Meet Lithanne and Roxy, two heads of the same coin.
Lithanne, the original soul, grew up in the forest villages and was crowned princess of the forest village alliance when she was a small child. She was not a recognized royal or old/forgot royal like many others. She was found much later than most of the others and joined their fight closer to the final battle, the last to die to Emeralds blade before the other realized who she was fighting.
Roxy, the soul descendent, grew up in a city, nursing her little plants. She’s always felt drawn to plants and naturally felt uncomfortable around Jenna, which later made sense with the girls natural fire. She’s found a lot later than everyone else, found when she runs into Coral and Storm during a mission none of them remembered being sent on.
This is a Pretty short one because I was having some serious Writer’s Block for this one. I think it worked out well. Anyway, another one for @asobaroweek. Enjoy!
"My Dearest Barok,"
Kazuma sat at his desk, staring at the blankness of the paper outside of those three words. He wanted to write to Barok, his beloved - or, at least, his once beloved. Despite the passage of time, he still felt a lingering connection to the man who had stolen his heart so many years ago. But Kazuma couldn't even bring himself to put pen to paper, unable to fully understand the complex web of emotions that had tangled inside him since he last saw or spoke to Barok. On one hand, he had become a successful prosecutor in his home country and was watching his student grow into a skilled prosecutor in his own right. On the other hand, Kazuma couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing - or rather, someone. It had been too long since he had talked to Barok, too long since he had felt the man's warmth against his skin. But despite these feelings, Kazuma hesitated. He had responsibilities, duties to his student and his country, and he couldn't let himself be consumed by his desires.
To the romantics, Kazuma's decision of leaving his beloved behind in Britain would seem foolish. They may question why he would return to his home country and leave behind someone he loves. However, Kazuma's responsibility towards his ward couldn't be ignored. Both his father and mother had entrusted him with the responsibility of looking after Karuma, both the sword his father entrusted to him and the boy he mentored before his death. Karuma was once Kazuma's father's student and is now Kazuma's student in prosecution.
Rion Karuma sat beside Kazuma in their shared office, calling out "My lord!" while sitting seiza-style on a cushion at his low desk. Despite being younger than Kazuma by 4-5 years, Rion had experienced a great loss when news of his former mentor's passing arrived. He was just on the verge of turning 10 when this happened, and the grief hit him harder than it did Kazuma, leading to struggles with controlling his temper and other misfortunes. His last memory of his former lord and mentor was from when he was barely five years old, which made the loss even more challenging for him to bear.
“Yes?” Kazuma replied, looking up at Rion.
Despite being only 26 years old, Karuma had grown to be tall and massive in size, with a deep and forceful voice that held the power of the fiercest storms. His red hair, styled like Genshin's without the mustache, gave him the look of a true warrior. He was dressed in a dark blue suit with an ascot that had three clear layers, inspired by Kazuma and Ryunosuke's fashion sense. It was hard to believe that this young prosecutor, known for having the worst temper of all mankind, had once worked as Ryunosuke's aide before Kazuma took him under his wing. As Karuma tended to view everything as a competition, Kazuma was very strict about teaching him the importance of considering the human life at stake before winning as a prosecutor.
“You've been staring at those same words without writing a thing for the past week,” Karuma stated bluntly. He could read people as Herlock Sholmes could observe his surroundings. Kazuma once spoke about how his pupil was a mad lie detector. No one could lie to Karuma without him catching it.
“What would you write to your wife, if you had been gone for over a year without seeing her?" Kazuma asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
“I'd likely tell the wench that I expect dinner when I get back," Karuma replied, waving his hand carelessly.
Kazuma laughed, “That sounds like something you would tell her. It's a miracle she tolerates you.”
“If she wished to kill me, she would do so by now. I know that much,” Karuma stated, his demeanor softening. It was a rare moment of vulnerability.
