The children of Samurai are often just as eccentric as their parents in varying and unique ways. Liberal use of body modifications, normally rippling with weapons and escape tools, they are also individuals who should be treated with the same level of respect and fear as their parents. The problem is, of course, that unless you know the faces of every family member of every Samurai, you will make a mistake, and you will be on the “Find out” side of “Fuck around” very quickly.

  So, in order to minimize that, we here at The Family offer a software system that alerts any of your employees when they are interacting with a family member of a registered Samurai for a very reasonable price.

  -The Family's sales pitch for ‘The Nanny Cam’ system, 2044

  “You really didn't need to come, Vic.” Bo, or Laser Lasso, said.

  “While I didn't need to, I felt like I had to.” I say with a wry smile.

  As the family went off on their mission, I called Bo and Cassandra, or Red Menace, and asked them about the gala that was once Blizzard's. Bo took the lead and invited me to come with the two of them, so that I had at least them to gossip with.

  And so, minutes later, they arrived in a red and white striped supercar and loaded me into the back. Once we arrived, I grew very surprised at Cassandra's massive fluffy tail wrapped around her like a scarf. I do not know how I missed it the last two times I saw her. And now here we are, approaching the elevator to move to the hall where a bunch of corpo types and a few other Samurai were mingling.

  [FirstPanda: So tell me, why did you really want to come?]

  I glance at Cassandra and see her still flirting with Bo.

  [No chance you believe it's guilt?]

  [FirstPanda: Not for a second. Call it a Panda's intuition.]

  I wanted to retort that, cause as far as I was aware, Pandas were on the verge of extinction before the antithesis arrived, and not simply because of humanity, but my own intuition told me I should not mention that.

  [Fine. I have two reasons to be here. The first is genuinely because I feel as though I should, since I promised her I would show up. The second is to keep an eye on the council members and see how they react to my family's job.]

  We stepped into the elevator and, once the door closed, she looked at me with an eyebrow raised. Bo does not notice as Cassandra's tail is caressing her face.

  But since she doesn't ask directly, I choose to ignore it. Instead, I chuckled at Bo. “When I met you, I would never have guessed that you would become so useless so quickly.”

  “That's because you will never feel anything half as amazing as Cass's tail. She has to pry me off it every morning.” She replies, a very goofy, carefree smile taken over her face. “And I refuse to share. Get your own.”

  I shake my head as the elevator doors open into an opulent hall of whites and blues. There are tiny snowflakes falling softly throughout the room, yet it remains a comfortable seventy degrees inside.

  There are a large number of people in suits and dresses mingling around the hall, and a few others sitting on tables along the perimeter of the hall eating or chatting.

  Thankfully, Synaptic had helped me create a nice outfit that wouldn't look too out of place. It looked similar to a ceremonial uniform militaries of old wore, but in silver with purple filigree. I also had a simple silver mask covering my face and a barrette on my head, with my hair slicked back, stopping at my shoulders. Bo was in a pure white suit that an oil barron would wear, twenty gallon hat and all, and Cassandra wore a slim red dress that faded into black.

  I split from them after Cassandra showed us where our table was, grabbing a flute of champagne off a floating tray of ice, and deftly sliding something under the table. I took a sip, the liquid flowing through my mask as if it wasn't there, then grimaced. Sands, that was horrible.

  

  While I could, that would only affect the one glass you have. You could have your mask simply change the drink as it flows through it, if you purchase a new catalog and an upgrade for your suit.

  

  So you do not plan to attend any events for your PMC group in formal wear?

  I took another sip, then grimaced again, thankfully, the aftertaste faded quickly.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  

  Yes, there are a number of applications that Morrigan and Buddy can utilize in the tower.

  Unlocked Class I Advanced Mixology and Seasonings

  Purchased Class I Stealth Mixer

  Points reduced to 10560

  A new app appeared on my augs HUD, labeled ‘Taste Mixer’.

  I have taken the liberty to adjust the Mixer to be a flavor you should enjoy. It wont adjust the alcohol content of the drink, so please, try it.

  I take one more sip, and this time my eyebrows shoot up in surprise. It tasted like cola and something woody, leaving a slight warmth as it passed down my throat. It was very good.

  You have a guest approaching, someone not on your list.

  I look up and see a tall young girl approaching. Well, I say young, but she appears my age, if not slightly older. Long dark brown hair flowing freely past her mid back, sharp icy blue eyes that pierce through my mask, wearing a simple dress of light purples and whites with long sleeves. Her heels clack to a stop in front of me. With her looking slightly down at me. Her smile reminds me of Roger's when he gets to talking business.

  “Good evening, Samurai War Games.” She says, nodding her head at me, “My name is Cari Mikosano, and I want to thank you for coming here tonight.”

  I stiffen, hearing micro fractures form on the flute in my hand, sweat forms on my back and face, and my heartbeat races.

