Rae and Marcus, May 4, 2513 Home Again Home Again

Marcus exits the dojo and makes his way home. Once there, he again confronts Matthew. This time a little differently. “Are you okay?” Matthew stares sulkily at him. “What do you care brother, you’re too busy chasing cha wuneng de ren to worry about me.” Marcus sighs heavily and resists the urge to hit his brother again. “I lost my temper. You have to realize, if we are to survive here you must follow my instructions. We have to present a certain picture to these people. If the locals do not accept us, we will never be able to thrive here. A mistake by you could cost us everything. The girl is a local, she could be a valuable asset. Showing her kindness is not a weakness.” Matthew stares at the counter as he thinks upon this. “So, this is just business for you? She is a contact? Nothing more than a business asset?” Marcus gives him a smirk, “what else could she be? I won’t deny I’m curious. It’s an odd girl that lives in a dojo.” Matthew then asks him. “what’s with the rock?” Marcus replies,“I don’t know yet, who cares. She’s happy enough she got it back.” Marcus thinks back to her oddly familiar behavior in the alley after he found the necklace. He wonders what could make a rock so precious to a woman. The women he knew usually preferred jewels. Marcus wanders to the back to take a shower and prepare for the day.

Marcus thinks on the odd girl, wondering what on earth she was doing living in a dojo. Was Estes her father? Is that why she lives in such a place? He didn’t act like her father, though he was protective. He definitely didn’t look like her father. And she was working there. She was definitely learning as well. There must be a business arrangement. Why would a woman want to learn those things? Wouldn’t it be more profitable for a woman to do things such as clothes making, cooking, or even farming out here? Life out here is dangerous enough as it is. Of course she did act more like a man than a woman, definitely didn’t look like a man though. Flirted like a woman too. Had temper tantrums like a woman. He chuckled to himself, definitely a woman. She had a long way to go before she was ready to compete in the real world though. Maybe Marcus will help with that, or, maybe “the man in the mask” will. Now that he knows where to find her, and what she does. She did, after all, tell him she wants to learn.

He would have to keep an eye on Matthew. He was head strong and spiteful at times. He remembered slights and insults a long time. He could try something rash if he wasn’t watched. He felt sorry for Rae, his brother could be a right pain in the pigu sometimes. Still, it was his brother, and he would learn as he grew. He’d always had a soft spot for his youngest brother, and his brother was lucky. If he hadn’t removed him from his father’s home, Matthew’s fate would not have been pleasant and his life could have ended before it began. His father had no use for children, who did not behave, especially fourth sons who promised to be nothing but a drain on his pocketbook. Their mother had pampered Matthew as her last child, and he had wanted for nothing. Marcus didn’t know whether to feel sorry for his brother or just plain amused. It was like pointing and laughing at a child who fell down and skinned his knees on the playground. Now Matthew was out of his comfort zone, forced into the real world. It would not be easy on him. Especially since he was used to women favoring him and catering to him. It would be awhile before anything like that happened here. Power always came before the pampering. So, that’s what he needed to do. Establish the power.