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

[Might be a good idea, it's taking a lot of effort not to break this glass. So instead of sitting with it for too long, he drinks, finishing what's in the glass. He's about to ask why there's so little of the liquid, but he's quickly taken aback by the taste and puts the cup down to cough.]

Holy cow! What in the-

It is alcohol. I'm sorry, was it too strong?

It was just, an unexpected taste, excuse me, that was rude. [He's going to just shrivel his nose a little and stare at the glass.]

Rice, yes? Interesting. Though I suppose I can taste that- though um, different. How peculiar.

Fermented rice and water, yes. [ Takegami watches him, smiling a little to himself. ] A lot of people do find it an odd taste at first.

I am not used to ingesting fermented- anything. It's extremely difficult to compare it to anything. [Still kind of making a strange face. But at least he finally looks away from the glass now.]

It can be difficult to get use to at first. I remember getting ridiculously drunk the first time I went drinking.

...Drunk?

You never experienced something like that?

No? Why would I!

Experiencing all the good and bad things in life helps you become a stronger man.

All things?

[A terrified look.]

All things. From love to war.

Um, I'm afraid I do not follow...

A true man must know his strengths and his weaknesses. In order to know what those are, he must test himself in all matters until he has an understanding of himself. Love, in women and men, war, in fighting and knowing when to draw the line.

I agree, definitely. I am fully aware of both as far as I am concerned. Though the way you speak and what you speak of it still confusing.

[Also his face feels a little warm... strange.]

This is not my native tongue and sometimes the words ill-fit with what I want to say.

Yes, that makes sense. The one here at fault is you.

And now you are being ridiculous. [ As he says that, he is going to refill the cups. ] But that is fine too.

I am not being ridiculous! You take that back.

[ There is an arch of his eyebrow, and then Takegami smiles pleasantly. ] I take it back. You are not being ridiculous. Now drink your wine.

Sake.

[But oh alright. Equius tenderly handles the glass again and looks to Takegami, awaiting him to do the same. Equius has been led to believe you do this at the same time as those you are drinking with. So of course he waits. He's a gentletroll.]

Some call it 'rice wine'. [ And with a smile, he tosses his back and puts his glass down with a satisfied hiss. ]

Rice wine?

[Well okay then, and oh, drinking now, okay. He follows suit, not really making a sound but his face once again twists at the taste, tongue flicking out to lick his lips. He isn't sure he's going to get used to that taste... But then again, he is younger so it'd probably take some time for him to ever stand it.]

Wine is made with fruit and water. Sake is made with rice and water.

[ And he refills the glasses as well. ]

I could order you something a lot less strong. Like a small beer.

Yes, I know of wine. I understand the reasoning.

Less strong?

[Never!]

Never!

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