Moonlight curse

Gwyndolin kept his smile, uttering a very quiet chuckle at the attempt at pronouncing his name. “Gwihn-da-lyn…” he repeated slowly. “You will get it, I am sure. But, it is a pleasure to meet you. Might I ask what a ‘bushi’ is? It would hardly be polite of me to pretend to know… and I am curious.”

The god then shook his head, seeing poor Tsuzuramaru’s confused expression. “Ah, and I do not mean to cause you any undue stress. I am certain we’ll learn more of our situation in time. We are owed that much.” No more needed to be said on the topic… it was shrouded in mystery, and any more words he had could only be pure conjecture.

“Now, let us walk. You can tell me of your dango, and perhaps we may run into something edible?” With this place being so unknown, Gwyndolin could only guess what food would be available here. Maybe others who had been stolen had set up shops with their own cultural cuisine?

The sound was far too quiet for Tsuzuramaru to fully grasp it, but he could have swore Gwyndolin had chuckled at his terrible pronunciation.

     “Gwihn-da-lyn.... Gwihndalyn-dono”

He repeated twice, trying to imitate the words just as he had heard them. it was pretty hard, but the gentle encouragement made him feel it wasn’t all that bad.

     “Oh, pray forgive me! Bushi is a noble and honorable warrior from my land, who ought to live by the sword and the principles of humility and honesty.”

Yes he could talk about the prideful profession of a Bushi... which he had entered in not the most honorable of ways -considering he kept the truth hidden from his uncle and aunt until his departure for Edo.

He had been terribly unsettled, scared even, about the unusual situation he’d found himself trapped in. However, the reassuring words and calm temper of the other -as strange as his appearance might have been at first- was a great aid in this moments of anxiety.

     “Many thanks, Gwaindoline-dono”

The pronunciation still not perfect, it was at least closer to the real one. If he continued to repeat the name, he’d eventually get it. For now however, he couldn’t help but to bow apologetically at his own mistake. With Gwyndolin suggesting they start walking, Tsuzuramaru did just that, moving alongside the other and taking a better look at the map not very sure of how to read it.

Gwyndolin listened with interest as Tsuzuramaru spoke on his origins and short time in Obsian. It was true, none of them really knew the circumstances of why they were ‘stolen’. But, this did give him more information. The god had never heard of any place called Mutou or Edo… It was likely confirmation that his land was not the only place affected by these thieves.

“My name–I am Gwyndolin,” he informed, before continuing, “I am afraid I have not heard of your home land… And while I do not know everything of my home, I am certain that your home is very far away from mine. Perhaps worlds away, even…” It was an odd thing to think about.

“The prison, yes… It was quite rude of them to place us in such a disgusting place, after having the audacity to bring us here.” Gwyndolin paused to look up at the cave’s ceiling, silently bitter that he may not see the sky again. But as Tsuzuramaru mentioned food, a smile came to his lips. He had not thought of such lighthearted topics since he found himself here. “Dango? So, that is a food from your land… It is unfamiliar to me. But perhaps there are shops among the city? I have yet to take a close look. It makes me wonder what sort of things are sold here…”

Gwyndolin? That name would take time for him to remember. He couldn’t even start guessing how to write it. Eyebrows lowering as he made an effort to memorize the strange name, Tsuzuramaru realized he had yet to make a full introduction. In fact, he had yet to say his name!

     “Pardon, Gwai-ndo-line-dono!”

He just completely messed up the pronunciation of the name didn’t he? Slight embarrassment crossing his face in the shape of a blush, it took him a few seconds before being able to speak again. 

     “The name is Tsuzuramaru, I am a bushi trained in the Tamiyaryuu Iai... and pray pardon me. May thou repeat thy name? Perchance I will better grasp the sound of it then...”

It was certainly embarrassing, a bashful chuckle on his lips. but he rather learn how to say it properly than forever be mistaken. It was part of the politeness he had learnt and also of the friendliness natural to him. 

