Down With The World

We'll Name Our Children Jackie and Wilson (Raise 'Em On Rhythm And Blues)

Tenko shook his knee anxiously as he ate his steak. He was in one of the best restaurants in Roanoke, wearing a suit, and sitting across from the most gorgeous woman who had ever lived; his girlfriend.

It had been nearly a year since he and Arachne had kissed and subsequently gotten together, and that time had been nothing but bliss for them both. They went on dates that ranged from anything to eating at the best restaurants in the world (while dodging the paparazzi with a bit of magical help), to beta testing Fowle Enterprises's latest games together. It was like the honeymoon phase never seemed to end.

They laughed and enjoyed life together, all the while learning everything about one another, and in doing so, Tenko had learned a lot about Arachne's religion. He found himself more inclined to have faith in gods that had proven their existence by appearing to Arachne's ancestors or bestowing the Fowle family with magical gifts than any of the Shinto or Buddist gods his family had worshiped in his youth. He usually wasn't one to put his faith in a higher power, but since that higher power had made itself known, he was willing to give it a chance. So after giving it careful consideration, Tenko had converted to Arachne's family religion a few months ago. He wasn't quite as devout as Arachne herself, but he did pray at least three times a week and tried to do a spiritual cleansing at least once a week. Another reason he converted was in preparation for what he was about to do... he was going to propose tonight, and if he was gonna marry his girlfriend, he wanted to do it as a follower of her religion since it was such an important part of her life.

Changing religions was the easy part of preparing to propose, the hard part was buying the ring. Tenko still didn't have a job, and all his spending money came directly from Arachne. What kind of man would he be if he bought his girlfriend an engagement ring with her own money? To resolve that issue, Tenko started working part-time with Kurogiri at his bartender job, though he could only work when Arachne was out of town on business trips so she didn't realize what he was doing. Because of that hiccup, it took him months to save up enough to buy an engagement ring befitting his goddess, but it would all be worth it in the end when he got on one knee and saw the smile on her face... once he managed to get over his nerves, that was. Tenko smiled at Arachne nervously as she ate her food.

"So uh... how was last week's business trip? You never really told me about it.", Tenko asked, trying to ease the self-imposed tension he was feeling. Arachne shrugged.

"That's because there wasn't really much to tell you. Infinity Island is very secure. It's a beautiful, if boring place. Nothing ever happens there unless Ra's wants it to. Oh, I did get to see Talia though, and Slade and his little ones. I still can't believe Joseph is three already, and Rose just turned five. I swear that only yesterday they were little babies Slade would keep strapped to his chest in harnesses while he shot people. Oh, how time flies... ", Arachne said with a nostalgic sigh as she twirled some of her pasta around her fork. Tenko knew who all the people she was talking about were, even if he had never met them; they were her friends/business associates from the League of Shadows. Tenko raised his eyebrow when he heard the last bit of what Arachne was saying.

"Is that a normal thing for assassin parents to do? Just... keep their kids strapped to their chests while they kill people?", Tenko asked. Arachne shook her head.

"Probably not. Slade's always been a little... quirky. It's most likely just something he does, but the kids always come back without a scratch when he takes them with him on missions, so no one brings much attention to it. I can't say anyone blames him for doing it, either. After what happened to poor Joseph's vocal cords when that bastard took him hostage, not to mention his wife putting out his eye before having a psychotic break and leaving him... you can't really fault Slade for wanting to keep his kids close at all times. He feels like he failed one of them once, and they're all he has now. I just wish he'd see the therapist I recommended so he can work through his unresolved issues.", Arachne said with a frustrated sigh. Tenko smiled at her fondly, charmed by her desire to help her friend.