Harbinger of death from the world of witchcraft

[wavesoakedlegs]

Who: The crew of the Koumyou.
Where: Isla Empieza; maybe out on the ocean later?
When: From the 11th until the 17th.
What: The cursed, the uncursed and the influence of That Voice.
Warnings: Violence and general unpleasantness.
Style: Any!
Status: Mostly closed to the Koumyou; ask if you think you could get involved?


1. Strangeness begins
2. A Special Meal

Comments

[behisstrength]

Motochika pauses, taking a moment to regard Aiichiro, even over the food -- after the recent strange behaviour, he has every reason to. What he sees apparently pleases him. He cannot deny that it's a relief to find Aiichiro peaceful, without a trace of that former agitation.

Motochika smiles.

"That is thoughtful of you," he says, finally lowering his gaze to take in the food.

It looks as good as it smells, which means tempting indeed, so there really is no other answer to give.

"So be it."

[aidreamofsenpai]

Aiichiro smiles, then goes as far as starting to serve up the food for his captain. Everything's going to be all right now, he's sure of it. He just has to get everyone to eat, and then everything will be just fine.

He speaks as holds out the bowl, a piece of bread nestled on the plate beneath alongside it.

"I thought everyone could use a bit of a treat. I've been experimenting with recipes, and I was thinking maybe I could even get Rin-senpai to try it if I made something special..."

[behisstrength]

Motochika takes the food. Aiichiro's enthusiasm is reassuringly normal; with the ominous happenings going on, he had started to fear for the boy's wellbeing.

"My thanks. Rin is fortunate to have such a devoted friend."

He pauses to dip the tip of the bread into the stew, and takes a bite, before humming in appreciation.

"The first taste is promising," he offers, one corner of his mouth curling upwards.

[aidreamofsenpai]

"I'm really glad."

Aiichiro watches a little too closely, perhaps. He's not entirely sure of his plan; the problem is that he doesn't know anything about poisons, wound up finally taking what seemed best after talking to several people on Isla Empieza, while trying not to be too obvious about his goal. He'd wound up guessing a lot about how to do it, but surely it's enough, right?

As long as everyone eats a decent amount, instead of just taking a bite or two, he thinks. Hopefully. And then they'll all be free.

"I want to learn to cook a lot more things! I mean, cook them really well, not just make them edible. It's a really nice way to make people happy."

[behisstrength]

"A noble goal. Morale is an important part of life at sea. One person's mood impacts the tone of everyone's mood."

Given Aiichiro's normal abundance of energy, Motochika doesn't think much of how closely he's being watched, putting it down to eagerness to see how the whole meal will be received.

With that thought in mind, Motochika starts to eat the food in earnest.

[aidreamofsenpai]

Morale is something that he's good at, and for a moment Aiichiro gets lost in the idea of actually being able to help everyone on the ship be happier. For one blessed moment, he forgets what's happening here.

Then as he watched Motochika eat, the voice comes back into his mind, ever so slowly, reminding him.

That's right, he won't be cooking for this man anymore. Or seeing him at all, very soon. But it's all right, because everyone will be happy once it's over.

It's all he can do to not fidget while the older man eats.

"I'm really happy when I can help others."

[behisstrength]

Motochika pauses to talk.

"Excellent," he drawls. "Compassion is a great strength. Mitsuhide is living proof."

There is warmth and pride in his voice as he speaks of their first mate.

He resumes eating, making a substantial dent in the food.

[aidreamofsenpai]

"He is. Mitsuhide-san is very good... proof of that..."

Suddenly, there's a catch in Aiichiro's voice. He can't really explain it, why that one phrase threw him off his logic so badly. Except that maybe he can, because just now he's imagined Mitsuhide's face, the pain on it at the way the captain will surely be reacting soon.

No. No. He can't fall apart now. It will be better. It will.

"Captain Motochika, you and Mitsuhide-san..."