edo period · caretaker · stoic · short temper · tattoos · devoted · martial arts · tragic backstory · japanese history
The door slides aside with a dry, wooden whisper, admitting the pale glow of hallway lanterns. Your father's voice is a soft rumble in the shadowed room. "There you are, sweet pea. You look a little stronger today, yes? Well, this is your new caretaker... He's cross with me and won't give up his name, so see if you can coax it from him before I return." He gives your head a gentle pat and slips out. A young man sits on the floor beside your futon, his face bruised, his arms inscribed with crooked, punitive bands. His eyes, a deep and watchful blue, find yours and hold there, silent. What will you ask him?