( OPEN ) MAY CATCH ALL

[cranekin]

WHO: Tsurumaru and you
WHAT: Sword lore, revisiting an old home, holidays, and shenanigans
WHERE: around Kyoto & Tokyo
WHEN: May
WARNINGS: N/A for now


source

catch-all for the month, open to using tdm prompts, setting up starters, etc.
if you would like an original starter or have your own idea, hit me up yosakoi | discord: diejoubus

Comments

( ota ) kyoto: victory and flowers

[cranekin]

(In one of Kyoto's southern wards, Tsurumaru leads the way. Getting here is as simple as following the abandoned train tracks from one stop the next. The area out here is a little hilly but the weather is nice so it isn't a problem. They probably pass a few wild animals or young kaiju rummaging through the abandoned and overgrown gardens but that isn't his focus right now.

It sure is something seeing the fallen Kyoto of this world. The main city itself had been practically unrecognizable to him but he thinks even without the ruin and destruction, he still wouldn't have been able to find his way around. It gets easier the further out they go. The buildings become shorter as they move into more residential areas in the outskirts.

Maybe it's out here that the destruction feels a little more personal. These aren't department stores or office buildings. These fallen buildings had once been family homes. The partially destroyed schools had once kept children before they became abandoned evacuation centers. The overgrown vegetable lots had once been maintained by neighborhoods. Azaelia bushes still line the ruined streets, blooming in shades of pink and white and it's easy to imagine that people used to live here, you know?

And the quiet shrine he finally turns into must have once been a place for the locals to gather at. The grounds are wide and open but the gardens and flowers have become overgrown, growing into the pathways. Almost by miracle... it seems that everything is still standing, albeit, suffering from neglect.

He stops right in the center of the grounds, hands on his hips, and takes in the air. Inhaling, he follows it with a loud, dramatic sigh,)

Aaaaah! (Tossing his head back, smiling,) It's as quiet as ever!

(Looking around,)

It's hardly changed!

(Everything is still. There's not a sound around them.)

Shall we go and pay our respects?

[the_fourteenth]

[Raidou has been quieter than usual on this trip. He'd always wanted to visit Kyoto, and seeing it in such a state has been disheartening. He has no interest in going after any animals or kaiju, refusing to punish them simply for living in this abandoned space. All he'll do is mark places on his digital map where supplies can be picked up on their way back to the portal.

The derelict shrine makes him feel strange as well, sad and almost homesick over a place he'd never been before. Knowing he will never see it as it should have been. Though, Tsurumaru seems perfectly fine with it.

Raidou is silent for a moment after that question, relishing in the quiet. The only time he'd gotten such quiet since arriving in Neo Tokyo was out on his hikes. Eventually he nods, and follows after Tsuru, finally speaking up.]

You've been here before.

[cranekin]

(He's as energetic as ever, not at all bothered by the state of the shrine or everything else they've seen.

(Or so it seems. He's never been the type to let people see how he really feels about these things.)

But when Raidou speaks, maybe he can see the way Tsurumaru softens. His smile drops ever so slightly, eyes warming, and he seems... a mix of nostalgic and proud.)

This totally boring place (And he raises a hand, gesturing to the open, silent grounds around them,) was once my home.

("Boring" and yet he says it with the same playful, fond tone someone might call their family "annoying" or their friends "foolish." There's no bite to his words. Being boring isnt' always a bad thing. In this case, it may even be good.)

[seafloor]

[ Kaito follows along in a silent vigil, taking in all the run-down, dilapidated architecture. Streets overrun by overgrowth. Nature steadily taking back what was once its domain.

He's notably absent as the rest of the group arrives at the shrine. A good few minutes pass before he pops out from behind one of the buildings. There's an old leatherbound book in his hand. ]

I didn't miss much, did I? Had to take a detour to smell the flowers.

[cranekin]

Eh, Kaito-kun?!

(Wasn't he just with them a moment ago? Tsurumaru looks back at where he had expected him to be and then back at where he really is. He understands what happened more or less. He had, after all, gotten to experience some of Kaito's powers for himself.)

Did you enjoy your walk?

i do what i want ( the thing )

[lifeprice]

[ Aki had been excited to visit the shrine.

The bits and pieces he learns about Tsurumaru are like gold mines, though he knows he could get more by asking and prodding. He's not that kind of person, not the sort that demands answers, even from the people he's close to - he didn't realise how much Himeno thought of him, wrote about him, and he didn't spend a lot of time considering how Denji felt about him either. He keeps his cards close to his chest, ever conscious of the lacking span of his own life.

