Dinner last night was amazing!! Today is a new day and it feels a lot nicer out today then it did yesterday. Today, Yuuki has decided to do something she hasn't done in over a year. She has taken her cello out and is currently sitting in King Penguin Park with it.
Its a funny thing when you are looking at your past through something you love. That is exactly what the young girl is doing right now. The last time she played, she was learning a song that her dad had enjoyed. It was the last time she played. He got to hear her but it brok her up. Now she is just sitting there, holding her cello with the bow in hand.
Slowly she takes her bow across the strings. Something is wrong. She stops and makes a quick adjustment to the tuning. Then she starts playing. The melancholy sound of 'Ave Maria' begins to ring out. She's still a rookie but she's definitely showing that she has practiced. At least in the past she did. She's shaking off the rust.
Jiaying Maki hasn't had such a good night herself, but things are looking better as a whole for her. She's making her way through the park, refamiliarizing herself with everything after just about a month away from Japan. This place being a hotspot for weirdness has her kind of hoping something weird will happen.
She's wearing a loose fitting long sweater coat with what looks like a few strips of paper hidden away towards the back in a few places matched a light colored blouse, a dark colored skirt and tights. Hearing the cello being played gets a curious look from the fox-girl and she makes her way towards the sound.
It's not a song she's familiar with, but she looks around and takes a convenient seat nearby to watch for a moment. She doesn't say anything to avoid interrupting the girl
She continues playing. The music moving through her soul and cutting through her heart like a blade. It. As she plays, tears fill her eyes. The young girl keeps going as if she is trying to send a message to someone. Its a really pure moment for the young musician.
Finally the music ends. Yuuki looks up to the sky, almost looking for someone. Expecting them to be there. "I am starting to make friends again. I'm really trying. You said you would always be with me but... You aren't here are you?" She asks, questioning the sky.
With that she hangs her head and looks down at her cello. Her fingers trace the edges of the instrument. Its smooth with few edges. She gives a little smile. Its been too long since she played her instrument.
Jiaying Maki watches up until the girl begins to cry. She suddenly finds it easier to look elsewhere, not wanting to seem like she's staring. From her seat, she quietly waits until the song is over before standing up to make her way over. Stopping nearby, she scuffs her heel and asks Yuuki cautiously, "How long have you been practicing?"
It's clear it's not quite what she wanted to ask, but she's got it in her head that being straight forward won't help. She turns to face the girl and offers her a warm smile while adding, "It was very pretty."
There's an awkward moment where she stands there before she eventually adds, "Sorry if I'm bothering- sorry sorry."
The younger girl looks up wiping her eyes. 'Gomen! I've not played in a while. I started playing a few years ago. I really enjoy playing though. I just haven't played much since..." She doesn't finish that thought. "That was Ave Maria. It was my daddy's favorite song.
She looks at Jiaying, "Thank you very much. Its nice to hear." She smiles, "My name is Yuuki Oshiro. I just moved here at the start of the school year. I'm from Okinawa."
Then she hears that, "Oh no. You aren't bothering. Its okay. I don't mind. Its actually really nice. Whats your name?"
Jiaying Maki rubs the back of her head awkwardly, then nods since it seems she didn't intrude too much here. "I don't know the song, I'm sorry." She holds her hands up and says, "But I really did like it. I'm Jiaying Maki-" she holds up her fingers and counts to herself, "I uh, about the same actually. Though from Taiwan rather than somewhere else in Japane."
She offers a polite bow before continuing, "What is your favorite song?" Curious to see what it is and to maybe get away frmo what she's sure is a sore subject.
Yuuki Oshiro shrugs, "I dunno. I like Gimme Chocolate by Babymetal! Its really fun! And the music is loud and just fun!" She giggles. She thinks a little and slowly begins putting her cello away. "I feel a lot better. Last night I got to have dinner with friends! It was cool."
She thinks a little, "Wow! Taiwan? That would be really cool. What is it like there? Is it pretty? I know Okinawa is really pretty sometimes. It gets a little weird when it storms in Okinawa. Just really windy and stuff."
