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[She isn't hungry. At all. Not even the snacks in her skirt pockets are appealing right now. But she's at least toddling into kitchen with some hesitancy, carefully opening the fridge to look for juice and just. Staring dully into the back of the fridge for a little too long, her mind drifting.
This is making the kitchen a little cold and probably running the electric bill. It's fine.]
This is making the kitchen a little cold and probably running the electric bill. It's fine.]
[ Honestly he doesn't know what an electricity bill is, and he's not required to pay it, so Hua Cheng simply - watches Hikaru, for a moment, before he says anything. Considering what happened in front of all of them, and the accusations they'd turned on Pikachu... he's not surprised that so many people are acting like this.
But he does, eventually, say something from the counters. ]
Hikaru.
But he does, eventually, say something from the counters. ]
Hikaru.
[She jumps at the noise, the bottles in the refrigerator door rattling loudly as her grip flails.]
A-ah, Hua-chan...!
Sorry, I got kinda distracted... Am I in the way?
A-ah, Hua-chan...!
Sorry, I got kinda distracted... Am I in the way?
[It's late in the afternoon, and the spaceship sure is a spaceship! But if Hua Cheng is to peek into the VR room, it's currently occupied! It's not locked up, though, so if he's feeling nosy, he can waltz right in.
Once inside, it's a blurry depiction of a traditional Japanese dojo, tatami mats lining the floor as sunlight peeks through the screened walls. Whoever is currently in here seems to be heavily into practice, going through a steady and aggressive set of motions with loud exclamations between each one, before resetting themselves and backing up, barefooted against the bamboo.
This person is also shorter than 5 feet so it literally can only be like one of three people so take your pick.
Even from a distance, though, it's very, very obvious that she's panting for breath between her practices. Weird.]
Once inside, it's a blurry depiction of a traditional Japanese dojo, tatami mats lining the floor as sunlight peeks through the screened walls. Whoever is currently in here seems to be heavily into practice, going through a steady and aggressive set of motions with loud exclamations between each one, before resetting themselves and backing up, barefooted against the bamboo.
This person is also shorter than 5 feet so it literally can only be like one of three people so take your pick.
Even from a distance, though, it's very, very obvious that she's panting for breath between her practices. Weird.]
[ Poor thing. At least nothing falls or breaks. He swings forward, coming closer to reach over her head - she's small enough, he doubts she'd ever be in his way. ]
No, though I almost thought you were going to try and climb in there with the thousand li stare you were giving it.
[ He gives her a - I don't know, a bottled drink, if only to give her something to hold in her state. ]
No, though I almost thought you were going to try and climb in there with the thousand li stare you were giving it.
[ He gives her a - I don't know, a bottled drink, if only to give her something to hold in her state. ]
Sorry... [She moves instinctively to let him reach around her, though she blinks in surprise when he drops a bottle into her hands.
...
Her fingers twist against the glass anxiously.]
I... had a lot on my mind, I guess... about Virid-kun, and everything he did...
...
Her fingers twist against the glass anxiously.]
I... had a lot on my mind, I guess... about Virid-kun, and everything he did...
[ Hua Cheng is still coming to better understand the far more advanced technology here, with today being the most... educational day thus far, given the task he and Yona had to complete in the VR room.
But this is a new execution of it that he's more interested in.
The type of room is unfamiliar, but its use is not, and he crosses his arms to watch for a few minutes before he does anything. There's only a handful of people this small in the Realm, so he can take a few guesses based off of that. With the voice attached to the exclamations...
Well.
He acquires himself one of the shinai, walking along the bamboo floor in her peripheral as he tests the weight of it. ]
But this is a new execution of it that he's more interested in.
The type of room is unfamiliar, but its use is not, and he crosses his arms to watch for a few minutes before he does anything. There's only a handful of people this small in the Realm, so he can take a few guesses based off of that. With the voice attached to the exclamations...
Well.
He acquires himself one of the shinai, walking along the bamboo floor in her peripheral as he tests the weight of it. ]
[ Better. He hums absently, acknowledging the apology but reaching in to grab a second one to take for himself. ]
And what do you think of it?
[ They all have a lot on their minds, with everything that's happened, but... he still thinks that those like Hikaru shouldn't have been made to watch Virid's fate. ]
And what do you think of it?
[ They all have a lot on their minds, with everything that's happened, but... he still thinks that those like Hikaru shouldn't have been made to watch Virid's fate. ]
[If he has ever held a katana, the balance feels similar, if not much lighter. With the men blocking her face, she doesn't notice him entirely until she relaxes from another pose, turning to catch her breath...]
Huh?? [Yeah it's Hikaru, the mystery is solved. All sense of form is lost as she lets her shindai tap the floor.]
Hua-chan?? When did you get in here?
Huh?? [Yeah it's Hikaru, the mystery is solved. All sense of form is lost as she lets her shindai tap the floor.]
Hua-chan?? When did you get in here?
[ With an armory full of weapons previously at his disposal, the balance is something he can settle into with some adjusting. It isn't a saber, but it isn't uncomfortable either.