It's later in the day than would normally be appropriate for shrine going, Aki thinks, given the proper respect he wants to show, but they're here together, and that brings a small smile to his face.

Watching Tsurumaru move around... His head tilts, eyes warm. ]

It's been a while since I paid respects other than at the family shrine. I'd like to.

[ Stepping up, he almost offers his hand - the metal one - before he stops himself, his smile faltering for a moment. ]

Let's go.

[cranekin]

(He moves comfortably, as naturally as if this place was his own home... and that's exactly what this had been before, right? He looks back at Aki, the shrine's oratory as a backdrop behind him. Even if it's derelict, he's proud of these grounds.

It doesn't go unmissed. The twitch of the hand, the way he starts to reach out, the way his smile falls... and Tsurumaru steps forward, reaching to grab Aki by the arm-- his cybernetic one, and wraps himself around it. Hanging from his arm, he begins to lead the way, )

This place used to be popular with samurai. They'd come here to pray for victory before battles.

(Usually vague, prone to speaking in riddles, he seems happy to chatter away now,)

And when it was peaceful, they'd bring their families, too.

[blastedass]

[Some people might think this a reminiscent of treasure hunting when they were kids. Finding a map that lists treasure in a certain location, the following after it in hopes of unearthing a wondrous bounty. For him... it's like a damn mission when trying to locate bomb. At least it reminds him of doing that when facing off against the Humarise forces and trying to suss out the location of their hidden headquarters. Just without the looming threat of quasi-global extinction and hostile takeover by a madman believing himself to be the world's savior over a fucking loneliness complex.

Story for another day.

Bakugo encountered Tsurumaru in the remains of Kyoto's Imperial Castle, not at all surprised considering the guy mentioned he'd stayed in the castle at some point in his life. It was the question as to why Bakugo was skulking around the place that guy the blonde to growl and bristle while refusing to answer. He's certainly not going to tell Tsurumaru he'd been looking for some old swords to bring him out of... reasons! Whether the other man sussed out the intent or not, searching for swords, and a specific sword at that, had been a unifying goal.

It only took finding an old record among thousands, tracking down the name "Tsurumaru Kuninaga" in the old writing, and finally linking to the location of some other damn documentation (which required more finding and tracking) to learn the item had been loaned out to a shrine in Kyoto... which Tsurumaru now was wandering around and surveying like returning to an old abode.]

Jijiii...! [POW!! Bakugo slugs the sword spirit right in the back of the head.] IF YOU'VE BEEN HERE ALREADY, YOU SHOULD'VE SAID SO AND STARTED AT THIS PLACE!!

[Why the hell did they have to slog through the fucking castle records and get god-knows-what lung disease crawling among all the old documents and trying their best not to damage them among the dust?!]

[cranekin]

(It had been fun. Of course, he wanted to revisit the old castle. He was familiar enough with it and knew if anyone could find anything in the old ruins, he was one of the better-suited ones considering his familiarity.

He wasn't surprised to run into Bakugo. He'd figured out long ago that the boy was hungry for knowledge which usually came with a natural sense of curiosity. It was natural for him to come to an old historical place like the castle and probe it for information. Likewise, it hadn't taken him long to figure out what Bakugo was looking for.

... And Tsurumaru had been happy to play along. He let the boy poke around the castle, search for the old records, pour over the documents for pair of familiar characters, and follow the trail to this quiet shrine. He'd given now sign to Bakugo that he was on the right track and had only enabled him, encouraging him to pursue whatever leads he could find and seek out what he was looking for. It was fun watching him put together the clues and run off in search of answers and treasure. It was like playing a game of treasure hunt with a younger child.

But when they'd arrived at the shrine, he couldn't contain himself anymore. He blew his cover quickly and the next thing he knew, he was paying the price,)

Wah!

(He doubles over and holds the back of his head, wincing from the pain of the sudden surprise attack. His eyes water and he lets out a long, miserable whine.....)

Aaah... a surprise attack... (Mumbling,) It was super effective...

[wheft]

[ ishmael just so happens to stumble upon this part of town, the eerie silence of her surroundings somewhat comforting after coming from the hustle and bustle of neo tokyo. it may be sad and lonesome to see a city like this completely wrecked and abandoned, but ishmael's used to it. the signs of wreckage and death of countless humans who were unprepared for the incoming attacks -- it's commonplace where she's from, and at this point she's desensitized from it all.

she looks up at the sound of that familiar chipper voice amongst the quiet, and tilts her head at the pale boy before her. ]

Pay respects? To what? [ sorry, she's still a bit unaware of what's in store here. ]

[cranekin]

This is a shrine.

