[Dream Recording]

[kikuichi]

Sender: Norimune
To: Everyone
Subject: Passive Dream Recording
Warnings: N/A


["... did you hear?"
"... oh! Oh! Is it..."
"... Not true!"

When the dream begin, there's faint whisperings. Norimune is there, sitting down with his eyes closed and surrounded by shadowy figures talking amongst themselves. But over time, they grew louder and louder. Until only the voices talking about the story drowns out the dissenting voices. If one listens carefully, they may pick up on some words being used a lot. "Okita Souji", "sword"... Norimune opens his mouth, but any words he speak get completely drowned out by the voices.

"You know that's impossible—"
"Okita Souji owned one!"

A moment later, Norimune's clothes shimmer and fades out... as another set replaces it. He opens his eyes and look down at himself, before he laughs out loud. It's clear he's laughing, and he looks quite conflicted. But no sound comes from his mouth.

The only thing that can be heard are the shadowy figures talking loudly around him.]

Comments

Sender: Kashuu Kiyomitsu

[redbeauty]

[ He always feels like such a terrible eavesdropper when he watches dreams. This time, it feels a little more personal because, you know... ]

I wanted to let you know that your dream was broadcast, so maybe it won't come as a shock later when you wake up.

But I didn't think that it bothered you. Was I wrong?

[kikuichi]

[For better or worse, Norimune already watched a dream before. It prepared him for his turn, and how far it can potentially dig for.

When he woke up, it took him a moment to process everything and facts finally piercing through his awakening mind. And that's when he saw Kiyomitsu's message.]

I'm aware. It's only a matter of time before it's my turn, no?

[A pause, as he tap his quill against the journal's pages. Because he's not holding his fan at the moment.]

Well, Kashuu Kiyomitsu. When you get as old as I am, you find yourself thinking a lot of things. More so when the stories continue to spread over the years.

[redbeauty]

[ Reading that is kind of ominous. He's only been here since September, and he'd watched several dreams broadcast to everyone. He wondered if it would happen to him, too, but it happened to Yasusada instead, and now it's happened to Norimune. ]

I don't think that's how it works.

[ It probably does, but he's really hoping his private thoughts won't just be strewn out like laundry for everyone to see. ]

If gossip like that bothers you, you could set the record straight yourself, you know. But I guess the gossip probably annoys you more than anything, doesn't it?

[ Or maybe not. Norimune seems relatively laid back, but mostly he's just really hard to read, especially when he talks and acts like one of the Sanjou swords. ]

[kikuichi]

You might be right, uhahaha.

[There's a lot to figure out, if they can. He wonders if they would learn anything worthwhile./]

I could tell people. But do you believe they would listen?

[No matter how many dissenting voices and possible evidence get brought up, the people are simply captivated by the story.]

If I have to say, I wish to ask them "why".

[And more, but Norimune still wonders how much he wants to write down on these journals.]

[redbeauty]

I'd like to believe they'd listen, but you're probably right. Some would, but most wouldn't, and it'd probably get exhausting trying to correct everyone.

If you did ask them why, what do you think they'd say?

[kikuichi]

Some may believe me, some probably wouldn't no matter who I am.

I thought about it for a long time, kid. They most likely will say it's because of Okita Souji. That genius swordsman's impact is still felt to this day.

[redbeauty]

And what about you? Do you feel indebted to that man?

Sender: Yamatonokami Yasusada

[hairpinings]

[ Look, he doesn't normally try to eaves drop on others dreams that get shown, but he couldn't help but look when he kept hearing the name "Okita Souji". It was like the dream itself was calling to him or something.

Jiji never really outright told Yasusada anything, but somehow watching this sort of made pieces to this puzzle he didn't even know he was solving start coming together. ]

Whether it's true or not, you still hold your own as a sword warrior, don't you, grandpa? And that's a quality I think Okita-kun would appreciate.

[kikuichi]

[It's a matter of time before Yasusada knows or see something, be it from him or from Kiyomitsu. And his answer... is very much like Yasusada.

How much alike yet distinct the two swords of Okita Souji are.]

Uhahaha! I might be old, but I'm still sharp. I don't know him like you do, so I'll take you at your word.

[hairpinings]

I know it probably sounds hypocritical coming from me of all people, but sometimes people focus so hard on their pasts that they can't see the accomplishments they've done now. Anyway, you're still one of us.

[kikuichi]

[Focusing on the past... In a way, his ponderings can be like that, huh?]

You're right, uhahaha! As a retired old man, I try to live simply. But I guess these things creep up on you.

And I'll be counting on you, as your fellow comrade. I hope you don't mind this old man in your life.

[Both seriously as a comrade... and being a silly grandpa for more mundane matters. be his errand boy]

[hairpinings]

Hehe!

Unfortunately for you, grandpa. You're stuck with us now, there's no escape for you.

[kikuichi]

What a fate for me, how can I truly escape from you?

But that means you're also stuck with me, kid.

Sender: Okita Souji

[embracethewind]

{ Norimune... Do they mean Kiku Ichimonji Norimune? Kashuu Kiyomitsu... Yamatonokami Yasusada... all of them are his swords. In the flesh. Why is this happening? Why are they humanized? Not that it bothers him but... what does it mean?

His writing might be bad - as he's been known to have it - albeit the sentiment is printed through his words. Is Norimune upset to have him as his holder? }

I do own Okiku-chan though I never imagined it'd be a 'he'.

[kikuichi]

[He almost expected this. If the young Okita Souji swords saw his dream, why not their master as well? Even if he's not the same one they know, it did little to calm his complicated feelings.

After staring for a moment, Norimune pick up his quill. And pause, debating on how much to write.]

Are you surprised?

[embracethewind]

{ It's... complicated, indeed. Why must his three swords act as if he did them wrong? Has he been a bad master after all? }

I'm not denying that I am, it's--

... I don't feel alone with all of you here. Well, I never did even in your original bodies.

[kikuichi]

I'm sure the young ones would be happy to know. Those two still think fondly of you.

[The Kiyomitsu and Yasusada he knows are different from the ones here, but they are still the same at their core.]

Although for me, I never have the honour of serving you.

[embracethewind]

I... I've met them. Both unique despite how opposite they are.

{ Wait... what? }

What do you mean? I've Okiku-chan with me. Of course you had.

[kikuichi]

[... It's fortunate this is written words. Norimune doesn't know what kind of expression he's making.]

How curious. Because I never remember anything being with you.

But that is a rather cute nickname.

[He wrote, as he thinking over this... his first thought was wondering if this Okita Souji hailed from a derailed timeline.]

Sender: Vanitas

[darkcharge]

If anything, maybe it'd be a comfort to know that people won't know what to make of any of that.

[kikuichi]

Uhahaha! Maybe it is, I would be surprised if they understand it.

[Between different lands and cultures, there's always a chance.]

[darkcharge]

I take it you're not the type to explain either.

[kikuichi]

That's right. I'm not in the mood today.

[Does this mean he would explain it another time? Maybe. The dream's content is just personal for him.]

[darkcharge]

Only today? That's an interesting way to phrase it.

[kikuichi]

It depends on if I'm ever in a storytelling mood. And not woken up so soon from a dream.