driftfleet | Mistletoe Mingle!

Only a couple, it was the insistence of congregating in doorways that caught my attention more than anything. It's making a worrying amount of sense now.

[Tim will shake his head in refusal of the sword] It's alright. I'll take your word for it.

Do you have the tradition of the mistletoe in your world?

[He doesn't even have Christmas.]

No. We don't. Let me guess, that's what that green plant is? Does it normally trap people where you're from?

Edited 2018-12-16 12:20 (UTC)

[He shakes his head] No, it's actually just a harmless holiday tradition, the trapping people part is likely something this Atroma are doing.

There are actually a few old beliefs in regard to the mistletoe; Druids use to believe it had a healing and protective abilities so they would hang it around their houses around Christmas time; although it had nothing to do with Christmas.

[At some point he's going to have to just say it. Maybe he can ease into it]

In Norse mythology after Loki orchestrated the death of Baldur via a mistletoe spear; or arrow. I've heard both although arrow is more common. Baldur's mother Frigga bought him back to life under a mistletoe tree and apparently decree that any who stand under a mistletoe deserved protection from death and also a kiss.

[Subtle.]

Apparently, the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe started in Ancient Greece although not during Christmas but Saturnalia. Mistletoe was associated with fertility there but the Romans actually thought it represented peace so they would negotiate peace talks under them.

[You can shut up now Tim.]

For the Christmas tradition, you were actually supposed to kiss and then remove a berry every time you did it until all the berries were gone. It was even believed if a girl refused to kiss she would not find a husband and grow up to be an old maid.

The berries are actually poisonous and can make you quite sick. The plant itself is a parasite too.

[He's run out of random information and sorta just trails off, refusing to make eye contact with Manji]

[Manji listens quietly to Tim. Okay, he at least pretends to LOOK like he's listening. It's clear by his blank stare that he lost focus before Tim even got halfway through what he was saying.

Although he did pick up a theme in all of that chin wagging.] No.

[Yeah that's wasn't unexpected]

I understand that sentiment but perhaps it doesn't need that much? A kiss on the cheek is usually an acceptable platonic alternative on my world. Perhaps that will work?

That's stupid. You don't really think something like that is going to work, do you?

I've not been on this fleet long enough to gauge how sadistic our captives are but I'm usually of the 'you don't know until you've done tests' kind of approach. Plus you already did what I would have tried first.

I'm not opposed to waiting to see if someone else comes along though?

[Damn it. The new kid had a point.] Well, if you're insist so badly- [Yes, you're being the insistent one, not Manji.] -I suppose we can try it.

This doesn't mean I like you or anything.

I don't even know your name so trust me I was not getting that impression.

[There's a long awkward pause as Tim seems to be waiting for Manji to do something, maybe at least stand up from his spot on the ground?]

[Manji will eventually push himself up to his feet.] Manji. What's yours? Blanket head? [No, he's not offering to shake hands. He's not use to that custom.]

Robin [Robin will nod, not perturbed by the lack of handshake. At least this guy isn't hugely tall. He's not going to have to go up on tiptoes.]

It's nice to meet you Manji. I wish it were under less- I wish it were under different circumstances.

[Smooth. Now he needs to get this over with, but Tim is a little awkward and frozen and he suggested it but it's still really really weird.]

[Manji snorts.] Yeah, I doubt the circumstances would have made it much better. [He knows he's not exactly the lovable, hug-able type guy and he's not shy about it.

For a few seconds he stands and stares back at Tim. Part of him nearly willing to wait until the kid who suggested this thing to make the first move. He really was not interested in kissing anyone let alone someone walking around dressed like Robin. Kid just wasn't right in the head or this is the conclusion Manji reaches.] Aw, hell. [This was torture and he didn't feel the need to pressure the teen or drag this out any more.

Quickly Manji leans forward and plants the smallest, quickest peck on Tim's cheek. Not quite brave enough to go for the lips.]

[Tim squeezes his eyes shut as Manji leans in, and then blinks them open again when it's over with no harm done. It's a weird reaction to someone leaning in for a kiss; he knows.]

Did it work?

[Manji doesn't say anything and just takes a couple steps away from where he had been stuck in place before. Grinning wildly when he doesn't meet anymore resistance.] Looks like it has!

