so he finishes that first, and helps itsuki get acclimated to the citadel. ultimately, he believes that it's well understood between himself and roxana what his orders of priorities are. his first master and creator, the human he chose -
and then, immediately after, her. the master he chose.
it's between missions when he's granted leave to make use of time as he pleases until he's needed again, and he'll utilize the same device to contact roxana between the planes of space and time.]
BUZEN GOU REPORTING PERMISSION TO SEE YOU? 🏍️😀💥💮✨🦋
[ - the truth is that he's already waiting at the teleportation devices that sends swords all throughout time and history, eager and quick as always, but he has half a braincell to know that he probably shouldn't show up suddenly when roxana's about to declare war.
[ roxana does know buzen's priorities. it's why she doesn't expect him any time soon, or at all. she may not know the frequency of his missions, but she knows how needy itsuki is.
the message surprises her. the emoji are a bit excessive to her, but they suit buzen. she considers lying, telling him to stay at the citadel and that now isn't the best time to visit her, but she doesn't see the harm in seeing him one last time. ]
Permission granted. I believe you can find me before some of the others.
[ he best be as fast as he usually is.
roxana has already begun her revolt. she had been taken to the prism the night before it was to be set into motion. the agrece estate has started to burn. it wasn't part of her plan, but a fire, accidental or purposeful, was to be expected.
the monsters her horrible family has bred and raised have been released and are causing terror around the grounds. demonic purple butterflies flit around everywhere, as roxana casts illusions to guarantee the success of her scheme.
she watches it all from the window of her father's office, which overlooks the entire scene, a glass of potent and way too expensive brandy in her hand. ]
[there's a challenge written in the text message, and he immediately rises to it.
transporting over to roxana's world and time are quick, and as soon as buzen's feet make contact with the ground he's taking off toward the most fanciful building. the monsters are a bit of a surprise, but he keeps a hand on his sword just in case. they don't scare him - it's a small wonder what does anymore.
when he catches sight of the butterflies, he maintains a distance, but almost laughs as he asks them a question - ]
Any chance you can help guide me to our shared master?
[ - though even if they can't, he'll probably sprint through the entire grounds until he finds roxana that way. if this is a race against time, he plans to win it.]
[ roxana would be disappointed if the monsters scared him. they're indiscriminate in whom they attack, but the remaining agrece family members are doing their best to capture or kill the beasts, so he doesn't have to worry too much about them.
the butterflies can't guide him all the way, but at least one of the them can give him a hint. it flies to the window she's staring out of. he'll have to make his way through the the mansion himself, but at least he knows where he has to go.
roxana won't make it harder for him by moving to another room, and whenever he reaches her, she raises a glass towards him. ]
[ah - he follows the trail of the butterfly up to the window to where roxana is and laughs faintly once he manages to catch sight of roxana. he gives her one quick and easy salute, followed by a cheeky grin and a wink, whether or not she can see it.
and as long as he has this destination in sight, he's quick. even though he was still among the fastest in the prism, it provided enough of a nerf on his superhuman speed. he blazes his way through the rest of the path, showing up at the doorway of the study in record time.
he skids to a stop, placing both of his hands on his hips as he bends at the waist to bow in greeting - and then he rises, reaching a hand out as he walks over]
What are we having, o master of mine?
[he just wants to hear how the words sound.... it's kinda fun]
[ if there is one nice thing roxana has done, it's letting buzen have something he decided he wanted. it is easier to let herself be a little nice in a world not influenced by her family. ]
Brandy. Can you hold your liquor? This one gets even me tipsy, if I have a little too much.
[ she doesn't drink like it's going out of style, but it's not easy to get her intoxicated.
she seats herself on the edge of the desk once he takes the glass from her. ]
[he will take the glass obediently, laughing a little]
Then I'll have to watch myself just in case, but I doubt it's anything I can't handle.
[he raises his glass, watching the liquid slosh around curiously for a moment. his eyes then flick to the scene outside, and then back to roxana's face]
Eventual and inevitable? Can't think of anything better.
[ roxana is in a good mood, high perhaps in all the wrongs ways or only horrible ways. this has been something she's been looking forward to for a long time, and she finds she doesn't mind buzen's presence here and how. she can't place if seeing him assuages the lingering, niggling uncertainty she feels or not.
she takes a sip of her own glass. ]
You've always wished for my victory.
