driftfleet | Video. the ramblings of a drunk british man.

Who: Jarvis and you, valentine. ;)
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Tourist/Iskaulit, wherever you catch him
When: Valentine's Day of course!!!

[Jarvis here, ready to be — drunk? Perhaps just a little. He is actually doing a PSA whether he realizes it or not, looking disapprovingly at his wine glass. He's rosy-cheeked and his tie is the slightest bit crooked. Just the slightest. And he is currently abandoning his coat because it is clearly getting hot in the Tourist kitchen.]

Oh, myyyyy goodnessgracious, I think — I... Yes, the wrong bottle, this is... the wrong bottle. It's just a little purple...er than the other I was supposed to take from the shelf. I should have known better; I can't read —

[He looks intently at the liquor bottle, marked in alien writing that their augments certainly can't translate.]

I can't read this, period. I think I accidentally drank one of the more potent... bottles...

[... hiccup]

... Not the whole bottle, mind you, I'm not a barbarian.

Clearly two glasses is downright diabolical. I apologize, Miss Nami, I believe this is one of the newer imports. I will have to credit it out in take — ...take it out in credits. Goodness, it's warm in here. I'm going to go to the Iskaulit, since I fancy it cooler there... Cookies!! [Yes, that's as sudden as it seems, and he claps his hands together.] I'll make some cookies, because it is Valentine's Day, and cookies have to be made, and I haven't the supplies nor the mind-power for chocolate... anything, really. And I certainly have nothing to do on Valentine's Day, no sir — or ma'am. I am quite freed up by... by the light-years-away... -ness, of my predicament. Very much free to bake indeed. I don't mind at all. I — it's very... un-routine of me, to have no one to bake for on this particular date.

[He huffs.]

If you don't have a valentine, please stop by the Space Bar kitchen, I will have cookies so you can at least eat cookies. It's completely unnecessary to have a single valentine — it doesn't need to be a... lady or fellow you fancy, either. I'll have you know I made my classmates biscuits every year, save for — goodness, that time in... 1925...? When I came down with the flu. What a terrible February that was. I thought I'd gone — bubonic.

..... I'm talking quite a lot.

If you'll excuse me, I need my apron. Where did I put my...

[...... He's wandered off.]

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I've got it.

[ He follows through methodically. ]

And I'm not an adventurer. I think I'll stick to telling stories.

Mr. Storyteller it is, then.

I've the jam prepared; we can leave that aside, for the meanwhile. Now, half of these will be circles, and half will be circles — with hearts carved in the middle. Watch here, I'll demonstrate.

[The hearts in question.

He does it quick and careful, practiced.]

. . . Are hearts supposed to look like that?

[ That doesn't seem right. ]

... Well, yes!

... Not literally, of course. That would be very morbid, wouldn't it?

I guess?

[ He scrutinizes the shape. ]

I've just never seen it this way either.

It's certainly not that anatomically correct.

It's a symbol, you see.

[He makes a heart with his hands, educational in tone.]

Using the image of a real heart is a bit... well, grizzly. But this? It's a heart, but it also symbolizes love. When people in my time see it, they know immediately what it means, no matter what language or race or religion. It stands for the same thing, something we all share as fellow human beings. It brings a sense of solidarity in some regards, I suppose.

[He reaches over and carefully cuts out another heart shape.]

If you see two names in a heart, it means that the two love each other.

That seems so . . . simple.

[ Granted, Kubo is aware that his parents' love story was not the standard. If anything, it sort of defied all standards. ]

Anything seems simple when you look at it as just an object or an symbol. Have you had anything that seemed simple at first glance, but had a world of memories or feelings behind it?

It's what you make of the simple symbol that matters most.

[ Absently, he touches the woven bracelet around his tiny wrist. The only reminders of his parents. ]

Yeah. I know what that's like.

[Jarvis smiles, turning the ring on his finger thoughtfully.]

Precisely. We all have things that aren't all they seem at first glance.

[A smile, nodding to the bracelet.]

From your family?

Not really. It's . . . all I have. I couldn't give them a proper burial and we didn't have any mementos.

[His smile softens, and as usual, Jarvis feels a swell of sympathy and fondness in his heart. The poor boy. Jarvis counts his own blessings in times like these; he may be disowned, for lack of a better word, but at least he hasn't lost everyone. He puts a hand on Kubo's arm supportively, just beside the bracelet.]

They will appreciate you wearing this far more, I promise you.

Shall we continue making sweets in their honor?

[ He nods, but Kubo can't quite make eye contact. ]

Sure. They'd probably like that.

Perfect, then let's continue!

[Don't worry, young sir, he won't let it stay awkward and sad for too long.

Once more into the fray, as they say.]

And if you would like to make shapes of your own, I shan't complain.

Creativity is very important, in baking.

I just made rice a lot. It was the easier thing to buy and make and . . . [ He trails off. ]

It's not like we had a kitchen.

Rice, was it?

Was there anything else you prepared?

No. Not really. I did miso and fish when I could but it wasn't easy.

Miso? What's that, if I may ask?

It's a kind of soup we make. We have it with our rice to give it more taste.

[He gives pause, looking at the boy.]

I would love to learn how to make it, whenever you have the chance.

[ Kubo blinks. ]

Sure. But it's nothing special.

It's special to me! I've never had it.

I guess that could make it special. Just don't get your hopes up.

I will keep them properly leveled, then, but I have no doubts I will enjoy whatever you've made.

You might regret that too.

[ Kubo's cooking is passable, but he might not be the best judge. And his mother certainly couldn't tell him if he did a good job or not. ]

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