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Post by Kuma on May 24, 2021 1:25:40 GMT
Other communities and groups from Japan had arrived through the Azure Gate, with lower-ranking members of the JHWAB serving as a welcoming committee. The Myth Soldiers from Shinwa-mura arrived thanks to an invitation from their liaisons with the JHWAB, attempting to integrate them more into the community, as many members of the more mystical side of the Hidden World disliked them on the principle that some of their ancestors were kidnapped and used as raw materials for the genetical alterations that created the Myth Soldiers. Houzi Nagare, the leader of Shinwa-mura came alongside Daikichi and Daigoro two Oni Myth Soldier twins. Most Yokai despised them and had more often than not been excluded from certain benefits granted to groups protected by the JHWAB, usually because the officials sent to check on them happened to be of actual Yokai blood and felt like they should put their family values over the organization’s
Without much support from the “official government” the Myth Soldiers had to take help from everywhere else, some managed to negotiate with other countries’ organizations, like the MI13 or other European organization as some of their fathers and grandfathers were actual soldiers experimented on. Houzi was coming to this conference not caring a lot about the JHWAB’s info, actually planning to use it as a platform to help his people, plus he wanted to return something he was carrying but wasn’t his own. He was ready to do any kind of trade or agreement, to any personal cost of his own, if it could mean helping his embattled brethren. He managed to score a meeting with at least two groups and was ready to attempt impromptu meetings with as many organizations as he could, anything for the safety of the Myth Soldiers. Houzi was desperate, as most of his contacts in the Hidden World at large had vanished.
He still had one benefactor, who was the one who actually got him into the conference, strong-arming and shaming the JHWAB officers that put the Myth Soldiers down. It was all thanks to some of the youngest members of his community that linked him up with the owner of the Garyuu Trading Company. He helped them when nobody else would.
Another small group of three involved an official from the actual Japanese Government, sent to inspect the conference and avoid any kind of diplomatic snafus. His name was Gonzaburo Nagaoka, a short and unassuming man coming from a very long line of politicians and bureaucrats who held in high regard their family line and ancestry, tracing it to the Sengoku Jidai, being politicians for most of the modern era of Japan, since the Meiji Restoration. Flanking him were two bodyguards hired by the government for him, they were Hidden World Denizens and they were supposed to keep him safe, but they were currently batting way over their league on this meeting.
One of them was a tall man, built like a cement truck with a heavy coat obscuring his whole body and a wide brim hat atop his head. His movements were slow and prodding as if he weighed 5 times as much as he looked, and that might be the case, considering the imprint he left each time he took a step on the carpeted floors of the lobby right after the Azure gate. The second one was a petite young man or woman, it was quite hard to tell, dressed with a metallic jacket with neon straps crossing his/her chest. He/she has fiery red hair, with the sides sporting a buzzcut and the top twisted into a wavy mohawk/braid that fell down to his lower back. He/she had his/her head turned down, focusing on a handheld game console.
-This place looks extremely ostentatious, what a waste of money and resources.- Gonzaburo looked around, really disapproving of everything he laid his eyes on. -And they didn’t have a welcome committee for me, what poor show of protocol and manners.- The Bureaucrat wasn’t aware that the JHWAB only paid lip service about being part of the mundane government as they had their own finances and their own mission, they just existed in the same territory, but both organizations didn’t collaborate as much, and neither was actually in control of the other. -They take more care in greeting foreigners than a member of their government, have they no shame?- He couldn’t avoid raising his voice, but nobody was actually caring about him at all. He turned around. -You two, stop shuffling around and carry my bags.- He threw his luggage at the tall one. -I must speak with whoever runs this atrocious circus and elevate my complaints to him.- He walked forward grumbling.
Paprika and Crevil sighed, they had to take this job to make due and the Japanese government literally hired the cheapest Hidden Worlders they could find for the job, as the JHWAB refused to provide an escort for Secretary Nagaoka. -I miss Ginger.- Crevil picked up Gonzaburo’s luggage. -Do you receive a message from her?- The Russian Cyborg asked in broken Japanese, as his employer ordered him to only talk in the local language. Paprika shook his head, extending a hand with his phone screen facing Crevil. The screen had Paprika’s email main page and no new messages were reported. -Ugh, I wish Ginger was around, she picked the best jobs.- Her leader and the one who usually decided which jobs to pick took some time for herself, having to sort herself out.
