estoria | ( OPEN )

[ It's startling to suddenly get an eyeful of Kogitsunemaru but it's certainly not unwanted. It's hard not to smile in return since after everything, just seeing Kogi allows Mikazuki to relax. His tensed up shoulders and his worried expression easily ebbed and melted away...up until he realizes something and he's slowly turning red as a result. Without a sword, Mikazuki starts to scoot back and away from the door while drawing the blanket to cover SOME of his embarrassed expression though he leaves it open should the aforementioned little fox want to sneak his way in.

Whether he does or doesn't, after a point...Mikazuki sighs and falls to his side with a much softer "thump". He'll ask one thing and one thing only -- his heart is beating too fast out of nervousness for him to even think about anything else. But he HAS to know just exactly what Kogitsune might (or might not) know. ] I...don't suppose you talked to anyone about me lately, have you?

[ Why is Mikazuki completely wrapped up in a blanket like this? Is he cold? Hiding from the world? Or, is he doing his best imitation of a burrito, one of the neatest foods that he's experienced so far? Either way, seeing him smile lightens Kogi's worries as he slips into the room.

When Mikazuki slumps over, he does the same--- though he doesn't benefit from having fabric break his fall. Ow. Still, it's just Kogitsune being silly to try to relax a tense looking Sanjo sword, one that doesn't deserve to feel so stressed. ]

... no. Though to be honest, everyone has been very quiet and down. [ He rubs his head. ] I can't say I blame them. From what I understand, some of us have discovered some very unsettling things.

[ His first thought is ah, good since it might be hard to explain all of what happened to him because of the mask to Kogitsune. It's a relief but he doesn't want the little fox to be out of the loop either...he should know and he might want to know? Just one look at Kogi's face across from him makes Mikazuki start to roll over towards him. He stops when he's practically tucked against the other, managing to bump his forehead against his chest. ] That's not surprising to hear.

Though I'm not entirely aware of what everyone has discovered about themselves or about what's been going on in the colony but...ah, I may just be too old to want to know about the bigger picture. [ He trusts that he'll be filled in if and/or when he needs to know. ] Kogi. Allow me to ask you something...after the war is over, where did you think you would go?

[ And he gives that head a gentle pat, down to his shoulders where he gives Mikazuki a squeeze. Kogitsune hasn't heard his Jijii be so serious in tone and demeanor before, even if his little headbutt makes him smile a little further. Even in the face of glitching, in dangerous forests and mountains, and shopping... this is different. ]

An interesting question! I always figured Inari would take me somewhere, once everything was settled. But in case that didn't happen... I suppose I had no plan. Better to think of the present than the future, right? [ He idly scratches his chin, closing his eyes in thought. ] I'm not like many of us, you know. It was fortunate that our master found me when he did, else I could have been lost to time.

~~[ alternatively he steals Mikazuki away and they get married in the fox realm okay ]~~

~~[ fox marriage fox marriage fox marriage ]~~

[ That's right. He always seems to conveniently forget how different Kogitsunemaru is from the other swords, from him. It's always in the back of his mind but to hear it aloud like this...he ends up sighing just a little with another bump to the little fox's chest. ] I do hope Inari wouldn't come and steal you away, as selfish as that may sound.

It's not as if I could visit you in a Deity's domain...but best case scenario would be both us staying here with Haru and everyone. [ He says that but he's still getting used to the idea. ] Aha, that may be more possible for you than myself...a national treasure can't exactly not go back to a museum's storage or display case, can it? [ Even if he's making light of it, Mikazuki dislikes the very thought of it and he's not sure if he hid that from Kogi as well as he would have liked to. It's probably even telling the way he subconsciously buries himself closer to the warmth that Kogi's arms always provide him. ]

It would be hard to argue, but I suppose even a god can be merciful at times? Especially if it means so much for me to stay with the ones I adore the most! [ Can anyone imagine Kogitsunemaru standing up to Inari? Not even he can, and it shows on his face with the slightest of grimace. He tries to smile through it, he has to be a courageous fox for his family. ]

I don't know about staying here. At least on our own world, we control more of our fates than here. There's an intermediary, some factors we cannot see or understand, or have the full story to. [ And he loosely wraps his arms around Mikazuki, closing his eyes. ]

If you are ever forced into a situation like that, I'll find a way to get you out. I don't know how, but I will. Though I know that Haru would fight for you as well, trust that I will barge into wherever you are and I will save you.

