driftfleet | voice;

Entry tags:

voice;

Who: Okita and you!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Goldstone
When: October 6th and subsequent days

[Action: Oct. 6th]
[It hadn't been a particularly "heroic" way to go. Certainly, he'd done things as the final ships fled the surface that would warrant being called that, but a dying man could not ask for a seat to safety that could be used by the living. It was simply logical. By the time the last ship failed, he'd already run himself ragged and the demon in his chest was beating against its cage. He couldn't trap those people, already about to lose their home, with a man about to cough blood. So he'd given away his seat to a child and told them he'd find another way home.

Then he'd spent his last moments alive watching the comet come and the last ship flee. The shuttles disappearing through the clouds as the planet hummed in his ears, giving him a sense of peace even as the coughing and the blood racked him. The sight of the massive rock breaking the atmosphere, a blazing streak against the sky, pieces breaking off and slamming into the planet, had been so bright it was almost impossible to watch, but knowing that all of the shuttles had made it away was enough for him. This was a good death.

He only wished he'd been able to say goodbye to people first.

The impact then darkness, a flash of pain and panic, then? Nightmares. It wasn't what he expected from death. Faces he couldn't recognize floating in inky, icy blackness sitting on the edge of familiarity before slipping away again. Paralyzing isolation, screaming, fire that froze instead of burned and then--

Okita shot up in his bed on the Marsiva, hands clutching at his chest as his breath fogged against a medical ventilator. He barely had enough time to guess where he was before he felt reality bend and he was dumped into a hallway on the SS Goldstone, ventilator still strapped to his face, the tube detached from the machine and now trailing uselessly at his side. The jingle and the shower of confetti marked his arrival and then he collapsed in a heap as the fever overtook him.

Welcome...back..?]

[Voice: Later on the 6th]
[He's still so tired by moving around with a fever isn't unfamiliar to him at this point in his life. He bundles himself up the best he can and turns on the communicators, his voice rough and strained, but still managing to sound cheerful despite it all.]

I heard all of the natives made it safely off the planet? Thank you, everyone, for working so hard... I know it wasn't easy, but you saved them. Thank you.

[He takes a moment to catch his breath.]

I also have a confession to make that some of you may already know. It seems silly in comparison to everything that has happened...but I haven't been honest and I apologize. [What good is dying for these people if he can't even trust them with such basic information, right?]

For those who know me as Soujirou, you can continue calling me that if you wish, but my true name is Okita Souji.

[He pauses again because he's already reaching his physical limits, but he doesn't want to end on a downer note.]

So! Does anyone else have a confession to make? It can be silly or serious. It seemed like a good time to start anew.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Which name do you prefer? [ Maglor asks softly - names are important, to his people, and he feels it only fair ]

[Which one? That's a complicated answer.]

I suppose... [He lets out a quiet huff of a laugh. What a thing to ask. They were both his name - one his given name, the other his chosen nickname after Hijikata... No, he can't think of him right now. It's hard enough just dealing with what he's already been through. At the very least, he can take comfort in knowing that Hijikata will never know he died.] Okita. It's the name I am most used to being called at home by adults.

Okita, then. [ Maglor nods ]

I will remember - although I might slip a bit at first!

It's alright. It took me awhile to become used to being called my old name again.

[He laughs a little, tired but happy to be able to have a relatively non-depressing conversation.]

I can understand a few slips of the tongue.

Do they have any special meaning, if you mind not the question?

Special meaning? I'm afraid I don't understand the question.

Ah, I mean - do your names have a meaning to them? Amongst my folk, it is not unusual for someone to choose a new name, after something significant happens, for example, or simply because the old one no longer fits. Take my brother, for example - I call him 'Nelyo', which is short for 'Nelyafinwe', which was his father-name, and means 'third Finwe' - but he prefers 'Maedhros', which can be translated as 'Red-haired and shapely'.

[Ahhh. That is a lot different from what is normal in his culture, but it's fascinating.

"Red-haired and shapely" though. What a name.]

Ohhh so that's why I hear you calling each other by different things then!

[He takes a moment to compose himself before he coughs again, sucking a breath through his teeth.]

Ah... What do your names mean?

Father named me Canafinwe - which, well... "Strong-voiced" or "Commanding Finwe" depending on the translation. [ He grins wryly - yes, his dad named him 'Noisy' ] Father wasn't... very creative with names. All my brothers have a 'finwe' in their names - that was our Grandfather, you see. He wanted to keep that name in the family.

Mother named me 'Makalaure' - which is where I get 'Maglor' from - although that translation was done in a hurry and somewhat botched, but I like it well enough. It means 'Gold-cleaver'.

Edited 2017-10-09 12:55 (UTC)

[So either Maglor will be a noisy poor person or a golden throated thief by that definition. Either way, it all sounds very romantic in its own right.]

Your names are so interesting~ We don't have anything quite like that in my culture.

The characters for our names can mean things, but.. [He drops off abruptly, pressing a hand against his chest and the other against his mouth as he tries to cover up the sound of his labored breathing.] ...Well, not everyone has characters for their names. I was the first and only son so my name as a child, Soujirou, could be seen to mean "the successor."

[ Well all those definitions have been true in one form or another through the years, so... ]

I see - that sounds just as interesting, in truth! So the characters form the sounds for the names, I suppose?

Okita, are you alright? [ Maglor frowns as he coughs ]

[The tightness in his chest passes and he continues as if nothing were wrong.]

Yes - my language is what you would call...phonetic? Each character has different ways of being read depending on how it is used.

[He has to keep his voice light, unconcerned, confused, or amused - it's the only way to make sure no one knows. No one can know. He already made them sad once.]

And yes, I'm fine. There are...side effects to coming back the way I did. I'm sure they'll pass soon enough.

[ Maglor eyes him worriedly but lets it pass, for now ]

That is truly interesting - we had something similar, in the early days, but most of that has fallen by the wayside, now. If you have the inclination, I would love it if you could show me, one day.

And you had best see a healer, if they do not!

I am not the most learned, but I can certainly try.

[He has the normal amount of education for any samurai, but that doesn't necessarily mean he can teach.]

I've had many offers of healing so far, Maglor-san. [And has refused all of them] Please do not worry yourself.

I confess to being ... what is the word that folk use now? Ah... a language "geek". So do not feel you must!

I worry because I care. [ Maglor says firmly ]

Please do not neglect yourself, Okita!

[He laughs again, but the sound hitches in his throat.]

I'm afraid I don't know what a "geek" is, but I think I get the gist.

Once I'm better, I promise to teach you what I can.

You really do not sound well. [ Maglor worries ]

Are you sure you are alright?

What did I tell you about worrying? You're going to turn into a mummy or go white at this rate.

[Maglor worries, Okita deflects, all is right with the world.]

You did mention that! But I cannot quite help fretting, my friend.

I appreciate your concern, but please don't let it vex you. I'll be fine soon enough.

Very well, my friend! I will hold you to that, mind - if you are not recovered, I make no promises about bringing the healers to you, instead!

[ He can ask Mikleo and Sorey, he's sure his captain would approve ]

If it comes to that, I'm sure Crowley-san will either heal me or hit me first and then heal me.

[He's already sort of offered or threatened, one of the two.]

Good! I will have to buy him a drink if it comes to that.

[ Maglor doesn't really know Crowley, but anyone who threatens such things to Okita he automatically must approve ]

Considering the trouble I've caused him, he might appreciate the drink regardless.

Ah, a good friend, then?

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