Anna Aurelia observed the shogun doing the movements and even when she came to sit on a chair. She listened to her and took a moment to think for an answer. ''After the project, we have already said that I will 'make' an Ai similar to Pixis for you. Of course, we can discuss, later, about you teaching me martial art. Also, to answer to your question, I planned to make an android able to defend the New-Horizon. I think you once saw it.'' She paused and still looks at Tsuya. ''The liner has two hangars. The first one is for my personal ship and the other one, if you want, it can be yours if you wish to come aboard.''
The woman suddenly to look elsewhere, thinking about what else to say. Nothing really came out. In fact, she had more personal questions but she knew it was not the moment. Not right now. Often, she wondered if Pixis was not messing up the liner. However, when her eyes were on the shogun, her thoughts vanish. Anna was attracted by the shogun. ''Tsuya...'' She repeated in her head. Daylight dreams began to start for the white haired woman. The first one was: having a diner with the shogun.
Long seconds passed and Anna decided to break the silence. But first, she looked at the shogun. ''Tsuya, later, if you can and if you want, would you like we take a walk? You know... talking while we do something else than sitting on a chair.''
Tsuya fiddles with a real katana that was leaned against the wall in its sheath next to where she sat. Someone must have been practicing with the real thing and forgot. Wouldn't be the first time. As Anna brought up the notion of going for a walk, she laughed gently. Was that her way of asking for a date? She made it a lot more obvious than it must've sounded in her head, Tsuya thought. With her energy already returning, she returns the blade to its leaned position and stands up before addressing the question. "Well, after we finish this, then you can have your walk. We have several weapons to go through, so I say we should speed this up and cut the chatter. We'll be done before dinner time if we accelerate. The big details of the AI training can be done using our simulation products."
She picks up another training weapon off the floor, this one being a cross-naginata, a versatile and deadly spear capable of piercing tough armor and slicing all at once. The three pronged blade is capable even more damage than a typical spear. "The naginata is a popular first choice for many female dragons to begin their training with. Every melee weapon has three important points to learn. Stance, footwork, and strike. Just like with the katana, the naginata features both similar and different stances, but completely different footwork, attacks, and wielding. Watch." She demonstrates the naginata's superiority at close range with its reach, opting for several piercing attacks into the dummy's torso, followed by slashing attacks to the arms, and low sweeping attacks to the legs. This is shown from multiple stances, angles, and momenta just as before. This standard theory, Tsuya thought, should be enough to simplify the combat of each of these weapons and allow it to easily imitate the moves.
Watching the fluid movements of Tsuya's attack pattern proved to be somewhat hypnotic. Time flew by in a flash, and she was already finished with the weapon. Next up was the various other sizes of the standard blade. Tanto, wakizashi, and nodachi. Then shuriken, nunchaku, and sai. More situational and unconventional weapons were used, such as nekote, tekko-kagi, and kusarigama. The real counterparts of all of these weapons are brought up to date with the latest high frequency technology, allowing them to compete with the standard of armor versus melee, guns versus swords using the powerful oscillation. The last weapon to be brought into the repertoire was, of course, ranged energy weaponry. The guns in the dojo were armed with test cells so that the shots are still visible but do not have enough energy to cause lasting damage. These were tested thoroughly from close to distant ranges. After finally finishing, Tsuya takes a cross legged position on the floor, somewhat winded.
''Yes, you are right. We must focus on right now.'' She answered to Tsuya. But she was happy that the shogun accepted. Time passed fast. Anna observed the movements of the shogun and they were hypnotic. The agility and fluidity were the things from Ubukata Tsuya that Anna was attracted and also something else. Her natural ethnicity.
When the shogun has finished, Anna Aurelia turned off the machine that was reding the shogun's movements. She stood up and came a bit closer of Tsuya but not close enough to make the shogun uncomfortable. ''Thank you for your time and help.'' Said Anna while she was smiling to Tsuya. ''You can remove those electrodes and put them in the briefcase.'' Added Anna. The woman wanted to do it herself but she didn't dare to ask if she can do it.
