Catch-all: Ms. Shinobu

[swordflash]

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Week 0: Saturday

[swordflash]

[ He ventures into the kitchen, hoping to swipe a snack, when he walks past the knife block—or the spot said block is supposed to be. Frowning, he backtracks and stares at the empty space. ]

What's this? Where'd all the knives go? Hey! Whoever took them, put them back!

[wisterin]

[ Shinobu is grabbing some paper towels and wrapping them around ice. If Zenitsu looks away from the knife block to Shinobu, he can see something is off about her nose before she puts her makeshift ice pack against it. ]

People are paranoid. Is it a surprise?

[swordflash]

I thought we were all veterans. How's hoarding knives going to help? And how are we supposed to make our food now?

[ It shouldn't be, yet he's furiously surprised. Where are they even going to hide knives when they're dressed like this? Idiots, the lot of them!

Whirling around at the sound of Shinobu's voice, his gaze hones in on the ice pack.

Huh. ]

[wisterin]

People are choosing to believe that others will murder more than that people won't choose to murder.

[ Which isn't exactly unfair because people have been forced against their will, but that doesn't mean Shinobu has to like it.

Her voice sounds a little off because her nose is broken. He doesn't need his special hearing for that. ]

We will have to be creative with our cooking.

week 0: friday die day

[wisterin]

[ Shinobu needs to check up on her fellow demon slayer, so she goes searching for him at the drex (dragon rex) cabin. She knocks on the door. ]

Zenitsu-kun?

[ She is, of course, smiling. Even if he can't see her yet. ]

[swordflash]

[ In their previous encounters, she was smiling. She doesn't break pattern this time around, and that she manages to maintain the same expression as always surprises him once he opens the door. ]

Ms. Kocho! You're all right.

[wisterin]

I am. I'm glad to see physically, you are fine.

[ She hopes? No fights after curfew and before forced sleep. ]

But are you feeling all right?

week 0: saturday, post-trial

[swordflash]

[ If she's seeking him out, the timing couldn't have gone any better. He's on his way back to the cabin when he spots her already there in front of the vandalized door. ]

What are you doing here, Ms. Kocho?

[wisterin]

I'm here to ask after you. How are you feeling?

[ She noticed he was quiet. ]

[swordflash]

I'm okay.

What about you?

[ And he heard her stoic lament about not being able to vote for herself. ]

week 1: thursday

[wisterin]

[ Hopefully, the mini event won't be something that stops them from seeing this Thursday afternoon, but here they are. Hey, at least it's sunny when they watch Zenitsu get shot by a duck holding a gun. ]

Zenitsu-kun?

[ Her surprise is unfiltered. No one expects a duck shooting. ]

[swordflash]

[ He knew it was coming, but he still squeals and hugs his arm when the gunshot sounds. ]

I, I don't know! It just happened, all right? As impossible as it was, the duck pulled the trigger!

[wisterin]

Please calm down. I know you didn't mean for it to happen. I was shocked, and I'm concerned.

[ It's a lot to take in at once just for the sheer improbability of the situation. ]

You were doing your best to help, weren't you?

week 1: saturday, post-trial

[swordflash]

[ At some point, most people will end up returning to their cabins in order to rest. Zenitsu is on his way when he sees Shinobu just a few paces ahead and walks briskly to catch up. ]

Ms. Kocho, are you turning in for the night?

[wisterin]

[ She looks back at Zenitsu and stops for him. There isn't a smile on her lips when she faces him. ]

I don't think I'll be sleeping much tonight.

[ Her lips curve into a sad attempt of barely a smile. ]

How are you feeling, Zenitsu-kun?

[swordflash]

My eyes feel itchy . . . but I can close them, so it's not a big deal.

[ Rather, the wilt in her smile is more concerning to him. ]

Are you thinking about the culprit?

week 1: sunday

[wisterin]

[ It's not that she spent all her time in the theater. It's that she's been circling the camp, restless, and when she passed the theater, it showed that moment.

She runs to find Zenitsu immediately. ]

Zenitsu-kun, you lied to me.

[ She's? Smiling?

This is what got her to smile again. This is terrible. ]

[swordflash]

[ After omitting the truth from Lili the other night, being approached like this by Shinobu startles Zenitsu. (For some reason, this smile is really scary! It's making his heart pound in panic.) He also looks confused, because he can't recall lying to her. ]

Huh? What do you mean?

[wisterin]

You and Asch-san. How can you say he encouraged you when he did not let you speak for yourself?

[ That is the most polite way she can phrase doxxing.

She's smiling, but she ain't happy. ]

week 3, tuesday

[wisterin]

[ because who tf knows what the mini event will bring

Shinobu has asked Zenitsu to meet her at the arts and crafts cabin. When he arrives there, she has a bunch of supplies laid out. It looks like she wants to make something. A lot of somethings. She's about to call out a greeting when—

A memory hits. Have every part of that chapter with Shinobu in it if you want, or just. Ctrl+f "“Please teach me and Nee-san how to slay demons.” and until she runs away from Himejima after chopping wood. ]

[swordflash]

[ Love and joy, unlike Shinobu's life.

(That man is huge!)

Zenitsu is no stranger to anger or hate. Even still, the sheer intensity of those emotions that he feels through Shinobu is staggering—so much so that he can only stare dumbly as her once the memory passes.

Suddenly, her smile looks so familiar.

For all the pain, there was something equally precious there. He can't help feeling that he's intruded on it. ]

Ms. Kocho . . .

[wisterin]

Yes, Zenitsu-kun?

[ It's a little tiring, sharing all these memories, but she's open enough about her life, if only people ask. All the emotions that come up and recede put her through some paces, but she can still smile. ]

It's all right.

week 5, saturday post-trial

[swordflash]

[ After that terrible announcement, Zenitsu eventually makes his way to the aisle with bandages for his mangled eye. While he was dry for most of the trial, tearing up on the way has expedited the need for a dressing change. The preexisting dressing has gotten a little soggy on the inside; ordinarily he would've procrastinated, but right now having something to do is a small mercy.

He's in the process of unwinding the old dressing when he notices a familiar face in the distance. ]

Ms. Shinobu.

[wisterin]

[ She's still concerned over how Zenitsu retreated even more into himself during the trial. She hasn't forgotten, but the results of the trial weren't kind to many.

She holds her hands out. ]

Can I help you?

[ With the bandages, she means foremost, but also in general. ]

[swordflash]

[ He drops the old dressing, causing it to hang loosely from his head, and holds the new roll of bandages out to her with both hands and a small nod. If he dresses the wound alone, he'll just end up having to redo it. He's fortunate that Shinobu is here. ]

It's just for my eye.

[ His neck dressing is fine, and he refuses to even look at his torso.]