Chapter 2. The Gathering
The dream world was a perfect place for meetings where people could leave their mortal bodies and communicate telepathically. Kayura and the former warlords were skilled in using the dream world. This time, however, they needed to talk to the Ronins who were rather inexperienced.
Ryo looked around, blinking at the familiar surroundings of Mia's living room. He supposed it was normal for a dream to take place in a familiar setting, but there was something... off... about the dream.
"I'm sure you know about those other people with mystical armors, similar to ours?" Kale inquired
Kento blinked.
Ryo spun around and looked at Kale in surprise. "Kale! Don't do that!" He glared. Even though the Ronins and Former Warlords were on better terms now, it still wasn't something any of the Ronins liked to be snuck up on.
"Well?" Dais asked. "Have you encountered any of these people? You do know about this new threat, don't you?"
"Well, yes. There was an attack during the game in El Paso." Ryo looked frustrated on this point. "I was just about to score a goal too!"
"Not much of a threat, really," Cye said. ",but yes, I know what you mean...directly."
"I have yet to fight them," Kale explained, "But I watched them in their armors and I am learning what they can do. When I attack, I will attack the weakest one."
Kayura added, "Legions of nether soldiers disappeared suddenly a few weeks ago. I wondered if there would be a connection."
"Wait a minute. I was fighting a few when I came across the armored warrior." Cye said.
"So, you're telling us that you can't keep track of your own soldiers?" said an anonymous Ronin.
"We do make mistakes," Kayura muttered. All the former warlords looked embarrassed.
"More like all you ever do is make mistakes," Kento muttered.
"I wouldn't talk if I were you, BOY!" Sekkhmet hissed. "If I recall correctly, you've had your fair share of mistakes, too! ...more than the rest if not the sum of them all!"
Kento fumed and Cye sighed. "Kento, be still for a moment, will you. Sekkhmet, this is neither the time nor the place for that. If we're going to talk then we need to have some kind of order and let the past be. You can't keep bringing it up and throwing it in our faces. Let it go so we can focus on the real problem at hand! ...and Kento, do try to be a gentleman."
"Yes," Ryo agreed. "We can't afford to fight with each other while there's a new enemy out there."
"Indeed," said Dais. "We are already fighting our enemies correctly when we know who are enemies are."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
Cye knew better than to regard the dream as though it was just a dream. He knew it to mean more than that. He pondered its meaning as he lay in bed, drinking in the moon's light. "So, they're at it, again." he mused. "I wonder what role that girl plays in all this. Could she be a scout, or a decoy?" he wondered, referring to Kitt. "Well, at any rate, I'm not going to get much sleep tonight. I might as well get ready for the day." Lazily, he threw off the sheet surrounding his partially nude form and sat up. He yawned a bit as he stretched his tense, taut muscles. "That'll do." he sighed, swinging his long legs over the bedside. "What?!" he exclaimed, as he felt his feet skim the surface of a very familiar substance. He looked over the edge of the bed to find, "Water?" he breathed. A pool of the aqueous element had covered the floor. Quickly, Cye climbed off the dryness of the mattress and into the shin-deep bath. "It's warm...near hot." he thought, absently, as he bowed down to inspect the water, closer. He cupped a small amount in his palms, trying to extract anything he could from its scent. "...Floral..." he mused. "Primrose...and lavender?" He gazed at the crystalline body in his hands for a moment, then, without thinking he brought his cupped palms to his lips and suckled from the sweetness within. Delicious. Like fine nectar and sweet honey. Like a kiss.
