eastbound | Entries tagged with touken ranbu: kanesada

Good afternoon. As ever, we have scant time for well wishes and compliments. This is the Merchant. To those freshly in my care, I bid greetings and remain at your service. To the rest: your ongoing survival is a matter of celebration.

( And... incredulity, though he will not be the man to say so. )

I am given to understand you remain in — a part of Yancai. I speak to you from five years onwards. We have succeeded to break the time's weave for precisely one hour to allow this communication, after which I regret to bid my leave. Let us employ our time wisely.

My hope and concern is that, in your attempts to remedy the harms of this village, you will succeed, as you have before, and break the flow of time. If you do — when you do, know this: just as there are territories outside of land, there are those beyond time. Often, they are wastelands or exist independently under the rule of tyrants without reason.

( A distasteful concept to him, for how his voice sours. ) Many of Akhuras' least... favoured sorcerers were exiled in such pockets. I hold minimal sway there, past episodes of commerce.

( Hesitantly: ) If you arrive in such regions, seek out waypoints bearing the carvings of an eye with the sun for a pupil. They were put in place to return Ellethian trade caravans to their true place in time.

( And might, on this occasion, serve the party. ) If you do not break time, if you merely wait out Yancai's next transition and return to five years onwards organically, ignore my cautions. Either way: see what may be gleaned from this Yancai of old. I trust no village whose House of Commerce once dealt on friendly terms with the warlord Anurr.

( ooc: please assume all interaction with the Merchant on this post happens within the span of an IC hour — thank you! )

ghastleye

[ enter one (1) startlingly (...supernaturally) attractive young man: long dark hair in a slightly crooked braid, very fine red clothing, silver jewelry.. though he's missing an eye, the other hidden behind a patch. and his skin is, well, completely bloodless. corpse-white, you might say. dead, someone else might agree.

and behind him, puttering around in the background at the stove, a certain well-meaning culinary disaster. hm. ]

If one has questions about powerful ghosts-- [ the corner of his mouth lifts, smile polite. ] --one might ask a ghost.. of some small strength. Yes? I won't claim that the ghosts here are precisely the same as my kind, but they seem like enough. [ he taps a black nail against his cheek, smile curling a little higher. ] I do suggest not throwing salt at them if you'd rather not be eaten out of sheer affront.

[ a pause, a shift, fingers trailing down his braid to rub absently over a small coral pearl wound into it, the action obviously contemplative. ] I.. may.. be able to detain one of these ghosts next it appears. If you agree which you'd like. I promise nothing. [ particularly if it would distress his highness in any way.

a brief glance back at xie lian, a wave of his hand to indicate him. ] My husband can verify most of what I say, should you not trust a Calamity's word. [ .. see, xie lian, he's being helpful. ]

aprescoup

( The party's second, more elusive, revived witch appears on everyone's devices — enjoying a steaming, bubbling bath, in a sign that comfort is only unattainable for the unattractive. )

...now, aren't you beautiful, my sweets? And so many more than before, and lively, your flesh teeming with... youth.

This one is only an honoured and unworthy servant, so spare a moment, won't you? There's nothing to fear, I hardly bite, unless... have we still... virgins, each way the eye sees? ( Short, knowing laughter. ) We must relish in innocence.

( If her smile were thinner, it would be the ghost of the party's coin purse. )

Of course, this isn't why I would presume to take up your time, no, not your Hatisse. I only wish, with utmost respect, if I may. A humble warning.

( Her voice briefly ices, while she picks up a diminutive sponge to slowly, sloooooowly rinse her right arm. )

Here, in this gods-forsaken quaint little pedestrian village, where husband is uncle and brother and of the same blood as goats, you do not cross paths with... true witches, no matter what they name themselves. 'Ladies' of... 'lakes.' Remember, the clumsiest, easiest sorcery is the elements, and if they rule water, in a land of waters, don't be impressed.

( Briefly disgusted, as if she prepares to spit out a soured thing: ) They're hedge witches. Primitive, barely trained, and of course, your Hatisse is the daughter of a school, and so perhaps there is the lightest... prejudice, but may I say. Time is not the work of witches who, if rumour is to be believed, can do no better than play in puddles. There must be more. Something or someone.

