((Logged 3/23/02 by Yui))
So much time she's spent here, in the past few days. And the discussion with Mother Margurite and Mr. Taisen, too! It's left Kaori in quite a spot in the last few days, and the Shevvite really has no idea where to go next-- still waiting for 'word on high', as it were. Cradling a cup of that near-famous (at least to her) tea that Gabriel introduced her to in her hands, she sits with her back to the door, with a empty plate of food before her and staring off into space... at least, that's how it looks. She's plotting, actually-- how to get the security detail more efficent in it's overlook of the city. And wondering how Captain Marabat is faring in the distraction front-- after all, her original intent was to assist the JNK Yggdrasil, instead of acting as her ambassador's 'escort'...
But plans change, situations shift and so many things that you never expected end up becoming so pivotal.. Who can plan everything, after all? Half the fun of this giddy mess was keeping up with the unexpected. And of that, so far, there had been much.
Yet it was also working so /well/.
And while it had quite a while to go yet, what had happened was certainly promising. The Holy Mother, baffled and lost, had given in moderately easily to the notion of discussing peace. The Yggdrasil, while certainly annoying, had not made too much of a fuss. And Jasper, while Shevat only knew of the basics, was soon to be one less feverish worry for Shevat.
But all of this is sincerely tiring as well. And as the ambassador enters the cafe, this is obvious enough to any who cared to look deeply enough. Yui was by no stretch a weak woman. But lost in the calm of her eyes or the peace of her moods was a quiet, gentle weariness, of one worked long and tirelessly. So much thinking, so much plotting, so much second guessing... It wore, slowly but surely. And so.. She comes for tea.
Creeeeeeeeak. At least, that's what the door does. It's not that she really doesn't care, it's that... well, she doesn't think to look back-- not for a moment, anyway. Kaori's eyes take a tired, weary peer back over her shoulder after a moment, shaking her head a bit to clear the obscuring view her bangs bring about, and blinks-- the mug is forgotten about, set upon the table as she rises. Has she seen Yui emerge from the cathedral since she first entered? Certainly not... thus making this a somewhat-welcome surprise. "Ma'am..." she utters, lost between statement and question... Careful, the poor pilot might actually be tired enough to snap-to and salute, in her condition. "Did... things change at the cathedral? What... brings you down here?"
Ma'am? Yui pauses at that word, turning that soft brown glance over to Kaori. Polite but honest is the small smile which touches her face then, held in the same mixed tone that it has so often lately: somewhat tired, but so calm. So collected. Always.
"Miss Scihevnhein. A pleasure to see you tonight." Polite and considerate, plainly. Did she ask something, sounding mildly worried, about the Cathedral? It may wait a moment for pleasantries to be shared first, certainly. "Would you mind if I joined you? It has been quite a busy few days, and I'm sure we have a great deal to talk of."
As if they were simply friends, meeting after a time to talk of friends and the banalities of life. Certainly nothing quite as serious as, say, toying about with a country's politics.
Kaori is left to a splended moment of quiet on the request-- really? Her? Blinking with the nigh-enthusiasm of a child, her heavy-gloved hand gives a brief, simple sweep to the side to indicate toward the table. "Oh... of course, by all means..." the taller woman settles lightly in her seat once more, watching her movements-- almost as if studying. "The town's been reasonably quiet, of course..." she remarks, a touch of surprise in her voice-- if not stepping onto the boundaries of disappointment. "... knock on wood that it remains as such." Almost as if she lives in her work, this one...
What's so surprising about that, though? Be Yui the superior in this operation or not, they still are coworkers. Is it so strange to smile, so politely, and request a moment of friendly conversation? With that same soft and formal smile, Yui nods and draws out a chair across from Kaori, sitting down with a thoughtless sort of grace. If a thing is out of place or uncommon with the lot of this, Yui certainly betrays it not. And she grants an honest, "Thank you." In response.
"I am glad..." She says softly, after she calls over one of the workers about, requesting a cup of tea, "That things have been peaceful. We have done our best to make sure that it remained so, after all." This wasn't meant to be anything but peaceful, honestly enough. A little baffling, but Shevat certainly intended no harm to Margie or to her protectors.
But it is a moment of polite and casual silence she gives before she finally speaks again, all as if this were some run-of-the-mill conversation. Simply. "To respond to your question before, there is nothing at all to worry about. The poor child is restless to be out and see her friends, as much of a tragedy as it is that she will not have the chance to. But as she now has a decision to make for herself and for Nisan, I thought it would be prudent to not be watching over her shoulder like a hawk."
No, she could leave other people to watch the Holy Mother. The illusion of being free and unwatched was a valuable one, illusion or not.
And even in moments such as this, she seems so calm and relaxed... in many ways, it's something to be envious of. A quick sip of her tea brings Kaori to her next point-- "... Well... she seems to be discussing this at great length with Mr. Taisen..." She clears her throat a bit, pushing the plate aside and focusing more intently upon the swordswoman and her own beverage. "... One of her guardians, I mean." Rubbing her hands just below the first knuckles-- just the top of the palm, really, the pilot looks ... troubled. At least, mildly. "I think that the Holy Mother is becoming suspicious of our intentions, at that..." The issue of the 'Solarian Princess', nonwithstanding-- which she'll have to get to in a moment. "I know for one that Mr. Taisen is... he's ... well, rather verbally said that he disagrees with our methods."
