desolate.

“Does it look like I’m eating it now? It’s for a snack later.”

ART BY 515M 

New fanart of my TouRabu bae next to Kogi~ <3

Ah, the disdain at becoming nothing but a sword on display. Lips curled in a small smile, not as a means to laugh at him but because she realized he didn’t understand why. “The current era is not fit for sword battles I’m afraid. Only the oldest and most important are put on display for purposes of history.” There was a pause as her head was tilted just slightly before she commented again.

“I suppose that doesn’t satisfy you though. A weapon is created not for display but for use. It’s edge  becomes dull and brittle in an almost shameful way.” Though the words seemed harsh they were not said in a tone to indicate such harshness. Instead she simply understood: why have an unusable sword laying about?

The chuckle his question elicited from her was abrupt and fleeting. So he thought she was also a sword! “I answer to myself as no one has been the master of me for many years now. As for my purpose…” Carmine eyes looked away briefly while she thought about this. When her eyes turned back to meet him they were all too confident.

      “Life within nothing but a box is nothing worth boasting about,” he agreed with her in his own round-about way. Ookurikara felt at more of a loss than he had at any other point in his life. At least with Date he had use. A purpose. That’s all a sword needs. Each of them was made for a reason and reason was what kept them alive. Without it they were nothing but tempered steel. 

      He point was sharp, but true. He could not refute her claim. Ookurikara could not even say his purpose was to live. Was he even truely alive? Had he been all along? There was no way of knowing and no way that he knew of to find out. 

　　　　　– or. He would, eventually. But before that, a moment of electrified tension stood right between them, broken only by the Saniwa’s quiet laugh.

‘You could say hello,’ he suggested, even knowing the comment was unwanted. It was more for him than the tachi, because that was how he worked: 

Ookurikara took for himself, selfishly, and you had to take in kind. Words, peace, a pause in between… he didn’t need those. He didn’t need a thing.

But it was alright. A moment’s delay wouldn’t change how this turned out.

‘It might be boring,’ he continued, saying – again – things that didn’t need to be said.

‘But try to have fun.’

　　　　　And don’t go easy.

It was seconds before he was upon the blade, striking at him quickly.

He was no swordsman. He was no sword, bound to sortie heart and soul. But…

      ⊰ ⋄ ⊱ He had a reply on the tip of his tongue, but he would not speak it. His mind was in this moment, his eyes ready for the next movement. Muscles were loose and ready to carry his body in yet another dance. 

      With the first swing the sinister waltz had begun, and his own blade was raised to block. Weight was added to push the other back and away. The opening was to bused for a charge and attack of his own.

What a funny man. He easily towered a foot over her petite frame, but still acted so…wary. Surely she wasn’t that intimidating? Her features relaxed into a pleasant smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“If this is the first place you’ve seen, you must be new, right?” A slim hand extended towards him, expectant. “Would you like me to show you around the rooms?”

“Kuri-chan!? Don’t be so cruel to me now! Just let me enjoy this moment.” Naturally this moment was lasting longer than what Ookurikara wanted of course. Just because he wears an eyepatch doesn’t mean he wasn’t blind to the younger sword’s discomfort. He just smiled, he knew that the dragon was never fond of people and close connections, that’s why Mitsutada had to do this. Eventually he let go of the dragon sword after he got his fill.

      ⊰ ♢ ⊱ “I don’t need your affection, you’ve done fine without me, enough of this.” Ookurikara pushed at the other to prompt being released from his grip. His patience had worn thin and the amount of touching he could endure had reached it’s peak. Once he was free, he adjusted his coat and pushed back his bangs so he could see from both eyes once again. 

      ⊰ ⋄ ⊱ A harsh wind blew through the city, the feeling it left behind leaving Ookurikara displeased as it was insanely hot and humid. He felt drenched without being wet. It was disgusting.