In our bodies we will live, in our bodies we will die

[dishevelment]

Who: Ren Koumeidishevelment & OPEN (with one part locked to Ren Kouha roughcut)
When: IC 6/16 OOC 4/3
Where: Various places around the city
What: Koumei and Kouha need to have a Talk + Koumei attempts to find a hobby
Rating/Warning: Potential for serious, feels inducing discussions



A -- Locked to Ren Kouha

[It has been a short while since Kouha arrived in the city, and Koumei was overjoyed to have his youngest brother around. Although Haru insisted that it wasn't a problem, Koumei knew that he would need to repay the Saniwa back one day for allowing the two brothers to be in the same apartment. Just being together was enough for Koumei to be content.

But there was something that they needed to talk about-- something involving the Empire that they were supposed to inherit. Something involving their siblings, and the fact that one among them had allowed the darkness in his heart to swallow him whole.

Koumei was actually awake that morning, idly playing with the his little robo-pigeon and the robo-fox that resided in the apartment, trying to find a way to further delay the inevitable. He didn't want to talk about this...

But it was a shadow lingering over them that was hard to ignore.]

B

[There had been a common refrain he had heard over the last several weeks: "Find a hobby."

It was a strange notion for Koumei, a man who had spent much of his life supporting a war effort in one capacity or another. If he hadn't been in war counsels or attending to his work in the magic research facility, he was catching up on precious sleep or playing with his pigeons in Rakushou.

But, mostly it was sleeping.

While Doudanuki's insistence on teaching him how to use a sword was compelling, it was far from an actual hobby. That was work-- and the only way he was able to keep Doudanuki from destroying his hair.

Thus, Koumei found himself in the library perusing the various crafting books, looking for something that would catch his interest. If he wasn't there, he was looking at the selection of fiction novels of a variety that ranged from cerebral mysteries to sordid romances.

After checking out a few of them to read further, he went over to the gardens to enjoy the afternoon reading. Whether he actually spent the afternoon napping underneath a tree or not was another story, but regardless of the outcome he would consider the day well spent.

It was strange, having so much free time. He didn't know what to do with it.]

Comments

[dishevelment]

Well, try thinkng this way: you won't be able to help anyone if you get yourself hurt over this.

[dishevelment]

Small things like that can be a great help. I'm glad you found a place that works for you in your home.

[dishevelment]

Well, in a place like this, it might be best if you told people the truth from the start. Besides, won't you be in trouble if something happens to you and no one understands anything about your nature?

[iseaghosts]

I'm souper happy there, we've been there for a few months now and they still accept us.

[ She decides to put a hamburger on top of her tower. ]

Have boo lived mostly in one place or moved around too?

[cresthopes]

I guess not.

[He said with a sigh] Maybe I am working a lot harder than I should. And I don't want my brother to worry about me either.

[roughcut]

Those scars are from a metal vessel!?

[Despite his earlier determination to stay still and calm, he shoots to his feet with the force of his reaction. His hands fist at his sides in an attempt to keep from grabbing Koumei by the shoulders and demanding he get a better look at the wounds, because he knows that's out of line and ridiculous. If Koumei were still in danger from them, he'd had already seen a doctor by now.]

You survived something like that and walked away with only a scar? I don't know if you're lucky or what, Brother Mei.

[Kouha feels like he's going to be sick. He remembers the name "Kina" and its lord, but he hadn't been expecting those recluses to step onto the field, along with the rest of the Alliance. He feels like he's been blind, and it's done irreparable harm.]

He spent so much time with a snake like that... Guess we should have thought about what other plans he'd been making. Damn it.

[dishevelment]

We should have-- but we didn't, and that's my own fault.

[He looked up at Kouha quietly, schooling himself in the same patience he had used when he explained Kou's policies to the fallen Alibaba because he knew that someone had to be the calm one here. In the trio of princes that stood to inherit the Empire as the plans had originally dictated, Kouha was the passion and Koumei was the rationality behind Kouen's stern and compassionate leadership.

Kouha was rightfully angry. Koumei would have been as well, if he hadn't been berating himself over his own blindness.]

I had wanted to believe the best of Hakuryuu, like we do for all of our siblings, and it pains me to have to order his beheading to end this wretched war. There's no forgiving him for what he used his Metal Vessels to do to our countrymen, Kouha. They deserve nothing less than a swift and honorable end

[Koumei took a deep breath, steeling himself for the news he needed to drop next:]

With Sinbad making his presence known, the only way for this war to end now is in our loss. Kouen could order us to keep fighting, but I trust our brother's judgement to not destroy our country further.

...but that's all speculation. I don't know what happens next.

[For all Koumei knew, he died with that strike. For all he knew, he survived long enough to see himself, his brothers, and poor Kougyoku beheaded by Hakuryuu as his first act as Emperor. There were too many possibilities that he kept himself up at night mulling over them, to no avail.

The future was unknown, and there was no changing that. All he could do was focus on what he could do in this city, and this world.]

[imano]

That's... kinda true, actually. I don't like explaining the tsukumogami thing that much but I guess it's really important.

[ He would die after all, if his vessel was destroyed. A kid constantly with a dagger at his side is strange, as he's learned. ]

Is there anything special I should know about Koumei-kun in case of an emergency? Aside from your large family and big status.

[dishevelment]

[That was a very good question-- and there were a great many things that could be necessary to know at some point. For instance, the fact that he may or may not be a deadman walking...

But, there was something far simpler.]

My fan-- I'd prefer not to lose it. Though it may not seem like much, it's my only connection to a spirit I've a pact with. In times of need, I can borrow her powers.

But, without it, I'm not much help to anyone on the front lines of a battle field.

