[After splitting up for a survey of the land where Masters and Servants are to do battle, they reconvene at their base of operations (if it can be called that) to swap what they've learned. Once he hears Wanderer's side of things, Sieghart throws his head back and guffaws.]
Does a human's opinion matter so much to you?
[This is an assumption, but it seems safe to assume most of the people here are humans.
Either way, his laughter is genuine. His Master is the fussy type, is he? Foolish. It'd be endearing if they weren't in the middle of a small-scale war with absurd stakes.]
A vibe is the air you carry. She must have thought yours was striking to use such abstract words.
[ ...Hmpf. To be spoken to so cavalierly by someone who's supposed to be his underling...but it wouldn't bother him so much if it weren't true. Has Sieghart figured him out already? Should he find that threatening or impressive?
Possibly both. He crosses the (very small) square footage of their apartment to look out the window. At least it has a decent view of the city?? ]
I see. My efforts to blend in so far have had...mixed results. I don't like pretending to be something or someone I'm not.
Didn't you say that you'd do whatever is necessary?
[If he's obnoxious, he'll commit to the bit, though it's just how he is. Still, there's no sense in cruelty as he watches Wanderer from behind. The view is not important.]
[ About time he asked that question, though for all he has anticipated it, and intended to ask the same, he didn't really prepare for how to actually...answer it.
The answer to that question is clearer to him than ever, but it still isn't an easy thing to confront. Who is he? ]
If you want the simple answer...I'm a wanderer, a shugenja in my homeland. I've had many names in the past, titles, all given to me by others. A less simple answer will take precious time to explain. If you need a name to use for me, you can call me Ren.
[ So had the Traveler named him, and it isn't a name he shares lightly. It's obvious in the way he says it that there's a lot of meaning tied to that particular name. ]
Ren. He turns the name over in his mind, then again, before filing it away. Of all the names and titles given to him in the past, this is the one Wanderer has chosen. Sieghart won't use it lightly for both their sakes.]
Custodian of Kounat's legacy. I've spent the last 600 years hunting down the corrupt Highlanders who destroyed their kingdom with this power.
[His tone is flat. As his sole purpose, there's nothing exciting about this for him.]
[ Six hundred years...so, he's even older than he is. Somehow, Wanderer is unsurprised to find that his companion is long-lived himself. It figures another old soul would answer his call. What else might they have in common?
But that's a dangerous thread to chase. ]
Sieghart, then. It sounds like you're no stranger to the battlefield, then. You said you're handy with a sword?
[ If he sounds dubious, it's only because he's too stubborn to sound curious. ]
I've wielded a variety of weapons over the years, but I was known as a genius swordsman in my youth.
[If Ren is dubious, he makes a sensible Master. After all, he doesn't know his Servant's capacity. Sieghart expounds, if only to rectify this in the interest of their common goal.]
I told you before. The title of warlord is bestowed unto knights with the power to break through hundreds of the enemy ranks in a short time. That was when I was mortal; I've only grown stronger since.
[Too strong. The human mind can only handle so much. He isn't so arrogant that he thinks the war will be an easy one, but he knows the extent of his power in his own dimension.]
[ If his claim is to be believed, then Sieghart is quite a force to be reckoned with, and that bodes well for their efforts. Yet for all his own ego, Wanderer isn't one to assume this war is already theirs either. He is nothing if not a skeptic. How else could he have survived this long?
In the back of his mind, he can't help but wonder what the Musou no Hitotachi would do in the hands of one like him. ]
You spoke of ending corruption, but let me ask you this: are you prepared to take an enemy's life if they stand between us an our victory? Will you cut them down even if they beg you for mercy?
[ He thinks he knows what the answer will be, but he needs to be sure. ]
[If the cold glint in his eyes isn't answer enough, he'll add this:]
The wish promised to the victor is a corruptive power. Those who twist themselves in pursuit of it . . . I'll cut them down.
[He's no fool to how that sounds. But he believes that humans are weak-minded and conceited, often seeking to justify themselves at the expense of others. His duty is to execute those who would succumb to such temptation, and that hasn't changed.]
[ Now then, isn't this interesting? Every crumb that Wanderer learns about his companion intrigues him, and for all he doesn't want to get to know him on a personal level, there's things he should know in order to make their working relationship profitable for the both of them.
