After headcounts and alibi checks, Tsurumaru will linger around a bit to watch people break off into their smaller groups and pairs before slipping away on his own. Let's see if he can find anyone interesting to bother now that the excitment has passed for the morning.)
[ kaeya is here, lingering after the headcount and perched unceremoniously on the arm of one of the rickety chairs in the lobby. polaris lets out a sharp sneeze and the wolf shifts in a sharp twist of white into a peacock.
there's an ungainly squawk as he settles feathers out in a sharp burst. some of them flutter to the ground (they will eventually turn to dust but for now they're just A Mess(TM) ]
Polaris... why are you making it so hard to clean up after you?
[ only birds, and polaris preens, realizing that he is gathering attention (duh, that's what he wants always, an underlying need, a little flash and what have you.) still, kaeya looks only mildly amused as tsurumaru comes over.
and is promptly slapped by his own bird. ]
His name is Polaris. A bit of a showboat.
[ polaris turns and whacks kaeya with his tail quite pointedly. weaponized. you may continue to praise him and ignore his human. thx. ]
[ aggressively knocking on tsurumaru's door. when it's opened, there stands kaeya with a plethora of softly glowing, colorful vines and plants. while he's certain they may not glow for very long, for now there's a bit of levity in holding such baubles in his arms. ]
Tsurumaru, I've brought you a gift.
[ at his side, polaris is in his favored form, a peacock. he also has a few vines around his neck and his tail feathers are out and fanned. hello he is here praise his beauty, he also has a gift for kiku in his beak.
def not a reflection of kaeya's desire for attention. ]
And Tsurumaru just crouches down to be on Polaris' level. Kiku lands on his shoulder! She's magpie tweeting at Polaris. Probably something like good morning how are you and so on. )
Ah, what a surprise! Did you dress yourself? How beautiful you are!
(He looks up at Kaeya,)
And Kaeya-kun too.
(Tsuru, he is an adult? Don't call him -kun? )
A gift for me? To be treated so favorably... How will I ever repay this?
[ polaris extends the small clipping in his beak. more gifts! bird language revolved around the shiniest of baubles and polaris is happy to provide. he trills out in turn. because no, kaeya dressed him, as in kaeya unceremoniously wound a bunch of vines loosely around his daemon who is more than happy to stand out more.
your compliments are appreciated, met with a soft ruffle of his tail feathers. yes. he is so beautiful. thank you, thank you. ]
Very easy, you spend some quality time with me. I thought we could have a bit of fun, lighten up our situation. [ bounces the vines a bit ] Literally.
(Kiku chirps? She tweets and will flutter down to take the gift from Polaris. She is but a simple magpie who enjoys shiny things. No actually if Daemons are their souls, it's because she, like Tsurumaru, likes to be spoiled and treated well. She's thrilled. Look at the way her feathers spread and she preens. She'll take flight into the room! Hopping on the floor a short distance away and chirping, as if calling for them to come in.
Tsurumaru takes his time standing up straight. Do you ever get the feeling that someone is acting a certain way to deliberately make them look at them? That's literally everything Tsurumaru does. He just wants attention okay.)
Thinking of me? (He's teasing I hate him.) How thoughtful.
(Kiku! Chirps! PAY. ATTENTION. TO. HER.)
When was the last time I arranged flowers...
(His voices trails. Well? When was it? He isn't going to explain anymore.)
Come in, come in. Make yourself at home. Maybe Allen-kun can join us.
(Allen...... who is not Tsurumaru's roommate FYI.)
[ kaeya will steal tsuru away from the room full of dread and food once they have cobbled together all of the treasure in that strange feast and turned in their weird, morose scavenger hunt. behind him polaris trots now in wolf form, protectively circling the both of them as they make their way to the guest room wings. ]
I know all about rust, as a swordsman I have to to make sure I keep my blade in the best condition possible. But you, my friend, don't have a drop of metal on you.
(Kiku seems pretty content to stay in magpie form most days. The hood of his cloak is quite cozy, you know? Something about Kaeya's question seems to catch her attention though and she peeks out from his hood. It's only for a moment before she shifts forms, sliding down his shoulder and into his arms. She's an otter now. He carries her like she's his baby, patting her back as he skips ahead of Kaeya, head held up high,)
But it's true; I will rust!
