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Post Chasma
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POST CHASMA CALL OUT
Did you want to stop by? Or has Tsurumaru arrived in your world to surprise you? Here is an open post for Tsurumaru post-Chasma. His canon-point was during his kiwame-- a journey of self-reflection and growth. He achieved his goal in Chasma and was able to grow as a spirit. He returned home with his daemon, Kiku, who settled in the form of an azure winged magpie. Below are some prompts you can choose from but you can let me know if you to do something different.  |
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AT A CERTAIN CITADEL
You arrive at the citadel— the base of operations for an army of sword spirits serving a sage they call a saniwa. The citadel is a large, traditional style Japanese estate with plenty of room to house a small army. Many small foxes run around, assisting everyone with their tasks and making conversation. There are standard modern appliances like televisions, refrigerators, stoves, and so on but asking around will reveal you are in the 23rd Century. The year is approximately 2210 and humanity faces a great calamity. The Time Retrograde Army threatens to change the past by manipulating events and corrupting figures and other spirits for an uncertain goal. Under the Saniwa's orders, the touken danshi must travel back in time and protect history. Even if they should revisit a moment in their own history where they wished things had gone differently, they must carry out their mission loyally or risk disaster. Once at the citadel, it is difficult to venture beyond the grounds. Everything exists and is protected by the saniwa's barrier. Here, it is hidden from ordinary people in the outside world and malicious spirits that might travel through time and space to cause harm. But the Touken Danshi are happy. Their master is good and this mission gives them purpose after centuries of being nothing more than artifacts. At this certain citadel, you can assist with daily tasks such as gardening, stable duty, cleaning, and training. If you're strong enough to endure the weight of time, you can journey with the touken danshi on missions that take them through Japan's most famous historical moments. Those who are not strong enough might find themselves being crushed under the pressure of history in time. Remember: No matter how painful the past may be, it is as it was meant to be. Though your heart may hurt, this ache is what separates you from the twisted enemy you fight. Tsurumaru Kuninaga has recently returned after completing his private training. He arrives with an anomaly called a daemon; an azure-winged magpie named Kiku which he calls a manifestation of his soul. After delivering his report to the saniwa, there are more questions than answers but everyone knows one thing: His journey was full of surprises. And here, he will be your guide. |
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AN ALTERNATE CITADEL
You arrive in Japan and a representative from the government greets you. They don't know how you arrived here but they know you are not supposed to be here. Usually, they would remove you but they sense a great potential in you and offer you an alternative: Become a saniwa and help them protect their history. They will tell you your mission and… some parts might sound familiar. They explain the past is in danger because dark spirits are trying to change historical events. Most humans can't handle the weight of time and crumble under literal pressure if they stay in the past too long but the government has found another way: By using the powers of certain sages, they can summon the spirits of swords and raise an army to go back in time. They assign you a fox named Konnosuke and give you a base of operations that exists in its own place in time and space. Upon seeing your coin and daemon, they remark that they've seen something like it once before… You are a new saniwa when Tsurumaru Kuninaga is assigned to your citadel. Unlike the other swords that have been summoned or purified from battle, he is sent by the same government that recruited you. As an agent for the government, he will observe you and grade your performance. If you pass, he will stay to continue observing you. And if you fail? "Well… I think we might take your entire army. Now, don't expect me to play favorites. I have a job to do, too." And he smiles playfully like someone sharing a secret with you. The magpie on his shoulder twitters and the two exchange a look. "Yes. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about." |
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SURPRISE VISIT
You are home, doing as you usually do when you hear the trill or a call from a bird. Look towards the sound and you might catch a familiar looking bird on a perch or just a flash of blue that decides to swoop at you. For some, the bird may opt to approach you, landing nearby on a perch or the ground and looking up at you. It might be close enough to touch but many will know better than to try. Eventually, the bird will take off in a way that makes it clear it wants you to follow and you know exactly where it will lead you to... or rather, who it will lead you to. Are you on your guard? Are you ready for the white-haired man that jumps at you from around the next corner or appears behind you while you're following Kiku? He smiles menacingly but you know he means no harm. "Are you surprised someone like me would appear so suddenly?" |
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WILDCARD
Let me know if you want me to do somethign different! If you have your own idea for a starter or something that works better, throw it at me. I can also come up with something more customized for us. We can do something straightforward and have them visit each other with their coins or play with canon mechanics and do some vague AU-ish stuff.
