awashlogs | November Catch-All

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November Catch-All

WHO: Ryouma and YOU! And some certain starters.
WHERE: Ruga and around town
WHEN: November
WHAT: November shenanigans, including, but not limited to: blood-drinking, getting tied up, and generally being cold and miserable.
WARNINGS: SPOILERS for Ryouma's state of being in the Mutsunokami bit. ...Okuni. And that aforementioned drinking blood thing. But it's not like. Sexy. Or anything.

i. the proof of the pudding is in the eating. [CLOSED TO MUTSUNOKAMI]

[So. One of the quests involves showing appreciation for someone. Well, for Ryouma, no one here is more important to him than his own sword. Even if the human version of Mutsunokami isn't at all the Mutsunokami he grew up with and came to love. But that's fine. It still counts, to him.

Of course, he's not feeling super great right now. It's getting colder, so he's probably just caught a cold, right? He'll be okay. It's not like a cold ever killed him!

~~Hm.~~

But today he's working as best as he can to get some semblance of a hotpot going. He hasn't been able to find his favorite ingredients, but in a place like Chroma, one can't be too picky. Still, as he prepares the ingredients he has, he can't help but feel...a little off.

He hopes it isn't what he might fear it is.]

ii. a dame that knows the ropes isn't likely to get tied up. [CLOSED TO OKUNI]

[How 'bout that, Ryouma is moving in with Mutsunokami and Okuni. It's probably a better arrangement than what he had before, both because of his agreement with Mutsunokami regarding his. Ah. Problem. and because he's closer to people he likes. He's not as close to the ocean now, but the ocean here is pretty disappointing anyway.

So he moves in one day and starts to set up his few belongings in his room, including a toy boat and a music box. He takes a moment to think about this, though. How in the past few years while he's been hiding from the authorities and hopping from protection to protection, he hasn't always had a chance to decorate his residences. And yet, with these few items that he hasn't even chosen for himself, it feels more like home.

Huh.]

iii. a lot of people like snow. i find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water. [OPEN]

[When it gets cold in the middle of the month and snowy, Ryouma gets gloomy and pouty. He tries not to stay outside around town during these days, but when he is outside, he shoves his hands in his coat pockets and wraps the fabric around himself as much as he can.

Still, if he sees someone who looks just as cold or even colder than him, he'll jog along over.]

Boy, I don't think I can used to this, ya know? I'm a southern boy; this is all too much!

[And, if you happen to be a lady - ]

Ya need a quick warmin' up? No funny business, but I can be just as warm as my heart, sometimes. If nothin' else, I'll give your arms a quick rub!

iv. wildcard!

[Is there something else you'd like to do? Hit me up!]

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[Happens to be a lady... and not a happy one.]

Don't touch me. I'm out gathering a few supplies, I won't be out long.

[When Okuni found out that Ryouma was moving in, her first reaction was something between "well damn what took him so long!!!" and "how often will he cook and clean??? i don't trust any man besides Baren to know how to do household chores (even though Mutsu is literally the one who does most of that around here but whatever)"

there was all of that of course, and also the realization that she has not lived in a house that had more than two people total for years since she was young and maybe she does feel a little strange about it. Maybe she can just treat Ryouma and Mutsu as essentially the same person so she doesn't have to feel weird after all?? questions abound

Questions abound while Okuni sidles into Ryouma's room like she already belongs there, peeking over to look at his belongings.]

Is this really all you have?

[She sounds surprised, even though she doesn't have much to her name here either. look, she was maybe hoping Ryouma had a skeleton in his house like Dave does]

( Even if he isn't the same Ryouma, they're still family. That was the conclusion he came to back then and he stands by it now. So really, when it came to expressing his gratitude to someone else, Ryouma's name had been one of the first ones to pop into his head. Which is probably why his health has gradually been decreasing. Hm.

He's watching Ryouma gather up his things for a good hot pot and can't help but feel... well, a lot of things. Yes, he'd figured out what Ryouma was making almost immediately and it made him nostalgic. But he's never shared his favorite meal with him before... at least, not like this, so he also feels excited. He tries to not look too excited, though. He's quiet, not saying much at all and honestly, with Ryouma, he does't have to say or do much to really have a good time. But it's because he's watching him that he begins to catch onto little things-- )

... Something's going around. ( A cold, maybe. ) Are ya taking care of yourself?

[He should probably stop while he's ahead.

He doesn't stop while he's ahead.]

Ah, no touching, no touching! What kinda supplies you lookin' for? I can offer up my arms for carrying anything extra.

I'm seeing if I can get any extra blankets for my horse, it may get colder here. I'm capable of carrying them myself.

[A horse!]

Oh, do ya ride? But I'm guessin' that's not all ya can do, bein' a capable woman an' all.

[He's not exactly easy to get rid of, though. Alas.]

