It's been months and you're only just now mentioning you were in the middle of something?
[he has to ask it. he has to. buzen's kinda dumb but even he's a little ? over this one, my guy.]
Well, I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle... but if you want us to make it a proper mission, we can go back and get more of the swords to accompany us? I'm sure the Gous would be happy to help you out...
[he'll reach out to take itsuki's hand, giving it a squeeze?]
[thankfully Itsuki has just enough smarts to look very embarrassed. He doesn't regret choosing domesticity over plot, but after going on missions with the swords... he's come to realize that preparation is the key to success!!!
If only he realized this before now! He squeezes Buzen's hand back, looking sheepish.]
It'll be fine with just us. The only dangerous thing I can think of is Ron-san... And he's only one guy, no powers either. He's so laidback that he might not even care...
[he takes a momemt to remember what else would be important to say! Oh yeah!]
I was actually trying to find a way to kill him, but he doesn't know that. [SAY MORE RIGHT NOW?] Rather, we're kind of working together because of circumstances... That's it though. Everyone else is okay!
He's a little bit taller than me and has brown hair -- oh, and he wears goggles like Kuwa-kun.
[also his tits are out so itsuki always felt vaguely threatened by him until he felt actually threatened]
Basically... what happened is that I found out that he infiltrated our ship to find someone, and when he realized that I knew he said I had to help him or he'd kill me. Which I agreed to do. I had to keep his secret in the meantime. So basically we look like pals to everyone else...
I've never seen him in action before, but he seems confident enough. That guy thinks he can take down someone with powers even though he doesn't have any.
a flash in buzen's eyes the second that itsuki says 'or he'd kill me', which pretty much means that ron's instantly on his hit list. he doesn't know this human, but anyone who would put itsuki in danger is immediately marked as an enemy.]
... stay close to me, then. Especially if he shows up. We can be quick about getting what you need but...
[he'd lost itsuki once - even though he knew that itsuki's death meant that they'd be reunited. the idea of him getting hurt again at all makes buzen tense.]
I'm prioritizing your safety ahead of everything else, alright?
[He should feel just as tense, but all he feels is certainty -- in Buzen's words and in his ability to keep them. He raises Buzen's hand to his lips, wondering whether he'll ever be able to show how much he appreciates him --
but he can save that for later. for now? he moves to enter the archway, sticking close to Buzen as promised as they surface onto the other side.
Itsuki squints at the bright sunshine, blinking once or twice to orient himself. The Norn is vast -- it's a city within a ship, with forests, buildings, and a river that opens up into a large waterfall. There's no turbulence -- it really doesn't feel like a ship at all? But it doesn't feel like a city either, not with how empty it feels, and how it seems as if no one else is here besides the two of them.]
Everyone should be busy with chores right now, so the dorms will be empty. [hm, he glances at the forest and then starts towards it] Let's take a short-cut.
[ . . . hm. he really didn't know what he was expecting. even once they arrive on the other side, buzen orients himself to stand just a half-step ahead of itsuki. always ready to protect him at any moment.
he glances toward the forest and then nods, already heading in that direction, though he remains tethered to itsuki by the hand. he moves in front of itsuki again, still cautious.]
[...There's nothing about the ship that Itsuki really, truly misses, but he has to admit -- a part of him wishes he could just explore it with Buzen. There's a clearing just up ahead that he always takes naps in, and a little past that -- a great view of the waterfall beyond that he thinks Buzen would appreciate.
But he's been scolded for being distracted on a mission before, and isn't this what this is? It's not a date... But... He's still happy... He smiles stupidly at Buzen's back, though his voice thankfully manages to stay calm.]
It's just up ahead. Keep walking straight, and you'll see the building.
[He'll at least move quickly, the trees eventually parting to reveal the building up ahead --
just in time for a soccer ball to also make its entrance, rocketing in their direction accompanied by the panicked shout of 'watch out!']
[itsuki: anything can be a date if you're with the person you love :) buzen: missionmissionmissionmission
given the fact that there's an unexpected projectile sailing toward them and unfortunately buzen's immediate instinct is to not even draw his sword, but rather just
punch the soccer ball out of the way, sending it flying somewhere else
[itsuki whistles as the soccer ball flies far, far away... and he's not the only one?
'wooaaaahhhh! good shot!!' an energetic, pink-haired boy comes running over, waving his hands enthusiastically. 'did you see that itsuki!? he just punched it! with his bare hands!! cool!!']