(It's no secret that Tsurumaru has an #Aesthetic. He dresses in all white, his accents are gold and a dark, almost-black blue. But Kaeya is observant and might notice that his style even matches his sword.)
I think I might become like a pickled plum; all wrinkly and salty from the sea. And then I'll also rust and lose all of my beauty.
And in the end, regardless of which, I'll surely disappear.
[ tsuru skips ahead and kaeya gives a bit of a laugh, shaking his head. ]
As I said before, Tsurumaru. I simply will not allow that to happen.
[ he glances down at polaris who begins to trot ahead happily, making a quick little circle carefully around tsuru as kaeya catches up with him and begins to carefully walk backwards down the corridor. the dread from the dining hall is fading, and kaeya is determined to shake it all off. no one gets in his head, no one. ]
Like a sword, I will take care of you, if that's what you fear. That's my job as a knight, after all, it's what I've be sworn to do.
What an interesting choice of words. Tsurumaru can't tell if Kaeya is looking for answers or confirmation. Whether he realizes it or not, his words have a certain weight to them and it's enough to make Tsurumaru slow to a regular walk.
When he replies, he doesn't look back. He only raises his head and answers in his usual, light and airy tone,)
I wonder... are you the type that makes promises easily? Or perhaps you're one that lies naturally...
(His words are sharp but his voice is friendly. He's naturally distant, even when he lets others get close.)
Be careful of the expectations you set. You wouldn't want to let anyone down~
(A song begins to play. It's something vaguely somber if it weren't for you know... it being an otomatone.
What follows next is a shift of scenery, a large, open room with tatami floors. A young boy still in his teens sits at a wide table, scrolls spread out in front of him. He dips a seal into a tray of red ink and places its mark on one scroll, his actions guided by a scholarly-looking man beside him.
He stamps and stamps, leaving his mark on each document. The sun sets, the oil is burned, and when it's late, a servant comes to gather them. The scholar bows and excuses himself. The boy remains seated in his heavy, fancy silk robes, and looks over the remaining scrolls on the table, his brow furrowed and uncertain.
The memory Kaeya sees is long. The boy grows into a young man. There are days when he sits at the same table, stamping and writing with brush. He never rests. There are other days where he is gone for days, sometimes even weeks. He returns wearing armor that he eventually grows into. At first, he carries it easily with all of the strength that comes with youth.
But in time, the armor grows worn and heavy. There are evenings where he stumbles into his room and collapses in bed, exhausted, only to get up and work again. His frustration grows, he yells at those around him, he splashes ink angrily at his scrolls. He holds his head in his hands and curses. He reaches for you, placing his hand around your everything firmly and swings. He still has strength.
He returns dressed in black, wearing grief like armor. He stares in the mirror and touches his face. Though he is still a young man in his twenties, he has aged. He reaches for you again. He lacks steadiness but grips tightly and slashes at a wardrobe door. He stares at his reflection in the polished steel. You can see his desperation.
He throws his armor violently to the ground and grabs you again. When tries to set you free, you catch in his hands and fall to the ground. As he stares at his reflection in you, you can see the end approaching.
He works from bed. He barely has the strength to press down on his seal anymore. He's still young but you know he is old. To live a life in this time means to barely live past your thirties, especially when one lives like him.
A child comes to sit by his side. He is so small and unaware of what is happening. Your master looks up at him from his resting place and points to you. The boy looks in your direction, eyes filled with youthful wonder.
Behind him, you see your master watch the child somberly. This child is the future and yet, there is no hope. He closes his eyes and clenches his fist weakly. After working and fighting his entire life, there is no reward.
When he finally dies, all that is left is the impression on your soul: Futility, pointlessness, a sense that nothing matters.)
[ what a long and torturous life. kaeya watches, his body frozen in place as the boy grows into a man, a diligent man, a keen man, a man of duty, but slowly he withers the way a tree does with time. he's overcome with the length of time, finds himself itching to be free of himself, of this, but incapable of it. he is only able to watch, see the frustrating, the anger, the despair, and then the cycle beginning anew again. ]
Tsurumaru...?
