002 [video;]

[irenicly]

[When the feed turns on, Banjou has a guitar in his lap, the camera at an awkward angle that focuses more on the guitar than it does Banjou. He doesn't seem to mind this, idly strumming at it without trying to play a particular song. It's not like he can actually read sheet music, so everything he does is played on the fly anyway.]

I have a question.

[He finally settles on something melodic, if repetitive, before he continues.]

Does anyone here have hobbies they find difficult to continue here? Or something they've found they have more time for here as opposed to where they come from? Take what I'm doing-- I never had as much time as I wanted back home.

It's complicated, but I think I'm beginning to enjoy the freedom this place gives me.

I was wondering if anyone else felt the same way.

((bonus alternative listening.))

Comments

text;

[doitrockapella]

I can think of at least one hobby I've never really been able to pursue here — at least not in its proper form.

Please don't stop playing just for the sake of responding to this; text is more convenient for me right now, but I can wait until you're ready for a break.

text;

[irenicly]

[True to Carmen's request, it's a while before Banjou replies to this after his initial pause to look at the message.]

What sort of hobby did you have?

text;

[doitrockapella]

Racing, actually. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against an Arcanine or a Rapidash, but they'll never handle quite the same as, say, a motorcycle with a real engine.

text;

[irenicly]

I can understand that, actually. I've never driven a motorcycle before, but this place doesn't have much in the way of motor vehicles, does it?

Being able to drive everywhere probably goes against the spirit of a Pokemon journey, though.

[video]

[preybeforemeals]

[Well, at least this is hitting at a time when Tsukiyama is actually, you know, not in the house, so it's a little less awkward than just slinging video across the house; it's cold as hell but at least it's no longer hailing, so the video isn't exactly coming from inside anywhere recognizable, either.

Granted, it's a little hard to tell where it's coming from; he's definitely outside, and it looks like he might be decently high up, judging by the level of the skyline behind him; wherever he is, he has Nadia out with him today, the Arcanine draped over his lap in such a way that her fluff is just visible at the bottom of the feed once in a while when she breathes. At least he's going to be warm like that.

That said, however, there are...several ways that Tsukiyama could answer this, most of them guaranteed to send the conversation straight to hell in a hurry; surprisingly, he goes with none of them - or at least, none of the ones that will automatically tank it, since conversations with him tend to be unpredictable.]

I used to know someone who played guitar like that, you know; he was a bit more practiced, but it's nostalgic just the same.

[video]

[irenicly]

[Banjou doesn't stop playing; it's a little awkward to talk to someone when they can't actually see your face, but he doesn't see the need to change how the Gear is propped up.]

Did you?

[There's honest curiosity in his tone.]

I miss being able to play like this for Hinami-chan.

[preybeforemeals]

Mhm. The person I'm thinking of was a man called Ikuma-san; our first meeting was a bit rough, but I like to think we're friends now. I paid for repairs to his guitar once when it met with a bit of misfortune - the idea of such a beautiful instrument being damaged in such a way wasn't right with me.

[...Tsukiyama, you were the asshole who broke it in the first place. Accidentally, granted, but...]

I've no idea where he's gone recently, but I know he's still around; he would play near Anteiku sometimes, I know that. I think you would like him, if you were to meet him; he's a pacifist, like you are, and he holds some interesting beliefs regarding the value of life.

[Well, if he finds it awkward, it's not showing through; he seems to be doing just fine talking to the feed as it is.]

[VIDEO]

[adai]

[When the video response turns on, there's a very serious-looking young boy staring very intently at the 'Gear. He seems to be in a Pokémon Center, if the happy background music is anything to judge by. The 'Gear itself beeps, which seems to startle the boy a bit.]

Ah, hello. I wanted to say that you're very good at that. I haven't met very many people who could play any sort of instrument.

[Despite the very serious expression, he sounds content, maybe even pleased.]

I haven't been here very long, but I hope I can develop some hobbies here. I didn't have any back home.

[...that was a little blunt, um.]

[VIDEO]

[irenicly]

[Oh no, he likes getting compliments. Banjou smiles, which the boy won't be able to see, but he briefly pauses his playing to answer.]

Thank you. I'm not very good. I'm completely self-taught. Can't read sheet music or anything.

[To be honest, he hadn't been expecting any answer like that. He's a ghoul who grew up on the streets. Surely if he has a hobby, other people do, too...? But Banjou is too polite to ask why there isn't anything he likes.]

I'm sure you'll find something you like, even if it's battling Pokemon.

[adai]

You're welcome. I've never tried playing a musical instrument before, but I like listening to them.

[Banjou's words actually do get a smile out of him, even if it is a bit of an awkward one.]

I'm sure I will too. I never had time for any hobbies back home, so I didn't bother trying to find things I liked. I have plenty of time here though, which is something I'm very thankful for.

