Title: Ie
Fandom: Torchwood
Prompt: 'Exiled Child' No. 427 from the '500 prompts'
Disclaimer: I do not own Torchwood, though that would be nice…
Summary: 'As a child Toshiko's family had been her world.'
Ie: Japanese word for family
On particularly low days Toshiko would curl up on her couch with a bottle of red wine and her family album. She would go through the faces and reminds herself of each face's personality.
She started with her father's father. Ojīsan Kisha had been a quiet man, round and soft, rather like a well hugged teddy bear. His intelligence had been quiet, like her own, kept secret inside until someone bothered to look. Toshiko had learned how to focus herself through sitting in his lap and his hand guiding her hand through the movements of Japanese calligraphy. Toshiko had discovered the beauty of simplicity giving way to complexity through his guiding hands.
Her father's mother, Obāsan Etsu had been aloof, but beautiful. She claimed she had royal ancestors and Toshiko had believed her. With her porcelain smooth skin, bright eyes and regal bearing, Toshiko had always been sure it was true.
Her mother's father, Ojīsan Takai, worked in Bletchley Park. He was the man who instilled a love of technology in her. Telling stories of cracking the codes, the joy of the algorithms, how there was always a right answer. His skinny face stared up at Toshiko from his photos.
Her Obāsan Hoshi had been sweet faced, well meaning. She was a kimono maker. Toshiko had watched her methodically sew the material, using traditional methods to create the beautiful garments. She would let Toshiko dress in them if she was good. Toshiko had loved the feel of the silk on her skin.
Her Otōsan had been a distant man. It had probably been something had seen in the RAF, she knew that now, she could see it reflected in her own eyes and the eyes of her team every day. As a child she had just been hurt. So she had clung to her Okāsan, burying her face in her mother's love.
Something which nearly brought them both to ruin.
As a child Toshiko's family had been her world. Now she was lucky to make contact once a year.
But as she flipped to the last page of the album, she acknowledged that at least she had another family to keep her occupied while she waited for freedom.
This is the first time I've ever done a one-shot prompt fic, so I'm hoping it worked ok. Any criticisms are welcome.
Night's Darkness