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[Thankfully, Sousei has a degree in dealing with king morons. So at that, he simply tilts his head, before nodding simply. Fine. You don't deserve any tea anyway.

So Sousei just moves towards the door to grab his shoes.]

Alright. [Can it be? Is he really unbothered about dancing with this nerd in public?

(No it's more that he suspects the courtyard will basically be deserted at this time of day. Or night, rather.]

Let's get this over with, then.

[He was always in this for the Sword Conversations, not the dancing, is it obvious...]

[First Tenka refusing to give drinks, now Sousei holding out on the tea, what is the world coming to...!

Scooting back on over toward the door, too... Good thing he didn't walk too far in because he sure didn't take his boots off.]

Wow, you must practically be keeling over with all that enthusiasm. [Gosh!! But okay, he actually doesn't seem too bothered at all... He's still a little surprised that Sousei agreed in the first place and that he's okay with heading to the courtyard so he'll just take his dance and not complain too loudly about the lack of oomph and vigor. WHERE'S YOUR ZEST??

But yes, excellent, time for a field trip to the courtyard.]

I still think dancing is a pointless activity, though it is more tolerable in this context than the last time. Still, if you are expecting me to be excited, you'll be disappointed.

[He just really doesn't enjoy fancy parties... but this is better, even if also kind of even more pointless somehow. Either way, he'll head right on over to that courtyard, considering their space and lack of an audience.

And he nods.]

This will do.

[thanks for that analysis, sousei]

Right, right. Is there anything you do get excited about? [Besides stamps...

But hey! If this is good enough for Sousei, it's good enough for Kashuu. He prefers audiences just by virtue of there being a larger pool of people to praise him for being graceful and pretty, but he's mostly here for the dance this time.]

Are you gonna take the lead?

[Despite the phrasing and the fact that he had offered to lead first last time, he doesn't seem adverse to it. Swords are meant to follow, after all.]

[Shut up, stamps are important.......

But either way, he doesn't deign to even respond to that, instead focusing on the clearly more important question about leading or following.]

Yes. [who's surprised] Are you ready? [Either way, he does offer a hand properly, expression flat but not particularly sour. There are worse fates than this, really. He could be forced to dance with Tenka again, after all. That really put things into perspective.]

[at least there's one person in the world who believes in stamps...

Taking the hand that's offered, though! Once again, Kashuu's own enthusiasm doesn't seem to be dampened by Sousei linefacing it up over there.]

If you're gonna lead, you should take care of the music, too!

[Except he really doesn't expect Sousei to sing - are people like him even capable of singing?? - so he'll just wait for said punk to start moving with the scraps of patience that he manages to dredge up.]

[Once they're properly positioned, Sousei arches an eyebrow at that, but he doesn't really miss a beat in saying--]

There is no music. For someone who feels so strongly about dancing, I assumed you would be capable of doing so without.

[You know, since you're a dancing queen.

Also he just can't be damned.

But he does start moving when they are properly positioned, and he is actually somewhat less stiff than he was at the party; dancing with someone he is slightly more familiar with rather than a stranger, and not being in the context of a party like that actually does help.]

[HE IS A DANCING QUEEN young and sweet only 600...]

Ahhh, you don't hold back at all. But I can totally dance without music!

[Which he will DEMONSTRATE by being able to follow along with Sousei's guidance seamlessly. He definitely notices that there seems to be a marginal difference in levels of stiffness too, which has his lips quirking upward in some measure of amusement. He may be able to enjoy himself even if no one else in the room is, but he still likes it when other people are having fun too, okay... Or at least if they're not having a bad time.

After about a half-minute or so (Kashuu also doesn't do well with being quiet), he'll pipe up again with a cheery:]

Y'know, you really aren't bad at this. I should've asked for more than one extra.

[Maybe he'll just go pester Saitou for more, too... And Haruji... Souji would definitely be game, he's sure. THE LIST GROWS.]

[He's not miserable, we'll count that as a win.

Nonetheless, Sousei was expecting Kashuu to pipe up (let's be real here, he agreed to the dance for the sake of conversation), and is satisfied that he did, even if...it's not the sort of conversation he was actually looking forward to. Honestly.]

There are better uses of our time than this. [It's not necessarily a "no", but--yeah mostly it's a "no".] While this one last dance isn't too troublesome, don't expect more.

[That was blunt, if nothing else. Go pester the others.]

[He will totally go pester the others okay but that doesn't mean he won't come back eventually... HE'S HARD TO SHAKE.]

I know, I know. Make it count, okay? [Don't let him down, Sou #2!!

