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crescentview2023-02-07 08:20 pm
hearthwarming) wrote in crescentview2023-02-07 08:20 pm
🏝️ dulces sueños group excursion! 🏝️
🏝️ who: intrepid adventurers (vacationers?) and more!
🏝️ what: ori organized (origanized?) a group trip to the resort! mass memshare ensues.
🏝️ when: fall 9-10
🏝️ where: dulces sueños resort
🏝️ warnings: threads will be marked as needed for memshares.
( This is the ill-fated massextinction memshare event. Please refer to the event for details on the resort and the plotting post for any specific details for characters' memshares! There are toplevels for each area of the resort (and for the memshare). Enjoy! )
🏝️ what: ori organized (origanized?) a group trip to the resort! mass memshare ensues.
🏝️ when: fall 9-10
🏝️ where: dulces sueños resort
🏝️ warnings: threads will be marked as needed for memshares.
[ Hopefully everyone had fun on the Arco Lunar! The morning after the boat departs from the docks, a letter arrives to your mailbox: ]
Hello, intrepid adventurer!
I am excited to have you along for a group excursion to the mysterious new island! In two days' time, let us gather in the town square and set off from there! Please be prepared to stay the night. It will be so fulfilling and memorable for everyone to spend a night on an adventure together!
If you have any questions or concerns, please come find me at my flower shop in town or at the forest farm where I live!
Sincerely,
Oriphi
[ If she accidentally delivered it to a few wrong mailboxes, then... Oops!
On the promised day, once everyone (and likely a few surprise tag-alongs) has gathered or been gathered, Ori distributes little paper bags of snacks to everyone. Inside are cookies, oat snacks, and a freshly-picked apple from her and M-21's orchard. Do with them as you please... Just don't let her catch you throwing it into the sea or something. 🥺 ]
Alright. I think we should head out, then! Thanks for coming along, everyone! I hope it'll be a great time. Oh, and please don't forget to drink plenty of water and use this incredible ointment I discovered on this island! It's called "sunscreen!" Tieflings don't really get sunburnt, but you should use it!
[ And with that our intrepid adventurers set off to the mysterious, dangerous, unknowable... resort island! ]
( This is the ill-fated mass
just minor cw: combat talk
The weight of the spear in your hands, though heavy, gives you no trouble. In fact, there is a distinct sensation of connection from the weapon, like that of an arm or a leg or even just your own head. It's a part of you.
The young man, perhaps graciously, ducks for safer cover as you promptly go on the offensive, asserting distance with a forceful thrust of your blade. Through one enemy, then whipping the polearm around to bash another across the head, stunning them enough to manage another blow, and another. A smaller enemy made up of seemingly nothing but bones is pierced midair, only to be flung forcefully straight into the face of another - it's a good opportunity to shove yourself out of the tight space they corner you in, a jab to the knee to down them and a clean pierce through the torso to end them.
It's exhilarating. This is where you thrive, where you feel confident. But your team is very, very outnumbered, and you can spot Kotegiri guiding the whiny young man away as he motions frantically for you to follow, Akashi coming up to your side with a tachi in hand to use speed to cut down what your force and power cannot match.
With a harsh spit of blood and sweat to the ground, you flick your blade clean of debris and immediately make chase.
A hiding spot, thankfully, isn't too far gone this time, though you have to practically cover your stowaway's mouth for how he gasps for air. But when the coast is clear, you all exhaustedly try to regroup, all squinting at the newcomer.
"Otegine-san," Kotegiri whispers. "This... is this Hideyasu?"
It's not. You don't think it is, anyway. But before you can voice as much, the lookalike scoffs at you, his arms crossing tight as he takes a seat on a nearby boulder.
"Otegine? Like Yuki's Otegine? What, you're the spear or somethin'? No wonder you're so plain lookin'."
Maybe Kotegiri will hold you back, because this is hitting a very particular nerve of yours. Does this guy have no respect??
Can't you just teach him a lesson?]
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Too bad Kotegiri sees this coming from a mile away and tries to politely intercept you when he sees your forward motion. Binchblocked.]
Oi, who are you calling plain???
[Kotegiri keeps a hand against your chest with a pleading look before turning towards the stranger. "If you're not Hideyasu, then... who are you?"
He scoffs, before rising to his feet with his hands planted at his hips. "Guess I do owe ya an introduction. My name is Nagami Sadachika.
...
Yuki Hideyasu is my older twin brother."
All three of you present sputter at this. Akashi and Kotegiri look immediately to you.
You lived with Hideyasu for half his life and never, even once, heard of a twin brother. But the resemblance is so uncanny, you aren't sure calling Sadachika a liar is appropriate.]
