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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Really? So should I try fighting them instead? [ It's not like's gonna draw his sword and start slicing the things up. They're pretty close to defenseless, what with their inability to comprehend threats. Then again, the fact alone they aren't scurrying away is probably worrying...

... not like Kogitsunemaru knows. ]

I feel like it'd be an unfair fight...

[He doesn't move when Souji leans against him, even though a part of him wants to. But he's always craving contact, and now that he can't ignore these similarities and this crushing feeling of nostalgia anymore, he might as well embrace it, right? Or... try. He can try, because the alternatives are painful.

When Souji points out one of the people out in the storm, his eyes follow but he doesn't really look. He doesn't really need to. He knows exactly who's out in that storm now. He can't just pretend Heisuke was a slip, some bizarre coincidence. ...Well, it's nice in a way to know that they've all managed to find each other again. He wonders what this says about souls and destiny and other similar things, but that's far too complex for him to dwell on.]

An old friend, huh...

[It is kind of like that, and he's not sure he likes it. He slings the towel over his shoulder, leaning back just a little.]

...I guess. So you've— like, all of you've found each other again?

[ fine, fine... horikawa will find his inner chill place, seeing as yamato is indeed genuinely trying to help him. and the sight is pretty amazing with how the light reflects off of the shells and how the water sparkles just enough. it's picturesque! shame they couldn't get the same effect back at the citadel. ]

It does. [ he'll smile at the other, putting a hand on his hip and leaning a little to the side. ] Think we'll be allowed to come back? [ he's unsure if this is a one-time thing, whether the organization behind it all would allow another vacation... or whether either of them would see another one. ]

[ no weather-related monster will get kashuu, not with horikawa being on high alert! those blue eyes aren't just for looking pretty, you know.

why would you have nail polish here of all places?! it's a beach! there's SAND! any wind would quickly ruin the paint and make it grainy and oh gosh, what a mess it'd be. of course, either kashuu is incredibly well prepared or a goober. probably the latter. horikawa wouldn't mind a nice shade of dark blue or maybe dark red, think kanesada would like it?... ]

You're right. It'd be a shame to waste a vacation in this hole. [ the company is fine but it's just not what he was expecting... much like THAT QUESTION, REALLY?!!?! ]

... you didn't bring any? You mean, you didn't bring the entire citadel with you? [ his tone is so dry, it could make those rain clouds turn into dust. ]

[ A nose boop? Oh. Well, in that case, he'll have to take advantage of that situation as soon as he could. And he wouldn't want to upset Mikazuki, not even by accident. ]

Shall we? [ He'll chuckle at the sea fox comment as he and the 'old man' walk together toward the shoreline. ]

No way.

[A QUICK DENIAL...

But beyond how absolutely gross that monstrosity of a beach food looks, there also doesn't seem to be any way to eat it elegantly. Part of the reason he replaced the graham crackers with cookies is because cookies are sturdier and reduce the chance of marshmallow and chocolate spillage!! There's no way he'd be able to avoid that if he tried to tackle this thing...]

Anyway, if you went through all the trouble of making that, shouldn't you... I dunno, enjoy it? Why ten seconds? [Why any of this??]

[Bless Horikawa, looking out for his dumb ass in these times of trouble...

AND LOOK. He's both, okay. He's a goober but he's also incredibly well-prepared! What if he chips a nail on a shell or something?? It would be unsightly to go about for the rest of the trip without fixing that! Now he's ready to face any potential cosmetic mishap.

WHAT'S WITH THAT DRY-ASS TONE, THOUGH?! He doesn't even have the chance to voice his agreement about wasting their vacation time, but he sure does shoot A Look™ over without missing a beat.]

I only brought what I needed, y'know? [He needs two different pairs of shades, Horikawa. He needs them.]

[It's really strange to suddenly be close to someone who was actually there, during that distant time in history which seems linked to him somehow - even if he was a sword at the time. Like suddenly there is a clear line stretching from the both of them to those events, real and tangible, instead of just vague feelings and hunches.

Honestly, it's a bit scary. Which might be why he's instinctively seeking out contact, since it's the feeling that is scary, not Kashuu in himself. That much he can identify in the storm of confused emotions which has been so very unceremoniously dumped on him now.]

I guess you could say so? Some are people I've known since I was a child. It used to be like a game to us, I guess. [He sighs, doodling aimless little patterns in the wet sand.]

It's always the same feeling when I meet someone like that, like I've met someone before, like they're important to me somehow. But I don't actually remember anything - not outside of dreams, anyway.

[He shrugs a bit disjointedly, looking up and studying the other man's face carefully.] So I guess... maybe I used to be someone you knew, in a way?

Just look at it for about five minutes and you'll understand how cute it is!

[ Yamato just stop, you've fucked up and now Kashuu is having a hard time with anything like a jellyfish. Wasn't it cold, soft and wet upon his skin? Doesn't that help smooth out his crows feet if he had them? When will he just enable Yamato so that they can continue messing with them? Even the male's shriek was enough to make the few KBCgulls fly away, startled from such a thing! Even in the sky, they're going to stare down at the duo.. they must be angry with them. ]

If I have to put it back will you find another animal I could bring back to the citadel with us? I was going to bring this one but..

