January catch-all

[youwillbeunequaled]

Who: Tonbokiri and others
What: Quests and events through January
When: Dates in the starter, please!
Where: All through Chroma
Warning: None, but possibly violence warnings in the demon fighting threads

A note that I prefer "prose", but I will follow with whichever style.
Please put the date in the starting comment subject.

Comments

[noholdsbard]

That kind of sword is an interesting way of putting it, Tristan notes. He racks his brains for some residue of information regarding tsukumogami that the Throne of Heroes must have surely instilled in him prior to his summoning, but…

No such luck there. While he’s privately resolving to do some further research in the library, Tonbokiri’s reply takes him on a different track:

“It seems like a pleasant meeting,” he murmurs with a smile. “But I am beginning to realize that he has that sort of effect on others.”

[youwillbeunequaled]

Tonbokiri's face, already warm from the bath and sake, flushes with a momentary blush.

"Apologies- I'd meant our meeting, Archer-dono."

But he chuckles and continues on the provided track. "Yet he certainly does. Meeting Mutsunokami-dono is a little surprising, but pleasant. Hahaha, yes, when we first formally introduced ourselves to each other, he'd at once asked what my favourite food is! Both he and Izuminokami-dono had points about the relevance, or irrelevance, of such a question... Yes, it was 'pleasantly surprising' to be asked such a thing."

[noholdsbard]

“Pay it no mind, my friend,” he says with a chuckle. Of course Tristan would readily assume that anything good spoken about would be about others.

“But I see now why you had felt the need to ask me about food that time.” Mutsunokami sure is quite the influential sort, isn’t he. Not quite as charismatic as King Arthur, but…

[youwillbeunequaled]

One hand rising from the water to rub at the back of his neck, he laughs lightly. "Ah, yes, that time. As you say, I was influenced, or inspired, by Mutsunokami-dono." And speaking of that time, he remembers he'd interrupted Archer-dono in the midst of his story.
For all that such... romantic detail is somewhat embarrassing, a niggling of curiosity remains. Especially given some of his conversations with Maya-dono.

But dare he ask to return to that topic of conversation? He is quietly contemplative for a long moment, filling the time by topping up both their cups. There is only a tiny bit left in the flask, but the warmth of the sake in their bodies will last a while.

[noholdsbard]

“Inspired?” He can’t help a chuckle. “Yes, he has that way about him. He seems to get along with people quite easily.”

But as Tonbokiri’s mind veers toward that conversation, so does Tristan’s, albeit he takes on an entirely different track:

“I wonder…did you ever ask him about your…lady troubles?”

[youwillbeunequaled]

Tonbokiri is somewhat relieved at this tangent, and it is an easy question to answer.

"No, I'm afraid not. Although he has seen how his former master related with his wife, he is still a Touken Danshi after all." He chuckles and adds, "I must admit, while he is admirable in many ways, he is not the first I would think of to go to with that sort of conversation."

[noholdsbard]

So even tsukumogami have their limits when it comes to mimicking humanity. Interesting. But then…that does present some strange implications. Tristan cracks his eyes open then, staring at Tonbokiri with a look of understanding dawning upon him.

“Is there not…oh, I am not sure how to ask this.” He shakes his head with a small chuckle. “There are no…women like you?”

[youwillbeunequaled]

When Archer opens his eyes, Tonbokiri is particularly curious about what the man is so keen on. He can't help but chuckle in return at that innocuous question.

"That is correct. None of the swords have manifest as women." Turning his eyes towards the ceiling in a reminiscent gesture, he adds, "although some have picked up distinctly feminine qualities from their previous masters."
Returning his gaze back down to the water, he puts a hand on his chin thoughtfully.
"I have never thought about it before. There was no need or opportunity to. But now, I wonder why. And what would it be like, to have a Touken ... Joshi appear."

[noholdsbard]

“It is sad indeed,” he responds with a wry smile. “To have not known the company of such fair creatures…” Though granted, since tsukumogami are also spirits, they probably don’t need women anyway.

