The area just outside of the Silverwing Plaza was almost always filled with wandering souls. Tourists and locals alike milled through the space most hours of the day, some simply making use of it as a shortcut to their true destinations, others wasting away their time walking in circles as they took in the openness of the space and escaped, even if only for a time, the claustrophobic sense engendered by city's crowded buildings and the ever-present, if relatively subdued, isolation felt by those on a city alone in the skies. Yes, for many, a trip through the Silverwing Plaza was simply a part of the routine of life in Olympia. Of course, such a space - open, in the tempered affluence of the Middle City, easily accessible to just about anyone on the topside of the city, and serviced by the Silver Line of the Olympia Subway - had great appeal as an event space. Those who passed through it frequently had become used to navigating around large, temporary structures.
Perhaps that familiarity explained why, on this morning, most folks passing through the Silverwing Plaza stroll around the unusual dirty-green canvas pavilion erected in the center of the plaza without comment. Though the structure takes up a sizable portion of the space, it fails to attract much attention, with most not even sparing it a second glance after they've adjusted their course to avoid it. Inside, however, there are a few patrons who have taken interest and wandered inside. A number of them browse the collection of items laid out on the rows upon rows of tables. Were there anyone attending to the individual tables, one might have figured they had wandered into some kind of outdoor market. Yet, no one stands behind the tables. There's but one sign of a proprietor, and it's the reception stand - a small piece of furniture not unlike that which one might expect to find a maitre d' behind at the entrance of a high-class restaurant - positioned right at the entrance so that no one can wonder out with the merchandise. Behind that reception stand is a friendly-if-unusual fellow, a person resembling a pink rabbit. Of course, considering that his oversized mask - more of a piece of a mascot costume than a mask, really - is clearly modeled after a rabbit, there's little credibility behind the thought that the resemblance came about unintentionally.
Across the stand from him, unwittingly blocking the entrance, are a pair of sisters, each with a very different view of the establishment which had appeared seemingly overnight. They had wandered in and inspected his wares - at the yellow one's insistence, clearly - before stopping to engage him in conversation - this time at the blue one's insistence. The latter girl, who had introduced herself as Aurora, had confronted him with a battery of questions. Now, watching the two Argyris sisters converse, the shopkeeper - Ravio - nervously taps his steepled fingers, only able to hope he had answered all of her questions in a satisfactory manner.
See, it's cool, right? I bet we could use some of the junk here. C'mon, how jealous do you think she'd be if we came home and started swinging a wand and shot fire everywhere?
It's an establishment unlike any other, of that much I'm certain. I can commend you, Mr. Ravio, for desiring to exploit an untapped niche, but… Remind me, are you properly licensed to operate here? This feels, well, to speak plainly, I fear it it strains credibility to believe the city would so easily grant licensure to an establishment selling weaponry to any random passerby, much the less magical weaponry.
Oh, ah, well, you see, I'm not yet exactly through the regulatory process in full per se. I've applied for all the permissions and licenses I need, and I've been told they'll probably get through okay, but I'm still waiting.. And, so, I haven't begun to sell anything yet, but I didn't think it would be a problem to begin setting up and meeting people. Demonstrations to start generating word of mouth aren't illegal… And! Also, as well, I won't be selling weaponry, either. I've only applied to rent these to those in need of protection at a reasonable price.
But, if it's a problem… If it's actually a problem, I'll leave now. I really will. I don't want to cause any problems for anyone.
Closing her eyes and crossing her arms, Aurora Argyris periodically tilts her head back and forth as she ponders this unusual shopkeepers question. He was operating a business in Olympia without licensure, without full approval. Surely, she ought to politely request he take his tent down and, if he refused to comply, direct the proper authorities to his case. It would only in the interest of fairness, of course, she tells herself. He seemed like a reasonable fellow, certainly a polite one, and everything seemed to be in order. He spoke the truth, as well, stating that he had technically done nothing illegal, but it still somehow unfair, as though he were obtaining an advantage he shouldn't have…
After what to Ravio seems like an eternity, she draws in a deep breath, relaxes her stance slightly, and speaks.
