(open) bullheaded burn out fled his own pedigree

[taketori]

Who: Miyuki Shirogane, You?
What: oh shit it's july. also, continuing his fun adventures with his mind.
When: July 17th, dumbass o'clock.
Where: Courtyard.
Warnings: Shouldn't be any, unless you count his half-awake ramblings.

[ It's 3am, and Miyuki Shirogane is in the courtyard.

With the deafening silence now a thing of the past, he feels like he can actually move around a lot easier late at night. He's finally gotten over the despair disease, and even though something's been pulling at the back of his head as if he had done or said something really stupid, he can't quite recall much of anything.

It just gives him time to ponder, again, about what he's doing.

So much has gone on in the last month, it feels like so much has changed, but he's still here. Still in purgatory...

Near the wisteria tree, he gazes up into the sky. It dawned on him... when was the last time he actually looked at the stars? The last time he was able to gaze at the moon? Those days seemed so far away suddenly, as if years and years had passed. Time was getting away from him...

...oh. When he thinks about it. It's July 17th now. He takes out his PDA, scrolling back to the day he spoke about cleaning... ah.

...

Honestly. What was he doing? ]

un: m.shirogane

I know it's late, but I just realized that Tanabata is typically being celebrated around this time.

I'm not sure how many students here are unaware of the story, but it's always nice to have a reminder. Tanabata comes from the legend of two lovers, a princess named Orihime and and a herder named Hikoboshi. The princess spent all of her time weaving clothes for her father, Tentei. However, once they had fallen in love, Orihime no longer weaved clothes for her father and Hikoboshi no longer kept track of the cows, so they wandered across Heaven.

Tentei was angry enough to separate the two across the Amano River, in hopes that neither of them would ever meet again. Orihime wept, begging her father to allow them to meet. Moved by her tears, he allowed them to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month, provided she worked hard. Unfortunately, they were unable to meet the first year they attempted... it turned out that there was no bridge over the river. Orihime wept, so much that a flock of magpies appeared and promised that on a clear day, if the river doesn't rise, they will come and make a bridge to allow the two to meet again. Since then, the two have come to represent Vega and Altair, and we wish for nice weather so the two can meet their one day per year.

Luckily... I think it was a clear day and night on the 7th.

It's a strange story though, isn't it? A princess and a commoner needing permission from the king of Heaven to meet in the first place. If it was love, then it really wouldn't matter what he said or thought or even did. One day out of an entire year, and it's not even guaranteed. And a bridge made from magpies? Did they even know how hollow the bones of a bird are? I guess I never thought of that until now.

Even if the conditions aren't right, if it relies on a lack of common sense and there's no way to gain a blessing... if Orihime and Hikoboshi shared the same feelings, they'd be together regardless, right?

Anyway. Sorry for the long post. There's still plenty of time to celebrate Tanabata, so we'll have to think of something. If you have any suggestions or want to learn more about Vega and Altair directly, come find me. I'll be here.

And if you want to give your opinion on this story... again, I'll be here.

[ And. Send.

...

And he immediately hangs his head. Seriously. What the hell was he doing?

...no. He knew what he was doing. Didn't he? ]

Comments

n.ebalon

[silentabyss]

it sounds romantic still even if they only see each other one day a year, i think that love brings people together and that it can be powerful even when youre apart from the other person

i want to go see the cows in heaven though where are the heaven cows

[taketori]

I'm inclined to agree with that. I think the only issue I have there is if that day doesn't come. If there's a streak of rainy July 7ths, that might cause an issue.

[ ......... ]

Presumably, in heaven. I don't think you'd be able to come back if you see them, even once.

[silentabyss]

i KNOW the heaven cows are in heaven :/

[such sass]

we just have to hope that the weather is nice on july 7th. or they could go to another part of the world where it isnt raining to meet? its not like the whole world is going to rain all at once, thats not how weather works. probably. theyre people in the heavens so theyll be able to literally go wherever they want to meet once a year. they can mix it up

[taketori]

Honestly, that's how you can tell that Hikoboshi is still doing his job. If they roamed free and left heaven, then they'd just be cows.

That's part of the idea for the festivities. If it's raining, then the magpies won't go to the river to make a bridge for them. Not to mention Tentei would be there to stop them. Still, you have a point. If they can go anywhere, then what's really stopping them from meeting any other day?

[silentabyss]

i dont know much about magpies but im pretty sure theyre common. they could find other magpies in a location that its not raining at and meet that way.

also tentei should be less of a controlling person

[taketori]

They're common, but most birds are fragile. Not to mention, I imagine it's just this certain group of magpies willing to help them out. They'd have to go through the song and dance again just to have a backup group of magpies the following year, wasting even more time.

[ ...is he ruining Tanabata for himself??? Miyuki might be more tired than he initially thought. ]

That's the big problem, isn't it? Tentei wants things done his way, and if he was just a little more lax, yet still remain a bit firm, there wouldn't be this much of a problem.

un: h. inaba

[dereban]

I think it's honestly kind of fucking stupid. Both of them must be really scared of the king, if you ask me.

People might say it's romantic that they get to meet one day a year and can last the test of time being apart, but I think it's honestly really sad.

[taketori]

Ouch. Although, the king himself must be a bit of a pushover if he gave in that easily. They could've gotten more out of him.

