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@hoshidosflame
name: nick age: 30 pronouns: he/they
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MAY 2026 ACTIVITY CHECK! status: passed
TOTAL SKILL POINTS EARNED! 16 -> 17 any +1 ( monthly activity )
SKILL POINT ALLOCATIONS! 2 -> 3 Lance D+
PENDING CLAIMS! Broadleaf Fan
CLASSES ACCESSED! Dancer
CURRENT THREADS! thread tracker
[ PHOTO IN MOTION ] - And in addition, this year boasts a similar device bolstered by new advancements that allow it to capture more than just a moment; now, even motion and sound can be immortalized forever. Take a video with a friend—or catch something juicy you’ll want to keep up your sleeve for later.
ETHEREAL BALL 2026
Through the footage he'd just captured he has to take a moment to double take. It's not part of the sparring match that gives him pause. He can only assume that at least one match would break out given the crowd of people he was surrounded by. No, it was the large, cerulean-haired man lifting Midori onto his shoulders. For a moment he considers stepping in and confronting him, but thinks better of it when he sees them both smile and laugh together.
If he can figure it out, maybe he'll try to find a way to send the footage to Kaze. Saizo does have a question (or two) though, specifically about the headdress she was wearing atop her head: Where the hell had his niece gone to acquire such a thing, and why were there so many feathers?
Instead of asking both out loud, he decides to let her be as he approaches her. "You look like you're having a good time." Saizo can't help the small smile that forms behind his mask, and pulls a few of his red and white lilies free from his bouquet to offer to her. "Here. I figured you could use more than one. Maybe make some medicine out of them if they keep long enough?"
[ MINT CANDY ] - For when your breath isn’t as fresh as newly-fallen snow.
ETHEREAL BALL 2026
He sees the small piece of candy in the wrapper and his brows furrow ever so slightly as Mitama places it into his hand. "I won't eat this." Immediately, he concludes that it has to be something sweet and he had half a mind to slip it back into her pocket, or pass it off to someone else. She knew of his aversion to sweets, right? During the war, he hoped he'd made it clear but he guesses that it's easy to forget.
It was the thought that counted.
The scent of mint hits him next. Beneath his mask, it's faint and he rethinks his previous declaration if only for a moment. Perhaps the taste of sugar wouldn't be so strong? Maybe it was tolerable? Unless she was implying something else that suggested he had bad breath. The growl that rumbles in his throat is quiet, lasting if only for a second or so, and then he's pocketing the candy quietly despite the way he felt about it.
One of his lilies is pulled carefully from his bouquet and held out to her as an offer to trade. "Thank you anyways, I appreciate the thought."
[ GODDESS TOWER / GOSSIP ]
"Hmmm... do you think a Hoshidan ninja would be able to get past the church's new surveillance devices installed in the tower?" Head tilts to the side in question. Azama smiles, innocent. "Purely hypothetical question, of course."
ETHEREAL BALL 2026
Wordlessly, Saizo hands his fellow retainer one of his lilies as his one eyed gaze drifts towards the devices mounted on the walls. He knows that smile well enough and as innocent as it might look to others, there is a part of Saizo that can only interpret this "hypothetical question" as a challenge.
"We devote just as much time to stealth training as we do to combat. I think it would be possible." With the explosives he normally carries and the reckless abandon he has when he charges into battle, the ninja is unsure what his allies think of his ability to stay hidden but it is not a skill so easily forgotten. He crosses his arms over his chest now, and just for a moment (a very short one), a smile forms underneath his mask. "You want to see me try?"
Just this once, he could think about disobeying the rules.

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it's like catching lightning
ethereal ball 2026 -- saizo & ryoma
Saizo is flirting. Isn't he? There's a twinkle in his eye and a crease that tells Ryoma that he's smiling, but Ryoma is likely overthinking it. Surely if Saizo wanted anything, he would bluntly say it at this point.
Or, perhaps he too sees the complications. Even if there were feelings, it's pointless to act on them.
"Are we behaving?" he asks. He can't tell; he hopes they're not. Subconsciously, his arm pulls Saizo in tighter. By the time Ryoma realises what he's done, it's too late to back away. It's all part of the dance, he tells himself. That's all this is. Soon, it'll be like this never happened.
"I'm sure it was difficult work; I imagine it was quite difficult working for me." Even more so when the lines had blurred. There's a thudding ache in his chest that he'd rather not focus on.
Ryoma can't stop himself as words tumble out, "then I'm glad you never had to learn." If they had married in the end, then yes, Saizo would have learned. He would have done the dance classes, the etiquette classes, the politics - all of it. Maybe it was for the best Saizo never ended up with his Ryoma.
