( Ugh, let's pull up a kitchen chair and have a seat because there's a lot but also nothing because #whyplot. But he gets it, he gets it and honestly, after doing this for over a year, he's not so bad at giving reports. He's definitely more nonchalant with Kashuu though, versus when he's giving them directly to Haru. Look, Kashuu doesn't give him head pats and scritches? Not that Mutsu would ever accept them. At least he's taking Kashuu seriously right now, though! Even if his posture is casual and his speech a little informal, that's just the way he gives reports, )
That's right. Something wasn't right about that place. ( Ikedaya. ) Had Haruji and us panicking real bad at the citadel. Ya know we almost sent another squad to get ya guys but ya came back just fine.
( Kashuu had clearly been through a lot but... that's not important right now. The important thing is they came back okay!!! It's not like Mutsu was going to head back to Kyoto for you guys or anything!!! )
Never found out what that was about but after that... things went back to normal. Got some new guys and did a bunch of missions, ya know? It wasn't easy but we got through the year alright. Ya know, "Christmas" isn't actually that bad? ( Considering their introduction to Christmas was Cerealian and... not so great. ) We got a li'l bit of time off for that... and then there was New Year and Haru's party and his birthday. Those were a lotta fun.
Oh, did ya know about Fudou-kun? Ya gotta watch for him... he's a good kid but... eh, it'll be okay. "Fudou Yukimitsu." Nobunaga's favorite or something like that. ( And a little young to be drinking but eh kanye shrug. ) Mmm... and then there's Shinano-kun. He's one of Ichigo-san's little brothers. ( There are like twenty of them what the heck. ) He's a li'l spoiled but ya don't gotta worry about him too much. ( And there, he ends up shooting Kashuu a sort of Look™. ) He likes to get close around Haru. Real close. And he's not afraid to ask either.
( Ugh, another spirit to compete with for Haru's attention and this one's a cute kid. )
Then there's the new guy we just got... Juzumaru Tsunetsugu. He's... ( How does Mutsu even describe him? The name's probably familiar enough given the fact Juzumaru is one of the great swords of Japan but still, that guy.... ) important. Not a bad guy but... real important if ya know what I mean.
( He's intimidating like Mikazuki used to be???
But that's it. That's his report and he's definitely waiting to get a sign off even if he it isn't heat pats and ear scritches. )
[At least Kashuu is pretty much used to Mutsu's style of report-giving, even if it's been like over half a year since the last time he's actually heard a proper run-down of things... It's almost nostalgic! Not for Mutsu since the lucky punk got to go back home, but for Kashuu it's been a while since he was returned.
That said, Kashuu's reaction to the report is probably the same that Mutsu remembers, too. He listens dutifully and quietly - even though he's also kind of prone to totally unnecessary side-comments sometimes... NOT THIS TIME, AT LEAST. His expressions pretty much give away whatever he's thinking, though. There's a little guilt on hearing that the whole Ikedaya thing had caused panic, but the same dissonant detachment that he always carries whenever that place is brought up. There's a little jealousy at the mention of all these neat parties, but his look is still soft, since he knows the swords and Haru certainly deserve it. He nods along at the description of Fudou.
His eyes sure do narrow at the mention of Shinano... You're on the watch list, punk. Hasn't even met the dang guy yet and Kashuu's already like POINTS AT EYES, POINTS AT SHINANO. Juzumaru almost pales in comparison, but fuck, the heavenly swords are always a menace too?? HE WAS JEALOUS OF MIKAZUKI FOR SO LONG...
But at the end of it all, he just sighs, leaning back a little and waving a hand through the air.]
What a busy year... It's good that our ranks are still growing, though. [Even if SOME NEW ADDITIONS are MENACES.] Haruji's still doing okay too, right? And everyone else? It doesn't sound too bad if we have time to throw some parties here and there... Nothing new from the organization or anything, yeah? Any new dirt on the enemies, or was that weird Ikedaya thing pretty much the last of it?
