It’s a special time of year and the sword army is invited to come down from their citadels and celebrate. What? A summer festival, an offering to the gods, or perhaps a special ceremony of sorts. A normally quiet, rural village at the foot of the mountains will transform for the night with lanterns, fireworks, and music all around but first! Some preparations need to be done. Did you really think you would be invited down here without having to do some work? Prepare to dance, prepare to sing, prepare for a night of fun.
1. CEREMONY PRACTICE
At the citadel, a new chore has been added to the list: ceremonial practice! The swords selected to perform at the festival will have to practice their song and dance or else they'll risk embarrassment in front of the crowds. Or maybe this entire thing is embarrassing... either way, this is your duty! Saniwa's orders! Where and when is up to you but you better be ready.
2. SPECIAL CLOTHES
You can’t wear those same old clothes. They’re all torn and worn or just not appropriate at all for the type of festival you’re going to. The government has all of your measurements and has sent special robes for the spirits and saniwa to wear. It even comes complete with accessories! What’s taking you so long? We should have left twenty minutes ago. Do you need help? Or are you trying to perfect your appearances for your big debut?
3. PERFORMANCE
Everyone is dancing and everyone is singing. Are you one of the performers? Or are they dancing to you? What kind of songs are you hearing? What dances are you watching? Did you see the ceremonial sword dance? Or maybe you were invited to dance in a special performance with your saniwa! When the performance is over, make sure to congratulate the performers on a job well done… or tease your friend.
4. OFFERINGS AND PRAYER
After the festive ceremonies, there are more serious things to do. There is a sacred fire and you can take a moment to pray to the gods. Remember, we are fighting a war and it’s important to remember those that have fallen. The swords that were broken and damaged beyond repair are gathered up and taken to a sacred fire so that their spirits can be purified and reborn. Later, all of those offerings you have been saving are offered up to the gods for their blessings. It's also a chance to hopefully pray for a turn in luck. Maybe you'll pray for an old friend to return to the citadel. It's been a long time since you saw them, right? They'll come home eventually.
5. FESTIVITIES
The ceremonies are finally over! Wow, that sure took up a lot of time, huh? There are still a couple of more hours left in the night so enjoy the festivities. Try the food, play the shooting games, win a couple of prizes. How many goldfish can you catch? Or maybe the important question is: How are you going to take care of this goldfish? At the end of the night, you can catch the fireworks before the night ends.
6. SURPRISE ATTACK
With so many saniwa and sword spirits gathered in one place, it's the perfect time for the enemy to make a major blow against the Time Government. In what should have been the fireworks finale, there's a loud explosion and lightning strikes. The Time Retrograde Army strikes without warning. It's nothing the Touken Danshi haven't taken care of before but this time, they'll have to protect their saniwa too.
7. WILDCARD
Pick your own adventure. Maybe you have to help make offerings or tonight is a special night for a special summoning.
What if the saniwa had to perform other duties besides just summoning swords to fight? What if they had to take part in special ceremonies? What if they had to invite their swords to perform with them? Feel free to get as creative as you want with this prompt as far as things like: Why are they celebrating? How often do they get to leave the citadel? Etc
( It is blunt and it stings to hear it. She isn't unaware of her faults. She's too trusting and passive when it comes to many things. She's aware that as one of the government's born and raised saniwa, she's being used by them as they see fit. She knows that despite having great spiritual power, she's physically weak.
But now isn't the time to feel sorry for herself. There's currently an attack going on. She's being led away by a strange sword. And what did he mean, "of the three saniwa that were closest to him?" Does she know him some how? )
... Then I'm in your care, Hototogisu-san.
( She makes sure to use his name. Names have power, after all. And this time, she takes his hand. She's in his hands now. )
[ He takes her hand again with a smile and a little giggle of delight. That's the second time she's said his name and it's so wonderful.
Not important right now. ]
Come. This way.
[ He leads her by the hand this time, instead of holding her wrist like before, with his sword unsheathed and at the ready in case of opposition. There isn't much in this direction, he truly is leading her away from the battle and deeper into the heart of headquarters. There are a few scattered tantou he strikes down with ease -- and if one of them seems to whisper "why?" then surely that's just Hana's imagination. There's a lone uchigatana he has to let go of her entirely to grapple with for a moment before it, too, is subdued and broken. But with them out of the way, he offers his hand to her again. ]
( As promised, he is keeping her safe but it still doesn't put her to ease. She follows along the best she can in her geta and when he lets go of her, she ducks out of the way but also uses the time to remove one of her kanzashi pins. Surely, when her swords see her pink and white flowers, they'll know they're going in the right direction.
