punorama | open rp post

[This new world the crew of the Katabami has happened upon is a quiet and empty one. It certainly hadn't always been this way, though, since a short exploration would reveal the ruins of a small, deserted town that must have been quite a cozy place in the time of its glory. Right now it's a fairly depressing place ─ in fact, one could probably call it a ghost town, though for what's it worth there aren't any actual ghosts around. Thankfully.

Ragna isn't looking for anything in particular (least of all treasure or traces of the lost civilization, as some might), so motivated by pure boredom, he enters a tall building made of stone through a giant hole in its wall. A "hole" might not be an accurate description, though, as most of that wall is completely gone. Given the interior design (or what's left of it), it doesn't take a genius to figure out it must have been temple of some sort in the past. The Grim Reaper has no clue what it might have been dedicated to, considering the remains of figures and paintings don't look like anything he's familiar with, but the rows of benches leading to some altar-like structure paint a rather obvious picture.

Overall, this place seems to be almost eerily fitting Ragna's broody mood. Since he apparently gets those sometimes, too. The man sits on a front bench, letting out a heavy sigh.]

... Hey, Sister. Think I'm doing the right thing?

[The answer won't be coming, of course; he knows as much, but sometimes even he needs to get stuff off his chest before it explodes.]

Edited 2016-12-18 23:27 (UTC)

[This is a strange flow, seized and corrupted by Orochi; it's hard to read. Even for someone like Yoshitsugu. It's too much like a dream; how could one even comprehend the idea of 'other' versions of one's self? And yet, here they are. Two worlds, incorrect reflections of another, woven into one by a Godlike being with bizarre motivations.]

[There are two Ishida Mitsunaris in this large and very confused resistance camp, and as far as Yoshitsugu is concerned, both are equally endearing. Accepting them both has been easy for him.]

[There is also another Ōtani Yoshitsugu, one he has yet to meet. One he probably will soon, considering this one's current perch in the Ishida part of the camp (a joint dislike of anyone called 'Ieyasu' being all the fuel it needed to exist). Yoshitsugu has heard things and formed some suspicions, but until they meet, he won't be able to say anything for certain.]

[He taps the report he is writing with one clawed finger, drops his brush with the other hand, and says to nothing more than the air itself:]

Look at all this trouble you've caused.

Edited (fixing a word... X_X) 2016-12-19 01:23 (UTC)

[ It is by pure chance that Mitsunari is passing by the temple as Ragna poses his question, altering him to the fact that Ragna is inside. He stops when he hears the other man's voice and then soon after finds himself walking into the temple himself. He's curious, admittedly, both as to who Ragna's talking to and as to why Ragna would ask such a thing in the first place. He's never heard him voice a doubt like that before.

When Mitsunari steps inside, he can see clearly that Ragna and himself are the only two people inside.

You realize you're talking to thin air, he wants to say, but on second thought, it's not like he's never before asked for guidance from someone who's not present in the flesh... And that, to his surprise, invokes some empathy in him.

What an odd feeling empathy is. It always manifests as some kind of unwanted ache. ]

Who's this "Sister" you seek counsel from?

[The Administrator of Earth was currently doing what he did best - Observe humans. He's watched them live, struggle and die in multiple cycles again and again. There was always the intent to act whenever there was trouble, but he could only communicate as a simple blow in the wind or even a lightning bolt. On his good days, he could even appear in a ghost form for a short time on Earth. Every now and then, he'd get a visitor or two in his realm from another world. Or he'd be the one who had gone to visit them and learn a new thing or two about the big wide web that was the Multiverse.

Today, though? Well, he heard a thud against the crystal floor as he was sitting in his throne. Deciding to stand up to check out what the cause was, Hiro stops short to see a blonde girl lying there... The poor thing looked like she took a beating. This person must've been powerful as him or even had a strong desire to get here.]

Hey, um... Are you alive? [Leaning down, he'll firmly pull her cheek to see if she'd wake up out of her unconsciousness.] Hurry up and wake up!

[Lost in his thoughts, Ragna doesn't even notice Mitsunari's arrival until the man speaks up. It startles him a little, though the sight of an ally is met with relief ─ and immediately, the Grim Reaper has to wonder where the hell the feeling came from, considering he didn't exactly seek company. He frowns, his contemplative mood overshadowed by the usual grumpiness.]

Who said I'm lookin' for anything, dumbass?

[It might be too late to deny it now, but being a stubborn dummy that he is, Ragna doesn't like the idea of being seen as someone who needs any sort of advice, least of all from those long departed.]

Don'tcha know it's rude to eavesdrop on people?

[Says an expert on politeness and tact.]

As if I would ever waste my manners on you.

