Silent as the Grave (Aristocrats) [LOCKED]

[Sadist]

"FOOLS," SAID I, "YOU DO NOT KNOW.
SILENCE LIKE A CANCER GROWS.
HEAR MY WORDS THAT I MIGHT TEACH YOU.
TAKE MY ARMS THAT I MIGHT REACH YOU."

Silent as the Grave

The periodic twitching of Takumi’s fingers was the only outward sign he gave of how very uncomfortable the mofuku he wore at the behest of the family Patriarch made him. Some might think the black garments would suit him, as black was his favorite color to wear, but he felt like he was wearing a dress. He might be comfortable in his masculinity and sexuality, but the young Heir highly doubted he would ever be so comfortable that wearing a dress would feel natural to him. Unfortunately, he still had hours to go before he could change into sweat pants. Gatherings of this sort sometimes took all night, his tutors had informed him. He wondered if they were guarding the family's shrine tonight.

Rei’s funeral had been a lovely service…if you could ignore the media jackals, some of them family members, gathered outside to report the tragic loss of the Head of the Matsumoto Family, the wife of media mogul Matsumoto Takehiro, at whose side Takumi was currently being led around the various first-floor rooms of the Kobayashi Manor. The who’s who that had attended the funeral had retired here for a more private affair to, ostensibly, give their condolences to Takehiro and the rest of the family. In reality, they were all here for political reasons. One of which was the reason Takumi had to follow on his grandfather’s heels all night: introducing the Matsumoto Heir to the Aristocracy.

What he really wanted to be doing right now, besides changing out of this ridiculous garb, was sitting at his baby grand in the foyer. Perhaps, after the introductions, he could coerce the Patriarch into allowing him to play something under the pretense of it being for the grandmother he had never really known. If he was a particularly good actor tonight, he might be able to leave early by claiming to be overcome with emotion at the loss. Then again, all he’d have to do to pull that one off would be to think of his sister and how she was the one who had truly deserved this much fuss. It was her loss that had broken his heart so completely that he hadn’t even begun to recover six years later, after all.

He blinked as Takehiro brought them to a stop in front of two black-clad women and their guards. Takumi recognized the shorter of the women as Umizo Ayane. When his grandfather bowed his head to her, he made a small, polite bow. "Umizo-san. Thank you for coming." The 20-year-old had to fight the urge to shrug off the hand the old man placed on his shoulder. Takehiro was almost as much of a stranger to him as his grandmother had been, and he didn't appreciate how familiar his behavior was. Yet he continued to show only a bored disinterest and slight melancholy as attention was brought to his presence. "I would like to introduce you to my grandson, Takumi, though it pains me to have to do so under these circumstances."

His eyes flickered to the old man's face. Did the Tyranny Fighter not feel the pain of loss over Rei's death? How could he be so calm right now? This soon after Emiko's death, he had been a wreck. When his grandfather softly cleared his throat, Takumi nodded and looked back at the Umizo Head. "An honor to meet you, Umizo-sama." The words were polite and warm, but left his eyes cold. He so didn't want to be here right now.

outfit
Tag: yuri Aiko Zeal king fire Iri Cali Tsukiyoko
Notes: There is a foyer, a grand hall and a banquet hall on this floor. Notable information about each room--Foyer has a black baby grand, grand hall has a grand staircase, and the banquet hall has buffet tables instead of the usual banquet tables, since they aren't staying for dinner.

ulla

[yuri]

fortune favors the prepared mind

Shallow men believe in luck♥

Attire:Dress traditional pearls She had long since picked her nails cleaned from boredom during the lovely funeral for a far disowned distant cousin that Ayane had only ever known as the pretend head for another family. Her few meeting with the woman after coming into her own right had always been short; and not without leaving a distasteful flavor lingering in her mouth. She would have rather returned home after dealing with the bombardment of the media hounds that hung outside, then come to the more private gathering at the Kobayashi Estate. But that wasn’t what this was all about, no it was a pretense for something else. She had gone through this as well, when she had done the honor rights for her father. But she had walked herself around the room, the grief stricken face she had worn at the funeral gone and replaced by the calm, collective, and powerful face that she now wore as the Umizo head. The young man that was being toted around by Takehiro was far from striking that image in her mind. She had stopped the short conversation with her fighter as the young brunette tailed behind her, uncharastically without a notebook. Since it would be... unseemingly to actually be doing something far more constructive... Like some of her own personal matters this was eating into.. “ I am sorry for having to met in such an unfortunate circumstance, Matsumoto-sama.” Like the good little Head, her hands were clasped together as she bowed to him. Though she had little interest in this family who had make a stake and Neutrally, and never actually casting a voice during some of the major meetings they held. His was a face an uncurranty. Would he keep with Rei neutral voice like it had been these past few years? Stalemating matter she herself had tried to push to resolution. Or choose a more active rule? “ Rei-sama had been a remarkable woman... I am sorry for your loss. ” As she stood upright again she held out a hand to her fighter standing next to her. Who had unturned, like the good house fighter, bowed and remained in such a position until her sacrifice gestured to her. “ Allow me to introduce you to my other half. Aiko Sato " Tag: Aiko

[Aiko]

It was like her mother’s funeral all over again. Hundreds of people that the deceased had never known, or probably cared to know. Thousands it seemed straining at the chance to get that much closer to the next step on the later.



