[ The sword is different. Even though he bears the same visage as the Mitsutada who had died, he had both his eyes intact. And they were purple, too - a very sharp purple, like clear tinted glass, with a light that could have almost been icy. And he holds himself differently, standing at attention, as if poised to strike at any moment.
When Horikawa speaks, his attention is on the smaller sword in an instant. ]
[He's the only one here, Horikawa is sure that they're both well aware. But he doesn't comment upon the obvious. Based on his response, it must be him, even if his bearing seems quite different. There had been no word of an entirely new blade joining their number.
So he steps closer, carrying himself in a manner that might strike as cautious, halting a short distance away]
You're different from when I saw you last.
[He states this plainly, uncertain how many others may have done the same. Better to be honest than cause a misunderstanding while trying to avoid an uncomfortable subject, or spare confusion]
So I wasn't entirely sure if you'd answer to that name or not.
[No name... It's a strange thought, to be certain.
They could be drawn from any point in time, Horikawa supposes. He doesn't entirely know how the Saniwa's power works, but for Mitsutada not to remember his history is strange. Honebami had lost his memory, but it hadn't changed his form - and wasn't the result of destruction.
[ Horikawa receives nothing in reply at first, merely an unreadable but vaguely distant gaze. It is a lot to take in, being told by the Saniwa that he had been someone else but without several centuries worth of memories - but he has decided that the man who had died was not him, at least not the same version of him. He was what could have been, now brought into reality by a twist of time and fate.
But even if they are different people, he can still understand the concept of loss. ]
I see.
[ His voice is quiet, but not meek. ]
Then, I apologize on his behalf for his incompetence.
[ Which is, in a way, his own incompetence. It is still unsettling, because it brings into question the possiblity of himself becoming soft. Away from the Demon King's strict expectations, it seems he can still falter. ]
[At first his only reply is a bewildered, stricken look on his face. Had Horikawa expected any sort of answer, it would have been one with regards to his personal failing as an ally. Not...not this.
It's so jarring that he only recovers after a delay, a frown tugging at his lips.
What he's said just now... that's not right at all]
Mitsutada-san fought valiantly alongside his allies, he wasn't incompetent.
[Though Horikawa does tell at maintaining his composure in most circumstances, forces himself to do so, he can't help but be offended on behalf of his fallen friend. That anyone could discount his efforts, especially someone who is him in a way... Well, it gets under his skin.
How strange, he only understands that turn of phrase now]
That's not true. If it were that way, we wouldn't be sent into battle together.
[They were a team. Were it possible for any one of them to do everything alone, that would surely be more efficient. But that wasn't how it worked. Their numbers were smaller than those of their opponents, but they were numbers nevertheless]
We- I failed to cover him when he needed it. There's no way to call that his mistake.
[He forces the words past the lump in his throat, and his lips set in a grim line afterward. In combat they were teamed up for a reason, because no one was infallible. No one was capable of halting the enemy alone.
But he hadn't been able to help, not when it mattered most]
Do you mean to suggest that any one blade can fell an army of foes alone?
[Horikawa fails to see how anyone can consider that remotely possible, much less realistic. He understands devotion to one's master, and he knows what it is to relate more strongly to that one person's mindset than any other, but...
Surely, the defeat of a comrade who was fighting just as hard as the rest of them isn't a shortcoming on his part alone.
[ He doesn't make a move to change his posture, but his voice already does a good job of conveying his belief. But he had never been vocal, especially after just a few days - so there is still a long pause before he continues. ]
Whatever he was supposed to do, he did not finish it. That is all that matters.
But in a way, that's the implication. He didn't finish, and you consider that a failure.
[For his part, Horikawa stands a little straighter. His posture generally isn't lacking, but for some reason he feels the need to correct it, just now]
The results aren't everything. The manner with which he defended his allies holds meaning too.
We've long outlasted our masters, I'm sure you're aware of that.
[And the weight of that statement doesn't escape him, but he feels it needs to be said. Their former owners are an intrinsic part of them and will always have a lasting influence...but they are gone]
If nothing else, it's in poor taste to disparage the dead... Even if it's another version of yourself.
[Horikawa doubts they're going to agree about the manner of Mitsutada's death, but there are certain courtesies even a difference of opinion ought to observe]
You've both called him incompetent and claimed he slacked in his duties.
[Horikawa may not be the sharpest blade, but he's not one to let his allies be spoken of in such a way.
They're his comrades and for that, he won't stand for any belittlement]
And since you weren't there to see what happened, I don't believe you can assert either as truth. He fought alongside us bravely, and it's because of him that the rest of us are here and whole. I count none of that as failure on his part.
[On his own for not being able to do the same in return? Yes. But he sees no way to fault Mitsutada in this]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
When Horikawa speaks, his attention is on the smaller sword in an instant. ]
Are you asking for me?
[ The way he says it is as if he isn't sure. ]
You used my family name.
no subject
So he steps closer, carrying himself in a manner that might strike as cautious, halting a short distance away]
You're different from when I saw you last.
[He states this plainly, uncertain how many others may have done the same. Better to be honest than cause a misunderstanding while trying to avoid an uncomfortable subject, or spare confusion]
So I wasn't entirely sure if you'd answer to that name or not.
no subject
I have no name.
[ He pauses to consider his family name, but sets it aside. ]
The saniwa told me. You knew someone who was me... but older. Is that right?
