[Day: Saturday, April 9th. Time: 5:30 p.m.] [Weather: Cool and humid. The sun is going down!] [You're at the port! Not far from the construction site. From the lack of sounds, it seems that the workers have all gone home by now.] [Session Start!] * Katie is there! With Haruko, probably. The outfit is jeans, sneakers, a jean jacket, and a black t-shirt. She does have her satchel, yes, and she adjusts her ear helpers as she waits for the others. 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taki (2d6-3) and gets 6. * Haruko parks her bike so that it's not in plain sight for someone approaching the site, but so that she can start it and vamoose quickly if there's trouble. She's currently wearing her duster covering over her miko outfit. She has the duster buttoned up so the miko outfit doesn't stand out as much. * Taki arrives with the boys in tow. She's pinned her hair up and switched to a pair of ratty jeans and has her jacket zipped up. * Satoshi is there! He's wearing black jeans and has his jacket actually on. * Haruko nods at Taki and frowns as the drivers high wears off and she remembers why she's here. "Anyone need gloves?" * Taki raises her bare hands. "I need to buy a pair of my own." * Satoshi pulls a pair of dark blue gloves out of his coat pocket. "Remembered to bring them this time." * Kaede shows up too. He's got a dark blue sweater zipped over a white shirt and jeans. He nods at the rest without cracking an expression. * Katie waves. * Katie pulls a pair of gloves out of her pockets and pulls them on. * Haruko takes out her pair of leather riding gloves and holds them out to Taki. "Try not to..." She frowns and looks down, but keeps holding them out. * Kaede takes his hands out of his pockets and waves at Katie. He already has gloves on. * Taki takes them from Haruko. "..I...If you're lucky I won't have a chance too.." She then puts them on. * Satoshi actually puts his gloves on now. * Haruko nods. She furtively checks her phone to see if she's gotten any email from Kyon, and presuming she hasn't she just frowns again. "I'll go get settled in. If for some reason I can't message you, I'll start a rainstorm." * Katie nods. Interesting signal. But effective. * Taki also nods and looks up the street at the building. I'm as ready as I'm going to be. * Katie nods. She waves to Haruko and heads for the construction site. * Satoshi heads on in. * Kaede walks on ahead, hands back in pockets * Haruko looks over the group one last time. She looks like she's going to say something but changes her mind. She doesn't wave or anything, she just finds a place to watch the entrance without being too obvious. * Taki gives Haruko a small wave and then turns to follow the others. * Kaede flicks his cell onto silent mode then flicks himself into silent mode as well. * Katie blinks. "A harmonica?" she says softly. * Taki blinks at Katie, and then whispers. "Where?" (It could be worse. It could be banjos) * Kaede glances at Katie. Huh? At the site. * Kaede puts a finger to his lips at Satoshi. [As you approach, you all hear it. Looks like the gate is unlocked, too.] * Katie gently pushes the gate open and peers in, partially obscured by the fence. * Taki stays back, watches Katie and listens to the music. (Is the player any good?) [Katie sees a guy inside. He's wearing black jeans with a chain and a long white shirt with a green Chinese dragon on the back. Although he was standing with his back to the gate, he turns as Katie opens it. The shirt is unbuttoned and he doesn't have anything on underneath. His hair is brown and short, though his bangs are longer and stick out somewhat. His eyes are almost gray. ] [He's wearing glasses and a round earring on one ear, and a black choker. He's also got black gloves on and, yes, a harmonica. He smiles confidently. "Right on time."] * Katie blinks, then straightens and takes a step in, but not another. "What do you mean?" [And he wasn't bad, if you like harmonica music. And you can call him handsome or not.] * Satoshi eyes the guy warily. I knew you'd come here tonight. * Katie tilts her head. "How?" If the rest of the group has any sense, they're probably out of view. * Taki comes in closer to try and see who Katie is talking to, but there's this fence and a Satoshi in the way. * SomeGuy smiles, drawing a deck of tarot cards from his left pocket. "How else?" (I'm not sure. I thought we were already in view, but if we weren't then we aren't.) * Katie smiles faintly. "And you were waiting for me why?" * SomeGuy draws a card with two fingers. "You're looking for a certain someone." The card is the Nine of Cups. "But you don't know where to find him." * Katie can see that from where she stands by the gate. She nods once. ( That nod shall be your doom! ) (Aww.) * SomeGuy closes his eyes and smiles. "What if I could tell you where he is at this very moment?" I'd thank you, though I have to question whether you're telling the