Spirit Pulse : Mugen No Sekai [IC]

[Airen]

Himura Ichizen
Neo Aoyama ~ Outskirts
Monday - Early Morning

"..."

While there were certainly benefits towards using the room provided to you by the SDCD, there is a sort of silent serenity that was only possible in one's own personal residence. The SDCD Dorms were almost always thrumming with noise, Tamers were always coming and going about their business, playing games in the common rooms, training together in the simulators, or showing off (or hoarding) whatever skills they may possess in the kitchens. Regardless of the source, it was a place that was always thrumming with noise, and while that noise was warm in it's own way...

There is a beauty in serenity.

A house that was more akin to a mansion, one that was clearly older than the rest of Aoyama, due to it's placement atop one of the hills on the outskirts of the ward leaving it historically undamaged by many of the supernatural incidents that had stricken the area over a decade ago. A place that was made complete with stone gardens and an artificial lake, there was a more modern dojo present behind the house, and an old wooden-storehouse present near it's front... It was a home shielded from the rest of the world by walls and a gate, and a place that had felt more 'fitting' to raise a child... Of course, that is not something you can say you are an authority on, but the feeling that had struck you at that time was that it was a good idea.

A kid should have a place that they can call their own. While the base would have been a fine home in it's own way, this sort of thing had simply struck you as important, so you had acted on that impulse without regret.

---Her friends were normally impressed, but you didn't see why it was a big deal.

Regardless, it was good for you as well; meditation was much easier amidst the grasp of nature rather than that of technology, or waters that both comforted and distressed you due to some aspect of their nature you couldn't place.

You had risen before the sun, to sort through your thoughts as it rose.

There is no need to see Akane to school anymore, while you had questioned the path she would take there initially, she was not the sort to walk alone, and Aoyama was safer than it had ever been in it's history. If she needs you for something she will come to get you, and so you plan to simply spend the morning as you will, thinking of things that perhaps don't matter, or matter more than anything else.

...At least, that was the plan.

The deep sound of a bell rings out through the gardens, scattering the koi fish that had begun to gather in the lake at your side.

"..."

That too was an aspect of this house.

Rather than a modern doorbell, there was a chain at the front door that could be pulled by a visitor. Pulling it set off a number of bells all throughout the minor estate, alerting everyone inside to the presence of a visitor at the gates.

---As a manifestation of a certain spell on the estate, the bells are also designed to go off should someone enter the grounds unauthorized, but in that case, the sound one should look for is that of the main bell ringing alone, in this case...

It is a symphony of sound, indicating that the one that has arrived has done so in a proper manner, waiting calmly at the front gate for someone to respond to their presence.

At this time, Akane is getting ready for the day.

In that case, the one that has to answer it is you.

---There is only one person it can really be at this time. While Akane's friends are known to show up at the door as well, there is only one person with the fortitude to do so while the sun is still only just over the horizon; it is someone who is up long before the sun is, who was stricter than you in a number of ways, but could also be called unfailingly kind in spite of that, yes...

The journey to the front door is one where you already know who is present at the destination, nevertheless...

What was she here for today?

That is the question, and the answer...

"...~!"

Beaming at you a few moments after you open the door, her passive waiting face turning into a brilliant smile, Akiko doesn't bother with getting her COMP's A.I to speak for her, rather, the moment she sees you, she eagerly raises the item she was holding in her hands -a basket- and reveals it's contents to you without missing a beat.

Black sesame cupcakes.

In other words...

She had shown up to your house with breakfast, a consequence of her newfound habit to bake as often as she liked, now that she lived in a place where ingredients were much more readily available to her.

---It wasn't the first time.

Wouldn't be the last time either, although she apparently cycled from friend to friend nowadays.

[Mooncake]

Himura Ichizen
Neo Aoyama ~ Outskirts
Monday - Early Morning


When he opens his eyes, he is fully awake.

He gets out of bed to do the same thing he does every morning, now, ever since Akane had come to stay with him.

He goes downstairs and boils water, whisking macha and hot water into a bowl to form his morning tea while he reviews the tasks of the day. In an earlier time, he would have gone to the dojo and achieved formless perfection, and life would have been simpler.

Now, the first thing he does is make Akane's lunch.

He makes the rice, and while it simmers he bakes salmon and scrambles eggs and washes strawberries until the rice is done. He backs the bento one section at a time on its bed of steamed rice. First the ground chicken, seasoned with sweet soy sauce, then the eggs, then the salmon, and then a little section for the strawberries, to add healthy sweetness.

Afterwards he makes his way to the dojo, bowing, clapping, and getting warm. He makes three cuts, and, satisfied in their singular perfection, sits to watch the koi swim across the pond. He breathes out in the cold morning air, and lets the rising sun warm his face.

When he starts to contemplate breakfast, the bell tolls. It can only be one person.

"...~!"

Akiko smiles at him from the other side of the door, holding up her basket full of food, and Himura Ichizen says his first words of the day to her.

"Thank you."

He signs them, too, though she doesn't need it, and welcomes her into the house. Akane still hasn't come downstairs yet, so the two of them meander to the kitchen, where Ichizen takes one of Akiko's cupcakes and puts it in the center of Akane's bento as the finishing touch, then takes one for himself. Then another.

He thinks of calling Akane down, but she knows the way to school. Whether she's late or not is up to her. No one ever contacts him about it, so it must be all right.

He offers Akiko tea, and spreads the cupcakes out between them.

"What are you doing today?"

[Airen]

Blaise Pendragon
Neo Aoyama, Alleyways
Monday - Morning

"..."

For a few moments, the only sounds that decorate the alleyway are that of the youth's mostly unconscious lackeys, groaning aloud to themselves as their COMPs begin the transition from normal operation to first-aid mode, automatically applying civilian-tier healing spells in a bid to awaken their owners from their forced slumbers. It was one of many handy functions of the devices, so long as even a simple artificial intelligence is active, it will always do it's best to protect it's user through any means available to it, and seeing as how their injuries were mostly physical in nature -and relatively unserious at that- they'd be up and about again in around fifteen minutes, exhausted from their unconscious use of magic definitely, but up and mostly able...

Stronger people would be up faster than that, but the ease with which they had gone down, as well as the way they had all attacked at once, seemed to indicate that they weren't exactly used to being hit; gangs normally exist for the power that comes with numbers after all, a fight is pretty easy to win if that fight happens to be ten on one person, but...

They had picked the wrong targets today.

"..."

Of course, for the leader himself... This scenario is excruciating in ways that go beyond the physical... He had heard the rumors about the lone wolf from someone the other day, but had been confident that he could handle him if things came down to it... But this was the reality, a beating that had taken less than half-a-minute, along with the shattering of all the 'strength,' he had thought he finally had in this world...

If that had been it... If it had stopped at just having his ass kicked, then he probably could have lived with that, but this ending, that speech, the moral grandstanding and the outstretched hand...

No... Now that he thought about it... That wasn't the problem... No...

It was because he was being forced to feel fear. This spine-chilling feeling that had hit him from moment zero, one that had left him pleading, that even now made it impossible for him to meet that gaze...

That overwhelming fear... Now that he's really had time to process it, to tame it... Turns into anger easily enough...

"Don't... you-"

While he wants to slap it away he's not an idiot. The person before him is clearly abnormal, either a Tamer or something else; no one besides those freaks could just take a baseball swing to the back and treat it as non-existent; besides, while he cannot meet that gaze, he can read the aura of this scenario, it's an aura that he cannot overcome, one that has him trembling still even now as he paradoxically clings to the pride he himself had shattered-!

