Video. Happy Late Birthday, bud.

[throwsdown]

Who: Takeshi and you!
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Goldstone, if you need him for whatever reason! Also the gym on the iskaulit.
When: October 5th

[Takeshi's had a bit of a rough time, knowing one of his crew is gone - hopefully not gone gone, but still gone, and that's too much for him to want to think about. Mr. Okita, he shouldn't have gotten killed. Takeshi feels an insurmountable guilt, because he's the captain, and he should have gotten out there and picked up his friend. His teammate. Even still... Mon-El's awake now. Good things are happening again. They've set out, and now all he can really do is wait and see what happens next.

... But it's October, he realizes belatedly. He had not been keeping track, and so he addresses the fleet with a little smile.]

... I turned nine years old on October 1st.

I couldn't remember my birthday when I first came to space -- that was when I was five. But they said I could have a new day... The month I showed up there, that was my new birthday. I guess I... kinda lost track! But I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to be another year older with everyone else.

What kinda' birthdays do you guys have?

Do you remember any really nice ones? I had a pool party, once...! On the Tranquility.

[It was one of the best days of his life.]

If you don't have one, we can figure out one for you. Okay?

[A LIL' DASH OF ACTION]

[If you need him elsewhere, he's also in the gym aboard the Iskaulit, today. Working out, actually! He's currently giving the punching bag in there his all, throwing some hard right hooks and leaping kicks. In fact, he gets a bit too into it and accidentally kicks the whole thing right off the hanger -- it goes sailing across the room into the wall, with Takeshi slapping his hands on the sides of his head and 'WAHHH'ing in dismay.



... Just a normal week aboard the drifting fleet.

Now, where's someone he can train more with? He's getting stronger by the year!]

Comments

[throwsdown]

Not ever? But -- what do you do on your birthday?

I guess I kinda understand, because I only celebrated a few times. The first times, I was just a baby, so I don't really remember it like I do now...

[therewerefifty]

My birthday wasn't really a cause for celebration where I come from. There is the tradition of Genpuku--

[She hesitates, because Takeshi is also Japanese, but from such a future time period...]

Are you familiar?

[throwsdown]

... No, I don't think so...

[He recognizes it being a Japanese thing. But you know, he was, like, five last time he was home. And from a shitty household that taught him absolutely nothing, to boot. So he's kinda... behind on the times.]

What is it?

[therewerefifty]

It's a traditional coming of age ceremony in Japan, to celebrate the transition from child to adult. It usually takes place some time between the ages of ten and twenty. [So Takeshi is a little young for it now, even so.]

[throwsdown]

Oh... So it kinda shows when you start becoming grown up...!

That kinda thing scares me a little; I wanna grow up to be stronger, but I also don't wanna change being me...

[therewerefifty]

You don't need to change who you are at all. [She smiles gently. In his own time, she doubts he'll ever get the chance to have such a ceremony.] It's representative of many things, but above all it means you'll be treated with respect as a man and not dismissed as a child.

[Oh, and you'll probably get drafted to go to war and all that fun jazz, but it's kind of moot out here, so...]

[throwsdown]

[He makes a determined fist.]

YEAH!

I don't know what being 'dismissed' means, but it sounds no good!!

[takeshi this is why people think youre a small sweet boi]

[therewerefifty]

[Gosh, what a small sweet boi.]

Dismissed means you aren't taken seriously. People turn away and think you're worth nothing important.

[throwsdown]

... That sounds awful...

I'd never want anyone to ever feel dismissed. You're all important!

[therewerefifty]

[...hmm. She didn't mean it to sound so harsh.]

Some people are more important than others in different times. A dismissal for a child is usually quite gentle, and because adults would try to protect you from things they consider their problems, not yours.

[throwsdown]

That's true... Adults weren't like that a lot back home, but -- they're usually real gentle here!

.... wish they'd remember that this is all our problem, though....

[therewerefifty]

[Oh, Takeshi. It is everyone's problem, but you're not the average child. She can't say she wouldn't prefer children were prevented from coming here.

But Takeshi is different in a number of ways, so--]

You're the Captain of your ship, aren't you? And you have a history of your own. I would think your opinion and choices matter and are respected.

[throwsdown]

... I hope so...

I want to be the best I can be, for my crew. If they don't feel like that, I must've messed up somewhere on the way...

[therewerefifty]

Or you're still learning. Ask your crew to tell you when you go wrong, and you can improve faster. Don't think you've failed if you make a mistake.

[throwsdown]

That's a real good point, Miss Makie.

You never know where you can get better 'less you ask.