Unobtainable

Unhirable

     Meanwhile, the King approached the large two-door entrance of the Fire Brigade. A group of ex-military fighters decided to create a small local "police force" to protect the people and ignore the government's needs. Although they were typically not keen on the King, they would still follow his law and order if it meant protecting the people. On the front of the door was a burn mark with the symbol of a lit flame. Once the King had entered, his eyes were greeted with a tavern-like appearance, although with no food like a tavern would have. Behind the desk where drinks and such would've been served, instead, there were a few people seemingly there for assistance. He assumed they were there to give the proper paperwork and tests if someone wished to join the Fire Brigade. The room itself was decorated with a few mounted medals on the walls for the General and founder of this Brigade, medals the King himself remembers giving to them. His eyes glazed over to the stairs on the left-hand side of the entrance. He began to walk up the stairs, making his way to the top and past a few tables of people, these people looked at him, of course, they knew who he was and he could feel them questioning why he was even there.

     He approached a wooden door that was partially opened, he knocked twice on it before opening it and stepping inside, his eyes gazing at the General who was currently seated behind her desk. She immediately told him to have a seat, saying she'd be with him shortly after some paperwork she was working on. He maintained his silence now as he took a seat and waited for her, showing much respect of course. He smiled as he watched, seeing her work was certainly something. It reminded him of himself. And even a little bit of the queen back when she was alive.
     Soon she finished working on whatever paper she was filling out, gathering them and putting all of her things away. She looked up and was surprised to see who it was.
     "So how can I help- oh it's you! Heh, I'm sorry for the wait" She spoke, rubbing the back of her head when she realized it was the king.
     "Happy to see me?" He joked, chuckling a bit and looking her right in her eyes every second.
"Sorry for the surprise. I thought this was a pretty urgent time for me to meet you, General Taikori." He leaned forward, resting his elbow on the desk and leaning his head on it.
     "Pretty urgent? Did something happen?" She said, putting her hat down, looking back into his eyes looking serious when he said the word urgent.
     "It's more of what seems to be happening...I need your words. You've been watching the west rebellion haven't you...? I fear something is growing there...I need you to protect the people. Just keep an eye out....that's all." He spoke in a low, honest voice. One of his hands reached and took hold of one of hers, his eyes keeping their gaze on hers as he showed a moment of weakness in his expression. She was quick to nod and agree, reassuring him of her job to stand by the people. He let out a sigh after her silent agreement, "Thank you. I'm sorry I have to lean on you a bit more, I hope you don't mind."
     She scratched the back of her head with her free hand, "I don't mind at all...but I'm not the best person to talk to. You know my mind isn't always there, there's a lot on my plate usually." Her eyes would gaze at a Katana that was mounted to the wall, with a name below it, Nichiha.
     He followed her gaze but halted before he reached the name, looking back at her now as he spoke, "I understand. You know I'm here to help clear your mind. We can meditate, you know." He gave her a friendly smile, as her hand pulled from his, and his smile softened.
     Taikori shook her head as her hand pulled from his, tapping on the wood of the desk, "I don't think I can ever enjoy this 'clear mind' you speak of, Oz. I've just felt so exhausted recently." Her chair ground against the floor as she pushed back on the desk, backing away from it and standing up on her feet.
     He stood up as well, stepping to the side of the desk and walking closer to her, "I'm sure you can find plenty of relaxation. Remember to take care of yourself." His hand reached for hers, taking it again and bringing the back of her hand up to his mouth, kissing it gently before bringing it back down and holding it.
     She remained silent for a few moments, surprised by his sudden gesture, "People always say that." A soft smile arose on her face, as she held his hand right back, turning her body to face him completely.
     "And it's true. I've told you. My doors are open. Take a short vacation if you need to...I can help you leave the kingdom if you'd like" He gave her a small nod as he looked into her eyes, facing her completely as well. Yet something changed after his words, as if he had said something wrong he felt her demeanor shift slightly, her hand pulling from his as he thought of what was wrong.
     With her hand away yet again, she gazed at him as her smile dissipated, "You're pushing some wrong buttons with those words, my liege. Leaving the kingdom is the last thing I'd ever want."
     "I'm only saying if you need a vacation I will help you....that's all." The king was quick to bow his head apologetically, hoping he didn't upset her, but fearing he already had.
     She was quick to respond, turning her back to him, gazing at him with her head to the side, "Those who want to hurt this kingdom and to hurt your people will not take vacations. Dedication is how I became your top general, and even now, I will hold onto that dedication."
     He met her gaze with his own, speaking in a defensive tone, "I have done all I can to maintain peaceful relations with everyone around us. Our only trouble is with a few terrorists at home...but I put it down. I executed their leaders...their spirit is gone. You can relax...as I am." He danced around with his words, he had already told her his worries, he knew he didn't put them down, and his worries were clear. Was this a lie or just ignorance?
