digestif | week two, saturday, post-trial

week two, saturday, post-trial

[ Mizuki has a lot of business to attend to tonight, and Ishikirimaru is most certainly included in that bunch. They're quick to seek him out after the trial - not because they believe he'll be removed from the game anytime soon, but because they have a feeling plenty of other people are going to want to talk to him. ]

You have a lot of faith, Ishikirimaru-san. As expected of someone with Piety, I suppose. [ a beat. ] Is now a better time to ask what you're planning?

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[ Oh. So that's how it works. Mizuki's eyes widen, for a moment - then, their shoulders sag in relief. Not all of the tension is gone from them - not by a long shot - but this helps, certainly. They sigh, heavily, before reaching out and lightly bopping him in the head with a closed fist. ]

You're the worst, making everyone worry about you like that. The absolute worst kind of man.

[ with that, they plop down across from him. ]

Ah- I suppose I have no choice but to accept that.

[he's smiling, though, even as he reaches up to rub lightly at where they bopped him. it doesn't hurt, but still.]

I only just found out it was an effective loophole, myself, so I hope you will forgive me for making you worry. I fully expected to be saying my goodbyes, in case I was not saved.

[ it's nice to hear some good news tonight, honestly, and even if their problems are hardly all solved, Mizuki already seems to be in a better mood from hearing this. ]

I did, too. I could tell you were serious. You're willing to give up that much for everyone here?

[ they cock their head at him. ]

...I am, yes. You know my feelings on death; I would prefer to let myself be chosen than knowingly choose another innocent person to die. Particularly in such a situation, where whatever we chose was bound to lead to unpleasant feelings.

[with a sigh, he continues:]

I can-- accept choosing a guilty party, when we are certain enough. Those are the guidelines of this game. But in situations like this...

[he just can't.]

Hmmm.

[ they seem to consider his words for a few moments, then nods in understanding. ]

You might be a bad man, but you're a noble one, Ishi-san. You're not what I'd expect a youkai to be like at all. [ a sigh. ] Someone like you shouldn't be in a place like this. You'll get hurt, at this rate.

You know what I am, Mizuki-san.

[one hand drops to the hilt of his sword, there. the charm that used to be there is missing.]

...I understand that I may sound naive, but I am aware enough that I am still a weapon. This is not the first time I have seen death, and I am afraid it will not be the last.

I will be all right.

[ that's exactly why his attitude is so surprising! Mizuki would imagine a sword spirit would be bloodthirsty, or at the very least, eager for a fight; the calm and contemplative Ishikirimaru is the precise opposite of what they'd expect. ]

I don't think you're naive at all. [ they do add that, at least. ] But I do hope you're right.

[ he's proven tonight more than ever just how reliable he is. ]

So, you're defecting... I don't suppose you'd consider joining Beauty after today. [ Mizuki sounds slightly bitter about this. ] I don't know who the other member is, so I don't know if Uchiha-kun was telling the truth - but I do know that Beauty-kun probably didn't authorize that power usage for wicked purposes.

He hasn't struck me as the type to be drawn to that sort of concept, but I suppose everyone has their surprises, if he was honest... A shame I won't be able to use my current ability on him next week.

[he wants to see what would happen... but ah, well.]

I do believe you, but in either case, today has no bearing on it. I already spoke with the one I intend to join two days ago.

[a few moments of hesitation, there, before he settles on something and nods.]

I shared my previous allegiance with you, so I will tell you this as well. I'll be joining Merriment.

[ they nod. It would have been remiss of them not to try, but they fully expected he'd already thought about which god he'd go to. ]

Merriment-san, huh... The one that doesn't like me.

[ they sound wryly amused rather than bothered by it, though. ]

What made you pick him?

One of their abilities, but it certainly doesn't hurt that I happen to like them well enough.

[one day he'll meet a god he doesn't like.]

I intend to do what I can to stop this from continuing to happen, or at least to prevent it from being this bad again.

A power, huh? That's very practical.

[ here they were, imagining some moral reasoning behind it all... ]

Then are you planning on staying awake through Thursday night next time?

Practical reasons are the only ones I would leave Piety for. He still has my support in the end, even though I'm leaving his service for now.

[which he sounds a bit guilty about, really, but-- he still has to. especially when it's saving him.]

... but yes, I am. If anything should go wrong, then you may assume I died due to bad luck or in the process of trying to stop someone.

