ʀᴀɪᴅᴏᴜ ᴋᴜᴢᴜɴᴏʜᴀ xɪᴠ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
the_fourteenth) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
synflux2024-01-01 11:03 am
the_fourteenth) wrote in synflux2024-01-01 11:03 am
[OPEN] Prompts & [CLOSED] Prompt
WHO: Raidou Kuzunoha XIV and YOU (prompts #1, 2, 3); Closed prompt for Lucy & Tsurumaru (#4)
WHAT: New Years shenanigans, fun (?) in the cold, TDM prompts
WHERE: Various
WHEN: January 1st and 2nd (prompts #1, 2, 3); January 4th (#4)
WARNINGS: None yet?
▶001. New Year’s Day morning
[It’s the new year, and Raidou is working. Surprise, surprise. He started an after-school job volunteering at the local shrine, and this is the busiest time of year. The place is packed with people, everyone out and about in their new year’s finest. While the definition of what that might be has shifted some since Raidou’s time, it’s still a pretty familiar sight to him. That familiarity is one of the reasons he decided to work here. He spent most of his time growing up training in the Nameless Shrine back home. He’s also been outfitted in some traditional wear thanks to his new style chip - in all black and dark purple, of course.
If you’re joining the festivities and making your new year’s pilgrimage, you might pass by some older shrine workers chuckling with each other about the new kid, and how now they get why there seems to be more high school students showing up lately. Not much further down the path is Raidou surrounded by a small gaggle of teenagers, who are coming up with more questions on the spot to keep talking to the pretty, soft-spoken new volunteer. Raidou’s clutching a broom, interrupted from cleaning duties to chat. Still fairly new, trying to learn about this shrine himself, he’s earnestly trying field questions or help interpret what their fortunes mean.
He really has no clue what's happening here.
Care to step in and help? Or maybe make things worse?]
▶002. January 02 early evening
[Out in a more touristy part of the city, there is an ice skating rink which Raidou overheard some of the other high schoolers talking about. Tonight, he decides to go check it out. The heat’s still on the fritz at the base, so why not go out and make the most of the cold instead of fighting it?
Most of the people on the rink are inexperienced, holding hands or the railing and slowly moving around, laughing as they wobble and slide over the ice, which is illuminated softly underneath by cool white light. Some others are a little more experienced and adventurous, skating smoothly through their turns, or even trying jumps. Some are more successful at it than others.
Raidou quietly watches everyone enjoying themselves for a while, arms folded on the railing. After some time, he decides to rent a pair of skates and join. Even 350 years later, ice skates haven’t changed too much since his time. It seems like ages since he’s done this, on frozen ponds as a child in the Shinoda mountains, but he doesn’t have too much trouble getting on the ice and getting moving. There’s only a minimal amount of wobbling from him until he remembers how it works. He’s pretty athletic, luckily.
This fact will be demonstrated after a little while, when he decides to be adventurous himself. He gets some good speed going around the oval, and tries for a toe loop. He’s been watching how other people do it, so why not? An untrained landing isn’t the most graceful, but Raidou gets pretty good air, and manages to stay upright. He looks as surprised as anyone else at this fact. There’s a smattering of applause from some of the other people on the rink. In true Raidou fashion, he responds to this with a shy smile, tip of the hat, and a slight bow.
Feel free to approach him while he watches to chat, or join him out on the ice.]
▶003. January 02 nighttime
[Back at base, things are still pretty chilly. Raidou has done his best to layer up, his quilt wrapped over him as wanders around the base to check on folks. A lot of people are bunked up together already, which is what he should be doing too. Instead, being the kind of person who would quite literally give you the shirt off his back if you were showing signs of being too cold. Luckily he has something else he can offer you instead for now. If you look like you could use some extra warmth, he hands you something, something soft and gray and warm. Thanks for the precinct Christmas gift, LILITH.]
Here. This should help.
[Later, deep into the night, Raidou can be found pacing up and down the hallways of Everlight, shivering, trying to keep moving in order to keep warm.]
▶4. January 4th; Locked to Tsurumaru & Lucy
[Now that it's warmed up, Raidou has some work to do. He is most often found in his room in the evenings, and tonight is no different. At the moment, however, he steps out to get some air. Maybe a drink. He just needs to walk away from his desk for a few minutes, which is why he doesn’t bother to lock the door on his way out. All that’s really in there are some clothes, and his sword, which he’s not expecting anyone to take. His room is still quite sparse.
Inside, on his desk, are the only other objects: a notebook and pen. It took awhile for him to track these down, not exactly common items in 2277. But, it’s the only way for him to get his thoughts in order. On the open page on his desk is what looks like an unfinished letter. The handwriting is, unsurprisingly, precise. But the longer it goes on, the distress seems to seep in and it becomes rougher, ending unsigned.]
