♛ 04 - Plucking

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

[If you're walking through the garden, one might hear the faint plucking tunes of a stringed instrument (sounding like this), an upbeat tempo that at the same time would have been at home in a more formal occasion for a polite dance, but fit the atmosphere of the garden well if one was out for a simple stroll. 

And if one followed the sounds, they'd find Ashura seated in a small area on a large pillow, a stringed instrument in his lap, fingers plucking along with a sure familiarity, though they lacked some of the smoother grace of one who played such a thing for a profession. And sitting beside him, forgotten as he concentrated on his playing, was his journal and a feather pen, so the music was free to float through the magic system. Whoops.]

If you can, meet me in the gardens some time this afternoon, or later this evening in the library. Just let me know when you can make it.

[ooc: Journal and actiony! Taking a nice relaxing break after the big fights. Whee]

Comments

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

[He raises a hand for the other to shake, the motion setting off even more music as his bracelets jangle.]

Ashura. And yours?

[signattack.livejournal.com]

[ He gives a firm but quick shake and takes his hand back again ]

Heiwajima Shizuo. [ and he squints a little and looks at Ashura, like maybe now just realizing he's probably not Japanese ] Shizuo.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Shi-zu-o?

[He's tasting the name, and finding those with Japanese names always have the nicest sounding ones that flow more easily, near his own original language.]

It's a nice name. I like it ~

[signattack.livejournal.com]

[ He nods again but then looks off to the side a little. But maybe sort of smirking. Because he is kind of proud of his name ]

Thanks.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

You're quite welcome, Sir Shizuou.

I trust you have not gone around punching more hard objects though?

[signattack.livejournal.com]

[ eyebrow raise ] Just Shizuo is fine.

[ .... ] It happens.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Ah, I'm sorry. I never know if people are picky about such things, so I ere on the side of caution.

Hmm, well, I hope you are seeing your hand tended to when you do. That can't be good for your bones.

[signattack.livejournal.com]

I'm no one important.

[ he frowns at that though. HNNGH HIS BONES ] I've broken them all anyway. It just makes me stronger. [ he pauses a moment and kind of gestures awkwardly to Ashura's ears. This conversation thing.... he's really bad at it. ] So, what's up with that...

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

True enough.

[He blinks and reaches up, feeling over his rather long ears, pierced in several places and wrapped in golden clasps. They were the most sensitive part of his body, so he kept them well protected.]

Hmm, you know, I'm not sure. My father had them, as did my grandfather, and well, everyone from my father's line, but no one else in my kingdom does. I just assumed it was always a special trait meant to define the ruling family.

[signattack.livejournal.com]

[ that wasn't entirely what he meant in the first place, so he just sort of lets most of that go right over his head. Selective processing for the win, oh yeah. What he's really paying attention to is that last bit there. He assumed Ashura was just like Celty and some kind of...fairy or something ]

... "Ruling"?

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Mmmm? Oh, yes, back in my world I'm the king.

[He says it so easily it almost seems as if he doesn't care about it, and while he does truly worry for his people, here he feels he does not have right to assert the power of that title or to even try, so he doesn't worry to much about it.]

[signattack.livejournal.com]

... [ wait wat ] The king...

You. Are a king? [ cue even more awkward standing, like...should he bow or something or like...laugh out loud or... he isn't quite sure. ]

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Haha, yes, I am and have been for some time, and I quite aware I look more like a 'Queen'.

And please, don't let that make you treat me any different. I find informality so much more appealing that the song and dance one usually has to go through.

[signattack.livejournal.com]

Ah...no.. [ well, yes but Shizuo wasn't particularly thinking that.

He is just kind of staring at Ashura. He wouldn't know how to treat royalty anyway so they're good there ] Hnnn... everyone is the same to me. If you piss me off then you piss me off and it makes me want to do something about it. If you don't, then I don't have a problem with you.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

[He smirks, cause yes he knows people thinks it.

And at the other's statement he cocks his head, golden eyes narrowing a moment as he watches Shizuo, and then he smiles, shaking his head.]

Well, that works fabulously then.

Now, why don't you sit down and have some tea? It make conversation easier if neither of us is craning our necks.

[signattack.livejournal.com]

Hn.

[ he tilts his head a little. he's already used to being taller than almost everyone he knows so he just shrugs a little ] I'm more comfortable standing.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Well if you insist...

[He reaches on his other side and brings up a mug of tea, sipping.]

You aren't much of a conversationalist, are you?

[signattack.livejournal.com]

[ shakes his head ] Not really.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles.]

Haha, some people aren't. You seem more of the 'let me actions speak for me' sort.

[signattack.livejournal.com]

What gives you that idea?

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

[He just sort of -looks- at him, arching an elegant brow.]

Call it a feeling, if you must. Or an observation.

[signattack.livejournal.com]

[ he looks a -little- angry about that ] Look, you. I don't care if you're a king or just some punk. I just want to live in peace. That's all.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, I'm not attempting to threaten you or anything. I'm just saying that's the sort of person you seem to be, to me. It's not necessarily a bad thing either - actions are truer than words, after all.

[signattack.livejournal.com]

I'm just making that one thing clear.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

It is dually noted, trust me, and I can share the sentiment. Peace is... a nice thing, when we can find it.