[ The jellyfish sinks in sadly, maybe it hears Kashuu's mean ass words and is sad. Wtf Kashuu, apologize... ]

Mhm! They're all over the place!

Ah but a lot of them are broken. ( He sounds a little disappointed by this ) The waves wash them ashore and a lot of them end up breaking because they aren't strong enough.

But I bet there're a bunch of perfect shells at the palace!

[CRABS TOO BRAVE. Then again, since they're spirits, the crabs probably thought they could keep dishing them out pain. Too bad the crabs can be killed (into soup. Mmmm).]

O-oh did you-- [Except she can't even finish that because Boss Crab has launched its attack!!! Vietnam practically throws herself at them so she can try to pry the crab off Kogitsunemaru's finger.]

Let go!

[ Those names are nothing but familiar to Yamato, each and every one reels through his mind of a person who appears in it. It's those names that bring him an inch closer to figuring this out, to finding what he's searching for through all of this. His smile is soft just like his eyes and he feels so lucky compared to how he always been. Compared to the other's crouch, he does come down to his knees. Eyes watching the little aquatic animals motion from left to right, minding their business as if the two aren't there.

He wants to ask why they aren't afraid, the small creatures but he has a feeling that they've grown use to the other, haven't they. That they have nothing to fear when a gentle person is by them, pointing them out and allowing the animals to be noticed. It's a kind act. Slowly getting back to his feet so he can be led by such a kind heart, he trusts it.. he really does. It can't be helped he's learning something every moment like how he knows these names.. names that Yamato could list off with ease that hold parts of his memory and even when the term fiancé is said, he's shocked. He doesn't understand the modern practices of marriage but he knows the term. ]

I hope you can be with them for a very long time.. longevity isn't easily passed to people but I hope you all can meet up here. .. Your fiancé, he must be a good man, isn't he? Even though he works hard, he's just doing his best, isn't he?

[ He recalls that name, Hijikata, maybe he shouldn't make it relate to the people that he knew but all the names add up just too well. It's a shock to him to hear that someone like him would indulge in these practices with others. It makes him smile to know that, it seems like each and every person he could probably ask a question about is doing OK. Though, there's a name that hangs off te tip of his tongue, which might be rude to ask since the other is giving so much information on himself. ]

I wouldn't mind.. coming here with you if you truly deem me to be enough to be your friend. It feels like a honor.. that I've had before. For some reason, I'm at ease.. and I don't know why. [ He shouldn't force what he knows to another, even if they have the same names.. they could all be different people. Deep inside, he's happy but .. ]

If I may ask.. I'm sorry for prying but.. Do you have another friend.. [ It's silly, things like this can't add up that well. It's like he's grabbing onto something that's not there.. but he feels the warmth in the other's hands. ]

Okita-kun. Do.. you know him?

[ Does he exist? ]

[ Please find that chill, Yamato is tired and how much trouble would he get into if he attacked a fellow comrade!!! ]

Huh.. I can't really say. There's so much we have to do, it can't be helped that if we never see this place again or when we do.. how different it may look. [ Laughing softly to himself, he hopes that if they're able to see this place again - it still looks this beautiful. Besides, this place does give everyone a piece of mind and he's noticed that some are much more happier than he's believed he's ever seen them. ]

If we don't come back, it's just that we have to make the best of what they've given us, huh..?

[Souji nods in agreement with the sword's words, fondness softening his smile for a moment. Even if he might complain at times, or still get jealous that the job takes so much time away from him, he's still utterly, overwhelmingly proud of his man. And he knows that somehow, incredibly, Hijikata is proud of him as well, finds admirable traits in him as well, so how can he feel anything else?

But as the other speaks of a feeling of being at ease together, of the sensation that has followed him everywhere ever since he was a child, of old connections waiting to be rediscovered, of locked rooms in his mind waiting for the right key... he grows more still, more solemn, watching the younger man's face raptly. Apart from Hajime, no one's ever really come out and said it quite so quickly before. This boy... is rather odd, isn't he? But Souji doesn't mind odd, has lived his whole life with people finding him strange, so he's often drawn to it quite naturally.]

You have that feeling too, huh? Like we were meant to meet, somehow?

[But while Souji is used to this sensation by now, used to no longer questioning why history seems to play such an active role in his life, twisting it into new shapes as it sees fit... this is quite new. No one's directly asked about a name before, simply accepted the situation in this way. And that voice is so full of... what? Fragile awe; blind and trusting longing; a desperate need which Souji has no idea how to fill? All of that but not quite, as if the feeling is too vast and complicated to properly grasp for an outsider, for someone who has never felt it.

And he's asking for Souji.

Looking down at their linked hands, Souji slowly twists his around so that he can gently entwine their fingers, as if he needs a firm hold to be sure of what is real.]

That's me. My name is Okita Souji. Have- Have you been looking for me?

