( 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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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.