Narumi-san,
I don’t think this will reach you. Not just because I’m not sure if a letter can be sent back to where I came from, but because I’m not sure if there is still a Capital for it to go to.
The idea that it might not be has been keeping me up at night in this place. A lot of things are. It’s called Neo Tokyo, and our duty here is to exterminate kaiju that are threatening the city. Not much different than home. But it’s not me that I’m worried about, or why I’m writing this.
This will most likely feel empty by the time you might receive this, but I wanted to extend my deepest apologies for the failure of my duties. For years I had served the Kuzunoha clan, the Yatagarasu Organization, and even the Narumi Detective Agency with everything I had. Being the protector of the Capital was my absolute honor and greatest joy.
I may not be there for the fallout, but I understand the ramifications of my failure. The Lone Marebito will have gained a foothold withSeimei’s Abe’s command, and his true plans would have taken the Capital by surprise as they had me. I never, not for a moment, suspected him of being behind it. I played into his hands the entire time, trusting him as an ally, as a friend. As someone who understood what it was I was up against every day. My failure didn’t lie with my skills, training, or weapons. It was because someone reached out in a way no one else could, and became blind to what was really in front of me. For that, I am truly sorry. It has cost us everything.
I pray every day here that the other summoners of the Kuzunoha clan have been able to step in and correct my mistakes before the Lone Marebito could enact their plans. I have no doubt that Nagi and Ayame will continue to do excellent work as always. Please reassure Nagi when you can. I know I wasn’t very good at doing that. But, I know she will be a fine successor to her title.
I don’t know what my life will be like going forward, or why I was saved to be put amongst these ranks. I will fight, I will protect people just as I always have. It is the single thing in my life that hasn’t changed. Every time someone addresses me by my title, though, it feels like a mockery. It would have been stripped from me back home. The sword is here, but I do not feel worthy of wielding it. It would be taken away as well. Yet somehow I still have both despite being undeserving of holding them. Without them I am nothing, but as a punishment for my failure, nothing is what I have earned. I knew the risks and I knew the rules.
I’ve been given a second chance that should have been given to someone else. I also do not plan to squander it. I will still be a blade for the people here who need the help. But I will be doing it as something else, not as the fourteenth Raidou Kuzunoha. That Kuzunoha has died. Whatever I am now, it is something else. It is something that doesn’t fit in here, that is different from the others, but that doesn’t matter. My will is for the people of Neo Tokyo. Let them call me what they may. I will not make the same mistake again.
I do not have the words for how sorry I am for my failures. For the danger I have put everyone in with my mistake. I think about you all every day. Nagi will keep Kushinada safe. Gouto will move on. Be kind to Tae. You can finally go back to taking normal cases again. Please be well. Be safe.
WHAT: New Years shenanigans, fun (?) in the cold, TDM prompts
WHERE: Various
WHEN: January 1st and 2nd (prompts #1, 2, 3); January 4th (#4)
WARNINGS: None yet?
▶001. New Year’s Day morning
[It’s the new year, and Raidou is working. Surprise, surprise. He started an after-school job volunteering at the local shrine, and this is the busiest time of year. The place is packed with people, everyone out and about in their new year’s finest. While the definition of what that might be has shifted some since Raidou’s time, it’s still a pretty familiar sight to him. That familiarity is one of the reasons he decided to work here. He spent most of his time growing up training in the Nameless Shrine back home. He’s also been outfitted in some traditional wear thanks to his new style chip - in all black and dark purple, of course.
If you’re joining the festivities and making your new year’s pilgrimage, you might pass by some older shrine workers chuckling with each other about the new kid, and how now they get why there seems to be more high school students showing up lately. Not much further down the path is Raidou surrounded by a small gaggle of teenagers, who are coming up with more questions on the spot to keep talking to the pretty, soft-spoken new volunteer. Raidou’s clutching a broom, interrupted from cleaning duties to chat. Still fairly new, trying to learn about this shrine himself, he’s earnestly trying field questions or help interpret what their fortunes mean.
He really has no clue what's happening here.
Care to step in and help? Or maybe make things worse?]
▶002. January 02 early evening
[Out in a more touristy part of the city, there is an ice skating rink which Raidou overheard some of the other high schoolers talking about. Tonight, he decides to go check it out. The heat’s still on the fritz at the base, so why not go out and make the most of the cold instead of fighting it?
Most of the people on the rink are inexperienced, holding hands or the railing and slowly moving around, laughing as they wobble and slide over the ice, which is illuminated softly underneath by cool white light. Some others are a little more experienced and adventurous, skating smoothly through their turns, or even trying jumps. Some are more successful at it than others.
