Greetings of the Masquerade
October 23rd. Evening.
(Out in the trackfield.)
[Recommended Music: Sisters, Diablo II.]
"Such a beautiful moon are we graced by today, wouldn't you agree?" she asks, none of the incoming moonlight brightening the draconian spell in her eyes.
He takes a slow step back, another, sharply saliva and air returns in, deeper and deeper.
"Perhaps colder than usual, yet it is a fine night. Shame I've no permission to drink on duty, enjoying sake under the moonlight is one delectable pleasure," nodding short, a hand slowly cruising through her hair, 1st Lt Tsukuyomi takes a moment to stare at Shirogane. Although her words were soft like the breeze, in comparison to them the gale would seem fitting of the opposite hemisphere. "Would there be something wrong, Shirogane Takeru? You've been dead, silent for quite some time," she asks as she shortens the distance in slow, small steps, eyes narrowing upon the patch covering one of his ears.
"Uh… It's nothing, I didn't expect to see you," not this fast, dammit. What is it with today? "If you'd excuse me," he gives a faint bow, taking a few steps, that are mirrored and block his path once more. "Um, do you need something, 1st Lieutenant?"
"Huh? I… do not recall introducing myself to you, Shirogane Takeru," she asserts, an eclipse falling over hair fair, now tight and ablaze, features.
And causing the soldier to recoil, eyes and lips ballooning in shock. "I, uh, was told, like, not to mess around with the Royal Guards that were here in the base," he answers, taking another step back, casting glances around, sensing three sets of footsteps somewhere behind him.
"Hmm, I see," she says, and nothing else. Simply tapping her chin while pacing, she observes him. Mana remains silent, observing and scanning what the light revealed, eyes that should not shine, breathing that must've been as cold as the gale. Under such deafening stillness, the moonlight's clarity clung more to the soldier as if to ascertain his shadow, his presence. So she was left to rasp a sigh, frowning a bit. "Most curious it is, to see a male recruit at this time of the year."
On the complete opposite, the chills poke and prod at the every pore, trying to sink in. Recalling a hallway, the tournament, what came later, Takeru rubs an arm, not rejecting the cloak that upon him falls. "I guess… It's how things turned out, just that."
"More so to be assigned to this base, no less."
Gaze downcast, shadows extend and flicker to the drum of the wind.
"Hmm? What is it? Out of answers so quickly?"
Sighing while rubbing the ear, still barely able to hear much from it, Takeru faces the new moon where it shouldn't be one. "I don't know what you want me to answer, Tsukuyomi-san."
"How curious, I've not introduced myself yet. I do not recall giving you permission to use my name, Shirogane Takeru."
"…And I don't recall giving it to you, either, but here we are," he shrugs, lifting a small smile, a ding on his mind in warning. "And speaking of here, it's getting kinda cold. Wanna talk inside or-"
"I do not mind the coldness, myself," she asserts, arms folding slowly. "You seem distressed, Shirogane Takeru. Would you be having a rough time?"
"Siiigh… You have no idea, for real."
"…Huh?"
"O-Oh, sorry. It's just my way of saying something's serious. Just… Yeah, today's been a shock," sighing a bit, then looking up, taking a step forward. Thinking of the bunny in black, yelling a call in his mind, Takeru returns the stare. "If you don't need anything from me, I'd like to take my leave."
"Oh, but I very much do, you see," she immediately counters, tapping her chin. "Could you tell me from where were you transferred, cadet?"
"That's classified."
"Oh, truly?"
"Yeah, was advised to shut up about it for the time being."
"I see… Quite curious, wouldn't you agree," she says, smiling small and nodding upwards. While she gazes at the moonlight that falls all over her, those sets of footsteps crawl closer to his back. "I assume you arrived yesterday and were appointed to your squadron today, in quite the haste it would seem. Did you truly think you'd go unnoticed?"
"No, but this is way faster than expected. Seriously, it's been only a single day, dammit," complaining inside, shaking his head to a shiver due to the cold blanket, he paces back, stares at the trackfield. Finding almost right behind him three shapes garbed in white standing in tension, talons and fangs absorbing the moonlight, reflecting none of it back his way. "…Could we try and settle this peacefully or-"
"If you'd comply with the queries," Mana says, waving at the trio that relent and take a singular step back, gazes still preying upon the soldier.
"Fine, I guess," he rolls his eyes, compacting his posture. Not like I should run by force, even if I could win a fight against them. "You have fifteen minutes, I'll spare that much."
"…Pardon?"
"I'm saying we can talk for that long. I've training first thing in the morning, I'm sure you know," he nods, simply tilting his head to gaze at the frowning trio.
Mana blinks erratically, mind blank for the seconds in which a cloud obscures the moon, and the soldier's own features. "…Let us get to the point, if you'd allow. Tell me, Shirogane. Why is a dead man still walking?"
"…I'm going to assume you're talking about me."
"Oh, what makes you think that?"
"That you got me surrounded, ready to beat the ever-loving shit out of me?"
"…Kindly answer the query, then. Why is a dead man walking again?"
"Siiigh… Well, for starters, because I'm not dead."
"Wh- Do you take us for fools, you-"
"Kamiyo," a quiet, scorching glare causes further step backs. Mana paces around him, arms behind her back, edging closer. "I do not take kindly to jesters, cadet."
"I know that already, for real," he shrugs again, her features tighten once more. "But that's the thing, actually. I'm only seizing my chances, just that," he nods back smiling, causing a glitch, the stop of her slow pacing.
"You're capitalizing an opportunity? To what end?" she asks, taking a step closer, the trio following suit.
Yet only a smile they meet, the downcast gaze hiding from the moonlight. "It's a good skill to have, ain't it. To know when to make the most out of the cards you're dealt. That's all I'm doing."
And for a few moments, the shriveled clouds above traveled the skyline faster than Mana's thoughts did in her inner highway.
"…That still does not answer my question, Shirogane Takeru," she says, slow and low, a sliver of poison leaking out of the lips. "Why is a dead man here? Only the living can seize opportunities, after all."