It feels like a twisted joke-!

"Lecture me-!"

So he decides to use it.

Illegal magic.

Like a coward, cursing himself for it even as he embraces it, a flash of light is all that accompanies these final defiant words. It appears to be a flash-bang spell of some sort, something that comes with an absolute bang along with a overwhelming flash of light that has even you stumbling for a brief moment; most people would be unable to see for about five seconds, as all sensory pigment in the retinas of the eyes are activated at once, but you recover in less than a second, body already poised to block him from getting past you in what he must assume would be one of your weaker moments.

But...

No one ever goes past you. While most people's hearing would be distorted for awhile after being assaulted in such an unrepentant way, you are not most people, and indeed, every one of your senses -including your sixth- retains more than enough functionality to tell you that he makes no further movements towards you. He's far too slow to run past you even with a flash-bang, and if he was capable of jumping clean over you, he would have put up much more of a fight earlier on, so...

---It's surprising when you find he's gone in the aftermath of the flash.

Leaving all of his lackeys behind to seemingly take the fall, it only takes you a moment to realize he must have used some form of teleportation spell to escape under the distraction of the flash-bang...

Of course, that too raises some questions.

That is not the sort of magic civilians are authorized to have... You're not really a Tamer yourself, but you still know the rules, and what magic is legal for civilians to possess and what isn't; teleportation spells were not amongst the publicly available formulas, hell, Aunt Yuka being able to teleport at all was apparently a sign that she was an "excellent" magic user, so for some punk to seemingly pull something like that out of nowhere...

It's strange...

Still... While the leader has abandoned his group, the group itself is mostly still moaning and groaning on the floor... While the speech had also been semi-aimed at them, the majority of them aren't quite in a place where they can properly respond to it, at least that's what you think at first, but...

"...He ran away, huh?"

"That's some serious bullshit."

One manages to stand, even on shaking legs.

Compared to the last one, who had clearly been the leader, this was the one who had been left with the task of using the spiked bat. There was a certain tenacity in him that the others lacked, something that was easily seen by the fact that he had somehow brought himself back out into the realm of the conscious without relying on his COMP, and-

"...After a fight, the losers have to listen to the winner. That's how we've always done things. So, if that's what you want..."

So you win.

He doesn't say it aloud, and he is not capable of taking any outstretched hands, as his shaking strength leads him to collapse soon afterwards, but...

It seems that he, at least, has no intentions of copying the shameful actions of their former boss any further; the ideals the others hold are somewhat more difficult to interpret, as most of them as still dazed, but...

It feels like you got through to them, at least, they seem to agree with the 'rule' their apparent lieutenant had spouted before falling over. Of course, this means that you're ultimately left in an alleyway with quite a few beaten bodies, the sort of thing that becomes problematic to explain once the wrong (right?) kind of person comes wandering along, but...

You won't have to worry about the situation getting complicated in the future.

"Hah... So it was you, Blaise?"

Because the situation has become complicated now-!

"You recruiting little brothers? I could hear you talking from across the street, and it even made me kinda wanna come follow you~!"

Yes.

Walking down the alley without fear, a crepe in her left hand, and eyes alit with a certain mischievous air now that she's seen you, a particularly complicated person makes her smiling appearance amongst the aftermath of a street fight she had been dispatched to handle through sheer proximity to the situation.

"Unfortunately, I can't. But seeing as how the topic is speeches and lectures... It's a school day today, right?"

Yep.

Complicated now-!

[Verg Avesta]

Blaise Pendragon
Neo Aoyama, Alleyways
Monday - Morning

"Geh."

A rather uncharacteristic sound, one much more fitting to a mischievous teenager who had gotten caught pulling a prank rather than a stoic delinquent like Blaise, came out of the blonde teen's mouth. Like a rusted clock, his head turned to look at the approaching sight of a woman that he was far too familiar with, along with that sinking sensation in his stomach that accompanied it. There were only few people he would have wanted to see even less at this very moment, and incidentally, those were the only two people he

feared

respected

even more than this chipper, yet undeniably intimidating, woman.

The first being, of course, his own mother.

The second being his aunt.

There was, of course, his teacher in the ways of manly chivalry, but that person was much more of a freewheeler than any of the other three, as long as you didn't blurt out a wrong word. But that was neither here or there.

In any event, Blaise Pendragon's life had been plagued by troublesome women as long as he could remember, all members of his own family.

Case in point...

"... Nee-san."

Noriko Mochizuki

In other words, Blaise's older sister. Not by blood, but by familiar bonds even stronger than that. If there was one person he could say was his family as much as his father and his mother, it would have to be this woman who looked deceivingly young for her actual age. And therein lied the problem. Had it been just about any other authority figure, especially one that Blaise didn't know or cared about, he could have taken care of this situation one way or another. But to have Noriko-nee be here, catching him in the act, and worst of all, skipping school...

... This was the worst possible outcome.

Even the grimace on Blaise's face told that clearly.

--- Of course, his reaction was one thing. A reaction of a completely another kind came from his foul-mouthed AI companion, Kaguya.

"G-good morning, Nee-san!" Kaguya practically shouted, bowing so deep her bunny ears nearly hit the asphalt. "We just finished up beating these punks, osu! No need for ya to bother dealing with them, osu! Did... did we do good?"

The damn punk had always been, for some reason, a complete lackey of Noriko - even more so than that of Blaise. Sometimes the boy wondered just who's COMP AI she actually was, considering that even now Kaguya was looking up at Noriko with expectant eyes, like an overly-excited puppy that was waiting for compliments and headpats.

Taking a chance on this, perhaps, momentary direction, Blaise shot a sideways glance to the one punk that had shown some backbone, and spoke with a quiet voice, trying not to draw Noriko's attention to himself for the moment.

"... Being a man means acting in a way that you can be proud of," Blaise muttered, ever-stoic. "Cowardice is never that, neither is not taking responsibility of your own actions. However... sometimes even a man can come to situation he knows there's no way he can survive. In those times, it'd be more pathetic to just lay down and die. Even escaping, if it's the smart thing to do, can be the right answer. Case in point..."

Blaise directed his eyes at Noriko, and raised his hand in an awkward greeting.

".........................."

What could he say?

Noriko-nee wasn't wrong about it being a school day today. Even if Blaise didn't want to go (since going to school these days having to deal with the glares of that pole-up-her-ass StuCo prez), that didn't change the fact that, in the eyes of his older sister... he was skipping class. Breaking the law and rules.

Being a delinquent.

Something that Noriko-nee had never been a fan of him being.

".........................."

Blaise took a deep breath and made his decision.

He would just have to risk it.

So, steeling himself for what was about to come, the boy opened up his mouth, and---!

"... Our class had study hall."

--- Booked it past Noriko as fast as he could, running down the street like a rabbit being chased by hellhounds!

[Airen]

Eva Ellet
Velvet Room ~ Stage
Monday - Morning

If you had to make a guess at her nature from body language alone, the word that would come to mind would be "timid," or perhaps even "uncertain." There is an obvious hesitance in her actions -as well a stillness in your own- that seems to demand a somewhat more subdued touch, and so you speak about as softly and politely as you know how, which is likely good, seeing as how even this reaction leads the woman to flinch back so hard that she would have tripped if anything had happened to be behind her at the time-!

"Ah, the Master was correct, you don't just exist here, you are aware-!"

Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to register the actual words you had used, at least not immediately. The widened eyes marvel at you as if you were a sort of treasure or rare specimen, even doing a single circle around you as if checking to make sure all of you was completely solid, but she seems to realize the awkwardness of this reaction after a moment, judging by how she fake-coughs into a fist, expression taking on a startlingly crimson color as embarrassment apparently seeps through...

