"A girl who plays cards, I like her already." Hitomi commented with a sly smile as she walked over to the girl and stand behind her, arms wrapping around the girl to fix her posture and arm movement. "Cards are light and fly easily in the wind, but give them a faster spin and the wind doesn't affect them as much. Don't be tense, you need your arm to be like a whip, not a cane." Hitomi whipped out her own cards to demonstrate, flicking her wrist at the end of her arm movement and burying all five in separate dummies each.

"They don't have much power to them as well, you want to aim for where your enemy is unarmored or exposed, unless you cheat at cards like I do." She snapped her fingers and the inscriptions on the cards exploded, obliterating the dummies. "Now that's what I call a dead man's hand." She leaned back in close until her breasts were pressing against the student's back, her breath ghosting on the nervous girl's ear as she left with one last comment.

"That's not all I can do with my fingers, you know." She whispered sultrily in the girl's ear. "And this isn't the only way I like making people scream... if you want more lessons, ask for the Fox and I'll find you in my free time. Or just look for me at the brothel."

When she caught Marian's gripe about having to demonstrate proper crossbow technique, Hitomi smiled and returned to her perch on the wall. "You're wound tighter than loaded crossbow... I could help pull that trigger and unload some of that tension for you." She offered with a wriggle of her eyebrows. "Just cause you like the hard muscle of a man's body doesn't mean you can't appreciate the soft curves of a woman who knows what she's doing..." As if there was no one around to watch, Hitomi pulled her fingers up in a V-shape around her lips and stuck her tongue out, licking the air and miming something very vulgar.

Kenichi frowned, somehow managing not to roll his eyes at the vulgar display before returning to the group. He had collected two of the English girl's stray cards, and held one between his fingers, getting a feel for the weight. Its oblong shape would make it slightly more clumsy on the wind than a shuriken might have been, but certainly not unworkable. As he approached, he finally spoke up.

"Despite the crass words, the advice is basically correct," He concurred, producing the card and flipping it around in his fingers, as if deciding upon the best grip with which to throw it. "However, because most of the momentum of the card will be moving in a circle, you will want to shift your body into the throw, just before you release. They will not do much damage unless you hit the neck, or the inside of the thigh, but with enough of your weight behind it..." Kenichi had dropped into a low stance, with much of his weight on his back foot. In a single, fluid motion, he uncurled his arm, and transferred his weight onto his leading foot, sending the card sailing through the air to bury itself more than half-way into the face of one of the dummies that was still left standing. Returning to a more natural posture, he continued.

"...You can make sure that your distraction lasts longer than a brief moment. Do you remember what I did with my Bo-shuriken on the final target?" He gestured the throw, flat palm, overhand, to accentuate his point, "I had actually hit that one third, and then took my Bisento to the one next to it. Had they been real attackers, that target would have had to deal with the Bo-shuriken, then his broken comrade, before he could even consider coming after me."

He presented the second card to the girl, taking a bow and gesturing toward the targets. Any disdain he had had for the actions of his fellow Japanese citizen had been set aside, hidden under an expression exclusively for encouraging the English girl to continue.

Ash had been waiting a bit too contently for some comments, her posture had become relaxed and her eyes closed as she managed to catch her breath, so arms wrapping around her shoulders was obviously a bit of a surprise. The Asian girl, the pretty one she had caught sight of when entering the courtyard, was giving her some instructions on how to throw cards. However, the way Hitomi had decided on doing so was rather obscene, with body on body and sensually whispers, and Ashling was obviously very, very uncomfortable by this. A deep red had set in her face, and her eyes and mouth were wide open in shock. No one had touched like this since her last "boyfriend"... Her eyes clouded and she squirmed a bit as she was being shown how to throw her cards. Wind zipped forward suddenly, and her eyes finally focused and turned forward to see five cards dig into five different dummies. Did Hitomi throw them? They were different, Ashling realized they weren't playing cards like hers but something else, white with strange characters that she couldn't make out. Words of advice, about using the cards on those unarmored or exposed, and Ashling luckily had enough of a mind to take in the words, that was, until her curiosity was brought in by the cards exploding. Amazing, such interesting weapons! Wide eyes gleamed with admiration and she became unaware that someone was still embracing her from behind... And then pressure and heat suddenly pushed into her back and the girl's breath brushed Ash's ear. Her face turned tomato red once again and she squirmed as uncomfortable words entered her mind and flourished into obscene images. This girl, she was something else. Different from the high-collared girls back home, more like the girls in the front of the brothel, and it made Ashling very very very very confused.

