Walking Disasters and Me

The conversation winds down in tandem with the slowly setting sun. A crisp, fresh breeze occasionally wisping along the grounds and swaying hair and branch. Akiko, myself, Ios, and the three Elders are all present and correct on the stage with Akiko standing at the center podium with the magic microphone. Jun Li and Samantha rejoined us shortly before the introductions came to a close, and now join Gerra as they stand directly behind Akiko.

Like Gerra, the other two are done up and even have a faint application of makeup as well. Jun Li has an almost maroon eyeshadow and rosy blush while her lips seem to just have a colorless gloss on them since they're naturally quite red. Her hairstyle mimics Akiko's with two sticks stuck into a high bun and small curls coming to frame her face. The tips of her pins, however, are ruby red with a body of silver. Her kimono is - surprisingly - almost purely white with black trim, the tone of it almost perfectly matching her marbled skin. All in all, it combines to make her both slightly mysterious and alarmingly beautiful~.

Samantha on the other hand is done up in a full suit of armor. Because of course she is, the dork~. I know for a fact she has formal gowns and robes, but it is so on brand for her to forgo any of that and somehow get permission to just suit up~. Though, to be fair, the armor is gorgeous. It's a different set than what she wears when fighting but has intricate golden etchings of nature on nearly every sheen surface. A massive tree sitting behind an equally imposing Torii gate coming to fit in the center piece of the breastplate.

Her hair is free flowing since it only just touches her shoulders, but her clover-colored eyes are ringed in golden eyeliner. Like the others, she's dabbed a faint blush to her cheeks but seems to have opted to use an almost pink shade of lipstick. Honestly, it works for her. The faint touches of effort and color choice strike a nice balance of purity as well as beauty. And cuteness~.

A step or so behind them are the other Branch Leaders, whose names I didn't get to catch yet before everyone got in formation. Though I at least know one. My eyes glance to the left, barely able to still recognize Ming Xi and her purple hair and tails as she stands the furthest out from the group. Whether that's because the Shadow Branch is still vilified or that's the usual placement for their leaders, I'm not sure.

A small bit of pity wells up inside me regardless, the memory of Akiko's domineering presence as she listed off demands to the beyond frightened woman sparking up in my mind. Though the recollection does make another emotion start to rise up as well~. At least now I've kind of accepted that I have some... unique tastes. The poor Aims of a few months ago was still in denial - or confusion - about why her panties were getting soaked by that little display~. Thankfully, that's not really an issue anymore.

Still, at least Ming looks a bit healthier than the last time I saw her. Still petite, but now slightly more filled out and not so gaunt looking. I wonder what that was all about now that the thought crosses my mind. Was the last Shadow Branch Leader just a dickhead that didn't give his members enough to eat? On top of being a colossal idiot that tried to coup the literal strongest person on Mara? If so, then even more reason to be glad he got splattered over the walls of the Sect Hall.

I shift my vision back to look over the massive throng of bodies filling up the courtyard. What was once a serene, placid atmosphere now filled with the low roar of thousands upon thousands of hushed whispers. A sea of green taken over by the mass of the Village members, civilian and cultivator alike. Though the cultivators are front and center, all of them essentially in front of their respective Branch Leaders in orderly groups.

Somehow, letting the crowd in was actually rather unremarkable and quick. As soon as the barrier came down, a brief bit of excitement washed through the air but was soon ebbed by a few cultivators acting as ushers. They were able to keep the gathered blob of faces moving and structured, and I was surprised when it turned out that the grounds for the Sect Hall could basically accommodate all of them. Though a couple hundred seem to have drawn the short straw and are still idling on the other side of the walls.

As the last cultivator turned usher returns to their spot in formation, Akiko nods her head and leans forward. In a voice that oozes authority and drips in power, she begins speaking to the masses with outstretched arms.

"Citizens. Branch Members. Friends. I know that times have been chaotic as of late. The Heavens issuing stern decrees seemingly out of nowhere. The foolish assault on our beloved home that likewise materialized out of thin air. The attempted ousting of myself and my loyal followers from our precious positions as your caretakers and leaders. Dastardly interruptions that no one asked for yet that we all now share the burden of carrying."

Her nearly monarchal voice ripples loudly out of the crystal stone, though not enough to hurt the ears. Even the mortal civilians seem to be unaffected by it, and I can't help but glance over to the curious little thing and stare at it more in depth. When I do, I notice the faint traces of hundreds of runes being deactivated only to light to life again as soon as Akiko's voice slips past her lips.

