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1. [The Tower's corrupted core had been vanquished, and along with it - what remained of Invicta's influence on the Kijin Realm.

The phantoms that helped out in the battle remain, but it won't stay that way for long: with the system essentially wiped, their time is short. One of them, at least, is making good use of it, by patting Astara on the head.]

Hah, look at you! All big and strong, and you look just like your mother.

I approve of your Craft, too. Say, where did you get the idea for that scarf? I wish I thought of that!

Dad...

[The same cannot be said for the other two, who are standing before Seta.]

Hm...

...

...Oh for goodness' sake, just say something already.

-

2. [After things have calmed down, the ghost trio finally have time to themselves. From a place in the tower overlooking the surroundings, they can see the city that the new generation of Kijin had built.]

Well, we've done everything we could at this point. The torch isn't in our hands anymore.

This is not so bad, is it? I didn't think they had it in them to make something like that.

Although, I'm not sure how 'Ryar feels about his daughter becoming the new Empress. That surprised me the most.

...They will do well.

Their companions are many...that was something we did not have.

-

3. [With business taken care of, it's time to head back. However, you might be surprised by some extra luggage you'll have to carry.

Stacks upon stacks of crates await you shortly before your departure, and three of Seta's four Generals are there to see you off.]

A little gift for you as thanks for helping us out. We couldn't have done it without you, after all.

And we've heard that you have problems too. So we'll join you against this Lady when we're done cleaning up here.

Here is something you may not realize: as the ones who climbed the Tower with Her Majesty, that technically makes you her Generals, not us. At least, according to that tradition.

Vallar is sulking. Forgetting about the Tower in the first place hit him really hard.

Anyway, enjoy your gifts. We try to grow the finest here.

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Seta? Aren't you going to say anything?

He's your... err. [Izuru hesitates. He has the same hunch as Asagi but is he really right here? And the two don't look that too far apart age-wise, but that's Kijin for you.]

He's very important for you, right?

That... is true. Then...

[She brings both her hands to her chest as she looks at the man. A deep breath follows.]

Before this...I had only heard your voice. Are you really...?

...

[After a short while, he nods.]

Yes.

I... did not expect that I would be able to see you like this.

[Oh boy. Izuru stands to the side. He doesn't want to interrupt the moment, the reunion!

But he really wishes he had a sketchbook right now.]

Edited 2016-07-30 13:15 (UTC)

Father...there are many things I wish to ask you...

About what happened in the past...about mother...

[In response to this, the man places a hand on Seta's head.]

That is only natural.

But sharing the entirety of that past would only put a greater burden on you...that is something you do not need more of as a leader.

All you should know is that your mother would be proud. Like you, she wished for happiness for all of us...not just those who went against Invicta.

[He looks in Izuru's direction.]

And your allies...your friends, are greater than what we had by far.

Seta...

[Izuru gulps. Should he really be saying anything here?]

Seta went a long way. She was able to do so much. I'm really, super glad I could be her friend.

Izuru...

...When I left, I did not believe such a thing could happen. Although we sided with humanity, we were far too different to integrate - we had allies, not friends. So, we in the Foundation worked from the shadows...

But I was wrong. And now I only hope that you and your group will continue to support her as long as you are able.

I will. I know I will - it's a promise.

Even back at the academy, we were kinda... separated from the rest. A group of misfits that kept to itself. But now, in UG and later Project Unification, I met a lot of people. All kinds of people, and we worked together, not just as allies but friends.

It's not just the kijin. It brought everyone together!

[The man nods at the Rabbit.]

That is all I can ask for.

This meeting itself is a miracle, but there is not enough time for me to say all that I wish to.

There is one thing that is more important than the rest, however...

...?

I am sorry, for everything that happened, Seta.

I thought it for the best...but the mistakes I made were many. In the end, it was you and your friends who suffered.

I think... everyone makes mistakes. I know I do that all the time.

But we learn from them and get better. That's what matters.

Woah! A general, me?

And gifts? Just what is it that you grow here?