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Ellis decides to accept what Sadachika says, even if he's annoying. One more disrespect, and he's getting fed to the enemies. ]
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["Whaddya mean suppose? Isn't this face proof enough?" He whips a hand up to point at himself and practically smacks himself in the ear doing so. You probably shouldn't feel good about that, but it is kind of satisfying. :)
"O-ow... look, how many rulers do you know of that have twins in their lineage? How many were twins themselves?"
You think... and you have to give him a point there. Very few come to mind. Kotegiri seems to be following along as well. "Now that you mention it, it is a little odd..."
"They aren't all that uncommon, ya know." Sadachika crosses his arms with a firm nod. "It's not like we're a magical happenin' in this country--"]
--Still, though! [You interrupt him as your brain moves much faster than normal. You don't like thinking this much, it gives you a headache... but this just contradicts so hard with what you remember, what history recorded...] Just... supposing you are his twin. That... would make you third-eldest of the shogun, right? Tokugawa Ieyasu??
[Sadachika pauses for a moment, raising his chin. "That's right. Ya got it".]
Ieyasu's one of the most famous people from this area!! He's set to rule the entire country! If you're his son, why isn't there any records of you existing???
[Sadachika squints, before tilting his head back with an exasperated whine of a sigh, striding right up to you and leaning directly into your personal space. Help. Stop that.
"Listen up, Otegine-chan." DID HE JUST CALL YOU TINY-- "I'm the younger twin. Younger. Do you not know what that means??"
...
A wild guess would be better than anything, because you have absolutely no answer to give outside your expression wrinkling up in confusion.]
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He's read that younger siblings, whether they be twins or not, are usually taken out of the prospect of inheriting the rule from their parents after they pass. An identical twin would make that even more complicated, so he figures that Sadachika was basically unpersoned to make the situation less complicated.
...
Time to turn that into Otegine speech aka more polite and probably with a lot more tact. ]
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... That's an issue of succession, right?
I mean, Nobuyasu died years ago, so that means Hideyasu is the oldest, but... he was already adopted off to the Yuki. That means unless Ieyasu steps in... you're next in line, and then your younger brother Hidetada.
Or... you should be, anyway, but...
[Sadachika stays silent, backing up a couple steps. "...Yeah. It's just how it is."
The implication here sits heavy in your chest - not out of pity, but of empathy. Kotegiri is the only one that hasn't caught on, quietly asking what Sadachika means.
Akashi is the one to answer, having stayed silent ever since your retreat.
"He was erased from history." Kotegiri stammers and looks back at Sadachika, who merely nods. Akashi, seeing no reason to pause, continues.
"The curse of multiparity. Should multiple children be born, they will be treated as beasts. Furthermore, if a person of authority were to be cursed with twins, it presents a new problem. Their birth will undoubtedly fuel a bloody war for succession in the future."
From how Sadachika's expression sombers, Akashi has it right on the money, and the weight sinks heavier in your chest with a familiar burn in your throat. To be erased, for no one to know or remember your life for something like that...
You can't quite look him in the eye, and the silence grows heavy. But Sadachika apparently will have none of it, stomping between yourself and Kotegiri making all sorts of a fuss, turning your attention back whether you like it or not. "Oi! That's enough, cut it out with the gloomy expressions!!!"]
But you--
["Listen. So what if people like me don't have a bright place in history? Y'all don't just go and assume we have to lead unhappy lives just because we're erased!" He takes several strides forward towards the light of the moon, spreading out his arms wide. "Look! I'm enjoyin' what I have to the fullest!"
He takes a deep breath, and starts wildly swinging his arms, an uncontrolled childish flurry of punches to thin air. "Ooooi, look at me go!! Y'all can't even watch how fast I'm going, can ya!!"
This is very stupid. But when you try to take a step forward, he just walks, punches and all, directly at you. "Watch me! Watch me, do you feel all left behind now? Could a person all left behind do this, eh???"
At least he's not hitting you. But when your expression doesn't budge, he slows down with a huff of aggravation.
"See? I'm happy. There's worse things than to stop existing."
You don't know if you believe that. But you find yourself too terrified to ask right now.
"Besides... I have a family where blood doesn't matter now. Im doin' splendid work at my job."
He's grinning at you, expecting you to know what he means. You don't. The clothes he has on are rather simple, but not so much that he could be a man who works with his hands like a farmer or craftsman. Despite his vulgar tongue, there's a lot of pure whites in his dressing. And while he has something slide against his waist, it doesn't look large enough to be a weapon of any great status, so he isn't a samurai...