[ This is off to a fantastic start. But Mitsunari doesn't let his irritation get in the way of his initial curiosity. ]

It's unlike you to question your ways. What brings on your moral quandary?

[ Mitsunari kind of wishes he's taken the time to question his path, his convictions and motivations, before he put Ieyasu to the sword. ]

[If these events weren't unfolding right in front of his eyes, Yoshitsugu might have a difficult time believing it. As things are, however, he has little choice but to accept this situation as a part of reality. That does not mean he's pleased with it, though ─ on the contrary, he finds the whole thing rather irritable. As far as he's concerned, the vast universe as a whole does not need another Ōtani Yoshitsugu, just like it would not need another Takenaka Hanbei or Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

But most of all, it does not need another Ishida Mitsunari.

Still, he would be a rather poor strategist if he saw nothing but the negatives. After all, there must be some way to use their new, ah, allies ─ particularly when they appear to share a common goal. All their differences aside, some things seem to remain unchanged regardless of the world in question. Yoshitsugu can tell his counterpart is not the case, though: the shocked expressions of the "other" Toyotomi army when they learned who he is have told him as much.]

Quite a predicament indeed.

[He enters quietly ─ or rather, floats inside, tilting his head to the side as he approaches the other man slowly. He speaks with what appears to be polite curiosity, though how much of it is genuine is anyone's guess.]

Such an odd thing to say, but... Ōtani Yoshitsugu, I presume?

[Ragna is really close to pointing out Mitsunari doesn't seem to grace anyone with his manners (assuming he has any in the first place), except maybe for his Lord Something or Another, but shockingly enough, he manages to hold his sarcasm back for once. Instead, he leans back in his seat, raising his eyebrow at the question. This sudden interest in him is certainly an unexpected development and he's unsure how to feel about it.]

... I'm surprised you care.

[Okay, so he's partially just avoiding giving him a straight answer, but for what it's worth, the sentiment is genuine. He wouldn't have guessed his "moral quatever" as Mitsunari's calling it would be of any importance to the other man.

But what's even more surprising is that his first instinct isn't to yell at him, turn around and leave. That's certainly a first.]

Were it only that I could prevent myself from giving a damn about whatever is on your mind...

[ But here he is. Giving a damn.

After all this time, it's nigh impossible not to care about Ragna in some fashion. For all the frustration he's brought, he's an ally, and the rare sort of person who truly understands what it's like to be alone. He wouldn't call them friends, but the levels of hostility he once felt towards Ragna are no longer there, replaced by a sort of begrudging investment in Ragna's existence.

People don't get to decide whether or not they're going to care about someone. It just happens. ]

Now answer my question.

[ No getting away from it, Ragna. ]

[That's... surprisingly kind of him. Not the way he puts it, obviously, but Mitsunari still admitted to feel some sort of... concern (???) for him, which leaves Ragna momentary speechless. It's not like he's touched or some shit, it's just a damn awkward position to be in. Finally, the man lets out a resigned sigh, scratching the back of his head.]

I ain't gonna answer your questions just 'cause you want me to.

[Just so their clear on that, he has no intention of submitting to anyone's ridiculous interrogation; however, he will answer it of his own accord. He doesn't like talking about himself or his past any more than he'd used to, but Mitsunari deserves as much as an ally that Ragna truly appreciates, even if he may not say as much.

So where does he even start with that?]

... Sister, she... she's an old nun who raised me.

[The Grim Reaper admits slowly with a thoughtful expression.]

[ Based on that first comment, Mitsunari is close to turning around and leaving, since it was obviously a waste of time for him to bother asking. But it just as soon shows he shouldn't be as hasty as he always is. Ragna is willing to answer. To open up. To him. Even if it's only a sentence, a little fragment of information, it's more than he could have ever reasonably expected him to offer given their history. ]

Not your birth mother.

[ Said quietly, but loud enough for Ragna to hear. Are they alike in this sense, too? In not having blood relatives they can call family? ]

Why?

[To be perfectly honest, Ragna is just as taken aback by this turn of events as Mitsunari is. After all, he's never felt the need to confide in anyone (least of all this guy). The thought alone is laughable and he sincerely hopes his life never reaches that level of soap opera.]

Why...?

[He repeats the question, confused, until he finally makes the connection between that and Mitsunari's misguided assumption Ragna has ever had a "birth mother" in the first place. Not that it's an unreasonable conclusion.]

Guess we just didn't have anywhere else to go.

[He shrugs lightly, which suggests he doesn't think it's that big of a deal. Sure, back when he had been brought to the church for the first time he didn't like it very much, but it would soon turn out to be the only place he'd ever consider "home".]

[ We. Friends? Siblings? Hm.

