Mistress Dizzy

Poem of the Bladed Nightingale [Skull & Mistress Dizzy]

Jin was just outside the village outskirts, plucking wild onion from the ground, when Okita came running down the path. She smiled and straightened up.

“Back so soon, Miss Okita? Forgot something?”

“No!” Okita was panting with exertion. “There’s a commotion in the middle of the village!” Then she said something that made Jin’s stomach drop to her knees.

“Someone has your son!”

Prince Hotaru.

Jin’s face went wan as she went from humble herb picker to trained bodyguard in an instant. She dropped the onions, picked up her kimono to the knees and started running, full tilt, toward the village square.

It took too long, far too long, to get there. But things were still active when she arrived. There was a very large brute, there was Ishawari in the middle of the circle. And crying out was dear Hotaru. Jin felt herself going into a red eyed rage. How dare this – this – ruffian lay his hands on the Prince of their nation?! Beyond that, how could he so casually threaten a helpless child? She slowly dropped into deep breathing, calming herself slowly and taking stock of the situation. Obviously Ishawari couldn’t get near enough to their attacker to pull Hotaru away. He’d need some kind of opening. A distraction, perhaps.

A distraction that she could readily provide.

She stepped forward out of the crowd, eyes cold as ice as she stared upward at the man. Oh, her fingers itched for steel, but she would have to do this the hard way.

“I’ll thank you to put down my son.” Even she was surprised to hear her voice come out without the slightest hint of fear. “Han, are you alright?”

The man turned, and she got a good view of him then. Weaponless but solid bulk, muscle under fat, Hotaru in a vice grip. The boy himself was still struggling, quite hopelessly, but she admired the fighter in him all the same.

“Get this big jerk off me, Akemi-san!”

Jin only nodded in response, keeping her eyes fixed on her opponent. She kept walking slowly, starting to circle the man with dutiful steps.

The man laughed rudely, staring down, way down at tiny Jin. “What exactly do you plan to do about it? Are you going to pay me my money?”

“You’ll be very lucky if you leave this encounter with breath in your lungs.” There was something deadly in her voice, and while she heard the distant murmurs of the crowd, she paid them no mind. She simply kept circling, watching the man shift and keep up with her.

“Hmph. You’re a brave little bitch, I’ll give you that.”

Jin smiled like an animal baring teeth. “I’m far more than that.” She shifted her weight subtly, preparing for attack. Because she’d turned them just enough for Ishawari to be directly at the man’s back, out of his sight, and open for surprise attack. She couldn't meet his eyes, but knew the time was now. If he could hit the man, she could grab Hotaru, and it could be ended.

London by Lamplight: A Victorian Magical Girl Story !

I'm thinking either of a fog themed or a mechanical themed one.

London by Lamplight: A Victorian Magical Girl Story !

@Still Lake How funny, I was also thinking of an illusionist. I'll have to go a different route.

London by Lamplight: A Victorian Magical Girl Story !

Sounds interesting.

Meadow Ridge Institute

Takajin?

Jin was about tell Igarashi-san that they were the one who owed him a favor, but the boy had already vanished into the crowd. “Oh well. Maybe later.”

Looking out at the sea of students, Jin quelled a nervous flutter. Was this going to be like their last school? Maybe things could be different here. Still, it didn’t hurt to be ready for a fight. So, shoulders squared and head held high, Jin entered the crowd.

It was overwhelming. Noise all around, students greeting each other from last year, teachers from clubs welcoming them back – purple everywhere. Jin was too short to really see above the crowd, so they made a beeline for the outskirts and popped out near a club table.

Archery. Just thinking about it gave their stomach a twist. They hadn’t held a bow since getting kicked out of the archery club last school year. They had been a shoo-in for captain, if not for a certain incident leading to their expulsion.

“Leave my reputation behind me, huh? Why not.” Jin approached the table.

“Excuse me, I’d like to sign up!”

Star Wars: A Legend Reborn (Nobodyman123 and Mistress Dizzy)

Kijani looked up and up at the Millennium Falcon, staring openly. Her mouth was twisted into a small frown. This was their ship? Was it too late to find someone else? She was not impressed.

"Adam, are you quite sure about this?" She managed to whisper before their pilot appeared.

"Ah, Mr. Solo. We were just conducting some last minute business." She tore her eyes away from the ship and smiled in a very polite way. "Your ship is very interesting." There was no polite way to ask but she had to. She fixed her gaze on Han Solo, watching for more lies or tricks.

"Are you sure this thing can get us all the way to Alderaan in a timely manner? I can't afford to have us drifting in the middle of nowhere."

Star Wars: A Legend Reborn (Nobodyman123 and Mistress Dizzy)

Kijani hid a triumphant smirk as her bluff took hold. Adam wasted no time in taking the offer, but Kijani would have tried for 6,000 instead. Oh well - it was done and at a much more reasonable price.

"That went better than expected. I do hope Mr. Solo's ship isn't some rust bucket." She followed him out, wondering what Obi-wan would think of the deal.

