Voices from Heaven (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thespaceopera) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
driftfleet2019-01-20 07:25 pm
thespaceopera) wrote in driftfleet2019-01-20 07:25 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
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- adrian "alucard" tepes,
- baku,
- bentley "ben" douglass,
- ciel phantomhive,
- connor,
- felix gaeta,
- glenn rhee,
- grievous,
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- james tiberius kirk (au),
- kaname buccaneer,
- katherine "kitty" pryde,
- keith,
- krolia,
- lance,
- libra,
- loki,
- lorden gesh,
- lup,
- magnus burnsides,
- manji,
- messer ihlefeld,
- mikleo,
- nico di angelo,
- pavel chekov,
- prompto argentum,
- remy lebeau,
- sorey,
- taako,
- the vision,
- thor odinson,
- tyrion lannister,
- vash the stampede,
- veronica,
- victor frankenstein,
- wanda maximoff
dreams in digital
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(last updated: 1/21/19)
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That is until you feel an odd sensation near your ear. No, not near. In your ear. And. It tickles. What the hell is in your ear!? Swatting at your ear and rolling away from the strange sensation you're bolted out of your sleep. You're still in the room of the inn you fell asleep in as you turn back around to face your assailant you see no one but Rin kneeling besides where you had just been sleeping. Her face slightly red and a long stick with a puff ball at the end in her hand.] What the hell were you doing?
Just cleaning your ears! [She stick the puff ball in her own ear to demonstrate.] It feels nice!
You woke me up for that?
[You pick at the crud she dislodged in your ear as she gives a small bow.] I'm sorry! But, um, while you're up, got a sec? Just a sec! I mean, it's still light out and... and... can we talk? Just a bit? [You're never quite sure what to do when she starts acting all shy and flustered like this.] Being here all alone... gets to me.
[You consider your options. You didn't really want her rooting around in your ear, but you can tell she really wants to do it. If it will make Rin happy you easily decided to lay back down so she can continue her work, but decide to look your usual grumpy self while doing so. Resting your head on her lap so she can get a good angle on your ear.] Okay, go ahead. But don't get grossed out by what you find.
[She's going to get grossed out. You just know she will. You can't remember the last time you've cleaned your ears, but still, hearing her happy laugh at the challenge makes you feel a bit better.] Haha! No problem! Makes it worth the dig!
Rin. What are you so jittery about?
Me?
You're afraid, right? Of meeting Anotsu? [The man who murdered her parents.]
Y-yes. Very. It's not that I'm really afraid of him but... Manji, I think I figured out how to conquer them. My weaknesses I mean. [She sounds pretty sure of herself. You doubt it, but her explanation will likely be interesting to hear either way.] Well, the stuff in my head, anyway. My sword work? [She laughs lightly.] Still not quite there. [Obviously. She didn't need to tell you that.] So, the next time I meet that man I'll be ready to cut him down like a reed. I think. Anyway, but I wonder if you or Shira are going to beat me to it. This time.
[At the mention of Shira a black haired man in a kimono with a sun on it pops into your mind. A sun just like one of the items for selection.
You two chat back and forth a little while. You're worried that this new group of people you're teaming up with is putting ideas into Rin's head. She insisting that they're not. It fades out when the man named Shira enters the room and catches the you with your head in Rin's lap getting your ears cleaned out. Great. Now you were never going to hear the end of it from that asshole.]
Good job. [Manji sets his newly cleaned blade aside before pulling another dirty one from his kimono.] I think you know what to hand me next. [The pinwheel still remains. Apparently offering up more intimate moments between the two of them.]
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But he picks up the pinwheel again to see what else it wishes to tell him.]
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Rin, you have any idea how much thirty ryo is? [You chuckle trying to figure out what the hell the girl had been thinking. Were her samurai parents really that rich that thirty ryo would be nothing in her mind? That was basically all the money the two of you had.] Hey, I can take being broke. I'm use to it, but you? If we didn't have a coin to our name could you handle an empty stomach and never taking a bath? All that crap?
I... I'm sorry, Manji.
Well, hell. [She looks so dejected that you feel momentarily bad for having mocked her.] You didn't blow it and it is your money after all anyway, but tell me, why the hell did you suddenly want someone else's sword?
It's not "someone else's" sword. That sword... it... it belonged to my father. [That explains it. Why she offered so much money and was acting like someone recently kicked her puppy in front of her.] Two years ago, after father was killed all the swords in the dojo were stolen. That sword was one of them.
