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[h2][color=#99F1FF]Ｋ[/color][color=#A6E4FF]Ｉ[/color][color=#B3D7FF]Ｍ[/color][color=#C0CBFF]Ｉ[/color][color=#CDBEFF]Ｋ[/color][color=#DAB2FF]Ｏ[/color] [color=#DAB2FF]Ｓ[/color][color=#CDBEFF]Ａ[/color][color=#C0CBFF]Ｉ[/color][color=#B3D7FF]Ｔ[/color][color=#A6E4FF]Ｏ[/color] - [color=#99F1FF]Ｌ[/color][color=#A6E4FF]Ｉ[/color][color=#B3D7FF]Ｖ[/color][color=#C0CBFF]Ｅ[/color] [color=#CDBEFF]Ｆ[/color][color=#DAB2FF]ＲＯ[/color][color=#CDBEFF]Ｍ[/color] [color=#C0CBFF]Ｓ[/color][color=#B3D7FF]Ａ[/color][color=#A6E4FF]Ｓ[/color][color=#99F1FF]Ｏ[/color][color=#A6E4FF]Ｒ[/color][color=#B3D7FF]Ｉ[/color][color=#C0CBFF]＇[/color][color=#CDBEFF]S[/color][/h2]
[sub]Also starring: [@Krayzikk] [@Write] [@Kafka Komedy] [@Crimmy][/sub][/center]
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Kimiko trailed out of Sasori's office back out into the somewhat-seedy downtown area. Daisuke seemed like he was handling DRU for her; he was a good boy that way, and would no doubt handle her little electronic saucy puggo with the care it deserved as her pet. Kimiko was more concerned with her cell phone. As she walked outside, she pulled the device out and rested it on the inside of Hitomi's arm, finding a practical new use to the girl's clingy piggyback ride that allowed her to keep her hands free. With the other girl still striding atop her, Kimiko leaned against the van with both of those hands hooked in her pockets, trying to mimic one of Daisuke's delinquent poses subconsciously.

The phone rang four times before going to an automated voicemail message, but Kimiko expected that, just as she knew what to expect after. The girl wasn't disappointed - the phone rang again instantly, and she picked up on the second ring. The voice on the other end was comforting; sharp and to-the-point, a bit brusque and angry for such a multi-talented, capable woman with so much going for her, but it was still a familiar voice that felt intimate and safe to Kimiko. 

[color=9e0b0f]"Kid. Kimi-chan. Boxing. Do you need me?"[/color]

Dana Saitō. Private detective in her own league, onmyoji, former fashion model, Olympian-trained and American-educated wiseass. Kimiko had never quite been sure how old she was - around forty, adding or subtracting maybe a year - but she knew for sure she wanted at least half of her adoptive mother's skills by the time she reached that age. Were she someone possessed with such glorious vanity as Dana's, she might have hoped she [i]looked[/i] half as good at the age of forty, too.

[color=00a651]"Mom."[/color] She hated that. She said it made her feel like the same kind of indolent sloth that had taken over the woman she loved. But it was one of Kimiko's private jokes for her. [color=00a651]"I'm out again with Daisuke-kun and the girl I told you about. Hitomi-chan. We're being detectives."[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Uh-huh."[/color]

Dana didn't like Daisuke very much. Kimiko didn't get why; it wasn't like she couldn't beat the crap out of Daisuke in a fair fight, if she was worried about her daughter not growing up to be a true old-school banchou like her mother before her. 

[color=9e0b0f]"Bring protection."[/color]

[color=00a651]"I've got that pizza 'bot with me, locked and loaded."[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"If it comes to the house, it's bringing dinner. Baka-tan wants it to prove itself before it can stay over. Just don't let it bully the Roomba."[/color]

She [i]was[/i] terse. Kimiko had interrupted sparring, Dana'd said; if it were anyone but her lover or her daughter, this would have landed [i]you[/i] on the receiving end of those four ounce gloves during her next session.

[color=00a651]"Sure thing. I might be gone again until tonight."[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Protection."[/color]

[color=00a651]"DRU's already in the van."[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Tch. Right. I'll call your mother and let her know. Don't tamper with anything I wouldn't."[/color]

[color=00a651]"We might be tampering with something you [i]would.[/i] It's that thing from last night with the fries and the pizza and the other detective. Hey, do you know any private detectives with pink hair?"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Counting Kayanuma?"[/color]

[color=00a651]"Not counting Kayanuma, but along those lines, actually."[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Hrm."[/color]

Kimiko knew she was invested. Dana Saitō hated the mundane, as well as things that could be wrapped up quickly.

[color=9e0b0f]"I can make calls, if you let me get back to exercising."[/color]

[color=00a651]"Kay. Thanks, Mom. Tell Mom hi."[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"I'll make her feel your well-wishes in her bones."[/color]

The line clicked, and Kimiko nudged Hitomi's arm until the bird-girl's appendage nudged the 'end call' button.

[color=00a651]"Kay. Now I'm ready."[/color]