Get into the van, kiddo.

[captaincatblock]

[Peace is a funny thing. It's been teased and denied for so long that now that it's happening, it's almost weird. He'd missed most of the drama with the princess and her traitorous Terran Knight -- not that he's fully convinced of it, but if it gains them this peace, then he won't question it -- but he had been returned to his kin as Earth's first peace offering.]

[Kuroo hadn't been too happy about that, hadn't even had the time to say good bye to Tsukki after being whisked away by a couple of generals and then thrown into political chaos. But he had endured it, because he knew that eventually, the princess would get to the small issue of Kuroo's kataphrakt and how he intends to spend his time on Earth. He could be a diplomat, he'd offered, or teach his fellow Versians about Terrans, since he's learned a lot. Anything, he had added meaningfully, if he allowed him to keep his landing castle close to Earth if not entirely on its soil.]

[He'd gotten some leeway in the end, after weeks of endless talks, so here he is now striding into the hanger where they kept his mech, in full Count regalia. Oddly enough, he only has Terran escorts with him, and they back away well enough when he reaches his destination.

Tsukki? Oiii, I'm looking for your mechanic, Tsukishima Kei. [first he calls out, and then just outright asks someone to find Tsukki for him]

Comments

[captaincatblock]

But, I mean... [glances at the hangar] Isn't she your Kat? I mean, obviously you'd be able to pilot anything in the landing castle that we own -- except maybe for the Arcadia, until you're more trained for her -- but the Crescent is yours.

[That does make him laugh, though.] I'll carry you princess-style, if you want.

[hellacene]

The Crescent isn't mine, technically. It's property of the military. It's the equivalent of my brother giving me something to work with - it's nice, but I'll be better off starting new.

And you're not carrying me. [a glare.] I'll punch you.

[captaincatblock]

[Hmm. He supposes they are more like the Stygis in that way. Only the Counts and special Terran pilots get their own, or something.]

We'll just have to think of getting you your own craft aboard the castle. You'll need to learn to pilot a sky carrier anyway, if you plan on visiting Earth all the time. I'll get Kai to handle the paperwork on that. [Because Terrans, seriously. Mars is full of military bureaucracy, but the heirarchy is still pretty shallow compared to what Terrans can come up with.]

[He leers at that.] I guess we'll have to save the spoiling for when we get back.

[hellacene]

That's fine. [he probably shouldn't be so excited about flying martian spacecraft in a terran base, but he is. it's no secret to kuroo that he admires their technology a lot anyhow.

he gives kuroo a baleful glare at that, though.] I forbid you from carrying me, Count.

[captaincatblock]

I promise not to carry you today. [Cheerfully. Arm looped loosely at Tsukki's hip, as he leads them to their carrier.]

We have the rest of a long time to do stuff, but what do you want to start with?

[hellacene]

I'm not really sure. [he didn't really plan on getting kidnapped today.] But ... it's been a while since we had a date.

[one that didn't involve politics.]

[captaincatblock]

[grin] Blankets, snacks, wine, and the inside of Arcadia out in space? I do owe you that space picnic.

[hellacene]

Yes.

[he leans close to kuroo, holding his hand.] Whatever else can fit in there.

Take me as far as we can go.

[captaincatblock]

I could have only you in there with me and I'd be the happiest man in the solar system. [His tone is light, but he tightens his hold.]

[They board without fuss, and the staff and everyone else leaves them to the back as the do whatever duties they have up in the bow. Kuroo tucks into Tsukki's side, and yawns a bit.]

[hellacene]

I can't live without food.

[teasing. but he understands anyhow, staying beside him as he watches everyone move about, keeping track of who's doing what.]

What's a day for you like? As a Count, that is.

[captaincatblock]

Before, it was a lot of talking to other Counts. Supplies was a very big topic all the time. Now I'm talking to a lot of Terrans and other Counts. We're in the middle of negotiating permissions and rights on what countries we can land our castles in, as well as the conditions for allowing Terrans into our castles. It's a good thing supplies were the first thing we managed to negotiate on... [He sighs, looks weary for a moment, but brightens.] I like your government. It'll turn its head away at the smallest of oddities and pretend it doens't exist, so having you there isn't actually an issue until the UE makes a fuss about it.

[His staff are good at getting things done without asking him, at least, and the flight back is smooth (minus the part where they break atmosphere)].

[hellacene]

How many Counts do you have on your side? [because so far, he only knows of bokuto .... ]

I don't think I'm important enough for the UE to make a fuss about, but they should be quite busy with all the sudden interest in the Aldnoah we have.

[he holds on to kuroo when things get a bit bumpy after.]

[captaincatblock]

The funny thing with neutral parties is that they don't have a side, so they're never actually considered to be together as a group. So to answer your question... Before, it was really just Bokuto. Right now, I have to declare myself as firmly on the side of peace. Counting only the ones this side of the Solar System, that's seven Counts for, two against, and three neutral. Everyone else either died or are back in Mars. [He's counting on his fingers, actually.]

If negotiations go south, they might use you as an example of Versian abuse on Terrans. Your government will conveniently not know anything about it, of course. [Holds on to Tsukki as well, takes the opportunity to kiss his forehead.] Politics is ugly, isn't it?