Kazuma's pen hovered over the blank page, his mind frustratedly empty. He missed Barok with an ache that never dulled, every memory tinged with the longing of a heart denied. He remembered the feel of Barok's hand in his, the smile that graced his lips, and the way his eyes lit up when he spoke of his family and the stories his oldest brother read him. Kazuma yearned to be with him, to protect him from the attacks from London, but duty held him fast. Karuma still had much to learn and Kazuma couldn't burden Barok by asking him to leave his homeland. Kazuma understood the pain of leaving his homeland and the burden of moving to another country.
“If you feel the need to write something, you can pen your feelings before tossing it in the rubbish bin,” Karuma suggested, letting out a frustrated sigh.
“You make everything sound easy,” Kazuma smirked slightly. He felt amused by his student's suggestions that made everything sound easier than it was.
“And you make everything complicated. For god's sake, man, it wouldn't hurt to write about your day. I'm sure your lord appreciates it." Karuma could be seen raising his hands in frustration.
“Perhaps. I suppose I simply miss him.” Kazuma's eyes returned to the letter that was left largely blank. An expression arose from his face filled with sorrow and longing.
“Hmph, I can't say I wouldn't relate to that. I'd go mad if I didn't have Tsukasa to fight with.” Karuma's eyes closed, arms folded as his hands clutched against the sleeves of his suit.
“I have never heard of fighting with your wife being used as a compliment.”
“I've never been the most orthodox person. Besides, Tsukasa is the only warrior who ever truly defeated me in battle. I could never fight with anyone else without hurting them. Too often I hold myself back.”
Kazuma felt a pang in his chest as he heard those words, his thoughts straying to Barok. In a world where he always had to be careful and professional, Barok was the one person who saw him for who he truly was. With everyone else, Kazuma was met with expectations to control his anger and frustrations to not hurt anyone. But with Barok, Kazuma could let loose without fear of hurting him. Even when placing Barok on trial for the Reaper killings, he was never hurt or taken personally by Kazuma's actions. He went as far as to apologize for his past mistakes regarding Kazuma's father, Genshin Asogi. How he longs to be with him, to feel that warm presence beside him once more.
Kazuma lost count of how long it had been since he had last seen Barok. All he had left was a fragile memory of a flower, a kiss, and some words he dared not repeat. For if he did, the tears from his eyes would never stop flowing down his face. That was not something he'd selfishly do in front of the student that still depends on him to become the strong and perfect prosecutor in every way. Kazuma would have to bare the pain and longing, even if it was at the cost of his joy of being with his beloved.
Once again, Kazuma put away his unfinished letter to save for another day. To focus too much on one letter would neglect his responsibilities inside the Prosecutor's Office. There was still a case with a trial that is in three days. At a snail's pace, change was happening inside the legal system of Japan. That change could easily corrupt if Kazuma was to neglect his duties.
By the end of the day, Kazuma made his way back home to the Asogi Estate. This was his inherited land given to him by his father where his father's dojo training ground was located. The Asogi Estate was also the location of Kazuma's Memorial Stone back when everyone assumed him to be dead. These days, the stone was a place with his loved one's signatures. It was sweet.
After dismounting his trusty steed and leading it inside the small but well-kept stable, Kazuma checked the food tray to ensure it was fully stocked. As he turned to leave, the sound of approaching horse hooves caught his attention. The prosecutor's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, his mind racing with thoughts of their unexpected visitor. He slowly turned to see who was disrupting the peaceful solitude of his home, his eyes scanning the dirt road for any signs of trouble or danger.
From the darkness of the shadows, Barok van Zieks climbed off the horse he rode just as it approached the stable. He grew somewhat older but was still a decade older than Kazuma. Having been frozen in shock at the sudden appearance, Barok walked forward toward his direction while guiding his horse with its reigns.
“It's been a while, Kazuma. May I borrow your stable for my horse?” Barok asked with not a single emotion in his voice or face.
Hands balled up and a face fighting to control every single emotion he felt in his being, Kazuma spoke with a voice almost broken. “What are you doing here? You come all this way, never bothering to send me a letter or a telegram to forewarn me, and all you can say is 'May I borrow your stable for my horse?'”
“Forgive my discourtesy of not forwarning you. I feared you wouldn't write back after having not heard from you in weeks. I've missed you greatly.”
