Log: Ryoga and Eiji
Who: Echizen Ryoga (a.k.a Lord Imriel) and Kikumaru Eiji
Where: Ryoga's estate, Ryoga's study
When: January 6th
What: Eiji has let Shiraishi escape and is now faced with two different stories, and goes to Ryoga expecting answers.
Rating: G
Comments: Directly following this log.
Dusk had fallen when Shiraishi Kuranosuke disappeared through the trees, leaving only troubling words in his wake. For the first time since he had met him, Eiji was questioning Imriel's character. True, the impossibilities that Shiriashi had spouted were merely that - highly unlikely lies. However, as the redhead stood alone in the semi darkness of the stables he began to see several places where pieces of information seemed not to fit seamlessly together.
If his Lord was who he said he was... why had Shiraishi fled? Why had the mage begged for Eiji to return with him? He had left without his saddle as well... All of that, from Eiji's experience, was not like the white mage at all. Shiraishi kept a level head... he wasn't spooked by anything... so why come up with such an elaborate lie? He was getting nothing out of it... so why?
A horse bayed behind him, alerting the red head that he had over-stayed in the stables. In the distance he could faintly hear the servants of the house calling to one another.. though it sounded as though they were among the trees rather than within the walls. Taking his lantern Eiji returned to the main house, his head still buzzing with unanswered questions. He wanted answers... needed answers: and even if it wasn't his place he was going to get them.
Remembering that he had left Imriel and Shiraishi at the study, the acrobat backtracked to the room, giving it a short knock before toeing the door open. "Lord Imriel....?"
Burn wounds really hurt. Ryoga winced as he tried to cool it down and make it feel at least a bit better… which wasn’t too easy. The little white mage’s spell had really done the trick. Not only destroying the hair on his forehead but also leaving a nasty mark. And he even took a proof with him… damn him.
Well, all Ryoga could now do was to wait for news. He had sent Yukimura after his guest… if he couldn’t stop Shiraishi… no. He would be able to stop that mage. Ryoga was sure of it. He shouldn’t need to worry.
Besides, he had other worries now. “I’m here, Eiji. Come in.”
Imriel's voice sounded tired and worried - pained almost. This more than anything else was what made the redhead move into the room. Catching slight of his Lord Eiji's eyes grew wide, feet carrying him immediately to Imriel. "W-what happened?! Did Kuranosuke do this-nya?" he asked wincing at the burn. They would need ointment and cloth. "I'll go get something for it..." Eiji turned and was half way to the door before his feet slowed, his mind once again pounded by questions.
Shiraishi had to have done this.. but why. Shiraishi seemed to think that Imriel was Crown Prince Ryoga... but that was impossible - also, if he thought that he was Prince Ryoga..... why would he set him on fire? That made even less sense. The redhead brought a hand to his forehead trying to clear his mind. These questions were all valid, but Ryoga's wounds were more important.. weren't they? "Why would he... and why not just use the knife if he was going to attack..."
Ryoga sighed at Eiji. He seemed to be confused and panicked and what not. The prince didn’t have energy to deal with the redhead, so he just let him do whatever and concentrated on the wound. He listened to Eiji still, even though he was pretty sure he’d get nothing useful out of the redhead.
Except that one thought… yeah, if Shiraishi wanted to hurt him, why not use the knife? That cowardly white mage… wait a second. Ryoga glanced at Eiji. “… You saw the knife?”
Eiji had stopped completely by now, mere feet from the door. Nothing was making sense anymore and he was starting to not know what or who to believe. "Of course I saw it-nya... I had seen it countless times in this study, and I asked him why he had it... and he started spouting lunacy about you being a Prince and that I should leave with him... but of course I didn't.. I couldn't.... he was just mistaken, that's all...." Eiji fought himself to turn to look at Ryoga. "He was mistaken... right?"
Eiji had seen the knife, and hadn’t taken it back? Great… just… great. Ryoga walked to the redhead, looking extremely annoyed, about to slap the boy with all his strength… when something reminded him that he would need all the people he could have to continue his plans if Yukimura failed. He shouldn’t scare Eiji away.
Ryoga put his hand on the redheads shoulder instead. “Come here. Let’s talk.” He said and the walked back further into the study. “It’s time that I tell you the truth.”
