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 Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:14 am
Jilan tapped on the door to Kouyo's room, a small tray of food in his other hand. When he received no answer, he knocked a second time, then finally opened the door himself.
He is sorry for intruding upon the High Priest, but ... he really should eat something....
Kouyo was sitting up in bed, but was slumped against the wall with his back to the door. He was in his sleeping robes, his hair in a messy braid, as though he really had been doing nothing but sleep for the last four days since his surprise arrival.
When Jilan entered, he did not turn, or really give any indication at all that he knew the boy was there. He remained seated, eyes half-closed, staring off at nothing in particular.
Jilan set the tray down on the nightstand and walked around to stand in front of Kouyo. He leaned down hesitantly to see if the older Porcelain would react at all, radiating a feeling of worry.
The High Priest's eyes focused momentarily on the boy, but then he looked away again, without really communicating anything. His face was streaked with his makeup from crying, but for the moment, his eyes were dry.
The boy felt tears welling up in his own eyes, but quickly wiped them away. He fetched a hairbrush from the bedside table and crawled onto Kouyo's bed behind him. Carefully, he takes the tie from the priest's hair and works on undoing the long braid.
... Why did High Priest Kouyo come here? Jilan wondered. He seemed nervous enough with one stranger, even when Setsushi was there beside him. Why had Kouyo come to a foreign place to live, with so many strangers, and without his friend?
Jilan started working on brushing the older Porcelain's hair, trying to be as gentle as possible. There were a bunch of knots; Kouyo had obviously not been taking care of himself.
It must have been very difficult for him to decide to come here, Jilan went on. The High Priest had wanted freedom from his tower for so long, and now he had it, but the world around him was not his home. Did Gaia feel hostile to him? It could be a rough place, but... Kouyo would be safe here, under Kumoru's roof. Jilan could promise that.
He was quiet for a while then, and gradually worked his way up the length of Kouyo's hair with the brush. When all the tangles were finally out, the boy set the brush aside and set to braiding the priest's hair again.
Jilan staved off another sniffle. This would not be the best braid, but hopefully the High Priest felt a little better. ... If he felt anything at all right now. He thought Kouyo should try to stop acting like this soon, though, so he could see Setsushi again. Kouyo's friend probably misses him.
If only Kouyo had never left....
Jilan jumped a little, and fumbled the tie back around Kouyo's finished, if slightly lop-sided, braid.
Please eat something. Jilan promised that it would help. What would High Priest Kouyo prove if he allowed himself to waste away with hunger?
Kouyo closed his eyes and slowly shifted to lean the other way, against Jilan. Alright, in a minute....
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:23 am
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:25 am
Kumoru had the day off, which meant that Kouyo did, too; that meant Jilan would be sure to find him at Setsushi's house. And so the boy set off by bus, taking his Imperial Poetry book along to read and also to have something to fiddle with. He was not sure Kouyo would want to see him, but Jilan also did not think the priest would turn him away just for being curious and worried.
When Jilan arrived, Kouyo was sitting at one of the tables in the public half of Setsushi's home behind a long plastic planter filled with dirt and growing purple flowers. A bag of soil and another planter were on the floor beside the table, along with three glasses of water each with another stalk of flowers sprouting tiny roots inside.
He had purchased the supplies himself with money he had earned and that Master Whitestone had (thankfully) left with Kumoru that morning. Kumoru had also accompanied the red-haired Porcelain to the store, but then left him to shyly stammer his way through the transaction himself. It had been terribly awkward and humiliating at the time, however... Kouyo got through it on his own. As he worked on his flowers, he gave off a small feeling that conveyed his pride.
The High Priest looked up from the hyacinths as Jilan entered, and smiled sadly. "Hello...." Kouyo did not mean to leave without saying goodbye, but... unexpected things happened. He will be living here again for a time.
... Jilan was just glad to see that the priest was not lost sweatdrop
What was High Priest Kouyo working on during his days off?
Kouyo gestured to the flowers, then put his fingertips to the soil to concentrate for a brief moment. The Lady Tsubei gave him these cut hyacinths, and he was trying to grow them back into full plants so that they would live much longer. The magic required was very delicate, as the flowers were still living and he did not want to mistakenly kill them.
Still, it is something he has done a few times before. It seemed to be going quite well so far.
Jilan climbed into one of the chairs across the table from Kouyo and watched him work for a few moments.
The boy had tended plants before, but mostly just the ones that grew naturally in Kumoru's yard. They had all grown wild or died in Jilan's long absence, though.
... He added with a note of amusement that Kumoru could not grow anything to save his life. The human just had a terrible time with plants. So if Kouyo decided to move back in, he should probably keep his hyacinths far away from Jilan's father.
The priest smiled and laughed softly. It was an interesting mix of luck and talent, to grow things. Sometimes, no matter how hard one tried, a flower just could not be saved, while other things somehow managed to thrive in spite of neglect.
As for whether or not Kouyo would rejoin Jilan and Xiao Huo and their human in their home... he could not be sure right now. Kouyo was sick and needed time to recover, and he best trusted Setsushi to watch over him during that time.
He stood and reached over the flowers to pat Jilan lightly on the top of his head. "But this fledgling is still very thankful for your help." Even if Kumoru could not grow grass to save his life, he had done a fine job bringing up the Porcelain boy into a good man. ... And Kouyo was also quite sorry that Jilan had to see him act like that. He was used to being alone all the time, with plenty of time to mull over his sadness.
He smiled weakly. The world outside his birdcage did not seem to want to wait for him to do that, though.
He swelled with pride at being called a man - it was difficult being Young-but-Old sometimes, especially with how quickly some Gaians judged him by his size. Hopefully he would grow up well this time, too sweatdrop
Jilan was just glad High Priest Kouyo was feeling better, and ... hoped that he would get better soon. Even if he chose to always live with Setsushi, Jilan would like to spend more time with him.
... Perhaps they could grow flowers together, come spring?
Kouyo smiled. He would like that very much. He could spend more time with Jilan, as well, especially once he is no longer sick. He would like to see Jilan's Silver World sometime, too - he had heard about it but of course his people in the Golden World regarded it as a place of spirits, where one could only go after death.
He hesitantly added after a moment that he might also be interested in visiting Jilan's birthplace, if it would be possible...?
It would be a lot of fun to show the High Priest around the Silver World. Or the bit of it with which Jilan was familiar, at least. He was both shy and studious, and neither quality lent itself very well to epic adventures. But... Jilan also conceded that High Priest Kouyo does not seem like one who would be so interested in grand adventures anyway. There were many nice quiet places that he knew of, as well as the library. And perhaps if his benefactor Jin felt like being found, Jilan could introduce them?
As for Dragonlamp.... Jilan projected a worried feeling. He remembered very little of the place, and none of those memories were very good. Why would Kouyo want to go there?
If Jilan does not wish to return, Kouyo would never force him. Kouyo simply wished to see the place because... someone he cared about was there.
... This should be kept secret from everyone - including Setsushi - but... Jilan already knew who the person was. Kouyo touched a finger to his lips to indicate silence on the matter.
The boy looked confused for a moment, then gave off a quick surprised feeling which he quickly hushed, and put his hands over his mouth. The woman from Kouyo's poems?
His brow knit and he offered the High Priest a feeling of sympathy. ... Jilan hoped that she fared much better than he had.
The High Priest nodded slowly. He did as well. More than anything....
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:17 am
Jilan carefully read aloud from Kumoru's magic primer, doing his best to pronounce the words precisely as he had been instructed. He felt like is progress through the book had been painfully slow, but he had finally made it to the third chapter. He was vaguely curious to know how High Priest Kouyo was doing, learning from the same book at the same time, but figured that the other Porcelain, who was so skilled at magic and held such a high rank for it, was almost certainly far ahead.
Trying to shove his worries aside, the boy finished the page and glanced expectantly up at his father, pushing his glasses up his little nose.
Kumoru nodded, shifting on his chair and taking the book. "Enough for today," he said with a faint smile of approval.
The Porcelain projected a feeling of relief, touched with a shy bit of pride. Then, hesitantly, he inquired about learning spells, or perhaps taking a look at Kumoru's books.
"Already?" the necromancer told him with a slight laugh. "You know how to read a little bit, but that does not mean you're ready for my books. ... Had to study for years to get hold of those." He left out the part about how he was actually still not permitted to have most of them, but he was not exactly planning on teaching the Porcelain boy his necromancy anyway.
Jilan wilted, but then looked up and nodded slowly. More reading first then. What else is there to learn?
"Quite a bit," Kumoru told him. He sat down beside Jilan, resting a hand on the boy's shoulder as he tried to remember his schooling. It had been so long, and not everything had been related to the magic itself; the Tower was raising Wind Mages specifically, not just spellcasters. Lots of physical fighting classes when he was younger, which was where he learned how to use the short sword all Wind Mages carried. Other weapons, too, but he had been taken from those classes fairly early on and put in classes for history, etiquette, magical theory and linguistics, and other more sedentary things.