He actually lapses into a bout of silence after that though, and unless Sousei pipes up first to break it, he'll leave off for a little while just so he can enjoy the dance itself. He's physical by nature so he likes almost everything about it, from the way their footsteps sound on pavement in the empty courtyard to having a pair of hands to hold.

It's only once he's had his fill that he'll speak up again, a mildly inquisitive note in his tone.]

Sooo, what is it you're humoring me for again? [SWORD CONVERSATIONS but he doesn't really get what in particular Sousei wants to discuss...]

["Make it count", he says--isn't that Sousei's line?

Still, he's willing to dance in silence for a short period of time. It's not as if there's a time limit on this dance, or a particularly pressing thing he needs to be doing at this point; while this wouldn't be his activity of choice, sitting around reading more about technological advances can only take him so far.

But Kashuu breaks the silence first, and Sousei is satisfied with it.]

You are interesting. [He means that in a general "you, the swords" sense, though Kashuu is interesting on his own as well--look, just remember that you asked the Honest Guy a flat out question.] You are beings who clearly have your own thoughts, beliefs and intentions, and yet each and every one of you I have spoken to is insistent on the fact that you don't have the right to choose your own bearer.

[Was that...straightforward enough...]

I have been trying to understand it.

[it's good to know that dancing with him is slightly preferred to reading 1000 technical manuals and textbooks... excellent.....

He's also totally taking that as a personal compliment. Heck yes he's interesting!! He's also pretty and graceful and strong and surely it's just a matter of time until Sousei notices all of that too.

But that sure is straightforward enough... It's so straightforward that Kashuu's not actually certain what to do with it or how to respond, which is clear in the way that his expression screws up a little as he mulls it over. Even if he's one of the more human swords in Haru's collection, there are still a lot of things that he just fundamentally doesn't understand and a lot of connections he can't make. He knows he can't just be like "I dunno" after Sousei so kindly took a chunk out of his evening though, so...]

Things've always been that way. I mean, this isn't my body - not my real one. It's super nice being able to manifest because I can do things that I couldn't before, but I'm still a sword. I don't pick who uses me, y'know? [A thoughtful pause. He's trying to make his explanation as clear as possible even though he's also struggling to understand what part Sousei doesn't understand.] Like... my first master was the one who saw me and decided that I was the sword he wanted to wield. Haruji gave us life, but he's the one who picked us too. It's like that.

[He doesn't say it with any resentment or ill feeling, though; there's no contesting that he loves Haru, along with pretty much every other sword. Okita had been a kind master too, so on a whole he doesn't have the same inner conflict over a lack of ability to pick owners as some of the mishandled swords do.]

I have heard from Kousetsu that these forms are temporary, yes.

[Even so, though... Sousei just doesn't understand it. Or, perhaps, the way it should be put is that he understands it all too well. Certainly before he met Tenka, Sousei was nothing more than a blind follower--he was told that he was going to be the Abe family vessel for the Orochi, and that was that. There was nothing else. But...even if it was just for a short period of time before his expiration date was up, Sousei learned to think for himself.

Even if these tsukumogami go back to being proper swords at some point...shouldn't they think for themselves so long as they have the ability to?]

I have no quarrel with you following your saniwa as well. [Haru seems upstanding enough, anyway, if a little young and inexperienced. Rather, as Sousei neatly steps in proper time to music that doesn't exist, he thoughtfully continues--]

However, I have heard time and again that, even should you disagree with the master that chooses you, you would follow him. [A pause. Sousei makes a quiet, almost amused noise, and--] Well, perhaps not you, but the others I would believe it of.

...That could be more troublesome than anything.

He's a good owner. [Is the first and immediate reply. Even though Sousei's not disagreeing and there's no reason to defend Haru (he's not really aiming to do that anyway), Kashuu's just throwing the affectionate compliment out almost reflexively. In the same way that he likes being praised, he gives out praise pretty freely, too.

But gosh, Sousei, just making all the hard-hitting observations! He's never really stopped to think about these things before, since he's only been "alive" in the proper sense of the word for a very short time and his existence within that timeframe has been guided by one purpose. There's just never been much of a need for him to contemplate the whys behind the structure in his life.]

Mmm... that's tough! That's super hard to explain. [Because as much as he'd like to agree with Sousei's vaguely amused observation, he can't really say what he'd do in a situation like that. He's never been in one before, and likely never will be.]

I guess we don't spend time thinking about stuff like that 'cus Haruji's the last master a lot of us are gonna have. [Which he says almost cavalierly even though it's something he rarely ever voices. He likes to imagine things will work out for all of them, but Sousei's bluntness is prompting him to be blunt in turn and acknowledge that the chances are stacked against him. He may not make it through the war. Even if he does, Haru may not be able to keep them. If that's the case... well, he's working to make sure history stays the same, and in accordance with history, he'd be long gone. His shoulders rise into a shrug; he doesn't miss a single step.]