(He states the obvious and gestures to the torii gates,)

It's quite an old one, too. It's even older than me! (And he lets out a loud, bright laugh that bounces off the buildings around them,) It was once popular with the samurai warriors of the past. They'd come here and wish for victory in their battles.

[crisantemo]

[ Lapis is silent, curious, as she follows along behind Tsuru. She takes in the sights around her, the overgrown gardens and crumbling homes - it reminds her of places she would need to frequent, back home. The ruined and abandoned, but there's nothing malevolent lurking under the surface; no spirits twisted by misery.

Here it's peaceful, but still... sad. And she's quiet still once they arrive to the shrine, before perking up as the man sighs - his question getting a curious cant of her head. ]

Mm, alright. [ Ah, but she's never been to a shrine like this before... ]

What's the... best way to do that?

[cranekin]

Well, we can't purify ourselves...

(The cleansing spring that would usually be running seems to have run dry. Whatever water was supplying it before must have been shut off or destroyed at the source a long time ago.)

But I'm sure the gods will understand. (And he raises his head up to the sky,) Right?!

(Laughing,)

I wonder how long this place has been abandoned. Everyone must be lonely by now.

[plagiarists]

[ When they reach Fujinomori Shrine, Sooyoung doesn't even bother pretending to be surprised. After their last encounter at the museum back in Neo Tokyo, she did her research—better late than never. ]

So... you still don't feel like transforming into your sword form?

[ Pretty weak taunt probably, but since this place is somewhat familiar to Tsuru, it's not beyond her to take advantage of that. ]

How about a quick guide first? You seem to know the place very well.

[cranekin]

Why would I? (He smiles, tilting his head to one side,) I wouldn't be able to walk around if I did.

(And he's never been able to do that here.)

Mhm! Do you want to? We can explore it together.

( This may be his old home but it's first time experiencing it like this.)

I've always wanted to visit the gardens.

[keihatsu]

[ Shizuka is quiet on the way here; which is typical of her. She walks side by side with Tsurumaru, balancing her soldierly calm with her curiosity that made her look left and right to see every detail of this world's rendition of Kyoto. Two swords on her hip as opposed to just one nodachi like before, Shizuka looks like a samurai walking with her lord. Shizuka looks at Tsurumaru and nods ]

Of course...

[ She feels odd having to pay respects to a shrine that has become so neglected, but in a way, it feels like she's helping put life into it again. Symbolically. ]

The temizuya must be dried up. Wildlife would have drank the water by now.

( ota ) tokyo: children's day

[cranekin]

become a dragon

Look at what I found!

(He holds up a flimsy cardboard box. It smells like mildew and the contents don't smell any better but he doesn't really mind. Showing the box, inside, one will see carp streamers. The colors are bright and some of them are stained from wear and age. )

I wonder if we can hang them somewhere...

(He's already looking around the room, making notes of the corners and doorways they could possibly stream the banners from.)

What do you think? We'll have to clean them, of course.

grow like an oak

Have you eaten any yet?

(Suddenly, Tsurumaru holds out a plastic container of kashiwa mochi. It's a traditional sweet for this particular holiday and he's happy to share. Whether or not you know what the day is... well, he'll explain if asked.)

Maybe we should get some tea first...

(There must be a vending machine they can get a quick drink from. Or maybe they can go to the cafeteria and make a cup.

Alternatively, if you try to eat it with the leaf, he won't try to stop you but he will wait for you to swallow and ask,)

... How was it?

(Did you enjoy the fragrant, leafy, sharp taste of oak with your sweet mochi???)

1

[likemybooks]

[Taryon peers into the box, and seeing the colorful streamers, figures this is another sort of holiday, similar to what they were celebrating in December. It's a bit late for a spring festival - there was the cherry tree viewing already - so he figures this is something more religious.]

What's it for?

1

[bowtography]

[ March pauses, arrested by the sight of the bright colors, though the confusion (and curiosity) on her face is highly apparent. Well, she's not one to just go through life without learning about the things that catch her interest, so even if Tsurumaru hadn't asked her-- ]

I get why you'd want to clean them, but what are they for, exactly? They're... fish?

grow like an oak

[nutkick]

Really good!

