|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:36 am
Reizei appeared rather pleased at the presence of the smile and embraced the girl in return, tilting his head thoughtfully as she explained her appreciation. He shook his head as she asked if she'd told him about her older brothers, watching her with a keen eye. "I can be your brother here all you want." He replied with warmth, thoughtfully wondering if it was going to last. After all, people grew, and with that growth many also grew further apart. He didn't want that to occur.
He could tell she was being sincere, and a grin worked its way onto his face. "Don't be embarrassed, Atsuko-chan. I get it." The emperor replied brightly, his dark eyes twinkling with amusement. "I love you, too, imouto-chan!"
The emperor definitely wasn't afraid of the cheesy. He did this to his kids all the time, and though they were all younger than Atsuko none of them really appreciated it. They were cold children, coached by their mothers to curry favor with their father, but it hardly worked.
"Much better since you decided to come, Atsuko-chan." Reizei was quickly back to his old ways; his deluded mind was taking center-stage again, but it was clear from the situation that had just occured that he could be one to take things seriously.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:30 am
The same thoughts that were going through Reizei's mind were going through Atsuko's. She was young now - when she became older, would she and Reizei really be this close still? If he got more busy as the years went on, she would see less and less of him, until the visits stopped altogether. It was a sad thought, and the girl shivered a little, her gaze flickering back to Reizei as she offered him a smile. "Thank you, Onii-sama." She replied simply, hoping that they would both still feel this way as she grew older.
Despite what he had said about not being embarrassed, the emperor's words only made the girl more embarrassed. The blush on her cheeks had been very much visible, but only deepened now. She averted her gaze quickly. "T-thank you, onii-sama." She managed to grumble, suddenly looking quite shy. She wasn't used to people telling her that they loved her. At home, she never heard it from her parents or brothers - she knew that they loved her, though. It was just never a spoken face.
She finally turned her gray eyes back to him and smiled. "I'm glad," she chirped, before standing up suddenly, "Want me to get you some tea, onii-sama? Or anything to eat?" Atsuko offered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:57 am
Reizei nodded, looking rather enthused as Atsuko thanked him. "No problem." The emperor replied, his grin still stretching across his face in what a cultured noble would probably refer to as a garish show. Of course, he could be himself when he was with his adoptive little sister. She didn't expect him to act according to the traditional rules of etiquette, which he'd always been much too tired of. Oh, he cooperated easily enough in public, but on his own time he cared to act more like a normal person.
He raised a brow at her offer, shaking his head. "I have my own servants, Atsuko-chan." He responded, looking amused. It seemed old habits died hard.
[[ Timelapse~ ]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:00 pm
Though she wished someone had been able to accompany her, Atsuko had to admit that she was pretty impressed at the Shinto festival. Unsure as to what she was supposed to wear, she had dressed in a somewhat simple kimono and tied up her hair, tucking pink flowers into the bun. It was the first Shinto festival she had been to, and thus she was understandably in awe when it came to many of the "events" that she witnessed.
One of which had been the emperor - her onii-sama - performing the Shinto rites. For some reason - it wasn't as if Reizei needed the ego boost, or that Atsuko had helped - the girl found that she was very proud of him as she stood with the audience, watching. She really had come to see him affectionately as an older brother. It was interesting to watch him do his duties, and it was good to know that...well, that he was doing his duties, and wasn't spending all his time spoiling Atsuko.
As she wandered around, Atsuko couldn't help but emit a longful sigh. She still wished that she had someone to celebrate the festival with, but her family wasn't here, and it wasn't as if the emperor could just...dump his work for the day and spend it with her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:15 pm
The rites Reizei had had to perform earlier had taken the majority of the morning, and he'd been quite glad to finally be rid of his heavy ornate robes. It had been a relief to dress in lighter garb he was wearing now. Granted, it was still an ornate Heian costume and therefore heavy, but a higher noble's clothing was never as heavy as the emperor's official robes. With layer upon layer it could sometimes take up to an hour to dress.
He now walked among the people in the festival, a benign smile plastered upon his face as he ruthlessly searched for the little girl he'd taken in as his adoptive little sister. He spotted her walking and grinned without reserve, coming up behind her to start playing with a few of the flowers she'd tucked into her bun. He removed one, twirling it around in between his fingers with an absent little smile.
