05 ✪ backdated to April 4th ✪ video

[wildest]

[For anyone that happens to know Kotetsu, you might be a little surprised at the serious, almost stern features on his face. He almost looks as if he has something dire and important to say, and in fact, he does. He opens his mouth-- and then closes it, his eyes going wide slightly, and he stares down at his feet as if trying to recall what he was going to say.

Damn it, public speaking wasn't ever his strong point, but Barnaby had taken care of the first message relating to this subject so it was only fair that he'd handle it this time around. Finally, with an assured nod, he lifts his head up.]

Okay, I'd like to have everyone's attention please! I know a lot of people probably know more than enough about those killings going around, and if you haven't, get outta that rock and read yourself a newspaper. It's good for you. I'm not sure how many of you remember the message someone named Barnaby gave about this "serial killer" in the area, but it's related to that.

[Kotetsu takes a deep breath and removes his hat, his expression going serious again.]

They're calling the guy that everyone is looking for "The Crim Cutter". But that's not his name. His name is Lunatic. He's from my world, and from the looks of it, he's now in Death City. Back home, he was famous for going after criminals and giving them his own brand of justice, and that was by killing them. No one knows what he really looks like because he wears a mask and an outfit, and no one knows how to catch him. Not yet at least. He's never gone after regular, innocent people though, so there isn't too much to worry about. Still, he's dangerous, and he shouldn't be here. We can't let him stay loose for long.

...some people might think that he's not that bad of a problem because he goes after criminals, people who you think deserves this sort of thing, but that's not true. It's a lie. No matter who he goes after and why, he's killing people, and no matter what, that sort of thing can't be forgiven. You don't get any kind of justice with murder. It's not right!

[He doesn't realize the tightened hold he has on his mirror or the raised tone in his voice until he hears it slightly echo in the room he's in, and Kotetsu jolts slightly, surprised at his own outburst. Calming down, he rubs at the back of his neck and continues.]

Ah, so, if anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask me or my partner. --oh, my name's Kotetsu. My partner's Barnaby. We've dealt with this guy a lot longer than Death City has now so hopefully, we can help out in catching Lunatic and getting this all to stop as soon as possible, because trust me, he's not gonna stop for anything.

Comments

[wildest]

[There's a muffled, constrained noise, almost as if Kotetsu could very well scream at that moment if his hands weren't rubbing at his face, but soon enough his hands drop away and Kotetsu takes a deep breath. After a moment longer, he finally seems to compose himself enough to not have a complete emotional breakdown.]

I'm her father, of course I'm gonna be over-- I'm not being over protective! I'm just being protective. [Thankfully, his words sound less angry and more just simply huffy at this point, which means his temper is definitely starting to calm down. Doesn't mean this discussion is over though. Not by a long shot.] You better be comfy right now, because I've got a whole lot of questions for you and I'm not really in the mood to wait for any answers. Got it?

[weaponry]

[ She's just going to quirk an eyebrow and then line face. ]

You're being overprotective. I get not wanting to put your daughter in harms way, but what happens if she's attacked? Particularly by familiars? She has to know how to use a weapon here if she's going to defend herself, especially since weapons are usually brought in and are mostly of a blade variety, but there are some exceptions. [ Like ribbons. Ore goggles. ]

And, all right. I'll answer any questions you have. I understand the need to check up on the safety of loved ones. [ She continues to watch him through the feed. What a strange man! ]

[wildest]

[Stop being so void of emotion, Kotetsu's just going to end up hogging your share. He grumbles audibly, unsure of how exactly to explain himself to a child. Of course he knows exactly what he wants to say but the last thing he wants to do is to end up arguing with her. This is clearly simply a misunderstanding of parental views.]

Okay. Protective, overprotective, I don't care what you want to call it. [There's a loud, heavy exhale.]

I know exactly what sort of things she'll need to deal with in this place if it comes to her having to defend herself. I'm not doing this because I want her to get hurt. She's my only daughter... and I'm the only parent she's got left. Of course I'm going to want to protect her myself, that's just how things have always been, and I don't see why that should change.

[Granted, she could always at least be prepared in case of an emergency but Kotetsu was even stubborn about allowing that. He was a hero, he protected people, and so he saw no need for Kaede to have to learn to protect herself and embrace the sort of worries he always had on a daily basis, not just in Death City but in his own world as well. He'd had to face the reality of helplessly losing his wife once many years ago, and so the last thing he wanted was for anything to ever happen to Kaede.]

...so, if you're gonna make me change my mind somehow, then I better have a good reason to believe that you're gonna do everything you can to make sure that whatever she learns, she learns it the right way, and she doesn't get hurt in the process.

[weaponry]

[ Child?! She's no child!!!! She's eighteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen.

