synflux | ( OPEN ) MARCH CATCH-ALL

❀ NEEDED REPAIRS / TEXT ➜ ACTION

(Some time in the middle of the month, a message will go up on the network, )

user: shiro
I'm looking for someone who can heal spirits or repair swords.
Let's meet up!
If you can help, I'll make sure to repay the favor.

(Attached are coordinates for a small, local shrine about 20 minutes from the Kyoto base.

If you have questions, you can ask try to message him first and he'll answer for a bit but eventually, he'll want to meet up at the shrine. (Basically, we can start threads as text but eventually move them over to action so I don't have to do multiple posts please).

If you decide to just meet him at the shrine, Tsurumaru will be sitting on a bench where the shrine's old office would have been. It no longer sells charms or offers any services but it looks like there are some abandoned trinkets at the front desk still. Tsurumaru will be petting a stray cat that immediately scurries off when someone else approaches. He sits up to give his full attention to his new guest,)

Ah, someone really came.

ooc: Tsuru's sword was damaged in the last kaiju fight. Since it's his true form, he has some physical injuries that can't be healed until the sword is repaired. I've decided anyone with spiritual healing powers or the ability to repair swords will be able to help to some degree so come help an old man out.

Edited 2025-03-18 15:25 (UTC)

[ Rather than bothering responding to the message itself, Muramasa sets out immediately at the prospect of maybe a job that suits his tastes, rather than rote patrol work and minor kaiju elimination.

(The mostly abandoned areas of Kyoto are far more peaceful than the hustle and bustle of the convention that's taken up what feels like so much time this month. He's almost sad to see it start to collect new inhabitants, but it's just as wrong for Kyoto of all places to be as empty as this. So he won't complain, either.)

Ascending the stairs to the old shrine with the jacket from his civilian disguise stuffed under one arm, Muramasa comes to stand in front of Tsurumaru; he spares the cat disappearing off into the brush nary a second glance. ]

You the one who's looking for a swordsmith?

[ He may only have his hammer on hand, but he can spare the magical energy to supplement his materials if he's gotta, surely. ]

(He raises a bandaged hand in the air, waving to him. Actually, it looks like he has quite a few bandages on him-- wrapped around his neck, both of his hands, and even a couple slapped onto his face. Despite it all, he seems to be well and in good spirits.)

Mhm. I am.

(Lowering his hand, he sets it down neatly on his lap. )

There aren't many left in this world. Well, it isn't surprising; the age of swords ended a long time ago.

(And he tilts his head to the side, pale gold eyes studying the boy in front of him carefully for a moment. He doesn't say anything but it's clear that he's trying to assess him.)

... You're young.

(If this kid is supposed to be a smith, he looks more like an apprentice than a master.)

[ This fellow isn't a human. He looks like one, certainly, but there's something off about him that stands out. Even with the bandages and the airy countenance, Tsurumaru's movements are balanced and graceful. He's definitely not a Servant either, but something that gives Muramasa the familiar impression of a perfect edge, or a bird in the moments before taking flight. The message had asked for a smith or a healer of spirits, and... hm.

That comment about his "youth" though—that immediately gets a rise out of Muramasa, who had been about share his own melancholy about the irony of the age of swords ending being a good thing for civilization but not his profession.

Instead, it's a cranky outburst: ]

Oh? And lucky for you I am too, 'cause there'd be hell to pay for makin' an old man walk all the way out here just to find work, otherwise!

[ There's equipment back at the base! Not a lot, but at least a little. He's even managed to collect enough stone to begin to lay the foundations for a small forge in one of the outbuildings, though a bellows made out of actual wood instead of mana is still a ways away.

Ah. Oops.

He huffs, wary that his harsh words might cost him the job, and rushes to modulate his tone. ]

Don't mind that—it's a complicated situation, but rest assured I got the experience of age and the blessing of a second chance in life to work good steel. Show me what needs done, and we can talk about materials.

(Oh.

He'd expected some sort of reaction. Most people don't enjoy it when you point out their age. Children whine, adults groan, they make snippy little remarks, and try to prove their maturity to others. What Tsurumaru hadn't expected was for this boy to sound like such an old soul, though.

