[ He is a tool meant for killing, after all. Why would anyone expect any less? ]
Why would you want to call me?
[ She is not his master, so he has little idea of what she would want with him. Admire his true form, maybe, but objects do not need to be named to be indicated.
Basically, this one has a harder time grasping the implications of being sentient than the other. ]
[And with that, she knows he's also definitely a freshly sentient being. Someone who still considers himself an item rather than something with emotion.
Saniwa, it would've helped if you just told her! But it's too late to say that now, and she has to go through this calmly and neatly. Also how is she meant to answer this. Technically, to him, they've only just met.]
Because why not? It is the start of getting to know each other.
[ He is quiet for a while more, thinking about her words. 'Why not' is not all that convincing a reason, because it makes little sense to him and is not part of his duty - but then again, his master often did things with seemingly no rhyme or reason. As his sword, perhaps he should emulate that as well. ]
You can call me the nameless one.
[ He supposes it works, because that's what he is. He doubts that there are other unnamed swords here, because other masters often jumped at a chance to name their blades.
[There's no reason needed, it's much simpler than that. It is only just because, and not of why. But he doesn't know that yet when his life is still about duty.
She's beginning to see now how much of an impact the changes in is life made.]
Nameless One. [It's a little sad, actually. He doesn't really pride himself on his name in the future, but it's something he has, and he selects the other part of his name, Mitsutada, and uses it willingly. Right now, it's like he didn't really make his own decisions.
At least he's humble.]
If that is what you choose, then that is what I will call you. [It will take some time getting used to it, though.]
[ That seems to satisfy whatever human naming convention there is - it's a little ironic, actually, that his name describes the fact that he has no name - but he supposes it is another one of the paradoxes of sentience. Something that he does not see the need to give too much thought towards. ]
Is that all?
[ This is not said with impatience. Rather, he really is asking if there is something else he should do before excusing himself.
[That seemed to be fine so far, but it solves nothing else. She wonders if she should accompany him when it comes to meeting the other swords, having them see that this was not the sword they knew, but she knows it is not her place.]
That is all for now.
[It is best to give him some time to take in what is happening to him.]
[ There really doesn't seem to be any need to continue, so he just offers her a nod and leaves.
And the days went by. Even if this is a younger version of Mitsutada, there are still some traits that he shared with his future self. For one, he fell into the rhythm of work easily - watching the others intently as they did internal affairs, then picking up the same skills on the fly through his detailed observations. He too, is very careful, and soon he began to take on the same housekeeping role as he did previously. Quietly clearing things that others missed, waking up early to train when others might have lain in for a bit longer.
But there are differences, of course. For one, he never participated in social gatherings anymore, merely watching from the edge or in a corner. And his fighting style has also changed as well - more precise, more forceful, more deadly.
Some swords avoided him, some did not. But he doesn't seem to mind nor care.
It's another day off in the Citadel, and most of the swords are gathered in the courtyard for some social time. His previous self would have joined them all in the circle lot by a campfire, but now he only watches - leaning against the wall next to the screen door with an unreadable expression. ]
[She wasn't sure if she should go see him so soon. There must be a lot for him to take in, finding out that all this time his friends were with another version of him. Or, did they tell him at all? She wouldn't be sure. Perhaps she should speak to Hasebe about this. Ookurikara would not be able to help her now, but she did wonder about his condition. This is the Mitsutada that only those of Oda's regime knew.
The less she thought about it, the better, and she sucked it up and went to visit. It was explained to her that it was their day off, so they were spending it outside by a campfire. However, when she arrived, she saw that Mitsutada was all alone, just next to the door. He was the same as she remembered, just some days ago.
[ He has given thought about that 'other self' of his - strange to know that you somehow had amnesia and forgot a good two-thirds of his life, but he had little desire to become what he could have been. What mattered most was the present, and he would fulfil his duty with what he had on hand.
When she calls out to him, there is still a two-second pause before he responds. ]
You called for me?
[ Quiet, but still with that strong confidence he had before. ]
[No time like the present, as many would say. Even if in his case, it was special. He seems so withdrawn, none of that carefree will. Nor did he try, or think to try.
And it was the same silent attitude he gave her, that almost reminded her, just a little bit, of Ookurikara. But then he spoke.
For a moment, she remembered him as he was, or will be. Strong and confident. He's just a little quiet. But it's still the same Mitsutada.]
I did, it is good to see you again. Are you going to join in?
[ 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.]
[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.]
[ 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. ]
[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.
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no subject
Why would you want to call me?
[ She is not his master, so he has little idea of what she would want with him. Admire his true form, maybe, but objects do not need to be named to be indicated.
Basically, this one has a harder time grasping the implications of being sentient than the other. ]
no subject
Saniwa, it would've helped if you just told her! But it's too late to say that now, and she has to go through this calmly and neatly. Also how is she meant to answer this. Technically, to him, they've only just met.]
Because why not? It is the start of getting to know each other.
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You can call me the nameless one.
[ He supposes it works, because that's what he is. He doubts that there are other unnamed swords here, because other masters often jumped at a chance to name their blades.
The Demon King didn't. ]
no subject
She's beginning to see now how much of an impact the changes in is life made.]
Nameless One. [It's a little sad, actually. He doesn't really pride himself on his name in the future, but it's something he has, and he selects the other part of his name, Mitsutada, and uses it willingly. Right now, it's like he didn't really make his own decisions.
At least he's humble.]
If that is what you choose, then that is what I will call you. [It will take some time getting used to it, though.]
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Is that all?
[ This is not said with impatience. Rather, he really is asking if there is something else he should do before excusing himself.
Humans really are strange. ]
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That is all for now.
[It is best to give him some time to take in what is happening to him.]
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And the days went by. Even if this is a younger version of Mitsutada, there are still some traits that he shared with his future self. For one, he fell into the rhythm of work easily - watching the others intently as they did internal affairs, then picking up the same skills on the fly through his detailed observations. He too, is very careful, and soon he began to take on the same housekeeping role as he did previously. Quietly clearing things that others missed, waking up early to train when others might have lain in for a bit longer.
But there are differences, of course. For one, he never participated in social gatherings anymore, merely watching from the edge or in a corner. And his fighting style has also changed as well - more precise, more forceful, more deadly.
Some swords avoided him, some did not. But he doesn't seem to mind nor care.
It's another day off in the Citadel, and most of the swords are gathered in the courtyard for some social time. His previous self would have joined them all in the circle lot by a campfire, but now he only watches - leaning against the wall next to the screen door with an unreadable expression. ]
no subject
The less she thought about it, the better, and she sucked it up and went to visit. It was explained to her that it was their day off, so they were spending it outside by a campfire. However, when she arrived, she saw that Mitsutada was all alone, just next to the door. He was the same as she remembered, just some days ago.
She approaches.]
Hello, Nameless One.
I lied about sleeping
When she calls out to him, there is still a two-second pause before he responds. ]
You called for me?
[ Quiet, but still with that strong confidence he had before. ]
WELL NOW
And it was the same silent attitude he gave her, that almost reminded her, just a little bit, of Ookurikara. But then he spoke.
For a moment, she remembered him as he was, or will be. Strong and confident. He's just a little quiet. But it's still the same Mitsutada.]
I did, it is good to see you again. Are you going to join in?
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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?
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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. ]
no subject
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.]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
[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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.]
no subject
[ 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. ]
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Aside from this, how have you been?
[She knows this is just one thing that is different, and there is much, much more.]</small.
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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. ]
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That is good, that you have been adapting best you can, with just everything happening at once.
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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?
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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.
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Do you find me that interesting?
[ It's a neutral question, more than anything else. ]
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