DXN - Wayward Daughter - Part 2 (Ending)

[00:00] <Cherem> ======

[10:00] <Cherem> The concert was twenty minutes ago, Reiko. You haven't been this stressed in a while: first the call from Honda came asking for you all to meet, then you got crammed in a car with a teenage girl AND AN IDOL, and now here you are. An office, located not too far from your house, and there's way more people than there need to be.
[10:00] <Cherem> As for everyone else, Honda greeted you when you came in, "Hey people. Sorry this is so sudden, but, I had a whim I needed to act on."
[10:01] <Cherem> This is the first time several of you have seen his office. It's a nice enough place, but it wasn't meant to have all these people in it at once. On the wall there's a projected image of a long, centipede-like creature. Several of them, actually.
[10:03] <Shinjou_Miyu> "Let's hear about it. There's something I should report, too."
[10:04] <Otomo_Reiko> Reiko is only slightly quieter than the hum of the projector, hyperventilating in a corner as far from everyone as she can get. Not very far in an office. She's still in her surgical mask and latex gloves so there isn't much of her to see.
[10:06] <Cerys_Doyle> Cerys leans against a wall, watching the others and not quite paying attention to the screen. She had enough dealings with these bugs for her liking already. Every now and then though, she inched closer to Otomo when the girl wasn't looking.
[10:06] <@Mr_Rage> Ai eyes the corpses warily, tails waving through the air on their own rhythms.
[10:07] <Cherem> "Alright. So over the past few days, I've been making Goemon and Doyle help me deal with this insect things. At the behest of my friend, we managed to catch one, but there have been plenty of others. They're aggressive, and we fear-" There's a ringing at the buzzer, and moments later the door opens without anybody saying anything.
[10:08] <Cherem> "Hey! Honda, I came right over with what I could find on these things, and- oh! These are your friends!" The voice belongs to a woman in her early 20's, with her black, very dark brown hair pulled into a ponytail.
[10:10] <Cherem> She's dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt, the bottom tucked in and the sleeves rolled up, a camera strap hanging from around her neck and a satchel on her side. She seems to just bleed 'youthful enthusiasm'. As she enters, Honda waves. "This is that friend, Shiori Sasaki."
[10:14] <Cherem> "Honda's been telling me as much as he can about you! And I've been looking into these creatures, poking around in the live one you managed to get me." She smiles around, eyes bouncing off of Ai, Reiko, and Miyu. "Huh. Your friends get bigger and bigger."
[10:14] <Cerys_Doyle> "Still not sure how it was alive." She comments. "I shot it's face right off."
[10:15] <Otomo_Reiko> "W-w-well..."
[10:17] <Cherem> "Well, having pulled it apart," Sasaki plugs a USB drive into Honda's computer, "It's like a worm. Each of those little segments are somewhat autonomous, relying on nerve impulses from a "brain". The larger they are, the more impulses they can get." She rubs her chin, the projector's image changing from the creatures, to the very fresh inside of one. "Oh, uh, gore warning I guess."
[10:18] <Otomo_Reiko> "If I had to g-guess, they're more like a uh, an autonomous version of the Bram Stokers servants. Renegade creatures, yeah, but I doubt they can abuse the virus the way we d-do."
[10:18] <@Mr_Rage> "Renegade... animals?"
[10:19] <Shinjou_Miyu> "Yeah, that's what I was wanting to report. The UGN had someone drop by and give me a message. Said there were a lot of murderous Red Servants going around lately."
[10:19] <Cherem> Sasaki pauses, "... Yeah. That's... Bram Stoker, huh?" She looks at her own image thoughtfully, and nods excitedly, "Yes! That makes sense! I was wondering why they were so simple on the inside."
[10:20] <Otomo_Reiko> "M-might be a bigger one out there. Or something else entirely."
[10:20] <Cherem> Honda blinks, "Well. That's no good." He frowns, "So that and this was relate...ed. The UGN?" He hesitates.
[10:21] <Cherem> Sasaki lights up, "You spoke with somebody from the UGN?!" Her eyes start to glow (figurativly).
[10:22] <Shinjou_Miyu> "Mhm. Told me I should cease working with Tindalos and that they weren't asking for help, but if we gave them info on the attacks they'd be happy to send out their hunters."
[10:26] <Cherem> "... How two-faced." Honda grimaces, "Alright. I'd like to look into these creatures, think about finding where they're coming from. Since they're insects, and centipedes at that, I was thinking, eugh the sewers." He goes to his computer to change the slideshow, but as he does, there's the click of his door opening yet again. There's the rich, earthy smell again. "Hello? anybody there?"
[10:26] <@Mr_Rage> "--?"
[10:26] <Cherem> Sasaki freezes, her eye going wide and blank. Her pupils dilate widely, and she sort of seems to... space out.
[10:27] <Cherem> Honda looks up, "Who the hell-"
[10:28] * Cerys_Doyle makes a mental note about having a proper lock installed on the door, not that Honda would use it.
[10:28] <Cherem> Ai, Reiko, Miyu, you can almost recognize this warding. The door opens, and the UGN Agent, Cherry Blossom steps in. "Sorry, I didn't mean to follow you." She's a terrible liar.
[10:28] <Otomo_Reiko> Reiko is busy making herself as small as possible in that corner of the office.
[10:30] <Cherem> For those of you who haven't seen her, she's a woman, probably, short with an adult form, warm cherry-wood skin and yellow eyes. Her hair is in a lower ponytail than the spaced-out Sasaki, tied with a green ribbon.
[10:31] <Shinjou_Miyu> "And here's our UGN contact.
[10:31] <Shinjou_Miyu> "
[10:32] <Otomo_Reiko> "Maybe she knows the other one."
[10:32] <Cherem> She's wearing a silvery dress with her UGN badge hanging from the belt on her waist, and her bare feet tap on the floor gently. "Contact? I suppose. I forgot to mention, we actually have an idea as to who is behind this. Rather, I have a suspicion."
[10:32] <@Mr_Rage> Ai puts hands to her hips, listening intently with a face her friends might recognize as 'the polite don't-get-in-trouble-adults-are-talking face.'
[10:34] <Cherem> "... Well, let's hear it." Honda doesn't look pleased at all to have his office home to a UGN agent. Maybe one of the insects would've been a more welcome guest.
[10:36] <Cherem> Cherry Blossom manages to keep from sending a nasty look his way, continuing. "There is an Overed agitator who has Red Servants as a modus operandi, who relies on them in many shapes and forms to do work for her. She has been linked to several attacks and killings in the past, but she also has the uncanny ability to avoid UGN teams and probes." A sour look crosses her face.
[10:37] <Cherem> "A long time ago, they called her 'The Daughter of Viktor', an Overed Terrorist who was involved here, in City N, over a decade ago. We have reason to believe she is continuing his legacy, but whenever we look for her, she catches onto us. She herself was once... UGN-affiliated."