It's strange that they would come so far into the government headquarters. Yes, it's one of the more fortified places but why would a stranger lead her here? And earlier, hadn't she heard one of the enemies whisper something to Hototogisu?
She still doesn't trust him completely and she looks at his hand nervously, glancing back as if hoping to see a familiar face. What are they doing back there? The longer this goes on, the more frightened she feels and cautiously, she takes his hand again. )
[ As though he can sense her unease, he slows a little, and though he's still holding her hand as they walk quickly, they're side by side for the moment. ]
Deeper in. There's a back door. You haven't used it before?
[ Huh. Does the government not show their saniwa all the ways in and out of this place? Do the revisionists really know it better than the government sages do? Wow, Time Government. Wow. ]
( A portal that the government sages can use to reach other citadels quickly. The one that their inspectors and agents travel through. A portal that they can use to invite any saniwa they desire if need be or send off any saniwa they desire. She hasn't been through it since she was very young. Not since she was sent away for the first time to see her new citadel. )
Once. How do you know about it?
( She stops walking, her hand still holding onto his but her feet firmly anchored in place. )
I want to go back.
( The idea of going further... it makes her uneasy. So uneasy, she can't push it back anymore. )
[ The first question he hasn't answered. It's almost like he didn't even hear it.
Hototogisu hesitates, struggling with words for a moment. Persuasion isn't his strong point. He can try, he always tries, but he isn't very graceful about it. He searches for the right thing to say -- it should be her name, but he doesn't know her name, and instead he says-- ]
[There are still cries, and the sounds of fighting, getting closer, but this time, the silhouette that steps forward to block the way behind the weird sword is not one of the bony ones with red eyes and barely enough conscience to act independently.
What little light there is reflects on gold and blue, and the glint of a long, elegantly curved blade, and the eyes are blue and glowing softly in the darkness.]
I believe we will be fine to keep her safe. I will thank you to get away from her now.
( Aruji? She's taken aback by the the title. She isn't his master. She's never met this sword before in her life and now, he's decided to call her his master? )
I can't go back home. ( She pulls weakly at her hand, ) I'll stay out of their way but I won't abandon my friends.
( Her swords. And besides... how does he even know where her citadel is? She can't let a stranger take her there. She can't let a stranger in. )
Hototogisu-san, please. I'm grateful-- truly-- but I can't....
( Keep going like this. Before she can finish her statement though, there's an all too familiar voice and she turns back, looking relieved, )
Mikazuki-san! I'm sorry...!
( For wandering off. For trusting a stranger. For coming this far without telling anyone. )
[ The title holds no real meaning for him, he just needed to call her something. Maybe it would have worked. Maybe he could have thrown her through as soon as he got her to it and then moved on to another, equally weak saniwa, provided any of the little ones are still alive.
But they're interrupted, and his chance is lost. ]
Ah...Mikazuki Munechika...
[ If he'd known she had this particular Tenka Goken with her, he might have left her alone, but there were so many Mikazuki it was frankly impossible to know which one was attached to which saniwa. It's a huge miscalculation. ]
I'm sending her back. She won't be in your way.
[ "Sending" not "taking," for all the difference that will make to Mikazuki. ]
[Well, you started by taking her, whoever you are, so... that's not really a great look, here.]
Aruji is never in the way, and it is our duty to protect her. Step away from her.
[This strange sword doesn't look like one of those Time Retrograde Army swords... but he's also not one of ... them, somehow. There's something different about hi. Something that makes Mikazuki's skin crawl.]
( That's his name, Mikazuki. And she feels like it's important for Mikazuki to know that and that he had kept her safe, as if that might influence whatever course of action he might end up taking. )
[ That's his name and he gets a giddy little feeling every time she says it. This is what it feels like to be Named and Real.
Ah, but this situation is serious. Now is not the time to be smiling. ]
There were only a few Revisionists here.