Hey, now. Is that what you're supposed to say after almost hitting us with a ball?
[despite that, itsuki sounds amused -- and fond too, as he gently squeezes Buzen's hand. Just a quick way to show that this one's fine...
Heishi immediately looks apologetic. 'oh right, sorry about that, itsuki! and... uh....' he looks at buzen? ????]
He's a new arrival. Why don't you introduce yourself, Hei?
['oh cool!! okay!!! I'm Otomaru Heishi! Nice to meetcha!']
[this one's fine..... buzen is still on edge and itsuki can probably feel that - the way that he hasn't fully relaxed and probably won't as long as they're on what he perceives to be a mission.
despite this, he looks relaxed. his grin is easy-going and friendly, and the only sign of tension remains only at itsuki's touch. despite his head being empty, buzen is a good improviser.]
Oh, good to meet you, Hei-san!! Sorry - was that your ball? I can get it back for you if you want!
[There's a moment when Heishi looks at Buzen and pauses, looking confused. Itsuki grips Buzen's hand tight, tense in return, especially when Heishi directs his gaze to him. He opens his mouth...
'Could you? It's not mine but I borrowed it from the hiyokos, and they always get mad when I lose their stuff.'
Itsuki immediately relaxes, and even leans over to pinch Heishi's face.]
That's because you're supposed to return the stuff you borrow, Hei. Geez... What would Nanami-chan say?
[Heishi swats at his hand. 'Ahhh, You can't tell her anything, Itsuki!! I already made her mad today!!']
[hmmmm....... this seems like a friend so buzen will just offer up a smile and nod, letting go of itsuki's hand so that he can retrieve the ball from where he yeeted it
he's just a little too superhumanly fast though, quick as he wants to return to itsuki's side. but if he smiles, maybe it'll be harder to notice!]
Here you go!
[tossing it back over to heishi in a friendly little motion!]
[unfortunately heishi is also of the same head empty category as buzen is so he'll catch the ball without thinking anything is weird about how the new guy road runnered that so fast,
instead he's effusive with his praise!! so fast!!! buzen!! so cool!!! does buzen want to join in and play a few games with him --
itsuki suddenly puts his hand over heishi's face]
-- Alright. That's enough.
[buzen: no one will have to be mad itsuki: except for me]
He's hanging out with me right now.
[itsuki instinctively (jealously) reaches for buzen's hand like someone who's forgotten that he thought he was het when he was on the ship]
[Heishi gets a funny look on his face like he's had a sudden Revelation and the enormity of said Revelation is taking him a few seconds too long to process --
which is fine, because Itsuki takes advantage of his astonished expression by quickly tugging Buzen after him,]
-- We'll catch up with you later, okay?
[HE JUST. NYOOMS TO THE DOOR AND PULLS THEM BOTH IN AND SHUTS IT RIGHT AFTER
and then leans against the door,]
...I wonder if Hei figured it out. No, it should probably be fine...?
[buzen has no idea what's going on in this human's mind! he actually doesn't know what's going on in itsuki's either! it's fine. instead he just follows along after and -
actually gingerly pulls itsuki away from the doorway because buzen is always cautious. you could so easily get stabbed through a closed door if someone was lucky,,]
unfortunately no stabbity happens, instead he follows the pull of Buzen's arms easily enough -- though he stops himself from hugging him at the reminder that yes! they're on a mission!]
Yeah, the kimono should still be under my bed. [he doesn't think any time's passed since he first left, so it should still be there, hopefully.
he'll lead the way to a perfectly ordinary room, complete with bed, dresser, desk, and a single window. there's a pack of playing cards on the desk, but other than that, it doesn't have the feeling of having been lived in. itsuki crouches down to peer under the bed,]
About Hei... [...] He can sense emotions like Mete-chan, so he might have picked up on our feelings.
[his absurd gay feelings and buzen's serious mission ones]
I don't think he'd be suspicious though. And he seemed to like you a lot too. [so it should be fine! yeah!]
[he's nodding at that, and will peer out the window curiously to try to get a better idea of their surroundings? he's just being cautious as usual. now that he's not holding onto itsuki, both of his hands will rest on the hilt of his sword]
Hmm... He seemed nice, but I'll be more watchful. Encountering humans with powers is still unexpected to me...
[so not all of his defenses are ready!! damn he was just prepared for some normal fights]
[the view outside the window will show the forest they were just in, and a stretch of glistening water beyond that. this ship is so funky it really has a lake and a waterfall and a forest, damb. buzen's superior tsukumogami vision will probably let him see the small bright yellow birds walking about, ones he might recognize from itsuki's dreams.
and yes, some of them are wearing maid outfits, it's fine. it's normal?]
