Hello and welcome back! I got a nasty cold and lacerated my hand with a potato peeler but I'm a writer with fortitude! My birthday is in a week! Much excite.
Last time we left Tia and Chichiri safely at the Suzaku Shrine in the capitol city of Konan.
Please enjoy!
-A Walk in the City-
It's been a few days since their arrival, and Tia is bored. She isn't allowed outside the shrine complex, so she spends her days helping out with cleaning. The monks are kind to her, and always gently correct her if she ever makes a mistake. It's a welcome change from the abuse she usually receives from managers back home.
Chichiri goes out into town every day without her, sometimes with the monk from the first day (whom she was told to call "Yako"). Every night when he returns to their room, she asks him about his progress with getting an audience, only to be disappointed that it hasn't been granted yet. Other than that, they continue a comfortable acquaintance, and the number of awkward pauses from their first encounter diminishes to become companionable silences. Then they go to sleep, with Tia keeping up her ritual of calling him "Magic-Man."
It was last night that Chichiri finally saw that Tia is wilting under being cooped up. Having felt bad, he made a few arrangements before settling down to sleep…
... ... ...
"I can't escort you around town no da, but I spoke to Gen about taking you out to explore for the day no da. You just have to promise me to be careful!" Chichiri explains to a groggy Tia, who perks up over her daily porridge at the thought of going out and about.
"Gen's a cool dude. I'll do my best on being careful, although I do kinda wish it was you coming with me. Been missing the banter we found that first day," she admits, covering her mouth as she yawns. Chichiri shrugs, hoping that she doesn't notice how flattered he feels.
"I'm sure you won't be able to see all of Eiyou in one day no da. I can show you whatever you don't get to today when I'm free again no da," he suggests, and Tia nods. A sleepy smile creeps onto her face.
"Thanks for keeping me on your mind. Am I going out in monk's robes?"
"Nope. I know you refused any payment and think you're just paying for our room and board, but the people here are grateful for all your hard work no da. It's nothing too fancy, but they knew you'd need something appropriate to meet the emperor in and fixed up some donated clothing for you no da. They won't be able to fix your hair up, but at least you'll be a little inconspicuous no da," Chichiri says, watching Tia's face finally wake up more, shining with gratitude.
"Aww, that's so nice of all of them! I really wasn't expecting anything, although they're probably right about needing clothes. I'll have to thank them endlessly."
Tia's response comes right with a knock on the door, which ushers in a couple of girls a few years younger than Tia. She looks between the girls and Chichiri as he stands to greet them.
"Great timing, no da. Thank you for your assistance to the shrine, I leave Miss Trianna to you no da," he greets, exiting the room quickly. Tia stands with a hand held out, her call for him to wait dying in her throat. Instead, she drops her hand and turns attention to watch the newcomers analyze her figure, who nod and make small murmurs under their breath.
"Uh, can I help you?" Tia ventures, only to be shushed. After they have a small whispered conference, they beam at her.
"We're here to help you get dressed! We owed the shrine a favor, we both work in a shop in the textile district and when Gen stopped by yesterday we knew it was time! I'm Chika, and this is Ai. She can't speak very loud so don't feel offended if she doesn't answer you," the shorter of the two chirps their introduction, her partner nodding beside her. Tia practically straightens to attention, and proceeds to follow every order given to her.
Thanks to the collaboration of the three women, the simple dress and robe of pale pinks and yellows is tied firmly to Tia's figure. Chika mourns the fact that Tia's hair would have to remain down and unornamented, but Tia comforts her by assuring that she doesn't need them for the day trip. Ai meekly whispers something to Chika, and the shorter girl drops the issue. Both leave with bows and smiles, glad to see their work done perfectly and their debt repaid.
"Huh. They were… cheerful," Tia mutters to herself. The attire isn't too heavy, and while it would take a bit of time to get used to walking with a full skirt, she'd manage. Two slightly scuffed black slippers have been pulled on her feet, cramping her toes only slightly. She takes a couple turns around the room, trying to become more comfortable when she gets a knock at the door.
