Hey everyone! I'm back. Been busy, but I'm keeping my chin above the surf, so it goes. Thanks to everyone who's been reading and engaged so far! Enjoy.


-Faltering Words-

Carly lies awake in her bed, staring at the poster-covered ceiling. Her family has always been big, and she used to share her room with her older sister. Now she can do what she wants with it, as long as it's clean to certain standards.

"What's happening?"

Her thoughts run on Tia. It's only been a couple days, one of which was spent at the Redfield's house watching the story play out. If she was back, Carly thinks Tia would call. Or, at least her parents would. She isn't surprised that they want to keep it hushed up. She grunts, turning on her side and reaching for her phone. "Who would believe them?"

Nothing on her phone can hold her attention. She keeps wondering where her friend is now in her story, and again, what she would be doing in Tia's place. After all, Tia's in constant danger. She got beat up the instant she was transported there! But… she's immediately saved, and gets every attention. That's nice, at least. And those three wishes have to count for something at the end of it all. She doesn't have to deal with the mundane existence of their small town, that's for sure.

Inside, the same unrest that's stewed for years stirs once again. She's stuck. Always stuck with her startlingly Italian grandparents, her too-large family that makes them poor, her town surrounded by miles of farmland that includes her family's. It's not where she wants to be. If she were in Tia's place, she knows.

She hears a dragon roar again.


Tia sniffs as Nuriko walks and rants behind her in the room, flinging her hands around with flair and drama. The priestess only half listens but appreciates that it's all in her defense, with a rundown of smears against the old men who spoke out against her. The meeting had been scary. Adults like that, in that context… It's so different. Teachers, her parents, her bosses… they were nothing. Is that what testifying before Congress feels like back home?

Tia shivers and hastily wipes more tears away while sitting at her vanity. She's already cleaned off the small amount of make-up that was put on her earlier, lamenting it a bit. Her maids were really nice about making sure it wasn't too much and here she is, unceremoniously ruining it. A knock at the door interrupts Nuriko's unintelligible tirade.

Tia starts to get up but her visitor enters without second notice. Nuriko doesn't have the chance to protest, her jaw dropping in awe at the sight of her emperor striding straight past her. Chichiri ducks in after him, staying at the entrance but closing the door behind him. He watches on as the scene unfolds.

"Tia! You are upset, I knew it," Hotohori says, gently but not so subtly dropping any sense of decorum and placing his hands atop her shoulders. Tia, for all of her mental fog, does find them comforting. Though there is a certain someone who is paying too much scrutiny to her now.

She smiles weakly, glancing around him nervously. "Don't worry, I'm just not used to things like that. I won't go back on what I said though, because it can't hurt. Chichiri and I can look at the clues in the scroll again and maybe it'll match up with what that one guy said," she replies, glad she at least sounds more confident than she feels. But if she could find a celestial warrior on this outing, it would be phenomenal. It would prove everything! Hotohori's gaze hardens.

"He had no right. He will be dismissed immediately, no one should dare doubt the Priestess," he seethes, once again shirking decorum and showing his true thoughts on the subject. Tia balks, feeling terrible at herself because for a moment she was extremely vilified at his words. She shakes her head.

"Hori-sama, you can't do that. He didn't know, he was just looking out for you and everybody else. He's human, he makes mistakes, and really at this junction it's your job to forgive. I'll go get the celestial warriors whether they believe me or not, cuz I know you believe in me, right?" she says, laying her reasoning out for the both of them in all truth. Her celestial warriors take in her words. It's quiet as the emperor thinks it over, as all await his response. His expression softens into a smile, hands sliding from her shoulders to take her hands.

"You are quite gracious, and have wisdom befitting the young woman of legend. I will allow him off with a warning, though I confess that I would most enjoy seeing the look on his face should you return from Jozen City with a celestial warrior," he admits, his smile just as kind as always. Or, to Tia, as it had been the few times she'd been around him. She doesn't think she said anything all that profound.

"Uh, that's the plan. Though…" Her face turns sly, trying to turn the situation around to be more jokey. "Sounds like you're being a little petty, Hori-sama," she points out. His face, that heaven-sculpted face, lightens into surprise as Nuriko squeaks indignantly in the background. If Tia weren't taking this opportunity to take her hands back, she'd revel more in how adorable his surprised face is.

