OC: Ah, yes, you're right. I was trying to figure out what sort of thing to do, since there's nothing more that can be done with the group tending to Eriko, and it seemed like you wanted some one on one character development between Hinata and Sayomi.
Will reply later on today, possibly in the next few hours. Please stand by...
Akira himself was already in the bath situated within the palace, clearly enjoying himself. However, his head turned slightly, regarding the source of footfalls. A moment later, he saw Sayomi and Hinata moving swiftly towards him. And, interestingly, hand in hand. The sight surprised him- he was aware of the less than stellar relationship between Hinata and Sayomi, though admittedly, he had never really done much to stop it. He had never really cared, frankly. More concerning, however, was the fact Sayomi was covered with patches of dark liquid, which he suspected might have been blood. "Color me surprised," he remarked, turning around to regard them, while still keeping himself within the onsen. "Of all the people to come here together, I would have never expected you two...." his eyes shifted towards Sayomi, and he addressed his brother directly. "...so tell me, Sayomi-san, whose blood is it? Did something happen with the Emperor?"
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"It should be safe to visit in a few years," Fujiwara replied. "After all, I imagine that after a while of searching, they will likely consider you dead. especially since you were obviously not held highly in the eyes of your husband. You can probably go and visit for some time, but I would not advise against permanently settling there again until you feel confident enough to abandon your persona and adopt a new personality," Fujiwara told her. "Other than trips, you'll probably have to stay here for the rest of your life, unless you wish to go move to another country..a regrettable outcome, but not at all bad," she said. "...personally, I can't say for certain I'd miss this land, if I was in your situation."
Hinata paused. Akira has always been someone he avoided. He disliked most of his ‘brothers’ here and since Akira never really sought him out like Sayomi had so their only encounters were primarily chance encounters and quiet greetings as they passed.
He was at a loss but Sayomi needed to get cleaned up.
At the quiestion of the blood Sayomi looked back down at himself, his dazed expression turning back to one of horror.
“Hey, leave him alone. Can’t you see he’s freaked out? And you call yourself his brother...” Hinata didn’t care if his tone was rude or that Akira technically outranked him, Sayomi needed help.
“Now, you, strip.” He motioned to Sayomi. “I’m not your mother need me to bathe you too?”
Sayomi seemed to snap out of it for a moment as he squinted his eyes at Hinata. “Don’t you like men...?”
“I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole. Just wash yourself off and get in the bath.”
Since Hinata was here he figured he may as well bathe too and started getting undressed as well. Sayomis hands were shaking as he undid his clothing.
“I screwed up... I screwed up...” he continued to mutter to himself, voice sounding strained. Hinata just sighed and glanced at Akira, praying he wouldn’t pry anymore seeing Sayomis fragile mental state.
——————
The princess’ eyes shone and she clasped her hands together with a dreamy expression.
“I’d actually be able to visit and explore Zong! And I can show him all the sights I never got to see as a child! Oh you really think they’ll forget me in a few years? I WAS only a princess in name and nothing but a trophy to my husband. They might’ve already forgotten all about me.” Her eyes glistened at the idea to see her old home again.
“Oh and perhaps I’ll visit that old man from the mountain again as well.”
Akira's eyebrows furrowed, clearly picking up on Sayomi's agitated state. Truthfully, he was curious, but it was clear that pushing things now would end badly for him, He tactfully went silent. From what he knew, he hap hazarded a guess that Sayomi's cure had probably backfired and injured the Emperor even more. If he didn't know better, he would've assumed it was a skillful plot on Sayomi's plot to further weaken the Emperor and reduce his chances of recovery in a bid to increase the chances of claiming the throne in the weeks to come. If so, it was brilliantly orchestrated, with convincing emotions to boot. However, Akira deduced that this theory was not correct. More likely, Sayomi had genuinely tried to help the Emperor, and it had still backfired, and the knowledge of knowing he failed was probably taking a heavy toll on him. Even Hinata himself, the former target of Sayomi's childhood wrath, was supporting him, albeit a bit reluctantly. The whole situation seemed surreal, and Akira lowered himself further into the water, enjoying it's warmth, while also submerging his mind in thoughts.