( And now for an interlude where Hatisse raises herself from the bath, and much of the more risque parts of her body are strategically covered in foam. )

Now... we are friends here, all friends, friends of convenience, but friends. And Hatisse has shared what little was hers to give. But this is a land of the dead, and she cannot do more for you, if she is unknowing. Tell me, my sweets: how many of you are mired in death? How did you come to it?

( ooc: threadjack away! Hatisse will be regrettably available. )

consignation

[ stripping out of his robe, jiang cheng bumps his device and leaves it with his heap of clothes. it's understandable, really, with what a rush he's in to dive off the pier. he's stripped down to nothing more than his thin innermost robe, a white slip that falls barely past his (shapely) buttocks, sashed by a single flimsy tie on his left side just above his hip. gloriously bare, elegant legs carry him in a sprint away from the broadcasting device, and then the sect leader takes a picturesque dive in a shallow arc to hasten through the water to his target. throughout, there's the excited murmuring of a crowd from somewhere just behind the device, but once jiang cheng is in the water they start to stage whisper in the earnest.

there's hushed delight about his hair, his jawline, his cheekbones, his physique. there's tittering of how his children might look, peppered with suggestions of which villagers have had the good fortune of warming his bed. the chatter grows increasingly lewd until two parties claim to have been with their beloved village rescuer just this last night, neither willing to back down until there's screaming and shouting as a fight breaks out.

just as someone can be glimpsed out of the corner of the frame being held in a headlock, the subject of the gossip reemerges from the water in a now entirely translucent robe that is also falling off his shoulder, a sodden puppy held carefully in his arms which he hands off to a little boy waiting anxiously near the edge of the water. the fight and crowd disperse at once, though a few people do come by to compliment jiang cheng, some inviting him to dinner or to spend the night at their house and other such niceties.

only after all this does jiang cheng go to retrieve his clothes and notice his device on and recording. ]

Oh, sorry. I hope this hasn't been on too long making too much noise. Um.

Is everyone well?

fushichou

[Kanesada sits in his spacious cabin, looking just above where his pendant records him. He's brushing his hair and probably looking in a mirror at the same time. It's taking a minute.]

Hey, so I'm gonna tell you all a secret because who actually cares? It doesn't matter here. If we've talked, I've introduced myself as Izumi, but my full name is Izuminokami Kanesada. You can still call me Izumi if you want, even though my name isn't that complicated, so, like, maybe try or something.

[He pauses to focus on the ends of his hair, which he has to hold up in one hand and brush with the other because it's just so dang long. Worth it, though.]

Right, so I'm also a tsukumogami, which is an object that's gained a spirit after a certain amount of time. Specifically, I'm a sword. Lan Wangji probably still won't believe me, but he's wrong. Anyone remember Hijikata Toshizou who was here a while back, like when we were in Serthica? I used to belong to him. Well, not that version of Hijikata-san, but a Hijikata-san.

[He moves up the length of his hair with the brush. Bit by bit.]

Back home, I got this body in order to fight a war where we're going back in time to keep history from changing. It's pretty straightforward, though sometimes missions get complicated. Sometimes we gotta keep someone alive, sometimes we gotta make sure someone dies. History has to stay intact. But when we were in Alem I really got to thinking...how do you decide what to do when the end goal isn't already written?

[He finally looks at the pendant directly.]

Okay, obviously you're supposed to do the right thing, but if we don't even belong here, I wonder if we should even really get involved? I'm not shitting on anyone who does, don't worry, but I'm just so used to being hyper-aware of every action having a consequence, short-term or long-term, good or bad. Like, what would happen to this world if none of us got dragged into it? That's the problem with time, too. There are always so many variables and any change could make a timeline branch off from the main timeline and just...

[Kanesada heaves out a big sigh, his hands dropping into his lap and his shoulders slumping.]

Listen, it gets complicated. And I'm kinda tired. And this train ride sucks and they don't have any sake and I miss Japan.

