A Secret Well Kept, New Beginnings [Private: Yumiko/Alastair]

Truth be told, Yumiko hadn't met the new leader of the Vandenreich, not since Cyrus stepped down in favor of him. Truth be told, she was too busy trying to keep an eye Nanaly and also her own work to really give it much more attention than reflection during showers and before she went to bed. However, the times she thought about what Cyrus had been told, and what Alistair may or may not know, nagged at her conscious. It was, to say the least, a safety hazard not to inform Alistair herself. Even if he knew thanks to any files Cyrus may have, the Kamenashi were moneyed after all and hiding secrets was easy with enough funds, Yumiko owed the truth to her newer boss.

Such reasons were why Yumiko had requested a meeting with Alistair, her boss. This led to Yumiko waiting in the same room she had waited in when she had come to join the Vandenreich. Now, it seemed she was here for a similar reason as that time. The irony was palpable to Yumiko as she waited for authorization to visit Alistair in the same office that Cyrus once occupied. Once she was allowed, Yumiko was more than happy to show herself upstairs and into that very same office. For now, however, she could only wonder what Alistair would be like compared to Cyrus... And wait.

It was certainly true that little had changed about the headquarters in the transition from Cyrus to Alastair's tenure as Grandmaster. That much had been Alastair's intention, for if they were suitable for a leader of Cyrus' calibre then he would acclimatise to them just the same. Yumiko would be offered refreshments whilst she waited, but eventually - shortly after the arranged time - she was invited to enter the Grandmaster's office.

It was still the same austere room, a long empty approach from the door led to a single desk, the only piece of furniture present beyond the chairs placed around it. The walls were dominated with floor-to-ceiling windows that cast an impressive view of the City of Lights beneath them, but also made sure that the only point of focus for a visitor to look was at the man with flaming red hair sat behind that desk. And he was staring back, with a firm gaze of orange that would not waver. His expression was neutral, even, waiting to see what Yumiko had arranged this meeting for.

"Personnel Kamenashi, please, take a seat if you wish."

He spoke with a cadence that was emblematic of his no-nonsense attitude, a gloved hand briefly sweeping in the direction of an empty chair. It took little time for him to get down to business.

"My door is always open for members of the Vandenreich, so what is your reason for requesting a meeting today?"

Once Yumiko was invited to enter the Grandmaster's office, she left her refreshment behind, unless it was something she could easily take care of herself, and went to enter the office. The long walk wasn't terrible, the only thing that really irritated Yumiko was the sound of her shoes clacking upon the floor. It's not like she had any real heels, but the sole was hard enough to allow such noises. When Yumiko was requested to sit, she did so, fiddling with her prosthetics out of habit. She looked upon Alastair, sizing him up mentally as her eyes seemed to take in as much detail as possible.

Alistair certainly had a different air from Cyrus, but Yumiko found it comparable to Cyrus. She found in comparable in the sense that Alastair was a strong man, and not a leader to be trifled with. Upon Alastair's question, Yumiko's gaze didn't soften or decrease in intensity, the gray haired woman simply looked on as she formulated a proper way to answer Alastair without seeming... too casual.

"The reason I requested a meeting with you today was to discuss a matter that Cyrus was informed of when I first became a part of the Vandenreich. A matter that, even if he shared with you, is my responsibility to address. Along with a request that goes along with said matter of import."

Yumiko fiddled with her prosthetics for a few more moments, seemingly like a nervous fidget. However, Yumiko soon ceased the fidget with a clenching of her hand; something that briefly caused the creaking of metal to emit from her prosthetics. The matter of her birth, and her disability, has mostly been kept out of the official eye. Yumiko is, due to medical records, officially considered as disabled. However, the Kamenashi family, moneyed as they are, were able to conceal the fact with money, so that Yumiko could lead a relatively normal life. Alastair, as her grandmaster, deserved the truth from Yumiko; even if he may already know it. With a few deft movements, Yumiko had taken off one of her prosthetics and carefully placed it upon the table to try and emphasize her point.

