futurology | voice | un: Katakura

[ He refuses to run back. He's not a child and he is not going to display such hope just to have it somehow snatched from him. At the very least, there's no reason for him to doubt Sieglinde. There had been a strangely unique hint of excitement to her announcement of Kojuro's arrival.

Masamune had been out to check on Kida, but, when knocking on her door yielded nothing, he had hesitated to search for her further. Maybe it was best not to interfere, to give her her time to think about whatever was bothering her. It wasn't as if he could help ease any of it despite doing plenty helping to trigger it.

When his thoughts had been interrupted by the tiny Green Witch's call, Masamune took it as a sign to indeed leave Kida to herself as she requested.

It's a bit of a walk back from her door to his own, but he has a sense of dread that if he does anything faster than walk, something will go wrong&and ash;

...Or, it may be simply a sense in order to be at the right place at the right time, to be in tune with his Right Eye ( just as he's supposed to be ).

Turning the corner to the hall his room is in, he's met with the sight of a familiar figure at his door. The sound of the other knocking is terribly loud to Masamune in the otherwise silent hall. The young Date lord doesn't hesitate in his stride even upon seeing what is still a surprise, but his restraint on his hopes are significantly dropped. His excitement is clear—his happiness—and there's no way to mistake that between his body language and his tone as he calls down the hallway.

He hasn't felt like this since arriving. He hasn't smiled (not even a grin but an actual smile) like he is now since arriving, either. ]

-- Yo, Kojuro! [ For Kojuro, Masamune isn't much different from what he had last seen back in their world before arriving here. The only variance is that he's not ventured out in his normal samurai armor. No familiar sound to it, no striking helmet to catch sight of immediately but, nevertheless, to Kojuro, it's still far from foreign. The overcoat is the one Masamune has similar to Kojuro's rather than the far more common one that he wears with the rest of his samurai armor. ]

[Kojuro turns at the first sound of that familiar voice, as naturally as breathing. It brings with it a wave of relief - his immediate reaction on finding himself in this strange place was fear that someone had conspired to separate them again, to take him from his rightful place. Once had been enough, and the damage that had been wrought in his absence... Kojuro hadn't wanted to think of it happening a second time.

But Masamune is here, and he's known the lord of Oushuu for half his life now, knows the difference between Masamune's usual smirk and this softer one, one far more rarely spotted.]

Masamune-sama. [he bows his head in proper deference.] I apologize for my absence.

[ Familiarity has never been so welcome, and while he's never particularly cared or otherwise required Kojuro to be so formal, something that is Definity Kojuro™ is such a welcome sight and sound.

From his apology, it sounds like Sieglinde or another person already informed him how long Masamune's been here. That's totally fine-- he gives a light wave of dismissal at the apology. ]

Yeah, you're unusually late for you, but it doesn't really matter at all since you're here, now. You really just arrived? I only stepped out for a little bit—

[There's a ping of guilt - guilt Masamune likely did not mean to imply, but that Kojuro feels anyway. Even though it was the laws of reality - or something greater - that had come between them this time, he still feels the sting of a promise broken. At some point, someone is going to pay for that - but not right this moment.]

Truly. It was... something of a surprise to find myself here. [that's the understatement of the century]

You arrived at a good time. [ What he means and how it's actually going to be most likely taken in the next moment are very disconnected.

Masamune doesn't even realize it until it's too late, or it obviously would have never happened to begin with. Approaching is so natural and normal and he's happy that he lets his guard down on him getting any sudden strange feelings being in the other's presence again. He'd been worried, on top of everything else, that if Kojuro was here he might act all out of sorts in the worst possible way for a lot of reasons.

He was right to worry. Masamune's own words trigger it, because while he merely meant it's the most peaceful and least chaotic of their previous situations, all the imagery his words bring to his mind are himself at his worst-- times he's called out for the other, needing him and knowing he wouldn't get an answer; times he has been terrified of his own pathetic state, because what if Kojuro saw him then? How disappointed would he be in him?

Masamune's done a good job of rebounding from one stupid mistake after another with little effort once he's sulked properly, but this sudden crash of things all at once and the feeling of just how much he's really missed this person hits him hard. He doesn't realize that once he's close enough his smile has not only faded but has been replaced with tears. Masamune looks upset— the kind of upset someone expresses when they are suddenly in the presence of someone safe and everything they've held back until now unloads as reality.