But Jilan would need to know none of that. Kumoru was no Tower Elder, so his students were in no danger of being thrown out as spell-weilding cannon fodder if they were anything less than brilliant.
"It may help you if you try to speak more to me. Surprises me that you can talk now, since I know you couldn't before you vanished off to the Silver World." He shrugged a little. "But you have that power now, and that's what makes this magic work, so it may be good to practice it."
The boy nodded, projecting his agreement. Then, he laughed and blushed a little and said carefully, "I will try to remember."
He was quiet for a few moments, then leaned over from where he sat to rest his head against his father's shoulder. "Is Kumoru a strong wizard here in Gaia?" he asked finally, still speaking slowly. "You do not talk about yourself very much."
Kumoru sighed, and put an arm around the boy. "I do not usually test myself against other wizards, but I think I am fairly strong here." He smiled down at Jilan, who peered back up at him over his glasses. "Where I come from, though, I may be one of the strongest." Not an empty boast. The Tower of Wings was afraid of him, which in and of itself meant something.
Jilan radiated his excitement and interest. How was the High Priest learning? Kouyo is probably one of the strongest magic users from the Golden World because he is the High Priest. They must have interesting conversations about their magic.
"... I did tell you that Kouyo is High Priest of the Porcelain, yes?" he adds quickly, with a sheepish grin. "He said so little when he was here before...."
The necromancer laughed softly and told Jilan, "Yes, you told me about five times the night he moved in." His smile quickly faded, though, and he sighed. "We do not talk about much of anything. He is a very private man, and he is also afraid of me."
Afraid? Why? The Porcelain boy projected his concern. "Does he just not understand humans well?" He supposed that would make sense - Jilan did not mind humans at all since he had spent so much of his life with Kumoru. There had been some reverse culture shock returning to Gaia from the Silver World, though.
Humans looked so different, and were so independent compared to the Porcelain. With a soft laugh, he reached up to prod at his father's delicately pointed ears. ... Kumoru was a bit strange-looking, even for a human.
"I think we both don't understand each other well," he said, playfully swatting the boy's hands away from his ears. "He is afraid of the magic I study, too. Though I have no idea why he is still my student. And he has told me nothing at all of Porcelain magic."
Jilan nodded slowly, brow furrowing as he pondered this. What was so frightening about Kumoru's magic of souls? He never did anything bad with it. He was studying it because no one else would - the little scholar was pretty sure the High Priest Kouyo was also a lover of knowledge.
"He is very quiet and shy, though," Jilan admitted after a long moment. Then added, "I do not know as much as a High Priest, but I studied a tiny bit about magic in the Silver World. I could tell you what I know."
"Sure," Kumoru replied with a smile. "I'd like to know everything. I will try talking to Kouyo about it again sometime soon, too, perhaps. Or you could ask him."
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:35 am
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 12:33 pm
Kouyo followed Kumoru into the house after work, mentally silent as he dragged his bag of belongings with him through the door. He could sense that Jilan and Xiao Huo were both still there and well, and he smiled faintly as he retreated up the stairs to the room that had been his for his previous stay.
"I'd better see you at least a few times a day outside of that room, Kouyo," the necromancer called after him. "Or I will come up there and drag you out."
"Of course," the priest called back half-heartedly. He wanted to be with Kumoru, but at the same time he wanted to stay away from him. Kouyo needed someone and he could not really bring himself to stand beside either the human or Setsushi but... he had finally decided that if he was going to accidentally hurt someone with his pain and sadness, he would rather it was the necromancer.
He had, of course, told Setsushi this time that he had left, that he needed a bit of time away. Kouyo told himself that Setsushi probably wanted time away from his friend as well, to try to justify his hiding from his dearest friend in shame. ... Really, the High Priest had felt no particular need to be ashamed of his marriage until after he had told Setsushi. Once again, Kouyo wished he had said nothing at all-
Jilan brushed gently past Kouyo at the foot of the second flight of stairs up, and held out his hands as he projected an offer to help the priest carry his belongings. He was staying with them again? Jilan hoped High Priest Kouyo felt better this time and would not be so sad.
Kouyo jumped slightly with surprise, but then smiled fondly at the boy an relinquished control of his bag. He tells Jilan in vague terms as he follows him up the stairs that he is not really sad right now so much as dazed and confused. Hopefully it will pass soon, though.
Jilan's human guardian is a very confusing man.
Kumoru? Well, yes, but he is a necromancer. He studies magic that other humans are afraid to touch. Is he not brave for seeking such knowledge? Maybe no one will have to fear it anymore because of what Kumoru's studies discover.
Biting his lip, the High Priest herds Jilan into the tiny guest room set aside for him, and shuts the door before anxiously measuring the space.
... He feels that he should warn Jilan about Kumoru. Necromancy is dangerous, and the High Priest Kouyo wishes to ensure that the Porcelain here in Gaia will be safe. Kouyo does not mean that he is suspicious and untrusting of Kumoru, precisely, but ... from what he knows of other necromancers, the magic is, by nature, twisted and evil. Human necromancers in the Golden World have done terrible things to the Porcelain people in the past.
He chooses to leave off the part about the torture, more because he himself does not want to think about it than because he is afraid of somehow upsetting the boy.
Jilan sets Kouyo's bag down beside the air mattress, and half-follows the priest in his pacing. Wait, humans in the Golden World? The little scholar is confused - where did they come from? And why does that mean that Kumoru is the same? Just because he is also human?
"Karyasihu-"
The Porcelain name for Dragonlamp. Jilan scowled even as he shivered. Kumoru was Gaian, not from Dragonlamp. If the human was from his birthplace, why would Jilan have run to his arms to escape?
... He is not angry, just a little surprised. His father is not evil, so there is nothing for Kouyo to fear.
So he had to be careful in what he said....
Kumoru is certainly not evil like those of Karyasihu, but ... has Jilan never seen any darkness in him? He turns to face the boy, taking his hands.
Jilan shook his head, brow furrowing a bit in confusion.
He plays with souls - he has admitted as much to Kouyo. And the High Priest just... worries that the magic may stain Kumoru's heart over time. He has heard of such things happening before. So... will Jilan tell High Priest Kouyo if Kumoru starts to act unusual?
Kouyo does not doubt Kumoru's ability, he just wishes to ... to keep his human friend safe. Kumoru is not exactly like a Porcelain Sorcerer, but Kouyo has heard stories of them going mad with their own power, so he cannot help but worry.
So... Kouyo comes here to check on Kumoru? Jilan nods slowly, lowering his gaze. He really does not think anything is wrong, but he appreciates High Priest Kouyo's concern.
He hopes that his father and the High Priest can be good friends, though, since they are both powerful magic-users, right?
Kouyo smiles weakly and sighs, settling down on his air mattress for a moment. Then he remembers how dusty he probably still is from work and promptly gets up again. He is powerful but... he still needs a bit of time to remember how everything works. Coming to Gaia was a very unexpected thing for him, and it upset his magic a little.
For now, though, the High Priest needs a shower. Perhaps they can speak more when he is finished? He leans down to root through his bag for his towels and comb.
Jilan nods - that will be fine - and then leaves the priest's room. Perhaps later the High Priest can tell him more about Porcelain magic.
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:52 pm
Jilan So I am bound for the Silver World again, but this time with friends. I am excited about going back, but also nervous. This time I will be going willingly, which is nice to know. And I also have a mission. Princess Shuuken wishes to meet my tutor Jin, in order to try to get close to the Silver Empress. The Princess thinks that the goddess will be able to help her and the others of the Golden World get home - it sounds like a good idea, I just worry about how easy it will be to find Jin.
I definitely plan on learning as much as I can while I am there, too, of course. I hope Genka and Seirei and her daughter are well =)
The thing that concerns me is that we are not supposed to be telling anyone where we are going or why. Setsushi... and I guess that means Kumoru and Kouyo, too. I hope they will not worry. We should be okay, though - the Silver World seems very peaceful.
I wonder what I will pack. Besides my zither of course.
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:15 pm
Jilan, growth from Child II to Youth I
With the directions Setsushi provided, Jilan has little trouble locating Genka's new address. He is as whimsical and witty as Jilan remembers him, although it seems his new lifestyle has begun to have its effects on him; he is a little less boisterous, gentler, and a little more prudent. Perhaps it's due to the influence of his wife, Kinkyou of Water, a Secretary of the Master of the Census of the Outer Capital. She is a year younger than Genka, quiet and thoughtful, well-organized and virtuous. Not exactly the match Jilan might have envisioned for the Genka he knew, but they seem to get along.
Kinkyou lives in a small but comfortable apartment in a pleasant neighborhood, though far from both the Palace and Jin's old residence. If Jilan asks about his previous tutor, Genka will tell him that Jin no longer lives at that location, and if he goes to investigate, he will find it completely bare.
