estoria | ( OPEN )

[naki has, since arriving in cerealia, discovered that he actually has kind of a big sweet tooth. and now this lady's bringing a huge thing of snacks? he quietly watches her from behind the the kitchen doorway, only moving closer when she pulls out her device.

...ah. a fellow quiet person? either way, he nods after seeing what it says.]

.....Can I?

[one thing at a time!]

I have met a number of warlords and...what was it. Samurai. From Wa. [don't ask how] Oda, Takeda, and some others. I have someone named Ishida in my employ but he doesn't tend to use a sword.

i; before the latest arrivals

[You know that feeling when you're really ill and you go to the doctor and they prescribe you antibiotics and you take them and suddenly you just feel great. Like wow, compared to how you were feeling before, this is just so much better, and it's such a high to be able to do things other than slowly perish in your own sweat under a blanket.

That is more or less what Souji has been experiencing after having gone from almost dying of fever in the jungle to getting treated at the hospital. The contrast was so sharp, he felt practically healthy there for a while, and he'd been able to actually do things like help out at the dojo and even go to work a bit at the tea house. The freedom of it, after the misery of doing nothing back home, is quite hard to comprehend.

And of course, he doesn't want to lose these privileges now that he's gotten them. Which is why, when he does feel a coughing fit coming on, he presses a sofa cushion to his face in a desperate attempt to muffle it. It's not the most stellar plan, and it also leaves a pretty big blood stain on the cushion, which he gazes down at apprehensively once the spasming has stopped, thinking no one saw that and no one is there to witness his shame.]

Ah, I should... put this in the laundry, maybe. [Which is why he's talking to himself about his cover up plans.]

ii; after the latest arrivals

[The thing is, it's disconcerting.

As flippant as he tries to act about it, the existence of not one but two other versions of himself in Cerealia gets to him - just like the presence of the other Hijikata really gets to him, but he was trying not to let it show.

It's like getting teasing snatches of home but they're all subtly wrong, and they only serve even more to make him long for something... well, real. Or maybe not real, because those other iterations of the Shinsengumi are just as real, aren't they? They're just not real to him, not the way his comrades at home are.

The point is, it's confusing. And upsetting. And honestly, Souji just tries not to think about things like that most of the time, but he doesn't have the same things to focus on here that will keep his mind off it. It's kind of like a terrible feedback loop of not knowing what to do, and possibly that is why Souji gets the bright idea of trying to temporarily solve it with alcohol.

That's what plenty of other people do, right?

Except he only gets through about half a glass of strong liquor before he more or less gags on it and starts coughing, and has to set the rest down rather urgently.]

Gross. [He's honestly feeling so attacked right now, staring down at the other half of the glass - which he'll optimistically call half empty - and then at the bottle.] I'm not sure I know how to get drunk at all.

Edited 2015-11-22 23:43 (UTC)

[It's not that Kashuu's been avoiding Souji lately - not really. He's just been very selective about the company he keeps, spending a little less time around the apartments and a little more time around the people who don't live here.

(So it's essentially avoiding, when it comes to people as clingy as both of them.)

But this is kind of hard to ignore, SO HE DOESN'T. He's on his way through the room, possibly on his way out again considering he's heading for his jacket, but he pauses to give Souji a mildly disconcerted (and possibly judgmental) look.]

If you don't like it, you should mix it with something else. [That's what people do, right??]

[It's not like Souji hasn't noticed. And he understands, he really does, and tries to give Kashuu the space he needs now that he must be feeling horribly, overwhelmingly crowded.

He probably doesn't need Souji's support of all things right now.

It's just that without quite knowing how, Kashuu has kind of become the majority of his own mental fail safe when he's feeling bad, and his absence really isn't helping. It's not Kashuu's fault. It's not anyone's fault. It just feels terrible.

Which is, of course, why he offers Kashuu one of those smiles that are as bright and brittle as glass now, trying to appear unconcerned and not at all like he's desperate for his attention.]

Ah, is that it? I suppose that makes sense. It's kind of like mixing medicine with other stuff to make it taste nicer, right?

[It would be impossible not to recognize that sort of smile by now, though the recognition doesn't show on his face. That's a discomfort - he's trying to wedge some distance back between himself and Souji, but it's a difficult thing to do when he's right there. Kashuu had been able to grab that distance back in his own world, but he had the aid of hundreds of years of separation there. It's easy to sever ties with a dead man (or so he tells himself, anyway.)

