[Keirean's seen his daughter happily married and in the meantime politics marches on, the emperor is young and fierce and Keirean is loyal, not least because of his daughter's happiness, but also due to the oath he's sworn on his life and soul, unbreakable without killing him.
But also this and that are things he's used to. As a stoic, awkward man, the mansion seems lonelier without his daughter. His wife... but he's used to that ache of loneliness. And he sees his daughter often at the palace, she visits home sometimes too. He tries not to dwell on how empty the mansion feels and pours himself into work.
Yes, plenty to occupy him between his duties as commander of the second knight squads and duties in politics.
Especially politics. The new young commander of the noble faction's knightly forces is a talent seen once in a lifetime. Maybe in ten lifetimes. Keirean is a master swordsman, older, wiser, craftier, considered impossibly strong himself, and that's why he only needed to see the young man once in combat, in training exercises as he was passing by, to feel chills. He could tell just by looking what the other man was holding back. No, potentially even Keirean couldn't grasp it all.
And this new young monster of the noble faction knights is coming to visit him on a courtesy call, to formally greet and introduce himself to, on the surface, a peer and older knight, but underneath most likely a political rival. Well, Keirean sits in his own garden, musing, as the servants bring that young man to him.
[It's easy to see why that noble house had adopted the man as a child, with talents like his. oh, certainly, it was covered up by tall tales involving his noble patron's late reckless brother, stories of the unbelievable kindness of taking in a surprising relative fallen on hard times. but the imperial faction hasn't yet actually managed to find Izuru's origins in the intervening years since the announcement, and their information networks aren't exactly shabby.
he's made even more dangerous by his supposed bastardhood-- normally that would be a dealbreaker with such a conservative faction! but over the past few years he's won over the naysayers one by one, and his position also garnered him support from people who wouldn't usually support the nobles, as a symbol of the changing times.
he's an enigma. a terrifyingly talented enigma with a stoic countenance and no weaknesses to be found, at least not yet. one who had managed to turn his most obvious weakness into a strength. he's a force to be reckoned with, if he ends up an enemy. but an invaluable ally, if he can be landed. and his fellow advisors have told kierean that it is up to him to judge the way forward, when it comes to this young man.
he's eerily handsome as ever, as the servants bring him to tea. neat, with his impossibly long hair tied back tightly, and his voice soft and expressionlessly even as always, as he bows respectfully. he radiates untouchability, though his manners are impeccable.]
[Keirean rises, returning tree bow and gesturing to the chair opposite him. He's not incompetent at politics and alliances by any means, but he'll never find the dance of court intrigue pleasant. For all he's good at his job both on the battlefield and in politics, he's not a scheming man.
He'll just have to judge this person before him with his own eyes and experiences, going on far too little information.]
Thank you for calling on me, sir Kamukura. Please have a seat and keep me company.
[His face is as stoic as the other man's, blue eyes peircing but not very expressive. Polite, neither fawning nor rude. Not currying favor or showing condescension. In short, he's his usual hard to read, treat-everyone-with-equal-stiff strict-formality self.]
Thank you for your hospitality. I know you are busy, so I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me.
[for all his apparent COURTLY WILES kamukura is facing kierean with much the same attitude. there will be no fawning here, no powerplay, only mannerly stoicism. nevermind that he's dying inside.]
[He's not really sure what to make of it. A facade? Or maybe the man is just quiet. That'd be fine. Maybe this is just a courtesy call and not something more tiresome. He knows better than to judge someone by their faction alone, but also better than to lower his guard over a good first impression.
He waves and a servant brings them tea and snacks.]
Please feel at ease. It's true I am busy but I'm sure you're also busy. Meeting a fellow noble and knight is also part of work. I hope we can be on good terms. I've been wanting to meet you as well.
[That's true. A man this talented... if they weren't in opposing factions Keirean would have definitely tried to recruit him.]
[Kamukura's eyes track the servant as they come and go, much more aware of them than someone born a noble would typically be-- but, well, he wasn't.]
I am honored to hear that. I've heard rumors that our squads may work together soon, so I thought it best to touch base.
[and sure that's information that KIEREAN has but kamukura absolutely should not at this point. is it a power move? hard to say. his inflection hasn't changed in the slightest.]
[He doesn't show his surprise, his guard is too up for a cute reaction. But he is surprised. Wary too. But Kamukura is right, it'll happen soon.]
Your information network must be impressive.
[He lifts his tea and sips it.]
You're correct. The summons will come in a few days. We'll have time to coordinate after that. But I would advise preparing a squad and provisions for a month's deployment east. Since you know this much, you can ask me if there is anything you want to confirm in advance.
