*The wind danced its way through the green trees onto the waving hills which slowly welcomed the warmth of the sun. Little houses sat upon the hills in small groups and the morning was peaceful.*

[Cateleia: Sierra, a peaceful village within Iriciel in the continent of Iyura, was one of the villages considered home by King Mithriel. It is also one of the remaining villages that practice Kocha-sifting—or tea-making.]

*Scene shifts to one of the dojo’s quarters where Edaine is tossing and turning in her sleep. A sudden loud creak from the door is heard.*

Edaine: *slowly rises from her sheets* Huh? Tss. <Who left my door open?> *walks to the door and tries to close it but sees a note* What’s this? *reads out loud* If not below, behind. *grin* <What?>

Voice: *screams* GOOD MORNING!!! *a mechanical hand pushes Edaine to the so-called floor but is actually a large hole*

Edaine: *holds on to the sides of the hole* <What the hell?!> *slowly climbs out and gains her balance* <Door open. Should’ve known.> *steps on something, looks down at the note [Whatever goes higher, lands lower. *heart*], falls into another hole, slides down and lands into the living room, bottom first, where Ike is sitting down, drinking his tea and reading a book*

Ike: Good morning. I suppose you had a good night’s sleep. *pours tea into another cup set in front of an empty seat*

Edaine: *fixes herself and smirks* It all went down the drain because of your note.

Ike: Aw. And I thought they were cute.

Edaine: *shudders* Normal men don’t put *heart* in messages.

Ike: *giggles excitedly*

Edaine: *bangs her fist on the table* Nor do they giggle. *vain pop* It always makes me wonder what this dojo is made from.

Ike: *serious* Do you want to know? *sips his tea*

Edaine: I’d rather not. *glares at Ike and hears girls screaming outside*

*Scene shifts to the outside of the dojo where there were a group of girls surrounding a new arrival.*

Man: Girls, girls. *raises his hands* I have errands. Do please run along for a while. I’ll get back to you all later. *wink*

Group of girls: *squeal* Ru-chan!! Ru-sempai!!! How cute!! *hearts everywhere*

Rust: *goes inside the room and closes the door with a sigh* I’m back.

Edaine: Look what the cat brought in: A troublesome fiend and his group of squealing chickens. *rests her head on her palm and glares*

Rust: Oh, come on. They’re just happy I’m back.
Edaine: Happy? It looked more like the cat wasn’t satisfied with the attention.

Rust: *light blush* How could I be satisfied when— *the door opens*

Clay: Clay is here!! *jumps* There were so many people outside. Did Clay miss anything? *bats her eyelashes*

Ike and Edaine: *unison* So, Rust. What were you saying about satisfaction? *grin*

Rust: *blushes furiously and turns away* Never mind. *hands a paper bag to Ike* Here’s the one you ordered.

Clay: Does Clay have any? *puppy eyes*

Rust: *laughs* Of course not. I went on a trip for business. Besides, who would give anything to you, Bonbon? *ruffles Clay’s hair*

Ike and Edaine: *places earplugs on*

Clay: *screams in a loud high pitched voice* WHAT DID RUST JUST CALL ME?! *slaps Rust’s face countless times with her hands*

Rust: Ow, ow! *tries to block her hits*

Ike: *wipes his mouth with a handkerchief* Anyway, how was your trip from Naehat? *opens the bag and gasps* Genuine Kocha from Fihr!! *squeals*

Edaine: Great, an addition to the squealing chickens outside.

Ike: *hits Edaine with a stick* So, did the delivery go well?

Rust: *takes a seat along with Clay and rubs his sore face* It went smoothly however on my way back I heard a rumor from the desert-driver that there was a plotted assassination this coming Salve ni Suezion. I don’t suppose it’s true since it’s just a rumor.

Ike: You can never be too sure. *stands up* In any case, would you do me a favor? *stares at Edaine*

Edaine: *looks away*

Ike: You received something in return from the delivery, am I correct?

Rust: *nods*

Ike: Edaine, Clay, kindly accompany Rust to see Amababa-san. I wouldn’t be able to see her today.

Edaine: Why don’t you go yourself? You’ve got—*gets hit with a stick by Ike*

Ike: Come on. Go, unless you want to stay here with me while I do my beauty regimen. *grins*

Edaine: <UGH.> *stands up* Forget it. Let’s go and get this done and over with. *passes the back door* <That old man will pay.>

Clay: We’ll be off!! *pulls Rust up and closes the back door*

Ike: *goes up the stairs and enters the storage room* *rummages through several boxes and opens a red wooden box* <… it’s almost time.>