*Smiling contently, Inari made a motion that they were keeping their voice to themself, before eating the offered food, though they reached over to gently brush a strand of hair from the boy’s face, love in their eyes. For all their teasing, they had never lied about how they felt for Rozyus. Beyond Rozyus’ blushing and fluster, Inari knew he felt the same. After all, hearts they could see thanks to Venus told them everything*
Inari: Anything for you, love.
…
*The two took their time with breakfast, though occasionally Inari would ask to be fed, or would cheekily suggest feeding a blushing Rozyus. After all, they were fair, even if they were doing it mostly to see their love flustered and the flutter of hearts thanks to Venus’ gift. Eventually, however, they had eaten their fill and made sure to pack what they could not eat to be put aside ready to be turned into treats for the other Half Blooded Children of the temple.
As much as they would love to spend the entire day just in each other’s company, both were aware that they couldn’t hide out the entire day. Reluctantly, the two dressed once more, with the occasional teasing ‘help’ in dressing that made it take just that bit longer, along with making sure their hair was at least somewhat respectable for polite company - Rozyus did enjoy the soft silkiness of Inari’s starlight shimmering hair - before finally making to leave the hide away, pausing only to thank Venus’ High Priest(ess) for their help.*
Inari: Apologies for taking up your time for the day, but your help was much appreciated. While I’m sure your Mistress is already aware, please pass on our thanks to her as well.
Inari [Inner Thoughts]: She has been spending a lot of time keeping an eye on us, so she probably heard that, but it’s better to be polite anyway. So, just in case either of you ladies are listening to my thoughts right now, thank you for your assistance, Lady Venus, Mother.
Rozyus: Huh? Who’s watching?
High Priest(ess): *Fake Smile* No, it is my duty to serve. It was a request from my Mistress, so I, as her servant, must oblige. But if I may address your new stewardess? If you are to play the role of a servant, do it without incident. Take it seriously, or you’ll give the rest of us a bad name.
*Dark eyes and fake smile*
High Priest(ess): Understood?
Rozyus: *Slight Shiver* Y-yes.
Inari: I have the greatest faith in Rozyus. I’m sure that he won’t be causing you any problems. Although I do apologize if there’s a bit of an outcry about this at first. But I’ll do my best to try to deal with it. Though I imagine most people will be upset with myself rather than the Stewards. Forgive me in advance, however.
High Priest(ess): …
*The Priest(ess) disappeared, looking somewhat indifferent, parting with a barely audible whisper.*
High Priest(ess): *Sigh* The blame will not be with you, rather the boy….
*Inari winced ever so slightly, but closed their eyes, trying to squash down the worry and concern that flooded through them. Nothing could ever be simple, but they knew that. Even so, had they not, Rozyus would end up married off to the highest bidder and who knew what else would happen between the two of them before they could actually gain the support they needed. They were terrified they would be making the same mistakes as their predecessors…. Surely Parame would have given some form of warning if they were ruining the future? Or was it some form of fate for things to go wrong for them each time?*
Inari [Inner Thoughts]: *Shaking head* No, I can’t think like that. If I focus on that kind of negativity, surely it would only be the start of tainting my perspective into something more desperate. I need to be confident in this, otherwise it will end in failure before it even begins. I….no, we both need to prepare for that.
*Taking a breath, they let it out once again and turn to Rozyus once again*
Inari: I hope to keep the heat off you somewhat, but….I’m sorry if this does cause problems. But we’ll get through this, all of us. We just need to stay strong until then.
Rozyus: *Unreadable Expression* …. It’s fine…. Enough with the negativity, let's enjoy the morning, shall we?
*Trying not to wince once more, Inari instead squashed their feelings and instead flashed a smile to the boy once again, offering a hand to him*
Inari: Very well then. May I have the honour to escort my lady on this fine day?
Rozyu: *Forced Smile* Sure, lets go, my Lord.
