[closed] hard work is good for the soul

[sengetsu]

CHARACTERS: Kojuro Katakura (sengetsu) and Archer (anti_altruisms)
DATE:
WARNINGS:
SUMMARY: Battled-hardened warriors being surprisingly domestic


[Kojuro has been spending his days helping the Nalawi, in as much as they're willing to accept it. It's a good distraction from the task that's facing them down, too - Kojuro still isn't entirely comfortable with the idea of trying to kill gods, but he's accepted they don't have a better option, and neither does this world.

And working with his hands has always been calming. It lets him think without getting too far in to his own worries, the repetative motions a counterpoint to whatever he's turning over and over in his mind. Today the area he's in is near the main village - he'd helped to clear and seed the land earlier, which means it's upkeep. And with the amount of sun and rain these islands seem to get, it's a lot of upkeep. Weeds grow just as fast as vegetables, if not faster. So he's walking between the tilled rows, pausing to pull out unwanted stems where ever he spots them.]

Comments

[anti_altruisms]

[ Archer, by contrast, hasn't been spending much time with the Nalawi at all. He isn't a people person to begin with, but the drain on magic has made him more lethargic. Even doing what he can to keep his mana supply intact (or at least somewhat level), he's been reluctant to exert himself too much.

There are a few exceptions to that, though, which is why he is currently taking Rin's baby lion for a walk. He's a rambunctious thing so, of course, when Archer isn't looking, he takes off. ]

Pfeil!

[ Heads up, Kojuro! A fuzzy white cub is headed your way. ]

[sengetsu]

[Kojuro looks up from his work at the call, to see... Some sort of animal bound towards him. What it is exactly - some kind of dog? - is less important than the fact that it's going to run right over his seedlings.]

Ah, no-!

[attempt to get to it before it gets too far into the field - go!]

[anti_altruisms]

[ Startled by the stranger's voice, Pfeil skids a bit and darts off in another direction. Thankfully, he misses any seedlings along the way, but it is a close thing.

Letting out a soft 'tch' under his breath, Archer darts out into the open field to catch the furry beast. (This is the last time he takes Pfeil for a walk, he swears.) ]

Pfeil!

[ Distracted by the tone, the lion cub slows down for a moment - quick, Kojuro! Grab him while you can! ]

[sengetsu]

[Kojuro is quick to react, and when the cub slows, he grabs the opening - and the furry nuisance invading his garden. He grabs the cub with both hands, just behind it's front legs, and lifts it off the ground. Which actually takes a bit of effort, because that is not exactly a tiny animal]

Gotcha!

[anti_altruisms]

[ The little (big?) cat squirms around when he's caught. Not fair! Not fun!

Archer lets out an exasperated sigh and slows down to a walk when he sees the furry thing caught. ]

My apologies.

[ He shoots at look at the white cub, to which Pfeil finally stops wriggling. ]

He has a mind of his own today.

[sengetsu]

[Kojuro is vaguely reminded of trying to wrangle a squirming Bontenmaru - who was probably almost as likely to bite, all things considered. Which, in turn, means he's pretty well-equipped to hold his own until the cub stops squirming]

Is he your's?

[anti_altruisms]

[ It's a sad, sad look on Pfeil's face right now. He almost looks downright pitiful, but there isn't much pity in Archer's gaze. ]

After a fashion.

[ That's code-speak for, he's babysitting. ]

I'll take him off your hands.

[sengetsu]

[Kojuro is also immune to that look, because Masamune wore out the 'get out of trouble by being cute' trick a long, long time ago. He offers the cub to Archer]

I would be grateful - before he starts digging up seedlings.

[anti_altruisms]

[ Pfeil looks very put out by all of this, but Archer accepts him just the same. Shifting him on his hip, Archer is careful not to disturb the small pouch hanging at his waist. He's gotten into the habit of carrying the egg he was given just about everywhere. ]

I'm certain he would never intentionally do such a thing.

[ A dry statement. He casts a critical eye at Pfeil but ultimately softens. ]

I'll make sure to steer him clear of this area the next time we're out.

[sengetsu]

Not for the sake of causing damage, maybe, but animals tend to be fairly indiscriminate in their digging. [a fact he knows from far, far too much experience]

I appreciate it, though - we finally got this lot to sprout, so I'm hoping they'll last long enough to mature.