Chapter 396: Last Rites
After a long, sleepless night, Kir found himself in need of some privacy as he sorted out his thoughts. Near the camp was a river and so, uncaring for his nudity, Kir left his tent and flew over to it. He alighted on a large, flat boulder and sat, letting his clawed toes dangle in the water and shivering as the cold went up his spine.
After a few breathes to empty his mind, Kir felt ready.
He tried sending a ping Kiryu’s way, but when he got no response, he decided to summon his other half the way Kiryu liked.
Taking out his kiseru, Kir tapped the chamber clear before checking the draft hole and cleaning it with magic. He withdrew the finest - if not the most expensive - glass phial of smokeleaf from his storage and spent a few mindful moments refining the grind to the consistency Kiryu liked. Then, carefully, he packed the chamber once more, holding the bowl by its heel before forming a bit of fire on his thumb as he lit the packed tobacco.
A taste like cherries and sandalwood filled Kir’s mouth as the smoke made its way to his lungs, along with a slight cooling sensation that was only a quarter as powerful as menthol - at least by Kiryu’s judgment.
"Good choice, kid," Kiryu seemed to half-sigh as he came to the forefront of Kir’s mind. "Thought you might want to never hear from me again, considering after today I’ll be deleted."
"I’d never end things like that," Kir replied. "You’re my grumpy best friend."
"Best friend, huh? Thought you’d keep that status for someone who deserves it." Kiryu mocked, but Kir could feel his other half’s satisfaction from the smoke in his lungs, along with a sense of being flattered.
"I’m not about to rate my lovers against each other, and Moshui’s more like... Ugh, I hate to think it, but she’s kindof like my kid now."
"Our kid, considering half the crap you taught her came from me," Kiryu joked. "Only she doesn’t know I exist."
"I promise you, after all this is over, I’ll make sure people know you for what you did to help Ayther."