I don't, anyway. I mean, even putting that aside, it's hard for swords like me to find good wielders in the first place. [Since he's so DIFFICULT AND ALL good lord.] So I aaalways look for the ones who can use and treat me well! But I belong to Haruji now, so it's not really a problem for me. [A headshake, and then a contemplative:] I dunno what I'd do if I didn't agree with the ones who chose me.

[You don't know and I don't know either: the conversation...]

[They really are all so affectionate, huh... Sousei's curious about this Haru's hidden depths, but for now, he'll let that one go. It's not his business anyway, right now.

But here Sousei is, to bring up the truly philosophical! He's talked this over with Souza, with Kousetsu, and with Tsurumaru, and it's perhaps the last of the group that really bothered him most. Talking as if there is no choice, when the sword... well, perhaps the sword can't pick its wielder when in sword form, but isn't it simply outdated to think in that way when the circumstances have changed, isn't it...?

Besides, this is edging towards depressing territory. Is it really the fate of swords to be left behind by history when their time is done? It seems wrong. His expression tightens somewhat, but his hands on Kashuu's are as loose as ever.]

I see. Then that is how it is.

[He's aware his opinion isn't always wanted, but even so..... well, he's bad at not giving it.]

...For what it is worth, I do not believe a sword's purpose ends when there is peace. [Nor at a sword ban, nor when it is broken. Hadn't Soramaru's swords ended up saving him, despite being broken and tarnished?] The true purpose behind a sword's existence is to protect what is important. That will always be necessary.

So don't go assuming your job is finished even after this war is completed.

["This is edging towards depressing territory" AND THEN SOUSEI BROUGHT UP THE WORST TOPIC to possibly bring up with a sword like Kashuu Kiyomitsu, whose abandonment complex is deep and vast and full of crazy...

But that had happened to him, centuries and centuries ago - back at Ikedaya, when the tip of his blade had been broken off in battle and he was deemed irreparable when Okita tried to have him fixed. Discarded and never used again, he had learned the hard way that a sword that couldn't be a sword is nothing short of worthless. He can't agree with what Sousei says because of that, and it's obvious just based on the minute distance that seems to rise up as he looks off toward the side of the courtyard, but the true depth of disagreement is mostly hidden. Kashuu doesn't make an effort to be less expressive than he is, but he doesn't exactly like airing his traumas, either.]

...Something like that'd be weird, yeah? It's hard to think about life without war. I mean, even living here's pretty different and there are still battles to fight in. [He had felt most "at home" when fighting those creatures at the mall, which says a lot. There's a brief pause after that, and then:]

But I guess I wouldn't mind too much. If I can keep protecting those things...

[If he could have continued to stay by Okita's side even as a useless blade, he wouldn't have minded, really, even if his heart sings the loudest when he's used in battle. If he could live at Haru's side for just a little longer, he would like that. If - if - and it's a big if, but if he allows himself that hope...]

—Anyway! Thinking about those complicated things'll just give me wrinkles. Before worrying about that, it's prooobably better to worry about all the stuff going on here.

[Look, he knows he's edging onto dangerous ground here, he just also doesn't care. And despite how lineface and dumbly stoic Sousei can be, he's rather perceptive when it comes to other people and their emotions.

Isn't this the problem? If your only value is as a sword, then isn't it impossible to have value after the war? When you are no longer picked up, when you're broken--

Sousei doesn't like it, but he simply takes half a moment's step off in the dance, putting himself mildly closer to Kashuu, closing that minute distance, if only physically. And then--]

That is the price of this dance. [Though he's not pursuing it, at least.... not yet.

It's even with a bit of humor that he continues--]

You must deal with my unasked for opinion.

[Boldly going where no sane man would ever go... But it's not like he's wrong in his observation of the root of the problem. It's just something that Kashuu can't see, since he doesn't really consider himself human or anything more than just a sword. Being taught that his value lies accordingly will be a hard lesson to shake.

but ooh mr. sousei ooh, getting up close and personal. He seems a little surprised at first, but his expression quickly shifts to one of bright amusement. Sousei will likely feel the grip on his hands tighten momentarily, like Kashuu is reflexively used to squeezing hands when feeling particularly upbeat - which he is. He's just a hand-holdy kind of guy in general...]

