thenearshore | ( open ) well, there weren't any treasure chests

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( open ) well, there weren't any treasure chests

Who: Urashima and you
What: Urashima being the best he can be at everything he can try
When: 24, 25, 27 May so we can be a little flexible with dates!
Where: Various places in the Near Shore, Hachiman's Temple, and generally around the Far Shore.
Summary: Most options are open! There's one closed one and one semi-open one.

1. I'll Pay You In Experience (Various, The Near Shore)

( Summer jobs are all the rage but it's hard to get a job when you don't have a ~resume~ or work experience. Urashima, unfortunately, has neither of these and he's learned the hard way that it's harder to get work experience than you might think… Uwah, how is he supposed to get experience if no one will give him a chance!?

But with persistence and pure genki, he's managed to get a job!!!

... Which means he hasn't really found a job at all. He's just helping out the average person in the Far Shore, running errands and doing small favors for those who can use the extra help. You can find Urashima doing a few things,

A. In a neighborhood garden, tying string to some wooden stakes to help support the plants.
B. Running around the city carrying a small shopping bag of items and a piece of paper with an address written in shaky letters
C. At a local temple, standing in front of all sorts of charms that are for sale. He isn't really helping here but something's definitely caught his attention. )

2. Take this! (Hachiman's Temple, The Far Shore) (Semi-Open to people who would be around Hachiman's temple)

( He's a cinnamon roll. An absolutely squishy cinnamon roll so it's a wonder why this kid is suddenly up and center in the middle of the practice hall, a wooden sword in hand, and holding his hands in front of him in a pleading gesture, )

Please, go easy on me!

( P L E A S E )

3. That hurt, you know (Various, The Far Shore)

( It's been a long day and he's on his way home back! He's probably carrying a few odd things from his day in the Near Shore. Look at his "pay" for the day! Random snacks, some seasonal drinks, half a daikon, wrapped in newspaper, a bag of cherries, and an old coin purse, a little worn and clearly used.... but it's really cute and shaped like a fish!

He's also got a few fresh new bruises on his arms but that's not important. At least, he doesn't appear to mind. )

4. Akihabara (Closed to Roxas)

( They've been talking about it for awhile but finally, Roxas and Urashima have a chance to go to Akihabara together. Urashima follows closely behind him, not wanting to get separated in the crowds. Honestly, the entire district is a little overwhelming but not in a bad way! His eyes are as bright as the signs and lights as he stops to look a sign advertising a new cafe that will be opening up soon. )

Uwah... do you come here a lot?!

5. Wildcard

( COME AT ME )

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( Don't "Ah?" him...

Souji can probably see Urashima's expression drop, turning into something more like a pout because someone doesn't realize exactly what he's gotten into. Ugh, what do you mean you won't go easy on him? No fair! )

Aw!

( But then there's something like a huff before he shifts back into a proper, ready position. Clearly, Souji is joking with him. Especially with a smile like that )

Then... I'll do my best! ( And see exactly how easy or how hard Souji is on him... ) Let's go!

( And Urashima makes the first move, going for a side strike. His technique isn't awful-- even if this is more or less one of his first times, there's definitely signs that he knows what he's doing... he's just a little rough around the edges. He's a natural, really! Just not at the uchigatana, oops. )

That's the spirit!

[Souji just assumes that Urashima has ~~resigned himself to his fate~~ taken up the challenge, and immediately sinks into a defensive stance.

The boy moves really well, without much polish but with a definite sense of purpose and little energy wasted, from what Souji can see. If he'd only relied a bit more on the range of his sword, there would've been very few openings in his stance, and it would've been quite hard to do more than just block. As it is, Souji deflects the blow instead and steps to the side, aiming an admonishing whack in the direction of his ribs.]

Sword closer to your body, please.

Hey! ( He jumps away when he's hit, one hand reaching for his side and looking up at Souji with the most why look ever. And there it goes, some of that Kotetsu salt and he mutters to himself, ) You could have just said so...

( You didn't have to hit him!!! But he'll fix himself just like he's told, holding the stance and glancing at Okita-senpai. )

Like this?

Mm, but a good teacher should show what he means, right?

[Said with the same kind smile, because he's apparently 100% serious about this. And since he did warn Urashima, clearly the boy is prepared for this, right?

