sugarcube | psl || since the beginning of everything

[ he makes the turn, using it as a buffer before he speaks again.

because... it wasn't just time, was it? eventually, yes-- because time eventually had gotten ahold of them, and made them slower, and more fragile, until the point where tsurumaru had to come visit because he wasn't entirely sure if he'd be able to make another trip in the future.

but there was something else blocking them before any of that was ever factor. and it's something they carefully ignored, for decades, as if never speaking of it would set it neatly out of view. ]

Maybe we got old sooner than we thought.

[ maybe things would have been easier if they weren't forced to be adults by those around them. ]

[did they?

mikazuki considers it as they drive through the city that they both once knew like the back of their hands, that they commanded with the youthful vigor that only young adults without a care in the world could. many of the shops that they used to visit are closed now, replaced with something newer, sleeker, where the walls don't have evidence of their late nights of dreaming and nonsense.]

A lack of surprises, do you think?

[ - that made them age faster. that stole a little bit of that wonder and delight that came with each day.]

Right, at the next stoplight and over the bridge.

Got it.

[ he follows the direction, and takes a moment to look out the window. he wonders, briefly, if any of the people passing by have also received the app. they all seem like they're having an average, ordinary day, but... so does he and mikazuki, from an outsider's perspective. you can't tell that their lives have been so changed. ]

... but most likely. We should be thankful for this surprise, or else we may not have lasted much longer.

It is a rather extensive one - I suppose it will have revitalized us quite a bit.

[but over the bridge then, they'll be able to approach the museum. mikazuki's pride and joy. he gives tsurumaru the directions to the parking complex, showing his clearance badge to the guard so that they can park in mikazuki's reserved spot. of course, the guard notices nothing.

it's as mikazuki's exiting the car that he reflects - ]

Oh, how fun it would've been if I had this job when we were at this age.

Really? What would you have done?

[ he steps out of the car, easing into this question into of the previous topic. it's a little safer, when tsurumaru isn't entirely sure what this whole situation might mean for their relationship specifically.]

Pass off one of your Calculus doodles as high art? Or perhaps include a new art installation....

[like this

but he just seems a bit amused regardless, adjusting the coat that rests on his shoulders as he guides tsurumaru out of the parking garage. they enter through the staff entrance with mikazuki's access key card, and head right into the museum itself]

What do you mean by 'pass off'...? They were all high art.

[ he says this with so much confidence that he definitely believes this to be true.

but he follows along, curious. it's not his first time here, but he hasn't been to the museum in a while and, like all things, it changes. ]

Ah, that's right, my mistake. Perhaps if you create something now with a signature, we can include it in the gallery tomorrow?

[please god no.

but mikazuki will proceed up until they exit, headed into the main hall of the museum itself. at least the architecture looks the same, even though some of the exhibits seem like they've changed. banners drape across everything, advertising the gallery that will be on display for the next few months -

stories in steel: craftsmanship and history of japan's finest blades]

[ i hate you

but he makes note of the banners, but doesn't have much of a reason to dwell on them. ]

What do you have to look at here, anyway?

[i forgot what i set up and was like why do you hate me

but mikazuki only offers a soft hum at that.]

Decorations, placement of artifacts, in essence giving my stamp of approval of others' hard work.

[he's just final say on what goes]

A lot of responsibility for such an old man...

[ who is not so old anymore, for whatever reason. ]

It must keep you busy.

Hm...

[he looks thoughtful at that, even as he begins to lead tsurumaru past the area that seems to be roped off to the public. the guards give them a simple nod of acknowledgment, and hold the double doors open to them as they approach.]

At times, perhaps.

[though it's not exactly the kind of busy that he can devote his heart and soul into? he enjoys his work, but there is a certain level of detachment from it that he can't shake.

like all he can do is collect pieces of history, but his hands are tied in creating it.]

[ hm...

he takes note of the security guard as they pass-- another person who doesn't see anything off about mikazuki's current form. at least, this way it's easier to tell who may or may not have that mysterious app, although tsurumaru is hoping they run into someone who sees something wrong sooner than later.

but anyway. ]

And the rest of the time?

[kashuu is out there - and for now, not here, so tsuru will struggle to find someone else who as the app. though as they enter the space, he'll notice that there still seems to be some areas that are getting set up with lighting, banners, and informational pamphlets and stands. all of them seem to denote the different directions of the collection - japanese swords across many eras being brought to their museum for this exhibit.

mikazuki lets his eyes roam over the entrance as if taking note of the initial ambiance - and it's almost like he's not going to answer tsurumaru's question.

a young woman, another employee, seems to notice their arrival and begins to approach. before she makes it within earshot, mikazuki will turn to tsurumaru and offer an almost teasing smile.]