No, no. I believe you're in the right so far as your claim of having committed no actionable offense goes. Seeing no evidence to the contrary, I shall deem it fit to accept your word that you have yet to make any true transactions, sales or otherwise. I don't believe there's any need to have you leave this area immediately, but, please, if you would, see to it that you clear out by the end of the day, and that you wait until you complete the application process before you begin your rentals in earnest?
With Aurora's blessing, Ravio, his hands holding the side of his mask so it doesn't slip off, begins speaking with a series of half-bows. Amber, for her part, does a little fist-pump and kicks the air, enthused that her sister had for once opted for fun over strict adherence to the rules.
Yes, of course. Thank you so much, Miss Argyris. I promise, I'll only be here the rest of the day, and then I'll pack everything up. I won't set up again until I can make sure everything's finished and I can move into a proper building.
Yeah! See, I told you! This crud's fun! Who wouldn't want to be able to shoot ice or sand or fire? There's even a big hammer, here! We can whack things! Aw man, you're finally fuuuuuun! Ravio, get a load of this. She used to be the biggest tattletale when we were young. One time, when we were really little - she was probably, like, five? I was… Well, I don't know, but we were, like, tiny - but anyways, we had this kiddie pool, right? We had a real pool, too, 'cuz, like everyone in our neighborhood had gigantic pools on their grounds. And I always liked the kiddie pool better. But the rule was that we weren't supposed to use it in winter, because we could get sick and stuff. But I wanted to splash in it, so I went out there one day in the dead of winter when dad and out other sister were busy. And then Aurora came outside looking for me, and she was so mad I was in the pool. She told me to get out, but I wouldn't. So she said she was going to tell dad, and she froze all the water in the pool - with me in it!. Can you believe that? All so I couldn't get out and cover it up while she ran off to tell on me. Well, she came later with dad, and I was halfway through picking my right leg out of the ice by hitting it really hard. And she told him what happened, she looked so smug and proud. I know she wanted an award. But dad just freed me, and then he was pissed. But he wasn't pissed at me! He never even ever talked to me about the whole deal. But she got such a lecture! His face was as red as Ainthe's hair! It was hilarious. And she cried and cried and cried for hours. Nothing was cheering her up. She was so scared she actua-
-Th-that's quite enough of that particular tale, don't you think? Yes, that's more than enough. However, Mr. Ravio, you must understand, I'm doing you a favour. I believe you to be upright, and I would want to do nothing to discourage an entrepreneurial spirit from establishing himself in Olympia. But, if you'll indulge me, I would like to delve into some deeper questions regarding your business model. I admit, I want to trust you fully, but something seems… unusual, I'll say, about your operation. Your rental prices are low and you claim to want to make the weapons available to even the working class, yes? Yet, you are, of course, trading in weaponry. Now, these devices of your's, surely they're being employed in combat. And in combat, one can be certain that accidents will happen. These weapons are not exactly cheap purchases. With rough estimates, I should think it would take three months of rental for one of these rods or wands to pay for its own cost. If they break on a relatively frequent basis, however… How, precisely, do you handle these situations? Have you arranged for some variety of high-premium insurance, or…?
As Aurora speaks, Amber, initially miffed over her sister's interruption, tunes out and pulls out her phone, preferring to browse the Internet than to listen to the boring-once-again business talk. Ravio, on the other hand, pays close attention to every word, made so nervous by his commandingly suspicious customer that he even takes a pen in hand to distill her words into bullet points on the papers laid out on the stand in front of him. Eager not to appear ignorant of his own business, he allows his words to get ahead of him and stumbles as he speaks before he's fully reviewed his notes.
I, ah, yes, well, I do have an associate in the insurance industry, and, uhm, yes, I do end up with a lot of weapons breaking, especially the magical ones, but, I don't have insurance on them…
With Aurora only looking ever-more incredulous, Ravio takes a moment to take in a breath and compose himself. When he begins to speak once again, he speaks with a much more certain and calm tone. Only if one were astute enough to pay attention to his body language would they notice his hand grip his stomach, the poor merchant fighting the reflex to retch.
