sticksandbones IC Inbox

[bluebasketballed]

powers nerfed & gained
❆ - superhuman strength: nerfed to the point he couldn't destroy, like, a building in one hit, but even hakuji as a human could punch people's bones apart so good luck!
❆ - self healing: nerfed from instant to delayed 5-10 minutes.
❆ + conditional sunlight immunity: an enchanted anklet that nullifies the harmful effects of sunlight and sun-based magic so long as he is wearing it.

deaths & resurrection prices
none..... YET

other permanent changes
❆ scarring - november 2025: a solid scar the width of his fist at the crux of his ribcage and at the same height on his back, implying impalement. any sensation to this scar, including pain, is shared with kyojuro.


weasel's note: akaza's handwriting is the very sad and choppy scrawl of a man who barely knows how to write. the netbook is just polite enough to make it legible. i just type it in all lowercase bc i'm too lazy to pick out the spelling/handwriting mistakes. thank u for your understanding. i'm having fun now thx

he lives at the inn, the room next to kyojuro's. his window is boarded up from the inside. it is very dark in there. mentitycave

he lives at the soryu dojo south of the river, in koyuki's old room. he offers unarmed self-defense training at the dojo.


plotting contact: PM // discord @ fuckweasel

Comments

[tempurahair]

[And just like that, Kyojuro has stumbled into something he hadn't meant to. He watches that hand drop, feels his heart ache in shared grief. He's known loss like this, after all.

He doubts it's a coincidence that Akaza became a demon so soon after. He wonders, dimly, if Muzan or his ilk had anything to do with Soyama's death. In the back of his mind, he doubts it. Akaza would have known the fate his allies met, if that were the case, and it wouldn't have been a pleasant one. Never mind the fact that Muzan wouldn't have left business unfinished for more than a day.

But none of that mattered, did it. The grief, that was what was most important. Before he can think to process his movements, he reaches out to lay a hand on Akaza's shoulder.]

I am sorry for your loss. Losing such an influential figure in your life... I cannot imagine what you must have felt. [He squeezes the skin there for a brief moment, then lifts up once more.] The style that he taught, that he used... What was it called?

[bluebasketballed]

[his shoulder tenses the moment kyojuro touches it, but akaza doesn't move away or complain. there's no way for kyojuro to know the significance of that.

he can't bring himself to clarify how keizo had died, to explain that his training and the roof over his head was provided in exchange for looking after koyuki, to even mentioning her existence. even having accepted the challenge of rebuilding his courage, he doesn't yet have enough to tell kyojuro how many murders he committed before ever being aware of demons.]

Soryu.

[tempurahair]

[Regardless of Akaza's silence, Kyojuro doesn't linger. The tension is obvious within those well-trained muscles, after all. If the man is uncomfortable, then the matter simply will not be harped upon.]

Soryu. [He tucks this fragment into his memory, committing the sound and taste of the word to every inch of his mind. He will not let this be lost. It is the least he can do for a man that seemed as great as him.

Which... while he's thinking about it.]

Once my convalescence has ended, will you consider teaching me? It does not have to be in-depth, or rigorous. But I should like to know your master as best as I can, even if I cannot meet him myself.

[bluebasketballed]

[the question catches him completely off guard. yet again, kyojuro seems to know exactly what to say to both touch and hurt akaza's heart, as pitiful and tiny a target as it is. his breath hitches, despite his not needing breath, and he chokes the sound back down his own throat.

he isn't worthy. he stained soryu. he isn't a teacher, but a treacherous failure of a student. his master and his art died because he left them, and he used it to harm and execute hundreds of human beings.

... but kyojuro is worthy. his heart set ablaze is the same as the sword carried in keizo's heart.]

It -- would be an honor I don't deserve, but to keep his teachings alive... yes. Thank you, Kyojuro.

[tempurahair]

[The noise is not lost on Kyojuro, and in that moment, he can't help but wonder if he has somehow made a mistake. These are dangerous grounds that he walks upon, ones that are in dire need of a delicate touch. It's exceedingly difficult, not knowing what might trigger Akaza's emotions, even if Kyojuro will continue to try and try again all the same.

But instead of lashing out, Akaza lets him in. If he even dares to glance Kyojuro's way, he might see a warm, familiar smile there. Not wide, not forced, but open and gentle.]

Much as I might like to, I will do you the courtesy of not arguing the first point. Instead, I will graciously accept your willingness, and insist that there is no need to thank me.

[bluebasketballed]

[for better or worse, akaza does chance to look at kyojuro. what he finds is, again, moving -- it's a gentleness he would never expect someone to offer a demon. it makes his heart ache.

but it also mirrors something, someone else. again, it takes his breath away. he has to look away, quickly, lest kyojuro see his eyes or his face start to burn.]

Alright.

[he tries to swallow the feeling of his heart in his throat.]

I'm... tired now. [demons don't feel exhaustion. he knows. kyojuro knows. they both know.]

[tempurahair]

[Kyojuro had a feeling their conversation would be drawing to an end soon. He knows he's pried out not just powerful memories, but strong emotions as well. Akaza would no doubt need time to recover. He doesn't point this out, rather simply accepts the words at face value.

They both know, after all.]

Of course. I have kept you up rather late, haven't I?

[Kyojuro takes to his feet, pausing only to stretch himself out. Not too far, still ever mindful of his healing wounds, but enough to leave him a little more limber after his efforts. He makes for the door, but stops short.]

If you find you need anything, the blinds in my room are drawn, and Kaname is at rest. He has navigated far tighter quarters than these halls to find me before.

[He doubts that Akaza will need him. Even if he did, the doubt is even stronger still that he would actually reach out. But the offer is there.]

Rest easy, Akaza.

[bluebasketballed]

[thankfully, kyojuro takes this for what it is: akaza's desperate attempt at hiding his own weakness and shame. as usual, the slayer acts in the noblest possible way.

akaza doesn't think he can hold his voice steady anymore, so rather than answering, he gives what he hopes is a friendly enough wave of acknowledgment over his shoulder.

it's going to be a long day. the memories are going to hurt as much as they did when they occurred, and when he was dying. the things he's felt since arriving in the grove are going to confuse him more deeply than ever.

but kyojuro will be right next door. akaza doesn't know quite how to feel about the man himself right now -- why did he see her smile in his? -- but the steady blaze of his presence has, without doubt, become a familiar comfort.]