( It's funny kind of funny to watch Kashuu identify his rivals
But he nods! Because it sure was a busy year and they earned each and every one of their parties and breaks )
He's good. We're all taking care of him ( and just, very casually, off-handedly, ) especially you. ( And without even a beat, he's moving along like he didn't just toss Kashuu a single, basic compliment, ) Hmm... there were some rumors. ( And he frowns because it's something he really debated mentioning earlier. It's just rumors so they have no place in a formal report, right? This is better. ) They're just rumors but some are saying some reports are saying we might have enemies overseas.
Never heard much about that again, though, so... Ya know how rumors are.
[He's got so much competition already that he has to keep on his toes, okay...
What the heck, though-- A single, basic compliment from Mutsu is still a surprise?! A pleasant one - but as usual, it isn't acknowledged beyond a huffy:]
'Course I am. [Obviously!! But he does look undeniably pleased, both about the compliment itself and the fact that Haru is doing well.]
Overseas, huh... [But rumors are rumors, as Mutsu said, so he just waves that off too. He'll keep it in mind.] Alright. You gonna bring this report to Haruji later?
( Maybe he feels a little bad because Peanut hasn't had his first real Christmas and missed an awesome New Year and like two more parties and a bunch of holidays. )
Mhm, but it looks like everyone's still recovering from the last mess and it's not important right now, ya know?
( It's only been three days here. There are still broken robots all over the streets and humans are resilient but they need a little more time to bounce back than spirits. )
[It's hard to imagine a Christmas that doesn't involve chainsaw santas and murderous elves...]
Yeah, he will. [They all know how Haru is by now.
But that's a good lead-in to the next part.]
—I know you just got back, but we need to talk. Like, at the sanctuary. [So right off the bat Mutsu will probably know it's Big Stuff, since Kashuu's still wary about speaking of it anywhere that CERES can overhear.]
[WELL GOSH it's not like he was waiting to make sure Mutsu had settled in a little or anything--]
Annoying.
[But off he goes, leading the way to the sanctuary without further pause other than to grab his jacket before leaving the apartments.
Seems like he's not keen on wasting time now, at least, since he pretty much speed-walks the way there and starts talking as soon as they're both within the CERES-free building.]
A lot of things have happened since you left, y'know? It's inconvenient! [ANNOYING.] ...And there's some other stuff I've been learning about too. We'll need to organize a meeting eventually so we're all on the same page, but I'll start off with the newest stuff, okay?
( He's a ronin's sword he's used to being on the move and on the run, okay.
He'll definitely follow along, having no problem keeping pace but as he does so, he's checking out some of those robot bodies and pieces lying around the street. Heh, so it was really only a couple of days? But once they're at the citadel, there isn't a whole lot of time before they start to feel sick so he's glad Kashuu is cutting to the chase (like a good Shinsengumi sword). )
Can't leave guys alone for a couple of days? ( He's joking, he's joking, because he knows things can fall apart in Cerealia overnight. But he'll flop on one of the couches and nod along. He has no idea what Kashuu is talking about but if they all need to get together then they all need to get together. ) What happened?
But he's pulling a chair over to the couch so he can have a seat too, diving right into his explanation a second later.]
Alright, so. These robots all started going mega-crazy, like - typical CERES stuff, y'know? Trying to kill people and being insane and all. But the weird part is this: a robot that looked like these ones did before they started changing shape sent us all this message that was totally locked away from CERES. It said that CERES is trying to make them? But that they aren't CERES', and that CERES is starting to learn that. Um... It sounded like it's been learning a lot from us and it thanked us and stuff and basically said we were resilient, almost like a compliment? Said something about how CERES wouldn't help its people, but that it would do its best to do that on its own.