"I am sorry for ignoring you," a short bow in late response to your own, "But it is not normal for someone to arrive here that is not on the schedule. My name is Agatha. This room is both my residence and my prison, but for you it should be neither... If the two of us have managed to be here together, then it means that you have a journey you will be embarking on, and that I am to accompany you on that journey, at least to an extent. That is one of the laws of this room."

While those lines feel somewhat more recited, there's also a more obvious confidence within them, as if she was pulling herself together now that she knew someone else was actually watching her movements.

"Ah, but I should clarify. This is a room that aids it's guests, but it is also one that only opens for those with a contract. You have stumbled your way inside of here three times now, so I cannot call it a miracle, but I cannot work on your behalf if you do not hold a contract, nor can I allow you to come here willingly if you lack one. To that end, I have brought one here for you today. It is not a Faustian deal, there is only a single term that must be upheld, and I have no interest in taking souls, but I do wish to know if you would agree to uphold it."

So saying, she offers the clipboard to you, along with a bright blue pen; atop it's surface is but a single sheet of paper, drafted like a contract, there is only a single line scrawled across it's top in elegant handwriting-

I, the contract holder, agree to assume responsibility for all of the decisions I may make

-Along with a place for you to sign near the bottom...

It's a simple set of terms all things considered, really, all it was apparently saying was that you wouldn't be allowed to blame anyone else for the things that happen to you due to your own actions... That's something that most people should just do regardless, a sign that one has matured into something that at least resembles an adult, but...

"If you wish to ask something else of me before you decide whether or not to sign, I am willing to answer them if I can."

It was still a contract.

-----

Velvet Room
While all characters will benefit in some regard from forging bonds with others, characters with access to the Velvet Room are able to take those connections and forge them into a more tangible power for the self, due to the rooms ability to reveal that which has been born within one's sea of souls. These powers manifest as either upgrades to one's Persona, or as additional Spirit Commands, some of which could not be taken at the time of Character Creation, and may only be unlocked by bonds with certain specific characters.

Of course, like other training methods, visiting the Velvet Room to unlock these powers will take up a portion of one's training period during free phases. The amount of free phases in the RP are limited, so make sure to use them wisely.

Additionally, the "Velvet Room" can be chosen as a hang-out location during off-screen actions; while you cannot meet people there that do not have access to the room themselves, Tamers often come and go across the Velvet Stage, and you might be able to meet people you might not encounter under normal circumstances.

One may be called to the Velvet Room during main story sections as well, but these summonings will not take any resource from the player, and instead represent the room's attempt to 'guide' their guests to a more positive outcome in their journey.

[Airen]

Cosmos Fairchild
Rose Cross Headquarters - Inner Gardens
Monday - Morning

In the end, it seems it's somewhat difficult for a child to resist the urge of eavesdropping on their guardian, or rather, to resist the urge of spoiling a somewhat uncommon atmosphere between two friends.

The idea that Mary Fairchild and Namasaki Kenji knew each other wasn't absurd, no, while you had never seen him yourself, you knew that the two of them were part of a certain mission into space over a decade and a half ago, and had both been present in Tokyo during the advent of the second Kyuubi Incident, but the direct details of her involvement in such things were something that she had never completely elaborated on, seemingly because she thought it was better to not say anything more than what was necessary when it came to more... Confusing, aspects of the world's nature, things that the group back then had agreed most people should not concern themselves with, even inside of this newfound era of magic.

Of course, the Kyuubi Incidents themselves were famous. Revolving around the emergence and suppression of a monster called the Kyuubi, it was one of many manifestations of humanity's dark thoughts, a collective shadow the size of a city that had come screeching out of the earth in a bid to end the world... It was a monster entirely separate from demon-kind, linked instead to a certain "God of Destruction" that had called itself both "Nyarlathotep" and "Humanity," wreaking supernatural devastation on such a massive scale that the existence of magic -and soon after demons- could no longer be hidden by the various governments of the world. While Nyarlathotep had been defeated by a certain group from Aoyama back in the day, it was still listed as a potential S-Class Threat for Spirit Tamers, something whose emergence would be an automatic global incident...

---In other words, it's a final boss that was only put back to sleep, still...

To have two of the heroes from back then talking to each other... It's interesting in it's surprising rarity-!

"Still, a city in the North Pole? When exactly did it appear? I wasn't given any information on it."

Perhaps because they are both workaholics, the 'break' soon turns to them talking about work once more, or at least that seems to be the case.

"I'm not surprised you haven't, to be frank, we've only known it's been there for around an hour. The Worldwide Field isn't showing any signs of major disturbance, so we only caught it was there when the satellites noticed it as an abnormality, comparing it to yesterday's images. That gives it a time-frame of emergence of twenty-four hours, so the cause can't be natural... Unless it simply emerged from the oceans, which is the thought process that's led to it's current designation. In terms of structure it's archaic, somewhat reminiscent of Greek architecture; there are no life signs, but the systems have picked up the presence of shadow-types. Nothing extraordinary yet, but I feel it's worth looking into, never hurts to be cautious with this sort of thing, you and I both know these sorts of things tend to start small and grow over time."

"Yes... That is how things tend to be nowadays. But Atlantis is a fun enough name for it, perhaps it'll turn to be something beneficial? It's not healthy to assume everything could potentially destroy the world, you know."

A chuckle from Kenji then:

"But it's my job to assume just that, still, it's not like I'm feeling particularly stressed. Compared to back then, this problem will likely be rather trite."

...Atlantis huh?

A city at the North Pole?

It's a conversation that's certainly going places in certain areas, but in this same moment, as the sounds of pouring tea and chuckling replace Namasaki's professor-like speech-

...You can feel someone new enter the gardens.

For Tamers, it gets easier and easier to pick up on the specific signatures of their fellow Tamers once they've been around them for awhile, but in this case the COMP of the person in question is in a low-power mode, but, considering her specific talents, it's still rather easy for Illia to identify the man, as his presence was one that roared it's existence even when he just going about his day to day life, yes...

It's Isaac.

Walking as confidently as ever, humming lightly to himself with a gentlemanly cheer that made him admirable to so many...

His path is the same path you had taken to get here, and seeing as how that was the case...

If you don't want to be seen... You should probably move quickly.

[Airen]

Ludwig Karlfeldt
SLEIPNIR - Cafeteria
Monday - Morning

"...Eager to please, hm?"

For some reason, the ghost of a smile appears at how quickly you offer to accept whatever orders she might give, as if some part of her found the behavior to be amusing to some degree. Of course, while the SLEIPNIR Tamers are an odd bunch that come from all different walks of life, she has always expected a certain level of uncompromising obedience from her subordinates that cares little for how important they happen to think they are...

She was the sort who could could be looking a fully manifested Divine Spirit in the face, and tell them to fall in line or face the consequences without an ounce of hesitation or fear in her form or voice. That was just the sort of person she was, a woman with all the grace and power of a Queen, whose words bore a sort of innate authority that is difficult for anyone to deny...

It is that sort of quiet but overwhelming strength that is probably necessary for handling the sorts of egos that the SLEIPNIR tend to draw to itself, aware of this strength you decide not to fight her on it, respecting her as an older member of your family, but...

Here... she just chuckles, as if your actions had opened her eyes to something.

"...I apologize. Sometimes I come across as more forceful than I truly mean to be... I might have an assignment for you later on, but I really did just intend for this to be a more casual meeting. For now, you can be at ease."

