The stench of blood... [a sharply drawn in breath]

It... it is overwhelming.

[his voice sounds faint and strained] Once again, this city reeks.

[His voice sounds slightly stiff and formal, but that is Keiki's usual way of doing things. There is silence for a moment, although the device is clearly on and one can hear the soft breathing of someone before he finally starts to speak.]

A Kirin is a holy creature that is born from a tree called a Shashinboku as a Ranka in Mt. Hou which lays at the centre of the Yellow Sea. The tree shall grow the Kirin until it is ready, and there can only be twelve such creatures as a given time, although due to... circumstances, the numbers may be less than twelve.

Prior to birth of the Kirin, a Nyokai is born.

A nyokai too is born from a ranki on Mt. Hou from the roots of the Shashinboku tree, where as the Ranka of the Kirin is from the branches, and for every Kirin there is a Nyokai. They watch over the Ranka and wait for the Kirin to be birthed, and after such a time that they are, they then serve the Kirin until it's death, both teaching it and protecting it.

Kaiko is the one who raised me since I was birthed.

[The feed turns on with the tail end of Keiki's sentence to his nyokai.]

- I'm afraid I do not know.

[His voice has a slightly nasal pitch to it and if anything, he looks quite tired and more or less off-put. He happens to be slumped on the bed, too exhausted and weak to remain in human form, one blanket half pulled up around his flanks and his head resting in Kaiko's lap. As his muzzle moves toward the screen, the bright red nose can be spotted blinking and flashing rather brightly.]

Is there anything more that may be done, Taihou?

[She seems to cast a wary eye on the blinking nose, as she had not seen anything like it, but she strokes his forelock gently. A weary sigh is given, for Keiki is not too impressed or happy. There is no blood and it is not shitsudou, from which Keiki has suffered before. And yet...]

I should not be getting sick...

- like this, Taihou? [And the viewers have a good sight of his nyokai's upper torso on a tilted angle before the view shifts to an upside down image of a small plush unicorn on the floor with a rabbit nibbling on his tail.]

[He would prefer to put this on a private channel (or at least attempt too) but at current, Keiki has no fingers, nor would informing Kaiko be efficient.]

It would appear that that shall have to do... [a sigh] ... I assume that there is someone within the apartment? ... Roka is... if someone could offer some assistance... [another sigh]

This month... appears as if it shall be a trial.

... this Halloween that some have been addressing. This is a Hourai holiday?

[The Keiki trademark; a sigh.]

Nothing ever goes correctly. I have served two Empresses. The first, her reign only lasted a short six years, and she remained locked away in the palace for a majority of the time. She had little to no interest in politics, or even governing the country, and would have rathered married a man and worked at her loom. She was gentle and prudent, shy even, though she grew weary. As her life started to close in around her, she just withdrew, folded and crumbled. She secluded herself away and ignored all my attempts to do anything. In the end, I became sick as any Kirin would, but she abdicated the throne and killed herself, thus allowing me to live and not die.

Of course I had to find another ruler for Kei. The first time I met her, I was struck at how she resembled my previous choice. It was disconcerning, for would it all just happen again? Yet, unlike Yo-ou, her Highness recognizes the tendencies within herself and takes measures to overcome them. Yet, she should take more pride in who she is and her role. Simply because a queen is not in her country does not mean she should act any less dignified, and how she refuses to allow them to fuss over her clothing or her hair. A certain image must be portrayed to the people.

[A small pause, before he gives a huff.]

And of course I am now stuck here in the city. For a second time, although at least now I have my shirei back. Otherwise, it was relying on Enki for protection, and he is quite annoying most of the time. For one as old as he, he should act more mature and be a role model, but instead he is always jesting and being an annoyance, putting his nose where it does not belong, stealing food from others, or he and his king recklessly destroy property and do not bother to make any attempt to fix it.

[The camera angle is pointed downward, framing the face of the isoku youma, although to those who do not know what such a creature is, he seems like a dog-like creature with larger fangs, black and red fur, and gray markings. Anyone near by will note that unlike a normal dog, this creature is rather large, although this might be hidden by the fact that the man standing next to him is also quite tall. He seems intent upon something, his face drawn and strained, although also resigned. His new queen, it seemed, had a mind of her own.]

Hankyo. Accompany the Empress and protect her. Make sure no harm befalls her. She is the one jewel that-

Taiho. Something is wrong.

[It is now that Keiki notices that the grandeur of the palace is now gone and that he and his shirei are standing just off from the The Hall of the Missing. His mouth drops open for a moment, his memories of the city fuzzy and uncertain. Where was he? Something told him that he should know this strange place, although why he did not know.]

Kaiko?

... yes, Taiho?

We shall move. I believe...

[His voice trails off.]

[The feed starts with the two kirin walking side by side toward a fork in the path.]

Okay, we need to go left this time.

[A loud aggravated sigh given as Keiki closed his eyes.] We have already passed this place three times, and each time we took left upon your suggestion. I suggest right this time.

Keiki, with your sense of direction you're gonna lead us to a dead end. I'm telling you, we need to go left. I'm better at wandering around then you are so trust me, I know what I'm talking about!

[Another sigh, because Enki deserves lots of sighs, especially when Keiki is forced to spend a day wandering around with him.] I stand by right. I would not get us lost, unlike some. [Keiki gives a look to Enki, the annoyance clear on his face.]

[He shoots Keiki an equally aggravated look.] Fine, we'll do it your way.

[The two turn right, moving for several minutes before coming to a dead end. Keiki makes a slightly startled noise, surprise showing on his face as he looks ahead as if this cannot be and is not actually happening. Enki crosses his arms over his chest, looking satisfied and also trying to suppress a snicker.]

...

Like I said, we're going left.

I am very happy that I have her Majesty. Truthfully, I had assumed that I would never meet her again, for I had been captured and bound she had been placed in the world without anyone to look after her. Well, I suppose she had Jouyuu, but it was not his duty to aid her in her learning. She was a taika and unruly, for she even threw away the sword I originally gave her and refused to fight for her life. Yet, when I met her again, it seemed that she had learned many things and had grown. She is trying at times, but I see that she takes her duties seriously. She does not lock herself in her room and refuse to come out. I am glad that she accepted and acceded.

I am also grateful that I have once more had time with Taiki. It is rare for Kirin to spend time with each other, for we each have our own kingdom to run and Kei and Tai, while in the same corner of the kingdom, are not that close to each other. I had been sent to teach him what it meant to be a Kirin, but in the end it was he who had taught me.

... and I suppose the King of En also, and that despite the annoyances that Enki offers, I am glad to have gotten to know more of him too, for Kirin do not have a family in the traditional sense of the word, but in a way we are akin to siblings.