130bladeworks | VACATION IS WHERE I WANNA BE

VACATION IS WHERE I WANNA BE

☼ BEACH VACATION MEME ☼
Summer begins, and the saniwa's army earns a well deserved vacation. All expenses paid for by their organization, from travel to lodging to food, and yes, even the swim wear and toys. The water is blue, the skies are (mostly) clear, and it's time to have some fun at the beach! Watch out for the jellyfish and KBseagulls.

***Feel free to include some prompts in your top level. If you can't think of any, pick from below for some ideas!**

001.IN THE WATER This is why you're here, right? Take to the water and splash around. Now might be a good time to learn to swim if you don't already. But watch out! Here comes a large wave--!

002.SANDCASTLES This is it... the enemy's stronghold... not! It's a race against the clock to build a castle before the tide comes in. Collect those seashells, fortify your fortress, and don't be a jerk and ruin some else's castle.

003.SUNBATHING or maybe you've opted to sit under the shade of a large umbrella instead. Some times it's good to just sit back, relax, and watch to make sure no one needs to be rescued later. Keep an eye on the tide or you might find yourself getting wet anyway.

004. BEACH ANIMALS There are tiny fish in the tide pools, crabs crawling around, and uwah are those sea turtles?! Tsurumaru, put that octopus down right now. Ouch, did that jellyfish get you? And look, over there! That's a dolphin! You know, dolphins are intelligent creatures and have been known to help people-- WAIT NO ITS A SHARK ITS A SHARK NOT A FRIENDLY FISH IT LOOKS LIKE A DOLPHIN BUT ITS A SHARK.

005.MELON SLICING The organization has been kind enough to provide food and drink as well. They must have felt very clever sending all of those watermelons, though. Really, who needs that many watermelons? It's a competition to see which sword is the True Melonslasher.

006.STORM Those clouds came in so quickly, you barely had a chance to notice. The sky is dark, the rain is pouring down, and the wind is blowing cold. It's time to quickly collect your things and try to find some place dry.

007.KBCGULLS. Oh no, who fed the seagulls? They're circling around like vultures and making swoops at you, trying to steal your food. Hey, wait, that's not even edible! Was it just you or was there an evil glint in that bird's eye just now...?

008.BEACH PARTY. All of those watermelons you sliced earlier are being put to use. The sun is setting, the food is out, and a bonfire is going on the beach. Eat your heart out and dance around the fire. Watch the sunset, look at the stars, this sure is nice, isn't it?

009.WILDCARD. Mix and match. Create your own prompt. Find the dragon king's palace or something.

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[He doesn't mind or look the least bit flustered as such when Kashuu backs away from his touch. But that frozen smile, and the words even more so, bring a look of concern to his eyes. He remembers his own voice, desperate and younger than now, saying, If I can't even do this... I'm completely useless to you, aren't I? He remembers the hurt that remark had caused, too, and how little he had meant it.

He slowly shakes his head, giving Kashuu a solemn look.]

You shouldn't say that. Even- Even if you fail at what you think you're meant to do, even if you can't be what you want, you're not useless. No one is. There's people who care about you, right? To them, even if you mess up, you're still valuable.

[He shrugs a bit awkwardly under the weight of all those towels, a self-conscious smile tugging at his lips.]

It's a pretty difficult thing to remember. I still often think like that too, and I guess that's something you can't help doing sometimes, but... always succeeding at what you do and looking beautiful while doing it seems like a really high standard to set for yourself, that's all. I'm sure no one wants you to be that hard on yourself.

[ Yamato kind of has a knack for this wide-eyed sort of curiosity, doesn't he? And of course, every time Horikawa's helpful nature can't help but be drawn in to some degree as well, this time peering at a clumsy treasure map. After a moment Horikawa seems to have a sudden realization, pulling a crumpled and folded piece of paper out of his own pocket. When it's unfolded it has a similar appearance to what Yamato's holding. ]

Ah, they look the same!

[ He seems proud of this development, expression bright as he notes it. Good job Hori, the piece of trash you habitually picked up to toss away earlier wound up being good for something! Maybe? Holding it up, eventually he manages to make out what looks like a clumsy drawing of a tree some distance from the shoreline on his half. Pointing it out to the other, he offers a smile. ]

It looks like they're two parts of the same map, doesn't it? Well, I think this is the tree, but a better question would probably be which way is left... Are you going to follow it?

