'I wonder when he's going to start. He's been staring at that kettle or kyusu, whatever he called it! For the past ten minutes!'

Athena skittishly jumped in her sitting position for the past fifteen minutes, waiting for some form of coherent word to come flopping from his mouth. If the muscles in her legs hadn't given out from her exertion, she would have still kept hopping in place. This was absolutely exciting. An incite to the past and a more in depth reminiscence of her mother and personal life of Simon. She could finally attempt to envision a happier less dark and brooding Simon Blackquill. The possibility of a happy Aura was present, too, which would ultimately be kind of harder to imagine than Simon. Athena was stained with the impression that Aura despised her guts ever since she was a child. The notion had yet to wash away even after the verdict was lifted off Simon's head along with the chopping block. Simon also had a difficult time relenting his past, keeping his hard shell tightly wound and unwilling to open to any sort of method. This family was in serious need of overhauling therapy, whether it be psychiatric or a social therapist. Athena would gladly play the part regardless of any uncanny backlash that may come her way. She did not ascertain an analytical psychology degree to look pretty along with her lawyer license. Yet, one of the main ingredients required to cook up his trust and comfort to delve into his past was patience. Sadly, the cupboard was all out and the only remaining spice was called, 'Hurry up!'

She had to dilute her impatience in a less shouty and loud manner, lest the samurai would walk away without a word. The cooling tea from that kyusu had been off the rocks for a while. She happily poured herself a little more and divulged in the earthy textures and phytochemicals the herbal drink had given with no need of reimbursement. She did not care what Simon said, this matcha was thrown into the cockpit of one of the space shuttles and thrown into space because it was out of this world good! The pretense that he informed her that her mother had concocted a better version than his tea was almost unbelievable. She'd figure her tongue would fall out from pure ecstasy.

Half the time at the office, Mr. Wright would add strong doses of this weird imported coffee he kept getting that felt like an adrenaline shot straight into the rib cage. It did its caffeinated duties outstandingly, but overpowered by its strong bitterness. Dairy and sugar were her pure white steeds to assist in protecting her palette. They conquered the majority of the unpleasant and spine tingling tartness of Japanifornia's famous legal drug. However, she couldn't completely hate the acidity of it all. It was this drink that saved her many nights and court days that had a well rested two hours of sleep in total after scrounging evidence and analyzing clues. The cup would offer lethargic energy like a zombie on twelve cans of energy shots that would drag her to saving another client.

This drink, on the other hand, did not require any blemishes of tainting sweets or honeys. It was just right. It was balanced and tempered like fine steel out of smelter just not as hot. There's definitely some weird magic going on here. That and perhaps a silent spell because Simon still wasn't talking on her third cup! Maybe he's giving her the silent treatment so she can run off out of sheer boredom? After finishing the last cup, she settled on Simon's face. Wow. He was somewhere else. He stumbled on his own attic full of old novelties and found an antique that ripped him away for a while.

"Uh, Simon?" She scooted closer, trying to see how far he'd gone. "Earth to Simon!"

A large squawk from Taka had him blink once and landed a stern look from him.

"You said you were going to tell me about your senior." Athena pressed once more, all too eager. "And no backing out now."

"I wish I had not risen this morning." He grumbled irritably, regret growing on his face like a sweat.

"You did and can't change it." She sat back again with a big smile, "I'm waiting."

Simon surmised what she lacked in experience, she made it up for her tenaciousness and persistence. She chased him down from the other side of the world and went to law school in half of the time it took for people to complete college. Adding that she was his Master's daughter - a hard working woman to her last breath - running from Athena is tempting to stop night. Inevitable and unstoppable, the only option was to give in, but dammit, he didn't want to. Not all in one go anyway.

"I'm not entirely sure where to begin," he stated partially embarrassed.

"From the beginning, maybe?" Her evident smile giving in to the temptation.

"No," he deadpanned.

"Ooooh!" She rumbled in threatening frustration. She paused, unwilling to let her lead go. "Okay, how about Clonco's footage? The day where HAT-1 took the photo. You know. With Mom and Aura and Mr. Cosmos?"

"I wasn't present during the photography…" He spoke truthfully.

"I know," Athena gave an all knowing smirk. "You were talking with your senior."

His frown slanted, watching as she folded her legs and clasped her hands like a brown nosing student with some great gossip to ferment. There was information on his head and lingering evidence that should have been burned a long time ago. History has a terrible way of repeating itself. It was haunting and came with vengeance in the form of a lemon colored defense attorney with enough muck on him to get the info any other way: either his tongue or someone else's. No! No! The thought was tormenting. Getting it from the actual source would be murder-suicide. First it feel like murder than he'd entertain his stomach to a blade. It sounded more appealing than having to face her again. Not after what he did. He brought dishonour on everyone. Dishonour on his name. Dishonour on his family. Dishonour onto the court. Dishonour on possibly a cow. This was a double edged sword, regardless, someone would be cut and left to bleed.

Athena was taken aback slightly. Simon's pale visage actually had a tempered pink break out. He looked about ready to burst. His mean streak crumbled into a look of despair. He huffed a hampered breath. The samurai was always to maintain a cool demeanor. It was part of his code and training. Now he was tumbling along his resolve in front of his Master's treasure. His search for a sword nearby, ending with more piled misery with the sharpest utensil present but a spoon. He was not going to be blessed with his upcomance today. He was cursed to mourn and repent only for it to amplified when Athena was waiting for him to iterate the once pure sanctity of his second home. That dark jail cell didn't seem too harsh right now. At least he could lament alone or with a silent bunkmate that he had threatened to keep silent.

"Just take it slowly," Athena prompted with an assuaged tone with an audible deep breath in hopes of calming the tension. It backfired, causing him to pant visibly and grow a kink in his shoulder.

'We're not going anywhere like this.' She thought, trying to find a possible beginning to the story and end to his inner storm. "Start with your morning routine of that da-"

"It doesn't work on me like that." He muttered indignant that she would aim a sleazy psychological tactic on him.

She should know better. He knew better. He was taught by the best. Her lips curled into a pouted, miff on his stiffness. An unstoppable force versus an immovable object. By theory, this can be tested over and over to prove similar results. The immovable will remain as such. Similarly how the unstoppable will continue to be unstoppable. Athena on the other hand, landed on the 1% category to the exception of rules, throwing off the prompted results a slant. She would rain down on him until he became sediment and sand. By the end of the day, he'd find a troubling few more hairs that had blanched into colorlessness whether he gave into the rakugo or not.

He inhaled an apparent deep breath, commanding the thrum in his chest to relax. The exhale escaped fretful, flushing out some of the worry. Some. One way or another, he was sitting in the electric chair. He was the one who had to pull the plug for the millions of kilowatts on his own head. He might as well justify the day of HAT-1. Athena almost had a meltdown when his lips began moving.

"Calm down!" He roared, "or I'm not going to tell you."

She nodded vehemently. If he wasn't trying to maintain his composure, he'd dart the smile right off her face.


March, 1st, 2020 - 10:00 a.m.

Cosmos Space Station

The station and its giant landmass never ceased to amaze him. Its giant green acres scarce of trees around in fear of being blown away and stripped naked of the modest leaves by the fierce gusts of the shuttles housed within those enormous rotating contraptions. If he'd been warned pretensively that he'd work under the guise of a psychologist within a Space Station to work on a groundbreaking case, he'd entertain himself to go to culinary school along with a friend of his. Right now, cooking might have to wait for another time.

He was late. Two minutes late. A shameful act. An inexcusable behaviour. By time he would enter the vast arrays of hallways and observatories, he'd reached his destination in two minutes with a hurried sprint. The least he could've done for the assistance currently waiting for his arrival was to be there early! Perhaps if he didn't pay mind to the Lift driver who'd obnoxiously mentioned boggling conspiracy theories about aliens and oddities that can be pulled from space, he wouldn't have been in this predicament. Or perhaps it was the scuffle about the historical accuracy of samurais the driver had hugely miscalculated.

'They were soldiers. They had weapons against invaders.'