---
The water, hot and steamy, lapped about her tired and beaten body as she lazed in the bath seasoned with bath salts and oils. It was a long day, one that merited a bit of spoiling of a body and Kitt was a body of no exception. She shut her eyes and allowed the water to hold her, embrace her, take her. It was bliss. "Hmm...?" she mused, as she felt a draft from the opening door. "Close it." she said, apparently to nothing more than the air. Yet, as her orders were given, it was obeyed and the door slid to a close. "Thank you." Footsteps, too soft to be heard, left their tracks on the thick shag carpet aligning the floor of the bathroom. Lifted on wind's hand, those leaving the traces of their presence ascended the distance from the floor to the side of the tub, revealing their form. Colored like the smoke from burning incense, a shorthaired cat sat, grooming her fine coat. Beside her, shimmering with the blackness of night in his thick mane was another cat, satisfying his thirst from the sweet bath water. "Moshi...Usiku." Kitt cooed, as she patted the heads of the grey and ebony cats, respectively. "How are my babies? You forgive me for getting home so late?" The felines purred their forgiveness, as they fell into her caresses. "Thank you." She sighed, then sank into the comforts of the tub. "What a day! And then there's tomorrow. Well, it can't be much worse than today, can it?" The two cats regarded their mistress with feline expression, offering her nothing more than the capture of their gaze in response. Kitt sighed. "Thanks. I can't tell you how much insight you've given me." she said, sarcastically. "Never mind." She reached out of the tub, grasping her robe and got to her feet as torrents of water cascaded down her soaked body.
---
Kitt hurried along the concrete paths of the aquarium, quickly making her way to one of the restricted gathering halls for a most prestigious event. She could hear the quarry before she even reached the enclosure. With reserved hand, she opened the door to the busy room and stepped in. "KITTEN!" a voice shouted over the hum of the crowd. "Hi, Rebecca." Kitt replied, dryly, as her friend ushered her into the room. People were swarming about, idly conversing about this and that, though all assembled for a common purpose; the Annual Convention of Marine Ecology and Environmental Field Study. During this event, scientists, their colleagues and students from all over the world were invited to the aquarium to participate in a scientific exchange exercise. Under the charge of one instructor, students and aquarium staff from across the globe would be assigned in group-pairs and sent to study a designated area of geological or ecological concern. This was to be Kitt and Rebecca's first time participating in the study. However, anxiety displayed by one far outweighed that produced by the other. "Hurry up!" Rebecca urged, as she pulled Kitt through the crowd. "Someone's gonna take our seats if we don't hurry!" Kitt groaned but allowed herself to be led by her friend to wherever she was taking her. She ended up being brought to the foremost row of chairs furnishing the reception hall, just before a podium and a host of elderly figureheads seated behind it upon a stage. She looked at them, then back at the two empty seats, taking notice of who was seated on either side of them. "Tatami-kun? Majana?" she said, stating the obvious. She folded her arms about her breasts then continued. "Did Becka seriously drag the two of you up here, too?" The two boys nodded, apologetically, barely avoiding the deadly gaze of the irate Spanish flower.
"Girl, you are pathetic!" Kitt exclaimed. "I know this is our first time at this and all but, damn! I mean, you--...YAH!" she yelped, as Rebecca pushed her from behind, landing her square in Majana's lap. "S--...SAMAHANI!" she blurted in her native tongue as she scrambled off the handsome figure she was sprawled across. "Hakuna wasi wasi." he replied, helping the disheveled girl to her feet. She smiled, awkwardly, as she felt an all too familiar heat scald her cheeks. Then, like a lioness on the hunt, she turned to Rebecca. She glared at her for a moment before attempting to speak, but no sooner had she opened her mouth then did she hear the ear-piercing screech of the loud speakers behind her. "Ladies and gentlemen..." the voice began. "Please take your seats. We are about to begin." "Yeah, Kitt, let's take our seats." Rebecca teased as she quickly seated herself next to Tatami. "They're ready to begin." she added, sardonically. Kitt had daggers for eyes as she growled something incoherent before taking her seat beside Majana. "I'm gonna get you." she hissed. "Whatever you get me, know that I only accept flowers, chocolates, and money. No stuffed animals, please." she replied, a tenor of victory garnishing her every word. Kitt sighed, heavily, shook her head, then turned her attention to the faculty at the podium. She consigned her plots for vengeance to the recesses of her mind, as now wasn't the time to implement them. ...They would keep until after the event had concluded.
