[ The lull in the conversation this time stretches longer than usual. He gives Mutsu the same acute but slightly off-centre gaze that indicats he was thinking over what the other had said.
So, someone who was productive, humble and helpful... He isn't too sure that he could be that last one, especially since speaking with others was so difficult. But the first two, he can do. Hopefully. When they accept him for who he is and not who he was. ]
Mn... yes, I have.
[ But he doesn't look so sure about himself. Only the stronger tachis and older swords did. It seemed that his current style is much more forceful and accurate than what they were accustomed to. ]
Dotanuki-san, right? If ya wanna spar, ya should talk to him if ya haven't already. ( It sounds like a suggestion but. ) The Shinsengumi swords might be pretty good too.
( Is he trying to help Mitsutada make more friends, maybe? )
I'd be careful around Kane-san if I were ya though... ya know he likes to call me a dirty fighter? Ya should see him!
I'll introduce 'em to ya if ya haven't had a chance to talk to 'em already.
( And yet... Mutsu doesn't offer himself to spar with Mitsutada. He's heard rumors about this guy's style, you see, and it doesn't really sound like a style he'd do well with. Not that he's afraid of a challenge or anything of that nature because anyone who knows Mutsu knows that he's the type to give his all in any fight! But this flavor of Mitsutada might appreciate other opponents over him, hence, his suggestions. )
I'd offer but... I don't really do well in the practice hall.
( It's too open, too formal... Depending, Mitsutada may have seen Mutsu losing most of his more traditional duels in the practice hall but you don't become secretary if you're a loser, right? His fighting style was best displayed outside the hall, in a more non-traditional or, rather, realistic, environment with obstacles and scrappier situations. )
[ Seen, not met - because while he doesn't talk to most people, he still watches them, observing how they acted and spoke. Even without being told, he could understand much of the dynamics that went on in the Citadel, and unlike Horikawa he kept what he saw to himself.
So he knows. And he appreciates Mutsu telling him very much. ]
Thank you.
[ Though the most he would do is request duels politely. He didn't want to hurt his comrades because they can't keep up. ]
But you do very well in sorties, too. I think that is important.
( In his opinion. So what, he isn't that great in the training hall... he can carry himself in battle and keep his friends safe out there and that's what matters most. )
...
Hey... ( He isn't one to go talking about the old Mitsutada all of the time and he's still going to have this one choose his own path but... ) How's ya'r aim?
( Not with a sword but with a rifle. But he leaves the question a little vague and open just in case... )
[ How's his aim... there are quite a few ways that question could go, but he knows what Mutsu is hinting at. The other used a gun, unlike most of the other tsukumogami.
So his answer comes a little faster than usual, accompanied by a nod. ]
Enough to bring down a moving horse at full speed.
[ The bloodbath of Nagashino wasn't that long ago, for him. ]
( Even when he wins a fight, he thanks his opponent for showing him what more he could learn... )
Yeah, yeah! It's a li'l late right now to get things ready but... next time, Mitsutada-kun!
( He's excited now. I mean, look, worst case scenario, he was going to teach this guy how to fire a gun from the beginning all over again but this was even better. )
That gives ya some time to practice 'cos I'm not gonna go easy on ya.
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no subject
So, someone who was productive, humble and helpful... He isn't too sure that he could be that last one, especially since speaking with others was so difficult. But the first two, he can do. Hopefully. When they accept him for who he is and not who he was. ]
Mn... yes, I have.
[ But he doesn't look so sure about himself. Only the stronger tachis and older swords did. It seemed that his current style is much more forceful and accurate than what they were accustomed to. ]
no subject
( Is he trying to help Mitsutada make more friends, maybe? )
I'd be careful around Kane-san if I were ya though... ya know he likes to call me a dirty fighter? Ya should see him!
I'll introduce 'em to ya if ya haven't had a chance to talk to 'em already.
( And yet... Mutsu doesn't offer himself to spar with Mitsutada. He's heard rumors about this guy's style, you see, and it doesn't really sound like a style he'd do well with. Not that he's afraid of a challenge or anything of that nature because anyone who knows Mutsu knows that he's the type to give his all in any fight! But this flavor of Mitsutada might appreciate other opponents over him, hence, his suggestions. )
I'd offer but... I don't really do well in the practice hall.
( It's too open, too formal... Depending, Mitsutada may have seen Mutsu losing most of his more traditional duels in the practice hall but you don't become secretary if you're a loser, right? His fighting style was best displayed outside the hall, in a more non-traditional or, rather, realistic, environment with obstacles and scrappier situations. )
no subject
[ Seen, not met - because while he doesn't talk to most people, he still watches them, observing how they acted and spoke. Even without being told, he could understand much of the dynamics that went on in the Citadel, and unlike Horikawa he kept what he saw to himself.
So he knows. And he appreciates Mutsu telling him very much. ]
Thank you.
[ Though the most he would do is request duels politely. He didn't want to hurt his comrades because they can't keep up. ]
But you do very well in sorties, too. I think that is important.
no subject
( In his opinion. So what, he isn't that great in the training hall... he can carry himself in battle and keep his friends safe out there and that's what matters most. )
...
Hey... ( He isn't one to go talking about the old Mitsutada all of the time and he's still going to have this one choose his own path but... ) How's ya'r aim?
( Not with a sword but with a rifle. But he leaves the question a little vague and open just in case... )
no subject
So his answer comes a little faster than usual, accompanied by a nod. ]
Enough to bring down a moving horse at full speed.
[ The bloodbath of Nagashino wasn't that long ago, for him. ]
no subject
If ya want, we can practice together some time! ( "It's what we used to do." ) There aren't a lot of guys I can shoot with here.
If ya're good enough, I'll even let ya help me train the tantou and their troops with me.
no subject
Mm. When you have time, of course.
[ His speciality is in flintlock rifles, but he supposes he can learn too.
At least it made him useful. ]
no subject
Yeah, yeah! It's a li'l late right now to get things ready but... next time, Mitsutada-kun!
( He's excited now. I mean, look, worst case scenario, he was going to teach this guy how to fire a gun from the beginning all over again but this was even better. )
That gives ya some time to practice 'cos I'm not gonna go easy on ya.
no subject
Next time. [ He echoes the other's words after a short pause, punctuating it with a nod. ] I will look forward to it.
[ It's getting late, so he gets up from where he had been sitting. ]
I will be tidying up.
[ Indicating his intention to leave. If Mutsu had anything else to say, now would be the time. ]