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]

[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.

[conceded]

[His brow furrows at that-- something doesn't seem quite right. He hasn't realised yet that they're not on the same page.]

You are not having large difficulties with them, then...?

[dragonrises]

Not particularly. The officers can be formidable, sometimes, particularly if it is Kiyomori or one of his special retainers leading the enemy. [and he notices nothing wrong with that either]

[conceded]

Kiyomori...?

[ This is really something else. And yet Kondou looks more confused than ever before. ] Such figures from history gathered in a place like this- I'm not sure that it's a good omen.

[dragonrises]

Then, you know of all these names...Takeda, and Oda, and even our own kingdoms? [he's still not entirely used to people treating him like a famous historical figure] I cannot say why we have all been gathered this way, but at times, it seems as though there is no one else who can stand against Orochi's forces.

[conceded]

Ahaha, yes I do. Of course, I know only of what history books I have managed to get my hands on, but...

[ He coughs, embarrassed. ] It is no surprise that some of the greatest warriors history has ever seen have gathered here. Hopefully it will be enough to repel Orochi himself.

[dragonrises]

I hope that meeting them will not disappoint. History books can often be embellished. [and he's still embarrassed, himself, when someone comes gushing about his reputation]

[conceded]

Oh yes, of course. I won't take everything I read for granted, of course...

[ He smiles then. ] But the records are looking rather good so far.

[dragonrises]

[sfakjdhd if only the table wasn't so low to the ground, he'd crawl under it in embarrassment]

It is strange to think that I may be known outside of the kingdoms...

[conceded]

[ That makes him grin so hard. Why so cute, Zilong. ]

Is it so odd to think that your deeds have been written about for centuries? They were incredible!

[dragonrises]

I...yes, a little. [that just flusters him even more] I only strove to support my lord, to protect our kingdom and its people. I wouldn't have thought it the stuff of legend.

[conceded]

W-well, I suppose history always has a way of becoming embellished over time... and there's also author favouritism, but still-- it can be rather inspiring.

[ As if the way that he's started to speak so passionately about it isn't enough of an indication. ]

Striving to protect your lord and your kingdom is something to be proud of. And if it's a tale that has reached that far into the future, it must be a quality that even future generations can appreciate. Your tale is not too dissimilar to others even in Japanese history, such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and even Sanada Yukimura.

Fighting for one's lord and staying loyal no matter the odds seems quite rare these days!

[dragonrises]

[the mention of Yukimura almost makes him drop his tea]

I...suppose you have a point. Though, to mentioned in the same breath with Lord Hideyoshi, and Yukimura...I am rather flattered. I shall have to mention to Yukimura that he might be famous now.

Is it really so rare, in your time? Have the people lost their way?