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]

I suspect you could fight every Hashira at once and still not be satisfied.

[Kyojuro's arm lifts easily. Despite the well-honed, if lean, muscle in his arms, he puts up no fight. He turns his hand whenever urged. The problem is that, while he tells himself to keep his gaze anywhere but on Akaza while they're in the middle of this, something about those words draws Kyojuro's eye to Akaza's own.]

Is that so? [His voice is almost hushed, lacking that booming timbre that seemed to accompany everything he said. It's only out of courtesy, probably. No sense shouting in Akaza's face, after all.] Dare I ask you to elaborate?

[bluebasketballed]

Maaaybe that would be enough...!

[for as much grief as akaza gives kyojuro about his loud mouth, it's almost odd to hear him speak so softly. and he certainly doesn't meet his eye.]

Dare you? [quick, think of something.] Why, you're the last Hashira I ever killed. Our battle contributed directly to my own grand finale. If it weren't for you...

[oh. this is actually getting more real than he intended. his hands pause for a moment, and the playful grin drops from his face. it isn't a scowl that replaces it, though, but something neutral, thoughtful.]

... If it weren't for you, Kyojuro, I might not have ever remembered who I was.

[tempurahair]

[The first half of the statement has Kyojuro smirking. He should have expected a grandiose answer like that. They've carefully danced around the topic of Akaza's end, after all. It seemed far too tied with his own grief to well and truly dig into. The fact that Kyojuro had only just learned of Tomioka's presence is evidence enough.

But then his lips part at the shock of that second revelation. His gaze flicks upward, brows lifted ever so slightly. At first, he cannot think of a single response, stunned as he is. When he finally does remember to even think, he can only respond physically.

It's a single touch, a brush of his hand against Akaza's wrist, at first. That hand slides up higher, still, until it braces on the other man's shoulder.]

Then, I am honored to have played a role. Meeting this man you have become has truly been a privilege.

cw food scarcity

[bluebasketballed]

[where akaza had shied away, kyojuro only embraces the... tenderness. there's nothing else to call it, really, and there's nothing that makes more sense. they're both straightforward men, but kyojuro is leagues more comfortable in himself, which makes him more open still.

akaza doesn't fight the touch -- nor does he return it, exactly. it seems he has yet to grow accustomed to it again. no, he simply resumes what he was doing, dabbing at kyojuro's other arm.]

I used to do this for my father, when I was a boy. He'd gotten sick, and never improved. Kept losing weight even when I gave him all of my food. He was so frail, I was scared I would break something, even just touching him like this.

cw food scarcity

[tempurahair]

[The lack of reaction is all Kyojuro needs. He lowers his hand, fucking it back into his lap. He's not hurt by any means, rather he's simply acknowledging the discomfort in the gesture he's offered.

Even if he really, really wants to reach out again after hearing that tale. His heart certainly thumps unevenly at those words. It may be a different situation, but Kyojuro does know a thing or two about caring for an ailing father.]

It is difficult, to be so young and forced to watch someone so important slip away. But I am certain your father appreciated every gesture you offered. And... [He glances sidelong at those hands.] I do not think you ever had to worry about harming him. Even now, with strength beyond measure, you are gentle. No, I think he would have been perfectly at ease with you.

[bluebasketballed]

[maybe one day he'll learn how and feel comfortable enough to put into words that he doesn't mind, he just doesn't know how to reciprocate.

even with all his regrets, akaza finds it surprisingly easy to talk about this, at least in their current situation. he gestures for kyojuro to lean forward so he can scrub his back as well.]

He did, and he was. But I still felt like I was never enough. It was always just us, and he wasn't strong enough to work. I couldn't even fathom leaving him alone all day to find work, myself.

[tempurahair]

[Maybe one day. For now, though, Kyojuro will politely mind his hands. He complies with the silent command, carefully leaning forward and ignoring the way his muscles and wounds ache with even the slightest movement. It's gotten better since the initial injury, it would seem. Perhaps he's closer to recovery than he might have thought.]