( Those times of stress where they displayed uncanny composure and efficiency or pushed through something without reacting as they normally might in what seems to be an incredible resilience --

-- but that's not how it is at all. It's only merely delayed. )

Until this very second, he has not felt in any circumstance he could afford to be affected and let it out, even when alone. That's why he continues to step forward once they're plenty close enough to talk and closes the distance, hugging onto his Right Eye, and simply clings to him, face buried against the other's shoulder.

"I'm so glad you're here." It's muffled both from the obstruction of Kojuro's jacket and the sob that comes out along with it. He hates this place, he hates everything he's had to deal with without Kojuro, he hates all the real shit he's gotten himself into. One of those things, in particular, he is even more worried about Kojuro being dragged into in the worst way and he doesn't want that, either.

Archer has been right from the start. Masamune has really managed to get in over his head. He knows this. The last encounter with Gilgamesh, is what's really eating at him. He hasn't lost his temper like and been so hellbent in rage since Mitsunari.

He'd sworn he learned from that, that Kojuro would never have to deal with that again and yet—

His fingers tightens their hold on the leather jacket. ]

--Sorry. Kojuro, I'm really sorry.

[ He's sorry for the serious problems that Kojuro may end up having to deal with and he's sorry for all the things that his retainer will be cleaning up that Masamune isn't actually sorry for.

Most of all, though, he's sorry he's acting like this at all, nevermind less than a minute after being reunited with the other. Shit. ]

[To watch Masamune's smile crumple and fade like that - Kojuro feels like the bottom of his stomach has fallen out, the short burst of relief replaced by guilt concern anger. The last time Masamune had come to him like this, without sake or anger to set off his tears, he'd barely been more than a child. For it to happen now - someone was going to pay for this.

...But not right this moment. For now, he brings his arms up to encircle Masamune, holding him tight. Harder to do now than when they were young and Kojuro had more of an advantage in height, but not impossible.]

It's fine. I'm here, don't worry. [The actual words are less important than his tone of voice, his own reactions pushed aside as he speaks as calmingly as he can, just loud enough for Masamune to hear.]

[ That's fine. It's all fine. Masamune hears a heartbeat and there's warmth and for the first time in months-- without even realizing it had faded away in the first place --he feels safe. Not just from harm but from everything that's caused him to keep this all bottled up. He finally feels no care about the rest of his surroundings ( who is there and who is not there ) and just begins and ends them with Kojuro. He's so relieved and it's ridiculous that, instead of showing that and his happiness, he's giving Kojuro this, but his Right-Eye's acceptance of him, anyway, makes him sink further against him.

When he finally calms enough to regain his composure, he neither looks up at the older man nor separates from him. ]

Thanks. I have no idea what that was just now but I'm really fine. [ Mostly. Clinging to Kojuro makes pretty much everything fine and has since he was a child. ]

I promise I haven't gone crazy while you were absent or anything.

[Kojuro knows Masamune well enough to know this is, perhaps, the most valuable gift he can give - that of trust. Even as long as they've known each other, Kojuro feels honored every time, even as he worries and wishes he could remove this pain entirely. The spoken thanks is even rarer, something usually implied rather than voiced.]

Of course. [Having seen Masamune after his encounter with Mitsunari? This isn't quite so concerning.] Though perhaps we should discuss this in your quarters....? [Mostly because Kojuro is still very aware that they're in the middle of a theoretically-public hallway - and he knows how little Masamune likes showing weakness]

[ His room. Right, that's a place that exists and they happen to be standing in front of it. How annoying he couldn't even keep it together long enough to get in there.

The fact he hates showing his weakness is the most dominating factor as to why he still has his face mostly buried against the other.

Still, he nods after a minute, moving to reach with one hand to wipe any tear streaks lingering on his face, the other turning to open the grab the handle of the door. He twists it, but doesn't immediately open the door, instead speaking to ... definitely not Kojuro. ]

Move away already before I knock you out with the door. Then you'll miss all the scandalous action when I have my with him inside.

[In response to Masamune's warning there is only a shuffling sound, the click of the door's handle as it turns from within and opens to reveal the same small girl who had greeted Kojuro in the video feed earlier, clinging to the door for support and balance on unnaturally tiny feet and peeking around it to catch a look at both of the men.

She'd planned on saying something more greeting suitable, really, but. Did someone say "scandalous action"?]

[Kojuro releases his hold on Masamune, but stays close to the younger man as he moves. The presence of someone else catches him by surprise, though, and he kicks himself for not noticing earlier. Some Right-Eye he is, right now. He did manage to cover it with a small smile for the girl, though.]

