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It had been some time since the Iradori festival had ended and the interaction she’d had with Sara and the traveler was still stuck in Ei’s mind. Had she been wrong about the statue really belonging to Sara? It had certainly seemed like it had and the woman just didn’t want to admit it. Surely if she had been wrong the traveler would have said something, especially after Ei offered to have another statue delivered to Sara, albeit with the traveler’s name on it instead.
In fact ever since Ei had left Euthymia the general had been on her mind quite often. She’d learned about the general, seen and interacted with her though indirectly, through the Shogun, but up until now she had never thought much of her. She was just another loyal servant. No more, no less. Thinking back on it though, something stood out about the general that none of her other servants had. Complete devotion.
Sure the others worshiped her, she was their god after all, but the general was different. It wasn’t simply the devotion to one’s god, but something far deeper. A devotion she had never seen in a mortal and that she had seen in no one at all for centuries, save for Guuji Yae. Unlike Yae, Sara didn’t not hide that devotion beneath a playful exterior, buried deep over the years to spare her own feelings. Instead, Sara wore her devotion proudly. Was there something more beneath that professional devotion? Did Sara care for her as Yae did? Or was it simply devotion to a god she never wished to understand?
Not that Ei cared. Whether a mortal cared about her on a deeper level meant nothing to her. Certainly, there had been individuals in the past, but all of them had merely been interested in her power and beauty.
Was there more to Sara? Or was she just the others?
It would be simple enough to find out.
*******
At first Sara had been certain she was imagining it. What would Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho, God of Thunder, want with her at such a late hour? Even more puzzling was that the Shogun had come directly to her, rather than ordering Sara to her chambers or sending a messenger. Sara quickly shook off the shock and awe to step aside to allow the Shogun into her room. “Your Excellency, is everything alright?”
For a moment the Shogun did not answer, peering around the room, taking everything in bit by bit. Embarrassment settled in Sara’s stomach. Her room was quite orderly, there were still a few things out of place, but the main source of the feeling was the small shrine in a corner of her room. It was a small wooden thing like many of the others that could be found around Inazuma, though on a smaller scale. It sat on a raised platform on a table, with several other tiered platforms stepping down towards the table itself. Five of the special statues were arranged in front of it, the most recent acquisition front and center.
“Nothing is the matter. I simply wanted to come for a visit.”
Those words did nothing to help the pit forming in Sara’s stomach.
As though she could feel Sara’s fears, the Shogun’s gaze settled on the shrine. The god moved towards it, taking in every little detail and reaching out a hand to rest it on the head of the Irodori festival statue. After a long silence, she finally spoke. “Tell me, General. What do these figures mean to you?”
“I- .” Any answer stuck in Sara’s throat. There was no way she could tell the truth. She should just say they were meant to serve as a visual reminder, a way to focus on her duty and service to the Shogun and Inazuma, but they were far more than that. They were substitutes for a closeness she desired, but could never have, even if she told herself otherwise.
When she didn’t answer, the Shogun’s gaze turned to Sara instead, taking in her expression before making eye contact. “Sara, would you do anything for me? Or am I a god you would prefer to worship from afar?”
The way her name fell from the Shogun’s lips nearly took her breath away, the question finished the job. What could she possibly be looking for in an answer? “Anything, your excellency.”
The silence lasted just long enough for Sara to begin doubting her answer. “I realize tomorrow is your day off, but would you join me for tea in the morning? The time matters not. Do not rush to keep me from waiting.”
“Of course, your excellency.”
Sara thought she saw just the slightest upturn of the Shogun’s lips but it vanished all too soon. “Good. I will see you then.”
*******
Despite her best efforts, Sara couldn’t find it in herself to fall asleep. Excitement and nervousness coursed through her veins as if a current of electro flowed through them. Why was the Shogun inviting her for tea? Why had she come in person to ask rather than sending a messenger? Why had she come at this late hour?
Sara supposed she could answer that last question herself. The Shogun, unlike mortals, did not need sleep. Plus the flow of time was harder to notice inside the plane of Euthymia. Likely the Shogun had simply not realized the time or the fact that Sara would be in bed.
The other two questions, though, were harder to answer. Was Sara special enough to earn her direct attention? Surely not. While she may have been one of the Shogun’s most devoted followers, she was certainly not worthy of such attention.
What little sleep Sara did get was far from restful, but that wouldn’t stop her. She’d done far more taxing tasks on just as little sleep, though the same weight rested in her shoulders. She could not afford to disappoint.
*******
Ei returned to her quarters, pleased with the result. Sara had seemed eager to agree, though whether that was out of actual interest or fear of the consequences should she refuse was unclear. It wasn’t until the sun had risen that it occurred to her that she should probably offer something besides tea at such an early hour. It was difficult to keep track of all the needs a human body had, even the limits of her own body escaped her notice at times.
The issue of food was quickly remedied with a request to the servants. Upon hearing the request, the servant had seemed dumbfounded for a moment before quickly recovering. “What sort of food should we prepare, your excellency?”
“The sorts of foods you mortals eat for breakfast and some green tea.” If those directions had not been clear enough the servant did not say.
Once the food had arrived, Ei settled on a cushion in front of the table before taking up her own cup of tea. It was unclear how long it would be before Sara arrived, but she had nothing that required her direct attention. Whatever time she had could be used to think.
*******
Sara found Her Excellency already kneeling at the table, cup of tea in hand. Was she late? Had the Shogun expected her at an earlier hour? Looking up from her tea the Shogun caught her gaze, motioning towards the cushion across from her. Sara hurried to settle down, though she didn’t want to seem overly eager.
The table was nearly covered in various dishes. More food than she herself could possibly eat. Too much for the both of them even should the Shogun choose to join her. A healthy portion of rice set aside for each of them, several varieties of grilled fish, various dumplings, a cup of miso soup for each, and Sara’s favorite - rolled egg omelets.
