[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.

/standing ovation, lmao.

[kagayakashi]

[ She sees that pile, and mutters something about how talented her father really was, and how he should have the whole city see his magnificence...xD ]

I didn't want to aggravate you, that's all. But now I see that my fears were unnecessary! How foolish I am, to doubt Father's kindness!

[ Gracia laughs. ]

I can repeat it! Would you like me to?

[wavesoakedlegs]

No! Please, you do not need to. I was merely overwhelmed with information.

[That's some... intense hero-worship there, Gracia. Daddy does have faults, you know. He sighs, though it's obviously fond. What is he to do with you, young lady?]

Your birthday wishes.... for not wanting much, my girl, that's quite a list you've given me there. I am not sure doing all of those things in boxes is either practical or possible. A meal on the island, however, we can definitely do.

[Mitsuhide smiles again, and picks up a fresh piece of parchment.]

You may wear what you wish. I trust you to choose something suitable.

[kagayakashi]

[ She cannot concur with that, dearest father of hers! ] But I've done plenty of amazing things inside boxes! I've even traveled to the battlefield in one! Anything is possible inside a box, Father! You need only try it, and you'll see for yourself!

[ Gracia is obviously authority on the matter of box traveling, lmao. ]

May I decide what we'll eat? And may we have a few boxes with us, please? I'll even carry them up myself!

[wavesoakedlegs]

A box is merely a space contained by six walls, a vessel for other things. It itself is nothing special, Tama, and not capable of miracles. That which it might contain and those who might move it may be.

[And this is yet another one of those times where Mitsuhide finds himself thinking that regardless of her official age, at heart and in spirit she is very much still a child. The thought of her being married disturbs him greatly.]

[Surely she is not mature enough for such a thing.]

[Those thoughts don't reflect in his expression. He contineus to look fond, and amused.]

You may, on both counts.

[kagayakashi]

[ DON'T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT, DADDY. YOU'RE BREAKING HER HEART AGAIN. I mean-- ]

Oh, but Father, that's where the beauty of the box lies! It's small, and it's nothing special, but it can carry amazing things! You can see all sorts of different places if you're inside a box!

[ Tadaoki fell inside one of her boxes once. Because he was cleaning it for her. True story. LMAO. ]

Then, I want foods that I've never had before! That way, my birthday can be an adventure for everyone!

[wavesoakedlegs]

[...he's not going to comment further on the boxes, because WOW. That is a very bizarre topic when it comes to Gracia, apparently. Instead he hums thoughtfully.]

Foods you've never had before? You have had quite a variety here, my girl...

[He begins to paint again.]

But I am sure I can find something suitable.

[kagayakashi]

[ Boxes are life, daddy. You will soon see the extent of her box obsession soon enough...

...but for now! Gracia smiles as she replies. ]

I have the utmost faith in Father's abilities to come up with a surprise!

[wavesoakedlegs]

[I thought Father was life in your case, Tama. Seriously, are you the ancestor of the Snake bros or what?]

I will see what I can do.

[Mitsuhide nods, and continues to work on his art. There are plenty of recipes he hasn't tried out; a few should be suitable.]

[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.

[kagayakashi]

Thank you, Father!

[ He is life, but boxes are also life. Also, she may or may not be their ancestor, and it may or may not be canon :|d ]

[ She's about to switch her SFC off, but her attention goes to the art, of course. ]

What are you painting now?

[wavesoakedlegs]

Oh?

[He looks mildly embarassed, and then says, simply;]

Lord Motochika.

[kagayakashi]

[ She's not surprised, but she looks extremely amused anyway! ]

Ooh, I should have known! How romantic! Will you show him your work once you're finished? What part of him are you painting?

[ She asks the best questions. ]

[wavesoakedlegs]

What part of him?

[Mitsuhide flushes, and then shakes his head. No. It's an innocent question, surely, but he's curious... there's a good chance he will regret asking her, but still he says:]

I am painting all of him, but... why would you ask such a question, Tama?