synflux | ( OPEN ) JUNE CATCH ALL

Warnings: Violence, murder, child death

The Shimotsuki Incident refers to an event in December 1285 when the Adachi clan was exterminated as the result of a political rivalry. The Adachi were Tsurumaru's first masters and among them was the young heir, Adachi Sadayasu. Sadayasu was only a teenager when he was killed.

This memshare will be run in a choose your own adventure style where your character will take on the role of Adachi Sadayasu on a simplified/condensed version of the incident and his final day. Tsurumaru will not be physically present for most of it but your character can sense he's watching (because this is his memory). I'll be NPC'ing some other figures for you to interact with.

Your character can keep their awareness and interact fairly freely within the memory within certain constraints: They cannot leave the estate and they will ultimately be killed which is when the memshare will end.

Eh? What a surprise... (A familiar voice speaks into your mind and you start to stir from your slumber,) If you sleep here, you'll catch a cold.

(A light but warm weight settles over your shoulders. It washes over you like a warm breeze. You almost want to keep sleeping. Somewhere in the distance, you hear footsteps and people calling out for... who?

The familiar voice beside you sighs and places a hand on your shoulder. It feels safe.)

Time's up. It's time to wake up, (You groan and the voice sings playfully,) Sa・da・ya・su.

(That isn't your name but you will inherently understand that right now, that is also you.

When you awaken, you find yourself resting on tatami. You sit up and rub your eyes. It's late in the morning and light spills in through the painted screen doors of the room. One of the doors is partially cracked, revealing a traditional, snowy garden outside. Everything feels quiet in that way winter days can be. The room you are in is empty but there's a lingering feeling that you are not alone. Somewhere down the hallway, you can hear footsteps and doors sliding open as servants search for the you now called "Sadayasu."

Do you explore the room or answer the servants' calls?)

Edited 2024-06-01 18:34 (UTC)

[ Elan recognizes the easygoing, singsong voice stirring him from sleep, but when he pushes himself off the tatami floor he sees no sign of Tsurumaru. He's been in Neo Tokyo long enough to recognize he's standing in a traditional-styled room, his surroundings antiquated. Pulling up his ocular, he attempts to dial Tsurumaru only to see it no longer functions. The irony that he's yet again become someone else isn't lost on him, but this "Sadayasu" will be ignoring his morning duties and taking his sweet time.

He glances around the quarters for anything of interest. A calendar, papers...a mirror? Anything to explain what's happening. ]

(Elan can search and while he may not find what he'd originally hoped to find, there is plenty to stumble onto. There is a low desk nearby and on top of it, there is a calligraphy set. Someone has taken the time to write out short poems but among them, there are also half-written letters where someone has given up after making one too many or some particularly egregious mistake. Elan will see a date: The 17th day of the 11th month. Elan may note that despite the date, the weather outside seems more like the middle winter month.

Also in the room, there are some things set up for decoration like ceramics and scrolls. There is no mirror but he can find a polished lacquer box on one cabinet. Inside, there are some painted seashells and some crafted balls. It's a toy box. But for Elan's sake, he'll be able to catch a glimpse of his reflection on the polished wood. It's not his face. He looks much younger-- no older than 15.

However, of note, he will see in the alcove of one of the walls, there is a painted scroll of a crane on the wall and right below it... a sword that may look familiar.

Outside the room, the footsteps draw closer. Someone asks if he's inside.

Will he answer or use his last moments to check the sword?)

[ Rifling through the room, he turns up what are presumably Sadayasu's belongings. He notes the date and the writings, the fancy calligraphy of a learned man ...or boy, rather. Seeing his reflection on the shine of the toy box, he raises a hand to touch his cheek, to run his hand through his hair. A humorless laugh escapes him as he sets the box down. Great to be experiencing out-of-body horror again!

Finally, he catches sight of the sword, something that actually strikes recognition in him. He crosses over to the crane painting, picks it up, and carefully unsheathes it halfway, wary of its sharpness and that he might be holding someone's spirit. ]

Tsurumaru, right? If you're there, say something.

[ It feels weird talking to a sword but not weirder than being stuck in a worm-induced hallucination. And yes, he hears that knocking on the door, give him a second! ]

(White nacre with black lacquer and gold settings, perfectly polished and looking almost as good as new. There's no doubt that this is Tsurumaru Kuninaga. In the finished steel of the blade, he'll be able to catch a much more clear reflection of his face, too.

