Bessō Miyasu, Awaji-shima City, Honshu - April 17th 836
Weeks of political parkours reached new heights following the 16th April. The last day nearly turned all her plans upside down. The failure of a House Summit. The assassination of the last truly reasonable Admiral. Accusations, investigations, a notification that the Shogunate is preparing for war; calling it inevitable. Her own knowledge of war plans. She was losing control, her ultimate goal in jeopardy. She discussed on and on with her dear ones but she yearned for second opinions at this point. Her choice fell upon two people she trusted deeply; Sapphire Raven, her long time friend, who despite many flaws always stayed loyal to their friendship. And Agent Ayakashi. An oddity within the KOI; a trustworthy intelligence agent.
Both of them accepted her invitation to the Miyasu Family estate, yet neither knew about the other going to be there though. It was certain to be an interesting evening.
"Maybe I should tell Amelia to prepare some food...hm.." She muttered to herself, as she waited.
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Honshu, Bessō Miyasu, Awaji-shima City
After another long, exacting day aboard the Kansai, one defined by pressure, scrutiny, and unspoken competition, Revenant returned to her temporary abode with little delay. There was no rest to be had in this instance, only a metamorphosis once more.
She exchanged her attire for something more composed: regal, deliberate. A pristine white ensemble paired with a long coat, black gloves drawn neatly over her hands and forearms, yet some safety concealed beneath, some discrete protection. A small face mask concealed her features, while a white beret sat carefully atop her head. Her dyed hair was adjusted into something more orderly, though only barely. Chaos always trailed her, there was always a trace of disorder that refused to be tamed.
From her belongings, she retrieved one of her personal drones, a small crab-like creation and nestled it within the inner lining of her coat to neatly rest within. A slender cane followed, elegant and unassuming, its concealed blade unnoticed within the structure itself. For a moment, she appreciated its secondary purpose, it still served well enough as support. Something she desired to rest on without being awkwardly displaced in conversation. Fatigue lingered beneath the surface of the mask. Her expression, though controlled, carried the weight of being jaded, worn down from the arduous days. It became masked beneath a practiced apathy, her half-lidded gaze disappearing entirely once the mask was secured.
There was comfort in the ritual to destress herself, to adopt a new identity. Presentation mattered. Cleanliness. Order. Even if artificial. It offered a sense of control, an image projected, a brief reprieve after the strain of near-fatal encounters and constant pressure. A way to steady the mind and gain focus. Contemplation. Cleanliness. A way to clean one's mental. A chip on the shoulder, one must always look ahead despite the many foes swimming in the ocean - how easy it would be to allow yourself to be consumed with vengeance in these trying times, she thought to herself.
Forward. Always forward.
With that, she retrieved a messenger bag, carefully placing inside a bottle of fine wine she had smuggled in from Gallia. Once originally to be saved as a treat for herself, now resorted to a calculated gesture, intended for Sanae and the serious discussion to come.
By the time she arrived at the Prime Minister’s secluded residence, she was already composed. She waited to be admitted to the home, posture relaxed yet precise, idly studying the smooth fabric of her gloved palm with quiet detachment. Her presence was… different. A posh demeanour, where chaos once lingered and free flow in her form and actions, there was now restraint. Poised. Controlled. Refined.
A version of herself Sanae would not be expecting.
"Mhm..."
She hummed as she was permitted to enter. She idly gazed around for a moment, inspecting the environment briefly.
"Sanae, my dear friend... " Her tone turned, the stoic tone remained as she became momentarily more serious. One could mistake it for concern with her phrasing.
...
A silent glare through the mask, her head slowly tilting in an endearing motion, both palms upon her cane as she slowly skewed her posture....
...
"You truly need to water your plants." Her monotonous apathy ever so slightly bent, teasing her to lighten the mood, a brief smirk could be heard under the face plate.
Ayakashi docked her personal ship, the Sekiryu, nearby, but didn't bother with anything more formal than her usual attire. She wore her standard black, form-fitting outfit -- complete with her usual assortment of gear, including her folding rifle with its shortened barrel and optics secured to her back harness, and, of course, her favorite laser pistol. Times had changed, and the current climate forced agents like her to constantly watch their backs and stay ready to defend themselves at a moment's notice. Or perhaps it was simply professional paranoia.
Professional habit, too, must have been behind the time she spent casing the Miyasu Family estate before deciding to step inside. Her biometric data was more than sufficient to grant her access, and she made her way in to join the most important woman in Kusari and her dear friend at that particular moment.
