week 4, saturday

[digestif]

[ of course Ishikirimaru is one of the first people they find after trial. They feel like they're about ready to drop dead from exhaustion - and they're still more than a little concerned about Majima's condition - but they have to concentrate on the things that went well today.

And, all things considered, the trial went extremely well for the two of them.

They've got a bottle of sake with them (on the smaller side) when they find him. Still, they don't look particularly celebratory; they meet him with a small, concerned smile rather than a whoop of victory. ]

See? I told you. [ they're hurrying over. ] -- How are you feeling?

Comments

[ritualization]

Ah--

[he's not expecting that, and he starts slightly at it-- but when they come back, he hums to himself as he wraps his hand around that glass, waiting for them to open the bottle. he can't help with that one-handed.]

I suppose... well, I have always been wielded. Even before I had a proper master giving orders, I was asked to do things by the worshippers who came to the shrine to pray. While our master left how to carry out our missions up to us, this is... the first time that I have truly been left to act on my own.

I would like to see this course of action through, now that I have decided on it for myself.

[digestif]

[ they hum at that, not sounding convinced. also, of course Mizuki is opening it and pouring a glass for him!! They're not heartless. ]

Chasing freedom, huh? I respect that. But don't forget that your journey has to have an ending, too. [ they slide a glass over to him. ] If you want to suffer this much, I hope the end result is worth it.

[ although their words seem cool, their voice is soft; it's a scolding, but a gentle one. Maybe "advising" would be a better word. ]

[ritualization]

Perhaps a bit of that, but also-

[ishi takes a long, slow sip while he considers.]

... I know it can be possible to change things, even when it seems like it cannot be done. I want to believe that if I keep trying to save people, there will truly be a way to put a stop to all of this death.

If it was possible before to alter the course of history and allow someone to live, then...

[digestif]

There's someone you want to bring back?

[ they pour one for themself, too, and they're kind of glad they did, because that hits a personal note; their expression becomes rather difficult to read. ]

[ritualization]

Not quite. More that I...

[another drink. he's going to need it for this talk as well.]

I told you my duty was to protect history, didn't I? To ensure things happen as they should. There was a boy I raised who was meant to die at a relatively young age, but due to our presence, it seemed as if it would not come to pass. It... became my duty to kill him, to ensure that he would not alter history by continuing to live.

[his eyes are focused down on the glass.]

I... was unable to follow through. The unit I was leading nearly died for it, but in the end... we gave him a different life. A new name. Let history record the death of his original self.

If we were able to find a way to change the course of time, there has to be a way to change the current path of this contest, as well. To stop anyone else from having to suffer for it.

[digestif]

[ they had to imagine that "time-traveling war" would eventually come to include something like this; isn't that how it always works in fiction? They aren't surprised by his story, but they listen, sipping their drink.

It's a nice story. But... ]

... You were lucky.

[ life isn't usually that nice. The perfect third option rarely works out, even if you try as hard as you can. They learned that lesson well enough themself these past few years. ]

[ritualization]

-I know.

[he exhales a heavy breath, shaking his head.]

But that does not mean I cannot be lucky again, even if my luck here has already been much better than it ought to be.

[digestif]

... For your sake and mine, I hope your luck keeps getting better, then.

[ they have very few allies here, and they're about to have even less, as they'll find out soon. ]

Let me know if you can't get your hand back, and I'll see if there's anything I can do about it. Beauty-kun and I are pretty close - I think he'd do me a favor if I asked.

[ritualization]

[sib that's really concerning is mizuki ok.]

I will let you know.

[ishi pauses, there, takes another sip before carrying on.]

I intend to speak with Piety and see if there is anything he may be able to do for the other injuries, at least... if I need to find someone to join him, perhaps I can convince someone who's had defection forced on them, assuming I can locate one.

[digestif]

[ maybe... ]

Haha. I've had a really difficult time convincing anyone to defect, myself. Maybe you're better at it than I am?

[ritualization]

...Mm, I wouldn't count on that. I have tried a couple of times already and had no luck-- Piety would be in a better position if I had been successful.

[he looks a little guilty, there- maybe he just should have tried harder.]

But it is worth trying.

[digestif]

Unfortunately, at this point, I think most people are pretty loyal to their gods... But maybe you can find someone who was forced to defect, like you said.

[ they take another drink, then exhale, seeming to try and relax a little. ]

The important thing is that you're alive -- and no one even suspects you, either.

[ritualization]

I'm not certain how relieved I ought to be about that... but I suppose it undeniably worked in my favor.

[he's really not going to get over how much was just-- overlooked. how often has that happened with others, and they don't even know about it?]

[digestif]

[ they understand that angle, too... but they don't want to dwell on it at the moment. ]

I think you should be relieved. Being on the other side might have given you an idea of how to do better in the next trial. I know it made me realize a lot of things I never considered before, at least.