truth or not. I don't even know your name. I'd guess you know mine. * Taki gives up on seeing and just listens through the fence. * SomeGuy faces Katie. "Actually, your name escapes me, Page of Swords. But as for me... Call me Shun Mijunkuro." He bows slightly. * Katie bows back. "One name for another," she says. "What's your other?" * SomeGuy draws another Tarot card and flips it at Katie: an upside down Fool. * Katie nods. "Katherine." Just a first name? Come, I gave you more than that. Or perhaps you'd care to introduce your companions instead? * Kaede steps forward, eying Shun carefully. "Her companions can introduce themselves." (Correct me if I'm wrong, but Katie's standing in the door isn't she?) (Yes.) * Katie glances at Kaede. She doesn't seem pleased. * Shun folds his arms. "By all means." * Kaede then looks at Shun. "Name's Kaede. I'm the annoying, over-protective baby brother type." He pushes up his glasses and shrugs his shoulders again. * Satoshi pokes his head in. "Satoshi." * Taki walks up behind Satoshi, looks at the crowed around the gate and just shakes her head. * Shun mock frowns. "And here I gave you my full name. You're not very friendly." You're not very trustworthy. * Shun smiles. "Who's not trustworthy? The one who talks or the ones who don't?" * Kaede doesn't answer. This isn't his show. It's hard to say, isn't it? You were waiting for us for a reason. * Shun nods. "That's right. I can tell you where to find the one you seek. Down to the address he is at this very moment." Are you going to? And more importantly, why would you? * Shun grins, light glinting off his glasses. "Here's what we'll do. We're going to play a game." * Katie folds her arms. She waits. * Satoshi eyes Shun and keeps quiet. * Taki reaches out up to put a hand on Satoshi's arm. * Satoshi puts his hand over Taki's. * Shun raises a hand. "If you win, I'll tell you where to find the man." He snaps his fingers. "Nice and easy, no strings attached." But. * Shun pushes his glasses up. "If you lose, you have to get me what I want." And what would that be? The Cup. I know you have access to it. You can steal it from the holder quite easily. * Satoshi sends to Katie. ~No. It's not worth it. We can find out some other way.~ Pretty high price to pay. Why would you want it? ~Wait.~ (He's gotta catch 'em all.) Why would anyone want it? Suffice it to say, I have my reasons. * Katie looks past Shun. "Two questions. What's the game, and why should we believe you'll tell us the truth?" It's a simple game. I'll draw a card from a normal deck of 52. After I do, you get to ask me four yes or no questions. You tell me what card I drew, and you win. As for the truth, I have no real reason to lie, do I? And I hate cheating. Speaking of which, no fair using your powers on this, so don't. * Katie shakes her head. "It's a gambling game. The odds are in your favor." * Shun wags a finger in remonstration. "Not if your questions are intelligent." (Naw, it's still a one in four chance.) (Yeah.) * Katie rubs at the back of her neck. "Yes or no questions, huh." * Shun nods. * Shun draws a box of cards from his other pocket, the non-Arcana normal poker kind. "So, care to test your luck?" * Kaede shakes his head and folds his arms. "This is ridiculous." * Katie shakes her head. "I can narrow it down to four. It's not good enough." * Shun frowns, slipping the cards back in his pocket. "Then you're not good enough. You're looking for a risk free solution, but it's not going to come." I don't expect a lack of risk, but twenty-five percent? I could cheat and use powers, or I could lie and not get you the Cup if I were to lose. I don't think you want those things. I think we're looking for a better odds. Oh, about that. If you don't get me the Cup, in, we'll say, three days... Well, something bad will happen. I mean, even 50/50 would be more acceptable. * Katie nods. "Something bad will happen. Something bad always happens." * Shun nods. "But that's only if you lose." Three in four chance is a high chance. But that's not the way the game works. * Katie tilts her head. She just looks at Shun. * Katie smiles faintly. "Fine. You want us to play?" I'll tell you what. If you lose, I'll tell you where to find the man anyhow. AFTER you get me the Cup. I'll play. * Taki whispers. "It's not worth it." * Satoshi sends to Katie, ~No!~ * Shun grins. "That's more like it." He takes the box out of his pocket. ~I hope this works.~ * Katie takes a few more steps, getting a good look. (What you need in this situation is Jinx. ;P) ( I mean we'd win. A girder would then fall on our heads, but we'd win. ) (*laughs*) (Heh) * Shun takes a seat and pulls the cards out. He flips through the deck and withdraws two cards: the Jokers. He sets them down on the ground and looks at Katie. "Ready?" (Well, Kaede's already had that happen, so.) * Katie glances at the jokers, then she looks to him. She nods. * Shun fans the cards out. He pulls one out and places it face down on the ground, holding it there with his finger. He collapses the rest of the deck with his other hand. "Now, ask your questions." * Taki whispers again. "Katie, there are other ways." ~How do we know that he won't cheat somehow?