estoria | ( OPEN )

[Cao Pi wants to keep abreast of whatever Koumei might be learning in his research, while he works to build rapport with people who might be useful to the cause. So, ignoring any spirit-goats which may or may not be following him around, he comes upstairs to check on Mei directly - things have clearly been unpleasant and unsettled for many, and Zihuan can be kind once in a while.

He knocks and announces himself just in case anyone inside is wary of visitors. Hopefully, Koumei isn't asleep...]

[Sliiiiding right into Mutsu's arms! He's safe! So Naki ends up just sorta awkwardly picking up some beads where he's now crouched on the floor.]

Ah...are--are they yours, then?

There's a lot.

I agree with you, but unfortunate things can happen, even to those who we trust the most. This place can manipulate and twist perspectives and I would hate to be on the wrong end of a rabid animal and a fish.

[ He, of course, says that term of endearment very gently. Kogi is very much someone who cares for the sword spirits of Swordhaus! Corruption, though it hasn't been seen around them, is always a possibility... even if very, very unlikely. ]

... books? Mm. I've never found reading to be relaxing. Then again, I guess I've never had enough time to have hobbies such as that.

[ Ugh, he's happy that Mutsu is... okay? Probably just as okay as Grandpa Fox is. ]

Need them for what? A distraction to escape something?

[ Mostly because Kogitsunemaru only sees the Now and the Now is really trying his patience as he tries to get up and slips back down onto the ground... this time, on top of Mutsu. ]

[Mutsu please take care of yourself, stop getting beaned upside the head by jars...]

Why do we need any of these things at all?!

[BUT DUTIFULLY CONTINUING TO COLLECT and deposit them in the jar--

Which he does notice is labelled. Mutsu, why... He pauses for a second after dumping his third handful in, making a face.]

Are all these seriously yours?

That's right, many of your bretheren have very colorful histories, [Koumei commented, referring to how many of them talked about war as if it were second nature. It was a part of what drew him to that crowd in the first place.]

What sort of existance have you lead, Kogi?

Apparently people who don't monitor their spending; I've seen a number of rocks with eyes glued to them being sold in novelty shops.

[But, seriously. Who has the money for that when you can just make one-- if you even wanted one.]

I think perhaps a small sparrow might be best. The most damage it can be trained to do is ruining someone's shirt.

[Because you know Donut would probably train a dog to follow him into battle...]

Collecting...beads?

[Koumei reached for the jar and started dropping the beads inside one by one, each piece clattering against the glass as it fell in.]

To what end? Are they made of precious metals, or have some bartering value?

[....why yes, this seems like something involving economics. Come, talk ~~dirty~~ to him about economics, Mutsunokami.]

[He's not asleep-- he's wondering why he keeps seeing his elder brother just around every corner. A flash of his ornate hanfu, a glimpse of that ponytail of his, and the occassional feeling of the lingering presence of Lord Ren Kouen was haunting him, and he couldn't exactly place why.

Kouha had a similar story, but his involved their Lord Brother uttering ominous words of death from somewhere unseen. It didn't bode well, and the ramifications of what all this could mean made his heart catch in his chest if he lingered on it for too long.

Death was a fate he had accepted long ago...but, never like this.

He had merely been trying to chase away the ominous visions away with a steaming cup of oolong when Cao Pi entered, and he was already moving to grab a second cup from the kitchen as the man announced himself.]

Afternoon to you as well, Lord Zihuan. You came in time for a pot of oolong.

Oh? That sounds good.

[if they're not going out for tea, they're staying in for tea. Excellent. He closes the door behind him, missing the wispy spirit-goat that slips in behind him.]

I trust you and your brother are keeping yourselves well?

We're alive and out of trouble, [Koumei said with a bitter smile, dutifully ignoring the injured little birdie that had decided to follow him around. As no one else could see it, he assumed that it was merely a part of his mind playing more tricks on him.]

How about yourself? Have you done any conquering lately?

Unfortunately, no. I haven't made much progress on any front. [snarking at Viridi notwithstanding.] I am aware something happened a few days ago, but as yet I don't see many people talking about it outside of mentions of dying.

That's so weird! I haven't seen any at all...

[Now he kind of wants to find one, though?! It sounds... like an experience that he needs under his belt, clearly.]

That's good, too. I'm not sure if he'd like a little bird as much as a dog, but maybe we could just get him a puppy cybuddy that doesn't get bigger or something so he'd have to play nice.

[That gets a small grin, as Souji inclines his head a bit.]

I suppose if patience develops over time, you'd have plenty to spare for the rest of us, huh?

[Joking gently about other people being - or acting - Old As Balls is pretty much Souji's aesthetic, okay?

He makes a soft little sound and nods in response to the question, even if the reply isn't uncomplicated.]

I'm certainly happy to see them in turn, though I imagine it will take a bit of time for them to get used to me being here. [For Yamato to calm down a bit around him, and for Kashuu to let him back in after absence.]

[He'll accept that assurance as it is, smiling gratefully in turn - and it's not as if he doesn't notice the kindness in still allowing Souji to do some small part of the chore. He finds, to his surprise, that the gesture doesn't sting as much as it once would, as if every kindness offered to him only underlined how little he could do in turn. Gratitude feels a lot better.]

