Dawning Skye

559 Sneaky, Sneaky

Everyone within Genie’s castle was up and moving earlier than usual, busy making preparations for the day. Clouds heavy with snow threatened to open up, and bury the roads. The servants rushed around making meals, and double-checking that Genie and his guests had warm clothes.

Everyone from Alcon had their clothes from home, and were used to colder weather to begin with. Due to where Sai was positioned on the coastline, it didn’t get very cold, but it did get the occasional snow. When Mei and the others came into the dining hall for breakfast, they could tell right away that people from Sai did not react to cold very well..

Mei had at least four extra layers on, and Rukia practically looked like a puffball. Hang and Bai Lei were all bundled up, but not as extremely as the other two. Genie and Hana looked more like the Alconians, since they were wearing far less layers.

“It makes sense that Genie isna wearin’ a ton of clothes, but Hana?” Skye asked as she pointed to her.

“This level of cold is nothing,” Hana waved her hand before explaining; “Shinobi train both physically and mentally to withstand all kinds of attacks, and problems. An assassin couldn’t do their job with chittering teeth, or heavy breathing from being overheated. These are things that the mind can control, if one has self-discipline.”

“Refining your body, mind, and soul is crucial for my training to bear fruit. Some train one at a time, and master a certain skill or craft, and become Specialists. But my training requires all to be simultaneously trained and mastered before I award someone a title..”

Genie turned to Hana as he added; “Hana is my best pupil, and I hold high hopes for her. I know that she will achieve even greater fame than I have one day.”

Turning back, Genie glanced between Skye and Tidas as he spoke; “You two will be starting a shortened, more intense version of my training starting in just a few days-and I will not be taking’no’ as an answer. The world is much bigger than just Alcon, and most kingdoms have their own, not-as-good versions of our Shinobi Corp..”

“You two are going to get a ninja crash course.. You will need to know our version of hand-to-hand combat, and understand how to work as a unified team.”

.....

Skye scoffed; “We can do that already.”

Genie locked eyes with her; “Oh, so you know all of Tidas’ weaknesses? And how to defend them while simultaneously covering yourself? And any other comrades you may have with you?”

Skye kept her chin up as she answered; “Aye, Ima pretty sure I can. Did ya forget that I got four traits? Barriers are easy ta make wit me Earth magic.”

Genie nodded; “I see. What if you’re going against a team of mages? One of which, is an Earth mage that has an erosion effect?”

Skye quirked an eyebrow at him; “Is there such a mage?”

Genie shrugged; “I don’t know, but it’s one of the countless possibilities that could happen. Your magic can only go so far, Skye. You and Tidas need to be able to make use of more than that.”

The two exchanged confused expressions, then turned back to Genie. He sighed heavily, annoyed that he had to explain something twice.. ‘They should remember these things from when they were children.. Hmm.. Apparently I’ve grown soft..’

Collecting his thoughts, Genie cupped his hands together before speaking; “Think of it like this: there are things that each of you are good at, and some things you are not, correct?”

After the two nodded, Genie continued; “My training will have you two in perfect sync. Skye will understand what Tidas lacks, and learn to compensate for it, and Tidas will do the same. Where one ends, the other begins, and where one falls, the other knows where to be to catch them.”

“So we’ll be doin’ what we always do?” Skye asked sarcastically.

Genie smiled; “Yes, but better.”

As she flashed him a sour expression, Tidas asked; “Do we have time? Aren’t we in the middle of investigating illegal arms? A Massive amount of them, based on those numbers I gave you.”

Bai Lei spoke up; “We will be addressing that shortly, but you two plan to enter the Vault, right? Then that training will be needed.”

Genie nodded in agreement as he elaborated; “The physical part will teach you how to walk without sound, and how to move around undetected without using magic. As well as general defensive maneuvers, fighting techniques, and-”

“So yer finally gonna teach me how ta sneak up on people like you and Peggy?!” Skye happily asked.

“Dinna go thinkin’ that you’ll be gettin’ the best of me, lassie..”

As if she’d materialized out of nowhere; Peggy was suddenly standing next to Skye. Who had jumped back with a quickness that surprised even herself. As her heart pounded away, Genie doubled over in a fit of laughter..

Both he and Bai Lei had seen Peggy approaching because of where they were standing, but she’d motioned to them to keep quiet about it. Tidas had been just as surprised, but instead of jumping away, his hand had gone straight to the hilt of his sword. Genie grinned to himself as he realized how much work he had ahead.

‘These two have potential, but are too easily wrapped up in what’s directly in front of them.. They need to work on their awareness before anything..’

“Do you two remember anything that I taught you? Always being aware of your surroundings was the first-”

“Thing ya taught us: we ken! She’s just too damn sneaky!” Skye bellowed as she pointed at Peggy.

Placing her hands on her hips, Peggy grinned broadly; “I never get tired of this.”

