16 A Good Workout

Chapter 12

"Habit is one of the most powerful forces you can manipulate. Foregoing habit is the ultimate tool of deception. Among those who are close enough especially lovers habit is language."

~ Kouki Kanshiki

Josephine Bijou

The morning after he touches me just feels different. Normally my body is either aching or sore from work. But not today, it's like going on a bender and waking up with no hangover. That's why Kouki had to be mine: his massages are magic. Sure he's charming, has these massive arms and an amazing ass too. His massages though… just thinking about it makes me quiver. With just his fingers he can somehow relax, energize and pleasure me. Spirits I love that man. I do try to avoid telling him that. He already buys into his hype too much as it is.

Jumping out of bed, I'm lured to the kitchen by the aroma of his cooking. Sometimes I'm glad we live such independent lives. His cooking is horrible for my figure but that's not going to stop me from eating it. Along with a delicious looking spread, he also left me a single rose in a vase and one of his famous love notes. I'm not really a fan of them since touch is my love language, though I suppose not reading it would be a little rude. As I take a look, I start rethinking my policy on being rude. There's only two words: "Diced Pineapples."

"Son of a bi…" I sigh. That's our safe word. Meaning he didn't just leave breakfast...he also left a whole mystery. With him, everything is calculated and plotted. I didn't go into the Veiled to avoid shit like this. The whole organization is just a bunch of people who are too clever for their own good, playing 4d chess with every game ending someone's life. It's too early for this shit.

My blood pressure rises and a tension headache starts to form. Flexing my detective skills for his ends is not how I want to spend my morning. I sigh again. Okay, let's review. He came here in the dead of night and tripped an alarm on purpose. The logical conclusion is that he came here to see me. Why? I mean there are the obvious reasons like him not being able to keep his hands off of me. Just saying that causes my mind to wander. No, can't let thoughts of his touch distract me…. He had a business reason. Kouki's powerful but not powerful enough to completely avoid and undermine the espionage network of the Veiled. His clues have to be things that are innocuous. His behavior, habits and what he left behind would be the most likely source.

He shows up randomly for date night, which is classic him. The roses are unusual since sunflowers are my favorites and the massage oil was different. It was kind of charcoal colored... like it had ash in it. Roses and ash…Volcanic ash. The Adamantite clan has volcanic abilities and the last time we saw them, Cain and Rose were the only two left. If Noches is the goal then Rose would make sense since they're working together.

Okay, so then what does he want me to do about her? What else stood out? Hmmm...he called me his sun and star. Weird since he always calls me his "endless void, a marvel of infinite wonders." Guess that has something to do with the project he's working on. Still, what does he want me to do with Rose?

At this point I'm sipping the last of my coffee and that marks the end of my patience. Slamming the mug down, I rise from my chair. Screw it, I'm not scratching my head all day about this. He should have left a clearer message and I'm late for my morning training session. Takes about a second to slip on some workout clothes and put my hair into a ponytail, then just a few minutes of walking to get to the headquarters training arena elevator.

The headquarters is a multi-layered campus with several subfloors. My destination is at the absolute bottom: the Guardian City Police state of the art training arena. The arena is built to withstand even the power of spiritualists and capable of simulating almost any previously encountered threat, battle and obviously terrain. It's become my favorite part of campus since training here is no holds barred, or at least it should be. As it turns out, being designed to withstand a spiritualist's power and actually being able to are not the same thing. I've put more than my fair share of holes in the roof. The first few were on purpose though. Some idiot bet me that it was impossible. The wager was that for each hole, he'd pay me 100 Duckets. If I couldn't make any, he could touch me anywhere. Easiest 1000 Ducks I've ever made. The Architect was so mad that he banned any betting on my arena scores.

As always, the lobby is packed with other officers, all going about their business standing and chit-chatting in my way. I tell them what's what.

"EVERYONE, GET OUT OF MY WAY. Either you're in a training session or your ass better be in one before I finish my next sentence. For the rest of you, get BACK TO WORK!" I speak and people move if they know what's good for them. Now there's a clear path to the counter. The clerks and I have a pretty good rapport since I'm here no less than three times a week.

"Hello Captain Bijou. Are you here for the usual?" The clerk asked.

"Not today. I have some stuff to work out. I need something sturdier than usual to hit."

"We have the exact thing for you. It's a brand new scenario. The policy says that I have to warn you that this one can actually do real damage to you. It's so dangerous in fact that only someone with Captain or higher ranking can access it."

" You had my curiosity and now you have my attention. What is it?... Wait, don't tell me I want to be surprised. Captain's authorization given codeword: Checkmate."

"Authorization approved. You can go right in."

Kouki always says my face is as still as a statue. That my expression is always a combination of a sultry stare with soul piercing intensity and a mouth that portrays quiet fury. However, I'm sure today is different because this new scenario has me excited. I'm at the door as fast as I can manage. I throw the door wide open, almost taking it off the hinges, and my entire being flings me into the arena.

The environment is bathed in darkness as the scenario sets itself up. My arms come to my face and arcana flows into me as I bounce on the balls of my feet. The lights come up and reveal this supposedly "dangerous" challenge as I finish my preparations. To my surprise, the clerk might have known what he was talking about. My mouth can't help but to form a grin. Battle is ecstasy for me and this is looking to be a good one. Time to let this simulation know what it's worth to me.

"I CAME HERE FOR A GOOD WORKOUT AND YOU'LL BE SORRY IF YOU DON'T DELIVER."

End ~