I'd very much like that. It's not that I have to stay confined here as such- [Not completely, anyway. Though he'll probably get fussed at.] -but... well, I can't be relied on to do a proper job like this. And honestly, I don't really look my best either.

[There's a hint of humor there. Loss of his good looks has never really smarted all that much, because he's never truly based his own usefulness on them. They were just a thing that he knew some people appreciated, but not a very important factor as such.]

But it feels rather nice to be back. At home, I was going to be pretty lonely rather soon... and I've had a nice welcome so far - Kouhai. [At least he'll play along with that.]

[Souji is honestly having a bit of trouble with the whisking of the egg and sugar, since he's having trouble keeping his hand steady enough. So after a moment's hesitation, he smiles and inclines his head in answer.]

I'd be grateful. Could you hold this thing- [He wiggles the mixer slightly.] -for me for a couple of minutes? [Yeah, his hand is visibly shaking already. He looks down at it, making an amused little sound.]

I'm afraid if I drop it, I'll make a bit of a mess.

[Souji inclines his head in agreement, making an amused little sound, because he can certainly see that. After all, the idea of sword spirits is still rather strange and overwhelming to him, despite being rather used to thinking of swords as something like a part of his own soul. Still...]

I think it might be a bit easier for me, since I have wielded them both once - I even have my own version of Yasusada-kun's vessel with me here. But to most, it really would seem strange.

[Then he giggles, a rather childish little sound despite his permanently raspy voice.]

But, well, you see... since they are swords, there are some things they aren't used to, right? It only makes sense. Not that I'm any better, really - warriors don't get all that much practice in the area either. [He looks like a gust of wind could knock him over now, but being a warrior is still the core part of his identity.]

I imagine that those with immortals with more freedom tend to abuse it? [ He certainly would though perhaps in the not so mischievous way. Certain immortals have their duties however! No matter how boring they may be -- well, at least Mikazuki's long since accepted that about his existence. ]

I'm glad you've met them and I do hope you meet more soon. There's quite the gathering here, a few swords that were crafted by my same smith and things such as that. [ He wants to say there were more before but doesn't see the point.

So instead, he'll opt to show Kaguya a more full view of his room. It's about what you would expect of a Heian era sword such as Mikazuki to have. On his side of the room at least, it's all decorated in royal blues and golds, several trinkets and accessories laid out in front of a vanity mirror. The only real thing that stands out is the messy corner of his desk where there's several pieces of parchments and a well used calligraphy brush. Of course, a well worn tea set is present too. ]

It's not much but please make yourself feel at home whenever you stop by my room at the very least, Lady Kaguya.

I was owned by many masters until one thought he had something to prove. He held me up high and I was struck by lightning.

[ Kogi says it all very flatly, snorting his short explanation. Of course, he could go into detail on how his masters were all very good diplomats, decent swordsman, but mostly good at taking care of such a legendary and spiritual sword.

Emphasis on mostly. ]

I believe most of my comrades have seen more than I have. Truthfully, whatever happened to me after the event is... a mystery.

[ Or is it? OR IS IT???

It sort of is. ]

But my current master is quite honestly the one I prefer the most. Though he may not wield me, I would much rather protect him and the timelines as I am.

Of course! Don't you know that foxes are known for their patience?

[ Is Kogitsunemaru the embodiment of fox facts? Probably not, but for Souji, he'd be happy to be as patient as they come. ]

I suppose we've all been on edge. For us to leave, return, leave again, return again... though we are spirits, our feelings are as human as they come!

[ And he gently tugs on a blanket. Seeing how securely they're wrapped, it'd be hard for him to get one for himself. Then again, there are plenty but none would come pre-warmed like Souji's would. ]

Know that you are a stabilizing presence for us. Though we may not all have been yours, it does bring us all a bit of relief when one of our is safe and sound.

[Now that he's got permission, Naki steps into the kitchen proper! And carefully takes the mixer.

Hopefully he doesn't actually need to do anything besides hold it, because honestly the object is like ten times more mysterious than the microwave. Just...holding it in the bowl...that's what Souji was doing, right?]

Don't you worry! Nakigitsune can do anything you ask, without any problems!

[Somebody's confident, at least.]

[ No judging from Ima about Koumei's bird tastes. He likes any kind! Even the flightless penguins, which he saw that one time Donut accidentally picked an animal documentary on the TV instead of a war documentary. He totally liked it, but Ima won't tell. Also, penguins remind him of CCP and their sharp attire. ]

I think I either want a songbird, or a small raptor!

[ Those are very different birds, Imano. One is the kind Fishy might try to eat, while the other kind might try to eat Fishy. ]

Did someone play a trick on you...

[Prank, Sayo. You're thinking of "pranks".

Sayo saw the jar and immediately makes his way over towards it. Carefully, so he wouldn't slip on these beads on the floor. He try to pick up the jar so it stands up straight, but some beads just fall off from his arms and rolls away on the floor...

And then he sees the name on the jar.]

... Mutsunokami-san?

[Oh dear...]

There's a very big difference between a songbird and a hawk-- you do realize that the latter is likely bigger than you, don't you?

Well, Mister Haru is certainly more sensible than to decide to use your blade to tame lightning on a whim.

[Because seriously, man. What kind of master was that???]

But I imagine that having your own autonomy must be a big benefit to this arrangement. You're more than just a blade, as you are now. You're a small but powerful fox who doesn't let a strange Fishy get in his way.

( OPEN )

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