Aiko had to bite her tongue as she followed Ayane around the compound, moving to her side when they were pushing through the flood of press until finally reaching the private section reserved only for the family and heads of Households. The silence rang in her ears, made the whispers sound like bellows.



She had always hated sitting through those meetings. Rei Matsumoto’s meetings always left her feeling worthless, chided. As if she was nothing more than the slave that their world believed her to be. And yet…



And yet here they were, if only because that was what was required in this game they played. The same roles, the same masks, the smiles, the pounds of bullshit they had to swallow each and every time… Aiko was expecting to complete the entire torture session in silence, but when her sacrifice gestured to her, offering by name, it was such a relief. Even if the other families didn’t approve, Ayane had given her permission to speak. And that thought almost had her lips twitching into a smile that much more genuine.



Almost.



She bowed deeply from the waist, keeping her hands where they could see them, clasped in the front to mimic her sacrifice.



Please accept our condolences. The world will be a much darker place from now on without Matsumoto-sama to light the way.” Lies of course. They nearly choked her on the way out, with the way they congealed in her throat. But it was the way of their roles.



After all, it was much easier to attract flies with honey than with vinegar.

Zeal

Made by Riley at THQ

[Zeal]

Attire king fire He just wants to watch for now.

Gathering events...well this wasn't actually a gathering event it was a funeral. Valshe sighed since this event he really didn't want to be at. Of course when you are an heir of an aristocrat family you have no choice. He was adjusting the sleeves on his suit as he walked past a table which held cards and gifts of remembrance. He lightly touched a vase that held some roses which was placed on the table to help decorate it. Oh yes not only was Valshe being punished but he was forced to buy the 20 dozen flowers for the occasion. Something his father arranged on his behalf to help with the ceremony. Of course it isn't like the family needed all these flowers. They are the music industry after all. Of course they have props and other things to make this look just as beautiful. But Toshi managed to come with a a way for Valshe to pay for his punishment.     It was a beautiful ceremony of course. Nothing short of spectacular but in honesty he really didn't know the woman. Even when he went with his father to these meetings he felt odd around her. She reminded him so much of his own family in some odd yet hateful way. Look at how dysfunctional his family is currently. Nail tapped the vase as he walked on and he found the new heir maybe with his grandfather making the rounds to greet everyone and thank them for coming in their time of need. Right now they were with the Umizo Family. Another family Valshe stayed away from since the last time they ended arguing over all their roles. She was raised to be very traditional and he cared nothing for such roles. He sighed as he decided to wait to meet these people. It is rude to bother people when they are talking to someone after all. "If Life was simple would you be living it?" ~ Vash

Made by Sifr @ THQ.

[king fire]

They had been in mourning for what felt like forever after the Head's passing. Today they buried her, but Huan Yue couldn't bring herself to feel anything. During the ceremony, which had been fittingly beautiful and moving while maintaining dignity, all the girl had experienced was discomfort. There were too many strangers, too many family members, and the mofuku she was ordered to wear only drew attention. A fact she did not appreciate. Her neck felt bare with only the single strand of pearls that hung lower than she liked, and while she knew she looked cute, the stares were more confused or downright hostile than anything. Not that anyone overtly stared, but she could sense the covert glances - at times almost a physical sensation. Her grandfather had done her no favors in insisting that she demonstrate her close tie to the Head for once. Usually everyone was happy pretending she was a distant relation, when they weren't rubbing her face in the fact she was the traitor's bastard. Family were the biggest offenders for the hostile gazes, and the others invited to the after-funeral gathering were thankfully not obnoxious in their curiosity. She was here because Rei had been her grandmother, despite the fact she'd never actually met her to the best of the girl's knowledge. It was a respect and honor thing that she was never going to understand. Blue eyes strayed to her little brother, more adorable than usual in his own mofuku; he was trying to figure out a way to get out of it without being caught by their father's wife. Juri looked elegant, and she was ever the gracious daughter receiving condolences when outsiders were near. When it was just the three of them, her venom stung Huan Yue and worked itself into her tender heart. Because someone with a very sick sense of humor had stuck Juri with the duty of introducing the Blank child and keeping the siblings out of trouble. Not that they looked very much like brother and sister - he was a miniature copy of their father, while she showed their mixed ancestry all too clearly.

All the girl wanted was to leave the gathering and hide somewhere very dark and isolated. And with every word out of her father's wife's mouth, the urge to disappear like the worthless nothing she was grew. When a face she finally recognized entered her perception, it seemed a heaven-sent sign that salvation was near. "Vash-sama," she quietly called, not wanting to break the atmosphere or draw attention from others in the room. Thankfully the crowd had the run of the entire floor; she couldn't have borne being in a single room with that many strangers and family. It was agony having to suppress her ring, and she knew the purple-haired Aristocrat could sympathize. Otherwise, she wouldn't have seemed so eager when Juri and Sheng Li were with her - it only boded ill for her later. But it was just too nice to see her friend again, despite the circumstances, and she couldn't completely contain her enthusiasm. At least she managed to keep her ring in check - it would have entirely inappropriate effects for the gathering if released upon the crowd. Not to mention the hell she'd have to pay if anyone in the family caught her slipping. When it was the two of them, she could call him Vash, but the -sama was mandatory with the present company. No matter how friendly they were, there were rules that everyone around them would be watching to see were obeyed. It was a game she didn't want to play, but this wasn't the time for her usual antics. Unfortunately, Juri and Sheng Li joined her as she made her way to her friend, the woman keeping up her cutting commentary until they were within hearing distance, when she plastered on a small polite smile. Smile gone and ears back, Huan Yue made the introductions with obvious reluctance. There was no way she'd avoid getting in trouble for this. It wasn't proper for her to know the Jenoiu Heir as intimately as it appeared she did. A mistake she was usually so careful to avoid making. The look her father's wife gave her out of the corner of her eye only increased the knot of dread in the pit of her stomach. Taki was with their grandfather, so he wouldn't be able to save her this time, and Valshe couldn't possibly know what was going on. So, it was up to the girl to save herself. Somehow.