'They were hired privately as were not the primary military forces! '

'Uh… I watch the Steel Samurai. I'm kind of an expert on this. So yeah, they were. Duh!'

The last words reverberated annoyingly in the back of his mind like a broken static doorbell. He should delve deeper into the record books to see if there were any laws pertaining to falsifying information so commercially in an entrepreneurial cab. In case he angered the wrong person and was to later prosecute said person for assault on this fool's behest, there may be a tiny bit of bias when it comes to dismissing the charges of a correct samaritan. Sicking Taka on his behalf could have also substituted a sufficient punishment with claws that could, humbly speaking, do morbid damage. With his suitcase in hand and a horrible review that was beyond overdue for the ride experience, he bolted through the doors, fleeting bird of prey right behind him. Security seemed to let him bypass, oddly enough. They should've at least checked his briefcase due to the threats Yuri Cosmos believed were made. They probably did not believe in the elder director. Pleasantries and codes of conduct were thrown out the door.

The travel landed him on the outer ring of the courtyard. This was where the team were going to have their grand photograph starring main piloting astronaut Solomon, trainee Terran, director Cosmos, robotics engineer and sister Aura, and his Master Cykes. Afterwards, he would happily check and archive the progress Dr. Cykes had so generously partaken in part of his investigation.

For a young prosecutor, such an enormous target to brandish his newfound abilities was one the chief prosecutor at the time stumbled backwards when he had taken the challenge. An infamous menace and world renowned criminal that fell off the radar and disappeared without a trace. From enemies to officials of the law wanted his head on a pike or be served justice to the devious spy. In order to gain an advance on pinpointing the true culprit of many faces, he had gotten a secret tip from a witness now under the most secure of protection about this man of mystery - a voice recording. Any other person who had been caught on the vice of the law with such damning evidence would have been questioned and caught. Playing their voice through the analyzing algorithm, would witness the lines and waves fall in tandem, creating an echoing amalgam. However, this spy was smart and he was very good. Too good. Nearly too perfect to be humanly possible. He was many people. Many voices. Many lives. Simon figured, this man, as he terms loosely, had possibly lost his true self and being, wallowing in an abyss of personas that were not his own, but stolen; dead or alive. He'd bypass the machinery like the many locks and safes he cracked, confiscated of secrets and contraband. Passing the test like a heartless in lie detector test. But that's the catch. He had a heart, one that beats and one that can be analyzed deeper. He may not match the notes and tones with a suspect, but he can catch him with a breakthrough technology that he was gratefully informed about by one of his colleagues. With Dr. Metis Cykes's new analytical psychological experiment, he can pinpoint the very emotion and input of the emotional response, if there were any, of this trickster. Fingerprinting through emotions. Plausible yet wobbly on court standards, but with enough proof, he can gather enough evidence to speckle an identity.

The merits of such evidence may be shaken on the court, but there was a revolution needed in this era of the court. A darkness stirred, awaiting to engulf the law with such ferocity where the ends justify the means. No side of the court will be spared. No mercy on the defendant. No longer will the court believe in innocent until proven guilty but guilty until proven innocent. The people were scared. Prosecution, defense and judge were feared of corruption. Bribes, forgeries, blackmails and lies. The media ready to pounce on the spoiled apples to ruin the whole barrel. The past several years has shaken the foundation in believing in the law by the people for the people. If the last peg of this unstable tripod gave way, the whole system would collapse and fall into havoc and disorder. This will not go on. This darkness will end. Taking down this international spy will give a glimmer of hope in the night. But first, he had to find his Master.

In the middle of the assembly of a camera crew, he saw seven conversing with the Director of the whole establishment. Two most familiar to him was his Master, Metis, and Aura. His eyes grew wide when he noticed a second figure with a lab coat on.

This cannot be! She's here!

His large strides became jumps to see if his eyes weren't playing tricks. It was his Senior walking along with them. The moment was brief, as always, his Master had a well known tendency of doing so. As his senior turned, the pretty hazel grey eyes landed in his direction softly, the familiarity lighting on her face and smiled. He couldn't help, but mimic the gesture albeit much more intensified. As the conversation between the two doctors had gone through its requiem, she approached the junior prosecutor. He was more eager to close the gap, his travel more skiddly and hurried. His well endowed senior in her lab coat, a file tucked into her basking arm, close to her bosom finally greeted him.

He bowed in respect, as she reflected his course of action, "greetings, Doctor."

"I am happy to see you too, Simon…" She spoke tenderly and low, "It has been a while."

A large squawk nearly caused Simon's ear drum to rip open. The wince ever painful on his demeanor. She grinned, ending the torrents of bellowing caws from the hawk settled on Simon's shoulders. "I missed you, too, Taka."

"It certainly has." He retreated to meet her gaze again sheepishly, regaining some bearings of hearing to his right ear. "As should be expected. You have many patients."

"I, you." She noted. "You have no cases today?"

"I have my own investigation on the time being." He pompously chided. "Master is assisting with certain evidence."

"Already!?" She gobsmacked. "You waste no time. It feels like graduates become younger and younger by the generations. Soon they'll be a teenager running around admitting that they're a prodigy! I'm not saying it's a bad thing, it's just interesting…"

Her head craned around, almost skeptical on the environment. "You are so comfortable telling me your quest?" Her brows quirking upward, "I feel partially special there."

Simon muffled his laugh. "I cannot release all details on you so publicly."

"I respect that…" She responded, unwilling to expose anymore without his consent. "It's for all our safety."

"I was hoping to visit our Master today in part of it." He hinted.

"She's with the rest of the astronomers." She pointed, "perhaps she may have a little time before the light show to tell you."

He bowed his head before making his way over to the crew. Metis became aware of Simon's approach, seceding from Aura and a bandaged Ponco just a moment to greet her students.

"Good morning, Simon…" Her voice ever tranquil and steady like the ocean on a moonlit night. "Are you here about your lead?"

"Yes, Master." He answered reverently, not a syllable unsettled in her wake.

"It is done. I will discuss it with you afterwards." She smiled ever softly, as if it might break.

"Yeah, we're kinda busy here," Aura piped, leaning on Ponco's head in a mock leer. "Doctor, can you distract my little brother for a while, please?"

"Sure. Why not." His senior ended subtly. "Perhaps inside would be a much better solution."

"Yes!" He answered quickly, more eager than he would've wanted to display in front of his superiors.

Aura merely smacked her gums as her way of waving goodbye. Simon grinned a little wider as they entered the space station. He hadn't seen her in months. Just like his Master, she was absorbed in her own line of work and juggling with patients.

"How is the crew? Clay? Barstucks… I believe?" She asked as her eyes darted left and right at the amazing displays, although Simon had seen them many times before.

"It is Solomon Starbuck." He corrected. "Yuri is endowed with paranoia, but I do not pay much attention to the crew as I do with Master and Athena."

"I see." She huffed unbelievably. "It feels like I just saw you and Taka entering the ER from the flu then graduation! Time flies so fast!"

"It surely soars." He reminisced of that day.

Ivy University was huge in its Criminal Justice and Law School portion of the graduating class. Although she was not part of the division directly, she was chosen to be part of the ceremony along with a close friend who was a defense attorney. She wore the entire regalia of her dark gown, the colors of her branding studies and doctoral in a huge baggy robe. Her stance and pride made most participating professors appear like peasants despite being much younger than most. She was to be the arbiter to bestow his rite of passage. He bowed his head, the tassel of the mortarboard hat tickling his face when she awarded him. He loved how her soft nimble hands cascaded from his collarbone to his smooth gown, where the valedictorian medal hit proudly on his chest. There she delivered her speech on change for humanity. To change it for the better whether the form it took, for every major or minor each student partook in had its piece to fit overall. Yet, he knew of her hidden tendencies, favoring law, business and most of all - science, to be the greatest impact of the world. She never truly threw any other majors under the rug, admitting they were escapes and mitigators to the busy academics such as writing, art and entertainment. Being a token student on the stage had his humility tested. By the way how it was spoken, it translated to him as a message for change and the need for the revolution he had no idea he had yet to sought for.

