damaged

[tosa]

inspired by this comic!

(It's after a particularly rough sortie and after everyone's been looked over and evaluated. Most of them might be able to get by with just some light repairs and rest but some are not as lucky. Rest alone won't be enough and they'll have to go in for more serious repairs. It could take all day at best or more at worst.

Serious repairs are exactly what they sound like-- serious-- but there's always that extra element that makes them a little more hesitant to surrender their true forms and enter the repairs room. Without their swords and reeling from heavy damage, they're perhaps in their most vulnerable state. It's times like this, alone with just their thoughts for company, that their years really begin to catch up with them. For some, it isn't too bad. There are a lucky few who are blessed with shorter histories or brighter lives but the unfortunate truth is that for many of them, the years have not been kind.

But this is their situation! And it can go one of a few ways right now...)

A.

(After some light harassing, Mutsunokami has managed to convince someone to get repairs! Would it help if he went with them? He doesn't mind, really and he'll even hold their hand as they stand in front of the room.)

Ready? (He gives their hand a firm squeeze,) It'll be over before ya know it!

B.

(Or maybe Mutsunokami is the one that's here for heavy repairs. Mutsunokami is one of the luckier swords in question, someone with a shorter and much more pleasant history compared to others. Honestly, he finds repairs more boring than anything. Of course, he uses his blessings to focus on his companion right now. Being stuck in this room sure is boring! Sorry to get you dragged in here with him, heh heh... And sometimes he dozes off because being damaged is exhausting.

Repairs are pleasant enough for him but his damage is a little heavier today than usual. It's not something he's really used to and it shows when he suddenly jerks awake from a short nap, looking around the room in an alert sort of daze before relaxing.

Huh... strange.)

C.

(Wildcard, give me your own prompt, talk to me, maybe theyre both in for repairs or something instead.)

Comments

A

[toobigtohandle]

[Repairing oodachi with heavy injuries is always a long process. Not as long as for some of the rarer or more delicate swords, but still at least sixty hours and a good deal of resources as well.

So there's the slight guilt about taking up both time and valuable resources away from others. But through the haze, there's also the memories filtering through.

A man, a human, wielding this monster of a sword, and his hands slowly letting go. Hitting the ground, and crying out in a desperate voice no one could hear.]

Master... don't leave me behind...

[tosa]

( He sure has been here for awhile, hasn't he? Of course, he's taken a few breaks, dipping in and out to grab snacks or check on some of the other swords that are waiting getting milder repairs. Even if he's here for support, it's good to give Taroutachi some space too.

Right now, he'd been playing at the saniwa's tablet (something he'd been graciously allowed to borrow since he had nothing to do for now and the lighting in the room was too dim to write or read). Tarou begins to stir and he sets down his tablet, leaning over to pat Taroutachi on the shoulder, )

He'll be right back. ( Not the same master, but the saniwa. He can take a guess about what Taroutachi is remembering right now and it's important to remind him that he's in the present and not back then. ) Don'tcha worry.

[toobigtohandle]

[There's a voice he doesn't remember, cutting through the fog.]

'He'll be right back.'

[Of course not. Master is dead. Dead because Taroutachi was too long and too heavy to properly wield in battle. Everyone said so. They were right.]

I'm sorry... I couldn't protect you...

[tosa]

Hey, hey!

( He's loud when he calls out to Taroutachi but not too loud. This is, after all, a place for rest. )

What'd I say? Don't worry. ( He's never really sure exactly what to do in these sort of situations and he isn't particularly close to Taroutachi. If they hadn't been in the same squad before all of this happened, he probably wouldn't be here at all. Maybe Jiroutachi would be here instead but he isn't so he has to make do with what he can. ) Remember how ya got here in the first place, Taroutachi?

( Reaching to brush aside some of Taroutachi's hair from his face and just generally keep him comfortable a the memories catch up, )

Ya made sure we all got back home and master was right there to greet all of us. Well, maybe ya don't remember that last part...

( The injuries had been pretty severe. Was he even conscious? )

[toobigtohandle]

[No, he definitely doesn't remember that last part. Or much of the parts before that, for now.

His eyes are hazy and unfocused as he turns towards the voice. He can't really make out the face of whoever is talking to him in the dark.]

... Have you come to pray?

[He remembers that too. The endless line of people holding their hands out, bringing offerings, imploring in front of him.]

