Conflicting Flames

**Date Started:** June 17th, 2023
 **Date Completed**: TBA
**Previous Role-Play** N/A
**Next Role-Play:** TBA
**Users Involved:** User:Blackdagger01 & User:HoloArc
**Setting:** Khalahai
**Characters Involved:** Andrew "Steelstorm" Drake, Kagutsuchi, Akemi Sutoku, Ingrid Drake, Hotaru Drake, Stella Drake, Eleina Drake, Mikuzume Osaki

## A Purpose Deeper Than It Seems

There had been some hours of serious discussions within the confines of this room. The town outside was in the midst of a celebration that the gods had come together once more to work out the benefits of both their nations. It was loud, deafening. So much so that as glad as it made him that his people and his fellow deity's people were happy, it was still a conflicting matter of trying to discuss important affairs under such sound. Andrew had to tell the guards to ensure that the most nearby area of this building was clear of celebrations. As things were winding down on the political discussions, the non-essential people had already been dismissed. Guards, servants and politicians. All that was left was the gods and those who mattered most to them. Akemi, Doji and Miku were remaining among her attendants, one of which he had grown a bit of a fancy for, but he would not act on it. It wouldn't be appropriate.

"It will not be seamless, but with this we should be able to expand the city's borders by an additional couple of miles within a few years. It has been a untold success, really. People from all across the world are seeking homesteads here." Andrew spoke, mentioning the future ahead and the stellar progress. "And with each additional member of society, the more influence for us. Something quite needed with Lubbock's growing technology and tensions between Doma and Khalahai."

Kagutsuchi rested her elbow against the table, her chin resting comfortably in her palm. She didn't quite care for it, the chair in which she sat. It was far different from the cushions and mats on which those of Hino tended to spend most of their rest though Andrew did not seem to mind, leading her to wonder if the opposite were true when he visited Hino. But alas, they had far more important matters to discuss even if they had been doing so for some time now, so long that day had given way to night and the sun was replaced by the moons and the starts.

"Their alliance is built upon having us as a mutual enemy, should the flames of war lick at their tails I do not believe they will stick together as strongly as they might believe. Lubbock's military is advanced, we've been there before after all, seen all that they have there. But they are wary of the Gods and thus wary of Doma. If we can offer them greater means I believe they could be swayed away from such an alliance. Lubbock reaps benefits, not morals."

Kagutsuchi raised a cup of tea to her lips, sipping it but not enjoying its taste as much as Akeem's tea. The boy had gone and cost him her tea and her finest guard, she would be sure to work him to the bone once he returned to work. She placed the cup back down, "Our alliance is built upon mutual trust and respect I would like to assume. Our people prosper as a result of our efforts, the people of Hino live without fear of raiders, yours watch the soil that was once desert grow into fertile lands capable of supporting more passive communities than the warriors your people are known for. Peace and peace of mind alike. Yes, I think that sounds like a nice way to put it." She smiled, impressing herself with her own eloquence.

"I do not think we have anything to fear. Fire and Earth are powerful forces, and those who would wish us harm would see themselves fighting a battle on two fronts. They will not make a careless move, they'll be cautious and predictable."

"Just so. This pact has made us powerful, and in their eyes, dangerous. I have heard that Lubbock have been mustering greater forces as of late. Probably for the sake of defenses, but one can never be too sure, right? If there becomes more of that development, would you like for assistance in keeping your borders secure or are you confident that your soldiers will hold ground long enough?" Andrew asked, offering his men to protect their homes in areas where she might not be able to reach comfortably. He had never done that before, but he was starting to feel that this alliance was safe enough by now that he could with ease offer his people's assistance to the Shogun.

He heard a slight tapping behind him to his right. Turning around to look, he found Stella there, tapping her foot softly against the floor. He had a feeling why that was. "Feeling a bit antsy, My Evening Fire?" He said sweetly, not caring to keep up professional appearances when it came to speaking to his brides. He knew her well. She had been obligated to hold back for a good while to take care of their daughter, but with the little lass a bit more independent by now, Stella was itching for a taste of her old life again.

"Just... Just sounds like they are having a good time out there. Shame to miss it." Stella openly spoke. She was not afraid of speaking her mind. Never had to when her Khaan was close to her. Not even before the mighty fire goddess. Eleina giggled softly from Andrew's left. "The party animal is waking up again, it seems. My beloved, would you mind excusing me and my sister for a time? I'm sure she would appreciate the change of pace a bit."

"Don't talk about me as if I am not here." Stella playfully retaliated.

Andrew pretended to consider it for just a moment, as if it was even something he was hesitating on for as much as a second. "Sounds splendid. Take good care of each other now. Keep your animals in check." He teased, to which he received a light punch to his elbow from Stella who rose up. Walking up to him, she pecked his cheek in gratitude before looking to Eleina who followed suit and placed a kiss on his other cheek. "See you at home, my sweet." She spoke as she motioned for Stella to lead the way, Andrew looking at their behinds as they walked away. Turning back to Kagutsuchi, he then spoke up as a thought struck him. "Don't think that the privilege was restricted to only them, my brides. If you would seek out some fun as well, you are more than welcome to it."

