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By vigils

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[For now Xu Shu will seize upon this gentler form of conversation; if Mitsuhide is calmer like this then it can only be a good thing to engage with him while the mask is on. It also gives him the time to calm a little and think over what he needs to do and the conversation he's going to have to have with Daud afterwards...]

[Wait, the 'brother' thing again? Is he going to fixate on that idea? Xu Shu pauses and then shakes his had slowly.]

Umm, no. Not since the early morning.

[He glances down at his, well, yes, cooling tea. The half-cup is probably not worth touching now, is it? Honestly Xu Shu doesn't often eat during the daytime and he's not one to make complex food either, usually sticking to simple meals in small portions. Tea is something he takes more time over. There are days where he wonders if he could get through the day without it.]

Why do you ask?

[A question with a probably obvious answer, but Xu Shu is learning not to assume simple logic with this man.]

No?

[ His head tilts ever so slightly as his aura seems to radiate disappointment. Breathing in deep, he sits a little straighter. Clicking his tongue, he makes soft tsk-tsk-tsk sounds with each flick. ]

That is because... I worry about you. Also, food is good. [ A beat. ] Through my travels, I have come to understand how nice it is to eat with others... sharing meals is a luxury... and the gratitude felt in that small bubble of hot food and table is... it is worth experiencing.

[ "Tenkai" feels his shoulders sag. His gaze becomes distant -- the sharp, bright green mania fades little by little from his eyes and replaced with a warm, soft gold. Kingo, are you eating well? Not crying too much into the broth, are you? That will make it too salty and lose its warm flavor...

The face settles on the flesh; it smooths over the broken, shattered pieces. There is no "Tenkai." There is only Mitsuhide. There is only ever him. But in remembering that small, weak Lord, he pretends earnestly for that one's sake. Even if he is not here to see him, Kingo is waiting; if that "him" does not exist outside of Kingo's sight, "he" does not exist.

He can't do that to him -- and for a moment, he forgets why he is wearing the face of Tenkai and pretends. ]

... I carried on but eating is very important. Skipping meals is no good. When you skip them, you feel more empty inside when riddles and puzzles come. [ Pushing himself up to stand, the monk awakens. ] Well... shall I gather the supplies to fix this problem? A rabbit, perhaps? Meat is always good for when one is stewing. Stew would be better but we have no pot... most unfortunate.

Edited 2018-11-21 20:52 (UTC)

Worry about me?

[That's even more interesting, in its way, because it's a reflection of Mitsuhide's... other side? Other persona? As 'Tenkai' this would be their first meeting but it's not, not really, so. Goodness. Just how did this man end up this way? Violent and bloody and mad, a danger to almost everyone and unquestionably the sort one might label a 'villain' were he a character in a story, Mitsuhide is also incredibly human and fragile for it, in his way.]

[Xu Shu pulls again at his shirt, feeling nervous. Despite those thoughts and the intellectual mystery it provides, the idea of being worried about by his current companion is rather unsettling.]

I'm not worth worrying about, but thank you. [Glancing down at his tea and his book, Xu Shu thinks for a moment before downing the lukewarm tea, picking his things up, stashing them in his little bag and standing up as well.] Wouldn't it be easier to go and find a pot elsewhere, though? I'm sure there are easier ways to eat right now... though I have caught rabbits in the past.

[You can't be a wanderer in a land as big as his original home without learning how to gather and hunt, after all. He's no expert but has skills enough to do it without coming to harm. Been a while since he's done so, though.]

