eastbound | un: protector izumi

[Kanesada sits in his spacious cabin, looking just above where his pendant records him. He's brushing his hair and probably looking in a mirror at the same time. It's taking a minute.]

Hey, so I'm gonna tell you all a secret because who actually cares? It doesn't matter here. If we've talked, I've introduced myself as Izumi, but my full name is Izuminokami Kanesada. You can still call me Izumi if you want, even though my name isn't that complicated, so, like, maybe try or something.

[He pauses to focus on the ends of his hair, which he has to hold up in one hand and brush with the other because it's just so dang long. Worth it, though.]

Right, so I'm also a tsukumogami, which is an object that's gained a spirit after a certain amount of time. Specifically, I'm a sword. Lan Wangji probably still won't believe me, but he's wrong. Anyone remember Hijikata Toshizou who was here a while back, like when we were in Serthica? I used to belong to him. Well, not that version of Hijikata-san, but a Hijikata-san.

[He moves up the length of his hair with the brush. Bit by bit.]

Back home, I got this body in order to fight a war where we're going back in time to keep history from changing. It's pretty straightforward, though sometimes missions get complicated. Sometimes we gotta keep someone alive, sometimes we gotta make sure someone dies. History has to stay intact. But when we were in Alem I really got to thinking...how do you decide what to do when the end goal isn't already written?

[He finally looks at the pendant directly.]

Okay, obviously you're supposed to do the right thing, but if we don't even belong here, I wonder if we should even really get involved? I'm not shitting on anyone who does, don't worry, but I'm just so used to being hyper-aware of every action having a consequence, short-term or long-term, good or bad. Like, what would happen to this world if none of us got dragged into it? That's the problem with time, too. There are always so many variables and any change could make a timeline branch off from the main timeline and just...

[Kanesada heaves out a big sigh, his hands dropping into his lap and his shoulders slumping.]

Listen, it gets complicated. And I'm kinda tired. And this train ride sucks and they don't have any sake and I miss Japan.

...Is there anyone here who's good at braiding hair? When I actually need him, Kunihiro's not here.

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Huh.

[ She's more surprised at the time travel thing than the sword thing, to be honest. Though the sword thing is pretty cool. ]

Y'know, time travel isn't really usual where I'm from, so... mostly I just mess around and find out.

I guess if you don't have to worry about time travel, then you're going to live differently. It'd be less stressful, I'm sure.

Nah, it's just stressful in different ways. A lot of people sometimes wish they could see the future.

I mean, in a way it's easier if you know. But for me and the other guys, I dunno. We have a fixed outcome we have to achieve and not always a lot of freedom of how to do it.

[Kanesada looks away, running his fingers through his hair slowly.]

It's worse if people you knew once are involved.

[ Eda shrugs. ]

Not my personal cup of tea. I like my freedom.

I think it's safe to say most people do. I can't blame you.

Oh, you'd be surprised.

A large number of people never even question an oppressive social order, even if it doesn't really make sense!

[ A beat. ]

Why'd you join a dang war, anyway?

When you're a normal person without much power, it's easier to keep your head down and let things pass you by than it is to poke the hornet's nest.

I didn't join by choice since I'm...a sword...

[Before getting this body it wasn't as if he could make any sort of decision. He was literally an object.]

But I was born - forged - in the middle of one war, so this isn't new territory for me. It's literally why I was made.

Yeah, that's true. And a lot of people just wanna go about their lives without thinking about the deeper implications.

[ It's not like Eda really blames them, even if being shunned by society is has hurt her. Not that she's prone to admitting it, however. ]

Sounds like being without a war to fight must've been confusing.

Edited 2023-05-03 16:30 (UTC)

I mean, I wasn't sentient back then, but when I got this body it came with...not memories exactly, but knowledge of what happened or stories associated with me and those around me. So for three-hundred years I just existed, though the family always took good care of me. I can't complain about that.

It does feel good to fight again, and to have the freedom to move and have limbs and eat and drink.

Those things are pretty nice. Good on you for enjoying the whole having a body thing.

It helps that the powers that be decided to give me a really good body, too. I'm definitely one of the best-looking of our group.

[ That gets a snorting laugh out of Eda. ]

And so humble!

Hey, I'm not here to mince words. I say what I mean and I mean what I say.

I like the honesty!

You present as men do.

Still not human though. Like i said i was just given this body when my new master manifested me for the war

You possess it?

Currently?
It never belonged to anyone else before i got it if thats what youre asking

It is of true flesh?

Ah, so you decided to tell everyone?

I didn't realize you could also time travel. Can you do it here too?

Hijikata-san isn't here anymore and he's the one who would know me best so I didn't want to risk it. But people here knowing the truth isn't going to mess anything up so I'd rather just be real about it.

...And I told Lan Wangji after we went to Hell, but he thought I was just tired and delusional so I guess I'm kinda pissed about that.

[Big, dramatic sigh.]

I can't initiate time travel. That's what my current master does. Me and the other guys are just the ones who go out and do the work.

Hm, I see. And you've always gone to the past, then.

Although I guess if people are right about what happened, this wasn't actually going back in time and more of a memory wipe... that's a bit different.

Getting involved isn't optional. We're here. We're already causing ripples whether we want to or not, and honestly I don't really want to waste my energy worrying about all the possibilities.

[If Allison sounds tired, it's because she's tired of dealing with time travel questions. It's not really her wheelhouse and she'd rather live by moving forward.]

I'd rather just make the decisions that mean I sleep easier at night, which means doing the right thing for the people in front of me. When you're only moving through time in one direction those are the only choices you can make. You're not fixing history now - you're part of the future.

[That all being said:]

I also used to be a hair dresser. So I can braid hair if you need it.

( Despite finding himself in solidarity with this guy - thing - object, he's a little hung up on one fact. Give him a second. He'll make with better conversation. He just has to get this out of the way. )

You're a sword?

Can you be used like a sword? Or is this some weird thing?

[ Well, this is a weird fucking coincidence to come out of nowhere. (Five time traveled to 'make sure' someone died more times than he can count.) He can put aside the fact that he's apparently talking to a sword for a minute to address the important part. ]

Uh huh. And this group you were with, did they have a name?

[You know what? No reaction. She's seen talking hats, why can't she accept talking swords whose souls get turned into a human? Magic is weird.]

Fascinating. I can braid hair.

[A pause.] And ultimately does it matter? We are here now, and helping people in Serthica felt good. Curing the city felt good. We're here - so we might as well do good.

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