The sun peeks through the clouds, once again illuminating the blue sky above. At the same time, a small breeze blows in from the ocean and brings with it the slight scent of fish, seafoam, and moss. In combination with the smell of the surrounding woods, it’s enough to give even the most acclimated of city-dwellers pause.
A gentle heat kisses the skin.
The sound of distant waves washes away all worries.
And the sounds of nature orchestrate the day that is yet to unfold.
Some people would shy away from such scenery- favoring the familiar comfort of their convenient homes. However, for the more adventurous sort, this kind of environment is merely a part of a standard day.
“Alright. How exactly should I start this thing off?”
Making her way along a mountain trail, a young woman poses a question to a nonexistent audience. As she ponders this thought, she brings herself to a stop just as her destination comes into view. A city, inching into view just over the treetops.
“Well… Let’s see,” The young woman, Rebecca Shore, pulls her traveling gear off of her back and sets it firmly on the ground. She zeroes in on one of the pockets and- after a bit of rummaging- manages to pull out her phone, “I guess I can just try a couple of things. Not like anyone is going to see it if I edit it out later.”
Rebecca checks her battery and messes with a few settings before hitting the record button. Naturally, having forgotten to first establish a good shot, she quickly places the city view behind her and raises her phone.
“Hey guys! It’s your favorite Chronicler again! Rebecca Shore!”
The blonde effortlessly performs her standard greeting with 120 percent regular enthusiasm. Still, despite her practice, she can’t help but laugh awkwardly and whence at the thought of how silly she must look.
“The things I do for clicks…”
Repositioning herself, Rebecca moves behind the camera and points it directly at the city in the distance. As she pans the shot, genuine glee begins to shine through her eyes.
“The year is 0098 After Loss. Estimated world population: 3.6 billion. About a century ago, everyone in the world lost all of their memories. To be more precise, just about everything aside from names and everyday skills were mysteriously erased from minds all across the globe. Fortunately, man was able to persevere and rebuild; however, the removal of history not committed to written word is something we still feel today. In time, we would come to call this event The Great Loss.”
A smile spreads across the girl’s face. The idea of discovering and experiencing a piece of human history brings her joy. But, even more than that, the prospect of unraveling a grand scale mystery steadily taking its hold over her.
“To this day, experts have still not been able to determine what exactly caused such a thing to occur. But, there are a few guesses,” Having gotten enough footage of the city, Rebecca turns the camera back to her, “The most notable being something that never appeared in any known history prior. The existence of magic and the supernatural. And that’s what has brought me here to Union City. The place people around the globe are starting to call the center of the new world.”
Satisfied with her preliminary take, Rebecca stops the recording and takes a moment to collect herself. She lowers the phone and finds herself once again gazing over the city. She doesn’t say anything more. She merely takes in the sight and allows a myriad of thoughts and questions to flood into her mind. Only after a minute passes does she nod to herself in affirmation and prepare to set out.
The blonde excitedly picks up her gear and tosses it over her shoulder- sprinting down the mountain trail. At same time, she quickly dials a number on her phone and brings it to her ear.
“Hello? …Yeah, it’s me~! I’m on my way now!”
***
Angela Harris & Nova Pixels
Union City- Historical District, Lost Finds
Time: Midday
The fan hums in your ear. Words from the radio fill the dead air.
“In other news, officials are investigating the source of a mysterious sound that occurred late last night in the forest west of the city limits. At around 3:30 in the morning, multiple locals reported hearing what sounded like rolling thunder coming from the area. While it is widely believed that this may merely be kids up to some midnight mischief, initial investigations have revealed no evidence that magic was involved. But perhaps what is even more baffling is that officials have yet to find anything that could be causing these sounds so early in the morning. Making this the third unexplained woodland noise in the past two weeks.”
It’s another quiet day. Though that doesn’t come as much of a surprise. While it’s true that most people are probably out to lunch, the fact is that your humble little shop has never really pulled much traffic. After all, the only people who are really interested in collecting and perusing old books and knick knacks are the elderly. Rich elderly… But elderly nonetheless.
Still, that just makes your current set of customers all the more curiouser.
“And you’re sure this is what she’s looking for?” A girl with long, blue hair rather roughly handles an old history textbook, “Just looks like a stupid ol’ book to me. And the hell is up with this price!?”
“Yep,” Her friend responds calmly. Taking the historic text away from her companion, she gingerly pulls another book from the shelf to inspect it, “I’m not entirely sure what she wants with a bunch of old history books, but she is paying for it all. So it’s not like it’s much of an issue for us.”
“Tsch… Speak for yourself… We’re the ones that have to haul the damn things back to school. Awfully shitty club activity if you ask me.”