The look on Imriel's face, the fire in his eyes screamed danger. There was no where for Eiji go run to, so instead he settled himself against the door, lip quivering slightly in fear. He was positive he was about to be hit. When Imriel drew near Eiji squeezed his eyes shut, readying himself for the blow. It didn't come, instead a soft hand rested on his shoulder.
".... the truth?" he asked silently, feet following his Lord. It was impossible... certainly... certainly Shiraishi hadn't been telling the truth!
Ryoga sat down and waited for Eiji to settle down as well. He carefully placed the remains of his hair to cover the wound at least a little bit and then looked at the young redhead. This might turn out bad or worse, or decently. Ryoga hoped that Eiji would take it well.
“What exactly did Shiraishi tell you?”
Still shaking somewhat, Eiji settled himself into a kneeling position upon the rug before Imriel's chair. His mind raced with questions and relief that he had not been struck. At Imriel's words Eiji was unsure of what to say in case he angered the man before him once more. Ultimately he decided that lying to him would be an unwise decision.
"He told me... he told me that you were Crown Prince Ryoga... a traitor.... I told him he was wrong... but he kept persisting....."
Of course no one would believe something as stupid as that. The crown prince was dead. Yet… it was all true. As bizarre as it was, Ryoga was a living proof of a future scandal. Someone who shouldn’t exist anymore…
“Is that so? Well…I’m glad you defended me, but I’m afraid that’s all in vain”, Ryoga said calmly and smiled a little. It was better to tell the truth now. He would be moving away from the estate soon, since preparations and Aschler had started. He needed to be there. “He was telling the truth. I’m sorry for deceiving you, Eiji. But I am who he said I am. With the exact words.”
When Imriel had started to speak, Eiji had been sure it was to at last set this huge misconception straight. He, of course, was Imriel and not Ryoga. He was most certainly not a traitor but a mere Lord of an estate deep in the forest.
However, that delusion was shattered with the man's words. "..... i-impossible-nya... " It was. It had to be. Crown Prince Ryoga was dead... murdered. It was because of this that the Kingdoms were in chaos. "You.... That's. You really shouldn't make fun of something so serious, Lord Imriel..." the redhead frowned, staring up at the others somewhat burnt face.
Ryoga leaned slightly closer to look into Eiji’s eyes. “Does this look like the face of someone who lies?” Well, it wasn’t a wonder Eiji couldn’t believe him. Ryoga wouldn’t have believed those words either, if he was in the same spot. “I started the chaos to renew the lands… to break free from the bounds of Kingdoms.”
Deep blue pools widened as Imriel... Ryoga? leaned close. "No... you... you're my Lord... you wouldn't lie to me unless you were trying to protect me." Even in his mind the words had sounded naive and childish. Still, when he looked at Imriel that was what he felt. "To break.... free? Free of what-nyo? Before Prince Ryoga's death the Kingdom's were at peace..."
“Yeah… that was what people wanted to believe”, Ryoga said and shook his head. “Inside Raytin, inside Risath, there were groups of people who wanted to get revenge at the other Kingdom for the last war. Before my supposed death, there was tension that needed to be released before anything could change for better. Now that they truly want peace they realize that something needs to be done…” Even though that still wasn’t enough. The leaders were still weak in both Kingdoms.
Ryoga sighed. “And after I parted ways with Jackal I realized also what I need to do.”
The acrobat frowned in attempts to follow the other mans story. True, there was some resistance, some danger in the Kingom’s before Ryoga's death. However, afterwards Eiji had heard countless times of people pointing fingers so to speak at their guess of who was responsible. In Eiji's mind, this was only going to cause another war.
"... Jackal. You parted ways?" This struck a cord with the redhead. It was right after Jackal had left that Ryoga had become ill. "Where did he go?"
Ryoga wondered if Eiji would have run away if he told the truth about Jackal. And if he should try to eliminate him too… another one of his friends… no, that wasn’t the way things would go. “He left since he couldn’t live the way I did… back to his home village, to live in peace there. It was a shock for me, so I became ill due to it. Jackal is a long time friend of mine. My bodyguard at the castle… “
Slowly.. very slowly, Eiji began to come to the conclusion that Imriel was who he was saying he was. Curiosity pressed him to continue asking questions, shock kept his voice steady. "So.. the knight that I talked to on the magical journal... he really was talking about Jackal... and you really are.... why. Why did you lie to me... didn't you trust me?"