Jiaying Maki tilts her head to the right, then left and says, "I liked megitsune, but it's kind of funny to me for some reason." She shrugs and taps her foot a few times on the ground with a smile, "I listen to Cthonic more often though." She shrugs and adds, "I mean the singer's kinda neat right?"
She looks confused while asking, "It doesn't rain often down there? Or does it just look like it's not raining? I thought Japan was kinda rainy." She looks around and takes a seat before resting her hands on her lap and smiling, "Okinawa is the... it's farms right?"
Yuuki Oshiro shrugs, "It rains sometimes. Sometimes it gets bad. Others it just rains. Its nice there though. Okinawa actually has all sorts of things going on. Farming is just one of the things. There is a lot of fishing, There are resorts, My daddy was a contractor and helped make buildings. My momma was a doctor there and she is here too. She enjoys helping peoples. Its not vas different as this place is. Well not as high and crazy big. This city is huge."
She smiles a little at the mention of other bands and stuff. I like all sorts of music though. Sometimes I listen to just classical music because it can be really pretty. Like umm, Schubert and Mozart! Schubert is really fun though. He really had fun with playing the piano."
Jiaying Maki brushes her skirt off and pulls her sweater tighter against herself before leaning forward again. With a nod, she says, "A doctor? I knew a hea-ve....doctor back home that always helped me out. I miss auntie, I'm kind of worried about the doctors here." She doesn't say why. There's an akward shuffling of her feet below before she continues, "The city is really big isn't it? I lived out in the middle of nowhere with other wu's and de- well. We lived out in the middle of nowhere. Yes."
She smiles, "I have no idea who Shoobert is, I think I know Mozart. That's the duh duh duh duuuh guy right?" She looks embarassed and says flatly, "I didn't listen to a lot of the western music, only recently did I get to hear it. I like Chinese folk music though. and the Mongolian chants are neat."
Yuuki Oshiro smiles, "Well if you want a good Doctor, you can always ask for Doctor Oshiro. Thats my mom and she is really good. I love her so much!" She smiles softly and ocnsiders. "She alwats makes sure I'm safe and stuff. Its pretty cool."
"Here!" She gets out her phone and begins playing a some music. Its Schuberts String Quartet in B Flat Major. Its a very slow and meloncholy tune. A truely lovely sounding tune.
Jiaying Maki looks slightly embarassed and starts to say something that sounds like it may be an attempt to get out of it, but then she realizes she should shrug it off mentally and say, "Sure, I'll definitely give it a try if something happens again."
Listening to the phone, leaning forward and canting her head in a way tht may look a touch strange, but makes it real easy to hear, she smiles. "It's nice. I like uh... a lot of music really. I don't do a lot with it though. I'm bad at carrying a tune with instruments. I can sing though!"
Yuuki Oshiro smiles, "Oh Singing is pretty cool,. I don't sing. I just don't think I can do it. I like playing music more. I think I'm just starting to make friends here though. Nanoha is really nice. She's in my class. Nicola is too. They are both really awesome!" She smiles over that.
She shrugs, "What do you do when you're not wondering the park listening to people play the cello?" She asks curiously.
Jiaying Maki leans back to stretch her legs out, turning her ankles inward for that good long stretch. Settling back down, smoothing the long skirt out she looks to Yuuki, "I don't think I've met either of those two, but I kind of keep to myself at Seishou, even in the art club."
There's a beat, "I do calligraphy and art. I do a lot of calligraphy actually." What, doing spell charms counts! Especially since she's sure making them look better makes them stronger too!
There's a few moments of thought, then she says, "I also like to explore. Just walking. It's not quite the same as back home, but there is still a lot to explore and a lot to try and do."
Yuuki Oshiro smiles happily, "Exploring soundsfun. I haven't gotten to do that yet. I mean I've been here but I just sorta help out at home. With my mom always working, She needs help sometimes. So I help out with cooking and cleaning. Its really tough sometimes. Last night I made Udon noodles."