Still, according to Genka, Jin comes and goes, so it may still be possible for Jilan to meet hir sometime.
Jilan is in the Capital City of the Silver World; it is Sovereignity of Toutei 1004. He is staying at the apartment of Genka, unemployed poet extraordinaire, and Kinkyou, his wife, a minor courtier. With these two contacts, Jilan will surely be able to find a great deal of interesting material to study as well as the teachers to help him learn.
Jilan has three years before he will return to Gaia: '04-'05 (physical age 6,) '05-'06 (physical age 7,) and '06-'07 (physical age 8.)
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Imperial Princess Rika Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:07 pm
Jilan had gotten so used to going around in Gaia with no makeup on his face that he outright forgets to take his makeup with him when he goes to the Silver World. He is well-armed with books, though, and of course his zither. He is a bit awkward around Genka and his wife at first, feeling like he is intruding a bit, but makes plenty of offers to help with the cleaning and upkeep of the apartment for as long as he will be taking up space there. He also probably comes off as a bit shy in particular towards Kinkyou, though this is likely just because he is unused to living with a woman. He is also quite excited to show off his zither playing, and politely requests more lessons, if Genka has the time.
The little scholar feels much more comfortable this time in the Silver World, even if he is in a different part of the city, and manages to get settled more quickly. This of course means that he locates the nearest libraries as soon as he can, and starts checking out books on history and magic, even though some of the latter are probably over his head. He also makes a trip out to his old living place as soon as he is settled, to see if Jin has left anything behind, and also to pay a visit to Senrei and her daughter. He takes with him a few trinkets from Gaia as gifts, as well as his zither since he feels like his music is the best present he has to offer.
Jilan also seeks out the nearest temples, and tries to find out what he can about the priesthood, and also takes more of an interest in astrology after Setsushi's words about figuring out his birthday. He looks into formal schooling as well, but somewhat half-heartedly - he seems to accept it as perhaps the best way to get an overall education, but would clearly much rather learn as much as he can from Genka and his wife, or pursue his studies on his own with the help of friendly librarians.
He asks about Jin as often as seems appropriate, and does his best to keep Princess Shuuken and Lady Nusumu informed. Jilan also tries to go as often as possible with no makeup, because he does not really understand it nor does he really wish to know, but he will paint his face appropriately for his sex if his guardians insist enough... if someone reminds him how to do it first.
Also, his Gaian New Year's resolution is to meet new people. ... Jilan's inborn shyness is hard to shake, but he vows to make the effort~
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Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:41 pm
Toutei 1004
Sovereignty
The Silver World feels, for the most part, familiar to Jilan, and he has little trouble locating his favorite libraries and old contacts. The biggest shock will be Meirei, who has outpaced Jilan in growth and become a studious, serious nine-year-old. The only person he cannot find is Jin; hir apartment, though apparently still being rented by Jin, is completely empty and full of dust, and nobody knows where sie is living now.
With Jilan more familiar with Porcelain customs now and asserting himself a little more, everyone seems much friendlier to him now. For a while it seems that the teacher of the boys' school Jilan attended before and Genka are fighting over him; the schoolmaster wants to enroll Jilan, while Genka thinks Jilan would do much better on his own.
For almost every evening of the first week, Genka takes Jilan to a sort of artist's club at a local business reminding Jilan of a tavern -- there, Jilan meets so many beautiful and scholarly artists that he can hardly remember their names. Not that they are terribly interested in Jilan himself, though they are polite; they are snooty for bohemians and seem to only pay attention to those of their number who have published something significant. Apparently Genka is one of these, but he playfully refuses to reveal this work to Jilan.
Genka suggests Jilan come whenever he can, as they read some paper or poem or perform something interesting most nights of the week... but Kinkyou seems a little uncertain about this. While not saying directly that Genka's friends are a bad bunch, she suggests that physically-young Jilan shouldn't strain himself by staying up late.
Celebration
Once the initial quaintness of having a little alien in his home wears off, Genka starts paying less attention to Jilan and more time studying, practicing, or writing -- though he continues to be kind and accomodating to the visitor, and is easily pushed into a ramble about some facet of the beautiful arts if Jilan asks.
Now Kinkyou, who had been quiet during Jilan's arrival and seemed to pay little attention to him, begins to be the one who looks after his needs.
Caesura
Genka practically forces Jilan to join his little group of performers -- including Jyuuto, an actor-dancer, a Keiyo, an actor (too arthritic to dance,) and Kyoushi, a musician -- for the Mid-Year Festival. At first he tries to make Jilan dance or act, but Kinkyou convinces him not to embarrass the boy, and so he is allowed to play zither instead.
At one of the first performances of the month, a strange, dirty old man dumps a bunch of moldy books into their tip-basket. Genka is as confused as Jilan, and neither can figure out the contents -- though very neatly written, they come across as insanely rambling stories, bizarre riddles, and pointless directions.
Fruition
Kinkyou wonders if Jilan is not stressed out from all the work Genka has made him do and insists he take it easy this month. He is visited, however, by Kyoushi (whom Kinkyou addresses as Kyouri -- apparently the name Jilan learned during the Festival was a stage-name.) Though he seemed so cool and confident when playing his two-string viola in the Festival, it seems he is quiet and soft-spoken in person. He is curious about Gaia, Jilan's journeys through the planes, and the customs of that faraway land.
Submission
Kinkyou becomes extremely busy in this month. Genka normally does no housework (earlier, Kinkyou joked that she does not allow him to as he would destroy the apartment) but he steps up to relieve her stress. When both he and Jilan are at home, he entertains Jilan with folktales, legends, and "hack writer's garbage" to ease the tedium of the chores.
One of the men from the artist's club introduces Jilan to Kan'i, his nine-year-old son. Jilan can only guess that the father intended them to get along, but the boy stares at his feet the entire time, answering questions only with timid projections. If Jilan has met someone shyer than himself, does that mean he is growing bolder himself...?
Redress
Kinkyou's work does not let up this month, and despite her husband's attempts to appease her she gradually gets grumpier. Though never outwardly angry, Jilan often feels a heavy silence pointed at him, which may motivate him to spend more time away from the couple.
Extinction
After the bulk of Kinkyou's work is over, she practically collapses at home, refusing to do anything other than make her way through some novels and have her feet massaged by Genka. After a week of this therapy, her mood is much improved.
Descent
The month is snowy, perfect for borrowing books and studying somewhere cozy. One of the texts Jilan studies is a theoretical text on magic, and one of the chapters rings bells in his memory. It is a sort of dictionary of phrases and codes used to refer to magical ingredients and processes, and if he puts it together with the moldy books he received earlier, he finds he has a guide to Sorcerous alchemy and the means to decipher it.
Toutei 1005
Quiescence
The many austere and arcane religious ceremonies to which Kinkyou drags her husband might afford Jilan an opportunity to meet some priests -- but he finds them rather unfriendly and uninterested in a young-looking boy, which does not seem to fit the descriptions he has read...
Gestation
Kinkyou steadily becomes more tired and more frequently ill during the month, though Genka does not seem overly worried. If Jilan finally asks if she has some sort of chronic condition, they will both be surprised that Jilan could not see that she is obviously pregnant. ...How on earth did they manage that without him noticing...
Parturition
An envelope comes to Genka's address with Jilan's name written upon it; it is full of tiny pink pressed flowers. Genka declares that Jilan has an admirer and teases him about it, but Kinkyou tells him off. There is, in fact, no custom of sending young boys envelopes of flowers, she tells Jilan, and so finds the present very strange.
Ascent
This month passes peacefully and pleasantly until almost the last day, when Meirei arrives with a large cloth parcel for Jilan. Wearing a face that betrays no emotion, she informs him that Senrei has died. Before that, she suggested to her daughter that she give Jilan this gift, though she tells him he needn't open it until '07 or '08 or so. Bravely, she bids him farewell, and goes to live with her aunt, a Secretary, in the Lower Palace.
All Year
Jilan has many possible avenues of study, though someone must pay for Jilan to attend the school, and perhaps Jilan will choose not to burden Kinkyou.
Although many of the adults Jilan meets treat him warmly, he still has not made any close young friends -- perhaps because he is not so young anymore...
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Imperial Princess Rika Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:03 pm
Excerpts from Jilan's diary while in the Silver World, Toutei 1004-5:Jilan Sovereignty
I am back in the Silver World and staying with Genka and his wife Kinkyou! Nusumu and the Princess Shuuken are off with tutors of their own, too. I hope they enjoy it here, because I am glad to be back for sure.
Genka has been taking me to this meeting of artists all this week in the evenings, which has been interesting. I feel terribly out of place because I haven't created anything nice, and certainly nothing worth publishing. I'm no poet like the High Priest, or writer like Genka. ... Although, he will not show me anything he has written. I will have to ask him again sometime later.
