the general - day zero.

[foxhounds]

THE GENERAL day zero Ivan has told you what you're meant to do in the coming days, and she's also told you that there's an hour before other souls will start washing up on the shores. She has to leave to prepare, but you're all together in the lobby of the mansion. Take it as a chance to meet each other and get to know the people you'll be working with.

Comments

[hijiwanwan]

General, huh... A nice title.

[ Honestly, he's shocked with the entire predicament, however he can't let it get to his mind right now. If there's anything he has to do is get back to the Shinsengumi... He really wasn't in the mood for this, but if he must; he has no choice. ] Alright, who do we have here? Hm...

[ He surveys the group, trying to make his first impressions- they weren't very good ones either. ] Listen up! State names, tell me what you can do. Are you even prepared for this commitment? I don't have time for people who will put only half their heart into this.

[meatery]

[Ah, so here's the guy who thinks he's going to take charge... Gi-ne's not sure how comfortable she is being bossed around by an alien, but no sense making a fuss right away.]

[She raises her hand from her perch on the windowsill.] Gi-ne. I'm a saiyan [cook] warrior.

[Apparently, that's enough said?]

[hijiwanwan]

Hohh, a warrior you say? [ He's impressed, female warriors aren't something you see everyday (For Hijikata at least). He's interested, nonetheless. ]

I suppose we'll see you prove that on the field, correct? Well, I'm Toshizou Hijikata. [ He raises an eyebrow at Gi-ne, he might as well ask, right? ] And a 'saiyan', is that your faction?

[meatery]

[Correction:] Species. All saiyans are warriors, but I guess my "faction" would be the third?

Anyway, I don't mind taking the lead in the dirty work here. I've killed before and I'm probably the strongest person here. [Just casually throwing that out here. She knows she's the only saiyan and she doesn't recognise the species of the others in the room. So they're probably not very strong.]

[hijiwanwan]

Haa... You're rather cocky, are you sure you have a right to be saying that?

[ His lips turn up into a playful smirk. ] However, I have done the same. Maybe we need a little competition to see who might be even stronger- ah, well, this is why we're also here...Anyway, I'm getting out of here alive no matter what. My troop needs me.

[ Whatever a Saiyan is... The idea that she is something that isn't 'human' strikes Hijikata as odd. However, that won't make Hijikata back down. ] You better prepare yourself.

[meatery]

[Shrugs.] I said "probably". My sons need me to make it out of here alive too, you know.

[Smirks and drops down from her perch to stand on the floor.] Now? Get it out of the way?

[hijiwanwan]

I'll have to let you know I have no sympathy for such things.

[ So they both have something to get back to. Fair enough. ]

Hmm... Fine then. [ He draws his sword and gets into his proper position. ] I don't mind a spar to get the muscles moving. Where's your weapon?

[meatery]

[Honestly, if she got sympathy for that she'd probably be surprised. Saiyans aren't supposed to care about their kids.]

[Gi-ne slips casually into a fighting pose, keeping eye contact with Hijitaka.] You're looking at her.

[unrulyprincess]

Excuse you! [ah yes, there's a shrill, rude voice....]

It is incredibly rude to demand a lady's name before offering up your own!

[There are...probably more important things she could focus on right now, and yet...here we are...]

[hijiwanwan]

And? I asked you a question, and I expect an answer. [ Hijikata gives the girl a piercing glare. ]

Continue to defy me and I might have to give you a punishment. If you listen... Then perhaps I can reward you. [ With his name, of course. ]

[unrulyprincess]

A-- punishment?! Who gave you the right to talk to me in that way!

[this is going great already]

[hijiwanwan]

Don't act deaf. You can hear me just fine.

[ Hijikata huffs. This one sure likes to speak out of turn, eh? ] I don't have time for troublesome women, but I don't mind training another one if it means they'll be obedient.

[ Honestly! Who does she think she is? ] Speak.

[unrulyprincess]

I have no interest in your training, sir. Offering such a thing--it's disgraceful! Truly, you are the worst of crude mutts!

What are they thinking, placing us together? [She crosses her arms with a hmph, defiant as ever.]

I owe you nothing!

[hijiwanwan]

Disgraceful, huh... Says the one who won't get their mouth shut.

[ Hijikata takes a few steps closer to the girl, with a firm grip he grabs her chin and then jerks her head to look up at him. His expression doesn't falter, he just stares at her with an icy glare. ]

Are you going to continue yapping all day? You really want to get on my bad side, huh... I don't want to do this all day, but don't underestimate me- I can.

[hopefragment]

Ah-!

[Great. This guy is the leader-type, isn't he? The pushy kind, like Togami... exactly what Hinata wants to deal with. Still, though- gotta try to be confident!]

Uh, my name is Hinata Hajime. It... doesn't look like I have much of a choice, so I guess I'm committed.

