naginagata-blog

[naginagata-blog]

"Daisuki..." The mispronunciation of his name is intentional and Eleni wonders if he will notice or not as she presents him a lacquered black box. It looks simple enough, although inside he would find a complete shodo set so that he could practice in his downtime. "You did tell me you wanted to think on something to do on your free time, didn't you?" There is the hint of a laugh in her voice as she looks up at him.

     “Oh…”

He’s too caught up for a moment in that word that the rest of her statement takes a moment to process. Hands come to cradle the box and relinquish it from hers, freeing the clasp to look inside. It wasn’t a conversation he anticipated her remembering – atop everything else she was busy and had far more to concern herself with accommodating him, even in passing – so for her to have gone out of her way…

     “Eleni-sama, you needn’t have gotten me anything.” Not to say that he doesn’t appreciate such kindness; on the contrary, his features take on a certain softness when his eyes lower once more to consider this gift, dusted ever so slightly red across his cheeks and lilted by the slightest of smiles. “But I thank you regardless, for remembering me.”

[naginagata-blog]

odigxs‌:

A gift? For her?

    She doesn’t say anything at first, a slight shade of red dusting her cheeks from knowing that he was making something for her. But Eleni gets up, walks a few short steps and sits down again, right behind the naginata, both arms around him and the sage hides her face on his back.

     ❝ There, now I can’t see anything. ❞  

     “Ah.”

The brief absence of her warmth is worth the short wait; her arms wind around him from behind and almost automatically the sword moves to cover her hands with one of his own. “I fear that my focus may have been interrupted too greatly to continue.” No, he’ll simply take whatever excuse he may to enjoy this fully for a short while longer. 

[naginagata-blog]

odigxs‌:

    She’ll just sit beside him to watch.

A pause.

     “While I could never contest your company... I fear it would be counter-intuitive, allowing you to watch as I make a gift for you.” The rest of him doesn’t seem to hold the sentiment. He’s already lent ever so lightly against her.

[naginagata-blog]

@odigxs

admit it, we’ve all fantasised about slow-dancing in the kitchen barefoot in our pyjamas at 2am in the arms of someone we love while old romantic jazz songs play softly on the radio

[naginagata-blog]

Sits and knits.

[naginagata-blog]

odigxs‌:

     ❝ The more swords arrive, the more work we all have. ❞  Although at the same time it also meant more people to help with said chores. Ah, if only she wasn’t the only one tending to the herbal garden that her brother would use to make medicine… But it is not something she would ask just anyone to do, it wasn’t the same as tending to the fields with other crops.

    Ah but she’s getting lost in thought again, isn’t she?

     ❝ Perfect!!! But first, maybe we should get something warm to drink? Before you can accompany me to my room? ❞ Ah, and maybe some warm clothes for him, it was getting pretty chilly recently after all.

     “Then I would be more than happy to begin my work immediately.” He’s fortunate to have a master like her, as he has no doubts she’s managed to stay organized even in his absence... however long it’s been since the incident “Undoubtedly... I have catching up to do.”

The world can’t stop in his absence, after all. Her proposal brings to mind simpler and more pleasant times; he could never decline such a request from her. “Of course,” he answers, “I would gladly... I’ve missed spending time with you, aruji.”

[naginagata-blog]

She had been in her usual spot in the engawa, just outside her room. Daisuke's naginata lying on her lap as she took the time to properly admire it -- something she hasn't done until now, not like this at least. Fingers careful and gingerly traced the contours leading to where the blade was attached, her touch now gentle as she took in the details, paid attention to how well it would fit in her hands, all the while a small smile graced her face, it's warmth reflected in her eyes

The sensations don’t register immediately, though they are there: dull, with the presence of nothing but a soft and warm breeze that’s slipped under his heavier outer layers but eventually, the longer he attempts to keep working the more substantial it becomes until, eventually, the naginata finds himself almost disturbed by the feeling of being touched without another soul present. It takes little effort, though, to determine where exactly these phantom touches are coming from—once he’s come to a stopping point in his ledgers he is wandering his way through the citadel, and is unsurprised to find his saniwa at her usual perch.