-Don’t stay standing there you dullards!- Gonzaburo shouted at them while frantically gesturing for them to follow him. -Do your jobs while I search for whoever is responsible for such a slight against me, my family, and the Japanese government.- He left grumbling with Paprika and Crevil shuffling behind him. -Really miss Ginger.- Crevil lamented again with a sigh.
Norio was suffering from a mixture of shock, disbelief, and concern. The first one came from encountering a Gainen Medal, a very delicate, very important artifact, one that would be central to the conference he was currently missing thanks to these brats, in hands of one the brats. The second came from Sid’s attitude to the whole thing, he was cool as a cucumber, even when confronted for carrying the equivalent of a tactical nuke on his person. Finally, he was concerned that this could affect the conference in some way, so he decided to act decisively.
-I will have to ask yo- Norio attempted to start talking but somebody interrupted him, while attempting to be well mannered about it.
-Excuse me Bushitora-dono?- The soft voice came from the back of the group and gradually got close, moving through the first-year students. -I think my fellow student told you what happened.- Finally, he went through the first line of on-lookers. He was red-skinned and well built, as he talked he revealed a set of sharp fangs and two small bone horns crowned his forehead. His hair was pure fire, flicking around his horns. Toramaru Nagare, another of the older students who were at the end of the group serving as a chaperone, like Raisa, approached Norio.
-I remember you, weren’t you involved in that whole mess in Osaka?- Norio asked, trying to look inside his memories to remember the teen’s name.
-Yes, that wasn’t my best moment, I’m Toramaru Nagare by the way.- The Flaming Oni Myth Soldier replied. -But that isn’t the point here.- He extended a laminated piece of paper towards Norio. -I think you should see this sir, it was given to me by the headmaster and head of the board of directors of Inazuma Gakuen.-
Raisa looked at Toramaru with a puzzled expression. She was leading the group and she didn’t get anything like that, Toramaru even joined up at the last second, he had been doing isolation training with one of the teachers and dropped by unannounced to the group, serving as another chaperone for the tour.
Norio picked up the laminated page and read it. If Sid was close enough he might be able to get a peek if he leaned in, but that might be considered to be an offensive move. If he risked it he might be able to see something of what was written. Norio read it attentively and stood there for almost 30 solid seconds.
-I see.- Norio turned to Sid. -You’re lucky your school managed to get such permissions, young man.- For a moment Norio considered giving the medal back, but he shook his head. -I’ll keep the medal until you leave and then we will schedule an interview to find out where did you get it, but for now, let’s continue the tour.- And with that, he turned to the rest of the group.
-Everyone, follow behind me in a double line and remember that if you fall on a bottomless pit or piss off a Yokai I won’t help you.- And with that ominous line, Norio started walking towards the main buildings.
Raisa kept focusing on Toramaru, something was really wrong with him and she couldn’t put her finger on it.
-One shot of Cachaca, please, no ice.- A young man sat down at the same counter Morgan was sitting, a couple of chairs apart. He had a navy blue two-piece suit with an open sky blue shirt and white shoes. The suit had a strange pattern of dark red spiraling lines. He had deeply tanned skin and white hair, his eyes were of an intense red, and had vertical irises. He downed the drink in one go and turned around on the chair, back against the counter looking around. He glanced at Morgan. -What’re you reading there Amigo?-
Roshi, surrounded by guards, was already inside the main conference room reviewing the material for the meeting and his initial speech. Because of this, he didn’t detect certain things going on outside, things he had been ready for, but couldn’t even consider happening right now with all the security. Things were developing outside and they were beyond his control.
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Post by othus on May 25, 2021 2:28:12 GMT
Tomoe took a sip of her drink and sighed.
"Yeah, Roshi doesn't take Gaikokujin kindly, I'm afraid he's not looking far enough into the past, Sakoku is not the way to go in this day and age"
Musashi knew Roshi had his reasons, and she herself wasn't exactly willing to deliver Japan on a silver plate to the outsiders. That being said, it was good Aria perfectly understood what Tomoe wanted. Resources and influence. The sole mention of that made Tomoe slightly smile. After all, the Musashi were older than the current Japanese Government, there was no reason to be second to a mere branch of the current administration.
"I am starting to like you, Aria-san. You see, it's important us women in positions of power stick together"- Tomoe replied, she looked at Aria's bodyguard, then at hers, she chuckled.
