awashlogs | [Closed] What's a 'laptop computer', Aruji?

Entry tags:

[Closed] What's a 'laptop computer', Aruji?

Who: Tonbokiri and Minato Arisato
What: Computer lessons
When: March 20th
Where: Tonbokiri's place in Fluva
Warnings: None.

[A few days have passed since arriving in this town.

Tonbokiri has spent his time mostly occupied with finding tools and materials with which to improve the home he'd, or rather the horse Mikuniguro, had chosen, as well as trying to find water and food suitable to eat. Without a doubt, that is becoming a most pressing problem...

However on this day he is taking some time to fashion a shelter outside for Mikuniguro. Although weather is as unusually grey as everything else in this place, this morning had felt rather chill, and he wondered if there was any chance of rain or snow. Whether there was or not, it was only proper for the noble steed to have a place of his own, anyway.

So Tonbokiri is outside, slowly but steadily fashioning a stable out of a former shed not far from the house, as Mikuniguro listlessly wanders the field, not grazing the grey grasses.
Tonbokiri occasionally walks back to the house to get a particular tool or more of the slightly rusted nails he's collected. The door he leaves open as he comes and goes, as it doesn't quite fit squarely anyway, and he's not far off should anyone come.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It really is a chilly day today. It's the sort of day that, back home, Minato would've taken the time to stay inside with a warm cup of cocoa or coffee, staying warm and cozy as much as possible.

That's not really an option here, so instead he's wandering, hoping that keeping active will warm himself up as much as possible.

He's wandering with his hands shoved deeply into his pockets when he hears what sounds like...a horse? It sounds a bit more tangible than the ghostly trotting from before, so...

It's unexpected in every possible way, and he's drawn to it, watching Tonbokiri at work for a long, quiet moment. Eventually, though, he does speak up.]

I didn't know that there was really a horse here...I thought it was just something we were all hearing for no good reason.

[He'd felt a quiet presence approach, so he continues on with his work until the person speaks up. When he turns around, it is with a faintly confused and surprised expression.]

My apologies, but... everyone has heard him? [Unfortunately he has no context for that comment about Mikuniguro. How could 'all' have heard him? He turns to call out to the horse,] Have you been going to the other districts on your own? [To which Mikuniguro merely flicks his ears forward and back, as if uninterested.]

Well... I don't know if it was him...

[It sounds crazy, honestly, and he knows it, but what about this place doesn't...?]

But there was definitely the sound of hooves around yesterday. I don't think anyone managed to actually find a source, though, so...

[Maybe it was just a ghost horse or something.]

How strange. But then, many things about this place are strange.

[Putting down the hammer he'd been working with one hand drifts up to his chin as he turns it over in his mind.]

It might be nice if there was another horse here. Would you like some company? [The question addressed to the horse again gets only an ear-flick in response.] But then, I have caught glimpses of animals in the forest. Perhaps one of those makes a sound of hooves. [With a small shrug his hand lowers and he smiles apologetically at the boy.]

Well, for now I will keep a closer eye on Mikuniguro here. And if the sound of hooves appears again, I would be quite willing to help investigate it.

[He's not wrong; it could've easily been one of the animals in the woods, and in truth, Minato hadn't really investigated it much. So he just nods, satisfied with that.

There's a lot of weirdness in this place, just like he said.]

It's not really a big deal, I think, but I appreciate it.

[Regardless:]

Sorry for bothering you; you seem pretty busy. [Especially when it seems like he's working pretty hard right now.]

Not at all, not at all. Even the smallest thing could be a hint about our situation. [He could sure use a hint by now. Just why is he here- are they all- here?]

And it's no bother at all. Thank you for the information you shared. I would offer you the hospitality of at least a cup of tea, but... [He winces sympathetically. They're all in a pinch over food and water right now. Tea seems like a far-off dream.] But at least allow me to introduce myself. I am called Tonbokiri, one of the Three Great Spears of Japan. [Given how things have been he can make no assumption that this boy is also from Japan, but he still introduces himself the same as always, facing the boy and giving a slight bow of the head.]

[... What?

Minato bows his head in response on automatic, instinct kicking in to push him to be polite even when his brain is still trying to catch up with that.

Tonbokiri...? When he brings up the Great Spears of Japan, it clicks for Minato (Mr. Ono sure did adore Sengoku era history, it'd be a shock if Minato didn't recognize the name at this point--).

