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[bellflower]

CALL ME OUT	LINKS
A simple call me out post Bell. Got an idea for a PSL or meme with one of my characters? Hit me up here! I've set up an OOC thread to chat about it if you wanna ask about preferences, ideas, anything like that... check out the links to the side! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥	» MUSELIST » OOC CHAT » PREFERENCES
By vigils

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OOC CHATTER/SUGGESTIONS/ETC

[bellflower]

As it says on the tin. Sort stuff here. ♥

[veryhuman]

How about a simple yet ominous letter from Mitsuhide to Xu Shu after attempting to pour cheese into his hair. ... then saying, "Hello" again as Tenkai.

[diffidentdreamer]

YES THIS WORKS FOR ME

also 'oh god help the poor boy' despite the fact I'm doing this to him

[veryhuman]

I just realized. Should I set up the thread for that here, or do you have another place?

[diffidentdreamer]

HERE IS FINE. In this post or I could do another post in my comm as well, I am flexible. <3

gonna try WO3 false ending setting

[pure_havoc]

On the plus side, Dong Zhuo hadn't taken over control of Xuchang for very long - not long enough to really make a mess of the place, at least. But there was still a lot of work to be done to rehabilitate the palace back to the way Cao Pi liked it. If his father was going to go lord himself over Luoyang like he owned the place, he was content remaining in the secondary capital now that the disaster was over, the Hydra gone, and certain nefarious elements driven out of every hole they tried to claim for themselves.

Today's task was going to be daunting, if he got too sidetracked. They had to sort through the books and papers that had been collected to make sure nothing had been stolen or damaged by the tyrant and his sycophants. Since Cao Pi had been amassing papers since he and Ishida first joined hands to take down Orochi from within, there was quite a lot of it. Paging through some old correspondence, Zihuan kept finding little mentions that made him almost nostalgic, and at one point he paused, smirking over a letter. "This brings back memories," he murmured, mostly to himself. "My, but there were so many good opportunities for insults back then. And that was a good one. I should use that one more often..."

I hope this works I fussed for way too long

[mofumofuchan]

"I should think you'd know better than to rely on the past, Zihuan."

Did he ever get permission to use his style-name? Probably not. But it had slipped into their conversations when they were alone anyway and Mitsunari has absolutely no intention of asking after the fact.

He strides into the room, idly tapping his fan into one hand as was his habit and frowning at the piles of papers, scrolls and books in the room. Administration was actually something of a speciality of his, more comfortable and welcoming than anything to do with war; back home in the Toyotomi handling it had been his main role. Here there are other (and far more important) tasks to deal with much of the time, including plenty that would take him away from here. But he's still here anyway, and for the same reasons.

Ones which he has no intentions of speaking about aloud.

"This is a waste of time," he adds when growing closer. "There are countless other people who could do this for you and do it better. Half of it is just taking up space, anyway."

perf let's rock this

[pure_havoc]

Ah, has he been caught talking to himself? Well, if anyone was going to, that would be the man to do it. Cao Pi idly raises an eyebrow in his direction. "That's Lord Zihuan to you." Which, perhaps, may count as permission to use the name from now on. He'd never corrected Ishida in his slips before.

He casts a quick look across the cluttered table and sighs. "I don't disagree. But we had a lot of secrets, upon a time. Things I perhaps wouldn't like even the most tight-lipped and loyal scribe glancing over while putting everything in order." There goes the eyebrow again. "Unless you're volunteering?"

[mofumofuchan]

Mitsunari rolls his eyes, but there's also, maybe, a ghost of smile on his face. He folds his fan in one fluid motion and idly flicks through the documents; if Cao Pi expects him to come out with a 'Lord Zihuan' after that comment he's got another thing coming.

(Maybe later, if he feels generous... it's not like he doesn't recognise the mild permission in there).

"I'll do a much better job than you."

It's an honest comment, blunt as was his typical manner but Cao Pi can't exactly deny it; so, yes, maybe it is volunteering. A not-so-important task done as a favour.

"Get your cooks to bring me decent tofu and I won't even ask for payment while I hoard our secrets away."

