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

[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?

[conceded]

You are acquainted with Lord Sanada? He is quite the legend in my day, but... perhaps that is something that he will be able to discuss with you.

[ Might not want to tell him some of the finer details, nope... ]

Unfortunately it is. After nearly three hundred years, the shogunate is falling apart-- no one knows how to react. Which means that people are determined to find their own way instead of trusting in their lord.

[dragonrises]

Yes, Lord Yukimura is a good friend. [and then some, am I right? Honorifics in front of acquaintances, at least] He should be around the camp somewhere.

That is unfortunate. Though, as I can attest, countries do rise and fall. Perhaps yours, too, will find a path through the chaos. [pretty confident for someone who doesn't know that the three kingdoms will all fail, including his lord's land of benevolence]

[conceded]

A good friend? It is fortunate that you have found such a companion in a place like this. Hopefully I will be able to meet him for myself. [ Yes, Kondou is fanboying your boyfriend, now what. ]

I certainly hope that it will... though I afraid that I won't be around to see it. In any case, I hope that it will all work itself out.

[dragonrises]

[hey, Yukimura should share that fanboying. Everybody gets some]

At least, here, the worries of conflicts at home may be set aside for a time. If my name has passed into history...I suppose that means we will not be here forever. But here, the land is all mixed up, and our kingdoms do not exist as we remember them - so fighting over them is pointless. We have a common enemy, and we must work to survive against him.

[conceded]

To think that such differences can be put aside, even for a short time... It's a relieving thought. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from a place such as this, that we can take home and apply to our own conflicts. It would certainly be a lot of use to leaders of men, wouldn't it?

[dragonrises]

It would indeed. Though, I will admit it took work. At first, everyone was so scattered, and Orochi managed to sway some to his side. It was some time before we were able to regain what we lost and muster a proper retaliation.

[and even then...no, he's not going to badmouth Masamune. Not right now]

[conceded]

He swayed some of the people he pulled in to his side...?

[ That was bad news. ]

That isn't particularly reassuring, I must admit. Though it is no fault of your own, the news is concerning all the same.

[dragonrises]

[then he's not going to cause further worry by mentioning more recent incidents]

It was mainly through underhanded means. Blackmail, conscription, and the like. His strategist knew how to use hostages against their loved ones.

[conceded]

Hostages... But that's--!

[ Deep breaths, Kondou. Though he's clearly not happy about the revelation. ]

Is there any way that we can prevent it from happening again?