{CLOSED} with fire in our blood

[wardance]

who: Masamune (wardance) & Kojuro (sengetsu)
where: near the shoreline
when: Before goddess killing but after the Timeline confirms objectives.
what: One dragon informing another of a short-term change.
warnings: none, at the moment.

---

[ Masamune is not usually one to actually ask Kojuro to meet him somewhere to talk. But, it's easier this way than trying to explain to multiple people at once, especially since he doesn't have much time left.

Truthfully, this is a no-brainer. As usual, the information given on the side mission is severely lacking, at best. Nevertheless, it's something he feels he can get in and out and do fast, not to mention a mission that he can actually use his skills to lend a hand with.

His only conflict is the fact Masamune is going to leave a few important people behind. While it's arguable who he should inform and who he shouldn't, Kojuro is the one who absolutely must know and be reassured that he will be back. His Right-Eye can take it from there (and take care of Sieglinde). To avoid any potential diversion and involvement of others that run his clock out before he finishes, though, he's asked to meet Kojuro along the edge of trees that lead into jungle near the shoreline. It's not exactly a place many people find worth hanging around. So... what better place? It took quite a bit of request to get even an extra half hour from being immediately transferred without any notice.

Besides, beyond his relationship with his retainer (there's no one he could trust more), Kojuro the only one he knows that will drop everything for him at his request to talk but also fully trust him to return just as he says. ]

Comments

[sengetsu]

[When Kojuro gets Masamune's message, he heads to the meeting point as fast as he can without creating a fuss. While there was nothing overtly alarming by what it had said, Kojuro was prone to worrying, justifiably or otherwise, and there had been an immediacy to the request that put his nerves on edge.

Thankfully for both of them, it doesn't take long for him to find Masamune]

My lord.

[wardance]

Good timing, Kojuro!

[ It's expected, of course, but there's no reason for him to not compliment his swiftness, anyway. It's not as if his words are untrue. It is good timing-- excellent timing, even, as he is still here. Moving away from the tree he'd settled against to wait, he proceeds to stand on his own and approach the older man and close some distance.

Masamune's expression is friendly and calm as he speaks, but he doesn't waste time on trying to pas the conversation or ease into the subject. It's Kojuro, he can handle anything. ]

I have to leave for a little bit. Apparently I've been assigned to a specific side mission by our great and efficient employers.

[ Granted, "great" and "efificent" are obviously more sarcastic than anything, but if Masamune didn't do that, then something would have to be really wrong. He's doing this to lessen Kojuro's concern, not intensify it. ]

I shouldn't be gone too long but they said the chances I would be back before everyone leaves Nalawi would be slim, no matter how fast I get it done.

[ I needed to tell someone and obviously you're the first person I will always go to. ]

...Which means, I'm leaving you in charge! [ ... In charge of what, Masamune, you have no commanding responsibilities in this group like back home... ]

[sengetsu]

[Kojuro frowns, the ever-present line between his eyebrows deepening. He has a hell of a lot of questions, but the one he ends up asking is-]

What sort of mission? [So he knows exactly how much he should protest.].

[wardance]

I actually don't really know. They didn't say; just that I would more useful doing it than being here right now.

[ This had been going so well, too. ]

[sengetsu]

[The frown remains] Who else is going with you?

[wardance]

Just me.

[ Ahaha... ]

[sengetsu]

[wrong answer, Masamune.]

I must protest, then - this doesn't seem remotely wise, particularly given the situation.

[wardance]

[ Look, would it have been better if he said he was going with someone like Gilgamesh?? ]

The situation here or the situation there?

[sengetsu]

Perhaps both. [certainly the situation here, given the murdered deer and magical storms and all this insanity] They should at least let me accompany you.

[wardance]

Yeah, but I need you here.

[ He wouldn't have rejected Kojuro coming along but since he has no choice... Well, it's easier to play it off as the preferred option, right? ]

[sengetsu]

For what, exactly? [he is not buying this okay]

[wardance]

To look after everyone.

I don't think killing goddesses is going to save this place so much as make a new one. I just don't know if it will be now or in the future after we are outta here.

[sengetsu]

Who would look after you, then? I swore my oath to you - not anyone else here.

[wardance]

[ Masamune smiles, approaching Kojuro closer now until he's close enough to have to tilt his head slightly to look up towards him.

It's not really something he can or wants to argue. The young Date lord does not want Kojuro's oath to ever go to someone else (he didn't even like the idea of sharing Kojuro's attention with his father, when it came down to it), and he won't pretend that he sees that loyalty as not special or otherwise has little care for its meaning.

Of course he would take him. He would take Sieglinde, as well. But, that isn't possible. ]

I need you to look after Sieglinde. I can't trust anyone else. [ It's not that Motochika and Yukimura are untrustworthy for the task, but Masamune knows even if Kojuro actively disliked the small girl, he would still protect her with his life because Masamune is the one asking him to do so. That means a lot when he can barely trust anyone on the team besides his retainer, the other daimyo, and Old Man Takeda's successor. ]

Besides, I won't be alone. There are some others being pulled from their teams I have to rendezvous with. I'm not interested in coming back to you in pieces, okay? I'll be careful.

[ To his credit, Masamune is trying hard to make that last part somehow sound more sincere than all the other times he has ever said it. It's not that successful, one because he doesn't say that sort of thing often and two because it's not as if when he does say it he means to have them be 'famous last words'. ]

Also, you won't lose and can kick the shit out of anyone here. So, obviously, you are the right person for this job.

[sengetsu]

[Kojuro learned to tell when Masamune was trying to sweet-talk him a long time ago, and this is pretty solidly it. He also knows when Masamune is determined to have his way - and while he could stop him, it would have to be by force. Which, in this case, is unwarranted.

So he sighs a little instead, bows his head slightly in acquiesence, which conveniently means he doesn't have to make eye-contact with Masamune.]

As you wish. [it's clear that he doesn't like this, but he's not going to argue any more about it]

[wardance]

Na, Kojuro. [ He gets it, but Masamune is forever wired to get his way and can't feel too much guilt over getting it. Maybe a little, that his best friend and Right Eye is giving in begrudgingly; but when has Kojuro ever agreed to something he disagreed with in a cheerful manner, anyway?


Masamune laughs a little, exasperated but not in a negative manner. Instead, he reaches forward to grab either side of Kojuro's face and get him to raise it to look at him.]

I'll be back before you know it. So, I think even you can hold a— [ The young Date lord uses his thumbs now to pull on either side of the older man's face to try and stretch some pathetic and forcibly created upward curve to his mouth that probably doesn't even closely resemble a smile.] —smile for the time...!

[sengetsu]

[Given the number of times Kojuro has helped him in getting his way, he really shouldn't be surprised when Masamune turns it on him instead. The poking is a good distraction from his unease, though, and he reaches up to try and bat Masamune's hands away]

I will take care of matters if here, then, if you swear not to do anything reckless. [he's overstepping his rank with that request - but not his responsibilities]