[ ow?!?! except to tsurumaru, that's kind of absolutely delightful. at first, he sways to the side that hijikata had smacked, the impact leaving a reddened mark across tsurumaru's cheek. of course, it hurts — it hurts in a stinging, prickly kind of way, but instead of getting upset, he looks back up at hijikata and smiles, holding up a pointed index finger. ]
Can you do that one more time?
[ a beat. ] Juuuust kidding.
Anyway, is there any reason for a sword to invest in a fine bottom? In the end, no matter how much we look like humans, we're just objects. [ though that may sound thoughtful, it's just his excuse to keep admiring hijikata's fine assets... he's not the most diligent nor the most hard-working sword, anyway!
but yes, hijikata has no choice in the matter, he must rest... on his futon. although, how will tsurumaru make his bunk bed like this? bunk bed futon? he'll make sure that hijikata is lying down with no hope of escape, before pulling out his own cerevice and opening up his cere-youtube app. ]
Do you want me to play something for you? Soothing jazz? Mozart for babies?
[ Hijikata can only stare at Tsurumaru wide-eyed for a split moment because did he just hear what he thought he just heard...? though, the expression soon fades when Hijikata replaces that with a glare, furrowing his eyebrows as soon as Tsurumaru said he was kidding.
wow. that was... something. ]
What the hell. [ SIGH. that slap wasn't a good thing Tsurumaru! He was trying to tell you To Stop. ] Look, any more gestures like that and you won't be happy.
[ Tsurumaru is surely a handful because what the heck. why isn't his usual methods of force not shutting him up, what is he doing wrong, what is happening. Tsurumaru, why.
but anyway, he raises an eyebrow at Tsurumaru's question. ]
Play what exactly? [ what is this soothing jazz. what is this mozart... huff. ] Well... ... ... I'm not a baby so not that.
[ and if that's what Tsurumaru is implying .................... :/// ] Also, if you think I'm going to fall asleep while you're here, then forget it.
Do you think you're capable of something like that? Making me unhappy?
[ in all actuality, this modern life may be dull, but it's a stable one; he's known worse. here, tsurumaru sees the same, friendly faces that will smile at him, that will yell at him, that will praise him, day after day; faces that will be there when he closes his eyes and faces that will definitely be there when he wakes up. (that is, if he ever sleeps; something that he doesn't exactly do.)
unless hijikata has plans on, say, slaughtering the entirety of swordhaus in front of him, it's theoretically not possible for him to do something great enough to upset tsurumaru. ]
You know, Mozart. Some famous composer from Europe. [ with a smile, tsurumaru decides to enter 'mozart for babies' into the cere-youtube search box anyway, because... fuck what Baby Hijikata says. unless he'd been asking about smooth jazz? or both? well, it's too late now, mozart for babies is here.
but the last bit has him curious, so he looks back up at hijikata after pressing play. ] Why not?
Maybe. [ shrugs. ] Usually when people look at me they have a frown or serious expression on their face. [ of course, this is because he's the ~demon vice commander~, and all. no one ever talks to him without a stern expression! well, maybe unless it was like... Souji or Kondo-san? Maybe... Well, nonetheless, Hijikata had always made it clear to never talk to him unless there was a really good reason. ]
I don't recall. [ He's not too savvy with European anything, really. What the heck.
annnd a glare at Tsurumaru when he presses play. hey, he didn't authorize this!!! though, the music does sound nice... Okay. ]
Well, I don't know what you'd do when I'm asleep. [ since he still doesn't know Tsurumaru that well... and Hijikata sits up with a sigh.]
I can't relax like this. [ A small pause... Hmm... Maybe he has nothing to lose to ask. ] Do you know how to make tea?
Mm, that's no good — that's how humans get wrinkles, after all. [ one of the grand benefits of being a sword is the entire lack of wrinkles — and the lack of a need for self-maintenance, really, aside from their vessels. but gosh, is this why hiji has so many wrinkles, too?