Originally it was grandfather's. They told me that when grandpa Takayuki was still head of the dojo he had it on display. It was his special treasure. I always thought it was so weird. Our mutenichi-ryu school was so strict about form, but grandpa's treasure was a foreign sword! Maybe it was a gesture... his way of showing respect to Anotsu Saburo.
[The grandfather of the man who killed her parents for revenge. This is why revenge was never over you think to yourself as you drink some sake.] And so what is it you want to do? Did you ask where this guy's staying? If you want to take it back by force I'm willing to help.
He said he'd be staying at an inn near Asakusa, the "Takiguchi". He'll be there until tomorrow but... [She trails off as she suddenly shovels the rest of her rice into her mouth.] Manji, I'm sorry. This is the last time I'll talk like this. [You're a bit surprised by her sudden change in attitude.] I'm already sixteen! I've got to grow up! I can't keep talking about my mother and father... it's pathetic. I've decided it's time to put it behind me. That sword too.
The guy who's got it is an Itto-ryu, right? Don't you hate him?
Hate him? Of course I hate him. But so what? Maybe we kill some of them, but as long as Anotsu's grandson is still alive Itto-ryu will just keep growing. No more wasting time. I've got to meet Anotsu himself. And as soon as possible.
Well, if that's what you want? Fine by me. [You say this as you take a sip from your sake again, but you don't really think she means anything that she's saying right now.
You get your confirmation later that night. still sitting in that window sill where you pretended to fall asleep you crack open an eye and look over at the young girl sleeping in the room with you. The moon is bright and you can clearly see the tears that fall even now while she's asleep.] Rin? [You call out her name to see just how deeply asleep she is and there's no response. She's cried herself into complete exhaustion.
Those tears? That's putting this all behind her? You don't think so. Which is why you slip out of that window and quietly make your way down the street. Heading for the Asakusa area.
The memory will fade away. The pinwheel is still there, but now there is a new item among the others. A Chinese looking sword. Will Koga continue to touch things when Manji asks him for another item?]
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You two talk. He says how he's seen your face on a wanted poster for killing a hundred men and that it's too cold tonight and he doesn't understand why you're even here. That is until you share that you're just here because you want to fight and when you win you'll take that Chinese sword that he has. He laughs at that and the confirmation that the girl he saw earlier and had scared really was Asano's daughter. He admits that he stole the sword from Rin's dojo and it turns out he had been waiting and expecting her to show up here tonight. Not you.
That's more than enough talk for you as you raise your blade to point at him up in his tree.] You coming down or what?
[There's only a light chuckle for a response before the man suddenly disappears. He's so fast! You jump out of the way with only a second to spare before he lands right where you had just been standing. His blade sinking into the ground where your feet use to be. The near miss hardly slows him before he's leaping at you once more.
Raising your sword you try to strike for his head, but he manages to block the blow just before it sinks into him. With your second sword you go for a jab, but he is already anticipating the attack and drops his head low while at the same time jabbing his own second sword into your thigh. It explodes with pain.] Son of a bitch!!
First rule of war-- [Was he lecturing you right now!?] Restricting your enemy's mobility is eighty percent of victory. Get it? Means dumbshits who only strike to kill are likely to lose their legs!
[This asshole really was lecturing you while stabbing your leg! Well, at least with his sword stuck in your leg he had nothing to defend against your next attack.] Thanks for the tip! [You screech sarcastically as you attack.
Only you're shocked when from the handle of the sword currently jammed into your leg is revealed to be another hidden blade.] Stop acting so surprised! [He shouts right before he nearly takes off your head as you lean back with just enough time to avoid the strike. It's close, but it also gives you the chance to strike out with your foot. Kicking the ninja in the face he flies backwards and away from you.
You both take a moment to catch your breath. Looking over at him on the ground you smile. Enjoying the rush you feel through your body with the enjoyment of a good fight.] This is what I've been missing. This is how to fight! I like you pal. [And it was true. You were finding that you liked this guy for some reason.] Damn, are all you Itto-Ryu guys this tough? What's your name? I'll say a prayer for you when you're dead!
Magatsu Taito! [He shouts back. Looking at you with a new found respect as well.] You're the first guy outside of our dojo I couldn't kill that way, but you won't dodge the next one. Sorry pal, check mate.