"Miss Tia, I'm here to escort you through the city."
"Sweet! I'm here, let's go!"
Two ministers stride down the wide fairway of Eiyou, deep in conversation about the rumor that a monk has stepped forward with a request to meet with their emperor. The juicy part of this rumor is that this monk has found the Priestess of Suzaku, and that he himself is a legendary celestial warrior! The two walking down the street, who work in the justice branch of civil servitude, couldn't believe it when they heard it. Most didn't. How could they? The legend of the priestess has always been fanciful.
"Those who have met with the monk already swear that he is a warrior. It won't take long for them to ask for the girl and proof of her status, as word has already reached one of the top advisers. What do you think?" one asks, pausing slightly to observe a food stand.
The second, and younger of the two, pulls his cohort along with a snort. "Seems like a risky thing to be lying about, so I would like to believe they're telling the truth. I don't like to think about what the appearance of the priestess means, however."
"Wait!"
The two stop as the older lays his eyes on a woman walking down the road with a middle-aged monk guiding her. Although her hair is left down and her clothes simple, the minister could tell that she is very pretty. He's never seen such pale skin before, even from women from Hokkan to the north. Given her monk escort, they assume she is unwed.
The palace has been stirring for months with higher ups wanting the emperor to choose a bride. For four years he has reigned without an empress, and some are beginning to feel desperate. "Send a message to the person in charge of gathering women for the seraglio. Perhaps this one is different enough to pique the interest of His Highness!" he hisses to his counterpart, and they both find a patrolling soldier and order him off.
If they're successful, perhaps some good fortune will come their way!
Tia is enjoying the grand fairway, a part of the city that she and Chichiri had avoided on their way to the shrine. She can see why: the stone-paved road is set to lead right up to the palace, so every high-class shop is built facing into it, and there are plenty of shoppers to prove the method effective. Small time merchants peddle wares, performers range from entire theatrical circuses in the street to solitary musicians with dumpy instruments and boxes for coins. It all fills the provided space, and Tia can't believe the grandeur of this city happens every day. Children dart through the crowds, some she knows are likely pickpockets, though they avoid her and Gen. How they manage to escape getting trampled by the carts and horses and elephants and performers and soldiers... Tia figures it's just the way things are.
She and the monk are making their way to a place with cheap food for lunch. Tia likes Gen; the man had been taken in as a toddler by the goodness of the shrine and ultimately decided to become a man of the cloth himself. He regales her with stories from his younger days when he traveled Konan, describing in colorful detail all the things he loves about his culture. Tia absorbs it all, asking questions about everything she sees, prodding for more details, all the while compiling a list of things to bombard Chichiri with later at dinner.
It is when the duo has nearly arrived at their destination that they are interrupted.
"Pardon me madam, but we need you to come with us."
At first, Tia doesn't understand that the order is meant for her until Gen pulls on her sleeve discreetly. She turns to face two soldiers in red armor guarding a well-kept older gentleman in dark robes. Even though she's unsure of his status, Tia bows anyway to be safe.
"My apologies, I didn't believe you were addressing me. May I help you?"
"Please straighten and make haste. You are indeed a beautifully exotic woman and have my approval to earn your family honor as a member of His Royal Majesty's Inner Seraglio. You will be inducted immediately, and servants will be sent out to fetch any belongings you require," the well-dressed man states, his higher-pitched, breathy voice belying the fortitude of his words. Tia blinks and raises from her bow.
"A what? I apologize, I'm really not from around here, but I don't think I can accept," she replies, only to be jabbed in the ribs while the soldiers bristle slightly. She winces and grunts at the pain and looks to the culprit. Gen merely gives a small shake of his head and keeps his eyes staring sharply into hers. He mouths something, but Tia doesn't understand and looks back to the man.
