<Axel_Wildfire>    "Not looking bad at all." Kenoko steps back to survey her handiwork - the Lion's Pride cape that she rescued from her junkyard hangs on the wall of her rather spartan quarters, held there by two spikes that she most certainly did not steal from the gym and beat into the wall with her bare hand. The cape hangs with a natural flare, making it look all the more imposing. She nods as she retrieves her smokes and matches from the table, lighting up with a casual motion - sixty years of smoking gives you a knack with it, funnily enough. Kenoko shakes out the match and leans back in the chair by the desk, playing with the locket around her throat.
<Axel_Wildfire>    This time, though, she opens it, and shakes out what appears to be a USB key, in crimson, with a single button on it. Kenoko clicks it.
<Axel_Wildfire>    >>ACCEL<<
<Axel_Wildfire>    "Shut up." she mutters at it, even though it's her fault it spoke. /What's wrong with me? Why don't I remember properly? And... it's not like her, but it was her, I'm sure of it.../
<Axel_Wildfire>    >>ACCEL<<
<Axel_Wildfire>    Kenoko tips her head back, pinching the bridge of her nose as the headache comes on. She exhales a thick gust of smoke into the air. "Damnit."

<nazca>    There's a quiet knocking at the door to the personal quarters itself, a slightly muffled one. "...Ni'Chulainn?" The voice, while coldly professional, has the slightest audible bit of hesitation to it.

<Axel_Wildfire>    "Come." Kenoko doesn't really register the voice.

<nazca>    The door creaks open, and in steps what looks like a young woman, but upon closer inspection, someone who has definitely aged, yet either time has definitely been very kind to, or there's something else going beyond mere cosmetics. What was once crimson eyes now flare blue, the once long black hair now cut short into a neat bob cut - and a black coat over a business suit tailored for those who usually spent their days in a boring office, or inside a phantasmal train. Her hands are sheathed in black leather gloves, and she's carrying what appears to be a black briefcase. Surprisingly, without any logo on its side. "...I trust I find you well." The stranger finally says, blinking a bit through the smoke.

<Axel_Wildfire>    A simple look should be enough to answer that question with a 'no'; dressed in her usual black leather boots, pants, and sleeveless white tee, Kenoko's long black hair is matted and she as a whole looks relatively gaunt and wasted. "Tomoe..." she's soft for just a moment and then her eyes harden and she swings her boots up onto the desk, hands tucking behind her head like she couldn't care less. "What do *you* want?" Kenoko asks, acid practically dripping from her words.

<nazca>    There's a small sigh from the sole Tachibana offspring. "I only wanted to see how you were doing." She looks around, seeing the various paraphernalia of Kenoko's displayed in the rather spartan room - and nods slowly in approval. "It seems that Emmerich's taking care of you. I trust you've joined JUNKER officially..?"

<Axel_Wildfire>    "Not until Monday, but fuck if I'm going back to THI." she responds, her tone still caustic. Click.
<Axel_Wildfire>    >>ACCEL<<
<Axel_Wildfire>    "I can't imagine the business practises are anymore ethical these days then they were back then."

<nazca>    Tomoe blinks at the particular voice clip - one she thought she'd forgotten, the memories coming unbidden in her mind - but she shakes her head slightly as if to remind herself to focus on other matters. "I only came here to check up on you, Ni'Chulainn. Nothing more. And while I should take offense at that, I offer no argument to it, for I suffered just as much as you did." It's then that she offers a small smile at the red memory in Kenoko's grasp. "...And I was wondering where that went."

<Axel_Wildfire>    "Are you so *fuckin' pure*?" Kenoko's tone turns to venemous sarcasm, but she backs off a little at the second comment. "You gave it to Alex. He turned up one day and decided I should have it."

<nazca>    "Ah. Lukles." Tomoe frowns slightly at Kenoko's outburst, but calmly ignores it despite the obvious atmosphere inside the room itself. "...I suppose it's fitting, in a way. I never took him for the sentimental type."

<Axel_Wildfire>    In her present mood, Kenoko isn't prepared to let the opportunity pass her by. "You never were good at paying attention to the people under you."

<nazca>    "As you've made abundantly clear in all those times we fought. I know." Tomoe replies, the small smile still on her lips.