*Trying to ignore the awkward nervousness that had gripped the two of them, they made their way out of the hidden grove and back towards the temple once again. As they got closer, the faint sound of whispering caught their ears. Glancing over, it seemed there were a group of gods who had been passing by, likely enjoying the warmth of the morning sun on their walk and had caught sight of them as they entered the gardens of the temple, specifically at their joined hands and were whispering amongst themselves. Squashing down their annoyance, Inari moved to remove their hand from Rozyus’ apologetically, but it appeared that Rozyus, with his lupine ears, likely caught some of what they were saying before him and removed his hand without Inari needing to say anything*
Inari: *Whispering* Dare I ask what they’re speculating this time?
Rozyus: *Mentally drained* ‘Oh so it was just his bed warmer… makes sense, they were originally our entertainment after all’. ‘I get it, so there’s no real relationship to it. Thank heavens, we wouldn't want one of our proteges to go down that path’. ‘I’m telling you, but as long as It's just entertainment and not a real lover it should be fine’. ‘Taking that into account, we should be finding a lover for the young man sooner rather than later. I believe one of my daughters has an eye for Master Inari - I’ll present her at the next heavenly court-’
Inari: Well, we did expect these thoughts at first….we’ll just have to prove them otherwise. And they can present as many people as they like, it wont make any difference as to who I care for. They might realise that you’re currently my high Priest(ess) but they don’t yet understand the significance. We’re going to be working on people’s perceptions to help change things. Unfortunately, it’s going to take longer than just a few hours or days. We’ve just got to stay strong, ok? We do have people who are willing to help, after all. We just have to bring other people into it slowly. I know that Susanoo would definitely help out. For now, we should probably go to Mother. If nothing else she’ll likely be able to help us to come up with a few short term solutions so we can formulate a plan of action to reach our goal.
Rozyus: ….Yeah…. Then let’s make haste.
*Glad to see that Rozyus wasn’t falling into depression, even if he seemed somewhat stressed, Inari nodded and lead the way towards Parame’s room. For now, they kept some form of pretence so that they wouldn’t need to overhear further whispers for now, but they moved as fast as they could while still remaining at a walk. Soon, they were at the rooms and, while the Mistress of Fate was likely very aware they were there, Inari rang the bell to announce their presence before letting themselves into the room.*
Inari: Please excuse the intrusion, Mother.
Parame: ...Come in…
Venus [Telepathic Voice]: Bad timing kid….
Inari [Inner Response]: ...Warning before this would have been...really great…Who do I need to watch out for and how bad is this going to get?
Venus [Telepathic Voice]: *Sigh* Just come in and brace yourselves.
Inari [Inner Response]: Oh, that bad, huh? I hope Thanatos will be able to find enough of my soul once this is over because I’m pretty sure if it is who I think it could be, I’m going to die.
Venus: Not funny kid. You might actually die… he's pissed.
*Despite the fact their mental voice was flippant, a real cold dread clutched at their stomach. Taking a deep breath and motioning for Rozyus to stay back far enough from them - since they didn’t want Rozyus accidentally caught in the crossfire - Inari drew back their shoulders, pulled their court-mask expression on their face and entered to face their fate.
Pushing open the marble doors the young god stepped forward, Parame chamber seemed uncharacteristically cold as they were summoned before her. Inari looked around, there was only a few shaken servant and the two goddesses. Inari let out a breath but at the same time a thick rolling smoke emitted from one of the open windows, Rozyus turned cowering a little at the sight.*
Rozyus: Papa…
Inari [Inner Thoughts]: Yep, going to die. Lord Thanatos, you might need to be on standby because I’m pretty sure I’m not lasting this outcome
*Not about to set off anyone by being outwardly light hearted and draw more ire to themself, Inari bowed, not showing their fear. If they did, it would only cause the enraged demon to find more fault. Right now, doing so would be practically asking for his teacher to go for the jugular. However, for now they said nothing, remaining respectfully bowing as one should in those of higher standing, waiting for the Goddesses or the Demon Lord to give some sign as to how they were going to react. After all, the icy coldness only showed them that he was furious, now how controled or logical he was going to behave. Until Inari knew that, they were not about to cause further wrath. Not if they wanted to be able to explain the entire situation. They just wished they could have had the time (Or warning) to have delayed this meeting until they had a proper plan*
Rozyus’ Father: What have you done?
