Distraction backfire

[cloningblues]

[The last battle had some messed-up things happening, and Asagi was impacted by it, even if he doesn't show it. To distract himself from it, he bought a bonsai tree - tending for those things is supposed to be very calming, after all.

The thing is, he's not entirely sure what to do with it for now, so after putting the tree in his room he's just looking at it like he's engaged in a staring contest. And of course he forgot to lock his door, as usual.]

Comments

[blackhole_sunattack]

"What've you got there, friend?" Ahh Banjou, planning in adding bonsai advice along with the rest of your inexplicable repertoire?

[cloningblues]

How does it look like? It's a bonsai tree. I just got it. Supposedly it helps put your mind at ease.

[blackhole_sunattack]

"Well, not by itself, no. Unless you just happen to enjoy surrounding yourself with tiny little plants."

[cloningblues]

I know that. You need to do stuff with it, like make sure it grows in a right shape, and... other things I never did before.

[blackhole_sunattack]

"I think that might be it. Not really a 'right shape' but perhaps a shape that you like" he ponders aloud, staring at the tree thoughtfully.

"Why not look into the subject and for now just keep it alive?"

[cloningblues]

Of course I'll do that. It's my tree now, I'm not going to let it wither!

A shape I like, huh... I wonder what would that be...

[blackhole_sunattack]

Who knows, but I'll give Garrison a call and see if we happen to have an old book on it. Sometimes books are just easier to reference than data.

[cloningblues]

Thanks. I'd rather check a book than the net recently, myself. You can't stumble upon stuff you don't want to see in one.

[Thinking about That Video again.]

[blackhole_sunattack]

"Well, you can, but... only in Encyclopedias... I think a book about bonsai is pretty safe."

He saw that video too. Let's just say they're on that wavelength.

[majestic_keiki]

What're you doing?

[Your room has been invaded, Asagi, by a Kei carrying a book.]

[cloningblues]

Thinking what to do with this bonsai. I wanted to get my mind off stuff after that last mission happened.

[majestic_keiki]

Don't you prune it and cut various bits off occasionally? And I guess look after which bits to cut.

[cloningblues]

Yeah. But I'm looking at it right now, and I'm not sure what to cut. It looks fine.

[majestic_keiki]

You have given it time to grow first, right?

[cloningblues]

Only if you think a few fours are enough. I only bought it today.

[majestic_keiki]

You probably can't do anything. It's probably already cut in shape.

[cloningblues]

Then I'm supposed to just water it for now and wait? Well, this plan backfired a little...

[majestic_keiki]

You were expecting something exciting and stimulating you constantly had to deal with?

[cloningblues]

Quite the opposite. I want something calming that'd let me forget about those messed-up terrorists. Some things they said... hit a bit too close to home.

[majestic_keiki]

Don't remind me...I wanted to tell them, but they'd probably just use it as proof they were right.

[cloningblues]

There's a reason I told Flit to tell them. He lost his home and family - twice - and still look at him.

I'm telling myself I shouldn't complain about my situation, because he had so much worse. And yet...

[majestic_keiki]

Well, the ones who caused our situation were the ones supposed to look after us. Not some external enemy.

[cloningblues]

Yeah, but... What can I do about it? Tell them I don't want to pilot Blue One anymore?

[majestic_keiki]

I know...The military pretty much owns us, doesn't it? Do they even see us as real people?

[cloningblues]

Sometimes I wonder.

...

But the commander want against her orders to save us.

[majestic_keiki]

Right. And the rest of Unity Group treats us like normal people.

That admiral, on the other hand...

[cloningblues]

Let's not talk about that guy again.

[majestic_keiki]

You're right...I don't want to think about him either.

[cloningblues]

We have enough anger in our lives already.

[Asagi turns the plant around, as if trying to decide if it looks better from another side.]

...Have you made any friends in UG?

[majestic_keiki]

I think so...But it's a bit hard to tell, we have a lot more freedom to meet people here than we used to.

What about you?

[cloningblues]

I'm not sure. I'm not good at opening up to others.

...I met some people I like, at least.

[majestic_keiki]

Yeah. That's pretty much how I feel...And I'm not really sure how to tell whether we're quite friends yet or not.

[cloningblues]

Wish I knew... But it's reassuring, either way.

[majestic_keiki]

Yes. And there are several people here I like, at least.

[ben_dixon]

Ooh, what are you doing? That tiny plant... Are you doing bonsai?

[cloningblues]

Pretty much. Well, I just started. Trying to figure out what I want to do with it.

[ben_dixon]

Ooh, I think you're supposed to cut them into shapes or something.

[cloningblues]

Of course. But what kind of shape?

[ben_dixon]

Interesting shapes of course! Do you want help? I have good sense of art, you know!

[cloningblues]

[Asagi looks at him. Doesn't seem like the artsy type, but maybe there's more to the book than the cover.]

Okay. Give me your best shot.

[ben_dixon]

Alright, see the master at work.

*After some deliberating, he cuts the left side of the plant, before handing the cutter back to Asagi.*

See? Now how was th.... hmm... it's now looking kinda too right-heavy. Maybe you should cut the right part of it now.

[cloningblues]

Like this?

[Asagi cuts a small branch on the right.]

But now it looks like there's too much stuff on the left...

[ben_dixon]

Hmm... Bonsai is all about balance. I think we should cut that left branch then.

[cloningblues]

Wait. I can see where this is going. At this rate, I'll be left with no tree.

[prismphantom]

[And what better way of getting a good layout of all the bases than to simply go and wander around everywhere, including Asagi's room? Hey, it's open so it can't be like, a security risk or anything. But when he sees the tree...]

Oh! What a lovely penjing you have!

[cloningblues]

What's a penjing?

[prismphantom]

Why that's what you have right here! One moment... accessing Tikimedia's internet entry on them...

"-also known as penzai, literally "tray plant", penjing is the ancient Chinese art of depicting artistically formed trees, other plants, and landscapes in miniature."

... What was it sold to you then as if not a penjing? Did someone overcharge you? Or undercharge you?

[cloningblues]

Ah, it's just a Chinese name for bonsai then. In other words, exactly what I have here.

You have constant internet access in your head? Must be convenient.