"Speaking of power, it looks like you brought along a big shot, certainly nothing cute like my bodyguard here"-Tomoe said as she waved at her bodyguard, a young man, probably in his early twenties, he rushed towards Tomoe nervously and Musashi caught him in a hug, the young man stiffened like he had just been tazed.
"His name is Yamato. he's been traveling with me for a few years already. Now, would you not introduce your girl to me? she somehow seems...familiar"-Musashi stated, her eyes fully set on Aria's bodyguard.
the conversation however was promptly interrupted, apparently by an unwanted figure. Flipside did not ring a bell to Tomoe, but in all fairness, The Musashi did not have much of a relationship with other HW agencies. Tomoe decided to take Aria's advice and examined the person trying to get their attention.
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Post by HungryHunter on May 25, 2021 20:39:11 GMT
Eve pouted when she wasn’t noticed. Ah well, Aria was busy anyway. Chatting with some other dignitary. A quick search on the phone in her skull told her it was Tomoe Musashi, who wasn’t just a major leader in Japan’s other big organization but literally a god. Eve really was barely a factor here, huh? Less than ten employees, no territorial jurisdiction. They had a higher average power level than the BHA, but there were still dozens of people in this building who could destroy her entire team at once. More people came in and she searched them up too. No results for the big dude, but the little Middle Eastern looking guy was Ophiuchus. CEO of Flipside, the company the phone she looked him up on was made by.
Even he was more important than her. Flipside was the Microsoft to GoodKnight’s Apple. As for what he was doing here, she wasn’t certain. Here in both senses, at the meeting and in this room. Was he also trying to get Aria’s attention? If he was, it worked when she turned to him. “Oh, I don’t drink, but I would be happy to join you for a moment.” Ophiuchus sat by them. “Miss Musashi, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I know you create most of your own equipment, so we do very little business, but I wanted to say that I admire the initiative your group has taken in recent years. The JHWAB has never been up to the task of regulating Japan’s hidden world. They’re likely going to present another one of their long line of failures today.” He turned to Aria. “You as well. Most people don’t even remember the US government’s HW division, so clearly are they overshadowed. This isn’t mere flattery, I really do mean it.” His smile seemed sincere.
Marceline rolled her eye at everything going on. This field trip was just going to be the worst, huh? At least Toramaru finally sorted stuff out so they could stop wasting time. She chuckled at the thought of Sid falling into a hole. Maybe she’d push him if they found one. He’d be fiiiiine, he could do that sky-kick thing, right? Ava was thrilled when Remilia signed at her. Then she realized none of it made sense. Oh heck, was that ASL? She didn’t speak ASL. She only knew Persian Sign Language and Japanese Sign Language. Still though, it was nice to see somebody who tried. She gave up and fished her phone from her pocket, using her text to speech app. “Thank you but I do not know that one.” It spoke robotically. “I am A-V-A. What is your name? I am not deaf.” She added the latter part to let Remilia know she could speak out loud.
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Post by Vapovile on Jun 1, 2021 2:59:52 GMT
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Yamato.” Aria nodded her head toward him, taking a sip of her drink when Tomoe pointed out Mia. The bodyguard looked at Tomoe with a small hint of annoyance in her eyes, but she tried her best to mask it.
“I suppose introductions are in order. Tomoe, this is Mia.” Aria motioned her hand to her red-headed bodyguard, who gave a small bow from her seat. “Hello.” She said in a monotone, not offering up information on her own.
Tomoe let go of her bodyguard and smiled at Mia, slowly looking at her from head to toe.
“Hm? Not the friendly type I see...so? Where did you met such a gem?”-She asked Aria, taking another sip of her drink.
Aria pondered her response. She couldn’t be 100% truthful here. “Mia has been a longtime employee, and a valuable one. It was in my father’s administration that she joined, but from what I’ve read, she had a great desire to help people.” She explained, none of it actually false.
Mia glanced at Aria, then back to Tomoe. “That was a while ago, you see.” She explained, taking a sip of water. “Now I mostly work on a contract basis. Helping out on big stuff like this.” Mia explained to Tomoe.
“Contracts, huh? Well, hopefully you can hang around once that’s done, We don’t have enough people to fight against evil shinto...or maybe, we could just borrow you for a day or two”-Tomoe looked at Mia, then back at Aria, she laughed.
“I’m kidding of course! We all have our place in this world after all”- Tomoe said as she downed her drink and pointed at a sake bottle to the bartender.
