[ wow!!!! is it terrible that gale seems actually quite pleased to be sought out like this and then asked such a serious question. this is a very exciting moment for him. ]
[ nods! but of course, he is grandpa, so he can't just come right out and ask the question. he has to ramble a bit first. context is very important, you see. ]
This place has taught me that there are many things that I have yet to learn about the world. [ he turns away to wander for a few steps as if that helps him find the right words. ] People come in all sorts - mortal, spirit, even undead, and all from different places and times from my own. It is eye-opening!
Swords, magic, dance... I thought I knew the ways that people waged war in different eras, with the missions I've been experienced. However, there is something that still escapes me. Their tools, their strategies... Every time I think they might be familiar, like something from the modern era, I learn something new that confuses me. But I am told that you are familiar with their ways.
Gale-dono.
[ iwatooshi turns back to face gale with a swoosh of his robes, planting the naginata firmly on the ground as a show of his resolve. he Will learn. ]
What are these "clowns" that once waged war in this village?
gale is a person who absolutely appreciates all of this ramble and in fact leans forward and nods along with active listening as he goes on. he even seems to preen a bit when it's declared that he's an EXPERT on the modern era, because of course he is? he is a very modern wizard. he is with the times!!!!!!
he jumps back slightly when the naginata hits the ground
and then just stares blankly when the clown double-punch socks him in the gut. the world's longest sigh. ]
I'm not quite sure I appreciate this growing association of myself and clowning expertise. [ muttered to himself, mostly. but also if iwatooshi wanted a real answer, he did this the exact right way. he has played to gale's compulsion to explain even if the question is insane. ]
Very well.
A clown is an entertainer who frequently attempts comedic performance and is plainly recognizable by their colorful costume and distinctive makeup. They are associated with pantomime and circus acts. They are popular with children and, for reasons I've yet to actually discern, it seems Baldurians are great fans of the art of clowning.
Karlach and Astarion hail from that city, perhaps you could question them as to the exact reason clowning appeals?
[ he's at the pyre, contemplating the posters and the fire itself. ]
...Gale-dono. [ a quick glance at the blue flames before he turns back. ] Their deaths do not seem normal. Do you think this cult has done something for their ritual?
[ a curious look at the stain on his gloves, but hm. he nods. ]
I thought so, too. But they did mention the need to be careful when speaking with us. It sounded as if they were already on difficult terms with the rest.
[ HEY BUDDY. iwa throws his free arm around gale's shoulders, grinning like the fool he is. ]
Fascinating, isn't it? How they've hidden such a place from us for so long. [ a week? ] And it's so much different than the village we're used to! The magic here must be very powerful.
What do you think's changed to make it appear to us now?
[ iwa is so cute, actually. smiling at this, putting his hands behind his back, letting him lean. ]
Actually, I was speaking to the Overseers about this particular thing exactly. Something about how this demi-plane can be "in flux" at times, and will likely experience changes from now on. They don't seem to have much control over it, but ... well. This one isn't so terrible.
[ the fuck is a demi-plane. never heard of it, never going to ask. he trusts gale's expertise. ]
It is nice, isn't it? I was starting to get restless, with all that fog! Now we can even collect fresh food for cooking! That's sure to brighten everyone's spirits.
Ah, this does feel more familiar than the island... Though it is a little small, and run-down. [ everything is small for him, though. ] What do you think, Gale-dono? I suppose we could try fixing it up, but that wouldn't matter too much if it's gone again by next week, would it?
[ AN ABSOLUTE SHAME when we could have nice accommodations. too bad they don't get to ruminate on this for long - it's into the darkness and memshare hell:
the heike and genji armies have come to a stalemate, kogitsunemaru announces. it's a needless conversation - you both have working eyes. so you shift the naginata under your arm to move away, planning to occupy yourself elsewhere, away from the distraction, only for your comrade to call out after you, "Iwatooshi, what are you thinking about?"
you look back on reflex, but turn away without answering.
"Is it Imanotsurugi? Are you worried about him?"
of course you are. how could you not be? but you simply breathe out a sigh and rest your free arm on the wrist of the hand holding the naginata before you, standing tall. dutiful, as you should be. you're on a mission, after all.
"If something is bother you, please tell me," kogitsunemaru pleads, stepping closer. "It could help to ease your mind."
you glance over at him, but quickly turn away. tempting as it is to ask for guidance, you've already spent too much time thinking about it. it's better to focus, you think, so you remain silent.
