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 Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:19 pm
Closing his eyes, Kouyo smiles weakly and thanks Setsushi for at least mentioning the doctor. He supposes he can keep that option in mind, just in case. And he adds with a hesitant feeling of warm affection that being among his own kind, and with Setsushi in particular, has been quite helpful - even if the Knight snores a little at night sometimes, Kouyo rests easier with that reminder that he is no longer shut away alone in his birdcage.
However... hearing stories from Jilan and from Miss Tsubei about the Silver World, even if it is a false one, sometimes makes the High Priest feel confined again. In Gaia, he has Setsushi, and has started to make a few other friends as well, but Kouyo does not quite have the freedom he had dreamed of during his years in the tower. Kouyo wants to at least try to learn to be a proper Porcelain again. He wishes to see dance-dramas at the Mid-Year Festival, to sit around in libraries reading until the librarians chase him out for the night, to visit the other temples and converse and debate with the other priests, to shop in the markets even if they are packed full of dizzying numbers of other Porcelain-!
... Kouyo relaxes, settling back in his seat a little then as he hopes he has not sounded too childish. If the danger of visiting the false Silver World is not too great, then the priest thinks that the retreat could do him a lot of good. Moreso than dumping his frustrations and upsets upon Setsushi or some human doctor.
When his pancakes arrive, Xiao Huo squeals softly but audibly... then wonders where the happy face is. There is a half-strawberry nose in the middle of the stack, but no whipped cream or anything. And who needs such a big nose? He picks the strawberry off of his breakfast and eats that first.
Kouyo takes the banana that came with Xiao Huo's pancakes and peels it. Then the priest starts slicing it into little rounds, which he hands one by one to the child, quietly encouraging him to make the face that way.
Then he opens his mind again to Setsushi, to inquire in a lighter tone than before what all the Knight thinks he should try to do or learn or see while he is in the Silver World? Just the fun or interesting things, perhaps, so Setsushi does not spoil his breakfast with further worrying? There is always later to discuss what precisely Kouyo should research and look into over there. The High Priest swears that he will think on all that they know of the false Silver World and carefully plan for both himself and the little one.
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:27 pm
Setsushi nods slowly, following each of Kouyo's thoughts with a feeling of affirmation and agreement. Indeed, it may give poor Kouyo many new opportunities for joy and healing... but...
Kouyo still should not throw himself into this new world too recklessly, Setsushi repeats -- and this is advice Setsushi would give anyone. He thinks of the metaphor of one who drinks too much tea, curing his tiredness and perhaps a persistent headache... but some hours later that headache might come back worse, and he won't even be able to sleep it off. So don't overdo it.
It seems that is all Setsushi wants to think of the false Silver World right now; he shrugs off Kouyo's questions, trying to be more amicable than dismissing, and suggests that Jilan might be able to tell him better than Setsushi, who has only raided that place for books and supplies and does not know what pleasurable activities there are to do.
Instead, he ponders Xiao Huo's predicament... and wonders if the juice of Kouyo's blueberries might also be useful? Or perhaps the colorful syrups--
... ... ... Actually, Setsushi regrets suggesting that. gonk
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:50 pm
Kouyo assures his friend that he has thought about this already. Really, he has only had years and years in his tower to plan out all sorts of other lives he could have if granted his freedom. The priest could work at another job for a while outside of the temple - he rather plans on securing one - so that he will have his own spending money. Gaia has already helped remind him how to handle his own funds and do his own shopping... even if the majority of his purchases so far have been toys sweatdrop He will study, as well, maybe picking up some of the same books Jilan has read in order to see what else he can learn. Living will be Kouyo's recreation - this is what he hopes for.
And so perhaps he will drink a bit too much tea. And it will be wonderful after years of nothing but water.
The High Priest gives off a soft feeling of excitement that is also mixed with considerable nervousness, as thinking of all his dreams from the tower has gotten him emotional all over again about actually carrying at least some of them out. He does not expect the adjustment to be easy for him, but, if nothing else, Kouyo will be sure not to throw himself to some... Porcelain Kumoru. If there even is such a thing.
Setsushi has found good tutors for the other Gaian Porcelain who have gone to the Silver World thus far, yes? Kouyo is, of course, physically older, and so would require different arrangements if he is to live with or near someone on the other side, but his friend would be able to offer him aid on that front as well, yes?
Xiao Huo carefully gives his pancakes two eyes and a smile made from the banana circles, and is already lunging for the little holder at the end of the table with the four colors of syrup in it by the time Setsushi suggests it.