"However, I am here to assuage those worries and also offer you the medicine to its sickening seed. Firstly, the secular: All those awful events can be tied back to one entity, one faction. The Capital."

Shocked gasps and murmurs ripple through the crowd, cultivator and civilian alike. Their quiet roar allowed to bubble forth for a few moments before Akiko raises her hand and silence resumes. Honestly, it's kind of a masterclass. She's even going so far as to pin the blame of the coup on 'capital intervention'. Which is hard to prove one way or the other since everyone involved got, you know, splattered all over the walls and ceiling.

"I know that such news is daunting as well as confusing. For those that remember, I personally delivered our... distaste at their meddling some hundred or so years ago. To think their foolish paranoia and lust for power would drive their eyes once more to our lands..."

More than a few worried glances are cast about the masses at the subject of each sentence, ranging from knowing to trepidatious. But there are some who begin to spark with the mention of retribution, at least in the cultivator section. Faces of young men and women fresh off the success of repelling the invaders at the gates along with older, more mature gleams of glory and pride.

"Rest assured, my Village. I have already seen fit to address this issue. In a matter of a week and a half, I and some of your trusted Elder's shall be sojourning to meet face to face with those forces responsible for our hardships. And I shall once more express our displeasure at their prying eyes and clawing hands."

A bubble of pressure erupts from her as she issues the threat. Violet eyes thinning to slits as killing intent wafts of her like a miniature hurricane. Thankfully, its not enough to make even the mortals arrayed before us stumble. But it is solidly enough to get the idea across: Akiko is about to go punish their hubris.

After reigning the dramatic effect back in, Akiko shifts the conversation forward before anyone can begin forming their own thoughts on the matter. "As for the matter of the Heavens, I am pleased to reveal that was due to my newest disciple who stands here to my side: Amelia Dufort."

Her hand magnanimously waves in my direction, the weight of thousands of stares drilling down on me as icy sweat begins to roll down my back. Unsure of what to do exactly - and feeling more than a little miffed that she just kind of threw that on me out of the blue - I give an awkward smile and wave of my hand. The result? Raucous applause and cheers, at least from the non-Qi aligned members of the crowd. Like seeing a newly famous celebrity on stage for the first time.

The cultivators are a bit of a different story. More than a few assessing eyes that hold a mixture of patent awe, hidden envy, and even a few hints of lust. Whether that's because of my physical appearance in general or the shy response from suddenly getting called attention to, it's hard to say. Thankfully, Akiko is at least quick to continue the reveal and bring the attention back to herself as I return to a neutral posture. Though she has more than a few pouts in store for her when we get back to the estate.

A sudden shiver, barely perceptible even at this close distance, travels down her spine before she resumes, "Indeed. Her talents are vast and despite only being under my and other's tutelage for three months, she has grown incredibly quickly. For those who work or live close to my estate, you likely felt a new, untamed, and powerful presence recently wash over you. To ease that sudden accidental revelation in your minds, that was her after unlocking her Spiritual Sense."

Now its the cultivators turn to gasp along with the crowd behind them. While they aren't so rude - or suicidal - to try and confirm Akiko's words with a probing poke of their own senses, they all intrinsically know that I must at least be at the Unification Rank for such a thing to occur. Something that would mark me as elite, near the top of the ladder of strength within the Village. And, conveniently, it also helps explain away why my tribulations have been so... extreme.

A 2nd Rank getting a barrage of tribulation bolts? Terrifyingly insane. A 3rd Rank having a particularly nasty tribulation? Concerning but still somewhat understandable. A newly minted 4th Rank accidentally fanning out a new sensing power, spooking everyone in a mile radius? Comical, but also far from unheard of among geniuses. A neat and tidy little omission that brings skewed clarity to both elements in the crowd.

Though I doubt that convenient misunderstanding will survive in their minds after I truly ascend to the realm they now think I am in, and especially not if Sandy has just as ludicrous tribulations as I've been getting... Oh well, not my problem~.

"For all of these reasons and more, I shall end this gathering with another revelation. After we have returned from our meeting with the forces of the capital, regardless of if their vaulted city still stands afterwards or not, we shall have a Village wide festival fully funded from my personal accounts."

Honest cheers of exclamation erupt from all assembled, even some of the Branch Leader's behind us look to be surprised by the news, as Akiko speaks over the crowd. "I have seen your struggles with these recent events, and know that words only offer a certain level of balm. To return you, my beloved friends, back to your calm minds and easy hearts, I shall ensure those awaited happy days will come to pass. But for now, I ask you to return to your homes safely while I discuss matters with those responsible for your wellbeing. Rest and be at peace that worry shall be expunged from our sanctuary. That a brighter future is just on the horizon."

