estoria | ( OPEN )

[To be honest, Souji can often come off as rather flirtatious without intending to in turn, and seems to have a someone tenuous grasp on what kind of behavior is too intimate. As demonstrated by how any casual bystander would probably assume that he and Kashuu are in the kind of relationship none of them would ever actually consider, for different reasons.

He does however light up a bit with enthusiasm now that the situation is made a bit more clear to him, although he's still lightly flushed and a bit taken aback. Being confined to a bathroom with a pretty man who wants you to help him with his clothes makes a lot more sense in this sort of context, and Souji is innocent enough in this way to simply not question it beyond that.]

Ah, well, I was rather planning on going back to work there in a while - I just need to get a bit healthier, or I'm sure people will worry.

[Not to mention, he is rather aware of how unattractive the customers will find him habitually hacking up his lungs and bleeding all over his lovely kimono. So it's probably best to wait for his medicines to take effect for a while.]

But the place I worked at was a tea house as well, so I'm used to helping people get dressed! I'll gladly offer any assistance I can.

[Are you asking about Dotanuki the sword or the bug liking Katshuu?]

I think so... It's a little hard for me to tell with him.

[Coming from the sword who's awkward with his own non-vengeful emotions.]

Most animals back home can tell that I'm... [How to say it?] ... bloodied? Dark.

[It's the revenge aura, man.]

Kashuu means... state, province. He's named after a comrade.

[Because it's a nice name suggestion, and Sayo have no reason to decline it.]

I'm not asking you to be like everyone else. I just want my spirits to know who they're sharing their home with now, that's all.

[ he folds himself down neatly to kneel on the floor, beginning to take the laundry out to fold it. to be in the presence of the boogeyman, haru's remarkably comfortable around him. but then again, that happens once he's decided he's adopted someone into his weird family. ]

.. It's not just battlefields. Some of their trauma comes from old owners, or from things that have happened to them outside the battlefield. Some of them-- [ he pauses with a shirt in his lap, staring down at it, teeth digging into his lower lip. ] Some of them are really.. really damaged, and I'm doing my best, but-- [ he takes a shuddering breath, seeming to shake himself and then glancing back up. ] A-Anyway. This is a home if you need it. All I really ask is that everyone here treats everyone else with respect.

Pa~tience. [ Each syllable is emphasized by a (totally non-threatening) wag of the ladle in his hand, but at least when Kasen speaks, he's not upset. This too is something that he's wholly familiar with. ]

This is not sashimi or gyuunotataki, so you have to wait for the meat to be properly cooked through, Kashuu-kun.

[ But Kasen crosses his arms again, which means the ladle isn't ready to smack hands. ]

If the dish isn't done properly, it won't taste as good. If you absolutely must have a snack, I have some leftover carrots that I had cut into sakura. [ this is only a half step above celery for kanesan ]

[ Kasen sighs as if this was a truly traumatic, horrible experience, because it was, thank you. He'll hear no sass on the matter!! ]

It was that ridiculous, what was it, game! I had finished and completed all its stupid tasks, and so I was free, but then it dropped me into that horrid place! I had no choice in the matter, let me be clear about that!

[UGH THE LADLE!! He'll never be able to sneak a taste with Kasen standing there waving a weapon around all menacing-like.

As it is, he doesn't even make a vague attempt because he knows it will be Unsuccessful... Instead, he just huffs out a frustrated sound, shifting from foot to foot briefly and glancing back over toward the pot. He's hungry. Who cares if he doesn't actually need to eat!!

Why carrots, though...]

...I guess that's fine. [He's only saying that because they're cut into sakura.] Where are they?

[ Sitting right down and folding laundry as if there isn't a seven foot, creepy guy in black blending a bit too well with a corner of the room. This, right here, is the reason Pitch decided he'd be better off haunting the shadows of this very busy, very noisy, very alive home.

Bad dreams were a pittance compared to this, and Pitch knew it. He privately thought it was a shame Haru was mortal, and that if anyone knew about his affection for a mortal, he'd probably never hear the end of it.]

Respect is earned. But I take your meaning.

[ He can't really help but smile for the next bit; ]

I am what I am. Sometimes I just can't help myself~

[HE'S ASKING ABOUT THE SWORD. He's completely forgotten about the bug like a dingus...]

Huh... I guess he's kinda hard to read, yeah? What, does he spend a lot of time around your cat or something?

Oh. [ a pause, blinking back up at pitch again as he finishes the shirt and sets it aside. ] Well.. you know.. jump-scares and things like that are one thing. Like I said, we get them from Tsuru-san a lot. But.. just.. be a little more careful with them than me, okay?

