[Finn walks up to the box, squinting down into it thoughtfully. Apparently, gift giving was the custom around here. A human custom, as far as Finn could tell. The thought gives him a weird fluttering in his stomach as he focuses on one of the new people he's met -- human or not -- racking his brain for what they might want...]
Dude seems to really miss his daughter. [Finn rubs the back of his head. He could relate, in a sort of sideways way.] Couldn't you get a picture of her for him? That's what I'd want.
Later...
[This month's supply drop has arrived and with it, a little something special for Yujin. He'll see a box wrapped in shiny teal paper, a deep crimson bow, and a small glittery gold tag with 'From Finn' printed on it. The wrapping job is too neat to be from Finn himself, clearly created by the ship's replicator based on his gift request.
Inside the box, he will find small photograph. It's not the original, that's clear from the photo paper it's printed on. Still, the image speaks for itself.]
Dude seems to really miss his daughter. [Finn rubs the back of his head. He could relate, in a sort of sideways way.] Couldn't you get a picture of her for him? That's what I'd want.
Later...
[This month's supply drop has arrived and with it, a little something special for Yujin. He'll see a box wrapped in shiny teal paper, a deep crimson bow, and a small glittery gold tag with 'From Finn' printed on it. The wrapping job is too neat to be from Finn himself, clearly created by the ship's replicator based on his gift request.
Inside the box, he will find small photograph. It's not the original, that's clear from the photo paper it's printed on. Still, the image speaks for itself.]
[Finn's gift is just a small token, sure, but... the original photograph hadn't been his, nor was he even there when it was taken. To say Yujin's touched by the present is an understatement.
In return, Finn will find a neatly-wrapped box outside his own door. Once he tears it open, he'll find a warm winter scarf as well as a small tube made of shiny green paper. With the gift is a short note:]
I can't express how much your gift means to me. Thank you.
P.S.: The charm inside will help to keep you safe from danger. Be sure not to open it, or the blessing will wear out!
[When Finn pops the Christmas cracker open, it'll burst like a toy firework, revealing several small trinkets on the inside. There's a shimmery red paper crown, two small figurines of a hunting hound and a racehorse, a handful of caramel candies, and a bright blue omamori of protection from ill forces.]
In return, Finn will find a neatly-wrapped box outside his own door. Once he tears it open, he'll find a warm winter scarf as well as a small tube made of shiny green paper. With the gift is a short note:]
I can't express how much your gift means to me. Thank you.
P.S.: The charm inside will help to keep you safe from danger. Be sure not to open it, or the blessing will wear out!
[When Finn pops the Christmas cracker open, it'll burst like a toy firework, revealing several small trinkets on the inside. There's a shimmery red paper crown, two small figurines of a hunting hound and a racehorse, a handful of caramel candies, and a bright blue omamori of protection from ill forces.]
Yes. Yes, of course, I shall. No offense taken.
[And then he reads the username, and reads it again. Isn't there... some doctor (?) someone had mentioned to him before...?
He pauses for a minute or two before replying again, for propriety or trying to ignore the naked man question, or something. Unfortunately, it just sort of feels more awkward, now.]
Are you Marta? Er, I mean, Dr. Marta Cabrera? Professor Yujin Mikotoba.
Forensic pathologist.
I think we're colleagues.
[And then he reads the username, and reads it again. Isn't there... some doctor (?) someone had mentioned to him before...?
He pauses for a minute or two before replying again, for propriety or trying to ignore the naked man question, or something. Unfortunately, it just sort of feels more awkward, now.]
Are you Marta? Er, I mean, Dr. Marta Cabrera? Professor Yujin Mikotoba.
Forensic pathologist.
I think we're colleagues.
[don't worry Marta. he's seen worse. by far.]
It could've been worse. At least you weren't actually looking for me too.
[what's worse than two naked men on a ship....]
Likewise, Nurse Cabrera. I'm afraid I've done more research than clinical work in the last several years, so I daresay you'll be of more use on a mission than me...
It could've been worse. At least you weren't actually looking for me too.
[what's worse than two naked men on a ship....]
Likewise, Nurse Cabrera. I'm afraid I've done more research than clinical work in the last several years, so I daresay you'll be of more use on a mission than me...
