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"Miko," Ei breathes out, crossing her arms in front of her torso, taking in the sight before her. "How have you been, honestly?"
Miko’s standing across from the other, busying herself with the various papers scattered across the table— something about funding for the Yashiro commission, something about the removal of the head of the Tenryou commission, something about opening trades for the Kanjou commission. All important topics to discuss yet Ei wants to talk about the past. How naive.
Miko huffs out a breath, looking at Ei with a soft smile, "I’ve been fine." There’s an edge in her voice, something feral wanting to come out but she holds back— something she’s not used to doing. Maybe it’s because of the presence of a god. Maybe it’s because it’s her god. She’ll just keep telling herself that.
She straightens up, clearing her throat, "We should talk about opening trade back up domestically and internationally. I heard Fontaine has been inventing new devices—"
"Miko, wait." Ei puts her hand up, signaling her to stop. Ei expects Miko to continue on but she surprises her once again, holding back her tongue. A lot has changed. Even as a young priestess, she was never afraid to disobey orders.
This Miko is different. She’s more reserved, has her tails tucked within her. More patient, more mature. Her spark is there yet it is dimmed.
Just how much did Ei miss?
With a deep sigh, Ei sets her hand against the maple table, running her nails up and down the grain, nudging the papers ever so slightly. Miko takes this as a sign to pull out the stool and sit across from the other, keeping her head down.
"It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"
A sardonic laugh, "You don’t say?"
"I want to know."
Miko inhales deeply, taking in the smell of electric ozone and sakura blossoms. She only came here to discuss the future of Inazuma— not the past. More specifically, not her past.
How long will it be till Ei goes back into the Plane of Euthymia? Just how much can Miko share till Ei feels all the guilt pile onto her shoulders and she retreats back for comfort?
Miko refuses to have Inazuma lose their God once again. Especially a God that cares too much about this nation, its history and its story. Miko has worked too hard to bring her back.
Miko shakes her head, a small smile on her lips, "My, you’re a curious one, aren’t you?"
Ei lets out a soft laugh, "Miko." Ei always says her name like she’s coming back home. It makes Miko’s heart falter. "Don’t do that, please. Tell me of the last few hundred years. Tell me of you." Ei reaches her arm out across the table and Miko watches as her fingers tremble.
Miko lets out a low hum, letting her chin rest on her palm, tapping her fingers along her jaw. They really need to get this work done. But Ei is looking at her with those cute eyes and how can she refuse a face like that?
"Okay," Miko replies and Ei’s face lights up, her hand stops trembling. "But first tell me your plans of opening trade between Watatsumi—"
A groan.
Seriously, how childish is this god of hers?
"At this point, I’ll give them anything—"
"Including autonomy of belief?"
"Yes, yes— was that not established before?" Ei questions, leaning back in her seat.
"It was established; however, with the confiscation of visions, soldiers marched into Watatsumi demanding for those visions and well— having confirmation is never a bad thing," Miko responds, patiently.
"I see," Ei nods. "Have you ever visited Watatsumi Island? What about the mainland?"
"Goodness, Ei," Miko exasperates, all with a small smile, "I would say you only invited me here to talk about myself." She leans forward on the table, voice low and coquettish, "Not that I mind, of course. If you’re truly that interested, how can I not indulge my god?"
"Miko," It’s Ei’s turn to blush now, tips of her ears turn red and she lets out a huff. "I am more than your god." She turns her head away, pulling her hand back towards her.
"Right, right. My friend, of course—"
"That’s not what I meant," Ei stands up suddenly. She paces over to Miko’s side, grabbing her hands but standing a distance away from her, looking deeply into her eyes. Miko isn’t sure what she’s looking for. "Tell me, please," Ei pleads, squeezing their hands.
This was not a sight Miko was expecting to see today. To be quite frank, she assumed the Shogun summoned her— not Ei. She was prepared to handle emotionless discussions and civil disputes, all things Ei does not do well.
But to see Ei look at her with such an expression, pleading for an answer. She supposes it’s not the time to play one of her little tricks. There is a part of her, a younger version of herself who’s fuming, angry. What sort of god abandons her faithful servant?
"It’s like you haven’t changed," Miko sighs, letting go of Ei’s hands and trailing them up to her neck, her jaw, caressing her cheek with her thumb. Ei brings her hands up and cups them over Miko’s hand, leaning into her palm.
"But you have," Ei replies, holding their hands tighter.
"I have," She nods.
"When the Sacred Sakura was attacked by those rifthounds, I saw glimpses of the past," Ei begins, moving Miko’s hands away from her face. "I only saw a glimpse of you once the seed of the Sacred Sakura planted itself and even then, it never gave me insight on you."