[10:40] * Cerys_Doyle has made her way sneakliy over to Otomo and leans over to whisper to her, keeping her eyes on the UGN agent.
[10:41] <Cherem> "So, we find this 'Daughter' for you, and, what?" Honda crosses his arms, sitting back.
[10:41] <Cherem> "I didn't say that, but since you're already looking for her." Cherry Blossom shrugs, "Bring her to us. You will be compensated for your efforts, and they will be... taken into consideration, when dealing with you later."
[10:44] <Cerys_Doyle> Cerys raises an eyebrow at that statement.
[10:45] <Cherem> "And I will leave the rest to you." Cherry Blossom grins, "I'm sure you'll manage. She's going by the name 'Akihana' now." With that, the UGN agent steps out to leave, giving you all a little wave over her shoulder.
[10:46] <Cherem> Honda sits there, arms crossed, "... Well, I don't like it."
[10:47] <Shinjou_Miyu> "That was interesting to know." Miyu says with a sigh. "I didn't really like it either."
[10:48] <Cherem> Sasaki slowly starts to come down, looking around, "Huh? Did I miss something?"
[10:49] <Cerys_Doyle> "A big load o' shite."
[10:52] <Cherem> Sasaki tilts her head in confusion, looking at Honda who shrugs. "We had a visitor who decided to Ward. Sorry you missed on that. They want us to find Akihana, or something. Somebody." He glances at Reiko, "If you can work the computers, and we can narrow it down to an area, I'm fine with hitting the pavement to ask around."
[10:53] <Otomo_Reiko> "Uh, y-yeah, no problem. Gonna take a little longer to set up. UGN had someone or s-something watching for me in their d-d-database."
[10:55] <Otomo_Reiko> "Meeting over?"
[10:55] <Cherem> "Really?" Honda frowns a little, "Alright. We can get looking." He nods, standing, "Everybody good?"
[10:56] <Otomo_Reiko> "Oh g-good. Been holding this one in." Reiko faints.
[10:57] * Cerys_Doyle looks down at the girl beside her and sighs. "I'll drive her home I guess."
[10:57] <Cherem> Honda doesn't even have an apt response. "Is she okay?!"
[10:58] <@Mr_Rage> Ai jumps, bending over and gawking like she didn't even know humans could do that.
[10:59] <Cerys_Doyle> "Don't think she's used to being out like this." She shrugs and picks the girl up.
[11:00] <Cherem> "Aah." Honda has a guilty look cross his face, "That's my bad then. shouldn't've put her under that stress so fast." He smiles weakly, "Alright. Join us when she's back home, Doyle, we'll get started."
[11:01] <Cerys_Doyle> "Roger that boss."

[00:00] <Cherem> ======

[11:27] <Cherem> As soon as you're able, you hit the pavement and start looking. Really, it's a lot of remembering where you and Honda and Goemon were fighting the creatures, and you start from there.
[11:39] <Cherem> However, people don't seem to recognize her, and when you ask about her you get strange looks. "Akihana? Weird name, chuunibyou?" to "Oi, shouldn't you be minding your own business?"
[11:40] <Cherem> And as you look into her, Akihana's name pops up after a little bit of digging. warrants for her arrest, wanted for questioning. UGN wants her, and that's no secret.
[11:48] <Cherem> However, the footwork is starting to pay off: an older woman manages to give you a hint. "Akihana? You mean, Shizuko-chan? Aaah, such a pretty girl. You know, I used to look like her when I was younger," and she keeps you there for at least an hour, talking about the days before phones.
[11:53] <Cherem> Your questioning brings you closer and closer. "Yeah, I've seen her around here. She's a freelance journalist or something. Kind of a creepy vibe, but she's quiet." However, as you ask around, you notice the people even start to dwindle as you close in.
[11:56] <Cherem> Poking around at the warrants and records, it looks like Akihana was involved with the UGN for a short period of time before Black Saturday. After that, she ran away from a Rehabilitation home, and has since been sighted all over Japan.
[12:17] <Cherem> Cerys, you finally catch your break. As Miyu distracts a the owner of a convenience store, you managed to slip to the side and get a look at the CCTV. Punching in a few dates and times, you finally catch her. A woman, black hair, skin as white as snow. She's flanked by a tall monster of a man wearing a trenchcoat, his face hidden, but long, white hair running down the side of his face. She comes by this store at least once a week, grocery bag in hand.
[12:21] <Cherem> However, the more you look into it, and asking people around, she doesn't seem to have actually DONE anything. There's connections to Illegals, radical group somewhat like Tindalos, but it's organization and occasional Non-violent conflict with the UGN.
[12:22] <Cherem> At worst, one of the Overeds she was working with was a False Heart operative, but subsequent investigation left her record clean.

[00:00] <Cherem> ======

[12:24] <Cherem> After your search, Honda calls you all in again. "Alright. So we know where she is now. Reiko, Ai, you guys managed to learn about her as well." He frowns, "And the UGN thinks this is our person?"
[12:26] <Cherem> "So do we go in to talk with her, or just try to deliver her?" He looks at all of you, "You guys did the legwork, and I appreciate it. I think, considering that the UGN is offering a reward, we should decide it as a team."
[12:28] <Otomo_Reiko> "Tough call," Reiko's voice comes through Cerys' phone. "I don't like them...but pissing them off is a bad idea."
[12:28] <Cerys_Doyle> "Nothing seems to point at her being in control o' these bugs though. I'd hate to turn someone over that don't deserve it."
[12:29] <@Mr_Rage> "Wanna talk to her," Ai votes firmly.
[12:30] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon shrugs.
[12:32] <Cerys_Doyle> "Anyone else?" Cerys looks to the others.
[12:33] <Shinjou_Miyu> "I want to talk to her, too, but I feel like we're almost certainly going to be followed by the UGN. Just something to keep in mind."
[12:33] <Cherem> "Alright. How about we talk to her, and if things go south, no harm in defending outselves, right?" Honda opens his desk, pulling his gun. "And if the UGN wants to play that game... Hm." He frowns. "Well, we can play games too."
[12:34] <Cerys_Doyle> "Make sure that is loaded this time."
[12:34] <Goemon_Hozuki> "Ha"
[12:36] <Cherem> Honda flushes a little and checks the gun, and a moment later grabs a magazine from the desk. "Okay. Thank you. Overwatch, you want to tag along?"
[12:37] <Otomo_Reiko> "I'll stick to my cameras, thanks."
[12:38] <Cerys_Doyle> "Right." She pulls out her car keys. "Let's go."

[00:00] <Cherem> ======

[12:40] <Cherem> You're not waiting all that long. The sun is starting to go down, and it casts a long, warm glow on the street. Waiting in the shadows, you are all able to watch people finishing their daily lives, heading back home, or heading out to enjoy themselves on a good, pleasant evening. There's a slightly stern wind that blows through, kicking up collars and persuading arms to keep their sleeves down.