If it helps, I'm pretty sure none of us are trained for actual fighting, except for Ron-san, and maybe Ojou-san...
[he sounds a little distracted as he sticks his head under the bed. where...... is the kimono..............]
[ . . . this is really such a weird place, but buzen supposes that it's only kind of as strange as the citadel, which has its own grounds and multiple shrines. he will glance back to itsuki, putting his attention more focused on him]
Hmm... Ojou-san?
[he knows ron-san is probably his enemy, but he didn't know there was a lady on board. is she like roxana...?]
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It's been months and you're only just now mentioning you were in the middle of something?
[he has to ask it. he has to. buzen's kinda dumb but even he's a little ? over this one, my guy.]
Well, I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle... but if you want us to make it a proper mission, we can go back and get more of the swords to accompany us? I'm sure the Gous would be happy to help you out...
[he'll reach out to take itsuki's hand, giving it a squeeze?]
Just tell me what to expect.
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If only he realized this before now! He squeezes Buzen's hand back, looking sheepish.]
It'll be fine with just us. The only dangerous thing I can think of is Ron-san... And he's only one guy, no powers either. He's so laidback that he might not even care...
[he takes a momemt to remember what else would be important to say! Oh yeah!]
I was actually trying to find a way to kill him, but he doesn't know that. [SAY MORE RIGHT NOW?] Rather, we're kind of working together because of circumstances... That's it though. Everyone else is okay!
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[there's a decent chance that buzen might stab on sight,]
What about him is a threat.... and if you're working together, what does he expect from you?
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[also his tits are out so itsuki always felt vaguely threatened by him until he felt actually threatened]
Basically... what happened is that I found out that he infiltrated our ship to find someone, and when he realized that I knew he said I had to help him or he'd kill me. Which I agreed to do. I had to keep his secret in the meantime. So basically we look like pals to everyone else...
I've never seen him in action before, but he seems confident enough. That guy thinks he can take down someone with powers even though he doesn't have any.
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a flash in buzen's eyes the second that itsuki says 'or he'd kill me', which pretty much means that ron's instantly on his hit list. he doesn't know this human, but anyone who would put itsuki in danger is immediately marked as an enemy.]
... stay close to me, then. Especially if he shows up. We can be quick about getting what you need but...
[he'd lost itsuki once - even though he knew that itsuki's death meant that they'd be reunited. the idea of him getting hurt again at all makes buzen tense.]
I'm prioritizing your safety ahead of everything else, alright?
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[He should feel just as tense, but all he feels is certainty -- in Buzen's words and in his ability to keep them. He raises Buzen's hand to his lips, wondering whether he'll ever be able to show how much he appreciates him --
but he can save that for later. for now? he moves to enter the archway, sticking close to Buzen as promised as they surface onto the other side.
Itsuki squints at the bright sunshine, blinking once or twice to orient himself. The Norn is vast -- it's a city within a ship, with forests, buildings, and a river that opens up into a large waterfall. There's no turbulence -- it really doesn't feel like a ship at all? But it doesn't feel like a city either, not with how empty it feels, and how it seems as if no one else is here besides the two of them.]
Everyone should be busy with chores right now, so the dorms will be empty. [hm, he glances at the forest and then starts towards it] Let's take a short-cut.
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he glances toward the forest and then nods, already heading in that direction, though he remains tethered to itsuki by the hand. he moves in front of itsuki again, still cautious.]
Let me know which way to head.
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But he's been scolded for being distracted on a mission before, and isn't this what this is? It's not a date... But... He's still happy... He smiles
stupidlyat Buzen's back, though his voice thankfully manages to stay calm.]It's just up ahead. Keep walking straight, and you'll see the building.
[He'll at least move quickly, the trees eventually parting to reveal the building up ahead --
just in time for a soccer ball to also make its entrance, rocketing in their direction accompanied by the panicked shout of 'watch out!']
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buzen: missionmissionmissionmission
given the fact that there's an unexpected projectile sailing toward them and unfortunately buzen's immediate instinct is to not even draw his sword, but rather just
punch the soccer ball out of the way, sending it flying somewhere else
that's a foul :/ ]
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'wooaaaahhhh! good shot!!' an energetic, pink-haired boy comes running over, waving his hands enthusiastically. 'did you see that itsuki!? he just punched it! with his bare hands!! cool!!']
