prismatica | [Video...Sort Of]

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[Video...Sort Of]

[While this isn't anonymous per se, the screen is black, and doesn't show the person who's making the video. After a few seconds of silence, a piano begins to play. It's not CD quality, and there's a slight echo in the room, indicating it's probably recorded in someone's living space rather than a studio.]

[But the song is quiet, and pretty. It starts slow, illustrating the melody with a rhythmic series of chords. When it reaches the end of this section, the song picks up, the left hand scaling with quicker notes while never truly losing its initial timing. The melody elevates, passionate but delicate, and one might never guess that this much emotion could come from the slender fingers of cold, militaristic Winter Schnee.]

[Which is kind of the point of keeping herself out of view. What matters is the song, as it's one she's missed playing, and once her fingers were able to recall all of the notes she felt that it was worthy of being shared.]

[As the song descends back to the same serenity at the beginning, a small note appears in the lower right-hand corner.]

Thank you, Steve

[The song finishes, and the recording ends without a single spoken word from the player.]

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[Kagura's sensitive youkai ears really like the sound of this pretty song.]

That was beautiful.

Thank you.

[Winter doesn't mind speaking, but she'll gladly keep herself out of the camera for now.]

It was a favorite of my mother's. If there is a certain song you'd like me to play, send a recording. I would enjoy the challenge of learning a new melody without sheet music.

[Well, if the lady isn't going to show herself, Kagura's going to keep up the conversation as she waters her houseplants. Although video is left on, it's now showing a hand pouring water from a glass into the potted soil of some plants.]

I can't think of any songs. My life didn't really afford me the opportunity to properly enjoy music.

I see. It has been some time for me as well.

[Especially since she didn't learn an instrument that was portable.]

I'll send you some of mine, then, that you might enjoy it at your leisure.

[Also, guess who likes houseplants? Winter likes houseplants, and Kagura has some rather nice specimens.]

Your plants are lovely. Where did you find the one with the red-veined leaves?

I bought them all at the same store, all on the same day. The Cordis cycle makes me self-indulgent and somewhat impulsive, so when I wanted my home to have more natural scents...well.

[A hand gestures to the collection of ten.]

You can see the result.

I see.

In that case, I suggest a hyacinth plant. They have a pleasing floral fragrance that isn't particularly overwhelming.

That sounds perfect. My sense of smell is stronger than that of humans.

[Which was the reason behind wanting her home to have more natural scents in the first place. Cities smell weird.]

Oh?

[Winter's first thought jumps to 'Faunus,' but given how many different beings are in this city from almost as many worlds, she knows better than to simply assume.]

May I ask as to what you would classify yourself, then?

A youkai.

[She doesn't know who has heard of youkai and who hasn't, but she doesn't bother to explain what that is.]

The term is unfamiliar. Are there any other differences from humans of which I should be aware?

Youkai vary quite a bit in appearance and abilities, although senses stronger than those of humans are common to most youkai. Those who look close to human are usually much stronger than those who look more like monsters. Smarter, too.

[Of course, there were always exceptions, but the more monstrous looking were generally more feral.]

[Winter smirks.]

And that would be you, would it?

[She can appreciate a healthy sense of confidence far more than someone who's overly humble or self-deprecating.]

Name.

There are a few who are stronger than me, but yes. I'd count myself among the stronger and more intelligent youkai.

[Especially the "intelligent" part. She's inherited some of her creator's manipulative tendencies, but her cleverness has served her well in adapting to this technology filled world.]

My name is Kagura. And you are?

Winter Schnee. A pleasure, Kagura.

[She'll switch to video long enough to show her face, nodding once, before going back to voice. Kagura answered her questions without hesitation or belligerence, which means Winter finds her tolerable thus far.]

That was nicely done.

[Now that's a voice she recognizes. Fortunately she's not trying to hide her identity, and he didn't make any remarks on the post that got her so bothered, so she has no objections to answering.]

Thank you. Do you often listen to piano music?

I don't have the opportunity to listen very often, no.

[ The afterlife is sadly very bereft of such things. ]

When did you learn to play?

As a girl. It pleased my mother.

[Since he enjoyed the song, she'll play another, something soft and quiet in the background while they speak.]

I suppose it pleased me as well. I still recall most of the songs.

I see.

[ It's a pleasing enough melody, and he listens to it for a moment before he says anything else. ]

I've no talent for music myself, but it's good you can enjoy it.

Edited 2019-10-10 04:15 (UTC)

You have other skills that are far more practical. It isn't as if you're bereft of talent completely.

[There's a smile in her voice that adds just the lightest drop of warmth to her words.]

Your talent for cooking is one that I envy in particular.

[ Now that draws a bit of a soft, self-deprecating laugh. ]

Well, I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself “bereft” of all talent.

[ He’s hard on himself, but objectively, he is good at...some things. ]

Is it? Are you not satisfied with what you make?

I have little experience in the culinary arts prior to my arrival here.

[There's a cool smile on her face as she leans back, crossing her legs. He can't see it, but she does seem a little more relaxed as they talk.]

I'll simply state that my first attempt was...overly ambitious.

[Homemade ravioli and creme brulee. It was a disaster, and her neighbor suffered the consequences.]

Starting simple is usually the best way to learn. I had to fend for myself from a young age so I gained experience mostly out of necessity.

[ It doesn’t surprise him that she tried to do something complicated, though. ]

What have you tried to make?

[It's embarrassing, but not severely so. She can regard the experience as somewhat humorous, as she came away knowing more than she did, so that's still considered a success instead of a loss.]

Ravioli and creme brulee. I've since worked on appetizers and soups. I hope to manage desserts before the end of the month, as I would like to bake a cake for someone in November.

[ ...wow, yes, that was definitely not a good first dish to start with. He lets out a quiet hum. ]

I could assist with that, if you like.

[ It's not like he enjoys cooking or anything (ahem). ]

I would be rather grateful.

[Understatement. Of the century. She was still having a tough time with most things, though her stubborn determination has earned her a small degree of improvement.]

Is there anything you might wish for in return?

It’s fine.

[ He doesn’t really need compensation for something like this. ]

Though if you want to give me something, I think playing the piano would suffice.

It would be my pleasure.

[And it's about what she expected to trade as well, but she wanted the decision to be his own.]

Should you possess access to any songs you favor, you may bring them to me and I will endeavor to learn them on the piano.

[ He’s a simple man to please when it comes right down to it. ]

More than likely I would appreciate any songs you already know, but I’ll see what I can find.

When would you like to begin?

At your earliest convenience, if you please. I possess all of the ingredients, as I was planning on making another attempt this weekend.

[Now that she's fairly sure she won't be kicking Qrow to the curb, anyway. She's still stressed, but things are...better.]

I have some time this week. Would you prefer in the morning, afternoon, or evening?

I believe morning would be best. If we are successful, then we can enjoy the results after a light lunch.

[Qrow is not a morning person, so there's a lesser chance of him interrupting and spoiling the future surprise if she works during the earlier part of the day.]

I'm amenable to that.

Tomorrow?

Tomorrow.

[Click. That means 'see you then, goodbye.']

Oh wow...that was lovely.

Thank you.

[Her response is calm, but there's definitely a touch of pride too.]

Do you enjoy piano solos?

I do! When I was younger, I actually learned to play the piano from a friend of my mom's, who was a pianist.

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