voice testing!

[cranelike]

White

( It's a pretty normal day at the citadel until news breaks out that the saniwa has managed to summon a new spirit. Depending on who you've heard the news from, you may or may not have the name. Or maybe you've heard that the newcomer is supposed to be a beautiful sword dressed in white. Or that he's an imperial sword or some other vague but specific piece of information. Either way, it should be easy to find a new face here, right?

Just follow the sounds of one (1) distressed sounding Konnosuke and you'll see the newest addition to your rag tag sword army. He's picked up Konnosuke and has him on his back in front of him, rubbing at his belly. Konnosuke squirms to get free. )

A little fox! You remind me of someone. ( Konnosuke squirms in his hands, trying to get free. ("Tsurumaru-san, please, let me go! I'm a pipe fox spirit, not a common fox!" The new spirit laughs,). ) And you really talk! What a surprise!

( And he looks up to see you, who's arrived to crash his fun, )

Yo~ ( He'd salute in greeting but his hands are a little full, ) Are you surprised to see someone like me?

( SET KONNOSUKE FREE )

Gold

( Some time has passed since Tsurumaru Kuninaga arrived at the citadel and most people are used to his character by now. It's a cool fall day and you're out in the garden for whatever reason. Most of the trees are losing their leaves and can be found in collected piles here and there. There's one particularly large pile and when you walk past it... )

Waah!

( Tsurumaru jumps up, throwing the leaves in the air and at you. Standing straight, hands on his hips and still covered in ginkgo leaves, )

Ahahaha! Are you surprised?

( He's so proud. )

Red

( Returning from a mission, Tsurumaru laughs casually as the Konnosukes scurry towards the squad. The last mission had some unexpected turns and what was supposed to be an easy scouting mission turned into an unexpected battle. Even if they were able to handle themselves, they'd still come back with injuries.

As they run their scan on the returning touken danshi, Tsurumaru holds out his arms, revealing sleeves speckled with red. )

What do you think?

( He shows them off to someone nearby-- either a squad mate or a concerned passerby or some other sword that was sent to check on them. And he gives a little turn to show the rest of him, revealing more blood on the back and hood. Konnosuke chides him to stay still because he's disrupting the scan. )

It's too bad.

( The battle had been too short and easy. It wasn't enough to achieve his #aesthetic. )

A little more and I would really look like a crane.

( "Stay still!" Konnosuke snaps again. )

Comments

Gold

[tsukijiji]

[Occasionally - very occasionally - someone actually manages to make Mikazuki Munechika do chores.

It's hard because he has this tendency to just disappear if you take your eyes off him for any length of time, and it's gotten even worse with the cold. Why would you make an old man work outside in the cold when he could be inside by the kotatsu drinking hot tea, after all?

This time, he was instructed - bullied into - helping gather the smaller piles of leaves into a bigger one so it can be burnt later. And for once he was doing what he was told!

Until! Something comes out of said big pile and hits him in the arm and he just drops everything he was holding onto whatever - whoever - that was.]

.... Oya.

gold!!

[bootea]

[ Uguisumaru stares in dumbfounded shock at first, before letting loose a soft chuckle. ]

That was a good one. But I was wondering where all the fallen leaves around the Citadel went.

Red

[tsukijiji]

[Mikazuki doesn't say anything as Tsurumaru gets scanned. His face doesn't even move as he gets scolded and even whacked at one point because he's moving around too much.

When the light disappears and Konnosuke shoos Tsurumaru away for the next one to take his place, only then does he come closer, and hold out his hand to touch Tsurumaru's cheek. So white. It should feel cold under his fingers but it doesn't.

There's a red spot on that cheek, a small drop of blood that got away from the white coat that absorbed the rest of it. Mikazuki's fingers smear it, leaving a reddish mark behind, staining his own hand with it.]

How much more would be enough for you, Tsurumaru Kuninaga?

[cranelike]

( He can never get things right when it comes to Mikazuki. It must be all of those extra years he has on him! It's in the middle of his surprise appearance that he bumps right into Mikazuki's arms and ends up caught in a flurry of leaves that aren't his own.

If Mikazuki had looked surprised, he missed it because of his own. He closes his eyes instinctively and holds his head. )

Aaah... ( He's disappointed. And he's even more disappointed when he looks up to see who foiled his master plan! ) Mikazuki.

( Of course it would be him. )

... Well?

( Was he surprised? )

[cranelike]

( He lets out a laugh, loud and proud, )

Hahaha, good, good!

( He's a simple spirit. He's satisfied. )

It was a lot of work moving all of these piles together.