He nods in approval at the stance. Better. Though there is one little thing...

Which is to say that Souji suddenly attacks instead, aiming a swift blow from above toward his left elbow.]

You're not getting lazy with this side, huh? [Look, he doesn't know that Urashima literally was created to handle a one-handed weapon.]

Edited 2016-12-27 14:28 (UTC)

( WHY DOESN'T SOUJI KNOW? WHY DOESN'T ANYONE!?

The last thing he expects is a surprise attack and he's definitely slow to react. Of course he gets hit and he let's out a loud yelp as, again, he flinches and jumps away, but he's no turtle that's going to let himself get beat up. He may have been too slow to deflect the strike but he swings his sword right back at Souji without any sort of hesitation-- a wide, horizontal one, perhaps a little too wide, but definitely a retaliation. )

-- I wasn't ready!

You've got to learn to be.

[Souji leans out of the way of the swipe with a surprised little sound, and something in his gaze sharpens a bit, grows more intense and yet more distant at the same time. An experienced fighter always hates going up against someone young and unpredictable, because sometimes brash moves like this pay off.

Or make your opponent take you more seriously, regrettably.

Souji's sword comes down with a sharp crack on Urashima's before he can get him on the backswing, and then Souji is suddenly night in his space, swiping his leg hard against the back of his ankles.]

Mind your balance when you swing wide. [Still giving instructions, but he sounds a lot more serious about it.]

( Why...

His grip is completely thrown off, barely hanging on with both hands and the next thing he knows he's on the ground, his sword beside him. There's something like a grown and he sits there for a second, head down, not looking up at Souji. He's running through what just happened in his head, taking notes of everything that's been said and done.

Mind his left, mind his balance, keep his sword close to him-- he can do this. He knows he can and he picks himself up. Again, he shifts into a ready position and thought it isn't perfect, it's obvious he's doing his best to take the instructions to heart. He's still favoring his right over his left and every time he swings, it'll always be a little too wide or restrained, unused to the weight and length, )

I'll show you...

( He can be serious too. Arms drawn back, this time, he aims low and fast, trying to get close. It's the wrong type of sword and his own, natural style fits awkwardly in the moment but he naturally wants to close any distance between him and his opponent. If he'd thought about it more, he'd realize that even if he manages to get as close as he'd like, it isn't as easy to move with this practice sword in that space but if he can take it, he's going to do his best to hold his ground. )

[It's interesting. Urashima is clearly listening to what Souji is saying, he's a good learner, but it's as if his body is resisting. Or rather... as if his body already knows what it's doing, and isn't going to learn differently? The attack is quick and powerful, experienced, which clashes rather obviously with the way the sword is handled.

Instead of avoiding the attack this time, Souji meets it, allowing their swords to slide into a lock. His breathing is still controlled, his posture one of anticipation rather than aggression, but his eyes are those of a man prepared to die and kill if he has to.]

And now?

( He doesn't know. He honestly doesn't know because in his head, none of the scenarios he can think of make sense. Stab. At this range, he would move to stab his opponent but that doesn't make sense with a standard length sword designed for slashing. Still, his muscle memory pushes him to try-- pushing against Souji's sword, trying to find room to pull back for the necessary thrust but stuck in the exact same position.

Urashima's eyes wander up to Souji's trying to find some sort of answer and only meeting eyes cold like steel and dark with purpose. It catches him off guard and his mind goes blank.

He begins to pull back his sword, the edge sliding against Souji's, and his hands move. He might not remember but his body knows that this isn't the right sword at all. And his hands move with one moving up, away from the grip and towards the blade to shorten the length. If this was a real sword, he'd slice his fingers through. The palm of his other hand goes down, to the base of the handle in a pushing motion. And though it's still definitely awkward and certainly careless and unconventional, it's just barely manageable-- an attempt at a stab right for Souji's center. He's also completely thrown off his own balance, leaving himself open for disarmament with just a one-handed grip on a two-handed sword. )

[See, if this had been earlier during their sparring, this would absolutely have been the moment when Souji would have just reached over and grasped Urashima's wrist to disarm him, and knocked him over with a gentle shove. He would've laughed, and dropped both their swords, reaching down to help him up.

