Walking down the street of a busy port town in the domain of Choshu, you find that the town is rather disarrayed. Soldiers in uniforms unfamiliar to you are milling about, securing the hastily vacated weapon stores and ammunition dumps of the shogun; his soldiers having been absent for several days.

It was not always this way, you once lived with your family in your father's large estate, given to him by the Shogun for his past loyal services. Now you live in the same house but in isolation and loneliness. Recently you received the devastating news that your father and older brother have died in the ongoing Boshin war, likely killed by the guns of the Imperial Army. You pass a unit of the city guard being disarmed by the new occupants, and duck down to hide your face from them. The occupation of the city had been mostly without violence, but you still feel fearful that the Imperial Army and their citizen supporters might discovery your family's allegiance to the Shogun. Now you find yourself walking among the common folk, hoping to find some way of keeping your family estate intact. You walk over towards a less busy stall and ask a nearby merchantman where you can find work.

"I'm sorry, I don't know any jobs that need a woman born rich like you," says the merchant. "You should try to find work in a brothel."

"What? No! I wouldn't do that!" You protest, but the merchant has already turned away. He doesn't want to be bothered with an angry young lady who is obviously born in abundance, he has his own worries in life. Angerly dismissing the rather bold suggestions of the perverse merchant you walk further down the street. As the street opens up into the docks, you see the stars and stripes of the American flag waving in the sea breeze, no doubt a product of the Emperor's need for more guns.

You stop to watch as a group of young men come ashore from a ship carrying crates and barrels; dressed in United States regalia with rifles slung over their shoulders. As they make their way off the boat your eyes are drawn to their stiff blue uniforms, fastened tight by golden buttons and silver belts. An array of brimmed blue hats shadow their tanned faces as they walk ashore, unfazed by the bright sun and brine of the sea. One of them, who appears to be in charge, notices you watching him and smiles at you with a mischievous light in his eyes. He is a handsome American man with dark hair and blue eyes and his smile seems friendly enough, but you notice his hand rests on the hilt of a sword at his waist. You quickly look away, not wanting to draw attention to yourself.

You continue walking down the street towards your home when suddenly he calls out after you in fluent Japanese, "Excuse me miss."

You turn to face him and say, "Yes?"

"Forgive the sudden introduction, but my name is Captain Charles," He explains hurriedly with a charming smile, "Would you like to earn some extra money? I heard you questioning some of the merchants about a job."

"Oh... um..." You begin, unsure how to respond.

"I could use a good cook," Charles says, gesturing to his barracks. "I have a small group of officers, but I need someone to prepare meals for us all. You are definitely something nice to look at as well, so I think you'd be perfect." He looks at you expectantly with a flirtatious smirk, awaiting your reply.