saniwa!tsuru

[cranelike]

(At a certain citadel somewhere in Japan, there is a certain saniwa. For as long as he could remember, he was raised and trained to be a saniwa who would some day care for his own sword army. Cool, calm, and always composed, he held a lot of promise as someone who could help to lead an army to victory... if he didn't have such a troublesome streak!

He's never really known his True Name and only know the name he was given to protect him from being spirited away (whether by his own spirits or others). Named after the crane, he's very fond of his name-- Tsuru. The story was similar to a certain sword...)

✧ summoning
✧ repairs
✧ daily life
✧ insomnia
✧ citadel attacks
✧ ETC

Open post for an alternate universe where Tsuru is the saniwa! Leaving some details vague... does he remember being Tsurumaru? Is his face always behind a veil so his swords don't really know who he is? It's a mystery and we do what we want.

Comments

idk summoning time

[dragoncarving]

[The smithing process is complete, showing a beautiful blade with a dragon carving on it as the result. With that symbole, the possible identity of the sword have gotten narrower. And whenever the saniwa summon the sword's spirit...]

...I am Ookurikara. I don't have much to talk about. Because I don't intend on getting friendly.

[After he materialised in his new body, Ookurikara announced himself as soon as he can speak. And then he really looks at who summoned him.]

[cranelike]

(It's a beautiful sword and he already has high hopes for the tsukumogami that will come with it. There are only so many swords it can be now and when he materializes--)

Hahaha!

(He lets out a laugh, loud and bright and probably familiar to Ookurikara.)

Ookurikara! (There's no Kara-bou and the voice seems to be coming from the veiled sage nearby, his face covered with a veil. He's dressed in all white from his clothes to his hair, even his skin is a pale color.) What a surprise.

(And while Ookurikara might not be here to make friends or get close to anyone, the saniwa reaches forward to grab his hands, giving them a squeeze,)

Welcome home.

[dragoncarving]

[The first thing he notice, no hear, is the voice. A familiar voice, saying his proper name, not the nickname he's accustomed to. For a moment, his eyes widen in surprise and he quickly looks over to where it's coming from.

A pale figure in white, with a veil masking his face. With a familiar voice speaking out from that figure. In his surprise, Ookurikara find himself having his hand held. Grabbed.]

You're...

[He can't be Tsurumaru Kuninaga. It's not possible, right? Ookurikara immediately pull his hand back with a frown, before he glances away. Everything about this is... is confusing him, giving him strange feelings.]

Like I said, I'm not here to be friendly.

[cranelike]

Oh~?

(He sounds amused as Ookurikara pulls his hands away,)

Is that so...? (And then immediately he sounds disappointed) What a shame. It would be easier if we could get along.

(But he lets Ookurikara go, stepping back and holding his hands up in the air. Look! He's giving space and he won't try to get any closer. He tilts his head curiously to the side, the veil still hiding his face perfectly. Something is troubling Ookurikara more than his cool attitude. Of cours,e he only assumes it's him processing being summoned and brought into the world in this form,)

Let's get something to eat. Have some sweets, drink some tea! And I can explain everything.

(Except, not really... He can't really explain what is bothering Ookurikara the most.)

[dragoncarving]

[This is bothering him too much, he almost want to turn around and walk away. To where? Can he even return back into the hot flames like this? But on the other hand... he also wants to know. If only so he can ease his curious, desperate side.

After a moment, he looks back at the saniwa and slowly nods. Fine, he'll go along with this.]

Fine. I want to know everything.

[At very least, he want to know more details about why he's summoned.]

[cranelike]

(Food and drinks always works and he smiles, clearly pleased with himself. Leading the way, he waves to a few tantou that pass by and even call him master as they run off to check the gardens. Their master, in turn, asks if they can sto pby the kitchen and ask who ever is there to prepare some tea and sweets and they agree. They also give Ookurikara a glance, wondering about him. None of them would really have a reason to know "Tsurumaru" so they probably haven't realized what's up...

He leads Ookurikara to a tea room and sets down a cushion for Ookurikara at the table.)

I think Kasen will bring something soon. Until then...