"A Mister Taisen?" Yui asks almost casually, as a waiter returns with her cup of tea. She does not sound particularly concerned, not by any stretch.. Although there is a note of curiosity in her tone, "I haven't heard of this man. A guardian, you said?" How peculiar. She was unaware of the Holy Mother having any official guardians. But the last few years were certainly not the calmest for the City of Peace.. That one would turn up is not entirely unexpected. "And he disagrees with us? I can't say that surprises me... He is not /too/ disagreeable, is he? It'd be a pity if he was attempting to make the Holy Mother abandon these talks entirely."
And that is all the swordswoman says for a moment, taking the time to take a slight sip of her tea. Unpeturbed as she always seems to be. If nothing else.. she hides her thoughts and feelings very, very well. And it is a long moment before she speaks again, "I expect some degree of suspicion from the Holy Mother.. how could she not? But some degree of suspicion and uncertainty will only help us." Fear was, after all, a strong motivator, and second-guessing was a powerful form of influence. "I doubt this guardian of her will be much trouble, unless he can honestly convince her that dealing with us is somehow damaging the full of Nisan..."
And if that is so? It is a sip of tea and a long pause later before Yui finishes that thought, just as calmly and evenly as if it were nothing at all, "...And if that is so, we may have to... Remove him as an influence for the time being. I'm sure there are places he can be where he wont be nearly so much of a stress."
Indeed, not only is the Fatima Prince her guardian... "He's a kind enough man, it seems to me. However, he finds our methods, as I said... well, a little too 'out there'. But... hopefully, of course, he wouldn't do anything that would endanger our tasks." Sipping her tea, she takes the next comment ... well, however it should be-- 'removal'... non-lethal means, she silently prays, though the words escape her lips almost like a soldier recieving their orders. "Yes, ma'am." But after a brief pause, Kaori finds her own words again, though they seem more grave in her own mind. "... There's ... also another issue. A young girl was in town..." Normal enough, isn't it? "... wearing the jacket of a Solarian officer, that is." The memories come to her so very slowly-- did she give her name...? And would she believe this 'dream' stuff? Better leave it out. "... I ... I think.... her name was ... Khiea?" Her head nods a bit, attempting to find a bit of self-resolution on the matter. "Yes... I'm sure it was. She claimed to be staying at the Fort. Could... she be ...?" she starts, not really up for finishing the statement-- just ... because she really can't figure it out-- what to make of the Solarian Princess.
And to that? Yui acutally /laughs/ a little- Soft and quiet, more a chuckle than anything else. "Our methods /are/ rather 'out there', aren't they? Anyone with any concern at all for Marguerite or Nisan would be able to see that they are peculiar. And I'm certain he's a nice person.. It just would be unfortunate if he were allowed to disrupt things."
Clear. Cut. No, it doesn't need to be lethal. And Yui can sip tea while discussing, shortly, how someone needs to be removed so that so much effort doesn't go completely to waste. Nothing spectacular. Just efficient. But she does put her teacup down then, and fix Kaori with yet another softly curious look at that. "A /Solarian/ officer? You are certain?"
That was not a good sign. They were not suspicious, were they? But.. to be so blatantly obvious. And she puzzles over this issue, about to speak again, before that name catches her attention. And, uncommon as it seems to be, those eternally calm eyes draw wider and betray an honest blur of surprise. "...Khiea?"
The girl who the JNK Yggdrasil captured, once. Who cried and cried and was so exceptionally pitiful... And then ran off with Fenrir the moment she was given a free chance. And Yui pauses then before she continues, "..Could you describe her?"
Whoa-- she laughed. Where's the incoming gunfire? But, a more serious matter is at hand, as the pilot uses the edge of a metal plate on her knuckle to scratch gently at her chin. "... I'm afraid so. I ... got close enough to talk to her. She didn't recognize me... ... I mean, the accent." Slowly, her head shakes in recollection of that strange moment, and ... that OUTFIT... "... She wore the weirdest thing... ... a dress... with an officer's jacket worn over top of it..." Kaori recalls, the look on her face displaying pure, unbridaled... ... confusion. And it's quite amusing, to the casual looker. Part of her also wants to just call out, 'And I first met her in a nightmare!' But... that would probably have her put on the first shuttle back to Aphel Aura with a fresh bottle of mood-levelling medication waiting in her quarters. "It was interesting, to tell you the truth. She acted like a bloody child... but... she looks like a teenager."
Ah-haha. Boom? No, it seems the apocalyptic gunfire is mistimed for the moment. Ever so sorry. But as the subject continues, Yui taps a finger mildly against the side of the cup she holds. Gently. Distractedly. And her face holds an expression that is nothing but mild confusion, and the touch of expression so often associated with one whose mind has just snatched up an idea and started to run. "I see. I doubt many could match a description as that... And on that note, I must confess that I have met this girl before."