Unfortunately, his is not the mindset of a teacher anymore. So as Urashima stabs, he steps in and slams down the butt of his sword on the back of the hand trying to guide the boy's blade. Like this, both the back and neck are really left wide open, and it's just a mercy that Souji goes for a swipe at his neck from the front. With a real sword, he would've cut his throat quite easily, so the fact that the angle doesn't allow for great force is immaterial. Or to put it another way, the blow won't actually crush Urashima's windpipe if it lands, but merely bruise it and knock the wind out of him.

If he'd smacked his sword down on the back of his neck, he could've potentially done a lot more damage.

Either way, Souji takes a step back and sinks into another defensive pose, just in case Urashima attacks again. Regardless of how he deals with the attack, he might want to consider not doing that. At least until Souji's mind has made contact with reality again.]

( His arm gives out, he only just barely manages to keep his hold, sword practically slipping out of his fingers just as--

He's struck. There's a loud yelp of both pain and surprise as he feels the force of wood against his throat. And then he's silent, the wind completely knocked out of him as he stumbles backward, his own sword clattering on the ground next to his feet as he holds his neck protectively. He's coughing-- hacking painfully-- and as much as he should call it quits, he's kneeling to pick up his sword again. He's hurt-- he's really, really hurt, but he isn't going to quit easily. He's a determined spirit, a natural fighter, and he grimaces as he tries to snap at Souji.

That hurt, you know he wants to yell but his voice is too breathy at the moment. That hurt and it could have been so much worse. He could have died? That would have cut off his head if these were real swords. He tries to massage his throat with one hand as his fingers curl around the handle of the sword on the ground. And when he looks back up at Souji, his eyes are determined, like someone ready to fight--

And that's when sees Souji, already waiting for him to make his move. Urashima freezes. His fingers close around the handle, tight and firm, but the tip of the sword stays down, still on the ground. He's half kneeling now, watching Souji like prey watches its hunter. He knew their levels were far apart but he didn't think their purpose would be too. Urashima only wants to practic and right now, Souji looks like he could kill. Could? He would have, he remembers. )

I... ( His voice is breathy and strained, ) --'s... enough.

( Urashima could fight. He could still fight if he wanted to go until the end but that isn't what he wants. This is just practice. They're in a practice hall. To continue anymore would be dangerous for him and he recognizes that much. He's had enough for now. He forfeits. )

[He can feel the determination to keep going like a physical presence for a moment, and there's a terrible, breathless moment where he's just waiting for the first move, waiting for Urashima to get back up, waiting for the smallest reason to attack again. As long as he gets back up, as long as the fight is still going on-

And then, just like that, it's gone. Souji blinks as if suddenly waking up from a dream, as reality flows back into his mind, into his body. There's Urashima, on the floor. There's the livid red mark his practice sword left on his throat, and his sword by his side.

He lets out an explosive breath, lowering his sword, and then dropping it on the ground. He takes a step closer, his movements suddenly cautious, as if worried that he might startle Urashima.]

You're right. That's enough. [He sinks down in front of him, offering him a small smile.] Are you alright?

( Of course he isn't afraid. The moment Souji drops his sword, Urashima knows the fight is over. But he doesn't relax, body still tense. It's one part physical pain, he can feel his throat throbbing under his hand and he bites down on his lip. To his credit, despite it all, he doesn't cry or even look close to tears which is where the other part comes. He's another part hurting in another way. He'd never known as much about himself— or rather, he forgot— but he's an incredibly proud spirit and losing hurts his ego just as much as any physical blow.

His fingers curl tighter around the practice sword, feeling…frustrated(?) with himself but for reasons he can't quite put a finger on.

So he doesn't look like he's going to cry but he sure doesn't look pleased with himself. He's practically pouting down at the ground until Souji kneels down and speaks to him. He opens his mouth to speak and grimaces.

Ow.

In response, he can only nod his head. He's fine. Really. )

[Souji winces a bit in sympathy as Urashima attempts to speak, and at whatever non-word sound that comes out instead. Judging the tension in the younger man to not be fear, at least, he reaches out and tilts his chin up a bit, studying the result of his blow. Even with Urashima's had there, he can tell it's going to be a pretty nasty bruise, and that it's not really a place where anyone would want any swelling if they can help it.]

