estoria | ( OPEN )

[THIS IS NOT UNTRUE...

It seems Kashuu really is being serious, though. He doesn't have much else to do and he always enjoys spending time with Haru no matter what they're doing! He rests his cheek against Haru's head and looks down at the book again, even though he doesn't plan on reading along or anything. Do the work for him, Haru...]

Sure, sure! Start wherever you want. You got a nice voice when you read stuff out loud, y'know?

[Souji gratefully reaches out his hands and takes the cup, leaning over it a bit so he can breathe in the fumes - that always eases his breathing a little bit, and the slight, constant scraping noise lessens somewhat. He resists saying that some are more cracked than chipped, and then it depends a bit on how far the crack goes. Haru still has a good point, and there's a time and a place to argue semantics.]

Honestly, I've always thought that both people and things only get more interesting once they've gotten a bit chipped and stained with time - but then, I don't have to tell someone like you that, huh?

[A saniwa sage in charge of a big number of sword spirits would know all about how the marks of time bring more life to things as well as people.

He makes a soft little noise, lapping experimentally on his tea, but it's still too warm.] I'll do my best, of course. He's very sweet, and very brave and loyal. I'd like to get to know him better, and ease his mind. [He shoots Haru a warm glance.] It's strange, how different they are, and yet... at the same time, not completely different at all. And since I know I care so much about one, it is quite impossible not to already love the other.

[ he fidgets a moment or two, then glances away, ears going red again. awkwardly, he shuffles back to the kitchen to check on the soup. ]

Um. Well.. you know. I was raised by spirits, mostly. [ he's never really talked about that. he doesn't intend to now. it's just.. ] I didn't even know it wasn't.. normal for a long time. But they always seemed more real than.. humans. When I was younger. [ in a lot of ways, he's still more comfortable around spirits and demons and monsters than he is around human beings. spirits he gets. humans are complicated. ] And then.. you know, there's.. the tsukumogami, and they're--

[ he trails off, then pours tea for himself to give him something to do with his hands. ]

.. I'm really, really glad that you love them, too. I'm really glad that Kashuu-kun and Yamato-kun have you here. I'm glad.. that.. you're staying here.

[ his ears go hot at the compliment, but he shifts to make the position more comfortable for both of them, pleased despite himself with the cozy moment. kashuu tends to be pretty affectionate, but.. haru actually likes it. ]

You always say stuff like that.. [ nice things. compliments. haru never quite knows how to respond to them.

still, he clears his throat and begins. he reads until the end of the chapter, then trails off, pausing for a few moments. carefully, he marks the book, setting it aside and then tilting his chin up, bumping his nose against kashuu's jaw. ]

Ah.. Kashuu-kun.. are you okay? [ obviously, this does not have to do with a book. ]

[ clearly they were made to be vietmom and soniwa.. ]

Ah-- Vietnam-san is too kind. [ there's no way it's healed up just from concern..!

he blinks at the questions, eyes widening. ] O-Oh, ah.. I've been taking medicine. It's okay, though, I get sick once or twice a year. It's just normal. [ he glances down at the fallen broom, then stoops to pick it back up, gripping it close to his chest. ] I've been taking Sousei-san's class, but.. I've missed a lot lately between all the damage and flooding and being sick. So I just.. practice where I can..

[Souji tilts his head curiously in response, because really, who wouldn't be s bit fascinated? His own childhood was hardly what anyone would call entirely ordinary, but that's not quite the same thing.] Raised by spirits, huh? I have a friend with spiritual powers, and those kind of things seem perfectly ordinary and real to him, but I suppose it's just a bit hard to imagine if you're not that kind of person.

[His curious expression warms into a smile after a couple of moments.] Then again, they clearly did a very good job, so maybe it's not that much stranger than any other way.

[He lowers his head for a moment, making another attempt at the tea, and this time managing to take a couple of tiny sips.]

I'm really grateful to be here, you know. Back home... mm, you can see I don't have much time left, right? And Osaka castle is pretty far away from where most of the Shinsemgumi are. I'm honestly feeling less lonely here than there - that's pretty sad. [His tone lightens somewhat.] And I'm grateful as well as honored to have a chance to get to know them - and the other swords too! And you, Ha~ru~ji! [Yep, the nickname is everywhere.]