[ he lifts his head up, feels the breath rushing into his lungs, cold and sharp. looking at him, his eyes are soft. ]
Was that you? [ he doesn't mean the man or the boy... he could feel it. cold, untouched, watching. ]
(As far as memories go, this one is significantly easier than some of the others he's shared and when it passes, Tsurumaru seems to already be waiting for whatever question Kaeya might ask,)
I've aged much more gracefully, don't you think?
(It's like him to tease and deflect,)
He was one of my more famous masters and my first to die slowly.
[ he looks a lil bit like shit so he will take this gratefully! polaris is small and an ermine today, curled in his lap. sitting on a couch in the main parlor perhaps. ]
Thank you... [ he lifts his head, offers a smile. polaris is still, but his whiskers twitch when the ball is close!
(It is a sweet jelly and [spins the wheel] it's fig flavor.)
You look terrible.
(Kiku is in her otter form! She won't approach Polaris because she doesn't want to get too close to Kaeya but she's watching Polaris with wide, worried otter eyes.)
It is, much to Tsurumaru's misfortune, cuddle week and when you're usually someone who has a tight control on their emotions and how they act, this is really torture. It's kind of embarrassing? And the only solution to not feeling embarrassed is to make things as awkward as possible which means just being as forward as he can be with the few people he'll allow to be in contact with him.
This is a privilege.
So when Tsurumaru finds Kaeya standing around somewhere-- checking out the markets? Looking at the buildings? What have you?? Tsurumaru will lean from behind him and tease,)
Ah, Kaeya. You're quite tall, aren't you?
(COMPARED TO TSURUMARU, IT IS ONLY A COUPLE OF INCHES but they are important right now trust me.)
[ oh! kaeya is having a look at the architecture, very different from what he's used to, merely meandering and basking in the warmth of the sun. it feels good, and he smiles as tsurumaru leans in from behind him and speaks, turning his head to meet him. over his eye, instead of his eyepatch, a colorful scarf from the market in deep blue. ]
Oh, Tsurumaru. I suppose I am rather tall.
[ he leans into him, shoulder to shoulder, side to side now as he turns. ]
One of my better qualities, perhaps. It's all in the legs.
(Of course, Tsurumaru's plan to make things awkward doesn't work on Kaeya but he didn't expect it to. Instead, he just pays it no mind. This is fine. )
Is it? I've never grown so I wouldn't know how one becomes tall.
(He just? Has this body. He appeared like this. Also with long legs.)
(When he finds Kaeya by the water, he makes sure not to surprise him this time if only because the risk is far greater than the surprise if it goes wrong,)
[ thankfully he's not close enough to fall in, but the announcement is appreciated. polaris lifts his head from where he is stretched out in wolf form and locks eyes with tsuru one moment before suddenly twisting into a familiar shape--a white peacock that gives a leap and a hop gracefully onto a perch near him in an instant.
he trills at him. hello, our lovely friend. ]
We stared by water, and so we end by the water, hm?
[ he turns around and looks to him, a soft smile on his mouth. ]
(He gives Polaris a smile, something quiet and bittersweet as he's reminded of something missing. They were always quite close before and it makes the ache feel closer.
Without missing a beat, he turns his attention back to Kaeya properly,)
You've been through so much, Kaeya. (He approaches,) There isn't much here but what it can offer is some chance to rest.
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Week 0, Friday
After headcounts and alibi checks, Tsurumaru will linger around a bit to watch people break off into their smaller groups and pairs before slipping away on his own. Let's see if he can find anyone interesting to bother now that the excitment has passed for the morning.)
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there's an ungainly squawk as he settles feathers out in a sharp burst. some of them flutter to the ground (they will eventually turn to dust but for now they're just A Mess(TM) ]
Polaris... why are you making it so hard to clean up after you?
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Tsurumaru's attention is instantly caught and he wants to come over and look!)
Ah, look, Kiku. (The magpie on flying along in circles and swoops near him settles on his shoulder,) Isn't she beautiful?
(Kiku spreads her wings, slapping Tsurumaru in the face,)
Of course, of course, you are, too.
(HE IS JUST??? TOTALLY IGNORING KAEYA??? Only birds now.)
