012 | Video

[onemoredeath]

[ It has been a while or maybe not, but when the feed clicks on - and it's never an accident with this man - what comes up is a close-up of a cup with a milky liquid and a couple of rolls. The rolls look fresh, the liquid looks sort of like skim milk. Some where in the background, Takegami sighs and there's his hand in view, picking up the cup out of camera range. ]

Sake wa hyakuyaku no cho...

[ The cup reappears and is refilled. Takegami toys with the cup and then starts speaking in English. ]

They say that sake was first made when a warrior tried to save his bride from a dragon. In order to lure him away, the warrior took rice and fresh spring water and boiled it together until sake was made. The dragon grew intrigued by the smell and came to sip the brew. While the dragon drank his fill, the warrior and bride were reunited. The dragon was so sated by the sake that he did not give them chase and the couple was able to live peacefully for all their lives.

[ Again the cup disappears as there is a pause in the narrative. The cup is set down with a sharp click and is refilled, and again a pause in-between cupfuls. Takegami's fingers are covered with half-healed scratches, his nails cut short, and the rings on each finger twisted into fine knots. ]

It is the drink of new beginnings and of fond farewells. We drink it under the cherry trees in spring, we bring the finest brew for the newly weds to drink on their first night, and we drink it for births and to celebrate those that had passed before us. There are holidays where we would crack open the barrels it seeps in, there are holidays where we toast the new-born sun. Some medicines are made more potent by soaking in it, and it always with good cheer we raise a cup to each other over our evening meals.

[ The cup is raised out of sight once more and he sighs softly. ]

A pity it is so hard to find here.



[ooc; Japanese proverb is 'Sake is the best of all medicines' ]

Comments

voice;

[payback]

Just like a man.

voice;

[onemoredeath]

[ His voice is teasing with his reply. ] Just like a woman.

voice forever;

[payback]

[She sounds - well, deadpan. Not precisely teasing, not offended.]

You've got really used to it here, hm?

voice forever and ever

[onemoredeath]

My time was almost up back home. [ No, he won't go into it because that would be explaining too much of the game to someone not even a part of it. ]

I am enjoying the amount of extra time this place is giving me while I may.

[payback]

[Now that makes her curious, dude.]

What happened?

[onemoredeath]

At the wrong place at the wrong time. I was sure that I was to die when I came to here.

[payback]

Ah... [She can't pry too much into that. It would be so rude! Though she doesn't sound surprised by the idea that he was stolen right out from under death's nose.] How unfortunate. So it's like a second chance?

[onemoredeath]

I view it at such. I believe that if I ever do return, I will end up exactly right where I was so I might as well seize this chance to live.

[payback]

That's fair enough.

[... She really has nothing else she wants to ask him at the moment.]

[onemoredeath]

What of you?

[payback]

What about me what?

[onemoredeath]

What do you view this as?

[payback]

[... reserved.]

It's another world.

[onemoredeath]

It is. You seem rather comfortable with it all the same.

[payback]

[A pause - well. It's not like it's a serious secret or anything.]

I've transferred between worlds before, just like this.

[onemoredeath]

You did? How was that place compared to this?

[payback]

I've been three other places besides home. I would say they were all worse.

[onemoredeath]

Ah? As in forced boredom or in living conditions?

[payback]

The first place had a goal of sorts but nothing really to work with. The second place had things to work with but no goals... the third place had a goal, but not much to work with. This is the best so far.