[ If it isn't already evident from his eyes, there is also the Oda crest sewn into his vest. ]
no subject
They could be drawn from any point in time, Horikawa supposes. He doesn't entirely know how the Saniwa's power works, but for Mitsutada not to remember his history is strange. Honebami had lost his memory, but it hadn't changed his form - and wasn't the result of destruction.
Could this change be because of that?
That's notionally unsettling, to say the least]
It would appear that way, at least.
[Despite that, it's still hard to admit]
no subject
My master was Oda Nobunaga.
[ That was the only other piece of information that he could offer Horikawa, since the other already knew he was from the Osafune school. ]
I am not the other man you knew. [ Stating the obvious a little here, but he feels it necessary to stress this. ] He was from a different time.
no subject
Perhaps it will always be difficult to look him in the eye. The sense of accountability looms over him all the more as moments pass]
You're the same blade. But I understand your memories and experiences are different.
[That's the best means by which he can state his understanding, clasping his hands behind himself as he concludes]
I was among those present, when you fell.
[He may be different now, but Horikawa feels he has the right to know]
no subject
But even if they are different people, he can still understand the concept of loss. ]
I see.
[ His voice is quiet, but not meek. ]
Then, I apologize on his behalf for his incompetence.
[ Which is, in a way, his own incompetence. It is still unsettling, because it brings into question the possiblity of himself becoming soft. Away from the Demon King's strict expectations, it seems he can still falter. ]
no subject
It's so jarring that he only recovers after a delay, a frown tugging at his lips.
What he's said just now... that's not right at all]
Mitsutada-san fought valiantly alongside his allies, he wasn't incompetent.
[Though Horikawa does tell at maintaining his composure in most circumstances, forces himself to do so, he can't help but be offended on behalf of his fallen friend. That anyone could discount his efforts, especially someone who is him in a way... Well, it gets under his skin.
How strange, he only understands that turn of phrase now]
no subject
If he was not incompetent, he would not have died.
[ That was what his master said, wasn't it? Those who could not move forward had no value, and worthless things would be crushed by the tide of time.
Worthless.
If his previous self could not fulfil what was necessary of him, then it would only stand within reason that he pay a price for that failure. ]
I do not intend to repeat his mistakes.
no subject
[They were a team. Were it possible for any one of them to do everything alone, that would surely be more efficient. But that wasn't how it worked. Their numbers were smaller than those of their opponents, but they were numbers nevertheless]
We- I failed to cover him when he needed it. There's no way to call that his mistake.
[He forces the words past the lump in his throat, and his lips set in a grim line afterward. In combat they were teamed up for a reason, because no one was infallible. No one was capable of halting the enemy alone.
But he hadn't been able to help, not when it mattered most]
no subject
Do not be so quick to pin blame on yourself. He was a man of the Oda, before he as a man of the Date. And he has forgotten what our master told him.
[ Those who were not perfect would be worthless. ]
The Demon King does not give mercy to those who allow themselves to slack on their duties.
no subject
[Horikawa fails to see how anyone can consider that remotely possible, much less realistic. He understands devotion to one's master, and he knows what it is to relate more strongly to that one person's mindset than any other, but...
Surely, the defeat of a comrade who was fighting just as hard as the rest of them isn't a shortcoming on his part alone.
That's just...wrong]
no subject
[ He doesn't make a move to change his posture, but his voice already does a good job of conveying his belief. But he had never been vocal, especially after just a few days - so there is still a long pause before he continues. ]
Whatever he was supposed to do, he did not finish it. That is all that matters.
no subject
[For his part, Horikawa stands a little straighter. His posture generally isn't lacking, but for some reason he feels the need to correct it, just now]
The results aren't everything. The manner with which he defended his allies holds meaning too.
no subject
Well, have him tell that to Nobunaga-sama.
[ The Demon King never took that sort of excuses. ]
no subject
[And the weight of that statement doesn't escape him, but he feels it needs to be said. Their former owners are an intrinsic part of them and will always have a lasting influence...but they are gone]
If nothing else, it's in poor taste to disparage the dead... Even if it's another version of yourself.
[Horikawa doubts they're going to agree about the manner of Mitsutada's death, but there are certain courtesies even a difference of opinion ought to observe]
no subject
[ His expression darkens, and he folds his arms - though not in an outrightly aggressive way. ]
That was no disparagement. I was merely stating the truth.
[ With that, he falls silent, indicating that he had little else to say. ]
no subject
[Horikawa may not be the sharpest blade, but he's not one to let his allies be spoken of in such a way.
They're his comrades and for that, he won't stand for any belittlement]
And since you weren't there to see what happened, I don't believe you can assert either as truth. He fought alongside us bravely, and it's because of him that the rest of us are here and whole. I count none of that as failure on his part.
[On his own for not being able to do the same in return? Yes. But he sees no way to fault Mitsutada in this]
wow he's such an ass i'm so sorry
Nameless finds little obligation to elaborate nor accept. ]
it's all good
[Suggesting that someone will outgrow this attitude since he has once before? Yes, Horikawa is certainly doing that.
And aware this conversation has reached its limits, he turns to take his leave]
Should you find yourself with laundry that needs attending to, it's much easier if you leave it close to the door.
[He may not like the new attitude, but he'll forever remain a team player. Besides, he owes at least that much to the ally he lost today]