"It is not a request. It is your duty to this country and to your emperor. You may give your farewells to your companion," the man says, that same matter-of-factness contradicting with the pitch of his voice. Tia feels a tightness in her throat as her back gets tense, sweat appearing on her face.
"Gen, what do I do?"
"You have no choice. Go. Otherwise they will throw you in prison for insubordination, and that will leave us nowhere. I will inform Chichiri of your induction, but you must go, Miss Tia," Gen whispers, his face betraying the calm of his voice. This is not what anyone planned. They expected trouble to come from thugs in the city, but never from the palace!
"But–!"
Gen waves her away, bowing his head to her and to the minister.
"Your consideration is most generous. Thank you."
Tia is left with no other choice but to follow the minister and soldiers who march to stand beside her. The minister nods curtly and graciously at the monk. Off the group goes, the crowd parting respectfully for them, all eyes on the young woman. Whispers begin to spread between them. Tia clenches her fists, her sleeves wide and long enough to hide them.
"Chichiri, help me!"
... ... ...
Tia is escorted up into the palace and handed off to servants, who take her back through a winding series of hallways and buildings to an inner portion of the palace that is enclosed from the rest of the sprawling grounds. None of them speak to her, even when addressed, and Tia eventually gives up trying. Whatever she's being forced into, she'll have to find out later.
After a bath in a lukewarm tub of aromatic water and being forcefully scrubbed from head to toe, she's towel-dried and wrapped in a new, silken dress with elaborate embroidery. Her shoes are swapped for even tighter, brand new slippers. Her hair gets combed and tugged painfully, all for a tight bun at the top of her head with a flower ornament tucked into it. Cosmetics are plastered onto her face, Tia inwardly howling because it will most likely give her terrible acne later.
Once finished, she's led to a large elegant foyer that is filled with at least thirty other extravagantly dressed, extraordinarily gorgeous women. Without so much as an introduction, she's left to fend for herself. Conversations cease slowly as attention turns to the awkward newcomer. Some turn back to their gossip, uninterested. Others quirk their heads. One such lady strides forward, confidently lifting her chin. Tia locks her gaze onto her, noting how haughty and how well she carries herself.
The woman looks her up and down. "You're not from Konan, are you? You definitely have an interesting look. What's your name?"
At the questions, Tia opens her mouth to answer but her voice only squeaks. Feeling heat rise to her cheeks at the sound and the woman's consequent smirk, Tia swallows with difficulty.
"Calm down heartbeat, everything will be okay if you just stay calm!"
"I-I'm Trianna. Tia. You're right, I'm foreign."
The woman scoffs slightly before Tia can even get all her words out. "Of course you're foreign with a name like that!"
"Oh Kourin, you can see she's terrified. Miss Tia, I promise that there's nothing to be afraid of, please come sit with us." The calmer, gentler, sweeter voice belongs to someone behind Kourin. The woman steps out around to greet Tia with a smile that matches her countenance. Tia looks between her and the bemused Kourin, as they could easily be sisters, though Kourin is slightly taller, has a flatter chest, and has dark hair with a violet sheen.
"My name is Houki, and I know exactly how you feel. When I came here from my poor village, I was overwhelmed at first, and very shy. I can see why you were chosen; you have the palest complexion I've ever seen," the woman introduces, reaching out and taking up one of Tia's hands gently. Kourin sniffs.
"Come this way, then. Houki thinks that being friends with everyone is better, despite all of us being rivals."
"Oh, but it's true! 'Pettiness adds nothing to prettiness', right?"
Both women giggle at the joke, Tia remaining silent, astounded, and befuddled. What are they rivals for? What is this place? They sit her down at a small table, where servants immediately serve them tea. Tia clears her voice for their attention, as they have continued light-hearted banter.
"Excuse me, but I'm really not from around here. I don't understand what I've been brought here for," she says, voice small as she folds into herself as much as she can. The stares of concern at her words from them both bring back that spike of panic into her gut.
