Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on Jan 2, 2014 23:45:50 GMT
22nd day of the Month of the Horse in the Year 1160 by the Isawa Calendar.
As the court sat together in silence the normal buzz of conversation was replaced by the droning of cicadas hidden in the trees outside. Each courtier and member of the gentry was tense with expectation and uncertainty as to what exactly was happening or when it would be accomplished.
At the head of the assemblage was an older woman bedecked in the colors and symbols of the Toturi. Although she sat beside, rather than upon, the throne she carried all the respect and poise of the Imperial Personage. She held herself in regal silence as well and although she seemed frail and stressed with worry, underneath the mortal façade pulsed an incredible power that was almost palpable to those in her presence.
A young courtier flipped open her fan and whispered something to her compatriot but was immediately silenced by the stern gaze of the more experienced person. She slowly and quietly refolded her fan and looked down at the immaculate tatami mats and wondered when they would be dismissed. Around her, other courtiers struggled to not betray similar sentiments, but gazing toward the woman at the head of the room reminded her why they were all there, in Vigil for the quest that had been undertaken, and her reserves of strength were refilled.
Suddenly, without any overture, a burst of wind exploded in the middle of the court, bowling over multiple gentles and rattling the already open doors of the court. The wind was icy cold and would have been a welcome relief to any who felt it except for the rotten smell and distinct feel of unease it brought with it. As the court began to recover there was a collective gasp of awe as from nowhere had appeared a most grisly sight.
Three men and a woman stood in the center of the room dripping with gore and caked in dirt. They too were tense, but with the fierce expectation of battle, rather than the stifling uncertainty of the court. Realizing where they were, the four sheathed their weapons and moved from their ready stances into a relieved attitude that signified their recognition of safety from the horrors they had so recently been subject to. Hanging from the left hand of the woman was a head with white hair and face hidden behind a horned mask.
Toturi Kaede stood from her place at the head of court and made for the Four Winds. Her physical form was weak and she almost faltered in her few slow steps towards her beloved children. The four turned toward her and with looks of loving relief bowed in turn to their mother.
“Is it done?” the first words spoken in hours cracked open the tension of the court and seemed to give permission for everyone else to breathe. Tsudao raised the head of Daigotsu toward Kaede in proof that the deed had been accomplished. Kaede nodded delicately and seemed as though she was shaking ever so lsightly under the effort of standing. Sezaru rushed forward to help her but a hand raised in his direction stopped him before he could take a full step.
“Now what will you do?” asked Kaede of her assembled children. There was a tone in her voice of a mother who has asked her children to do something and now waited to see the result of their efforts. She faltered from her position, truly this time, and began to fall but the Wolf was immediately ready and gave his arm for her to grasp. This time there was no hand to shoo him away, but only a tiny grateful bow of thankfulness.
The Children shot glances from one to the other in silent conversation and there was a collection of moments wherein nothing seemed to happen. Suddenly the entire court was focused on these few people and their air of unease had been restored. Sezaru looked at his mother and was forced to hold back the rising tightness in his throat, which would have been accompanied by tears. He looked over his brothers and sister from behind his mask and bowed to them while sliding backwards. Shortly thereafter Kaneka also made a curt bow and took a step back from the small clique.
Naseru and Tsudao looked each other in the eyes, perhaps a hundred thoughts passing between them without either of them doing so much as maintaining an even breath. It seemed they were locked in deep discussion and without realizing it they had fallen into their dueling stances, except that they had not yet touched their swords. The entire room held its breath, wondering what would happen.
Then, without changing his position at all, Naseru inhaled deeply and projected his words for all to hear. “All hail the Empress Toturi the Second!”
As the court immediately fell on its faces in obeisance Sezaru turned to his right to see his mother’s reaction and saw only empty space where the Oracle of the Void had once stood.
As the court sat together in silence the normal buzz of conversation was replaced by the droning of cicadas hidden in the trees outside. Each courtier and member of the gentry was tense with expectation and uncertainty as to what exactly was happening or when it would be accomplished.
At the head of the assemblage was an older woman bedecked in the colors and symbols of the Toturi. Although she sat beside, rather than upon, the throne she carried all the respect and poise of the Imperial Personage. She held herself in regal silence as well and although she seemed frail and stressed with worry, underneath the mortal façade pulsed an incredible power that was almost palpable to those in her presence.
A young courtier flipped open her fan and whispered something to her compatriot but was immediately silenced by the stern gaze of the more experienced person. She slowly and quietly refolded her fan and looked down at the immaculate tatami mats and wondered when they would be dismissed. Around her, other courtiers struggled to not betray similar sentiments, but gazing toward the woman at the head of the room reminded her why they were all there, in Vigil for the quest that had been undertaken, and her reserves of strength were refilled.
Suddenly, without any overture, a burst of wind exploded in the middle of the court, bowling over multiple gentles and rattling the already open doors of the court. The wind was icy cold and would have been a welcome relief to any who felt it except for the rotten smell and distinct feel of unease it brought with it. As the court began to recover there was a collective gasp of awe as from nowhere had appeared a most grisly sight.
Three men and a woman stood in the center of the room dripping with gore and caked in dirt. They too were tense, but with the fierce expectation of battle, rather than the stifling uncertainty of the court. Realizing where they were, the four sheathed their weapons and moved from their ready stances into a relieved attitude that signified their recognition of safety from the horrors they had so recently been subject to. Hanging from the left hand of the woman was a head with white hair and face hidden behind a horned mask.
Toturi Kaede stood from her place at the head of court and made for the Four Winds. Her physical form was weak and she almost faltered in her few slow steps towards her beloved children. The four turned toward her and with looks of loving relief bowed in turn to their mother.
“Is it done?” the first words spoken in hours cracked open the tension of the court and seemed to give permission for everyone else to breathe. Tsudao raised the head of Daigotsu toward Kaede in proof that the deed had been accomplished. Kaede nodded delicately and seemed as though she was shaking ever so lsightly under the effort of standing. Sezaru rushed forward to help her but a hand raised in his direction stopped him before he could take a full step.
“Now what will you do?” asked Kaede of her assembled children. There was a tone in her voice of a mother who has asked her children to do something and now waited to see the result of their efforts. She faltered from her position, truly this time, and began to fall but the Wolf was immediately ready and gave his arm for her to grasp. This time there was no hand to shoo him away, but only a tiny grateful bow of thankfulness.
The Children shot glances from one to the other in silent conversation and there was a collection of moments wherein nothing seemed to happen. Suddenly the entire court was focused on these few people and their air of unease had been restored. Sezaru looked at his mother and was forced to hold back the rising tightness in his throat, which would have been accompanied by tears. He looked over his brothers and sister from behind his mask and bowed to them while sliding backwards. Shortly thereafter Kaneka also made a curt bow and took a step back from the small clique.
Naseru and Tsudao looked each other in the eyes, perhaps a hundred thoughts passing between them without either of them doing so much as maintaining an even breath. It seemed they were locked in deep discussion and without realizing it they had fallen into their dueling stances, except that they had not yet touched their swords. The entire room held its breath, wondering what would happen.
Then, without changing his position at all, Naseru inhaled deeply and projected his words for all to hear. “All hail the Empress Toturi the Second!”
As the court immediately fell on its faces in obeisance Sezaru turned to his right to see his mother’s reaction and saw only empty space where the Oracle of the Void had once stood.