That's surely the only reason why he chases this particular thread of the conversation. Turning away from the window, Wanderer observes Sieghart with open curiosity in his eyes. ]
And to the end of your own goal, to destroy corruption, you will twist yourself to seize that promise? Hah - you realize how utterly foolish that sounds, don't you?
[A corner of his lips twitches before he gives a wry smile in response.]
I do.
[The thought has crossed his mind, of course. He can give a thousand excuses, including his duty-bound position to investigate the war, but they won't change the hypocrisy of his participation. To desire is dangerous, yet he desires all the same.
More than ever, time feels so short. To take part is a blessing and a curse in one. Will he even see the end? But he must.
There's no way he'll eat anything in his time here.]
That's why I won't complain if another Servant strikes me down.
[ This was about the answer he expected, yet it doesn't sit well with him, especially that last bit. After he had to fight so hard to reclaim his own life from his past, to hear someone so willing to throw theirs away... ]
You might be willing to accept that, but I won't. Dying on me like that...would be a grave betrayal.
[ One he isn't about to entertain. His cause might be a noble one, but no one else will be taking the fall for it but him, if it comes to it...
They'll just have to win. ]
So don't you dare even consider it, and don't make me waste my command seals on something so foolish, either.
[If he's afraid of betrayal, he chose poorly to be here—and fate was even crueler to pair them together. No matter what happens, that pain will be Ren's cross to bear. But Sieghart declines to give voice to those thoughts, lest he waste Ren's energy on immutable affairs ]
Don't worry. I'm not so irresponsible that I'd throw a fight.
[Everyone is here with an agenda. That means no one person is more inherently innocent than the other. He'll do his part while he can.]
So why don't we devise a strategy while we're here?
[ That answer will have to suffice for now, even if it's somewhat unsatisfactory. Maybe he expected betrayal from this conflict to a degree, but from his own Servant?
No, he should have expected that more than anything else. ]
...Alright. I have a proposal in mind I'd like to run by you, in that case. You should know first, however, that when I was exploring the city earlier, I encountered someone who I recognized, and who recognized that I was from the same world as her.
[ Kokomi doesn't know him, which puts him at an advantage, but even that she knows he's from Teyvat and a Vision-bearer could possess a threat. ]
[The tension lingers in the air. The conversation of life and death isn't over, but it'll have to wait for the next time they decide to discuss philosophy.
For now, his mind maps out the rough layout of the city from his own exploration, and he wonders where Ren might have had this encounter. It seems that Ren knows this woman better than she knows him. This gives them the advantage of knowledge, though it also means they've been compromised on secrecy.]
Her name is Sangonomiya Kokomi, and she is well-known around my homeland for not only being a leader of her people, but a brilliant strategist on the battlefield as well.
[ A twitch of his lips. She even led a rebellion against his mother, which makes him view her more favorably than he otherwise would. ]
She doesn't know who I am, and if she did, I doubt she'd entertain working with us. As it stands, however, for the time being, she could prove a worthwhile ally for us.
[Why the twitch? Something is funny that he doesn't see.
But this is useful information, whether or not she's willing to entertain the idea of allying with them. There's a likelihood that Kokomi will become a double-edged blade if they coordinate in the future, but Sieghart is neither a leader nor the Master at the end of the day. And exactly what did Ren do that his mere identity would be anathema?]
Her merit speaks for itself. Why would she want to ally with us, then?
[ That is a very fair question, especially considering...he didn't make any particular effort to curry favor with her. Sort of the opposite, but he isn't one to tell others what they want to hear just for their sake. Hopefully, in a way that will convince Kokomi that his proposal is an honest one.
Even if they will need to turn on one another eventually, regardless. This war can only have one victor, and none of them are deluding themselves otherwise. ]
She isn't one to operate without an army, and after the civil war, she was quick to cooperate with those who were once her enemies for the greater good. She finds strength in numbers, and as I am likely the greatest threat to her right now, she'd rather have me where she can keep an eye on me.
[Entice her with the advantage of numbers until the time comes to turn against one another. Well, at least neither party would harbor delusions about a harmonious ending. The question is, would she view an alliance as part of the greater good?]
So you'd appeal to her wariness of you as someone who knows more about her than she does you.
Which is she?
[He'd wager that she's a Master, but Ren would know better. Or that'll be something to investigate.]