[ National treasure or not, Mikazuki is a more personal treasure to him. ]

I would hope Inari grants me such mercy for looking after it's "little fox" for so long, aha. [ Even if MOST of the time it's the exact opposite? BUT...but...Mikazuki would definitely argue against a fox god if it tried to take Kogitsunemaru away (and not let him come with)! ]

Assuming we do manage to get back home with everyone though, ah -- [ His train of thought quickly derails into quiet mutters though those too soon abruptly stop when he hears Kogi's added proclamations. Somehow, he didn't think that anyone would have fought for him to not go back. Not that he didn't think they cared greatly for him but because it was the Right thing to do for a national treasure like Mikazuki. It's strange to realize that the reality would really be so drastically different than what he always envisioned. ] -- that makes me really happy to hear.

I sincerely hope whatever happens after the colony and after the war that everyone can stay together. [ He thinks that might be a bit selfish of him to hope for but...it's alright for him to want things like that, isn't it? ] More personally, I hope that all of us Sanjous and Tsurumaru...and that you and I specifically, can remain together.

If Inari knows how much I care, then I will beg for clemency. God or humans, no one will be ignorant to my pleas.

[ No one deserves to be alone, to be looked upon as a treasure forever? To never be used or touched ever again? As beautiful as Mikazuki is, in his vessel's design or his human form, Kogitsune couldn't ever see a world where he couldn't be without a Jijii nearby. Being without him in Cerealia was painful enough, so to lose him for eternity would hurt. ]

We will find a way. All of us, even Tsurumaru.

[ If Mikazuki is selfish, then Kogi is as well. They're allowed to be. Happiness is fleeting, which is why he snugs Mikazuki a little tighter against him. ]

[ Mikazuki is one of many swords that know how fleeting something like happiness truly is. Not even for himself but for his master's and all of those around them. He's always been the type to live in the moment and bid farewell to those that left him whether they be human or sword alike. ]

Hm, I'll hold you to your word then. [ He trusts that Kogi will keep it. ] It'd be...okay for you or I to look forward to an existence like that, wouldn't it? [ The tone that he uses sounds so unsure for someone like Mikazuki but...this is all uncharted territory for him! He wishes he could be more certain like he always is but well, he's just glad that Kogi's keeping him close. It's strange but he feels somehow less exposed like this, even if only physically. ]

I think... we can both look forward to it. Though, if you are uncomfortable doing that, then I will do it for the two of us. We can make it if we try.

[ He runs a hand through Mikazuki's hair, past his ear and rests it on his upper back. It's not like either of them have all the answers and it'd be foolish to force the issues they may have. At least the tsukumogami have each other and their master, which suffices for now... ]

Our future worries, our doubts, they are a burden we don't need to take on. As soon as our world is restored and our mission accomplished, then we can decide what happens. We're not just objects anymore, right?

~~[ Kogi's still up for the fox marriage, tbh. Fried tofu at the reception, please. ]~~

[ Kogi's put it in such a way that this old sword can't help but agree. He's right, he's absolutely right. There's no sense in thinking and worrying about what may or may not come to pass when they're not even in their own citadel, fighting the war that they were summoned for. ]

Yes...aha, you're so wise. How fortunate it is for this crescent moon to have such a clever little fox to guide him! [ There's a little sigh of relief from that aforementioned crescent moon, scooting himself back juuust enough to glance up and meet Kogitsunemaru's eyes. ]

Although, IF you did have to return to that fox realm due to Inari... [ sparkly eyes ] is there any way you could sneak a national treasure into it? ~~[ like a fox wedding ]~~

The little fox needs the moon to see, so it's out of reverence that sometimes the moon needs to follow him. If the fox could, he would carry the moon wherever he went.

[ His smile is soft and warm, not to mention only for Mikazuki. To see him relaxed, coming back to his senses, and not worry as much as before eases him. ]

I would do my best to convince Inari to allow you in, but I am sure the resident fox spirits would also need to approve. I am sure with persuasion, as well as headpats, we can find a way to get you in.

~~[ no fox wedding is complete with a jijii, so they better... ]~~

How sweet of this fox to want to carry the moon with him everywhere. The moon does get awfully lonely being up there in the sky, all alone.

