus on something. I doubt I'll ever do something crazy like from those Samurai movies or cartoons but experience counts with the feedback system and to better wield the blade of a Japanese TSF I figured learning the original would be a good plan.

[Yuuya returns to his stance and swings again.]

There is something to be said for the focus involved though.

[caressthedarkness]

[She nods as she takes another look at the sword in her hands.]

I...can understand the difficulty to some extent...

The way I am able to wield my weapons, as weapons, came from sharpening a Kijin's inherited combat instinct. This type of sword is one of Madame's favored arms...

[ugyuuya]

Speaking of her, why do you allow her to do what she does to you? I know you claim that strength is the defining feature of your race but then wouldn't you all act like the invaders you fight against if that was everything? She just seems too dismissive of our efforts as an organization and only gives you praise in the form of expectations.

By this point with your set of abilities couldn't you at least get her to acknowledge you as an equal or at the very least as a more capable subordinate? You've certainly excelled and proven your worth to us.

[caressthedarkness]

...It is difficult to believe, but Madame is a kind person who is devoted to our late leader's goal. I may never understand why she is not always honest with herself...at the same time, she has done many things to take care of me since I was very young.

All of the skills that I have used thus far, even the ones I employ for the weapons I have obtained...these were all sharpened by her.

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya looks at Seta for a moment with an incredulous expression before turning back to his practice swings.]

You can say that but that's now how it looks from the outside. It seems a lot more like the relationship I had with my grandfather, the man who belittled my mixed heritage for 17 years in front of me and exiled me from my family at my mother's funeral.

Teaching someone skills does not imply kindness, merely duty or obligation.

[caressthedarkness]

...She...also crafted my firearms for me, cooked my meals, cleaned up after me, and cared for me whenever I was ill.

[She lowers her head a little.]

Although, with how she behaves in the open, I do not expect anyone to trust my words...