driftfleet | Spend some time with dad

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Spend some time with dad

Who: Kogarasumaru
Broadcast: Nope
Action: Iskaulit
When: Today until the 11th

Iskaulit - The Dojo

[This is a place where Kogarasumaru offers swordsmanship lessons but also a chance for people to spar in safety. However, today this space doesn't appear to be used for either of those things. In fact, if one is to come to this space for either they will instead find the tiny sword dancing. There's no music but it almost seems like it doesn't require it really. There's a sort of tranquility to his expression as he moves before he turns towards the one who has stepped inside and offers a smile as he holds his hand out towards that person.]

Will you watch or dance?

[He's now paused in his motions as he waits for the answer.]

Iskaulit - Fox Park

[Despite the snow, there is a pretty young man sitting there with a fox sleeping on his lap while he strokes the fur gently. He has no shoes or gloves on and clearly doesn't appear to be bothered by the snow. Is it cold? Well he's showing no signs of caring about that or even recognizing the fact and instead just enjoying the company of his companion.

Seeing someone, he lifts a finger to his painted lips in a soft shhh before smiling.]

Softly now. This little one sleeps.

Iskaulit - Hallway

[At some point he'll be found simply standing in a hallway looking thoughtful. There's really not much else going on honestly. He's just sort of looking off into the distance pondering something. At least until he notices that he isn't alone. At that point he'll turn with one of his customary smiles.]

Would you happen to be able to tell this father which establishment you would recommend for drinks? I would like to partake in one right now.

[Who better to ask than another person, right?]

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I would love to, actually.

( Sansa is fond of animals, truly, and the fox looks so content laying in his lap that she cannot help but smile. He must truly be comfortable there; animals are sometimes a better judge of character than people and it relaxes Sansa to know the fox trusts this man. She takes a seat beside him. )

I used to have a pet direwolf, long ago. Lady was quite a formidable animal but very gentle and well-behaved all the same.

I am not so familiar with that of the direwolf. Though I find the name Lady to be a wonderful thing for the animal.

[He smiles up at her before holding a hand out towards her. His nails are long and sharp but with his hand held upward like this it seems quite clear that he means no harm at all. Then again, he has no reason to harm the young woman nor a desire to.]

May I have your hand?

( It's a strange request but Sansa offers her hand anyway, turning it palm up so that he can see it clearly. No one in the Fleet has ever tried to harm her and she doesn't have reason to believe that this man will now. )

And what, precisely, do you need my hand for?

( She asks it kindly, almost a friendly tease. )

[He lifts one finger to his lips but he smiles as he does. Gently he takes her hand and turns it over again as he brings it over until she's lightly petting the soft fur of the fox.]

( Sansa has never touched anything as soft as the fur of the fox and she gently rests her hand there for a moment before petting lightly, trying to be careful so she doesn't wake the creature. It's a wonderful moment and something to be treasured. )

[Letting her hand go, he watches as she pets the little animal with such tenderness. She has a good heart in her, something he can see already and it makes him smile as he lets the moment linger on a little longer before speaking again.]

There is gentleness in your soul. That is not something everyone has.

I am surprised there is still gentleness in me, to be honest. I thought I had gotten rid of all of that.

( Having a tender heart hasn't helped her any in life and, truly, has made her life more difficult in many respects. Sansa thinks it would have been easier all along if she hadn't thought the best of people, hadn't expected people to live up to her expectations of story and song. )

If you had then this child would have sensed it and run. After all, one can be gentle and kind behind an armor of necessary strength and power. This is what this father senses from you.

( Sansa likes that description, enough that her lips tilt up in a small smile. Courtesy is armor, after all, but perhaps her tender heart hasn't been wrested away. )

I like the thought of that. I've...circumstances have made me hard. I am glad to know I have some softness still.

I have seen people go through great trials and harden as a result. However, I feel that only those who do not mourn their lost tenderness are those who have truly lost it.

[He gently rests a hand on her arm.]