[So he's committed, but only because he doesn't have any other options.]

As for what I can do...

[Uh. Huh. Well. He doesn't remember his talent even still (even after dying!?) so he's drawing a blank.]

[hijiwanwan]

No, that won't do. [ Hijikata sighs. ]

You're hesitating, are you going to do the same when you have to put a blade at someone's throat? [ Or whatever weapons they have... At least. ]

I'm Hijikata Toshizou. Speak up now, I don't want to see any fear in your eyes.

[hopefragment]

[Woah, wait a minute!]

Hang on. When you say Hijikata Toshizou... you mean like the guy from the Shinsengumi?

[He's pretty sure he remembers that name from history class-! He might have forgotten his high school memories, but he's good as long as it's something he learned before that.]

[hijiwanwan]

Like? [ What is that suppose to imply? ]

I am. The Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi. Is there a problem?

[hopefragment]

Uh...

[Yeah. Yeah, there's lots of problems here, like how this guy should have died like two hundred years ago or something. Is this one of those situations like his classmate Gundam, who is so absorbed in a role that there's no point questioning it...]

No. It's nice to meet you, I guess.

[Just... plays along. If nothing else, it does make it a little more likely that Ivan was telling the truth about them being dead.]

[hijiwanwan]

Hm... Likewise, I suppose. [ Sort of. This kid is far too timid, Hijikata just wonders if he'll even be able to pull his weight. ]

Since you're not going to tell me much, I'll presume you rather show it in practice? Compared to the rest of the lot you surely stand out, but not in a good way. [ A sigh leaves Hijikata's lips. ]

However, I don't like working with people that lack determination. Stop looking so nervous, alright?

[ This... Is definitely going to take some work. ]

[gravesite]

[ As if on cue, he steps forward when addressed, speaking first in a way that's rather... habitual, for him. ] I'm Tsurumaru Kuninaga. Made in the Heian era, I've been passed from owner to owner up until now. Well, that just shows how—

[ He stops to blink; once, twice, then cuts himself off with a laugh. ] Ah, haha! I forgot. That's not necessary anymore.

Still, being fully committed to this type of work... Don't you think that those who would be the most committed don't have a heart to put into this in the first place? Consider it that way— er, what was your name?

[hijiwanwan]

Hijikata Toshizou. [ Simply put. At least this one has some manners. ] So you're implying you have no owner right now?

[ He shakes his head. ] I put my heart into every swing of my blade because I fight for the Shinsengumi, and I still plan to do that even now. Besides, it would be disrespectful to my own blade, wouldn't it?

[ He takes his own steps forward to Tsurumaru, just to get a close look. He has to sort of look up to get a better look at this guy's face. Dang, tall. ] Do you understand?

[gravesite]

Nope, none at all! Why, has my blade caught your eye? Do you wish to own me and bring yourself an early death? [ His tone is somewhere between the border of excited and sarcastic; it's both, and neither. ]

[ Shinsengumi... Along with the man's name, the phrase rings a faint bell, and it takes Tsurumaru a few seconds to pinpoint everything. ] Ah, hey— that's where Kanesada and Horikawa are from! So, you're just as young as them— [ But when Hijikata continues, his smile fades quickly, and he glances down. ]

...No, I don't understand. If I've learned anything from the masters that I've had, then it's that masters who respect their blades... don't exist.

[hijiwanwan]

Hohh? You know of them, yes you're correct. [ Thank you for calling him young. He's so tired of hearing about how age from A Certain Souji. The nerve of that man! ]

Ah, is that so... They should be ashamed then. A real man should know how to properly respect and thus wield a blade. [ Hijikata nods. There's no way he could carelessly take care of Horikawa and Kanesada. If they broke... Well, that'd be awful. ] Oi, what's with that expression?

[ Hijikata places a hand on Tsurumaru's shoulder. ] Listen up, I would give my life for the Shinsengumi, so the threats of death don't scare me. I'll just cut my way through. Perhaps we can change that outlook you carry right now? Just be warned, I don't pamper my dogs.

[gravesite]

But isn't that the nature of humans? Being wielded was fine, but a blade is a coveted treasure— I've been dug up from graves, stolen, given away, sold, you name it! [ Still, Hijikata's words linger on Tsurumaru's mind; they're unfamiliar, but not entirely uncomfortable. ]

[ Oh, gosh, Hijkata... You don't hold back on the do-s, do you? But the way that he states everything is so oddly defiant that Tsurumaru positions his sleeve over his mouth, hiding the amusement that returns to the corners of his lips. ] Saying that you could cut through fate so easily... you're an interesting person.

I mean, I don't know very much about the Shinsengumi, but if you're willing to change that outlook with me, then... [ His words fade out here, but the implications are clear; his tone lifts. ] Are you going to call me a dog everyday? Wah, I'm so excited!