“Why? Why would you...?” Kazuma asked with his right hand covering his face with tears flowing down his face. “What about your home? Aren't you subjecting Iris to possibly being attacked alone? You know that she adopted her father's surname and has become a target as the Professor's daughter. And... didn't you say so yourself you would never take one step into the Nipponese lands and... your job... your...”
Keeping his hand on the reins of the horse he rented, he used one arm to scoop up Kazuma. At that moment, he could no longer control himself and wept onto Barok's shoulder. He held onto the suit of his former mentor as his emotions erupted like a volcano.
“I would never keep you from your dream of changing your country's legal system. I've realized that. Yes, Iris was the reason I stayed behind originally. I could never bear watching her face the attacks from London's mobs alone. I know the feeling all too well,” Barok admitted. His eyes softened as he held onto Kazuma tightly.
“Then why...?” Kazuma asked, his voice hoarse from all the crying.
“Iris has grown into a fine young lady and, like me, she's found love.”
“L-Love?” Kazuma asked, looking up at Barok in dismay.
“Yes, Iris wishes to marry him and start a new life. I and Mr. Sholmes have taught her how to defend herself, and now she's found someone willing to protect her with his life. I wish her nothing but happiness... just as she wishes for mine.”
“I... don't...”
“Iris had known for a while that I long to be with you, especially since you have not sent me any letters for far too long. She demanded that I come here and be with my beloved, just as she wishes to be with hers. I objected, of course, but... Iris has Klint's stubbornness; it's almost unbearable.”
Kazuma felt laughter bubbling up in his throat through the tears. “That sounds like her. I still remember when she made the rebellious decision to move in with you and change her surname. It's hard to believe how much she's grown." His is smile in full display of admiration before changing to furrowing eyebrows and a single frown. "How long do you intend on staying here with me?”
“For as long as I can... preferably forever.”
“S-Stay here? But... London's your home!” Kazuma exclaimed as Barok shook his head.
“My home is with you, Kazuma. It always has been. I know we cannot marry, but I wish to never separate from you if I can help it. I shall accompany you to assist in changing the legal system. I will be able to obtain a Prosecution job here with some studying of this country's legal system.”
“That... heh that's quite a lot you're doing just to be with me. Gaining citizenship and wishing to spend the rest of your life with me?”
“We will work something out. Kazuma, please, I wish to be with you,” Barok pleaded with a voice that longed for Kazuma. He knew that longing after all these years of hearing it in his voice and feeling it in his heart.
“How can I say 'no'?” Kazuma asked, holding Barok in his arms and resting his head under the British man's chin.
After all the sacrifices both men made for their loved ones, perhaps they could finally be rewarded. Kazuma never believed he could ever be with Barok. The idea seemed to only exist in fantasy. Now, he wished for many years with Barok for the rest of their days without end.
The Selfless Acts of Americans Amid COVID-19 Shutdowns
Believe it or not, there are selfless acts of Americans helping each other in the midst of this Coronavirus mess. Here are just a few of their selfless acts. While we contemplate why people like Nancy Pelosi are such jackwagons, we can find solace in humanity from those who help others.
Selfless acts
The other day I went to the store to get some distilled water. In ALL the stores in my town,…
“Ben Solo (and Rey) have found a way to achieve that power [of how to keep loved ones alive], but it comes neither from the light or the dark side of the Force, rather the individual themselves through a selfless act.”
Meet Ruby, the first of the survivors (and yes I’ll continue posting the half and half’s, I just still really like this and want to show it off)
Ruby spent the first eight or so years of her life in one of the forest villages with her mom, older sister (Emerald), and her grandmother.
When she was around eight the lost kingdom came and burned down her village while she slept in the basement of her house. That very fact saved her life.
She was adopted by the royal family of the first kingdom after Daffodil found her. She spent many years happy and even found a hidden meadow in the forest, where she met the mysterious James, who’d she eventually learn was the prince of the lost kingdom.
Being a survivor meant she lived through the war and follows every rebirth of her family.
She continues to move through the motions and the rest is history