[12:41] <Cherem> The road is narrow, only meant for maybe one car going down it, with space to pull over if somebody else comes, and there are houses and other small stores lining it. Alleyways provide runoff for people walking, but there's a quiet, peaceful air.
[12:43] <Cherem> Honda has his gun in his holster, hidden under his armpit. At his hand is the bat you've seen him with, although chances are he wouldn't know how to use it effectivly against a normal opponent. He keeps nervously touching his gun, checking it when there aren't people watching. It's going to drive you insane if he checks the safety one more time.
[12:46] * Cerys_Doyle lays a hand on Honda's soulder and mouths "Calm down" to him.
[12:46] <Cherem> And before the sun sets, there she is. Long, black hair like lines of the darkest ink, skin as white as falling snow. Dressed in a black coat, she is a monochrome focus against a colorful background.
[12:47] <Cherem> In fact, the only color to her is the blood-red scarf trailing around her neck, draping elegantly around the pale skin, and her garnet, ruby eyes.
[12:48] <Cherem> Honda takes a deep breath carefully, nodding. Until he sees her, and then he takes a quick gulp. "That's her, isn't it?"
[12:49] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu nods. "Hard to miss."
[12:49] <Cherem> Behind her, maybe three feet or so, a man at least six, seven feet tall, a monsterous height for Japan, follows her pace lock-step. His form is hidden within a huge, bulky jacket, his face disappearing behind the brim of his hat. Watching him, you can occasionally catch a glimpse of his white skin, somehow as pale as hers.
[12:50] <Cherem> Her footsteps are soft, almost silent, like a cat walking. Her companion's, not so much. Every step is like a tank trundling forward.
[12:52] <Cerys_Doyle> "So what's our plan?"
[12:52] <Cherem> "... Shit." Honda clears his throat, "We... talk to her?" He makes to step out. He still has the gun in his hand.
[12:53] <Otomo_Reiko> "If that doesn't go well, I'll be ready."
[12:53] <@Mr_Rage> Ai hops up to follow Honda, gently taking his gun away.
[12:54] <Shinjou_Miyu> "Yeah. Be ready to get in touch with the UGN at a moment's notice." Miyu says quietly as she moves along.
[12:54] <Cherem> Honda nods, doesn't even notice his gun going missing. He's hopeless.
[12:55] <Cherem> Rather, he does, but it's too late.
[12:55] <Cherem> Akihana Shizuko pauses as you steo out. Her eyes glance between you, quietly measuring you up. Beside her, the giant man steps up, within range to quickly step in front of her.
[12:56] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon steps in front of Honda.
[12:57] * Cerys_Doyle stays beside Honda, trying to not to seem threatening.
[12:58] <Cherem> "Uh... Hm." Honda clears his throat, "We are not here to fight. You are Akihana Shizuko, correct?" He looks around for others, but the street is devoid of onlookers.
[12:58] <@Mr_Rage> Ai is positively charming by comparison, beaming at the young woman and her bodyguard.
[12:59] <Shinjou_Miyu> "We come in peace." Miyu says in agreement with Honda. She keeps behind him, thinking he makes a good human shield.
[12:59] <Cherem> The woman stares a hole right through you, Goemon, through Honda, then looks over you again. She hesitates at Ai's smile, and nods a little. "Who is asking?"
[13:04] <Cherem> "Tindalos. Specifically, my name is Honda Isou. We've come to ask you about the recent Red Servant attacks that have been occuring."
[13:04] <Cherem> The air grows cold. Rather, the mood's temperature drops, as Akihana's eyes fix on Honda and seem to focus on him to the exclusion of everything else. "An accusation."
[13:06] <Shinjou_Miyu> "Let's not look at it that way. There's at least two sides to every story. We were hoping to catch another. It's why we didn't just go in with guns blazing."
[13:08] <Cherem> Akihana glances at you, Miyu. "Mm. A good move." She steps forward, hands in her jacket pockets. "Then, what is it you wish to know? I am Bram Stoker, yes. This man is my Red Servant."
[13:09] <Cherem> The thing doesn't move to follow her, instead remaining still. Somehow, it still radiates an aura of barely surpressed violence, locked away by willpower.
[13:10] <@Mr_Rage> Ai measures the bodyguard up, no doubt wondering how far she could throw him.
[13:10] <Shinjou_Miyu> "First of all, we've learned that there are bugs going around, and they're supposedly a type of Red Servant. Know anything about that?"
[13:13] <Cherem> "Bugs?" Akihana raises an eyebrow. "Red Servants too. Eugh." She shakes her head, "Red Servants, unless their master is sufficiently trained, will echo their master's form. For them to manifest as insects, would require someone of skill. Or..." She shrugs a little.
[13:15] <@Mr_Rage> "Or...?"
[13:15] <Cerys_Doyle> "Someone's who's been takin over?"
[13:15] <Shinjou_Miyu> "Or the master looks like a bug."
[13:17] <Cherem> Akihana nods, "Gyaum. To manifest in that form, too. They must have been a hideous person." Her lips, thin and pale, curve into a sardonic smirk. "Too fitting, to attack people after falling prey to the Virus."
[13:21] <Cherem> As you talk, you start to hear... hissing. The rattling of carapace against Carapace.
[13:22] <Cherem> "So you think there is a Gyaum doing this?" Honda frowns.
[13:24] <Shinjou_Miyu> "So what's the UGN's problem with..." Miyu stops as she hears the noise, looking from side to side and then upwards.
[13:24] * Cerys_Doyle tenses. "They're 'ere boss." She says quietly to Honda.
[13:24] <Cherem> And then you see them. Creeping along the walls, from the rooftops. From one of the manholes, the metal is starting to smoke a little.
[13:25] <Cherem> At least fifteen of the little monsters. Maybe more coming. Gyaum centipedes.
[13:25] <@Mr_Rage> "Rrh!"
[13:25] <Cherem> The guard shifts, reaching into it's coat. And a moment later, a longsword, maybe a meter long.
[13:27] <Goemon_Hozuki> Flames crawl along Goemon's arms and legs "let's get them."
[13:29] <Cerys_Doyle> "Honda, stay close this time. Please."
[13:30] <Cherem> "Well, not anywhere I can really go this time, huh?" Honda looks around as the things start creeping out of the woodworks.
[13:31] <Otomo_Reiko> "I'll offer a little advice, hope it helps..."
[13:32] <Cerys_Doyle> "Right, listen to her. Spread out a bit, I'll cover Honda as best I can."
[13:39] <Otomo_Reiko> "Cerys-san, I've only seen videos about firearms but I might have some tips..."