---
... I think I can see why Kinkyou does not much care for Genka's friends. I do not think they are bad people, but... they are not really my type. I think I will keep going to their meetings sometimes, because I should at least be able to learn something from them, but every night is a bit much. I feel like I'm kind of in the dark about half of what they talk about anyway.
---
I am going to start painting my face again, I think, at least when I go out if nothing else. It feels weird going out without it now that I am here. I remind myself of Jin looking in the mirror. The artists that Genka spends time with seem to be amused by my habit of going unpainted, but I am not sure I quite want that kind of attention. I know I am trying to be less shy and stand out on my own, and that seems alright in Gaia, but here in the Silver World among my own kind, I feel better blending in with the others.
Speaking of Jin, I visited hir apartment today, but sie was not there. It is apparently still hir space, but there is nothing left in the rooms.
---
Meirei has grown up faster than me! Time does pass faster here. Genka goes and gets married, and now the little girl I used to see most mornings in the apartments before is older. I spoke with her a little, and she has grown quite serious. I feel a bit better knowing I am apparently not too studious for my age here, but I kind of miss her childish spirit.
It has been a very long time since I was a child, though.
Celebration
Genka has not been paying me as much mind recently, but that gives me time to spend at the libraries and wandering around. I am getting into more history books now, and also a little magic, but the magic books are still over my head. Genka says that I shouldn't trouble myself with things like that. Every time he sees me "wallowing in dusty books", Genka goes on about how I should try to get into more artistic things and not trouble myself with the world and how it works.
And so today I picked out a couple of books of zither music. Genka was overjoyed and said he would help me learn. I guess if I learn well enough, then I can perofrm again at the Mid-Year Festival.
---
It is interesting living with Kinkyou. She is a good woman and I can tell that she and Genka love each other very much, but I am just not used to living with women. She seems to like having me around, and jokes to me sometimes about what a scoundrel her husband can be. It is... kind of awkward, I suppose. But every time she speaks of him, I can tell by her communications that she loves him very much.
I'm not a charismatic person like Genka, but... I hope I can find someone who loves me like that. I cared about Cho a lifetime ago, but looking back, I always felt nothing but inferior to her. I am different now, but I do not think I could spend my life with someone I could only envy.
Caesura
Well, like it or not, I am in Genka's acting troupe now. Not acting (thank you, Kinkyou!), but I get to play my zither for them. I have played my zither enough at the Mid-Year Festival, so that will not be too bad. I guess it will be a little strange without Jin there, though. I am excited, if a little scared. I got used to playing alongside Jin, so I hope I will do well enough with Jyuuto and Keiyo.
---
I had a meeting with Princess Shuuken and Nusumu today at the library. (( ** in progress ** ))
---
...
Fruition
Working with the acting troupe was fun, but very tiring. I am taking Kinkyou's advice and relaxing for a while. I have plenty of books already, including those strange ones that man left in our tip basket last month. I have been looking through them a little, but none of it makes any sense. All the writing is very detailed, at least, like it should be useful to someone. Did that old man mean to give them to me?
---
Kyoushi, the other musician from Genka's group, came to visit me today. His real name is Kyouri, and he asked me all about where I am from. I told him about Gaia, but did not say anything about Dragonlamp. I know more about Gaia anyway, and overall it is a better place.
I told him a bit about Kumoru, as well, but could not really explain much about his magic. I think I understand Porcelain magic better than Kumoru's, especially with the reading I've done lately. And my human father has not really explained much to me at all about how his magic actually works. I kind of wish I had learned a spell or two before I left, just to show off, though.
---
I will have to show these old books to High Priest Kouyo when I return to Gaia. I bet he would know what they all mean.
Submission
I have been spending a bit more time at home and less at the library again this month, to help Genka and Kinkyou around the house. She seems very busy, and I don't want to be a problem, so I have been doing my best to help out. Genka's stories are a nice break from all of the confusing books on magic and those books from the strange old man anyway. We have also been finding more time for zither lessons.
---
I am still going with Genka to the artists' meetings every now and then. I have been avoiding painting my face when I go to see everyone there, too. They all seem to consider me little strange anyway, maybe because I am so much younger than everyone else, but a few of them (I don't know who yet) have been hinting that they find my little act of rebellion interesting, or at least amusing. Genka calls it "untamed, untamable artist-spirit" or something like that. Kinkyou clearly disapproves of his encouragement, but I figure I am doing no real harm if I just go out every now and then with a plain face.
No one seemed to bother Jin about it ever.
---
One of the artists introduced me to his son yesterday. I thought he seemed very shy. Am I intimidating? I was not trying to be, but I must come off as somehow different, since I know I am not actually a child. I would like to ask Kan'i to play or something sometime, but I am afraid I have forgotten how to. I will not look like a child for much longer anyway, though, and he will also grow up, so maybe the play is not important. I will see if I can spend more time with him somehow, though. Part of me feels kind of like I should at least have a few friends closer to my own physical age.
Redress
It has been a while since I snuck into a corner during closing time at the library so I could spend the night. Things have been a little tense between Kinkyou and Genka, and, while I would like to somehow just say the right thing and make everything better, I know I can't. So I will just stay out of the way for the time being, I suppose. More time to read!
---
Genka was hinting that maybe I should help him try to cheer Kinkyou up with music, but with the implication that I should write the music myself. I told him I have no idea how to compose zither music, but maybe if he shows me whatever writing he is known for at the artists' club, then I would be appropriately inspired. And he told me he would show me his published work when I showed him a finished zither piece.
So now I am very curious, but I highly doubt I will ever be able to write any decent music. He will probably make fun of whatever I write, if I ever finish anything.
---
There are no good places in the library to play around on my zither and pretend to be a composer. I would need some place where I can shut myself in a room and be alone where no one can hear me. Especially now that Genka has been getting very curious every time I open my zither case at home. I can't compose but for some reason I am trying a little bit anyway, but the last thing I want is for him to hear me messing up.
Extinction
Kinkyou seems to be doing better now, which is good. It feels less awkward at home, so I have not been hiding in the library quite as much. I thought at first that this also meant that I was off the hook for writing music, but Genka seems to have figured out that I started a tiny bit of something, and now he wants me to finish it.
---
I stopped by my old school again, and the headmaster encouraged me to join in classes there for the coming year. I would like to go back, but I am not exactly making any money to pay for things, and I do not want to burden Kinkyou any more than she already has been. The offer was a little tempting, but I guess if I keep studying on my own, then I will not have to do boring things like maths. The school does have some practice rooms like I would need to hide in if I'm going to keep trying to get this stupid composition finished.
Jin's apartment is not far from the school, too, and the place is still empty. ... If I still knew Jin, or at least had hir permission, maybe I could go there to play around with my zither music.
Descent
Snow! It is so beautiful outside! I think I will see if Kan'i wants to play in the snow tomorrow.
---
I think I am finally getting used to reading all of these magic books. There are still parts that go way over my head, but I am getting the basic ideas down. A couple things in the book I am reading now sound like parts I read in the strange old books I got this summer, too, though. I will have to dig those up again and go through them again to see again if I can get the writing to make sense.
---
Princess Shuuken came to visit today to help work on figuring out what's in these books.
---
I really must ask High Priest Kouyo about all of these old books. They seem like they are alchemical instructions. What all can I do with these recipes and lists and guides? ... Would the High Priest even know about any of this?
Quiescence, T1005
Happy New Year =)
---
I am going to go to Jin's house and leave hir a note tomorrow. Maybe if I go the same day every month and leave a note, then sie will know when to expect me, and I will be more likely to catch hir. I will use my black sticky-notes and my white pen, and put it on the wall where I kept my stars when I lived with Jin before. And, of course, I will sign it, too, so Jin knows it is me.
"Jin,
You still come here sometimes, right? May I see you to talk sometime?
~Jilan"
---
I have been going to some of the religious ceremonies with Kinkyou and Genka lately, partly because I am interested in learning more about the priests in the Silver World, and partly because Genka keeps insisting that he will die of boredom without me. The priests seem to want nothing to do with me, though, which seems strange. I guess I got too used to being with adults who know that I am not a child, and forgot that, at first glance, I really do not look my age.
---
It is too cold to go to the library, but I still have the books I checked out last month and early this month. My zither composition is also on hold until I can get out and about again to work on it. But I managed to find an old book on music theory, so I can at least work through that when Genka is not looking. Just playing zither is so much easier.
---
Gestation
It's the third of the month again, so I left Jin another note. The other one disappared, but it could have just gotten unsticky on the back and fallen off the wall. Hopefully sie saw it. I will leave another one today:
"Jin,
Have you come by here lately? Sometime, I'd like to play my zither for you again.
~Jilan"
---
Kinkyou is pregnant! I don't know how I did not realize it sooner. Genka thinks that is adorable that I asked and has been alternating between teasing me mercilessly about how I "must not be as much of an adult as I pretend to be", and just being extremely proud. Adult mind or not, I am still physically a child, so I am hardly... experienced(?). He did tell me a bit more about the er, physical details of marriage in a very general sense, though, which I guess is something I will have to know eventually.
