( It's a little out of character for him but he jumps when he hears someone addressing him and he spins around quickly to see who it is.
It isn't that he's never seen another spirit but he certain hasn't seen one for a very, very long time. He's certainly never seen one like Souza at first and he's taken aback by his colorful and complicated dress. It's almost enough to make him feel a little self-conscious about his own appearance but he hides it behind a bright smile, )
Ya can see me? ( That sure is an obvious Tosa accent now that he's not mumbling to himself, ) Heh heh, been awhile...
But that's right! ( And he's loud too. Despite being dusted in soot and worn in appearance, he's energetic as if he was new, ) 'S been a while... a lot's changed, gahaha!
( And that's exciting. How much has the world changed if even a city like Kyoto can transform like this? )
[Maybe... he should have made more of an effort to not startle the other spirit, but then again maybe it would have happened no matter how he approached him, if he was unused to seeing others who could, well, see him.
But it would seem that he bounced back quickly, already loud and energetic and excited about... well, it looked like everything, right now.
It kind of makes him feel old.]
I can... [There's Enthusiastic Tosa Babbling™, so Souza just lets him go, reaching out to at least gently pat soot from his hair and off of his clothes, not out of any offense, but... it has to be uncomfortable, right? And fretting over this new sword was... somewhat welcoming, wasn't it?]
Ah- what all has changed... for you?
[He's been here for entirely too long, so it's sure to be interesting hearing about Sudden Changes from what he knew.]
( He's surprised when Souza reaches to brush away the soot. It's been a long time since he's been touched and it feels a little strange again after so long. He doesn't mind and he recovers quickly enough, laughing a little shyly because next to Souza, he probably seems particularly messy. It's enough to make him brush at his sleeve a bit, shaking off some soot, )
This building for starters. ( He makes a show of looking around, turning on his heel and waving at the stone walls around them, ) Never would've seen a place like this back then.
( His voice echoes off the walls, )
... A lot quieter now than it was back then too.
( He could talk for hours-- days, weeks!-- about how much Kyoto's changed. From the sound of things, he'd be here for awhile. Whoever this guy is, they're going to be together for awhile so they might as well get introductions out of the way before things get too awkward, h a h )
Ya'll probably hear it from them sooner or later but, ( A quick tip of the head in greeting and a wink, ) I'm Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki, sword of Sakamoto Ryouma.
[It's not that he seems particularly messy - though the shy little reaction is certainly endearing - even next to him, as far as Souza is concerned, at any rate... just that he's covered in soot and still so... cheerful. It's a mystery to him, but also a story he's sure he'll here time and again, if it's of any relevance.]
You will... have to tell me of it sometime...
[Though he's more interested in the stories about the city. The sword before him is enamored. Excited, even, and that alone means he has a lot he's itching to tell.
It'll certainly make the nights less lonely.
But-! He... was also on to something. Introductions would be for the best, even if they'd hear about one another endlessly in years to come. Even if their only relevance - at this moment - was their former masters. It always did come back to them.
Though... he has only heard vaguely of Sakamoto, and paid little attention to what he was told, so the stories that were sure to come...
Well.
He could only hope Mutsu loved this Ryouma.
For his own introduction, he gives a slightly more formal bow and a melancholy half-smile.] Souza Samonji... symbol of conquerors at your service, Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki...
( Wondering if Mutsu loves Ryouma is like wondering if the sun will rise in the east. Like a father that has watched a precious son grow and like a son that has listened to his father's every word, Mutsu is absolutely enamored with his most famous master and his family. He knows he's fortunate in more ways than he count and that there are certainly other swords out there that were less treasured, less valued, and less cared for. In his day, when swords were going out of style, he'd seen many cast aside and left for the scrap heap and he'd experienced something similar only recently-- forgotten in an attic until he was rescued from a fire, hamon burned, signature hidden under scorched stains. But he doesn't resent those people, feeling only a bittersweet sadness and all that could have been that wasn't.
There's a slight shift in expression. The man in front of him is different from the wild and passionate swords Mutsu is accustomed too. There's something more subdued, something a little... sad? It's been years since he'd last seen another face and he wonders if he's lost his ability to read the air in all of that time. Centuries observing and listening to others, he'd once had a knack for understanding people the way his old master had but there's something now...