It's... useless. I have never seen... any gods... I can't help you...

b and okay fast one while i have time

[hoasen]

[What heavy repairs! She's pacing outside the room, just before the time he is assumed to be completely repaired. And then she's going to have to text her brother the news.

Peeking through the door now, just in case it's not yet over--]

Mutsunokami...?

[tosa]

( It's not quite dark in the room but more dim thanks to a few low lights. It's supposed to be a room where they can find rest so it makes sense. There should be a futon in the center of the room and in fact, the mattress is still there but the blankets and Mutsunokami himself are on the other side of the room, opposite of the door. He's sitting up right, half wrapped in his comforter when Vietnam looks inside and he jumps again, tensing when the door slides open and can't help but give her wary look at first. It's almost like he still hasn't caught his bearings after waking up and he looks at her anxiously before realizing who she is and where he is. )

Hey...

( He manages a smile but it's tired and he sounds so hesitant. )

Not worried, are ya?

( He's not so out of it that he's completely lost in his memories right now. )

[hoasen]

[Mutsunokami was nowhere to be found. At least, that was her first thought when she saw that the futon was empty and he had already located himself all the way over to the other side of the room, wrapped up and easily startled.

That only worries her more.]

Ah, yes? Actually, I'm very worried!

[She's not even denying it? Either way, she rushes over, trying to look him over to see how he's looking.]

Does it still hurt anywhere?

[She places her hands, well, hovers them, over where his shoulders would be under the comforter. It looks comfortable, at the very least, but he does not.]

[tosa]

( It's comfortable but it's so, so warm and she can probably feel some of the heat radiating from him. It's almost like he's burning a fever but it's probably more because of the comforter. Or is it? )

Nah. ( Not true. He's still sore and reeling from the last battle but he's never one to admit to others the things he's really going through. ) I feel better already.

There's nothing to worry about.

( Really. )

[hoasen]

[He's warm--wait, he's too warm. That's strange, because while he's healed, it's almost like this heat radiates like he was just forged using this very body. That can't be right...can it?]

Mmm.

[She pokes him in the forehead.]

If you're trying to act tough, now is not a good time. I know you wouldn't want others to worry, but we care enough to want our Mutsunokami to be very healthy. After all, you were injured, and I have yet to punish you for that. [Punish?!]

So, tell me how best to help you. I can try to make your futon more comfortable? Cook you something nice to eat to ease recovery! And also, I won't leave your side. [She says this like there is no room for debate.]

A

[reprizesal]

[Considering their size, tantou are the cheapest and fastes among the sword types to repair, as far as resources concerned. Sayo originally want to wait, because his teammates would need them more than him. But since Mutsunokami mentioned his brothers, he comply and went for repairs.

He doesn't want to worry his brothers... and being damaged would make it hard to seek revenge.

Feeling Mutsunokami's hand, which are big enough to envelop his own, squeezes, Sayo looks at him and slowly nod.]

... Okay.

[Time to go in.]

[tosa]

(He's worried about Sayo. He can't help but be given the condition he's in and his history. He knows this isn't going to be as quick and easy as he's promised but he'll make sure Sayo gets out of it.

Leading the way into the dimly lit room, the timer starts. A little under a day but still a large part of it. They can do this.)

... D'ya wanna lay down?

[reprizesal]

[Sayo see the timer at the corner of his eyes, before he looks at Mutsunokami. Most of the day... just knowing how long he'll be in repairs is making him feel... anxious, compared to waiting for new orders.]

Yes, I do... I feel tired.

[And sore. If he lay down on the futon, it'll probably be hard for him to sit up until it's over. The futon itself is simple and neatly set out in the middle of the room. Sayo looks over at it, his fingers curling up inside Mutsunokami's grip.]

[tosa]

( If Sayo wasn't injured, Mutsu would pick him up and tuck him right in! But this is a more delicate situation so he'll lead the way to the futon and take a seat right next to it, crossing his legs. This is a good way to level himself to the same height as Sayo (more or less because Sayo really is small). He's still holding Sayo's hand-- he won't let go until Sayo does. )

I'll stick with ya 'til your brothers come back.

( From whatever mission they're on. )

You're gonna get better so don't worry.

[reprizesal]

[Sayo's still holding onto Mutsu's hand until they reach the futon. Sitting down slowly, he let go so he can go under the covers. Logically, it's easier this way. But he still want to hold onto Mutsu's hand a little longer.

Oh, yeah. Before he can, he raise his hand to pull out his hair tie.]

Thank you...

