Old Friend Comes, New Foe Leaves

    Dorothy walked into the village, nearby a Cafe, waiting for her friend to arrive. She was wearing a navy-blue-near-black cotton-and-polyester dress with thigh-high socks and black shoes. She was looking around, afraid of anyone from the Academy to see her in anything remotely "cute" at all.  Then someone covers her eyes with their hands.

    "Guess who?~" a childish girl voice from behind her.

    Dorothy smiles and giggles, "Wild-fang?", despite knowing full-well whom it was.

    The girl giggled, "No.~"

    "Pretty-Fang?" Dorothy giggles.

    "No, silly.~"

    "Oh, I know.~ Taliatha-chan.~" Dorothy giggled.

    Taliatha removed her hands and sat in front of Dorothy, smiling. She was wearing a sunflower-yellow cotton dress with white stockings, black mary-sue shoes and a parasol with cats on it with a crimson trimming.  In her hair is a crimson ribbon-bow with a cat-head in the middle.  The way the sun was reflecting off of Taliatha's form caused Dorothy to blush with love.

    "How are you today, Dorothy?~" Taliatha smiles at her gently and cutely.

    "Beautiful.~~" Dorothy blushed.

    Taliatha giggles, "Thank you.~"

    Dorothy looked down, but continues to smile, "I'm good. I'm still getting used to the fact that I'm a Werewolf now."

    "You're a Werewolf?" Taliatha asked.

    "Hai, but I am still in love with you." Dorothy said, grabbing Taliatha's left hand, "And I will always be with you."

    Taliatha produced a small blush and smiles, "Thank you, my sweet Werewolf.~"

    Dorothy smiles back.  Soon a waitress came over to their table. She had on a maid outfit with a bumblebee-yellow strapping and bumblebee anttannes on her head. She had a wide and friendly smile on her face. She placed the two menus onto the table.

    "Welcome to the Honey Cafe. My name's Mooky Bee and I do hope you enjoy your stay." the waitress smiled.

    "Thank you." Taliatha smiled back before Mooky Bee left.

    Dorothy opened the menu and buries her face into it. Taliatha opened the menu. Dorothy's ears were now human in appearance, but they were still more effective then a human's in order to listen for anyone from the school or her family. Taliatha noticed that Dorothy was listening for anyone familiar to her and placed a hand onto her head. Dorothy looked up and Taliatha began petting her. Dorothy blushed suddenly from being petted.

    "C-Could you please to not tell Insane-Huggie-Sensei that you are petting me or even that I like it?"

    Taliatha smiles, "I promise.~"

    Dorothy could imagine a wolf tail wagging, which caused her to blush more. Taliatha giggled at Dorothy's blushing and stopped the petting. While they were reading the menu, and Dorothy trying to resist the desire to ask for more petting, Taliatha looked up at her.

    "Another nation passed same-gender marriage."

    Dorothy looked up, "Oh? Who?"

    "The United States of America."

    "Puh!" Dorothy snorted, "Barbarians they are. They are all about promoting their 'Might makes Right' mentality. It's bad enough that they whooped us in World War Two. Albeit, the Japanese had moved on since then, but we haven't forgotten."

    "And you think that my native homeland of Hungary was immune? Our economic partner, Austria joined the Axis as well, if you had forgotten."

    Dorothy sighed, "I did forgot. I'm sorry."

    Taliatha smiled, "It's quite alright, Dorothy. You don't need to be so harsh on yourself."

    Dorothy smiles back at her, "Arigato."

    Taliatha giggled and looked at the menu, "What will you be having Dorothy?"

    "Um...how about some Chicken Parmesan?"

    Taliatha smiled, "That sounds good. I'll have that as well."

    Dorothy smiled back and nods, "Alright. Anything to drink with our meal?"

    "How about we share a nice big glass of Root Beer?"

    Dorothy smiled wider, "Sure!"

    When Mooky Bee returned, they gave her their order, whom returned to the Kitchen.  Taliatha and Dorothy continued to talk over small stuff. Dorothy saw Whitney visiting Pretty-Fang, since Lisa had disowned Pretty. Deep down, Dorothy feels sad for Pretty since the only family member whomever visited her is Whitney.

    "Is your.....um...Oh-Knee-Chan...still coming up with how to symbolicially making you a Vyt'Lunaian?"