After the shogun removed herself the electrodes and putted it in the briefcase, Anna looked at her. ''If you want to take a shower before we walk, you can do so... I'll wait you somewhere and then we take a walk?''
She sighed, already imagining the comfort of a nice, hot bath after such an exercise. This was a useful session, not only for Anna's research, but for Tsuya herself. She'd been feeling a little rusty as of late. She nods silently in response to Anna's question before standing back up and walking over to the lost katana. She picks it up gently and returns to Anna. Now that the blade in its sheath was closer, she could make out the details.
It was a more traditional katana compared to Tsuya's own blade, but it was still just as deadly. This blade's sheath and hilt were entirely pitch black in color. The bottom of the hilt was decorated by a dragon's head carved in metal, its eyes glinting with the slightest hint of crimson. Its mouth gaped open, revealing its beastly teeth and tongue. The hilt itself seemed to have engravements into the leather grip in the form of dragon scales, with the emblem of the Rose Dragons upon it as well. However, she relented in opening it.
"No idea just who might have left this behind. Real weapons don't have a place within this dojo, but more importantly, it's a considerably modified version of our standard issue blades. That may make it easier to find and... reprimand the owner." She held the blade in both of her hands so that she could examine it closer, and shook her head smugly before returning her arms to her sides. The blade is still within the grasp of her right hand, holding it upright by the sheath so that the blade does not come loose and endanger herself.
"I will return to my quarters to unwind for some time, then I'll meet you at the lobby here at the ground floor. Nijo houses a small indoor 'park' of sorts, with genetically modified cherry blossoms and grass, alongside other natural things. It's pretty comfy." She quickly takes her leave, not really waiting for a response from Anna as the dojo doors slide open mechanically. She disappears behind them, feeling rather eager to have a moment to relax. Very rare, considering her position.
When all was in the briefcase, Anna closed it and grabbed it in her left hand. She was happy of the work of Tsuya. ''Like this, I will be able to complete Marcus! Thank you Tsuya.'' She said within her mind. When the silence was broken by Tsuya's words, Anna turned around to look at her and saw a beautiful Katana. It was modified. The white haired woman found the katana interesting but she did not dare to ask if she could hold it.
The shogun told to Anna that she will return to her quarters for a moment. It was because of the exercises. A thing understandable. She also mentionned to Anna that she will meet her at the lobby in the same tower. The shogun also mentionned about a certain park and it got the curiosity of Anna. When she was about to say something, Tsuya was already gone. She let Anna alone.
Anna Aurelia did not mind to be alone but she was surprised by the reaction of the shogun. She decided to return from where she entered and left the building. The woman wanted to breath a bit. She walked a bit and suddenly have the idea to return at the place where she slept last night. She wanted to put the briefcase there.
It took an hour to return at the chamber and to return at the tower. Because the job was done for today, Anna removed her hair elastic. Her white long hair fell on her shoulders and on her back. Then, Anna wondered something. This thought brought her dark flashbacks. Yet, Anna was not inside of the tower but outside. Near the entrance. She slapped her own cheek to remove the thought and entered in the tower.
A few hours fly by with little effort as she retires to her quarters. What exactly was Anna thinking? Tsuya pondered the request to 'go for a walk' as she bathed. Who would want to do that after working up a sweat like that? Of course, the first thing she wants to do after training exercises is to take a nice, long soak in the freshest nebula water that Kyoto can spare. Well, it's a far cry from the luxury of New Tokyo, but it's passable. She leans her head onto the edge of the tub, deciding to empty her thoughts for now. This was exactly the moment of meditation she needed. Silence broken only by the life of gentle, imaginative music. Her only company was the comfort of the warm water enveloping her body. The only scent was the floral aroma slowly wafting out of the water and covering the entire bathroom in its invisible scent.
