Scenario:Basara - Reminiscence upon the Welkin

Reminiscence upon the Welkin

When asked by Vajra if he still hates primal beasts, Basara reminisces on times past—of when he was still a frail, young boy who was too kind to hurt a soul and detested the idea of fighting.

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The cerulean horizon stretches in magnificent splendor on one particularly sunny day.

Vajra: That's right, Gar loves it when you pet him under the chin and around his head.

Satyr: Under the chin and around his head? Got it.

Vajra: Oh, and behind his ears too.

Garjana: Mm...

Vajra: Right, Gar? Tell us how incredible that feels!

Garjana: While I won't deny it...

Satyr: Haha. Is Gar blushing?

Garjana: Wh-why, of course not!

Vajra: Big dogs like Gar enjoy light pats, but for smaller pups, you want to scratch them with your fingertips.

Garjana: Ah...

Satyr smiles at Garjana, who tries to maintain his composure but cannot hide his wagging tail.

Satyr: Ahaha! Thanks, Vajra! I appreciate all the tips!

Satyr: Next time I run into that dog, I'll do my best to befriend it.

Vajra: Sure, let me know how it goes!

Vajra: Just be careful not to approach too aggressively, as some dogs are afraid of people.

Vajra: Even a little pup's bite will leave a mark!

Satyr: Got it! Thanks again!

Vajra watches the cheerful Satyr leave, then looks around and tilts her head.

Vajra: Hrm...

Vajra: Hey, Brosara? You around?

Basara: What is it?

Basara is the first warrior deity, an ancestor of Vajra's.

As a spirit, Basara usually resides within Vajra's sword and accompanies her on her journey.

Vajra: Hey, so...

Basara: Come on, spit it out. And what's with the serious face? It doesn't suit you.

Vajra: I was wondering... if you still hate primal beasts...

Vajra: Even now?

Basara: Why do you ask?

Vajra: Whenever I talk to primal beasts aboard the ship, you tend to stay away.

Vajra: On the rare occasion that you do show up, you make sure I'm the only one who can hear your voice... I find it strange.

Basara: So you noticed...

Vajra quietly watches Basara sigh, waiting for his next words.

Basara: A lot happened... More than you can imagine.

Vajra: You mean when you were still alive during the War?

Basara: Yes.

Basara gazes into the distant azure sky, then turns back to Vajra.

Basara: Vajra, you're a natural-born leader.

Vajra: Oh?

Basara: You naturally stand at the head of the pack, setting an example and guiding others without hesitation.

Basara: You fulfill the responsibility of leading your clan without forcing yourself.

Basara: Of course, I know you also put in considerable effort.

Vajra: Wow...

Basara: What's with that reaction?

Vajra: Ehehe, I'm just a bit embarrassed.

Vajra: It's the first time you've genuinely praised me like that, Brosara.

Basara: That so?

Vajra: As happy as I am to hear it... why now all of a sudden?

Basara: Good question...

Basara: Maybe because I've been remembering my own past.

Vajra: What do you mean?

Basara: I'm completely different from you.

Basara: Originally, I was not supposed to become the clan leader, nor one of the Divine Generals.

Basara: What turned me, Basara Kongou, into the renowned first war deity was...

Basara: That war and the gruesome events it triggered.

Basara silently shuts his eyes, then takes a slow breath and begins to recount the past.

Clan Chief: The battles with the Astrals and their weapons, the primal beasts, grow fiercer by the day.

Clan Chief: Our clan must also do what it can to come out the victor and claim freedom for the skies. You are to train in the martial arts in preparation for war.

Clan Chief: Do I make myself clear, Daraka, Dorje?

Dorje: Yes!

Daraka: Understood, Father.

Clan Chief: Good...

Clan Chief: That goes for you too, Basara.

Basara: Urk!

The surprised gasp comes from behind a slightly opened sliding door.

Dorje: Huh? Basara's here too?

Basara: ...!

Dorje: Ah, he ran away! Basara, wait!

Clan Chief: Leave him be, Dorje.

Dorje: Okay...

Clan Chief: Good grief... What a difficult child he is.

Clan Chief: When will he realize his responsibilities as a son of a warrior family?

Clan Chief: Perhaps it's time I sat him down for a good talk about this...

Daraka: Father, wait.

Daraka: Would you mind letting me handle it first? I believe I can convince Basara.

Clan Chief: Hm, very well. I suppose he'd be more willing to listen to you than me.

Clan Chief: I'm counting on you, Daraka.

Daraka: Yes, Father.

Basara: All right...

The young boy who had scurried from his father arrives at the far end of the spacious estate's garden and sits by the pond.

He removes his sandals and socks, dipping his small feet in the pond water.

Basara: Ahhh...

Pup 1: Arf?

Basara: Yup, the cold feels just right.

The boy smiles as he tickles the nape of a puppy's neck with his fingers.

Pup 2: Woof! Woof!

Basara: Really, now!

Basara: No jumping into the pond, okay? Father'll scold you again.

Pup 2: Whimper...

Basara: Though to be honest, I do understand how you feel... I could use a good swim myself, what with the weather getting warmer.

Daraka: Well, you'd better not, unless you'd like a scolding from Father.

Basara: Huh? Brother!

His quietly approaching brother sits down beside him.

Basara: Er... I-I wasn't actually going to swim! I just thought it would be nice if I could...

Daraka: I know. The forest stream is far better than the garden pond for a swim anyway.

Basara: A-and how would you know about that?

Daraka: I'm fully aware of all the little antics you've been up to.

Basara: Ugh...

Daraka: Haha, just kidding.

Daraka: Actually, the stream happens to be one of my favorite places as well.

Basara: Huh? It is?

Daraka: Yes. I used to sneak out of the estate to swim there without Father knowing.

Basara: You, Brother? You snuck out of the estate?

Daraka: Indeed. I did my share of mischief just like you.

Basara: I had no idea...

Daraka: Well, I did it better than you, in that I never got caught.

Basara: Ugh...

Daraka: Tell me, Basara... Why did you run away earlier?

Daraka: Father called for you too, did he not? Yet you arrived late...

Basara: I mean, all he ever talks about is learning how to fight...

Daraka: ...
Does that bother you?

Basara: Mm...

Daraka: Is that why you don't take martial arts training seriously?

Basara: I just don't see how all that training is supposed to make me stronger!

Daraka: Don't knock it till you've tried it.

Basara: No thanks! I'd never be as good as you and Dorje anyway!

Basara: That's why...

Basara: Hear me out! I thought I could help the family in ways other than fighting!

Daraka: In other ways?

Daraka: But you're always skipping your studies too, aren't you?

Basara: Th-that's... Well... I'll start now...

Basara: I'll do it! I will!

With a burst of energy, Basara springs to his feet and dashes away, nearly tumbling in his haste...

Daraka: Sigh... Good grief.

And left behind is his brother, sighing in exasperation.