(no subject)

[shamisens]

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. ]

Comments

[ahappylie]

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.

[shamisens]

[ 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?

[ahappylie]

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.

[shamisens]

That sounds boring.

[ Who would even do that? ]

Why couldn't they just take them?

[ahappylie]

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

I suppose because they want a little time away.

[shamisens]

What for?

[ahappylie]

[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.

[shamisens]

[ His one eye narrows. ]

Is it something gross?

[ahappylie]

I'm not telling~

[Because he is 100% a mature adult.]

[shamisens]

Definitely gross then.

[ahappylie]

[Pfft, kiddo, you have no idea.]

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

[shamisens]

That seems like a waste.

[ahappylie]

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.

[shamisens]

[ 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.

[ahappylie]

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

[shamisens]

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

[ahappylie]

[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.

[shamisens]

Honestly, I wouldn't mind if it was quiet for a year or so.

[ He had some intense adventures of late. ]

[ahappylie]

Did something happen recently?

[Because it certainly sounds like it did.]

[shamisens]

[ He shakes his head. ]

I . . . don't want to talk about it. Not yet.

[ahappylie]

I understand. If there comes a time you need someone to listen, I'll be there.

[shamisens]

[ He nods slowly. Kubo doesn't know if he'll take Soujirou up on that offer, but he'll consider it. ]

[ahappylie]

[He's quiet and watches Kubo for a moment or two. Whatever happened left this boy with a scar deeper than anything physical. He's still reeling from it, so pushing him would be unwise. However, leaving him with those thoughts swirling in his head would just be cruel.]

Would you like to hear a story then? I'm not very good, but it's a cute one.

[shamisens]

[ He perks up at that. ]

Sure.

1/?

[ahappylie]

[He smiles a bit and rolls his head to one side thinking.]

Well, this is the story of a little pig and his family. A long time ago, there was a little pig and his family of many brothers and sisters. They were being raised for food, but they were well cared for by the people who owned them. The pigs wanted for nothing, but always there was the danger that if they grew too big too fast, they would disappear from their family.