A Spiritual Arrival

[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke gave Mikaboshi a curious look. "The last time you wanted to prove a point was at Toraono Kuro's engagement party. You decided to put one of the undead assassins in a strangle hold and spoke to them quite harshly before severing and crushing limbs... what I saw was not that but ... I guess the point to be made was less severe."<i></i> He spoke recollecting that party. The Steward remembered calling a code orange and having the building sealed off. Things did not go entirely well, but things did not go completely terrible. Lady Azame was injured, but she was not dead. The latter would be the absolute worst of the two outcomes.

Sousuke shifted his gaze over to Hakumei who was recovering. Sousuke reached over and passed her several tissues to help dry up the bleeding. Even after Mikaboshi had proved his point, Hakumei still playfully winked. The Steward wondered how far she could flirt with disaster before something truly terrible happened to her. Sousuke was always a man of caution. "Lord Mikaboshi is known for his patience. He usually gives his foes at least ... three opportunities to give up before making his move. You really don't want to be in a position where he is on the verge of making a move because he will literally make his first move a checkmate. It's actually refreshing sometimes."<i></i> He explained.

Hakumei spoke of how he was stealing her line, "You're prone to spells of tiredness? It ... it's more of a global thing than truly personal."<i></i> He paused as he removed from his pocket a golden pocket watch. He opened it up, "I have a dinner I need to attend to tonight."<i></i> His gaze shifted to Mikaboshi, "Lord Nobu has ... requested that I join him for his annual company dinner... I suspect that there will be a lot of drinking. I'll be in good company, if you're concerned. Nothing too exciting should happen..."<i></i> Sousuke would then turn to Hakumei, "Are you functioning well enough to make your way to your accommodations? I suppose I could escort you there if necessary."<i></i>

 

[Okibi]

Hakumei sighed tiredly as she relaxed in Mikaboshi's hold, accepting the tissues Sousuke offered her with a shaking hand. "It was a point well made." She said tiredly "Though, honestly, I find you more frihtening like this than in that other form." She slowly wiped the blood from her cheeks and mouth, grinning wryly at the amount that came off. "I suppose I'm lucky that my three chances werent up before I decided to call it quits. What did you think Master Mik? Did you like my spectral form?" She dabbed at the blood that dripped onto her chest as Sousuke went on to inquire about whether she was well enough to make it back to her lodgings. Hakumei laughed quietly, coughing into her hand.

"Considering I dont know where I'm staying, I suppose I'll be needing an escort." With that said, she tried to lift herself up and get on her feet. But when she tried to stand, her knees quickly buckled and she fell right back down. It was apparent that even that much exertion was too much for her, as her face had become pale with a sheen of sweat in just that short time. "I might be . . . needing a bit of help though.

(That is pathetically short, but my brain has been failing me lately and this round was dragging on much too long.)