    "Hai." Dorothy nods, "Whitney-onee-chan is still trying. Even by her admission, thanks to all of that research she had to do herself, no one ever became a Vyt'Lunaian from another race. The closest they could get was to be something called an 'Exo-Fang', which is their version of lifelong endentured servants. Pets, but without the Pet stigma attached to it. Appearently being a Pet is sinful to their culture.  My Half-Sister-in-Law was so annoyed that Pretty wanted to be a Pet that she outright disowned her the moment Pretty's Owner took her in."

    "Do you know where she lives?"

    "Of course I do, Tally." Dorothy smiled, "She lives at the Mage Temple bookstore across the street from your family's bakery."

    "Really? Guess I need to go over there more often then." Taliatha smiled.

    A couple minutes later, Mooky Bee returned with their order. After she had placed their order onto the table, Mooky left to take care of another customer. They were eating and Dorothy noticed that something was off.  She someone could tell the herbs and spices they had used, but the meat seemed off.  As she continue to eat her meal, Taliatha got up to take care of personal business. While she was away, Dorothy quickly cut identical pieces out of her own and Taliatha's Parms. She ate the piece of Taliatha's before replacing it with the piece from her own. The taste was idenitcal to her own Parm. She sighed and decided to not say a word. Taliatha came back and noticed that a piece was cut, but decided to not say a word. She made the motion of cutting the piece before eating it. When they were done with their meal and soda, Taliatha brought the bill to the cashier to pay. She had asked the Cashier to add something to the bill, which Taliatha paid for. After the bill was paid, they left the Cafe.

    As they were walking, Taliatha had her Parasol over her head, "Dorothy?"

    "Hai, Taliatha-chan?"

    "Did you cut a piece out of my Parm to replace it with a piece of yours?~" Taliatha smiled gently.

    Dorothy blushed and looked away, "H-Hai. I'm sorry for not asking you for a piece."

    "Did the Parm taste different to you? For me, it tasted very good."

    Dorothy looked back at her, "I could taste all the spices and herbs. That wasn't bad, but the meat tasted off."

    "It might be because of your new Werewolf side. I figure that you might still be hungry after that." Taliatha reach into her bag.

    Dorothy looked at her, both confuse and intriqued, as her stomach growled. Taliatha pulled out a small styrofoam box and gives it to Dorothy. She opened it up and see a rectangular slab of steak. Dorothy looked at Taliatha, drooling. Taliatha giggled at the sight.

    "All for me?" Dorothy asked.

    Taliatha nods with a smile, "Igen. And I asked them to make it very rare, to be on the safe side."

    Dorothy  picked it up and took a bite, a big one. As she was eating, Dorothy smiled and her closed eyes were creating tears. Taliatha looked at her, clearly confused at the expression that Dorothy was making.

    "So.......good!~" Dorothy said before she ravaged the remaining amount of the steak.

    Taliatha smiled and giggles, "That's wonderful!~"

    Dorothy finished the steak and placed the box into the nearest garbage can. They continued walking until they had reached the bookstore. Dorothy opened the door, but moved out of Taliatha's way, to allow her to enter first. After being thanked, Dorothy smiled and walked in behind her. Then she closed the door and heard Pretty's collar ringing as she skipped towards them.

    "Auntie!~" Pretty-Fang smiled.

    "Pretty." Dorothy smiled and opened her arms, "I'm so sorry for not visiting more often. Can you forgive me?"

    Pretty giggled and hugged her, "I always forgive you, Auntie. Mommy says that Daddy is doing well, but Wild love to dig holes."

    Dorothy giggled, "I wouldn't put it pass that messy  Wild to be digging holes all over the Farm. Did I recieved a letter or anything? Updating my computer and programs through a interdimentional portal system does have it's draw-backs."

    "Yep! One letter from somewhere. According to  Lady Elizabeth, it is from Japan."

    "May I have it?"- Dorothy smiled.

    Pretty smiled, "Payment first.~" then she sat down and begged like a dog.

    "Payment?" Dorothy looked at  Pretty, a bit surprised.

    Elizabeth Rasputin was sitting at the counter, "I am training her to be a bit of an assistant and an apprentice. While money have no  sway with her, as I still can't teach her how to use it, she'll take anything else as payment, as long as it is material."

    Dorothy looked at the, now Puppy-Eyed wolf-Cub-like girl, and sighed.  She carefully removed her Rosary from her neck and placed it into Pretty's hands.

    "Due to some....complications....I am unable to wear this pure-silver Rosary. Thanks to the undershirt that I always wear protects me, but I am moving on with my life. Will you take good care of it for me?"

