Lynod
Tenkyuu sits silently at the table in front of Setsushi's establishment, her hands occupied by a charcoal pen and a sketchbook. Her eyes leap up to the structure in front of her, her future home, which has transformed in a mere matter of days. Furitive glances are continually exchanged between the home and Tenkyuu as she draws away. Every so often, however, the elder pauses, a frown lining her lips as she flexes her fingers as if to eliminate some stiffness. A neglected, though steaming, cup of coffee sits in front of her, seeming to be taking in the sights and sounds of the nearby construction.
Asahi Kumoru
A pickup truck emblazoned on the side with the logo of Barton Yard and Garden Center rumbles down the street and pulls up at the curb across from the new Ten household. Almost before the vehicle has stopped, a brown-haired and dark-skinned Porcelain lady, perhaps unrecognizable in her dirt-smudged Gaian garb, hops down carefully from the bed of the truck and waves to the elder Knight.
"I thought this address sounded familiar," Chourou calls out as she also projects her greetings to Dame Tenkyuu, and jogs closer. "I hope Dame will not mind me working on her yard today? I can at least promise I have not brought any loud machines with me."
"I thought this address sounded familiar," Chourou calls out as she also projects her greetings to Dame Tenkyuu, and jogs closer. "I hope Dame will not mind me working on her yard today? I can at least promise I have not brought any loud machines with me."
Lynod
Tenkyuu's pencil pauses on the paper upon the truck's arrival, a hint of curiosity contained in her wrinkled face. The interest quickly turns into surprise, however, when Chourou the Tactician appears off the truck's bed. Tenkyuu quickly stands, moving to greet her peer when she hears Chourou's request--
--and quickly shakes her head in response. Tenkyuu cannot allow Dame Chourou to perform such a task! Tenkyuu and Dame Chourou are equals, and to have her acting as a servant for her... Obvious displeasure coats Tenkyuu's face before her eyes move to the truck. It will cause Dame Chourou much grief, however, if the unworthy elder rejects?
--and quickly shakes her head in response. Tenkyuu cannot allow Dame Chourou to perform such a task! Tenkyuu and Dame Chourou are equals, and to have her acting as a servant for her... Obvious displeasure coats Tenkyuu's face before her eyes move to the truck. It will cause Dame Chourou much grief, however, if the unworthy elder rejects?
Asahi Kumoru
Chourou glances back at the truck and signals the driver quickly; he turns off the engine and gets out, then begins unloading bags of mulch and soil, along with a flat plastic crate filled with small flowers, and finally a handful of gardening tools. While this is going on, the Knight of Bukoku explains to her comrade that this is her job, and that someone hailing from this address placed an order for landscaping work to be done... so Chourou is not exactly in a position where she is at liberty to turn and leave if Dame Tenkyuu refuses her.
Gaia has changed many things for all of them, it seems, but Chourou will always be willing to serve her fellows of the Empire. She assures Dame that it is no trouble, and that she has already come to rather enjoy her line of work, finding it relaxing. Chourou took this particular work order because she noted the address was quite close to that of Sir Setsushi's home, and Dame's presence only proves that Chourou was correct in thinking that one of the others had taken up residence here.
A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth, spoiling the mock-solemn look in her eyes as she peers at the retired Knight. ... If the Heavenly Bow will still not permit her to work within her borders, then perhaps Dame Tenkyuu might at least be interested in working alongside her fellow Knight in establishing a miniature Porcelain country here on this street, in her very own yard?
Gaia has changed many things for all of them, it seems, but Chourou will always be willing to serve her fellows of the Empire. She assures Dame that it is no trouble, and that she has already come to rather enjoy her line of work, finding it relaxing. Chourou took this particular work order because she noted the address was quite close to that of Sir Setsushi's home, and Dame's presence only proves that Chourou was correct in thinking that one of the others had taken up residence here.
A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth, spoiling the mock-solemn look in her eyes as she peers at the retired Knight. ... If the Heavenly Bow will still not permit her to work within her borders, then perhaps Dame Tenkyuu might at least be interested in working alongside her fellow Knight in establishing a miniature Porcelain country here on this street, in her very own yard?
Lynod
Tenkyuu can't help but smile at Chourou's jest, her head inclining to survey the underway structure. Yes, should they stay here for much longer, such must happen, admits Tenkyuu. Of course, to begin with, they must decide on a form of government. Shall they go the imperial style, such as their upbringing suggests, or might they experiment with the Gaian democracy? Tenkyuu delicately strokes her chin up and down with her forefinger.
