isleofavalon | (open.) one last catch-all

[The recent determination to become a Knight like her brother-figures in Avalon had hit Mukuro full-force in the recent months. And as she wanted to become Knighted under her own name...she'd turned up to this quest without her usual disguise, knife and pistol at her side.]

...you're here for the Knight, too- huh?

[This person was far younger than she expected! And for a moment, Mukuro couldn't help but do a double-take.

Given the sound of clanking nearby, however, they wouldn't have much time for pleasantries!]

[ That surprise is hardly, well, surprising to Mamori anymore. But if the suit of armor and axe weren't sign enough that she's taking this seriously, then maybe her confident nod will be. ]

Yes! I don't want anyone else to get hurt by it. [ Including Mukuro, of course. She'll protect her quest partner with everything she has.

Which, speaking of that... as she looks around, poised for battle but not moving (don't want to confuse them with the sound of her own clanking) ] Let's help each other out!

[She was certainly more well-armoured than Mukuro was, the majority of her protection coming from a bullet-proof vest of sorts. And that nod gave Mukuro all the reassurance she needed. No hesitation, good.]

Affirmative- we can outnumber it- Light, blood, you?

[It couldn't be taken down with normal weapons, but magic should do the job. First she needed to figure out which of their magic types leant itself best to that.]

I have light and healing! [ So a type overlap and a supportive magic. It'd be easier if she still had some of her (albeit limited) ice abilities from home, because that's made to be offensive, but alas. ]

Maybe we can apply our magic to our weapons? [ Light Gun ]

We can- I can make knives with my blood magic, also.

[She'd have to get pretty close to use that tactic though. It was a relief to know her companion had healing magic, just in case.]

Suggest disorientating it with bright light until we get an opening.

[Clank, clank...it was getting closer!]

[ Mamori nods in agreement. Despite her own experiences, she has no issues taking direction from others. And it also just sounds like a good idea! ]

Mm! Leave it to me. [ With those blood knives and that pistol, it'd be better for Mukuro to focus on attacking, she thinks - so it's up to her to knock it off-balance.

Her grip on the axe tightens. ] Let's go, Draug! [ ... huh? ] Yes! Master! [ HUH?

Explanations for that mysterious third voice will have to wait (spoilers: it was her axe. her bunny axe can talk. don't worry about it.), as she's already begun clanking her way toward the other clanking. Without eyes, Mamori doubts she can completely blind the cursed armor - but a burst of light magic in front of it makes it stumble a few steps, at the very least, an armored foot sinking into the gunk of the swamp. ] I- I think it worked! [ unless it's a really clever feint...? ]

[...did that axe just talk- no, focus, however awesome that was (then again a small part of her wondered, if her weapons could talk, would they insult her?) the cursed armour was upon them!

As it staggered, Mukuro dashed forward as well, unleashing a barrage of flares from her gun with her own magic as she went, just as it started to stumble- it was struggling with its footing with the swampy ground, good!]

Keep the pressure on it!

[If they could force it further back into the gunk- that way, if it got stuck, she'd be able to get an opening behind it.]

Okay! [ Thankfully the weapon triangle isn't a thing that exists in Avalon, or else she'd be in a lot of trouble... everyone knows that sword beats axe!

As is, though, it's a fairly even match-up. What Mamori lacks in offensive power, mostly due to her own lack of footing in the mucky environment, she makes up for with defense and Mukuro's back-up. Step by step, she's able to drive the armor further toward the gunk. It's just taking more time than ideal, with her having to be just as considerate of the ground - or lack of - beneath her. ]

[Mukuro was definitely the more agile of the pair, moving around it quickly to get in flares of her on where she could- Now, as it stumbled back into more of the junk, she could play a little more offensively. She nicked the tips of her fingers on her dagger and recovered the grip on her pistol in one swift movement, the blood seeping into it with an eerie red glow.

Ready. Now to find a sniping position.

With Mamori keeping it busy and taking the heat from its attacks, it left her much freer to move.]

Closer...nearly...

