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( video ) open to stars & moon
un: Tsurumaru
( Arms crossed and hands tucked into his sleeve, Tsurumaru smiles casually as he speaks. )
I'm looking for someone with experience repairing swords.
( Yes, it's important to get right to the point. No one has time for long winded introductions and explanations! But he supposes an explanation is still needed here so he sighs, running a hand through his hair, pushing back his bangs and scowling just a little, )
I visited a local smith and they were too rough. It felt more like a punishment than care… ( Really! It makes him shudder just thinking about it and he touches a thin scratch on his cheek, ) Eugh. My face still hurts…
( If the smith was going to handle his true form like that, they might as well have just slapped this human body across the face. )
It's a delicate blade and this is a… ( Hm, he doesn't want to have to explain everything right from the get go so he tries to find the right word, ) personal request.
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( Yes, these are good words, Freddybear. He gets +1 points in his favor with Tsurumaru. It seems promising, even, and Tsurumaru has an idea, )
Do you not know how to tend to your own weapons?
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[ Help him, sword-senpai. ]
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( It's something they could both benefit from. )
Of course, what I know is limited to the blades in my world and I'm not a smith myself. ( Japanese swords, specifically. He can't imagine the more particular techniques being much use for some of the western weapons he's seen here. ) But it never hurts to learn the basics, wouldn't you agree?
( Something has to carry over. )
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I suspect some of the weapons here might also be different from what I'm used to in Ylisse, thus making a broader scope of knowledge all the more necessary.
[ there's so much left to learn....how exciting. ]
In any case, is there some way I might be able to repay you for this knowledge?
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( It makes sense when you know the full context. )
Are you free now? I can meet you in Spei if it suits you.
hops over to action
I've found myself at something of a loss since arriving here.
[ no lords to dust, and all that. ]
Spei it is then.
I shall be there promptly.
[ C U SOON BUDDY....in like ten minutes as he ambles his way from the courtyard over to the workshops, still dressed in his bulky armor. Give him a minute to track down his mysterious benefactor...or just wave him over because he obviously looks out of place. ]
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He still tries to stay out of sight and keep an eye on the passing people to see if he can notice anyone looking around for anyone. You can usually tell when others are expecting something. Maybe... it's the big guy in the bigger armor? Sorry, Frederick, he's just... making you hang out about a minute... and then he'll quietly make his way around behind Frederick and call out very loudly, )
Oi, Freddy Bear!
( THIS IS ABSOLUTELY HOW HE TREATS SOMEONE HE NEEDS HELP FROM, YES. )
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Frederick startles, pivoting on one heel as he lowers into a more defensive stance in preparation for the worst. Unfortunately it means a protrusion on his armor slams into a piece perched haphazardly on the table and sends it clattering to the ground, drawing every face in the workshop towards him.
Ah, how embarrassing.
He barely has time to mumble an apology, the tips of his ears red, before he's turning his attention to this mysterious stranger—except he's not that mysterious at all. ]
Must you shout like that? [ People are WORKING here!! ] And it's Frederick, not Freddy-bear.
[ The distaste in his voice is palpable. ]
You must be [ what was the name again ] 'Tsoo-roo-mary'?
[ His Ylissean tongue was not made for Japanese names, gomen. ]
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And like a punk, he sort of just skips on over with the most satisfied grin. You signed up for this, Frederick. )
Were you surprised? ( Say yes, say yes, say yes. ) Ah, of course, of course, I forgot, Frederick.
( Not really but hey. A hand on his hip, he sort of just... looks at Frederick when he tries to say his name, though and he lets out a loud, bright laugh. Maybe a little too loud to be honest, )
Ha ha ha! Ma - Ru. ( The rest was close enough. He'll sound out his name for Frederick though, each syllable loud and clear, ) Tsu Ru Ma Ru Ku Ni Na Ga.
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[ Technically no one was accosting anyone else, but he's disgruntled, alright? After so many years of faithful service to the Exalt and her family, sure he deserves a break now, away from people who think playing practical jokes on him is hilarious.
But apparently not.
Sighing, he rubs the bridge of his nose. ]
Tsurumaru then. [ He says it slowly but at least the pronounciation is better now. ] Is that how you greet everyone you meet?
[ He doesn't like it if so!! ]
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( Who wouldn't be surprised? What a smart knight. He clearly gets it!!! Which means Tsurumaru also isn't getting the point Frederick is getting at... or at least, is ignoring it very well.
He holds his chin up high, )
Do you think I should start? ( It's much more fun than his usual introduction! ) It would certainly be memorable.
( You're giving him ideas, Frederick. )
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[ There's barely enough time for a breath after Tsurumaru finishes before Frederick's interjecting, panic evident in his eyes. Straightening, he smooths out the frayed edges of his emotions. ]
I think a simple hello and a handshake would suffice.
[ Whatever happened to good ol' fashioned customs and traditions....he misses them. But, hmmm, maybe if he demonstrates, this guy will get it. So he sticks out one hand, nodding his head in greeting. ]
Like so. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
[ An overstatement, technically, but he'll do it in the name of showing a good example. ]
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Oh. So we're doing it this way, huh? It's not that he's unfamiliar with the custom considering Mutsunokami is always going on about western things but. Hm. Well.
He holds out his hand to Frederick and takes it very uncertainly? If Frederick shakes it, he'll find that... Tsurumaru doesn't let go, either. )
... My, this is quite foward.
( THIS IS PDA, FRED. )
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Too bad his joy is short-lived as he gives Tsurumaru's hand a firm shake and then pulls away—or tries to. His hand, unfortunately, remains trapped. Frederick frowns, puzzled.
Perhaps this is a new custom for Tsurumaru? In that case... ]
Ah, you release hands once the handshake is complete. There's no need to hold on.