---
"This is amazing! ...Like a dream, almost." "That's because you're a dreamer, Will." "What?" "Come now, don't 'what' me! You know I'm right." "Aye, James, that he is. Ever since we were lads." "Right! It seemed just about everyday that Kit and I were dragging your rump out of the clouds!" "Was I really that bad off?" "My friend, we are only too sparing in our remarks." "Gentle, really." "Alright, alright!" the boy remarked, with a chuckle. "But, you have to admit that this is pretty awe inspiring. I mean, think of it! When in our whole lives will we ever get another opportunity like this? I'll bet the entire school set about applying for this event, yet, from something of nearly a thousand students, the honor of acceptance found its way to us!" "Spoken like a true dreamer, Will." "Aye, but I can understand what he means...well, not personally, of course. My credentials and academic repot made me a choice candidate for approval. Surely they couldn't have made a better choice." "Well, at least we can rest assured that you'll never want for pride." "Maybe, but you know what they say about fellows who boast about their own attributes-..." "You'll not find the likes of me numbering among that lot! Of that you can be sure!" The two boys who found themselves not on the offended end of the comment laughed, heartily at their friends accusation, but were promptly silenced by a sounding from the loud speaker. "Guess we'd better settle down and take our seats." "Right." "Hmph! I'm quite fine standing, thanks." "Suit yourself." "Don't mind us." With that, the two found nearby seats and sat, while their irate friend opted to stand. The voice over the speaker began, once again, welcoming the assembled and filling them in as to the nature of the event and their role in it. "Welcome faculty, students, and staff to the 4th Annual Convention of Marine Ecology and Environmental Field Study. You should all be very proud of yourselves, for out of the thousands of candidates who applied, you were the ones who were chosen to participate in this event. Give yourselves a round of applause." The crowd did as was requested of them, applauding their success with mirth and delight before the speaker continued.
"I'm sure you're all very eager to commence with the program so, let's get straight to it. In a moment, you will be paired with a partner from another school or facility. The two of you will be partners within a larger group who will be given an assignment to carryout, research, and conclude over the course of 90 days. An instructor will be appointed to each group to provide any needed assistance and resources your groups may encounter. Accommodations will be provided for you as well as a financial rations prior to and throughout your mission. Be warned that the assignments you will be given will not be easy to solve. To arrive at a desired solution will take patience, endurance, logic, and trust in yourself and your teammates. Yet, I am fully confident in all of you that this will be a task that you will be able to fulfill. Good luck to you all. Now, without further adieu, let us begin. "Group number 10302 will consist of pairs from our host facility, The New York Aquarium and students from The British Academy of Marine Science. First pair: Anna Lee Chang and James Thaddeus Brighton. Second pair: Alexus Domingo and Michelle Elizabeth Davenen. Third pair: Kittwaana Mitulolo and Cye William Mouri. Final pair: Tatami Kowanji and Kristen Scott McKenzie. If your name was among those called, please go to room 112 to await further instruction. Best of luck to you and take care. "Next group, number 10303..." "Marvelous! Simply smashing!" James grumbled as he and his companions trekked down the hall to the designated rendezvous room. "Oh, come on, James. Don't be like that." Cye said, grinning lightly. "We were just having a bit of fun with you. .didn't think such a passive comment could bruise your manhood, so." "Don't mock me, Will!" "He wasn't, lad." Kristen, affectionately referred to as Kit, interceded. "He was just trying to diffuse a bad situation. You know, patch things up a bit." James growled something inaudible, his arms folded over the breadth of his broad chest, but offered nothing more in response. "Come on, James. We're still mates, aren't we?" Kit asked. "Always." Cye agreed, clasping the boy's hand. James watched the two for a moment before sighing and saying, "There isn't anything in this world that could stop me." He added his hand to the mix, laughing and joking with the others and reaffirming the bond that had established between the trio over their many years of acquaintance. The past forgotten, they continued on their way, ready to start their adventure.
