Mae-Ying Allen ~ 3-27-2029, 5:32 GMT

A week passes. Every day, Mae-Ying wakes up sore from combat training or extended meditation. Niva has had her doing non-stop exercises, teaching her how to do things like throw a punch, or throw a person. Mae-Ying might find the lessons enjoyable if she had the option of taking them in smaller doses--say, two hours at a time, rather than six. 

On the morning of the twenty seventh, Mae-Ying staggers to the bathroom, gets dressed and makes her way slowly down the stairs, wincing with every step. Regina takes one look at her and clicks her tongue. 

"Would you like the arthrofen, dear?" she asks.

"What's arthrofen?"

"They call it ibuprofen everywhere else in the world, Regina," Daisy says, walking into the kitchen from behind Mae-Ying.

“The rest of the world is a barbaric wasteland," Regina says.

Mae-Ying sits down at the kitchen table. "Well, the United States certainly is..."

"I seem to recall a young girl who considered England a barbaric wasteland,” Daisy says.

"Nonsense,” Regina says. “I'm a god-fearing kingswoman and always have been."

Regina brings a plate of eggs to the table. She sets them down in front of Mae-Ying, scowling at Daisy.

"Thanks, Regina!" Mae-Ying says.

"Of course, dear,” Regina says.

Mae-Ying turns to Daisy. "So I was wondering if we ever found out any more about that company? Synesis?"

"Not much of use, to be honest with you," Daisy says, with a practiced blasé air. Mae-Ying is certain the other woman is withholding information, not that there’s anything she can do about it.

"What about the guy who poisoned Walsh?” Mae-Ying asks. “The guy with the tattooed head?"

Daisy purses her lips. "I'd advise against asking a whole lot of questions about him. Some people at the Manor might take it amiss."

Mae-Ying turns her attention back to her plate. "I have some footage of him..."

"Do you?" Daisy sips her orange juice slowly. "I don't suppose I could have a look at it, at some point?"

"Sure,” Mae-Ying says. “It would be great if I could get some closure on this, you know?"

"You might be waiting a bit for that,” Daisy says. “The people we're dealing with here are playing a very long game."

Mae-Ying pokes at her eggs. "I'm just wondering, is it bad enough that my parents are at risk?"

"No, I shouldn't think so,” Daisy says. “They don’t know anything of use, and the targeting of families is taken strongly amiss in our culture."

Regina nods. "Start going after one family and everyone'll take it as open season on your own. Everyone's got relatives, and most of them have descendants, even if your original kin are long dead."

"But... they know I'm not dead. They have to know,” Mae-Ying says. “If they don't know I'm part of the Knights, why would they afford me any of that courtesy? And I’m not a Knight, not technically."

Regina glances at Daisy, who pretends not to notice.

“They were gonna poison me!” Mae-Ying continues.

"I understand your worries, but the worst thing you could do is to attempt to warn them,” Daisy says. “That would put them in it. At this point, they certainly know we pulled you out of Washington and are at least protecting you. You’ve undoubtedly already told us everything you knew. Going after your parents would attract attention they can’t afford. Trust me, Mae-Ying."

“Not that I knew very much…” Mae-Ying mutters.

“I rather suspect they were concerned you would learn more than you already knew. You were poking about, after all.” Daisy takes a sip of orange juice.

Mae-Ying sighs and turns her attention to her food. A few moments later the front door opens. Niva appears in the doorway to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Avraham,” Daisy says.

Regina gives Niva a pleasant smile.

"Hello, ma'am,” Niva says. “Ma'ams."

“Sorry, I just sat down,” Mae-Ying says. “You’re kind of early…”

"Okay, but we should be going soon,” Niva says. “I have arranged for another Investigator to teach you today."

Daisy arches her eyebrows. "Contravening the Marshal's wishes, Avraham?"

Niva flushes. "I am permitted to seek outside counsel. The manual says--"

"You need to learn to read sarcasm, woman,” Daisy says, shaking her head.

"O-of course!" Niva's flush deepens.

Mae-Ying shovels the rest of her eggs into her mouth, shotguns her coffee, and takes her plate and cup to the sink. She zips up her coat and slings her purse over her shoulder.

"Have a lovely day, dears!" Regina calls as Mae-Ying hurries out of the kitchen.