Mingle Post for Solace

[reflectedblight]

Who: EVERYONE
Broadcast: N/A
Action: On Solace
When: Second half of January

[Start your own headers, fix ships, buy stuff, get on those hoverboards, whatever!]

Comments

[shamisens]

. . . Are you sure you want me there?

[therewerefifty]

[...oh she's familiar with this, too. Makie watches him a moment, then smiles softly.]

As long as you would like to come.

[shamisens]

[ His fingers drift over the strings before he nods quietly. ]

Yeah. I think I'd like that.

[therewerefifty]

My friend's name is Misty. She's very nice.

Do you have... anyone you know here? From your home?

[shamisens]

[ Kubo hates that question. There's no neat way to deflect it or pretend it was fine. He just settles for shaking his head. ]

[therewerefifty]

I understand. I'm the same, though I suppose in my case it doesn't matter quite so much. [And if it's difficult...well, she'll move on.] A simpler question, then: have you ever played accompaniment before?

[shamisens]

My mother and I used to play together . . . when I was younger.

[therewerefifty]

The same.

She grew ill and died some years ago, but playing with her gave me fond memories to look back on. I remember her well at times like this.

[Not...just because of the shamisen, either.]

[shamisens]

[ He knows that look and his own grief surges upward, trying to claw its way through. With effort, Kubo suppresses it. ]

She really loved it.

[therewerefifty]

[She thought that might be the case.]

I'm glad she passed her teaching on to you. It's a legacy of sorts, isn't it?

[shamisens]

She didn't have a reputation as a musician. But there are different ways to carry out her legacy.

[therewerefifty]

My mother wasn't known for it, either. [...she was known for being an outcast whore. But let's leave that aside.]

You're correct, though. In taking what made her happy and continuing to bring it to the world.

[shamisens]

It's what I learned recently.

[therewerefifty]

You learned it faster than I did. [Which is said with no small amount of fondness. She learned in the end. It's what's important.]

I would enjoy playing together with you, Kubo. If you've a mind to do so.

[shamisens]

I had to. We didn't really have much of anything.

[ He nods. ]

I don't mind.

[therewerefifty]

[...]

I will not be returning to the ships for a few days. But my friend Misty is on the Windrose. I'm sure she'd love to meet you in the meantime.

[shamisens]

I . . . guess?

[ His good mood slips away a little. He's sure that there are nice people on the Fleet but he isn't that keen on seeking them out just yet. ]

[therewerefifty]

[Oh. She understands how that sounds. Makie shakes her head.]

I don't mean to chase you away now. I had assumed you would return to the ships eventually, that's all.

[shamisens]

I mean, I will. I just like being on land at the moment. Away from the battles.

[therewerefifty]

I understand. I'm much the same...

[For different reasons this time, but.]

I usually come down to the cities and villages outside of the ships where I can. The ships are... not for me. Not for you either, it seems.

[shamisens]

[ He doesn't know yet so he shrugs. ]

Maybe I just need some time.

[therewerefifty]

Maybe you do. How long have you been on the Fleet?

[shamisens]

A few weeks. It's not very long.

[therewerefifty]

No.

...do you wish to return home? [Some don't. For good reason.]

[shamisens]

Maybe. I don't really have much of one anymore.