Oh dear. We're going to need to put some ice on that for a while, I think.

[There is a pang of guilt, but it's a fairly strange one. After all, he knows most people aren't like Yamato, and probably won't cry tears of joy at being struck. He had warned before the sparring began that he wouldn't hold back. So there's no reason to feel guilty about striking the boy, right? But in a strange way, he feels guilty about what kind of blow he'd dealt him. That must've felt awful for a moment. Not being able to breathe properly is awful. It's natural to go for the throat in a battle, of course, but... it still feels a bit bad.

Souji doesn't really want to think about it, though. So he allows is smile to widen, and puts his hand gently on Urashima's elbow.] Come. Let's go outside and sit down for a while, okay? When you can talk properly again, I've got some suggestions for you.

( He'll move his hand for Souji, raising his head up with Souji's finger, and holds his breath. How does it look? Probably not that bad if Souji's solution is to just put ice on it and he exhales, only properly relaxing when Souji touches his elbow. He's a sword spirit so touch has a way of calming him. He finally drops his sword to the ground with a clatter.

This Souji is different from the Souji from a minute ago. This is the one he's most familiar with and as he lets himself be led, he might inch a little closer. Look, he's embarrassed so don't let anyone else that might be nearby see him, Souji., )

[He leads them both outside, at first into the sunlight and then along the walkways into a place in the shadow of a tree, next to an ornamental little waterfall that keeps the air cool and balmy. Then he gives Urashima's head a pat, indicating that he should sit down with his other hand.]

Wait here, okay?

[He darts off. The facilities at the temple are pretty old fashioned, most of them, because Hijikata-sama is a bit that kind of person, still. But they nonetheless have a discrete and practical freezer now, and Souji has also acquired some of those handy instant cold packs from a sports store for just this reason.

Which is why, when he comes back, he is holding both one of those, and also two popsicles. He slips down next to Urashima, holding out the former first, already having broken the smaller bag inside to get it good and cold.]

Here. Just try to hold that against your throat for a while, okay?

( It's nice, Urashima thinks. He likes how the temple feels-- open and traditional. It's an environment he feels comfortable in so there's something else in their favor as he starts the process of licking his wounds. Souji is also very good at helping... don't you know head pats are one of his greatest weaknesses?

When Souji returns, he's sitting, watching the waterfall. He seems a little better after having a few seconds to himself to think about things and he's tried to talk a little bit to himself. It's mostly raspy attempts at words for now but he feels like he'll be better soon enough.

He accepts the pack (with a small bow of the head since he can't actually say thanks) and carefully holds it against his throat. The quiet probably makes him seem more defeated than he's really feeling... and honestly, the quiet does make him feel more defeated. He wants to tell Souji he's okay, really, but that's a little beyond him at the moment. )

[Souji just makes a warm little noise, swinging his legs where he sits. Urashima seems to have rallied in his absence, and that's good. He's sure that with a bit more time, he'll recover completely, and he doesn't want to rush him.

So he takes a couple of seconds first to peel the paper off one popsicle, sticking it in his mouth, and then using his freed hands to do the same to the other. Which he then holds out to the younger man with a grin.]

It's a bit troublesome, getting like that even when I'm just sparring. [He shrugs lightly.] At least it gets worse depending on how good my opponent is... so I wasn't too worried that you wouldn't be able to take it. You're really strong, you know?

( Urashima would never turn down a free popsicle. Or food in general. Again, he accepts it and just listens to Souji in silence. But when it takes an unexpected turn, he turns to look at him, one eyebrow raised.

Really? He's trying to ask. Because he's pretty sure he got his butt kicked bad and that was on top of doing so many things wrong. Honestly, the more he reflects, the more flaws he finds in himself. He should have used a different thrust or attacked from another side-- he sees that now, not that it would have made much difference but it would have been better. )

[It's not hard to pick up on the disbelief, and Souji laughs in return, inclining his head in a nod.]

I suppose it doesn't feel like that, huh? No one likes being beaten.

[He shrugs his thin shoulders, giving his popsicle a lick and appearing to consider the bright blue sky above for a moment. Gathering his thoughts, perhaps, though his words come with the same spontaneous ease that they always do.]

