[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220213/b49676c953100e185481d90619cb798f.png[/img][hr][sub]Interacting With: [@Fading Memory][/sub][hr][/center]	"I won't take long, Milady," the captain said with a momentary bow of his head. "I'd hate for Ajairu to be deprived of necessary care. I am aware that Lord Fuji is looking for a team of exceptionally gifted individuals to complete specific tasks for the purposes of quelling this civil war, and, having been here when the beast attacked, I can say that this group--yourself included--handled the situation with an effectiveness I only know to be rivaled by the Shogun's elite, even if the results were not as some would have hoped. And for now, many of these do not seem to have previous association with one another. With time, they might even learn to work even better as a team. Mayhaps we can request that these people have an audience with the Lord Fuji? If Milady finds this agreeable, of course.

	"Now, as to the detection of this Alpha," he continued, "I will accept full responsibility for failing to do so sooner. Kanegi detected something retreating into the brush to the east earlier today, but I didn't realize at the time what it was, nor how dangerous it would prove to be. I had hoped it might not return, even if it were some threat--least of all within only a few minutes of its first departure. Such a behavior was highly irregular of Alphas we have seen near the city prior, and I did not prepare myself, nor others, for it. If someone has failed you, Milady, it is I." He knelt on the ground, his head bowed. "My sincerest apologies, and I will subject myself to whatever punishment is deemed appropriate."

	And thus he awaited her response. He wanted not for the wrath of the Lady Hanabi, but he would not conceal his own faults in the matter. Lives that might have been spared were lost due to his miscalculations. Blood was on his hands for not preparing the guards sooner. But, he mused, the situation, grim as it was, may not have been without a silver lining. They may now have the tools to end this conflict, provided they didn't kill each other first.