"...I see. You don't trust me," he says with a sniff. alarmed, you immediately turn to deny it - he's your comrade, why wouldn't you trust him?
"That's not--"
"Found your tongue at last?" he turns to you with that sly smile that says you've been played for a fool. but... you weren't hiding your thoughts well in the first place, were you? he's won this round, so you relent. and maybe he's right. maybe it will help you feel better, even if it hurts to acknowledge the problem at all.
"Kogitsunemaru. Have you ever thought about your existence?"
"My existence?"
am important clarification: "Have you ever questioned your own existence?" when he doesn't have an immediate answer, you continue on, letting out the things you've been trying to ignore - the worry, confusion... even a bit of anger. "Why did Master send us here? Why did they let those two near him?"
"You mean Higekiri and Hizamaru?" kogitsunemaru asks.
frustrated and ashamed for being found so easily, you turn away without answering. higekiri and hizamaru: the genji swords, claiming to be the treasured swords of imanotsurugi's former master, yoshitsune, and his elder brother. but in all your time of serving at musashibou benkei's side as he supported yoshitsune, you hadn't met either of them even once. you and imanotsurugi remember them if you'd met before - of this, you have no doubt.
but if that were really true, then why wasn't your former master using you when you'd met him on your last mission? if you really weren't there when you were supposed to be, then... were you ever? was imanotsurugi?
"I'm afraid I don't have the answers you're looking for, Iwatooshi," kogitsunemaru continues, interrupting your thoughts. "But I'm sure Master had their reasons."
you cut him off with a snarl. "So I just have to watch him get hurt?"
"That's right," he answers, and your heart sinks, knowing what comes next. because it's true, because you agree, even if, right now, it's the worst thing you could hear. "That's our duty. We are..."
"...Touken danshi," you finish after a second, thoroughly defeated. "It appears I need more practice."
you walk away quickly, before kogitsunemaru can call you out again. best to busy yourself with training while you wait for history to move along, instead of wasting more time on things you can't change.
as the memory fades, iwatooshi pointedly looks away, frowning. ]
[ that's alright, he doesn't mind the ghostly cold feeling and appreciates the gesture for what it is which is friendly and nice. ]
Iwatooshi! I'm afraid my insights might actually be much less insightful than your own at this juncture, but I suppose right now they hardly matter. I'm simply grateful to see all of you again, and in such good spirits.
[ TRULY LOST THIS IN ALL OF THE MADNESS but iwatooshi lights up!! this is a fun question!! ]
First and foremost, the hot springs - but Aerith-dono mentioned we may have one final party there this week. The Rainforest Cafe has miniature oceans in the walls, with live fish. [ said like it's the most magical thing he's ever seen? ] And the new bar is much nicer than the old one, if you're interested in a good drink.
I am more of a fine wine man myself, but I've been known to venture to taverns and bars with the sticky floors of a more underground establishment in pursuit of seeing the live arts scene of Waterdeep! Count me in.
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week 0, monday
[ offers a bow! hello, hello, also he has the naginata as per usual. and he looks surprisingly serious? ]
I have a question for you.
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Iwatooshi. Of course, how might I help?
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This place has taught me that there are many things that I have yet to learn about the world. [ he turns away to wander for a few steps as if that helps him find the right words. ] People come in all sorts - mortal, spirit, even undead, and all from different places and times from my own. It is eye-opening!
Swords, magic, dance... I thought I knew the ways that people waged war in different eras, with the missions I've been experienced. However, there is something that still escapes me. Their tools, their strategies... Every time I think they might be familiar, like something from the modern era, I learn something new that confuses me. But I am told that you are familiar with their ways.
Gale-dono.
[ iwatooshi turns back to face gale with a swoosh of his robes, planting the naginata firmly on the ground as a show of his resolve. he Will learn. ]
What are these "clowns" that once waged war in this village?
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gale is a person who absolutely appreciates all of this ramble and in fact leans forward and nods along with active listening as he goes on. he even seems to preen a bit when it's declared that he's an EXPERT on the modern era, because of course he is? he is a very modern wizard. he is with the times!!!!!!
he jumps back slightly when the naginata hits the ground
and then just stares blankly when the clown double-punch socks him in the gut. the world's longest sigh. ]
I'm not quite sure I appreciate this growing association of myself and clowning expertise. [ muttered to himself, mostly. but also if iwatooshi wanted a real answer, he did this the exact right way. he has played to gale's compulsion to explain even if the question is insane. ]
Very well.
