The strangest waking dream [Closed]

[leafwhistle]

⌛ Who: Kazuha and Izō
⌛ What: Timeloop adventures and gay pining
⌛ When: Post-event, after Kazuha returns from fishing, pre-September
⌛ Where: Lake Sai, around Mount Fuji
⌛ Warnings: People long dead by natural disaster, maybe some violence, update as needed 👀


[To Kazuha, everything in this new world was exciting. There were things that echoed so close to familiarity, but there was so much more that was new to him and filled him with fascination and wonder. When he's in Kyoto a few precious days, he spends his time chatting with locals, finding recommendations for food and drink, local stories, and locations.

There's a God of Destruction that lives at the far, tall mountain. He wanted to see it. How would it compare to the gods of his homeland? Would it be like the ever watchful gaze of the Almighty Narukami Ogosho or like the Watatsumi Onikami, whose hatred over his slaying poisons the land that makes his grave? It was easy to decide this as his next destination.

He asked Izō along for several reasons, though he simply explained it as wanting the company of another strong warrior. What he saw in his soul solidified Kazuha's desire to give him more experiences that weren't filled with so much misery and a little more freedom, though that'd go unsaid, and hardly thought of often consciously. It’s too sentimental for him to think too hard about.

When they set out, Kazuha sticks to a predictable pattern through the days. He's an early riser and makes breakfast before packing up camp. When it reaches the afternoon where the sun has warmed him, he always suggests finding a place to nap. The late evenings are designated for dinner and drinking, just about midnight he finally goes to sleep. The sake isn’t just for pleasure; some nights the younger man seemed plagued by noise and nightmares, his sleep fitful until he gets up to relieve himself and sit awake for a while until the tremor in his hands leaves him.

Today, they were finally nearing their destination, the sun glittering off the water of the nearby Lake Sai as they walk along a path at the bank. Kazuha tilts his head back slightly, letting the warm rays of the sun fall on his face as the shadow of his sandogasa lifts. The sight of fishermen in the lake is promising, and he hails one detangling a net.]

We’re just travelers passing through. Is there a village nearby we can rest at?

‘Oh? We don’t often get travelers. You’ll find Iyashinosato not to far from here. But a warning. There’s a big storm coming, I’d advise you turn back.’

[This seems to puzzle Kazuha, but he smiles brightly at the fisherman and thanks him before returning to Izō’s side. He motions him to lean closer, so he can speak to him in a hushed volume.]

Something is wrong. The taste in the air isn’t right for a storm.

Comments

[hitokiri]

[ at one time, izō enjoyed travelling. it wasn't a universal experience in his time given the heavy restrictions, and as a lowly gōshi — one of the lower country samurai ranks in tosa — he never expected ever to have the chance. but then things changed, and he got to see kyoto and osaka and edo and all the countryside in between. that was nice, and despite his capacity for complaining at any other time, he never made a fuss no matter how rough the road got. maybe part of that had been for the image, wanting to appear strong to his seniors in the tosa kinnoto, but it was mostly because he'd been curious and excited. there was, however, always a goal and a destination. that made sense — they wouldn't have gotten permission in the first place if there hadn't been — but more than once, he'd gotten to listen to ryouma talk about his own travels. how he'd wander about at his own pace sometimes with no real idea of where he should go or what he should do but still finding value in the experience he gained along the way.

that in no small part contributed to his agreeing to travel at kazuha's invitation. he'd wanted to explore when he'd first arrived in nippon but knew he was no better equipped to get along in the wilderness now than he had been all those years ago. he might not have to worry about things like finding food as a servant, but there's still a much different approach to things outside than he's used to. so he enjoys the pace and the routine. even if they know where they're headed, there's no great rush. he appreciates the afternoon naps, in particular, reminded of happier memories doing the same near the river as a child. as long as he didn't think about it too much, he could keep it that way. only a few days in, and he seems to be more relaxed and pleasant than he's been since they've known each other, at least during the day. kazuha isn't the only one haunted by unpleasant things at night, although, of course, izō makes no mention of it nor of his awareness. he's sure kazuha already knows, considering izō has never hidden the fact that he doesn't need to sleep. being awake with his thoughts is hardly ideal, but it's preferred to what he might see if he closes his eyes.

all of that's behind him again for the moment. he uses the brief pause while kazuha speaks to the fisherman to stretch a little and otherwise appreciate the scenery and the fine weather. it comes as a bit of a surprise then to hear of a storm, but then... what does he know? his connection to nippon might help him better sense his surroundings, but that's in the case of danger or enemies. certainly not weather, which he's only too happy to leave to kazuha's expertise. ]

I don't doubt ya. [ he snickers a little under his breath because that would be silly. he knows what kazuha's capable of having witnessed it himself. ] Might as well head on to the village then. Probably read the signs wrong or somethin'. Up here, it ain't like watchin' things roll in from the sea, that's for sure.

[ how predicting the weather works in tosa. or... maybe just for izō. ]

[leafwhistle]

[I'd advise you turn back. How many times has Kazuha heard that before? He often forges ahead regardless, unless he has good reason to take the advice, which he's ever grateful for. This time though... he's uncertain. Most of the locals of Nippon have been quite welcoming of refugees and travelers, though it's been somewhat of a different experience in their journey through Chubu.

Just the act of wandering through the region on foot has been enough to make many of the natives wary of them, and he wonders if the warning was just a lie of distrust. Kazuha spends a moment contemplating, his expression more cautious than the usually carefree look he had on his face. He looks back over to the fisherman, who has now returned to his work, but after a moment Izō's assurance makes some of the tension leave him.]

Ah, you're right. Probably just a mistake. Aah, it'll be nice to take a hot bath if we can...

[He touches the back of Izō's arm, though he pats it instead of lingering. It's almost as if he was assuring himself the other man hadn't suddenly become a phantom; the taller man should be used to these occasional gestures by now, as while the short ronin did not often touch people, with Izō the motion seems unconscious.

With that said, he picks up his pack again and adjust the ties holding his sandogasa in place. He turns his eyes back towards the trail as the smile slides back into place on his face, falling back into an unhurried step. It shouldn't be much longer; usually fishing villages were within a thirty minute walk from water sources in Inazuma at least.]

Perhaps someone will be nice enough to let us stay with them... We could use the storm warning to our advantage, surely a kind soul wouldn't let weary travelers brave the lightning outside.

[In other words, Kazuha intended to play upon people's pity. Though he's never been wrong. Well, better to get a free bath and a place to sleep without the disturbance of the storm than have to endure the noise.]