#tobiuo

For @fanaticsnail in an secret holiday exchange I did with a group. Tobiuo swimming under the Polar Tang.

Dynamic summer antique kimono showing tobiuo (flying fish) gliding over swirling waves. Entire kimono has woven-in silvery stripes which must beautifully shimmer irl.

Pattern is inspired by this byobu (folding screen) painted by nihonga artist Kawabata Ryûshi titled [Kuroshio]:

Tobiuo is quite particular about food and Biri would love finding all the ways she could cook for her 🍣

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Canidae tapped the pen to her cheek, trying to figure out how to word this letter. It had been a few days since Tobiuo was gone, but it already felt like years. She looked to the old clock on the wall before writing in her first language, French; writing a message she hoped her friend might receive.

Tobiuo,

J'ai entendu dire qu'aujourd'hui était un jour important pour vous. Je tenais à vous faire part de ma gratitude et de mon appréciation. Alors que je suis assis à mon bureau et que je travaille sur le Polar Tang, entouré des souvenirs et des prix que nous avons partagés ensemble, je ne peux que souhaiter que vous en fassiez partie. Je vous suis très reconnaissant, que ce soit pour votre attitude distante à mon égard ou pour la lumière dont j'ai besoin les nuits où mon navire se rapproche dangereusement des rochers. Tu me manques et j'ai hâte que notre voyage reprenne. J'espère voir le Grand Bleu et que tu n'auras pas trop de rancune. Je te promets de t'emmener rencontrer maman et voir les aurores boréales. Sois prudent et j'espère que ton rêve se réalisera, car tu fais partie du mien.

Je t'aime,

Fey Marvella-Kelia Tenrou

Votre Canidé

English:

Tobiuo,

I heard today is an important day for you. I wanted to extend my gratitude and appreciation. As I sit here at my desk working the Polar Tang, surrounded by the memories and prizes we’ve shared together; I can only wish you were among them. From being standoffish towards me to being the light I need on nights when my ship is dangerously close to rocks, I am very grateful for you. I miss you and can’t wait for our journey to restart. I hope to see the Deep Blue and that you don’t hold too much of a grudge. I promise to take you to meet mama and to see the northern lights. Please stay safe and i hope your dream comes true; because you’re part of mine.

Love,

Fey Marvella-Kelia Tenrou

Your Canidae

Canidae rolled up the letter and shoved into a small glass bottle before making her way to the deck. Carefully, she placed the bottle in the ocean, watching it start to drift off with the currents.

Hopefully it would reach the missing part of home.

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