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 Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 11:25 pm
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 11:25 pm
Sorcerers One, Two, and Three were tucked away in Xiao Huo's robes at the moment, so they would not get crumbs on them, but the boy had turned his blueberry muffin into a make-believe world without their help this time. He was not sure what sort of place it was, though, because it was quickly crumbling away in his hands, falling to pieces on the unfolded napkin Kouyo had left for him on the table. The blueberries were some kind of magic, though, because they tasted amazing. Maybe the rest of the muffin was a different kind of magic; bad magic, because the priest had made Xiao Huo take one of his medicine-pills to keep it from making his stomach angry. But that meant he was immune, and free to taste the rest of the muffin's magic, too!
Kouyo suddenly asked Xiao Huo if he wanted to visit a place that was like home but was not truly. In spite of the child's very young age, Kouyo wanted to talk with him directly about it, and not force him to go....
Xiao Huo drank a sip of his fruity smoothie and looked up at Kouyo, his pretend world fading from his mind like a dream as he stuffed another chunk of muffin into his mouth. As he chewed it, he considered the priest's words. Like home, but not home.
He missed his mommy and his daddy, so he still really wanted to see them first and foremost. So... if they were not there, what was Xiao Huo supposed to do while he was there?
Study, perhaps? That was what Kouyo planned to do, and it was the reason of his visit in the first place. It is like home enough that everything they learn there should be useful at home as well. The history, the culture, the writing... well, in theory, at least.
The child made a face, a few crumbs falling from his lips as he stuck his tongue out. Study? Why would Xiao Huo want to do that?
Kouyo laughed softly, and handed the boy a napkin. Then he gently reminded him that not all learning comes from books and schools. The priest himself hoped to learn primarily through looking and exploring.
Was that not what Xiao Huo enjoyed doing, as well? Like it or not, whenever he did that, he learned something.
Brow furrowing, the boy tried for a moment to come up with some protest or argument, but found he could not. Then he grinned, giving off a feeling of admiration. Kouyo was very smart; did that also mean that Xiao Huo would not have to go to school, and spend his whole life exploring or making pretend places in his mind and with his dolls?
Now, the High Priest did not say that. But... Xiao Huo was right. It was true, at least, that he need not attend classes at a school just yet.
So, would he like to come to the other Silver World with Kouyo, then? So perhaps they could explore together, or Xiao Huo could explore a bit on his own, perhaps, if he was very careful. If nothing else, the priest could tell him from experience that, the more he knew, the more intricate and amazing his worlds of make-believe would become.
Again Xiao Huo considered. And then he nodded, smiling before stuffing the last of his muffin into his mouth. As long as he did not have to go to classes and read boring books all the time, he would go with Kouyo.
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Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 7:12 pm
Jilan knocks on the door to Setsushi's house, and waits only a moment before pushing it open slowly and sticking his head in. The High Priest is home now, yes? Because he brought his silly little brother, too-
-Who lets himself right into the house, and motions for Jilan to enter as well.
A moment later, the High Priest, dressed in just his under-robes, peers around the screen from the private half of the house, stretching as he gives off a profoundly content feeling - apparently he had a very relaxing nap after work. Kouyo quickly assures Jilan and his brother that he was just waking up anyway, though, and that Xiao Huo did not disturb him.
Then, blushing faintly and excusing himself, the priest again retreats behind the screen to put on the rest of his robes. He hopes Jilan will forgive him for not being ready for his arrival.
Xiao Huo promptly climbs onto one of the chairs and makes himself comfortable, his mind already cooking up some new adventure for his dolls.
The little scholar assures Kouyo that it is quite alright - he got excited and came a little early anyway sweatdrop
Is it true that Kouyo will be taking his brother to the Silver World? That is what Xiao Huo told him, but Jilan of course takes what the little one tells him with a grain of salt, and wants to be sure....
The High Priest emerges again, more fully dressed and with hairbrush in hand, yawning and rubbing one eye. He smiles faintly as he tells Jilan that yes, they will be going. Probably not right away, because Kouyo has some things to finish, but perhaps if it looks like it is taking too long, then he will send the little one on ahead.
And he settles into another chair across the table from Xiao Huo, feeling the young boy's excitement about the trip and adding his own.
The youngest boy looks up from his dolls momentarily when the High Priest addresses him, then goes back to playing.