[And now that they weren't stuck anymore.] So what's with the blanket. You got a bad hair cut or somethin'

[Big happy sigh of relief.]

Good. That's good.

[Tim will move out of the doorway and go to lean against the wall opposite from it.]

It's not a blanket. It's a uniform that hides my identity while I do my night job. I will find something more subtle but I've not had a chance to.

So you're a burglar? [What other night job would require his identity to be a secret?] Well, I got good news for you Birdy. This place is full of the touchy feely type of folks. If you don't steal from them while you're here then you don't need to worry about them finding out about your identity. Almost no one here gives a crap about what kind of shit stain you might have been back home.

Unless of course you've already stolen something. [Manji grins in amusement. Perhaps even hoping that might be the case.] If that's the reason then, heh, you work quick.

I-no-exact opposite actually. I track down criminals, beat them up and leave them tied up for the police to find.

[Tim is getting the impression Manji would not fall into the good guy category]

I'm guessing you're from Japan? How good are you with that sword?

[...wut?] Why would you need a mask for that? Just kill'm or let the police deal with it. The mask is stupid. [YEAH HE SAID IT.]

That's right. Edo, Japan. 18th Century. [As he's learned most people in the fleet are from much further in the future than he is. When Tim asks about his sword Manji's face breaks out into a large, toothy grin. He even rests his hand on the hilt for effect.] And yeah. I'm really good with it. Don't think it's just for show 'cause I only have the one arm. I'd be happy to show you if you're really that interested.

[He's going to have to justify the mask to everyone isn't he?]
Because where I come from the people we catch aren't above finding and killing our family and friends so that's avoided by not letting them know who we are.
And we don't kill. It's the number one rule for my family.

I'd also be very interested in seeing what you can do. Shall we find the Gym?

Well that's stupid. If they're that dangerous to your family and friends then you need to take those bastards out. Otherwise they'll just keep coming back over and over again.

But yeah. Let's see what you can do. I know a guy who has a dojo around here.

That isn't our decision to make, we're not judge, jury and executioner. We have the training to deal with their retaliation that normal citizens don't. It's better they focus on us than others.

I'll follow your lead. I'm still mentally mapping this place out.

[Tim indicates for Manji to go first]

[What's a judge and jury?] That just sounds like empty excuses to say you're too weak to protect those you care about. You either get strong willed enough to make sure those people you care about are safe or you don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong. [Which wasn't fair. Manji knew only too well that once you kill it's just a revolving door of people looking for revenge. It was the whole problem he was facing now back home, wasn't it? Could Rin's whole problem have been avoided if only the world wasn't so kill or be killed?] Otherwise you're just askin' for someone you know and care for to get hurt.

My advice, kid? [Not that Tim asked, but he's going to get it anyway.] Enjoy being young before it's too late. Go get laid or something. Don't bother trying to change the world.

[He says this as they walk towards the dojo he mentioned.]

[Tim stays silent during Manji's opinion on the no killing rule all his concentration going in to keep a neutral expression even if he can't stop his hands from clenching into fists. There's too much truth to it and it hits so close to home for it to not hurt.

He actually doesn't response for a long while.] Thank you. for the advice. However, your suggestions hold no appeal and I think I'd prefer we just agree to disagree on the matter.

Alright, but you're just going to get yourself hurt, Kid. That or break your parent's hearts.

[He'll lead them to Kogarasumaru's dojo. He's pretty sure he remembered him saying people could use it. Not that Manji cares too much one way or another. There are a few training weapons that line the walls.] Want me to use one of the wooden ones? You only just met me so you'd have to be a pretty big idiot to decide to just trust me not to cut you.

[Kogarasumaru has been in his dojo already. So of course he hears them come in. Rising gracefully to his feet, he wanders over and...

Manji. Manji, you know how he feels about his dojo...]

Manji, you are only allowed to use the wooden ones in my dojo. I can't trust you to no slice everything up if you use a blade.

[Don't make dad come over there and kick your butt. Never mind the fact that he's tiny and looks like a twig. (You already know he can kick your butt, Manji.)]

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/jumps in because lol Manji what are you doing