[Mutsu doesn't need to, but Sayo appreciate having someone nearby.]

I want to get better before my brothers return...

[Which is probably unlikely, from what he remembers the timer say for his repairs.]

B

[helmsplitter]

[Repairs are boring. It's the sort of boring that lets most of their kind to reminisce and remember things both good and bad. Some avoided this room because their histories were drenched in things better left forgotten. Doudanuki avoided it simply because it was all too muddled and foggy and it left him with nothing to do for hours at a time.

But after that last sortie, all of them were being sent regardless of whether they thought they could do with just a bandaid and some hard liquor to ignore just how much it goddamn hurt. He's been in here long enough to sleep a bit, but with so little to reflect upon, he's left staring at nothing much in particular at the far wall.

Which is why his gaze snaps to attention as soon as Mutsunokami stirs. He's got more of a story to him, less blood but more pain, and Doudanuki watches to see if he's actually awake or just rolling between consciousness. When he sees that Mutsunokami is looking around though, Doudanuki shifts his position where he's leaning up against the wall, crossing his legs the other way.]

So you're up finally, huh?

look at that kiwame donut

[tosa]

(He's definitely awake but still on the bleary eyed side. It takes him a moment to realize where he is because it's neither his room or... another place he'd thought he'd been in. The place in his dream is vague the way dreams can be after you've woken up but instead of fading from memory, it becomes gradually more defined.

A dimly lit room, a quiet night, only two people inside.

He looks at Doudanuki who looks as disgruntled now as he had when Mutsu was awake earlier. He can't help but find that a little amusing and he manages an obnoxious grin,)

Why? Were ya bored without me?

(Probably. He's not unfamiliar with Doudanuki's feelings about repairs. He shifts, sitting up straight and tries to give Doudanuki his full attention but there's something tugging at his mind-- those memories he's doing his best to ignore because he knows it's nothing more than just that-- memories.)

8( <-- it's the only way he knows how to look

[helmsplitter]

[Well, he's not dead if he can be annoying. Doudanuki feel relief, but outwardly he just looks even more surly than before. It's almost as if he's sunk further into the wall if that were possible, arms crossed over his chest and frown deepening.]

I'm bored here whether or not you're awake.

[aka "I WAS NOT WAITING FOR YOU TO WAKE UP, SHUT UP."

But seeing Mutsunokami try to sit up so quickly after waking up from such long repairs, Doudanuki holds up a hand.]

Take it easy. 'M not doin' anything interesting if you need to rest longer.

[tosa]

( Aw, he was waiting for him to wake up. How sweet! He mumbles at Doudanuki's insistence. He doesn't have to get up if he needs to rest? Heh. )

It's hot.

( Under the covers of a futon? He isn't sure. Heavy repairs always make him a little feverish and he wonders what he's feeling right now is that or just him working himself up into a discomforting state.

Shaking himself off with a heavy and tired groan, he props himself up in bed, )

How long was I asleep?

( Is it time to get out of here yet? Wishful thinking. He can feel he still needs more time with how tired and sore his body still feels. )

[helmsplitter]

[He almost let his hackles raise at that mumbling, but then he remembered that they're both hurt and getting in a fight right now - while stress-relieving - probably isn't the best idea. He himself is still healing despite his stubborn refusal to sleep it off like most swords. Others had things to look back on, but Doudanuki had confusing fragments and memories that didn't belong to him. He preferred to say awake and bored instead.

Doudanuki shrugged in response to Mutsu's question and looked up at the clock that continued to count down the time until they could leave.]

A few hours, not long.

[They were still stuck in here for awhile, but at least there was some food brought in. He jerks his head toward the small tray left near the head of Mutsu's bed topped with a few onigiri and some tea.]

They brought something if you wanna eat.

b!!

[sharplydressed]

[Kashuu sure has a lot of reasons to hate repairs, which means he has a lot of reasons to act like he doesn't - or at least to pretend that his reasons are all shallow, surface-level irritants. "I worked hard on this manicure and I don't want you to see it chipped", or a simple "it's not cute", "it's not fun", whatever the flavor of the day is as it suits him. It's better for people to think he's a fussy sword than for them to realize how many times in an hour he jolts out of unpleasant memories, unguarded and restless when he's alone in the repair room.

But today he isn't, so today he's on guard, working hard to prevent himself from drifting and trying his damndest to keep those little flickers of memory that dance at his vision's edge exactly that - flickers, nothing more. That's why he's pretty attuned to Mutsu, even if he pretends he's not paying much mind. It's better to have something tangible to focus on.

