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 Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:08 pm
On a small stone footpath twisting away from the gardens, one can be easily led astray. The particular polished stone path near the extreme edge of the garden leads to the West wing of the palace, where the emperor resides. Only few know of this path and its direction, and even fewer take it. It leads through a corridor to another small garden in the heart of the West wing. Evergreen shrubs and twisted pine trees surround a decorative pond full of carp, and a small arched bridge is built over the calm waters. The quiet of winter is upon the garden and a light chill is in the air.
A man is seated on a large slab of stone, placed eccentrically near the pond, seemingly lost in thought. His clothing is elegant, graced with designs of autumn leaves although the season is past. He is beautiful to say the least. He could only be one person; the emperor himself.
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:58 pm
"Mm, I wonder where I was supposed to go next?" Atsuko frowned, swiping her forehead with the back of her hand as she trudged along the path, a small, water-filled bucket swinging from her other hand. She had finished her duties in the first place she was assigned to, and had gone off to look for the other area she was to clean. Somewhere along the way, however, it seemed that she had taken a wrong path.
She glanced over her shoulder, evidently troubled. "Maybe I should go back, and ask?" She mulled over this idea, turning to look ahead again. It was then that she caught sight of a small garden at the end of the corridor. Curiousity replacing her previously troubled thoughts, the girl grinned as she stepped into the garden.
Atsuko let her gaze roam, taking in the lovely little landscape. "It's so pretty here," She murmured outloud. As she continued to glance around, her attention fell on a figure perched on a rock. Though she couldn't see his face from where she stood, the ornate clothing - compared to her own worn outfit - was enough to set off little alarm bells in her head.
There weren't many people who dressed like that, or could afford to dress like that, for that matter. Emitting a panicked squeak, Atsuko whirled around to hurry back from where she came before the man could notice her.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:12 am
Reizei had been seated, his expression pensive as he gazed around his personal garden. It was no real wonder that his eyes caught the flash of color that was Atsuko then, and that he heard her speaking. Someone in his garden? A little girl? His dark eyes flicked over her, assessing her worn clothing and the bucket she was carrying. Aha. A maid. But one that certainly looked lost.
Although, all things considered, he was rather far from her when she spun around to leave, he still held up his hand as if to grab at her, only glancing down to it as an afterthought and realizing that this course of action would not work. "Little girl, wait!" He cried instead, his arm still absently extended.
It wasn't likely that this maid was going to disobey someone of his high rank, although he doubted she knew he was the emperor. Reizei liked children, in all honesty, and never had a chance to spend much time with his own. Perhaps this was what brought on Plan B. Kidnap innocent children and perhaps spoil them. Not that Reizei had actually had Plan B for a while. But... this little girl was just adorable!
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:29 am
As she was scampering away, a voice froze her in place. Little girl? Surely the man couldn't be referring to her? She turned slowly and, indeed, the elegantly dressed man was looking at her. Stuck between the idea of fleeing or approaching him, Atsuko settled for staying where she was, giving a little bow from where she stood.
"May I be of service, sir?" She asked politely, still bent over in a bow. The bucket still dangled from one of her hands - it certainly felt, and probably looked, rather awkward. Peering up from beneath her bangs, she smiled a little sheepishly.
"Also...I apologize for intruding," Atsuko gave another little bow, evidently unnerved to be in the presence of someone who was evidently of higher ranking. Much higher ranking, probably. "I must have taken a wrong turn. I uh, must finish my duties for today, so I should be going back now..."
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:43 pm
Reizei smiled graciously to the small girl as she turned to him and bowed. "Put the bucket down and please come here." He beckoned lightly to the child, wanting her to approach him. She seemed awfully timid from what she was saying now, but she might have merely been this way out of respect. Reizei certainly looked as if he was high-ranking and this maid likely realized that, even if she did not recognize him as emperor.
"No, stay. I will excuse you from your duties." He added absently with a wave of his hand as if that would make them magically disapear. He probably didn't realize that that wasn't how things worked in the world of this little maid, but it was sufficient excuse for Reizei.
He now folded his hands in his lap, looking quite courtly as he waited for the maid to advance, the trace of a small still on his lips. Why, they would have much fun today, he was sure. "May I ask your name?" He added as an afterthought.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:58 pm
The girl's hesitation was evident as she was called over. On one hand, she was supposed to be working, but on the other hand, it would be rude to refuse. She put the bucket down slowly, running the two options through her head. What if someone caught her here, and went to tell someone that she was slacking off? But what if this man was even more important than he looked? She couldn't risk upsetting him.
