Saiunkoku: The Age of Silver: Feed Them On Your Dreams

[branchandroot]

Fic post from my archive.

Feed Them On Your Dreams

The Emperor is dying; Seien talks with both his fathers. Drama with Angst, I-4 (Significant Novel Spoilers)

Seien's anger made his voice a growl. "You spent years and years fighting to reunify the country, to break the power of the great clans until imperial law ruled everywhere again." His control slipped and he slammed a hand against the wall. "And you almost lost it all just because you ignored what was happening in your own inner courts! Why?!"

Comments

[written-in-blue.livejournal.com]

Oh, ouch. Ouch.

*chews on the previous Emperor some*

*and cuddles Shouka and Seiran both*

[branchandroot]

That, yeah. Really, it's no wonder Shou and Senka got along. I mean, talk about ruthless.

Seiran and Shouka totally deserve cuddles.

[sparrow-wings.livejournal.com]

"Don't You Ever Ask Them Why" -- ... I'm with Seien on this one: Senka's an asshole.

Although, in canon-continuity, Senka didn't entirely succeed, did he? If the Kou family could still halt the country on behalf of Reishin and Shuurei, and the Ran family could have propped it up indefinitely (if they wanted to).

"And Know They Love You" -- I like the sense of ceremony you've created here, the implication that Shouka and Seien's relations have become more adult, but not less loving.

[branchandroot]

Thank you!

*wry* Senka is definitely a fine example of the old Legalist philosophy, that's for darn sure.

And Shouka's sacrifice, along with his grandmother's, does seem to have bought the Kou that much, at least; not all their power was broken, and once there was peace they worked a good deal of influence back up. The Ran I'm still wondering about. *wants more canon clues very badly*

I heart Shouka so very much. Honestly, I think he's the only reason Seien will be a good Emperor.

[sparrow-wings.livejournal.com]

I haven't any idea about the Ran. I think in the anime Shuuei said they prefer to stay out of active politics? Not that Shou and Senka would have been fooled by that. Maybe it had something to do with their intelligence networks, or maybe their leader just wasn't that much of a threat.

Honestly, I think he's the only reason Seien will be a good Emperor. As opposed to one entirely focussed on Shuurei and Ryuuki, do you mean? I do think he needs an authority figure he respects, and not just servants, people to protect, and the elder statesmen.

Oh, I meant to ask -- has Shoukun died by now? I mean, I assume so, since she hasn't shown up after "Peaches and Thorns", but I can't recall anyone mentioning it.

[branchandroot]

*nods* Shoukun died on schedule. Since we know so very little about her I haven't written it in as a story; that may be something I can go back and fill in later.

[grey-damaskena.livejournal.com]

"on schedule" just seems . . . ::very amused:: Oh, dear. I have a very odd sense of humor, I am tickled quite pink.

[branchandroot]

*giggles* The ruthlessness of authors, yeah.

[lady-readwolf.livejournal.com]

I feel rather bummed after reading this... To completely ignore your other kids... [shakes head disgustedly] To try and fix up the country but completely ignore what's going on at home...

But Shouka. ^__^ Shouka's pretty cool, isn't he? I remember reading or seeing something about him and his grandmother... but I can't quit recall what it was. Is that what you're pulling from here? Wasn't it some skill he was able to do that only she could do, something that made him destined not to be a fit family head for the Kou?

So, that's it, is it? the old emperor's dead, the new one's about to take his proper place. [exhales] I get the strangest feeling that a lotta shit's about to be flying....

[branchandroot]

Senka was rather an idiot, and Shouka is /totally/ cool! *loves on him*

One of the recent side stories dealt with Shouka's background. The deal seems to have been that he had to kill his granny himself, or else the Emperor would do it and take anyone else who got in the way, too. *shudders*

*grins* Definitely a lotta shit flying. But it will probably build up slowly.

[grey-damaskena.livejournal.com]

Was that in one of kagedreams's posts? It sounds familiar, but I don't recall exactly . . .

[branchandroot]

Yeah, one of the fairly recent ones, if I recall correctly. *sighs* I /really/ want better functions for annotating memories; it would make it so much easier to keep track of these things.

[grey-damaskena.livejournal.com]

Ah, happiness, more AU! And more Senka, although disappointing that we won't be seeing more of him. What you've revealed of his past is quite intriguing. Really, one of my favorite things about Saiunkoku is the feeling that everyone has a story, just as fascinating as the ones currently going on. You've cashed in on that nicely here, and expanded it a little, though I find myself more curious than ever.

Seien's learning some hard lessons this time around, but hopefully this will serve to cement his dedication as Emperor. I don't imagine the recitation of Shouka's deeds was easy for either of them . . . and now on the eve of his ascension Seien knows some of the uglier aspects of rule. Which hopefully he'll be able to avoid . . . being a laid-back librarian, teacher, and father certainly suits Shouka best. :-)

[branchandroot]

Thank you!

I'm kind of fascinated by Senka; he seems to have changed a lot between his young days and the time when his kids started being born. But all we get are hints and implications.

*pets Seien* Yeah, I think he may have added to "protect the kids" a certain amount of "and don't screw up like the last one!". I don't think he would let Shouka kill for him, though. *wry* If only because, once his blood is up, he'd rather do it for himself.

[grey-damaskena.livejournal.com]

There's always that. ::nods:: And hopefully the country has progressed to the point where an assassin on-call is no longer necessary . . .

[majochan.livejournal.com]

The only good thing about having the net die on me for two days is that after pirating someone else's wireless, I have TWO ficcies to read instead of one!

Much ouchness in the good way, and many hugs for Seien and Shouka.

*hearts and squees*

Majo

[branchandroot]

Ack! I hope your net recovers; it always makes me horribly twitchy when I don't have my connection.

Very ouch, but that's what our Seien has his better dad for. And a good thing, too!

Thank you!

[zyxinn.livejournal.com]

O_O;;

owww, my heart.

Senka was sooooooo harsh! poor seien!!!!!!!

&&secondly: no ryuuki in this one~ (is sad)

mmmk. fic!love though. total fic!love~

[branchandroot]

Thank you!

Yeah, Senka is pretty hard by this point. *shakes head* Well, at least Seien will have his family to keep him from getting that way!