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Azuma Hiroko:
Somewhere in the Freehold, sat a very forlorn looking girl... On the ground... There were chairs and couches around her, but she preferred the ground for some reason. The marble floor was cold. It was Spring now, but the Winter chill was not wanting to give up its hold just yet. Hiroko didn't seem to care though. The white haired Ram stared into space, looking very sleepy and just... Not present... One of her sheep ears flicked indifferently to move a bit of poofy hair out of her face.
Now to any who knew her, this seemed very strange. Gone was the happy-go-lucky cheerful puppy that one would never have thought belonged to Winter... But right now, she was displaying a very Wintry vibe...
Asbolus:
In her current state Hiroko likely missed the approach of another Winter courtier, concern clear on Asbolus' face as he approached the young Courser. "Are you alright?" He inquired, crouching down to get a better look at her.
Azuma Hiroko:
The usual response would've been surprise. But Hiroko didn't jerk up or act like a startled lamb. She simply blinked and looked at Asbolus wearily. "I am well, Mr. Asbolus." she murmured softly.
Asbolus:
"Somehow I doubt that." He replied, gently taking a seat beside you. "You look rather worn out to me. Has something happened recently?"
Azuma Hiroko:
She sighed softly and went back to staring into space. "... I believe I may have hurt someone..."
Asbolus:
"Oh?" Cue a curious arch of the eyebrow. "What happened?"
Azuma Hiroko:
"Mr. Asbolus... What is a date?"
Asbolus:
He allowed himself a small smirk at that. "I'm not the best person to ask, admittedly. It's been a few years since I've been on one. In general, though, it's an outing with someone that you may eventually want to form a relationship with, meant to both get to know them better and see where your mutual interests may lie."
Azuma Hiroko:
"Then... The goal is to get married and create a family?"
Asbolus:
"For some, yes. One can be in a relationship just for the companionship, however."
Azuma Hiroko:
"... So that they can date other people?"
Asbolus:
"Sometimes. It's usually called polyamory, where one can have more than one partner, whether romantic, sexual or both. A number of us here are in such relationships."
Azuma Hiroko:
She looked at him again, a slow and lethargic movement. "I do not understand how that can work... There is only one husband and one wife..."
Asbolus:
"Not always." He said with a small, quiet smile. "In more traditional cultures that tends to be the case, but even then there are exceptions. Sometimes the love in one's heart can't be contained to one person."
Azuma Hiroko:
"Then I am a... Jerk..." she mumbled and sighed. As she sighed, her entire being deflated and it almost looked like she shrank 2 sizes.
Asbolus:
His features softened as she deflated, reaching over to gently pat her head. "Knowing you, it certainly wasn't intentional. What happened?"
Azuma Hiroko:
The little Beast leaned into his patting subconsciously. "Vincent-kun... Wants to date me... But he has other... Partners... I... I do not know what to do... I am too young to date because I am too young to think of marriage and children..." she explained mutedly.
Asbolus:
A brief 'ah hah' flashed across Asbolus' face at the mention of who exactly was involved, followed by a small nod. "A relationship doesn't have to end in marriage and children unless you want it to. You can simply be companions, close in heart but not bound by those sort of vows."
Azuma Hiroko:
"... That just feels like... Cheating... And... And not taking the relationship seriously... I cannot understand how it can work... I feel so... Lost... I lack the experience to understand..." she sounded quite depressed.
Asbolus:
"Polyamory isn't for everyone, so don't hold yourself too harshly. I prefer to be monogamous myself, although I understand why others choose to have multiple partners." He continued to pet her hair/floof, keeping his tone even as he spoke. "If you would rather just be friends with Vincent, I'm sure he would understand that."
Azuma Hiroko:
"I think he thinks I am upset with him... But I am not... I am just... Confused... And... I think I did something wrong... I do not... Feel good..."
Asbolus:
"Talking with him and explaining your view on things should help alleviate any confusion on that part, I imagine." He nodded, looking her over anew. "How so? Were your mental foundations rattled due to the conversation, or something else?"
Azuma Hiroko:
She shook her head and sighed again. "I tried to read Vincent-kun... But it did not work... And now I feel... I do not know... It is hard to... Think... Or do anything..."
Asbolus:
"By 'read' do you mean using a contract or in general?" He thought on that a moment. "Either way, perhaps you pushed yourself a bit too hard and you need some time to recover from it."
Azuma Hiroko:
"The Dragon Knows..." she muttered and shrugged her shoulders with a significant lack of energy.
Asbolus:
"I know that one as well." He nodded quietly. "If there's anything I can do for you at the moment, do let me know."
Azuma Hiroko:
She looked up at him and smiled. Then she pushed her head into him, snuggling like a cat demanding attention. "You are helping just by being here, Mr. Asbolus... Thank you very much..."