[13:45] <Cerys_Doyle> "I'll have to take you out shootin sometime love." She turns, her black armour forming around her and a gun materializing in her hand as she lines her aim at one of the swarms, opening fire.
[13:46] <Otomo_Reiko> "Handguns are completely prohibited in Japan."
[13:48] <Cherem> The insects try to scatter, using ther numbers as their dodge, but it's no use!
[13:49] <Cerys_Doyle> Every shot seems to line up perfectly. One by one she blows each of the nasty little critters away. "Don't think ye'll get out of it that easily."
[13:57] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu imagines a can of bug spray as she breathes out a cloud toward a patch of bugs, the cloud conveying her malicious intent toward insectkind.
[13:59] <Cherem> The insects halt, frozen in fear at this image.
[14:05] <Mr_Rage> Ai lands on the frozen insects like a ton of bricks, pulping them with the same casual disregard she'd show a particularly-uppity leaf.
[14:11] <Cherem> The insects seem to bristle, maws dripping with acid as they lash out at you Goemon! However, they're pretty clumsy as a group, their movements are uncoordinated and jittery.
[14:11] <Cherem> Ai, you barely even have to move, the last one just flailing at you.
[14:12] <Cherem> And in the background, they try to swarm the Red Servant, which doesn't even move to avoid them, their teeth and claws cutting through it's coat. Bits of black and silver enamel shine through the coat, their teeth clattering and clicking against metal.
[14:26] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon's body bursts into flames wrapping around him burning him and he proceeds to smash the bugs.
[14:29] <Cherem> At Akihana's side, the Red Servant swings his blade in a wide arc, cutting through the insects like they're made of wet paper. The sword flashes in the dying sunlight, and the blood of the insects surrounds him in a wet circle. His coat is in tatters, but the armor underneath is standing strong. Behind him, Akihana is busy watching you fight, seemingly unhindered by the stress of her Red Servant.
[14:37] * Cerys_Doyle takes aim at the newly emerged group, confident the others can hold their own and opens fire into them, blasting away a good number of the insects but not all of them.
[14:40] <Cherem> They swarm up, blasted apart, but a fair amount still slithering up.
[14:47] <Mr_Rage> Ai jumps over to join the servant, arms extending into fleshy tails. Between the whipcrack and crushing coils, the swarm is easily dealt with. Despite the servant's inhumanity, she beams up at him fearlessly.
[14:49] <Cherem> The Servant turns, blade cutting into the ground as it adjusts it's swing, turning to face you. It's eyes are as black as the night, but it doesn't act out against you. Instead, it simply shrugs it's armor and nods a little, drawing the sword form the earth to flick out and cut one of the twitching insects.
[14:51] <Cherem> However, the last insect lunges at you, Ai! It's a black spear, aiming for your back!
[14:52] <Mr_Rage> "!" Ai twists out of the way, as much serpent as her arms!
[14:52] <Cherem> And the Insect goes flying past!
[14:58] <Cherem> The insects at you, Goemon, latch on, swarming and biting at your legs!
[14:58] <Cherem> In the center of it all, the shot-up swarm lurches at Miyu!
[15:03] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu spews another cloud, subduing the bugs enough to narrowly dodge. She brushes herself off frantically after.
[15:04] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon starts hitting the bugs still left around him turning them into ash.
[15:04] <Cherem> The Red Servant brings it's blade down on the one that missed you, Ai, cutting cleanly through it and turning as part of it's strike. A moment later, and it's lumbering right at Miyu and the remaining insects.
[15:10] <Cerys_Doyle> Cerys takes aim before it can get to them, picking them off one by one til there's nothing left moving.
[15:11] <Cherem> "... You have reliable friends," Akihana glances at Honda, as her own bodyguard slows, wiping it's sword on it's jacket.
[15:11] <Cherem> The Tindalos Agent laughs a little, "yeah, they do all the heavy lifting for us."
[15:11] <Cherem> Around you, there's bits and pieces and piles of insect gore.
[15:12] <Cherem> They're still twitching occasionally, but nothing that can attack you.
[15:12] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon starts to burn the insects corpses to ash.
[15:12] <Shinjou_Miyu> "These things are pretty gross..." Miyu says, looking at the twitchier bits.
[15:12] <Cherem> They burn nicely, the flesh burbling and bubbling into smoke, the smell almost suffocatingly.
[15:13] <Mr_Rage> Ai gags, making a (slightly exaggerated) face.
[15:13] <Cerys_Doyle> "And Honda made us catch one o' them." She smirks to Miyu.
[15:13] <Cherem> "Mm." Akihana nods, "I think... Having seen this. I know-" She hesitates, "you... caught... one?"
[15:13] <Cherem> "It seemed like a good idea!" Honda insists.
[15:13] <Goemon_Hozuki> "It was a challenge and a half."
[15:16] <Cherem> Akihana doesn't seem to have words for it, so she just shakes her head. "I believe... I have an idea." She hesitates, "Tomorrow. Saint Jude's Hospital. I will wait for you there. I must confirm something." She turns and starts walking away. Her Servant bows every so slightly before turning to follow her.

[00:00] <Cherem> ======

[08:15] <Cherem> Akihana turned on her heel and left, Red Servant in tow, leaving only a cryptic order: meet her at Saint Jude's Hospital. A public hospital, it gained some notoriety a while ago for violence inflicted on it's grounds, but all that remains of this tragedy is a monument in the center, a reminder to be thankful for what one has and bask in "the now". It's a simple obelisk of white stone, set in the center of the grounds.
[08:17] <Cherem> The hospital itself is abuzz with activity that you can see approaching it: there's certainly a police presence here, that's for sure.
[08:17] <Cherem> Akihana didn't give a real time to meet her either, just 'tomorrow'.
[08:18] <Cherem> The police activity has Honda on edge when he arrives with you all, his gun holstered away. He does not look very happy about this meeting place.
[08:19] <@Mr_Rage> Ai is wearing plainclothes for once, giving a toothy yawn that spooks a flock of nearby birds.
[08:19] <Cerys_Doyle> "This feels like even more of a trap than earlier."
[08:22] <Shinjou_Miyu> "It's got n interesting feel to it."
[08:25] <Cherem> Honda nods a little, "Think they found her? The UGN was hunting her, right?" He keeps walking, sort of helping to keep an eye out for Akihana, stiffening whenever the police draw too close.
[08:26] <Cherem> That said, the police pay you little, if any mind. Just a really... weird group of people. But maybe not what they're looking for.
[08:26] <@Mr_Rage> "Mnn, don't think so."
[08:26] <Shinjou_Miyu> "I doubt it, too."
[08:26] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon shrugs a bit.
[08:27] * Cerys_Doyle keeps an eye out for anything out of place.
[08:27] <Cerys_Doyle> Or anyone acting aggressive towards them.
