[076] - [Video]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[When Mitsuhide turns the feed on, he is sat on his desk. The SFC shows the inkwells and art tools resting on it, as well as the piece of parchment he is working on. When satisfied that the feed shows himself properly, Mitsuhide nods, and picks up his brush again.]

On the 26th, it is Tama's birthday... well. Gracia's birthday. That is the name the rest of you use for her, isn't it? I suppose Tama is something reserved only for my use, but I have now used it often enough that I forget, sometimes.

[He lowers a gaze and starts to work again.]

I say this so that her friends know, and so she can tell me how she might wish to celebrate. So, my girl? What is your wish?

[Mitsuhide grows silent then, but leaves the feed turned on for a few minutes until he puts his brush to the side again, examines his work and smiles softly. After waiting another few moments his gaze meets the SFC's camera again.]

You know, Vatheon, many of you are incredibly talented artists. I cannot say I often indulge in the more visual arts, but the amount of lovely paintings I have seen lately has made me want to.

[He holds the piece of parchment up for all to see. It's an ink-wash painting depicting a young lady sat on a box in the middle of a forest, a bunch of flowers in her hands; anyone who knows Gracia would recognise it as her.]

What do you think of my latest effort?

Comments

1/? let's see how far i can take this

[kagayakashi]

Father...

2/? seriously let's see

[kagayakashi]

My birthday? And that painting...

3/? i mean really i could go for 20 or 30 or 10 or 100

[kagayakashi]

[ She makes a series of sounds; one shocked, one slightly more shocked, one groaning, one muffled, one high pitched and happy, another more subdued...and touched. ]

Oh, Father!

4/? i like even numbers though, might go for an even number

[kagayakashi]

[ Oh wow, lower your voice Gracia, seriously, what's the matter with you, why are you so giddy all of a sudden-- ]

Father, Father! I'm so relieved, you're not displeased with me anymore! You've forgiven me now, right? Oh, I truly am happy!

5/? but i also like certain odd numbers like idk 9, 9 sounds cool too

[kagayakashi]

[ She nods, though the SFC was only set to Voice. She's probably just addressing herself now... ]

I suppose I should apologize some more, to be sure. But then, Motochika was right, Father is so kind and gentle and easy to forgive...But still! He deserves all my efforts for reconciliation!

6/? what if i make my own number, just for this comment chain

[kagayakashi]

But it's not like I didn't know about Father's gentle heart before! I'm sure of it now; Father is feeling much better! [ She makes more sounds indicating she's extremely happy, and oh right what was the post about? Her birthday? Right right-- ]

7/? whoa are we on seven already

[kagayakashi]

[ She sighs dreamily; you know, that sigh she always does when she knows Mitsuhide is in a good mood. AND SHE'S DEFINITELY SURE OF IT NOW. HE'S IN THE BEST MOOD EVER ♥ ]

He even called me by my birth name, for everyone to hear! And he told everyone about my birthday, too! And such talent! Even in another world, Father's talents are unbeatable!

[ Yes, ignore the fact that he just said he doesn't do this often... ]

8/9 okay i've decided on a glorious number

[kagayakashi]

Mmm, Father! [ OKAY SHE'S BACK. ] For my birthday, you don't need to go through much trouble! To spend my day with you and with Motochika, and maybe my friends too...That's plenty enough already!

9/9 THE GRAND FINALE

[kagayakashi]

[ She pauses for a bit, and then comes back with full force!!!!! ]

Oh, but is it considered troublesome to have all the boxes out in the yard, or perhaps the space in the house? How about traveling around the city? Or eating new foods, foods we've never tried before even though we've lived in this city for so long! Perhaps we can all go up to the island, if the weather is lovely enough? And then we can cook and have a picnic too! Can I bring Futon along? And Feng Huang and Firelight too? Should I wear Motochika's cute outfits?

[ Gracia stops and then giggles. ]

I wonder if we'll have enough boxes to do all those things?

[ ....yeahup, she wants to do them all while inside a box. Somebody give her a slowclap. It's her birthday, after all. Oh, Gracia. So precious. ]

[1/2] I DON'T. xD GRACIA. WHAT.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Blink. Blink.]

You thought I was still angry at you? I said the matter was put to rest, my girl, I...

[He pauses, but oh gosh. That was quite a reaction. Give him a moment!]

[2/2]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[After a while he shakes his head and laughs, a touch bemused, and puts the painting to one side. There's a small pile of completed ones there, if you look closely!]

Good heavens, I don't know where to begin in responding to all of that.