I'll help ya look for blankets, then, and point out the nice ones. I've got a decent eye for quality, ya know.

[The only skeletons to be found here are metaphorically in the closet, sorry to disappoint you, Okuni.

But Ryouma manages to not start when Okuni just shows up out of the blue and survey his new situation. Instead he just smiles and sets his hands on his hips, standing up straight and proud.]

Yep!

[Well, and a few other things not immediately in sight, but he's still not drowning in possessions.]

It ain't like I had warning to pack up all my earthly belongings before waking up in a random well, ya know.

[A quiet Mutsunokami takes a little getting used to, but it's not a bad thing. Ryouma's just come to understand that the tsukumogami tends to have something to say quite a lot of the time. Much like himself, really, so that's not surprising. Still, sometimes a situation doesn't need words, or not a lot of them. So it's fine that Mutsunokami watches him as he works.

Except that question suddenly makes him feel self-conscious. Don't watch too closely!

Of course, it's at that moment that he's turned away from the food that he suddenly sneezes once and then twice.

...Welp.]

Aw, man...

[It's just dust! Think of it like that, Mutsunokami!]

[Oh, gods, he's not going anywhere, is he? She sighs, giving up for now.]

Very well... you may, temporarily, accompany me.

[That's a real good point, but Okuni will still be Disappointed... Mostly because she's just looking for something fun to do in Ryouma's room

even though this is Ryouma's room and she shouldn't even be here!!! BUT IT'S FINE, SHE'LL HAVE FUN HERE WITH OUR WITHOUT HIM....

She leans over to poke at his toy boat.]

You could have brought something interesting from that inn. [Back when Chroma was nice enough to let them see their own homes.] How about rewards from quests? You've done some of those, haven't you?

( Does he really have to look closely to know something is up? Not really but this was more a shot in the dark than anything. This is a scene that brings back an old memory so he’d only wanted to make sure Ryouma be careful. The first sneeze catches his attention and the second one has him getting up, reachiing to touch his forehead with a concerned expression, )

... You got it, didn’t ya?

( Whatever Ryouma has that’s been going around. honestly, even Mutsu himself feels something coming over him but he’s honestly been through the loop with his health this month... maybe he should wait until Ryouma is better before he worries about gifts? Hm. )

[Don't sound so disappointed; he can be good company!]

Temporarily? Do I gotta keep passin' tests? I wasn't real good in school, ya know.

[He...does kind of like the sound of his own voice, if that weren't already apparent, oops.]

[Well sorry he's just so old and boring for you, little lady. But he lets her poke the toy boat, so long as she doesn't end up destroying it or anything. It's a tacky little thing, not detailed at all, and definitely intended as a bathtime toy, though Ryouma isn't aware of that use. It's still a boat and for him? That's comforting enough.]

I brought back bullets and sake. Oh, and some foodstuffs.

[Because he's a Responsible Adult. But, man, that feels like it was so long ago. Ryouma can't particularly remember every detail about that weird time. Huh.

Quests, though, well. Okuni sure is curious. Nosy. Same thing.]

A few, yeah.

[But if she thinks that the possessions he's made visible are all he's received, then she'd be wrong. Not everything has to be put out on display, after all. Not everything is even interesting enough.]

[The last thing he wants is to concern other people with his health. People sneeze even when they're perfectly healthy; this doesn't particularly mean anything. But even though he wants to keep from worrying Mutsunokami, the tsukumogami just moves too fast and the next thing Ryouma knows, Mutsunokami is there, hand to his forehead, checking his health.

Ryouma frowns and brings a hand up to lightly touch Mutsunokami's wrist, trying to push his hand away.]

I got a cold or somethin', that's all. I'll pull through.

[His lips turn up in a small smile and he returns his attention back to the hotpot, starting to arrange the food inside the pot so it can cook.]

If things really get bad then I know you'll be the first one to do somethin' 'bout it. You're reliable like that. You're a good kid.

[Hm. Wait. His hands pause in their movements for a second.]

Ah, guess ya ain't really a kid.

( Opens mouth--

-- And sneezes.

Well, that sure killed the aura he was trying to transmit to Ryouma. What was that? He isn't a kid! )

I'm 500 or something.

( Just putting that out there. Nevermind the fact he's not even two centuries old in Ryouma's time. A lot of time has passed since then!

But knowing Ryouma is sick makes him all the more worried, even if he's catching a case of the sniffles himself. He'll take his hand back, raising a sleeve to his face to rub at his nose just a little. )

'Cause ya work too hard. Who usually takes care of ya back home? They aren't here now.

( So it has to be him. )

I can always change my mind, that's what I mean. And I don't plan to spend too much time out... It's terribly cold, and getting worse.

[Ah, ah! Look at you trying to be all high and mighty when you're just as susceptible as Ryouma! And he's about to point this out, too, when that age just gets casually thrown out.