Ragna was raised by someone who... took him and these others in when they had no where else to turn to? Ragna may shrug about it, but is that not just like Hideyoshi taking him in? It isn't as if Mitsunari had anywhere to go himself, useless street-urchin that he was. ]

So she took pity on you. ...Or she saw in you something more. Potential.

[ Something worth preserving. That same something that must have lead Hideyoshi to take in the weak child Mitsunari was.

There are other reasons to take children in, such as the kindness of your heart, but Mitsunari doesn't really "get" a motivation like that. ]

[Ragna gives him a look. He can see where Mitsunari is coming from, considering his own faith in humanity is questionable at best, but even he knows there are people out there selfless enough to do things like that. Hell, they've got Motochika as a living proof for it. The Grim Reaper doesn't necessarily consider it a good thing for those people, but... he can't deny their existence.]

Neither, I think.

[Sure, these days he tends to assume every person who dares to offer him their kindness is either pitying him or has an ulterior motive. But Sister wasn't like that; she never looked down on people, nor did she have any expectations or demands. She just wanted to give the three little kids　love and safety they had never had ─ without ever asking for anything in return.]

She would've helped anyone who needed it... 's just the way she was.

[He says with a faint smile on his face. The old hag could be a little overbearing with her concern (or at least that's how he saw it at the time), but the siblings couldn't have asked for a better caretaker.]

To live that way is to tempt fate...

[ Someone so selfless would be betrayed in a heartbeat.

Ragna is smiling, he notices. That's a rare expression. It's beyond clear this "Sister" meant a great deal to him. Mitsunari thinks back on the time with the mechanical birds and he wonders...

Back to the initial matter, though. ]

Why is it you ask her if you are "doing the right thing"? You have done many things I deem objectionable but never before now have I seen you question them.

[ Of course, even he knows Ragna can't be thinking about his slights against Hideyoshi. Those will probably never end. ]

[Ragna doesn't comment on it, but he agrees with that statement; sooner or later, someone is bound to take advantage of a person's kindness. It's certainly a risky life philosophy.

He doesn't answer the question, either. Instead, he stands up and begins to pace slowly around the room, giving himself a little time to gather his thoughts. Of course, he doesn't give a damn whether Mitsunari approves of his actions or not ─ and truth to be told, Sister's (hypothetical) opinion isn't that much higher on his list. In the past years, he's done tons of things she would've disagreed with. Surely it would've hurt her to see Ragna grow into the world's worst criminal or kill hundreds of people... and she'd hate that he and his little sibling got involved in a life and death battle against one another.]

... Hey.

[He stops abruptly, turning back to Mitsunari.]

You said you wanted to avenge your Lord, right?

[He probably said so repeatedly, but Ragna hadn't been paying attention to it until he noticed they actually do have something in common. No, he probably still hasn't bothered memorizing Hideyoshi's name, but that's irrelevant to the conversation on hand.]

[ Mitsunari is puzzled by this response. A straightforward person like him likes straightforward answers. He doesn't see how this connects to his question. If he were a bit cleverer, he might piece some things together. ]

How does this relate to -- [ Ugh, whatever. ] I believe I made that desire abundantly clear.

[ He pauses. Then he clenches both fists, staring fixedly at the ground. ]

I wanted to... And I sought my vengeance when given the chance...

[ Yet, he doesn't seem happy about it. ]

[The kitchen aboard the Katabami had always been Kodachi's domain, but since learning that Ragna had some skill with cooking, she had tried taking him under her wing. Unfortunately, that yielded disastrous results at times, simply because the two of them in a small space usually ended in all sorts of shenanigans, sometimes of the explosive kind.]

[After the recent repair of the kitchen - both of which they'd undertaken because of Motochika's Look of Bewildered Disappointment - Kodachi had decided to try and teach Ragna something a little more fiddly, if only because the longer process might stop them from poking at one another.]

[She decided to make dumplings.]

[She'd lined up all the ingredients - meat, vegetables, spices, wrapper - and handed Ragna a knife.]

We must chop everything finely.

[As much as he likes straightforward answers to his own questions, Ragna doesn't seem to apply that logic to himself. Hell, he might try to make himself more clear if he had any idea what he's even trying to say here. Or why he's even bothering telling him all this...

The Grim Reaper does notice Mitsunari isn't particularly enthusiastic about the topic. Well, it'd be weird to see him enthusiastic about anything, but ─ he'd expect him to be at least moderately satisfied if he succeeded in avenging that beloved Lord of his.

... Aw, hell. Neither of them likes beating around the bush, so he may very well get straight to the point. If there's something troubling Mitsunari, Ragna will likely hear about it soon enough anyway, whether he likes it or not.]

Let's say you gotta choose between getting your revenge and your own happiness. Which one do you pick?

[He almost cringes saying that. "Your own happiness"? What the fuck does that even mean? And yet that's that might be the best way of explaining what's on his mind...]

