[X] "I think it depends as much on you as it does the case in question."
[X] The Kentaine Family 1 more follow up update if chosen instead of next year.
[X] The 'do not ask certain questions for everyone's own good' sort of high standing.
Relations - Kenta = No Change
[Three Weeks Later]
The 'hostage' or ahem, girl, arrives without problems or issue. Like promised, her guard of four Knights all departed immediately upon confirming that your Family's greeting party was authentic. A justified concern, you would do the same thing in their stead as well. That's why your Mother had arranged for a Witch Knight to conduct a check through Contract magic.
Contracts are done through and require Aether to perform and form a 'temporary' bond that forces the persons whom sign it to adhere to it. However, its effectiveness depends on how skilled the person performing the Contract is... versus how powerful the person s signing it are. The stronger the signer is than the Contractor, the shorter the duration- to outright failure. That's why they don't verify through the Knights themselves, but verify it through the girl.
"Yes, I'm here on behalf of Order of the Scarlet Knights under instruction by the head of the Order, Ignace Alflami and by recommendation of the King of Aforza," says the girl as she moves to curtsy, her
light violet hair nearly touching the ground in the process. "My name is Aria Alflami."
As she finishes her curtsying, she transitions into a bow, "Please take care of me." She pauses, tilting her head upwards slightly, a questioning glance from her
violet eyes. "That's how it goes, correct?"
"It'll do," remarks your Mother, her tone rather slightly pleased. "A room's been arranged for you. It should be to suitable for your needs."
You say nothing as your brain tries to catch up with the sight before you. Initially you had planned on giving a tour around her to-be residence for the time to come, though this... unexpected situation has just about rendered it rather... risky. Certainly they don't or won't need to intentionally seek to break their word, but there's much less to say about the one being held 'hostage' for the duration being exactly content about it. It's part of
why adults are generally avoided for hostage exchanges.
"You're over thinking it," your Mother says, clearly addressed to you. She motions, "Shina and your maid will accompany you."
"Yes, Kentaine-dono," says a certain
female voice. Oh right, Kenta's sister. You recognize her jet black ponytail and style of dress, a pseudo-armor styled attire with several sections comprised of actual armor- if ambit with the appearance of being worn out through heavy use- its river patterned design is easy on the eyes though the color is rather muted as if mimicking the worn out look of the armor pieces themselves.
You haven't spoken much with her, likewise in terms of interaction, outside of her few instance of accompanying Kenta on his trips over or part of picking him up as he leaves your place. And of course, by maid she means Satsuki. Right, the two of them should be about able to at least contain matters should the one calling herself 'Aria Alflami' try something. "Understood Mother. Please excuse us, we'll be leaving first."
Your Mother merely nods in affirmation at the formality, while Aria straightens up and makes a quick (respectful) half how and moves to follow after you. Shina does the same, as you've already covered the verbal portion for the three of you. Of course, Satsuki, being a ninja maid, doesn't do so as far as you can see given that she's formally absent from the meeting.
---
[Corridor]
"There's no need to be
that tense," mutters Aria.
"Given the positions of everyone involved and
certain other factors, I'm given to disagree with that," you reply in turn without turning your head. You just keep walking on forward to the next destination.
"Well... it's not," denies Aria, "Beside, if it were actually serious, I'm pretty sure Kentaine-dono would place a heavier guard and wouldn't have had you take me on this tour. Am I right?" She pauses for a moment, "On the address."
"...," you bit your lip for a moment as you go over the few
other relevant bits. Certainly your Mother wouldn't make that much or big of an error. But all the same, it is a pretty big task for you. Not to mention your first... relations based duty that you're entirely responsible for. So it is serious, just to you that is. "Yes, the address is correct. However, seriousness is subjective."
"Is that so?" Aria's tone seems rather slightly interested. "Well then Mr. Diligent, I'll hold you to that then."
"I refuse," you retort, by reflex. "And you have the wrong person if you're referring to 'diligent'. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, though it isn't by choice," replies Shina.
"A lot of things aren't by choice," you say, with much care and consideration to Aria's circumstances, "but rather what's for the best of many."
"The 'best of many'?" scoffs Aria as she shakes her head, "That may be so from one perspective, but from another perspective, it's for personal gain."
You're not sure who she's referring to though you hope, for your mutual relations for the foreseeable future, that she isn't referring to you. "Certainly one can view it that way. But isn't that rather pessimistic?"
"Is it now?" muses Aria, "If the one in question is in a position of leadership or rulership, then is it pessimistic if it is judged to be for one's gain due the significance of it?"
It's...
[ ] Pessimistic...
[ ] Understandable...
[ ] Wrong...
[ ] ? (Write In)
---
Over the next year, one event occurred that stood out to you, it was…
[ ] A few Diviners came by to see your parents. (Yuna must be present.)
[ ] The visit by a small entourage of Samurai from another Clan visited your Family.
[ ] An arranged meeting private meeting by Kenta. (Yuna cannot be present. Kenta will automatically be present.)
[ ] Hisami broaching a subject with your parents.
[ ] Hanako Akogawa makes a friend?! (Akogawa sisters automatically present. Can only optionally bring Kenta.)
[ ] Aria's boredom reaches its peak... and then some. (Aria will be automatically present.)
[ ] Your studies going smoothly. (No Event for this Year. Projected Stats increases.)
Who else is present/along at the time?
[ ] Satsuki Mari
[ ] The
Kitsune Fox sisters
[ ] The Akogawa sisters
[ ] Ito Kenta
[ ] Yuna Atsuki
[ ] Aria Alflami