[ he truly said that after inhaling the leaf as a treat. the only sign of protest that came out of denji was wrinkles on his nose and a huff, but that lasted a second before he relaxed into a lazy smile. ah, delicious. no complaint will come out of him. no, sir. ]

Can I have yours, please?

[ denji ... ]

ota: the human body

[cranekin]

die from boredom

(When he wakes up from his operation, the first thing Tsurumaru realizes is just how aware he is of everything. He feels the way his heart beats in his chest and his blood circulates through his body. He blinks, his eyes sensitive to the fluorescent light of the recovery room and ugh, he swears he can feel his bones right now but that doesn't stop him from trying to sit up.

He can only assume if he's here and alert, the operation must have been a success and sure enough, Alex comes to check on his condition and tells him he can try to sleep it off in the medical bay or go to his room if he'd feel more comfortable. He isn't sure what he wants at first but considering how he can't even move his legs right now… yeah, he thinks he'll stay for now. At least until he can drag himself back to his room.

But time seems to pass in slow motion, he dozes off and isn't sure if he's slept all night or just a few a few moments. It's disorienting and frustrating and sometimes he feels so restless. He has to kick his blanket off because it feels so uncomfortable on his skin and he decides he hates this. He can't be here anymore.

So maybe you're in the medical bay to get some bandaids or check out some injury for training. Maybe you're on some assigned duty nearby. From behind the closed curtain, Tsurumaru just whines.)

I'm gonna die… I'm dying…

(He is so bored… he's gonna die. Maybe come check on the sick patient????)

die from loneliness

(Finally, Tsurumaru is able to return to his room and if he could have it his way, he'd prefer to stay there; out of sight where no one can see him in what he considers to be a miserable state. After his first afternoon in his room, he'd started to feel it.

He hurts. His entire body hurts so much and he's all alone. He's alone and he's so lonely and he doesn't want to be like this. It hurts so much it's unbearable and he doesn't want to endure this alone anymore. He just thinks… if he had someone to keep him company? Then maybe? Just maybe? It might be more bearable.

It's in the early morning hours or towards the late night hours when he finally drags himself out, wrapped in his trademark white robe and tries to find someone. Anyone. And maybe you know Tsurumaru already or maybe he's just someone you've seen in passing… but he reaches out to gently tug at your sleeve or the back of a shirt.

He's pale-- paler than usual-- and his energy seems much lower than what he would usually have.)

Sorry...

(He sounds almost sheepish,)

I don't... feel so good...

(Is he shaking...?)

loneliness

[gundemn]

[ Coming back to base in the dead of night and getting jumpscared by a pale white figure grabbing onto him, Elan draws back sharply before he realizes who it is. ]

Geez, you're like a ghost.

[ He can't get a good look at Tsurumaru's face in the low light but...he doesn't sound well. ]

[lifeprice]

[ It's been a few days, and that is... Unusual.

Aki isn't clingy. He's not the kind of person that needs to hear everything that's going on at every second, that demands to know all the depth and details, but at the same time... It's concerning, that it's been a handful of days, and he hasn't had an odd text, some kind of teasing little comment, some sign of Tsurumaru in front of him. He's not quite foolish enough to imagine that he's done something wrong, but he doesn't trust LILITH to have done something right, either.

Tsurumaru is still close to Denji's room, so it doesn't take much for him to make his way down the hall and stand outside of Tsuru's door, lifting his hand to rap against the door with a tap, tap, tap. ]

Tsuru...

[the_fourteenth]

[It's late at night when Tsurumaru catches him, Raidou on his way to get some tea to relax with from the cafeteria. He just finished up studying, once again losing track of time and staying up too late.]

Ah-- Tsurumaru-san...

[Raidou rarely uses names with people, his overly polite and distant manner to blame for that. But boy, Tsuru looks pretty terrible, and he immediately looks concerned.]

You don't look well. What's wrong? Should I get you to the med bay?

loneliness......

[eirs]

( this is what she gets for trying to sneak a snack in the middle of the night, isn't it.

the tug to the back of her sweatshirt almost startles her by the virtue of someone actually acknowledging her presence when they could all just very well mind their own business at this time of night. the peek around and over greets her with the sight of ghostly pale wrapped in even more white.

if she were ten years younger, maybe she would've jumped out of her skin from fright.

but instead, )

Need me to walk you back to your room?

( what's he doing out and about anyway if he's not feeling well? )