15: action/video

[realmenknitplushies]

1: action

[So. In the vicinity of the Tatsumi Gallery, today? A rather serious-looking man in Calderan clothing is standing outside, talking to the old lady of the place. Kanji’s on his way back from a hard training session, a wide smile on his face - when the two call him inside with a wave.

A while later, he emerges - to sit down on a nearby bench, staring at a piece of paper in his hands as if it’s going to jump up and eat him. His Sylveon’s bouncing around his feet, and his Roselia bops him on the shoulder with a blossom. He’s … not really paying much attention to either.]

M-me? You guys, do you really think I... damn...


2: video

[Some time later, it’s a rather stressed looking Kanji who appears on the video feed. He’s rubbing his head, his ears drooping, trying to get his words out straight. It's not working. It's not happening.]

So. Hey. Uh. I … could use a bit of advice.
There’s … I’ve … I’ve been given an offer. it’s … the chance’f a lifetime. But, if I do … it’s like I’m givin’ up on…

[He pauses, looks away from the screen.]

Givin’ up on somethin’ else important to me. I just … I dunno. Not sure what’s for the best...

If anyone's got any thoughts... thanks.

Comments

[Video]

[frozenflame]

[Oh no, stressed Kanji...]

That...really depends on what you're giving up, and what you're gaining, Kanji.

[Yukiko smiles warmly.]

If you want to talk about it, I'd need some context.

[realmenknitplushies]

[True, true. He knows. But damn - it's hard enough to talk about this in the first place... having to get into details...

He scratches his head.]

So... you know I was talkin' about the whole Ranger thing?

[frozenflame]

[She nods, still smiling.]

Yeah, I do. And this has to do with that, I take it?

[realmenknitplushies]

[He nods, slowly.]

Got it. I was makin' plans. I thought it was what I wanted. Hell, I still do. But... somethin's come up.

[frozenflame]

Oh yeah? What's that?

[Because he'd been pretty serious...]

[realmenknitplushies]

Ma 'n me have been in contact with a bunch of artisans 'n engineers in Caldera for quite a while. Doin' some brilliant work. And earlier...

[He lifts a letter into view.]

One 'f them gave me this.

It's an offer t' go study under some'f the best craftsmen in the whole damn city.

[frozenflame]

[Yukiko inspects that letter, blinking in mild surprise. That was exactly what she thought it was. A letter of Apprenticeship? Oh! Wow!]

W-Wow! That's wonderful, Kanji! And I guess that's the trouble, right? Not knowing what to do?

[realmenknitplushies]

[He sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose.]

Yeah. You got it. On one hand... I wanna do somethin' to help others with my life. I wanna really make a difference.

But...

This is never gonna happen again, y'know? They want me. They saw my enhanced textile work, the stuff I'd pretty much worked out from scratch, and... yeah.

[frozenflame]

Well what's to say that working with these textiles won't improve other's lives and help people, Kanji?

[That's pretty serious business!]

People need clothes, and protective clothes too. I wouldn't say it's not making a difference, it's just more indirect.

[realmenknitplushies]

Guess so. It just feels so - so damn small...

[Novelties, toys, shiny, pretty things. That's all it's ever felt like.]

[frozenflame]

I know the feeling, Kanji.

[She shrugs.]

I work with my parents sometimes still, you know? And I'm thinking about joining the Seekers. Because I want to use my power to make a difference. But then, you know, when I was sent to the past? I realized that I didn't necessarily need to have powers to do that. Neither of my parents do, and they still use aromatherapy and massage to treat people.

Relaxation is a part of recovery, after all.

[realmenknitplushies]

[That pulls him up short.]

But ... you just said it. You've got the power, so ... shouldn't ya use it? Shouldn't I be usin' my strength?

[frozenflame]

I didn't say I'd stopped training. I just said that there's no shame in doing little things, like the spa or like making study clothes, to make a difference.

Little things have a big impact, in the long run.

[realmenknitplushies]

[Still rubbing his head a bit, here.]

I kinda ... I guess I get what you're sayin'...

[But damn it, it still doesn't feel right.
(Or maybe it's making him feel wrong.)]

[frozenflame]

[She nods again, smiling fondly, a bit like a big sister might.]

Kanji, how long is the Apprenticeship?

[realmenknitplushies]

...Could be up t' four years.

[And that's a hell of a scary thought. When he hadn't even known where Caldera was this time last year... to be leaving for it for that long?]

[frozenflame]

And how old are you, again?

[realmenknitplushies]

Seventeen earlier this year...

[frozenflame]

Exactly!

[Her fist drops into her open palm like that settles it.]

So you'll be finished, at most? By the time you're twenty one or twenty two.

[She peers at the camera.]

Take the position, Kanji. Four years is not a long time. It's been longer than that since my Awakening, and I only just started using it this year. When you're done? You can always come back to the Rangers.

[realmenknitplushies]

Huh. When ya put it like that...

[Okay, she's got a hell of a good point.]

I just. Damn. It's weird to think about.

[frozenflame]

It is.

[A half smile.]

But it's a good thing to think about. You're not really at a crossroads, you know. You're at a turn in the road. But all roads lead to Union, you know.

[realmenknitplushies]

Heh. 'Cept this one seems to lead out.

[frozenflame]

For now, maybe.

[A laugh.]

You'll be back. Your family is here. So are your friends.

[realmenknitplushies]

Well, no kiddin' I ain't gonna stay away all the time! You think I wouldn't miss the hell outta you all?

[frozenflame]

My point exactly.

When's this start, anyway?