#4. text & video.

[meatballcommand]

How many here have kids? Hopefully, still back home.

[He goes to turn the text function off, but instead pushes the button for video.

The view is pointed at a wall, where what looks to be a child's drawing has been hung up. The paper is shriveled and thin, probably due to being soaked at some point, but at the very least the image on it is

Comments

[cozmic_travel]

Hmm... well there is little Tewi, but she's hardly my child.

[meatballcommand]

Oh?

[cozmic_travel]

Hmm... I have that photo here somewhere...

-The video feed cuts on eventually, focusing on a group photo from Eientei-

Let's see... of course you know who I am. And that's Reisen, who you've seen assisting me at the hospital. In the center is Kaguya-hime. Standing in front of me is little Tewi. I've known her for almost a thousand years now, but she hasn't aged a bit.

[meatballcommand]

A thousand years. [He speaks the words mainly to himself, his tone subdued. It's such a sweet idea, to be close to someone for so long - he can't help the sentimental chuckle. He barely even thinks back to how it's becoming far too easy for him to believe these things.]

I know how that goes; you've been through so much with someone, they might as well be your son or daughter.

[cozmic_travel]

Precisely. Reisen, especially. I'm finding it easier to say things like that since coming here...

At times I wish Tewi and hime-sama were here. But it seems selfish, doesn't it? I'm sure life is much better for them at Eientei.

[meatballcommand]

I wouldn't say so. It's a bit of a fantasy at this point - and I'm grateful that that's all it is - but it would be nice to know that all you have to do is reach out and then you'll be holding their hand. I don't see anything wrong with wanting that.

[cozmic_travel]

Hmm... I suppose so.

Tell me about your family, Henry. That is, of course, if you want to.

[meatballcommand]

If you're willing to listen to the rambling of a man who hasn't seen any of 'em for far too long.

Where should I start?

[cozmic_travel]

Why not with your children?

[meatballcommand]

[He laughs.] I suppose that's the theme here.

Molly and Jane. They're my two girls. Bright as a pocketful of pennies, the both of 'em - and they don't get that from me; I may be the surgeon in the family, but my wife's the one who can tell the difference between $3 and $3.99. [...] Then, there's Andrew. He was born while I was busy doing my part for the war effort. The scientists snatched me away before I could get home to meet him. [...]

[cozmic_travel]

Your daughters sound lovely...

... You'll see your son. Of that much I am sure.

[meatballcommand]

Mmhm. Discedo does let you go eventually.

[cozmic_travel]

Mmm... indeed.

[meatballcommand]

Anything else you might like to hear about?

[cozmic_travel]

Anything really. Perhaps their mother? Your home town?

I... suppose I'm in the mood for stories.

[meatballcommand]

Have you got any of your own? It'd feel a lot less like I was talking your ear off it we went back and forth.