    Pretty's eyes glowed brightly as she smiled, "Yes!" then she kissed, actually licked, Dorothy's left cheek, "Thank you for the payment. I'll go get your letter." then she skipped away.

    Dorothy stood there stunned, "She's like Insane-Huggie-Sensei."

    Taliatha giggled, "Guess you know two people whom are like that teacher, huh?" which Dorothy simply nodded.

    A minute later, Pretty-Fang came back with the letter in her mouth, as well as a smile. Her three tails wagging happily as she stand in front of Dorothy. Dorothy gently grabbed the letter and  rubbed Pretty's chin. Pretty's reaction was exactly like Wild's, gently open her jaw without any resistance.

    "Arigato, Pretty-chan." Dorothy smiled.

    Pretty-Fang giggled before skipping over to Elizabeth, whom petted her on the top of her head, near her left ear.  Pretty-Fang smiled while being petted and even shifts into her Lunaian form so she could sit on the countertop to be petted some more. Dorothy opened the envelope. The envelope had a wax seal with the St. Paul's Academy seal, as all students have it. When she opened the letter up, and begin reading, it said that her friend was coming by Noontime. Dorothy checked her watch, which was remodified from having a religious coverplate to one showing dow pawprint. While the watch was set in Military-Time, it said that it was tweleve-ten. Dorothy suddenly gulped.

    "Dorothy, you alright?" Taliatha asked.

    "My friend had been waiting for ten minutes, at least. She maybe dumb in most stuff and lay back in others, but it is being on time to everything her most strictest part." Dorothy gulped again, "She's going to yell me a new one for being this late." then Dorothy ran out.

    Taliatha followed her as fast as her feline instincts could make her go. When Dorothy arrived at the Portal room, her friend from Japan, was standing there. The girl was wearing a black skirt that goes down to her ankles, black shoes that were neatly polished, a black jacket that was buttoned all the way and a black beret with the Vatican Keys on the front. She also was wearing a white pair of stockings, unders, long-sleeved shirt and white undershirt. Around her neck is a pure-silver Rosary and a golden ribbon. She looked at Dorothy, whom was panting from running and sighed.

    "Dorothy-chan, you do know that I hate being late or other people being late. Right?"

    "I know, Akira-chan. I just got the letter a minute or two ago. I'm so sorry."

    Then Taliatha walked up to them, panting more then Dorothy, "You're fast Dorothy."

    "Sorry about that, Tally-chan." Dorothy smiled back at her.

    "Who's this?"

    "She's my friend, Taliatha Barna." Dorothy smiles.

    Akira smiles and bows, "Hello. I'm  Akira Kurosawa."

    Taliatha curtsied, "Hello to you too. Thanks to Dorothy, you know whom I am."

    Then Akira looked at Dorothy and smiled, "May we go visit the Academy that you are currently going to?"

    "S-Sure, but let's sneak ourselves to the Dorms. I-I don't want anyone from the school to see me like this. I look too......normal."

    Akira nods, "Hai. Let's go."

    They managed to sneak through the back way, with Akira falling into a pit trap of some sort, on solid rock. Before long, they made it to Dorothy's Dorm, where Dorothy quickly change into her Melfar Academy uniform. As soon as she stepped out of her Dorm, and before Taliatha could compliment on it, Akira screamed. Actually, more like screeched like nails on a chalkboard.

    "WHY IS YOUR SKIRT SO SHORT!? A PROPER SKIRT MUST BE BETWEEN YOUR KNEES AND YOUR ANKLES, AT MINIMUM!!"

    Dorothy quickly covers her ears and dropped to her knees, while Taliatha folded her ears over. When the ringing in their eAkiraars had seized, Dorothy stood back up and sighed.

    "Akira-chan, it is the school approved uniform. All female students wear it."

    Akira huffed, "I'm going to talk to the pervert in charge of this place." then she stormed off.

    "Akira-chan!" Dorothy rolled her eyes and a bit of a panicked.

    "Let's go after her." Taliatha chased after Akira.

    "Right behind you, Taliatha-chan." Dorothy quickly followed.

    Akira stormed out of the dorms and into the main building of the school in a huff. Akira walked passed many of the Students. She even stormed passed the child-sized Headmistress Melfara. When Dorothy saw her, she quickly stopped and bowed.

    "Good Afternoon, Headmistress."

    Melfara smiled and bowed back, "Good afternoon to chuu too, Dorothy. How have chuu been today?~Chuu?"

    "Currently, I'm in a pickle, Headmistress." Dorothy sighed.

