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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[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?

There are people here who aren't part of the Fleet. This station is like a large inn, the size of a city, so many families are traveling through and staying here. The parents often want to go out on their own and leave their children in temporary custody of the station.

[Which is odd to him, but he supposes that travel restrictions are much looser in the future.]

So I became - or am, for now - a babysitter until the Fleet moves on.

That sounds boring.

[ Who would even do that? ]

Why couldn't they just take them?

[Okita bursts out laughing. He is always surprised by how blunt young people can be.]

I suppose because they want a little time away.

What for?

[Oh no, OH NO. He can't stop himself from giggling. He's sorry, Kubo, he really is.]

For things you'll understand when you are older, perhaps.

[ His one eye narrows. ]

Is it something gross?

I'm not telling~

[Because he is 100% a mature adult.]

Definitely gross then.

[Pfft, kiddo, you have no idea.]

If you call gambling and going to something called a "spa" gross, then yes.

Edited 2017-01-04 05:45 (UTC)

That seems like a waste.

It likely is. These people seem to have no shortage of money and yet an overabundance of everything else.

But I do earn a lot of money for keeping their children for them, so I don't mind. I've never been allowed to earn money by myself before.

[ Huh. That makes him wonder if Soujirou is a lord of some sort - who gets his allowance elsewhere. ]

I've never had that much before.

When I was young, neither did I. Perhaps one day you will succeed your father as Lord of the Beetle Clan, hmm?

. . . I don't think that's going to happen.

[Ah... Not a good topic. He regrets bringing it up now.]

Ah, I'm sorry, Kubo-kun. But your story is long from over yet. Your future may still hold many adventures.