011 | [voice/action]

[screwthegods]

[Once he had moved in, Homura asked Ayumu if she wished his assistance with certain chores; it hardly seemed fair to stay there without making such an offer. And the woman had agreed--provided she could supervise. Ayumu had her own particular way of doing things, as Homura discovered through her intense courses on both laundry and dishwashing. She was ultimately as devoted to doing her housework as skillfully and precisely as she threw knives on the battlefield.

There was a certain task that Ayumu wasn't so inclined to direct, however. No, with Okita's most recent disappearance, the daily care of his assortment of pets fell squarely on the demi-god's shoulders. None of the required duties were too hard to fulfill, but it did put a particular question in mind. So after he spends a fair time of the morning cleaning out cages, filling food dishes, and walking a giant chicken around the block, Homura addresses the journal.]

What exactly prompts mortals to take on animals as pets?

[But that's not the only thing Homura has on his mind, and moments later he adds a second question--this time filtered away from Ayumu]

I understand that acknowledging the anniversaries of certain events is important; even in the Heavens, certain birthdays were celebrated on a vast scale. [Pointlessly, given that the gods are immortal.]

How much time should pass between each celebration, from a mortal perspective? Given the limited history of Luceti itself, is a year too long? Or would it be more appreciated if the span were drawn out?

Comments

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[screwthegods]

[Someone is clearly hard at work. Homura grins, more than patient while Goku gets his bearings.]

It does. But in this instance I'm wondering if a certain occasion shouldn't be celebrated sooner.

[Although for Goku, Homura will hold back on his reasoning. Even with the return of Hakkai, he knows the boy must still feel the loss of the ones he knew in the Heavens.]

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[the_brightest_sun]

But then it wouldn't be an anniversary??

[He writes the question marks bigger than the rest because he really doesn't understand it well.]

But everyone likes a party for any reason. Does it matter if it's a celebration of something or not?

Re: [Voice / Filtered From Ayumu]

[screwthegods]

Not in the strictest sense, I suppose. But regardless, the event in question is an important one to me.

This likely wouldn't be a party--certainly not of the type that often happens here. I am made a commitment with a very dear person just over half a year ago. I'm trying to decide if we should celebrate the current length of our relationship, or if it would be better to wait. In that respect, what is being celebrated is the reason for the effort put forth.

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[the_brightest_sun]

[Not really sure he gets that, you know. There's a pause as the kid thinks and then replies, writing as he says it.]

Just do what you want. If you want to celebrate then celebrate. I still don't get why timing means so much anyway.

[There, perfect answer. Who cares if it's an anniversary or a half a year or a daily thing? Just do whatever you want because no one will do it for you. It makes sense for him, okay.]

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[screwthegods]

[Such a simple solution. Homura listens to the words, then reads them as each appears on the page. A moment later he lets out a quiet laugh, prompted by the boy's innocent reply.]

Son Goku. [One who can see into the void. There's a momentary pause; Homura's taken a moment to get a pen of his own, and he writes Goku's name carefully on the page.]

Thank you.

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[the_brightest_sun]

[The written part surprises him but the kid is delighted to see his name written anyway.]

You're welcome!

[He assumes he has been helpful if he's being thanked, right? Anyway, with that gone he goes back to something he wanted to ask before.]

Do you have a pet?

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[screwthegods]

[Right. Certainly Homura isn't going to indicate otherwise.]

None that are specifically mine, no. However, one of my friends has been taken by the Malnosso, so I'm watching his until he returns.

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[the_brightest_sun]

What pet is it?

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[screwthegods]

There are four, actually. One pig named Saizou, one small chicken, one giant chicken named Tammy, and a fish named Dog.

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[the_brightest_sun]

That's a lot of pets. Cool.

[Wait a second.]

A fish named Dog?

Re: [Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[screwthegods]

I'll pass along your compliments when my friend returns.

Correct. Okita and Nataku chose the name, during one of the experiments.

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[the_brightest_sun]

Oh, during one of those? Which one?

Re: [Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[screwthegods]

The one where our minds were altered to believe we were from this world, and had built families here.

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[the_brightest_sun]

Oh, I liked that one. I had a mama and a papa, and a grandpa... Though I didn't know Hakkai.

[That's the only complain he has about it, really.]

Re: [Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[screwthegods]

It wasn't real, Goku.

[And all the worse for the joy it brought, in Homura's mind.]

Regardless of how comfortably that time began, it like all other experiments was nothing more than the manipulations of the Malnosso.

[Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[the_brightest_sun]

I know that! But I still liked it. It was really nice to have a family that had wanted me.

[He had been a desired child, not one thrown at them to take care of him as a duty or punishment or God knew what. As simple as he can be, even Goku can tell the difference. It's not hard to understand, during the experiment his memories were of having always been with his parents, since before he could remember. Now... He remembers when he was born and how alone he was, just as how he has no reason to be there, it's not as if anyone wanted him to be, he just happened to be there.]

I can like it all I want even if it wasn't real.

Re: [Voice / Written / Filtered From Ayumu]

[screwthegods]

Son Goku. Did you not have that in the Heavens with Konzen and his cohorts? Or even here, with those you've come to care for in this place.

[Homura too understood the difference, having been place in a situation quite similar. Yet for him, those memories are nothing to be treasured, because they are false ones.]

Bonds that are forced upon you are meaningless. Those that are freely given hold much more significance.

[Voice / Filtered From Ayumu]

[the_brightest_sun]

[The written parts stop appearing. The kid is too focused in talking now.]

I did but... It was different. I was alone and then I was brought to Heavens. In that experiment mama and papa had wanted me, I was always with them. But Konzen was told to take care of me...

[He doesn't want to finish that sentence. Konzen hadn't wanted him to be there, or rather he hadn't had any preference. Even if he doesn't doubt now that Konzen wants to take care of him and all, the start can't be denied.]

In the experiment no one talked about punishing me for my eyes. And no one was sad because of my fault, Nataku didn't have to hurt himself. And I didn't cause trouble for anyone. Even now people want to leave this world, but I don't want to, I want to be here but no one wants me to. Konzen and Ken-niichan and Ten-chan wanted me here, they wanted to come... But only one is here and...

[It's a bit different. But that's something else he doesn't want to finish saying or thinking.]

If forced bonds are meaningless... Doesn't that mean every bond I have is meaningless? Konzen was told to take care of me even if he protested. I was taken to Heavens even if no one wanted me there. Ucchan and Ryoga-nii have taken care of me because I was left alone...

[Aren't all those bonds forced as well?]