...just kidding! listen, tsuru knows what's best, even if the best is mozart for babies music. the music is going to stay on, though, because it's soothing and tsuru finds that he does like it a lot. ]
What do you think I'd do while you're asleep, anyway? [ at best, he'd probably just go through hijikata's drawers and steal anything shiny.
but at the mention of the tea, he pretends to pause, looking thoughtful for a few moments, before answering with the utmost confidence. ]
I can try.
[ he does know how, actually, more than he's letting on... he's seen uguisumaru make matcha tea about 24892424928 times! it shouldn't be that hard to emulate! ]
[ he stops scowling, almost immediately... then scoffs. ] Well.
That's ridiculous. [ UGH TSURU!!! STOP. ]
But let's see... [ he triiiies to think about it. honestly, Hijikata doesn't know what to guess actually because once again... He doesn't know Tsurumaru that well. thinking. thinking... ] I don't know, take some of my things? make a mess of the place? draw on my face?
[ honestly he just thought "what would Souji do"... ... ... ]
If you can't I can just do it myself. [ and he gets ready to stand up- ]
when it's winter i hope you go out in sandals and your feet freeze :/
Take some of your things is right, I'd probably make a mess of your room looking for those things to take, aaaand drawing on your face? I'm well-practiced in drawing on people's faces while they sleep, I'll have you know. [ aka. the #1 reason why mornings were filled with tsurumaru's name yelled angrily... marker is hard to wash off!
in this case, that thought process comes in handy, and hijikata should probably keep it in mind. wwsd? what would souji do? tsuru is a guilty bean.
BUT UGH HIJI STOP WHY. REST!! ]
Wait—! [ abruptly, tsurumaru puts his hands on hijikata's shoulders, trying to keep him from standing up. ] I was kidding, I know how. One of my uncles drinks tea as if it's some kind of addiction, and since he was always around while I was growing up...
[ before hijikata can do anything else, he'll scramble to his feet. ] Stay put, okay? I'll do my best not to burn down your kitchen. No promises, though!
[ ugh, he won't burn it down, don't worry. ]
ugh :/ maybe one day :\ i'll wear shoes. wheres my canon update
[ oh... wow, for once thinking #WWSD was right. oh. geez. does this mean Tsurumaru is almost as bad as Souji when it comes to pranks..!?!? shit. he hid his Hogyoku book well, right?
anywaaaaay, Hijikata sits still now that hands are stopping him from getting up. ugh :/ ]
I didn't know you guys were able to 'grow up'. [ because didn't Tsurumaru say they were just objects??? Weird. this tsukumogami stuff is weird as hell.
suspicious squint at Tsurumaru... you better not burn down the house. although, tea is probably the number one thing that gets Hijikata to relax! he needs his tea. it's that or his kiseru, although he kind of concluded that he wouldn't smoke while he's healing from an injury in the chest area- so gotta rely on that tea.
well, as he waits... he doesn't really know what to do? he lies back down at least, but he feels almost antsy since he'd rather be doing things right now! especially since he was interrupted so suddenly during work...
the music is pretty soothing though. he would've never thought? BUT he won't succumb to the baby mozart. no, he can't. he's strong. ]
you can't have your canon update what if you update into hakodate
We age far slower, of course, and stop at some point. But for the most part, we start out the same as humans do.
[ as babies, as children, and as adults — there's certainly some leeway though, with, for example, nagasone being the second youngest gumi sword, despite also being... well. kind of Old Looking.
AAAA HIJI have some faith! leaving the room, he's quick in finding the kitchen, seeing as most of their apartments are set up in a similar fashion. turning left here and right there leads tsurumaru to his destination, and immediately, he starts rifling through the cabinets and drawers for Tea-making Materials, although it does take him a while to find everything.
gosh, he hopes hiji likes matcha tea... tsurumaru's seen it made so many times, he could practically brew it in his sleep. any other tea, though, will probably have him setting the kitchen on fire... so it's probably in hiji's best interest to like it anyway!
ten minutes later, he'll return with a tray — on it are two cups and a full teapot, and he sets it down on the nearby small table with caution, before reaching over to gently shake the blankets. ]
Are you still awake? [ have you not succumbed to the baby mozart yet? is what he really means. ]
also no! he'll never succumb to baby mozart!? why would he. he's an ADULT. what the heck? but dang, finally lying down and listening to soothing music does make him realize how much of an effect those late night desk work days have on him. also the entire, you know, three jobs things but whatever.
he doesn't necessarily fall asleep but he does find himself maaaybe drifting off for a few moments. that is, until Tsurumaru finally returns and shakes the blankets, so he finally snaps out of it then sits up again. ]
Obviously... Didn't I just say I'm not going to fall asleep while you're here.
