Honours (Talia)

It had been a week since Princess Kanzaki's safe return to the palace and today was the first day Tenhiyat had properly left the young ninja's side. The older princess had insisted on remaining by her cousin as she went through treatments, most of which involved sleeping. Due to the grace of the Gods, the young princess was not physically hurt. She was however traumatized and medical ninja were called in to keep Kanzaki resting when she began to scream in the night or tear at an invisible hand trying to attack her. Every time the nineteen year old watched Kanzaki in this state, Tehniyat knew it was all her fault.

She had failed to protect her cousin, how could she protect an entire country?

That morning found the royal heiress in her library office once more, awaiting her first appointment of the day. it was clear that because of her position and her shinobi nature, little Kanzaki would always be a target. Another bitter truth was that Tehniyat, no matter how much she wanted to, was completely ill equipped to protect the little princess. But she knew someone was more than capable, someone whose entire life purpose was to protect the royalty of Haven.

Someone Tehniyat could trust with this very important task and honour.

"Your Grace, Lady Talia Rose is here."

"Send her in, Ser Atem," the princess ordered, her face shifting into its usual look of polite interest as she readied herself for the first female Queensguard to enter.

As Lady Talia entered, Tehniyat rose to her feet, affording the Queensguard the courtesy she required for her station. A small curtsy later, the princess was seated again. Gesturing for the mute ninja to take a seat, Tehiyat began.

"I hope I find you well today," the royal heiress spoke, her features arranged in polite interest as was the norm. Things were slowly returning to normal after the traumatic events of a week ago and Princess Tehniyat, in accordance, would have to do the same. And that started with pretending her world was not crumbling before her eyes.

"How have you found your training so far? I imagine it must be a singularly unique experience to be the first ever female Queensguard in Haven's long and illustrious history. No doubt you've found quite a few differences made to accommodate your position already." The blonde's green eyes lingered on Talia's uniform as if to emphasize the point. Of course the ninja couldn't wear the same bulky white Armour the rest of the guard were expected to sport.

Perhaps it was the sense of security that resulted from the ninja's mutism, perhaps not. All the princess really knew was that she had come to view Talia as a confidante of sorts, albeit one who had to be kept at a distance because royal decorum demanded so. But every time the blonde met Talia, she could appreciate the kunoichi's kind mannerisms and complete attention to whatever was being discussed. Now though, as seh asked her of her training, the Queensguard in return asked if Tehniyat was alright, catching the princess by surprise.

"I.. must admit I'm not entirely certain of the answer," the heiress replied, a small line of concern marring her otherwise smooth forehead. It bothered her more that she didn't have a proper answer than the fact that he was clealry not "okay". "But I suppose it matters little when there's work to be done," she concluded, trying to steer the conversation back to where she was in control. Enough was going on outside these palace walls to make the Princess feel lost and helpful, she would at least try to control what happened within.

"You may have heard that Her Grace, Princess Kanzaki has been resting this past week. Given the situation, I felt it best to use a sickness as an excuse but the truth is, Her Grace was abducted - by no other than the former Captain of the Quensgaurd, Ser Meryn." Tehniyat would wait a moment for Talia to digest all this before continuing.

"It is unclear if he abducted the princess to cause her harm or simply to blame it on me. He took her while she was out playing in the courtyard, killing a ninja companion of her's in the process. Darkness Yuki saw them escape and hastened to report the incident to me. I dispatched a shinobi in the night and by sunrise, Her Grace was home but the experience has left her severely traumatized. She has regular nightly terrors and sometimes has to be subdued with milk of the poppy."

As always, Lady Talia was direct in her approach. Never one to waste words, the quiet kunoichi at once asked what was required of her, an attitude Tehniyat personally found both refreshing and time saving. "The princess was only taken from us for a night but I fear the experience will leave her scarred for years to come. She is a shinobi by birth, just like her lord father was and yet she is royalty. She is the future of Hoshigakure, a Hoshigakure united under one banner of ninja and civilian, and it was that future Ser Meryn tried to rob us off that night."

He had come close too, would have succeeded even if it hadn't been for the brave antics of Ser Lucian Nazar but that was besides the point. "Her Grace Kanzaki is a child still, not fit to lead for many years to come. She needs a positive influence in her life, a... sensei of sorts. She needs to interact with other ninja alongside maintaining her royal duties and she needs to be kept safe while doing all of it."

the next words came our more heavily, as if worn out from the times she'd pondered them before saying them out loud. "I may not always be around to oversee Princess Kanzaki's progress, nor am i the most qualified to do so. In light of that, I would humbly request you to perform a job below your honorable station as Queensguard, Lady Talia. I would ask you to take on the role of Her Grace Kanzaki's Jounin sensei. Teach her to be a good ninja, and teach her to be a better person. Teach her of our people and their needs, and be patient with her as she struggles to understand the challenges that lie ahead."

With that, the blonde would lapse into silence, giving her Queensguard a chance to write a response.

Talia grimaced at the thought of loosing Kanzaki, and knew the Princess was right. She was the future and would need to be protected. The quiet shinobi just wasn't sure she was the best choice. At this point though, Talia wasn't sure she had a choice. Her morals wouldn't let her ignore a friend in need and she would just have to train this girl the best that she could. Talia really didn't consider it below her station, either.

Nodding to Tehniyat with a smile, she wrote quickly to avoid leaving her waiting. "I would love to. I will teach her to the absolute best of my abilities."
Having a student would definently be new. It wasn't that long ago she had been learning skills from Denkiteki as his short term student. This task would be very new, but not something she felt was inn-achievable. She would do Tehniyat proud the best that she could.




(Sorry this is so short! I got sick and busy and life just sucked for a while!)

A true sense of relief washed over the blonde as Talia agreed. Princess Tehniyat had no doubt that the silent shinobi would prove a good teacher. After all, who better to teach the young Kanzaki to observe than a woman who spent a large part of her life doing that very thing.

"Please accept my gratitude," the nineteen year old spoke softly. "I have every confidence in you, and I now must have confidence in Her Grace Kanzaki. My Aunt trusted shinobi and now it is time i follow the path she forged for us as a country. Trust is not just in words but emphasized by actions."

Pausing slightly, she continued. "I never had a Lady Sister, Princess Kanzaki is the closest I have right now. I trust the remainder of my family to you."

Once the ninja had the opportunity to digest the statement, they would move on to the more technical aspects of her task such as the young princess's training routine, the extent of her current knowledge and what she needed to learn to further enhance her shinobi arts. Once all pertinent matters were discussed, Tehniyat would bid the Queensguard farewell.

Checking yet another thing off the list before she had to leave this country forever.

(Exit Tehniyat)