estoria | ( OPEN )

Really. I am the third in order from my oldest brother. Japan is second! [Some nice trivia for Namazuo, since this is his true country dad.] Then we have many younger siblings. Asia itself isn't all related, but the ones taken under China's wing are like adopted siblings. So I am one of them.

[She manages a smile.] One serious, and one refreshing. I think it's a good balance.

[At this point, it might be better to call them blunt...

Kouha thinks he knows what Mei's referring to, so he just raises an eyebrow at him before moving on.]

It'll be alright! I survived months in hostile countries with similar stuff before, you know, so I'm not gonna get lulled into feeling secure that easily.

[He shakes his head.]

Besides, I heard they can really mess with your head with magic or something! I'm not gonna trust people like that, no matter what they say.

I'd never do anything cruel to you, Mei! You should have more faith in me!

[He's the most overly overprotective one, despite being the youngest, and that kind of comment goes right to the heart. He puts one hand over his heart, dramatically acting as though he's really wounded.]

Looking good is always worth the effort in the end, anyway.

[AKA, "the ends justify the means," which just makes his original point moot.]

Right... So, like, Naki is a metal vessel and Foxy as the conqueror, or something? Makes sense, I guess.

[That's... a little weird, actually, but Kouha is nothing if not flexible in these matters. Besides, the two of them are kind of adorable.]

It'll be fun to live together with somebody like that, anyway, so it's fine! I'm looking forward to it, too.

More like if Leraje had a pet fox that she allowed to speak in her stead, but that's the right idea.

[He hadn't fully explained Metal Vessels to Swordhaus....partly because it was just as complicated as their state in life was.]

The 'conqueror' would be closer to Mister Haru's position...although, he shares much in common with a Magi as well. He's the one who allowed these swords to manifest as they are, after all.

Edited 2016-03-28 19:04 (UTC)

....I reiterate, please be kind.

[Koumei bowed solemnly, seeing already that there was no talking his way out of this one.]

I place myself in the both of your care. My only request is that you don't make my hair a strange color. Is that all right?

[Is that an invitation to kick Mutsu around? Because it sure sounds like one, and Kouha doesn't need extra temptation.

The introduction is kind of long, and that question justifies Kouha giving his own, so prepare for some rambling, Mutsu.]

That's right! I'm the Third Prince of the Kou Empire, so Mei's higher-ranked than me, but we're both princes.

[Tl;dr, he's cool, but did you know that Koumei is EVEN COOLER? Hot tips from your friend, Kouha.]

Thanks for taking care of him, by the way. I owe you one!

That's not too long, right? By then, I bet your people will have a concrete identity. And maybe then, we can have some tea.

Or now. We could have tea now. Shall we?

[ With a bounce in his step, he heads back toward the apartments. ]

[Koumei chuckled, glad to see the two of them getting along.]

I may have the higher rank, but Kouha is a better sword fighter. If you're looking for someone interesting to spar with, Kouha's the better bet between the two of us.

[Well, he can't argue with that...]

Or something, indeed. I haven't been here long enough to witness much for myself, but I have heard tales.

Either way. I'm sure you both will benefit from having a brother around. Family can be great comfort. [says the guy famous for family spats of his own. Ahem.]

[POOR, POOR KOUMEI... Giving up so easily because he knows he's dealing with some truly dedicated fashion punks. Or, you know, just straight-up punk punks.]

You better not be talking about Haruji's hair. It's cute! [JUST AUTOMATICALLY ASSUMES THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT ON THE COMMENT.]

But it's fine, since your hair is a nice color already.

Yes, family can indeed be a great comfort-- and I'm glad my brother is here.

[For that family is as loving as it is big...but that just means any internal spats amongst them are that much more devastating.]

[The talk of conquerors and metal vessels makes Nakigitsune tilt his head slightly, but the smallest fox fixates on an entirely different part of the conversation.]

I am not a pet, nor a conqueror! And Nakigitsune's vessel is right here, at his side!

[Putting a hand on his sword! His body? Himself? Being a tsukumogami is confusing sometimes.]

--My apologies, Naki, Little Fox. I didn't mean to infer anything untoward.

[Koumei scratched his head. How embarrassing.]

To be frank, the concept of spirits dwelling within objects isn't entirely unfamiliar in our world, but the reasons are unrelated to an object's longevity or not. Instead, it's related to various Dungeons and the Djinn who dwell within them. Those who solve the puzzles of those Dungeons are said to 'conquer' them, and they form a pact with the Djinn who guards it.