---
Maybe I will finish this stupid composition in time for Kinkyou's baby to be born.
---
I kind of want to find someone to ask more about alchemy. Books are one thing, but it seems like something where talking to someone would be easier. And less... dry. I also want to try to talk to one of the priests again, although I am less and less sure they would know anything about this sort of alchemy.
Parturition
Third of Partruition. I think there was someone in Jin's house besides me, but I guess I should not be too upset because I have been taking advantage of the unlocked door, too.
"Jin,
Genka misses you, too, I think. He has good news, but I should let him tell you.
~Jilan"
---
Maybe I will finish this stupid composition in time for Kinkyou's baby's Naming Ceremony....
---
Someone sent me flowers. Apparently this is just as strange to Kinkyou as it is to me, but Genka is teasing me about it anyway. Maybe someone somewhere has mistaken me for a girl on one of the days I was going without makeup? But... anyone who knows my name and that I live with Genka should also know that I am a boy, right? I wonder who sent them.
Ascent
I thought three was a lucky number? Maybe that only works in Gaia.
"Jin,
I am here again leaving you notes. I will be back on the third of next month.
~Jilan"
---
Kan'i came with me to the library today, and we both sat around reading books. He seemed a bit more at ease, but he probably also thinks I am boring for reading so much.
---
I saw Meirei today for the first time in a while, and she did not have happy news. Senrei passed away, and her daughter was there to inform me, and to deliver a rather large cloth parcel. She seemed very calm about it all, but she must be in incredible pain, having lost her father and now her mother as well. She is leaving to live with her aunt in the Lower Palace, and so I gave her my well-wishes and my sympathies. I should have tried to visit Senrei and Meirei more often this past year, I suppose. Perhaps I can visit her in the Lower Palace sometime when I go to see Nusumu.
---
I wonder what is in the package from Senrei. Apparently I should wait to open it, though, so I shall, but I am still curious.
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:14 pm
Toutei 1005
Sovereignty
Jilan unexpectedly runs into Kyouri while working on his composition in the school practice room. Kyouri won't explain what he's doing at a youth's school, but he seems sincerely interested in Jilan's project.
... Perhaps a little too sincerely interested, as shortly after Kyouri purposely ambushes him with Kan'i in tow. Claiming the boy is something of a prodigy in music theory, Kyouri leaves them to work together -- though if Jilan doesn't make an effort at bringing Kan'i out of his shell, they'll probably just pass a veeery awwwkward afternoon.
Celebration
As the birth of their child approaches, Genka becomes very anxious, unusual for a man who normally cultivates such a poised image. For her part, Kinkyou seems happy and calm, and though tired, she continues to work in the palace up until almost the last moment.
Caesura
Kinkyou decides to board in the Palace for the birth of her child, an option afforded the Ladies of the Court that allows them easy access to the Palace doctors. Genka goes with her, leaving the apartment in Jilan's care for the first week of the month. The news of the birth comes to Jilan through Kyouri: a daughter, called Genkyou for now. According to the report, Genka was several times more distressed than Kinkyou.
Kinkyou shortly returns home, spends a few times cooing over the babe with Genka, but then goes straight back to work, leaving Genkyou with Genka. Jilan will quickly learn from the gossip of the neighbors or the artists that this is unusual, as most mothers of Kinkyou's rank do work soon after giving birth, but take their children with them everywhere.
However, Genka throws himself into the role of house-husband with zeal; he completely quits his outings and stays home obsessively watching Genkyou and immediately addressing her needs as they arise, leaving the house only to purchase groceries, taking his daughter with him. His complete abandonment of his friends shocks them, and Jilan may suffer some of the fallout from these events due to his social connection with him; unless Jilan puts out a lot of effort, he will have a hard time finding a performance to join this year.
Fruition
Shuuken believes she has met Jin.
Setsushi briefly visits Genka's residence to deliver Jilan notes from Kumoru and Kouyo. He does not linger long for conversation, however.
Submission
This month, Genka, bearing Genkyou, and Jilan are invited to one of the periodic Court feasts inside the Palace, an event full of astounding food and many, many people Jilan does not know. One of them is a lady named Hiko who apparently requested, through Kinkyou, to meet Jilan in particular. She interrogates him -- in a friendly way -- about this world "Gaia" that he comes from, and in particular the state of the beautiful arts in that land.
Jilan can see firsthand how Ginkyou is slowly evolving from the screaming, pooping, food- and comfort- demanding bundle she came home as into a more tractable creature that responds with pleasure to gentle attention.
Redress
As in last year, this is Kinkyou's grumpiest month, and she has several low-key arguments with Genka over the upbringing of her daughter. Nothing terribly explosive occurs, however.
Extinction
Upon returning home from a library expedition one day, Jilan will hear from Genka that Genkyou was wondering where he was in particular.
Descent
Meirei, who had not gone to see Jilan at all since their last meeting, starts to seek him out from this month on, just to chat about her school, Jilan's studies, and other inane topics. She may be bored in her new home, or perhaps she's lonely, but she doesn't broach these topics with him.
Toutei 1006
Quiescence
A quiet, meditative service at the Temple is amusingly interrupted when a particularly ugly priest passes by the family and Genkyou, just at that moment losing interest in a ribbon hanging from her father's collar, notices him and mentally shrieks in fright.
Gestation
Kan'i suddenly comes to Jilan in a great flurry of emotion, demanding to know more about Shuuken!!!
Parturition
Jilan once again receives flowers -- two envelopes this year. However, this modest increase in his popularity is hardly noticeable in comparison to the huge crowd of people -- mainly Kinkyou's friends, but some of Genka's old friends -- who swarm the house during the New Life Festival to bring gifts and heap affection on Genkyou.
Genkyou, for her part, is horrified at the attention, and cowers behind Genka's legs much of the time -- and when those are not available, she'll try Jilan's.
Ascent
The month is mostly quiet save for one unpleasant day; Kinkyou, in a bad mood from some sort of unpleasant incident at work or another, comments that Jilan, neither working nor attending a real school, would be a disappointment to his parents, if they were of the Silver World. Genka is shocked and scolds her, and there is an strenuous attempt all around to take back criticism and soothe any hurt feelings afterwards.
All Year
Jilan receives no response from Jin. Indeed, the absense and silence is so complete that Jilan might believe Jin has forgotten all about him.
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Imperial Princess Rika Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:38 pm
Excerpts from Jilan's diary while in the Silver World, Toutei 1005-6Jilan Sovereignty
"Jin,
Happy Sovereignty the third?
~Jilan"
---
Kyouri heard me practicing in the little music room at my old school! I actually did play what I've been working on for him. He laughed a little and said that most people are not brave enough to try composing. I think he meant that my bravery is bigger than my talent as a composer. ... Princess Shuuken might be proud?
---
Kyouri came looking for me again today, and brought Kan'i with him. Apparently my friend (I think we are friends now) is very good with music theory, and so he suggested that Kan'i help me with my songwriting.
---
Yesterday with Kan'i was really boring, because I think he was more interested in playing with my zither than looking at my sheet music. I managed to talk him into joining me again today, though, and we got into a fight.
He said my song sounded like it must have come from Gaia because the patterns and sounds were weird. I told him that I liked it that way. And then he decided that I must be bad at maths because my song stunk. So we went outside and I hit him and he tackled me and beat me up a little bit because he's bigger, and then said that, because he won, he'd rewrite my song so that it wasn't stupid.
I don't like fights, but it was kind of fun.
Celebration
I must have torn my robes last week a little bit tussling again with Kan'i because Genka and Kinkyou noticed. Genka of all people went off on me about getting into fights, and I told him that I was just playing. Kinkyou said she was glad to see that I can still be a little boy sometimes. She mended my robe for me because the tear wasn't too big, and I promised it wouldn't make her do it for me again because she's been so tired lately.
---
"Jin,
Are you getting my notes? I'll check back in one week.
~Jilan"
---
Genka is sick. I think he's been worrying too much about his baby. Kinkyou seems okay, though. When she came home from work, Genka was asleep in bed, and so I cooked for both of them. It was a nice little meal, although no matter what Kinkyou says, I didn't think it tasted as good as her cooking. (Genka says sometimes she eats weird things late at night because of the baby - that must be it).
After dinner, Kinkyou showed me how to sew a little for when I'm a grown-up scholar. She said it's something I should know, "so I'll know how to fix my clothes when I take my nose out of a book long enough to notice that they're falling apart". ... I guess these robes are a little old.
---
Genka is feeling better, so I made him go with me clothes shopping. Hopefully it helped him relax a little - he still likes buying clothes even though he's married now, I think.
---
I think Genka cleaned the house three times this week.
