shimon
1. Who are your heroes and why?
Good question. Seeing how I tend to see the worst, final moments in everyones life - I never really thought I had any heroes, honestly - who would I look up to besides the obvious? I think my answer is this: Anyone who can see past their own problems and still live life to the fullest. Anyone who can see the new life in the ending of one life. I admire someone who can love even when they have been hurt, thrive even though everything has been stripped from them.
I also admire the Stay Puft Marshmallow man.
2. What's the best book that you've ever read?
I love House of Leaves.
3. If you could change one moment in history (yours or in general), which would it be?
None. I am not saying that as some sort of way to skirt around the question. If I could change any moment in history - or mine, I would not change it. I know that everything happens for a reason - and that we are all just reactions of the first action that started many, many, millions of years ago. I am content with my life, I am not always happy with my job, or the world around me - but I know that it is as it should be.
4. What one thing are you most proud of?
Not throwing myself in front of a train. Honestly, I have lasted nearly sixty years in this profession and I am proud of that fact. There have been others before me that have lasted less. I am also proud of the fact that I can still be happy, that I have friends and a very attentive lover who cares for me. I am proud that I have not fallen into that trap of self loathing and bitterness.
5. What is your meaning of life?
To live each day to it's fullest, to find happiness for yourself and always want more. Never to be content, but to always strive to better ones self.
1) If you could change one thing about your time in your job, what would it be and why?
I would change the fact that I have to do all the work. Hai, I can do it - but is it really so bad to have a few helpers that do it for me so I can just oversee everything? I would have more time to spend with you, and, well, okay, so that's pretty much about it. I am a workaholic who does not want to be. Other then more help, I would not change a thing.
2) What do you think of the current conflicts in the Middle East?
Oh, because that is not a loaded question or anything. The problem is this, that what we got in for - it has already been achieved, but there is much more to do because of it. It is like trying to pull a clean shirt from a pile of clothes - you get it free but the rest of the clothes tumble down on you and you are left with a mess. We are currently trying to clean up a flood with paper towels when we should be looking for the source.
3) Which of my traits do you hate the most and which do you love the most?
I hate the fact that you can be an asshole, selfish, possessive, hypocritical, and self loathing. You are hard on yourself, and, sometimes you have a right to be - other times you are such a sweet, wonderful man that makes me swoon. I love that you can be the most gentle man on the planet when you want to be, when I need it. I love your smile, and your laugh. I love that you love intensely and even though you never really loved before - you give your heart to me.
4) Why do you call me Grady-san when we are just talking, but not Grady-sama when you want to play?
Because, even though Sama is considered more formal - and polite, I believe that the other words I use carry more impact. Sir, master, imply complete devotion, to use your first name, even with sama attached would imply that I am worthy to say your first name while we play. I am not.
5) Will you marry me?
. . . Nushi, are you serious or are you playing with me again? I - I do not know how to answer this . . . though it has started my heart fluttering.
1)A man is found lying dead, face down in the middle of the desert. He is wearing a backpack. His ribs are crushed. The postmortem shows that he died, suddenly, 2 months ago. Yet no one has crossed the dessert for 3 months. What happened?
Clearly he fell out of a plane flying over head to go sky diving. He parachute didn't open and so he died on impact.
2) So which aspect of Death are you? If you are not the Greek or Egyptian..nor the Norse.
Judeo-Christian aspect. I suppose, if that makes sense - the masters I serve have Christian names the places souls go - have Christian names. In the end though, death is death - it does not matter what culture you are from.
3) If I said my name was Jack, what would you think of me?
I like the name Jack - it reminds me of a jack-in-the-box. I think you would be a good jack-in-the-box.
4) If you have to judge two men, and only one may go to Hades, and the other to Elysium...and both are equally vile, who do you bless?
I do not bless, I do not judge - I am simply told where they are to go. I am a poor judge of many things, but souls are rather easy to see and to judge - if they are equally vile, and there is no redemption in their hearts then they both get sent to Hades. If they are the same, I have no right damning one and saving the other - both should be punished equally for their sins.
5) If I get you the sandals...what does that get me?
My undying friendship and devotion, what else would you want?
1. What's sune-ku? Maybe you should just teach me Japanese.
I can if you want me to - sune-ku, is simply Snake in Japanese. Hebi, is also another word for snake, or serpent - but I think sune-ku fits you better.
2. Who was it hardest for you to see die?
There are many hard deaths, simply because I am not close to a person does not make their deaths easy. There are many, my aniki - who was my older brother was hard to take, his death was violent - and I could never truly reveal myself to him as I wanted to. The death of your parents, after they were so kind and gentle toward me - made me weep.
3. If you could be anyone else who would you want to be?
If I could be anyone else in the world - I would simply want to be me, alive and human. I think, if I were alive in Japan as a girl, I would want to study hard, learn more languages and become a business woman.