“It’s not like I can go around telling I’m a dead prince”, Ryoga said with a calm voice. “At the beginning I only thought of giving you a shelter, not trusting you the way I do now. I would have told you the truth soon… but now the circumstances changed.” He wasn’t really sure if he would have told him or left him behind. Possibly the latter, but he saw it better to say that he trusted the redhead. He did, kind of. Eiji wanted to help him… he had always wanted to help him. “I’m sorry.”
Eiji was silent for a long moment, letting all that he had learned seep into his mind, sorting it out into proper piles of information. "I........... forgive you-nyo..." He let out a deep breath and continued. "It isn't as though I had ever asked you directly if you were someone else. Nor has your being Crown Prince Ryoga ever effected how I feel about you or how you have treated me. So... it's really.... just a name. I'm sorry for making such an outburst, my Lord...." He bowed his head. It was still a lot to take in - but he wouldn't falter in his loyalty to Ryoga... of that he was sure.
“Thank you, Eiji”, Ryoga said and lowered down to Eijis level to hug the redhead carefully. “Your loyalty means a lot to me.” He got up again and sighed in his mind. Well, that was rather easy. Things would work out. Yes. “I hope you will follow me to Aschler. I will build a Kingdom there.”
Arms encircled him and at last Eiji felt the last of anxiety leave his exhausted body. He hadn't the chance to return the embrace before Ryoga pulled away, moving upwards. "I'll follow where-ever you wish to go, for however long you want me with you-nya..." Though it was strange, Eiji thought. All of this talk about uniting the kingdoms.... but Ryoga's plan was to create one of his own?
“I’m glad.” This time, he really was genuine saying that. Even if he still was rather disappointed Eiji didn’t stop Shiraishi, he was a valuable supporter to him. “Now, if you would help me tend to my wound?”
With all of the confusion and shock, Eiji had nearly forgotten about the large burn on Ryoga's skin. Jumping up in shock he bowed. "I'm sorry, I should have tended to it before now - please forgive me." Another bow and Eiji had fled to the door, off to look for the salve to dress Ryoga's wound.
Where: Ryoga's estate, Ryoga's study
When: January 6th
What: Eiji has let Shiraishi escape and is now faced with two different stories, and goes to Ryoga expecting answers.
Rating: G
Comments: Directly following this log.
Dusk had fallen when Shiraishi Kuranosuke disappeared through the trees, leaving only troubling words in his wake. For the first time since he had met him, Eiji was questioning Imriel's character. True, the impossibilities that Shiriashi had spouted were merely that - highly unlikely lies. However, as the redhead stood alone in the semi darkness of the stables he began to see several places where pieces of information seemed not to fit seamlessly together.
If his Lord was who he said he was... why had Shiraishi fled? Why had the mage begged for Eiji to return with him? He had left without his saddle as well... All of that, from Eiji's experience, was not like the white mage at all. Shiraishi kept a level head... he wasn't spooked by anything... so why come up with such an elaborate lie? He was getting nothing out of it... so why?
A horse bayed behind him, alerting the red head that he had over-stayed in the stables. In the distance he could faintly hear the servants of the house calling to one another.. though it sounded as though they were among the trees rather than within the walls. Taking his lantern Eiji returned to the main house, his head still buzzing with unanswered questions. He wanted answers... needed answers: and even if it wasn't his place he was going to get them.
Remembering that he had left Imriel and Shiraishi at the study, the acrobat backtracked to the room, giving it a short knock before toeing the door open. "Lord Imriel....?"
Burn wounds really hurt. Ryoga winced as he tried to cool it down and make it feel at least a bit better… which wasn’t too easy. The little white mage’s spell had really done the trick. Not only destroying the hair on his forehead but also leaving a nasty mark. And he even took a proof with him… damn him.
Well, all Ryoga could now do was to wait for news. He had sent Yukimura after his guest… if he couldn’t stop Shiraishi… no. He would be able to stop that mage. Ryoga was sure of it. He shouldn’t need to worry.
Besides, he had other worries now. “I’m here, Eiji. Come in.”