... For a moment at least. Then he suddenly slides down off of his chair and creeps under the table and grasps the end of Kouyo's red drapery that hangs down his left arm. And starts to unwind it from around the priest. Can he borrow it? eek
Jilan's mouth hangs open and the scholar radiates a feeling of terminal embarrassment. Undressing the High Priest--!?!/ gonk
The High Priest can do nothing but laugh as the little Porcelain unwraps the length of red fabric from around his arm, then goes to the other side of his chair, and yanks the other end free from where Kouyo had had it tucked behind his sash. He assures Jilan that he will not die without the drapes.
However!
Kouyo catches the other end of the cloth before Xiao Huo can tug it out of reach. "Tetsuhi," he says softly and with a tiny smile, sending a thread of thought out privately to the boy to get his attention. That is his real name, yes? He is welcome to borrow the drapes as long as he is careful and does not tear them or get them dirty.
The boy whirls around and stares wide-eyed at the High Priest. His mind is silent with shock for a moment, then he rushes at Kouyo, fists flailing.
After he worked so hard to keep his real identity secret, the High Priest knows his name anyway!? ... Kouyo probably knew the whole time and was just messing with him. BUT THE PRIEST WILL KEEP IT TOP SECRET, RIGHT? He is not one of those evil bad spies?
Kouyo holds his hands out, a look of concentration crossing his features momentarily as he projects gentle calming feelings to the child. None of Tetsuhi's little punches touch the High Priest. He had not at all been expecting the boy to get so upset, though - it troubles him somewhat, too, if his little make-believe world of spies and secret missions is truly so important. Hopefully the little one's imagination will not cause him trouble as he grows up... but Kouyo tries to keep in mind that he is only a very small child now.
He catches Tetsushi's hands in his own after a moment, and softly reminds the child that he is just the High Priest, not a spy of any kind at all. He serves the Name, of course, so he must always be honest, but... if Tetsuhi really does not want him to tell anyone about his true identity, then Kouyo will not.
Then he looks up at Jilan as well. Tetsuhi's adopted brother Jilan is also honest, yes? And will be able to keep the secret if Tetsuhi wishes him to?
When Jilan is able to start his brain again, he nods, simultaneously projecting his agreement with and apologies to Kouyo. Though... he is relieved to see that the High Priest is not upset or angry, and realizes once he has had a few minutes to calm down that it was probably a bit silly to expect the priest to be upset in the first place.
Thus relaxed, the little scholar steps up behind his flailing brother and wraps his arms around him, and assures Tetsuhi more firmly that the little boy's secret is safe. Jilan is going to be a mage, not a spy. And Tetsuhi thinks he would make a bad spy anyway, no? He starts to move his little brother away from Kouyo slowly.
Calming down a little, the boy giggles impishly and nods. Jilan would be terrible at it, with all of his worries slipping out everywhere. He is much safer in a library with a book all the time.
... He still thinks the High Priest may prove a worthy foe, though. Tetsuhi eyes Kouyo warily, but he cannot keep the smile from his lips or his projections.
Kouyo urges the child to run along and play for a little while, and do... whatever it was he needed the red drapes for. There are, uh, top secret things he must discuss with Jilan. He will always keep an eye on Tetsuhi, codename Xiao Huo, but it is not something the little spy needs to fear.
Kouyo, Revealer of Really Big Secrets, would do best to be wary of Xiao Huo, though! The boy tugs his hands from Kouyo's gentle grasp and steps away from him. Then he drapes the borrowed length of red cloth around his shoulders like a cape, then strikes a pose.
... Then runs to the bathroom to try to get a good look in the mirror at how awesome that just was.
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Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 7:14 pm
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Imperial Princess Rika Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 7:21 pm
Xiao Huo, growth from Child I to Child II
Renka resides in a small apartment very close to the experimental school at which he teaches. Though it is quite comfortable for a single bachelor and could perhaps accomodate a married couple as well, it will unfortunately prove a little bit crowded with four people sharing it -- small as two of those residents may be. Still, its location close to the marketplace means that it is easy to reach the shops and restaurants, and the nearby school entails a constant tide of children -- older children and younger youths -- and the senior and junior teachers.