[ As he knew would be the case, most of them occupied elsewhere and only a small handful sent to scour the inside of the building for any saniwa stragglers. ]
The portal. The back door. It will take her home.
[ See? He wasn't doing anything bad. ...Misguided maybe. But not bad. Okay the extending his sword toward Mikazuki could be seen as bad but in his defense, Mikazuki is being a little threatening right now and Hototogisu thinks he's got a right to be a little defensive in response. ]
[Mikazuki's eyes narrow and his grip on his own sword tightens. All of a sudden, the energy around him seems to focus tightly around him. It is threatening indeed, because he's trying to threaten.]
... You're not real. You don't exist. How... ?
{How does an existence such as this appear out of nowhere, at the same time as their enemies but fighting them too and protecting a Saniwa that doesn't own him... it?]
Don't say that name, Aruji. He's not real.
[And if she says it too much she will make him real and this will be.... very problematic. His little master is too powerful for her own good.]
( What Mikazuki says catches her completely off guard and she looks back at the spirit holding her hand.
He isn't real? He doesn't exist? But how can something like that be possible? Her hand tightens anxiously in his. It's strange though. As uncomfortable as she feels, she still doesn't quite feel like she's in danger. There's still that familiar feeling to him that she can't put her finger on.
When he tells her not to say the name, she immediately understands why but it's too late. She knows it's too late. How many times had she said his name? Three times? A fourth? There's so much to think back on now and she keeps her mouth closed.
With her free hand, she reaches to touch his gently. )
Please, don't fight.
( Put your sword away, Hototogisu. Because as grateful as she knows, she knows that Mikazuki will stop at nothing to keep her safe. Hototogisu won't last. All the while, she also tries to subtly pull herself free from him. )
You helped me and kept me safe so I know... I know you aren't like the Revisionists.
( He can be reasoned with. Surely, he'll let her go. )
[ With Mikazuki's arrival, the situation has changed for the worse. Worse for Hototogisu, at least. Hana is not only "someone to protect" now but also "a safety line." She needs to understand. He has to make her understand. He chews at his lip, grip on her hand tightening a little. ]
Even if I didn't fight, he will. He wants to break me.
[ He lifts his chin. You do, don't you, Mikazuki? But he doesn't say it with any sadness in his voice, only the matter-of-fact tone of someone stating a simple fact.
A moment later and he does let Hana go. He can't defend himself if he still has ahold of her, and though he knows Mikazuki wouldn't risk harming her, he won't risk it either. Not now, not after bringing her this far. But he still implores her: ]
It has nothing to do with what I want. You're an anomaly. You're not supposed to exist. I can't just let you get away.
[Nevermind the many times he has done just that on mission, letting people get away, or just fudging things so historical records don't show anything. This is different. This is not history. This is here and now.]
You may not be with the Time Retrograde Army... but you're also not one of us.
Aruji, please stay back.
[He won't wait until he suddenly charged forward.]
( He'll break him. Even though he's only helped her so far, he'll be punished for merely existing. It doesn't seem fair and she lingers next to Hototogisu for a moment, still too close for Mikazuki to really strike just yet.
He's telling her not to go back but how can she not? How can she not when she has her swords to return to? She feels his hand tighten on her's and it's hard not to feel how desperate he is. She holds his hand until he lets go and she pulls away. She won't say his name again but what she says next is probably just as bad if not worse, )
I won't forget how you protected me tonight... thank you. ( She's loyal to her swords. They're almost everything she has and she can't abandon them. ) But there's somewhere I need to be. I'm sorry.
( She's sorry. She's so, so sorry and she turns her back to him, running back towards Mikazuki's side which gives him plenty of space to strike. )
[ She's said his name so many times. She says she won't forget him. Despite Mikazuki gently admonishing her, Hototogisu can still feel the "Realness" sinking into him. It may not have been his plan, but it's a nice side effect. He doesn't want to break or be broken, but thanks to Hana, he has a very strong chance to return again. He's comforted by that realization and smiles a little. ]
Thank you.
[ It's all he has time to say to her before Mikazuki's sword comes down at him, and he's forced to bring his own up in defense. The weight of the strike jars him all the way up to the shoulder, but Hototogisu is a strong sword, too. He won't break that easily. ]
What is going to happen now? Mikazuki doesn't like what he can feel coming from the other one. There is one bit in particular that just itches, that makes him want to scratch out his own skin. He can ignore it in favor of focusing on the fact that this is not a sword, not really, and it should be broken right here and now.