To thank someone while considering their feelings worthless... how should I respond? [ His tone remains softly understanding. Lifting his hand, he rests his palm across the front of the mask, fingers spread across it. Like he may tear the half-mask off, but he instead taps his fingertips upon the metal. No, not removing the mask; he is merely sliding into a "thoughtful" pose. ]

No, that is not what you meant, but rather... it renders someone's feelings worthless to consider yourself so. Please take more care with yourself? If you pile on too many words, you will find it difficult to walk forward and become disheartened by your lack of progress. [ He claps his hands together, moving onto the topic of "food." ]

Indeed, it may be easier, but it won't allow you to eat faster. So the matter becomes... we need only ask directions. [ Lifting his head up, he turns his head about as he searches the sky. ] Ah, there, they are... there, they are. [ A pair of ravens flying high in the air suddenly plummet down out of the sky. It seems like they are going to meet a bloody end but suddenly swoop up to fly straight in their direction. Slowing down as they approach, the pair come to rest on "Tenkai's" shoulder. ]

Ah, yes? Yes? Rabbits? I promise not to take the most juicy of ones, but you see my companion here has not eaten. [ One raven pecks at the straps of his shoulder-guards, whilst the other twists its head around to look to the strategist. A sharp cry comes from the two. ] Oh. That is most kind of you.

[ One of the ravens bites onto the feather of another. It tugs viciously before pulling the feather free. "Tenkai" takes the offering with smiling eyes. ] Yes, yes, I would like to promise that you will eat well soon... but you will have to take that up with another face. [ The ravens fluff their feathers before taking off from his shoulders. ] Well, I got some good directions... shall we go? I should like to see you catch rabbits.

Edited 2018-11-22 00:53 (UTC)

[Again that insight, that way of seeing people as they are and slicing right into the issue without a worry; were he not so disturbed a man Mitsuhide would probably make an excellent strategist, wouldn't he? That's not helpful right now, of course. Xu Shu hesitates, something sad and unsure crossing his features, before he chooses not to respond. How can he? That lack of self-esteem, the feeling of little worth, is so deep a problem that it's not so easily fixed with words.]

[It's easier to focus on what comes. The entire 'display' is watched with wide eyes, his gaze following the birds, and when 'Tenkai' suggests they go Xu Shu finally finds his voice again.]

Umm, you have interesting friends.

[Did Mitsuhide really just hold a conversation with ravens? The world is a fascinating place filled with many odd powers, it's true, so it can't be discounted... and they had certainly acted like they were responding. That doesn't make it any less strange, though, and Xu Shu really doesn't want to think too hard about the 'eat well' comment. The 'another face' one, though, is tucked away into his thoughts to dwell on later.]

[For now, well. It looks like he's going hunting.]

If you like. I'm not sure how quickly I can catch a rabbit, and it's been a while, but I can certainly manage in the right spot.

[It's a decent-ish time of day for it, heading into late afternoon, though the methods of hunting they'll have will be somewhat limited as things stand. Traps? Something to think on while they walk. It might not actually take less time to get their food this way but if it keeps Mitsuhide occupied that's fine, right?]

There's probably edible mushrooms around as well.

Indeed, they are quite interesting. [ A soft, soft chuckle. ] I would like to learn from them. They are exceptionally obliging and honest in their gratitude to others who have helped them.

[ Holding the feather between thumb and index finger, he rolls it quill in small, quick circles. ]I would like to learn how to act the same way to those I feel indebted toward. [ With careful fingers, he weaves the feather in among the other raven feathers that adorns his shoulder-guards. ]

... mushrooms will go well with a roasted rabbit. We shall be eating very well. [ He bobs hic chin up and down, yet again, in a thoughtful nod. ] But ... allow me now to give you the problem that is before you and ask how you are to accomplish the task.

[ Lifting his hand, he holds it out as he gestures towards his dear companion. ] My friends have given us directions to the rabbits... or where we shall have the most luck to find them. By my word, I promised not to take the juicest of them.

So ... among the rabbits, how will you choose which one to die? [ He turns to look and smile kind with his eyes. ] We have only our small window... if we choose wrong and snag a rabbit that we promised not to snag... what would your next course of action be?

[ This is the same sort of games that he would play with Kingo. He loves to watch the steam come out of the little lord's head when he gives him a riddle. His eyes close as he can already hear his voice. "Tenkai-sama. I don't know. But wouldn't it be okay to say 'sorry'? Aren't we very hungry?"

