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

[corona]

[ Escaping her worries... Yeah, that's exactly what it is; the apt comparison makes her laugh unexpectedly as she turns back to the shelf and pulls out The Wizard of Oz, which she knows is on this shelf because she spends an ungodly amount of time at the library checking out more books than she's ever able to finish reading before they're due. ]

If you like make believe, you will love this. My mother likes stories – I mean, she used to tell me about the monsters who live under the beds of disobedient children? [ shudder ] I'm so glad Cerealia doesn't have those. But, um. Y-Yeah! Escaping your worries. That's an interesting way to put it.

What worries are you escaping? [ --Stranger I've Never Met Before ]

[dishevelment]

The worries associated with having too much time on your hands.

[A simple, egalitarian answer that was punctuated by a sage nod.]

Although many of the books here are strange-- I think I might like the 'historical fiction' genre the best out of any here so far, just because I don't need to think about computers and other devices that might be part of the fiction.

That book you have...what's it about?

[rampion]

[ She holds up what turns out to be two books she's for some reason wedged into the same cover: one, incidentally, is a historical textbook examining... sacrifice???? Literal and otherwise!

The other is something called Infinite jest with the second word in lowercase, and it's what she hands over first, shaking her head at herself derisively. ]

Too long. I couldn't read it. Not - that I didn't try, because what I did read? Super good. I'm... just not the fastest reader, I guess! You can take it if you're interested. What's your name, anyway?

[dishevelment]

Koumei, [He said with a gracious bob of his head, carefully omitting his family name for the sake of brevity.] That looks like an intriguing book and, since it's so highly recommended from a fellow reader, it must be decent.

Thank you, Miss...?

[rampion]

Oh! Heh. Right. Rapunzel. I'm Rapunzel.

[ She fumbles with her armload a second time, gathering the stack of books haphazardly against the crook of an arm as she proudly holds out her hand. Presumably to shake...???? ]

[dishevelment]

[Ah-- right, this custom. It wasn't common where he came from, but he had heard of it and was willing to adapt to the norms of this city. Gingerly, he took her hand and shook it, offering a smile.]

Rapunzel. It's good meeting you!