He is strong, but Mikazuki is relentless - maybe a little desperate too. They all had a fright when they realized Hana had disappeared and now this?
It's when he feels their blades meet that he understands where the itch comes from, and he has a moment of pause, his eyes going to meet the other's - the others' ? - before he pulls back for another strike.]
I do not know how you managed to summon this body, but it's time to stop.
Out of the way, she's careful to stay close enough for Mikazuki to keep an eye on her but far away enough that she hopefully won't get in the way. There are still some advanced members of the Revisionist Army lingering around and while they're safe for now, she'll make sure to be aware of her surroundings.
Like Mikazuki, when their blades meet, there's something that seems to click into place. That familiar energy that had led her to follow Hototogisu in the first place... reminds her very much of Mikazuki. Not perfectly and not completely, but like seeing another person's Mikazuki and recognizing them for who they are. A familiar but unfamiliar energy...
Is this a sword made from scrap pieces? Like the early Kotetsu swords were made from scrap metal and forged to make stronger swords? But Mikazuki was never scrapped and so how could something like this be possible? It shouldn't be, she thinks. It's like Mikazuki said, this is something that shouldn't exist but there he is, in front of them, fighting Mikazuki. He'd held her hand and that had certainly felt real so how can she deny that? )
[ They're both only half right and only half wrong. For all that he may have started as multiple spirits and multiple minds, Hototogisu is a singular entity now. Maybe he shouldn't exist, but he does, and thanks to Hana will continue to do so in one way or another. ]
You're not the one I knew before. You don't have to do this.
[ Breaking him doesn't have to be the final outcome, except it does, at least this time, and he knows it. Hates it, but knows it to be true. The portal that leads away from here is close enough he could slip through it and escape, but it would only lead him to a citadel -- Hana's or another. It would just delay the inevitable. Maybe make it worse.
He blocks Mikazuki's blow, shuddering under it. ]
Mikazuki. You would do anything, wouldn't you? To protect your master? Even from me. Even though I also only want to protect.
[Maybe Hana trusts you, but he doesn't. He can't risk it. Already, he senses he might be too late and she may have started something bigger than what she thought.]
She is not yours to protect.
[And if what he feels is right, whoever you should be protecting is dead and you shouldn't be protecting them anyway, so...]
You came here with them and through their rift. I don't know what you are exactly, but you shouldn't be here.
[ It's true. Hana is not his to protect. But he'd felt a deep need to protect someone in Yoshiteru's absence and had felt drawn to her. Because she was weak and strong at the same time. Because he could sense just how much she loves her swords. ]
I did. [ He doesn't see a point in lying about it. ] I used them to get here. There was no other way.
[ Unlike Mikazuki and other citadel swords, Hototogisu has no saniwa to open pathways for him. He had to use the methods at his disposal, which meant hitching a ride with the revisionists. Not exactly the most "pure" method of entry, especially if he wanted a saniwa to trust him, but hey, it worked out in the end, didn't it? Sort of.
Oh well. Just like every other time, it looks like he's going to be broken. ]
Come, Mikazuki Munechika.
[ Not without a fight, though. Hototogisu pushes forward -- he won't break Mikazuki, won't actually try to, because he has no real interest in breaking a non-Revisionist sword, particularly not with Hana watching. But that doesn't mean he'll just roll over and let himself die, either. ]
[Not without a fight, but Mikazuki can sense that he is not trying very hard either. He is fighting back, but not exactly hard enough that it will make much of a difference.
Well... not that it probably would have anyway. Hana's Mikazuki is an old hand. He has a lot of experience under his belt and his stats are all maxed out.
He still doesn't find the taunting very funny, and his look will tell.]
I don't need you to tell me.
[He would slash as hard as he could, but he doesn't want to bring the building down on them... so he has to resort to just putting as much weight and power behind each strike as he can without unleashing too much.]
[ He learned how to taunt from...well, he's not sure which of his parts he got the taunting thing from, so let's just say he learned it from the very best. It's probably true.
