Would you believe me if I told you my documents fell down the ninety day memory hole in my unsurprising absence? Thankfully, I still have the original documents so no harm done. Let's continue with today's venture, but first—addressing you, the people:
The Apocryphal One: The blunder of NoA on the DLC is a wound that'll never heal, but their practices seem to have improved since then. Corrin-Shigure's conversation is tied with Peri-Soleil for me, and I'm pleased you enjoyed how I tied the former into the chapter. Also love a little bantz, so expect more of that as I come to introduce the rest of the children.
Galator: Yes, suffer children, suffer. Shocked that you were able to catch Shigure 'swearing' in Kana's vicinity, I was iffy on that part but decided to include it just to see if anyone would call me out on it. Whoop. Glad you're enjoying the story thus far. As stated, more interactions of that nature are in the works.
Akosii: Quite an integral pairing to the narrative, huh? But no, thanks, I'll take the brownie points. It's a good pair on its own too.
Fireminer: If 'connect the dots' means that image of the conspiracy nut drawing arrows to tangentially related concepts thinking they all share a relationship too suspicious to be considered coincidental, then yeah, that's me. Thanks for your suggestions!
Extreme Tactician: Thanks for your many reviews since the last update! Very humbling to have a new reader inspired enough to drop their thoughts on each chapter as they scramble to catch up with the rest of us. Hope to have you as a continuing reader!
Word Count: 575 words.
.10 - Shigure and Mitama
"Hmm? My help? Whatever for?"
Shigure blinked, equal parts flushed and confused. His face was much like a canvas—smooth, white, and just waiting to be dashed with color. Yet for as fitting as that was for a boy of his craft, it carried with it the lingering side effect of an easily readable heart on his sleeve. He hoped she wouldn't notice and even turned his head slightly to obscure her view and combat the odds, yet a sneaking suspicion in the back of his mind told him she had already caught it.
"A girl grows weary"
"Of her endless drudgery "
"She'd much rather sleep."
Mitama held a piece of paper to her lips to as she yawned, a gentle sound that carried as much rhythm as the verses that preceded it, while lacking the acerbic thorns of the rose that followed. "My father is an abhorrent cretin."
"Oh?" Shigure mouthed, so strangely taken with her wit. "How so—if I may ask?"
"He knows I hold slumber above all else—barring poetry—yet insists I shoulder the burden of these monotonous midday patrols," she lamented. "A darker fate, there is not. He wishes for an active daughter, yet there's nothing more draining than being roused three hours before dawn every day. Even my daytime naps are a thing of the past now."
"Goodness, that does sound taxing," Shigure frowned. "You're so accustomed to your sleep cycle. I can see how jarring this must be for you. Ah, but where do I fit into this?"
"A paragon prince"
"Heeds the sleeping maiden's call"
"Guard me as I nap"
"P-Paragon?" Shigure hiccuped, his face heating as he focused more on her syllable-friendly choice of words than her actual request. "I mean—guard, yes, of course! So you intend to sneak a few naps in behind your father's back while having someone as lookout, I see. But why me, exactly?"
"Your darling sister"
"A shimmering cannonball"
"Who can't keep quiet"
"Kana?" Shigure mused, picturing a messy cyan bun. On one hand, it seemed completely and utterly out of the blue. On the other, it would explain why a certain little dragon and overactive archer were very blatantly hiding in the bushes nearby—meddlesome matchmakers without a touch of subtlety.
"I've been helping with her penmanship," Mitama explained, another yawn escaping her. "Her letters are splotchy, but her admiration is clear. When her letters aren't about 'papa' or 'mama', they weave a miles-long tale of the bestest big brother ever."
As if by instinct, Shigure sought to correct the record only for Mitama to beat him to the punch.
"Yes, I told her that 'bestest' is not a word."
Shigure clutched the flab of flesh that held his beating heart, attempting to still it to no avail.
"I thought I'd see for myself," the poet continued. "If even half the tales she spun are true. We can start with your impeccable patrolling prowess, the rest—whenever I'm caught up on my naps."
Channeling her inner automaton, she succumbed to slumber without another word, and would have collapsed were it not for Shigure's steady hold. Moved to act only by his own noble inclinations, he did not realize how close they were until her snoring broke the ice between them. Abashed, he quickly settled her against the castle wall and remained a watchful eye until he too, was lulled into joining her.
Kana giggled, more devil than cherub.
