[higekiri nods... because it's not like he disagrees. he's sworn to protect humanity, was regarded as the treasure of a samurai family for centuries. he's had more time to be in touch with humans than other swords, passed down through generations, and he's seen how they grow. he's seen how heroes are made, etched into legend with him at their side. they are rarely bloodless stories.
they are rarely stories made only of kindness.]
If I can think of something that I need - aside from my brother's continued existence at my side, I will let you know.
[he can manage that much but]
I will not blame you for protecting yourself in the ways that you need to. After all, you need to reunite with your comrades from home.... Do you want to tell me more about them? About what happened to you?
[if he's missing someone who naturally understands - then higekiri can at least offer to substitute that person in the ways that he can]
[He's not sure why, exactly, talking to Higekiri is weirdly calming but he doesn't feel placated and he isn't exactly offended that he's being prompted like he can be sometimes. He also feels better there's something of an agreement for an exchange. Despite everything, he still defaults to trying to help people even if he doesn't always understand how or why.]
Thanks. [The offer is still one he thinks he should and wouldn't mind taking, but...] I think I have a question for you before that. And maybe the answer will be different because of who you are, but I'd like to hear your thoughts anyway. If you had to choose between a mission and the person you cared about the most, which would you choose?
[ . . . . well, he hums softly at that, trying to think. it's not something he's had to consider before, a crossroads he's yet to encounter. he's been lucky, but it's a rare time where he feels a bit young.]
This body is still new to me... it's hard to imagine choosing anything besides the mission - even though I've seen the way that my comrades have suffered the pain in their hearts in order to complete what must be done.
But... my brother would likely not forgive me, if I were to abandon our mission to protect history and the humans in our charge. If I were to save him, if it would make him look at me differently than he does now...
[if it would compromise some of that overwhelming love, the adoration, the trust—]
... is it normal? To think that might ache just as badly as losing him? Is that selfish...?
[What an answer. He listens and he ends up thinking a wide range of things that fluctuate back and forward, an argument already forming to counter, but...
...but. Something about that also makes sense, because it's the same answer he was actually thinking of. There's an awkward sort of laugh, a hand running through his hair and his gaze drifting toward the ceiling in response.]
Yeah. Yeah, it's more than satisfactory. [He sounds half-baffled and half-relieved.] ...in our current history, it's the version of events where we didn't have to choose. That's why Carlos and I need to get back. I need to get back to her.
[...explain her, Junpei.] There's someone I would do anything for, even if there are things I'm sure she'll do and choose over me. But there's one timeline where it isn't like that, and that's the timeline we worked for. That's...my own mission, I guess. To put it in sword-terms.
[ . . . and higekiri nods. what do you do when your mission is a person? what do you do when your mission and what's right don't always align? he has yet to have to make that choice, but hearing junpei talk, he can't help but think that this human has suffered many more lifetimes worth than most others.
he offers up a smile]
... thank you for telling me. I would like to help you complete your mission as much as I can. It sounds important, and like something you've worked very hard for.
[A nod of agreement.] ...I spent a really long time trying to find her. I'm not losing her again. [But it's kind of nice to hear that.]
With the way things are now, all we can do is really start to watch people and make sure they're trying to work together. It's the only way we're going to get back, even if they're in, uh, sub-units? I guess. [...] What would really help me is helping me talk to people and learn more about them. If we can figure out what might be the connection between all of us and who might be working against us, that'll keep us ahead of whatever's coming next.
[said with some level of understanding - being separated from someone countless times, huh...?
well, he doesn't seem like he's going to mention much about it, given that junpei is moving on]
Mm, I can agree with that. It's easier to discern what people might do if you watch them closely enough. I'll try to be talking to um... Chuuya soon in order to get more answers as well.
...thanks. [He hopes so? That's his fiancée!! But he doesn't elaborate and they're moving on and maybe someday they'll talk about this again. As it is, Junpei has to think on that again.]
I've talked to everybody once or twice so far, some more than others. There are some that're harder to read, like Kagachi or Illumi. There are some that're keeping themselves scarce like Catra and Muzet and Monika. And there are some that are wildcards like Taako and Dimitri and Maou.
Hm... I don't know the people you mentioned being scarce - but I know the others at least fairly well, I think.
