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

[sacrificar]

And yet you were still able to.

[onemoredeath]

It took me a search of nearly five months to find it.

[sacrificar]

Why today?

[onemoredeath]

I am remembering a past long gone.

[sacrificar]

Do you wish to revisit it?

[onemoredeath]

I do not know if I would wish it. I do know that it would be nice to see my country as it once was.

[sacrificar]

A sentiment about one's home that I do not share.

[onemoredeath]

Some homes are best forgotten then others. I have fond memories of my country. Others probably do not.

[sacrificar]

How do you remember it to be like?

[onemoredeath]

Young and so old; it embraced it's past while trying to reach the future. I remember the smells the most, the hot oil and close bodies and the sea air on one's tongue. The women who try not to be so cool and the men who tried too hard.

[sacrificar]

What was your role in such a world?

[onemoredeath]

My role was that of an observer and of a lost soul, I think. I had neither the drive nor the ambition to be another mindless slave to the machines of industry.

[sacrificar]

There is much to be learned from simply observing.

[onemoredeath]

Yes, there is. People are fascinating creatures.

[sacrificar]

What do you do with the knowledge you gain?

[onemoredeath]

What do I do? Gain more knowledge.

[sacrificar]

Do you not give it any other use?

[onemoredeath]

I also enjoy using what I know to have a good understanding on how people react given the situation.

[sacrificar]

Understanding is important to you.

[onemoredeath]

It is, I admit.

[sacrificar]

Unfortunate that you are among the few who feel that way.

[onemoredeath]

Oh?

[sacrificar]

Perhaps this would be different, if there were more.

[onemoredeath]

Ah... I see.