estoria | ( OPEN )

[He's not asleep-- he's wondering why he keeps seeing his elder brother just around every corner. A flash of his ornate hanfu, a glimpse of that ponytail of his, and the occassional feeling of the lingering presence of Lord Ren Kouen was haunting him, and he couldn't exactly place why.

Kouha had a similar story, but his involved their Lord Brother uttering ominous words of death from somewhere unseen. It didn't bode well, and the ramifications of what all this could mean made his heart catch in his chest if he lingered on it for too long.

Death was a fate he had accepted long ago...but, never like this.

He had merely been trying to chase away the ominous visions away with a steaming cup of oolong when Cao Pi entered, and he was already moving to grab a second cup from the kitchen as the man announced himself.]

Afternoon to you as well, Lord Zihuan. You came in time for a pot of oolong.

Oh? That sounds good.

[if they're not going out for tea, they're staying in for tea. Excellent. He closes the door behind him, missing the wispy spirit-goat that slips in behind him.]

I trust you and your brother are keeping yourselves well?

We're alive and out of trouble, [Koumei said with a bitter smile, dutifully ignoring the injured little birdie that had decided to follow him around. As no one else could see it, he assumed that it was merely a part of his mind playing more tricks on him.]

How about yourself? Have you done any conquering lately?

Unfortunately, no. I haven't made much progress on any front. [snarking at Viridi notwithstanding.] I am aware something happened a few days ago, but as yet I don't see many people talking about it outside of mentions of dying.

I'm aware; a number of our household disappeared for a short while. I'm hoping some rest and some alcohol will loosen some tongues so we can find out a little more about what happened.

[now that's a strategy, and much more inventive than tea...]

Perhaps I'll have to contribute a bottle of wine to the cause.

It is important, though, that we find out. There could be a wealth of valuable information behind their stories, especially if so many were killed. Was it execution, or mere incompetence? There are too many unknowns to be able to plan around it.

[He nodded sagely, a sly glint flickering through his eyes.]

It is for that exact reason I'm planning a small dinner party, with good food and drink. We may learn quite a bit...if we're lucky.

Dinner party. [with a cool note of interest. You can practically hear the "oooooooh" dripping off his voice] I approve highly of this plan. Nothing encourages sharing quite like a banquet.

[He knew you'd approve.]

I've requested a number of japanese dishes, so they can feel more comfortable, but there was an interesting variation of tang yuan that I ordered for Kouha and myself. They're filled with sweet figs-- a favorite of his-- but I'm sure he'd be willing to share if you arrived early enough.

[oh baby you're speaking his language...]

The next thing you'll be telling me is that you've found a place that makes decent bao and will have it delivered. [seriously there'd better be some good bao] I won't lie, the excessively sweet desserts everyone else considers normal are too much for me, I would prefer figs and jujubes.

As do I, [Koumei admitted, with a modest smile.] While the Castella Cake is nice for a chance, I, too, prefer my figs and persimmons.

Unfortunately, it's hard to find etablishments that serve familiar foods. The closest ones I've encountered label themselves as 'Chinese', 'Thai' or perhaps 'Vietnamese.'

None of those words hold much meaning to me, though.

[he settles down in a seat to relax, still ignoring the goat just sort of standing behind him. At least it's not exploring?]

I have done a little reading. 'China' is the name by which many now refer to my land; it seems to stem from the Chin Emperor, considered the founder several thousand years before my own time. It's not a name we used but I can see where they get it.

Still. [he's been to a few of the Chinese restaurants. Ugh.] Not everything they serve is anything I find familiar.

[The little spectral bird, unseen by Koumei, is attempting to do some exploring. It's hobbling around on the floor, meandering between the legs of the table...]

You're theory makes sense, for the historical passage of the world you hail from. It seems to have more in common with many of the worlds represented in this colony than my own, since I've found no records of Balbadd, Magnostadt, or Reim in my own studies. But, looking at the cultural parallels...you're right. Most 'chinese' establishments serve goods that a worker from the red light district in Rakushou would never dare to touch. We serve our soldiers far better food.

It's simpler, but hearty and less 'processed.'

[By the understanding that the word held regarding food in this colony. Koumei's definitely been doing his homework.]

The 'vietnamese' and 'thai' establishments have far better dumplings and vegetable dishes, although they're not quite like the bao we're familiar with. The congee, if nothing else, can be quite well made if you find the right cook.

[he heaves a little grumble under his breath in complete agreement. If this is how his culture has changed in the last 2000 years, he should probably be glad his name isn't attached to it.]

We certainly don't cook with so much heavy oil. Is a good roast duck so hard to find, these days? Oh, but congee, really? [such a delicacy, yes please and thank you!

He shifts his legs, crossing them the other way, and in the process his toe brushes against the bird he can't see by the table leg.]

Yes, congee. The kind that village grandmothers make.

[The kind that soothes the soul, and calls to memory times when family was together.

And in that bare instant that the bird brushed against his foot, Cao Pi would find a flash of an image-- one that seemed fairly recent. It was a procession of twelve royals and their closest retainers, each with hair of a deepest crimson except two-- a graceful and dignified woman who had chosen the battle field over a husband, and a heavily scarred young man who had barely made his first steps into adulthood. Four men, seven women-- five of which whispered nervously amongst themselves, and the last trailed behind with her head bowed and ponytail drooping in her anxiety.

