[ 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

[audio]

[thebarkside]

I wanna see one... about people who are happy, and grow old, and live happily ever after.

[ her voice is light, a little dreamy- but also a little distracted. she's multitasking. ]

Re: [audio]

[shamisens]

That seems doable. Aren't most stories like that?

[ Granted, this is an assumption on his part. People like happy endings and Kubo is no exception there, even when he struggles to picture it. ]

[perma-audio]

[thebarkside]

[ there's a smile audible in her voice. ]

Maybe I just wanna hear another one.

Re: [perma-audio]

[shamisens]

That's fair, but . . . maybe there should be more to the story. Where does that happiness come from?

text

[robitussin]

idk something that's not depressing i guess

[shamisens]

That doesn't narrow it down.

video

[all7seas]

...You want stories, lad?

[Do you REALLY want them, Kubo?]

Because I've a fair few.

Re: video

[shamisens]

[ His one eye brightens. ]

Absolutely! The more I hear, the better I become at story-telling.

video

[all7seas]

[Let's get this out of the way first:]

You a pirate?

[Because eye-patch.]

[shamisens]

. . . I'm twelve.

[ As cool as that would be. ]

[all7seas]

So?

[Jack started when he was eight. By that calculation you've wasted a few years, Kubo.]]

Nevermind, then. Right: once upon a time, lad, there were a brave and handsome and dashing pirate what visited Singapore. He went for the food, and stayed for the ladies. But all was not right with the world!

video.

[paraclete]

[The mild pleasantries all take place before Kaworu properly starts his video; Kubo's first view, then, is the exuberant joy of understanding. Kaworu has logic-ed his way to...]

You're a storyteller.

[A simple supposition—forgive his slowness toward conclusions—but he already looks very invested.]

For your trade. It's an integral part of your life.

[That's even more pressing.]

[shamisens]

[ Not the best intro, but Kubo's interest had peaked. ]

What happened?

[all7seas]

.........................................Pandas.

Re: video.

[shamisens]

[ Kubo blinks before nodding slowly. ]

Uhm, yeah. It's how I made enough money to support myself and my mother. But I enjoy it too.

[shamisens]

. . .

Pandas?

[all7seas]

You know of the panda, lad?

[shamisens]

I've heard of them. They're like . . . black and white bears, right?

[all7seas]

That's exactly what they want you to think, my boy. For inhabiting each and every panda is a beastly demon what only seeks to kill and destroy. It pilots the panda unto untold destruction, particularly when said panda is let loose in a brothel.

[This....may not be an age-appropriate story, actually.]

[shamisens]

[ He inhales quietly, invested in the story. He's already thinking of how to incorporate killer pandas. ]

So the pandas attacked you in Singapore?

[all7seas]

Shhh, no no no no no. Story's not about me. I'm the narrator, savvy? Narrating it.

[Except maybe the story was about him and all the trouble started when he tried to see if pandas could get drunk.

They can.]

No one heard the black-and-white menaces at first, eh? Everything were quiet. Most were passed out, as it were the wee hours before dawn. And then there was a snortling!

[shamisens]

[ Huh. Kubo was sure the man was describing himself in the beginning but he shrugs. People can tell the story however they like. ]

A "snortling"?

[all7seas]

Like a growl, savvy? Mixed with a snort! And a grunt! And possibly a hangover! A wet and toothy sound, like what a man makes when he awakens hanging upside-down from someone else's bunk. But gurglier. And with the terrifying fliss of hot saliva pouring from a drunk bear's muzzle!

[He clarifies.]

[shamisens]

[ His lips twitch. ]

You have a way with words.

[all7seas]

And that panda, lad...that panda had his way with Sao Feng's left leg.





Had a great deal of staying power, actually. Impressive.