Making sure I am prepared is the best thing I can do for my men and women.
[He sips his tea as well, utterly unruffled by his own admissions or Kierean's responses.]
In the interest of that... thank you for your advice. I have heard you've worked in the area in the past. Is there anything specific I should keep in mind when choosing my squad, do you think?
Try to look for experience. Especially against ambush. It's to be a monster experimentation but there are unsavory groups in the region that have no love for knights. They may not keep quiet if they think they can catch us unawares while we deal with monsters.
Ah. Thank you. The types who can be alert for long periods of time without burning out then, as a secondary option if I find our numbers with experience lacking.
Yes. That's not a bad criteria. We'll have a base of operations that should be reasonably secure. Knights who won't be unwary even in town, however, would be good. That area isn't entirely lawless but... it's also nothing like the capital. And corruption runs deep.
[It's a noble alliance held territory too but he's not trying to imply anything. He doesn't need to. He's just talking fact.]
Our primary objective are some troublesome giant scorpion beasts that have carved a nest nearby. Medics will certainly be needed. If you don't have antipoison supplies gathering them now would be a good start.
[He'll answer like this for a while, anything he's asked he'll give an informative answer.]
[Kamukura soaks up the advice like a sponge, engaging with each detail with something almost like eagerness, past his stoicism. It's clear that he's putting real thought into their conversation, and what he can do for the people in his care. He doesn't take offense, either, at the blatant allusions to corruption-- he takes them as a factor to be considered for the safety of his knights, without so much as blinking.]
Who taught you the sword? I've seen you from a distance once. It's a style I don't know, but I can tell it's impressive.
[He's got a good impression of the young man, though his own guard is still high, he believes that this youth is actually very serious as a knight, so he lets his own curiosity as a knight out, a little. Not to flatter, but simply because... he is interested.]
I wouldn't call it a proper style, really. Not in the... generally accepted meaning. I learned from watching others, and merely imitate what works best for me.
[aaaand it's terrifying and graceful and WORKS. what he isn't saying is that he learned it from watching illegal gladiatorial deathmatches in his childhood.]
[Now he does show surprise, widened eyes, a slack expression for a moment. As a swordmaster of his own skill how can he not know what an impossible and amazing thing is being said so casually. He lifts a hand to run through his own bangs, expression composing after a moment.]
Truly it's hard to find words for that. It's a beautiful style you've developed.
[He nods. Neither humble nor arrogant. He is, indeed, someone who doesn't praise easily or without reason, he won't put down his own comment out of modesty. He's a master himself, he meant it from the heart as a fellow swordsman. He also misses that Kamukura is flustered because he's too emotionally stiff to notice such things.]
I look forward to seeing what you accomplish as a knight, sir Kamukura. I have high expectations.
Keirean will make quiet small talk until Kamukura leaves. Turns out he's not an ineloquent speaker but he's also not great at carrying a conversation that isn't work related, or about his daughter. They get on that topic and he goes all soft at the edges, fond and fatherly. It's subtle but really cute.
After Kamukura gets up to go Keirean decides he likes the young man. Even if there's no way he can remotely trust him. So he extends to him the invitation to drop by if he wishes to talk again, if Keirean isn't otherwise busy, not something he often invites others to do. A few days later they're summoned and given their task, and a week after that they travel east, setting up base in an imperial owned villa the knights often use when in this area. It's probably familiar to Kamukura but well, they have scorpions to hunt.
And hunt they shall. It's a lot of work and very dangerous. Days into exterminating various nests Keirean comes to truly admire and be a bit terrified of the younger man's skill and potential. But they work well enough together, until, while dragging a wounded knight out of the way, Keirean is attacked by a scorpion that appears suddenly. Its sting ready to pierce his chest.]
[Kamukura also has trouble carrying a conversation, but he leaves without too much awkwardness. He's truly touched by the invitation, especially since it's not like he expects Kierean's trust, either.
As for the hunt... it becomes clear quickly that he is a clever and level-headed leader, and though he's VERY stressed by their current location, he's not allowing it to affect his work.
That all goes out the window when Kierean is in a danger he cannot save himself from. Kamukura doesn't even cry out, there's no time to warn him, all he can do is bodily shove the older man and the knight he's dragging out of the way, knocking the two of them over and taking the stinger himself, right in the side. He lops off its tail fast, slays it before anyone can really react to how very stung he just was, then turns to offer the wounded knight a hand up like he isn't turbofucked.]