It's impossible to hide the smile. He's so totally amused, that he breaks into a grin and lets out a light, airy laugh.

Are you looking for an easy job? (He isn't bothered at all by the outburst. In fact, maybe that's why there's a teasing edge to his voice when he speaks. He isn't bothered-- he's having fun, and if he wanted, he could probably do more.) In that case, you already know how to go back from here.

(And he settles with Muramasa, taking on a more cordial tone,)

You're eager. I am too but this isn't a request I can trust anyone with. It's... very special. At the very least, tell me what sort of experience you have.

[ Easy work, hard work, any work—whatever the job is, he'll take it. He wants to strive for excellence, to put his all into his craft for the love of it. He was never meant for just monster slaying, and it's a poor joke that he keeps finding himself in arrangements where that's what's wanted from him, first and foremost. If Master Spirit here wants him to be patient and judge his suitability, Muramasa knows that he has to comply.

He scratches at the back of his head, a habitual gesture blurring the line between the youth and the old man for a moment as he tries to decide how to explain who he is and what he can do without relying on his own name. In Olympus and Britain, it hadn't mattered how much his name was thrown around, but for some reason, he feels like it's better to take it slow here. Thankfully his passion for blades burns like a steady, reliable bed of coals more than a flickering flame. He'll take his time, work his way up into the good graces of this strange patron, and hopefully find a project worth putting his whole heart into at the end of the road. ]

Well... In life, I was a swordsmith from Kuwana, in Ise Province. Got plenty of custom from the local samurai, had a batch of apprentices—you know... the usual. Worked the forge until I ran out of life to use.

[ As one does, as a successful swordsmith with enough students to have three generations of blades in your name. ]

I'd hoped that I'd get the chance to work my craft again when I was summoned like this, but instead I find myself with a new employer that doesn't seem interested in my blades, and all I've gotten to do so far is hunt monsters and hammer nails.

[ Um. Right. This fellow wanted his credentials, not to hear him bitch. ]

Anyways. In this kind of situation, proof speaks better than words, right? Here.

[ Without waiting for agreement, and in a flagrant disregard for the rules of secrecy, he summons his favorite sword out of the ether; the elegantly unadorned scabbard lands in his hand without a sound, which he then offers to Tsurumaru to take a closer look if he likes.

Definitely taking it slow and steady, sure. ]

Edited (its about getting the right semantics for types of fire ok) 2025-03-27 23:09 (UTC)

(He waits patiently for an answer. When you're as old as he is, short moments of time like this feel like nothing. He could wait even longer if he had to but the boy in front of him gets started soon enough. He gives him his full attention even before he speaks. After all, for all of his teasing and despite all of his pride, if this boy is going to help him, he deserves at least some respect from the beginning.)

...

(Depending on how observant Muramasa is, he might notice the way Tsurumaru's attention shifts. It's subtle, but instead of sitting straighter and more alert, he merely goes still, as if he doesn't want to change a single thing in his posture or body language in case it gives something away. Even his face remains largely unchanged. His mouth is turned ever slight into a cool but friendly smile but in his eyes, something seems brighter. Like a steel being struck in the forge, his eyes spark as he's struck with a realization that this boy might be more than he appears.

"In life?" He says, implying he's speaking from a different sort of perspective

In Kuwana, in Ise, evoking the image of a long destroyed castle but also of a certain sword that bears its name only for it all to be erased as he continues. No, the Gou weren't defined to only one area. They were scattered across the nation as their techniques spread.

There's so much more to process before he even summons his sword. He isn't sure what he was expecting at that point but it certain wasn't this. He leans back, eyes wide with surprise but his smile widening. Yes, this boy is definitely more than he seems.

He swings his legs out and jumps up, whimsy in each step as he comes closer. He gives it a quick cursory glance and then looks back at Muramasa. Ever calm but clearly amused, he exclaims,)

My, my, what a surprise...