However, Kotetsu's plea does strike a chord with her. Let's just pretend we have a workable angle here since Tenten's family background is largely unknown. Either she has a dead mom too, or, there are so many orphans in Konoha it causes her to sympathize with him anyways. ]

She's shown quite a desire to learn the ropes and be able to stand on her own. I think it's quite admirable, actually. This place imposes limitations on everyone, no matter the circumstance back home. [ She sighs. ] You can't be there right behind her, always. Especially if she went against you to study with me. [ ....Oops. That was rather tactlessly said. ]

I understand you wish to protect your daughter and I do too! Just in a different way. I'm Tenten. I'm a weapon's master in my hometown, Konoha. Just ask my teacher, Guy-sensei, who runs morning training, or my teammate, Neji and Lee. I'm a deputy zone leader on the watch. I've been learning the ins and outs of various weaponry for about ten years, and I guess you could say I'm gifted. I've been able to master complex weapons within a day or two and I've been wielding most of the common weapons you can think about for at least half a decade. [ She continues. ]

The team I'm with, Team Guy, specializes in close range combat, and speed. I've already taught one girl here, named Chika, how to evade attacks. You're free to speak with her about my teaching ability and my practices. I can assure you, though, that I'm definitely not going to end up with your daughter accidentally slicing herself in half or falling on the sword. Whenever we train, I'm always within distance to prevent such casualties. Either with my own weapon, or with a grapple to confiscate the sword. So far, we've been practicing her reacting to dummies and perfecting form and how to wield it. We've been practicing basic slashes, and, I've introduced a new style for her to evade attacks by anticipation. You're free to spectate on this training, too. Though, I suggest that you do it from a distance. If she didn't tell you, chances are she didn't want you around. [ Tactless Tenten strikes again! ]

[wildest]

[She's a little over one-third Kotetsu's age, she is a total babby!!! A part of Kotetsu wants to be a little smug about the fact that his own daughter is being complimented on her resilience and eagerness to learn, but the fact that it's causing her to possibly partake in dangerous things that keeps him quiet, and he once again resists the urge to snap back with more retorts on how he most definitely plans to be at Kaede's side no matter what, that he'll always keep her safe and that he would never allow anything to happen to her.

But for once, and only once, for her sake, he needs to consider alternatives. Maybe, just maybe, there could be a brief moment in which Kaede would have to defend herself, possibly want to help someone in need as well, and what was he meant to do if he wasn't there? Of course he could just take the responsibility of teaching her himself, seeing as he'd already given Barnaby permission to, but the fact of the matter was that Kaede obviously hadn't wanted his help and had sought someone else out. That... quite honestly, hurt him quite a bit, but if Tenten was reliable enough and Kaede was willing enough to take the time to learn... this was more than he had bargained for. Not to mention Tactless Tenten was not helping matters at all. His worries aren't exactly eased with that brutal honesty y'know.

Kotetsu stayed silent for a long while, debating on whether to agree to all this or not, until finally, he caved.]

...ch. Alright, I'll agree, but I'm gonna wanna see what kind of progress she makes, at least in the beginning. I also wanna know the details of everything you teach her whenever you do your training. And I wanna know the times, and the days, and how long it takes, and if she has to stay out longer-- and if it takes too long then you better feed her or something! Also breaks! Give her lots of breaks, since she's new! And don't pressure her too much, she won't learn well if she's put under lots of pressure! Okay?

[weaponry]

[ She patiently waits. She doesn't have much feelings. She cares for Kaede, like a friend, or older sister you slightly stretch it. Admittedly, she sees herself in her but just a little bit. ]

All right. That's fine with me. You can watch from afar. I'll also debrief you in the mornings and in the evenings about her progress and our lesson plans. If you have any experience of expertise, or know others in your world who have similar experiences if you want to introduce other people who might surpass me in a certain aspect. The times will always be in the morning training, unless you're otherwise notified which I'll send in a text immediately. It'll be every morning, about an hour and a half and don't worry! I'll make sure to feed her breakfast in the morning or cook something if she comes over to my residence to practice accuracy with darts, which should be pretty safe but it's always effective. And I understand the need for breaks. Guy-sensei, my teacher, never gave out breaks and, in some respects, I became a better kunoichi because of it, but I understand the value of not exhausting yourself - especially since the limitations and cultures are slightly different here, anyways. Either way, I have no intention of pushing her to the point where she's physically rendered unable to perform, but, you do have to push yourself to make yourself ready for the day of combat.

[ She then loosens up to a smile after a grave expression on her face. ] But don't worry about that! I'll make sure to do it gradually! And, in times of war, if I deem her unready, I'll be right by her side to fight with her and pick up any slack she might have left out! At the moment, she's a priority. Does this ease your mind?

[wildest]

[Kotetsu fights hard to stay silent the whole time, but once it's finally time for him to speak out, he lets out a heavy breath and scratches at his cheek.]

It... makes things easier. Kinda. Not, really but... I mean, t'be honest, I'm still really doubtful about the whole thing but I just can't help it. This is the first time she'll be doing anything like this-- I mean, aside from the training my partner was giving her. But as long as you do a good job and keep an eye on her, then... then I'm okay enough with it that I won't be too worried.

[No matter what, he'd still be an overly fussy father, but at least he'd simply do that in a way that wouldn't interfere very much with Kaede's training with Tenten. Or at least, there would be minimal interference. Over time. Gradually. Remember, overprotective and all.]