“It’s barely starting to lighten up outside, and I’m exhausted,” Tidas muttered as he removed his hand from his sword, and rubbed at his eyes.

Peggy roughly patted his shoulder; “Oh, come on Tidas! I thought ya were a mornin’ person?”

Huffing with irritation, Tidas replied; “I’m just always awake in the mornings due to my status.. That doesn’t mean that I like it.”

Peggy ‘tsked’ at him; “Ya should wanna get up early. Gives ya more daytime ta work wit.”

Seeing his ire building, Skye cut in; “Aye, quit pickin’ at me husband, Peg. We both got a long day ahead.”

Looking like she’d been insulted, Peggy huffed similarly to Tidas while crossing her arms; “Oh right, cause I just sit on me arse all day.. Ima Never busy..”

“Alright Peggy,” Genie chided her, which seemed to end the discussion as he switched it back to their plans for the day.

Turning towards Bai Lei, he asked; “Are you coming along, Brother?”

“No.. I think Lord Yaris will feel more talkative, the less people there are. I’ll stay here, and begin the transfers.”

“Transfers?” Mei asked.

Genie nodded; “After our interaction with Tokuga last night, I feel it’s safer to move ourselves and our guests to your Father’s home. He’d be insane to send assassins to another Senator’s home. At least I hope he’ll be smart about it, and not attack at all.”

“But if he does, then we can involve the rest of the Senate, and bring formal charges against him,” Bai Lei added.

“How? The only way to prove it would be to catch the assassin. Which means letting them get close enough to officially say that they were trying to kill someone,” Hang commented, not liking where the conversation was going.

“My guards will be accompanying us, plus Bai Lei has his own private guards. If someone is foolish enough to try to get in, then at the least: they won’t make it back out.”

Everyone nodded their understanding, except for Skye. Something tugged at her mind, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Writing it off as nothing, Skye rejoined the conversation, although the sinking feeling wouldn’t go away.

After their conversation, everyone split up to go about their plans for the day. Skye, Mei, Klaus, and Hana were coming with Skye and Mei, while Kari and Ronnie stayed back with Rukia. Hang, Genie, and Tidas all went to see Richard Yaris, and wouldn’t be back until after lunchtime.

Skye rubbed at her partially full stomach. She’d wanted to eat a lot more at breakfast, but didn’t want to worry Tidas, or give Peggy false hope. Skye’s appetite had been growing lately, but she still didn’t eat more than her usual amount this morning..

And was wholeheartedly regretting it now.

Breakfast in Sai was far different from what they usually had in Alcon. Bacon, eggs, ham, and potatoes were common to have with fruit, and some form of bread. But in Sai, breakfast was very similar to dinner when it came to their dishes.

A balanced miso soup loaded with noodles, daikon, carrots, cabbage, and other vegetables was served first. The mellow, salty flavor made Skye want to eat an entire pot of it to herself, but she settled for three bowls worth instead.

A tray of rice balls with different fillings had been set in the center of a their table, next to a tray of filled hot buns. The warm and sweet bean jam buns were Skye’s favorite, and she’d eaten an entire tray to herself by the time she’d realized that no one else had had any.

Embarrassed, Skye had refrained from eating much more after that. As she rubbed her stomach in a pointless attempt to soothe it, Mei noticed her discomfort..

“You are still hungry, aren’t you?”

“N-No! Ima good: didn’t ya see how much I ate?” Skye sputtered as her cheeks went pink.

Mei chuckled lightly; “It is fine. Would you like to stop at a regular restaurant, or a sweet shop? Either way, I need a gift for Lord Yagi, so why don’t we get something for ourselves as well?”

Skye swallowed; “Are ya sure it’s okay? Ta be honest, I am still a wee bit peckish..”

Mei grinned seeetly; “Of course it’s fine. I’m happy that you said something, I almost forgot to bring a gift.”

Skye’s face fell; “Oh crap.. Was I suppose ta bring a gift fer Genie?! Do I need one fer yer Da now?!”

Mei burst out in laughter as Skye went into an over-dramatic spiral. By the time they had stopped at the shop, Mei had calmed Skye, and vice versa.. ‘I wonder if Skye acted silly and did all of that to preoccupy me from worrying..’

As the sweet thought crossed her mind, Mei was yanked back into reality by a shrill scream coming from outside of their now-stopped carriage. Skye immediately withdrew her dagger, and flung open the door. She’d left her sword at Genie’s with Peggy, but wore her armor under her coat, and always carried her dagger.

When she came out and looked around, Skye was a little surprised to see Hana and Klaus had already separated two people. As she walked over, Skye held her head up as she looked between a crying boy, and a furious-looking old man.

Seeing bloody scratch marks on the child’s arm, Skye turned and glared at the man as she spoke in Saianese; “I am Skye Moonstone: Diplomat for the Alconian Kingdom, and Guardian of the Last Dragon. You have Exactly ten seconds to tell me why you have hurt this child, or you will meet my dragon: face, to teeth..”

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