Mingle Post for Solace

[reflectedblight]

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

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Comments

[ahappylie]

[Now is when Okita wishes he better understood people's emotions. It's hard to fully understand people when he's spent most of his life suppressing his humanity in the pursuit of a cause.]

Isn't it normal to grieve when someone so important to you is lost? Why deny yourself that?

[shamisens]

It's not denial. The good things that happened outweigh the bad ones. That's what I believe.

[ahappylie]

[He studies the boy in front of him and then leans forward slightly.]

That doesn't erase the hurt you feel, though, does it.

[shamisens]

No. But I'll manage it.

[ He knows he will. ]

[ahappylie]

[He gives a slight nod and then slowly leans back.]

Alright.

[He waits a moment, then reaches into his obi and gingerly removes a small pink peony blossom folded out of paper. He looks at it for a moment and then holds it out to Kubo.]

This is for you.

[shamisens]

[ Approaching quietly, Kubo picks it up with care. ]

Did you make this? It's really good.

[ahappylie]

[He laughs quietly and a little sheepishly.]

It isn't as good as yours, but I tried since I was stuck inside for awhile. I'm glad you like it.

[shamisens]

[ He twirls it on his fingers, his mood lifted. ]

I can teach you a little if you want. It's not that hard.

[ahappylie]

I'd love to learn. I mostly only ever made little balls or animals so I could tease my friend.

[He motions to the flower.]

You wouldn't want to see the other attempts.

[shamisens]

I'm sure it's not that bad. It took me some time to learn too.

[ Mostly because his mother wasn't always conscious or lucid during those periods and Kubo had to fill in the blanks. ]

[ahappylie]

Well, the first one was supposed to be a pig, but...

[He makes vague hands gestures which hints at just how badly that went.]

How long have you been making origami?

[shamisens]

[ Kubo looks at his fingers as he tries to count back the years but it comes up blank. In the end he just shakes his head. ]

As long as I can remember. It's the same with the shamisen.

[ahappylie]

It's wonderful that you've been taught two great skills from such a young age. We need more artists and dreamers in the world, I think.

[He winks.]

Should I call you "Kubo-kun" instead now?

[shamisens]

Kubo is fine.

[ He frowns slightly. Kubo loves his origami and shamisen but he's never thought of anything beyond that. Life was full of mundane issues until recently. ]

I don't know if I'm a dreamer.

[ahappylie]

Oh?

[He tilts his head slightly, eyebrows arching in mild surprise.]

Why not?

[shamisens]

I just . . . don't? I used to really like heroes and adventures.

[ He hasn't stopped but Kubo is a little more measured, a little more mature. ]

Ugh phone posting - that was supposed to be "Kubo-sensei" orz

[ahappylie]

Not all dreams are about heroes and adventure.

[He folds his hands in his lap again.]

I knew a man whose dream was to take care of his little brother and become an accountant.

it's fine <3

[shamisens]

What's an accountant?

[ahappylie]

It's a person who keeps track of all the numbers in a business or organization. He managed all of our accounts.

[He pauses and then snickers.]

It isn't very glamorous, but it was what he wanted to do in order to keep his family safe.

[shamisens]

It doesn't need to be glamorous.

[ Kubo knows what the quiet sacrifices look like. ]

What do you do anyway? You're a samurai, right?

[ahappylie]

[He nods his head. The quiet sacrifices are the ones least lauded, but most laudable.]

I am. I--

[Hm. Is there harm in telling Kubo who he is? It's possible he lives far enough away from the capital that the Shinsengumi's reputation wouldn't terrify him. But then it's also possible that it might. He's so used to lying here, what's the harm in lying a little longer? At the very least, he won't have to tell Kubo that he kills people for a living.

He pauses for a moment and then laughs.]

Well, I don't do much, to be completely honest. The world has little use for samurai in my age, so other than offering protection to those who need it, [He shrugs sheepishly.] I usually took care of the neighborhood children.

[shamisens]

Aw, really?

[ That's kind of disappointing. Kubo always pictured the samurai going on all sorts of adventures. ]

[ahappylie]

[He smiles apologetically.]

For me, yes.

[He pauses and then leans in carefully to avoid jostling his ribs. With one hand up to the side of his mouth, he whispers.]

Although I do know shinobi and kunoichi. But we aren't supposed to talk about them in the open.

[shamisens]

They're okay, I guess. But nothing beats a samurai.

[ahappylie]

[He giggles and sits back, feeling a little proud but sheepish at that.]

There have been amazing samurai, that's true. Especially in the days of the great wars.

Perhaps one day, I can show you my skills. I host sparring sessions sometimes.