And returning the gaze squarely, an unchanging coldness she returns his way. Rustling both hands into his pockets and kicking at the ground, he can only stargaze in silence for a moment. "The last time I kept things in, everything went to hell. Even if she doesn't believe me, all I gotta do is show her I'm not an enemy…" he decides, recalling the last time that dry voice came from Tsukuyomi, when from this same trackfield he called for help. So shrugging a bit, he slowly starts. "Well, maybe there's something dear to the fallen, something worth dying for again."
"Cease your misdirections!" Ebisu snaps, stepping forward to the nods of the other two. "Do you think you can make fools of us?"
"Hear, hear," Tomoe nods, pointing a finger to his throat, eyes ablaze. "What trickery did you employ to deceive the UN I know not, but you cannot best Mana-sama's eyes!"
"Her instincts are second to none! Well, maybe Maya-sama's, but that's besides the point!" Kamiyo follows, erupting more than the flooding moonlight. "Don't underestimate the Shogunate, we already tracked your profile, dead man!"
"I wish not Mana-sama's anger upon anyone. You'd be best served to plead guilty right away. Better get on your knees and kiss her feet in prayer!"
"…Ebisu, again with that?"
"I'm only saying he should prostrate himself and beg for forgiveness. Identity theft is in no manner a laughing matter."
"Yes, precisely. Simply because you're quite adept with a sword does not equal you'd be able to fool our eyes, nor our data banks. Also, for the Holy Emperor, close your damn jacket!"
"Wait, what's wrong with it?" he asks, rechecking his attire, finding nothing out of the ordinary.
Yet the trio huddle closer, groaning and grumbling steam out of every pore, fingers and stares locked on Shirogane.
"And he dares to jest on the matter, I swear. Isn't this public indecency?"
"He's doing it on purpose, to distract our attention to that poor, stretched tank top!"
"I know, right?! Just because you've such a well honed physique does not equal you must show it off so! Males these days…"
"…Are you complimenting me or-"
"Who would praise an oaf like you?!" all three burst in unison. "Don't you dare look down upon us Imperi-"
"You three, that is more than enough," Mana warns, pinching her nose, massaging the bridge as one eye twitches in glitch. "Let me handle this discussion."
"However, this oaf is clearly-"
"Kamiyo, I said enough. You three, fall back. I shall handle this, myself," she asserts, holding their stares hostage until they bow down. When all them reflect moonlit curses his way, Mana clears her throat. Along the passing wind the three shadows melt in a breath, leaving nothing behind. And yet, "You do not seem surprised, Shirogane Takeru."
"Eh, don't see a reason to react to the Three Idiots and make things worse."
"How did you dare to call us?!" shadows complain behind the water taps, small pebbles or the like almost grazing the soldier. "It is tantamount to treason to insult the Imperial Royal Guard, more so considering your attire!"
"I mean, you three were literally checking me out worse than I did when I was a teen in summer. I'mma sue your heads if you keep this up, technically speaking I'm still a minor until my birthday," he crosses his arms and brows, glaring at the grumbling shadows that melt back to silence, curses under their breaths and the gale. Takeru simply sighs, choosing then to slowly button up his jacket. "So," he looks Mana's way again, who hadn't moved from her position, expression far closer to ignition, "I don't suppose you're feeling like ending this talk yet?" he asks, taking some steps away.
"We could, if you'd cooperate," she squints eyes and tone, pacing in the opposite direction, both creating a small circle of steps.
"I have been, honest. Haven't ran back to base nor screamed for help, have I?"
"Are you that certain of your safety?"
"There's no reason to worry, a Royal Guard wouldn't put themselves in the spotlight so easily. If you were really worried, I'd be dead already," he shrugs, messing with his hair.
"Hmm, and yet it seems dead is what you should already have been, as a matter of fact," a step closer, another. "You have not been surprised by our presence in the slightest, even now you do not seem alarmed," a hand nuzzles the edges of the red dress, finding a handle, gripping it.
"Today has been crazy, is all. I'm kinda numb, to be honest."
"Hmm. For your profile to be locked despite your rank, you must be quite the special cadet. For the record, I could not find you in our data banks. Neither from the IRG nor the IJN, not a conscript from the UN either… Who could you be, I wonder?"
"…Shirogane Takeru?"
"Pah… Keep making a fool out of me, Shirogane, and I will make sure you only eat natto for the rest of your stay in the Empire."
"Joke's on you, I like that a lot actually."
"You… do?" steps almost halt, heels surfacing on the ground.
"Yeah, for real," he simply nods back, also ceasing the circle, facing her with the moonlight behind him.
"Hmm. For someone who, I assume, comes from abroad to favor a Japanese dish. Would you tell me what is your favorite meal, Shirogane?" she asks, half a step closer.
"…Why? I mean, I don't mean telling you but, why ask that?"
"So despite being a fellow Japanese you do not possess such a simple, mundane answer?" she asks, far colder than the wind that recoils off her frame, hair swaying upwards.
He simply shrugs, shivers away from the frost in her gaze, inner and outer. "Eh, fine. It's steamed doubin, without a doubt. The king of the mountains, the matsutake mushroom, alongside the treasures of the seas, breams and shrimps, steamed together with some nice seasoning. Add fried rice, eggs, and maybe some bacon alongside it, and you have a total delicacy. Best food ever created!" he declares, uppercutting the gust. Only to wither into a wail, a hand softly tending to his belly. "Hauu… What wouldn't I do for some fried chicken with rice…"
"Wh-What?"
"Oh, ignore me, I'm just complaining out loud."
"You… Could you remind me of your name?"
"…Shirogane Takeru?"
"Is it really? Would it not be 'Takeshi' instead?" she asks, smiling small while pacing to face him.
Only to have the soldier back away, grimacing as if facing the culinary efforts of one certain beloved. "No, it's not. My name is Takeru."
"Yet the kanji of your name in the profiles would more commonly be read as-"
"I know, but it's not Takeshi. What the hell, dude."
