ritualization | [pcs] my guy my dude

[This all sure has been something, all right. Ishikirimaru has been hanging around the courtyard long enough to observe, though he remains quiet for the most part-- but afterward, he decides to seek out at least one person who caught his eye.

So wherever Guy happens to be, Ishikirimaru will eventually intrude, offering him a nod that's just a little too much to be a normal one but not low enough to be a proper bow.]

I hope I am not interrupting. Do you have a few moments?

[He makes himself scarce pretty quickly once the crowd in the courtyard starts to disperse. But if someone's actively looking for him, he's not too hard to find, tucked right inside the hall of mirrors with his blade untied from his belt and resting upright against one shoulder.

At least he looks like he's calmed down.]

I can't say I was planning on going anywhere soon, no. [He'll return the bow with a low nod of his own from his seat on the ground. He's not without manners.]

I don't believe we've met.

[Ishi takes a seat as well, then, kneeling nearby, because he is too damn tall to just stand there and loom over Guy. He isn't that rude.]

We have not. I am Ishikirimaru, and if I recall correctly, you are...

[A pause, there, while he recalls what he's read in the courtyard.]

Ah, I believe there were two names on yours. Which would you prefer me to use?

[Ah, someone else who'd bothered to read the statues. INTERNALLY SIGHING but his composure stays even enough.]

Good memory.

Guy is perfectly fine. Might as well keep things easy, right?

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ishikirimaru. [It's a mouthful, one he's gonna have to get used to, but really, he's the last person who should be complaining about name length.

And, well, enough beating around the bush, then.]

Were you at our little reveal this morning?

And yours as well, Guy-san.

[watch me forget honorifics within a few tags but it's fine

He nods at that question, not at all put off by just getting right to it.]

I was. That was why I came to find you-- I meant to ask if you were well.

[That comes with a little gesture to his arm, rather than any questions about his reaction.]

I am afraid there's not much I can do about any injury, at the moment, but that's little reason to ignore it.

[THIS DUMB NOODLE ARM OF HIS GETTING HIM INTO TROUBLE AGAIN :(

His brows raise slightly in surprise before he lets out a breathy, humorless laugh, glancing down to where his lifeless appendage sits, tucked against his lap with the glove removed.]

Hahah... I see, I see.

I appreciate the sentiment. It's not really an injury, though. More just... a mistake.

You can take a look, if it makes you feel better.

I would appreciate that. If nothing else, I would like to ensure that it seems otherwise normal.

[There's a short hum, before he asks-]

I was warned about curses before. Did you offend one of the resident gods? Prior to earlier, that is, though... I cannot fault your response either.

[With a hum of acknowledgement, he'll lay his sword to the side and pivot in his seat to face Ishi, positioning his dead arm to lay as straight as he can manage. Look away, stranger.]

I did. Nothing serious. I just didn't realize that our rule of removing items extended to something like food and drink.

The effect was pretty instantaneous.

I see. I suppose they thought that it would be sufficiently inconvenient to make for a good punishment, then.

[Though he notes with a furrowed brow, as he starts looking over Guy's arm:]

...but something like this could have been more than simply inconvenient if you had needed to defend yourself.

[He stiffens visibly.]

...Yeah. Armed or not, it's still not a good position to be in. One unlucky step, one pair of observant eyes, and who knows. Could have put anyone in the coffin that way.

[It could have been him, had his company for the evening been different. But he chooses to not think about that.]

I'm not in a position to ask for forgiveness from Patience right now. But it would be stupid of me to keep myself like this for any longer.

If you're lucky, perhaps it will only last as long as the rule... though even if it does pass, I think attempting to ask forgiveness will still be a good idea.

[Ishi doesn't take too long to finish examining that arm considering that there isn't a whole lot he can look for-- assuming it does seem normal except for not functioning, he'll just gently set it back down. Anatomy is not his specialty, it probably seems fine regardless.]

Gods tend to appreciate being respected and honored, in my experience. It is likely worth the effort.

[It LOOKS completely fine, anyway. It's still warm and there's no discoloration. Guy just doesn't react in the slightest to any touch given from the shoulder down.]