Opening his eyes, he decides to add to his riddle, because unlike his sweet Kingo, Xu Shu is very clever and will probably be bored without some added stipulations: ]

Will you appease the long-standing friendship I have with the ravens, and the promise I gave them? Or will you appease my selfish wish to see you eat well? Which one would you allow to take precedent, little brother?

[Little brother?]

[There's one thing Xu Shu hasn't really thought on too hard, that being the reason why Mitsuhide even wants to keep interacting with him. What's that about? Just what about himself could keep such a man interested in talking to him? And what's with the brother thing, anyway? He can't have latched onto that word from one single comment, one method of comparison. There's too much to work out about this man and probably only a small amount that has a real answer.]

[Back to the hunting, must focus on the hunting. The dwelling can come later. 'Tenkai' has posed questions that are much easier to find answers for, and Xu Shu hums thoughtfully, closes his eyes for a moment and then looks up at the sky. This does at least help him choose the how he's going to do the capture.]

...there's no reason both the wish and the promise can't be kept.

[His gaze drops again, sweeping over the green before them. Creating the traps will be the challenge but with a bit of inventiveness they'll manage.]

I'll need to trap several non-lethally and choose between them. Leave the fattest for your friends, let the thinnest and smallest go free, and those that are in-between would serve well for a meal.

[ Eh? I said it a second time and still no response? "Tenkai" lets out a low, thoughtful hum. I thought you would show a different side. The courtesy of the young man is extraordinary -- even more so than the ravens and crows. He breathes out a small sigh, listening to it echo in his mask.

Indeed, Mitsuhide was certain that Xu Shu would want to protect imagined familial lines. He believed that the young man would grow discontent and eventually furious at having a stranger readily call themselves his brother. But he has cooled all of his fury to where it is just smoldering coals over minor offenses. Lifting his gaze up, he admits that he has chosen the wrong path to himself. Peppering it into the conversation is not enough to feel the spice. Pressing the issue will end in... ]

No reason both can't be kept, huh?

[ He claps his hands together. Once, twice. ]

And if I were to give you a time frame in which you must complete this task? [ He decides to hold onto the idea of brotherhood. He holds onto it and rolls it around in his hands. The word does not yet sound bad. The word does not yet sound useless. He just is not ringing the right bell with it yet. ]

Or would that be too mean to do? [ So "Tenkai" focuses on hunting. He focuses on Xu Shu's ingenious nature and see if he cannot give him some words of praise if he can fulfill the whimsical expectations of an eccentric monk. ]

[What is this about? Every time Xu Shu tries to focus he finds himself stuck on another something that needs pondering, a mystery within the mystery. Damn. No. If this is a test, or a game, or whimsical distraction? It doesn't really matter. So long as nobody is getting hurt right now and Mitsuhide is far away from Daud then it's just fine. He inhales softly and tugs at his collar.]

I can't promise you I'd succeed within the time frame.

[It depends on how many rabbits are within the place they are heading, how many good materials are around, how quickly the rabbits fall for the traps... so many variables to consider.]

But I can try. [His mouth quirks just a little as he attempts to smile.] You won't get to witness much, though... give me a time limit and I'll have to sprint off in the direction you point.

[That'll do. There will be nothing but the task until it's done.]

Edited 2018-11-25 01:05 (UTC)

If you are willing, then you are willing. [ Patting his clothes down, his head tilts and one can almost see the frown crossing his lips. ] I apologize ... I don't have a means to time you. It would not be right to time you without being able to see the time.

[ His fingers tap against his metal mask, before he drags his nails across the surface. The soft gold shifts as he smiles. Yes, "Tenkai" exists for that young lord that cares so much for him. The monk would never be so cruel as to time a person without a means to check the time. Bullying is bullying but there has to be limits to it. ]

I shall give you ... what is fair? Thirty minutes? Forty-five? Yes, let's go with the latter. And I'll time you. Please ... if you would lend me your phone... I believe there is a timer function on it. [ Holding his hand out, he steps forward. ] I'll play with that until you return with your choice of rabbits.