  Fuck I'm so fucked oh Sandsherdaughterisgoingtokillme-

  She giggles at me, snapping me out of my spiral, “While it is a peculiar feeling, knowing I can cause a Samurai to freeze with a few words, I am not here to blame you nor cause a scene. I do wish to talk, however. Please, follow me.” She begins to walk towards a door off to the side of the hall, and I follow after downing what's left in my drink, placing it on the table.

  Through the door, I see we are on a bubbled balcony overlooking the city, and on it are two chairs and a small table. Cari takes a seat, waving for me to do the same.

  “I heard you were there with her in her final moments.” She starts, her voice flat as she stares out past the balcony.

  “Um, y-yeah. I was with her.” I force myself to stare at the city as well.

  “I heard you were the one who recovered what was left of her.”

  I nod, unable to speak, barely able to hear above the sound of my blood rushing through my head.

  “I also heard that you were the one who gave her the weapon that killed the thing that got her.”

  I hear her shift in her seat to look at me.

  “Take off your mask. I wish to look upon the last face my mother did.”

  I force myself to turn towards her, lowering my mask and hat into my suit.

  I look at her in her eyes, preparing for hatred, scorn, venom, vitriol.

  And instead all I see is sadness, her eyes rimmed in red.

  “Thank you for being there with her. And thank you for coming here tonight.” I see a tear roll down her face.

  I feel my body unwind, and I release a breath I didn't realize I had held.

  Then she smiles at me, a bright, beautiful smile that blows the rest of my anxiety away. “Would you do me the honor of staying by my side this evening? A number of those inside have their eyes set on me, in less than pleasant ways.” She asks.

  “Of course, Ms.Mik-” she interrupts me by placing her finger over my lips.

  “Cari, please. Just call me Cari,” she says.

  I nod, “Cari. I can stay with you tonight.”

  Her smile widens as I see a slight flush cross her cheeks. I check the temperature and it is a bit chilly out here and her dress does seem thin.

  I stand and offer my hand, “Shall we head back in?” I ask.

  I hear Synaptic snort as Cari takes my hand and stands, then she takes my arm in hers, pressing up against me. Oh, Sands, she feels soft and warm and her breasts are-

  “Lets.” She says, giggling. A foxy smile spreads on her face, “And maybe you should place you mask back on? It seems as though you may not have the greatest tolerance for alcohol, looking at your face, Mr…?”

  “Victor,” I reply as I shift my mask back on and pull up a camera view of my face. I do have quite the flush, it seems, and going over my body I feel my chest feels fluttery in a different way from my anxiety. Shit, maybe I do-

  No, you idiot. You have a Class I metabolism, and that champagne had barely any alcohol in it.

  Before I could ask, I feel the eyes of everyone in the room lock onto me. Dozens of prodding scans sweep over me, with all of them getting the Synaptic treatment, blocking them.

  I straighten up as Cari leads us towards a group of other young ladies. The three of them are distinct in appearance, one orange, one yellow, and one green in dress. The one in yellow have bear ears, and the one in green has fox ears and a tail.

  A girl in a dress of shifting and swirling oranges, yellows, and blacks, reminiscent of flames, turns towards us as we approach. Her hair was a bright orange and her eyes curved into crescents as she looked me up and down. “Cari! Ooh, I wondered where you went, but went and bagged a good one, huh?”

  Cari giggles, the action reverberating through me as she still has my arm in hers. “Alice, please. I haven't bagged anyone. Victor here is being a gentleman, agreeing to accompany me tonight.”

  The other two girls in the group also look me over, the one in a sunny yellow opens a fan and covers their lower faces, saying something to each other.

  The girl in orange raises an eyebrow, but her smile doesn't change. “Of course not, Cari. And I'm sure he is.” She looks at me in my eyes, having to look up a bit, “Well, mister Victor, I am Cari's best friend Alice, and these two behind me are Opal and Yerlette, also our best friends. And we say this to you.”

  Alice spins in a flutter of fabric and grabs the pair of them under her arms. They all look at me with a sharp look and an even sharper smile. ”If you make her cry, your body will never be found!”

  Cari giggles once more, but I am unable to feel it as the threat on my life sinks in fully. The three of them are most likely daughters of other Samurai, probably high leveled ones as well. They could act upon that threat and there would be nothing I could do about it. So, I just nod quickly, causing Cari to laugh harder, shaping me gently on my chest.

  “Guys, he wouldn't do that.” She says looking at me with a face full of mirth. “Unlike the young masters in this room, he actually had his humanity intact. Plus,” she squeezed my arm tighter against her, and I feel my thoughts slow, “he's too much fun for that.”

  The bear girl, Opal, closes her fan, revealing her own soft smile, “I told you she would be fine. Fifty from both of you.”