In our bodies we will live, in our bodies we will die

[dishevelment]

Who: Ren Koumeidishevelment & OPEN (with one part locked to Ren Kouha roughcut)
When: IC 6/16 OOC 4/3
Where: Various places around the city
What: Koumei and Kouha need to have a Talk + Koumei attempts to find a hobby
Rating/Warning: Potential for serious, feels inducing discussions



A -- Locked to Ren Kouha

[It has been a short while since Kouha arrived in the city, and Koumei was overjoyed to have his youngest brother around. Although Haru insisted that it wasn't a problem, Koumei knew that he would need to repay the Saniwa back one day for allowing the two brothers to be in the same apartment. Just being together was enough for Koumei to be content.

But there was something that they needed to talk about-- something involving the Empire that they were supposed to inherit. Something involving their siblings, and the fact that one among them had allowed the darkness in his heart to swallow him whole.

Koumei was actually awake that morning, idly playing with the his little robo-pigeon and the robo-fox that resided in the apartment, trying to find a way to further delay the inevitable. He didn't want to talk about this...

But it was a shadow lingering over them that was hard to ignore.]

B

[There had been a common refrain he had heard over the last several weeks: "Find a hobby."

It was a strange notion for Koumei, a man who had spent much of his life supporting a war effort in one capacity or another. If he hadn't been in war counsels or attending to his work in the magic research facility, he was catching up on precious sleep or playing with his pigeons in Rakushou.

But, mostly it was sleeping.

While Doudanuki's insistence on teaching him how to use a sword was compelling, it was far from an actual hobby. That was work-- and the only way he was able to keep Doudanuki from destroying his hair.

Thus, Koumei found himself in the library perusing the various crafting books, looking for something that would catch his interest. If he wasn't there, he was looking at the selection of fiction novels of a variety that ranged from cerebral mysteries to sordid romances.

After checking out a few of them to read further, he went over to the gardens to enjoy the afternoon reading. Whether he actually spent the afternoon napping underneath a tree or not was another story, but regardless of the outcome he would consider the day well spent.

It was strange, having so much free time. He didn't know what to do with it.]

Comments

[dishevelment]

[Koumei cast a glance from the boy to his book-- on the cover was a handsome man (described in narrative as a 'scotsman') and a voluptuous blonde woman in eachother's arms against the backdrop of a forest covered mountain.]

...It's probably not anything you'd be interested in reading until you're a bit older, [he confessed, looking slightly embarrassed at being caught with it. The truth was, there were parts of the narrative that were wholly inappropriate for a child.

He had no idea there were so many florid ways to describe intimate relations between a man and a woman.]

[cresthopes]

[Koumei, exactly what were you reading...?

But as Takeru looked at the cover and then back at Koumei, he gave a slight pout. Whatever he was reading, it sure looked kind of interesting. Just what was he reading about anyway?]

Oh, I see. This is one of those grown up stuff I'm not suppose to know about isn't it? [But now that he thought about it though?]

It doesn't have a lot of blood or anything really violent in there right? [There wasn't anyone going off and killing anyone for that lady right??]

[dishevelment]

No, no-- not violence!

[If it was just violence, he'd be more willing to talk about it.]

It's just not things that a person your size is generally interested in. Not yet-- perhaps in a few years, though.

[cresthopes]

All right then. But I sure hope when I get older, I get to read it! Because it sure looks exciting!

[He said before he decided to stretch his arms out a bit. Although, that's when he suddenly felt pain in one of his arms...]

O-Ow...!

[dishevelment]

[--Oh dear.]

What-- are you okay, Takeru?

[cresthopes]

Yeah, I think so! My arms are just a little tired from practicing all day long! Using the bow and arrow sure is a lot more work than I thought!

[Especially pulling the string back. Definitely pulling the string back!]