[ Turning his head, he looks back over his shoulder -- looking out toward the wide sky. ] And by then, the ravens, too, should return and be able to determine if the choice was right. They are far more impartial than I am. [ Leaning in: ] Even though I am a monk, even though I must do what is fair, when someone is working their hardest... I wish to be partial to them, in turn.

[Fourty-five leaves him a chance of success, at least. The phone request, though? Xu Shu outright hesitates when it comes to that request but, after a moment of thought, chooses to pull it out of his pocket and hand it over. All in all this is a terrible idea but the little device, which isn't at all fancy and perhaps one of the cheaper models you'll find out there, nonetheless has lots of silly little games on it (as well as more complex ones such as chess, for example) and bears a case with the image of a grey wolf engraved across. There really isn't anything much incriminating on there. Even the photos are either of simple natural sights or the office dog.]

[(Trying to get a good image of his beloved found family is half impossible).]

Please don't look through my messages. [He says, sounding painfully shy for a moment.] They've been rather embarrassing, lately...

[But once that is done he steps back, inhales softly and steels himself. Mission time. It's not often he's done things to explicit time limits but there have been plentiful times in his life and in his work where doing things quickly and quietly have been important. Xu Shu is naturally athletic, swift and strong, and while he won't actually directly acknowledge that it's still true. And he knows it, on some level.]

[So he's quieter when he speaks next, but firmer, pulling up the hood of his hoodie even as he speaks. Usually he does so because he's feeling insecure but sometimes, just sometimes, it's because he's about to do something with considerable seriousness.]

Point, and we'll start.

This monk is not so callous as to read through the messages one man receives from another. Those messages are private and meant only to be shared between the writer and the receiver.

[ He smiles in a fond, if not a little more manic, way as he takes the phone. Indeed, what he seeks is not what is written. What he seeks is not what has been taken or kept, like the flowers pressed between the pages of books. No, what he seeks is something simpler. It's the frequency of chatter. Indeed, Mitsuhide may pretend to be someone else when writing letters but he would never read a letter not addressed to him (or his other face).

Intercepting letters is the sort of rudeness that sane men do to find out plans. Mitsuhide, however, admits to his own madness.

So, what he seeks is frequency. What he seeks is seeing how often two speak and how long. What he seeks is the connection not the words shared. The words shared are sacred, after all! Like his words with Nobunaga will always be held hallowed and dear in his heart (they will also always rip and rend and tear and bleed the inside of his soul). All the same, he understands the importance of messages and shared, secret words between two people.

... Tenkai lifts his arm to point in the direction the crows gave him. He smiles as he turns the phone over in his hand, setting the timer. ]

Go. Please go. I believe in you completely and know that you will be victorious.

[Those aren't the most reassuring words to hear from someone like Mitsuhide, not at all. Xu Shu looks at the other for a single moment before bowing his head and turning around, staring in the direction that had been pointed out for one brief moment and then sprinting off.]

[He has plans in mind but it all depends on what he can find, and the few things he has on him. Thank goodness for his always-present pocketknife. It's been useful on many occasions in his line of work and for all sorts of purposes; picking locks, of course, the most common one. But sometimes... well, sometimes it's kept him safe, in situations where there's been no other path left. Xu Shu doesn't like to dwell on those times, but... well. They happened, didn't they?]

[But no. Not now. Focus. Run, look, hunt.]

[Left behind is his phone, in the hands of a 'monk,' and only a couple of very active message logs. To Daud above all. Their messages might be short and to the point but they are frequent. To Cass as well, with whom his messages are a little softer and often full of images of the office dog. There's a few other workmates and friends but these are much less active. In some ways, Xu Shu is still rather lonely. There's hesitation and fear in him still, the worries that he'll disappoint, the concern that he'll suffer the loss. Maybe it'll never go away in full...]

[ I see, I see.

