wondering if I really tried everything I could (OPEN)

[conceded]

WHO: Kondou Isami, possibly you!
WHAT: A lost Shinsengumi commander in a Resistance Army camp
WHERE: Resistance Army camp
WARNING(S): Probably just bucketloads of angst.

[The first confusing thing that Kondou had noticed was that, well- he had woken up at all. Not to mention that on top of it, he had no idea where he was. Whether those that resided in the camp were friend or foe was something that he needed to find out before going any further. The tent he’d woken up in didn’t seem to be guarded, so he cautiously made his way outside to try and see if he could figure out what was going on.

… Which just meant that there was now a very confused man standing in the middle of camp. At the first sight of someone who he could approach for questions, Kondou made his way over.]

Ahh, I’m sorry to bother you with something so trivial, but…

Comments

[dragonrises]

[HMMMMMMMMMMmmmm.]

I do enjoy having tea.

[conceded]

I promise I won't take up too much of your time.

[He can't help smiling, though.]

[dragonrises]

My time is mine to spend as I choose today. Allow me to show you where most of us are quartered, and where we take our meals. There may be someone we can send for tea.

[he gestures as he turns to lead the way across camp]

[conceded]

A guided tour? I'd be delighted. And if the tea isn't too much of a problem, I don't think I could protest about that either.

[And Kondou is going to go ahead and follow him like a little puppy.]

[dragonrises]

[Yukimura making fanooy eyes at him was never this bad, but Zhao Yun sucks it up and deals. Kondou's a decent guy. He just sort of indicates where important things are on their way through camp, and eventually they do stumble on a servant of the Takeda who can be sent to put together tea service. All the better to have a seat in the pavilion near the mess tent and have a drink]

...any questions?

[conceded]

I have to admit, it might take me a while to wrap my head around all of this. But it doesn't seem impossible.

[He grins sheepishly.] I appreciate the help. I think I might be something of a lost cause without Toshi helping me out.

[dragonrises]

It does take some getting used to. Even for those of us who have been in this realm for years. [a curious look] One of your comrades? Have you already run into him?

[conceded]

For... years, did you say? And you haven't been able to make your way home yet? That must be rather difficult for you.

[A pause, and then he nodded.] He was the first one I encountered here. Fitting, since I've known him for many years. But he was rather surprised to see me.

[dragonrises]

We have endured, difficult or not. [the servant returns and bows to indicate that tea has been set up for them in the pavilian. They can go kneel down beside the table and enjoy]

It is curious, that this realm is drawing people in from other times again. Usually when that happens, it indicates a period of unrest and battle. For you and your comrades to appear means we had best stay alert.

[conceded]

A period of unrest and battle, you say?

[Kondou sighs, and his smile turns a little wry.] The Shinsengumi are always prepared for such turns of events, so you needn't worry about us. My men are prepared to fight to the very end for their cause, so if they've decided to stay here, they must be determined to assist you.

[dragonrises]

We shall be glad to have them. And you, Master Kondou.

[he holds out a hand to invite him to sit at tea, before taking a spot on the other side of the table. He was serious about being available for questions...]

[conceded]

I'm sure they'll be of more use than me-- my old injury is probably going to slow me down a little bit.

[And yet he was still smiling all the while, as though it didn't really bother him terribly much. Deep down inside it did, but he hardly wanted to complain in front of Zhao Yun. He took a seat opposite Zhao Yun, and fell silent for a few moments before responding again.]

How can we best assist your army's efforts? I will do what I can to make sure that my men can be of the most use possible to you.

[dragonrises]

[he makes a curious face, obviously wondering about an old injury but allowing Kondou to tell him in his own time and way if he chooses. There's a pause to pour the tea for them both before he replies]

If you have any specialties, it would be good to let Lord Takeda know. He is a skilled strategist, and takes into account all the skills of those under his command. Or, to whomever is in charge strategically - troops separate out for different missions often.

[conceded]

I suppose we have the-- well. [He pulls a face at the thought.] I'm sure you must be aware of the rasetsu by now, yes?

We have some of them at our command, though in all likelihood, they will be more inclined to join the enemy side.

[dragonrises]

[a slight frown] Rasetsu...? No, I don't think I have heard...

[he doesn't connect Saitou's transformation to this new term, and hasn't really talked to him in a while]

[conceded]

Have you noticed anything... strange, about any of the men around camp?

[It might be best to see if he knew what he was talking about, first.]

[dragonrises]

Define strange. [after all, they are in a world where people just appear out of nowhere and snake demons roam the land]

[conceded]

Speed faster than a normal human's... perhaps healing powers, of some sort.

[He'd never dare let on the shogunate's secret under normal circumstances, but here and at home things were falling apart. What was the harm in it?]

[dragonrises]

[chinstroke] I have seen...perhaps one incident of someone who was able to heal himself quickly. It was strange, but useful. We would have lost the battle if not for him, and I might not still be here.

[conceded]

... A few of our men can fight in the same way. However, we would need to be careful how we deploy them, which is why I suppose I had best talk to Lord Shingen.

[That earns Zhao Yun a raised eyebrow.] You were saved by one?

[dragonrises]

Indeed. If there are more with that ability, it is important for the commanders to know.

[he quietly sips at his tea] In essence. We were up against a powerful demon in command of the enemy troops, I do not think I could have defeated him alone. [he's straightforward about it, it's pretty obvious he would have been killed by Shutendoji]

[conceded]

[His eyes widen in shock at that revelation.]

A demon? Here?

[That in itself was bad news.]

[dragonrises]

Well...yes. [blinkblink] Most of Orochi's army is made up of them.

[GET USED TO IT KONDOU]

[conceded]

[BUT MOOOOM.]

That is... rather unfortunate.

[dragonrises]

It is. Yet, their soldiers are no more less strong than our own. We have gained back most of our territories over time, we know more about them now than we did the day Orochi himself swept across this realm.