[Keirean is visibly upset. But he's a hardened commander, he barks orders. Knights still standing make sure there aren't any more monsters, medics, treat the wounded, etc. The other knight is He's taking Kamukura by the arm and hauling him to the side, the other knight handed off to an uninjured comrade, and he's pushing him to sit on a rock while Keiren removes what armor and clothing he can from around where the stinger is still embedded.]
Hold on to me. This will hurt.
[Normally you want to leave an object in a stab wound until the doctors get to it, but with these scorpions the venom will keep pumping in until the sac is drained. Better to pull out the stinger and risk the blood loss than die certainly to the venom. Keirean is confident as a man who has treated many battle wounded before medics could as well, he is determined to make sure this young man who just surely saved his life doesn't die like this.]
[He lets Kierean yank him around, seeming almost confused more than anything? He feels pain like any man but his mind is kiiind of buckling under the stress.]
Ah, right, the stinger needs to...
[he trails off, curling his fingers into whatever bits of Kierean's armor he can get purchase on.]
[Because he intends to make sure Kamukura lives. He places a hand behind Kamukura's back, to hold him still, and pulls the stinger out with swift surety.
Quickly he drops it and presses torn cloth to the seeping wound, the pressure firm and steady until a medic can come dress it properly.]
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But also this and that are things he's used to. As a stoic, awkward man, the mansion seems lonelier without his daughter. His wife... but he's used to that ache of loneliness. And he sees his daughter often at the palace, she visits home sometimes too. He tries not to dwell on how empty the mansion feels and pours himself into work.
Yes, plenty to occupy him between his duties as commander of the second knight squads and duties in politics.
Especially politics. The new young commander of the noble faction's knightly forces is a talent seen once in a lifetime. Maybe in ten lifetimes. Keirean is a master swordsman, older, wiser, craftier, considered impossibly strong himself, and that's why he only needed to see the young man once in combat, in training exercises as he was passing by, to feel chills. He could tell just by looking what the other man was holding back. No, potentially even Keirean couldn't grasp it all.
And this new young monster of the noble faction knights is coming to visit him on a courtesy call, to formally greet and introduce himself to, on the surface, a peer and older knight, but underneath most likely a political rival. Well, Keirean sits in his own garden, musing, as the servants bring that young man to him.
It's only tea. Surely it won't get too tense.]
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he's made even more dangerous by his supposed bastardhood-- normally that would be a dealbreaker with such a conservative faction! but over the past few years he's won over the naysayers one by one, and his position also garnered him support from people who wouldn't usually support the nobles, as a symbol of the changing times.
he's an enigma. a terrifyingly talented enigma with a stoic countenance and no weaknesses to be found, at least not yet. one who had managed to turn his most obvious weakness into a strength. he's a force to be reckoned with, if he ends up an enemy. but an invaluable ally, if he can be landed. and his fellow advisors have told kierean that it is up to him to judge the way forward, when it comes to this young man.
he's eerily handsome as ever, as the servants bring him to tea. neat, with his impossibly long hair tied back tightly, and his voice soft and expressionlessly even as always, as he bows respectfully. he radiates untouchability, though his manners are impeccable.]
Good afternoon, my lord.
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He'll just have to judge this person before him with his own eyes and experiences, going on far too little information.]
Thank you for calling on me, sir Kamukura. Please have a seat and keep me company.
[His face is as stoic as the other man's, blue eyes peircing but not very expressive. Polite, neither fawning nor rude. Not currying favor or showing condescension. In short, he's his usual hard to read, treat-everyone-with-equal-stiff strict-formality self.]
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Thank you for your hospitality. I know you are busy, so I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me.
[for all his apparent COURTLY WILES kamukura is facing kierean with much the same attitude. there will be no fawning here, no powerplay, only mannerly stoicism. nevermind that he's dying inside.]
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He waves and a servant brings them tea and snacks.]
Please feel at ease. It's true I am busy but I'm sure you're also busy. Meeting a fellow noble and knight is also part of work. I hope we can be on good terms. I've been wanting to meet you as well.
[That's true. A man this talented... if they weren't in opposing factions Keirean would have definitely tried to recruit him.]
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I am honored to hear that. I've heard rumors that our squads may work together soon, so I thought it best to touch base.
[and sure that's information that KIEREAN has but kamukura absolutely should not at this point. is it a power move? hard to say. his inflection hasn't changed in the slightest.]
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Your information network must be impressive.
[He lifts his tea and sips it.]
You're correct. The summons will come in a few days. We'll have time to coordinate after that. But I would advise preparing a squad and provisions for a month's deployment east. Since you know this much, you can ask me if there is anything you want to confirm in advance.
