Fantasy Moments in Time

[Katsuya]

-Nightmares & Daydreams-​

Her wings spread wide open, a red cherry hue spread across her face as she hears the noises. Her eyes wide open as she realized what's going on. She can't tell if this is worse then walking in your parents or walking in on Echo and Johnny...

She took a deep breathe and said: "For goodness sake...Chenglei, when you are done 'dancing' with Kenren, you better call me so I can bring up food!" Renee ran off after that, covering her face as she started to laugh loudly. She couldn't wait to tell this to Seifer!

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Nightmares & Daydreams -​

Two hours later, a servant came to Renee and told her that the prince requests her bring Chengle's food.

She'd find Kenren sitting in front of his desk, playing cat's cradle next to Chenglei. The prince looked like he had recently bathed and had donned his usual royal robes; the bed had new clean bed sheets; and peeking a little from Chenglei's collar was a hickey.

Kenren was smiling a lot and seemed to be in a really happy mood, he looked like he just got his best friend back the way he was lounging about so comfortable with the swordsman and being closer than she's ever seen them.

Katsuya
The Story | Characters | OOC
​

 

[Katsuya]

-Nightmares & Daydreams-​

Renee came up with a tray, carrying food that she believes Chenglei can handle for now along with food for Kenren as well in case he was hungry. She smiled at the wrapped item she grabbed from Chenglei's room, believing he might need it now.

Once she reached their room and went inside, the Pendragon smiled widely at the blonde, placing the tray on the desk beside the couple. "Here you go!"

Chenglei stood straight up and gave her a charming smile, nodding his head. "Thank you Ren Ren!" She giggled, wings fluttering.

"It's no problem, just next time please take care of yourself more." She looked over at the happy prince, her smile turned into a grin filled with mischief that rival the twins. "Wouldn't want to make someone you care about worry so much, right?"

The blonde soldier gave her a look that says 'what did you do?' to which she shrugged her shoulders; pleased as fruit punch. Then she passed him the wrapped item to his hands. "Here. I think you might need this." To his confused look, Renee motioned to Kenren; Chenglei blushed and 'kufufufu'-ed in an embarrassed manner.

"Is there anything else you would like me to do? I can see that Chenglei is in good hands so...should I leave you two be?" She asked, her smile shrunk a bit as she looked over at Kenren.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Nightmares & Daydreams -​

Kenren noticed the package, then gave Renee and the kufufu-ing Chenglei a curious look, before addressing her question. If the swordsman didn't tell her any other medicine or care he needed, the prince asked if she could keep what she knew about them a secret from everyone, and then asked her if she was free today for a talk.

"I want to speak about the tantrum I threw at you when I came to."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Nightmares & Daydreams-​

"...Ah...you mean about your tango of passions? Sure. I can keep that a secret." Renee shrugged her shoulders. She's so happy that all she told Seifer was that Chenglei is safe now with tender loving care. "It's not like it's anybody's business."

When she heard his choice of topic, the Pendragon teen stood straight like a proper young lady from upper class of society and gave Kenren a mysterious smile. Her fluttering wings flapped once before settling on her head, still. "I should be free today since I already fed the baby two days ago." She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Would it make you feel better if this talk was kept between us? I would not mind using Aqua Curare to travel in my soul room since I doubt you would want me in your soul room, Prince."Renee is even sounding like a proper young lady compared to how she talked with Chenglei.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Nightmares & Daydreams -​

The prince's eyebrows quirked at her wording, as he glanced at Chenglei, amused. He found her change of demeanor curious. "Actually, I wouldn't mind having you in my soul room. Let's have it there, Renee, it may help us understand each other more."

He cleared a space for them on the floor and laid some cushions there. "We'll be back." he patted Chenglei's knee amiably, then settled in a seated position to get ready for the spell.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Nightmares & Daydreams-​

Chenglei glanced back at Kenren, shrugging a shoulder as if to say 'I'm used to her weird sayings'. Renee only blinked when Kenren suggested that they go to his soul room instead then bowed her head a bit. "Of course."

