Twenty-four bells: [Action]

[simplestgift]

[Luceti. Even the name is beautiful.

It's quiet here, but not silent. No cannonfire, no stomping feet or shouting men. No bars or guards or grey stone walls. Everything is lovely and serene and everyone is pleasant. Well. Nearly everyone, but that's okay.

In Hornblower's company, Kennedy stops by the bakery and selects, for some reason, cheesecake. He's never had it--not that he can remember, at least--and it is absolutely the most beautiful thing he can imagine. Chocolate cheesecake, smooth and rich and flavorful with a drizzle of raspberry syrup. He tastes it and doesn't just eat it.

They visit the tea shop and he is floored. They visit the clothing shop and he finds a new linen shirt, already made. They visit the library and...

And...

O the glory of the library. It's as if this town was created for his rehabilitation.

Hours are spent in the library until he learns he can take books out. Even then, he very nearly doesn't leave.

On the way home, he asks to be alone for a moment. When given the chance, he walks the woods close to the village. At twilight, he sits at the fountain, staring into space with utter blankness because he knows the pleasantness of this day is going to end.

He doesn't realize it when the moon rises and he's still sitting alone in its pale light.

OOC: Kennedy's replies will come from babymid_archie. Meet him absolutely anywhere during the day or at night. Depending on when and where, Horatio will tag in as well, so remember to specify when/where in your tag. Share his rapture or cheer him up. Possible triggers--character is hella post-traumatic.]

Comments

[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

I have no business with you. [The ronin declared, his eyes still closed and his frown deepening slightly.] I will not attack a man senselessly.

[unneeded]

[Archie blinks rapidly a few times, then sets the rock back down, feeling very foolish even though the adrenaline flow hasn't even stopped increasing, his mind knowing he's okay before his brain does.]

Which is why you loosed your sword, I expect.

[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[At what he perceived as an insult - the veracity of his words seemingly questioned - he lifted his head and pinned a critical, narrowed-eyed glare on Kennedy. Where he might have thought to cut the poor fellow down in a fit of affronted annoyance years ago, things had since changed; largely through working with Lupin, he had rediscovered the virtues of mercy and compassion that had had no place under Sandayu Momochi’s roof. ‘A good sword is one left in its scabbard’; an alternative to violent confrontation was best, that is, when another option was available.

He forced down a little surge of irritation anger, breathing deeply and deciding this was really not worth getting ruffled over. After all, he reminded himself, this man was in a panic only a moment before, fearing for his safety.]

Zantetsuken is more than a weapon. [He found himself stating, aloofly and dour-faced, meaning to suggest that he could draw it for purposes other than to strike decisively.]

[unneeded]

[Archie can not, with any measure of strength, meet that gaze. He just wants this to be over.]

Yes, sir.

[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[The samurai straightened slightly, blinking thoughtfully. The answer was not quite what he expected; the man’s bowed head and clipped words brought to mind the image of a scolded child reluctantly acquiescing to some punishment.

No…

It brought to mind the image of his younger self sitting across Momochi, and the old man watching him with amusement in his half-lidded eyes while taking a long drag of his cigarette, the dim orange glow of the embers flaring through the darkness of the room. He remembered feeling sweat crawl down his sides, his jaw set, his face stiff...

How courtesy demanded that he slant his gaze downwards, just enough to avoid directly meeting the other’s eyes.

And how he had been grateful for the lack of eye-contact while waiting, in silence, for the impending tirade at having arrived late.

Goemon suddenly surfaced from his thoughts, his frown softening just slightly before he closed his eyes again, lapsing into silence and willing his mind to clear. He let out a quiet breath, his shoulders somewhat reluctant to drop.]