[hellacene]

[he nods quietly, pensive. it really is. he remembers why he never likes talking about it and why he usually lets kuroo handle that side of things. he's smart, but he doesn't have the patience to be dealing with people the way he does. it helps that kuroo's been trained for this and tsukki's more or less a mechanic who found his way into a count's graces, in it because he was chosen and adored but not conned into a life he hated. knowing that someone can use that for their own purposes .... it's sickening.

he lets kuroo kiss him, and then mutters,] I have to keep track of your politics now, too.

[captaincatblock]

I'll teach you the things you need to know, but the rest doesn't really matter. [smile] There will be parties, and events, and other such sundry things. I don't think you'll want to go to those...

[hellacene]

[he shrugs. no, he'd really not rather go to parties and the like, but - ] If it's better for you not to have me around during that time, then I don't mind staying out of it. If you want me there, then I'll try my best not to kill anyone.

[he'll do his best to be as polite as he can and not piss someone off in the process. it's not difficult for him to impose that terrifyingly calm persona onto his self when need be, but of course talking isn't really his high point and being charming to anyone is off the table, as much as he can manage to be polite. the reasons for him to be charming to anyone are quite few: when he's trying to seduce someone, when he's trying to piss off someone, or when he's pissed. perhaps in that way he's not really so different from 'provocation expert' count kuroo, but all the same, at least kuroo has the grace to be tactful about when and where to use it, whereas tsukki has the charm of a sharpened axe.]

[captaincatblock]

[But you're my sharpened axe, Kuroo would say to that. He runs his fingers through Tsukki's hair fondly, though.]

We might have to for some of the charity ones, so that people can see from time to time that their favorite Count Kuroo is happily settled with a most handsome Terran, and maybe even likes to help the Earth because of the said Terran lover's influence. The government and diplomatic ones are nonsense, though. They'd just attack you.

[He pauses, though.] You don't mind, do you? That sort of life, where you'd sometimes be a topic of controversy. They'd never reach us in the landing castle, but...

[hellacene]

So long as no-one tries to kill me, I'm fine with it. But even then .... [he leans to kuroo's touch, letting him run his fingers through his hair and leaning up to kiss him.] It's not like I didn't know what I was getting into when I decided to let you pursue me, back then.

And anyway, a bit of controversy is required of Counts, isn't it? Having a Terran lover in your castle wouldn't be the worst thing that you can have. At least it isn't during peace time.

[captaincatblock]

I can't promise no one will. [Not even the princess was safe from that, Kuroo reflects, and his grip on the Tsukki tightens a smidgen.] But I promise I'll do my best to protect you.

[He chuckles at the truth in Tsukki's statement, though.] It might make it easier for the other Counts to be agreeable with me, knowing I have my weaknesses. I'd rather not have you deal with that, though.

[One of the staff members come over to offer the both of them blankets, although they'll be arriving at the castle in about half an hour. Ascending to space is faster than traveling from country to country, most of the time.]

[hellacene]

Is that how you view it ...?

[takes the blankets, curiously looking at him. and then he smiles.] At this rate, I'm impressed you even let me out of your castle. I'll be the Count's 'mysterious Terran lover' at this rate.

[captaincatblock]

How I view what?

[cocks an eyebrow at him] You already are. My mysterious Terran lover, that is. I might have been very frustrated at my prolonged duties than I should have been. [sheepish]

[hellacene]

Your weakness.

[a tilt of the head.] Am I going to meet other Versians than you and Bokuto, then?
[peace time doesn't necessarily always mean peace time, and as much as he is good at concealing his emotions, he doubts he's going to keep it together in front of the first count who tells him he's nothing better than mud on his shoes.]

[captaincatblock]

That's how they'll view it. I don't see you as a weakness, myself. [If anything, he's a reason for Kuroo to try so hard. Otherwise he might have just continued his somewhat boring existence toeing the line between sides.]

You will, eventually. I don't think that can be helped. But they won't necessarily be as nice. [They land, though, and Kuroo reluctantly gets up.]

[hellacene]

[he gets up as well, holding on to him as the carrier docks into the hangar. they are welcomed by kai, who also gives kuroo a warning that count bokuto had attempted to breach his side of the castle, again, because "he had heard rumours regarding his wedding, to which he was NOT INVITED, kuroo tetsurou, you better not be trying to start something here". there was no permanent damage, just the usual involving his wings and a dent overhead where his kat had slammed its claws on in an attempt to shake the castle, but akaashi had promised to repair things as soon as possible. tsukki looks a bit alarmed at that, but since kai and everyone else seems to be laughing it off, it must not be as serious as he'd thought.
he thinks it must be nice to just stay in this circle of people all the time, too, but eventually, as kuroo promised, he'd have to make his appearance to everyone as well. he just hopes he's ready for it. he say a few 'hellos' to everyone around, and gets caught up in a discussion about courtship with none other than yamamoto. which reminds him to make this joyous announcement:]

We bought presents for everyone.

[captaincatblock]

[Kuroo does laugh it off, because that sounds like Bokuto and in the midst of all the problems they face, he's actually a refreshing if tiring breath of air. He pushes Tsukki gently towards the others after a quick introduction, so he can get started on being friends with them as Kuroo talks to Kai about stuff---

And then Tsukki announces that and Kuroo immediately snaps to attention.]

No, no way, Tsukki got that for you because he's generous and thoughtful. I had no hand in this shenanigan.