sick of being poised

And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut.
no rest for the wicked with cho-chan about! | Sadist Zeal Aiko yuri Cali Iri Tsukiyoko | attire, necklace, and song

made by fire

[Cali]

{

}

Julius stood at what would be considered the outskirts of the crowd of those "mourning". Despite multiple offers of condolence and god all the crocodile tears, no one was actually sad to see Rei go - she was as stifling as she had been decrepit, and meetings with her had never been able to be considered "interesting".


The feminine looking young man dragged around by Takehiro was to be named heir, if the rumors held the weight of their words. He would be torn up and picked apart by the aristocratic families - nothing would remain but meat-spattered bones left to dry in the sun. The Matsumoto duo was circling around and getting closer; it would soon be his own turn to give hollow words of sadness. Thankfully, they were preoccupied with Ayane Umizo and her fighter-slash-secretary, Aiko. It offered him a few more moments before he had to put on the sad act.


Blue eyes turned from the new heir to where his mother stood chatting with another geriatric person, be it guard or aristocrat or whomever; he honestly didn't care enough to connect the face to a name. He could also see her own personal guard keeping his attention split between her and the window of the room they were all corralled in.


Speaking of guards...


Kyler looked positively ravishing in the suit Julius had had tailored for him. There as his own personal guard, the blond looked wary, uncomfortable, and a fair amount of pissy. Not surprising, considering he was surrounded by people who considered him to be a slave of sorts. Julius seriously considered "disappearing" to a different area of the Kobayashi Estate with his fighter for a while, but ultimately decided against it, considering the consequences and shame it would bring to his family were they caught.


Funerals were so awful to sit through. Almost as bad as the post-service gathering that always accompanied the funeral itself. The ceremony had been beautiful, of course. That was to be expected. But this "pity the poor family" drama they were all currently starring in was pointless. Surrounded by people they hated and/or wanted to overthrow in order to claim the family power for themselves, this was a catastrophe waiting to happen. What would these "guards" be able to do if the aristocrats decided to attack one another? Their peace was fragile, and he was beyond positive that he wasn't the only person scoping out other sharks within the black-cloaked waters.

Suit| @everyone I'm too lazy for individual tags |

ulla

[Sadist]

"FOOLS," SAID I, "YOU DO NOT KNOW.
SILENCE LIKE A CANCER GROWS.
HEAR MY WORDS THAT I MIGHT TEACH YOU.
TAKE MY ARMS THAT I MIGHT REACH YOU."

Silent as the Grave

Takumi's eyes widened slightly in recognition of the fighter's name. His tutors hadn't seen knowing the partners of the various Heads as important enough to provide a picture for him to associate with the name. Let alone to actually mention the fighters belonging to sacrifice Heads at all. No, he knew the name from another, far more credible source than his own tutors. He bowed again, slightly lower, to the fighter his sister had spoken so highly of. Saito-sama, it is an honor to meet you as well. My sister spoke highly of you both." He gave them a fleeting, but genuine smile, ignoring the disapproving frown his grandfather sent him. "I apologize, I had not gotten the chance to thank you for attending her funeral. I know it would have meant a lot to Emiko-sama, as she considered you both to be her friends."

The moment passing, he schooled his features back into the bored mask he'd been wearing. Mostly because Takehiro's fingers were digging into his shoulder. He made no outward show of anger, only turned his head to look at the offending hand and arched an eyebrow in the old man's direction. The Tyranny fighter bowed his head as he released Takumi's shoulder and stepped back. He nodded and turned his attention back to the women in front of him.

outfit
Tag: yuri
Notes: Any of the invited characters who have yet to join are free to join. Post order established as (Main conversation: Taki, Ayane, Aiko) followed by (Other guests: Valshe, Yue, Julius) for now.