[dishevelment]

Yes, they are, [He said with a knowing nod. While he wasn't trained with a bow personally, his only official 'retainer' was-- he knew exactly how much practice that man invested in his craft, and how hard a toll it took on the body.]

But don't strain yourself, Takeru. That's a good way to get hurt-- and then you won't be able to practice with a bow at all!

[cresthopes]

But I don't think it's that bad! [Although, this was his more stubborn side showing. As much as he knew he was in pain, he just wanted to show off!

When he rubbed his shoulder, he gave another wince] ...is it?

[dishevelment]

From what I've seen? Yes.

[Though not necessarily from experience. He's built like a reed in the wind...]

There's no shame in taking a day off to let your body rest, you realize.

[cresthopes]

I know but I really wanted to get stronger!

[he said before mumbling to himself once more.] And I thought it would look cool if I learned how to do it quicker!

[dishevelment]

[Koumei just shook his head.]

You can't speed up a process that takes a lot of time. With patience, you can be stronger-- it might not be tomorrow, but one day it will happen.

[cresthopes]

[There was a long pause]

Even if it might take a really long time?

[While what Koumei said was true, it was difficult to process. He really wanted to get a lot stronger and help people but...not when he didn't want to see anymore people hurt.]

[dishevelment]

Yes, even if it takes a really long time.

[He offered a smile that he hoped was a comfort.]

But it will be well worth the wait when it's needed.

[cresthopes]

[In that moment, Takeru just gave a long sigh before a small pout started to appear on his face.

While it was true things take time, he couldn't help but be impatient]

...I really hope so. I wish I can get stronger a lot faster. I don't want anyone to get hurt while they're here anymore...

[dishevelment]

Well, try thinkng this way: you won't be able to help anyone if you get yourself hurt over this.

[cresthopes]

I guess not.

[He said with a sigh] Maybe I am working a lot harder than I should. And I don't want my brother to worry about me either.

[dishevelment]

...Is that what you're worried about?

[Headscratch. Koumei chuckled in amusement.]

Speaking as an older brother, I'll let you in on a secret, Takeru: big brothers always worry about their younger siblings, even long after they've grown up enough to marry and move away. It's a part of what big brothers do.

[cresthopes]

[In return, Takeru just stared in confusion before letting a small chuckle]

That sounds a lot like Oniichan, all right! I think he would still be worried about me even when I'm 50 or something! I bet it must make you worried a lot though! You have a lot of siblings don’t you?

[dishevelment]

I do indeed, and I worry about each and every one of them in turn.

[At least his sisters, for the most part, were safe. Six out of the eight of them were married into allied countries, well outside the borders of the current civil war. One of them had retreated to the mountains to wait out the battle, but his youngest sister was with his brothers on the battlefront.

Yes, he worried for them all. ]

[cresthopes]

Does that make you really sad? Or even really scared?

[It seemed like an innocent question but Takeru had to wonder if he was being too intrusive. Although, he had to wonder. Being an older brother with so many siblings must be really tough!]

[dishevelment]

A little bit, [he admitted, letting the young boy be as curious as he wanted.] But I feel comfortable with it as well, because I know they all feel the same way.

If anything happens, we support each other. It's what family does.

[cresthopes]

[As Takeru was about to say something, the boy just giggled shortly afterwards]

Yeah, you're right, that is what family does. It is only natural that they would be worried about you.

[Pause] Even if it isn't the best either.

[dishevelment]

No, it's not for the best, [he said quietly, agreeing with the boy on that sentiment.] but it's a part of human nature that people have a hard time changing.

Perhaps, if you're lucky enough to become a big brother yourself, you'll understand this one day.

[cresthopes]

[Then there was a very very very long pause on his end before he finally said something]

...I don't think that's going to happen. I wish it could but I really don't think so!

[dishevelment]

...

I never said it needed to be a blood relation, did I?

[It was a delicate sidestep around a topic that the young boy clearly didn't want to discuss. Koumei wasn't going to press for details-- it wasn't his place to.]