Though Xiao Huo is far too young to actually attend the school, the central location of the school and the concentration of young people may help him to make friends. On the other hand, it may be quite a shock for a boy used to being coddled to suddenly live in such cramped quarters, with the proprietor constantly rushing between the library, the market, and his classes (though he is quite willing to take Xiao Huo with him.) But though scary, this might prove an excellent opportunity to make some friends who are a little less imaginary.
Xiao Huo is in the Capital City of the Silver World; it is Fruition of Toutei 1007. He is staying at the apartment of Renka, a schoolteacher at an experimental mixed-sex school. Though a kind and accomodating host, he is very busy, and it may take Xiao Huo a while to adjust -- though Kouyo is here to help with that.
Xiao Huo has three years in the Silver World, '07-08 (age 3,) '08-09 (age 4) and '09-10 (age 5.)
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 12:03 am
For the first week or so, it was nearly impossibly to pry Tetsuhi from the High Priest's side. He was overjoyed to explore the new city, familiar like home and yet completely different at the same time. But it was also scary, and he was thankful he at least had Kouyo with him. There was no time for make-believe with all the things to see.
Back at the apartment, though, he had great fun relating the tales of his adventures to Renka and Meirou. In truth, it pleasantly surprised him how Renka seemed to actually pay attention to him cheerfully and patiently in his spare moments, and Tetsuhi soon added him to the list of grown-ups allowed to know his real name instead of just his codename.
As Kouyo began to venture further from home, Tetsuhi accompanied him less often, and instead followed Renka around (once or twice to class, where he practiced being Very Quiet), or stayed at home when Meirou was there. Regardless, the boy never got bored - when no one would take him exploring somewhere, he could always make-believe again and get his exploring done that way.
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Imperial Princess Rika Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 8:21 pm
Toutei 1007
Fruition
Though things might be a little scary at first, with Renka and Kouyo to supervise, Tetsuhi will soon realize that there is a vast abundance of places to explore and new things to discover. Furthermore, it seems the people of this city are kind and accommodating to children, and everyone seems to want to give him a sweet or new toy when he comes to visit.
Submission
... Everyone except the younger students at the school, it seems. While the nine-year-olds do not seem interested in him, being preoccupied with their Naming Ceremonies and social intrigues within their own group, those who are closer to six begin teasing Tetsuhi when he comes by without Kouyo or Renka casting a shadow over him. Though their jabs are only verbal and not terribly personal -- they pick only on Tetsuhi being strange and much too young for school -- they still don't make the school itself a terribly welcoming environment for him.
Redress
Then again, it seems Tetsuhi won't find an enemy in every small child he meets. One of their neighbors, Fuuhou, has a young daughter, Fuutou, who is even smaller than him. Though she spends the daytime following her mother, who is also a teacher, Tetsuhi can hear her loud, childish projections through the wall. Fuuhou introduces them, though her daughter is shy and hides behind her big toy manta ray.
Descent
After one of his dolls is damaged on an Expedition, Renka patiently repairs it at home. He also wonders if Tetsuhi might like some more dolls or for his current ones to be modified so that they can be dressed up?
Toutei 1008
Quiescence
Renka purchases a well-made colorful picture-book for Tetsuhi retelling simplified myths and histories with beautiful woodcut illustrations. Though he is younger than is usual to learn to read, Renka suggests he try starting, bit by bit, because books are full of all sorts of adventures.
To this end he supplies another book, also illustrated but much more cheaply, that introduces Porcelain script characters and visual devices for remembering them. ... But competing with the lovely colored book, will this one be able to compete for Tetsuhi's attention...?
Gestation
Fuutou timidly shows her face at Renka's apartment one day and offers to exchange one of her dolls -- a very nicely-made female doll that has not been dirtied or damaged much -- for a toy animal -- if Tetsuhi even has an animal?
Ascent
Renka asks one of his visiting friends, a doctor, if he has the time to look over Tetsuhi. The doctor is surprised by this and dismisses the need, as Tetsuhi seems more than just healthy, a very bright and energetic child.
Celebration
Renka offers to buy Tetsuhi something nice for Children's Day this year -- a new doll, a set of blocks, perhaps another book? Or Renka could take him down to the marketplace, along with Fuuhou bringing Fuutou, so that Tetsuhi can pick out a gift himself?
Caesura
While roaming the marketplace, Tetsuhi is chased by a small lizard which does not mean him any harm but is still a little bit scary.
