Forsaken Ambassador

“You belong to me.” 

“You’re mine to own, understand?” 

“No, you’re not going out without me.” 

“Where do you think you’re going dressed like that? Your body is for my eyes only.” 

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice you sneaking out?”

“You’re not allowed to see them anymore.” 

“You’re being too friendly with them.” 

“I don’t like when they touch you.” 

“I can’t stand how they’re looking at you.” 

“You can’t leave me. You couldn’t live without me.” 

“I provide for you, you don’t have to work now.” 

“I’m locking you in your room until you learn!” 

“You’re mine, I watch everything you do.” 

“Give me your phone, I’m going to read your messages.” 

“Who were you talking to?” 

“You don’t need them! You have me!” 

“I don’t care if you don’t like it, you’re mine to do what I please to.” 

“Be quiet, now.” 

“Yes that’s true, luckily animals fighting around my home doesn’t happen too often,” he explained, then again some times he wouldn’t be home, but walking around, or at the river.

“Of course!” he smiled as he said this, of course with complete sincerity, “I’ll happily help anyone who needs it, or seem like they do. As you said, it’s the right thing to do. If I didn’t help I’d feel rather horrible about not helping.” he admitted. “Well, I am now, you see.. my..” he wasn’t so sure how to explain, seeing how Yoon wasn’t his son… nor related to him. “Someone I cared about left a while ago, but he needed o set his wings free and see the world.” he couldn’t help but to think of Yoon, he missed the boy, as his cooking.

But at the other’s words...those words that he hesitated on, he tried to smile as gently as he could. He understood that feeling. “Family doesn’t always have to be by blood, you know. I’m sure that he sees you as something akin to a father as you see him as something akin to a son. Just by the fact that you had to let him spread his wings and fly away, I’m certain you were like a father to him... and he’ll come back one day too, and show you just how much he learned and grew. That’s the gift of letting them fly. Right?

 He looked up at the sky and just focused on it for a while, before looking back down at Ik-Soo. “I bet he is able to make it out there because of you, and is doing some real good... probably made a ton of friends, and having a lot of adventures that you or I couldn’t even dream of... like stuff of legend.” He laughed, and soon saw the state of the other’s home, just how badly it was uprooted and turned over.

It was adorable, really, how the other pushed at his own cheeks as he smiled. If there had been any traces of legitimate worry left in Soo-Won’s mind, this particular action definitely would’ve pushed them aside. He couldn’t help himself from smiling back in return.

After Ryang finished dressing and then proceeded to write down a message, Soo-Won stared, frozen in place. Even though he’d decided to ultimately not leave the room, he’d been giving his back to the other while he changed, and now he just felt awkward to be there. He could do nothing but observe the new attire and be curious as to what his friend was writing.

When the dark haired boy finally made his way back to him, he couldn’t help but giggle at his excitement. The way he’d exclaimed that word had been beyond cute. ❝Yes, let’s play! ❞ he said back, trying to match the other’s feelings.

To be honest with himself, he didn’t know what they’d do now. He still felt quite guilty for causing the other to tear his clothes, so to offer some type of other physical game sit ill with him. Yet he knew a word game wouldn’t be the best of ideas either. Perhaps a little discussion could work out.  

He looked around really quickly for something red, and found an old scarf he wore during the winter. Snatching it up quickly, he brought it over and set it on Soo-Won’s head. If there was going to be any confusion, he would clear it all up with one word.

“Hiryuu!”

That name was something he loved, the entire story, and he wanted to try and have something that he could do as well, so he went and grabbed his father’s yellow scarf and put it on his own head, wearing it like a headband instead. He then pointed at himself and gave a wide smile.

“Ouryuu!”

He absolutely loved the Ouryuu. To be able to withstand everything, and having known the voice of the gods... he wanted to be just like that, that strong. But he wasn’t yet old enough to figure everything out. For now, he would be able to play pretend.

He brought himself down to one knee and placed an arm over his chest in a sign of loyalty. Sure, he didn’t know the words, or he didn’t want to say the words, but he would keep to where he was, and how he was. He could keep it at least easy to understand with gestures like what was in the book.