What is he, then?]
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Also, Ellis isn't sure what he's getting at. Otegine doesn't know and Ellis sure as hell doesn't. He hasn't read enough books on this... but the whites make him think of people who work at shrines. He's also assuming that knowing who the touken danshi are, much less knowing of their existence, should be something that's incredibly rare.
Otegine—Ellis seems to ask—are you some sort of weapon spirit?
Anyway, back to the scenery at hand: ]
A shrine worker?
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Priest??? You???
[He casts you a glare, scrunching up his nose. "What're ya sayin', I'm the spittin' image of a priest!"
You can't help it. Given how much this guy has been prodding you, you feel petty, and your mouth curls into a disbelieving smile at the corners.]
No actual priest would have such a foul mouth.
["Bah, and yet here I am--"]
--If you're an actual priest like you say... [You drape your spear across your shoulder, taking the one or two steps you need to easily tower over him and lean into HIS personal space.] --you should probably show the three of us a little more respect. Shouldn't you.
[He stares at you. Without breaking eye contact, he scoots backwards and grabs Kotegiri by the arm. "Oi. What the hell is he talking about?"
Goddammit. You wish you could just spit at his feet, but you have more dignity than that. Kotegiri, at least, is a little more patient.
"Well... uh... Touken Danshi are tsukumogami."
Sadachika nods.
"And you're a priest who serves the gods."
Sadachika nods again.
"So he thinks you should probably treat us with the same respect you treat the gods, right--"
"Eh??" Well, even though Kotegiri is 100% correct, it doesn't seem to sink in, and once again Sadachika is clearing the distance. This time, you don't bother shying away, feeling yourself glaring down at him. "Bah, you bastard, you got a fast one on me! Got a problem with how I treat ya?? I do my job just fine!"
You want to strangle this man.
There's far more important questions. Even a powerful priest should not know what you are on sight, and yet here he is, perfectly aware and without question
But you really, really want to strangle him. Or trip him. Or watch him hit himself in the face again. Just a little. You shouldn't... but god, you can't stand people like him!!]
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But Ellis has a plan. If he can't be violent, then he'll have Otegine walk up to Sadachika, pinch his cheeks, stretch them, rub his face like putty, and then repeat absolutely without mercy.
He has no idea about how Sadachika should know that they're touken danshi otherwise, so he'll just leave that to Otegine's default thought answer if he has one... after all that thinking before, that probably won't happen, huh. ]
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You don't want to. :/
Kotegiri, once again, runs up and has to bodily shove you away from the priest. "Otegine-san, p-please, calm down...
...
Sadachika-san, we're missing an important point here that you're not answering. How do you know we're Touken Danshi?"
Everyone goes quiet. Sadachika just laughs awkwardly, looking at the ground before planting his hands back on his hips with a sideways look towards you all in turn.
"I can't tell you.
All I can promise is that I'm not your enemy. Someone told me there was a way my older brother could be saved from his current fate... that was the one who mentioned you."
Who??? It's raising all sorts of alarms. No one from this era should know about you, and those from your time should know that speaking of the matter is the one thing you cannot do, no matter where you are. Time is delicate.
You can't ask much more than that, though. Sadachika hoists up his robes to start marching off. "Right! We need to get going now! Come on!"]
Eh??? Where??
["What kind of question is that? To where Hideyasu is, of course."
Fear bubbles up in you immediately, along with irritation.]
But we can't just--
["Oiii, no." Back he comes. You will never be free of this torment. Your eyes roll. "Now ain't the time to think anymore. Don't just stand there and gawk, you out of date stick-in-the-mud. You're the one who was my brother's, so you gotta get the honor of takin' me to my brother--"
You feel every muscle of your body tense. That's it. You've had it.
Your patience has finally snapped.
Though you unfortunately still cannot kill this fool, Ellis will be allowed to say whatever he wants, uncensored and uninterrupted, for the next IC thirty seconds, as loud as he would like.]
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Ellis feels incredibly stressed from the situation at hand, Sadachika insulting him, Otegine's feelings that create a feedback loop... and just. Snaps. ]
... Listen here, you rambunctious twit. We are not listening to you. Who even are you to order us around? You are not our master. Also, have you used your head?! If someone told you about us, then you should know that we can't do what you're asking of us.
