jikan_rpg | Nov-Dec Catch-All

Have you not?

[He would have thought that Kazuha would have friends at such a young age, even with the requirements he would need to fulfill for his clan. That he claims to have none is an oddity, more in line with the confusion Scaramouche would expect to get from the samurai's future self. But it's something he can understand, even if his own circumstances are far different than a human child's.

Regardless the boy seems to have little issue with his explanation - something he can only be thankful for, not needing to deal with questions he's uncertain of how to answer. There's only so much that he wants to explain to a ten year old about timeloops and how they know each other.]

Kunikuzushi.

[Why he chooses that name to give the boy he can't say. Kazuha already knows the name, or rather it's one he'll come to learn, but there was no reason to not just use his Harbinger name. The Sixth very much doubts that the boy knows much, if anything, about the Fatui Harbingers to grow wary of him from a name alone.]

[The question seems to fluster the young Kaedehara, since he turns his head away and ducks slightly down in the edge of the tub. He knew other children had more friends, but those were often commoners. The Kamisatos, for example, were also quite isolated.]

I… um, my father doesn’t let me leave the estate without a grown up… and there aren’t too many grown ups around anymore… I have to stay inside.

[There were less servants than he remembers when his mother was still alive, but even those memories are hazy. Since then his father has been quite protective— Kazuha can barely play in the garden for long before he’s fetched out of a tree.]

Kuniku— Kunikusushi-san. My father is probably worried…

Shame. Being locked up for that long is unpleasant, though I'm sure he has his reasons.

[Being forced to remain in one place is yet another thing that Scaramouche understands, having a portion of life being trapped unable to escape and feeling miserable for it. He finds that such a small bit of information explains much of Kazuha's desire to wander, and it hits him at just how little he actually knows about the samurai.

Silently he watches the boy duck down, as he makes his way over to the edge of the water to take a seat. He's not here to upset Kazuha and with what little he knows he needs to step carefully around their conversation - keep his voice calm and understanding.]

Sushi... am I a food now, Kazuha-chan?

[Amusement tugs at the corners of his mouth with the boy's mispronunciation of his name. An act that he's certain only doesn't irritate him for the fact that there's no intent behind it - just a small child unable to quite grasp their way around it.]

And don't you worry about that, you won't get in trouble for being here.

[Kazuha at least was clearly used to having adults around and is comfortable with strangers. Even though he’s naked in the bath, Kunikuzushi’s approach to him doesn’t appear to make him more nervous. After all, he has the sword. He has nothing to fear. Strangers and servants have come and gone in dozens even in his short lifetime.]

He says it’s my duty to stay inside. I used to get to go outside more, but now I only really get to when he’s teaching me.

[He says the first part in the tone of someone parroting something he’s been told repeatedly, which really indicates that Kazuha has asked enough times to hear the explanation more than once.

The question makes his eyes duck down again, his cheeks coloring at his mistake. That at least was similar to how Kazuha takes teasing even as an adult. Though this child looks up again after a moment, smiling unsurely.]

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, you’re the prettiest person I’ve ever met so it’s distracting.

[A smooth goblin of a child who probably knows how to manipulate words more than he lets on. His adult self didn’t learn it from nowhere.]

Is this the Royal Bathhouse?

Edited 2021-11-30 07:38 (UTC)

I'm sorry to hear that, perhaps he'll change his mind and allow you out more again.

[Given the samurai's present lifestyle he doubts that ends up being the case, but with how little the Harbinger knows of the other man he couldn't say for certain. It's entirely possible that Kazuha was given more freedom before the collapse of his clan, and his his choice to the life of a vagrant and desire to wander was purely from the memory of when that option was denied to him.

The comment on his beauty has Scaramouche laughing, not at all expecting a ten year old to make such claims, much less to use it to soften the blow of mispronouncing his name.]

That's very sweet, but I'm not upset. You're welcome to shorten my name if that would be easier for you.

[He shakes his head at Kazuha's question. How he'll manage to explain further about where they are he hasn't quite figured out, but claiming it was the Royal Bathhouse sounded like nothing but trouble.]

This is a resort, not the Royal Bathhouse.

I hope so. [Kazuha's smile is small on his tiny face, not quite believing, though hoping.] I want to climb the tallest tree I can find and see all of Inazuma.

[All he really wants is to do is see what he's been told and read about himself. Despite his youth, he's been a voracious lover of the arts. He wants to see if poetry and song describes his homeland accurately.