She blinked in surprise as he spoke. "Is...is it really okay?" Atsuko asked, concerned. Neither she nor the man would get in trouble if someone learned that she was excused from her duties, would they? Deciding that being polite to this high-ranking man was slightly more important than her chores right now, she approached him, halting to a stop two feet from where he sat.
"My name is Atsuko." Clasping her hands together, she bowed again, before fiddling with one of the flowers she had tucked into her hair that morning. "May I be of service, sir?" After all, why else had he asked her to stay?
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:32 pm
The emperor watched the young girl advance, nodding in response to her question. Of course it was okay! He could hardly understand her worry, and was honestly amused by it. Such a diligent little maid! She seemed afraid to stray from her chores.
"Atsuko-chan?" He smiled, standing and patting her on the head as if she were an oversized cat. "Well, Atsuko-chan, you certainly are cute!" He announced enthusiastically, taking the girl's small hand carelessly in his large one as he began to march in the general direction of his quarters in the West wing.
"Just come with me." He added as an afterthought, with an inviting smile. The maid's company would be nice, if nothing else, although he was unaware of how frivolous he was being through kidnapping a small girl and taking her to his apartments.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:44 pm
The girl blinked up at the man in confusion as she was pat on the head. As an automatic response, she puffed out her cheeks in a pout. Why was it that she was always treated as a little kid? Still, she didn't voice her opinion on the matter - she only smiled politely (and in confusion) at his compliment.
When he took her hand suddenly, however, she couldn't help but feel a little awkward. This noble man had suddenly dismissed her from her chores, and was now leading her to some unknown place? The thought made her uneasy, especially since she didn't know where he was taking her. What if he was kidnapping her, to hold her for hostage? Granted that the only person who would pay for her safe return was her mother, who didn't have much money in the first place, but what else was she supposed to think right now?
"...Where are we going, sir?" Atsuko piped up finally, having gathered the courage to look up at the man. Well, now that she took a better look at him, he didn't seem like the type of person to kidnap little girls...and from the feeling of his hands, unlike Atsuko, he hadn't done much physical labor.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:58 pm
Reizei continued to lead the girl in the direction of the steps that led to the polished walkway around the elegant building that he resided in. "It's a surprise!" He responded, not quite sure just where he wanted to take her himself. His own apartments, he supposed. She would be adorable in a fancy kimono! He couldn't help but instinctually trying to make up for not seeing his own offspring enough.
He blinked as his main attendant strolled down the stairs and bowed formally to him, eyeing Atsuko with a clear look of revulsion. "Your Majesty, what are you doing with that dirty little creature?" He inquired stiffly, looking to Reizei as respectfully as he could possibly muster. "Look at it. It's slimed in dirt; surely I can get you another cleaner maid to do whatever you want her to do." He added, unsure of what Reizei even wanted with the little girl.
"Mikado-san, this is Atsuko-chan." Reizei's voice became cooler as he spoke to his attendant; the one he often impersonated. "Now that you mention it, she does seem to need a bath. Please have one drawn for her. And then bring out a kimono that will fit her, won't you? One that I will approve of." He was clearly commanding and in-control with his sullen-looking attendant, who shot Atsuko one last glare before trudging back up the stairs to command maids to draw a bath and fetch a kimono for the girl.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:09 pm
A surprise. She wasn't exactly sure whether she wanted a 'surprise' from a stranger - this man hadn't even given his name to her yet! She knew nothing about him!
That changed within moments when another man - an attendant? - appeared. As he stared at her, the girl has to resist to stare back, instead lowering her eyes demurely. Upon hearing the words 'Your Majesty', her gaze shot up to look at the well-dressed man in shock, her gray eyes widening slightly. Oh, she did not just hear what she thought she heard. This was not the emperor. No way. No wa -
Her attention snapped back to the attendant when she heard 'dirty little creature'. She frowned slightly, not bothering to hide it. She opened her mouth to respond, but shut it again, deciding better. When they were introduced, she bowed - albeit stiffly - and watched as Reizei gave orders.
When the other man glared at her, she stuck out her tongue in response, knowing full well that it was rude to do so but...really now! She wasn't that dirty, and she was most definitely not a creature. Once he was out of sight, Atsuko tilted her head back to look up at the emperor.
