11 years ago...
A 7-year-old Bogart D. Weiss laid in bed with the covers up to his neck while his father shuffled through some drawers. From beneath some clothing Hideki D. Weiss pulled a leather-bound journal. It was tattered and worn, but that sold its tale even more. The journal was a hand-written note of Hideki's research into monsters and the occult, sewn from animal skins - something that he told Bogie were skins from monsters he'd slain. It kept the lore of a handful of monsters within, concealing the information on their habits and how to beat them. Having this constant source in his hands helped him weave bedtime stories for his son.
In between tours at sea Hideki D. Weiss would tell stories of monster hunting and rumors of the occult to Bogart at bedtime each night. He chose to hide the fact that he was a soldier of the Navy in favor of being a hunter, someone that hunts monsters of myth and legend, to keep Bogie interested in different things. He hated the work he did for the Marines, but the traveling allowed him to visit different islands and collect more information for the ever growing journal, constantly expanding his repertoire of story points.
Giddy with excitement, Bogie listened to the stories his father told with wholehearted focus - that is, until he'd fall asleep. In the eyes of the young Bogart D. Weiss, his father was a hero to humanity and impossibly cool. The man he revered so greatly was the ideal future and he wanted nothing more than to follow in Hideki's footsteps when he came of age.
"Papa," Bogie interrupted, causing Hideki to pause in the middle of one of his many monster hunting tales. "Can you teach me how to fight like you?"
Hideki smiled, but hesitated before saying anything. If possible, he didn't want to lead his son to a life of fighting, but training him to defend himself was much better than the alternative. Still, he couldn't throw himself into it so easily. "Ah ha. I don't know. I think you're a little young for that."
"I'll listen to everything you say. I promise. And I won't fight monsters until I'm old."
He didn't want to train the young Bogie, but there were only a few weeks left until his next tour. He'd be gone for months before he'd see his son again, so it was hard for the man to say no. "Fine. But only if you promise to never hurt anyone."
"I promise!"
Sighing, Hideki agreed. "We can start tomorrow. But now it's bedtime." With that, Hideki got up and went to the door. With a finger on the light switch he said, "Goodnight," and flipped the light off.
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