estoria | [CLOSED] Look at all these losers, you find them everywhere

Who: Souji and Mutsu
When: Backdated a bit to some nebulous date /waves arms in a distracting fashion
Where: LET'S GO WITH THE PARK.
What: Sparring, awkward tension, a complete lack of grown adults.
Rating/Warning: Might be mentions of death, sickness, horrible things like that. ~~No one warned Mutsu about all these damn Shinsengumis all over the place, that's for certain.~~

***

There are a number of reasons to train outside on a bright sunny day, even if the ground is still wet from the night's rain. The main reason for Souji in particular, however, is the fact that bringing your pet pig with you into the dojo is rather frowned upon - like this, Saizou can explore the adjacent bushes and menace strangers while Souji is busy.

He's still trying to get a hang of the clothes available in this place, and partly because he doesn't have anything he finds both practical and comfortable to this degree, and partly because Kashuu appears to be of the opinion that Souji should not get to dress himself in western clothes in public just yet... Well, long story short, he's practicing wearing his uniform. It's not really appropriate to wear it about while not on duty, but at least it's something he's used to wear while fighting.

Espying Mutsu a way off, Souji makes a somewhat questionable judgement call. Putting a hand to his lips very theatrically in the direction of Saizou - who looks appropriately skeptical, but then again he's just a very skeptical pig - he then sneaks closer to the sword via the bushes. As Mutsu passes by a thicket of them, Souji reaches out his sword - sheathed, thankfully - and gives him a prod.

"Got you!"

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These Shinsengumi guys really are all over the place; it almost isn't fair and sometimes it feels like he's back on the wrong side of Kyoto. At least, here and for now, the ones he'd met had assured him that they were off duty and without orders so there was no reason for him to worry.

So imagine Mutsu's surprise today. Here he is, minding his own business! It's a nice, sunny day, even if the air is a little cool from the rain the night before. He's a good-natured spirit, one of the main traits he inherited from his former master, and so when he feels someone give him a poke, jumps only a little bit, blinks, and begins to laugh. He recognizes that voice-- after all, they're around the apartment enough.

"Haha," And he starts to turn to greet him, "Slow day, Okita-saAaah?!"

In nature, there are animals with bright and flashy colors that serve as warning signs. Red butterflies, red frogs, red centipedes... when one sees those colors, it's a sign to predators to back off! You don't want to deal with them. For Mutsu, the color is blue and white. You see, he had a deal with them! There was a deal! As long as they aren't on duty everything is okay! And they only wore their blues when they were on duty and ah... he might have jumped back a little bit.

Luckily for Souji, he hasn't taken off running. Yet. He's ready. But Souji is almost a friend now! They've had meals together! He can give Souji a chance to explain, right? Souji would clear things up, right? RIGHT?!

At first, Souji looks quite taken aback by the rather extreme reaction, blinking wide-eyed and clearly concerned at Mutsu. He couldn't have scared him, right? After all, Mutsu had hardly seemed that surprised at first. It was only when he turned around that he suddenly... So Souji, looking mildly baffled, at first looks around to see if something scary is standing behind him, then over at Saizou - demonstratively ignoring them both - and then finally down at himself.

Oh. Oh.

Excuse him as he covers his mouth and has an urgent gigglefit, shoulders shaking as he leans against an adjacent tree. "I'm very sorry if I scared you. I- oh dear, you should've seen your face." Sorry, Mutsu. He's an actual little shit. "I'm just out training, see? I know I'm not supposed to wear this when I'm not on duty, but it was just practical."

He's just waiting. Waiting for an answer, waiting for some sort of explanation! The fit of laughter he gets instead gets his mouth to twitch upwards into a nervous half-smile. On one hand, laughter means there's nothing to worry about! On the other... Yasusada liked to laugh before he let loose in battle.