This is probably the point where he'd normally sit by Souji's side, clinging and fussing and telling him he shouldn't be drinking so much in the first place or asking why he's drinking at all. It's unusual for him, after all; Kashuu understands that. But he doesn't do any of those things, instead remaining where he stands and gesturing over his shoulder toward the kitchen.]

It's basically like that, yeah. I think we have some juices and stuff that would probably taste okay with alcohol... What kind d'you have, anyway?

[ Kousetsu isn't a huge sweets fan either but he's more open towards trying different sweet things since his many months spent here at least. So when he notices the stranger in their home he can't help but see who they are. He will pause tilting his head curiously to watch her as he steps into the kitchen. He'll bow his head in proper gratitude as he nods slightly then at the offer. ]

...if it is not too much trouble. I would not mind...trying them. Thank you.

[ haru sighs quietly. ] Mm, some people tell me I'm too trusting. [ then why haven't you taken their advice, haru.. ] But honestly, look at who I live with. Between all the overprotective swords and Pitch-san, I don't think anyone would try to hurt me. Or them.

[ because they'd get carved up like a christmas goose and then turned into a nightmare... probably.

still, he glances back up again, bobbing a small nod. ] Thanks, Shinonome-kun. I mean, not that I'm trying to limit your conversation options with him or anything, just.. he's so stubborn. [ ugh. ]

Being adaptable is a necessity in strange circumstances, [he intoned, shrugging off the compliment. Any soldier worth the steel he carried understood that basic concept.]

Besides, this city doesn't seem to have an actual military force, and public service does not sound like a wise option for a man of your experience.

I'll watch it...but I offer no guarantee that something else won't be damaged before we're through.

[He offered a short bow of gratitude toward the slender young man for all of his help, before casting a quizzical look at the milk in the pot. How was one supposed to boil milk again?]

[Souji really wishes he wasn't so terrible at hiding his feelings. That is, he can hide them perfectly well, in the same way that putting a huge elephant under a big sheet and writing "TOTALLY NOT AN ELEPHANT, GUYS" on it is technically hiding it as well. The more unaffected and lighthearted he tries to act, the more the emotional confusion he doesn't know how to deal with is painfully evident.

He wants to be back home so badly. Except back home isn't home at all, it's Osaka Castle, because Hijikata asked him to 'look after' Kondou while he's injured, which is a non-mission meaning he's a burden right now.

He misses Kondou, though. He misses Hijikata and Tetsu. He misses everyone. And he's been telling himself that he can deal with it with some help from the impromptu family he's made here, but now the other versions of him arriving have changed everything.]

Ah, I don't actually know... [He tries to concentrate on reading the label, and wishes that he could wish for Kashuu to just go away because it hurts that he's acting all weird, and that's selfish. But he can't wish for something he just doesn't want.] It says "gin" on the bottle.

Edited 2015-11-23 00:33 (UTC)

But you shouldn't have to be used to it now. [ haru takes a long breath, releases it in a huffed sigh that ruffles his bangs. ] I'm here, now, and so is Kashuu-kun and all of the others. You-- You can rely on us, you know.

[ he lifts the handle of his mop, gently thunking the top of yamato's head with it in a rebuke. ]

I love you, you know. You're part of my family. I want you to enjoy your time here, and when we go home and end the war, I want you and the others to know you always have a home with me, no matter what you choose to do. [ he trails off, thinking of his conversation with souji, lowering the mop again and leaning against it slightly. ] .. I'm not.. going anywhere. You can ask me for help, you can come to me when you need anything. [ a beat, green eyes lifting to meet yamato's briefly, then sliding away again. ] Anyway, let's get this cleaned up before someone slips and falls.

Edited (ugh edits ten thousand times) 2015-11-23 00:37 (UTC)

Hm? Tea would be excellent right now. Thank you.

[And, thus, he set the fruit down on a table in the kitchen. With his hair trailing down toward his knees even when bound up in a high ponytail and the general disheveled state of his dress, 'eccentric' was a mild descriptor for Koumei. The feathered fan that he carried was almost at odds with the rest of his dress-- it was simple, well cared for, and obviously made of expensive metals and materials.

Besides, everyone deserved respect. Especially spirits.

Especially when said spirit had a personality very similar to someone he idolized....someone who had passed away more than ten years ago.]

