[A SOFT LITTLE MURDERER... Uwah equally soft though. D's presence is somehow quite soothing, which is why he feels much more comfortable approaching him quickly about this very important matter.]
Thank you. [Said sincerely... He wastes no time, though, shifting to face D more fully and letting him hold his paw.]
You have heard what the Reapers said about erased teammates, correct? That even if a team wins, it doesn't guarantee the return of their erased partners... And that the cost of returning one is quite high.
[Oh dear, just as he feared. This does not surprise him. If one of the teammates happened to be a pet from his shop, even T-chan, he would likely do the same.
He gives Matsui's hand a reassuring squeeze, gentle.]
Very well. You may ask.
[Time to steal two historical swords from the aniwa...............hehheh.]
ALSO STOP DON'T STEAL THEM WHAT IF BUZEN DEPARTICLES HIS STATE OF REALITY IS TOO FRAGILE!!!
In any case, Matsui's request is fucking depressing because he's a depressing guy. He says it without an ounce of hesitation, though, because of course there's not a single scrap of uncertainty in his body about what he's asking for here.]
In the event that the two of us are erased but our team still wins, you must prioritize Buzen before myself.
[If it's really so expensive to bring someone back, then he at least wants this established, because he knows Buzen would refuse.]
[STOP MY S my fingers tried to make the anija come out
It's so funny that he is expecting something as heavy as this actually, but it still surprises him to hear, and the surprise shows on his face momentarily. His fingers clutch Matsui's hand a little more, something like a silent plead.
But he understands. And it would be rude to deny Matsui a final wish even if it goes against the advice he had given before, about thinking more of himself.]
Do you not think he will... break if he is forced to leave you behind? He cares a lot about you.
Matsui ignores the silent plea because of course he does, even as he turns his hand out to gently take D's in turn. It's a gesture that's unfamiliar to him in that he typically reserves his handsiness for fellow Gous, but that's the beauty of touch week.
He's quiet for a second, considering his words.]
...It would be painful for him. Difficult. But either option is a selfish one for me.
[He wants to stay with Buzen, but he wants the good in his heart to win out, too. If the option is there, that part of him would want to give Buzen back, rather than hanging on and dragging him along to oblivion.]
Unfortunately, D is extremely prone to separating literally any emotions and duty. So this is just par for the course. He's frowning a bit, but nods his head anyway. He offers Matsui's hand a squeeze of reassurance.]
Alright. I would like for that situation not to happen; however, if it does, I will see that Buzen is helped as much as I'm able.
[But!]
And what if Buzen asks the same of me about you?
Edited (HELP I CANT EDIT I KEEP LAUGHING) 2023-06-13 02:37 (UTC)
He cups his other hand over the top of Matsui's, like they are making a covenant promise. (They are.)]
I will remember. But I hope you will also consider how much he may need you as well. I'm sure he understands a leader is only as good as those he has to lead. I promise I won't harp again.
[He pats Matsui's hand.]
I just understand that every single plant and animal in the world is as important as the next no matter how many or how few there are. It's difficult to see sometimes when you are merely one of hundreds or thousands. But without even just one, life becomes much less beautiful and magical.
[This is truly so funny because D is trying so hard to say something sweet and nice but the only thing Matsui takes from it is a REMINDER OF ALL THE THOUSANDS OF LIVES HE'S HELPED TO SNUFF OUT AND HOW MUCH LESS BEAUTIFUL AND MAGICAL THE WORLD IS BECAUSE OF HIM!!!! IS HIS LIFE EVEN ENOUGH TO REMOTELY SETTLE THIS DEBT!!!!!
He stares at their covenant hands, where his is being held so carefully, and probably disassociates for a second as he envisions them covered in blood.]
...You are a kind person. Thank you. Ideally, matters won't come down to this in the first place, but... I can't leave anything to chance. You understand.
[This is soooooooooo funny, help ME. HE IS TALKING ABOUT YOU YOU STUPID PIECE OF SHIT SWORD!!!! HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE HUMANS! Glad he is making the depression worse.]
I understand.
[Instead of a pat, Matsui's hand gets squeezed gently between both of his own before he pulls the one on top away.]
I'm honored you would entrust me with it. It would be a shame if I were the first to go, [haha] but as long as you are still here at least, he'll be okay. Being on a team with someone you know is both a blessing and a curse.
[STOP I CAN'T BELIEVE MATSUI WILL HAVE TO CARE EXTRA ABOUT HUMANS TO MAKE UP FOR D AND RANG.
Are they still holding just one paw now. This is so funny. Matsui is still just staring at them like they contain multitudes, or perhaps like he's still disassociating a bit.]
To me, it is only a blessing. [Because he has no attachment to life so none of that part of this matters to him!] ...I should hope that you will make it through, though.