    "Oh?" Melfara looked puzzed, yet concerned, "Could chuu please tell me what's wrong? Is it a werewolf problem?~Chuu?"

    Dorothy shooked her head, "No, Headmistress. My old friend from Japan came to visit and when she saw the skirt of my Melfar Uniform, she went ballistic. Gave me a mingrane that I'm still recovering from. She's trying to locate, I'm assuming a male teacher, and mistaken him as a Headmaster of the school."

    Melfara pondered for a couple moments before speaking, "Get her to my office and I'll listen to her concerns. Also, Chuu stay safe, Dorothy."

    Dorothy bowed again, "Hai, Headmistress." then she resume her chase.

    As Dorothy was trying to find Akira, she heard her voice, and figured that Akira was yelling at someone. When she arrived where the yelling was coming from, on the opposite side of the school building, she saw Akira yelling at one of the Male teachers. The teacher in question was Damien Cornett, the French Teacher, whom is one of many trying to help Dorothy with her....condition.

    "HOW DARE YOU MAKE GIRLS WEAR SUCH SHORT SKIRTS, YOU SINFUL, PERVERTED, HEADMASTER!" Akira yelled.

    "For the fifteenth time now." Damien trying to keep his cool and composture, "I am not the Headmaster. We have a Headmistress and her name is Melfara Ashida-no-Uji. If you got any complaints, take it up with her and not me."

    Dorothy grabbed Akira's shoulder, "Akira-chan, he's right. That's Cornett-Sensei and he's the French Teacher. The Headmistress is in her office, and no matter what you do, do not talk bad about her size."

    Akira huffed, "Fine." then she storms away.

    Taliatha tollowed Akira, so she or herself won't get lost. Dorothy sighed by her friend's behaviour. Then she faced Damien and bowed.

    "Please forgive her, Cornett-Sensei. She's more stricter with those Bible stuff then I was, even if she kept getting D-Minuses in all subjects outside of Biblical Science. I still wonder how she even managed to get an F in Physical Education while doing it that one time."

    Damien sighed, "She's harsher then you in your Biblical believes, through not as much as Whitney was." then he fixed his glasses, "Does she know?"

    Dorothy stood up and sighed, "No, Cornett-Sensei. I haven't told Akira-chan about my condition as of yet. I did, however, told Taiatha-chan about it and she's very supportive. I only feel truly happy when I'm around her. I'm still trying to figure why my heart fluster so much when I am around Taliatha and no other girl. I know I love Taliatha, but my head is still trying to figure why I love her."

    "Trust me, Love is the most logical, yet at the same time, illogical thing you will ever experience." Damien then gave a small smile, "As long as you are happy to be with her, that's all what matter. Having her help you out might also be beneficial for your condition, since you seem to be at peace in her company."

    "I do feel at peace. It's better then having my niece dog-pile on my stomach when I'm trying to relax." Dorothy sighed, "I better catch up with them before they come across Insane-Huggie-Sensei."

    "Be safe." Damien nodded.

    Dorothy nodded before running off. Once she was out of sight, a bat flew down and onto Damien's shoulder.

    "Why didn't you allow me to at least land on her? I wasn't going to bite her........much." the bat giggles.

    Damien sighed, "Jinx, doing that wouldn't solved anything outside of making that child more hateful then before."

    Jinx huffed, "That's no fun." then she giggled, "You know what they say, Four-Eyes.~ 'All work and no fun make Jack a Dull Boy', or in your case, a major stick in the mud."

    Damien rolled his eyes and begin walking again, "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah."

    After some time, Dorothy caught up with them, and bumped into Vogan. She fell onto her butt with a thump and a faint whimper.

    Vogan extanded a hand out, "You need to be careful where you are running, Dorothy."

    Dorothy sighed, "Yeah. Sorry about that, Vogan-san." then she placed her left hand so he could help her up onto her feet.

    Vogan pulled her up and smiled, "Hurt anywhere?"

    "Nope." Dorothy smiled, "Now, if you excuse me, I need to lead my friend to the Headmistress' Office."

    "Okay and be safe."

    "I will." Dorothy smiled then lead her friends to the Headmistress' Office.

    As soon as Akira saw Melfara, she called her a child. After five minutes of talking between Akira and Dorothy, Akira finally relents and tell Melfara what's bugging her. More minutes passed and Akira stormed out of the office, calling the school "the most inistution I have ever been in.", much to Dorothy's chagrin. Dorothy quickly apologized to  Melfara for everything before rushing out.

