Devil in a Dandelion Dress

Life, Organisation Association

In the process of going about his duties as a general, Ryūzaki Sanosuke received an unexpected correspondence from an ally. As that ally happened to be Tsukijō Hanahane, the message went on for quite some time. By its end, Sanosuke had picked through enough of the flowery language to get a grip on what was happening. It seemed that a business rival of Hanahane's had arrived in Japan. Rather than deal with more competition than Juntoku no Chukyō already offered, the flamboyant vessel had directed this newcomer to the Silver Meteor Storm instead. Indeed, she should be arriving at Nijō Castle any minute now...

A quick call to Sanosuke's administrative assistant, Trivia, confirmed this beyond doubt. Young Miss Chōko Dufour had already arrived, in fact. Trivia was even now in the process of showing her to her new offices, a vacant room in one of the most desirable positions overlooking the castle gardens. Apparently, Miss Dufour had assured Trivia that everything was already approved by the higher-ups.   Sanosuke, the higher-up in question, had approved no such thing. That room wasn't in use, however, so he didn't contradict the assumption as such. Both he and Trivia got the sense that this was a young lady used to getting what she wants. Such a sense was only fortified by the revelation that Chōko Dufour had found her way into the mental network. No doubt she had ordered Shigeaki Fujino to include her in a way which broached no argument. Quite an enterprising businesswoman indeed.   With such arrangements in place, the discussion was able to continue with a direct mental link between Sanosuke and his newest recruit. Miss Dufour would be working for him. Of that there seemed to be no confusion. She'd take a workshop and some resources for her own projects. In exchange, the young mechanic would be willing to work on any projects which Sanosuke requested when on duty. That seemed fair enough, and Chōko even promised more. Once she got her blooming business off the ground, Sanosuke would surely share in its success. This girl had, by her own word, left Développement Dufour due to personal reasons. Was she now trying to accomplish something similar in Japan?   Regardless, the arrangements were now set. It had been so dizzyingly quick that Sanosuke wasn't sure how much of a say he'd had in things at all. Still, the relationship certainly seemed mutually beneficial. Before they parted mental ways, Chōko had one last request. If any other scientific minds existed in the local area, she'd very much like to be in contact with them. There was only one answer to such a query. Sanosuke promised to introduce her to S.P.I.R.A.L. at a later date.   An enterprising businesswoman indeed.