[ Pls....let go of him.... ]
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But this is Tsurumaru Kuninaga and like a curse, he can't be shaken off. In fact, he even clasps Frederick's hand in both of his and just
Pats his hand? Turns them over? Let him see? Is there armor in the way because boo, that doesn't help him but at least it makes a fun sound when he tap at it. Either, once he's finished with his inspection, he'll finally let go! )
Mm, I think it'll be fine. ( Much vague, very ominous. ) Well, then, this way.
( And he'll lead the way to a slightly more quieter place. Probably some area where people can try out their new weapons and talk to other like minded people. Not really a place to hang out in but it has a few places they can just sit so he'll lead him over to one of hose. )
Do you usually wear so much armor? Isn't it hard to move in? I could probably knock you onto your back and you would roll around like a turtle...
( Ah. That's actually. A good idea. Somewhere in Tsurumaru's mind is a file called "How to Surprise Freddy Bear" and "Knock him over like a turtle" is now on his list. )
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One second passes, and then another, and then just when Frederick can feel his nerves jangling underneath—he's being inspected?? At the very least, he can only assume it's something along those lines from the way Tsurumaru gazes and peers, turning his hand every which way. ]
I beg your pardon—please, if you could just release me—I assure you I have nothing tucked up my sleeve—
[ And then without warning he's free, left standing behind to gape as Tsurumaru ambles off with nary more than a wave for him to follow.
Frederick barely waits for them to be settled before he's opening his mouth again, consternation scrawled all over his face. ]
I thought we had agreed to a lesson here, not...whatever this strange interrogation is.
[ He's not going to answer those questions about his armor, he has the right to remain silent!! ]
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He doesn't mind the resistance he gets, instead, he really just keeps grinning, )
Is it? Taking care of weapons isn't too different from taking care of armor. ( If someone can maintain their armor and keep it in good condition, it makes it easier for him to reach them how to tend to their weapons, really. ) I've never seen armor like this before... it looks difficult to move in.
( Way to hard to move around in for his preference but he can see the advantages. )
Ah, but look at it! I don't think my sword would be able to get through it easily at all. ( Just casually talking about how he'd come at Frederick, ) I'd have to take off your head!
( This is fine. A totally normal conversation. )
... But you're right, this isn't why what we arranged to discuss.
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Is this a threat? Has he, unknowingly, offended this man somehow despite having never spoken to him before the events of today?
Frederick squints at Tsurumaru, but can find no evidence of any malice in the bright smile and enthusiastic tone. Perhaps this man is just a strange fellow, in the same way that Henry is a strange fellow, constantly spouting nonsense about curses and hexes. Still, better safe than sorry. ]
I serve as the deputy of the Shepherd's and as a protector of the halidom of Ylisse. Naturally I must keep my weapons and armor well-maintained. I welcome a spar with you any day, but I would prefer if you left my head intact.
[ Please, he needs it. He has so much dusting and embroidery to do. ]
But I suppose you have a point. Maintenance of many things boils down to a few shared commonalities. If you require a description of my routine before beginning, I would be happy to provide it.
[ It'll take him an hour to list out everything though. ]
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That sure is a lot of nonsense words that make zero sense to him, though! Shepherds? Halidom of Ylisse? Are they supposed to mean something to him? Well, he'd certainly said it with such confidence and pride that it must be something important!
He stretches out his legs in front of him and leans forward, watching Frederick with bright and curious eyes. It's not the sort of curiosity one has when they're interested in something, though. It's more like the look an animal might give when it's deciding what to make of something new. )
Will you tell me how you begin from sunrise to sunset? ( The seriousness reminds him of Mitsutada. They must be the same in some ways. ) I think this will suffice.
( Congratulations, Frederick! You passed whatever whim Tsurumaru is feeling right now and he reaches to take his sword, holding it out to Frederick. It looks more ornamental than practical in it's sheath and in FE terms, it probably looks like a longer and fancier killing edge, )
Back home, it's rare to see the blade. It's even rarer to be allowed to handle it.
( Translation: Be careful. )
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Frederick stays stock still as Tsurumaru stares, his spine held straight as he does his best to remain calm under the circumstances. That look is familiar to him, the root of one of his irrational fears and the beginning of his path here to Fellden. (Thanks, no thanks, strange wolf god creature.)
...And he continues to remain still, even after Tsurumaru relaxes and draws forth his sword. The craftsmanship is clear even from this distance, though Frederick does lean forward to catch a better glimpse of the details.
He doesn't take hold of it just yet, however. ]
I'm honored that you would allow me to see it at such close distance. Is it one of a kind, made by a master swordsmith?
[ Give him the deets. ]
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His expression lights up, though! It's a pretty sudden and drastic switch from how he was looking just a second ago. )
You can tell! ( He's impressed! But this is good, it means he has a good eye and if he can get him to apply it to the task at hand, then the pay off would be good. ) That's right.
Forged by the smith, Gojou Kuninaga thousand years ago. He was the disciple of the master smith, Sanjou Munechika, and in turn, became a master himself. ( Note: Tsurumaru had also introduced himself as Tsurumaru Kuninaga so maybe there's a relation there! But he isn't finished yet, ) This one is considered his greatest work and one of the greatest in the country.
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But also—Gojou Kuninaga? Sanjou Munechika?? The unfamiliar names jangle through his head, foreign despite his best attempts to smooth out the syllables.
One thing's for sure though— ]
You must be quite the talented swordsman, to possess such a celebrated sword.
[ The words are genuine, bolstered by the gleam in Frederick's eye and the way his stance changes ever so slightly, from wary to appreciative. ]
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(There might be a bit of a lilt to his voice, like someone who knows something more than they're letting on.)
You could also say I'm a bit of a natural.