"Are you really...?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:30 pm
Reizei still kept his light grip on Atsuko's hand, frowning after his attendant, having not noticed Atsuko sticking her tongue out at him, although Mikado most likely had as he was clearly fuming as he stomped around searching for maids to start the bath. The emperor didn't really seem to take notice of his attendant's foul mood and merely turned pleasantly to Atsuko.
"Don't worry about it!" He chirped to her question, having no clue whatsoever that she was asking whether or not he was really the emperor. "Come, Atsuko-chan, let's get you all cleaned up and then we can put you in a pretty kimono!" He led her up the stairs after Mikado.
[[ timelapse <3 ]]
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:42 pm
Her lips twitched as they threatened to break out into a satisfied smile at the attendant's reaction. It wasn't everyday she got to do that and, while she was usually much more polite, it was most satisfying after he called her a creature.
When Reizei spoke, she merely stared up at him, tilting her head with confusion. Don't worry about what? The fact that he was the emperor? Or was he talking about something else? Before she could ask, he had begun to talk again, ushering her upstairs. "B-but, I really shouldn't cut back on my duties..." She protested feebly, knowing that it probably wouldn't matter what she said.
-------
"I think this is too fancy for me."
Atsuko rose her arms, staring down at the flowing kimono that she wore. It was certainly drastically different from the patched, worn outfit that she usually had on. Her skin was also no longer dark with dust and dirt, and her black hair had a nice shine to it now, smelling pleasantly of flowers.
Still, she was feeling terribly awkward. And confused. After all, how would you feel if a man - who turned out to be the emperor - kidnapped you and then had you take a bath and shoved into an expensive kimono?
It was a lovely kimono, certainly, and she was far more comfortable now that she was clean...but she could only stand there with a puzzled look on her face.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:59 pm
Reizei entered the sitting room, smiling to the young girl the maids had already carted in. "Look at you, Atsuko-chan!" He cried, clapping in admiration. He'd sort of figured out what he wanted from the girl now. You see, Reizei was an only child and as a result he had always longed for a younger sibling. Far from treating Atsuko as if she were one of his children, he had suddenly decided that this random yet adorable little maid could function as his little sister!
"You can stay here with me, Imouto-chan!" He added, looking delighted with himself. He had no clue that this young maid would soon be training to be a shirabyoshi and indeed, he felt as if he were taking her away from a lifetime of oppression and slavery. Her savior, to paraphrase it.
Mikado stood in the doorway, glowering to the girl. The emperor was being ridiculous again! He was trying to take this filthy peasant girl and call her his little sister! Disgusting.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:10 pm
When the man entered, Atsuko smiled at him, evidently embarrassed. "It's a little awkward, to be wearing something so fine." She admitted. She hadn't really expected the emperor to be so...well. Kind, for one thing. The girl had originally imagined a cold and indifferent man when she thought of the emperor. It looked like she had guessed wrong.
He was, after all, far different from what she expected. Especially the fact that he was so...random, for the lack of a better word. It was hard to read what was going through his mind.
This was proven yet again when Reizei spoke. Atsuko turned to stare at him surprise. "...Imouto-chan?" She repeated, confusion registering in her eyes. When did she become his little sister? More importantly, what did he mean by 'stay here with me'? She had all her chores to do and lessons to go to, if she wanted to become a Shirabyoshi one day!
Ignoring Mikado, she shuffled her feet hesitantly. "Um...but I..." She wasn't sure how to start, or even what to say.
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Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:18 am
Reizei smiled at the comment from the girl, amused. "But you look so elegant, Imouto-chan." The eccentric emperor informed her proudly. He had known she would be perfect in this type of clothing, and, of course, he had been completely correct!
"Your Majesty, why are you referring to this peasant as your younger sister?" Mikado demanded, agitated. "It can hardly be a healthy thing! Why, what if she were to make you ill?" The attendant looked stressed. It was clearly his job to babysit the emperor, and he didn't look like such a good babysitter at the moment. This news would make it to his superiors at once, although he hoped it wouldn't spread too terribly far. People didn't need to feel that the emperor was insane. Reizei wasn't insane -- far from it -- but he didn't know how the world worked. He didn't know he couldn't pick up a little girl and call her his little sister. The emperor was utterly refined, but he was also extremely frivolous.
"Oh, Mikado-san." Reizei ignored Atsuko for the moment. "You may leave now." His lips tugged down into a light frown, although it didn't look likely to linger as he turned back to Atsuko.
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