Never mind that she had no clue he was here, and that he could have been a complete stranger just coming up behind her without even announcing himself. He hadn't really thought that far along. His duties for the day were over, though, and now he just wanted to enjoy the festival while spoiling Atsuko.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:23 pm
Wandering about rather absently, the girl's mind was evidently elsewhere when Reizei came up behind her. It took her a few seconds to register that someone was playing with the flowers in her hair. Frowning at the stranger's rudeless, she turned around, ready to chide whoever it was (nevermind if they were bigger and stronger than her. It was rude to touch someone without asking!).
She suddenly froze, her mouth opening and closing, but not sound coming out. Atsuko stared disbelievingly at Reizei, suddenly pointing at him. "You - !" What are you - ?! Why are you - !?" She seemed incapable of finishing a complete sentence, and realized that they were gathering looks from those who passed by. Without thinking about it, she grabbed the emperor's hand, dragging him as she walked.
She stopped only when they arrived somewhere less crowded, and the girl frowned up at her big brother. "O-onii-sama! What are you doing here? What if someone sees you?!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:40 am
Reizei smiled charmingly as Atsuko registered his presence, blinking at her evident shock. He followed her, ignoring the strange looks he was getting for letting a maid both hold his hand and drag him off. It couldn't be helped, he supposed. Atsuko much have a penchant for the dramatic and attracting attention, the emperor decided. He stopped with her, regarding her with a look of curiosity.
"I'm here to go around the festival with you, imouto-chan." He chirped, looking quite matter-of-fact. "No one will see me." Reizei laughed. Even if someone did relate his appearence to that of the emperor, they'd hardly believe it. After all, why would the emperor participate in the Shinto festival with a little maid? It was utterly illogical to the general population.
"Don't worry. And besides, wouldn't you get lonely just walking around by yourself?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:04 pm
Atsuko merely stared up at him, her gray eyes large and disbelieving. "But...but, onii-sama! What about your duties! What if someone who knows you sees you! Surely someone will recognize you! And if Mikad - someone who has seen me before recognizes me, surely then they'll..."
The girl was obviously panicking. What if she got Reizei into trouble? She didn't want to admit it outloud, but she didn't want anything to happen to her onii-sama, or for her visits to have to stop. Atsuko bit her bottom lip, before turning back to look at her brother when he spoke reassuringly. Instantly, her face became red with embarrassment. He was right.
"L-lonely? Don't be silly, onii-sama! I'm fine! There's no reason for me to be lonely or anything! I mean, there are tons of people at this festival - surely it's not possible to feel alone in a large crowd like this!" She realized that she was extremely chatty now, and suddenly shut her mouth abruptly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:14 pm
"If someone like Mikado did recognize me, they would not be willing to publicly embarrass me. I've finished with my duties for the day, too, Atsuko-chan." Reizei explained softly, trying to convey that there was no need at all for Atsuko to worry, although she did seem to be spazzing out quite a bit. Still, he wasn't worried about her panic and it wasn't as if they were drawing a crowd or anything.
He smiled gently at her own embarrassment, patting her cheek softly. "Of course it's possible, imouto-chan. Even with all these people around, you're still all by yourself." He gazed down at his adoptive little sister sympathetically, reading her emotions with ease.
Reizei decided it might be better to go along with the day and ignore her outburst, though. There was no need to upset her. "Why don't we go and walk around now?" He suggested, his tone light.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:32 pm
It seemed to be impossible to hide anything from Reizei, particularly when it came to her feelings. Reizei's reassurance and his gentle manner only embarrassed her more, causing her cheeks to flush a bright red as she averted her gaze. It was hard to suppress the pout that threatened to form on her lips.
"I...I guess if you're really finished with all of your duties," She murmured finally, turning her gray eyes back to Reizei's face, "And if you really don't mind taking me around." Reaching up, she grasped at his sleeve, finding that it was too awkward to take his hand - he was the emperor after all (despite the fact she had just dragged him away by the hand only moments ago).