Hototogisu fights back just enough to be a nuisance. It's almost as if he knows that even though he's not trying his hardest, Mikazuki can't go all out. Maybe it's not a surprise he knows that, considering the echo of "Mikazuki" that probably rattles through the real Mikazuki with every strike that makes contact. But he does very little attacking, mostly defending himself. Even if he were trying his hardest to survive, he wouldn't be able to last forever that way, and eventually there's a chink in his defenses for Mikazuki to take advantage of. And another chance when the first cracks form, and Hototogisu is briefly distracted by looking for Hana.
She's still there. She hasn't gone back. It's...comforting in an odd way. To have her here to witness him breaking. Maybe because it's not something she'll forget any time soon. ]
This is...as far as I can go this time.
[ This time. Just this time. He drops his arm, his sword falling to his side, and musters up the barest hint of a smile. ]
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no subject
But now isn't the time to feel sorry for herself. There's currently an attack going on. She's being led away by a strange sword. And what did he mean, "of the three saniwa that were closest to him?" Does she know him some how? )
... Then I'm in your care, Hototogisu-san.
( She makes sure to use his name. Names have power, after all. And this time, she takes his hand. She's in his hands now. )
no subject
Not important right now. ]
Come. This way.
[ He leads her by the hand this time, instead of holding her wrist like before, with his sword unsheathed and at the ready in case of opposition. There isn't much in this direction, he truly is leading her away from the battle and deeper into the heart of headquarters. There are a few scattered tantou he strikes down with ease -- and if one of them seems to whisper "why?" then surely that's just Hana's imagination. There's a lone uchigatana he has to let go of her entirely to grapple with for a moment before it, too, is subdued and broken. But with them out of the way, he offers his hand to her again. ]
Just a little further.
no subject
It's strange that they would come so far into the government headquarters. Yes, it's one of the more fortified places but why would a stranger lead her here? And earlier, hadn't she heard one of the enemies whisper something to Hototogisu?
She still doesn't trust him completely and she looks at his hand nervously, glancing back as if hoping to see a familiar face. What are they doing back there? The longer this goes on, the more frightened she feels and cautiously, she takes his hand again. )
Where are we going...?
no subject
Deeper in. There's a back door. You haven't used it before?
[ Huh. Does the government not show their saniwa all the ways in and out of this place? Do the revisionists really know it better than the government sages do? Wow, Time Government. Wow. ]
no subject
Once. How do you know about it?
( She stops walking, her hand still holding onto his but her feet firmly anchored in place. )
I want to go back.
( The idea of going further... it makes her uneasy. So uneasy, she can't push it back anymore. )
no subject
[ The first question he hasn't answered. It's almost like he didn't even hear it.
Hototogisu hesitates, struggling with words for a moment. Persuasion isn't his strong point. He can try, he always tries, but he isn't very graceful about it. He searches for the right thing to say -- it should be her name, but he doesn't know her name, and instead he says-- ]
A...Aruji. The portal will take you home. Safe.
no subject
What little light there is reflects on gold and blue, and the glint of a long, elegantly curved blade, and the eyes are blue and glowing softly in the darkness.]
I believe we will be fine to keep her safe. I will thank you to get away from her now.
no subject
I can't go back home. ( She pulls weakly at her hand, ) I'll stay out of their way but I won't abandon my friends.
( Her swords. And besides... how does he even know where her citadel is? She can't let a stranger take her there. She can't let a stranger in. )
Hototogisu-san, please. I'm grateful-- truly-- but I can't....
( Keep going like this. Before she can finish her statement though, there's an all too familiar voice and she turns back, looking relieved, )
Mikazuki-san! I'm sorry...!
( For wandering off. For trusting a stranger. For coming this far without telling anyone. )
no subject
But they're interrupted, and his chance is lost. ]
Ah...Mikazuki Munechika...
[ If he'd known she had this particular Tenka Goken with her, he might have left her alone, but there were so many Mikazuki it was frankly impossible to know which one was attached to which saniwa. It's a huge miscalculation. ]
I'm sending her back. She won't be in your way.
[ "Sending" not "taking," for all the difference that will make to Mikazuki. ]
no subject
Aruji is never in the way, and it is our duty to protect her. Step away from her.
[This strange sword doesn't look like one of those Time Retrograde Army swords... but he's also not one of ... them, somehow. There's something different about hi. Something that makes Mikazuki's skin crawl.]