[The atmosphere is definitely heavy and unpleasant now despite the fact that they're both valiantly trying to maintain the exterior of normalcy. Things aren't normal, though - that's the thing. Changes have happened, largely unpleasant, and there's just no sweeping some of them under the rug no matter how frantically they're both trying. He's not very good at hiding his feelings either, so the more stilted and stifled things get, the more discomforted he outwardly seems. He clears his throat once, lips pressing briefly into a thin line.]

Uhh— well, I don't think I've ever had that before so I dunno what goes well with it. One of our next-door neighbors is a bar tender, though. He'd probably know what tastes best.

[The silence that follows is almost tangible, and yet, Kashuu still doesn't leave. This is the perfect moment to do just that - to excuse himself, grab his jacket and free both of them from this awkward situation - but he continues to stand there instead, like he's waiting for something. Not even he knows what that something is and he hates it, he hates this inherent weakness that he can't shake. He shifts his weight from foot to foot, glancing back toward the kitchen.]

—Want me to get you some different types to try out?

Edited 2015-11-23 00:44 (UTC)

[Look at him like that all you wanted, Koumei was well acquainted with such sentiments from his brother-- albeit less politely, and more violently.]

Fairly sweet, from the honey. The turmeric was there to give body and color to the drink-- it's quite subtle, but very effective.

Hm? It's something that can't be helped. It's not a bad thing to be use to it.. [ A pause as he thinks about his next words, he knows that his Saniwa wants to help but there's some things that should be accepted. ] One day, I may not be able to rely because everyone will be gone, so it's best that I remain use to it. Alright, Saniwa? But I do appreciate every piece of help that I can gain and in turn, I'll give you my ass—

!! [ What was that for? A hand raised to rub the area where he was hit, it does sting! He truly didn't see that coming nor the other's next words which makes him raise a brow before wondering if he can really mean what he says. ] You don't have to say such things, Saniwa, because if you do, you'll get sad. You know that I don't like to see you sad at all. [ As the conversation slowly begins to die down, the uchigatana figures that he should say one more thing. ] You know, I'll come to you but isn't important to deal with the others before me? [ Besides, Yamato tries to do what he can on his own. ]

So don't worry about me, Saniwa. [ He's already caused him trouble as he begins to clean what he must. ] I didn't know how much I would miss cleaning, maybe I should make a mess more often. [ His cleaning! Oh how he missed it as he takes in all the bubbles around them. First and foremost as he grabs a towel, he decides to walk towards Haru in order to get down on his knees to wipe away the subs that's still hanging to his pants. ]

Sickness starts at your feet, so you should get away the wet suds from your legs. It could seep through your clothes.

[It's the perfect moment for Kashuu to leave, and as it drags out and nothing happens, Souji is almost afraid that the sword can hear the mantra of don't leave don't leave please don't leave me. It's a silly way to feel about someone just walking out of a room and leaving someone else to learn how to get drunk on their own, isn't it?

(It's not just about Kashuu leaving the room. He's honestly afraid now, terrified, that Kashuu is going to backpedal out of the whole relationship which obviously is painful and awkward for him right now. His help and support has meant so much to Souji, and somehow he never realized how much he'd started to need it. Please don't leave.)

He's acting silly. This is silly.

(He's just Kashuu's former master, right?)

...Did Kashuu just say something?]

I- ah... Yes. Please. That would be very kind of you. Thank you. [So stilted, so free of the usual gushing and compliments because he's not sure that Kashuu wants them right now. That they wouldn't just make it worse.]

...It's the kind of thing you probably need to learn how to do eventually, huh?

( Being a spirit, he doesn't need to eat but he sure loves it. And it's no secret that one of Mutsu's favorite snacks is castella. Sweet, light, and spongy, it brings back memories of a bright time, traveling across Japan by his master's side to the ports of Nagasaki. Back then, he'd only been able to hear about it but with this life he's been granted, he's able to experience it too. Hundreds of dishes and snacks later and it's still his one of his favorites...

And while it's true that he enjoys eating and the taste is certainly one of the reasons why, the joy that comes from sharing food with others is just as fulfilling which is why he doesn't think twice when he beckons you to come over into the kitchen-- )

Hey, hey, come here!( And shoves a small plate into your hands, ) C'mon have some.

( And he motions over towards several slices of different flavored castella. Who knew there could be so many flavors? Mutsu has only ever brought the one original flavor and here we are with matcha, chocolate, and marble green tea too... )

[naturally so, and he gives a nod of agreement.]

No military, and yet the claim of being at war with a nigh-unstoppable force. The irony has not escaped me.