There was a small exhale of relief when Tomoe said she was joking. Mia already didn’t like working too much for the HWIC, so getting more work wasn’t something she wanted to do. But the bodyguard looked at Tomoe curiously.
“You’re curious...inviting this stranger over to your lands when you only know my name. Even jokingly.” Mia said. She tried not to discuss anything with these dignitaries, but boredom was eating away at her.
Tomoe lifted a brow and shrugged.
“I know enough, your boss says you are good, and you are strong, are you not? Besides...I wouldn’t go as far as claiming these are my lands. I imagine Roshi would have a thing or two to say about that”
The bartender came with the bottle and cups while Tomoe waved thanks at him.She then waved at Yamato who proceeded to serve everyone. “In any case, I only recognize strength...so, how did you get to where you are now?”-Tomoe asked Mia.
Mia stared at the wall, contemplating her response. There was no use hiding how strong she was. “If you’re asking how I got this strength...let’s just say I stumbled upon a wealth of power one day and it’s followed me since. I suppose if you can keep a secret…” Mia pondered, moving her finger around the lip of her cup.
Aria’s eyes widened. “You sure about this?” The president asked. Mia shrugged her shoulders. “Give me your word that my identity doesn’t leave this conversation.” She demanded.
“Hmmm...I suppose that won’t be an issue, so that’s fine by me”-Tomoe replied as she shrugged yet again. Deep down, she was indeed quite curious to see why she wanted to hide her identity.
Taking a deep breath, Mia grabbed her glass of water and placed it on the counter so Tomoe could see. “This should make things pretty obvious.”
Placing her palm over the top, a tiny white shard the size of a grain of rice appeared inside the glass and slowly descended. The water instantly shrank away from the shard, shoved to the outer rim of the glass until it landed on the bottom, leaving the center completely devoid of water as it sloshed along the outside. The cup then began to vibrate, so Mia made it disappear once more.
“I suppose you of all people must have heard of a swordsman with those powers, Musashi-san.” Mia remarked.
“Whoa that’s cool!”-Tomoe for the first time expressed genuine surprise, she scratched her head slightly when Mia called her
“Well, I do get word about that kind of stuff...Mirror Knight, was it? I am not exactly a fan of the titles. Did you come up with yours? I didn't get to pick mine...In any case, the world is sure a tiny place.”
Tomoe downed a sake cup, then her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward
“So? If you were to rank yourself, what number do you think you are? I’m talking about swordsmen, of course”
Mia leaned back in her chair thoughtfully. She didn’t want to draw more attention to herself, but she felt Tomoe was safe enough to talk freely to.
“No, it was just a name that spread because of how my armor looks. And number...I can’t say I know all the top swordsmen in the world. But I’m probably in the top 15.” She said confidently. The Mirror Knight was a fabled warrior that helped deal with demonic invasions and evil spirits...but had mysteriously gone missing these past few years, with just a few isolated reports of cases where they might have used their powers. Her longsword skills are well known for utilizing her mirror particles to repel any material it cuts into.
“Top 15 huh? I believe that. You might even be underrating yourself..Ah, my cute little Yamato still has a long way to go..as does my daughter. Maybe one of these days I’ll be able to witness a demonstration of your skill. If Aria here allows it, of course”-Tomoe stated.
However, Aria had left by this point, taking the Flipside agent with her. She trusted Tomoe with the secret, but not Flipside in the least. Mia looked at her drink thoughtfully. “I’m going to be honest, I've been trying to retire for a while now. But the world always needs a savior...not exactly the champion of justice I was before, you can see.” Mia rolled her eyes.
“But as long as you keep this between us and don’t send idiots my way trying to ‘prove their worth’, I can probably arrange something.” Mia then downed her entire glass of water, looking a little disappointed she couldn’t have gotten anything stronger.
“Well, Mia-chan, I don’t think it’s written anywhere that you have to be the savior. And I thought you had me in a better light than that, why would I send anyone to you when I can judge people myself? Plus, your boss and I are such good friends already, it would be nonsense to put that at risk when there’s nothing to gain...that sake cup over there is for you by the way, just noticed you have only been drinking water so far”
Mia took the cup of sake and swirled her finger around. “Really shouldn’t...I am supposed to be Aria’s bodyguard. But fine.” She took a few sips of the sake, then put it down. “As for my little half-joke; that’s part of my anonymity. Soooooo many people heard of my reputation and wanted to challenge me. It’s hard to live a regular life if people are always challenging you.” She let out a frustrated sigh.
