> @minimalcat | @all; voice

[hakanai]

[There's a picture, direct to you from Yoshitsugu's eyes, of his own little gachapon; tanuki in... some kinds of interesting outfit.]

Isn't it interesting that they talk to me in what sounds like the voice of Tokugawa Ieyasu? The man who is, was and will be shōgun of Japan, depending on when and where you come from, speaking delightfully nonsense prophecies in a poor attempt at an ominous voice. My dear partner is going to be rather upset about this.

But I can't fault their feel for the flow, even if their subject matter is not as useful as one might hope from an oracle. Just yesterday I was warned I would trip over and hit the pointed edge of a table and it happened only an hour later. Apparently a coughing fit would ruin a touching moment and it did. Most recently I have been informed that a friend will ruin the last piece of mochi I have. Which one of you will be the culprit?

Still, if you can defy the prophecy, I wouldn't mind a friend having a good treat before we leave for this troubling mission. If you have not experienced war before you would be wise to come to those of us who have if you find yourself struggling whilst we are on duty; being stubborn about carrying the burden yourself will do you and nobody else any good.

Comments

@maximumtiger

[handtowels]

What?!

[Takatora's own voice response is loud, half-strangled in fury and horror. Those outfits. THOSE FIGURINES. With his lord's voice. His enemies used to call Lord Ieyasu a tanuki as an insult, so all together...

He's so shocked he doesn't even register the mochi abuse.]

I won't let this impudence towards my lord stand!

[HE'LL COME ROUND AND SMASH THEM ALL, YOSHITSUGU. WHAT THE FUCK.]

[hakanai]

You'll have to learn to deal with it.

[And doesn't Yoshitsugu sound... completely calm and unaffected? He knew he was going to get this reaction.]

They have made accurate if currently useless prophecies about the future so it's best we retain them for now in case they happen to make better ones in the field and assist our cause. I'd have said the same if they had been miniature foxes that spoke in Mitsunari's voice instead.

[handtowels]

N— Y-you— Mitsun—

[Honestly, Takatora just seems to be getting increasingly wound up. Then he clamps his mouth shut, takes a moment to mentally push that imagery away before it can settle, and back in some semblance of control, accuses:]

You're doing this on purpose. I'm not going to think about Mitsu...nari... as a...

[...too late.

Why would Yoshitsugu betray him like this?

...Actually, this is exactly the kind of thing Yoshitsugu does. Yet somehow he keeps coming back for more.]

Wait. Why are you are thinking about it?!

[hakanai]

If we're going to talk about tanuki in strange clothing, why not kitsune? It's easy logic to follow, Takatora.

[No, it's ridiculous logic all round, but that's part of the joy of the game, isn't it? It's good to take some time to have fun before long, harsh campaigns... even if only one of them is really getting entertainment out of this.]

[Not that his voice betrays how amused Yoshitsugu is, but Takatora must know.]

Does the idea that I'd think it bother you?

[handtowels]

No.

[He says too quickly.

The embarrassed silence that follows suggests that he realises that much.]

[hakanai]

You're exposing your weakness, Takatora. Isn't that supposed to be something you rarely do?

[Yoshitsugu makes the quip with fond humour, which may cause you to believe he's done here. Maybe.]

There's no contest to win this time.

[handtowels]

I'd hope not, if those monstrosities are involved.

[He remarks, steering the subject. It's heavy-handed, but necessary for his own sanity.]

I'm coming over to deal with them, by the way. Since when have you needed anything to handle predictions for you? So let me in when I reach your capsule.

[hakanai]

I'll let you in.

[That's... all he says. But for something so minimal it probably implies a lot.]

>> FROM: @POINTANDKICK

[pointedlook]

Why is it wearing that?

[ Wait, maybe don't tell him, he doesn't want to know............... ]

[hakanai]

I couldn't say; it's not the typical depiction of a tanuki. Perhaps the creator had an especially vivid imagination?

[Which he put to, uh, interesting use here, huh.]

[pointedlook]

Vivid imagination for raccoons in bathing wear. Hate to say this but maybe it was their fetish?

Though I guess if it's spouting moderately accurate fortunes, it's worthwhile to keep around....

[hakanai]

I won't deny that the thought crossed my mind, which makes the choice of voice even more suspicious to me. It's like they were designed to aggravate my partner by 'mocking' his Lord

[Which... honestly makes them a gift to Yoshitsugu, considering how much he likes to tease.]

Indeed. I am extremely good at anticipating the future, but the abilities of an oracle are beyond me... and even the trivial can turn out to be useful sometimes.

>>from: @aegonner

[northerndragon]

Most of these things don't mean much to me, though from the way you speak of him, your shōgun of Japan must be a priest or a king.

