A Bustling Castle Greeting | 039

[cavaliering]

[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.]

Comments

[informal]

[you mean he doesn't normally say hurtful things]

Let's first check the library, then? We should ask the chief pharmacist too—maybe Shirayuki was assigned some work...

[informal]

[He rubs at his eyes.]

Ah, no... I've still got some work to do, so it wouldn't do any good to sleep now, or else it'll never get done.

[He smiles.]

So thank you, Shirayuki.

[kidnapple]

[ She bounces back a little bit, but still offers him a kind smile. ]

You snuck up on me, Mitsuhide. [ She still offers a bit of a wave. ]

Hm... I haven't seen him lately. He's not in his chambers?

[kidnapple]

[ She pouts out her lip a bit. ]

You deserve a break. [ She shakes her head. ]

Maybe you'll spare a minute for me?

[informal]

I can always spare a minute—more than that, actually—for you.

[kidnapple]

[ You make her smile, Zen. ]

Ten seconds? [ Holding her hand out. ]

[informal]

Ten seconds.

[Taking it!]

[cavaliering]

[yes. most hurtful prince.]

That seems fair.

[AFTER YOU, HIS PRINCE.]

[cavaliering]

[Oh oops. He rubs the back of his head sheepishly at that.]

I'm sorry for startling you.

[He even bows a little, because yes, he really is sorry.

But right...]

He isn't. I assumed he would be looking for you.

[But here you are, and no Zen. OOPS.]

[informal]

Let's hurry it up, then. Hopefully we'll run into the others on the way there, with any luck.

[WALKING AWAY because hnnnnnnnngh shirayuki]

no one ask how long it took me

[succinct]

[ 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. ]

[cavaliering]

[FOLLOWING right there on your back as per usual, honestly.]

I'm sure they're fine. Obi doesn't strike me as the sort to go out in this sort of weather either.

your secret's safe with me

[cavaliering]

[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.]

golly thanks

[succinct]

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.

[cavaliering]

[...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.]

[succinct]

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. ]

[cavaliering]

[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.

[succinct]

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

[ you worrywart. ]

[cavaliering]

[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.]

[succinct]

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.

[cavaliering]

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.]

[succinct]

[ 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. ]

[cavaliering]

[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.

[succinct]

[ 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.

[cavaliering]

[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.]