All Year
Though Tetsuhi may have once believed the doctors and his parents and considered himself a sickly child, now that the cause of his illness is known (and perhaps also now that he is in a land that produces no dairy locally) he will find himself, with exercise, gradually building strength, ending up one of the most spry and robust three-year-olds Renka has ever seen -- though admittedly Renka teaches older children.
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 10:22 pm
~Redress~
The mission was primarily a diplomatic one, but if the residents allowed it, Tetsuhi would explore, as well. Even though he had his captain of the guard and his temple priest and a Sorcerer and Renka with him, he was still a little nervous - the boy had explored every nook and cranny of the school (even if the other children, when he ran into them, were not always nice), but had never really made many friends his own age.
As Renka led him to the apartment next door, Tetsuhi consulted with his plush companions - the boy remembered hearing projections of a small girl from next door, and he of course had seen her from a distance, following Lady Fuuhou around at school. But beyond the fact that the girl was the teacher's daughter, Tetsuhi really did not know much about her yet.
Tetsuhi set his priest and his Sorcerer on opposite shoulders (Kouyo and the Oracle seemed to get along okay, but he was not sure priests and Sorcerers always would), he clung to his favored general with one hand, and Renka's skirts with the other. If this little girl did not tease him, at least, then he supposed that would be fine, even if she was not as nice as Kouyo and Renka, or as interesting as Lucretia or the other half-people Chaoses back in Gaia.
... It took him a minute to find the little girl herself, though, as Renka and Lady Fuuhou both urged him into the apartment (it looked exactly like Renka's, except backwards eek ). Her mother said her name was Fuutou, and- oh, there she was, behind the lady's legs and holding a doll, too. Curious what hers was like, Tetsuhi got around behind Lady Fuuhou, projecting noisy and excited greetings and questions about her toy.
Fuutou squealed and clung to her own plush, and giggled shyly from behind it. As the boy tried to get around to see her, she stumbled sideways, trying to keep her mother between herself and the one just introduced to her as Tetsuhi.
Getting excited, the boy pursued her, finally chasing her away from Lady Fuuhou and onto one of the chairs, where she climbed up onto the cushion, pulled her legs up, too, and tried to hide all of herself behind the wings of her manta ray. Tetsuhi skidded to a halt in front of the seat, but did not join Fuutou on it - he was not sure there would be enough room for all six of them.
He really did want to see her toy, though! He had seen pictures of creatures like the one that was protecting her, but a toy was that much more interesting.
Nooo, because he might not give it back! gonk The girl's wide eyes peered over one broad fabric fin.
Tetsuhi was here to be diplomatic, though, and to explore! Not to steal things. Come on, he just wants to see for a minute!
Fuutou squirmed on her seat and shook her head.
... What if Tetsuhi let her hold one of his dolls? That way, if he didn't give the manta ray back, she didn't have to give his toy back.
... Tetsuhi has three, though, and little Fuutou only has one.
The boy studied the faces of his trusted advisers, then, after a long pause for consideration, held out the priest and the Sorcerer. He had to keep his captain with him, though, because he still had a Very Important Job. Already he was making a great sacrifice, though, because both the priest and the Sorcerer could tell him lucky days to go exploring.
Fuutou had no idea what he was talking about. But two was more than one, so she slowly started to unfold her legs and slide down from the seat, hugging her manta ray in both arms.
Then, suddenly, she frowned and turned away. Actually, she would need all three of Tetsuhi's dolls in exchange to see hers because her ray is so much bigger
Really?! gonk He clung to all of his friends possessively. He just wanted to see the manta ray for one minute!
Well. Uh. Fuutou wanted to see all of Tetsuhi's dolls....
Oh, well, in that case... he supposed that arrangement would work out. Pleased that his Diplomacy had proven successful, Tetsuhi offered his trio of companions to Fuutou, in exchange for her animal friend.
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Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 2:04 am
~Quiescence~
Though he was largely unaware of the High Priest's situation and his reasons for being in the Silver World (grown-up stuff! not his business), Tetsuhi was also decidedly faced with the task of becoming a proper Porcelain during his retreat, as well. Gaia had been like an amazing and strange dream to him, since everything had been so different. But it was hardly turning the world he knew upside-down to come to this Silver World - it was populated with Porcelain, and all of the customs that he had learned in his few years of life were still practiced.