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alternate citadel!
konnosuke had warned him about the investigation and how to prepare. hasebe had then lectured him on how to present himself and the citadel for what felt like hours - he had tuned out after a while and retained absolutely none of it. it's fine. hasebe will handle it himself one way or another, whether kazuki actually wants him to or not.
of course, that means by the time the investigation date rolls around, he's irritable and already wanting to get it over with and move on with his life. so here he is in the traditional saniwa garb that hasebe had harassed him into wearing, zimri at his heels with some lighter decoration of her own, both come to greet the swords sent to conduct the stupid investigation.
the stilted welcome dies on the tip of his tongue when kazuki spots just who is in front of them, eyes widening with surprise. there's no need to even wonder if it's the right sword, now that he's learned they're different at each citadel - not with that magpie on his shoulder.
zimri's tail starts to wag as he struggles to find his voice. ]
Tsuru...?
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So the sudden switch to the offices and the black Konnosuke sharing a heavy file was something unexpected. As soon as he reads it, he understands exactly why he's being sent out, and he gladly accepts.
He arrives with his hood drawn up and lowered over his eyes. It'll take much more than this to hide his identity, though. He's hardly even trying when he presents himself to this citadel's saniwa. From under his hood, he smiles when he hears his name.)
Hm? Are you surprised to see me? (On his shoulder, Kiku leans forward excitedly, her tail bobbing behind her. ) Didn't you receive the briefing? I'll have to take off points for preparedness. Don't you agree, Kiku?
(It isn't like his name was anywhere in the briefing. All they knew was that the government was going to send a representative sword to evaluate Kazuki on their behalf.
The inspector raises his hands to pull back his hood, finally revealing his face properly. There's that familiar, playful shine in his eye and the smile of a gremlin enjoying some private, ominous joke,)
Well, if you didn't receive it, it's Konnosuke's fault.
(Even the way he bullies a Konnosuke he hasn't even met yet is familiar. And after all of the teasing and build up he finally greets this saniwa,)
Yo, Kazu-kun. Zimri. Long time, no see.
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Oi, leave Konnosuke alone. He did his job. [ clicks his tongue. ] It's not his fault the report didn't say who they were sending.
[ of course, zimri is here to give him away even if nothing else does. she trots right up to him to demand tsurumaru's attention, tail wagging like a dog instead of the wolf she is. if she weren't here, kazuki might not allow himself a smile. ]
It's good to see you again. But I thought you'd be out there fighting, not grading citadels like a schoolteacher.
[ somewhere in the background, hasebe is probably mortified at the casual way he addresses tsuru. it's fine, easy enough to ignore. ]
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(No Konnosuke is free from Tsurumaru's menacing.
Kiku takes off, zooming right towards Kazuki. She is absolutely going to land on whatever perch she can get whether it be an outstretched hand or his shoulder. Zimri approaches and he crouches down, holding out his hands to give her face a good squish and ruffle like she sure is just an ordinary dog and not a full grown wolf. Who's been a good girl? Look who looks as beautiful as he remembers.)
Hmm~ (He stops for a moment, still holding Zimri as he hums and looks up thoughtfully as he recalls his own situation,) I was.
(He was out there fighting on the frontlines with Kiku!)
I was surprised when they transferred me suddenly. I thought they found out about... well, that isn't important.
(He thought the officials found out about how he might have have filled some filing cabinets and expensive vases with all of those beads they're always having to collect? They were leftover anyway! No one was using them!
But he shifts his attention to Kazuki properly, taking a good look at him in his formal attire. Ah, it's different from the last time he saw him but he's still the same,)
... But this is a special assignment.
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as soon as kiku leaves tsuru's side, he holds out his hand for her to land and gives her a gentle stroke or two. no messing up her feathers! kazuki knows their aesthetic is important. ]
You've been leaving surprises for them, haven't you?