"Then, if you are indeed Shirogane Takeru, I assume you can answer simple queries of your profile, can you not? What is your blood type, for example?" she asks, edging closer with every step, skirting his shadow.
"B negative, I think?"
"When is your birthday?"
"December 16."
"Year?"
"1982. Born right at nine PM, by the way."
"I… see. Did you have any siblings?"
"Nope, only child." And Sumika could count, but no one remembers she exists over in this world.
"I see… I suppose, this has been enough," her steps stop, right behind him. Leaning closer to prevent the soldier from turning around. "Tell me, now, how does a dead man walk again?" she asks, slithering closer, almost whispering the venom right at his neck.
Only to flinch and stall all motions as she hears a low chuckle start to raise.
"…What is so funny?"
"Sorry, it's just… Today really ain't my day, is it," he simply whispers, rubbing the stitched patch over an ear as if attempting to capture a cloud.
"If you continue to avoid an answer-"
"It's not like you'll get it anyways," he whispers, sighing and looking up. "Yeah, it's not like I lose anything, maybe Tsukuyomi-san will catch the cross…"
"Ahem…" Mana taps his forearm, glares at the drunken butterfly of his scattering shock, frozen solid for a moment. "I do not recall allowing you to use my name. Also, mumbling beneath your teeth is quite the daring thing to do in front of an Imperial Guard," she asserts, taking point in front of him, glaring at almost minimal distance. And having her own veneer loosen upon the shock remaining in his features.
"Ah, dammit, I thought I was over this…"
"Pardon?"
"Nothing, just ignore me. I tend to space out a lot, though it's been a while since I've done that…"
"Is… that so."
"Sigh… Anyways," flattening his jacket, slowly closing it up upon a gust, Takeru meets the ice for eyes, coldness heaving in his stomach at another face-off with blank masks. "I'm only trying to honor a promise, nothing else. Just trying to see if I can fly again, before having to fall down and burn away."
"W-What did you just…"
"It's a way of saying I know this is no second chance, but that I'd like for things to be better than before," he answers, still looking up at the moon, a hand reaching out to try and grasp it, pulling at his heart's strings. "That I know there will come a time when it's gonna be actions and not words, so I can't run away. If I want to make the future smile, I gotta start from now. So even if you think me dead I've got something worth protecting, that's why I'm- Tsukuyomi-san?" he asks as he looks back down, finding the guard had taken a few steps back and was far from over doing so.
The quiver in the features halts, not that of the hands. Coughing does not either, even the gale's coldness cannot stick to her, flowing through the cracks along the glint of moonlight. "Those are… Ahem, rather curious words, one could say. You do not deny you are a dead man, then?"
"…I guess that's all you'll see me as, huh," and so he sighs again, shoulders slumping, all the bravado galloping away on the wind. "Yeah, this is my B."
And leaving further gaps in the mask that no moonlight could brighten. "You- What- E-Enough of this! Who are you supposed to be?"
"…Just Takeru, nothing else," he shrugs, everything still downcast. "At the very least, I don't think we're enemies, Tsukuyomi-san."
"I- You- Pah! To think you'd attempt to fool us. Also, you are not allowed to call me by name," she lashes out, a viper in every word.
Only managing to petrify and cloud what moonlit seeds remain in him. "I see… Guess it's on me for believing we could get along again…"
"What did- Just what are you talking about?!" she yells, glaring at the trio of shadows that stand and try to edge closer. The dragon swallows its own breath the way it came upon finding an unchanged downcast collapse seeking the stars again. Inhaling sharp while fixing her fringe, she tells, "Enough pretenses and fancy words. Why are you here, Shirogane?"
"…Because I've someone to protect," he slashes back into her, an eye slightly twitching, silencing the momentum of the one in red.
"And, pray tell, who could that someone be, to summon a dead back to the living? Have you returned on your own to this place, perchance?"
"Siiigh…" numbness tickling the underside of his ears, Takeru looks up, up to the moon again. To that phantom trail of a rocket he can see, amidst what feeble cracks follow when thinking on what follows. "You could say I chose to be here, I guess." According to Sensei's theory on the Nucleus, at least.
"Then, kindly answer the query, unless you rather have my guide you back to the grave."
Shoulders crash down, a dry laugh escapes his lips again. "I already know what happens when I shut up and don't play to my outs, do I? Even if Tsukuyomi-san won't ever be my friend like back home…" his eyes close, a deep breath later he slowly starts, again clawing at the distant stars, "I used to be from this area, if you must know."
"Wh-What? Wait, but that isn't in the profiles, was it?"
Much like a seed he craves the light, reaching up through the curved dark of other days, when he was not enough to be their guiding light. "We met in this town, or what used to be here… We grew up here, together. At times we laughed, we cried too. We hurt others and were hurt ourselves, driven up and pushed forward by who knows how many emotions and meetings. And one day… we had to say goodbye," the hand closes tight, only to limp down in defeat and leave only a sliver for a whisper, threads and needles unformed.
"…Do you remember those days?" she slowly asks, pacing to look at his face, breath hostage when the night's moonlight reflects that of other days back at her.
"To be honest, I don't," a laugh that cracks, unmade as the seams melt into a drowned wail. "It's all simply jumbled together, a mess of shards and still images. There's lots of gaps, stuff that makes me wanna puke yesterday's breakfast just by trying to think about it," he rubs his stomach, tasting salt again and closing his eyes again. And for a moment, the 1st Lt's own complexion almost overlapped perfectly with his. "But even if I'm alone now, even if the indifference of time will wash it all away by the end of things I'd like to try and walk towards a brighter future, seize the opportunities that are still within my reach. Even if they're gone and I'll never fully recall our times together, I feel like that's the best I can do to truly carry on," and so, only a sigh leaves him as he rubs his eyes.