He tilts his head to the side, then tucks some hair behind his ear. Kunikuzushi is so pretty he might have mistaken him for a girl if he hadn't heard his voice first. He wouldn't normally say that, but the man didn't strike him like a samurai he was used to.]

It's true though... and that's not very polite, Kuni-san. [Of course a little gremlin like Kazuha would lecture the older man about politeness while doing the thing he says is impolite. He puts his hands on the side of the pool, then rests his chin on it.] Isn't Kuniku... zsushi— [he tried] —evil?

[He's familiar with some theater, at the very least. The child is unsure about this being a resort. He still has no idea how he came to be here. He doesn't recognize him, even if Kunikuzushi seems to know him.]

I thought only the Royal Bathhouse had pools like this. My father wouldn't have been invited here...

[The child is also aware of what's going on with his family, even if he doesn't outright say it. He seems nervous again, like their lack of status is embarrassing and he shouldn't be there.]

All of Inazuma... There's very few trees that could manage that. You may need to climb quite a few of them.

[Despite having previously told Kazuha that his climbing of trees was making him appear dishevelled, and that eventually he would grow tired of it, the boy at present had yet to have such experiences. He has no desire to tell the future samurai that there wasn't much to see, or that it should be something he should simply forego.

The look of amusement doesn't leave his face, listening to the boy lecture him about being polite - something of which isn't new between them - while still failing to pronounce his name correctly. At least the shorter form he's selected seems to be more than doable for him.]

First I'm food, and now I'm evil? Though you are correct, in theatre the character is a villain.

[Scaramouche had selected the name for a reason, though the fact that the character was specifically a villain hadn't been why, what the character was known for beyond that had swayed his choice, and he's yet to regret the choice.

He shakes his head, be it because he means the Royal Bathhouse isn't the only place with hot springs, or because Kazuha is incorrect, perhaps both.]

A lot of people were invited here, there's no reason to let it worry you.

There's the Sacred Sakura. I've seen it high up on the mountain when I look up.

[This child just saying he wants to climb a sacred tree like it's no big deal. In his mind though, it would get him what he wanted. Surely that would let him see all of Inazuma from up there. Then maybe one day he'll be able to go to the places he sees.

At the very least the pleasant expression on the adult's face keeps the young noble from flustering too much, though he turns his eyes down, considering.]

I'm not trying to be mean, Kuni-san, you would know if I was purposely trying to be rude. [What an angel.] Maybe when I'm older I'll get to see some kabuki.

[At the very least, surely his father wouldn't object to that. He sighs. The water is warm and Kunikuzushi seems to assuring that he was welcome here, nevermind where 'here' is.]

I must have been taking a nap when I got here. This isn't a dream, Kuni-san? [He rubs an eye, even though he's not that sleepy.] You smell like lightning... like an electro crystalfly.

That tree would provide a good view, however I'm not certain the shrine maidens would like you climbing it.

[It would be quite a sight to see, the samurai making his way up to the shrine only to attempt to climb up the Sacred Sakura tree that grew there. Scaramouche can certainly see it as something the man would do, regardless of whatever scolding he may get in return - though as something in his life before the fall of his clan, perhaps not.]

Oh, is that so? I'll have to take your word for it. And I'm certain you will, the performances are quite something.

[With Kazuha presently a ten year old, he doesn't quite need to take him for his word. His face much easier to read, even his tone doesn't seem to hide much. If there had been any ill intent behind his words Scaramouche had yet to find it.]

It's not a dream.

[He hums, considering for a moment whether he should mention what the samurai had said to him, nearer to when they had first met.]

So I've heard. It's a smell I'm told is due to the fact that I'm related to the Shogun.

They would need to catch me first. Most people are slow and unestimate me because I'm small, but it makes me very fast!

[The young Kaedehara is very confident with his ability to cause mischief and also not care about the consequences of it too much. It's really not too unlike himself as an adult, a man who has confessed that he has committed crimes without remose.

He was starting to relax, letting his feet splash beneath the water. Kazuha always liked going to the beach or to the docks when he'd been allowed when he was younger, though he doesn't often get to go there now, what few servants they had left stretched too thin with other duties.]

I hope so. Maybe not... I hear they cost too much mora.

[Once again his voice was in someone else's tone, something he'd been told rather than discovered for himself. Maybe he would have elaborated more, but the man says something about the Shogun and suddenly he's less interested in kabuki.