[luminance]

[Hiro hasn't met the girl yet, but he can tell that this person treasures her very much. Seeing the portrait just beautifully wraps the relationship further.]

That is very endearing. I think that it looks very nice. Happy birthday to her, though I actually haven't met her. I wish her well all the same.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide has started on a new piece of art now; his brush glides across fresh parchment as he responds.]

You are too kind; I shall pass on the message to her.

[He chuckles, somewhat embarassed.]

I am not usually one for sharing any artistic endeavours with the network, but it seemed appropriate to do so right now. Especially considering many others do so without hesitation.

[luminance]

[Hiro smiles further upon hearing that. What a modest man, though that's always a nice trait to have.]

It's good that you've decided to! Beautiful things and one's talents are meant to be shared. I have no doubt that Gracia-san will adore it, she's very lucky!

[demonicbookworm]

You're very talented.

[wavesoakedlegs]

Ah... you are too kind, Ruca.

[Mitsuhide rubs the back of his head, looking embarassed. All of these compliments are bringing out the shy side of his nature.]

I am not really very good with visual art, but I do enjoy it on the occasions that I think to pick up a brush.

[demonicbookworm]

_{[He shakes his head.]}

No, I'm just telling the truth... I think it looks very nice.

Video.

[warrior_king]

"Tama"? You... use a different name for her than everybody else? How unusual...

[Earthlings and their strange customs... Gorthan only thought he had gone past the phase where he would learn a handful of them every day. In any case... he blinks at the feed a little, examining Mitsuhide's painting.]

How very skillful, Mitsuhide. Is it a present for her?

I would like to pay homage to her in some way as well. But I do not have the slightest idea as to what she may appreciate.

Video.

[wavesoakedlegs]

That is her true name, her birth name. From what she told me, Gracia is a name her mother gave her; her mother was not of Japanese blood, and thus gave Tama a second name that fit her own culture.

[Mitsuhide doesn't know more than that, really, and feels it is rude to ask. His child had mentioned that his self from her world had raised her alone, which implies the Lady Akechi had passed away.]

[He doesn't want to bring up painful memories for Tama at all.]

It is not. I am merely practising right now, and using familiar subjects.

[Mitsuhide continues to paint on a new piece of parchment, smiling softly.]]

She enjoys learning about... most things, really. Tama is an inquisitve young woman. If you indulge that love of discovery she has, I am sure she would appreciate it.

Video.

[warrior_king]

[While Gorthan would like to have more to say on the name matter, because it seems important somehow, he really doesn't. He even lacks the necessary knowledge to be able to tell at first glance that the names are from two distinct cultures. So he will make no further comment on that.]

So was she posing for you? If that is the case, I suppose only her father could get her to sit still for that long.

A-are you perhaps painting right now... ?

[He seems curious as well as cautious. Surely the process of the creation of a work involves something that eludes definition, something almost mystical which Gorthan isn't acquainted with...]

I am not sure whether I still enjoy discovery. My destiny, when I was born, was to be a scientist, and for a time, I did pursue that career. Now, sometimes, I simply feel I know too much for my own good...

[A slow, heavy sigh.]

But I suppose one should nurture and reward enthusiasm for as long as it exists.

video;

[spiria]

Oh wow ... you're really good, Mitsuhide! It looks just like her!

I'm definitely no expert at art, though ... Beryl would know a little more about that sort of thing.

...

I should ask Gracia what she would like for her birthday.

video;

[wavesoakedlegs]

Thank you, Kohaku.

[Mitsuhide's smile is warm, appreciative. He continues to paint as he speaks, working on something new...]

That's a definite way to ensure you gift her with something she would like. Gift giving can be hard, sometimes.

[He's not actually thinking of Gracia when he mentions it can be hard. No, it is Motochika on his mind then. Granted, for his lover's upcoming birthday he has something ready (or, well, in-progress), but it's no regular gift. Mitsuhide finds he has to think outside of the box, for him.]

video;

[spiria]

It really can be ... I know it's not easy to really get anything special for Shing. He tends to take anything I can give him as something special. On one hand, it's kind of nice, but on another ...

[ she shakes her head. ]

But anyway, yes, I'll have to see what I can do for Gracia! How old is she going to be?

[video]

[dreamartist]

_{[Now, Mitsuhide, meet the real expert in art!]}

Hmm... that's not half bad, but you still need a lot of practice.

[video]

[wavesoakedlegs]

Thank you.

[He laughs quietly, and regards Beryl with amusement clear in his eyes. That's the most honest response he's gotten, in truth.]

You are quite right; I do. I spend most of my creative time writing poetry rather than painting. Perhaps I ought to change that?