olddd | [voice]

Oh! You can record sounds on this book, too! [She sounds So Excited!]

2072 sounds like it must be very far away. [She has no idea what year it is by anyone's reckoning but Hyrule's.] Our world sounds like it must be much smaller than yours, though. Most people here live in small villages, save the Gorons, the Zoras, and the town around our castle.

What makes virtual reality different from... do you call it regular reality?

Edited 2017-02-19 21:04 (UTC)

Oh, you're one of the ones using a book? [She sounds like a kid.] It should be able to do pictures too, I think. I don't know how that works with books, though.

Virtual reality is, umm...does your world have magic?

It does do pictures! They look like drawings, most of the time. Sometimes they move, though.

Yes, I think so.

Um! Well, I'm [There's some shuffling sounds here, like a blanket moving around.] I'm a professional figure skater from Hasetsu, Japan. It's a very small town, but the people here are very friendly, and there's a castle on a hill nearby that tourists sometimes come to see. [Another long pause, there's some chatter in the background and someone (Yuuri) getting nudged with an elbow.] Oh! And my parents own an onsen! It's, uh, it's a very good onsen and I'm-- I'm sure they'd be happy to cater to anyone who comes by.

Edited 2017-02-21 01:28 (UTC)

A ninja castle, [ he clarifies. there's the sound of something small scraping, as if something is being pulled over to him. a bowl, probably. if anything knows anything about traditional foods to eat under kotatsu, they'll recognize the almost inaudible peel of mandarin orange skins. he chews idly for a moment or two and then elaborates (though the lilt gives away his deceit): ] I've been told no actual ninja take residence there, but I'm not wholly convinced.

[ another moment of idle chewing and then: ] We've been getting a lot of foot traffic lately, so make sure there's room! [ and aside (to presumably Yuuri): ] I wonder how many more runs we'll have to take to the market. Hasn't it been twice today? I don't think I've seen your mother once.

She's been cleaning up most of today, so... Maybe once more, before dinner? [There's some doggie snuffling noises here, and the ruffle of some petting and scritches to go with it. The next bit's louder, like he's remembered his mic's on.] Oh, uh, yeah, it might be good to get reservations first! We've been, um, very busy lately.

[ On the other hand, Viktor's forgotten about the mic being on. At least, temporarily. There's the rustling of fabric and he's making small, soft clicks with (presumably) his mouth. Dog nails on hardwood follow and so does the heavy, rhythmic thumping of (probably) a tail. He's mumbling little praises like: molodets over and over and the ruffling inevitably continues until: ] We should go to the other store! [ You know, that one. ] The woman who runs it keeps telling me I should try the new products in stock. [ He thinks. He can't tell what is new and what isn't. He can pick out the bright signage, but... He doesn't know much Japanese. ] She'll probably need more [ he searches for the word: ] katsuobushi, right? [ So much katsudon being sold... It really is a specialty. Everyone probably feels so spoiled to have that on sale. ]

[ he pauses and: ] Right! Reservations. The tables are often full too, so you'll wait a while if you come toward the evening.

Edited 2017-02-21 03:05 (UTC)

You mean that one? [Apparently he does. There's some more oranges getting peeled now, too, and Yuuri chewing on a slice before speaking again.] It's hard to argue with more katsuobushi. We're always low on mirin, too.

[This time, he doesn't have anything to say to the viewers (in fact, he's forgotten about them entirely), so he has nothing to add.]

Edited 2017-02-21 03:38 (UTC)

That one. [ Some rustling and there's the sound of crisp separation of segments -- he's stealing. He doesn't really bother to finish chewing, but anyone can assume he's probably speaking behind his hand. ] With the cute squids, [ he clarifies, however unnecessarily. He pauses, swallowing: ] She said she had a surprise order?

[ Maybe it was a special one... He had been talking about teaching Hiroko how to make borscht, hadn't he? Maybe word got around. That wouldn't be something unexpected. He wonders how they'd like though. Either way. ] Mirin, katsuobushi... [ He's more clearly turning the words over in his mouth than anything else. He seems to enjoy the way they taste, but he's making a go at pretending he's committing it to memory. ] We should get more mochi! I haven't tried the others yet.

Hmm. [Idle noises, nothing solid. He wonders what the surprise order might be, and what exactly borscht is made from.] I know where could find some dango, if you haven't tried those yet. They're the ones on the skewers? [Explaining your own snacks is Hard, okay.]