---
"I wish Becka and Majana could have been in our group, too. But, I'm really glad that I'll have you with me, Tatami-kun." Kitt said, as a girl fashioned a large nametag to her bosom. "Hai. Tatami is glad to be with Kitt-chan, too." he commented as the same name-tagging female places a label upon his firm chest. He nodded to the attendant as she finished up, receiving a suggestive wink for his politeness from the flirty playgirl. She moved on to her next individual leaving a blushing and flustered Tatami in her wake. He absently fidgeted with his arm while Kitt looked after the girl with a look of sheer distaste upon her visage. She then looked up at her friend who seemed a little more than disturbed by the sordid manner in which the girl had addressed him. "Ne,...Tatami-kun, daijobu deska?" she asked, softly, as she placed her hand upon his back. He blinked, then looked down at her, into her dark eyes that seemed to hold so much light. He smiled and said, with a look of embarrassment garnishing his features, "Tatami no is used to...umm..." Kitt smiled. "What? What aren't you used to?" "Iie. No know...English word for." Kitt giggled, softly, innocently, unintentionally drawing an even deeper shade of crimson from his cheeks. "Sumimasen, Tatami-kun." she apologized, as she tamed her hilarity. "Here, maybe you can describe what it is you're not used to me and I can tell you the word for it." "Hai." For a moment, he held a look of contemplation upon his brow as he searched for words to express the word when, finally, he said, "Is when man want woman, but man no say want woman. Man only smile or look or blink with one eye, but still no say so." "Oh! Flirting!" Kitt exclaimed. "Ichatsuko." "Hai!" he replied, surprised with her familiarity with the Japanese term for the phrase. Kitt smiled. "It's ok. I'm no good with flirting, either. Don't worry. You'll be just fine." she assured him. He smiled in his usual serene way and was about to say something when the door to the room opened, calling his attention to it. The door parted, allowing those who sought entrance to in, revealing the forms of... "Ah, the other British students." the flirty girl greeted. "Everyone else is already here. I'll just put a nametag on each of you and you can go meet up with your partners." The boys complied and allowed themselves to be tagged. Once that was done, they set about locating their assigned partners. James found himself partnered with a sun kissed, dark-haired, slender Chinese girl which suited his likes just fine. "If you'll excuse me," he said to Kit and Cye. "I'd rather like to get to know my partner a little better." he added, extending his arm to her. Anna Lee gave him a wry look but accepted his invitation all the same. They left their company, seeking the privacy of a secluded corner of the room where they could become better acquainted. "Over his head?" Cye asked his friend. "...miles." Kit answered. "Ah, well, if it turns sour we-..." "Excuse me?" interrupted a soft voice with an even softer tap upon the boy's shoulder. He and Cye turned to see who had beckoned him to find a smiling Kitt and Tatami greeting them. "Hi." she continued. "Seeing as how you two are the only unclaimed partners, you must be ours. My name is Kittwaana and this is Tatami." "A pleasure to meet you, lass. I'm Kristen and this is C-..." he faltered, for when he saw the expression that was set upon his friend's face, it was that of a man who had just been visited by an apparition. He gently gripped his shoulder, giving it a light shake asking, "Cye, are you alright, lad?" Cye blinked his eyes and shook his head as though he were waking from a trance and said, "...uh...yeah, I'm fine. It's just that...you, look familiar to me. ...like someone I've seen before." he admitted, addressing Kitt. Her dark eyes widened as she shook her head lightly and said, "No. Not to my knowledge we haven't." "No. ...right, of course. How could we have?" he said, dryly, the reality of the situation setting in on him. "Anyway, sorry." he said, his composure restored. He extended his hand to hers and shook it firmly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you...Kittwaana." Kitt looked up at him, a bit of nervousness finding its way into her. "Oh, my friends just call me, Kitt." she said, as she stole her hand away from him. He regarded her for a moment, matching her eyes to those of the woman he had seen only once before. "Aye." he whispered. "Well,...Kittwaana..." he said, bluntly. "...it appears they are about to tell us of our assignment. Shall we?" Hurt, but none for the worse, Kitt narrowed her gaze at the tall English lad and answered with no stolen dignity, "Let's."