Aruji, are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?
no subject
He-- Hototogisu-san protected me.
( That's his name, Mikazuki. And she feels like it's important for Mikazuki to know that and that he had kept her safe, as if that might influence whatever course of action he might end up taking. )
no subject
Ah, but this situation is serious. Now is not the time to be smiling. ]
There were only a few Revisionists here.
[ As he knew would be the case, most of them occupied elsewhere and only a small handful sent to scour the inside of the building for any saniwa stragglers. ]
The portal. The back door. It will take her home.
[ See? He wasn't doing anything bad. ...Misguided maybe. But not bad. Okay the extending his sword toward Mikazuki could be seen as bad but in his defense, Mikazuki is being a little threatening right now and Hototogisu thinks he's got a right to be a little defensive in response. ]
no subject
[Mikazuki's eyes narrow and his grip on his own sword tightens. All of a sudden, the energy around him seems to focus tightly around him. It is threatening indeed, because he's trying to threaten.]
... You're not real. You don't exist. How... ?
{How does an existence such as this appear out of nowhere, at the same time as their enemies but fighting them too and protecting a Saniwa that doesn't own him... it?]
Don't say that name, Aruji. He's not real.
[And if she says it too much she will make him real and this will be.... very problematic. His little master is too powerful for her own good.]
Get away from her. Now.
no subject
He isn't real? He doesn't exist? But how can something like that be possible? Her hand tightens anxiously in his. It's strange though. As uncomfortable as she feels, she still doesn't quite feel like she's in danger. There's still that familiar feeling to him that she can't put her finger on.
When he tells her not to say the name, she immediately understands why but it's too late. She knows it's too late. How many times had she said his name? Three times? A fourth? There's so much to think back on now and she keeps her mouth closed.
With her free hand, she reaches to touch his gently. )
Please, don't fight.
( Put your sword away, Hototogisu. Because as grateful as she knows, she knows that Mikazuki will stop at nothing to keep her safe. Hototogisu won't last. All the while, she also tries to subtly pull herself free from him. )
You helped me and kept me safe so I know... I know you aren't like the Revisionists.
( He can be reasoned with. Surely, he'll let her go. )
no subject
Even if I didn't fight, he will. He wants to break me.
[ He lifts his chin. You do, don't you, Mikazuki? But he doesn't say it with any sadness in his voice, only the matter-of-fact tone of someone stating a simple fact.
A moment later and he does let Hana go. He can't defend himself if he still has ahold of her, and though he knows Mikazuki wouldn't risk harming her, he won't risk it either. Not now, not after bringing her this far. But he still implores her: ]
Don't go back.
no subject
[Nevermind the many times he has done just that on mission, letting people get away, or just fudging things so historical records don't show anything. This is different. This is not history. This is here and now.]
You may not be with the Time Retrograde Army... but you're also not one of us.
Aruji, please stay back.
[He won't wait until he suddenly charged forward.]
no subject
He's telling her not to go back but how can she not? How can she not when she has her swords to return to? She feels his hand tighten on her's and it's hard not to feel how desperate he is. She holds his hand until he lets go and she pulls away. She won't say his name again but what she says next is probably just as bad if not worse, )
I won't forget how you protected me tonight... thank you. ( She's loyal to her swords. They're almost everything she has and she can't abandon them. ) But there's somewhere I need to be. I'm sorry.
( She's sorry. She's so, so sorry and she turns her back to him, running back towards Mikazuki's side which gives him plenty of space to strike. )
no subject
Thank you.
[ It's all he has time to say to her before Mikazuki's sword comes down at him, and he's forced to bring his own up in defense. The weight of the strike jars him all the way up to the shoulder, but Hototogisu is a strong sword, too. He won't break that easily. ]
no subject
What is going to happen now? Mikazuki doesn't like what he can feel coming from the other one. There is one bit in particular that just itches, that makes him want to scratch out his own skin. He can ignore it in favor of focusing on the fact that this is not a sword, not really, and it should be broken right here and now.
He is strong, but Mikazuki is relentless - maybe a little desperate too. They all had a fright when they realized Hana had disappeared and now this?
It's when he feels their blades meet that he understands where the itch comes from, and he has a moment of pause, his eyes going to meet the other's - the others' ? - before he pulls back for another strike.]