Tetsuhi had feared at first that the excitement and newness of Gaia would fade just like a dream and everything would return to what he considered normal - his tummy pains would return, he would no longer be permitted to wander even with a grown-up watching him, and he would have to trade patient and accommodating Kouyo and Setsushi for his anxious parents or Porcelain like them. Of course, he dearly missed his parents, who had always been there hovering over him to worry and soothe his every pain... but a small part, a very tiny and very very bad part of him wondered if perhaps he was better off now without them. Kouyo told him what he could not eat, and had also told Renka, as well, so Tetsuhi was rarely sick anymore. If only... if only he could be this well with his parents again, his dear mommy and daddy would never have to worry about him.
Still, he tried to keep on trusting the grown-ups to find a way back to the real home soon. And in the mean while, he had this new Silver World to explore. With Renka watching over him and Kouyo visiting often, and taking him on adventures, he did not have to pretend very hard to make this life here into one that was almost perfect - like home without all of the pain and worry, but also far more grounded and real than silly, crazy Gaia. In this dream, Tetsuhi could be a Porcelain.
...
Fortunately or unfortunately, this meant he had to pick up growing up where he left off. At least he was still a child, so that work was easy for now. To fuel his adventures, Renka had given him a very very pretty picture-book filled with myths and stories. The teacher encouraged the boy to consider starting on reading, but Tetsuhi much preferred to have Renka read it to him - as long as the boys at school were going to tease him about being too little to be at a school, then he was not going to do any studying if he could help it.
And so Renka read the old stories to him... every night... sometimes more than once in a day... until finally he ever-so-gently suggested that perhaps Kouyo would be interested in reading to him sometimes, too. At the same time, he also gave the child his second book - one filled with simple Porcelain characters aimed to teach them. Surely that book was simple enough that Tetsuhi would be reading it himself in no time?
Either way, Tetsuhi showed up at Kouyo's apartment armed with both books, and insisted that the High Priest read to him sometimes, too.
... And was a bit disappointed when Kouyo seemed to take particular interest in the picture-book of introductory characters instead of the one with all the amazing stories. The boy figured maybe it was because the priest was writing for a living here in the Silver World; Tetsuhi hoped he would never have to do that, in spite of how interesting his first book had proven. Besides - Kouyo was copying grown-up books, which did not have many pictures.
While Tetsuhi rolled boredly around on the floor, Kouyo fetched an old brush and an inkstone and inkwell, and a few sheets of paper he would not miss. If he allowed the little one to practice writing a little bit, too, would he promise to pay attention?
Kouyo showed Tetsuhi how to make the ink, and allowed him to work on that while he read the book aloud to him. The characters were simple enough - the Elements, the numbers one through ten, sun and moon, mountain and river, all made easier to remember through the pictures and little hints.
Once there were things to play with involved, Tetsuhi was much more open to the idea of learning simple characters 3nodding He was not really sure how many he would remember say, tomorrow, but that only meant he would have to come back to Kouyo's room to keep practicing!
This made him almost look forward to school. Especially since Renka had said something about adventures in books? Tetsuhi practically glowed with pride as Kouyo walked him home later, carrying his first-ever writings.
And Kouyo carried the books themselves, reminding the boy again to be sure to thank Renka for the gifts. And... not to touch him until they could get his hands washed.... gonk
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:22 pm
Toutei 1008
Fruition
One of Renka's days off, he takes Tetsuhi fishing at the Capital's docks. Though Renka catches one (1) fish, Tetsuhi can't focus on such a slow, contemplative activity for long enough to catch even a slipper.
Submission
Tetsuhi gets to know Hia, a young lady who is apprenticing to be a teacher under Renka and is very smart and pretty.
Redress
The evening after interviewing parents of young children who were thinking of joining the school in future years, Renka returns tired and a little frustrated. He tells Tetsuhi that -- despite having made what maybe feels like very little progress in his studies compared to Meirou -- he is actually far ahead of most of the children Renka saw in his ability to recognize characters.
Extinction
Meirou's illness and Renka's stress over it may disturb Tetsuhi's routine... but he doesn't catch it from her, thankfully.