ulla

[yuri]

fortune favors the prepared mind

Shallow men believe in luck♥

Steel grey eye’s study the young man carefully as he spoke of the long passed young woman she had known what felt a long time ago. There were few people that Ayane ever enjoyed the company outside of her own fighter, and a few choice house Fighters. Less in her own family, the mention of the passing friend, however, did not call forward any change in her schooled expression. So the girl did have some alternative motivation then, even though Aiko background check of the young interm then had already told her that Emiko was a Matsumoto it had not lead to the reveal of Takumi. Had she been playing all along to help her sibling when he raised to power then while the rest of the world was in the dark about the Matsumoto future heir? Still, Ayane held herself regardless of the unknown undertones of the young man as she bowed her head again. “ Emiko had been a sweet girl. Another life ended far before their time, and one I can say I miss. Tacted. This place was a swimming infestation of sharks swimming around the young new Head to be. It wasn’t about honoring the dead now. There was nothing left to honor, now was the time to evoluated what this young man would come to be. A puppet but what was left of the previous head, her fighter. Who, even though it was a tactful way on not showing his tight grip on the young man shoulder, seemed to be glaring down at him. The slighting smile didn’t touch her lips, now it would be the time to show if he could stand on his own, and command. Her elders had tried this tact to. To walk her around the room to speak to each of the other heads, but they didn’t get this far. Ayane had long since taken control over the Fighter house, the only Umizos that walked with her had been the four fighters that had been selected by her own Fighter as her protection. Takumi was still standing in his predecessor shadow if he could not shake off the Tyrant Fighter and do this on his own. But...there was something she could turn to her own advantage. The bridges between Umizo and Matsumoto had long since fallen down a soured path since Rei rule over the family. Now was the change to extend the olive branch, and see if the once spoke words of a courageous young woman existed in the young man before. “ It is must be awkward, I mean, to meet so many of us now having not grown up in familiarity like the rest of us. Emiko would have been a great asset to you as many of us are more familiar with her face. ” She took a careful step forward. The quick hand motion only noticeable to her fighter that gave directions to detect the Tyrant fighter from the young sacrifice. A light hand on the young man’s elbow, the traditional wear had some noticeable Umizo traits in it. “ No matter the undertaking of making one remember faces and names from photographs can prepare one for this trek. I had the advantage of being the second child and more freedom than my brother, able to know about each heir in a more personable manner. Emiko-chan use to laugh at some of the childhood stories I told her when she worked as an intern” Tact would get her between the Tryant shadow as she danced the steps she long since learned as a child to dance, as she gently started the steps to lead him on his way to the next head... Nakamura Julius was not that far off, and would be a far better conversation she could stand to escape in after she lead the young man away. She had little interest in the Jeniou Head and his childish tempered son. An olive branch could go more than a ways of peace. They were all waiting to see how this young man would act. Puppet... Or was he the master to his family's kingdom? Time to cut the past chains of his predecessor, a bloody the waters for the young man to show how well he could swim in. Tag: Aiko Sadist Cali Notes: Break off from Fighter escort. Time to lead Takumi on To Julius.

[Aiko]

Aiko’s head bowed, Acknowledging the motion as well as the words the sacrifice before her had spoken. As unpleasant as these things were, Aiko understood their necessity. It was a dangerous game to play, one where the losers sometimes lost more than money or assets. As Ayane cupped Taki’s elbow, Aiko turned toward the fighter, offering a sympathetic smile.

"Matsumoto-sama, if there is anything that the Umizo’s can do to help your family through this troubled time, please let us know. You need only to ask.” They hadn’t had the most stable relationship under Rei’s ruling. Maybe now they could change that. Aiko personally had never liked the woman, with her traditionalist values and opinions. The only reason Rei had ever allowed Aiko into the meetings with Ayane was because her sacrifice had insisted. Otherwise she would have had Aiko standing silently in the corner with all the other slaves they called body guards.

Even if they were sad excuses for the title.

Aiko kept an ear out for her sacrifice, knowing the three other fighters stationed at various parts around the room would be her eyes. That was the whole point after all. If something happened to her, the Gods forbid, then Aiko needed to know that Ayane would have a replacement set up for her. And in this world in which they lived, nothing was certain.

Not even the bonds of a unit. Speaking of…

“Has Matsumoto-sama’s fighter not shown himself yet?” Surely with all the resources at the family’s disposal, they would have found them by now. But perhaps that would be another skill the Umizo’s could offer. After all, they were known for finding their own family’s fighters among the masses. Who's to say that they couldn’t do the same for the other heads? Not to mention that it would end up benefiting them both.

Zeal

Made by Riley at THQ

[Zeal]

Attire king fire Great...more problems arise.

Such a down and dreary mood. Then again the death of a family member, liked or not, was never a good or happy event. Some exceptions are made and in all respect Valshe figured this one would be the exception. Even for someone like his father who held his cool at all times was a bit put off by the woman. Of course that didn't deter from him saving her life on multiple accounts. He is no was her Doctor after all. It's amazing how stubborn, although precise, that woman was even when it came to operations. The family all wore their traditional mokofu's and with tired eyes everything bled together. Valshe looked around and tried to see who he recognized here. Sadly it was most of them and all were fairly boring and unappealing. One person caught his attention and she was coming right towards him. Raising an eyebrow he looked confused, "Is that Cho-chan?" he whispered as he straightened out and smiled when she approached him with 2 other family members.     Valshe bowed and stated, "Good day to you Matsumoto Family." he looked at them and gave a sad face obviously like everyone else he had to play his part. "Sad to say I am meeting you both at a not so happy event. I apologize for your loss. A light has been lost but will never be forgotten I am sure." He stated as he looked over at Cho-chan and smiled. "It seems that you have been fighting sickness at bay Matsumoto-chan. That is great to see." His eyes scanned the area swiftly to notice a few things occurring: Julius the Barracuda keeping tabs on his prey, The new Heir with the Umizo's looking trapped and then there was his dad. A pat on his shoulder signaled he had sneaked up beside him. "If there is any other sickness that arises please let me know. Or us rather so we make sure you are at the top of your health, Matsumoto-chan." He smiled as Satoshi nodded. "If Life was simple would you be living it?" ~ Vash

Made by Sifr @ THQ.