4. What's your favorite memory?
My favorite memory? That is a tough question. The first time I saw the gates of heaven, the first time Grady told me he loved me, and truly meant it. Every time I met a friend is a wonderful memory for me, I truly treasure them all. I think, the very first time Grady took me on a date, a real one - is my favorite. He danced with me and bought me a beautiful bracelet that I still wear.
5. What gift would you like to receive but haven't yet?
Gift? That is a good question I suppose - I never truly need anything, so I suppose my gifts are all wanted things - and I do not have a need for material possessions. I think, I would like either a sled to go sledding on during the winter, or a balloon. A red one, with a smiley face on it.
1. How far ahead of someone's death do you know of it?
I know at least a week in advance, if I pry I know the very date and time in which someone will pass away. I try not to look that far into the future.
2. What was your favorite game as a child?
I loved flying kites, and playing pretend with my brothers. I spent a lot of time by myself, or dancing because I did not go to school.
3. What food have you tried recently that you really liked?
Gyros. Grady ordered one when we were in Greece. I really liked them, but then again I love all food.
4. What is the most common way people die?
Natural causes, the body gives up - it wears out and simply gives up. Most of the time it is the heart, it is over taxed.
5. Do you deal directly with God?
Hai, I talk directly with both of my bosses. They must make sure I do not make any mistakes.
1) Why did you decide to talk to me?
Because I had never met anyone like you, I like meeting new people and you seemed very nice. Plus, I didn't know what a goth was.
2) Would you go out in New York with me? Totally as friends, but you know to a club or something?
Hai! That sounds good, we can have dinner and then we can go see a show or go dancing. I enjoy dancing. Or we can just wander around till the sun comes up.
3) Do you like being Death?
Sometimes, it has it's down sides. I do not wish to see my friends and loved ones pass on while I remain the same. I like to think that I provide some sort of comfort to those who pass on and are alone.
4) Did Your Grady friend really turn into a Jaguar?
Hai, he is in that form now - it is a vacation for him, and it is fun to have a big neko as a bed warmer. Sometimes we play tag, and he also comes and brings me yummy presents of dead animals.
5) How does one get picked for your job?
I do not know if I was really picked, though, I believe everything happens for a reason. I was simply trying to help a foreigner who was injured on the side of the mountain. He gave me a gift, and that is the magical story of how I became who I am. I suppose that's where the saying "Never take gifts from strangers" comes from.
1. What do you miss most about being mortal?
I miss the freedom. I do not suppose many mortals realize that they are free - they see themselves trapped in jobs, families, relationships - but they have the ability to choose. Largely I am stuck in the same job, doing the same things - I could never choose to stop or to move somewhere to be with someone. I feel, sometimes, like a hamster in a wheel, always running.
2. What is your favorite memory from childhood?
I have many of them, I think, or at least ones that I've made for myself. I suppose someone asked this question before and I probably gave them a different answer. This one would have to be cooking with my Hahaoya, my mother was very soft spoke - except when I crossed her, that was a different story. But she use to sit, and we would roll dumplings together, and she use to sing to me. I remember that quite fondly, and it was a very private time between my mother and I. A very rare one, she knew that a girl must be tough in order to survive in that world - because we had to be.
3. Tell me about your favorite place in Japan (I'm afraid I haven't been to Japan in ages, you must regale me with your insight!).
I love the Shinto shrines of Japan, they are all so beautiful and peaceful. Hakone Shrine at the base of Mt Hakone is stunning, I feel so at peace there. It combines my two favorite natural elements - mountains and water. Mt. Naeba-san, will always be my home.
4. That soup you made for me was positively delicious. Now I'd like to know what your favorite food is, as you cook so well.
Hmmm, my favorite food? I have so many, I tend to love anything that is set down in front of me. I really loved Stuffed Squid, and anything with eel.
5. What would you most like to see, if we took a trip together?
Somewhere not on earth. I think I would like to see a far off place, with many moons - I am afraid I do not know the planets well enough to name something specific, but I want to see something beautiful. Your favorite place.
1. Do I annoy ye?
Oh yes, to the extreme.
2. Was there really somethin' ye wanted t'tell me but didn't want to or was that just an excuse t' trick me?
There was nothing, it was simply a trick.
3. What is the most difficult thing for ye t'understand about mortals?
How they can be so stupid and ungrateful. On the other hand I always have a hard time understanding how they can still continue on under such hardships.
4. What is th' highest compliment ye'd ever give me?
I think you are destined for great things, your ideals are good, and you do not compromise your beliefs for anything. You are also a handsome young man.
5. Do ye have time fer hobbies?
Hai, I do, I love to sew, and do origami - I also cook quite a bit, I love feeding people.