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Try using it to hit people instead [OPEN]

WHO: Akechi Mitsuhide (

wavesoakedlegs) and anyone who happens to be around
WHAT: A samurai plays the shamisen... badly.
WHERE: The camp. Where the camp SPECIFICALLY is, now... who even knows? 8'D
WARNING(S): Nothing, as it stands.

~

[Do you need a little more music in your life, time-travellers?]

[Well, this corner of the camp area is probably not the best place to get it. There is a man with long hair and a partially-obscured face holding an instrument, and he is playing it, but not particularly well. Which is putting it kindly.]

[In Mitsuhide's defense, he has not been playing the shamisen for long. During those few weeks he'd spent alone in his hut, hidden away from the world, he'd filled a lot of time trying to get to grips with the instrument. It was all he'd had left of Motochika, after all, and leaving it silent seemed wrong. Now, however, he is playing to try and... soothe himself? In truth, he isn't entirely sure of his reasons, but this world and all the people he has met in it have left him a little confused, rather down, and extremely overwhelmed.]

[There is only so much 'you're the father/hi I'm not dead after all/TIME PARADOXXXX' a mind can process at once.]

[Mitsuhide sighs when he messes up yet again. There is one particular sequence in the current song he is working on that he always fumbles, and it's beginning to frustrate him.]

It would seem I am destined to never master this...

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[The first thing one probably notices when Nobuchika approaches is the giant water dragon behind him, following him docilely. The Gyarados can probably sweep the camp away in a single sitting, but hey. In a sense, it's a weapon like any other. And then there are other things, like the fact that there's a blue and yellow monkey at Nobuchika's feet, carrying a giant red carp that is even bigger than itself and apparently perfectly able to tell where it's going even though its eyes are perpetually closed.

Nobuchika and partners approach, drawn by the sound of the instrument that the young Chousokabe recognizes all too well. Though from the start Nobuchika knew that the amateurishly played notes would not lead him to his father. No offense!]

Sir, if I may! Maybe I could show you that sequence, and...

[Oh. ... Oh. Nobuchika knows this person, too, though why he would wear a mask and a non-Pokeball crest on his shoulder guards is beyond him.]

... Lord Mitsuhide!

Edited 2012-09-20 21:13 (UTC)

[Mitsuhide has just started another attempt to play when Nobuchika approaches. The calling out of his name immediately causes him to mess up, startled as he is.]

Ah...

[Of course, the sight of the little creatures accompanying the young man before him leaves Mitsuhide speechless, for a moment. All things considered, they are far from the most unusual thing he has seen since arriving in this world, but still quite a sight to behold. That dragon especially!]

I...

[He shakes his head.]

Forgive me; you gave me quite a shock.

[Nobuchika smiles amicably and sits next to Mitsuhide. The Magikarp-carrying Panpour also sits down next to its human partner.]

I guess I should not be so surprised. I met Lady Gracia earlier, so it makes sense you would be around here as well!

But she didn't recognize me - something about alternate worlds. So, just in case! I am Nobuchika, son and heir of Lord Motochika of Fontaine.

[The absurd and surreal surprises never end, Mitsuhide. You'd better get used to it, because the alternative is, oh right, getting used to it. No alternative. Sorry!]

[A beat, and then...]

What?

[Yup, that's all he can manage right now. Mitsuhide's eyes are wide, his expression shocked; there's not going to be any getting used to it anytime soon, Nobuchika.]

You... you're... where is Fontaine? And Lord Motochika, he...

[He puts the shamisen to the side (with notable care) and leans forward, resting his head in his hands.]

Oh, good heavens.

[Nobuchika taps his fan against his chin and looks up pensively.]

I didn't think you'd ask where Fontaine is, huh... Then I guess you're from this Japan place, like Lady Gracia? The equivalent of that in my world would be the land of Ransei, if I'm not mistaken. Fontaine is the kingdom of Water, and it's in the South-Western part of it. We have lots of beaches, rivers and fountains everywhere.

And... by that logic, should I assume that you are not the ruler of Nixtorm, the kingdom of Ice?

No... no, I am not.

[Just how many worlds have been blended together, exactly? And how many versions of himself exist in it, for that matter? At this point, assuming everything he has been told is true, there are at least three.]

[...one does not expect to have contemplate something like that in the first place.]

This is ridiculous. I cannot fathom how this can all be happening.

[Mitsuhide raises his head again and regards Nobuchika carefully, obviously searching for a resemblance to Motochika within his features.]

And yet, you look exactly like him, even in attire... Well, except for the mask, of course.

[Nobuchika nods at Mitsuhide's words.]

Indeed, it's baffling and defies all human logic. But...

[He smiles reassuringly at the older man.]

In these cases, it's best to just accept things for what they are and not think about them too much. Even in this strange world, you retain the right to be free and happy. You shouldn't let anything alter that.

Now, about your shamisen playing...

[Even before Nobuchika can touch the instrument, he checks it visually to see if it's tuned correctly.]

