Another new captain

[crow_dad]

Who: Kogarasumaru and YOU
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Caprine
When: Today!

Broadcast

[Kogarasumaru is sitting in the garden of the Caprine. On his shoulder rests a beautiful bird who currently happens to be asleep and burrowed into that wing hair of its owner.

The owner who smiles at the screen now.]

It would seem that we have had quite a few changes after returning to our ships. Some new arrivals and some loses as well.

[He looks to the bird and gently strokes its head.]

Sadly, Baku has departed. In her place, as captain of the Caprine, you will find myself. I am also the caretaker of the fox park and dojo here. I will be continuing my sword lessons now that we have returned. Should you require answers to questions, this father is named Kogarasumaru.

[He will nod and leave that there. Anyone living on or visiting the Caprine is welcome to come visit him.]

Comments

[wakemelater]

Hm?

[Head tilt right back.]

Um. Yeah. Fine. They made me captain of my ship. I'm trying to figure out why - unless the idea was to set up the least qualified.

[Oh, wait.]

But...obviously not.

[crow_dad]

I see.

[He touches his chin thoughtfully before lowering his hand again.]

I think that perhaps because you feel you are under qualified that you may be rightly so in this case.

[wakemelater]

I'm not much of a leader.

[Too used to going it alone and doing his own thing.]

But ... there aren't many of us left on the Red Fish.

[He could manage for now.]

Sorry. I didn't mean to trouble you with this.

[crow_dad]

You are not troubling. Much like my dojo is a safe space for you, as will all conversations with me.

[He means that.]

You are still quite young. You may find it in you to be able to lead. And if not then perhaps you could see if there is another on your ship who would like the position more.

[wakemelater]

[That's too nice. No one is this nice!]

Erm, thanks...

[He nods slowly.]

If I do step down, I want to make sure it winds up with someone who won't abuse the position.

[crow_dad]

[Sometimes they are, Nico. It's okay.]

That is a wise decision. Do you know the others who are on your ship well?

[wakemelater]

No. Most of them are new. And...

[He trails off. He hadn't really bothered to get to know anyone. That would have to be remedied, no matter what he decided.]

[crow_dad]

And you haven't tried to be closer to others?

[It's not hard to guess really.]

[wakemelater]

Not really. I've never really ... done ... that.

[He was making progress back home. But being in a new place full of strangers didn't inspire him to make friends.]

[crow_dad]

Because it isn't easy?

[He hums softly, considering things.]

Would you like to try starting with me?

[wakemelater]

[He spent the last few years sure that everyone hated him (and despite what Will Solace said, he wasn't entirely wrong). No, it wasn't easy. He sighs.]

Right.

[He thinks about that for a moment. And then realizes he has no idea what that would entail. He's always pushed people away, rather than try to be closer.]

How does that work?

[crow_dad]

We can start small. Would you like to come have tea with me? We can simply talk.

[wakemelater]

[Tea again. Though the last time had been good. He'd felt better by the end of it. So he nods.]

I ... alright. When should I be there?

[crow_dad]

Do you have some time today?

[wakemelater]

Yeah. Yeah, I can make time.

[crow_dad]

Then I will ask this next. Where will you be more comfortable meeting?

[wakemelater]

[Ah. A good question. And not one he was expecting. Perhaps somewhere neutral.]

Is the dojo alright?

[crow_dad]

Of course. Will fifteen minutes be enough time for you?

[wakemelater]

Yes. Plenty.

[He could be there in a few seconds, but he's found traveling by shadow from ship to ship is exhausting. The shuttles are fast enough.]

I, um, I'll see you there?

[crow_dad]

I will see you shortly.

[He smiles and nods his head then gets to his feet so he can head to the dojo to prepare tea for his company.]

[wakemelater]

[He takes the full fifteen minutes, despite arriving on the Iskaulit within five. It's a large ship, sure, but once on board, he could have jumped quickly to the dojo. Instead, he takes the time to walk, and think.

But soon enough, he's at his destination. Drawing a breath, he enters.]

[crow_dad]

[The tea is ready just in time for his young companion to enter and he looks over with a smile. The bird from the video is perched nearby just lazily cleaning his feathers.]

It's good to see you again. Please make yourself comfortable.

[wakemelater]

Um, thank you.

[He takes a seat, eyeing the bird carefully. Animals sensitive to the aura of death that clung to him tended not tolerate him. He turns his attention to his host.]

Do you do this a lot? The tea?

[crow_dad]

I do. Tea is a very important part of my culture, after all. The one I was created into.

[Pouring tea into both cups, he passes one to Nico with a smile.]

I have snacks here as well. The sweetness of them will compliment the tea we drink.

[Sitting back now, he has a sip from his cup.]

How have you been?

[wakemelater]

[He accepts the cup with a nod, and a shrug.]

I don't know. No different than any other time? I've talked to people, and ... I'm still just as confused as I was when I first arrived.