#tetsunohai (santaka)

[higekki-a]

@tetsunohai wrote: [ DODGE ]: sender tackles the receiver out of the way of an attack. /for hitomi? :ooooo

for such a slender individual, they hit like a train at full speed. the sudden impact knocks the wind out of her lungs, all breath escaping her in a single gasp for air as she twirls her sword, angling the blade so it won't hurt either of them in the fall. there is a shriek that cuts through the air in response to the narrow miss, but rather than striking fear in her heart, it drives her back to her feet, sword held tight in her hands. it's her job to protect sanataka-san until sunrise.

well, it's truthfully her job to defeat the demon before sunrise, but she doesn't want to leave sanataka-san on their own. they're capable, certainly, but there's no telling for sure how many demons are prowling about which means there's no way they could have accurately prepared for every possible situation. right? yes - it's her job as a strong swordswoman to protect those who are not as strong as herself.

" sanataka-san, please try to remain behind me! " her voice is firm and sharp, the voice of a girl who grew up learning to bark orders at anyone who crosses her path. but despite the harshness of her tone, there is nothing but concern in her words, eyes searching for their assailant in the darkness. " o-oh, and thank you for saving me! i shall repay the favor by killing this wretched monster and then i shall order you some ramen from one of the stalls back in town! with whatever toppings you want! money is no object for me so i refuse to take any objections! "

[higekki-a]

@tetsunohai wrote: “   i have to keep fighting the darkness .   so i can be whole .   ” /for aoi? :>

well, that's certainly drastic. she blinks at them a couple of times, canting her head to the side like she's having difficulty understanding. slayers have a tendency to say weird things when they're recovering, but even taking that into consideration, this felt off. so they can be whole? what does that even mean? she'd understand if it was so they could rest, but what's missing as it stands?

" i don't think you're the only one who feels that way, sanataka-san. " she offers after thinking for a moment, reaching to lift the bandages on their shoulder to check their wound. everything looks alright. they should be back on their feet in just a couple days. " i hope you know that we all appreciate that you're out there fighting every day... "

[higekki-a]

@tetsunohai sent: “   i think i’ve always been pretty much the same .   ” /kanae? :3c

" have you? " she doesn't look up from what she's doing, but a smile pulls at the corners of her lips. they have always been notoriously slow to change, it's true, but gradual change is still change and they are, without a doubt, much different now than they had been when they had first joined the corps. it's little things. small differences here and there like snowflakes falling upon the ground, seemingly disappearing with the rest of the drift. but with a little shake, that snow drift can become an avalanche.

gently, she places the embroidery she had been working on ( a way to keep her needle skills sharp in the downtime between missions ) to the side. " personally, i find you quite different, sanataka. if only because you've learned much since you joined and that new perspective has shaped the way you approach problems, even if your overall methodology is similar. "

[higekki-a]

the way the nichirin threads glimmer in the moonlight is so beautiful that, for a moment, hitomi forgets the task at hand and wonders if she's ever told sanataka how lovely their creation truly is. if she were to weave the threads into cords, would they change color the way a sword does? how luxurious would a chorded necklace of green nichirin be... the thought is almost enough to bring a wistful sigh to her lips.

but fantasies of finery are dashed by the sound of burning flesh and the screams of the demon as it writhes in pain. " yes, of course! " her grip tightens around the hilt of her sword, a slow breath in filling her lungs to capacity. wind breathing, sixth form. she pivots her foot to brace for the attack, listening to the sound of the wind as it billows through the trees, black wind mountain mist.

the arc of her blade as it cuts through the air glimmers with the green of her sword, like an impression inked upon paper. the demon's head parts from it's shoulders in a fluid motion, the force of her swing sending it spiraling into the air. it's a wonder none of the threads break, each one remaining blissfully undisturbed on the demon's body as it begins to crumble into ash.

" you were right again, " she can't help but laugh, turning to her companion with an easy smile. at some point, she'll learn to stop underestimating the other slayers. it's phenomenal, really, that someone who seems so weak has such spot on intuition. " allowing the creature to corner us worked to our advantage and your work with the traps is impressive as ever. "

a hand is extended then, expression softening as she looks the other over, " are you alright? any major injuries? "

sanataka's grain-colored haori is now smudged with dirt, frayed hairs ruining the usually kempt appearance of their braid. when their back hits the dirt, they get a PERFECT view of the stars- and it reminds them why they hate nighttime with every fiber of their physical being.

hitomi gets up quicker, her blade drawn. she looks brave, her words noble. sanataka, of course, takes their time getting up, using the pole of their naganita like a cane, and wobbles on their two feet like their joints are decades older than they actually are. it certainly feels like it, with a demon prone to playing with their food. they've spent the better half of an hour getting strung along like a ragdoll, and now they've made their stand at an edge of the woods, lake to their backs.

it's exactly where sanataka wants them.

" i won't object, " they assure, " a meal sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate a victory well-fought. " and they don't seem disillusioned, resigned, or afraid. the moonlight shifts and they raise a finger to the trees they've since passed. a net of nichirin threads catch the light, and they ceremoniously FALL atop the demon when it makes itself known, triggered when sanataka shifts their foot back and catches a trip wire.

the demon yells and thrashes. their flesh sizzles where the threads cut in, and there's a infinitesimal scent of jasmine in the air that smothers the wisteria-smell. sanataka motions towards where the demon writhes in agony, eyebrows raised towards their hairline.

" go ahead, hitomi-san. before it breaks itself free, preferably. "