kaminokusaki | (no subject)

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Welcome back, Sanada, Oshitari-kun #1, and Oshitari-kun #2. It's nice to see you all in one piece. The branch you picked is quite aesthetically pleasing. I wonder if it is still available to draw. The picture does not do it justice.

Renji, I need a favor that requires your patience.

--
I'm happy you didn't kill either one of them, Genichirou. Did you manage to get that extra branch? You'll be happy to know Renji and I did train while you were gone much too long, by the way, I thought it was just supposed to be a week, but not as intensely.

(ooc: strikes deleted)

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I'm trepidous, but of course, Seiichi. Go on.

Inui explained the science behind the fireworks and I admit, I only recognized the colors and shapes he named off, so would you be so kind as to explain the science behind them? You know I'm terrible at chemistry which is why I asked for patience.

Ah, that isn't a problem. There are four components to aerial fireworks, like the ones at the afterparty.

1) A container, to keep everything together, made of paper with some string.
2) A 'star', which creates the characteristic sparkles. There are four parts to that as well: a fuel, oxidizer, steel powder and a binder. The fuel is usually black powder. The oxidiser is there to create more oxygen and help the firework burn better. The oxidiser is commonly potassium nitrate, because it is willing to give up its oxygen easily. Steel powder to create the sparks. And a binder to make sure that it will clump together and not explode like dynamite, usually sugar or a starch. Inside the star are usually the chemicals that give the firework its colours.
3) A bursting charge, which is more black powder to give it the energy to rise into the air.
4) And a fuse, to make sure that the firework doesn't explode immediately.

It's launched using a mortar attached to the bottom of the firework and the initial bursting charge pushes it into the air. It doesn't actually explode until it's in the air, because the fire is timed to not reach the 'stars' until the right altitude is reached.

Here's a picture to help visualize it: http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/firework1.gif

Thank you, Renji. I think you would've understood Inui's explanation. I felt like I was back in 3rd year chemistry. It was over my head.

I probably would have, but I admit, mechanics and chemistry are not my forte. Some of it might have dwarfed me as well; Sadaharu's very talented in that field. My specialty is literature and history, after all.

And 3rd year chemistry wasn't explained well, at all. Our teacher was helpless, I don't blame you for not getting it.

Maybe not, but you're still knowledgeable in a lot of things, as evidenced above.

It also didn't help that I was gone for the beginning of the year.

Mmmm. It's good to have an all-round knowledge of things.

No, I don't suppose it did....the spite of the gods is so very detrimental. I was extremely glad when you came back.

Not exciting enough without me?

Not really, no. I missed you. Genichirou had already gone to camp by that point, so it was fairly dull.

At least it didn't take too much longer after that for us to come here.

Indeed, that was a comfort. I am still a little baffled by how we managed to be friends for so long without realizing that we were all demigods.

Probably because the only thing I ever questioned, briefly at that, was why it stormed every time Genichirou was in a bad mood. Other than that, everything seemed perfectly normal to me.

None of our powers were very visible, I agree. Still, it's a little bit of supreme irony.

You weren't even impressed by the grounds at school? I'm wounded, Renji.

Of course I was impressed, however I didn't think they were supernatural in power. I just thought you were a good gardener.

Forgiven, but I'm an excellent gardener.

Of course ...but do you ever wonder whether you'd still be good at something or whether you would even like that thing if it weren't for a godly affinity with it?

Hmm, do I think I'd still be good at gardening or art? Maybe I wouldn't be able to automatically ripen fruits and vegetables or make flowers bloom with a touch, but I think I'd have a green thumb. Art wise, I think I'd be the same since I got it from my dad.

I think you and Genichirou wouldn't have any issues. You're plenty intelligent without Athena's parentage and I know for a fact that Genichirou would still be ridiculous about physical training, Jupiter for a father or not.

Your father works at a plant nursery, doesn't he? I suppose you would still have the same interests and you would definitely know how to look after plants, so I don't think you would have a problem either.

My father was a scientist, but I wonder if I'd be so interested in knowledge if I wasn't gifted with a good memory. I also wonder whether Genichirou would still be as interested in physical training without that influence of Jupiter...

Volunteers at one. I doubt I'd have blue hair though and that would be disappointing.

I think you'd have a good memory regardless, Renji. The Sanadas are all about physical training. They run a dojo... Genichirou just wouldn't have the endurance.

Ahh, my mistake. But yes, we would look a little different, no doubt. That would be quite a shame.

I just wonder about motivation with Genichirou. If he couldn't see the dryads, would he be so interested? ...actually, no, the answer is that he probably would be. We would be fairly similar to ourselves without godly influence, I suppose. A comfort in some ways :)

You think? I think you and Genichirou would look the same. Either way, still aesthetically pleasing.

See? I told you so.

Genichirou does take after his mother's side, but I don't look remarkably like my father. It might be other family relatives on my father's side or it may be Athena. Who really knows? Genetics can be confusing.

You're usually right on these things.

Maybe you take after the female side of your father's family... like Genichirou does.

I'm glad you agree.

I haven't seen them in person, but I suppose I do look a little like my grandmother.

I'm sure you are.

It's something then.

Quite pleased, Renji.

[Screened]

Yes. It is only a small sprig. I have put it in water and will bring it to you now.

Let's resume morning training.

Screened

You are the best. Thank you, Gen-chan~

Don't you think you should rest a bit?

Screened

Don't call me Gen-chan.

I already missed out on a lot of training thanks to the quest. It is now time to catch up.

Screened

Gen-kun doesn't sound as affectionate.

Can't you count the quest as training? "Practical exercise" or something like that.

Screened

Do you have to use a diminutive at all?

No. It was just a lot of walking.

Screened

I don't find it diminutive. Besides, we've been friends for years. I can be allowed a little fun.

Didn't you have that speedy one? You could've ran.

Edited 2014-08-13 12:29 (UTC)

Thank you!

It was a LOT of fun! I've missed spending time with my dear cousin. ^_^

Didn't you spend the entire quest with him?

Exactly! I had really missed getting to do that ^_^ That's why the quest was so much fun. We reminisced, we caught up, we chatted, it was lovely!

I suppose I don't understand, since you could drop in on him every day. What is there to miss?

Dropping in, seeing him around, those just aren't the same. It's...ah, I don't know how to describe it to someone who hasn't experienced being that close to someone, I guess.

That depends on your definition of 'that close.'

...are you trying to insinuate something? We're cousins. On both sides of the family!

No, but I'm close with a few people that could qualify, but it all depends on the definition.

Ah, okay! ^_^ And isn't it nice to spend more quality time with them, rather than less?

Sometimes. Other times, I prefer less.

I admit, there have been times when I have wished for less. But then, whenever that wish was granted, I would immediately regret it.

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