driftfleet | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

[He really shouldn't be adopting kids like this. The last time didn't go so well - what with him pushing Tetsu, a boy barely older than Kubo, to become like him. Thankfully that failed and so Okita hopes he won't repeat that mistake with this boy. It would be alright, wouldn't it? To be needed for just a little while longer?

He smiles back at Kubo.]

I would, too. And besides [His smile turns mischievous and he lowers his voice again.] we have to plan your grand entrance and our paper escapade, don't we?

It wouldn't be fun if I had a grand entrance. Best to leave it in the dark.

[He snickers. Kubo, you are a national treasure.] Too true. We'll have to keep your particular skills a bit quiet for now.

I'll start gathering a list of people who I think need the most cheer in their lives. How does that sound?

You have a list?

Well, not yet, but I'm sure I can put one together soon enough.

You must have a lot of people in mind already.

Hardly enough, but a few, yes. I enjoy watching people and they like to talk here.

Is there nothing else to do here?

We are mostly left on our own as it was explained to me. Now, we are at a station - like a traveller's town - where there are odd jobs to do, but otherwise we have no mission.

I've been taking care of the children at the station for lack of anything else to do.

[ It sparks the new question in Kubo: What is he meant to do now? His quest was over. The story is over. And while it felt like a happy ending, even with all the grief, Kubo never had the chance to ask himself what he would do next. ]

The children at the station?