But.]

... Sorry. You mean you're named after the spear...? Of Honda Tadakatsu, right? [Because it sounds an awful lot like he's saying he is the spear, and that's.

That's...A Lot to process.]

Haha! Not just named after! I am that spear of Honda Tadakatsu! Yes, for that great man's name to be spoken even here, nothing is more pleasing. [Indeed, Tonbokiri is rather elated. At the name Mikuniguro also comes closer, looking curiously at Minato.]

Perhaps you know the word tsukumogami? Through the power of my current Aruji, I am the human-form spirit of this very spear. [And he takes his sheathed spear from where it had been resting against the shed he'd been working on and holds it upright before him.]

You...are the spear of Honda Tadakatsu...

[Give him a moment. He's processing that, almost so much that he barely processes the horse that's also edging closer.

Granted, he knows the word. It's more of the sort of thing he's heard as a kid, though--as folkloric stories, and not necessarily reality. And yet...]

I... have heard of that before, but... [... Well. Who's he to say what's possible and what isn't? Between the things he's seen at home and the things he's seen here, what's a tsukumogami to add to the list? There's one more pause--and then Minato clears his throat, bowing his head more properly.]

Sorry, I guess that was pretty rude. I'm Minato. Arisato Minato. It's...an honor to meet you.

[Is that the right way to address a famous spear from history? He doesn't know, he's going for it.]

[He waits patiently while the boy tries to reason it out. For humans it is a bit of a stretch, isn't it.]

It is a pleasure to meet you, Arisato-dono.

And please, do not concern yourself overly. It is rather surprising, is it not! We Touken Danshi- that is, the other tsukumogami like me- do not usually make direct contact with humans, with that being one of the reasons why. But, as you can well imagine, in this situation that standard would be impossible to maintain. So it is best to be honest!

[Mikuniguro eyes Minato a moment longer, then nudges him in the shoulder with his nose. (Please have food that isn't ash?)]

Ah, and this one is the loyal steed of that man. Mikuniguro carried our master to battle innumerable times.

[(A-Arisato-dono....... this is like Bebe all over again.)

He's kind of endearingly straightforward, and it helps Minato relax a bit, falling back into his proper slouch as he does. Huh...

Who would've thought that tsukumogami were real? And, on top of that, that they'd be so laid-back?]

I see... yeah, that makes sense-- [Oh, hello horse. Minato has no treats, unfortunately, and also has no idea how to act around a horse, because he is a city boy, but...

He lifts a hand from his pocket tentatively to try to pat his neck. Hi horse...??]

I guess this is a surprising situation for all of us... have you been settling in okay? [Despite like. Being a spear.]

[Mikuniguro seems a little disappointed that there is no food forthcoming, but he placidly takes the pat on his neck.
His black hair has become a little rougher than usual, owing to the fact that Tonbokiri has not found or been able to make any grooming tools. But his hide is still warm and soft under Minato's hand.

To the question Tonbokiri nods his head, thinking it over a moment.]

Yes, I suppose I have. Shelter is adequate, so all that is left is food and water. I have not been able to find a single thing that tastes as it should. Do you happen to have any news about that situation?

[It's a rough time to be a horse in this Town, Minato can only imagine.

But. Honestly--]

No, I haven't heard any news about that... I know people were talking about food on the forum, but it didn't look as though people could find anything that tasted good.

[that forum, huh?]

I see...

[He gets sidetracked from his concern over food quickly, though.
...What forum?]

My apologies. I did not know that a forum was being held, else I surely would have attended.

Wait a moment- Should it not be 'at' the forum, not 'on'?

[There's a slow blink at that.

Minato looks at Tonbokiri.

And then he fights the urge to sigh in exasperation at himself. Why would he expect a spear to know about computers? Why did anyone expect a spear to know about computers? Also this is probably one of the weirdest things he ever really had to think about but--]

... Oh, no--there's a way to communicate on the laptops we were given that's called a forum. Have you...ever used a computer before?

[Signs point to no.]

[Tonbokiri blinks slowly back in return.

He knows 'what' a computer is, in the way someone from a perpetually hot country might vaguely know what snow is, without ever having experienced it. Therefore-]

No, I have not. I did not realize we had been given such a gift! A 'laptop', you called it?
[It is a little embarrassing to have been left behind about such important information. He could have been more helpful! But for now, he is the one who needs help...]