Descent
When Tetsuhi reveals to some young boys that he was just starting to get friendly with that his birthday is the twelfth of Descent, they immediately seize on it as something to tease him with, crying 'twelve of twelve!' and making signs to ward off the Death. Tetsuhi's now going to be known in that social circle as the child of the Walking of the Death -- and the gossip might even spread...
Toutei 1009
Quiescence
Kouyo is going away at this time. The departure makes Renka rather sad, and Tetsuhi might feel sad, too... but then, it's been over a year staying in the house of this teacher, so it's not as if Tetsuhi will be all alone with strangers.
Gestation
When wandering the marketplace with Fuuhou and Fuutou, Tetsuhi stumbles across that group of boys who love to tease him. In his defense, Fuutou throws a small rock -- and hits one of them, not injuring him seriously but cuts him enough for Fuuhou to rush him to the nearest clinic. Fuutou is in a lot of trouble with her mother subsequently.
Unfortunately this really doesn't do anything but cement Tetsuhi's reputation as a fatally unlucky child among the scornful children.
Parturition
Fuutou chokes on some food one lunchtime, but thankfully Renka is at home and swiftly rescues her.
Ascent
Seeing that despite his best efforts to help Tetsuhi make more friends in this neighborhood, the younger-than-school-age children of the area are unwelcoming towards him, Renka takes the boy across the city one day to visit his mother, Renjyou, a slightly eccentric chemist, whose husband does research in another city. There's a different group of children here, whom Tetsuhi might be able to easily befriend; he'd surely be a valuable ally for their races and ball games. On the other hand, Renjyou is too absorbed in her work to watch the boy carefully, and Fuutou isn't there...
Celebration
Setsushi and Rika stop by, apparently doing adventurous exploration -- but no, Tetsuhi can't come along. He does get some candy from them, though.
Caesura
A fortune teller with a beautiful booth set up near the Temple during the Mid-Year Festival predicts that Tetsuhi will grow up to do great things and bring untold foreign riches home to the Empire. And then charges Renka, who rushes back too late to Tetsuhi's side, an exorbitant sum for her services.
All Year
A strong, robust, agile, and also rather intelligent kid, nothing can stand in Tetsuhi's way now! ... Except the children around Renka's house, who just don't seem to like him. He does have the friendship of Fuutou, though, and might try making friends with peers in other neighborhoods or even try socializing with the youngest students in the school.
One wonders, though, if Tetsuhi's increasing ability to explore the outside world will lead him to neglect the inner ones...
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Imperial Princess Rika Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:17 am
~Fruition~
Tetsuhi posed dramatically on the wooden dock, waving his short fishing pole through the air and enjoying the swoosh sound it made as he did so. It made a far more interesting sword, he thought; all he had to do was ignore the little hook on the end of the line at the tip of the thing, which trailed after every motion of the weapon. Renka did not look like he was having much fun, sitting there at the end of the dock as he worked on tying a hook to the end of his own fishing line.
At the teacher's suggestion, Tetsuhi had left his dolls at home - the boy doubted that they would much enjoy the slightly greenish water with the occasional thing floating in it, if one of them happened to fall in. And while he knew that Renka would be able to pull the water from the fabric of one of his plush companions (he had done so on a previous occasion involving a rain puddle, much like Kouyo had done back in Gaia), he was not so sure of his Silver World guardian's ability to remove fish smells. And, well, make-believe without them was more difficult, but he could manage anyway. Just now he pictured his foe before him on the dock, toting a similar sword to Tetsuhi's... perhaps sneaking up behind Renka. Fancying himself a Knight, the boy challenged the unseen opponent to a proper battle, and readied his blade to kill, painlessly and nobly, in a single well-placed strike....
"Hey!" Renka exclaimed, reaching behind his head with one hand as he felt the hook catch in his hair bun a moment after hearing Tetsuhi slash the air with his pole. He frowned a little and glanced back, sending the boy an admonishing feeling.
He had told Tetsuhi already that the pole was for fishing, not fighting, and that he should not wave it around like that in case he hits someone by mistake. With a bit of fiddling, he worked the little hook out of his hair before the little boy could yank on it too much, then beckoned for him to come join him sitting on the edge of the dock.
Now watch and Renka would show him again how to do this properly.
Tetsuhi projected a small apology, then walked over to plop down on the wooden planks beside the teacher.
A small flick of the pole, as per Renka's instruction, sent the small shiny hook out over the water, where it broke the surface with a tiny plip! sound.