...Is there anyone here who's good at braiding hair? When I actually need him, Kunihiro's not here.

jatharin

( The first transmissions is recorded footage, clearly captured by a pendant held by a shaking hand. Before it, legions of heterogenous, misshaped demons part for the gilded palanquin of Duke Rathakku, his long tendril legs seeping off his cushions.

Beneath his litter, death hounds feast on the fresh remains of a man carrying a peace stindard.

Rathakku appears untroubled, unhurried, indifferent: )

Tell your new king... he will have the peace of the old. And we, we will give it to him. If you can reach him.

( Only more seconds capturing footage of fumbling feet and gracel, the pendant carrier stumbles back, starting to run —

Before the transmission switches to the lightly amused face of Alem's king Deimar, whistling: )

...friendly sort, isn't he? That was four months ago. He's softened since. I'd say the colder weather agrees with him. It's good for you new recruits to see that. To see him. It builds character. ( A pause, then helpfully: ) ...spoils appetites, too! Means less dinner for you, more supplies for the morning. We've all won here.

( But the joy seeps from him. ) I know what you have come for. The beacon. I accept you. It's honest trade, we need the hands. Hells, fond welcome. And to those of you serving as envoys, we'll raise a cup to you first. I should hope there's meat on your bones!

Now, a few... guidelines! As it were. What are you? Madmen, criminals, thieves, mercenaries? I don't care to know. Under my roof, I'll have none of that quarrel. ( Steely: ) No squabble, no torture, no rape. We're in tight quarters, blood runs hot. But you'll somehow prevail over any instincts. No... innocent stabbing. There's enough of that in the Wards of late.

I understand some of you are joining the watch towers. I'll come see you. It's ugly work, and you won't thank me. But I thank you. If that bitch Irenia flies by, remember: she's an ugly, slow whore, and you can take a sharp stick's end to her throat. ( Silence, then breezily: ) I don't mind if you do that our merchant friends, either. Just make sure you've learned where they've stored their grains first. ( Light coughing. ) Don't let Haiva hear that. We're to be friends with one and all! Even when they skin us for gold.

As it stands, the day's news: we prepare to evacuate new convoys of our weakest civilians every five days. Unfortunately, Rathakku is... either remarkably intuitive or well informed. He seems to find our escape corridors in the mountain and blockade them. So! We start anew, with fresh escape routes. Do help. And if you can keep our vulnerable on their feet and not trip up the paladins who are working in the Gut's Bind, even better.

By the way, we cut any hands laid unkindly on healers. We can likely spare you more than them.

And the punishment for snitching to uncle Thyvault where the last of the good wine sits is worse than that. I'll deliver that one personally.

Now, good to have you! Die well.

( ooc: welcome to Alem & threadjack liberally c: )

bearshermark

I have access to forges. If anyone's weapon needs sharpened or reinforced before we leave, it isn't much trouble.

I also have a fair bit of spare steel now, if there's a need for custom weaponry. Of course, I don't have the materials to manage anything enchanted, but I'm a moderately skilled blacksmith otherwise.

inkfire

[ The video turns on, revealing two ghostly ladies with their heads bent together, giggling and looking away from the device. "Do you think it's real?" one asks; the other shushes her, adding, "How would he fake it?" She pauses, looking as wistful as a ghost can. "Do you think we can keep him?"

Perhaps they mean to be subtle, but they miss that mark. Then Mo Ran appears, clutching a towel to his waist. ]

Ladies, there's no need to use that. If you'd kindly return it to me—

[ He breaks off, stepping closer and diving for his communication device, the towel flying. There's an audible struggle, brief flashes of both the ghosts and Mo Ran in the video, in all his naked glory before he finally wrestles it away from them, and rights the device, showing off one of the springs, steam rising from the water.

When Mo Ran next appears on the camera, he's submerged in water up to his chest, hiding the rest of his body, long hair bound into a bun on top of his head, looking rather sheepish but still grinning. ] Some of these ghosts are odd. Talking about keeping people, giggling about them behind their backs. Anyone else having problems with them?