---What?

An unexpected response.

"I was lectured by someone recently about being a bit too cold towards family. While I do not agree with being too warm either, I decided I should at least try to act slightly more like an aunt when I get the chance, to that end, I decided to call you here."

---Yes.

Surprising indeed, and it does feel like the truth, but...

Only to an extent, as if some sort of "secondary reason," also existed...

"However, if you wish to do something concrete for me... Why don't you tell me your opinion on the Karlfeldts? I am aware of your history. Is such a thing alright to you? Do you resent them?"

And perhaps...

This was it?

What did she expect you to say? What was the purpose of such a question?

It's... Hard for you to say...

Especially because she's keeping her own feelings on the matter hidden...

[Airen]

Amamiya Sho
Aoyama, LOVELESS Shopping Mall
Monday - Morning

There are some things you just can't give up.

While Kyp has a bad habit of being only semi-aware of most of the things going on around it most of the time, it seems that this blatant threat to the household's food supply is enough to put the two of you in sync in less than a second; while you cannot catch the flying imp in a footrace, and the time it would take to get a vehicle would put her far beyond your vision, the strength of your throw is one that will surely break you free from fate's twisted grasp-!

"Oh, it's a slime! Hello Mr. Slime!"

But from her end, the fairy continues to talk in a manner that can't be called hostile in good faith; there is a certain cheer in her voice that makes it seem like she doesn't even comprehend that she is committing a crime... It's a bit too friendly to be called malicious, a joyful greeting from one demon to another, spoken in a high-pitched voice that resembles that of a small-child, but-

"But I'm sorry, Ruu was given this as a mission! I can't let you catch me!"

-She does make an effort to dodge the living sphere, body turning around to face it even as she ascends with but a single flap of tiny wings, the plastic grocery bag hanging on like a champ as it is subjected to G-forces it was never truly meant to experience.

---Of course, she is confident in her ability to avoid projectiles. While not typically that powerful in either a magical or physical sense, fairy-type demons tended to be agile in a way that complimented pranks; they had a tendency to just do as they pleased, which meant they specialized in escaping from those that they happened to wrong in one way or another-!

That is why her dodge is flawless, made merely by reading the sound of the -seemingly growling- slime that has been hurled in it's direction; it was only a sphere after all, and while spheres were decent projectiles, her body was small enough that she could easily avoid such a thing, stopping her momentum to let it fly by harmlessly afterwards-!

---But it is that simple and child-like thought process that dooms her to failure, as the living sphere seems to unravel as it passes her, an 'arm' of goo grabbing onto her leg as a slime desperately attempts to put a stop to that which it has been thrown in the general direction of-!

"Ah-!"

Suddenly, the impossible speed doesn't seem quite so impossible. Having already come to a halt for the purposes of a sort of laughing taunt, the sudden addition of weight on one of her limbs, combined with already holding up a lot more than normal, drags the fairy towards the clean floors of LOVELESS, the sounds of the sudden struggle causing more than one of your fellow shoppers to eye the scene with raised eyes, one or two putting up a passive barrier around themselves before moving on their way again, while others watch only with a vague interest-!

"Ah! I'm sorry Mr. Slime! Are you a Mrs. Slime?! Super hungry?! Full of inexplicable rage towards fairies!? Ruu can't tell, but you seem angry!"

It's a confusion that might just let you close the gap-!

While a fairy should honestly be stronger than a slime when it came down to a direct confrontation (even if Kyp had always been strangely resistant to most elements) it seems that the fairies own innate airheadedness, as well as her good nature, keeps her from coming to the conclusion that she could probably physically pry it off of her if she just calmed down-!

No, instead, just as you are about three yards away-!

"Fine! Be that way Mr. Slime! Ruu will just go with you too! Now you can't let go Mr. Slime!"

She makes another air-headed (and slightly petty) decision-!

Spiritual power condenses for a moment, then explodes with a bang as the fairy seemingly reinforces herself through the same principles as rocket propulsion, darting towards the door like a blue bullet, and-

"Guh-?!"

Slams straight into the solar plexus of a familiar young woman as she comes strolling in through the main doors, the force of the charge so strong that it actually knocks her back towards the outside, rather than the fairy herself losing her momentum-!



"What kind of fairy...? Nadia's down! Jack, get her!"

Things happen fast.

With the fairy's charge apparently so powerful it could flat knock an -admittedly off-guard- Tamer out of it's path, the A.I makes demands towards a certain demon partner of her User, who leaps to action even as his boss slams painfully onto her back-!

"Knocked down the boss in one blow?! Then it's time for you to go, hee ho-!"

---Unfortunately however, while it's reflexes do enable it to grab onto the rocket boosting fairy-!

It does precisely zero to stop it's charge.

Yes.

Just like that, due to showing power she should not have...

A demon continues in the distance, not just with stolen food in tow...

But with two attached demons as well...

But a few moments later...

"What the... actual hell...? Did anyone get the number of the truck that hit me?"

Groaning to herself at what had effectively been an accidental sucker punch...

Nadia Starr slowly sits up, one hand resting on what was most assuredly an aching stomach, the usual queen of speed momentarily down to a complete and utter halt.

Like usual... The motorcycle was nearby.

[palad1n]

Cosmos Fairchild
Rose Cross Headquarters - Inner Gardens
Monday - Morning

To hear her mother chatting alongside one of the hero of the second Kyuubi incident was something Cosmos never thought she'd appreciate.

This isn't the first time she heard her mother chatting with a friend of course; Alisa was often a constant presence during many of this morning family time after all. Conversely however, she had never really seen or heard her mother have a friendly chat with her friends outside of Rose Cross despite knowing of her general past stories; usually that seems to happen when her mother went outside of Vatican, and because it was always Alyx who accompanied her mother as a bodyguard, this is the first time she managed to hear a chat between Mary and a figure as well-known as Namasaki Kenji.

And the conversation between the two is nothing short of fascinating.

A city that suddenly appears on the North Pole is such a curious phenomena that Cosmos just wanted to know more. Combined with what she overheard for the past few minutes, and it's fairly obvious Kenji is assembling a team from all major tamers organization in the world... and with how he specifically asked for her mother for her more amicable agents...

Could this be...? Could this be a chance for her to finally take an international mission instead of her sister?!

'Cosmos, being enthusiastic is good and all... but wasn't the reason Alyx was always the one to go on such missions in the first place was because she's just better suited for it?' Illia's voice resounded in her head, and hearing her AI's comments made her pout just a little. 'Besides, even ignoring that, you really aren't the type to go out and meet new people just like that.'

Illia does have a point. If there is something about her sister that she can admit, it's that Alyx got way more experience in missions like these; in comparison, she had never ever done a cross-organization mission even once in her long career as a tamer - basically spending nearly all of it in Vatican and Italy - so one could say that she's extremely sheltered, only getting glimpses of what tamers from other organizations looked like during the rare times they visited Vatican, and even then it's not like she socialize much here either...

But that doesn't mean she has to agree with the point Illia's making. Cosmos can say with confidence that in terms of manners, then she'd beat her sister ten times out of ten, and isn't that what matters in a joint operation like what Kenji is suggesting?

'Besides, maybe I can actually get along better with tamers from other organizations compared to the ones in Rose Cross...'

Illia didn't say anything to that - perhaps because she felt guilty for forgetting that fact, or perhaps because there's really nothing that she can add to that particular line of thought - before an alarmed voice rang out in her head. 'Cosmos!'

Even without Illia warning her, her line of thought immediately stopped when she felt the presence of someone new entering the gardens - the presence of Isaac, who is admired by so many of her fellow tamers, walking through the path she had used just a few minutes ago.

