Shady Business

***Within the Perimeter of Akugo XLI***

​​Walkin

   g towards an enormous pair of fortified wooden doors; a delicate-looking young woman of white hair and porcelain skin paced purposefully down what would appear to be a large stone hallway, up the central staircase and across the red carpet leading to the room that was behind those doors. Carrying a tray of food and tea in her hands, despite walking briskly she walked so gracefully such that a drop of tea was never yet spilled as if it was never a burden to begin with.

Following her, was her personal detail on this particular island, an entourage of soldiers; a unit composed of what individually appeared to be strong men clad in black-tainted-armour as a consequence of the repeated use of what she and her people would refer to as Ryuo. A young man shuffled to the front as he attempted to garner the woman's attention.

"M-miss Tamura; here are the documents you ordered on the expansion projects started in the past few months. The Astraean chemical department has yet to make a quantitive report about the new steroid requested by the Empress; so there was no data to properly analyze" said the young man, decidedly less soldier-like in apparel and physical size, adjusting his glasses as he knelt down and handed the woman the sheets of paper held in his hands. The woman, Tamura Nozomi, collected the papers from her appointed servant and mulled over them momentarily, without telling the man to get up from this position. Letting go over her tray as it appeared to levitate in the ear, she flipped her hair subconsciously while reading, letting it settle as she cleared her throat softly.

"Good, it was expected that the steroid would take about one week longer, I'm sure it will be understood.", Nozomi said, gesturing towards the door as her personal detail rapidly announced their intent to enter and stood guard at the door, fortifying the general presence of the men assigned to said door. Walking in lightly, Nozomi knelt; looking down towards the floor as she had entered a massive wine-red room, a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and illuminating what was nothing less than a throne room, the carpet from earlier detached, as a new carpet more exquisite lay over the checkered red and white marbled floor. The tray followed behind her, continuing to levitate into the room as it made it's way in. A violent, malevolent aura of cultivated evil; almost visibly painting the room in yet another layer of red could be felt permeating the room, yet not focused directly on her; as sounds of shifting could be heard overlayed with those of the slumber of a massive beast.

"Good morning, Amanozako-sama. It is I, Tamura Nozomi. I have come to bear report and bring your meal." The tray floated upwards, carried on the wisp floating towards and above the elevated platform as another wisp breaks off to carry a special ornate table with it. The aura from earlier appears to recede, yet not fade away entirely, as the presence before Nozomi stretches, cracking her neck softly as she caresses the rough scales of a sleeping creature whose vermillion hide perfectly matches her own long, flowing hair. Crossing her legs and placing her free elbow on her thigh, she props her head up as she leans forward; looking down at the scene before her.

"Very well, good morning Nozomi-chan. You may come up yourself and hand the reports to me. My Haki has already detected the movements of that Mink that caught my eye; he is on his way. Saeko-san had desired to give him a bit of a trial by fire; but I believed that she should stay and keep watch at Astraea while I manage this. Come, sit with me friend." the woman spoke, her voice clearly carrying authority but also an ember of genuine friendliness.

Having known the Empress, and the incarnate of the goddess of her religion for years; Nozomi was one of the Fujiwara Family's most trusted, bearing the mark of the Kagetaika-Gumi. As a result, she held special privileges that only a select few could boast; one of which was being her goddess' friend and sharing meals with her. "As you wish." Sitting at the table, they dined. "The mink, Keaton, was cast out from Zou for being a troublemaker. Fitting for our organization; though I'm not sure of his discipline. When he approaches, I have already set the mouth of the island to open up for his entry; where he will be ushered towards your throne room." She twirled her hair in her fingers passively, eating the food pseudo-telekinetically.

"I've read his files, that too is a point of contention of mine. Worst case scenario however, Lucia can take care of the more..troublesome parts of his identity. I'd much rather not do that, and simply speak in a civil manner though. Adopt your position, and stand by my side when he enters Nozomi-chan."