Decisions, decisions. Tenkyuu pauses, her eyes sweeping to the multitude of gardening items before a thought comes to her--if Dame will allow, will Tenkyuu perhaps aid her in landscaping? Tenkyuu's body is diminished, but she still has some life in her body to aid the Knight of Bukoku.
Tenkyuu raises her brows teasingly. "Or would you deny an old woman her pleasures and thus risk her displeasure?" asks Tenkyuu.
Decisions, decisions. Tenkyuu pauses, her eyes sweeping to the multitude of gardening items before a thought comes to her--if Dame will allow, will Tenkyuu perhaps aid her in landscaping? Tenkyuu's body is diminished, but she still has some life in her body to aid the Knight of Bukoku.
Tenkyuu raises her brows teasingly. "Or would you deny an old woman her pleasures and thus risk her displeasure?" asks Tenkyuu.
Asahi Kumoru
A grin spreads across Chourou's features and she bows to her elder. She had been about to suggest as much, and would be pleased to join forces with the Heavenly Bow on this kinder Gaian battlefield.
"If it would not disagree with Dame's joints too much to sit on the ground, perhaps she could take care of planting the flowers?" The feeling she projects with this suggestion is quite distinctly different from the filial affection of Setsushi, but is still touched with the fond concern of a comrade. Glancing back over her shoulder again at the man unloading the truck, the Knight of Bukoku adds a projection that turns the bobbing white faces of the flowers in their crate into the faces of soldiers shifting impatiently in rank and file as they await their orders; Dame Tenkyuu could command all of them as she likes, arranging her blooms however she sees fit to best fortify her garden.
She then excuses herself for a moment, returning to the truck to help with the last of the unloading. Chourou converses briefly with the human as she withdraws a small white cooler and a large thermos of water from the bed of the pickup; the man then gets back into the driver's seat and starts the vehicle again, pulling away down the street and turning the corner at the end.
"If it would not disagree with Dame's joints too much to sit on the ground, perhaps she could take care of planting the flowers?" The feeling she projects with this suggestion is quite distinctly different from the filial affection of Setsushi, but is still touched with the fond concern of a comrade. Glancing back over her shoulder again at the man unloading the truck, the Knight of Bukoku adds a projection that turns the bobbing white faces of the flowers in their crate into the faces of soldiers shifting impatiently in rank and file as they await their orders; Dame Tenkyuu could command all of them as she likes, arranging her blooms however she sees fit to best fortify her garden.
She then excuses herself for a moment, returning to the truck to help with the last of the unloading. Chourou converses briefly with the human as she withdraws a small white cooler and a large thermos of water from the bed of the pickup; the man then gets back into the driver's seat and starts the vehicle again, pulling away down the street and turning the corner at the end.
Lynod
And Tenkyuu cannot help but laugh at Chourou's description of the blossoms, her head shaking as she surveys the lines of white. Tenkyuu must admire Chourou's wordplay--it pushes Tenkyuu enthusiastically towards planting. Tenkyuu must ask, is that also how Chourou gets her children to perform tasks?
With a genuine smile, Tenkyuu admits that, if so, it works well from her own experience. Fond memories of her children seem to flit around Tenkyuu as she slowly makes her way towards the flowers. The Heavenly Bow must admit to Dame Chourou, that such words also seem to work very well on adults, Tenkyuu included.
With a genuine smile, Tenkyuu admits that, if so, it works well from her own experience. Fond memories of her children seem to flit around Tenkyuu as she slowly makes her way towards the flowers. The Heavenly Bow must admit to Dame Chourou, that such words also seem to work very well on adults, Tenkyuu included.
Asahi Kumoru
The younger woman turns back to Tenkyuu, offering her a garden trowel and a rectangular foam pad (it is hardly a comfortable seat, but perhaps it will make sitting on the ground a bit better?) and eagerly urges her to find a spot to settle down to start planting. Chourou can bring her the crate of flowers in a few moments; they are not heavy, but the crate borders on awkwardly large in size.
A bit less energetically, Chourou responds by telling Tenkyuu that she does it a bit with little Ako, since the girl seems to like pleasing her mother. As for Uki... reluctantly, she admits that her elder daughter always responds well to Reiga's requests, and has never really been difficult towards her mother, but Chourou's long tours far from home have kept her from becoming too familiar with Uki.
She quickly smooths over those pangs of regret, though, by insisting that things seem to be changing for the better now that they are all more or less forced to remain together here in Gaia. The Lady of Bukoku then wonders how the Heavenly Bow and her family have been doing here in Gaia?