He has forty-five minutes to mull over the number of messages that Xu Shu has received. Lifting his hand up, he taps his fingers against the mask. Tap, tap, tap.

Daud is hardly surprising. The two chat, chat, chat. They worry, worry, worry. But their insides don't twist inside like they used to because they have each other. His head tilts the opposite way. They believe in one another and recognize it yet not recognize it. The two shall come together sooner or later, because the shape of the sinking rock has become a drowning man.

The two of them can become human when they remember that their hearts can still bleed and that they have something they can lose. Mitsuhide giggles -- high-pitched and violent. He hums as he moves onto the frequency of the second. A woman? Cass? A lunatic only reads the number of messages, the times the messages were sent, and the name. He keeps his promise and does not read the messages themselves. These two are close. Fond, at least. Fond. Very easy to grow fond if one's hurting and bleeding. Xu Shu wouldn't let someone draw close if he could recognize it. But he does and doesn't recognize it.

Because he's still sitting at the hill where he shattered, picking up the broken fragments of rock that he escaped from. "Tenkai" chuckles -- soft and understanding, always understanding. So, what is it? "Cass," hm? He shortened it. Her name. Her doing or his doing? Easy enough to ask him to do anything. But this is his phone and she may never see the shortening. Mitsuhide chimes into his own thoughts, interrupting the musing. And will we gut the rabbit for him? Most assuredly, most assuredly, this Mitsuhide will. Chop the head right off and skin the beast with these hands. He shouldn't have to bloody his hands after playing our game. That wouldn't be fair.

Returning to the point at hand? Yes, the point. There is a closeness and the times and frequency. The times and frequency. I'll leave you, my other face, to investigate the matter. The 'monk' is good at settling the racing heart, but his own face is best at seeing the face behind the faces. She feels like a bird. I don't know the shape of it. Small, large. Perhaps, it is not a bird at all? Let us discover what shape she is.

He closes the messages and returns to looking to the timer. Will they grow upset? Will their faces grow red and black with anger if I talk to her? Is she a princess being protected? Or is she-- His head lifts as he looks up toward the sky. The ravens are starting to return. Two, at first. But more and more are starting to swarm and group. Certainly, he is alone save for those two. Certainly, he is. Yet no one can live alone and no one can die alone. The world becomes too big and too empty. The world becomes just too big.

His gaze drops as the ravens turn the scenery black as they continue to gather. And now we wait. We wait because we have no answer yet. Their eyes turning bright red as they look out in the direction of the young man -- waiting, waiting. ]

Still... Xu Shu is working hard. We should not just sit here when there are so many of us. Why don't we get a fire going? Why don't we, hm? A pot for the stew? If the rabbit is to your liking, I will share some with you, friends.

But for now, let's make preparations. [ He says with a smile as the horde of ravens seem to agree. So a fire will be waiting, so a mountain of ravens will be waiting, so a campsite will be waiting yet feel very off as it sits and waits for the meat. ]

Edited 2018-11-29 19:00 (UTC)

[Late in the afternoon as it is, the sun is close to the horizon by the time Xu Shu appears. The ravens circle and fly in front of an approaching sunset that is clearly going to be rather pink; soft pastels are starting to settle into the sky.]

[The timer on the phone Mitsuhide holds reads 43:52.]

[A close-call, certainly, and judging by the pace at which Xu Shu speeds towards the fire he knows it. When he slows down and stops by the fire there is sweat on his brow, his chest rising and falling with his exhaustion. The bottom of his trousers are rather muddy too, and there are leaves caught on his clothing, but most importantly? Rabbits. Four of them. Not huge, not massively fat, but still with enough meat on them to make a good meal. They are bound together by thick cord and unbloodied so far; killed by a quick break of the neck, obviously. Laying them near Mitsuhide, Xu Shu then takes a seat and heaves a deep, tired breath.]

[After a moment or two he lays down a packet besides the rabbits too; inside there are mushrooms. A mix of commoner edible ones and a small handful of a rare but tasty prize; Matsutake mushrooms, especially prized in both China and Japan.]

