Mikako raised an eyebrow in consternation and looked to her Kaishō-ho to check she wasn't going insane, satisfied: she refocused on the saucy woman. The female across the table looked barely a woman, like some kind of model or idol: she would not do well in prison, and Mikako could not easily imagine her thriving in a violent environment.
'You are doubtless a strong woman Amber, though terribly smooth and unblemished, and I am sure that you need to maintain that hard attitude out amongst the criminal classes. But there are moments when you should relax and listen to a man, regardless of gender. This man is wise beyond his years and he does not speak falsely and I am not sure he can: you do not get chances like this every day.' Takahashi forced a smile in an effort to appear sincere.
'The republic will not actually prosecute you if you prove yourself to be an asset: I believe they call it 'provisionally suspending your sentence' or some similar technicality of legal esoterica. By 'agent' I do not refer to the police, I mean something more...subtle.' Mikako briefly recalled the new republic rhetoric that had been spewed at her by suits: of second and third chances and how she should reign in her thoughts of casual execution.