After visiting with the seamstress Mishiko decided she was way over due for a nice stroll through her lover’s village. She had been dying to know how they had fared without her. She had always wanted to protect them. She knew in her soul that she would not be able to sleep comfortably at night if she did not know the status of her people.<br/><br/>In her native tongue she would be considered the Imperatrix… the Queen. A Queen never turned her back on her people… and she would be a Queen to rival all. Not for Chikage… sure it would please him greatly for her to take such an active role but Mishiko wanted to for her sake. That strong urge to protect something lingered in her breast.<br/><br/>It was something she just couldn’t let go.<br/><br/>Heading out of the Mansion she made it her goal to take mental notes throughout her journey. She was not merely entertaining the thought of meeting the villagers but also she wished to help them. Any need they held was her own.<br/><br/>Venturing out into the village streets she looked at the buildings. Some made of finer materials than others but all around everyone seemed to be doing well. The markets looked full and people were smiling. Some waved some didn’t. She was still an unknown face here to some. Quietly she would nod her head as she passed by; a small smile making its way to her face. The sun eased her soul as she found herself getting lost through the streets.<br/><br/>If only she could have stuck around she wouldn’t have lost so much time with them. But now was not the time for regret. She was here now and she would do everything she could to ensure happiness… for them all.<br/><br/>And she would protect them from any darkness that lingered; especially if it was due to her. Her trials were far from over. Gabriel had merely lost his body that Mishiko had so kindly graced him with… using the other half of her soul; that other half that Gabriel held onto so tightly. He was not gone… merely forgotten for now…. He would return for her… that much she was sure of. It was just a matter of when.<br/><br/>Sighing she left the thoughts for now and continued enjoying her time among her lover’s people. Weaving in and out Mishiko took notes of things she found interesting. All in all … these were honest people.<br/><br/>Heading back to the Mansion Mishiko made sure every hair was in place. It had gotten quite long. In her endless searching for Chikage she had never thought to cut it. Now it just flowed down her back in what seemed like an endless river, almost touching the back of her knees. She would have to ask her Caesar if he approved of its length at a later time.<br/><br/>Walking gracefully she put on her game face as she knew it was time to meet with the girls. The sun was due to set in an hour or so. Moving out to the gardens she walked out into the sun once more as her lavender eyes flickered crimson for a moment.<br/><br/>Her inability to blend in with humans was astounding at times. In all honestly her very being screamed immortal. Nothing about her even hinted at anything otherwise.<br/><br/>Raising her head up tall she nodded in respect to the ladies but only a little.<br/><br/>“Good afternoon ladies and maybe Milk.” She teased playfully.<br/><br/>“I trust your day has gone alright.” She moved to sit down on her knees as smooth as water against silk. “Ready for tea?” She announced politely. “Let us begin. First, please acknowledge that I would like to have tea here at this time every day. If you have pending obligations see to them but I would like this to be a time of peace for us women. Second, this is an opportunity to get to know each other. Please play nice. Now, all the men here may know you by name but I certainly do not. Please introduce yourselves to me so we may get better acquainted. Your name and something you enjoy or something that pleases you. That is all I ask of you today. If you have any questions feel free to simply ask.”<br/><br/>She left it up to them… whatever their fun fact maybe… she wanted them to feel like they had some kind of say in what they could tell her. At least for this encounter. Lifting the tea to her nose she inhaled it softly before sipping on it.