[dishevelment]

...Is that what you're worried about?

[Headscratch. Koumei chuckled in amusement.]

Speaking as an older brother, I'll let you in on a secret, Takeru: big brothers always worry about their younger siblings, even long after they've grown up enough to marry and move away. It's a part of what big brothers do.

[dishevelment]

[Ah, it's good that the young woman was happy in her current arrangement, then!]

For better or worse, I was mostly able to stay in the same home during my childhood. Since growing up I've done quite a bit more travelling because of my responsibilities, but I still prefer the simplicity of being able to sleep in my own bed.

[iseaghosts]

Fright? There's something special a-boat your own bed. It's like, um... extra comforting.

[dishevelment]

That's right. There are days when I'd like to lie there all day...

But adulthood brings responsibilities along with it, and I can't shirk all of them.

[cresthopes]

[In return, Takeru just stared in confusion before letting a small chuckle]

That sounds a lot like Oniichan, all right! I think he would still be worried about me even when I'm 50 or something! I bet it must make you worried a lot though! You have a lot of siblings don’t you?

[nostatus]

[ Well, say no more! Shinpachi only needed that magical last part of what the other was talking about. Comfortable to sleep in? Hell yes, of course he's going to want to try that out? Shinpachi can sleep anywhere (he's passed out drunk on the floor more times in his life so far than he'd be able to count), but that doesn't mean he wouldn't want the most comfortable spot to do so anyway given the chance.

He's already looking around, as if a hammock might appear out of absolutely nowhere.. ]

Great! Let's get started! [ Yeah, now you've got him pumped, Koumei. ]

[iseaghosts]

Do normies grow up really quickly?

[dishevelment]

I do indeed, and I worry about each and every one of them in turn.

[At least his sisters, for the most part, were safe. Six out of the eight of them were married into allied countries, well outside the borders of the current civil war. One of them had retreated to the mountains to wait out the battle, but his youngest sister was with his brothers on the battlefront.

Yes, he worried for them all. ]

[dishevelment]

[Oh, dear. Did he create a monster? He was only looking to take a nap...]

I'd like to know your name, if we're going to be napping partners, [He said quickly, holding up a hand in a gesture to stop the flow of words.] Also, we need to go purchase ourselves a couple of hammocks first.

[dishevelment]

Physically or emotionally? For the former, it takes about twenty years, but it varies quite a bit by the individual for the latter.

[imano]

Your fan? Got it~ I'll make sure if it's ever out of your hands, I shall protect until it's back in those hands.

[ Imano-mamorigatana-tsurugi. That's pretty much his instinct: to protect when he's not a menace otherwise. Probably being a menace to offset protecting things is a more accurate description. ]

That makes you a little like a saniwa, huh... Can I meet your spirit sometime? I bet they're really cool~

[iseaghosts]

Oooh, that's so quick. For vampires it takes hundreds of years, but for werewolves it goes a lot quicker.

[cresthopes]

Does that make you really sad? Or even really scared?

[It seemed like an innocent question but Takeru had to wonder if he was being too intrusive. Although, he had to wonder. Being an older brother with so many siblings must be really tough!]

[roughcut]

[If this were any less serious, Kouha would scoff at that comment. Instead, he gives Koumei a sharp look, not angry or disappointed at him, but full of denial, anyway.]

Like hell it's your fault! If you were blind, so were the rest of us.

[Koumei may be the strategist, but that doesn't mean Kouha can go resting on his laurels and let everyone else take care of the thinking. Apparently, though, that's exactly what he did, and that fact burns. It burns enough that Kouha has to pace, just to keep from feeling like he'll explode from it.]

I don't get how you can be so calm when we're talking about losing everything. Our men, our family... I'm not gonna just lay down and accept that, Brother Mei! I'm not gonna let a man who'd do that to our people become emperor!

[He shakes his head hard enough to make himself dizzy. The family comes first, and this is a Ren trait that almost all of them have to varying degrees. The empire is their family's work, their reason for doing everything they do, and Kouha just can't let it go without seeing the hopelessness for himself, in person.]

I'm not gonna let any of you die, even if I do.

[dishevelment]

Be reasonable, Kouha.

[It was a rare order, sharply spoken by the normally placid tactician who carried the exact same sentiments in his heart.]

We can't let our emotions get in the way-- that's exactly what Hakuei did, and that's why she can't bear to join us on the battlefield. It's too painful for her and her Household to bear. There's no way we can save Hakuryuu now that he's Fallen, and even if his Rukh were somehow cleansed, there's no way that anyone could just forget about what he's done.

[Murdering the Regent, even if her rule was due to the influences of that Organization, was itself a traitorous act. But, brainwashing and physically ruining the bodies of their countrymen?

Unforgiveable. This was not how any of the soldiers wanted to die, even if many felt it would be an honor to continue fighting for the Empire after their psychological death.

Moving slowly, he reached out to gently grab Kouha's arm in a hesitant attempt to soothe some of the young man's nervous energy.]

I can't accept it, either-- and I'm sure our Brother and King feels the same. Frankly, the choice may be out of our hands.

Now that the Seven Seas' Alliance is involved, you understand what this means for us...correct?

[It meant that Hakuryuu would win, now that he had over a dozen Metal Vessels on his side.

It also meant that they would be the ones branded as traitors, and likely beheaded.....if they survived the battle at all.]

[dishevelment]

[Koumei chuckled, amused at how common this question was becoming.]

Unfortunately, I cannot-- the only ones who can manifest the Djinn in our world are the Magi, and I am decidedly not one. That said, Dantalion and I have only spoken a few times, although I imagine that many people in your army would find her quite likeable.