[ he shifts under tsuru's gaze and nods. there's an obvious, conscious effort to stand a little taller, hold his head a little higher despite his discomfort with the clothing. ]
Because you're supposed to be rating how well I'm doing, right? I feel like I'm still getting used to things, but I've been doing my best. [ with his free hand, he gestures toward the citadel. ] You're welcome to go wherever you need to here. Just try not to leave too many surprises around or Hasebe might throw a fit.
...And make sure you greet the other swords, too. I think they've missed you.
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In moderation.
(He won't deny it! It's no surprise that he still loves surprises but he truly had grown in all of that time they'd spend in those other worlds, enduring weeks of suffering and grieving. He's tried to spend his days more peacefully and surprising others only enough to keep them on their toes and fill their days with excitement and fun...
... the bureaucracy of working for the government had, admittedly, made him fall back on some old habits. He can't help it if working for the government is boring.
(maybe it will do him good to be back in a regular citadel with a master he can work with more intimately.)
He smiles at Kazuki, watching as he shifts in his new clothes. How cute, he thinks, to see Kazuki like this. It's different from when they were together before, where Kazuki had been the more senior one; the one Tsuru relied on heavily for guidance and assistance. Here, he's a new saniwa with so much still to learn and Tsuru is the one that can help.
The idea of being able to return the favor is more exciting than any surprise.)
If it was a typical evaluation, they would have sent one of the regular inspectors.
(Yamanbagiri Chougi. Hizen Tadahiro. Any of the others would have been sent instead. The fact that Tsurumaru Kuninaga was pulled from his usual duties for this is proof that this citadel is special.
He looks around the citadel, noting what he can see. It's a large citadel and it feels lived in. Hasebe is here and he can only assume there are many others here and yet...)
Hm? Is there not a Tsurumaru Kuninaga here?
(He tilts his head curiously to one side. He would have expected Kazuki to have summoned one by now. He knows his spirit and he's a far more generous and responsive sword than he likes to admit, even the newer versions of him that are more uncertain and hesitant with their relationships.)
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[ konnosuke made it sound like a routine thing?? is it just because he knows this tsurumaru already that it's different, or...?
he doesn't have long to wonder about it before tsuru continues, and he looks away. ]
No. It never worked. [ a pause as he hesitates, then adds in a quiet voice, ] And when I found out that it would be a different Tsuru, I stopped trying.
[ why would he want a different tsuru when the one he knows is still alive and well? maybe if tsuru hadn't recoved, he'd keep trying. but as it stands, it would feel weird, and no other tsukumogami, same essence or otherwise, went through the same things that they did. there's no replacing that. ]
something something demons live a long time
Rin always did intend on seeing Tsuru again. He just hadn't thought that it would take as long as it did.
No portal opens into the world of 2210. No magic path or gateway guides Rin to the Citadel. Rather, he uses his own two feet, traveling over a large distance and a very long time, to get to the Citadel on his own. Taking his own time, coming to his own terms, finding a way to smile on his own before opening the doors to the citadel.
The sight might be a shock to Tsuru, though. Some time will have passed, of course, but on Tsuru's end it's better measured in weeks or months at most. Definitely not enough time to explain the mid-20s man with a familiar sword and an even more familiar grin plastered on his face, standing at the main entrance to the Citadel like he's waiting for an invitation in.]
Oiiii! I hope you're around, old man.
[His voice sounds a bit deeper too. Growing up will do that to a guy.
And somehow he has black hair again. Interesting. Rinkou is waddling along after him too.]
no subject
He'd told even less to his friends. He'd explained only enough to let them know that his journey hadn't been an ordinary one and that he was well. There was no need for any of them to worry; it was all in the past and he'd emerged from it better. He'd completed his mission and returned with a curious friend-- a manifestation of his soul, a troublesome bird he fondly called Kiku.
He resettles into his old life and demonstrates to everyone all of the ways he hopes to serve them now. Kiku is helpful on missions, able to see and travel far, carry messages quickly, and without drawing much attention to herself. As things begin to return to normal and Tsurumaru's curious training becomes a thing of the past...
... The past returns.
It isn't often they receive guests at the citadel and the other touken danshi are confused. Old man? They all look back at one sword... Mikazuki Munechika who only laughs and says he has no idea who this young man is. But in true Mikazuki fashion, he seems to know who Rin is looking for. Yes, he's certain "that crane will come when called..."
