second King: video;

[parasolspinning]

Well, this certainly wasn't how I was expecting to spend my day...

[Shiro's face is a bit obscured at the moment, as his SFC is sat down next to a rice cooker (how did he get a hold of that? The world may never know) as his fingers work over a puzzle.]

ah, no... not quite... but as far as first curses go, this isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be!

... no, that was close...

[He keeps working at it, but not a second later, it finally clicks and the cooker opens up - empty currently, but at least now he can start to make his rice.]

Wonderful! This is kind of fun! How is everyone else fairing with their puzzles? I'd be more than happy to assist, if some one would be willing to pass some dinner my way in payment!

[He bends down, giving the SFC a completely innocent, 'you know you want to feed me and have me help' smile before shutting his SFC off.]

Comments

[booyaka_boom]

Four? Wow! You really are lucky. That must be nice..

*She gives a small nod*

Even I've been home for a few months, then I was back here again. Overall, though, it's been more than two years. So yeah...it's possible to stick around for a while.

[parasolspinning]

Aheh... it... would be. If one of them didn't hate me so much. The other two... well, Izumo-san seems to like me well enough. Mikoto-san is more or less indifferent, which I suppose is better than hate.

[Two years? Wow...]

You must have a lot of stories then!

[booyaka_boom]

One of them hates you? Really? *Selphie pulls a face at this, not really understanding how someone could hate Shiro. At mention of Mikoto's name, though, she gives a nod*

He-ey! I met him, before. Mikoto. When he first got here. He was badly wounded.

*As for stories, Selphie smiles gently and shakes her head*

Maybe one or two.

[parasolspinning]

... he was?

[Oh dear. Shiro has a feeling he knows what that's about. Granted he doesn't know details, just a hunch on the way things were going back home before he was pulled...]

I'm... glad he's alright now.

[The expression is undeniable, though. Regardless of how little he knows, there's still guilt there because he knows in some way he's likely responsible for it.

But he shakes it off quickly, and goes back to... somewhat happier topics.]

Yata-san is... temperamental, and we got off on the wrong foot. Many of the Red Clan are ill tempered in their own way. Izumo-san is one of the few who's level headed.

[booyaka_boom]

Mmhmm. I helped him up, though. He doesn't really talk much, huh?

*She tilts her head, noting a brief change in expression, so when she nods, it's more to keep him on a positive note*

Uh huh! He's better, so it's all fine! Hmm... Maybe things will be different here.

*Selphie knows nothing of these clans, but she smiles*

I met Izumo too. He seemed pretty relaxed!

[parasolspinning]

Mmn... no, he's pretty quiet. But that's okay. The world takes all kinds, after all.

[Oh, Shiro knows things will be different here. But he's not going to talk about that.]

Izumo-san is a... second-in-command of sorts, to Mikoto-san, from what I understand. They work well together.

[booyaka_boom]

*That was very true, and Selphie nods her head, thinking on this carefully*

So Mikoto, is he an important commander or something?

*Curious, because she's a military woman who understands hierarchy, but she had thought that san was supposed to be familiar, for friends, so maybe Shiro was important somehow too*

[parasolspinning]

Of sorts. If you have to compare the Red Clan to anything it's closer to a gang. It's the Blue and Gold clans that have any true political power. But Mikoto-san was the Red King back home, yes. He's very important to his clansmen, and they're unshakably loyal to him.

[booyaka_boom]

Whoa... so like they're all in a gang?

*Sorry, Shiro, but Selphie happens to find that really exciting for some reason*

That's so cool! Wait - he's a king? Like, a real king? Or is that his gangster name?

[parasolspinning]

Kings are titles given to people gifted special abilities by an object called the Dresden Slate. Kings are able to give similar abilities to their clansmen.

The Blue, Gold and Silver Kings are the highest ranked, though Red and Green often start scuffles and feuds with them.

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie settles her empty bowl down on the table and sits back on the couch, watching Shiro carefully as she tries to make sense of it all*

Wow! That is so cool! What kinda abilities do kings get from this Dresden..Stone?