When he cleared a space for them to sit with cushions, the Pendragon teen readied her spell, the shimmering waters now on her hands. Then she settled as Chenglei responded with a cheerful "Okay Ken'en!". Renee placed a hand on Kenren's chest, closing her eyes as she felt her subconscious being pulled in.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren's Soul -​

Renee found herself by a stream in a bamboo forest. Overhead were bridges where oriental folk of all classes walked by. There were farmers riding donkeys that were hauling wagons of crops to sell in the market, hunters with braces of rabbits hanging from poles, and children peeking out of carriages with their mothers.

The land above was a field of rice paddies. There was a market nearby, trade was prospering, and to one's surprise there were giant beds of coal where whole skewered cows were roasting on bamboo spits. Colorful long dragons of various sizes were crowded around these cooking beds waiting for their meals and paying cooks who took gold from pouches around their necks or wrists. Men and dragons were living together, and seemed to have equal citizenship.

There were dragons working the lands, and men working in the fields of dragons, and for some odd reason, Renee was drawn to a farm where horses grazed on a lush field behind a stone fence. By a stable, there was a familiar figure dismounting from a dapple grey, he led the horse to a water trough where he patted its neck amiably, before taking off its saddle and hanging it on a post nearby.

Kenren's home was a traditional oriental house, made of wood with sliding paper walls; wind chimes tinkled in the breeze, and paper fans stuck on the bushes whirled. It had one floor, but seemed to made of two parts: there was a dojo where two familiar katanas, one belonging to a particular blonde lay next to each other on a stand. There were photographs pinned to the walls, all of them moving, all of them Kenren's soldiers training, fighting, eating, together with him.

The other part seemed to be the family area, and there was a cheerful girl with purple hair doing her homework outside, next to a granny who looked stern but kind. There was also a woman who had Kenren's eyes and nose, humming to herself as she cooked for was it breakfast or lunch with the servants.

Everything in Kenren's soul seemed so normal, except for the water color sky. It reminded one of the kabuki theater's illusions, and right now the clouds looked like Chenglei's flower blooms.

The prince spotted Renee, and casually walking up to her, stood by and watched his family together. "Welcome to my soul."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Nightmares & Daydreams-​

Renee's eyes widened in joy as she looked around, her mysterious smile grew more warm as she watched the dragons and humans interacting together. She noticed their attire and looked down on her own white simple dress.

"Maybe I should fit in..." She mumbled before closing her eyes and imagined what she would wear. When she opened them, the Pendragon teen is wearing a three layered kimono. Innermost layer being white, second layer is a sun-kissed yellow with pin strips and the outermost layer is a baby blue with a flora pattern. The hemming was scalloped shaped while her obi is a lighter colored yellow with three white strips going around her waist. There was a red decorative string wrapped around her obi several times with a red and white butterfly pinned on the top. Her hair was braided into a crown at the back with a flower-esqe bun in the middle and a puffy dandelion kanzashi clipped to the side to keep her fringes away from her face with red and white triangles draped from the pin. Blue little flowers also decorated her hair. On her wrist is her precious connection to Seifer's soul, faded out at the end but she knew where it leads to.

"...Much better..." Her feet were still bare it seems...that will never change, will it?

Then she walked to where she was drawn to; a farm with horses and she saw a very familiar figure stepping off a gray dapple. Renee blinked and smiled again at him when he greeted her. "Thank you for inviting me." She looked at the people, whom she assumed were his precious people with a warm glint in her eyes.

"Your soul is lovely, Prince." Renee honestly meant that as she looked on. Her wings fluttered happily. "You love horses? Hmm...and your house is very family oriented too..." She looked up and laughed a bit. "Chenglei must have influenced you a lot for those flowers to appear. Heheh!"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren's Soul -​

"Hush." smiled Kenren, ruffling her hair and rubbing his hand down her eyes. "Come with me, Renee."

He led the way inside, leaving his shoes outside the sliding door, before moving pass the dojo, then through another door that slid open to a different place. It was the inside of a shack. There was a straw bed, and the roof was leaking. It was raining outside the windows, a contrast to the sunny skies outside, yet, the rain made this place more peaceful, quiet and cozy.

One could tell this was the inmost part of the prince's soul. There were memories here in the form of trinkets: the very inaccurate Heroes of Holt figurines with the buff manly Echo, colorful strings artfully weaved and hanging from sword hilts, cracked glasses, a girl's slippers, and an open chest where instead of treasure there were pictures of Kenren's soldiers. He led out of that bedroom and into a shabby kitchen that also seemed to be a dining room. Here he bid Renee sit while he made some tea.

