Female Voice: Lord Inari! There you are. What’s with all the noise… Oh. Am I-
*The voice cut off the moment she, Skadi, laid eyes on the boy, her empty as she stared him down, her silent message clear. The boy shivered, turning on his heels, turning to face his...former lover, though never quite managing to complete the movement, unable to meet the other’s eyes before he’d already begun performing the rhythmic steps*
Rozyus: No! No… I was just leaving.
*Shaking, the boy flower-walked away, leaving Inari staring at the petals left behind, their brow steadily furrowing further as they realised what the boy had slipped into their hand. Hoping that he was wrong, he turned his fist palm up and opened it. There, sitting on their palm was a familiar simplistic yet beautifully carved ring. they could only stare it, the room around them feeling like white noise even as finally, slowly, he curled his fingers over it once again, tucking it away into their robes’ breast pocket, even when it felt as though their heart was shattering like broken glass.
Skadi: -Nari? heavens to Lord Inari?!!! Come on, we need to get going. The meeting is about to start.
*Even now, it felt as if they were hearing everything from a great distance*
Inari: Oh…Yes.
Skadi: Come now, my lord, keep it together! Hmph...it’s almost as though you’re both drawn to drama.
*Inari frowned, slipping their hands, trembling with suppressed emotion into their sleeves, transfixed on where the last of Rozyus’ petals fell*
Inari: I’m afraid I don’t see the humour.
Skadi: Hm~ I recall making a statement rather that a joke. You know…. Some would think it is a sign that one should not be involved with one such as he.
They are like a drug to most, an addictive poison that one might lose themselves in completely with one false step. It has happened even to the best of us. You remember the stories right?
*A shiver shot up his spine, as if the icy claws of corruption were closing on their heart. Even so, they couldn’t help but grit their teeth, their fingers tightening on their wrists under their sleeves*
Inari: *Tone Darkening* And what of you... Do you believe that? Do you feel the same way?
Skadi: *Glare* Don't give me that tone, harvest god. As your friend, I only have your best interest in mind. Now, if he were a fully fledged being one way or the other, I would not be bringing this up. BUT, as it stands, every moment you are with him and you have these silly little fights - which I must happens so often it's a joke - it brings you closer to falling.
*Pant*
Seriously, we both know how poisonous those creatures can be. It’s the reason there are those pushing to have them removed from the presence of divine foke… for both our protection....Lord Inari, If things get too rough, promise me you’ll sever all ties. I cant see another god fall.
*Inari closed their eyes*
Inari: ...My apologies…
Skadi: Apology accepted. I’m sorry as well, for being so harsh, but I only want what is best for you. So please, be careful.
*She paused for a moment, eyeing the god, before frowning, seeing something in his expression*
Skadi: Still...what is wrong, Lord Inari? Did the two of you fight again?
*She moved behind them, coming a little too close for Inari’s comfort, her hands sliding over their far too tense shoulders, massaging the muscles. It helped a little, but it was not the touch they wanted, nor did it ease their mind. They sigh, still worried, and pulled away towards their desk.*
Inari: Its nothing. That aside, this is… regarding case 113, correct?
Skadi: Quite. Mother is quite enthusiastic about this the new army - it is ready for your command and my skills. It should be intriguing, working by your side...it’s been quite a while.
Inari: True, it has been far too long.
Skadi: *Blush* ….Well, you know…. It had to be done… but I’m here now.
Inari: Oh, I know that too well.
*Talking casually, the pair made their way to Parame’s quarters. As they turned the corner, however, they froze at the sight that greeted them - Rozyus tucked in the arms of Sayo. The goddess gasped somewhat dramatically, whipping around to face the frozen god beside her*
Skadi: Oh my, in the arms of another man! What a shameful cur! The audacity of it all! Inari, what are you going to do?
*It was a long moment before Inari spoke*
Inari: ...Nothing… Mother is waiting. Come.
*With a flap of their robes, Inari strode away*
….
Rozyus: Sayo…. I’m fine… just let me go.
Sayo: No… if things are going to be like this, then, master… I’d rather steal your away from them completely.
Rozyus: No, I'm still not-
Sayo: Master!
*Sayo slammed the two of them against the wall, pinning Rozyus between the cold stone and his body as he crashed his lips against Rozyus. The boy struggled, trying to push his back, but it was like moving stone. Something frantic clutched at his chest as he opened his mouth to yell, to protest, but before he could speak a word, Sayo clamped his mouth against his, forcing his tongue between Rozyus’ lips*
Rozyus: MN!!! *Struggling Away* No!
SFX: Clink!
*With a gasp, the boy found himself yanked back and behind the form of another man who stood straight backed and proud before him. All he had warning of what was to come was a small click. Then, crimson. Sayo collapsed to the floor, clutching his chest*
Soldier: You are an eyesaw. A lowly mutt laying rancid lips on the Princess. What nerve.
Rozyus:....
Soldier: ‘tis a good thing I came, is it not, my Lady?
Rozyus: Y-yeah….
*Taking a deep breath to center himself, Rozyus stepped back in front of the soldier, looking down at the collapsed form of his servant, his eyes stern*
Rozyus: I may be Lord Inari’s fiance no longer, but I am still your master. Know your place, Sayo. Do you understand?
