Preparations (Kiyoko Saito)
| Preparations (Kiyoko Saito) | |
|---|---|
| Date of Cutscene: | 20 February 2013 |
| Location: | Saito Residence |
| Synopsis: | In the wake of Himei's death, Kiyoko picks up the slack. |
| Cast of Characters: | 131 |
| Tinyplot: | End of an Age |
The small pack was nearly full, and the jacket that she'd prepared was al ready hanging, ready, on the hook nearby. Kiyoko had said to pack light, weapon-wise... and she did mean it. No firearms were on her person. The number of hidden knives, wire, ball bearings, explosive tags, caltrops, and other items was staggering, not to mention the section for the hood had been altered to yank out the hood in order to store her cape. Her Ninja motorcycle was prepped with a full tank of gas, too. Right now she was checking the hidden bracers that would be under her sleeves, with the holsters for the flame-spewing Flame Pieces Rampart had gotten her.
Rollrollroll. A soccer-sized ball rolling into the room was barely noticed by Kiyoko, but the soft voice from the chinchilla within most definitely was. "So. You're going then. You're being unnaturally serious about this, Kiyoko. I haven't seen you this serious since the Dark Queen. Don't do anything rash."
Sigh. The young Sailor smiles, sadly, and tosses her hair back. "I'm not doing anything stupid, Emeralda. Thanks. I know I've been a goof most of the time... but I think I needed to be. Only now, someone needs to take charge and get things done. Himei..."
She has to stop there, her voice choking and throat tightening, but the tears were all spent for the day. A few moments of breathing, and she continues in a softer voice. "Himei was really... invested into this. And you and I both know she probably saved my life in more ways than one. Plus Jack... I don't know if Jack can take initiative like this. She needs to do something to help, so she can feel she's doing what Himei wanted."
The bracers are set aside for later, when she's ready to go tomorrow. Kiyoko slumps onto her bed, reaching down to hoist her talking pet from the plastic ball she was using and nuzzle her cheek to the soft fur. "I'll be careful. I've been doing my research, and I'm picking the team carefully. We'll be in and out before you know it. And if we aren't... um... well. I don't intend to let anything stop me from coming back. I... I don't know if Himei is really gone or not, but if she isn't then I'm going to want to welcome her back here with a job well done that would make her proud."
She takes a deep breath, setting Emeralda on her lap for a few quiet strokes of hand to fur. "I should have grown up a long time ago. Playing the doofus is fun and can disarm people, but I think I need to show them what I can do. If I don't... I think they'll screw it up. I have a job to do and I'm going to do it right."
Again, her eyes close, as she whispers softly to her companion. "Sorry. Little bratty Kiyoko will have to be the one hiding for a while. Just until this is over, I promise."
