Tactical Espionage Expert
Notes:
The prologue has been updated to match consistency with the tone of the story.
This will probably be incomprehensible to anyone who hasn't followed Infernity Mirage or any of my YGO 5Ds fics. For the purposes of knowledge, just know that most of the story's focus takes on the Arcadia Movement post-Divine, with the assumption of the continuation of the Arcadia Movement to a more ideal position, and in fact takes place post-5Ds. This dossier is thus provided with further information.
On a side note, the purpose of this story, personally, is to develop Setsuka Shimotsuki as a real character. Which means more drama and hopefully less explosions. Maybe.
I: Silver Sentinel
Two weeks before, this memorandum had gone from Station S of the Secret Service to M, the new M who had taken over from she who had died in the infamous operation known only as Skyfall henceforth. It went as followed:
To: M
From: Station J
Subject: Imminent presence of Setsuka Shimotsuki (alias 'Cold Queen', 'Winter' etc.), of the Arcadia Movement, the primary source of resources and funding by which individuals known as 'Psychic Duelists' rally behind.
Documentation: Biography of Shimotsuki is attached at Appendix A. Also, Appendix B, a note on the Arcadia Movement.
This exemplary and dangerous child-queen has, for some time, played with the great powers of the world and disregarded law and norms alike in her consolidation of power far beyond any normal individual, let alone one of her youth. Insight into private affairs have proven near-futile to gather, were it not for the efforts of one of our agents (No. 0752) controlled by Station F at severe risk of revelation and certain termination. The details are as follows:
1. The rise of Shimotsuki has been unprecedented since her takeover of the Arcadia Movement (henceforth the Movement; see Appendix B), following the double murders of the Shimotsuki couple (see Appendix B, and further notes on Anomaly #003, Diana Hunter). Certain indications have been reported from as far back as 20XX – the dissolution of the CIA-backed Elysium Circle, the consolidation of the Arcadia Rights Bill in Neo Domino City and subsequent similar laws introduced throughout China, Korea, Mongolia, India, Peru and other countries, with similarly strict penalties.
2. Quite recently, the Arcadia Act passed on 5 June, to take effect within the next few months in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
3. On 7 July, the death of The Honourable Quinn Harley was reported on various forms of media. 8 July, the London Metropolitan Police reported the suspicion of Ryuusei Fudo, known member of the Japanese Arcadia Movement. Ryuusei Fudo was travelling with his father, Yusei Fudo (Sc. D.) in consultation with Lord Harley concerning funding of the Arcadia Movement, amongst many details.
4. Station Q has uncovered that one Aurora Harrison, affianced to the late Harley, in alliance with Cheryl Madison of the Tower Arcadia Movement (henceforth known as the Tower; see Appendix B) has provided an alibi for Ryuusei Fudo.
5. Setsuka Shimotsuki has made arrangements to enter London, to conference directly with Lord Harley, with the understanding that the Harley family will continue their patronage of the Tower. With the help of discreet publicity, the Movement and the Harley family alike would quiet down an otherwise unremarkable civilian crime in the pursuit of civilian justice.
6. Be that as it may, it is here that Shimotsuki will, we are confident, endeavour to strike a bargain with much of the fringe societies of Her Majesty's capital in an exchange of the Arcadia Movement's unique resources through Cheryl Madison. It is therefore in our best interests that Madison or a similar collaborator of the Crown remain in power.
7. Were this to succeed, the Arcadia Movement would gain more leeway from Her Majesty's Secret Service and potentially manipulate a valued resource of manpower away from the Crown.
Proposed Counter-Operation:
1. It would be in the interests of the world, and this country, were the threat of Shimotsuki neutralised, if not turned to its causes. Failing to do so, discredit would eliminate the threat, but also scatter any sign of the unique human resources available within the Movement and scatter otherwise dangerous entities to the masses. (NB. Assassination is useless, and not worth the cost of replacing personnel. All attempts at long-distance sniping has thus far been proven useless due to horrible weather conditions of Neo Domino at inopportune moments.)
2. We therefore recommend that further, deep-cover investigation and a private audience be made towards this unique individual in the hopes of persuasion, if not assassination.
3. The risks are obvious, and the potential losses are high, yet other operations upon which larger risks had been taken, often for smaller objectives, have had fewer chances of success. The potential gains to be had in control of the United Kingdom's unique human resources far outweigh the risks.
