What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

The Keeper of Time

The grilling started after breakfast, and after Yamazaki chased the captains away from the engawa beside Kondō's office.

Fukuchō was in the process of filing in Kondō-san about last night's events when Chizuru popped up with tea. Our Captain looked literally stunned; he had spent the night at his mistress, and therefore, missed the entire confrontation. It was just as well; we'd been very lucky to keep all of our limbs.

Too many men of the Rasetsu unit were dead. Fortunately, aside from bruises and scratches, all the captains were safe and sound. As for me, it wasn't the bruise on my hip neither the gravel embedded in my forearm that had kept me awake. I was fed up with trying to earn the trust of the Shinsengumi's commanders. Actually, if I was true to myself, I was fed up with Hijikata's walls. Why I wanted him to unthaw was a mistery, but damn ... he reminded me of Tristan so much, sometimes, that my heart ached.

As the three men – Sanan had remained silent, but his grey eyes were sharp – conversed in low tones, I watched the young woman currently tipping the teapot. She served Kondō-san first, as per the etiquette; he was Kyokuchō after all. Then, she handed a cup of steaming liquid to Hijikata. Mesmerised, I watched his stern feature soften for a second as he nodded to Chizuru.

"Arigatō", he told her, his gaze warming.

The young woman beamed, and I wondered how such a trivial thing could unthaw such a callous man. So I tipped aside, and murmured to Chizuru.

"You'll have to teach me so that I can brew some for Kondō-san."

Big doe eyes blinked as her head cocked aside. Then an onslaught of instructions were fired my way, and I could only nod as she explained the exact amount of simmering water and cold water to mix, and how green tea must unfold for a hundred seconds, and which dosage to use, and...

Not so trivial after all.

Chizuru babbled for a while longer about the art of making tea until Hijikata-san cleared his throat. His young page reddened and scurried away. I watched the pink kimono disappear, wondering, for a moment, why the commander had allowed Chizuru's lesson, for once, he'd seem strangely civilised. I, for my part, reflected upon the information I'd just learnt.

Calorimetry by experience; provided simmering water was about 80 °C, it worked for green teas. But her method of mixing boiling water – 100 °C – in proportions with cold water – 15 or 20° – was flooring. One quarter of cold water to get 80°. The memory of calorimetry applied classes, with equations and such, brought me back to the matter at hand.

"Tell us, Frances-san. What is this mess about?"

Trust Kondō-san to be diplomatic about it, even though I sat on a cushion, alone, and facing the three of them at once. Did they realise the display of power, the statement it made?

"As Amagiri said yesterday, I am the Keeper of Time. I was appointed by a set of immortal beings called the Valar, and get dumped through time. I am called to correct the little misshaps of history, and appear in the place and time I am meant to be without any control from my part."

This was the quickest resumé I'd found as of today. Yet, the raised eyebrows – expect for Fukuchō's frown – told me it might be a little too summarised.

"Too much information?", I asked.

Sanan-san actually smiled, and I found his expression pretty charming. Sorrow rose in my heart for him, who had to keep to the shadows, when he had such a brilliant personality.

"Perhaps ... perhaps examples would help us understand better. Where was your last mission?"

"1804. I served on the Surprise, a Man-O-War, during the franco-brittanic war with Napoleon."