[ Ellis breathes in. ]
Additionally, I am not out of date nor a stick in the mud! Your freedom is great so you can be happy, but you're pissing me off with your blatant disregard for others! Even putting all the logistics aside, do you think we'd want to help you because of how you treat us?! No! Look inside your soul and maybe you'll see that you're such a bratty mo—
[ Ellis doesn't normally curse, but he sure was about to say "motherfucker". Alas, his 30 IC seconds are up, so it's back to the Otegine filter. ]
1/2
The longer you talk, the more frantic Kotegiri gets behind you, first trying to wave tou down and then running off to yank Akashi by the arm for assistance. Not that you care, your blinders are up and set on the brat in front of you.
He, like clockwork, is back in your space even before you're done talking. Your grip tightens on your hip and your weapon to prevent you from shoving at him, plenty of strength to tank how he once against bodies you with his shoulder, talking over you.
"Oi, somebody's gotta make choices here if all you're gonna do is sit and worry-- how do you think I feel anyway? Ya think I can talk about anything? I told ya I can't, either! What, do your ears not work?? This is why you're so out of date!!"]
Who've you calling out-of-date, you brat--
["Say that again! Say that to my face!"
Another hand is planted on your chest, and this time actual strength is being used, enough to knock both you and Sadachika backwards with a force that topples you. The priest goes head over heels into the brush, and you blow immediately backwards... right on top of Akashi, who wheezes out a pained yelp at how heavy you are.
From where Kotegiri has once again separated the altercation, he looks both apologetic and absolutely fed up with both of you, straightening his uniform.
"That all aside.
We have a shared goal. If we leave Hideyasu to continue on his current path, history might be changed irreversibly. I don't think it's good for us to stay by ourselves with that huge kebishii wandering around, and ...given the situation, that also includes Sadachika-san. We need to regroup with the others first. Tsurumaru-san will be able to make the best choice before we do anything too drastic. Right?"
You awkwardly roll off Akashi, a hand held in front of you in apology as he limps to his feet with the most long-suffering look of exhaustion you have ever seen. But Kotegiri is right. You're sitting ducks out here. And you know if the kebishii catches you, you're all guaranteed to break. The kebishii only sees those that do not belong in the flow of time, after all... and the longer you stay, the more entities gather that should not be together, the easier it will be for it to find and slaughter every single one of you.
Sadachika is already marching off in the wrong direction. You consider letting him go. But your chin raises up with a sharp, barking yell at him, forcing him to stop and glare at you.
Your voice drops into a mocking, mimicking tone, one hand on your hip with as overblown of a childish tone you can manage as you point in the direction you are supposed to be going.]
Too bad for you, but Yuki's Bland Pestle says it's thiiiis way~
[Your jaw locks, and you stick your tongue out at him.
He screams bloody murder at you, and you run immediately.
Worth it.]
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You have to act separately for now, if only to give yourselves more time.
As you flee the kebishii, the one other person to follow you is not another sword. It's Sadachika, gasping for breath and struggling to keep pace. Tsurumsru has already included him as a vital piece of the plan... but...
"Seriously, why'd they go and put me with you of all people??" His annoyance is palatable, and you don't bother to hide your own.]
Right back at you! You think I like this either??
[Sadachika scoffs, stuffing his arms against himself uncomfortably with a sour sulk.
"Well, you better remember that unlike you, I'm human. So you better go ahead and make sure I get taken care of well.
Is this how this guy asks for favors? Unbelievable.
You do have this quiet space of momentary peace to yourselves. You can choose to speak more of your mind, or ask him questions, or simply just give one another the cold shoulder for a little while.]
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[ Seriously. ]
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"Whaddya mean?
If you're expectin' me to be all majestic and caring to you like my brother, then you gotta get your head outta the dirt and remember that I ain't him. I've got no reason to not speak my mind, even to things like you."
With a firm nod, he drops to a seat, sighing and looking up towards the moon.
"Besides, it's not like the gods gotta place for somebody like me anyway. Why should it matter if I irritate 'em a little?"]
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Ellis can feel his irritated state absolutely soar. Even if Otegine originated from an object, he's a person now with things even if he doesn't understand them. Ellis felt like that at some point in his life. He's not real. He's from a story, after all. He's a character from a story that some god wrote because he was pining after someone.
Then with the purpose torn from him. His fists might curl dangerously to the point that the nails might dig in more than they might. It's not even about being a god, or lesser than a god--even if it's between people, this is-- ]
Since you're the one asking for help, shouldn't you be prostrating yourself? At least be a little nicer? You don't have to be a saint, but you could at least behave like a decent human being.
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What are you gonna do if I say no? Leave me to die just for givin' you a bad attitude?"]
No. [It's frustrating, to know you're both aware of your job here. But you can at least try to be the one with some sort of respect for your position.]
Just because I'm irritated doesn't mean I'll stop doing my job. You don't need to ask for that much.