[pure_havoc]

As much as his ego wants him to rise to that challenge, Zihuan really doesn't want to do all that work himself. He harrumphs under his breath and makes a show of relenting, rolling up the letter in his hands and setting it aside. "If you really want to. I've already made it easier by starting a discard pile to be burned." It's pretty small, though.

He extends a hand to invite Mitsunari to have at it, drifting aside to go to the door and call an attendant. They'll have lunch brought to them there, and yes, there is a specific order today. That done, Cao Pi wanders back, clearly not intending to just leave him alone with the task. He's here for consultations and interruptions. "Here we are again," he notes. "You had every opportunity to return to the Toyotomi, and yet, it's my war room you grace instead. Should I be flattered?"

tfln continuation.

[veryhuman]

Xu Shu. I must leave your side and never return.

Please imagine these words painted on the side of your house in blood, if you could. Imagine them dripping down the side of the walls. Thick. A deep violet shade. Blood is only ever red for a short time. Yes, only ever for a short time and that is when the blade first rends itself through flesh.

If you have concerns about me, please take them up with Daud. I like that man very much. I see why you like him, too. He commands such a feeling of security. I hope one day to kill him. He is someone that should die on the battlefield. If he dies any other way, it would be a tragedy. A great tragedy. I can't let that happen.

Not to worry, not to worry. I know many prayers so he will be able to cross over properly. I'm very dutiful when it comes to that matter. I promise that his soul will pass on without any issue. I promise that I won't attempt to bind his soul to join with the other spirits that I summon. That would be rude. Very rude.

Daud said to keep this short. So!! I am going away!! I am going far away!! Goodbye!!

Mitsuhide Akechi.

[ To his credit, he crosses out the portion that he feels is "not short." To his detriment, it is only done with a single line through the words thus making it easy for Xu Shu to easily read what is supposed to be "omitted" from the letter.

Mitsuhide is nothing if not someone that understands and adheres to all the promises he makes with people. If a person honestly promises him something, he will honestly break that promise. Because people should not make promises with mad men! Are they idiots?! But Daud said "please". Daud used the word "please" to a maggot like himself. It does not make Mitsuhide feel easy to break the word "please" as it does to break the word "promise."

"Please" should come out of a mouth that is gaping red and spewing blood! "Please" should come while the insides of a person have become their outsides! "Please" should come while the light is dying from someone's eyes!

He didn't know it could be used to request and command! No one told him that it could be in regards to himself! What does he do with a word that he did not drag out of a person? What does he do with it? He mentally cups it in his hands and feels how soft and delicate it feels. He thinks that if he crushes it as easily as he crushes "promise" than he will come to regret his actions. This word should be cherished.

So he listens to the word -- he brings it back close to his ear to listen hard. "Please." I see, I see. It can't be me that talks to Xu Shu anymore. I see. I understand. His chin bobs up and down as he comprehends the word a little more.

Then, it will not be me. Mitsuhide locates his old mask. He slides the mask onto the lower-half of his face, feeling the metal bite into the skin. His eyes close as he searches his other face. When his eyes open, he is no longer Mitsuhide. He is no longer that mad creature driven to the point of shattering by Nobunaga Oda. No, he is Tenkai. The enigmatic monk.

He giggles to himself as he walks -- less like a puppet being dragged along the ground by loose strings and more as a specter, drifting slow and careful over the ground. In his hand, he holds a letter written by "Mitsuhide." ]

My apologies. Would you happen to be Xu Shu? [ Tenkai calls softly as soon as he sees the young man. He tips his head to the side as his eyes smile soft and warm. ] I have a letter for you from a strange man. He was very strange but adamant that I hand this to you in-person. I hope that is all right with you.

[ The letter is held out to the other -- and the smile of Tenkai does not change. ]

[diffidentdreamer]

[Xu Shu had been out doing... nothing much, really. Wandering, as he does some days, when his head is too full of the more troubling aspects of his life. Having found and settled down at the base of a comforting tree with a book and a hot drink, he'd hope to have an uneventful day of quiet peace but as the lithe ghost walks over it becomes very quickly apparent that this is not to be.]

[He stares up at 'Tenkai,' eyes wide and confused behind his glasses.]

From a strange man...