The sound of ‘different world’ made his expression change to one of puzzled anxiety. A far away land he had guessed. But... a world that was not his own? He would have never imagined such a thing. His knowledge of the world hardly reaching the Manchurian steps beyond the sea, the thought that something existed much farther away failed to take solidity. Yet, it felt right. Gwyndolin probably knew far more of life and of the universe than him.

He felt lucky at the change of topic, for he was failing to get words to express his uncertainty about such matters. Once the idea had settled down, he’d like to hear some more about such ideas from Gwyndolin. Learn from him.

     “Have thou n’er tried it? It is the most superb of sweets, a delightful meeting of soy sauce or mochi, and a blissful match for all sorts of tea. If I’d have the luck of carrying some with me, I’d give thee some.”

His excitement for dango -and food in general- was an easy point for getting along with him. Not that it was ever hard to get on his good side.

Gwyndolin gave a nod and bowed graciously. “Yes, of course. I am from Anor Londo, but perhaps you have not heard of it. Since coming here, I have seen many strange… people that I did not know existed in my land. I am curious on the matter of where you are from, as well.”

“The papers you hold lead me to believe you are likely new to this city, as I am. I am quite uncertain of this entire situation… So I wished to know your thoughts on this place and why we are here,” Gwyndolin questioned, resting his chin on his hand. He assumed this person knew as little as he did, but there was no harm in asking. Making some contacts in this unknown place would be helpful, too.

Anor Londo. Tsuzuramaru nodded with interest, making a mental note of the foreign name as to remember it later. However, how long would that last when there was no image he could associate with was rather questionable. In fact, what came to mind with that name was a nation of people all wearing similar clothes and unfazed by snakes.

    “Thy humble server?”

Tsuzuramaru bowed as well, starting with his usual introduction.

     “Home is the farming nation of Mutou far north of Edo, where snow covers up the hills at the end of each year.”

How useful could that be in the current situation was left in the air, for the other probably didn’t knew from Mutou or Edo. Maybe not even the Land of the Rising Sun.

    “Thou are indeed correct. I have just been allowed out of the ‘prison’ place and was given this writing. I have yet to see the city, but the thought of being in some unknown cave... its verily unsettling. As to wherefore was I taken hither, I have close to no idea. I was about to eat some dango when I was suddenly in that cell.”

A long sigh escaped him... and right after his stomach growled to the memory of food.

   “Thou dost not reckon one could find dango in hither, dost thou? I was looking forward for it...”

Gwyndolin, too, was quite lost in this sprawling and unfamiliar land. For now, he was just working on learning where things were and how the society worked. Not that it was a particularly easy task with how many citizens seemed bitter.

Crossing his arms as he looked around, Gwyndolin spotted a lone person with a bird. They didn’t look busy… and he noticed the papers, so this one must be as new and confused as he was.

“You, there… Do you mind speaking with me for a moment?” Gwyndolin pointed towards Tsuzuramaru, being sure to face his many snakes towards his back so they would be… less noticeable. Not that it was hard to see how unusual that was about him.

With how cold and lonely the city seemed to be, people turning their backs to him whenever he tried to ask for directions -or for anything in general- even his cheerful self was starting to feel discouraged.

So, hearing someone calling out to him -requesting for a conversation even!- brought a smile to his face.

     “Could thou be referring to thy humble server?”

He turned around on his steps towards the voice as he spoke, purple eyes widening in surprise and words stopping on their tracks to the surprising sight before him. Tsuzuramaru had never seen clothes like that. What were they wearing on their head? No wait, were those snakes?

The thought that he might have been targeted by youkai crossed his mind, however, youkai were never this polite. And  this was not the treacherous pats from the old capital or the distant Mutou. Moreover, he couldn’t turn down the kindness of someone that had started a conversation with him. No point in being disagreeable, he smiled softly.

Happy Birthday Tsuzuramaru!

From PSVita [ Ken Ga Kimi ] , Its Tsuzuramaru’s Birthday today!

He aims to be a [ichibangatana], He is Dedicated, but in reality, He is….?!?

Can’t say anymore than that but those who know , XD