Besides, if you die, who knows what it'll do to history.
["Nothing will happen."
Your throat locks up for a moment, and you look back to him, assuming he's pulling your leg. But for once, he looks serious.
"I'm erased already, remember? If I were to die right now, the story of history would keep goin' on without me, and nothin' would change.
You don't gotta treat me like I'm gonna be remembered like my brother. I'm not a noise that gets myself an echo. I know myself best, after all."
The fear comes up again, vibrant and hot and distressing. The fear of being lost.
Red. Thundering. Amounting to nothing but ash.
What does he know that you don't? Why... is he so comfortable with this? Isn't he scared, too?]
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Otegine's distress and fear affects Ellis too when he was already distraught by the answers and reactions. Someone can be unpersoned but they can still affect history, even if it isn't the "main" history, is Ellis's firm belief. If Sadachika wasn't here, they wouldn't have had this conversation. Otegine and his fellow sword men are already unpersoned to begin with in this particular timeline right this second. They're not fully erased from history, but they aren't supposed to exist here. They technically don't exist, yet here they are. It feels as if they're on a different dimension entirely to him. His head is starting to hurt from all this, and he hates all this rushing through his mind.
Also, he doesn't want worship!! Does he have to worship everyone who he has a decent conversation with?? Is this guy stupid?! This is the most emotions Ellis has ever felt throughout his existence. Congrats, Otegine. Thanks. He wants to scream.
brb he's blue screening ]
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...
"What? What's with the weird look?"
You shake yourself to attention, your knuckles white against your spear.]
...I...
Can I ask you something?
[He squints at you, but relents after a moment with a nod.]
If we lose the reason for our existence, that means we cease to exist ourselves... right? So...
Being erased... what does it feel like?
[It's not as easy as just finding another reason for existence. It doesn't work like that for a spirit like you. And at the core of your fear bubbles the same line of thought, over and over...
This is borrowed time you exist on. Talking to Sadachika, fighting, being. What happens, when there's nothing left? Others will get to go to rest, but...
What about you?
...
"...It makes no difference to me.
It has nothing to do with what allows us to exist, or any reason for it. That we even existed in the first place, no matter how or where... that's reason enough.
Because I know I'm here now. I know I'm happy and alive. So long as I know it... then that's good enough."]
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But why is he s til l h er e . . . ?
He doesn't understand what Sadachika is saying. Ellis doesn't think he answered the question. Saying nice things like that to divert the attention is something that he uses all the time, so he'd notice it.
Even if Otegine won't laugh, Ellis will. It's so absurd. ]
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The fact of your existence was enough?? What was that even supposed to mean? Was it that simple???? When your existence relies on more than just "being", when you have to have a history to have a "you", does that even count?
Ellis feels like he has to laugh, and Otegine, in tragic opposition, feels his chest burning with what might turn into anguish, if he lets it go any farther.]
Even if...
Even if no one remembers you?
[It's meant to be a challenge. But your voice cracks despite itself, and rather than answering, Sadachika just looks at you, an expression that you don't understand and can't label, complicated and shifting from harsh and confused to a careful, momentary empathy.
"...Why are ya asking?"
You catch yourself, swallowing hard, ripping your posture away to look anywhere else. Stand guard. Do something. Do the job you were meant to do. Your... at least temporary purpose.]
...N-nothing.
No reason.
[...]
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Then, at the top of his lungs, Sadachika yells at you.
"Then you should just remember me then!!"
It catches you off guard, and you silently look back over at him. Him, with that determined face you know from your master that is no fault of his own, with his chest held out and his fists clenched and his eyes filled with emotional determination.
"If you're that worried I'm gonna vanish, then remember me! Commit me to memory, Otegine!!
And in turn... I promise I will remember you!!"
...
It's still not an answer. Maybe... there isn't an answer, truly. But the swell you feel in your chest, at just the notion of someone wanting to remember you... not history's version of you, but this you, the lost you, with nothing left to anchor your future and only a void of nothing to take rest in at your end...
You don't think you could forget this boy even if you tried. This bratty, forgotten boy. Maybe... wherever his spirit led, he would think the same of you.
For you.
Surely, you don't need to hesitate over this.
...
...
The memory ends, a drifting of starlight and crickets into the void of sleep. Sadachika is gone. Otegine is gone.
Ellis is Ellis once again.]
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Ellis is Ellis.This sort of interaction leaves Ellis to feel conflicted over his own thoughts on the matter, but at the moment, he'll shove it to the back of his mind. He can "process" it later.
In any case, he hopes that this helped Otegine in some shape or form, even if he knows it wouldn't for himself. ]