For not the first time that year, Takeshi had been hit over the head with unexpected news. His sister, Ikigai, was going to be married off to Elysium. He supposed it wasn’t too much of a surprise, she hadn’t kept it a secret that she’d be up to such a thing, but it didn’t mean he would ever be ready for it. His sisters could very well take care of themselves, he knew that, but he would never be able to shake off the protective big brother in him. He and his siblings had been through so much in their almost 2 years of life, they deserved happiness for the rest of it and Takeshi would be damned if he’d let her go if it wasn’t what Iki really wanted.

So, the boy found himself in the doorway of her room. She was inside, packing up some of the last bits of her belongings. The room felt so barren without her things neatly stacked about, like her entire presence and personality was already where she would be going. He felt a pang in his chest. “Need help with anything?” he asked, walking through the doorway and pressing a kiss to her forehead as he always did.

Speech

Despite being a princess of Ashen, Ikigai didn't have very many belongings. She lived sparsely, acquiring only those things which were necessary. The only frivolous items that she possessed had been given to her. Although perhaps she shouldn't think of her instruments as frivolous. She didn't exactly need them to live, but she thoroughly enjoyed them, as did those around her. The kimono's that she'd collected would stay. She would never wear the fashion of her father's kingdom again.

A voice from behind brought marbled eyes shifting to land upon the red marked face of her brother. By some miracle he'd been gifted with his own voice during the long night and she still loved hearing his rich tones. Takeshi came forward and kissed her forehead and Ikigai leaned into that affection. The snow and obsidian fae inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly before giving her head a little shake. "I didn't have much to pack. Everything else is staying. Ike and Kitsune can have my kimonos." She raised mercuric, snake slit eyes to search her brother's face. "You're welcome to anything that you might like as well." It seemed all business, but it really wasn't. Iki was simply being dry and to the point so that she wouldn't have to say goodbye to her dear brother.

"Ikigai"