thread ☆★☆ the birth of downfall

[clockfoxxed]

CHARACTERS: Quentão household + Izayoi household
WHEN: Early 7QJ89 | Anjouverse
WHERE: Quentão, also Izayoi
SUMMARY: Sherry summons Paris to Izayoi where he receives a shock... and a new responsibility. Sercial comes to Quentão to join the Noble Family

Comments

[entitlementheir]

True to his promise to Nausy, Paris set out after breakfast using the backroads to Izayoi instead of taking the Ambon train out of Pisang. While the train might've been faster, it was also nearly impossible for him to pass unnoticed by the inhabitants. As he walked, he mused over Sherry's written words: to employ both haste and discretion.

Discretion for whom? he wondered. She knows I wouldn't keep anything from my family...

---

Izayoi was deep in the forest, and though the late afternoon sun had not set it was dark as he approached the stone manse which had been claimed as the kitsune's chosen residence. Paris had only been here a handful of times, although Cielo had stayed here frequently. He knew that a small staff was maintained for convenience. He smiled briefly as he tried to imagine either Sherry or Mastergear doing dishes or cleaning the rooms

[timelykitsune]

And of course, there was nothing that went on in Sherry's house that the kitsune did not hear, and before long she came down the main staircase in her human form with all the imperiousness of a queen in her own castle. "Paris," she greeted. "You made good time. You came without alerting anyone?"

"I did, but I wouldn't mind knowing what all the secrecy's about," he replied.

Sherry's eyes traveled to the maid, who hastily excused herself and beat a hasty retreat. Sherry gestured for them to sit.

"Nearly ten years ago," she began. "I went to see your father in Amarcord."

Now that was surprising, because it was well-known that Sherry and Jing didn't exactly have an amicable relationship. Paris knew that some time after Jing has returned from Econtra, his father had gone to see Sherry and try to make amends for the incident which had originally set them at odds -- the fall of the Clock of Adonis. What the exact outcome of that meeting was vague, it had at least gotten them on speaking terms.

"What about?" he asked carefully.

-FLASHBACK-

[timelykitsune]

The nights had just started to turn chilly and the leaves begun to change colour as autumn took hold of Amarcord. That was, of course, the perfect excuse to spend some quality time near the fireside in the company of a loved one. And that was exactly what Jing was doing, with Cassis snuggled up against him as she read aloud from a book as he played lazily with strands of her golden hair.

A firm knock came at the door, and Cassis' voice died away as she looked up at Jing with a perplexed expression. "Who would...?" she began. Jing seemed just as puzzled, especially given the late hour. He rose from the couch and opened the door.

There was a woman standing there, a very beautiful woman. Her hair was so pale it was nearly white, and with her pale complexion and slim white dress she seemed to glow in the backwash of the lamps. Jing found himself staring, not only because of her appearance but because he knew he'd never seen her before yet couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity that grabbed him. Who was she

Re: -FLASHBACK-

[timelykitsune]

Jing was shaking his head. "You'd said it wasn't possible for you to take human form, like Shiraz had..." he said.

"It wasn't an easy task," she said coolly. "But that's not why I've come."

Before the conversation could continue, Cassis interrupted both of them. "Please sit down," she said to Sherry. "And if it's more comfortable for you, please use your real form. This house is no stranger to Bonded, is it? Would you like something to drink?"

"I'll stan--" Sherry began breezily.

"Sit, please," Cassis repeated, a sweet smile still on her face but a tone of steel in her tone. "You're our guest, so you should enjoy the hospitality. We don't have much company here."

The kitsune regarded her with a new interest. So perhaps it was not so unusual that she had not been overwhelmed by the presence of three Bonded in her family. Sherry raised an eyebrow, but sat. "Very well

Re: -FLASHBACK-

[timelykitsune]

"They grew under the touch of the demon of time," Sherry answered. "And so only a vine which had grown out of the clock would carry that strand." She wasn't sure why she'd come -- knowing that the chance of Jing choosing to help her was slim; the only thing slimmer was that he even possessed such a thing.

But he didn't answer right away. "Why would you want something like that?" he asked.

"Jing," Cassis broke in gently. "Is that important?"

It was plain that the thief wanted to say yes, but slowly he shook his head. However tenuous their peace might've been, the fact remained that Sherry and Jing had made amends and, until proven otherwise, he chose to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Jing pressed a kiss to Cassis' cheek and stood, looking at Sherry. "Walk with me?"