[ even when he shouldn't. ]
Bloodshed is unavoidable tonight, but I'd like you to minimize it where you can.
[ it may be a little hypocritical of her, but she thinks buzen can do what she cannot (or what she won't choose to do herself). ]
[well, he thinks it's a bit funny. buzen always wants victory, in whatever form that looks like. sometimes it looks like absolute devastation in making sure that history progresses as it should - but there's a certain freedom to being here instead.]
I have no duty or prewritten history to uphold here - my duty and faith belong only to you. So how could I wish for anything else?
[he's loyal and dedicated to the end that way. he sips away at the wine, and laughs a little bit at the request.]
But sure, I can do that. Friend and foe alike? Or do you want enemies to be captured elsewhere alive?
[the way this is kind of a cruel question but buzen has to just make sure he understands his mission as a sword?]
[ it is perhaps that part of his nature that makes roxana more willing to accept what he tells her than most. he can lie and he can murder, but there is something true to him, even if there is a question of his existence.
for roxana, whose fiction and reality have become one, what does it mean to exist? the closer roxana is to her personal victory, the less she has a firm answer to that question. of course, it doesn't show in the curve of her smile.
it may have been a cruel question, but it's not one that fazes her. tonight is her own form of cruelty. ]
I've ordered most of the servants, those who don't know how to fight, to an annex. Save any who may have lingered behind. Enemies can be left to their own fate.
[ she wants her family compound ruined. she plans to destroy any connection to her family. she doesn't care if they're saved or left to rot. ]
The blood shed tonight is my selfishness.
[ she isn't trying to be kind. she just doesn't want to drag in unnecessary parties. ]
[theoretically it is week 2 of chroma, which means it's touch week. also these are the locations of the week because i truly have forgotten so much of what's happened. either way, buzen isn't dead.... yet!
so that's a win.
instead he's just going to be walking around somewhere, and he'll perk up as soon as he sees roxana! he jogs over to her, friendly as ever, and automatically offers a hand out to her. touch week!!]
Yo, Ro-san. Looking around? Do I get to be your escort today?
[ it is a win. she'll give his offered hand a cursory glance before she gives him her hand. it's still a little odd to touch people so easily without wondering about their poison tolerance, but she won't dwell on it.
it may be touch week, but her touch is still light and delicate like her butterfly motif. ]
You can have that honor. I heard there was a new place that would be of interest to you and some others.
[ or at least she assumed buzen and anmitsu will like the dojo. ]
The dojo, right? Yeah, yeah! I'm excited that we've gotten one! Should we go? Do you want me to teach you?
[the way that this was early enough that people didn't realize just how murder capable roxana was. so funny.
but he'll just happily hold onto her hand - his own touch is steady, reassuring. he doesn't shy away from letting his fingers wrap around hers, holding without even a thought about poison.]
[ she prefers it when people think she's delicate and incapable of defending herself. being underestimated makes winning battles that much easier. ]
If you're willing to have me as a student, I'd like to learn. Especially after Kazuma attacked Ryunosuke.
[ besides, she wants to see just how capable a sword is. even if he's going to be murdered in a few days.
it's a little strange how little he hesitates touching her when she knows her younger brother who adores her pauses to gauge her mood first. she tilts her head towards the dojo and starts walking. ]
Who knows how soon an attack like that will happen again?
[the way that he immediately answers seriously, and walks along with her. it was automatic in the way that he offered her his left hand, so that he's always able to draw with his right if need be. sometimes, being ready for a fight is ingrained in your steel.]
I don't really want to think about it but... it's better to be prepared. If you're really worried about something like that though, you should stay us—me, Kiyo-chan, Yasu-san. I'd do my best to protect you too.
[ he says things with so little hesitation. it's suspicious in some ways. or maybe it's with little thought, and that is both good and bad to her. it's hard out here for a girl who overthinks. ]
I am used to quality and comfort.
[ luxury, she means. she was so lucky to be assigned metallic. her family sucks, but the thread count of her sheets didn't. ]
How reassuring. I'll consider staying with you after I see how you teach.
Kiyo-san too. Mostly. [can't help what happens on missions] So I'm sure we can probably get some blankets and pillows for you, if you decide we're up to the task.