[video]

[captainash]

I've got more free time and opportunities here than I've had in years, but there's no way for me to enjoy my favorite hobby. Not that it's much of a surprise.

[Mobile suits are not exactly the cheapest of hobbies, after all.]

Finally having the opportunity to truly practice something you enjoy sounds nice, though.

[video]

[irenicly]

What sort of hobby do you have that's not possible here?

[It's genuine curiosity, again. Obviously there are many hobbies that would be virtually impossible here, and those are only the ones he'd actually know about.]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's found himself with more time here. It's a nice feeling.

[video]

[captainash]

Designing and piloting mobile suits. You'd think every technologically-advanced civilization would have its own humanoid robots, but no.

[Which never falls to make him sad.]

All that free time, for the price of raising a few friendly creature. Maybe whatever brings us here just wants us to enjoy a nice vacation.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Somewhat. I can still program things here, but doing it on this device is somewhat limiting. I miss my computer setup at home.

[... Granted that all of his data has pretty much been set to melt down at this point, but he could always rebuild.]

[Video]

[irenicly]

You do programming? That's pretty cool, I can't do anything like that at all.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

It's just another language to learn, really - albeit one with some different rules. I like to think of it as solving a puzzle - as long as you have the right pieces it's a matter of just putting them in the right place.

text;

[ladywithnovoice]

I used to be able to sing, but I can't anymore. I think that would have been the same if I stayed here or didn't, however.

It's been nice to travel, however.

So, do you like music as well?

text;

[irenicly]

[It's a while before he responds since he can't respond to text and play at the same time, but he does rely eventually.]

What happened?

[He's no expert, but it sounds like some sort of injury.]

text;

[ladywithnovoice]

My voice was stolen.

[Considering they were effectively trying to murder her, really, she supposes she was lucky.]

It's a bit of a depressing topic. I wouldn't want to drag you down with it.

[VIDEO]

[glaciates]

Back home I was a scientist.

[Yeah, yeah, he knows, he doesn't look the part at all. This is what you get when your world has battle scientists.

Isaac's currently sitting outside despite the freezing temperatures. Occasionally a few Bergmites pop into the screen before losing interest and shuffling off. It appears he's somewhere in Goldenrod and he's sitting on the ground with the Pokémon as opposed to a bench or something.]

The sort of science I spent my time studying doesn't exist here. I can't really do much with it here because it doesn't work. It's the thing I miss most about my world.

[...]

As for hobbies I've picked up here... There aren't really any. I mean, I train Pokémon, but that's about it. Everyone does that though.

[Isaac looks a little bothered by that, but after a moment he shakes his head.]

But I do agree with you - this place offers a lot of freedom that I didn't have back home.

[...Probably because of that whole ditching the military and joining a bunch of crazy rebels thing. Oops.]

[irenicly]

A scientist?

[He looks surprised, but really he's not about to question anything because the doves are police officers who fling around severed body parts as weapons.]

What kind of science was it? Is it something specific to where you're from?

[That's better than questioning why the man hasn't picked up any hobbies, at least. It's not really any of Banjou's concern, he doesn't think. Maybe he'll ask another time.]

[glaciates]

Alchemy. Not turning lead into gold or anything, though people could do that. It was against the law of course, but it was possible. Mine was transmuting water, specifically to make it freeze.

[Freezing people, no big deal!!]

Everyone who's heard of alchemy here who's not from Amestris always assumes it's turning lead into gold, so I figured I'd clarify.

[...he's so awkward, sorry.]

[video]

[pinnedbangs]

[He is beyond thrilled. Is it possible to be "beyond thrilled"? Ecstatic? Jubilant? Excited beyond all measure? He can reign it back for a moment. Juuuuuust a moment. He wants to listen to Banjou playing. ]

Good to see you got your guitar back. [But the music matches the mood well enough that it gets Rin to settle down a little more. It's been a while since he heard music outside of what Johto had to offer, unsettling tunes or otherwise. It's a much better change of pace, something normal in a sea of crazy things.]

I've had a lot more time to focus on my cooking. I'm making things now I didn't think I could make. And I have a job thanks to it. [teenage shrug]

's not the same as your guitar playing. ...Did your band have to play in secret?

[video]

[irenicly]

[He wishes he could cook.

He's actually learning here. Before he never really had a reason to learn to cook.]

I'm glad to have it back.

[One of these days, he'll have to apologize, because when he said "street performers" he had been trying to indicate something much less refined than a real band.]

We didn't exactly play in secret or anything, but we never broadcasted it. It was one of those things where you had to find out about it through word of mouth, you know?

[video]

[pinnedbangs]

[Rin would be more than happy to teach, if Banjou were to ever ask. He loves cooking food almost as much as he enjoys eating it.

Banjou's words sink into Rin's mind. A concert that was never broadcasted? Songs that were only known to certain groups? No... it can't be...!]

So you guys were one of those political bands? Or was the government tryin' to shut you down?