You and I were not so different then. [After his mother's passing, it was only the three of them, and Kyojuro had forced himself to shoulder whatever burdens came with tending to their father.]

It must have been quite difficult, though, to balance that need to care for him, and the need to be by his side.

[bluebasketballed]

I wasn't good at it.

[he shakes his head a bit, ringing the washcloth out between swipes.]

I can't imagine having a second mouth to feed. [third, buddy, you also had a mouth.] It sounds like a nightmare.

[tempurahair]

You say that, but I can tell how practiced your hands are. Never mind how mindful you seem to be of my needs. I suspect you balanced just fine.

[If only he knew. Not that Kyojuro could find it in himself to condemn Akaza for having to steal to survive. He may have lived a privileged life, but he was not blind to his own friends' upbringings. Survival simply wasn't easy.

Anyway. Kyojuro didn't miss that slip on Akaza's part. He gives the other man a scrutinizing glance, before shaking his head.]

I admit it was difficult. Namely because I have never been particularly adept in the kitchen! [A chuckle.] But then, Hashira are awarded whatever salary they wish. Between my father's previous work and myself taking up the mantle, we never had to worry in the way that you did.

The worst was like you said — leaving Senjuro alone when duty dragged me away.

[bluebasketballed]

For someone who doesn't want to cook, you sure like to eat.

[at least he doesn't sound like he's shaming kyojuro, exactly. it's just... funny. he laughs, actually, as he moves into a sitting position so he can start a bit down the legs. kyojuro can wash his own junk, thank you.]

Any salary, just like that? Gods, I definitely would have laid you out just for saying that. And then robbed you blind.

[despite the teasing, he sobers up again quickly.]

So nobody who isn't an active slayer is under their protection? There was nowhere else for him to go?

[tempurahair]

I never said I didn't want to cook! Just that it is strongly inadvisable!

[Kyojuro, nonetheless, joins Akaza in his laughter. He knows it's a little ridiculous, just like a great many things about the slayer. And maybe there's just the faintest hint of relief there. He had no idea how they were going to have the conversation of washing below the belt. Glad they can just... skip that.]

Perhaps I would have let you get away with it, if you needed the money!

[The tone is light, but the words are serious. He is nothing if not keenly aware of the discrepancy between the two of them. If not for how easily Akaza handled the topic, he might have felt guilty.

But they're moving on before he has time to ponder any further, and Kyojuro finds himself sighing.]

Perhaps he could have stayed with the master. Or even at the Butterfly Manor. But even if I had proposed the option... [Kyojuro shakes his head.] Senjuro loved our father, just as I did. And just like me, he wanted to believe that if he could succeed as a swordsman, perhaps father would turn his loving gaze back on him.

[Kyojuro fidgets just a little. It was made all the harder by Senjuro's lack of inherent skill, and just how deeply their own father's words seemed to prove true with the boy.]

Whenever I was home, I tried to reassure him. That no matter what our father said, I still loved him deeply, no matter what. Even if he struggled with the blade, even if father was cruel, I would always be there.

[Kyojuro's eyes close. His brows furrow. He isn't angry over his death. He certainly isn't angry at Akaza. But thinking about Senjuro, alone in that world? It felt like ice in his chest. His grip on total concentration nearly comes undone.]

[bluebasketballed]

[he's never been good at this sort of thing -- handling vulnerability. not as hakuji, and certainly not as akaza. even so, he has a responsibility, as kyojuro's killer, to do something, here. honestly, washing his feet feels like only the start of making amends.]

You're an honorable, kind sort of person. You inspire others -- I've seen it. I'm sure with how you raised your brother, he'll find his way.

[tempurahair]

[There is a brief moment where Kyojuro outwardly flinches. Not out of pain, or panic, but because his feet are sensitive, dammit. He inhales shakily, willing whatever gods are listening to grant him mercy. If he plants any kind of ideas in Akaza's head, he'll certainly never live it down.

