[Souji, who's spent most of the evening bustling around and interacting with people and COOKING in the NICE KITCHEN, will move over to take a seat when he's waved over.]
Good evening, Mikazuki-san. [Inclining his head! RESPECT FOR THE SWORDS.] ...And it's good to meet you properly, now that we aren't dealing with immeasurable other problems at the same time.
truly just accepts the inclination of the head, nodding in response in acknowledgement because he's been here eight weeks and truly just acts like he's a big deal]
Ha ha ha. I feel the same. And even if we have met before in another time, it is a pleasure to meet you again.
We haven't, insofar as what I can recall, though that doesn't say much in a place like this. Or perhaps one of the others who share my name have?
[This Souji is aware of the multiverse and the fact that there are so many fucking worlds out there with so many Shinsengumis of varying faces and personalities and histories. He's Jobu Tupaki.]
I did have the great honor of getting to know Yasusada-kun in the place I was before this, though. And I recall seeing you briefly at the camp, as well...
[YEAH!!! except he's not existential, he's just vibin and trying not to look too hard at the fact that he knows of three other soujis MINIMUM who don't look like him but share his name and his history. Or some parts, at least.
Anyway Souji looks briefly exhausted about that jesus fuck]
Yes... I've heard that he's been in even more places than I was aware of, along with Kiyomitsu-kun... [WHY THE FCK. HELP. HIS SWORDS. Not that he should be talking since there are Shinsengumis all over the dingdang place, too.]
...It's a nice notion, at least. And I think that it's one I might agree with, given what little I know.
[ . . . it is an odd thing, to listen to okita souji speak of his own swords so clearly. he smiles faintly at that, but otherwise doesn't betray too much of his emotion]
... and so, after all these experiences and time here, what is it that you know, Okita Souji?
[The mention of the letters bring him back to where he was when he had written the second to final one and the moments thereafter, and he folds his hands together in his lap. The smile on his face - a young and healthy one - is peaceable in that distant sort of way that those who are touched by death often carry.]
Thank you for remembering. That alone means much to me.
[As for what he knows... After a pause in which he organizes his thoughts:]
I know of your mission. I also know of the many other realities that exist beyond my own. "The world where demons have overrun humanity", or "the world in which killing does not happen", of course - but also, "the world where Hijikata Toshizo fell to a strange illness", or "the world where Okita Souji has a precious subordinate named Kamiya Seizaburo". But even within a sea of difference, there are some things that remain the same. Almost like fixed points in the flow of time, which all else bends around to accommodate.
It's really a very sad private joke, but maybe one that won't be too surprising given what Mikazuki knows of the Okita Souji from his own ventures. He closes his eyes for a moment, though he doesn't particularly look like someone who's confessing or taking a weight from their shoulders. It's the simple truth, as ugly as it is for the times he comes from and the people he holds dearest.]
I had thought myself unsuited for times of peace, and I do feel incomplete when parted from my blades. Still, after all of my time away... I would say the place that I am doesn't matter to me. I would not choose to anchor myself to anything in that river, when so many parts of it are unstable and so many anchor points are just shy of being recognizable. I can't trust such a thing. Moreover, I have no stake in, or love for, the people and things that those dearest to me would open their bellies for. Wherever Kondo-san and Hijikata-san choose to be is where I will follow, without a doubt, but I feel as though I would be content enough even if the three of us did nothing but farm in some far-off, distant land.
[Hehe... His secret.]
But I am a sword, in the end.
[The hilarity of saying this to an actual sword, but he's about as close as literally anything can come without being one of them.]
mikazuki knows what he would say to a sword. he would ask them more about their dreams, about what they would like to do with these new bodies, about what prompts them to understand that they are not only a blade anymore - but human.
he thinks just a little bit more on what he would like to say to souji, who has always been human, and yet still thinks this way. a loyalty so specific, that ideals and outside bonds do not touch his heart in the same way. to live and die for the hands that wield you, and nothing else.]
You are a sword, in the end, for that is what your context has required you to be. For your Kondo-san and your Hijikata-san to similarly pick up their blades, and carry out their ideals.
But I take it you have some understanding of how that legacy goes.
[Sometimes you're a sword tsukumogami accidentally born into the wrong body... His flesh prison is his hell.
What Mikazuki says is true, in any case. He does view himself as the sword of the Shinsengumi, a thing meant to be directed and guided and turned toward opponents in brutal flashes of merciless blade. But for the second part... His expression is a little hard to read for a moment, but there's still something of a smile on his face as he shakes his head.]
I know some, but much of it is unknown to me. I was given the opportunity in the castle to glimpse into the future, but I refused it. I have avoided seeking out information from books or from people about what lies ahead. Though my own fate became clear very quickly, I attempted to maintain my place in it - to this day, I don't know who took that illness from me. ...I wished to honor the weight Yasusada-kun carried.
[HE REALLY
TRIED
SO HARD. HE TRIED SO HARD...]
That's why I wrote you that letter. Knowing that I had lost my place in that world, I was intending to see to Kondo-san's safe return and then end my life. But I can no longer do this.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
endgame!!!!!
and will just beckon souji over once he sees him, gesturing to the seat opposite him]
Hello, hello.