[ Mizuki is 100% sure Piety understands, after seeing him tonight.

They sigh a little bit. ]

You seem awfully calm about that idea... [ like he has been all night about dying, frankly. They try to laugh it off. ] Are those 1200 years catching up with you?

Ah... I wouldn't say that, no. More that I've already been prepared to break fulfilling my duty, if it comes to that.

[a long, thoughtful pause ensues.]

Perhaps it's simply different because of what I am. I do not want to die, necessarily, but it has been a possibility ever since I was given a body.

[ a hum. ]

You were given a human body to fulfill some purpose? [ a question, but more like a statement - checking that they're understanding him correctly. ]

Along with a number of other swords, yes.

[he pauses, then-- laughs softly at something, shaking his head.]

If you were able to accept my being a sword, I suppose you may be able to accept this as well. Our master summoned all of us to protect history; we travel to different time periods in order to keep our enemy from changing the course of events.

[that sounds 100% serious.]

The year in my time is roughly 2206, though I most recently spent about seventy years in the Sengoku era.

[ will sib go upstairs to get her psvita just to check the exact date of charademaniacs in this thread? no, she won't ]

2206, huh...

[ it's as he said: none of this is anything Mizuki would normally believe, but as long as they're playing along with his story about tsukumogami, they may as well play with these elements, too. And, quite honestly, time travel isn't completely out of the question. ]

So not only are you a youkai, but a time-travelling one? This sounds like an anime.

[ spoilers, mizuki ]

I am, yes. I'm aware of how it must sound to you.

[thanks for not vocally questioning it too hard, mizuki.]

It can be difficult, and sometimes unfortunate, but... it is necessary work. There's no telling what would become of history otherwise.

[ woah, super anime... but Mizuki laughs a little, leaning back. ]

It doesn't sound any stranger than the other things you said. If anything, I think it's a little more believable than the youkai part. [ they wave a hand. ] Who's your enemy? Other youkai?

Is it truly? And here I expected this to be the stranger part. Perhaps I should adjust my expectations, in the future.

[but the faintly amused tone there quickly fades, voice slightly softer when he answers-- it's a little slower, as if he's more hesitant to say it.]

Mm... of a sort. They are somewhat like us, in that they too are weapons, but... corrupted, may be the best word for it.

You're not that far off in the future. Of course, we don't have time travel or anything like that, but I wouldn't say it's out of the question. Technology grows exponentially, after all.

[ a smile. ]

Evil spirits, on the other hand... I don't think those will be making an appearance any time soon.

Unless they are the sort you simply don't see, I suppose...

[none of them existing at all sounds kind of fake? though... well, he supposes there may be worlds and timelines where they truly don't exist.]

Ah, but for your sake, I will hope you never meet any evil ones.

Hahaha. You're good at prayer, right? Maybe spending time with you will help ward them off.

[ they shift on their feet. ]

Right now, all the evil spirits I need to ward off tonight are in this temple. I've got some damage control to do for poor Beauty-kun.

Perhaps it will. I will pray for your protection, regardless... I would not like to see anything happen to you.

[and he is just immediately moving on from that!]

But I suppose that wouldn't be a bad idea. I have yet to meet with Beauty, myself, but I think I ought to change that, particularly now. I take it you know what he likes?

[he likes leaving Good offerings, okay.]

[ a nod! they're eager to talk about something else and take their mind off of the day's events now that the most pressing issue has been resolved. ]

Mm, I do. He likes flowers and anything beautiful. Although he told me that anything is fine, as long as my heart was in it... Something like that.

[ beauty is Very Corny. ]

[that's cute though... ishi nods, quietly noting that.]

If I might also ask-- what is it that keeps you with him?

Just out of curiosity, really. I am not asking this to try to sway you.

What keeps me with him? Hmm...

[ they ponder that for a few moments. ]

He's cute! And if I leave him, he'll be all alone. Someone has to take care of him.

[ one gets the sense they aren't being entirely serious ]

[yeah, one definitely does. he hums, taking a moment, before-]

If you'll forgive my saying so, Mizuki-san, that seems a bit unlike you.

[and a little more gently:]

You may say so, if you would prefer to keep your reasons to yourself.

[ they laugh a little. ]

Not good enough for you? I think judging them by their character is the best we can do. In the end, they're all promising us the same rewards, after all.

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week two, saturday, post-trial

SHHH NO ONE HAS TO KNOW

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