Sophia smiles, “Thank you, Bushi-dono, for the compliment. I look forward to us working together. There should be some place safe we can go…” The new knight would probably alarm most people, but they certainly couldn’t stand around in Lance’s territory. Hopefully, there would be a park nearby that was quiet enough.

She blinks and frowns as Lance mentions a fight. “Can we avoid that outcome?” She gives a nod about explaining the situation. “Yes, I’ll Bushi-dono know.” She waves back before turning her attention to the new knight. “I think we ought to get out of his territory. Even if the things we want aren’t the same, Evans-dono has been very welcoming and kind to me. I rather we never had to come to blows with him.”

Starting to walk out of the Shinjuku area and away from people, she asks, “What did you wish to discuss first?”

The chin of the masked figure lowered again, telling of the thought behind his hesitant reply. "... I have seen many things; things that would drive other men to madness. I have become something that once I was not. Worst of all, I am not afraid. I embrace these sudden changes as a second nature, despite how foreign they are to me. "

The silvery strands of hair on his scalp and his lip fluttered as a truck passed them by. Realization washed over him, the same way the wind whisked across his iron cheeks. "Our fates are the same, even if our forms are different. I can only wonder if I share the same duties. It is better to form an ally, than to lose your life and your mind to greed and ambition. Though, I am virtually cornered into your people's open arms; I must, for my own sake, know the values of those that I entrust my life. So, I have to ask of you; from your own perspective,"

His grey, iron face turned to her, the holes where his eyes peered were black with shadow. The stern, soulless look the mask was largely contrasting to the soft, and desperately curious voice that quizzed her,

"... what does it mean, to be a 'Senshi'; to be a 'Knight'?"

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

Sophia wonders just how old the soul of this knight was, speaking vaguely of his past. Could he be like Peter, a memory of another time and place and lost in this new world that existed in.

Bushi-dono’s words were thoughtful, and he seemed uncertain despite the confident aura that surrounded him. Sophia gives a soft smile, “It would be a lie for me to say that we are the only path. I do not believe in fate and destiny. Life is what we make of it, and there are always other options available to us. That being said, if you choose to entrust your life to me, I will do my best to not let you down. As for what it means to be a senshi and knight, I think it is different for all of us, so I only speak for myself.”

“I see myself as a servant to the world in some ways. I want to see that all people can live in safety and happiness. It is my duty to protect and save everyone that I can. I include humanity and the youma in that sentiment. That being said, I can not stand idly as one side attacks another. It is my duty to protect, after all. Ultimately, I would like to help build a world where both can coexist in peace.”

With that, the stern, emotionless mask wore away; as the boy behind it slipped back into being himself. The transition was smooth, and seamless; his Knight-form washing away, as if his imagination were all that was keeping his powers alive. There was what he was expected to be, and who he was. A deep, thoughtful sadness ripped away at his heart as he played with her words in the back of his mind.

"... and what a world it'd be," Nobu added, almost tortured by his inability to accept that such a fate would be his to witness. "I don't believe we live in a world that's prepared to make something like that possible," he commented with a sigh. "... but I can't blame you for trying. Someone needs to stand for hope -- for change and ideals... even if there aren't enough people to make a difference -- there needs to be someone that thinks of it -- just so that idea lives on to be considered by others."

Nobu wondered if he was relating to her struggles to personally; perhaps her words touched his heart in a way he never thought possible. These were extraordinary circumstances that offered an amazing opportunity to explore himself, but he was simply afraid that his efforts might only lead him to disappointment. 

"I'll help you find your peaceful solution -- but peace only truly benefits the losing party. Peace is a warlord's best time to regain his forces. I don't even know what we're fighting, but my heart belongs to my people, before any sort of... ice... monster... thing. Don't expect me to help you find peace if our struggle to survive has already been won."

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

Sophia blinks as the knight changes back into boy and then gives a warm smile. “Well, I have met Bushi-dono, but you don’t appear to be the same. What is your name?” she asks. These changing personalities had become a common phenomena for her, and it no longer disturbed nor worried her.

“Why can’t we make the impossible happen? I found out a month ago that magic is real. I’ve seen people come back from the dead. I’ve seen a man saved from eternal torment. Why can’t we make a better world?” she asks.

She gives a nod as he says he wasn’t going to attempt to find peace. “In truth, I don’t expect you or most of my friends to. It is my goal and wish though. And I hope I can find a way. Even if we are one the winning side, then I will seek it out.” It was her burden and maybe hers alone. It was what she brought to the team, supposedly.

The strangest sensation flushed over the poor boy. Blank confusion riddled his face as she spoke to him. "I -- Bushi-who? Didn't I already tell you to call me Nobu..?"

Nobu's confusion would likely only cause poor Sophia more frustration. The poor lad didn't know that he transformed. The whole time, he thought he was just himself. What he called 'Bushi-dono' was only a collection of his repressed emotions and genetic heritaige. Delusion, illusion, justification; the only ways that such demanding and violent thoughts would arise in his heart. He acted like a different person, but as far as he knew, he was no different from his regular self.

"Whatever," Nobu dismissed, "... that's not important. I'll help you out, regardless." Nobu simply blinked a few times, forgetting his troubles as his stomach grumbled. "Hey, so. Enough about that. Did you want to go to Lotteria and get a Ramen-Burger?"

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

Oddly, the girl isn’t frustrated. Sophia nods, “Sorry, Nobu. I don’t understand why I got mixed up.” Evidently, Nobu didn’t remember Bushi-dono like Lance remembered Soma. Oh well. It didn’t seem Nobu was bothered by the alternate personality or even noticed it.

There is pause and Nobu’s growling stomach fills the silence. She nods when he asks for food. “Yeah, I was just thinking about lunch. I don’t think I’ve ever had a ramen-burger before though.” She gestures in front of her, “Lead the way.”