"This looks like the place..."
A new guest walks in. Certainly not the usual type that would visit Christy's, or Bretonia for that matter. A young kussarian woman with brown hair tied into two pigtails and green eyes deep enough to get lost in. Clothed in black, rather traditional yet modern looking attire with golden floral design around detached sleeves showing her shoulders. A sight at her clothes would leave an impression that whoever made them, wanted to create something very serious, even ceremonial and made up his mind halfway through to create something light and comfortable. Attached to her hip, she was carrying instead of a firearm or other personal defence weapon a large paper fan of same colour scheme.
She timidly looked around the café and sat on one of the high stools in front of the window. Staring outside, waiting for somebody to come.
With the uniform and hat left in the Paladin as always, Thomas Page came off duty for the evening and strode towards the small café in New London.
Only two days previously he had encountered a woman in orbit of Dover that was not a common sight in Bretonia. A Golden Chrysanthemum, the - although it depended on who you asked - women's rights movement based in Kusari. In an effort to extend their relationship with Bretonia, the movement had recently began to bring goods to and from the Taus to aid in the fight against Gallia.
This woman in particular had been looking to learn of Bretonian culture, and had agreed to find out more with Page's assistance. He had also seen an opportunity to discover more about the Kusari and Chrysanthemum way of life.
Entering the quiet building (peak hours tended to be around lunchtime), Page hung up his damp overcoat, along with his badge and weapon, before immediately spotting the person he was looking for.
"Konnichiwa, Msyu-san," he said before a slight cough to clear his throat. "I hope that was the correct way to greet you."
She nodded at him. Obviously not sure if it is the same policeman she met in space. "Indeed it is. Inspector Page..?"
As before, marks showing lack of sleep were quite obvious on her. "H-how did you know its me? Do i stand out that much?" - looking around the Café once again.
She remained cautionous, afterall, rarely ever leaving kusari, she was still a wanted criminal back at home. If something would happen here, there was nowhere to go. "Well, if you have any questions, feel free to ask."
"That would be me, yes. It is no real comment on you, being easy to recognise, Christy's is just rather deserted at this time of today. Of course, the effects of the war have reduced the amount of Kusarian visitors we'd meet on New London or anywhere in Bretonia." Noticing the slight bags under her eyes, Page remembered his original offer. "Before I sit down, would you care for that cup of tea? You mentioned trying some Bretonian styled ones, but Christy has quite the variety here if you'd prefer something closer to home."
He walked the short distance to the counter while waiting for an answer.
"I would like to try something new please. Do they have also any strong teas? Something to wake one up."
She sighed, relaxing a bit. This wasn't kussari, she wasn't a criminal here. "Maybe I... Can have a rest for a day or two. Maybe some Bretonian etiquette will help the dealings." - she thought.
Msyu pulled out a small diary and a pen and wrote down some notes when it finally hit her. She turned at Page walking to the counter and smiled a bit. "Drop the - San. We are not in Kussari now, are we? "
Page answered with a laugh, "Very well then, would that be Akimoto or Ms. Msyu? It is only Inspector when I am on-duty, I normally go by Thomas or Tom when off - whichever you prefer. Now if you'll excuse me I'll get our drinks."
When Christy appeared at the counter, she was not one to wait to comment, "Bringing in another pretty lady, Inspector? I never realised you were so charming out in the field... I might have to start a crime streak of my own." she giggled.
"Very funny, mi- eh, Christy. I'll be glad you don't act similarly when I bring Rowser or White in here. Purely a 'cultural exchange' this evening. The usual mug for me, and I think a strong Cambridge Green for my diplomatic guest."
As he returned to the stools at the window and their high table, Page placed the cup and saucer in front of Msyu. "There you are. I hope you don't mind me paying for this, but I do have a tab and officers get a discount. As for questions, I believe it was me who offered to teach you of Bretonia. Fire away, I've lived here my entire life."
"-Mashu- will do, or Matthew... Whichever you like. I realize that my name is quite a tongue twister." She pulls the cup closer and smells the aroma. "As for the questions. I would like to ask, what do you know about us? About Golden Chrysanteums? You surely heard rumors. Good, bad and the worse..." she blows off steam from the cup and takes a small sip, analyzing the taste. "I know its a bit... straightforward question but i want to know." She puts the cup back slowly, visibly enjoying the beverage and reaches down to her hip to check the fan.
"Perhaps not Matthew, that's not really a name for most woman in Bretonia. I will do my best with 'Mashu'" he said with a smile, before having a mouthful from his Cambridge uni mug.
"First impression of the Chrysanthemums, from what I learned about when I was younger, was the 'lawful Kusari' viewpoint - terrorists attacking the great Empire from its tearooms and the like. Then when I was at uni, one of my general interest courses was concerning cultures around Sirius. A slightly less biased view, where I heard about the women's rights part of the movement. During the first Tau War, our 'Interdiction Wing' found support from you, but I hadn't heard of you since getting my badge after a change in career plans. Now it appears even your... friends, the Outcasts, are on the Leeds and Tau fronts; and the GC moving to do the same. And here you are, in Bretonia - one of the few I've actually had what I've found to be the pleasure of meeting.
"One fact I've always heard is that all of your sisters are Cardamine-users, or at least have to be." Page ended hesitantly on what could be a sensitive topic.
"Sisters..." she said mostly for herself than for Page, staring out of the window and taking another sip. "Yes, that is correct. All the Golden Chrysanthemums are addicted to Cardamine. It is part of the ritual one has to get through to become an official member. How strong is the addiction varies from member to member... or girl to girl, we are women in vast majority after all. I assume that you are familiar with side effects of Cardamine addiction? Anyway, some of us have to wear their breathers all the time, others, like me are fine with a dose every now and then. She silently coughs a few times following with a decent gulp from the tea. Briefly returning to her diary, she mumbles to herself. "... offered choice... gift of God... chosen scarlet truth instead..." she takes another sip and gives, now almost empty cup somehow disappointed stare. "Anyway, now I would like to ask. You are a police officer. Are there any particular groups in Bretonia that might cause troubles to our trade ships? Some that might have, uhm, problems with foreigners."
"It's a strange difference to hear someone talk so openly about living with Cardamine - despite the change in legislation there is still a stigma attached to its use. One colleague of mine at Cambridge ended up on it during our third year and it became a real problem for him...
"No breather seems like quite the perk, makes you a little easier to talk to." Page smiled, continuing, "Admittedly I've never met an Outcast face-to-face to attempt that, but I might be able to get the hang of it."
The smile dropped somewhat as he considered Msyu's question. "I actually had a think about this myself when my granddad mentioned there would be Chrysanthemums in Bretonia again. I first thought Liberty might have a problem, but your movement has a similar standing with them as you do with us, right? The whole 'friend of the Outcasts' stance might give you problems with the Council, Colonials, maybe IMG when they are here, as long as you're helping Bretonia they should leave you alone though. Rheinland, Daumann in particular, seem to be the ones to notice all the steps Bretonia has taken in our desperate defence, so try not to cause any trouble with them. You won't find many Samura or Kishiro here, but the Imperial Exiles should probable be treated like the Colonials and Council. I can't talk for our local rabble of criminals, but as long as you're not found to be dealing with them, you won't find any trouble with the authorities. Any questions you have on us, and how Bretonia runs these days? And would you like another cup of tea?"
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