A/N: Hi! Intro will be at the end. ^.^
(In response to feedback, chapters will start getting a lot longer around chapter eleven, Kill What You Were Led To Believe).
Arc One: The Beginning Before the Start
Chapter One
Kill the Ease
Our perceptions of the night reflect our innermost emotions. In our darkest moments, the saturnine sky smothers us in inescapable blackness. The wind howls, bites our ears; the stillness of the world is like the silence after death. But when our hearts are happy, Nyx becomes a beautiful, generous goddess. Starlight brightens the sky to a stygian blue and the moon casts the world in a silver glow. If the world is still, then it is a serene calmness. If the wind is dancing, then we see that the world never sleeps, that there is life after day, fireflies and cricket song.
The night is not inherently anything. It is what we make it.
That's too much freedom, sometimes.
Inari Ryder explored the clay. She inhaled it's earthy sent, fingers gliding across the slippery surface, or else digging into the cracks. She molded it, rolled it, twisted and shaped and squeezed, ignoring all else. Her mind carefully extracted the hooks of reality; the birds and breezes from the open window, the perfume on her neck that smelled like rain and water lilies, the soft grumbling of Jock's slumber; she floated away from the present world, cutting off all outside ties until she felt, in her very essence, like the clay she sculpted.
Knock-knock.
Her concentration immediately shattered. Dropping her hands onto her lap, Inari tried to swallow her irritation.
"What?" She snapped.
The door creaked open, puffing the scent of chocolate and ash into the air. Recognizing Seiger's perfumes, Inari dismissed her frustration and crossed the threshold of her room. Silk kissed her calves as her skirts swayed in motion, finely spun and exquisitely crafted.
"You're back," she smiled, reaching up to touch his cheek. Seiger didn't move as her hands brushed across his skin, tracing his cheek bones and gently pulling the course hair on his head. He expressed no signs of discomfort—she was just making sure it was really him, after all. Her hands dropped to his blazer. She twisted the top button, smirking. "How was school?"
"Fine," Seiger sniffed. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but Run is here."
Inari dropped her hands. "I'm not in the mood."
"I'm afraid I can't help with that," Seiger said humorously. "I'm but a humble messenger."
"Speaking of messages, do you know if Aria has replied yet?" Inari had sent her childhood friend a letter nearly two weeks ago.
"Not that I know of, sorry," Seiger said. Her face must have fallen, because he continued, "but I'm sure it'll come any day now. Don't worry about it."
She shook her head. "Aria has never taken this long." Inari's mind immediately imagined the worst; with Night Raid's recent increase of attacks, any sudden halt in communication was worthy of concern. "I'm riding out to her tomorrow," Inari decided. She could sense Seiger's body tighten. "I won't go alone," she said quickly, as if it were the most obvious thing. "You'll come with me, and Jock, of course. You can take off of school, a missed day won't kill anyone."
"Run is waiting," Seiger sighed, sounding pained.
Inari turned around, following the light of the window to find the spot where her lion slept. "Jock!"
She heard a heavy sigh, the pattering of paws against tile, and finally a soft grunt as Jock's nose wet her outstretched hand. The lion dropped a leather leash into her palm, then started forwards, guiding her from the room.
"I suppose you'll want to talk me out of this after my lesson," Inari walked passed Seiger, into the hallway. "You can try, but my mind is made up. Best start the preparations now."
"It's too dangerous to be outside at night," Seiger kept in step beside her.
"I said tomorrow, didn't I? Besides, a party consisting of a lion, an Imperial Arms user, a trained guard studying in the fields of medicine and several more soldiers is bound to make it through the night." She stopped walking, absently grasping the silver gauntlets clasped on her arms. "I'm not being paranoid, I'm being cautious," she defended herself, her voice suddenly somber. "It's foolish to pretend we're living in peace, regardless of the state of our courtyard outside. Aria's never taken this long to reply. I need to see that she's alive and safe."
"I understand, Lady Inari," Seiger used her formal title. Usually, the formality, when used by him, irked her, but she let it slide. It was the proper terminology, after all, substantiating the gap between their statuses. "Enjoy your lesson."
Hey guys! Call me Kitty. I hope to update as much as I can-at least once a week, sometimes twice. ^.^
This story will follow an O/C of mine. The first few chapters will tell the tale of what I suppose you could call her origin story? lol-the anime storyline won't become relevant until several chapters in. I put a lot of effort into making O/Cs as not-mary-sue as can be, so feel free to let me know if I ever go too far with her. Inari's character will start off a little...bratty, maybe, but I'm super excited to watch her develop.
Chapter Six: The first fight scene
Chapter Eight: Enter, Night Raid ^.^
Stay tuned!