(Untitled)

[super_seme]

Day 15, 7p.m.

It feels good to ride through the streets of their own city once more, even if it isn't really their city. The passersby cheer them on, just the same. Gwendal isn't sure if it's because of the return of their precious charge or simply because they've seen Murata's dark hair among their company

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[totalknowitall]

The bright sunshine and welcoming smiles on the faces of the people almost make it possible to forget their company is short one important person. Murata nods and returns the smiles but finds it hard to manage after a while. He fidgets, looking down at the ground as it passes below the horse's hooves.

"We did as well as we could have, given the circumstances," he says softly.

[super_seme]

Gwendal shakes his head. "I don't want to consider the circumstances. I want to rescue my brother from the insane megalomaniac." He immediately feels guilty at giving such a petulant response to Murata's attempt to cheer him. "Sorry. I know things went better than we could have expected." Trusting Kihin to follow the horse in front's lead, Gwendal loosens his hold on the reins and rests his forehead on Murata's shoulder. He continues in a muffled voice: "He always looks out for everyone. He looks out for me. He deserves our help."

[totalknowitall]

Talking about Sir Weller is easier than focusing on the faint claustrophobia that starts to gnaw in the pit of his stomach as Blood Pledge Castle gets closer. Still looking down at his hands, he nods again. "He will have it," he replies. "Yozak will bring him back. We've done our part. Think of how much easier the rescue will be now that Greta is out of harm's way."

[super_seme]

For once, Gwendal is too wrapped up in his own thoughts to notice the strain in his partner's posture and voice. "I hope you're right," he says gruffly, lifting his face to look ahead as he resumes his calm facade. "Because if not...it may be too late to rescue him even now."

[yuuri_maou]

As soon as they were told that the negotiation party was close, there was no way either Yuuri or Wolfram was about to wait at the castle for them to get there. Wolfram’s horse was already saddled, he wasn’t going to ask why, Ao was left in the stables as they raced out to meet everyone. There was also an added benefit that Yuuri was less likely to fall off a galloping horse if he wasn’t driving, just hanging on, but that wasn’t the point

[goldenbishounen]

He's not even thinking as the horse hurtles away from the guards that should be with them, glad that Yuuri has the presence of mind to hold on tight, as he cannot make himself slow until absolutely necessary. Then they're pulling up, and Yuuri has dismounted in a fumble-foot display that would usually have him mocking the dark-haired boy, but right now he can't find the words to squeeze them around the lump in his throat

[lilac_seneschal]

"Heika." Gunter drops into a half-kneeling bow, delighted to see his king once more. The joyful relief on Yuuri's face at having his daughter restored to him sets Gunter's heart fluttering. [And to think, I am the one responsible for this! ...and Geika, of course.]

Conrad's current situation is distressing, but will be dealt with by those best suited to the task. Gunter's current task is to handle the Maou's information feed and any other crises that may arise in Blood Pledge.

[greta_chan]

She can't think for a few moments, and before she knows it she finds herself in the hold of both of her fathers. They're both *there*, and real and alive and... Her mind still won't work, she can't get her body to move and she should be doing something, anything.

It takes her a minute to realize she's crying, just silent tears but that's all it takes for the floodgates to break and she's clinging to both of them as she sobs in their arms. She can't tell what she's feeling, she still feels like she's in shock but she knows she's home and that's really all that matter's right now.

[cheri_blossom]

It has taken longer than Cheri would like to get downstairs and down the front steps (stupid heels!), but at last she is dashing towards the throng of people just outside the front gates, Raven still in tow.

"Greta!" she shouts happily over the din of the crowd. Being small and thin, Cheri can easily slip through the bystanders, but she has to let go of Raven's hand to do it.

Seeing Yuuri and Wolfram standing together with their daughters makes her face light up with joy. Once she's cleared the crowd, Cheri launches her small self at them, trying to hug them all at once.

