20 → close beside your window the music of your pines

[crimson_seeker]

Can't for the life of me remember how that citation properly goes, but in any case, I'm not dead, so any reports you might've heard to that effect ought to be false. Had some thinking to do, so I left the journal aside for a spell. Looks like the place is still standing, though

Comments

[coughcoughshank]

Congratulations, Kouei-san.

[crimson_seeker]

For the name or for the year?

"Hawk"'s still fine. Not sure I quite know the man who bore this name. But I was told something, recently, about how many minds remember more than just one.

[coughcoughshank]

For the name. [Staying here that long - Souji isn't sure it's something worth celebrating]

Do you have a preference?

[crimson_seeker]

Call me who I am and keep in mind who I was, I should think.

[longnosedliar]

Cloud's still in the elevator. I've got his journal with me, so don't worry, he hasn't disappeared. It's been ages, though.

Anyway, congratulations and happy birthday! [He's a bit consumed with other things to make Hawk a present as he'd like to, but he'll bring over a bottle of sake later.] Kouei's a really cool name.

[crimson_seeker]

Dragon's bones.

Right, thanks for telling me. Must have happened while I was off on the fourth floor, then? I ought to have noticed, in the least.

Wish I could decide if it's fortuitous or ominous, but it seems to be mine.

[feathered_earth]

A year, huh? Pretty soon you'll be as old as me.

I like the name Kouei too.

[crimson_seeker]

If we go by Edensphere reckoning, we ought to all be calling you grandmother, Krile-tàimǔ.

[As he just did, cheekily.]

Then pick whichever sits better on your tongue. I'll answer to either, I reckon.

[feathered_earth]

Maybe I should replace my spear with a cane to reflect my status.

I like the look of Kouei, but you'll have to tell me how it's pronounced. Until then I'll call you Hawk.

[crimson_seeker]

And get a seat of honour in your house, surely.

I'll give you a crash course next we meet. "Krile" is a bit of a mouthful, too, but I got it eventually. You can't do worse.

[getsome_sleep]

[... oh.

Come on, Huo, act normal. You can do it.]

A happy day.

[crimson_seeker]

[We'll say Hawk has been roaming and/or preoccupied and thus has paid little attention to strategy-induced coma looming over housemate.]

Good fortune, then? If you decide so, I'll not gainsay that.

[getsome_sleep]

To know one's own name may seem a mundane blessing, yet we count our blessings, nonetheless.

[crimson_seeker]

No blessing is mundane here, my friend. Least of all knowledge.

[forgotmyforge]

You've gotten your name back too! That's wonderful.

[crimson_seeker]

"Too"? Now I have missed something important.

[forgotmyforge]

Yes! My real name is Presea. How... how do you say yours?

[crimson_seeker]

[Ancient faux-China does no phonetics now.]

Then congratulations are due in answer, I'd say.

I've no idea how to answer that in writing, when what I write and what you see are understandable only through this place's power. Might have to tell you face to face. And the same goes for your name--it's a pretty one, from the looks of it, but I'd not hazard saying it out loud.