"I don't necessarily have to ask the team about space, when I can see something just as complex down here." His reverie was interrupted. Her eyes sparkled from the stars reflecting on the observatory. Planets, moons and the sun moving in their predicted astronomical unit of near one. "Your brain has more synapses than stars in the galaxy. It's small, yet so complex."

He hummed in an agreement. A stretch of soothing silence followed amidst the visitors of the museum area.

"Have you noticed something, Simon?" She asked intently.

"What is it?"

"Me." She smiled.

"I always notice you…" He whispered softly, breaking contact with her sheepishly.

"Not like that!" Her brows knitted in a mock. "I mean, your syndrome hasn't visibly struck my eye."

"…!" He gasped, peering at her white labcoat she continued to uncharacteristically wear around.

"And even Metis threw hers in lightly for you. I told her to." She noted into a congratulation. "You're doing well, Hayabusa. I'm proud."

'Accursed white coat syndrome is gone?!'

"Thank you, Doctor!" He bowed at the speed of a springboard.

"That's all you, Simon." She peered once more at the constellations. "Though, it would be a more accurate read if I had a sphygmomanometer.

'Another use of psychology!' He drew into his suitcase to jot down notes quickly on his notepad. 'You teach me so much, Doctor!'


"Hold up. You worked with doctors yet you had white coat syndrome?" Athena laughed.

"SILENCE! Or you won't hear the rest!" He threatened.

She shut up while sipping more tea.


Escorting themselves into the rather large Space Station was no hassle or rush. They greeted several of Metis's inventions on the way there. His curiosity gained the better of him when he examined the file securely fastened around her digits. The top of the folder read: 'Selene.'

She was definitely here to see Athena. Whether or not she had already finished her appointment was yet to be unsequestered. She made no predestined plans or mentions of visiting. He'd figure out some way.

"Do you know how Master has advanced in her work?" He asked quite vaguely, hoping for specifics to emerge.

He could see a glint of interest in her eye, especially when it came down to a science.

"I actually love the book she made, even though it is more of an elaborate manual on the robots with the program. 'Robots with a Heart.' It's better than 'Harmonic Emotional Arbitrary Resonance Telegraph' or HEART for short that Aura came up with. It's a compromise of the two. Metis has managed to create an artificial intelligence that can interpret the wavelength of one's voice to correspond with certain emotions. It is integrated in Ponco and Clonco. She is making a more portable version. It's still in the works of either being a necklace or a watch. They're simple emotions such as anger, sadness, surprise and happiness, but very effective when used properly. I know Metis plans on working around the Plutchik's Wheel and possibly beyond, but it is still in an early stage of development."

His Master was definitely in league with technological advancements that had kept at bay for some time. No wonder his sister barely comes by to say hello.

"This is very innovative towards psychology and psychiatric. This can help people with mental disorders or disabilities. Humans can be very complex with their emotions, so breaking them down thoroughly can help people pinpoint problems through the emotional discord. An example in particular are those who have suffered from traumatic experiences like post traumatic stress disorder. Deciphering is also part of the program - allowing a proper response to a stimulus or situation that could help them overcome and find a remedy to their ilk. Surprisingly, each person's reaction to a stimulus is similar in emotional tracking, but distinct with character. In other words, sadness is interpreted and detected differently depending on a person's wavelength. For example, when you see something exciting, the A.I. will interpret it under surprised, be categorized whether it'd be a positive or negative reaction and mapped specifically to you. DNA type of emotion." She shrugged amazedly.

His jaw was closed shut by her hand. He had no idea it was this complex and heavy. In a sense, medicine was used to help find his perpetrator. It was astounding.

"What are your feelings about such an experiment?" Simon asked, expecting the sparkle in her eyes to go supernova.

"What is that?" She asked bluntly.

"What's what?" He asked taken aback, wondering how such a hefty explained topic had somehow cast adrift.

"The word you said." Her head tilted curiously.

"Which one?"

"The one that starts with an F." She inquired inquisitively as if Simon had tossed her a riddle.

"Feelings?" He answered a question.

"Did you make up that word?" Her eyes narrowed.

"No…" His expression completely clueless.

"Hahaha!"

'Sometimes your sense of humor can be warped as well…'

"The F word I'm looking for is fascinating!"

'Are you sure that was the F word you were looking for?'

"This should be Nobel Worthy in my opinion if it is ever completed." She bequeathed in a hush.

The elations casted thrummed in an excited wave that nearly had his knees buckle. For a woman as tacit as his Master, her actions spoke through her inventions and research. He was ever grateful that his senior could brush him up on such concealed revolutionary technology.

"Has this program been used with any sort of patients as of yet?" He had the setting of Metis's experiment, now it was just to see if Athena had any sort of relations to its treatment or any of its properties.

"Yes…" Her eyes gliding knowingly onto him as she retracted her hand from petting Taka. He had no idea she had reached for the hawk. The hawk rustled its feathers in a minor stretch and relaxed, but Simon tensed when he felt caught.

"I cannot reveal whom, but yes it has been tested somewhat." Her demeanor scrupulous, prideful like keeping a secret. The folder held diligently to her front, fingers skimmed impatiently. "If you wanted to know if I saw Athena today, then your answer is yes. You give yourself away so fast, I swear, Simon."

"...!" He clutched onto his chest, caught in the act of trying to dismantle some truth through suggestion, failed and threw at him in a pitiful attempt. He'd prefer the physical smack of the folder in comparison to this shame. He needed to practice, but not on an expert who can throw it back in a reverse card.

"It's a simple follow up. I might do another one in a couple more months." She continued, alleviating his heaving to a silent pant with the news of the next visit.

"Do you plan on staying a little longer?" He asked, hoping she would.

"I don't know." Her response stern and serious. "My schedule is quite busy."

His tall shoulders sagged a millimeter, hiding his disappointment. He hoped the way his head tilted downward would play as looking at her more clearly instead of dispiritedness. Her frown curved upwards in increments, ever teasing, assuaging to unraveled chagrin he bottled up. She pressed back her white sleeve, revealing the two thin watches strapped around her wrist and lower forearm; one showing the present and another displaying the future. She hummed and he stilled, watching the ticking hands click over the numbers. She took in a pleased breath, causing a tiny curve to slant one side of his lips. Her phone sneaked out from her pocket before checking her schedule. There was a time slot filled for 10:30. She tsked, shaking her head to herself. He winced, the hope draining once again.

"I was supposed to visit my attorney today." Her smile became a slant.

"Oh…" The words escaped unwantedly. A chill filled him. He didn't want to sound so disgruntled. He scrambled to reclaim his pride. "I mustn't keep you waiting."

"You're right," the appraisal left gladly from her and sulphurous onto him. She sent an innocuous message before looking back up at him. "I do need some legal advice."

"It was great to see you, Doctor." He bowed lower than he should've trying to cover the frown on his face.

"I suppose I'm going to get legal advice from the opposite side today…" Her voice jocose.

His head whiplashed backward to see her once more. A mischievous look stuck on her face. "I started to feel bad about stringing you around."

His jaw dropped until it straightened. 'She's was playing the whole time?!'

"I thought you had to visit your attorney?" He made sure she'd be willing to cancel her plans.

"Honestly, I'd rather come here than talk to him." She exhaled uncharacteristically irritable.

"Is there a problem?" He retained his posture defensively. Shall there actually be a complication with another participant of the law, he'd deal with it. He doubted she'd require his attention though, confident with her abilities.

"No," she dismissed bemusedly. "He just craves so much attention. I'd rather be here."

She wavered sarcastically, "at least you show some restraint."

An embarrassing miniature blench from him made her shake her head unamused. She took charge of the escapade, leaving him to decide whether he should follow or recover his guilty posture like a child who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He gave in and followed like a scolded puppy. His long strides catching up to her quickly. Leading them further into the station led to his Master's quarters, a room by the side of the robotics labs allowed where he and his Master would train for subjects outside of psychology. They gazed, absorbing the environment that has been almost seemingly untouched for a place of combat and restraint.

