The Kabukimono
"Akari, Hisahide, Tsurumaru! There's someone you have to meet!" Katsuragi's voice pierced the crisp morning air. The mentioned rose their heads, watching the samurai approaching. A veiled male stood awkwardly behind, his curious royal blue eyes peering at the strangers. A crimson cord held up a golden feather, accented by the white kariginu he wore.
"Wow, is that an actual karingu? I've never seen one before," Akari whispered, leaning towards Tsurumaru.
"It's for the aristocrats, right? I'm still not familiar with the system even though the Yashiro Commisioner and the Kaedehara Clan head explained it to me."
"Hey there, I'm Niwa Hisahide, Armory Officer. And the other one with the red streak in his hair is my brother, Akari. Tsurumaru's a wanderer who's been staying with us for a while." Niwa straightened up, a smile on his face. "What's your name?"
"I found him wandering around on Nazuchi Beach. He claims to not have a name, or a home. Which is also one of the reasons why I'm asking if you could take him in," Katsuragi interjected sheepishly. "I hope it's not too much of a favor, but Miyazaki has his own family to accommodate, and Nagamasa and I are probably not the best to take care of him."
"He's so cute! Let's take him in!" Akari cheered, running over and squishing the poor boy's cheeks. "He's like the cuter version of Tsurumaru!"
An irk mark grew on the Tsurumaru's head, his neck veins pulsing as he calmly-or not so calmly-smiled. "I'm not against the idea."
"Nor am I. It's nice to meet you."
"It's okay, Kabu. I kept hitting the blade too hard when I first started," Tsurumaru smiled softly, as he watched over Kabukimono. His indigo hair swished as he brought the hammer down on the metal in front of him.
"You can take a break whenever you need to. I'm sure the ladies wouldn't mind a little help with the laundry," Hisahide added, "You looked like you enjoyed their company."
"But I want to be with you and Tsurumaru," Kabukimono's pale blue eyes sparkled as imaginary flowers bloomed around his innocent visage. A light, rosy blush painted his pale cheeks and his dark veil swished.
"I feel so left out..." Akari sighed, a gloomy aura around the blacksmith.
"Just proves how I'm more likable, huh?" Tsurumaru teased, and the younger Niwa blew a fuse.
"Ehhhhh????!!!! Kabu! Tell me this isn't true! Tell me you love me more~" Akari whined melodramatically.
The one in question tilted his head curiously, "But Tsurumaru and Hisahide are the ones I like most."
"ERGHHHHHHHHH! Oh, my poor soul! It's dying! Your words burn my very being!"
"Don't be dramatic." Hisahide sighed fondly, returning to his piece of Jade Steel."
"The Akame Clan brings news," the seated figures turned their attention to the speaker, two continuing to sip the bitter tea.
"I trust the mechanic from Fontaine has figured out a solution?" Lord Kaedehara asked, his distinct red hair strip signifying his connection to his distant relatives in the Niwa Clan.
"Yes, yes. The furnaces of Tatarasuna will be much more productive and the supply of jade Steel will be much easier to produce. Escher has truly proven to be quite the genius in mechanics."
"The Shogunate have been demanding for more supplies, and I will not tolerate failure if this mechanic proves to be less than satisfactory." Nagamasa closed his eyes, crossing his arms sternly.
The Niwa siblings frowned, their companions nonetheless wiser, fiddling with their yunomi. The cups had already been refilled three times already during the meeting, and yet neither Kabukimono or Tsurumaru brought up any complaint over the bitter tea.
"Carry out the proceedings."
Important:
The next chapter will likely be the most crucial, as it is the deciding point in whether Scaramouche will be a love interest or not, as if not, I will make it so that the main focus will only be Escher and the tatarigami, but if he is decided as a love-interest, it will have more development and interaction with Kabukimono as well as the tatarigami.
Apologies for such a short chapter, I've been terribly bogged down by school.
-Aquamarine
Word clarifications:
-Karingu: garment worn by aristocrats, but now worn mostly for ceremonies (?)
-Yunomi: traditional teacups
Please correct me if the above is incorrect.
Credits:
Art: Kyok_rh on Hoyolab