rainsford - day zero

[foxhounds]

RAINSFORD 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 people will start washing up on the shores. She has to leave to prepare, but you're together in the gardens of the mansion for now. Take it as a chance to meet each other and get to know who you'll be working with.

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[kametaro]

( Contemplatively, Urashima scratches the head of the sleeping turtle on his shoulder. This is all so much to take in-- the hunt, their roles, and in just another hour, more people would arrive...

... He'd have to help protect them. If his brothers were here, what would they do? Their best, certainly and they would expect the same from him. Of course, he'd do his best! Urashima Kotetsu, a blade carved with the image of the hero Urashima Tarou! He wasn't going to let these hunters... hounds... whatever pick on anyone! But you know... that was a good point. The concept of fighting for his life and the wellbeing of others wasn't foreign to him! Afterall, he was fighting a war back home! But he didn't even know the people he was supposed to be looking out for, let alone the people he was supposed to be watching out for.

Fidgeting a bit with the short sword by his side, he looks up at the other boy in the garden. So this was the only other person he knew he could trust for now, huh?

Well, that's a start! Gathering his spirit, he holds out his chest and makes his way over to the other boy. He makes sure to give him his friendliest and bravest smile before introducing himself, )

Hey! I'm Urashima Kotetsu! And this-- ( He nods his head towards the turtle on his shoulder )-- Is Kamekichi! What's yours, eh?

( OK, Kamui, let's become friends. )

[x_over]

[ A Hunt and a role to play; a game of life and death. Terms Kamui had understood even through his initial sparks of anger and violence. The burning need to eliminate the obstacle between him and the way to his brother had dulled when he'd realized it wasn't this woman who was keeping them trapped here – keeping him from Subaru. Not exactly. She was involved, that much was clear, but she wasn't the one. At least, he didn't think so. There was nothing to sense from her.

There was also the realization that he just wasn't the same as before; he was weaker somehow. Despite the itching need to kill, to tear through everything in his way, his disadvantage was a stark reality. Whoever or whatever had brought him here was simply too powerful to have made him less powerful. Weak. He was by no means immortal, but now that he wasn't himself (...now that he was by himself), he felt – vulnerable. Vulnerability was what brought Seishirou into their lives, though they were able to run from him. Here – well, it would only get him killed here, with nowhere to run and no brother to draw strength from.

Later, as he stands in the garden, gazing up at the sky – at the other worlds out there, Kamui's thoughts follow a similar path to Urashima's. If his brother were here, what would he do? No doubt Subaru would accept the role, open his soft heart for these coming strangers, and probably get hurt in the process. He'd want Kamui to help, too. But Subaru isn't here. He isn't -- and he's not coming. Kamui knows this. He doesn't need to be told by anyone to know. And unlike his too kind twin, Kamui has no interest in helping anyone.

There's only one person Kamui will protect, and he's not here.

So when Urashima speaks, Kamui slants a look his way, gaze impassive. He answers a different question, one yet to be asked. ]

No.

[kametaro]

[ The smile on Urashima's face drops. Gee, what's his problem? He was only trying to be friendly! ]

E-eh?! "No?" I didn't even ask a question like that!

[x_over]

[ Sorry, Urashima, friendship isn't magic, especially not here. ]

There's no point. I won't protect you. [ A slight pause. ] I won't protect anyone here.

[kametaro]

[wow, talk about offensive. Huffing, he makes a face and shakes his head no! NO!]

I'm not asking you for your protection. [and he reaches for his waist, drawing his short sword and holding it out for Kamui to see.] I'm a real Kotetsu! I can protect myself! [or so he thinks, for now. But even later, he won't ask for this guys help!] But you really aren't going to help anyone?

[x_over]

A "Kotetsu"...?

[ He's not going to bother answering the second question. Technically, he answered it before it was even asked. ]

Aren't you merely human?

[kametaro]

That's right! A Kotetsu!

[he even says it slowly so Kamui can catch it this time. Then, he shakes his head.]

No! I'm a tsukumogami; a sword spirit. [holding his little chest out now] Kotetsu is my smith name-- the famous Kotetsu Nagasone! Urashima is from the image of Urashima Tarou on the blade. I've been passed down from generation to generation of the Ikeda clan... And I'm a real Kotetsu.

[not fake.]

Now it's your turn.

[x_over]

[ Well, that sure means nothing to Kamui. ]

Of course, you're real. [ What a strange thing to emphasis. Kamui would think it's obvious Urashima's not lacking a soul, which means he can't be fake. ] You're not Prey.

[ A beat as he considers Urashima's question. ]

My turn for what?

[kametaro]

There's no way I'm prey!

[yeah there's a misunderstanding here that maybe they'll cover some day but for now--!]

It's your turn to introduce yourself, of course.

[x_over]

No. Why should I?

[kametaro]

( D'oh! Urashima practically falls over himself. Can this guy be anymore uptight? )

Because we're supposed to--...! ( Be working together??? Look, this whole schtick sounds pretty unbelievable still. Maybe it would end up being not true later? Then he wouldn't have to work with this guy at all and that would be nice, heh heh. ) I've told you everything about me and you won't tell me even just your name at least?

( Ruuuuuuuude. )

[x_over]

Names have power, Urashima Kotetsu. Do you trust me enough to use yours?

[ He says after using it. ]

How can I trust you with mine? How do I know you won't betray me?

[kametaro]

[Names have power? This sounds like something the saniwa would say... If they were purposely trying to lose Urashima's attention.]

Hmm... If I have to choose someone to trust right now, it's either you or the strange lady from earlier. [trust a total stranger??? Or the one who wants them to hunt other strangers?] And... That's why I won't betray you?

[logically speaking?]

Aiiiiish! [this is complicated ] Come on, No-San!

[x_over]

[ There's a long pause as Kamui stands there and eyes Urashima. This boy doesn't seem dangerous, even with his sword. And quite frankly, Kamui doubts Urashima has seen the kind of carnage he has seen - or caused. At the end of the day, just how helpful will this stranger be in helping him return to his brother?

... Stubbornness aside, how effective would Kamui himself be on his own? He's not such a fool that he can't admit his own weakness, especially in light of a situation like this. Does he really have a choice, anyway? Subaru would want him to help and - he can't do this alone. He's never had to do anything like this alone before. ]

If you betray me...

[ His eyes sharpen dramatically. ]

I'll kill you.

[ Then, almost in a sulking manner: ]

Kamui.

[kametaro]

( He takes one step back but then grounds himself. He's never seen anyone do something like that with their eyes. Sure, he's seen the faces of some of the sword spirits change in battle but uwah, this is kind of intense! But he isn't going to be afraid. Standing tall, he nods his head, )

Y-yeah? ( Wow, that sounded weak, ) Then you have nothing to worry about!

( That sounded better. )

If Iván-san is telling the truth then we have to look out for each other!

( And a beat, )

I guess we'll know in an hour, huh?

( When the others start to arrive. )