An abhorrent gasp escaped her. She curled and pointed dementedly at the offense. The sinful object stood desolate on the low table in the middle of the room. "An apple again? Are you trying to keep me away?"

"No, Doctor! Never!" He defended miserably, guilt wracked while watching her equanimity shaken. "I simply used it for target practice."

"Keep it away! It's discord and chaos!" She bellowed. He wondered if she was acting apprehensive. She was doing an Oscar winning debut, but her demeanor was all but serious.

A quick blink of the eye swipe had the red fruit tumbled and fell in half, away from their presence.

"Just be happy that's one food I wouldn't take away." Her collective self returned speedily with the death of the offensive pome. "Taka, finish it off!"

She directed. The bird swooped down, squeezing the juice with its claws before flying off.

"Tea?" He asked respectfully, hoping to appease as an apology. Her reaction and forgiveness was immediate with a single nod.

Taught to him, not nearly as perfect like his Master, but he tried nonetheless. With the water boiling on hot rocks, he poured and wafted the dried tea leaves into the drainer and out the dark earthy liquid sapped the ingredients from the broken floral. Upon the elegant china, he presented her near the traditional American Kotatsu, where she kneeled, patiently. He glided it low and carefully with precision on the low rise table, the steam drifting into the air before vanishing.

"Thank you, Simon."

He sat himself opposite to her, wincing, awaiting. He knew if she did not like it, she would not swallow out of joy.

"Mellitus!" The confession delighted. "You are nearly there, Simon."

"Thank you." He was finally granted elation and positive praise. It was an improvement at best, he accepted. He must become better.

The hawk completed its duty and perched itself at the edge of the table. She reached over once more, rubbing the lower neck of this fierce apex predator. Her air and demeanor were calming. Like the instant effects of pure Egyptian hibiscus, it dropped the tension and could feel his heart rate slow into a lul beat. Once in a while, that same environment would kick in like the caffeine of black tea - in a rush of fluctuating unpredictability like a shot of epinephrine straight to the heart. They do say the most genius and passionate about their work, especially in science, have very peculiar quirks.

"So, how is your investigation going?" She asked after her second sip.

"I don't know if I should go in great depth, Doctor…" He folded his fingers together solemnly.

"Then, brush up on minor details if you're comfortable." She counseled. "It feels quite heavy if you're asking for Dr. Cykes's assistance."

"You have no idea…" He perked, "but I could give you an ell of one."

He spoke about his suspect, but kept the details about him being a wanted international spy away. He'd never forgive himself if word had gotten out and she had somehow suffered second hand by him. He gave her a taste of not only the matcha, but the long list of charges and numerous crimes he'd been suspected of. He wouldn't have to reveal a name for he did not have one to pin. The surmountable odds were hefty, but he'd pursue this person no matter what. He just needed a different approach and with Metis's technique, he could gain a good lead.

"A phantom that's all white, but inside is all red…" She uttered fazed, her expression out of focus for a brief moment.

His eyes blew wide in shock. He did not mention his referred name to her. Perhaps it was a coincidence. This man was a ghost by his nature.

"Please be careful. I'd be sad if anything were to happen to you." She gestured with her china in hand.

"I plan on being very cautious with this case. Don't worry."

"I'll try not to be." She settled in her spot more precariously. "Normally… we are taught to clear our minds when we work, train or practice, but not I… Do not conform to the norm. We must warp our way of thinking! Twist it! Think outside of the box! Only then, we will get our enemies with unpredictability!"

Her hands braced, creeping closer. "I never would have known a therapy would become an incriminating factor. This is a great way to branch it."

His lip quivered awkwardly, hiding it in a bow, modestly. He could swear his face was growing red. "Thank you."

"Besides work, how have you been doing under Dr. Cykes's supervision?" A hint of morbid curiosity tinged her tone.

"Metis's training creates situations where the technique of suggestion can be used in many ways." His ego decided to be exercised. "As of late, she has managed to manipulate the situation where it can only be useful in little opportunities. I would say I enjoy being mentally challenged."

"I am happy you have come to terms with that." She inclined divertingly.


"HAHAHAHAH!"

"..."

"I'm sorry!" Athena wheezed in her laugh.


"…" He was about ready to thank her once more until it finally clicked and settled like a submerged rock at the bottom of a river. His pointer and puffed chest deflated, his ego put right back into its place and shut off. 'She got me again!'

A quiet laugh escaped along with a tiny slap to her lap. "You practically fell right into that one!"

"I have yet to catch up with you." He quipped back.

As she caught her breath in a slackened sigh, she regathered herself to enjoy the tea he had concocted. He was happy she was much more willing to have his tea. The first time, she'd only drank half and told him how awful it was. He figured, she mostly kept it down for its health benefiting properties, otherwise, she would spit it out. Too gritty and earthy with too little water. Her bluntness was required rather than humble him despite it being of poor taste. She wanted him to improve as much as he wanted.

"Simon…" She began. "Are you sure your sister's intentions are entirely for Athena? There may be something more there…"

"Aura normally carries her own reasons for work." He knew his sister enjoyed her career, but tended to mix her own combination of ambition. The reason was unclear, but the outcome may be entirely different. He figured she would either climb up the economic ladder or create an army of killer robots. The last one seemed least plausible at the time.

"She's very close to Dr. Cykes that might be a little more than professional." Her eyebrows quirked in connotation.

"Surely, you cannot mean…?" He tilted his head with uncertainty. His senior could not be implying that… No… that's not right. Aura was more of a technophiliac than anything else. She showed great workmanship and tight fiestedness with her inventions, but that's all. Maybe she was implying that Aura was intellectually attracted to Dr. Cykes.

"Indeed, I mean. I believe it might be a little… outside of work ethic…" She pronounced consequentially.

Wow. He could not believe that. Not his sister. The thought of his Master and his sister… It was hard to grasp. How would that work out? It would be extremely awkward when he had to practice with his Master and Aura would be watching, possibly beating him just for the kicks. His time with his Master would be cut off more than he would like. He wouldn't be bothered by Aura's decision if his Senior's speculation was true, he just couldn't see it unless he saw it with his own eyes.

"I might be exaggerating. You never know! I guess it's none of my business…" She took a sip impishly. "Until it gets in my way…"

Simon knew very well that his senior did not get along well with his sister. But out of respect for Simon, Metis and Athena, she kept to herself. She detested how heartless Aura would be sometimes to the robots even if they were just machines, believing the conduct she conveyed could fester into other unfavorable misbehaviors. Her attitude in general was repelling to his sister, but willed it away and buried her pride when it came to Dr. Cykes and her daughter. She did not deny Aura's intelligence either, acquiescing that her inventions aligning with Metis's are superb.

She tapped the cup several moments before something popped out of her mouth in surprise. "You're turning 21 this year!"

"Y-yes." He beamed softly.

"I'll throw you a party. I'll even buy your whole night. On me." She planned ahead. "Well... traditionally, you're able to drink at this age anyway…"

She booked the appointed time months in advance, visualizing no advanced deeds on the day. "I'm not giving you anything hard. Your body is not used to the toxin. Anyhoo, it's up to you."

Her flinger a scant touch away from her planner, awaiting for his answer. He couldn't deny it.

"A drink? With you? I guess I cannot pass the opportunity." He remained affixed to his spot, but inside he was bouncing, excited to see how she may be outside of work and training ethic. He wondered if he'd wager a bet to see who would carry whom home after the alcohol consumed their system..

"Splendid! I'll make sure that day remains clear." The day booked. She continued to dot away details. "It's been extremely busy. It has been strict on vacations... and their sequels."

"You don't cast your own vacations?" He asked critically. How strange. A doctor was like a president to a hospital. No actions were made by any staff or faculty until their say so. A director was not pardoned from a doctors command either unless misconduct of a severe act was made.

"I do, but my work requires lots of time." She had yet to openly reveal what her experiments were about. Besides working scantily on Dr. Cykes's side by checking Athena physiologically, it was unbeknownst to him whether her project was in tandem with his Master or a standalone. In time, he may be gifted with such knowledge. Dr. Cykes's experiment, from what he can surmise. was based on technological therapy. Evident by Athena's thickly made headphones that almost seemed they set off their own wifi and television reception and the robots his Senior just brushed him up on. He can only imagine what his senior had created.

