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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:08 pm
Inside of a small, Japanese-themed dojo, a small, dark-skinned figure stands, a red hakama and kimono top adorning him. He watches the students practice, some with combat techniques and others with dance moves, on the tatami mats that occupy a space that couldn't be any larger than 20 feet by 20 feet. No matter the individual ideologies of the students, they each wield a sword. Lynod moves among them, pausing combat and coreography to adjust stances and sword grips.
The swordmaster appears displeased as he instructs his students, despite the gentleness of his words and omnipresence of his smile. There has been a cloud that has hung over him inside of this dojo ever since his admission to Setsushi, ever since he noticed the hypocrisy of his very position on swordplay in addition to the nastiness of his soul.
Maybe it's time to quit this and try to move on. It's a thought he's wrestled with many times throughout his career. Despite himself, he moves a calloused hand to wash over his face and then through his teal hair.
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:14 pm
The door to the training area slides open quietly before a pale face peeks into the room. A moment later, he decides to enter, and steps through, carefully pulling it closed behind him before turning and surveying the array of students quietly.
It does not seem that he is studying their movements very carefully, however; his eyes look full of weariness and distraction. After a moment, they fix on Lynod, and he sends out a feeling of greeting, with a cautious question as to when the human swordsman will be free to talk?
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:25 pm
The sound of the sliding doors brings Lynod's attention to the Porcelain, and a grimace briefly peeks onto his face before it is replaced by an uneasy smile. While he treats him quite normally outside of the dojo, there is an obvious tenseness here, both in the air and on his face. Of course, after their conversation about Lynod's dark desires, the former warrior has shied away from the topic of swords and combat entirely.
At the Porcelain's question, Lynod pauses before his eyes move to those of his curious students. He bows lightly to them, his hands stiffly at the sides of his torso. As if controlled by clockwork, each of his students turn to him and perform the same formal movement. The sounds of swordplay are soon replaced by speaking as the students move to pack their training bags.
"I will see you all tomorrow!" announces Lynod, "If anyone needs something or has any questions, you know my cell number!" The students send a few thanks and playful jabs towards their master before he looks to Setsushi.
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:29 pm
Setsushi steps to the side to let the students pass, smiling nervously at each who passes him before looking back down at his stockinged feet.
Once most of them have left, he walks forward to greet Lynod again. "Lynn," he says, smiling gently; It is good to see him. Setsushi is sorry to intrude on his work, but he had something he wanted to talk about...
Before getting to that, though, he glances back at the last few humans trickling out. Setsushi ponders a moment, then suggests that it seems "They like their Master." They did not seem resentful to Setsushi.
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:33 pm
"Why would they be?" asks Lynod softly, his eyes moving to follow his disappearing students, "They know you are a talented swordsman. ... Of course, they don't know quite what you look like."
A faint smile crosses Lynod's face before it fades as he looks to the ground.
"What brought you here, Setsushi?" asks the human faintly.
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:35 pm
To Setsushi, it had seemed that Lynn implied, earlier, that not all the students enjoyed or understood Lynn's emphasis on the dance. But today it seemed to him that they rather enjoyed it...
... But that wasn't what Setsushi came to talk about. He smiles anxiously again, fiddling with a long lock of green hair falling in front of his face.
Then, his expression grows very serious, and he asks in a sharp and private projection, is Lynn married?
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:39 pm
And Lynod's eyes widen ever-so-slightly, his head craning upwards so he might view Setsushi. The swordsman gives his head a slight shake as regards his contemporary with a mixture of hesitation and anticipation.
"No," murmurs Lynod, "Why?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:41 pm
Setsushi's brow furrows and he begins to chew his lower lip slightly, before stopping himself, as if this is an old habit he still hasn't broken.
Then are any of Lynn's close friends married?
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:44 pm
Disappointment spreads across the human's features as he looks downward, his head nodding faintly. When he looks up once more, he smiles at the Porcelain warmly.
"Yes, I do," says Lynod, "What are you curious about, Setsushi?"
And even as he asks the question, he dreads the answer.
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:47 pm
Setsushi plays with the fabric of a sleeve, obviously nervous -- though it seems more of embarrassment than deception.
Setsushi would like to know about human marriages. He was hoping Lynn could give him the perspective of a husband, but Setsushi would still be interested to know Lynn's observations.
What are they like...?
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:55 pm
"... It depends on the two humans," says Lynod carefully, "However, the male tends to be the dominate one of the sexes; the rock, if you will. He must be there to support his wife who, traditionally, is seen as being more emotional than her counterpart."
Lynod frowns, his hands softly settling on his hips as he seems to carefully plot his next words.
"Unlike Porcelain, we do not form such strong bonds," explains Lynod, "Divorce is a very common action. People many times rush into marriage and are ill-suited to one another. At other times, the partners change to the point that they are unhappy with one another."
Lynod looks up at Setsushi, a smile again forming on his lips. "If a human relationship lasts, and is happy, then it is an exceptionally wonderful thing," says the human.
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:00 pm
Setsushi keeps his thoughts completely silent and private as he mulls over this information, but it seems that he is not in such good control of his facial expressions -- he looks extremely worried.
"It is different," he finally murmurs. He thinks a moment more, then asks, does a wife love her husband even if a great distance separates them? Lynn says that humans do not form bonds like Porcelain ones, but how strong are they?
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:11 pm
"It depends on the emotional connection," says Lynod after a long pause, "How strong they care for each other. Think... about friendship, Setsushi. It depends on how much you care about them and the factors surrounding that."
Lynod pauses for a moment, the smile disappearing from his lips.
"If she cares about you, Setsushi, she will remain true to you for a long time," says Lynod gently.
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:16 pm
Setsushi quirks an eyebrow at Lynn, as if he is unused to the human use of the general 'you.'
So... Lynn is saying a marriage is more like a friendship? Then Setsushi supposes they will be as varied as friendships are...
Setsushi is still curious. Are there differences between marriage and friendship? How about marriage and unmarried affection? ...Setsushi is curious if these are prying questions, but he would like to know more about this species that lives all around him.
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:19 pm
"Sexual attraction," says Lynod immediately as he folds his arms, "Typically, if you are to wed someone, you are attracted sexually to them. Of course, many unsuccessful relationships develop where there is no love, or friendship. People rush into marriage because of their youthful lack of foresight."
Lynod lets out a light sigh as he eyes Setsushi.
"What woman has your heart for you to ask all of these questions, Setsushi?" asks the swordmaster.
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