The truth is, yes, these weapons break fairly often, and I do have to pay to replace them. But my policy has always been one of making it possible for the public to get the tools they need to defend themselves, no matter what their means. My official policy states that customers who break a weapon are responsible for paying for the full value of a replacement. But I'm well aware that there are few out there who can do that, and… well, for those who can't pay the full price, all I ask is that they pay as much as they can. I trust people to do that. And, yes, mostly I lose money. But some people are willing and able to pay for more than just the weapons they break. There aren't many of those people, but they make it possible to keep going…
And beyond that, I know enough people now that I can often find people who have the means to repair these, especially the magical weapons. There's many elemental specialists or owners of magical artifacts who have the skills to repair them, and that costs much less than buying new versions outright. In return, I use my familiarity with them to offer appraisal services. I don't want to brag, but I've become good at figuring out if something's magical and what kind of magic it has.
At this comment, Amber suddenly raises her head from her phone, apparently preferring to listen to listen to Ravio than her own sister. She looks between her two conversational partners, beaming at each of them and leaving them to wonder what she's thinking until she finally begins to speak excitedly.
Hey! We have a magical thingy that we don't know how to make work! If you're as good as you say, I bet you could figure out what's up with it!
Ah? Ah, I mean, I could at least give it a try. I can't make any promises, but if it really is magical, I can probably tell you something about it.
Cool! Hey, sis, could you give it to him?
Give him what, precisely?
You know. Let him see your bangle. It's supposed to be magical, right? I wanna know if it really is. Show it to him.
You'll have to accept my apologies, but we have no need of an appraisal. My sister should know well that, yes, while there are stories of this bangle once possessing magical powers long ago in our family, I have found no evidence to corroborate these legends. In any case, even if it does have some latent power - and I'm convinced it does not - it's of no use to us. We have our own assortment of powers and it has yet to resonate with any of our powers. To speak plainly, my sister is mistaken. For myself, this is the symbol of my family, not an artifact with any mystical powers. You can understand, then, if I keep it to myself rather than surrender it for an examination.
Mr. Ravio, I do sincerely wish you the best. I'm afraid, however, that you are on a course destined for failure. A business simply cannot rely on the generosity of others. To assume that the few and the willing shall subsidize out of kindness the needy many… were we to do that as a society, we would face ruin. In an ideal world, perhaps, you would fare better. If you truly plan to run your business as you've described, I must speak plainly and tell you that you ought to consider simply dispensing with the licensing process. You will not last long enough in Olympia for the investment of time to be worth it. Move elsewhere. Reconsider your business model.
As soon as Aurora finishes speaking, both Amber and Ravio open their mouths, Amber to protest and Ravio to hastily reassure Aurora he fully respected her decision and, though he disagreed with them, her opinions of his business. Before either member of the duo can get out a full word, however, they are interrupted by a new voice, a deep-but-feminine voice with a presence as - if not more - commanding as Aurora's.
You'll excuse me for interrupting your conversation. I have been waiting, but I am nearly ready to take my leave, and I don't believe there will be a more opportune moment to speak freely.
The trio at the entrance turn to inspect the source of the new voice, recognizing the woman standing before them as one of the patrons who had, not long ago, been browsing the wares on the tables in the shop. She must have, they figure, approached without attracting their attention some time ago, but none of them knew how long she had stood listening. She had an interesting appearance, certainly. Her long blue hair was a considerably darker shade of the color than Aurora's hair, her outfit was curiously casual - unmistakably casual and yet formal at the same time, and, perhaps most strangely, she had a sword hanging at her waist. Something about the way she carried herself and projected her voice made all three of those listening to her unwilling to challenge her as she continued to interject herself into the conversation.
I know little about business. That is not my place in the world. However. I agree with the statement that your enterprise is going to fail. You attempt to overstep the boundaries of your role. What are you doing except giving those who cannot defend themselves a false hope? There are those in the world who are tasked with being defenders, and there are those who are not. You equip those who are not capable of providing for their own defense with tools they are unable to wield, and send them into unwinnable battles. Do you possess the resolve to face the deaths and injury you will be responsible for? If you do not, you should give up now.
Underneath his mask, Ravio's expression drops, the reality of having two customers tell him to end his operations before he had even started bringing him down even as he tries to maintain a polite, optimistic tone. As he casts around for the right words and Amber inexplicably returns to flicking through her phone with a renewed energy, Aurora first finds her proper response, looking at the newcomer with a raised brow and drawing her arms closer to her chest as one wrist continues to grip the other.