Caesura
The apartment is mine for a little while! Genka came by in a huge rush this afternoon to say that Kinkyou was not coming home from work because she was going to the Palace to stay until her baby is born. He grabbed a bunch of his things and left to go stay with her. I hope Kinkyou will be okay, and the baby will be healthy!
I hope Genka will be okay, too. He's been so nervous lately it makes me jumpy, too, when I'm at home.
---
With all the excitement about the baby, I nearly forgot about all the performances this month. Good thing I'm still going out to the artist club meetings. Everyone still remembers me, even when I don't come with Genka, because I don't paint my face when I go - it's become like my trademark or something.
A few of them tried to get me to dance in some childrens' group, which I turned down (I told them I have two left feet, and a few of the adults looked vaguely horrified until I explained the Gaian phrase). So it looks like I'll be hanging out with a few of Kan'i's friends from school, just playing zither. Not as exciting as last year, but it's something!
---
"Jin,
Genka will have some very good news soon. You should come visit =)
~Jilan"
---
Kan'i found me on the way back from Jin's apartment, and followed me home. He still doesn't talk much, but he seemed excited when I told him that Kinkyou was about to have her baby. He lent me a book of maths and made me tell him some stories about Gaia in exchange for borrowing it. I guess I should read it because he's my friend, and he said that maths and music theory go together, so I could learn it better. But my head spins a little whenever I open the book. Magic is more interesting. Kan'i thinks that's weird, but I think he likes that I'm weird.
---
IT'S A GIRL~ I'm so happy for Kinkyou and Genka. The little one is Genkyou, and it sounds like she'll be coming home tomorrow.
Kyouri said Kinkyou is doing just fine, and added with a laugh that Genka should recover in a few days.
---
Genkyou is very cute. Genka practically won't put her down.
---
Genka missed his artist club meetings every day this week so far, which is a little surprising. I still don't go very often, myself, since I feel a bit silly - I haven't published anything yet. But Genka gave me permission to tell everyone about the baby, at least, so when I go this evening, I can at least tell them why they have hardly heard from him this month.
---
... Good thing I have Kan'i and his friends to spend time with at the festival, because Genka has hardly left the house all month. I guess it's nice spending time with more people my own age again, but I kind of miss how Genka would help keep me up to speed with all of the adult goings on. It's a little hard at the artist's club to get along with all of Genka's friends on my own, but it's also hard trying to be a kid again.
---
I played the little bit of my zither piece for Genkyou by her crib while Genka was sleeping (or so I thought), and she smiled and drooled at me. I realized I had never really heard baby Porcelain before this month - so weird, no?
And then Genka came in and laughed at my music and said it was coming along nicely.
---
Apparently it's weird that Genkyou is here with Genka during the day when Kinkyou is at work? It makes more sense to me to leave the baby at home.
Fruition
"Jin,
I hope your summer is going okay.
~Jilan"
---
I got mail today from Gaia! One note from my father, and one note from Kouyo. Kumoru nicely reminded me that I have not been studying his magic at all for the last year and a half or whatever by writing his letter in his magic script. Genka said it looks like alien code, and poked fun at my alien-ness again, which was refreshing - he hasn't done that lately. Kinkyou was curious about the writing, too, but I'm nowhere near good enough to be able to teach it to her. It'll probably take me a week or two to remember everything well enough to read just what Kumoru wrote.
Kouyo's note was in Porcelain, which is getting easier and easier to read. It sounds like a poem. I think maybe a riddle, because he seems to be asking for something, or asking me to do something, but I haven't figured it out yet. ... That will probably take me a while to figure out, too.
---
With the excitement of the Mid-Year Festival over, I have been hanging around the library again. It was kind of nice meeting Kan'i's friends from school, even if they did not seem particularly friendly with him. A few of them were a little rude to me, too, because I'm not currently going to school.
I got a few of them to tease me about what I don't know that they do, though, so I think I'll spend this month learning more of those things. I think my brain needs a break from magic books, anyway.
---
I returned Kan'i's maths book to him today, and he loaned me a book about music theory. It's different from the one the library had. Maybe it will be easier to learn. I'll have to learn just enough maths to finish my zither music, and then maybe I won't have to touch them anymore.
I wonder if Kumoru had to learn maths at magic school.
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Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:44 pm
Lynod And a knock comes on Jilan's door in the early, burning days of Fruition. Outside of the door, unbeknownst to the poor Porcelain, stands an enraged Shuuken. While he might not know the bearer of the negative emotions that ram themselves through the door, he'd know the emotions are aimed at him. Perhaps it's not so safe to open the door at first. . . Asahi Kumoru From within the room comes the sound of several books hitting the floor, at least one of them certainly hardcover. ... Angry at him? He has done almost nothing but go to the library and read this month, and he thought all of his chores were taken care of for today! He thought Kinkyou was at work, and Genka had carted off the little baby to go shopping again not five minutes before. Jilan anxiously projects that he will be there in a moment, and sure enough, after several seconds of shuffling papers and books, the little scholar opens the door a crack to peek out.
... and gives off a feeling of nervous surprise when he sees that it is Shuuken. Uh, hello. Something is wrong? sweatdrop Lynod And Shuuken's foot immediately slams into the door, giving enough force to possibly send the scholar stumbling backwards. Fluidly Shuuken moves into the room, her hand moving to grab at his collar as she clenches a fist, apparently prepared to strike him.
Shuuken met Jin. Shuuken saw Jin attempt to kill someone she knew. Jilan has five seconds to explain himself before Shuuken kills a traitor.
"Five," says Shuuken, clearly as a bell as fury burns in her eyes and whips around her form. Asahi Kumoru The boy had been a bit off-balance already, slightly favoring the foot that had just caught most of the books he had just dropped; when the Princess shoves at the door, Jilan nearly goes flying. Fortunately or unfortunately, his bottom is saved from bruising against the floor when Shuuken grabs his collar.
With a yelp of surprise, the boy throws his hands up in defense, and then has to grab his glasses as they nearly slip from his face. His eyes wide behind the now-crooked frames, he hastily tries to fix them as his reply comes out in a fearful and bewildered jumble:
Wh- what on earth is Shuuken talking about!? Jin!? Where? When!? Doing what?? He gives a weak nervous laugh as he adds that she might have been seeing things - Jilan does not believe that Jin would do such a thing. Can Princess explain better? Lynod "Four," says Shuuken as her hand begins to rise from her side, her face twisted in absolute anger. Jilan's time is almost up. Perhaps he should start explaing himself and his involvement with Jin.
Shuuken gives the scholar a shake with the collar as she grits her teeth, her body beginning to tremble with the anger that she feels. It's obvious that she's not joking, that she's not in any mood to be reasoned with at this point. Asahi Kumoru Jilan struggles against her, now more genuinely afraid than confused. He grasps her wrist in both hands, giving up on his glasses for the moment and then not much seeming to care as they fall to the floor.
He- he has heard n-n-nothing from Jin! T-trying to c-contact hir! Like they p-p-planned! What happened!? J-jin was a t-tutor and f-f-friend! Gave J-j-jilan all he needed, and th-then some! Asked n-n-nothing r-really in return. M-maybe some zither music at Mid-Year F-f-festival. J-j-jin... M-mysterious b-but not v-v-violent! Jilan s-s-swears it!
... St-stop s-shaking, h-hard to th-think, the little scholar weakly insists, trying again to twist out of her grasp or push her away. Lynod And how many Jins does Jilan know? How many Jins exist that can be taken as a man or woman? How many Jins have direct access to the Silver Empress?! Shuuken shakes Jilan again before releasing him and turning away, her fist slamming into a wall. Anger continues to roll off of Shuuken as she stares at the ground, the princess increasingly looking more like a prince.
... Shuuken just wants to know if Jilan has betrayed her. Shuuken came to the Silver World, her entire trust invested in him. Did he set her up? Did he plan for this to fail entirely from the start? Shuuken cranes her neck, staring at Jilan now as the burning anger in her eyes is replaced by a damp sadness.
Did Jilan betray Shuuken? Asahi Kumoru Tears appear in the boy's eyes as he is shaken, and he immediately drops to his knees on the floor when Shuuken lets him go. Jilan fumbles for his glasses, but sets them up on his desk with a trembling hand rather than putting them back on. He is silent for a long moment except for a quiet sob or two as he calms down, though he still gives off a distinct feeling of upset. At the mention of betrayal, however....
Jilan gets to his feet again, clenching his fists as he mentally shoves back with anger of his own. Betrayed Princess Shuuken? For what reason? What brings the Princess to such a conclusion? He bites his bottom lip in frustration, half-turning away from her as he slams a fist down on one of the piles of books on his desk.
She has seen only a fraction of the reading he has done! He is in the Silver World to learn! Jilan thought the Princess knew that! The little scholar thought he told her that he wished to better himself so he could help her, to answer her call! And Princess Shuuken comes to him now, out of the blue, speaking of his betrayal!?