[It's easy to fall into a comfortable silence with Haru reading, even for captain motormouth, and that's exactly what he does. He stays tucked up nice and cozy, closing his eyes every now and then just to focus on Haru's voice or the sounds of the pages turning. Is he even really paying attention to the story? PROBABLY NOT... But he catches snippets and he gets to have a nice quiet moment, and that's good enough for him.

The question is a little surprising, then; he seems quite taken off guard by it.]

Huh? [Has he accidentally given Haru some randomass reason to worry, or is it just Haru being Haru again?? A mystery... He'll reach out with one hand to ruffle Haru's hair either way.] Mmhm! Why? Does something seem wrong?

[Not asked in an evasive way, but a genuinely curious one.]

Oh... For serious? [Well that just got sad all of the sudden. Larry frowns a bit, not sure what to say right away.] But you wouldn't hurt them though, right? I don't think they got anything to be afraid of.

[He wants to believe, Sayo. That, or he wants to avoid talking about how dark things really are with this boy.

It's probably a combination of both, though he's more outwardly obvious that he wants to keep things positive. Must be something in the air...]

Ahh, so he's named after another of your sword buds? Is he in Cerealia too? [That makes him think...] Actually, how many of you guys are here now in general?

Edited 2015-09-22 04:27 (UTC)

[ Touch is enough for him to slowly ease into the room as he takes a step forward with help from the tug. At this moment, he doesn't know how to respond other than he's shocked that he has a bed to himself and more so that they want him staying in this room too. The uchigatana has always been hard to deal with, when it comes to doing specific requests from other people when he feels like he doesn't deserve it. Which he doesn't. In the end for him, he's already chose what he's going to do so humouring anyone would be bad to do. ]

You can have that bed..

[ It kind of hurts to say such things when he's speaking to someone important, someone who's willing to smile at him through thick and thin. He really can't help how he's feeling, staying to himself and trying to cope with sudden changes but it's hard for him. To see his previous master again. To hold his hand and follow his steps like a child, looking down and placing his feet in each spot that Souji's just was. ]

There would be no other way I would want it, so please take it for yourself! [ It's sincere and spoken quickly since his mind is already made up, he needs his rest anyway but he does shift to sit down on the bed along with the other. There's no need to share when he can have it all to himself? Yamato would like that anyway, he doesn't ask for much so with his free hand gripping at his hakama as he shakes his head. ] So you don't have to worry about that, alright? Besides, I'm sure if Kiyomitsu doesn't mind, you should remain dozing along with him. [ Nod, nod! ]

[so the tv is a mystery...he stares at it for a moment, but haruji gets his attention again with the fox question. shaking his head!] He's napping.

[and the robofox has as much of a name as smallest fox does - as many names as everyone but naki feels like giving them. speaking of which, he cranes his neck to see if the robofox is still over--ah, no, it's wandering off into somebody else's bedroom. haruji can probably see it too, if he looks fast enough.]

Kiyomitsu? E.. Huh? When did he start turning into a cat?

[ What is going on!!!!!!!!!!!!! When did Kashuu have the ability to turn into a cat? Yamato doesn't remember going through this at the Citadel. He's shocked, he truly is as he tries to find some part of the cat that would just scream, "FASHION BABY SOMETHING SOMETHING i swear Lady Gaga says something here" but it's not like this is something Yamato knows off the top of his head.

Staring at the cat, a little miffed by what may be the truth? He looks towards Sayo confused. ]

What happened to him? .. I.. I know this place does weird things but not too long ago, he had a body like us.. did the Saniwa learn a new skill..

[ Ugh no, Yamato is going to stay on the floor? He doesn't have time for this but honestly.. why do they have such an evil cat here? Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he shakes his head at the thought of an indoor cat. ]

Well, that one seems to have a hidden agenda? Don't you think? How else would it get me through a window? .. [ Perhaps it's a KBC? This is troublesome.. it's time to kill it but not while Kashuu is around it seems. ]

I'm fine, I don't think I would have minded the drop though. But.. [ He's here now, he's staying on the floor. ] We should get rid of the cat.. [ He does try one more time. A for effort. ]

[ Pitch...didn't answer that. He was silent entirely, in fact, he just looked at Hsru folding laundry, making it clear on no uncertain terms that he would not tolerate anything more than the most superficial kind of fear. There was to be no exploitation of past trauma.

It was like putting a steak in front of a hungry dog. Then warning the dog so it understood if it went for the steak, it would lose it's nice, comfortable home. Then one steak becomes several. The similarity didn't escape him, either, and honestly he didn't know whether to laugh st the irony or hate it.

