A time to relax ((Sock, Open RP, Yukimura, Jing, grounds, halls))

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

There was a certain cleanness to the world after the hard rain. The sun had dried the steps enough to sit on them without getting wet and Yukimura relaxed there, to one side of the doors, his back against the castle wall. Oddly absent was a bottle of sake that would have normally accompanied this idyll, though. His expression was neutral, relaxed, almost blank save for the habitual curve of his lips that made his expression appear friendly and open. He watched the grounds, his eyes taking in all the motion around him without seeming to focus on any one thing.

Many things were on his mind starting and circling around with the way this place changed relationships in short order. He wondered if it had to do with the place, that he was around people more often in the same location, or the time. Or was it that his own tendencies worked against him in such close quarters. Though, was it really against him or just in ways he wasn't used to.

He watched a boy in an orange long coat cross the grounds toward him. The boy's hands were in his pockets and he looked around with the same alertness that Yukimura had, though there was something more in that gaze. This was a boy to watch, Yukimura thought.

To his surprise, the boy crouched down before him. "Yes?" he asked pleasantly.

The boy smiled at him. "This place is more of a thief than I am," he said.

Yukimura blinked, surprised. "I think you have me confused with someone," he laughed. Though, he couldn't quite think of anyone else who looked like him.

The boy shook his head. "I do wonder, sometimes, what Postino would say if he came by. He knows more than I do. One day, I'll take that from him. I think, though, that he would say something about those things that are wanted being taken so those things that are needed have room, or something like that." He propped his chin on his fist a moment. "Or he may tell me something completely else. He does that, too." He rose, waving at Yukimura before heading into the building.

Yukimura turned to watch him go. "How odd," he murmured, his eyes returning to scan the grounds.

((OOC: Follow Jing in the castle or talk to Yukimura on the steps, take your pick ;) ))

Comments

[callmewednesday.livejournal.com]

Mr. Wednesday felt a rune class coming on. That hadn't happened in a while. New sources of belief were available, if slight, and that energized the old god.

He'd decided to stroll around the grounds, soak up some sun (insofar as he ever did, in his tailored suit), let the warmth and wind stir his creative forces.

And in this benign mood, he came upon a samurai.

"Keeping an eye out for Kojiro?"

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura glanced up. "Kojiro? I can't say that I am familiar with much more than a name for that one," Yukimura laughed. "I am still unclear if he is friend to be fought or foe to be welcomed."

[callmewednesday.livejournal.com]

"That depends. Are you for or against refrigeration?" Wednesday chuckled. "I don't think much about him one way or the other, but he's powerful in his own right. Fortunately for everyone, his concerns don't impinge upon ours, most of the time. I wondered if the Hat had taken to hiring other samurai as a force to use against Kojiro, that's all. What brings you here? A student, then?"

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Another laugh. "And I thought I was here for the Hat to dispose cheese at," he said. "No, I do not know why I was drawn here. I was nearing the end of a trial when I walked into the Sorting Room. I have not been approached about this Kojiro, however, if refrigeration will keep cheese from my room, then I am for it." The concept was very foreign to Yukimura, the word translating to 'ice room maker'.

[wrinklesintime.livejournal.com]

Meg had just come out of the castle herself, intent on a walk now that the weather had cleared up. She was surprised to find Yukimura on the steps, looking more pensive than she was used to seeing him.

"Hi," she said. "Haven't seen you in a while. Are you thinking deep thoughts?"

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura looked at the girl a moment before honestly smiling at her. "As deep as the sky," he replied. "Perceptive," he added appreciatively, gesturing for her to join him if she wished.

[wrinklesintime.livejournal.com]

Meg took the offered seat. "Care to share?" she asked. "Or are these the kind of deep thoughts I'm supposed to be able to understand when I'm older?"

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

After looking around the grounds a moment, Yukimura looked at Meg. "There are some things that only can be understood by the young," he said, smiling at her. "And some that I am not sure the gods understand."

[miranda-bnewski.livejournal.com]

Miranda caught sight of Jing- and in that orange coat, how could anyone *not* see him. She hurried up- "Hey, did I leave my scarf with you when we went gambling?" (She meant 'did you steal my scarf' but she didn't say that.)

[kingbandit.livejournal.com]

"Scarf?" Jing asked a little blankly. He rummaged through his pockets a moment before bringing out a shimmering square of fabric that might have been spun from dew drops and moonbeams or really fine silk. "This?" he asked, a smile playing with his lips.