[ he's not going to wake up with marker on his face. no he won't! :/ BUT, ] Huh, that smells good though.
[ not the usual kind of tea he drinks but??? ??? ??? ]
Right, right. I saw you halfway there to dreamland, you know.
[ ugh, hijikata, he saw! he saw how it took an entire second longer to wake you than if you were just 'closing your eyes'! but he won't press the issue, because baby mozart is pretty enjoyable.
reaching for the teapot, he carefully pours tea into both cups, and then hands hijikata one. he even has proper form and everything, from how he pours it to how he hands it to him, one hand delicately under the cup and one around it! imperial courts are full of boring nobles who sit and pour and drink tea for seven hours!
either way, he'll wait for hijikata to accept it before speaking up, acknowledging his words with a smile. ]
I hope you don't mind — it's matcha tea. Is it not something you've had before?
but he accepts the tea- maybe he should be impressed by his etiquette? honestly, he just thinks of Tsurumaru as some... handful of a child right now (yes, despite him being almost 1000 years old. or something(not as if Hijikata is aware of that)), so it's definitely something seeing him, well, do things correctly.
though, he takes a sip right as Tsurumaru explains that it's a completely different type of tea! it's pretty obvious Hijikata wasn't prepared for a different taste, especially when curiosity sparks in his eyes after the first sip. ]
Ahh, that's what it is... [ so, he shakes his head. another sip- trying to figure out it's flavor here... hmm. ]
Mostly the ones I drink are rather bitter, though... This one seems to have a sweet aftertaste. [ he's not complaining though! ]
[ he'll watch hijikata take the first sip, although he isn't — and naturally shouldn't be — prepared for the worst. there is no worst to expect, after all, when this is something that he's seen both uguisumaru and countless aristocrats create a ceremony out of. listen, even children as childish as him can pour tea!!!! ]
It's a bit sweet, and it's also thicker than most other teas. It's also, you know, nutritious and everything. [ as a sword, there isn't any reason for him to find the nutritional aspects of anything to be important, which is why he'll gloss over it quickly, dispensing only what he knows! ]
It's better for your system than whatever else you drink, since you're drinking the actual leaf, too — except it's all ground up into powder, see? This way, you'll recover faster... probably. [ he gently puts his hand over his own chest and adds, in a purposefully exaggerated, sweet tone, in a voice that can do no wrong whatsoever: ]
I have your best interests at heart.
[ but gosh, it also has a lot of caffeine................ he messed up? oops... he'll never mention it to hiji, though... never. ]
YOU LISTEN FIRST
Can you do that one more time?
[ a beat. ] Juuuust kidding.
Anyway, is there any reason for a sword to invest in a fine bottom? In the end, no matter how much we look like humans, we're just objects. [ though that may sound thoughtful, it's just his excuse to keep admiring hijikata's fine assets... he's not the most diligent nor the most hard-working sword, anyway!
but yes, hijikata has no choice in the matter, he must rest... on his futon. although, how will tsurumaru make his bunk bed like this? bunk bed futon? he'll make sure that hijikata is lying down with no hope of escape, before pulling out his own cerevice and opening up his cere-youtube app. ]
Do you want me to play something for you? Soothing jazz? Mozart for babies?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA NEVER
wow. that was... something. ]
What the hell. [ SIGH. that slap wasn't a good thing Tsurumaru! He was trying to tell you To Stop. ] Look, any more gestures like that and you won't be happy.
[ Tsurumaru is surely a handful because what the heck. why isn't his usual methods of force not shutting him up, what is he doing wrong, what is happening. Tsurumaru, why.
but anyway, he raises an eyebrow at Tsurumaru's question. ]
Play what exactly? [ what is this soothing jazz. what is this mozart... huff. ] Well... ... ... I'm not a baby so not that.