She smiles and thinks a little. "Oooo I've seen Calligraphy before. Its really cool. Its pretty! I can't do stuff like that. I just do music really." Nope nothing cool like spell charms here.
"OH!!! I go to Seishou! I am in the fifth grade, so I'm in the elementary school. It's okay I guess."
Jiaying Maki runs her fingers through her hair and says, "My father kind of lets me do what I want for the most part." Mostly because he's busy and not home, but also because of whose kid she is and all. She totally would sneak out if she had to though! "Udon noodles are the wheat noodles right?" Trying to remember if she's got the right term for it in her head. "I think they're what they call cu mein here." (Cho mein!).
There's a brief shrug, then she smiles, "It is something I think anyone can learn. It's not like music-" She snrks, "Where you can learn it, but not fully grasp it, if that makes sense? But you can definitely do calligraphy since it's just fancy writing. Kind of." She does the whole nine yards thing when she works, but that's something else.
The mention that she's a class mate, sort of gets another smile from the girl. "Neat! I'm in grade eight myself. Okay is a good descriptor I Think."
Yuuki Oshiro shrugs, "Oh yes! Its wheat noodles and they are super duper yummy! I like them in a really rich broth with a little meat and stuff. Its delicious!" She smiles a little and thinks softly, "I don't think I've had Cu Mein before. I will have to try it though!"
She then nods slowly. Maybe I should try to do it sometime. It could be a lot of fun.I don't know if I'd be good at it. My handwriting is really bad." She blushes a littl.
The girl just shrugs, "Its really different here. My old school was just really normal. Here, things are just so different. It feels like there is stuff going on. I can't explain it. Its just what I feel."
Jiaying Maki shrugs and says, "Traditional calligraphy isn't the same as normal writing-" She pauses to think about it then shrugs, "It is and it isn't. There's more flair to it and it's less hurried? I... can't think of how to describe it. Sorry."
She laughs lightly, "Cu mein's like udon, it's close enough anyway. It's probably prepared differently back home, but I haven't really tried it out here." She taps her fingers, "I do like ramen though."
The mention of stuff going on gets a curious look. "What do you mean stuff?" Wondering if it's something supernatural or something she should report to someone else or somewhere between.
Yuuki Oshiro hmms, "So its more like art and less like writing. THat makes a lot of sense. I should probably give it a try sometime. I think it could be fun." She gives a little smile and shrugs.
"Oh really? OH! I know how to make ramen too! Momma taught me how to do up ramen and udon so I could start them when she's not home yet. So we can eat together when she gets home. Its really tough but its yummy when its done right." Yuuki smiles a little and zips up her cello case.
She then looks down and thinks a little. "Umm, Well? It just feels weird. I don't know. Its hard to explain. It just feels like there is a lot of stuff going on that no one knows about. It just feels that way. Almost like its a big secret. No one wants to talk about it. Its like a big mystery." She shrugs. "I might just be homesick though.
Jiaying Maki nods and smiles, "If you need any help let me know if you see me around, I'd be happy to show you my brushes." She hesitates, "I'll bring my portable brushes." Because her real brushes tend to have a weird green hue to them.
"There's some pretty nice simple recipes for ramen dishes. You don't do it with the bone stock right?" What, she knows her food when she knows her food! It turns to a grin, "That's my favorite kind. Any of them really. Especially if you throw some chicken in after. Maybe egg too." She pauses and mutters to herself, "Great I want stirfry now."
Shaking her head quickly she focuses on the last statement again. Resting her elbows on her knees and chin on her hands, she asks, "A secret no one likes to talk about huh? Do you see weird things?"
Yuuki Oshiro beams, "That would be really super cool! I hope I can try it sometime. I bet it will be fun to do! It would be fun to make really pretty notes for friends and stuff. I bet people would be super duper impressed too!"
She then listens, "Oh I don't do it with bones. That is too much work for me and momma doesn't want me doing too much cooking when she's not there. We use chicken base or beef base, veggie base. Or some Miso base! I like it with egg in it too! Sometimes I put a little extra chicken in mine cause it gets really yummy!"
