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]

Is that so? I'm afraid I don't have that sort of reference...

[But, oh. What a fantastic world this young woman must live in.]

[dishevelment]

A little bit, [he admitted, letting the young boy be as curious as he wanted.] But I feel comfortable with it as well, because I know they all feel the same way.

If anything happens, we support each other. It's what family does.

[cresthopes]

[As Takeru was about to say something, the boy just giggled shortly afterwards]

Yeah, you're right, that is what family does. It is only natural that they would be worried about you.

[Pause] Even if it isn't the best either.

[dishevelment]

No, it's not for the best, [he said quietly, agreeing with the boy on that sentiment.] but it's a part of human nature that people have a hard time changing.

Perhaps, if you're lucky enough to become a big brother yourself, you'll understand this one day.

[cresthopes]

[Then there was a very very very long pause on his end before he finally said something]

...I don't think that's going to happen. I wish it could but I really don't think so!

[iseaghosts]

All of you age the same speed where you're foam?

[ How curious! ]

[roughcut]

[at the order, Kouha immediately quiets. It's rare for Koumei to be so direct about that kind of thing, so it gets Kouha's to rein himself in like little else could.

He follows Koumei's touch easily, lifting one hand to rest on it and help him focus on something beyond the despair that's threatening to crash over him.]

If we can't beat 'em... We're done for, all of us. There's no way they just let us go.

[Even if Hakuryuu were that merciful, it just wasn't a smart move, strategically. Allowing threats to your claim to the throne is just stupid, and it's just as ridiculous to think the Alliance would allow for it to happen again. They wouldn't have invested the energy if they didn't expect Kou to be their ally, and none of the other Rens would be likely to play that nicely.

Kouha shakes his head, bowing it a bit to hide his expression. If it looks even a fraction as bad as what he feels, he doesn't want Koumei to see it.]

And we can't beat anyone when we didn't even plan for them to show up... What are we supposed to do now, Mei?

[dishevelment]

[Moving on a whim, Koumei gently pulled his youngest brother into a firm hug, allowing them both the comfort and privacy that they both needed from the things that they both already knew. He sucked in a deep breath to prepare himself-- for knowing that a something is coming doesn't always make a person emotionally ready to handle it.

Not all of the mental exercises, strategizing, and theorizing could have prepared him for the depth of Kouha's grief.]

The only thing I know for sure is that we shouldn't curse our fate, [he admitted at length, in a diplomatic and round about way of stating that he wasn't sure what was going to happen next himself.] We'd be no better than Gyokuen and Hakuryuu if we do, and I don't think I could bear to spend eternity without being near our siblings and cousins.

[It was a fanciful sentiment, wishing for an existance of relative peace within the flow of the Rukh, intermingling with the spirits and memories of loved ones that had long since passed on. A man of science and rationality, it seemed almost outlandish to even have such sentiments, but his own observations of the Rukh within the fields of Magic Research that he oversaw alongside the Empire's military presence and economy did nothing to disprove the Rukh as an ever flowing, ever changing force that influenced them all. Speaking with Aladdin, and witnessing the history of Alma Torran through the boy's words, further cemented that notion.

With that boy around, nothing seemed impossible.]

Otherwise....we must trust our friends and siblings to make the right choices. We didn't come this far to have everything fall apart....and strange things happen around that young Magi.

[dishevelment]

Yes-- is that really so unusual?

[Clearly, they were going to need to talk shop one day.]

[dishevelment]

...

I never said it needed to be a blood relation, did I?

[It was a delicate sidestep around a topic that the young boy clearly didn't want to discuss. Koumei wasn't going to press for details-- it wasn't his place to.]

[cresthopes]

No, you didn't.

But it would be strange to see mom marrying someone who isn't dad.

[As much as he wanted his mom to be happy, it would be awkward to call another person dad!]

[iseaghosts]

Yeah, it's really different compared to where I'm foam, so it's interesting!

[ There will be so much to talk about. ]

[dishevelment]

[Ah. Complications with his parents. That was a song he knew all too well.]

Hm. It would be difficult, if you're not accustomed to it. But families and people change over time.

...Have I mentioned to you that only my older brother and I have the same mother? All the rest of our siblings all have different mothers and circumstances, but that doesn't change the bond between us.

[dishevelment]

Hm. Perhaps we should take time to discuss that one day? When we're not making a... 'leaning tower of pizza.'

[iseaghosts]

Bookay, that sounds like pun.

[ She smiles, and puts a macaron with a hand drawn little flag with the monster high logo on it. ]

[cresthopes]

I guess it wouldn't. I know that even if they're from a different dad, I would still call them my siblings! It would be mean if I didn't!