"Legally speaking, I am disabled. The muscles in my legs didn't quite grow right, a birth defect, to this day they still don't work better than that of a normal human's without a prosthesis. Which is what this is, built to be rather inconspicuous. Cyrus knew it, on word from both myself and my mother, and now I know for certain that you do too."

Unless Alastair desired to look upon Yumiko's prosthetic she placed upon the table, Yumiko would take it and put it back upon her leg and foot; also slipping her shoe back on afterwards. Once it was all buttoned up and seemed to be one piece again, Yumiko's grey eyes focused on Alastair's fiery orbs. Now... for her request.

"My request is that you keep the matter of my disability close to the chest. I understand if it must be disclosed for medical emergencies, but is my secret to disclose to whom I wish; either out of necessity or an honest desire."

After Yumiko finished talking, she did gently fiddle with her prosthetics a bit more, trying to be certain of their working condition as she waited for Alastair to speak on this matter. It was very important to Yumiko, because she didn't wish to be treated differently by those she worked with, or anyone in general, just because she was legally disabled thanks to a birth defect. In the end, she knew she couldn't expect Alastair to hold it close to the chest, but that was why she requested he did. Such a request being granted could determine the Quincy's faith in Alastair as a grandmaster.

Alastair waited quite patiently as Yumiko explained herself, the revelation of her condition prompting so little of a reaction from the man that he might have already known. But that was not to say that he was dismissive of it either, there was no small amount of noble courtesy to the Grandmaster that shone through in his every action. The subtle mannerisms that only someone else who had lived that life might recognise.

"It is not in mine or the Vandenreich's best interests to disclose your medical records unless it is expressly necessary to a situation in which your own safety depends upon it. The security of every personnel within this organisation is vital to our continued operation, so I will offer you the same assurances as my predecessor regarding your unique situation."

He was certainly formal in his speech, with a principled and corporate nature that might even come off as cold, but behind every word was an unmistakable confidence. He carried no doubt in his heart, for there was no room for any, and that applied to Yumiko just as much as anyone else. She had come to him with this information unprompted, placed her trust in him to act decently with it, and so he would.

"This secret will remain your own to keep for as long as it does not impact your work, and I have every faith that it will not impact your ability to perform your duties."

He paused, letting that statement settle for a moment before he moved forward once more.

"If you require further assistance with your prosthetics - maintenance, refinement, or improvements - then I can put you in contact with a cutting-edge research facility that manufactures military hardware. Dealing with bespoke technology such as this is their speciality, and I will personally cover any expenses this might occur."

It was gladdening beyond belief that Alastair had not been appraised of the situation, that Cyrus had let Yumiko take care of business that was hers and hers alone. Alastair would notice that a measure of stiffness lifted from Yumiko, as if a weight had been lifted off the woman's shoulders. It was additionally gratifying that the man intended not to release her medical records unless they were needed for medical emergencies. All things considered, this meeting went just as well as her first meeting with Cyrus. She was grateful, but for this audience to be that and that alone would be wasteful. She had some time with Alastair, she may as well make the best of it.

As Alastair spoke, Yumiko took careful note of his words and formal speech. He was certainly eloquent, which fit perfectly for the job. She considered his fiery eyes for a few moments, and the confidence behind his seemingly icy words was something to behold. The Quincy decided then that he was more than worthy as a replacement for Cyrus in these two matters alone. This act of trust to keep her disability secret gained him more allegiance and loyalty from the young Quincy than he perhaps would understand immediately. Regardless, the small woman knew she wouldn't let Alastair down.

"The only time it would ever interrupt my work would be because my prosthetics had been destroyed in battle. Even then, I can walk without my prosthetics for measured bursts of time. It's simply difficult to walk without them too long, my muscles give out on me due to their unnatural structure. Fighting without them is typically out of the question... I can temporarily reinforce them with my blut. But I can't walk for a while after it wears off."