[This is definitely Mitsuhide, isn't it? He's hardly a man you could ever forget. Without even really intending to Xu Shu has found himself feeling somewhat responsible for keeping him in check (or as much as you could someone like Mitsuhide, a force of chaos so potent it feels like trying to wrestle with a spinning tornado every time they talk). It's a difficult thing to do for more than the obvious reasons, though; the insight, the way that he sees and prickles at your weaknesses and talks of them with his wild metaphors, it's... troubling for someone wounded in the way Xu Shu is. Those eyes manage to be both clouded and clear at one and the same time.]

[But those eyes, the eyes of Mitsuhide right now, they look... different. Almost softer, though that seems almost impossible. Barely knowing how to react, Xu Shu settles on just taking the letter and hoping it fills in part of the puzzle. Half a minute letter and, well, the pieces it gives him really aren't helping much. Daud told Mitsuhide to leave Xu Shu alone. That's clear. That is something Xu Shu is going to have to talk about with his father-figure as soon as he can. But it's not the most immediate concern, is it?]

Umm, thank you... [He says, eventually, voice quiet and uncertain.] And what name is it you go by?

[Best to start with that and work out how best to approach this slowly.]

[veryhuman]

[ His gaze drops down to the letter in Xu Shu's hands. There is the barest little tilt of his chin as he appears almost confused wehn the silence starts.

The letter was short. I cut off all the unncessary words. Cut them down with a thin little line. Like the swinging song of my scythe. A manic series of words burn in his skull. His eyes drift to the side, acknowledging his thoughts with a small shake of his head. No, no, the me that loves killing. It's not the length of the letter that is the issue. He is digesting the implications.

The lower covered half of his face that is Mitsuhide radiates bright chaotic energy. Ah, implications? Ah, the me that hates killing, do you mean like what it means for that man to ward me off? The upper half of his face that is exposed as "Tenkai" gazes on with calm, understanding eyes. Yes. The two of them understand one another. They understand and have a fondness for each other. They do not wish the other to be harmed.

His head twists violently to the side. Then, does he think I'm someone who would attempt to darken Xu Shu's soul? Is that what he is thinking?! Shall I remove his head without any respect to him? He turns his head back and shakes it once more slowly. No. We're seeing righteousness but the man has none. The color of his soul is what it is. That ocean black blocks out the shades of righteous and justice. What it leaves behind is purpose and duty.

Hm, duty. Duty, huh? He opens his mouth a little, letting out a high-pitched giggle. The giggle echoes in the space of the mask. Yes, duty. But no duty that anyone has given him. It is only those he gives himself. He gives them to himself because he sees something that must be put right. That is not righteous or justice. He is not blinded by such concepts, but he is blind by the black of the ocean.

So, what implications is he digesting? Lifting his eyes upward, his looks up toward the bright blue sky. The meaning behind Daud's warding, as I said. And the depth of what it means for me. For while we are as we are -- we are chaos. He worries that we will find this an affront and kill Daud for it. Yes, that sounds right. He worries as a human worries. But he does not recognize our squirming maggot state.

This would not offend me!! I am filled with warm and honest love! Warm and honest love! To think there is someone who would ward me away with a desire to protect another -- not protect him from my blade but from my chaos. It is endearing. It makes the shape of the sinking stone take that of a human! A human! He's forming back into a drowning man after growing comfortable being a stone! His eyes start to shine with mania. But Xu Shu is uncertain. He is uncertain because he cannot see our shape. Anyway, it seems like his digestion is done, but the meal was unsatisfactory. Might this humble Tenkai please continue without further interruption?

Go ahead. Go right ahead. Please do not let this starved stray bother further. The conversation between the two faces end. But he knows he is both of them. He knows he is only Mitsuhide. But it is nice, he thinks, to have a second "opinion" to his own musings. He stands straight with his hands folded -- so different from Mitsuhide who sways back and forth, twisting his body in an invisible wind.

At the gracious thanks (or rather he will take it as gracious), the "monk" bows his head. ] Think nothing of it. I am only fulfilling a request given to me. Though, I would have thought the request would have given you a happier face. [ His eyes give another soft smile. ] And I am Tenkai, a humble monk.

... I have to wonder how it is that you caught the eye of such a strange man... but I hope that you will not let it worry you too much. [ A soft hum. ] Though... I do not know what comfort my words can be as you look to be quite troubled.