Signed: J
Appendix A
Name: Setsuka Shimotsuki (written:霜月 雪華)
Aliases: Variations on the words 'Winter' or 'Cold Queen'; universally named as the Cold Queen of the Arcadia Movement.
Origin: Born in Puzzle Hospital, Neo Domino City, Japan. Father Rafael Shimotsuki, known by International Police for crimes of unknown nature, unknown how he eluded capture before the statute of limitations ended upon his case. Mother Seiran Shimotsuki, nee Diana Hunter (Anomaly #003, Internal Revenue Service, US).
First known as the daughter of Anomaly #003 'White Witch' Diana Hunter, targeted by the Elysium Circle; reason being that the rise of the Arcadia Movement constituted a threat to international relations upon a military and civilian sphere due to the unknown abilities of the White Witch. Further investigation of the White Witch Massacre (see Anomaly #003 file) where 200 fringe members of society met their mysterious end by the hand of this woman before police witness proved prophetic, and neutralisation was prescribed henceforth.
The result of the Shimotsuki assassination was the deaths of the Shimotsuki parents and the survival of Shimotsuki. Shimotsuki thus assumed leadership of the Neo Domino Arcadia Movement, flagship of the global Arcadia Movements with branches in nearly all major powers.
Age: 14 (7 November 20XX)
Description (current): Height 155 cm. Weight 43 kg. Complexion very pale. Hair black. Eyes large, slanted and very dark, with whites showing at sides of iris. Rather feminine mouth. Ears small, indicating paternal part-French heritage. Racially, subject is probably a mixture of Caucasian and Mongolian blood with American strains. Dresses well and meticulously, generally in dark school uniforms, knee-high white socks paired with brown brogues and black pleated skirt and black jacket over white shirt. Voice soft and even, cold. Bilingual in English and Japanese, good French – presumably from paternal heritage.
Habits: Unknown. Knowledge unknown, though presumed middle-school education in Japanese education system, top-class grades with teacher's comments usually pertaining to lack of own-age socialisation. Potential sociopathic tendencies.
Known Psychic Duelist (cited last as Class V; see Arcadia Movement) and head of the Arcadia Movement, Neo Domino branch. Powers unknown, though hypothesised to be related to cold. Exact scale and power of abilities unknown, though from cursory comparison to Anomalies #001 and #003, presumably equivalent to a small army.
Always accompanied by at least one guard, butler and employee Iemitsu Nakamura, also a known Psychic Duelist and Secretary of the Arcadia Movement, Neo Domino branch.
Official personal income placed at US$15,000,000.00 (¥15276000000.00). Other unknown sources of income and leverage are not accounted for.
Comment: A formidable and dangerous loose agent of unknown motivations despite youth. Do not hesitate; recommended method of assassination to be sniping from a minimum of 1 kilometre radius behind the head.
Signed: Archivist.
Appendix B.
Subject: Arcadia Movement
Sources: Own archives, and scanty material made available by colleagues in the intelligence community and public interviews.
The Arcadia Movement (henceforth Arcadia) is thought to be a civil grassroots movement, now non-governmental organisation, originating in Neo Domino city following the collapse of martial law in said city and the subsequent revelation of known Anomalies, beginning with Anomaly #001, 'Black Rose Witch'. Begun by an individual known as Divine Sayer, reform and subsequent rebuilding came from Diana Hunter (Anomaly #003, 'White Witch') and presently, by Setsuka Shimotsuki.
Anomalies address themselves as 'Psychic Duelists', and show an unknown affinity to the card game of Duel Monsters, produced by Industrial Illusions in collaboration with Kaiba Corporation. Their abilities are destructive, widespread, and pose an interesting human resource should any state or non-state party gain exclusive access to the strongest members.
Headquarters: Public branches at all cities (British branch known as The Tower) with flagship headquarters in Daimon Area, Neo Domino City (La Castle), headed by Setsuka Shimotsuki currently. Past leaders: Divine Sayer, Seiran Shimotsuki (Diana Hunter; Anomaly #003)
The background of Arcadia lies in the discrimination of Psychic Duelists, unique individuals known to possess a mysterious power over games, most popularly the card game known as Duel Monsters, produced by Industrial Illusions. Its tasks includes the elimination of all forms of discrimination faced by Psychic Duelists, as well as the assimilation of trained Psychic Duelists into society, though it held more violent ambitions under Divine.