[miranda-bnewski.livejournal.com]

"Wearing ladies clothing are we?" Miranda was more amused than upset. After all, he'd helped her win a lot of money. "Keep it, it suits you."

[kingbandit.livejournal.com]

"Ah, not this, then?" he laughed, refolding the shawl. "It would suit you," he grinned. From another pocket, he drew out another shawl, this one looking as if someone had captured the night sky over the open ocean and made it tangible. "This, then?" he asked, holding it out to her.

[mio-remaining.livejournal.com]

After voluntarily cooping herself up in her room for a long time, Mio was needing fresh air. And some sunlight would do her good.

Stepping outside, she looked around and then settled herself on the other side of the steps.

((take your pick, Col))

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura looked over at the girl. He smiled remembering her from her sorting. "It's been a while," he said conversationally. "Have you found this place bearable?"

[mio-remaining.livejournal.com]

"A little bit. I've been by myself for a bit, but I needed some fresh air. And I was getting a bit lonely, by myself."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"It is better to be among those who may become friends if there are not friends around," Yukimura said softly, turning to look out at the grounds again. "Have you found a sense of peace?" he asked, not looking at her.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Ah, the sun," Kurama remarked, coming up behind Yukimura. He squinted into the light, a look of pure disdain on his face. "My only natural enemy." He'd been watching Yukimura a moment, wondering if it was wise to approach now. He missed the Samurai, though. When they were on even ground, their conversations and occasional sparring had been fun. Now, though, he wondered.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura looked over at Kurama. "I would have thought you found the sun an ally, with the plants and everything," he said with a smile. "Am I mistaken?"

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Mm, we are allies in the earth, but she insists on rising every morning and waking me up when I'd rather sleep." Or sending cheerful light into his room no matter how depressed he wanted to stay. He kept that part to himself, however. The smile from Yukimura was emboldening, however. "As allies go, I had always favored the moon, who assists with being a sneaky, bad fox better than the fair light of day." After all, he hadn't always been a full-time gardener.

[righteous-pen.livejournal.com]

Now that the rain had cleared up, Mikami was taking a restless Masuyo to play outside. That was the plan, anyway. He hadn't taken more than a couple of steps out of the doorway when he saw Yukimura.

He was tempted to run, but he couldn't make himself, and there was also a squirming kitten in his arms who had just recognised a friend.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

The incident with Mikami was one of the reasons Yukimura was sitting on the steps, thinking. He smiled warmly at the man. "It's been a while," he said gently. "Have you been well, my friend?"

[righteous-pen.livejournal.com]

"I - I have." He sat down on the steps at the other side, letting Masuyo go free, since she'd been in danger of slipping out of his arms anyway. She ran straight to Yukimura, eager to be petted. "That is, I've not been staying in my room so much, at least."

[sasuke-sarutobi.livejournal.com]

With Karasu apparently out of commission, the concern and sense of duty that had had Sasuke quite literally shadowing Yukimura everywhere had lessened, sending him drifting again; he'd fallen back to spending as much time away from Yukimura as he did shadowing him in anticipation of being summoned for any reason.

And so when he seemed to appear from out of nowhere, as was his habit, sitting opposite Yukimura on the steps, there was no particular reason for his visit. His clothes were soaked through from the recent rain since he hadn't bothered using a drying spell, and various scratches and bruises already days old and mostly healed covered his bare skin, hinting at what he'd been up to.

He shifted his sword, slipped his hands behind his head and leant back against the castle wall, content to enjoy the silence if that was all Yukimura wanted from him at the moment.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura glanced at Sasuke with apparently the same attention he'd given everything else on the grounds. He was pleased to see his shadow again and noticed that he'd been enjoying the Forbidden Forest, if the marks were to be believed. He sighed, letting his head fall back against the wall as he looked up at the sky. "What do you make of it?" he asked, knowing that Sasuke had heard the conversation he'd just had. Very briefly, he let his mind toy with an idea before he chased it away.

[sasuke-sarutobi.livejournal.com]

"Sounded like nonsense," Sasuke replied laconically. Such vague words as Jing's had been could be taken any which way the listener wanted to interpret them. Like answering a question with another question.

He glanced at Yukimura out of the corner of his eye.

"Do you feel something has been taken from you?"