And sure enough, there he is, dressed in white with a dark haori over his shoulders.)
Oh!
(The magpie on his shoulder takes off and zips towards Rin, circling around him in the air,)
Rin-kun? (His eyes go wide with surprise. This isn't what he expected at all,) You've grown! I'm surprised!
(Ignore all of the others looking at them like ????)
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(He's here precisely because this is a special visit. The two of them share a connection. This is as much a test for the inspector as it is for the saniwa in question. He wonders what the government might hope to observe. More information about his mysterious training? Answers about their curious daemons? He makes a note to speak to Kazuki when they have a moment alone. It'll be good to see how much he's shared with the officials that brought him here... in fact, it'll be good to know how he ended up here in the first place.
Until then, he smiles at Kazuki; light but fond. So he'd tried to summon him? And not just any version of him but him especially? How can he not be endeared?
He gives Zimri one last scritch behind the ear and stands up straight and tall. Fingers trace Zimri's shape as he walks forward towards Kazuki,)
If I'd known you were calling me, I would have come sooner.
(Being a saniwa isn't easy. Kazuki has been through enough already and more than anything, Tsuru wants him to have a peaceful life. Fighting a secret war, protecting history from an enemy they barely know? This isn't it.
He gives a smile to Hasebe who is watching with so much focus, it looks like he might combust on the spot.)
We have some time before dinner, don't we? (A passive hint for Hasebe to go fuss with other duties and get everyone together in their best forms,) I'll introduce myself to everyone then.
In the meantime, I will explain the assignment to you.
(To Kazuki. Privately. He leans in close to whisper, Kiku hops from Kazuki to Tsuru,)
And perhaps, we can catch up~
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It's been a long, long time. He's missed both of them.
Rinkou paws at Kiku, though it's more in an attempt to get her attention than to catch her. She would never catch a tiny bird flying around like that anyway. Meanwhile, Rin shifts his focus to Tsuru and gives a quick wave of a 'hello' to him.]
It's been a while, of course I've grown. You didn't think I'd stay little forever, did you?
[He's not actually that much taller than he was. Maybe another 5 or 6 centimeters at most. But he's an adult now, so he's not little!!!
While he isn't ignoring the other swords- be polite, Tsuru- he doesn't seem to mind their presence either. He's been told about the Citadel and everyone who lives there, so this wasn't unexpected. And years of training with his powers means he can feel everyone's presence long before he arrives. They're all swords, like Tsuru is! So that's fine. He can deal with that.
After he says hi to Tsuru, of course. Tsuru is the most important.]
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Has it? (He tilts his head curiously to one side and crosses his arms, tucking them into his sleeves.) I must have lost track of time.
(There are clearly shenanigans happening here and Tsurumaru is beginning to piece it together. Humans have such short and fleeting lives but demons, on the other hand... would his half-demon nature let him live beyond the normal time for humans? He doesn't know. If so, how long has Rin traveled from home to now?
He crosses his arms and makes his way to Rin, reaching out with both of his hands to touch his face,)
Let me see. Look at you! How handsome you are!
(He smiles, warm and bright,)
You've come so far, Rin-kun.
(And he's proud.)
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...It’s not a big deal.
[ tsun tsun. Besides, tsurumaru is here now. that’s what matters - even if this is for an inspection or whatever, he finally gets to see his friend again, and that’s more important to kazuki than most things.
hasebe, of course, is hesitant to leave, even after seeing how familiar the two are. perhaps he’s just confused about how they know one another, maybe even a little offended at being shooed off. it takes a promise to make it up to him later, and a reminder of certain duties that still need to be taken care of, to convince him to leave, with kazuki giving a soft sigh of relief when he finally goes. ]
That guy might be good at keeping this place running, but I’ve never met anyone that high-strung.
[ it’s a little exhausting sometimes, though the nagging about practicing with his guitar too late at night is kind of nostalgic. ]
Come on. I’m pretty sure they were supposed to be setting up tea for us, anyway.
[ or something else weird and official… so kazuki will lead the way to his office, still feeling a little awkward about the whole thing. the clothes are a pain, the fact that he has an office at all feels strange when all he wants to do is play guitar, but they have to do this bureaucratic stuff anyway, so they may as well get the formalities over with already. ]