Met? Psh. She was kind and sweet to her for her entire stay on the JNK Yggdrasil, and in exchange she cheerfully stole the Gear that Yui has happilly keeping from it's rightful owner. Which was, regardless of legalities, irritating. "And I must confess that I don't /quite/ know what to make of this. She doesn't make a great deal of sense. She is /basically/ harmless, although there is quite a bit of intelligence in that head of hers, too. And if she did not recognize your accent or seem to be concerned..."
It's placing bets. Guessing, wondering if someone is going to be a threat or not, if one decision will be too much trouble or entirely necessary for things to work out best. It's juggling. And Yui does not like making a decision blind. "I would like to say that it is unlikely that she was sent here, since I am certain there are more professional people for a job like that. But there is always the chance she stumbled upon something that we do not want her to share. I simply wish I knew how much this should worry..."
Kaori blinks... Curiosity is written all over her face in black and white, at that. "She disappeared right after I finished speaking with her... she went on along, playin' hopskotch of all things..." Harmless? Nonsensical? Great, good, then nothing dangerous would come of it, /especially/ if she started talking about meeting the strange lady from her dreams. "Should we take more steps to ensure secrecy, then, ma'am? Keep a closer eye on who comes in and who leaves the town?" Then again, that sounds more like martial law-- which wouldn't go over well with the locals...
"I doubt she will be trouble, disregarding the fact that she very easily could be. Although it's just my best guess..." She trails off softly at that. The issue of Solarians was always a delicate one. After all, if Khiea was in the area, it was plausible that someone more threatening could be as well. She considers this for a few seconds before she resumes with a mild, "...Is that we should just be a little more careful, and try to stay out in the open for as short a time as possible." Easy enough, simple enough. Moving on...
That /does/ sound like martial law. And that's not the best thing to do if you're trying to remain beyond suspicion, is it? Yui offers a brief smile to that, warm and almost dismissive in it's nature, as she takes the moment to gently sip at her tea again. And once again she takes her sweet time in getting around to the point.
"That shouldn't be necessary, should it? As tempting as it is to make sure that no Solarians enter this quaint little city, would it not also likely alert someone that something is amiss? No.. We needn't watch the gates too closely." She pauses at that, falling silent before she continues, "I am aware that it would offer a well needed sense of security. But rather, let us be more cautious.. And keep our eye on those who come and go less directly. Solarians will less suspect a foreign country interested only in the Holy Mother than a country willing to watch the gate of Nisan."
Indeed, it's almost unnerving how this woman she has tea with, how ... practiced, learned... with all of these matters, and yet she barely seems to be much older than herself! At least... to her knowledge. Kaori nods but briefly in reply, rubbing again at her palm with the other thumb. Rather comforting, massaging process, it is... "As you wish, ma'am..." she replies audibly now, planning things herself more mentally-- it's odd, this feeling... almost like she's playing magistrate. Maybe her own methods seemed... harsh? Quick? The pilot really lacks the experience to make most valid judgements in situations like this, and she does harbor a quiet hope that it doesn't reflect too blatantly... after all, she hopes to make a good impression to all her superiors, not only her direct in this mission. "Right... Perhaps I should relocate my Gear further into the hills, then? To make the presence less noticeable, that is... leave it just inside the forestry as low as I can place it, use the foliage to camoflage..."
That's true, isn't it..? Yui is only a few years older than Kaori. And yet, Yui was trained to think into things. And it certainly didn't help that she married the most enigmatic man in the entire world. Well. It kept her on her toes. And she blinks at that wording of Kaori's, so prompt and so very formal.. 'As you wish'. And she sets her teacup down and gives a gentle smile, "You make it sound like I'm decreeing this. You know that you are always welcome to say so if you believe that I am going about things in the less than best way?"
And as to moving her Gear.. Yui nods lightly at that, that soft smile fading away into something more calm and serious. "Of course, that would be a splendid idea. Just as long as it is still accessible. But to be honest.. I am beginning to sense that perhaps our time here may be more limited than we thought." And that smile returns, soft and faint, unworried in the least, "So we ought to make the best of what time we have, don't you think? Soon we may very well want to escape the public eye... Which will limit our moving about even more than it is now. So, I think it would likely be best to be prompt."
Kaori laughs a little-- quite a moment to feel embarassed. Folding her arms long enough that she can lean back in her seat, the pilot lifts her hand a little to scratch her head in a mindful way. "... Ah... well... I grew up a little more militaristically... I apologize." she says, attempting to make light of the thought. "... I ... really do feel a little awkward about the chance of running into trouble down here. But I doubt it will happen... so... I guess that's why I'm a little over-cautious." Hands folding on the table, she finally lets her shoulders slouch a bit, nodding once more toward the ambassador. "I'll move it soon, then. I can have a standby mode put online, so if need be, I can be ready to difuse a situation, if, that is, we're caught short in a limited time-span..." After all, how many people would listen to someone in a rather large bipedal fighting machine toting a giant rifle? Hopefully anyone that wouldn't like to be scared half to death in the process.