[ There's a little snap of a segment being taken again. He'll eat the whole thing if Yuuri isn't mindful. He loves these. They're so much sweeter than he remembers. And they cool him off nicely... Well, he thinks they might if he wasn't so warm. ] The colorful ones with the three balls? [ Again, said in a slightly muffled way that suggests chewing. Again, behind his hand. ] I've had a few. Do you think they'll have the ones with the... [ -- there's an odd pause, but it isn't as if he's just swallowing. He's looking for a word in a way that only a polyglot can. ] Paste? Anko? [ The last bit is mispronounced. He tried. ]

[ There's a little beat here -- and then the sudden movement of heavy fabric. ] It's too warm, [ he whines, dragging out the last word more than necessary. He huffs, the next bit almost muffled. ] I wanted to use it.

Edited 2017-02-22 04:28 (UTC)

Oh! [Sounds like someone just realized their segments are going missing. He'll start eating whatever's left, not urgently, just to remember he has them. This time, he doesn't quite finish chewing.] I hope so.

[He thinks something like, that's why you don't use kotatsu in October, but it doesn't bubble up. Instead he just gives the dog more scritches as Viktor is occupied.] It... I guess it takes some getting used to.

[ A touch mournfully: ] How will I use it if it never gets cold? Yuuri, isn't it October?

[ There's a little pause, as though he's shifting about or folding his arms over the kotatsu to pillow his head against them. His voice comes soft and pensive, dramatics dropped, octave dragging low. ] By now, even the rivers should be coated over with ice. [ A small beat, like a breath. ] But, the sun here is so bright and warm for you. [ -- there's another little beat and he's joining in on lavishing attention on his dog, if the scratches and pats in double-time are any indication. ] Winter hardly touches you.

W-well, it gets a lot colder in January, but... I guess it's not the same thing... [He's not sure why he's stammering so much over this, it's just a fact of weather, but his fidgeting can be picked up on the mic, he's sure of it.]

But... it's cozy. And Kotatsu are nice, when you come in from outside. So... [He pauses while he takes another bite of orange, his train of thought derailed. He picks up again with a different one.] I wonder what summer's like there, in Russia. [You always hear about the cold and the cold and the cold. But-- but there has to be sun, too, right?]

When you come in from the outside... [ Viktor echoes. He sounds sleepy, almost far away. ] I'll try it then. [ But, anyone who is listening is able to tell he's still up. It reads through clearly in the way he breathes, almost as if he's trying to give Yuuri the space to fidget in peace before starting over again. ]

It's days like these, [ Viktor says without segue. ] Summers in St. Petersburg aren't humid or warm, but there is something about them that's unlike anywhere else I've gone. [ He might be idly lifting his head a little to snag another orange, roll it under his palm like he's discerning the shape of it. ] Have you heard of the White Nights, Yuuri?

I'm glad. [Off hand, almost unconsciously, before Viktor continues and Yuuri gets swept away in the description of Viktor's home. He's not sure what he's picturing, exactly, but he's slightly drifting off while he does so, thinking of nutcrackers and cossacks trying to find shade. He wakes up a bit when he's asked a question, shaking his head.]

No, I don't think so. Is it... is it some kind of concert? [That's a thing that happens in summer, right?]

[ I forgot how nice it was just to doze, Viktor thinks. He thinks it is even better with someone like Yuuri, scant feet between them. He can't remember how long ago it was that he nearly fell into sleep beside someone like this, just talking.

Viktor's heart stutters and hums. I'm glad, Yuuri says. He is too. ]

No, but there are many concerts that happen in St. Petersburg that time of year, [ he says eventually, his mouth curling up at the edges. Only a fine sliver of it shows above the bunched sleeve of his yukata, but it warms perceptibly at the sight of Yuuri rousing. ] When the White Nights come, because we're so far north, the sun doesn't often dip below the horizon. [ He gives the orange under his palm a lazy spin, watches it wobble in awkward, slow circles. Like a drunken, little sun. ] It's a bit like us in that way, staying up most of the night and enjoying its own twilight.

What, really? That sounds... Oh! If-- [He's not sure how to finish that, what things will be like half a year from now, what might crop up in the time between, how even something like Cup China may go, and all of that swells up in him, but doesn't get spoken, though he hopes--- he hopes Viktor is still here.] If we get the chance, we should-- we should try to see it, Viktor. [Is how it comes out, eventually.]