[08:28] <Cherem> Occasionally you can catch bits and pieces of the conversations. "Missing patients", "mysterious hissing noises at night", "more guards".
[08:28] <Otomo_Reiko> "Just be careful," the hikki's voice comes clearly over a series of bluetooth devices she had Cerys hand out. So much easier than trying to hear her through spreaker phone.
[08:29] <Otomo_Reiko> "The UGN frequents this hospital. I have to battle their network security from time to time."
[08:29] <@Mr_Rage> "Hm! Maybe she's inside?"
[08:30] <Cerys_Doyle> "Likely. I'm sure something is that'll interest us. Doesn't mean I want to go in."
[08:31] <Cherem> "Could you get a look inside, Operator?" Honda reaches up to rub his ear as he talks. "See what these Police are talking about?"
[08:32] <Otomo_Reiko> "I suppose."
[08:36] <Cherem> Cracking your knuckles (figurativly), you get to work. Seconds go by and you're inside their computer system, poking your way around and worming through security loopholes. And you can see it, lurking below the surface of the virtual ocean: there's some UGN activity here, a guard program of some sort. Stepping past it, you're able to access the cameras without setting off any alarms or warnings.
[08:37] <Cherem> Inside, the hospital has several rooms cordoned off, police going through them carefully. The rooms like they were abandoned for days, weeks, covered in thin webbing, but checking patient logs they were filled not even a week ago.
[08:38] <Cherem> As you creep among the video, you find one that stands out. Close to the heating units, there's the water main, etc, but it looks like they burst. Or something came through it.
[08:38] <Cherem> You catch a faint figure in the corner of the room, black as night save for her pale skin.
[08:38] <Cherem> At the other corner, a police officer is... sleeping. You hope.
[08:41] <Shinjou_Miyu> "We're here.
[08:43] <Otomo_Reiko> "Nothing exciting going on right now..."
[08:44] <Otomo_Reiko> "She's inside though, that's for sure. Police are conducting a search."
[08:46] <Cerys_Doyle> "Can you guide us to her and keep us out of the way of anyone?"
[08:49] <Otomo_Reiko> "I'll see what I can do, soridu suneku. Just remember the basics of CQC."
[08:51] <Otomo_Reiko> "Okay, listen close."
[08:51] <Cherem> By listening to the directions of Operator, you're able to get inside the hospital, past the guards, right by the orderlies and doctors and nurses.
[08:52] <Cherem> You finally find yourselves at the location where Akihana was spotted, and there's one last officer standing right in front of the door.
[08:55] <Cherem> He's very convincing, painfully so. Crows feet, slightly graying hair. Tired demeanor, skin kind of weighing on him. The Uniform he's wearing is itself rather worn-in, clean but it's seen some better days, surely.
[08:56] <Shinjou_Miyu> "What are we going to do about this?" Miyu mutters to the others as she sees the the officer.
[08:56] <Cherem> But the mask slips for a split second, not even, but it's enough to make most of you look twice. The skin is flawless and white, the eyes pale black pits, no mouth, no nose. The uniform is just a facimile, as is his skin.
[08:59] <Cherem> "Don't know if we can sneak around this one." Honda frowns, "Maybe we can talk to him?"
[09:03] <Cerys_Doyle> "Or somethin."
[09:04] <Cherem> A moment later, Akihana steps out of the room, and the mask on the guard drops to the blank white slate. She looks around, clearing her throat expectantly. "Step out."
[09:04] <Shinjou_Miyu> "Sure. We can..." Miyu stops as she sees the guard change, blinking a few times and then staring.
[09:05] <Cherem> Honda frowns, "Huh. I thought we were hiding rather well."
[09:06] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu proceeds to step out, waving. "Hi."
[09:06] <Cerys_Doyle> "Apparently not."
[09:06] <Cherem> Akihana has the look of somebody who spent no time at all sleeping last night, eyes a little red and puffy and lined with bags. "You came." Maybe that's her greeting.
[09:08] <Cerys_Doyle> "Aye we did. What've you brought us here fer?"
[09:09] <@Mr_Rage> "You okay?"
[09:10] <Cherem> Akihana nods a little, "Tired. Took a trip before coming here. Confirmed my suspicions." She points down, "I will be accompanying you to find the cause of the attacks."
[09:10] <Cherem> At her feet is... solid tile flooring.
[09:12] * Cerys_Doyle raises an eyebrow.
[09:13] <Cherem> "Underneath the Hospital..." Akihana pauses, "City N has a labyrinth below it. It's sewer system. St. Jude's has one of the closest access points to our final destination." She turns and starts walking down the hallway, following signs pointing you towards the basement.
[09:15] <Otomo_Reiko> "Ah, that'll be a fun experience for you."
[09:15] * Cerys_Doyle tugs on Honda and tells him to stick close, then follows.
[09:15] <@Mr_Rage> Ai follows, tails unraveling from her skirt.
[09:15] <Cherem> "Are there cameras in the sewers?" Honda follows Doyle.
[09:16] <Cherem> Akihana doesn't even miss a step, but those of you with good hearing can catch a long, drawn-out sigh from the Illegal. "Very few. If your friend will be accompanying us, they will have to do so in person."
[09:17] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon follows along sticking close to honda.
[09:19] <Cherem> "Er... Overwatch." Honda clears his throat, "Maybe that drone again? We could find a manhole along the way, and pop it open for it?"
[09:19] <Otomo_Reiko> "Only if someone else is cleaning it off later. I'll send it on its way."
[09:21] <Cherem> Akihana leads you into the basement, where there's a manual access to the Sewer. It looks... painfully official, with several locks on it, as well as a very ominous pair of stylized hands and a globe on the top.
[09:22] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu looks utterly horrified. Perhaps she is even having second thoughts about this.
[09:22] <Cherem> "UGN uses these to transport secure materials around the city." Akihana frowns, "I do not know the manual lock, and I cannot break it myself."
[09:22] <Cherem> Honda manages to give Miyu a glance, "It's not as bad as you think. I hope." He doesn't look very convinced.
[09:24] * Cerys_Doyle breaks out the drone. "Even if this thing is blasted clean it ain't going to get the stink out."
[09:25] <Goemon_Hozuki> "Well there are worse things to go through." Goemon frowns.
[09:26] <Cherem> Akihana shrugs a little, "You get used to it." She rolls up her sleeve, flicking her nails quickly. A moment later, a thin line of blood drools down her arm, and at her feet a creature begins to form.
[09:27] <Cherem> "Whoever of you are strong, help my Servant open this." Akihana clears her throat as the blood raises itself, lacking in armor and frankly shape to appear as a thing of muscle and sinew.
[09:28] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon steps forward to help open the door.
[09:28] <@Mr_Rage> Ai joins in!
[09:29] * Cerys_Doyle does not, opting to keep watch.
[09:30] <Otomo_Reiko> As the two Overed step up to assist the Servant the drone is going through an operations check. "All green, in the pipe five by five."