A bit less energetically, Chourou responds by telling Tenkyuu that she does it a bit with little Ako, since the girl seems to like pleasing her mother. As for Uki... reluctantly, she admits that her elder daughter always responds well to Reiga's requests, and has never really been difficult towards her mother, but Chourou's long tours far from home have kept her from becoming too familiar with Uki.
She quickly smooths over those pangs of regret, though, by insisting that things seem to be changing for the better now that they are all more or less forced to remain together here in Gaia. The Lady of Bukoku then wonders how the Heavenly Bow and her family have been doing here in Gaia?
Lynod
Tenkyuu thanks Dame Chourou for her kindness, her head bowing slightly before she takes the items. Tenkyuu will be moving as a sloth when planting flowers, admits the elder with a smile--she hopes that she will wear out the Dame's patience as she works too meticulously.
Upon taking a seat and grunting from the effort, Tenkyuu taps the ground idlely, seeming to think about the process of arrangement. Truly, what formations would bring out the true grandeur of the home, the Heavenly Bow mutters to herself before eying her junior. She slowly nods, a frown lining her lips as she thinks upon the situation--Tenkyuu had the very same problems. Absence always seems to affect the eldest the hardest, doesn't it? It was a long time before Tenryuu grew close to her mother--obviously, Tenkyuu blames herself. The Empire is important by all means, but perhaps it is best to be a Dragon Knight without children.
Her eyes shift to Chourou as she smiles, warm feelings directed towards the gardener. Not that the Dame has not done an admirable job with her children. Tenkyuu sees them becoming bright and big before her very eyes. They will most certainly be fair ladies of the Court.
Upon taking a seat and grunting from the effort, Tenkyuu taps the ground idlely, seeming to think about the process of arrangement. Truly, what formations would bring out the true grandeur of the home, the Heavenly Bow mutters to herself before eying her junior. She slowly nods, a frown lining her lips as she thinks upon the situation--Tenkyuu had the very same problems. Absence always seems to affect the eldest the hardest, doesn't it? It was a long time before Tenryuu grew close to her mother--obviously, Tenkyuu blames herself. The Empire is important by all means, but perhaps it is best to be a Dragon Knight without children.
Her eyes shift to Chourou as she smiles, warm feelings directed towards the gardener. Not that the Dame has not done an admirable job with her children. Tenkyuu sees them becoming bright and big before her very eyes. They will most certainly be fair ladies of the Court.
Asahi Kumoru
The Lady of Bukoku promises her patience... so long as Dame Tenkyuu does not mind conversing with her while they both work. Chourou is slated for two days to work here, and she supposes she would not mind lingering after her required hours at least a little bit. She carries the crate of flowers over and sets it beside the Heavenly Bow, informing her that her soldiers will of course be infinitely patient, just as long as their Porcelain commanders ensure that they have enough to drink.
While Dame gets started creating a flower bed, Chourou will take care of putting mulch down around the tree in the corner of the yard. She fetches one of the bags of mulch and the rest of the tools, and sets them down next to the tree. If Dame Tenkyuu needs any help digging anything up or whatever, all she needs to do is ask.
Chourou thanks her sincerely for the compliment on her children, though her mind seems to wander elsewhere behind Lucid walls for a moment. Returning to the present and kneeling to open the bag, the younger woman adds that Dame Tenkyuu's children seem to be growing well, also. She has not yet heard much of Tenryuu's exploits, however her becoming a Dragon Knight like her mother already speaks for her skill. Chourou feels great hope and pride if Dame Tenkyuu believes her own two girls have promising futures.
While Dame gets started creating a flower bed, Chourou will take care of putting mulch down around the tree in the corner of the yard. She fetches one of the bags of mulch and the rest of the tools, and sets them down next to the tree. If Dame Tenkyuu needs any help digging anything up or whatever, all she needs to do is ask.
Chourou thanks her sincerely for the compliment on her children, though her mind seems to wander elsewhere behind Lucid walls for a moment. Returning to the present and kneeling to open the bag, the younger woman adds that Dame Tenkyuu's children seem to be growing well, also. She has not yet heard much of Tenryuu's exploits, however her becoming a Dragon Knight like her mother already speaks for her skill. Chourou feels great hope and pride if Dame Tenkyuu believes her own two girls have promising futures.