Sayo: ….
Rozyus: SAYO!
Sayo: ….Yes master… Tch!
*Gritting his teeth, the servant staggered to his feet*
Rozyus: *Raised Brow* Now take care of your wounds. I’ll deal with you later.
*Taking the soldier’s offered arm, Rozyus escorted the man to the a small meeting room, sticking close to his side. The Soldier leaned in slightly.*
Solidure: My Lady? Is it true that…. You are no longer with Inari Okami?
Rozyus: *Empty* What of it?
Soldiers: *Concerned* Even after all that work…. Was he the one…?
Rozyus: No...I was the one who ended it. I was the one who couldn't keep up anymore...
*Tears Welling* And now I… need to focus on the children and our tribe… But that's not important. You're here for the new plans. They’re over there.
*He motioned to a thick folder on the agesent desk. The Soldier gathered the documents before turning back to the boy. He had sat near the window, the setting sun silhouetting his frame slightly, his brow furrowed somberly. With a soft sigh, the soldier strode to the boy’s side, gently taking his hand and pressing it to his lips*
Soldier: There are many things I may carve with my blade, but I cannot cleave my way to your heart. Saying that...My lady, my feelings have not changed. Not now, not ever. So please...consider-
Rozyus: Ok.
Soldier: *Startled* What?
Rozyus: Ok… I’ll marry you… But... not right now. It would be unfair to you… Let my heart heal.
Soldier: One month…. I’ll only wait one month… and, in that time, I’ll make your eyes turn to me.
Rozyus: *Nod* Mm.
…
*As the meeting of the gods finally came to a close, Parame stood and faced her audience*
Parame: That is all for today. Oh, Inari, please stay behind. Venus, you as well. Everyone else, you can go.
*As the gods and goddesses began to trail out of the hall, Inari’s companion turned to them, a hand gently on their arm*
Skadi: Will you be well?
Inari: ...Yeah…
*They stood from their seat, paying no regard to the worried goddess they left behind and drifted in the direction of the elder god. It was only after there were no other witnesses that, once they reached Parame, they near collapsed at her feet. In a quick movement, Parame gently swept the young god into her arms and walked in the direction of the cleansing pool*
Parame: Your romantic lines snapped-
Inari: He...he gave me….back the ring. It’s….over now…
Venus: So...you’ve given up? You know, I wont be able to fix this on our end if one of you doesn’t move.
Inari: He...said that he couldn’t ‘keep up or flight as high...as me’. Then he gave back the ring…
*Their hands curled into fists, the odd defeated posture shifting into something more determined*
Inari: *Snarl* I don’t care about anything like that. I have no intention of letting him go, especially not for such an idiotic reason. Nor do I have any intention of bowing down to those in our way. I won’t give up. Not now. Not when we’re so close to the finish line.
Parame: Hm~
Venus: *Chuckle* So you intend to hold him down if you have to? How scary.
Parame: As long as you don't fall, it's fine. You of all people have seen what could happen.
Venus: Worry not, however. We have discovered a method that should prevent the irreversible. Do what you need to, but do it soon. A rival approaches.
Parame: Very interesting, don’t you think? So, Inari, what do you intend to do now?
Inari: I’m well aware how to deal with their tribe. Its warriors, it’s politicians - I have been blessed to have experience with both. *Eyes narrowed* No matter what others may decree, he is my everything. I have no intention of giving up on us.
As for this rival...*Tone Darkening* I will do whatever needs to be done.
Parame: So long as you don't fall. *Lips Curling Up* Although, the moment you do, I’ll snatch you back. To aid in this, there is a cleansing pool within my room that is special, it’s waters potent. Bathe within it at morn and day’s end and it will prevent a true fall. You will be walking a fine line, my child, but it is a challenge you must face, for you will learn when is best to fight, and when to be passive. Right now, you struggle to choose when it is the correct time to use either.
*With that, she gently lowered Inari into the cleansing waters, allowing him to fully submerge before stepping away*
Venus: So, what do you think?
Parame: *Sigh* Do you think you could work your magic?
Venus: I’ll do my best, but you know exactly how they are, past, present or future. The only thing I can think of is to push a little more and then hold back, that’s all. Especially now with this little... punk.
*Eye Twitching* Well he needs to learn to go after what he wants and, well… a little shock therapy might be what he needs.
Parame: *Knowing Eyes* Is that's the reason you forced the young man's consciousness into his older counterpart?
Venus: Are…are you mad, Mama?
Parame: No… especially since there's not much time for the both of them…. Those two…. If they don't naturally come together, we might want to use a firmer hand. I do not wish for the same outcome the last time. Understood?
Venus: Yes Mama.
*The room twisted, making it seem as if a picture had been duplicated, overlaid. The two goddesses moved to another plain, leaving the younger god to purify within the cleansing waters*
Inari [Inner Thought]:Rozyus...you may be willing to give up to misery, but I won’t let this be our end! If I have to give us all a future we can be proud of together. *Grit Teeth* I’ll fight tooth and nail! We can’t just let the past write our destinies for us. We must fight for the future. Our future.
[END]
No comments:
Post a Comment