A face that he would recognize was there-- Ren Kouha, busy making disrespectful faces and sarcastic commentary under his breath. And leading the entourage was a man with broad shoulders that were only surpassed by the strength of his personality. A fierce man, just under thirty, who seemed to be guiding the siblings with a stern hand and a strong heart comparable to that of a Shishi, an Imperial Guardian Lion.

It was the last time all twelve of them were together in accord, but the air about them was far from happy. They were all dressed in fine robes of white-- the color of death.

It was a funeral procession.

But, though it was a tumultous time, one thing was clear: none of them, not even the women, felt much affection for the person who had passed...

Or for the unnaturally young woman standing on the dais next to the body, too heavily wrapped in talismans and covered in blankets for anyone to properly see.

Not that they would want to. The few visible parts were too covered in boils and pustules to even be recognized as human any longer.

It was a bad omen, and the Empire would never be the same again.]

[The vision is unmistakable, Cao Pi certainly recognizes a funeral procession when he sees it. A royal procession, no less. But as he sits there, mouth hanging open as he was about to respond, watching it play out in front of his mind's eye, he knows that he doesn't recognize these people, save for Kouha. That means this isn't his own memory of anyone's funeral, Imperial or otherwise.

It's bizarre, he can't imagine why he's seeing this, where it came from. When it ends, Cao Pi comes to in the apartment living room, facing Koumei, like nothing had happened. Except that whole moment of blank staring and gaping mouth. He recovers as best he can, blinking rapidly as if to push the thought out of mind.]

...I'm sorry, what we were speaking about?

Village grandmothers. Congee.

[He spoke the words simply, as if nothing had happened-- although the visible change in Cao Pi's composure was evident to even any passing strangers in the room. Koumei poured a cup of oolong for the both of them, and took a sip of his own.]

It's nothing so earth-shattering, save for the fact that men like us rarely have the opportunity for such simple pleasures.

Master Koumei...

[it takes him another minute to even stretch forward and pick up the tea, though he doesn't drink right away. Both feet are firmly planted on the floor as if to steady his stance.]

Do any of your powers by chance involve projecting your thoughts into other minds?

[Setting his cup down, Koumei levelled his gaze on the man with a sharp look in his eyes.]

Clairvoyance Magic of that sort belongs only to the realm of the true Magicians. Although I have skill, I'm merely a carrier of a Metal Vessel-- Transferrence Magic is my only domain, even if I've assisted Kou's magicians in the creation of a variety of Magic Tools.

Why do you ask, Lord Zihuan?

[his hands tighten on the cup, but not enough to break it]

I believe I have somehow just. Seen into your mind.

[give him a second, this isn't typical in any sense. How does he deal with it? His composure is obviously rattled, eyes darting everywhere in search of an answer, even to the wispy figure lurking somewhere off to his left but nowhere near enough to touch.]

I cannot say whether it was something that did happen, or something you think about happening, but I am certain I just saw your family in a funeral procession.

[Koumei looked away, thinking on the many funerals he had already attended in his life. There were multiple possibilities, all of which faded into the next with how similar they were in form and function.

He set his cup down as well, and tangled a hand in his voluminous hair in what, for him, was a nervous gesture. Those sharp eyes looked away, in the same direction as Cao Pi's glance, and saw nothing. Hatoha the cybuddy pigeon was roosting on it's perch nearby.]

A trick of the Company, I'm sure. Be glad it was just a funeral, although I'm sure a man of your stature would care little of the lengths we have taken in our military programs.

A trick, indeed. [his usual line, when dealing with witnessing spiritual things that shouldn't exist. Seeing into someone else's mind certainly qualifies.] But how, and why...?

[At least he's pulling himself together, and sips at his tea to really quiet himself down and force himself to think rather than react]

I'm sure we both have thoughts unbefitting for polite and pleasant company. That is neither here nor there. I cannot understand why I should be privy to any thoughts of yours in that way.

It's more than just unbefitting, Lord Zihuan.

[He intoned gravely, using his general manner of politeness as a shield to put some distance between them.]

While I'm sure you don't care one way or the other about Kou's military secrets, I can't say the same about the general public. It's a hazard to my country, and to my brother's and my own safety.

[Ah, military secrets. Practically speaking, secrets don't stay secrets if you blab them even if they don't affect anyone in the colony]

Then we must figure out what just happened and why I should see your brother and your family in funeral procession as if I was there, before any of those secrets become known to people on the street.

I can assure you that I have no abilities like this, at all. It was not my own doing.

[Secrets were the lifeblood of any strategy-- and he couldn't have them getting out like this.]

I believe you-- you've neither the tools nor the capacity for something of this calibur, from what I've seen. And none of the magicians from Kou, Sindria or Magnostadt have arrived here from what I've seen. Additionally, the Company didn't see fit to provide me any tools beyond Dantalion's Vessel, and I'm certain the same can be said for my brother.

[He settled in somber silence, and took another sip of his tea.]

This is not a battle I had wished to fight in this land.

event time!

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