[ haru's had a shitty childhood and he has a lot to have nightmares about, but he has very little actual trauma. and he loves and wants to protect his swords, just like he loves and wants to protect jack, and just like--given a little more time--he'll love and want to protect pitch. that's just.. how his personality works.

he glances back down as he picks out some complicated looking garment--probably one of the newer swords', since they haven't had time to get new clothes, yet--beginning to fold it neatly. ]

I know you don't really have to eat like we do, but if there is some food you like, if you tell me, I'll make sure to keep it. [ he keeps ice-cream for jack, after all. ] I'm not usually home until later in the afternoon, since I take Sousei-san's class, but there's always someone here. Umm.. [ a tiny line forms between his brows as he tries to think of anything pitch might need to know. ] I guess.. that's all of the big stuff. You already know that Jack-kun comes by sometimes.

It would be nice to have you. [ haru picks the cup up, other hand removing his mask and setting it aside. he takes a sip, then, bare toes curling a little against the floor. ] And.. you know, we have room if.. you want to stay for a while..

[ he's not really expecting the spirit to take him up on the offer, but.. he wants to make sure he knows he's more than welcome. with mitsutada gone, especially, haru worries about him being alone. ]

i.
[ with all the flooding and destruction and now reconstruction, plus his illness, haru's attendance at sousei's class lately has been spotty. that's no surprise-- in fact, it's pretty normal, particularly with so many of his swords showing up again. on the other hand, he has to keep his practice up somehow..

he had been cleaning. the apartment's quiet, and haru's in a tanktop and sweatpants rolled up to his knees. his hair's been pulled into a short tail (the underside is now pink thanks to kashuu), and.. he's holding a broom. he was probably sweeping, but now it's become a kind of makeshift bokken as he swings it at an imaginary opponent.

.. beware of startling him, he might just whack you. ]

ii.
[ haru keeps pretty busy, so it's rare to see him sit in one place for long unless he's sleeping. today, then, is probably a rare occasion. he's curled against one arm of the couch, his face in a book, the (replacement, thanks yamato) tv on and turned down low.

when he hears the shuffle of footsteps, he glances up, pale eyes warming fondly as he pats the seat beside him. ]

Did you want to watch something?

wildcard.
[ or, you know, if you want haru for something else, prompt me! ]

[Okay, firstly? This is adorable. Which is why Souji theatrically turns to Saizou and puts a finger to his lips, as if seriously concerned that the pig might doxx him, and keeps watching in silence for a while. Then, after a little while, he moves steadily closer, watching the youth with a hand clapped over his mouth to discourage himself both from coughing and giggling.

And then he's behind him, standing there in a fluffy blue dressing gown and just as fluffly slippers, head tilted thoughtfully and a mischievous smile on his lips.]

Your elbows are a bit too tense, but the position of your feet is good.

[ predictably, haru was so focused on what he was doing that he shrieks, jumping about a foot and practically flinging the broom away. if he'd been a cat, he probably would've climbed the walls by now, but as it is, he barely manages to keep both hands on the broom, instead clutching it to his chest as he whirls around, pale eyes wide and heart clearly about to thump right out of his chest. ]

S-Souji-san! [ and then his ears and face start going red. ] I-- I didn't think anyone else was home. [ ugh why is he always doing embarrassing stuff around souji..

and then hard on the heels of embarrassment, his lips twitch down in an almost-imperceptible frown. ]

Ah, Souji-san, you need to be resting! [ he gently sweeps at the older man's feet with the end of the broom. ] Go sit down, at least.

[Souji laughs unabashedly at Haru's reaction, childishly and brightly, and manages to somehow restrain the inevitable coughing that follows to a rather decent minimum. He completely ignores the younger man's fussing at first, wiping his lips just in case before grinning.]

See? Your footwork allowed you to turn around really fast - but you've completely dropped your position otherwise. [With a lightning-fast movement, he apparently decides to demonstrate his point by giving Haru's shoulder a pretty hard whack with the side of his hand.

Then he lowers his hand, sighs, and finally acknowledges the saniwa's worries.]

Honestly, I can walk about a bit. I haven't even been outside today at all, and I've rested a lot this morning. [Pouting like a child at you, sir.]

I-- [ haru clutches the broom close again, ears going even redder. ] I'm not very good yet. I just-- I've been missing practice lately, so.. [ so he gets his practice in when and where he can.

still, he clears his throat--his own cough is finally mostly gone--trying to look stern while still blushing. ]

Even if you've rested a lot this morning, you still need to rest more. We need to get your strength back as soon as possible. [ he hesitates, expression softening faintly. ] I know you hate it and it's boring, but we care about you and we want you feeling better. [ a beat. ] Maybe it'd be less boring on the couch? The TV's there-- [ now that he's replaced it. ] --and some of the others should be getting home soon..