But I know the truth of the last bit well enough. Maybe those of us who have seen battle can make ourselves known to those who haven't.

[hakanai]

Something like a King; the last ruler standing after a war amongst many. I will not be around for his rule but my partner, one of his vassals, shall.

Yes. If what I know about the advancements of gun warfare since my time is correct, and the training here I have received here suggests I am, then it will be brutal beyond measure. The young and innocent are going to have an especially hard time of it and while I am no soft touch, I recognise where support is particularly needed.

voice → action

[handtowels]

[Takatora exhales softly, but says no more.]

[A few minutes later he's calling at Yoshitsugu's door.]

Hey. Yoshitsugu!

[hakanai]

[Yoshitsugu doesn't come to the door but he does allow access for Takatora, and, well, of course Takatora will know where Yoshitsugu's bedroom is within.]

[He can be found there, led on his side across his bed with the little figures next to him. There will be one in his right hand when his partner walks in, and when that happen Yoshitsugu glances upwards (he's wearing his facecloth as usual) and says:]

Apparently I'm going to tear my sleeve sometime soon.

[Useful, isn't it...]

[handtowels]

[Of course he knows the way, and heads straight there. He scowls at the offending objects as he walks over and seats himself on the edge of the bed, just above where Yoshitsugu's knees rest.]

Seriously?

[He reaches out, his fingers brushing against Yoshitsugu's hand. He's not sure he wants a better look at the tanuki.]

I should destroy them.

[He complains, but makes no move to act upon that conviction, for no other reason than he knows that they delight Yoshitsugu.

He wants to, though. The temptation is strong. It's just... with Yoshitsugu's gaze on him...]

[hakanai]

[Don't expect Yoshitsugu to sit up, Takatora; Yoshitsugu just stares up instead, pale eyes remaining fixed on his companion. He looks rather content right now. Maybe it's just because of the break from their training, but... well. It's hard to tell with Yoshitsugu.]

I think Takatora is being far too serious.

[He draws his hand back from Takatora, a slight tease, and deposits the little tanuki down with its fellows before picking up the golden one instead.]

One of them suggested a friend would smile at me. Maybe you should make its prophecy true.

[handtowels]

I don't serve them.

[Takatora says, crossing his arms.]

If I smile at you, it's for my own reasons.

[hakanai]

[The contentment vanishes; Yoshitsugu's eyes widen dramatically and he gasps in mock horror. This is exactly the sort of reaction Takatora should have expected.]

...so you have no reason to smile at me right now?

[He rolls over on the bed so he's facing away and rolls the golden tanuki between his fingers.]

I'm hurt.

[handtowels]

[He knows that Yoshitsugu is playing him, and yet he still feels the urge to soothe Yoshitsugu's (not actually) hurt feelings.

Takatora lies down in the space that Yoshitsugu creates, tucking himself against Yoshitsugu's back and shamelessly spooning his partner.]

Idiot. That's not what I said.

[northerndragon]

A civil war? The last ruler standing after that sort of conflict might not be the best of them.

[He thinks of Joffrey, Tommen, and Cersei, ruling somewhere between uselessly and destructively in the south; he thinks of his brother, of himself, and of how those wars have done nothing but weakened his ability to defend the North from the true threat, how all those massacred armies could once have stood between the living and the dead.]

War is always brutal, and no one is ever really ready for their first battle. I was eighteen when I killed my first man. A lot of them will be younger. I don't know if it's better or worse that they won't be looking him in the eyes.

[hakanai]

There was never a 'best,' but he's not the worst. The man is patient and aware of the need for good relationships with his servants at the very least.

[Despite the fact he won't surrender to him, despite the fact he will oppose him, Yoshitsugu actually has nothing against Ieyasu. He'd just settled for supporting a different dream instead, following Mitsunari down a path doomed to failure. Whatever came after, well, would have its faults. But it wouldn't be the worst outcome for the land.]

I was one of those who was younger. Fifteen, probably. It's odd to think I was ever so naive but the few months before that battle I was the happiest I had ever been. A unit with reliable food is a happy place to be when you've grown up a war orphan, right up until the first skirmish.

Regardless, gun warfare is a level of brutality beyond that of swords, spears and horses. That they won't be able to look them in the eye won't matter; the horrors will haunt them just as much. I would question COST's choice in bringing young warriors without experience to such a battle but it's done now, we must go with the flow and do whatever little we can as support.

[hakanai]

[Yoshitsugu retrieves his entire collection of tanuki before Takatora can settle down, arranging them all into a line against the wall that runs across the far side of his bed. Isn't it a shame there's no shelf to display them on?]