[ and if that's what Tsurumaru is implying .................... :/// ] Also, if you think I'm going to fall asleep while you're here, then forget it.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA puts socks on ur feet
[ in all actuality, this modern life may be dull, but it's a stable one; he's known worse. here, tsurumaru sees the same, friendly faces that will smile at him, that will yell at him, that will praise him, day after day; faces that will be there when he closes his eyes and faces that will definitely be there when he wakes up. (that is, if he ever sleeps; something that he doesn't exactly do.)
unless hijikata has plans on, say, slaughtering the entirety of swordhaus in front of him, it's theoretically not possible for him to do something great enough to upset tsurumaru. ]
You know, Mozart. Some famous composer from Europe. [ with a smile, tsurumaru decides to enter 'mozart for babies' into the cere-youtube search box anyway, because... fuck what Baby Hijikata says. unless he'd been asking about smooth jazz? or both? well, it's too late now, mozart for babies is here.
but the last bit has him curious, so he looks back up at hijikata after pressing play. ] Why not?
what the fck my feet
I don't recall. [ He's not too savvy with European anything, really. What the heck.
annnd a glare at Tsurumaru when he presses play. hey, he didn't authorize this!!! though, the music does sound nice... Okay. ]
Well, I don't know what you'd do when I'm asleep. [ since he still doesn't know Tsurumaru that well... and Hijikata sits up with a sigh.]
I can't relax like this. [ A small pause... Hmm... Maybe he has nothing to lose to ask. ] Do you know how to make tea?
it's time.... to learn about socks
...just kidding! listen, tsuru knows what's best, even if the best is mozart for babies music. the music is going to stay on, though, because it's soothing and tsuru finds that he does like it a lot. ]
What do you think I'd do while you're asleep, anyway? [ at best, he'd probably just go through hijikata's drawers and steal anything shiny.
but at the mention of the tea, he pretends to pause, looking thoughtful for a few moments, before answering with the utmost confidence. ]
I can try.
[ he does know how, actually, more than he's letting on... he's seen uguisumaru make matcha tea about 24892424928 times! it shouldn't be that hard to emulate! ]
ugh i dont need em :/
That's ridiculous. [ UGH TSURU!!! STOP. ]
But let's see... [ he triiiies to think about it. honestly, Hijikata doesn't know what to guess actually because once again... He doesn't know Tsurumaru that well. thinking. thinking... ] I don't know, take some of my things? make a mess of the place? draw on my face?
[ honestly he just thought "what would Souji do"... ... ... ]
If you can't I can just do it myself. [ and he gets ready to stand up- ]
when it's winter i hope you go out in sandals and your feet freeze :/
in this case, that thought process comes in handy, and hijikata should probably keep it in mind. wwsd? what would souji do? tsuru is a guilty bean.
BUT UGH HIJI STOP WHY. REST!! ]
Wait—! [ abruptly, tsurumaru puts his hands on hijikata's shoulders, trying to keep him from standing up. ] I was kidding, I know how. One of my uncles drinks tea as if it's some kind of addiction, and since he was always around while I was growing up...
[ before hijikata can do anything else, he'll scramble to his feet. ] Stay put, okay? I'll do my best not to burn down your kitchen. No promises, though!
[ ugh, he won't burn it down, don't worry. ]
ugh :/ maybe one day :\ i'll wear shoes. wheres my canon update
anywaaaaay, Hijikata sits still now that hands are stopping him from getting up. ugh :/ ]
I didn't know you guys were able to 'grow up'. [ because didn't Tsurumaru say they were just objects??? Weird. this tsukumogami stuff is weird as hell.
suspicious squint at Tsurumaru... you better not burn down the house. although, tea is probably the number one thing that gets Hijikata to relax! he needs his tea. it's that or his kiseru, although he kind of concluded that he wouldn't smoke while he's healing from an injury in the chest area- so gotta rely on that tea.
well, as he waits... he doesn't really know what to do? he lies back down at least, but he feels almost antsy since he'd rather be doing things right now! especially since he was interrupted so suddenly during work...
the music is pretty soothing though. he would've never thought? BUT he won't succumb to the baby mozart. no, he can't. he's strong. ]
you can't have your canon update what if you update into hakodate
[ as babies, as children, and as adults — there's certainly some leeway though, with, for example, nagasone being the second youngest gumi sword, despite also being... well. kind of Old Looking.