I would like to welcome you to have tea with me when you feel the world grips you too harshly. Sometimes just a moment to relax and help the heart remain true.

( Sansa smiles at that. She barely knows this gentle man but she likes him quite a bit, even so quickly. She dips her head a bit in acknowledgement of his wise words and in acceptance of his offer. )

I would be so honored to take tea with you. My name is Sansa, by the way. Sansa Stark.

You have a lovely name, Sansa Stark. I am Kogarasumaru. I am honored to be able to meet you this day.

[He smiles warmly at her before looking around.]

I think the other children are nearby. Would you like to come find them with me? They would enjoy the chance to play.

( Sansa grins at him, utterly pleased at the idea of more foxes. Kogarasumaru is gentle and kind and she likes being around him; he is the sort of person who would have been welcomed at her court at Winterfell. )

I would love to play with them. I'm glad to have met you - you're very kind.

[There's a soft laugh.]

A father should be gentle when there is no need to be firm.

[Gathering the little fox carefully into his arms so it can continue to sleep, he rises to his feet. Which are revealed to be completely bare.

Yet he shows no signs of minding the cold as he moves out to the snow and makes a little noise to call for the other foxes in the room.]

My own father was very gentle. I think it's a good way for fathers to be.

( Kogarasumaru is nothing like Eddard Stark, no, but he relaxes her and calms her in a way she hasn't felt since she was a child and Sansa is grateful for that. She's too high strung by half these days, always resting on a knife's edge to wait for some rebuke or blow. To be with someone gentle and comforting is wonderful. )

How is it that the cold doesn't bother you?

I am a sword. We are built to handle a great deal. Those of us that are older are perhaps less used to having human forms than others.

[He gently moves through the snow before kneeling down. Softly, he makes a little call to beckon one of the foxes to come out, the little creature soon darting out of hiding to sniff his fingers.]

A sword? Like a proper great sword, then?

( Sansa has encountered some strange things in her life but she’s never met the human version of a sword. Hmm. )

You were in battles and everything?

Nothing so large. I have always been small for I was made to be held by the hand of a woman. I was used to fight though. Many, many years ago. These days I am kept as a treasure. At least until I was summoned to this form.

Oh, truly? My sister knows how to fight with a sword. She uses a very slim blade and fights in the Braavosi style - it's something like dancing, or so she says.

( Sansa laughs a bit. It isn't like the dancing she knows but possibly more useful. )

I've never learned. Most ladies in my world never learn to use weapons.

Many women in the time that I was created did not fight either. However, the husband of her wished her to have something for protection. And so I was forged.

[He looks to her with a smile.]

If you ever should like I would be glad to teach you to use a sword. But if you are not comfortable with this then we can simply spend time together in other ways. I am also fond of music and dance as well as tea.

I am more proficient at music, dance and tea, I assure you that, but I wouldn't mind learning. I don't think it's a terrible thing to know, how to wield a weapon.

( Sansa thinks it might have worked out better for her if she had known how, long ago. )

I would be eager to see what you taught me.

I have a place here known as a dojo. You will find me there often. I would be honored to teach you to use a blade.

[But along with that...]

Of course we can still do the rest as well. There is no reason for us to pick only one activity to share together.

Perhaps we could have tea after you train me in your dojo? That sounds like it might be lovely.

( It's a strange word, dojo, and she wonders if it's one that only exists in Kogarasumaru's world or if it's something in her own and she doesn't know about it. Could her sister have trained in such a place? )

I would love to. Making tea for others is one of my favorite pass times here. If you would like, I could show you the art of the Japanese tea ceremony as well.

[Seeing another little fox poking out, he smiles and points.]

Another friend comes to join us.

( Sansa cautiously offers her hand to the fox, letting it smell her, and is pleased when it comes close enough for her to pet. It's so nice to have these lovely creatures indulge her. )

A special tea ceremony? I would love if you taught me. We do not have any ceremonies like that in Westeros.

Spend some time with dad

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