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and is promptly slapped by his own bird. ]
His name is Polaris. A bit of a showboat.
[ polaris turns and whacks kaeya with his tail quite pointedly. weaponized. you may continue to praise him and ignore his human. thx. ]
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week 1, wednesday pre-mini event
Tsurumaru, I've brought you a gift.
[ at his side, polaris is in his favored form, a peacock. he also has a few vines around his neck and his tail feathers are out and fanned. hello he is here praise his beauty, he also has a gift for kiku in his beak.
def not a reflection of kaeya's desire for attention. ]
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And Tsurumaru just crouches down to be on Polaris' level. Kiku lands on his shoulder! She's magpie tweeting at Polaris. Probably something like good morning how are you and so on. )
Ah, what a surprise! Did you dress yourself? How beautiful you are!
(He looks up at Kaeya,)
And Kaeya-kun too.
(Tsuru, he is an adult? Don't call him -kun? )
A gift for me? To be treated so favorably... How will I ever repay this?
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your compliments are appreciated, met with a soft ruffle of his tail feathers. yes. he is so beautiful. thank you, thank you. ]
Very easy, you spend some quality time with me. I thought we could have a bit of fun, lighten up our situation. [ bounces the vines a bit ] Literally.
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Tsurumaru takes his time standing up straight. Do you ever get the feeling that someone is acting a certain way to deliberately make them look at them? That's literally everything Tsurumaru does. He just wants attention okay.)
Thinking of me? (He's teasing I hate him.) How thoughtful.
(Kiku! Chirps! PAY. ATTENTION. TO. HER.)
When was the last time I arranged flowers...
(His voices trails. Well? When was it? He isn't going to explain anymore.)
Come in, come in. Make yourself at home. Maybe Allen-kun can join us.
(Allen...... who is not Tsurumaru's roommate FYI.)
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week 1, wed/right after mini-event?
I know all about rust, as a swordsman I have to to make sure I keep my blade in the best condition possible. But you, my friend, don't have a drop of metal on you.
Do you always speak in such silly metaphor?
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But it's true; I will rust!
(It's no secret that Tsurumaru has an #Aesthetic. He dresses in all white, his accents are gold and a dark, almost-black blue. But Kaeya is observant and might notice that his style even matches his sword.)
I think I might become like a pickled plum; all wrinkly and salty from the sea. And then I'll also rust and lose all of my beauty.
And in the end, regardless of which, I'll surely disappear.
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As I said before, Tsurumaru. I simply will not allow that to happen.
[ he glances down at polaris who begins to trot ahead happily, making a quick little circle carefully around tsuru as kaeya catches up with him and begins to carefully walk backwards down the corridor. the dread from the dining hall is fading, and kaeya is determined to shake it all off. no one gets in his head, no one. ]
Like a sword, I will take care of you, if that's what you fear. That's my job as a knight, after all, it's what I've be sworn to do.
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What an interesting choice of words. Tsurumaru can't tell if Kaeya is looking for answers or confirmation. Whether he realizes it or not, his words have a certain weight to them and it's enough to make Tsurumaru slow to a regular walk.
When he replies, he doesn't look back. He only raises his head and answers in his usual, light and airy tone,)
I wonder... are you the type that makes promises easily? Or perhaps you're one that lies naturally...
(His words are sharp but his voice is friendly. He's naturally distant, even when he lets others get close.)
Be careful of the expectations you set. You wouldn't want to let anyone down~
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Week 2, Tuesday
What follows next is a shift of scenery, a large, open room with tatami floors. A young boy still in his teens sits at a wide table, scrolls spread out in front of him. He dips a seal into a tray of red ink and places its mark on one scroll, his actions guided by a scholarly-looking man beside him.
He stamps and stamps, leaving his mark on each document. The sun sets, the oil is burned, and when it's late, a servant comes to gather them. The scholar bows and excuses himself. The boy remains seated in his heavy, fancy silk robes, and looks over the remaining scrolls on the table, his brow furrowed and uncertain.
The memory Kaeya sees is long. The boy grows into a young man. There are days when he sits at the same table, stamping and writing with brush. He never rests. There are other days where he is gone for days, sometimes even weeks. He returns wearing armor that he eventually grows into. At first, he carries it easily with all of the strength that comes with youth.