Then there is a curious question. "No. I don't really see anything. It just feels like there is stuff happening. I'm not crazy. Really!" She hasn't had her eyes opened to that stuff... yet.
Jiaying Maki nods again, "I would start with just learning to use a brush, you don't need to start writing things until you know how the ink and brush behave." She holds her hand out like she's doing ink strokes, "Smooth motions since you can't fix mistakes right?"
She twirls her finger briefly and adds, "Well you kind of can, but it's a pain and isn't good so you should start over normally anyway. Uh- ramen right right." She pauses while listening. "I don't like miso, it smells too strongly, makes it taste funny." There's a beat, "But I always throw extra chicken in."
Finally, normally she'd be all about teasing someone right there on the edge of knowing about magic, but being a younger kid she doesn't have it in her. Instead she says, "Never said you were crazy. It's nice to believe in things."
Yuuki Oshiro nods slowly, "I will have to find some brushes. Maybe I can learn!" She will likely be asking her mom for some brushes now. Ah well. "Okay start by learning what the brushes do. That makes sense."
She giggles, "I like Miso. Its nice when I don't feel like eating a bunch of meats. Plus it is nice for warming up or just drinking down the broth!"
Then back to the mysteries of what is going on in the city. "If you say so. I just don't want people to think I'm super crazy and stuff. I wonder what my daddy would say to me if he knew what I was talking about. He'd probably say I was silly and give me a hug."
Jiaying Maki drums her fingers on the bench and says, "Next time we're at school try to find me. I'll bring my old brushes. They are a little worn out, but they'll be good for practice right?" She hesitates before saying, "I don't have any spare ink right now though. You can probably talk to the art club if you want to try after school though right?"
She just shakes her head at the ramen talk though. "Never enough chicken in my ramen. I really don't like miso though!" She snrks while adding, "I like jerky when I can find it too though. And eggs, any kind o- almost any kind of egg." She almost blanches at the thought of one kind of egg.
She holds her hands up as she sits up straight, "Oh no no, it's fine. Just uh.." she frowns. How does she go about explaining it without explaining it. "You know what to do if you see weird people right?" Beat, "The bad kind of weird."
Yuuki Oshiro blinks a few times. "Oh that would be so cool! I could work with other things too! I know! Water Colors! That would be fun to practice with and I have some at home! I can't wait to try! I totally will too." She gives a genuine smile, "Umm, will you be at the Trick or treating thing at the schools this monday? I heard its going to be at all the school!"
She smiles, "I like udon more the ramen though. The noodles have a sweeter flavor and they are thicker. I like that will all sorts of yummy stuff.
She then thinks a little about what she has to say. "If I see something really bad and weird I think I might just run. That would make the most sense."
Jiaying Maki rubs her chin and says, "You know, maybe I will show up in costume." It would be a fun excuse to not bother with a disguise for a day! "I wouldn't use the brushes you use with inks with the water colors. I don't know if it would cause problems." She says flatly, "I'm terrible with water colors so I'm not sure."
She nods at the food talk again! "I like sweet flavors too, but not as much. I can't even eat chocolate." Well, maybe, none of them wanted to bother with the risk though.
She nods again at the last statement from the younger girl. "Right good." She drums her fingers against her knee and adds, "Have you seen anything like that?"
Yuuki Oshiro smiles a little. "Ohhh! I will just talk to my momma about getting some. She will get it for me. Thats not a problem. Then I can try using them. Maybe I will be a natural at it!" She says with a little wishful thinking.
She looks at Jia and blinks a few times, "Are you allergic to it? I would be super sad if I were allergic to chocolate. I love it so much! Its so yummy!" She beams over that one.
Then its back to the those curious questions, "No, I didn't see anything except in my nightmares. Those are creepy. But that stuff isn't real." She looks curiously at Jia," Why do you keep asking about the not so good things? Do you see not so good ones?"
Jiaying Maki nods quickly, "Good good, if you do water colors or calligraphy, make sure you show it off. You only get better with help from others." She holds up a finger and says flatly, "Even if at the time it upsets you." Which may or may not be something she's had to deal with more than once.
