jigokulogs | ( closed ) 005

[Hey, the window was open!!!]

Wait, I think you're that kid that helped me with the sword-are you going to come in or not? You were knocking on the window so I figured you didn't want the door for some reason.

I ain't a kid.

(He says like a brat but okay fine. Hes' going to crawl in through this window like a gremlin,)

You're the blind guy. What're you doing here?

[Well, he figured that Hizen was coming in that way! Why else would he knock on the window instead of the door?]

I told you before. I'm not actually blind.

[And thus he held out his hand for Hizen to shake, touch, hi-five, whatever.]

And I live here now. I actually just got back from patrol and was taking care of my sword.

(Swats at that hand because he didn't come here to make friends. He came here to be a menace.)

Hm.

(Whatever you say not-actually-blind-guy. He doesn't care about the details. Those aren't important. He does, however, look over to see what Cain means. Taking care of his sword? He expects to see a sword and some supplies, then. He's curious but he came here for business and he asks first--)

Is Itadori here?

[Joke's on him! The swat still hit his hand so Cain could see him again, and he already considered Hizen a friend! But it was obvious from looking at the bed Cain had been sitting on that he really was in the middle of taking care of his sword. It was laying out on a soft cloth, surrounded by a couple of stones and various sandpaper he used, and a bottle of oil.

He did go back over to it, not wanting to let it lay out in the open for too long when Hizen asked his question.]

Hm? You mean Yuuji? He's not here right now. I'm guessing he's out on an errand or something. Were you looking to ask him something?

(Terrible, unforgivable, how dare you trick him into letting Cain see. Interesting, though. Even if it's a different style of sword, it looks like the process is still the same.)

...

(Something to remember for another time, perhaps. Maybe sooner than later.)

No.

(He was not going to ask Yuuji anything.

Don't mind him settling down and making himself at home, though. He's just going to pull himself a seat like a real punk,)

This is good.

(He can work with this.)

[Well then, Cain was just going to continue with caring for his sword. Right in front of Hizen. Look at him so blatently being nice to it.

But no, now he was curious of Hizen's actual purpose. This felt a lot like Faust, actually.]

Well you do seem to know him from somewhere. I guess you can wait here until he comes back, but I dunno how long that will be.

[He's continuing to meticulously scour out any scratches that had appeared on his blade during its use. It was a bit sad that this one was made with cheaper materials and therefore got damaged faster, but he still was going to take good care of the thing.]

I have to finish cleaning my sword here, but if you're willing to wait, I'm sure I can find you something to eat or drink.

(He's looking. He's taking notes....)

I can wait.

(In fact, that's part of his new plan. Don't worry, Cain. Hizen has his revenge all figured out.

Anyway, focusing on what's going on now,)

That's the sword you got?

(Only because he's a sword himself... he can tell it's quality.)

[Sure, Hizen, sure. Keep plotting and scheming your evil plans over there. Anyway, it seemed that Hizen was content with waiting where he was-and until Cain was done for anything else-so he just continued as he talked.]

Yeah. I didn't have enough money for a better one. But, even if it's not as good quality, that's no reason to neglect my sword. It's my partner after all.

... Your partner?

(Wait. He isn't used to people talking about their swords like this. Yeah, a lot of people switch up how they talk once they know tsukumogami can be a thing but otherwise, everyone treats their weapons like... well, tools. Things.)

Yeah.

[Well, that was a bit of an odd reaction. But nothing Owen hadn't done worse with before.]

I know it sounds a bit silly, but I always have it with me when I go into battle, right? And I rely on its strength to protect me. So in that way, a sword is kind of like a partner.

[He still misses his old sword though...]

Hm.

(Just a "hm" and he finds himself looking at his own sword which he has leaning across his shoulder. It's different for him. His sword isn't his partner considering it's literally him but...)

If you take care of it, it'll take care of you. Even an average sword will do its best if cared for.

Yeah, exactly! You know what I mean. Though I have to admit I do miss my original sword...

[He did notice Hizen's glance to his own sword, though.]

Hey, did you still need to borrow my stuff? I've managed to find some more supplies so you can use whatever you want.

[He'd even offer to help out, but he knows some people can be very possessive of their swords.]

Though I guess I have to admit I want a look at yours. I've not really seen that type up close a lot.

