therewerefifty | [Action/Written/Accidental Audio]

[Action/Written/Accidental Audio]

[The day she spends like most, in her usual haunts; she works at Seventh Heaven, she trains deep in the forest. She finds time for a cup of tea in there somewhere. Makie keeps wrapped up more than usual; she's felt a little off, lately, so in case of oncoming summer colds she tries to take care of herself.

She looks for a man. (A particular one, hush.) Still can't find him.

She finally gathers her courage and returns to the smithy to see if someone can repair her weapon. Hopefully she'll see that boy again; he already knows. And if not, she'll just weather any awkwardness. Makie's slowly coming to the realisation that here in this village, it doesn't really matter, but old habits die hard.

When she finally returns home in the evening, she makes a cautious post to the network. She doesn't want to leave this any longer.

...does she really just need to write into the book? Well, then.]

[Written]

I'm looking for a gentleman I met during the time that... Twila arrived in Luceti. Sir, I never caught your name, but I would like to talk to you, if I may. I was the woman with the shamisen that [...uh.] spoke to you from the rooftops in the plaza.

[...this is awkward. She stops there.

Whatever responses she might get, Makie fails to close the journal when she's done. Which doesn't altogether mean that much given there's dead silence for some hours afterward, as she just curls up with a book to read. It's punctuated maybe once by a fit of coughing.

It's only when it reaches about 9.30 that evening that a few stray experimental notes of her shamisen can be heard. And then Makie starts playing. Sorry, any early sleepers. At least it's likely she won't be playing for long. >>;; Learning journal etiquette the hard way.]

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[Makie stares at the open journal for a few moments before it fully registers. And then she does stop.]

It's stlll recording? But I used it hours ago...

[Ahahah. Watch that flush of red grow. But she makes no move to get up. Slamming it would be just as rude.]

[Saori nods and slowly goes over to close the journal. The embarrassment registers, of course, so she won't try and call attention to it.]

Yes, sometimes that happens. They are a little finicky at times.

I see... [Of course, closing it seems the most logical thing to do, now she sees Saori do it. It's a mistake she won't make again.] I fear I may have caused a disturbance to some.

With playing like that, I somehow doubt it. [She waves a hand, a warm smile on her face. Makie'd done something any newcomer would've. Saori had done it herself more than once, and somewhat expected of people as they adjusted. But the music had been nice.]

It's early yet, dear. Would you care to join me for some tea, Makie? I've just come in from a walk, and I would love a little company while I relax. Perhaps we could play a game, too?

Tea would be lovely. [She's more than happy to move on from the journal, though she gives it one more doubtful look as she stands, rearranging her shawl over her shoulders. She sets the shamisen gently down to lean against the dresser.] What sort of game did you have in mind?

Are you at all familiar with the game Go? I've been playing it for some time, though partners in Luceti are somewhat difficult to come by. If you aren't, I could always teach you. Or we could try another game, like Questions if that's more interesting for you.

[Either way, the intent was to take Makie's mind off of the small mistake. She seemed to take little things a good bit harder than some, and seemed quite fearful of bothering or disappointing others. Already stepping towards the door, Saori grinned childishly.]

I even have a little checkerboard, though it's a game I've only just learned.

I'm familiar with it, but I'm afraid I've never played it. [She smiles.] I have watched others play, but the rules escape me. [She'd never bothered to pay real attention. No time for games. But Luceti is different.]

If you would consent to teach me, I would certainly attempt such a game.

Edited 2013-07-02 23:13 (UTC)

Yes, yes of course. I said I'd teach, didn't I? It'll be fun, and definitely a good way to pass the time. And if it doesn't suit you, we can try something else.

[She moves off downstairs now, hopefully Makie will follow along. If not, well, they won't be having much tea or doing much gaming will they?]

[So true. Not to worry, Makie is indeed following. She enjoys Saori's company.] I haven't played many such games. So I'll likely be terrible. [There's a touch of humour there.] But I look forward to it.

Oh that's alright, I'm sure you'll pick up on them quickly enough. There's little else to really do most of the time in Luceti, after all.

[She'll lead them down to the kitchen where she puts a pot on the stove and starts getting out tea-things.]

Besides, everyone's terrible when they first learn something new. That's part of learning, finding your footing with each thing. But it's not that different from music in it's own way. There's a right way and a wrong way to play, and each stone is like a note.

[Makie slides into a chair at the table, letting Saori take care of the tea.]

...not everyone. [But it's quiet, and soon lost as she starts to cough. Not particularly horrendous; Makie suspects she really is coming down with a cold.] I look forward to learning, then.

[The coughing draws a look from the kitchen, and Saori also pulls out some honey for Makie's tea. A little something Helios had taught her to tend to a cough.]

Summer cold dear?

[Not a real worry, but enough to warrant a little treatment.]

I think so. I haven't been feeling well, lately. [But it's hardly debilitating; right now, Makie classes it as a nuisance.] Hopefully it won't get worse. I wouldn't like to take time off work.

Oh. Well. Let's just keep you warm then. And I'll add a little honey to your tea. That's good for throats I understand.

Summer cold are dreadful things, though. If it gets worse, please make sure to call a doctor. There are plenty in the village.

I'll do that. And thank you. For the honey, I mean. [Never had honey with her tea, actually-- she wonders what it tastes like.]

How long is a game of Go?

Of course.

[She starts pouring and whisking and adding the honey and things, sliding the cup across the table and pulling out her game board.]

That depends. Usually around twenty minutes. But experienced players can go for hours and hours. I've heard of games between my uncles lasting for weeks.

I see. [Weeks at a time, huh. Sounds interesting. She picks up the cup delicately and blows on the steam rising from it, before offering Saori a smile.] Well, then. I am at your mercy.

Alright then.

[Because the mun is incredibly lazy, Saori takes the next several minutes to give Makie a simple explanation of how to play Go. She'll provide demonstrations and some basic tips and strategies, and when she's done she slides a bowl of stones over to Makie.]

Do you have any questions, or need anything explained again?

[Gosh, you lazy mun, you.]

It seems... reasonably straightforward.

[SHE HAS HER DOUBTS. But she reaches for the stones. It's not like she has to be good at it.]

[Explaining the game is incredibly lengthy and dull, sue me.]

It is. It's both complicated and simple at the same time. But it should give us a way to pass the time, wouldn't you say?

[Saori places the first stone...]

Now since we've got time, can I ask you who taught you to play shamisen?

[That's okay, this mun doesn't even know how to play.]

It should indeed. [She stares thoughtfully at her own stones. Now, how did it go...]

My mother taught me how to play when I was a little girl. [Fondness colours her voice.] We played together for a long time.

[At that, Saori smiles.] It was the same for me. My mother and my aunt taught me when I was a child too.

Those were some of my favorite memories. Learning things from them. And my father, too.

[Her expression visibly flattens at the mention of fathers, but her mood isn't exactly ruined. She just... doesn't enjoy that topic. And deflects.]

My mother was always very busy in the last few years. But we always found time. It was something I looked forward to.

[One of the only.]

[Okay. Saori doesn't comment further about her father then. Not after that expression.]

What does your mother do, Makie?

[Also a touchy subject, but for different reasons. Makie isn't ashamed of what her mother was driven to do in the end, but she wonders whether Saori's opinion will be very different. There's a brief pause.]

My mother... was the wife of a samurai until I was ten. After that...

After that, she worked in one of the brothels of Yoshiwara.

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