VOICE.

[veryhuman]

This rabbit saw a body flee. That means there is still life within them, right? Right? Yes... the life within that person still wishes to ...

[ Silence.

A softer, warmer voice -- but still sounds very much like the one that was just talking, only slightly muffled -- comes over instead. ]

I apologize. A person got a little excited and now he has gone to sleep. That is... for the best, I think.

Life is much better when we are smiling with one another, but the way that he smiles...

Anyway, why don't we talk about what makes us smile? Joy is best had when it is shared with others, isn't that how that saying goes?

Comments

[veryhuman]

How you were raised?

[yakiniku]

To be an assassin. To inherit an entire criminal organization.

[veryhuman]

To be a warlord.

[yakiniku]

That is certainly one way to look at it. I walked away from it, in the end.

[veryhuman]

A very wise decision.

[ He breathes out a small sigh. ]

There is a little lord I know. He has not ever seen ... the true banquet. For that I am grateful. For those who see it... those who witness it... it changes something inside. It breaks something inside. The wrongs of the present may become rights in the future... depending on how a person looks at it...

That is what the banquet can do. So, it is good that you stepped away from it, and knew that the feast was not worth staying for...

[yakiniku]

Yes, we had our differences.

[Hanzo won't go into further detail than that. Instead he listens closely, deciding that this man certainly has a unique way of speaking, and his view of the world is interesting to say the least.]

I stepped away but not until helping myself to the first course. My wrongs of the past are still very much there, but I will not be actively adding to them, at least. It is better than nothing, but certainly not enough to erase those wrongs.

[veryhuman]

[ Tenkai hears the "period" in the statement. He hears that he cannot ask anymore about what differences there were between father and son.

Familial ties. Those ties that are wrapped in blood and barbs. The kind of connections that hurt the most, because those wounds never really heal.

A family is a place one calls home, after all. It's a place that says, "You belong, and you have somewhere that wants you." To tear oneself away, to rip clean from one's family, the wound bleeds and bleeds.

He closes his eyes and nods to himself. Yes, he hears the "period" in the sentence and he cannot ask anything more. Because, he, too, set fire to his old home and left it. ]

The first meal is always the most difficult to get through. But ... congratulations on finishing. It is good that you will not add to the wrongs... it's good that you still feel the weight of them...

That middle ground that you are walking... it will make the weight of the past feel much, much heavier with each step you walk. It will certainly make the future see so much more distant than those that tread only in the light.

But ... it will be fulfilling when you get there... when you get to your new home. [ A new place where someone will accept him. No matter how many wrongs, no matter how wrong on the inside that they are. To be accepted... not necessarily forgiven... but acceptance ... it is worth the long, long journey. ]

[yakiniku]

[There's a hum as he considers the other's words very carefully. This analogy that they have going is strangely appropriate, and he can't help but feel like perhaps he's shared too much information. Still, there is relief that someone appears to understand his struggle.]

Thank you. I hope that some day I reach that place as well. I have appreciated this talk. I wish you the best. It is nice to be reminded that there is a goal and it is attainable. It makes the journey seem less... impossible.

[veryhuman]

You're welcome.

[ A warm smile coats his words. ]

I'm grateful that I was able to help you, even a little bit. Indeed, your goal is attainable. It is still possible. You're someone ... yes, you're someone that will have another waiting for you. I'm sure of it.

[yakiniku]

Perhaps we can speak again some time.

[A pause.]

You or the other one, if that one is interested.

[veryhuman]

I would like that very much.

[ Hmmmmmmmm!! ]

The other may be... but he's a troublesome person. I hope you don't mind trouble.

[yakiniku]

Either way, I hope this is not the last I hear from you.

[veryhuman]

That would be heartbreaking.

Can I send you messages, then? I heard that is possible. Sending messages to a specific person...

[yakiniku]

Of course. Feel free.

It is possible. Text, voice, or video messages. Unless you would prefer to meet in person.

[veryhuman]

[ Oh honey, you have a storm coming. ]

I would love that. Let's meet, let's meet.

[yakiniku]

[Oh no. What has he done?]

Pick the time and place, and I will meet you. You seem very interesting.

[veryhuman]

[ FRIENDSHIP IS WHAT HE'S DONE! ]

I do not know any place here yet. I can choose the time? I have all the free time in the world, but what about you? But I should not be so ... myself...no, I should not. So, why don't we meet in the garden that you mentioned. And why don't we meet now?

[yakiniku]

[UH OH. CTRL + Z ]

The garden is fine. Yourself is fine. I suppose now is fine too. Give me 10 minutes.

[veryhuman]

[ TOO LATE. ]

I will give you ten minutes. If you're late, I'll punish you. [ UfufufuahahaHAAHA! ]

Just kidding...

[yakiniku]

[This man is funny. Hanzo has not been punished since he was a child, and he doesn't suspect there are many capable of it around here. So it clearly must be a joke, right?]

I will see you shortly.

[veryhuman]

I look forward to it.

[ ooc: Action here, or log?? ]