A clown is an entertainer who frequently attempts comedic performance and is plainly recognizable by their colorful costume and distinctive makeup. They are associated with pantomime and circus acts. They are popular with children and, for reasons I've yet to actually discern, it seems Baldurians are great fans of the art of clowning.
Karlach and Astarion hail from that city, perhaps you could question them as to the exact reason clowning appeals?
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week 0, friday
...Gale-dono. [ a quick glance at the blue flames before he turns back. ] Their deaths do not seem normal. Do you think this cult has done something for their ritual?
[ but to involve one of their own overseers...? ]
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Ah! Iwatooshi. Hello.
[ honestly he doensn't sound devastated as much as like. slightly distracted. perhaps a little distanced from it all. ]
I would imagine so. But strange, isn't it? One of their own overseers?
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I thought so, too. But they did mention the need to be careful when speaking with us. It sounded as if they were already on difficult terms with the rest.
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There was something blue on the refectory floor. I can't seem to figure out what it is. Normally I'd have an Identify spell ...
[ well. he's without most of his ordinary tools. ]
Who? Death and the other overseers? Or Death and these mysterious cultish leaders?
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[ HEY BUDDY. iwa throws his free arm around gale's shoulders, grinning like the fool he is. ]
Fascinating, isn't it? How they've hidden such a place from us for so long. [ a week? ] And it's so much different than the village we're used to! The magic here must be very powerful.
What do you think's changed to make it appear to us now?
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Actually, I was speaking to the Overseers about this particular thing exactly. Something about how this demi-plane can be "in flux" at times, and will likely experience changes from now on. They don't seem to have much control over it, but ... well. This one isn't so terrible.
At least there is sunshine.
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[ the fuck is a demi-plane. never heard of it, never going to ask. he trusts gale's expertise. ]
It is nice, isn't it? I was starting to get restless, with all that fog! Now we can even collect fresh food for cooking! That's sure to brighten everyone's spirits.
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[ there is humble bragging in that statement. a lot of it. ]
I was the camp cook as it were for our little group.
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week 1, friday
We'll have to deal with another ritual tomorrow, then. We have our work cut out for us, don't we?
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After all our scrabbling until the very last moment, I don't know that our odds are excellent.
At least with Death, we found later his demise was ... somewhat organized above our heads. I don't know if that will prove again true for this.
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[ glances back at gale in surprise. ]
Organized? By the overseers themselves, or the cult? Do we know why?
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[ he fiddles with a hand, motioning a gesture that is more practice than anything. ]
The cult. To make a point. Obey, or be made example of. It is worth considering they have made another point this week.
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week 2, monday
Ah, this does feel more familiar than the island... Though it is a little small, and run-down. [ everything is small for him, though. ] What do you think, Gale-dono? I suppose we could try fixing it up, but that wouldn't matter too much if it's gone again by next week, would it?
[ AN ABSOLUTE SHAME when we could have nice accommodations. too bad they don't get to ruminate on this for long - it's into the darkness and memshare hell:as the memory fades, iwatooshi pointedly looks away, frowning. ]
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Well, on any account, you are certainly here now are you not?
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For better or worse, I am. Though I think I'd prefer being home, at the citadel.
week 6, wednesday
[ goes to pat his shoulder and phases right through ): ]
It feels like it's been ages since last we spoke! I've missed hearing your insights! Watching you all from afar just isn't the same.
[ he'd ask if gale enjoyed the cupcakes but you guys all kind of went crazy so maybe it's best to leave that in the past, ]
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Iwatooshi! I'm afraid my insights might actually be much less insightful than your own at this juncture, but I suppose right now they hardly matter. I'm simply grateful to see all of you again, and in such good spirits.
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But I understand! It's good to see you all smiling again, too! I couldn't ask for a better way to spend the day.
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W7 - MONDAY
So, you've been here a while. What is complete unmissable while we still remain?
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First and foremost, the hot springs - but Aerith-dono mentioned we may have one final party there this week. The Rainforest Cafe has miniature oceans in the walls, with live fish. [ said like it's the most magical thing he's ever seen? ] And the new bar is much nicer than the old one, if you're interested in a good drink.
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