[and he'll couple that with a little wink, as if he's sooooOOOO confident that she'll decide they're fine as guards. but also that's the sword's confidence talking.... this is why wicked wins against him,,]
Are you familiar with swordsmanship at all, Ro-san? Do I need to start from the basics? Or somewhere further along the line?
[he doesn't know how much women get to wield swords in other worlds.... the answer is still not enough, buzen]
[ what is he so confident for? his audacity is going to get him killed. she doesn't think it will happen so soon. she doesn't know how soon is so soon. ]
I know the bare minimum for basic self-defense. I know enough to defend and run to safety.
[ the lie is easy and smooth. it's not a full lie if her idea of self-defense is making sure your enemy never gets back up keeps you alive longer. ]
You don't have to start from zero. Maybe from a three.
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reunion
so he finishes that first, and helps itsuki get acclimated to the citadel. ultimately, he believes that it's well understood between himself and roxana what his orders of priorities are. his first master and creator, the human he chose -
and then, immediately after, her. the master he chose.
it's between missions when he's granted leave to make use of time as he pleases until he's needed again, and he'll utilize the same device to contact roxana between the planes of space and time.]
BUZEN GOU REPORTING
PERMISSION TO SEE YOU?
🏍️😀💥💮✨🦋
[ - the truth is that he's already waiting at the teleportation devices that sends swords all throughout time and history, eager and quick as always, but he has half a braincell to know that he probably shouldn't show up suddenly when roxana's about to declare war.
just barely.]
no subject
the message surprises her. the emoji are a bit excessive to her, but they suit buzen. she considers lying, telling him to stay at the citadel and that now isn't the best time to visit her, but she doesn't see the harm in seeing him one last time. ]
Permission granted. I believe you can find me before some of the others.
[ he best be as fast as he usually is.
roxana has already begun her revolt. she had been taken to the prism the night before it was to be set into motion. the agrece estate has started to burn. it wasn't part of her plan, but a fire, accidental or purposeful, was to be expected.
the monsters her horrible family has bred and raised have been released and are causing terror around the grounds. demonic purple butterflies flit around everywhere, as roxana casts illusions to guarantee the success of her scheme.
she watches it all from the window of her father's office, which overlooks the entire scene, a glass of potent and way too expensive brandy in her hand. ]
no subject
transporting over to roxana's world and time are quick, and as soon as buzen's feet make contact with the ground he's taking off toward the most fanciful building. the monsters are a bit of a surprise, but he keeps a hand on his sword just in case. they don't scare him - it's a small wonder what does anymore.
when he catches sight of the butterflies, he maintains a distance, but almost laughs as he asks them a question - ]
Any chance you can help guide me to our shared master?
[ - though even if they can't, he'll probably sprint through the entire grounds until he finds roxana that way. if this is a race against time, he plans to win it.]
no subject
the butterflies can't guide him all the way, but at least one of the them can give him a hint. it flies to the window she's staring out of. he'll have to make his way through the the mansion himself, but at least he knows where he has to go.
roxana won't make it harder for him by moving to another room, and whenever he reaches her, she raises a glass towards him. ]
Would you care for some?
no subject
and as long as he has this destination in sight, he's quick. even though he was still among the fastest in the prism, it provided enough of a nerf on his superhuman speed. he blazes his way through the rest of the path, showing up at the doorway of the study in record time.
he skids to a stop, placing both of his hands on his hips as he bends at the waist to bow in greeting - and then he rises, reaching a hand out as he walks over]
What are we having, o master of mine?
[he just wants to hear how the words sound.... it's kinda fun]
no subject
Brandy. Can you hold your liquor? This one gets even me tipsy, if I have a little too much.
[ she doesn't drink like it's going out of style, but it's not easy to get her intoxicated.
she seats herself on the edge of the desk once he takes the glass from her. ]
Let's toast to my eventual victory, hm?
no subject
Then I'll have to watch myself just in case, but I doubt it's anything I can't handle.
[he raises his glass, watching the liquid slosh around curiously for a moment. his eyes then flick to the scene outside, and then back to roxana's face]
Eventual and inevitable? Can't think of anything better.
no subject
she takes a sip of her own glass. ]
You've always wished for my victory.
[ even when he shouldn't. ]
Bloodshed is unavoidable tonight, but I'd like you to minimize it where you can.