(And he returns his attention to the sword. He studies the curve of the blade, the pattern of the hamon, the luster of the steel, and appreciates technique that went into the blade. He doesn't dare touch it. As audacious as he can be, he wouldn't be that disrespectful,)

I know a blade like this one. He's a colorful spirit, surprising in nature, and difficult to understand but reliable. What a fine blade...

(And slowly, he raises his eyes to level them with Muramasa. Sharp like an edge, cool like the water used to quench steel, gleaming like the embers in a finished forge,)

... A Muramasa, perhaps?

(Whether he means the sword or the one in front of him isn't quite clear.)

[ Muramasa likes to think he's too well grounded and too used to the fantastic to really be awestruck anymore. He's met gods in human vessels and machine divinities. He's fought against the last dragon on the planet. Two divine spirits are a part of his core, tempering his edge to the point he can cut down a titan with a single swing. He's worked the forge at the heart of the planet, at the very center of paradise — how many mortal swordsmiths can say that?

But something in Tsurumaru's eyes has caught his attention. It's like looking down the plane of a freshly sharpened blade, following the steel to the apex of the edge where metal becomes air — and he can't bring himself to look away. Like the way Tsurumaru's hands carried the anticipation of movement of a flying bird, his eyes have a sharpness to them that some smiths can only dream of. He just can't help but stare back.

It's almost embarrassing, being perceived for who he is without admitting it himself. All this fellow did was listen, and look at his steel. ]

Ah, yeah. But I made this one for me, so I never signed her.

[ Human spirits with swords that represent them are one thing. A sword that walks as a spirit, taking on the characteristic of a human... that's... that's different. ]

... You know one of my blades?

(He can't help but raise his head a little higher. Even if it's slight, this is the sort of reaction he thrives off of. From the moment he was forged, he was renowned for his beauty and captivating others and he knows he's managed to catch Muramasa's attention. It helps that he's even a little... shy? Flustered? It makes him cute, endearing, the type of person he would have fun teasing at another time.)

Oh? You know, names are powerful. Whether you give something a name or share your own with it, you would bestowing it with a special power.

(Stepping back, giving the smith his space, he crosses his arms in front of him. By now, Muramasa has definitely noticed the bandages but now that they're up close, he may notice some of the smaller details. A miscolored line peaking from under the bandage on his cheek, scratches on his fingers that give shadows too dark to be normal scarring almost like... cracks or chips in something not quite flesh.)

I've fought alongside Sengo Muramasa and Tonbokiri. (When he speaks, there's a fondness; like a soldier praising another, like an officer proud of those under his command,) Are you surprised?

(To meet someone like him? To be known?)

❀ HANAMI TOUR

(Towards the end of the month, when things have begun to slow down, maybe you run into Tsurumaru around the base or when you're out trying to find some work to do. Or maybe you're just taking it easy and trying to relax.

Tsurumaru will wave and call out to you,)

Yo! Are you doing anything?

(He gives a friendly smile,)

It's a little early for cherry blossoms... but the plums should be blooming around now. I used to know a good place. Do you want to come?

(Things will be more exciting if he has company so why not?)

It's been a long time since I was last here... I can show you some other places, too.

Edited 2025-03-18 15:24 (UTC)

[ Ratio has been working as diligently as he can for someone who is now making an effort to spend time with his fiancé and connect with his Outsider colleagues on a deeper level, which is to say, he's still pulling his usual 9-5, but it's interspersed with more breaks, and he's opted to reduce his weekend work to 9-3, or even 9-12 if there's something planned.

Which is all to say that Tsurumaru catches him on the tail end of his work period, having finished whatever errand took him out of his usual work space. He nods in greeting. ]

Tsurumaru.

[ Cherry blossoms...? Ah, yes, this country had a culture of admiring the flowers when they bloomed, didn't they? ]

I've completed my tasks for the day, so I am free to accompany you.

Alright, let's go!

(He's happy for the company and he's already heading right towards the gate,)

I saw a small shop near the base, too. Would you mind if we stopped to get some snacks, too?