Elan is definitely someone else now. A young boy with black hair tied back. He's wearing expensive but comfortable robes.

The blade does not respond. In fact, nothing happens at all. It would appear its just a sword... but Elan may feel warm. He may even feel safe. Like someone has wrapped a warm blanket around him... or maybe a certain robe.

The door slides open and a maid lets out an exasperated sigh before bowing her head,)

"Young master, the envoy is almost ready. Your mother has asked you to come see them off at the entrance."

(She raises a brow and looks at Elan holding the sword.

Will he bring the sword with him or leave it behind?)

[ No one answers him, but Tsurumaru must be present in some shape because he can feel the bloom of warmth in his body like a ward against the winter's chill. It combats the discomfiting feeling as he stares at himself in the blade's reflection, gripped by morbid curiosity at the young lord who stares back. His attention is disrupted only by the maid entering.

He quickly lowers the sword to his side and out of sight, the reflex of someone with something to hide. Not that he could be mistaken for a thief, he can put two and two together and tell this sword belongs to "him". Sadayasu. A noble, poet, and son.

When he answers, it's in his most pleasant and princely voice. ]

Of course, I'll be right there. I may be misremembering...could you remind me of today's schedule?

[ He will follow the maid out and discreetly take the sword with him in case Tsurumaru decides to wake up and elucidate him on how he can escape this mirage. He's never handled a sword, but strapping it to his waist feels like the thing to do? ]

(The maid only shakes her head as he attaches his sword to the side. It's clear from the smile on her face and the way her sigh sounds almost like a laugh that she is endeared by his actions,)

"It's a quiet day. Even the lord master is restless... I'm sure the young master can use his time wisely today. Perhaps to reflect on his studies? Or even look forward to the new year."

(Which sounds like there isn't much to do,)

"Now, come, before the master becomes impatient."

(And she will step aside and lead the way.

When Elan steps out... he will notice an immediate change in the air. Yes, he will still feel a blanketing warmth around him but the winter cold is sharp and cuts the air he breathes. Everything has that muffled sort of silence that comes with snowy days. However, it's as the maid has said...

... Their is a restlessness in the air. Everything feels too quiet, the whiteness of the snow is too perfect, everything feels still, and the only sound in this memory seems to be any sound made within this estate. It's almost as if the entire estate is within its own bubble.

It feels like it could burst at any moment.

It will be easy for Elan to go to where he needs to go next. It's the source of the only real sound in this world. There's muffled chatter, the sounds of horses whinnying and huffing, and there's that clink-clack of light armor and weapons against hard saddles. At the entrance, there is an entourage of men ready to ride off. Some noblewoman and their servants gather nearby to bid them good bye.

A woman that looks like "Sadayasu" beckons for him to come over, )

"Hurry, come see your father off. What do you have to say?"

[ The maid seems to accept his portrayal of Sadayasu, though he knows, no matter how different he acted, it's hard for people to fathom the person they knew was whisked away and replaced by a fraud with the same face. ]

Right, well, I'm feeling sword practice today...

[ Stepping through the halls feels like walking into some faraway place back in time, only distorted. He proceeds slowly, half-cautious and half-curious. Even through the distortion he can tell these people are damn rich; Sadayasu lived a comfortable life the likes he can't imagine.

At the entrance, he greets the woman who must be "his" mother. He steps forward at her bidding but the words that come to mind are too sarcastic for someone of Sadayasu's station. Like, can he hitch a ride out of here, old man? He has to bite his tongue, reminded of why he loathes this impersonation nonsense. Anyway, there's no guarantee what would happen if he leaves. The world could end beyond the estate. Would the mirage end?

After a silence where they look at him expectantly, he unclenches his jaw long enough to murmur a polite farewell. ]

I wish you safe travels, father.

Edited 2024-06-06 03:00 (UTC)

(The men look down at him from their horses. Some of them look dreadfully serious as they hold their heads up high and focus on other things like the final preparations for departure. Others raise a brow at him, eyes moving from his face to the sword at his side. A few of them even break into amused smiles. At the front of it all is a man dressed in grand but light armor. He lets out a loud but good natured laugh that sends all of the others into their own fits. They're clearly amused; endeared, even.)

"Eager to come? Maybe next time... Lord Hojo is about your age."