Imriel's voice sounded tired and worried - pained almost. This more than anything else was what made the redhead move into the room. Catching slight of his Lord Eiji's eyes grew wide, feet carrying him immediately to Imriel. "W-what happened?! Did Kuranosuke do this-nya?" he asked wincing at the burn. They would need ointment and cloth. "I'll go get something for it..." Eiji turned and was half way to the door before his feet slowed, his mind once again pounded by questions.
Shiraishi had to have done this.. but why. Shiraishi seemed to think that Imriel was Crown Prince Ryoga... but that was impossible - also, if he thought that he was Prince Ryoga..... why would he set him on fire? That made even less sense. The redhead brought a hand to his forehead trying to clear his mind. These questions were all valid, but Ryoga's wounds were more important.. weren't they? "Why would he... and why not just use the knife if he was going to attack..."
Ryoga sighed at Eiji. He seemed to be confused and panicked and what not. The prince didn’t have energy to deal with the redhead, so he just let him do whatever and concentrated on the wound. He listened to Eiji still, even though he was pretty sure he’d get nothing useful out of the redhead.
Except that one thought… yeah, if Shiraishi wanted to hurt him, why not use the knife? That cowardly white mage… wait a second. Ryoga glanced at Eiji. “… You saw the knife?”
Eiji had stopped completely by now, mere feet from the door. Nothing was making sense anymore and he was starting to not know what or who to believe. "Of course I saw it-nya... I had seen it countless times in this study, and I asked him why he had it... and he started spouting lunacy about you being a Prince and that I should leave with him... but of course I didn't.. I couldn't.... he was just mistaken, that's all...." Eiji fought himself to turn to look at Ryoga. "He was mistaken... right?"
Eiji had seen the knife, and hadn’t taken it back? Great… just… great. Ryoga walked to the redhead, looking extremely annoyed, about to slap the boy with all his strength… when something reminded him that he would need all the people he could have to continue his plans if Yukimura failed. He shouldn’t scare Eiji away.
Ryoga put his hand on the redheads shoulder instead. “Come here. Let’s talk.” He said and the walked back further into the study. “It’s time that I tell you the truth.”
The look on Imriel's face, the fire in his eyes screamed danger. There was no where for Eiji go run to, so instead he settled himself against the door, lip quivering slightly in fear. He was positive he was about to be hit. When Imriel drew near Eiji squeezed his eyes shut, readying himself for the blow. It didn't come, instead a soft hand rested on his shoulder.
".... the truth?" he asked silently, feet following his Lord. It was impossible... certainly... certainly Shiraishi hadn't been telling the truth!
Ryoga sat down and waited for Eiji to settle down as well. He carefully placed the remains of his hair to cover the wound at least a little bit and then looked at the young redhead. This might turn out bad or worse, or decently. Ryoga hoped that Eiji would take it well.
“What exactly did Shiraishi tell you?”
Still shaking somewhat, Eiji settled himself into a kneeling position upon the rug before Imriel's chair. His mind raced with questions and relief that he had not been struck. At Imriel's words Eiji was unsure of what to say in case he angered the man before him once more. Ultimately he decided that lying to him would be an unwise decision.
"He told me... he told me that you were Crown Prince Ryoga... a traitor.... I told him he was wrong... but he kept persisting....."
Of course no one would believe something as stupid as that. The crown prince was dead. Yet… it was all true. As bizarre as it was, Ryoga was a living proof of a future scandal. Someone who shouldn’t exist anymore…
“Is that so? Well…I’m glad you defended me, but I’m afraid that’s all in vain”, Ryoga said calmly and smiled a little. It was better to tell the truth now. He would be moving away from the estate soon, since preparations and Aschler had started. He needed to be there. “He was telling the truth. I’m sorry for deceiving you, Eiji. But I am who he said I am. With the exact words.”
When Imriel had started to speak, Eiji had been sure it was to at last set this huge misconception straight. He, of course, was Imriel and not Ryoga. He was most certainly not a traitor but a mere Lord of an estate deep in the forest.
However, that delusion was shattered with the man's words. "..... i-impossible-nya... " It was. It had to be. Crown Prince Ryoga was dead... murdered. It was because of this that the Kingdoms were in chaos. "You.... That's. You really shouldn't make fun of something so serious, Lord Imriel..." the redhead frowned, staring up at the others somewhat burnt face.
