D11 | LE | Last Guess

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"I-! Argh.." Ichitaiyo scrunched her face for a bit, pushing out some kind of irate energy before she sighed in defeat "I guess I cannot be mad over being called a friend, Friend."

"And I guess I'll have to make offerings to that Kami to have him keepong watch over you."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''It is a pleasure to call you friend, Ichitaiyo-san. I could not match you inquisitive skills but I believed I could teach you a little bit of wisdom.''

Shiwahime grew more serious

''You will need more then that, however. I have a feeling of what is to come and I do not like it one bit.''

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Ichitaiyo sighed, knowing that dread pooling on her gut. If duty had to be attended, she at least should stand up for, even if it was slow and dumbly, as lightweight as she was against the alcohol.

"The Tattoo'd Woman wasn't the highest leader..." Ichitaiyo concluded easily. "We might have broken their operation here, but they are still afoot. Somewhere. Willing to do more harm."

She glanced back at the waning festival. Nagisa somewhere around there. She had.. spoken of taking a calm post to her lover, told Junpei that she would leave high risk investigations for the experienced ones, managed to start negotiations for a better future with the Tamoris..

But.. she couldn't blind herself so easily, could she?

She turned back to the horse rider.

"What is to come, Moto-san?"

[Moto Shiwahime]

''I cannot say'' she replied honestly ''The dead hold some insight but most of it cannot be spoken or, more simply, I cannot speak of them''

Shiwahime approached and looked at the embers of the festival

''I can only say of what I knew before my death and what surrounds it'' she frowns ''But you got the first part right. The pirated have grown bold...to participate in the usurpation of a governorship...with turcoats imbedded within the magistrature for years? This is not the actions of lawless scoundrel. The rot goes deep and it moves.''

She frowns

''Unicorn space has been plagued by pirates that we are certain are Spider...but I don't think it is simple as that anymore''

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"There is more space than ever before for the corrupt to hide and build. There could be planets we are not aware of, away from the eyes of the Empire.."

She gently bowed her head.

"And.. now I am cursed with this knowledge, am I not?" She murmured. "I.. have this chance to be at peace. To have something good. But if I take it wholly, I would be willingly ignoring a threat to many more."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''You are a smart woman and already deduced much. Even without me doubt would have implanted itself and gnawed at you for the years to come...and might have even slowly poisoned what you have while leaving you blind.''

The phantom sighed

''Something you cannot escape, you must simply face. Now that you are aware you will be better able to protect the people around you and prepare. One yoriki and another woman escaped...If you had a hand in this investigation then they might know of you and seek retribution.''

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Well, for what it's worth, that would make two groups that might assassinate me. First one got my parents, left me with the lung thing.." And Ichitaiyo huffed, put her hands on her pockets and gazed up into the stars.

"I guess that I asked for this harder life. Glad it is harder because I got things I love."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''It gives us a reason to grow stronger to rise to the challenge'' the Moto said with a nod of agreement ''No need to rush at any rate. You have time to play a game of finesse, at least. I wish I could do more but I only have this left to give.''

Something materialized in her hands and was tossed in the dragon's direction. It was a pair of keys.

''I cannot give you more insight but I can give you speed...if you can manage to get it here''

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Ichitaiyo turned a fond smile. "Where did you last leave your steed? I.. think I can pull some favors, if things go my way."

"But if we meet on meido again because I got all my insides made outsides after a bike accident, I'm blaming you." She teased.

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Uuuuuunicorn space.'' she replied, grimacing at the idea to have it hauled back here ''I supposes my clanmates could help you. You don't have to break bank to bring it here...it's meant to be a support, not a burden.''

She quirked her eyebrows at the last bit

''Listen girl. I'll be honest with you...dying young in a blaze of glory is kinda my thing now. It'll be real gauche is you try to copy me. Soooo..why don't you try to live a long life with people you love? After that we'll compare notes''

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Oh no, it's not going to be glorious if I go like that- it's more like a dofus making a mistake because she's scared while riding into an early end." Ichitaiyo chuckled, giving a warm smile. "So far, if I pursuit this whole investigation too hard, I bet on my death something more akin to an assassination. Stabbed in a dingy alley, sniped.. just no poisoning or venoms. I want it quick."

"I'll have to strike a balance between my duty to Justice and keeping my girl happy. Didn't get to tell you but.. I found this mechanic. Real cute, very into me, very into.. well.. fixing me too." And she sighed. "I just can tell she just wants all the best for me and for me to be happy, but now I have this whole conspiracy deal dooming my narrative. Just as I got out of my shitty lords."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Ooooh'' being dead was no reason not to enjoy some degree of girl time ''Would it be the mechanic you've spoken to me about while on our ride?''

Shiwahime rested her arms on her hips, striking quite the power pose

''Then make her aware of your activities. Moreover, find friends and allies who can support you in this endeavor. Having people watch your back will make it less likely for enemies to strike.''

She began tilting her head, thinking.

''I dunno if I am allowed to scare the shit out of your lord but I'll ask the guys upstairs. If your lord ever pisses himself in bed then that might mean I got the go ahead''

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Ichitaiyo nodded firmly, unable in her drunkenness from smiling like a dog being given scritches. "Yeah.. Kaiu Nagisa.. she's... like.. hot in the heart. Like, she makes my heart horny."

No one said she was a good drunk poet.

"Well.. the Lord's name is Kitsuki Futaro. The.. Cunt with ass-looking hair. Like, the inward thing it does and.. the gravity makes it look like a butt."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''I am glad she makes your heart horny'' the phantom replied hearnestly...but not without having to fight back a laugh

''Forget your lord for now, I take note of his name and his arse-like qualities but tonight is one of celebration and I will cheer for you and your new half.''

She pointed to a piece a notepad and some colored pencils not too far, clearly having been forgotten by some child, while grinning with mischief.

''You should write down those lyrics. Booze has let your inspiration go free so better record it now!''

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Uhm, yeah. She's gonna love the.. horny heart part." And Ichitaiyo slowly went over to the laid paper and began to write down her thoughts, unfiltered by the booze.

"How about.. 'I wish I could see me through your eyes?'"

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Erm...sure? It will depend on the context of what follows.'' she replied siting near ''Why do you want to see yourself through her?''

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Because.. she thinks I'm.. like, a great person! Deserving of.. love! And sexy! I mean, I did rescue her in a kidnapping, but Ochiba did most of the work.."

And Ichitaiyo sighed. "I'm used to.. like.. just being seductive because it made me feel good about myself about people desiring me. I'm not used to that.. making people care about me."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''Write that down'' Shiwahime suggested ''The last part especially''

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"This doesn't sound like cool poetry, but like.. me being a wet cat sad." Ichitaiyo noted, but still wrote. "I don't wanna make her more sad. She is sad about me enough. The fact she is sad about relative strangers is so.. pure, I want to protect it."

[Moto Shiwahime]

''We can work with that...can you think of a verse?''