Cadias

IC: Sanei - Training Grounds, The Yards, Sado

Without another word, Sanei drew her sword. Its crystal blade glittered, reflecting the sun as Sanei prepared herself. Then, she lunged forward, aiming a solid telekinetic push at Eshai as she did so.

IC: Sanei - Sado

Sanei stepped onto the crystal-paved street that led into the heart of the Imperial Palace. Having grown up in the city, she knew it well, and set off at her usual, rapid pace toward the Yards. She couldn't help but feel a glow of pride as the Dashi parted before her, clearing a way. She smiled just a little- she loved being a proud warrior of the Umbraline clan!

Before long, the two had arrived at one of the training grounds that dotted the Yards. There were basically no spectators to witness the fight, which was good. There was a chance, after all, that she would lose the duel, which would be rather embarrassing.

"Are you ready, Eshai?"

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

Sanei, pretending to stop and admire the view of the Imperial Palace, halted to rest for a moment. They were nearing the end of the bridge, which was good. They were making up for lost time- though, if Sanei had been asked why she was making up for lost time, she'd find herself unable to answer.

"Oh, yes, the training battle. Perhaps we could drop by one of the training grounds in the Yards and duel each other there? Nobody would think we were actually trying to kill each other if we fought there."

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

"...I see." It appeared that she wasn't going to be able to get anything out of Eshai, at least today.

Suddenly, she noticed that she'd slowed down. Speeding up, she mentally admonished herself. A Menti of Clan Umbraline should always be focused.

The Imperial Palace was drawing near now, its crystal structures reflecting the sun into the ocean around it. Sanei stared at it. "You know, Eshai, I made an excuse to get away from the others, but I'm really not certain as to what I- er, we should do once we arrive in the Imperial Palace. Any suggestions?"

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

Sanei couldn't help but smile a bit at the dodge. Subconsciously, she slowed down more. She was genuinely curious about Eshai's past.

"Not your clan, your life. What did you do?"

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

Noticing that Eshai was falling behind yet again, Sanei reluctantly slowed down a bit. After all, her conversations with Sato and Ankora had already slowed her down quite a bit anyway. For a moment, she listened to the click-click-click of crystal striking crystal as she walked down the bridge, wrestling with her curiosity. Finally, she gave in.

"You don't talk about your life before your clan was destroyed often. What was it like?"

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

Sanei bowed to the others. "While it's been a pleasure, I'm afraid that I must be getting to Sado. Have a good day." She began walking toward the crystal-coated island at her usual fast pace.

"Don't worry about it. Living without a clan is by all accounts very hard, so I imagine that most people of your status think the same thing," she replied.

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

Sanei, uncertain of how to respond, smiled. "Yes, that would be very unfortunate. Have a good day."

Long Kanohi?

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

Sanei couldn't think of anything to say. Hmmm. At least Eshai was honest.

A good guard, but evidently a terrible conversationalist.

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

".... I see," Sanei replied, though she really didn't. Vainly, she believed that should ever an event like that happen to the Umbraline (Zuto-Nui forbid), she would still hold her head high.

"So... if you don't live for money, and you don't live to return glory to your clan... then what do you live for, Eshai?"

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

Now Sanei was fighting to keep a small smile off of her face. Eshai didn't seem to quite get it.

"No, it's just.... you refuse money, you insist on silence, and you accept the way you're treated without so much as blinking. I suppose what I really don't get is how you put up with it. I know I'd find it very difficult to go from the status of a Menti warrior to that of an individual without a clan."

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

Sanei succeeded in keeping a bemused expression off of her face, though Eshai could probably sense the curiosity in her thoughts.

"You really think so? Alright, I suppose. You puzzle me, you know."

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

There was a lull in her conversation in the Datsue, and Sato and her friend fell silent as well. Sanei decided to use the opportunity. Much like Sato had done, she closed off her mind and began to Ideatalk with Eshai.

"So, Eshai, I mentioned a pay raise. What do you think would be fair?"

IC: Sanei - Odaiba/Sado Bridge

Sanei smiled. "You raise a good point. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to call her my attendant? In any case, I rather like the effect, and I'm sure that my skills will benefit from having a sparring partner readily available."

IC: Sanei - Odaiba-Sado Bridge

"I cannot speak for Sato, but I am merely returning to my duties." Sanei smiled. "My family insisted that I take a vacation, but after a few days I decided to cut it short. I found no peace in wasting time."

"The trip was not wasted, however," she said, nodding to Eshai. "Eshai here entered my service recently and has proven to be quite able."

OOC: As it were, they're walking from Odaiba to Sado.

IC: Sanei - Odaiba-Sado Bridge

Sanei was somewhat surprised that the Datsue knew her name. She wasn't a terribly important person within her clan, after all.

So, this person must be very knowledgeable. Judging by her robe, she was from clan Eiyu, so that made sense. She appeared to be of high rank... let's see, a very intelligent, high-ranking Datsue of Clan Eiyu....

With another bow, she said, "I assume I am addressing Ankora of Clan Eiyu? I'm afraid that we don't have business with your clan; you see, my bodyguard Eshai and I were returning to Sado when we had the good fortune to run into Sato, who is also returning to the Imperial Palace."

IC: Sanei - Odaiba-Sado Bridge

Sanei was about to compliment Sato on her wise words and comment on how one could go nowhere if they did nothing when Sato suddenly spoke up, addressing a Dasaka and Datsue who stood on the bridge. Realizing that she'd become lost in thought, Sanei bowed, somewhat hastily. Innerly, she chided herself for being caught off-guard. A Menti of the Umbraline should always be alert, after all.

Deciding that Sato had said all that needed to be said, she remained silent.