His red eyes narrow for a moment - or did she just want someone to blame when things did not go her way?
... When Shuuken looks at him again, however, with that sadness in her eyes, the anger leaves Jilan, and he promptly expresses regret for his harshness.
He hesitates a moment, perhaps surprised with himself, then asks again more calmly if Princess Shuuken can tell him what happened, what she saw? And what, if anything, led her to think that this little Jilan was somehow responsible for the actions of Jin? Lynod ... Shuuken held Jin has some high hope, something that would save them, allow them to save the Golden World. Jilan spoke of Jin, of hir connections, of hir generosity, and Shuuken held on to those hopes. Jilan thought greatly of Jin, Jilan was friends with Jin.
... Shuuken saw Jin yesterday. Rather than being great, Jin was fearsome. Rather than being kind, Jin was cold and callous. Shuuken was watching Jin attempt to kill someone, someone Shuuken cares about and would die for. Shuuken pauses, her eyes clouding with confusion and regret.
... Shuuken was afraid and furious. Shuuken was afraid that Jilan's sincerity was manufactured, that his intentions were merely a facade for some darker plans. Shuuken--Shuuken was confused, and angry, and hurt. The princess turns her eyes to Jilan before she turns her back to him, her hand moving to cover her bare face.
Shuuken has so few now, and the idea that Jilan was an ally of that monster... Asahi Kumoru Jilan's confusion returns - how did Shuuken know it was Jin? The little scholar admits that his previous tutor had always been a mystery to him, but he still has difficulty believing that the lazy minstrel could be as violent as the Princess describes. He supposes it is possible....
-Wait, who is Princess Shuuken's friend, the one Jin was trying to kill? Jin works closely with the Silver Empress. Is it possible that Jin was enacting justice, and that this friend is an enemy of the Silver Empress? If Princess desires her help, then it might not be such a good idea to befriend her enemies.
The boy is unable to keep the suspicion and hurt from his projections as he asks again, who is this friend she describes as someone she would die for? Who can apparently bring Princess to suspect Jilan a traitor so quickly, after he has left Gaia to come to the Silver World with her, worked for the last year, to help her? Does this mean Princess no longer desires the help of the little scholar? Lynod Gan did not tell Shuuken to suspect Jilan! Her body twists as she glares at her peer, anger again beginning to bubble to the surface. And if Gan is an enemy of the Silver Empress, of Jin, then Shuuken will wholeheartedly move against the Silver Empress! Gan has promised to help her avenge the Golden World, has told her that a Silver Dragon has attacked it!
Shuuken pauses, her eyes softening as she looks away from Jilan again. ... Gan told Shuuken there was no way to save the Golden World; vengeance is only left. Shuuken opens her mouth before pausing and shaking her head faintly, sorrow mixing with the anger that has so frequently come from both Porcelain.
"... I was keeping silent about it because I clinged to hope," says Shuuken faintly, "But it seems those wishes were foolish." Asahi Kumoru No way at all to save the Golden World? Jilan does not feel as upset about this as he thinks he should, and this makes him angry again, this time at himself. With a harsh sigh, he shoves a pile of books off of his desk and onto his bed, then sits down on the edge of it, crossing his arms.
Nothing they can do? All of these books, and they cannot do anything to save a place Jilan has never seen? He rests his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands, and sighs again.
"So what am I supposed to do now?" Jilan still wishes to help, because he had promised to do so, but... he cannot find any desire for vengeance. He never knew the Golden World, does not know it like the Princess does, has no friends or family or relatives there. He was able to give up his time gladly to study, make treks to Jin's apartment to seek hir counsel, but Jilan is not sure he can follow Princess Shuuken down a path of vengeance. ... Does that make him a terrible Porcelain?
... And is there any chance at all that this Gan might be wrong? Lynod Shuuken pauses, seeming to consider Jilan's words... before shaking her head gingerly. No person in their right mind would trust Gan, but Shuuken does. He is both a wiseman and madman, a force of nature and a pitiful child. Though he has his madness, Shuuken believes him--he is a Sorcerer without parallel. He has promised to guide Shuuken down the path of Chaos, forsaking Name.
Shuuken's hand moves to one of her makeupless cheeks as she looks to the ground. Jilan is not awful, Shuuken assures him of that. Shuuken would not want Jilan to follow her upon such terrible things. Saving a world is righteous, noble...
... But gaining vengeance for it? A weak smile crosses Shuuken's lips as she begins to move towards the door.
Shuuken apologizes for her outburst. Asahi Kumoru Raising his head to look at her again, Jilan is silent for a long moment. The little scholar's studies of Porcelain magic theory had, if nothing else, informed him of the dangers and uncertainties of Chaos, and that is why he focuses more for now on learning what he can about the Name. On top of that, this Sorcerer Gan is apparently an enemy of Jin; the boy cannot deny that this still troubles him. And so Shuuken's words frighten him, but...
He also thinks of what his Gaian father has told him, about the other human wizards who had thrown him out of their ranks because they deemed what he chose to study to be too dangerous. They were afraid of Kumoru as Jilan now worries for Shuuken. But he does not consider it his place to judge her and the paths she freely selects for herself. The boy cannot tell her she is wrong just because he would have done differently himself.
Jilan stands and walks up close to her, hesitantly reaching out for her shoulder with one hand. He probably sounds silly, because he is a strange, foolish Porcelain who knows nothing of the Golden World, apparently his people's rightful homeland, but....
"Um. ...Good luck. And be careful." Lynod And at the touch of Jilan's hand on Shuuken's shoulder, the Sorcerer-to-be pauses. Shuuken glances over her shoulder, watching Jilan before she shakes her head faintly. Shuuken should have known that Jilan would not betray her. Shuuken was... afraid, though. Afraid that she had found such a great ally only for him to be against her.
The idea of Jilan being her enemy hurt Shuuken, enraged her. Shuuken turns then, shrugging off Jilan's shoulder and doing something uncommonly forward even for her.
The princess hugs the scholar.
Shuuken is sorry. Asahi Kumoru Jilan would never want to be Shuuken's enemy. A few minutes ago, he was terrified she was going to break his nose. The boy has no desire to have to worry about something like that again sweatdrop
Really, though, Shuuken probably knows better than Jilan what to do about the Golden World. So... whatever she thinks is right. The little scholar assures her that he will not interfere. And, uh, if he might still be able to help, he supposes he can try.
--And he was going to say something else but then Shuuken hugs him and he kind of forgets a little bit. He uh... will still see her sometimes, though, uh, right? Lynod Shuuken laughs before pulling back, her hands gripping Jilan's shoulders. Vengeance is tiring work! Shuuken will obviously have to take breaks from it to meet her valuable comrades. A grin works itself along Shuuken's lips as she squeezes his shoulders.
How could Shuuken ever leave Jilan behind? One might as well tell a bird to stop flying! She snorts before folding her arms. Asahi Kumoru A small smile tugs at the corner of the boy's mouth, and he nods in reply. His cheeks are similarly unpainted - he was just planning to sit in the library all day today, so he saw no need to get all dolled up - but are also touched with a bit of red as he blushes without realizing it. Jilan will look forward to seeing her, then.
Oh, and Shuuken only need apologize to him if she fails to become the best Princess-Sorcerer ever. He will keep studying his magic, too.
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Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:06 pm
Excerpts from Jilan's diary while in the Silver World, Toutei 1005-6Jilan Submission
"Jin,
If you see this, we need to talk.
~Jilan"
---
A feast at the Palace?! There will be so many people!
---
Genka wants to be sure his little Genkyou looks good for the feast, so he took her clothes shopping. I tagged along, because I need something nice to wear, too. At least clothes shopping is fun with Genka. I don't think Genkyou enjoyed it very much, but she acted bored instead of screaming, which I think means she is already starting to grow up.
Then Genka asked her if I looked handsome in the clothes I picked out and she started giggling and it was a little embarrassing because we were right there in the middle of the store and everything.
---
The party is tomorrow. Genka asked me if I would be performing the music I've been writing, and I just about died on the spot before he told me he was kidding.
---
I just got back from the Court feast, and it was incredible! The food was amazing, and I am so completely stuffed right now. There was a woman there named Hiko, and I talked with her a lot about Gaia. Kinkyou said she wanted to meet me in particular, which I thought was kind of weird, but then I realized that she has probably been telling people she works with about having me over. Hiko asked a lot of questions, but answering them for one person saved me from being shuttled around to talk to dozens of strangers.
Genka did that with Genkyou. He practically glowed with pride, showing off his little daughter, and she seemed pretty good until the food came and she got sauce all over herself and her new clothes. I heard a few people mention again that it was weird that Kinkyou left her at home with her husband, but I don't think anyone said anything to Genka directly.
It was nice, being able to converse with Lady Hiko about Gaia, but I felt kind of silly that I could not tell her more about the beautiful arts there.
