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video; un: lookingforshinsengumi

U-Um..

[ When the video starts, the girl visible looks clearly shaken up. She's looking a little pale, but it mostly seems to be since she's scared - since it matches the way her eyes look wider than usually, and the way she's breathing a little hard, like she's been running around for a while now. There's even some drops of sweat at her temples because of it. ]

I'm sorry to bother everyone. [ Despite her state, it's like she somehow can't help but mutter those words first, even offering a faintly apologetic bow of her head before she quickly glances around her and then speaks on. ] But, I-- I.. think I'm in danger, and I don't know what to do about it..

[ A valid reason to ask a question on here, one might say, and yet Chizuru seems so awkward about it all the same. ]

The other day I started seeing ghosts here around town. Um, ghosts I.. I recognize. I'm not sure if they're ghosts, but I can't imagine what else they'd be.. [ Because it's clearly not those people actually being there. ] At first it was just me seeing them and nothing else, but now every time I see one, they rush towards me to try and attack me. It's..

[ She hesitates, but then admits, helplessly, stammering-- ]

It's scary. It's really scary.. Has anyone else experienced this? Or.. what should I do..? I really don't know..

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O-Okay!

[ Chizuru doesn't seem to hesitate for a moment when it comes to following the other. If Iskandar starts walking, then Chizuru makes sure to quickly catch up with him until she's walking right by his side, following him away from the outskirts of the city. ]

Um.. do you really think those books will be able to help us..? [ As Chizuru is asking that though, she's staring at the man.

Which means she's definitely not noticing that there's something appearing on the path right ahead of them. It's a shimmery figure, like a true ghost, but it's definitely shaped like a person. ]

I know not of any oracle nor priests to the Pthumerians who we could ask for guidance, but there's a library, and it is impressive. From my experience, problems of non-material or mystical nature are best solved consulting an oracle. Since we do not have an oracle at our disposal, tomes of knowledge are the second-best choice.

[Iskandar has noticed the shimmery silhouette too. He makes no move or does not address it yet, just makes sure he's between the figure and the girl, so he could intercept any hostility if it came to that.]

[ Chizuru lets out a soft, impressed sound.. She's just kind of amazed, both by the man's knowledge, but also the confidence he uses to speak about it. ]

I've never used an oracle before.. [ She admits, though if he has so much faith in them, then they ought to be good options - it's too bad it's not really an option they have here.

And while Chizuru looks like she's about to speak on, it's then that she turns her head to look back in front of them, noticing the ghost..

.. and letting out a yelp as her hands move to cling onto Iskandar's arm. It's mostly just instinct since she's startled.. ]

I-I didn't know one of them appeared again..!

They are not always very reliable, but nevertheless helpful. Pity, we can't consult one here. It would have made a lot things easier here. Alas, we don't, so we must do with what we have.

[That being a library. Iskandar's hope is that he can navigate the building without Waver's help. Not that calling for such help is beneath him. Quite the contrary. Foolish is one who thinks they'll never need aid from another, and King of Conquerors is no fool. But that would take time, and he feels time might of the essence here.]

It did. As long as it keeps it distance, I think it's best not to show we have noticed him. [He lifts his hand to cover her small hand with his own. Letting her cling to him if that's what makes her feel safer.] Fear not, if his intentions turn out to be ill, I shall deal with it.

[The confidence in his words might be a bit over the top, but it serves a purpose. He is here to protect as promised. Even if he doesn't have a practical solution for the problem just yet, he's sure to at least stand in its way.]

Do you think it works that way..?

[ Her voice is definitely dropping to something close to whisper levels here. Just loud enough for Iskandar to be able to hear her, but not loud enough for anyone else around to be able to pick up on.

Mind you, it's not his ability to keep people safe she's questioning. He is a giant of a man next to her, especially since Chizuru is already pretty tiny by normal people standards.. She can tell that he's someone who has done this before, especially with the way he just oozes confidence.

No, what she's questioning here, or maybe is just worried about, is-- ]

Do you really think it'll leave us alone as long as we leave it alone? I don't think that really worked before.. [ Not for her, anyway. They always end up inevitably attacking her, hence why her worry is still present in this moment. ]

That cannot be said for certain. It might. I count on the fact that given you're not alone now, it will reconsider. It's one thing to attack a solitary person, another one entirely to attack a company. Even if it's only a company of two.