[ Viktor doesn't often lose composure.

He doesn't here either, not really, but the fingers that went to still the orange have decidedly tripped past the destination and have wound up flat on the table instead. They don't land heavy. Like much else about him, he has learned how to disguise his mistakes. On ice, off ice -- Viktor has mastered the art of descent in ways so subtle that it never garnered a second glance to be sure. Still, there's no way to hide the way his expression opens up. His eyes fix themselves on Yuuri, don't lift again. He wonders if he's mistaking himself in hearing what Yuuri says. But, he doesn't hesitate. He considers and picks his head up a little to expose what he is. ]

That almost sounds like a plan, [ he teases, but there's nothing in his eyes that would deny he's serious. Unexpressed fondness couches itself in his shoulders, syrupy and slow. He swallows the word date, as much as he'd wanted to say it. Viktor's learned his lesson in watching his tongue. ] If you want to go, I'll always be willing to show you.

[ He pauses, huffs out a little laugh. His eyes almost glitter, okay-- he can't resist a little joke. Which isn't much of a joke at all. He never jokes about this kind of stuff, not with Yuuri. He tracks his hand back to pick up the orange he missed, gestures (faux) admonishingly in Yuuri's direction with it. ] So don't stand me up, okay?

[Yuuri can't really bring himself to look away, though part of him-- part of him wants to flinch, unused to this sort of-- this sort of earnestness, the kind that burns on the way down. He's blushing like he'd just stepped out of the onsen, and his hand must have thumped down from where he'd been idly petting the dog, softly.

He doesn't know what to say, and anything he thinks of sticks in his throat like honey. He chuckles a little, though, at-- he's not sure if it's a joke, but-- but it feels lighter, so he thinks it might be? Something that cheers him up a little, anyway. He stops thinking of all the ways this year could end, just for a little while. He thinks of oranges in summer.]

No, no. We'll go together! If-- if we decide to go, I mean. [One day, he hopes he might be able to talk to Viktor about things like this without stammering. Maybe sometime soon. It just might take a little more practice, that's all.]

[ Viktor almost flinches. Almost. It would be easy to, he thinks. He could have played it off, but he doesn't want to. He's never wanted to. Viktor doesn't turn his eyes away to even put the orange back in the basket it came from. He just smiles and doesn't press him further, though he can feel his eyes crinkling at the corners and his heart fluttering up in his throat. It isn't nervousness, but it is something too large for him to comfortably allow to grow in just the small spot he's given it. It won't be long until even he can't fold it back under the collar of his clothes, hold it behind his teeth. It's insufferable, freeing. It blooms in all this sun.

He'll get it across one day. ]

Okay, [ he agrees. He understands what Yuuri means, even behind the bright of his cheeks and the way he fidgets. ] We'll do that.

[ There's no play here. He's open, honest. And he's the one who finally looks away, if only to follow where Yuuri's hand may have landed, only to return again. ] I used to perform then, at ice shows. [ He solidifies in what ways he can. ] There's no lack of things to see and do during the White Nights, though it's writ tradition to watch the Neva River bridges or see a ballet or two.

[ His voice doesn't sound nostalgic. He never thought he'd leave, but it doesn't bother him. He only thinks of it sometimes, like now. He's never stayed for too long for most of his life. ]

I've never seen a Russian ballet before! I mean, in Russia and everything. [He goes quiet for a moment. But what Viktor says sounds--- he doesn't know, a little chilly to him? He isn't sure why. Maybe-- maybe since Viktor skates all the time, skating in summer might not be that special to him? He picks up a segment from the table and chews on it.

He looks down to his other hand and gives Makkachin another scritch, since he's been a little neglectful, and he starts speaking before he manages to look back up again.] What do you like doing, Viktor?

[ -- oh. The question hits him harder than it should. His heart hiccups, his smile straining in a way that only he himself would notice. It feels like an effort, for a moment. And then -- his eyes flicker away to watch Yuuri pay mind to Makkachin. He looks back quickly enough. ]

Never? You're in for a treat. [ He'll start with that. That's good. Even if Yuuri accidentally treads waist deep in the complex and unsettled silt of his feelings surrounding skating, Viktor does a good job at pretending he hasn't. His brows don't furrow, he masks the tension that creeps up unbidden in his shoulders by doing a lazy roll of his spine back up into a sitting position. The odd pop of joints is audible enough to be picked up. His body has taken so much stress for so long that it no longer surprises him.