[Smiling casually you gesture at the sword still lodged in your leg.] Ah, you mean this? [Yanking it out causes a new rush of pain, but it will make healing easier for the worms.] Yeah. Well, you surprised me, but I'm kinda use to things like this.
[You throw his weapon back to him. Wanting to enjoy this fight and to give him the best possible chance to fight you. It was only fair considering you are immortal and he is not. You're surprised again as he starts to laugh.] You know, this place brings back memories. Nothing's changed. Not a thing. I was born here in Senzoku village. My old home's not a stone's throw away. [You're unsure why you're getting this history lesson. Stalling for time so he can recover a bit more? Probably. You let him continue uninterrupted.] This forest was the perfect playground for a kid. My pals and I came her all the time.
[He continues on. Telling you about a flood that once happened. How the flood had turned this area into a swamp and he had a friend who went out on his own unaware of the danger. In the end he found his friend dead in the bog.] Sad story, huh? A natural trap. You'd never know to look at it. Now I remember where it was. There! Right where you're standing, fool!
[And he was right! The whole time he told his story you hadn't even noticed how your feet were sinking into the ground. You struggle in attempt to get your feet free, but they're stuck firm in the bog. Magatsu laughs at your predicament.] I guess you're not use to fighting in places like this. [He taunts.] Anyway, thanks for listening to my story.
Second rule of war! [He's lecturing you again!?] He who hold the land can conquer heaven! My first move was knocking you towards the tree. And you went like a good boy! Right there, just a few yards between us runs the Sanzu No Kawa the river of the dead! [You struggle harder against the sinking feeling sucking you slowly down.] Heh, giving it a good try, I see. Actually, you know, it's probably not too late. But--!! [He jumps forward, blades drawn and slams into you and the tree behind you. His leap is so strong it actually knocks the tree over and you both go crashing down with it.
The problem? He's speared Rin's sword through your chest and heart. Pinning you to that downed tree.
Magatsu can see that you're not dead yet so he decides to finish his story. Explaining to you how he was a peasant's son and he had one younger sister who he loved dearly. He tells you how one day he and his sister were playing ball and when his sister kicked it the ball accidentally startled a Daimyo's horse. Her punishment was to be cut in two.
As he screams his hatred of samurai who always get their ways over peasants you sink deeper into the mud. Still pinned to the tree.] You use to be a samurai. My enemy. And that girl you're helping? Her too. I'm going to go kill her now. Maybe if you'd only lost one of your own family you'd understand how I feel. [If your lung wasn't punctured you'd laugh.
This is the last thought you have before the memory ends.
The items that still remain are:
A pinwheel
A length of chain (CW: Mention of experimentation, death and violence)
An intricate painted mask (CW: Violence, blood, and death)
A little plastic sun (CW: Violence and blood)
A few small knives designed to be held between fingers
A vile of poison (CW: Blood)
An expensive looking hair pin (CW: violence, blood, severed limbs)
A double bladed dagger (CW: Blood and violence)
A Chinese Sword
And a new item: Magatsu's mask.]
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Before you have a chance to recover a man comes out from seemingly no where and with a quick strike your right arm is severed. It's Shira. A man with white hair and a sun on his kimono like one of the items also out for “weapon cleaning.” One thing you know for sure is that Shira is one sick bastard and bad news. Luckily for you it's Magatsu who wants to kill him so it's the crap ninja's problem now.
Shira laughs triumphantly over your missing arm. Calling it revenge for the fact that you took his arm not that long ago. Oh, wasn't he going to be in for a surprise? Holding your severed arm up to the stump and slowly it reattaches. Shira looks absolutely shocked at first as you wiggle your newly reattached fingers before he slowly breaks out into a crazed smile and starts laughing.] Lemme get this straight. I can hack off your arms, gouge out your eyes, slit open your gut, and I can still keep you alive? As long as I want!?
[There's the sick fuck you remember.] Now do you get it, Magatsu? That's what he's like.
Yeah, yeah. That's him for sure. He's the scum that killed Ren!
[You give Magatsu a friendly tap on the back.] Right, then. He's all yours. Have fun!
[Shira bulks at the idea that you're leaving him and won't fight.] Hey, Manji! What is this crap!? Where are you going?!
Shut up you asshole! Maybe you've got time to get all bent out of shape over old shit, but I've got business to do! This here's my man Magatsu Taito! Height, weight, strength... all the same as me. You and me... some other day. Okay? [Not that you really believe that. With Shira only having one arm and a murdered, no butchered, lover to avenge? You expect Magatsu to make quick work of him.
