"Oh, you know. The whole work thing being forced on me." Even if he enjoys the work and the subject. Deadpans, rolls his eyes and tries not to collapse. ---Rolling his eyes has never been a good idea, it just makes him dizzy.
What is the one thing you hate most about your fandom?
salty asks
Currently, there isn’t really much I hate about it. Mainly because the magi fandom became so small, there isn’t much going on, laughs.
There were times when it really pissed me off, though.
First of all, ship wars. Remember that one chapter when it appeared as if Alibaba/Toto became canon? There were so many people raging about it, some even wanted to send threats to Ohtaka, it was plainly embarrassing.
Also, there were times when this fandom was full of overly offended SJWs.
She was in one of the classes he took, Sin was sure of that. He can’t say that he recognized her frantically turning left and right face, but he knows for a fact that he admired that blonde hair before, even though it was currently flattened against her skin.
whatever compelled her to stand in the pouring rain, soaking wet like that, and seemingly trying to shield the stack of books in her hands, he had no idea, but Sin wasn’t about to let a damsel in distress without rescue. besides, his dorm wasn’t that far away!
So he walks up to her, places the umbrella on her shoulder where the handle is sitting just above the books she was holding and makes sure her head is safe from the rain.
“Here! you look like you need this more than I do. and you should go home before you get pneumonia!” he advised and left, not waiting for gratitude, running towards his dormitory before he, too might get soaking wet.
Summary: Jibril tries to get to work in the palace of Kou, hoping to have a chance of finding out some things from her past. Much to her dismay she has to present herself to the princes themselves before anything and gaining their approval might just be the hardest work of all.
Characters: Ren Kouen, Ren Koumei, Ren Kouha, Ren Kougyoku, Jibril [Find more information on her here. And about her past here. It is recommend to read these information in advance.]
a/n: Yay! My exchange part for @dropsofpast! I don't have any experiences with OC's so if I ruined your character... sorry! Jokes aside, had a lot of fun to write this, I hope you enjoy it at least a teeny-tiny bit! Also sorry for the walls of text, I got a bit wild since I had so much fun xD
„Been in any sort of relation with other countries, except for the ones affiliated with Kou?“
„No, just traveled through some for a while...“, she felt his red eyes on her, mustering her as if they were trying to poke a hole through her body. Or was it disbelieve? Did he not like what she said? For a second she thought about the conversation again, jumping slightly as she remembered. In a hectic she added: „Sir!“
There was a small grunt of approval, before Ren Kouen put his arm on the table, leaning his head on top of it, as he mustered the little review of her last workplace, that she brought with her - to better her chances on the job - in front of him. It was pretty obvious that he didn't really intended to read the sheet, as he unenthusiastically flipped it over twice, before centering his attention back to her.
„Any experience as a maid?“
Jibril thought for a moment, not wanting to regret her choice of words later on. There may have been some occasions where she did certain tasks which could be described as the ones a maid has to do, but if his next question was which one and she had to explain every single one – she certainly believed he was the type of man who would want to hear every single one in the most accurate description – she would have been screwed.
„Not exactly as a maid, no. But I helped different people with housekeeping and the like, Sir.“
The momentarily silence was nerve-wrecking, as he gave her another look over. His eyes went from head to toe and back again, fixating her eyes, blue meeting red.
„And do you think you are suited to do this job?“, he asked, his posture still very lenient for a man of his status. He probably didn't think of her as a treat at all.
Normally this question would have been understandable but something left her irritated. His eyes seemed knowledgeable and they way they fixated her, made her wonder if he knew something more than she did. Nodding her head, Jibril simply stared back, knowing that the first on who looked away was the sore loser of the quiet battle.
„I have no doubt that I am.“, the words came out a bit more straight-forward than she wanted, so she reminded herself quickly of the situation, but Jibril didn't back away from what she said.
She heard another hum from his side, as he shifted from his leaned position. Finally she lowered her gaze, realizing it might be inappropriate to fight the little game with an aristocrat. Though, when she heard the sound of a drawer open and paper rustling, she couldn't help but look up again, noticing how the prince, equipped with a feather, scribbled something onto a new paper. From the distance she had to remain, she couldn't figure out the words, leaning forward a bit.
