[i][b]Part One of a Collab between [@SkyHresvelg] and [@Nimbus][/b][/i] [hider=Hidden for Length] It took Callie a little while to find her target. She had been briefed before her mission that the Imperial Princess Fuyuko Yamato would be present to provide support to the Philippines' war effort - not only as a strong combatant in her own right but also as an indication and symbol of Japan's commitment to their ally against China. If she were to be harmed... Well, there was no telling what the political ramifications would be back home - anything from her becoming a martyr whose death strengthened the case for war to a blow to morale that might cause Japan to pull back from the alliance. Better for stability in the western Pacific - and thus for US interests - that nothing like that came to pass. And, well, Callie was ultimately here to protect US interests. [i]Makes sense she's not so easy to find - she's reserved, if I'm remembering.[/i] She considered for the third time summoning Charter to get a view of the place, but came to the same conclusion - that it'd just look off, inciting judgement and suspicion when she was trying to build a rapport. Even if she wanted to. So much. [i]Ahhh, is that... Yeah, think that's her... Is that - yep, title in Japanese, cannot read.[/i] So, again - she's out on the field, so she doesn't care too much about protocol, and she'll probably want personal friendship from being closeted and from that trauma of hers, but still best to show respect at first. Right - breathe, Caroline. Here we go. "Your Imperial Highness," she said in her best (still somewhat accented) Filipino, offering a bow but also composing her face into a warm smile. "If I may?" [i]Pause... A little vulnerability but also something to earn respect...[/i] "I'm Private Lidmann - part of the new Task Force they're establishing for us. I'd be keen to talk a moment, if you'd welcome that?" She glanced away briefly, smile becoming a touch guilty and excitable. "Never been in the presence of royalty before, but I guess I'll need to get used to it... Inside the barracks, Fuyuko was having a quiet time with reading one of her books in the Japanese language with the title being The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, one of Japan's famous tales. She heard the Filipino being spoken and looked up from her book to find the other woman speaking to her about wanting to talk. "I do not mind, Private Liddman. What topics do you wish to talk about?" The imperial princess replied in a composed manner, using the Filipino she was taught to use in diplomacy to communicate with the private officer. [i]Decent start...[/i] "Well... I was hoping we might discuss weaponry and tactics." Callie affected a wide glance about the place. "Every soldier in this unit has different capabilities, and we'll work together best if we know what our fellows can do and how they tend to do them." [i]Demonstrate shared values of practicality...[/i] [i]And now to catch her off guard.[/i] "But... Perhaps that can come later? I'm also curious about what you're reading, Your Highness!" Callie injected all her natural enthusiasm into her voice. "I'm not so familiar with Japanese culture and history - joining up here was the first time I've been away from home - and I'd be keen to learn... I'm sure you'd be a good teacher!" [i]A personal anecdote to show vulnerability; engagement with something she finds interest in; play to her pride in her abilities, not her station... Finally, put a sense of power back in her hands...[/i] With a minor start, Callie composed herself. "That is, if you would permit me, Your Imperial Highness, of course..." [i]Withdraw a little ways, and...[/i] She would give a slight nod to the private's comment over wanting to talk about military tactics and weaponry which was the standard topic when there was a conflict going on between China and the Philippines. "I can talk it with you a little later, yes. It's always something I've been interested with ever since I've joined the Japanese Special Defense Forces." Yet, the other question about the book she was reading did catch her off guard a bit. "The book I am reading is the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. It's one of Japan's oldest folktales where the moon is originated from." As the private spoke more on wanting to learn more about Japanese history and culture, Fuyuko replies with a small smile. "It's permitted, I'll be more than happy to teach you about my country's culture and history, given that it's one of the oldest countries in the world with a very storied history." Callie beamed. [i]Hook, distance-closing portal and sinker. Don’t push it now. Building positive feeling here will allow you to influence her later.[/i] Not to mention that part of her leapt at the smile she had coaxed from the Japanese princess. Posing as a friend would be useful, of course… But that needn’t preclude her from [i]being[/i] such a friend. She sat down, cross-legged, on the floor, placing her hands in her lap. “It would be an honour, Your Highness,” she answered simply. Going through some topics in her head, there was some aspects of the Japanese culture that she could teach a bit to the other foreigner. "Usually, the foreign tourists who travel to my country are so interested in our animation. There might be a few who travel there for the food and attractions, but our animation is the most attractive." She replied with a little nod. Callie blinked. Her mind flashed to moments of downtime back as an AMC - scenes of flashy, animated battles streamed into their rec room, cheered on by teenagers with not dissimilar powers to those on the screen... She tried to stifle a laugh. Her countenance rebelled against her. "Sorry - sorry, Your Highness, I... Hahaha!" Callie grinned. "Apologies - yes, I would agree, and that is one element I am familiar with. I had a few friends who were invested and would sometimes drag me along with them." The corner of her brain still thinking rationally chose this moment to reassert some measure of control. "You mentioned food..." [i]A personal but also safe, non-confrontational topic.[/i] She smiled politely. "That I'm not so familiar with. Do you have any particular favourite dishes, Your Highness?" "I see. I'm sorry if this was an odd question, but I did think of the many tourists that come here for our animation." Fuyuko responds with another small smile. A mention of favorite dishes made the Japanese princess think on a bit as her response to the private's question came with a nod. "My personal cooks made me tuna sandwiches and some miso soup, sometimes they would give me a plate of sushi, but I really love the tuna sandwiches they do make. It's not the most expensive meal one might expect, but we've been given organic food for our daily meals." "Even so, I can't imagine our rations compare well..." [i]Hmm. Taste for the simple things. Fits.[/i] Callie inclined her head. "It's nice to know that you're not so different, though, Your Highness - takes me back to my aunt's sandwiches at school... Mmm." Caroline crushed the memories as they arose, cursing herself internally for following the idea. To be fair, her packed lunches were a nice spot in the day, even if she gave half of them up as bribes to the couple of people she'd have as 'friends' while she was still at that school. Forcing calm, she seized on a different passing thought that would give her some breathing room. "You know," she said, trying to keep the hurriedness from her voice, "I could see if I could find some tuna. Lingayen surely has to have a fish market somewhere, and I'll bet people would be more than happy to sell any stock they've got left. I can only hope it would be up to your usual standards, Your Highness -" [i]that's right, cover with a little joke[/i] - "given it's been a couple of days, but it'd surely be better than what we're eating now." She grinned. "How about it - a taste of home for both of us and then we can settle down to chat properly?" "Your aunt made you sandwiches? That's so nice of her to do that." The royal responds and imagined if her family members would have the skill to cook homemade food like it without the help of the palace servants. They wouldn't know much about cooking, but she'd really like to learn how to make her own food without the servants' help. As the private would give a good opportunity to find some tuna in Lingayen's fish market and a taste of home for both of us and a time to settle down to chat properly, Fuyuko responds to the woman with a small bow of her head. "I have not been to the fish market before, but yes, it does sound like a good time to search for tuna and make some sandwiches based on the easy recipe." [/hider] (To be Continued.)