[accidental video]

[anothersoul]

[The video camera shows Mami's apartment--richly furnished but empty. Nothing but a few dishes on a glass table and the light coming from a sliding glass door are seen. Nobody's home. That is, until the noise of an opening door. Lights flicker on as someone flips a light switch.]

Mother, Father... I'm sorry I was out later than usual.

[Mami walks into the view of the camera. She doesn't look around and instead just puts her schoolbag near the table with a heavy sigh, looking a bit more ragged than usual.] I understand that I could probably have returned sooner but not tonight. It was busy.

[As Mami talks, she picks up the dirty dishes and moves out of sight of the camera. There's noises of someone putting water into a pot.] I believe I've made a couple of new friends. I'm sure you would have gotten along well with them.

I hope you weren't too mad at having a strange man in the apartment. He was very cordial, as you remember. I used your recipe, Mother. [Mami re-appears as she sets the table again: for one person.] Don't worry about me, I promise I've been taking care of myself.

[Mami sits down at the glass table, pouring herself a cup of tea. She continues talking to herself but the video cuts out.]

Comments

[anothersoul]

I had an old friend once. Before she moved away, the days we spent together are very precious to me.

[It takes her longer to answer. Careful. Considering.]

wrong icon

[bettertoburnout]

Damn. That sucks.

[quick be flippant maybe she won't notice.]

[anothersoul]

Things like that happen. Such is life.

[If she does, she doesn't say anything]

[bettertoburnout]

Yeah, but it's so awesome being alone.

[anothersoul]

I wouldn't go that far.

[bettertoburnout]

If you're me, it is!

[shit this is what he tried to avoid abandon thread abandon thread.]

Speaking of me, I'm still up for question time if you can bring it.

[anothersoul]

How about the other countries? What do you think of them?

[bettertoburnout]

There's a Japan. Think you might like him. Not as much as me or anything, but! He's all calm and dignified, likes tea and stuff.

And there's mein kleiner Bruder, West, too. Taught him everything he knows!

[anothersoul]

I do like my tea. [Okay, that's a bit sarcastic.]

West...Germany, perhaps?

[bettertoburnout]

Yeah, well, it's not beer. [oh we can roll sarcastic]

That's the one!

[anothersoul]

I'm not old enough for beer.

[bettertoburnout]

Responsible sort, are you?

[anothersoul]

I suppose so.

[bettertoburnout]

If you are something, own it! That's the first step to being awesome!

[anothersoul]

True enough.

[bettertoburnout]

That's what I thought!

[anothersoul]

A person's self-image must be defined in definite terms.

[bettertoburnout]

And if those definite terms don't fit, change them around.

[anothersoul]

Yes.

[bettertoburnout]

We're on the same page, Tomoe. I think you can go far.

[anothersoul]

Well, I'm honored you think so.

[bettertoburnout]

You totally should be!