Upon entering, she gave both women a casual dip of her head in greeting, then added with a slight smirk, "I'm afraid I left my evening gown at one of my safe houses."
"What do yo-.." She got cut off as Ayakashi appeared on scene. Sanae wasn't wearing anything fancy herself, merely a grey suit dress. Although noticeable the shirts two upper buttons were open. Lacking her usual jewelry too. Her hair was messy and still damp.. which she quickly tried to tame upon spotting Aya.
"Aya-san, I'm glad you could make it.." She sounded a little more energetic than just a minute ago, though clearly tired. "Raven, Aya.. I apologize for not explaining it more in detail. I need your help. Not here though, please.. we can talk in a few minutes." She gestured them to follow her, leading them through the luscious decorated entrance hall - stylized in an unique blend of modern and centuries old Honshu artistic styles. Both of them would notice subtle hints in the walls, the ceiling and the floor that the hall was featuring countless security measures. Raven would notice that the whole place was renovated, when compared to her last visit.
Sanae led the two on for minutes, every corridor or room passed would be older and older in style until they've reached the core layer of the massive estate. Sanae slides open a door, revealing what appears to be her hobby room; acoustic panels at the walls, two violins nearly stored in a corner and a piano arrayed in the left half of the room, whereas the other half featured a comfy looking resting area with a table. "Please, have a seat. Raven? Did you bring a bottle?"
Ayakashi swept the room they were in with a careful glance, then followed the two women. She paid equal attention to the corridor as they made their way to Sanae's hobby room with its collection of musical instruments.
Still with a faint trace of amusement on her face, she added, "I hope we are not in for any wild improvisation."
After a brief pause, she folded her arms across her chest and turned to Sanae Miyasu with a question in her expression. "Do you not feel safe in your own home, Sanae-san?"
A faint smile appeared on her face. "Maybe I'll play something later, we'll see." She decided to stand until her guests were seated and shook her head in response to Aya's question. "The opposite. There's no place I feel safer than here. We'll change rooms again later and being here already spares us a lengthy walk then." Whilst waiting for Raven to unpack the bottle of wine, Sanae trotted over to a small cabinet next to the sitting corner, finding three glasses for them - although not wine glasses - and arranging them on the table.
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She offered Ayakashi a brief, acknowledging nod. The agent’s presence was unexpected, though not entirely surprising, Sanae's fondness for her was becoming increasingly evident. As Sanae outlined her request, Revenant inclined her head slightly, both hands resting lightly atop the handle of her cane.
"Of course."
Revenant listened in silence as the conversation continued, following alongside them through the mansion with measured, unhurried steps. A faint hum escaped her mask now and then, more out of idle curiosity than concern. The reorganization of her own residence did not seem to trouble her in the slightest - nor did Sanae's... tendencies of suggesting trouble.
Chin held high, posture effortlessly regal, her hidden gaze drifted across the surroundings until they reached the table. From her bag, she retrieved a bottle and set it down with quiet care. Fine wine... Deep, red, and unmistakably expensive. She took her seat with practiced grace, settling back with composed ease.
"If this were a proper gathering, I would have brought more." The remark carried a hint of lightness, though it faded quickly as her tone shifted beneath the mask. "But truly, Sanae... What is this about?"
She rested her cane beside her, attention now fully focused on the pair. A level of impatience protruded in her stoic words.
Wordlessly, Sanae nodded as Raven revealed the bottle. Snatching it straight away with a glimmer of her usual playfulness in her eyes. Carrying the corkscrew in her pocket made for a subtle hint towards Ayakashi that it was Sanae's plan to share a bottle. As quickly as the bottle was snatched, the glasses would be prepared too. Sanae rather ungracefully let's herself fall into her seat. "I must analyze the past three days. And I need every additional opinions I can get, this includes both of yours." She sighed deeply, foregoing etiquette and reaching for her glass and a sip. "And I desperately need to relax.." Her tone carrying notable worry. "My usual methods don't work, so I've opted to.. invite friends over. Two issues, a two-in-one package solution."
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"Well, unfortunately for you... I already have a job here, so I cannot indulge your desire to find... replacements... on your chessboard."
She gently prodded in dark jest while gently sliding over the glass. Though - beneath the snide remark, some semblance of truth was hidden beneath. She really had no place in Kusari or inner knowledge of its governmental conspiracies. But still, she was intrigued nonetheless.
Ayakashi followed both women, but for the time being chose not to sit. She kept her arms folded across her chest as she watched the exchange between them, and after Sapphire Raven's words she gave a slight nod, "Sanae-san, tell us what is troubling you first. I doubt we will get anywhere near a real conversation without that."
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