Because there is no light for him to seek but that of other days. Yet that is yesterday and not now, it's inside and not outside. Memories might be precious forevermore but with only them as sustenance a heart would starve, become stiff and dry. Nothing can bloom in inert soil, much less without a drop of sunshine. Every seed, regardless of its thorns, craves it much, cannot continue to exist without light. And knowing this, even if partially, makes thorns choke the guard, throat constricting upon his complexion. Shirogane hollows a sigh and a yawn at the same time, plucking the wilting petals off his eyes; Failing to do much other than laugh at himself at the dryness, recalling he has no further tears left to shed. Knowing that small seed of hope might again require a bloodbath in place of the lack of sunshine.
"If only we could have been together for just a few days more, if only for you to try my cooking, see you smile once… That would have been more than enough. And yet, why can't I remember you, any of you, to the very end despite having survived a fission? If I really have the will to live… Siiigh… Sensei, you had one job, dammit…"
A battered flower, punished by incessant rain, slouched and about to kiss the soil. Tsukuyomi slowly, so slowly steps forward, a hand moving out on its own towards the moonlit mirage. Holding her breath when her fingertips are about to brush against the chin to lift the flower back up, a sound flows through the otherwise empty air in the trackfield. She hastily steps back, bracing towards the door from where a light screeching in need of oil extends along the wind. While three distant shadows stand in attention and grow closer, Mana hastily looks to the intruder yet finds her posture loosening in front of the small assistant dressed in black, who hurried a bit, gasping momentarily.
Takeru coughs and, after a breath to fix his posture, waves at the girl, stepping slowly towards her. "Hey, Kasumi. What's up? Hm?" he blinks and tilts his head, yet the girl does not answer when approaching. Short of it, she simply grabs his sleeve and begins to pull and drag. "…Kasumi, I can walk, you know?"
"It is late, it's almost the end of curfew."
"I know, I was just… talking."
"Your aura says otherwise."
"…Come on, now. It can't be that bad. I'm always like this."
Young Yashiro halts her steps, gazing back at him, then shaking her head. "You're odd. How can you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Live on with so much dark inside. It's spilling all over the place," she says, looking down at his feet and arms, shivering, shrinking a bit.
"I… guess I'm used to it, haha. It's just what…"
"Coward."
"-I have to deal with for my mistakes."
A slow rustle on his arm sends his gaze back to reality, back at the one far more paler than the moon yet far more warm than it by a mile. "Please cheer up."
"…Thanks, little bun," he smiles back, petting her head. And taking point in front of the bunny as a cough and a pair of steps close in his shadow again.
"Excuse me," Mana chases after, scowling acid back at the little girl, "we were in the middle of a conversation."
"…The Professor said she already answered. Any more questions will become meddling," young Yashiro says, bunny ears flapping a bit as she clings to the wrist. "Please don't insist."
"However, he is-" Mana glares at Takeru, this time he holds her gaze in equal manner, his body as a shield for the assistant. Nothing left of that small, tender flower seeking the stars, now thorns raise and rain upon her. "Shirogane, is everything you've said truthful?"
"Siiigh… Come on, I tried to be tactful, didn't I? I get why you're so worried, but believe me, I won't do anything to the detriment of Mei- Mitsurugi, for real," he stands in attention, nodding back sharply into the new moon.
Who takes a singular step closer, folding her arms sharply as she stares straight ahead at him. "You stuttered just now. Do you have the intention to call Meiya-sama by name as well?"
"Insisting on questioning him is-"
"It's okay, Kasumi," petting the little head that quivered behind, clinging to his hand a bit too tight, he sighs and shrugs back. "Tsukuyomi-san is only doing her job; Ever the reliable older sister," he notes, to the apathetic tilt of the bunny's head, the polar opposite of the guard. Giving a slow bow to Tsukuyomi, Takeru remains in position for a second, shuffling back to usual. "Manners are not my forte, 1st Lt Tsukuyomi. So I will probably, possibly, definitely end up calling her by name, yeah. I mean no disrespect, I do that to everyone. And again, I don't think we are enemies, despite my… particular circumstances that you are already aware of. If you still want to see me as you expressed yourself, that's on you."
"But- But that is- What on- However, you are- should be-"
"I won't mess with you, and swear I won't ever harm Mitsurugi. If I ever break this promise, feel free to slash me in half yourself," he nods back to the crack of the moon, who takes half a step back.
"Shirogane-san, we should leave," young Yashiro hurries, quivering at the twister in both expressions and auras.
"Fine, fine. Also, I told you Takeru was fine, Kasumi," he complains, slowly turning away and walking to the base.
"You are an officer, deserving of respect. Due to my standing in the base, I am obliged to-"
"I'm telling you it's fine, dude. I don't mind at all."
"Shirogane-san, allow me to inform you I am female. I am not a 'dude'."
"Pfft… Hahahaha! I know, you silly. But for real, you can just call me by name."
Further protests did the assistant raise, further the ante was raised by the soldier in an attempt to both convince her to drop the rank and get her away and himself from what she had sensed beforehand.
Knowing that to chase them, the assistant more than anything, would incite a reaction in the soldiers inside, 1st Lt Tsukuyomi remains simply standing, lips parted and shaking, while staring at the moon. Licking the desert within her cheeks, pacing about in smaller and growing circles does not dispel the clogging rush inside her head.
Sending the trio packing to their final duties of the day when they approach, Mana remains behind, alone in the quiet trackfield as the windows of the base go dark as curfew grows closer and closer, leaving her only with the moonlight as a partner. And yet as she massages her forearms, flattens her dress and picks up the pace, she still feels cold running down her spine.
Because not all flowers bloom out of love. There are seeds that have been raised up and driven forward then flourished without light to seek, after all. And while ingrained wrath had been unearthed before, released at the soldier, only the tender roots remain exposed to the night, heartbeats delaying a bit. Unable to answer, not wishing to provide a resolution to her own question in front of the petals she forced him to scatter from within.
And sadly, not even Takeru could truly answer her query truthfully. Why is a dead man walking again, indeed. Why does a seed raises from the deepest void?
[Recommended Music: Holy Forest, King's Field IV.]