Shuten recounted this without batting an eyelash. She had long since accepted the reality of her situation, to deny it was to simply stagnate. Instead, the young Quincy had long since accepted it and was determined to fight against it as hard as she possibly could; even if it was futile in the end. To that end, she considered Alastair's offer. Yumiko had been reluctant to modify her mothers handiwork, mostly upgrading it or repairing it so they kept working as they always did. However... She could still respect her mother, Toshiko, by modifying them, or even completely rebuilding them, to function better; perhaps even be more inconspicuous.

"Yes... If you can arrange it, I would love to get in contact with that research facility. My family may be moneyed, but often the best isn't sold to the civilian population; even if my mother is ex-Vandenreich. Even if I don't want my mother's handiwork to be forgotten or modified, I can't afford to work with technology that may hold me back; especially if I am called to the field of battle."

The reality was that if she worked with older technology, she could die. And what would her mother care for more? The prosthetics or the life of her only daughter? The answer was obvious to Toshiko, and it was just as obvious to Yumiko. The prosthetics were nothing compared to the young Quincy's own life.

Her acceptance of his offer was met with a single curt nod; no further fanfare was required. Claudia had given Alastair this company, among many others, as some form of power play, but he would not let that define the actions they took. Mass-producing equipment for the Vandenreich was a valiant goal, but one that was infeasible given the cost associated with every item. However, outfitting one other member of staff was much more tolerable.

"You are quite correct that the best do not operate within the civilian sphere, for the public's safety. But I have a strong relationship with the facility, and have used several of their products personally, so I will be sure to pass your details along. I am sure that they will do what they can to accommodate your wishes whilst improving your combat efficiency, whilst handling this in a discreet manner that I believe would suit your needs."

He would take the time to send across the corresponding details after their meeting had concluded, a mental note now lodged in the back of his mind. The mention of her mother, and that the prosthetics were her design, did prompt him to steer the conversation again, if only because it might save him the time from digging up older records from the archives.

"It is still impressive that your mother was able to create the prosthetics that you have. Given the civilian applications that such technology could benefit, I would be quite interested to know if she would consider crafting similar - perhaps more rudimentary - prototypes for use by those who have suffered in the war or the African catastrophe."

Yumiko gave Alastair a gentle smile after he acknowledged her acceptance. It was a wonderful thing, really, to have the idea that she could update her prosthetics with technology that the general public couldn't gain access to. Yumiko bowed her head in a very traditional Japanese way of showing her respect and thanks. Soon, however, her attention was taken by what Alistair had mentioned next. To offer Yumiko's mother a job, especially after all this time of her being retired... Yumiko wasn't sure how to handle it.

"Thank you again, Alastair. It means more than words could ever describe."

That Alastair was willing to effectively outfit Yumiko was amazing enough. What he offered on top of it was also quite amazing, just as amazing as it was confusing for the Quincy. How... How would her mother respond? She honestly might make her first priority to inform her mother about this opportunity so she could give Alastair her honest opinion. However, as Yumiko thought about how her mother Toshiko would feel about this opportunity... She figured that she wouldn't refuse. Toshiko had likely been cooped up at home, bored out of her gourd from retirement, and Yumiko couldn't think of anything else that would get Toshiko amped up like this.

"From what she told me, she labored all of her ingenuity and technique on them. After all, they were for her only child... I'll tell her the offer that you proposed to me, Alastair. I can't say for sure when she'll be in contact with you, but... Expect a reply from my mother sooner rather than later."

Yumiko smiled once again before she carefully adjusted something upon her prosthetics. Now that Alastair knew of Yumiko's disability, he may start to recognize some of her habits that were borne from a life of dealing with it. After a few more moments of silence, Yumiko placed her hands within her lap, and looked Alastair straight in the eye. Even if Yumiko was considerably weaker in comparison to the Grandmaster, she still had a presence to her that was at least admirable, if not entirely formidable.

"Alastair... I have already said it, but I must thank you once more. You have agreed to keep my disability a secret, provided me with the opportunity to better myself, and offered my mother a job. Word's cannot fully describe my gratitude. Is there anything else you may wish from me this day?"