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
[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]