( To make one big pile. He doesn't like doing dirty work like this! He gets dirty so easily, it's a huge pain. But it was worth it this time. )

[tsukijiji]

[Mikazuki sort of goes through life at Citadel at his own pace, and that pace somehow never seems to match anyone else's.

But well, the leaves are on pile at least? That's good enough, right? No one will actually expect him to undo the mess Tsurumaru just made? Of course not. He didn't do it, after all.]

..... Well?

[Blink, blink, smile.]

[bootea]

It paid off admirably. [ Tsurumaru gets a suspiciously approving nod from Uguisumaru as the latter surveys the mess around them. Yes… ]

In fact…I could learn a lot from you. Stealth is very important, after all.

[cranelike]

( He stays still as Mikazuki touches him, allowing it. He's used to being handled whether it's being taken by force or handled carefully. But Mikazuki's touch isn't like either of those. He can feel MIkazuki touch something vaguely wet on his face and he knows what it must be. And now it's on him too. That wouldn't do. Red doesn't suit Mikazuki the same way it does him and he reaches to brush away his hand, taking it in his own and using the edge of his other sleeve to wipe at his finger, )

More. ( He's amused by the own vagueness of his own answer, ) Why?

( Is he worried? He gives a small laugh, dismissing it, )

Don't worry, don't worry~ Too much and I wouldn't look like a crane at all.

Red

[dragoncarving]

[If anyone asks, he just happens to be walking by.

In any case, he notice the Konnosukes scurrying about. A familiar sight that signify a squad's return. Ookurikara walks over to check it out, and see it's Tsurumaru's squad.

When Tsurumaru called out to him and he looked over, he blinks and raise a brow.]

It's not enough for you?

[He's used to Tsurumaru's desire for that #aesthetic. So it doesn't bother him as much. He's not the one that's going to wash his clothes, anyway.]

Just stand still.

[Let the poor Konnosuke do his job.]

[cranelike]

( He doesn't even pretend to hide his disappointment anymore. Puffing his cheeks, his mouth fixed into a pout, )

... You weren't. ( Bummer. He'll have to find another way to get one up on Mikazuki. Until then, he begins to climp out of the pile, sending leaves spill over in front of him.. ) You could pretend a little.

( He's just going to try to shake all of these leaves off him-- they're in his hair, his sleeves, the back of his collar, and even the hood of his coat (it's chilly!!!) is stuffed with them. )

Well, I'll surprise you some day.

[cranelike]

( It's a very suspicious nod of approval but Tsurumaru doesn't mind. He's down for a few surprises on Uguisumaru's side too. )

Hm? ( He follows along, ) Is that so? I suppose I could teach you a few tricks.

[tsukijiji]

[It's interesting, the way most people react whenever there's blood on Mikazuki. It's like they forget that he, too is a blade, that he's been used in many a bloody battle in the past, so many that it feels like the rusty taste of blood never quite leaves his mouth when he stops and thinks about it.

Well, a good cup of tea can make it pass for a while.

But here is Tsurumaru, not only wiping off the blood, but also taking it back. As if he doesn't want to share it.

It does look good on him.

Is he worried? Mikazuki isn't sure, mostly because he's not quite clear on what 'worried' is, exactly. Maybe 'concerned' would be a better term.]

Too much and you would break.

[Because there is only one reason why there is blood on his clothing and they both know it.]

You should not be giving out secretary such trouble.

[Yamanbagiri has enough on his place as it is.]

[cranelike]

( Of course, everyone knows Ookurikara has impeccable timing, especially when it comes to his friends. Tsurumaru is touched. )

Yo, Kara-bou! ( He salutes him and the Konnosuke (forever losing his patience more and more) yells at him to stay still FOR THE LAST TIME. ) No way.

( Holding out his arms again, )

This is nothing.

( Which is some weird way of saying he's fine.

But he's still moving around when he's showing off like this and unable to take it anymore, the Konnosuke snaps and whacks a practice sword right at him. )

-- Where did that come from?!

[tsukijiji]

Ara, is that what you were trying to do? My bad, hahahahaha!

[Well, this is only making more of a mess, but that is very much Not Mikazuki's Problem. Someone else can deal with that.

But he will go and remove leaves from Tsurumaru's hair.]

How long were you in here? It's so cold out!

[bootea]

Wonderful! [ Clapping his hands together in delight— ] I was going to make some camouflage out of the leaves before you’d taken them away, but now I wonder…maybe I could just adapt your disguise?

[dragoncarving]

[He will forever deny caring about his friends, no matter how obvious it is to anyone.

He frowns as he watches. While Tsurumaru is showing off, he get to see how much more blood there is. Just more than enough to make him feel a little, somewhat, maybe concerned.]

They've been carrying it for a while.

[What is the passage of time to old swords like them? But it did seems like after a while the Konnosukes start to carry bokken with them. He wonders if it's Tsurumaru's fault.]