~ * Kaede waves off Taki. * Katie points at the card on the ground, being held by his finger. "Is the card you drew currently on the ground, pinned by your finger?" Yes. Three questions remaining. * Taki boggles where nobody can see her. The card you drew is the one on the ground, pinned by your finger, at the time you answered my last question. That's right. * Katie smiles. * Katie relaxes a touch, though she keeps looking at him. "Done, then." Oh? Not going to ask the other three questions? * Katie shrugs. "I told you which card you drew. I can ask three more questions if you really want." Which card is it? * Kaede chuckles lightly at that. The one on the ground, pinned by your finger, at the time you answered my first question. Which is? You never said the suit or number had to be mentioned. Only which card. * Katie nods at Kaede's words. I followed your rules and played your game. * Taki's eyes widen and she squeezes Satoshi's arm slightly before she relaxes and smiles. * Shun grins. "You're clever. I like that." * Satoshi blinks a few times. Thank you. * Shun withdraws his Tarot deck. "Alright, then. The man you seek can be found here." He withdraws a card, the Eight of Pentacles. "With this person." (Good show Katie) ~Wow.~ (Katie wins.) * Katie looks at the card for a moment, then she nods. "That's fair." (Thanks. ^^) * Kaede peers at the card as best as he can then rolls his eyes. You know... Hmm? * Shun shakes his head and gathers all the cards up. "Bah, never mind. I'm sure this won't be the last time we meet." * Shun stands up, chuckling. "Ahh. I can't wait until the next round." * Kaede raises an eyebrow. "And that matters why? You should finish what you start." (Because Kaede never does that. ;p) I'd just as soon save it for the next time. Assuming everyone lives and all. It's been nice meeting you, Shun. You're only the second person who's ever beaten me at that game. I'm impressed. * Katie tilts her head. "Who's the first?" * Shun smiles. "Guy by the name of Sho Shinjo." * Katie grins a little. "He likes elevators." What did he play for? * Shun shrugs helplessly. "He made me promise not to tell. Sorry!" It's okay. * Shun chuckles a bit as he walks past Katie towards the gate. "Next time we'll up the ante a little. Don't worry; it'll be worth your while. I have information on all sorts of people. Like a certain girl." He plays his harmonica as he walks off. (The name of that girl? Christina Ricci.) * Katie turns, watching him go. Well...he did want intelligent questions. Yup. But unfortunately he didn't really tell us anything we couldn't have figured ourselves. * Katie glances back at the construction site, then she heads out, too, towards Haruko. "It was free." * Taki lets go of Satoshi and bows to Shun as he passes. Not really. Now he's on guard. Whether that means anything or not is yet to be seen. But if he's helping Sho out as well... * Katie shrugs. * Kaede walks after Katie as he talks. * Satoshi follows. * Haruko hustles over to join the group after Shun makes a comment to her. * Taki waits for Katie and Kaede to pass he before she starts walking after them. * Katie steps out of the gate and sees Haruko approaching. She waves. * Haruko waves back. "Meet someone new?" * Katie nods. "The name he gave was Shun. The Fool Reversed." * Haruko nods. "Was he helpful?" Yeah. And he was wearing a chinese top just like Jin too... * Katie sighs. "I beat him at a card game, and he told me that the Nine of Cups is with the Eight of Pentacles." Shit. That would be... Natsuko, right? That's... I know who that is... she's in the band... Purple... Natsuko, yeah. * Taki nods and then looks at Kaede. "Uhm... can you find out where she lives?" * Haruko looks quite disheartened by this. "We can't do to her what we did to Fuyuko." * Kaede lets out his breath slowly and looks off to the side. "Already have...Haruko and I were going to check her out before we met up with you anyhow.." Why not? She's loyal to the wrong person. That doesn't mean she's a rapist or a murderer. * Kaede glances sidelong at Katie. He doesn't give her the glare she deserves, just glances lazily out of the corner of his eye. Oh, you mean don't hurt her. I don't want to hurt her. * Taki blinks at Katie. "... Because... yeah... let's not. Tenjirou's the one we want." * Kaede blows out a breath. "You think it'll be that easy?" * Haruko nods. "She was going to find out sooner or later. I don't think we can keep her from becoming our enemy. But we need to plan this so she doesn't get hurt." * Taki shakes her head. "No... I... I think she's not going to turn into a nightmare made out of swords." If she's our enemy, she'll get hurt