But: what does he like doing?

He hasn't had time to think about anything other than skating for twenty years. He buys himself a little time in pretending to have stealth as he slides his fingers over to what segments of orange Yuuri has left. His efforts are very poor, it takes him longer than it should to break a piece off and return it to himself. He pops it into his mouth and chews a little, affecting a thinking posture with one hand on his chin and his fingers curling up characteristically to rest against his mouth. ]

It's a secret, [ he says, with a poor excuse for seriousness once he swallows. The wink only adds to it, especially once he spills a moment or two later with what he can think of off the top of his head. He decides he doesn't need to state the obvious (or lie about his tumultuous feelings about it), so he goes straight to what isn't. ] I read more than I'd admit, [ he half-gestures to where his room is. ] I wasn't able to bring the stack I wanted to work on, but I ordered a few here and there. [ He pauses. ] When I was off season, I liked walking Makkachin. I was always traveling through St. Petersburg, but I was never traveling through it. [ He turns his head and reaches out to give Makkachin a few solid pats himself. He's rewarded with dog drool being painted up the side of his arm via poodle tongue. He doesn't seem to notice it. In fact, he just looks fond. ] Being able to stop and look out over the ocean was always rewarding on the way back.

[ He pauses again, considers. He lets his eyes drift up to Yuuri and breathes out a quiet laugh. ] What do you like doing, Yuuri?

Edited 2017-02-25 04:24 (UTC)

Makkachin must have liked it, too. [He says, softly. Not quite a joke, just. Lightly. He listens to what he says, all the same, and when the question's flipped back to him, he stuffs another orange segment into his mouth.]

What do I like to do? [He asks himself out loud.] Eat watermelon. [He should, um, probably say more than that right?!] And-- oh, there's the tree you hang wishes from, on Tanabata. Though-- well, I like the fireworks more. And looking out over the sea's nice, too.

Too much, if I had a guess, [ he huffs fondly. Makkachin is giving him that sort of look that begs to question what is too much. He lets his attention flit back down to Makkachin only long enough to give his face an affectionate smush. ] He would always follow me to the door with his leash in his mouth, even after I told him I couldn't.

[ Makkachin breathes out a huge sigh and then lets his tongue loll out. Majestic. Viktor loves this dog. He loves this dog so much. But, on to other things -- like unfolding himself from this posture of thought and stealing another segment of orange. He wasn't sure how he was going to eat dinner at this rate, but he was fine enough to keep stealing from Yuuri as long as he was allowed. ] We don't really have summer festivals quite like Tanabata [ he almost sticks the pronunciation! ] in Russia. [ He pauses, just to pop the piece of orange in his mouth and allow himself to chew. ] We do have a pirate battles.

[ He's serious. His mouth quirks a little at the edge. A beat and: ] Experiencing what you have here is a treat for me, even if Makkachin might have to disagree with our adoration for watermelon and fireworks. [ Watermelon + dog = mess. So much mess. And loud noises? Haha. But, that re-use of treat is no accident.

He means it. ]

Edited 2017-02-25 05:01 (UTC)

Hahaha-- what, really?! [How has he never heard of this before?! How have the Otaku Triplets never heard of this before?! Why does Japan not have pirate battles immediately?!

Okay, maybe not that last one. He's happy with Tanabata, if nothing else, and maybe Japan would have a ninja battle instead, and-- he's getting off the subject, isn't he. Though he's still laughing as he adds to Makkachin's petting pile.]

Oh, uh, then I'm happy you were here for it, too! [No stammering this time. Because it's the truth, really, when you get right down to it.]

[ -- that wrings a laugh out of him. A good one. One that doesn't come from between his throat and his ribs. Any remaining gloom that clung to him sheds like shade to sunlight. All those little pieces of him are softening up somehow, especially when Yuuri admits to him without hesitation that he was glad too. He was glad too. ]

Really! [ Takes a chance and scoots a bit closer to Yuuri, under pretense of conspiratorial storytelling. His gestures are wide and illustrative. ] They bring out a big, tall ship at the end of each school year in St. Petersburg and sail it across the Neva River. It's always a big crowd, but the red sails aren't even the flashiest part! [ -- okay, you know what. He's going to lean back to the kotatsu for a second and snap up his phone and bring up a video and flip it sideways for optimal viewing. He's bringing this up. ] See?