I do not know how you managed to summon this body, but it's time to stop.
no subject
Out of the way, she's careful to stay close enough for Mikazuki to keep an eye on her but far away enough that she hopefully won't get in the way. There are still some advanced members of the Revisionist Army lingering around and while they're safe for now, she'll make sure to be aware of her surroundings.
Like Mikazuki, when their blades meet, there's something that seems to click into place. That familiar energy that had led her to follow Hototogisu in the first place... reminds her very much of Mikazuki. Not perfectly and not completely, but like seeing another person's Mikazuki and recognizing them for who they are. A familiar but unfamiliar energy...
Is this a sword made from scrap pieces? Like the early Kotetsu swords were made from scrap metal and forged to make stronger swords? But Mikazuki was never scrapped and so how could something like this be possible? It shouldn't be, she thinks. It's like Mikazuki said, this is something that shouldn't exist but there he is, in front of them, fighting Mikazuki. He'd held her hand and that had certainly felt real so how can she deny that? )
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You're not the one I knew before. You don't have to do this.
[ Breaking him doesn't have to be the final outcome, except it does, at least this time, and he knows it. Hates it, but knows it to be true. The portal that leads away from here is close enough he could slip through it and escape, but it would only lead him to a citadel -- Hana's or another. It would just delay the inevitable. Maybe make it worse.
He blocks Mikazuki's blow, shuddering under it. ]
Mikazuki. You would do anything, wouldn't you? To protect your master? Even from me. Even though I also only want to protect.
[ It's a sad thought, but one he's had before. ]
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[Maybe Hana trusts you, but he doesn't. He can't risk it. Already, he senses he might be too late and she may have started something bigger than what she thought.]
She is not yours to protect.
[And if what he feels is right, whoever you should be protecting is dead and you shouldn't be protecting them anyway, so...]
You came here with them and through their rift. I don't know what you are exactly, but you shouldn't be here.
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[ It's true. Hana is not his to protect. But he'd felt a deep need to protect someone in Yoshiteru's absence and had felt drawn to her. Because she was weak and strong at the same time. Because he could sense just how much she loves her swords. ]
I did. [ He doesn't see a point in lying about it. ] I used them to get here. There was no other way.
[ Unlike Mikazuki and other citadel swords, Hototogisu has no saniwa to open pathways for him. He had to use the methods at his disposal, which meant hitching a ride with the revisionists. Not exactly the most "pure" method of entry, especially if he wanted a saniwa to trust him, but hey, it worked out in the end, didn't it? Sort of.
Oh well. Just like every other time, it looks like he's going to be broken. ]
Come, Mikazuki Munechika.
[ Not without a fight, though. Hototogisu pushes forward -- he won't break Mikazuki, won't actually try to, because he has no real interest in breaking a non-Revisionist sword, particularly not with Hana watching. But that doesn't mean he'll just roll over and let himself die, either. ]
If I shouldn't be here, then break me.
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Well... not that it probably would have anyway. Hana's Mikazuki is an old hand. He has a lot of experience under his belt and his stats are all maxed out.
He still doesn't find the taunting very funny, and his look will tell.]
I don't need you to tell me.
[He would slash as hard as he could, but he doesn't want to bring the building down on them... so he has to resort to just putting as much weight and power behind each strike as he can without unleashing too much.]
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Hototogisu fights back just enough to be a nuisance. It's almost as if he knows that even though he's not trying his hardest, Mikazuki can't go all out. Maybe it's not a surprise he knows that, considering the echo of "Mikazuki" that probably rattles through the real Mikazuki with every strike that makes contact. But he does very little attacking, mostly defending himself. Even if he were trying his hardest to survive, he wouldn't be able to last forever that way, and eventually there's a chink in his defenses for Mikazuki to take advantage of. And another chance when the first cracks form, and Hototogisu is briefly distracted by looking for Hana.
She's still there. She hasn't gone back. It's...comforting in an odd way. To have her here to witness him breaking. Maybe because it's not something she'll forget any time soon. ]
This is...as far as I can go this time.
[ This time. Just this time. He drops his arm, his sword falling to his side, and musters up the barest hint of a smile. ]
...But at least it's you.
[ Better Mikazuki than...most other swords. ]
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