Saizo asks part of a question, and Ryoma raises an eyebrow. "No, please. I'd like to know."
"I don't want to be, but you seemed insistent on setting a good example." Normally Saizo never worries about being too forward but now he wonders if it will be too much. There was plenty to think about, and he's unsure if the time is right. Maybe it will never be right, and for another moment, the ninja wonders if it's a risk he was willing to take.
It is. How little he cares scares him but he wouldn't know how Ryoma felt in return if he didn't say anything.
There's a small smile that forms behind his mask again, and his gaze averts downwards then over to their joined hands as he's pulled closer. It's unexpected though his steps do not falter as their dance continues. Maybe Ryoma doesn't realize he'd done it, maybe it was necessary for the dance. He can hear his heart pounding through his ears now, and he knows it will continue as long as they are this close.
"I never got tired of it if that's what you're implying. I still had a purpose and a role I was happy to fulfill." Even while they were seeing each other. He did very little complaining because there was nothing to he was unhappy about. The war took it's toll on his body but that seemed to be the case for everyone in the army. Saizo gives Ryoma's hand a squeeze. It's gentle, the increase in pressure is just barely there but he's holding his hand a little bit tighter now.
Well... Now he had to ask. He supposes there's little he can do to brush it off as nothing now. His gaze averts downwards again and in the midst of the short pause, he can feel his own shoulders become just a bit more tight. "Do you want to go somewhere more quiet?"
it's like catching lightning
ethereal ball 2026 -- saizo & ryoma
"We aren't children anymore; we really ought to behave." Yet he wonders what Saizo means by that. He's never been the sort to enjoy being led astray, always such a hard worker. If they did sneak away, what would they do? Where would they go?
Ryoma cuts off his mind before it can wander. They are friends. He is imagining and hoping that Saizo's words are flirtatious, but it's Saizo. He wouldn't do that.
"Shinobi training always seemed more interesting than learning from my tutors," Ryoma says wistfully. "I think you would have been bored to tears during the etiquette lessons." Ryoma had been. He did it anyway. "I'm not sure I'm glad for the lessons; I don't have much use for it anymore." Not now the crown has gone to Hinoka, at least. "However, I am glad I could spend this time with you."
"As far as I can tell, we are behaving." He smiles ever so slightly behind his mask. There was nothing cold or rude to say. Those sorts of words usually came out more freely and with less of a filter, especially when he was frustrated or angry. He was trying not to get ahead of himself.
As much as he wanted to sneak away, neither of them needed to rush. All they were doing was dancing, and they just started too. They had all night. Saizo hoped they did. Despite that, there is still a part of Saizo that doesn't want to behave.
"It was difficult work. I didn't mind it." As the son who had been expected to take his father's place as leader of their village, he wasn't given much of a choice in the matter. Saizo embraced his role regardless.
At the mention of Ryoma's etiquette lessons, he couldn't help but chuckle and nod in agreement. "You're right. I don't know how much of it I would have been able to endure." He liked to think he'd been taught enough. He knew not to talk back to adults and royalty and was as polite as he could be when spoken to. That much had been drilled into his head as a boy and well into his teens when he began spending more time at the palace. "I'm glad too. This is nice."
There's a question on the tip of his tongue, and he's still summoning the courage to try and ask it. "Do you--- Nevermind." It doesn't have to be now.
it's like catching lightning
ethereal ball 2026 -- saizo & ryoma
"I have no reason to lead you astray." At least not in public: Ryoma knows better than to tease Saizo in public.
Both of Saizo's hands are on Ryoma's shoulders. He could allow it, pull their bodies close and sway as if that is dancing. They aren't teenagers, and that won't fly. They're professors, and they are to set a good example.
"Not quite." Ryoma takes one of Saizo's hands again, and extends their joint hands. "It works a touch better if one of us is wearing a gown, I suppose." There's nothing to hold up, no fabric to move out of the way. However, like this, Ryoma can keep some distance, and keep away some of the thoughts that won't stop racing in his mind.
"They did. They were but one of many lessons I tried to run away from." Ryoma laughs softly. "I never quite understood dancing at the time, but I think I do now. I'm quite glad I was forced to learn." That is not something his ten year old self would have ever said.
"You say that now but there's nothing stopping you from doing so later." If there was a later... Saizo hoped there would be. He had something he wanted to tell him. Maybe it wasn't the right time, maybe there hadn't been enough time that passed but if they were both acting like this, it wouldn't hurt to take a chance, would it? He shook those thoughts from his head. For now he was just trying to enjoy this moment.