Kagutsuchi waved off his comment as though it were a joke, "To go out into such madness would only stir up the masses. If you believe them loud now only imagine what it would be like should you or I step out amongst them. There would be no reprieve. Once dinner arrives my retainers my leave if they so desire however, their offical duties have been done. I no longer have need of them to stand around of appearances sake." He responded just as a knock on the door came.

"Speak of the devil... Enter!" She responded and with the command did the door open and several people of both Khalahain and Hinoan descent flied into the room setting down trays and dishes, drinks and sweets alike and filing out just as quickly. When only one remained the Khalahain man asked if anything else was needed. When both Gods gave him permission to leave he too left the room.

With that Akemi, Miku, and Doji bowed to both of the Gods, now having been dismissed they too left the room along with Andrew's Khanari leaving the two Gods in silence as the door closed once more and they were left alone.

Kagu looked over the table, like the city itself the food was a mix of the most sought after foods of both countries. Many Hinoan dishes were set out from grilled salmon and steamed lobster to miso soup and eel, not to mention a great deal of rice of all sorts in bowls larger than even their own heads. Alongside it were several meals from Khalahai that she did not recognize but could see they were made from a variety of meat and eggs.

Sweets had been placed on a separate table set up along the wall of the room, the entire meeting room was a cacophony of rich and savory scents. "They certainly went all out. I wonder if they'd expected us all to be eating together or perhaps they intend to insult us by insinuating that we could eat all of this." She jested, taking hold of a lobster and tearing it in two before dipping the meaty tail in some sort of dark sauce.

"Now that we are alone would you find it appropriate should I speak more openly?" She asked, knowing better than to speak in such a manner without permission. Should he accept, both would be allowed to speak without minimal worry.

The Khaan chuckled softly as he went for a few rolls of sushi and rice buns. He could frankly not easily tell what was considered food or sweets, but it made it all the more exciting. "Maybe so. But a world of delectable items lie before me, so i should probably not complain about any of it." He spoke as he took a bite of the sushi. Cold food was an oddity to him, but it wasn't necessarily bad. When the fiery goddess asked for some more freedom, he had to restrain himself from chuckling. Settling for a smile, he continued; "I have never held you back before, nor do I think I would have the right or desire to keep you from speaking your piece. Open communications are essential for a functioning relation, is it not? So go ahead, what is on your mind?"

Kagutsuchi did not speak right away, sucking the meat from the tail of the lobster she ate that in mostly silence first. Wiping her mouth she looked to the man as though trying to gauge what might be going on in his head, as though if she could just get that answer she would not need to ask her question at all. However, whatever she sought she did not find so it would seem as she finally spoke up.

"It has been five... nearly six years now since you slew the former God of this nation and took his place. Though it has prospered since then and you have been blessed with many children of your own I am curious about how it has all been. Being a God that is, it has been so long since one has been slain, with I having slain the last before you. I do not remember the early days of Godhood. It must be a completely different experience for you, no?" Kagutsuchi asked as she began to load her plate with many of the foods she was familiar with and a few that she was not lest her actions be taken as rude.

"How it's been?" He reiterated as he took a bite out of his last sushi roll. "Well... As despicable and abhorrent as he was, I gained a new insight into Alkazozz mind. Why he was as hedonistic, cruel, and indulgent as he was. May he rot in hell all the same, but... he was suffering. I don't think I could have managed to go on myself I didn't tie myself to duty and my family. My khanari have held me accountable and supported me all the while. It is... Overwhelming. It is a relief, and it is a burden. It is envigorating and it is exhausting. I am the master of the very foundation all of us are walking upon. But I also feel like I am a slave to it. The weight... The damn weight." He spoke as he moved his shoulders as if trying to shrug off a coat. "The title is not quite what I expected it to be. I am happy that he is gone. I am happy I can move my realm in a better direction. I don't know how to feel about having to carry everything, however."

"You were more open that I thought you would be, Khan." Kagutsuchi admitted before attempting to use a fork to pick up rice, only for the majority of it to slip through much to her dissatisfaction.

But she did not let that weigh on her, turning her attention back to Andrew. "I see, so it stays the same then. No matter how many years go by, it is as much a relief as a curse to hear that. Cherish your loved ones while they remain, watching the world pass you by while carrying its weight on your shoulders is difficult, though I have always done it alone so I do not know what comfort family or loved ones bring to you. But if they bring any comfort at all then know that it will only get more difficult as time betrays even the Gods in its own cruel ways."

He gave a hollow chuckle at that as he took a bite out of a egg. "Another burden to think about now." he said, taking a bigger bite than he really intended to. "In all your time you haven't had any of the sort? You seem close enough with Akemi. You laugh and smile when she performs and seem to be more lenient with her than most others. Not to pry, but while I hear that you have never had that, have you ever considered that? Looking, finding, or hoping for that?"

"No." Kagutsuchi responded bluntly, "While the ties that bind might very well ease the burden they also make you vulnerable. To care about those weaker than you, to get close to them. Such things only give the weak the means by which to harm you even if they cannot attack you head on. Like Khalahai, Hino is a realm of competition. There is rarely a day in which one does not challenge me for my position, I reduce them to ashes without a second thought. But what if they had some means to usurp me without needing to challenge me? Some means to harm me without getting near me? Do you think someone like Mikuzume would hesitate to take advantage of such weakness? Vulnerability? I think not." She explained her reasoning to him, a sound argument against such bonds she thought.