Liana Skye/Hikari Sora
Location: Spade Queen Country Club - Kitchen
Phase: Morning Phase
Date: 10.09.1994
Weather: Overcast
"Mom... and a device...?"
Cathie raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds like some sorta secret agent business. Like seriously. Though then again, I'm not surprised. Little hard to be after last night. From what I can only think of as some super-vampire to the whole fiasco after that... man, it's like I'm one of those teen fantasy novels these days," Cathie replied, slight sarcasm creeping to her voice. "Too bad I'm not exactly heroine material - more like a side character. Working at your mom's place and flunking through school doesn't exactly prepare you for stuff like this."
It seemed that slowly but surely, the preparations for breakfast were coming together, and soon enough the trio would be able to present what they had made to the rest of the group. Chances are, the best place for a very late breakfast would be the lobby, since it still was the top place in the building when it came to being able to survey all your surroundings at once. And chances were, Jayesh Omkara probably wanted to not move around too much after last night.
Cathie, who was piling up her pancakes while arranging some whipped cream, blueberries and other condiments next to them sighed a little.
"Don't think I can really help you out with the mysterious device thing either, L - sorry. The only guy around who knows anything about tech I can think about is Tommy, and though I've been over to his place many times I haven't really seen anything out of the ordinary there... if you don't count the old airplane he hides under that tarp," the auburn-haired girl continued. "Though, hmm... you said your mother was a coffee addict, right?"
She put a finger to her chin.
"Wonder if she's been to our place at any point...?" Cathie mused, before glancing at Liana. "What does she look like? We have plenty of customers daily, so it's possible that I might've gotten a glimpse of her. Or if not me, mom could have. She's got a good memory for faces.... wait..."
Suddenly, Cathie's face grew pale.
".... Oh god I didn't tell mom where I was going last night."
It was the dawning horror of a teenager who knew she was in deep, deep trouble.
"I'm gonna be so grounded...!"
Prushka?
Location: Pinefall High Pool Building
Phase: Morning Phase
Date: 10.09.1994 (SAT)
Weather: Overcast
"Here you go, dude."
Wordlessly, the janitor and Ahti exchanged glances as the former passed a can of cola to the latter. Ahti took it, let out a sigh and opened the can. Then he downed half the can in one go, as if hoping to find some alcohol mixed in with the drink to ease his growing headache. Unfortunately, there was none, and the only thing he got was the massive burp that echoed from his mouth moments later, causing both Jake and Inacio to chuckle.
Finally, Ahti aimed a one-eyed frown at Prushka and grabbed her by the helmet, forcing the girl to stay put in one place for a moment.
"... Goddammit, Imp, stop fussing over me already - you're just making the situation worse," the white-haired boy growled. "I'm not made outta glass, y'know. Rather, the only thing I'm worried about right now is how you managed to talk me into that so quickly that I didn't even realize what was going on before it was too late."
The boy then let go and took a look at the other two in the room.
"--- Just try to forget about that, alright? I know I am."
Both Jake and Inacio laughed at that, shaking their heads.
Well, at least the tense atmosphere had melted away? So, it was a success... kind of...?
"... Well, even though I might have some amusing stories about the fairer sex as you requested..." Inacio started, eyes mirthfully glinting at Prushka. "I have to admit I've got nothing to top that bit of insanity just now. So yes, unfortunately I think that you, Prushka, are the funniest 'girl story' we have right now - and that story seems to be best told by... erm... actually, I don't think I've ever met you before, have I?"
Jake nodded.
"Yeah, never seen you around before, dude."
Ahti, finding himself suddenly at the center of attention, blinked in surprise. Then, with a slightly grumpy face to hide his further embarrassment, he scratched the back of his head and averted his gaze from the two.
"Uhh... Ahti. The name's Ahti."
Talk about awkward greetings.
"And I'm Inacio," the guitarist introduced himself. "This here would, of course, be the janitor of our school - Jake. A bit of a wild card, but a decent enough man I suppose."
That made Jake snort as he leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.
"Yeah, speak for yourself, dude. Though, more importantly..." Jake looked at both Prushka and Ahti and cocked an eyebrow. "Don't recognize you Ahti, but I guess you've got Prushka to vouch for you. Gotta say, out of all the Pinefall students I didn't expect to see her to be piggyback-riding anyone. Live and learn, yeah? Must've been some pretty high-octane shenanigans to lead being so close, huh?"
... Wait, what was that mischievous tone in his voice?
"Mm, I'm rather interested in hearing about it as well," Inacio said with a sneaky grin. "You wouldn't happen to have any juicy details to share? The request was for funny girl stories, after all..."
Ahti, blinking in surprise again, glanced towards Prushka... and then back to the two guys. He folded his arms too and took a more relaxed position on the chair. Then, with a straight and honest face, as if he didn't really realize the danger hanging in the air, he spoke up.
"... Yeah, I guess there's some funny stuff I could tell about the Imp. I mean, she is like pretty hilarious when she goes over-the-top and doesn't even realize it," Ahti started. "Like, just this morning, she was---"
--- Danger, Prushka Robinson!
Hisa Momoi
Location: Road's End - Road to McLampet Manor
Phase: Morning Phase
Date: 10.09.1994 (SAT)
Weather: Overcast
Slowly, the rest of the town was left behind and the car began to travel down the winding path nestled close to the ocean.
The overhanging clouds seemed as heavy as ever and the grey, pale light they let through certainly wasn't enough to make the scenery look that appealing... at least, if this had been any other place. However, the nature of the Pacific Northwest was, in a way, almost made for early autumn like this - just before the leaves changed colour. The woods were thick and ancient, the landscape was old and unchanging, the sea was quiet and unknowable - all like they were straight out of a book or a story. And the distant lights that came through the windows of the many buildings of the town were surprisingly warm.
In a weird way, even Road's End had its own beauty, even though it was so often draped in rain and melancholy.
"... Ah, I can see the gate."
Pyry's voice drew Hisa from her thoughts, and indeed, up ahead she could see the tell-tale sign of the thick, old iron gate that guarded the entrance to the mansion. The asphalt road continued through it, and far beyond it, the group could see a wisp of smoke rising up from a somewhat familiar-looking chimney. It looked like somebody had lit up the fireplace of the McLampet Manor, as was fitting for a day like this.
With a small grunt, Pyry decided to park the car near where they had parked it the previous evening - away from the security camera of the house and bit of a walk away from the gate and the large brick walls themselves. It wouldn't be much of an obstacle to get over the walls once more, especially now during the day when they could see properly, though perhaps going as a big group might not be such a good idea.
Pyry might have had the same thought, as he turned towards the rest of the group.
"Should we two go fetch Allene? Might attract less attention that way," the boy suggested, looking at Hisa. "I mean, if we're trying to be sneaky about this, then------ Wait."
Suddenly, something caught the boy's eyes - something at the edge of his vision. That very same thing also caught Hisa's eyes, and as if synchronized, the duo turned to look what had alarmed them momentarily.
... The gate had opened, and someone had walked through. And now that someone was walking towards their car with careful, measured pace.
No, not walking.
Hisa recognized the person approaching the car before anyone else did - after all, she was the only one who had properly seen her. Or even could recognize her.
Beatrice, the old maid of the house, was slowly rolling his wheelchair forward towards the car.
There was a gentle smile on her lips, and though it seemed like they had been spotted, it didn't feel like they were in trouble.
Next to her, the old dog that always accompanied her guarded her carefully.
And trailing behind them, slipping through the gates with some difficulties was...
... Allene?
Shielding herself with a fancy blue parasol?