γ the sunlight room is one of few comforts aboard the ximilia. impossible as it is—in the midst of so much strangeness— the green of the leaves, the soft snapping of branches underfoot prove soothing.
little relief, however, exists within the wide space today.
by the bridge spanning the frozen stream, helen stands as unmoving as a statue. dressed in white, she appears carved from marble. her arms wrap around her middle. she only shifts when she senses someone come near—then only a turn of her head enough to catch glimpse of who has joined her. sorrow softens her beautiful features, lends them a timeless poignancy.
her tears fall easily, have fallen a while. γ
little relief, however, exists within the wide space today.
by the bridge spanning the frozen stream, helen stands as unmoving as a statue. dressed in white, she appears carved from marble. her arms wrap around her middle. she only shifts when she senses someone come near—then only a turn of her head enough to catch glimpse of who has joined her. sorrow softens her beautiful features, lends them a timeless poignancy.
her tears fall easily, have fallen a while. γ
[Though the sunlight room is rarely empty, Yujin doesn't a habit of stopping for his shipmates. Not beyond quick greetings, anyhow. He values how meditative this place can be, when all else here isn't-- and particularly after how eventful his first month aboard the Ximilia's been.
So, at first, Helen escapes his notice. And then, as he draws nearer, his footsteps tapping lightly upon the bridge, he actually observes her, rather than merely looking. Guarded and tense. When she whirls around, there are tears in her eyes. It's enough to tug at anyone's heartstrings, really.]
My dear... [he begins, voice reassuring. If his tone is anything, it's that of a father. This is the sound that goes with skinned knees, bruised egos, childhood failures, runaway teenage boys.]
Is everything all right?
[He's at her side with the handkerchief from his breast pocket already in his hand, offered out to her.]
So, at first, Helen escapes his notice. And then, as he draws nearer, his footsteps tapping lightly upon the bridge, he actually observes her, rather than merely looking. Guarded and tense. When she whirls around, there are tears in her eyes. It's enough to tug at anyone's heartstrings, really.]
My dear... [he begins, voice reassuring. If his tone is anything, it's that of a father. This is the sound that goes with skinned knees, bruised egos, childhood failures, runaway teenage boys.]
Is everything all right?
[He's at her side with the handkerchief from his breast pocket already in his hand, offered out to her.]
Action; backdated to... IDK, early on, whenever Ryu first reached out to Viv
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locumstudentesquire
2023-01-10 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
[It starts with a private voice message, and Ryunosuke's words have an unmistakably troubled edge to them when they come through.]
Professor, I-- I don't wish to interrupt you, but. Could you come back to our quarters? The sooner the better, if you don't mind. I've called Kazuma over as well, it's... It's about that little matter I mentioned I was going to speak to Miss Viveca about.
Professor, I-- I don't wish to interrupt you, but. Could you come back to our quarters? The sooner the better, if you don't mind. I've called Kazuma over as well, it's... It's about that little matter I mentioned I was going to speak to Miss Viveca about.
[Yujin had been hoping for the best, but Ryunosuke's tone... isn't reassuring.]
Of course. I'll be right over. [and that's all-- he hangs up and makes his way back to their shared room.
He doesn't speak until the door behind him's shut tight. Taking a seat in the nearest chair, he presses his lips together, then begins carefully:] I assume Miss Viveca did not have good news for you?
Of course. I'll be right over. [and that's all-- he hangs up and makes his way back to their shared room.
He doesn't speak until the door behind him's shut tight. Taking a seat in the nearest chair, he presses his lips together, then begins carefully:] I assume Miss Viveca did not have good news for you?
[Kazuma also made his way over as soon as Ryunosuke messaged him, so he arrives only a few minutes after Mikotoba. It's a bit hard not to pick up on Ryunosuke's distress even in ideal circumstances, so he's already keyed up and ready for some unfortunate news.
He doesn't bother waiting to be invited into the room, he just kinda. Barges on in. They have Things To Talk About, apparently, and Ryunosuke was inviting him over anyway, so...]
What's this about, Ryunosuke? What did you find?
He doesn't bother waiting to be invited into the room, he just kinda. Barges on in. They have Things To Talk About, apparently, and Ryunosuke was inviting him over anyway, so...]
What's this about, Ryunosuke? What did you find?
[Just before Kazuma enters, Ryunosuke tries to give Yujin the light version of the answer:]
It's... Complicated. It'll be best if I wait for Kazuma to explain fully, but--
[...The door opens, all of a sudden???
Oh. There he is! Ryunosuke turns to look at him as he enters, blinking a few times before nodding curtly and hopping back up onto his train of thought.]
Yes! Right. So... [He's starts pacing a little as he talks, the nervous energy a bit too much for him to bear at the moment.] ...At Uchiha-san's suggestion I. I spoke to Miss Viveca, about the possibility of getting correspondence sent back home... From what he told me, the answer was always likely to be 'no', and I'd assumed at first, that the reason for that was due to some sort of confidentiality mandatory to the mission. Unfortunately... That's. That's not actually the case.
[He pauses to take a breath before just diving right into the main point.]
According to Miss Viveca, correspondence between us and those back on Earth is anywhere from difficult to impossible to send, because... The orbs may actually interfere or even block the messages from getting through altogether. And it's all because... They benefit, from off the chaos that is caused by our sudden disappearances back home.
[Does that makes sense? He's just going to let that sink in a moment, his expression grave.]