<Axel_Wildfire>    The smile drives her up the wall. Kenoko stands up suddenly, her chair skidding back into the wall as she does; it wasn't there when she began to stand, but suddenly her off-gold belt is at her waist. "Would that be before or after you had me brainwashed and used me to attack the rest of SEES?" she hisses.

<nazca>    "...Before." The smile disappears at the manifestation of the belt, but Tomoe stands firm as she returns Kenoko's glare. "And while I am thankful of Emmerich being able to finally snap you out of the trance, I find it insulting that you would even consider that. That I would have you turn against SEES - against the friends we've come to fight and bleed with."
<nazca>    Tomoe takes a step forward. "Did you honestly think I would have permitted something as heinous as that to happen? TO YOU? To someone I had once promised my entire life to?"

<Axel_Wildfire>    "'Once'. Easy how that promise isn't in effect anymore." Kenoko goes to match her step and then she blanches and her body is, again, racked by coughs - this time it's worse and she drops to one knee, both hands clapped over her mouth, blood running between her fingers as she hacks. "..."

<nazca>    Tomoe's eyes widen slightly at this, and she makes a move to assist the woman in front of her - but something holds her back, and she turns away from the display. "...I do not consider myself as pure as you think I do. While it was not my desire to turn you into a mindless fighting machine, I...it is my fault for forcing you into that option."
<nazca>    "...I only knew how to be selfish, then. I did not think of what the consequences might have been." She turns away. "I thought you would have wanted it this way."

<Axel_Wildfire>    "All, I wanted," Kenoko manages weakly, sadly, "was you. And now..." another cough, and this time she's not quick enough and blood splatters onto the floor. "... do I disgust you so? That you can't even touch me?"

<nazca>    "..." There is a small, sharp intake of breath at Kenoko's words - and Tomoe takes another step towards Kenoko. "It...I have never thought of you as anything other than...other than who I chose to be with.."
<nazca>    It's then that she looks down at her gloved left hand - and it's clearly obvious that the hand sheathed in the glove is not quite the same as the other. "As painful as it was, I made the decision to...keep my distance from everyone, most of all you. It would...less complicate things, I decided. So I could spare you what other horrible misfortune I seem to inflict on those who I deem important to me."

<Axel_Wildfire>    "Coward." The word is hypocritical, but no less heartfelt for it. "You're just ru-" Another cough, and this time the blood spatters over Tomoe's shoes. "- running." Kenoko finishes, and takes a deep breath, steadying herself. "... it's getting worse."

<nazca>    Blood doesn't exactly show up all that well with black leather boots, but Tomoe pays it no mind - the black suitcase being slowly deposited on the floor, before the black-coated woman kneels slightly to help Kenoko back up onto her feet. "If...if you wish for this to stop, then all you have to do is transform. The belt will repair the damage on your body..."

<Axel_Wildfire>    "... and I could go out of control again. Haruka might not be so lucky this time." Kenoko mutters back, leaning heavily against Tomoe, thankful for the help. "Sixty years. Never transformed once. What's the limit *meant* to be?"

<nazca>    "...The limit is anywhere but THIS, Kenoko." The sole Tachibana offspring helps the woman back to her chair, arms around the former Rider's waist. "Or at least before you start coughing blood." It's then that she reaches up to gently brush the matted hair away from Kenoko's face. "...Look, you're not even washing your hair properly..."
<nazca>    She shakes her head. "My father is gone, Kenoko. He is gone from the manor, from any of the THI branches, even from the Headquarters...I have personally tried to hunt him down, but I cannot find him. I have tried. There should be no danger of you transforming...and even if there is, Emmerich is well-versed in her...abilities enough to snap you out of it..."

<Axel_Wildfire>    "It's hard to keep your hair neat when it's doing it's best 'dead person' impression." she admits, shutting her eyes; Kenoko's expression has gentled down to the manner she used to have. "... I can't risk it, Tomoe, if I go bad again... and... the scary part... is that I heard your voice. That's why." she murmurs.