Was she panicking because she's afraid of being find out eavesdropping by the Ace of Rose Cross?

Certainly, that played a part; however, more than being find out of eavesdropping, the reason Cosmos Fairchild became immediately alert to Isaac's presence was simply because she has a certain level of paranoia to her fellow Rose Cross tamers, especially one as devout and devoted to the cause like Isaac.

She didn't dislike him - she has no reason to, really - it's simply a matter of her instincts telling her that she should be wary around him, and that means being spotted - which will lead to a conversation - is a big no-no.

Or at least, not when she's alone.

Faced with a decision that should be taken quickly, combined with the pressure of being found eavesdropping when she has cultivated the image of an obedient and good daughter for so long, Cosmos' course of action is obvious.

"Mother, I'm here - oh my, a guest?"

... Which is to stop eavesdropping and just arrive for her family time with Mary like she's supposed to a few minutes ago; the thought of moving quickly and hiding to continue eavesdropping didn't even cross her mind in her haste. Looking at the glasses-wearing man, she then proceed to introduce herself with perfect grace without missing a beat...

"I am Cosmos Fairchild. It is nice to meet you, Mister Kenji."

Completely missing the fact that she isn't supposed to know the man's name and identity immediately after seeing him for the first time in real life, or the lack of surprise on her part for meeting the leader of SDCD directly in Vatican.

[Satehi]

Eva Ellet
Velvet Room ~ Stage
Monday – Morning

I briefly wonder if I perhaps made a mistake in my approach, as I watch the woman be startled by my actions.

But it does not last long. The woman’s surprise soon transforms into another emotion- excitement, as she circles around my person with an intense gaze.

For my part, I do not make any move to stop her.

Although most people would probably find being stared at rather awkward, I’m not really bothered. A part of it is the fact that I’ve always made sure to take good care of my body- being in good shape is never a bad thing. In a critical situation, it can be far more reliable than any gun or sword. And appearance wise, I don’t think I’m ugly by any stretch.

But the bigger part of it is that this – my hair, my eyes, my build- these are all ultimately the product of my mother’s efforts to bring me into this world. I don’t intend to look down on that- if anything, I’m somewhat proud of it.

So I don’t really mind if she takes a look.

Afterwards, she begins to explain.
About herself- Agatha, a resident of this room.
About this room- a mysterious place that exists to help its guests.
And about what she wants me to do- sign this contract.

Taking a look over the clipboard, all that is written is but a single term. And as to what that term entails exactly…

It’s not much. I have never intended to blame other people for anything that’s happened because of me. Assuming responsibility for what you do is just a matter of course.

Therefore, there is no reason for me not to sign. If that is what Agatha wants me to do, then I should just do as she asks.

But I do not.

“…Why?”

This is not because I doubt what she says.

If that were the case, there are probably better ways to trick me into signing.

That said, it is true that I find her details about the subject are somewhat lacking. I don’t understand what she means by my journey, nor the aid that she will be offering me, and even the point of such a simple contract, and I would like more information-

“You’ve told me a little about what this contract means for me- if it is as you say, then your conditions aren’t a problem and I have no reason to refuse your aid.”

But there is something else that draws my attention more than all of these things.

“However, unless my memory is damaged, then I believe this should have been the first time you and I have ever met. I hardly know anything about you, and given your earlier reaction, I imagine the same goes for you.” Essentially, we are complete strangers. “From what you’ve told me, I seem to be intruding here, and you already have plenty of other clients, so giving me this offer just gives you more unnecessary responsibilities.”

I tilt my head, an expression of confusion plastered over it.

“So why would you be willing to do this for me? What do you gain out of doing this?”

[Airen]

Raz Stone
Brewed Awakenings, Avalon Branch
Monday - Morning

"...You want me to sing for you?"

While your song is a vague enough threat on it's own, an insinuation that secrets might just happen to slip out live on stage if she doesn't comply with your (admittedly easy) request, the younger blonde can't help but repeat it to herself aloud after a moment, her eyebrows narrowing slightly in thought even as your song begins to echo out throughout the shop. While it's the sort of song that certainly draws attention to itself -even if the tune it used still wasn't in the public domain- the young woman doesn't panic at any of the insinuations, no, her mother owned this chain of stores, so if she requested it the employees were loyal enough to not really talk about anything they had happened to hear...

No... The problem was still just you. But it seemed she was being presented with a counter ploy, even so...

"A personal screening of the scream of my soul...? The depths of my pathos? A melody that belongs only to a daughter of the Golden Witch? Your demands are steep..."

A smirk...

Yes.

While a normal squire might lose confidence when faced with the much more talented members of the knights, this girl is one that thinks quickly on her feet, and doesn't let much drag her down-!

"I suppose that's fine. If I can come up with one I am proud of, I will comply with that request... You've already heard me once, so the secret's broken in your case."

She agrees, easily enough-!

However-!

Such things are also often a sign of counters... Of a sort, anyway-!

"However, to put my name to song in public... While it will certainly defeat me in a single blow, it will spell doom to you as well; do you think an idol can just get away with that sort of thing? To shatter the dreams of one's more shameless fans so carelessly... At best, it is a method of murder-suicide for you. If my secrets must be shouted to the world, I will ensure that it is a story of tears that stars you as well-! You won't be forgiven-! A scandal, starring a knight that shattered the privacy of a young maiden, causing her to burst into tears on camera-! Your numbers will take a hit. That will be step one of the infinite spiral that will be my revenge."

Of course, this doesn't stop less wide-ranging methods of secret spreading, but-!

---It seems a bit of thought was put into this-!

And, as if to really drive this point home, a hologram of a tall blonde woman projects itself from Sara's watch; superficially speaking it resembles her sister Eliza, but the crimson eyes are both more kind and more merciless-!

"Yes. No tactics are forbidden in the event of any form of information breach. If necessary, we will even employ scorched earth. Do not underestimate a witch's resolve."

---While one's A.I partner will typically take the side of the user in most cases, it seems that this one was particularly motherly and protective, to the point of coming off as extreme... As the eyes that stare at you kinda seem to scream 'I'm searching the internet for blackmail material' right now...

...Taking things a bit too seriously, perhaps? Or just stressing a form of insurance all their own?

[Airen]

Hyakka Onjouji
Neo Aoyama, Aoyama Gakuen
Monday ~ Morning

"Oh? You don't know?"

She seems to have a rather absurd amount of energy.

While the dramatic entrance had been something she had decided to do for the sheer fun of it, the hyper-positive reaction she gets out of you with it is one that has her grinning right back at you, standing proud with her arms bent slightly at her sides, encouraged to take an even more classic superhero pose by your words-!

Of course, the question itself is one that hints at a somewhat sheltered past, but as one who holds the titles of both Class President and Student Council President, Kaori is one that can seemingly get along with anyone of any sort of upbringing, and she answers the question with little more than a smile and a laugh, winking at you even as you bow.

She was more than willing to embrace this sort of "character" if someone got an actual kick out of it-!

"It means I am the one who looks out for the class-! Like the teachers, the success of their educations is something I encourage and guard! Of course, I am the Student Council President as well, so my duties secretly extend throughout the entire school-! I ensure no one gets hurt in the halls or training rooms, that everyone leaves the simulators after active hours, that the club finance books are all balanced, that school property remains in good condition, and that no school bullies are able to act unchallenged on these grounds-!"

A young woman with a surprising number of talents it seems!