He has more of that critical, guarded look that the samurai would adopt later in life, though without the ever present smile. The child sizes Kunikuzushi up, noting his appearance again, before he just smiles and flops in the water. He didn't know the Archon had any family and hadn't thought about it, but now that he knows he's happy for her.]

Oh, that makes sense. No human's that pretty. [Children can be so accepting. He gasps only seconds later, climbing back to the edge close to the man. His expression looks very serious and chastising.] Why did you tell me I was being rude, Kuni-sama?

I would hope you can outrun them, if it is something you plan on doing. If you’re going to be a troublemaker then don’t think they’ll all be slow. And try not to fall — I would hate to hear news that you went and got yourself injured or worse, just for a view.

[An outcome that given the little he knows of Kazuha, is not going to happen, if the samurai ever did climb the Sacred Sakura at all in his life before he’d arrived here. He shouldn’t care regardless of if the boy did or didn’t, if he got hurt, but the thought of a young Kazuha getting hurt over something so foolish… Well it fits with who the boy is, but it hardly sits well with him.

It’s not hard to notice the tone Kazuha takes with some of his words, a clear imitation of someone that’s likely spoken the same enough times for the boy to remember. That theatre was expensive isn’t inaccurate, but it’s hardly a barrier in his mind. Working around it is simple enough.]

Is that what you’re told? I suppose it can be, but there are ways around that, if it’s really a problem.

[Scaramouche watches with a gentle smile as the boy looks him over, like he’s trying to determine if what he’s said is true. It’s a quick decision that’s made, as he watches the soon to be samurai fall back into the water.]

You hardly need to continuously flatter me, Kazuha-chan.

[He grins, teasing.]

And were you? I can’t say I noticed.

I’d be quicker. Nature talks to me. The tree wouldn’t let me fall.

[Sorry, Kuni, he’s always been like this. Though this could be passed off as the confidence of a child who doesn't yet know his limits, it's fairly similar to the strange confidence the samurai has in his physical prowess.

His head tilts to the side, wondering what the adult might be implying by ways around it. Ways around it being expensive?]

You mean sneaking in?

[He thinks he means that, since he couldn't grasp any other way around it. The child giggles this time when Kunikuzushi teases him, still bashful, but less so now that he'd warmed up to him.]

I'm only being honest. But... I'll stop.

[He huffs, brushing some wet white hair back from his face. There's a tiny little scar on his forehead, usually hidden by his hair.]

I wasn't addressing you right. It's important...

The tree can’t grab you if you loose your footing.

[It comes as no surprise to hear the boy talk of nature and how it speaks to him, nor just how bold he was to assume he wouldn’t face consequences for attempting something entirely ill prepared. Honestly if he was going to attempt it the least he could do was plan, but he knows the samurai would never.

That Kazuha thinks the only way around the costs of theatre is sneaking in, brings a frown to his lips. A troublemaker indeed.]

That’s one way — offering assistance is another. Even making the right friends can be a benefit.

[Perhaps not something Kazuha can accomplish at ten, but his elder self would certainly be able to find multiple ways to seeing a performance.

The giggle and clear relaxation the boys shows at least has Scaramouche smiling again — amused that he’s felt the need to point out his appearance as much as he has. It’s cute. The flattery and speaking without any filter, and he has no doubts that he’s being true in its honesty.]

I do appreciate it, but I’m not so pretty that you can’t say anything else.

[Such comments, while not unheard of, aren’t often spoken without some ulterior motive. And while young Kazuha is just clearly stating his thoughts, he hardly needs it. Much like how he doesn’t need the boy to be so formal when addressing him.]

Very few in Inazuma know of my existence, I don’t expect you to address me in any way different from what you would anyone else you deal with normally.

[A silence falls as eyes glance at the scar on Kazuha’s forehead, thinking on if he’d ever seen it before. The only time he’d ever really been close enough would have been when drunk and playing with the man’s hair, but he doesn’t recall noticing it. He wonders what it could possibly be from.]

You should be more careful.

I wouldn't. I have really good balance! I used to climb the maple trees all the time.

[He's very proud of his physical prowess, just as the samurai is as an adult. While Kazuha remains humble in many ways, such as anything that requires artistic talent, he's generally been confident in his skill as a warrior.

The young Kaedehara seems surprised, then embarrassed that he hadn't thought about that. Breaking in just seemed like the easiest solution.]

Oh, you're right... Offering to help is more like the samurai code.

[He cups his chin in his hand. Older Kazuha has retained this gesture too, and he does it whenever he's deep in thought. Yes, he wanted to be the best samurai he could be and exemplify the code.