Then, it gave us some info about "three sides" and said there's a fourth one we haven't met yet, but that that one isn't important. [He starts by holding up one finger.] There's CERES, first. It baaasically said that CERES is responsible and everything here is Mosley's fault, but they're not lying about sending us home when they're "done", whatever that means. It also said something about how Mosley is starting to feel guilty for everything he's done to us even though he shouldn't? He's trying to leave but it sounds like he can't 'cause of a contract, but he thinks we should have info when CERES doesn't.
[A second finger:] There's the Flamines, which is pretty self-explanatory, I think. They're mercenaries without a moral compass but we already guessed that from the conversations people had back in the dark part of the city. Basically, pay 'em and they'll do whatever. "Dangerous but honest" - that kinda thing. Bad pick, if you ask me.
[And a third finger:] Tellus is last. It said they don't really care about us as long as they can still do their thing, but - it sounds like the Bridge might be real dangerous. She's got all the power but that robot said she's super into chaos, but that she'll never show it. Occidi doesn't know that the Bridge is like that either, but she just wants peace.
Then it said that we gotta pick a side, and that it'd pick, too.
... I know they're but they kinda sound like spirits.
( Really, really young ones that are still taking form and learning about the world. It's something Mutsu can be sympathetic for? Even if their last run in definitely ended up with him running around chasing his evil twin and having to put it out of its misery before it hurt anyone. But otherwise, he's listening and nodding along at the appropriate places. This is serious talk! And he's taking it seriously. )
No one's really picking sides, right? ( Right??? ) Even if the Flamines are no good, the other two don't sound like daisies either.
[Mutsu isn't alone there, at least. Even if Kashuu isn't voicing it aloud, there are a lot of similarities between that robot spokesperson and the tsukumogami that he knows of, and it strikes a chord of sympathy in him, too.]
Yeah, most people are saying we need more info first, and I agree. Nooot really sure if "our own side" is gonna be the best pick in the end, considering people've been here for like, two years and we're still not really close to figuring things out... But I think that if we do end up picking a side, we should think about it carefully.
—I mean, all of this is assuming that robot was telling the truth in the first place. I just got the feeling it was, but people are wary about it, too. [FOR GOOD REASON. Kashuu would just prefer to write the murderous bits of their behavior off as being the result of CERES tampering, but that's because he's got an eternal buttgrudge against CERES already anyway.]
( He's quiet for a moment, taking in the options presented to him so far and Kashuu's current position.
Kashuu is right. They've been on their own for awhile and there are people who have been here longer than that and they haven't gotten very far. Right now, they're presented with sides to pick from-- allies to work with-- and the one they choose could send them home. )
It comes down to Ceres or the spirits. ( The Flamines aren't even an option he'll consider. They're a bad pick and what sort of price would they have to pay for everyone here to go back home? )And from there it comes down to... one okay guy in a group of no good guys or one real crazy lady and her okay friends.
It'd be different if Mosley was a real important guy on top but... ( He's not? Definitely a face that they see but no powerful CEO. ) It's good to know we might be able to work with him if we play it right and he's always been someone we've had to kinda watch out for, right? Just this time we might hafta consider the fact we'll be needing to get him outta trouble instead of him getting us into it.
Dunno about any of the spirits, though... I don't like the idea of workin` with someone that takes advantage spirits, though. 'Specially ones that're good to 'em.
[Kashuu absolutely refuses to consider the Flamines, too, so he nods in direct agreement.]
Yep. That guy's still a wild card, as far as I see it. It'd be good to have an ally on the other side, but if he can't even break his own contract, I don't really know if that'd be wise pick. [Though he has his own biases and assumptions too, of course... One of which he'll put on the table here.]
I talk to Ardeo a lot. He's a good guy, y'know? But those spirits - they prioritize their people over anything else, so it'd be a risk working with them, I think. We'd have to keep that in mind. They're honest, though... I trust what Ardeo says. He tells the truth even if it's ugly. I can't really just sit around letting that Bridge take advantage of 'em if that's the case, though, since I think they all really love and respect her.
[Which strikes a very personal chord with Kashuu, obviously. It'd be like the frankly unthinkable situation of finding out that Haru had been awful and delighting in the war the entire time, when they all respected and loved him so dearly.]