"Miss Tia, it's the Inner Seraglio!" Houki exclaims, but Tia shakes her head to show she doesn't understand. Kourin sighs.
"It's His Majesty's harem. We are all here as prospective brides for the emperor. You really must be from far away if you don't even know that."
Tia gets dizzy at the words.
"H-h-harem? I can't be an empress or in a harem, I… I've got to get home! I have school! There's someone who's waiting for me back in the city too, I– "
"–Oh, you left behind a boyfriend?" Kourin interrupts, leaning forward to rest her chin on her hand with a sultry, genuinely interested smile. "You'd best forget about him, you'll likely never see him again."
Beside her, Houki straightens and looks to her lap sadly. Tia feels butterflies in her stomach as she blushes, Chichiri's strange smiling face popping into her mind.
"No, he's just a friend and also a monk!" Tia points out quickly at seeing a teasing grin spread on Kourin's face. The grin dies down but doesn't completely leave. "He's just protected me and was my first friend here."
"Well, you're stuck here for now. They're probably still getting your room ready, but you'll be waited on hand and foot so it's not so bad. I think I like you anyway Miss Tia, so I have decided to look out for you," Kourin announces, her analyzing complete. Tia scrunches her eyebrows in confusion at the declaration, but upon looking to Houki for clarification the lady shakes her head with a smile.
"Just accept her friendship, and mine. Kourin is a very strong personality with a deep well of kindness. We'll both look out for you, Tia," she says, and Tia sits back in her chair and allows Kourin to carry on conversation, taking the back seat to merely listen.
"This is all happening too fast. I hope mom and dad are okay. I hope Chichiri isn't mad at me…" The thought of the man and Kourin's little tease makes Tia's lips subconsciously pout. "I hardly know anything about him, you fricken weirdo."
Still, Tia can only hold on to hopes now. She's certainly in no place to be making moves for herself.
"Tia!... Trianna!... TRIANNA KENNA DON'T IGNORE ME! WHY DID YOU SCREAM?!"
At receiving no answer, Tia's mother glances at her husband and both start going back upstairs to the bedroom area.
"I thought we were past this arguing phase and had settled everything," she grumbles.
"Well, she is eighteen. I'm sure you remember being eighteen," he answers, poking his wife's back teasingly. She throws her hand behind her to try and smack him away and misses, causing him to snicker. Their moment ends as they approach their daughter's room.
"Tia? Are you? …" Tia's mother trails off before shrieking in panic. Both cats dart out of Tia's otherwise empty room. Nothing is out of place, the window isn't open, and the computer is still on, phone sitting on her desk next to it. But no Tia!
Tia's father immediately darts to the computer while her mother races out to search the house for her. Tia hadn't left the house, both doors in and out are too loud! She is a good kid and didn't have anywhere else to go!
"Lana, come here!"
The shaky call from her husband stops the woman and draws her back to the room.
"What is it?"
Lana sees her husband slumped forward with his hands in his hair, staring at the computer screen. She steps forward. The screen is white with black text that is appearing line by line in what looks like classic typewriter font.
"Read it. It's about Tia. It's all about her, and everything she's doing is appearing as script," her husband whispers, and Lana focuses in to read.
"... The young lady Trianna settles in with her newfound companions in the days to come. Her mind never wavers from thoughts of her friend in the city, and homesickness begins to set in each night as she goes to sleep..."
"How is this possible? Is someone hacking this? Where is Tia?!"
... ... ...
Tia shoots up in her bed, wide-eyed and sweaty.
"Mom? That was mom, I swear I just heard her!" she breathes out, looking around at the small dark room and then shaking her head.
"Must've been a dream. I wonder what Chichiri has been doing these past few days. I kinda miss him…"
Her thoughts trail as she settles to sleep, ignoring her growling stomach.
A little wrench-throwing, but obviously fate is dealing an interesting hand!
Thanks again to those reading, and I'll update again in a few weeks!
Til next time,
-A