But this time, it would be easy. This time, he could be comfortable, and speak normally. He didn’t have to worry, right? He just had to be himself, and Soo-Won would understand exactly what he was getting at, right? That’s how good of friends they were!

(☀☽) “You’d be surprised, nii-chan… How much those words could help someone. Save someone, even. Having someone like you with them… Zeno thinks that would definitely help the Dragon Warriors more than you’d think.”

This child was far too kind for his own good. It wasn’t that Zeno didn’t appreciate his words. In fact, he was sure that most of the children of the current generation would love to hear them. Zeno, on the other hand, was a different story. The other children were all human. They held the power of the dragons, they’d move forward a legend – that was true. Still, they were precious human children who were doing their best to survive, the same as everyone else.

Zeno though – Zeno wasn’t human, in his own mind. He stayed outside the laws of these things. As grateful as he was to hear those words, they didn’t apply to him. He, who was outside of the cycle of life and death, could very well be classified as a monster. Perhaps…. He was the one who needed to hear those words most, though.

(☀☽) “You’re very kind, nii-chan! Still, if they’ll be together, Zeno doesn’t think we have any need to worry about them. If they have each other, they’ll be fine. Don’t you think?”

He returned to his childish grin – not letting his eyes cloud over any more than they already had. He couldn’t let himself slip into his true nature too much around this one. He didn’t want to cause any trouble. He was just supposed to be a child travelling along with the young one, nothing more than that. So his face lit up and he continued cooking.

So this boy had never cooked before? Well, it wasn’t entirely unheard of. Especially if his family was well-off enough to have things like chefs within their household. The blond couldn’t help but let out some bubbly laughter at the other’s embarrassment. Honestly, the inability to cook wasn’t really something to be so embarrassed about! At least, that’s what Zeno thought.

(☀☽) “You don’t have to be embarrassed, nii-chan! It’s fine if you can’t cook. Zeno will teach you, okay?~”

He puffed out his chest in a mock-childish pride. Honestly, Zeno was happy the other would be relying on him. It made up for the struggle the other had, no doubt, gone through to help him. And he was going through even more trouble, again – allowing Zeno to eat first even though he only had one set of eating utensils.

(☀☽) “Eh, Zeno’s fine, nii-chan! It’s your set – It’s Zeno’s own fault for losing his own. Zeno can wait a little longer.”

He really didn’t want to inconvenience the other any further. It really was his own fault – his own eating utensils that he kept with him in case he happened across something to cook had been lost. He supposed they must have fallen out of his bags when he’d collapsed earlier or something – lost in the forest for who knows how long, until someone happens across them.

“I don’t know… I mean, I really want to help them, but… That also means finding them. I mean… to actually search them out and stand alongside them. I mean, I could keep walking forward, and take the path I’m supposed to walk, but... wishful thinking can only get you so far. Action is just as important, you know.”

He paused and finally just watched the other’s reaction to what he said. It was almost as if his words were hitting close to home, more than just being remembered as a tale, but rather like it was more knowing than supposing. He wanted to comment on it, and even made a motion like he was going to ask, the childlike curiosity in his eyes. Was… could it?

“Zeno, are you-?”

His words fell silent, and he definitely seemed troubled. Each time he wanted to say what was on his mind, those voices came up yet again. The same voices that made him believe he was insane, and tried to hide that he heard. Not yet. Keep him hidden. You’re not to ask anything yet. Be careful. Trust him. He’s safe. But not yet. You are not to know yet. He will tell you. They all kept telling him the same words over and over again, though at this point, it was slowly turning into just a buzz of voices and noise inside his head, indistinguishable and hard to sort out as they all overlapped to the point that he had to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment and cover his ears as if he didn’t wish to hear anything anymore. It hurt, really badly, though as soon as it started, it stopped, and he slowly lowered his hands, though they were shaking.

Even now, it seemed like he more forgot what he was going to say, and tried to get back on track with his thoughts, though his head still throbbed. He was going to say something… what was he going to ask…? Ah, but Zeno was probably worried about seeing him suddenly go quiet. He would have to explain, though it was slightly shaky.