It's... Complicated. It'll be best if I wait for Kazuma to explain fully, but--
[...The door opens, all of a sudden???
Oh. There he is! Ryunosuke turns to look at him as he enters, blinking a few times before nodding curtly and hopping back up onto his train of thought.]
Yes! Right. So... [He's starts pacing a little as he talks, the nervous energy a bit too much for him to bear at the moment.] ...At Uchiha-san's suggestion I. I spoke to Miss Viveca, about the possibility of getting correspondence sent back home... From what he told me, the answer was always likely to be 'no', and I'd assumed at first, that the reason for that was due to some sort of confidentiality mandatory to the mission. Unfortunately... That's. That's not actually the case.
[He pauses to take a breath before just diving right into the main point.]
According to Miss Viveca, correspondence between us and those back on Earth is anywhere from difficult to impossible to send, because... The orbs may actually interfere or even block the messages from getting through altogether. And it's all because... They benefit, from off the chaos that is caused by our sudden disappearances back home.
[Does that makes sense? He's just going to let that sink in a moment, his expression grave.]
Asogi-kun! Come in, come in...
[The gang's all here, so once Kazuma's settled in himself, Yujin listens to Ryunosuke's spiel in attentive silence. A no is one thing; he'd been braced for not being able to reach Susato in the end. This, however? He frowns, unease written clearly on his face.]
The-- the chaos? What does that mean? [He leans forward in his chair, brow furrowed:] So we aren't where we should be, and the orbs are somehow feeding off of that? What about Susato?
[The gang's all here, so once Kazuma's settled in himself, Yujin listens to Ryunosuke's spiel in attentive silence. A no is one thing; he'd been braced for not being able to reach Susato in the end. This, however? He frowns, unease written clearly on his face.]
The-- the chaos? What does that mean? [He leans forward in his chair, brow furrowed:] So we aren't where we should be, and the orbs are somehow feeding off of that? What about Susato?
[Kazuma... doesn't say anything in response to this. Instead he stands with his arms folded as Ryunosuke and Yujin discuss, trying to mask his growing discomfort.
The thing is, this information means far less for him than it does for the other two. It isn't so surprising that time would pass back home as well as here, and that they would be upset at leaving Susato all alone. Hell, Kazuma is upset with the idea. But he and Susato had already said their goodbyes, and Kazuma hadn't really abandoned anyone to come here. Who in London would even notice or care that he was gone? Barok van Zieks? The junior inspector girl? Hardly.
Ryunosuke and Yujin should return to stay with Susato, of course. But the situation feels far less urgent for Kazuma. And, if his previous conversation with Ryunosuke is any indication, neither of them will like that answer.]
The thing is, this information means far less for him than it does for the other two. It isn't so surprising that time would pass back home as well as here, and that they would be upset at leaving Susato all alone. Hell, Kazuma is upset with the idea. But he and Susato had already said their goodbyes, and Kazuma hadn't really abandoned anyone to come here. Who in London would even notice or care that he was gone? Barok van Zieks? The junior inspector girl? Hardly.
Ryunosuke and Yujin should return to stay with Susato, of course. But the situation feels far less urgent for Kazuma. And, if his previous conversation with Ryunosuke is any indication, neither of them will like that answer.]
[Ryunosuke is rattled enough that Kazuma's unease slips by him for the moment, his attention instead on Yujin.]
No physical harm will have come to her. It's just...
[He pauses, and looks a little embarrassed for a moment, having just made the realization that there's not really any new information here, at least with regards to how Susato is affected. And so it now feels like he's rallied them both here with an urgency that's actually rather unwarranted.]
Well. In essence it doesn't really change anything. But we know now there's a good chance we won't be able to reach her. So she'll just have to carry on... Not knowing what's become of any of us.
[And he glances at Kazuma now, because he's included in that 'us'. Ryunosuke and Yujin are the ones Susato is bound to notice the absence of first, but that doesn't mean Kazuma will go entirely un-missed either. As soon as she tries to write to or telegram anyone back in London, news of Kazuma's disappearance is bound to get back to her as well.]
I suppose what this does change, is... I don't know if I can tolerate staying here, knowing that's the case.
No physical harm will have come to her. It's just...
[He pauses, and looks a little embarrassed for a moment, having just made the realization that there's not really any new information here, at least with regards to how Susato is affected. And so it now feels like he's rallied them both here with an urgency that's actually rather unwarranted.]
Well. In essence it doesn't really change anything. But we know now there's a good chance we won't be able to reach her. So she'll just have to carry on... Not knowing what's become of any of us.
[And he glances at Kazuma now, because he's included in that 'us'. Ryunosuke and Yujin are the ones Susato is bound to notice the absence of first, but that doesn't mean Kazuma will go entirely un-missed either. As soon as she tries to write to or telegram anyone back in London, news of Kazuma's disappearance is bound to get back to her as well.]