*The voice was cold, colder than anything Inari had ever heard before, but at the same time, there was something just under the surface, a bubbling rage that was as volatile as lava. Fear shot through Inari, but they forced it down. Not wanting to have the back of their neck showing to the Demon in this state, Inari looked up. The man was shaking, not with fear, but with pure wrath and immediately, Inari knew that they wouldn’t be able to say a thing with him in this state - he wasn’t prepared to listen to any excuse.*
Rozyus’ Father: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!
*Faster than Inari could react, a clawed hand grabbed him by the throat and he was slammed into the wall hard enough that stars exploded behind his eyes. Gasping, Inari clawed at the hand to try to pull it away enough to keep breathing, but he couldn’t release the demon’s grip entirely.*
Inari: T-teach-
Rozyus: Papa! Stop!!!!!
*Inari couldn’t finish the word as the man smashed them back against the wall once again, dazing the younger god into silence*
Rozyus’ Father: You have no right! You utter fools! You’ve ruined everything!
Parame: Iyome!
*Getting up from her throne, Parime went to the aid of the young god. Wrenched from the wall, Inari was thrown to the ground. Quickly rolling away before the demon decided that stomping them through the ground was a good idea, Inari gasped for breath, hand reaching their tender throat. The demon advanced on them with blazing eyes and bared teeth, clawed hands flexing a moment before lashing out. It was only by luck and the harsh training of their past selves that Inari avoided the blade sharp claws from gouging trenches through the skin of their face*
Iyome: Plans gone to waste! Decades of advancement wasted! Does your selfishness know no bounds?!
Inari: You don’t understa-
Iyome: SHUT UP!!! You understand nothing!
Rozyus: *Large tear drops forming and falling* Papa please, you don't understand, let him go please
*It was apparent that the ‘Talk’ was going nowhere fast. At this rate, the boy’s father really would kill the young god. Parame rolled a sleeve back, her presence seemed to be focused into the palm of her hand enough it began to glow. She let out a haunting whistle with one hand and her other outstretched, releasing the energy in to her lover. It seemed to calm him down enough to let him release the young god, who was choking profusely at his feet. The Boy ran to his ‘Masters feet aiding in picking him up and attempting to cast a spell to heal them.’*
Rozyus: *Shaky voice* Are… are you ok?
Iyome: ...Everything that comes from this….it’s on your head. You may have caused utter chaos for us all.
Inari: *Gasping for breath* That’s not….not the intention. And while some…..some of it might be selfish…..this isn’t what-
Iyome: I don’t want to hear it!
*Inari flinched at the tone, unable to catch his own breath to voice a protest that they knew the demon lord would not hear. Iyome himself rounded on his son after shooting one last poisonous look at the god crumpled on the ground, grabbing the boy’s arm and yanking him away from Inari, who cried out in protest, only for their words to be just off by a sharp kick*
Iyome: We’re done here. You obviously can’t be trusted to keep your minds on what’s most important. We’re leaving. Don’t expect to come back any time soon!
*With that, ignoring any weak protest from Inari, he began to march towards the exit, dragging Rozyus behind*
Rozyus: No! Papa don't take me away from him! No...NO!!!
*The boys cry seemed to dissipate with the sound of a gale. The gods left in Parame’s chamber felt silent, until the Elder Goddess spoke, her attention now fixed on helping her injured child.*
Parame: That could have gotten better, saying that … I haven't seen him this mad in a long time.