(By Elan's side, his mother scoffs and teases him,)

"He may be heir regent but he's still my nephew."

(The two continue to converse,)

"Must you leave now? Surely, you can wait for tomorrow."

"I can't help it. There's a restlessness in the air. It would put me at ease if I could just pay a visit to the court." (His father smiles tightly before adding,) "Master Hojo is young... and the Taira have been quite eager to care for him..."

(Whether Elan fully understands or not, the air seems tenser when he mentions the Taira. It feels almost ominous, like this is a name that causes great anxiety in this house. But his father only turns his attention back to him and smiles,)

"Don't stray from your studies." (A glance at the sword at his side,) "You're the master while I'm away."

(Turning his attention to the gate his last words to "Sadayasu" are simply,)

"Listen to your mother."

(A reminder of how young he still is. His mother and her entourage turn to go back inside,)

"It's so quiet today. I think I might listen to some music..."

(Elan is left alone. As the men ride off and the women leave... he'll notice how dreadfully quiet it really is. There really isn't a single sound on this estate. From the very corner of his eye, he may spot a flash of something white. A robe, maybe? If he follows it, he'll come to the garden and find...

... A set of foot prints in the snow. No one seems to be around. Will he follow the footsteps?)

[ Endearing can't be called one of his strong traits, if anything, he's more used to attracting the opposite kind of reaction. He feels like he's being looked down on when they laugh at him good-naturedly. Sorry, the kid they adore isn't here. Adults don't really get what's going on with their own children, do they.

The conversation is hard to follow without context, with names of other people and clans. What he hears is there's politics, unsurprising for a family of their standing. After the men and women depart, he's left in the eerie silence with no real answers.

The flash of white catches his attention, and his hand goes to the sword at his side. ]

Tsurumaru?

[ Do the footsteps look like they could belong to him? He'll proceed forward, looking around. ]

(Like a ghost, whatever figure he'd seen is gone the moment he rounds the corner into the garden. When he calls out, only silence answers.

What lies ahead is a blanket of untouched snow, perfectly white and even as far as the eye can see. It covers the camelia bushes, frozen pond, the stone lanterns, and it almost feels artificial. Picture perfect. Idealized.

As for the footsteps... it's hard to tell who they belong to. All he can tell is that someone was here. These footsteps in the snow are proof that someone had been here. They were walking at a relaxed pace but gradually, the space between the tracks seems to grow, the prints become less defined, and it looks like whoever they belonged to had begun to run.

The sky is gray and cloudy the way winter skies usually are but the position of the sun seems higher now than it had just a moment ago. Has time skipped forward? It feels like it's afternoon instead of in the mid-morning hours. It still feels so quiet. So totally, utterly quiet... and then Elan will see it: The first drop of red on the snow. Blood.

What follows next,)

"Run!"

(A voice from behind yells in warning just before more screaming follows. There's the sound of metal clashing-- swords fighting. Men yell out orders to search the estate.)

"Don't let anyone escape."

(From within the house, feet stomp against the wood and tatami. Doors slide open with such force, one can feel the structure shake.

Though Elan cannot see it, something wraps around his shoulders from behind and a familiar voice whispers into his ear,)

"Don't look back. Run."

(A woman's voice-- his mother-- calls out from behind,)

"Sadayasu!"

(And she lets out a scream, high pitched and final. Will Elan look back or run forward?)

[ He feels his hair rise when screams cut through the silence. Cold dread runs through his entire body, more chilling than the snowfall around him. Don't tell him Sadayasu's family had political enemies raring to eliminate them through good old slaughter... You must know he's experiencing the biggest FML moment. He didn't ask to become an actor in this kind of script!

When someone unseen grabs onto him from behind, he struggles on reflex, relenting only when he hears "his" mother's voice in his ear, delivering a final and chilling plea. Self-preservation grips him. He heeds her words and breaks into a run, leaving the poor woman to her fate, but after he's put distance in it's only natural to want to look back— ]

(Sadayasu runs, leaving a clear trail behind him for anyone to find but it isn't like there's anywhere to go. No matter where he runs, there's only untouched snow to give him away. Inside the building is no good when it's filled with desperate screams and the scent of smoke begins to fill the air.

When Elan looks back, he'll see Sadayasu's mother, surrounded by her ladies in waiting and guards, her body bloody in the snow, a protective dagger at her side and just beyond her... a soldier takes aim, draws his arrow, and fires at him. It cuts through the air unnaturally quick and finds its target right in Sadayasu's chest. The snow at Sadayasu's feet begins to turn red with his own blood.

