volkamenia | thread dump, basara edition

[ Motochika would do anything for Ieyasu - so when Ieyasu asks him out of the blue to meet one of his friends who, as he put it, "could use a good friend like him", he accepts without a second thought. After all, anyone who Ieyasu likes can't be a bad person, right?

Though he doesn't know anything about this friend of his. Not even his name, or what he looks like. It wasn't something he thought to ask until he arrived early at the coffee shop they agreed (through Ieyasu) to meet.

But it's fine. He shoots a quick text to Ieyasu - a description of what he's wearing, so this friend of his can pick him out in the crowd of people - then opens up a game on his phone. The friend of his will show up in time and then they'll nurture a bond, just as Ieyasu wants.

... he just won't stop being curious about this guy until he shows up. ]

[Mitsunari has no idea why he's even giving this guy the time of day. He'd only agreed to Ieyasu's little set up to get the other man to shut up; he didn't actually have to show up.

.....But the more he thought about it, the more standing up an unknown person who'd also gotten roped into Ieyasu's schemes felt wrong.

So he'd decided to show up for the other guy's sake (definitely not Ieyasu's). He doesn't plan to stay long and he definitely doesn't plan on making friends with the guy, but he can at least say hello and apologize for Ieyasu. That's it.

Mitsunari is feeling pretty confident about this plan, especially when Ieyasu's friend is easy to spot. A large man, bulky. Slightly intimidating with his eye patch. Soft white hair that doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of his appearance. Yeah, there's no missing the single person who matches that description playing around on his phone.

He hovers about a foot away from where Motochika is sitting, arms crossed over his chest.] You. You're Ieyasu's friend, correct?

[He doesn't know how to announce himself not awkwardly.]

[ Awkward or not, the announcement does its job. Motochika looks up from his phone to meet the gaze of the person before him. ] Yeah. I'm--

[ And then he really looks at him, and has to stop himself.

Motochika was meek in his youth. Gentle and reserved, completely unlike the behemoth of a man he is now. He wasn't necessarily disliked as a child - there were a fair share of bullies, sure, but he remembers some of his classmates befriending him solely because he "wasn't like the other boys" - but he never put himself out there, either.

Until he met a certain boy. Someone with a spirit as soft as his, but went above and beyond to defend him from the meaner kids. Like a moth to a flame Motochika gravitated toward him, sticking by his side every moment that he could.

He... greatly admired him, honestly. For that inner strength that shone so brightly through his loyalty to the few people who he called his friends. The image of his back to him, arms shielding him protectively is burned into his memory even to this day. Because of him, Motochika wanted to become strong, too. Wanted to be able to protect others, like his friend always protected him - and he did. He's strong in heart, body, and spirit, and it's more than partly because of him.

Though they parted ways before the end of elementary school, there's no mistaking it. This is that boy. His precious childhood friend. It's- ]

... Mitsunari? Is that you?

[The recognition is there, obvious, on Motochika's face but it isn't clicking in the same way for Mitsunari. He's bad at remembering faces, even when they're as unique as the one in front of him, and he doesn't look like any of the few that he is familiar with. The only explanation Mitsunari can think of is that he and Motochika had met around Ieyasu already once before, maybe in passing, and he hadn't thought much of it. But he must have made quite an impression on Motochika...

Mitsunari tightens his stance, feeling somewhat defensive now.]

And you are?

[ Motochika rises from his seat, pressing a palm to his chest. Given how he's changed since he was a child - he had both eyes back then, and a much tinier stature - he's not actually surprised Mitsunari doesn't recognize him immediately. But he hopes he actually remembers him, after all this time. ]

It's me, Motochika - Chosokabe Motochika. We went to elementary school together.

[Mitsunari remembers Motochika Chosokabe. Motochika Chosokabe was his best friend in elementary school. He was the one of the few reasons Mitsunari ever found the courage or reason to leave Hanbei's side and go to school at that age.

The Motochika he knew from that time wasn't a timid child like Mitsunari would call himself, but he was quiet - gentle. He kept to himself and, for the most part, didn't cause trouble with the other kids. And yet, due to his fair appearance he was still bullied sometimes. Mitsunari - who, as a child, would normally never do anything to garner a scolding from Hanbei - was immediately infuriated by the injustice of it.

And so to right those wrongs, he defended him again, and again, and again. (And much to his delight, Hanbei even praised him for it even when he got in trouble for yelling really loud or waving sticks).

Mitsunari's memory is of that, though. A slightly bigger boy hiding behind him and then smiling so brightly when the coast was clear. He always smiled a smile that spread across his entire face. It would make his nose scrunch up a little, and his cheeks ruddy, and (though he couldn't put the right words to it at the time) Mitsunari was in love with that smile.

