[ video ]

[shamisens]

Who: Kubo + You
Broadcast: Yes
Action: SS Starstruck
When: Now

[ The video opens up to a boy kneeling on a mat, his shamisen on his lap. There are a few origami figures settled next to him. ]

So, I know that the Fleet gives us money and there's no reason for me to really work the way I used to. But I also don't want my skills to go to waste. Perhaps you would be willing to share me your story? A part of it, happy or sad, good or evil. You can change it or even make it up as you go.

Or maybe you could tell me what kind of stories you'd like to hear about? What makes your heart soar?

[ He strums on the shamisen lightly. ]

Help our stories grow.

Comments

[shamisens]

I guess it's true about the Heavens and the people that live there.

[ They're all dicks. ]

What happened to you though?

[onlyanapple]

It is, like I told you before, I know what that lot tend to be like. There's a reason I threw my lot in with humanity.

I got stationed on Earth where I've been for six thousand years. I helped avert an apocalypse, then I ended up in Paradisa- then here.

[shamisens]

An apocalypse?

[onlyanapple]

The end of the world.

[shamisens]

Can the world do that?

[onlyanapple]

My world can. Or rather, the powers that be can try to orchestrate it.

[shamisens]

Why would they want to end the world though?

[onlyanapple]

Because each side wants complete control over everything. They seem to neglect to understand there will be nothing left to rule if they destroy the world.

Because they're idiots, basically.

[shamisens]

[ Kubo doesn't get it, but he shrugs. People will do whatever they want, especially those at the top. ]

I just figured they wouldn't care.

[onlyanapple]

They don't. Not really. Not about Earth, not about people. They just care about who wins. Everything else is just collateral damage, as far as they're concerned.

It's stupid.

[shamisens]

[ The vehemence in Crowley's tone surprises Kubo. ]

Well yeah. They don't know. They can't see.

[onlyanapple]

[He has a lot of feelings about Higher Powers- especially when it comes to their views on humanity. ]

Oh. They see plenty. They just don't want to acknowledge what they see.

[shamisens]

That's a different kind of sight. I mean, they don't live down here so they don't see.

[ Being able to see with two eyes isn't enough. ]

[onlyanapple]

Sometimes, they send their agents up or down- whichever side it is, it doesn't matter, to Earth. But no, you're right. They don't live there. They just...observe humanity like the world is a very complicated ant farm.

[shamisens]

[ He nods. ]

I don't know what that is, but I know they can't see unless they live down here.

[onlyanapple]

It's a tiny glass box humans keep ants in- watch them make their little tunnels and live their little ant lives.

But no, that makes sense. Not seeing it without really experiencing it.

[shamisens]

[ Kubo makes a face. ]

That sounds awful. Who does that?

[onlyanapple]

Children, usually. To learn about how ants work, I guess.

[shamisens]

No one I knew would do that.

[ The kids in the village were always nice, though Kubo didn't know them personally. ]

[onlyanapple]

Then that's good. I think it's a more modern thing. Well, probably less so now. Kids prefer video games these days.

[shamisens]

What's a video game?

[onlyanapple]

It's like...um. Do you understand the basics of movies yet? Television?

[shamisens]

The moving pictures with sound? I think so. I saw a few on my device.

[onlyanapple]

Those are them, yeah. A video game is kind of like that, except you control the character's actions.

[shamisens]

[ Unconsciously, Kubo finds himself thinking about his paper creations. ]

How do the characters feel about that?