Edited 2015-07-01 04:06 (UTC)

[ Sudden! Dramatic point! At you! ]

But that's part of the challenge! [ Do u even navy, bro? They don't brag about any size but the size of their ship and the fish they catch, going on to talk about beers and barnacles and trying to one-up each other all the time. Obviously. ] OOookay~! Here goes-- [ She lifts up the concoction, raising it as if it is a tribute to the sun. ] Three, two, one--!

[ CHOMP.

Chomp, chomp, chomp.

Chomchompchompchompchompchompchomppppp--

All dainty, bite-sized tiny 'chomps', actually, so petite and quick, it may seem as if she's nibbling at the entire thing. But no, no, despite the size and the polite mannerism of her bites, it's fast and without a mess. Within eight seconds, she's done. ] Aaah! That's how you do it. [ She makes a V-sign with her hands oh so proudly. Give her a moment, she'll become sick to her engines soon. ]

[ He is vaguely reminded of that cereal ad on the TV at the citadel. The one with the swirls of cinnamon that that numerous people couldn't see. However, those are too small to use for something like this. ]

If you don't mind teaching someone like me.

[ He tries not to look too eager for the lesson, but the way his eyes light up at learning how to make this delicious treat gives him away. ]

[ Dutifully, he goes to get the water, carefully avoiding getting himself wet. Yamanbagiri tries to be quick, but he delays at the water's edge for a brief moment before retrieving the water and returning. ]

Sorry for taking so long. Here you go.

[ The bucket is brimming full of water. However... in the bottom of the bucket are two smooth pieces of sea glass and three sea shells with barely any chips in them. Nearly in perfect condition. Yamanbagiri found them in the sand, washed up from some of the more recent waves. ]

I wouldn't recommend it.

[Not that it's going to end up like in the Zelda games and a swarm of crabs goes after him... followed by a giant crab that tries to protect its children.]

Maybe...

[She goes to grab a seaweed and tries to lure the crabs away by waving it in front of their eyes.]

[OKAY BUT THAT ACTUALLY WAS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE. He doesn't need to navy to know that he's just witnessed... something. Some sort of feat? He's not sure if that was dexterity or agility or something else entirely, but he might even clap if his hands weren't already full.

Instead, she just gets an incredulous look... What just happened here??]

...I mean, that's— [?!?!] I guess if that was a challenge, you would've won?

[But what would she have won... An oncoming stomach ache, apparently.]

How d'you even eat like that?

[He's not apologizing to a handful of jellied animal, okay... HE'S NOT GOING TO DO IT. Even though Yamato is who he has real beef with here, the jellyfish still can't be forgiven that easily.]

Why can't you just take a shell or something? D'you even know how to look after the animals around here?

[Anything living would die in their care so fast... Unless their saniwa had mercy on whatever it was and stepped in to take care of it instead, but that'd just be a hassle!!]

[The disappointed note in his voice has Kashuu glancing back over again. After a second of thought:]

Check by the tide pools and stuff, too. If things die in there, they're safe from being broken on rocks.

[THAT'S A DEPRESSING WAY TO WORD THINGS but it's true...]

[Did you actually think he'd harm you or anyone else who's not the enemy? And he doesn't want to upset him either.]

We shall.

[Sand fox wouldn't have fit.]

[There's something about that statement that rings out with a certain kind of loneliness, and even though a part of Kashuu is glad to be here right now, it's a much smaller part than he would like. Geez, nothing can ever be easy or straightforward...]

...Yeah. Something like that, I guess.

[Another lazy shrug, and Kashuu glances back away, out toward the sea and the dinguses puttering around in it.]

But that guy died a long time ago. We're closer to strangers, y'know? [And that's fine, because he's not Yamato - he's not hung up on the past. He's not stuck on the master who wielded him better than anyone, he's not.] Sooo - it's good to meet you or something.

'Course not! Sit, sit.

[And he'll gesture to a little clear spot next to the fire with one hand! With the other, he starts digging around in his Case Of Supplies, pulling out chocolate bars and more cookies.]

First, which type of cookie d'you want? And pick a chocolate, too.

Mm, I don't exactly think that I could live up to that kind of person at all.

[Because it might have been okay to be the way Souji is back then, as a warrior, but society in the future isn't exactly as cool about it. So he's conformed, as much as he can, because he has to. All the trouble he got into as a teenager is well behind him, and a preschool teacher with a knack for knife fighting and kendo is pretty far away from a ruthless, powerful warrior, all things considered.

Still, Souji isn't the kind of person who will let himself get caught up in gloomy thoughts if he can help it, and so he smiles warmly at Kashuu and gives his shoulder a small nudge with his.]

Still, he never got to meet you properly as a person either, did he? So in that way, I'm luckier than him - and that's not the only way, of course. [He's got 99 problems but active TB ain't one.] So... would you mind not being practically strangers? I'm guessing you're probably pretty busy, but... it would be nice to get to know you a bit.

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VACATION IS WHERE I WANNA BE

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/cuts your hair short we cant have it that long for the war & I SAW AND THOUGHT THAT WAS SO CUTE

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WOW RUDE maybe I beat my enemies with my hair

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/muffled "Somebody that I used to know" playing in the distance