IC: Sanei - Odaiba

Sanei watched as Sato and Eshai conversed, ready to jump in and tell Eshai to stop contradicting Sato if the latter should get annoyed.

OOC: I assume that you want the conversation to continue in order to explore your characters further?

IC: Sanei - Odaiba

Sanei, still uncomfortable with the idea, said, "I... I'm not sure, cousin." Sato did have a point... but surely, there was a reason for the usual treatment of those without a clan? It was certainly something she would have to ponder in the future.

Then an idea occurred to her. As long as she was going to give the matter some thought, why not get another perspective on it? "Eshai, you seem to accept being treated as inferior because you have no clan. Why is that?"

IC: Sanei- Odaiba

:Yes,: Sanei agreed. :Eshai was the first clanless Dasaka I'd met. Meeting this.... 'Wrath' certainly puts Eshai into a more positive light than I would have considered otherwise. I believe a raise in pay is in order.:

She hesitated for a moment, then added, :Ah.... I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention that I bowed to Vatrica earlier. It's quite embarrassing. From the way she acted, I assumed that she was a person of high rank.:

Sanei turned and looked at Eshai, as though seeing her for the first time. Yes, she did have quite a few positive attributes, more than she'd realized initially. Still, a question nagged at her.

:If you don't mind me asking, Sato.... why do you consider Eshai to be equal with a Menti? Clanless individuals are often considered lower than Saihoko, as you doubtlessly know.:

IC: Geklan - Ga-Koro - His house

Geklan had wasted no time in arriving at his house. He wanted to be somewhere quiet, where he could think.

His house was surprisingly simple. Geklan didn't believe in purchasing unnecessary luxuries until one was filthy rich, so his house had remained much the same as it was when he was running a shop. While it was a step about your average Ga-Koro residence, it wasn't nearly as ornate as Theriss' place.

Resolving to take his mind off of upsetting Theriss, which was somehow upsetting him, he sat down behind a desk and picked up a pen. He looked at the piece of paper on top of the small stack that had accumulated over the course of the day and sighed.

Of course. It was the paperwork that had to be done to get the Toa Sarsi their cut of the profits. With practiced ease, he filled out the stack. Well, it did help a bit. He rang a bell, and a few moments later a Matoran walked into the room. Handing him the stack of papers, Geklan said, "Make sure the Sarsi get their cuts. They're in this restaurant," he said, writing its name down on a piece of scrap. "While you're there, get together some Matoran and grab the chair. You'll know the one I'm talking about when you see it." He paused for a moment. "And when you get back, take the rest of the evening off." Seeing the question forming on the Matoran's lips, Geklan snapped, "Yes, you'll receive your usual pay!"

The Matoran nodded and walked off quickly.

Geklan stared into the fire that blazed merrily on the other side of the room. He was not a nice person. He knew that well. He regularly ripped people off, ruined a few financially. Normally, it didn't bother him at all.

So why did Theriss' response ruin his mood so quickly? He stood up and started pacing. It didn't make any sense. They'd been rivals for years now. She'd come close to ruining him more than once, and vice versa.

Perhaps it was because he'd grown to respect her. Oh, he'd never admit it, but he did. She was the only person who had actually posed a real threat to him, after all. Maybe it was because he knew her so well- after all, he'd never met most of the people he'd ruined or cheated.

"Well," he muttered, "whatever the reason, it certainly ruined my dinner."

IC: Sanei - Odaiba

Innerly, Sanei breathed a sigh of relief. Good, she hadn't upset Sato.

She looked at Eshai. :Yes,: she 'said,' using Ideatalk, :Let's go with her.:

Walking toward Sato, she mentally said, :I apologize for almost starting a fight in your presence, cousin.:

IC: Sanei - Odaiba

Sanei ground her teeth as the other Menti warrior walked away without a single word to her. She was a warrior of Clan Umbraline! Such treatment was practically unthinkable. She was very tempted to instruct Eshai to go and teach whoever that was a very painful lesson, but Sato hadn't seemed very keen on fighting... Surely, Sato must have known what she was doing. She was a guard of the Imperial Court, after all...

With a great deal of difficulty, she swallowed her anger again. She deeply resented it, but it wasn't worth it... making a bad impression on a higher-up was the last thing she wanted to do.

Deciding that going to Sado wasn't the best of ideas at the moment, she said, "Thank you, Eshai." Her tone made it clear that her temper was near the boiling point. "Come. Let's find someplace peaceful. Going to Sado is not wise, considering..." She paused, not wanting to use 'my temper.' "Considering the circumstances."

She stalked off in no particular direction.

IC: Sanei - Odaiba

Sanei watched, nonplussed, as Sato simply walked away. It appeared that either Sato was crazy (which Sanei doubted) or that Sanei still had a lot to learn before becoming a Menti worthy of the Umbraline name. With some difficulty, she turned her back on Vatrica and walked away as well. Perhaps she would understand Sato better if she acted in the same way. And she didn't have to worry about an attack from behind.

Having a bodyguard was nice.

She bowed quickly to the newcomer, who appeared to be a Menti. "Yes?" Although she just wanted to head back to Sado, or perhaps prolong her vacation (going back to work suddenly seemed less appealing somehow), there was no need to be rude to someone who had just arrived....

.... Yet.

IC: Sanei - Odaiba

Sanei narrowed her eyes. Her hand dropped to the hilt of her sword, where it hovered threateningly. Now that Sato had given this 'Wrath' what amounted to a warning, she didn't have to worry about making herself look bad in front of her superior.

"It would be wise, 'Wrath,' if you addressed my cousin with more respect," Sanei 'suggested,' her threat thinly veiled.