naginota | scawy

Haha... I do have to be careful, or I'll scare them. But if I can handle horses, sheep can't be so hard, right?

Animals are supposed to be drawn to people who are kind, aren't they...? So-! If you give them a little time, they might be less frightened.

[ there's a brief flash of surprise in his eyes before he smiles warmly. what a sweet child. ]

Maybe you're right, Mathis-dono. I'll just have to be patient. And maybe if I sit in the grass, my height won't intimidate them?

That's likely to be why they've been scared before... so I think it may be worth trying.

[he feels like a very warm kind of person, and surely animals understand that.

he turns to the fields, then! along the way:]

Oh, you... asked me before if I was going to look for my partner, but I realized later you didn't say if you wanted to find yours... y-you don't have to, though. But I was still a little curious.

Then we’ll give it a try! And if it doesn’t work, I’ll just stand back and watch you have fun with them.

[ that’s fine, too! if mathis is happy, he’ll be happy. ]

Ah, it’s alright. [ smiles! ] It’s a big responsibility, tying your life to another’s, and I can’t blame anyone who doesn’t want to take that risk. So I’ve decided not to actively look for my partner, but if they want to find me, I won't be hiding from them.

I don’t think it would be so bad, having someone that you can share everything with. [ the smile turns a little sad as he continues. ] I only worry about their safety, but I’ll do everything in my power to protect them.

That's how I feel, as well. I can't ask them to be my partner, knowing I might not live, but i-if they found me and they wanted to take the risk... I promised that I would at least think about it...

[after a second though, he adds, looking up at him curiously-]

Do you feel like... only your partner would be someone that you could share everything with?

A good partner will want to consider what you think is best, too. I wouldn’t think too much about it, for now. You can take it easy.

I wouldn’t say that. There is someone I miss, at the citadel, who knows me better than anyone else, my treasured friend. But as much as I share with Imanotsurugi, our lives aren’t tied together in the same way as my match here. That’s something I can’t share with anyone else, no matter how much I trust them. It’s making me rethink how I have to fight.

It would change that, for you...? I think most would be-- doing their best to live, already, even if no one were tied to them.

I would gladly give my life if the mission calls for it. I almost did, once, but my teammate "missed."

[ a fond smile for just a moment before he shakes it off. ]

But I can't do that if someone else's life relies on mine. I can make that decision for myself, but not for them. Life is too precious.

Y-you did-?

[at least it's just an "almost", but. it still takes a second for that concern to fade.]

I see... I haven't been in that sort of situation before. But I- hope that even if you haven't found them yet, you don't give your life too easily...

It was the best way to complete our mission. I wouldn't have minded breaking for that.

[ laughs. ]

I'd hope not! That should be left to the warriors, like me. [ iwatooshi smiles. ] Thank you for the concern, Mathis-dono, but there's no need to worry. I do treasure the life that my master has given me, and I'm in no rush to throw it away, with or without my partner.

Good. I wouldn't want to... to see that happen to you.

[spear friend stay alive challenge.]

Um, but I- I can still fight, even if I'm not much of a warrior, so-!

Mm. I wouldn't want Imanotsurugi to come home to a citadel without me, either. I said I'd wait for him.

You can? [ now he's curious! ] But it sounds like you have enough to worry about already.

I can manage it. I-I'm just still fairly weak...

[he's not a very well built young man, is the thing. this is why he has a knife and not like, a sword.]

Was your friend somewhere else--?

Haha! But even the strongest warrior can be brought down by the right strike. You don't need to be strong, just quick, and clever.

Imanotsurugi? [ nods. ] He left the citadel to go on a journey, not too long ago. It's been much lonelier without him, but he'll return stronger one day. I'm looking forward to it.

[he nods along, there, quiet for a moment.]

Would you... tell me about him?

[ immediately, his smile turns warm. ]

Imanotsurugi was the protective sword of my former master’s lord, Yoshitsune. He’s very small, and a bit childlike - always full of energy and smiles for everyone around him, but a bit naive, at times. In battle, he’s very quick, with sharp eyes and a sharper blade, just like his former master. Even I get caught by surprise sometimes!

He’s one of the kindest, most loving people I know. He means the world to me.

scawy » mathis

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