Mmm. [A bit detached, that, but it's an acknowledgment nonetheless.] It's my intention, anyway. Regardless of my actions, I hadn't meant to offend. I'll just have to show that I mean that.

...

[He readjusts his arm against his abdomen, reaching back over to the side for his weapon.]

Are you a religious man, Ishikirimaru?

You could say so, yes. I've spent quite a long time living in a shrine.

[A slight quirk of his lips, there-- yes, he was the one being prayed to back then, but he supposes that still counts.]

Would you consider yourself to be, or are you the less spiritual sort?

The latter. I was never devout, but I at least shared in what the rest of the world gave for most of my life. Worldwide religion has been pretty firmly established for a long time, so it's hard to grow up without it.

...

I know there are spirits out there, and plenty of ways people want to view the world in regards to them. I understand they're to be respected for a reason.

But I can't say I care for anything beyond that.

[A beat, before he lets out a breath, nodding slightly in Ishi's direction.]

No offense meant, of course. I don't think ill of you for your choices.

Nor do I think ill of you for your views. I do not expect everyone to have the same outlook that I do, particularly in a place like this, where some of us seem to come from different places entirely.

[He stops there to contemplate for a moment, hands folded in his lap.]

I am less concerned with what someone believes than I am in how they live, how they act, and how they treat others.

That's noble of you. Not a lot of people could commit to that without some sort of personal bias.

Though I guess it depends on the morals you choose to believe are acceptable.

I suppose that the best way to put it is... what guides someone is the most important thing, rather than specific beliefs. So long as they act with sincerity in their heart and a desire to do good, I cannot complain.

Though I would, of course, prefer that they have respect for the gods regardless of what else they may do.

[it's a while before ishi makes his way to the armory, but it's maybe inevitable that when a sword has something to work out, he's drawn to a place like this often enough-- even if he doesn't end up working on his form or anything else, sometimes caring for his blade is calming enough.

that's what he goes for first, sheathed sword in hand as he starts to head over to wherever they keep the weapon care tools, though he stops to give guy a nod of acknowledgement.]

...Guy-san. I hope you don't mind the intrusion.

[and he pauses a moment longer, actually.]

I actually meant to thank you for your efforts earlier-- ah, and for helping Nito-kun, as well.

[he appreciates other people having an eye on senri, especially in the midst of that whole mess.]

[It might be odd, walking in to see him actively out in the middle of the room, moving through several different positions with his own sword in hand. It's slow work, considering how he's had to nearly tie his dead arm to his waist with one of his shirts to keep it out of the way. But it's clear that, even though his balance is off, even though he has to think a little too much about his footing, the dead hand is definitely not his dominant.

He'll pause when he catches Ishi out of the corner of his eye, offering a tired wisp of a smile in confirmation. This room was plenty big enough for the both of them, he had nothing to complain about.

But then the other man keeps going.]

Nito-- oh. You mean Senri. [All you people and your honorifics! His eyes do soften, though.] Don't mention it. I felt I had to do something, so I did.

He's a good kid. I just think that heart of his is gonna get him in trouble.

I worry about the same thing-- but at the least, it's good to know that others have their hearts in the right place.

[So enjoy your approval points there, Guy.

Ishi's quiet for a few more moments while he selects what he needs and settles in, taking a seat with his sword across his lap-- but turned to face Guy so it's still easy enough to hold a conversation.]

After everything that's happened, I suppose we all have more reason to worry about each other, now.

[He picks right back up where he left off. All motions for the sake of the discipline.]

Yeah. We've got proof of what's at stake, proof of what people are already doing to one another. We've all got different motivations. Who's to say someone you knew as kind or logical or quiet might still have plenty of reason to take the life of someone else, just for a chance at something they want?

You'd wish it didn't have to be that way. That we could all just talk and find a solution that would work for the benefit of everyone.

But people aren't that simple.

Nor is the human heart simple enough that acknowledging that makes it any easier to stop wishing for such an outcome.

[His gaze drops, there, eyes fixed on his blade as he cleans it. A peaceful solution like that might be an impossible thing for a weapon to want, and yet--

He breathes out a sigh, there.]