[ it may be a little hypocritical of her, but she thinks buzen can do what she cannot (or what she won't choose to do herself). ]
no subject
I have no duty or prewritten history to uphold here - my duty and faith belong only to you. So how could I wish for anything else?
[he's loyal and dedicated to the end that way. he sips away at the wine, and laughs a little bit at the request.]
But sure, I can do that. Friend and foe alike? Or do you want enemies to be captured elsewhere alive?
[the way this is kind of a cruel question but buzen has to just make sure he understands his mission as a sword?]
no subject
[ it is perhaps that part of his nature that makes roxana more willing to accept what he tells her than most. he can lie and he can murder, but there is something true to him, even if there is a question of his existence.
for roxana, whose fiction and reality have become one, what does it mean to exist? the closer roxana is to her personal victory, the less she has a firm answer to that question. of course, it doesn't show in the curve of her smile.
it may have been a cruel question, but it's not one that fazes her. tonight is her own form of cruelty. ]
I've ordered most of the servants, those who don't know how to fight, to an annex. Save any who may have lingered behind. Enemies can be left to their own fate.
[ she wants her family compound ruined. she plans to destroy any connection to her family. she doesn't care if they're saved or left to rot. ]
The blood shed tonight is my selfishness.
[ she isn't trying to be kind. she just doesn't want to drag in unnecessary parties. ]
reuses this..... white whale time
so that's a win.
instead he's just going to be walking around somewhere, and he'll perk up as soon as he sees roxana! he jogs over to her, friendly as ever, and automatically offers a hand out to her. touch week!!]
Yo, Ro-san. Looking around? Do I get to be your escort today?
no subject
it may be touch week, but her touch is still light and delicate like her butterfly motif. ]
You can have that honor. I heard there was a new place that would be of interest to you and some others.
[ or at least she assumed buzen and anmitsu will like the dojo. ]
no subject
[the way that this was early enough that people didn't realize just how murder capable roxana was. so funny.
but he'll just happily hold onto her hand - his own touch is steady, reassuring. he doesn't shy away from letting his fingers wrap around hers, holding without even a thought about poison.]
no subject
If you're willing to have me as a student, I'd like to learn. Especially after Kazuma attacked Ryunosuke.
[ besides, she wants to see just how capable a sword is. even if he's going to be murdered in a few days.
it's a little strange how little he hesitates touching her when she knows her younger brother who adores her pauses to gauge her mood first. she tilts her head towards the dojo and starts walking. ]
Who knows how soon an attack like that will happen again?
no subject
[the way that he immediately answers seriously, and walks along with her. it was automatic in the way that he offered her his left hand, so that he's always able to draw with his right if need be. sometimes, being ready for a fight is ingrained in your steel.]
I don't really want to think about it but... it's better to be prepared. If you're really worried about something like that though, you should stay us—me, Kiyo-chan, Yasu-san. I'd do my best to protect you too.
no subject
[ she'd rather be knocked out in comfort. if there's no staying awake, she wonders what kind of protection he can serve?
but she'll entertain his sentiment for now. ]
Would all three of you protect me?
[ three shields (swords) are better than one, but she asks that like she doesn't mean to ask it, as if it's in jest but in a demure way. ]
no subject
[humans seem..... delicate.]
But yeah - of course we would.
[she asks in jest! but his answer is so straightforward! protecting a human? no brainer! of fucking course!!]
no subject
I am used to quality and comfort.
[ luxury, she means. she was so lucky to be assigned metallic. her family sucks, but the thread count of her sheets didn't. ]
How reassuring. I'll consider staying with you after I see how you teach.
no subject
[and he'll couple that with a little wink, as if he's sooooOOOO confident that she'll decide they're fine as guards. but also that's the sword's confidence talking.... this is why wicked wins against him,,]
Are you familiar with swordsmanship at all, Ro-san? Do I need to start from the basics? Or somewhere further along the line?
[he doesn't know how much women get to wield swords in other worlds.... the answer is still not enough, buzen]
no subject
I know the bare minimum for basic self-defense. I know enough to defend and run to safety.
[ the lie is easy and smooth. it's not a full lie if her idea of self-defense is making sure your enemy never gets back up keeps you alive longer. ]
You don't have to start from zero. Maybe from a three.
[ on what scale? ]