[His bare feet climb easily up the steep path, easily navigating sharp and bristly patches of grass toward the top, just on the edge between cliff and sand. If the hand in his is holding on a bit too hard, Souji doesn't notice it. He laughs and finishes off the last of his ice cream before answering.]

I've been to this place before, when I was younger. That's when we found the path. Or, well, I think it was H- Toshi who found it first, using it to sneak away on his own. But then we found out, and it sort of became all of our secret place.

[And even as a grownup, not many people come here, but somehow it doesn't feel bad at all to give away the secret to this stranger. Souji knows, without exactly knowing why he knows, that he can trust him.

The path gets more rocky the last way back down to the water, but there's still some sand gathered at the end of it, a miniature beach surrounded by rocks. Along the sides, there are bundles of driftwood with other things caught up in the mess as well, and the sand hasn't been picked quite as clean by tourists here.]

I'm pretty good at telling what things are, too. Sannan used to bring a book with him so when I asked, he'd always be able to tell me what something was.

[ The question that's posed to him is a really good one as he looks at the new and improved map that's made by Horikawa when he places them together. Contemplating his choices on the matter, he doesn't know what could be at the end of it. There are various things that could come from this and even though the entire day has been fun and games, would they really find something at the end.

Then again, this is Yamato that we're talking about and the younger does give a nod to show that he's ecstatic about it. What would be a good way to give his response, a phrase that comes to him naturally is sounded. ]

Oraa!

[ Maybe his soul is fifteen years old, but he raises a clenched fist into the air with a smile. ]

Does that answer your question! [ He sure does hope so! ] There has to be something good by following if it they decided to split it into two maps? We should be lucky we found it, huh? Maybe we can show everyone what it is if we find it. Besides, if you weren't here, I'd probably be venturing the wrong place without the other side!

[ She gives his creation a once-over, and that once-over is followed by a long silence, which is followed by the cicadas humming in said silence, which is followed by...!

Sudden sparkles and the one and only battleship Kongou hauling out a massive octo-decker s'mores sandwich from god only know knows where. ] Take this! The carbs of our labor! [ Yes, carbs instead of fruits. ] The proof of the ingenuity of British and Japanese collaboration, the testament to our genius engineering! The one and only s'more that is allowed to even dare to think it can be a part of our great navy's ships! [ By being eaten, of course.

Cherubs are probably singing in the background at this point. ] I give you...

The S'more of the Rising Sun!

[Yamato is the sword that had inherited Souji's insane (maybe a little literally) ability to shift moods on a dime, to make himself ferocious and formidable and frightening. But Kashuu certainly has quite a temper of his own and a sharp, cruel tongue that's ready to lash out whenever he's given the reason to show it, and it seems this has hit a raw nerve. The look on his face, which had been able to carry such friendliness before, is much cooler and distanced now. He'd move to set his hands at his hips but awkwardly realizes that he still has this guy's towel, and it is still raining, so he can't just storm off...

He just puts a little more distance between them instead, and starts to towel off his hair again.]

It's different. [Different, because he can tell that Souji is speaking from a place of remembrance here. Something similar had happened to him at some point, then - but humans always have it better in situations like this.]

It's not the same at all. You can try again if you fail at something, yeah? Or if you can't, you can move on and find another thing to be good at and people will still love you. Or maybe they'll love you just because! [Because humans are lucky and some don't even have to lift a finger to be precious.] But it's not like that for me. I'm only good at one thing, and if I can't do it, I'll be thrown away.

[THIS IS... a very private topic to be discussing with a stranger, honestly, but the words spill out almost unprompted even though he wishes halfway through that he had stopped.]

["Please don't scream"... That's asking way too much of Kashuu, wow. Of course he screams?! THERE'S A JELLYFISH ON HIS FACE. A SANDY, GLOBBY, GROSS-ASS JELLYFISH!! He also stumbles back like the elegant ballerina he is, wiping at his cheek. He doesn't even have time to yell about rocks being thrown around because now he has to focus on this.]

Just stop, okay?! Put it back where it belongs and get it over with! I don't wanna see that thing again!

[It's now his MORTAL NEMESIS and it's all Yamato's fault. Maybe he would have liked jellyfish if he had just been able to observe them in the wild, but no!! Now his memory will forever be ruined by the feeling of slime in his hand and on his face.]