Raidou quietly watches everyone enjoying themselves for a while, arms folded on the railing. After some time, he decides to rent a pair of skates and join. Even 350 years later, ice skates haven’t changed too much since his time. It seems like ages since he’s done this, on frozen ponds as a child in the Shinoda mountains, but he doesn’t have too much trouble getting on the ice and getting moving. There’s only a minimal amount of wobbling from him until he remembers how it works. He’s pretty athletic, luckily.
This fact will be demonstrated after a little while, when he decides to be adventurous himself. He gets some good speed going around the oval, and tries for a toe loop. He’s been watching how other people do it, so why not? An untrained landing isn’t the most graceful, but Raidou gets pretty good air, and manages to stay upright. He looks as surprised as anyone else at this fact. There’s a smattering of applause from some of the other people on the rink. In true Raidou fashion, he responds to this with a shy smile, tip of the hat, and a slight bow.
Feel free to approach him while he watches to chat, or join him out on the ice.]
▶003. January 02 nighttime
[Back at base, things are still pretty chilly. Raidou has done his best to layer up, his quilt wrapped over him as wanders around the base to check on folks. A lot of people are bunked up together already, which is what he should be doing too. Instead, being the kind of person who would quite literally give you the shirt off his back if you were showing signs of being too cold. Luckily he has something else he can offer you instead for now. If you look like you could use some extra warmth, he hands you something, something soft and gray and warm. Thanks for the precinct Christmas gift, LILITH.]
Here. This should help.
[Later, deep into the night, Raidou can be found pacing up and down the hallways of Everlight, shivering, trying to keep moving in order to keep warm.]
▶4. January 4th; Locked to Tsurumaru & Lucy
[Now that it's warmed up, Raidou has some work to do. He is most often found in his room in the evenings, and tonight is no different. At the moment, however, he steps out to get some air. Maybe a drink. He just needs to walk away from his desk for a few minutes, which is why he doesn’t bother to lock the door on his way out. All that’s really in there are some clothes, and his sword, which he’s not expecting anyone to take. His room is still quite sparse.
Inside, on his desk, are the only other objects: a notebook and pen. It took awhile for him to track these down, not exactly common items in 2277. But, it’s the only way for him to get his thoughts in order. On the open page on his desk is what looks like an unfinished letter. The handwriting is, unsurprisingly, precise. But the longer it goes on, the distress seems to seep in and it becomes rougher, ending unsigned.]
Narumi-san,
I don’t think this will reach you. Not just because I’m not sure if a letter can be sent back to where I came from, but because I’m not sure if there is still a Capital for it to go to.
The idea that it might not be has been keeping me up at night in this place. A lot of things are. It’s called Neo Tokyo, and our duty here is to exterminate kaiju that are threatening the city. Not much different than home. But it’s not me that I’m worried about, or why I’m writing this.
This will most likely feel empty by the time you might receive this, but I wanted to extend my deepest apologies for the failure of my duties. For years I had served the Kuzunoha clan, the Yatagarasu Organization, and even the Narumi Detective Agency with everything I had. Being the protector of the Capital was my absolute honor and greatest joy.
I may not be there for the fallout, but I understand the ramifications of my failure. The Lone Marebito will have gained a foothold with
I pray every day here that the other summoners of the Kuzunoha clan have been able to step in and correct my mistakes before the Lone Marebito could enact their plans. I have no doubt that Nagi and Ayame will continue to do excellent work as always. Please reassure Nagi when you can. I know I wasn’t very good at doing that. But, I know she will be a fine successor to her title.
I don’t know what my life will be like going forward, or why I was saved to be put amongst these ranks. I will fight, I will protect people just as I always have. It is the single thing in my life that hasn’t changed. Every time someone addresses me by my title, though, it feels like a mockery. It would have been stripped from me back home. The sword is here, but I do not feel worthy of wielding it. It would be taken away as well. Yet somehow I still have both despite being undeserving of holding them. Without them I am nothing, but as a punishment for my failure, nothing is what I have earned. I knew the risks and I knew the rules.
I’ve been given a second chance that should have been given to someone else. I also do not plan to squander it. I will still be a blade for the people here who need the help. But I will be doing it as something else, not as the fourteenth Raidou Kuzunoha. That Kuzunoha has died. Whatever I am now, it is something else. It is something that doesn’t fit in here, that is different from the others, but that doesn’t matter. My will is for the people of Neo Tokyo. Let them call me what they may. I will not make the same mistake again.