He doesn't try to close the distance between them. It would make him feel like he's overstepping. And he needs to exercise some restraint. Certainly the current closeness wasn't helping to control his other thoughts but if anything, Saizo prided himself on being trying to remain disciplined.
"I don't think I would have had the patience to learn at that age either. Shinobi training was more of a priority over things arts " Like Ryoma said, Saizo wasn't uncoordinated, and he'd learned just enough by watching from the shadows during more formal events back at Castle Shirasagi. He didn't have the muscle memory that came from consistent practice. "I bet those lessons are coming in handy now, aren't they?"
it's like catching lightning
ethereal ball 2026 -- saizo & ryoma
Saizo keeps squeezing Ryoma's hand, each squeeze harder than the last. He must really hate this, if he's squeezing this much. Ryoma squeezes back; they'll be fine. It's a silly dance, it doesn't mean anything.
"I have no need to keep you far away anymore. You know the truth; there's nothing left to hide." He doesn't know if it's better or worse that Saizo knows, but he never left Ryoma, even knowing his king is back home. How far will Saizo's sense of duty go, if he'll follow a man who had been his king in another branch of fate?
The way Saizo strokes the back of Ryoma's hand is too familiar. It sends a jolt up his arm, up to his heart and, for a moment, Ryoma thinks he may just die all over again. He doesn't want to let go and lose that.
He does anyway. What right does he have to these small moments?
Ryoma takes Saizo's other hand, and guides it to his shoulder. "Like this." Ryoma's hand slips out of Saizo's, to hold him by the waist. "A waltz is quite simple, and you're very coordinated: you will pick it up quickly enough.
"That's reassuring. I like it better this way anyways." Ryoma wasn't dodging him or acting so defensive anymore, and Saizo is not sure how many others knew but just looking at him now, he can see that some weight has been lifted from his shoulders. It does make Saizo wonder that if this interaction would still be happening the same way if he hadn't known.
There's less suspicion now, if any at all, and everything feels a little more right. Maybe similar was the word he was looking for. Rubbing the back of his hand was a small gesture he'd used to do while they laid together during quiet mornings before the stress of the war.
His mind clears, not completely, but it's enough for him to focus on the man in front of him. As if he could bring himself to tear his gaze away in the first place. Ryoma frees his hand and Saizo allows him to move the other to his shoulder, and then he feels Ryoma's own hand settle on his waist.
"If you say so. I don't have a reason to doubt you." The ninja nods, setting his now free hand on Ryoma's other shoulder. The other could take his hand again if he wanted, or lead him in any direction and Saizo would follow. "Dancing like this made up part of your lessons as a boy, didn't they?"
it's like catching lightning
ethereal ball 2026 -- saizo & ryoma
Ryoma is growing used to Saizo's presence again. This time, he hardly flinches when Saizo appears before him, lilies in hand. Ryoma exhales as he takes in the sight of Saizo; he's always handsome, but all the more so when he's cleaned up. It takes all of Ryoma not to lean into Saizo again.
A memory creeps back into his mind. A fortune teller, grinning at him, assuring him there's still a chance. It's a load of expensive hogwash, and yet.
The question makes Ryoma's heart stop. There had been a time, before the war, where he had idly daydreamed of a future where they could dance together at a formal event. A future where they would marry, they would have fought to earn that right, and they would enjoy such a moment together in public.
That had been neither Saizo's nor Ryoma's future. They had either died, or they had drifted apart due to their duties. Each half stands here now, ripped apart yet carefully glued back together. Ryoma takes hold of Saizo's hand, and guides him to the dance floor.
"Of course I'd like to dance with you. We've done far more-" Ryoma clears his throat, before he can say anything incriminating. "You don't need to be so embarrassed about it. We are friends, are we not?"
A part of Ryoma hopes Saizo says no. What a foolish hope.
"I can lead, if you would like."
The smile that forms under his mask is small but there's something that feels right when Ryoma takes his hand. He supposes it may take the rest of the evening for him to fully relax but here, this moment feels like it may be a start.
And again he's grateful for the mask covering the lower half of his face. Especially as Ryoma mentioned their shared past. He supposes he doesn't need it around the other man, his friend... But with the rest of the students, faculty and staff present as well, Saizo does not wish for them to see what he tries so hard to keep private.