The archer readies another arrow.)

[ Ahaha...fuck. The arrow pierces close to his heart and pain explodes in his chest. Red blooms over Sadayasu's pristine robes and his hand comes away bloody where he reaches to touch it. Oh, come on. If this is a mirage, there's no reason it has to feel this real!

He's seen enough to know what will be his fate if he doesn't move. If there's a tree nearby, he's going to throw himself behind it for cover, wincing as every step agitates his wound. Breathing heavily, one hand clutched at his chest, the other reaches to draw the sword by his side. He doesn't believe in gods, but right now, he's praying like hell. ]

Tsurumaru! Now would be a good time to show yourself.

[ Some help here? Mind explaining why he's getting murdered?! ]

(The next arrow whizzes by as he retreats and the soldier calls out,)

"Over here!"

(Despite his prayers, Tsurumaru does not answer. He is alone until a pair of soldiers run up, their footsteps crunching in the snow closer and closer. He may notice one of the soldiers looking surprised when they see Sadayasu's face,)

"This is..."

(One of of the soldiers raises their sword,)

"Don't fight."

(He says and he brings his sword down...

And everything is quiet.

Completely,

totally,

and

utterly,

quiet.

A great warmth spreads across Elan's chest as a heavy cold sets over his shoulders. In front of him, the trampled snow is stained a deep red and the estate burns but not a sound can be heard. No one is around. Now is his chance to escape and get help. But try as he might, he will not be able to will himself to move.

And then, as suddenly as everything had disappeared, someone appears in front of him. Dressed in immaculate white robes, perfectly unstained like the snow had been before this nightmare. Had they just arrived? Missed the entire thing and come to help? They take a step towards him but they don't even leave a print in the snow. It's almost like this person isn't even here.

They drop down on their knees in front of him. Not even the fabric of his robes make a sound. A pale hand reaches out to him, shaking. From cold, maybe...? It's really cold. In fact, Elan may feel that it's become even colder. If he can summon enough strength to look up...

He'll see Tsurumaru at last. Pale gold eyes are wide with surprise, face twisted with what anguish, and when he speaks... There's no sound. He's as quiet as the snow but from the way his mouth moves, it's clear what's saying,)

Sada...yasu...

(Elan's vision will begin to darken. Tsurumaru tries to touch his face but he'll feel nothing. Is it because the Tsurumaru in this memory is just a spirit? Or is it because Elan simply feels nothing now. He doesn't even feel cold.

When everything finally goes completely dark, nothing to feel, and nothing to even see, he may hear a voice at last:)

I'll stay by your side. Forever.

(The memory ends, he'll find himself back exactly where he was before this surprising vision, and in front of him... Tsurumaru stands, waiting.)

[ Buddy, you're a little late.

'Sadayasu' is dying. He tries to open his mouth to speak but he's unable to form words. It's so, so cold, but even if it would be easier to close his eyes, he's seized by the primal urge to fight 'death' until his last breath. It's human instinct to want to live, and he feels it more desperately than most. Hah, that's one thing he and Sadayasu have in common; they're cursed with short lives.

Did Sadayasu struggle in his final moments? Did he die slowly and agonizingly? The 'Sadayasu' that raises his head to Tsurumaru looks fearful, pained, and betrayed.

He can't feel his limbs anymore. Mercifully, he can't feel anything anymore. Darkness shrouds his vision and the next moment, Elan finds himself back where he used to be, in the stifling heat that can only belong to the desert.

First thing he does is to find a chair or makeshift seat to collapse in, holding his head between his hands and rubbing his temples. After taking a moment to reorient himself, he grumbles crankily. ]

What the hell was that...Thanks for nothing.

(If he's bothered... he doesn't look like it. Instead, he keeps a perfect smile on his face, looking perfectly composed and shrugs,)

There was nothing I could do.

(And he holds out his hands at his side,)

I didn't have a free form back then.

I can see that.

[ Sorry, Tsurumaru. Elan is still annoyed over being fake killed but he'll get over it. If he wasn't busy trying to regain his own composure, Tsurumaru's perfectly casual reaction might have struck him as eerie. He finally takes his head out of his hands to look at him. ]

That was your owner. The one from long ago.

