You Get Prosthetics! You Get Prosthetics! [Private: Toshiko(NPC)/Alastair]

How long had it been since her daughter had informed Toshiko about Alastair’s offer? Not very long, two to three days max. Toshiko had barely anything to do at home, aside from experimentation and building contraptions. But this? This offer to make prosthesis for the Vandenreich, and the Warherder likely, certainly was alluring. So, she sent Alastair news of her desire for an opportunity to talk to him. When that time arrived, Toshiko would visit the city of lights.

This place… Just as majestic as she remembered. Albeit, what was intriguing was the presence of different forms of Reiatsu. It was comforting in a way to know the VR was trying to branch out. She knew this wasn’t something that would have happened in Nifleheim’s time, she was much too… critical. Regardless, Toshiko went towards the main office of the grandmaster. Upon arrival, the woman sat down in one of the waiting chairs, crossed her legs, and did just that; waited.

With time, Toshiko would get approval to visit Alastair within his overlarge office. Really, Niflheim… why did you have to make it so austere? Actually, was it Niflheim who did this portion? Whatever, doesn’t matter as much. The woman simply approached Alastair. Even if Toshiko was retired, she still held that her demeanor of old. She still radiated a feeling of her great strength. It was little diminished, but certainly hadn’t been tested in a long long time.

Once Toshiko finished her long walk to Alastair, the woman gave him a respectful bow. Afterwards, she extended her hand outwards for a handshake. Once Alastair indicated for her to sit, Toshiko adjusted the comfiest looking chair and took a seat. She stared at the man before her for a long period of silence, silently sizing him up. She wondered what kind of man could have replaced someone like Cyrus, who had replaced Niflheim. From bearing alone, Toshiko could determine his strength of conviction. Toshiko gave him a warm smile, her stoic face brightened by that warm smile.

“Grandmaster Alastair. Toshiko Kamenashi, at your service. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My daughter told me you had a job offer for me, yes? You wanted me to make prosthetics for those recovering from the incident in Africa, correct?”

Unlike his meeting with Yumiko, Alastair met Toshiko in front of his desk. There was still a lengthy walk across the office during which the pair had plenty of time to get a measure of one another, but he would make the effort to be a little more personable with a member of the public. Even one that had served. Returning her bow with a curt nod, he gave a firm shake of that offered hand before indicating for her to take a seat and eventually returning to his own. It was prim and proper, but so was everything that he did. It was quite antithetical to his nature to be casual.

"The feeling is very much mutual, Ms Kamenashi. I also appreciate your decision to take the time to fly out here so that we might meet face-to-face as well." Her smile was met by a passive expression from the Grandmaster, the younger man giving little away behind his mask of stoicism.

"Your daughter has informed you correctly. I saw the work that you had done for her firsthand, and I could not help but imagine the good that it might do for the lives of countless other civilians and Wahrender personnel. If that is something that you believe you are capable of, then I would like to hear what is required to make that a reality."

After Toshiko and Alastair had taken care of the proper formalities of the situation, Toshiko listened to the information he had for her. The Quincy crossed her legs as she listened to Alastair. Her own face had soon assumed that same facade of stoicism. It was something Toshiko had learned a long time and hadn’t needed to utilize it since her time at the Vandenreich. As it was, her own expression was still quite good despite the rust she had in such situation. Now was the time for deals and discussions.

After Alastair had proposed his intentions, and his desires for what he wanted Toshiko to do, the Quincy’s golden eyes stared him down. Alastair wouldn’t be cowed by their intensity, it made no sense for him to be. But behind them he would see some of the woman Toshiko used to be, before Motherhood, before Yumiko. She considered his desires, what he wanted her to do, and wondered what her limits of demands could be. She had to be careful, but there was no need to tip-toe through these tulips.

“What kind of resources would I have access to for these Prosthetics? As it stands, while Yumiko’s prosthetics are inventive, they’re at the exact limit of what a civilian can access. What could I gain access to, materials and facilities, that would allow the crafting of much better prosthetics for the civilian populace and my own daughter?”

Afterwards, Toshiko waited silently for Alastair to answer. Depending on his answer, it could change tor very structure of Toshiko’s requests. After all, before Toshiko began, or even thought of beginning, work on these Prosthetics, she’d want to help Yumiko perfect her new prosthetics over the course of the coming months. They made do with the facilities they could make or obtain at home, but proper facilities? Now that would make it much easier.

Gold met rusty orange as their eyes locked together in a gaze that would have likely brought no small amount of discomfort to someone of lesser conviction. Alastair might have been unflinching, and so it was hard to glean his intent, but there was not a shred of malice to be had either. Every word that he had spoken was from the heart, as was everything said in the reply that followed her demands, so long as Toshiko remained honest in turn.

“I have already referred Miss Yumiko to a specialist facility that will see that she is outfitted with the cutting edge of prosthesis technology. It was the least that I could do after she brought this opportunity to me and Wahrender will always strive to look after its own just as fervently as those we serve and protect. She has battled her condition for her entire life, if we can ease that burden in any way then I would call that a victory.”

Though it would have been trivial to forward the details of Section 12’s work on to Toshiko for her approval, Alastair had little inclination of giving her the worry that this might have come at her own expense. Ensuring that Yumiko was better suited for combat situations served his cause, he was not the type of leader that would make her pay for that privilege.

“Whilst I appreciate your desire to go above and beyond, what you have previously provided for your daughter would be more than suitable for most of my staff and civilians. Most of these individuals simply want to regain the usage of limbs that has recently been taken for them. I can see to it that you are provided with resources similar to that which were used for Miss Yumiko’s prosthetics, and a facility to construct them in here within the City of Lights or in a location of your choosing - within reason. Access to materials of a higher grade is not something that can be granted to civilians, even those with a prior service record.”