Students. Based off their appearances, you’d say they’re too young to be working on a dissertation… yet too old to be mere high school students. College freshmen, maybe? Even if that is the case, it’s strange to see customers their age here. School project or not.
While keeping an eye out for the well-being of your merchandise, you keep to yourself for the time being. You don’t want to approach them like some kind of eager salesman. Plus, you get the impression that they know what they’re looking for and where to find it. The girl in the cap could handle your items with a bit more care… But, so far, it looks like she has only touched things they have every intention of buying. You can let it slide. For now…
After a few minutes exploring your wares, the pair end up with quite a haul. Six… Nine… Twelve books by your count. And not small ones either.
The two gather up the books and have a brief conversation before the redhead hands the cap girl a pay card. Then, surprisingly, the blue-haired girl picks up all the books and begins walking them to the register.
“Dusty ol’ books comin’ through!”
Meanwhile, her friend stays behind. Seemingly thinking about something rather seriously before wandering around the store some more. You get the feeling she isn’t looking for books this time.
***
Lyle Anderson
Union City- Urban District, Folktale Huntings
Time: Midday
During your time here in Union City, you’ve seen your fair share of oddities. Such a thing is inevitable in a day and age where magic and supernatural phenomena are quickly becoming the norm. Still, it would seem there are still oddities left in this city for you to discover.
“I hear tale that you’re pretty good.”
A rather peculiar guest has come to your office on this day. A girl, dressed fashionably in white, with the looks of a young teen and the subtle mannerisms of a mature woman. She stands at the center of your vision- brimming with confidence- wearing an almost triumphant smile. In a way, you feel as though you could describe this girl’s image as brilliant. However, all of that does little to draw your attention away from the halo hovering over her head.
It’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Sure you understand what it is. You’ve just never heard of a person walking around with an actual halo. Let alone met one. And there’s more… Through a quick bit of observation, you notice that this halo neither casts a shadow nor does it seem to have a reflection. It only exists within your vision.
“Pardon me,” As if to pull you away from your own thoughts, the girl speaks up, “My name is Towa. Just Towa. And allow me to cut to the chase. I would like to hire you for a series of jobs. Though going into the details could take a bit of time. If you’re willing to hear me out, that is.”
This Towa girl is rather forward. Or perhaps assertive would be a more fitting word? The more you rest your eyes on her, the more conscious you become of her presence. No… Her existence in this room. If you didn’t know any better, you would almost say that her mere proximity to you is threatening to overshadow you.
Something about this mysterious visitor is unnerving you on a deep level. As to what and why, it’s hard to tell. At the very least, you don’t get the feeling she has come here to cause any trouble.
Setting aside your thoughts for the time being, you smile and motion the girl over to a seat, inviting her into your office proper.
Towa answers your gesture with a warm smile and quietly walks over to a chair. You follow shortly after.
“To be more specific with my request, I’d ask you to investigate three different areas of interest to me. The first being the forest out to the west of the city. The second is the grand library located in this city’s historical district. Akasha, I believe it was called,” Towa leans back in her chair and crosses her legs. Her eyes seemingly studying yours, “The last is the headquarters of the international conglomerate specializing in cutting edge arcane research and history: Metis.”
The actual extent of her request throws you for a bit of a loop. It was all delivered so calmly that the actual absurdity of it almost gives you whiplash. The forest is one thing, but Akasha and Metis are two different things entirely.
“Oh. And don’t worry about the money. I pay well.”
Akasha not only serves as a general purpose library, but it also serves as a protected archival center for both known history and an international database hub. Metis… Metis is an organization that has basically become an international superpower. As it’s at the forefront of arcane research, development, and regulation, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say it has its hands in governments across the world.
“Mr. Anderson?”
Once again, Towa pulls you away from your own thoughts. Your professional instinct advises you not to express your concerns outright… However, the gentle, yet impish smile spreading across your guest’s face informs you such efforts are in vain.
“Do you have questions?”
None of this sounds like it’s going to be mere detective work.
***
Elizabeth Chambers
Union City- Urban District, Greater Saints Hospital
Time: Midday
You can feel your entire body shift on its side. A certain kind of grogginess and ache make themselves apparent, but this is immediately alleviated by your body’s desire to stretch on the spot. From there you are quickly greeted by a familiar comfort. The soft feel of silk and cotton wrapped around you and the subtle smell of disinfectant mixing in with burning incense.
“Ah. I see you’re awake. Good.”
Rolling over in the direction of the voice, you open your eyes and find yourself in the usual examination room. Not quite as well-equipped as the rooms you’ve been placed in until recently, but it does have a level of warmth unlike most hospital rooms.
Sitting in the chair next to your bed is your new doctor. A lady that introduced herself as Dr. Wu Mei.
“How are you feeling? Anything unusual? Anything feel off?”