( Exactly, if Haru was using them wrongly, Mutsu would actually be really angry. Lord knows he'd be kicking and screaming right now if Haru was lying to them so he's offended on behalf of the spirits right now. )
Yeah, but how're we gonna convince 'em? Just think... if someone came up to us and said Haru was lying to us, ya wouldn't believe 'em either, would you? Not without some proof.
Yeah, I know... [Kashuu knows he'd probably gut the first person to even suggest that Haru was lying, so he definitely knows they're treading on dangerous ground.]
That's gonna be the tough part. That robot said she'll never show she's like that, so we'd have to find a way to prove it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
That's right. Something wasn't right about that place. ( Ikedaya. ) Had Haruji and us panicking real bad at the citadel. Ya know we almost sent another squad to get ya guys but ya came back just fine.
( Kashuu had clearly been through a lot but... that's not important right now. The important thing is they came back okay!!! It's not like Mutsu was going to head back to Kyoto for you guys or anything!!! )
Never found out what that was about but after that... things went back to normal. Got some new guys and did a bunch of missions, ya know? It wasn't easy but we got through the year alright. Ya know, "Christmas" isn't actually that bad? ( Considering their introduction to Christmas was Cerealian and... not so great. ) We got a li'l bit of time off for that... and then there was New Year and Haru's party and his birthday. Those were a lotta fun.
Oh, did ya know about Fudou-kun? Ya gotta watch for him... he's a good kid but... eh, it'll be okay. "Fudou Yukimitsu." Nobunaga's favorite or something like that. ( And a little young to be drinking but eh kanye shrug. ) Mmm... and then there's Shinano-kun. He's one of Ichigo-san's little brothers. ( There are like twenty of them what the heck. ) He's a li'l spoiled but ya don't gotta worry about him too much. ( And there, he ends up shooting Kashuu a sort of Look™. ) He likes to get close around Haru. Real close. And he's not afraid to ask either.
( Ugh, another spirit to compete with for Haru's attention and this one's a cute kid. )
Then there's the new guy we just got... Juzumaru Tsunetsugu. He's... ( How does Mutsu even describe him? The name's probably familiar enough given the fact Juzumaru is one of the great swords of Japan but still, that guy.... ) important. Not a bad guy but... real important if ya know what I mean.
( He's intimidating like Mikazuki used to be???
But that's it. That's his report and he's definitely waiting to get a sign off even if he it isn't heat pats and ear scritches. )
no subject
That said, Kashuu's reaction to the report is probably the same that Mutsu remembers, too. He listens dutifully and quietly - even though he's also kind of prone to totally unnecessary side-comments sometimes... NOT THIS TIME, AT LEAST. His expressions pretty much give away whatever he's thinking, though. There's a little guilt on hearing that the whole Ikedaya thing had caused panic, but the same dissonant detachment that he always carries whenever that place is brought up. There's a little jealousy at the mention of all these neat parties, but his look is still soft, since he knows the swords and Haru certainly deserve it. He nods along at the description of Fudou.
His eyes sure do narrow at the mention of Shinano... You're on the watch list, punk. Hasn't even met the dang guy yet and Kashuu's already like POINTS AT EYES, POINTS AT SHINANO. Juzumaru almost pales in comparison, but fuck, the heavenly swords are always a menace too?? HE WAS JEALOUS OF MIKAZUKI FOR SO LONG...
But at the end of it all, he just sighs, leaning back a little and waving a hand through the air.]