Suddenly his head rose, which made her jump back into her original position. Kouen mustered the happenings with a stern, yet again unimpressed mimic, before holding out the new paper and her own, with one hand. Carefully she moved forward, keeping her eyes on him and wavering between standing and approaching, not sure if she was allowed too. This went for a few seconds before she was close enough, taking the papers from his outstretched hand.
„Out the door, turn right and knock on the third office. You will be questioned and told your wage, as well as your tasks and then somebody will get you to your superior. You...“
For a swift moment, he paused, his forehead wrinkling as if he thought about something. Again, he seemed to mustered her, understandable, now that he saw her up close.
„You may leave now.“
Gently she closed the door behind her, turning to the hallway and taking a deep breath. The time she had spent inside that room had left her tense and now that she was done with it, she felt this tension falling off her body. What a stern person, she thought, having met similar like him before, but never someone quite exactly like Kouen. He left an uncomfortable impression on her and she was pretty sure it was because of the look he gave her, right before she left. Then again, he wasn't actually mean, like some people had told her before the meeting, and she was thankful for it. Starting to make her way to the advised office, Jibril thought about not having said 'Thank you' to him, making a mental note for later.
„Who was that?“, a young female voice rang out to him.
Kouen sighed slightly, rolling one of his scrolls open and leaning back in a more comfortable reading position.
„A maid.“, he replied, not looking up at his sister, as she placed a cup of tea in front of him.
„She was pretty!“, Kougyoku remarked, hoping to get some information on the new person in the palace.
In fact, he looked up at her for a second, deep in thought before he answered.
„She looked like a child.“, he mumbled, more to himself than to her, before looking back down onto the scroll, even though his thoughts were still trying to make sense of the situation. It certainly was strange, how she had been able to get such a great review from her previous workplace, even though she had no occupation, nothing that shows she was trained in anything and then she comes in with a face so young, so innocent.
Kouen didn't even notice his sister leaving, as he was too deep in thought and trying to fill the gaps in Jibril's story.
„Have a seat.“
Mustering the sheet she gave him, Koumei thought about it for a while and she saw his eyes reading it over and over, as if he didn't understand what was written on it. To Jibril he looked tired. Just tired. Ren Koumei - he had such a nice name - a prince, right-hand man, advisor. Yet, he looked like none of that titles at all. A bit unkempt, how she thought, and old. He shouldn't be much older in the physical appearance than she was and yet he looked very much done with his life already.
„I am sure his highness has already asked you, but I need to do it again.“
In contrast to his brother he didn't look at her at all, when he spoke with her. He probably was concerned with finding a paper and feather - which Jibril found to be a hard task on a desk that was overflowing with documents and things, which she couldn't even identify what they were. Then again, she found a feather lying on her side, hidden behind the stacks of paper and Koumei too, seemed to have found another piece of empty paper to write on. She got up from her seat and moved carefully – somehow expecting him to react like a startled animal if she moved to fast - and held out the writing instrument to him, which he took without a look at her, mumbling his thanks.
„Any affiliations with another country, aside the Kou Empire?“
„No, none.“
Koumei nodded, writing down her answer on the paper, plus various other notices. Probably some kind of law-stuff, but she didn't get into it.
„And you want to work as a maid?“
„Yes I do and yes, I think I am suited for the job.“
All the time he hadn't stopped writing but suddenly his hand's movement came to a halt and he finally looked up, his brow slightly raised in a questioning manner, as if he didn't know why she made that addition. For the first time he had actually looked at her and his eyes mustered every inch of her body almost as meticulous as the ones of his brother. Then, he slightly shrugged his shoulders, turning back to his papers.
„I see.“
After a quiet while, Koumei pulled out another sheet, holding it out to her without any further eye contact and even bringing forth another pen for her. He vaguely gestured for Jibril to make herself comfortable, though he didn't even ask her to fill out the blanks, which by now left her rather bitter as she tried to figure out what she had to do by reading the paper. Was it even too exhausting to talk to her?
Eventually she found some free space, kneeling down to a small table on the ground and fill out the information that were asked. Jibril found it pretty advance that they would have forms like this. Nevertheless, she finished quickly, getting up and handing it back to the prince, who, by now, had apparently written down more than just one page. He took it from her, swiftly taking a glance over it. Suddenly there was a stop in his eye movements, he rubbed his forehead as if he was thinking before turning to her, looking her into the eyes for once.
„Place of birth: Unknown?“
Jibril held her breath for a second, before she could answer.