[ A small shake of his head. His gut instinct tells him she'd make a fitting Master, but he already has misgivings about his own fit for the role. Who's to say fate (ha) didn't make her a Servant just to laugh at her leadership? ]
...I can't be sure. If she's a Servant, we'll just have to wait and see if she holds enough sway with her Master to convince them that our plan has merit, for now.
The Master's name is Yuki. She's the type to throw herself at a threat and seize victory with her own hands. A serpentine shikigami known as Garuda accompanies her.
[She didn't divulge her Servant's identity or class, and he hasn't figured either out yet. He'll work on it.]
I encountered the first Servant at a store. They're agitated and naïve on the surface, but they have experience in slaying others.
[And maybe a questionable grasp of life's worth. This is what makes them dangerous—and pitiable—in his eyes.]
The second was outside. She has light hair and a contrarian disposition.
[ Interesting...there are a few descriptions in there that could match individuals that Wanderer himself interacted with, though it's not enough to go off to be sure yet. Just something to keep in mind for later... ]
Noted. That's a pretty handy ability...I suppose I'll have to rely on you after all.
[ It's a concession he is reluctant to make, even if they are, of course, a team. It would take him much longer on his own to sniff out who the various Masters and Servants around here are, Kokomi aside. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Week 0 - Sixteen (16) questionable apartments later . . .
Does a human's opinion matter so much to you?
[This is an assumption, but it seems safe to assume most of the people here are humans.
Either way, his laughter is genuine. His Master is the fussy type, is he? Foolish. It'd be endearing if they weren't in the middle of a small-scale war with absurd stakes.]
A vibe is the air you carry. She must have thought yours was striking to use such abstract words.
no subject
Possibly both. He crosses the (very small) square footage of their apartment to look out the window. At least it has a decent view of the city?? ]
I see. My efforts to blend in so far have had...mixed results. I don't like pretending to be something or someone I'm not.
[ Not anymore. ]
Your vibes are really obnoxious sometimes...
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[If he's obnoxious, he'll commit to the bit, though it's just how he is. Still, there's no sense in cruelty as he watches Wanderer from behind. The view is not important.]
Then who are you?
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The answer to that question is clearer to him than ever, but it still isn't an easy thing to confront. Who is he? ]
If you want the simple answer...I'm a wanderer, a shugenja in my homeland. I've had many names in the past, titles, all given to me by others. A less simple answer will take precious time to explain. If you need a name to use for me, you can call me Ren.
[ So had the Traveler named him, and it isn't a name he shares lightly. It's obvious in the way he says it that there's a lot of meaning tied to that particular name. ]
And? Yourself?
no subject
Ren. He turns the name over in his mind, then again, before filing it away. Of all the names and titles given to him in the past, this is the one Wanderer has chosen. Sieghart won't use it lightly for both their sakes.]
Custodian of Kounat's legacy. I've spent the last 600 years hunting down the corrupt Highlanders who destroyed their kingdom with this power.
[His tone is flat. As his sole purpose, there's nothing exciting about this for him.]
If you're going to use a name, call me Sieghart.
no subject
But that's a dangerous thread to chase. ]
Sieghart, then. It sounds like you're no stranger to the battlefield, then. You said you're handy with a sword?
[ If he sounds dubious, it's only because he's too stubborn to sound curious. ]
no subject
[If Ren is dubious, he makes a sensible Master. After all, he doesn't know his Servant's capacity. Sieghart expounds, if only to rectify this in the interest of their common goal.]
I told you before. The title of warlord is bestowed unto knights with the power to break through hundreds of the enemy ranks in a short time. That was when I was mortal; I've only grown stronger since.
[Too strong. The human mind can only handle so much. He isn't so arrogant that he thinks the war will be an easy one, but he knows the extent of his power in his own dimension.]
no subject
In the back of his mind, he can't help but wonder what the Musou no Hitotachi would do in the hands of one like him. ]
You spoke of ending corruption, but let me ask you this: are you prepared to take an enemy's life if they stand between us an our victory? Will you cut them down even if they beg you for mercy?
[ He thinks he knows what the answer will be, but he needs to be sure. ]
no subject
[If the cold glint in his eyes isn't answer enough, he'll add this:]
The wish promised to the victor is a corruptive power. Those who twist themselves in pursuit of it . . . I'll cut them down.
