caughtinanetwork | [076]

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[076] - [Video]

[When Mitsuhide turns the feed on, he is sat on his desk. The SFC shows the inkwells and art tools resting on it, as well as the piece of parchment he is working on. When satisfied that the feed shows himself properly, Mitsuhide nods, and picks up his brush again.]

On the 26th, it is Tama's birthday... well. Gracia's birthday. That is the name the rest of you use for her, isn't it? I suppose Tama is something reserved only for my use, but I have now used it often enough that I forget, sometimes.

[He lowers a gaze and starts to work again.]

I say this so that her friends know, and so she can tell me how she might wish to celebrate. So, my girl? What is your wish?

[Mitsuhide grows silent then, but leaves the feed turned on for a few minutes until he puts his brush to the side again, examines his work and smiles softly. After waiting another few moments his gaze meets the SFC's camera again.]

You know, Vatheon, many of you are incredibly talented artists. I cannot say I often indulge in the more visual arts, but the amount of lovely paintings I have seen lately has made me want to.

[He holds the piece of parchment up for all to see. It's an ink-wash painting depicting a young lady sat on a box in the middle of a forest, a bunch of flowers in her hands; anyone who knows Gracia would recognise it as her.]

What do you think of my latest effort?

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"Tama"? You... use a different name for her than everybody else? How unusual...

[Earthlings and their strange customs... Gorthan only thought he had gone past the phase where he would learn a handful of them every day. In any case... he blinks at the feed a little, examining Mitsuhide's painting.]

How very skillful, Mitsuhide. Is it a present for her?

I would like to pay homage to her in some way as well. But I do not have the slightest idea as to what she may appreciate.

That is her true name, her birth name. From what she told me, Gracia is a name her mother gave her; her mother was not of Japanese blood, and thus gave Tama a second name that fit her own culture.

[Mitsuhide doesn't know more than that, really, and feels it is rude to ask. His child had mentioned that his self from her world had raised her alone, which implies the Lady Akechi had passed away.]

[He doesn't want to bring up painful memories for Tama at all.]

It is not. I am merely practising right now, and using familiar subjects.

[Mitsuhide continues to paint on a new piece of parchment, smiling softly.]]

She enjoys learning about... most things, really. Tama is an inquisitve young woman. If you indulge that love of discovery she has, I am sure she would appreciate it.

[While Gorthan would like to have more to say on the name matter, because it seems important somehow, he really doesn't. He even lacks the necessary knowledge to be able to tell at first glance that the names are from two distinct cultures. So he will make no further comment on that.]

So was she posing for you? If that is the case, I suppose only her father could get her to sit still for that long.

A-are you perhaps painting right now... ?

[He seems curious as well as cautious. Surely the process of the creation of a work involves something that eludes definition, something almost mystical which Gorthan isn't acquainted with...]

I am not sure whether I still enjoy discovery. My destiny, when I was born, was to be a scientist, and for a time, I did pursue that career. Now, sometimes, I simply feel I know too much for my own good...

[A slow, heavy sigh.]

But I suppose one should nurture and reward enthusiasm for as long as it exists.

A scientist...

[That is what the 'other' Gorthan he'd seen in that dream had identified himself as, right? Mitsuhide hums thoughtfully to himself. He has seen the side of Gorthan that seeks to know, that appreciates the arts. Perhaps commenting on that, for now, would be a bad idea. So he says nothing further on the topic, instead taking a different approach.]

She was not posing for me. I painted that image using memory and imagination; what you see is something that never happened anywhere but on this piece of parchment.

[His smile grows soft.]

Yes... I am painting right now. Do you wish to see?

Ah, that is... that is outstanding.

[Works of art are so rare where Gorthan is from. To him, such things have almost a sacred aura about them, one that he feels intimidated by.]

I... I do wish to see, if it is not a problem.

... Your daughter told me that she and I are friends. Such a notion... I am not sure if I can accept it. For one of my race, it is simply inappropriate. And yet...

Of course it's not.

[Mitsuhide smiles, and reaches out to pick up the SFC. He raises it, places it on a higher surface (perhaps a shelf) and tilts the feed so it is facing downwards at an angle. In this manner the painting is visible.]

[The samurai is currently painting Motochika. It's very obviously him, even though the piece of art is far from complete; the hair and outline of a shamisen make that very evident. When satisfied Gorthan can see, Mitsuhide resumes painting.]

And yet?

[A soft laugh.]

My Lord, would you be offended at all by the notion of a painting of yourself?

