[Day: Unknown. Time: Unknown.] [Taki's dream is now loading] [Taki is in her traditional home, kneeling in front of a small shrine. A picture of her late father rests in the center.] * Taki prays for for the restoration of the family name and honor, for revenge, all so her fathers spirit is untroubled by such things of course. It's not her fault that so many things go wrong. [Taki's mother comes in. She is confused to see a fairly tall man standing behind her. He's got chin-length black hair, parted down the middle under a boulder hat, and deep brown eyes. He's wearing Western clothing.] * Taki finishes her prayers before standing up and facing the man, her head tilting slightly to one side as she centers her eye on him for a moment, and then looking to her mother. [Taki's mother smiles and kneels down next to her. "Yoshiko? This man is Hideo Watanabe. He runs a shipping industry and is a well-to-do man. He wants you to come work for him. He's agreed to give you room and board in his home." [For a minute, Taki feels confused and almost betrayed. But looking at her mother's eyes, she can tell that this was not an easy decision for her to make. And with their father gone, debts are piling up.] * Taki maintains her compsure and kneels before the man, gritting her teeth when he can't see her face any more. "I am... honered and greatful that you would take me in." ["Please, think nothing of it." comes the reply. "If you would, have your things ready in three days. I'll send someone for you then."] [He tips his hat and bows. "Good day. See you soon." Then he leaves!] * Taki twitches, and then ever so slow stands back up. * Taki glares at her mother, "How could we have come to this? My grandfather was...My grandfather was!" * Taki raises a shaking hand to her face, "This...all of this is their fault!" Her mother looks down. "If things could have been different... If there was any other way..." She shakes her head. "But the past is gone now, Yoshiko."] [Some time later, a young man with big nose drives Taki up to the mansion in a big black car (a new experience for her). He parks in front and gets out, opening the door for Yoshiko. "Now don't you worry, Ms. Matsudaira. You'll like it here, I'm sure."] * Taki gets out of the car as smothly as she can, "Thank you for your assurances." [He hurries to get her things from the trunk, smiling. "I'm afraid I haven't introduced myself. I'm Kitahachi Arazami. You'll be seein' me a lot, I think."] * Taki unfortunatly doesn't have much to bring anymore, "And I am Yoshiko Matsudaira, but you already know that. Where am I to go next?" "Oh, just go right in. Mr. Watanabe is waiting for you." * Taki gives Arazami a small bow and walks twords the front doors. [Inside is a large foyer tastefully decorated with art, plants, and stuff like that. Mr. Watanabe is walking around upstairs when he looks down and notices Taki. He decends, shuffling cards as he goes. "It's good to see you came." He holds the cards out in a fan. "Now, if you would be so kind, pick one of these cards, please." * Taki stares at her new employer for a moment, but it is not a samurai's place to question her masters order. So she reaches for one of the cards and pulls it out of his hand. [Taki draws the Knight of Cups! Hideo rubs his chin. "Hmm, the Knight of Cups, eh? Interesting." This surprises Taki, seeing as how he can't see the card.] (Eh? I thought the cards were facing him.) ( Face down ) (Ahh) * Taki stares at the card and then him, "How di... What, if I may ask, was the reason for this game?" "There's a lot to explain. But to put it simply... we're special. We're different from ordinary people, different from the masses." * Taki looks at him like he may be insane, "Different...how exactly?" "It's different for each of us. Some of us are more subtle about it, some... Ah, just in time." Hideo looks past Taki to where Kitahachi is entering. "Kitahachi, show her what you can do." * Taki turns all the way around so she can see. Kitahachi blinks dumbly. "Boss, you sure-?" Hideo nods, and he shrugs, "Well, okay..." He closes his eyes and his body hardens. When he opens them again, he looks as though he was a statue. But he moves and speaks. "How's this?" * Taki stares, long and hard, "How... That's imp...You...You're the same as her!" Hideo nods. "Saki Morikawa." * Taki lifts a hand to her face, to where her eye used to be, as she turns to face him, "Are you saying that I can do the same as her?" "We all have our specialties. And we're going to help you find out what yours is." * Taki grins, it is not at all a nice grin. [Yep! End!]