HIGEKIRI;

[crashout]

Comments

W0, SUNDAY;

[crashout]

[It's probably a few hours later. It's a few hours after they've all spoken to other people and even though Junpei still has a lingering scent of alcohol he seems more sober.

His hair's also wet, so it looks like he actually showered as well. But after the events of the last few hours he finds he isn't in any better of a mood or state of mind. Sleeping's out of the question, and he's not going to go bother Carlos, so...he does what he does best. He grabs his clamshell and begins to wander the hotel. Walking will maybe help organize his thoughts and maybe find some answers.

Instead, he finds Higekiri sitting in the hallway reading his own clamshell.]

...the lounge is probably more comfortable if you're looking to sit.

[banzais]

[Higekiri looks up at someone approaching, and gives Junpei the same easy smile.]

Here is fine - I don't particularly care.

[but he appreciates the thought!!]

I'm glad you showered. [he pretty much immediately did the same thing and his hair is now only slightly damp] Are you feeling any better? You said you were fine, but your expression suggested otherwise.

[please let a human live, higekiri]

[crashout]

[Ah. There's a surprised sort of blink before he unsteadily folds his legs under him to have a sit in the hall, too.]

And what else did my expression suggest? [This answers nothing, but he's wondering if he needs to up his game a little.]

[banzais]

You were unhappy enough to throw a sex device at the door.

[like you don't go from that to Just Fine all that easily?? and hige's seen how junpei gets frustrated at things before]

But it's not as though you could be blamed, you know? That type of situation would be difficult for any human. You did well in the circumstances you were put in, I think.

[crashout]

That? I had some energy to spend. [Haha. No. He's staring down the hallway instead.]

It's not about blame, it's about getting the most answers with the least amount of damage. Beck wasn't prepared for any of that. I should have known better about that, at least. [But...] You're not really suggesting the situation would be any better for you, are you?

[He's not arguing, he's interested in the thought process of this sword.]

[banzais]

I'm a tool to kill people, you know...? I'm also over a thousand years old. Even if I don't remember all of it... I'm more familiar with death than most people here, I think.

[it's why he probably doesn't seem fazed in comparison to junpei and beck. he's just old, and he's not that affected]

And even though I think you're impulsive... you brought up my only concern I could've had yourself.

[and he offers up a smile - because he definitely was going to mention beck if he thought that junpei was ready to hear it, but junpei beat him to it!]

You're very self-aware.

[crashout]

[He makes a face at being called impulsive even though he definitely still is, but there's silence again. The smile helps, even if it isn't returned, and the observation is interesting enough.]

...the only thing we can really know for certain is ourselves, and even that can be questionable. Even if you don't remember everything, you remember who you are and how you'll respond in situations like this. Beck has told me a little about herself. Enough to know this was too much for her.

Meanwhile, I've had a lot of practice.

[banzais]

[higekiri nods at that before tilting his head]

Are you more accustomed to working alone? Or is there more that's bothering you, that made you feel like you had to act immediately?

[he pauses for a moment before adding - ]

I've been told that at times, my questions cross boundaries for humans. You're free to tell me if they become unwelcome.

[but that's also a heads up that he'll probably ask anyway]

[crashout]

You haven't spent a lot of time around humanity, right? One of the others told me that outside of your saniwa you don't see humans very much.

[That's not really an answer, but also he gets the curiosity even if he doesn't like it much.]

Anyway. You can't tell me you'd want to stay here if you had an idea how to leave, can you?

[banzais]

[higekiri looks at junpei for a moment... before laughing a little bit to himself. ah, his question was redirected. he noticed, but it doesn't look like he minds]

I didn't really have anywhere pressing to be, as my last mission had concluded... Being around this many humans is interesting.

But each of you have your own business, and your own concerns. Of course you would want to depart.

[in truth, higekiri really isn't the type of sword to ask about that thing... he's the most easy-going, honestly]

[crashout]

Surprisingly, most humans aren't used to being called away against their will to somewhere unexpected. Pretty sure most people are still pissed and confused.

[...he isn't entirely sure why, but...somehow he feels like maybe a more elaborate answer is in order.]

I had another game like this one to finish. I'm not sure how it ends yet.

[banzais]

[higekiri nods along - it adds up with what he's seen regarding humanity, and he doesn't blame anyone for their feelings. even though he hasn't experienced those emotions himself... it's interesting to see what others feel]

Ah, is that so...

