"So, what's the bet?" Ranma asked her lunch-guest.
"Hmm?" Mao asked crafting as much of a college appearance as she could. "Oh,yeah. One of my friends saw you looking at some other women, we started talking. One thing led to another and...I'm supposed to come over here and ask you out."
"Being straight," Ranma said. "What did you plan to do if I said yes?"
"I don't think we thought it out that far," Mao said, giving herself an embarrassed expression. "So would you have said yes?"
"Probably not," Ranma said. "I don't do flings and I'm not looking for someone."
"Busy life?" the mercenary asked.
"I just moved to the area in the last few days and already I've been called on two jobs," Ranma said, leaning her head back and pulling her hand up to her face. "I have no time to finish setting up my own home past the basics."
"Wow," Mao said. "Are you that good a feng shih?"
"Eh?" Ranma's head inclined upwards slightly. "Say that again."
"You're a feng shih, aren't you?" Mao said, looking for some outward sign of the profession.
Unfortunately, Ranma's books and references were in her bag with the tools for the trade. There wasn't anything visible that would point to that, and the last time Mao could remember the books being out was an hour ago, too long back.
"Damn, slipped up a bit," Mao said shifting into her more normal frame and attitude.
Ranma straightened and looked across the table at Mao.
"Are you with soldier-boy?" Ranma asked.
"Sousuke yeah," Mao said.
"Should have realized this was coming," Ranma said.
"You speak Mandarin?" Mao asked.
"I can manage," Ranma said, making the switch. "So, what are you looking for?"
"We'd like to know what you're doing here," the mercenary said.
"Like I said, I just moved here," Ranma said shrugging. "It's been a while since I've been back home."
"And your kids?" Mao asked.
"Are my kids," Ranma said. "Pure and simple."
"That's not a cover?" Melissa asked, a bit surprised.
"You're wondering how a lesbian had children," Ranma said with a smile.
They looked across at each other for several seconds before either spoke.
"You don't mind if we keep an eye out for you?" Melissa asked.
"Like I said, I should have expected it," Ranma said. "Still, I was hoping for a place without weirdness we didn't bring ourselves. But here I am, first couple of days, and I have a blue-haired tomboy giving me headaches."
"We've found she can be loud, ourselves," Mao agreed with a laugh.
Ranma looked at her curiously.
"Didn't they tell you why you're guarding her?" Ranma asked.
"Her father works in the UN," Melissa said. "I assumed it had something to do with that."
Ranma sighed and shook her head.
"Anyway," Ranma said. "If my kids stay safe, we don't have a problem. I'll even give you a word if I think something's funny."
"That'll be appreciated," Mao said, nodding. "It'd be good to have an old veteran behind us watching our backs."
"What's that about old veteran?" Ranma intoned grimmly, narrowing her eyes.
"You don't look the type to care much about comments like that," the ex-marine smirked, leaning forward closer.
"Maybe not, but there're principles involved," Ranma said mock seriously, waving her hand back. "You should know that yourself. I get enough of that out of my kids."
"You're lucky," Mao said. "At least your kids aren't about to hit on you or anything."
"Oi, brats and kids," Ranma said. "Even if they act out, you'd at least think they'd listen to you."
"I know," the marine said. "You'd think we were the adults from Charlie Brown. Wah Wah Wah!"
Ranma laughed.
"Speaking of which," she said. "I should be heading back home. Have some training routines I need to set up for when my kids get home. Share a cab since we're probably heading the same direction?"
"I've got my own ride, actually," Mao said, standing up.
"That's lunch then," Ranma said, also standing up as she loading her food onto the tray to take it to the trash.
She was walking past Mao again when she paused and turned toward the marine with smirk.
"Thanks for not asking the question," she said.
Mao nodded and then watched her walk off, a picture of casual grace. A few minutes after Ranma was gone, Mao slipped a small receiver into her ear.
"How're things at the school?" she asked.
"Aside from Sousuke, the objective and two of the Satomi kids trying to kill each other?" Kurz said. "Not much."
Mao shook her head and sighed.
"By the way?" Kurz asked. "What's the question you didn't ask?"
"Private," Mao said firmly.
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(Posted Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:11)
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