He was aware, of course, that the interference of others could be felt by a sword when others touched their weapons but, still... he finds something curious about it nevertheless, a reason he can’t put his finger on.

     “Eleni?” Intentional or not, the lack of honorifics is an abrupt departure from his normal mannerism. He says nothing more, merely moving to sit and join her in silence, watching the brush of her fingers against the polearm with some sort of newfound fascination, absorbed in her gentle ministrations and the ghostly touches he feels against his own form.

     “I can’t help but think that it suits you.” He leans enough, brushing his fingers to fold hers around, closing her grip around the staff of his blade, and he smiles. “Something about it reassures me.”

[naginagata-blog]

odigxs‌:

     ❝ … No need to apologize, these sort of things are bound to happen when you are out there fighting, right?  ❞   He keeps himself from reaching out for the naginata at first, partially out of respect for his pride, partially to avoid having the other trash to get free, but it isn’t his first time dealing with a stubborn warrior and the doctor isn’t going to let Tomoegata on his own to limp towards the infirmary.

     ❝ And I would rather you put that stubbornness of yours towards getting better. The less effort you put into walking there the more you can save your strength and focus on healing. So that you can return to your duties with El—  I mean, with your master sooner rather than later. ❞  He places a hand on the other’s shoulder while talking, before carefully taking a hold of his arm to pass over her own shoulders.  ❝ Consider this your doctor’s orders and lean on me, okay? ❞ 

     “Still. I do not wish to be a burden.” He seems to acquiesce nonetheless and allows Cyrus to bear the brunt of his weight, and inch by grueling inch they come to near the infirmary. He can’t refute that he ought to place his focus on healing, especially with their supplies stretched so thinly as they are at the moment...

     “If I am able, I would prefer to rest without disturbing any of you.” He can only hope that Cyrus would keep Eleni uninvolved, though he doubts that he would be so fortunate.

[naginagata-blog]

odigxs‌:

        ❝ … You should’ve asked for help… ❞ 

    That Cyrus had turned around the corner in time to see the other was purely by chance. He picks up his pace, covering the distance between the two in long strides to support the other on his way back to the infirmary. Thank goodness they were close in height.

        ❝  Just lean on me, okay, I’ll help you on the way there. ❞

     “I... apologize.” He bears no ill will toward Cyrus, existing as practical strangers as they still do; on the contrary, at least in comparison to the sage that summoned Tomoegata, her brother is like to have far better luck aiding the sword. Though he may find himself trying out of habit, the naginata feels little need to resist this assistance. “I would rather have arrived by my own effort. Most of my injuries... appear worse than they are.”

[naginagata-blog]

He isn't coherent enough for speech just yet: on these rare mornings that Tomoegata allows himself to sleep in, his body is half asleep by the time Eleni comes to his rooms. His head finds its place against her thigh, eyes drifting closed under the sensations of her fingers combing through his locks and lulling him back into slumber...

    From the outside, it is possible to hear the Citadel coming to life as swords got up and ready for their duties for the day. Sleep filled voices filling the silence while somewhere farther away from there some voices sounded louder, likely from the more energetic warriors trying to awake someone else.

    Little by little they’d gather for breakfast, some more awake than others, some chipper, some grumpier… It was easy to imagine the scene she had been part of so many times. But inside there was this unusual – and unperturbed – peace as the sage sat by the naginata’s bed. His head on her lap as she hummed something (an ancient song she had heard years ago) and slender fingers gently combed through his disheveled hair.

    Slowly the soft chatter from outside fades away, the remaining swords gone to start their day, but there is no rush from her part. They had worked so hard all week… The naginata deserved a little more rest and the sage wouldn’t dare disturb the precious peace she had found in moments like this, where she could see him so… So different from his usual self, a side of him that didn’t usually come through to anyone.

    There is no poise, no eloquence to be found in him just yet, movements sluggish when he had moved to make her his pillow that morning, a few slurred words… It felt intimate, and precious beyond words.

    It stirs something inside her, and once she is sure the warrior fell back into slumber Eleni moves carefully, leaning forward to gently kiss his face, extremely grateful to have such precious person back in the Citadel.