Enough?

[He pulls down his hood and runs a hand through his hair, now concentrating on his breath in an attempt to both calm down and recover from his sprint.]

[ His thumb presses lightly to stop the timer. Both faces look over the time. He has worked exceptionally hard. Indeed, he has run around frantically to ensure success. Truly admirable. A soft giggle. What a marvelous human! What a marvelous human! His insides, though, are twisted and bunching and bursting in pain. Still, still, he has achieved his goal. Congratulations! Yes, let us give congratulations.

He holds his hand up, fingers slightly curled, as he stops himself. His head tilts upwards as one of the ravens plummets down to the ground. The corvid pecks and tugs lightly on the rabbits' ears. Its blood red eyes look over the captured prey before flying up to rest on the 'monk's shoulder. ]

It's enough, isn't it? [ The raven pecks lightly at the mask. ] Are you sure? [ It does not seem to want to dignify the question with an answer as the bird takes off from his shoulder back up toward the skies. The soft pastels of evening are blotted out in black, like a swirling storm, as the ravens group together. It is not long before they move on, traveling elsewhere, and the sky once more shines its beautifully soft colors. ]

You did very well. [ 'Tenkai' steps forward to reach his hand out to rest it on top of the young man's head, lightly petting the hair in a manner that he believes to be soothing. ] Your efforts are truly wonderful, and we are all very happy with what you have accomplished. Very happy, indeed.

[ His head lightly shakes. ] As you could tell, there is not enough for the ravens to eat with us, but that was never part of the original agreement. I had thoughtlessly invited them to join us while you were away. [ A warmer tone. ] But they were very pleased with what you had chosen for us to eat. And for their kindness and patience with me, I shall chat with another face to see if they can be properly compensated.

[ A soft laugh. ] Well done, well done. Rest now and allow this monk to handle the cooking. [ He finishes, finally, in patting and stroking Xu Shu's hair. Kneeling down, he looks over the rabbits that have been brought. ] Such kindness. Yes, you have a lot of kindness when you kill. I am certain everyone has felt it... even those that have tasted steel instead of a quick twist.

[There's no question that odd power runs in Mitsuhide's blood; Xu Shu stares at the ravens with weary eyes, watches the single one perch on the 'monk's' shoulder, and then follows it as it ascends to the sky and joins its brethren. Chat with the other face? He's going to have to talk to Daud about that amongst many, many other things... to make sure that compensation isn't of a kind they'll have to interfere with.]

[This is such a mess. All of it. But he has to keep it up. Huffing a breath, he slides his glasses case from his pocket and puts them back on. Sprinting with the precious item on was just too risky so he'd stashed them away.]

Umm...

[There's a moment of vague horror as he realises this is the first time anyone has stroked his hair in years... and worse, Tenkai's gesture reminds him of his mother, when he was very small, back when her harshness had been lesser and her softness more often exposed. It's not a comparison he'd like to have made. His beloved mother is too precious a memory for that.]

I'm... thank you.

[He sighs softly, wipes a smear of dirt from his face. Well. At least he'll get to eat soon. The heavy exertion has left him ravenous. Enough that he can focus on that, he hopes, and not the chills concerning the 'killing' comment. True as it might be it hurts to think about.]

[If only it never had to come to that.]

I already offered prayers for them.

[He does every time he's had to do this. It feels right.]

You're welcome.

[ Another soft chuckle. ] Of course, you would do that. I'm certain that they appreciate it... since so few would offer prayers. [ He picks up one of the rabbits, and gently pets the top of its head. ] Right? ... ah? [ His eyes settle on the body and he hums softly. ] You didn't even linger in this world, huh?

[ One hand slides behind his back. Pulling it back around, a blade suddenly appears in his grip. It's curved slightly like a scythe, and has an ominous feeling should Xu Shu stare at it for too long. ] You have a few questions, don't you? Why don't you ask them? It'll take your mind off of the preparations I am doing and will do.