It seems I have a lot of work to do.

[Robofox happily accepts the scritches! It even leans into his hand, happy for the totally well-earned affection after all that hard work and exercise. Not that robots get tired, but.

While it's distracted, smallest fox will just go over and take the not!sword away. Success! Good thing scritches are more important.

...Though now he can't talk since his mouth's full, so please excuse him a moment while he goes to put this back in their room. Or follow? Whatever Koumei wants to do, really.]

[ haru's feelings about alcohol are complicated and largely negative. not that anyone would normally know-- he does, after all, have an oodachi that's regularly drunk, and many of his spirits like to partake. haru has learned to deal with jirou's drunkenness out of necessity, but he usually disappears when the alcohol is brought out back at the citadel.

he is, therefore, somewhat dismayed to see the bottle and glass on the island, with souji behind them, when he comes in that day. for a few moments, he's silent, but then he shifts to gently kick out his step, climbing up on it to get a glass down, pouring it full of water. he sets it down beside the glass of alcohol, then, folding his arms. ]

Drink a lot of water while you're doing this. Have you eaten anything? If you plan to get drunk and you're not used to it, you'll make yourself sick if you haven't.

[ uncomfortable he might be, but he understands. there's.. a lot going on right now, and the addition of two other versions of oneself would make anyone want to drink. ]

Aah, those names sound familiar! I believe we do have comrades who may have belonged to them at some point.

[who though, um....]

...Tsurumaru-san?

[Souji has honestly never felt the urge to drink before. Not just because he finds alcohol revolting, but because somewhere inside him lurks the same fear he'd felt as a child, of being someone dangerous who hurts others without meaning to. He knows how he gets in battle, doesn't he? So what happens when he gets drunk, when he loses control? He doesn't know, and he doesn't want to know either.

Except right now, he just wants to not think for a while. And with his body in the shape it's in, he can't imagine that his tolerance will be very high at all, so hopefully he'll be completely harmless. His lips are already tingling from just half a glass.

Now he smiles in bleak gratitude at Haru, feeling that somehow it would be pointless to attempt to maintain more of a charade in front of the young saniwa.]

Thank you. I had dinner not too long ago, so I think I should be fine. [Not that he imagines making himself sick will make that much of a difference. He sighs, tilting the glass of liquor with his finger.] Though I don't know if I'll manage to choke this down. It's pretty awful, and I'm not sure if getting drunk is worth it. Maybe it won't make me much happier.

[He's just Kashuu's former master.

That's the crux of the problem here, really. Souji is the former master who gave him everything he had ever wanted in that first chance at life, and that makes its ending even more painful to look back on. He'd been able to reforge a bond with this Souji in spite of that, perhaps because he's spent so long learning how to avoid looking back on those painful things, but they're impossible to ignore now. He's reminded of the fact that he never wanted to reforge that bond, that it had somehow happened right under his nose in spite of that, and it's honestly frightening.

So instead of addressing the elephant (with a sheet over it) in the room, he just nods and turns toward the door.]

Eh— What, mixing drinks? [His head cants to the side a little, but since the kitchen isn't that far away, he'll set off while he waits for Souji to answer. When he returns, he'll have a bottle of orange juice in one hand, cranberry in the other, and a little grapefruit juice carton wedged into the crook of one arm.]

It won't. [ still, haru opens up the fridge, pushing through the various bottles to find part of a bottle of a knock-off lemon-lime soda. he crosses to souji again, grabbing a spoon on his way and then pouring a little of the soda into the older man's glass. he mixes it with the spoon. ] I mean, you might be happy for a while, like Jirou-san, but in my experience, alcohol is used to cover up problems. It doesn't fix them. Sometimes, it makes them worse.

[ he taps the spoon off, setting it aside. ] Try that.

[ and because haru's a mom, he reaches up to test souji's forehead with the inside of his wrist, looking for fever. ] .. I'm cutting you off if you start looking worse. I don't know if you should really be drinking with your medicine, anyway.

( OPEN )

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OPEN both pre and post the Soojpocalypse

ii!!

WHYYYY DOES MY HEAAAAART CRYYY.......

PUTS 20 HANDS ON UR SHOULDERS and a painpong racket in ur hand

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ugh. UGH. killing me softly already how is this fair

because i said so

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right back at you demon???

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just listen here

why do we do this to ourselves

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ii!!

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...sorry haru :c

bc we're gluttons for punishment i guess...

he'll live /fluffs sooj