Miko hums in acknowledgment, closing her eyes, knowing where this will go.
"With this new outlook of the future, with the abolishment of the Sakoku Decree, I feel I must acknowledge the past to move forward," Ei has a reminiscent look in her eyes. Miko can only think of her friends of the past.
"Tell me of your past, so I can make a better future."
Miko turns away from her, a blush rising to her cheeks. "Seems you’ve been reading some of those light novels I’ve suggested, hm? Those words are too smooth for a pigheaded person like you," Miko lets out a laugh, walking away from Ei who trails obediently behind.
"Did my words move the beautiful and wise Yae Miko? Isn’t that what so-called people refer to you— or simply yourself?" Ei refutes, with a teasing tone.
Miko scoffs, her ears twitch. She takes a seat on Ei’s bed, crossing her legs and looking up at Ei, whose cheeks are painted pink. Miko leans back on her arms, leaning her head back.
She feels Ei’s eyes on her, watching her every movement. It doesn’t bother her— if anything, it reminds her of when they first met. How she was a young whelp, jumping into mounds of snow, to grab the attention of the almighty Electro Archon.
She remembers the day clearly, how the weather felt, how the wind breezed, how Makoto and Saiguu stood side by side. Something tugs on her heart and she sighs— she seems to be doing that a lot.
It’s not that she hasn’t forgiven Ei. She has, completely. She can go as far to say she understands why Ei did all of that. Understands, yes; agrees with it, Archon’s no.
Miko supposes it’s because she has changed. She isn’t going to fight for the electro archon’s attention (though it seems like she doesn’t have to). She’s no longer the young adult who would argue over stories. She’s no longer that yokai. If anything, she’s more clever and more intuitive than before.
… Well, she may be a tad angry at Ei for going into some time-dimension and fighting yet for another 500 years without thinking clearly. But that’s another topic for later.
With a deep exhale, she opens her eyes to find Ei kneeling in front of her, hands crossed over her lap, looking up at her with big eyes. Miko clicks her tongue, rolling her eyes, "Get up here. Honestly, you’re an Archon. Don’t sit on the floor like that."
Ei carries the grace of a god to the average mortal, sure. But Miko can see the way her eyes shine brighter, and can sense her heartbeat quicken. Not so sly anymore, Raiden.
Ei takes a seat next to Miko, letting their shoulders and thighs touch. Miko blames it on the fact that Ei spent so much time meditating that she’s just doing as she remembers— out of habit, nothing else. But she shakes those thoughts out, getting to the topic at hand:
"You have to promise me, Ei. You have to promise you will not retreat back into the Plane of Euthymia," Miko turns her head to see Ei already looking at her. "I will show you but you must promise me."
Ei grabs ahold of her hand, grasping it softly unlike the warrior she is, interlacing their fingers, "I vow to you I will not." She says those words as if she’s declaring a new decree, "And if I— God forbid— go against my vows, you are given full authority to drag me out."
"If only you gave me that 500 years ago," Miko mutters, rolling her eyes.
She feels Ei start to pull her hand back at the comment but Miko pulls her back, glaring at her. Don’t start retreating now.
"I forgave you a long time ago," Miko digs her nails into the other’s hand, trying to elicit some reaction. Doesn’t work. "You gave me enough time to do so. But do not close off the second I make a quick snip at it. I have only changed so much— if anything, I’m quite wittier." She lets out a soft laugh, loosening her grip on the other’s hand.
Ei continues to stare at her. Miko knows she’s taking her time to form a proper sentence so she’ll give her time. That’s all immortal beings have at least: time. Though, time is eroding, like always. She watches as Ei’s eyes flit over the room, as if she’s connecting the sentences herself visually. She watches as Ei bites her lip, how her eyebrows crease at a certain thought.
It was always entertaining to watch Ei so deep in thought.
"You forgave me," Ei mumbles, her posture faltering a little. "I can accept that, truly. With my pursuit of eternity, my solace and my escapism, I know I have left you for a long time," Ei speaks with her heart on her sleeve, she leans more onto Miko— Miko thinks Ei doesn’t realize what she’s doing. "I have left you for a long time and you have forgiven me. Except, I have yet to give you a proper apology."
Miko hums, letting herself lean into Ei as well. She’s a bit greedy when it comes to her.
"Do you apologize now?" Miko questions.
"I’m attempting to."
"What’s preventing you?"
"Nothing is, necessarily," Ei replies, casually. She holds her hands palm up, looking down and admiring the handiwork of her own creation, the doll-like joints embedding her palms and hands. A rash decision of herself yet Miko supported her through it, through her grief. "Do you regret telling me how to transfer my conscience into the Musou Isshin and thus creating the Plane of Euthymia?"