Asbolus:
He chuckled, continuing to give some gentle pets and scritches for good measure. "You're very welcome."
Azuma Hiroko:
There she lay, in his arms on the ground, deciding that the day would be better off with her being petted than trying to do anything else...
Edward:
The faint sound of music could be heard, walking down the way was a man strumming a guitar, rather than a song he seemed to be experimenting with sounds.
"No no...much too joyful," he muttered, "Bitter sweet is the proper tune..." he gave another strum, Ed was wearing torn up and faded jeans as well as a shirt barely holding itself together, large patches of tears showed some his chest, as if he really didn't care what he was putting on that morning. His hair was wild and white as snow, his features elven, with a graceful figure and pointed ears, seemed like he was in his early twenties.
Asbolus:
Asbolus glanced up as the first strum of the guitar hit the air, watching Ed for a moment before giving the Mirror a polite nod. "Working on a new piece, I presume?"
Azuma Hiroko:
Hiroko was close to snoozing when a new arrival came up on the snuggling duo with his guitar. She blinked up at him for a moment, seemed to think about something, then shrugged her shoulders and snuggled down again. She didn't have any energy to greet the new person.
Edward:
He blinked at that, turning as if just noticing the two.
"Oh...Asbolus right," he pointed to the fellow artist, music or stage, art is eternal.
"Yeah, was thinking on something.....a dirge isn't the best word, but....to capture that sense of....." he couldn't find the right words, so instead he played, as if music could translate it better. It carried joy wonder....then fear....regret, the process of realizing the Nightmare that was Arcadia, hope, the joy of escape....then the longing...the realizing their is a small part of you missing it.....but just as it seemed to despair...bravery, hope....love, knowing that life is yours, that the world is yours, and people will be with you.
Asbolus:
Asbolus sat back as Edward played, nodding along in time with the melody. "Very impressive. Never had a hand with instruments myself, but I always applaud those who share their hearts through music."
Azuma Hiroko:
A soft sniffle interrupted the melody... Hiroko was crying... As quietly as she could...
Edward:
He blinked as he noticed the lady started crying
"Shit, sorry miss, didn't mean to startle." his accent, Asbolus would appreciate, was unapologetically London, "I could play something happier if you want." he started a more cheery tune
Azuma Hiroko:
That only made her cry harder and her shoulders start shaking.
Asbolus:
"She's had a bit of a day." Asbolus replied, gently giving the young Beast a hug. "It's alright...let it out."
Edward:
"I see....I'm sorry miss." he nodded, putting his guitar on his back and kneeling down, "Name's Ed, I'm just a music guy is all," he looked to Asbolus, "Clarity?"
Azuma Hiroko:
She stopped crying long enough to sniffle out a soft, "A-Azuma Hi-Hiroko..."
Then with a whimper, she snuggled into Asbolus again.
Asbolus:
"Don't believe so. Just pushed herself a bit too hard." He cuddled Hiroko as she snuggled into him, notably gentle despite the sharpness of his mien.
Edward:
"I see....sorry to hear that Azuma," he offered, he rubbed the back of his head, not too sure how he could help, "Um...ya got something ya listen too when down, just something to cry too?"
Azuma Hiroko:
She shook her head into Asbolus' shirt... Effectively wiping her tears AND snotty nose on him...
Asbolus:
He had dealt with worse, admittedly...
"Whatever you think would fit should be fine." He added, looking down at the young Beast.
Edward:
Ed took out his guitar again, then started playing.
"We passed upon the stair," he stared, playing the Man Who Sold the World, he added melancholy, regret, pain...just the emotions needed to be gotten out of a cry
Azuma Hiroko:
Now that the emotions being played matched the emotions she felt... Hiroko quieted down...
Asbolus:
"Feeling better?" Asbolus inquired, patting Hiroko's head lightly.
Edward:
Ed continued to play, but looked to her for her answer
Azuma Hiroko:
She shook her head again, but... Was no longer crying... And seemed a little more relaxed... Turns out, she really did belong in Winter...
Edward:
Ed simply smiled and kept on, letting the sound of his guitar fill the room, little lady needed to sort herself and music was the universal way of getting the feels out, so he did what he did best.
Asbolus:
Asbolus seemed to be enjoying the music as well, nodding along in time and keeping Hiroko comfortable.
Azuma Hiroko:
Eventually, the little Ram sat up and detached herself from the snuggle. She looked somber and... Far away...
Edward:
Ed stopped the songs, then put on another number, a long little opening with his guitar then he sang
"On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair-" Hotel California was a very bittersweet tune when ya paid attention to the song
Asbolus:
Asbolus patted Hiroko's shoulder gently as she sat up, looking her over to see how she was doing before glancing Ed's way at his song choice.
Azuma Hiroko:
She sighed softly, almost in tune with one of the verses of the song. Very slowly, she turned her head to look at Ed's guitar.