You know, there really is something to be said for propaganda. I didn't quite like the nationalistic or evangelical tilt my old world used, but Akiko certainly gave me a new perspective on it. A mixing of truth, shifting blame to the 'obvious' target, and easing the worries of her citizenry. All ended with a nice little promise of future well-being and security. It helps that the conviction in her voice didn't leave room to argue about it either, that her words weren't an empty campaign promise leading up to an election.

No, she meant everything she said. And even someone who isn't bonded to her like I am can easily tell that, too. While it is weird to remind myself that she's essentially the president... warlord... mayor of this whole operation, I can't deny that the honesty she levies toward her people is... refreshing. Probably could count on one hand how many honest, decent politicians were around back on Earth. At least where and when I was living there.

As the cheering chatter dies back down and 'ushers' begin assisting the masses back out of the Sect Hall grounds, Akiko presses a few glyphs on the crystal in front of her making it go dim and inert. After taping it once to make sure it won't activate, she turns back to me with a slightly apologetic expression on her face.

"I am sorry for the... rash way I introduced you, Amelia. I know you were wanting to be as discreet as possible during that event, but revealing you in that way was the best path I could imagine for it. Having everyone witness your truthful, adorable, and awkward reaction eased the hearts of nearly all assembled and helped add a humanization to your presence here. Instead of seeing a mysterious, unknown individual suddenly popping up in their sphere of life, they now see you as a shy - albeit powerful - young woman."

I give her a long stare that only makes her own awkward smile begin to fracture a bit before I finally huff out a response. "Fine. I get it. Still, you could have at least told me that was your plan! I would have still been 'awkward' about it considering the thousands upon thousands of heads that suddenly whipped in my direction. No head pats for three days."

One of Akiko's hand flies to her mouth, a small dribble of blood seeping below her fingers as she coughs while her free appendage flings to the podium to steady herself. I nod in satisfaction of a punishment delivered and then realize that neither are we alone, but we are also still standing on the stage with all of the higher ups right behind us. All of said higher ups - at least the ones who don't know about our relationship - giving the whole scene a... curious gaze.

At least Sam and the other girls are here too though, all of them giving the little play before them knowing smirks before Akiko dabs away the crimson streak on her cheek. "V-very well, let us retire inside to go over some of those details that I had mentioned in a more thorough manner."

A few of the faces give each other questioning looks before shrugging their shoulders and following her order. A smattering of footfalls across stone as I reach out and pet one of Akiko's tails, making her perform the same curious gaze down to me as some of her subordinates.

I smirk with a mischievous glint in my eye before teasing, "I said no head pats. Tail pats are still on the table~."

Akiko's amethyst eyes light up a little before she shakes her head with an amused expression. "Cheeky woman~." A soft, quiet response that always warms my heart and is all that is needed between us these days.

Ios lightly chuckles in my mind - and I'm sure the other three of my lovers are doing the same internally at our antics - as we funnel into the Sect Hall proper. Passing by the large, wooden doors to the massive building that resembles something you'd see out of the Earth Nation in its prime from Avatar.

Damn. I miss stuff like that. When was the last time I even heard music? I need to wrangle these four and Ios into the same room again so I can have a movie night or something. Expose the Mara natives to some of my old culture.

'Won't that just end in another days long orgy? You literally can't keep your hands off them half the time, and the same goes for them too.' Ios mentally says in a jokingly accusing tone. The smarm on her face visible in my minds eye even without having to verify it in my soul space.

Please, we're all adults. I'm sure we could get through at least one episode of something before diving straight into sex... Probably...

'Uh huh, sure~. And I'm the tooth fairy.'

I barely fight the urge to physically roll my eyes before I realize something. Wait, are you saying we could actually keep it PG or that you don't believe we can? Cause I don't believe for a freaking second you weren't actually the tooth fairy sometimes.

'Who knows~? Hehe~.' The chaotic troll answers back mysteriously before going silent once more. The threat of no head pats for her as well beginning to form in my mind before our cordial walk comes to a close.

Akiko pauses at the head of the massive U-shaped table that is piled with food and drink, Jun Li and Gerra to her right while Ios and I stand to her left. Sam postures stoically right behind Akiko, eyes calm but scanning across the room. I chalk that reaction up to her usual tendency to be overprotective and not actually expecting shit to pop off for some reason. Which, to be fair, she has kind of earned the right to be paranoid.