Lynod
Tenkyuu stretches her fingers before wrapping them along the smooth hilt of the trowel, beginning to craft the trenches for her pale warriors to fill. As she performs the task, Tenkyuu can't help but notice the walls erected by the Lady of Bukoku. With rhythmic stabbing and scooping, Tenkyuu breaks up the earth as she attempts to pull down Chourou's walls.
Tenkyuu thanks Chourou infinitely for her kind words--the Heavenly Bow is quite happy at the progress of her children, and knows that there will be bright futures ahead of each of them. Tenkyuu also has much confidence in Dame Chourou's own children, but Tenkyuu worries about her as well. Tenkyuu apologizes in advance for any rudeness that may weigh heavily on Dame, but what are the dark thoughts that hang on Chourou's brow?
Gently, Tenkyuu asks if she can help a fellow mother? Tenkyuu has made her share of mistakes and achievements and would happily put her experience to use.
Tenkyuu thanks Chourou infinitely for her kind words--the Heavenly Bow is quite happy at the progress of her children, and knows that there will be bright futures ahead of each of them. Tenkyuu also has much confidence in Dame Chourou's own children, but Tenkyuu worries about her as well. Tenkyuu apologizes in advance for any rudeness that may weigh heavily on Dame, but what are the dark thoughts that hang on Chourou's brow?
Gently, Tenkyuu asks if she can help a fellow mother? Tenkyuu has made her share of mistakes and achievements and would happily put her experience to use.
Asahi Kumoru
Chourou assures her elder that she takes no offense, and quickly tells her that she is just perhaps having some trouble adjusting to having a job that does not permit her to keep Ako at her side. Obviously, she could never take the tiny girl to the battlefield, but Ako had been there, clinging to Chourou's tunic, at so many meetings. But it does not seem appropriate in any line of work on Gaia to bring such a young girl along.
And so Ako has been spending her days with her father and her sister.
Her gaze becomes distant for a moment and she seems to momentarily forget what she is doing in the middle of spreading mulch... but picks up the task again after a moment. Dame Tenkyuu would not be upset if Chourou brought the little one with her tomorrow when they continue work on the lawn, would she?
And so Ako has been spending her days with her father and her sister.
Her gaze becomes distant for a moment and she seems to momentarily forget what she is doing in the middle of spreading mulch... but picks up the task again after a moment. Dame Tenkyuu would not be upset if Chourou brought the little one with her tomorrow when they continue work on the lawn, would she?
Lynod
Tenkyuu raises her head, her chin settling on the palm of her hand while she idlely shoves her trowel into the dirt. Her response doesn't take long whatsoever to produce--she seems in fact happy to have Ako in her proximity.
"Are you able to get her now?" asks Tenkyuu, "Or would you like me to run and bring her?" While Ako is being brought, Tenkyuu will attempt to find jobs that allow Ako and Dame Chourou to be together--if Tenkyuu is not being too forward, that is. She laughs faintly--she would have to leave her forces to the Knight of Bukoku in the interim, however.
"Are you able to get her now?" asks Tenkyuu, "Or would you like me to run and bring her?" While Ako is being brought, Tenkyuu will attempt to find jobs that allow Ako and Dame Chourou to be together--if Tenkyuu is not being too forward, that is. She laughs faintly--she would have to leave her forces to the Knight of Bukoku in the interim, however.
Asahi Kumoru
"Ah, I could, but I am supposed to be here working for this afternoon, not running back to fetch my daughter," the younger Knight replies with a small sigh. Chourou tears the bag of mulch open and upends it beside the tree, then starts spreading it around with her bare hands. "Reiga has been taking care of her since I started this work. Ako seems to be warming up to him as a result, and I think he has been enjoying the time with her as well."
She looks up and smiles, though she is projecting very little. "So, this is all for the best. I can bring her with me tomorrow, though, I suppose, as long as Dame Tenkyuu would not mind the little one digging a few holes in her yard." Chourou laughs softly to herself. "Little Ako likes to help her mother ... which is why I think my Gaian employers were concerned about her coming with me to work. These humans seem to feel much differently about children than we do."
She looks up and smiles, though she is projecting very little. "So, this is all for the best. I can bring her with me tomorrow, though, I suppose, as long as Dame Tenkyuu would not mind the little one digging a few holes in her yard." Chourou laughs softly to herself. "Little Ako likes to help her mother ... which is why I think my Gaian employers were concerned about her coming with me to work. These humans seem to feel much differently about children than we do."
Lynod
It is a pity, is it not? For all their positives, Gaians seem to view children as burdens or eyesores when the parent's work is concerned. It is as if they expect the Porcelain to ignore their duties due to the child's presence. Tenkyuu studies the soldiers before turning, her eyes surveying, once again, the landscape, trying to find suitable ground for their formation.