Were the contents of the letter so distressing?

[diffidentdreamer]

Tenkai...

[A new name, and a mask to go with it. There is no doubt whatsoever that this is Mitsuhide, of course. Even just focusing on the purely physical attributes it's as obvious as the sun is bright; the cascade of admittedly fine silvery hair, small but bright eyes and incredibly tall frame mark him as that man. That just leaves Xu Shu with one question he's not sure he's going to get an answer to and most definitely isn't going to ask directly; why? What's this all about?]

[Daud wanted Mitsuhide to stay away from Xu Shu. So Mitsuhide is... staying away from Xu Shu by acting as 'Tenkai' instead? This can't be a new persona, though, not judging by the way Mitsuhide is holding himself, the way he talks and the drastically different aura he possesses. It's something he's done before.]

[Xu Shu thinks about 'I would like to kill him,' those badly hidden words in the letter that he's not soon going to forget. The day that Mitsuhide tried to kill Daud would be the day Xu Shu would have no choice but to fight to protect his boss, something he does not wish to do where it can be avoided. His main weapon should be his mind. It should be the first thing he tries to do. Think through a problem, try to avoid that blood, even if it seems like he's just putting off an inevitability.]

Well met. [Just go along with it for now, he thinks, grasping his drink so tightly it almost burns and offering the smallest smile.] I am sorry if I look so bothered, but, umm... I have many things to worry about. It's something like my job to watch over people. To keep things calm. Not the easiest thing to do, and I am not the most talented of men, but I still have to try.

[There is only one Xu Shu. He was once Shan Fu, it's true, but those were just two different names to mark the two very different periods of his young life; Shan Fu might have jumped far too quickly to the 'fighting' option but he learned how badly that could go, and so, instead, he's Xu Shu. Who is, despite all of his instincts telling him to get away from this, talking calmly to the most dangerous man he's ever met.]

[Mother wasn't wrong when she called him foolish.]

[veryhuman]

[ "Tenkai" takes in the words; his fingers twitching before he holds his own hands tightly together. His eyes widen just a little as his shoulders slump. The monk moves so much differently than the maniac. No more of the jerking, sudden motions like a mechanical wind-up toy whose springs and joints are in rusted disrepair; his gestures are smooth, thoughtful, flowing as a raven's slow cirling around rotten meat in the sky. ]

I see. you know ... sometimes, it is all right to not think. [ His eyes soften to gift another warm smile that his covered mouth cannot. ] Once a stone starts rolling, once it starts to sink... it will not stop until something impedes its descent.

[ He holds his hand out, cupping it slightly like he is attempting to catch the stone. ] If we take too much time to think of how to stop it, it will have already rolled by. [ The monk chuckles -- a saner laugh than the high-pitched giggling of his other face. ] Still, looking after others, though... I like looking after people, too.

[ Leaning forward suddenly, he draws himself into Xu Shu's space, tilting his head as he looks at him. ] That makes the two of us like brothers. [ Another chuckle, but towards the end of the laugh it spikes to a higher octave. ] But as I was saying, yes, as I was saying... you need not worry yourself so much.

... even though you hve planned and planned, you will end up feeling wretched for it... that you have missed something when there was nothing to be missed."

[ He draws himself backwards. ] The stone will keep rolling. The stone will keep falling. It won't stop until the stone becomes a human. Then... and only then ... the shape has the means to stop, because they know they must. [ Crouching down, he tucks the folds of his clothes underneath him. He lifts his gaze to get a good look at the young man through "Tenkai's" eyes. Yes, the monk likes him, as well. ]

[ A beat. ] The only thing waiting at the bottom ... is a shattered rock. The only thing waiting at the ocean is black... endless black and a pile of other stones that can never become human, again. [ Resting his hands on his knees, he folds them one over the other. ] No one wants to see what is at the bottom of the hill. No one wants to see what is at the bottom of the ocean.

But stones don't care.

WARRING FACES

[diffidentdreamer]

[Today, there is no softness... at least not on the outside. It never goes away, really, because Xu Shu's heart is gentle and kind and he wants to help the land change for the better. Protecting others and guiding them? Most of his desires focus around these ideals. Even during his wilder youth, when he'd made many mistakes in anger, that had been why.]

