Announcement [5/9, Koji/Mariko, Ixo, C]

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Koji had wrestled with this decision for a trip to Demeria for a few days on and off, wondering whether or not it was a wise choice to make. His daughter's behavior grew steadily worse and he worried that she was to be permanently traumatized. What if they were never able to have a conversation again and he had to send her away to dedicate herself to the Ixonian faith? While it may be a prestigious life in others' eyes, he wanted her to choose that for herself.

Now, and most importantly, he had to talk to Mariko about the upcoming trip, as he relied heavily on her opinion and she was the one to whom Kaede listened. In order to persuade his daughter to travel to Demeria with him, he had to ask Mariko to help him. There was also the matter of his brother and wife's deaths, which needed to be addressed as well.

He summoned her to his meeting room and waited patiently, hands folded across his lap. In all honesty, he was nervous about discussing this with her. It was necessary, however, for multiple reasons. At last, she arrived in the room and he stood to greet her, along with a bow of his head.

"Good day, Mariko," he said with a small smile. "I have an important decision that I must tell you and it has been weighing on my mind greatly."

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The summons came as no surprise to Mariko. Indeed, she was waiting for Lord Koji to request a discussion, aware that he was wrestling with a decision of great magnitude, one that would unquestionable affect his daughter, her niece. As Kaede's primary caregiver and one of the few able to soothe the girl's night terrors, what affected Kaede would in turn involve her. Prepared accordingly, she arrived promptly where he waited, ushered in by the guard who escorted her. A correct bow greeted him as well.

As she straightened, her eyes on his face, she spoke softly. "Good day, Koji-sama. I am here to listen. What is this decision?"

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Koji would not mince words, though he believed in listening to her point of view before reaching a final decision. This would be best for his daughter and country, he just knew it. He had spoken to his sister-in-law about this, who had given her approval, and now it was just a matter of arranging this with his household.

"I wish to take you and Kaede with me to Demeria," he stated. "For your protection and so that I may ask the King for his assistance with the Artonian pirates. We cannot protect ourselves against them alone and we need a reasonable solution." He was worried that the assassins would not stop until the nobles of Ixo were all dead. "I cannot travel unless you and Kaede are by my side." Nothing should happen to either of them.

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Living in the Imperial palace meant Mariko heard whispers and gossip. When it concerned Lord Koji, her ears pricked up though she made herself seem like she paid no heed to the words spoken. There were tales of the Empress Regent requesting that he travel from the Island to seek friendship and alliance with a foreign land, that he had been named ambassador in the young Emperor's name. The appointment was a great honor for Lord Koji, leaving Mariko to wonder when he would speak of it to her and inform her of the changes to come.

She accepted the news calmly, a bow of her head indicating she heard and acknowledged the decision he made. In the end, the choice was Lord Koji's alone, though he granted her the courtesy to voice her opinion on the matter. Mariko thought swiftly, weighing what was said with the implications of what changes were coming. They would be taking Kaede from all she knew, from her home to a place utterly foreign and unlike Ixo. However, they would also be leaving a place where the memory of Nao lurked around all corners, where her shade haunted them in every piece that furnished the apartments. In light of the child's persistent night terrors, this could prove the beginning of long overdue healing of heart and mind. If she was not constantly reminded of her mother's death, then she might lift her face to the sun once more. She might find her voice again and learn to reach for her father instead of Mariko.

Her eyes lifted to meet Koji's intently. "When do you wish to leave, and for how many seasons should I prepare?"

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In his concern regarding the situation, Koji had forgotten about the gossip stream that ran deep through the still waters of the Emperor's house. More soften than not, the gossip proved true, given how it was not in Ixonian culture to tell falsehoods. Yes, he had been named ambassador and he intended to both help his country and return justice to the island. The time for isolation was over and he had to step into the world, along with Ixo in hand. Perhaps with Demeria's help, the attacks would stop once and for all.

Her still reaction both took him slightly aback and was impressive. He admired Mariko's ability to adapt to change and bring about the best in a situation. This was a great sacrifice to make on her part and he wanted her to know that she'd be able to speak her objections. "Please inform Kaede of our trip. Emphasize the new, exciting adventures out there, whatever she likes." He didn't know his daughter anymore.

Koji appreciated her matter-of-fact questions and sought to answer them as best he could. "I wish to leave in a week. That will be enough time to pack and prepare," he said. "Prepare for all seasons. We will stay as long as it is necessary." In terms of his daughter and acquiring Demeria's assistance.