(He takes a seat and starts to explain the basics of their mission. He is a saniwa and Ookurikara is one of his touken danshi. The world is in danger and he needs to rely on Ookurikara to go back in time to help protect it... And yet, in teh whole conversation, there's no mention at all about knowing Ookurikara or even recognizing him in any special way.

There's a light knock on the door and Kasen appears with a tray and a tea pot,)

Kasen! This is Ookurikara. Ookurikara, Kasen. (And when the tray is set down? There's an excited gasp,) Ah, zunda! My favorite. (...He looks at Ookurikara,) You're familiar, aren't you? It's famous in Sendai, after all...

[dragoncarving]

[Everyone he saw so far treated the saniwa as their master. He only assume they never cross paths with Tsurumaru before. Because the alternative is them knowing and accepting this...

Eventually, they arrived at a tea room and sat down. He listened carefully to the explanations. Ookurikara's able to follow along, although it did surprise him a little to find out they can travel back in time. Humans really did figure out how to do it? Of course, that means people wish to change the past. As far as he can see it, it gives him a reason to fight.

And maybe protect the history of the Date clan.

Throughout this all, the saniwa doesn't seem to show any hints of being that guy. No mention or references that hints to knowing him. He glances up when Kasen appear, who seems to give him a glance. Maybe this sword know of him? It's possible. His eyes are drawn towards the tray and at the familiar treat. For a moment, his eyes blink and lighten up. Zunda, a familiar treat...]

I do. [It was Masamune's favourite... He looks up to meet Tsuru's eyes.] I've seen it a lot before.

[Over the years in Date until he moved out.]

[oniimaru]

[The saniwa confuses him for a long time, but Onimaru never once utter a word about why. Any similiarities might be a coincidence, and he doesn't know if he can say anything with absolute confidence. It also doesn't help that Tsuru would either say things or act so cryptically, it cast some doubts on him.

Other than his personal thoughts and feelings, Onimaru have been settling into life at the citadel... reasonably well. Both his past connections and the many swords from the Awataguchi school helped him in various ways. So in that regard, Onimaru's doing fine. Mostly.

It's really just Tsuru, where he doesn't know how to approach him. Following orders and acknowledging him as their master is one thing. It's... the less logical part of him, he suppose.

That said, Onimaru do watch out for Tsuru and sometimes he even stand guard outside of his room at night. Usually it's after his dreams about demon return, causing him to do this or patrol at night.]

[cranelike]

(It's another night at the citadel and Tsuru has said good night to everyone that he can and has retired to his room. The day was fun and exciting but also very busy and you know, like any other human, he has to rest. His room is quiet, there's not a sound to be heard, and he clearly must be sleeping...

Except from down the hallway, the floorboards creak and there are light, careful footsteps. It's not unusual to hear people walking around the citadel, even at night. There are plenty of swords at the citadel and some of them are night owls. But what appears is a figure draped in a white cloth like a bedsheet ghost.)

Onimaru~~ Onimaru~~

(The voice is so obviously Tsuru. It looks like he must have slipped out through his window without Onimaru noticing.)

Oooo~

[oniimaru]

[It's night and normally, save for the occasional swords who thrive at night, everyone should be asleep. After all, their bodies need to rest, even he does. However, tonight sleep doesn't come as easily.

Which makes it easy for him to stand guard outside of Tsuru's room tonight. Except he glance over with a blink, and another blink. That's definitely the saniwa underneath that sheet. Should... should he humour him?]

You've gotten better than last time.

[Onimaru didn't notice Tsuru's escape this time!]

[cranelike]

(Pulling the sheet over his head, he lets it rest like a hood on top of his hair and folds his arms. The way the sheet hangs, it looks almost like he's wearing a white hooded robe... but it's just a sheet.)

Are you surprised?

(And he tilts his head to the side,)

Keeping watch again?

[oniimaru]

[He looks at Tsuru for a moment, seeing the similiarities with the one he knew. But once again, he knows this is his saniwa. No matter the similiarities.]

A little.

[He thinks. But he is impressed with his saniwa's improvements over time. He nods.]

I am. [After a brief moment, he speaks again.] And I couldn't sleep.

[cranelike]

Good.

