Peace and Quiet and...Tea? [Complete]

[blue_okashira]

WHO: Shinomori Aoshi, Okita Souji
WHAT: A tea ceremony, but really Aoshi's way of attempting to be slightly more personable.
WHERE: Meet up at the docks, and move to the park.
WHEN: Late morning, early afternoon.

Comments

[oni_no_ko_desu]

Souji's geta clapped along the cobbled streets as he took a fast walk down to the harbor. It was an odd thing to be asked for tea by a perfect stranger, a stranger who, Souji now realised -perhaps a little too late- whose name he hadn't even cared to ask, whoopsAlthough, was it really an odd thing? Souji enjoyed tea and he enjoyed meeting people, so perhaps not odd but more of a break from what had become the normality of the orphanage. It was quite alarming just now normal his life had become in this entirely unnatural town

[blue_okashira]

Aoshi had heard him before he'd seen him, the geta loud on the boards of the docks, and turned slightly, just enough to catch the other in the corner of his eye and nodding nearly imperceptibly.

With the instinct born from long training, he decided he'd been right about this one. His speech was soft, polite, and the simple - but traditional - garments did quite a bit to boost Aoshi's opinion.

Turning, he gave a respectful bow, then started back down the docks. "There's a park that may be more comfortable," he offered, by way of explanation. He'd never really been one for words.

Though, he did make an effort to slow his strides for the other. Six feet and two inches of height gave him quite the ground-swallowing stride. Whether or not his courtesy meant anything...well, that was anyone's guess.

[oni_no_ko_desu]

Before Souji could open his mouth to introduce himself once and for all, the other had turned and was moving in the opposite direction. "Ah-, I- Okay!" With a quick step, Souji fell in beside the taller man.

He knew it was rude to stare but he was so curious. The man had an undeniable presence that the young captain couldn't help but respond to, without a word, without even a name he had commanded that kind of respect from Souji. Souji smiled despite himself, how like Hijitaka-san this man was.

[blue_okashira]

The staring didn't really bother Aoshi - he'd gotten it in the past. And the respect was really nothing new, either - though he had forgotten how it felt to win someone over.

He cast his eyes down and to the side, just catching the smile before he glanced away again.

"Your name?" he asked, perhaps a bit abruptly, but he was a little unnerved by this situation. There was so much of her in this other, and how long had it been since he'd thought of Misao?

[blue_okashira]

Aoshi's gaze softened slightly, which was about all he could offer at the moment, as he nodded.

"I would...like that," he said slowly, wondering if he should make the offer of somewhere to stay. But, the other had implied that he enjoyed his current lodgings, and Aoshi wasn't sure...

"You also...are welcome to seek me out, should you desire...company," he finally decided. Let Souji make of that what he would. It was an open offer, and Aoshi didn't extend his hand easily to strangers.

Though, Souji was feeling less and less like a stranger with every passing moment...

[[OOC: It would...But Aoshi is so freaking awkward, he can't figure out how to offer... Why did I do this to myself?]]

[oni_no_ko_desu]

Souji's kind smile broadened, "I think I will," he said with a look of satisfaction. It must have taken quite a bit for Aoshi to say something like that, at least that was what Souji sensed. Shinomori came across as a private and solitary man, little by little it would be nice to see him become more open, thought Souji, although, he hoped he wouldn't loose the awkwardness entirely, that was damned endearing.

[blue_okashira]

Aoshi nodded, and cast another slow glance around at the trees. It really was quite beautiful here, maybe even surprisingly so.

He set the cup down gently, resting his hands on his folded legs, and cast around for something to say.

[oni_no_ko_desu]

"I-" Souji paused, was this appropriate? "I don't really have much 'adult' conversation at the orphange," which would have been fine, had graver things not been happening around him that he had no idea about. Souji pressed on, although lightly, "...you're aware of what has been happening here?" Why? Why had they been chosen if they were only to be killed and humiliated?

[oni_no_ko_desu]

"Eeeeh, why?"

Perhaps they were not alike in their characteristics, but Souji found the man easy enough to be around, maybe this was because he'd had years of practice whilst trying to find his place. When around quiet people Souji would fill that silence so that the other person wouldn't feel the need to be out of their comfort zone; when around miserable people he would smile so they didn't have to, when he was around numb people he would feel until they could bring themselves to.

He also had a knack for opening people up and having them talk about themselves, whether he did this unconsciously was...debatable.

[blue_okashira]

Aoshi turned his gaze to the surrounding plants, considering for a moment.

Why, indeed? It seemed as though there were too many answers to that question - he didn't know how to deal with people, he'd gotten his last loyal men killed for an opium dealer and weapons merchant, he wasn't strong enough, he wasn't good enough.

"You...have so much more promise," he answered finally.

[oni_no_ko_desu]

Souji stumbled over Shinomori's answer. The man had avoided talking about himself directly, but instead had posed an opening for much deeper questioning.

"Aaa, who knows?" Then perhaps Shinomori-san would take some indirect advice. "I think I might look at Rivelata as a chance for a new beginning." Souji's expression remained relaxed and peaceful while his eyes strayed onto the blooming flowers.

[blue_okashira]

New beginning...?

Aoshi considered. Did he want a new beginning? Did he deserve one? Was it not his place as Okashira to gain the strength he and his men had lacked, to go and win back the title of "strongest" to pay them tribute?

And yet...what was strength with no humanity to temper it? He knew what losing your humanity did - he'd seen men like that in the revolution.

But it was all a circle. What was more important - honoring his men, doing what was right; or finding true strength, living to honor their memories?

Slowly, he nodded. "That seems...wise."

[oni_no_ko_desu]

"You think so?" Souji turned his head back to look at the other, "I'm glad."

[blue_okashira]

At rather a loss for words, and still somewhat confused about what he wanted, Aoshi could only nod.

[oni_no_ko_desu]

Finishing his tea Souji placed the cup back onto the blanket. Once settled back he sat with his legs to one side rather than underneath him; formality was uncomfortable in prolonged periods.

"Shinomori-san, you're a very thoughtful person, you'll have to allow me to return the favour."

[blue_okashira]

Aoshi remained as he was, extending a hand across the space in a silent request for the cup. It kept him from having to respond.

'Thoughtful'. He'd never been called that before. Always 'cold', 'unfeeling', sometimes even 'inhuman'. Like he didn't care about the people around him.

He did, he was just...not very good at showing it. He worked silently; it was the only way he knew.

"You owe me nothing," he murmured.