[That past is better put behind him but now Xu Shu is accepting that it cannot be. Shan Fu is a part of him whether he likes it or not. What did he always tell himself? 'I'm not running from my past, I just want to change myself.' It may be that the change he's sought has been the wrong kind this entire time. Mitsuhide, Tenkai, Daud and Cassie... all have filled his head in different ways and he has no real set idea anymore of what he needs to be in the future, but for now? For this time, this place, this moment?]

[It's time to put on an 'old face,' to do something he's not done in absolute years and draw on the parts of himself he doesn't like. Shan Fu. Still Xu Shu, but with more heat and temper and a willingness to fix things with steel. Anyone who knows him knows that Xu Shu is talented with a sword but they do not, in truth, know the extent of it. Not at all. Hood up so only his lips are visible, sat cross-legged with his sword across his lap and a roaring fire before him, he waits right in the centre of a forest clearing. It seems like an oddly exposed place to be but there are reasons for it.]

['I'll be where the rabbits once were.']

[1/2]

[veryhuman]

Where the rabbits once were, huh?

[ "Tenkai" believes the he is the one that is called -- no, he purposely decided to fool "himself" to be the one called. The face that loves killing, I believe I am the one being asked for. Even though Mitsuhide knew that was not he case, he decided to play a game with himself. Once the half-mask was fastened to his face, he feels his thoughts clear. Xu Shu. There is no need to close off your heart in this manner. Another mistake will surely happen. Fighting that face, killing that face, is not be wrong, but-- ]

There are a lot of traps. It seems he hoped to kill me before I arrived?

[ He's come! He's come! His head turns slightly as he hears the manic laughter screaming through his head. A lot of these are quite well-hidden. But he can't quite hide that bloodlust, no! It shall be something -- yes, yes, let us sing with our blades and laugh through our screams! The "monk" shakes his head as he feels a giggle echo in the space of his mask. ]

But it is "I" am the one who came today. There is no reason to switch faces. I cannot watch him avoid plummeting to the sky if things remain as it is -- [ No, Tenkai cannot. His head turns as he realizes that there is someone else that can save Xu Shu. He stares off, gaze distant. Yes? That person? Let us make this a feast! A banquet! Look at all the preparations he has made! It would be heartbreaking if I am the only one to experience them! ]

I see. Then, let us call him to join us?

[ The "monk" lacks the ability to stop what is to come. He feels an itch spreading underneath his skin. His hand resting against his mask as he is already starting to pry it free. The me that loathes killing ... that does not wish to see it... has one last thing to do. He tricks and deceives his own mind to what he is doing as he calls upon Daud. If that face should die, it should be by that man's hands.

The man who was once a stone will turn back into a man if that face dies. Because he will do it to stop someone else from suffering and regretting. Is that not right? But his hands are stained in blood as are Xu Shu's, however. What lesson will that wounded warrior learn in killing that face? What injury to his soul will-- The mask falls down onto the ground, sinking deep into the earth. ]

[veryhuman]

My, my...

[ The giggling chases after his words as he walks into the clearing. He is battered, bleeding, bruised. All the best b-words that a person could possibly be. Lifting his hand up, he ran his fingertips over a deep gash over his cheek -- smearing the blood over pale skin. ]

This Mitsuhide had thought you were calling someone else. But it seems as though you really meant to call me. [ In his hand, he holds his cellphone. The screen covered in red. He clenches his fingers, tightening his grip, as the phone breaks in his hand. The shattered pieces cut deep but he tosses it to the side without care. ]

I wanted to taste what it was like to experience some of the traps you made. Not bad, not bad. There's little malice in them, however, but they are quite clever and put together with a careful and thoughtful hand. If you had more viciousness within you, they may have... [ He starts laughing harder before reaching behind his back. A burst of black smoke erupts in the space behind him as he pulls out one of his scythes.

Running his fingers along the flat side of the blade, he muses aloud: ] What is it that your face wishes to say to this one?

[diffidentdreamer]

[Xu Shu slowly stands the moment that the lithe, bloodied figure walks into his clearing (and for now it really is his clearing, filled and altered in subtle ways to give him small advantages); he watches that phone shatter, the bits falling to the floor as its dangerous owner talks, without say a word.]