Not that I'd object to staying here. These hot springs are perfect. I'll be soaking here for the rest of the night.

[ Just in case anyone wants to join him. ]

bravelyrunsaway

'lo, loves, how're you managing with all the littles crawling all over and shrieking like proper nestlings?

( he doesn't really care how everyone's doing. he doesn't dislike children, he just gets antsy and needs time away due to reasons no one needs to understand. )

Right, those of you looking for a bit of a walk around, we're low on lamp oil. Not just here at the lovely madams, but at the neighbouring homes. I'm heading out to track down what untended, forgotten oil we can find come midday. Anyone care to join?

( a second noted reference after a pause: )

How do you change what it says here for telling who you are to the rest of our merry band of misfits?

( ooc: see the related plot info here! i'll get a log post up at the end of the week. )

ensanguines

[ hijikata's expression is flat and unimpressed as the feed flicks on, but then again it usually is. he's well aware there more pressing issues at hand but he feels like he's earned the right not to deal with the big problems anymore. it's practically policy for him by now.

no, he chooses instead to fixate on the little problems. mmm. middle sized problem, winnifred being approximately average human size.

he stands there cross-armed, her blonde head visible out of focus just over his shoulder. ]

Hey. Listen up. I need to know which one of you left this thing unattended and when you can come by to collect her—

[ there's a blurry wave and a cheerfully chirped 'hello!!' as he references his... guest. ]

Come get her before I put her out with the recycling.

[ that order of business handled... ]

Izumi, where are you?

inkfire

It turns out the conflict went further than Serthica. Or maybe the people just somehow ended up outside the city.

A friend tipped me off to this. Some people have discovered human remains. Some crime lords are looking to buy them up, so they can ransom the bones when they get to the city. Real fucking shitty of them.

He didn't say anything more than that, so I don't know where the bones are coming from. But there will be bones up for auction soon. Or otherwise available to buy.

chosenbylight

[Anduin appears on camera looking -- out of character, for those that know him, dressed in dark leathers and a large black trenchcoat.

Yes, he knows. He feels weird about it too.]

Greetings, my friends. As I am certain you are aware by now, various systems across Minaras are suffering malfunctions, ranging everywhere from brief glitches to complete breakdowns in the infrastructure of the city. What may not have been apparent at first, and why I come to you now, is that there are a number of droids who seem to have been affected by the outages as well.

In my role here in Minaras, the nobility come to me for... [He winces slightly.] I am a droid bounty hunter, to put things plainly. And there has been an increase in runaway droids, of late. I have managed to track several of them down and have them in my custody at present. Normally at this point, I would return them to their masters as requested, but I have -- concerns.

I have spoken with the droids in my charge. They do not seem to acknowledge that they have ever had masters to serve. Certainly not those people who hired me to find them. They have said that their services are not required, at present.

[Anduin hesitates, uncertain for a moment of how exactly to proceed.]

I am a priest, outside this city. I cannot claim to understand the workings of these complex machines. But something has changed them, quite suddenly. Droids are programmed to serve humankind. These droids do not appear to have forgotten who their masters are. But most troubling of all: from what I can tell, they are no longer registering to the droids as human.

Perhaps if we are able to understand why... We might come closer to understanding just what exactly is going on here?

((ooc: further information about/plotting for this little clue-roll can be found here, though anduin will be discussing what he knows so far below!))

beitangmoran

[Maybe Five thought Moran was joking when he said he would make an announcement. Turns out, he was not.]

Greetings, fellow travelers.

Now that we are once more on solid ground, I have no doubt our days will be very busy, but as it is, we still have matters to discuss pertaining to our previous trip.

The artefact that was used to call out the giant sea monster, a human tongue which has been ascertained to still be 'alive' in spite of being separated from the rest of its body, is presently under the guard of Master Five.

[See how he didn't say you stole it and tried to hide it, Five? That's his one concession to your pride.]

It is the second such artefact we are now carrying, following the heart that is in Master Kaneki's possession as well. And so far we cannot ascertain their origin, or if they might belong to the same individual or not. And given their power, the question comes to us of what to do with them.