eventually anyways. Isn't that the way we're heading? * Satoshi sighs. * Katie shrugs. "We need to find Natsuko." * Kaede turns to Haruko. "Haruko? * Haruko looks to Kaede and sighs and nods. "They would be able to find it on their own anyways." She then looks back to the rest. "What's the plan to keep her safe?" I can't give you a plan until I know the situation. * Haruko nods. "But you won't go in until you've made that plan. Right?" If things go well, yeah. * Taki rubs her face and then nods at Haruko. "Uhm... could just have you and Satoshi hold her back..." Since when have things *ever* gone well for us? Never. * Haruko shakes her head. "That's not good enough. We need a general plan. Maybe it won't work, but it'd be a starting point." * Katie sighs. "Look. She can't be chained to him. Wait until she's gone, do it, and get out." * Haruko nods. "And if for some reason we go in while they're together?" Then we have a problem and someone is going to need to hold her back or something, because she'll know who we are. But I hope it doesn't come to that. Okay? That's a start. ::She looks to Satoshi:: Are you okay with doing that? If it comes to that... yeah. * Kaede mutters. "Then who's going to hold Katie back...?" * Haruko nods. "If it comes to that, I'll be there with you. We can try my wall first as it would be safer." * Katie looks at Haruko. "But as soon as she starts attacking, bets are off. And we can't erase memories, so if she sees us, she's going to know who did it, and things will spread. You understand that." * Taki looks at Kaede. "...You're the only one left." I figured you'd say something like that. * Kaede sighs and looks in the air. "But that's the whole reason I'm coming in the first place, right?" * Katie starts walking off, towards the cycle. "I'd like it if you wouldn't talk about me like I'm not here." * Haruko nods. "If we have to fight her, we fight her. We don't put her in a coma." Then... tell me where I'm going... or are we going to wait untill she goes to school in the morning to try? * Kaede walks after Katie. "There's barely any place that we can talk about you even if you *aren't* there." * Katie stops, looking back. "We need information. It'd be nice to get it now. Check her attendance and everything." * Kaede then sighs and stops, glancing at Katie. "We did." * Taki looks up at Katie. "...Sorry... it was still the planning." * Katie smiles faintly. "Oh. Good. How are they?" * Haruko thinks and then sighs. "She's missed the past two days. I was focusing on her address and such and I didn't really think about that." Oh... Reason? So she's not going to be leaving until he's well or they need food... or they're both hiding somewhere else. * Kaede stops. "Wait.." Did he say he was just with her or actually at her address? With her. (And he meant that biblically) (Bam chicka wah wah.) ...damn. We'd better hope he didn't play the same wording trick that you played then. Technically she could be anywhere right now. Wording trick? But in short, we could have been had. * Taki nods. "... Her house is still a pla... The reading said at The Tower right? That's why we looked here isn't it?" * Kaede sighs and takes out his phone. "There's a chance. Question is, do we want to be certain or do we want to try it out first?" * Katie looks at Kaede. "You can track her. Why not?" Because remember what happened last time I tried to track someone? * Taki shakes her head slightly. * Haruko shrugs and accepts that she's not getting a wording answer. She frowns and tries to think of a way to be clever about all this. If I track her...and I push myself too hard, I could end up either passed out or too weak to be any good when we actually get to Tenjirou.. * Katie sighs. "Okay, how about this." So it's a gamble either way. Check and see if there's a missing person report on Natsuko. If not, she's probably wherever she lives. I guess with her parents. Unless she tends to go out partying without telling her parents and crashing at friends houses. * Katie shrugs. "Whatever, Kaede. She hasn't been to school, so her parents would have been called." Actually, let's just go somewhere and do this. Satoshi's okay? I didn't say it wasn't a start. * Katie looks at Satoshi. "That okay with you?" * Satoshi nods. * Katie smiles. "Okay." She goes back to heading to the cycle. * Taki sighs as she watches Katie go and starts to take off Haruko's gloves. * Haruko just looks glum and fairly passive. She starts towards her bike. She comments as she walked. "I talked to my father on the phone about how he knew about the Arcana. Turns out it was an ancestor. We can talk about it later." She then glances to Taki. "Keep them for now." * Taki nods and pockets them after she finishes taking them off. * Kaede blinks and looks at Haruko. "But...that wouldn't...wait, that wouldn't explain why his memory wasn't wiped, would it?" He found out when most of us were dead. [Session End]