For the moment he canted his head, birdlike, and actually ended up showing a fair amount of concern. ]

Are you completely sure you still want to do this?

[ It's an uncharacteristic display of concern, Haru. If you want out, don't want to deal with the nightmares, or just plain don't want to deal with Pitch, this is your last chance. ]

( Despite his lack of energy and motivation these days, he's still been pushing himself. Mutsu promised Haru he would work hard here and so he still goes to work, still tries to do his best, and honestly, any chance to get out of bed, out of the apartment, and outside doing something made him feel somewhat better. Of course, it only leaves him feeling more worn and exhausted upon his return. Right now, he could just fall asleep in the middle of the room..

But Haru is home today and he knows Haru hasn't been 100% either. It isn't in the same way as him and Kousetsu but he's been missing sword practice lately, hasn't he? It's not like Haru to skip things. Haru is also the type to worry so he stands up a little straighter when he sees Haru. He's fine. Or at least, he will be. He's in a constant state of fatigue these days but it's nothing to trouble Haru with.

There's an invitation to sit beside him and he's never been one to decline. After all, as a sword, he's most content by the side of his master... even if it is to just watch tv. So he comes over, )

Nah, I'm okay. I wouldn't wanna interrupt ya. ( His reading. He wouldn't want to interrupt that with unnecessary noise. But he also knows Haru isn't the type to mind... and he deliberates on this for a moment before he leans a bit against Haru, tilting his head a bit to get a better look at the book he's reading. It's a feint.

Mutsu's tried to push himself, he's tried to rest, he's tried to take care of himself... but he can't seem to improve. He's done everything, it seems, except bother-- no, ask-- Haru for a moment of his time through this. He's never been one to ask for much from Haru. Sure, he asks for little things like an extra slice of castella or an hour on his tablet but he's never demanded more of Haru's time than he's ever needed to. He's a simple, old-fashioned sword. He doesn't need constant attention like some of the others. ) What're ya reading?

( Despite his fatigue, he draws his sword in an instant and aims it defensively towards the direction he heard the voice. It came from above him but all he sees is darkness. He doesn't like this... he really doesn't like it. )

Polite? Skulkin` around in the shadows? ( What is he dealing with? ) How about ya show ya'rself since ya're such a nice guy.

[It's a bit strange and overwhelming, how subservient and deferential this sword is being, picking his words with such great care and truly acting as if Souji is somehow vastly superior to him. It honestly throws Souji quite a bit; he is used to command in battle, sure, like any Shinsengumi captain would be expected to be, and he is born as samurai class, but this is different. He has never held an elevated or respected position in society, and he certainly isn't used to being treated with excessive formality - unless you count Tatsunosuke, but that is different too.

Not to mention it's one hell of a culture shock after Kashuu's excessively casual and familiar form of address. So Souji stumbles a bit, hesitating, before his mannerisms soften even further, his smile growing more muted but warmer.]

I think you misunderstand me. I don't care at all about the beds, and I honestly prefer sharing. [Because he's a tactile nature, and since this used to be his sword, the hand that isn't holding on to Yamato's immediately lifts to brush a lock of hair away from his face with unquestioning familiarity. He and the Souji that Yamato is used to might differ a bit, but this is still the sword he used to polish and maintain, wipe clean of blood after battle, so how can it be strange to touch him? He runs two fingers along his cheek, and then gives Yamato a playful little flick on the nose.]

What I mean is that I would be happy for you to share this room with us. If you are more comfortable sleeping on the futon, then you are free to do so, but-! [He makes a soft little sound, now resting his fingertip square on the tip of Yamato's nose.] I probably won't sleep on this bed at all unless I'm sharing it with you, okay? So it would be a bit silly to refuse on my behalf.

[This is a meeting that was fated to happen!!!]

N-no, I speak only the truth... [STOP IT HARU...

But good, she looks relieved now.] O-oh, really? I mean that is not too uncommon, but for you to get sick... [She just doesn't want him to be sick! Watching him as he lifts the broom again, his makeshift weapon--] I see, you are very diligent. Sousei would be impressed. [By his diligence, she's not entirely sure about skills since she's no kendoka. She gestures towards the broom.] Is it too long?

You followed it through the window while it was trying to escape from you! Don't try to pin this on that cat.

[He may sound a little more snappish than usual, but that's just because he always sounds more snappish than usual when Yamato talks cavalierly about things that have to do with death or injury. Don't just fall out of a window...]

