A Blessed Master

A Blessed Master

• Related Event: Fortune from Afar/June 2019
• Release Date: June 30, 2019
• Featured Characters: Botan, Sazanka, Addis, Ieyasu

Dialogue

Sazanka: Then I bundle your hair together and... There. Finished.

Botan: Aw, it looks GREAT! Thanks, Sazanka!

Sazanka: You are quite welcome. But whatever made you ask me to style your hair?

Sazanka: You are more than capable of creating this look on your own now.

Botan: Yeah, but you're better at it than me. Plus, having you fiddle with my 'do sorta reminds me of old times.

Botan: I mean, it's been a while since you worked your magic on my noggin.

Sazanka: Yes, it has been some time indeed. You were yet quite small, as I remember.

Sazanka: For me, it brings back memories of how we played together when you used to come to Master Ieyasu's mansion.

Sazanka: You have no idea how worried I was when you up and left here of your own accord.

Sazanka: I am glad the both of you are all right.

Botan: Yeah, sorry for worrying you like that.

Sazanka: If anyone ought be apologizing, it is I.

Botan: Why's that?

Sazanka: Because I knew information you did not—including that those who lead the Wyrmclans have shortened lives.

Botan: ......

Sazanka: Yet I chose to prioritize Master Ieyasu's feelings over your own.

Sazanka: I cannot say enough how sorry I am; I knew you would be hurt, yet did nothing. Sadly, I did not even do anything to help Master Ieyasu himself.

Botan: What do you mean?

Sazanka: He has been a model Wyrmclan leader since he took on the responsibility.

Sazanka: Yet I could not help but notice a tinge of loneliness hidden beneath his smile.

Botan: Heh. Trying to shoulder every burden by his lonesome HAS always been one of his bad points.

Sazanka: Doubtless that is how he believes a leader should behave.

Sazanka: But when he chose to bottle up his fears and doubts, I could do nothing to ease his suffering. This makes me a true failure as a retainer.

Sazanka: I could see all of it happening, yet did nothing to help.

Botan: Hey, I'll be back in a bit, okay?

Sazanka: Hmm? Where are you going?

Botan: I'm gonna smack Ieyasu on the head!

Sazanka: You are going to...what?! Botan, wait!

Botan: Don't try and stop me! He made you super worried, and that is UNFORGIVABLE!

Botan: And there's nothing better than a dope slap for a dope like that!

Sazanka: Stop this instant, or it is YOU who will be receiving a...um..."dope slap."

Botan: Eeep! Okay, I stopped!

Sazanka: I am, of course, pleased that you are so concerned for me, but this is simply a consequence of my own ineptitude.

Sazanka: You must not blame Master Ieyasu.

Botan: Yeah, okay—but if I don't blame him, then you don't get to blame yourself!

Sazanka: How do you figure?

Botan: Because I think respecting his decision and just silently watching over him was what he actually WANTED.

Botan: Meanwhile, I was just thinking of myself like a big selfish jerk-o.

Sazanka: Perhaps so—but I think that selfishness helped him more than you realize.

Sazanka: It has been quite some time since I last saw him so truly happy.

Sazanka: I owe that to you, Botan.

Botan: Oh, please! I just did what my selfish little heart told me to do.

Botan: ...Buuuut if that DID end up helping him, then maybe coming after him wasn't such a bad choice after all.

Sazanka: I am very happy that you did.

Botan: Heh. He really is a LOT of work.

Botan: Still, since making work for you is apparently my jam now, can I ask a favor?

Sazanka: What is it?

Botan: Keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't bottle everything up again.

Botan: You're the one who's closest to him, so you seem like the right lady for the job.

Sazanka: Of course, Botan. Happily.

Sazanka: I'll not let him be burdened by sadness ever again.

Botan: Aw, I knew I could count on you.

Botan: Oh! You're making rice porridge for dinner tonight, right?

Botan: Lemme help. I need to do SOMETHING in return for you helping me!

Sazanka: There is no need for you to thank me. Also, you are not the most...adept of chefs.

Botan: Aw, c'mon! How hard can it be? Just lemme help, okay? Pleeeease?

Addis: ......

Ieyasu: Eavesdropping on young women is not exactly gentlemanly behavior, Addis.

Addis: Yeah, but since you're standin' here, I'm guessin' you listened as well.

Ieyasu: I did not intend to—I simply could not help myself.

Ieyasu: I was not aware that my behavior was distressing the two of them so.

Addis: Sazanka's been keepin' peepers on you for a long time now.

Addis: No surprise she'd notice a change. You're lucky to have her.

Ieyasu: I am indeed.

Addis: Hey, and not to take a page outta Botan's book, but keepin' everything to yourself ain't exactly the best idea in the world.

Addis: That's what you got us for.

Ieyasu: I shall strive to remember that.

Addis: Good.

Ieyasu: Now, let us go forth and undertake our next trial together: Botan's cooking.

Addis: I'm hopin' Sazanka secretly does all the cookin' and throws her stuff out.

Ieyasu: Ha ha ha!

Ieyasu: I am truly fortunate to have such fine retainers and friends.

Ieyasu: No man is an island—and indeed, I am as mighty as a continent with the three of you at my side.

The End