The subsequent, unsolved murder of Divine within Neo Domino Penitential Prison was said to be connected to Hunter, and may indeed have made its name with this successful murder and evasion.
Following the destruction and subsequent assimilation of scattered members of the CIA-backed Elysium Circle, Arcadia has swelled to gain strength. On the surface, Arcadia is led by Iemitsu Nakamura, yet Nakamura is listed as an employee of Shimotsuki. Further testimonies have proven that the true power and the iron fist that governs is Shimotsuki.
As of May 20XX, Arcadia is estimated to have a strength of 150,000 members worldwide, with 7,500 permanent administrative staff scattered in the various main branches and outposts. Each continent is said to have a main branch, with several scattered smaller branches and outposts throughout the continent connected to the main branch. The United Kingdom is host to two branches in London and Edinburgh, with further plans for Wales to have one by July 20XX.
Aside from funding, cooperation and exchange programmes, each main branch/sub-branch/outpost seems to act as an independent cell, roughly in accordance with the following hierarchical structure, with a varying line of succession:
Administration and Finance: exactly as detailed. Can be lumped with Sections 2 and 3 in times of manpower lack.
Public Relations: In charge of presenting a positive public image.
Archives: Holds, coordinates and records the membership of all within a single branch.
Resources: Personnel and material resources. Occasionally lumped with Section 5, can also be divided into a Human Resource branch and an Information Technology branch
Security: the section that initiates violent interventions, serve as the main combat force of these Psychic Duelists, and generally guard other members. Outsourcing of members for security is also carried out through these branches. Former members who turned to private military contracting also cite that illegal activities using such powers are cracked down upon by this branch.
Members of Arcadia generally wear an unknown piece of jewellery or technology – unique design, not to any known jeweller – that serves an identification purpose, amongst many. This piece of carefully calibrated, medical-grade jewellery serves apparently as a 'limiter' on the powers of Psychic Duelists to be better manipulated. It is unknown if the limiters could serve a function of imprisonment.
We believe that the following double agents fell afoul of Arcadia: (For details see Morgue: Section K. The list is too long for any appreciable viewing.)
Conclusion: Every effort should be made to improve our knowledge of this very powerful organisation.
"Your assignment, Double-O Seven."
James Bond blinked as the file was shoved over the table. It was topped with a glossy photograph, of a girlish figure in black. "Hostage rescue?"
"The opposite," M answered. Everything about the new head of Six seemed to be quiet and efficient, like the previous M had been. "Investigation and possible assassination."
"Into a child," he drawled. "Go on. I'm quite sure this isn't the average case of juvenile delinquency gone overboard."
"The mark is Setsuka Shimotsuki, currently the head of a non-profit organisation called the Arcadia Movement," M listed. "All the pertinent details are in the file. This briefing is a... precautionary measure."
"Precautions." James echoed.
"When you have the deaths of ten SAS members laid at the door of one girl, at the very minimum, precautions are not to be underestimated."
James very carefully did not remark that he was a completely different part of the Royal Armed Forces, thank you very much.
"A bit about the Anomalies," M threw down a file, much thinner than the rest. "We call them Anomalies, but they call themselves Psychic Duelists. Anomalies are super-powered people, let's just stick with that. Some can set things on fire with their minds, some can control the winds, some can hack a computer with their head and have the Internet at their fingertips. They began to congregate decades ago with the rise of Duel Monsters, but it was only with the Arcadia Movement Part II that Six really began to be interested. The most notorious, documented Anomaly #001: Black Rose Witch."
There was grainy video surveillance from what looked like a plaza. As the two men regarded it, a cloaked figure appeared, magenta locks spilling out from beneath the hood. A blank white mask of a face greeted them, before suddenly, winds swirled, billowing her cloak out. Red petals danced in the wind, and the concrete beneath her feet cracked. Before long, the plaza imploded, and the screen fizzed out into a blue screen of death.
"Anomaly #001 was replaced by Anomaly #002: White Witch," M extracted another glossy. "This is the result of the Neo Domino October 15 massacre, or the White Witch Massacre. Two hundred Yakuza versus one woman. She won."
Looking at the sea of charred and blackened flesh and cloth immortalised in paper, James nodded briefly.
"Anomaly #002, Diana Hunter," M commented. "Since the Arcadia Movement registers all of their members by code-names, it is impossible to match up one profile to one identity, despite Q Branch's best efforts. The Anomalies we have on file are the famous, out-and-proud types. Since there is one branch in most major cities, a balance of power can usually be achieved... if it weren't that their loyalties are suspect, at best."