"It certainly has been more on the quieter side without you." He admitted.

"I don't want to disturb Selene…" She disclosed wryly. "Oh, and I want you to wear the purple suit that you wore for graduation. You looked absolutely stunning."

"You…" He stammered partially. "Liked the suit?"

"I did not stutter." She asserted.

"Agreed," he perched. "As long as I could wear my purple overcoat!"

"Aw! It clashes so much!" She hummed dryly before giving in. It was his birthday after all. "Very well... just wear a white undershirt and black tie. Nothing too tacky.

"Understood, Doctor." For once, he won by default.


"You have a purple suit? And a purple overcoat?!" Athena screamed. This twisted monochromatic prosecutor wore only colors that matched with his bleak attitude. Seeing something outside the spectrum of tints and shades was mind boggling.

"Yes… not with my bird of a feather, but of a balanced soul." He added lightly.

"I haven't seen you wear that before! You should wear it when you're in court sometimes!" The suggestion more of a demand.

"..." He grumbled, causing Athena to shrink back to the opposite side of the table.

"And who the heck is Selene? I've heard the name a few times already and I still don't know who it is."

"We won't get to that detail if you keep interrupting me."

Athena rocked in place, waiting.


"Doctor, I have a favour to ask you." His need growing when she painstakingly took her time with the last sip of tea.

"What is it?" She concurred, properly setting the finished cup in the middle near the kyusu.

"May we continue training where we left off?" He asked as meek as he could muster. Her senior was not of a violent nature, but used the endeavors of Metis's training as an escape and most of all, discipline, to the wracksome accumulation of her work and career that was not filtered.

"There's the restraint that is gone." Her hand was thrown into the air, alluded glib. "You really can't help yourself, can you?"

"..." He placed his head down. "It is only if you're comfortable on my behest."

She did not answer. He could her rise off her feet, silently walking away from him at the corner of his eye. He noted this as a lesson. Ruining the moment, he should've perhaps kept his eagerness of battling away for a while. The very few times she'd come by would be preferable to simply enjoy her company if it meant to cut out his training.

"Simon?" She lingered over her shoulder. "Aren't you coming?"

He faced the exiting door, vacant of her presence, but at the archway of the room where their gear was kept.

"You… want to train?" If he had a tail, he'd be pretty sure it'd be wagging.

"I didn't say no." She beckoned politely.

He unfolded his long legs, entering the room where many blades and weapons were snagged together numerous times by opposing hands. His loyal bird followed suit. It normally takes falconry at least three years to master, but on day one, this hunter decided to stay. The first flight, young Taka perched on his heavily gloved forearm before taking off. He never knew if the hawk would return, but he did. He always had and undoubtedly he always will.

"Thank you for agreeing with my sudden request, Doctor." The sincerity dripped from his voice.

"It's been a while. I can only imagine your eagerness. I'll humor you." She gave a knowing side glance towards him before turning all the way to him. She scanned him up and down, watching his exterior carefully before drawing to a halt.

"Simon. Where do you keep your badge?"

"In my inner coat pocket." He fingered the concealed sleeve that had also been cumbersome with a few notes he hurriedly folded and jumbled within.

"You're going to lose something in that sleeve one day."

"I normally never present it." He then sheepishly showed said pendant of justice. It was quite different in comparison to a small golden bottle cap sized pendant upheld by the opposite side of the court. It resembled more of a jeweled brooch, red, gold and ivory like an opening flower. Her smile was still present as she gazed at it, but something was off. Something about her eyes as if she retreated back into her brain.

"... I'm sorry. I remembered something...… But it is very elegant. It's very fitting."

It came back like a dying fire that had extinguished, but lit by its remaining embers. "Did you get my follow up on rehabilitation?"

"Your recommendations? Yes. It was placed into the chief prosecutor nearly a year ago." He delved into the good news. "Inmates are now accessed to them."

"I do believe animals will help with prison inmate rehabilitation. It may not work for all, but it will definitely help for some." She ingrained. "They should help to become better people, not to waste away life."

Simon ingested her words. Even for the sick and depraved of the law, she felt sympathy for. He proceeded to mimic her action, going for his padded Kendo armour. Reflecting as dark as his clothing, he exchanged a few pieces such as his overcoat and tall knee high boots. He was left in his tall button up. Just as he was ready to reach for the keikogi and hakama when he glanced back at his senior. She had rid of her lab coat, no longer in restraints by the healing hand. Her hair was hastily held in a quick bob, spun like noodles and reinforced with two number 2 pencils. Her white dress shirt had long lapels buttoned up that resembled a heart at their ends. Her black corset made it impossible to discern if those pants that look like professional thinner palazzos were not interconnected, hovering like a ghost. His breath hitched, the excitement for a clashing of steel was calling to him. The ability to test out what he had learned and possibly impress with his new honed abilities. He practiced his whirling moves over and over during moments he was not investigating and while his Master and his senior would be in their own fluctuating discoveries. Perhaps, he could switch the inevitable where she would land on her rump instead of him constantly being subjected to the opposite end of either of her weapons, whether it'd be the bokken, shinai or the katana. He could not imagine the look of surprise behind the caged visage she would uphold.

Before he would entertain getting smacked with a shinai for staring too long, he continued to adorn the Men, Do, Tare, and Kote. Once he had finished, he turned back towards his senior in a smaller set of armour compared to him, but very much just as protected. Two heavily padded titans ready to spar. The audible drag of the cloth ceased when they reached the display case full of weaponry moderately used, but in well kept condition.

"Shall we begin where we left off in our training?" Simon inquired first.

"Which weapon?" She peered passed the metal cage like a songbird awaiting to be released.

"...certainly you haven't forgotten we have left off at the Sword?" He pointed to the enclosed blades. "You spoke at being at almost a masterful level."

"Of course!" She shrugged lightly, "I know. It's just... perhaps returning to Shinai may be a fresh start."

"I see." He could reason with that. It was a great tool to help in adjusting to the weight of the katana. Hopefully her skills had not honed down like a worn blade that could barely cut through butter. There wouldn't be any challenge with that outcome. Both had chosen their weapon.

"I still carry my shinai… Metis has handed to me. I would like to see your skills." She gallantly whirled the long wooden stick as she returned to her place on the mat where he had charged towards many times before. "Though, I am more than sure you are possibly more swift than I! I prefer my shinai over the bokken… I don't want to hurt you. Hopefully you won't need healing, Hayabusa…"

She wielded the shinai unseemly with one hand. This incongruous aura warped the room by her eldritch tone. "I probably know what you're thinking... silly Doctor likes to play with samurai swords... I try not to use the real thing, but my shinai…"

A punishing crudeness surpassed jarringly at him when her second hand landed properly at the handle. "That's a different story..."

"Are you sure, Doctor…?" He managed to collectively ask.

Her hand beckoned. "Present to me your finest techniques!"

A fire scorched in him upon her challenge. "If I am the one who mends your wounds this time, I offer my forgiveness in advance. I'll show you my moves!"

Her eyes narrowed sharply. Almost entertaining the thought amusingly. 'So young and gullible… so quick to assume…'

Her hind leg placed backward and held her fortress still in a reinforced scaffolding hold. He coped her, prepping his stance in stone fashion. The cobblestone had crumbled with his step forward but remained hardened like tempered steel, ready to mold at command with the blacksmith's hammer. He would offer the first strike. The wind broke enough for a loud clap. The silence rendered superior again with her simple block. He retreated swiftly, scanning her like a guilty witness. On the offense as he had done several times in court, he would find an opening and pounce at it.

A crescent whirl of the wood would catch her by surprise. The clatter resonated in the room loudly, colliding with her stick once more. The landing of his throw was at the body of her shinai. He took the opportunity to shunt forward. This would guarantee a hearty blow to the arm. His hefty weight concentrated there, he hoped it would not do too much damage to her person. It was his mistake.

