The Carnival

[Tamsin]

The atmosphere was cheery as was normal for a carnival. In spite of their dire predicament, most participants have been able to make the most of their forced stay and enjoy the various rides Kill Town offered them. So in spite of the hard trials that were ahead of them, the participants were able to make use of their few carefree moments.

For Tamsin, however, the carnival's offerings were the last thing on her mind. The moment they were released from the various events in which they were forced to participate in, the faithful servant searched every nook and cranny of the festival grounds for her master. But while she completely ignored the robotic employees that welcomed her to the fair's various attractions, her heated exploration brought no results. After searching the entire area several times, she had to finally admit to herself a simple fact.....wherever he may have been, Maleficus Nova was not in Kill Town with her.

She took out the Arlian pendant that hung around her neck, something she had done several times. But like before, it did not tell her much. While the various runes of the beautiful neklace glittered from the carnival lights, the stones remained entirely dim and only left the distressed reflection of the girl's face. The namek was far, far away....but where? Her numerous concerned questions left unanswered, the teenager could do nothing but blindly wander the carnival grounds and sadly gaze at her adornment.

Her random walk, however, was cut short as she accidentally bumped into someone. Regretting her absent-mindedness, she looked up: "I...I am sorry..."

Staring back at her was the Asiatic woman she had encountered during the hostage event, the one that ruthlessly dealt with the terrorist leaders. However, since she was wearing a plain T-shirt and a pair of pitch black boxers instead of a tactical uniform, she did not appear even remotely as menacing. Infact, her smooth visage and sharp almond-shaped eyes gave her a very beautiful appearance. The adult woman responded to her: "Oh, you are the girl from before...."

"Y-Yes..." the maid was barely able to speak up. Realising she had not properly introduced herself, she made a graceful bow: "Suzaku Tamsin, at your service."

The halfling's attention was caught by her surname: "Suzaku...? That sounds like a Japanese name......"

"My mother was Japanese. Well, technically, she was my step mother, but I never knew my biologicla mother."

As Tamsin explained this, the woman observed her intently, seemingly bewildered by the girl. Quietkly, she murmured to herself in Japanese: "What a strange girl."

"Well, I guess everyone is at least a bit strange," came the reply in a similar fashion, taking the halfling completely by suprise.

"Oh...you speak Japanese as well," the older of the two stated the obvious, wondering whether that made her feel relieved or concerned. However, she also realised it cost her nothing to be polite. Bowing, she introduced herself as well: "Uzumaki Kazuya."

"Pleased to meet you," Suzaku replied, this time even managing a smile on her face.