Send “How you grow up” for my ten-year old muse to react to the current age muse.
“ How you grow up ” — edeaofeternia
The 10 year old looked at the older man with eyes bearing a certain kind of fascination… He looked at the swordmaster for a few minutes, mustering him carefully before nodding in approval: “It’s good to know that I will grow to be strong… Very strong.”
“ How you grow up ” — stealthmasterkonoe
The ten-year old Nobotsuna did however not linger long on that sentiment, and a certain dislike made it’s way into his gaze. Quite obviously, there was something he really didn’t agree with, no matter what… “But these clothes… I’ll look like a freaking girl. Absolutely not like a fierce warrior, bleh…”
“ "How you grow up" ” — pandoragu
However, young Kamiizumi had something to approve of in his final words before vanishing back where he belonged that truly warmed his older self’s heart: “You may not always have been lucky, and there’ve been hard times… But you never gave up, and always fought your way back. I’m proud I’ll grow up to be like you. Err, to be you. You know what I mean…”
When Nobutsuna Kamiizumi accidentally kicks over a trash bin in the Ninja’s bathroom he finds something he’d not have expected... [Uncompleted]
It was one of those accidents that could happen any day when one was careless: kicking a trash bin over. Really, it has happened to nearly everyone at least once in their life. But this time here, it was different.
Because of a single item that fell out and took him by surprise.
Truth be told, normally he would not be in here. This wasn’t a place he should be in the first place. After all, it was the private bathroom of his subordinate Kikyo. But she had allowed him to use it as they had just been drinking some delicious tea together in her room and talking about this and that.
And now this.
A pregnancy test. Positive no less.
He knew how to recognize them, sadly, after an unfortunate chain of events a few years back, when a young couple of students of his got too curious about each other’s bodies… - and the girl had come to him to ask for help and answers.
It was one of the most uncomfortable discussions he had ever had. Explaining something like this to angered parents was no easy feat, oh no.
And now here he was again.
He couldn’t keep silent about it, for he knew Kikyo wasn’t really experienced in these matters. He’d need to talk with her about it. And there was nothing to be gained by pushing it away or pretending it never happened…
With a deep sigh, the swordmaster left the bathroom, forgetting even to clean up the mess the trash bin had spiled.
“Kikyo, my dear… I believe there is something we should talk about…”
Konoe’s head perked up at her name, but then it tilted in confusion. What had caused her Captain’s sudden change in mood? Just a moment ago he seemed very happy chatting with her and now he seemed worried, to say the least.
A quick thought of his earlier demeanor being fake crossed the ninja’s mind, but she tried to shake that off. Nothing had showed her any warning signs of the sorts, but even she had trouble reading people sometimes, so maybe he had bad news to share all along. That provided the only explanation that she could fathom at the moment.
Slowly she put the blades that she began sharpening upon his exit to the bathroom down next to her so she could fold her hands in her lap. “Yessir?DidIdosomethingwrong?”
The swordmaster slowly moves back up to her and seats himself in the same spot as before, looking her in the eyes.
“I would not say so my dear… I am not saying that it is something wrong. But mayhaps… it’s a lapse of mine rather. But it is not your fault.”
Okay… could he be any more cryptic…?
“Say… Konoe… It never crossed my mind before, but you were still quite young when I took you under my wing, and from what I recall your upbringing to be like, it was quite strict and… well… I do not mean to insult your family or say you weren’t raised well, but… in certain aspects… it has been lacking. And this has lead to me wondering, if, well… if you…”
Oh boy… This was more difficult now than it was back then, those years ago… - Maybe because back then, he knew the girl’s position already, and that she was quite oblivious to it all…
“Konoe… how well do you know about… reproduction…?”
Awkward~
Reproduction? To call the word confusing would provide an understatement, but only because Konoe had no idea why the Captain wanted to discuss such a topic. One finger began to tap on the other hand, a sign that the ninja had to consider the question before responding.
What did she really know about reproduction? Her Grandmother never talked to her on such topics because of illness, and she’d never go to her trainers for such a topic. They didn’t even understand the basic concepts of her monthly visitor, so where babies came from would never please them. So really, she didn’t know much if anything at all.
”AllIcanthinkofisthatthebabyisinthemotherbeforeitcomesout,” she said with an affirmative nod. Yes, she remembered an Aunt being pregnant during her childhood, but then, well she shouldn’t focus on that. “Grandmotherneverspokeofsuchthingssincehsehadlittleenergy,andwellI’d preferneveraskingthosetrainersofmine.Idoubttheywouldgivemeananswer.”
The swordmaster simply nods at her words. Mmh, he had expected this more or less. Kikyo was for the most part clueless about how it all worked. And that… well… he was afraid that this would not do. Especially after his recent findings…
“Well… Kikyo.. You are right. It is within it’s mother that a child grows, and it is from it’s mother that it is born. But… have you never been curious about how it comes to be or what role a father plays in this? Did you… did you never try to ask some of your fellow female soldiers about this, or perhaps your friends…?”
A small shake of her head answered both of Kamiizumi’s questions. She never got along well with her other female soldiers currently, and well she didn’t have enough time to meet any of them. To her finding another female soldier felt like finding oranges in Eternia, pretty impossible.
still, she did have Suleiman and the others, but they never mentioned anything about this, and she never asked. ”Nobodysaidanythingaboutit tome,andwellI’veneverasked.Idon’tplanonlivinglongenoughtohaveachild, soIreallydon’tbotherwithsuchinformation,” she said while shrugging. It sounded sad, but what she said classified as reality, and she accepted it. “ShouldIknowthisinformationthough?”
Hearing her say these words saddened the swordmaster. She didn’t plan to live that long? That couldn’t be right. She was so much younger then him, she simply had to survive him. Anything else would be tragic…
And about her living long enough to have children as such… well…
“Kikyo… I believe that you should not look at life so negatively. Granted, we are at war and the tides of it do not seem to abate. But peace is still a reality we strife for… - and one I want for you to enjoy when we reach it. You should be allowed to live and long and happy life.”
A kind smile is on his lips as he looks at her for a moment, before he returns to the task at hand. Oh boy…
“And yes my dear… I believe you should know about this, given your age. Not just for when peace comes around… but also for the present…”
Only it looked like it was already too late anyway, huh? Still, it had to be done.
No change appeared in the ninja’s posture when he mentioned her living a long life. Words like that didn’t reach her that well anymore since she had heard she’d die within a few years of deployment so many times. Instead, she gave a simple nod of confirmation. She’d just drop that little topic for now.
Konoe tilted her head in confusion again. Why did reproduction matter now when she had no wish for a child, or a husband? Even with her normally quick thinking she felt lost in this situation. “I’msorry,butI’mlost.I don’tunderstandwhyIneedtolearnsuchthings.”
“So I can be certain that you will be safe and that nothing happens you do not desire or understand.”
A short answer, but a very clear one. He cared for her well-being and that included well… knowing what could arise from certain activities - or already has, rather. He wishes for her to understand such matters so she does not find herself taken advantage off against her will.
“Forgive me if this is bold, but I just want for you to be safe, no matter what you decide to do. Do you understand…?”
”Verywellthen,” she said finally. If it came from the Captain, then surely it had her interests involved somewhere. Since joining the Black Blades she felt like the Captain had never led her wrong, so why should she doubt him now?
Konoe looked up and stared at Kamiizumi with a serious gaze. “Ifit’scomingfromyouthenIdon’tmindatall.Itrustyourjudgement,andIcan’t recallatimewhenyou’veledmewrong.”
The Swordmaster now deemed the time right to sit down across from the Ninja, taking a deep breath. Well, now that this much was discussed, he most likely should just finally start talking about it, huh...?
“Alright, Kikyo... You see, I... I know that you are in an age now where you are likely to develop an interest in, well.. men. And I do strongly suspect that you... do not know... what can happen when a man and a woman... well...”
This was very awkward, and he had no clue how to really bring it up. Why was he even trying to explain this to her in the first place...? If the pregnancy test he found was indeed hers then he was already too late, no...?
Yet still... he feels he has to do this. After all.... To him... She was like a daughter. And it was a father’s duty to watch out for their dear children no matter what after all...
“I am sorry if this is a bit of an... uncomfortable topic Kikyo... But I just want for you to know, okay...?”
After adopting young Kikyo Konoe Nobutsuna Kamiizumi shares a relaxing bath with her. [Uncompleted]
“ The child's attention shifted from the rubber ducky floating on the small waves in the tub to her new adoptive father who was undressing. Her eyes narrowed into a small glare as if to ask what he was doing. It seemed every moment she spent with her new family continued to make them seem weirder. ” — stealthmasterkonoe
My muse is undressing, knowing full well that your muse is watching. Send me your muses reaction to my muse’s teasing.
The older man did not consider it weird that he was undressing here. After all, the child was still young and to top it off she was now his daughter. Well, in front of the law at least. To her it probably still felt quite different to that…
“Is… something the matter Kikyo…?”
He had noticed the glare by the time that he had been fully undressed, and naturally, he now was unsure why the girl looked at him like that. Wasn’t taking a bath together something completely fine?
At the mention of her first name she flinched a bit. Nobody had used it since she entered she orphanage. Still, Konoe didn’t say anything, and well she didn’t feel like saying anything. Her speech had brought her much ridicule in the orphanage, so she decided to remain silent instead. Instead she shook her head and went back to playing with her ducky.
Konoe didn’t mind bathing with another since she did with her grandmother years ago, but bathing with her new father didn’t feel the same. She didn’t feel too opposed to the idea, it was just something she wasn’t use to.
Hmm… Maybe he had just imagined it then. Either way, if she held no objections then…
Carefully, the man stepped over the rim of the bathtub and let himself sink into the water slowly and carefully. The bathtub wasn’t all that large, so he had to place his legs around where little Konoe was sitting and playing.
He could only hope that wouldn’t make her feel uncomfortable.
Her attention didn’t shift to her father again until her ducky began to float away. Konoe reached out to rescue her duck from the stirring of the water. She turned around to see what had disturbed her playing and immeditely turned back to face forward. The small duck regained its position and the child’s attention. While she understood the need to have an adult in the bathroom with her, if bathing with one was going to become a new thing she’d have to get use to it. She decided to just go about playing with the duck instead of focusing on said adult.
The man decides to just sit in the water for a bit, letting the warmth of the bath seep into his body and bones and relax. He could understand that the child was yet quite unused to the idea of him joining her and that she’d thus rather focus on her playing. So he’d leave her to it, at least for a while.
Eventually then, he decided that it was time to move on though, no matter how much he enjoyed the warm water and seeing her play happily. Because after all, there was a reason why they were taking this bath.
“Hey Kikyo… Do you think it’s time to start washing yourself? I can take care of your back if you’d like me to.”
Konoe continued playing for a full minute after he said her name, and then she turned around. The little girl seemed to be processing exactly what he said, for she still had a hard time recognizing her first name being called instead of her last. Konoe stared at him for another minute before nodding.
Then, the girl stared at her yellow duck while she turned back around. She made the tiny duck nod it’s small head in her hands before she reached out for a bit of soap. When she had the soap in her hands she began to scrub her toy slowly.
The Swordmaster cannot help a small chuckle when he sees his litle angel proceed to wash her little rubber ducky. Seems she was agreeing in that it was time to wash up - and that all three of them should do so.
“Alright then... come here my little angel...”
Gently the swordmaster picks the little girl up and sits her down on his knees before he takes another bar of soap and begins to gently rub it over the gente little back of his daughter.
“ [Text] waaaaa nobu I cnat find ur swored [Text] helpme fin it ” — pandoragu
[Text] …what sword are you talking about, Melinoe?
[Text] Also, did you have a drink too much again?
[Text] no such hting as to much drinkk
[Text] I los a koetetsu
[Text] my leg hurrrrrtsa
[Text] wait I foun it
[Text] geuss wher?
[Text] If you say so.
[Text] Okay… where was it dear…?
[Text] its ni my leggg
[Text] I musta fell
[Text] I cnat get it ouuuuttttrr
[Text] can u com help
[Text] Please tell me this is a joke dear.
[Text] I’m already on my way
[Text] Don’t move
[Text] Wait… where are you actually…?
[Text] i mnot kidding yu meenie
[Text] I htink im ni the dojo
[Text] I dnno
[Text] thers lotta blood its messu
[Text] I’m on my way
[Text] Just stay where you are
[Text] How in the crystals names did this happen though?
[Text] uhhmmmmmmmm
[Text] I was playn witg the sworda
[Text] btut I thonk I sliped
[Text] waaaaaaaa it hurrrrrttttsssssaassa
[Text] Try not to move hon
[Text] I’m coming as fast as I can
[Text] And for the love of all that is holy don’t try to remove it
[Text] Don’t touch it.
[Text] Don’t. Keep your hands off it for now. Understood?
[Text] butttrtt it hurrrrtssss
[Text] oh waiet
[Text] it fel out
[Text] yayaaaay
[Text] Oh my crystals
[Text] Quick, try to press something onto the wound
[Text] Make sure it doesn’t bleed too much
[Text] Take your clothes if you don’t have anything else
[Text] oh wooww you alrwady wan me nekkid
[Text] okay id did it
[Text] but now imn cold abd my cloths are blody
[Text] you hav wird fetished
[Text] Melly I don- okay yes, but not now
[Text] Did you stop the bleeding?
[Text] Please tell me it doesn’t bleed through
[Text] I’m almost at the dojo
[Text] wowwwww ur hornnnnyyyy
[Text] com get me sexyyy
[Text] I duno there’s jus so mych blood
[Text] it stil hurrrttrrtssss
[Text] Of course it hurts it was a bloody Kotetsu!
[Text] Just try to press the clothes onto the wound
[Text] I’ll patch it up as good as I can when I’m here
[Text] Which is in at most two minutes
[Text] imn tryinhgg
[Text] waahhhh you’re beung meen
[Text] whyare u yellingh at me
[Text] im gon cry
[Text] No, don’t cry, I’m just worried about you
[Text] I just want you to be safe
[Text] I don’t wanna be mean to you
[Text] Look if you really want to we can… well… afterwards
[Text] But first let me treat your leg
[Text] Okay?
[Text] okayyyyu
[Text] I stil dont see u
[Text] pls help
[Text] m scared
After this, a highly worried Kamiizumi stormed into the dojo and first furiously hugged his beloved to calm her - and himself - down before he treats her wound as good as he can.
It is unknown how, but apparently the drunk woman managed to coerce the man into having intercourse with her afterwards instead of taking her to a proper medic.
This is only known thanks to the selfless sacrifice of the dojo’s student Azusa who accidentally entered the dojo at a time most inopportune and caught the two in the act.
Azusa was not able to look at the swordmaster without furiously blushing for an entire month.
“ [Text] Bigggg Brozer!!! Kikoyo cn't fnd ze alee we wunted. ” — stealthmasterkonoe
[Text] … What ale did you want again, Kikyo..?
[Text] Ahh Kiko is sowwt Cptin. Tryin tag fnd sum tasty ale. Were gunna make hmmm a mmmm cke. Yh a cke.
[Text] Aha. Well, what ale did you need for that cake then?
[Text] I dhink ale suppos tag b orrange flayvorr. Ohhhh fund ittt. Errrm might ta broke otzer bottles.
[Text] Where are you right now Kikyo?
[Text] I do not recall us having any orange flavoured ale at headquarters.
[Text] ohhh umm Big Brozer n’ za crw jst bought it. Jst in da pantry. Alls good Cptin. Nooooo needed wrry.
[Text] Ah, so you are with Suleiman now?
[Text] Errm no sr. Big Brozer iz n da kichen stll. I culd mvefrm da cke, sew I wnttah get da ale.
[Text] I… see. Well, take care not to break any more bottles, ok?
[Text] Yzzzsir. Sea ya lter Cptin!!
[Text, sent over an hour later] … just save me a slice or two of that cake, understood?
“ eternianblade: [Text] "I dun kno wwhat was in taht icteea but twas tasty... nd now am hungry... Wanna lt me eat yuo?" ” — burmecianblackmage
[Text] wait wherr u
[Text] shit inm drtunk too
[Text] I dun no. It’s nice heer thouh.
[Text] Y are u not wiht me?
[Text] I thought you were wif me
[Text] ohhhh yah
[Text] I wen to tha batthroo
[Text] an fell in hte tub
[Text] pls help
[Text] tere is a bathrom here?
[Text] wehre are you daer?
[Text] I seen o bathroom
[Text] i thouhgt I was ni the tub
[Text] I dubno anmore
[Text] nobu im scaredddd
[Text] Im gonna find you Melly
[Text] I'l find tha bathroom
[Text] Just saty in tha tub
[Text] I ll cum join yuo
[Text] sav me sexy swoerdmastr
[Text] yessss join nme
[Text] im reddy for desert
[Text] I wan desert too
[Text] Are u gunna be my desert?
[Text] Cuz u ar a deliicous desert.
[Text] Bestest desert
[Text] yesssss ye yess
[Text] come getme
[Text] hury up tho
[Text] cuz im borrrrrreddred
[Text] I fund a bathrom
[Text] An theres a tub
[Text] but ur not in it
[Text] Am confused
[Text] whhaaaatttty
[Text] wher r u
[Text] im at hom yu dork
[Text] join nme you meenieeeee
[Text] wat
[Text] wehn did you get home?
[Text] wernt we a tthis restuarant?
[Text] how did u get hom so fast?
[Text] Nevernimd am coming
[Text] wait fur me n ai pwomise t’ll be wurth it
[Text] hury uop
[Text] imn gonna turn inti a prude
[Text] opps I ment prune
[Text] I lov the bootu to much
[Text] Did u turn on tha water?
[Text] Awww, but I wanted ta taste you not tha water…
[Text] Am almost home
[Text] wait… dud you even take off yur clothes?
[Text] of cours I turnd on hte wayer
[Text] I couldn’t get mt bra of
[Text] the hook thingis hurted
[Text] hurrrryyyyy upppopppp
[Text] I taek it off fer you
[Text] righ before I jump into ta tub to you
[Text] n eat u up
[Text] you tasy desrt you
[Text] yaaaayyyyyyuyyy
[Text] come quivklyyyy
[Text] I need to b eten
[Text] aaaaaaaaaaaa
No further texts were exchanged after that last one. In fact, not a single message arrived on the swordmaster’s phone after this.
He was however seen buying a new phone two days later…
(Oh here’s a good one. Basically Konoe is really anti-social as everyone knows. I actually had a drabble for this once, but I’ll answer it here. When she snuck in a killed all the acolytes, yes she poisoned all of them, she approached the Vestal. Of course she couldn’t convince the Vestal to peacefully come with here. Konoe’s not the type of person who will go randomly killing people, she was following her mission through to every last detail she had. The bad thing is Konoe interrupted the Vestal during prayer, so when the Vestal got upset something started happening with the crystal. Of course a struggle occurred, but lava was starting to flow outside and inside and small earthquakes were happening everywhere. She couldn’t save the Vestal who ended up falling into the lava during another small quake. )
When his subordinate Kikyo Konoe is questioned on the events that led to the Fire Vestal’s untimely demise she is struck down with deep seated feelings of guilt, and it is the Swordmaster who takes it upon himself to offer her comfort.
“ (for the invasive question thing) "Konoe, whatever did happen to the Fire Vestal anyway? I heard she died when you tried to capture her," Praline asked curiously. ” — vexingvixens
All of a sudden, a gentle hand is placed on the young woman’s shoulder. Apparently, the swordmaster had heard what they had been talking about just now and felt the need to reassure his dear subordinate that he did not blame her in the slightest.
“Calm down Kikyo… It was an unfortunate accident. Not a soul can blame you for this… okay?”
The ninja jumped and let out a small sniffle. “Y-y-yesCaptain,Iunderstand,” she whispered. She didn’t. The failure belonged to her and her alone. She had failed at properly capturing the Fire Vestal. She never wanted to girl to die, even if she considered snuffing her life out like a flame. “Ishallspeakofitnomorethen,” Konoe didn’t mean that. She’d have a nightmare about it later and wake up terrified. She’d never drop this burden.
“Kikyo, that is not right.”
The swordmasters voice was calm and serious, like the voice of a stern father that intends to have his daughter learn about what she did wrong - and in a way, that was true, now wasn’t it?
“I did not mean for you to never speak about it… Holding things in like this will not make them go away, they will only eat you up inside.”
He spoke of experience there, although it had to do with other matters than the one she suffered from. It was still true nontheless.
“Come now Kikyo… Promise me you will talk about it all with someone… It does not need to be me, but if you would like to… I will listen to you anytime…”
Konoe couldn’t help the slight anger rising in her. She tried talking to so many people, but nobody would properly listen to her. The time she first recounted the failed mission she just got blown off with a simple it isn’t your fault and things can still go as planned. Talking to Suleiman didn’t help her much either, but he at least reassured her that he didn’t care and still loved his little sister.
”I’vetried!I’vetriedandyetnobodyproperlylistens!Everyonejustsaysit’snot myfaultandit’sokay,butitisn’t!I’veevenhadnightmaresaboutit,buteverytime IlookfoorhelpnobodywilltellmewhatIwanttohear!Nobodyseemsto understandtheblameI’mputtingonmyself!Idon’tneedsomeonetotellmeit’s anaccidentshediedorit’snotmyfault!Iwantsomeonetoblamemeforitand thenhelpmemoveonfromtheissue!” Konoe couldn’t help saying such things or crying. The whole incident still haunted her and she could never forget or just ignore it.
The swordmaster looks deeply concerned when she bursts out in words and tears like this. He would have very much liked to reassure her now by holding her, but knowing Kikyo he knew this would be wrong of him to do…
“…so you wish to be blamed, is that it, Kikyo…? Do you… wish to be punished…?”
He had trouble understanding her words now, with how fast she spoke and the tears rending her voice shaky, so he needed to make sure this was what she was indeed saying…
And angry sob escaped her when she heard his words. Even when she was pouring her heart out nobody fully understood her. “Thatisnotit! NobodyinallofEterniancouldproperlyhelpme!ItisnotthefailedmissionthatIam upsetoveratall!Mygriefstemsfromcausingthatpoorgirl’slifetobesnuffedout! Ijustwantsomebodytotellmeit’smyfaultandhowtoproperlymakeamends,butI doubtanyoneinEterniacouldgivemesuchathing.Idon’tcareaboutfailinga mission!Icareaboutbeingthecauseforthatgirl’slifetoendwhenIdidn’twantitto!”
Ah. Now he understood. She did not wish to be punished or blamed, it was that she felt guilty… That was another story altogether then. She wished to make ammends… - He could help her with that.
“Listen, Konoe… You cannot change the past… and the mistakes we commited are something we’ll carry with us for all times… All we can do is try to make ammends for our actions. And… I believe I can help you with that, if you wish so…”
Konoe picked up her head and blinked. She didn’t follow him fully, but how could she when he hadn’t told her much. “Wahtdoyouhaveinmind?” Even though Konoe felt bad over the Vestal’s she still had limits to things she would do. There were even tasks that even a very trusted friend could ask her to do and she’d never do it. Even an assassin had standards on the jobs they’d take on.
“I want to show you something, Kikyo.”
Or rather, a certain place. Gladly enough, they weren’t all that far away from it either and needed not travel per airship there. It had it’s good sides that they were all summoned back to Eternia for a direct briefing on the situation in Eisen and how to proceed with it after all, even if he disliked the orders Braev had given.
“It is not far from here, but quite a bit nontheless to walk in the snow… If you wish to see it, I’d suggest you bring a jacket or something the like…”
She blinked once more before giving him a simple nod. This sounded like a strange request, especially in the land of Eternia. Most things outside the main city or Central Command were destroyed or deserted during the era of the plague. Even her own childhood home no longer stood as far as she knew. Still, maybe her Captain knew something she didn’t. She never traipsed too far past the main city anyways.
”Onemoment,” she mumbled quickly before walking off. Just like she said a moment later she returned with the coat Suleiman gave her years ago and a small scarf Victoria had bought her. “Iguessweshouldgonow, butwon’ttheothersneedyouorsomething?
“Mayhaps. But right now you need me as well… And quite frankly, you’re more important than the matters of the council, Kikyo.”
He doesn’t exchange many more words with her before they set out on their way through the snow. It may not have been overly far, but still took them quite a while. The former Earth Temple was already in sight when the swordmaster stopped and turned to face her.
“…do you have an idea why I am taking you out here, Kikyo…?”
Konoe did her best to avoid looking at her captain while they walked towards their destination. Her eyes remained focused on the snow, allowing the memories that always resurfaced to float around in her mind. If nobody had noticed her small breakdown then she’d just end up spending her day alone while hiding under her blankets. She always did that when she felt upset over some issues.
She shook her head for a moment to regain her thoughts when Kamiizumi spoke to her. For the first time she took notice of their location and just tilted her head in confusion. “ThisistheoldEarthTemple,correct?ItwasherethatamemberoftheLordMarshal’sguardslewtheEarthVestal, correct?Idonotseewhyweshouldcometosuchaplace,butI’lltrustyour judgement,Captain.”
“You are as observative as always, Konoe. Yes, over there is the Earth Temple… The place where the Earth Vestal has been slain.”
But now that the temple was this close, he did not walk towards it, no, he redirect his steps towards a small place not far from where they stood - and where a small grave could be seen.
“Did you know… that as per Braev… the grand marshal’s order… The body of the beheaded Earth Vestal was to be burned so that nothing would remain of her?”
Konoe’s head snapped up showing that all her attention now pointed towards Kamiizumi and his words. She had never heard that part of the Earth Vestal’s demise. Every lecture anyone ever gave her on the Templar’s feats always seemed to leave that out.
Curiosity filled her mind, but she bit her tongue. Konoe couldn’t allow her curiosity to lead them astray from whatever her Captain needed to show or tell her. “Ididnot,” she whispered with a small shake of her head.
Kamiizumi lead his steps through the white, untouched snow towards the small grave, each step announcing his intent and his path with a creaking sound while he began to elaborate.
“Braev did not want for her to have a grave, as it would have certainly become a symbol for her followers, something they’d have drawn strength from. And it was of the utmost importance to his quest that the remaining crystallists did not have such a source of strength left. To avoid further and prolonged bloodshed.”
Having finally reached the small grave, he simply sat down into the snow, facing the small gravestone as he continued to speak. It’d be up to Konoe if she would join him and sit down, or remain standing. Either way was fine.
“…she was very young still, that Vestal… She had held her position at best for a year, if even that long at all. She could hardly be blamed for the Orthodoxy’s faults, and if you ask me… she was innocent. But Braev still wanted to see her punished for the faults of the corrupt priests and their politics.”
For a moment he remains still, as if locked in these sorrowful memories. Maybe there was something he did not tell her about the incident, or maybe he just suffered from the memory still, but in any case, he remained silent for a bit, before he spoke what was inevitable:
“And so we had to cut her down… That girl, barely older than our own Edea is now…”
Boot clad feet moved to follow after the swordmaster without any thought from their owner. Her attention kept her locked onto her Captain’s words, each one making her wonder how much she really knew about the events. She didn’t try to ask him anything though. Konoe knew to allow people to finish speaking before cutting in, or maybe she just didn’t know what to say.
Konoe squatted next to the place where Kamiizumi didn’t rest. She didn’t do this because she didn’t want to join her Captain, but she never did enjoy sitting in the snow. Instead she just squatted there and hugged her knees. She nervously chewed her lip for a moment before sighing. “WhenIwaslittleIfelthappywhenshedied.AllIheardofhermadehersoundlikea horriblewitch,butshereallywasyoung.Now,I’mnotsurewhattothink.”
The ninja leaned forward a bit, trying to get a closer look of the small grave. “Isthissupposetobehergrave?DidsomeonedefytheTemplarandbuildit?”
“I did.”
A simple answer, but it carries a heavy weight with itself. Because what he had done was no more and no less than defying a direct order. And such treason could according to Eternian law very well be punished with death..
“I… gathered up the ash after she had been burnt, in secrecy. And then constructed this small grave… Even if she was used as a symbol and belonged to our foes, she was an innocent girl at heart - and as such deserved to be laid to rest properly.”
It is now that the swordmaster turns his attention to the ninja besides him, and faces her.
“Listen Kikyo… I… I likely cannot fully comprehend what the tragedy of the Fire Vestal must feel like for you. I cannot. But I can tell you that for me, what happened to the Earth Vestal, it… it affected me gravely. It took years to come over it, at least somewhat. But sitting here at this grave and praying has helped me much during that time.”
After all, he had lead her out here to show her something that might give her an idea for how to deal with her inner turmoil about the Fire Vestals demise. So maybe… maybe this would be an idea…
Shock became evident when the ninja nearly lost her balance, but luckily she composed herself before she face planted into the snow. Konoe didn’t know what to think about Kamiizumi’s simple confession. She knew the dangers of doing such a thing against the Templar, but it made so much sense. Why else would he know that this grave is here, or that it even existed? The signs all pointed towards the answer, but for some reason she didn’t see them until now.
Her hands came up to rub her face in an agitated manner while her mind continued to fill with thoughts. There were few times she ever felt overwhelmed, and now was one of those times. Still, her mind screamed one question louder than any other. How? Before she could even properly consider the thought it left her mouth, “HowcouldIevendo somethinglikethis?NothingoftheFireVestalremains.EventhebladeIleftinthe templeismostlikelyirretrievablefromthehandsofthoseShieldBearersnow. EvenifIdon’tfullycomprehendwhyyoumadetheEarthVestalagraveI understandenough.” A sigh left her while she placed her head in her lap, continuing her rubbing the entire time. “I’msorry,butI’mveryconfusedat thismoment.”
“Tell me Kikyo… Do families of soldiers that fell in battle and whose bodies could not be recovered not build graves of their lost beloveds?”
The older man now softly placed a hand on her shoulder in fatherly manner, as if it was meant to serve as a source of comfort for the young woman.
“We may usually bury our dead and errect graves at those spots, but… it is not for the dead that we build graves - it is for the living. A grave gives us hold, a place to remember the fallen ones and honor them. Graves are there so we can find peace again… - Even if they should be empty.”
A throbbing headache was all the ninja could really focus on at the moment. She heard Kamiizumi’s words, but they just didn’t click for her at that moment. Konoe’s thoughts wouldn’t slow down and properly mull over what Kamiizumi was saying, but she had a feeling there was something her grandmother use to do that would help prove the point. She just couldn’t place it currently. Maybe when her thoughts finally slowed down enough to properly think she’d have her answer. Konoe didn’t make a move to leave the spot while she said, “Thankyou.Ibelieve youhaveshownmethepathtoananswerthatcouldhelp,butIneedtimeto properlygathermythoughts.TheneverythingshouldbeclearerIhope.”
The swordmaster merely nodded, his hand still on the ninja’s shoulder.
“Take your time child… There is no need to rush yourself in finding an answer. If you wish so, I can free you from missions for a few days. Give you time to rest yourself and your mind.”
As her commanding officer this would be an easy feat… - and it was not like any truly urgent mission was coming up soon. If she needed to take some time, he would be sure to give her as much as she needed.
The ninja’s head began to move in a small shaking motion. She feared shaking her head too much would just make the pain worse, but she had to decline her Captain’s offer. “No,I’llbefinebythetimewereturntoourpost,” Konoe mumbled. She felt like the idea of what to do rested somewhere in her mind now, but she just couldn’t find it in the confusion. She knew a long nap would clear her thoughts up, and well she also wished to worry Kamiizumi no more. Sometimes she believed she caused him more trouble than she should. “I’lljustusethetimebeforewereturntorestandthen everythingwillbefine,Ipromise.”
“Very well then Kikyo. But if you should find yourself needing more time… please tell me, understood?”
The man now turned his focus back to the small gravestone and retreated his hand to fold it into his other hand. After all… he had not only come here to show her the grave.
“Now then… we can head back… once I have offered my prayers…”
It was the least he could do for the fallen Earth Vestal… Even if others might not understand it.
Like Kikyo probably. But he would not judge her for that.
Konoe nodded and remained silent while Kamiizumi offered whatever prayer he wished to. After that she’d follow him back to Central Command and then take her leave to think things over.
Weeks later if you entered the ninja’s room at Starkfort a small change would only be noticed by those who payed close attention. In a corner of her room sat a pile of black cloth, which cradled a small, round stone and several flowers native to Eisenburg. The stone would seem ordinary to anyone else, but if one flipped it over on the back they’ed see the deceased Fire Vestal’s name carved into the rock.
“ A small horribly constructed bunny rests between the five year old's band-aid covered hands. She smiles while she walks over to her father and holds up the bunny for him. "Happy daddy's day Daddy!" She cheers happily. The child begins to jump up and down while she tries to hand the bunny over. ” — stealthmasterkonoe
The older man appears surprised at first when his daughter comes walking over to him. He had been buried in his work and had not expected the child to enter his room. Yet still, here she was, cheerful as he’d rarely seen her - He couldn’t help but smile happily at that sight.
“Oh? A gift? For me?”
Bending down in his knees to face the girl at the same level, the man gently took the bunny out of her hands and looked it over.
“Did you make that yourself? I’m proud of you.”
The man ruffled the girls hair softly before he said what the girl liked wanted to hear the most:
“Thank you Kikyo. It’s a wonderful gift. I love you my child.”
And so the child didn’t resist, he would draw her into a gentle hug to show her just how much he cared.
The child smiled when he took the bunny from her. She nodded to all of his questions. She did make the bunny by herself, well except for supervision from her mom. Her smile just grew wider when he told her he liked it and even said he loved her. Konoe bounced a little in happiness when he said that. She always appreciated it and made sure to remember every time he’s said it. Smiling, she held out her arms so he could properly hug her. She’d allow him to this time, and soon he wouldn’t have to worry because she’d always welcome her parents’ affection.
Perhaps he’s a bit too eager to show the child affection, for the man judges her open arms to be an invitation for more than just a hug. And so it doesn’t take long until the father not only hugs his daughter, but also lifts her up and lets her sit on his arm, her hace on the same level as his as he stands now.
“Shall we go see what Mommy is doing, mmh Kikyo?”
Konoe squirmed a little when he picked her up, but she settled down after a few seconds. The little girl shuffles a bit to make herself more comfortable before giving him a small nod. Going to join Mommy sounded fun to her.
As soon as she squirmed the man already worried he might have gone too far, but when Kikyo calms down so soon afterwards, he feels relieved. And her nod does the rest.
So the pair make their way out of his room and through the house to find the woman in charge. Coming down from the first floor where his study was, they passed the bedrooms and went down the stairs, through the living room and to the other rooms, until the man found his lovely wife sitting on the veranda, in the shadow with her face buried in a book.
“Is it allowed to disturb the good lecture for a moment dear? Someone wanted to come see you…”
Hearing her husband’s words, she gently closed her book, marking her place with a fold on the page. Turning to face him, she noticed with a smile that he had their dear daughter in tow.
“Mm, what a wonderful surprise, dear. What do I owe the pleasure for, my lovely Koko? Did your father like his present?”
She held out her arm and gestured to her lap. “Come, tell me all about it, child.”
Without any hesitation the young girl wiggled out of her father’s arms and climbed into her mother’s lap. She smiled at her mother and threw her arms up in glee, ‘He liked it! Then he picked Kikyo up and decided to come visit Mommy!” The child’s grin grew wider while she looked back and forth between her parents, waiting on them to respond.
She held her daughter close in her arms, gently stroking her hair. She chuckled “So this was your father’s idea, dear? Perhaps we should have him join us, then.”
She gently patted the seat next to her, gesturing him to join them.
“What a lovely Father’s day gift, to have your two most precious women smiling by your side.”
With a smile, the man did as she had gestured him to and took his place next to his beloved wife.
“Indeed… I couldn’t be happier than I am for having you two at my side”
And before either could protest, he ruffled his daughters hair again before gently kissing his beautiful wife.
“My, but you are a hopeless man…”
She nestled her head gently on his shoulder, carefully holding little Konoe in her arms.
“But certainly, I find myself rather lucky as well, that I can share my time with the two of you so closely. You both have made me so happy and proud.”
Blushing, she now happily returned his kiss, though holding hers a bit longer.
Konoe blinked at the display before her. “Ewww cooties,” she whined while sticking her tongue out. With no second thoughts she squirmed out of her mother’s grasp and started walking away. The child grabbed her small bunny before continuing her path towards the door. She didn’t want any cooties.
The man smiled when his daughter ran away like that. Oh, she was so sweet and innocent still… - If only she’d stay like this forever. But he felt like she’d take after her mother eventually, and while she no doubt was sweet, she was far from innocent… - Not that he did not like that.
“It seems like Kikyo does not like to see us like this, hmm…? Too bad I have no intention of stopping just yet…”
Another passionate kiss followed, and the man and his wife would spend quite some time like this. And afterwards? Afterwards the man would be a good daddy again and take his family to go eat. And Kikyo would get to pick just where.
But as we just said… that was afterwards. For now… he would focus solely on his wife…
» Your muse finds my muse’s diary and decides to take a peek! Send ✑ to learn what my muse writes about yours!
“ ✑ *nudges Akternis forward* ” — thefoolsgame
It appears that the training of young Alternis Dim is going quite well - Braev does not cease to speak highly of him and his progress whenever we meet.
I’ve rarely ever seeb him so proud of someone before - not even of Edea I’m afraid. No wonder that the girl has trouble believing in her father’s love at times…
Still, I would very much like to confirm for myself the skill of the lad. I hear he is the one that has taken up the Dark Knight Asterisk, and I wonder how he fares in handling it. I trust Braev to be capable enough to guide the boy so he’ll not fall to the darkness it carries, but still… Better safe than sorry.
After all, Alternis would be a loss difficult to accept. Especially for Edea…
Maybe we can arrange a joint training session once. I’ll need to speak to Braev on this.
“ ✑ ” — arcanistgirlvictoria
I have run into the bearer of the Arcanist Arcanist today: Victoria F. Stein, member of the Council of Six.
A strange woman, trapped in the body of a small girl and riddled by terrible seizures as an aftereffect of the treatment she received from Dr. Court. It is no hard feat to realize that the constant pain has led her mind astray and off the path of sanity at times. A capable mage, yes, and a valuable addition to the forces, but I have to question whether or not it was right to give some this unstable a position of such high rank.
Today, for example, Victoria was floating around Central Command proudly proclaiming that her caretaker Victor had apparently groped her behind. Whether or not such a thing happened is not for me to know and I do not wish to find out. This is something that is only between the two of them.
And that is most likely what has me irritated about this girl. Such a matter should not be proclaimed as publicaly as she has, it is for the two of them to know and if they must, their closest friends. And I am especially not fond of her going into details about such a matter…
I can only hope that the next time, she will show more discretion.
“ ✑ ” — stealthmasterkonoe
I have requested for a new soldier to be recruited for my devision today: The holder of the ninja asterisk.
Not because I am fond of such tactics. In fact, I would rather not see us use any of these means. Assassination is an unhonorable way to defeat an enemy… - But once I learned of who held the asterisk, I had no choice.
It is a young woman that holds the stone currently, nay, a girl really, albeit she shows high prowess with her profession. But in her eyes, I can see naught but blind obedience and this rends me uneasy… A girl her age should not have such eyes.
I wish to have her regain her smile, and look at life with passion in her eyes again.
Maybe by taking her under my wing, I shall achieve this.
I can only hope that Braev will indeed assign her to my troops.
“ ✑ ” — valkyrie-einheria-venus
It has been months since I have last heard of Einheria. After her so sudden departure, news of her have been very scarce and hard to come by - I have to admit that this has left me worried. After all, she is like a daughter to me, my best student so far, and had she not decided to walk this other path now, I am certain that she would have inherited my swordmaster asterisk.
After all, she possesses not only the strenght and skill needed, but also the honour and kindness I appreciate so much.
But alas, since the news that arrived this morning, such a thought is merely a distant dream now. She has decided on her path and picked up the speak her father once wielded. And Braev has rewarded her decision with the valkyrie asterisk today.
Ah, my old friend Venus… If only you and your wife could see your daughter now… I’m certain you would be as proud of your daughter as I am.
She has grown to be a wonderful woman, and it fills me with joy to see how strong she has become in both body and character. I hold no doubt that she will one day surpass me, as well as your legacy. She is destined for greatness.
I only wish she would not forget her roots. She has yet to come see me since her return yesterday, and I am eager to see how she is faring - and to test her skill. I hope you can forgive me Venus, old friend, for having taken your place after you passed.
But I cannot help loving her as if she were my daughter truly.
Hopefully she will remember me and think alike. I am awaiting her.
“ ✑ (tiz) ” — cryingphantom
Today I have encountered Edea and the Wind Vestal once more, as well as their two companions. And while naturally I should still be upset about my favourite student travelling with a vestal, and a counterfeit Alternis joining them, I could not help but focus more on the forth in their party, this young lad, this shepherd…
The one Edea called Tiz.Something about this boy… it is not right. Something about him seems off.
I cannot point my fingers at it, but when my blade clashed with his, I could feel it. This boy… He is no ordinary shepherd.
He carries something within himself that is much bigger than any of us.
And this worries me.
What if in the end… Edea is right…?
Or even worse, what if Edea… is walking right into a trap…?
I cannot help but feel that this boy might just be the key to it all…
((Uh-eh-I-what… I can’t even remember getting half of these, but it’d be cheating if I kept going through it T^T… and I’m not sure if this is a starter, or just a singular event (It’s also mid-game)…))
Send me a ♪ and I’ll shuffle my music, and describe a short scenario involving our muses inspired by the song that pops up! Maybe it’ll inspire a full thread!
[[The AUs inspired by these song prompts that have spawned threads of their own will be given their own, individual posts and will not show up in here.]]
“ ♪ ” — stealthmasterkonoe
Masashi Hamauzu - Defiers of Fate (Final Fantasy XIII)
[[Oh boy… What did I get myself into here…]]
Renegades AU: After the unfortunate death of the Fire Vestal, dire punishment awaits the ninja Kikyo Konoe. Her commander, the swordmaster Nobotsuna Kamiizumi, however disregards his orders, believing in the innocence of his trusty subordinate, putting thus both their names on the Eternian Army’s Hunting List.
Chased by their former comrades, friends and former students alike, the pair seems destined to be on the run for the rest of their lives, until the tragic fate of an execution awaits them.
But Kikyo Konoe and Nobotsuna Kamiizumi decide to defy this fate - and take the fight to the duchy’s doorstep instead.
Will they manage to clean their names? Or will they have to take the head of the man that condemned them, Grand Marschall Braev Lee?
“ Sends music note~ ” — traitorofeternia
Genesis - Invisible Touch
[[Oh god, why Media Player, whyyyyy?]]
…
[[Okay, it took me five listens to get an idea, and since it’s the only idea I have… I’ll just go with it…]]
Another Amnesiac Romantic AU: Following a failed experiment of Qada blowing up Starkfort, killing the scientist, commanding officer Kamiizumi is found injured - and without any of his memories.
Unable to keep his post, he is sent back to Eternia to recover, where he one day runs into his former student Edea Lee. Feeling a deep connection to her but unknowing of the shared past, the man mistakes them for love - and the disaster begins.
Edea is unable to tell her former master the truth for she wishes not to hurt him, yet she does not wish to give in to the older man’s advances either. Will she eventually give in? Or will she bring up the courage to tell her former master the truth, even if it might break his heart?
“ ♪ ” — tizzyhadalittlelamb-deactivated
Bryan Adams - Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?
[[MUAHAHAHAHA, this’ll be fun!]]
[[Btw, any AU with Tiz and Kamiizumi on friendly terms would work for this, but I’m just gonna pick this one because it makes stuff most plausible imo %)]]
The Adopted Shepherd and the Ladies AU: With the appearance of the great chasm, Tiz Arrior lost everything. His brother, his home, his family and his friends. Since then, the boy had made new friends, new companions - and by some strange twist of fate, also found a new family. Well, at least sort of.
The swordmaster Nobotsuna Kamiizumi had adopted the Warrior of Light after his succesful mission to save the world. And since then, the boy had lived at the swordmaster’s place, in order to help Edea Lee rebuild the world. And during that time, the older, wiser man tried to teach the boy about many things. And then one day, the one topic he had hoped to avoid comes up…
"Nobotsuna-San, err… can you… Well you know, Agnès and I… Well we wanted to… Uhm… Could you please teach me how to make love to a woman so I don’t disappoint her?"
…by the crystals, this was a conversation the man surely didn’t expect to hold with a boy of this age… - Will he be able to master it, or will the young shepherd need to find someone else to help him in this matter?
“ ||{SONGNOTE} BC IM ON THE BUSSS ~Edea ” — edeaofeternia
Bon Jovi - Thank You For Loving Me
[[Oooh, this is gonna be sweet <3]]
Substitute Father AU: After Braev Lee fell in battle during the aftermath of the campaign to overthrow the orthodoxy, Nobotsuna Kamiizumi lent his old love Mahzer a hand and helped her bring up her daughter Edea. Many years had passed since that day, and now, another fateful day had come.
"Do you… do you think father would be proud of me…?"
"I’m sure he would be Edea. He’d be very proud of you."
"You know… it’s a pity he can’t see this… I… I don’t remember him all that well, but I… I really wanted him to see this, you know…?"
"I understand. And if it helps you, my dear, I am certain he is watching you from the afterlife, giving you all the courage and support you need and deserve."
"…you’ve always had the right words, ever since I was little, haven’t you…? You’ve done so much for me and mother… we can’t thank you enough I fear…"
The man doesn’t say a word in return, instead gently grabbing the girl by her shoulders and trying to hug her carefully - after all, he knows how she’d react if anything were to happen to it.
"To see you happy is thanks enough for me my dear."
"…you know… it’s times like these when I start to wish you’d been my real father… You’re always so kind to me, looking out for me and..-"
"Shhh, Edea… Today is not about me. Today is your day, remember?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know… But… But what I wanted to say was… well…"
It was at this point, that the girl stepped onto her toes and leaned in to give the taller man a kiss on the cheek, smiling happily.
"Thank you… Thank you for loving me. Thank you for treating me like I truly was your daughter, and you my father."
"…you’re starting to make me cry Edea… And this is not a day for crying, now is it?"
"Yes, you’re right. I’m sure everyone’s waiting too! Shall we… shall we go then…?"
"I am ready if you are ready, Edea."
The young woman reached for the hand of the older man now, gently holding it and smiling a smile full of gratefullness.
"…Now I am ready. Thanks to you… father."
It was with a genuinely happy smile that Nobotsuna Kamiizumi just a few minutes later escorted an overjoyed Edea Lee dressed entirely in white down the aisle to the altar where an equally overjoyed young man eagerly awaited his gorgeous, breathtaking bride.
“ ♪ -- WORRIED BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL TRAGEDIES AND FEELS BUT DOING IT ANYWAY / EdeaofEternia / no music specification GO NUTS ”— Anonymous
Oompf! - Das Letzte Streichholz
[[Oh my god… That song… This.. this is gonna be dark… Very dark… I had hoped for something happier instead of tragedy… but alas… You said anything goes…]]
The final matchstick AU: It had been three years already since Mahzer Lee had passed away due to her illness, leaving behind her daughter Edea and her husband Braev, the grand marschall of the duchy of Eternia. Up until that day, Edea had enjoyed the life of a princess, sheltered by her father’s status and the servants at Central Command, with regular visits to her mother. But her death had changed everything…
With his wife having come down with the disease soon after the pregnancy, Braev had always silently blamed young Edea for the state of health Mahzer was in, but guided by her kindness, he had never taken it out on the child, allowing her to live a good life. The loss of his beloved wife, his one and all, his everything however had been too much for the man to take. Driven mad by the grief, the grand marschall took his sorrow and grief out on the innocent child, no longer holding back in any way.
Soon, Edea was no longer allowed to see her friends or train with her master. No longer could she eat sweets or spend her time shopping. She was reduced to less than a servant, a lowly maid worked to the bone day by day. Never allowed rest, pushed around by the servants that once cared for her, abandoned by her father.
Three years had the girl been driven closer and closer to the edge. Three years full of sorrow, loneliness and hardship.
Three years.
Until she couldn’t take it anymore.
It had been remarkably easy for her to sneak into her father’s bedroom. After all, she still knew all those secret passages throughout Central Command from the brighter days. And now she was standing there, holding a single match in her hands.
"…did you ever really love me, father…? Was I always just the reason mother fell sick to you…? Have you… have you blamed me for her death all these years…?"
The once strong and cheerful voice had grown weak and broken over the years, barely audible now. Her words thus remained unheard by the templar, continuing to sleep peacefully while his malnourished, mistreated daughter looked at him with a blank expression.
"Why did you never love me, father…? Have I not been a good daughter…? Haven’t I never resisted you…?"
The plain dress Edea wore was riddled with dirt and smear, and even some blood from when this one servant had hit her for no reason a few months ago. She hadn’t been allowed to wash it since.
"Why can’t you care for me like you do for Alternis, father…? Is it true you forbid him to see me…? That you told him to forget about me…?"
Her blonde hair that used to be adorned by the ribbon her father had bought her when she was still but an innocent, unknowing child hung tousled and dirty down to her shoulders, and her eyes, once so full of wonder and joy, were dull and cold as ice.
She couldn’t even cry anymore.
"Is it true you call him son…? Him, that you just picked up from the slums…? And that you had Einheria publically punished for standing up to you on my behalf…?"
From the gossip she had heard the servants exchange while bullying her she had only been able to piece together that the valkyrie had spoken in her defense, asking the templar to release his daughter - after that, the rumours the servants spread had ranged from “removed from duty” to “whiped in public” and “exiled from Eternia”.
Edea had stopped caring what was the truth. She had lost the ability to care in these three years. Too hard had the times been, to broken was her spirit. And noone was there to help her anymore. Even master Kamiizumi had left her behind, leaving Eternia mere weeks after her mother’s death.
"Father… do you know… what hell is…? I do… You have put me in it for three years… It would be unfair not to return the favour…"
For the first time in three years, Edea Lee smiled.
It was a wicked, twisted smile, one riddled with pain and sorrow, but a smile nontheless.
Edea Lee smiled as she lighted the lone matchstick and set fire to her father’s room.
——
Five days after the incident, the swordmaster Nobotsuna Kamiizumi returned to the duchy of Eternia. He had been called back by the council of six, in order to take up the seat of the deceased templar Braev Lee.
But he didn’t return for this old and broken friendships sake.
He had returned so he could take care of the poor child that had almost burned to death that night but survived. None of the servants of soldiers at Central Command had been able to identify her, but Kamiizumi knew who she was. He felt it in his hurting heart.
Gently, so as not to wake the unconscious, comatose girl covered in burn marks he sat down at the sat of her bed, carefully reaching for her small and frail hand to hold it.
Silently tears fell as he spoke to the girl with a weak and pained voice.
"I’m back, Edea… Forgive me for being so late… I failed to protect you…"
“ ♪ - tiz ” — Anonymous
One Piece German Opening 3 - Übers Meer
[[Well then, what do you know, WMP can be nice after all - good timing! And I hope it’s okay I kinda do the lazy thing here with what I base it off ;)]]
Sailing the seas AU: Fate can sometimes take strange paths. One moment, the shepherd and the swordmaster had been talking in Eternian Central Command, the other the two had found themselves whisked away to a beach on a far off island. Just like that.
Now, for Tiz Arrior, this hadn’t been quite so disturbing. Having traveled through several worlds before and thus made some experiences with dimensional travel, it was not too hard to come to terms with stranding in another one.
Nobotsuna Kamiizumi on the other hand… Well, the older man had a hard time getting to terms with this new development. He kinda felt lost here, on this strange island called Jaya that was apparently run by pirates or something the like. Not that he had anything against pirates. They were quite reliable, as Suleiman and later Barbarosa had proven. It just was odd to him.
And after a week of being stranded, things got even odder, when a small ship with an equally small pirate crew aboard landed on the beach. A very… strange pirate crew.
He quickly got apprehended by a swordsman that wielded three blades - the first time he had seen anything the like, which made this intriguing - and challenged to a duel, while the shepherd was just left wondering about a strange little creature that seemed to be a mix between a reinder and a man? And this boy over there had quite the strange long nose, too…
Still, with Tiz Arrior being Tiz Arrior, it didn’t take long for the boy to become friends with this strange band, and before Kamiizumi had even finished his match with the three sword wielder, they had ended up invited to join the crew for their next journey.
"They’re going to the Sky Islands, Kamiizumi-San! Can you imagine that, islands in the sky? I’d love to see those!"
The swordmaster wasn’t equally euphorious about this possibility and hesitated, at least until the swordsman of that crew invited him as well - as a formidable training partner. How could he have declined that offer?
And besides, the lad seemed overjoyed to board this ship full of strange people, and sail the oceans with them.
Kamiizumi could only wonder if perhaps this had to do with the ship’s figurehead depicting a sheep?
Be that as it may, later that day the unlikely pair from Luxendarc set off to an adventure in this strange world, sailing on the Flying Lamb.
“ ♪ ||Edeaaaaa ” — Anonymous
Flogging Molly - What’s Left of the Flag for Me
[[Ooh, nice, this is a superb song! Let’s see if I can make this end on a positive end for a change or not %)]]
The Last Bell Rung AU: It had been just a small funeral service. A nice little service. One that really helped people to say goodbye to the young man. Even if he was not of this world originally, many came to say their goodbyes. Even his would-be adopted mother had come to say goodbye to the lad they knew as “Ringabel”.
Mahzer had cried during the service, having a hard time to accept the loss of the young boy. Not because she had come to know him really well, and not because he was an alternate version of her actual adopted son Alternis. But because he mattered a lot to her dear daughter Edea. And when her daughter could not cry for her loss, she had done so in her stead.
Gently did the swordmaster wipe the tear away from the golden eyes of his once beloved Mahzer. After all, he had vowed to not give her any reason to shed tears anymore. He would keep her daughter safe. It was the very least he could do for the two of them.
When the service had ended, Nobotsuna Kamiizumi left the church and joined the remaining three Warriors of Light. Standing next to Edea, he simply nodded to her. The agreement had been made before the service, and there was no reason to change it. The two of them would protect the vestal and her companion, and avenge their fallen comrade’s death at the hand of that fake Cryst Fairy.
He would protect Edea on her every step, but not as her master, no - This time, for the first time in her life, they would fight as equals.
And they were ready to begin this fight until the bitter end to save the world.
[[…okay… this is veeery loosely tied to Edea it seems. Kinda went off track there… Sorry Edea-Mun, I hope it’s still alright. If not, just whack me with another note and I’ll try to do better!]]
(Hatsune Miku- Hirari, Hirari. … NOOOO NO NO NO NO NOOOOO)
'I am lost.'
That was her first thought upon waking up. She had not known then how true it was.
It was a cold, blustery evening when she woke up, all alone in a tiny room. The room felt as empty as her stomach now. Her muscles felt weak, and she, groggy. ‘How long have I been asleep? Where am I, as well?’
She went to rub her face and noticed a medical bracelet on her wrist. She didn’t remember being hospitalized, but read the label anyways: ‘Special Condition: Undead Patient- Do not use White Magic or Potion’.
“What the hell? Since when does anyone but a handful of mages have access to that information? What kind of hospital is this…? At least I don’t seem to be hooked to anything but a… heart monitor, I think?”
She carefully pulled off the little clamp on her finger, likely a new device thanks to the study of the Earth Crystal. She honestly didn’t much understand it herself, but realized that there had been great strides in medical technology because of it.
At that, she attempted to get out of the bed, but her legs would barely move. It was unlikely she would be able to balance herself at all, let alone walk. Something was off about this body. In fact, she didn’t remember transferring to this one at all. She likely hadn’t occupied it long before sleeping; none of her piercings had been done again. If something were wrong with this body, why didn’t they just find a new one for her? It was obvious they at least knew a little of her condition.
Wait, perhaps she used too much energy? ‘Yes, Phylacteries can break from overuse, so it’s possible I was sent into a sort of coma… How long was I out?’
Before she could finish that thought, however, a medical team burst through the door in a panic. They rushed around her, screaming that they thought she had passed, but out of the corner of her eye, she spotted someone familiar. It was Edea!
"E-Edea! Oh, how good it is to see a welcome face!" The figure frowned, however, and approached slowly. Upon closer look, this woman wasn’t Edea, not as she remembered her, no. This woman was a good decade or so older than her Edea, and her eyes were a steely blue.
"I’m sorry, but I’m not who you think I am. My name is Lysandra. Edea is my mother’s name. I was here to visit her when I heard the commotion."
Melly sat there in shock for a few moments. “A-alright… Tell me, dear, your mother hasn’t fallen to the same illness as your grandmother, has she?”
Lysandra jumped at the question. “Oh, oh no! No, she came here for a simple check-up. She said she had business to attend to afterwards as we-“
Speak of the devil, another woman came through the door. This woman looked like Edea as well, but far more aged. Yet the woman held a fierce air as well. When she turned to look at Melly, however, the woman’s eyes were filled with shock as she ran over to give Melly a hearty hug.
"Oh, Melly, you’re awake! We’ve waited so long!"
The woman may have looked happy, but those words paralyzed the Lich. Much time had passed indeed. “H-how long have you waited exactly…?”
Edea let go of the woman and held her shoulders at arm’s length. Her expression darkened. “Melly… I don’t know how to put this any other way… You’ve been asleep over thirty years… I’m sorry, I understand that this is a lot to take in.”
She chuckled a bit, feeling as if her mind had cracked. Thirty years?! Thirty. Years. How much had changed since then? Where was everyone? … Where was Nobutsuna?!
In a joking tone, though her mind was screaming, she asked of Edea, “My word, what does Nobutsuna look like by now? Is he still teaching? Tell me, where is he now, Edea?”
"…"
"Edea?"
"………"
“Answer me, Edea.”
Edea sighed deeply before delving into her explanation. “I’m afraid… Ma-… Kamiizumi has since passed. He… he came here to visit you as much as he could. Practically every day. He was the one who found you, crumpled up in the snow. No one could figure out how to wake you, so we brought you here, to the Healing Tower.”
She clasped her hands together now, holding her face against her wrists. “He stood by your side the whole time. We could barely pry him away at first, but we needed him… We all knew he needed you more. He was found at your side when he left this world. He could never just leave you alone.”
All Melly could do was sit there as the tears formed and the realization hit her. She slumped back into her bed, covering her face with her arm. “I… I think I’m going to rest for a bit longer. Please, leave me be.”
The two blondes quickly stood up to leave, almost in unison. Edea, however, stopped at the door to pose a question. “When should we send to wake you up?”
"Don’t."
"I’m sorry, would you like to have an alarm, then?"
"No. Do not… wake me up."
Edea closed the door slowly, defeated. “…I see.”
As Melly laid in the lonely bed, all she could think of were but a few words: ‘I’m so sorry, Nobutsuna… I abandoned you.’
“ ♬ - eternianblade~ ” — burmecianblackmage
edeaofeternia:
Song: The Divine Suicide Of K. — Protest The Hero
Earth Vestal AU: Years ago, Mahzer had another child from a previous relationship before she met Braev — but the child was taken by the Orthodoxy, and never seen from again.
When Braev seized the Orthodoxy and invaded with his armies, the Earth Vestal Edea Oblige resisted and refused to surrender. She and her sisters fled and hid in the mountains, forever hunted by the Eternian forces.
In their absence, the Earth Crystal dimmed and corrupted, shriveling the green of the valleys and turning Eternia into an icy wasteland. Rumors began to spread that the Earth Vestal had cursed them as a result of the Orthodoxy’s fall, and many began to call for her head, even though the Templar did not condone such ideas.
Eventually, Edea was caught and imprisoned, but the people of Eternia were not satisfied with merely holding her in a cell. When faced with threats of rebellion and unrest in his troops, Braev reluctantly agreed to have the Earth Vestal publicly executed.
Edea holds her head high as she is escorted to the executioner’s block, with the crowds of Eternians yelling and cursing her. She gives a sympathetic look to Nobutsuna Kamiizumi, whom she can tell is unhappy with the turn of events. With a brave smile, and ignoring all those who call for her death, the young woman sets her chin down on the block.
“May the Crystals keep me safe.”
[[I feel I should be sorry about this, but… I just can’t help myself, I gotta work with this. Sorry Edea^^“]]
This whole thing felt wrong.
Not just that he did not approve of the decision to give in to the bloodlusty people and execute the vestal, but there was something else too… Something that deeply disturbed him.
Something just felt absolutely wrong about this.
He just couldn’t point his finger at it.
That is, until the young woman had placed her chin down on the block and her long hair parted down her neck, revealing what it had hidden.
That birthmark. The birthmark shaped like a teardrop.
He would recognise that birthmark anywhere. After all, he had spent the past fifteen years looking for this mark. After all, it had never left his mind, never left his dreams. He had longed to see that birthmark again…
But he did not have time to lose himself in thoughts now. Every second counted now, and the consequences did not matter. Even if he would be branded a traitor now… He had to do this.
The exectutioner had already lifted his axe and was ready to let it fall down upon the poor vestals neck when the swordmaster drew his blade and without hesitation cut him down, much to the shock of the crowd.
The executioner promptly dropped his axe and screamed out in pain. The cuts may not have been deep, but sufficient to stop this madness.
"Nobutsuna! What is the meaning of this? Explain yourself!”
It was the grand marschal himself that raised his voice now over the crowd that promptly fell silent. He stood on the other end of the execution plattform. The guards around him had drawn their weapon, but Braev yet told them to stand down. He wanted to hear his old companion explain himself first.
“Braev, it is her. Her! Did you not see the birthmark on her neck? It’s her! Her!”
“Nobutsuna, you’re not making sense. Calm down! And put your weapon away.”
“No Braev, I can’t do that. I have finally found her, after fifteen years! You… you cannot take her from me! Not now!”
“Nobutsuna, cease this madness! Noone knows what you’re talking about! Don’t force me to treat you as a traitor!”
“…Mahzer knows. Mahzer will understand. I am sure of it!”
“Nobutsuna, stop!”
But it was too late. The swordmaster had alreay grabbed the bound earth vestal and throw her over his shoulder before jumping down the back of the plattform, where the soldiers stood.
“H…hey, unhand me! I don’t want to keep running away!”
The protests of Edea Oblige fall on deaf ears. With his blade still in hand, the swordmaster strikes the soldiers in front of him as dangerous, and so they move aside, opening a path for their commanding officer.
All but one.
“Icannotletyoufreethevestalcaptain.”
Kikyo Konoe, the stealth specialist from his very own unit had decided to stand in her captain’s way. She, who had always harbored a hatred for the orthodoxy and the vestals, and who had been the one to find the hiding place of the earth vestal.
It was only natural for her to disapprove with his decision.
“Kikyo, please, you have to believe me, it… it is her. She is the one.”
“…”
“Kikyo, I beg of you! You are like a daughter to me, I do not wish to fight you!”
“…Captain…Youknowwhatyouareaskingofme,yes?”
The swordmaster could already hear Braev shouting others to capture him - if necessary by use of lethal force. The soldiers would soon recall just whom they swore loyality to.
“…I wouldn’t do so if I wasn’t certain Kikyo… She… she is…” - “Put me down, finally! Put me down!” - “…she has to be… the daughter of Mahzer and…” - “I said: Put. Me. Down!”
Her struggling cuts the swordmasters words off, but the ninja already understood. Her commander had talked about this to her so often in the past…
Before the approaching soldiers knew just what had happened, swordmaster Nobotsuna Kamiizumi carrying the earth vestal Edea Oblige and ninja Kikyo Konoe had vanished using one of Kikyo’s smoke bombs.
~~~~
Hours later, Mahzer Lee would learn of the incident while being visited ber husband at the Healing tower. When she learned of the swordmaster’s words, the woman fell to her knees with tears in her eyes.
Her words then allowed Braev to fully understand the swordmaster’s actions.
“She’s alive… Our daughter still lives… Oh Nobutsuna…”
The next day, the Council of Six charged Nobutsuna Kamiizumi and Kikyo Konoe with high treason and placed them on the list of fugitive targets.
The hunt began anew.
“ ♪ (Hehehehehe) ” — pandoragu
The Black Mages - Dancing Mad (Final Fantasy VI)
[[Just what the heck am I gonna do with this, aaaah. Such an awesome song, but it gives so little ideas to use x.x]]
[[Okay, it took me more than a week, but I finally got an idea and I’m going with that now and get this done. It’s not perfect, but I hope you can forgive me for that hon]]
Dancing with Mad Gods AU: After learning about the meaning behind the tattoo on Melinoe’s back, Nobutsuna Kamiizumi begins to investigate and piece things together. Hiding himself away in the old library of the orthodoxy as well as using the information he found to question Lord Lester DeRosso, the swordmaster ultimately manages to figure out the truth he never wanted to know.
But the man does not fall into despair as many another man would, oh no.
He is instead determined to change the fate of this world - and of Melinoe.
She does not approve of his plan, but ultimately agrees to accompany him in order to keep him safe.
A sentiment that others share. Joined by his dear students Edea and Einheria as well as his subordinate Konoe, Kamiizumi leaves Luxendarc with his unlikely team
Together they travel to where he resides: Ouroboros, the dark diety aiming to destroy all worlds, and the holder of Melinoe’s contract.
A firece battle ensues, a battle to free Melinoe from his shackles, a battle to save their home, a battle to save many Luxendarcs.
They may not be the destined heroes, the warriors of light that are fated to save the world, but they have to try. They have to engage in it, this dance to the death with a mad god.
And so they shall be dancing mad. And at the end of the song of battle, only one side will be left standing.
Just which one will it be…?
“ ♪ - eternianblade [[I didn't know what else to send and since the last one was so excellently written... I figured I go could for another one^^'']] ” —burmecianblackmage
[[I pondered whether I should really reblog this for some time now, seeing how much it had affected me when I first read it, but… it is well written, so… I’ll reblog it here for the sake of keeping it.]]
[[Please though, anyone that wants to read this, please do so at your own risk. It is quite the heavy material, so don’t say you were not warned, alright? Thank you for your understanding.]]
“ ♪ nyello dear ” — pandoragu
Patent Ochsner - Los
[[YES YES YES YES, finally a somewhat cute lovesong for our two characters! I hope you’ll forgive me that it’s in my native tongue of Berndeutsch hon, but this will work so perfectly <3]]
Longing Lovers AU: After having been a couple for several years now, Melinoe decides to leave on a journey and for the first time since they have gotten together, Nobotsuna does not accompany her.
Soon, however, he comes to regret this, for her journey grows longer than anticipated, and despite regular contact using letters, his longing for the woman he loves grows stronger every day.
In the silence of his empty chamber, he recalls the times that they spent together, noticing every detail of the silence around him as if it were the melody that had always accompanied their time together.
The world had gotten loud in the past few years, with technology advancing more and more, so he enjoyed this silence. Almost as much as he enjoyed listening to her, be it when she spoke or when she simply was herself. The sound of her breathing, the sound of her turning around while asleep… So many wonderful, small and silent sounds that he now missed.
Ah… if only she could hear him now…
He had quickly grown to love her, not only for how she was but also for the fact that she had quickly learned to see through him so to speak, to see how he truly was underneath. That by doing so, she had allowed for him to be just who he was, not who people were expecting him to be when he was around her.
Truly, in a sense, he had become like glass to her he supposed, as she could look through his worries and fears as she pleased. She could even see the ghosts of regret that followed him at times as they did any warrior and dispell them with such ease it was hard to believe she wasn’t a divine being at times.
If only she could look at him now with her wonderful eyes, those eyes he didn’t often enough praise for their beauty and intelligence. If only she could see him, could look at him now, and see how much he loved her, how he missed her.
But sadly she was not here.
Oh if only she could come now and take him into her arms and never let him go again, if only she could show him how much she loved him now.
In this cold land full of soldiers he could not help but think of her all the time. No matter what was said, what decisions were made, what nonsense declared, everything still stayed the same for him:
He loved her, and he missed her.
And especially today he would have loved nothing more than to be with her.
Never did she leave his thoughts, and never did he stop to desire her, and yet still…
Today as well, he would not be able to see her.
But he would not have to wait much longer, oh no.
With the letter announcing her return within the next week in his hand, the swordmaster sat at the window and looked out at Eternia.
And on his lips was a blissful smile.
Melinoe was finally coming home to him.
“ ♪ - eternianblade [[A large part of my music is game osts as well. Never stopped me ^_^]] ” — Anonymous
Edea rolled over in her bed, thrusting off the covers. The extreme heat of the lava flowing beneath Hartschild was worsened by the painful dreams and thoughts she was currently enduring. It was only earlier that day that her former master, Kamiizumi, had expressed his disappointment in the goals of both her and the vestal.
The next morning, Ringabel had sensed the air of unease around the girl, and swiftly tried to comfort her, but to no avail. She stepped out into the temperate, ash-filled air alone for a short walk just outside of Hartschild…
I’M SO SORRY THAT SUCH A STRANGE SONG CAME UP, I CAN RE-SHUFFLE IF YOU WANT…))
[[That was actually quite well done and oh god, that song xD Amazing!]]
“ ♪ ((Now it's your turn, pick any muse :3)) ” — holypillar
Golden Sun: The Lost Age OST: Motoi Sakuraba - Magma Rock
[[Ooh, that one I haven’t heard in ages… Gives me some nice ideas to work with though„, - And I don’t have to pick any one muse, muahahaha *gg*]]
A Heated Struggle AU: So it had come to this. After the Wind Vestal and her posse had already awakened two of the crystals, they had come here to Eisen, to go after the third one. And on their way to seek it out, they had done as they already had in Ancheim and Florem:
They had slain officers of the Eternian Forces.
Hearing of Khint’s demise had been painful - hearing of Einheria’s heart shattering. Even more so that Edea was part of the vestal’s group, along with someone that greatly resembled young Alternis.
He had already approached Edea and her companions, and tried to talk sense into her. He knew she would not understand right away, but he had at least hoped to get her to think and hopefully reconsider in time.
But she had failed to do so, or to convince her travelling companions. And now, these four had definitely gone too far…
As if Khint and Einheria had not been enough, they had now slain Kikyo.
Enraged, the swordmaster had given pursuit, and chased them down to the depths of the Mythril Mines. And even deeper into the mountain.
And now there they were, surrounded by magma and standing on the rocky ground. Weapons drawn, and the sweat glistening on their foreheads.
“Wind Vestal! You and your allies shall pay for your crimes and the blood you have shed! Or I shall no longer be Nobotsuna Kamiizumi, Commander of the First Division of the Eternian Forces!”
“M..Master…”
But it is too late for Edea’s words. For the man in front of her is no longer her master…
He is but a hurt warrior desperate to avenge his fallen comrades.
And nothing is more dangerous than a hurt and desperate warrior.
“ ♪ yaaaaaassss ” — pandoragu
Final Fantasy X OST: Nobuo Uematsu - To Zanarkand (Distant Worlds version from the second official CD)
[[OMG Hon, I first got Monty Python - Sit on my Face, but, eh, well… that’d probably be going a bit far for a song prompt, so I allowed myself one reshuffle… And got this one. And hnnnrgh it’s just so beautiful, I gotta use this instead of the Monty Python one. Sorry dear, but this music touches my heart…]]
The Final Story AU: For years Nobotsuna Kamiizumi had been asking his dear Melinoe for stories about her time as a human, and persistenly she had turned him down time after time.
And eventually, the man had decided to give up asking her about her past - and to instead enjoy the present he got to share with her. And together they lived many a good year.
But alas, as is the fate when a human and someone untouched by age come together, there inevitably had to come a time when such times would have to end.
For the wheel of time did not stop for the people around those that were immortal, and old age still weakened their bodies.
In recent years, it had become more and more common for the former swordmaster to fall sick, and visits to the Healing Tower had slowly evolved from an eventuality to a regular occurence.
Yet still, even if he could no longer offer her all she desired, Melinoe had stuck with him throughout all these years. Her never aging body a constant support for his as it grew weaker by the years.
But now, the time of parting was upon them.
Recovering from the weakness that had befallen his body was out of question. No Magic from the Healing Tower could compete against the inevitability of age slowly corroding a body. And now age had come to claim him.
Melinoe had insisted that he would not be left to rot away in a bed in the facility until his brain ceased functioning for good, no. She had wished for him to see the outside world once more before he passed, to see the world he had always strived to protect before his final time to close his eyes had come.
And so they sat here now… in front of a small camp fire just outside Melinoe’s home. And Nobotsuna rested his head on his beloved’s lap, covered with a blanket while he looked up to the stars in the night sky.
“You know… Melinoe… it… it has been a good life… I do not regret meeting you… I never will… and I’ll forever be thankful… for you allowing me… to grow old at your side…”
“Nobotsuna… you…”
“No… it is alright my love… I… I am glad for the life I had… and that you chose me…”
“…”
“The stars… they are quite beautiful… are they not…?”
“…Listen to me Nobotsuna… Listen to my story… This may be the last chance for me to tell you…”
It must have seemed like hours as she spoke, her gaze fixed on the dancing flames of the campfire the entire time. She spoke of her circumstances as she grew up, of how she received her scars, how she found a way to get through it all, how she found someone that desired her no matter what… and of her daughter. And how it all came apart in the blink of an eye.
Kamiizumi had always known that he was by far not the first man that she had loved. He knew that. And he had overcome his initial jealousy at the thought a long time ago.
But never had he known about her daughter. About the child she once had, and that was taken from her in such a tragical fashion. And how then she had gained an immortality she never desired, and lost the ability to have another child forever.
Tears were in the old man’s eyes as he looked no longer up to the stars above but to her.
“Melinoe… I… I promise you… if there truly is an afterlife… then I shall seek out your dear Inesa… and together with her I shall wait for you… No matter how long it will take… - For I will always… love you…”
“…Nobotsuna… you can be such an idiot at times… such a loveable idiot…”
Struggling heavily with the task, the man now tried to sit up, a task he could only perform once she supported him with her arms. But once he was more or less sitting, still supported by her arms and leaning onto her, Nobotsuna Kamiizumi managed to give his beloved a kiss.
One final kiss, after saying the words he so loved to say once more:
“I love you… Melinoe…”
One final kiss, with his eyes closed.
Never to be opened again…
“ 🎵 ” — pandoragu
ABBA - Knowing Me, Knowing You
[[Yikes… We’re never having good luck with these, now are we hon…?]]
No More Carefree Laughter AU (bad end to our Modern AU): Walking through this empty house was the most depressing thing he had ever done. Because every spot he saw reminded him of the cheerful moments that had happened in these rooms.
There was the couch, on which he used to sit with Kikyo so many times bonding over the shows she liked after they had adopted her. Over there was the small cabinet with the door that the neighbour’s boy Suleiman broke while playing one of his infamous rounds of tag with Kikyo, his “sister”. There was the armchair that his beloved Melinoe used to sit in and read books while the children played.
And this was just the living room. The other rooms weren’t kinder to him in the least.
The dining room, where a proud and ambitious Kikyo had told them of her plans at her sixteenth birthday. Of how she wanted to travel with Suleiman, Edea and Victoria to Caldis and study there for a few years. He could still remember the pride he had felt that day.
Or the kitchen, where the children’s drawings still hung at the refrigerator’s door and where dishes were cooked by them all that not only filled the stomach but also pleased the heart. Where they could laugh untroubled at small mishaps like when he forgot to put the eggs into the chocolate cake.
But now there wasn’t any laughter.
Only empty silence…
Not even in the garden, where the children always used to play, was any sound to be heard. No happy laughter from the kids, no delighted giggle from their mother as she watched them over the brim of her book, no flustered giggle of her like when the two of them joined each another in the hot tub.
Nothing.
And seeing all the places, just made it all the more depressing. The tree with the swing that Kikyo often retreated to when she wanted to be alone. The deck chair Melly used to love reading in. The broken shingle in the fence from when he had to chase Konoe’s first love away after that miserable and despicable person so rudely broke her heart. The small pond where Suleiman would sail little self-made boats together with their daughter. The hot tub where, despite having been told they could never have children, he and Melly conceived their adorable twins Isaac and Saria…
But they were all gone.
Kikyo was still in Caldis, and excelling at her studies, with Suleiman and her other friends.
And the twins…
They had left the house as well when Melinoe left him.
He knew it had been his fault. He was fully aware of the mistake he made and regreted it every minute of his now miserable existance. But regret didn’t dry the tears in his eyes, or fill the hole in his heart.
If only he had never slept with Mahzer that night…
There was no excuse for that, none. And the fact that he was heavily drunk that night was no excuse either.
He had messed up. He had destroyed their happiness. And now there only was emptyness, nothing left to be said.
Only one thing remained.
Knowing himself and knowing Melinoe, and being aware of their respective situations, this was the best thing he could do.
He would have to go.
So that she and the twins could return to the house and live a good life again.
And no matter how much it pained him, he had to be prepared for the moment where Melinoe would tell him never to return… When he would never see her again.
Maybe then, when he was gone, there’d be a room for laughter in this house again.
