Later: Taki arrives home after arranging for Morioka to get her pictures. It was a long afternoon of riding around Tokyo and arguing with idiots at the police department. The sun is just going down, and she casts a long shadow as she climbs the stairs to her door. [1810 local time] [mini start] Taki finds her door unlocked. * LadyNightshade sighs as she drags her feet the last couple of yards to her door. * LadyNightshade 's door being unlocked perks her up, though. * LadyNightshade cautiously slides her door open, keeping her senses alert. As she enters, Taki can hear the TV. A movie she just rented is being played. ... Hello? After a second, the sound is muted. This is followed by the sound of someone standing up and cautiously walking to the foyer. * Mitsuko appears, a sword in hand, but not raised. * LadyNightshade eyes widen. ...ah. Took you long enough to get home. I had work. * Mitsuko takes in Taki's transformed appearance. "I see." Did you get them? * Mitsuko slips her sword back into its sheath. We prevented the attack. Good for you. * LadyNightshade takes a couple careful steps into her apartment. What brings you to my neck of the woods? Orders. Kurosaki-dono has decreed that you need a sparring partner, and I apparently was his first choice. * Mitsuko walks back into the main living space and stops the DVD player. * LadyNightshade forces a smile. "Great." So... I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other. I guess. * Mitsuko sets her sword down in one corner, then plops down in Taki's favorite chair. * LadyNightshade closes the door behind her and removes her boots, before stepping into her place. So where are you going to stay? Ideally, here. Fantastic. I'd ask you not to touch my stuff but I'm sure you've already gone through everything. No, just what's sitting out on your entertainment center. My orders are to train with you every morning. And every evening. That becomes difficult if we are not living in close proximity. I suppose so. * LadyNightshade has a seat on the floor across from the chair. ...you're just not very thrilled by all this, are you. Are you? ...I lost our duel, Taki-sama. I'm not supposed to carry my grudge. And you were always an okay kid, when I knew you before. And I like the chance to explore the Big City. So... this is a very light burden, all things considered. ... Alright, I'm sorry for being so stand-offish. This has been a stressful day. As long as you're not trying to kill me anymore, I suppose I can deal with you being here. I will also admit that this is a pretty decent assignment in the long- term political sense, if you inherit. ... Yeah. You hungry? *stands up and heads into the kitchenette* * Mitsuko sighs. "Your father wrote a long letter that spells everything out, but..." She stands up quickly and follows Taki in there. Hold on, let me get that. You're going to cook for me too? I was about to explain. Your mother has assigned me to be your part- time retainer, so in general I am at your beck and call, for a maximum of six hours a day. What about the other 18? Well, I get to be your sensei for two of those. And the rest... well I do have some other assignments, and I am supposed to acculturate to Tokyo. And have some fun, too. Well it looks like you already discovered my source of entertainment. Aw. don't you get out at all? ... Sometimes. It's nice to relax at home though... Anyway. The other major rule is that I am not allowed to actively involve myself in your... other business. That's good, cause I'm not allowed to involve you anyway. Mmm. Well, the definition of "actively" seemed to basically be not getting in a situation where I would encounter one of your enemies. Less than that, I may advise and assist. * Mitsuko shrugs. "And to be honest, I have to admit your work interests me on a professional level." Alright. Well still, I'd rather not. At least not without permission from my uh... superior. Ah, rules. It's bad enough everyone back home now knows my identity. Most girls never even tell their parents. Is it that important? It keeps them safer if they don't know, I think. It was weird, cause I couldn't tell my friend here who my family was, and I couldn't tell my family who my friends were. (friends, plural) Ah, but now they know. Yeah. I guess it doesn't change things as much as I thought it would. Your parents are proud of you, Taki. Well, mostly. How an average family would work through it... I do not know. * LadyNightshade looks down. "Thank you." * Mitsuko puts together a very light meal. We'll get more, later, after we train, ...where do you train, anyway? Usually just in my apartment. And I go for a run in the mornings so I stay fit. ...in HERE? Geez, Taki, no wonder your father said you were rusty. ... Yeah. There aren't very many options, when you're trying to be covert. Sorry... I'm going to have to find something better. If you want... How could you work through your sword forms under this ceiling? ... Uh... ...you haven't been. GAH. I've been focusing on my hand to hand and... *mumbles* I suppose your magical form is basically designed for open hand styles. I guess we can focus on those, but there hasn't been an open-hander clan lord in centuries. Yeah, I don't know how it'd work with weapons. I haven't really tried. I'm uh... gonna get changed, speaking of which. * Mitsuko looks over at Taki. "You're going to have to get good enough to handle anyone with a blade." * LadyNightshade nods. Yes. We'll practice with you both transformed and not. I guess tonight we'll just go for a run. A long run. I need to see how fit you are. * Mitsuko grins viciously at her victim. * LadyNightshade smiles nervously. I try and stay in shape as best I can. Yes. Well, it's time to get better. Oh. *looks down at her clothes and sighs* * Mitsuko raps her wooden stirring spoon on the small kettle of rice. "Dinner is served." [end mini]