I do not have the words for how sorry I am for my failures. For the danger I have put everyone in with my mistake. I think about you all every day. Nagi will keep Kushinada safe. Gouto will move on. Be kind to Tae. You can finally go back to taking normal cases again. Please be well. Be safe.
4
He recognizes the room he's in right away. He'd hidden here once before during that party he'd thrown. He recognizes the sword first and comes over to give it a curious look while still keeping his distance. He then goes over to the desk and notices that someone has written quite a bit.
The first thing he notices is how the writing changes towards the end, growing more emotional and distraught as it goes on. He doesn't mean to read everything but some things catch his attention and he finds himself reading more.
Yatagarasu? Seimei? As in, Abe no Seimei? Gold eyes narrow sharply and he studies the letter even more. Ah, but instead of learning more about these curious characters, he's left with more questions than he had before. One thing he knows for certain, when Raidou finally returns is that the writer carries--)
Such a heavy burden...
no subject
Raidou makes one step into the room before he notices someone inside. He was only gone for a few minutes. Next time he'll lock his door. Lesson learned.
He stands there looking slightly shocked, before, in typical usual fashion, tips his hat down to cover any emotions that might get out. His words are delivered flatly.]
...Why. Why are you in here.
no subject
I didn't mean to intrude so severely.
(And he steps back from the desk. He feels like he should offer some explanation,)
I saw a familiar name.
no subject
[And why in here... Forget that, though. That news is surprising, especially since there are several names mentioned. He peeks up at Tsurumaru from under his hat brim.]
... You did?
no subject
(A detail that had stood out to Tsurumaru at the time,)
... Well, it's not surprising the name Abe no Seimei persists in other worlds. It would appear we may know of different people, though.
(And he shakes his head,)
Sorry.
no subject
A direct descendent, in this case. Another summoner. [And a traitor.
Raidou walks over, and after taking a wistful glance at the page, closes the notebook.]
It's fine. I'm not sure why I wrote it. Even if they could, they'd never send it. [LILITH really can't be trusted for that sort of thing, in his mind.]
no subject
(Just "I see." It isn't his place to press or ask for more details. He's already seen more than he should have. He doesn't move. He knows when to leave space and he watches as Raidou closes the notebook.
He only observes him for a moment and then he takes a step forward, reaching out to place his hand on top of Raidou's if he'll let him,)
For centuries, humans have written their letters on paper. Letter by letter, word by word, line by line... writing stories without ever speaking them out loud.
("Humans" he says as if he isn't one himself. The way he speaks is careful and deliberate, like an old poem,)
If you simply kept those words locked in your chest, it would be as if nothing existed; neither your feelings or a heart.
no subject
It doesn't change anything anyway. What happened, happened.
[He finally pulls his hand away, more sharply than he intended to, back to Tsurumaru now.]
No matter how I feel about it.
no subject
(If it doesn't matter. If it doesn't change anything. Why bother writing things down and trying to explain himself? )
no subject
I... I failed them and I wanted them to know why. They deserve to know.
no subject
(He looks down at his desk, at the papers and pens,)
Were you not close?
(Did he really have to explain? Or was there a possibility that maybe they already knew enough...)
no subject
Not all of them were aware of the full scope of my work. They especially wouldn't have been privy to the last mission I had been on when-- before I arrived here.
[Nagi and Ayame would at least have some idea, especially if Raidou was gone and Seimei was still alive. It would be obvious to his fellow summoners.]
If a summoner is good at his work, it should go unnoticed. A failure calls for an explanation, but not excuses.
no subject
(That's all he says. No, he won't press more than he has to. Not when the boy seems to be so put on the spot right now.)
Since you've gone through the trouble of writing it out... What will you do with your letter, Raidou-kun?
no subject
I thought maybe LILITH could send it. A foolish thought, probably. I have nothing to lose in asking, but I doubt they could do something like that.
no subject
(That's it. It's as simple as that.)
But since you've gone through the trouble, you might as well try.
no subject
They... have a right to know that what happened was because of me.
[It's sadly true, even if there are other factors to it. No one would have seen Seimei's turn coming, not even Raidou.
He turns to Tsurumaru now, but still looking away, his eyes distant.]
I'll ask LILITH what they can do.
no subject
And what you can do, from now on, too.
(He can tell when someone needs to be left alone. He isn't going to outstay his welcome more than he already has so he starts to make his way towards the door... but not before approaching Raidou first, leaning a little closer into his space. Pale, bright gold eyes meet his whether the boy likes it or not,)
Raidou-kun... let's exchange stories some day.
no subject
It's hard to overcome that lifetime of training that wants him to keep silent about his work. This isn't his world, or his time, and maybe having a team means being on the same page as one another.
After a moment of consideration, he simply gives Tsuru a nod.]