(Remaster) The Ship of the Tempest

Masking a Monster

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"Kaga! I'm home!" Akagi's voice echoed through the house, a returning call from Kaga to confirm she was actually home.

She turned to Z73, a more hospitable smile than before on her face. "Welcome to our lovely abode. I'll take you to your room so you can settle in, then you can enjoy your day as you planned."

"Already turning me loose like that? Sorry to say, but I thought you'd be a little more suspicious."

"Please, it's rude to think someone like you could be up to something." The meaning went double ways, to both relax her nerves while also insulting her, as they have both been doing.

Although, it only made Z73 happier, as it meant she wasn't actually suspected of anything despite her sudden appearance. Akagi led her through the home, several traditional Shoji doors dotted inside as actual doors.

"Aren't these usually reserved for outer door purposes?"

Akagi sighed, a small smile on her face. "Yes, but my elder sister loved these doors, and I can't bring myself to replace them. Kaga has a normal door for her room, as she wished for privacy, but I haven't."

"Guessing my door's the same then."

"You would be correct."

The house was relatively quiet, their footsteps softly echoing through the halls, something Z73 didn't like, but knew not to comment on before they reached the room. The door was quite thin, but enough to shield anything inside from sight, and upon Z73 opening it, she saw the...relatively basic room essentials.

There was a futon, a small table, a few decorations placed about, and overall, it was small and plain. Then again, considering what her room looked like back in Germany, this was pretty nice.

"Alright...thanks for this Akagi."

The Fox nodded, turning back down the hall as she presumably went to her room. "I'll be in my own room for the time being, if you need anything, simply ask."

With Z73 now alone in the room, she closed the door behind her and sat at the table, no chair was present as it was the kind where you simply sat on the mat under the table itself. Leaning against it, she started to space out as she planned her next move.

'Well, here I am in the heart of this place. No doubt is Akagi wary of me, but since I said I'll be here only a day, I have that much time to figure out where and who to speak too.'

She looked down to her hand, taking her glove off as she pressed it against the table, for no reason than to simply feel it. 'If that's the case, I'll need to figure out who exactly I can strike. The hierarchy here is pretty strict, so if I get the wrong person, I could be here a while...only issue, who could I use to get close without suspicion?'

She fell into thought again as she pondered her options. 'Nagato is probably the best if I want direct answers, but at the same time, if anything is happening presently, she would likely be in the dark. Mikasa is another one, but again, she doesn't care much for the present happenings. Kaga is her sister, but as her sister, she's either the most worried about her, or is in cohorts, and I can't risk that gamble.'

...

She sighed, looking up to the window that gave her a nice view of the ocean. "Can't think of anything big...I guess a walk wouldn't hurt to figure out what to do."
——

"Big sis! Big sis!"

'I stand corrected, this was a horrible idea.'

Z73 was in the middle of a group of children, all of which were apart of Mutsuki's little friend group, and ever since her little speech to her...well, apparently they look up to her now. All she did was keep her mask up, as she really didn't want to risk them seeing her shaky smile due to her uncomfortableness.