„I-I was adopted?“
Her answer sounded more like a question really, but Koumei only rubbed his temples once more, before leaning forward to add this information.
Quickly he placed this the sheet to the side, gesturing her to sit down again and holding a different paper up, so she could read it, while he pointed at different things. Her wage, tasks, things she had to absolutely stay away from – like stealing – and ways she had to behave, they were all listed to her and she wondered how often he had said all of them, the way he just simply rattled them down. Jibril had a bit of a hard time to follow him, much to her luck she was given these papers anyway. Koumei pulled out another form then, marking some lines with a cross and filling out some of the blanks himself, before giving it to her, asking her to sign these.
„That's a lot of papers.“, she remarked, trying to ease the mood. Surprisingly he gave her a wry smile for a second, shrugging his shoulders again, before sighing and replied:
„You shouldn't speak too freely.“
She bit her lips, quickly signing off the document and returning everything that he gave her. His hand rose, pointing to the door, as in: You can go. She wasn't sure by now who would win the award of having the least nicest way of communication. Either Koumei or his older brother. Neither of them had any tact, that was sure.
„You'll be expected outside. Good luck with your work.“
Koumei had already returned on working on the stacks of paper, as she reached for the door. Jibril came to a halt, slightly turning back. From her skirt pocket she pulled up a little ball of fabric - something she got as a gift from a cloths seller and carried around since it made her clothes smell nice and had a calming impact on her -, mustering it for a second in her hand, before walking back and placing it on top of the documents.
„I think you could need this. Thank you for having me, have a good day.“, she said, before turning on her heel and getting out of the office, leaving behind a confused prince.
Kougyoku didn't need to knock, she simply entered the office. After all it was her brother and she was an imperial princess. Much to her surprise she didn't find him hunched over papers like always, when she brought him his tea. Instead he sat thoughtfully on his chair, rolling a little sack in his hand.
„What do you have there?“, she asked, leaning over the table to see better.
„You tell me.“, with that he handed it to her. Immediately a slightly sweet and calming scent reached up to her nose, making her smile.
„Lavender, how nice, where do you have it from?“
Kougyoku mustered the nicely stitched fabric, which must wrap the flower's petal, finding it to be rather cute for something her brother would have.
„A maid gave it to me.“
Instantly Kougyoku looked up. Her eyes sparkling a bit against the light that came in from the only window in the room.
„The new one?“
Her brother nodded, watching her inspect the little bag.
„What did you think of her?“, she asked him, carefully, as to not make him interpret anything in her question.
„She seemed pretty mature for her age. I believe she'll become something great if she does the right things.“
„Not like a child?“
„She’s a grown woman, why would I think of her as a child, Kougyoku?“
He handed her the documents they had previously worked on, deeming the conversation as over.
„Get them to En, that might be interesting for him. And take that... thing with you.“
Koumei pointed at the little sack, which Kougyoku held attentively in her hand, rolling it from side to side, before shaking her head.
„Actually I think it would be good for you to keep it, brother.“
Quickly she gave it back to him, tapped onto the cup she had brought him, as to remind him to drink his tea, before taking the papers he reached over to her and leaving the room.
Kougyoku could barely wait to meet the new maid and was sure that by now, she made a perfect candidate to become her maid, she just had to ask her oldest brother once more. Good thing she was going to bring him something interesting anyway. At least that's what she thought, when she read the papers in her hand.
There was a somewhat awkward silence between Jibril and the youngest prince, as he escorted her to the dorms. At least, that's how she interpreted it, Ren Kouha on the other hand seemed too carefree to notice it. He walked in front of her, giving her a good look at the impressively big sword – compared to his rather small posture – that was hung over his back. Jibril felt like leaving some steps between them, not to fond of the thought of who had come into close contact with the weapon already. She found herself torn from these thoughts, as she listened up when he began to speak:
„You seem to be pretty young for someone wanting to work as a maid.“
You too for someone carrying such a big sword, she thought, forbidding herself from saying these words out loud. She sighed quietly, shrugging her shoulders and replied:
„Do maids have to be old to do their work?“
Suddenly he stopped, turning around to her and waiting for her to come closer again. For a while he inspected her thoroughly. She reciprocated his stern look, until he continued on his way, watching her over his shoulder, as she followed him.