He is going to make boy pancakes, he announces as he attempts to make a straight line of red strawberry syrup beneath each banana-eye. Just like this to do the makeup, righ- er... well, maybe that's a little too much syrup.... confused
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:01 am
Setsushi agrees, almost resignedly, with Kouyo's assertions. Very well, very well. And, with a bit more enthusiasm and sincerity, he asserts that he will support Kouyo's efforts, as always.
Eyeing the child worriedly, Setsushi pulls free a napkin or two from the napkin-holder, just to be prepared. Well, that flavor is the same as the fruit, he tells Xiao Huo, so hopefully it will be to his tastes. sweatdrop
He takes a break from working on his two fried eggs to carefully spread some fruit-jam over his toast, his thoughts returning to the Celestial Oracle. ... And then, he jerks out of his reverie with a sudden idea, and asks Kouyo privately --
Could the Oracle perhaps identify Xiao Huo's parentage for them?
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:22 am
Xiao Huo adds some blueberry syrup, too, just for good measure.
... Kind of a face with a lot messy makeup, but it still looks happy.
AND NOW HE WILL EAT IT!
The boy eyes the Gaian utensils, picking up the fork and watching Setsushi and Kouyo for clues as to its operation. With some difficulty, he cuts a triangle into his pancakes, then stabs it... and drips syrup everywhere as he lifts the bite of breakfast to his mouth.
Kouyo sorts all of the sugar packets again and then puts them back into the square holder, and with some effort leaves them alone while he starts on his own meal.
There will be a bit of time before he is ready to depart for the Silver World anyway. The High Priest thanks Setsushi for his offer of support, and promises that he will keep as safe as possible so the Knight need not worry about him while he is away.
He nods at Setsushi's suggestion, as well, and privately replies that perhaps he could consult the Name, as well? If they could call the boy by his real name that his parents gave him, whatever that may be, perhaps he would feel more at home with them until they can return him to his family....
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:06 am
If Kouyo thinks he can discover the boy's name through his visions, that would certainly be easier than trying to wring an answer out of the Celestia Oracle -- but then Setsushi thought that Kouyo's answers tend to be imagistic?
... Not that Setsushi has the spare brainpower to remember Kouyo's descriptions of them or follow what the High Priest is saying now; his attention is wrapped up in being horrified at Xiao Huo's eating habits. He doesn't keep these feelings secret and, with emotions of paternal fondness but also profound embarrassment, he's barely able to keep himself from swooping forward with the napkins and wiping the poor boy's face.
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:39 pm
Kouyo can peer into the past to see conversations that have already happened, as well. So he may be able to dream of some time when the boy's parents chose a name for him.
... With a wary smile, the High Priest glances over at Xiao Huo as the child works on demolishing his pancakes. He will ask the Name for what information he can get, then, and Setsushi can enlist the aid of the Celesital Oracle, as well? Since the Name may be more... reliable.
Though the High Priest admits that he knows little of what the Celestial Oracle can actually do, and perhaps should not be quick to judge.
But it sounds like a simple enough question - attempting to find out the boy's name, and the identities of his parents. Kouyo shall inquire tonight
The pancake wrecker pauses with another forkload halfway to his mouth, and responds with feelings like he knows he has been caught doing something bad. ... But... how is he supposed to eat such giant things? Xiao Huo is already cutting them into pieces just like High Priest Kouyo is doing.... confused
His pancakes are just soggier with tasty syrup. Because they are happier that way 4laugh
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:46 pm
And Kouyo will also inquire about the safety of the Silver World, won't he...? Setsushi asks privately -- but pushes no further as his focus is now on attempting to save Xiao Huo's clothes.
It may be the case that the pancakes are happy now, but Setsushi won't be very happy doing Xiao Huo's laundry, he tuts gently. Then, a bit more ominously, he suggests that, on the other hand, the bugs will also like it and come crawling up into his pants and over his face in the night -- maybe Xiao Huo will rethink his strategy when that happens!
Setsushi will help cut the cakes into smaller pieces, if he likes.
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:42 pm
A feeling of shivering creepy-crawly horror comes over the boy, and he nearly drops the fork as his mouth hangs open. Bugs would be gross! So, uh, sure, Setsushi can cut his pancakes if it will keep the bugs away. Xiao Huo slides his plate across the table to the Knight, and offers his table-knife and already-rather-sticky fork.
Then he leans closer to Kouyo to watch him eat his pancakes.
