014 • Kinomoto Touya • [In Person]

[another_dayjob]

[So the shine's back and you know what that means, Touya's at the shrine again! This time, however, it's for more than just keeping it clean. He's trying to escape all the terrible things happening here. There's a little girl running around in a smaller version of this shrine maiden's uniform. She's giggling and chasing a rabbit nearby the

Comments

[ginsengismyfave]

[Iroh's there at the shrine. His daughter Princess Izimara is with him, resplendent in long red robes patterned with golden dragons. For once, the princess isn't talking, and seems utterly entranced by the shrine. Iroh sits on a nearby bench and sighs.]

[duck_sues]

[Bara comes running up to Iroh and bows deeply and oh-so-adorably]

Welcome to our shrine, mister!

[ginsengismyfave]

Thank you, little one. I have been here before, and it is quite relaxing.

[Izimara glides over to Bara and bows.]

"How are you? I am Princess Izimara. This place is so, so lovely."

[another_dayjob]

[As the girl speaks her "father" approaches.]

Thanks! It's a lot like the one my mommy and daddy met at right daddy?

[She beams at him]

[Touya shrugs]

A little.

[ginsengismyfave]

[Iroh gives Touya a weary smile.] How have you been, Touya?

[Izimara, meanwhile, is still fawning over Bara.]

"Oh, it must be lovely! There's a shrine at the palace back home, but I like this one."

[duck_sues]

So-so.

[Touya watches his fake daughter]

When mommy and me when back to Japan we lived near there and we used to go visit every day! Daddy still lives with his daddy so I only get to visit. But mommy says my aunt is reaaaaally special!

[The girl leans close to the princess]

[Touya's eyes widen a little. This, he thinks, might just be true]

[ginsengismyfave]

Perhaps things will be better soon. [He gives a meaningful nod to Izimara and Bara.]

"Oh? How special is she? My cousin is very special too, but she's not very nice, you know." [Of course she's not as special as Izimara C:]

[another_dayjob]

[Touya nods but he's only half listening. Right now he wants to hear what's so special about Sakura.]

Mommy says that Aunt Sakura is...

[She gestures for the princess to bow down so she can whisper it in her ear.]

[Touya lets out a frustrated noise, he didn't hear what it was!]

[ginsengismyfave]

[Whatever it was, it must be a very, very deep secret. Izimara gasps and claps her hands over her mouth.]

"Oh, really! That is so cool! I never would have guessed."

[The princess notices that Touya and Iroh are watching them. Iroh gives his daughter a sort of half-smile.]

[another_dayjob]

[Touya forces a tight smile at his fake child.]

Stay with the Princess, Bara. I want to talk to Iroh-san.

[ginsengismyfave]

"Don't worry, father. I'll watch out for Bara." [Izimara gives Iroh a broad smile.

Iroh pushes himself up from the bench and goes to Touya's side.]

What is it you wish to speak of?

[another_dayjob]

[He walks quietly beside him for a little while. Trying not to walk too quickly and keep a respectful pace. After a little while he speaks softly]

You can see things that other people can't, Iroh-san. Maybe not the same way I can but...

[He shakes his head, it doesn't matter.]

There are things here that shouldn't be or that don't make sense. I want to speak with you about it, if you would.

[As always Touya is quiet and polite]

[ginsengismyfave]

[Iroh listens to Touya and nods.]

I see. [He begins to stroke his beard.] What have you seen?

[another_dayjob]

[A long sigh, where does he start.] Everything. The butler. [To start with]

[ginsengismyfave]

Hmm. What is wrong with the butler? I have heard others voice complaints and suspicions about him. Eddie, for one. What is wrong with him?

[another_dayjob]

His aura.

[It's huge and jet black and causes nightmares. Touya doesn't elaborate, however, he doesn't like talking about Sebastian]