    Satoshi finished speaking to another family member. Seems like it was based upon more medicine and new studies that the Academies were using due to his new laws. But the buzz of the entertainment world currently and the new upcoming talent was making him bored. Satoshi is one for facts, stats, and results and although the funeral was a spectacle in itself the after event was rather dull. After smiling and bowing to the retreating family he spotted Valshe and tried to keep from sighing to himself. He decided to let him handle it but that in turn would become a very bad idea. Much like his own funeral for his wife at the time when Valshe was too shocked for words. Once he reached Valshe he pat his shoulder and also bowed in reverence to the family.

    "Afternoon Matsumoto Family." He stated as he gave Valshe a sharp look but the other hid his emotion of anger for the time being. "I do hope my son has been a reasonable example and sent his condolences to all of you." He stated as he looked between all three of them. "Sadly, as I am sure he mentioned to you, we are meeting under unfortunate circumstances. If there is anything my family can do for yours please inform my son or I and we will ensure it is handled." he stated as he offered a better smile as if he was holding back tears of his own. Of course being in this situation on multiple occasions he knew how to play the part like the leading actor of today.

Words. -- Tags. king fire Notes. His Attire except the gloves are off. He doesn't trust Valshe in such events still so he will cover for him until distracted again.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.

[king fire]

They'd been friends for two years, so the girl could read the confusion in the raised eyebrow. Had she forgotten to mention just how closely related to the Head she was during their friendship? Internally she winced because the answer was probably. It just wasn't something that came up until something like this happened. Juri's claws dug into the skin of Huan Yue's arm under the girl's mofuku as she spoke, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Jenoiu-sama, despite the circumstances." Juri and Sheng Li both bowed to Valshe in return as he greeted them, a little slow due to Juri having to regain the child's attention from where he was staring at something behind Valshe. While the older woman was distracted, Huan Yue smiled affectionately at her little brother then turned the grin back to the Heir before her. Naturally as her relatives straightened back up, it dimmed down to something much more appropriate to the setting in which they found themselves. A good thing she did too, as a man that she had to guess was Valshe's father from the body language, came up behind the purple haired young man while they were talking. The knot of dread tightened and grew because there was no way to explain that they'd met years ago at the amusement park when they'd both slipped free of their guards...and not told anyone except Taki. He hadn't known who she really was, and when she found out who he was they were already friends and she didn't want that friendship to be used by the family. The look Juri was giving her made the anxiety increase until Valshe, like a lavender angel supplied a handy excuse that had her confused for a second before the girl grabbed at it like a lifeline. "Thank you, Vash-sama. It is thanks to your," she was going to leave it at just him but decided at the last moment to hastily add, "family's care that I'm well now."

Inside, she cringed. Of course the Heir himself wouldn't have been solely responsible for her care, even if she had been genuinely sick instead of having it as a cover story. And apparently even taking on the -sama didn't lesson the offense of her familiarity with him in her father's wife's eyes. Of course not, she thought bitterly; she never expected anything else from the woman. The Jenoiu Head finally deigned to pat his son's shoulder and reveal his presence; the Matsumotos had seen him at Valshe's back, but weren't sure whether to acknowledge him or not. It was startling to hear her friend use her surname, and her ear tips twitched, but it was also nice to be acknowledged as part of the family, even if it was by someone who was essentially an outsider. As the three of them bowed in greeting to the Head, her blue gaze sought out her cousin to see how Taki was handling this. He seemed as comfortable and confident as ever, which was reassuring, even if he was still too far away to keep Juri in line. At least the young woman walking with him had managed to remove their grandfather's grip from Taki; he needed to appear strong, and the old man was giving the opposite impression with his actions. Huan Yue might not have been considered important enough to learn who was who by picture, but Taki had made sure before the funeral that she knew the reason behind everything required of them both at this event. It was why she fought so hard to keep her ring contained. He was. She'd do her best not to undermine the only cousin that was nice to her. He deserved that at the very least. If she could help him in any other way, she would do it in a heartbeat. As they straightened from the bow, she kept her gaze appropriately lowered and her expression gently sad. It felt wrong to lie like this, but it was expected, and with Juri right there she couldn't do anything less. The knot of anxiety started to tie her up inside again. She remained silent as her father's wife spoke to the Head, "He has, Jenoiu-sama. Thank you for your kind words. I will be sure to pass them on to the rest of the family if you do not get the chance to." Her eyes grew sly just for a fraction of a second before hiding once more behind the graceful grief they'd held since the Head passed away. A small nod of her head at the girl at her side was her only motion as she continued, "Huan Yue couldn't wait to introduce us to the young man responsible for her wonderful health." At those words, the knot of dread expanded so large, so quickly that it practically exploded as her heart dropped to her feet. It became an effort to appear to breathe normally, and she clutched at her control on her ring as if her life depended on it. Just what was Juri up to? She never said or did anything without a reason. It was almost enough to make her back away politely and leave, but that would mean leaving Valshe in her father's wife's claws, and no matter how scared she was of what was coming, the young woman couldn't do that to him. She'd remain and defend her friend as much as she could; in making that decision, her ears flattened back just the slightest, and her sky eyes met Juri's with a look only the two of them would know meant defiance and anger. Maybe she couldn't save herself, but she'd be damned before she let her friend take her punishment. Before Cho-chan would let him fall for her mistakes.