- and his attention goes from the practice weapon to the person practicing, and he can't help but laugh at the surprise. Hikaru and subtlety don't seem to go hand in hand at all. ]
I haven't been here long, but I didn't want to interrupt while you were so focused.
- and his attention goes from the practice weapon to the person practicing, and he can't help but laugh at the surprise. Hikaru and subtlety don't seem to go hand in hand at all. ]
I haven't been here long, but I didn't want to interrupt while you were so focused.
[Pardon her as she fumbles for the ties of her men as he talks.]
Mmn, it's okay... I was just practicing! I can't do all that much without another student or my sensei, so it's nothing fancy...
[Oof. She flops the men off her head with a relieved exhale, her hair sticking up in several directions. She's built up a sweat, but more importantly, she looks... unnaturally exhausted, an odd color pooling under her eyes.
She shoves one of her kote under her arm, removing the glove so she can wipe at her eyes with her palm.]
Do you know kendo kata at all, Hua-chan?
Mmn, it's okay... I was just practicing! I can't do all that much without another student or my sensei, so it's nothing fancy...
[Oof. She flops the men off her head with a relieved exhale, her hair sticking up in several directions. She's built up a sweat, but more importantly, she looks... unnaturally exhausted, an odd color pooling under her eyes.
She shoves one of her kote under her arm, removing the glove so she can wipe at her eyes with her palm.]
Do you know kendo kata at all, Hua-chan?
[ Hm, concerning. Hua Cheng knows exhaustion when he sees it, knows sleepless nights. This is not a good look for someone as vibrant as Hikaru, but it's not like he cares or anything.
(He thinks of Xie Lian, looking the same, and dislikes that sensation and thought.) ]
Still, for not having anything fancy, you do have a solid form. [ Even if he doesn't know kendo, the principles he does know for swordsmanship still apply here. He makes a thoughtful noise, rotating his wrist to give the shinai a deft spin. ]
I can't say I've heard of kendo, though I'm no stranger with a sword or martial arts.
(He thinks of Xie Lian, looking the same, and dislikes that sensation and thought.) ]
Still, for not having anything fancy, you do have a solid form. [ Even if he doesn't know kendo, the principles he does know for swordsmanship still apply here. He makes a thoughtful noise, rotating his wrist to give the shinai a deft spin. ]
I can't say I've heard of kendo, though I'm no stranger with a sword or martial arts.
[The spin gets her to giggle. Wow, so fancy]
Mm. It's a common martial art where I'm from. Kendo means "the path of the sword", and it's been taught from our ancestors for the last 250 years for use with the katana. It's an art for both the body and the strength of a future kenshi's character.
[She'll straighten up despite her fatigue, a clear pride when she continues to speak:]
"To cultivate a vigorous spirit... to strive always for improvement... to hold in esteem courtesy and honor.... to associate with others with sincerity.... And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself."
Those are parts of the purpose of what we practice.
Mm. It's a common martial art where I'm from. Kendo means "the path of the sword", and it's been taught from our ancestors for the last 250 years for use with the katana. It's an art for both the body and the strength of a future kenshi's character.
[She'll straighten up despite her fatigue, a clear pride when she continues to speak:]
"To cultivate a vigorous spirit... to strive always for improvement... to hold in esteem courtesy and honor.... to associate with others with sincerity.... And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself."
Those are parts of the purpose of what we practice.
[a reminder to both of us that this was post-trial, pre-execution, because I can and WILL forget all timelines.]
I don't understand, I guess. Why... why would he be so desperate that he'd do something like that? Why Hajime-chan?? [Her face tightens.] Why Pikachu?
Why couldn't he just talk to us?
I don't understand, I guess. Why... why would he be so desperate that he'd do something like that? Why Hajime-chan?? [Her face tightens.] Why Pikachu?
Why couldn't he just talk to us?
[ Something... fond settles into his chest. How unfortunate. ]
Your kenshi would find common minds in the cultivation sects, back where gege and I are from. They boast to have similar teachings, though for some the execution thereof does leave much to be desired at times...
[ Says the fearsome ghost that a lot of them try to vanquish for various reasons. It's fine. ]
How long have you been cultivating, Hikaru?
Your kenshi would find common minds in the cultivation sects, back where gege and I are from. They boast to have similar teachings, though for some the execution thereof does leave much to be desired at times...
[ Says the fearsome ghost that a lot of them try to vanquish for various reasons. It's fine. ]
How long have you been cultivating, Hikaru?
[ this reminder has had to be added to like three of my PCs it's fine ]
He lashed out, that much is obvious, when Pikachu brought the evidence to light. Desperation makes a person do most anything, when they're put into that position. [ A moment, and then he carefully sets his free hand between her shoulders.
Dianxia, she's so small. ]
We don't have all the answers, and I doubt we'll get many from him directly. It very well could have been that he felt he had no other choice.
He lashed out, that much is obvious, when Pikachu brought the evidence to light. Desperation makes a person do most anything, when they're put into that position. [ A moment, and then he carefully sets his free hand between her shoulders.
