[001] - [Text]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[It's been a long, long time since this particular samurai has written poetry. Lost in his depression and the weight of his duty, there's been no time or inspiration to draw from. Now? A man of emotion surrounded by little joy-bringing creatures? Even with underlying knowledge that there can't be much good at the root of this he can't help but drift in the incredible feelings they bring, and so, haiku time it is.]

Path through dancing stars
Unseen touches on the heart
It dreams in the light

[And sometime after, he adds:]

This feels more like a dream than ever.

Comments

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[imobouzu]

oooh
that is a nice haiku

[ Though, Jinbee doesn't know very much about haiku. ]

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[wavesoakedlegs]

My thanks; you are most kind. It's been quite some time since I wrote verse but the fireflies in the air are very inspiring, are they not?

[And wonderful, too. Very wonderful. Nice to just watch...]

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[imobouzu]

they are indeed
most insects i have dealt with have been giant and dangerous so this is also a very nice change

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[wavesoakedlegs]

[Were he not affected by the fireflies, Mitsuhide's surprise at that would have been a lot greater. Instead it's a mild, quiet curiousity.]

Truly? I have never heard of such things; there are some insects you know to avoid back home, having mild poison, but nothing especially worrying and certainly nothing one might describe as giant. How curious the differences between our homes are!

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[imobouzu]

it might be only in my world that we have the problem
but some years ago the insect magistrate was created and i am part of the insect magistrate and i protect people from the insects

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[wavesoakedlegs]

[Most strange indeed! Still, the 'protect people' part is something Mitsuhide can relate to. And for once, thanks to the fireflies, without an edge of sorrow and guilt creeping into his mind.]

It is certainly not a problem in my country; you have my sympathies for dealing with such a thing, and my respect for taking up such an honourable role. There is nothing more noble than acting as a protector for those who cannot defend themselves.

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[imobouzu]

thank you
it makes me honored to recieve such a compliment

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[wavesoakedlegs]

No need to thank me. I give such compliments where they have been earned.

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[imobouzu]

then that makes me even more honored sir

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[fleshing]

[HAIKUS??????? He knows someone who says haikus!!]

pla sSTIC NINJ A MAN N????????

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[wavesoakedlegs]

[...this is a very confusing response, but at least Mitsuhide can respond to the 'ninja' part well enough.]

Ah, pardon me! I'm afraid I am not a ninja, no warrior of the shadows. I am instead a samurai.

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[fleshing]

00000000 ???

[A long string of zeroes, because that's...all he knows. He's not entirely convinced this isn't a friend of his. Sorry, Mitsuhide.]

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[wavesoakedlegs]

[In typical Mitsuhide style, he assumes... it's something he's done wrong. At least the fireflies edge the guilt away, though as usual, there's an apology to be made.]

I'm sorry, have I confused you?

[Maybe this whole system has the other confused? The phone is certainly something not-plastic-ninja-man is far from used to yet.]

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[fleshing]

yuuuuor not 0???????

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[wavesoakedlegs]

No? Ah, my apologies. My name is Akechi Mitsuhide.

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[fleshing]

[So not the plastic ninja man. A mistaken identity.]

m Y MIS T KAE!!!!!!

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[wavesoakedlegs]

[Goodness, but this one has an odd way of writing.]

Not a problem. In this world, no doubt it would be a comfort to anyone to find someone they are familiar with from their home.

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[behisstrength]

[The fireflies resting in Mitsuhide's hair are distracting: gleaming stars in an inky black sky. It tempts Motochika to abandon his playing. While he resists the urge to reach out, for now, his gaze lingers there. He strums out long, lone notes, his shamisen singing a soft and stirring song.]

I know that look. [He says, contentment in his warm drawl.] Recite for me, Mitsuhide!

[He could use his phone to see what Mitsuhide has written, or even lean in to look at Mitsuhide's screen, but Motochika wants to hear it spoken aloud in his friend's serene voice. Atmosphere is important.]

action;

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide's embarrassment at the request is mild, thanks to those same 'gleaming stars.' He looks up at his closest friend, smiles softly and puts his phone to one side; reciting poetry isn't always something he feels bashful about, but there's something about Motochika's intensity that could make anyone feel at least a little nervous.]

Ah, it's... 'Path through dancing stars; unseen touches on the heart; it dreams in the light.'

[No prizes for guessing what inspired that work. Mitsuhide runs his fingers through his hair, accidentally dislodging one of the fireflies, which flies to sit on the crown of his head instead.]

What do you think, my Lord?

[behisstrength]

[As expected, Mitsuhide's cadence and expression make the experience complete. Motochika's smile is vibrant.]

Excellent, my friend.

[He closes his eyes momentarily, letting his fingers glide over the silken strings of his instrument. The resonating sentiment pours from his fingers.]

A dream, is it?

[Not that Motochika disagrees -- this intoxicating haze of gentle happiness is best described as dreamlike.]

This sea of joy that laps at our shore.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide hums softly; he sits back, closes his eyes. One doesn't need to see the fireflies to feel the happiness they bring, and this way he can better appreciate his friend's music. The sound of a shamisen has always had that potent, familiar feel to it, an echo of Motochika even when it's not Motochika playing... though there is no other who quite possesses the Hero of Tosa's skill with the instrument. When one considers what he can do with the energy of sound...]

Song of the sea stirs; sunlight sinks beneath the waves; the soul wakes again.

[He murmurs after a while.]

And that one?

[behisstrength]

[Motochika savours every word, storing them in his memory.]

Exquisite.

[For he is the sea and Mitsuhide the light. Touched by the glow of countless dancing fireflies, he can hear their souls sing in harmony.

Motochika draws his song to a close, then smirks before he puts his shamisen on Mitsuhide's lap and presses his bachi into Mitsuhide's hand.

He stretches out, unfolding his limbs, and leans on one elbow. He extends his fingers and loops the end of a lock of Mitsuhide's long hair around them, humming low in his throat.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Opening his eyes again, Mitsuhide looks at his friend curiously. He's not sure why Motochika would put the instrument in the hands of a complete amateur like that... no music Mitsuhide could make with it would be pleasant! Still, he smiles again, finding humour in the situation as opposed to the usual shyness.]

Lord Motochika? I can play if you like but I don't know much about the shamisen, beyond what I have learned from watching you.

[In this situation, now they live together without duty, the physical distance they had to deal with for most of their life banished, things like this can happen. Would Mitsuhide have learned to play young if they had lived close enough to visit one another often?]

[behisstrength]

[Motochika huffs a laugh.]

Let me hear you play, my friend. Then I shall teach you.

[For now, however, Motochika is content to start combing his fingers though Mitsuhide's luxuriant hair.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

Very well...

[Mitsuhide knows this isn't going to be a nice thing to listen to, but if Motochika really wants it? He'll try. At least he can hold it correctly. The sight of his friend playing is too familiar a sight to get that wrong.]

[Adjusting his position, Mitsuhide hesitantly places the bachi against the strings and tries to strum. To play. It doesn't go very well, as you would expect from someone playing for the first times.]