|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:12 am
Setsushi begins to gently draw the water from Kouyo's hair, waving it away into steam.
-- But he stops when Kouyo suggests the bruise may be from Kumoru. "What?" What is Kouyo saying!? Injurying Kouyo is... is... unacceptable! Utterly!
Boiling with quiet anger, Setsushi thinks that he may have to cause a scene at this rate. Whether the human injured Kouyo purposely or through negligence, Setsushi can't allow this! The humans clearly don't care about Kouyo's welfare; he should come back and live with Setsushi--
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:54 am
Kouyo told Setsushi he got hurt this morning because he was being foolish. It was his own fault. The younger Porcelain is somewhat ashamed to admit it, but he had gotten into an altercation with the mage because he was frightened and depressed. Kumoru's methods were different than Setsushi's, but the human had been able to calm him.
The High Priest closes his eyes and becomes quiet again, torn between returning to Setsushi's side for good where he can be certain he will be safe, and making good on his promise to ensure the safety of Kumoru's Porcelain children. Under Setsushi's roof, Kouyo would always be able to go to him when his fear struck him, or when he needed to be held and comforted. Kumoru had done what? Pinned him down, snared his mind in a sleep spell, and demanded that Kouyo tell him again why he had come to his home? Kouyo had himself forgotten why, though, hence his deep depression. Did that mean the mage did not care? Kouyo knew best of all how strange humans could be when it came to showing their attention and affection.
Kouyo tells his friend that he will stay with him tonight for certain, but ... he still needs time to think. It is a difficult choice for him, and the High Priest cannot simply ask the Name to give him an answer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:22 am
Indeed, one can 'calm' a lizard by beating it senseless, but that doesn't justify the method!
... Maybe Setsushi is too soft and accommodating, too uneducated to know the correct medicine for Kouyo, but... such roughness cannot be the correct medicine, either! It is noble of Kouyo to try to protect the children, but Kouyo is still ill; he must recover before he tries to heal others.
These humans... Humans, they don't seem so bad when one first meets them; they put on a pretty face and act and talk with the intelligence and politeness of any Porcelain, but then, when they think they are not being watched, they inflict whatever pain and destruction with which they think they can get away.
Maybe they really are unfired. Porcelain are different from lower animals in that the former cares for their weak and sick, while animals devour any weaker than themselves. If the humans' idea of medicine is to beat Kouyo until he dies or recovers, that isn't affection at all, that is crude, animalic initiation!
... Setsushi breathes, trying to reign back in his anger. ... Perhaps... Perhaps Setsushi is reacting strongly because it is his dear friend's body that is being hurt. But aren't these principles still true?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:19 pm
Kouyo stands and turns to face Setsushi again, looking troubled and uncertain. Mister Whitestone had been needlessly cruel, he could agree to that, but what if Kouyo could not help but think Kumoru's lesson had been a necessary one? What if Kumoru had beaten Kouyo back to his senses?
The High Priest clutches at his friend's sleeves, hoping Setsushi can quiet his anger. Perhaps there are some lessons that cannot be taught without pain. Setsushi is a warrior and has been cut with blades before; Kouyo has not. What does that feel like? Would Setsushi be able to show him without causing pain? The younger Porcelain knows of painful things as well that Setsushi cannot imagine - he steps closer for a moment, nearly but not quite touching Setsushi's lips with his fingertips, hoping the warrior will understand what he is talking about without needing further explanation.
... Kouyo's lesson is perhaps an extreme example, but still, perhaps a part of him wishes Setsushi was able to fully understand. But the High Priest could obviously never bring himself to so instruct his friend.
Kumoru... Kumoru only wished to show Kouyo this morning that he had lost his way. Perhaps it pained the human as well, to see the Porcelain under his roof, suffering and lost in his sadness. Humans cannot always see how they hurt Porcelain - that does not permit needless cruelty, but perhaps it also allows humans to cause Porcelain pain that may be beneficial. Kouyo is not sure how to fully explain....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:43 pm
Setsushi draws back from Kouyo's fingers, closing his eyes as he carefully packs away his anger, his masculine passions, and looks them over with the cool rationality for which he is known, or at least as much of it as he can summon.
Perhaps it is true that one cannot understand a pain without experiencing it. Still, Setsushi questions whether it is even necessary for Setsushi or Kouyo to fully understand these particular pains in order to function? Kouyo does not need to be cut in order to know that it is terrible and to advise the Empress not to go to war; Setsushi does not need to know the exact pain Kouyo feels in order to be motivated to protect and nurture his friend.