Edward:
Ed's guitar was made of wood, acoustic. The wood was...old, and the instrument itself was used, but loved and maintained, the initials ED carved and the guitar in general seemed hand carved.
Azuma Hiroko:
It was almost as if Hiroko was entranced, watching his fingers play the strings so smoothly and elegantly even...
Edward:
He seemed to almost be one with the instrument at at moment, his eyes closed and he just allowed himself to be played by it. They way he strum, played, just let out the soul by song, some more experienced viewers could compare it to intimacy the way he he treated it. In that moment he seemed....at pure peace.
Azuma Hiroko:
She finally looked up at him, watching with dazed multi-colored coin-slotted eyes. This seemed to be helping quite a bit. She was calm and breathing slowly, and though her nose was a little pink from the crying, she looked fine.
Edward:
Ed was taken out of his revelry for a second, glacing down at the Beast. Offering a nod and smile, he cocked hisbhead as she calmed down.
"It good to let it out, helps process thoughts and feelings, whenever your down, find a Playlist or something, it helps, truly." (edited)
Asbolus:
"Indeed. I've heard it said that sometimes music can say what we can't express ourselves, as I imagine you can attest to." Asbolus replied, nodding to Ed.
Azuma Hiroko:
She blinked slowly, feeling a little confused. "... Play... List?" she mumbled.
Edward:
He nodded and grinned to Asbolus, hitting the nail on the head
"Just...." new escapee? Seems to be, "Ok, so it's a list of songs you like, to play when you wish, some people make them for moods, Love, Chilling, Sad, even just to clean to."
Asbolus:
"Some people have them saved on their phones, depending on what applications you're using at the moment."
Azuma Hiroko:
She slowly looked down and slowly pulled her phone out of her pocket. It was baby pink with rose gold accents. A limited edition iPhone with Hello Kitty decorations engraved on. "How?" she asked softly.
Edward:
Ed sat down with them, looking at the phone.
"Ok, let's do the basics for ya, see that little red box, that's YouTube, kids these days love it." How old was this man?
Asbolus:
"It may be best to set it up outside of the hollow, mind. Technology tends to act up in the Hedge more often than not."
Azuma Hiroko:
She looked up at Asbolus in a pleading manner. "Could I... Get help... From you, please?"
Edward:
Ed nodded to Asbolus
"Fair point."
Asbolus:
"Of course. Phones can do quite a bit these days, it's rather impressive."
Azuma Hiroko:
She sighed and drooped, getting sad again. "It is usually... Vin-... Vincent-kun... Who helps me..."
Edward:
"Vincent...I've heard that name," he muttered, then remembered a conversation with some mages.
"Um...has this boy ever been out during the day?" His voice held some slight concern and looks to Asbolus with slight worry
Azuma Hiroko:
"Vincent-kun is unable to... Leave shelter... In the day..." she shrugged.
Edward:
His face was one of visible concern (edited)
Asbolus:
Asbolus paused briefly at the mention of Vincent before nodding. "Mister Drake is an...interesting individual. He has a good heart, if somewhat impulsive at times."
Edward:
"So this is the vampire?"
Asbolus:
"That's not for me to say, but he is part of the larger community."
Azuma Hiroko:
"Are you okay, Mr. Ed?"
Edward:
Ed just blinked to Asbolus....vampires behaved in this city true...
"Oh, it's nothing Miss Azuma, simply trying to put a face to the name is all, I've heard of this guy before, seems I can't catch a meeting is all."
Asbolus:
"For what it's worth most of the vampires that I have met here have been good company at the time." (edited)
Azuma Hiroko:
Hiroko yawned quietly and fell silent, letting the adults talk.
Edward:
"I suppose, from what I hear they're civil...but ya know, hearing something vs seeing it and all that."
Asbolus:
"Of course. I imagine they all have their moments, same as everyone else, but in general the greater community here have been on the level during my interactions with them."
Edward:
"Anything official yet, seems with the lever of inter connection, city level UN might be intriguing."
Asbolus:
"Not to my knowledge, but as far as I know the leaderships are connected enough to pass on issues if they would impact the larger community."
Edward:
"The wizards are an interesting lot, shit they can do, useful allies in case of Hunts." He gave a shiver, "Vampires...ok, I'll give the benefit, seems like some of ours have some friends along them."
Asbolus:
"Indeed, a number of us have found partners and friendships with them. We all have a bit of red in our ledger, to use the line, and holding that against someone else feels disingenuous to me."
Edward:
"It's not the red...." He shakes his head. "Encountered some over my travels....sick fucks, abusers...but I suppose even we have problem children."
Asbolus:
"Precisely. If anything the leadership here is swift to squash any bad behavior from what I've heard."
