ukimiya | Week 2

Friday's harrowing events are clear in the minds of many—first and foremost, the death of Rika Furude, and of course the reveal and subsequent "sentencing" of Asch the Bloody. It also serves well as a reminder to everyone that the gloves are off, there won't be an easy way out for anyone and it is unlikely that there will be an option to 'wait it out' in the hopes of not participating in this 'game'. Or, as The Sage and The Teishu put it:

The Challenge.

Despite how you felt about the trial, it's likely that some rest would be welcome after all that transpired. Fortunately, some of your fellow warriors have taken it upon themselves to provide a reprieve of sorts, if you'd rather not be alone.

As if the events of the trial are supposed to be nothing but routine, dawns comes once more Sunday morning, punctuated with the sound of the rooster crowing obnoxiously. Any light sleepers hoping for their rest to not be disturbed may find themselves disappointed. Though, if anyone should wish, they may feel free to try to fall back asleep.

But, maybe that time can be better spent wandering. It seems that some places may have mysteriously unveiled themselves. It might do well to check them out. Or not. How anyone chooses to spend their time is ultimately up to them.

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

(OOC: Welcome to Week 2 of Ukimiya! Feel free to comment to the weekly top levels and thread as you like, and redeem coins at the wishing pool.

You can contact the sage with your pendants here, and the teishu here.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I see. So in order to use this particular weapon one must be very skilled at swordsmanship and well built.

[ unless you're hanyuu omg?? no one from natalia's world would likely be able to use it easily if at all. ]

Hmm. Indeed. Attempting to cure a wound from a blade like this would prove to be very difficult, if impossible. I imagine it meant certain death for many of your foes.

[ A nod. She thinks back to those days, back when she was willing to kill for the greater good--willing to kill monsters to save humans. After a thousand years of godhood, she's not sure she's willing to kill anyone anymore. ]

Essentially, yes. Would you mind if I had a look at it for a moment? The metal seems very...worn.

[ more fit for a museum than emergency combat ]

[ natalia would understand that. she never killed unless absolutely necessary but even then if she could have avoided it she would have. ]

Oh, of course! Please, take your time.

[ she'll step back so hanyuu can take a look at it. ]

[ A nod, and she kneels down in the grass, gently lifting it onto her lap. For a few moments, she's quiet, just running her fingers along the blade. ]

This blade is very old...not really fit for combat anymore.

[ Carefully, carefully, she hefts it up into the sunlight, studying the brittle prongs, before giving it a gentle swing into the open air. ]

I do wonder how it managed to get into the pond's inventory in the first place. Most of the Seven-Branched Swords I know of were either destroyed by age, or left in museums or kept as family heirlooms.

[ natalia watches her and-- oh. oh she's picking it up. wow. ]

My ... you're quite strong for your size.

[ she did not expect that. ]

It seems you are correct, though. That sword seems to have lived out its combat days. I'm unsure how any of this managed to get into the pool... I take it this sword is an artifact to some?

I have had practice wielding them, is all.

[ she is not in tiny mode at the moment actually...! but still a pretty thin-looking adult so a fair assessment regardless

A nod. ]

There is a particular Seven Branched Sword that is one of Japan's national treasures. The original, I believe. Though, that one is purely ceremonial.

I see. It's still quite impressive.

[ seeing as natalia couldn't even pick it up! ]

What's the difference between the ceremonial one and those that were used for combat?

Well, use, primarily. The original was a gift given to Japan, long before even I was born. It was never meant for combat in the first place, I am guessing. The prongs are more fragile, and its appearance is given priority over its practicality. For example, there is an inscription inlaid on the blade itself.

[ this is the happiest she has looked all week. amazing. even if she doesn't like to actually fight anymore, swords are still her hidden geeky passion. ]

Is it possible to tell if this blade has that inscription on it? That would tell you if it's a ceremonial one, right?

[ if she's understanding her correctly! talking with hanyuu was actually really comforting since they had both lost someone special the week before. she wasn't sure how well they could get along all things considered. ]

Perhaps. I'll take a closer look.

[ Judging by her posture and the easy way she's rambling on about swords, she feels generally the same. She wouldn't hold anything against Natalia, anyway--it's not like she was the killer. No harm done.

She starts peering at it more closely. After a few silent moments, she responds. ]

It does not. It appears this is merely a very well-made replica, sadly.

[ #natalia's life ]

[ natalia waits to get the results of whether or not this is real and--

a replica. of course it is. ]

Oh, I see. Well ... I suppose that is for the best. I wouldn't know how to care for a sword. Certainly not one such as this.

What do you plan to do with it, in that case? Use it as a decoration?

I'm not sure. I certainty don't have a use for it but I don't really wish for it to be in my room.

[ ... ]

Would you like it, Hanyuu?

[ ...blinks ]

E-Eh? Really? You would give it to me?

[ Even if she couldn't use it to fight, it would make a pretty nice decoration. Plus it reminds her of the old days. ]

Of course! You said that it is something that you have used correct? I believe you would be the rightful owner for this sword, not I.

[ even if it is a replica. ]

Well, not these exact ones, our swords looked a bit different, but...

[ looking at the sword. then at natalia. then at the sword. and back at natalia. ]

I-If you're certain, then I can't refuse such a generous gift...!

[ the look on her face is kind of goofy but can be construed as "teary-eyed", "awestruck", "shocked", or all three.

TOO BAD SHE DOESN'T KNOW THERE'S MORE THAN ONE OF THESE THINGS IN THE POND. ]

[ SHHH NATALIA'S WAS THE FIRST ONE IT'S THE ORIGINAL OF THE REPLICAS ]

I am certain! It is yours, Hanyuu.

[ hanyuu you're so cute??? ]

[ BREAKS OUT INTO THE BIGGEST SMILE AND HUGS THE SWORD VERY GENTLY ]

Thank you very much! I will take care of it the best I can.

[ AT LEAST ... IT'S A GENTLE HUG don't hurt yourself hanyuu... but that smile is super cute??? it makes natalia smile just as much. ]

You're welcome, Hanyuu. I know that you will take good care of it.

Week 2

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