You know who else I ended up hitting that hard, the first time I sparred with him? [He winks, continuing on immediately since Urashima, a.) probably doesn't know b.) still has troubles speaking.] Yamato-kun.

See? He's the one I go completely all-out with, because we're so evenly matched. [He holds up a hand as if to hold off protests.] Of course, we can both hold our own against each other for a lot longer. But unless you had the same kind of strength in you, I don't believe I would've taken you that seriously in the first place.

( He sure doesn't like being beaten and there's something of an indignant face at that to further prove the point. But he's listening, almost obediently the way a child should ideally listen to an adult. And he's waiting for Souji's answer when--

He didn't know that at all and it has him re-evaluating Yamato as well. It actually causes him to see them both in a different light, thinking of them side by side. They're very... similar, he realizes.

He's quiet eating his popsicle and tapping his throat through the icepack, thinking things through when he finally tries to talk. It's quiet, his voice a whisper, but fine otherwise, )

That hurt. ( He's whining, now. The first words he finally manages to get out and it's just to whine. ) You're really good.

( He can recognize that much. Souji's way out of his league, it feels. If he wants to compare, he'd have to keep practicing. )

I want to be... ( Coughing, ) good too.

[That indignant face just earns him a giggle, and so does the whining, which was probably not what he was trying for. But Souji is feeling this strange mix of giddiness and calm, as if there is a rightness about this situation that he can't quite place, something familiar and good. Different than when he met Yamato, very much so, but there are some similarities still.

He reaches out and gives Urashima another headpat, gently ruffling his hair.]

I'm sure you will be, okay? [He really does sound absolutely certain. You could balance a mountain on that certainty.] But I think we need to try giving you a shorter weapon next time we practice.

( The head pat and the hair ruffle just get a laugh from him, quiet but still bright and he even leans into it some. Stop that, Souji... don't you know swords are weak to physical affection... He's holding on to Souji's every word, absolutely captured by how certain he sounds. Right now, Urashima feels like if Souji believes in him, he can do anything too.

But the comment gets a curious look now. A shorter sword? His fingers curl some, remembering how the practice sword had felt. A little heavy but nothing he couldn't handle but not quite right at the same time. A shorter sword... like the one he turns into? And there's a light that goes off in his head and something clicks. He opens his mouth to speak and a harsh cough comes out at first.

Give him a second, Souji. He's trying and definitely getting better but this is something he'll have to work off. )

When--! ( Cough, cough, and quieter, ) When Terra calls me... I change into a sword.

( And he holds up his hands, removing the pack from his throat to show about thirty centimeters apart, That long. And he knows exactly that type it is-- a wakizashi-- but he waits for Souji's observation first. )

[In response, Souji looks positively delighted. After all, it makes sense, right? That all of them who turn into swords come here with the knowledge of how to wield them already being parts of their bodies. He'd seen it in Urashima too, that even when he struggled there was a natural instinct in how he moved, parried, attacked.

He squeezes the popsicle between two fingers, holding up his hands next to Urashima's, studying the distance in between them.]

So something like a wakizashi, right? [He smiles brightly.] You see, I turn into a sword too - and I think you can guess the size. Yamato-kun too. We fight in a really similar way, and our style is ideal for our true forms.

Mhm!

( Nodding because YES!!! He's exactly a wakizashi. Though, honestly, he thought he was that size because he was small... Oblivious to the fact that he's small because he's a wakizashi. It's funny how things work out.

Ah, but Souji's a sword too? He already knew about Yamato... but that explains why they're so strong. ANd his voice is slowly beginning to come back, though it's still quiet and a little raspy, )

Can we practice again?

( Yes, Souji, he actually wants to practice with you. But not now. Let him lick his wounds.)

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spes_phthisica - 2016-12-28 15:18 (UTC) - Expand

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( open ) well, there weren't any treasure chests

his life was too good to last

goodnight sweet turtle prince

a turtle on the back of his shell...

waving his short legs in the air

wearing himself out someone set him right

gently spins him around like a top

he's no turtle to be picked on..........

you keep saying that but

STOP HE'LL FIGHT YOU

GOOD. more chances to pick on him :)

okita-kun the MENACE

it's true... he needs to be stopped

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