Akame (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
killtheempire) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
overbox2015-03-04 08:56 pm
killtheempire) wrote in overbox2015-03-04 08:56 pm
TYL AU
Ten years ago, the Empire fell to revolution. Thousands died as the streets ran with blood, corrupt nobility was put to the sword, and a thousand years of tyranny came to an end. The administration that followed may not have been perfect, but the scars of war are starting to fade and it is generally agreed that life for the average citizen is better. The greatest soldiers of the revolution are remembered and idolized as great war heroes.
LESS honored, was the feared organization of assassins known as Night Raid that paved the way for the revolution. Few know the full extent of their deeds, if they know of them at all. Most think they were violent killers for hire, capitalizing on the chaos of the revolutionary era. Perhaps most feared of all was Akame, the Red Eyed Killer. It is generally accepted that they were all killed in the confusion, or executed for war crimes afterwards, and everyone sleeps a little more sound at night knowing that such deadly, vicious murderers have no place in the new regime.
In a town along the western frontier of the reborn Empire, trade with the western tribes flourishes. Some of the cities in this region are the fastest growing anywhere anyone can think of, and this is no exception. Almost unnoticed among the crowds of merchants, soldiers of fortune, farmers, tradesmen and officials, a woman trudges along, face hidden beneath a straw hat as she munches idly on a rice ball. She stops and glances up at a tavern along main street. Well, she's been walking for a long time, and her feet are weary. Maybe it's time to rest for a few days. She shifted the long curved sword at her hip slightly and made for the front door.
Who will she meet here? Old friends? Old enemies? Maybe someone new, to whom the war was just a distant memory?
LESS honored, was the feared organization of assassins known as Night Raid that paved the way for the revolution. Few know the full extent of their deeds, if they know of them at all. Most think they were violent killers for hire, capitalizing on the chaos of the revolutionary era. Perhaps most feared of all was Akame, the Red Eyed Killer. It is generally accepted that they were all killed in the confusion, or executed for war crimes afterwards, and everyone sleeps a little more sound at night knowing that such deadly, vicious murderers have no place in the new regime.
In a town along the western frontier of the reborn Empire, trade with the western tribes flourishes. Some of the cities in this region are the fastest growing anywhere anyone can think of, and this is no exception. Almost unnoticed among the crowds of merchants, soldiers of fortune, farmers, tradesmen and officials, a woman trudges along, face hidden beneath a straw hat as she munches idly on a rice ball. She stops and glances up at a tavern along main street. Well, she's been walking for a long time, and her feet are weary. Maybe it's time to rest for a few days. She shifted the long curved sword at her hip slightly and made for the front door.
Who will she meet here? Old friends? Old enemies? Maybe someone new, to whom the war was just a distant memory?
no subject
Not that most of her neighbors realized Kurome had ever been a soldier. Her husband, of course, proudly served the new regime despite having fought against the rebels, but the woman herself was small and sickly--supposedly a disease she'd survived years ago, but which had left its mark on her. She kept herself busy nonetheless; she was out on the town in a simple pink dress, buying baking supplies. She also had a pair of children in tow, the older brother maybe maybe six or seven.
...She hasn't taken notice of the "stranger," but she's not actively trying to be inconspicuous, and for as much as she's changed, she's unmistakable at a glance.
no subject
Old habits died hard, but they did die. A young killer might have once shadowed her target from a distance and gather as much intel as possible as she could have before making an approach. The more mature wanderer simply walked up quickly until she had caught up behind her and cleared her throat.
"Excuse me?"
no subject
The bag of groceries slips from her hands as soon as she turns around, probably destroying the eggs, but she doesn't even notice yet. Once upon a time, she'd have recoiled further, drawn a weapon, concealed her instantaneous rage with a false smile. But now... the shock is all there is. Still, she's scaring her children.
"Big... sis...?"
no subject
It WAS her. Akame had imagined what she would say if she ever found Kurome again a thousand times in her head, and now that they were face to face, all the speeches and words flowed away, living her silent.
Eventually, she decided she had to say SOMETHING.
"It's been a long time. You're looking...well."
no subject
She regains her composure just in time to gently pat his head. "...It's someone Mama has to talk to. You two go straight home, okay? Don't talk to anyone we don't know." The new Empire is, after all, not exactly paradise. Still, sending children even a few yards out of sight unattended would have been unthinkable ten years ago. And though the old her would hate to admit it... she knows who she has to thank for the fact that things are getting better. She waits for the kids to get out of earshot.
"I didn't know... if you were still alive."
no subject
"That was the idea. After everything ended, it was better for everyone if we just disappeared. I figured I should go and see the world I fought for, finally."
no subject
She's made an amazing amount of progress over the years, but she's still Kurome.
no subject
"Thank you Kurome, but I don't think I can. Not yet. I still have too much to make up for to the world for everything I did."