And then the heat of another was gone. Miss Fox had returned to her perch, making ugly gestures at Marian. Shaky hands reached up to hold clutch at her chest, where her heart beat a quickly. How embarrassing, but one shouldn't judge others by their obscene mannerisms. Besides... she had good advice, but was it entirely true or just an excuse to touch her? Ashling finally let out a long sigh, cheeks pink and body suddenly very heavy and tired. That girl, she was just like a fox. Sneaky, beautiful, sly. Images of a black and white fox danced through her mind, entering her Wonderland easily; making a new character to interact with.

'Trusting people is hard enough, but foxes are another story...'

"Despite the crass words, the advice is basically correct,"

Her shoulders jolted as she was pulled from her thoughts, and Ash glanced up to meet eyes with Kenchi. He seemed to have picked up two of her fallen cards, and was explaining how one should aim for the neck or thigh for greater injury, taking note in the shape and how one should stand and throw it. Ash, having calmed down considerably, listened intently to the man's advice and watching his example with genuine interest. Using the cards as a distraction was a good idea as well, and Ashling made a few mental notes to remember this advice.

'What a difference eye contact has on a lesson'

She thought with a small smile, and then Kenichi was bowing and holding forward the other card, obviously expecting her to try once again. The smile widened slightly and she took the card with a nod of the head between two fingers and turned towards the target, copying the other's stance from before almost perfectly. Her eyes wandered then locked, and the normally clear blue became stormy with focus. Then she was uncurling, shifting, flicking, her body moved quickly (if not a bit stiffly) and the card went spinning toward it's target, digging deeply into the yellowish fabric that might have been the collarbone of an actual person. A feeling of excitement washed over her, eyes widened happily, and she turned back to the helpful man, flashing him a rare grin,

"Thank you... Oh!" she blushed suddenly, realizing that she had no idea what his name was, "I'm sorry for not introducing myself. My name's Ashling, Ashling Linwood, or, uh, Wonderland, if we're going by the aliases they gave us." she bowed her head politely, hands folded neatly on her apron, acting like she used to back home at the estate where she worked.

"Really, Hitomi, must you provide such a distraction." Snow kept her face straight and her eyes trained on her students. She had no real distaste for Hitomi and her aggressive nature, but Snow was always dedicated to the job. Distractions weren't a possibility for her. She didn't want them to be a factor for her students either. They had impressive abilities. Their display would be considered unneccessary and overkill in the field, but she asked them to show off and they did not disappoint her. However, there was far more to being a hunter than just simply killing a bunch of dummies.

"Perhaps, you would care to accompany us? I think they show enough promise to undergo some field training. I want to take them to the woods." Snow glanced at Hitomi. The woodland training was a situational training that encompassed everything that made a hunter. The emphasis of balance between survival, stealth, and combat made for possibly her favorite stage of training. They would likely struggle, as is expected for their first time. However, given several months, Snow believed she could make a formidable team the likes of which hadn't been seen in Kingdom Guild since Hood and Ellie had paired with herself.

"I want you all to leave your gear behind. You may take the clothes on your back and one weapon of your choosing. That's it. Meet me in the brothel when you're ready, I'll get a wagon ready."

Without skipping a beat, despite his alarm, Jack spoke up, “Yes, yes I am drinking, but while I’m doing that, I’m getting the rooms you so desired, your highness.” He didn’t even raise his head to look at Ellie, “But you know, I don’t so much mind the idea of sleeping on a bench, I mean if it puts you at discomfort, then I’m happy with it.” Jack joked then turned to see Ellie, a wide, shit eating grin spreading across his face, glass in hand and half full of whiskey. “I’m not too worried El, we will be fine tonight, besides it’s not like we need to be at the church until tomorrow, apparently the Father is the man we need to talk to about what’s going on.” He spoke then turned back around to the barkeep.

“Now about those keys for the rooms… I think I’ll only take one, let her sleep outside… or on the floor.” He laughed then shook his head at that. “No but seriously, we’ll only need one room for the night, and I will personally cover the expense. I’m at least good for that, as my lady always protests. Says I’m good for nothing, can you believe that?! The nerve of the woman, I swear… it’s like she doesn’t see all the hard work I put in to get her from point A to point B. All high and mighty on her horse… but what can I say, I love the bitch,” He spoke with a smirk. “Or at least, in love with her money.” With that, Jack slid the man the appropriate fare for the first drink and single room, and a bit extra for a few more drinks and took only one of the room keys for them. A sly grin stuck to his face as he turned to look at Ellie, dangling the key for her to see, signaling they got a room, but only the one.

