[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.
[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.
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.
[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?
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.
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.
[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.
[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.
[there's a soft hum at that as he looks to the ceiling]
Situations of stress often do... Humans endure quite a bit of abuse, and can be pushed to their limits.
I cannot say that I am accustomed to working very closely with alliances, even though I find them useful... but at the very least, I think people here are not entirely difficult to understand.
[or at least thinks alliances are less convenient for him - but higekiri just smiles at the confirmation, tilting his head]
I'll do my best not to hold you back.
But even so... thank you for being concerned for me. [he places a hand over his chest] I wonder if this is the feeling that humans would call gratitude.
Well, uh...you really helped us out back there. So I should actually be thanking you. I guess. [It kind of just got embarrassing, thanks.] Don't think of it as holding me back. I work fine either way.
[Contradictory, sure, but it's complicated.] I had people I worked with back home. They're two people I trust probably more than they think, but I still don't know what they'll really do until it's happening. Call it...relearning the art of teamwork. Or something.
Do you think so...? I did not understand everything that was happening - but at least expeditions are familiar to me.
[those are standard swordfare.... as for listening to the people that junpei trusts, he hums softly]
I understand. My brother must feel the same way, I think... He trusts me very much, even though sometimes I act without telling him. I think it takes a great amount of trust in order to rely on someone in such a way. I hope they will always fulfill your hopes.
It doesn't matter if you understood everything or not. You were probably the most calm out of all of us in there. [That counts for a lot.
The relationship between the brothers is one that he can understand fairly well. And he agrees, actually. It takes a lot of trust to rely on someone, but that's the scary part. "Always assume everyone you meet is a thief." Isn't that what he said not even that long ago? But here we are.
He'll keep that in his head though instead of saying it, but the expression on his face has slipped back to something a little melancholy instead.]
Mm, well... I'm rather sure I've been on enough battlefields that those sights weren't very distressing to me... I do worry about the woman.
[he means beck - because she clearly was the least equipped to deal with the demon and yet she got it anyway!! but regardless... he watches junpei's expression before just answering the question with a little nod of his head]
It would be remiss of me as an elder brother to not trust the younger brother who tries so hard for me, wouldn't it?
I do, too. [Like he'll flat-out confess that he's actually pretty worried about Beck because it's easier than telling Beck herself, apparently.] ...this wasn't the first time I've seen something like that, but she's led a pretty normal life so far. It almost felt intentional that she got the worst of it.
[But ah. Yeah. That would make sense.] He seems eager to please. If he's as capable as you are, then there shouldn't be a problem looking after him, too.
'Normal'... A civilian? I had thought that you would be one too... but in that case, it is all the more important to be cautious of her peace of mind. I would hate for her to grow haunted.
[humans are so fragile :( ]
I would appreciate it. We possess other comrades here... but perhaps this is what it means to be humanly selfish about wanting the best for my brother.
[That actually gets a quiet laugh.] I wouldn't really call myself a civilian anymore. But she is. I want to ease her mind as much as I can but...y'know. Without letting her know that. [Humans are fragile, he says, as if he isn't fragile himself.] Hopefully she can trust you in the future, too.
[Though the comrades...] Is it selfish to prioritize someone over other people even if you're on the same team? Not everyone is going to have the same relationship with you. [This is the wrong person to ask.] It makes sense.
It's easier that way. At least until we know what kind of ghosts or demons or whatever we're up against. [At the end of the day despite Junpei being cagey and trying to keep people at arm's length he still finds himself caring about the wellbeing of other people. Maybe that part never really went away even if these are all still essentially strangers.
Also who the fuck knows how to communicate? Not him.]
Were any of the others here a part of that team? Or was it just you and Hizamaru?
Hmm... I suppose so. I hope that you will tell her what is on your mind when it is important. I will do my best to look after her as well.
[but he also won't push any more than that - just an idle little suggestion from someone who barely knows how to be a person.]
Hiza - oh, yes. [he was reminded of his brother's name] My brother and I were the only ones on our team. The other swords present are... familiar. I've seen them before, and they are friends... but I do not know them very well.
[He'll consider it at least. Also lord, please remember your brother a little more often, Junpei will have to really consider nametags.]
