An Imperial Homecoming

[Beatrice]

As had often been the case in the weeks following Kikyo's return to Dartfordia the two sisters found themselves watching a series together, albeit facilitated by video chat and the generous data capabilities of Rokkenjiman and Dartfordian service providers. Whilst navigating several episodes of Rick and Morty together Asuna sighed, "you know this would be much easier, and more fun, if you were here. I'm sure you could transfer, I mean the Imperial University of Ashinxao has a satellite campus here in Pyrettania, and we even have a few secret tunnels which date back to times before the Federal Republic that it'd be nothing to sneak you over here until your proper reveal. You could also get to know mum and dad and I know, my dad isn't your real dad and all but he's got his cool moments and seems to be open to accepting you regardless."

"You present a tempting offer," Kikyo replied, "and I mean knowing what's in store just kind of makes me view being here longer as almost boring. If you can make it happen I'm game."
Asuna, upon the completion of their watching session, shot a message to Emerson. "Kikyo's looking to transfer to the Pyrettania satellite campus of IUA. Please see that the proper arrangements are made for that to happen."

[Achkaerin]

Within moments of Emerson receiving Asuna's message Operation Shepherdess went into motion. This had been on the books ever since Kikyo had been discovered, it was no secret that those responsible for the Imperial Family's security wanted Kikyo in Pyrettania where she could be more easily covered from a safety perspective. Doing that was a simple matter, doing it without announcing to the world that there was another Anselmo... that wasn't so simple but it was doable.

It began in Jenka-Jenkinson with Kikyo's departure, she'd been given a note and a photograph to look at on the flight so she knew what she needed to do on the other end. When she arrived in Pyrettania there was a couple waiting for her Robyn Mears and Joe Ochre, in this context they were posing as Kikyo's aunt and uncle as part of a cover. They were on the photograph that Kikyo had been given before boarding her flight. After they'd greeted each other they made their way to a car, Joe loaded Kikyo's luggage into the boot and then they were off.

"I'm Robyn and this is Joe." Robyn said as she drove them through the city "We're mainly here to keep up appearances, we're what's referred to as your extended detail."
"Which basically means that we have a focus around your safety." Joe said "Our cover is that we're your distant aunt and uncle, this we'll maintain until we get to the point of you being revealed as an Anselmo. You'll be attending the IUA's satellite campus which is where Prince Lucius is going to be attending, this will allow your presence and your security to go under the radar so to speak. Lucius does know who you are and so do our people who run his security."

Ten minutes later Robyn pulled up outside an Achkaerinese safehouse. Once they were inside there was one more person waiting for them, leaning against the kitchen counter was Megumi Nishikiri "This is Megumi." Robyn said "She's your primary bodyguard, which basically means if she tells you to do something you do it. She's going to be in all your classes, so she can keep you safe without attracting attention."
 

[Beatrice]

The departure from Dartfordia was a moment most bitter sweet, saying goodbye to friends while passing the baton to her successor as Student Body President at Vicheshire School.

Once in Rokkenjima she felt at home and, following her introductions with Robyn, Joe and Megumi, her phone rang with a call from an unknown number. "Hello?" she said as she answered, "Thanks for answering," the voice on the other end of the line answered. "Welcome to Rokkenjima," it continued, "and look, while I know I'm not your real dad, I'm ready to be there for you just as much as I am there for Asuna, but I'll never impose myself. This is all on you, you set the pace," he continued. "I recognize your voice from your interviews," Kikyo said, "and thank you, you don't owe me anything so I appreciate you calling and saying that. I wouldn't mind getting to know you and who knows what the future holds from there, but I appreciate you being in my corner."

"I'm sure your detail knows the tunnels of Pyrena well enough," he said grinning to himself as he remembered himself and Beatrice utilizing them in the past, "so it shouldn't be an issue to have you over for coffee or tea one of these mornings, I know Beatrice would love to have you over. Welcome to the family," he said before ending the call, leaving Kikyo with a smile.

"So," she said slyly, "I've been invited over to Pyrena Castle for coffee and tea; when do we get to utilize the tunnels of Pyrena to effect that?"

[Achkaerin]

"Once you've unpacked." Joe said "Shouldn't be too difficult to manage it right?"

"Yeah straightforward enough provided you can cycle." Megumi said "Just need to pump up the tyres."

"Meanwhile I talk to our colleague in Pyrena and make sure this is expected." Robyn said

[Beatrice]

"Easily as said as done," she smiled, "I look forward to the moments ahead. I still have trouble believing it all but here I am, on Rokkenjiman soil, and it makes things feel right somehow. I'm still not sure what I'm going to say to Alex, I can't wait to hear the voice of my mother in person and undoubtedly shed some tears along the way, but he's a wild card. A good wild card, mind you, but the words remain hard to even contemplate. I better get to see that TARDIS Asuna always bragged about, otherwise I'll disown him before I leave," she chuckled.

[Achkaerin]

"Didn't you get to see it when you were snuck in through the tunnels a couple of months ago?" Megumi asked raising an eyebrow at Kikyo before she went to go and get the bikes ready. This was going to be a regular thing in terms of getting Kikyo around Pyrettania until the time came to say 'arise your Highness', blending into the crowd, using mountain bikes and so on was going to be the order of day. It took Megumi a couple of hours to get the bikes ready which was certainly more than enough time for Kikyo to do some unpacking. "Catch." Megumi said handing Kikyo a cycling helmet when the Princess came out ready to go "Yours is the yellow one." she indicated the mountain bike "There's a public cycle path that runs along the southern edge of Pyrena's hill, that's where we're going."

[Beatrice]

"Yeah but I didn't get to see the entire thing," she sulked, "it's bigger than it looks, and I know those passages I saw are functional. As a Rokkenjiman-Jenka-Jekinson I know the attention to detail of my mother," she paused, "yeah, that's still weird to say, anyway not the point. I expect a proper tour this time around."

"I'll follow your lead," she said as she clicked the strap beneath her chin."