Ah, hello.

[Did you really have to tell her that, Masamune?]

[ Yes, he absolutely did or she wouldn't have so easily come out. Kojuro will learn in time about Sieglinde's very unladylike fixations.

Nevertheless, Masamune smiles down at her, a bit exasperated before he steps through the threshold of the doorway, pausing only to lean down and pick the girl up in his arms before moving further into the living arrangement. He turns to face Kojuro once he's in the room, as well, and the door is closed. ]

So~~ this is my daughter. As you can see, I've been busy these last few months~!

[ As if that was anywhere remotely believable considering to start things off their age difference isn't even 12 years apart. Ah well, it's not as if he was trying to talk seriously. In fact, quite the opposite-- he would rather Sieglinde not see (anymore of) that weak side of him that broke through on the other side of the door just moments ago. When she decides to go back to her books and experiments, he'll confide in Kojuro some more, but until then... ]

You guys sort of met already, though, right? What did information did you exchange so far?

[It is true that this little witch is easily lured by promises of scandal and other age inappropriate topics. It's also true that she seems entirely at home perched in Masamune's arms, settling in with a little swing of her bound feet and a small hand on his shoulder... Which becomes a small hand smacking lightly into his head. Sister might be better than daughter...]

I know for a fact you have not been that busy!

[The dubious perks of sharing a flat in Chantes for months. But she returns her hand to his shoulder after fixing the hair she mussed, (sort of), and instead looked to Kojuro now that she could observe him without having to crane her neck.]

We have been briefly introduced, yes. I'm afraid I only gave him the briefest explanations as to how we find ourselves here and why we cannot return so easily.

[Kojuro raises his eyebrows slightly at Masamune, a small unspoken rebuke - because one, that's impossible unless the girl is significantly younger than she looks and acts, and two, Masamune knows better. There are certain things a lord must be responsible for, and children is one of them. But Kojuro is glad he has someone he can joke like that with, here. His rank isolates him in Oushuu - no matter how down-to-earth he acts, he'll always be lord, not simply one of the men. And the bad blood with the rest of his family means he has few he can truly trust. To have more... that is no small thing.

He turns his focus back to Sieglinde.]

And you contacted Masamune-sama for me. Thank you.

[ It's all true and Masamune is fond of her very much for it without even realizing it. Without Kojuro, Muneshige had provided something familiar and stable but with him gone everything was rocky. It's not that others were not friendly to him or on bad terms, but they had priority that was not the friendship between them. They all have give and take necessities to deal with, political pieces to a puzzle he hated back home and hates here, too. Sieglinde may have her lord title from her fabricated life, but-- real or not --they don't have mutual understanding based on that to matter.

It just ... works, he guesses he would say if asked.

He takes her swatting like a tolerant sibling not wanting to get in trouble with their parent by reacting how they normally would, but he isn't feeling anything that requires tolerance. He's happy to keep the mood light with all three of them here. ]

Good, good. Sieg uses leaves to make medicine here. [ He actually knows the herbs are not leaves, but if he wasn't saying something to tease anyone when he can, it wouldn't be him. Not to mention, Kojuro's gardening hobby makes leaves that much more of a word to poke at them both. ] She's so good!

[ Lets just not talk about that fiasco where he almost died from blood poisoning, though. Minor detail worth skipping over in telling Kojuro. He glances to Sieglinde. ]

Kojuro can do pretty much do everything [ it's a backhanded compliment: awesome skills but definitely taken advantage of to do shit he shouldn't have to simply because Masamune is a brat, even at 23. ] He's the only person I can't win against in a fight.

[ That holds a lot more weight —considering he's talked to her about fighting with Gilgamesh and never even hinted to such a thought process—than Kojuro will be able to tell. ]

Did you want any tea, Kojuro? [ (--wow, what, is he offering to make tea for his retainer--) he glances at Sieglinde, a little less enthusiastic. ] You can't eat cookies with it if you have any. You ate crap already, this morning.

[ Weird westerners with their "tea time" snack preferences. Considering Masamune drinks tea like water back home, it probably took him a while to realize letting her have tea whenever she wants it similarly usually ends up with excess sweets consumption. ]

Edited 2016-03-08 08:48 (UTC)

[Though Sieglinde waved off Kojuro's thanks with a small gesture of her hand and a brief dip of her head, accepting but not thinking she'd done anything terribly worth thanking when it had only been a matter of toddling next door and then using her comm... she made a face almost immediately after when Masamune described her potions and remedies as "leaves".

