The Particulars

[Elloria]

The hours to noon seemed to drag by as hyeolgeoin after hyeolgeoin clumped in to whine at Genji. Dock workers were being incompetent? Ships were having trouble navigating the ports? His voice oozed disdain as he said, “Then fire the workers and find some competent ones. Or train your workers better. I pour enough gold into the docks, so there shouldn’t be this sort of issue. And honestly, I have a system in place for ship navigation. The Itasan fleet has never had issues using it, I cannot understand why you are. Get the dock managers together and work it out, then talk to the magistrate in charge of the docks. If you can’t figure anything out after that, THEN approach me with your petty problems.” He waved a dismissive hand and the stocky idiot stormed out, cursing colorfully. After that, the idiots all seemed to blur together. There were hardly any complaints worth taking seriously - though a few did manage to pique his interest. Stories about certain nobles’ less than savory activities, which he could always hold over them. There was even a rumor about the infamous Hive having some activity in the city. Ultimately, nothing brought before him was something he needed to actually take action on - it was either already dealt with or could be taken care of through other official channels. The final audience, though, just outright exasperated him. Some elderly woman came in claiming her neighbor’s dog had cheated her in a game of dice. His head thumped against his knees repeatedly, though only his guards could see the movement. Once he was rid of those damn nobles, he would be making some serious overhauls to how he governed this city. No more of these audiences, for one thing, unless it was a matter of life-and-death or something similarly important. He said something snarky to the woman about demanding a rematch from the dog, after which she toddled off with a grin on her face. He suspected she probably would, the crazed old bat. He shook his head, praying that Yawata no Kami would be somewhat kinder to him in his old age.

The doors to the throne room closed with a resounding boom. Genji kept his head bowed against his knees for several moments after the echo died. Then he sighed. It was finally over. He could eat and then go on to something far more important. Namely, Colin Swain. Distantly, he heard Devon rise. He’d been watching the boy out of the corner of his eye, finding the youth’s reactions more interesting to decipher than listening to his peasants’ prattle. It had been most fascinating near the beginning of the session, when Devon had nervously brushed his hair over his ears. He had been wondering what exactly had solicited the reaction and had spent much of his attention on discerning the reason. He still wasn’t entirely certain, though the boy’s intense focus on him during the audiences made Genji slightly suspicious. It brought to mind that odd smirk that had hovered around Raiden’s lips earlier. He’d initially dismissed it as a by-product of the guard’s often lewd thinking. Now he seriously wondered. He would keep a close eye on Devon to see if he elicited any other such reactions from the youth as the day wore on. For now, he was hungry. With great care, Genji unfolded his legs and set his feet on the dais. Still watching his attendant from the corner of his eye, he rose languidly from the throne and proceeded to stretch. He always did this after sitting in the throne for so long. It allowed the blood to begin circulating freely once more and awakened his numbed muscles. He gripped his hands behind him, leaning back slightly to stretch both his back and chest. He held this pose for several long moments. As he stretched, he called out to Devon. “Do you know how to give massages, boy?”

[counterklock]

The snarky reply to the old peasant woman nearly made him smile despite himself, and his lips twitched upwards for only a fraction before he stifled the amused look he nearly experienced in response. Though he hit the outward signs, Devon was rather amused, and he straightened his back and clasped his hands behind him to hide it. Judging by the look on the mad woman’s face, she thought that the advice she had just been given was sound and logical, and had not at all picked up on the sarcasm, for she toddled off back out the doors without repeatedly and excessively thanking Genji for his wise and intelligent guidance (as most of those who had come before her had done) and was no doubt setting out to challenge the canine next door to a rematch.

There was no hiding the laughter in his eyes, however, but Devon had never been able to hide the evidence of emotion within them successfully.

He distracted himself momentarily by briefly rising up onto the tips of his toes, stretching his legs out to work out the unpleasant sensation of pins and needles as the blood returned to them. Devon dropped back down fully onto his feet afterwards, feeling slightly refreshed due to the slight burn in the muscles in his calves. Once he was done stretching, he turned his gaze to his master, dutifully awaiting orders.

Devon watched as Genji smoothly rose from his seat, and stretched. Once again, he was reminded of a very large, very deadly mountain cat. With his hands behind his back, he leaned forward, no doubt exercising the muscles in his arms and shoulders as he did. He was suddenly acutely aware that his heart began flittering erratically, and that quiet voice in the back of his mind that refused to be silenced began to murmur appreciatively as he observed his master’s fit body. His throat felt tight and he forced himself to stop staring.

Why was it that this ridiculously romantic part of him perked up every time Genji so much as breathed? Why did these feelings seem to be getting even worse? He felt furious with himself. He was glad his hair covered the once-again flushing tips of his pointed ears.

”I regret to inform you that I am not experienced in giving massages, my lord,” Devon answered quickly, his voice hitching rather noticeably at the end of his reply. The tiny voice at the back of his mind mourned the fact that he did not know how to give massages. He felt even more furious with himself, and began to wonder if perhaps he had multiple personalities that were only now manifesting. He disliked disappointing any of his masters, but there was a deeper, underlying layer of illogic fear. He did not wish to anger his master. He especially did not want to disappoint or anger Genji.

It then occurred to him that he was, in fact, Genji’s Attendant. Attending to Genji’s every whim was his job, of course, and he had almost forgotten that he actually had the authority to summon anyone the Count of Teirm wished for. He was still adjusting to his new position. ”- However, I am confident that I can locate another with such skills, if you wish me to.”

[Elloria]

Genji found that he was pleased to hear the noticeable hitch in his slave’s voice as the boy replied. He continued to watch Devon from the corner of his eye, intrigued. The boy’s eyes were particularly expressive, though he was otherwise unreadable. There was an interesting mixture of emotions in his eyes - anger, frustration, amusement, disappointment...and something else. Something just beneath the surface that the boy seemed to be desperately hiding. “However, I am confident that I can locate another with such skills, if you wish me to.” Genji sighed irritably and straightened up. He stepped down off the dais on which his throne rested. His guards immediately stepped out from the shadows in the alcove and followed him down. “If I wanted someone else to give me a massage, I would not be asking you to do it would I? Senseless child,” he said disdainfully. “I suppose I will have to have Raiden instruct you on how to give a proper massage. Amongst other things, apparently.” He would go without the massage, then. He trusted no one else in the Citadel and Raiden was...well...Raiden. He crooked his finger, indicating that Devon should follow as Genji moved to exit the throne room. He was stopped short when the doors were thrown open and Hiroshi stormed in. Colin was just behind her. The look on her face was not particularly encouraging. “I can only assume you do NOT have good news for me.”

“Yes and no. The fleet has arrived. But it is not Shinobu that mans it.” Genji’s eyes narrowed. He crossed his arms, silently demanding that she finish her news. She swallowed slightly before saying, “There’s been a shift in power. It seems the Fukakawa have wrested control from the Kazans...with the help of Ryuunosuke. Manami heads the fleet.” Genji stared at Hiroshi for a moment. His mother’s cousin...had helped hand Itasus over to their rival clan? He mentally cursed his abominable luck. “So be it. A change of plans, then. Swain, you will accompany me to the docks,” he snapped at Colin. “For the moment, my business there takes precedence. Devon. You will ride with Mami on horseback.” Without another word, he swept out of the throne room to make his way down to the stables. He would need to be swift if he wished to maintain true control of the fleet and he knew the Manami-witch would be a tricky opponent to manipulate.

END.