I suppose what this does change, is... I don't know if I can tolerate staying here, knowing that's the case.
γ dear child, she hears in priamβs kind tonesβher father-in-law who ever spoke to her fondly despite the doom with which she darkened his doorwayβ
the handkerchief is pressed to her belly. her head shakes. her voice thick, she warns, γ
You should pass me by. Reproach me here, an evil-thinking dog before whom all shudder. Only grief is my trade.
the handkerchief is pressed to her belly. her head shakes. her voice thick, she warns, γ
You should pass me by. Reproach me here, an evil-thinking dog before whom all shudder. Only grief is my trade.
γ silence is yujin's answer, and silence may have been all he received. until, eyes fixed unseeing in the distance, the terrible confession issues between her lips. γ
Day after day, I looked out from the city walls, hoping to find among the multitude the familiar faces of my brothers. We were born together: two brothers and two sisters. So much of their life passed in defense of me, wretched sister that I am. And each day that I could not descry them I wondered why. Why do they not come when I need them most.
γ her face falls. her breath shudders. γ
Here, I learned they could not. For the earth had covered them ten years past. γ the cruelty is she never knew. γ
Day after day, I looked out from the city walls, hoping to find among the multitude the familiar faces of my brothers. We were born together: two brothers and two sisters. So much of their life passed in defense of me, wretched sister that I am. And each day that I could not descry them I wondered why. Why do they not come when I need them most.
γ her face falls. her breath shudders. γ
Here, I learned they could not. For the earth had covered them ten years past. γ the cruelty is she never knew. γ
Ten years past... [Yujin repeats. Echoing those words, inconceivable as they are, is all he can think to do. To have lost her flesh and blood is injury enough, but to have done so unknowingly-- for ten years?
He holds his years of grief close. The pain, though dulled now, is its own memorial to the people he's loved and lost more than a decade ago now. Being robbed of those is unthinkable to him. Immediately, that pang of sympathy for her deepens.
Yujin rests a gentle hand upon her arm. First:] I'm sorry, Helen. You deserved to have known far sooner.
[And after a moment to let those words rest:] Would you like to do something, in their memory?
He holds his years of grief close. The pain, though dulled now, is its own memorial to the people he's loved and lost more than a decade ago now. Being robbed of those is unthinkable to him. Immediately, that pang of sympathy for her deepens.
Yujin rests a gentle hand upon her arm. First:] I'm sorry, Helen. You deserved to have known far sooner.
[And after a moment to let those words rest:] Would you like to do something, in their memory?
γ her eyes slant to the touch on her arm. overly familiar, presumptuous…and a kindness she has scarcely received in the past decade. she wants to slap him away; she wants to take his hand.
in the end, helen does neither. drawing her veil closer around her, she draws in another trembling breath. γ
I must. Far as I am, the proper rites must be observed.
γ there will be games, a sacrifice. there will be wine and stories. her brothers' names will be known and remembered. but tonight…tonight—
her voice breaks. γ Is it selfishness to wish this night to only mourn?
in the end, helen does neither. drawing her veil closer around her, she draws in another trembling breath. γ
I must. Far as I am, the proper rites must be observed.
γ there will be games, a sacrifice. there will be wine and stories. her brothers' names will be known and remembered. but tonight…tonight—
her voice breaks. γ Is it selfishness to wish this night to only mourn?
Shoves that last thread under the rug for a retcon (Action)
locumstudentesquire
2023-01-29 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
[At some point early on in their stay, Yujin will come back to their shared quarters just moments after Ryunosuke has just wrapped up a rather troubling conversation with Viveca.
The young man is parked over at the cabin's seating area, rubbing his eyes slowly with thumb and forefinger blearily. Of course, he stops doing that and looks up sharply when he hears the door open, blinking owlishly at Yujin's sudden return.]
Oh! Professor Mikotoba! Welcome back, sir!
[The pleasantry rolls off his tongue with his usual degree of nervous energy, but in most other regards Ryunosuke seems even more noticeably tense than ever. He just cannot help but linger on the revelation Viveca just imparted to him: that they're both from different timelines. So... Does that mean isn't really his Yujin Mikotoba...?]
The young man is parked over at the cabin's seating area, rubbing his eyes slowly with thumb and forefinger blearily. Of course, he stops doing that and looks up sharply when he hears the door open, blinking owlishly at Yujin's sudden return.]
Oh! Professor Mikotoba! Welcome back, sir!
[The pleasantry rolls off his tongue with his usual degree of nervous energy, but in most other regards Ryunosuke seems even more noticeably tense than ever. He just cannot help but linger on the revelation Viveca just imparted to him: that they're both from different timelines. So... Does that mean isn't really his Yujin Mikotoba...?]
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