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior." he began, "I realized later on that you crying for help that time, was not out of malice." he placed two steaming mugs of tea on the table. He blew on his and sipped. "I was upset I lost my arms. I thought I wouldn't be able to hold a sword again."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Nightmares & Daydreams-​

Renee laughed when Kenren ruffled her hair, her eye peeking through his fingers.

She followed Kenren, looking at her bare feet and just imagined that her feet are clean to go inside, looking around the rooms that they passed through. Renee tilted her head in curiosity when she noticed the shack and rainy skies but she didn't feel like he was sad. So maybe the mode and weather patterns differ for each person. Interesting.

Then she noticed all of the trinkets, pausing for a second. Her wings fluttered as she continued to follow Kenren. Renee sat down when he bid her to sit, still looking around as she listened. The Pendragon teen's gaze went to the Prince. She didn't pick up her cup yet, watching the steam float up before fading in the air.

"I see..."Renee muttered, her orange eyes wandered around again before focusing on the prince. "That is understandable. I mean Seifer and I had Valdanr in us. I don't blame you for being suspicious. Besides," She smiled that mysterious smile of hers. "I wanted you to be angry at me since I didn't want Chenglei to get more hurt then before. Please let me apologize to you too for my selfish behavior before. I was only thinking of saving Seifer and keeping him sane until we reached a cure. I've noticed that his soul was healing and thought everything was fine until...yea.."

She picked up the steaming cup, thanking the prince for the tea as she sipped it. "You need to teach Chenglei how to make tea. He almost killed my brother with it's...potency." Renee said, smiling in humor.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren's Soul -​

Kenren laughed. "Yes, Chenglei's really bad at making that tea, I never had the heart to tell him, though. Nearly killed me the first few times too." he smiled at the memory. "I love him. And I think the reason why I was really, really angry at him, you and Seifer was because I thought that was it, I was going to lose him, or I would die and wouldn't be able to fulfill my promise to him, Tsumiki, and granny and he would be sad . . ."

He looked at mug. "I understand that selfish behavior, Renee, I'm like that too when it comes to him. Loving him, despite what it would mean if people found out. But when he's smiling at me and I'm the one who made him happy, it's the best thing in the world. Is Seifer like that to you, despite when he was a deathknight and all?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Kenren's soul-​

Renee relaxed her posture as she listened in to his laugh, her smile is warm and soft. "Yes." Her breathing is slow and deep as she looked at her cup, blushing red. "Seifer is like that to me. Every time I see his smile and those dimples, knowing that I cause that; makes me feel like the world just stopped moving." Her wings fluttered shyly and covered her cheeks. "I can understand that anger. I would be so angry if someone tried to harm Seifer when I was trying to keep him sane. Heh...actually I would be a total mess if something were to happen to him again...Promised to his mother that I would bring him back to normal too."

She sipped her tea and breathed out. "It's so scary but wonderful to be in love...to go through so many things and situations just to see that smile...but I believe it's worth the pain..." Renee smiled at the prince.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren's Soul -​

"Yes, it is." agreed Kenren. "This shack used to be one of our hideouts when we were younger. Chenglei was my bodyguard then too and he kept me safe, hunted for us, and cooked for us. He was like a husband while I stayed here running our faction and planning military operations. I felt like a wife, but I was horrible at household chores, though, I had never done them before." he chuckled. He looked up at the water trickling from the ceiling and into a water barrel.

He told Renee of their adventures, of the things they did together, the battles they fought and he even showed her the pictures of the soldiers and told her about how they met them and the funny and great things they've done. And one could realize, as he talked and talked, that Kenren was indeed family oriented, but his family is very, very big. It was everything Renee saw: Chenglei, his family, his soldiers, and his people. Their future, and most especially Chenglei's joy was at his very core and was the driving force behind everything he did and everything he believed in.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Kenren's soul-​

Renee giggled. "Then you and Seifer have something in common: he's not good with house chores either. Hahah! Once he burnt a sausage to a crisp and my little brother Seth tasted it. Said it was like death."

As she sat there and listened to Kenren's adventures, the Pendragon teen smiled on the sweet moments and nodded with rapt attention with the grand achievements and laugh on the funny ones. Somehow she felt like he really did trust her enough to show him his memories and treasures and she is incredibly humbled by it. Especially when he's the type who likes to keep everything under wraps and away from prying eyes. The more she realized this fact the more curious she is about something and the question nagged her.

