Day 43: Sun Room, Second Shift

[arc_wrench]

When the shift changed, HK stayed put. Even after a long night of zombie killing, he had no interest in meatbag fuel, especially after all the discussion of chocolate with that rather strange meatbag. It was just making him crave the stuff even more than he had previously, if that was possible

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[thecamellia]

“It’s no problem!” And she meant it, too. Anything she could do, really. Seeing Honey brighten up like that, with that sweet smile of his and little stuffed animal was like the embodiment of what Tsubaki wanted to protect. He really had fortitude, to be looking ahead, and not dwelling on recent horrors. “If you see Takashi-san, then send him my best. Oh, and Hikaru-san and Kaoru-san, too, and that I’d like to talk to them again soon! It’s been hard to keep in touch.”

It was hard to do a lot of the things she wanted to do with the time restraints, but talking to Honey wasn’t a waste of that time at all.

Their respective families undoubtedly had their differences, but she wondered what it was like for them, Honey‘s family. She wondered about her friends and comrades at Shibusen, too, but there had always been a tangible lack of pressure when it came to divulging personal information. The things they talked about while they hung out, or talked in class, or went on extracurricular assignments were more often than not about everything but family life or past circumstances. Of course the teachers did their background checks, but otherwise… there was no need to know. What mattered came from actions, from the present. Being at Landel‘s was… different. A loss of freedom seemed to bring personal details into conversations, not that Tsubaki felt she needed to outright dodge or lie in what she said, even if others did.

Still, Tsubaki wasn’t sure if she should ask if that meant Chika was set to eventually become the heir to the family, and not Honey. Part of her uncertainty came from her own past, she knew that.

When it came to Honey’s questions, however, she had no qualms about answering. After all, he seemed more open-minded than most, considering everything she’d already mentioned. Their individual interests in Japanese fighting techniques gave them some common ground on top of that. “Sort of,” Tsubaki began to answer, deciding to leave her own questions alone. “Do you know about demon weapons?”

[host_club_honey]

"I will," Honey promised. As far as he could tell, the twins really liked Tsubaki too, so they should be happy to hear from her. If they didn't manage to pester her before lunch anyway.

Honey was glad to see that she didn't mind answering some questions about herself, but demon weapons? Honey's face scrunched in thought as he tried to recall anything of the sort. "Umm, I know about some of the famous Japanese weapons, like Okazaki Masamune's... they're supposed to be really good. But I don't think I've ever heard of any called demon weapons. What are they like?"

[thecamellia]

Okazaki… Masamune? A part of her clung to the forename for a moment, a little caught off guard by the similarity to her brother’s name, while the rest of her recognized that Honey was talking about someone completely different, a Japanese weapon smith. Little in common with demon weapons…

Once she’d realized she’d paused for a second too long, Tsubaki shook herself with a small sound of sheepishness. This might be confusing enough for Honey without her getting sidetracked. “Well, demon weapons are different from regular weapons. You see… they’re human,” Tsubaki explained. “Not everybody knows about their existence, but there are some people who’re born a bit special… they can transform themselves into different shapes, usually a type of weapon. Some can transform into guns, and others into knives… it’s an ability they grow into. Otherwise, they look just like regular people. That’s what you saw, if you thought my having a chain scythe all of a sudden last night was strange--it’s my other form. I can only transform part of my body while I’m here, but I’ve never really had to study kusarigama because the one I used is a part of me, like another limb, if that makes sense.”

It was probably a bit much to take in if a person hadn’t considered the possibility before.

[host_club_honey]

Tsubaki hesitated for a second or two; was it because the name was familiar? Or was she just lost in thought? Whatever it was, it passed quickly and then explained.

While there were a lot of people who claimed to have powers or other super natural abilities, he hadn't met very many who actually did. It sounded like something right out of anime or manga. But Tsubaki was totally serious! How did one react to news like that?

"That's really amazing!" Honey replied, almost on the edge of his seat. He meant every word. If anyone in his clan had that sort of ability, well, he could only imagine how things might change.

"I bet that makes you really important to a lot of people! Protecting people is a great thing to be able to do, but being a real weapon yourself, that's just even more incredible! I think I would get dizzy though..." Honey trailed off, wondering just what it might be light to be swung around like a sword or a shuriken.

[thecamellia]

Giving a sweet, unassuming smile, Tsubaki responded to his pep with a laugh.

She didn’t see why an unsuspecting someone would react poorly to news of a demon weapon’s true nature, but everyone was different and had their own reasons. Honey’s positive reaction made her glad, though.

But important? In all likelihood, Honey had no idea that the Nakatsukasas were held in higher esteem more than any other clan, that technically she was supposed to be a standout weapon for her unique possession of multi-modes. That little detail… she could keep that to herself with no harm or foul. Tsubaki didn’t think it would make a difference, either way. What did it matter?