Some hours later.
(Imperial Palace, Tokyo. Shogun's Chamber.)
A breath clouds a window, just as the smog now lingers everpresent over the city, over her heart. Eyes remain admiring the illuminating dance in the streets, all to different from her own breaths and pulse. Despite the vast moonlit skyline to those eyes everything simply still is tied to it at the edges, masking under the beauty. Be it the sharp, heavy echoes coming from the military detachments on the grounds patrolling the area, be it the modernized and pristine buildings nearby, or the lavish decorations and amenities she enjoys within her own chamber which have never met the outside air, as much as she hasn't either.
Although the pleasant scent permeating her room is as always, although abundant is the food and comforts available, the lack of change in itself disturbs the Shogun on these silent moments. When all the gears stop and alone she is in her mind, a hostage in her chambers. A flower in a greenhouse, feeding off its own shine. Within and only within is this luster found, prisoner in a cage. For only winter awaits outside, figuratively and almost literally on these closing days of October.
When again gazing out, her hand rests on the glass, wiping it, once more admiring all those distant buildings clinging to the thread of water seeping through the cracks. If some years ago her heart had sank when looking upon the city from this very same height, at this point it was almost completely submerged, smeared on the stillwaters that have not changed at all, only raised to her neck.
"-and it seems the XFJ Project's committee has failed to gain support from the UN to continue operations now that both units of the Shiranui Second have been lost," tapping her glasses while reading her PDA, Tsukuyomi Maya so reports.
"I see. Most regrettable," Koubuin answers, closing her eyes, the curtains too, not wishing the desolate dark to tickle her heart no longer. Walking back to the sofa and sipping what tea remains, the Shogun sighs. "Any other news, Maya?"
"Ah, yes," standing in attention, briskly tapping buttons, Maya drones on in stalwart chanting, "the forces of Kitanomaru have raised their concerns regarding their firepower. Some have suggested to employ some of the coming new recruits to bolster the castle's defenses."
"Unnecessary," Koubuin deflects, shaking her head slowly, darkening in ice to the opposition of the warm light abundant in the chamber. "Our people are in dire need of aid, to say nothing of the possible damages a BETA incursion could cause if the IJA remains fending on its own. I stand by my prior decision. I need no further protection."
"…Your Highness, the Prime Minister has also voiced his concerns on the matter. Please, do think on how this could impact his image."
"And I've already relented explanations to every query, have I not? All claim to speak on my behalf yet, when I speak, no one truly listens… Siiigh. It's always the same, for real," she quietly fumes, sipping more tea, grabbing a strawberry muffing from the nearby tray.
"Y-Your Highness, do not lose your poise," she asks, causing a chomping to fall unto the poor muffing. "I beg of you to reconsider, if only for appearance's sake," Maya pleads, clutching the device as she bows, sighing and grimacing as further munching falls on the available muffins. "Tensions are rising in the capital. Many in the lower echelons are very much opposed to any kind of further collaboration with the UN, if they keep on infringing on what they believe are your rightful entitlements. If this tide is not placated, it might sweep the Diet under."
Wiping her lips slowly yet narrowing her sight at the retainer, Yuuhi groans softly. "A leader must not waver through rallies to dread. The path to a brighter future shall not come to be if paved by terror," she says, sighing short, resting the cup and gazing backwards for a moment. And sighing yet again, longer this time when her hand roams the tray and finds no more muffins.
"However, if what rumors I've heard are to be believed-"
"Maya, what came to be the last time we acted on our despair?" Yuuhi asks, brushing her neck. Upon the departure of air and shine from her retainer's complexion, the Shogun returns a fleeting smile, shaking her head once more. "I am aware that this is the worst case scenario. Yet we do not possess the means with which to empower the IJN now that the XFJ Project has fallen, nor do we enjoy the leisure to compromise for the Type-00's complete adoption. For the moment, we cannot allow this animosity of olden days to seep back to the surface twice. We both know we have been graced by only a few months, and sustaining the last breaths of the Fourth is what we must focus on," she asserts, nodding short.
Maya returns the gesture, restoring an uptight posture. "Indeed, right you are. However," tapping her glasses, her stone-cold scolding gaze meets her lady's, unfaltering, "might I advise you to employ meditation from now on? Rejecting all aid and flaring up in private later shall only harm you, milady."
"…And yet, that is all I'm allowed to do, the Shogun must not tip the scales of the spectrum," again she slumps, almost spilling down to the floor. "I appreciate your concerns, Maya, but I shan't be meddling further than necessary, to avoid taking a side unexpectedly," the Shogun gives a nod, allowing the cushion of the sofa to catch her fall, even if the inner one cannot be stopped. "So please allow me some leisure in my chamber at the least…"
Maya simply sighs, resting her PDA in one of her dress pockets, words and platitudes stitched at the seams yet torn apart when reaching the lips. Tapping her glasses again, all she can do is nod. "…I share your feelings, yet I am uncertain whether this approach is the most proper one, is all. Your voice could certainly sway many to your desired path, milady."
"Her Highness could always employ a royal decree instead, if necessary," an intrusive voice slowly says from behind Maya, causing Koubuin to jolt back into a proper sitting position.
"Indeed, a decree would-" Maya halts, turning sharply to a side, eyes wide as a watermelon.
"Hm? Is something the matter, ma'am?" so asks the gray robbed intruder, tilting his head.
"2nd Lt Yasomaga! Why have you not notified your presence?!" Maya berates, slow and freezing.
Eyelids descending slowly, the low Tozama guard remains as calm as the night, despite the minute furrowing of his brows. He then proceeds to bow down almost lethargically, the short dark hair swaying as the only change in apparent. An almost frozen expression remains unchanged, those topaz-colored eyes meeting the Shogun's. "My apologies. I did not meant to infringe on your privacy, milady. I merely am used to walking silently as the shinobi I am," the young man says, as if he had just been woken up from a long dream.