"And today, I am your guide and guardian! Let no sense of shyness hold you down, by the end of today you'll be a full-fledged student-! Ready to tackle a life that is difficult at times, but also rewarding-!"

She seems to talk a lot too, but-!

She's definitely passionate about everything that she's talking about-!

"After hearing all that, do you find me to be an acceptable guide Hana-chan? I'm prepared to give it my all on your first day if you're willing to do the same-!"

Yep.

Very passionate!

[Airen]

Mokujima Chris
SDCD Headquarters ~ Chris's Room
Monday - Morning

"Yep!"

If there was someone out there who could admit to a rather considerable blunder without a hint of hesitation, it would certainly be Lexie, who smiles in response to your own smiling, before letting you pull her to her feet, her easy-going nature shining through in the way that she just brushes off the indirect jabs at her weight from a somewhat foolish boy that she had happened to land upon-!

---Of course, one that comes plunging down through ceilings really has no place in getting angry at others, but even under less destructive circumstances, this girl wouldn't take those sorts of indirect comments to heart, after all-

"I really thought I had a reliable formula this time! It got me exactly where I wanted to be on the first jump, right in front of the door with 100% accuracy! But I guess I didn't manage to account for the Vita Stream properly..."

-She made sure to exercise every day!

Not just the exercise bike either, she went outside to run at least three times a week-! She had a set of weights in her room, and had been clean of energy drinks for three months-!

She was confident in her weight being nothing spectacular, her health should be perfectly fine, thus-!

Comments of weight did not bother her at all!

Not at all!

Not in the slightest!

She certainly didn't have to resist the urge to 'stumble' and land on him again to make a point at all!

"Mess up one variable, and it seems this formula just offloads momentum on you for seemingly no reason~! But, that's not too important, I got it~! First copy! Limited edition! I had to shield the CD and artwork with my body during the plunge, but it seems like it worked out~!"

Ah yes, Blazred...

The newest chapter in a line of fighting games from a certain company that was once known for their "Innocent Gear" line of fighting games. It was an anime fighter with a heavy following in the fighting game scene nowadays, but their DLC prices on characters and colors was kinda backwards, the sort of thing that you know you really shouldn't support if you want things to change, but one that she can't help but continue to fall for regardless-!

After all, it seemed that most of her paychecks went towards this sort of thing-!

"Oh, but don't worry, I totally plan on fixing your room! I just wanted to make sure everyone was okay first! I'll get right on it, I promise! I'll make it up to you too! You just woke up, so breakfast could be on me if you want? I found a new donut shop while I was out!"

Yes.

Much as you were somewhat reserved, this girl was a manifestation of "bubbly energy," someone who could cheerfully talk to anyone for ages about the things that interested her; and true to her word, the moment she seems to confirm everyone is okay, she kneels down to touch the concrete with a single finger, a purple light shining at the point of contact.

Analyzing the composition...

---True to her words. It seemed like she intended to replace and repair everything right here and now... Right after she figured out how their structure worked...

Wise Up

Structural Grasp: D
Rarity: Common/Generic
Type: Spirit
The ability to read and understand the structural composition of an object (or person) as if you were looking at a blueprint. Requires physical contact with the target. Often used on buildings for the purposes of finding structural flaws, or on the ground for the purpose of locating tunnels. While those inside of a structure cannot be directly located with this ability, through sensing the vibrations of the materials through footsteps, it may be possible to get a "general idea" of their location in reference to everything else.

Does not reveal enchantments or poisons, but can reveal the existence of physical traps inside of a target area.

[Airen]

Logan Starbright
SLEIPNIR ~ Simulation Rooms
Monday ~ Morning

"No. I don't want to use this room."

It's a simple answer, but one that fails to explain the true question that lingered in the air. Those Tamers aboard the SLEIPNIR had always been an odd bunch, for the majority of them their existence here was part of their personal quests for power. It was one of the few things that seemed to bind this particular group of misfits together, for one reason or another, as far as you could tell, almost all of them felt a need to get stronger rather than a simple desire to do so...

To that end, they typically didn't interfere with the training of their fellows. They might act more buddy-buddy in the cafeterias or common rooms, but when it came down to training or missions, everyone went at it with a relentless sincerity that everyone else typically respected, barring those that had managed to befriend each other in spite of the more professional atmosphere that came with this ship, but...

At best, you were simply coworkers. Normal interactions consisted of one making sure to restart the coffee maker for the other, or just making small talk while deployed on investigations together... You weren't really friends, and she had never been particularly warm to anyone here, so she seemingly didn't have a reason to just come in here and put a stop to things, and yet she had done so regardless...

It was strange...

"Over-training can do just as much damage to one's abilities as not training at all, it is important to keep a balance. If you don't, all you'll do is hurt yourself in the end."

There's a pause at this, then:

"...I'm saying you should stop for the day. The cafeteria is still serving breakfast. You're one of Eliza's, so I can't have you collapsing while I'm around... If necessary, I've already decided to drag you from this room."

...One of Eliza's?

Ah... That's right...

This person... Was her sister in a sense...

More surprisingly... It seemed she was keeping an eye on you for her sake.

"I don't know if it will motivate you, but there are Belgium Waffles on the menu today. They're hiring more specialized cooks, so I expect the variety of the menu to improve over the next couple of weeks. Worth stopping to eat if it's good, right?"

---Not that it was ever bad per say, but...

Biscuits and sausage links certainly lost their breakfast appeal over time.

Dinner was when the cooks actually took things seriously.

[Bloble]

Mokujima Chris
SDCD Headquarters ~ Chris's Room
Monday - Morning

As Lexie spoke, Mokujima Chris listened.

As Lexie explained how she'd just forgotten just a single variable in the complex mess of calculations that teleportation entailed, and would make most people's heads spin, Chris nodded silently.

As Lexie showed off a glimpse of her treasure, the brand new day one console release of a game the internet had been buzzing about for months, Chris' eyes widened just the slightest bit, and instantly latched onto the cover.

And as her energetic friend, who was most certainly being careful about her fitness and health, suggested they go for donuts to celebrate, Chris bit her lower lip, wondering, imagining, and possibly salivating.

The one-sided conversation was not unusual in the slightest. It was one of many hundreds, if not thousands by now. One could say that, if 90% of communication was non-verbal, Mokujima Chris had decided to focus on that 90% almost exclusively.

"Bwah!"

The same could not be said of the small head that finally poked its way out of the rubble. The young boy, who looked no older than six or seven, gazed with unfocused eyes around the room, clearly confused.

"Wha-? It's not justice time? I could've sworn that on top of me there was this giant-."

"Daisuke."

He was simultaneously admonished from two different angles. First by Chris' quiet whisper, and second by the heavens themselves, as the single stray wire holding up a sizeable chunk of ceiling finally snapped loose, delivering its payload right on top of his head with an audible 'Bonk'.

"Ow!"

Click!

The quick snap of an electronic shutter recorded the embarrassing moment onto Chris' phone, preserving it until the heat death of the universe.

The boy, who went by Daisuke, would have turned pale and started up a nervous sweat if his body had the functionality for it. "Y-you're not gonna post that online, are you?"

As usual, there was no reply.

"C'mon, Chris! All the other COMPs will make fun of me!"

Chris pocketed the phone and shrugged as if to say it wasn't her fault he was so photogenic.

"Please! Please please please please - oh hi, Lexie. Nice of you to drop by!" Daisuke said, unaware of how literal his words were. In an instant the boy was beaming, brushing dust from his tie and straightening his entirely cosmetic glasses and edging closer to peer at the treasure clutched in the girl's hands. Needless to say, he had also managed to miss his own accidental insinuations. "Did you say donuts? Can I come? I just got taste buds installed but all we have in here is cup noodles and they taste like salt and sadness! Are the donuts gourmet? With gold flakes? And hey, isn't that Blazred? Chris couldn't stop talking about how excited she was for it! That's so cool!"