[No matter the eventual outcome of this fight there is going to more blood, more bruising, far more than his traps inflicted. But it won't be Mitsuhide alone cut open here, will it? Xu Shu knows that at the very least he's going to get rather battered and at the worst, well, he could die. All risks he'd assessed before going down this route. All risks he's prepared to deal with. Come what may this is what he feel needs to happen and now it, well, will.]

[But he'd be lying if he said he wasn't afraid.]

'This face' talks through steel.

[Xu Shu's voice, Shan Fu's, isn't cold. It's not angry (yet). And it's still quiet. But there's a sharpness to it that Mitsuhide can't have heard before. Yes, the viciousness is missing because even then he'd hated actual killing, but he'd also been far more prepared to do it. Right now that needs to be drawn on. He slips into a stance, sword in one hand and the dagger it's attached to via strong cord in the other.]

So let's talk.

[veryhuman]

[ For a moment, the ecstatic expression fades from his face. His mouth partially opens as his eyes soften to a warm gold. His chin slowly bobs like he is trying to speak, but it is the wrong face presenting. The manner in which the man spoke affected the other face that Mitsuhide wears enough to push forward. But that is all that it can do. It is all that it can do before swallowed back into a mania of excitement and joy.

Taking a step forward, he pauses. ]

Wait, wait...

[ His free hand -- blood running down his arm and dripping off his elbow, staining the white sleeves of the "monk's" clothes -- lifts to wiggle his fingers. He flicks a bit of his blood around as his head twists to look around the clearing. Eyes darting side-to-side, gaze sliding across the ground, he tilts his head the opposite way. ]

You put in quite a bit of time and effort. [ His tone is hardly accusatory or upset. It is hardly even sending out an insult as he sounds more than a little pleased, more than a little proud. ] Yes, quite a bit of time and effort. This really is ... it really is ...

[ He flicks his wrist out as another cloud of black smoke manifests in the air next to him. From it, he pulls a second scythe free. ]

A banquet. It is a banquet!

[ Crossing the scythes in front of him, he starts laughing -- high-pitched and shrieking. He twists his body as he pulls the bladed weapons apart before sprinting forwards. ] Yes, yes, yes, let's talk! Let's talk! [ Even on uneven ground, he moves far faster than he should. He doesn't care what pitfalls that he may fall into -- he doesn't mind them, at all.Because he is curious about what things that the blade has to say to him.

There are some things that can only be said with steel cutting into meat, after all.

So, he does not even seem to mind when his steps land him in a precarious position. The ground far softer with sharpen trap waiting to keep him from getting too close to Xu Shu -- Shan Fu. It cuts deep but he only laughs as he rips his foot free, letting more and more of his blood spread out over the clearing. Yes, this is Shan Fu's clearing, but ... but ...

One of the scythes blades start to glow bright green, bathing the space that Mitsuhide occupies in that same haunting light. ] Yes, smile! Smile! Your face is hidden, but you should smile! [ Throwing his arm back, he swings wide with the scythe -- the blade is deadly enough on its own but the glow coming off of it shoots out in an arch as well, slicing through the air.

If I am not allowed to draw close, you can't either. A cheerful, playful giggle slips out. ]

[diffidentdreamer]

[That joy is disturbing but vivid, exactly what Xu Shu expected from Mitsuhide. So different from what he's seen from 'Tenkai,' the side of the man that would rather situations like this could be avoided entirely... and as strange as Tenkai is, it would be better if he were the dominant 'face,' wouldn't it? There's no way of telling how Mitsuhide turned into the creature he is but the part of him embodied by the monk might be a clue to who he once was, or might have been.]

[Not that it matters anymore. They are here as they are and for now it's war. Steeling himself, Xu Shu stands still as Mitsuhide runs forward (even as the shivers run down his spin) and makes no attempt to do anything whatsoever until the scythe starts to glow.]

[There's no vocal response to that request to smile but as Xu Shu dodges, as he shifts backwards and down in one sharp movement, his hood falls naturally and he doesn't bother to pull it back up. The eerie light, which has presence, which cuts the air only inches from his throat, illuminates a solemn but almost fierce expression by his standards. He's not going to stay still now, though, rolling over and rising to his feet still closer to his burning fire.]