And now Juri knew it. Her eyes were smug and triumphant before they dropped back to her mask of grief. The show must go on, but now she had a new weapon against the girl.

sick of being poised

And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut.
juri, no. don't pick on her dammit | Sadist Zeal Aiko yuri Cali Iri Tsukiyoko | attire, necklace, and song

made by fire

[Iri]

It shouldn't have happened but you let it Now you're down on the ground screaming medic The only thing that comes is the post-traumatic stresses Shields, body armors and vests don't properly work That's why you're in a locker full of hurt The enemy within and all the fires from your friends The best medicine's to probably just let it win These battle scars don't look like they're fading

Gatherings such as this were perhaps Tsubaki's least favorite part of being the leader of an Aristocratic empire. Making small talk and mingling, even putting forth a false air of saddness (she was supposed to be mourning after all) was simply so tedious. Especially when there were countless other things she could be spending her time doing. Like planning her charity event for Beacon. But alas, somethings just had to be done no matter how tedious or boring they may be. Deaths weren't planned after all... Well... Most weren't. 

At the current moment Tsubaki was awaiting her turn to give her condolences to the Matsumoto Aristocrats. Katya, acting as her Fighter today, stood to her right. The pale woman's sightless eyes scanning over the crowd carefully. No doubt the Fighter was using her ability to garner a glimpse of all the individuals potential fates. To her left stood her cousin and heir, Sumire. While the girl's face was blank and smooth of any emotion, Tsubaki knew she was probably seething on the inside. Sumi-chan hated these events even more than Tsu, and even having her ring suppressed it was more than likely still frustrating for her to witness all the lies spreading through the room. But like all Hanaznono's, Sumire's loathing did not show in the slightest. There was no tension in her shoulders, her hands were relaxed at her side, and her face a careful mask that betrayed nothing. A brief moment of pride swelled in Tsubaki's chest, Sumi-chan was doing well so far and she was pleased with her choice in both making the young Sacrifice her heir and in deciding to bring her along to the funeral. 

Turning her attention away from her own entourage, Tsubaki let her rusted gaze travel over the rest of the room. There stood the Nakamura heir and his Fighter not too far off. For a moment she considered going to them, perhaps to discuss the charity, but then dismissed the idea. No matter how much she would prefer to be working, now was not the time to be discussing business matters. Next was the Jeniou heir and his father, Tsubaki had little dealings with them but she knew enough to at least pick them out of a crowd. A young girl, whom Tsubaki did no know, was currently speaking to Valshe and currently was of little interest to her so let her gaze wander on. Lastly there was Ayane Umizo, and her shadow of a Fighter close by. It seemed the Umizo family was the first to offer words of sympathy as the husband of the late Matsumoto Rei, and the heir Takumi were currently engaged in a quiet conversation with the two women. The Veritas Figther wasn't in sight, and Tsubaki wondered if Ayane would be so bold as to bring her to an event like this, especially considering their families current disagreement on the matter. Either way it was bound to be an interesting encounter. As the head of the Hanazono family she couldn't very well be seen snubbing the head of another family despite how very much she wished to at that moment. 

Figured it was my turn or something. 

made by Wolf of GS

Sumire hated liars. In a world where everyone lied, that often meant there was a lot of hate to go around. It didn't matter what kind of lie it was, be it a little white lie or something larger, she hated them all. The truth was the only thing that mattered, and in the end it was the truth that would hurt less. Lies were dark seedy things that grew like weeds, infecting everything they touched.  So as it was, she was very unhappy to find herself at this funeral. She cared not for the elder Matsumoto that had died, and from the lies everyone was spewing around her, no one else seemed to like the old hag either. Lie after lie fell from silver tongues, fake murmurs of sympathy and condolences. Liars the lot of them. She was half tempted to release her ring and force the truth from them, but Tsubaki would surely have her head if she did something like that. Still, the thought of watching each of the uppity Aristocratic leaders tell each other how they really felt was enough to pacify her... for the moment at least.  She had been, for the most part, simply trying to ignore most of the proceedings going on around her. It was simply easier that way, to block out all the lies. But one snippet of a conversation caught her attention. The blatant lie of a woman standing next to a girl who was probably around Sumi's own age. The woman's words, and even her body language all screamed liar, and if the girl's own body language was anything to go by, she knew it as well. Sumi's fingers twitched for a moment, almost as if she were going to ball them into fists before she regained control over her emotions. She wondered if the woman was the girl's mother, wondered if anyone else could see through her sugar coated words, then quickly decided she didn't care. Little girls with lying mothers weren't any of her concern. She had her own problems to deal with.  TAGS yuri Cali @kyo king fire Sadist NOTES Testing out Sumi here, since she's Tsu's heir. >.> Also I'll throw Kyler in later, didn't want to post three characters in one post and needed to get my aristo's in here first.

