exsilium | 012

Entry tags:

012 | Video

[ 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' ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Koto?

It is a very traditional instrument in my country, almost like piano strings stretched over a bent piece of wood and played with special picks like a lap guitar.

Uh, your country, right. Country... uh, that human word for groupings of socially divided land.

I am not famil- familial- [Wow, mouth work please. He snarls a little, scrunching up his nose.]

I am not familiar with instruments, so you will have to excuse my nativity on the subject. Is lap guitar literal, like it sounds?

Yes. Countries can also be separated by geographical differences as well.

You lay it on any flat surface to play instead of holding it upright.

So a separate land mass would also be called a country then?

Oh, I see. Does it work not laying down on a flat surface? [...Alcohol kicking in a bit.] I mean no, of course it does, that would be silly if it did not.

Yes it would.

It works, but it's sound will change and so would the way you play it.

I assume so, since I guess it is hollow, yes?

Exactly. Unfortunately since a piano is rare, one of them is even rarer.

I imagine only those with the experience can craft such things, correct?

Yes. The wood and the strings have to be exact otherwise you will not have the right sound.

Oh. I don't know anything about that.

I thought at much. Don't worry. I do not need one since there is a piano here at least.

Yes, right. Well if you ever do need something constructed that is made of metal, I would be a good person to ask. That is what I should say here, I mean. I believe that anyway.

I'll keep that in mind. [ Time for another drink. ]

[Oh god more drinking, the bottle moving is met with a wary stare.]

[ Takegami is showing no signs of the drink affecting him and he pauses in filling up Equius' glass. ]

Have you had enough?

[Yes well, it is fairly obvious Equius can feel it. Even with his larger stature, he's never partook in liquor before.]

I am not sure how to tell that- enough.

Usually that is when you feel a little dizzy and your skin is flushed and feverish.

Oh.

[He's that.]

Perhaps I should slow down to a trot then...

Of course. You aren't use to strong drinks, correct.

[ He sets the sake down instead of filling his glass and goes back to picking out a few songs on the piano. ]

That is correct, I, do not drink this type of beverage- ever.

[Stares in a daze at the piano. Equius just... watches, soon even lifting a hand, putting a finger near a key but hesitates. He stops, balling his hand in a fist, the leather of his fingerless glove whining a little. He pulls his hand away, gritting his teeth slightly.]

[No, he doesn't want to break it.]

We should make you a steel guitar, one that you cannot break easy.

[ Takegami picks out a tune, playing something that sounds a lot like tears shimmering under an empty sky. ]

They have an interesting sound and are considered rather unique in play.

[That is a pretty dang specific tune.]

Steel... guitar? I do not think I have any place contributing to the arts. [Still looking at the piano. He moves a hand to slide hair behind his ear.] I was not bred for such a thing.

[ Yes, yes it is. ]

Do you really think so? I think that you can always do what is in your heart and never mind what others will say.

[Huh... it kinda does sound like that... Nice.]

Describing it as 'do what is in your heart' confuses me, that sounds foolish.

Edited 2012-09-06 18:14 (UTC)

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