STOP LISTEN its fine
Good evening, Mikazuki-san. [Inclining his head! RESPECT FOR THE SWORDS.] ...And it's good to meet you properly, now that we aren't dealing with immeasurable other problems at the same time.
no subject
truly just accepts the inclination of the head, nodding in response in acknowledgement because he's been here eight weeks and truly just acts like he's a big deal]
Ha ha ha. I feel the same. And even if we have met before in another time, it is a pleasure to meet you again.
no subject
We haven't, insofar as what I can recall, though that doesn't say much in a place like this. Or perhaps one of the others who share my name have?
[This Souji is aware of the multiverse and the fact that there are so many fucking worlds out there with so many Shinsengumis of varying faces and personalities and histories. He's Jobu Tupaki.]
I did have the great honor of getting to know Yasusada-kun in the place I was before this, though. And I recall seeing you briefly at the camp, as well...
no subject
but mikazuki just laughs faintly at that]
Ah, yes... The camp did open a great number of eyes - and Yamatonokami Yasusada has certainly had his share of adventures.
[i think pixi played? hanamaru yams? in grimm? so jiji wouldn't know about souji in detail help me]
However I do believe that there are individuals we are always meant to meet, for one reason or another.
no subject
Anyway Souji looks briefly exhausted about that jesus fuck]
Yes... I've heard that he's been in even more places than I was aware of, along with Kiyomitsu-kun... [WHY THE FCK. HELP. HIS SWORDS. Not that he should be talking since there are Shinsengumis all over the dingdang place, too.]
...It's a nice notion, at least. And I think that it's one I might agree with, given what little I know.
no subject
... and so, after all these experiences and time here, what is it that you know, Okita Souji?
I have not forgotten your letters to me.
no subject
Thank you for remembering. That alone means much to me.
[As for what he knows... After a pause in which he organizes his thoughts:]
I know of your mission. I also know of the many other realities that exist beyond my own. "The world where demons have overrun humanity", or "the world in which killing does not happen", of course - but also, "the world where Hijikata Toshizo fell to a strange illness", or "the world where Okita Souji has a precious subordinate named Kamiya Seizaburo". But even within a sea of difference, there are some things that remain the same. Almost like fixed points in the flow of time, which all else bends around to accommodate.
no subject
but mikazuki is thoughtful, listening.]
... and in that flow of time, not unlike a river with events that make up its current, where would you like to be?
[if souji were to choose the nature of his existence
what would it look like?]
no subject
That sure is a loaded question, though.]
If I tell you, you'll have to promise to keep it between you and I.
no subject
You could say that such a thing is my specialty.
no subject
[Their terrible private joke...
It's really a very sad private joke, but maybe one that won't be too surprising given what Mikazuki knows of the Okita Souji from his own ventures. He closes his eyes for a moment, though he doesn't particularly look like someone who's confessing or taking a weight from their shoulders. It's the simple truth, as ugly as it is for the times he comes from and the people he holds dearest.]
I had thought myself unsuited for times of peace, and I do feel incomplete when parted from my blades. Still, after all of my time away... I would say the place that I am doesn't matter to me. I would not choose to anchor myself to anything in that river, when so many parts of it are unstable and so many anchor points are just shy of being recognizable. I can't trust such a thing. Moreover, I have no stake in, or love for, the people and things that those dearest to me would open their bellies for. Wherever Kondo-san and Hijikata-san choose to be is where I will follow, without a doubt, but I feel as though I would be content enough even if the three of us did nothing but farm in some far-off, distant land.
[Hehe... His secret.]
But I am a sword, in the end.
[The hilarity of saying this to an actual sword, but he's about as close as literally anything can come without being one of them.]
no subject
mikazuki knows what he would say to a sword. he would ask them more about their dreams, about what they would like to do with these new bodies, about what prompts them to understand that they are not only a blade anymore - but human.
he thinks just a little bit more on what he would like to say to souji, who has always been human, and yet still thinks this way. a loyalty so specific, that ideals and outside bonds do not touch his heart in the same way. to live and die for the hands that wield you, and nothing else.]
You are a sword, in the end, for that is what your context has required you to be. For your Kondo-san and your Hijikata-san to similarly pick up their blades, and carry out their ideals.
But I take it you have some understanding of how that legacy goes.
no subject
What Mikazuki says is true, in any case. He does view himself as the sword of the Shinsengumi, a thing meant to be directed and guided and turned toward opponents in brutal flashes of merciless blade. But for the second part... His expression is a little hard to read for a moment, but there's still something of a smile on his face as he shakes his head.]
I know some, but much of it is unknown to me. I was given the opportunity in the castle to glimpse into the future, but I refused it. I have avoided seeking out information from books or from people about what lies ahead. Though my own fate became clear very quickly, I attempted to maintain my place in it - to this day, I don't know who took that illness from me. ...I wished to honor the weight Yasusada-kun carried.
[HE REALLY
TRIED
SO HARD. HE TRIED SO HARD...]
That's why I wrote you that letter. Knowing that I had lost my place in that world, I was intending to see to Kondo-san's safe return and then end my life. But I can no longer do this.