So, of course Mitsunari remembers Motochika Chosokabe: he was his first love.

He's hard pressed to believe this hulk of a damaged man is the same person, but who else would know to throw out that name besides Motochika himself. The more Mitsunari stares at his face (sorry not sorry if that's unnerving) the more he can see it. His face has changed but there's still that softness to it. It's a face that radiates kindness.]

Motochika... I remember you. [Hghfhghgh geez. He doesn't know what to say.] It's hard to believe you're the same Motochika Chosokabe.

[ "Motochika... I remember you."

Like magic, the same smile he's had since he was a kid appears on his face. While his nose doesn't scrunch as much as it used to, the happiness is readily apparent, shining in his one good eye. ]

Heh... well, can't say I blame you. I'm not as small as I used to be. [ Normally, he might be more conscious of the fact that they're in a crowded coffee shop. But it's not every day that he's reuniting with a friend - let alone Mitsunari Ishida.

So he clears the remaining distance between them and pulls him into a warm, tight embrace. ] But it's been far too long, my friend. Who would've thought the man Ieyasu told me about was you! [ He might have to thank him later for this - though he's sure he wouldn't grasp just how much this means to him. ]

[Oh.

This man is definitely Motochika Chosokabe.

The warmth thats suddenly envelopes Mitsunari is undeniable. It is the same warmth as back then. He doesn't still in Motochika's embrace like he would anyone else. He doesn't tense. Mitsunari relaxes and lifts his arms to hold Motochika back, though his hold is much lighter. ] The world is truly small; I never thought I'd see you again.

[Guess Ieyasu's good for something.

Funny how Mitsunari was planning to bail originally, but now someone would have to literally tear him away from this moment.]

[ Nothing could tear Mitsunari away, even if they tried. He's not much of a believer in fairy tales, but if they can be reunited like this, after so much time and distance, then their friendship must be something special. So Motochika wouldn't let anyone, or anything, stand between him and the other man now. The only reason he lets him out of the hug at all, honestly, is because it's not totally appropriate to just hold him without a single regard to the very active world around them.

Which, speaking of that active world... the coffee shop is now feeling a little too crowded for his tastes. And he suspects Mitsunari may feel the same, if he's anything like he was as a kid (shy, awkward around groups of people). So they get their drinks (which Motochika very much insists on paying for the both of them, it was his intention even before learning who Ieyasu's mysterious friend was) and set out for a very familiar nearby park. There are still some people around - families with their kids, people walking their dogs - but it's quieter, with a playground much too tiny for the two of them as adults, but was the site of many fun afternoons in their youth.

Once they find a comfortable bench to sit on, Motochika takes a big gulp of his hot cocoa, then rests a hand on his shoulder. ] So tell me, Mitsunari - what are you up to these days?

[He doesn't remember Motochika being so touchy in elementary school, but Mitsunari finds he doesn't mind it. Motochika's hand, while just slightly bigger than Ieyasu's, doesn't feel oppressive like the other's. His hand is heavy and warm but Mitsunari wouldn't dare swat it away. It doesn't feel like Motochika's holding him down. It's nice.

He takes smaller sips of his very strong coffee and looks down the slope of his nose rather than at his companion.] School. I'm in school. [And to hopefully shut down the inevitable query about what he's studying:] I'm taking my core classes this semester. [Because he still doesn't know what field he wants to go into. Does he follow in Hideyoshi's footsteps or does he make his own path. But what if his own path is Hideyoshi's. And then there's Hanbei who said not to worry and to just enjoy his first couple years. A surprising and completely different take. He isn't sure.

Mitsunari looks back at Motochika finally, giving him one more look over. From top to bottom.] Did you move back for school? [Though he's certain he's never seen anyone like Motochika on campus before.]

[ Motochika's heard enough from his friends that attend university to avoid the "what are you studying" question. Though he'd be lying if he said he wasn't interested in knowing - he has his guesses, but they're all based on the Mitsunari he held onto during nap time, not the one sitting beside him drinking the blackest coffee he's ever seen. ]

Nah, school isn't for me. I've got an apprenticeship with a mechanic in the area - an old family friend willing to take me underneath his wing. [ He meets his gaze with a smile. ] It worked out well, cause a friend of mine from high school moved out here, too. Said she had a vision about starting a flower shop and meeting the man of her dreams.

[ Another gulp of cocoa. ] She's a real handful - the type you don't wanna take your eyes off of, lest she get herself in trouble. [ But he's still fond of Tsuruhime. His dear, sweet but naive friend. ] So I'm helping her out when I've got the time.

thread dump, basara edition

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