[09:30] <Cherem> The Servant kneels, taking one end of the opening. It's large enough to let at least two people drop down at a time uncomfortably close. Wrapping your fingers around the metal, it takes a significant amount of effort. The servant blushes and flushes with effort.
[09:31] <Cherem> And then, with a solid grating noise, the top comes off, and it's about three inches thick of heavy steel. How the UGN gets it open is beyond your reckoning, certainly from the bottom.
[09:32] <Cherem> And from before, the thick wafting smell of... it's actually not that bad. It's a little mildewy and there's a warm air, but it's not the garbage-flooded mess you were expecting.
[09:32] <Cherem> from below*
[09:33] <Cerys_Doyle> "Lovely. Looks inviting."
[09:35] <Cherem> Akihana nods, the servant collapsing into ash. She steps forward, taking the lead without asking, dropping down with a quiet flutter. It's a good seven foot drop, and concrete at the end. "We'll be following this line for a hundred meters."
[09:36] <Otomo_Reiko> "I don't envy you on this mission, thats for sure."
[09:37] <Goemon_Hozuki> "There is always the option of burning the clothes and taking a couple shower..."
[09:37] <Cherem> Honda goes to drop in next, landing with a solid noise. A mild curse comes from the Tindalos agent, but he steps to the side soon enough. "Well, it'll be worth it in the end. Whatever is causing those things to spawn will be finished with."
[09:38] <Cerys_Doyle> "Keep dreamin' cupcake." Cerys drops down after honda, landing with a heavy thud.
[09:38] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon jumps down after walking over to Honda trying to keep close to him.
[09:39] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu sighs and reluctantly jumps down, nearly falling as she lands. "Oof..."
[09:40] <Cherem> Honda is rubbing his knee, mumbling something about learning how to land, but in a moment he's up. "It's gonna suck being down here for Ai," he teases, "We all have normal smell, but don't Chimera have that even worse?" He glances at Miyu, "Or is it Solaris that are good at smells?"
[09:42] <Shinjou_Miyu> "Yeah, we can do smells." Miyu says as she gets up.
[09:42] <@Mr_Rage> "Rrrh," Ai complains.
[09:43] <Cherem> Akihana nods a little, "Both will have difficulty. " She waits for the rest of you, then starts walking. There's the sound of your footsteps echoing in the chamber against the concrete, and the slow burble of questionably clean water.
[09:44] <Cherem> Every so often you manage to see where other water lines intercept this main, and Akihana steps around them carefully, hands in her pockets. As you go, the path gets wider and wider, eventually around 10m across, enough for all of you to stand abreast if you wished.
[09:45] * Cerys_Doyle keeps quiet, other than her footfalls.
[09:46] <Cherem> And then you can hear it. Against the echoes, there's... hissing. Clicking. Down both directions, shadows are starting to flicker.
[09:46] <Cherem> The whole place is lit up by light orange guide lights, casting a dark look over your skin and appearance
[09:47] <Cherem> But even against that, you can see a veritable flood from both sides, behind you, in front of you.
[09:54] <Cherem> It's a flood of the creatures, the centipedes, crawling along both sides and rushing at you with a very direct, palpatable hunger in their beady little eyes.
[10:02] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu is quick to spew out a cloud of fog once she catches sight of the things.
[10:03] <Cherem> Akihana prepares one of her servants, and you manage to catch a glimpse of the armor pushing out of it's skin, sword simply materializing in it's hand from flesh.
[10:16] <Cerys_Doyle> "Guess we're getting close eh?" Gunfire rings out in the tunnel as she blasts away at the centipede creatures.
[10:21] <Shinjou_Miyu> "Dying sounds really nice, doesn't it?" Miyu says as she exhales a sparkly little cloud. It whispers all sorts of nice things like "Die." and "Miyu says die. You should listen to her." as it drifts over to the bugs.
[10:24] <Cherem> The bugs whirl and mill about in confusion,the larger ones stumbling over the smaller ones, handicapping their surge.
[10:28] <Cherem> The insects attempt to rally, swirling around your legs like water, trying to bite and claw their way at your limbs. Very poor show on their part, however.
[10:38] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon goes and tries to hit at the mass of insects with a mass of fire .
[10:38] <Cherem> The insects crackle and burn, hissing and falling back away from the fire.
[10:39] <Cherem> In the background, Akihana and her Servant are... actually holding their own. Well, the Servant is.
[10:40] <Cherem> Miyu, over the fight, you manage to catch the weird smells of the sewer and... something else. Pheremones, pouring from the creatures. It takes a moment, but you can get the basic gist of it. "Seperate them. Divide them. The Pale One is important."
[10:42] <Cherem> Indeed, the insects seem to be pouring between you all, trying to force a wall of bodies between yourselves and the Bram Stoker.
[10:43] <Shinjou_Miyu> "Don't let them divide us. They're after her!"
[10:54] <Cerys_Doyle> "Right, keep together." She doesn't really need to move, shooting from her position into the same group of critters, more of them popping and exploding into messy piles of innards.
[10:56] <Cherem> The worms start to writh away from you, Cerys, a few staying behind to try and claw at you and getting nothing but bullets in return.
[10:57] <Shinjou_Miyu> "So if they're communicating by chemical then what we're dealing with must be like..." Miyu mumbles, suddenly nosebleeding and flailing, making her cloud blow off course.
[10:59] <@Mr_Rage> There's an echoing thump as Ai smacks what looks like the back-half of an anaconda against the sewer wall, taking most of her swarm with it. What's left gets crunched on the backswing, or finds better places to be.
[10:59] <Otomo_Reiko> "Feel sorry for anyone that tries to grope her on a train."
[11:11] <Cherem> The Red Servant finally stops as the bugs start to back up, ceasing their surge on you all. It's a chance to catch your breath, but you can all sense the smell now, a thick, rusty smell flooding the air. Almost like blood, but wrong.
[11:12] <Shinjou_Miyu> "This is gross..." Miyu coughs and gags.
[11:12] <Cerys_Doyle> "What's next then?"
[11:13] <Cherem> Honda rubs his shoulder, his gun actually smoking. Did he fire a shot? "Well, they know we're here. We keep pushing forward?"
[11:14] <Cherem> "They have a focus on me," Akihana's face curls into a scowl, "Rude of them."
[11:15] <@Mr_Rage> "Yes! Bug hunt!" Ai throws her fists into the air.
[11:15] <Cerys_Doyle> "No reason in going back."
[11:15] <Goemon_Hozuki> "Lets burn them to a crisp." A red glow in Goemons eye.
[11:16] <Cherem> Honda nods, "Alright! Onwards!" And he starts going down the left. Akihana starts going down the right. The Red Servant hesitates.
[11:16] <Shinjou_Miyu> "I noticed. They were actually communicating to focus on you."