[He's no fool to how that sounds. But he believes that humans are weak-minded and conceited, often seeking to justify themselves at the expense of others. His duty is to execute those who would succumb to such temptation, and that hasn't changed.]
no subject
That's surely the only reason why he chases this particular thread of the conversation. Turning away from the window, Wanderer observes Sieghart with open curiosity in his eyes. ]
And to the end of your own goal, to destroy corruption, you will twist yourself to seize that promise? Hah - you realize how utterly foolish that sounds, don't you?
no subject
I do.
[The thought has crossed his mind, of course. He can give a thousand excuses, including his duty-bound position to investigate the war, but they won't change the hypocrisy of his participation. To desire is dangerous, yet he desires all the same.
More than ever, time feels so short. To take part is a blessing and a curse in one. Will he even see the end? But he must.
There's no way he'll eat anything in his time here.]
That's why I won't complain if another Servant strikes me down.
no subject
You might be willing to accept that, but I won't. Dying on me like that...would be a grave betrayal.
[ One he isn't about to entertain. His cause might be a noble one, but no one else will be taking the fall for it but him, if it comes to it...
They'll just have to win. ]
So don't you dare even consider it, and don't make me waste my command seals on something so foolish, either.
no subject
Don't worry. I'm not so irresponsible that I'd throw a fight.
[Everyone is here with an agenda. That means no one person is more inherently innocent than the other. He'll do his part while he can.]
So why don't we devise a strategy while we're here?
no subject
No, he should have expected that more than anything else. ]
...Alright. I have a proposal in mind I'd like to run by you, in that case. You should know first, however, that when I was exploring the city earlier, I encountered someone who I recognized, and who recognized that I was from the same world as her.
[ Kokomi doesn't know him, which puts him at an advantage, but even that she knows he's from Teyvat and a Vision-bearer could possess a threat. ]
no subject
For now, his mind maps out the rough layout of the city from his own exploration, and he wonders where Ren might have had this encounter. It seems that Ren knows this woman better than she knows him. This gives them the advantage of knowledge, though it also means they've been compromised on secrecy.]
And? Does your proposal concern her?
no subject
Her name is Sangonomiya Kokomi, and she is well-known around my homeland for not only being a leader of her people, but a brilliant strategist on the battlefield as well.
[ A twitch of his lips. She even led a rebellion against his mother, which makes him view her more favorably than he otherwise would. ]
She doesn't know who I am, and if she did, I doubt she'd entertain working with us. As it stands, however, for the time being, she could prove a worthwhile ally for us.
no subject
But this is useful information, whether or not she's willing to entertain the idea of allying with them. There's a likelihood that Kokomi will become a double-edged blade if they coordinate in the future, but Sieghart is neither a leader nor the Master at the end of the day. And exactly what did Ren do that his mere identity would be anathema?]
Her merit speaks for itself. Why would she want to ally with us, then?
no subject
Even if they will need to turn on one another eventually, regardless. This war can only have one victor, and none of them are deluding themselves otherwise. ]
She isn't one to operate without an army, and after the civil war, she was quick to cooperate with those who were once her enemies for the greater good. She finds strength in numbers, and as I am likely the greatest threat to her right now, she'd rather have me where she can keep an eye on me.
no subject
So you'd appeal to her wariness of you as someone who knows more about her than she does you.
Which is she?
[He'd wager that she's a Master, but Ren would know better. Or that'll be something to investigate.]
no subject
...I can't be sure. If she's a Servant, we'll just have to wait and see if she holds enough sway with her Master to convince them that our plan has merit, for now.
[ Short term allegiance for long term gains. ]
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He nods once. They have the approximate plan, then. The rest is up to the pitch and Kokomi's response.]
Speaking of Masters, there was one by a wall in the city. She wasn't accompanied by a Servant, though there were two between a street and a store.
no subject
Were you able to get a look at any of them?
no subject
[She didn't divulge her Servant's identity or class, and he hasn't figured either out yet. He'll work on it.]
I encountered the first Servant at a store. They're agitated and naïve on the surface, but they have experience in slaying others.
[And maybe a questionable grasp of life's worth. This is what makes them dangerous—and pitiable—in his eyes.]
The second was outside. She has light hair and a contrarian disposition.
no subject
Noted. That's a pretty handy ability...I suppose I'll have to rely on you after all.
[ It's a concession he is reluctant to make, even if they are, of course, a team. It would take him much longer on his own to sniff out who the various Masters and Servants around here are, Kokomi aside. ]