Unconsciously, he gives Ryoma's hand a gentle squeeze as he's led to the dance floor, and takes a deep breath in and out as if that would lessen the nervous fluttering in his stomach and the heat still rising in his cheeks. "I'm trying not to be. I'm glad you said yes, just..." There's a pause, if only for a moment, and Saizo finds himself squeezing Ryoma's hand again. It's a little harder than before and unconsciously, he starts tracing his thumb over the back of the other's hand in small circles. "I thought you'd still want to keep me at arm's length." Thank the gods that doesn't seem to be the case. "I'm glad we're friends."
Relief washes over him and he gives a nod of his head. "Please. I don't have the slightest clue as to how." It's likely that he'd be able to figure it out but a part of him would actually like to learn, especially if this opportunity arrives again.
His other hand, the one still at his side is raised and then lowered again. "Where do you want my other hand?"

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Normally during formal events, he preferred to hide in the shadows and watch from afar. It was a ninja's job to protect after all, and Saizo liked to ensure guard rotation went smoothly. If he made his presence known, it was likely for a good reason. However, he is no longer in Hoshido, and there are already knights assigned to watch over the festivities so when a bouquet of red lilies is kindly placed into his hands, he disappears into the crowd.
BLOOM TRACKER (week 1 prompts) Saizo has lilies!
ROSES: HINOKA! ORCHIDS: MIDORI! LILIES: MITAMA! HYACINTHS: DIAMANT! TULIPS: RYOMA! | AZAMA!
He's wearing traditional Hoshidan attire similar to what's shown in official artwork here. It's red and black instead of blue and white, and he's still wearing his mask.
it's like catching lightning
ethereal ball 2026 -- saizo & ryoma
"Lo--" Saizo cuts himself off promptly to prevent himself from Ryoma so formally as he appears as if out of thin air behind the other. He'd been corrected enough times before, it was starting to sink in now. Now he just needed to keep himself from stuttering and becoming too flustered.
Perhaps keeping his mask on was a good idea after all. "Ryoma, I wanted to give you one of these," he says presenting one of his crimson and white lilies to him. Out of habit, the ninja's posture is rigid, but he's also chalking it up to not being able to fully relax his nerves yet.
"And ask you if you wanted to dance... With me?" For someone who preferred keeping his presence scarce during these sorts of events, asking the high prince of Hoshido to join him on the dance floor was not a way for him to do so. He hardly danced either. His ninja training hadn't included those specific lessons when he was a boy but he knew the basics of some of Hoshido's traditional dances. "You can decline, of course, but I figured it'd be nice.." He wanted to try forgetting about the different branches of reality that they're both from. Even if it was only for a short amount of time.
@peerlesssamurai
APRIL 2026 ACTIVITY CHECK! status: passed
TOTAL SKILL POINTS EARNED! 15 -> 16 any +1 ( monthly activity )
SKILL POINT ALLOCATIONS! 1 -> 2 Lance D
PENDING CLAIMS! Iron Lance Tempest Lance
CURRENT THREADS! thread tracker
at the branch of fate
"Delicate and careful are two sides of the same coin; I would argue you need a delicate hand to throw like you do." As if proving his point, Ryoma reaches for Saizo's hand. "And I know your touch well enough to know how delicate you can be."
Is Ryoma being too much? Maybe. Yet he doesn't stop.
He shifts a little to look at Saizo's face redden. He hadn't expected such a response; he has expected a gruff no or stern silence, not this. Ryoma blinks at him. He's cute when he's embarrassed, and it's such a rare response that Ryoma simply must take it in as much as he can.
Saizo's face is as red as his hair, but despite it all, he smiles. Ryoma wants to capture this moment forever, but he'll settle for engraving it into his memory.
As he reaches over, so too does Saizo, and their fingers lock together.
"As crown prince, I should have been thinking about the topic of marriage years ago - in fact, it's unusual I have no plans to marry, at the moment. This means I should be thinking about it already." He knows whoever he picks, Mother would approve - political marriage isn't strictly necessary.
"As I've said, I'd rather be just Ryoma when it's only us." His thumb traces circles in Saizo's hand. "And I wouldn't have chosen you if I didn't think we could last."
"That's kind of you to say." He can't deny the truth of Ryoma's words. He tried to be careful. Life wasn't all about missions and work, and that was one thing he still needed to take time to learn, but what the two of them had was nice. It distracted him from the blood on his hands and it made him feel worthy.
Saizo ignores the way Ryoma shifts on top of him, likely to stare at the way he's hiding or make an attempt to remove his head from the crook of his elbow. It's another few seconds and when that does not come, Saizo turns his gaze back to him again. Whether or not his face is still red, he's unsure, but his smile softens once again when his partner tangles their fingers together. He gives a gentle squeeze in return, bringing their hands up to press his lips to the back of Ryoma's hand.
