57…58…59…60! Chichiri stepped out of the handstand.
"Gee, holding that for one minute was easy, no da."
The monk was considering whether he should try walking in the handstand when he heard one of the doors to the throne room open. Expecting to see one of the Emperor's advisors, Chichiri was very surprised when he met the dark eyes of a young woman instead.
The two stared at one another for a few moments before the woman came into the room fully, quietly closing the door behind her.
"Ummm…hi."
"Hello." Chichiri used a bit of his magic to change his voice to that of Hotohori's, since he was still disguised.
The woman walked into the room, going slowly as to take in the beauty of it. I love it here. This world is so beautiful, untouched by technology and pollution.
Chichiri took the opportunity to study the woman. She had long, flowing hair, black as a midnight sky, pulled back in a bun. A few strands hung in front of her expressive dark brown eyes. She brushed them away and tucked them behind an ear. He noticed that her clothing was very foreign. Could she be from Miaka's world?
The woman was now a few feet away from Chichiri. She smiled, and the monk suddenly realized how pretty she was. She said brightly, "I suppose I should introduce myself. I'm Takira Kayami. You can call me by my first name; I don't mind."
Words would not come out of Chichiri's mouth at the sound of her voice. The musical sound of it shocked him. Also, The Suzaku seishi wasn't sure what would come out if he opened his mouth – the silky smooth voice of Hotohori, or his own, strange with its "no da's" and a little high-pitched.
While Chichiri tried to force coherent sound from his lips, Kayami looked him over. He was dressed in extremely elaborate robes, and his shiny green hair was pulled back on the top of his head in a strange box-type contraption. It kinda looks like a KFC Popcorn Chicken container…
However, Kayami also noticed something wrong with the handsome young man with golden-colored eyes in front of her. Her deep chocolate-colored eyes had been highly trained in spotting magical illusions or disguises. The man's outline was slightly blurred, a sure sign it wasn't real. She examined the outline, noting that it was a very good illusion, created by a powerful mage. All this she took in in a single glance.
Hmmm. If Taiit-skun hadn't trained me to see that, I never would have guessed. This man must really be Chichiri. Father said he was a mage. But I'd better check, just to be sure.
"Hey, Chichiri, that's a pretty nice illusion you've got going there." Let's see how he takes that.
Chichiri answered in his own voice, without thinking. "Oh, thanks, no da. It's really quite – WHAT?!"
"Oh, I agree completely, Chichiri. It really is quite what," teased Kayami, laughing a little. "Is that how you describe illusions in this world?"
He had been so shocked that he lost control of the disguise, and Kayami studied the real Chichiri while he simply stood there with his mouth open. Her father had told her that Chichiri was a monk, but his clothing wasn't at all what she had expected. Then again, the only real monks I've ever seen are Tibetan ones from my world, heads shaven and clad in bright orange robes.
Chichiri's choice of clothing intrigued her. His white shirt contrasted with his black pants and simple black shoes. There was a navy blue cloak with the bubble pattern wrapped around him, and there were red and green prayer beads adorning his neck. Chichiri's hair was unlike anything Hikaru had ever seen. It was a light blue, the same color of a clear summer sky. If that wasn't unusual enough, there was the way it was styled. Most of it was shaved close to his head, save his bangs and a pretty long ponytail that hung down to the middle of his back. Chichiri's bangs were incredible – they defied gravity and stood almost straight up in the air.
Chichiri sighed when he realized he had allowed his Emperor disguise to drop. That was careless of me and foolish as well. Not that it matters anyway, with her. She knew, somehow, that it was an illusion. Perhaps I'll find out later how she knew. But for now, I need to say something, not stand here looking like an idiot.
"Well," he began, "I would introduce myself to you, Kayami, but you seem to already know who I am, no da." At her nod, he asked, "May I ask how you know, then, no da?"
Uh-oh. I didn't think that he would ask me that. What do I say? I can't exactly tell him that I know about him because of my father, because then he'll ask how my father knows, and I can't tell him that information quite yet. What do I do?
Before Kayami could say something (anything), there was a knock on the door. The two looked at it, looked at each other, and looked back at the door. Sighing yet again, Chichiri conjured up his illusion and told whoever it was to enter.
One of the Emperor's advisors came in. He was a middle-aged man with gray hair. The advisor was about to speak to Chichiri when he noticed Kayami. Eyeing her outfit, he raised an eyebrow.
Self-consciously, Kayami glanced down at her outfit, too. Darn it. I forgot to change my clothes before I left. Her modern clothes would probably be considered inappropriate for a woman. She was wearing a red tank top that was paired with jean capris. On her feet were plain black flip-flops and her toenails were a dark red. Kayami's fingernails were adorned with a simple French manicure. She sported minimal jewelry and make-up.
Yup. I definitely should have changed. Oh, well. At least I'm not into wearing miniskirts and tube tops! That would have really been bad for me!
With Hotohori's voice, Chichiri addressed to the advisor: "Do you require something from me?"
The advisor's gaze moved from Kayami to Chichiri. "No, Your Highness. I only came to inform you that dinner will be served shortly."
"Thank you," said Chichiri/Hotohori. "Would you be so kind as to inform the others that I have a guest for dinner?"
"Of course." Bowing once, the advisor disappeared out the door from which he had come in.
There was a moment of awkward silence after he left. Kayami broke it by saying, "Well. I guess I should prepare for dinner."
"Very well," Chichiri replied, still speaking with Hotohori's voice. "I'll have a maid come and, er, assist you in finding…ummm…" How do I tell her that she needs clothes that are…well, more appropriate?
"More suitable attire?" Kayami supplied. So I was right. At least maybe I'll blend in a little more, and people won't look at me like I'm indecent if I'm wearing Palace clothes.
Chichiri/Hotohori looked relieved. "Yes, those are the words I was looking for." Whew! That would have been really embarrassing if she didn't know what I was talking about!
While Kayami watched, Chichiri walked over to a rope that was hanging down from the ceiling in a corner. He pulled it once. Almost instantly, a maid appeared, bowing to him.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
Underneath his mask, the monk blushed. He was uncomfortable with everyone bowing to him and calling him "Your Highness." I'll just have to get used to it until Hotohori comes back. He turned to the maid.
"Please show our guest to a room where she can prepare herself for dinner." I don't enjoy ordering people around, either. Oh, well.
The maid bowed again. "Yes, Your Highness." Turning to Kayami, she said, "Follow me, please."
With a small smile and a little wave to Chichiri/Hotohori, Kayami followed the maid down the hall.
Left alone again, Chichiri's thoughts were on Kayami. She's very pretty, but she's also mysterious. Those dark eyes of hers hold secrets, I think. She has a good sense of humor, from what I can tell. Friendly, too. Perhaps I can find out why she's here. I suppose we can talk and get to know each other better over dinner. Wonder if I can get another handstand in before dinner…
--*--*--
As the maid helped Kayami into proper dress, each woman discovered the other was very friendly, and before long they were chatting. In the span of ten minutes (that's how long it took for Kayami to change), they had introduced themselves, established that Kayami was from the Suzaku no Miko's world, and agreed that the Emperor was a very handsome man.
"Although I think he's a little too young for me," laughed Kayami as they made their way to the dining room.
"Then I guess I won't have to worry about competition from you!" cried Tenwei, the maid, giggling. She was around Hotohori's age, and she swooned over the Emperor like all the other young maids. They all knew that it was impossible for them to catch the eye of Hotohori, but they had fun trying anyway.
They had reached the door of the dining room. Kayami gave her young new friend a quick hug and a wink and went inside.