"That’s a silly question," Miko responds smoothly but it catches her off guard. Does she regret it? She’s uncertain. Ei was grieving, she was grieving as well. Miko lost her friends— Saiguu, Makoto— as well. And over the years, after Ei sealed herself in the Plane of Euthimiya, youkai of all kinds seemed to disappear, leaving her as one of the few remaining. "Do you remember the Hyakkiyakou?"
"Yes," Ei nods.
"I recently performed a ritual, did you know?"
"Oh," Ei turns and looks at Miko, but Miko is staring at the ceiling above them, reminiscing. "Tell me more."
"One of my old friends, Urakusai," Miko takes a breath, closing her eyes and letting those memories fill her consciousness, "I saw his spirit, alongside others. I presume it was due to the leylines. Anyways, he told me that the youkai have missed the Hyakkiyakou and wished for one more celebration— to see who can block out the moonlight with their power," Miko lets out a soft laugh, remembering how Urakusai scared half of Inazuma with his shenanigans. "It was a lovely ritual though…" Miko trails off and decidesly looks over to Ei, who has been taking in Miko’s words, fully.
"I wish I could have witnessed your dance in the moonlight once more."
"Maybe some other time," Miko wears a soft smile.
"I look forward to it."
Miko hums, a delightful sound.
"I missed them," Miko says, reaching her hand out to hold Ei’s. "I missed you."
Ei’s breath hitches.
"I missed you, Ei." Miko speaks softly, as if her words could break Ei. Miko feels Ei’s calloused hands start to shake, subtly, her heart rate quickens— something only her kitsune senses can detect. "I miss everyone, to be quite honest."
"I miss them too," Ei responds, settling her other hand on top of Miko’s. "I missed you too."
"I don’t hold regrets though. Inazuma holds no time for regrets— this nation is forever moving along," Miko takes her hand and pushes a strand of hair behind Ei’s ear, caressing her jaw, "I know I pushed you out of the Plane of Euthimiya but I only wished for you to witness your nation. How proud you would be of it." Miko takes a second and lets out a small laugh, "I also just wished to have my friend again."
"Selfish thing, aren’t you?" Ei retorts, nothing serious. "You are my loyal servant, one of my people," Ei speaks with such authority when it comes to her nation, "I think if you didn’t drag me out, I would have never left. I saw the nation, explored what I have. It seems to be doing better off without my charge—"
"You’re wrong," Miko scoffs out, "Your people admire you."
"Do you?"
Miko looks away, affronted. It doesn’t take her long to reply though. "Of course, I am one of your people— as you said."
"You’re more than that."
"What am I to you, Ei?"
Ei takes a second, pulling her hands away only to bring them to Miko’s shoulders, tracing up her neck, tucking strands of pink hair aside and leaning in close. Her breath fans Miko’s lips yet Miko anticipates.
"You’re the one who holds my eternity. My loyal servant, my grand priestess, my mediator, my Miko."
Miko’s breath hitches.
Ei leans in, letting her lips slide against the others, soft and gentle— unlike her warrior personality. Miko lets her— and it ends all too quickly for her liking.
Ei pulls back, face flushed and eyes darting nervously. "Was that a sufficient answer?"
"You absolute fool," Miko retorts. She reaches out and grabs the collar of Ei’s shirt, dragging her back towards her, "You foolish creature—" Miko shouts, cutting herself off by pulling Ei back onto her lips, demanding more from her.
At the sudden force, Miko falls back on the bed with Ei stumbling on top of her, keeping her balance by holding her arms up near Miko’s head. Miko wraps her arms around Ei’s neck, bringing her closer, letting their kiss become more heated, till Miko can no longer breathe and pulls away breathless.
Ei doesn’t pant, she doesn’t breathe. But her face flushes, her eyes are dilated, and she stares at Miko as if she holds eternity in her hands.
"You’re my god," Miko states.
"I am your god," Ei responds, confirming.
"I will tell you of my past; however, it will be something I tell you in stories and tales." Miko decides, letting her hands brush gently through purple strands. Her thumb brushes the porcelain cheek— cold to touch but she imagines it’s warm.
"Take your time in telling me," Ei responds, letting her forehead rest against Miko’s. "As you said we have all the time in the world, correct?"
"As long as I am yours, eternity will be complete."
Thunder echoes across the seas. The familiar sound buzzes in the air, making goosebumps form on gentle skin. The smell of electric ozone, Sakura blossoms, and tricolor dango. God and Kitsune rest peacefully, no fear of erosion in sight.