    They walked back to the village, where Akira had calmed down enough to be back to normal. As they were walking, Taliatha spotted the Pet Store and stealthfully walked into it. Dorothy looked behind her to see no Taliatha.

    "Wh-Where did she go?" Dorothy began to panic.

    "Dorothy." Akira simply said, sounding more dark, "Is that girl whom always near you a.....Vampire?"

    Dorothy practically froze in fear. She knows that Taliatha could be a bit, or more like completely, open about her blood-drinking habits. She quickly spun towards Akira and smiles.

    "How can a Vampire be a cat-like creature?" then she laughs while rubbing her head with her right hand.

    "Don't pretend like you didn't noticed. I'm pure-human and yet I can sense the large amount of evil, Sinful energy she have. You, as a half-Kitsune, should be able to sense it as well and had already exterminated her. Those demons at that school maybe one thing, but she isn't strong in fighting, and thus you should've killed her by now. What have you been doing for the past seven months?"

    "Well..getting to know my sister more, getting woken up-daily-by one of her daughters, whom is my niece by the way, tried to preach the Lord's Word, but failed, nearly falling to my death..Oh!" Dorothy dropped the laughing act and became a bit more serious, "Obeying the edict issued by the Vampire Hunting Society's Head. That edict is this: 'We have a Non-Aggression Pact with Antikythera Realm. No more Vampire Hunting in that region until futhur notice.' and I'm obeying that edict. To the Letter."

    "Oh? Alright then." Akira huffed, "Fine, but I was asked to check up on you. Since there are Vampires here, I'll help protect you."

    Then Akira walked over to her and placed something into Dorothy's right hand. Dorothy felt an instant pain and backed away, as well as pushing Akira onto the ground. The item was a pure-silver amulet. The pain was so great that Dorothy unleashed an instinctual long-winded medium-pitched howl. Taliatha, whom just finished her shopping rushed to her side.

    "DOROTHY!" Taliatha yelled, tears coming from her eyes as she ran to her.

    "Wait a minute." Akira growled as she stood up, "Silver harmed her. Long howl from the pain of the Silver affecting her via burning." then the connections came clear and Akira's full fury was on display, "DOROTHY EVANGELINE SLAYER! YOU'RE A WEREWOLF!?"

    "H-Hai! For about a week now." Dorothy huffed through the pain.

    Akira sighed as she dusted herself off, "That's really, really unfortunate, I'm sad to say."

    "Wh-Why!?" Dorothy growled but had a guess.

    Akira took out of her inside jacket pocket a gun. The gun is a modern-looking American-made Mini-Revolver. She placed her thumb onto the back of the hammer and pulled it back until it clicked.

    "I am a decendent of Were Hunters. As a Werewolf, I cannot allow you to live nor that Vampire." then she aimed the gun at Dorothy's head, "I wish there is no other way than to do this. I will miss you, Dorothy the Werewolf."

    Suddenly, Whitney appearing behind Akira with her Katana's, Storm-Princess, backside pressed against her neck. Damien appeared with Dark Magic beginning to channel. Behind him were Lisa Lunaina, Arashi, Ajihiro, Vogen, and behind all of them, appearing more adult-like then normal: Melfara Ashida-no-Uji.  The others either moved out of Melfara's way or attended to Dorothy. Damien as well as the Twins had stopped the pain and the burning. Unanimously decided on moving Dorothy to Morgana's Office for better treatment.

    "Go with her, Vogen. She needs her Alpha to help her. Melfara and I have this Brat handled." Whitney growled;

    Vogen nods and follows the teachers. Taliatha quickly followed him and Lisa nods towards her wife before rushing back towards the Farm. Once everyone else was gone, Whitney was ready to flip the blade around to punish Akira.

    "Whitney, stand down." Melfara ordered in a commanding tone.

    As much as Whitney wanted to harm the one whom harmed her sister, she obeyed. She moved her katana away from Akira's neck, flicked it before sheathing it back into its sheath. Whitney still growled to show her discontempt for the child.

    Meanwhile, Morgana managed to take care of the rest of the injury before wrapping it in gauss. She sighs as she sat down at her desk.

    "It'll take at least a week to fully heal. Don't you even dare to use potions to speed it up. It seems fine, at first, but after awhile, your body can't heal anymore if you use potions or spells to quicken healing."

    "Yes, ma'am."Dorothy nodded, then she looked at Taliatha, "Tally-chan, where did you disappeared to?"

    "Oh..the Pet Store."