I'm telling you, it's Sayo's cat. He's had it longer than you've been here, so leave it alone, got it? You don't even have to treat it nicely, just stop chasing it around the house. ...On second thought, there're a few cats in here that all belong to people, so you shouldn't chase any.

[ At first it's just light reflecting off golden eyes shining back like cats eyes in the night. Then the eyes come down the opposite wall, and though there' a blase between them the eyes come closer until their owner resolves out of the gloom.

He's ridiculously tall, ridiculously thin, and ridiculously dark. Honestly it's a wonder anybody would see him in a dark room. Everything is black, or grey. Except his eyes, his eyes are so bright, they almost glow.

That blade is also still between them. ]

I did not use your shadow, and low light means I don't have to a shadow of my own to use, but I never did well in the light.

Edited 2015-09-22 13:07 (UTC)

I believe you!

[He does! Really! He may not be Kasen's BFF, but he knows his feelings about elegance. Dumpster diving is not elegant.]

It broke my arm, for a while. [Glitching. He means glitching. But he's trying to sympathize.]

[ After a wonderful day of playing newcomer ViViD games and swimming with fish, Imano is pretty beat whenever he's dropped off at the apartments. He took a quick bath to stop smelling like a pond animal (Bless whoever taught him the wonders of running, hot water), but he's too exhausted to dry his hair enough and fix it back up. It's damp and dragging on the floor, but he can't even care.

That couch looks like the cushiest thing in the world, so he will just flop onto it face-first. He doesn't even notice Haru on the other side, reading his book. Sorry if he disturbs you, aruji-sama, he has finite amounts of energy, attention span included. ]

Mmph, so comfy...

[ That's a hard choice to make, but Kogitsunemaru is willing to live with his decision as he slides off the couch and positions himself at Haru's knees.

Well, there's his answer. ]

Thank you for doing this. I know you'll do a good job!

[ His hairears wiggle slightly. Kogi's so excited! ]

Ah? Are you sick then? [ He figured that Souji was a little unwell but so much so that he can't work? It's a little worrying for Mikazuki and he'll make a mental note of it so he treats Souji with gentle and loving care.

Which he does now by smiling and thanking Souji for his help with this. Mikazuki admits that as much as he adores the extravagant clothes he wears, they are a little too complex for him to put on himself. That and he likes the attention but you can probably blame a few people for enabling him with this. ]

So you worked at a teahouse...in the pleasure district? [ It seems to dawn on him now that this information means Souji is his senior, or senpai. Mikazuki's smile softens at the prospect and he gingerly takes the other man's hands in his own, giving them the gentlest of squeezes. ] How wonderful! I've never had a senior before...ah, what's it like, I wonder?

[ Quickly remembering his manners a second later, Mikazuki pulls back and formally bows towards Souji with all the excitement displayed clearly on his elegant features. ] I'll be in your care then, Senpai. [ Ok, he can't RESIST calling someone that. ]

What's a show? ...

[ Ugh, is that the new way they call an attack on someone who has done nothing wrong? He places his hands down to his lap, looking at the wakizashi in more than confusion — he doesn't understand. ]

Why is reality something that's always questioned in this place.. was that sad man fake too?

I'm use to being cut up so this isn't nothing new to me, I'll be able to survive like this. So you don't have to do this at all.. [ Looking at his hands, he laughs just a bit since it's not as bad as they're making it seem. ] It doesn't hurt that much.

[ As they get to the bathroom, the uchigatana looks towards the mirror to see his own reflection. Blinking once and then twice in a little confusion, he looks towards the sink and at the knobs that are open to him. Reaching out his hands to turn one of them since he believes that is what normally is done, he does good as water begins to pour from the faucet. ]

Oh? Is that what it was.. ah.. if that's so.. the man inside wasn't real.. did I break something important. Will you promise not to tell anyone if so.. It was an accident..

There we go!

( OPEN )

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UGH JUST CHILL OUT

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UGH STOP I DIDNT KNOW >:( its an enemy

HOLY SHIT HOW DID I LOSE THIS TAG IM TIRED touches groudn forgive m

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ii

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I HAVE NO CHILL

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ugh pay for this mistake by saying goodbye to tag nirvana

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ii?/wildcard (imano needs to reunite with haru-ji sama)

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NO NO SHOPPING!!!! UGH SANIWA GOT A NEW TV IN THE FUTURE NO REASON TO SHOP