[That nearby bush looked like it'd give her good cover for now!]

[ Due to the sheer size of her helmet, she’s not able to see Mukuro’s gotten into position. But her axe apparently does? Somehow? Because he (????????????????) chimes in again. ]

Master, are you ready?

Yes! [ The “what” becomes quickly apparent as she twists her body and throws her weight into the next swing. The armor blocks the blow - hard not to when it was so obvious - but the force knocks it into a particularly murky patch of the swamp.

As it struggles to regain its footing, sunk in past its ankles, she shouts ] Please finish it off! [ And, just in case, she prepares her own magic, ready to make a platform for Mukuro at a moment's notice. ]

[Mamori might have found Rei to be kind of weird, but hey! He's not a BAD guy! He's a hero just like her! See, he's even working on a quest with her, isn't that grand?? (It isn't. He's doing this specifically to get his hands on the questwriter's potion.)

Rei has pulled up a chair for Mamori in his office at the Roost as they crowd around one of his laptops. Baiting trolls into sending curses is way more his speed than Mamori's after all.]

Ah, that's a nasty one.

[The email they just got, that is. Rei hasn't clicked on it yet, but the subject line and the message preview is something like EAT SHIT: What the fuck did you just fucking say about me, you little wench? I'll have you know I g.......]

Are you sure you should be doing this quest, Mamori-chan? [Eleven year olds aren't supposed to see swears.]

I- I'm sure! [ Mamori doesn't need to know what all those words mean ("shit"? "fuck"?) to know how mean the message is! And that's reason enough for her to want to help the poor questwriter.

... even if she has her questions. Like this one, as she looks away from the nasty swears and up at Rei, holding her potion bottle carefully in her hands. ] But how do we use the potion? [ She... really doesn't have a lot of experience in that department. ]

That's easy. You drink it, right? [Rei speaks as if he has reams of experience with potions, but it's more like he just goes with the flow.] It alters our physical makeup to be transferable through electronic networks, I'm thinking.

[Rei uncorks his and swallows it with demonstrative flair. Hmm, tastes kinda metallic. Gross.]

You wanna do the honors, sweetheart, or shall I?

[ Perhaps she should let the adult go first... but what if there's something really scary on the other side of the network? Rei might be a hero just like her, but she can't help but worry over the "what if". She's not toting her axe around this time, but she can still put up a fight...!!

(an 11-year-old is calling you weak, rei. how's that ego holding up?)

She lacks flair, but after Rei's demonstration she gulps hers down with no hesitation. ... okay, slight hesitation, because it tastes gross. B-but she got it down just fine! ]

I will go first. [ If it's as simple as he makes it sounds, then... once the email's open, she touches the laptop screen. And it's strange, because screens are normally solid, right? - but it's akin to a body of water's surface. Her fingers pass through with little resistance and it's... unlike anything she's felt before. More tingly than a bath or pool, probably because of the whole electrical bit.

She leans forward, reaching further and further in, until she's able to grasp at one of the words in the email ("wench", to be exact) and- poof! Off she goes, presumably, to wherever the rude cyber bullies may be. ]

[Rei watches her go with an enigmatic smile. Well, if she's going first.... he'll give her a few minutes by herself. She'll be fine!

On the other side of the screen, Mamori has unceremoniously busted in on the enterprising cyberbullies. They look... shockingly normal, actually? They're just a bunch of assholeish smug-looking guys, crowded into a studio apartment lit mostly by the eerie blue light of countless computer screens. Her sudden entrance is pretty noisy, the commotion knocking a keyboard and ceramic mug off the desk. The objects clatter to the ground, startling the occupants.

"What the--?!" the nearest one yelps. The shock in his voice is slightly pained from the coffee he spilt in his lap when he jumped.]

[ Despite knowing she'd be leaving Avalon soon, Mamori found it hard to keep still. Maybe it's because she's leaving soon - and, knowing exactly what she's returning to, she can't let her skills grow dull. In order to play the role of the knight as perfectly as possible, it made sense to continue pursuing that path.