[Souji falls quiet for quite a while, raptly watching Kashuu's face, and no protests appear to be forthcoming. It's true, isn't it. From the day he'd sat there and listened as they gently told him there was no way he'd pass the psych evaluation, and he'd felt as if a hole had opened up in his world... well, that's exactly what he'd done. He'd found something else he was good at, and more importantly, he'd found out that even if he was good at nothing at all, he's still be loved.

Who is he to tell Kashuu that it's the same for him? What does he know?]

I'm sorry. I spoke without understanding. [He sighs, absently rubbing his hair a bit dryer.] I'm really very sorry, if that's how things are.

['It's different', Kashuu had said. He talks about being thrown away, about having only one function, and he refers to someone as his "owner"... And here's the point where Souji makes a mental leap that you probably have to be a bit insane to make - and perhaps having a best friend who talks to spirits helps too.]

You're... not human, are you? That's what you meant when you said it's different, right?

[He's just sitting here, waiting for her to accept his superior invention! But then there's silence, and then there's--

an explosion of insanity.

IS THAT EVEN A FOOD IN HER HANDS?? Once a s'mores sandwich becomes that large, he's pretty sure it qualifies for a pet or something instead of a dessert. It's bigger than Urashima's turtle and that is a Problem™... Moreover, what's she even saying?! What's going on—?! He's bulldozed by her enthusiasm but despite all of her efforts, he's just confused instead of impressed. A true tragedy of our times.]

Wait, wait, wait— Were you just like, carrying that around behind your back or something? Why? And why is there so much of it! Who can eat all of that, huh?

[Kashuu's anger might be sharp and sudden, but it isn't long-burning, either. The apology seems to be enough to defuse him, even if he's still unhappy. His shoulders rise and fall, and he mumbles a simple:]

S'fine.

[And maybe that anger would have stayed just a little longer in any other situation, but he finds it draining out quickly when this man is the one who's talking, for some reason. The look of his face when he's so solemn reminds him of someone much older than this child appears, and he averts his gaze - very briefly, because it snaps back as soon as Souji speaks again. That's definitely an insane leap in logic and it's clear Kashuu hadn't expected it at all, especially since he had been doing a (kinda) okay(ish) job at keeping his inhuman quirks to a low. But he'd said too much, he assumes, and... well- there's no point in lying, is there?

Even now, he still doesn't feel threatened at all.]

You ever heard of tsukumogami? Like those angry umbrellas and shoes and stuff? I don't go around smothering people in their sleep or anything, but that's what I am.

[Souji nods slowly in response, because crazy or not, that makes sense with what he's heard so far. And again it reminds him of how he used to be, and how he'd finally been told to stop treating himself like someone else's possession. That it wasn't fair toward either himself or the other man. But... how is this man - this tsukumogami - supposed to not feel like that? He is a possession. All the worth an item has is what people are willing to give it.]

I understand. So you need to be of use, and you need to be beautiful, because that's how people think about things. [He inches a bit closer again, gives Kashuu's arm a gentle experimental prod.] But you're a person too, right? You have a soul. Without it, you couldn't be a tsukumogami.

[To Souji, that still makes a difference. Even if something is a belonging, if it has a soul, it still ought to be precious in its own right. That makes it a person, with thoughts and a heart and a will, and a-]

Oh. I never asked- that is, if it's okay... could you tell me your name?

[He doesn't pull away this time, but some of that distance is still present regardless, like he's unwilling to put his guard back down yet.]

Just having a soul isn't enough. [It doesn't seem to bother him too much, all things considered. He rolls his shoulders again and the gesture seems almost careless, but someone with eyes as keen as Souji's would likely be able to notice that it's forced to a degree. He doesn't want to think about any of those complex, painful things, so he latches onto the new subject easily.]

It's Kashuu Kiyomitsu. [And because the Shinsengumi are still remembered to this day, and sometimes their swords are remembered as well, he adds:] I'm a good blade, y'know, even if I'm difficult to handle. [...] But I don't go around stabbing people in their sleep either or anything. [Those shitty futon tsukumogami giving them all bad reps GOD.]

What's yours?

