Joyous Day | [REDACTED] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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wizardmanor2024-04-06 05:28 am
troublereduction) wrote in wizardmanor2024-04-06 05:28 amFloor 2, Room 3
JOYOUS DAY
troublereduction) wrote in wizardmanor2024-04-06 05:28 am
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There's this story back home, 'bout how a long time ago the Five Elemental Dragons gave their blood to a group of mortals and blessed them with the power to control the elements. I dunno how true that is, but it’s true there're people who can do that, and the ability is passed down through the blood. We call them Dragon-Blooded, or Princes of the Earth, and bein' one's a big deal. People think it's a sign of...[ There's a moment where Day makes a face. ] Spiritual enlightenment. That in exchange for innate power, they have a duty to their spiritual lessers.
On the isle where I grew up, most of them are from the nobility, but it's the kinda thing that can skip generations, and it ain't like Dynasts don't have their illicit trysts. So sometimes a lowborn commoner awakens that power, 'cause somewhere in their family tree there was someone with the blood of dragons in 'em. And when that happens, by law you gotta report them to one of the ministries. The arbiters come to take custody and bring them to get "properly educated" as a Prince of the Earth, 'cause by decree they're now an adopted child of the Empress. [ Does he sound a little bitter here? Maybe. ]
It happened to my sister when we were 'bout sixteen. Second time I ever managed to convince her to ditch lessons. We went to the woods right outside of town to hide and just hang out for a while 'fore I was supposed to leave for the city. And...I dunno, somethin' must have happened there, 'cause by the time we went back she was sproutin' flowers in her hair. Everyone in town was so excited. [ He says this, but even now when he's just recalling it, he sounds distinctly unexcited. ] Kept congratulatin' her and couldn't wait to report it to the arbiters.
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There's more to it, though. The story just doesn't end there, does it? ]
What happened after that? Did they take her in?
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[ (And it had hurt, because at that moment when they hugged each other tight, they both knew come morning their paths would diverge and likely never cross again. She wasn't just leaving, she was moving to a different station in life out of his reach, in service to a greater destiny that didn't have room for anything before it.) ]
But, you know... [ A dry laugh. ] After she left, I went to the city to look for an apprenticeship, and the funny thing is I found out the place she got taken to was just a day out from the city. So of course I got it in my head to try seein' her there. It's called the Obsidian Mirror, can't miss somethin' that dark and imposin' out in the open.
But ain't no way they're gonna let a peasant approach where they're trainin' new Princes of the Earth. Got caught by the patrollin' Black-Helms, and they caned me for tresspassin' on the spot. [ For emphasis, and maybe a bit of black humor, he makes a light chopping motion in one hand onto his other palm. ] Getting whacked 'cross the back hurts like hell, who knew? I tried twice after, got caught and whacked some more each time.
After the third time, one of them told me if they caught me again, I'd be goin' to jail. Maybe even just executed for repeat offences, though he mighta said that only to scare me outta it. [ If Day wants to be charitable about it, anyway. ]
...And that was it. Didn't try again. Haven't seen her since. [ And there is that smile again; reflexive, bitter, and cynical all at once. ]
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[ That's kind of heartbreaking, actually. Forbidden to see someone you care about because of something beyond your control. All this talk about people missing their families is making Yamato really reflect on his own situation.
He can sense that Day is far from happy about this, even if that smile is practiced.
He's familiar with doing it himself, after all. ]
There's no way they'll let you see her, even though they're the ones who took her from you, huh. And they had to be violent about it, too.
[ That's how powerful people work, he guesses. Even if he's in no position to criticize them, given his current standing in society, but. ]
I'm sorry, Day.
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[ It's just that rather than bidding farewell when they were ready, it had to happen the way it did instead. ]
...But thanks for listenin' to this, even if it ain't a happy story.
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[ He doesn't have much more to say, but his expression is one of understanding and sympathy. He wishes he had a family member he'd like to see again, but alas. Still, Day's pain is valid and real, and he gives him a soft smile. ]
Of course. It's fine if it's not a happy story. Not like what I told you was one, either, anyway.