(That he's surprised. Not that he can't sleep. That last part has Tsuru tilting his head curiously to the side and now it's his turn to watch Onimaru. He hasn't known Onimaru for very long and he's not the easiest one to read but in some ways, he's he's also easy enough to understand, pulling his bed sheet hood down so it can rest on his shoulders,)

Is that so? (He doesn't sound too surprised.) Well, if I'm awake there's no reason to keep watch.

(And he'll just step off to the side to sit on the veranda, glancing back over his shoulder-- a signal for Onimaru to also sit,)

Did you dream of an oni again?

Summoning

[tsukijiji]

[It's barely been a few days since the new Saniwa has been granted his Citadel. He has summoned his starter, gotten his starter tantou as well, and now with the few resources granted by the government to starting Saniwas and gotten from the first few missions, it's time to try for more summoning.

Suffice to say, someone at the time government headquarters is probably having a heart attack right about now as the sakura petals disperse and a book entry unlocks int he records.]

Mikazuki Munechika. They call me Mikazuki on account of the many patterns on my blade. Please take care of me.

[cranelike]

(He's a fresh saniwa, new to his official duties and just starting to grow into his citadel. He's settled in well thanks to his training but there are still some challenges he has to overcome... like summoning touken danshi all on his own. He'd been surprised when his next sword... took so long to be ready.

When the timer runs out, he goes to greet the sword, the veil still covering his face and--)

Woah-- Mikazuki!

(It's a familiar voice coming from the one meant to be Mikazuki's saniwa. The Konnosuke on his shoulder also falls off in surprise, gasping, "--Mikazuki Munechika?!" and the saniwa kneels down to pick up his stunned Konnosuke,)

Oi, that's what he said, Konnosuke. (Pat, pat, pat. There, all clean.) Didn't I tell you it would be him?

(He had a feeling based on how long it took! It just felt like it would be him! Picking up the Konnosuke in his arms, the saniwa smiles.... well, not that Mikazuki can see behind the veil but maybe he can feel it?)

Welcome home, Mikazuki.

[tsukijiji]

[The voice is familiar... and it causes the beautiful Tenka Goken to cock his head to the side, a little puzzled. He knows this voice. But it should not belong to a human. Strange.

The veil is hiding the Saniwa's face for now, and Mikazuki suddenly focuses on the Konnosuke, coming forward to give the fox a scratch under the chin.]

Hahahahaha, my apologies for startling you. Were you not expecting me?

[Where exactly has he landed that a Konnosuke would be surprised to see him? Yes, he is not easy to obtain, but any Saniwa worth their salt should be able to summon him after some time.]

This old man will be in your care, Aruji.

[cranelike]

(Even with a veil, there are little things that still stand out-- white hair, pale skin, his all white robes-- things that might be familiar enough.)

Ah, don't mind Konnosuke. (He might be pinching Konnosuke's cheek,) He thought it was too soon to summon you.

("It's only been a few days, aruji! This is UNPRECEDENTED." Except not really. It's rare! But not unheard of.)

My, my, are you so surprised, Konnosuke? (He's teasing, definitely picking at the Konnosuke that grows more and more frustrated at the saniwa's clear harassment and it leaps from his arms to land on Tsuru's shoulders instead.) Well, it's a pleasant one all the same.

(As for taking care of Mikazuki?)

Then that makes the two of us. (Because as a saniwa dealing with gods... he's also in the care of his swords.) ... Are you hungry?

(The saniwa seems to be handling all of this casually and yet... there's not a glimmer of familiarity coming from him.)

It's better to answer questions with sweets than it is just standing around.

[tsukijiji]

[All those little things are noted, filed away for later perusal. This person, this new master, feels familiar in more ways than one.

Could they be related to one of Mikazuki's former masters? A descendant, maybe, making something resonate within him? Something to investigate, maybe. And also...]

... Only a few days? How many others are there?

I would not say not to a cup of tea, hahahaha!

[cranelike]

(That's a question he can answer easily,)

Kasen Kanesada and Midare Toushirou are here. (And... that's it. Did he really summon Mikazuki Munechika on his first independent try? His third one overall? Looks like it.