You must be quite frustrated indeed. Do your comrades from your previous game need you?

[crashout]

Yeah. [He doesn't hesitate on that unlike some of his other answers.] ...one of them is actually here. But there are a few other reasons I need to get back to where I was. I wasn't supposed to come here.

[banzais]

[higekiri nods at that]

Mm, I understand.

[and then automatically, as if it's the most natural thing in the world:]

Then I will do my best to help you return as soon as possible.

[crashout]

[Higekiri??]

...and what about you? [Please think of yourself like the rest of the selfish humans of the world.]

[banzais]

Hmm... I would like to go home at some point - but I do not mind new things either. I like when things are lively!

Our master would send us on missions that could last decades... so a bit of time away doesn't matter very much to me.

[a beat]

I aim to send you all home before decades pass.

[crashout]

...a noble goal. [He doesn't know what to say. How do people just...volunteer to do that in situations like this? Maybe it's because Higekiri isn't human.]

What kind of missions would last so long?

[banzais]

Hmm... Ones where we need to observe humanity.

[there's a slightly apologetic tint to his smile - an acknowledgement that it's not the entire story, but... well, he thinks that it's actually the most important part of it]

But when you've lived for over a thousand years... I do not think that it is very much time at all. I enjoy my missions, just as I enjoy small moments like this.

[a gesture between the two of them, and he tilts his head]

Recently, I have found myself very happy to simply exist.

[crashout]

[He doesn't mind the lack of an entire story. He understands what that's like. It's...sort of a sweet sentiment, if he allows himself to think about that. Being happy to simply exist sounds nice. Is that possible?]

...humanity, sometimes, isn't the best thing to observe. [It's a slow sentence, but firm.] But every now and then there are some examples of goodness left. Maybe things would be easier if more people approached it that way.

[banzais]

[there's a brief little laugh at that]

Mm... No one enjoys the loss that comes with war, the hardships that come with battle... but I think I heard recently that 'it is the sad moments that shape us'.

[the words sound foreign on his tongue - and it's clear that he's still trying to wrestle with how much he believes in it... but]

Even so - I think that as a whole, I enjoy humanity. No matter how old I am, I can still be surprised.

[crashout]

[It's interesting to see what, exactly, Higekiri's picked up and what he's trying to commit to. That much he can admit, and he turns to look at him from the corner of his eye.]

True enough. [Begrudgingly. He can't deny it either.] You must have met a lot of different people here then. Have you pledged allegiance to them, too?

[banzais]

Allegiance...?

[he sounds curious at the word before laughing]

I don't have a master here - but I have my younger brother. I believe that he would be happiest if we worked in tandem with each other. I have found an ally who is a Watcher, and carries a large scythe. As well as a teammate who knows about technology, and wants to protect people.

I would also like to hope that you and I can get along well!

But... I do not know if I have an allegiance - besides that to my duty to protect as many humans as possible, and carry out this new mission I have found for myself.

[crashout]

Hizamaru. [Just saying it.] And Kagachi. And Dick, I think. [Those descriptions sound right, and he doesn't think that Higekiri can confirm but Junpei pulls out his clamshell to find the profiles of those three.] These guys, right?

[...but ah.] Alliance then. Most people wouldn't jump into them right away, but with what just happened we might not have a choice. [...] I wouldn't mind working with you if you can trust what I'm doing here.

[banzais]

[oh! higekiri nods his confirmation - yup, those are the people he was talking about]

Hmm... You wish to go home - as long as you do not intend to do harm to others in order to accomplish that, then I don't see a reason not to work with you. And given that you were concerned over that woman...

[he nods again - that demonstrates enough of a conscience that higekiri can accept it]

I enjoy having allies. I'm happy to help you with whatever you need - my only request is that you look after my younger brother when possible.

[not higekiri, but hizamaru]

[crashout]

[Like. Haha. He can't really promise that until he knows what kind of game they're playing, but simultaneously...he doesn't really intend to do damage, no. They're all stuck and it's terrible. His morals are still sort of there.]

Like I said. Beck wasn't prepared and that was something I should have thought about. [So...no. Harm unintended.] Consider us allies then until further notice. [...]

I'll do what I can for Hizamaru, too. He's capable, but he seems...I don't know. Young. [Says the 22 year old about a 1000+ year old sword.] I'm not interested in seeing something bad happen to him either.