While her COMP chattered nonstop, flitting about the room and talking at Lexie like an excitable puppy without an ounce of self-awareness, Chris yawned once more. She took her glasses off, polished them with the edge of her shirt, and put them back on. She felt around her closet for a light button-up and, upon finding one, slipped her arms through it. Then she turned, flipped open her phone, held it some distance away from her, and snapped a selfie of herself, Lexie, a messy brown and blue blur, and the wrecked room. She ran it through a quick polishing filter and posted it to her account:

me: i'm gonna sleep today and do nothing of value and it'll be perfect
fate itself: how about instead you wake up on time and eat real food and play video games with your friends you trash human
me:

Then, as Lexie was examining the floor, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Not important," said Chris, looming rather than leaning over her with her hair dangling somewhat. From the correct angle it would look like a scene from a horror film, with the gigantic, emotionless killer about to capture the energetic damsel, but in reality, the emotionless monster was too busy thinking about the latest release's patch notes to chase after anything, or even care about the state of her sleeping quarters.

"Yeah!" Daisuke repeated, sailing back into the conversation. "Repairs are transient, but donuts are forever! And I can bring the 'station so we can play on the go! Don't sweat the small stuff, Lexie!"

As if to emphasize his usefulness and regain some honor, Daisuke flipped open the patch over where his heart would've been, revealing beneath it a true and blue power outlet, complete with HDMI and audio ports.

But... where was the screen?

[Rafflesiac]

Logan Starbright
SLEIPNIR ~ Simulation Rooms
Monday ~ Morning

”No. I don’t want to use this room.”

It isn’t as though Logan is blindsided by the answer, but he certainly didn’t expect it either. Lucia’s blunt statement shatters his instinctive attempt to bury the as of yet unelucidated nuance lurking in this unusual encounter, forcing Logan to focus fully on the person intent on interacting with him in a non-superficial fashion. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t as if the matter was hard to discern; by all appearances this was Lucia’s genuine concern for a person who was in all likelihood overstressing themselves. But there was no rigor too stressing for Logan Starbright. And for Logan Starbright, there was no need to feel concern.

”Over-training can do just as much damage to one's abilities as not training at all, it is important to keep a balance. If you don't, all you'll do is hurt yourself in the end."

So why did she care? He’d already broken when it mattered. All he could do was force himself together and try again until he finally ceased to break. It didn’t make sense. She was wasting her time. Why bother? He needed to say something. Something that would convince her that he wasn’t weak enough to require worry. Thanks for your concern, but I’m fine. I might not look it, but I’m pretty strong. It’s alright, I’ll just go a few more minutes. It would be easy, so easy, just to say the right words like always, like he’d learned to, like he was used to - but his mouth wouldn’t open. Logan chewed on his lower lip.

"...I'm saying you should stop for the day. The cafeteria is still serving breakfast. You're one of Eliza's, so I can't have you collapsing while I'm around... If necessary, I've already decided to drag you from this room."

Ah. He’d forgotten about it, or failed to recall it, or forced himself to ignore it. That bond with Eliza Cross. At that, Logan bit a little harder. Even now, after all of this time, he was still weak enough to force people to watch out for him. And even worse, that threat of Lucia’s certainly wasn’t idle; weak as he was, Logan would undoubtedly lose when push came to shove. Or drag, as it were. He closed his eyes and sighed.

"I don't know if it will motivate you, but there are Belgium Waffles on the menu today. They're hiring more specialized cooks, so I expect the variety of the menu to improve over the next couple of weeks. Worth stopping to eat if it's good, right?"

Logan returned her gaze. “I hadn’t heard of that. I’ll have to give them a try then; thanks for the tip.”

“Belgian waffles? Logan, you’re gonna have to burn rubber, that’s the good stuff right there. It’s gonna be gone faster than William Henry Harrison was from the Presidency.”

I’ll have to give it my best, then.

Logan squeezed his COMP, shrinking it into its pen-sized standby mode, and began to walk toward the cafeteria. Before moving, he spoke to Lucia again, his words quieter and less practiced.

“I’m sorry for making you worry."

[Airen]

Ayra Lilygrove
Akarana Estate ~ Indoors
Monday - Morning

"Ah yes, those rather unfortunate rumors."

A simple twist of his wrist sends the maids on their errands. Considering that he seemingly orders them through the act of motion alone at times, as well as the fact that you have felt eyes on your person ever since you've walked into this mansion, and it seems that the servants of this particular household have reached a level of loyalty that goes somewhat beyond that of your typical employee...

Of course, these old-fashioned rich family's typically had other families serving under them generation after generation, so perhaps it is not too unsurprising, still...

Spiral Electronics was only around five years old at this point. While the Spiral Corporation was much older than that, the various subsidiaries were seemingly held by different members of the Akarana Family, each of them holding the goal of becoming not only financially independent, but profitable to a point of actual absurdity, the sort of wealth that no one person could ever actually spend in a lifetime. Considering how popular civilian COMPs were becoming nowadays, it was certainly an excellent time to get into electronics if one was capable of those sorts of constructions; but by those same tokens, it was that capability that had led to the rumors holding actual weight to them, as if this corporation didn't do it, then it would have to be the Weinbergstr Corporation, and since that particular company was directly affiliated with the Tamers legally, they'd have much more to lose in any sort of illegal weapons training then they would have to gain...

"It's a dirty business trick from the Weinbergstr, nothing more. Taint the name of a rival company by associating them with negative press," completely at ease, the man chuckles at the accusations, "Our stock has been rising rapidly over the past eight months. We're on track to overtake their LOVELESS electronic sales by the end of next year, so it's a perfect time to foolishly attempt to strike at us."

One of the maids returns as he shakes his head, seemingly regarding the very idea as pathetic. Footsteps professionally quiet, and with an aura that is no more imposing than that of a chair, or some other piece of furniture, she is someone that is designed not to attract attention even as she pours you a cup of chamomile tea before moving to stand at the side of the room by the window silently, awaiting further orders from her Master but...

Those that go out of their way to not attract attention are abnormal in their own way, especially because she's abnormally good at giving off no sort of spiritual power at all...

So you make a point to keep her in mind, it's normally in your best interests not to forget who is actually in a room.

Knights have to deal with paparazzi on an almost daily basis after all...

"It's unfortunate. But the populace tends to equate success with malice. The rich are always associated with hidden evil, it's preposterous, but even I will admit it makes for a good story. Everyone loves a scandal, but they'll grow tired of these lies in time. Our company has no interest in creating weapons, I can guarantee you that Ms. Lilygrove. If you would like, I am even willing to let you tour the factories. No warrants necessary, you would have my express permission, just say the word."

All that really meant was that there was no evidence of anything in the factories themselves.

Still-

[Katie]

Ayra Lilygrove
Akarana Estate ~ Indoors
Monday - Morning

I suppose the darjeeling is saved for more important guests.

Not that I dislike the chamomile in front of me, but it’s obvious that he’s holding back. I suppose you don’t break out the truly fancy beverages for fleeting guests, but it would have been nice. Still, this trip wasn’t an entire waste of time. Even being in this one room, I’ve learned quite a lot for later.

Aster: The maid’s such an amateur.
Aster: Unobtrusive is one thing, trying to emulate the spiritual capacity of a lamppost is dumb beyond belief.