"Um, where to?" Atsuko asked, her gaze darting about. It was evident that she was still a little antsy to be with Reizei in public.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:27 pm
Reizei laughed gently as he observed Atsuko's plight, moving to encompass her small hand in his own after removing it from his ornate sleeve. He wouldn't have his dear little imouto-chan being at all awkward with him. "Of course I'm finished. Come on, it's a nice day." He led her around, skirting many of the officials meandering about the festival. Reizei himself wasn't particularly picky about where he wanted to go; it pleased him enough to be in a useful enough disguise and with his adopted younger sister.
"Where would you like to go?" He questioned, trying to hide from Atsuko the fact that he really didn't know about the normal goings-on at a festival such as this. He usually just did the rites every year as he was expected to; he had everything memorized and was able to do his duties quite regally.
Now he was just trying to escape Mikado to spend some time with Atsuko; his adopted sibling always delighted him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 6:31 pm
Despite the fact he struggled to keep an impassive expression on her face, the young girl was obviously quite pleased that her onii-sama was with her. She would admit such out loud, but she did glance up at him. "Thanks, onii-sama." With that, Atsuko promptly dropped her eyes again, figuring that he would know what she meant - she appreciated his company.
At his question, she furrowed her brows, trying to peek through the crowds of people. "I don't know," She admitted, "There looks like there's so much to do - " She cut herself abruptly as he caught a glimpse of elegantly dress figures beyond a cluster of people. "Dancers!" She exclaimed with delight, before she promptly headed their way, dragging Reizei along with her.
When they were up closer, Atsuko halted, staring up at the group of dancers with admiration. "They're so elegant!" She sighed in envy, her gaze trained on their every move. "If I practice a lot, I'll be like that someday too, as a Shirabyoshi." It would take a lot of effort, she knew - her daily chores were only the beginning - but she was motivated, and seeing others dance with such grace only compelled her to work even harder.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 6:45 pm
"Of course, Atsuko-chan." He offered a benign smile and squeezed the young girl's hand gently. Reizei was pleased that Atsuko so readily accepted his company despite the fact that it may have been awkward to walk around or even socialize with an emperor. Try as he might, it was no simple matter to act... well, normal, though he'd been forcing tips out of Mikado lately.
He followed Atsuko, the smile still playing upon his lips as she dragged him towards the dancers. He was always appreciative of the shirabyoshi, after all. They were elegant women, he had to agree.
Still, at Atsuko's declaration that she wished to be a shirabyoshi, too, he stiffened. Normal just wasn't something he could keep up with easily enough. "Atsuko-chan, that is unnecessary." He murmured, all emperor. "I can support you. I don't know why you insist on doing chores and trying to become a shirabyoshi. Those women don't have easy lives." Well, okay, maybe a few shirabyoshi had it good, but Reizei wanted to cast it in as bad a light as he could. He wanted to keep his adopted younger sibling to himself. After all, he felt like that made him look like a terrible brother(which he probably already was and if he wasn't he was certainly going to be).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 7:10 pm
The girl was rather startled at her onii-sama's sudden change in tone. She took in his words quietly, but turned to pout at him from over her shoulder. "Onii-sama, it's not that I don't think you could support me," She replied, keeping her voice low, "But I want to become a shirabyoshi. That was the reason I came here in the first place." She pointed out, turning her attention back to the dancers.
"I know it won't be easy to become one," She shrugged slightly, "But I'm willing to try." Atsuko fell silent as she became entranced by the dancers, and in the way they seemed to glide effortlessly. Someday. Someday she would be just as skilled, if not better.
"Besides," The girl piped up suddenly, though she wasn't looking at Reizei, "Hasn't there ever been anything you've wanted? Something you've hard to work for?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 7:20 pm
Reizei looked quite displeased with his adopted younger sister as she argued her case. "Atsuko-chan, there is no reason to trouble yourself with these things! When you first came here you didn't even know who I was." He chose a more coaxing tone, trying to make his motives more ulterior at this point.
The emperor frowned at the lovely dancers, his dark eyes narrowing. Poor Atsuko didn't even know what she was suggesting! She could live a life of ease by his side as his sibling and companion yet she would choose this? It made no sense to the man who'd never lifted a finger and to whom everyone else bowed.
Reizei fixed his gaze back on Atsuko as she next spoke, his brows furrowing. "I am the emperor. I have all I want and more. You could help out by doing as I tell you." He responded imperiously, his lips pursed. It was somewhat hard for him to imagine that he wasn't the center of the universe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