Mutsu brings himself down some. He's still bright under all of the ash but he attempts to adjust his energy so that he can be more in sync with this man. )
Hey, hey. ( He holds up his hands, waving away at Souza, ) None of this at your service stuff. If we're gonna be together for awhile then we should treat each other more like the same, right, right?( Like equals! Or at least, not as formally.
Symbol of conquerors, though? There's something that catches his attention. Surely, there's a story there. )
So you're a pretty famous guy, huh? That's why they brought ya here to this place. ( He'd heard the stories about this place-- one of the three imperial museums of the day. But he crosses his arms, thinking for a moment before inferring, ) Ya've been around a bit too, haven't ya?
( Sword of Conquerors sure does sound like someone who's been passed around a lot. )
[It'll be refreshing to hear of a master whose sword is excited to tell, hear, share his story. Not like him, with people chattering about his former masters, about the damage he'd sustained, about what admirable men they once were, men that he hated so.
No, better to focus on the bright sword of the more recent past, to hear the stories of what's become of the world in the time since he'd been put away for good.
Mutsu settles down a bit, though, and Souza falls all too easily back into fussing over him, fluffing more soot from his hair, and then off his shoulders and sleeves, still concerned for him, still marveling at how he can be so unbothered by the flame.]
Right, right...
[More fussing. Mutsu asks about him, though, and he pauses for several long seconds.]
I... suppose I am, yes... And... I have...
[Not as much as many others, but also more than he thought he should have been.]
( If it weren't for the fire, he'd still be in a storage room. Tucked away in the back, forgotten by people and lost to history. It was only from searching through the ruins for what could be salvaged that they found him again and he was worth saving. An old fashioned sword like him! Worth saving!
But this guy is fussing over him now and Mutsu reaches to grab one of Souza's hands, )
Hey. ( He's a direct guy and he's going to get right to the point here. ) 'S okay.
It looks worse than it was. ( The fire. ) Everything'll be okay.
( And even behind the soot and all the wear, he can see. He can see clearly ahead and he watches Souza carefully. He'd been a fire and he would be okay. But this guy keeps fretting and he has to ask, )
[Of course he was worth saving. Important pieces of history are always worth saving, even when they themselves are useless...
Ah, but that thought would be doing this bright young sword a disservice, wouldn't it? Projecting his own shortcomings on someone else like that would be too cruel, even for him.
He fusses. Mutsu grabs one of his hands, and Souza stops short, lets his other hand fall idly to his side and lets his shoulders relax when he reassures him that everything'll be okay.
Odd, that.]
Ah-... not... by you...
[Not by his scruffy, sooty appearance, not by his presence at all, really, but by memories not forgotten, but put carefully to the back of his mind, rushing back at the smell of smoke and the sight of soot on him. He'd burned - or if not him, then everything around him - and Souza, so long left alone, left to himself, can't quite keep himself from worrying.
( Not by him? Gee, he's half surprised! He knows how he can be and knows he can be troublesome and wouldn't it be awful if he ruined his first impression already? He tilts his head curiously to the side, trying to understand what could be bothering him, though. If not him then... is it the reason behind his appearance? The fire? He gives Souza's hand a firm, reassuring squeeze and laughs, )
Gahaha. ( He stands tall and proud, even in his condition, ) I don't look like much right now.
( He aware. He's very aware of how he looks. )
But back in Tosa, I was pretty famous. ( For being a beautiful sword. A family treasure. Something his family was proud to show off to the world. But he wont' mention all of that. It doesn't matter anymore when all of that is in the past. ) Ya'll see. It's amazing what people can do these days! I was listening to 'em talk about all the new technology they wanna try... I'll be good as new in no time. I'll show everyone.
[He could already tell this new sword would be loud and boisterous and troublesome, but... that was fine. More than fine. He'd bring some much needed life to the museum, truth be told, so while there were sure to be fumbles along the way, the initial impression was a good one.
But he couldn't help but worry. Even when Mutsu gives his hand a squeeze, even when he stands tall and proud and laughs. He has to worry. What if this - all this - was just a brave front put on through excitement of seeing somewhere new, of getting restored, of meeting someone for the first time in a long time.
If it was, then it was taking far more energy than his own fronting ever did, and it was impressive.