[Again, Souji can't exactly argue with him. No matter how it seems to him, it would be wrong of him to assume he knows better - and the subject obviously pains the other, so he'll let it go. Like this, right now, he won't do much good, will he?

And then Kashuu reveals his name, and for a moment Souji feels as if his entire life has been the unrolling of one great big cosmic joke, and he's just hit another punchline. Of course, now there are no more people to look out for... of course this is the spirit of that man's actual sword. He knows what Hajime would say, that he'd say that Kashuu had found him for a reason, because he used to be Souji's sword long ago, but it's just... a bit much, to think of it like that.

For a moment, his only response is to rub a hand across his own face, laughing rather helplessly.]

You know, I probably should've guessed by now. [He treats Kashuu to a strange little smile, uncertain and apologetic, before taking a deep breath and plunging on.] My name's Okita Souji. I'd say sorry, but that really isn't my fault.

[He hates Okita Souji just a little in that moment (even if he never really hates Okita Souji), because all of the little similarities - the curve of his cheekbones, the slope of his shoulders, his hands - had been something that he could willfully ignore up to this point, but he can't do that anymore. Souji's taken away that layer of protection and he's left feeling dizzy and wishing that he could keep tricking himself.

Cosmic jokes are always pretty damn rude, but this has to take the cake, he thinks.

His expression is surprisingly mild for the moment, but it's only mild in the same way the weather had been before it started pouring. His hands are immobile once more, but his fingers bunch into the fabric; a gesture of anxiety.]

...It's not like I'd need one, anyway. [Because Souji had never been the true subject of his ire, even if he had lashed out at him in subtle digs long after his passing. Souji was just doing what any samurai would do; discarding the useless and moving on.

He moves to hold the towel over the lower half of his face after that, clearly at a loss for what to say. Eventually, with a humorless laugh:] —I dunno if this is lucky or really, really unlucky.

[ He's quiet as he follows, listening to what's being told to him like a child who's hearing a storybook. His brow raises at the name he hears that he just can't place, it feels familiar but the tone of the male's voice shows that he must be closed to whoever that person. It really sounds genuine when he says these things, how it's a secret place and Yamato gains invitation to come here. Part of him wants to decline so he doesn't intrude on something that's special to others. There is kindness that leaks from the other, it's a warm feeling that he'd love to indulge in. ]

A secret place? That sounds nice.. An area that you spend time with others that you equally care about. If I may ask, where are they now? Do you all meet up here, as the years pass?

[ As he's brought to such a secret place that only a few knows about, Yamato's free hand raises to his scarf. His index finger hooking onto the fabric as a smile appears on his features, his eyes widen from how beautiful the sight is before him. How the sun shines down on the shells and the sand which makes it look like the area is sparkling. The driftwood that's made home and allows various creatures to live within it, the sight is calming and he exhales because of it. The air feels so much cleaner or maybe it's just feels like at this moment and with someone comfortable, a whole lot of weight has been taken off his shoulders. ]

It looks.. amazing. I didn't think a place like this existed..

[ One name had him in confusion but the next, a nickname that grasps his attention. He's heard it before, he's so sure that he has that his hand squeezes the other's own just a bit and he has such an expectant look, as if wanting to hear a bit more about the person. ]

So .. you, Toshi and.. Sannan all came here together?

[Souji sighs, suddenly a lot more aware of how cold he is, possibly because he's also feeling quite tired all of a sudden. He slumps a bit until he's leaning against Kashuu, managing another little laugh, albeit a not entirely happy one.]

Whether it's lucky or unlucky, I've either had good or bad luck most of my life. See the guy out there who is probably going to be the first to be struck by lightning among those three? His name is Harada Sanosuke. I suppose you can guess the rest of the names from that.

[Still, for all that he's tired and cold and still a bit wet, he feels... safe. Like the presence of Kashuu is a good thing; right somehow. Like they belong together, and this makes the both of them a little bit less lost. He can't explain it to himself any better than that, but he still knows what he means. Even if this makes his life just a little bit weirder, that's okay.]

I feel pretty lucky having met you, though. You seem like a nice person, and like you're strong and brave. [His voice is absolutely earnest, his smile warm.] It's just- It's like when I met the rest of them for the first time. It's like meeting an old friend.

[Souji's face lights up in a smile which mirrors the younger-looking man's, bright and full of unadulterated happiness at having brought joy to someone else's features like that. He crouches down for a moment by a rock pool, gesturing at the tiny shrimp-like creatures that skitter around under the surface as he bends closer.]