Thank you for clearing it up though because Mutsu immediately relaxes, shrugging his shoulders as if to shake off some tension. "Yeah, yeah!" He huffs, "Ya can't blame me! Anyone else'd look the same!" At least, back then, in Kyoto. Let's be real, side eying and avoiding the Shinsengumi wasn't just a Sakamoto thing. They wore those blues to be recognized and it was super effective.

... But he isn't upset. If anything, he's calmed down as if he wasn't just about to run for his life and make for the hills a second ago. He even looks curious now. Training? "Out here?" And not at the dojo or the gym? "By ya'rself?"

And he looks around... because he doesn't see anyone else besides them and the piglet.

Souji is still laughing a bit, but at least he nods to show he understands - he's well aware that quite a lot of people don't like seeing an approaching Shinsengumi uniform, for a number of different reasons. "I suppose some things are hard to forget." He smiles fondly. "That guy always acts really friendly when he sees us back home, though. It's just that he's always prepared for when I attack, and he knows when to run away." Talking so casually about what is probably repeated attempts to kill or capture Mutsu's old master. Okay, Souji.

It's just not personal, that's all.

He looks around a bit sheepishly and then down at his sword. "Well, they don't like it much if I bring Saizou to the dojo, see? Besides..." He shrugs, laughing ruefully. "I'm used to training on my own. Most people don't like sparring with me, because I'm not very good at holding back. So I guess it hurts a bit too much."

He immediately knows who "that guy" is and he listens at full attention. It appears that the quickest way is to get his attention is to just mention his old master. Always friendly, always prepared for an attack, always knew when to run... And here, Mutsu had let someone sneak up on him. He had to do better.

"Yeah... sounds about right." He's familiar with the Shinsengumi's stories and he's even more familiar with Okita's sword spirits these days. Okita Souji was the first captain for a reason and that reason was because he was a demon with a sword. Shuffling a little awkwardly from one foot to the other, he rubs the back of his neck and looks around-- anywhere except for at Okita for the moment. "Have ya... tried training with Kashuu?"

But Kashuu isn't around and Okita's all dressed up now for practice. And here he is, with his own sword, ready to go training anyway.

"Or..." I guess... "If he's busy now, I can practice with ya. But ya gotta try ta go easy on me! Try! Got it?! I'll practice with ya but ya gotta practice trying ta go easy too!"

It's easy to tell that mentioning Sakamoto immediately catches Mutsu's interest, and it's hardly surprising either. From what he's seen of the sword so far, he feels true pride and love for his old master - and Souji can understand why. He's that kind of man, one who inspires people, seeing the potential in others and thereby giving them the confidence to live up to it.

"Mm, so far I've only fought by Kashuu's side rather than sparring against him - but I'm definitely looking forward to trying. He's pretty impressive in battle." He can't keep pride from seeping into his voice, and doesn't really bother trying.

Oh, but he brightens up and looks positively delighted at that offer. "You mean that, though? That would be very nice of you. And I promise I will try my very best to not go overboard." Not that his best is usually incredibly impressive in these situations, but he can try? "Not that I imagine a powerful sword like you usually needs people to go easy on him, huh?"

It's hard to miss the pride in Okita's voice and he can't help but feel a small pang of jealousy. How would Sakamoto speak of him? It also makes things seem so strange.

Mutsu understands that this isn't the same Okita Souji that held Kashuu in his past but the way this one spoke so fondly of his sword-- was so passionate about swordsmanship in general. But Kashuu had rarely said a word about Okita back home. And then to be flattered by Okita of all people... What a strange man.

He clears his throat awkwardly at the comment, shifting a little. "Ah... well! Let's get some practice swords somewhere, okay!? There's no way I'm trusting ya with a real one 'til ya know how to hold back." As Okita probably knows by now, damage to spirit's vessel is serious and Mutsu doesn't want to trouble Haru.

[CLOSED] Look at all these losers, you find them everywhere

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oh my god the dog gifs slay me

my gif folder was preparing for this day before i knew it was coming

actual puppy sword

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