Dianxia, she's so small. ]
We don't have all the answers, and I doubt we'll get many from him directly. It very well could have been that he felt he had no other choice.
"Gege?" [A tilt of her head.] Is... that Chijin-san? He said you knew each other. [Because I will give this to poor snow as a freebie: it sounds clumsily close to Xie Lian's name tonally, like she's somehow misheard "Shii-Riian" as "Chi-jiin".]
Cultivating-- oh, you mean practicing? Mn, it's been, um... almost ten years? I got to start when I was five.
Cultivating-- oh, you mean practicing? Mn, it's been, um... almost ten years? I got to start when I was five.
En, that's gege. [ ( snow voice ) hey mood hikaru. It's okay Hua Cheng has the brain cell and ear for Chinese - butchered or not - that Snow does not. ] "Ge" is older brother - we aren't related, but he is an important person to me.
[ Said like he means the most important person, instead. But he does nod. ]
You've been at it for some time, then. To not have anyone to practice against, in a place like this, must be difficult. [ But he brings the shinai up, assessing it. ] Unless you would like a partner to spar with.
[ Said like he means the most important person, instead. But he does nod. ]
You've been at it for some time, then. To not have anyone to practice against, in a place like this, must be difficult. [ But he brings the shinai up, assessing it. ] Unless you would like a partner to spar with.
Desperation...
[Something coldly familiar clenches at her heart, stiffening her expression, quieting her voice.]
Do you think he was frightened, Hua-chan? Of... what would happen if he might lose?
[Something coldly familiar clenches at her heart, stiffening her expression, quieting her voice.]
Do you think he was frightened, Hua-chan? Of... what would happen if he might lose?
Oh, okay! Like a term of, um... respect! Nii-san is what we use where I'm from, when you have an older brother.
[A beat, before she smiles brightly, not quite addressing the sparring topic yet.]
I'm glad you both have your most special people with you, Hua-chan. He said the same thing about you.
[A beat, before she smiles brightly, not quite addressing the sparring topic yet.]
I'm glad you both have your most special people with you, Hua-chan. He said the same thing about you.
Edited (MY SMALL TAGS) 2020-10-09 15:04 (UTC)
...
[She stares down at the bottle in her hands, before gently closing the fridge door with the weight of her back, letting it thud behind her as she rocks back on her heels.]
I... I really hate that, Hua-chan.
Not that he was scared, or even that he thought that was the right choice, but... that he had to treat us all as enemies... or that he felt he has no other choice but to do horrible things...
I... hate that he had to be forced here with that kind of fear in his heart.
[She stares down at the bottle in her hands, before gently closing the fridge door with the weight of her back, letting it thud behind her as she rocks back on her heels.]
I... I really hate that, Hua-chan.
Not that he was scared, or even that he thought that was the right choice, but... that he had to treat us all as enemies... or that he felt he has no other choice but to do horrible things...
I... hate that he had to be forced here with that kind of fear in his heart.
[ There is no true comfort that Hua Cheng can give to that, not really. It's the reality that the day brought them, the worst of humanity - desperation and bloodshed and cruelty - and there are simply people unprepared to face it, unwilling to, just as much as there are people, well. Like him.
But he sighs softly. ]
Some are more willing to face that choice than others; some have already come here with blood on their hands, so the choice is a terrible one, but perhaps a necessary one.
Many, throughout the day, were wondering if the person who killed Hajime was in their right mind. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. But it was regardless cruel of whatever force in this place made it necessary to carry out.
You can hate that, Hikaru. You should always hate that.
But he sighs softly. ]
Some are more willing to face that choice than others; some have already come here with blood on their hands, so the choice is a terrible one, but perhaps a necessary one.
Many, throughout the day, were wondering if the person who killed Hajime was in their right mind. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. But it was regardless cruel of whatever force in this place made it necessary to carry out.
You can hate that, Hikaru. You should always hate that.
[Her jaw sets, staying quiet until Hua Cheng finishes, before looking up at him with a stubborn, regretful fire in her eyes.]
I can't accept that any of that was necessary, Hua-chan. For someone like Hajime-chan or Pikachu to die...
It's cruel, and sad, and unfair. Maybe Virid-kun's reasons were understandable. I want to know them. I... want to understand him, and where his heart led him.
But I'm not going to believe that any of it was necessary.
I can't accept that any of that was necessary, Hua-chan. For someone like Hajime-chan or Pikachu to die...
It's cruel, and sad, and unfair. Maybe Virid-kun's reasons were understandable. I want to know them. I... want to understand him, and where his heart led him.
But I'm not going to believe that any of it was necessary.
Something like that, yes. It was a little bit of a tease, since I actually knew who he was when we'd met like that, but I like it. [ And he can't fuckin say Xie Lian's name, the weenie. ]
Oh? [ uuuuu not that it shows on his expression, really, but he does soften more. ] I was glad that we found ourselves here together, but even moreso, now, to know that.
Oh? [ uuuuu not that it shows on his expression, really, but he does soften more. ] I was glad that we found ourselves here together, but even moreso, now, to know that.
Edited (missing word hello) 2020-10-09 17:56 (UTC)
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