ishisstrength | IC CONTACT

Hmm... they fell off?

[ There was a gleam in his eye that strongly suggested he was joking. ]

See, it's that bunch of stars there. Those are the two wings, and there's its head. My best guess? People think swans, and all they look for is long, graceful necks and wings. But if ya ever do look at a real one, its feet are there -- plain as day.

[ Which meant that the Cygnus constellation was likely more of a statement on human nature than anything to do with real-life birds. ]

As for the story behind it, there're a couple of different ones, I think. One of them is Orpheus got turned into a swan after he died.

[Her lips curve into a warm smile at the truly awful joke. Justine loves it but she lets it pass and focuses on the collection of stars that are supposed to look like a swan.]

Do you know what I love about swans? They look graceful above the water but beneath it their legs are kicking frantically to stay afloat. [She steps next to Majima and leans against his side. It's very obvious that she likes swans, even if she doesn't know a lot about the legends behind the constellations.]

Is it supposed to be Orpheus?

Really? That's what I always liked about them, too.

[ Majima slipped an arm around her waist, hand wrapped loosely about hers. ]

That's right. Then they put him up in the stars, next to his harp.

[ His index finger stroked lightly over the back of her hand as he tilted his face toward her. There was another story about Orpheus that was better-known, no doubt. ]

Say, Justine. You ever play that game where ya make up constellations?

[Her head rests against his shoulder and the heat of his body sinks into her side as she stares up at the stars. It's a peaceful moment and Justine loves every second of it. It's moments like this that make life worth its heartaches.]

That's kind of them.

[Whoever it is who put people in the stars.]

Make them up? [Her lips press into a thin frown before she shakes her head.] No. I haven't.

[She stares at him and waits for Majima to elaborate on this game.]

There's not much to it. You pick some stars and decide what they're supposed to be. That's how they got made in the first place, right?

[ He pointed to a little cluster of stars, even as he balanced her weight against his frame. ]

See that group there? I think it looks like a cat. There's its tail, and its back...

[ (Of course, it did appear to have only one ear.) ]

Yes. I do believe that's how it's done.

[Justine continues leans in, following the direction that Majima indicates. It takes her spotting the tail to see the rest of the cat and while it's a flimsy comparison, she can see the figure shaping the more she stars at the twinkling stars.] I see it though it's ear seems to small on one side. [Which is a nice way of saying nonexistent.]

What would you call that one there? It looks like a whale or fish of some kind don't you think?

[She looks up at Majima just as the oven buzzes softly, letting them know it's preheated.]

Aww, he probably just lost it in a fight. It's tough on the street for a tomcat.

[ And that particular smile of his suggested that Majima might feel akin to such an animal, in point of fact. Hell, they had character, didn't they? He looked up to where Justine was pointing. ]

That's a good one. Hmmm... let's say whale.

[ But for now? Time to get back to the siren call of that oven, and finish up dinner. ]

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and wrap!