“Even we Heroic Spirits sometimes manifest as women, for women have themselves left their marks upon history.”

[youwillbeunequaled]

Haha, well, this is one of Archer's favourite topics, so it is not much surprise that he would say that it is sad that Tonbokiri doesn't have that experience for himself.

There must be something to it, though, for love and passion have inspired so much in human history...

That train of thought is put aside for a moment at that second statement. Mystified, Tonbokiri blinks roundly.

"Yes, there have been many impressive women throughout history. But to say 'they sometimes manifest as women'... That sounds as though it doesn't matter to your Master whether the original person was a man or not?"

[noholdsbard]

“It is a…curious situation,” he admits with a frown, thinking back on how Mutsunokami had reacted the first time they’d met.

“But indeed, whether or not a Heroic Spirit is a man or a woman matters little in the grand scheme of things.” He can even name a few individuals who’ve eschewed gender altogether. “And yet…history is a strange thing sometimes. What one might consider a man in history might have turned out to be a woman in reality.”

[youwillbeunequaled]

"Really?" Still surprised at this revelation, Tonbokiri tilts his head back in thought, speaking slowly as he turns it over in his mind. "Perhaps it doesn't matter, in that so long that the correct events played out, history remains stable. Yet to think that someone like Honda Tadakatsu could have been a woman in disguise? Hahaha, I cannot imagine it!" After laughing over that for a moment he asks, "Are there very many instances of that happening in your world?"

[noholdsbard]

“There are plenty, in fact.” Such is the nature of the gacha. But he thinks of King Arthur then and decides against mentioning her as an example. Anyway, if it’s Honda Tadakatsu they’re talking about, then there’s someone a good deal more relevant to the conversation at hand.

“Lord Nobunaga being one of them.” A chuckle. “Mutsunokami was not pleased when I mentioned that.”

[youwillbeunequaled]

Tonbokiri's sake cup falls into the water with a plop, and he stares at Archer, mouth slightly agape, completely stunned for a long moment.

"Oda Nobunaga-dono?" He shakes his head, still in disbelief, but finally gives a chuckle. "Heh, yes, well. It is rather unbelievable to ones like us. Especially if we've crossed swords with him before. Your world is truly unusual to me, Archer-dono. And for there to be 'plenty' of such cases!"

Shaking his head again, for what an astonishing revelation that was!, he fishes out his cup from the water. Ah, to have lost the sake in that way, though. How lamentable!

[noholdsbard]

“Oh.” A moment of silence for that poor sake cup that did nothing wrong. Tristan gives it an apologetic look as Tonbokiri fishes it out of the water.

“I apologize for startling you in such a way, Tonbokiri. Ah, how sad…such beverages as this are already so rare in this town.”

[youwillbeunequaled]

"No, please do not worry about it. You are right that it is a little sad..."

Shaking water droplets from the cup, he then picks up the flask to see how much is left. Ah, that's right. Just a tiny bit.

"Well. Let us think of it this way: sake is often used in the opening of important structures or at great ceremonies. So let that, unintentional though it was, be my offering to the onsen for providing comfort and cleanliness to us, especially in the midst of winter."

During that speech, he pours a little bit into Archer's cup, the last dribble into his own, and raises the cup in a toast.

"To the onsen, to the town, and to Akira-dono, who wished for this."

[noholdsbard]

“But I—” The sake is poured into his cup before he can even protest—he doesn’t need to drink alcohol, nor does he care for it in the way Tonbokiri does. He doesn’t raise his cup for that toast.

“I—I cannot. As honorable as your intentions are, these last precious drops must be for you. I cannot accept this generosity.”

[youwillbeunequaled]

Tonbokiri lowers his cup slightly when Archer does not return the gesture, and frowns at the man in thoughtful concern.

"Archer-dono... I do not have much experience with having friends. But does it not trouble one friend if the other turns aside every gesture of gratitude? If those drops are 'for me', then what I choose to do with them is give them to you."

After a beat one eyebrow raises slightly in suppressed amusement and he adds in a sterner tone, "If you are at your drinking limit, only then will I concede. For your good health is a greater concern."