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[He sips his tea as well, utterly unruffled by his own admissions or Kierean's responses.]
In the interest of that... thank you for your advice. I have heard you've worked in the area in the past. Is there anything specific I should keep in mind when choosing my squad, do you think?
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[It's a noble alliance held territory too but he's not trying to imply anything. He doesn't need to. He's just talking fact.]
Our primary objective are some troublesome giant scorpion beasts that have carved a nest nearby. Medics will certainly be needed. If you don't have antipoison supplies gathering them now would be a good start.
[He'll answer like this for a while, anything he's asked he'll give an informative answer.]
Now I have a question of my own.
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Ask away, my lord.
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[He's got a good impression of the young man, though his own guard is still high, he believes that this youth is actually very serious as a knight, so he lets his own curiosity as a knight out, a little. Not to flatter, but simply because... he is interested.]
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[wild, for a noble, especially a knight.]
I wouldn't call it a proper style, really. Not in the... generally accepted meaning. I learned from watching others, and merely imitate what works best for me.
[aaaand it's terrifying and graceful and WORKS. what he isn't saying is that he learned it from watching illegal gladiatorial deathmatches in his childhood.]
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[Now he does show surprise, widened eyes, a slack expression for a moment. As a swordmaster of his own skill how can he not know what an impossible and amazing thing is being said so casually. He lifts a hand to run through his own bangs, expression composing after a moment.]
Truly it's hard to find words for that. It's a beautiful style you've developed.
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... Thank you. Such praise means a great deal, from a swordsman so accomplished as yourself.
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I look forward to seeing what you accomplish as a knight, sir Kamukura. I have high expectations.
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I shall do my utmost not to disappoint you, my lord.
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Keirean will make quiet small talk until Kamukura leaves. Turns out he's not an ineloquent speaker but he's also not great at carrying a conversation that isn't work related, or about his daughter. They get on that topic and he goes all soft at the edges, fond and fatherly. It's subtle but really cute.
After Kamukura gets up to go Keirean decides he likes the young man. Even if there's no way he can remotely trust him. So he extends to him the invitation to drop by if he wishes to talk again, if Keirean isn't otherwise busy, not something he often invites others to do. A few days later they're summoned and given their task, and a week after that they travel east, setting up base in an imperial owned villa the knights often use when in this area. It's probably familiar to Kamukura but well, they have scorpions to hunt.
And hunt they shall. It's a lot of work and very dangerous. Days into exterminating various nests Keirean comes to truly admire and be a bit terrified of the younger man's skill and potential. But they work well enough together, until, while dragging a wounded knight out of the way, Keirean is attacked by a scorpion that appears suddenly. Its sting ready to pierce his chest.]
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As for the hunt... it becomes clear quickly that he is a clever and level-headed leader, and though he's VERY stressed by their current location, he's not allowing it to affect his work.
That all goes out the window when Kierean is in a danger he cannot save himself from. Kamukura doesn't even cry out, there's no time to warn him, all he can do is bodily shove the older man and the knight he's dragging out of the way, knocking the two of them over and taking the stinger himself, right in the side. He lops off its tail fast, slays it before anyone can really react to how very stung he just was, then turns to offer the wounded knight a hand up like he isn't turbofucked.]
I'm sorry, did the fall worsen your injuries--?
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Hold on to me. This will hurt.
[Normally you want to leave an object in a stab wound until the doctors get to it, but with these scorpions the venom will keep pumping in until the sac is drained. Better to pull out the stinger and risk the blood loss than die certainly to the venom. Keirean is confident as a man who has treated many battle wounded before medics could as well, he is determined to make sure this young man who just surely saved his life doesn't die like this.]
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Ah, right, the stinger needs to...
[he trails off, curling his fingers into whatever bits of Kierean's armor he can get purchase on.]
It's okay. I won't die here.
[he says it like he's trying to comfort Kierean.]
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[Because he intends to make sure Kamukura lives. He places a hand behind Kamukura's back, to hold him still, and pulls the stinger out with swift surety.
Quickly he drops it and presses torn cloth to the seeping wound, the pressure firm and steady until a medic can come dress it properly.]
Hold on a little while longer.
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I will, I will... However long you need me to wait, I will.
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It'll be all right, I promise you'll be well taken care of. It may take some time to recover, but I will see that you do.
... You're holding on well.
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a) hEY GMAIL TELL ME WHEN I HAVE TAGS b) HAVE I BEEN MISSPELLING KEIREAN'S NAME THIS WHOLEASS TIME??
Yes but I genuinely didn't notice and had to go check if that helps
i reread the thread and was like... wait... wAIT...
Fair
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