It was astonishing, to say the least. Never had Kaen come across someone of this caliber, this... steadfast nature, unwavering in resolve and determination to see whatever this was through. As if he was not even living and merely a metallic replica of himself, Sousuke remained unwavering against the flames that viciously exuded from Kaen. Not unlike the beacon of hope that this Lord Stewart represented to Sunagakure's people, so too did his plated armor emanate a red hue of luminous light. Despite the madness that ensued in his mind due to this sudden confrontation, he was still very bewildered by the integrity of this man's body.
With composure at its peak Sousuke would speak once more towards Kaen; "No. You want to fight me. Homura and Fuujin while brothers, there was perhaps a duel between the two. Homura was consumed and driven by combat. It was like breathing. You are withholding that, and that is absolutely admirable in the extreme. I thank-you for that. If I recall correctly your sister showcased a certain ... aptitude for water. She was instrumental in helping to defeat Barnyx. While on that matter I do owe you an apology for a miscalculation of mine. Yes... I am indeed sorry for my technique hitting you in the way it did. That was apology that was overdue..." Barynx... that felt like a lifetime ago. Both he and his sister had only recently adopted Suna as their home and refuge. It had come to be what felt like a permanent place to reside, until now. Or at least these were the thoughts that coursed through Kaen's head. He was wary, he was still unsure of what to make of all of this.
"Curious thing. You referred to me as Sousuke. Not Lord Steward. Not Sennin. Not by any of my titles. You're speaking with me directly, and that is very important." He would continue. "You see... I don't need Mother Suna's mercy. I had her love for a time. She loved me in a way I could not understand until recently... until this happened." Kaen's flames would begin to settle into a gentle, yet still perceivable and vibrant source of light and heat. To any onlookers outside they would most likely see the room lit much brighter than it normally should be. Whether it was out of some unspoken hint of respect, or simply just not sure of how to respond to any of this yet, Kaen would remain silent. As to why he referred to him simply by name would reveal much about Kaen. The heirachy of this place felt like a farce to him, perhaps it felt like it was more of a "Who you know" type of thing. If Kaen were to refer to anyone by their title it would be because Kaen personally felt they deserved it. And this sort of respect was not something easily garnered from the Hybrid. The core of the Flame Court burned ever brightly deep within his soul. The essence of Homura himself coursed through his veins, thanks to Shiori, the Mother of Suna.
But this too only confused the young man even further. Those two were... No, he couldn't have meant that. She detested that sort of psychical relationship, it had to be something more than that. But again, why would she have told him to remain hidden if she herself mingled among them, even to the point of gaining her affection. Granted Kaen could not say he knew her on a personal level, but his initial experience did not convey that such a thing would have taken place. Oh how Kaen wished she were here now, his Queen. He had so many questions, so little understanding of what he really was. Over time he slowly learned bits here and there, but the real truth still escaped him. Perhaps Sousuke was that gateway, the path to the exoneration of his amalgamated dna.
Feeling no immediate intent other than wishing to converse, Kaen's stance would begin to relax. Yet his aura still remained. It was pleasant, freeing almost to not have to hide and suppress it in front of his peers. Sousuke would continue to surprise him as he watched him slowly remove the restraints that held his face plate in place. A small, and totally not meak-like, gasp escaped his mouth. What was he witnessing?! He knew that the human race had come far in regards to technological advancements, but this was on a level of its own. He was intrigued, fascinated, and yet he still felt daunted and alarmed with this development. What exactly was Sousuke?
"Understanding the human condition and becoming wise comes at a cost. One month, twelve days, six hours, and forty-seven minutes I paid that price. I won't bore you with the details. It's strange." A small pause would be noticed, the lull in the conversation did not last long. What was he thinking? "Being human requires a soul, but what happens when you're flesh without the soul? Is a machine with a soul, part of the human experience? A question for the philosophers." This was a most profound and perplexing thought that Kaen could not grasp. He was not wise in a philosophical sense. He did not understand what Sousuke was, how he came to be this way or even how his mind was able to manipulate the minute and complex structure of his being. Though he really had no idea what he was talking about, he understood the complexity of life as a whole and how various life can be in all its creation. This was not a normal world by any means, what even was normal? Demons, angels, gods and demi-gods, hybrids, unbent, ancients... the list went on. He could not offer any input towards this philosophical impasse.
