feonixe | voicetesting ver 1.0

[ It did feel strange at times to him, to be so out of sync with everyone else. The Saniwa did try her best to explain to everyone what had happened, and that drew different responses from the other swords. Distaste from Hachisuka, who doubted his identity, and some measure of pity from the rest. The tantous (especially Gokotai) had varying degrees of apprehension at first, but they adjusted after he resumed doing what his previous self always did around the Citadel. While he did spend more time with Hasebe now, there was also some form of repair going on with regards to his relationship with his former best friend. As reticent as he is now, he is still very responsible - and that included picking up things that he had left undone.

He considers her question briefly before answering. ]

No. [ And then: ] Is it necessary?

[ Because as much as the others tried, he just didn't fit in. He had lost so much. ]

[Clearly her plan to speak to Hasebe will be a good one, but this is not something she can't observe from Mitsutada either. It might take longer, but it is best to get it from the source, anyway.

And she thinks, now that he is as he is, that despite him not knowing what he has lost and missed, the displacement may be making him unintentionally lonely. Even if he doesn't feel like he is.

She glances over to the other swords, some laughing, the older ones drinking. Mitsutada having none of that.]

It isn't necessary, it is up to you. But it could be interesting. Are you not into socialising like drinking?

[ The sword shakes his head a little at that, the response coming faster than usual. ]

No. I have seen that alcohol tends to cloud the mind. [ He seems to have completely missed the 'socializing' part of her question. ] I need to be on form all the time.

[ Because if one wasn't alert with the Demon King, he could cut you down in an instant. ]

[If it's a quick response? Other than the fact he's sure about his answer, she's also going to take it. Because that means he's a little more open to talking now.]

Ah, it does. It should be consumed only in moderation. Not that you have to! Since it is not a requirement when spending time with others.

[She glances up at him--] It is still admirable of you to want to be at your best all of the time. [At least that never changed, though he had a different take on it.]

I do not think it is admirable.

[ He doesn't smile, though his voice might have become a bit lighter. He lifts a hand, examining something on his fingers. ]

It is merely necessary. If we did not deliver our best, our master would destroy us in an instant.

[ And yet, he doesn't seem to be horrified by Nobunaga's behaviour. ]

How dutiful.

[She observes as he explains, wondering how he truly felt about it. Is it because it's something he knows, and hasn't known anything else?

It's still rather morbid.]

I am not sure how you feel here, but if you choose to relax, even just a little, you will not be destroyed.

[ That garners little response from him at first, as he weighs what to say carefully in his mind. ]

Possessing the ability to get away with neglecting one's duty is not a reason to do so.

[ Plus, if he did relax, he was bound to grow soft sooner or latter. And he can't let that happen. ]

[He's actually right, which is why she chuckles softly at first. Then stops because he's seriously about this.]

I agree that one must always put their all into working and their duty, it is also something I live by. But you are not on duty now, no? Life has balance. It puts things into perspective so that you can be stronger.

[Mitsutada of the future, though kind and easygoing, was far from soft. He must've learnt something along the way.]

Hm.

[ After a while, it's evident that that is all he is willing to express on the matter. While it is true that he could relax now, it's not something that he can do easily. He had to be on edge at all times with Nobunaga, and that kind of intense awareness is not easily unlearned.

And perhaps it is his only good point, now that he had lost supposedly what made him so approachable. ]

[If he didn't outright deny this fact, then at least she can hope he'll put it into consideration. Besides, these things take time. It's a good few hundred years between now and then.]

Aside from this, how have you been?

[She knows this is just one thing that is different, and there is much, much more.]</small.

[ She should be used to the pauses he takes before he replies - though it is not out of a lack of confidence, merely that he chooses each word carefully. ]

Fine. [ Since he isn't really sure if this qualified as 'great'. ] Everything is as normal.

[ Which seems to be the best he can say at the moment. ]

[She'll be for sure, since he's so measured now. Though with this answer, this relieves her. At least he's not too troubled.]

That is good, that you have been adapting best you can, with just everything happening at once.

[ Just everything happening at once... well, that is one way to put it.

And because he is curious (with no one around them), he asks a question in return. ]

You said you knew him. Is this why you speak to me?

[The million dollar question, really. Although her answer to it is much more simpler than even she would've thought. At least, she won't complicate things.]

Yes. But even if I did not know him before, I would still talk to you. You are one and the same. I am willing to get to know you all over again.

[ He's quiet for a while again, giving her the same acute but slightly off-centre gaze that indicated he was thinking. ]

Do you find me that interesting?

[ It's a neutral question, more than anything else. ]

[How to answer "I find you a lot more than just interesting" without being a complete embarrassment. She starts twisting the ends of her ponytail with her fingers, wondering how to reply.]

I do. How to say...both you now and you of the future, put your all into every path you head down. It's rather uplifting.

[ He makes a sound of acknowledgement, indicating that he has heard her answer but has nothing to reply with.

Even if he had, he would not have said it - because there is a cry from where the tantous were playing a game, and the ball comes sailing towards them while most of the Toushirous look on in varying degrees of horror. He draws in an instant, and there is a flash of silver -

- but no sound if the ball puncturing. Instead, it rebounds off the flat of his blade (almost too fast to see) and the tantous all cheer.

Atsu catches it, heralding a chorus of 'THANK YOU' before going back to their game. He sheathes his blade, but continues watching them. ]

[He did move faster than expected, because she could've caught the ball too. She didn't even have time to react to his reaction, but all was well, and the tantous were happy. She claps instead, impressed by his show of sportsmanship as he returned the ball in a rather flamboyant display.]

More things I also find interesting. That was nice.

I only did it by instinct.

[ While his expression doesn't change, he sounds a little less serious. Maybe just a little. ]

Have you not seen these things before?

Your instinct saved a ball and the tantous' game.

[She manages a smile before she stops clapping.]

What do you mean? Seeing your katana skills in action?

[ He appears to consider this for a moment. It isn't something he has thought of before, how he could do things other than kill. ]

Yes.

[She nods, it seems to be surprising for him. If anything, she feels like she's guiding someone who hasn't left the house in ages.]

Yes, I have seen it before. Well, not in battle, but in duels and practice. Your knife work in the kitchen is also impressive.

[ Knife work in the kitchen... ]

I see.

[ Is this a good thing? ]

[...Maybe he didn't get it. Yes, yes that must be it.]

A-ah, I meant that you are really good with cooking, and it shows in your blade work too.

Hm.

[ A pause, because conversation is hard for him too. ]

Do you have any advice?

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