Shira becomes enraged and rushes at you. Screaming about how mad he is that you don't give a shit about his revenge plot that he worked so carefully to implement. Not that you care. Magatsu jumps straight away into the fray and goes toe to toe with the other man. Blocking his every move.
Except then Shira lashes out with his missing right arm and... sends Magatsu flying back as if he has been hit? This gives you pause in your retreat. Suddenly you're worried for your new friend as he goes skidding along in the dirt on his face. You move quickly to his side where he fell to see if he needs some sort of help.] Magatsu, pal... were you really Itto-Ryu? [Losing to a one arm man? Just sad.]
S-Shuddup! I thought he was one handed. L-left myself open. Won't make the same mistake twice. [You both look back towards Shira.] The hit felt weird though. Not a dagger, maybe a spear?
No. Both guesses wrong, Magatsu. Not a dagger or a spear. [Shira moves his cloak off to the side and shows off his newest weapon. The stump of the arm that you cut off? He had carved into his very bone to make a weapon A living blade.]
Holy shit. Those are his...
Manji! You want to put someone else up against me, that's your business. But that hand of mine? I didn't lose it to some half-assed punk like that kid. So don't break my heart man, fight!
[This guy really is crazy! You smirk.] Yeah, okay. Fair enough.
Hey!
[You do feel a little bad that you're taking Magatsu's revenge from him, but Shira had a point. You had taken his arm and he had put in so much effort to carve his own bones into a weapon?] Beside, now you got me interested, Shira old buddy. So that's what turned your hair white, huh? Must've felt really interesting. Carving all that meat off your bones.
Yeah, don't know how many times I blacked out, man. Every time my eyes opened again I asked myself why all the hell am I doing this? Good question, huh? Bu Manji, the moment I saw your face, all those doubts all that pain gone like morning dew. And another thing when I actually use it, guess what? Fuckin' hurts like hell man! Hurts me! Me! I thought it'd go numb after awhile, a big mistake! But like if I'm too gutless to use it, then it'd all be for nothing, right? So since it hurts so goddamn much to stab you put some heart into it when you scream, okay, pal?
What the hell is he babbling about? [Magatsu sounds like he can't believe what he's hearing and you can understand why.] Is he really nuts?
Naw, if you believe Rin's theory this part is normal. Still it's nice to feel wanted. Know what I mean? Anyway, you're the real deal, Shira. Now I can't leave you to someone else. [Shira looks thrilled as you step forward ready to fight him once again.
The two of you size each other up and then suddenly both start attacking at the same time. The fight doesn't last too long as you go tumbling into the woods. You end up losing track of Shira and run off to hide in the forest and wait. Knowing Magatsu won't be far behind and sure enough you spot him trying to catch up. For a laugh you sneak up behind him and grab him.
He nearly stabs you before he figures out who you are and you start laughing.] Magatsu Taito just about pissed himself!
Don't scare me like that, man!
[Putting aside your laughter you explain to Magatsu what your plan was. With that little fight you could tell that Shira wasn't use to fighting one handed yet. It had only been two weeks since you took his hand. So here in the mountains where the earth would be unsteady under his feet? The type of land Magatsu was a pro at fighting in?] “He who holds the land can conquer heaven,” you remember that? First time we met? If he can kick your ass here, you out to cut your belly, get it?
[Magatsu blinks in confusion.] Huh? I thought you were fighting him now.
Come on!! What the hell did I drag you out here for? I said all that shit just to shake him off. And to give you this nice arena to fight in! Man, what kind of loser gets himself sliced and diced to avenge some woman?
Oh yeah? And what kind of loser is so worried about his little girly he doesn't have time to fight?
Yeah, well, two loser on a road trip, right? Amway, this is my last favor kid. So don't waste it. [Smiling you two say your goodbyes and split up. You trust Magatsu to take care of Shira because you really do need to catch up to Rin.
The memory fades. Only this time all the items are gone and Manji has finished with his work.] Thank you for all your help. [He jerks his head towards the road leading away from his humble home.] Let's eat in town tonight. Just 'cause I don't feel like catchin' our supper tonight. [Okay, so maybe he wants to treat you, but doesn't know how to say so.] Go on ahead. I'll catch up in a minute.
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I will see you there.
[With that, he turns to walk away. There has been plenty seen for him to think about.]
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