ahappylie | o44 [Action

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o44 [Action | Video]

[It's such a nice day out that Okita has decided to take the House 50 pets for a walk. Around mid-morning after he finishes his training, Okita can be found wandering around the village with the yellow chocobo Tammy in tow. And on her back? A disgruntled Saizou, wishing he could be down from the heathen bird. Tammy doesn't seem to care since Okita keeps plying her with treats to ensure she follows.

As he walks, he'll open the journal and turn on the video, showing him and the bird in the background.]

It's such a nice day out~

I wonder if everyone's in school or if they're on break~?

Are all the New Feathers settled in? If anyone would like a tour around town today, I'll be out with Saizou and Tammy~ Dog, unfortunately, can't take walks. Poor thing. But! That's okay~ He's happy at home. Come say hello! I really want to meet all of you.

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Hmph. ['Early.' It's not that early. He only sleeps in if he's been up late, anyway. Which he wasn't, because there's nothing to do here-

...he taps ash out of his pipe and refills it, glancing sideways at Souji.]

It's not that early.

[He gives the bird and the pig a sideways glance.] ...They put up with that?

[True, but that doesn't mean he can't tease about it. 83]

True. I've been up since... [He looks up at the sky.] About 4AM.

[Tammy warks and pecks at the journal. He has to draw it away, shooing her away before he can answer.]

Saizou is probably too terrified to come down actually and Tammy doesn't seem to mind.

4AM. [Why would you even. It's Souji; he's not wholly surprised. That's still a time to stay up until, not a time to wake up....]

... I'll stay out of the way when you get him down.

[Slightly amused.]

I train in the morning with Sokka-kun, my student.

[It's as if he knew you'd be asking why.]

I think I'll just leave him up there for a bit. He seems to be keeping out of trouble that way.

[Saizou is displeased and oinks angrily at this.]

And it's just too cute.

...I see. [Still. Before dawn. What. He glances sidelong at Souji.] That student of yours. What's he like?

[He's going to... just not talk about whether the pig is or is not cute. That is not the word he would choose.]

Older than most I teach. He's eager to learn however. Runs the smithy here, in case you ever need weapons made or sharpened.

Hm.

[He draws on his pipe, breathing out a cloud of smoke away from Souji and his pets.] Useful.

[A small pause, and he glances back at them.] Outside of that... draft, do weapons see much use here?

[He hasn't seen any violence yet, but it hasn't been all that long.]

He's very good. Made the second sword I have in my room. [A new sword - so exciting~]

Outside of the draft...

[Okita's face darkens slightly at the memory of Pride, the monsters, the droids.]

It's just as dangerous as home.

[And back to the usual bright expression.]

At least it isn't boring.

[Good enough to make a sword Souji would use? Hijikata's eyebrows go up, impressed despite himself, but not enough to miss that slight darkening of Souji's expression.

Unpleasant memories? He glances away, not sure if he wants to press the subject and ruin the mood. If it was important, Souji would tell him.]

I suppose. [At least he won't be getting rusty.

A small shrug; he lets the subject drop, trying to think of another.]

[He notices Hijikata's expression and laughs a bit.]

Oh, come now! No need to be so tense! You're going to get worry lines if you're not careful.

[As a subject change, he'll take "worry lines." Hijikata snorts.]

I'll risk it. [A twitch of his eyebrow at Souji.] Smiles make lines too, you know.

[Oho, well played, Hijikata. Well played.]

But smile lines are more attractive than worry lines.

Some people say that.

[CLINGING TO HIS BRIEF ADVANTAGE]

Most people do.

[ADVANTAGE YOU SAY?]

Worry lines make you look old.

'Distinguished.'

[It is too an advantage.]

Distinguished is just a nice way of saying old.

[Perhaps it is, but Souji is being extra troll today.]

Any lines make you look old.

[Hijikata doesn't entirely mind the banter; he's probably going to lose eventually, but by the time he does the last subject will be entirely forgotten.

Plus, it's easier than talking about everything else.]

No, smile lines make you look happy. There's a difference.

[Not really, but just like Hijikata, Souji is more than willing to let the serious conversation go and turn toward silly banter. Serious conversations can come later, when it isn't so light outside and he isn't trying to keep his mind off the yelling he heard before.]

A very big difference.

Not that much of one. [He shrugs, one-shouldered, eloquently, and attempts to pet the bird's neck.

Did giant chickens like being petted? It could probably say something if it didn't.

Chickens, smile lines, anything to keep from bringing up the other subjects hanging over their head. Souji remembered the same things he did. Hijikata didn't want to burden him with ...things that might or might not be prevented.]

They're both wrinkles.

[Petting! Tammy warks and turns away from Souji, instead focusing attention on Hijikata who is petting her. Yay for being pet!]

One just doesn't make you look as old.

[He looks over when Tammy turns away and hides a laugh behind his hand.]

Looks like you've made a friend.

[This is going nowhere but embarrassment. Hijikata says hmph, shaking his head to dismiss the topic. Lines are lines. And looking old isn't that bad.]

Apparently. [Hijikata is dubious about this friendship, but the bird seems to like it; he continues.]

[Saizou is huffing at Hijikata from the bird's back, but is otherwise unable to do anything.]

Maybe you can take her out on walks sometime, too, then.

How often does she need to be walked?

At least once or twice a day. That's how often I take her out.

[But oho, what is this? Hijikata voluntarily taking a cute animal out?]

.....I never would have thought Hijikata-san was a bird person.

I could use the exercise. [And the opportunity to scope out the town.

Being accompanied by a bird is acceptable.]

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