Well... it had been worth a shot to obtain better supplies. However, Toshiko had no real reason to expect Alastair to give her access to higher grade material than civilian grade. Not to mention, Toshiko had no intention to join up with the Wahrender just to gain access. Yumiko would have access to what she needed for her prosthetsis and Toshiko could assist her where possible; perhaps even have Yumiko use the same facilities.

"Very well, I understand."

Toshiko's understanding that she wouldn't be allowed to have anything higher than civilian grade was simple. There was no need to bargain, no need to find out other ways, Yumiko had the access and Toshiko was a civilian. She need not handle it where possible, and Toshiko knew Yumiko was more than capable of creating better prosthetics on her own. Toshiko may give a few pointers here and there, but Yumiko better understood her condition than just about anyone else.

"Then I believe a facility within the City of Lights would be appropriate. I can bring some tools with me from home, but otherwise I am sure what you could provide is better than what I have at home." Toshiko considered for a few moments longer, tapping her lip as she briefly looked down at Alastair's desk to collect her thoughts. "My only stipulation would be that I have my daughter help me make the prototype, she has studied the human body in greater detail than I have; and that I can assist her in constructing her own new prosthetics. Otherwise, I have nothing else to ask for than compensation for my work."

Alastair could certainly appreciate Toshiko's understanding of her position in relation to his own, though it was likely influenced by her previous and existing ties to the military. These were the people that were easier to work with, not that he found it challenging to operate around the numerous civilian businesses that had come under his wing ever since getting into bed with the Duvaliers but it certainly helped matters. Her agreement to house her facility within the City of Lights was equally well received, prompting the narrowest of smiles to settle on his lips.

"What Miss Yumiko does in her free time is of no concern to me. So she is free to aid you in whatever manner she wishes, provided that she still performs the duties expected of her as a member of Wahrender. As for your other point of contention, I am afraid I cannot offer you similar reassurances. This is a military-grade project and, even though you have worked on a previous model, would require a higher level of security clearance than I could simply authorise at the drop of a hat."

The Grandmaster paused for a moment, both to let his words settle and to think upon them himself. He had read Toshiko's file, he knew the details that were written in those reports about the period in which he had served, and perhaps those wounds were still not entirely healed.

"But we are not a closed group here, if that was an avenue that you felt strongly about. My Wahrender is expanding across the planet, and that process will be a little easier if I have more dependable people at my side."

Once again, it was worth a try. Frankly speaking, Toshiko simply wanted to aid her daughter as much as possible. However, she did understand the nature of everything and simply gave Alastair an understanding nod as he refused the stipulation to help Yumiko building her prosthetics. Once again, it was simply a matter of that lack of clearance… It was almost annoying enough to bring Toshiko out of retirement.

Almost~

Even if the desire of furthering prosthetic research was quite compelling, the Quincy wasn’t sure she wanted to return to active duty. It was a bit… relaxing to say the least, being retired. However, for now she was to focus on what Alastair wanted of her. Prosthetics.

“I understand, Alastair. And do not worry about Yumiko’s capability to perform her duties. She makes me proud with her work ethic.”

Toshiko smiled gently as she spoke of her daughter. However, her thoughts soon turned to Alastair’s statement. He wished to recruit her into the Wahrender… That was, well, a bit unexpected. However, Toshiko couldn’t pretend it didn’t sing to her a bit. When she had retired, it was because of the issues she had with her own time there, and the simple fact that Niflheim was gone. But now…? She had a proper reason to be there, helping others properly and getting along with those there. However… should she?

“I will have to think on your words, Alastair. I wouldn’t mind joining, but I want to figure out if that is what I wish to do. But otherwise, I look forward to working with you and making prosthetics for those recovering from the events in Africa.”

"Of course, I do not wish to press you for an answer this instant. Think about it as much as you want, and when you have decided, we will settle it. In the meantime, and regardless of your choice, I look forward to our cooperation."

The issues of Toshiko's time were so far in the past that Alastair could hardly have recalled them if asked of him. He had served during the war and earned his place in the Sternritter through blood and sweat, just as many of his peers had, but it was Cyrus' Vandenreich that he truly knew. There were moments when he imagined a world where Cyrus had not handed the reigns to him yet, and the divergent future that might have led to, but they were fleeting. To dwell on what might have been was a quick path to madness, after all.

"For now, please enjoy your time in the city. If there is anything else that you need, Ms Kamenashi, then my door is always open."

Truth be told, the idea of being active again did light a fire under Toshiko. But, being a mother… Even if Yumiko was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, there was much of the woman’s life she wished to experience. So much so that it was a rather large deterrent to her active duty… However, Toshiko wouldn’t discard the concept outright.

With a small nod, Toshiko stood after Alastair made it understood that she was dismissed. She bowed to the man, to the Grandmaster of the Wahrender, and then she once again extended a hand for a handshake.

“I look forward to our cooperation as well, Grandmaster. I’m sure you’ll tell me when arrangements are ready and I can get to work. Until then, Yumiko and I will figure out how to use what I made her for others. Thank you, Grandmaster Alastair.”

Toshiko would give the man another respectful bow before she turned on her heel and left. Even if Toshiko was no longer active duty, she still held that air of a proud soldier. However, it did seemed to be diminished slightly by the calm of civilian life. If Alastair didn’t stop the woman, Toshiko would leave to join Yumiko at her apartment. She would likely hear about the plans Yumiko had for her new prosthetics, but otherwise Toshiko knew that her young daughter would have many ideas on the prosthetics Alastair had asked Toshiko to make.