“S-sorry… I get… really bad headaches sometimes. Th-they’re out of the blue most of the time… but… they’re not dangerous or too troublesome. I’ve dealt with them for a while now…”

He really couldn’t remember what he was going to say beforehand, and instead just fell silent, staring at his hands for a little bit. Now it was bugging him. What was he going to ask? It was like everything was lost, though then it changed a bit, and he pushed it past him. All he could do was shake his head, and lightly smack his cheeks to snap out of it. If he forgot it, it wasn’t important, right? He could live with that and smile.

“I’m okay now. Sorry for that. And I’m sure if I learn how to from Zeno, I’ll become a great cook. The best cook in the world, and I’ll price it fairly and donate what I can… travelling around and spreading food where people need it! Or… something like that.”

All the earlier pain seemed to melt away and he gradually seemed to ease, possibly not even realizing he had been tense at all. He just kept the bowl and chopsticks held out to Zeno, even if it was a slight inconvenience to him. So he would wait. What was bad with that? He was also rather stubborn, and puffed out his cheeks when he was really set on doing something.

“Zeno, you’re the one that collapsed from hunger. I ate a little bit before I met you. I can wait for a little bit longer without much issue. Even if it means going hungry for a little longer than I was planning, it’s alright. What I can give, I will. What I can share, I do. That’s just how I am. Sorry, but I’m also stubborn… and I’m pretty sure I can wait a lot longer than you can. You’re drooling.”

Sure it was a slight tease of sorts, but he was rather insistent on not eating just yet. It was way too easy for him to give and not take for himself. Besides… he was planning on buying a new set soon anyway, just in case, so it didn’t really inhibit anything he had planned.

( Perhaps he was a fool for staying like he did, but it was for a good cause. Something he stood behind and not just because the princess wanted to PROTECT these villagers. He had chosen to stay here, until his  w o u n d s  would be completely healed and thefever would settle down more but the way he continued to RECOVER only made the waiting process take longer. Not that he minded he knew that the princess was in good hands even if he was not there, he TRUSTED his fellow dragon brothers. If he wouldn’t be able to do it, then they would even though that was still rather hard for him to a d m i t .  )

( He sighed, ‘’ That may be true, but I don’t think it had been King II’s intention to give them such feeling ‘’ the white dragon believed that the king did try to achievepeace WITHOUT violence and if giving away land was to achieve such, then it was only a necessary evil. Didn’t mean he didn’t try, but perhaps the man was living un-achievable, fleeting dream. And a b e a u t i f u l one that is. ‘’ Though that’s easier said for me… besides we may never know what the king wanted to achieve by doing so ‘’ after all whatever secrets he may have had, he took them with him to the grave. ‘’ I’m just an o u t s i d e r after all ‘’ one that never had to deal with any of the plans that King II let through, he lived sheltered and he would have been for the rest of his life if it hadn’t been for the princess coming to get him; but he believed the princess when she would say he was a kind and warm hearted man.  )

( Though his expression softened slightly at the thought before gazing at his arm and then back at the person that helped him, ‘’ Such heavy subjects, let us talk about something else ‘’ he stated, attempting to change the subject to a v o i d any heavy subjects, the other seemed to be in need of it as well not wanting to remind the other of his previous responsibilities. It seemed to be a rather sour subject if he read the situation correctly enough. However his plan soon failed as it had changed to the subject he did NOT want to talk about.  )

( Who could have thought his cover would blown up so soon? Maybe he should have expected it, it does draw a lot attention after all. But still why had it to be so soon? ‘’ I— ‘’ h o w could he possibly talk his way out of this? He knew it was futile to even begin with a counter to the assumption the other had made. ‘’ You needn’t apologize, it is a good story after all. I can see your enthusiasm ‘’ he smiled, ‘’ It’s good to see that there are still people who continue to believe in the story ‘’ often many believed that it was all but a l e g e n d. Some even laughed if the story was mentioned, ‘who could even believe such ‘blasphemy’ they would call it. Then again there were always those that sought out for them, SELFISHLY using their powers for their own benefits. There were many that had tried, but not Yona. No, never Yona. )