[HELPPP. POOR RANG!!!! Just a lil baby tantrum guy getting roasted by Catholic depression sword.
Yes, they are still holding one paw. Touch week means D is latched onto this paw, but even if it wasn't touch week, he would be willing to hold Matsui's hand at least.]
I will try. I have a rather important duty I can't abandon back home. So it's best for me if I return.
[FUCKING HELP yeah that's exactly what's happening. He's out there roasting Rang every chance he can get and for what.
But guess this is happening sure, their paw touchies.]
I understand... It's much the same for us, but there are others to carry on if we should fall. [Their CULT OF INSANE SWORDS.] I take it that it isn't the same for you.
Matsui looks a little hesitant, considering there is So Much he still feels like he can't discuss fully, but. Unfortunately D is currently one of his favorites, so.]
...Very well. Is there anything in particular that you would like to hear about?
But okay, he can work with this. He's quiet for a second again as he gathers his thoughts - what he wants to share, what's better off unsaid.]
...We live together at the Citadel - all of us, swords from many different times and places within Japan. It's a base cradled between mountains. We grow our own food and care for horses, so as you can imagine, we have great swaths of land. There are roughly fifty or so of us there, now, and we take turns completing chores and tasks to keep things running smoothly.
[D nods in acknowledgement while he listens. He's so weird, so this sounds all very cute and interesting to him. A whole Citadel full of animated swords...... He's delighted. He did not think he would really grow fond of man-made items, especially weaponry.]
It sounds wonderful. You all sound like very hard workers, too. I never imagined meeting the spirits of swords given a form, so I'm honored.
Your Citadel reminds me a little of my grandfather's shop. We have any animals you can imagine; plants sometimes as well. The shop is in cities for business, but the inside has all the room everyone needs.
Forests, oceans, mountains. Wherever they desire to stay comfortably.
[Hands Matsui lore because he's a funky lil freak too.]
[D really out here like "damn I can't believe I feel some fondness for these human-made weapons of slaughter". At least they're used to slaughter other humans...]
Many of us are. I would not call myself a hard worker. [FUCKING HELP.
He listens with curiosity as D explains his magic whacky wonderland of a shop, though... Uwah, sasuga, sugoi.]
So that is how you ensure every animal and pet has what it needs... [MAGIC.] Are you an onmyodo? Mage?
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Gently, he folds his hand over the one touching his arm in greeting, and then he takes Matsui's hand as if they are old friends.]
Of course. You may speak to me about anything.
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Thank you. [Said sincerely... He wastes no time, though, shifting to face D more fully and letting him hold his paw.]
You have heard what the Reapers said about erased teammates, correct? That even if a team wins, it doesn't guarantee the return of their erased partners... And that the cost of returning one is quite high.
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Yes. It requires a lot of points supposedly. At least, that's what I overheard one telling someone else. Does it worry you...?
[He assumes this may be about Buzen......... But he will allow Matsui the chance to explain anyway.]
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Matsui nods.]
Yes, it does. [A lot of things worry him BUT ESPECIALLY THINGS THAT COULD RISK BUZEN'S POTENTIAL EVENTUAL RETURN.
Anyway. He'll just cut to the chase.]
So I would like to ask a favor of you... Or to make a deal, if you would prefer.
[He can manage some equivalent exchange even if he has no fucking idea what he'd offer.]
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He gives Matsui's hand a reassuring squeeze, gentle.]
Very well. You may ask.
[Time to steal two historical swords from the aniwa...............hehheh.]
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ALSO STOP DON'T STEAL THEM WHAT IF BUZEN DEPARTICLES HIS STATE OF REALITY IS TOO FRAGILE!!!
In any case, Matsui's request is fucking depressing because he's a depressing guy. He says it without an ounce of hesitation, though, because of course there's not a single scrap of uncertainty in his body about what he's asking for here.]
In the event that the two of us are erased but our team still wins, you must prioritize Buzen before myself.
[If it's really so expensive to bring someone back, then he at least wants this established, because he knows Buzen would refuse.]
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It's so funny that he is expecting something as heavy as this actually, but it still surprises him to hear, and the surprise shows on his face momentarily. His fingers clutch Matsui's hand a little more, something like a silent plead.
But he understands. And it would be rude to deny Matsui a final wish even if it goes against the advice he had given before, about thinking more of himself.]
Do you not think he will... break if he is forced to leave you behind? He cares a lot about you.
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Matsui ignores the silent plea because of course he does, even as he turns his hand out to gently take D's in turn. It's a gesture that's unfamiliar to him in that he typically reserves his handsiness for fellow Gous, but that's the beauty of touch week.
He's quiet for a second, considering his words.]
...It would be painful for him. Difficult. But either option is a selfish one for me.