He had remained silent for the majority of their meeting, what could he even say when he felt his life was at stake. Normally he would have gone on a wild tangent of voistrous claims of power and fiery power. But this was the Stewart of Suna, the implications of his death would cause a large uproar that would lead to not only his own possible death, but that of his sisters. This was not something he could accept and therefore he remained cooperative. And then the finale, a statement that would shake Kaen to his roots, his source of power.
"This does not leave this room but Mother Suna is no longer with us. Spiritually? Debatable, but physically no. Her story is long and complicated. I'm fully uncertain as to your origin story, but ... those of both Ancient and Human heritage do not just appear out of nowhere. The Lord of the Deep Court has his descendants. Homura was not known for breeding with humans. It makes your state of existence a curiosity. It is your business to share it with me, and it is your business not to share it with me. I do want you to feel at home in Sungakure. Lord Katuso had brokered a peace with the Lord of the Deep and Mother Suna when she was still present. Both of them have ... disappeared for the time. I suspect they will return, but for the time being that leaves you... having to hide and feel like a stranger in your own household."
That was the hard truth, he was a stranger, an outsider, an outcast among the people of this land. He felt as if he was to be made a monster in the eyes of these people. It was all he knew of Ancients and there long history of war and tyranny over the mortal humans. He simply could not understand how some semblence of peace could have arose given that the humans destroyed their kind. Perhaps after so many years her spite grew dull and evolved into something progressive. After all, Shiori loved this land, she was this land, she is this land. The Mother of Suna did not gain that admirable title for no simple reason.
Things were coming together now, it seemed. The gears visually turning in Kaen's head as he made sense of all this. "I... I don't understand. How could Shiori be dead? She and Katsuo... peace?" Kaen had searched for her simultaneously during various missions. Searching, feeling, probing for any hint of her existence, her presence, her earthly aura. But ever since that time in Sora she was lost to him. Perhaps Sousuke was telling the truth, but Kaen did not want to accept it. What was the purpose of any of this without her guidance? Yes, he had Kasen. But she herself is just as lost and confused as he is regarding their makeup, their twisted dna that labeled them Hybrids. But now he said her name, undeniable proof of his involvement with the Ancient race, and the Lord of the Earth Court herself, Mother Suna.
A sudden shift in the conversation peaked and Sousuke's demeanor changed. Seriousness weighed heavy on his words, more so than the entirety of this previous conversation. "Takahashi means high bridge. I have kept this village up for a long time. I want you and your sister to cross the bridge safely. I want you to feel protected within the realm. Who protects the protectorate of your sister? That would be me. As such I am willing to give you an extension of my resources." Kaen's flame receded until only the feeling of warmth and heat remained. No longer suppressed, he let his aura reveal itself in its natural, unkempt form. His stance became relaxed, but still vigilant should anything try and catch him off guard. As wonderful as this sounded, Kaen had no way of fully trusting this man without simply taking a leap of faith. But he was still heavily perplexed about the entire situation he found himself in today.
"Shinku has no such grand meaning, just a simple name for a nothing family. My sister and I are all that are left. Shiori became an extension of my own circle, how do I know you're not lying? I was with her, I felt her power. She was stronger than I was, far beyond my scope at the time. I can't imagine her being defeated so easily." Kaen thought back to his initial power surge she gave him. It was unlike anything he had felt at the time, and yet she still bested him with ease beyond reasoning. "Disregarding everything about her, all of these things you've told me, what you've shown me..." His eyes locked on to the glowing eyes of the metal stewart. The visage of machine melded with humanity stared back at him. "I want to be free from this unspoken oppression. I've gone through each and every day worrying about this very moment. My history revealed. But that is a story I don't think you have time for, regarding how I... we came to be." Kaen's mind went to a dark place, a place he kept locked away deep within the recesses of his consciousness. It was a painful memory that still haunted him to this day. So many things left unanswered...
Aspiring towards a diplomatic approach Kaen would retake the seat adjacent to Sousuke. If there was to be an attack, he would deal with it. Being what he was, he would not be felled in one quick swoop. Perhaps it was prideful and overconfidence that filled his mind, but he did not think a handful of normal men could best him. And yet this entity before him posed the biggest threat. A fight between a machine would be most interesting. For once he was unsure of his ability to overpower this man-like machine. It brought back curious memories regarding a certain door... Refocusing his attention on the matter at hand, Kaen would continue; "What exactly does these... resources entail? I have no need for money or material possessions. What are you offering me, Sousuke? And what is it going to cost me?" It was time to get down to brass tax.
[OOC MFT]