realpolitik | A Bustling Castle Greeting

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A Bustling Castle Greeting | 039

[It's a dark and rainy night.

Seriously, who thought traveling in weather like this was a good idea...?

Thankfully, at the end of the road, there's always the Clarines castle, inviting to those who need to get out of the storm. Inside is certainly much brighter, bustling with people doing their own tasks and doing them well.

Everyone can be found here, if you look around hard enough. There are even snacks set out, so surely someone intended to eat those but perhaps got sidetracked--

Just don't make a mess. Prince Izana won't be pleased.]

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[ Kiki may be around doing paperwork (or making Zen do paperwork). Or she may be teasing Obi and/or Mitsuhide with the Pokerface of Champions.

... Or she might actually be out and sparring with anyone who wants to take her on.

It's likely the latter, given how many of the guards are limping back to their posts with nothing but complaints and groans. ]

[He's actually looking for Kiki, now that he knows Zen is safely with Shirayuki. Inside.

Because it's so rainy and gross outside--maybe he shouldn't be surprised that she's out here schooling the guards despite the weather, but...]

Is it more or less of a challenge in the rain?

[He lifts a hand in greeting as he walks up, starting to already get drenched, but he's honestly curious about that.]

I've found it's about the same. [ Kiki offers a shrug in greeting, and if Mitsuhide is starting to get a little wet, she's already soaked through and as calm about it as ever. ] Except they start yelling about mercy a lot faster.

[...haaaa.]

I could believe that. Why did you pick tonight of all nights to beat on the palace guards, anyway?

[Seriously, Kiki, you're soaked and he's getting there quickly.]

A certain someone was running around yelling for a prince whose name I didn't quite catch, so I thought outside might be quieter.

[ and she may be soaked, but hey, she was right. ]

[ah, he'd never miss her not-so-gentle-scolding.]

I was concerned he might be out in this weather--you know how he is--but it turns out my sensible partner is instead.

And your sensible partner will be in shortly, so you should be able to sleep tonight.

[ you worrywart. ]

[can't help it, honestly. He just breathes out a short, wry sigh, rubbing the back of his (very wet) head.]

Well, that's a relief.

[though admittedly--]

Now that we're both out here, though, it couldn't hurt to practice.

[Which is why he's got his sword, or at least, one of the reasons.]

Well. [ and there's her faint smile, as she stretches briefly and holds her sword in front of her. ] If you think getting beaten might clear your head, I suppose I could help.

I almost feel my spirit sinking from that alone.

[such hurtful words, partner--except that he's totally used to it, even as he readies his sword.]

[ she knows he's used to it, which is why she only raises an eyebrow. ]

Then you won't be a very fun fight, will you?

[ ... as she lunges forward for a quick thrust, aiming to keep him on his toes. ]

[Well, that certainly succeeds; he quickly steps back, bringing his sword up to parry her thrust, and then twisting his wrist to throw another sidecut her way. He knows her well enough to know that he doesn't really have to hold back, and indeed, she'd be offended if he did.

Better to go all out with Kiki--there's a very real possibility she really will kick his butt here.]

I'll try to avoid that, ha ha! I live to serve, after all.

[ she's certainly trying, and she's pleased that Mitsuhide isn't going easy on her. He was easily one of Clarines' best swordsmen, and the only one who could draw out a spar for longer than a minute. She brings her sword around to block his strike, opting to remain on the offensive by speeding up her strikes to try and break his guard. ]

Serving someone other than Zen? I didn't know you were so fickle, Mitsuhide.

[Her offensive ploy works, and he's forced to back up even as he hurries to parry each of her strikes.]

Actually, I was referring to Prince Zen.

[it's true enough, he does live to serve--but he's happy to do whatever Kiki wants too. Still, with that he decides to change it up a little, lunging to one side to get away from her constant strikes, and trying to duck around behind her.]

... Of course you were.

[ deadpan to the last, even as she spins-- but a step too slow, because he's already behind her when she slides a foot back and lifts her sword to try and block whatever strike he's going for. ]

[So deadpan. It makes it hard to know when he's in trouble and when she's just messing with him, sometimes--

But in this instance, they both serve prince zen, so it's not too worrisome.

Unfortunately, as well as he knows her, she knows him. She predicts his strike perfectly, blocking it from behind her like that, and he looks a little startled despite himself.

Eh???

Really, he should be used to this.]

What's the matter, Mitsuhide? [ okay, now she's just teasing. ] You're not doing too well in the rain, either.

[She's making fun of him.......

He just looks sheepish, but he does get a bit more serious, unlocking their blades and immediately turning to swing another strike at her.]

You seem perfectly at home here, but you have to admit the weather's not that good today!

[ that's more like it. She's grimly satisfied, noting that she has to pick up the speed to block his next strike and try to push back. ]

We won't always be defending Zen in sunny weather, you know.

[He moves with the force of her push, allowing it to push him back only a little--and then he's bringing his sword around again, another fast strike.

Though as serious as his sword work is, the rest of him certainly isn't.]

If only he would stay inside when we ask him to...

And not to use the windows or ledges when he inevitably doesn't?

[ because we all know what good that would accomplish.

The strike sends her sword arm back a little, but she's quick for a retaliatory strike, this time aiming to disarm. ]

[Okay, that actually distracts him--]

It's dangerous, especially in weather like this--!

[...and because of his distraction, he almost loses his sword. Her strike is dead on, and he feels his grip loosen--and instead of fighting it, allows the sword to leave his fingers. He only barely manages to catch it with his other hand, quickly stepping backwards to buy himself some time to steady himself again.

WHOOPS]

[ and there's that small curve of her mouth, which is most definitely a Kiki smirk.

She won't follow up on that attack, though, preferring to watch that realization settle over him-- that yes, he is still very much distracted by their prince. ]

[The realization comes--and he looks so sheepish about it.]

...As his knights, his safety is of our utmost concern.

[But he sounds sheepish, even, because he knows he takes it above and beyond.]

And in order to ensure his safety, what should we be focusing on, Mitsuhide?

[ she might actually be smiling. ]

no one ask how long it took me

your secret's safe with me

golly thanks

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