[Mitsuhide is thinner but taller, and not lacking in strength. Those scythes are awkward weapons but give him considerable range. And the supernatural abilities... Xu Shu only has a sense of some of those and needs to learn more before he can start taking the biggest risks.]

[He drops his dagger but grasps the cord its attached to instead and attempts to whip at Mitsuhide across the gap that separates them.]

AFTERMATH

[diffidentdreamer]

These were mild consequences overall but Xu Shu still thinks, as he glances out the window and eyes where his car was supposed to be, that Daud is being a little over-the-top about this. Really, keeping the house monitored? Even after this many weeks? Yes, there was some level of recovery left to do but... it's not that much anymore. Not really.

(Xu Shu has worked out how he'd leave anyway, and how he'd get someone in that his father-figure disapproves of, but that's beside the point).

He spends a lot more time moving restlessly around the house, taking short bursts of exercise in-between his pacing and the breaks his body insists on. Cooking is a minor distraction but most of the time he sticks to simple fare that does enough and nothing more. There's too much on his mind that is yet to be resolved, a mix of things that could be sorted and things that probably never will; Daud is going to tell him off about this later, no doubt, because whoever gives him reports will no mention the movement. That's not even getting into 'Tenkai,' with whom Xu Shu needs to have a conversation at some point.

Sometimes he rubs his leg without thinking, the itching bothering him. Shallow wound it might have been but the curse that had afflicted it had done its work... there will be a scar. His fingers wander over the cloth of his trousers right now as he sighs and shifts his gaze from the car to the sky.

Day after day of this? At some point, no matter what Daud thinks, Xu Shu is going to just leave and turn up at work. It would be better if it doesn't come to that but there's only so much more of this he can take.

[veryhuman]

"You seem quite unhappy."

A calm voice cuts through the silence of the room. Tenkai lets out a small sigh as he wanders into the kitchen -- making small shooing gesture with his hand in an attempt to have Xu Shu move away to sit down. Not even wearing the light armor he dons for battle, he wears simple white kimono instead. The monk carries with him a bag filled with various ingredients.

"I thought of entering as humans do, but there was someone watching this place." He makes a small gesture with his hand. "Shall I play some trick on them for being so nosy?" He wonders aloud, tilting his head towards Xu Shu as it is ultimately that young man's decision if he does or does not do anything.

[diffidentdreamer]

The shock of Mitsuhide's sudden appearance shows clearly in Xu Shu's posture for a few moments; he goes a little pale, eyes wide and posture stiff before sense kicks in again. It's not often that anyone could come that close to him without him realising it and considering who it is, well... would anyone find fault with such a reaction? He inhales softly, pushes his glasses up his nose and pulls himself to his feet.

Though with notable slowness.

"Umm, Tenkai."

Right. Good. It was important this happened at some point anyway, though as he glances outside Xu Shu really hopes nobody picked up on the lithe spectre now haunting his house. If Daud finds out about this there will be problems.

"Yes, remember? Daud has my home under watch. He's very serious about ensuring I can't go anywhere without him knowing about it... and about monitoring who visits as well."

And those problems won't be as potentially fixable as the ones he and Daud currently need to sort out, either. The mental image of being under permanent house arrest is perhaps a bit dramatic but it does nonetheless flicker through Xu Shu's mind.

"Don't play tricks on them, please. He would... my father would get suspicious."

[veryhuman]

"Your father really took his scolding too far." His head lifts to look at the ceiling, shaking his chin lightly in small disappointment at these actions. He often worries about his little Kingo, but he would not keep him locked away. Kingo is weak but also precious to him. So much so that he would not do anything that would make the little lord cry honest and painful tears.

The monk shakes his head yet again before he forgives the actions. "It is all right. I know that he doesn't remember simple things, so we shall call this just a small rock in the road you two are walking." Daud keeps his love within himself where no one else can hurt it. He does not know what to do when that love is threatened but such things can be learned.

"And no tricks, then." He makes a gesture with his hand, pulling it back. Tenkai decides to not say what little curse he was planning on placing on the person. His eyes instead smile warm and fond at Xu Shu, brushing off what might have been with a cheerful voice. "You must be hungry. What auspicious timing for me."

He holds his hand out toward the nearest chair. "Sit. I'll cook you something."