![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
odorekijin“A Soothing Voice”
chapter one
[Eastern Country—Cavern of Verity]
Heathcliff: Shino, try sitting down on this. Comfortable, isn’t it? The way the rocks are shaped almost make it feel like a real chair.
Shino: Mhm, yeah, it’s not bad.
Heathcliff: This cavern is quite nice too: I’ve felt nothing but soothing warmth, quite like being in a cocoon. I don’t know if this is due to the concentration of magic in these stones, butー
Shino: Alright, you’ve rested enough. Let’s explore this place.
Heathcliff: Huh, already!? We just sat down!
We travelled all the way to this cavern, and not without some effort. Let’s take a second to unwind and appreciate what this place has to offer, yes?
Shino: I’d rather get a feel of the place and move around while we have this magical concentration fueling us, so that we’re able to fight to our fullest when the time comes.
Heathcliff: I can’t deny, that's sound reasoning. …Aaah, what else can I say, you’ve always struggled to remain still for extended periods of time.
Shino: And you’d zone out too, sometimes, sitting as a stone. I’d never seen someone stay so still in my life before, it’s honestly impressive.
Heathcliff: …As a stone...
… …
Shino: What, are you mad? I didn’t mean it literally.
Heathcliff: I’m not.
Shino: You clearly are, it’s written all over your face…
…Alright, teach me how to do that secret trick thing you did back then.
Heathcliff: What ‘secret trick’?
Shino: You know, when you’d do nothing but stare into empty space.
Heathcliff: It’s not a trick, nor is it any secret. It’s nothing special, really—I would just admire the scenery around us…
Shino: That’s it? That can’t be, I’m sure you’d have something else on your mind.
↑ back to top ↑
chapter two
[Eastern Country—Cavern of Verity]
Heathcliff: Not particularly… Oftentimes, I would revisit the various meetings I had throughout the day in my head.
Shino: Huh? How?
Heathcliff: I would reflect upon how I said things, if I articulated and conveyed my thoughts well enough, whether I should have engaged in more frequent eye contact or not…
Shino: Mhm, now that’s more like you.
But I don’t do subtleties and overanalysing signs in someone else’s eyes. I'm made for the action, that’s why we should get back to explor–
Heathcliff: Gaaah, that’s precisely what I’ve been trying to say! Can’t you wait for a second?
Clarity comes to those that take the time to think, so give yourself at the very least a few seconds of calm before rushing in… How about counting to twenty, would that be a nice compromise?
Shino: Twenty? Sure, I can handle that much.
Heathcliff: But I will be counting for you, understood? It will help keep your focus.
Shino: Understood.
Heathcliff: Here we go—ooone, twooo, three, fouuur…
Eighteen… Nineteen… Twenty. Whew… Well done, Shino. See? You can sit still when you want.
Shino: …You’re right, though I mostly owe it to your voice.
Heathcliff: Huh? My, my voice?
Shino: Yep, the echo of your voice was like delicate music to my ears. I guess you were right, this cavern is pretty soothing.
Heathcliff: Wha, what are you saying…
Shino: Heh, next time you want to keep me still, simply count down like that for me.
Only then will I stay quiet and behave.
↑ back to top ↑
episode story
“Subject Shift”
[Wizards’ Manor–Shino’s Bedroom]
Akira: Right—good job on that mission the other day, Shino! I’ve heard you and Heath had some time to kick back and relax in the Cavern of Verity?
Shino: Sort of, I was only following his antics. The art of sitting still and doing nothing isn’t for me.
Akira: Figured, though now I’m curious: what do you do when you have two minutes for yourself?
Shino: I train whenever I can, but Heath and Faust worry if I don’t give my body some rest.
I can’t do nothing, I know, but the constant lecturing is getting tiresome; if you have any tips to wind down, I’m all ears.
Akira: Let me think… Whenever I feel like taking it easy, I have a stroll around the Manor and chat away with anyone that wants to join me.
Though, for you… Resting on a tree, or even playing with the forest animals would be better suited activities.
Shino: The forest, huh...
Akira: You could also bring some sweets to snack on! The ideal setting to enjoy a lazy afternoon! What do you think?
Shino: That sounds perfect, actually.
You just reminded me that I’ve been wanting to try this trap I made the other day. Come on, let's take it to the forest.
Akira: Okay!
(Wait, traps? Did I hear that one correctly…?)
(From laying back to kicking right back, this conversation sure took a turn…)
voice line
“I got this premium herbal tea at the market—smells nice, right? Heath has been busy these past few days, so I'll bring a freshly brewed cup to his door.
The duty of a retainer is to support his master anywhere he can, after all.”
↑ back to top ↑