[Ragna was a difficult student. Not necessarily because he lacked skill or potential (at least not when it came to cooking), but rather because had little patience and even less tolerance for being ordered around. Hell, even taking advice could be a challenge for him, given his rebellious nature. Needless to say, he's not particularly pleased with being relegated to the role of Kodachi's assistant (though he was glad they had managed to keep their kitchen relatively flamethrower-free).]

Yes, Ma'am. As you wish, Ma'am.

[He said in a deadpan monotone, taking the knife from her. Who did she think he was, some kinda kitchen helper? But fine. She wanted the stuff chopped, he'd do that. It's not like he had anything better to do with his time.

Without further ado, the Grim Reaper got down to the task on hand.]

[Crossing the Boundary was no small task, even for the Successor of the Azure. The sheer amount of information obtained from coming in contact with it could easily drive a person insane, and while being a Prime Field Device lessened the burden, it was by no means a simple or pleasant experience.

She didn't know how or why she managed to exit the Boundary, but she only had a few seconds to realize that before hitting the hard, cold floor knocked her out. It's only when she hears some distant voice (and feels the not-so-distant pain in her cheek) that her consciousness returns and her eyes flutter open.]

O-Oww...

[Noel groans, but somehow manages to pull herself together enough to sit up. She rubs her temple, wishing for the lingering pain to go away already, but things are never this simple, are they? She'll just have to wait until it passes...]

Y-Yes, I'm fine... I think...

[Though now that she has established as much, the situation raises a few more questions. The girl glances around, her eyes growing wide in confusion as she fails to recognize her surroundings. Finally, turns to face the person who woke her up.]

Um, excuse me... Do you know what this place is?

This realm is known as the Akasha Stratum. Only those with a strong desire can reach this place.

[It wasn't often that the Administrator had gotten an interest out of things beyond mere boredom. Watching over millions of humans go on throughout their lives, suffering and getting back up was like sitting in an eternal classroom with no ending... unless he were to pull the plug himself. Then there were the demons and spirits were gone about their duties beyond normal eyes that he had also watch over...

So the fact that this girl could arrive here had already meant that she was something beyond humanity like himself. At best, those who desired to meet him had the thirst for battle and wanted to steal away his throne or destroy the world of humans. Sadly, his life wasn't always a peaceful one.]

Or perhaps you're something much more... [And very casually, he'll be cupping Noel's chin into his hand and tilts her face closer to his.] I gotta say that it's been a while since I've gotten a homewreaker to crash into this place. A cute looking one at that.

[Just like his human self, he was still such a tease. Probably wasn't as smooth back then compared to now, though.]

[Ah, it's finally time. Yoshitsugu looks over at, well, Yoshitsugu. Tilts his own head and considers for a moment before saying:]

Yes.

[This man, his... reflection across the distored mirror, is visually very different. Visually being the key word. Yoshitsugu is well aware of the weakness in his body, that life-long risk of him catching ill and falling hard and fast into it. In youth Takatora had fussed constantly every time he so much as sneezed and had vigilantly kept anyone else with even minor sicknesses away; in adulthood Mitsunari had tried to do the same when they were able to be in one another's company. What Yoshitsugu sees now is something like he has always expected for himself, the path that will lead to his death.]

[Not something he's ever been afraid of, but seeing it so starkly... Yoshitsugu curls his fingers in his facecloth briefly, though his expression remains calm and focused.]

This Orochi has a strange way of messing with the flow. [He huffs slightly, as if amused.] Two currents in one world, and a reflection for every soul born... odd is right.

[(Don't hold your breath, Ragna. Kodachi had a very convenient blowtorch for all things that needed caramelization, but she sure could use it to burn everything down.)]

[He was fortunate that she didn't pick up on his sarcasm. Not because she couldn't, but because she chose not to - because she liked being addressed as "ma'am". Plus, his obedience was a miracle, so she chose not to upset this delicate balance.]

[(When it came to getting what she wanted, Kodachi was willing to hold back a tantrum.)]

I think perhaps this will cheer Motochika-san up.

[He was still brooding over the mast that Kodachi had recently destroyed in a skirmish with other pirates.]

[ Mitsunari doesn't quite understand the question. Why are they mutually exclusive? Wouldn't getting revenge bring you your happiness? You can have your cake and eat it too.

He has to consider his own situation only for a moment before he understands the error in his line of thinking. ]

If my revenge is just... I would pursue it at any expense. No matter the misfortunes that should befall me.

If it is not... it would be happiness I seek. ...Peace of mind.

open rp post

for Ruto

Ōtani Yoshitsugu x 2

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Noel

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never too much of a good thing

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sorry for the wait!

No problem!

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A MILLION YEARS LATER