[Izuru's back to his normal, not very impressive self.]

I'm sure you'll find it very pleasing. Not to ruin the surprise, but, this is something that originated from Earth.

Her Majesty said that they're really expensive over there, too. I can see why.

[Memno approaches one of the crates and opens it...]

Originated from Earth? Expensive?

Wait, don't tell me...

[Izuru approaches the crate. Carefully.]

[The crate is opened to reveal...fruits. Green and spiky on the outside, with a distinct smell.]

As I said, the best.

We were fortunate to obtain samples of this from the time when your planet was brought into our realm, and have been working to improve it since then. It is now the official fruit of the Kijin.

It really is... that.

Don't worry guys, I'm pretty sure someone will like it. They're to Tamaki's taste, right? I think.

Enough here to last a lifetime, so have fun!

She means that. They've been altered to keep well in proportion to Kijin lifespans.

Oh boy. Were they altered in some other way, too?

[Izuru takes a sniff. That was a mistake. The intense smell forces him two steps back.]

What's with that look? It smells great, doesn't it?

There was one species of this fruit that Her Majesty thought to be above the rest. It has the most intense flavor and aroma.

We changed enough so that all of the fruits produced are of the same quality.

No, it's nothing. I'm sure it's awesome for people who like this kind of thing.

[There must be at least one such a person, right?]

Well... if Mister Misremembering gonna be upset, like, he could take the title from me if he really wanted it.

Like don't get me wrong, it's super cool, but I'm not really a "general" kind of guy.

Heh, well that's fine too. I don't think any of you would like what comes with it.

'Bodyguard' is the one that fits the best, right?

You bet your horns it is!

... So do we gotta shake or is there something more I gotta do to let you "officially" take that job?

Edited 2016-07-31 01:57 (UTC)

I don't think it's that formal, but we can settle for a...shake.

We do owe you for helping to bring Vallar back.

...

[She glances at Lenore]

This is pretty awkward, isn't it?

...There are plenty of things I'd want to say if I could see my siblings again like this.

But...I guess I'd be tongue-tied too.

Yeah...

Not sure what I'd say if I met my foster parents either.

Still...do something at least...

This is making me feel uneasy too.

Yeah, it's awkward for everybody...

How have things been since last we met?

...

I know I said I was going to take a break from fighting...but I tried everything I could think of, and... it didn't work out.

So I became an actual bodyguard for a while.

Are you at least enjoying the work? Hopefully it's not as intense as what you did before.

I haven't had to fight a single time. And for some reason, I keep getting different people asking for me to accompany them.

They are nice people, and they pay me well, but I think they give me too many gifts sometimes.

...You're calling yourself an escort aren't you?

I used that word a few times...and they insisted that they need protection.

You're saying I wasn't supposed to?

Escorts aren't bodyguards, they're... something else.

...

...Should I return all those gifts then?

Are they still talking to you and trying to get something from you? If not, they're either satisfied or have given up and sending them back would just make it worse.

I still see them from time to time. They take me all over the world to see places I didn't get to see in the Unity Group, or even the SSR. It was just weird that it was always parties and dresses instead of jobs like Roy's.

What do you mean by 'satisfied' or 'given up'?

Escorts are, well...

People hire them to look pretty next to them at parties. At least that's part of it. It's mostly a term for high-end prostitutes.

[There's a momentary pause as Lenore processes that.]

So, you mean they wanted to...

...Probably.

Wait what? So Kijin can never appoint new generals if something happens to them?

That decision would lie entirely with the Emperor, or Empress, at the time.

Anyway, Ceb's just info-dumping. That's the tradition we learned about from those phantoms, and thanks to you, it's no longer in effect.

You're welcome to actually take up the position if you come back though.

I don't plan on staying a soldier. Once we defeat the Lady, I'll go study to become a doctor.

That's a shame, but maybe we'll have an opening for something like that here, too.

In the meantime, good luck.

Hopefully, we won't take too long to join you your fight.

I'll see what job openings I get. Not sure Harvard teaches how to treat anything except humans, though.

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