---
I just remembered that Kan'i told me my zither composition originally sounded like Gaia music instead of Silver World music. Maybe I could have played that just for Lady Hiko, so she could get at least a little idea what Gaia music sounds like. I wonder if I'll be able to meet her again sometime.
---
It is still hard to tell sometimes, but I think Ginkyou likes the songs I play for her for practice on my zither. It is also easier to practice at home now, because she has quieted down since she was born.
---
I finished figuring out the letter from my father. Good practie, reading his magic writing, but I think I will have forgotten most of it again between now and when I go home.
I miss home. I was okay here the last time because there was a lot to do, and I didn't really have anyone else outside of the Silver World. But now Miss Nusumu went home, and I haven't seen Princess Shuuken recently, or Xiao Huo, or High Priest Kouyo (except for his note), and Setsushi could not stay long when he visited last time....
Redress
I have been spending a lot of time in the library again this month because things feel tense again at home. Kinkyou has been getting mad at Genka for neglecting some of his chores in order to spoil their daughter more than he should. Yesterday, I offered to help more, and she yelled at me and told me not to. She said Genka should be doing Genka's work, and I shouldn't enable his laziness.
---
"Jin,
Sorry I am a few days late this month. You do come by here still, right?
~Jilan"
---
Kinkyou hauled Genka off shopping, so I'm man of the house for the afternoon, and also designated babysitter. I think this is the first time I've been alone with Genkyou. I'm a little nervous that I won't be able to take care of her well enough, but it's only just for a few hours, I guess. I have seen how Genka does it often enough.
---
After thinking on it a lot, I let Genkyou play around a little with my zither. She likes the sound of it, but she's too tiny to read music or anything. She picked around at the strings for a little while, then insisted music at me, which I guess meant she wanted me to play. So I played a few little children's songs for her. I can see why Genka loves making her happy so much. It's a good feeling, seeing Genkyou smile.
---
Kinkyou took Genkyou with her to work, and Genka came with me to the library today. He's been sitting at the opposite end of the table all afternoon just writing, but I think he seems less upset now than he was a few hours ago.
I'm just reading history books.
---
I think Kouyo might be asking for the same thing Kumoru is. I just have to get through the poetry book Kan'i told me he read in school, then I can start reading magic books again.
Extinction
"Jin,
Can we please talk sometime?
~Jilan"
---
I finished my zither music today! When I came home from the school practice rooms, Genka suggested I experiment on Kinkyou first to try to cheer her up (That was originally why I was supposed to write it, I think). When I played it for her, she asked me if I wrote it to accompany some creation of Genka's, but I think she really enjoyed it.
---
Genka came with me to the artist's club meeting for the first time in a while, but Kinkyou made him leave the little one at home. Then he shoved me out and made me play my music for everyone, and they went off asking what the dance-drama was like. Apparently it's weird to write a song just to write a song. I don't know if I can go off and learn everything I'd need to know to write a dance to go with my music, too. It was just supposed to be a little music to make Kinkyou feel better, or help Genkyou get to sleep.
Maybe if Genka wants to do it. I don't know.
---
Genkyou missed me today. I missed her, too. I was hunting down and reading an exceedingly dense and boring book on magic theory, though, so I don't know how much she would have enjoyed spending time with me today at the library.
I think I'll stay home and play with her tomorrow. That book hurt my brain.
---
Descent
"Jin,
Hello.
~Jilan"
---
I wish Kumoru had been more specific with his questions, and Kouyo had been less vague. There are at least eight huge books about really painfully detailed science of magic, and there is no way I am going to learn them well enough to pass along the information in the next year and a half. I think I would better spend my time now keeping with the basics to be sure I know that before I start looking for ... whatever important things they both want me to find out.
---
According to the librarians, the "easy way" to learn detailed things about magic theory is to ask a priest or a scholar in the field. Where would I find a magic scholar? I suspect he would be as reclusive as I am. Maybe even more, if he has to wade through huge books like the library has.
---
Genka told me today that Kinkyou told him off for letting me go out without makeup. I feel kind of bad, but at the same time, it still feels a little weird to put marks on my face just to leave the house. No one ever sees me at the library except the librarians. Sometimes Kan'i comes by to sit across the table and stare and ask utterly random questions about Gaia, but he already knows I'm weird.
I guess I'll start making an effort to paint my face every day no matter what, just to keep Genka and Kinkyou from getting upset. I don't want to be a problem for them.
---
Meirei came by today, which was a pleasant surprise. She told me all about school, and asked me a little about how my studies were going. Nothing very deep or anything, but it was nice to see her again. She said school would be busy for the next few weeks, but we agreed to meet again a month from now.
Quiescence, T1006
Happy New Year!
---
"Jin,
Happy New Year, where ever you are.
~Jilan"
---
We were at the local temple today and Genkyou shrieked at one of the priests who works there. I think I might have been a little upset, too, by his face (I feel so terrible saying that, but it's true!), were I so young. The man took it well, though, and did not throw us out.
---
Genka has been going to the artist club meetings again fairly regularly, though certainly not every night. I go with him once a week, but I'm starting to feel like I might just be taking up space there now. I love playing zither, and Genka assures me that I'm still good at it and should keep practicing, but I'm less and less sure that I'm destined to be an artist like he is.
---
I think one of my New Year's resolutions this year will be to at least try dancing. Just to see what it's like.
---
Meirei visited again today. It has been unusually warm for the last few days, so we wandered around outside a little while we chatted, and I bought us some sweets to share. I think we might make this a regular thing.
Gestation
"Jin,
What did that rainstorm look like from the Silver Palace?
~Jilan"
---
Kan'i has been hanging around a little more often, I think sometimes when he is supposed to be at school. Even though I've known him for a while, he always seems to want to talk about me and not about himself.
---
Meirei came by a little earlier this month because she said she will be busy next week. We talked about nothing again and it was kind of nice. She told me she was a little bored at her new home, but I'm starting to think that it's actually more than just a little.
---
Kan'i came to meet me outside the library today, suddenly all emotional and asking about Shuuken for some reason. I told him that she is a very brave person, walking her own path, but I said nothing about her wanting to be a Sorcerer because that did not seem appropriate to share, even with Kan'i. He tried to ask me about it and I told him her path was a secret, and if he really wanted to know maybe he should ask her. Kan'i threatened to wrestle me and sit on me until I told him, saying I'm not cool enough to have secrets. I pointed out that maybe Shuuken is, and he seemed satisfied (and perhaps a little too excited) with that, and left me alone.
I'm not really sure she is his type.
---
Oops, no time this month to look for dance lessons.
Parturition
I was just at the artist club meeting yesterday, and someone apparently wants me to come back tomorrow for some reason. I wonder what's going on. I didn't think anyone there considered me a real artist.
---
"Jin,
It's been a very long time, but I still have something I really need to talk to you about.
~Jilan"
---
Some of the real artists at Genka's club apparently need someone to accompany their dances with zither music at practice for a week because the person who was supposed to do it got sick or something. I'm a little flattered that they thought of asking me - at least they haven't written me off entirely.
---
A bunch of people have been coming by recently to see Genkyou to give her presents and things for the New Life Festival. Poor girl has been enjoying the attention, but seemed kind of overwhelmed and tired after everyone left today.
---
I think Genkyou figured out that Genka really wants to show her off to all of his friends who have been visiting the house. She is now trying to hide with me. Today she came pounding on my door insisting on hearing me play zither more... so I came out into the room where the guests were waiting and played. She clung to my leg the whole time.
Oh yeah, I got more flowers this year.
---
Meirei came by, but could not stay long. She brought a little cloth doll for Genkyou that she seems to really like. Meirei and I just sat around at home and had tea and fruit, and we talked about Genkyou and watched her play with her new toy.
---
Oops, no time this month to look for dance lessons =P
Ascent
"Jin,
Are you seeing my notes?
~Jilan"
---
Kinkyou hinted to me today that I would be a disappointment to my parents because I'm neither working nor at school. I'm teaching myself, though! Isn't that good enough? I think Kumoru would be proud of all I've learned in magic, even though I'm no closer to answering his questions, whatever exactly they are. I thought I was doing Kinkyou a favor by not straining her wallet to send me to school!
---
Maybe I should try to get a job. Maybe Kinkyou is right about that at least. I wonder if they need me at the library.
---
Meirei visited again today, and I vented to her about my lack of schooling. She told me she is not sure how much her current school costs, but she understood that I didn't want to take the chance of demanding money for school with the new baby in the house. I think I'll get a job first, in the library or something, and then see if I can put that money towards class.
I would like to go to school, but I also don't want to be a problem @.@
---
Where is Jin!? I still have heard nothing, except what Princess Shuuken told me, which was very disturbing. Something has to be up and I really want to talk to hir about it, but how can I if sie will not respond to me? Is Jin still being violent? Or was that a fluke of some kind? Maybe I will write notes more often.
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