[ Indeed, he plans to do all the preparing for the meal and allow the kind, young man a means of escape from the bloody affair. ]

[Xu Shu doesn't need to stare at it to feel unnerved. Aside from the fact that it appeared out of nowhere it's rather. Well. Overkill for the task at hand. But the moment the word passes through his thoughts he feels faintly ill because it's way, way too appropriate.]

[He needs to rest. Not sleep, not around Mitsuhide, but closing his eyes while he talks? Yes. Right now he feels pretty certain the other won't try to harm or kill him, oddly enough, and considers whether such instinct can be wise for a few moments before laying down on his side and staring into the fire. A compromise of sorts. The warm, dancing flames provide a gentle kind of comfort.]

Questions?

[He sounds worn, not allowing too much to slip in his voice, though the fact that Mitsuhide knows he has them means there's probably not much to hide anyway. Yes, he has questions. Countless. But asking them directly?]

[He ponders for a short while before saying:]

I suspect many of them might be unwise to ask. Do you think so?

[Mitsuhide is very likely to understand why he asks with such obvious honesty, because, yes, madness and chaos embodied but he sees things too clearly for comfort.]

[ Preparations are ... preparations. 'Tenkai' sees no reason to make them more noisy than they need to be. Mitsuhide would see the amusement in flicking blood of the rabbits upon Xu Shu's face with his eyes closed, but the 'monk' is much kinder. He keeps the blood to the rabbits and the ground. The blade works its magic (figurative or otherwise can't be disclosed) and he muses over the first question given to him. ]

That depends on you, I'm afraid. [ He hums. ] They may rattle your insides if you ask them, but if you don't, you will wonder, will you not? [ The blood soaks into his palms, soaks into the skin and disappears, leaving his hands clean and the 'monk' feeling a little more refreshed. ]

Indeed, what you wonder will always be worse than the answer. [ And soon, the smell of meat cooking fills the small area the two reside. ] And if you don't ask now, you'll regret it later. That is just how you do things, I suppose. [ He chuckles softly. ] So, ask your questions. Ask all of them... this humble monk is here to help. Yes, he is here to help.

[It's probably for the best that Xu Shu doesn't see that blood soak in. The response is enough. He's not sure entirely about the 'regret' part because some of those questions, well, some of them he thinks Mitsuhide won't give an answer for. Or shouldn't be asked without earning a reaction Xu Shu wants to avoid, rather. Yes. That's the real danger here.]

[The other knows how Xu Shu is, knows that Xu Shu might approach this strategically. Some questions might indirectly earn answers he won't dare ask so forwardly. So he'll start with something simple, softly worded.]

Why are you interested in me?

[He pauses, considers, and then adds in a vaguely uncertain manner:]

Both you and, umm... your other 'face.'

This humble monk feels that if he leaves you alone that it will end poorly. [ A soft chuckle. ] You have escaped one tragedy that altered your life, but the life you are leading now will lead to another tragedy in the future. I would like to see you avoid that, Xu Shu.

[ His head bows low, even though the young man can't see it. ] If you face too many setbacks, you will start to question which foot to walk with ... and remain stationary. Such a fate would be too sad to watch. [ His chin lifts a little. ]

My other face ... his feelings are different than my own. [ 'Tenkai' tilts his head. ] Daud said, he cannot talk to you anymore, but this is not talking. It is answering. There is no conversation to be had here. [ His shoulders shake as he giggles. ] He likes you. He likes you, because you are sharp. You are clever. You are someone that has thousands of ghosts following you.

He can see them. He can always see them. But you do not recognize the reason for why they are reaching out to you. You have a lot of conviction inside of you. You have a lot of determination within you. You allow that man to be in control of both. [ His eyes shift to look to the flames. ] So we are interested ... I wish to prevent your fall. He wishes to see you soar.

[ A smile is felt in his next words: ] Both of us are hoping for your success.