[He's been working on the rebuilding effort so normally Doutanuki was out of the house. It's understandable that HARU didn't expect anyone else to suddenly show up. Completely. Totally.

Except that Doutanuki stayed home today without saying anything and was in his room all morning up until one minute ago. Now he's standing right behind Haru, watching the broom swing back and forth.

Hello, Master. ]

Follow through a little more.

You already have what it takes, though. You're brave, and you're prepared to sacrifice for those you want to protect. The rest is a matter of time.

[That is easy to say if you have been a natural sword fighting genius since you were honestly to god three years old. Still, from the way he's smiling he really means what he says - Haru might never be a sword fighting virtuoso, but to Souji, the most important part really is what you're willing to give up. Everything else is just a matter of luck, really.

Souji then lets out a small sigh and finally resigns to Haru's care, because he really does understand that he only means well. Obediently sitting down on the sofa, he opens his arms so that Saizou can join him, smiling up at Haru.]

It's just that I've been so very isolated back home for a while... and I feel a lot better here. It's hard not to get impatient. [A small, teasing quirk to his smile.] And you know, I was also hungry and heading for the kitchen.

[ WHAT THE FUCK. haru yelps at the sudden voice (stop sneaking up on him!!) and the broom goes sailing backwards-- right into donut's face. haru whirls around, eyes already wide with horror. ]

T-Tanuki-san! [ oh god, he just smacked his sword in the face. he's already tugging him down to his height, trying to check for damage.. ]

[ ugh stop complimenting him.. he can't handle it. (as evidenced by how red his whole face is, and how stiff his skinny shoulders are.)

he's glad for the change of subject, setting the broom aside as souji sits down and rocking up on his toes, then back on his heels. ] Ah, well, you'll never be isolated in this household. [ not if haru has anything to say about it. ] If you're hungry, though, I can make something. How about soup?

[ he's already crossing the short distance to the kitchen, anyway, gently kicking his small step-stool out so he can get dishes and a pot out. he puts water on for tea a moment later. ] I think it's almost time for your medicine, too, right? So I can get that after you eat.

[OW WTF HARUJI WTFFFFFF

Thank the gods for the zen effect because even though it hurts like a biznatch, donut just kind of blinks and leans down so Haru can inspect the bright red bump over his eye.]

Broom's not weighted for throwing. We should get you a real bokken for home.

Edited (Autocorrect really wants to shout every name) 2015-09-22 00:48 (UTC)

[ OH GOD HE HAS A MARK haru put a mark on one of his swords he's a terrible owner and saniwa...

he rubs it gently, eyes still horrified and apologetic. ]

I'm so sorry, I didn't hear you-- You need to make more noise when you walk, Tanuki-san. [ but at the comment, he blinks, startled. ] I-- I have a bokken, I just-- I was sweeping.. I don't really practice at home. [ he's just getting it in where he can right now. ] --Are you okay? It doesn't hurt much, does it?

Hm! No, not really. I just want to sit with you, Haruji. Is that okay? [ Have one little-big fox, who without hesitation sits on the couch and leans against his saniwa, peering at the words in the book.

Kogi's not a reader. Also, he has ulterior motives, but hopefully Haru doesn't notice the special looking comb in his hand. ]

What's the book about?

[ Curious minds need to know! ]

Of course. [ haru doesn't smile, of course, but somehow, his whole face still brightens somehow. he's a little startled by the way kogi tucks himself in close, but on second thought, he really shouldn't be. it's just normal behaviour for him.

at the interest in his book, he turns it a little more toward him, ears going a little red at the tops. ]

It's just a kids' fantasy book. I just wanted some light reading..

[That blush is adorable. Haru is adorable. Souji giggles quietly and happily, snuggling his perma-skeptical piglet and beaming at Haru.]

I know! [He sounds so incredibly happy about being in the middle of this madhouse full of Really Intense personalities all around.] It's wonderful. It feels just like home. [That is, just like home before he was first moved to Kondou's private residence, and then to Osaka Castle. Sigh.

He shakes his head in silent amusement as Haru heads off immediately to the kitchen, but he's honestly still grateful. Better or not, even little things like making food still takes an unreasonable amount of energy.]

Soup would be really nice, thanks. Ah, and-! [He picks three small bottles out of the pocket of his robe.] I took it with me. [A beat.] It's a very nice new TV. [Uhm, sorry about Yamato blowing it up? Souji feels vaguely responsible still.]

( OPEN )

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i;

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Let's do this

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rubs donut's nose preemptively

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what about his pride...

rubs his... pride, too??? (oh my)

ii/wildcard/it's something

BLESS

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