"Hmm~ Then I'm glad that I asked you to watch over Chenglei." Renee said to him as she looked through his precious photos. "I just had a gut feeling he would open up to you and only you then he would with me. Sick or not." Her orange eyes stared into his purple ones. "Though I have to ask: why are you sharing your inner self with me? After...after what happened and everything?" She frowned, confused as she wanted to hear it from the Prince's mouth.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren's Soul -​

"I don't know, I just felt like it." said Kenren. "No one's been here like this before, and it just seems very easy to talk to you, Renee."

He looked at the photos. "I've never had a lot of friends like the ones you have, where I never had to keep up the dignity of being an heir to the Chrysanthemum throne. Didn't learn how to make friends like that, I was very formal with everyone, growing up, and until now I still speak that way to Chenglei sometimes. I guess I just wanted someone else to know me."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Kenren's soul-​

He could hear her wings fluttering as she shuffled closer to him before feeling a poke to his side. Renee smiled at him once she grabbed his attention, looking vulnerable but sweet. It wasn't a face she showed to anybody except for Seifer and now...to Kenren as well.

"Ken-chan, can we be friends?" She asked. "I'll even show you my soul room too! I-If you like, that is..."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Kenren's Soul -​

"Yes, I'd like that." said Kenren, brightening up. "Very much."

After that, the prince and Renee became good friends. He still carried his usual grace and dignity, but he didn't mind farting to the side whenever he needed to. He said that royals have mastered the art of farting silently. He actually didn't have much to talk about other than work, but eventually he shared with her his enthusiasm for horses and his love for strange food, especially street food which was usually the most weird, like that one time he ate wood worms in vinegar, and live scorpions.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Kenren's soul-​

Renee listened on to Kenren's passion for horses and hobby to eat strange foods like the food stands. She asked him questions like 'which is the weirdest plate you tasted?' and 'have you ever tried jumping over a fence with a horse?'. She didn't mind that he was a bit of a workaholic as she had her own ideas of what they could do now that Kenren's plan was revealed to the enemy. She also asked him if he could teach her how to play shogi because she have seen Chenglei play with the other soldiers and she got curious.

Though she giggled when he mentioned about there being an art of farting silently. It's really silly coming from the prince...or from anybody really.

When it was her turn to talk, Renee told him of her strange habit of talking with plants or anything she believe is alive, how sometimes she theorizes on people for fun and draws her brothers in funny situations; like James with flowers growing out of his hair or the twins being bonked by Minnie while they were in their underwear. She told him of her dream to being a great medi-witch and that she's starting writing a medical cookbook with Echo. She even told him of her hobby to fixing the flower arrangements in flower shops but shh, don't tell anyone because that's really embarrassing-!

About the future, she told him that she hopes to have a family with kids, both by blood and by adoption like her own family with Sirius as the oldest sibling. Kenren can tell that she was serious since she is planning so much on making sure her kids will be comfortable and learning on how to create portals just so Sirius can learn from other dragons. Renee mentioned that she wouldn't tell anyone about the doorway to the other side of the Storm wall as she only wants her child to have an education. That and Lady can visit Levitas whenever she wanted if he wants to live on the other side.

"Talking about that. If Seifer and I do get married after this whole evil dragon thingy, will you come to my wedding? With Chengei as your plus one guest when I send you an invite? Oh! and let me know when your coordination happens-! I want to see you take the throne and then we can party afterwards-!" Renee felt so comfortable talking with the Prince again.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Soul Rooms -​

" Coronation." corrected the prince, laughing. "Of course I'll come to your wedding, Renee, and with Chenglei too. I think he'll be very happy to attend." he smiled. "I don't know if I will ascend to the throne yet, but when I do, I will gladly invite you, Seifer, and Sirius too."

Kenren invited Chenglei to join their conversations. It was nice having someone who knew their secret, because the prince as then free to hold his hand, something he has always yearned to do in public. He told Renee that the weirdest thing he had eaten was cow's tongue, "It has a texture unlike any other meat part." and, "Yes, I've jumped over fences with my horse." he chuckled. "rivers too, heads of warriors, I can teach you how to ride a horse if you like."