That pact is symbolized by the presence of an eight-sided star that becomes emblazoned on a metal object that the 'conqueror' holds dear, and it becomes a 'Metal Vessel'...

Like so.

[He drew his own fan, showing Naki and Little Fox the symbol of the Lesser Key of Solomon emblazoned on the handle of it.]

However, while we can borrow the Djinn's powers as needed, we're not able to call them forth into this world-- that is in the domain of the Magi and the Magi alone.

...

[he took a breath.]

My apologies if this is confusing for you, but drawing comparisons between your circumstances and what is familiar in our home has been the easiest way for me to understand. Little Fox and Naki are more like....friends, right?

...yes. I see what you mean. [ Bluh. He's not sure his holiness combined with Ishriki's is even enough to do battle with that. ]

I...am not sure if it is even possible to do such a blessing. Perhaps it is better to ask Ishikirimaru-san for his assistance as well.

Ishikirimaru....yes, that's the name Mister Kogitsunemaru mentioned when he suggested it.

Is it too much of an imposition? Is this even possible?

...I do not know, Koumei-san. But there is no reason not to try. I...do not think it would be wise to try it when there are many people around.

[ That might be weird and draw attention to themselves. ]

But for now...I may assist you with this.

Yes, that does make sense-- such is the problem with life in a crowded environment such as this.

...Perhaps I just won't order those items. I'm not terribly fond of chicken, personally. This is just something that has been bothering me.

Hey, hey. ( Stop right there, bros. ) What's rank gotta do with anything right now?

( This is the sword of a man who wanted to abolish the feudal class system okay he doesn't really care for rankings and the like. )

Even if you're both princes and ya both got different talents, what matters if you're a friend of Koumei's then you're good enough for me.

[ . . . . well. There was that period of time where she and Kashuu were arguing. An entire week where Lili avoided swordhaus because she didn't want to run into him and therefore had no major reason to visit.

So she glances at Kousetsu once he asks the question.

And then answers, as evenly as she can:]

I have, yes.

Is there a reason why you're asking?

Not at all for me. It won't feel long. [Time moves fast for her! At least that's how she feels.] And perhaps! Then you can come visit easily as well. We'll visit each other for tea.

But yes, I agree. We can have tea any time we like, while we still have the chance. [And she follows after him!]

[#royalfamilyproblems]

Sucks being here, but I'm glad neither of us is alone, too.

[Sorry, Cao Pi, but you're now stuck in the middle of a mushy family moment. Kouha beams a bright smile at Koumei.]

Sure we will! And when we're better, we're better allies, too. I'll keep up my part of the work, no sweat.

Oh? [he can't help but be a little amused, giving Koumei another one of his famous raised eyebrows as if he's in on the joke.] And which of the courtly arts are you most well-trained in, Master Kouha? Literature, music perhaps?

[They're true punks to their cores, no matter the topic. At least they aren't pulling a Mean Girls yet.]

You're fine, Mei! There's no way I'm gonna make you change your color! It's great the way it is.

[Plus, it helps them look related, so Kouha will dig his heels in whenever the concept of either of them dying it comes up.]

What, is Haruji's hair weird? What color is it?

[He's heard of the mysterious Haru, but he hasn't gotten to meet him in person. Now, his curiosity is really piqued.]

[Kouha listens to all of this with a frown, listening to Koumei's attempt to explain as he stares at that sword. So, he carries the sword he's attached to, huh? He'd expect Haru to have it if he was the master here, but apparently not.

When Koumei pauses, he waves a hand and shakes his head, trying to keep everyone calm.]

It's totally not an insult. People with metal vessels and the Djinns are the best partners out there, you know? None of it works if the Djinn doesn't like you, and you gotta work hard for that.

[Except Kouha, who got his because he lucked out and his other brother had too many Djinn already.]

Seems like the whole situation's pretty different, though... Maybe we should just keep it simple. "Friends" or "partners" works just fine, but names are even easier, and you don't gotta explain anything. They're just "Naki and Fox", right?

[He looks to Naki and Foxy for confirmation, because it'd be better not to stick their feet in their mouths a second time in a single conversation. Besides, he's always rolled with the strange a little easier than Koumei does.]

( OPEN )

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