Suite Dreams - Mikazuki

[aono]

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Weekend 0, Friday

[aono]

[from here]

By the way, I didn't give you my name, did I? I'm Rin.

[unsaid]

Rin Okumura, correct? Well met, well met.

The book at the front desk spoke of you.

[aono]

The one and only! Also everything the book said is true, I checked it already.

[unsaid]

Ha ha ha. Even besting your enemies with friendship?

[aono]

Especially besting my enemies with friendship.

[unsaid]

Fufu, how powerful. What types of enemies do you typically face?

[aono]

Usually it's demons, or humans who were led astray by demons. But even demons don't do stuff just to be evil, so if you take the time to listen and find out why they're doing something you can usually find a way to get them to stop what they're doing without killing anyone.

[unsaid]

Oh...

That is a very - different way to handle demons than what I am used to.

[aono]

Yeah? How do you handle demons?

[unsaid]

Exorcism rituals... Sometimes a special sword that might purge them from this world.

The demons do not normally survive.

[aono]

Oh! Yeah, we have those too. But the demons just come back later, they don't actually die. When we stab 'em we just send 'em back to hell and they find their way back to Earth eventually.

[unsaid]

And they no longer cause problems once they do? My, what a peaceful iteration of demons. It would be nice if all worlds were able to enjoy this version.

[aono]

Sometimes they keep causing problems, but sometimes they learn their lesson.

[unsaid]

Fufu... What a hard-working man you are. Is it common for modern youth to face off against demons in your realm?

[aono]

Nah, not really. But my dad was a priest, so it kinda runs in the family?

[Also Rin has a long black tail hanging off of his backside. Just out there for the world to see.]

[unsaid]

[i see,]

... does the tail run in the family as well?

[aono]

Nah, Dad's a human.

...I guess I should say he adopted me too. We're not related by blood.

Week 1, Saturday

[aono]

[Rin is stressed, and you know the best way to deal with stress? Mindless work!

Since he's about to talk to a sword, Rin will be in the dojo taking care of his own sword. It did get compared to wounds today, so he'll be taking his time cleaning it and making sure the blade is sharp and in one piece and everything. He seems really focused on making sure there's no cracks at all in it. Hmm.

But he looks up when he hears someone else approach, and he'll wave.]

[unsaid]

[mikazuki will give a wave in return and move to approach, curious. he kneels with proper posture and an inquisitive gaze.]

... taking to using your hands?

[instead of dwelling on things?

it's a soft question, softer still by how quietly mikazuki speaks and the slight raspy quality to his voice]

[aono]

Yeah. Usually I cook when I got a lot on my mind, but I keep getting kicked out of the kitchen.

[So cleaning his sword it is!]

You okay? Your voice sounds a little off.

[unsaid]

Ah, that is troubling... I would rather like to enjoy more of your dishes.

[he loves free food.]

Mm... this body is simply more fragile than I had expected.

[aono]

Then I really wish I could cook right now, so I could make you some soup.

[Soup for the fragile jiji!]

Dad taught me to cook because it takes a lot of physical control to cook right. if you overdo it you break stuff and mess up recipes, so you gotta be gentle while cooking. I used to have a lot of trouble with my temper and strength, but cooking helped me learn to control both of them.

[Mostly. Rin still has a hideous temper.]

[unsaid]

Ah... How admirable...

Tell me, how much do you know of Date Masamune?

[is it history lesson time, old man]

[aono]

Mostly stuff from all the different shows and video games that've been made about him, and then some stuff Tsuru told me. They taught about him in history class too but I suck at school, so.

[A pause.]

Er, that's the Tsuru who was in the last game with me. Not the one here. But I guess they both would've known the same stuff? This is confusing.

[unsaid]

[ . . . he smiles faintly at that]

.... ask him, if you'd like. He has informed me of the oddity... but I hope that you still find my crane agreeable.

I simply ask given that Date Masamune was also renowned as an incredible chef, while also performing his duties as a warlord and the fearsome One-Eyed Dragon of Oshu. It was said that he would feed his guests his own prepared meals - a nearly unheard of practice, when warlords were so commonly expected to rely upon their staff.