"I am allergic to chocolate" beat, "I'm pretty sure I am at least." She nods quickly and says, "We never really wanted to test the theory though."
She gets a deer in the headlights look at the last question. "I uh... just want to make sure curiosity doesn't get the best of you?" she lets her breath out, then says quickly, "Especially with the costumed sorts around right?"
Yuuki Oshiro laughs, "Okay I will be sure to show what I do off. I don't want to feel bad about it though. Ya know? I want to feel good about my work."
She then frowns, "Oh that really stinks. You should at least try. If you never try you can never be sure. Just have someone who can help there if you need it." She smiles. Her intentions are pure at least.
Then she frowns, "I'm not a little girl! I'm 8!" She says sounding like she may or may not be a little too couragous for her own good. "I only want to go to the school and get candy and treats from the teachers. Will you be there?"
Jiaying Maki holds her hands up and says, "You should feel good about any work you put out as long as you're trying your best to improve. Don't let someone bully you about it either, but if it's a friend suggesting honest improvements? They're trying to help." She huffs and mutters, "Even if you want to smack'em for it."
With her hands dropped she shakes her head sadly, "I won't risk that, I'm sorry Oshiro, my mother definitely was and I'm pretty sure I am too."
She resists the urge to patpat the girl at her outburst, "I don't mean those costumed sorts- I mean... how do I explain it..."
Yuuki Oshiro smiles a little and nods a little. "Oh okay. I won't get discouraged. It will give me something more to do when I am at home waiting for momma to get home. I bet it will be fun!" She beams happily.
Then the sad part is told. She frowns and lets the topic drop. She doesn't want to press it or hurt anyone.
"I dunno. The only costumed people I know of are the ones who are going to be out during halloween and the ones in mangas. Why would someone need a costume outside of those times?"
Jiaying Maki nods and smiles, "Good good!" Then she stands up, stretching out once again while working out a few kinks. She checks behind her after to make sure she's maintaining her own disguise and says, "Oh I'm sure there are a few good reasons to dress up while you're out and about in normal life Oshiro. People get funny when they see fuzzy ears." Nope, not going to explain that either!
She isn't using illusions, she's just teasing a bit, that's not so bad right? "What kind of thing are you going to write? I could..." she thinks, "I could give you Chinese poems to transcribe. I'm sure there are Japanese poems in mostly Kanji too."
Yuuki Oshiro giggles a little. "Most people don't have fuzzy ears. I mean unless you're like old then you get fuzz coming out of your ears. I hope I don't get fuzz coming out of my ears." She giggles a little more. "I dunno. It just seems a little silly ya know?"
Then she smiles, "To start I think it would be best just to practice my alphabit. Then maybe when I get the hang of it, I will start writing things like poems so I can get better at it. Plus I think it would be pretty cool to be able to write actual letters, like between people, so I can impress my friends."
Jiaying Maki looks up at the mention of most people not having fuzzy ears. "Hm? I guess you're right there. That would look silly with fuzzy ears right?" While reaching up to hold fingers up... you know, right where her ears are, if they were visible.
"Start with Hiragana, it's more fluid so it will be easier then. Katakana is.. actually pretty easy as well. It's not like hanzi and kanji where it has to be done in specific orders."
Yuuki Oshiro nods slowly. "Okay um, Thats kinda cool. I will look it up and do my best to learn it. I hope I do okay. It will be fun to see what I can do. I will take my time and have fun with it!" She smiles bright.
"Umm I think I should probably get home soon. I mean, My momma is probably wondering where I am. I wonder what she is planning for dinner tonight. Maybe we will go out! I hope so. Thats always fun! I will see you soon. Probably at school!"
Jiaying Maki waves to the girl as she points in the opposite direction, "Sure sure, I need to head home as well. See you around." She waves to the girl and turns on her heel to make her way... away. Well at the least she has gotten better about this sort fo thing. She only kind of came across as weird rather than just flaunting being weird!