„No, but you seem different.“
There was another silence between the two. It took a moment before he added:
„You will draw attention to you like that.“
Kouha led her through the hallways, around the garden – she got to see some spectacular flowers and trees growing, which swayed regally in the wind – and pointed out some rooms that may be important for her, like the kitchen. They stopped at one office and she could see the huge room filled with linen and sheets.
When the two stepped in, everyone bowed, they wouldn’t even dare to look up. The prince barked some minor orders, receiving the brown workers uniform in no time from one of the servants. He held it out to her and Jibril took it without knowing what just happened. Everyone seemed to have great respect but their lowered eyes seemed fearful too. When they left she gave them a short bow, looking after them as she followed Kouha outside again.
At some point, Jibril couldn't stand the silence anymore, asking a question she had on her mind for a while:
„Is it normal for Your Highness to escort maids to there work place?“, she asked, looking at the backside of his head.
Slowly he looked back over his shoulders and Jibril regretted asking. Koumei had even warned her to be careful about what she said and the somewhat cold eyes that fixated her now made her shutter. There it was again, this feeling she had felt when facing Kouen and also at the end of her visit by Koumei. By now she knew how to address it too: Hostility. She wasn't welcome, even though everyone had played it as if she was.
„We have reasons.“, he explained.
„Reasons?“, she asked questioningly, not understanding the meaning of this. Did she do anything? Was it because of something she had said before? Did they suspect her of something?
Her hasty response did not sit well with the prince, Kouha stopping in his movements and turned around completely to face her. Somehow even his smaller statue was pretty imposing when faced directly. He stared her down, his eyes looking incredible cold and unimpressed from her, yes, even a bit as if they were looking down on her. She felt natural instincts kicking in, telling her to move away but her curiosity got the best of her, as she tried to bravely stand against him.
„You draw attention to you. We have reasons to watch over you.“, he practically repeated himself, before only turning his body towards a long wall of slide doors, pointing his finger at the room behind them.
„Sleeping quarters. You will find the head maid there. Get along well with her, otherwise we'll not be able to keep you here for long. You don't want to get kicked out, do you?“
Jibril shook her head, finally taking the desired step back and away from him, while she tried to cool herself down from the shudder that was running over her skin. She bowed to him slightly, before opening the sliding door, quickly getting in and closing it off. Jibril didn't feel more safe, secured by only the thin paper door, but the warm inside gave her a moment to take a deep breath.
Once she felt her pulse sinking, she gave herself a light pinch in the arm, reminding herself to stop thinking about his piercing eyes, as she made out the silhouette of a tiny woman, packing away some things into a cabinet. Determined she took another deep breath before approaching her, putting on the friendliest smile she was able to bring forth.
„Excuse me?“
„Kouha! Hey!“, Kougyoku shouted from the pavilion that was connected to the hallway by a small wooden path, trying to raise his attention.
„No time, Kougyoku!“, he replied, moving faster to get out around the next corner and escape her.
„Really? I have cake!“
And so he found himself sitting on a table with her, sipping his tea and taking a big piece of his cake. Kouha didn't dislike spending time with his sister, though if he could have chosen, he might have just taken the cake and eaten it somewhere without her. Especially when he found Kougyoku to want something from him, whatever it may be.
„So? What impression do you have of our new maid?“, Kougyoku asked, wanting to have one last opinion about Jibril from her youngest brother. He took a second, chewing away on his cake, before answering.
„She seems okay. Bit too nosy maybe, that will make her problems.“
Kougyoku nodded, thinking to herself that she could life with someone asking about her. But what he added – after shoveling another big piece into his mouth – was a bit unexpected to her.
„She's different somehow. I can't determine what but she seems off somehow.“
Putting down his plate and the tacky cutlery that his sister got from a travel and she insisted on using when eating cake, he looked at her, thanking her briefly for the cake and asking to be excused. She looked after him, trying to make sense out of his words. Kouha was a class for himself, so maybe he was just exaggerating. Then again, maybe he could see more than other persons as he had a different view of things?
Kougyoku was unsure, but much to her delight she was able to see the maids doing laundry in a lower region of the huge palace garden and there was a new face, already doing her best to get the huge sheets down. She poked her fork into the strawberry on top of the cake, appreciatively letting the taste flow through her mouth. Soon, very soon, she might finally have a female companion to eat cake with. Even if that new maid was strange, who cares, she thought. After all, Kougyoku too, was a bit of a strange fellow. She was sure they'd get along splendidly and since her brother agreed, nothing was going to stop her from making a new friend.