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS

[Sadist]

"FOOLS," SAID I, "YOU DO NOT KNOW.
SILENCE LIKE A CANCER GROWS.
HEAR MY WORDS THAT I MIGHT TEACH YOU.
TAKE MY ARMS THAT I MIGHT REACH YOU."

Silent as the Grave

Takumi almost laughed as the Umizo Head pair began their not-so-subtle attempts to separate him from Takehiro. He could imagine the affront in the old man's voice when this was all over and they covered what had gone wrong this evening. His amusement, though, was tempered by the memory of his sister. "Yes, Emiko-sama was well-suited for her role. Very few people disliked her, and her rapport with all of you would have been a great aid..." He had been more than willing to walk away with Ayane when Aiko's words hit his ears, followed quickly by his grandfather's spell.

"Bind." By the time he was fully turned, Takumi's mofuku had wrapped itself around him like an oversized straight jacket, and his expression was thunderous. He narrowed his eyes at Takehiro before taking a deep breath to bring himself under control. "Yoshio, Yoshiro." The twins melted out of the crowd to flank him, each lifting a shoulder of the offending garment as he slipped his arms out of the sleeves to unzip the zipper he'd had hidden under one of the folds to get out of the damned thing easily. They stepped back, and Yoshiro folded the garment as the two of them moved to Takehiro's side.

Takumi straightened his suit jacket, glad he'd forseen a need for a change of clothes. "It would seem our dear Patriarch has lost his head to grief this evening. Do us all a favor and escort him back to his room." The two guards bowed, and led the old man and his guards from the room. As they left, Takumi's second pair of guards took Takehiro's place at his back. He sighed and shook his head. "Riko, Daiki." He nodded to acknowledge them as they bowed to him. Now for the awkward part...

He turned back to the women, his expression finally schooled to its previous expression. Well, almost. He couldn't quite keep the entirety of his annoyance from his features. "My Fighter, since Saito-sama asked, is dead. She died six years ago, protecting me." He paused for effect, looking the Umizo Fighter in the eye as he tucked the long bangs on the left side of his face behind his ear, exposing his Namesake to their gaze. "Her name was Emiko."

outfit Yoshio/Yoshiro Riko/Daiki
Tag: yuri
Notes: Since Cali didn't want to do Julius' post just yet, guess it's my turn again. And it's about time for the Academy's representatives to show up so Taki can go rescue Yue. ^_^

ulla

[Aiko]

It happened in slow motion.



Aiko felt the power in the air, causing the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end as she watched Takumi turn. Seeing the rage in his eyes was enough to have her summoning the power she would need but the sudden surge of the binding spell blowing past her had her hand twitching, had the counter-spell all but tumbling from her lips.



The spell that was caught at the last second when Aiko saw the Matsumoto Head freeze instead of the Ayane. She took a deep breath, her gaze meeting the Violet eyes across the room before returning to Ayane’s.



In any other situation, Aiko would have immediately removed Ayane from the area, because the threat, while not directed at the Unizo head, had not gone unnoticed. But there was still an image to maintain, even when the tables had suddenly turned for the worse.



Mamiyu seemed to appear out of the shadows, taking Aiko’s usual place beside Ayane. They didn’t have to use her very often, but in times like these, when Aiko was still technically out of range, Mamiyu was a very suitable substitute.



Aiko’s body still thrummed with the power, her fingers just barely holding the spell back because that had been WAY too close. The fury was there as well, right behind the shock, and Aiko’s friendly expression hardened into a far more serious one.



“Tell me, Matsumoto-san, is it custom to attack your own head of house while another head is within range?” Each word seem to slice through the deadly silence. Because she didn’t care who they were, or what they were going through. If that spell had been even an inch off, it would have been her sacrifice that would have been bound. And there would have been no reason for Aiko not to attack in self defense.



But what was worse, was that Takehiro hadn’t even thought of the consequences. And that was something that Aiko was not going to forget, or forgive for a very long time.



yuri

Made by Riley at THQ

[yuri]

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Think your words

MATTER?

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[attr="class","monty"]THEY DON"T

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Having spent the majority of the day standing on the sidelines, being the ever so obedient dog she had been trained to be Mamiyu nearly missed her instant burned in reaction to the unfolding around her Head and the young to be. The feeling always comes first, the distortion of the word, it was something taught in their early years to understand the tell tell signs when a spell battle was about to begin. Learning how to figure out the center of the battle?[break][break]





Was a hard thing learned.[break][break]





The purple hair teenage’s body moved before she even realized she was doing it. Seconds matter more than anything else, that was what was more important than figuring out what was happening.[break][break]





Who was attacking.. Or WHOM was being attacked. [break][break]







All that mattered was Umizo-hime was standing way too close to the center of the pulling magic field, and that didn’t do at all. [break][break]







So like the good dog, Mamiyu moved from where she had been station faster than any of the others who had come as the Umizo-hime, she could see the Aiko jaw muscle tense as her hand moved to write a spell word just as fast as she could speak it probably but stopped.. Why the purple haired teenager didn’t see as she pulled the older woman back away from the young Matsumoto placing herself between what she could see know was the bound one, and her Head like a good meat shield. There was an unpleasant feel against her back, commonly placed with the beginnings of the older woman’s ring seeping through her control as a secondary defense.[break][break]







So much for a stupid, easy funeral guard duty. [break][break]