[He scoots around a little until he settles again, abandoning his orange slices to watch the blurry youtube footage of fireworks and pirate ships.]

To celebrate the end of school... [A thirteen year old thought of this, he's sure of it.] Makes sense to me. [He watches, entranced, eyes slightly shiny.]

[ Viktor has seen this many times before: the red sails over black water, the rising cheers of crowds. It was rare that he was able to stand in the surge around the river with them, but he remembers what chances he was permitted (briefly). Yakov had taken him once, after his extensive persistence. That was the only time he'd gone with him. He was still young, still learning how to harness all that would make him known to be who he is now. Or was.

So, Viktor watches Yuuri watch the video. His reactions are more novel, something he cherishes. He's thinking about something, Viktor can tell. Yuuri's eyes, he's learned, only begin to shine like that when he is. ]

The rebellion of youth, [ Viktor adds, absent and lilting in the sun of his observation. ] To be so young that mandated education is your one and singular tether!

[ No less melodrama than usual, of course. Once the video ends, he extends the phone to Yuuri. ] The playlist will give you an idea of what's usually in store. [ He taps near one video with the pad of his thumb. ] There's one on the Summer Garden too.

Edited 2017-02-26 03:52 (UTC)

[He starts clicking his way through the rest of the playlist as prompted, huffing when the dreaded buffering wheels appear.]

A flower garden? [It's a garden, right? Or is the garden on fire at the time or something?]

[ Viktor half-leans against Yuuri when he huffs, which allows for a clearer perspective. He'll take a moment to adjust some settings on his phone. Reception is poor for him here and he really should just consider moving to a Japanese network for the time being, but... ]

A flower garden, [ he confirms. ] It has a lot of sculptures and even more history. It's packed during the warmer months. [ He taps on another option when some Cyrillic message comes up. ] It sits right next to Peter the Great's Summer Palace.

Edited 2017-02-27 00:46 (UTC)

Ninja castle?

[Orlando is skeptical, to say the least. But you have to ask about something like that.]

That's right! [ If Orlando listens closely, he can pick up the scant traces of an accent. It isn't able to be placed necessarily -- he's a polyglot after all --, but it can be guessed that his mother tongue isn't being used for the sake of his listening parties. ] He's told me it's empty now, but I still have my doubts. [ Can a wink be carried vocally? Viktor can manage it, probably. His voice has a lilt. ] The residents here have given me a little more information, but it's more to do with feudalism and the shogunate than ninjas per se.

A family onsen? That sounds great.

Oh, thank you! You're welcome to visit anytime. Well, anytime we're open, anyway...

Really? [ wrapped up in a standard yukata and half-under a kotatsu, he still manages to put forth way too much enthusiasm. it makes his english hit an odd, accented line though it is difficult to place. it isn't his first language, that much can be guessed. still, though he takes up much of the frame, anyone can get little glimpses of standard onsen interior. smooth, wooden paneling and natural light makes everything seem warm. ] Ah, so that would make others a little something like aliens! That would make us aliens then too, wouldn't it? Even if I can't say we live in years so far away or even look that different, I wonder if it's really like one of those American movies where we spread out and went to galaxies no one has boldly traveled to before.

[ he looks so-- excited? impassioned? his eyes are so bright. the poodle on his lap only wuffs a little when he leans forward, as if it's used to being pinned and moved around by its owner's sheer force of whimsy. ] But, ours is Earth too! I moved from St. Petersburg recently, in Russia. Since you're from Earth too, you probably know some things about it.

[ the clip of his speech suddenly picks up: ] But, let's talk about where I am now! I've been in Hasetsu, Japan for the last few months coaching and living with Yuuri in his family's onsen. [ the last word has an extra bit of rolling -- it's a novel word still] It's much warmer here than in Russia and much smaller, but the rink is cozy and Yuuri's taught me a lot about the local area. Anyone should come if they're interested in good food and warm baths! His family are wonderful hosts.

[ still being that tourism ambassador, eh. ]

Edited 2017-02-21 01:22 (UTC)

I'm also from Japan. I grew up in the suburbs of Tokyo, though I don't live there now.

My world is different from some others in that spirits and demons - ayakashi - are real. Here it's rare for people to be able to see them, but the community seems to make everyone connected to it able to. There are people with supernatural powers, too.

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