Perhaps I could have longed for a few more surprises.

[ - and then he turns, moving at a leisurely pace to meet the woman who hands him a clipboard of paperwork.

it's not like he could've planned that ecape.]

[ hm.

he watches mikazuki go, curious, but whatever they're talking about isn't actually his business. tsuru is at least polite enough to not interfere in his companion's actual work-- it really has nothing to do with him. while most things tsurumaru has no problems with sticking his nose in, there's still a barrier he can't quite bring himself to pass when it comes to mikazuki.

so he simply turns look around the area. he pauses at the pamphlets, picking one up to leaf through it. ]

Swords, huh...

[they chat briefly and the clipboard is mikazuki's to keep, apparently a list of all the treasures that are currently in displays, which ones are in transit, which decorations will need until the last minute to be completed. but they will be completed, sir, they assure him. the opening gala is the next day, after all.

the pamphlet that tsurumaru finds includes a small directory of the exhibit - there are multiple hallways of places they can go, including installations of a rock garden, a cherry blossom tree, and a porch that can be sat on.

mikazuki wanders back to him after he finishes up talking business, and inclines his head]

Anything you care to see? Normally I'm limited to only surveying areas that are experiencing trouble in their preparation... but I think we can stretch our legs a bit more today.

... is there any spot that you favor over the others?

[ he wants to see what interests mikazuki. he shows him the pamphlet, even though he knows that mikazuki is already familiar with what's here. ]

I want to know what has caught your eye, my dear.

It's a rather impressive collection if I do say so myself.

[please note that he leads the direction of the exhibit but he does not pick the pieces of himself? that is other people's jobs? he just tells them if it's good enough or not? please stop taking credit for other people's work, mikazuki.

but he'll indicate a hallway to the left - ]

We are waiting on a few more ornaments and treasures to be sent to the Sengoku Era exhibit. Shall we see what we've collected there for the time being?

Lead the way then. I have nothing but time.

[ ... he tries to ignore how that might legitimately be the case, depending on what's going on here with their age.

also, even though tsurumaru told him to lead, he immediately just starts walking to the hallway. ]

Very well, very well.

[the concept of leading is relative.

but mikazuki doesn't seem to mind that at all, simply following only half a step behind. he seems to still be looking over the pages of paperwork as they go, somehow managing to not run into anything despite not looking where he's going.

it does help that it seems like any employees milling about will absolutely part and get out of their way as they walk through. not entirely unlike their school days together.]

Do tell me your impressions as well - it is nice to have fresh eyes.

Of course. I'll be very honest.

[ but he continues to take note of how no one seems to consider mikazuki's change in form strange. interesting... ]

How many swords are going to be here? All the way from the Sengoku era... they must be rather old.

[ he assumes they will have actual swords if it's a sword exhibit. ]

Hm... Approximately a hundred or so.

[based on the information that's on his clipboard.]

Ranging from hundreds to over a thousand years old.

[from kanesan to. well. the sanjous and older.]

Perhaps we can learn a thing or two from them.

Perhaps we will have to stop complaining about our joints in their presence...?

[ you're in your 20s right now, fool. what aching joints do you have. ]

I know we're Japanese, but I never actually lived over there aside from visits... you can learn about the history, but it's not exactly the same as being surrounded by it.

Mm, I enjoyed an extended stay there once...

[a few decades ago, which. a bit odd. he's rather sure that he sent letters to tsurumaru, but it was just one of mikazuki's many places that he stayed abroad. his wife would still accompany him then.

they enter the sengoku room, where people are still putting up last minute touches and arranging banners, but there are a number of pieces that have already been placed behind glass.]

It's different, when you're able to walk among it all without worrying about not having enough time. Perhaps we ought to venture there together?

[he looks over the exhibit items - spears, swords, treasures and heirlooms]

When everything here is returned to their original museums, shall we accompany them? It would be nice if they didn't have to make the journey back alone.

[ ... it's odd, to think of making plans like that. tsurumaru originally returned to recolle for a long visit because he wasn't sure when would be the next time he could return to his old home. if he would ever actually be able to, with his growing age. he had been nearing the point where travel simply for the sake of it wasn't really an option anymore.

but to go to the other side of the world, just because they feel like it? it isn't what he expected when he came here.

granted, none of this is really what he expected. ]

I feel like we'd have to return you to the museum as well.

[ it can be an old age joke, or a joke on mikazuki's dedication to his work

but mostly tsurumaru thinks that mikazuki is art. ]

no

fuck you

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