"Not quite Kiyoshi, I'm Tsukasa, I'm your big sister but thank you for the compliment, mama is very pretty", said Kiyoshi's 'mother'.
"Oh...", said Kiyoshi, disappointedly.
He had so hoped that this would be an alternate form of his mother. For a moment, the disappointment was clear on his face. But, as he thought about it more, his mood lifted again.
Yay, another big sister! he thought, his face brightening once more.
"Nice to meet you, Tsukasa-nee" he said, hugging her tightly.
Whilst he was disappointed that she wasn't his mother, he was happy to meet another family member, and one connected to his mother, at that. She seemed nice, too.
Still, Kiyoshi was rather curious. If she wasn't his mother, then why did she look so much like her?
"Hmm, Tsukasa-nee, why do you have mummy's altered hair and eyes? Me and my siblings have her natural colouring, like Aunty Rin", he asked, curiously.
"Jack", the man said, slipping his hands into his coat pockets.
"And the other guy is Connor McDickless", he continued. "Mind if we have a short chat in private Rider? Forest is a little tied up at the moment."
Rider licked her lips at the thought of Forest being tied up.
No, this is not the time for fantasies..., she thought.
Whilst Rider thought that the man's actions looked somewhat suspicious, she could see no reason not to agree to his request. If he had bad intentions she very much doubted she couldn't handle him and, besides, if it did come to that she would rather not have Kiyoshi get involved.
Before she could speak up to agree, though, Connor responded.
"Right sorry, I just started thinking a bit too deeply there. My name is Connor, I'm a family friend, my dad is the guy you probably know as Lancer. Me mum is his master from the fifth Bazzet. As fer the kiddo there, he just gave Tsukasa a real compliment. Sakura got a bit messed up so she ain't here but her mum came by, I'm sure she'd like ya meet you" he replied.
Rider smiled at Connor. Whilst she had never met a "Bazzet" and barely knew of Lancer either, she saw no reason not to trust him for the moment. And, she would certainly be glad to meet another version of Rin.
Then, finally, Taiga spoke.
"There's a bad man in the kitchen, he tried to eat Sakura, Connor and Kiyoshi saw and then miss Forest got hurt I think. I was downstairs at the time but Kiyoshi and Connor aren't liars, that's him" she said, pointing at Jack.
Tried to eat her? Rider thought.
It was obvious that Jack had done something pretty bad, but the fact that Taiga had used the word "eat" made it sound like he had a motive beyond just malice, and Rider was hardly in a position to judge him for that, at least without more details.
"Hmm, he did, did he?" Rider said to Taiga.
"Well, I think me and him had better have a little chat", she added, glancing menacingly at Jack. "I won't condemn him for being what he is, but nor I will not allow anyone to harm my master's family, however hungry they are...."
Then, she turned to Connor.
"I've never heard of a 'Bazett', and I only really know of Lancer as the guy who tried to kill my master's husband. Still, Kiyoshi seems to be OK with you, and you're Satoshi and Taiga's friend, so I am willing to trust you, for now at least."
Finally, she turned to Jack.
"OK, well, then, let's have that talk. I would like to hear your explanation for why you attacked Sakura...."