He was interested with her hobby at flower arranging and asked if she could arrange the flowers that would decorate the throne room on his coronation. He also said that he believes she'll make a great medi-witch and would also wait until she and Echo finish their book as he too would like a copy.

Apart from his renewed friendship with Renee, Kenren also spoke to Chenglei about their renewed relationship as lovers. He had told him that he was serious about him, but was worried about the emperor finding out and spoke about their future together.

"Chenglei," he said softly one day as they lounged in bed, the prince tracing his chest muscles and abs as he rested his head on his shoulder, "I want to come out and tell everyone I'm with you."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Soul rooms-​

Renee stick her tongue out when Kenren corrected her before giggling. Then she brightened up when he told her that he would visit for their wedding and invite her to his coronation. She clapped her hands together. "I know you can do it, ascend to the throne, I mean." Her wings flapped excitedly when he offered to teach her how to ride a horse. "I would love that!"

When he asked her to decorate the throne room for his coronation, Renee smiled shyly and said. "S-sure! I would be more then honored to arrange the flowers for you." Her cheeks has a red hue when he mentioned about waiting for the cookbook before winking at him. "I can send you the first copy then. Oh! Let me know if your arms are feeling weird with something or your shoulders or anything really. I'll come by to help. I've been studying just in case something happens to you and Seifer with the prosthetic."

She watched the interactions between Chenglei and Kenren, smiling and practically coo-ing at how cute they were; especially since Chenglei just kissed Kenren's hand to his shoulder as a teasing greet. Of course he blushed when he noticed her staring with a mischievous grin on her face. "...You guys are so cute~!!"

Chenglei listened to Kenren's worries, sighing as he also was worried about the emperor finding out since he is serious about their relationship as well. Renee, looking worried for the both of them, hugged the men tightly and told them that she will support them in anyway she can if they ever need it.

On that one day, the blonde swordsman slightly squirmed while Kenren was tracing his muscles and abs, trying his best to not move from the tickling sensation. "Hm?" Chenglei nuzzled on the Prince's hair and took a deep breathe as he listens. Then he sighed. "Meh too...but Ken'en." He cupped the Prince's cheek, gazing into his amethyst eyes. "Wha' about da traditions? I know people ain't gonna be dat ...tolerate about our relationship back home..."

Chenglei left butterfly kisses on his cheek and forehead and nose. "It ain't like Renee who's open tuh everything new. It might even divide da country more if we come out..." He sighed again as he covered his ash purple eyes with his calloused hand. "and we would be executed too...I almost lost ya once. I dun want tuh lose ya again."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Soul Rooms -​

"I know." said Kenren. He sighed sadly as his mechanical hand stopped, just over Chenglei's heart. He nuzzled his chin with his nose. "Are you happy this way? Us keeping us a secret?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Soul rooms-​

"Yes and no." Chenglei muttered, uncovering his eyes as he wrapped an arm around Kenren's waist and back. "Yes because it keeps ya safe an' have a chance at reachin' yur goal." Then he pulled Kenren closer, taking another deep breathe and enjoying his scent.

"No because I dun want tuh hide it. I dun want tuh hide ya or feel like it's a shameful thing tuh do when it's not..." Chenglei quietly said, frustrated.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Soul Rooms -​

The prince settled comfortably in the nook between Chenglei's shoulders and cheek, nose and warm lips brushing his neck as another sad sigh caressed his skin; he flung a leg across his waist, his hand rubbing a pec while his thumb absently touched the nub there.

"Seems the pros of hiding, overwhelms the cons." said Kenren. "We have overthrown leaders, planned coups, and earned the loyalty of our followers in six years. I think with another six after I become emperor, we can somehow get them to accept us. Do you want to do that, Chenglei? If not, after we've chosen and groomed a successor for the throne, I can fake my death and we can go anywhere you like."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Chenglei twitched from the touches, caressing Kenren's bare back with finger tips; pondering for a while.

"...I dun mind waitin' six years, howevah," The blonde looked at the prince, raising an eyebrow. "It's up tuh ya if ya want tuh. Eitha option is fine wit' meh but I feel like ya ratha prefer to be Emperor. Tis yur dream, is it not?" He smiled charmingly. "I'll be happy as long I'm wit' ya, Ken'en. Wit' or wit'out da throne." Chenglei kissed the tip of his nose before kissing fully on the lips.

Zer0