(that, and she'd like to take in the beauty of this land just a bit more. she loves tokyo, don't get her wrong, but it's different.)

Which is how she ends up here, standing at the base of Sunlit Peak, next to you. ] Um... What should we do now? [ Any ideas, quest partner? ]

[ Even certified Otherworld Heroes of Avalon needs to go to school! Or, at least, that's what Mamori thinks. Which is why, despite all the quests she goes on giving her plenty of money to contribute to the Rinea-Mamori household, she makes a point to attend classes as regularly as possible. It's fun, learning more about her magics! And maybe this way she can catch up to her classmates back home?

If you're a familiar face to her, you might get a sweet invitation in the form of: ] Would you mind if we ate lunch together?

[ Otherwise she can be found in the equivalent of study hall, staring hard at some assigned reading that's giving her some trouble. ... of course, since she's 11, it might not give you trouble, but listen, she missed classes even back home for work. She's doing her best.

or throw something else at me i just wanted to use the school backdrop once lmao ]

[Anya understands that even heroes have to go to school but that doesn't make having to go any easier. But what does make it easier is learning magic, learning how to make rabbit ears pop up on the top of her head and why randomly mixing chemicals together was bad actually.

And what also makes it easier is Mamori! Though that certainly doesn't mean it's easier on her teachers who often find her hanging out in the older class, sprawled out on the floor and drawing pictures in her notebook.

It's from her place on the floor though that she smiles up at Mamori and bounces back up, leaving a terrible mess of drawings of Mamori, a big dog, a dragon and a pigeon all dancing around a little house.]

Mm! Lunch!

[ At least when she's in Mamori's classroom, she's at school opposed to running off with ~~strangers~~ weird members of her family? Gotta think of the positives. Look at the bright side. ]

Then let's go! Maybe we can a nice spot to eat outside. [ A small part of her feels bad for leaving the mess behind, but they'd be back soon enough! ... probably...

Mamori retrieves her extremely cute bento box from her school bag (they both have bunnies and flowers on them!), then leads them out of the classroom. But before they get too far: ] Did you bring your own lunch today, Anya-chan?

Mmn! [Anya holds up her own small bundle, the wrap hand-embroidered with small dogs and plants. But Chang Geng did make her a lunch, making sure it was both cute and nutritionally balanced.

Not that she notices it's good for her, only that it was always delicious and adorable.]

Uncle Min made it!

[ Tsumugi would be among the first to admit that crafts aren't his strong suit. But for a kid's birthday party, he has to at least try, right? And besides, the concept is so cute... What's not to like about enchanted dinosaurs?

After quite a bit of sketching and erasing, he's finally got his concept down! So he turns to you with a smile. ] How's yours coming along?

[ His is, for the record, uh.

It's unique? ]

[ Sasara also seems to be working under great concentration. Suppose they share that honorable thought: it's for a good cause. He's quite a bit about helping with the entertainment at a party.

Maybe dinosaur's ain't quite his deal, but given they're gonna be enchanted, Sasara feel really like going to town on the coloring. ~~Crayons all around his workspace, maybe that's why Tsumugi's sketch is as yet left in black and white? W-well, he'll share if asked.~~ But when Tsumugi asks he looks up, and leans over to look first, of course.

They're both in the industry, creative people, ..."artists". ] Heh! Look at that fella, he's a one-off! [ So unique!!

Sasara picks up his """piece of art""" to also show it. He's definitely proud. ] What'cha think?

[ Tsumugi, in turn, looks over at Sasara's masterpiece. ]

I like it! It's really cute. [ Said completely genuinely, with not even an ounce of sarcasm in his voice.