[higekiri.... has to pull out his clamshell to check in with the names that junpei said, nodding along before... seeming to go back to each person and being down to deliver a report here and now on them]
Kagachi may be hard to read, but he's rather open to talking if you ask questions in a steady enough rhythm. Everything he says implies that he has a very strong moral fiber, and is willing to do whatever it takes to help the people here. He doesn't have a great number of words, but the ones that he speaks seem to be truthful.
Illumi is an assassin, who was raised as an assassin and with no other desires in life. I believe he'll be motivated by the currency system, but he also reacts strongly when he's told that he's cared about. Even though he says he's not meant to have other desires, I believe he's not being very honest with himself about what he wants in the world.
Taako... I know him less, but he's rather happy to talk about himself. People like that... I think they must be rather self-focused, but there are probably some people or concepts he has loyalty to. For now, he's probably most interested in what would be the greatest benefit to himself, I think.
Maou seems like a storybook character - doesn't he? [higekiri actually pauses, extending one hand overhead and the other directly in front of him] The type that is scene in plays... I do not know much about him, but I do believe he might be doing his best to assist in the ways he knows how.
[and finally, dimitri -
he offers a soft smile, his expression fonder:]
As for Dimitri... I don't know if he's as much of a wildcard as you may think. He's very... sweet. If he becomes a problem or a danger to the people here, I will cut him down myself.
[Uh. What the fuck? THIS IS. A LOT. As Higekiri talks, Junpei's eyes grow progressively wider as he takes in all of that information. Parts of it are things he's noticed himself, but they're built on with Higekiri's accounts and create a better picture. It gives him ideas and a sense of direction, and it helps him decide what and who to prioritize when it comes to making sure people will cooperate.]
I. Wow. That was way more thorough than I expected, thanks. [He stops looking visibly shocked and manages to think everything over.] ....all of this is really good to know. It helps for whenever you talk to those people, so I'll keep it in mind.
[...now that he thinks about it maybe he shouldn't be so shocked Higekiri got these people to open up a little.] Call me impressed. Nice job.
[he crosses an arm over his chest and bends at the waist, bowing as if he's just finished giving a report]
Mm, thank you.
... Some of my orders in the past were based on observing others, making judgments, trying to discern their thoughts... Even if sometimes I do not know if I understand humanity enough in order to be able to do so here, let me know if there's any that I might be able to assist with.
I remain at a disadvantage with anything technological... but I can do my best with other facets.
[He's slowly starting to figure out how to talk to the genjis, at least, because it's similar to how Hizamaru replies when he asks questions.]
I can see why. Even for not really understanding everything about humanity that was a pretty good assessment. For now that should do it, but...I'd appreciate any help in the future.
Likewise, I can help with anything you don't know in this place. Technology-wise or anything. I've had plenty of practice. [...teamwork? Teamwork.]
It would appear so. [Higekiri even gets a smile for his troubles. Congrats, sorry this is a mess of a human.]
The only thing we really know to be true is the present. The future will be whatever we make it. [And there's some optimism there, too. ...with that...h shakes out his hands a little.]
Think we can postpone the next round of sparring? My knuckles could use the break.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
they are rarely stories made only of kindness.]
If I can think of something that I need - aside from my brother's continued existence at my side, I will let you know.
[he can manage that much but]
I will not blame you for protecting yourself in the ways that you need to. After all, you need to reunite with your comrades from home.... Do you want to tell me more about them? About what happened to you?
[if he's missing someone who naturally understands - then higekiri can at least offer to substitute that person in the ways that he can]
no subject
Thanks. [The offer is still one he thinks he should and wouldn't mind taking, but...] I think I have a question for you before that. And maybe the answer will be different because of who you are, but I'd like to hear your thoughts anyway. If you had to choose between a mission and the person you cared about the most, which would you choose?
[1/2]
This body is still new to me... it's hard to imagine choosing anything besides the mission - even though I've seen the way that my comrades have suffered the pain in their hearts in order to complete what must be done.
But... my brother would likely not forgive me, if I were to abandon our mission to protect history and the humans in our charge. If I were to save him, if it would make him look at me differently than he does now...
[if it would compromise some of that overwhelming love, the adoration, the trust—]
... is it normal? To think that might ache just as badly as losing him? Is that selfish...?
no subject
But perhaps I would simply prefer to look for a version of events in which I did not have to choose.
