014 - And he saw neither sun nor moon / But heard the roaring of the sea

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

[Aniki is not in a particularly good mood, it seems. She's staring into space, sitting on a rail of the wooden fence that circles the packed-dirt practice yard she's towed along with her to the plane. There's training equipment of various kinds slung over the fence--wooden swords and leather belts and scabbards, harnesses, weights.]

[She has a shapeless brown bag thrown over her shoulder and seems to be stroking its contents. A little furry brown-gray kitty head pokes up for a moment and disappears again.]

Oh, now, Laddiebuck. It's not that scary.

Comments

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

[Petting the kitty now, and not asking him to stay or go.]

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Finally pays enough attention to see the little visitor she brought with her.]

... a cat?

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

My cat.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

... What's his name?

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

Laddiebuck. [Petpetpet.] He'll claw my arms off if I try to take him out of his bag.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Headtilt.] Why?

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

He's a private soul, poor thing.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Very slight smile here, with a bit of a wistful look.] I can understand that...

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

[Smile. A REAL ONE.] I would have left him at home, but after our last little adventure, well. I missed him a bit too much.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[small nod] It's nice that you can bring him here, at least.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

I am glad for that. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Nods a little more. He's still kind of... incredibly awkward.]

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

[It's a good thing for both of them that Aniki is well practiced at feigning ease.]

You have any pets?

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Shakes his head.] No... it's probably not a good idea, considering.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

[Considering...]

[Aniki doesn't say anything for a loooong while.]

You don't plan on telling him, do you.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Ryotarou is silent and glances away for just a moment, before he looks back to Aniki.]

... Of course not. Why would I? ... he already knows my cards are limited.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

But he doesn't understand what that means for you. He's sweet enough, but fair stupid.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

And that's fine. He doesn't need to know.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

...I think perhaps you're even more of a jinglenob than he is.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

Maybe. ... whatever that means. But if he knew, he would just make it harder for me to help.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

You mean he'd try to save you.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

Maybe... but it's too late for that.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

And you're really all right with that.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

I've already made my choice. I mean... it would be nice if I didn't have to use them anymore, I really wouldn't mind, but I won't stop while I'm still needed.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

I can't fault you for that, though I'll say right here I don't like it. I'm not going to sit idle and watch it happen. And I'm going to be a bother in Sakurai's place.