Some understanding is helpful, but there are gentler ways of educating the innocent. Even if a wound visited on Kouyo by Kumoru is beneficial to the Porcelain, the human's behavior still seems to evince a lack of concern. If it were Setsushi who received such unkind treatment, it would not be so bad, as Setsushi is healthy and resilient, but Kouyo is not well; Kumoru's lack of conscientiousness troubles Setsushi, and he still thinks that Kouyo should consider returning to Setsushi's side...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:04 pm
Kouyo also steps back a short distance, lowering his eyes.
If he does return to Setsushi's side, how will his friend handle him when Kouyo's sadness hurts him so deeply that he cannot bring himself to leave his bed? Part of Kouyo would rather visit that pain upon an unfeeling human than upon his single dearest friend, simply because he does not want Setsushi to know all of how he feels. That is what propriety is, yes?
The High Priest walks to the nearest wall and begins to pace to the opposite side of the room. If he awakens tomorrow in tears, unable or unwilling to move, what will Setsushi do? Will he fold his arms around Kouyo and tell him that he does not have to leave? Will he force Kouyo to remember his promise to Mister Whitestone that he will begin work tomorrow? What will Setsushi do for his unwell friend?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:18 pm
But... Kouyo is Setsushi's dear friend. There is not such a need for propriety to separate them. Setsushi would willingly share Kouyo's pain and sadness, as a brother protects his younger brother... or maybe, Setsushi notes with a hint of rue, a father cares for his son.
Setsushi is quiet for a while, considering Kouyo's question, and then admits that he does not know what he would do, nor what he should do. Setsushi knows he is not the doctor with the medicine that Kouyo needs.
... And then he recants that admittance, and affirms that he does know what he would do; he would talk over Kouyo's options with him, and then do as Kouyo decides. Expose his body and reputation to injury if Kouyo wishes him to confront the mages, give up some of his work if Kouyo needs a bit of company for the next few days, or stay behind if Kouyo is sure that he must learn to fly alone. Setsushi will respect Kouyo's command.
If Kouyo is truly too frightened and weak to command anything, Setsushi... supposes he will keep Kouyo at home and let him rest for a little bit longer. ... However, if Kouyo feels strong, perhaps he should go back to see the humans, with Setsushi at his side or not. Kouyo did successfully forge a contract, even if its terms are not fair; by keeping it, Kouyo could prove his reliability and earn a chip with which to bargain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:02 pm
... Setsushi is perhaps a better man than Kouyo's blood father.
For the moment, though, Kouyo decides he is content to disagree with Setsushi on the cruelty of humans. His friend has seen different sides of that cruelty than Kouyo himself has. He then promises he will tell Setsushi if Kumoru exacts any pain upon him that Kouyo does not believe he deserves.
Kouyo does think that he should return to the mage eventually, however. Perhaps it is his madness speaking when the High Priest thinks that he absolutely cannot function without Setsushi there to hold his hand. He did so in his birdcage all those long weeks between his friend's visits in the past, yes? And Kouyo refuses to admit that he is weaker now - just... different. Yet, he cannot allow himself to build a birdcage again in his own mind. He knows he can have safety and complete happiness if he never leaves Setsushi's side - or at least the closest Kouyo Who Has Been Broken will ever manage - but is he also not doing himself a disservice by remaining inactive and stagnant in that place of safety? Eventually, he would like to become a free maiden, as Setsushi once suggested.
And so... the High Priest will stay with Setsushi for the night for certain. Perhaps another night as well, or several more. But eventually, he wishes to leave again, so that his mind does not try to turn Setsushi's open palm into another cage that he cannot leave, or that he thinks he cannot leave.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:09 pm
Even laying aside the difference of opinion between Kouyo and Setsushi, who believes that Kouyo would not ever commit a crime deserving of pain... Setsushi is still uncertain if Kouyo, whose vision may be clouded with fear and confusion, will be able to tell if he is injured 'deservedly' or 'undeservedly.'
But Setsushi at least agrees, Kouyo must leave someday. Setsushi would allow more than days, though; if Kouyo needs years, Setsushi will give them. But it is good that Kouyo and Setsushi do envision the same future, with Kouyo free to wander away from Setsushi's shadow.
Once again into his wife's, Setsushi thinks, carefully sealing that thought away from Kouyo for now.
Does Kouyo feel like eating anything, or shall they start making his bed?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:36 pm
Kouyo concedes that he likely will need years to undo the majority of the damage that being caged had done. He will try to allow Setsushi to help him as much as possible, however he also thinks his friend might be a bit hard on himself if he thinks he can make up for all of Kouyo's true father's shortcomings in raising him.