Kitt Mouri.
The dream world was a perfect place for meetings where people could leave their mortal bodies and communicate telepathically. Kayura and the former warlords were skilled in using the dream world. This time, however, they needed to talk to the Ronins who were rather inexperienced.
Ryo looked around, blinking at the familiar surroundings of Mia's living room. He supposed it was normal for a dream to take place in a familiar setting, but there was something... off... about the dream.
"I'm sure you know about those other people with mystical armors, similar to ours?" Kale inquired
Kento blinked.
Ryo spun around and looked at Kale in surprise. "Kale! Don't do that!" He glared. Even though the Ronins and Former Warlords were on better terms now, it still wasn't something any of the Ronins liked to be snuck up on.
"Well?" Dais asked. "Have you encountered any of these people? You do know about this new threat, don't you?"
"Well, yes. There was an attack during the game in El Paso." Ryo looked frustrated on this point. "I was just about to score a goal too!"
"Not much of a threat, really," Cye said. ",but yes, I know what you mean...directly."
"I have yet to fight them," Kale explained, "But I watched them in their armors and I am learning what they can do. When I attack, I will attack the weakest one."
Kayura added, "Legions of nether soldiers disappeared suddenly a few weeks ago. I wondered if there would be a connection."
"Wait a minute. I was fighting a few when I came across the armored warrior." Cye said.
"So, you're telling us that you can't keep track of your own soldiers?" said an anonymous Ronin.
"We do make mistakes," Kayura muttered. All the former warlords looked embarrassed.
"More like all you ever do is make mistakes," Kento muttered.
"I wouldn't talk if I were you, BOY!" Sekkhmet hissed. "If I recall correctly, you've had your fair share of mistakes, too! ...more than the rest if not the sum of them all!"
Kento fumed and Cye sighed. "Kento, be still for a moment, will you. Sekkhmet, this is neither the time nor the place for that. If we're going to talk then we need to have some kind of order and let the past be. You can't keep bringing it up and throwing it in our faces. Let it go so we can focus on the real problem at hand! ...and Kento, do try to be a gentleman."
"Yes," Ryo agreed. "We can't afford to fight with each other while there's a new enemy out there."
"Indeed," said Dais. "We are already fighting our enemies correctly when we know who are enemies are."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
Cye knew better than to regard the dream as though it was just a dream. He knew it to mean more than that. He pondered its meaning as he lay in bed, drinking in the moon's light. "So, they're at it, again." he mused. "I wonder what role that girl plays in all this. Could she be a scout, or a decoy?" he wondered, referring to Kitt. "Well, at any rate, I'm not going to get much sleep tonight. I might as well get ready for the day." Lazily, he threw off the sheet surrounding his partially nude form and sat up. He yawned a bit as he stretched his tense, taut muscles. "That'll do." he sighed, swinging his long legs over the bedside. "What?!" he exclaimed, as he felt his feet skim the surface of a very familiar substance. He looked over the edge of the bed to find, "Water?" he breathed. A pool of the aqueous element had covered the floor. Quickly, Cye climbed off the dryness of the mattress and into the shin-deep bath. "It's warm...near hot." he thought, absently, as he bowed down to inspect the water, closer. He cupped a small amount in his palms, trying to extract anything he could from its scent. "...Floral..." he mused. "Primrose...and lavender?" He gazed at the crystalline body in his hands for a moment, then, without thinking he brought his cupped palms to his lips and suckled from the sweetness within. Delicious. Like fine nectar and sweet honey. Like a kiss.