Then it's even less selfish to want to look after and take care of you and your brother first. [Just a thought.] Until you really get to know people well, you don't exactly owe them anything. Have you talked to them much since we woke up here?
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[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.
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...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.
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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.
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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?
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[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.
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[...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.
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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]
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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.
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[he's so curious about this answer, but mostly he just looks amused]
Then please let me know if you ever need anything else from me, my ally.
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Not really. I'm not sure what you seem. [Not young and not old. Maybe just existing.] But the offer's appreciated.
[He looks at his feet again.] Pick your alliances carefully. Situations like these tend to bring out some ugly things in people.
[Not that he thinks Hige really needs to worry, but. It's sort of a way of saying he'd be really pissed if someone took advantage of him somehow.]
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Situations of stress often do... Humans endure quite a bit of abuse, and can be pushed to their limits.
I cannot say that I am accustomed to working very closely with alliances, even though I find them useful... but at the very least, I think people here are not entirely difficult to understand.
[but he's just
old]
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As long as you feel that way, then...guess it'll be okay. [Yeah nvm that sentence kind of pushed Hige into the old category but it's fine.]
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[or at least thinks alliances are less convenient for him - but higekiri just smiles at the confirmation, tilting his head]
I'll do my best not to hold you back.
But even so... thank you for being concerned for me. [he places a hand over his chest] I wonder if this is the feeling that humans would call gratitude.
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[Contradictory, sure, but it's complicated.] I had people I worked with back home. They're two people I trust probably more than they think, but I still don't know what they'll really do until it's happening. Call it...relearning the art of teamwork. Or something.
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[those are standard swordfare.... as for listening to the people that junpei trusts, he hums softly]
I understand. My brother must feel the same way, I think... He trusts me very much, even though sometimes I act without telling him. I think it takes a great amount of trust in order to rely on someone in such a way. I hope they will always fulfill your hopes.
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The relationship between the brothers is one that he can understand fairly well. And he agrees, actually. It takes a lot of trust to rely on someone, but that's the scary part. "Always assume everyone you meet is a thief." Isn't that what he said not even that long ago? But here we are.
He'll keep that in his head though instead of saying it, but the expression on his face has slipped back to something a little melancholy instead.]
You trust him just as much, don't you?
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[he means beck - because she clearly was the least equipped to deal with the demon and yet she got it anyway!! but regardless... he watches junpei's expression before just answering the question with a little nod of his head]
It would be remiss of me as an elder brother to not trust the younger brother who tries so hard for me, wouldn't it?
He is capable of great things.
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[But ah. Yeah. That would make sense.] He seems eager to please. If he's as capable as you are, then there shouldn't be a problem looking after him, too.
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[humans are so fragile :( ]
I would appreciate it. We possess other comrades here... but perhaps this is what it means to be humanly selfish about wanting the best for my brother.
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[Though the comrades...] Is it selfish to prioritize someone over other people even if you're on the same team? Not everyone is going to have the same relationship with you. [This is the wrong person to ask.] It makes sense.
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[???? just out of curiosity, because higekiri doesn't really understand why humans will hide things that might help them communicate.]
Perhaps so... I only worked with one team before, but we were given instructions to watch over them separately from our master.
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It's easier that way. At least until we know what kind of ghosts or demons or whatever we're up against. [At the end of the day despite Junpei being cagey and trying to keep people at arm's length he still finds himself caring about the wellbeing of other people. Maybe that part never really went away even if these are all still essentially strangers.
Also who the fuck knows how to communicate? Not him.]
Were any of the others here a part of that team? Or was it just you and Hizamaru?
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[but he also won't push any more than that - just an idle little suggestion from someone who barely knows how to be a person.]
Hiza - oh, yes. [he was reminded of his brother's name] My brother and I were the only ones on our team. The other swords present are... familiar. I've seen them before, and they are friends... but I do not know them very well.
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Then it's even less selfish to want to look after and take care of you and your brother first. [Just a thought.] Until you really get to know people well, you don't exactly owe them anything. Have you talked to them much since we woke up here?
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[higekiri buys into nakama pretty easily when it comes to swords, even though he doesn't know them very well? but]
Are you trying to give me advice? Is it like how you won't admit directly that you're worried about Beck?
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