“And that’s part of my deal with the HWIC. I do some jobs for them, they keep me hidden from the Hidden World, I get to have a mundane life...mostly.” Mia took another sip of her drink. “But yes, if you ever wanted to see me in action...just call your local HWIC ‘secretary’.” Mia joked, referring to her fake secretary persona for new hires before they are told Mia will be testing their skills.
“Regular life...I don’t know the meaning of that, so I never bothered with it. Hope the HWIC is good at keeping their promises though, for you and me both”
Tomoe chuckled when Mia called herself a secretary
“Maybe the news today will be bad enough I will get to see you in action, we can never know!”-Tomoe said as she helped herself to yet another cup of sake.
---
Having escorted Ophiuchus to another table, Aria sat down and looked at the Flipside representative. “As we were saying before, we appreciate the flattery. As a matter of fact, we absorbed FABLE so years ago after the US Government decided to cut their funding. The private sector is better in some regards, I’m sure you’d agree.” She said, glancing over and seeing Eve looking her way.
Aria mostly knew Eve by reputation, the penny-pinching leader of Wild Hunt and under the protection of Mi13, who largely overlooked their brash methods. She’d only met Eve once several years ago, and hadn’t thought much about Wild Hunt since. She turned her attention back to Ophiuchus, seeing if he had anything else to discuss.
---
Sid was quickly becoming tired of answering Norio’s questions...when Toramaru came in with a piece of paper that seemed to resolve the situation. But the medal was taken away...Sid groaning at the thought of never seeing it again. He did try to lean over to see what was on the note, but didn’t try to pry too hard.
When Norio was done, Sid walked over and patted Toramaru on the shoulder. “Hey, thanks dude! That was a totally rough situation you saved me from.” He said happily. Leaning over, Sid began to whisper. “You should let me know what was on that letter sometime, by the way. Timing of that was a little too perfect.”
Walking back over to Ava, Sid saw that a new girl had entered the conversation. He arrived just in time to hear the voice message.
“Hey, sorry ‘bout that Ava. Bad luck today I guess.” He scratched the back of his head thoughtfully, then shrugged his shoulders. “Anyway, don’t think I’ve seen you around. I’m Sid, I kick pretty good and attract unwanted attention from people, apparently.” He said jokingly.
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Post by TimePuppy on Jun 6, 2021 22:05:38 GMT
Morgan looked at the new arrival. He had a very distinctive appearance, one Morgan was sure he would have noted had he seen him before, yet there was no such person in his memory. Breaking away from his reading for the moment, he stretched out his arm to let the man read the title. Drop of Moonlight. A modern romance novel about two mercenaries that ends with both of them dying, an ending that would be a tragedy if the epilogue didn't confirm they found each other in heaven again. Though Morgan didn't know about the ending quite yet. He was just over halfway through it, judging by the thickness of pages on either side.
Morgan glanced at his boss. He'd made contact successfully and pulled Aria away from Tomoe. Everything seemed fine for the moment so he turned his attention back to the young man. "I do not recognize you. Just who might you be?" He asked bluntly. --- Ava's excited expression turning to one of puzzlement and light disappointment did not escape Remilia. It sadly seemed the stray thought she'd had was right; the girl didn't know ASL. But she had a different method for communication through her phone. Remilia nodded in response.
"I apologize, I only know the American signs." Not that Ava seemed too distraught. "I am Remilia. I was asking if you were okay."
Just as the conversation started, the guy that had been in their guide's bad graces managed to rejoin them, saved by a mysterious note carried by one of the other students. He'd just joined the conversation when the groups finally started moving, going in a two by two column. Remilia ended up walking alongside Ava, so Sid ended up with someone else, walking close behind them so they could continue the chat.
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Post by Kuma on Jun 13, 2021 20:46:09 GMT
The flashily dressed young man smiled at Morgan, revealing his teeth, or better put his fangs, as instead of a human set, his teeth were sharper, with slightly round tips and had more space in-between each other. He snapped his fingers, pulling his business card out of thin air. Untrained eyes would maybe consider it was actually magic, but anybody with enough perception or basic knowledge of close-up magic would know he was just doing a parlor trick.
