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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 3:23:33 GMT -5
Thrade bowed as well, grateful and showing it gladly. She was relieved, for she thought it was best for everyone that Lei get a chance to rest properly and spend some time away from the likes of Shinji before giving his report.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 23:13:29 GMT -5
Emperor Haru bid them farewell and retreated into his palace, his guards close by his side. Lei would be given a few days to recover and would then be summoned to court to convene with the emperor, advisors and councilman. In the meantime, Lei took some time when returning home to write down a summary of the events in Kyushu so that he could follow it when making a formal report. Then he allowed himself to relax with Thrade. Harumi greeted them home with a feast and had cleaned the house immaculately, scrubbed down from floor to floor, so that their home environment would be restful. Harumi insisted that Thrade not lift a finger and spend some time for herself rather than worrying about the household. Lei, for one, was happy for the comfort and familiarity of their home and especially a comfortable bed to sleep in, rather than a military tent and mat as had been on the road. But it was also strange just how quiet it was, compared to the hustle and bustle of having three dozen mounted soldiers and the lowing of the oxen who had pulled the wagons.
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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 23:18:56 GMT -5
Of course, with Thrade around, it was never TOO quiet. Mid morning, Thrade was lecturing Cezir- again -about eating the koi out of the ponds. He was going to make the poor gardener tear his hair out. Cezir was less than contrite. It could be gathered that the koi, scared and beautiful, were also quite tasty.
The real surprise was that Shade had finally shown up, paying them a visit. She was standing next to Thrade, grinning.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 23:26:33 GMT -5
The gardener was indeed distressed, and because of Cezir’s appetite for the prized fish, despite Thrade’s lectures, it was not uncommon for him to be forced to introduce new koi into the ponds of tranquility. If he was to catch wind of Cezir getting to close, he would grab an old broom and wave it around, shouting curses in Japanese. It was actually quite hilarious to watch the old man do so, for he only wished to deter the falcon from imbibing further and meant no real harm to the beautiful raptor.
Lei emerged from the house when Shade paid a visit, pleased that she had come to their home. “You are, of course, welcome to stay here as long as you like. Please, do make use of our home to your heart’s content.”
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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 23:28:49 GMT -5
"You just like tormenting that poor old man," Thrade accused the falcon. Cezir lifted a wing and started to groom his feathers.
Shade smiled at him in greeting. She blinked in surprise, touched by the offer. "Thank you, Lei, I might take that offer up. You're looking better."
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 23:35:58 GMT -5
Lei grinned at Shade, that fond smile touching his eyes. He was hopeful at the thought that Shade could make her home here. They had plenty of room in the sprawling complex. It was about time for Shade to rest her head on something more than solid ground and old taverns. And her foreignness would not be out of place, for just as the household servants had come to know and love Shade, she would not find discomfort if she was to make an extended stay.
“It is good to be home,” Lei nodded agreeably. “I feel much like myself again.”
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Post by KD on Jul 21, 2012 23:39:17 GMT -5
Shade herself looked fine physically but there was still a shadow of grief in her eyes and her expression was more guarded than it had been before. Having your heart broken made you want to lock it up and keep it safe for a while.
Thrade came up, hooking one arm through Shade's and taking Lei's hand with her free one, looking up at her husband. "Do you make your report to the emperor today?"
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Post by Jenny on Jul 21, 2012 23:45:10 GMT -5
Lei reached out and withdrew from his kimono a small scroll – a summons to the palace. He nodded. “Yes, Emperor Haru has sent me word that the council will convene tonight and I am to make my full report. I fear that I will have to leave you here at home, for I do not know how long into the night we will discuss the events. Despite Haru’s feelings for you, not everyone in the palace is agreeable with a woman in their presence, especially in matters of war. But Shade is here now to keep you company, and I hope to return tomorrow at this time with news of when the trial will be conducted. The public will be in attendance, so the both of you will be able to witness the event.
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Post by KD on Jul 22, 2012 0:32:43 GMT -5
"Do you need me to make a statement against Lord Idiot?" Shade asked. Inwardly, she winced at the thought. She hated walking around in public, hated crowds, and the idea of standing in front of a bunch of people and speaking was less than fun, but she would do it.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 22, 2012 0:38:25 GMT -5
Lei chuckled. “I believe it will be unnecessary. While you witnessed the intimate life of governor Shiguen, and while it may show one side of the governor, it does not relate to the political implications that are to be revealed. Besides, it is governor Shinji that is on trial here, not his elder brother. While Shinji may share the same drive and goal that the late governor of Kyushu had, the personal thoughts and feelings of the elder are not relevant to this case. So do not worry, you have done enough.”
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Post by KD on Jul 22, 2012 1:07:29 GMT -5
"Well, I also saw first hand Shinji moving against you and raising a hand to you as well, but that's fine with me." Shade hcuckled
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Post by Jenny on Jul 22, 2012 1:18:20 GMT -5
Lei grinned back but his smile faded some. He wanted the events to pass from his mind completely, but it would take much effort and meditation to purge them completely. Even then, despite his wishes the terrors will never go away. Seeing the village that had been burnt to the ground with the occupants bound inside their homes to burn with it would haunt his memory forever.
Lei lifted his eyes to the sky and spoke a soft prayer. “Divines who reside in the Heavens, guardians of the four corners of the Earth, please hear my prayer and work your will so that we may find peace again in Nihon. Touch the hearts of those who live to smite evil from the heart and open our minds to everlasting enlightenment.”
He clothes his eyes and sighed, having replaced the summons into his kimono. “I will have to leave very soon, for I must arrive at the palace before the evening falls.” Lei opened his eyes and smiled warmly. “Do not cause too much trouble while I am away,” he chuckled jokingly.
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Post by KD on Jul 22, 2012 1:52:54 GMT -5
Both women fell silent and followed his gaze as he prayed, standing with respect, they knew theywere watching, after all. They had seen them."
Shade lifted her eyebrows at him. "Us? Trouble?"
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Post by Jenny on Jul 22, 2012 1:57:00 GMT -5
Lei laughed lightly. “That of a mischievous nature, more specifically.”
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Post by KD on Jul 22, 2012 2:22:52 GMT -5
"Tsk, Thrade your husband is getting paranoid" Shade said, shaking her head in mock confusion.
"Actually, I think he's shockingly sane being married to me all these years." Thrade said, smiling up at him
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