Chapter 11 - Pirates and Socialites

From the grandeur of Suzaku Castle’s main hall, within in its display of art, and luxury, Issei’s upper crust were packed together like numerous grains of expensive rice. Upon raised balconies numerous musicians played in unison, their lovely melodies echoing just loud enough to be heard over the buzz of gossiping conversations below. Servants carried food and drinks on gilded silver trays. Armed samurai stood guard at every corner, and doorway. Their hand rested comfortably on the hilts of their blades, ready to be drawn at a moment’s notice.

It was a clear display of power from Clan Akiyama, who likely were scrambling as they tried to recover their lost prestige after the death of their young patriarch. Barely a year prior, they had lost another patriarch over mysterious circumstance, Sai Akiyama, the father of the recently murdered Yu.

It was left to Yu’s younger brother, Kazuki Akiyama, to pick up the pieces, and to ensure the rest of the Syndicate would fall in line to his authority.

Andros had, for the most part, stayed out of politics. It was the same no matter where he went. Back in Serenica, his homeland, it was the numerous Princes and Princesses posturing for influence with the royal family. In the Empire, it was an endless sea of bureaucrats vying for promotion. In Issei, it was the guilds who fought little skirmishes with each other, using local gangs and adventurers as foot soldiers.

If it weren’t for Xue’s invitation he wouldn’t even have bothered coming here. Perhaps time spent at the wake would prove useful for the investigation, but he always had a hard time saying ‘no’ to her.

It was clear he was out of his element. He hated crowds. The noise, the heat, the feeling of being stuck in a sea of strangers. It was too much… everything. He couldn’t focus, and when he can’t focus, he lapsed into anxiety and indecision.

He knew someone in this room had an interest in cognitive research. A big enough interest that would warrant trying to steal from him. They, whoever they were, would be crucial to their investigation.

Thankfully, he had brought Yukiko along, who along with helping him find a suitable outfit for the occasion, had enthusiastically agreed to be his crutch, provided he agreed that he wouldn’t just find a corner or bar to hide in. Which, unfortunately, was exactly what he did. He was already on his second glass of wine, and the pouch of leaves Tendo had given him for these exact moments was nearly empty. While they did help calm him down he didn’t quite feel confident enough to start mingling. He was far too sober for that, but he promised both himself, and Yukiko that he wouldn’t get drunk.

After all, the last time he got drunk, Akaja absconded with his artifact.

Where would he even start? Should he just start walking up to people, and start talking about his research? Would that even work? Or would it just make the person he was trying to find suspicious? Should he start walking around to eavesdrop? It was already hard enough trying to focus on his thoughts with all the noise. How would he know which conversations he should eavesdrop on? What key words would clue him in-

“ANDROS!” Yukiko was suddenly in front of him, arms resting on her hips, tapping her foot impatiently. “’Excuse me for a moment. I’m going to get a drink.’” Her voice lowered a few octaves as she impersonated his voice. “That’s what you said! It’s been twenty minutes! And you said you were going to help with the investigation stuff!”

She was taking this whole get-together very seriously for whatever reason. Yukiko had spruced herself up well. She wore a gorgeous black kimono with gold accents. Numerous golden koi were embroidered along the fabric of her dress, which despite its long and billowy sleeves, revealed the soft dark skin of her shoulders. Gold earrings hung from her pointed ears. Light crimson horns peaked out of her long wavy hair, adorned with various pieces of jewelry.

Yukiko certainly was alluring. Meanwhile the clothes that she had given him were hand-me-downs from her father. Outside of the half a dozen or so jackets and robes he rotated between. It was an old dark blue kimono that felt a little bit too big on him, and he felt awkward wearing it. She even helped him shave, and style his hair.

He still didn’t understand why she put so much effort into his appearance.

“I was eavesdropping,” Andros said with an awkward chuckle.

“Mhm…” Yukiko frowned. “Hear anything good?”

“No…”

Yukiko sighed. “You’re usually so confident. Is something wrong?”

“I just don’t like crowds,” Andros said. “And there’s just too much going on. Too much noise.”

She nodded, then grinned. “Let me help then! Since you’re already so good at the adventuring, and the researching, and the fighting… it’s my time to shine!”

“I didn’t realize you mingled with high society that much.”

“It might not look like it, but my dad is pretty high up in the adventurers guild. Both my parents were big-shot adventurers back in the day, so they have a bit of sway in the city. They get invited to these things a lot.” She wrapped her arm around his, and began to tug him along. “Let’s go! The guy that Talai works for is here, right? Let’s go find him!”

