Private Setting the Table

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Akarui
Imperial Palace
Sparring Court
​

Her footing was off as she slid beneath her foe's arcing blade. On the other side she sprung back to her feet, bringing the saber in her left hand up to block a second blade from taking her head. It was soon thereafter her other blade stabbed low but was parried away from her sparring partner.

The flurry of blades and crackling of strikes echoed across the open courtyard. The Empress and her eldest son were going at one another in yet another boredom fueled bout.

The Empire had grown stagnate and complacent in recent months. Even after the annual Life Day and New Year's celebrations, the capital, and general populace, had returned to their per-holiday complacency.

The Shipyards around Sakura had grown quiet.

The fleets sat in dock or orbit, crews maintaining standard readiness.

Her own yearning of something bigger gnawing away at the back of her own mind day in and day out.

But, here they were, practicing their skills again. The onlookers, from the off-duty knights and occasional palace staff, cheered and oohed and awed as the two duelists continued.

Oji and Ki brought all four of their blades together and son stared mother down until a loud clapping filled the courtyard,"Very good. I like to see the both of you keeping fresh with your skills." the old Grandmaster of the Imperial Knights, headed towards the mother-son pair,"Oji here has come a long way since he began his training, Your Grace." the old master patted the prince on the shoulder, who returned a polite bow.

Ki beamed, her son had grown into quite the young man since they settled,"Indeed he has Grandmaster, I can see the flexibility in his techniques and fighting style. One day, he may even be able to best his mother." the trio no shared a hearty chuckle at the comment.

After several minutes of small talk and usual banter, the trio separated. Oji and Grandmaster Sonoda went off towards the Knight's spaces while Ki, headed towards her private quarters, looking forward to a hop in the bath.

On her way back, her ears perked up as an unfamiliar ship passed over the palace, flanked by a pair of her own escort fighters, before coming to land at one of the pads. She began jogging in the general direction...

Blake Lane