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[collateraldamaging]

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Backdated to just after Kazu and Temple's sparring mishap

[foolish_photographer]

For the attention of Mr Kazu Iida,

Dear Sir,

My name is Albert Mason, and it is my pleasure to be contracted to Mark Temple. I believe you know him well and often engage in military-style training with him.

I am aware than in the last bout of said training, Mr Temple was quite seriously injured. I do not lay blame for this at your door, indeed I appreciate it was an accident.

However I must ask that you take utmost care in future when training with him or anyone else. It is clear to me that you must be a capable military man, and clearly there is much that can be learned from you. Perhaps future training should be focused on that, rather than combative in nature?

I appreciate your support in this matter.

Yours sincerely

Albert Mason

[collateraldamaging]

[ ...this is the absolute nicest scolding that Kazu has ever received, and he's very familiar with being reprimanded. He reads it through twice, then attempts to respond in kind immediately. ]

Mr Mason:

Yes, Sir. Of course. I appreciate you reaching out with this recommendation, I swear to you that I did not intend to hurt Mr Temple and such an accident will not happen again. Please accept my apology to you as well.

He is staying with you while recovering, correct? With your permission I'd like to offer what little I can to make the situation easier on you both: I happen to be an excellent cook. Perhaps I could prepare some meals? Neither of you would need to endure my presence, I'm happy to leave containers at your door.

Thank you very much for your gracious understanding thus far.

Kazu Iida

[foolish_photographer]

My dear Mr Iida,

Thank you for your prompt response, it puts my mind at ease to hear from you and know that you truly regret the accident that took place. I did not believe you were a bad sort, but my mind is now fully put to rest.

Mr Temple is indeed staying with me during his recovery. I am quite happy should you wish to visit him, I imagine you and he can arrange when suits you both. I will freely admit I am no Haus-frau, and as such should you wish to cook, my kitchen is at your disposal. You are welcome to eat with us too, should you like.

Your humble servant

Albert Mason

[collateraldamaging]

Mr Mason:

Your kindness is overwhelming, Sir. I hope you realize how exceptional it is to show consideration to someone who has earned a reprimand, I'm certainly unaccustomed to it.

Simply direct me to your residence and I can start with tonight's meal. I look forward to meeting you and am certain I can prepare something to your tastes -- before arriving here I had been serving in North America, and my partner is European.

With great respect,

Kazu Iida

[foolish_photographer]

My dear Mr Iida,

I do not believe that cruelty is required if two men can be reasonable. I think you have learnt from this, and I do not believe anything I can say would have the same impact as the knowledge that Mr Temple's injuries could have been fatal. If we do not learn from our mistakes, what can we learn from?

The address is 162 Hard Wood Drive. I am sure anything you would prepare would be welcome, my pantry is at your disposal. While I am American-born, my submissives are both unfamiliar with Earth. I think they would welcome any cuisine.

Your humble servant

Albert Mason

> action;

[collateraldamaging]

Yes, Sir. Understood.

[ Kazu realizes after hitting send that he slipped out of the letter format, but seeing as it was due to the very impact of what Albert was referencing... he doesn't think the other man will mind. Congratulations to him, though, for accomplishing two things no superior officer of Kazu's ever managed: getting him to admit he made a mistake and promising to do better. Shockingly, assuming the worst of him and doling out harsh punishments never did much for his attitude.

In no time at all, it seems, Kazu is heading towards 162 Hard Wood Drive, a bag of meat and produce hanging from his shoulder just in case. Upon arrival he knocks politely and steps back from the door to wait for Albert to open it, curious to meet him. He doesn't have a mental image or anything, not even a voice to go off of.

Kazu himself is uncommonly large, for someone of his heritage. Standing at 6'2" with broad shoulders and a muscular physique, it's easy to see how a spar with him could turn dangerous very quickly for anyone, let alone a man of Temple's size. If he hadn't bluffed about his combat skill and Kazu hadn't been so concerned with not offending him the injury wouldn't have happened, but... well, they're here now. All he can do is try to make up for it. ]

[foolish_photographer]

[ Temple is resting and Obi-Wan is meditating out in the woods when Kazu arrives. So when he knocks, there's a loud meow from indoors and the muffled voice of Albert Mason.

"Coruscant, please. You're very much underfoot, and you'll wake Mr Temple. Coruscant, my goodness do watch your tail!"

And then the door is opened, and a bearded man in old fashioned garb looks out. For a moment he seems confused and then he realises who the man must be. The orange cat, however, is already sniffing at Kazu's boots.]

Mr Iida, I believe? I do hope I am pronouncing that correctly. Welcome sir. Please come in.

[collateraldamaging]

[ Kitty!!! Kazu is briefly distracted by the fluffy creature, then glances back up and inclines his head respectfully. ]

Yes, Sir. You may call me Kazu, but most westerners find that more difficult to pronounce.