A few beats pass after he snaps awake, in any case. Then:]

If you're that tired, you should reeeally pick a better place to nap.

[tosa]

( It's really just his luck that he ends up in repairs with Kashuu. Even if it's someone he prefers over others, this hadn't made the idea of sharing time with him like this any better. He knew he needed to go in for heavier repairs just like how he knows this is going to go sooner rather than later. Just because he gets along with the Shinsengumi swords now that doesn't mean he wants them to see him at his most vulnerable. But like Kashuu, if he pretends it isn't too big of a deal and can focus on the present instead of the past... surely he can pull out of this without falling apart, right?

He really can't help but to snort and shoot Kashuu a playful sort of smile. He's just trying to keep things light! But they've known each other long enough that Kashuu can probably see through the act and see how tired Mutsu really is, )

Better than here? ( Hah. ) I can think of a few places.

( His own room, for starters. On the veranda in the sunlight. Out in the fields. Under the great cherry tree.

Even if there are a pair of futon in the room for them to use if they get tired enough, Mutsu's opted to stay out of it for now. This room is just... warm. Uncomfortably warm and he wonders how much of it is real and how much of it is just himself working into an uncomfortable fever. Brushing aside his bangs, he tries to cool off his head and focuses on his company instead of his memories, )

Did ya rest any yet? ( Maybe Mutsu was more exhausted because of the nature of his repairs but... doesn't this place get boringly tiresome? ) ... Ya aren't tired?

[sharplydressed]

Yeah, I don't think anyone would have this place as a first pick.

[Except for maybe the swords with very minimal bad memories to be had?? But who among them even really qualifies, god...

In any case, his head dips forward a little at the question. In truth, he is tired - it's the kind of tiredness that just seems to permeate the repair room sometimes. An exhaustion that isn't just physical. Maybe mostly isn't physical, even. But as always, that's not something he'd even want to discuss with his fellow Shinsengumi swords; he's not going to be the first person to address the big ol' tired elephant in the room.]

I'd rather rest once this is done.

[A surprisingly honest answer, maybe, but it's still said lightly enough that it doesn't have much surface impact. He shoots over a sidelong glance, inspecting Mutsu's face and the mild sheen of sweat on his forehead. Hm.]

--Maybe we could ask aruji to add some things in here that'd make it a better place to nap. Like a mini-fridge.

[tosa]

( Urashima and like 2 other people... )

A break from your our, huh?

( It sounds silly when he says it out loud but he can relate. When this is all over, he might need a nap. Or maybe he'll throw himself at some of the tantou just to be active again. Is it possible to feel both exhausted to the bone and restless enough you want to break out and run? Because that's how he feels.

Kashuu's suggestion gets him a quiet glance. It's not just a casual one, is it? He knows because Kashuu isn't as silly as he acts. He'd suggested a fridge because he's noticed something, hasn't he? And what else is there to see in this room but each other and he knows his own condition right now. Kashuu's noticed, huh? But he won't say as much out loud and for that, Mutsu is grateful. He does, after all, have his pride too.

Before he can make any sort of smart comment to brush it off though, he hears something. There's a loud noise-- a crash?-- outside their room and it sounds like a ruckus. Really? Who's making so much noise outside of this room? Talk about inconsiderate! He grumbles, looking at the door, )

Quiet down.

( Except as far as Kashuu would be concerned, there wasn't any noise at all. )

[sharplydressed]

[Just SHOOTING HIM A LOOK!! Yeah, he needs a break! He needs a break at all hours for all reasons, honestly. Dealing with the entire ordeal that is Getting Repaired is just one of the many reasons he's exhausted constantly... The other reasons all relate to the wildass swords he has to spend his time around.

He's fairly good at navigating, at least. He knows when to dip the hell out of situations just as well as he knows when to leave things unsaid, to voice concerns in softer and subtler ways and know he'll still be understood.

BUT BEFORE HE CAN VOICE ANYTHING ELSE-- Mutsu's... Hm. Kashuu glances toward the door himself, brow furrowing a little.]

...You hear something?

[Not the most surprising thing, considering how strange swords can get during repairs, depending on this or that. It's still unusual for Mutsu, though. At least for what Kashuu knows of him. He strains his hearing anyway, just in case, like he might catch any sound at all. Naturally, there aren't even footfalls. Those who aren't in need of repair usually avoid this place.]