[ Talking like this definitely seems to help. Mikazuki is less pensive than he had been when he first cracked that door open. In fact, he's trying (and failing) to stifle back a laugh. All these fox and moon metaphors are so charming, they should do this more often. ]

Ah, then I should look and act my best to impress all of the fox spirits so they can't refuse me? If they're anything like my little fox here then I'll bring plenty of aburaage.

[ Better do a good job at hiding that tofu away from this certain fox, because he'll be more than happy to gobble it all up before they get to the Fox Realm. ]

Any tribute that is good for me will be good for foxes. You certainly know how to treat them well, what with the attention you've given to me before.

[ But just in case, he'll give the top of Mikazuki's head a quick peck. ]

Do you feel more at ease, Mikazuki? Are your uncertainties quelled in any way?

[ That might be hard since Kogi can probably sniff tofu from a mile away...but Mikazuki will do his best. He has to impress the fox spirits! ]

Then I can only wonder if they'll love me as much as you do, ahaha. [ WINK ] I wonder if all the foxes are as lovely as you are...but don't worry too much more about me, little fox.

Those worries that I conveyed to you just now have been calmed. My heart feels at ease now...it is such a strange sensation to feel strong emotions like that. [ At least his expression is decidedly a happy one. With all smiles and just ever so slightly pink tinted cheeks. He wants to thank Kogi for having talked with him like this and reassured this equally as old sword of his grievances and he'll actually thank him with a returned peck on the lips. ] Oh, let me clarify. That is only reserved for you, haha. No other foxes will get that special treatment from me.

Well, they better. But no fox will be as infatuated with you as much as I am. They don't understand how we are. As long as they don't become too jealous, then I believe we will be fine.

[ Though, after being kissed, Kogi's hairears twitch and now it's his turn to turn pink? A mostly white and pink little fox, whose lips slowly turn upward into the most pleased and content of smiles! A kiss from his Jijii, oh, the foxes will be green with envy if they ever saw that... ]

That's good. I would hate to share with them. You know, once a fox gets a little nibble of something nice, they can't stop wanting it.

[ Another tight squeeze, before he closes his eyes. ]

Shall we stay here, or perhaps have some tea? Or would you prefer I bring some to you?

[ At THAT, he can't help but hide a grin behind a silk blue sleeve. It's always so endearing when Kogitsune gets pouty, even if just by the slightest margin. He's not really the type to so when he does, it's something that captures Mikazuki's attention instantly. As if Kogi ever struggled with that in the first place. ] Aha, who exactly would those foxes would be jealous of? You or me?

[ As much as he wants to tease Kogi, he leaves it at that in favor of reaching up and over to hold his very own fox's handsome face in the palms of his hands. ] I'm learning so much about foxes today. They can get jealous and they don't like to share? Ah, now I wonder what this little fox can't stop wanting... [ Okay, maybe a LITTLE more teasing. ]

I'm comfortable here, Kogi. Our conversation is too good to interrupt it with tea as much as I like it. We could even nap right here with how comfortable it is, though we'll have to share my blanket.

I suppose half of them would be jealous of you, and the other half would be jealous of me. Honestly, the most important perspective is Inari's, who would be happy for the both of us in the end.

[ Kogitsunemaru: the best source of fox spirit facts this side of the colony. Everyone should be very lucky to have him in the Swordhaus! And he's lucky to have his sword family... ]

No fox wants to share. Unless it's sharing with the one they wish to be with for life, in which case it's perfectly fine.

[ But he doesn't have to say anymore, already tugging at the blanket with a serene smile on his face. A nap sounded good and it would be even better if they did it together--- even on the ground! ]

[ Now that they're all snug, even on the floor, Mikazuki is fully intent to drift off to sleep. Being nestled against Kogi is always soft and warm and he wouldn't have it any other way -- though in the space between drifting off to sleep and sleepily listening to the little fox, Mikazuki hears something interesting.

Tired eyes are suddenly snapped open and dart upwards, crescent moon bearing eyes staring wide before a soft laugh escapes and rather than say anything too much more on the subject...he settles a half of his big, blue blanket around Kogitsune's larger frame. ] Whenever that day comes, I'll do my best to impress Inari.

[ Mikazuki is so curious about what Kogi exactly meant when he said "the one they wish to be with for life" but figures he can ask about it later...it's nap time for these grandpas. ]

( OPEN )

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