I would be pretty happy just to have more siblings or more family members really.

[But the idea of his mom marrying someone was a little...]

[roughcut]

[Kouha is a very tactile person. He just never expects anyone else to be the same. When Koumei pulls him closer, Kouha makes a quiet noise of surprise, but he doesn't struggle. Once he's in place, he settles immediately, clinging to Koumei's clothes in a way he'd be embarrassed by, in any other situation. Clinging to those that protect you is for children, and Kouha is no child. That doesn't mean it's not comforting, and he'll take what he can get right now.]

I don't wanna die. I don't want anyone I like to die. But mostly, I don't want to be apart form anyone again. You don't have to worry about that, even if I'm not so sure I believe all of that stuff about the Rukh.

[He shakes his head again, trying to crack a smile but utterly failing to do more than grimace.

He believed in it as far as magic went; he wasn't the type to deny what went on right before his eyes. But that being what happened to you when you die? He'd never really thought about it much. He's supposed to be the one that doesn't think so hard, just being muscle. Getting all philosophical is odd for him.

Besides, Mei was the one who worked with it the most. He'd have a better idea, so Kouha decides to trust in that, instead.]

And Aladdin... He's pretty good. He managed to get hold of one war and stop it, right? You think he might manage it again?

[Granted, those were extraordinary circumstances where the world itself may very well have died without everyone working together. Still, it's hard not to hope for that, no matter how slim the chances.]

[dishevelment]

You know the boy better than I, [Koumei admitted, dipping his head down to rest against his brother's while Kouha clung to his robes like a lost child. In effect they were both children-- and both lost without the light of someone else to follow. But, without Kouen in the city with them, they were in the same position that they were in during that awful period after the First Emperor and his two eldest sons passed in that fire.

Time stopped for no one. They just needed to take the best parts of what they believed, bury it in their hearts, and keep moving forward toward a better tomorrow.]

Aladdin...he has a way with people, and has encouraged alliances to happen where they couldn't have otherwise. I think it's best if we trust both him and our Brother right now, while we're stuck in this city. It's all we can do.

[dishevelment]

[Ah, modern societal norms. He knows them not.]

Is having siblings by different parents uncommon where you're from?

[It was normal in various countries in his world, including his own, for a man to have multiple wives. Half siblings were a fairly common occurance.]

[cresthopes]

[With that, he shook his head]

Not really. I know a few people who are half siblings but I don't think a lot of people talk about it?

[But then again, he was 7 years old so who knows]

[imano]

Aww...

[ He was actually quite a bit excited, so in turn he responds like a kid would. ]

Do you hold onto her for a particular reason? She must be quite special-- or powerful. Those go hand in hand.

[roughcut]

[This... This is good. Kouha hates the situation, but physical comfort from one of his favorite people in the world helps quite a bit. At least, he's not about to lose it and go smashing anything in the next little while out of frustration, and that's better than what he'd been thinking about five minutes ago.]

He's a good kid. Smarter than he looks, but he can be trusted.

[That's Kouha for you: even when giving compliments, sometimes he just comes off as rude. Aladdin can be a sneak, considering he slipped past Kouha's radar the first time, despite traveling together for a while, but that's to his advantage. Maybe he'll have something up his sleeve nobody else knew about. It's worth hoping for, so he nods as he continues.]

If there's a way out of this, those two have gotta find it. If not... maybe we can take something from here back with us, something to change things. There's plenty of strange things that might help here.

[dishevelment]

You have your understanding a little backwards, [Koumei explained patiently.] As the one who solved the riddles of her Dungeon, she picked me to be the one to carry her. While she is indeed special and powerful, being a Djinn, we can't treat her simply as a tool.

Dantalion and all of the other Djinn are far older than us, and have wills of their own. We can't discount that.

[dishevelment]

Hmm. I know he's a good child, and I can't help but feel sorry for the fact that he bears such a burden at times. [His voice was low, as if speaking any of this too loudly might disturb the others in the apartment. But it only leant itself to the intimate privacy of the moment between the two of them-- and holding Kouha in his arms like that was itself a comfort to him. Although he expressed himself in dry commentary, he was fond of the rough mannerisms of his brothers. The physicality of everyone in their family was something that he greatly missed.]

Even though he's still reeling from losing his chosen King, he still has some hope in his eyes. I believe we can trust them-- and I think having faith in them would serve us better than scrambling for an alternative in this world that we might not be able to bring back with us when we return.

[dishevelment]

No, they likely wouldn't. It can be a private affair for many people.