► Chapitre 3 [Action. Backdated after Holly Peaks]

[luxe_can_kill]

[Room 514 - Mitsuru's room has grown extensively in the time she's been in the castle. It was the size of an apartment now, with elegant and expensive furniture. It looks like a luxury suite in a five-star hotel. But it's actually based on her old room in the Kirijo mansion. The only big difference is that there is a fireplace where the TV is supposed to be. 

Mitsuru woke up on her bed just after that whole thing in Holly Peaks was over, as if she woke up from a bad dream. Only it was real. Sitting on the chair in front of the fire place, and wearing nothing but a robe, she contemplates on what happened]

Did I truly believe I was a doctor during the past three days? This is eerily similar to the manipulations done to us during the P-1 Grand Prix... Could it be another trick by the same entity? Or someone similar? I can't think straight after working too much as a "doctor" for three days...[She sighs and took a sip of some warm Darjeeling tea]

Although I do like these glasses [She lightly scoffed and smiled while checking the pair of eyeglasses she wore while in Holly Peaks. She decides to put them on]

Achoo! Oh my... As if I didn't learn back then that wearing nothing but a robe or towel is a good way to catch a cold. [She set her tea cup aside. She stood up to undo the knot on her robe as she stepped behind a divider to change clothes]

<OOC: She's going to be around the castle or in the town, so feel free to bump into her anywhere. She's most likely in the library, kitchen, The Lux, the roof, and the shooting range at the castle>

Comments

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate notices Mitsuru sitting in a corner of the library. Mitsuru doesn't look much different than she had as a doctor, but Kate looks very different. Still, Kate approaches, smile on her face.]

You rock those glasses, by the way.

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru looked up to where the voice came from, it was a new face, but the voice is familiar]

Oh, thank you. An acquaintance gave these to me. Though I must say, I must have heard your voice through the journals before...

[not_nikkiheat]

Oh, sorry, I wasn't thinking. I look a little different than the last time you saw me. I'm Kate Beckett.

[luxe_can_kill]

Oh, Kate! I remember now. We had a conversation through the journals when you first arrived. It's a pleasure to meet you face-to-face.

[not_nikkiheat]

Very nice to meet you as well. I've been wanting to check out this library since you mentioned it.

[luxe_can_kill]

I see. Did you find any books from your world?

[not_nikkiheat]

Yes, I've seen quite a few that I recognize. Is that something you've had a problem with before, finding books from your world?

[luxe_can_kill]

No, actually. I believe this library takes whatever books we think off and remember from our respective worlds...

I found all the books I have ever owned in this library, all in perfect condition as well.

[not_nikkiheat]

That could be...really amazing, actually. It makes me really excited to explore this place.

[luxe_can_kill]

Indeed. Do you have any recommendations of books from your world?

[not_nikkiheat]

[The temptation is just too great to pass up.]

Actually, some of my favorite books are by a...a friend of mine, Richard Castle. He writes mystery books. Do you like that genre?

[luxe_can_kill]

I don't mind it. I was not aware he is a writer.

[not_nikkiheat]

You've met Rick?

[Stick to the subject, Kate.]

Oh, yes. He's a writer. Very good too, if you promise not to tell him I told you that.

[luxe_can_kill]

I have met him via the journals on his first day at the castle. [she laughs a little] And your secret is safe with me.

[not_nikkiheat]

Thanks. Anyway, his books are really good. I'm sure his collection is here, if you're ever in the mood for a little escapism.

[luxe_can_kill]

An escape does sound quite nice. I have been here for over a month now, and it is starting to feel more like a prison than a sanctuary...

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate sighed, almost in relief. She thought she was the only one who felt that way.]

I understand completely. Do you mind if I sit down?

[luxe_can_kill]

Please do. [Mitsuru offered to have Kate sit at the chair from across her's]

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate sat down and made herself comfortable in the cushy chair.]

I've been having a hard time adjusting here myself.

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru nods]

I see. I like to think I have adapted to the new environment, but when I think of it, I feel uneasy...

[not_nikkiheat]

I understand that. This isn't my favorite place either. I'm making myself get out and meet people, you know, make friends.

[Kate gave a rueful smile.]

You were lucky enough to be in my path today.

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru is tough to befriend, but since she's on the same page as Kate, she doesn't see any harm. And Kate seems pretty smart enough to get what she's saying most of the time]

You've got one now.

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate smiles, a genuine warm smile that she doesn't give many people.]

Great! I really appreciate that.

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru did not really show it, but it's nice to have a friend. The castle took what little friendships she had before Paradisa, so she always felt empty inside]

Speaking of Castle, how did you two meet?

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate can't help but smile at the mention of Castle.]

I'm a cop back home. I was working a murder case where the killer recreated a scene from one of Castle's books. I questioned him about it."

[luxe_can_kill]

I see. Did you catch the killer?

[not_nikkiheat]

We did. After that, Castle got permission from the mayor to follow me around and observe me. He ended up creating a character based on me.

[luxe_can_kill]

Oh really? That's quite fascinating. And flattering.

[not_nikkiheat]

It is. I realize that now. At the time, though, I wasn't very happy with the arrangement.

[luxe_can_kill]

I can see that. Castle could be quite the... what do you call it... a "smart-aleck"

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate laughs at that, because Mitsuru definitely had Castle pegged.]

Oh yeah, that describes Castle perfectly.

[solowingpixy]

[When Mitsuru visits the Lux, she'll see a certain familiar man sitting alone at the bar, occasionally tossing a dart at the board on the wall.]

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru entered The Lux and sat on what became her "spot" in the row of bar stools]

I'll have my usual black cherry seltzer.

[She looked around the whole place from her seat and saw Larry throwing darts on the wall]

Your aim is improving.

[solowingpixy]

[The last dart he tossed before hearing her just grazed the bullseye, the corners of his mouth briefly twitching in a frown before he spun around in his stool to face Mitsuru with his usual smirk.]

Of course. I'm not about to let myself get out of practice again.

[luxe_can_kill]

Practice is always good.

[The ghost serves Mitsuru her drink]

I could still remember the time we were here. [Mitsuru blushes a little] How about I buy you a drink?

[solowingpixy]

[Mentioning of their last visit makes him laugh a little. Oh, lightweights...]

Well, I can't really turn down an offer like that, can I? [He'll give the ghost a hand signal to get him another of what he just had.]

Come down here for any particular reason this time, Kirijo?

[luxe_can_kill]

I like the atmosphere in this bar. It's quiet, but not too silent. It's perfect for thinking, and I'm also quite thirsty.

[solowingpixy]

This place is certainly different from the others I've been to.

[He'll whirl around in his seat again and chuck another dart at the board.]

But you can't really expect a quiet place in a room full of pilots.

[luxe_can_kill]

It sounds like you were really close with your fellow pilots. I mean, it would be difficult not to be. You fight side by side on a frequent basis...

[solowingpixy]

[He'll stay quiet and looking away from her for a few moments before turning to face the bar top when the ghost gets him his drink.]

I'm not sure if 'close' is the right word for it. [He shrugs.] I only really paid any attention to my previous flight lead, after all.

[luxe_can_kill]

I remembering you mentioning him once... What is his name? [Or codename]

[solowingpixy]

[He'll be staring off for a bit, making it almost seem like he didn't hear her until he finally smirked, lifting his glass from the table.]

Cipher, the infamous 'Demon Lord of the Round Table' ...

[luxe_can_kill]

Demon Lord of the Round Table... That sounds fearsome [Mitsuru trailed off as she drank from her glass]

[solowingpixy]

[He gives a slight laugh.]

No kidding. The guy struck fear and awe into friend and foe alike.