The Business Associate / Ask Me Anything

//The next day the girls make their way by train to the countryside to visit a former business associate of Aiya’s.

Hana: So where are we headed?

Aiya: To see a … Business Associate. (He has actually been a long-time informant for the Military).

//It is said that he provided the information that led to Aiya’s last mission, the failed mission that killed many of her former comrades and close friends. Aiya doesn’t really trust him, but knows he is the best source for information in the entire kingdom.

//They arrive at the gate of the countryside manor; it’s enclosed by a 12-foot-high concrete wall and from the outside seems more like a compound than an estate. However, oddly enough as they approach the gate, they are meet by two women dressed in Kimonos.

Hana whispers to Aiya: I’ll take the one on the right and you can have the tiny one on the left.

Aiya (quietly responds): Really, put your stick away you idiot. You are so clueless. They would tear us apart if it ever came to that. These are actually combat andriods programmed to kill anything that is a perceived threat to their mission, protecting the “Business Associate” without hesitation.

Kimono Woman 1 (bows): Welcome Lady Aiya, Lady Hana, he is expecting you so please follow us this way.

Aiya: Of course he is, I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t.

//They enter the stately mansion and Hana’s eyes are wide open in amazement on how large and elegant the home is.

Hana: Who is this guy?

Aiya: His cover occupation is as an antiques dealer, but his real occupation is as a black-market dealer, in fact, he controls much of the black market in the kingdom. Although he has acquired quite the impressive, rare sword collection, that is his pride and joy.

Aiya continues: He was once the Lawyer to the Royal Family. He is highly connected to just about every wealthy family in the Kingdom, and most of them owe him for his service from those days.

Hana (one eyebrow raised): Can we trust him then?

Aiya (scoffs): Hardly, but he has eyes and ears everywhere and is too valuable of a source to pass up. Believe it or not he was once actually a friend of Dad’s from their days at the Academy…. And Dad trusted him.

Aiya sighs: … at least sometimes.

Hana snickers: That’s reassuring.

//The kimono women return.

Kimono Woman 1: Lady Aiya, he is ready to see you, please follow this way.

Kimono Woman 2: Lady Hana we must ask that you stay here.

Aiya nods to Hana and says: It’ll be okay.

//Aiya and Kimono woman 1 go up the stairs to an office where the business associate is waiting.

Kimono Woman 2: May I get you some tea Lady Hana.

Hana (watching Aiya go upstairs): What… oh, sure. Do you have any of that fancy bitter tea?

Kimono Woman 2: Indeed, we do, and hopefully it wasn’t to presumptuous of me, but I’ve already taken the liberty of having a special batch brewed just for you.

Hana whispers: Tsk, this should be interesting… at least they have a sense of humor.

//Upstairs, Aiya enters the office, and the kimono woman bows at the gentleman in the room and exits. The business associate, dressed in a tuxedo, is looking over one of the swords in his collection.

Business Associate: Hello Aiya….it’s been a little while.

Aiya: Yes it has, much has changed since we last meet.

Business Associate: Yes, I know. I am very sorry to hear of the loss of you father and your good friends in your former unit, please accept my condolences.

Aiya looks down and mutters: Thank you. I do miss them all dearly, but especially Dad.

Business Associate sighs: As do I, as we all do ...

Aiya: … but that’s not what I’m here to talk about …

Business Associate: Yes, I know the nature of your visit … but I must tell you I do feel somewhat responsible for what happened that fateful night … and rest assured I’m taking steps to correct the wrong. I don’t like being played the fool or for that matter being part of anyone else’s agenda.

//The information provided to the Business Associate was from none other than the King’s brother, Garo.

Aiya: And I’m sure your brand of justice will be swift and precise and cut deeply… I believe you call it sword justice.

Business Associate: Yes, indeed it will be.

//The business associate move toward his desk to pour a glass of Brandy.

Business Associate: I’d offer you some but know you don’t drink.

Business Associate (raising his glass): To your dad!

Business Associate: Well then, I think you here to discuss the whereabouts of a certain somebody’s, who will remain nameless, offspring?

Aiya (shaking her head): You absolutely never fail to impress… Yes, if you have any information at all, which I don’t doubt you do, I would certain be most appreciative.

Business Associate: Well, I suppose I do owe you and your family this much. I can tell you that the one with your answer is someone you’ve already been … let’s say, introduced to. Find the “good doctor” and you will have your answer.

Aiya (confused): Doctor? What Doc… No, it can’t be!

Business Associate: Not all of us in the underworld have access to traditional medical care and hospitals, so we must seek “alternative” medical services.

//Aiya is taken aback by his information and leans back against a short table in the office.

Business Associate (smiling): Ah yes, I see still naive as ever. Do take caution my precious one, not everyone is as they appear. But don’t be too hasty with the kind doctor, she has her pride and has never taken a cent from anyone. She has only asked for protection for her daughter in return.

Aiya takes a deep breath and says: You have been more than generous, if there is anything I can do in kind please let me know.

//The Business Associate seeing that Aiya’s mood has turned for the worse tries to lighten the conversation.

Business Associate: Well, there is one thing you can do. Once you have finished with your business, I would love a one-on-one duel of sabers. I’ve been training with the lovely ladies who escorted you here, and you know their reputation, and think I’m ready for someone with your outstanding sword skills. They’ve actually watched some of your competitions from your past and where quite impressed. So I’m eager to see if I will feel the same.

Aiya is surprised but manages a smile and says: It will be my pleasure… to utterly kick your tiny little behind in a duel.

//Aiya bows as she exits the room. Kimono woman 1 waiting outside leads her back to Hana.

The Business Associate laughs and then quietly says to himself: Be careful the darkness runs deep amongst the Royals.

Aiya (speaking to Hana): So, are you ready to go? We need to see a certain “Good Doctor”.

//Hana, who has been playing checkers and drinking tea stares intently at the board.

Hana: Hang on, give me a sec … here have some of this great tea … I think I’m on the verge of finally winning a game.

//Just then the kimono woman quadruple jumps Hana remaining pieces to end the game.

Hana jumps up in disbelief and says: Ughh! How? I was on the verge of triumph, Grrrrr!

Aiya scoffs: You truly are an idiot.

//The ladies make their way back to the train station and city. Aiya explains the situation with the “Good Doctor” on the train ride. Aiya asks Mika to also meet them there.