Chapter 183: Winter’s Disguise

Legs crossed beside the window, Rachel observed the DC residents going about their business in their sporty jackets, scarves, and gloves, showing how big a difference there was between the capital and the sunny weather of Miami.

With the limousine’s roof open, the cold winter weather left her hot breath visible, yet the occasional beam of early moonlight reaching her mitigated the frosty bite. In a way, she liked the contrast to her perpetually hot tropical home.

In the daylight, she could feel her Resistances plummet, allowing her to feel the chilly breeze of DC, which put some things into perspective. Actually, her past two weeks, conscious and unconscious, had provided her with a new outlook from the fast-paced, solitary lifestyle she’d led before The Oscillation.

Her gaze wandered to the nearly full moon overhead, peeking out of the sparsely clouded heavens to meet Nia and her. Despite the temperature being 3°C, she wasn’t as cold as she should have been due to her restored Resistances now that she was out of the sun. In part, she figured it was the work of the fashionable bunny woman sitting across from her, legs crossed and looking somewhat bored.

Nia rested her cheek against the back of her hand as both their ears shifted left and right, zeroing in on various topics that caught their interest. Rachel could sense more about her partner in crime as the Soul Item drew closer to her spirit, wrapping around it nearly as tightly as her body.

Keeping her thoughts private, she let a small smile lift the corners of her lips as she passively studied the Living Denier. Nia was so self-conscious, and since the bun was somewhat of a reflection of Rachel, it made her ponder if others saw the same in her.

Smaller ears darting her way with the young woman’s mirrored eyes, a slight frown touched Nia’s mouth. "And what is with that attentive look, Major?"

Breathing out a soft chuckle, Rachel leaned against the cushioned armrest and let the glass cool the side of her head. "And what look would that be, Captain? I can’t see myself through your eyes—well, humph, at least I can’t as of yet—so I’ll need you to be more specific."

"Ha. Ha. Very funny, Major Hops," she mumbled, absently fidgeting with her skirt while glancing away. "That buttery, embarrassing look that you can get that my child side squeals inside at. I get the impression you’re plotting something cute when we should be thinking about the vehicle that pulled in behind us... as if we wouldn’t know."

Smile becoming a half-smirk, Rachel closed her eyes and adjusted her ears. "No need to be self-conscious, thinking I’m enjoying your child side more than your adult; Little Nia is self-conscious enough for both of you, thinking that all I want is her bigger, reliable, and badass older self. It’s almost paradoxical since you know better."

Cracking open an eye, she saw a slight upward tilt come to the bun’s lips as she stared out at the evening club hoppers on the sidewalk. "Fair enough. You have a lot more social skills than some members of your family fear," she returned, making Rachel’s smile vanish.

"That has to be my mom talking. She really thinks I have no game, huh?"

Flashing her teeth, the bun showed a devious sidelong stare. "It depends on the topic. You’re phenomenal when it comes to negotiating and planning, yet other areas could certainly use improvement... Ma’am."

"Humph. Well, bite my tail off, Soldier," she mumbled in return, cheeks coloring a tad at the thrown shade. "My mom will never be satisfied until I bring home a guy she can fawn over... I can see the reason for the crusade she’s been on recently," she grumbled, recalling the nudging comments she’d received since Nam and Alexa’s wedding last year. "I’m just too busy for those kinds of relationships right now."

"Mhm."

Rachel’s vision became slits as she glared at her smug, smirking bag of clothes, who was acting as if she saw something she didn’t while staring out of the tinted window. However, she was fine with letting the topic die as she turned her mind to what the smiling bun had mentioned earlier about being followed. Things hadn’t gone the way she’d planned when Arthur had sent her a message that he’d be sending a limo.

She’d expected him to be inside and Merlin’s ward to be hiding them. Well, that had been the theory until they found the vehicle very much empty on its arrival, which was somewhat agitating; not being able to pinpoint someone through her trusty ears was becoming an issue she needed to solve.

Rachel managed to catch Tom’s voice shortly after they’d entered the limo, giving her a clear picture of Arthur’s plan; the general’s presence vanished shortly after, which had drawn her gaze to the north. It had only been for a second when he likely went out of range of Arthur, but by the process of elimination and her discovery that the warding magic didn’t extend to their vehicles, she had a solid suspicion that the pair were in the SUV that had just pulled in behind them, since she could hear it but not the driver or passengers.

Arthur thought he was being crafty, but there was a surprise waiting for them at the restaurant. Their uninvited guests filled her with cautious curiosity, judging by the chatter that came from the place the UK Legend had selected for their meal. Arthur had chosen it for the buzz it would generate in the media, yet that also left her with a lot of information, and the king may have bitten off more than he could chew.

Nia gave her a look, making Rachel sigh.

All joking aside, if I’m going to make a private military company, then I have to play politics. It’s important to develop relations with other nations and diplomats, as well. There’s a lot more opportunity in being internationally recognized than in being tied down to one country.

"Sure, Major," the young woman across from her mumbled, mirrored illuminated irises drifting to the street again, "but are we capable of handling attention like this when your organization hasn’t even been fully approved or had more than two people pledge to join?"

Three, including you, she corrected with a grin. Scarlet and Selvaria are hardly small talent, and my family will support us.

"Yes... but, Major, you’re providing your thoughts on the matter in Congress and the Senate in a few days, which could change the whole paradigm. I just feel you’re being a little more... hopefully optimistic than what I’ve come to expect, I guess? Plus, these are hardly neutral parties that we are dealing with."

I know, Rachel returned with a sigh, pulling around her unbound hair while considering how best to craft it for the meeting. It’s always different having you as an adult rather than a child, with how divergent your worldviews are. This is the name of the game, Soldier. This battlefield isn’t the same as the Legend Quest; they want something from us, and we want something from them. It isn’t kill or be killed, so we need to watch and learn these rules fast.