With that, he grabbed his glass and walked over to her, keeping his eyes on hers as his smile faded, the closer he got, as he reached her, he suddenly snuck in close and grabbed her bags, a serious look on his face. “We have an issue, and it’s not just the rooming situation. The village chief knows everything we need to know, but I think something more is afoot here… more than meets the eye, you know? I think that we need to meet back up with Rose, and figure out our next course of action…” He spoke to Ellie with a sigh, hoping that whatever happened next would not be some crazy witch craft, like blood raining from the sky or people being turned into various amphibious or reptilian creatures. “I’m not comfortable with this El… I don’t like the stink of it all… the people are scared and they don’t know what’s going on and we need to stop it… I think it’s more than some girls playing at magic…”

Marian

Marian stared daggers at Hitomi for harassing the young girl. Hitting on herself, whatever, but on a little thing like Ashling... When they had leave to go from Snow, she stepped forward like a big sister and led the little card-throwing girl back with her away from the fox-bitch. She had gotten a little too rape-y for Marian's taste. It was unfair to pick on Ashling. She was a grown young woman, but something about her was so childlike and perhaps simple that Marian felt like she had to watch over the girl, even having just met her.

"If'n you don't want her to do things like that, then make sure you tell her so. Otherwise, she don't take hints." Marian said on the walk back to the tavern. "She's a strange one, some like her, but I get the feeling you're not her type if you catch my meaning." Marian said. "So if she comes on to you again, you tell her no clearly. And maybe say you're under-age or something. And if she ever won't back off, run and come find me." The entered the tavern finding it filling with a crowd now that night was falling. It was already dusk when they went out, and the sky had turned distinctly purple with a distant orange glow in the west.

Marian already had everything she needed, with her crossbow and a dozen bolts. She strapped on her holster for her crossbow and hung it at her back for travel, and loaded the dozen bolts into their slots across her chest. She had no need to return to her quarters. "Do you need to go fetch anything? If so, I'll wait for you here."

---

Briar Rose

Eulalie sat on the man's settee, and a black woman in a maid's uniform entered with a tray of tea and biscuits. She looked startled at Eulalie's presence as if she were not the company the slave woman had expected, but nodded politely and kept her eyes downcast as she set the tray on the table and poured Eulalie and her master some tea before retreating to the kitchen area.

She realized, as the man took a seat, that Devin had disappeared. She cursed him silently for not coming in, what was the fool thinking?

"What was your name again, miss?"

"Mademoiselle Eulalie Bellerose, monsieur." she said, and took a sip of the tea she didn't particularly want.

"So, you said you were sent to seek me out. By the uh, Ministry of the Crucifix?" the man asked, and Eulalie nodded. He continued, "Why don't you tell me what you were sent to ask about, so we don't have to tarry on for hours? While I enjoy the company of a beautiful young woman, I have pressing matters to attend to elsewhere. And I'm a little confused why the church would send someone to seek me out? You seem a bit well-bred to be out running about the countryside like a errand-boy."

Eualie feigned embarrassment at the compliment, casting down her eyes and trying to remain nonthreatening. "Well... I hope you will not take zis zee wrong way, but... well..."

"Are you from the foreign brides company?" he asked hopefully. Eulalie choked on her tea and nearly dropped the cup, her face turning bright red. "Oh, I'm sorry, I suppose that was indelicate of me. There's just not many women in the town, and I'm an old man, and I paid the gentleman $50 for a pretty young wife to be sent. I just thought..."

"Non." Eualie answered firmly, dabbing at her mouth and trying not to rise and leave. "Non, that ee- ah - non. Non." Now all she wanted to was escape.

"So.... why are you here?"

She tried to force her composure back in place and regain control of her voice. "Ah- We had reports of happenings in zee area, and I was sent to ask about them. These reports, they concern some young girls. Has anyone been... well I do not wish to cause alarm, but have there been rumors or reports of... sorcière? Witches? I am to ask, and see if a visit from a higher autorité may be due..."

Hitomi chuckled as Marian came to rescue the little girl, returning to a casual standing posture and shrugging off Snow's comments. "I've got time to kill, why not? I did just return though, so I'm going to get myself a nice, warm meal and a drink at the tavern before I set off with the whelps." She already had all her gear on her, and a nice hot bath would be welcome, but she figured Snow would not appreciate the distraction at all.