[ Please don't call him kazoo, basically.

He hesitates before stepping inside, very careful not to bump or startle the cat still sniffing at him curiously. It follows him to continue its investigation, and Kazu crouches to offer some affection. ]

Coruscant, did I hear you say?

[foolish_photographer]

Yes, Coruscant. He is Mr Kenobi's cat, but truthfully I think he believes we are all his servants.

[ The young ginger Persian is brave enough not to run away when they move, and when Kazu sinks to its level, offers his hand, there's a few more sniffs before it bumps its head into his hand.]

Kazu then. The pleasure is all mine.

[ Albert had asked Temple for help on the pronunciation, knowing the other man would be coming over. He already has said it wrong and been corrected. He still says it carefully, as he's much more used to English and German than Japanese.]

Please, if I do say it incorrectly, you must tell me. I do not wish to offend. But Japanese is not something I was ever exposed to. Chinese is the closest and I am told that even that is not truly close.

[collateraldamaging]

[ Nothing like a friendly animal to settle one's nerves. Kazu gives Coruscant some gentle pets, then progresses to scritching under kitty's chin. ]

That is how all feline interactions end up, or so I'm told.

[ He's never had a cat himself, or a pet at all before Duplicity. Still, it's common knowledge. Coruscant gets one last stroke from head to tail before he stands back up. ]

You've said it correctly, don't worry. It will feel more natural with time... my accent on western names used to be very strong as well. [ Immersion does wonders! Kazu offers Albert a smile, already getting the sense this fellow couldn't offend someone if he tried. ] And whoever told you that was right. Chinese and Japanese may look similar in writing, but they sound very different.

May I ask when you're from?

[foolish_photographer]

I think you are quite right on that front. It is the nature of cats, I understand. Much like dogs want to serve, cats wish to be served.

[Albert hasn't had pets either. He has had horses, but those were working animals, and he otherwise worked with untamed creatures in the wild. Still, his appreciation of animals is obvious in the way he pat's the sofa, and Coruscant eagerly jumps up into it and merps at Kazu from the cushions. ]

So I have been told. There is a Japanese lady living with- with one of the other Dominants down the street. She and I have conversed about it a little.

[ The question still remains strange, even though it has been asked of him several times by this point.]

It was late summer of 1899, last I know. I'm afraid I couldn't give you an exact date, I hadn't been into a town for some days. And you, sir?

[collateraldamaging]

That explains it... I am from 2072. In my era you'd have a very hard time finding anyone on the planet who hasn't been exposed to most other cultures in some way.

[ Even taking the war into account, until very recently someone wouldn't even have to leave the comfort of their home to experience places across the globe, with the Ether. Kazu only has the faintest concept of what it would have been like to live in 1899. People were still getting everywhere by train and boat, right? Wild. ]

Even this city must have been an adjustment for you. I'd like to hear more, but maybe we could continue this in the kitchen?

[foolish_photographer]

That is quite some time in the future, but not the furthest Albert has heard of. Mr Temple himself is from a time well beyond that. Still, it does explain some of the differences perhaps, although Albert doesn't think there are many differences. People are people, he thinks, wherever and whenever you go.]

Alas, I think that my countrymen are very determined to destroy any culture they find distasteful. I can only hope they do not succeed.

[But he fears so much is lost already, especially of the native peoples.]

The kitchen! Oh my, yes of course. [He gestures to the little space, clearly seen from the living room. Indeed, the main room of the little cabin is entirely open, so that when they move to the kitchen, the cat can still sit and watch them from his place on the couch.]

Can I pour you a drink? A glass of wine? A scotch? Tea or coffee, even?

[collateraldamaging]

[ Kazu frowns slightly, trying to remember exactly what was going on in that time period. While he thinks he does follow Albert to the kitchen area, setting his bag on the counter. ]

Ah-- just water would be fine, thank you. And free reign to go through your cupboards?

[ He hesitates before speaking again, as Albert fills a glass. ]

For what it's worth, you can have more of a hand in it than you might realize. What did you do for work?

[foolish_photographer]

Yes yes. I'm afraid I don't have a wide collection of condiments, but I hope the basics are there. And of course if you wish to give me a shopping list, I can see what I can obtain for next time.

[ As he speaks he opens one of the wooden cupboards and takes out a pair of glasses from within. One he fills with water and offers to Kazu, the other he adds some fruit juice from the fridge for himself. ]

Well, to earn money, I did portraiture. Photography of dull housewives and their dull husbands, their bored children. But what I wanted to do was wildlife photography! Wild animals, in the great outdoors, magnificent in their beauty and ferocity. Nature, untamed by man. It was quite wonderful.

[collateraldamaging]

[ That sounds like a plan -- Kazu brought some things for today, obviously, but he can't afford to do so every time. He nods his thanks and starts rummaging around for cooking equipment and ingredients while Albert explains his profession. ]

Well whether you knew it or not, I'd say you're already contributing to the preservation of something important. Hopefully your world takes a different path, but in mine a great many species are extinct. Photographs, especially ones taken in their natural habitats, are priceless. You can always expand your subject matter to documenting culture as well.