Mei wastes no time getting to business. She doesn’t even raise her head to greet you. She seems far more interested in reviewing the stack of notes pinned to her clipboard. Although, you do notice her eyes look over the rim of her glasses momentarily.
“Your examination results came back just a few minutes ago. I’m going over them now, but it looks like everything came back all clear. There doesn’t appear to be anything inherently wrong with your body. No viruses. No irregular growths. Nothing,” The doctor pauses as she turns to a new page in the reports, “Though… Your mental examination seems a bit more… Colorful, shall we say.”
Wu Mei was just assigned to you two days ago. As such, you haven’t had much time to interact with her really. Outside of a brief introduction and interview, she has pretty much buried herself in analyzing your particular condition. Supposedly, while she is certified as a doctor, her main occupation is that of an arcane research specialist working directly under Metis. She seems highly-qualified.
“Ms. Chambers, are you certain you really have a condition? Or have you simply convinced yourself as such?”
Mei sighs as she lowers the clipboard and finally looks you straight in the eye. There’s frustration in her tone and a look of disappointment akin to a parent catching their child in a lie.
***
Fairylark Icecomplex
Union City- Urban District, SCF Headquarters
Time: Midday
It feels like a lot of bothersome things are going on today.
First you’re told by your boss that you’ll no longer be coming into the office to work. Then you suddenly get a call from the director, telling you that you’re to arrive at this location by 0900 hours. He even made it very clear that if you were as much as a second late, you could kiss your job goodbye.
Upon your arrival, the receptionist already knew who you were. Before you could even explain why you were here, you were already being guided through a series of gates, metal detectors, and doorways by at least five different armed guards.
Ultimately, they brought you to what was definitely an interrogation room. At first you’d questioned whether you’d done something to piss off the top brass, but no one came to cuff you to the table. Hell, no one even came to keep you company. Instead, you were left with a single pen and a stack of paperwork to complete. Name, age, address, proof of insurance, proof of residency, marital status, driver’s license, bank info… Hell, at one point they even asked you to describe your typical schedule. That whole process took a whopping two hours of your life…
And now…
“You serious, boss? This some sort of joke?”
At the end of it all, you were walked into a rather interesting office. In it, a short girl with long red hair and a less than enthused looking older man greeted you.
“Now, now, Louis. Let's not get our panties in a bunch over nothing. You should know by now that looks can be deceiving.”
“But she’s clearly still a kid. Looks may be deceiving, but I’m not going to sign off on a kid joining the force.”
“Well… I guess you’ll be happy to know that this strapping young lady is 25. That means she’s more than capable of buying her own drinks and making her own decisions. And let's not forget, I look much younger than her and you take orders from me.”
The male officer opens his mouth to object, but he just as soon sighs in defeat. This is not a battle he’s likely to win.
With the small quarrel over, the redhead smiles and turns her attention to you.
“Anyway.. Sorry about that. I’m sure you’ve got a lot of questions about what’s going on. Why don’t you take a load off and have a seat first though? I’m sure you’ve had a busy morning.”
The boss briefly motions you over to one of the seats before stepping over to the side, “Coffee?”
As she prepares two mugs, your attention is drawn back to the older gentleman standing next to the boss’s desk. He’s been staring at you a bit. Likely still objecting to whatever it is that’s going on.
“The name’s Johnathan. Jonathan Louis Lowe. Special Training and Tactics Squadron. Thirteen years on the force,” Stepping closer to you, he extends his hand, “A pleasure.”
“Oh right. I guess introductions are in order.”
The boss steps up to the table and places a cup of coffee, cream, and sugar on the table next to you. She then takes a seat on top of her desk before taking up her own cup of coffee that has patiently been waiting for her.
“You’ll have to excuse me. I already know so much about you that it’d completely slipped my mind. My name is Elynah Maddenson. You’ve probably already put this together, but I’m this stiff’s commanding officer. And now… I’m yours too.”
With a smile, Elynah takes a sip of her black coffee.
“Starting today. You work for me. Welcome to the Supernatural Countermeasures Force."
***
Oliver Vandenberg
Union City- Business District, Kingsward Office
Time: Midday
“We have a serious problem, you two.”
Not too far from the docks is a small little upstairs apartment. This little apartment is the humble home of the Kingsward Brethren- a small band of lowlifes. This apartment serves as their office. A base of operations where they receive and execute a number of requests they get on the daily. Nothing to write home about, but enough to scrape on by. After all, in a city ruled by major powers, many can’t be bothered with a bottom rung squad advertising themselves as “your friendly neighborhood criminals.”
Members come and go. More often than not, some youngster walks in off the street looking for some quick cash and a bit of respect from rolling with a gang. But after seeing what the Kingsward is all about, they usually leave to go join one of the bigger gangs ruling the city. Still, even if times are tough, you’ve always felt it was a nice and quiet life. Usually.