"Six thinks that these..." James paused, "...uniquely skilled individuals could hold a grudge against us?"
"They have good reason to," M grunted. "Of course, they're public, very out about it, and also tend to reinforce their opinions across most political stages where possible. The mark is an individual with incredible political and psychic power at her disposal. We haven't even precluded the possibility of her using mind control yet, because we don't know the full scope of her abilities, or how they work, or their real civilian identities. We can guess most of the permanent staff in every branch, but it's the emergency mobilisations we have to worry about. The unknown fighters."
James nodded, before shaking his head. "So you want me to deal with a baby monster, or a mini-M."
"Mini-M," M snorted. "Mansfield would have been falling all over herself to get her hands on one of the Anomalies before they were swallowed by the Arcadia Movement. As it stands, though, most Anomalies show signs about their mid-teens, and then their parents prefer more... discreet treatment than the NHS. Plus, if some kids voluntarily stay there, they're doing good works too."
"There's no membership list?" James asked.
"Only the famous ones," M nodded. "However, we cannot preclude the existence of a master list, at least of every individual main branch."
"How did a child gain such power, mind if I ask?" James smirked.
"The same way anyone else does," M tacitly replied. "Bribery, murder, and a willingness to tear lives apart. Just in a more socially accepted manner. In removing the Elysium Circle, the mark made herself the prime target of many but also placed these Anomalies under a central hegemony. It is a ticking bomb; there's no way we can shelve something like a violently-inclined ethnic minority away like this, especially not without the inevitable X-Men comparisons."
M paused, collecting himself once more. "The mark, classed tentatively as Anomaly #007, is the maverick leading a potential army of nuclear bombs. That is the nicer wording."
"What's worse?"
M's lips thinned.
"Monsters."
M gave a huff as the agent's resulting expression. "Q will elaborate some more when you're being outfitted, but for now, understand that this will be an incredibly dangerous mission. The little girl managed to do what few adults grow up to do, and wipe out all of her rivals while consolidating her base of power. She is a true monster, born of an equally monstrous woman."
James nodded, though in habit more than in comprehension. In his business, most people tended to be ostracised for one reason or another, after all.
"Now, the mark is arriving in London at 1100 hours for the purpose of investigating a murder, of one Quinn Harley," M continued. "The implicated suspect is one Ryuusei Fudo, who came with his father, Professor Yusei Fudo, on an internship while Fudo Sr. is due to give a keynote speech on the future of energy at University College, London. Fudo Jr is cleared, that much we know, but the implications and the fact that Harley's parents are investors of the UK branch of the Arcadia Movement means that she is coming here. Your mission will be to investigate the mark's purpose beyond what is presented on the surface, their relation to the security of the United Kingdom, and do as you see fit."
"A child would threaten England?" James could not help himself. "God help us."
"Do you find it funny, Double-O Seven?" M just shook his head. "Q will set up a few videos of the mark. Keep in mind that she is a monster in human form, and possibly a threat to the Crown."
"A monster," James echoed, looking at the photograph shot from a telephoto lens from some roof. Black hair hanging loose and straight, a tiny spectre in black lines and pale skin and wintry eyes-
He blinked. If the photograph was correct, then she had been looking at the photographer when it was shot. "Some idiot just managed to give away surveillance. She knows."
"That was the only photograph we managed to get," M commented. "It's outdated, two years ago. We only recovered what you're holding."
"The negatives?"
"No negatives. No camera. No cameraman."
"And the little girl is behind it."
"She is a monster," M bit out. "She is the leader of a worldwide collection of monsters like her. Monsters like her are slain for the sake of the country. If you have a moral qualm, then stuff it and shoot her before she grows and continues."
A monster... James huffed towards the cold, wintry photograph of the target, a single child. One whom the head of MI6 called a monster, an enemy who had to die for the sake of England. Through that cold-blooded decision, one thought echoed, however slight:
Why?
"At least, I imagined that might be the ramp-up," I told the Mind on Air. "Of course, I could be entirely deluded, though the files I extracted from MI:6 do state otherwise. The global intelligence community does tend to hold grudges when I keep disappearing agents. They just stopped when I finally chose to embrace my destiny as Queen."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the Mind on Air demurely answered.
"They must be kicking themselves," I commented. "That night, he chose to break into my room, when I was alone and undressing. Dewloren did not take to him very well, and the feeling was mutual. At the very least, when I was confronted with the Fudo family."