There have been some in favor of destroying them, others wanting to study them. both are, at present, warded, but there is no telling that we might be able to keep containing them for any length of time, and we have all seen what happens when they are not contained.

Their relation to the mirrors, and the undead, is also still nebulous. I think we found out there was at least one mirror on one of the ships, but has someone found out if it was used and what for?

Lady Emilia also judiciously mentioned that they seem to have the ability to excite beasts, which was also a power the Beastmaster possessed, and the Beastmaster was the first we learned of the original and most powerful undead possible being made with mirrors.

I do not believe the fate of those objects should be decided by one alone, given that they can affect us all, and those around us. So what do you think we should do with them?

snowcleave

[ The young woman in the video is out of frame, and for the first twenty seconds, out of focus; two things she seems to neither notice nor especially care about. In truth, the longer she's silent, leaning in and squinting suspiciously at the pocketwatch she's been told she can use to communicate - the more it becomes clear that the scowling woman has no idea she's gotten it to work.

After one more second of stern appraisal, she steps further back, deciding that even if it's not working this will suffice as a practice run, and unrolls a piece of parchment with an ink portrait on it. When Fei first holds it up, it's way too far to one side to be in the frame of the shot, though she seems to catch this oversight quickly and adjust

Once she's more than half sure that the silly thing is activated and doing what she's been told it will do, Fei just starts talking, blowing right by customary introductions in favor of getting to the point. The quicker she can finish talking to a piece of jewelry, the happier she'll be. ]

I am looking for this man.

[ The portrait itself could be of either Lan Wangji, or Xie Yun, though it resembles the latter more strongly to those familiar with both gentlemen. After a pause so whoever it was that saw these stupid things could study the image she rolls the scroll back up and nods firmly, letting her eyes dart from side to side as she tries to figure out what should happen next. ]

If you see him, uh–

[ Fei huffs out a sigh and looks around at her surroundings before she picks the pocketwatch up and aims it out to take in the dilapidated view of Serthica. ]

I will be here, waiting.

[ The transmission ends abruptly enough that it's clear that she didn't intend for it to conclude. She'll figure the silly thing out in time. ]

deathcough

[There's a soft humming noise, before Souji's voice floats out, sounding oh-so amused]

What's the best way one could have this Kraken creature, do you think? It's pretty big...One might think it was almost too much for one person to take.

Just up for suggestions and ideas.

[He definitely means eating it, definitely not anything else why would you ever think otherwise??? Gosh]

traaaaaash

[ Listen. Eda, known criminal and owner of a flying bathtub, kinda wants to hit herself over the head for not suggesting this sooner. ]

anyone else think we should just steal a ship and bounce?

reparo

[She switches on the video function of her device knowingly this time, as she climbs the stairs to a relatively quiet deck. It's daylight, and the moment she steps foot outside, she flinches; not that she believes in divination, but those fucking fortune fish were right.]

Ugh. Sun. [She squints and shields her eyes with one hand.]

Hello - I hear there are people who've newly joined our journey due east. I'd say welcome, but the circumstances of us meeting for the first time will never be better. Take it from experience. [The way she scrunches her nose here has little to do with the sun glinting in her eyes and more with the experience of circumstances.]

Anyway. My name's Hermione Granger, I come from a world where the planet I inhabit is called Earth, and the country I come from is called England. [A pause.] I am also a witch. It's not a thing we broadcast in my world, what with the rules about secrecy and not wanting non-magical users to know witches exist, but I figure when in Rome...

[ANYWAY 2.0] Tell me about yourselves. [She goes to turn the video off in wait, but it still catches the last mutter:] Bloody hell, I need a hat.

[ooc; NOTE ON TIMING: backdate this to before the plot rolls start, please.]

bravelyrunsaway

( toward the evening, in a lackadaisical manner, Licyn tackles his immense dislike of magic, which is what these searing pendants are, to offer up...