Akiko gazes out to the assembled leaders before nodding her head and sliding back the central, ornately carved chair across the stone. Four of her tails slinking around the chairs for myself and the other girls as well as we take our seats and she pushes them curtly back into position. As soon as she - and by extension we - are seated, a dozen or so similar sounds echo off the walls and ceiling as the others gathered do the same.

Once that ceremony is complete, Akiko fixes everyone in the hall with a poignant look. "Before we begin to share in a meal together, I first want to make some things plain. I will not tolerate any kind of behavior borne from envy or perceived wrongness from any of the juniors belonging to the people in this room - nor from you yourselves - toward Amelia or her companion you see next to her. If such a thing occurs, whoever is responsible for said juniors will be in charge of their execution and then summarily dismissed from the Village in exile. If it is one of you, then your head will simply leave your body before another pump of blood occurs within it. Do I make myself clear?"

While a few eyes go wide at the proclamation, all of them instantly bow their heads and respond in synchronous unison. "Yes, Acting Sect Leader!"

"Good." Akiko says stoically. "I know that may seem harsh, but now that we are alone here, I will reveal another aspect that may shed light on my stance. Amelia is a part of my harem, and myself as well as my other lovers care for her just as much as we do each other. Any targeted attack, disrespect, or underhanded plans are to be treated as if they were targeting myself instead of her. Which, as I have stated, the penalty for is instant death. Regardless of standing or Rank."

Once more, a combined acknowledgement of her words as my legs do their best not to squirm. Ahh~... It feels like forever since Akiko went full domination mode on a group of supposedly powerful people... I'll definitely be thinking about this little scene later tonight if I don't jump her bones first... Kinda mad at myself for the 'no head pats' punishment right now...

More than a blip of pink flits between our bond, a slight blush rosing Akiko's cheeks before she coughs it away. "Excellent. Now, as for the matter of the Queen." She pauses as she growls out the title.

"I will be taking Elders Fei and X'Cos along with my harem to treat with those rampant fools. They inadvertently admitted to breaking our mutual isolation treaty by revealing they had spies and assets inside the Village upon Amelia's arrival here. And I also heavily suspect they are the cause of the attack at our gates. If their answer to these blatant acts is unsatisfactory, I will slaughter the delegation and then send the Elders back here using a teleportation talisman to have the Village formally declare war. All the while, I will be erasing them and their remaining vassals from the face of Mara."

A heavy, tension filled pause weighs down upon the room that is supposed to be filled with glad hearts enjoying a meal together with colleagues and friends. A regrettable tone shift that continues on as the temperature begins to drop. "If the command is given to issue a declaration of war, I will not be as kind as I was in the past. I thought the import of my message to those wastes of cultivation clear at the time: Do not touch my bottom line again. However, it seems they are incapable of learning such a simple lesson. So instead of a mountain range becoming a flattened tundra if it comes to blows, every enemy Sect will be annihilated to the last person."

It's my turn for widened eyes as I nearly choke on the amount of anger slipping between us. At her essentially genocidal promise. I can't help but look to Ios who seems to have a... complicated air about her. But the most alarming thing is the emotion in her eyes: a begrudging approval.

"The time for coddling corrupt, antagonistic forces is over." Akiko resumes with a voice made of steel. Righteous determination in her eyes as she snarls out the rest of her prophecy, "I will no longer suffer such existences that endanger the people of the Village or threaten to take my loved ones away from me. Who scheme and toil in the dark to make their malicious machinations reality while I turn a blind eye. To let rot further fester beneath my nose and whisper its foul song into the ears of our would-be enemies. It is time to right those terrible wrongs and once more properly reclaim an old moniker alongside the one you call me now."

Ice erupts on every surface of the floor, marbled columns, and ceiling. Banners turned to crystalline sheets. The ambient glow of the hanging candelabras snuffed, their small candle fire's stilled stiff and outlined in teal. The only space not affected being the table and the various people sat at it as I unconsciously shudder. Surprisingly, the food actually stays perfectly warm despite the outburst. With an... odd mix of arousal and a not insignificant amount of fear, I turn to take in Akiko.

White hair floating ominously behind her as her vulpine ears point forward in low, menacing angles. Her six tails fuzzed out wide in a fan as ice begins to coat their tips. Violet eyes ringed in red as she leans forward with a face splitting sneer. Voice colder than the frozen water that now fills the space before she ripples out the last words through pointed teeth.

"Let all gathered here witness the truth: The Demon of Winter has returned."