"Petty? You are mistaken, I would never…" he trails off, but a perfect hand comes to his chin as he looks away bashfully. Tia turns a bit smug.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever sir. Caught you," she teases, drawing away more and crossing her arms. Nuriko bustles to her side, jamming her face to Tia's ear.

"Are you insane?! Do my words mean nothing to you?!" she whispers, eyeing Hotohori nervously. He watches on, marginally interested in this new development.

"Nuriko, your words mean everything to me," Tia replies, shoving the other woman away lightly. Nuriko readies a spiteful retaliation, only to be interrupted. Chichiri has left the door to join them.

"We do need to start discussion on when we're leaving no da," he says, changing the subject and overall mood. Nuriko huffs quietly at the dismissal of the topic but folds her hands into her sleeves; the emperor is still watching, after all.

"I meant what I said. As much as I disliked his tone, maybe your counselor was the sign I needed to get going," Tia says, once again directing to Hotohori that he absolutely should not alienate and punish his own allies. Thankfully, it's not very subtle, so all her warriors perfectly understand.

"Your words make sense, and I take no issue in seeing you begin your quest. However, is it wise to go immediately? Perhaps going after more insight into this lead would make for a better outcome," Hotohori suggests, but Tia and Chichiri shake their heads. She lets him speak after they both nearly start at the same time. In the background, feeling ignored and irked about it, Nuriko raises an eyebrow as she crosses her arms.

"After making such a fuss, it would be better to set off. Despite what she may seem like, her instincts as Priestess are dependable so far, no da," Chichiri says, and although there was no ill-intent in his words, Tia felt the floor drop from under her. Nuriko winces and narrows her eyes at her fellow warrior. Hotohori nods reluctantly in understanding, unaware that his female companions are currently in a stir again.

"Despite what I may seem like? What am I like? I thought I was doing fine!" Tia's thoughts run on and her expression grows stormy enough that, as the men talk over travel details, Nuriko interrupts.

"Planning is all well and good, but we are delicate women who need our beauty sleep, especially after a trying day. We can catch up in the morning, and set out then," she simpers, bustling forward with her full charm on display as she wraps an arm around Tia. Hotohori blinks at the interruption, but after a glance at Tia, he eases into a hesitant smile. Chichiri watches on, trained on Tia, who's looking squarely at the floor.

"To start traveling on little rest would be terrible. Thank you for reminding us, Nuriko. Good night, then," Hotohori says, and Nuriko practically glows.

"It is my pleasure to fulfill my duties as a dedicated lady and warrior. Good night, Your Majesty," she responds, squeezing Tia's shoulders when there's a pause for her to say something. She grunts and looks up.

"Huh? Right. Leave in the morning. Think I'm just a bit tired, sorry guys," she apologizes. Her flat voice serves as all the dismissal they need, but Nuriko's rather sharp gaze helps both men along.

"Rest well, Tia. You'll need it for the journey ahead," Hotohori says, nary a stutter or inclination that he senses anything amiss. When she meets his eyes, he smiles gently, nods, and takes his leave. The air becomes considerably more tense.

"Uhhh… Well, I'd better be on my way too, no da. G'night!"

Once they're alone, the two ladies sigh and share a look. Disdain. Resignation. A hint of amusement. Nuriko smiles wryly first.

"This is exactly why His Majesty should be your main objective. He's the epitome of what a man should be! Not that I think you stand a chance next to me anyway, of course," she points out, scooting toward the door. Tia doesn't bother rolling her eyes anymore. She waves her hand.

"Sure, sure. Say what you will, I'm too tired to argue."

...

The morning finds them gathered together again, this time with Tia and Nuriko in clothes more suitable for traveling. Tia can't believe how much she missed anything resembling pants, even if they're hidden under a light dress and cloak. Hotohori had recommended she travel from the city under disguise, just to ensure her safety.

Now she's warily eyeing the two horses that have been provided to them as last minute talks proceed around her. She can't discern them well, mostly because horses are tricky. She'd admitted outright that she couldn't ride a horse by herself, but… Riding with either of her warriors is a bit iffy.