Kouyo tugs at his sleeves a little in hopes of keeping them away from sticky fingers, and hands Xiao Huo a napkin. He gently advises the boy to wipe his hands off a little.
And then he tells Setsushi privately that he will ask, and inform the Knight of what he learns. He hopes the Name will be able to tell him something of the false Silver World.
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:51 pm
Setsushi nods to Kouyo but does not project anything; it seems he is satisfied with these responses, at least for now.
Setsushi will do his best to cut up the pancakes, but it's a little bit difficult with the amount of syrup. sweatdrop Not that sticky and sweet things are always bad, but in such puddles they're difficult to manage...
Xiao Huo is lucky, he comments, laughing a little as he tries to make more manageable pieces for the boy using his own utensils, as Xiao Huo's are rather frightening -- it is so easy to wash dishes and clothes here. When Setsushi was young, if he got something dirty, it took a lot of time and effort for the servants to get it clean again...
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:34 pm
Everything seems easier in Gaia, Xiao Huo asserts with a nod. But... he still misses home very much.
Since he still has his own fork, the boy starts working on eating the slices Setsushi cuts even before the Knight is done chopping up all the pancakes. He is sure to wipe each piece around in the mixture of syrup before he eats it... and holds a hand under the pancakes on the way from the plate to his mouth so the drips go on his hand and not the table.
Gaian things have certainly made Kouyo's job in the storage room a hundred times easier. The priest makes sure to mention to Setsushi that the cleaning is essentially finished, and that he is now starting in on sorting the books. And Kouyo has kidnapped one of the stepping-stools from the main room of the store, so that he does not have to ask Kumoru or Master Whitestone for help to reach the high places.
There are things in Gaia that will make you taller?!
Ah... yes... and High Priest Kouyo believes that eating one's pancakes like a gentleman is a good start....
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:46 pm
... Only now finished cleaning? ... And such a volume of books to sort?
... Setsushi doesn't carry that thought any further, however, perhaps thinking it the inappropriate time. Instead, he answers Xiao Huo that there are plenty of things in their homeland that can make one taller -- does he know how long the robes of the ladies of the Court are nowadays? Apparently some women have to wear shoes with blocks affixed to the soles in order to walk. According to Rika it is all very painful, inconvenient, and silly, and ultimately self-defeating. ... Though he can't really remember the details of her argument.
... And is it even right for him to say 'nowadays'? He tries to shake off the brooding mood that threatens to seize him.
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:08 pm
Uh, no, because Xiao Huo does not really care about girl clothes sweatdrop Especially court-lady clothes. The boy knows that they are bad for exploring, and that is really all he needs to know. He does think it sounds silly, though, to have clothes that are too tall so you have to be taller, too.... Xiao Huo just wants to be taller so he can reach high places and see more things. And to have good exploring clothes to match.
Setsushi must be able to see so much.... eek
Kouyo frowns, giving off a little hurt feeling. He is not as big or as strong as Setsushi is, and the storage room was very dirty, and Master Whitestone wanted it very clean. He will finish it all before he departs for the Silver World, he promises.
... Master Whitestone had warned Kouyo that Kumoru would be likely to join him sometime in the next week or so in order to help, too, so that will hopefully make the work go faster, at least....
... Xiao Huo then imagines how to go about eating a pancake in a "gentlemanly" manner and then attempts to carry this method out.
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:10 pm
Setsushi didn't mean to imply that Kouyo was a bad worker, he assures his friend quickly. It's just... well, nevermind. Setsushi was in error. sweatdrop
Setsushi laughs a little at Xiao Huo's evaluation of Court-Ladies' clothing, remarking that he has heard someone give a very similar speech before...
... Though if he would like, Setsushi could give him a ride on his shoulders sometime. But -- he stays sternly -- Xiao Huo's hands and clothes must be absolutely clean! Setsushi doesn't want to be sucking sticky gunk off his hair with his magic for a whole afternoon.
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Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:30 am
The small boy stops eating a moment in order to pry the fork out of his hand and study his palms. So... Xiao Huo and his fellow secret agents cannot take Dragon Knight Setsushi up on that offer for the way home? confused
Xiao Huo will certainly not be leaving this place as sticky as he is now. Kouyo will help him wash his hands when he is finished. But the little one should focus for the moment on just eating his meal. It is harder to digest if he is worrying, no?
The High Priest laughs softly to himself, as though considering his own advice, before he goes back to working on his own pancakes. Setsushi can start on the sausages whenever he likes, and can probably start stealing bites of blueberry pancake if he wishes. Kouyo is already starting to feel full.... sweatdrop
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