driftfleet | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Kubo and You
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Marsiva
When:

[ Kubo wakes up with a jerk, fumbling around before he realizes it's not dark. The fire isn't lit and — this wasn't the cave he grew up in. Groping around, Kubo felt the solid presence of his shamisen, the two strings intact and breathes a sigh of relief. Then he carefully slips off the bed, slinging it over his back. With his one eye, he looked around. And pinches himself. ]

Okay. Not dead. Where am I? This isn't the Heavens . . . is it?

[ He had been sure everything had been settled, but Kubo hadn't exactly had time to learn the exact nature of what lingers above. ]

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[ That sounded like something Beetle would do. ]

What kind of dance?

[Oh no, don't make him remember this. It's both awesome and awful at the same time.]

Well, he has a scar on his stomach, you see, so he dresses it up with makeup like a woman with large eyes and big red lips.

[Wait, no, he tried, and now that he's remembered it, he's laughing.]

It's not exactly a dance meant for young eyes, let's just say that.

I'm not that young!

[ Still a scar . . . ]

So your friend is a samurai?

[He snickers.]

I'm well over your age and even I think it's a little much sometimes.

[Never let it be said that Harada Sanosuke's lady belly dance was meant for anyone's eyes that weren't 1000000% drunk.]

And yes, he is. We all are. That doesn't frighten you, does it?

No! My father was a samurai. I used to tell his stories with my shamisen. He was the Lord of the Beetle Clan.

[ His chest puffs up because Kubo is proud of his father. Even what his father had become. ]

[That isn't a clan he's familiar with, but it's not like he knows all the clans ever.

And there it is again - "he was." Somehow that makes this boy so much more interesting to him, like Tetsu and Tatsunosuke.]

Well! To become the Lord of his own clan must mean he was very brave indeed. Perhaps you can tell me his story someday. I'd like to hear about your father.

Sure. It's a story I tell often. Full of monsters and quests, even true love.

[ And now, it's a story he knows the ending to. A story he's lived. He can give meaning to their lives. ]

It sounds like the sort of story that everyone should hear.

[To pay tribute to his parents and their legacy. This boy wouldn't end up like Tetsu or Tatsunosuke, or even like him. And while that makes Okita feel a little lonesome, he's happier for it. No one should end up like him.]

Perhaps the next time everyone in the fleet is gathered somewhere, you'd like to perform?

I don't mind, if they're interested. I usually perform for coin, but I can make some exceptions.

I think if you were to perform, you might find money coming your way. The pay here seems to be tied to what we do during our time here. The most interesting, the more you make.

But . . . [ He considers this. ]

How do you become interesting? Isn't that weird?

Isn't it? I really don't know. I was told just to be myself and hope that someone finds me interesting enough to pay me.

[Literally, he has no idea. Good luck, Kubo. He can teach you to be a sword master, but not how the heck reality TV works.]

[ He'll take sword master any time. ]

I . . . guess I'll just be creative?

[He's the world's worst teacher, but he will definitely teach! Just...be ready for a lot of bruises.]

That sounds like a fine way to be, especially for a storytell--

[Wait. Idea.]

Sooooo, how much can you do with that paper?

[ He blinks. ]

Just about anything. Why?

Would you like to have a little fun with me later? I think quite a few people here are a little too dreary and could use a little... "pick me up."

[ His curiousity was peaked, but Kubo was still on the fence. ]

What did you have in mind?

Nothing but a little fun!

Maybe we can sneak a few of your creations into people's rooms and let them play together for a bit. [aka get chased mercilessly by tiny samurai and pigs and chickens or goats.]

We could all use a little fun now and then, can't we?

[ That does sound like fun. ]

Oh, I can do way more than that.

[Instant adoption.]

Then I believe a little fun is in order once you're able to move about freely.

How long will that be?

[ He doesn't like the idea of being on this ship, alone. ]

It's never very long - a few days, perhaps six at the most?

[He smiles and taps the screen again.]

But if you need to talk, you can always call me on this device. I keep odd hours, so I should probably be awake.

. . . You won't mind?

[ Kubo keeps odd hours as well, tempered by his mother's decay over the years. ]

Of course I won't mind. Even after you leave the Marsiva, you can always talk to me if you need it.

[He smiles a little wider.]

Even if it's just to show me dancing paper samurai.

[ He relaxes, faintly vulnerable. ]

I'd like that.