Is that answer satisfactory?
no subject
...but. Something about that also makes sense, because it's the same answer he was actually thinking of. There's an awkward sort of laugh, a hand running through his hair and his gaze drifting toward the ceiling in response.]
Yeah. Yeah, it's more than satisfactory. [He sounds half-baffled and half-relieved.] ...in our current history, it's the version of events where we didn't have to choose. That's why Carlos and I need to get back. I need to get back to her.
[...explain her, Junpei.] There's someone I would do anything for, even if there are things I'm sure she'll do and choose over me. But there's one timeline where it isn't like that, and that's the timeline we worked for. That's...my own mission, I guess. To put it in sword-terms.
no subject
he offers up a smile]
... thank you for telling me. I would like to help you complete your mission as much as I can. It sounds important, and like something you've worked very hard for.
no subject
With the way things are now, all we can do is really start to watch people and make sure they're trying to work together. It's the only way we're going to get back, even if they're in, uh, sub-units? I guess. [...] What would really help me is helping me talk to people and learn more about them. If we can figure out what might be the connection between all of us and who might be working against us, that'll keep us ahead of whatever's coming next.
no subject
[said with some level of understanding - being separated from someone countless times, huh...?
well, he doesn't seem like he's going to mention much about it, given that junpei is moving on]
Mm, I can agree with that. It's easier to discern what people might do if you watch them closely enough. I'll try to be talking to um... Chuuya soon in order to get more answers as well.
Who do you need to know more about?
no subject
I've talked to everybody once or twice so far, some more than others. There are some that're harder to read, like Kagachi or Illumi. There are some that're keeping themselves scarce like Catra and Muzet and Monika. And there are some that are wildcards like Taako and Dimitri and Maou.
But it's only been a week.
no subject
[higekiri.... has to pull out his clamshell to check in with the names that junpei said, nodding along before... seeming to go back to each person and being down to deliver a report here and now on them]
Kagachi may be hard to read, but he's rather open to talking if you ask questions in a steady enough rhythm. Everything he says implies that he has a very strong moral fiber, and is willing to do whatever it takes to help the people here. He doesn't have a great number of words, but the ones that he speaks seem to be truthful.
Illumi is an assassin, who was raised as an assassin and with no other desires in life. I believe he'll be motivated by the currency system, but he also reacts strongly when he's told that he's cared about. Even though he says he's not meant to have other desires, I believe he's not being very honest with himself about what he wants in the world.
Taako... I know him less, but he's rather happy to talk about himself. People like that... I think they must be rather self-focused, but there are probably some people or concepts he has loyalty to. For now, he's probably most interested in what would be the greatest benefit to himself, I think.
Maou seems like a storybook character - doesn't he? [higekiri actually pauses, extending one hand overhead and the other directly in front of him] The type that is scene in plays... I do not know much about him, but I do believe he might be doing his best to assist in the ways he knows how.
[and finally, dimitri -
he offers a soft smile, his expression fonder:]
As for Dimitri... I don't know if he's as much of a wildcard as you may think. He's very... sweet. If he becomes a problem or a danger to the people here, I will cut him down myself.
no subject
I. Wow. That was way more thorough than I expected, thanks. [He stops looking visibly shocked and manages to think everything over.] ....all of this is really good to know. It helps for whenever you talk to those people, so I'll keep it in mind.
[...now that he thinks about it maybe he shouldn't be so shocked Higekiri got these people to open up a little.] Call me impressed. Nice job.
no subject
Mm, thank you.
... Some of my orders in the past were based on observing others, making judgments, trying to discern their thoughts... Even if sometimes I do not know if I understand humanity enough in order to be able to do so here, let me know if there's any that I might be able to assist with.
I remain at a disadvantage with anything technological... but I can do my best with other facets.
no subject
I can see why. Even for not really understanding everything about humanity that was a pretty good assessment. For now that should do it, but...I'd appreciate any help in the future.
Likewise, I can help with anything you don't know in this place. Technology-wise or anything. I've had plenty of practice. [...teamwork? Teamwork.]
no subject
[he looks relieved at that at the very least]
I'll hope that our future goes as smoothly as it can.
no subject
The only thing we really know to be true is the present. The future will be whatever we make it. [And there's some optimism there, too. ...with that...h shakes out his hands a little.]
Think we can postpone the next round of sparring? My knuckles could use the break.