Kin and Blood

[Willoria]

Souma had gotten into his shop earlier than usual that morning. His new venture into blowing glass had become very popular and Souma had already learned he couldn't make his product with everyone watching. People enjoyed the show and it drew people in of course, but he had to take too many breaks to actually sell things to people to actually get much done. As such, even though his shop didn't open until eleven, he had gotten in at six that morning to work on several products.

By time it came near to five, his closing time, the man was exhausted though he fought not to show it. His suspender straps hung on his hips and his shirt hung on a hook behind him as he worked on a rather ornate vase with about a half a dozen onlookers. As always at least a couple of them were females that seemed to be enjoying more than just the show of glass and skill, though Souma almost never noticed the way women looked at him, as always his heart was still for his dearly departed wife.

Today was actually what would have been their wedding anniversary, as such he had plans after work to spend time with his little brother, one of the only people in the world who understood the man's sorrow. While Souma spent his worst days alone, he knew his family was coming to the point of no longer allowing that on days like today.

[zippo]

Already at the birth of an evening, and the weather lost its edge. The sky was starting to leak grey into a once immaculate blue; an indication that a storm was coming. The weather was considerate long enough, allowing Zippo to travel down several blocks without even a lick of a small gale flowing against his direction or a droplet of water appear in his presence. That was... until his feet started stepping over a shop's entrance. As if his actions triggered it all, a croak of his first foot over a step followed by a droplet tapping his left shoulder.

He didn't mind rain, or even a storm. They did live in Lightning Country after all. However, he did not want anything to be in his way on 'this' day. Today was the very same day his brother got married. This was the day Souma was at, what Zippo assumed, to be his jolliest. Zippo could familiarize with this pain in a different way. But The one he loved almost died by this very hand:

With a conscious lift of its left wrist, he cupped his left hand into a fist. Before he could push the door open, he stopped, and opened his palm.

Firmly Zippo's warm palm rested against the woodgrain. He needed to breathe a little after vividly thinking about what he did that day...

After finding his bearings, he stood up straight and pressed the door open with his fist. No matter what, no matter how old he is, he will always open doors with his fist if it doesn't require twisting.

But who's shop was this? What was he here to buy?

Understand that this wasn't an ordinary shop. It's one of the most unique shops in this reality, the gate to a domain under the sovereignty of his older brother:

Souma.


"Yo, big bro."

[Willoria]

Souma was just wrapping up work on the vase and set it aside to cool when he looked up and saw his brother come through the door of his shop. He couldn't help a grin before he turned to his customers. "If you have purchases, please make them, we'll be closing in a few moments." he announced, ignoring the looks of the couple of girls mooning over him as if he didn't see them at all. He turned and took a towel from a shelf, wiping his face and chest dry of the sweat the heat of the glass blowing always caused before taking his shirt from a nearby hook and pulling it on.

He walked to his desk as he buttoned him his shirt and rang up totals for the couple of customers who actually bought items. Once they paid and left he ushered the last couple out and turned the side in the window to closed before turning to his brother. "Another day done.... you know I picked up the glass blowing out of boredom and it seems people prefer that to any of the silver I work." he said with a bit of a chuckle. "So what is the plan today?"

[zippo]

Graying, curly hair tight in a ponytail revealed a sculpted, heart-warming grin. Coming from the entrance, Zippo took several steps before being informed of the situation:

"If you have purchases, please make them, we'll be closing in a few moments."

The shop was getting ready to close. While this was happening, Zippo could hear a slight drizzle rapidly tapping against the storefront. At this point, in his mind, if it rained, it rained. He wasn't going add stress into it.

While some people were leaving and cashing out with Souma, he noticed a young woman drop her purse. Right on Zippo's shoe. As this event took place, she looked at him. He looked at her. She even cleared her throat loud enough for him to at least show some courtesy.

After Zippo lost beating the the ten second rule, he finally picked it up. With a finger going in the purse he said aloud: "oh, I was looking for this."

As fast as one could say 'Charm' she snatched the tiny bag and gave him a disgruntled look only a spoiled child would make. "How rude." This occurred all while his brother planted himself at the cash register. Hopefully he didn't catch wind of Zippo's playful moment there.

Once everyone left, Souma said to Zippo:

"Another day done.... you know I picked up the glass blowing out of boredom and it seems people prefer that to any of the silver I work."

"Is that so?" Zippo replied.

"So what is the plan today?"

At this point, Zippo couldn't think of anything really 'concrete' on what to do or where to go. To be honest, he wanted to go hunt some ninjas. But this was his brother's big day. Surely, if anyone had to make a suggestion it would be the amazing, godlike entity, Ishiguro Zippo:

"Well... Let's see." Zippo rested his right palm under his left armpit, and placed his left fingers against his goatree, grooming it like an old sage. "How about we try something new today, bro."

"You choose."

Yeah. Zippo looped. But he did so for a reason. This was Souma's day. Not Zippo's day. He was here to support, not take over someone's need to shine and express himself. As soon as Souma got his feet wet, Zippo would be there to insert his opinions and mold the moment when necessary.

[Willoria]

Souma himself didn't see the exchange between his brother and the woman. He was too focused on his customers and getting their items paid for and them out of the shop as quickly as possible. He felt like he'd had enough of being stared at for one day and wasn't interested in another minute of it. Though he hid it on the outside, considering what day it was the only thing the man wanted to do was sit at home and drink himself into a stupor.

For a moment as Zippo told him to choose their activity for the day, Souma just stared at him. With everyone else he kept a calm and even kind demeanor, but this was his brother. There was no need for fronts and masks with him. He ran a hand through his hair with a heavy sigh and shrugged. "You know me, my usual is to just drink until I forget what day it is. Not sure what to do that's new or different." he replied as he walked to the front door of his shop and turned the sign around to show it was now closed.

For a moment he stared out the window that was within the door, watching people walk by. "What else am I supposed to do, lil' brother? She's dead and I'm still here." he shook his head and lifted a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. Today wasn't a day where he was most well known for good ideas and thoughts. 'Hell the man responsible for it is now the Raikage... how the hell am I supposed to reconcile that without a few drinks in me?' he thought to himself, turning to look at his brother.

As the pair spoke there was a yawn from behind the counter and out sauntered the snow leopard cub that had only in the last couple weeks become Souma's constant companion. The feline walked over to him and rubbed up against him, looking up with her blue eyes as if expecting to be pet. When Souma didn't do so and instead kept his attention on his brother, the cub sat on her hind end and continued to stare.