( @naginagata)

[naginagata-blog]

Me: Time to write on my sweet boy Tomoe Kogitsunemaru: Or Me: Kogitsunemaru: Or I could be here instead Me: :|

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Anxious as he was, Tomoegata believes he is adjusting well to learning how to cook. Already his ingredients have come together and now he simply waits, anxious to see what the fruits of his labor have produced...

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odigxs‌:

    There’s no holding back the relieved sigh the leaves her at his words as she takes his hand to get up again. There was still work to be done and although her current secretary would probably protest Eleni was aware there was no keeping the naginata from playing the role – There was a reason for why she would name him ‘Great Help’ after all.

     ❝ Thank you… ❞ She mutters, taking a hold of both of his hands before bringing them up to kiss them.  ❝ I am glad to have you back, Daisuke-san! ❞

    Ah, yes, work. There’s work to get to!

     ❝ I will show you the schedule for this week then… And the latest reports… There are some things to be bought as well so I may be heading to the store later today. ❞ The sage straightens herself up, letting go of the warrior’s hands only mildly embarrassed by how emotional she was being (Eleni had always been someone to wear her heart on her sleeve around her loved ones, after all). ❝ A few things have changed but I will tell you of these in time… ❞

“Of course, of course...” An odd sensation, the tingling of his skin under the brush of her lips, not unpleasant but certainly... certainly...

It would seem even his thoughts are lost to him, because for a moment he has no reply, only able to stare at the hands that grasp his until, eventually, Eleni relinquishes. “... yes,” he murmurs, “yes, I see. I would be more than happy to re-immerse myself in my tasks.” He has nothing but confidence in his saniwa, but... “Undoubtedly, your workload has not decreased. As per usual, I will do whatever I can to ease your burden, aruji.”

[naginagata-blog]

@odigxs

ok but i need a plot where there’s these two idiots who are roommates, and they bicker and act like a married couple constantly, and can hang out like bros but they’re completely platonic, no we’re not in love that’s preposterous!! and it’s so evident that they’re into each other like whenever one goes out on a date, the other is all bitter like ‘no i’m definitely not jealous’. and they like leave bars together at some stupidly early hour and their friends tease them and they just go home and get drunk together instead. and like domestic washing the dishes and fighting over who does what and flinging soap at each other. and then one day it kind of just clicks, you know, like wow you’re my best friend but i think i might love you as more this is so difficult and just, give this to me now.

[naginagata-blog]

[naginagata-blog]

odigxs‌:

    She doesn’t say anything at first, it just doesn’t feel right to do so when the naginata was in such state. Eleni probably would never fully know how he must have felt, without a story, without a name – something to define who he was. And he couldn’t just pick one for himself, could he? That was not how it worked with swords and spears, was it?

    Being pulled into a sudden embrace is mildly startling, it wasn’t like him to do something like this, but she doesn’t waste time in wrapping both arms around him, face buried in the warrior’s clothes as he thanks her again and the sage tightens her embrace for a moment, starting to get emotional from seeing just how much of an impact something that seemed so simple in her eyes had on him.

    She may never know what she has done for him.

    ❝ You’ve earned it, Daisuke-san… ❞  Shaking her head once he pulls himself away the Greek goes back to sitting on her legs,  hands kept on her lap and she smiles again at the thought that he truly was too good to her.  ❝ … So please you don’t need to thank me for that. If anything I should be the one to thank you for being so quick to forgive me. ❞

“Please... you have nothing to apologize for.”

“Even had I something to forgive you over, I would undoubtedly forgive you.” Slow in movement, the naginata eventually returns to his feet, bent at the waist to offer her a hand in assistance. “It was a result of my own carelessness, nothing more... I shall do all in my power to prevent it from happening again. This, I promise.”

Enough of this, he thinks: for all his sentimentality he can’t help but feel he should do something, give some substance to this new name. He smiles at her, subtle as it ever is. “I may have just returned, but I wish to do something, aruji. I wish to resume my work, as your attendant, if you would have me.”

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“Haah...”

If he’s careful, he may yet reach his rooms with his current state unnoticed. Tomoegata grips his weapon close, lips pursed to quiet his breathing, and makes his steady way to the smith.