(Cain is asking him something that is completely easy to answer. It's just a simple yes or no question... but he's quiet once more. Hizen really isn't much of a talker but this, in particular, requires careful consideration.

He thinks about what Cain said earlier. Well, it isn't like those words mean nothing to Hizen. If anything, he'd really resonated with them. Fingers wrap around his sword protectively and just when it looks like he's going to say no, )

Have you seen the spirits around the city? The ones that look like umbrellas and lanterns doing business?

(Shuten's most renowned smith, Jiro, is an umbrella spirit, after all granted, he's a little more human than some of the weaker spirits that hop around.)

[That was a bit of a more unusual response, Cain noted. The kid obviously treasured his sword a lot, so maybe he offended Hizen somehow? Thankfully, Cain was about done with taking care of his sword, just wiping off the excess oil on the blade before carefully putting it back in its sheath.

He'll leave the stuff out a little longer in case Hizen accepts.]

Huh? Yeah, I have met a couple of them. They're very interesting since we don't have anyone like that where I'm from. But what does this have to do with your sword?

Most of 'em are a type of spirit called "tsukumogami." That means they're kami of tools.

(Kami, spirits, gods, phenemonemon, there are all sorts of ways to translate it.)

When a thing reaches 100 years, it can get a soul and become aware. Those things become tsukumogami. They can be umbrellas or lanterns... there are strips of cotton and sandals and even music boxes and kimono. Anything can get a soul and become alive.

(He wonders if Cain is following along,)

... Even swords.

[Sorry, Hizen. He really does try but sometimes the implications of what's being said don't quite hit him at first. That story does sound familiar...]

Oh yeah, I remember the Sage telling us about things like that. We do sort of have stuff like that in our world, though I'm not sure there is any sort of time limit.

[Often it was either caused by the Calamity or some form of magic.]

So are you saying your sword has a spirit then?

(God.... Cain is so close. He's right there. He almost has it and Hizen just replies,)

Yeah, it does.

[he's doing his best and that's really all that matters, right? Still, Hizen's revelation definitely took him for a spin. The idea that his sword is alive was truly a wonderful one.]

That's seriously amazing! It must be why you cherish it so much. Does it have a name?

Hizen Tadahiro.

(Cain, please.)

[Huh? What a moment.]

But that's your name, isn't it?

[Come on, just a little bit more there...he's got it.]

OH!! You're the sword spirit!!

Ping pong.

(Which is like... a victory sound for "right answer." It's like going ding ding ding. Except Hizen is the flattest, most unenthused chime ever.)

Ya got it.

Oh.

[There might have been a small face journey that Cain makes as the realization that he's talking to a real live sword sets in. The idea that weapons could have spirits isn't a totally off the wall one, but the fact that he's talking to the physical embodient of a sword in making him practically vibrate in excitement.]

That's-that's amazing! I mean, talking to a sword itself is kind of hard to process. I guess that was rude of me to ask to see your-ah, yourself earlier? Sorry about that.

Someone must have really loved you for to become a spirit.

("Someone must have really loved you for you to become a spirit."

How interesting that Cain would say this. How interesting that this is the second time that love has come up when someone spoke to him about how others must feel about him. Hizen doesn't answer right away but he does look at Cain, careful not to give him any information that would confirm or deny it-)

Don't talk about things you don't know.

(He speaks as plainly ever but there's something sharp-- almost defensive-- under it all.)

It makes you look stupid.

(He's always been a prickly spirit but it feels especially so right now.)

[The tone in Hizen's voice didn't go unheeded, and Cain winced. He'd just spoken how he'd felt but it was clearly a point of contention for Hizen. The thought of not loving your sword that you kept around for years...]

I-I'm sorry, it's not in my station to speak about things like that. I haven't lived very long, and haven't even had my sword that long, but I cherish it deeply. If I knew it had a spirit-someone like you, I'd feel overjoyed.

[But it could be that...his owner-his partner-was not? Or perhaps Hizen was way older than he appeared and suffered countless heartaches.]

Please ah, please forgive me for my baseless assumptions. I'm honored to know one such as you regardless.

( closed ) 005

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hizen let him care you!!

ITS CAIN'S TIME TO SHINE

he got u hizen

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