Argenti's Palace

[beautifulknight]

The stage is set they say;
They don their masks and shields,
Shadows creep and cover their minds;
Now, what beautiful role shall they play?

𝓜𝓮𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓷 𝓒𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓵𝓮


♫

Comments

[goei]

[He's not going to be manipulated again, Izou resolved after he's regained his bearings from stabbing Mafuyu. He grips his sword again, confident and calm as McGillis makes the statue crumble.

But then, the mirrors descend and he hears a voice he hasn't heard in ages.

Aniki, haven't ya done enough?

He freezes up. His brain tries to resist it, but he couldn't have anticipated this (6)]

... Kei?

[A young man, barely old enough to be called an adult, who looks very much like a less scruffy Izou stands in the mirror. As the vision fully shimmers into focus, Ryouma and Takechi stand behind him, and other more distant familar faces behind them still.

We're grateful for all your hard work.

Says the image of Takechi, looking at him with pride.]

Sensei... Ryouma... I... I'm so tired.

[Of course ya are. Ain't it time for you to rest?

Ryouma says in an accent Izou hasn't heard from his mouth since they were still young and only imagining the hard work of changing the country.]

But I... I gotta...

[And yet, his sword feels impossibly heavy in his hands. He removes one hand from the hilt, placing it on the glass, where his brother mirrors the action.]

Kei, I never even got ta see what kinda man ya grew up into. I wasn't around ta keep an eye on you... 'M sorry...

INTERCESSION NEEDED

[beautifulknight]

[ Dear brother, where are you? The answer to that is abundantly clear, the mirror showing well that family member who has been lost to the other man for so long, speaking those words. But not only that...

Those other dear loved ones stand apparent as well.

Yes, isn't it time to rest?

Perhaps it is indeed time for him to put down his sword.

...Clearly Izou is in need of assistance. ]

[vogelfrei]

[ Sayaka tells him the others need assistance, so he looks around and is immediately greeted by a sight that should feel impossible. Izou'd been giving them so much trouble back in the Kyoto palace, simply through being a stubborn angry whiny manchild - where does he get off looking so docile now?

He's tired? He just stabbed Mafuyu in the gut a few hours earlier, of course he's tired. But that doesn't mean he gets to put down his weapon and quit. Sure, being a heroic spirit must be a exhausting existence - even after death, there is no time time to rest. But no matter! ]

Izou!

[ He sounds more irritated than encouraging, but it's only a few steps until he's in place to put his hand on Izou's shoulder and shove him away from the mirror. ]

You're not taking a break until you've finished what you started.

[ The palace? Killing McGillis? Either works and McGillis isn't picky right now. He is more occupied with putting a Giant Slice straight through that mirror (11). ]

[goei]

[As he watches McGillis cut his baby brother in half, Izou instinctively reacts;]

Bastard! I'll-
[He's about to make a second attempt on McGillis' life, but then the sway of the mirror leaves him and he realizes what's actually happened.]

I'm fuckin' sick of this place!! Having ta get rescued by you of all people...

[At least he's got his vim and vigor back.]

[vogelfrei]

[ Though it would have been darkly amusing to be cut down by Izou again thanks to all this, McGillis is relieved that it doesn't come to that. The last thing they need is more infighting when it's already taking all of them to hold their own against Argenti's psyche. ]

See to it that it doesn't happen again, then.

[ And if his haughty tone pisses Izou off? All the better. Anger is energy that is keeping them alive right now. ]

[goei]

[HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????]

You-
[With a flash, his sword's drawn up, point just under McGillis' chin, though it might catch a little on his shirt on the trip up there. Oops.]

Try ta give me orders again and I'll take yer arm off properly this time.

[vogelfrei]

[ While he knew there was a chance of this happening, it seems he still finds himself continuously underestimating Izou's temper. McGillis has always thought of himself as an angry individual - it's the core emotion that keeps him running, but it's a flame stashed away deep inside. He can't fathom wielding it so openly.

Thus, the threat is met with a calm smile. ]

Duly noted.

[goei]

[His completely calm and composed reaction to some extent infuriates Izou further. React to his threats!! On the other hand, on a baser, almost instinctive level, that sort of confidence...

Well, he's refusing to engage with the thought. He sheathes Hizen with an annoyed noise before stomping off as he does when he's still mad but isn't allowed to escalate further.]