Thread: Kingdom of Shadow (Athene & Silverknight)

Baiken ... Oh? Baiken's hand stopped right before it could grab hold of a pouch filled with coins beside her left hip. She stared at the cook, wearing minimal expressions. Curiosity, though, could be easily seen. But there were no hostile emotions like one may have expected to notice. It really was coming down to trying to figure out if there was a hidden agenda behind giving out her bowl for free. When Baiken couldn't sense any such motives, she nodded, taking the soba and holding it carefully but firmly in her hand. Must be my lucky day. I know you can't do that for everyone, after all. Until next time ... She purposely allowed her words to trail off, leaving moments after bidding him goodbye. Many other customers would storm up and begin trying to demand they also got their meal for free. An equal amount of people were outraged, demanding to know why he'd allowed the Daimyo's personal watchdog to get something for free. Some people were going so far as to thinking Sanji may be compromised somehow. Regardless, the commotion and new crowd allowed Baiken to return to the castle with minimal problems. The first stop she made upon re-entering the palace was the kitchen. Inside was the very woman she was hoping to find. The blonde turned, looking curiously as she heard Baiken take a seat in front of an empty table. Oh? Have something else for me to try? If it's worth your time, yes. The blonde smirked upon hearing those words, Finally , someone who understands my policies. Good. It feels like everyone else doesn't get it. Baiken shrugged. It's not that difficult, in my opinion. With your God's Tongue, it should be a given. Unfortunately, your best bets of finding understanding individuals are within the Inner Circle. Were Erina a warrior, she would easily secure a place. As it was? She was the usual head cook. She had simply been ill yesterday, and thus unable to cook. I'm also assuming you're feeling better then, Erina-san? Well enough. Waving a hand through the air to dismiss the matter, she sat across from Baiken, holding her own pair of chopsticks. So ... let's try it together, shall we? Noting Baiken raising an eyebrow, she added, It was you who brought it back. It seems only right you can share it with me. ... That was Baiken's - and just about everyone else's, really - issue with Erina. She really could be quite the uppity bitch. But ... it was justified. At least when it came to food. Merely replying with a nod, Baiken and Erina took their own portions of the soba and ate it. Not half bad. It could use some refining, but that's otherwise really good. Who made this? The same man from yesterday Sanji Vinsmoke. Hmmm. He certainly has true talent. Indeed he does, Baiken agreed, setting her set of chopsticks down when she finished her portion. You can have the rest. I need to be elsewhere. Before Erina could attempt to protest that Baiken hadn't cleaned the utensils she used, the swordswoman walked briskly out, striding confidently through the hallways. Between feeling as if she had been watched yesterday and getting an up-close and personal display of Sanji's cooking, it made Baiken feel certain there was more to the man than what met the eyes. If his skills were as great - or even more so - with a knife, then Sanji was someone to, at the very least, be cautious of. And there was at least one other person who needed to know that sooner as opposed to later. The same man who had taken her in, who never doubted her abilities when so many others had. The very same Daimyo who was now running Kyoto.