And even if they didn't, why not just take the one day that the magpies formed a bridge and flee together? Although, eloping probably isn't considered as romantic as a time-tested romance.

[dereban]

I mean.

If it were me, I would have absolutely tried to get more out of him than just meeting one day a year. Sure, I guess in the context of the story it's a lot more "romantic", but...

...it's not really a happy ending, is it? It's more - bittersweet, really.

[taketori]

Not that the storytellers of yesteryear would've been able to predict the future, but even people in long distance relationships can sometimes spend around a week together if everything goes well.

But you're right. How's it happy that you maybe, just maybe get to have the one day? Their love is accepted, but not to the extent that it's completely welcomed.

[ ... ]

More than anything, it feels like an excuse for couples to gaze at the stars. For someone to point out where the meeting point for Hikoboshi and Orihime are and captivate their partner with that knowledge.

I've been in the courtyard for a while, trying to figure that out myself.

[ It's a lie. Of course he knows where these star patterns are. But now, a certain someone knows where he is. ]

→ action;

[dereban]

Something that isn't guaranteed isn't worth my time, honestly.

If I were in that position? I'd flip off anyone who dared to stop me from doing whatever the hell I wanted. If I'm going to fall in love with someone, I'm not going to half-ass it.

[ There's a bit of a pause before she continues. ]

Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

But I think you're right.

[ As she's typing this all out, she's already making her way to the courtyard.

Besides, she knows he's a liar. But she isn't going to call him out on a public forum.

That doesn't mean that she's not going to call him out in person.

Which is why after she sends her text and reaches the courtyard, she speaks aloud after confirming that he's actually here-- ]

You know, if you really just wanted to actually find a partner to look at the stars with, you didn't have to be so roundabout about it, you know.

[taketori]

[ As expected, can't pull the wool over her eyes. There's a lot he wanted to comment on and might have even started to before she arrived, but that gets deleted once she makes her presence known. He's sitting on the grass, glancing over his shoulder once she's there. ]

That wasn't my real intention, but I figured that'd prevent anyone else from talking again. Not that that's much of a problem right now.

[ With a grin, he stands up, brushing off any bits of grass still on him. ]

As much as I'd like to show you constellations-- I thought we could walk for a moment.

[dereban]

People are going to talk regardless. But at this point I've stopped caring.

[ She'd rather just live her afterlife to the fullest than stress herself out. Although that doesn't mean she wouldn't kick someone's ass for saying something out of line. ]

And sure, walking's fine enough with me.

[taketori]

That's pretty mature of you. Maybe I have stuff to learn from you after all.

[ Plenty. There's a lot, in fact. But he's got to get there first. Anyway, they can walk through the courtyard. While he figures himself out. ]

Honestly, what bugs me is that I can't even tell if that's the same night sky I'm used to. I never took the time to look since... well, I didn't like being outside after hours.

[dereban]

It's not mature at all. I'm just sick and tired of people dictating what I can and can't be, or what I should and shouldn't do.

I wasn't a huge fan, either. With the silence looming, it made everything a lot more dangerous. But now that it's gone, it changes things; makes it easier, I guess.

[taketori]

That's still a sign of growth. Maybe it's just me, but there's something to not letting that talk get under your skin. Or at least, leaving yourself open to getting teased.

...honestly, certain moments aside, it feels like it's been fairly quiet. I don't actually mind this place if it's this peaceful.

[dereban]

... You think? I mean, it's not as if I like getting teased, but it's just -- if I keep arguing about it, they'll just keep escalating it.

But - yeah. It has been pretty quiet lately, hasn't it? It's... odd. But not bad, I suppose.

[taketori]

Yeah. Ignoring them'll make it easier for you in the long run. [ Small pause. ] Though, it's satisfying to look someone directly in the eye and say, "Shut up, dumbass."

In the end, this is your afterlife. If you have a choice in turning it into heaven or into hell... well, you have to make the most of it.

[dereban]

[ Inaba finds herself snorting, just a little bit. ]

Well, yeah, that is satisfying. But that's basically it. I've been... making it my hell for so long. I'm tired of that. I mean-- there were reasons for it, sure: with all of the murder and fucked up shit that came along with it. That's part of the reason why I decided to join the Student Council. I want to be able to change things, here. Even if it meant being 'held back' for a little while longer.

[taketori]

[ Nodding along, he lets out a sigh. ]

Honestly, that makes me feel happy about joining in the first place.

Really, Ishimaru's been doing a lot to keep things running. With you, Helena, and... [ Well. ] Amami involved, it feels like we actually have a chance to fight back.

[ There's so many plans swirling about already. His next words should be internalized, but... ]

I just hope I can keep pace with everyone else.

[dereban]

[ --and that's getting a light karate chop to the head. ]

Don't talk like that. If you, or anyone else starts struggling when it comes to anything, that's when you ask for help, you dingus.

[taketori]

[ -doink!- ]

H-Hey, watch it, there's no need for violence...!

[ What a crybaby. ]

[dereban]

Then don't say something stupid that warrants it.

[taketori]

Alright, alright, it's just--

[ He holds up his hands, as if he's defenseless! Really, no bullying here, Inaban!! ]

I already rely on you enough that asking you to do more makes me feel like I'm taking advantage.

[dereban]

It's not taking advantage if it's related to student council work. We're working together now, so you can rely on me. Or anybody else in the council--unless someone pulls shit, then tell me and I'll try kicking their ass for it.