She closes her eyes and focuses on her breath. Many thoughts pass her by, as she puts them aside for later. Her worries, concerns, and idle abstractions all wash away as the minutes go by. This peace persists for several minutes before her mind begins to wander contemplatively. She imagines a starry night sky, the same night sky she would see on her home planet. Her existence, as well as the existence of everyone and everything in this universe, is all impermanent. Despite humanity surviving through so much, something could happen at any time to send it all crashing down. Despite all of humanity's accomplishments, it is still such a tiny spec compared to the greater universe. The only reason humanity still thrives is because of the smart minds that brought the sleeper ships into reality. Those ships are a testament to humanity's adaptability, the will to survive. Yet despite our survival, humanity suffers so much by its own hand. Spilling its own blood daily. We have come so far, but learned nothing to better ourselves philosophically or morally. The fact that there is so much left to spill by her hand disturbs her. Countless people might wish for her death at this moment. To protect her ideals, the only thing she knows to do is cut down her foes, for they don't tend to bother with debating.
It almost pushed her to tears. She wishes it didn't have to be this way, but... all of a sudden, the alarm she set went off. It interrupted both the music from the speakers and her quietude. Thirty minutes already? It was time to get out of the bath before it started having detrimental effects on her body. She pressed the button on the digital console to make the water drain and stood up carefully. Then she stepped out, drawing the curtains as she sets her foot onto the rug. The next half hour is spent drying herself, styling her hair, applying makeup and getting ready for the second meeting with Anna later today. She chose to wear a variation of her armored clothing to this occasion. As a person of her status, she cannot be too careful. A crimson kimono with a floral design. Layered over it were several pieces of black armor, protective against melee or sidearm weaponry. It covered her shoulders, elbows, hands, and from the knees down thanks to her strange fixation with high heeled boots. She also wore full coverage body armor for her torso underneath. With everything done, she decides to take the next two hours for herself. A large tablet was there to accompany her with some enticing novels to read in the meantime.
The next alarm goes off, piercing the silence once again. It's time. She turns the power of the tablet off, and stands up to leave. But not before picking up her hydraulic obi belt and latching it onto her waist. She attaches her own katana onto the first arm and aligns it properly to her right side before finally taking off, before she leaves Anna waiting for too long.
Soon enough, the whirr of the tower's express elevator came closer and closer to the lobby. It comes to a halt and reveals the Rosen Shogun, who steps out and looks around, hoping Anna was still here.
Within the tower, the white haired woman was sitting on a banch near by the entrance. She was playing with a little device who looked like as a PDA. She tried to have a some kind of connection but nothing. Maybe it was because her device was considered as unknown and due of this, the access of the connection to the neural net has been blocked. A real joy. She was cut from the ''New-Horizon'' for so long already and she wondered how Pixis would react. Will she be in panic? Will she try to contact taking news of her? Questions with no answers. After a few minutes, she decided to put the device in a pocket.
Her mind was focused on the 'walk' she planned to have with the shogun. Already, it will be way more different than being in a bar. In a bar, you are surrounded by other people but now, it will be just two of them. It stressed Anna. How people would think if they see them together? It was the question she asked herself. She then blew her thoughts and focus on to behave normally and decently.
After long minutes passing, the elevator was making noice. Eventually, the noice stopped. ''Probably someone came here...'' She stood up and walked to the direction of it just to make sure what she thought and it was someone she knew. The shogun. Anna Aurelia looked at the outfit and the makeup. Anna liked what the shogun was wearing. A crimson kimino covered with plates to protect her. Maybe it was because of this outfit the Rose Dragons called themselves. In any case, Anna simply died inside. But soon enough, she pulled herself together. But her eyes were sparking because she was admiring Tsuya's outfit and the majesty that the shogun gave to Anna.
The woman took a moment before to say something. ''This outfit suits you well, Tsuya. And I also like your makeup.'' Complimented Anna to the shogun.
She gently smiled with a hint of sheepishness in her body language. "Well, I did not expect a foreigner to be so understanding of our cultural fashion. You are one lucky person to have me alone. I hope you don't mind that I came armed, just in case you've been playing me for a ruse all this time." A banterous giggle emerges after that remark, indicative that she isn't exactly being serious about the matter, but decided to play it safe. She begins to walk back towards the elevator, motioning for Anna to follow.