"Nuriko might dump me in the road for fun at least once, and I'm still miffed about that comment. Can't believe he hasn't realized it yet," she thinks, shifting between either foot. Horses themselves don't make her nervous. Carly's gladly shown her around a stable, to show off her own horse ("Of course, of course," she muses, not for the first time that day.)

Chichiri has noticed that something is off. What with the sudden cold shoulder and disapproving looks from Nuriko, it wouldn't take long for most to understand he'd done something wrong. Even the emperor is hinting that something must be up, just from observing his companions the short time they'd been together that morning.

"Watch over the priestess, as her safety is of the greatest importance to us," Hotohori starts, or rather, it's more at the end of their conversation about the road ahead. "It won't be a long trek to Jozen, but Tia's faced danger in the capital and the palace already."

"Yes, she has a tendency to get into trouble no da," Chichiri replies, watching as she approaches a horse to introduce herself. She can't ride, but seems comfortable around them at least. Hotohori hums.

"From the stories you've told me," he glances around quickly to check for his counselors, "it sounds more as if trouble follows her."

Hotohori then smiles and gracefully strides away, with all the poise of a man who knows he's right. Chichiri quickly ponders his words and then looks back at Tia and suddenly everything clicks. The sudden mood swing last night, Nuriko's sour expressions, Tia's avoidance…

He inwardly curses himself, though he wishes Tia would've said something.

"Although when you're that young, it's no surprise anyway, and she might as well have been telling me no da," he thinks, recalling the fact that he doesn't know how old Tia is, but she's like. Fourteen or fifteen… Right?

He takes a calming breath and clears his head before walking to her.

"Tia, I think you should ride with me since we have a lot to talk about, no da," he suggests, well aware that everyone's eyes are on him and not just Tia's. She keeps still, thinking over his proposal but eventually nods. It dissipates the surrounding tension when she smiles tentatively. It halts him a bit. And after he's regained his senses once she's moved on to recheck absolutely everything with Hotohori, he wonders why it halted him. Tia is just Tia. She's the Priestess of Suzaku. Nothing to be weird about.

"That's enough dilly-dallying. We need to go," Tia announces, her decisive tone shot more toward the counselors mulling about. They shuffle in place; her implied jibe hit its mark.

"Please be cautious, and stay hidden until you're far enough from the city," Hotohori says, offering her a kind hand up onto her horse and pointedly ignoring any opposition from the men around him. Tia can feel the heat from Nuriko's glare on her back and sweats a bit, thinking "Glad I'm not riding with her."

"Yeah, with my experiences coming here it's the best decision. Keep out of trouble yourself, Hori-sama. We'll be back," she replies, quiet enough so she won't have to deal with the old farts complaining about the indignity of her nickname for him. He smiles gently and steps back to allow Chichiri to mount up behind her.

They're off without much further pomp. They don't want to attract too much attention, and they even leave through a side gate meant for commerce use between the industrious servants and merchants of the city. They wind out into the city, keeping quiet and going slow. Their strategy to go unnoticed goes well, aside from a few passing glances at Nuriko. Soon they're well outside the city limits.

"I think it's okay to be free now," Tia says, flicking the hood off of her head with a glad sigh. It took a lot for her to not look around. It's also taking a lot for her to feel entirely calm with her situation. Her mind is hooked on his words!

"So what exactly do we need to talk about?"

"Ah, so you weren't avoiding talking after all. That makes things easier, no da," he responds, dancing around a direct answer to her question. Tia frowns, a bit annoyed that he's not being forthcoming after bringing it up in the first place. She's already had to get over the relative discomfort of being on a horse with someone behind her (which… isn't bad but she'll never admit it), and having arms on either side of her took getting used to. As such, she's keeping into herself as much as possible.

"Sounds like you're the one avoiding things," she points out, her words so petulant that he furrows his eyebrows and tears his focus from the road to look down at her head.

"You're so childish sometimes no da."

"Well it's not like I'm old."

A silence ensues between them where Chichiri thinks, "I'd never make that mistake about you, that's for sure no da!"

"I wanted to apologize."

Tia sits up a bit when she hears those words.

