We’ve already met Alma and Akari a couple times now. In case in needs to be re-stated, my primary inspiration for them is Kei and Yuri, the titular Dirty Pair — though they themselves are quite insistent that their team name is “Lovely Angels.”
Basically, both Kei and Yuri and Alma and Akari technically solve problems, but leaves things in worse shape than if they hadn’t…
Copyright
J.B. Norman
Alma and Akari, the two veteran female mercenaries, are meeting their potential next employer in the recently reconstructed Hammered Nail in the Dock District Porthaven. This is the first time they’ve been to the Nail since their previous visit ended with them kinda-sorta, unintentionally, and in no manner in which they could be possibly held legally responsible exploding the dockside tavern in the act of apprehending the wanted criminal Axe the Blade.
They’re at a table in the centre of the Nail, introducing themselves to the young pirate Captain seeking skilled help.
“I,” Alma declares proudly, “am the Lady of Explosion Magic.”
Dunstana stares wide-eyed at the Pelayan mercenary.
“Cool,” she says.
“And I,” Akari adds, “am the Mistress of the Way of the Sword.”
“Cool,” Dunstana says again.
She sets her bag full of coins on the table.
“Okay,” she declares. “You’re hired. I mean, like, swords and explosions. I don’t even need to interview you guys. That sounds awesome!”
She peers past the two mercenaries to where the other candidates are lined up.
“Sorry, guys,” she says. “The position has been filled. It’s not my fault you don’t explode things.”
The line disperses with some disappointed murmuring, but having overheard the words ‘sword” and ‘explosion’, no-one decides to press the issue.
“We are happy to be of service,” Akari says.
Dunstana stares longingly at the Yamatai mercenary’s sword. Akari follows her gaze and smiles proudly.
“My sword is quite impressive, isn’t it?” she asks. “It’s called the Tora Mochizuki. It was forged by the great female blacksmith Mochizuki Hikari. It was once wielded by the warrior princess Hotaru who is said to have slain a hundred oni in a single night.”
“I want one,” Dunstana says breathlessly.
She clears her throat and gets back to the matter at hand.
“Come on,” she says, leading Alma and Akari out of the Nail. “I want you to meet my sister!”
On the way out, Akari turns to the barkeep — who has never been more pleased to see a patron leaving his establishment.
“Excellent renovation by the way,” she tells him. “You can barely tell how much work you’ve had done.”
The barkeep glowers and points to the door.
“Sorry about exploding the place before,” Alma mutters. “Promise it won’t happen again.”
She coughs nervously.
“This fiscal year…”
The barkeep’s glower deepens and he points to the door.
As always, Kat is happily sprawled on her beloved plaid couch in the living room of Darkstone manner. She groans when she hears Dunstana all but booting the
“Hey, Kat!” the little pirate calls eagerly. “I want you to meet the people I hired.”
Kat doesn’t stir, but Dunstana is entirely unbothered and goes right ahead with her introductions, “This is, um, Emma —”
“Alma.”
“— and,” Dunstana continues happily, “A…lex…andra.”
“Akari.”
Kat’s face immediately shoots up from where it’s buried in the cushions of her beloved plaid couch. She remembers those names…
A cold fear washes over her into being.
“Oh no.”
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