What a busy year... It's good that our ranks are still growing, though. [Even if SOME NEW ADDITIONS are MENACES.] Haruji's still doing okay too, right? And everyone else? It doesn't sound too bad if we have time to throw some parties here and there... Nothing new from the organization or anything, yeah? Any new dirt on the enemies, or was that weird Ikedaya thing pretty much the last of it?
no subject
But he nods! Because it sure was a busy year and they earned each and every one of their parties and breaks )
He's good. We're all taking care of him ( and just, very casually, off-handedly, ) especially you. ( And without even a beat, he's moving along like he didn't just toss Kashuu a single, basic compliment, ) Hmm... there were some rumors. ( And he frowns because it's something he really debated mentioning earlier. It's just rumors so they have no place in a formal report, right? This is better. ) They're just rumors but some are saying some reports are saying we might have enemies overseas.
Never heard much about that again, though, so... Ya know how rumors are.
no subject
What the heck, though-- A single, basic compliment from Mutsu is still a surprise?! A pleasant one - but as usual, it isn't acknowledged beyond a huffy:]
'Course I am. [Obviously!! But he does look undeniably pleased, both about the compliment itself and the fact that Haru is doing well.]
Overseas, huh... [But rumors are rumors, as Mutsu said, so he just waves that off too. He'll keep it in mind.] Alright. You gonna bring this report to Haruji later?
no subject
Mhm, but it looks like everyone's still recovering from the last mess and it's not important right now, ya know?
( It's only been three days here. There are still broken robots all over the streets and humans are resilient but they need a little more time to bounce back than spirits. )
Heh, he'll probably wanna know real soon, though.
( Knowing Haru. The kid never rests. )
no subject
Yeah, he will. [They all know how Haru is by now.
But that's a good lead-in to the next part.]
—I know you just got back, but we need to talk. Like, at the sanctuary. [So right off the bat Mutsu will probably know it's Big Stuff, since Kashuu's still wary about speaking of it anywhere that CERES can overhear.]
no subject
Well, what're ya waiting for?
no subject
Annoying.
[But off he goes, leading the way to the sanctuary without further pause other than to grab his jacket before leaving the apartments.
Seems like he's not keen on wasting time now, at least, since he pretty much speed-walks the way there and starts talking as soon as they're both within the CERES-free building.]
A lot of things have happened since you left, y'know? It's inconvenient! [ANNOYING.] ...And there's some other stuff I've been learning about too. We'll need to organize a meeting eventually so we're all on the same page, but I'll start off with the newest stuff, okay?
no subject
He'll definitely follow along, having no problem keeping pace but as he does so, he's checking out some of those robot bodies and pieces lying around the street. Heh, so it was really only a couple of days? But once they're at the citadel, there isn't a whole lot of time before they start to feel sick so he's glad Kashuu is cutting to the chase (like a good Shinsengumi sword). )
Can't leave guys alone for a couple of days? ( He's joking, he's joking, because he knows things can fall apart in Cerealia overnight. But he'll flop on one of the couches and nod along. He has no idea what Kashuu is talking about but if they all need to get together then they all need to get together. ) What happened?
no subject
But he's pulling a chair over to the couch so he can have a seat too, diving right into his explanation a second later.]
Alright, so. These robots all started going mega-crazy, like - typical CERES stuff, y'know? Trying to kill people and being insane and all. But the weird part is this: a robot that looked like these ones did before they started changing shape sent us all this message that was totally locked away from CERES. It said that CERES is trying to make them? But that they aren't CERES', and that CERES is starting to learn that. Um... It sounded like it's been learning a lot from us and it thanked us and stuff and basically said we were resilient, almost like a compliment? Said something about how CERES wouldn't help its people, but that it would do its best to do that on its own.
Then, it gave us some info about "three sides" and said there's a fourth one we haven't met yet, but that that one isn't important. [He starts by holding up one finger.] There's CERES, first. It baaasically said that CERES is responsible and everything here is Mosley's fault, but they're not lying about sending us home when they're "done", whatever that means. It also said something about how Mosley is starting to feel guilty for everything he's done to us even though he shouldn't? He's trying to leave but it sounds like he can't 'cause of a contract, but he thinks we should have info when CERES doesn't.