We may have arrived at the same conclusion, but I must disagree with your reasoning. Understand, had you presented an argument like that a year ago, I would have been among the first to agree with you. I would have advocated for normal citizens to avoid any situations which would require violence or extraordinary defensive maneuvers. There are individuals trained to handle such danger, often paid to handle such danger. I would have certainly suggested those individuals be left to their own devices to handle extraordinary threats. The heavens above know I tried to keep my sisters from entangling us in any unusual situations. Yet, there are times where even someone like myself - I, otherwise useless in combat - I have been forced by circumstance to play a role in my own defense. Is it truly unreasonable to equip upstanding members of society with tools they might find useful in exceptional circumstances? I have little desire to use the weapons this man is offering, but, were it a matter of my safety, I cannot say I would fail to appreciate having them at my disposal.
The swordswoman - unconsciously or deliberately, it is difficult to tell - raises herself on her toes as Aurora speaks, the two women locking their eyes with no antipathy but also no intention of relenting. Aurora rises, as well just centimeters shy of being able to match the swordswoman's full height.
It does not matter whether or not you possess the tool. It only makes a difference whether or not you can effectively wield that with which you have to defend yourself with. The simple fact is that you cannot wield a tool effectively without extensive training. Those who are defenders - who are tasked with the duty of defending those unable to defend themselves - they have sharpened their senses and hardened their resolve. I am aware of what it means to accept the role of a protector. Is someone like yourself prepared to die in defense of those you've been cast to protect?
I will have you know that I have personally participated in the defense of this city from threats, my sisters even more extensively so. Your diatribe about assumption of-
-Aha! I knew I recognized you from somewhere! You're the chick who disappeared! You used to be an idol, right? Your music's in my playlist, see?
Though neither Aurora nor the swordswoman seem pleased to have their verbal tussle interrupted, neither girl can help but stop to look at Amber's phone as she waves it around in the faces of the trio gathered around her. Surely enough, her furious scrolling had produced results. The image of the woman on the screen matched in every respect the image of the swordswoman standing among the group, save of course for her clothing and sword. Underneath her picture, all present could see a list of song titles, and, under those, the words "ARTIST NAME: TSUBASA KAZANARI".
Withdrawing her phone, Amber looks around at the group, quite pleased with herself. Her arms crossed in triumph, she nods her head with an expression of smug certainty on her face.
So, I got it in one shot, right? Yep, there's no fooling the great detective, Amber Argyris! I'm basically a genius when it comes to celebs like you. I swear, the tabloids should hire me. Anyways, so that's you, right?
No.
With one swift motion, Tsubasa draws her sword, flings her arm out to the side, and thrusts her sword dowards, planting it tip-first into an unreasonably thin crack in the pavement. To punctuate her dramatic move, she hangs her head down as if ashamed of herself, her eyes closed.
It is true that I am Tsubasa Kazanari. But I am no longer a false idol upon a stage, denying my duties. I no longer sing so uselessly. I am not my past, a past from which I have moved on.
I am Tsubasa, heiress of the Kazanari clan's name, a blade tempered so I can fulfill the role of the Kazanari line as the defenders of those who cannot defend themselves. I am Tsubasa Kazanari, the unbreaking blade which shall defend this world! If it is Olympia where threats arise, then I shall arrange to carry out my duties here.
At this moment, Tsubasa leaps back, creating more distance between herself and Aurora. In the same singular motion, she pulls her sword back out from the ground and raises it, using it to bridge the distance between herself and Aurora and pointing its tip directly at the center of Aurora's chest, with perhaps only a inch of space separating metal and flesh.
If you truly believe you possess the skill to stand against one who has crafted from her own form a blade which will not falter in the defense of others, then show your skill. Take up any weapon in this place you wish to use. I will make no move on you except to defend myself and disarm you. You will not succeed.
Before Aurora has a chance to offer any response, Ravio interjects, finally stepping out from behind his reception stand and rushing to put himself directly besides the two women as they stare one another down, neither showing a hint of stepping back. Carefully pressing down on the sword to encourage Tsubasa to lower her blade - though her lack of resistance indicated that he was only successful because she was willing to lower her sword.