Haha, this dragon looks like Gyarados, a bit...

[Here's the thing, he won't recognize it as his father's instrument, since Motochika's shamisen is a little different in Conquest-verse. >>; ]

Edited 2012-09-21 10:43 (UTC)

[It's a good job Nobuchika doesn't touch the instrument, really. Mitsuhide's grip on it grows a little tighter, and protective, as Nobuchika looks upon it. The samurai doesn't want to seem so obviously on edge, but his expression, as always, gives his feelings away.]

That is far easier said than done, and I can't say that... that...

[He closes his eyes and shakes his head. This isn't the time or place to touch upon that subject, and he has no desire to do so with someone he just met. Even if they are the son of another version of Motochika.]

[Instead he focuses on what the other man says next.]

Gyarados? Is that... is that the dragon?

[Mitsuhide's gaze settle on said creature, though his eyes look a little distant as he does so. There are clearly other things on his mind. After a moment he says, in a quiet and slightly pained voice:]

Lord Motochika is attuned to the water, and especially the ocean. The image of a water dragon is fitting for his instrument.

[Many things are odd about the Lord of Nixtorm's... ah, that's not really him, is he... well, Mitsuhide's behavior. First of all, the way he seems to refuse to hand the shamisen over to Nobuchika...]

So this was Father's, huh? I see... And yeah, Gyarados is my strongest Pokémon. Don't worry, it won't hurt you.

[... And then there's the fact that apparently Mitsuhide needs to remind Nobuchika what Nobuchika's own father is like. As inexperienced as Nobuchika is of life, that is not a good sign. That can never be a good sign.

You can tell he comes to a realization because his smile fades and he blinks a bit, sympathy for the man's sadness forming in his hazel eyes.]

... Something happened to Father, didn't it...

Edited 2012-09-21 18:32 (UTC)

Yes, it was.

[There is a long, drawn out pause, before Mitsuhide closes his eyes and says in a barely audible voice:]

It was wrong to leave it silent.

[He doesn't add to that at all, nor does he directly answer the question. That statement was surely enough. Mitsuhide does not want to add anything more.]

[Nobuchika shifts to sit before Mitsuhide, placing his hands on the older man's shoulders and looking right into his eyes.]

How? How did it happen?!

[There is no sorrow in his unwavering gaze or voice just yet, but the intensity of his demand is there, powerful.]

He was protecting me.

[Which is true. Motochika's presence at Yamazaki had been, for the most part, down to his stated mission of protecting Mitsuhide. Just thinking about it...]

[Mitsuhide closes his eyes; the breath lets out then is pained.]

Nobuchika, please, don't ask me to describe that moment.

[Nobuchika pauses and considers. The feeling of loss has spread to him too, and is numbing his senses, blurring the outside world. But Nobuchika won't let his mind be affected.]

I will not force you to do what you aren't strong enough to do, Lord Mitsuhide. But I ask that you at least tell me who.

[Nobuchika's grip on Mitsuhide's shoulders grows more firm, as if wanting to anchor him to reality as opposed to the world of sorrow.]

Edited 2012-09-22 21:43 (UTC)

Kuroda Kanbei, under the Toyotomi army.

[Mitsuhide answers quietly, without much thought. He opens his eyes afterwards, however, and regards Nobuchika with an unusual expression. It's hard to put a name to.]

The right one is unlikely to even be here.

[Nobuchika blinks.]

Hideyoshi's strategist?!

[He closes his eyes and remains in silence for a long moment. He grieves, and he considers. As Motochika's heir, it is his duty to carry on his father's will... and if his will was to follow Mitsuhide, then...

When Nobuchika's eyes open again, there is determination and intensity there that not many aside from Mitsuhide have seen.]

Lord Mitsuhide. Whether what you seek is to avenge my father or not, I will be by your side. You can count on my full support.

[She heard an instrument while passing by; a... badly played one, but it was familiar to her. She looked to see if it was Motochika who was playing it, but what she saw was a man with a long, dark ponytail sporting blue... just like her husband. She turns to her Pokemon, Snorut, to see if it was wondering the same thing she was.] Snorut, that's Mitsuhide, isn't it?

[The Pokemon nods and lets out a delighted noise, assuring her it was definitely him. There was only one way to find out. Hiroko approaches Mitsuhide from behind.]

Hello, if it isn't too much trouble, sir, could you turn around? From behind, you look exactly like someone I've been looking for, but I couldn't be so certain.

[Mitsuhide's arm drops, his bachi almost slipping from his fingers as he does so. They tighten almost a little too much when he realises this. He sighs, softly, before realising he is being addressed.]

[The samurai turns as asked and regards the questioner. There is no recognition in his eyes, unfortunately; it's obvious that the woman before him is not someone he is familiar with.]

May I help, my Lady?

[Mitsuhide's gaze flickers down to the Snorunt for a moment. What a peculiar creature! He doesn't comment on it, however, expression becoming polite and neutral (for the most part.]

Edited 2012-09-21 07:41 (UTC)

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