[A second finger:] There's the Flamines, which is pretty self-explanatory, I think. They're mercenaries without a moral compass but we already guessed that from the conversations people had back in the dark part of the city. Basically, pay 'em and they'll do whatever. "Dangerous but honest" - that kinda thing. Bad pick, if you ask me.
[And a third finger:] Tellus is last. It said they don't really care about us as long as they can still do their thing, but - it sounds like the Bridge might be real dangerous. She's got all the power but that robot said she's super into chaos, but that she'll never show it. Occidi doesn't know that the Bridge is like that either, but she just wants peace.
Then it said that we gotta pick a side, and that it'd pick, too.
[A GAMECHANGER, FOR SURE...]
no subject
( Really, really young ones that are still taking form and learning about the world. It's something Mutsu can be sympathetic for? Even if their last run in definitely ended up with him running around chasing his evil twin and having to put it out of its misery before it hurt anyone. But otherwise, he's listening and nodding along at the appropriate places. This is serious talk! And he's taking it seriously. )
No one's really picking sides, right? ( Right??? ) Even if the Flamines are no good, the other two don't sound like daisies either.
no subject
Yeah, most people are saying we need more info first, and I agree. Nooot really sure if "our own side" is gonna be the best pick in the end, considering people've been here for like, two years and we're still not really close to figuring things out... But I think that if we do end up picking a side, we should think about it carefully.
—I mean, all of this is assuming that robot was telling the truth in the first place. I just got the feeling it was, but people are wary about it, too. [FOR GOOD REASON. Kashuu would just prefer to write the murderous bits of their behavior off as being the result of CERES tampering, but that's because he's got an eternal buttgrudge against CERES already anyway.]
no subject
Kashuu is right. They've been on their own for awhile and there are people who have been here longer than that and they haven't gotten very far. Right now, they're presented with sides to pick from-- allies to work with-- and the one they choose could send them home. )
It comes down to Ceres or the spirits. ( The Flamines aren't even an option he'll consider. They're a bad pick and what sort of price would they have to pay for everyone here to go back home? )And from there it comes down to... one okay guy in a group of no good guys or one real crazy lady and her okay friends.
It'd be different if Mosley was a real important guy on top but... ( He's not? Definitely a face that they see but no powerful CEO. ) It's good to know we might be able to work with him if we play it right and he's always been someone we've had to kinda watch out for, right? Just this time we might hafta consider the fact we'll be needing to get him outta trouble instead of him getting us into it.
Dunno about any of the spirits, though... I don't like the idea of workin` with someone that takes advantage spirits, though. 'Specially ones that're good to 'em.
no subject
Yep. That guy's still a wild card, as far as I see it. It'd be good to have an ally on the other side, but if he can't even break his own contract, I don't really know if that'd be wise pick. [Though he has his own biases and assumptions too, of course... One of which he'll put on the table here.]
I talk to Ardeo a lot. He's a good guy, y'know? But those spirits - they prioritize their people over anything else, so it'd be a risk working with them, I think. We'd have to keep that in mind. They're honest, though... I trust what Ardeo says. He tells the truth even if it's ugly. I can't really just sit around letting that Bridge take advantage of 'em if that's the case, though, since I think they all really love and respect her.
[Which strikes a very personal chord with Kashuu, obviously. It'd be like the frankly unthinkable situation of finding out that Haru had been awful and delighting in the war the entire time, when they all respected and loved him so dearly.]
no subject
Yeah, but how're we gonna convince 'em? Just think... if someone came up to us and said Haru was lying to us, ya wouldn't believe 'em either, would you? Not without some proof.
no subject
That's gonna be the tough part. That robot said she'll never show she's like that, so we'd have to find a way to prove it.
no subject
If she's really the way she is, there's gotta be something, though. No one probably notices it yet but...
( No one can hide forever. )
no subject
Everyone slips up eventually, right? We'll just have to be there to catch it, or find some sorta way to prompt a slip ourselves.
[That'd be pretty dangerous, though, and the Bridge would be even more on her guard if she caught wind of what they were trying to do.]