[It's not the first time Iskandar has faced a potential enemy he had no idea how to fight. He'd rather not fight at all. Both, because it's just better to leave that response for the actual horrors - this place has plenty of them - and because of who those apparitions might represent. He meant what he said though, if the ghost decided to attack, he will react.]

If it still wanted to fight, I can respond in kind.

[ Chizuru slowly nods. ]

Okay.. I'll trust you then.

[ It's hard not to. After all, Iskandar has got that kind of natural confidence about him. And with how litte confidence Chizuru has in turn, it's hard to not just follow the opinion of the person projecting it more confidently here.

But even with her deciding to trust him, she still can't help but say: ]

Please be careful though if the ghost does do something. I-I mean.. I'm sure you're really strong. [ Just look at Iskandar's sheer size, and that's even still without taking combat skills into account on top of it. ] But the men of the Shinsengumi are some of the best swordfighters around in the place I come from..

[ So she definitely doesn't want him accidentally underestimating the potential combat. Mostly because she doesn't want Iskandar to get hurt protecting her.. ]

[Uh...oh... The way she said that sounded almost like a challenge. To Iskandar at least. He loves nothing more - well, almost nothing more - than to match his strength against a worthy opponent.]

I must admit, I feel somewhat ashamed now for the want to cross blades with them. I should hope this won't be needed, but I cannot deny I'd love to see their skill.

[He is embarrassed, he really is. Still though, he cannot help it that his blood sings at her words. "The best swordfighters around in the place I come from" What kind of men they must have been...]

Will you be so kind as to tell me something more about ... eh... [Iskandar scratches his chin. Now, he really did it. There is a reason this is a ghost, so most likely not connected to the happiest memories...] Do forgive me the intrusion. My curiosity gets the better of me way too often.

.. huh?

[ It's a soft, tiny noise on her end. Like Chizuru is faintly, yet genuinely surprised by the fact that this is Iskandar's first thought upon saying any of this.. He really must be a strong person after all, if his mind would go there right away. ]

Well.. [ On the other hand, Chizuru has a hard time ever really refusing anyone anything unless it's for their own wellbeing, so it's not like she could refuse to tell him right here and now. ] It's alright. The Shinsengumi.. they're a group of men appointed by the shougun to help protect Kyoto.

[ Which isn't really the job description at this point in time anymore, but it feels easier to fall back on that. On simpler times. ]

That man that appeared.. That's Toshizou Hijikata, their vice-commander. I am his page.

Ahhh... I see. They sound like valiant and virtuous men.

[Iskandar doesn't know who a page is, but the title is framed, he suspects it is some kind of personal assistant. Quite the respectable position. Here was assuming all kinds of things about the girl, and yet did not think even for a moment she could hold one. How one can never judge a person by their first impression.]

Oho! My apologies, I wouldn't have taken you for a warrior of rank!

[As they walk in the direction of the city, a quite leisurely stroll not to provoke the ghost, Iskandar can tell that while the ghosts keeps his distance yet, he's also getting more and more restless. The confrontation might be inevitable.]

[ Chizuru's jaw drops, and she shakes her head. She's clearly shocked, though she at least still manages to walk on. ]

O-Oh, no! I mean.. I wouldn't refer to myself that way..! I mean, being a page isn't exactly a very high or honorable title..!

[ And the last thing she'd want to go is give this poor man the wrong impression of her. Chizuru wouldn't consider herself even a warrior in the first place. Just.. a helper.

But just as she says that, there's a sound from behind them, where the ghost is. It's unmistakably the sound of a sword being pulled out of its sheath.

And it leaves very little time to react before the ghost is already charging at them from behind with its sword drawn, ready to strike. ]

[That makes more sense given her lack of proficiency with weapons. Still, many roles are necessary for any successful operation. Not only the fighters, but supply people, healers, seers, camp servants. A general can lead no army when there's no one to cook food, gather timber, bring water or take care of the horses. So there's genuine interest in Iskandar's voice when he asks.]

What does a page do then? Is it someone akin to a secretary?

[But he doesn't get a chance to hear the answer. Iskandar turns around to face the enemy, his own sword drawn, ready to block any incoming blow. There needs to be no conscious decision involved, his instinct, honed by the years of waging wars, unerringly tells him what to do and how to react. Iskandar never fought a ghost before, but a man with a sword is a man with a sword. A weapon remains a weapon, no matter if the man wielding it is alive or not. Or at least that what he assumes. But they're bound to learn soon enough if he's correct with this particular assumptions.]