While Andros was out of his element, Yukiko was certainly in her’s. She knew exactly who to approach, and knew how to insert herself into almost any conversation. She made an effort to try and nudge Andros out of his shell, oftentimes bringing up his topic of research in conversation. As much as he disliked it at first, he did come to appreciate it when she tried. Oddly enough, having his arm attached to Yukiko’s helped anchor him amidst all the stimulation within the hall, allowing him to focus a little better.

“Andros here is working on all sorts of important things!” Yukiko said to a small group of socialites, one of whom, a tall violet-haired Half-elf, was introduced to him as the daughter of someone important (he couldn’t quite remember who). “But you know how it is… trying to find funding for academic pursuits in Issei is quite the challenge.”

“Really now…” The woman eyed him up and down, biting her lip. “Tell me about it.”

“Well…” Andros began, chuckling awkwardly. “Basically, there’s another world that was hidden away after the Old Gods were defeated, and we… anyone really, have the power to change things about it, create things in it, with just our perception, or cognition. We can change that world depending on how we feel, or what we think. Basically-“

“Actually…” The woman interrupted. “I think I’d prefer to learn more about you. How about you and I-“

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“MOVING ON!” Yukiko suddenly interjected. “Actually, there’s someone I- WE need to catch up with. So we must get going!” She let out an awkward laugh, then began to tug Andros away.

“What’s wrong?” Andros asked. “What if she has important infor-“

“Oh, I’m sure she doesn’t!” Yukiko said, guiding him further away. “There are a few others I think would be better to talk to.”

“Okay… ?”

“ANYWAYS!” She grinned, giving him a playful push. “Look at you, though! You’re becoming a real socialite! We just have to give you another topic to speak about that’s non-research related.”

“I thought the entire point of being here was to talk about it? You know… find out who else has an active interest in the cognitive realm?”

“I mean, yeah… but consider it practice! In case we end up at another one of these things. Still… I’m proud of you! You were sweating quite a bit while I was dragging you around. I never figured to be the shy type, but it’s actually kinda endearing in a way.”

Andros’ cheeks flushed red. “I… thanks… I don’t think I could’ve done it without you.”

“Oh, you…” Yukiko smirked. “It’s AAAALLL in here…” He pointed to her head. “And here…” She set a hand on her heart. “Not too far from your research, actually! Changing your cognition, or your perception! Only you don’t need a silly other realm to see the results!”

“I guess that makes sense,” Andros said. “But we still haven’t learned any relevant information… just who’s sleeping with who, and the ever-increasing price of Imperial silks.”

“We just need to switch up our strategy. I think we’ve been focused too much on your research, but there’s some other angles we can hit. When I was registering THE SEEKERS OF TRUTH at the adventurer’s guild, Akaja mentioned that a lot of the regulars were absent. Mostly just new bloods there. OH! And there’s a lack of security in the markets. Barely any samurai, so gangs and the like are pushing in.”

“And you think these might all be related?”

“Probably!” She squeezed his arm playfully. “Let’s find out, yeah?”

Even with the change in approach, for the most part, it was more of the same. Mostly irrelevant gossip. Andros was partially convinced that Yukiko just liked dragging him around, and showing him off. He did feel slightly more comfortable after each conversation, and there was something rewarding about seeing Yukiko’s prideful grin after he managed to maintain a conversation.

He doubted he could keep this up completely sober, or without Yukiko’s company, but these were baby steps. Necessary baby steps.

Eventually, she led him to a pair of Dark Elven women standing by a bar. One wore a kimono of sparkling blues and silvers, reminiscent of the night sky. She was tall, like most Dark Elven women, with silvery-blue skin, and standing at least a head above Andros, and two heads above Yukiko. Her long silver hair was tied into a braid, which fell to the back of her waist, and she wore a shimmering platinum tiara on her head.

The other woman was a smudge shorter, wearing a scaled cuirass over a blue robe. Her skin was a paler shade of grey, and her straight dark hair, which fell at her shoulders, gradually turned white at the ends. Two small horns, the color of fresh snow, protruded themselves from the sides of her head. Hanging from the belt at her waist was a sheathed katana, and outside of the Akiyama samurai, she appeared to be the only armed guest.

“My, my, my… is that little Yuki?” Spoke the taller woman. “My, how you’ve grown!”

“You say that every time we see each other, Lady Takeuchi.” Yukiko said, giggling.

“Do I?” She smiled. “You all live such short lives… sometimes its hard to tell!” She eyed Andros curiously. “And who’s this handsome man you have clinging to you like some sort of lost puppy.”