There's no need for that, now. This isn't a big enough place for something like that. I think it's okay. We can all agree to disagree, right? How about we just don't fight right now? Okay? Everyone okay? I'm okay. Okay? I think I've had enough time here today. I think I'm going to start packing everything up early.
I… I believe that would be for the best, Mr. Ravio. As for you, Miss Kazanari, I would advise you not to take this as a rejection of your offer. If you speak truthfully, I will consider your offer. Should we find we can arrange a date, place, and time, I shall see it fit to assess if your skills meet the expectations you set with your words and movements here.
Sheathing her sword, Tsubasa seems to ignore Ravio and his attempts at pacification. She takes her gaze off of Aurora, continuing to speak to her even as she looks past her to the exit and begins making her way out of Ravio's temporary shop.
I would never utter falsehoods. If you believe you are capable of defeating, even disarming me, I will meet the challenge. Until you prove yourself capable, however, I suggest you stay far from this city's incidents. I will carry out my role and defend the city. To have anyone like yourselves in the area would only hamper my efforts.
As Ravio, Amber, and Aurora watch Tsubasa depart, they more or less stand in silence, each of them clearly having different feelings about the entire encounter. Though it's Aurora who stands indignantly incensed and Ravio discouraged by the entire ordeal, it's ultimately Amber, the one with the least emotional investment in the exchange, who speaks first.
Huh, she's kinda cranky, isn't she?
The Middle City - Some Hours After the Events at Ravio's Shop
Tsubasa Kazanari steps up to the door of an unassuming building in the Middle City. On the outside, the building looks just as any other around it, part of the standard construction in this area of Olympia. She knocks on the door and awaits a response. One soon comes in the forms of words spoken through the doorway.
Your business?
I have no business that would distract me. To live means to be combat-ready. That is my only business.
Welcome home, Tsubasa.
The door swings open, with a well-groomed, brown-haired male revealing himself in the doorway. He makes his way further into the building, clearing the way for Tsubasa to enter in and remove her shoes before she follows him. Once she's inside and ready to proceed, the man, Shinji Ogawa, leads her through a number of undecorated rooms until they reach a particular door. All the while, he speaks to her.
I apologize that I haven't been able to arrange more of the building. I'll work overnight on preparing the kitchen and dining room so that it is possible to use in the morning. I wasn't expecting you to have already left your room in such a state, when you had only arrived so shortly before I was able to get here. I focused all of my efforts on preparing both of our rooms and preparing the room I thought would be most important to you.
Here. You'll find everything prepared for you.
Shinji gestures towards the doorway, and steps aside so Tsubasa might enter alone. She proceeds inside, treading with care out of respect for the tatami floor. The room contains very little. On the back wall, a sign hangs with the family name Kazanari written on it in Japanese characters. A few candles, auspiciously placed around the room, burn and give light to the otherwise dim space. In the very center of the room, there is a stand for a sword. Tsubasa, as she had done many times before, carefully unsheathes her sword and, with ritualistic attention to her movements, lays it upon the stand before stopping to kneel before it.
The sword, longtime tool of the Kazanari clan, continues to defend us and those we have sworn to defend. I will forge myself into a tool, a blade unafraid of the damage I might take and with no focus but on completing the task set before me. To that end...
Minutes later, after she completes her ceremonies, Tsubasa reemerges from the room, looking on stoically as Shinji greets her with a pleasant smile.
Did everything go well? I knew it would be a priority for you, resuming the ritual.
It was. Thank you, Shinji.
Tsubasa, before you go, I need to ask you something.
Yes?
As you know, I have to decide how to prioritize my preparations over the next week. For that, I need to know, what is most important to you in terms of what you plan to accomplish in Olympia?
I am here to perform my duty. There have been an unusual number of incidents here over the past year, so I am here to defend against any more which may arise. That is it. As for the building, everything I need is already prepared. The rest you can make what you want.
...I understand. Goodnight, Tsubasa.
Goodnight.
As Tsubasa wanders to her room, Shinji stands silently in the darkness. Only when he hears Tsubasa's door close does he allow himself to sigh.
Tsubasa Kazanari… I hope that this city helps you realize what it is that you actually desire. You wield a blade. You yourself do not have to become a blade. If it is your choice to do either, there is no problem. The only problem is that I doubt it is a choice you arrived at on your own...
