Rin kept drinking her juice as the women in the room continued their assessment of the past year since Mikoto died. She felt her mood lower as she thought about the amazing man who recruited her into HOMRA. She stopped sipping at the apple juice carton, remaining silent for a moment as she missed the King of HOMRA. She wanted him back, but she didn't want to offend Mariko, Mariko was great too, just it wasn't the same.
“You know I'm here for every one of you, to carry this on and finish it. Do not think I'm just sitting here wasting time. Mayu, keep your mind sharp and straight, we must take our situation and use it as an advantage. If a king dies a clan should declare defeat and mostly would disband. For the public and most people, we are no more. Let us use this to our advantage, we must and should lay low yet at the same time, find out what the others are doing.”
She nodded her head, smiling to the Queen, giving her approval with a nod of her head. She didn't want to leave HOMRA. She didn't want to have to find a new clan. At HOMRA she felt she could be herself without anyone interrupting her. She could just be the shy, broken, irritable girl she was and no one would question her.
“We don't have much time, I'm sure you understand that.”
Rin jumped slightly once she realized Mariko was addressing her directly, nodding her head, "Time is of the essence.." She replied agreeing with her, she wanted to do anything she could to help HOMRA, even if it meant changing herself a little.
“I was going to explain this while you both were here but, the fact of the matter is like I said, we were to be unknown. Someone who has been spreading “rumor” of me. They do not know who I am but If word reaches the other's ear. There are a few possibilities of what could happen.”
Rin swallowed hard, realizing the severity of the situation, "We have to do something.." She agreed, taking a drink from her juice before throwing it into the trash can, across the counter. She pulled a piece of pocky from her jacket, chewing on it as she continued to listen to her Queen patiently.
“One, they will seek to immediately end us, believing that because we have a new leader, our morale is less capable for command and that means we'll lack the strength to defend ourselves. Now granted we may believe we're fine but we're not. Some of us unfortunately are still in a devastated state and some although they respect me, still aren't comfortable and compare me. The second, is that they will investigate us, specifically me and if we play this like a game of chess. Any investigations and key observations will become like a game of chess and we'll eventually become cornered. They will try to reveal information and most suspected would be of revenge and rebellion. Do not think we're out here for revenge. We simply have to do what we must to survive and keep this clan alive.”
She closed her eyes, trying to think of a way out of their situation, and nodded her head again, "As much as I'd love to avenge King Mikoto... We couldn't accomplish that as we are.." She added, then looked over to her, smiling, "I respect you, and I do miss Mikoto.. but you're two different people who can't be compared. It's like trying to compare a car to fruit.." She stated flatly, deciding to not sugar coat anything she chose to say.
“The last option would simply be a bit risky but can be done. If the clans did learn of “The Red Queen” its safe to say we'll be assigning decoys to hold the title of Red Queen. They will already know by that point that we're alive but they won't know who the real focus is. These are what I've come up with. This is why we're going to find this person as a priority and try to end the seed of information before it goes further. Any objections or thoughts?”
"Mayu would be a believable Red Queen... She's got the fire and anger.. She may not always direct it properly, but it would keep the attention off of you while we make a battle plan... I would do it myself, but if they were to watch me it would interfere with my intel work.. I can't sneak around if everyone suspects me.. " It was possibly the longest reply she'd ever given since Mariko took her role of power. The typically quiet girl then stood, taking a deep breath before staring determinedly at her Queen, "What can I currently do for our clan?"