Post by Naughty Girls on May 26, 2017 5:02:56 GMT -5
The sundeck of Twilight Manor was a massive stone structure with the very edge of it running fifty feet from the ground. Mostly as the ground sloped massively beneath it giving way for a trio set of staircases in order to get up to the deck itself. From it, one could see the entirety of the backyard from the forests all along the border, to Summer Lake in the far back, and the small cabin set up in the corner just a hundred or so yards from the lake. That's where Etsuko was living and that's where Nikki's attention was diverted. The former handler stands clutching the straw broom with both hands as she watches her once charge making her way back from the lake.
January: Taking a break?
Nikki gasps and quickly resumes sweeping watching where the broom strikes along the stone beneath her.
Nikki: N-no, Miss. January. My attention was just taken away, unfortunately.
January watches her as she approaches the marble railing resting her hands along the top of it. She then looks off toward the cabin while Nikki continues to sweep.
January: Does it bother you?
Nikki: My humble apologies, Miss. January, I know not of what you are referring to.
January: Etsuko. Does it bother you to watch how successful she has become since your absence?
Nikki shakes her head quickly trying to show her attention was to her work now and nothing else.
Nikki: No, ma'am. Her accomplishments are still in the name of our Goddess, so I cannot be jealous of how Miss. Domino is handling her.
January keeps watching Nikki for a bit waiting for some falter in her expression. When nothing comes up, she smiles and begins to make her way back to the glass doors.
January: Smart answer. Perhaps you should know then that the Red Lady has Her eyes set on another within LAW's boundaries.
Nikki: The Goddess is truly gracious to be willing to bestow Her gifts onto another individual.
Again the caretaker of Twilight Manor looks for it, any sign of growing excitement in Nikki's eyes. Unfortunately, the maid does well to keep such emotion hidden while she continues to sweep. Disappointed, January turns and goes back inside leaving Nikki to her work.
Meanwhile, back down at the cabin, Etsuko is seated along the bench just by the front door. Her feet are crossed underneath the bench as the Breakout Title rests down beside her. Slowly, she slides a finger along the imprints of the design and then along her name near the bottom.
Etsuko: What do we hold most dear? Our accomplishments? Our freedoms?
She asks as she brings her hand away from the belt resting it in her lap as she turns more toward the camera.
Etsuko: Miss. Orchid, I am hoping that by now when I ask you such a thing that you cannot have both. With an accomplishment like this you are given limitations. With limitations, you cannot truly be free. Freedom is what you were given some weeks again and, in a way, you thanked me for it. You reached out with a congratulatory effort and I appreciate the sentiment. However,
Always one of those.
Etsuko: I do not intend to hold this belt with the thought of your gaze upon me. You are free now, free to pursue any dream you wish. So while I appreciate the time and effort you took to be humble, I will ask that you do not focus on the past.
Not...much of a thank you. But that's Etsuko.
Etsuko: In a matter of days I am tasked once more with presenting you the freedom I gave you. I do not hold you responsible for putting your newfound placement on the line, I understand the contractual obligations necessary of those who gain their freedom. Especially someone who has been bound up as long as you have. You may not want it, but you certainly deserve it.
To that, at least, Etsuko shows her respect as she bows her head briefly.
Etsuko: Make no mistake, I expect you to still put up a fight. I expect you to grade the division you are leaving. You wish it to be as competitive as it was when you were at the top and I will show you how much like you in that way I can be. Afterward, however, once I have given you the freedom once more, I may even shake your hand. Not as a means of respect, but of well wishes. Our match, Miss. Orchid, that is how I will respect you.
She informs her challenger as she stands bringing the belt up with her as the scene
fades in red
January: Taking a break?
Nikki gasps and quickly resumes sweeping watching where the broom strikes along the stone beneath her.
Nikki: N-no, Miss. January. My attention was just taken away, unfortunately.
January watches her as she approaches the marble railing resting her hands along the top of it. She then looks off toward the cabin while Nikki continues to sweep.
January: Does it bother you?
Nikki: My humble apologies, Miss. January, I know not of what you are referring to.
January: Etsuko. Does it bother you to watch how successful she has become since your absence?
Nikki shakes her head quickly trying to show her attention was to her work now and nothing else.
Nikki: No, ma'am. Her accomplishments are still in the name of our Goddess, so I cannot be jealous of how Miss. Domino is handling her.
January keeps watching Nikki for a bit waiting for some falter in her expression. When nothing comes up, she smiles and begins to make her way back to the glass doors.
January: Smart answer. Perhaps you should know then that the Red Lady has Her eyes set on another within LAW's boundaries.
Nikki: The Goddess is truly gracious to be willing to bestow Her gifts onto another individual.
Again the caretaker of Twilight Manor looks for it, any sign of growing excitement in Nikki's eyes. Unfortunately, the maid does well to keep such emotion hidden while she continues to sweep. Disappointed, January turns and goes back inside leaving Nikki to her work.
Meanwhile, back down at the cabin, Etsuko is seated along the bench just by the front door. Her feet are crossed underneath the bench as the Breakout Title rests down beside her. Slowly, she slides a finger along the imprints of the design and then along her name near the bottom.
Etsuko: What do we hold most dear? Our accomplishments? Our freedoms?
She asks as she brings her hand away from the belt resting it in her lap as she turns more toward the camera.
Etsuko: Miss. Orchid, I am hoping that by now when I ask you such a thing that you cannot have both. With an accomplishment like this you are given limitations. With limitations, you cannot truly be free. Freedom is what you were given some weeks again and, in a way, you thanked me for it. You reached out with a congratulatory effort and I appreciate the sentiment. However,
Always one of those.
Etsuko: I do not intend to hold this belt with the thought of your gaze upon me. You are free now, free to pursue any dream you wish. So while I appreciate the time and effort you took to be humble, I will ask that you do not focus on the past.
Not...much of a thank you. But that's Etsuko.
Etsuko: In a matter of days I am tasked once more with presenting you the freedom I gave you. I do not hold you responsible for putting your newfound placement on the line, I understand the contractual obligations necessary of those who gain their freedom. Especially someone who has been bound up as long as you have. You may not want it, but you certainly deserve it.
To that, at least, Etsuko shows her respect as she bows her head briefly.
Etsuko: Make no mistake, I expect you to still put up a fight. I expect you to grade the division you are leaving. You wish it to be as competitive as it was when you were at the top and I will show you how much like you in that way I can be. Afterward, however, once I have given you the freedom once more, I may even shake your hand. Not as a means of respect, but of well wishes. Our match, Miss. Orchid, that is how I will respect you.
She informs her challenger as she stands bringing the belt up with her as the scene
fades in red