"I must inform you that I am assigning a guard to both you and Kaede." He furrowed his brow. "We do not know what to expect in a foreign land and I will not take any chances." It was not necessary to tell her that he feared them being assassinated, though perhaps that was an easy conclusion to make.

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The formality she maintained between them was out of respect. He had been her sister's husband, the father of a much beloved niece. A widower who lost his wife far too young, and burdened with grief he should not have known for years. Mariko was aware that she continued to enjoy the life she led because of Koji's generosity, and because of Kaede. She worried more than a little at the growing distance between father and daughter; they were all but strangers to each other. "I will speak with her, but she should also hear of this from you, sama," she replied quietly. "You are her father and lord."

Mariko stood without moving, her hands folded precisely at her waist like a porcelain doll. The almond-shaped eyes stayed on Koji's face, listening to his words and the brisk tone, but she heard past it to what went unsaid. "I agree that a guard should be assigned to Kaede, sama, but no guard is necessary for myself. See rather to your own safety. I am no one of consequence." In that, she knew it was true. Once the scion of a small but influential noble house, she had no name or legacy any more. "We will be in Demeria for some time, you believe? Do you think they will not be pleased to call the Empire friend and offer their hand to aid in matters of mutual concern?"

She hoped she misheard him, unable to understand why Demeria would hesitate to jump at the opportunity to engage in trade with Ixo and to work together to resolve the growing thread that was Arton.

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He knew that she was right and Kaede deserved to know from her father's own mouth, although he doubted that would make much of a difference. She would fight him every step of the way unless he took precautions and having Mariko there as a buffer was one of the few options he had. "I will," he promised her, to give her peace of mind. Perhaps he was mistaken and the father-daughter conversation would go better than expected. Slowly but surely, he started to lose hope.

While he appreciated her opinion, there were certain decisions over which she had no sway and this was one of them. "You will have a guard. I will see to my own safety as well as yours." Kaede would never forgive him if anything happened to her surrogate mother and he was unable to withstand anymore losses close to him.

Her question was one with an uncertain answer. "It is difficult to say." He furrowed his brow. "However, I wish to create a network and to gather as much information as possible before we leave. Leaving without a thorough examination of the resources Demeria has to offer is foolish. Still, I will be as quick as I can. If the trip aids Kaede, then I have no reason to leave speedily."

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Mariko was firmly in Koji's corner when it came to Kaede; she spoke often and in respectful terms of Koji, the better to instill in the child an understanding that her father was a good man, an honorable man, a man who wished for a stronger relationship. There was fear in Kaede still, but Mariko harbored hope that the time spent in Koji's presence where the truth of her words was demonstrated would serve to banish it. "Thank you. She will fare well, I believe." She hoped, though she would certainly be present when Koji spoke to Kaede.

At his remonstration, she frowned but conceded. There was no point in arguing, judging by the look he wore. Koji could be as immovable as a mountain when he reached a decision. She bowed her head in obedience; nothing more needed to be said, and she would not offer such disrespect to him as that.

Turning her gaze back to him, Mariko tilted her head with interest. "When you speak of a network, sama, that suggests to me that this journey carries dual purpose. Do you think to glean information on the... matters that occurred here?" She hesitated to refer to the deaths, but they could not be wished away. Aware that Koji was concerned for the future as well as needing some answers on why, she could only wonder if the trip to Demeria would be as profitable personally as it would be politically.

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Koji was grateful for all her assistance with his daughter. He needed his family to stay together, such as it was, and while his own siblings had helped him, they had their own responsibilities and could only do so much. He thought that taking a journey and experiencing a new country would be exciting for Kaede and she had the possibility to learn much. Her fearing strangers, however, was possible and he had to take precautions not to put her in situations that were too stressful right away.

He lowered his head in a brief nod as a positive reply to her question. Such topics were unavoidable. "I hope so," he said. "Any and all gatherings on criminal activity will be useful to us. It is time that we take precautions against future attacks. Therefore, it is necessary that we both keep our eyes and ears open for any suspicious activity."

"I will talk to Kaede later," added Koji, "but for now, there are a hundred and one preparations I must oversee before we are ready for our trip." He reached out to place a gentle hand on her shoulder and smiled at her softly. "Thank you for your time and I know we will not regret this."

They'd be on their way soon and who knew what the future would bring?

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[Thread End.]