A more normal approach would have worked better, I muse, though I’m certain with that level of control, there’s some trick up her sleeve. Judging by how close she was to Mr. Akarana, she's probably his ace in the hole if things ever went south.

Which they soon will, of course.

Do you think she has an illegal COMP as well?

Aster: Well within expected parameters.
Aster: Just get the drop on her and make it quick, you know?

Yes, we’re going the to ambush the stealth-focused maid.

Aster: I’m glad we both agree on this terribly unlikely scenario.

"It's unfortunate. But the populace tends to equate success with malice. The rich are always associated with hidden evil, it's preposterous, but even I will admit it makes for a good story. Everyone loves a scandal, but they'll grow tired of these lies in time. Our company has no interest in creating weapons, I can guarantee you that Ms. Lilygrove. If you would like, I am even willing to let you tour the factories. No warrants necessary, you would have my express permission, just say the word."

Off-site. Good to know.

“My schedule is a bit cramped unfortunately, but you wouldn’t mind if I sent someone in my stead, would you?” I toss in a media smile for good measure. It doesn’t matter if anyone goes, because there will be nothing there. But appearances matter, so I have to unfortunately pawn off a short-lived assignment to someone else.

Send the request, Aster. And ask Laplace to check in on Spiral Corporation land-based assets that aren’t factories. And a background check on the maids, if possible. We start an hour and thirty after she finishes. I’ll probably have a solid alibi by then.

Aster: Roger that, miss.
Aster: The real stuff is probably under something random like a food supplier…

Laplace is quick about these things, so I doubt I have to stay too much longer.

“I do understand what you mean, Mr. Akarana. Prosperity begets jealousy, and jealousy leads to unfortunate slander like this. I’m rather familiar with it myself.” The words leave my lips with a faint hint of honesty. Knights aren’t supposed to read too much into social media… But you can’t help but feel indignant when people throw the most baseless of claims at you.

Aster: That is the most cursed half-truth you’ve ever said.
Aster: What’s the worst rumor about you anyway?
Aster: You only became Eliza’s squire to stab her in the back? You’re just a Knight because you’re pretty? Tsukiko hates you because you stole her boyfriend back in high school?

Recently, someone said I purposefully gave Eliza food poisoning to delay the production of the second Phoenix Ranger movie because it was generating more hype than my latest photoshoot at the time.

Wait, where’s that third one from?

Where do people even have the time to come up with this…?

Aster: Your official fanclub forum has a Tsukiko conspiracy thread, it’s pretty funny.
Aster: They are dying to figure out a reason.
Aster: Oh, I remember that Eliza incident. Something to do with the albacore at that seafood place, right?

Not my finest hour picking out restaurants. And Christ, maybe I should actually—

Aster: Don’t you dare mod that thread, every post there ages like fine wine.

“Anyway,” I say, maybe slightly too loudly, trying to distract myself from the unfortunate tangent, “I’ve bothered you enough, Mr. Akarana. The tea was lovely, and I hope that these rumors will be put to rest soon enough. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule.”

And with a polite bow, I make my exit.

[Airen]

Himura Ichizen
Neo Aoyama ~ Himura Residence (Outskirts)
Monday - Early Morning

Akiko was never the type to be lazy.

From the moment very first moment you had met her, she had always been someone who moved with a clear and concise purpose through her days. Whether it be cleaning, gathering wood, cultivating plants in her gardens, or diligently patrolling her surroundings for dangers to herself or others, she was someone who was busy from sun-up till sundown, so it's a casual choice of conversation that is sure to have results of some sort, and indeed...

"~!"

Gesturing at the world around her, or rather the mansion itself, the silent shrine maiden informs you of her intentions with no real subtlety; she was here to check up on you again, or rather, she is here to ensure that all of the chores are being done around the house. Considering the fact that it's not her house this could come across as somewhat unreasonable, but seeing as how your first interaction had more or less involved her hitting you with a broom, it's a sentiment that is almost motherly -or perhaps landlady like- in nature, but...

"..."

Nodding to herself at the state of the home's cleanliness, she elaborates on the day's future activities with a calm energy, pointing first at herself, and then gesturing out towards the horizon, specifically, in that direction was-

Ah.

She was planning on visiting her old shrine today, was she?

The visit to your home was both the kindness of a baker, and the inquisitiveness of someone who wanted to know if you wanted to come along with her; it's not something so blunt as a date or anything, rather, since you had lived there for a time too, it seemed she was curious if you had ever thought to just go back and visit it.

---Of course, it was a nice enough shrine.

Flowers bloomed in the spring, and it had always seemed to hold a certain shine to it at night, rejecting the will o the wisps that had always seemed to be fluttering around in the nearby forests, but...

At times, you had felt like something was occasionally watching you while you were there; it was a small fleeting feeling -one that was immediately banished the moment Akiko appeared in any real capacity in the area- nevertheless, the shrine was much like the SDCD base in the fact that it was both comforting and disconcerting, albeit in different ways.

Still...

She was offering to let you tag along with her. It seemed she had some duties to perform there today, as could be expected from a shrine maiden that feels a sense of duty towards her shrine... Of course, you do still have the duty of a guardian to see to it that a certain teenager makes her way to school today without oversleeping, but the moment you put your mind to such thoughts...

"Hiya Uncle, big sis Akiko! Nice seeing you this morning! Is this lunch for me? I'm actually super late for morning clubs, so I can't talk much today, later~"

-Said teenager hits the room like a storm, dancing around and past the two of you with a sense of grace that is both common and uncommon in this world, her rapid-fire words an acknowledgement that she's apparently on the verge of being late to something (whether or not that something was actually clubs or just hanging out with her friends was another matter entirely) but...

...How exactly to react to that sort of shameless hi-bye, the girl throwing on her jacket at the door with an unusual amount of gusto, was still a task that was somewhat unclear...

[Airen]

Eva Ellet
Velvet Room ~ Stage
Monday – Morning

"...What do I gain out of it?"

It's a question that she seems to find surprising, but logically speaking, there aren't many people in this world that will do something without expecting anything in return... There are kind and generous people certainly, but even they have their reasons for acting the way they do; the 'something' they get in return may simply be something of a more emotional nature, the pleasant feeling that comes along with helping others, or by being loved or respected by others...

However, what this person stands to gain is not clear, and thus it is only natural you question her on it, nevertheless, after a few moments of what seem like genuine thought-

"...I suppose I have a few reasons."

-The start of an answer emerges.

"I told you this room was my prison correct? I am not allowed to leave this place because I committed a 'crime' of sorts. That is what the Master told me, and while he might be lying, I feel it is the truth, even if I cannot remember it. If I am someone that hurt the world, then I feel it is only right that I try to repent by helping those that I can reach... Yes, I suppose that is one reason."

An amnesiac who had taken on the crimes of her former self...?

"If that answer feels too fantastical, I guess you could say I am also lonely. Not many people come here, more often than not, it is merely the Master and I, on rare occasions the other assistants show themselves, but the one on duty is normally me."

A gentle smile.

While her actions up till now had been somewhat timid, the sense of 'calm' that emanates out from her in this moment is tangible.

"Every client is someone new to speak too. Someone to break the monotony of the blue, a potential 'connection' or 'bond'... If that means I have to work a little bit harder to keep it, so be it, it is not like I have much else to do inside of here."

Tilting her head, she regards you with that same gentle smile.

"...Are those answers acceptable? I understand if I come off as somewhat suspicious, so you do not have to sign now if you do not wish to do so, I could allow you to keep the contract on your person in the waking world."