"Tsuhi, you are no longer a shinobi. I believe I have made my wishes on the matter clear enough by this point," Koubuin repines, hands interlocking as she glares softly.
He simply shakes his head, expression as gray as his dress. "And, as I am sure you are well aware, I am merely following my family's code, and my leader's orders."
"2nd Lt Yasomaga," Maya tells, softly hitting his shoulder with the back of her hand, "do recall to show the proper deference towards your Lady. You have not announced yourself when coming here, twice today. I believe an apology is in order?"
Yasomaga Tsuhi narrows his eyes, giving a minute shake of his head. "What good is a shinobi that foretells its presence? Would you rather have me announce myself on every assignment I take, Maya-sama?"
"This and that are completely different matters, also you should not talk back to your superiors."
"Maya, peace," swaying a hand slowly, Koubuin coughs, restoring her attire and hair to perfect symmetry in pulchritude. Maya also does as she takes a step back which allows the young man to walk closer to their ruler, bowing once he stops, causing the Shogun to gesture an immediate dismissal. "Tsuhi, whatever is the matter? Has something occurred within the castle?"
"No, nothing of the sort, milady," he answers, choosing to remain bowing. "However, Raiko-sama has announced herself. She is wishing to speak with you, Yuuhi-sama," he reports, looking up, unblinking.
"Is that so? Did she speak of the motives behind this visit?"
Tsuhi nods, a single finger treading the small, dark ponytail he has. "Raiko-sama desires to platicate with you regarding the food plant project's situation, as well as the lack of orders her unit has received."
Maya comes closer to the Shogun, whispering as she taps her glasses, "Your Highness, I'd advise against this meeting. To merely accept to see her without having made an appointment beforehand would perhaps diminish your image. Others could begin to imitate this course of action, and your resting hours are short as is."
"That might be, it is true. Yet the food plant is one, if the only, project my fellowship can use to negotiate from an advantageous position. Perhaps I should simply allow this and resolve the meeting now, considering the time it is."
"Well, what would your orders be, Yuuhi-sama?" Tsuhi inquires and hurries, sight never lifted from the shine of the Shogun.
Who nods again, upwards this time. "…Allow her entrance, I shall meet with her immediately."
Tsuhi nods, expression lost in poker. After a deep bow, he then turns around and gracefully marches out of the room, with long and slow steps, silently so.
"…I swear, how does he manage such an absence of air?" Maya repines, rubbing her eyes under her glasses.
"So you also cannot detect Tsuhi when he approaches?" Yuuhi asks, a hand raising on its own to her lips upon the dejected, destroyed nod Maya relents.
"I wish I could. Us of the Tsukuyomi House were only trained in the standard arts of the shadows, meant as protectors, milady. I suppose, Tsuhi has instead chosen to further polish said skill with his… family's methods," Maya sighs from her nose, reaching for the teacup to prepare more, for the coming guest.
"Is that so? Haven't you spoken with him to share those techniques with you and the rest?"
"…I did try, and he refused," Maya sighs again, dragging her boots as she departs to the kitchen of the chamber. "Yasomaga said back then that there was only one person he would ever teach the Yasomaga family's techniques to… And we know how that affair ended up," with a bit much force she throws the herbs in place, some missing its mark. The Shogun simply cradles her hands into each other, lips pressed as she once more seeks the windows, ruminating on all those broken olive branches lost during the war.
Some moments pass, Maya continuing on her reports to weary nods and debates and complains. Eventually, a knock appears on the innermost door, signaling the arrival, immediately welcomed. And behind 2nd Lt Yasomaga's lethargic pace two figures walk towards the Shogun, eyes squarely on Koubuin's. A tall, slender but well-defined shape garbed in the burgundy attire befitting of a High Shinpan, readiness and resolve as in Maya's own stance. The short lily hair, with a trio of sharp spikes flowing backwards as if three steel feathers they were, the strong, darker purple of her eyes, fair and smooth features betrayed the imposing aura. Stopping short, sparing not even a passing glance for Maya, a slow and graceful bow she gives to the Shogun, a soft yet firm voice follows suit.
"Thank you kindly for receiving me, Yuuhi-sama. I hope this night finds you faring well, milady."
"…Salutations, Raiko-san. You may rise, it is good to finally meet you again," Koubuin offers in poker, a meager flicker of light. Raiko raises back, nodding with a neutral expression. As she did, the Shogun could not help but to let her eyes wander to the one who stood besides, tightly holding the gloved hand of the Shinpan. "Hello, I believe we have not met in person?" she relents a smile, partly true.
The small boy hid behind Raiko, timidly peeking with a single eye at Her Highness. With short, light brown hair, the equally strong purple of Raiko-san's own eyes, the child was wearing a most elegant western set of clothing for the occasion, in cerulean and aquamarine with some small shades of thistle along its upper half. And yet albeit befitting of the place he was in the appearance was, the child quivered and shivered behind his cover.
"Come, introduce yourself," Raiko-san whispers, giving a small smile as she gently pulls him by the hand, the child now standing before Koubuin.
Giving a bow then hastily returning to Raiko's side, his eyes avoid the Shogun's in intervals, "Good evening, milady. My name is Fujikagi Amato. It's a…" he looks up at Raiko-san, who gives a small nod, and his stare hesitates its way back to the Shogun's, "…It's an honor to be in your presence, Your Highness-sama."
"Fujikagi, you do not need to add a -sama when referring to Her Highness," she corrects softly.
"Truly?" he asks, eyes wide. "Isn't that rude, Mother?" he pushes, Raiko shakes her head to the further ballooning of his expression.
Yuuhi smiles and chuckles, nodding his way as a hand seals her lips. "Indeed. There is no need for further honorifics," she reassures. Fujikagi then bows, thanking the Shogun before he hides behind Raiko-san's back again. She remains staring at little boy's face for a moment, thorns of other distant nights crawling up, before a shake of her head. "I suppose we should have him rest somewhere else. Tsuhi?"
"As you will," he immediately nods and walks up to the boy, who doesn't seem startled by his presence.