Wait a second, that's...not right. Well, no, it wouldn't be for Ryouma since Mutsunokami is from the great wide future. How old was Mutsunokami when he got him again? Hold on.

He holds his hands in front of himself and tilts his head to the side, mumbling to himself and counting off his fingers as if that would help this mystery. The mystery of Mutsunokami's current year.

Needless to say, he stops before he arrives at a specific conclusion, only realizing for sure that even if he hadn't gotten assassinated at the Oumiya, he'd still definitely be dead by Mutsunokami's current date.

But he gets past the year 2000 and just...lets that go. That's crazy.]

If I didn't work hard then I'd just have to sit on my ass all day and can ya really see me doin' that? I'd lose my mind for sure.

[Oh. Lose his mind. He's had that conversation before, hasn't he? But that possibility always hangs around. Hangs around like this cold or whatever he's got. Ryouma tries to focus on the food again and manages for a couple seconds before a wave of dizziness hits him and he grabs the edge of the pot so he doesn't end up swaying all the way down to the floor. He closes his eyes, trying to regain his bearings, but everything still feels off. Even better, his heart begins to beat fast and his chest constricts and his breath feels harder to get -

Oh, no, no, no -

With his eyes scrunched closed, Ryouma doesn't see his hair bleed white, or his eyes turn red, but he doesn't have to. This feeling is unfortunately pretty familiar to him now. Familiar, but it still hurts and he clenches his teeth, desperately trying to hold back a moan of pain.]

Edited 2018-12-03 08:28 (UTC)

It's not so bad taking it easy once in awhile, ya know.

( Spoken like a true old man, even if he understands Ryouma enough to know he wouldn't be happy like that. Before he can really say that though, there's a shift in the atmosphere and he starts to sit up. It's little things like how he seems to be in a daze of some sort just before grabbing the pot. )

Hey-- ( Suddenly very alert, he comes to Ryouma's side and tries to take his hands, ) Is it happening again?

( Why? He's fine so it's not like he could have done anything to trigger it. Is someone else around? No, it's just them. )

Ryouma, look at me. Ya got this under control!

( Hopefully. )

[It wouldn't take a genius to expect Mutsunokami rushing to his side, but Ryouma is a little bit distracted, understandably. So when he feels the other's hands on his own, he starts and immediately pulls one hand away to press against Mutsunokami's chest.

And for a moment, he curls his fingers into the sword's clothes, but then tries to shove him away. Does it work? Probably not; although his strength is improved, he's still weak in these moments.]

Don't - !

[His eyes finally open and he seeks out Mutsunokami's face, not just to do as asked, but to try and convince him to not be so close. There's no blood involved this time, thank goodness, but it doesn't dismiss the fact that blood is what his body desires. And it would be so easy to grab a knife and take it, or, even more forcefully, bite down on Mutsunokami's hand or neck or anything and cut out a step entirely -

No.

He unclenches his other hand from the pot and slides down to the floor, curling up into himself and shoving his hand against his stomach. Keep himself at bay. Don't tempt himself by touching anything alive. Just breathe and struggle and endure. Like usual. He'll get through this eventually.]

( He isn't pushed away easily and he holds onto Ryouma, trying to ground him. Meeting his eyes, he recognizes that look as much as Ryouma should be able to recognize his own. It's exactly the same as last time but at least this time, he understands what's happening.

It's something he's thought about for a long time. What would he do if Ryouma had another attack? What would he do if it ever got to the point he couldn't talk him down like last time? After much deliberation and reflection, he'd come to a few conclusions. First, as important as it was to protect Ryouma, he had a responsibility to protect the others here. He can't put one person above all others. And if there's no one else to offer then...

If he doesn't have blood, he'll lose himself.

Arms around Ryouma, he gives him a gentle but firm squeeze, )

Hey, listen to me. ( Just like last time, ) You're gonna get through this. You're real strong. ( He's in so much pain right now, it can't be easy to listen so he keeps it short and simple, ) You've been holding off since ya got here and ya don't do something about it, you're gonna lose yourself either way.

That's why... I want ya to take mine. Don't take anyone else's and do it before ya don't have a choice.

[Mutsunokami is too close. He's too close but Ryouma doesn't dare try and shove him away again in case he digs his nails in too deep or attempts to hurt him in some other way. How long has he gone without succumbing to these desires? Too long, for sure. And yet he can't imagine giving in.

But it's gotten so much worse since the last time Mutsunokami saw him like this. Before, it still hurt so terribly, like his body is trying to tear itself apart. And it still feels like that, so he presses his nails into his own sides, as if it will distract him from the pain.

It doesn't.

Worse than that, though, is what Mutsunokami says, or rather what comes through to Ryouma's mind amid the haze. He lifts his head and shakes it.]

N-No...I can't...