It might not surprise anyone that I was the main arbitrator of friction between the Arcadia Movements and many sensitive issues. Generally, though, fixed employment, policies adjusted to suit locales and Mother's express instructions that the Movement be kept running without problems meant that I had little work save in my home sphere.
Unfortunately, when a death by accidental causes results and one of the main suspects seemed to be the next strongest Psychic Duelist I knew, that was apparently the impetus needed for the Cold Queen to sally forth from the Castle and towards the matter at hand to be crushed. I should have socked him pre-emptively in the jaw, first for trying to mandate a family reconciliation, second for making me sit through a half-day's flight towards one of the world's busiest airports. Rest assured, I would have left Ryuusei Fudo to his own devices, were it not for that I needed Dr Fudo in my future endeavours, namely, to recover the London Arcadia Movement.
We have booked a suite of rooms at one of London's numerous hotels, not far from the Embankment where the Tower stood. The glass mocked the Houses of Parliament, a monument against the hypocrisy of their ways. Apparently that had been Mother's intention when she designated that spot. It would return to its original purpose when Cheryl Madison was dead.
Since Dr Fudo and he were not expecting us yet, I immediately migrated to my room. Instead of catching a nap as Nakamura-san was wont to believe, I began setting up a temporary base. Or, I was ensuring the safety of my room, as much as I believed part of a ten-storey suite could be secured.
"Dewloren."
Throughout my life as an effect of the power I bore, I learned to ignore temperature fluctuations, secure in the knowledge that the causal factor was personal rather than external. In this case, though, it was he. My primary contractor, and Duel Spirit partner, as much as one like myself could have a partner.
I looked in the mirror as he appeared to all but my Sight; the slitted feline eyes glowed with the whites of the cold, icy power within our contract. Armour clanked to my ears, and a low purr echoed. "Mistress."
"I need a squad of Blizzed, Raiho, and you," I pointed to the majordomo of the Ice Barrier clan. "The Blizzed can reconnaissance and surveillance, Raiho is my main legal consultant, and you are a bloody huge tiger when I choose to manifest you. You will be keeping guard over my rooms when I leave to settle that idiot again."
"We are in a different city once more, then? At least this one is cold."
"Well, the last one being in Honduras was not my decision," I answered him, deactivating my DuelDisk to take it off and set it down on the bedside table. My shirt quickly joined it, before a cold wind originating in the direction of my table blew it off of the table. "And since when did weather become a causal factor in our agreement, Dewloren?"
"We are stronger in the cold. The heat did not help."
"I know." My skirt joined it, followed by my socks – neatly set aside – and underwear. I crossed my arms, looking down at the nubs of flesh puckering out. They were not there yesterday. "Neither do I function well in heat, and yet we have settled that little problem by due necessity. Is my body supposed to do this?"
The tiger beheld my nude form. "As a feline, I do not believe myself the best consultant. Raiho is male. You will have to consult Greenteeth to find out."
I cupped the growths. "Puberty. Means I need a new wardrobe. And a razor."
"Your hair is part of you."
I glared down at the juncture of my thighs and hips. A bush greeted me. "It needs trimming."
"As you wish," Dewloren growled. "There is an armed man approaching this building. He has just passed the concierge."
"British Secret Service," I commented, now opening the heavy suitcase laid at the foot of the bed. I slipped on my underwear. "Might as well give them as excuse to search the rooms. We will be going for dinner. I will be leaving you, and I trust you have a squadron of Shock Troops on hand if apparently one measly mortal agent is more than your match. Try not to eat him before I get back."
Nakamura-san was neatly dressed in a change of clothes when I stepped out of my room, and I found James half-asleep in his own. I made a persuasive noise, pressing him towards the door with Nakamura-san following us. It was at the restaurant that I found Dr Fudo and the eternal cause of my ire, Ryuusei Fudo.
"Good evening, Setsuka." Dr Fudo greeted.
"Shimotsuki," his son with Aki Izayoi answered.
"Good evening," I answered, taking my seat at the round table. Almost as expected, a server appeared at Nakamura-san's elbow.
"Would sir like to order the appetiser?"
Nakamura-san ordered the Continental. I tipped the salmon, and translated the menu for James before telling the server to bring a steak and fries. Both men of the Fudo waited for him to leave before Dr Fudo sighed. "Apologies you had to come here."