He nods after a moment, deciding that he would first try to find alternate means before falling back on more brutish solutions. He looks back up at the godling, then notices where his eyes are looking. He touches it, rubbing the raised skin there.]

Oh, I got hit by a rock! It bled a lot, but it's okay since it reminds me of my mom. [He looks down, blushing a little as he smiles.] I don't remember much about her, but she smelled good and was really patient. She made it stop bleeding and gave me the tightest hug.

I hope you're right. I better not hear that you've gone and hurt yourself.

[There's little else Scaramouche can offer on the matter, clear enough that the boy's made up his mind should the opportunity present itself. There isn't anything to worry about however, given he knows that at least he lives long enough to reach the timeloop that brought him here.

The reaction Kazuha has to the realization that sneaking in isn't the only option is amusing, almost drowning out the troubling thought that the boy as likely to go cause a commotion at that as well. Regardless of if he offered up other methods or not.]

It would be more than sneaking in, but I'm certain you'll be a great samurai. And were you to sneak into a kabuki performance, I promise I'd keep your secret.

[Scaramouche chuckles, there's at least significantly less dangers from sneaking into a show than climbing a giant tree atop a mountain in Inazuma. And much like everything else, if Kazuha really wanted to sneak in there was nothing he could do to stop him - unless of course it was something he attempted in Nippon.

The talk of blood and the boy's mother brings the frown back to the Harbinger's face, he assumes then that she died when he was quite young. He can make no claims to knowing what having a mother is like, but he understands that family is important to humans, and one of the few things he knows of the samurai is that he's incredibly sentimental, the loss he imagines impacted him greatly.

While there's little he can comment on when it comes to family he can at least focus on how the boy managed the scar in the first place. And 'hit by a rock' doesn't even begin to explain things.]

...You got hit by a rock?

[The small noble opens his mouth to say something, but he’s suddenly struck by shyness that the older man would be looking for any news of him at all. He blushes again, his gaze dropping.]

I’ll make sure you don’t, okay?

[His little lashes flutter as he realizes that doing these things would reflect poorly upon their reputation and the reputation of the Shogunate. He’s at an important stage of his samurai training, having just begun to learn bladework and other clan responsibilities. It would be his duty as the future master of his clan to salvage and then uphold their reputation.

He yearns for more time for play and those days of sleepily napping in the branches of a maple, shades only just from the summer rays.

Kazuha turns a little smile more reminiscent of himself as an adult on Kunikuzushi, then nods his head.]

I will do what I think is right.

[He touches the small scar again, rubbing at it. As an adult, it’s very faint on his skin, often hidden under his bangs.]

Ah… a visitor from the docks brought their kid along when they were meeting my Father. I wanted to play so I went over to say Hi and he threw a rock at me! I don’t know why.

[He blushes even harder. Maybe this is a childhood crush?]

He smelled like sea ganoderma.

[Knowing Kazuha, he probably said this, thus the rock.]

Edited 2021-12-13 08:02 (UTC)

I'll hold you to that.

[Not that he'll actually be able to do such a thing, but the young Kazuha doesn't know that. The way the boy reacts is enough to tell Scaramouche that he will at least consider things, even if he won't specifically get to see if that holds true or not. Perhaps it will give him more things to consider in future when he's going to do something particularly reckless, should the man even faintly remember this interaction between them.

The familiar smile offered is one the Harbinger returns easily, knowing Kazuha is headstrong enough to follow through on doing what he deems right. A trait that he's seen enough in Nippon to know the boy doesn't grow out of it.]

You said hello and the other child threw a rock at you?

[Despite having little issue with children, Scaramouche has had very few dealings with them, and certainly not in groups. It's not impossible to see one harming another, given how easily they showed their emotions, but still it comes as a surprise to him to hear that another would attack the young samurai without much prompting.

It doesn't sit well with him for reasons unknown, but there isn't anything to be done about something in the past.]

What do sea ganodermas smell like?

Erm... [Kazuha dips his head, looking more shy now, since this was clearly something he's begun to be aware makes him strange to other people. Many were happy to let the young master speak the way he does within the walls of their estate, believing it to mostly just be the ramblings of a lonely child. The boy is a bit more perceptive than they think.]

I mean... I told him he smells like sea ganoderma... But I didn't mean it as a bad thing.

[He struggles at the very least to answer the other question, especially when it ties into his former excuse.]

They smell like... a warm ocean breeze... somewhere close but also far, far away. Good.

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