An unexpected message

[caressthedarkness]

[After the recent bout of depressing events, Seta receives a sudden phone call in the middle of the day, just as she is about to indulge in her lunch.

A holographic video is projected from her phone, and on it, the image of a well-endowed silver-haired woman.]



...Seta? Can you hear me?

[This comes as a surprise to Seta, but a rather delightful one.]


Madame? It's been a while...I...

The purpose of this call isn't idle chatter, you fool. Now, listen closely...there is a matter that requires your attention, challenging though that may be. [She frowns slightly.] ...Not too long ago, you came into contact with Kellin, did you not?


...Yes...

If she visits you again, inform me immediately. She has been behaving rather suspiciously in the recent months, and has been refusing to share what exactly she is up to. This is absolutely inexcusable.


But I do not understand...Astara wouldn't be doing anything harmful...would she?

That is why we must question her, my foolish student. You are her closest acquaintance, so this will be your responsibility. [A pause.] And before I forget...


Yes...?

Do not get too attached to the people there - be they human or otherwise. Someday, you will return to working on your own, and your dependance on the help of some garbage will be detrimental to your abilities. There is a reason why I wasn't too fond of this agreement for outside help.


Understood...

...Don't misinterpret this as some form of concern, either. We are already short on members as it is. To have one return to us in a state lacking in substance would bring shame not only to me as your teacher, but to our organization as a whole. You know very well that I will not tolerate useless trash under my command. That is all.

[With that, she cuts the transmission, leaving Seta speechless.]

Comments

[keep_your_dignity]

[Kagura's metallic head turns slightly as the conversation is going on. She doesn't interrupt. However, when it ends, she just has to comment]

I SEE TWO-BIT EMOTIONAL BRAINWASHING IS STILL IN VOGUE.

[caressthedarkness]

I am not sure if I understand what you mean...

[keep_your_dignity]

YOU PROBABLY DO BUT DON'T WANT TO.

I'VE BEEN A DRILL SERGEANT LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW WHEN SOMEONE IS MAKING A POINT TO CRUSH SOMEONE ELSE'S SENSE OF SELF-WORTH TO MAKE SURE THEY'LL FOLLOW ORDERS. ONLY I WAS MUCH BETTER AT IT AND DIDN'T NEED TO RESORT TO THAT TWO-BIT CULT SHIT.

[Kagura begins moving away. This is, overall, not really her problem, after all]

SHE WOULD NEVER DO THAT IN THREE, TWO...

[caressthedarkness]

Well...that is exactly what she is doing...

...I simply never thought of it as brainwashing before.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Not exactly the most supporting of superiors, is she?

[caressthedarkness]

It is difficult to tell sometimes...

She can be hard to deal with.

[empress_without_a_throne]

I got that impression. Still...

The Unity Group's not the kind of place to kick you out on you own. And even if something happened, you've made friends here. Solaris took me and my family in, in spite of all the history it had fighting the Void's creations.

I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding people willing to help you.

[caressthedarkness]

[This earns you a curious look, Mizuki.]

Um...help?

[jianai]

Hello.

I'm sorry, but it seems I accidentally overheard your conversation.

[caressthedarkness]

Ah...I apologize if it interrupted your lunch...

I should have moved it to a quieter location...

[jianai]

It didn't. I wasn't going to eat today as a matter of fact. I just happened to stumble upon you in a twist of fate.

Your... Madame - does not seem to have the highest opinion, does she? Of both Unity Group, and yourself.

[caressthedarkness]

That is just how she is...

One could say that it is somewhat of a past-time for her.

[majestic_keiki]

Just what is that woman thinking?

I know I shouldn't listen, but it was impossible to avoid.

[caressthedarkness]

Please do not mind it.

Madame is the type of individual to hold others to her own standards, and has very little tact.

[majestic_keiki]

I wasn't commenting on tactlessness. She's trying to control you and use you as a tool.

[caressthedarkness]

I know that it might sound difficult to believe...but this is Madame's way of asking me for assistance in a desperate matter...

If she could, she would sooner do it herself than entrust a task to me...and this has happened numerous times.

[abugslife]

Not very good at motivating her underlings, is she.

[caressthedarkness]

Her orders are followed because of how quickly she completes her objectives. Even if that means being subjected to such treatment.

[abugslife]

I think I will need to have a word with her one day. Do not think that her calling the people under my protection "garbage" escaped my attention.

Where is Astara?

[caressthedarkness]

I am afraid I do not know...

Ever since her office was wrecked, she has been on the move...

[ugyuuya]

And now certain things make a lot more sense. It's too bad that your teacher isn't present for a more personable conversation.

[Yuuya sits across from Seta.]

You do know that she was basically full of crap in all of that right? There may be some concerns about your friend but that was a pretty crappy way to go about addressing them.

Also I'm annoyed by her evaluation of the Unity Group and curious about her behavior when she was actively teaching you. I have my suspicions that it was not a pleasant experience.

[caressthedarkness]

A personable conversation with Madame would involve the other party proving their worth to her first.

Most of the time, arguing with her is a futile effort...

[brought_it_back]

...what a wonderful woman.

[caressthedarkness]

[Blink, blink.]

[brought_it_back]

[No further elaboration is given.]