[ Gazing at the flowers with a friend for company... What a truly mundane activity. And yet it doesn't sound as unappealing as it would've not even a year ago. ]

Not at all. I am rather curious to know what specialty snacks are sold during this time of year.

[ He's curious about the whole hanami process, really. He's never spent his leisure time like this. Maybe, if it's enjoyable, he might consider doing it again in the near future. ]

Eh, really? Were you not here last year?

(Was he... he can't remember. To be fair, a lot has happened since then but he also had other things going on last spring. No one needs to know about that, tho.)

Well, this way! We can find out together, too.

(And off they go, with Tsurumaru happy to babble and explain away,)

This city is well known for its sweets. Some of the old shops here would master their recipes and sell only one type of sweet for centuries. Even if the city changed, the taste would still be the same~

Ah, but it looks like most of those shops are long gone, now.

I arrived in May, well past the flowering season of this region of the planet.

[ So no, he wasn't here last year. And now that he says it, he realizes that it'll soon be a year since he arrived here. That is... not so long, and yet, for him, who has accomplished so much in his short life so far, it's unbearably long.

But that is neither here nor there right now. He follows along Tsurumaru, quiet as the other babbles happily. ]

It seems this city values traditional artisan trades. It's a shame that the planet has been reduced to this state. I would have liked to sample the sweets you describe.

❀ CHALLENGE

user: shiro
I'm bored. 🥱
I've been useless for so long, I feel like I'm beginning to rust. (っ- ‸ - ς)
I want to fight. I'll be in Tokyo for a little while longer and then I'll return to Kyoto.
Let's keep each other sharp. ( ◡̀ ᴗ ◡́)و

(Once Tsurumaru has recovered enough, he can be found at a temporary training hall in Tokyo that LILITH has set up to keep doing some exercises in the city or the Kyoto base training ground depending on the day.

Even if you don't respond to his text message and just happen to walk in innocently for training he'll ask,)

Are you training? Let's train together. It'll be more fun.

(Please, please. He's giving you these big round eyes. 🥺🥺🥺 Regardless, before they start, he'll ask,)

How do you usually train?

Edited 2025-03-18 16:14 (UTC)

❀ WHITE DAY, BELATED

(There was barely any time to do anything at all for Valentine's Day. With both of them busy with the last mission and then him getting injured so badly, there was little chance to celebrate.

So when White Day rolls around, Tsurumaru... does not approach Aki?

Instead, Aki will find a miniature folded crane on the floor at the base one day. They're clearly meant for him. They're outside the room they share and, well, it's a crane. In fact, there are several cranes and they seem to be making a trail?)

[ Aki recognises them; of course he does. He can't spend as much time with Tsurumaru as he does and not figure out what's going on, and even if he had been considering White Day... The operations on the base had seemed more important, even if he wanted to enjoy more romantic gestures. With Tsurumaru still recovering and his sword needing taken care of, chocolate seemed less vital.

There's a twitch of a smile on his face as he bends down and picks up the crane, and then the next one.

If it was anyone else, he might find it annoying, but... It's Tsurumaru, and he's having fun. He can't help but be endeared by it. ]

(Pick one up and another is not too far away. There's a trail of cranes, each one carefully placed so the next is always in line of sight... even if he might have to search a little harder to find one hidden on a shelf or on a light fixture. It's a little game of hide and seek in what eventually takes Aki... into a small loop right back to their room with the final crane right at the center of their doorway as if it was expecting him this entire time.

There's only one place left to go-- into their room and when he enters, Tsurumaru will be sitting on the worn, tatami floor with his collection of hummingbirds. They let out little mechanical chirps and almost sound like they're laughing with the overgrown birdkin in front of them.)

Hah! There you are. That was faster than I expected.

(He pats the spot next to him, signalling for Aki to come take his place.)

[ It's a sweet little game, and Aki lets himself fall victim to it. If it was anything else, or anyone else, he'd be more reticent, a little more standoffish - some people have to earn his softness, his sweetness, the edge of warmth that is drawn out once he has chosen to devote himself to someone. Tsurumaru settles in the latter category, someone he would gladly risk his life for, gladly die for, if that's what it took.