Today doesn’t seem like it’s going to be one of those days. Not too long ago, Charles- the boss man- called you and Jessie to his office. When the two of you finally returned from your morning rounds, you found a man stressed out of his mind.
He’s been sitting in his armchair for the past three minutes without saying a single word, tapping his foot repeatedly. Sitting on the table in front of him are two metal cases. One about the size of a large instrument case. The other is about the size of a jumbo luggage. Too large to be anything good. Both military grade. Both definitely smell like trouble.
“We got a job. A pretty big one.”
“And?” Jess interrupts. Irritated, “What’s the big deal, huh? If we get a job, we do it. Doesn’t matter how big it is. So hurry up and get on with it. I’ve got better things to do with my day than spend it hanging out with a couple of washed-up old men.”
Charles doesn’t even bat an eye at Jess’s words. Not because he’s got a steel pair or anything. Anyone could tell at a glance that Jess has a bigger pair. He’s just that freaked out by whatever this job is.
“We’ve been instructed to deliver this package to a secret meeting point,” Charles looks at the large case sitting on the table, “We were also told not to look inside. It’s likely a smuggling job.”
Jess raises a brow in interest. She looks at the case and weighs the options in her head again, but remains largely unfazed.
“Okay… Still sounds like easy money to me. I’m not getting why you’re sitting in here shitting your pants over this.”
Another silence.
Charles once again stares off into the distance. You can see the sweat running down his brow even from here.
“Right…”
Breaking the silence, the gang boss reaches for the smaller case, undoes the locks, and turns it towards the two of you.
“Holy shit…” Jess leans forward and places her hands on the table, “This can’t be real…”
Sitting on the table is what you’d expect. A case full of money. It’s the amount of said money that’s the problem.
“Thirteen… No…” Unable to contain her excitement, Jess reaches into the case and starts to count the money, “There’s gotta be at least fourteen mill here…”
“It’s fifteen and a half million,” Charles answers nervously, “I counted it earlier… And that’s just the advance payment. The client says they’ll triple it when we complete the job.”
Jess’s eyes widen as she slumps and loses strength in her limbs. Who could blame her? This alone is probably more money than the three of you combined would have ever seen in your lives.
“You starting to get it now? If we do this job, each of us could walk away from this with so much money that we could wipe our asses with it for the rest of our lives. But, no matter how you look at it…”
“Why offer this much to a shitstain gang like ours?” Jessie finishes the boss’s thought for him, “We don’t even own this turf…”
Charles’s expression grows even more grim.
It doesn’t take much to get where his head is at. This is a setup. No two ways about it.
***
Prim Elkana
Union City- Residential District, Park
Time: Midday
The park is particularly peaceful today. Even though it’s lunch hour, there doesn’t seem to be many people around. You see a few people out walking their dogs. There are even a handful of elderly folk who have come here to feed the birds. Other than that, the park appears to be largely empty. Everyone else must be busy with work or school.
You’d decided to get some fresh air earlier. Go out, stretch your legs, pick up a snack or two from the local convenience store. All little things to help pass the time. Really, you were just looking for an excuse to leave the house. It’s likely your reluctance to go back that led to you taking a detour through this park. You want to clear your head a bit. Get away from those nagging worries that haunt you when you stay still.
The breeze whistles in your ear. Your footsteps provide a steady rhythm and let you just space out. Before you know it, you’re wandering. Time passes without much of a worry for the outside world. Until…
“Um. Excuse me!”
An unfamiliar voice snaps you out of your daze.
You stop in your tracks and take a moment to look around. Whoever it is doesn’t sound to be particularly close.
“Heeeey! You there! With the short hair!”
It isn’t until they call out the second time that you’re able to pinpoint their location.
Off to the side and between some trees, you see a girl waving in your direction. Huddled around her are three men that look… a little less than friendly.
“Would you mind helping me out!? I’m being accosted by these ne’er-do-wells! I’d really appreciate it if you could help me out!”
The strange girl is waving and smiling at you. You wish you could readily do the same. You probably shouldn’t get involved.
“The hell did this broad just say? Something about a cost?”
“Beats me, man. But if she’s coming at a cost, I’m sure the three of us can work something out.”
Realizing that she’s in trouble, the girl panics. Her oblivious smile vanishes and she tries to create distance between her and the two men closing in on her. Unfortunately, her back quickly hits the nearby tree and leaves her nowhere to run.
At the same time, the third goon has turned his attention to you as a result of the girl’s shouting.
“Hey…” He starts stepping towards you with eyes squinted, “That girl ain’t too shabby lookin’ either.”
Definitely not good.
“Hey, cutie! Don’t just stand there! Come join the party!”
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Originally Posted by Blue Hair
Originally Posted by Towa