Hey, now. Is that what you're supposed to say after almost hitting us with a ball?
[despite that, itsuki sounds amused -- and fond too, as he gently squeezes Buzen's hand. Just a quick way to show that this one's fine...
Heishi immediately looks apologetic. 'oh right, sorry about that, itsuki! and... uh....' he looks at buzen? ????]
He's a new arrival. Why don't you introduce yourself, Hei?
['oh cool!! okay!!! I'm Otomaru Heishi! Nice to meetcha!']
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despite this, he looks relaxed. his grin is easy-going and friendly, and the only sign of tension remains only at itsuki's touch. despite his head being empty, buzen is a good improviser.]
Oh, good to meet you, Hei-san!! Sorry - was that your ball? I can get it back for you if you want!
Guess an instinct took over there.
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'Could you? It's not mine but I borrowed it from the hiyokos, and they always get mad when I lose their stuff.'
Itsuki immediately relaxes, and even leans over to pinch Heishi's face.]
That's because you're supposed to return the stuff you borrow, Hei. Geez... What would Nanami-chan say?
[Heishi swats at his hand. 'Ahhh, You can't tell her anything, Itsuki!! I already made her mad today!!']
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he's just a little too superhumanly fast though, quick as he wants to return to itsuki's side. but if he smiles, maybe it'll be harder to notice!]
Here you go!
[tossing it back over to heishi in a friendly little motion!]
Hopefully now no one will have to be mad.
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instead he's effusive with his praise!! so fast!!! buzen!! so cool!!! does buzen want to join in and play a few games with him --
itsuki suddenly puts his hand over heishi's face]
-- Alright. That's enough.
[buzen: no one will have to be mad
itsuki: except for me]
He's hanging out with me right now.
[itsuki instinctively (jealously) reaches for buzen's hand like someone who's forgotten that he thought he was het when he was on the ship]
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but buzen will take his hand because itsuki wants that! he can still comfortably reach for his sword so it's okay.]
Maybe another time, Hei-san.
Suki wants to show me something, I think.
[theIR MISSION]
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which is fine, because Itsuki takes advantage of his astonished expression by quickly tugging Buzen after him,]
-- We'll catch up with you later, okay?
[HE JUST. NYOOMS TO THE DOOR AND PULLS THEM BOTH IN AND SHUTS IT RIGHT AFTER
and then leans against the door,]
...I wonder if Hei figured it out. No, it should probably be fine...?
[itsuki, the mission]
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actually gingerly pulls itsuki away from the doorway because buzen is always cautious. you could so easily get stabbed through a closed door if someone was lucky,,]
What's on your mind, Suki?
And is Zuha-san's stuff around here?
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unfortunately no stabbity happens, instead he follows the pull of Buzen's arms easily enough -- though he stops himself from hugging him at the reminder that yes! they're on a mission!]
Yeah, the kimono should still be under my bed. [he doesn't think any time's passed since he first left, so it should still be there, hopefully.
he'll lead the way to a perfectly ordinary room, complete with bed, dresser, desk, and a single window. there's a pack of playing cards on the desk, but other than that, it doesn't have the feeling of having been lived in. itsuki crouches down to peer under the bed,]
About Hei... [...] He can sense emotions like Mete-chan, so he might have picked up on our feelings.
[his absurd gay feelings and buzen's serious mission ones]
I don't think he'd be suspicious though. And he seemed to like you a lot too. [so it should be fine! yeah!]
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Hmm... He seemed nice, but I'll be more watchful. Encountering humans with powers is still unexpected to me...
[so not all of his defenses are ready!! damn he was just prepared for some normal fights]
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and yes, some of them are wearing maid outfits, it's fine. it's normal?]
If it helps, I'm pretty sure none of us are trained for actual fighting, except for Ron-san, and maybe Ojou-san...
[he sounds a little distracted as he sticks his head under the bed. where...... is the kimono..............]
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Hmm... Ojou-san?
[he knows ron-san is probably his enemy, but he didn't know there was a lady on board. is she like roxana...?]
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and knocks his head against the underside of the bed]
-- Ow!
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that said buzen will just start a little bit at that, immediately crouching down so that he can check on him - ]
Suki? You okay?
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Itsuki's expression is sheepish when Buzen turns his attention to him,]
S'fine, I didn't bump my head that hard. [more importantly... his brow furrows a little]
...I can't find Kazuha's kimono. I think we're gonna have to go out and ask the hiyokos about it.
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