Ishida Mitsunari | Saika Magoichi | 010

[unbending]

[This is just going to be an all-purpose post for my darling Gabe at this point because Mitsunari already dominates my musebox.]

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[redbelltolls]

[ Magoichi lifts her head, curiosity piqued. ]

Oh? Then what is it?

[unbending]

[He remains silent, because he honestly doesn't know how to describe it.

...

It was something Hideyoshi had allowed him--honored him with the right to assist in.

It was something that...he could partake in and honor the lords of the Toyotomi even though they were now gone.

...

No, he doesn't know how to put any of that into words, so he remains silent for a long moment.]

...It is unimportant.

[redbelltolls]

... I am curious.

[ She states it in a tone more gentle than she is apt to using, simply offering the fact that she is interested -- not particularly in the tea ceremony, nor the Toyotomi, but in Mitsunari himself, his thoughts and feelings. ]

[unbending]

[Hm.

Eventually, he does respond, staring into the darkness contemplatively.]

It is a great honor to be allowed to do so.

[It was an honest gesture--a reminder of what he had been to Hideyoshi. A reversal--Hideyoshi was his everything, but perhaps Mitsunari had been something to Hideyoshi as well.]

[redbelltolls]

[ An honor.

Magoichi is quiet for a moment, caught up in her own thoughts. ]

That... I believe I understand.

[unbending]

[He is silent for a moment at the assertion before he offers a scoff in return.]

You could not understand. Do not be so condescending as to assume you could.

[It's lacking in any sort of bite though; he's saying it because...that's what he's always said. That's what he's always found to be true.]

[redbelltolls]

[ Instead of getting angry, Magoichi ends up smiling to herself. She has known him long enough now that she guessed that would be his answer. ]

Is that so? I, too, once had a Master.

[unbending]

[...h-huff.

He knows this, theoretically.

But...knowing Magoichi as he does, it's somehow hard to imagine.

Very hard.]

...You could not comprehend my relationship with him.

[It has to be that way, because the last person he thought could understand, perhaps, had been Ieyasu, and look at what Ieyasu had done--]

[redbelltolls]

Perhaps not.

[ Magoichi stretches a little, her voice softening as she continues to speak. ]

I remember being asked, once, why I took the task of cleaning my Master's guns so willingly. It is not the most pleasant work, leaving one covered in oil and grime, and there are many small parts on a gun one must pay close attention to get properly clean.

My answer was easy to me, though it seemed to surprise those who had asked. That my master trusted me enough with the responsibility to clean the weapons he used on the field, the very objects that decided his life or death on the field... what greater honor could there be than that?

[unbending]

[He listens quietly, intent in the silence.

And then, equally quietly, a tad bit soft--]

...There is no greater honor than to be able to serve one's lord in such a way.

[redbelltolls]

I do not think there is, either.

[ She closes her eyes against the memories. ]

My only regret is that my time to serve him was so short.

[unbending]

[There is a pause at that.

And then, in the darkness, there is just a quiet but sharp breath.

...perhaps Magoichi does understand.

Because that is Mitsunari's biggest regret as well.]

...I see.

[redbelltolls]

...perhaps now you can see why I must be masterless, Mitsunari.

[ It is somewhat off the topic they had originally started on, and yet she could think of no better time to get him to understand. ]

It is not an insult to any lord. It is that I have already given my loyalty to one man, and...

[ Her voice very rarely wavers, but for just a moment, thinking of the man she loved once with her heart and soul, it does. ]

It would be a betrayal to him to call anyone else master.

[unbending]

[There are all sorts of things he could say here.

Like "That is what you get for serving a lord other than lord hideyoshi"--only

Only

Only.

Their situations are somehow the same.

So he says nothing like that.]

...There is nothing worse than betrayal.

[He understands, in other words. He understands and he accepts what she has said.]

[redbelltolls]

[ The emotion she feels is relief.

She smiles in the darkness. ]

No, there is not.

[ It is a silent 'thank you.' ]

[unbending]

[Well now that they've had that pleasant heart to heart, Mitsunari realizes that they are still stuck in a box.

...A bit of a sigh and he kicks at the lid again idly and in some annoyance.]

This is--

[And the lid pops off some, light streaming in a bit.

MAYBE THEY NEEDED A HEART TO HEART TO GET OUT OF THE BOX--but that would be silly, wouldn't it?]

[redbelltolls]

...what the hell?

[ Magoichi is startled, but that is not going to stop her from quickly standing up, pushing the lid off the box before it can decide to trap them again. ]

[unbending]

[He is equally startled, but he is also quick to unfold himself and step out.

Only then he winces and stretches.

Guh too tight of an enclosed space.]

[redbelltolls]

I say we find out who caused that and rake them over the coals.

[ Though she will stretch herself. Oh, that feels good. ]

[unbending]

[.....and just a short nod from him.]

Very well. We will make them regret ever forcing us into that box.