[soulfilled_eyes]

Raven massaged feeling back into his hand as Cheri seperated from him. He quietly and politely stayed back against the wall, feeling like he was intruding on a private moment that he shouldn't be observing. Only Cheri's presense stopped him from exiting the room again.

Being back against a wall, away from the frantic hugging and cuddling and crying gave him the position to watch unhindered. His eyes flicked from person to person but always came to rest back on Cheri's figure. He allowed himself a little smile as he watched a genuine smile crossed her face, the first since news of the kidnappings had been broached to her. For that alone, he was thankful to Von Walde-san and Murata-san for bringing Cheri's grand-daughter home. Possibly he would have understood more if he had more family, but one would have needed a partner for that...

[yuuri_maou]

Yuuri smiles gently at his other daughter’s loud commands and decides to let to express her worry about her sister as she pleases, laying his cheek instead against Wolfram’s jaw, turning in towards him so that the girls are side by side. He almost can’t believe that she’s here, that they are back together again. There is child-snot on his collar from Greta’s crying, and his shoulder is damp with her tears, but her laughter lightens his heart, even more to hear her speak.

Everyone is crowding in now, trying to touch the little princess and welcome her home all at once. It’s not until Cheri enthusiastically tries to smother them that he finally has decided that they’ve had enough. “We should go inside, so Greta can rest.”

[greta_chan]

Before she knows it her grandmother is hugging her, and she squeaks slightly as she was squeezed by the others. She's happy for Cheri's affection, but a nap sounds real good right now. She closes her eyes, snuggling closer to her parents. Sleep now, talk latter...

[the_great_sage]

He stands back a little as the castle folk rush forward to greet the returned party, approaching more slowly to look over the travel-weary team. A genuinely warm smile lights his face at the sight of the reunited family and he takes a moment to be relieved that all who set out appear to have returned safely. As he watches, his double and Hoka-Gwendal enter the courtyard quietly, lingering back from the celebrations before them as they bring up the rear of the team. His eyes linger for a moment on his double's pale face; noting the tense posture and blank gaze. The other Sage is certainly not as happy to be home as his fellow travel companions. Murata has a pretty good idea why, now

[totalknowitall]

Distracted from his thoughts by Gwendal's question, Murata is infinately grateful for the suggestion. He turns in the saddle and smiles slightly. Suddenly, he catches his double's presence and turns around, watching the other Sage mingle in the crowd, grinning and laughing with his friends.

He is a little surprised when his double chooses to open a mental connection, instead of offering a formal greeting. Murata strengthens his shields out of reflex, protecting stray thoughts and feelings from seeping into the connection. Thank you, Geika. Everything went as planned. I'm sure Belal is cursing all our names by now.

He presses his hand against Gwen's. "Yes, Gwen," he finally answers. "I think it'd be better to let them be."

[the_great_sage]

He smirks a little to himself at the comment on Belal's reaction. "That is good to hear. But I will speak with you further about your travels, tomorrow."
Murata turns now, to look at his double properly again, his smile fading a little.

"I am sure celebrations of Greta's return will continue well into the the night. For the present, though, you look more like you could do with a hot chocolate, a long night's sleep"...his eyes flicker to Gwendal's arm curled tight about his Double's abdomen; up to the lips lingering close by the Sage's ear; and back again..."and the comfort of a warm, strong body to curl against." His mouth twitches back into an amused smile at the sight.

The two seem a little more open about their relationship than they had been before the journey, and this world's Sage hopes that it is a good sign. Still, it is incredibly strange to see the mirror of himself and von Walde so obviously together. He can't imagine himself ever being with either Gwendal, but he does not begrudge his double the difference in

[totalknowitall]

Had he the energy, Murata would have made an unpleasant face at his double for the unsubtle references to Gwen. For the moment, however, he appreciates the suggestion and just nods, wondering how strange his association with "Sir von Walde" must appear to the other Murata.

I think we may skip the celebrations. He glances over at the happy family, surpressing a shudder as more memories roll into his mind. Restless, he directs his gaze at the castle, wishing to be there rather than here. Shall we speak again in the morning, Geika?