If it wasn't... well. He'd find out sooner or later, unless one of them was transferred out.]
Were you, now...? And... why are you not still in Tosa?
[Not that he's complaining about him being here, but... didn't Tosa have museums? Shrines? Surely there was somewhere closer he could have been taken, right?
But that didn't really matter in the end.]
Anyway... I'll look forward to it... Ah- and welcome, Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki...
(Mutsu never puts on a front without a reason. He's an honest sword! And right now, there's no one to protect or that he needs to be strong for so he can afford to be open with his emotions... which is being bright and casual as usual.
The question catches him off guard just slightly. He's not surprised that he's been asked and it's a valid question but he'd never really thought of it himself. He's quiet for a half second as he runs through his thoughts and memories. Why wasn't he in Tosa? How did he get all the way to Hokkaido?)
I dunno. (He really doesn't know.) Haven't been home in a long time, really... Don't really mind either.
(Which is a little sad. He misses it.)
... I’m closer here...
(Closer to Ryouma and even after all of these years, he can still feel his heart both swell with pride and twist with sadness. So maybe there is some fronting after all but not for the reasons Souza is necessarily thinking. The thing that hurts Mutsu the most isn't the fire but something older.)
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subjuggul8ion) wrote2016-09-24 12:17 am
no subject
It isn't that he's never seen another spirit but he certain hasn't seen one for a very, very long time. He's certainly never seen one like Souza at first and he's taken aback by his colorful and complicated dress. It's almost enough to make him feel a little self-conscious about his own appearance but he hides it behind a bright smile, )
Ya can see me? ( That sure is an obvious Tosa accent now that he's not mumbling to himself, ) Heh heh, been awhile...
But that's right! ( And he's loud too. Despite being dusted in soot and worn in appearance, he's energetic as if he was new, ) 'S been a while... a lot's changed, gahaha!
( And that's exciting. How much has the world changed if even a city like Kyoto can transform like this? )
no subject
But it would seem that he bounced back quickly, already loud and energetic and excited about... well, it looked like everything, right now.
It kind of makes him feel old.]
I can... [There's Enthusiastic Tosa Babbling™, so Souza just lets him go, reaching out to at least gently pat soot from his hair and off of his clothes, not out of any offense, but... it has to be uncomfortable, right? And fretting over this new sword was... somewhat welcoming, wasn't it?]
Ah- what all has changed... for you?
[He's been here for entirely too long, so it's sure to be interesting hearing about Sudden Changes from what he knew.]
no subject
This building for starters. ( He makes a show of looking around, turning on his heel and waving at the stone walls around them, ) Never would've seen a place like this back then.
( His voice echoes off the walls, )
... A lot quieter now than it was back then too.
( He could talk for hours-- days, weeks!-- about how much Kyoto's changed. From the sound of things, he'd be here for awhile. Whoever this guy is, they're going to be together for awhile so they might as well get introductions out of the way before things get too awkward, h a h )
Ya'll probably hear it from them sooner or later but, ( A quick tip of the head in greeting and a wink, ) I'm Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki, sword of Sakamoto Ryouma.
no subject
You will... have to tell me of it sometime...
[Though he's more interested in the stories about the city. The sword before him is enamored. Excited, even, and that alone means he has a lot he's itching to tell.
It'll certainly make the nights less lonely.
But-! He... was also on to something. Introductions would be for the best, even if they'd hear about one another endlessly in years to come. Even if their only relevance - at this moment - was their former masters. It always did come back to them.
Though... he has only heard vaguely of Sakamoto, and paid little attention to what he was told, so the stories that were sure to come...
Well.
He could only hope Mutsu loved this Ryouma.
For his own introduction, he gives a slightly more formal bow and a melancholy half-smile.] Souza Samonji... symbol of conquerors at your service, Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki...
no subject
There's a slight shift in expression. The man in front of him is different from the wild and passionate swords Mutsu is accustomed too. There's something more subdued, something a little... sad? It's been years since he'd last seen another face and he wonders if he's lost his ability to read the air in all of that time. Centuries observing and listening to others, he'd once had a knack for understanding people the way his old master had but there's something now...