But, looking between theirs now, he wonders ] Do you think I should add color to mine? [ It is supposed to just be a sketch, so maybe it's not necessary... but heck, it'd be fun! And better to get all the details sorted before diving into a project, right? ]

Hmm. [ Sasara thinks about it as seriously as if they were standing in an art gallery, looking at some famous piece of work and pondering on some deep and important meaning— well, it is important!! ]

Ahem! S'ppose sketching it up's just about getting the idea down. [ Though, Sasara has no doubts of his own about going in with some color. He pushes the crayons over to Tsumugi and flips his own paper around ~~he pressed down a little too hard or went over a few spots too many times, so some bits sorta bled through.~~ ]

How about ya try out some color palettes in the rough?

[ He's thought it before and is thinking it again: despite his love and knowledge of flowers, second only to his undying passion for theater, he never considered opening his own shop. It happened by chance, but still... as an end seems to be on the horizon, he feels reflective. There's lots he needs to do in his remaining time. Loose ends he'll need to tie up before he leaves.

But despite that - no, because of that, Tsumugi's determined to make the most of these last idyllic days. It's bittersweet in ways, sure, but it's like he once said: even though separation is something that will eventually come, that's not all there is to life.

So he puts those thoughts aside when he hears the familiar chime of a customer opening the front door. Summer's ending, and colder days are coming, but his voice and smile are filled with warmth as he says in greeting, ] Welcome! How can I help you?

[Moondrop has always been a place he had wanted to visit. Jyushi wouldn't necessarily say he has a passion for flowers but he does have a passion for romance. Flowers are just part of that. The language of flowers, the very many different types, is something that Jyushi would clearly be interested in.

And he knows of Tsumugi obviously. He should have thanked him a long time ago, thanking him for the bouquet and gift for elizabeth, but with Jyushi working his five jobs; free time is a rare gift for Jyushi.

Once Tsumugi greets him, Jyushi is immediately bowing.] Ah, hello, dedicated keeper of the flowers! The fragrance of this abode hypnotized my senses!

[ ... ah. This is the second person to call him some iteration of "flower keeper". Not that he minds at all-! It's a very cute nickname that Tsumugi will take in stride. ]

Thank you! I'm glad you find it pleasant. [ that... is what he meant, right? It sounded positive, at least. ] Do you have a favorite flower, or perhaps a kind of scent?

[ Being primarily a flower shop, "floral" is the dominant scent. But there's nuance - and also a general "wet earth" smell from the garden center. ]

[There's a low chuckle as he sweeps his bangs out of his face.] The flowers have always spoken clearly to me, their language a Western mystery speaking in a tongue that I studied for centuries! [Translation: he's really into flower language but mostly the European one. Japanese flower language has its own specialty but western flower language is just way more fitting of his image.]

Roses are clearly a romantic choice but ah, how my heart sings at the asphodel flower. "My regrets follow you"...[His hand reaches out as he says this, as if he's talking to someone up towards the sky.] It's a powerful meaning that grips my heart! No perfume goes with it, much like a regret! Silent, without a sign of being there at all! [Is it obvious he's an Artist yet?] But ah, by aesthetic alone...a black bat flower is obviously beautiful. [Obvious choice there.]

Edited 2022-09-12 02:31 (UTC)

[ … yeah, he didn’t fully get what he said in the beginning there. It’s fine. He’s getting the picture now. ]

That’s a good choice! I only learned about them recently, but they’re really quite stunning. [ Tsumugi’s general aesthetic might more generally lean toward soft and plain, but he’s a theater kid. He can definitely appreciate some dramatic flair.

But, ] That reminds me - I’ve been tending to some primrose recently. They’re not as bold as the black bat flower, but I think you might like them. [ He gestures for Jyushi to follow him - and if he does, he’ll be led to the plant nursery section, still well-stocked despite the approaching colder weather. There’s a variety of options, but what Tsumugi points out is ] This one’s called “silver lace black”. Isn’t it pretty?

[Jyushi is nothing but dramatic flair. As shown by his ridiculous manner of talking right now.]

Ah, they are very fetching! A delicate beauty, deserving of its name of lace! I have never seen these before. My eyes have been missing out...! [Sure, Jyushi. But it goes to show how much he does like these flowers.]

You have quite the variety, my floral comrade.