Maybe it helps that the conversation is so heavy. Kyojuro, at least, is able to easily pivot back into the topic at hand.]

I can only hope so. So long as Senjuro lives the life he wants, I will be happy. I can only hope that I imparted that much on him.

[bluebasketballed]

[why would akaza's brain ever go to "kyojuro is ticklish" over "he just hurt kyojuro somehow?" his grip loosens in a flash, and he glances up at kyojuro with guilty eyes.]

Are you hurt? [he doesn't see or smell any injuries in this area, but... he probably did something wrong.]

[tempurahair]

[The look Kyojuro gives him is skeptical to say the least. He looks down to his feet, to Akaza's hands, and then back up. Sure, he didn't want Akaza to know he was ticklish, but he certainly didn't expect this conclusion.]

I - I am fine! [He huffs once, glancing up toward the ceiling.] My feet are... sensitive is all. Carry on, please.

[bluebasketballed]

Sensitive? [his brows furrow.] Why would they be sensitive?

[look buddy sometimes you forget about stupid human shit like being ticklish when you don't think about it for hundreds of years. BUT, fine, he will continue as asked, with a much lighter touch.]

[tempurahair]

It's - a long story.

[That light touch is not at all helping matters. Kyojuro grits his teeth, jaw aching from the force of the bite. He tries to keep himself together but as soon as Akaza is even close to finished, Kyojuro jerks his foot away.]

That should be enough, I think!

[Said entirely too loud.]

[bluebasketballed]

[you yoink away from the akaza? you kick him like the puppy? fine, then he will give the eyes like the puppy, and gather up everything to clean up.]

[tempurahair]

[Not the eyes of the puppy. They shouldn't work on him, considering how it's Senjuro's default expression and Kyojuro still manages to say no to the boy. Nevertheless, he finds himself sighing.]

You are familiar with being ticklish, aren't you?

[bluebasketballed]

[blink.

give him like five seconds to process.

then another ten to laugh hysterically. we're not going to talk about how no, he forgot that that was a thing.]

You're ticklish? Seriously?

[tempurahair]

[God help us all, the way Kyojuro's cheeks actually flush? He's quick to stand up, giving Akaza a firm shove to the shoulder as he storms out of the bathroom.]

It - It is a completely normal reaction!

[Don't mind him, carefully lifting his head to work on toweling off and combing out his hair.]

[bluebasketballed]

[look, akaza's just happy he didn't hurt him somehow. his laugh becomes slightly less cruel as he makes his way to the door.]

Don't worry, tough guy, I'll keep your secret.

[tempurahair]

[Kyojuro shoots a glower over his shoulder, but says nothing as he continues fussing with his hair. Akaza's getting the silent treatment for a few more seconds. Don't worry, he'll start yapping before too long.

Probably after he shoulders on his shirt and begins fussing with the buttons. No more shirtless show for the demon. Probably for the best, considering just what the shirt covers up. Don't worry about it.]

[bluebasketballed]

[yeah, he totally didn't get a glimpse of that as he looked to see if he was getting a reaction. his face shutters before he exits, and it'll be... a few minutes longer than necessary before he comes back upstairs.

outside the door, he doesn't come back in right away. he's tempted to just retreat to his own room without a word... but maybe he'll pop his head in for just a moment.]

Do you need anything else?

[tempurahair]

[As the door closes behind Akaza, Kyojuro finds himself turning and staring. He... would have expected a goodbye, at the very least? Things had only just been light and easy, had they not? Was there something he had missed?

He almost doesn't expect Akaza to return. He settles into finishing his routine, attempting to reach the top of his head despite his wounds, as he fixes his hair. When the man does poke his head through, Kyojuro is in the middle of the mess, teeth grit and expression screwed up.

He pauses at the sight of him, almost like a child with his hand in a cookie jar. He speaks not just to keep Akaza from commenting, but also because he's never been one to pull his punches.]

I did not expect you to leave.