“Thank you for the invitation, your Excellency.”
“Please call me Ei. Green tea?” The Shogun - Ei - took up the pot, hovering it over Sara’s cup as she waited for a response. After a moment of silence she continued. “If you would prefer something else please let me know.”
“Green tea is perfect, your exce-,” Sara had to cut the word short, “Ei.” The name felt strange on her tongue, sacrilegious, yet welcome at the same time. Once her cup was filled Sara took a sip, hoping to let her nerves settle before they continued the conversation. The tea’s flavor was far richer than the ones she normally drank, reminding her of the teas served at special ceremonies or events. Of course the Shogun deserved only the best.
Ei smiled. Unlike most her teeth did not show when she smiled, in fact the corners of her lips only turned up the merest bit, the smile more evident in the crinkles at the corner of her eyes than anything else. “It’s been some time since I’ve heard anyone use that name besides Miko. The traveler has used it on a few occasions, but hearing it from you is rather nice.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” In the silence that followed, Sara had no idea what to say, so she focused her attention on the food. Trying the rolled eggs first, Sara found they were quite delicious, though maybe not as good as her own - they were her specialty after all. The rest of the dishes were good as well, but she kept finding herself going back to the rolled eggs.
“I suppose you are wondering why I have asked you here.”
Sara nodded slightly, unconsciously, but said nothing.
“I find you rather interesting, Kujou Sara. I have spent much time in Euthymia, leaving Inazuma in the care of the commissions and the Shogun. If I am to catch up on how the nation has changed in my absence, I will need someone to aid me. Yae Miko, of course, is willing to help, but I would appreciate another perspective.”
“Of course, Ei.” The name was spoken quietly with a shyness Ei had never seen in the General.
“I am not asking this of you in an official capacity. I am asking as a friend; if you are comfortable with that.”
“A friend?”
“Yes. Someone who treats me more as an equal, not a god.”
A friend? An equal? How could she ever consider herself anything close to the equal of the Shogun? Beside her, Sara was little more than a bug, a fleeting existence in the world, a mere drop in eternity.
Ei watched as Sara’s eyes widened at the statement, mouth agape as her cup stopped halfway to her lips. Perhaps it had been too much to ask so early on. Miko wouldn’t have even blinked at the question, but perhaps it wasn’t fair to compare others to the Kitsune, but Ei had few other frames of reference. “If you would prefer not to, I won’t be offended.”
“Of course not, your Excellency, but -” Sara stopped herself, it wasn’t her place to question an archon.
“Go ahead.”
“Am I really worthy of such an honor?”
“I can think of no one more suited to the task, Sara. May I call you Sara?”
“Of course.” Sara set the cup back on the table, taking a moment to gather herself. “I will do my best to please you.”
Ei smiled. That promise was enough.
They enjoyed the rest of the meal in comfortable silence, Ei mostly drinking only tea, but picking at a few things here and there. The fact that Sara ate so many of the rolled eggs intrigued her, but trying them could wait until the Tengu had her fill.
Finally it was time for Sara to go. “Excuse me, but I have several things that need attending to.”
“Of course. We should do this again, Sara.”
“I would enjoy that, Ei.” Sara returned Ei’s small smile with one of her own.
*******
Sara had to be dreaming. There was no possible way that Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho, God of Thunder wanted to be her friend. It wasn’t even an assumption on her part, the word had come directly from Ei’s lips.
Ei. It was certainly a dream that she got to use the name, something so personal. Sara didn’t doubt that Yae Miko, the traveler, and that little companion of theirs were the only ones to use the name.
Then there was her own name. Her given name, spoken by a god, by a being whose existence meant far more than her own ever could, than a mortal mind could even imagine.
Sara pressed her face into her pillow, hiding the undignified grin that lit up her face. She hadn’t been dreaming. Her dreams were never that realistic and she doubted that even her subconscious would go as far as making up such a scenario.
She sighed, the grin only widening despite her efforts.
Her Excellency was interested in her.
Ei wanted to be her friend.
*******
“You’ve grown quite fond of a certain Tengu these past few days it seems.” Only one person would come into Ei’s rooms without announcing themselves. Just as expected Ei found the Kitsune smiling at her, a teasing sort of smile she wore when she found something amusing.
“And?”
“I haven’t seen you so soft on anyone in centuries. Even me.” Yae Miko came around to the back of the bench Ei occupied, resting her arms on the back of it. “In fact, I’m a bit jealous that she's gotten more attention than I have. Makes me wonder if I’m being replaced.”
Ei couldn’t see Yae’s face, but she knew too well the expression she wore. Her ears would droop slightly, a frown on her lips as she put on the most pathetic looking face she could manage. It was surprising to find that the memory alone of such a face almost made her feel guilty, even with all the years she had last seen it. “You know that isn’t true, Miko.”
“Do I?” Yae came around to the front of the bench, taking a seat beside Ei, leaning into her just enough for their shoulders to touch. “It’s hard to believe with how little you’ve visited me.”
“You see me almost every day.”
“Only because I came looking for you.”
Ei sighed. This was familiar too. Yae had always thrived on attention, going out of her way to get as much as she could and making it out as if Ei still didn’t give her enough. “Miko.” There was a warning in her tone, not that the Kitsune actually feared it.
“Fine, fine. I’ll stop teasing you. I suppose I can handle sharing you with our little Tengu.”
“Our?”
“Don’t tell me you plan on keeping her all to yourself?”
“That is her decision. Not mine.”
“So you’ll share her with anyone she wants?” The only answer Yae got was a slow exhale. She laughed, leaning into the archon a bit more. “Don’t worry, darling. She only has eyes for you.”