Ryoga leaned slightly closer to look into Eiji’s eyes. “Does this look like the face of someone who lies?” Well, it wasn’t a wonder Eiji couldn’t believe him. Ryoga wouldn’t have believed those words either, if he was in the same spot. “I started the chaos to renew the lands… to break free from the bounds of Kingdoms.”
Deep blue pools widened as Imriel... Ryoga? leaned close. "No... you... you're my Lord... you wouldn't lie to me unless you were trying to protect me." Even in his mind the words had sounded naive and childish. Still, when he looked at Imriel that was what he felt. "To break.... free? Free of what-nyo? Before Prince Ryoga's death the Kingdom's were at peace..."
“Yeah… that was what people wanted to believe”, Ryoga said and shook his head. “Inside Raytin, inside Risath, there were groups of people who wanted to get revenge at the other Kingdom for the last war. Before my supposed death, there was tension that needed to be released before anything could change for better. Now that they truly want peace they realize that something needs to be done…” Even though that still wasn’t enough. The leaders were still weak in both Kingdoms.
Ryoga sighed. “And after I parted ways with Jackal I realized also what I need to do.”
The acrobat frowned in attempts to follow the other mans story. True, there was some resistance, some danger in the Kingom’s before Ryoga's death. However, afterwards Eiji had heard countless times of people pointing fingers so to speak at their guess of who was responsible. In Eiji's mind, this was only going to cause another war.
"... Jackal. You parted ways?" This struck a cord with the redhead. It was right after Jackal had left that Ryoga had become ill. "Where did he go?"
Ryoga wondered if Eiji would have run away if he told the truth about Jackal. And if he should try to eliminate him too… another one of his friends… no, that wasn’t the way things would go. “He left since he couldn’t live the way I did… back to his home village, to live in peace there. It was a shock for me, so I became ill due to it. Jackal is a long time friend of mine. My bodyguard at the castle… “
Slowly.. very slowly, Eiji began to come to the conclusion that Imriel was who he was saying he was. Curiosity pressed him to continue asking questions, shock kept his voice steady. "So.. the knight that I talked to on the magical journal... he really was talking about Jackal... and you really are.... why. Why did you lie to me... didn't you trust me?"
“It’s not like I can go around telling I’m a dead prince”, Ryoga said with a calm voice. “At the beginning I only thought of giving you a shelter, not trusting you the way I do now. I would have told you the truth soon… but now the circumstances changed.” He wasn’t really sure if he would have told him or left him behind. Possibly the latter, but he saw it better to say that he trusted the redhead. He did, kind of. Eiji wanted to help him… he had always wanted to help him. “I’m sorry.”
Eiji was silent for a long moment, letting all that he had learned seep into his mind, sorting it out into proper piles of information. "I........... forgive you-nyo..." He let out a deep breath and continued. "It isn't as though I had ever asked you directly if you were someone else. Nor has your being Crown Prince Ryoga ever effected how I feel about you or how you have treated me. So... it's really.... just a name. I'm sorry for making such an outburst, my Lord...." He bowed his head. It was still a lot to take in - but he wouldn't falter in his loyalty to Ryoga... of that he was sure.
“Thank you, Eiji”, Ryoga said and lowered down to Eijis level to hug the redhead carefully. “Your loyalty means a lot to me.” He got up again and sighed in his mind. Well, that was rather easy. Things would work out. Yes. “I hope you will follow me to Aschler. I will build a Kingdom there.”
Arms encircled him and at last Eiji felt the last of anxiety leave his exhausted body. He hadn't the chance to return the embrace before Ryoga pulled away, moving upwards. "I'll follow where-ever you wish to go, for however long you want me with you-nya..." Though it was strange, Eiji thought. All of this talk about uniting the kingdoms.... but Ryoga's plan was to create one of his own?
“I’m glad.” This time, he really was genuine saying that. Even if he still was rather disappointed Eiji didn’t stop Shiraishi, he was a valuable supporter to him. “Now, if you would help me tend to my wound?”
With all of the confusion and shock, Eiji had nearly forgotten about the large burn on Ryoga's skin. Jumping up in shock he bowed. "I'm sorry, I should have tended to it before now - please forgive me." Another bow and Eiji had fled to the door, off to look for the salve to dress Ryoga's wound.