[040] - [Voice-->Video]

[onwhitewings]

[It starts off as a voice post. Mitsuhide sounds... thoughtful. There's a lot on his mind, both negative and positive.]

Foolish or not... the prospect of seeing the sunlight again is appealing. A simple pleasure back home, one I barely even thought about before.

[He hums briefly.]

It makes me think of one of the rare moments of peace I experienced back home. Visiting Lord Motochika in Tosa when I was younger, during the summer months... I remember going out on one of the boats and getting pushed into the cool seawater after being hesitant to go for a swim. When I climbed back aboard the sunshine was warm enough that my clothes took very little time at all to dry off.

They got wet again not long after, though.

[He laughs quietly... and then stops, muttering 'oh' to himself. There is the sound of him moving before, moments later, the video feed switches on. Mitsuhide himself is not visible. Instead, two little wood carvings can be seen sat on the table of his home. One is shaped like a fish, the other like a pikachu, and both have been carefully painted.]

Forgive me, I almost forgot... but to my two friends who requested carvings from me? They are complete. I can bring them to you whenever you wish.

Comments

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

...It'd be nice to start sunbathing again. When I was younger I'd used to climb up onto this big rock in the ocean and just chill until a ship came into view. After that I'd just dive back under until it disappeared.

_{[A beat.]}

You do carvings too?

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

You would...

[He seems a little confused then, but shakes his head. There are many kind of people in Vatheon, after all. Mitsuhide does not finish the sentence, and instead focuses on the question he has been asked.]

That's right. There is plenty of time to use up within Vatheon, after all... focusing my energy into a craft seemed wise. It's taking a long time to get to grips with it fully, but I think I have progressed well so far.

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

_{[He grins.]}

'Course I would.

Ever try working with coral? It's a pain in the neck but it's worth it when you get the final results.

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

I've not.

[His expresion turns thoughtful though.]

That sounds like a challenge... it would certainly be possible to make some very beautiful items with it... I wonder...

[PICTURING THINGS NOW.]

[ninthserenade.livejournal.com]

I've got some pretty decent sized chunks that I found around the city if y'wanna have a few to experiment with. It's... Well, it can be a little frustrating but once you get the hang of it it's pretty cool.

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

That would be most kind of you.

[He smiles.]

I am prepared. I have plenty of time on my hands, after all.

[Video]

[threeofthree.livejournal.com]

[ A light chuckle sounds across voice before Ran switches his video on. ]

That sounds very enjoyable, even if you did get pushed in.

Your carvings are beautiful.

[video]

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

It was.

[Mitsuhide's voice softens then.]

The culprit believed he was doing it for my own good, after all... and I got him back later.

[At the second comment he pauses for a moment, and then bows his head respectfully. There is a touch of embarassment in his tone when he speaks next.]

You are most kind. I am very far from being a master of my craft, but it feels good to know that people like them.

[video]

[threeofthree.livejournal.com]

Perhaps he was right, if you had fun.

[ Ran smiles, shaking his head. ]

Kindness has nothing to do with it; they are quite good. Though what is the yellow one? I've not seen something like that before.

[video]

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

I could never tell him that, though.

[Mitsuhide's laugh is warm and affectionate.]

It's called a 'Pikachu.' It is a kind of 'Pokemon,' an unusual sort of creature from the world of another captive here by the name of Red. I have seen one other sort as well, called a 'Lapras.'

[A thoughtful hum. Not for the first time he wonders if it is at all possible for one to move between worlds; considering their existence in Vatheon, there must be a way. Not that he ever expects to know what it is, but the thought of seeing Red's world, and all the other ones he's heard about, is appealing.]

[There's nothing for him in his own home world, after all.]

Re: [video]

[threeofthree.livejournal.com]

Why not?

[ The laugh makes Ran smile more. ]

It certainly looks like a curious creature. I've never seen anything like it at home. Animals are fairly rare there, as it is, though.

