We won't. I don't want to believe it's guaranteed for something bad to happen, either. You're all very smart. Many of us are quite strong, enough to protect the others. There is time to sort everything out.
[ it's best to hold onto hope for now, he thinks. ]
Ah. [ a small smile. ] My current master summoned me with this body. Normally, this [ shifts the naginata slightly ] is my only body, my true form.
There's definitely time. [she does firmly believe this. time is going to have to be enough, even with other unknown factors.] With enough time, we can resolve anything before it can happen.
[and yet she's still very much going to be thinking about these things. instead of fixating on that, she's looking at the naginata curiously.]
So...it's like having a little more freedom than where you were before. Are you ever going to have to go back to your true form?
That's right. We may not know how just yet, but we have the tools to find the answers.
[ and everyone is sooo smart. he believes in them. ]
A lot more than I had before! Wielding my own weapon was a new and exciting experience. The first time I tasted food, it was more than I could ever imagine. Being able to move the way humans do really opens the world to you. [ hah. his expression falters for just a moment, but he tries to even it out before he speaks again. ] When my current master no longer has need of me, I will likely return to what I was before.
[this is really cute? like the enthusiasm is sweet, knowing that there were a lot of first-time experiences here...
but the latter is less cute. actually, this is kind of bad, and she gives him a questioning look as she assesses that. that seems...unfair? that seems kind of unfair to bring someone into a world and then remove them when you don't need them.]
Even if your master doesn't need you, would you not be able to find another purpose? [she's asking this, but she does...also, in a sense, sort of understand a little. what comes from something must return to something. but that's their world. she knows other places have other rules.]
[ hhhhhhh. this question is... troublesome, iwatooshi things. his chest feels a little tighter than it should. ]
I don't know if that will be possible. [ before she can ask, he continues on, ] I have this body because of Master's magic. Without their power to sustain it, what is there that I can do?
[it's definitely a little difficult for aerith to think on because...sometimes you have to let someone's path go a certain way. that makes sense. but she still thinks that there are ways to change the future to be something else instead of what's "meant" to be.]
...I guess it would depend if you would want to be sustained like this without being with your master. [magic is also a lot trickier.]
[ iwatooshi watches the flames in silence for a long moment before inhaling, slowly raising his eyes to the sky above. foggy though it may be, the stars are still bright as ever, and they bring him some comfort. ]
I don't know, [ is the answer he settles on. ] I am lucky for the time I've had, and every memory is precious.
...But I exist for my master, to serve them. Even before being given this body, that was all I knew. To exist without them... even if it is possible, I don't know what I would do.
[it's difficult to say when you know you have a purpose. but she can understand that. she knows how it feels to think you're lucky for the time you've had, and the memories you've made being something of value. but to exist without purpose...she's not sure what that would mean either.]
Maybe it isn't something you need to think on now. The most important thing is finding a way to get back to your master, isn't it? They still need you now. [and it's the present that's important. while the past can't be changed, they can still move forward and create a future to be the way they want it to be.]
[ nods. it's a lot for him to process, so a later time is just as well. ]
You are right. They have other touken danshi, of course, and another naginata if that is what they need, but I don't want to be away for too long. Even if my master doesn't need me right away, there is someone I'm still waiting for, after all, and I would hate to miss their return.
[and now she just looks curious. she does not need to know, but she's nosy. and she thinks that maybe it's nice to know more about the people she's stuck here with, so...]
Who are you waiting for? That partner you mentioned?
We are like partners back home, yes. [ a fond smile. ] My former master served his former master. They were close friends, so we served them together for many years.
His name is Imanotsurugi. After our last mission, he left on a journey to become stronger.
It’s been months now. [ his smile turns a little sad. ] I’m not sure how much longer he’ll be, but he did send a letter to our master. He’s working hard.
I bet. [letters are nice, at least.] It's good to know he's okay though even if it's hard to be apart. I'm sure he'll be back sooner than you think though.
[especially if they're all stuck here anyway for a while, but she does not say this.]
It's alright. I miss him dearly, but I'm content to wait, because I know it means he'll come back stronger when he's ready. I wouldn't dare rush him for my sake.
He sounds lucky to have a partner like you. It must be nice to have that kind of understanding between each other. [she has friends now and people she loves, but...every now and then she does feel a little spot of emptiness when it comes to longtime or close relationships.]
I think both of those things can be true, Iwatooshi. [being lucky and feeling lucky.] Sometimes the arguments just make that bond stronger. It helps to know where you both stand.
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[ it's best to hold onto hope for now, he thinks. ]
Ah. [ a small smile. ] My current master summoned me with this body. Normally, this [ shifts the naginata slightly ] is my only body, my true form.
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[and yet she's still very much going to be thinking about these things. instead of fixating on that, she's looking at the naginata curiously.]
So...it's like having a little more freedom than where you were before. Are you ever going to have to go back to your true form?
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That's right. We may not know how just yet, but we have the tools to find the answers.
[ and everyone is sooo smart. he believes in them. ]
A lot more than I had before! Wielding my own weapon was a new and exciting experience. The first time I tasted food, it was more than I could ever imagine. Being able to move the way humans do really opens the world to you. [ hah. his expression falters for just a moment, but he tries to even it out before he speaks again. ] When my current master no longer has need of me, I will likely return to what I was before.
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but the latter is less cute. actually, this is kind of bad, and she gives him a questioning look as she assesses that. that seems...unfair? that seems kind of unfair to bring someone into a world and then remove them when you don't need them.]
Even if your master doesn't need you, would you not be able to find another purpose? [she's asking this, but she does...also, in a sense, sort of understand a little. what comes from something must return to something. but that's their world. she knows other places have other rules.]
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I don't know if that will be possible. [ before she can ask, he continues on, ] I have this body because of Master's magic. Without their power to sustain it, what is there that I can do?
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...I guess it would depend if you would want to be sustained like this without being with your master. [magic is also a lot trickier.]
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I don't know, [ is the answer he settles on. ] I am lucky for the time I've had, and every memory is precious.
...But I exist for my master, to serve them. Even before being given this body, that was all I knew. To exist without them... even if it is possible, I don't know what I would do.
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Maybe it isn't something you need to think on now. The most important thing is finding a way to get back to your master, isn't it? They still need you now. [and it's the present that's important. while the past can't be changed, they can still move forward and create a future to be the way they want it to be.]
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You are right. They have other touken danshi, of course, and another naginata if that is what they need, but I don't want to be away for too long. Even if my master doesn't need me right away, there is someone I'm still waiting for, after all, and I would hate to miss their return.
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Who are you waiting for? That partner you mentioned?
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His name is Imanotsurugi. After our last mission, he left on a journey to become stronger.
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How long ago was that? Have you heard from him since he left at all?
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[especially if they're all stuck here anyway for a while, but she does not say this.]
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He sounds lucky to have a partner like you. It must be nice to have that kind of understanding between each other. [she has friends now and people she loves, but...every now and then she does feel a little spot of emptiness when it comes to longtime or close relationships.]
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It is, but it's not like we don't have our arguments, too.
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Perhaps you’re right. But I won’t know for sure until he returns.
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[and we can probably wrap this one ray since its w0 sunday! picks up iwa for another time.]