“This is Andros!” Yukiko exclaimed. “Andros… allow me to introduce Lady Izami, Matriarch of Clan Takeuchi! She and my mom go to the same literature club every week.”

“A pleasure, Andros…” Lady Takeuchi said with a polite bow. “I do hope you’re treating our dearest Yuki with the respect and admiration she deserves. Her mother is a trained assassin, you know?” She chuckled. “As am I…”

“I… I’m not sure what you’re implying, but-“

“Oh, Yuki…” Interrupted Takeuchi. “Allow me to introduce you to my little sister. Captain Mariko, a true hero of the Jade Sea! And dare I say the sole reason we are not currently Imperial subjects.”

“Oh, please…” Mariko bowed. “It is nothing so dramatic. I simply ensure Imperial ships don’t venture too close without paying the tithe. And of late… I am to ensure the safety of the Syndicate’s new admiral. Though it appears the new Admiral believes he does not require my protection.”

Clan Takeuchi… a family of pirates and raiders. While the Akiyamas certainty had the most samurai in their employ, it was the ships of Clan Takeuchi which allowed them to operate outside of Issei.

“Dear, sister…” Lady Takeuchi said. “Treat his current indifference as a blessing. Put away the sword and armor, and try to relax? Nearly ten months at sea, and your still as rigid as the masts on your ship. There will be plenty of time to prove your worth to the new Admiral later. You know… I would say you could get his attention by showing off some cleavage, but I hear the Admiral has taken some prissy bard as his concubine.”

“Bard?” Andros asked.

“What was her name?” Takeuchi hummed. “Shui? Shue?”

“Xue.”

“Yes, that’s it…” Takeuchi scoffed. “Imperial names. Tongue twisters, aren’t they?”

Yukiko regarded Andros with a curious look, her head tilted slightly.

Mariko sighed. “Even if he won’t take his safety seriously… I will. I must inspect the security posted on the western section of the courtyard. Previous inspections have pinpointed numerous security flaws in that sector.”

Takeuchi rolled her eyes. “Go then.”

Mariko bowed, then hastily took her leave.

“Honestly I don’t understand her…” Takeuchi murmured. “Her honor and dedication is something to be admired, but she is so stiff! I need to find her a good lover.” She grinned at Andros. “Unfortunately this one is already taken.”

“Actually I-“ Before Andros could finish his sentence, Yukiko interjected.

“Actually we came to speak with you about something!” She spoke in a soft, low tone. “What’s the deal with all the fighting in the markets? Are the samurai all cooped up in here, or something?”

“To be honest… I’m not entirely sure,” Takeuchi mused. “The new Admiral did recently request that we transport a number of our ships, and his samurai, northward… close to Imperial waters. From the reports I’ve received there hasn’t been much fighting. Just assurances that this extra show of force is necessary to thwart an ‘outside threat.’ Whatever that may be…

“And you just let your ships stay on stand-by out there?” Andros asked.

“Not for free…” Takeuchi said. “Our clan is oathbound to the Akiyamas. Ever since my mother bent the knee nearly two centuries ago. We have been loyal and consistent in our obligations. Even still… we are not vassals to be called upon willy-nilly. We simply offer the Akiyamas our fleet at a considerable discount.

“What about the Akiyama fleet?” Yukiko asked. “Wouldn’t it be cheaper to simply have his own ships out there?”

“The Akiyama Fleet is pre-occupied with another task,” Takeuchi said. “I am not privy to the details, but… their ships have been importing quite a bit of material into the city. However, with all the samurai on our ships, I don’t precisely know where the Admiral is getting the manpower to protect that operation. Adventurers, maybe?” She shrugged.

Interesting… The Admiral seemed to be pulling manpower and ships away from the city, but why? Wouldn’t they be better used to consolidate power in Issei? To reinforce Clan Akiyama’s influence despite their recent tragedies? It’s like they’re begging to be overthrown.

“Wow…” Yukiko hummed in thought. “That’s… really weird!”

“Why the sudden interest in local politics?” Takeuchi asked. “You’re not planning on joining the Syndicate, are you? Not that care if you do… I’d encourage it! Only your mother has ask that I try to dissuade you if you do, so…” She winked. “Don’t join…”

“Oh, nothing of the sort! I just have a friend that has a shop in the markets, is all. Running into all sorts of trouble.”

“Unfortunate.”

A loud gong suddenly echoed throughout the hall, and the large stone doors which led to the castle’s main courtyard slowly opened.

“Finally!” Takeuchi exclaimed. “Will the two of you be joining me in paying respects to a corpse? I would love to hear about how the both of you met.”