[ video ]

[sakurabito]

[ There is a fire that glows somewhere on the other side of the forge, a soft crackle in the silence of the room. The owner of the Forge is not particularly looking at it. Instead, there is a brush in his hand and he's staring rather intently at something before him--a painting, a writing project, perhaps some other form of art. ]

It has been two

Comments

[voice]

[princely_calyx]

[She chooses voice to avoid her face giving away any of what she's really thinking.]

Three pm on the 10th. Okay. [Her thinking goes a little along the lines of this: That's not a busy time for the restaurant at all. It's not like I have an entire restaurant to run, to open and make sure things run smoothly.

Way to spring this on us in less than a week's notice too.

Do you really think Calligraphy and I mix? Because they really, really don't. Oil and water. Sitting still and I don't get along.

And you probably expect me to provide those snacks you mentioned!]

Do you have any idea of about how long this is going to run? I need to make sure I have someone to cover my shift.

[voice]

[sakurabito]

An hour to an hour and a half.

[ It depends, sometimes. If he's feeling merciful or bored, he might end it sooner. ]

If you are busy, we can arrange for a private session. [ He is totally not letting you go. All of his students must be well rounded. ]

[voice]

[princely_calyx]

[Guess he's serious about this. She sighs.]

That should be manageable, I think.

I should probably warn you that I'm not very good.

[voice]

[sakurabito]

Most are not. [ Renji certainly isn't. That's part of the fun. ]

You will learn.

Text

[hebime]

[Police HQ. A glimpse of cops in room-clearing and hostage rescue drills. It's the 'two years' that caught their silent instructor's attention.]

Have Police straits always been this dire?

[ video ]

[sakurabito]

They have been worse.

[ A pause. Things have been bad lately and something must be done... ]

Do you lose hope?

Text

[hebime]

I owe it to my comrades and students not to be the first.

[Four months' tenure is much too soon, anyway.]

[ video ]

[sakurabito]

You will likely be gone before you have the chance.

[ And that's him going for the 'not being condescending'. No one should have to be here that long. ]

[Video]

[sucksatkidou]

[Wh...at.]

C-Calligraphy, Taichou? I dunno if that's such a good idea...

[He'll show up, but...yeah.]

[Video]

[sakurabito]

I believe otherwise.

[ It is the best idea, stop whining. ]

[Video]

[sucksatkidou]

[Hey man, he's just looking out for you, trying to soften the blow when you find out your lieutenant sucks.]

Well...if you say so, Taichou.

[Video]

[sakurabito]

[ He knows. He's just trying to improve from 'suck' to 'mediocre'. Even Taichou has dreams. ]

I do.

I expect you will be on your best behavior.

[slaythemoon]

...you didn't actually get a sweater for the duck, did you?

[sakurabito]

[ Ignoring that stupid question. Believe it or not, he doesn't actually want it to die under his care. ]

Will you be attending?

[slaythemoon]

[Calligraphy is not something he has any experience in actually doing, but the idea of seeing a duck running around in a sweater takes priority.]

I suppose I could, since you were nice enough not to kill me and Renji...

[sakurabito]

[ That duck looks very proper and regal in that sweater. Don't be jealous. ]

Don't be so assured.

[ He hasn't tried to kill the two of you yet because he doesn't want to have to face his own punishments for murder. ]

[Voice]

[sakurabito]

We will be employing traditional japanese styles for this session. Those unfamiliar will be provided examples to practice from.

[Voice]

[sakurabito]

Perhaps it will be informative for you. If you are interested, private instruction is available.