Stepping into the room, he hesitates for a moment before his face breaks into a smile, warm and soft. Tsurumaru inspires that, continually, and he toes his shoes off before he steps over to make himself comfortable beside his partner. ]

Did you underestimate me?

[ Leaning in, he kisses Tsuru's cheek. ]

(He cranes his neck, tilting his face up towards Aki and then turning to brush his lips against his, a trace of a smile forming,)

Never. (He knows better than to underestimate Aki. This man always manages to surprise him some how.) I thought we did a better job hiding them. I even had help.

(He overestimated himself and the hummingbirds twitter in agreement. To hide everything quickly he'd had the hummingbirds stationed to leave the trail for him to follow.)

But I knew you wouldn't keep me waiting. (He laughs a little to himself and pulls back so he can reach for something beside him,) You're as impatient as me sometimes if not more.

[ The urge to wrap his arms around Tsurumaru remains strong, a desire that he feels whenever they're together, but he resists, for now. This is Tsuru's game, and Aki won't spoil it. ]

I am dedicated.

[ Which is true; he's also trained and skilled at searching for clues regarding devils, so it was natural that it would lend itself to this. If they play this kind of game another time, however, he will ensure that he takes a bit longer, just so that Tsurumaru feels like he's winning.

Tilting his head, he leans back on one of his hands. ]

I'm not impatient.

Impatient, too. (Dedicated, yes, but Aki can't hide how eager and impatient he can be at other times. Tsurumaru has seen it and he won't let Aki forget. ) But that just means you're excited.

(And like many things, he finds that endearing.

Sitting neatly, he takes out a giftbox The box is simple-- blue like Aki's eyes and with a great, white ribbon wrapped all around. Tucked in the ribbon is a simple arrangement of dried flowers in blue, red, and pale yellow, )

For you.

(And he offers it out with both hands for Aki. It's clear he's proud of his selection and if Aki looks inside, he'll find a simple box of assorted chocolates. Milk, dark, white, filled with surprises inside and plain... it's clear the chocolates are high quality and probably from a certain department store known for selling luxury items but overall, it's a typical white day gift.

However, if Aki looks under the box of chocolates... he might see a certain fan comic from a certain convention with certain themes if you catch my drift.)

Hm? What's this?

[ Aki takes the box and opens it, and is struck immediately with a flood of warmth and tenderness that he can't disguise. He hadn't forgotten about white day, necessarily, but he had been a little more preoccupied with taking care of Denji and Power and ensuring that Tsurumaru recovered properly. He's not the most outwardly romantic person either, but this...

It reminds him of last year and Tsuru's confusion with the chocolates, and it endears him more than he can say.

Under the box, though... His cheeks go just a little pink. ]

Why this one, Tsuru?

[ Leaning into him. ]

(He wasn't confused about chocolates... he was misinformed! He knows better now, though, and he holds his head up high, looking very proud of his gift. There's no doubt the quality of the gift is excellent and he knows Aki will enjoy it.

Oh, but he already sees the comic underneath and Tsurumaru smiles, eyes sparkling, his expression teasing as he holds his ground against Aki.)

I could ask you the same the same.

(Raising a held sleeve to his face, he plays the part of someone shy and demure when confronted but he isn't fooling anyone, let alone the man who knows exactly how he can be,)

I found it among some of your things. (Probably while cleaning or shuffling their belongings around. It was a natural, innocent thing,) I was surprised.

(By the art, by the storyline, by the creativity of Aki's fans but he watches Aki's reaction to see how he'll respond.)

[ The chocolates are very good quality and there's no denying that, and Aki has already made a note to make sure he shares them with Tsurumaru later - and that he'll have to do his best to make sure that Denji and Power don't devour them completely before he ends up losing all his treats before getting a taste.

Tsurumaru leans into his natural charm, and Aki has to do whatever he can not to give into it, trying to play it as straight as he can before he leans in to kiss his nose gently. ]

I was given a few, before I escaped.

