estoria | ( OPEN )

[To see Namazuo looking so tired like this is a surprise. She usually ses him so full of life, and yet here he is. She could only wonder what happened to him, but it is likely he was underground.

So she brings over a glass of water.]

Here, Namazuo.

[Well, she's not wrong in that assumption. It's not her fault that there's so much more to it--there's no way she could've known unless someone told her.

But if she doesn't know, then the attention is a bit of a surprise in and of itself. Does he really look that bad? He's not up to convincing anyone he's one hundred percent okay, but... it hadn't been his intention to cause even more worry.]

Thank you.

[Slowly, like it's a great effort, he sits up, accepting the glass with a grateful nod. The least he can do is make an effort.

He didn't run into her in that place, but that doesn't mean she wasn't there, so.]

...Did you make it out alright?

[The fact he responds and tries is at least relieving, since she's sure he'll recover. Somehow. Hopefully quickly, but if not, then she'll be there to help him along the way.

Vietnam nods.]

I was fine, thankfully. I witnessed others having to endure it, but myself, there was...nothing. I am assuming it did not go so well for you...

That's good.

[Heh. Not so well... that's an understatement.

But he's glad to hear she was okay--at least someone was. Even if he hadn't died, he'd probably still be exhausted, just from the sheer amount of pain and suffering he'd seen out there. That room with the mirrors... how many of his friends were forced to watch their bloody pasts play out around them?

It's over now, though. It's over, and with any luck, they'll be able to move on and forget about it quickly.

...Most of it.]

...No, it didn't. But I was able to protect someone, so it's alright.

[She moves over to sit close to him, with how exhausted he is, and holds out her hand. If it didn't go well, it would be fine to comfort him like this, no?

But he succeeded, if anything.]

You are very brave, Namazuo. Truly a strong sword.

[She really is too kind, isn't she... no wonder everyone in swordhaus is so fond of her. Namazuo included; he smiles a little, and takes her hand with his good one, grateful for the contact. He hadn't realized how much he'd miss it.]

Thank you... but I would like to be stronger.

[Most of the time, Namazuo is very realistic about his own strengths and weaknesses. He's happy as a wakizashi--he isn't as strong as the uchis or tachis, but he's strong enough to protect his little brothers, and fast enough to step in and catch any sneaky, speedy enemies. But now he can't help wondering. If he'd been stronger, would he have survived? If he'd been stronger, would he have been able to keep his promises?]

[She's seen a lot! Besides, she can trust Namazuo, which is why she is saying such things. She's being honest.]

One always hopes to become better versions of themselves.

[He's always training too.] It will take time, but one only needs to work hard for it. Even we, those who are not human, can keep growing stronger.

[It's exactly what he needs to hear right now, and he smiles a little, thankful. It's one thing to hear reassurances, that he's fine as he is or that he isn't weak--and he appreciates sentiments like that, he truly does. But her words, especially coming from a fellow non-human, are encouraging in a different way. It's realistic, but thoughtful, acknowledging his desires without making him feel foolish.]

You're right. All we can do is work harder, and do what we think is best.

[She's pleased that it managed to encourage him. She's sure that while they are old, they have also been vassals for so long that it's hard to see what they can or cannot do. It was evident when she witnessed Tsurumaru grasp for his past.

She manages a smile.]

Yes. I am an example. I didn't know how to fight when I was very young.

Really?

[Looking down at their hands, he's struck, not for the first time, by how small they are. He understands why his spirit took this form, why his body is so little. But it's a little strange, he thinks, that even someone like her--someone who embodies an entire nation, would be subject to the very same. But it isn't as though he views her as weak. And maybe that's the point.]

How did you learn?

[She nods firmly. She watched all the wars, and had to learn very young, in order to help her people. Saw how she was weak at first, with only her strong body keeping her alive. And so under the guidance of her brothers, she learnt many things.]

I was taught at first. By China, after he took a lot of us in to be his siblings. And with that knowledge, I started to train very hard. It was the same when the guns started coming around as well, I was taught how to use them, and so I practised until I was able to shoot accurately.

Heh... Mutsu-kun would be happy to hear that.

[Chances are he knows already, but it comforts Namazuo to think about it. He'd seen Mutsu in that room of mirrors, so sad and hurt and desperate, and he never, ever wants to see something like that again. Especially not with the young, happy swords.]

You know, Mikazuki-san often calls himself an old man, but... he isn't the only one to feel that way, sometimes. [He sighs, lifting his good hand to rub at his eyes.] Without my brothers here, it's... difficult to forget.

Aha, I hope so. Then he can try very hard himself.

[She never got to see Mutsunokami's memory. But she knows he's the sword of Sakamoto Ryoma, and a lot of people have heard of him. She can tell his memories were nothing plesant.]

I understand. Sometimes it feels like we are all much older. [Well, they are, but time moves so fast for them that they also don't feel it.] Your brothers, what are they like?

He always does.

[Except when it comes to friendship with the gumis.... but he's a young sword. Namazuo can forgive him, even if it gets exasperating.

The mere mention of his brothers makes him smile, though their absence gives it a bittersweet tinge.]

I have many of them. The Toushirou family is quite large--most of them are tantous, so they're like children to me. Honebami is my twin, he's a wakizashi as well--and Ichi-nii is a tachi, so he's like an older brother to all of us. He's very kind and patient and he cares for us more than anything. My younger brothers are very innocent and hardworking, anyone would want to protect them.

[She can understand this. Sometimes even countries butt heads. It's harder when you're immortal. It's why she tries not to hold grudges. If she could.

Seeing him brighten up when talking about her family is nice. That being said, she notices that it's sad to reminisce. Perhaps this is worth it.]

I have a large family too! I can relate. That sounds very endearing. You have one reliable older brother, but you and Honebami must be good big brothers too, no?

Really?

[It's nice, to hear that from someone who isn't a sword. There are others with family members, with groups, with partners--but the Awataguchi family is by far the largest in the citadel. None of the others here really understand what it's like, to not have a single one of them around.]

I'm not sure, but I'd like to think so. Honebami is very serious, so he's a wonderful role model for them. I just try to keep them happy.

Really. I am the third in order from my oldest brother. Japan is second! [Some nice trivia for Namazuo, since this is his true country dad.] Then we have many younger siblings. Asia itself isn't all related, but the ones taken under China's wing are like adopted siblings. So I am one of them.

[She manages a smile.] One serious, and one refreshing. I think it's a good balance.

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