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Sadist Aiko

Fun times

Attire pearls

ulla

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fortune favors the prepared mind

Shallow men believe in luck♥

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, but long after she felt the young man next to her turn stiff. A choice of her words, or was it her fighters? A crossing thought that could not be asked as the next moments happen all too fast. And yet all too slow at the same time. Meetings like this, when all heads and heir were together was the unspoken Holy Grounds, the grounds of peace where there should be no physical danger to each other at least. It was all just pomp and circumstance. [break][break] A game. [break][break] But it required trusted that none would allow an attack to take place. Regardless of who or whom was doing or receiving it.[break][break] Unless it was a planned event, display for fun battle that was watched as spectators.[break][break] Takumi sudden stiffed frame was enough to tell her the spell attack was not aimed at her moments before all her steel grey eyes saw was purple hair. Veritas was turning out to be a good choice to add to her personal guard, the young girl was rather sensitive to the world around her, more attuned to it. Her reactions to protect her Head would give a well deserved praise.[break][break] Later, however, when Ayane was not moment away from suffocating someone with her ring. [break][break] The sweet, kind expression she had put on slide away, back into the mask of a cold heartless woman, the tyrant her family was slowly calling her. This was a pointless thought, to think that a outreached hand to this family would not go without being bitten. Though Rei was gone, it was evident not all of her was gone. The trust of safety was gone, even if the attack was from the previous head fighter to his own Heir... did not remove that it took place with a moment of trusted safe. Her own fighter parting from being within hands reach of her, and her back turned none the less. Who was to say the extent of a possible assassination?[break][break] It was not like it hadn’t happened in the past. [break][break] So, the sweet child face she had chosen to speak with the young man, the more delightful side, was replaced with the business woman. As Ayane turned her ring back onto herself, she touched Veritas’ back. Informing the fighter that she should move aside. Violet eyes looked at her questionable.[break][break] For a moment, before the young teenage fighter stood to her side, however, in front of her rather then behind like Aiko normally stood. She did not move to add her voice to that of her fighter’s however, rather allowing her voice to speak the words she herself would not speak. Steel Grey eyes just burning in the hidden anger at the young man as he played his foul set steps to showing what power he would be. Dismissing his Grandfather from the halls to leave him without the old shadow escort. [break][break] Tag: Cali Iri a heres some shit in fan moments. [break][break]

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[attr="class","senseshovtab"]Zeal king fire

[attr="class","senseshovtab"]Calling Satoshi and Zeal Hounds in Uniform

[attr="class","senseshovtab"]Shivani Attire shivani pearls

Staring into the Eyes of my own Demons

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[attr="class","sensestextbox"] They had taken the off side area of the hall, away from most of the gathered families in their due sections waiting their turns it seemed to evaluated the poor soul that would take Rei place. It was an old dance, one most long forgotten its originals, and yet still new the steps too. A long tradition one could wonder if anyone really remembered when or why it started. Bloody waters, and the power games, had he remained as a Knatsu how would this game have played out.[break][break]


Would Takihiro have allowed Takumi to face the Umizo first and shun the older family name?[break][break]

Or did that famality finally die when the political family died in flames? It would have long been seen as an insult if the so call introductions or acknowledgements were done out of order. It made Yuri wonder what Julus thought... Their families had long been at tooth and nail for a common crowded, Umizo had been a sleeping beast that has long since woken in the passing years that once use to look so pretty behind the Nakamura’s back. Then it should have been the next sleeping giant, the Hanazono... [break][break]

Did she feel slated at all?[break][break]

It had once been in the order that one aligned their family with, who was a far more important alliance and then down to the least. Rei had done a swell job at burning bridges in some places. Did Takihiro just pick random order?[break][break]

Or did no one tell Takumi that?[break][break]


Yuri turned the glass of water in his hand, slightly musing how he wished it was something stronger as he watched the dance he was no longer apart of. Shivani stood next to him, her right hand tucked under his edlow where she stood in silence. Blonde hair falling over her empty expression face. He couldn’t tell her to be “sad” for the day.. So the natural Doll expression would do. [break][break]


Pretty little thing that she was... If he overlooked the demon he could see behind those discolored eyes to match his own, as her contacts made her look more like him. Satoshi and Zeal remained with him, either uncomfortable with the situation they were currently stuck in or well..[break][break]



Because he told them it was better to remained together until this part of the dance was done. [break][break]

Then they could polity slip away once the new Head was introduced.[break][break]


The three men wore their bloodhound uniforms, the dark black suits with the white tie around their necks. It had been his requested, that they appear as what they were to this new world. He was just the little headmaster after all... Shivani was the only one remain in the traditional black female wear as it was more important for that sake. It would be disrespectful after all.. Shivani, however, was holding onto his hat in her free hand and he had long since the funeral pulled off the white gloves he normally worn. [break][break]


Discolored eyes turned to look at SAtoshi, as Takumi made his first fumble of the dance with the help of his grandfather.[break][break]

“ By the end of the night.. I bet, there will be two old family feuds dredged back up into the light again” It took alot to keep the smile from crossing over his lips. They were far away from anyone important to hear him speaking in their little corner. “ He lacks his sister's luster and tact. Make no effort to make up for it either.. I hope he has a quick mind to undo this damage.[break][break]







.

ψ




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