[Gorthan's blue eyes, large and curious, are pretty much all that his feed is showing right now. He's absolutely captivated by Mitsuhide's action.]

That is your Lord Motochika... is that correct? And he is carrying... a musical instrument? How fascinating...

What I meant to say is that perhaps... I do need a friend. This is a mysterious, sometimes dangerous world, and thus... sound ties between individuals are a valuable asset.

[At Mitsuhide's suggestion, Gorthan's eyes light up with a different and somewhat less pleasant emotion. After all, he would not have gotten where he is in life if he did not possess a narcissistic side. One that age has dulled, of course... but it's definitely still there.]

"Offended"? Of course not.

The Zotnams have sculptures and paintings dedicated to them. I... I am afraid I do not have much so far. Such a painting would be a pioneer work, the first of many. Quite frankly, I do not see why not.

Yes, that is correct.

[Mitsuhide likes to talk about Motochika; a natural thing, for one in love. It may show as he continues to speak, a certain light obvious in his eyes.]

That instrument is called a shamisen. He is never without it, and not just because he is a masterful musician. It is his weapon too; he can use it simply as a kind of club, or summon energy by playing certain notes on it. As unique a weapon as he is a unique soul.

[The samurai's gaze flickers upwards for a moment, and he pauses briefly.]

That is a good philosophy.

[His question was actually related to that, though it was not at all obvious beforehand. Apparently taking no notice of that narcissistic streak, the samurai continues with:]

This is not quite the same kind of thing. I am no professional; I have merely chosen to practise my painting by drawing those I have formed bonds with, be they platonic, familial, or in my Lord Motochika's case... well, you know.

[Mitsuhide drops his eyes to his painting again, and begins to fill in the details of Motochika's face.]

I have, in fact, painted you already. Had you not approved of this, I would have discarded the image.

[In that pile next to him nestles the piece of art he is referring to (along with individual ones of other friends, a few each for Kohaku and Gracia, and more than a few for Motochika).]

[As Mitsuhide talks about Motochika, there's a small grunting noise coming from Gorthan. He closes his eyes for a moment and starts forcing himself to take slow, deep breaths. And as soon as Mitsuhide is done with that part, Gorthan explains. ... Or at least tries to.]

Hearing you speak in such a way can only make my hunger grow, Mitsuhide.

That said. ... Ah, it's already done?

[He... doesn't seem to know how to react to this. He's certainly surprised. If he doesn't ask Mitsuhide to show it to him, it is out of fear that he will have to interrupt his work.]

... Thank you, Mitsuhide.

[And after that, once again, his smile and expression become just a little less pleasant.]

Out of curiosity. Tell me, what does it feel like, to paint the man who, in one of many possible futures, will someday rule the land that you devoted your life to?

I... apologise.

[The samurai looks a touch embarassed, but he knows one thing very well:]

I cannot remove such feelings from my heart when he comes into my head. As before, I appreciate how difficult it must be to be around me, at times

[Mitsuhide looks thoughtful for a few seconds, still painting all the while, but it doesn't really take him long to come up with an answer. He is a man of emotion; he feels strongly. This ensures that when he has no particular feelings about something, it does not take him long to figure it out.]

I cannot say I feel anything about it, in those terms. It would do no good to dwell on one possible fate in one universe that I can do nothing about, that I will never see. I can only take care of those universes open to me, in the time period I dwell in.

I know you cannot. To do so would be going against your nature as an earthling. I may speak against love sometimes, for I cannot fathom its significance to those who are capable of it. But the truth is that I feel respect for its power. How it can inspire a warrior. How it can nourish the troops of Evron.

[There is a small pause, during which he fetches an ornate goblet, a strange kind of dense and glowing smoke billowing from it, and takes a sip of its contents. Maybe it's best not to ask what said contents are.]

And yet you like to envision the future of your land, do you not? What is the vision you have in your mind, exactly?

...in the world I came from, I am certain in but a few years, one of two men will rule the land; Tokugawa Ieyasu, or Hashiba Hideyoshi.

[Mitsuhide's voice has grown incredibly soft and quiet. He has nothing against Hideyoshi, despite the man's hatred for him, and knows he will be a kinder ruler than Nobunaga could ever have been.]

[And Ieyasu kinder still.]

[But if Mitsuhide knows his old friend as well as he thinks he does, then one possible fate is more likely than the other.]

More than likely the latter. Either would treat their people well.

[He shakes his head.]

I want my country to experience peace in its future. Too many years have been spent waging war and causing suffering.

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[076] - [Video]

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