She rebounded his directional pull, pushing him askew and tumbling forward by his velocity. He inhaled, regaining his footing not quite as majestically and relocked eyes with her Men. Where was her shinai? The pressure became evident at his rib. It was a hard press, but not bruising. Her weapon withdrew along in her stride, an amused glare watching him in anticipation. He grunted, whirling around to initiate his offense. Such a rookie mistake and he made it! He couldn't forgive himself, but he would try to redeem it.

If there was such a thing in perception being read at a faster pace, he'd wager she could accomplish it. His heart galloped persistently with such a rush. He releveled his breathing to calm the muscle. He had to warp his way of thinking until she was twisted in his clutch.

One whirlwind of quick jabs had her defend or dodge a few. The flurry kept her moving in a circumference, predicting where each one would land until he would relent or find an opening. He would not allow her the opportunity. As he established a pattern for her to coordinate where he would inevitably strike, he broke tradition and curved the shinai to her vulnerable abdomen. This would absolutely strike her. A whistle emanated from the forcefully thrusted wooden pushing away at the air to reach her.

He gobsmacked upon how scant his shinai landed from her. The dodge conducted quickly and confidently, leaving him bamboozled. She was much faster than he had remembered. He quickly spun attempting to block any incoming strikes. Beating him, she twirled, the gear straps fluttering like an untamed umbrella in the rain before facing his back. A radiating sting caused his complexion to fluster a deep crimson red. He yelped, ripples of slapped pain shot out from where his lightly guarded buttocks beamed now with tension.

"Hahaha!" She laughed softly. "I couldn't help it. You deserved it."

'She's toying with me!' He rubbed the stinging sensation currently enveloping the goods. "What technique was that?!"

Her caged visage and hands planted on the very bobbed tip of the thickly crafted wood - place where he wished he could teeter a wind stroke of a strike onto one day. He never embellished a mark of accomplishment on this part of her persona during early practice. "It's called discipline as a good friend of mine once said, double entendre."

"More like double engarde, Doctor…" He joked, his bum no longer throbbing.

"Completely different fighting style, Simon." She deterred though it did give away the understanding as a small grin.

"I'm aware!" He reprimanded. "…I just wanted to make light... Nevermind."

"Make sure you master these skills before you move onto the blade." She advised. "That simple cushion cannot protect from true japanese steel."

That's where his main nailraking-across-the-prosecution-bench practice was wholly concentrated on. He wished to show her, if only she'd indulge in the sword a little longer for him. Despite just being spanked and manhandled with the beginner's weapon, he wanted to demonstrate some form of style in his prompt.

"Now may we move onto the Sword…?" The question was uncertain and jumbled when squeezing through the caged helmet.

Her lids dropped unpleased. "Did I not just tell you to perfect the shinai first? You learn to crawl first before you could stand, Simon."

"I understand, but I beg you." His hands clasped together, a muffled puff from his armor. Simon bent his posture downward, "please, let me show you my ability with the sword."

At this point she would deny him faster than his Master. She wanted him to improve and perfect before moving on, especially with such competitiveness that can possibly kill someone if carelessness preceded pride. He could hear her previous chastisement ringing in his guarded head. 'Training to kill is free. Training to save lives costs a fortune!'

The only sound he heard was the shuffling of her trail in his peripheral. He turned around to see her gaping at the long scabbard, encrusted with cherry blossoms and a silver handle. The suspense killing him as he venerately approached. The shinai was reinstated back to its respective pedestal on the wall. He could not witness her demeanor at this point, blocked and obscured by the corpulent armor. He dare not speak, unwilling to shatter the silence and chance to face the blade against another proper and experienced opponent.

She bleakly stared at the edged blade of steel. Her hand ever painfully slowly reaching for the molded emblazon grip. The shelled sword had finally seen the sunrise when the holster gave way in two. She swiftly spun on her heel causing Simon to take a few strides back. She retained the rehearsed pose, metal glinting and basking the contours of air as the weapon sliced in aerial assassination. Her breath was more shuttered and hesitant than he'd ever seen as she ran two fingers on the cutting edge away from her core. Perhaps she had become rusty? She's held back numerous times, but this was different. This may be his chance!

"Simon, I prefer not to practice the Sword today…"

"What?!" His facade destroyed. "May I ask why?"

"Oooh, just a bit worried on cutting someone important." A tiny grin formed on her face when she reintegrated the sword with its scabbard.

"..." The dismay was more evident on his face than a surrendering suspect.

"I'm sorry. Another time... I promise." A shred of sympathy offered. "We can still practice with the bokken or shinai if you want."

"Very well." He recuperated. At this point, he was a beggar, not a chooser.

He located the shinai a few inches from his foot, firmly grasping it to his foundation. She reclaimed her own. Walking back to her spot, she bowed and he imitated. Once again, smacks of their shinai cracked the air again. His senior was on the defense anew, watching as Simon never kept a certain pattern of attacks to keep her on her toes. The warping caused certain slants on the bamboo to shift shape to accommodate the weight and speed. His towering stature made it laborious to hit below the bosom area where she was well acquainted to strike him just fine. This time, she went lower than he'd expected.

A speedy jab would land on her shoulder if he swung left where he estimated she would shimmy towards. He miscalculated again. She swerved right and pressed the body of the shinai to his hip. He dropped like a led weight. He thanked his Master that the floor had enough padding to cushion what the wood could not.

"Flatlined!" The proclaimed sung in victory. With no response from the student on the floor, she bent her knees to examine.

" ...Hmmm…" she hummed as two delicate fingers slid underneath the cloth of his Men and across his neck onto his carotid, searching for the life within behind his closed eyes. The persistent hastened pulse pushed against her finger. "I guess not…"

She tapped him. "Wake up, Samurai. You're not ready to burn. But your attempt was kempt. Are you ready for your break?"

His eyes shot open wide, greeting the seering overhead light blocked by his senior's caring gaze. "No! I am not ready to meet the river. I can do this. Give me one more chance, please!"

She gave in to his request as she left his bounds. Giving her hand, she assisted his lift before they continued for a few more times. Blow after blow. Hit after hit. Simon became more comfortable with the shinai, willing to become perfect at wielding it to solidify his promise of mastering the wooden stake. Another reason was to establish a solid ground to diverge from it and towards the sword upon her next return. It could also help in becoming closely attuned to his Master's teaching. After several instances of her slowing down and hastening his movements, he had a hunch that she wasn't taking him to a greater potential. She never made leeway to strike herself. It was a mix of required mercy, but bit at him sourly.

"Doctor!" The cease of swinging came to an abrupt halt. "You're holding back. I don't understand. I wish to show my techniques, yet you're not taking me seriously. Please, let me see yours!"

She frowned. Unsure whether from his words or something else. An unreadable expression flickered on her face. "Be careful what you wish for…"

"Show no clemency!" The battlecry scorched.

"Tsuki…!"

"!"

Several beads fell from his forehead, descending to his chin. The saki-gawa centimeters from contacting his throat. He didn't finish stepping forward. It's as if she teleported right in front of him. His lungs burned, unbeknownst he withheld a breath. Holstering with body, mind and spirit, she retracted, offering him a soft smile.

"I wouldn't do that to you, Hayabusa." She laughed, "I just wanted to see your reaction."

He couldn't blink. He couldn't speak. His body unwilling to respond to him. By time he could register what had just occurred. She had already put away her favourite weapon.

"Now I'm famished! Time for lunch." She tapped his shoulder away from his stupor and marched gleefully towards the armory. "Let's order something out."

"...okay..."

'I am willing to become better and prepared to take such a journey. But with how much I practice in comparison…' He held his throat, shuddering for the possibility of his Adam's apple, trachea, and windpipe collapsing, a task aware his senior can do with ease and precision even through the protected double padded gear if she did not pull her strikes. 'I still don't know if I can reach her level of Mastery…'

"You know we have to wipe the floor now." Her original wardrobe returned to her, save for the lab coat.

"Yes, Doctor." He swallowed a well needed bout of air he was starved of.