... not terribly much, but he has to start somewhere, being off contract and not able to speak with those who he might contract with in order to get back to whatever disaster Rillin was left facing. therefore: )

Evenin', loves. Had myself a bit of a gander between the ships, in all the chaos we've been up to or trying not to die of. Noticed a few things. Not sure if they're telling anything more interesting than mermaids and cursed seas and wailing dead and a whale of an island swimming off, so here we are.

( his smile is practically audible now. )

Our lovely lady Pariah is so new you can smell the paint and oil of her finishing. Meanwhile, a certain scent I've encountered before is lurking around on our adoring matron the Queen Zanyra. Any of you familiar with drugs taken to calm the mind and set you dreaming? Our Queen is lightly taken to the flower dreams.

arsmechanica

[ After the partying is done, but before our merry band catches their ship out of town, here comes a message to the group.

Jens hasn't been...shy, or anything. He's also not been social, exactly - just kind of been there in the background, working at what he's good at and completely forgetting that proper introductions are a thing in most polite societies. Maybe you noticed him around, or maybe not - in which case: eighteen or nineteen, dark hair in a messy ponytail, usually a little bit dirty in the way that implies hard work more than lack of care. Nice to meet you all. ]

Hello, I could use some - er, let me back up a bit. I'm Jens, for those of you I haven't talked to. I'm a blacksmith, and I've just been given permission to, should I say, requisition whatever I might need from one of the forges here.

[ Deep breath. He's trying to be slow and coherent! But he is nonetheless over the moon about this. ]

I haven't been here as long as - well, most of this group, so I hadn't really gotten much chance to get myself set up to work here. So this is a great chance for me to make myself useful to all of you!

As long as, you know, I can...get it all carried out of here.

If anyone has a hand to spare, I'll gladly pay you back in repair work, making something, or buying you drinks somewhere down the line, as you prefer. We'll figure something out.

downswing

( Dark and damp and Lan Wangji's pallor strained under moonlight. Behind him, flickers of broad, long temple columns — and the smoke smears of... ghosts, gathered. He seems short of breath, the silvered sheen of his sword half drawn from her scabbard, a spate of parchment papers littering the walls: active talismans. )

They have crowded their halls of the dead, to excess.

Here, the key withholds itself. Who hunts the other locations?

( And a pause, hesitant — whether to find his words or, absently, slap another talisman on the spirit that looms with a gaping maw behind him. ) Ke-Waihu stands safe?

( ooc: forwarded dated to the group's incursions in Ke-Waicai. Feel free to run into him in person, if you're also chasing the haunted temple key! )

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h e a d east

March 2024

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Page Summary

pulvisetumbra - un: raven master - audio | day ii
ghastleye - video | un: water you docking aboat
aprescoup - un: hatisse | video
consignation - un: sect leader jiang | the dreaded accidental video
fushichou - un: protector izumi | video;
jatharin - username: deimar | video
bearshermark - [un: steward] voice;
inkfire - video; un: pillar of the heavens
bravelyrunsaway - audio | un: workstormit | in the mouse house
ensanguines - video; un: mind your fucking business
inkfire - text; un: pillar of the heavens
chosenbylight - un: white pawn; video
beitangmoran - un : dappled pearls of the parted seas (voice)
snowcleave - un: nutcracker (video)
deathcough - audio;
traaaaaash - text; un: owl lady
reparo - un: man's greatest treasure (video)
bravelyrunsaway - audio | un: workstormit
arsmechanica - un: smithery | video
downswing - un: absterge | video

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exit, stage e a s t

Entries tagged with touken ranbu: kanesada

un: raven master - audio | day ii

video | un: water you docking aboat

un: hatisse | video

un: sect leader jiang | the dreaded accidental video

un: protector izumi | video;

username: deimar | video

[un: steward] voice;

video; un: pillar of the heavens

audio | un: workstormit | in the mouse house

video; un: mind your fucking business

text; un: pillar of the heavens

un: white pawn; video

un : dappled pearls of the parted seas (voice)

un: nutcracker (video)

audio;

text; un: owl lady

un: man's greatest treasure (video)

audio | un: workstormit

un: smithery | video

un: absterge | video