     "You don't look far enough, do you not see the results of your actions? Those 'Terrorists' are still people of the kingdom...you stain your hands with the blood of your subjects. Now, what do you think those remaining so-called terrorists will do? Scatter? That's what you want, but what if they band together instead? Find common ground in their pain and form stronger bonds and stronger rebellions?" She had a cold, calculated look in her eyes as she turned back to him, looking straight back into his eyes. Maybe she was testing him?
     "I...I kill people for the better of our prosperity. Our peace. The goddess...she has visited and she has said...we are great. We are...we are what we should be. She was happy with us. Yet people wish to tear that down from within. What do they worship? Is it Plum...? Is this what she wants? She hasn't been spotted for months...her prophecy of our goddess being evil has stained the people of this city....I need to do something to stop it. People cannot turn away from the goddess...what will we do when she stops blessing us...? How will we survive? I...we, We need to stop it. Before we crumble under the weight of divine power. We must keep our eyes on the truth....and I need to make sure nobody questions that truth. Because they aren't ready to find the answer of what is true." He halted after he finished, looking at her for a second, and then down at his hands, "I have seen...I have witnessed...the end. The anger...and the pain of...collapse. I cannot...let it happen." His voice seemed shaky and afraid, yet determined and confident. He had told her, he had seen a prophecy.
     "The people have the right to choose. They have the right to feel sadness, anger, fear, and hope..." Taikori paused a bit after the word hope, before continuing, "...and so is their right to choose to follow the goddess or not. I never was one to blindly follow a deity. The goddess did not give us this city. We made it ourselves. Our ancestors built it, and we maintain it. And I'm sure the goddess did not give us magic so we can kill our brothers and sisters. Yet we still do it." She took another long pause, before taking a few steps away from him toward a wall. "Let's just change the subject. Look at what I made" she then pushed on part of the wall, and it opened up to a room, and in it was just a medium-sized bed. She then smiled at him, her demeanor changing immediately. She had always called this place her home, and now she was revealing that it was her home. "Surprise!" She exclaimed as she looked back at him, removing her hat and setting it aside.
     He listened to her words but said nothing, as interesting as her words were...it was clear that he wasn't going to take her words to heart...there was plenty he wasn't sharing. Yet he still nodded to her...agreeing to end it there. She could never understand the positions he was in. He then watched as she revealed a bed. And he chuckled as a result. "So this truly is your home...? You don't leave much do you?" He pointed out, looking at the ground in thought before he looked back up at her.
     "Work doesn't wait for me. It's all I have left after all. The only time I can successfully wear a smile." She turned herself away from him for a moment before turning back, "You know, you aren't the only one with problems eating at their heart, Oz." She slowly brought herself to the bed, sitting down on the edge of it.
     He observed her movements, "That pain is our strength. It's why people lean on us. Trust us. Look up to us." He approached her, standing a bit in front of her, as his hand reached down to caress her cheek as he looked down at her. At first, she grew agitated by his words, but as he approached and caressed her cheek, her expression softened and she remained silent. "Wear that pain on your sleeve. Without it, we are just mindless puppets performing a job assigned to us."
     "I understand what you mean, but some emotions are best kept hidden. The world doesn't need to see all of you. They just need to see what inspires them." She looked up at him with a smile, her cheeks slightly reddening.
     He smiled back at her, removing his hand from her cheek as he gave her a nod, "I agree, but don't keep it hidden forever, from everyone." He took a few steps away from her, respecting her face.
     "One day I will, one day...so why did you come here? Just to see me?" She said with a renewed smile, her demeanor seeming much more joyful now as she kept an eye on his movements away from her.
     "Well...other than what I've already said...I suppose seeing you is a priority. You do help clear my mind." He sat down back in the chair by Taikori's desk. Giving her a lot more space now, cautious in his words.
     She would scoot herself over on the edge of her bed and pat beside her, "You know the bed is way more comfortable to sit on... plus we're closer that way~." She kept a kind smile as she invited him closer.
     He looks over toward her, chuckles, nods, and starts walking over to her, sitting down next to her with his head facing her, his eyes gazing into her own for the moment, "I suppose you're right about that. I'll keep myself close then." After his words, she would begin to lean in closer to him, closing her eyes with a smile as she leaned into his shoulder. In response, he wrapped his arm around her, letting out a comforting sigh as he relaxed his body and let his guard down. "Feels good to relax, doesn't it?"
     She turned her head a bit to look at him, a smile on her face as she opened her eyes, "Yup, who doesn't like to relax?" She chuckled at him as the two locked eyes for an extended amount of time. After that long moment, suddenly the two leaned into one another, locking lips in a passionate kiss, and the King gently pushed Taikori down on her back, joining her in bed for the two to embrace in love, comfort, passion, and affection. Together, the two would enjoy the love fruit of their bodies and desires.