"Herbs" was mouthed quite obviously, along with a small eye roll even though she knew he knew exactly what the right word was. Still, even right on the heels of that mistake she still preened a bit obviously when praised- and kept her mouth shut on when she had to use those "leaves" to save Masamune's life. Not because she realized it was something Kojuro shouldn't know, but.

Even she had some idea of manners. She just disregarded them when it suited, and instead began looking Kojuro up and down as if assessing his strength. ... Then up and down once more just to. Be sure. Check. All that.]

I shall eat them if I desire, with what drink I desire.

[Sieglinde sniffed a bit at the very idea, tossing her head and almost hitting Masamune in the face with her hair.]

Besides, should we not offer beer, instead? The man is about to hear a lot of very improbable things.

[And she had an appetite for that brew more than she did for the tea Sebastian had been trying to get her used to before he'd left.]

[Sieglinde's eyeroll gets an amused, knowing smile from Kojuro, because he knows Masamune said that to be irritating, and he'd have the exact same reactions she did in another place and time.]

Is that so? I know some recipes for medicinal mixtures, but I'd be interested in learning more. [He's always had enough to deal with that his plants are a relatively low priority, unfortunately. Learning from someone with likely far more experience would be enlightening.]

And I'd prefer tea, I think - it's better to look at these things with a clear head.

If you want beer, you can have it. [ Certainly it's better than sweets with tea all doctored up. He sets Sieglinde down now on the sofa before heading to the kitchen. He pauses halfway before turning to glance back at his retainer. ]

Feel free to sit, Kojuro. It's a long story... I guess. [ So says the daimyo who dozes during council meetings that aren't war-related.

Anything is too long for him. ]

Hmm... suit yourself. - I shall take that beer.

[Sieglinde had found the tea Masamune preferred to be a bitter, foreign tasting thing, but she supposed others might think the same of the foods of her own country- Masamune had been able to sample some of those when Sebastian had been on hand to serve, but since then.

Sieglinde settles herself on the sofa where she's placed, unnaturally tiny feet swinging absently as she arranges her skirts and looks Kojuro up once more while Masamune goes to make the tea.

Once more for good measure.]

- Hold old are you?

[Well, that may have come out of nowhere, but. She'd never been the type to not ask what was on her curious mind.]

[For Masamune to take the initiative like that surprises Kojuro just a little bit. Mostly because it's rare, when the task is this menial. But - it's not a bad thing, perhaps. Sometimes even daimyo have to make their own tea. So instead of following, he sits on the sofa as well, clearly not entirely used to this style of furniture. Though none of them took their shoes off, so he's not sure he'd want to sit on the floor either.

The question throws him slightly off-guard - not something he gets asked particularly often.]

Thirty-three - why?

Hmm...

[Three times her own age! (AKA: Quite Adult.) Sieglinde seems to be equally thrown off by him asking why she asked, blinking at him a moment before helpfully supplying,]

Are you wed?

[Yeah, not an answer. Just another question. You know... totally normal things that normal people ask upon first meeting other people. Yes.]

[Kojuro frowns - more than his default expression is a frown, anyway - because he's not sure he likes where this conversation is heading.]

No, not yet. [It would be his duty to some day, for both the sake of his clan and the lord he served - but not now, when Masamune was still consolidating power. There simply wasn't time.]

Any children?

[Kojuro would fast learn that despite Sieglinde's obvious youth and small size... Her thinking certainly wasn't innocent not particularly immature... Except when it came to things like Masamune calling her potion making and magic by their wrong names, and other such things.

Besides, she continues to simply swing her feet and look at him quite normally. Thirty three was an awful long time for a man to go without being married in her mind- but perhaps he was busy... But surely children at least? Concubines or some such?]

[this conversation is like watching something come crashing to the ground - like he should be able to do something to stop it, but just isn't fast enough.]

No. [time to attempt a distraction] Are you from an herbalist family? [because she's very young to have come by the profession some other way]

[Well, that was... was that admirable? It certainly was quite a lot of restraint for a man. Maybe just thinking about it was saddening- moving on would be kinder.]

The line of the Green Witch specializes in healing magics.

[That was the line, anyway. The lie is easier to say than the actual truth.

Shorter, too.]

voice | un: Katakura

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lets masamune have tea making time

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