[ Which, in hindsight, was completely weird the more he thought about it, so he's trying his best not to think about it at all - that's for the better, in the long run. ]

It's not the worst one I saw.

[ It could almost be argued as being tame... ]

Did you read it already?

(Ah, he holds still when he sees Aki coming closer, head held high and positively glowing for him.)

I saw.

(The other one, provided they were all probably in the same place so if he found one, he would have found the others. Scooting over, he reaches for the corner of the comic, fingering through the pages a bit, opening them to a random page. The panels show Aki and Tsurumaru or rather, "Yuki" and "Rin" together, Rin blushing and seeming flustered as Yuki makes advances while undoing his tie, )

You're much bolder (assertive) in fiction. (Compared to "Rin" who appears more submissive and meeker in turn.

He on against Aki, settling against him comfortably,) But I wonder...

(The second page shows Rin with his wrists tied together, Yuki's tie wrapped around them.

Casually, lightly, as if he was asking Aki what he wanted for dinner and not something else, he speaks--)

Would you like to try?

You've been nosy.

[ Not a scolding, more an observation as he watches Tsurumaru watch him. This is how they work, sometimes, pushing and pulling at each other, or acting more like a tide on a beach, fluctuating but always coming back together. They're anchored with one another, and Aki knows that he is finding some inspiration, some warmth, some adoration, and it is all focused on this one man in front of him.

How lucky he is, to have found this kind of love here, to have been given the chance to love someone like Tsurumaru.

One arm wraps around Tsurumaru's body as they look at the comic together, and he tries not to be embarrassed at how he's drawn, at the strangeness of seeing himself touching a strangely un-Tsurumaru Tsurumaru. ]

They don't really know me like you do.

[ But, well...

The tie is inspirational.

His hand moves down to where Tsurumaru's wrist is, and his fingers wrap around it gently.

Testing. ]

I think you'd look handsome, like that. Especially if we used my tie, or an obi...

I was curious.

(Not nosy.

He's wearing the bracelet that Aki gifted him along with his ring. He turns his wrist just slightly so the bracelet won't be in Aki's way when he wraps his fingers around him. Relaxing his hand, he lets Aki handle him easily and against him, Aki might feel the way Tsurumaru lets out a sigh, and shifts ever so slightly, becoming a little more alert-- ready with anticipation.)

Your tie. (He sets down the comic, no longer needing it.) A pretty silk cord... or a ribbon.

(Shifting, pressing his body against Aki's without breaking away from his hold,)

Like a pretty gift. (Ah, he's starting to get restless and lowly, quietly, he whispers,) Just for you.

(And only him.)

Isn't that the same thing?

[ But they're battling semantics, now, aren't they?

It's more important for him to focus on the arm in front of him. Tsuru's hand is decorated with gifts from Aki, and he feels a vague sense of satisfaction and warmth from it as he watches, his fingers brushing gently over the bones up towards his fingers. His own rub over the ring there gently, even as he smiles.

This isn't the boldest they've ever been, but...

Pushing the comic aside, he leans into his partner, his eyes a little darker, his attention focused entirely on Tsurumaru and nothing else. ]

You are a pretty gift. And you're mine.

[ Lifting his hand, he brushes his knuckle over Tsurumaru's jaw gently. ]

If you want to lie back, Tsurumaru, I'll wrap you up right now.

(Maybe it's an accident but the ring seems to activate with his touch.

Excited. Nervous. Longing. He loves him. Cautious. Trusting. He loves him. Restless. Curious. He loves him. He loves him.

Each emotion like a spark, a zap, happening concurrently, all at once. He moves with Aki, leaning into his touch, taking his hand in his and bringing it to his lips. He presses a kiss to Aki's knuckles and looks across at him.

He loves him he wants him he loves him he wants him he wants him.

He gives his hand a squeeze and leans back on his other hand, slowly pulling Aki back with him until he's at the limit of their reach... )

Wrap me up. Carefully.

(And he lets go.)

( OPEN ) MARCH CATCH-ALL

( open ) kyoto

action.

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( open ) kyoto

hanamiii

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( open ) tokyo / kyoto

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