"Wow! She sounds fun!" Athena fisted the air excitedly like she finished watching an action packed sequence.

"She was indeed special." He let go of his throat consciously.

"So did you ever get down to that sword fight?" The kotatsu received an excited slam.

"Training with her was an honourable fight. Honed blades and stricken metal. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced." He smirked pontifically, murky eyes rigid in shadow.

"She wiped the floor with you, didn't she?" She sarcastically conjectured.

"I admit there were crests and troughs of the sessions." His mumble aggressive.

"Well, she didn't strike you too much with the sword. Otherwise you'd be nice on a kebab!"

"..."

"So, who is Selene?!" She sourly brought up. "You haven't told me- eeep!"

A well placed Iajatsu swipe cut the air to silence his one person audience.


"This is just amazing! I'm glad you picked this time." She clapped couthy. "This burger will hit the spot."

"It is soba noodles, Doctor…" He ameliorated, dubiet on how she managed to categorize the indegenous American food with traditional Japanese cuisine. "They're from a family restaurant I've known for quite a while."

"Oh..!" His senior peered at him then her noodles, imprinting the information. "My compliments to the chef."

To his previous knowledge, his senior had been spoiled by exquisite dining. By what he can gather, the stories would speak of parties and dinners she'd been invited to. He wanted to see if his acquaintance's family recipe lives up to its expectation or land subpar to her palette. He watched as the first scoop of soba, garnished with scallions and enriched in fine greens. As the last noodle was tucked away, he desisted wondering how incorporated she was taking the flavours.

"This is really good!" The answer finalized - satisfactory, yet muffled. "Every space station needs a Great Samurai boy who knows where to get good noodles."

His fingers still trembled, struggling to contain the straddled noodles upon his quivering sticks as he watched her diligently eat though her excitement, slurping the hastened pace of them passing through her soft lips. It was one of their favourite pastime moments after a training session. However, lately she has warned to decrease the sodium for his health. Through his paranoia, he couldn't help muster those sticks currently wedged in between her fingers escalating higher in a perfect angle from plate to bosom to her mouth might be used as a weapon as she had done a few times before. He questioned if it was to keep his wits and instincts heightened for a sudden surprise attack from the enemy or just willing to greedily indulge herself by simply scraping his noodles from his bowl. But she would return it with a small surprise of her own as compensation by just being there, but he would never admit that to her.

"Take a picture, Simon..." Her feeding had ceased as the rhythm he inadvertently hypnotized himself by had. "it'll last longer. Unless there is something on your mind."

Her eyes finally connected with his dark greys. "...! I- was just thinking, Doctor!"

"You're not supposed to." She slurped with her mouth full, pointing her chopsticks at him in accusation. "Then it would be easy to predict you. You are free to eat."

He chuckled inaudibly. "Do you choose to keep your training quiet?"

"You're joking," A stray noodle slapped her cheek. "Can you imagine the constant prattling I would endure if I made my knowledge public?"

She dabbed her face. Her finger lifted a fillet from the recently opened can of salmon she asked on the side for Taka. The hawk gladly received the tender protein. "A skilled hawk hides its talons, unless the situation calls for it. I hope you're doing the same… humility is integral to your training…"

The last part ended in a skeptical glance. He shrunk in his spot, plucked at oncoming culpability.

"I may or may have not done a bit of demonstration in court…" He sheepishly grinned, liability etching onto the contour of his face.

She sighed flatly, "why am I not surprised…"

Regardless of losing track of his lunch, he did have a notion pestering and begging to be at the forefront. Dr. Cykes's experiment was wavering on becoming a therapy and has yet to be used publicly. The sole patient to acquire immediately in the entire perimeter of the Space Station is Athena herself. The thought itself is unnerving. Another hunch would be the very essence and foundation of this experimental procedure derived from Athena. Those headphones, as he recalled, had caused her pain and migraines that would disable her from completing tasks she could easily complete on her own. That large contraption may be intercepted utilizing Athena's significantly sensitive hearing to create this artificial intelligence to a working physical and audible model. Integrity wise, it was unethical and scientifically torturous. Hopefully such a concept was not true. His Master and his senior didn't present themselves as cruel in their nature. Master Cykes was discreet and conscientious while his senior was benevolent, but meticulous in general.

"Have you been watching Selene for me?" His dark thoughts blew away.

"Of course, Doctor!" He settled himself like a soldier, ready at the command.

"You two are inseparable misfits, aren't you?" Her face scrunched humorously. "What would I do without you?"

"You still keep me in the dark of Athena's condition." Simon bluntly pointed. "This is not some sort of experiment is it?

"I prefer more evasive methods are in order, which is why I hold high respect for Dr. Cykes." She settled her finished bowl, reaching for the new cup of matcha.

"Evasive?" Last he recollected, his senior was an internal doctor; believing and conducting practice with medicine or surgery. She excavated into the sources of issues and either resolved the matter or removed the problem itself. "Are you not planning on curing Athena from her condition?"

Her lips were just about ready to touch the porcelain before pausing, unwilling to look away from the green liquid. Her tone sporting. "Now why would I do that?

"Sensitive hearing is incurable," he remembered a conversation he had sneakily overheard once from between his Master and her. "Will it dissipate over time?"

Her eyes dotted around, playing ignorantly to his question.

"Hmmm…" She shook her head to herself, feigning innocence. "I don't know what you mean."

He became impatient, frustrated for the first time with his senior. She must have known he could see passed the lie like seran wrap. He hoped her skipping on this little interrogation was just an act.

"Is that not the point of being here? To help rid of Athena's illness?!" The assertion cutthroat. "This sounds like some sort of elaborate ruse."

"You make it seem like she has some form of common cold," the comment ended cynical. "We must understand what she has first."

"What are you experimenting?" His skepticism became apprehensive.

"Nothing." She smiled. "Besides, I cannot tell you. You are not of relation to Selene. Patient confidentiality."

He stifled his next argument. She was right. By law, she could not consult about a patient's medical history or information with anyone without consent or affiliation to the patient. Something unnerving did not sit right within his gut and it was not the soba. She dodged that bullet with kevlar swiftly. The awareness of being students under their Master's prestige did not remove the reality of both attaining their respective license; one of law, the other of medical and psychology. They were both strapped to play their rules and tenets, neither had challenged one another on their merits either, but the bubbling seeds of doubt spread onto Simon like persistent garden weeds.

The times where he would watch Athena with his Master's and senior's absence, she'd complain of being lonesome and neglected. Cut off from most people due to her hindering condition, she'd crumple in on herself and weep of being alone and afraid of the strange noises she heard all the time when people were around. She'd be teased and laughed at, later floundered due to the resonance and scratchy pitches her overly perceptive ears would intune. She described being able to feel their mockery and crassness engrossing her mind like a plague, rotting her happiness into depression. He wished he could understand. Half the time, he could only console her with his presence. He could not speak to her frequently without those headache inducing earmuffs. Any words of sympathy would result in a similar effect of yelling in directly into her ear. He learned that if he spoke emotionlessly, she'd pick up his speech much more calmly through her fuzzy brain. He asked his sister on some insight, but she'd brush him off to being nosey and can't give a say so on the matter without Dr. Cykes's orders. His senior was the only one to impart tiny variants here and there on matters barely touching Athena's questionable hearing ailments.

"You seem lost, Simon." She interrupted concerned. "Lost and perturbed."

He wanted the truth. He always desired the truth. It's one passion that pushed him to become a prosecutor. "I am concerned for Athena. She suffers a lot, Destiny…"

A pinch of sorrow managed to sprout from her. "I know what you mean, Simon. If it makes you feel any better, don't worry about Athena. She'll be okay."

"How can I not?" He sternly progressed. "She has very little friends. She is patronized about her condition and she becomes ill whenever she is around a lot of people. She cannot attend school without feeling bouts of anguish and disturbance. Why must she be robbed of living her life normally?!"

Just as the discord rumbled, he couldn't stop his own fallout. "What are you and Master doing to help her?"