Come now- although toned, Archer-dono is far leaner than his clothing and armour suggested. (At least, to Tonbokiri's mind.) So perhaps he really can't drink so much? Even though it was only half a small flask.

[noholdsbard]

“I…” He doesn’t have a very strong tolerance for alcohol, it is true. But that is not what concerns him at the moment. He’s always struck by how kindly and generously people treat him here. Of course, it’s the same back when he was with Master, but…

He inclines his head in a solemn bow. “I apologize, my friend. I will certainly repay your generosity someday.”

let's take a sudden turn south~

[youwillbeunequaled]

Tonbokiri laughs with an edge of relief and shakes his head.

"Apology accepted, my friend. And if I may say, one thing I have learned about friendship is that you can tell you have that relationship when you find yourself constantly in debt to the kindness of the other.

"I have-- two others here whom I call 'friend', and am ever finding myself thinking that I can never repay what I feel I owe them."

Although it was just a flicker, there is a perceptible change in Tonbokiri's expression as he hesitates that beat. He... does not wish to dwell on it. Yet, if there is anyone he can speak about this with--
More pensive, and more melancholy, he continues in a low voice,

"... And yet there are some relationships that cannot be categorized so easily, though they may bring forth similar feelings."

[noholdsbard]

“Indeed, your words have echoed the feelings in my heart, Tonbokiri.” What a beautiful way to describe friendship…he certainly has no objections to it. But when Tonbokiri takes a more depressing turn, Tristan can’t help but worry. He may be all gloom and doom, but he certainly doesn’t wish that upon anyone else. Least of all one so beloved to him as Tonbokiri.

“But now you must speak your heart in turn, my friend.” Could Tonbokiri be referring to his master, perhaps? Or a lover? Tristan can understand the love for both well enough. “Though this might be an occasion where words may fail you.”

[youwillbeunequaled]

Tonbokiri shakes his head slightly, hardly thinking that his words were so profound as to 'echo the feelings in Archer's heart'. But he is thankful at the compliment anyway.

When prompted to speak his own heart, he shifts his shoulders uncomfortably. "It is true. It is difficult to put into words." Belatedly, he finishes the sake in his cup, but keeps it in his hands to fiddle with absently, running his thumb along the smooth surface.

"My lack of experience in relationships of all kinds binds me yet again. From my memories and knowledge, I can understand that there is an abundance of variety among the relationships humans have. However, navigating those intricacies myself is another matter." He sighs deeply. "Is there even meaning to resolving these feelings, when the person in question has already left this place?"

[noholdsbard]

“Certainly, there is.” There is sympathy in that reply, but also mild surprise. What must it be like, to experience the intricacies of human relationships in so short a time? Are the sword spirits like himself, who would vanish once their master no longer had any need of them? Or would they live to a normal human lifespan?

But though these questions linger in his heart, there really is only one thing he can say to all that: “How will you honor that person otherwise?”

[youwillbeunequaled]

“Honour-?” The word jumps from Tonbokiri’s mouth as he gives a start, water rippling about him. (At least he didn’t drop the cup this time.) “Resolving how I felt about him will honour him...?”

Putting a hand to his chin, his eyebrows draw together in weighty concentration. This advice somehow feels right, but he is still unclear about it. But Archer has a point- 'how' he honours Tadakatsu is different than this, isn't it. Isn't it?

"What do you mean?"

[noholdsbard]

“Ah, Tonbokiri. Surely as you were a treasured weapon yourself, you must realize it by now,” Tristan chides him, noting what might have been a flicker of understanding over his friend’s features. But there was no malice in his words—only a patient understanding, or an attempt at understanding, what it must mean for someone to become truly human.

In a way, he wonders if he’s setting Tonbokiri up for something. The feeling is rather like the opening of Pandora’s box, in a way, and as a man all-too-familiar with tragedies, well…

He shakes his head, dismissing that thought for the time being as he continues: “Memory is shaped by feeling, after all. How your master felt about you and how you feel about him—that is your connection, and his legacy.”