AAAA HIJI have some faith! leaving the room, he's quick in finding the kitchen, seeing as most of their apartments are set up in a similar fashion. turning left here and right there leads tsurumaru to his destination, and immediately, he starts rifling through the cabinets and drawers for Tea-making Materials, although it does take him a while to find everything.
gosh, he hopes hiji likes matcha tea... tsurumaru's seen it made so many times, he could practically brew it in his sleep. any other tea, though, will probably have him setting the kitchen on fire... so it's probably in hiji's best interest to like it anyway!
ten minutes later, he'll return with a tray — on it are two cups and a full teapot, and he sets it down on the nearby small table with caution, before reaching over to gently shake the blankets. ]
Are you still awake? [ have you not succumbed to the baby mozart yet? is what he really means. ]
ugh [kou voice] finally he can die *disappears*
also no! he'll never succumb to baby mozart!? why would he. he's an ADULT. what the heck? but dang, finally lying down and listening to soothing music does make him realize how much of an effect those late night desk work days have on him. also the entire, you know, three jobs things but whatever.
he doesn't necessarily fall asleep but he does find himself maaaybe drifting off for a few moments. that is, until Tsurumaru finally returns and shakes the blankets, so he finally snaps out of it then sits up again. ]
Obviously... Didn't I just say I'm not going to fall asleep while you're here.
[ he's not going to wake up with marker on his face. no he won't! :/ BUT, ] Huh, that smells good though.
[ not the usual kind of tea he drinks but??? ??? ??? ]
STOP UGHHHH STOP DYING gives you an omamori
[ ugh, hijikata, he saw! he saw how it took an entire second longer to wake you than if you were just 'closing your eyes'! but he won't press the issue, because baby mozart is pretty enjoyable.
reaching for the teapot, he carefully pours tea into both cups, and then hands hijikata one. he even has proper form and everything, from how he pours it to how he hands it to him, one hand delicately under the cup and one around it! imperial courts are full of boring nobles who sit and pour and drink tea for seven hours!
either way, he'll wait for hijikata to accept it before speaking up, acknowledging his words with a smile. ]
I hope you don't mind — it's matcha tea. Is it not something you've had before?
AAAAAAAAAA LET ME DIIIIIIIE
[ ugh. curse you baby mozart.
but he accepts the tea- maybe he should be impressed by his etiquette? honestly, he just thinks of Tsurumaru as some... handful of a child right now (yes, despite him being almost 1000 years old. or something(not as if Hijikata is aware of that)), so it's definitely something seeing him, well, do things correctly.
though, he takes a sip right as Tsurumaru explains that it's a completely different type of tea! it's pretty obvious Hijikata wasn't prepared for a different taste, especially when curiosity sparks in his eyes after the first sip. ]
Ahh, that's what it is... [ so, he shakes his head. another sip- trying to figure out it's flavor here... hmm. ]
Mostly the ones I drink are rather bitter, though... This one seems to have a sweet aftertaste. [ he's not complaining though! ]
Well. It's not bad.
AAAAAAAA no dying squirtle????
It's a bit sweet, and it's also thicker than most other teas. It's also, you know, nutritious and everything. [ as a sword, there isn't any reason for him to find the nutritional aspects of anything to be important, which is why he'll gloss over it quickly, dispensing only what he knows! ]
It's better for your system than whatever else you drink, since you're drinking the actual leaf, too — except it's all ground up into powder, see? This way, you'll recover faster... probably. [ he gently puts his hand over his own chest and adds, in a purposefully exaggerated, sweet tone, in a voice that can do no wrong whatsoever: ]
I have your best interests at heart.
[ but gosh, it also has a lot of caffeine................ he messed up? oops... he'll never mention it to hiji, though... never. ]