Isn't it? [He says, still keeping up the totally fake hurt.] I'm sure that's what you implied.

[Fun game, this. ♥ With multiple benefits.]

[handtowels]

[Takatora drapes an arm over Yoshitsugu's waist and tucks his chin over Yoshitsugu's shoulder. He thinks of throwing a handtowel over the offending tanuki. He could probably manage from here.]

My smile is just for you.

[Those insults shouldn't be involved in any capacity.]

[hakanai]

[Isn't this cozy? Comfortable and intimate, something they were always close to at one point of their life... only one small step beyond, really. Yoshitsugu remembers sleeping back to back with Takatora when they were young men after joining the Azai, depending on one another and nobody else until they'd ascended the ranks and grew close to their Lord and Lady.]

[The flow has carried them a long way from that time, not bothered by the attempts of any to fight it along the way.]

So I have to choose between your smile or the tanuki?

[He reaches out and touches one of those tanuki just briefly... and it's enough to earn another prediction, apparently. The 'ominous' sound of Tokugawa Ieyasu speaking can be heard suggesting that sometime soon, one of them will experience a cramped foot.]

[Yoshitsugu can't help himself; he laughs, quiet but genuine.]

[handtowels]

[Before Takatora can respond to that teasing comment, the tanuki speaks, and Takatora flinches. Despite Yoshitsugu's description of them, actually hearing it shocks him. A startled breath escapes him, and he grips the fabric of Yoshitsugu's clothes... and there's a small rip as a seam in Yoshitsugu's sleeve is torn a centimetre.]

Gah! ...It really does sound exactly like Lord Ieyasu.

[hakanai]

[Yoshitsugu raises his hand when he feels that rip, observing it with great interest. What an interesting world they've entered! The universe is full of unimaginable possibilities... including the silly, the ridiculous and the outright pointless. Which is a good thing.]

[Right, Takatora?]

And 'his' predictions are accurate.

[He tilts his head back.]

Do you doubt it now?

[handtowels]

[Takatora's eyes remain a little wide as Yoshitsugu tips his head back, though Takatora soon blinks the surprise away.]

They're still insults. Creepy ones at that.

[He frowns as he says that, but after a beat his frown softens into a wry but fond half-smile. What truly matters here is Yoshitsugu's delight, so he supposes he'll have to let this insult pass. At least his lord will never know.]

No wonder they bring you such amusement.

[hakanai]

The flow brought them into my room to entertain me.

[A pause, and Yoshitsugu rolls over so he's facing Takatora instead. His facecloth still hides his almost challenging smile but his eyes, half-lidded with amusement, might communicate it well enough on their own.]

Have you come to my room to entertain me too?

[There's no specific demand. He just really wants to see what Takatora will do with that freedom to choose, especially considering the tanuki still lurking behind Yoshitsugu's back.]

[handtowels]

[This may not be quite so new anymore but it still makes Takatora's heart beat faster and warmth curl low in his belly. Truthfully, he's known for a long time that he'll never not feel that flutter faced with Yoshitsugu's inviting eyes. The difference now is in the satisfaction that follows.]

I'll do better.

[If smashing those tanuki isn't an option, then he'll just provide far superior entertainment.

Raising his hand, Takatora tugs Yoshitsugu's facecloth down and captures that revealed mouth with his. He slides a leg between Yoshitsugu's and drops his hand to Yoshitsugu's waist, ready to pull their bodies even closer still.

With luck, those damn figurines will keep quiet. This may be one of the last times he can have Yoshitsugu to himself for some months, especially untroubled and in good health. Their next mission seems as though it will be much less forgiving than Paris. Merely training to use the machine gun is proof.

They must take their happiness where they can.]

[hakanai]

[It's hardly a surprising outcome, but still, isn't it nice that Takatora is getting more confident in this way? Grasping at the moments of happiness this strange flow brings with it, while they wrestle against a huge and intimidating foe. One day this will all end, after all. If they survive the war against the Regency then Yoshitsugu will return to his final year of life, which is merely paused right now, and Takatora will return to his service under the Tokugawa.]

[Best not to waste the scattering of good moments... especially if they also ensure his tanuki are left intact.]

[Without bothering to wait for that tug that will draw them closer, Yoshitsugu instead pushes himself into the gap that remains between them, half laughing into their kiss as he does so. Why wait? Though when they part he pokes the side of Takatora's head and says:]

This is how your foot will get cramped. [He smiles, warm and amused.] My surprise gifts are truly miraculous.

[So maybe that's another little tease, but Yoshitsugu cannot help but be himself. Provoking reactions out of the people he cares for most has always been his favourite 'hobby.']