Tenkyuu is glad some good is coming out of this, however. Reiga seems to be a doting father who, while unable to fill Chourou's role, can practice his own quite nicely. Still, Tenkyuu understands the Lady's predicament--it is hard to pry oneself from one's children when they are so very small.
Tenkyuu is glad some good is coming out of this, however. Reiga seems to be a doting father who, while unable to fill Chourou's role, can practice his own quite nicely. Still, Tenkyuu understands the Lady's predicament--it is hard to pry oneself from one's children when they are so very small.
Asahi Kumoru
The Lady of Bukoku is silent for a long moment, pondering whether or not it would be appropriate to share her feelings with her superior. The feeling of distance between herself and her elder daughter had become an everyday reminder of the mistake she had not wished to repeat with Ako - and that was why it had been so difficult to leave her in Reiga's care, even just for six or eight hours every day.
When she does respond, it is only with a small shrug and a smile. And she admits that she is thankful, at least, that her tours of duty to plant and landscape in Gaia are far shorter than her expeditions with the military. Chourou does find herself aching, oddly, for the battlefield - not the blood or the violence itself, of course, but rather for the mental challenge of plotting against bandits and brigands, and how to bring them to justice without baring a blade, if possible. But... this extended vacation to Gaia is still one she feels she needed.
When she does respond, it is only with a small shrug and a smile. And she admits that she is thankful, at least, that her tours of duty to plant and landscape in Gaia are far shorter than her expeditions with the military. Chourou does find herself aching, oddly, for the battlefield - not the blood or the violence itself, of course, but rather for the mental challenge of plotting against bandits and brigands, and how to bring them to justice without baring a blade, if possible. But... this extended vacation to Gaia is still one she feels she needed.
Lynod
Tenkyuu aches for such things even to this day. She pauses, silent, seeming to wait to divulge information to her junior... And she nods slowly, having decided to do just that.
Tenkyuu loved the thrill of battle, the ability to put her abilities against mighty opponents, the ability to put her life on the line. She never felt so alive, so strong, as when she moved across the field. She sighs softly, her head shaking. How many men and women has she killed in her life? And yet, the Empress save her, she still wishes to draw her bow and aim it at another being, even if one more time.
Tenkyuu loved the thrill of battle, the ability to put her abilities against mighty opponents, the ability to put her life on the line. She never felt so alive, so strong, as when she moved across the field. She sighs softly, her head shaking. How many men and women has she killed in her life? And yet, the Empress save her, she still wishes to draw her bow and aim it at another being, even if one more time.
Asahi Kumoru
After crawling around on hands and knees to the other side of the tree to spread mulch there, Chourou acknowledges her elder's sentiments. It was not really the bloodletting itself for her so much as the thrill of either seeing her plans and tactics work, or having to repair them on the fly in the heat of battle. It as a mental war as much as a physical one, and the Knight of Bukoku felt her greatest strength when she knew the trust of her army rested with her, and her ability to guide them through all manner of situations.
And she hated to give anything less than her best.
... Aah, which meant this tree would need another half-bag of mulch, perhaps. It spread too thin on this one side. She moved back around to drag the other bag to the opposite side, and worked on tearing that one open as well.
And she hated to give anything less than her best.
... Aah, which meant this tree would need another half-bag of mulch, perhaps. It spread too thin on this one side. She moved back around to drag the other bag to the opposite side, and worked on tearing that one open as well.
Lynod
Truly, Chourou was always an excellent tactician, able to inspire her own army and strike fear in the hearts of her enemies. It is a rare gift that she displayed, something that reminds Tenkyuu of the wars fought by the Empress.
But that was long ago, and perhaps they will never need to have such largescale battles again. Tenkyuu would be content to battling the occasional brigand with internal strife down to a minimum. ... But she knows that will not be, especially with the figure who cast them aside to Gaia.
"We will have a great battle before us," says Tenkyuu faintly, "Perhaps even a civil war." It's an odd, surprising frankness from the normally guarded Heavenly Bow.
But that was long ago, and perhaps they will never need to have such largescale battles again. Tenkyuu would be content to battling the occasional brigand with internal strife down to a minimum. ... But she knows that will not be, especially with the figure who cast them aside to Gaia.
"We will have a great battle before us," says Tenkyuu faintly, "Perhaps even a civil war." It's an odd, surprising frankness from the normally guarded Heavenly Bow.
(( ** in progress ** ))