<nazca>    Tomoe shakes her head at this. "Still, you should at least make the effort to wash every now and then, it doesn't have to be a painstaking process--" She blinks at Kenoko's words. "Your...your alternative is wasting away. You are with Emmerich, and Arukama...surely they will be able to bring you back even if the impossible happens." She takes a handkerchief from her coat pocket, carefully and fastidiously wiping away the blood from Kenoko's lips and chin. "...You...you heard my voice? When...?"

<Axel_Wildfire>    "... when I wasn't me." Kenoko whispers, pale. "When I did - those things."

<nazca>    "But...but you know I would never..." Tomoe is clearly horrified at this, but shakes her head as she folds the handkerchief over, before wiping the sweat away from Kenoko's forehead. "My father, as I am still learning from the files he left...is truly a master manipulator. He knew what to do to make you do his bidding, and..." Tomoe closes her eyes.
<nazca>    "After all this time, I still cannot fathom just how malevolent he truly was. Perhaps even this is but the tip of the iceberg for him..." She glances down at Kenoko mournfully. "...I am...truly sorry for everything, Kenoko. I know that nothing I say will ever warrant your forgiveness."

<Axel_Wildfire>    "'He knew what to do to make you do his bidding, and'," Kenoko grimaces, "there's no reason he couldn't have predicted this, either. Heh -" Another cough, but this one is smaller and she gets there in time, swallows the blood. There's a brief pause before she continues, glancing up at Tomoe. "Always was more concerned about everyone else."

<nazca>    "..." Tomoe is silent as she shakes her head. "I do not believe he could have predicted us succeeding. Nor do I believe he could have planned things out this far ahead." She lowers her gaze to the floor. "...If you still take stock in what I have to say, Kenoko, then...please consider transforming. If only for the briefest of moments."
<nazca>    "Ask Emmerich and Arukama to help you, make it something of a controlled session where they can easily intervene if necessary." She pockets the bloodstained handkerchief, before carefully cupping Kenoko's cheek with her right hand. "Alright?"

<Axel_Wildfire>    "Nn." She finds herself rubbing her cheek against Tomoe's hand. "It barely worked last time, though. What if Nigo has a resistance to it now, if he learned?"

<nazca>    "I am sure Emmerich and Arukama are more creative than that. Whatever Nigo may have learned, they can certainly come up with another way to bring you back." Tomoe replies after a moment. "They can easily tap Royce for assistance if she is required, but I doubt she would be needed."

<Xiaohu>    "Sure... but that takes time, and there's no telling how strong I'll be once I do it." Kenoko pulls away a little, looking frustrated. "And god knows what I might do in the meantime. It's too dangerous."

<nazca>    "...Even after all this time, you doubt my impeccable judgment." Tomoe smiles slightly at Kenoko pulling away, and lowers her gloved hand from the woman's cheek. "Of course, you have enough reason to do so. But I believe that it will be safe, and you will pull through it intact. I have complete faith in you."
<nazca>    It's then a small digital alarm rings, and Tomoe glances at her wrist, a blue watch clamoring for her attention. "...I apologize, but I have another meeting to get to. I will be in touch." She nods at Kenoko, before making her way around the desk, back to her suitcase - and picks it up.

<Xiaohu>    For a moment, it looks like Kenoko is going to let her go without a word, but at the last second she sits up straight. "Tomoe!"
<Xiaohu>    ... long moment.
<Xiaohu>    "... I'm sorry."

<nazca>    Tomoe turns slightly to face Kenoko, but shakes her head in puzzlement. "...Sorry for...what, Kenoko?"

<Xiaohu>    Another long pause, and she looks away, ashamed. "Everything."

<nazca>    The former SEES Leader smiles. "...You should not apologize for someone who had a hand in ruining your life, Kenoko." It's then that she turns away, but only to look down at the suitcase in her hand - and it's then that she clicks it open. Something brown - metallic - and familiar hops out of it, and jumps onto the desk with a mechanical springing sound.
<nazca>    "...Please give Emmerich, Arukama and Midorikawa my regards." She closes the briefcase, and then turns towards Kenoko again, nodding. "I will see you again, Kenoko."
<nazca>    And with that, the Tachibana offspring leaves, quietly closing the door to the quarters behind her.

<Xiaohu>    "... yeah." Kenoko waits about five seconds before she grabs her old Zecter and gleefully hugs it. "PUNCHY!" {{OW.}}