[There's a gap, sometimes, between the brain and the heart when it comes to hearing very big news like this. His mind acknowledges the fact that yes, another version of Okita Souji is possible. His mind is well aware of how many different worlds and universes are represented here alone; it hadn't been hard to accept, with how things worked for him back home. But when he looks up and fixes this stranger with a stare as he leans back, the first thing he thinks is no, impossible. Okita Souji is dead, long dead. His own time with his previous master had come to an end even before Souji had, broken and discarded as he had been after Ikedaya. Though he and his comrades had gone back in time to prevent the advancement of enemy troops, the thought of trying to change the past had been beyond a simple taboo. Souji was dead, and that was all there was to it.
So a part of him, a tiny sliver, thinks that it's really quite unfair of this world to throw him into such a cruel situation. He had become so used to ignoring the possibilities of time travel that he honestly hadn't even stopped to consider that Souji may be here, and now he doesn't know what to do. What can he do? Had the sword known as Kashuu Kiyomitsu failed this man, too? His eyes dart briefly to Souji's hip, where his swords would be, even though he's dressed for a party and not for battle.
And then there's what he says - "even if you don't remember me", like that had ever been an option. Flippant as he might have been about the death of his old master after some time had passed, and even though it wasn't exactly a surprise, it was... upsetting. He loved Souji, who had been able to wield him better than anyone, and who cared for him like an extension of himself. Sure, he's not as hung up on it as Yamato - his hang-ups lie elsewhere, even if they also center around Souji - but it's still a relationship that had left a marked impact on him.
At his sides, his fingers flex. He tries to collect himself, which isn't too hard for the time being, actually. He's caught in that bizarre state of numbness that usually hits him right before a gale of emotion.]
I'm a sword, you know? It's not like I can just forget my masters.
[That's saved for the tragic amnesiacs of their bunch...]
jumps in after you tbh.....
So a part of him, a tiny sliver, thinks that it's really quite unfair of this world to throw him into such a cruel situation. He had become so used to ignoring the possibilities of time travel that he honestly hadn't even stopped to consider that Souji may be here, and now he doesn't know what to do. What can he do? Had the sword known as Kashuu Kiyomitsu failed this man, too? His eyes dart briefly to Souji's hip, where his swords would be, even though he's dressed for a party and not for battle.
And then there's what he says - "even if you don't remember me", like that had ever been an option. Flippant as he might have been about the death of his old master after some time had passed, and even though it wasn't exactly a surprise, it was... upsetting. He loved Souji, who had been able to wield him better than anyone, and who cared for him like an extension of himself. Sure, he's not as hung up on it as Yamato - his hang-ups lie elsewhere, even if they also center around Souji - but it's still a relationship that had left a marked impact on him.
At his sides, his fingers flex. He tries to collect himself, which isn't too hard for the time being, actually. He's caught in that bizarre state of numbness that usually hits him right before a gale of emotion.]
I'm a sword, you know? It's not like I can just forget my masters.
[That's saved for the tragic amnesiacs of their bunch...]