If... Perhaps, if it's not too much trouble, would you show me, Arisato-dono?

[Ah... Right. That's only to be expected, and Minato's quick to nod.]

It's not any trouble, really. [In its own sort of way, this is still kind of an honor, honestly. Look, his history teacher was really big on the Sengoku period.]

Let's see if your laptop is still in the place you've been staying. If it is, I can show you how to use it.

[Good job, history teacher!]

[With a grateful nod Tonbokiri leads the way into the house.]

My thanks. If I can do anything in return for you, you have but say the word.

[The house is very clean, owing especially to the habits of the two girls living there, and the subsequently careful actions of the one man. (Not that he's a messy guy, but he knows enough to be extra careful in a situation like this.) Tonbokiri points out a table set to one side of the living room that has three simple, rectangular black objects on them.]

Perhaps, is it those? Naminé-dono was doing something with one for a while, but I haven't given it much attention.

I will, but... it's fine. You don't owe me anything.

[So no worries! But more importantly, the laptops! Minato nods, expression relaxing a bit. This would be a lot harder without that step one, so this is good.]

Alright. One of these is yours, so you should be able to log into it... have you seen one that neither of the others has been using?

[But yes, he does owe you!
He will find a chance to repay you, certainly.]

[Tonbokiri frowns at the three computers for a moment, then points at one. The screen hasn't been raised, but more than that, he just has a feeling about it.
Which, although he often goes forward based on feeling, in this case it's a little... odd, how certain he feels.]

Please try that one. I leave it to you, and I will watch carefully.

[[ooc: if you want to fast-forward through any steps, it's fine by me! but no worries, taking it a step at a time is all good too.]]

[Fastforwarding is probably good for some of it!

Minato nods, opening up the laptop easily, watching the screen flicker to lift. The name is right, so... that just means Tobokiri has to set up a password, and then they can get in. Minato's pretty patient walking him through that, at least--choosing a password that he'll remember to keep his laptop secure isn't a terribly hard concept.

And once the laptop has properly been unlocked, Minato nods.]

Here's the forum here. Everyone can post onto it...so we can all communicate, and see each other's messages. Oh--people will only know you by these numbers here, though. [Pointing to Tonbokiri's hex value!]

That seems to be our usernames, for some reason...so you might have to introduce yourself whenever you use it, if you want people to know it's you.

[Security is important, even on a thing such as this. Getting all set up, Tonbokiri makes an appreciative hum once Minato opens the 'forum'. Those odd number and letters used for the name though...]

That is a little inconvenient, isn't it. What a peculiar code. But I suppose there is no helping it.

So, I write a message here, and all the people here can see it on their own computers. Good, good. Mmm, perhaps this is something like how Aruji sends information to Konnosuke...

Anyway, I should try to write a message while you are here to guide me.
....
... [Tilting his head back and forth for a moment, he then looks over at Minato.]
What would be a suitable subject to bring before everyone like this? [In some ways there are just too many things, and he would rather speak to people face-to-face...]

[... Oh. Well.

Minato blinks slowly, head tilting a little. He is, in fact, a very, very quiet person, so now that he's been put on the spot for what would make for a good forum post........]

I... don't know, actually.

[YEP. He's got nothing.]

Anything you'd want everyone to see, I guess. Anyone can respond to it when you put it on the forum, so... you should only put things out there that you want people to see.

But you can see other peoples' messages now too, if that'll help you get an idea.

Good point. I will look there first.

[And so he does... A couple of the posts are nearly incomprehensible, but the one about "foodstuffs and edibles"...]

Arisato-dono! This letter- post- has over a hundred comments! That means many people saw it and were talking- writing about it, right?

[With just a moment of Minato's guidance, he can click in the right place to see the comments, and he spends a minute scanning the threads.]

There is so much here. I will have to spend some time reading it. It seems that people are very helpful, though.

[Tonbokiri is so excited and it's weirdly endearing... Minato just nods quietly, expression very, very slightly amused.]

That's right. A lot of people were talking and coming together on a lot of these forum posts, so... it'll be a good way to see what everyone's thinking, too.

[Thumbs up!]

Now that you've got the idea, you'll be able to keep up with things better too.

