★★★☆☆ week 5. ishikirimaru. monday.

[haw]

[ majima desperately needs a break this week, so catch him casually strolling through the west wing, eventually ending up at the shrine. it's strange to see him in such a quiet, reverent state, especially after the events of this weekend... but hey, you can never judge a book by its cover, right?

he's standing in front of the offering box, gently tossing a 100 yen coin in his hand when he notices ishi nearby and throws up a hand in greeting. ]

Yo, Ishikiri-han. Glad to see ya still kickin'.

Comments

[haw]

[ he blinks in surprise a couple of times before just... barking out a laugh that's a mix of equal parts amusement and disbelief. }

I'm honored that ya even offered in the first place, but do ya really think I'm in any condition to be swingin' swords around either, Ishikiri-han? Yeah, I love fightin', but even I kinda put stayin' alive a lil' higher up the totem pole of priorities.

[ritualization]

Ah-- that's quite fair. Perhaps I am too used to my own kind, especially after the way you have fought before.

[when you low-key forget someone is, in fact, human...

ishi laughs softly, mouth covered with a sleeve as he shakes his head.]

We are both of the same mind there, then. Would you like to see more of this wing, or relax here for a while?

[haw]

I might not be down to spar, but walkin' ain't an issue. It keeps the blood pumpin', right?

[ and just like that, he's back on his feet effortlessly. he keeps a close eye on ishi, though, ready to lend a hand if he seems to be struggling. ]

[ritualization]

It certainly does.

[he can manage to get to his feet just fine, it looks like-- he's got one good arm to brace himself with as he stands, taking a moment to brush himself off before turning back to majima.]

I have yet to see all of the area, myself; a tour will do us both some good.

[ishi wastes no time, gesturing for him to follow as he sets off.]

[haw]

[ good to know he's as hardy as majima expected!! he strolls by ishi's side casually, hands in his pockets—well, as much as his bandaged right hand can fit into his pocket, anyway. it might be strange to see him so calm after... well, his everything, lately. ]

I've always been a city kinda guy, so bein' out here in the country is... different. I can see the appeal, but I'd prolly die of boredom if I had to live out here.

[ritualization]

Just not enough to keep you occupied long term, hm...? Well, having a break here should still be nice.

[he hums contentedly to himself as they walk, observing the area; it isn't nostalgia, especially, this is still more modern than places he's known, but it feels familiar all the same.]

I think I might like to live in a place like this, if I ever get the chance. It's peaceful.

[haw]

Yeah, if ya haven't noticed, peace ain't exactly a word that's in my everyday vocabulary.

[ like... real talk... anyway, ]

What happened with yer arm, by the way?

[ritualization]

It is unfortunate, but-- perhaps one day that will change, for you.

[at that question though, he pauses a moment before exhaling a sigh.]

Uchiha-kun happened, yesterday. We had a disagreement, and with the rule about challenges still in place...

[he shakes his head.]

It is only sprained, though it is somewhat shameful to admit he managed that much.

[haw]

[ laughtrack.mp4

... majima just makes A Face. ]

'Course it was him. I don't even know why I asked.

[ritualization]

[ishi gives him a faint little smile.]

He does often seem to be a source of trouble. But as long as the other two keep him around-- I intend to watch over all of them.

[he sprained ishi's arm and yet, he is adopted]

[haw]

Hah.

You too?

[ dads..................... ]

[ritualization]

[dads!! that smile's a little fonder, now.]

Of course. They are not the first I have looked after, though it's a little different when I didn't raise them.

[haw]

[ he actually looks a little... vulnerable as he speaks, looking off into the distance rather than at ishi himself. ]

Didn't have a family of my own growin' up, so I didn't really get it at first... but seein' how important that kinda shit is to 'em, I think I understand, now.

[ritualization]

[with majima averting his gaze, ishi does the same thing, eyes focused ahead of them instead.]

...it is something that's difficult to understand until one has experienced it, I think. All that I could do when I was a sword was observe and watch people grow with each visit to the shrine, but... it's a very different thing, to actually be able to do more than simply watch, and to experience it with the ability to feel.

[he hums softly, thoughtfully.]

The past is a thing we may not change, but moving forward with that sort of understanding... I think many things can be changed, in that way.

[haw]

[ majima, at first, says nothing, then gives ishi a rueful laugh. ]

All right, now you're startin' to make me feel self-conscious for not bein' able to pull smart-soundin' shit like that outta my ass.

[ritualization]

Ah, am I? I suppose it is a talent that comes with time.

[ishi laughs softly, there, glancing back to majima with a smile.]

You are too young to worry about not sounding wise, Majima-kun.

[is that an honorific shift or is he just teasing, guess he'll find out next time ishi uses his name!]

[haw]

—Haw? Come again?

[ YOU CAN'T JUST DO THAT ]

[ritualization]

What is it, Majima-kun?

[yeah this is super on purpose.]

[haw]

I thought we were on the same level, Ishikiri-han!

[ HE'S CONFLICTED ]

[ritualization]

In physical skill, certainly, but in age... well, we are over a thousand years separated, are we not?

[haw]

That ain't a fair comparison!

[ritualization]

I think it's perfectly fair. Are you saying you have a complaint about it, or may I continue calling you as such?

[haw]

Fine.

[ beat ]

Ishikiri-jisan.

[ritualization]

[-he laughs at that as he shakes his head, a soft, warm sound.]

Ah, I feel as if that suits Mikazuki Munechika-san far more than myself-- he is always the one insisting he is an old man.

But if you insist, then I suppose I will have no choice but to accept.

[haw]

Well, whoever this Munchaka-han—[ majima. ]—is, he ain't here, so Ishikiri-jisan it is.

[ritualization]

He is a national treasure, Majima-kun. You really ought to remember his name a bit better.

[but he still sounds amused.]

[haw]

Hey, cut me some slack. I was never big on history—or any kinda school, for that matter.

[ritualization]

I suppose that is fair. Perhaps I am simply used to him being one of the more well-known, among all of us tsukumogami.

What topics are you interested in, then?

[haw]

Fightin'?

[ he is a simple man with simple wants ]

[ritualization]

And is there nothing else besides fighting?

[he can't be THAT simple]