[11:16] <Cherem> "I figured as much." Akihana pauses, "This thing has.... We knew each other once."
[11:19] <Shinjou_Miyu> "I'm sorry. So how worried should we be?"
[11:19] <Cerys_Doyle> "Honda." Cerys stops him. "You shouldn't lead right now."
[11:20] <Cherem> Honda stops, turning, "Oh, I thought-"
[11:20] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu completely goes after Akihana.
[11:21] <Cherem> "Both of these lead to the cistern," Akihana continues, "But.... Worried, not too much. They were one of the many children who washed out of the UGN rehabilitation programs. However, this one... was never all together." She doesn't look too fazed by it.
[11:21] <Cherem> Honda flushes and hustles back, hand on his gun.
[11:22] <Cerys_Doyle> "Alright." She keeps a hand on Honda. "Let's move."
[11:22] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu marches on.
[11:23] <Goemon_Hozuki> goemon follows after Akihana.
[11:23] <Cherem> "I won't get lost," Honda mumbles. "This is just different than paperwork."
[11:24] <Cherem> As the Bram Stoker leads the way, the insects move out of your way. As you continue, you finally start to view an exit. Sort of.
[11:24] <Cherem> The flooring changes to concrete with a metal grate running down the center, and the water is moving faster and faster. There's the sound of waterfalls up ahead even.
[11:25] <Cherem> Lining the walls, you start to notice... web fiber. Thin strands of white protein and silver gossimer threads, trailing along. The Red Servant moves to the fore, stepping through the webs before his master follows behind.
[11:25] <Cherem> And.. the ceiling opens up to a vault. Concrete, metal, pipes and moss, it arches up, and the floor drops down beneath you.
[11:27] <Cherem> It looks somewhat like a massive funnel as you enter, a huge circular pit with a single strand of concrete jutting out of the center, with one metal catwalk crossing the diameter, about a meter and a half wide. The circumference of the funnel is lined with even more catwalk.
[11:27] <Cherem> Along the funnel's sides, multitudes of pipes empty out water into what looks like a central drain, for dealing with rapid flooding and moving the water to the river.
[11:28] <Cherem> It's about a forty meter walk from one side to the other crossing the catwalk. Or, it would be.
[11:28] <Cherem> In it's best state, it was pristine. Warm, lightly yellowed and orange rock from several grates probably forty or so meters up that reach up to the surface, accompanied by artificial orange lighting.
[11:29] <Cherem> The metal was once a dull gray, ugly but utalitarian. Now, it's caked with rust, untouched by man in some time. And everything, everything, everything is lined with web fiber.
[11:30] <Cherem> The walls are crawling with insects, centipedes, and the bottom of the drain is stained suspiciously red, clogged up with... something, and what water is there looks stagnant.
[11:31] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu looks around at the scenery, seeming impressed despite the abundance of creepy crawly things. "This is like a movie set. Really creepy one..."
[11:31] <Cerys_Doyle> "Holy shite." Cerys mutters.
[11:33] <Cherem> "See? It's not what you expected." Honda murmurs, "Spacy."
[11:33] <Cherem> Stuck in the very center is a thick iron pole, rusted with age, and following it's damning point upwards....
[11:34] <Cherem> It's big. Car-big. A human torso, hanging upside down, with skin red and black and blotched, and thankfully too far away to make out any features. Long, stringy hair runs down at least another body length, but if you look up, it's torso sort of... disappears... into a great, long, chitenous form.
[11:35] <@Mr_Rage> "!"
[11:35] <Cherem> Clacking, cracking, trembling armor that shudders to life, twenty, thirty, even more legs hissing and trembling, dug into the ceiling and awakening.
[11:35] <Cerys_Doyle> "I'd wager that be our target."
[11:35] <Cherem> Eight bright, yellow eyes that fire open. And a harsh, ringing laugh. "You've arrived! You made it through my children and came to me!"
[11:36] <Cherem> Akihana's face barely twists with disgust, but it's there. "Have any of you seen a Gyaum before?"
[11:37] <@Mr_Rage> "Mn..." Ai nods slowly.
[11:37] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu's sudden puking likely answers the question nicely.
[11:37] <Otomo_Reiko> "Sure, but...oh wow I think I might hurl."
[11:38] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon looks like he might throw up.
[11:38] <Cherem> Honda shudders, his face pale, "I wish I hadn't."
[11:38] <Cerys_Doyle> "I'm told my aunt was uglier."
[11:40] <Cherem> The thing starts moving, "Akihana, you even brought me presents. How kind of you! And now, it'll just be us, right? Right?!" The thick, iron-smell starts up again, and the walls start to writh and wriggle. Thick bundles of fibers start to burst, drooling long, stringy creatures. Seems you've found where the centipedes are coming form.
[11:40] <Cherem> from*
[11:52] <@Mr_Rage> Ai grimaces at the thing's emotions, unsheathing her claws.
[11:53] <Otomo_Reiko> "Right, well, lets see if my tactical research has anything for humanoid insects...Haaah."
[12:07] * Cerys_Doyle stepping forward into a good range Cerys unloads her gun into the creature, severing one of the twitching legs.
[12:08] <Cherem> The creature screams, blood spitting out of the wound, before a cancerous growth plugs the bleeding. It lets out a shrill laugh, "Ah! Okay! I see, dinner and a show!"
[12:18] * Cerys_Doyle takes a hit but shrugs it off. "Yer 'sposed to buy a girl dinner before ye try to touch her."
[12:19] <Cherem> The attack in question is... gross. The creature makes a burping noise, and then it almost vomits an acidic bundle of webbing in an attempts to yank you up to it, Doyle.
[12:19] <Cherem> Thankfully, it fails.
[12:21] <Shinjou_Miyu> "I saw something like you on the food channel. It was gross." Miyu breathes out a cloud of chemicals and then blows it toward the gross spider thing.
[12:23] <Cherem> "The... Television?" The creature hesitates for a moment, mentally shaken.
[12:32] <Cherem> The side of the cistern trembles, and the insects burst out, launching themselves at Ai, and the mental threat Miyu!
[12:32] <Cherem> Within a moment they're on you, trying to bite and crawl all over you.
[12:32] <@Mr_Rage> "!" Ai smashes and swats, but bugs still manage to catch her by surprise, gnawing off some flesh.
[12:49] <Cherem> The insect almost falls, clutching the ceiling as tightly as it can.
[12:54] <Cherem> And the next strike shakes the vaulted ceiling. Designed to handle pressure from the outside, the metal isn't ready for the sudden surge of heat and force that you put in, Goemon, shaking the cavern. The insect isn't ready either, and it's weight proves too much. It drops down, landing on the center platform with a tremendous crash.
[12:54] <Cherem> There's a sharp, goring noise, and the metal rod in the center stabs through it's insectoid gut, piercing straight through the creature.