The indoor garden is located on the tower's lower floors. Specifically, B5. Nijo stretches from the top to the bottom of this hollowed out rock. The lower floors are mostly public clearance, while the upper floors are mostly restricted, only for people in active service." The elevator doors slide shut as she dials in the buttons to direct it to the garden floor. Then, awkward silence sits between them as the elevator's speakers begin to play music to pass the time. Tsuya wonders if she outdid herself for such a casual outing. Perhaps it was too much to thematically dress for the scene they're about to witness, for a simple foreigner like Anna. She can't help but stare off away from Anna, idly resting her gaze upon the walls of the lift.
Luckily, it was only five floors below the 'ground level', so the slightly awkward moment passes in less than 30 seconds. The doors slide open with a satisfying sound to reveal a wondrous castle garden, given ample room below deck to be in place and allow it to fully immerse anyone who walks into it. The pair steps out onto a stone cut path, with small growths of flowers and bamboo stalks nearby in the grass. The ceiling isn't even visible, appearing pitch black with glowing dots resembling a starry sky with moonlight casting down using artificial light. Two large cherry blossoms are at their sides, surrounded by shallow ponds that have lotus flowers and lily pads floating on them. The entire castle is alight with lanterns and other sources that make the entire place radiate a gorgeous light. A bridge leads the way to the first tower, protecting them from soiling their clothing in the pond.
"So... what do you think? These blossoms have been genetically modified to be in bloom year round, regardless of the artificial climate we have in this area."
''Yes, I am really lucky to have the shogun only for myself.'' Simply replied Anna to the shogun after she giggles banterously. The woman noticed that Tsuya was armed but she couldn't help it to live with it. If this situation was inside of the ''New-Horizon'', of course Anna would play the safety but because she was at Kyoto, it was understandable. When Tsuya invited Anna to follow, she walked slowly toward the elevator where Tsuya was and they both entered.
While the elevator was making its way, the silence was awkward. Anna would break the silence but something held her. But instead, she decided to observe the shogun. Then she look at herself and broke the silence. But it was more a whisper than anything else. ''Good job Anna... You should have brought something more elegant...'' But fortunately, Tsuya seemed to not have listened. She was relived. The elevator stopped its course and the doors glid showing a magneficiant place. A castle was there with two large cherry blossoms. Then, Tsuya broke the silence by saying what Anna thought about this place. And then, the shogun explained that the plants were genetically modified. Understandable if we live in an asteroid. ''I haven't seen something this... magneficiant.'' She then got out of the elevator and looked everywhere. By her eyes, Tsuya could know that Anna liked this place. Anna Aurelia looked finally at Tsuya. ''With this outfit you are wearing and this castle over there, we could say you are the queen.'' She then turn around to look at the castle. ''If it was me, I would spend my life here...''
Still looking at the castle, Anna Aurelia thought it was time to be honest with the shogun. They were just both of them. No one here to listen. It was her chance. But first of all, Anna will need to follow the cadence of the shogun. A mistake and all could be over. After admiring the castle, Anna looks at Tsuya, smiling gently at her.
Tsuya stood in silence alongside Anna in that brief moment of her admiration for ancient architecture. Her gaze traveled over towards Anna and she found that their eyes met. She gives her a curious wink of the eye, and walks forward. The echoes of heel clicks on the ground break the fleeting peace between them. She proceeds to the castle and leaves Anna to stand there, not bothering to wait for her to catch up. Without turning back she raises her left hand and curls her fingers in a kind of "come hither" motion.
"Now, this is a sacred place, so please be mindful of your surroundings. Do not disrespect the grounds in any way. It may be just the two of us, but I won't be forgiving if you were to, say, dirty the floors of the castle or damage the shoji. Gods forbid you break a vase... I would have to thoroughly punish you for such a transgression, for each piece of this area is irreplaceable. Mm... No pressure, though! You aren't a clumsy person, right?" After crossing the short bridge that was rather... more symbolic than bridge, and climbing the short stairs, she slowly, almost teasingly slowly, slides open the shoji doors to reveal the interior. It was as though gazing into the distant past, far removed from anything else inside Kyoto.
...As though it was torn straight out of the Records of Sol.