Mutsu brings himself down some. He's still bright under all of the ash but he attempts to adjust his energy so that he can be more in sync with this man. )
Hey, hey. ( He holds up his hands, waving away at Souza, ) None of this at your service stuff. If we're gonna be together for awhile then we should treat each other more like the same, right, right?( Like equals! Or at least, not as formally.
Symbol of conquerors, though? There's something that catches his attention. Surely, there's a story there. )
So you're a pretty famous guy, huh? That's why they brought ya here to this place. ( He'd heard the stories about this place-- one of the three imperial museums of the day. But he crosses his arms, thinking for a moment before inferring, ) Ya've been around a bit too, haven't ya?
( Sword of Conquerors sure does sound like someone who's been passed around a lot. )
no subject
No, better to focus on the bright sword of the more recent past, to hear the stories of what's become of the world in the time since he'd been put away for good.
Mutsu settles down a bit, though, and Souza falls all too easily back into fussing over him, fluffing more soot from his hair, and then off his shoulders and sleeves, still concerned for him, still marveling at how he can be so unbothered by the flame.]
Right, right...
[More fussing. Mutsu asks about him, though, and he pauses for several long seconds.]
I... suppose I am, yes... And... I have...
[Not as much as many others, but also more than he thought he should have been.]
no subject
But this guy is fussing over him now and Mutsu reaches to grab one of Souza's hands, )
Hey. ( He's a direct guy and he's going to get right to the point here. ) 'S okay.
It looks worse than it was. ( The fire. ) Everything'll be okay.
( And even behind the soot and all the wear, he can see. He can see clearly ahead and he watches Souza carefully. He'd been a fire and he would be okay. But this guy keeps fretting and he has to ask, )
Are ya bothered?
no subject
Ah, but that thought would be doing this bright young sword a disservice, wouldn't it? Projecting his own shortcomings on someone else like that would be too cruel, even for him.
He fusses. Mutsu grabs one of his hands, and Souza stops short, lets his other hand fall idly to his side and lets his shoulders relax when he reassures him that everything'll be okay.
Odd, that.]
Ah-... not... by you...
[Not by his scruffy, sooty appearance, not by his presence at all, really, but by memories not forgotten, but put carefully to the back of his mind, rushing back at the smell of smoke and the sight of soot on him. He'd burned - or if not him, then everything around him - and Souza, so long left alone, left to himself, can't quite keep himself from worrying.
He holds on to that hand and doesn't let go.]
I... apologize...
no subject
Gahaha. ( He stands tall and proud, even in his condition, ) I don't look like much right now.
( He aware. He's very aware of how he looks. )
But back in Tosa, I was pretty famous. ( For being a beautiful sword. A family treasure. Something his family was proud to show off to the world. But he wont' mention all of that. It doesn't matter anymore when all of that is in the past. ) Ya'll see. It's amazing what people can do these days! I was listening to 'em talk about all the new technology they wanna try... I'll be good as new in no time. I'll show everyone.
no subject
But he couldn't help but worry. Even when Mutsu gives his hand a squeeze, even when he stands tall and proud and laughs. He has to worry. What if this - all this - was just a brave front put on through excitement of seeing somewhere new, of getting restored, of meeting someone for the first time in a long time.
If it was, then it was taking far more energy than his own fronting ever did, and it was impressive.
If it wasn't... well. He'd find out sooner or later, unless one of them was transferred out.]
Were you, now...? And... why are you not still in Tosa?
[Not that he's complaining about him being here, but... didn't Tosa have museums? Shrines? Surely there was somewhere closer he could have been taken, right?
But that didn't really matter in the end.]
Anyway... I'll look forward to it... Ah- and welcome, Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki...
no subject
The question catches him off guard just slightly. He's not surprised that he's been asked and it's a valid question but he'd never really thought of it himself. He's quiet for a half second as he runs through his thoughts and memories. Why wasn't he in Tosa? How did he get all the way to Hokkaido?)
I dunno. (He really doesn't know.) Haven't been home in a long time, really... Don't really mind either.
(Which is a little sad. He misses it.)
... I’m closer here...
(Closer to Ryouma and even after all of these years, he can still feel his heart both swell with pride and twist with sadness. So maybe there is some fronting after all but not for the reasons Souza is necessarily thinking. The thing that hurts Mutsu the most isn't the fire but something older.)