He'll turn on his heel though and start to lead the way, looking back only to beckon Mikazuki to follow. He leads Mikazuki to the tea room which already has a tray with some sweet and a pot of hot water. )

I got it ready for you. (When he saw the timer was running down, he'd gotten things ready. Taking a seat, he touches the side of the pot to test how warm it is and then begins to prepare the tea. He slides the plate of traditional sweets over towards Mikazuki,) Kasen made them this morning.

(Konnosuke jumps down from Tsuru's shoulder and takes a seat in a patch of sun coming into the room, stretching out and the saniwa starts to run through the basics of the situation. He's concise, explaining things quickly and clearly like someone rushing to get to more interesting points but there are things that need to be explained just in case... the state of the world, their assignment, and so on.)

... And that's all of the boring stuff. (And boy is it boring.) Aaah~, Konnosuke, do I really have to explain this every time I summon someone?

(Konnosuke stretches, "It's your duty." )

Tsk. Any questions?

(And the tea is finished brewing! So he'll just... start to pour a cup for Mikazuki in the mean time. A light green tea, perfect for spring.)

insomnia/very late night.

[despirit]

[as the seasons pass, some swords rise more in the evening, though they embrace the day as well as any other. in this citadel, Nikkari finds he takes more toward the night in spring and summer - perhaps it is because of their saniwa and his energy, or because it's simply too hot to exist in the day as it is the more the day lengthens.

regardless, he's out with a lantern, admiring the night and breathing the cool air. the absence of even the clinging spirits that wish to follow them home can be felt, and it refreshes him as much as water. and when he hears footsteps, he needs to only turn his head to see who it is.

that it's their saniwa gives him a little pause.]

Oh? Aruji, I would have thought you'd be asleep. That's a little naughty, cheating on your rest like that.

[cranelike]

(During the day, Tsuru was energetic and kept others on their toes. He's always quick to join the tantou in their games and he had a habit of trying to surprise whoever he could. Fake spiders? Bags of flour over trick doorways? Filling pillows with beans and hiding incense and candles that smell like sweets to throw off certain spirits with a sweet tooth? At least it made life at the citadel fun.

But at night, when everyone begins to wind down and retire for the night, the saniwa also settles in and usually pours over reports and old records, figuring out schedules and which team arrangements to settle on for the week. He has a little more to catch up on tonight thanks to new orders from the Time Government and he's decided to take a bit of a break before tackling that last bit...)

Are you surprised?

(To see him up so late? He smiles at Nikkari,)

Is it? (Cheating on his rest?) I thought I'd enjoy the night. And you? I didn't know you were on night watch~

[despirit]

[the grin he shoots Tsuru back is enough to say yes, a little surprised without the words. he shrugs though, holding the lantern to the side.]

Oh, I'm not on watch. I'm awake because I feel like it. Besides, summer's a good time for ghosts to show up - which means it's my time as well.

[with unbound hair and a light robe, one could almost mistake Nikkari for one of those same ghosts. but instead, his smile is more relaxed, and if not for bugs, he'd go to sleep out here in the end.

[cranelike]

Well, I won't hold you back, then.

(If it's Nikkari's time to shine then he wants him to shine as brightly as he can right now.But is this really going to be it? Just passing each other in the night without another word? That would be boring and Tsuru crosses his arms,)

I've some time before I sleep. I'll join you. It would be surprising to see a ghost.

(How could he pass the opportunity!)

[despirit]

Oh? Do you really want to see a ghost that badly, aruji? If so, I know where we should go to lure one out...if you're truly brave enough.

[there's a slight shine in his eye that has nothing to do with the lantern, and everything to do with the idea. there hasn't been a chance to make a proper introduction to Tsuru, but this could be surprising enough to cheer him, and fun enough for Nikkari to enjoy.]

[cranelike]

Of course!

(An entire citadel full of spirits is bound to attract to a few guests now and then but he's yet to see a real ghost for himself. He's suspected a few other creatures like a curious raccoon dog at night might be more than it appears but he thinks his spirits do a good job at keeping most things away with their patrols.

He wants to see one! And with a reliable guard like Nikkari, why would he be afraid? The idea that he might know where to find one though... he's already hooked. He likes that look in Nikkari's eye. It feels promising and the saniwa smiles,)

Oh~? Well, if you're with me, there's no reason to be afraid, is there! Tell me more~