Me, Toshi, Sannan and Isami. We used to come here all the time, yes. And when the others got older and more busy, I showed a couple of my other friends the way... but only after asking the others. And it'll always be our place, in a way.

[He climbs down the last little ledge onto the sand, turning around and giving the other's hand another playful little tug to get him to come with him.]

We still come here for vacations together, and we usually go here at least once to share a meal under the stars. [He rolls his eyes slightly, briefly making a face.] I got here earlier this year. My fiancé is too busy being Detective Inspector Hijikata to take more than a couple of days off, ever, and I guess the others are busy too, but my other friends came along so I wouldn't have to wait all alone. [He squeezes the sword's hand lightly in his.] And now I've made another friend, too.

Edited 2015-06-30 11:12 (UTC)

[Then let's see who is more stubborn, Kogitsune or this old man sword here. He's got a tight grip here and if you don't behave he'll pinch your nose.]

I never thought you'd be one to change your mind so quickly. I said it's alright.

[Well, the crabs actions don't seem normal to her and that worries her a little, but Kogitsune doesn't seem to be bothered by it at all.

They won't be able to break him, sure, but that doesn't mean that they have to engage into a battle.]

I think it might even be the opposite...

[She quickly pulls her fingers back when the crabs protest! They're so feisty! Be careful, crabs, she could turn you all into food too.

Kogitsunemaru on the other hand is actually very brave to being to poke that poor crab friend of his.]

Actually, you are right, they do seem very clever...a bit too clever...[SHE'S ONTO YOU, CRABS.] But it could've been an accident, that you didn't mean to!

Oh-ho! [ She says, tossing her long hair before putting one hand on her hip. The other hand, of course, is occupied balancing that heat-attack-on-a-plate. ] Ho, ho, ho!

For a ship such as I, this is nothing! [ So she says, but she'll be getting a stomach ache latter. ] Carbs for wood! Caffeine and fats for engines! Protein for steel! [ There's protein in there? ] You need all of this if we're going to make it to the next island to beach! [ She's practically preening being able to divulge her "knowledge". ] Feast your eyes! [ GET IT, GET IT, feast your eyes?? ] For I'll be eating all of this within ten seconds. Oh, unless Mister Sword would like a bite...? [ And she does say 'mister' there, if only because she was first built in England before going to Japan. ]

Castles and defensive structures... [ He'll pat down a few wet clumps of sand to form a tail of a future fox. Seeing as it was probably easier to build some of those things with the already existing molds, he wanted to go free-form. ~~You know, just in case the whole 'saving time' thing doesn't work out, he could go into the visual arts.~~ ]

... maybe I'll try my hand at some of those later, Yamanbagiri-san. Perhaps an army of foxes can protect a citadel? And thank you.

[ He'll give the caped sword a nod of thanks for aiding him in his building endeavors. ]

[ NOT THE NOSE! Geez Mikazuki, you don't have to threaten with physical punishment. You'll make a little fox extremely sad, no one likes their nose pinched... ]

Then at least allow me to go with you. I could use a stretch. [ At least this much is true, sitting cross-legged in the sand or being on his knees for most of the time didn't allow him to get those muscles working. ]

[You're aware that it would have been more of nose boop, just with two fingers. If you actually happen to make him geniunely mad at you though... well, it's a good thing that it would take a lot to anger him and that'he's a calm old man.]

Very well, little sea fox.

[ CRABS SHOW NO MERCY, even to spirits. Countries and swords don't intimidate them! They would make a pretty good soup, though. ]

Ah, I only tripped and I did apologize. [ Does an apology count if includes the following phrase? 'Sorry, ugly bug things'. They're not bugs or things, so there's probably some hurt feelings or something-something...

But the boss crab, having probably lost its patience, makes the first move and clamps down hard on Kogitsunemaru's best pointer finger. ]

!!!

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Page 7 of 20

VACATION IS WHERE I WANNA BE

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i'm late? but i promised so i'm here...!

do your worst, I can't be tamed B|

always here for the party!

008

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listen all i can do is put your hair in a ponytail! what more would u want from me!!

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/WHIPS MY HAIR BACK AND FORTH also pff perfect keywords on this icon

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