Retirbutive Clarity: Part II Rei;Hotaka

[Tsubarisu Hotaka]

Unlike Tomo I knew Rei would not accept my summons for a meeting. I had to go to her. I didnt mind this at all, for the reason I sought to see her in the first place was to gain a better understanding of what was going on in the first place. Of course like everyone else, I had heard the Lady Tsubasa's story, which could in fact be true, but she did lie to me before, when we first met, and that was more than enough reason to do my own research and figure things out for myself. I walked to the front of Rei's place of residence and knocked politely, my ceremonial white robes blowing in the wind. I wanted to draw my own conclusion about what was going on here....This could very well just be a very big misunderstanding.

[Admin]

After the last time the King of the Fifth layer of heaven had paid a visit to the Fifth of Hell, the entire layer was, understandably so, in a state of semi-panic when it was discovered that Tsubarisu Hotaka was indeed, at the gates of the layer.

In the chaos that followed, it was decided that no one other than the ruler of the layer herself and her four closest subordinates should be within immeadiate range of the Okite-ou, less he suddenly decide to purge the layer again.

With the evacuation proceedures out of the way, Rei left her fukutaicho to make sure all civilians were securely out of harms way before opening the gates herself, battle gear at the ready.

"Is there something I can help you with, Tsubarisu-san?" She asked, as politly as she could manage while still bearing her fangs through her false smile.

[Tsubarisu Hotaka]

I returned the smile and gave a slight bow. I remembered what had happened the last time I came here. It had not been pretty. I understand why everyone hid and made themselves scarce at my arrival.

"I have come to speak to you about, the reason of your Fall." I said with a serious look on my face.

"I am not armed. I simply wish to speak."

[Admin]

Rei was understandably taken about the proposition that she communicate civily with her opposite.

She raised an eyebrow and leaned against the gate, waving a hand behind her to signal that the higher members of her military, should they be watching (which she had no doubt they were) should stand down for the moment.

Even if Tsubarisu had the inclination to attack, she'd already put up several barriers in the space that separated them. He would be hard pressed to move any closer in the layer than he already was.

"Why would you come all the way doen here for that? Haven't you already asked Tsubasa? I'm sure she told you all of it."

To say that Rei didn't trust the Okite-ou would have been a drastic understatement. There was no way that he was going to worm his way into her confindences with an explaination as simple as that and she sure as hell wasn't going to take his word about his intentions at face value.

[Tsubarisu Hotaka]

"I asked Sanada and Now Im asking you. I know we are on horrible terms, but thsi is far bigger than you and I. Now, if youd like Id gladly listen to your story from here." I said crossing my arms and leaning up against the gate.

I didnt care how i heard it. I just wanted to hear it.

[Admin]

Rei narrowed her eyes even further and tried to discern her next move.

She'd expected him to get offended and leave and now that he'd bucked her expectations she was lost as what to her next move at this point.

"I'm not going to stand here and humor you." She straightened from her lean and opened the gate, stepping out of the way to allow him access. "Just know that I'm fully prepared to decimate you at this point. You won't catch me offguard again." She began walking back to the main palace, relying on the fact that A. He would follow, as his curiosity wouldn't allow him not to, and B. That the majority of the layers inhabitants would question her sanity but would still fight for her if it came to that.

If there was anything to say about her followers it would be that they were loyal to a fault.

[Tsubarisu Hotaka]

"As you like it." I said with a shrug as I began following behind Rei as she lead me to her Palace.

I had taken minor precautions to protect myself enough to striek back a bit and to escape. I was here to get information that no one would suffer from me obtaining. I would be lying to myself if I siad that I trusted Rei as well, but now I had no choice. I knew that coming down here woudl show her that I meant no harm. After all I was at her mercy.....Slightly

[Admin]

Rei waved to her generals to signal that they should stand down and not attack Tsubarisu the moment he stepped her layer.

She walked briskly to her front door and pushed open the heavy double doors that acted as the entrance to the front gate of the stone wall that surrounded her palace as a last resort security option and held it open for her opposite.

"I think I should warn you before hand. Every person in this layer is going to treat you hostally. You're still our enemy, even if we've forged a temporary cease fire."

[Tsubarisu Hotaka]

" I understand this. I would be a fool to expect anything else." I said bowing slightly.

I was no fool. I had slaughtered the people of this layer before. Had the show been on the other foot, Im sure idve felt the same way too. I gave Rei a slight bow as she held the gate open for me.

[Admin]

Leading the way into the palace with her enemy walking behind her, Rei could clearly feel the animosity of those who's emotions she was tuned into, ie: her generals and other top officers.

They were all, essentially, questioning her sanity and some were wondering whether she shouldn't be committed.

She reached the inter-section of the palace which she had modified into a semi-comfortable living area while walking back to her abode, and waved away questions from her epostulating staff as she shut the door behind herself. Waving her opposite to go ahead of her.

"Take a seat, I'm afraid if you expecting privacy, it's going to be denied as the top members of staff have insisted on being present."

[Tsubarisu Hotaka]

I sat down nodding at her words. I crossed my legs and adjusted my robes. Pulling out a pen and notepad from and inner pocket in my robes. I ignored what Rei said about privacy, set my pen and paper down on the table, pulled out a voice recorder and pushed the play button.

"You may begin." I said.

[Admin]

Rei blinked, slightly taken aback by the abruptness with which Tsubarisu expected her to concoct her story.

She wasn't entirely sure if she wanted to tell him the whole truth, part of the truth or any of it at all....

She shrugged mentally and figured there would be no harm in the first one. It was common knowledge how she had fallen after all and the truth would come out eventually, even if she didn't tell it. Provided he asked someone besides Tsubasa.

"Eto...Where do you want me to start? I have a rich and varied history full of lies and deceit. You want me to tell you why I fell or the process of my falling?"

[Tsubarisu Hotaka]

"I'd like you to tell me both. They are indeed valued." Hotaka said cheerfully.

He had taken a huge risk by coming here he knew, but it had to be done. If hotaka could figure out everything in its entirety alone he would be able to discern his next move as well as how to view both the Lady Tsubasa and the Rei Yamazaki.

"..........I need not tell you that id much prefer if youd tell me the truth." Hotaka said staring deep into the eyes of the Rai-ou.