[ Is all of this unnecessary? Perhaps. But who says they can't have a little light-hearted fun in the midst of a moment that actually is important?

After months and months of Tsuzuru coming over for dinners and being ~~forced~~ invited nicely to stay the night, insisting that they're more than happy to have him over and that he's in no way interfering with their relationship, preparations are finally complete for him to formally move in with them. His new bedroom's been set up with all the things he's already brought over, but soon he'd be returning with the last of his things from the inn.

Which, on paper, doesn't explain why Tsumugi's hiding behind the couch with his boyfriend. But if the colorful party popper in his hand doesn't give it away, then the assorted gifts waiting further inside, and his soft laughter followed by a knowing smile should help. ] He's going to be really surprised, isn't he?

[This is absolutely unnecessary but Kazunari is all for making as many happy memories as they can in the moment. Especially since this was such a long time coming. It's a miracle they hadn't coerced Tsuzuru into moving in with them sooner.

He snickers from behind his hand.] Oh f'real, f'real. He's gonna lose it! [Then his snickering softens to a gentle laughter like Tsumugi's.] But I think he's gonna be really happy.

--Oh! I think I hear him coming ~

[Tsuzuru carried his last box from the inn with his familiar lying around his neck feeling pretty good about moving in. When Tsumugi first suggested it he took a while to accept it. He didn't want to be seen as a homewrecker or anything! Even after they reassured him, Tsuzuru still approached with caution, until Kazu and Tsumugi fed him then placed a blanket over him he started to realize that everything was fine. He had to admit it was nice to have a place to go home to when he finished writing or when he was too tired to go back to the inn. Besides, it was cute seeing his friends now together in a relationship.

Tsuzuru walked through the door as he adjusted the box in his hands.]

Hi! I'm home! [Alright he had to admit that felt really nice to say.]

[ For a moment, the house looks strangely empty, despite the front door being unlocked. But Tsumugi wasn’t out in the garden, either… maybe they just left for a quick errand and, knowing Tsuzuru would have his hands full, kept the door open for him?

There could be a mystery here… but there isn’t, because soon Tsumugi’s popping out from behind the couch and sending paper confetti flying with a pop! ]

Welcome home, Tsuzuru-kun!

[Learning that they'll be leaving Avalon soon is great news! He's really missed home. He misses his family and the rest of the Mankai crew! Don't get Kazunari wrong: he's had plenty of good times in Avalon. He's made some amazing friends - he's done some really great things too! With the blog and with Kaika! And, of course, his relationship with Tsumugi.

His love for Tsumugi has become his greatest treasure. But therein lies one of the biggest reasons Kazunari's not so sure about leaving. When he goes back to Mankai, will the Tsumugi there remember Avalon and them? Tsumugi had gone into that weird sleep mode and woke up with memories of events Kazunari hadn't even experienced yet. If they're from different timelines, how is that supposed to work?

Kazunari buys them rings. The rings are simple matching bands, but they're meant to be a promise that no matter what happens they will remember this love. Their love was real. Is real.

He's not entirely sure how best to give the ring to Tsumugi, though. Putting it on his finger while he's sleeping seems like a good idea. It had worked with the sun catcher! Kazunari just needs to be a bit more delicate... take Tsumugi's hand gently so to not wake him up...

Don't get distracted by how soft and warm and how perfectly Tsumugi's hand fits in his........ oops.]

[ Tsumugi wouldn't say he's excited to leave Avalon - not when he's made friends so near and dear to his heart, and found a sense of purpose and accomplishment in Moondrop - but he, too, misses his family and the rest of Mankai. Despite the danger literally ever-looming in the sky above them, his time here was... idyllic. He cherishes every moment, even the pain and fear, because he knows it made his roots grow stronger. And he can hold his head high with more confidence than before, knowing he'll be returning to Winter Troupe an even better Tsumugi Tsukioka.