"Fujikagi, I need to resolve some work for the moment. Do behave well while under Tsuhi's care," she tells, patting his head.
The child nods with a smile, and bows down again in deference before Yasomaga slowly guides him by the hand out of the room. Raiko nods and thanks Yasomaga silently, who wordlessly salutes her while going out the room with the little child in tow.
"…I see no reason why you'd bring the boy with you," tapping her glasses, glacial gale greets its way forward. "To have him ascend to this floor knowing of the matters you wish to discuss, I believe you should have left him resting in the nearby hotel."
"Sigh… Not again," Yuuhi repines, resisting the urge to roll her eyes or snap at them. And again sighing as she reaches out to the empty tray, no muffins to placate her mood available.
Raiko scoffs, arms folding. "Why, I cannot merely leave him unattended. I expected more from someone who once watched over young children, but perhaps even than is beneath you today, Tsukuyomi," she retaliates thus.
The retainer frowns, scowls as she takes a step forward, "…Well, it is understandable. Yet quite audacious of you, to request a meeting without a prior appointment this late into the night."
"Oh, I did request an appointment, you see. I wonder why my petitions have all fallen on deaf ears…" Raiko returns the pleasantry, grinning faintly as she steps closer to the sofas, towards Maya. "It is almost as if someone were interfering with the communication attempts."
"Raiko-san, peace," the Shogun speak ups, before Maya loses her temper, by relenting a wave of a hand, a small smile, cracked threads of light. "I have not been in proper form to give you the time and attention you deserve. Please, do forgive my lack of tact towards your person."
Placing both hands behind her back, she hastily bows down, "No, there is no blame on your shoulders, Yuuhi-sama. Such are the circumstances you have been made to endure."
"That is good to hear… So then, do sit down. Tell me, how have you been faring as of late?"
Shaking her head as Maya offers a cup of tea, Raiko-san sways her hair backwards in one fell swing then locks her eyes onto her Lady's, coughing then, "As my reports have notified, I believe we have a working prototype for the main unit of the food plant. The smaller prototype managed to deliver a satisfactory result, thus it is now time to proceed to the next stage and devise the core in its required size to be of use for the synth food plant's outlined output. Should the approval and funds be bequeathed to us, I estimate that we can begin work on the final phase in a month's time," she tells, slowly appeasing queries from both of them, in fine detail as the herbal scents of the tea. "…At the very least, the filter to separate the flagellates from the seawater and any other substances is completed as of now, yes. As I said, my main concern at the moment is the development of the main unit and its support systems. With proper funding, I estimate that it would take us two years to deliver the first off-shore food production plant."
"Is that so? That is truly a blessing…" Finally, a good advancement that is not tied to the military, the Shogun sighs inwards as she lets the tea refresh and wash over the prior mire that she hoisted. "I am certain that the Kujo House will undoubtedly support this endeavor, and I suppose the Takatsukasa House might also do so, considering Kyoko-dono's has been cooperating with us much since last year. Maya, your thoughts?"
She steps forward, giving a prompt nod in agreement. "It would seem that way, yes, considering she gave the blessing for the young Takamura to join the UN for the XFJ Project as well. The young Head of the Saionji is, well, more swayed by the militaristic approaches, from what I infer, yet I am of the opinion that Ikaruga-sama would try and negotiate for some of his fellows to be involved in the development process before giving his agreement," she reports, taking one silent step back.
"So we could have four of us in unison, huh. Raiko-san, I know I might be imposing, however is there any-"
"I must refuse," she quietly warns, frowning towards Maya, sparks already flying between them. "The food plant is the fruit of the Koubuin House's endeavors. As the current Head of the Amato House, I shan't agree to relinquish our secrets or autonomy to the Ikaruga House."
The retainer steps forward as Koubuin sighs, gloves stretched farther than the Empire's poor defense lines. "You would dare and refuse a petition from Her Highness herself? The gall…"
Amato once more coughs, clashing, crashing her sight into Maya's with unmasked contempt, scoffing again. "No, I am refusing your suggestion. We cannot show such weakness in our negotiations, to simply reveal our cards so easily won't do us any favors."
"However, further clashing will only place Her Highness in a compromising position, more so with the delicate balance she is dealing with," Maya ascertains, firmly nodding. "I believe that, as her servants, it is us who should lower our heads to safeguards our Regent's wishes."
"Hmph… I wonder who you're referring to now," very much toxic, she eyes Maya sideways.
Who does not relent upon the coughing of the Shogun, instead taking a step towards Amato, offering a perfect mirror of the glaring gorgon. "…Would you be claiming I serve another Regent, perchance?"
"…Yes, for real," frowning, she fires off. The wording catching me and Maya off guard, it brings cold nails into to nape, into my hands, "I certainly did not expect you to be wagging your tail so openly, dog of Ikaruga."
After a moment of bewilderment, wrath overflowed my retainer, "What… What was that?! I dare you to repeat that!"
"Did you not just refer to him as Ikaruga-sama?"
"That was- It is only a show of the proper respect to the rank, not to the man."
"Refresh my memory, Tsukuyomi; Which battalion are you assigned to and what is your callsign?"
"Raiko-san, could you kindly cease these petty attempts at sowing discord?" the Shogun requests, glaring at both of them, very slowly sipping tea, making noise on purpose as she stares.
"…I am only asking for confirmation on my doubts, milady," Amato states, bowing yet glaring back at Maya.
Maya's gaze crumbles, fades to dust as she tightly veils her sight and whispers the answer to the query, "…IRG 16th Battalion, callsign Horn 3."
"Oh, is that so? If my memory isn't failing me, that unit is none other than the Ikaruga House's personal battalion, is it not?"
"…Cpt. Amato, it has been two years already," Koubuin warns, exhaling steam from both lips and eyes. "I know why you harbor doubts till, yet Maya has already proved she was merely lacking intel on your operations."
Despite the bow Amato relents, the animosity did not thaw, "Yet, she herself is the one who mentions, the one who proposes to involve the Ikaruga House in our fellowship's matters."