[It's what he wants, it's what he needs, but then what? There's no going back from such a decision. He just...can't.]

( He's already undoing the bandages around his forearm and he frowns. Of course Ryouma wouldn't accept the offer easily but Mutsu has inherited a certain type of stubbornness, )

You can and you will. I'd say whether ya like it or not but there's no way liking it. ( Pulling himself back, he his bare arm in front of him, his other hand reaching for his sword next to him, ) I won't make ya 'cause you gotta make the choice for yourself.

( He won't take that away from Ryouma, )

You can put it off as long as ya want but it won't change that this is what you need now and it's gonna keep getting worse 'til you can't take it anymore.

[Every second that passes makes this more difficult, particularly so when Mutsunokami unwraps his bandages. Ryouma's eyes move of their own accord to the bared skin, knowing full well of the blood that flows just beneath the surface. Bodies can be resilient, but they're still fragile. It wouldn't take much at all to make him bleed.

And he's so damn willing to do it.

It isn't right that Ryouma has managed to get someone to be so loyal to him when it comes with this kind of price. At the same time, it means the world to him that anyone would go so far for his own well-being without expecting something in return. Chances are Ryouma isn't going to get anyone else like Mutsunokami in this place, not unless Chizuru suddenly showed up.

Ahh, there's no time to think of that. The longer he sits there suffering, the worse this all gets and the more aware he becomes of Mutsunokami's blood right there for the taking. All that needs to be done is to release it.

Ryouma can't go back from this. But then he couldn't go back when he survived that night at the Oumiya. Is suffering really worth it? Is it worth it when Mutsunokami can help him and keep him from getting worse, like he said?]

I'm...

[With a shaky hand, he reaches out for Mutsunokami's arm and wraps his fingers around it. Accepting this.]

...I'm so...sorry.

Don't be sorry. ( He draws his sword. The angle is awkward but it's not something he can't manage. In Ryouma's state, he probably won't notice the differences in their blades right now. ) Take care of yourself.

( Because he can't take care of someone who won't look out for themselves first. Bringing the edge down on his arm, he cuts in one, fast action pulling his blade away from Ryouma and bringing it to his side. He doesn't let go of his sword just yet, keeping it in his hand still but he won't resist when Ryouma takes his arm. )

[Don't be sorry.

Easy words to say, no matter the circumstance. Even if he had been taking care of himself and this still happened, he'd still be sorry. This shouldn't be happening. Mutsunokami should never have gotten involved like this.

It's too late to feel bad, but Ryouma still does. He always will.

He watches Mutsunokami draw his blade on himself - but the sword's instincts are correct; Ryouma is more focused on the actual cut than any noticeable difference in the weapon - and for a split second his body's nature screams at him to just tear that cut open wide so he can get at the blood faster. His grip on Mutsunokami's arm tightens for that split second, though he doesn't give in. The pressure does cause the cut to bleed more, however, and Ryouma just can't resist any longer. He brings Mutsunokami's arm closer and, in a quick movement, laps up the beading blood along the cut.

...It doesn't taste repulsive.

He knew it wouldn't, not with his body the way it is now, but with his mind still clinging to human expectations, it still hits him hard. Ryouma pauses to try and accept this, even as Mutsunokami's cut bleeds anew.

He hasn't had enough, though, so taking in as steady a breath as he can, he repeats the process. Once, twice, pressing his tongue harder against the wound to coax more blood to the surface. A third time.

...A fourth?

The desire for blood slowly starts to dissipate, but it's not gone completely. Ryouma stops again, wondering if something is wrong or if he just wants more and more because he's gone so long without. That has to be the case, right?

He pulls Mutsunokami's arm closer again and slowly lifts his gaze to Mutsunokami's eyes.]

Hey. Lie to me...if ya have to.

[He gives another lick to the cut.]

...I'm still me, yeah? Still Ryouma?

( This isn't his first time having his blood drawn from him but it's the most he's ever had taken from him. He controls his breathing, keeping himself as calm as he can. The blood drains from his arm and it begins to feel cold. He begins to feel dizzy and it's harder to focus.

It's a good thing that Ryouma tugs at him because it snaps him back awake and he makes sure to gives him a smile. It's not his usual rambunctious one. This smile is softer, his eyes still warm, and overall, he just seems older like his age really shows when you take away enough of his youthful energy.

He sets his sword down and reaches to brush back Ryouma's hair from his face, )

Yeah. ( He could lie. He's good at being dodgy if he really wants to be. But right now, he'll be honest. ) A man can be a lot of things but no matter what, you're always Ryouma.

( The most precious person in his world. His idol. His family. The one who's legacy shaped his soul. )

Regardless of where you're from.... ( Another world, another time, ) That's you.

... And that's... the truth.

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November Catch-All

iii

ii smh at these puns

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SMH!!!

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