"If we do end up needing to explain this to your family," he lifts their hands as if that would serve as a gesture between the two of them, "I'd be happy to be there when you do." He can't imagine it would go over well with the rest of Hoshido's council or officials but their opinions hardly mattered. One thing at a time. For now, Saizo was extremely content with the way things were.
"I hope you're right. I like what we have." His eyes close as he rests his head back down against the pillows, and he gives Ryoma's hand another squeeze. How was he expected to do his work for the day? He was starting to understand the lull of staying in bed. A quiet groan escapes his throat. "I need to get up soon."
leading the way
saizo & hinoka
"Lady Hinoka." The ninja appears as if out of thin air behind the woman and bows his head. He thought he recognized her in town. The shock of red hair was unmistakable though her attire struck him as something that might be considered a bit more formal than what he normally saw her in. In the moment, the ninja supposes it matters little. There were plenty of reasons for her to dress like that. Her arrival does make him wonder if she had sent word to her siblings or Azama to let them know that she was arriving. Was she the Hinoka he knew, or from a different version of reality that Ryoma had spoken to him about? It hardly seems right to spring those questions on her right away, so he pushes them to the back of his mind to ask later... Or for the next time they find themselves alone together again.
"I wasn't aware you would be joining us at Garreg Mach. I hope your journey was uneventful. There was a pirate problem and the docks were closed a couple months ago." Saizo's posture straightens again and he takes a small step back as not to invade her space. It feels wrong of him to analyze her the way he's attempting, especially seeing as she was a member of Hoshido's royal family. In the moment it doesn't seem all that important. He's greeting her as a retainer and offering his assistance should she need it. "Do you need someone to help show you around? I'd be happy to guide you to wherever you need to go."
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you feel like home
continued from XXX
[ reply to: Saizo 💍 ] would you have come to greet me at the door if i had asked directly?
↪[ TXT -> Saizo 💍 ] : Would you have asked directly?
Ryoma knows the answer before Saizo can say anything. It's cute, he thinks. He's left his suit jacket on the back of a chair, glad to see the back of it and glad not to have the deep red logo of his campaign ribbon staring at him. When he's home, he is Ryoma.
His shirt has given up on staying neat, crumpling against the pressures of the day. The top button is undone, and his sleeves are rolled up. His hair is, mercifully, tied up and out of his way. He moves to the door and swings it open to greet his boyfriend.
"Should I choose this moment to tell you the door was unlocked?"
The smile that forms at the sight of the other is small, the look on his face softens, and he spends the next few moments staring at Ryoma to take in his appearance. Saizo doesn't try to hide the way he's staring at his chest, then at his arms, and the way the loose strands of hair cascaded over his shoulders. How lucky Saizo was to be with someone as handsome and kind hearted as Ryoma. He pulls himself from his thoughts and steps inside. His helmet is set down carefully on one of the tables near the door, as is the food, and then his backpack drops from his shoulders with a thunk.
"You knew I was planning on coming or you were fine with just anyone walking in?" He asks, reaching out to gently grasp the front of Ryoma's shirt to usher him forward and close the space between them. Saizo's hands settle on the other's hips, thumbs running in small circles though the fabric. The kiss he gives next is short, brief, but he's pouring all the love he can into before pulling away and remembering they both needed to breathe. "I missed you today."
[ TXT ] : what are you wearing? wow what a unique fashion sense haha!
(10 minutes later.)
[ TXT ] : certainly, those garments aren't meant for the banquet? have you already consulted oboro?
[ TXT ] : i'm quite certain she delivered a briefing to you about current fashion trends at the capital before. however, i don't mind delivering a refresher in her absence :)
THIS TEXT MESSAGE MEME ( still accepting )
[ TXT; TSUBAKI🌺] : they are. sorry, i didn't know i needed to consult you too. not wearing a mask this time, at least. you should be proud of that
[ TXT; TSUBAKI🌺] : that said though, i don't think i'd hear the end of it if i hadn't asked her first.
[ TXT; TSUBAKI🌺] : i can tell you have more you want to say besides "unique" but it's oboro approved
[ TXT; TSUBAKI🌺] : and ryoma approved
[ TXT; TSUBAKI🌺] : so say what you want. or suggest something to make it more tasteful, i guess
[ TXT; TSUBAKI🌺] : i'm quite aware of the expectations though, and i'd rather not receive another lecture