[He wants to stay with Buzen, but he wants the good in his heart to win out, too. If the option is there, that part of him would want to give Buzen back, rather than hanging on and dragging him along to oblivion.]
There are others besides myself who need him.
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Unfortunately, D is extremely prone to separating literally any emotions and duty. So this is just par for the course. He's frowning a bit, but nods his head anyway. He offers Matsui's hand a squeeze of reassurance.]
Alright. I would like for that situation not to happen; however, if it does, I will see that Buzen is helped as much as I'm able.
[But!]
And what if Buzen asks the same of me about you?
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At the very least, he seems... not exactly settled by this response. But it's good enough for him for now.]
Thank you. [All he can hope for at this point is for as many hands to help Buzen as possible...
The question has him frowning for multiple reasons, though. First of all, he'd be fuckin shocked if Buzen thought that far ahead...]
...Then I hope that you will consider those others who still need him. He's our leader, after all.
[Matsui is just a SINNER who needs to DIE.]
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He cups his other hand over the top of Matsui's, like they are making a covenant promise. (They are.)]
I will remember. But I hope you will also consider how much he may need you as well. I'm sure he understands a leader is only as good as those he has to lead. I promise I won't harp again.
[He pats Matsui's hand.]
I just understand that every single plant and animal in the world is as important as the next no matter how many or how few there are. It's difficult to see sometimes when you are merely one of hundreds or thousands. But without even just one, life becomes much less beautiful and magical.
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He stares at their covenant hands, where his is being held so carefully, and probably disassociates for a second as he envisions them covered in blood.]
...You are a kind person. Thank you. Ideally, matters won't come down to this in the first place, but... I can't leave anything to chance. You understand.
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I understand.
[Instead of a pat, Matsui's hand gets squeezed gently between both of his own before he pulls the one on top away.]
I'm honored you would entrust me with it. It would be a shame if I were the first to go, [haha] but as long as you are still here at least, he'll be okay. Being on a team with someone you know is both a blessing and a curse.
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Are they still holding just one paw now. This is so funny. Matsui is still just staring at them like they contain multitudes, or perhaps like he's still disassociating a bit.]
To me, it is only a blessing. [Because he has no attachment to life so none of that part of this matters to him!] ...I should hope that you will make it through, though.
[But fuck Rang.]
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Yes, they are still holding one paw. Touch week means D is latched onto this paw, but even if it wasn't touch week, he would be willing to hold Matsui's hand at least.]
I will try. I have a rather important duty I can't abandon back home. So it's best for me if I return.
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But guess this is happening sure, their paw touchies.]
I understand... It's much the same for us, but there are others to carry on if we should fall. [Their CULT OF INSANE SWORDS.] I take it that it isn't the same for you.
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It's good you have others, though I suspect any loss is hurtful. [Now D is a sword stan... Damb.] Will you tell me about it? You, the rest of you.
I'll tell you a little about my grandfather's shop.
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Matsui looks a little hesitant, considering there is So Much he still feels like he can't discuss fully, but. Unfortunately D is currently one of his favorites, so.]
...Very well. Is there anything in particular that you would like to hear about?
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Anything you are willing to tell me. I don't mind. As little, or as much as you'd like. How about where you're from? What is it like?
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But okay, he can work with this. He's quiet for a second again as he gathers his thoughts - what he wants to share, what's better off unsaid.]
...We live together at the Citadel - all of us, swords from many different times and places within Japan. It's a base cradled between mountains. We grow our own food and care for horses, so as you can imagine, we have great swaths of land. There are roughly fifty or so of us there, now, and we take turns completing chores and tasks to keep things running smoothly.
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It sounds wonderful. You all sound like very hard workers, too. I never imagined meeting the spirits of swords given a form, so I'm honored.
Your Citadel reminds me a little of my grandfather's shop. We have any animals you can imagine; plants sometimes as well. The shop is in cities for business, but the inside has all the room everyone needs.
Forests, oceans, mountains. Wherever they desire to stay comfortably.
[Hands Matsui lore because he's a funky lil freak too.]
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Many of us are. I would not call myself a hard worker. [FUCKING HELP.
He listens with curiosity as D explains his magic whacky wonderland of a shop, though... Uwah, sasuga, sugoi.]
So that is how you ensure every animal and pet has what it needs... [MAGIC.] Are you an onmyodo? Mage?
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The question makes him laugh wryly and quietly.]
I’m not sure if that’s what you would call me technically, but it is something like it in a way.
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This is such a bizarre answer though fucking help.]
Hm? What would you call yourself, then...?
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...A shepherd. I believe that's probably the best way to put it. My grandfather, my father, and I...
[Gazing wistfully off, a little sad. In a bittersweet way. This doesn't explain the weird magic shop, but it's fine.]
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