"I will find a way to pay you back for this, I promise. You've done so much for me already." Kijani smiled warmly at Adam. A medal would not be enough - she didn't know what she would do, but it would be something great. Maybe a new home since she had essentially flushed them out of theirs? "I'm not used to being at the mercy of others, but I'm so lucky that I landed near you. Thank you, Adam." She briefly squeezed his hand.

"Now, shall we go and haggle for the sale of the speeder?" Kijani's eyes lit up at the idea.

Poem of the Bladed Nightingale [Skull & Mistress Dizzy]

“That is a little odd.” Jin mused, also rising from the table. She started to clear it, picking up all the bowls and putting them in the basin. She banked the fire with a splash of water, and brushed her hands off.

“Well, what ever it is, I’m sure you can handle it.” She flashed him a grin, then headed toward the door. “I’ll see you later tonight, okay? Be safe, my friend.”

She had said that every day since they had come to Hanowa, like a mantra, whether it was in Ishawari’s hearing or not. A part of her believed that it worked. It had so far, anyway.

Stepping merrily down the path toward Kana’s shop, she dodged cheery children on their way to school. It was a lovely day out – brilliantly sunny and a light breeze blowing green scents her way. The thought of coming back here one day struck her again. Part of her felt like that could be more happiness than she deserved. But there was time to think about that later. Kana would be waiting.

After jogging down the path to keep herself limber, she reached Kana’s humble herbal shop at the edge of the forest.

“Good morning Kana-san!” She called out loud as she slid open the panel door, as Kana was a touch deaf.

“Ah, good morning Akemi-san.” Kana was already behind the counter, kimono sleeves rolled up and gray hair tied back. “How are your Takumi and Han, dear?”

Jin smiled warmly. “They’re both very well, thank you for asking.”

“Good, good. Hand me that mortar and pestle, dear. Mrs. Ogawa will be by soon for a fever cure for her daughter.”

“Yes, Kana-san.”

The work began. Customer after customer came by to pick up cures and chat a bit. Jin’s keen ears searched for pertinent information, but everything seemed like the usual scuttlebutt. Who was out of work, who was having a child, even petty things like affairs and such. Jin heard it all and commented on very little, simply offering enough response to keep the conversation going.

“Did you hear?”

Jin was plucking stems from mushrooms, ears open.

“The Prince was nearly assassinated!”

“No!” Thank goodness for Kana’s love of gossip. Now this was something. Jin slowed her work to listen closer.

“It happened a few days ago – the Prince survived but now he and the Emperor are in hiding!”

“Who would dare try to harm the royal family?”

Jin spoke up. “Pardon me, miss Okita… where did you hear of this?”

Okita tapped her chin, thinking. “Well, my husband heard of it yesterday at the docks. The news is everywhere! I hear they’re going to double security going in and out, and post more guards.”

“Is that so? Well, I hope it doesn’t interfere with his work.”

They started up a round of gossip about children, and Jin slipped into deep thought. The timing was far too late – then again, rumor could transform from place to place. Maybe there was some truth to this after all.

Star Wars: A Legend Reborn (Nobodyman123 and Mistress Dizzy)

Kijani did actually laugh at the price. It was a short, mirthless bark. “Ten thousand? You must think we’re stupid. We could rent a ship and fly ourselves for that kind of money.” She stared down Han Solo with her uncanny yellow eyes.

“Let’s see… you’ve obviously been here some time to know the patrons by name. You’re clean enough but have no drinks of your own. You don’t have any other contracts since you’re so desperate to take ours. You’re either trying to pull one over on us, or you are desperate. Neither of which we need right now.” She huffed.

It was a risky move, calling his bluff. Certainly, there were sure to be other pilots around, and if they were well and truly desperate (which they sort of were) they could manage to slip onto public transport. Kijani was only half certain this would work – if it did, well, they got a discount. If it didn’t, well, they were going pilot shopping.

“Your loss, Mr. Solo. Next time, try not to highball.” She looked to Adam and started moving out of the booth. “Let’s go.”

Star Wars: A Legend Reborn (Nobodyman123 and Mistress Dizzy)

Kijani had been half about to defend Adam from the two ruffians when the roar ended the encounter. Her heart was still pounding as they stepped away. She wondered if it would have embarrassed Adam to have her step in. This seemed like that kind of planet. While she was certain Adam could have defended them both with little trouble, so could she. It itched her to be docile. Or maybe it was the sand that made her itch.

Adam was braver than she when asking for assistance, and the pilot spun around to look at them both. Kijani was embarrassed that her heart gave a little leap. He was handsome, and had a devil’s smile. But handsome had no bearing on piloting skills. She needed answers and she needed them fast.

“I thank your friend for his timely intervention. I’ve never met a Wookie before.” She flashed her own smile, one that said ‘I can charm just as hard as you can’ and continued.

“As my friend said, we’re looking for a pilot. A simple trip to Alderaan. What’s the going rate for 3 passengers and 2 droids?”