( Kija leaned with the back of his head against the tree behind him. ‘’ His name was Gu-en ‘’ he eventually said, stating the first Hakuryuu’s name with the pointing finger of hisclawed hand to the first Hakuryuu. Hakuryuu’s were seen like GODS in the Hakuryuu village, every s i n g l e name was known and Kija made it his task to know every single one of them for he believed he carried their will to serve their master. Yet his expression however soon changed when he heard the man’s offer, ‘’ Are you sure? But… I guess that is true ‘’ )

“Oh-!” He instantly realized the other’s discomfort, and drew his finger up to his lips. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about that. If I did, they would try to take you away from here.” He smiled and instantly settled for a moment, but still keeping watch for any bandits. “I never believed it was just a story or a legend… if it was, then there wouldn’t be so many references all throughout all the books I read in my childhood. I remember reading that Hiryuu would return too.” He flipped through the pages towards the end and held out the writings. “See? Right here. They said Hiryuu would return, and I think he has… though… it could be a she too. I bet it’s a she. I dunno why, but I have a gut feeling.” He was really giddy about these sorts of things before he focused on the other’s expressions and tried to calm himself. He really wasn’t good at socializing at all. He either was too silent, or too talkative.

“Gu-en…” He tested the name on his tongue before reaching into the satchel he had, and retrieving a pencil to write in the name by the picture of the Hakuryuu. "Actually, that sounds really familiar. Your name did too, now that I think of it, but I don’t remember ever seeing your name before, or even hearing it. Did you ever go to Kuuto? I used to live there.” He was trying to piece together everything that was running amok in his head, though instead, he just put the book back in his bag, and shook his head. “Well, never mind. I guess it’s not important. I’m sure there are other things that are more important.” The second he said ‘important’, he looked slightly solemn, and turned to look up at the sky instead. It was a brief moment before he got up to his feet again, and set his hands on his hips.

“Right! Well, from what I know of this area…” He paused and looked around before pointing towards the mountains. “There. That’s probably where their main camp is, along the mountains dividing Kouka from Kai. They probably follow the river down a bit, and then raid the local villages that way, since most of them in this area rely on the river for fresh water.” He pointed out, and lowered his hand.

He smiled and looked over at Kija, like he was plotting something, and finally decided to share what he had in mind. Oh, reading all those books in his childhood that his Father gave him was really paying off. “I think I already said this, but I prefer not to fight directly… which is probably better in this sort of situation. You’re in no position to fight right now with those wounds, let alone with your fever. Actually it’s probably better if you don’t, and rest for a few days. I’ll take care of things while you rest.” He brought a hand up to his chin and just tapped it. “They probably know your condition by now because of all the little skirmishes, so they’ve been lured into a false sense of security because you’re the only one resisting as heavily... But if we set traps by the river and around that area, not only will it be unexpected, but it’ll also heavily dissuade the bandits from getting into the towns, so they’ll return with nothing. Returning with nothing means the leader won’t be too pleased, and if they return with nothing too often, then he’ll take action, and come down himself. Take the leader, and the rest will fall apart, right?”

The teen hadn’t meant to walk around so carelessly, many thoughts had plagued her mind. Worries over how she could possibly fix her fathers current mistakes. Allowing a soft sigh to slip past her lips, a grunt quickly sounded shortly sounded after colliding with another object in front of her. Silently cursing her clumsiness, violet orbs blinked up at whom she’d run into.

              “Ah   I-I’m sorry. Are you alright?” Fingertips grasped the edges of her hood, tugging on it tightly in order to conceal her features.

Honestly, he was more focused on the rain clouds that seemed to slowly be setting in. It caused a sense of uneasiness, and made him feel on edge. From the look of it, it would be a few hours of crouching in a corner trying to hide from the storm and all it entailed, but his thoughts were swiftly turned to the body that just ran into him. While he was broken out of his thoughts, the voice seemed all-too-familiar to him, though, in an area as crowded as this, he knew he shouldn’t say what was on his mind, let alone he couldn’t get a good look at the person below the hood, only knowing that she was a woman.

“I-it’s alright, miss. Are you okay?” Sure, he probably looked a lot different to her, with dirt on his face, and his clothes in tatters, but... it was rare they even saw each other at all, especially with what his job entailed, and his refusal to go by ship. Maybe if it was her, she wouldn’t remember him at all. No matter what it was, there was still a sort of waver to his voice.