sharpsurprise

4.

[Open spam]

[Souji's plenty warm in what he has at home, so all of the decorating he's doing is completely voluntary. It just looks nice and festive, if unfamiliar. He can be found hanging up bows, bells and coloured paper chains in the gym and the hallway and common room of level 4.

When he's all out of glitter he heads down to the art room, where he'll be composing a gift list in graceful, if slightly out-of-practice calligraphy. He's used to writing New Year's wishes to the Shinsengumi's associates; it's really not all that different, he figures.]

I'd like Chris to get a very official-looking diploma testifying that he is licensed to teach coolness. Maybe this will give him the confidence to teach geezers like me.

I'd like for Captain Rogers to have a notebook, so he can organize everything he needs to organize.

For Miss Chromie, some food that may be boring to me, but delicious to her. Lamb, maybe? And some furniture that she doesn't have to climb!

Dante seems like he'd be very happy with some alcohol. Beer and sake, please!

I'd like for Bucky to not have to worry about his friend too much, but if that's not possible, something sweet from where he's from.

I think Lydia would enjoy a beautiful winter kimono. Red, maybe, to match her hair.

I'd like for Wichita to have a book of games, for the next time she's bored.

Luna should get more art supplies, including paint that's easy to wash off so she can use the same space more often!

For Cambridge, as a 'thank you', an assortment of sweet treats. I'm not sure if he likes them, but maybe he can teach his machine some new tricks if he's eaten them?

And finally, for Vergil... Oku no Hosomichi, and the first few parts of Nanso Sattomi Hakkenden. We can ask Miss Chromie for the rest, if he likes it. I've seen photographs of his mother in his brother's room, so if it's possible, a photograph of his family, and of his son.

For everyone back home, to not have too many worries. For everyone on the Barge, to have a clear view of their goals for the coming year, and the strength to accomplish them.

[Private to Steve]

Captain Rogers? Would you have some time to talk, soon?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, I haven't been very busy lately! I'm free now. If could come to your cabin, if you'd like.

Sure, that's fine. Level 7, last door - I've got a wreath up, although maybe that's not so unusual around here, at the moment.

Everything's been very festive lately! It's a little confusing, but it's fun, right? [He'll keep on typing as he makes his way to Steve's door, though it doesn't take long.]

Well, I always liked Christmas, anyway - but we never had decorations this nice.

[And he's got the door cracked since he knows Souji is coming, so when he hears movement getting close, he pulls the door open the rest of the way to greet him.] Hey. Come on in.

[There place is a pretty simple one-bedroom apartment; there's a couch and a desk with a chair, so Souji can sit wherever he likes - or stand if he prefers. There's also a seven-foot Christmas tree in the corner, but it's decorated pretty simply, mostly with just lights.]

[Souji makes for a very unimpressive appearance, with his still-pale skin, narrow shoulders and plain white kimono. He's pretty short, too, especially compared to Steve, and he has to look up at the other man. He looks a little impressed at Steve's height, not bothering to be too polite about that, and then peers through the door into the apartment.

He steps in after taking off his shoes, making him even shorter, and will remain standing for now.]

I'm not even sure I know what Christmas is, exactly! [He unwinds his scarf from around his throat, still looking around] Your cabin is very nice, Captain. Ah-- cozy.

[Unimpressive at first glance, maybe - but Steve's not about to underestimate anyone, because he hated it when people looked at him and immediately wrote it off.

Besides, he hated being short and skinny most of the time, but every once in a while, it had its advantages. If Souji stays standing, though, he will, too.]

Oh - thanks. [It's weird, he's still a little self-conscious about living in such a nice place, sometimes, mainly because what he grew up with was absolutely not this. But what else has he got to spend his salary on, he figures.] And Christmas is - well, mainly it's a religious holiday, although it's kind of grown a lot, too. People give gifts to each other to show appreciation and love, but the holiday's really to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - the son of God, if you believe in Him. [Which he does, but he knows that not everyone does, and Steve's always sort of figured, to each his own.]

[He looks around a bit more, until he thinks it might become impolite, and then walks over to the couch. It's another unfamiliar thing to him, used to bamboo mats and pillows more than anything; but he's taken a liking to a lot of foreign (and, he supposes, modern) things since coming to the Barge.

He sits down, hands folded in his lap, and looks at Steve as he explains.] Oh! So it's a Christian holiday? How interesting! [He'd say 'that's illegal, back home', but he won't-- he's guessing that Steve does believe in what he's explaining, and it would be pretty rude to bring that up.] I suppose a lot of people do, considering the decorations.

[Steve definitely doesn't mind if he looks around. Not everyone comes from the same place or time.

He nods at the question, though.] Yeah, that's right. Although some people just celebrate the gift-giving part, by now. [Well, more than he's used to, but maybe it just seems that way. He's not sure.] But I think you might be right - some people around here have really gotten into the spirit. I think it's kind of nice, but I guess I might be biased. [But the Barge looks festive, and he likes it.]

So, what did you want to talk to me about? [And since he doesn't want to be the only one standing, he grabs the desk chair and pulls it over, so they can face each other.]

[Well, he's been doing plenty of decorating himself, looking at other people's example and following it, liberally.

He shifts when Steve gets down to business. He crosses his legs at the ankles and smiles.]

I arrived here when all the lights were out, and I remember you were quite busy with everything. I'd like to be able to help, now.