Edward:
"I wouldn't imagine the Crowns tolerate them otherwise...what's your experience?"
Asbolus:
"Overall pleasant. I've had some interesting conversations with some of them, about the weight of past actions and finding what peace we can afterwards."
Edward:
"Immortality can be grating....even longevity can." he chuckled, "Ok, guess." he pointed to himself, casual viewer would say....twenty two
Asbolus:
Asbolus sat back, looking Ed over for a long moment with those piercing eyes of his. "Taken in your early 20s, I reckon?"
Edward:
he shook his head, giving a sad smile.
"Sixteen."
Asbolus:
He nodded quietly at that. "Rather young, then. Was 29 myself." He paused, thinking a moment. "Which means it's been about a decade, then, now that I think about it. I was there for about five years as far as time on this side of the Thorns is concerned, though."
Edward:
"I was taken in eighty seven, little vacation to the States." he sighed, "Met a girl, she kept me.....felt like a century or two.....I guess now I'm supposed to be....fifty three?"
Asbolus:
"Just about. It's odd to think about, really, especially for those of us who were gone for quite a bit longer."
Edward:
"I forgot Ironside was even a place.....then something clicked and I just...I'm glad I'm here." he chuckled, "Thought about going home, to London....couldn't take my Fetches life, he has fucking kids for crying out loud, but didn't like the feel of the old place, wasn't my London, so i settled where I was took, funny ain't it."
Asbolus:
"As did I, until I saw something that reminded me of my uni days." He gave a knowing nod. "I haven't been back to London myself since I returned, although I'm kept updated on how my family there is doing. It would be too close to There for me at this point for me, I think."
Edward:
He nodded, didn't ask how it would be close, that wouldn't help a thing.
"I like this town, it's the right blend of bullshit that keeps life intresting, there the closest thing the Americans have to Football Hooligans back home, bless em."
Asbolus:
"As do I. I'd moved here a few years before to help an old friend with an endeavor of his before being Taken, and it's grown on me over the years." He smirked a touch. "I've met people here that I wouldn't have otherwise, and I am thankful for that despite what I had to go through to get to this point."
Edward:
"So, you do acting right, at least that's what I've heard?"
Asbolus:
"I did at university, yes, and some when I moved here. I manage a local theater these days, though, rather than get on stage myself."
Edward:
"Dinner, community, what kind of plays do ya guys do?"
Asbolus:
"Community, and a fair mix. It's admittedly sort of a 'what the owner wants to see' sort of arrangement, but he has fine taste and the cast and crew are well tended to."
Edward:
"Ok ok, let me take a guess," he folding his hands and closed is eyes in thought, "We're talking....King Lear...Sweeny Todd....and Nerdy Prudes Must Die?"
Asbolus:
"Yes to Lear and no to the other two, at least this season." He said with a small chuckle. "I am rather fond of Sondheim, though, and Sweeney is one of my favorites."
Edward:
"Music is more my thing, so I'm more knowledgeable on that area of the stage....although, I have some knowledge on the Bard, I've been told it's Hard to Be the Bard, but I have to admit, God I Hate Shakespeare.....this is the part where you laugh."
Asbolus:
He paused to think a moment. "Something Rotten, correct? Haven't actually listened to that one, I'll admit."
Edward:
He pointed at him with a chuckle.
"Bingo....if you adore old Willy, you'll either love it or hate it....personally I always found the man overrated."
Asbolus:
"We'll have to disagree there." He smirked a touch. "I can see why, though. The way his works are normally taught are atrocious."
Azuma Hiroko:
Hiroko was nodding her head... Not to say yes, but... She was falling asleep...
Edward:
Ed looked down and chuckled.
"Well, seems the little miss has worn herself out," he smiled, looked back the Asbolus, "New mentee?"
Asbolus:
"Not officially, but we're both with the Winter Court." He smiled softly, giving Hiroko a gentle pat. "And while I'm not a Courser myself I can relate on some level."
Azuma Hiroko:
She rubbed her head into the pets like a cat would.
Edward:
"Yeah...yeah she seems like a Winter," he nodded, "Well, it seems she's a bit more calm now." he stood up, giving the fellow Darkling a nod, "I'll see ya around, where did ya say your theatre was?"
Asbolus:
Asbolus gave the address, along with a nod in return. "Have a good rest of your day."
Edward:
Ed nodded, and headed off, he had teenagers to scare tonight and needed to prep
Azuma Hiroko:
The Beast lifted her hand to give Ed a half hearted wave goodbye as he walked away...
Asbolus:
Asbolus looked down to Hiroko, offering a small smile. "Would you like some company getting home?"
Azuma Hiroko:
She nodded sluggishly and sighed. The thought of getting up and walking was... Tiring already...
Asbolus:
With that he stood and helped her up as needed, guiding the way towards the gate leading back to the world beyond the Thorns.
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