---
The water, hot and steamy, lapped about her tired and beaten body as she lazed in the bath seasoned with bath salts and oils. It was a long day, one that merited a bit of spoiling of a body and Kitt was a body of no exception. She shut her eyes and allowed the water to hold her, embrace her, take her. It was bliss. "Hmm...?" she mused, as she felt a draft from the opening door. "Close it." she said, apparently to nothing more than the air. Yet, as her orders were given, it was obeyed and the door slid to a close. "Thank you." Footsteps, too soft to be heard, left their tracks on the thick shag carpet aligning the floor of the bathroom. Lifted on wind's hand, those leaving the traces of their presence ascended the distance from the floor to the side of the tub, revealing their form. Colored like the smoke from burning incense, a shorthaired cat sat, grooming her fine coat. Beside her, shimmering with the blackness of night in his thick mane was another cat, satisfying his thirst from the sweet bath water. "Moshi...Usiku." Kitt cooed, as she patted the heads of the grey and ebony cats, respectively. "How are my babies? You forgive me for getting home so late?" The felines purred their forgiveness, as they fell into her caresses. "Thank you." She sighed, then sank into the comforts of the tub. "What a day! And then there's tomorrow. Well, it can't be much worse than today, can it?" The two cats regarded their mistress with feline expression, offering her nothing more than the capture of their gaze in response. Kitt sighed. "Thanks. I can't tell you how much insight you've given me." she said, sarcastically. "Never mind." She reached out of the tub, grasping her robe and got to her feet as torrents of water cascaded down her soaked body.
---
Kitt hurried along the concrete paths of the aquarium, quickly making her way to one of the restricted gathering halls for a most prestigious event. She could hear the quarry before she even reached the enclosure. With reserved hand, she opened the door to the busy room and stepped in. "KITTEN!" a voice shouted over the hum of the crowd. "Hi, Rebecca." Kitt replied, dryly, as her friend ushered her into the room. People were swarming about, idly conversing about this and that, though all assembled for a common purpose; the Annual Convention of Marine Ecology and Environmental Field Study. During this event, scientists, their colleagues and students from all over the world were invited to the aquarium to participate in a scientific exchange exercise. Under the charge of one instructor, students and aquarium staff from across the globe would be assigned in group-pairs and sent to study a designated area of geological or ecological concern. This was to be Kitt and Rebecca's first time participating in the study. However, anxiety displayed by one far outweighed that produced by the other. "Hurry up!" Rebecca urged, as she pulled Kitt through the crowd. "Someone's gonna take our seats if we don't hurry!" Kitt groaned but allowed herself to be led by her friend to wherever she was taking her. She ended up being brought to the foremost row of chairs furnishing the reception hall, just before a podium and a host of elderly figureheads seated behind it upon a stage. She looked at them, then back at the two empty seats, taking notice of who was seated on either side of them. "Tatami-kun? Majana?" she said, stating the obvious. She folded her arms about her breasts then continued. "Did Becka seriously drag the two of you up here, too?" The two boys nodded, apologetically, barely avoiding the deadly gaze of the irate Spanish flower.
"Girl, you are pathetic!" Kitt exclaimed. "I know this is our first time at this and all but, damn! I mean, you--...YAH!" she yelped, as Rebecca pushed her from behind, landing her square in Majana's lap. "S--...SAMAHANI!" she blurted in her native tongue as she scrambled off the handsome figure she was sprawled across. "Hakuna wasi wasi." he replied, helping the disheveled girl to her feet. She smiled, awkwardly, as she felt an all too familiar heat scald her cheeks. Then, like a lioness on the hunt, she turned to Rebecca. She glared at her for a moment before attempting to speak, but no sooner had she opened her mouth then did she hear the ear-piercing screech of the loud speakers behind her. "Ladies and gentlemen..." the voice began. "Please take your seats. We are about to begin." "Yeah, Kitt, let's take our seats." Rebecca teased as she quickly seated herself next to Tatami. "They're ready to begin." she added, sardonically. Kitt had daggers for eyes as she growled something incoherent before taking her seat beside Majana. "I'm gonna get you." she hissed. "Whatever you get me, know that I only accept flowers, chocolates, and money. No stuffed animals, please." she replied, a tenor of victory garnishing her every word. Kitt sighed, heavily, shook her head, then turned her attention to the faculty at the podium. She consigned her plots for vengeance to the recesses of her mind, as now wasn't the time to implement them. ...They would keep until after the event had concluded.
