( smile. ) - hiatus

“Well, we definitely ought to give this tea to Yagen and Ishikimaru… I’m sure this would give them a better kick in the morning then washing the face~”

Tsurumaru laughed in amusement when he saw how obviously shocked Nikkari was in drinking the seaweed and togarashi tea… that means that this tea definitely can surprise those who dare try it. Pouring another cup of the concoction for himself, the crane then did the same for the ghost cutter while the cup was still in the other sword’s hand, regardless if the other would agree to another sip of the drink or not. Then, the tachi slowly raised his cup to knock it against the wakizashi’s cup with a small clink sound, obviously wanting Aoe to take the second shot of the tea with him.

“Ahahah~ So you have a companion whose in this with you~? I’d definitely like to meet her… I’m sure I can convince her to share the recipe if she has her doubts~ Until then… shall we have a toast to this lovely surprise~?”

❝ I’d be happy to brew up some more tomorrow morning. Though...maybe after Ishikirimaru-san’s rounds. Something like this....eheheh, it can’t be too good for the divinity. ❞

With a gentle motion he pushed his cup further toward Kuninaga for a refill, once again imbuing the air with the sharp smell of salt and spice. It would certainly be a waste if they didn’t finish this pot of tea. Nobody would accept any from them with one as infamous as Kuninaga being one of its purveyors, and Hasebe liked to remind them of how pricey spices could be for such a largely-populated citadel. Their cups met in a toast, though at least, on the wakizashi’s side there was a little reluctance.

❝ Kanpai~! Here’s to a long partnership. ❞

And he did, knocking back the tea with the mindset of ‘the faster it’s over with, the better’. Oh, but the aftertaste......

Ah, of course, there was that as well… The sage listens while letting out a sigh, she cannot really agree with Nikkari’s words for the most part. Well it is true that Elene would do her best to look after them and manage the citadel while in the middle of a war, but… “I am sorry, Nikkari-san… But I feel like I am the one who owes you… I am not this kind, I’d never be allowed to give you these forms if not out of necessity, out of interest…” After all her powers had been sealed for most of her life, only to be used because someone needed to fight back the Revisionists, right?

“If anything I believe it was fairly cruel of me… To suddenly give you all a human form with thoughts and feelings and a life you were not used to, forcing you all to live as humans while barely giving you time to adapt before sending you off to battle” If anything, Elene had a lot of work to do if she was ever to make up for it. “Even if it’s a blade’s function to be used in battle… I feel you all still needed time to get used to this new life”

❝ Ahah....you’re very kind. But let me tell you something... ❞

He supposed, really, that having some time to come to terms with all of this would have been a pleasant help. A beating heart and a need for air, feelings that he could barely understand...his sadness and overwhelming fear sometimes so confusing and distressing that he would retreat from everyone else to cope with it. But Nikkari was nothing if not adaptable - and things were not so bad, being able to fight with his own hand. To feel was in itself a blessing, regardless of how startling it could be....for it meant he was alive.

❝ Swords like us....have always been at the whims of humans. There are many individuals in this citadel that are unsatisfied or even upset with the fates that our time as tools in human hands paved for us, myself included. But now we have the ability to change things, yes? We can change our fates. We may be fighting your battle, but this time, it’s out of our own agency. We could run away if we wanted, but instead we all choose to stay and fight because it’s truly the right thing to do. You’ve given us the hands and hearts to make up for our past crimes...eheh, I suppose I can’t speak for everyone really... ❞

☙ @ofsakuras​ // favourite spots.

❝ I hope you’re not too surprised. ❞

A strange remark to give to the young man ( a soldier, it was apparent ) he’d just…picked up from the encampment. The past was a curious thing, and with so little time to see it - well, it was only natural that the wakizashi was excited to share this with somebody else. It would have been his master, had she been around, but for now…well, he would do just fine.

It seemed the very thing that had charmed Nikkari so much was nothing more…..than the hill that sat by the serpentine body of a small stream. The rush of water and the sound of soft night breeze whispering through the hanging willow leaves was permanent in the air - and, he could hear, the voices of spirits that gathered around its trunk. A yellowgreen eye turned to his poor victim, though his smile was soft ( and certainly non-threatening ).

☙ @odigxs // favourite spots.

❝ Here we are…ah, what do you think? Not much, is it? ❞

Breaking through the trees led to the overgrown clearing, awash in dappled sunlight, verdant colours glimmering magnificently from broad leaves. Nikkari was most taken with this kind of scenery; the way that small plants and moss snaked their way over the chipped, rain-battered wood and stone of what appeared to be a small local protective shrine - though by now, most of the little statues that represented its god were more than beaten down by the years of weather they had seen and had eroded into little more than amorphous stones. Though, to someone like him, the feeling was still there. The presence of the gods. Even if they were forgotten, those fickle gods still looked upon here.

Another task from the Master? While they didn’t happen very often, it didn’t stop Mutsunokami from feeling excited. You never know what you could find at the market after all. He turned to face Nikkari before speaking.

“Of course!”

❝ Very good. Make sure you remain vigilant...I was told that markets are often as bad as battlefields. ❞

With an airy laugh he was already on his way ( with a quick and graceful stride for such a short sword ), basket hanging from the crook of his arm. It was particularly excitement and curiosity that fueled his lack of wasting time - anticipating the things they’d be able to see there.