*Shaking, both at the near death experience and being unable to stop Lord Iyome at all, Inari barely managed to pull themself to their knees, arm wrapped around their stomach to ease the pain and eyes burning as tears formed, barely held back by pure will, even as they attempted to get to their feet.*
Inari: I…..I got to…..explain…...it’s…..this is my….my fault…..I-I got to…
*However, still hurting from the injuries, Inari could only collapse to their knees once more. Scared, frustrated, angry and horrified, the tears spilled down their cheeks as they curled up on themselves*
Inari: Why?! Why is it…Why’s it always…
*Words choked off by a sob, they pressed their free hand to their mouth, trying to control themselves before they finished what Iyome started and choked themselves by accident. Even so, the despair was clinging to them tightly.*
Venus: Don't fret over it. Your love story is far from over, I can tell you…. But both of you… in creating a union like that, have caused a rift between the seven kingdoms which Lord Iyome govens.
Parame: Once he calms down I’ll have a word with him. But for now, let's heal you.
*With a wave of her hand Inari, lay on a lush couch a green flame was working across his body healing them. Inari’s head still hung low, however*
Inari: I knew things would be difficult for a while but…..but I was hoping that if….if we managed it, we’d be able to help change some things, fix things but….Are you saying that we’ve just broken things more? Hah…..We…are we cursed, Mother?
Parame: *Chuckle* The irony being that you’re supposed to be a luck bringing deity. Right now, love, your opponent is not just a single entity - you have a whole race of warriors and politicians gunning for your head…. If you want to save that boy then for the moment you might want to take a page out of Yozu-chi’s book.
Inari: *Somewhat bitterly* What, push everyone away and mope?
*They winced a little, realising that, in a way, they were actually moping as if they had failed already. Taking a few deep breaths, they tried to calm themselves, to think logically as they wiped the tears from their eyes and cheeks*
Inari: I’m not exactly sure about what you’re suggesting. If you mean gather followers and people to support me, that is the plan, but that wouldn’t prevent the mess from getting messier in the meantime. And I already planned to follow demon laws and traditions in order to become a proper suitor. But even so, there’s still plenty of things that can go wrong here. But you probably already know those plans. Hah….the first fell through horribly. I never even got to say a word to explain to teacher…..*Depressed sigh* Lord Iyome, I mean. He certainly won’t ever see me as a student any more. I practically ‘betrayed’ him in his mind...
Parame: I doubt he sees you as anything less than a student, and I just don't see him as feeling betrayed. It's more an overwhelming disappointment that his little princess is now a servant and his centuries long plans are now falling though…. After all, ‘It’s bad enough that Master has fallen and had a child with one not of us… hopefully the little princess can correct his mistakes.’
Inari: That’s what I want to change. It’s what I have to change, especially if any of us hope to have a better future...We...we can’t stay divided the way we are, and Rozyus, and his kin….none of them deserve it. I don’t want it to seem like a dishonour, or a curse. Rozyus deserves better than that.
Parame: Then you already know what you have to do… Fifty one should do it...
Right now, for both your sakes, you need to act indifferent, to both the boy and ALL matters involved with him. You need to gain support from at the very least 51% of the gods around you. You’re a beloved god, after all - use it to your advantage.
Know when to fight... Become a beast, as it were, even if that mean you might lose, and also know when to hold your tongue and act dignified, allowing that divine pride to show though; And, as much as I wish you both would have waited to do this, there is little that can be done now. The threads have already begun to twine.
Venus: I’ll stick with the Pup. He’s going to need someone by him…. Want me to tell him anything before I go?
Inari: Tell him….tell him ‘Don’t give up, because I haven’t yet.’ I’ve got work to do to get there, but…More than anything, I don’t want Rozyus to feel despair. And….tell him I love him.
Venus: Ok… then I’ll be off.
Inari: Thank you. And…I’m sorry I’ve set things off early. But I promise...I won’t fail.
[END]
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