“Mm, demon weapons tend to surpass normal kinds, so I think they have more responsibility on their shoulders when choosing what to do with themselves. A lot of good can come out of a demon weapon used for the right reasons,“ Tsubaki agreed whole-heartedly. That wasn’t to say those who could fight should, that path wasn’t always right for everyone. Then there were the weapons who fought, but for the wrong reasons… Looking down at Honey, Tsubaki let her smile grow. “You’re amazing, too! You don’t have to be a demon weapon to be able to protect people. In fact, I know humans who are so powerful, they don’t need to use a weapon.”

[host_club_honey]

It was good to hear Tsubaki laugh. Thinking on it, that was probably the first time he'd actually heard it. He had plenty of experience with catering to girls' wants and needs, but when one of them gave him a genuine smile, well, it was always well worth it.

"Mm, so then, someone else uses the demon weapons? What are the right reasons? Are there bad guys that um that Tsubaki-chan has to fight that can only be hurt by demon weapons?" he asked with a curious tilt of his head. At her praise though, he smiled too, giggling and blushing with pride.

"I try really hard! Well, not all the time, but I used to train a lot. I didn't always think it was useful, but I'm glad I can try to protect people here."

[thecamellia]

Honey was rather quick-witted, too; although he hadn’t recognized the term ‘demon weapon’ only moments before, he’d already bounced back and was asking the sorts of thoughtful questions that openly contradicted the childish ways he tended to promote.

“Some weapons can work alone, but generally they partner with people who know how to use them, weapon technicians. Those partnerships can be really strong… and you‘re not wrong, there are some things only demon weapons can do. Um, basically, the one who founded Shibusen, he started bringing weapons and techs together there, and now it’s a peace organization as well as an academy; Shibusen works all over the world to keep it safe. That‘s our job.” Her smile changed by a slight degree, becoming more reflective. “There are bad things that need to be made up for, after all.” But I don’t think I need to tell you that.

And then the smile was back to being purely cheerful. “Whatever’s right for you, right?” she joked. Honey’s feelings were enough, training or no training. So long as he was happy… and if a pure martial arts lifestyle wasn’t his path, as it sounded, then that was all right.

Being in Landel’s made fighting necessary, which was discouraging, but this place… this place wouldn’t last forever. She knew.

“Do you ever spar for fun?”

[host_club_honey]

Honey found himself listening intently as Tsubaki spoke. It was interesting and he actually sat still, trying to work out the details of how something like that might work. So there were weapon-people and weapon-user-people brought together in an academy where they trained the teams to keep others safe. It seemed like a a school for super heroes almost.

"I think I get it," Honey nodded, "it sounds really neat too. We don't have anything like that in my world. Not that I know of at least, eheh!" He scratched his head sheepishly.

"But what's Tsubaki-chan's partner like? I bet they were a really good person, just like Tsubaki-chan," he found himself asking before thinking. Whoever it was, she probably missed them as much as he missed his own family. He gave her time to answer, but kept the conversation going, just in case it made her uncomfortable.

"Me and Takashi did sparring back home. But Takashi does more kendo now and my family's training is kind of different. But sometimes it's fun. I sparred with my father once in a while, and Chika... Chika-chan loves to think of new ways to ambush me! It's kind of like a game! He's always trying something different. It really keeps me on my toes!"

[thecamellia]

It was hard to get certain things across with words alone, and trying to describe something like Shibusen’s function to someone for the first time was definitely a challenging prospect--she thought Maka might have been able to explain it better. Words were all Tsubaki had, though, and thankfully Honey seemed to be processing everything okay, even if he didn’t fully understand it.

But that was natural, considering one little talk was hardly enough to make someone an expert!

“I don’t know,” Tsubaki replied honestly, “but you must have police forces and things like that. They have the same kind of purpose, just different means. Even if we come from different worlds entirely, there‘s always going to be someone or some group that stands up for order, I think.” A place without that order being maintained by meisters and demon weapons and shinigami, of all things, was still hard to imagine, but she supposed the idea was only a little different in nature from meeting someone who lived in the same world as those entities, and yet had no clue they existed. It was the same sense of vastness, of discovery. Probably the same sorts of feelings Honey had. “My partner? His name is Black☆Star…” she answered. Honey might have never imagined a technician and weapon partnership like the ones she had described, but it--her tech--was as familiar to her as breathing. There was a minute prick of discomfort at the past tense Honey used, but her smile remained in place, a mix of politeness, fondness, and embarrassment. “He’s… ah, he’s loud.” The truth seemed to blurt itself out. “And silly sometimes. But a very good person!” Tsubaki finished. The last was the most important characteristic, really.

Talking about him brought back a pang of her earlier grief, which lurked behind the carefree flow of conversation just waiting to rise back up, but it was habit to keep her smile up. In the same way that she was trying to explain the important things in her life, Honey was, too, and she felt the effect of his good feelings when he talked about his happy memories. It made her smile real.

“So Takashi-san does kendo, too…” Tsubaki laughed a little. “It sounded like you were pretty accomplished before; that just confirms it. I bet you’re very talented. I’d like to see you in action someday, maybe if you’re ever training outside during a shift.” Not during a combat situation during nightshift--there was no joy to be had there.