.... I'm not very good at that sort of thing. Solving murders. I tried to do what Ryu-san wanted, and I think you were also trying to guide us well enough... sort of.
[he was also so misleading. well, they'll get to that. buzen doesn't seem angry at all, at least.]
[ ryu would be proud of buzen, kazuma thinks. kazuma, on the other hand.... that is much more cloudy. he can't even say for sure what was running through his head. ]
Resigned, I suppose. I'll be meeting a fitting end soon enough.
Could you change your mind? About - execution. That's part of what I disagree with you on.
[a beat]
Even if you don't want to use your own sword - I could use mine, if you wanted assistance.
[every sword thought that kazuma was going to choose seppuku. it startled them when he didn't. so buzen thought that at the very least he should offer, in case he is in need of a second]
... I disagree. You could ask anything of me, and I would understand it. That's what I was forged for. I won't go against your wishes, but I want you to know that I think you deserve more than this. Ryu-san told me about you—I believe you are a good man. And I don't mind being the one dispatch good men.
[he speaks with certainty, like he's showing finally showing some of his 800 years.]
I know you feel that you have disgraced your beloved sword - but... speaking as a weapon who has never been accredited to any one master...
I want you to know that I believe that he - Karuma - would still want to be by your side until the very end.
[ as much as he's come to accept the absurd, the alien, the unknown, being in this place, kazuma truly can't fathom what it means to be a sword spirit, living for hundreds years, changing from master to master, and what that must feel like ]
[ he thinks he gets a glimpse now, listening to buzen's words. it's not often that kazuma asogi feels truly humbled, but this is one of those times ]
[ the kneel becomes more of a bow ]
....
I'm truly honored by your words, Gou-san.
[ karuma... would want to be by his side? after he's disgraced the asogi clan and used it for a cruel murder, staining karuma with innocent blood? that sword is the soul of the asogi clan, and he... ]
There was a time where I was separated from Ryunosuke, and from Karuma. I had no memory of who I was, just a small voice in my head guiding me to my mission.... the whole time, Ryunosuke had Karuma. He kept it safe for me, until we could be reunited.
[the bow surprises him, making both eyebrows arch in confusion - but he can't think of how to respond in return. it takes a long second, and him processing kazuma's words before he decides on his own response.
he bows back, so deeply that his nose brushes against the ground, before righting himself.]
... if that is what you believe.
But if Karuma is truly your treasured family heirloom, know that what you have done is imprinted upon him. That includes both the difficult things that you have endured, but also every happiness you and your family has ever felt. Your sword is tied to you in a way that I struggle to put into words - and will always long for you until you are reunited.
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no subject
... I don't believe I deserve any, but if you wish to speak with me.... I won't deny you.
no subject
I do.
Because I also disagree with you on what you deserve. Though I'll say I didn't come here to pick a fight or anything.
no subject
.... Thank you.
[ as dimitri-adjacent as he is right now, he can at least appreciate buzen's kindness in face of his crimes and manpain. ]
And thank you for what you did today.
no subject
[he was also so misleading. well, they'll get to that. buzen doesn't seem angry at all, at least.]
How are you feeling?
no subject
[ ryu would be proud of buzen, kazuma thinks. kazuma, on the other hand.... that is much more cloudy. he can't even say for sure what was running through his head. ]
Resigned, I suppose. I'll be meeting a fitting end soon enough.
no subject
Could you change your mind? About - execution. That's part of what I disagree with you on.
[a beat]
Even if you don't want to use your own sword - I could use mine, if you wanted assistance.
[every sword thought that kazuma was going to choose seppuku. it startled them when he didn't. so buzen thought that at the very least he should offer, in case he is in need of a second]
no subject
I am grateful for the offer, but... that is more than I could ask of you, Buzen-san.
[ enough blood has been shed because of him. he wouldn't want to stain buzen's hands, too. ]
I don't believe I can change my mind. But.... I wouldn't, even if I could. I'm sure I will meet a fitting end.
no subject
... I disagree. You could ask anything of me, and I would understand it. That's what I was forged for. I won't go against your wishes, but I want you to know that I think you deserve more than this. Ryu-san told me about you—I believe you are a good man. And I don't mind being the one dispatch good men.
[he speaks with certainty, like he's showing finally showing some of his 800 years.]
I know you feel that you have disgraced your beloved sword - but... speaking as a weapon who has never been accredited to any one master...
I want you to know that I believe that he - Karuma - would still want to be by your side until the very end.
gaa spoilers!
[ he thinks he gets a glimpse now, listening to buzen's words. it's not often that kazuma asogi feels truly humbled, but this is one of those times ]
[ the kneel becomes more of a bow ]
....
I'm truly honored by your words, Gou-san.
[ karuma... would want to be by his side? after he's disgraced the asogi clan and used it for a cruel murder, staining karuma with innocent blood? that sword is the soul of the asogi clan, and he... ]
There was a time where I was separated from Ryunosuke, and from Karuma. I had no memory of who I was, just a small voice in my head guiding me to my mission.... the whole time, Ryunosuke had Karuma. He kept it safe for me, until we could be reunited.
I believe Karuma belongs with him, not me.
no subject
he bows back, so deeply that his nose brushes against the ground, before righting himself.]
... if that is what you believe.
But if Karuma is truly your treasured family heirloom, know that what you have done is imprinted upon him. That includes both the difficult things that you have endured, but also every happiness you and your family has ever felt. Your sword is tied to you in a way that I struggle to put into words - and will always long for you until you are reunited.
I hope that reunion does not take long.
For you, Karuma, and Ryu-san.