There, now the idea was to just wait for a fish to bite at the hook. Then you could pull it up out of the water.
He turned his attention back to the spot where his own fishing line met the water, and sighed, smiling contentedly. Even if nothing bit today, it was a nice way to spend an afternoon, Renka thought. And Tetsuhi could still make-believe while he was waiting for fish, no? He just had to be still and quiet.
... What was so great about catching fish, though? If Renka really wanted fish, he could give Tetsuhi some money and he could buy his guardian one down at the market.
The boy fidgeted where he sat. He had to admit that his make-believe tales never really included dreams of being a fisherman.
Why not? Had Tetsuhi not been excited when they first arrived and saw the larger merchant vessels at the larger docks a little further up the shore? Fishermen went alone or in small groups, out in little boats like the ones near them now - perhaps Tetsuhi could try imagining himself captain of his own little fishing boat?
From a cross-legged sitting position, Tetsuhi leaned backwards until he flopped back onto the whethered wood, still holding the pole, and squinted up at the bright clouds overhead.
... If he was captain, he would make someone else hold the fishing rod.
Renka sighed, watching him for a moment, but more or less gave up for the time being.
After several long minutes of silence only broken by the sounds of the docks around them, and the immediately adjacent boy's fidgeting, Renka reminded him with a faint fond smile that, if they caught any fish, perhaps they could as Kouyo to grill them to eat.
Tetsuhi struggled to a proper sitting position again, and dangled his feet off of the edge over the water.
And reminded the teacher again that he could always run to the market and buy a fish, too. Renka could count and time him - Tetsuhi was a fast runner. And he bet he could come back with a fish before Renka ever caught one.
Maybe he enjoyed just relaxing by the water just as much as he enjoyed the fish, and would be happy even if he did not catch one.
Silence stretched between them again as Tetsuhi presumably made at least a small effort to just enjoy relaxing.
Renka was the one to break the silence this time, though, as he gave of a simultaneously projected and audible yelp of pleased surprise, and jerked his fishing pole upwards. A smallish silvery fish was caught on the hook, and its scales glittered like brilliant metal as it flailed on the end of the line.
Tetsuhi latched onto this bit of excitement, and turned sideways to bring one leg up under the other where he sat, while the other remained dangling off the edge of the dock.
The fish was pretty small, but the boy still acknowledged that he was a little impressed as Renka deftly took it from the hook and let it into the small bucket they had brought along. It swam around frantically in the bit of water, but could really only go in a circle.
Would there be enough to share if Kouyo grilled it for all three of them? the boy wondered.
Probably not, Renka admitted with a slight laugh. But then he pointed to Tetsuhi's fishing rod - if Tetsuhi got one, too, then there might at least be enough for a little snack.
Nodding and sighing, the boy turned his attention back to the water, lifting his own empty hook out of the water briefly before casting it out again.
How much longer would they be here?
Renka considered for a moment, flicking his own rod again to drop the hook back into the water. Just as he was about to reply, though, Tetsuhi let out a cry of surprise.
He quickly pulled both feet back up onto the dock again and set the pole aside; one of his slippers had come off of his foot and dropped down into the water below. Tetsuhi stretched out on his stomach with his feet behind him and leaned out with one hand over the edge, trying to reach it. He was still quite short, himself, even if he was beginning to grow a bit faster than other boys his age; not even Renka's arms would likely be long enough to quite grasp the soggy shoe from where it floated near the surface just below them.
Great, what was he going to do now? gonk
The teacher leaned forward a little to peer at where the child's shoe had landed, projecting worry momentarily ... and then he laughed, resting one hand on the boy's shoulder.
Tetsuhi had a hook and a line, so maybe he could try to hook his shoe instead of a fish. Renka could keep enjoying the weather and the smell of the water while he worked, yes?
Good idea! Tetsuhi grabbed his pole and remained lying down as he lowered the hook to try to maneuver the thing to catch the fabric of his slipper.
The bare toes of his naked foot wiggled as though mimicking the swinging hook, and his face screwed up into a frown of concentration....
Though he was hardly a mage, Renka was fairly sure he could bend the water enough to hold the shoe still in order to hook it if Tetsuhi could not snag it on his own. But for now, he would let him try for a little bit longer. The teacher thought he could stand to learn at least a tiny bit of patience....
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