The whole debacle gave him mixed feelings. Yes, he was happy that the chances of him gaining the throne had increased- sure. Sayomi may have been the designated heir, but things could change, right? But Akira may have been ruthless, but he was not heartless. The thought of claiming the throne because of an external force, rather than by his own hand or planning, made it feel empty. How absurd! And there was the consideration of stability too- Akira had kept his distance and held his hand because of the rapid succession of the throne. What would happen to Seseon if it lost it's Emperor twice in a row, so soon after each other? That would definitely not be good for the royal family. Is this what the Goddess wills? He considered it. Were the gods truly unhappy with Eriko? Were they truly out to get him, to foil any attempt made to save him? He was not much one for religious beliefs, but plenty of people were. Some times certain events made you question whether something was a circumstance or a miracle. Well, it's going to take a miracle to save Eriko-san..." he thought grimly. He noticed Sayomi mumbling rapidly to himself. Oh dear. I hope he hasn't gone off the deep end... Now that would be troublesome. "As you wish," he said, deciding to shift the conversation in a different direction.
"You know, I must say. How long has it been since we all last bathed together?" he called out to them. It was true- sure, sometimes they crossed paths, but Sayomi and Hinata were like a cat and dog. You wouldn't catch the other within ten feet of another anywhere, unless one was beating the other. Now all they needed was just young little Azure-kun...oh, that would probably never happen. That'd probably make his sickness worse, despite the fact hot springs were supposed to do the exact opposite. But a real family outing? How quaint. Not every day had to be a battle of political subterfuge, cloak and dagger, and espionage. A little downtime was nice every now and then, yes? He only wished this fortuitous chance wasn't marred by the elephant in the room- Eriko himself.
===============
Fujiwara shied away from Mei's excessive burst of happiness at the thought of being able to return to her home, even if as a momentary visitor. Exuberant ones like her were the ones Fujiwara preferred to avoid the most, and yet, here she was stuck in a room with one. She supposed it wasn't so bad, but man...why do you have to be so happy? "Eh? You want to visit the old hermit again?" she asked this with some incredulity. "Did you forget how much of a pain it was to climb that mountain?! Half the time there wasn't even a path!" So she was not only happy, but maybe crazy.
(Sorry I’ve been away I’ll try to reply today or tomorrow I’m just really not feeling well lol.)
OC: its all cool my dude! Mossy, you're in canada, right? I don't know how this cold front is gonna affect you, but stay warm, alright? Personally down here in chicago its gonna be -40 degrees. Shit sucks, but I imagine its probably worse since it's rolling in from the north. Frostbite is a very real threat in such cold, so please be safe. Same goes for you too, emma!
(Aw thanks so much! I’ll stay nice and toasty! It’s actually only -12C right now but idk about later.)
Hinata dumped the water from the bucket over his head, shaking out his head. Sayomi was frantically rubbing his hands, trying to scrub away the blood that had gotten on it, eyebrows furrowed.
Hinata sighed but left him be, slipping into the bath and staying far away from Akira.
“How long has it been since we all bathed together?” Hinata looked at him and then turned his eyes to the sky.
“I don’t remember. I dunno if I’ve even ever joined you all for a bath. Was there a time when Azure-kun used to leave his room?” Hinata hadn’t even met Azure in person, he’d never seen him. Though Azure did used to wander the palace freely, until he almost died from a minor cold.
“It was... his mother’s orders to lock him in his room. Apparently his weakness in in their blood but in his it’s much worse...” Sayomi muttered.
“He was... really stupid. I think he was dumber than you.”
Hinata glared at him, but seeing as he was starting to calm down enough to be an ass Hinata let it go.
Sayomi rinsed himself off and slipped into the water in the space between Hinata and Akira.
“I... think that this is really bad Akira...” He muttered. He was a prince, he had the right to know as well. He wasn’t sure what else to say however. On one hand he wanted comfort, on the other he wasn’t sure he could get that from Akira. He wanted to break down in tears and tell him all his worries but he simply couldn’t do that. They weren’t that close. So he just sunk a bit deeper in the water, blowing bubbles in the water.
——————
Touma stood up, looking at Myaro. It was probably best that they gave him some space.
“Myaro-san will you help me guard the entrance of the garden and keep the servants out?”