    Dorothy looked EVERYWHERE before whispering, "Why?"

    "Well, I wanted to get you something to show our relationship, but my allowance was low, so I had to save up, for about a month. However, I was able to buy it.~"

    Then she dig into her bag and pulls out a crimson leather collar with small spikes on it. Upon seeing it, Dorothy's jaw dropped, Damien pushed up on his glasses, Arashi was laughing like a Hyena while the other two teachers looked unfazed. Vogen was as stunned as Dorothy, but didn't act like her.

    "Um.......That's a Dog Collar."

    "Yep! Isn't it cute?~" Taliatha smiles.

    "But, it's a Dog.......Collar." Dorothy repeated herself.

    Then Taliatha  did a Puppy-Pout and Dorothy lowered her head and sighed.

    "Don't worry. I'm wearing a collar as well." Taliatha chimed.

    Dorothy smiled and looked up, "Well....since it is you whom bought it for me, I'll wear it."

    Taliatha smiled and put it around Dorothy's neck before fastening the strap.  There was a Dog Tag on the collar and all it said is "Dorothy Barna". Dorothy looked at the tag on Taliatha's collar and it said "Taliatha Slayer".

    Taliatha giggled, "I put my last name on your tag and your last name on mine.~" then she kissed her on the cheek.

    Dorothy blushed and smiled, "I love it. Arigato so much, Tally-chan."

    "So...."Vogen blinked, "You like wearing dog collars?"

    Dorothy growled and kicked him in the side, "DON'T ASSUME WHAT A LADY LIKES AND DISLIKES BY HER LOOKS!" then she stormed towards the door, "Jerk-Kun!" then she slams it behind her.

    Taliatha blinked, "She's a bit upset."

    "A bit?" Vogen coughed from the pain, "That's way more then a bit and more then simply being upset."

    Taliatha shrugged, "I better head home. Mother is expectng me to housesit while they go to Rome. Lucky. If only I had enough money to take Dorothy there." then she left as well.

    Damien pushed up on his glasses, "Dorothy is very much like Whitney. They both love the lady of their lives On top of that, both can be easily violitile towards anyone whom angers them. The difference is that Whitney learned self-control even with her vast variety of tricks. Dorothy still needs to learn to keep that violity in check or else this up coming Full-Moon, in about three weeks time will affect her  to no end. Let's hope that love for that Vampress is enough to keep her sane."

    "Yeah." the three other men agreed before they left for their rooms.

    The three teachers went to Melfara's Office, after she called them in. Beryl was even present, as long as she remain quiet.

    "Thank Chuu for coming. It is about the visitor, Akira Kurosawa. She been sent back to Earth and barred from ever re-entering. However, we are going to need to talk to the other Hunting Societies to ask them to stand down their planned or not-yet-planned attack on our students or the villiage."

    "We'll try, Headmistress."

    Meanwhile, Akira reunited with her parents, grandparents and the Grandmaster of the Order of the Were-Hunting League. She placed down her gun onto the table and stood at attention.

    <"What have you learned?"> the Grandmaster asked.

    <"Antikythera is a harbour of Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, and other threats to human life.">

    Then her mother spoke up, <"What about the Slayer girl? Is she safe?">

    Akira lowered her head and shooked it, <"No. They had corrupted her and turned her into a Lesbian Werewolf.">

    <"Then we will declare Dorothy Evangeline Slayer as 'Deceased' and the entity that uses that name as the enemy of the Human State."> The Grandmaster said, <"Do you understand, Akira?">

    Akira looked at him, <"Yes, Grandmaster.">

    <"For doing the Order a big favour at your own personal cost, I, Grandmaster Geming Hou, have promoted you, Akira Kurosawa, from 'Prospect' to 'Pàoshou'."> The Grandmaster said in a booming voice, <"Show us your entire right arm.">

    Akira removed her jacket and rolled her sleeve all the way over her shoulder.  Another member had placed a wet-cold piece of Rice Paper, onto her upper arm. Then his partner picked up a branding iron with the Order's Mark and applied it to the spot. Akira hissed in pain, but shed no tears. When the rice paper was removed, a faint image, but detailed, of the Order's Mark could be seen.

    <"As a Pàoshou, you will be expected to master every Firearm ever made in Human History. When you are an adult and proved yourself, then you will be a Juntuán. That'll take about seven years to take, at minimum, to get there. We will be watching your progress very closely.">

    Akira bowed, <"Yes, Grandmaster. I will serve the Order without question from now on.">

[end of this part]