*Yeah, she gets it wrong but it's a lotta info*

[parasolspinning]

That all depends on the King. Mikoto-san and the Red Clan are mostly fire based. Blue... they're a little more complicated, but it appears to be a manipulation of energy, from what I've seen.

The Gold King can quite literally draw the potential out of a person and rise them to their fullest capabilities - in a sense finding the hidden "gold" inside of them. His followers have a sort of... astral projection - the ability to manifest objects.

Unfortunately I've never met anyone from the Green clan so I can't be too certain what their abilities are.

[Notice he's leaving out Silver in this explanation.]

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie tucks her legs beneath her, cuddling into the sofa like she's listening to a good story. It's a lot to take in, so she hasn't noticed the silver thing. Not yet*

Wow.. that's so cool. I wonder what the green one does. And these kings, they just give power to whoever they want? Can you have a mixture of powers from all the kings?

[parasolspinning]

[Shiro doesn't mind talking about it, at least? It is kind of a good story.]

If I ever return home, I'll try to find out.

Yes, you can. Some one can defect to another clan, but so long as the King is still alive, the previous power remains.

[booyaka_boom]

Wow! But..what happens when the king dies? Is that just it? Does the power die with him and no one else can have it?

*Cause that would be a waste. Selphie grabs her orange juice and finishes the rest, half wondering if Mikoto would be willing to share some of these powers. Just for fun*

[parasolspinning]

[Shiro has a feeling Mikoto lacks his powers in Vatheon, but he's not going to speculate on that out loud.]

No, no, of course not. There have been many Kings since the discovery of the Slate. Eventually some one else is gifted with the power. Whether or not they return to the previous clan or not is their decision though. Some Kings have even had no clansmen, or waited a very long time to accept people in to their clan.

[booyaka_boom]

*Okay, so maybe somewhere along those lines Selphie lost track and just started staring at Shiro. But when he finishes talking she nods her head*

Do you think the other kings will end up here - what are they...blue? Green? Gold? Uh...

[parasolspinning]

Silver.

[Also not going to talk about the Colorless King. Just. No.]

[booyaka_boom]

Oh yeah! Silver! What did you say that one did again?

*Sure, cause she thinks she's just forgotten*

[parasolspinning]

Oh, I didn't...

[He thinks about it for a moment, finding himself questioning suddenly why he's been so cautious about being honest lately. Granted, the whole 'occupying a body that isn't my own' thing might just send some people running, but she's been nothing but curious so far.

He lets out a faint sigh, setting his bowl down on the coffee table. A breath back in, and he motions with a finger towards his chopsticks. They wiggle a little, and then slowly lift in to the air. It doesn't last long, though - it's far easier to resonate with living creatures than inanimate objects.]

I believe the proper term is "gravity manipulation".

[booyaka_boom]

*Wow. That really, really, gets her attention. She leans forward, eyes and mouth wide in fascination, a hand squeezing his upper arm with all the excitement. And then she suddenly lets go and moves away, staring again*

Oh no.. don't tell me..

You're...you're the Silver king?

[parasolspinning]

[That gets a tiny smile from him, if only for a moment.]

I am. I'm not making a habit of advertising it. Mikoto-san and I have... resolved our differences, so there's no chance of any continuing animosity between us as Kings...

[Or are going to, according to Mikoto]

but I would rather not make a big deal over it. I'm much more content to live simply.

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie, on the other hand, looks completely and utterly mortified. She turns away from him, burying her face into the back of the couch. And she'll just stay like this. She's taken that all in, but she's too busy concentrating on her embarrassment for now*

[parasolspinning]

[Oops. Now he thinks he's done something wrong.]

S... Selphie? I'm sorry, I didn't scare you did I?

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie slowly moves back round to face him, still looking thoroughly horrified with herself*

You're...a king. With those powers. And I - I invite you into my stupid apartment and make you...noodles! Noodles for a king!