---

For Aika!

The rain felt cool and pleasant against his coat, taking the edge off the heat of the day. He'd long grown used to the humidity of this region, having originated from a temperate environment, and the gentle sound of rainfall coupled with the lapping tides of the ocean were soothing.

How quickly Fujiwara had grown! He could scarcely believe it; almost as if the moment Izumi appeared again, all manner of wolves flocked to her person from every corner of Mythris. She had quite the magnetic personality, he mused with a small smile.

Osamu sat perched on the edge of Queen's Rest, looking out toward the mainland as he allowed his thoughts to wander. It wasn't often he took time to himself these days; the weather seemed as good an excuse as any, he thought.

—
Arriving back from the mainland not long ago, her fur soaked like a wet silvered rat. Excess salt water pooled at the sandy shores. With a plant of her white paws, she shook the water off rather viciously. Water sprayed all around her. Any seaweed or ocean debris stuck to her fur? Shook out like a ragdoll.


The silvered heiress moved away from the shore. Jasmine eyes settled on a wolf in the distance.. did he see… did he see her struggles? Was he lost in thought? Aika surely hoped he didn't see her awful swimming skills. Her body froze.


Her mind fought back and forth if she should approach him looking like this. What would… what in the world would Izumi tell her? Well she was already here. What he had seen, if anything, couldn't have been worse than the silvered fur of hers mattled with seawater.

Just don't tell her sister, Izumi. She'd never hear the end of her banter of not grooming it out sooner than later.


With gentle steps, she moved towards him. A gentle woof of announcing herself in case he didn't hear the rough slapping of her paws to the tide earlier. Once she was closer, she would speak with a smile. Evening. Aika hoped she didn't intrude whatever sightseeing he had planned.
—

LANGUAGES;
“Japanese” (English)
Common

Although he wasn't on duty, he would have made a poor warrior indeed if he didn't keep a sharp eye! He did perceive the white figure as it swept in with the tide, recognizing their fur pattern to be that of one of Izumi's various relations. He'd never seen such a large family; Osamu himself had been an only child, and the idea of being surrounded by so many relatives seemed equal parts stressful as it was a blessing.

Her disheveled appearance was of no importance. The Samurai had made many trips of his own from the Rest back to the mainland, and until the universe saw fit to grant them a magic portal of their own, the ocean's briny mark would continue to be a consequence of any travel.

The maiden announced herself, and he woofed back in acknowledgement as she approached.

Good evening, he replied, dipping his head in a gesture of respect. How do you fare? Ah, apologies; I don't believe we've met. I am Osamu.

Rising to his paws, he shook out some of the dampness from his fur as if to further signify his comfort with her waterlogged state. He did not give much credence to appearances anyway; he'd always had an unfortunately wiry coat since his arrival in Mythris.

You are... a relation of the Empress, correct?

—

Evening. Aika formally dipped her head, her effort was poor to remove all the water from her coat. Jasmine eyes settled on his ashen coat. She hadn't fully met him yet. A soft smile formed at her lips as her gaze turned back to him. Seshin Aika, yes. Empress Izumi is my sister. Aika boasted her newer title with a genuine smile. Izumi worked hard on it, she was going to show it wherever she could.

I don't think we've officially met? She brushed her mind off her coat, trying to find any other anchor to hold onto. It made her a bit insecure. Looking halfway of a rat soaked in salt while talking to another. Nothing she could do, but her anxiety bubbled under her chest.

While she hadn't met him, she definitely acknowledged his scent around the territory. It wasn't uncommon for the island to be flooded with scents. Between Izumi and Yoshi, they were bound to have many visitors.

—

LANGUAGES;

“Japanese” (English)

Common

Ah, that made sense. The Fujiwara clan bore very similar coats, although her scent was very different from her sister's.

Osamu politely bowed his head.

I am honored to meet you, he said, lifting his gaze once more. I am Samurai and personal mentor to the Empress.

And... something else, he thought, still finding some awkwardness in their newfound relationship. Was it a relationship? It seemed to be, although they'd yet to label whatever it was they now had together. A passionate reunion after Izumi's months-long disappearance accompanied by a few stolen kisses made for an interesting start.

He felt his cheeks grow hot.

Have you been here for very long? he asked. Ah, within this place called Mythris, that is. I myself arrived -

How long had it been?

Three years ago, I think. Long enough that I have begun noticing the edges of my coat beginning to turn; a most alarming discovery.

—

What an honor! My sister always chooses the best. Aika offered a warmed smile with the tilt of her head. Silvered ears flicked forward.


His question shifted her expression by a fraction. A tedious thought of.. how long has she actually been here? For a while many nights and days alone.. it stretched forever she felt like.


Uhm, I think… A little… over a year. Aika's response was softer than she intended to land with. The silvered heiress tilted her head, a swift raise of one of her paws. She gave it a little wave. Nonesense. That's inevitable. Every creature has something that happens as they age. Well.. most creatures but she didn't want to hurt him. Aika didn't dare bring up how old she thought turtles got. Did Izumi find you or..? She hastily changed the subject back to the empress.

—

LANGUAGES;

“Japanese” (English)

Common

The air suddenly felt oppressively warm. Oh, to be able to take off his coat! Her idle praise and its implications sent him into a quiet panic, but Osamu managed to regain his composure enough to offer a tenuous smile back. The best. He swallowed. Was he really? Every day he simply hoped he was enough.

A year? he said, silver brows lifting in surprise. I will not ask how it is we have not formally crossed paths. The error is mine. Osamu dipped his head in apology, horrified by the error of his negligence. Izumi's sister! He could have whipped himself raw for shame.

Aika's nobility was obvious in the deft way she quickly guided their conversation away from his failings. Only a royal could have been raised to handle such social blunders without batting an eye, he thought miserably. He was grateful.

I actually no longer recall if she found me, or if I found her, Osamu replied truthfully. I only remember waking in a strange new land, in this strange new - body - and her expression. How determined she was, a young Empress with a lost dynasty and a cause. It never seemed like there was any other path for me.

It made him sound like a lovesick puppy, but to lie about their encounter and his thoughts that day would have been a disservice.

So you grew up together, I assume? he probed gently, curious as to Izumi's childhood and those of her past.