He buried his head in his hands, surprised he had lost his temper, especially towards her. His breathing left in heavy pants, disgusted with himself and the world as a whole. It was unforgiving and unfair, especially for those who endured adversity like Athena. He felt his wrists being tugged gently away, unfolding his flustered complexion. It took immense will to bring his discreditable turmoil back at her. A sad smile faintly dancing on her face.

"Simon… I'm sorry that I cannot tell you what is going on in the sidelines. But trust me, she is healthy and intelligent. Dr. Cykes cares for her daughter. She loves her. You have no idea how much potential Selene has and what she can do. We are working very hard for her. This trait she has is extremely unique. Dr. Cykes works every single day and every moment to find a solution to give Selene some form of normalcy." She released his wrists, but caught his hands.

"Love is not just a series of chemicals in the brain. We give it meaning by choice and where we direct it. It's why I want you to always watch her for me. Whenever Dr. Cykes and I cannot reach her, please make sure you remind her that she is very special. Give her the opportunity you believe she has been stripped of. I know you have to work, but give her a friend, a loyal guardian to always look up to when Metis cannot show it."

He gripped her back, nodding meekly, "I promise."

"Good." She gave him back. A tiny beep alerted them both. One of her watches had begun its alarm. "Darn… I have to leave soon."

"I understand, Doctor." Simon regained most of his pale complexion.

"You know what…" She teetered lowly. "Let's go see Selene before I leave."

A genuine grin plastered onto his mouth. He hadn't had the chance to greet Athena in a while since his arrival.

"Well, you certainly must've been hungry." She leaned on her elbow risibly.

"Huh?" He peered back at his now empty bowl, which he was more than sure several minutes ago still had a pleasing portion. "My! My soba!"

"Oh… Taka… How could you?" A faux pas of farcical shock from her landed on the hawk. Taka let go of the can he had pecked clean appalled. The bird defended itself in an objection of a caw.

The photography session ended recently. Camera men were packing the large equipment and props away. Just around the courtyard, there was a small picnic area where Athena was regularly present. Once in a while her friend from school would visit. She, too, would become ill, allowing her to leave school. Perhaps allergies or a weak immune system. Simon did not prod on personal matters, solely concentrated on the overall well being of Athena and her friend.

"I know everything seems jumbled." She spoke amidst the incoming spring breeze. "In time, you'll know. Despite how it may seem, the majority of medical advancement is due to a hardship the researcher has experienced or empathized with. Dr. Cykes and I know this all too well. It's why she seems distant. Due to professionalism, we have to follow a protocol, despite our true intentions."

Simon recognized the tiny beam of excitement from so far away. The large headphones were an added bonus of recognition. Today, it seems, her friend was frolicking about with her. June or Junie, he couldn't recall correctly, was present with her and Clonco. She leapt off the bench and ran in a mad dash towards him and his senior. Her orange hair whiplashing right behind in an orange blur. The robot could only rove so fast, tasked with keeping her in line of sight at all times.

"Ultimately, a scientist stays objective - we cannot be ruled by emotion."

The young girl approached them both. Athena had a perplexed haze stuck on her when she tilted the headphone a bit from her run. One ear received a clean cut hearing of his senior's word. The woman was gracious in a smile, but Athena comprehended an inconsistency that did not mold correctly.

"Then why do you sound so sad?" Athena purged the conundrum.

Simon quirked at the girl holding her strange device in hand as her giant blue eyes squeezed at this woman. His Senior had a grin ever softening on her face to stare at the child as if she wanted to sugar coat how wrong Athena was in a euphemizing understanding. The robot had finally made its destination. Simon examined Clonco, wondering if the A.I. his Master had installed would automatically pick up Athena's tell. Not a single notable change except the robot's stagnant smile. He figured the robot had to deliberately access the program or it was experiencing glitches once more as his sister once criticized. His senior did not give an answer.

"You're that doctor Mama told me I'd see today. Am I okay?" The headphones fixed themselves onto her head.

"You are healthy. I'll always make sure you are." Her grey eyes ever pleasant.

Athena's puzzlement died. It must've been the truth. She gazed upward, finally greeting Simon.

"You're the tall cyborg ninja dude!" Athena crushed herself in a tight hug against Simon's legs. His smile grew wider in adoration.

"Tall. Yes. Cyborg, no." He corrected, patting her head gingerly as he could from this leverage. "Aura has not gotten that crazy to involve me with her experiments."

As she let go of him, he could properly kneel and face the tiny lemon. "Sitting me on the lab robotic chair would not be fun either. Now for ninja; I prefer the title of samurai a bit more."

"Is that how you beat the bad guys in court?" She asked innocently.

"Only if they deserve justice." His remark received a laugh from her and his senior.

His senior tapped his shoulder. "I really must be going, Simon."

"Okay," He stood up, watching as her head inclined backward with his ascent, "wait here, Athena. I'll be right back."

"Okay." She waved.

Somehow his senior managed to cross to the main path away from the picnic area. He greeted her dolefully one more moment before she would be off to her next destination.

"Athena has sensed sadness…" Though there was no proof, it did not hurt to ask. "Is this true?"

"Selene…" His Senior sighed. "My emotions cannot even be held sacred inside…"

A line edged to her lips. "I had hoped even after a year, I would be over it… I guess the hole is cut so deep into my heart, I cannot let it go…"

She tsked, more at herself. "There was truth behind Selene's hyper sensitive hearing…"

For the first time he'd ever witness her shift uncomfortably. "It's about the first time I failed one of my patients…"

He gasped a little harder than he would have liked for her to catch. His senior was meticulous! She was precocious at everything that involved her patients. They were her life. This forbidden knowledge was unfathomable.

"What happened?" Rather pointlessly queried on the grounds of confidentiality, he urged to alleviate what had her so riled.

"You know I cannot tell you too much. Their privacy is their own. But… I can tell you that this patient did not die."

This was good news, at least to him. "Complications of some sort?"

"Surgically… no." She denied.

"Then how have you failed?" As a doctor of internal medicine, the only way she could've failed was either by prescribing something incorrectly or malpractice in the theatre or a breach.

"… I don't believe I have the right to say it…" The contours of her face sharpened, stricken, but her smile remained. "I can only teach you to never be emotionally involved with patients… it hurts everyone in the end. I worry for Dr. Cykes, Athena, you… and yes even your sister…"

The corners of his lips curved upward briefly. The sigh extricated her trouble. "But now is not the time to dilly dally on me. No need to invite you to my pity party. We're here for Athena. You're here for Athena."

She upheld his arm by the elbow and forearm like a weapon. "Make sure this arm is swift and keen. But this..."

Her index finger pressed ever softly over the bridge of his nose with her index. "Must be twice as much. And the most important..."

Her warm palm placed delicately upon his sternum like the lightest of quills. "This must always be in the right place."

"Yes, Destiny," he bowed as she released him.

'It always will be.'

"Good."


"So she called me Selene?" The curious attorney chimed. "Why?"

"She had a knack for giving out names she deemed suitable. Like I, the Hayabusa - fierce and fast."

"That contradicts what you told me," she batted.

"I can demonstrate right now. Hold still." He threatened.

"Eeek!" She ducked.

"She called you Selene. 'Like the moon, you lit up the dark. The light in our Master's night.' She believed in a sense, you were enlightenment."

"Aww…" she scrubbed her fingers through her hair bashfully. "She must've only been there a few times because I don't remember too much about her." Athena disrupted flummoxed.

"She was present on several occasions. Certains times she would see you, but very shortly. As mentioned." Simon flatly stated. "Most of them she had a mask on her face and would speak briefly, worried on triggering your sensitivity."

"There is something wrong with the story you're telling me." Athena thought aloud.

"…?" His steely greys glared.

"The discord is not the same one you're feeling now." Her hand fell to her hips. "What happened during UR-1?"

"No."

"AW COME ON!"


AN: I can't believe the amount of research I had to do outside my academic. Looking into all that fighting style and what not, but Simon isn't your regular fighter. He's a quick twisted samurai.

Yes. Simon does have a purple overcoat and suit. He also had a knack for apples in the original concept art book for Dual Destinies, but it was later scrapped. Such a good book for references.