and it takes, and it takes, and it takes

[acherontiastyx]

[It... definitely takes a while for the weekly after-execution note to arrive, but it does --- kind of scrawly and on ripped paper rather than nice stationery.]

EY. YO. WE GOT EFFIGIES IN THE DINING ROOM AND WE'RE GONNA BURN EM.

FOOD TOO. THE USUAL AND HOT COCOA. GOOD FOR THE SOUL. GET SOME. MAYBE TAKE IT BACK TO YOUR ROOM IF YOU HAVE TO. JUST GET SOME.

[Anyway, in the dining room, there's plenty of mugs set out, with a janky looking arrow sign pointing into the kitchen to where you can get your hot cocoa. On the table, there's Vichyssoise, a pot of green tea, and some booze. There's also a cookie tray on the floor away from the table on which to burn the Wordsmith and Kimbley effigies, which are handily placed near the food on the table.

...also if you go in the kitchen without shoes on just. Watch the northern corner. There's no kidneys, but there's a lot of broken plates there for some reason...]

Comments

[tsugomori]

No, I don't. But yes, it's a little like chess but without so many complicated pieces. You just have black and white circular pieces, and you try to surround your opponent's pieces with your own in order to take theirs.

That's just a simple explanation, though, since it's a little more in-depth than that.

[matchbreaker]

[ That sounds... complicated. ]

Would you even want to think that hard?

[ She's like almost trying not to yawn here. ]

[tsugomori]

It's fun sometimes, putting yourself through a challenge like that. You can compare it to facing off against an opponent on the battlefield and trying to anticipate their next move...

[ As he's talking, he's looking pretty bright and cheery as per the usual. In fact, he may even look a bit brighter than the usual. ]

[matchbreaker]

I meant right now but...

[ . . . Man, that look. ]

... I guess samurai thrive on strife, though, huh?

[tsugomori]

Well, the type of "conflict" that I prefer are mainly the ones that come in the form of sparring against someone. But, you are right that samurai typically do thrive on strife...

[ ... And fighting against his enemy, the History Revisionists, but that's because that's just how he is. ]

I'm not usually so excited about one on one battles, mind you, but being cooped up in here doesn't help.

[ Oh who are you kidding, Mikazuki... ]

[matchbreaker]

If you're usually all about sparring, then, how can you prefer things which aren't one on one? Or do you just have a dozen apprentices rush you all at once like you hear the stories about?

[ She... yawns. Ugh, this day is getting to her. ]

[tsugomori]

[ ... He'll tilt his head there. ]

I don't have any apprentices.

[ He feels like he's missing something here... ]

[matchbreaker]

Oh, is that now how it works after all?

[ She's smiling, but she's also got a hand over his mouth. ]

What about all the next generation people?

[tsugomori]

Ahh... I don't teach people either. Miss, ah, I'm afraid that there's been a misunderstanding, hahaha.

[ Why do you do this to him, Elda...!! ]

I'm a sword spirit and sword spirits, while they are capable swordsmen in their own right, do not have apprentices or have anyone to inherit their skillset due to their natures. They are a tad different from samurai, or even the ronin.

[matchbreaker]

[ . . . . . . .

What. ]

What?

[ Apparently she's too tired to be clever... ]

[tsugomori]

... Ah, I apologize for the misunderstanding.

[ Mikazuki just thought she called him "samurai" as a nickname because he's slow like that. ]

[matchbreaker]

Not that! [ She screams this and actually takes a swing at him with a frustrated punch of vengeance to the gut. It's not as strong as she can be (he'd know, given those elbows were full strength) but she sure does look crazypants ]


What the devil's a sword spirit?!

[tsugomori]

[ That's not what he expected at all.

Mikazuki kind of... had just eaten something, so that was still a little unpleasant. He doesn't say anything for a moment, because he's too shocked to do so. He doesn't want to really tell her anything as a result, actually-- ]

... Nothing too special, I assure you. I am just the spirit of a blade given human form, that's all there is to it.

[ He rises to his feet, his voice sounding a little strange, like it was a bit strained, and not because it hurt him physically (he could take it alright, honestly, he was sturdier than a normal human). The blow had hurt him more mentally than physically because he didn't understand what he did to deserve a punch like that. Granted, he wasn't as stressed as some others were, but it was upsetting all the same.

He had been planning to tell people some things, finally-- but what if when they knew they'd turn on him like that? ...Was it his fault? ]

Miss Marker, please don't do that again...but right now, I believe I need to go. So if you excuse me, I hope you do have a good evening.

[ And he will make a quick exit as soon as he's able. ]

[matchbreaker]

[ Mikazuki's response... actually really, genuinely surprises her. He's been sort of a punching bag for her abuse without any objection before then, she just assumed that sort of a punch wouldn't even faze him. when he stands, looking a little bit more conflicted than she expected he would... she feels bad. Like perhaps she had taken something for granted here.

... Honestly, he probably had.

It's that, more than anything, which sees her cheeks tinge red. That's - not really. She sighs, and, ]

... Right, I won't. Go do what you gotta do. [ A beat ] Mikazuki.

[tsugomori]

... Yes?

[ It's impolite to leave when someone is still talking to you, and so, he lingers, even though he doesn't want to. He meets her gaze easily enough, however. ]

[matchbreaker]

[ She was just acknowledging him by name.

She waves him off. ]

It's nothing. Thanks for your efforts today.