---
"This is amazing! ...Like a dream, almost." "That's because you're a dreamer, Will." "What?" "Come now, don't 'what' me! You know I'm right." "Aye, James, that he is. Ever since we were lads." "Right! It seemed just about everyday that Kit and I were dragging your rump out of the clouds!" "Was I really that bad off?" "My friend, we are only too sparing in our remarks." "Gentle, really." "Alright, alright!" the boy remarked, with a chuckle. "But, you have to admit that this is pretty awe inspiring. I mean, think of it! When in our whole lives will we ever get another opportunity like this? I'll bet the entire school set about applying for this event, yet, from something of nearly a thousand students, the honor of acceptance found its way to us!" "Spoken like a true dreamer, Will." "Aye, but I can understand what he means...well, not personally, of course. My credentials and academic repot made me a choice candidate for approval. Surely they couldn't have made a better choice." "Well, at least we can rest assured that you'll never want for pride." "Maybe, but you know what they say about fellows who boast about their own attributes-..." "You'll not find the likes of me numbering among that lot! Of that you can be sure!" The two boys who found themselves not on the offended end of the comment laughed, heartily at their friends accusation, but were promptly silenced by a sounding from the loud speaker. "Guess we'd better settle down and take our seats." "Right." "Hmph! I'm quite fine standing, thanks." "Suit yourself." "Don't mind us." With that, the two found nearby seats and sat, while their irate friend opted to stand. The voice over the speaker began, once again, welcoming the assembled and filling them in as to the nature of the event and their role in it. "Welcome faculty, students, and staff to the 4th Annual Convention of Marine Ecology and Environmental Field Study. You should all be very proud of yourselves, for out of the thousands of candidates who applied, you were the ones who were chosen to participate in this event. Give yourselves a round of applause." The crowd did as was requested of them, applauding their success with mirth and delight before the speaker continued.
"I'm sure you're all very eager to commence with the program so, let's get straight to it. In a moment, you will be paired with a partner from another school or facility. The two of you will be partners within a larger group who will be given an assignment to carryout, research, and conclude over the course of 90 days. An instructor will be appointed to each group to provide any needed assistance and resources your groups may encounter. Accommodations will be provided for you as well as a financial rations prior to and throughout your mission. Be warned that the assignments you will be given will not be easy to solve. To arrive at a desired solution will take patience, endurance, logic, and trust in yourself and your teammates. Yet, I am fully confident in all of you that this will be a task that you will be able to fulfill. Good luck to you all. Now, without further adieu, let us begin. "Group number 10302 will consist of pairs from our host facility, The New York Aquarium and students from The British Academy of Marine Science. First pair: Anna Lee Chang and James Thaddeus Brighton. Second pair: Alexus Domingo and Michelle Elizabeth Davenen. Third pair: Kittwaana Mitulolo and Cye William Mouri. Final pair: Tatami Kowanji and Kristen Scott McKenzie. If your name was among those called, please go to room 112 to await further instruction. Best of luck to you and take care. "Next group, number 10303..." "Marvelous! Simply smashing!" James grumbled as he and his companions trekked down the hall to the designated rendezvous room. "Oh, come on, James. Don't be like that." Cye said, grinning lightly. "We were just having a bit of fun with you. .didn't think such a passive comment could bruise your manhood, so." "Don't mock me, Will!" "He wasn't, lad." Kristen, affectionately referred to as Kit, interceded. "He was just trying to diffuse a bad situation. You know, patch things up a bit." James growled something inaudible, his arms folded over the breadth of his broad chest, but offered nothing more in response. "Come on, James. We're still mates, aren't we?" Kit asked. "Always." Cye agreed, clasping the boy's hand. James watched the two for a moment before sighing and saying, "There isn't anything in this world that could stop me." He added his hand to the mix, laughing and joking with the others and reaffirming the bond that had established between the trio over their many years of acquaintance. The past forgotten, they continued on their way, ready to start their adventure.
