001. every reunion is a type of heaven // open post.

[kawaakari]

Take a prompt, take your time, post whatever you like.

Comments

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Caution. Usually he'd just jump the near-obvious questions. But he grew up knowing propriety in non-combat oriented matters. ] May I ask why?

[kawaakari]

It helps keep things in perspective for me.

[She has her job, she has her family, she has her few friends, and her principles. That is enough.]

ugh, backtagging, walking the fine line of continuity paradox. haha

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Keep things in perspective? ] I take it you lost perspective once before? [ He asks with both curiosity and concern in his voice ]

lol yep

[kawaakari]

Of course. I am only human, am I not?

[Teasing, because it isn't actually a big deal for her anymore. She is settled where she is, and she is good at what she does. She knows what she loves, and what she does not need to look for now.]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ He just smiles and nods ] Ever miss not being alone? [ Widow. Not about to ask about her husband. ]

[kawaakari]

No.

[It's the truth. She had her time: she realized, many years ago, that it was enough.]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade looks back at the Great Koi ] You and he are a lot alike then, I guess. [ It still seems kind of sad.] Alone and waiting on other people's stories.

[kawaakari]

Yes, we are. We tell each other stories, at times. One observer to another.

[atlas_shrugged]

And what about your own stories? [ He keeps on looking at Great Koi. What must their lives have been like? ]

[kawaakari]

Those, I tend to keep for myself and my family. He knows a few of them, though, by merit of proximity.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brig smiles and looks at her, with a little chuckle ] Sorry, I meant, what about your own stories? The two of you. How are your stories going now? [ He pauses then adds ] Since, you know, you've both chosen to be alone now.

[kawaakari]

Oh, they are interesting enough.

[She likes that word. Blame her son.

But no, she's not going to give any examples.]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brig smirks at that, recognizing the choice of word from previous conversations with the Blade King. ] Did Hikaru pick that up from you, Ma'am, or was it the other way around?

[kawaakari]

I prefer to think of it as communal property.

[Heh.]

[atlas_shrugged]

You and your son are so alike. [ Brig chuckles. A pause. Before he adds ] But you're a lot more guarded.

[ She is. Hikaru deflects. And fails a good number of times once you've seen some of his patterns. But Kasumi is a wall. One Brig can't seem to find any loose bricks in. Things like that, fixate him. ]

[kawaakari]

[It amuses her to see that Brigade seems to think that he knows Hikaru Shinta so well. What the man knows, she is certain, is merely the tip of the iceberg. In that same light, it also amuses her to see how easily he gives his opinions on other peoples' personalities, and mannerisms. But he does seem to be the type who'd naturally assume such things and do such things, by merit of his good intent and concern for those around him.

She's keeping that to herself, though, as usual.]

If you say so.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ The reply isn't an affirmation. He can tell at least that. ] You and your son aren't alike? [ He asks cautiously. ]

[kawaakari]

[She's only going to pour herself another drink now.]

Does it matter whether we are or not?

[Topping that with an expression that almost reads along the lines of why so curious? Why the questions?]

[atlas_shrugged]

No, not really. [ He puts his drink down. ] But it'd be comforting to know. [ And noting the look on her face, says softly ] And it'd be nice to get to know you better.

[kawaakari]

[Sipping, serene as ever.]

You could also opt to watch and see for yourself, when there are opportunities to do so.

[He was a part of Zangyaku now, after all.]

[atlas_shrugged]

I'd be happy to, Ma'am, [ A pause ] I'm just worried that after tonight, I might not get to see you again in a long while. What with you being Magistrate of Seigi [ Another pause ] and, well, me being assigned to Kibo without clearance to visit here.

[kawaakari]

That is a likely reality.

[Smiles.

What of it?

She had, after all, said more than a few times that they were comrades, 'family' in the way Zangyaku was 'family'. Not friends, not anything else.

That was even more definite now to her, since their time at Seigi, as the War Hounds, was practically finished. She had learned what she had needed to, and seen what she needed to. That was that.]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brig glances away and takes a sip of his sake. He feels like lighting up but won't, not here at Great Koi's pond. ] I... [ Brig sighs ] I'm sorry.

[kawaakari]

It's all right.

[Now her words seem to have their desired effect. She has been attempting to draw away gracefully since their last drink, but. Well.

Finishing her sake now, and briefly bringing out her phone to check her phone.

Perfect timing. She has engagements to prepare for.]

I'm afraid that I will have to cut our last drink short.

[She had said that they were going to end early.]

Cause mun has to make muse ask for it or else time paradox.-____- I am teh sad for Brigade.

[atlas_shrugged]

I understand, Ma'am. [ He nods and holds in a sigh ] I don't want to sound silly but [ The sigh comes out ] may I ask for your number? Maybe we could continue this again sometime. [ He's trying his best not to seem afraid to ask, but he is really. Of the answer. ]