[right][img]https://i.imgur.com/omaX2NY.png?1[/img][hr][sup]interactions: [@Jacky] | Tatsuo Isao[/sup][/right][hr]The weather was awful, but everything was still the same. Yes, even while the rain poured, the entire population of the Sea Pillar's estate was still working hard. If anything, the downpour would make them stronger. The lady herself was indifferent to it, though no one could really tell what she was ever thinking, not with the red and white kitsune mask that she was never without. Today, too, she watched over the operations of estate with keen eyes. She had just completed a quick check on those who were injured, as per usual. Now, she walked out of the building, satisfied with what she had seen.

"Eeh, I can't believe Mori-san is still making us train. I'm gonna get sick!"

"That's why we're in the medical area, you idiot."

As the demon slayers passed Kikumi, she spared them a look. [color=fad7c3]"Is there anything wrong?"[/color] Even with her face covered, her disappointment was obvious.

"N-not at all, Mori-san," came the stuttered response. The two cast their gaze downwards as they shuffled past her. With one last glance at them, she exited the building, surveying the rest of the estate. Even from there she could see her trainees slacking. It was outstanding to her how so many people could find so many reasons to neglect their training - had they no drive to improve? Was that not the very reason they were there in the first place? Before she could tell any of them off, she was interrupted by an assault on her shoulder by a rather loud bird. She pulled it off of her with a huff, grabbing onto the message on its foot before haphazardly tossing it back into the sky. She never did like those crows.

As for the contents of the message, the other demon slayers could only imagine what it was that caused the Sea Pillar to abandon her previous task so quickly. She rushed around the estate, causing much confusion, whispering hurried instructions to her staff, organising things as fast as she moved around. Her penultimate destination, her own home, was a simple ordeal of getting changed. In a matter of minutes, she emerged in her demon slayer uniform and her signature haori, a gradient of white to pink decorated with waves along the bottom. Then, the moment she dreaded. Finally, it was time to visit her subordinate, Tatsuo Isao. Or, as she liked to call him, a headache that never quite went away.

[color=fad7c3]"I will be away for a few hours."[/color] she said bluntly. [color=fad7c3]"Please behave. Please make sure other people behave. Please train. This is all I ask of you. I hope that there will not be any issues in my absence."[/color] Her voice was soft, but as always, there was a certain sternness in it. With that said, she turned swiftly and left before he could respond. The Storm Pillar's estate was a fair distance away and she planned to set off straight away. Not to mention that she was in no mood for discussion.

She had made the travel arrangements earlier. A carriage to the nearest place with a station then a train or two. She would have preferred to do a portion of the journey on foot, but time would not allow for that. Despite her mainly indoor trip, she was still drenched by the time she reached the Storm Pillar's estate. Kikumi nodded curtly at the other Pillar's subordinates that had been left outside, emphasising their being stuck in the rain. As the Sea Pillar, she had begrudgingly accepted being soaked as a part of life, but that did not mean she enjoyed it. She was also intensely grateful she had not brought along her own disciple, for she could not imagine him enjoying the rain any more than she was.

After entering, Kikumi reached to turn her mask to the side, though she decided against it. Depending on what was to soon come out, it might be better to keep it on. Regrettably, her face was notorious for spilling out everything she felt clear as day. She slid into her place, glancing around the room, trying to gauge what the other Pillars were thinking. Then the Storm Pillar began to speak.

Upon hearing the bad news, Kikumi clenched her teeth hard. A defected Pillar - much less, the River Pillar. She would not admit it, but she had a soft spot for the boy. And now, to be told this? It was a shock. Perhaps there had been some premonition, that she had foolishly ignored. Even then, to turn traitor in favour of the very creatures they had sworn to kill was absurd. When Kikumi spoke, she tried to maintain her usual tone, which she did with moderate success. It was still a little stiff - though only to the trained ear.

[color=fad7c3]"Subtle, yes, but we must also make sure that this is and remains an isolated incident,[/color] she said, putting aside her feelings for the moment, as difficult as it was. [color=fad7c3]"No matter whether he was forced to do this or if he did it willingly, we must take precautions to prevent it in the future as well. If a Pillar can defect, then we must not think it above the other slayers to do the same - even if we must make an example, just this once."[/color]