"Oh, I predicted that something might happen," I glossed over. Truthfully, I had misgivings of Ryuusei Fudo, because people were attracted to him and his personality like moths to a flame, and they predictably burned out when he turned his attention to them. "Je ne sais quoi, he makes my life interesting."
"Wasn't my option," Ryuusei answered.
"Yes, though I have to renegotiate with Lord Harley now," I commented. "And find a new archivist. Codename Dawn and codename MindEye are clearly unreliable now, certainly. We'll have to kick some heads in."
"Please don't talk about that here," Dr Fudo precautioned. "I am very thankful that you took the time to settle our case, nevertheless."
"There was never any danger to Ryuusei, Doctor," I answered honestly. If there was a man who truly deserved an honest answer, it was Yusei Fudo.
"So I was meant to be the fall guy?" Ryuusei asked once the courses were set and we started.
"That never occurred to them," I answered. "Their plans was more of an accident, hypnotising the gardener with a history of substance abuse to target codename Harlequin. That you interrupted them but was too late to stop Harlequin from dying, though certain evidence and codename Dawn's infatuation towards you that you informed me of in your report was enlightening. I will settle business with the traitor come the next day."
"What will happen?" Dr Fudo asked.
I shrugged.
He nodded, getting the meaning. "Is there any other reasonable option?"
"Cheryl Madison will sell out the London Arcadia Movement in her quest for power," I commented. "If there are dealings to be struck, it shall be on our terms, decided with contracts and promises that can be kept. She will not barter the members of England's Arcadia while I can help it."
Dr Fudo nodded, not happily but accepting. "Do you... need help?"
I stiffened as I felt a rough, callused palm on my thigh. James's hat bobbed.
"Crux and I will deal," I answered. "Though I would appreciate if you would handle the electronic security."
Ryuusei frowned, but nodded. "I will. What do you have in mind?"
"Tomorrow, sunset," I nodded. "Stage a takeover. Find Harrison and Madison. Make them give up, or finish them. Service finished."
"It's a very simple plan," Dr Fudo commented.
"No plan survives first contact," I replied. "Crux and I will find a way. I will simply need help to cover the evidence."
Almost as one, the Fudo men flinched; they have no stomach today.
I smiled as my deck gave off a wave of cold, halfway through the coleslaw on my plate. The agent, then. "I'm sorry, I forgot something in my room."
I left the restaurant, taking care not to walk too quickly before I reached the lift and pressed for my floor. The doors rolled open and I walked out, my footsteps muffled. Overhead, a closed-circuit camera clicked shut, its electronics destroyed in a burst of cold.
I opened the door with my key card, stepping out of my shoes off as I entered. I padded through the main sitting room and towards my room, where I found a blond man with blue eyes, attempting to reach a fallen gun despite Dewloren's maw around the nape of his neck. He was dressed very well; quite neatly.
"Bonsoir, monsieur," I faked. "Puis-je vous aider?"
This time around, the alarm that rung was the emergency beacon, signalling the need for the Queen to take to the field.
I sighed, rising once more. "Unto tomorrow?"
"As Your Majesty wishes. Good day, ma'am."
I nodded, turning to leave. "Good day, Mind on Air."
I marched out, a cloak of furs wrapping around me. By my feet, Dewloren padded slowly as we advanced further away from the office of the Mind on Air and towards the main gates of Lia Fáil. "Skirmishes along the Six Samurai borders. The Shogun should be ready to negotiate in a matter of days."
"Very well," I agreed. "Send Gantala with the casualties to the Winter Medical Corps. I shall ensure that at the very least, they will accept Winter rule."
"And I, Your Majesty?"
I stared down towards the large feline. "You will be my mount, feline. It seems all you are good for, these days."
"I am Winter's majordomo," Dewloren inclined his head. "If it means that you ride me, Your Majesty, it is to ensure Winter's will."
"It is all about Winter to you," I reflected. "I should never have trusted you, Dewloren. Not after London."
Cold greeted us as Winter's Queen and majordomo stepped from the main gates, a wind howling, barrelling down from the Ice Barrier Mountains and within the heat of battle, where half of the field froze over and snow began to fall in place of rain, and a crown of white thorns formed upon the brow of the newly arrived goddess of death herself with her mount at her feet, a warrior and prince of the chief clan that served Winter.
At least, that is the way in the imaginary world, the world of Duel Spirits.
Critique, s'il vous plaît!