Oh - yeah, well. I guess we were all kinda busy. And you were feeling a little under the weather, huh? [He's not going to focus on it - you do seem better now, and he never liked people focusing on him, when he felt awful. So he just nods and moves on.] Did you still want to help out with patrols? I admit, I'm still thinking they might be a good idea.

But I'm open to any other ideas you have, too. [He's learned that a fresh perspective is good, and Souji is newer than he is. He might catch things Steve's missed or gotten used to.]

A little! [He laughs a little, but there's no real joy there. He'd been so sure he would die from the disease in his lungs, for so long-- and now that it's gone, he's left feeling at once relieved and unsure of what he's still doing on the Barge. He wants to help Vergil, but it seems like such a momentous task. Honestly, it's all a little confusing.]

Well, there's not usually any need for them. But whenever there's an emergency situation, we should at least have people ready and able to patrol. Everyone would know their duty, and we would be much more able to handle the emergency.

[It's a big task, being here, whether you have an inmate or not. But Steve is sure Souji is up to it.

He nods.] From what I know, there isn't a lot in place, for when there's an emergency. [They even had to request fire equipment from the Admiral, pretty recently.] I think you're really on to something. Maybe we could ask every warden what their strengths are, and assign people accordingly?

Right! And you seem to know a lot of people, so they might be more willing to help out. And it might be good for everyone's spirits, to know that we can protect ourselves.

I guess I do know a lot of people - at least, a lot that would be willing to help out.

[He almost sounds surprised - but then, he's got more friends here than he did, back home, by far. Maybe it's just the nature of this place, but that doesn't mean he's not grateful for it.]

I think it's a good thing, too, that we let as many people who want to be involved have a part in this. It makes it feel more like a community, you know? And that is what we are, even if we're a lot of other things, too.

[A pause.] There are a couple of inmates I think we could ask, too - although I guess we'd better pair them with a warden. But teams of two is a good idea for everyone, I'd think.

[He smiles a little at Steve's surprise, understanding that he's thankful for his contacts as much as he's surprised by them.]

Depending on the nature of the calamity, maybe? It might give some of the inmates comfort and confidence.

[He nods.] And remind them that they've got a stake in things around here, too - for better or worse, this is their home as much as ours. They deserve to have some say, I think, as long as it's for the greater good.

[Yes, they're prisoners. But this isn't your run-of-the-mill prison.]

[To be quite honest, he's still not used to thinking of this place as a 'prison'. It feels more like a school, like the compound back home. Some people have more privileges than others, but it's only natural. He doesn't feel like a warden, he feels like a teacher: he's just teaching something else than swordfighting, now.

He beams at Steve, glad that they're on the same page about this. He's looking forward to this, knows how to do this. It's comfortable.]

It will be. So, ah-- If you could ask, since you know so many people, I could make a schedule that would suit everyone's needs.

[Steve tries to keep in mind that it is a prison, but he kind of suffers from the same thing. It's really not such a bad place, and despite the fact that there's very nearly always some kind of trouble, he's kind of started to feel like it's actually a really good home.

But maybe that's just because his best friend is here. He tries not to think about it.]

Oh - sure. That would be great. I can get you a list, and we'll go from there? Then we can make sure that list gets posted in places were people can check it regularly.

[ooc: I can have him make a post about it, does that sound good? :D]

[He claps his hands together in almost childlike excitement.] Wonderful! Ah, I'm very glad. I have to admit, I've missed these sort of things.

[He almost looks a little embarrassed, because who misses patrols? But it'll be nice to have something else to do besides worry about Vergil and train.

He stands up, straightens his kimono and bows a little at the waist.] I'm looking forward to working with you, Captain!

Oh yeah? [He laughs a little.] I do get the feeling, actually. It's nice to have a little normalcy, especially when things are pretty far from normal, otherwise.

[Because life on a space barge is definitely not normal.] And I think a lot of people will feel the same way.

[As Souji stands, so does he - and he offers his hand again, more in thanks than anything else.] The same to you - [He pauses.] Do you have a rank? [He's suddenly not sure, and he doesn't want to ignore that if he does.]

[He looks at Steve's hand and then... awkwardly clutches it with both of his. He's still not sure what to do in these situations, but he makes the best of the culture clashes on the Barge.]

Hm-- 'Captain of the First Division of the Shinsengumi'. But it's a little strange, since the Shinsengumi aren't here, right?

Edited 2015-01-04 10:50 (UTC)

[Well, it's a little awkward, but Steve manages the handshake anyway. He really doesn't know anything about Japanese culture, or he might try to do things your way, honestly.

He laughs,] Neither is the Army, but I'm still a captain, right? So Captain Okita it is, unless you don't like the sound of that?

[He's learning a lot, but sometimes things still catch him by surprise-- people not taking their shoes off before entering a cabin, or how they address each other. He watches their hands go up and down, and figures he managed that pretty well. Maybe that's how it actually works?]

Ah, no, that's fine! It's what I'm used to. Were you Captain for a long time, Captain Rogers? Before coming here?

[It's definitely a challenge, figuring out all the different cultures around here. But Souji's definitely got the handshake idea now, at least!]

You do get kind of used to it. I've been a captain for... about four years. [Give or take sixty-seven, but that's kind of beside the point.] It was a pretty, uh, rushed promotion, and it took me a long time to feel like I've earned it.

[Almost as long as Souji himself, even though Souji looks like he's quite a bit younger than Steve himself.]

I'm sure you did! But you do now, right? Feel that way?

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[spam] absolutely, sounds great!

[spam] Excellent, I will try to get that up this weekend!

[spam] cool!!!

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