He paces slowly, measuring Setsushi's room again, and agrees that he would like to wander from Setsushi's shadow, but he doubts he would go far. Perhaps he could shelter the little ones in his own shadow for a time, as Setsushi had done for him. Kouyo also shyly admits that he would like to be able to offer his shadow as a place of rest to Setsushi, should his dearest friend require it - but otherwise his is more than content to allow his older, stronger friend to lead while he himself follows.
Setsushi is likely right about Kouyo's fear blurring his perception; perhaps the Knight should speak to Kumoru himself, if he is concerned about how the human is treating him. Kouyo obviously has no idea what is good for him when it comes to dealing with humans....
... Kouyo realizes that he has not had much to eat all day, and, now that his fear from being cornered and mishandled is finally fading, he is starting to notice just how hungry he is.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:27 am
Setsushi just wishes to be of as much use as possible. Perhaps it will turn out that Setsushi is just an anchor holding Kouyo back, and Kouyo will have to cast him off in order to heal, but... Until that is proven to be the case, Kouyo will ask Setsushi for anything he needs, won't he?
Setsushi will speak to the human mage if Kouyo wishes it, but... he would like to speak with Kouyo a bit more, first. Setsushi is afraid that if he is too forceful, too angry on his friend's behalf, he will make relations worse among them. If it is Kouyo's intention to forge an alliance with these people, even if it is just a temporary one for the purposes of watching the children, Setsushi had better put on a friendly face at first.
Like a human, Setsushi thinks wryly.
... Well, Setsushi will warm up some rice, then, and make something simple for them to enjoy before bed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 3:25 pm
What is so wrong with humans? Should they not at least try to get along well with them, as long as they are trapped with them in this Gaia place? Perhaps they have better things to do with their spare time than harass Porcelain. What of the other guardians of the other Gaian Porcelain? Does Setsushi mistrust them as well?
Kouyo never expected kindness like Setsushi's from Kumoru, and the human had never promised any. He had warned Kouyo, in fact, when the priest first joined him at the bookstore before moving into his home. So far, Kouyo thinks he trusts the mage at least a tiny bit more than when he first moved in.
... Or perhaps Setsushi wishes to keep Kouyo away from humans completely? To put him in a high tower somewhere, thinking they cannot reach him? But Setsushi should remember that not even tower walls can deter determined humans. Kouyo wishes to learn to deal with them honestly, so at least he will never be the two-faced one.
Would the High Priest befriend someone so unfired? Kouyo only got hurt because he was being a fool! It was his own fault! Both times!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:56 pm
Setsushi stops in the middle of scooping some rice into a bowl and stares at Kouyo in surprise.
... What did Setsushi say to upset Kouyo so? Did Setsushi criticize the humans -- some of whom have, justifiably or unjustifiably, injured Kouyo and treated his heart roughly, and some of whom have, justifiably or unjustifiably, put Porcelain through tremendous pain -- unduly? Or has he mischaracterized those particular humans, representative or unrepresentative of their species as they may be, who put on a friendly face at first and then did cruel things? Has Setsushi really been inaccurate?
But of course, the Porcelain must try to form alliances with the humans. Didn't Setsushi just insist that the two of them consult so that Setsushi does not become overheated when he goes to talk with them? ... And a little while ago, wasn't it Setsushi cautioning Kouyo not to mistrust Kumoru too quickly, as his children seemed to be fine and healthy? What has caused Kouyo's attitude to change so suddenly?
... Perhaps Kouyo is irritable because he has not eaten enough, Setsushi suggests, and hands him the bowl.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:15 pm
... Well, a few minutes before, it really sounded like Setsushi was ready to go skewer Kumoru with his four swords just for giving Kouyo a little bruise.
He eats his rice in silence, but starts to cry after several minutes as he finds himself unable to avoid remembering his first taste of human cruelty.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:20 pm
... Perhaps Setsushi felt like it, just for a moment, but rationality prevailed... or so Setsushi tells himself, staring at his own bowl of rice.
-- and then, when Kouyo begins to cry, Setsushi's expression twists with contrition and he reaches out to lightly touch his friend's shoulder. Setsushi has been too rough, too... and he really has no excuse.
He lifts his hand though does not fully return to his seat, signaling to Kouyo that if he wishes to be held, Setsushi's arms are there, or if he wishes to be left alone, Setsushi will let him be...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