Just stand still, Tsurumaru. He'd just whack you again.

[Normally, he wouldn't mind leaving Tsurumaru to his Konnosuke-inflicting fate. But that's only if Tsurumaru is "fine". So, he's staying for a little while.]

[cranelike]

( Chilly. That's the way the air feels right now but he doesn't mind. What's a little cold to a sword?

But yes, there can only be one reason why there's still blood on him now. If it had been the enemies', it would have surely disappeared by now. This is either his own or his allies. But everything is fine. They're all fine now. Which is why he can act so naturally casual right now.

He smiles at Mikazuki, )

No, we wouldn't want that, would we?

( Breaking or bothering Yamanbagiri? Well, it's no secret that Mikazuki is fond of their secretary and he lets go of Mikazuki's hand, moving away and brushing aside the other spirit, )

Well, you heard Konnosuke. To repairs with me! ( Glancing back, ) I'll be as good as new in no time.

( Which is the opposite of broken. Is that fine? )

[cranelike]

( So Mikazuki can dote on him enough to make sure he's presentable but not enough to go along with his pranks and shenanigans? He sees how it is. )

Long enough. It wasn't too bad.( And he pulls his hood over him which


just sends a mini pile of leaves falling from his face and more sticking out from underneath. He didn't think about that. ) .... Hm.

( Well, the leaves aren't important, )

What are you doing out here? It's not like you to be working so hard.

[cranelike]

( Yes, yes, he's all here for tacky leaf costumes and--- )

My disguise?

( But he's dressed in white and covered in leaves that... are not a part of any disguise. Hmm. He squints at Uguisumaru. Explain. )

[tsukijiji]

[.... Tsurumaru, no. What are you doing. Now you are covered in leaves for good.]

You should probably shake that out. The leaves were a little wet, they will stick to the fabric.

[And then it will be stained and dirty,and they can't have that, now, can they?]

Oh, I was just given something light to do, but I am finished, hahahahaha!

[Sure, there are leaves all over the courtyard now but he did what he was told. he brought his pile to the bigger pile, so he's done. If anyone asks, he doesn't know what happened.]

I was thinking of heading back inside for a cup of tea after that.

[cranelike]

( He rubs his cheek which is definitely going to bruise a little now, thanks a lot. But it was enough to get him to stay still, even if it's begrudgingly. Staying still is boring and it just makes the scan seem like it's taking forever. When the scan is finished, he's let go and he comes over to meet Ookurikara, )

You're still here. ( He makes a point to mention that. ) Are you worried about someone?

( Like someone else on their squad? He's definitely watching to see his reaction right now too. )

White-!

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Perhaps, every sword has this feeling when they hear a new one has been summoned-- Is it someone I know?

So, naturally curious, Tonbokiri passes near where a newcomer might make greetings to Aruji, but is distracted by the sounds of a Konnosuke in distress!

Hurrying around the corner, he is surprised by what he finds.
So when the elegant-looking white sword turns to him and asks that question, of course he has to answer,]

Yes, I am. Tsurumaru-dono. [He'd heard Konnosuke call out that name. And speaking of-]

Forgive me for a moment, but may I have Konnosuke, please?

[Save the friend first, introductions after?]

[bootea]

The leaves, of course. [ They’re disguise enough to him, since he could surprise a fair amount of swords with that. ]

Not many people pay much attention to them. [ Because nobody listens to Hasebe when it comes time to clean out the yard. ]

It’s perfect for when you’re lying in wait, watching for that one person to finally come along…

[cranelike]

( No, he wouldn't want to be dirty and pointing that out is really the best way to get him to clean up. He shakes off his coat and tries to get off as many leaves as possible as they talk. )

Really?

( So MIkazuki is all finished with his chores for the day? That's good! And he reaches to grab MIkazuki's hands with both of his, pulling him along, )

That's boring. ( Just going back inside and having tea? It's the same old, same old. ) Come this way!

( They'll go do something more interesting. )

[tsukijiji]

[Now if it were anyone else, they would probably just watch Tsurumaru go, either worriedly or taking his words at face value.

But Mikazuki isn't anyone else. So instead, he falls in step besides Tsurumaru, escorting him the whole way to the repair room.]

You would not need it if you had been more careful.

[Because if you're in good enough shape to complain about not enough blood on you, then you could have avoided even that little damage.

What is he to do with you, really? He'll start by calling it out as he sees it, of course, but it's not like it's going to stop you.

Once thy reach the door, Mikazuki takes out a help token from his sleeve and hands it out to Tsurumaru.]

From Aruji. We don't have time for you to indulge.

[So kindly stop wasting resources, if you would.]