Hah! You're not as stiff as you first seem, huh? [Secret sharp wit beneath the dry stoicism, he sees how it is... Maybe Sousei was actually the cool partner all along?! A SHOCKING TWIST.]

Buuut I guess I can deal with that. I like seeing what humans think about things. [Because it's a pretty dang foreign perspective. For all of his human feelings and how human he can act, that entire realm is still a little of out his grasp.]

[PLOT TWIST-- no, Sousei is and always has been a Loser, he just has occasional moments of glimmering Coolness.... He's not stiff though, no, even if he comes across that way, but Sousei doesn't respond to that beyond a slight arched eyebrow.

Either way, he's quick to make sure he's in the proper time for their dance again; even if he did that to make a point, he still doesn't like being that close to someone normally. They can just carry on properly with their dance, naturally.]

It is a common enough perspective here. Your saniwa is human too--I would be curious to know his opinion.

[Sousei suspects he would agree--but for now, he won't push that.] And you are always welcome to my opinion, naturally.

[He'll give it even if you don't want it, sorry, Cashew...this is the life you're stuck with now.]

[Ah, he's been able to witness a truly rare moment here... Incredible. Hopefully he too will one day learn about the stamp collection so he can look back at this moment and be like "what was I thinking".

But he'll keep step just fine once their dance is resumed, even though there's a gentle air of appreciation over Sousei getting that close at all. He doesn't seem like a very physical guy (not counting hurling his subordinates off of cliffs), so Kashuu can only assume that he's just learning what he's likely observed from the Samonji. Kousetsu may be a little more reserved, but he's about on par with Souza when it comes to physical closeness.

There's a beat of silence after that, and then a second of consideration.]

He treats us like we're human. [Which probably only solidifies what Sousei suspects, even though Kashuu won't give a more direct answer than that.] It's can be a lot, but he tries super hard for us all the time and teaches us as much as he can. I only know what I know because he was there to show me.

[gross he's getting sentimentality everywhere... the funny thing is he can actually be a pretty rough tsun, JUST NOT WHEN IT COMES TO HIS CURRENT MASTER. That said, on a less sentimental note:]

Hmm? Always? [SOUSEI NO.] I'll remember that!

[Yes...that's about what he was expecting. A saniwa who gives swords life, and then treats them as they're human--it's still starkly at odds with their purpose, though. A saniwa who gives swords life, and treats them as if they're human, and then...puts them on the frontlines of a war? It's a very strange thing, and he thinks there are still things he doesn't quite understand.

But for now, there's a dance, and a rather strangely amusing sword.]

I will look forward to meeting him again properly, then.

[Always. His expression doesn't change, but--]

I said what I meant. Offering up my opinion does not mean I will allow you to pester me constantly for no reason. [He's onto you.]

Treat him well, okay?

[He'll be WATCHING... Or not, but he's still pretty protective of Haru and wants to make sure he doesn't end up in a situation that makes him unhappy.

What a butthead though, seeing through his ultra-clever ploy!! Kashuu's cheeks puff out for a second in an expression of irritation that isn't really serious.]

You can't just cherry-pick, y'know. If you're gonna offer your opinion, you have to be ready to offer it for anything!

[Like what color of hair pins looks cuter on him!!]

["Treat him well", the sword says. Sousei just arches an eyebrow at him, thoughtful.]

I don't treat anyone well. [bullshit]

And I am telling you now, if you intend to use this to pester me over irrelevant things, I will tell you so. [and kick you to the curb.

it's the pink one.]

[Yeah mister "humors this weird guy to a dance not once BUT TWICE", he sure doesn't treat anyone well.]

Yeah, yeah! You'll regret it a lot if you don't. [But he doesn't sound concerned at all, so clearly that's not a real threat...

But see, look at that, Sousei has impeccable taste and he must be consulted for these things!!]

S'your fault for offering with such super vague terms. Don't do that next time! [Because Kashuu will be there to take advantage of it...] Besides, even if it's irrelevant to you, it's not irrelevant to me if I ask about it, right? What if I can't decide which pair of shoes to buy? That's a big decision to make.

[nope, he's definitely an asshole through and through!!

But wow......not!threatened by a sword... he'd be more intimidated if Kashuu wasn't...you know, tiny and ~fabulous~. As is, he thinks he's probably okay. Talk to him again after he trains Haru a little and gives him a lot of bruises.

For now, he snorts vaguely, even as he carries on with their steps.]

Do not ask me for fashion advice.

[He does look vaguely fashionable in his western clothing, but it's definitely not due to his own choices, really. Blame Yang.]

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"it's can be a lot".. wtf..... my sloppy typos are otherworldly

shh shh i won't hold it against u

you're too good to me.....

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