( 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

[gundemn]

So even spirits get sick?

[ He refrains from saying what he really thinks, which is that the cat had sent his patient away before he was fully recovered because they cut corners like that. It wouldn't help anything now. Just like taking his hand won't do much, but Elan takes it anyway, feeling for his temperature. ]

[cranekin]

Of course, I can. This body is human, you know.

(He just has very good health. He's been taken care of.

Elan will feel that while Tsurumaru may feel cool to touch, it isn't that bad. Of course, it doesn't take much for a body to get chills. However, when Elan takes his hand, Tsurumaru seems to relax.)

Don't tell anyone... you saw me like this.

[gundemn]

[ Tsurumaru doesn't seem cold, just...clingy. Elan hasn't seen him like this since fake dating, but that had been fake and this was something different. Something delicate. ]

If someone saw us, they might get the wrong idea about you and I!

[ He tugs Tsurumaru closer to him, offering his arm to hang off of like he had during the auction. Playing it light-hearted feels easier, and when tomorrow comes, they can mutually pretend nothing ever happened. ]

[cranekin]

(That had been different. It was for a mission. He was just getting into a role. But he recognizes what Elan is doing and he reaches to take his arm and hangs there just like he did on the assignment. He seems to relax almost instantly and finds himself leaning against him, finally relieved,)

I wonder what they'd say...

(Some of his playful nature is returning. But just a little.)

You're up late.

[gundemn]

I was getting fresh air.

[ In the dead of night? Don't worry about it. ]

Shall I walk you back to your quarters?

[ He intones warmly and a touch dramatically, playing up the charming attitude. Elan steers them in the direction of Everlight's dorms, keeping a slow pace to make it easier on the recovering patient. ]

[cranekin]

(The timing doesn't go beyond him. He'd ask if he wasn't in his current state... You're safe for now, Elan.)

How kind...

(There's a touch of humor. He's recovering, albeit, slowly.)

Let's take our time. I have a feeling... after you leave, I won't be able to bear it.

[gundemn]

[ Was this part of the act or...? Either way, Elan will go along with it. He gives Tsurumaru a sideways glance, a wry smile. ]

Did you miss me that much?

[cranekin]

I miss everyone who leaves.

(Why does this sound so depressing...)

But these days... I've felt worse.

[gundemn]

Yeah? Why's that?

[ Is it because he's long-lived...as much as he'd like to live a good, long life himself, outliving others would be depressing. ]

[cranekin]

...

(Quiet for a moment and then,)

When I'm alone... I feel so cold it's unbearable and I can only think... I don't want to be alone anymore.

(Hm,)

I wonder if that cat did something...

[gundemn]

...you've all got to stop letting them put weird shit into your bodies.

[ Elan breaks character to say because this implant stuff is getting out of hand, and of course they will neglect to read you the fine print with all the side-effects. It's also 2AM at night, a time when being alone with nothing but your thoughts can get to you. ]

[cranekin]

It's a price to pay for strength.

(He isn't going to judge. Even before he went through with his own operation, he wouldn't have judged.)

Some people are willing to pay more than others.

(He's only done it once compared to some who have done it multiple times, now.)

[gundemn]

If LILITH wants power so badly, they can inject themselves and fight their own damn battles. The way I see it, you're plenty strong already.

[ Seriously. From his perspective, he's surrounded by comically strong freaks of nature who have survived two kaiju battles and counting. These people forget being weak is what is to be human.

Well. Maybe it doesn't matter to a sword spirit to be throwing their humanity away. ]

[cranekin]

(Ask him about personal humanity, Elan, I dare you.)

I can be stronger.

(He says it quietly but without hesitation. As strong as he is, even back home, he's always striving to be stronger. Strong enough so others don't have to be as strong.)

[gundemn]

Sure, let's get you to bed first.

[ Do you really want to get into personal humanity right now, post-surgery??? ]

[cranekin]

(A half delirious Tsurumaru is the perfect Tsurumaru to get answers from.)

I don't want to go to bed. It's cold.

[gundemn]

Do you even hear yourself?

[ Okay, gramps, but he's still taking you to bed. Elan sighs out. ]

Don't get any more surgeries. I'm serious.

[cranekin]

(He isn't making promises but...)

I don't need those.

(The other surgeries. He'd only gone for this one because it was the one most useful to him. The one that worked best with his own limitations and fighting style.)

But others will keep getting them, you know.

[gundemn]

That's what you say now.

[ He can't stop anyone, it's their bodies to decide what to do with, but he can think it's a stupid idea. ]

By running to get their surgeries, you're telling them they don't need to care about making their procedures safer. They'll keep summoning Outsiders and treating us like tools to fight their war with. Tell me I'm wrong.

[cranekin]

...

(Quiet, really considering those words for a moment and then,)

Is it wrong?

(Elan or LILITH? He isn't really clear but he continues plainly,)

I know my purpose.

(He may have a human form but he knows what he is. He's a tool. A weapon. And just like he'd done before, he'll fulfill the purpose he's been summoned for. He's a sword and it's his duty to fight as he's commanded.)

But you're right. (He'll concede that much,) Humans are different.

[gundemn]

Why would you be an exception? It doesn't matter what you are. They operate on you, you're their patient.

[ It's not a lot to ask to be treated with decency. Going under the knife without anesthesia and being left dry to deal with side-effects is not it. Tsurumaru may be a spirit or whatever, but he's clearly not impervious to pain or injury. ]