[foolish_photographer]

[ As the man gets acquainted with the kitchen, Albert will point out where the common items are. Pans in that cupboard. Spices here. Knives there. While Kazu is slightly taller than his host, it isn't by much, so he shouldn't have any difficulty reaching things on the higher shelves.]

That is why I do it, I'm afraid. There are too many people hunting for sheer bloodlust. They want trophies. Westerners have successfully wiped out almost all the wild bison from the plains, and with them the native people that followed the herds. They think nothing of it. They feel no guilt.

[ Albert forces himself to take a deep breath, steadying himself. ]

My apologies. Let's talk of something less horrible. What is your home like? I must say I know very little of Japan.

[collateraldamaging]

[ ...oh, Albert. If you want a less horrible topic, Kazu's world is the last thing you want to hear about. He winces slightly, beginning to prep ingredients, but figures as long as he keeps the focus on Japan specifically this should be fine? ]

Is there anything in particular you'd like to know? It's an island country, but depending on where you are the culture varies. Despite being fairly small we have beaches, snowy mountains, hot springs, forests... in cities the population is so high you might be living in a single room apartment the size of this kitchen, but out in the country not even be able to see your neighbor down the road. It all depends.

[foolish_photographer]

[Albert listens with great interest, sipping his drink as he stays out of Kazu's way, but still attentive in case he should need anything. An island, with great cities and sparse agricultural areas, with a wide variety of habitats.]

I must say, it sounds as if it is an incredible and varied place. Snowy mountains, forests... much like the heartlands that I used to wander. Tell me a little, if it is no trouble, about those places? The animals there? I imagine there must be an enormous variety.

[He can't help it, he really can't. Learning about wildlife has always been his passion, and while he could ask about all manner of things, like the food or the literature or the art of Kazu's homeland, his imagination is already fired up about the creatures that share that land with humans.]

[collateraldamaging]

[ Of course that's the first thing he asks about. Kazu's expression falters a bit, but luckily it's not very noticeable with how his attention is on the cutting board in front of him. He just can't bring himself to clarify the situation back home, so... yeah. It won't hurt to talk about how things used to be, right?

As he cooks, he tells Albert about the deer in Nara, the cats in Aoshima, the wild rabbits in Okunoshima, Arashiyama's monkeys and the Machida squirrel garden. He describes tanuki and sable and serow, all animals he's only ever seen in photographs. But they were there once, native to Japan, and remembered. ]

[foolish_photographer]

[ Albert listens with fascination, making small observations to compare the animals Kazu describes with the ones he knows. He has a feeling though, perhaps from the set of the man's shoulders, the stiffness of his spine, that it isn't a topic he should press. Possibly for the best, when Kazu seems to finish telling him about creatures, Albert moves on to another matter. ]

Fascinating! And I have to admit, I have been curious ever since you mentioned it when we were corresponding. Western food and Japanese food. Are they greatly different?

[collateraldamaging]

[ Definitely for the best, yes. Food is also an easier topic for Kazu specifically, since he has so much experience with it. He nods at the question, his posture relaxing slightly. ]

Yes, very much so. Our flavors are generally more complex, and we traditionally favor ingredients like fish, rice, and soy. The west is more reliant on meat, grains, and dairy. If you're curious I'd be happy to make you something from home to try? I wouldn't be offended if you didn't like it, some tastes must be acquired.

[foolish_photographer]

[ He watches the man relax, and from where Albert stands it seems that Kazu is much happier. ]

Oh, I would be quite delighted to try! I am familiar with fish, my mother would make a delicious pie of various kinds of fish, poached in milk and herbs and topped with slices of potato.

But I suppose that is quite different to what you might make.

[collateraldamaging]

[ Kazu huffs softly, amused at how enthusiastic Albert sounds. ]

Was she from the UK? That sounds English... and you're right, quite different. All there is in common is the fish, which likely aren't the same types. And we prefer ours prepared raw or fried, depending.

Tell me, what are your favorite foods? I can make something using those ingredients, so that it isn't completely foreign.

[foolish_photographer]

Ah, no. My mother is German. My paternal grandfather was English. I believe the recipe might have been his favourite too, hence the reason it was made so often in our household.

I've never had fish raw. Nor any meat, in truth. How very unusual. That is something I would be interested to try, if it is something you would be happy to prepare?

[ As for favourites, Albert makes a soft laugh, a little shy. ]

In truth? I'm not sure I have a favourite. I'm quite content to eat most things. I spend, or rather, I used to spend, a great deal of time in the wilderness working on my photography, and I managed on what I could forage or had brought with me. What about you, sir? Is there something you particularly enjoy? Of your own culture and of Western food?