But in time, the armor grows worn and heavy. There are evenings where he stumbles into his room and collapses in bed, exhausted, only to get up and work again. His frustration grows, he yells at those around him, he splashes ink angrily at his scrolls. He holds his head in his hands and curses. He reaches for you, placing his hand around your everything firmly and swings. He still has strength.
He returns dressed in black, wearing grief like armor. He stares in the mirror and touches his face. Though he is still a young man in his twenties, he has aged. He reaches for you again. He lacks steadiness but grips tightly and slashes at a wardrobe door. He stares at his reflection in the polished steel. You can see his desperation.
He throws his armor violently to the ground and grabs you again. When tries to set you free, you catch in his hands and fall to the ground. As he stares at his reflection in you, you can see the end approaching.
He works from bed. He barely has the strength to press down on his seal anymore. He's still young but you know he is old. To live a life in this time means to barely live past your thirties, especially when one lives like him.
A child comes to sit by his side. He is so small and unaware of what is happening. Your master looks up at him from his resting place and points to you. The boy looks in your direction, eyes filled with youthful wonder.
Behind him, you see your master watch the child somberly. This child is the future and yet, there is no hope. He closes his eyes and clenches his fist weakly. After working and fighting his entire life, there is no reward.
When he finally dies, all that is left is the impression on your soul: Futility, pointlessness, a sense that nothing matters.)
forever later....
Tsurumaru...?
[ he lifts his head up, feels the breath rushing into his lungs, cold and sharp. looking at him, his eyes are soft. ]
Was that you? [ he doesn't mean the man or the boy... he could feel it. cold, untouched, watching. ]
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I've aged much more gracefully, don't you think?
(It's like him to tease and deflect,)
He was one of my more famous masters and my first to die slowly.
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[ he looks at him. ]
I know that the man was there, and then the boy, but what's a sword without touch? Someone to take the hilt and step into battle...
[ oh man, this is kinda sticking with him, yikes. ]
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Week 2, Sunday (post-exec)
with jelly inside.)
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Thank you... [ he lifts his head, offers a smile. polaris is still, but his whiskers twitch when the ball is close!
he bites into it! is it sweet jelly?????? ]
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You look terrible.
(Kiku is in her otter form! She won't approach Polaris because she doesn't want to get too close to Kaeya but she's watching Polaris with wide, worried otter eyes.)
Make sure to rest. You've had quite the week.
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Week 3, Wednesday
It is, much to Tsurumaru's misfortune, cuddle week and when you're usually someone who has a tight control on their emotions and how they act, this is really torture. It's kind of embarrassing? And the only solution to not feeling embarrassed is to make things as awkward as possible which means just being as forward as he can be with the few people he'll allow to be in contact with him.
This is a privilege.
So when Tsurumaru finds Kaeya standing around somewhere-- checking out the markets? Looking at the buildings? What have you?? Tsurumaru will lean from behind him and tease,)
Ah, Kaeya. You're quite tall, aren't you?
(COMPARED TO TSURUMARU, IT IS ONLY A COUPLE OF INCHES but they are important right now trust me.)
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Oh, Tsurumaru. I suppose I am rather tall.
[ he leans into him, shoulder to shoulder, side to side now as he turns. ]
One of my better qualities, perhaps. It's all in the legs.
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Is it? I've never grown so I wouldn't know how one becomes tall.
(He just? Has this body. He appeared like this. Also with long legs.)
Week 7, pre-End Game!!
(When he finds Kaeya by the water, he makes sure not to surprise him this time if only because the risk is far greater than the surprise if it goes wrong,)
You wouldn't want to fall in.
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he trills at him. hello, our lovely friend. ]
We stared by water, and so we end by the water, hm?
[ he turns around and looks to him, a soft smile on his mouth. ]
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(He gives Polaris a smile, something quiet and bittersweet as he's reminded of something missing. They were always quite close before and it makes the ache feel closer.
Without missing a beat, he turns his attention back to Kaeya properly,)
You've been through so much, Kaeya. (He approaches,) There isn't much here but what it can offer is some chance to rest.
(Only some.)
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