"…I only suggested a course of action, and what will certainly occur whenever your project is unveiled," Maya relents, taking a step back, closing her eyes. "In no world will Ikaruga ever not try and gain seats in the board of the food plant."
"Then, all the more reason for us to begin to secure allies, is it not?" Raiko ascertains with a nod, smirking a bit. "I do have some proposals to raise, milady, if you have the time?"
"Sigh… I suppose," Yuuhi sighs, resting the cup limply on her lap, her back onto the sofa. "What may they be?"
"First, before anything," she glares at Maya, narrowing her eyes and lips, "I'd welcome some privacy."
"Must you still accuse me of this?"
"Oh, no, how could I ever, my fellow? I'm only saying it is for the best that you remain in the dark, so that you cannot be pressured in any meaningful capacity. No need for such pungency, you must chill, Tsukuyomi."
"…Are you mocking me, Amato?"
"No, only returning the favors unpaid, is all."
"Enough, you two," Yuuhi repines, massaging her temple. "Maya, please take care of the final night duties while we platicate," she asks, staring until her retainer relents the edge in her eyes, sheathing the embers.
With only a faint bow to the guest, Maya directs herself to the door, sparing one final glance at her protegee. Yuuhi simply smiles and waves, causing the retainer to hollow a sigh inwards before departing. For a moment, only the clock disturbs the steam from another pouring cup of tea and the rustling of incoming reports. While the Shogun's hands softly grasp her cup, in stark contrast do Amato's grip and shuffle the papers, straightening them out.
"…You truly do dislike Maya, do you Raiko-san?" Yuuhi asks the already answered query, before taking a sip, sighing from her nose.
Amato shrugs and scoffs, half smiling. "Dislike feels inappropriate. Despise fails to convey the feeling."
"Sigh… I know it might be pointless, yet I trust Maya with my life. And I won't claim to know in detail what transpired between you two during those months after Yokohama fell… yet I'm certain Maya would never have done anything to bring harm to our fellows."
"…We will have to disagree on that front, Yuuhi-sama," she thus says, low, before shaking her head. Coughing to kill embers resurfacing, she nods to the Shogun. "In any case, I do not desire to fuel any unnecessary altercations. If she keeps quiet, I shan't retaliate."
"Maya simply has a strong view of you, as you do of her. It is why she questions much of everything you do; I believe she might have thought you brought the child in an attempt to wrest for sympathy, perhaps."
"Hmph, as if I would subject Fujikagi to such uses… Please do not clarify her intents, it only darkens the already pale image I had of that dog," she fumes, twisting a few reports forever under the embers.
Yuuhi sighs, shaking her head. This was my miss, I shan't deny it. "If I may ask; Why bring the boy with you?" she softly asks, to divert the trail to calmer currents.
"As I said, I cannot simply him alone," Amato nods to herself, laying pages on the table.
"Is there a problem in Hibiya I was not aware of?"
"No, nothing of the sort, milady," she relents a small laugh, compacting her shoulders. "It's merely that, while I'm nearby, Fujikagi stays put reading or playing with his toys. But as soon as he notices I'm gone my fellows have told me he starts wailing and complaining much, wanting to know of my whereabouts," she tells, a frail smile then shrinking further to a sigh. "Such is the reason why I have not protested against your decision to have me do office work as I oversee Hibiya's outpost, for it means I can look after him without issues. However, I must admit, these last two years have been rough on me, to tend to him on my own…" eyelids descend slowly, lips twist inwards, a sorrowful, wistful expression hewn into her face as she looks to the windows, softly caressing her neck.
"I see… It is rather odd, for this to be how I met the little one…"
"Apologies, milady, but well, time has been a resource you have lacked since many a year ago. Truly, I only brought him here due to that, and his curious questions about the Castles and what kind of person the Shogun was. I believe he was surprised to see you," giving a small smile, slowly she treads her hair behind her ears.
Yuuhi relents a nod, softly laughing before going for another sip. "…I suppose he's in that age, where everything piques his interest. Is everything well in Hibiya, then?"
"Yes, we of the Chains have no complains to raise, Yuuhi-sama," Amato nods, back to her firm form. "Except for, well, your insistence to not deploy us to any sortie, that is."
"…The most precious sword is that which fulfills its purpose without being drawn at all. We wield the blade not to further our own interests nor pride, but to safeguard the powerless. Do remember the words of our ancestors, Raiko-san."
"And yet the horizon looks grim indeed, milady. Is there even a speck of light shining through for you to reclaim our blue skies?"
"There will be, be assured. For that day to come, we cannot allow any swords to be broken. Even when we're dared to take action, sometimes stillness itself is the best action one could take."
"…If you so believe," she barely whispers, facing away. "Simply do remember all the wishes entrusted to you. There is little else we can sacrifice as is without risking our independence as a fellowship, considering the influence Ikaruga already has in Kitanomaru and what I've heard of the Takatsukasa after the incident in Yukon claiming the XFJ Project."
"Yes, that is- Wait, how did you-"
"Yasomaga told me, when sharing reports a few odd days ago."
"Ugh… How does he come around all the over the palace grounds without anyone noticing?"
"Well, shadows are… not easy to detect, yet are always right behind you when you least expect them to. I assume you, too, would understand that, milady," she admits, looking away.
Glancing backwards for a moment, Yuuhi relents a nod. "I suppose, yes. Let us hope that this fleeting peace can be maintained if only for some more months."
"…And if you were to need my services, all you must do is call, Yuuhi-sama. Despair must not-"
"I know the code well, Raiko-san. Let us focus on your reports, please," she deflects, sighing and resting her cup on the table and receiving a swift nod, the slow beginning of possible alliances. "But yes, I know it well already. Regardless of how many strings are attached to my limbs, I've a path to cross. Even if those memories will fade, even if I'm alone now, the most appropriate offering to the fallen is to grant their wishes, to gift a smile to our wailing future. Despair not until you perish, Yuuhi."