But- I am at least aware enough that simply hoping it won't come to this again will do little to change it. It's something we must work with, now.

All we can do is try, anyway.

I'm sure the amount of people who might be considering another god will be an interesting clue to start with. Not that we can know who changed, of course. But whether it's for disfavor, an advantage, or to plan a defense like Shiki managed... I think it might be the best place to start figuring out how this really has affected everyone.

Those that have opinion on it are going to be talking. [People like Senri, for example.] It's the rest you can't help but wonder about.

And prying too much does have a way of ensuring they continue not to speak.

[He knows he keeps quite a few things under wraps, anyway, so he can't really fault anyone else for it-- but it still adds some difficulty.]

In those cases, it is usually best to try to observe both their actions and their connections to others.

[so at some point, ishi will come by the dungeon; he still looks absolutely like shit, exhausted and strained, and as he approaches, it's... hard to read his expression.]

...Guy-san. I have one thing I need to know before we speak further.

[he pauses, exhales slowly.]

Was she the only one?

[Guy doesn't face him. His gaze stays set on the wall opposite of where he sits, exhaustion and physical pain weighing him down and darkening his entire expression.]

...

No. She wasn't.

You're Cunning's, then.

[he pauses, there. exhales a long, calming breath. turns and takes a few steps to the wall.

and just punches the shit out of it, that's fine, he's fine.]

We missed them.

[he's not moving, fist still pressed to the wall where he struck it, head bowed.]

[Ah. That's... normal. And definitely gets Guy to look up.]

You mean Ray's killer.

Jude must have been the other, yes?

[with the mention of that... tech business, which he knows nothing about, honestly.]

Then whoever managed to kill Ray...

[they have no idea.]

Unless, of course, you would like to correct me. I would very much like to be wrong.

I wish I could, Ishikirimaru.

I had nothing to do with Ray. It's why I tried to focus on him as much as I could during the trial. Doesn't seem like it even helped in the end.

I hope you will understand if I do not thank you for that, all things considered.

[he's slowly managing to compose himself again, straightening, trying to brush himself off. his hand's probably hurting, but he ignores it for now.

there's not much of that usual gentleness or warmth in his tone, either.]

Why them?

...

[His own voices falls, almost numb.]

Luck. They weren't who I wanted, but the god who asked me to do this demanded two bodies, and I didn't have much time to plan.

So I went to Indulgence's party. And I picked two out the crowd, as best as I could.

What was worth doing this for them, Guy-san?

[sure, wishes are a powerful motivator for playing the game in general, but killing two people because one of the gods asked for it... that's something a little different.]

...

I can't tell you that.

I'm sorry.

[sure, guy had made that offer in the courtyard-- but ishikirimaru prefers to keep things as private as possible, in cases like this. the fewer people present, the more comfortable he is, and so he finds guy in the kitchen (everyone has to eat, he assumes it's a matter of time).]

Guy-san. My apologies for bothering you a second time, but... I wished to take you up on that offer you made, if that is all right.

[he does not sound that sorry, he's just being polite.]

Edited 2019-03-26 01:24 (UTC)

[What he's making is simple, mainly because he's got nonon on his back and she's probably idk tapping her foot impatiently like the small small gremlin she is. But ever since the backlash of Monday morning, Guy knows that eating anything not made by his own hands is just too much of a risk.

When Ishikirimaru approaches, the blond doesn't exactly look surprised. He sighs, slowly putting down what's in his hand.

There's a terse glance towards the knife block, his lips thinning.]

Not here.

...

Walk with me? I was heading to the dining room, anyway.

Of course.

[ishi will go first, because he feels it's understandable to be wary of having people at one's back, in this sort of situation; he finds a seat once there, settling in with his hands folded on the table in front of him while he waits for guy to join him. his sword's noticeably absent.]

...what do you intend to do now, Guy-san?

[...]

I don't know.

[This food looks remarkably unappetizing now that it's in front of him. Hm.]

I told Estelle not to bother with the swap. I don't know what the hell she was thinking.

[pcs] my guy my dude

week 1, friday

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week 1, saturday

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w5, saturday

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w6, tuesday

crashes in here hello im ready to die

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