(He nods,)

Adachi Sadayasu. My first master.

(And because Elan was the one he had a certain conversation with...)

My first love.

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( i love history

and he could keep sleeping, drifting off into nothing if he could, but an assassin like himself could still sense presences rooms away. that alone startles him into action, his... this self of his that vaguely seems to be someone important for some reason.

bare feet glide across tatami, izou not answering their calls.

➡ explore the room )

(When Izou awakens, he will find himself in a study of some sort. The room feels cold and the air feels perfectly calm and still. If the fine silk robes don't give it away, then the room will certainly reveal he's in a place of high standing. There are painted scrolls and fine decorations such as lacquer boxes and fine porcelain plates and vases on display. The family that owns this place must be quite wealthy and important.

There is a low table nearby with an ink and brush set along with sheets of paper. Among the scattered poems and letters, he may catch a date written on one of the papers:
)
Koan 8. November 17.
(In modern terms, the date is December 21st, 1285. The Kamakura period.

For Izou, however, the most notable thing may be the tachi sword resting in the alcove. White nacre with black lacquer and gold settings, perfectly polished and looking almost as good as new. It looks more like a display sword than one that would really be used for battle but Izou may know better. Maybe he even recalls seeing that exact same sword used in battle before...

Hanging over it is a painted scroll of a single crane that seems to watch Izou from across the room.

Outside the room, the servants draw closer as they search each room leading to this one. They call out for "Sadayasu."

Will Izou answer their call or approach the sword?)

( he's keen enough to catch on to the ominous feeling that he doesn't belong here, beyond the forward-leaning dread of his body and straight to his soul. a low-borne man from the countryside like himself didn't stop or stay in a quarters this luxurious, the make of everything familiar to him despite it. that doesn't deter izou from exploring, though, his understanding of where this might be and his knowledge of what traveling through someone's core is like as a servant bolstering his confidence enough.

the soft sound of static crackles in his ear, and izou glances over the date with a straight-face.

he'd never cared much for school or his own history, really, but... this sure was a hell of a while ago.

the familiar glint of that sheathed blade catches his eye... and izou ➜ reaches for it. )

(When he touches it, he'll feel a warmth settle over his shoulders, like someone wrapping a robe around him, as loving as it is safe. When he holds this sword, he may feel something bubble inside his chest: a boyish excitement mixed with a warrior's pride. This sword is undeniably his to keep with him.

Footsteps thump against the wooden floor and the door slides open. A maid lets out what sounds like an endearingly tired sigh and bows,)

"Pardon the intrusion, Lord Adachi has asked for your presence before he leaves..."

(When the servant looks up again, her eyes flit from the sword in his hands to his face. She raises a brow but says nothing. While she keeps her face as perfectly respectful as possible, it's clear she's amused.)

This way, Master Sadayasu.

(She steps to the side, giving him plenty of space to step out. It's clear that this is his cue to leave.

Will he take the sword with him or leave it behind?)

( excitement like that was easy for him to come by, but the feeling of being safe and loved is alien almost. obtuse.

still, the maid... who clearly thinks he's someone else—

he'd rather just ditch her, and abandon whatever "duty" they think he's bound to. izou's got no allegiance to anyone in these memories, and so here's where his scheming begins.

though as he moves to follow her, he does ➜ take the sword with him. only a fool would leave it behind. )

(She'll lead the way down the corridor and side step just before they round a counter. Up ahead, Izou will see noblewomen dressed in their colorful, layered kimonos and men dressed in light armor on horses. Considering how light their armor is, it looks like it's just a formality before going out to where ever they need to be. It's all just something to make them easily identifiable with their emblems and banners.

As the men prepare to leave, one woman catches the attention of one warrior and sighs tiredly,)

"Must you go? You only just returned."

"I can't help it. Maybe it's the weather but I feel restless. I can't shake it off... I must go to the court to ensure all is well for myself. I don't trust the Taira-- Ah, Sadayasu!"

(The man calls out to Izou and the woman looks back. She eyes the sword at his side and then looks at him with an exasperated but fond smile,)

"Come say goodbye to your father."

(His father also looks at the sword and lets out a loud, booming sort of laugh,)

"My! Are you eager to come along?"

(What will he say to his "father?")

( OPEN ) JUNE CATCH ALL

(OTA) MEMSHARE: SHIMOTSUKI INCIDENT

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cw: blood and death from here on

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