I shall do my best with it. [Although, he might forget to keep on top of it...
In the back of his mind he is still trying to think of something to post. He really does want to try it while his teacher is still here.
Abruptly, he sets a fist in his palm.]

I thought of something. With so many people, perhaps someone will know... It is here to start?

[Sure enough for a beginner it is still a slow process, especially as his typing technique is limited to hunt-and-peck and the keyboard is completely unfamiliar. At least it goes a tiny bit faster once Tonbokiri pauses to take his gauntlets off.

The post takes shape: he is asking if anyone has come across a saddle, brushes, or anything else for horse care. In return, he offers whatever service or materials he's found that might be useful.]

Does this look appropriate?

[Oooh... Minato reads it over carefully, and then he nods approvingly.]

Right, that's a good one for this sort of forum. That way, anyone who might know something useful or have something you could use can respond to it, even if you don't know them personally.

[Tonbokiri gets it, and that's a relief; if there's ever some sort of emergency and they all need to be able to contact each other, Minato feels like knowing about the forum is important.]

I think you've got it down.

You are most kind to say so.

[And, posted.]

It is always satisfying to learn something new. I could not have done it without your patient assistance. Thank you again, Arisato-dono.

[And now, Tonbokiri looks at the screen expectantly. Then he tilts his head. Come to think of it...]

Are there people in the forum all the time? Should I be here to answer when they reply to me? [That could be a problem. He has other work to do as well...]

Edited 2018-03-30 01:31 (UTC)

[Very nice. Minato nods approvingly--and then blinks.

Oh, right...that's something to know for sure.]

You don't have to sit around and wait for it, no. It might take people time to respond, since they might also not be at their laptops.

You can always respond to messages when you get back--they won't go away anywhere.

Is that so. Yes, that is good that the computer will keep the message for us until we are ready. There are many other things to do!

[With that, Tonbokiri turns from the computer and claps Minato on the shoulder.]

I am thankful you took the time to teach me this. Again, if there is anything I can assist with in turn, just say the word.

I'm glad that I could help, Tonbokiri-san.

[It's a natural thing that'll just help benefit all of them, he thinks--the more of them who understand the forum, the better off they'll be.

For now, though?]

If you're feeling more confident with it, I think I'll leave you alone, though.

[A beat.]

... Oh--you can send private messages to people on here too. My username code seems to be #3630FF, so... if you ever need any help or have a question, you can send a message to me, too.

There is a system like that as well? ... What was that code again?

[Cue a time of getting Tonbokiri set up with how to do private messages too.]

Yes, it's over here.

[He'll show him how it works! Thankfully it's just a few clicks.]

And my code again is #3630FF... I know it's tough to remember, but I guess that's how it is on this forum.

[Honestly, romanji is also a bit difficult for him- simply trying to remember such a combination will not work.]

Ah. Perhaps it seems too simple but-

[He goes to another room and comes back with a roughly cut pencil and a blank book.]

Strange as it is, all the paper I've found, that is not wasted away, is blank. May as well use it.

[In writing that may well be difficult for a modern Japanese person to read, Tonbokiri writes 'ありさと　三六三'...]

Please tell me one more time?

[... Huh. Yeah, Minato is definitely just peering at that in some quiet puzzlement, but he won't bring it up. It's more of a fascinating difference than anything.]

It's #3630FF. Writing it down is a good idea, honestly... I've been keeping note of peoples' codes too.

[He has a good memory for things relating to people, but remembering long strings of numbers and letters is not easy.]

[He writes out the letters hesitantly, but it's there.]

Ah. I'm a little relieved I'm not the only one who needs to take a note of it.
Perhaps this code will become easier with practice, or if some meaning can be attributed to it.

[Close enough. None of the other hexcodes are too similar to Minato's, so hopefully Tonbokiri won't get the wrong person.]

Yeah, maybe... I wonder if maybe it's some kind of computer code, but it's hard to say right now.

[Without any color.]

Maybe we'll find out eventually.

I'm confident we will. For all it being such a strange situation, there seem to be many sharp minds among us.

[Putting down pencil and paper, Tonbokiri glances outside to check the time as best he can.]

That took longer than I thought it would, but I accomplished much with your help. Again, my thanks.

[[ooc- tying this up so we can put all our focus on the spar XD]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Closed] What's a 'laptop computer', Aruji?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject