@tactful-kind-daedra answered your ask “Lady Daedra," Saizo VI sighed, knocking on the door. "Erm... I hate...”
Goodness… Daedra was unsure what the reasoning, but the gods seemed to have deemed this quite the eventful day. Hearing Caeldori’s retainer at her door, the Queen rushed from her seat to answer his call. Saizo rarely addressed her unless she prompted the exchange, which meant if he was coming first…
Opening the door, Daedra glanced outside to see him standing alone, looking rather dreadful. True, his expression said little through the normal mask he wore, but to her, something seemed… off.
“Saizo, what’s wrong?” she asked in worry, deciding to get right to the meat of things. “What’s the trouble?”
“Thank you, Queen Daedra...” Saizo sighed, heart gripped with anxiety. It was so difficult to say the prepared statement he had made, but... He didn’t know what might happen to him if he didn’t voice his concerns now.
To his liege. To Mitama.
He was doing this for all of them. For Hoshido’s future. If he didn’t speak up now, he’d... surely snap in the coming months. He clutched his hands together to try to ground himself as he continued.
“This is about the living arrangements of Milady, Mitama, and I. I know you have tried your utmost to provide for all of our well being, but... Simply put, it’s not working. A cage with gilded tassels is still just that. A cage. A prison.”
He clenched his hand to his chest, trying to stave off the worst of what he was certain was a panic attack. “Every day it seems we are beset with new and varied challenges. Guards getting bold and handling Mitama like a piece of meat. Baseless gossip about milady that we constantly have to run around and stamp out before it gets out of hand. Taunts about my father -- the losses Hoshido suffered in the war... It... It’s getting to be too much.”
He shook his head. “We are all exhausted and at our last wire -- or at least I am. We’ve all been pulled away from our home and placed into hostile territory where the vast majority of the people surrounding us either do not care about it or think that it’s humorous to try to cause us grief. To be clear, I know this is no fault of yours -- you didn’t create these problems... But you can’t prevent them, either. It’s just going to get worse and worse as time goes on.”
He took a deep breath. Finally, they came at the conclusion of his long winded speech. His nerves were still as jittery as always. “So... That’s why I... Wanted to suggest the possibility of... erm...”
Out with it, Saizo. Stand proud and tall! SAY IT. “I think we should go back to Hoshido!” he blurted at last, still scared out of his wits but prepared to face the consequences of his actions.
“After the war, Hoshido and Nohr were said to be allies -- equals that would help each other rebuild. And yet the Princess of Hoshido has been spirited away against her wishes to a land she does not love, surrounded by people who wish her ill, and supported only by her two retainers -- with help from you, of course. Why should she be the only one who has to bear the burden of uniting the two countries away from all the comforts she can expect, being surrounded by people who love her? Why is your son the only one who gets to enjoy that luxury, save for a few short visits a year? I ask you!”
“If the two countries are truly allies of equal standing, prove it with action. Siegbert should be sent to grow accustomed to our customs and our home country instead of Caeldori constantly being told that she has to throw out HER traditions to please the court of Nohr. Let it be a true unity of nations instead of a forced indoctrination.”
“I know I’m not normally one for romantic gestures, but this picnic was actually quite a nice idea...” Niles had his head resting on a blanket, one hand holding his lover’s and the other idly fishing in a bowl of fresh strawberries. “I should let you take me out on dates more often~”
@her0icmismatched answered your ask “Saizo VI paused in front of Oboro's cell. "... Greetings, Miss... I...”
“Oh, you know, the usual.” She huffed, legs in chains and her arms bound in stocks, the remnants of her meal on the floor, an empty bowl of rice gruel and the chopsticks cast aside. “Just living out my life sentence for trying to get justice for Hoshido.”
“I take it you didn’t just come down here for idle chatter, what do you want?”
“As much as I hate to disappoint my elders, that’s exactly what I had in mind. Just a somewhat friendly conversation among former allies...”
He shook his head with disappointment, looking away from the poor woman. Truly, he pitied her. “I wanted... To know about what happened to you. Why you chose to go down this path for yourself. Was it worth it in the end? What did you hope to accomplish?”
Despite his fervent loyalty to the crown of Hoshido, Saizo VI made certain to reserve his scant vacation time for today. This and the second of October would be the only two days of the entire year he would ever request time off. So he had to make it count.
White chrysanthemums were placed at the foot of the grave as the scent of lit incense wafted through the air. Saizo knelt in front of the simple stone structure, bowing his head in a show of respect.
“... Our first time spending the holiday together, sir...” he murmured quietly, eyes closed in concentration as if he hoped it might help him discern the deceased spirit’s words on the wind. “... I hope you’re pleased with my progress thus far, sir. Even though I still have so much to learn. Part of me wishes that... That you could have been here to teach me...”
He paused a bit longer, hands balling into strained fists as he tried to speak his next words without the hint of the wavering voice he felt creeping up.
“... Father. I miss you.”
He had to take a deep breath to steady himself before he could continue. “... I’ve committed myself wholeheartedly to Lady Caeldori, just as you would have wanted, sir. I’m fully prepared and willing to give my last dying breath defending her. Just as you did for Lord Ryoma.”
He fiddled with one of the flowers he had offered, idly fussing with the fragile petals of the flower.
“... Perhaps when that day comes... We can finally see each other again, sir. I’d welcome that...”
@museinmultitudes answered your ask “Ms. Mitama," Saizo VI murmured, rapping on her door. "Wake up,...”
“Must you lack such confidence you always presume me in the claws of rest?”
For once, she was not, but any ire the girl may have felt was covered by the easy smile that covered her face as she opened the door. “Saizo dearest.” She nodded her head, all mandatory politeness. “Our lady is it? What have the Nohrians done of late that require our concern?”
“My apologies for assuming. I did not mean to imply you don’t take your duties seriously, if that is what you gleaned from my statement,” Saizo VI replied in an almost robotic, emotionless voice.
“May I come in? I don’t want anyone else overhearing the... sensitive nature of our discussion.”
For once, the drab castle of Krakenburg seemed... Colorful. Lively. He was surprised to hear the Nohrians even knew what spring WAS, considering all their dreary gardens seemed to cultivate were blackened roses. Things just weren’t the same without the beautiful cherry blossoms shedding their brilliant petals.
But he supposed it did him no favors to complain. This was the Spring Festival he was stuck with, like it or not. At least Mitama was here to deride it along with him.
“How garish...” he scoffed, folding his arms. “I wonder if they dress like that EVERY spring or if they’re just making a mockery of us to see if we can tell the difference. Disgusting pigs...”