It'll be a shift, though, spending less time with Kazunari. Their lives at Mankai didn't intersect as much as they do here, what with Kazunari finishing up school and Tsumugi with his tutoring. He's not sure how he feels about that... but they've got time together, still, to figure it out. So he can sleep peacefully, next to the one he loves so dearly, and believe that somehow, some way, things will work out.

... Or, well, he was sleeping peacefully. But those gentle, loving touches of his hand are just barely enough to pull him from his dream. His face presses into their pillow with a sleepy mumble before his eyes blink open slowly, blearily. ]

'azu...? [ In the darkness, he can't see much, but... is that metal he feels? ]

[Oops!!! Kazunari giggles nervously.] I didn't mean to wake you, Tsumutsumu. I just really wanted to hold your hand. Soz soz ~

[He places his other hand atop their linked hands and settles back into the plush of their pillows.] Go back to your dream ~

[That might not be enough to convince Tsumugi but you can't say Kazunari didn't try!!]

[ It's definitely not enough to convince him. But he doesn't protest, nor does he try to pull his hand away. In fact, he squeezes their joined hands with the intention of simply snuggling closer to Kazunari and addressing this weirdness in the morning... but that's when he really feels it. It's unmistakable. Why-

His eyes open a smidge wider. ] Did you put this on me...? [ He wiggles his ring finger and, therefore, the ring on it, as though there were room to doubt what he meant. ]

[Busted.]

Aah, you got me ~ [Kazunari clasps Tsumugi's hand tighter to cease his wiggling.] I can't seem to catch a break with these romantic gestures! But I guess it doesn't matter in the end as long as the feelings come through.

[He scoots closer so he can lay nose to nose with his boyfriend on the same pillow.] I've been thinking about how much I love you...

Edited 2022-09-13 19:56 (UTC)

[ Now he almost feels bad for catching him... but he's sure Kazunari would insist any apologies were unnecessary. And he's right; it's the feelings that matter most. And he always expresses himself so beautifully...

He's now looking directly into Kazunari's eyes, sleepiness mostly gone as he replies ] I love you, too. [ and then just... leaves it at that, giving his boyfriend the chance to continue as planned.

Not that he can't guess what he's going to say. It's honestly been on his mind as well - attending a wedding would do that to most people, he thinks - and, well... if it does go in that direction, he already knows his answer. ]

I love you so much, and I know I'm gonna keep loving you for always. [For five-ever. Like if u cry.] I want you to know I'll always love you even if the Kazu you go home to, uh... isn't me.

[Kazunari trails off, letting himself look a little melancholy. But he snaps out of it just as quickly.] Or rather, this is my promise to you that I won't let that happen! [A ring - a physical reminder - may not do anything in the end, but he'd be devastated if he didn't even try.

He lays his hand flat atop Tsumugi's. If Tsumugi hadn't felt it before, then he'll now see the matching ring that sits on Kazunari's finger.]

[ It's not the proposal he thought it'd be, but somehow it's so much sweeter. Even with the edge of bitterness to it - the possibility of being separated by time - he feels his heart ache and sing simultaneously.

Tsumugi rests his hand on top of Kazunari's, sandwiching it and the matching ring between his. ] I feel the same way. I don't want to lose what we have... so, I'd like to make my own promise.

[ A gentle squeeze. ] I want to keep spending my days like this, with you beside me... after all, there's still a lot we haven't been able to show each other. [ The schools they went to, their childhood homes and families... all their favorite places. Despite how long it feels like he's been with Kazunari, he also knows there's plenty for them left unseen. ] So, no matter what happens, I'm going to do my best to stay with you.

(open.) one last catch-all

mamori minamoto 🐇

Shining Armour

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tw blood magic

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cyber bullies

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QUEST: Niamh’s Mare & The Sunlit Peak (ota)

School (ota)

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tsumugi tsukioka ❄

QUEST: Taco-Bout Dinos! (ota)

art-z and craffs...

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Moondrop (ota)

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"tsumukazutsuzu house" has way too many "u"s in it (closed)

uwu house

comes late with starbucks

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(claps hands together) more! gay! shit!

the gayest of shit

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