---
"I wish Becka and Majana could have been in our group, too. But, I'm really glad that I'll have you with me, Tatami-kun." Kitt said, as a girl fashioned a large nametag to her bosom. "Hai. Tatami is glad to be with Kitt-chan, too." he commented as the same name-tagging female places a label upon his firm chest. He nodded to the attendant as she finished up, receiving a suggestive wink for his politeness from the flirty playgirl. She moved on to her next individual leaving a blushing and flustered Tatami in her wake. He absently fidgeted with his arm while Kitt looked after the girl with a look of sheer distaste upon her visage. She then looked up at her friend who seemed a little more than disturbed by the sordid manner in which the girl had addressed him. "Ne,...Tatami-kun, daijobu deska?" she asked, softly, as she placed her hand upon his back. He blinked, then looked down at her, into her dark eyes that seemed to hold so much light. He smiled and said, with a look of embarrassment garnishing his features, "Tatami no is used to...umm..." Kitt smiled. "What? What aren't you used to?" "Iie. No know...English word for." Kitt giggled, softly, innocently, unintentionally drawing an even deeper shade of crimson from his cheeks. "Sumimasen, Tatami-kun." she apologized, as she tamed her hilarity. "Here, maybe you can describe what it is you're not used to me and I can tell you the word for it." "Hai." For a moment, he held a look of contemplation upon his brow as he searched for words to express the word when, finally, he said, "Is when man want woman, but man no say want woman. Man only smile or look or blink with one eye, but still no say so." "Oh! Flirting!" Kitt exclaimed. "Ichatsuko." "Hai!" he replied, surprised with her familiarity with the Japanese term for the phrase. Kitt smiled. "It's ok. I'm no good with flirting, either. Don't worry. You'll be just fine." she assured him. He smiled in his usual serene way and was about to say something when the door to the room opened, calling his attention to it. The door parted, allowing those who sought entrance to in, revealing the forms of... "Ah, the other British students." the flirty girl greeted. "Everyone else is already here. I'll just put a nametag on each of you and you can go meet up with your partners." The boys complied and allowed themselves to be tagged. Once that was done, they set about locating their assigned partners. James found himself partnered with a sun kissed, dark-haired, slender Chinese girl which suited his likes just fine. "If you'll excuse me," he said to Kit and Cye. "I'd rather like to get to know my partner a little better." he added, extending his arm to her. Anna Lee gave him a wry look but accepted his invitation all the same. They left their company, seeking the privacy of a secluded corner of the room where they could become better acquainted. "Over his head?" Cye asked his friend. "...miles." Kit answered. "Ah, well, if it turns sour we-..." "Excuse me?" interrupted a soft voice with an even softer tap upon the boy's shoulder. He and Cye turned to see who had beckoned him to find a smiling Kitt and Tatami greeting them. "Hi." she continued. "Seeing as how you two are the only unclaimed partners, you must be ours. My name is Kittwaana and this is Tatami." "A pleasure to meet you, lass. I'm Kristen and this is C-..." he faltered, for when he saw the expression that was set upon his friend's face, it was that of a man who had just been visited by an apparition. He gently gripped his shoulder, giving it a light shake asking, "Cye, are you alright, lad?" Cye blinked his eyes and shook his head as though he were waking from a trance and said, "...uh...yeah, I'm fine. It's just that...you, look familiar to me. ...like someone I've seen before." he admitted, addressing Kitt. Her dark eyes widened as she shook her head lightly and said, "No. Not to my knowledge we haven't." "No. ...right, of course. How could we have?" he said, dryly, the reality of the situation setting in on him. "Anyway, sorry." he said, his composure restored. He extended his hand to hers and shook it firmly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you...Kittwaana." Kitt looked up at him, a bit of nervousness finding its way into her. "Oh, my friends just call me, Kitt." she said, as she stole her hand away from him. He regarded her for a moment, matching her eyes to those of the woman he had seen only once before. "Aye." he whispered. "Well,...Kittwaana..." he said, bluntly. "...it appears they are about to tell us of our assignment. Shall we?" Hurt, but none for the worse, Kitt narrowed her gaze at the tall English lad and answered with no stolen dignity, "Let's."
Kitt Mouri.