"Oh? You haven't really done anything to apologize for, have you?"

"Tia, I know how you took my words last night no da. Upon some reflection and hints from our friends I realized that I came off as insulting," he continues, the collected attitude he shows the world dropping slightly. Her personality just gets to him.

He tenses when she laughs quite mirthlessly, with such obvious malign. Uh oh.

"Came off as insulting? It was an insult, dude. There's no other way to interpret 'despite what she may seem like, her instincts as Priestess are dependable so far.' I remember," she shoots back, tone breezy despite being heavily loaded with spite.

"... You remembered word for word?"

"Yeah. The fact that you even needed hints from other people to figure out you needed to apologize for anything at all is a bit wack in my opinion, but hey. We're here talking now, so it's a start," she resolves, though Chichiri knows much better than to believe that he's out of the woods. He's a little surprised she didn't blow up more, though. She seems… resigned. He leans down closer to her ear.

"I am sorry, and it was an idiotic thing to say. You're doing well so far no da," he compliments, hoping that the wind doesn't carry away his low voice. Tia is tense.

She's thankful to the universe that he can't see around to her face at the moment. She remembers where she's at and the conversation at hand and laughs awkwardly.

"Yeah, yeah okay. I forgive you, and that's for real. We have to be a team on this, so internal fights would be a no-no," she garbles, fingers twitching around each other. Now she's wishing she rode with Nuriko and left the talk for later.

Chichiri marvels.

"Now that's not the reaction I was expecting! She's pretty mature," he revels to himself, and makes sure not to comment on it. He doesn't want to dig himself into a rut again, after all.

The rest of the ride to Jozen City goes without issue, with one rest stop to water the horses and stretch the legs and check in on Nuriko. She didn't ask about the cleared air, but Tia thought she heard a mutter about "ugh, drama; not my cup of tea." She didn't have enough energy to jump on that bit of hypocrisy.

Their arrival is preempted by a layout of their plan. First, they'll visit the exam administration building to get the hot details about the miracle kid. Hotohori sent ahead of them so they should be expected. Then, they'll be directed to the prospective warrior's house, where Tia can see for herself. Her first real test!

The government building is in a busy part of an already bustling city. It's not as colorful and grand as the stately capital, but the size denotes its important position as the seat of the province. Riding through is slow, but Tia gets to keep her hood down at least. She makes sure not to stare around as she carefully slides off her horse once they arrive.

"I'm impressed that you've learned to slide off without flipping your skirts up at all. Knowing you, I was ready to cover," Nuriko drawls, sidling up after handing off her horse to a stablehand. Tia narrows her eyes once she's sure her feet are under her with a triple check of her skirts.

"I wasn't in a hurry, so I could make sure to get off with some poise. Thanks for your concern. So we went over the plan already, do we just head in now?"

After handing off their other horse, Chichiri answers her.

"Yep. No sense in delaying no da."

… … …

"So you are the ones sent by His Imperial Highness, the… inquisitors?"

It's right about now that Tia is wishing she hadn't done the wise thing and just gone ahead and let Hotohori announce to the world that she's the Priestess of Suzaku.

At every stop. Every single one. They have been stopped and asked if they're the ones that were sent by the palace, and it's borderline ridiculous. Chichiri remains calm of course, but Tia and Nuriko are starting to wear thin on patience.

"Yes. We would never have gotten this far if not, sir. Please take us inside, we have a meeting to get to," Nuriko grits, smile tight and eyes wide. Her companions turn to her as the assistant slinks to do her bidding after visibly wilting.

"I was just thinking about how I should've just allowed Hori-sama to announce my presence," Tia comments, relieved that she's not the only one aggravated.

"You made the right choice. This is hardly inconvenient, we're almost there after all no da," Chichiri says, leading the way past them as the assistant appears again to fetch them. Tia and Nuriko make a face.

"If this isn't inconvenient for him, I wonder what is?"

They head in, with Tia focusing up. She can't let loose that she's the priestess, and she has to get enough information about this young man.

"I hope you're the one I'm looking for," she prays. She needs everyone, even her warriors, to have faith in her vague abilities. "I could use the slam dunk right now."


We are on the cusp of greatness.

Til Next Time,

-A