[ Thankfully Iskandar is right enough. Even though the being attacking them in this moment is a ghost, it seems to be acting very much like a person would. Which means that the swords don't pass through each other, nor that anything else special happens. What does happen is pretty much what anyone would expect from a clash like this - the swords meeting each other, Iskandar's sword blocking the blow of the swing of the ghost's own sword.

The sound is enough to make Chizuru's attention turn towards the clash as well, only now seeming to realise how close they got to being attacked. The girl gasps, her hands moving up to cover her mouth in shock as she watches the ghost pull the sword back from the block, only to try and swing it again.

If Iskandar pays close attention though, it does look like the ghost isn't trying to swing at him. The ghost seems to be trying to move past him, towards where Chizuru is standing, like it's single-mindedly honing in on its chosen target. ]

[Iskandar is very aware he is not the target, only an obstacle. Yet, he is an obstacle both very large and surprisingly swift for a man of his size. He fully intends to remain exactly that all the way up to the city's library, if that's what will be needed.
He considers it quite advantageous that his blade is able to block the ghost's sword. At least it gives him means to shield the girl behind him from the attacks.]

Do not halt. We need to retreat, even if slowly. Reaching the city is our only way of finding a solution to this problem.

[As if on command, a large, golden lion appears next to Chizuru. The beast weaves around her knees, nudging at her shins with a soft jingle of its metallic fur. Iskandar slides to the side to block yet another blow. Gods above, isn't this spirit persistent.]

Be not afraid. This is my omen, Chrysokomes. It will protect you, too.

[ At first the appearance of the lion is a little frightening. Even though Chizuru does recognize that it's got to be the man's Omen if it is being summoned in such a way, it's still a lion, a creature Chizuru has only heard of before, rather than actually seeing one in person. It makes it feel a little like being faced with a mythological animal in the middle of the street, and it threatens to make her freeze up.

.. but when Iskandar says that the creature will protect her, Chizuru dares to reach out a hand, gently touching its fur. Something about that does make her feel a tad more confident in the situation - if not just because the Omen seems to be so much like Iskandar himself. Strong, confident. Ready to protect.

The girl does manage to take a few steps, following the other's command to keep retreating, but it's still slow, a little hesitant. Maybe she's worried about taking her eyes off the ghost, that's still continuing to slash at Iskandar, seeming to not relent, even if it is being blocked each time. ]

.. could you do that and retreat at the same time..? [ Chizuru asks, softly.

Worried.

Because she knows that even if this is only a ghostly version of someone she cares about, it's still a great swordsman. Chizuru isn't too sure whether or not Iskandar could truly multitask like that, when there's so much at stake. ]

I-- [ She stares, then swallows thickly. The situation is scary, but she's trying her best to be strong. ] I don't want to leave you behind.

[ It wouldn't be fair, not when Iskandar is doing his best to protect her. Even though he doesn't even have to, since it's not his problem. ]

Worry not! It is not uncommon for an army to need to retreat to gain a more favourable position in battle.

[Each of his words is punctuated now by the sound of metal meeting metal. The girl did not exaggerate. Her commander, or rather the ghost of him, is a formidable swordsman.]

The secret to a successful retreat is to know your opponent and have a plan.

[While he can't spare focus to look if she's listening, he does make a small step back. It might look as if he's giving up ground, where in fact, it's moving them in the direction he planned. A living human would have noticed, but a ghost is too single-minded for strategy.]

In here, we are in possession of both.

[ Chizuru doesn't move. Not initially. She's far too worried about leaving Iskandar behind with the ghost, no matter how capable the man seems to be.

But then he seems to retreat, even if it's just that single step.. and that's what makes Chizuru try to trust him. She takes a quick few steps backwards too, putting more distance between her and the two clashing warriors - though that seems to aggravate the ghost only further, as it tries to slash even more desperately to try and get around Iskandar.

Fortunately it definitely is still a single-minded ghost, which means it doesn't seem like it's trying to do anything other than that. It's still trying to go for the straight line to Chizuru--

-- which is exactly where Iskandar is standing, so the ghost keeps focusing its attention on him. ]

Sir, I'm-- I'm going, don't worry about me! [ She'll try to retreat a little ahead of them. Enough to still see him and make sure he's okay, but far enough so he won't have to turn to look at her to see whether she's following the plan, or-- ] Don't worry about me..!

[ She'd rather he'd focus on the fight, considering she feels like the ghost really could hurt him if given the chance to do so. ]

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video; un: lookingforshinsengumi

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