[And that right there, all of it, is useful. Revealing. It further helps Xu Shu to understand the two 'faces' of this man, what Mitsuhide is versus what Tenkai is. The result of someone filled with two completely opposing needs. Because however the man acts and whatever masks he wears he is still ultimately one person, isn't he?]

[He doesn't want to, he wishes he hadn't, but again Xu Shu thinks of Shan Fu. Shan Fu, who was the person Xu Shu was, and still is, but feels like a man from another world. He curls his fingers against the ground and slowly drags his fingertips through the dirt, remembering the way he'd been on the cusp of adulthood; shy and uncertain, but also filled with a burning need to help the world and driven by a temper that almost always left him reaching for his sword.]

[Those hands had realised their talent far too quickly.]

Another tragedy? [Xu Shu exhales softly, now tracing a circle.] You're probably not wrong.

[He almost expects it at all times, doesn't he? Despite what Daud has done to ground him it still feels like Xu Shu is constantly on the edge of a precipice that he'd worked long and hard to climb. The idea that 'Tenkai' might do something to help him avoid that, though... and the comment about the ghosts Xu Shu can't even bring himself to react to despite the fact that it's the one that affects him most. When Mitsuhide's views are expressed Xu Shu outwardly and obviously tenses, disturbed, before trying to shake it off.]

Umm... thank you.

[Glancing back at Mitsuhide briefly, Xu Shu is quiet for a minute or two before being drawn back to the flames and asking what is not as pointless a question as it might seem.]

Another. For you. How good are you at cooking?

Edited 2018-12-04 01:29 (UTC)

Yes. [ He nods slow, thoughtful. ] But I cannot make any strategy to avoid it. I can only see what will come. I suppose that's the same for the man that Daud dislikes? [ Tilting his head, 'Tenkai' muses aloud about the Outsider. ]

This monk thought that you had not realized who he was, but it seems nothing can escape your eyes. [ A soft chuckle, like he honestly believes he could have gotten away from hiding his real identity. ] But as for cooking... I am very well-versed in it. There was someone that I cooked for often. He always was delighted by every meal I prepared.

[ His eyes close. ] Odd, isn't it? To have someone appreciate something small that you did for them? This is different than creating plans. This is different than achieving victory in battle. It benefits no body of power. It does not take a person one step closer to greater glory. [ He opens his eyes. ] It merely makes a person feel warm when they were cold inside of themselves.

[ He smiles with his eyes once more. ] I am well-versed in cooking. [ 'Tenkai' repeats himself. But he also does not answer if he is good or bad at cooking. Because to him, such a thing is unimportant. Such a thing as being "good" does not exist. If Daud held out a bowl of soup that was only heated by a fire, 'Tenkai' is certain that Xu Shu would find it "good" and "delicious." That is all; that is all.

And so, the monk tries to explain that it will only be as good as the warmth Xu Shu takes from it. ]

[He and Mitsuhide have something in common, Xu Shu realises, as he listens and ponders over each word. They are vastly different, and this man here is a being of such extremes it's hard to understand just what could have driven such a split, and yet... still... in some small way...]

Such small gestures are the best ones of all.

[Something has to be done about Mitsuhide. He and Daud have pondered it together. But Xu Shu keeps wondering if, when it comes down to it, he might bypass his father-figure and face it alone; if maybe that's the right thing for all concerned, Mitsuhide included. Despite every monstrous thing that face has ever done Xu Shu feels empathy, and sorrow, for the bloodied and battered man. It might make him even more foolish than he'd thought before but a proper battle between the 'darker' faces each of them has?]

[Even if Shan Fu is not a true 'other face.' Just Xu Shu himself, as he once was. As he still can't accept he is.]

Umm, thank you, Tenkai. [Xu Shu's trailing fingers stop, drawing into a fist for a moment before he sits up and frowns at the fire.] I don't have any more questions right now. There are too many thoughts in my head to go over before I can truly make sense of anything more.

[A pause, and because he is still very much Xu Shu:]

Sorry.

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