There were some catcalls and cheers the moment she entered the tavern, seeing as how she had gotten herself a reputation amongst the patrons for being who she was. Though they also knew she was infamous for rejecting unwanted advances very harshly, so thankfully no idiots approached her this time. She headed straight for her usual table and soon had a bowl of stew and a cup of the tavern's finest in front of her.

In twenty minutes she was back outside and waiting for the signal to leave again. This time, without the air of mischief and playfulness she usually had around her. It was best she set the tone for the training exercise - if she caused any of the students to be distracted with winning her attention, Snow and Marian might not let her live down the consequences. Her wazikashi had been left behind - she figured if the students had to go through the training with only one weapon, it wasn't fair for her to have more than they were as well. Besides, her kin was born to roam the forests, and back in Japan the spirit forests were far more dangerous than the one they were about to enter.

"I'm ready... though I'm curious why you'd want me there. I'm not a very good teacher, at least not for many of the students here." Hitomi asked Snow. "Besides, Marian might try to force a chastity belt on me should I get near any of her precious little whelps."

He bowed, replying to the girl.

"Yoroshiku okudasai. My name is Kenichi Mizumoto, although if we are taking aliases, I suppose the name Kusa will serve that purpose." He knew that, if Hitomi had overheard, she would likely understand the meaning behind the alias. He would have liked to continue the conversation with Ashling, but the request from Snow interrupted them before they would have been able...

One weapon.

It took no time at all for Kenichi to make his choice. Reaching into his pack, he drew out a length of rope, about 18 feet long, and a heavy brass ring that looked like it could have once been part of a door knocker. After securing the ring to the end of the rope by closing the loop of a reinforced slip knot around it, he coiled the remaining rope a few times, and tucked the makeshift kusari-fundo into his belt. Knowing that the English girl would likely bring her strongest weapon, the blade, he decided it best to bring something with a balance between versatility and power. He removed the half-dozen concealed bo-shuriken from their various hiding places, stowing them in the pack, and finally turned to Snow.

"Before we depart," he began, "Do you have someplace where I might be able to store my belongings?"

Ashling smiled as Kenichi introduced himself, but before she could say anything else a gentle hand wrapped around her wrist and lead her back towards the Guild, after Snow had suggested some forest training. The sky was just turning purple, and the sun-after-the-storm's heat was fading as the moon began to climb up over the trees and buildings of the city. She glanced upwards to find Marian dragging her along, and shared a small smile as advice was given on how to deal with Hitomi. The red-haired woman was similar to an older sister, Ash found it to be rather endearing, and with her small smile she gave a brief nod,

"Thank you for the advice, I'll remember it."

The tavern was full of people and wonderful smells, though lacking what they could be, and Ash felt an itch to start mixing some potions. She hadn't really done any alchemist work since arriving in America, and her kit was all ready to be unpacked and set up in her quarters, but there was barely any time for that now. Her hand was released as Marian began to pack up a few small, metal bolts into a pack. Ash watched curiously, blue eyes unfocused slightly, and was only broken from her trance as Marian questioned if she had anything to drop off. A moment of thought came and went, and with a light bow she turned and ran back to her room. The pack of cards beat against her leg from it's spot in her apron as she practically skipped down the wooden hall, her mind whirling with excitement at the prospect of going into the woods to fight actual animals. Only one item, well, that wasn't much of a hindrance, the Vorpal Sword was enough for her. She glanced down at the sheath which had been tucked safely into the side of her apron and grinned, and then eventually came to her room and threw open the door, only to be met with the familiar glare of yellow eyes.

"Hello, Ashling~" Vapor purred from the base of her bed, tail flicking to-and-fro. She managed a small smile for the cat, walking over quickly, one hand fiddling to remove pack in her pocket while the other reached to rub the colorful feline's head. He purred in response, but did not break his glare,

"Going out?" He questioned, and Ash nodded,

"I'd let you come, but I don't think it's allowed." She whispered, and he responded with a smirk, then a cackle, pulling from her grasp and vanishing beneath the bed. Silence. Vapor was gone. Ashling let out a loud sigh and dropped the cards on her bed, and then turned to return to the tavern. Ashling returned to Marian's side after the short trek back, staring at Snow expectantly as her hands fiddled with the hem of her apron, nervousness and excitement claiming her emotions.