[video]

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

I could not give my Lord the satisfaction. He'd smirk continuously for days, and then I'd have find something to push him into.

[Mitsuhide's expression is full of good humour.]

Of course, he'd feel the name to retaliate again, and it would turn into a repeating cycle until one of us gives in... and by one of us, I mean me. He's far too stubborn to do such a thing.

[His voice becomes soft again.]

Rare? That's a shame. I cannot imagine living anywhere that doesn't have wildlife somewhere nearby.

[video] Apologies if you get this a billion times, LJ is being weird...

[threeofthree.livejournal.com]

[ That gets another chuckle out of Ran. ]

But I'm sure it'd be amusing for you both until you succeeded.

[ But then his smile fades and he shrugs. ]

It is a shame. But it is what happens, when humanity needs too much room and leaves none leftover for the other species.

[video] - LJ doesn't like to play nice very much atm. ^^;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

Not always. Sometimes he goes a little further than I'd like. But... if he didn't so he would be going against his own nature. Lord Motochika is rebellious through and through.

[He smiles. That is as is should be.]

I cannot imagine such a situation, I will not lie.

[He almost says something about people being too busy fighting each other, in his world, but refrains. That's a topic that he won't go into with someone he just met; it brings up a lot of painful problems for him.]

[So instead.]

The forest here is full of plenty of wildlife, at least. I spend a lot of time there.

[video] - It really doesn't. It kept giving me white screens.

[threeofthree.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see.

[ Ran thinks about that, wondering if he should go. ]

I think I would like to see that. I've never been in a forest before.

voice;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

You had no reason to shy away from the water.

voice;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

In your opinion.

[Mitsuhide sounds faintly amused.]

I am not the strongest swimmer, Lord Motochika. You cannot blame me for having felt a little uncertain about sea swimming.

voice;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

[Motochika laughs.]

We would not have allowed you to drown.

voice;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

I am aware of that. But it does not justify you pushing me in.

[He laughs as well, briefly.]

If we ever find ourselves in that situation again I shall know better than to stay near the edge of the boat.

voice;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

Would you rather be thrown in?

[He challenges, before adopting a calm tone a moment later.]

Mitsuhide. I have promised to teach Gracia how to swim.

voice;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

You'd have to catch me first, my Lord.

[That is his response to your challenge, Motochika. 8| In response to your other comment...]

Oh? That's a fine idea. I am sure she will enjoy it.

voice;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

Indeed. [She seems to enjoy most things without reserve. Motochika moves on to the second matter regarding Gracia he wishes to share.] I have also learnt that her birthday is on the twenty-sixth day of this month.

voice;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

I shall remember.

[Mitsuhide had no interest in celebrating anything involving himself via large gatherings, but Gracia would probably enjoy such a thing. She was a very sociable young woman.]

[When the time came closer they'd have to organise it for her. How old was she. anyway? He'd have to ask soon.]

[Speaking of dates...]

It occurs to me that we have nearly completed our tenth month here. How strange, to think we have been here so long.

voice;

[behisstrength.livejournal.com]

Ten months ago I certainly did not expect us to live in peace and obscurity.

[His tone grows reflective.]

That visit was the same one in which I snuck us out to see the old fisherman play. I remember his shamisen was as timeworn as him. [The man had been half-blind, once strong hands tremouring finely and constantly.] The weight of his experience was a strong current that shaped his music. One that kept me returning for many years.

[He recalls how excited he had been to share it with Mitsuhide -- not even allowing his friend the time to protest.]

voice;

[wavesoakedlegs.livejournal.com]

[It seems the recall of one memory had led to many others coming to the surface of their thoughts again. That old man's music had indeed been beautiful, and likely only fuelled Motochika's desire to keep his shamisen at his side even when they went into abttle.]

I remember. It was well worth the trip.

[His tone is warm when he laughs.]

Do you remember when I told you how to get out of my father's castle without alerting the guards? I swear I would not have done such a thing without your previous influience upon me.