OC: will reply tomorrow sometime. Stay tuned
OC: I know I said today, but I mean, better late than never, right? nervous laughter
IC: Akira hesitated, unsure of how to handle this. Sure, they talked every now and then, but Akira had not really ever discussed things intimately with his siblings. Even the interpersonal relations between Hinata and Sayomi, as unsavory as they were, meant they had had more interaction with each other than he with either of them. Still, even if they were all rivals for the throne, he felt that it was at least appropriate to offer some sort of condolences. Not every day needed to be a ruthless montage of political intrigue and espionage- sometimes peace was nice, even if only for a brief moment, and even if only once in a while. He looked up and stared at the ceiling, trying to think of something to say. "...Azure-kun has never really left his room permanently, at least, not to my knowledge. It is a shame his illness keeps him away from us, admittedly. As for him being dumb, well, I'd be surprised if that were the case. What else is one to do but read and learn, if they are confined to their bed all the time? In that regards, if knowledge is power, I fear Azure-kun might trump us all!" he shifted his gaze towards his siblings, regarding them with a gaze that, for once, did not hold that political sharpness or aloofness. "...it really is bad, isn't it?" he echoed softly, touching upon the elephant in the room.
"No one can say you did not try, nii-san. I think that Eriko is happy that you went to such great lengths, even with only the barest of hopes, to find a cure for him. Even...even if it did not work, you went above and beyond. If anything, I'm certain our brother is proud of you for what you did..." he told Sayomi. "If anything, I am proud of you. I always thought your actions were nothing but smoke and mirrors, your bravado nothing more than a facade....I see now, that I was foolish to not think otherwise."
Sayomi hummed. “I suppose even Azure would have grown up by now...” He gave a slight chuckle. “Though I’m surprised he’s lived as long as he has with all his escape attempts. He is pitiful that one...”
Hinata leaned back in the tub, letting out a relaxing sigh.
“What a strange pair to share a bath with. My husband doesn’t understand it... bathing with others. I suppose they don’t do that in his country.”
“You sound like a wife complaining about her man.” Sayomi said but almost laughed.
As the sore subject was finally touched upon and Sayomi began to grow solemn again something unexpected happened. For probably the first time in Sayomis life he felt like he had an actual connection to Akane, who gave him the reassurance he was craving. Slowly he moved his head out of the water to look at him, listening. Sayomi looked to visibly relax, turning his face to the water to hide his tears that had started leaking from his eyes. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down and gave Akane a nod.
“I... I’m sure your right...”
“You know... I know what they say. Everyone thinks I’m some brute. But I... wanted to gain this strength not for myself but for our country. So I’d have the strength to protect it should the time come. There’s countries with far more power and far more land. I’m... scared. Scared of our future.”
Hinata tilted his head, a bit scepticle.
“Then why did you always attack me?” Sayomi turned to him, almost causing him to inch away.
“Because I see you as a threat.”
Hinata almost laughed. That was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. Instead he just stared at him in shock, jaw hanging slightly open.
(Bump.)
(Sorry! Forgot to check my notifications again.)
Myaro looks concerned, looking to the doctor. “Would it be alright if I guarded the entrance with Touma? I will make sure to stay within earshot.” She doesn’t want him to need her again, and for her to not be there.
Ah, ah, This was quite a surprise. Did you miss me, darlings? My apologies for the large, large, inactivity spike. That sort of happens when you're kinda across the world. On March 4th, I flew out to Singaapore and now I am currently on the Carrier John C Stennis. Ahh, that should be fine to say. It's kind of touchy to talk about because security reasons and what not, but email is the primary way to go while we're underway. I can't work on replying today, but I'll try to slide one in two days from now.
If you want to regularly talk with me, DM me your emails, or rather, I can easily give you mine. I'll be on deployment fdor quite some time so if you want me to reliably reply, it'll probably have to be over email, with one of you guys emailing me the current replies and me emailing you mine so you can post it on here.
That’s okay. If Emma wants to do that she can but it kinda sounds like a lot of work. Congrats with your ... thing though! I have mostly transferred to a different site now so I do need to know if we are continuing this roleplay so I can know if I need to check this site anymore. I’d be a little sad to see this go since it’s been years but this site just doesn’t line up with my interests anymore.
Ah, I would definitely like to continue this RP if possible, but it might have to wait until May, unless Emma wishes to convey my responses to the RP via email
I’m alright with waiting if you’d like to do that.
I can try to do that!
Hey so it’s May now so if there’s no reply in like a week I’ll consider this roleplay dead and officially leave this site.
I mean, I’m still here and flame is waiting for me to email him with replies.