[12:58] <Cherem> Honda manages to wince. Akihana smirks. Her Red Servant focuses on hacking away at the insects around her.
[13:01] <Cerys_Doyle> "Nice." Is all cerys says, but she is clearly pleased from her smile.
[13:03] <Otomo_Reiko> "Hm, okay so I have an idea. Yuu-san, I have so advice for you too..."
[13:09] * Cerys_Doyle continues to unload bullets into the disgusting heap.
[13:14] <Cherem> The heap in question forces itself to stand up, hissing, "You... Bitch, I'll tear you to pieces and feast on the bits that come out!" It lunges forward, the strike cutting through the catwalk and missing you readily, Doyle.
[13:15] <Cerys_Doyle> "I think we're wearing it down, keep it up!"
[13:19] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu gags as she gets a look at the much closer spiderthing.
[13:42] <Cherem> The thing surges up, bringing it's full body to bear, bullet holes and cuts lining it's body
[13:44] <Cherem> Goemon, you're in there in a moment, your body trembling as the air lights up around you. Your fist cocks back, and with a trail of light and heat crashes right into the solar plexus of the creature. The flames wash over the catwalk and the intestines of the thing vaporize, cooking it almost instantaniously.
[13:44] <Cherem> The smell of cooking, rotting insect flood the room, and there's a shrill, screaming sound echoing throughout the tunnels as the centipedes, still trying to claw their way towards you, start to collapse, the renegade holding them together unbinding.
[13:45] <Cherem> They collapse into pools of protein and blood, hissing and burbling as steam rises up, up the cistern.
[13:45] <@Mr_Rage> "Pho..." Ai relaxes, lowering her talons.
[13:46] <Cherem> Honda lets out a low whistle, coughing at the sudden smoke. "Is... it is done?"
[13:46] <Cherem> Akihana shrugs a little, raising her hand. A moment later, the creature's corpse twitches, a blood-red bolt stabbing into it. No reaction.
[13:46] <Shinjou_Miyu> Miyu dry heaves, the stench too much for her.
[13:47] <Cherem> Honda covers his mouth, "Let's, we need to get-"
[13:47] <Cerys_Doyle> "I'm going to be showering for the next few days straight."
[13:47] <Cherem> "Ahem." There's a voice behind you, one that is already starting to get on your nerves, from the times you've met her at least. "Did you have to almost destroy this place? It's history here, you know."
[13:48] <Cherem> That somewhat human but not completely human voice. It sends a tingle down your spine, or it would if you weren't moments away from just passing out from the smoke and ungodly stench.
[13:48] <@Mr_Rage> "rrh!"
[13:49] <Cherem> Cherry Blossom's feet, still barefoot even down here, pat gently on the concrete. Her dress skirts just above the ground, and her hair is running loose. As she talks, Akihana turns slowly, and the two exchange a very cold look.
[13:49] * Cerys_Doyle spins around to face the voice, gun still at the ready.
[13:49] <Cherem> "I suppose I should thank you, for this." Cherry Blossom crosses her arms, "You weren't supposed to come finding this thing though."
[13:50] <Cherem> Honda grits his teeth, but deigns to speak. It'd probably take too much effort to snark at the UGN Agent.
[13:51] <@Mr_Rage> "Never hurts to help," Ai offers.
[13:52] <Shinjou_Miyu> "History, hm? Must have been a dark one."
[13:53] <Cherem> "Both of you were students of the Overed Terrorist, Viktor the Red." Cherry Blossom croons a little, seemingly unphased by the smell.
[13:53] <Goemon_Hozuki> "Not all history is good to keep around."
[13:55] <Cherem> "Students." Akihana's smile is so thin you can barely make it out. "This is where he took us." She points at the pole, where the burbling, burning creature remains. "Funny, Agent, I could almost say the same of /your/ history." Her eyes get a wild look, and there's everything short of actual electricity sparking between them.
[13:56] <Cherem> Cherry Blossom's smile drops, and you can feel her renegade start to pulse, "Tindalos people, you're making a mistake. This kind of vigilante activity is going to see good people get hurt." She looks over you, "We can overlook this. But you're treading a very fine line."
[13:59] <@Mr_Rage> The Chimera bristles, but she isn't any more hostile than the other two.
[13:59] * Cerys_Doyle narrows her eyes. That's no way to thank people at all.
[13:59] <Cherem> Honda laughs nervously, "The way you two talk, you knew each other well, didn't you?" He starts edging for the far end.
[14:00] <Cherem> His joke doesn't go over well. At all. Cherry Blossom glances between you all, and you get the distinct impression she's engraving your faces into her memory. Finally, she pauses at the Drone, clicking her tongue.
[14:02] <Otomo_Reiko> Elsewhere in the city Reiko is flipping the bird at her monitor.
[14:04] <Goemon_Hozuki> Goemon shrugs at the agent and get close to honda.
[14:04] <Cherem> Honda murmurs, "We should take this chance to just get out of here. Before, you know..."
[14:05] <Cerys_Doyle> "Shite hits the fan." She finishes his train of thought.
[14:06] <Cherem> As he's speaking, you get the distinct impression that the shadows around Akihana are growing deeper and darker, bubbling like they're going to overflow. At the opposite side, Cherry Blossom is starting to... shed leaves. But her eyes are lighting up, and a thick, heady scent of perfume and flowers is overwhelming the smell of dead insect.
[14:06] <Goemon_Hozuki> "Should we set the sewer on fire?" Goemon accidentally thinks out loud.
[14:06] <Cherem> Honda nods, "Alright, we can see they're busy." And with that, he's on the blutooth, "Reiko, we need a way out, like, now."
[14:07] <Otomo_Reiko> "Right, right, let me see..."
[14:08] <Shinjou_Miyu> "You smell nice..." Miyu says absently after taking a deep breath.
[14:09] <Cherem> "See? That's all your power was good for," Akihana grins, her own shadow raising up as a Red Servant. This one is more lightly armored, chain mail and a recurve bow.
[14:09] <Cherem> Cherry Blossom continues flaring up, her features twisting and turning, skin rippling into something closer to thick bark.
[14:10] <Cerys_Doyle> "Don't want to rush you love, but anytime now."
[14:12] <Otomo_Reiko> "Right, so..."
[14:14] <Cherem> As you make tracks, you can finally hear them go at it, after what would be an episode of banter, insults, and remarkably-personal commentary on each other. And it's loud. They don't hold back, but you know better than to stay behind.

[00:00] <Cherem> ======

[14:19] <Cherem> Cold wind blows strongly
[14:19] <Cherem> 	Flower flows downriver
[14:19] <Cherem> 		Gone into the mist
[14:19] <Cherem> Double Cross - Roshoujou
[14:19] <Cherem> Welcome to the World of Double Cross. This is the World of Traitors.