-Paulo Aguarosa is my name kind good sir and I operate for the SMO in Argentina.- He introduced himself with a smile, extending his card towards Morgan. -I was sent here as part of the entourage from Argentina, but I’m less of a diplomat and more of a field operative if you get my meaning.-
His accent was quite curious, he was speaking English, but instead of having Spanish inflections, he had a slight Portuguese accent, that, added to his name, would indicate that he was most likely native to Brazil.
-May I ask your affiliation, I was given a list of people I shouldn’t talk to, for…- He made a pause, smirking. -Legal reasons.- He finished talking as he downed his drink in one shot and rudely gestured the bartender for another.
It was almost an open secret that the SMO ranked extremely low among Hidden World Organizations, known for double-dealing information, backstabbing allies, and frankly being the source of most Hidden Crime in their jurisdiction, or at the very least accepting copious bribes to let them pass. It was one of the very few private Hidden World Organizations in Latin America, but unlike the others they didn’t see the “big picture” always refusing external cooperation, to maximize their earnings.
They had beef with most if not all other neighboring organizations, mostly for their bad habit of granting asylum to whoever paid the most and even going so far as to employ some of the criminals they harbored, like for example, Paulo himself, who escaped Brazil after committing many crimes alongside the coastline of the Amazon River
The Red Eyed Rogue scanned the room as he waited for Morgan’s reply, stopping his eyes on Eve and winking at her, with a sleazy smile plastered on his face.
-I could show you Renen, but I would have to kill you.- Toramaru whispered in response to Sid’s request. There was a long pause before he let out a chuckle. -Sorry, couldn’t avoid the temptation to say that, saw it in a movie and I always wanted to say it.- Sid might feel a strange tingling on the back of his neck when looking at Toramaru and the piece of paper.
Toramaru then turned around and tried to group up everyone so they would follow Norio. Raisa was looking at him with a puzzled expression, then she also joined him in corraling the other students to funnel them towards the entrance of the JHWAB HQ building.
As the group moved they entered a large lobby, with multiple counters protected by magically reinforced glass windows. Lines of chairs, going from miniature ones to large ones that could fit 4 grown men comfortably, were ordered from smallest to largest going away from the counter. Norio waited for the whole group to enter the lobby.
-Welcome once again to the JHWAB HQ, this is one of our public entrances, a place where any denizen registered with us or with other approved organizations can come to request help, mediations for disputes, or any other service they could need that the Bureau can provide.- Norio explained, trying to sound as bored as he wanted them to feel, the faster he frustrated them the faster they would want to skip over stuff and allow him to cut corners in the tour.
-Today we’re closed for several reasons, but usually, this lobby, alongside two others would be packed to the brim with Yokai, Bounty Hunters, Drifters, and other denizens in need of help, working for the JHWAB you would be part of the efforts to keep everyone happy and stop anybody from doing something stupid, like for example starting a fight in a populated area using your powers or abilities.- The Senior Inspector kept explaining as plainly as he could what the JHWAB did.
Raisa approached Sid, trying to make it look natural. -Renen-san, did you notice anything off about Toramaru?- She asked the Kickmaster, as she also sensed something strange, like a buzzing on her nape, when looking at the young Myth Soldier.
A P.A. system, hooked to several magical speakers around the conference center blasted a short jingle, similar to the ones used in Train Stations in Japan as a prologue to an announcement.
[Estemeed guests please complete your registration by reaching your assigned lodgings and await there for the opening speech. Up to 3 members of each group might be sent to the conference room in 1 hour to start the opening speech. Nobody but staff can move through the conference room during the 15 minutes prior to the Opening Speech unless they’re the chosen representatives of each group of guests.]
Another short jingle split this announcement with another one.
[Please refrain of carrying weapons into the Conference Room when the opening speech is given.
The jingle ended and some of the people in the bar decided to move towards their lodgings, downing their drinks and exchanging business cards.
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Post by othus on Jun 14, 2021 0:53:08 GMT
"That's my cue, see ya until then!"-Tomoe told Mia as she downed her sake cup and got up from her seat. She waved at Yamato and he immediately walked next to her.
"So, you heard them, we have one hour before the conference begins...how about you and I kill some time until then, hm?"
Yamato nodded, red from head to toe as Tomoe laughed, setting her blade on her right shoulder.
"Hm? well that's fine, I was already in my room anyway"
Daniel looked at the Mexican theme of his room and chuckled. Fair enough, it was fitting, although quite a bit more posh than the real deal.
"I don't see the point of the decoration really, is it about making me feel at home? i grew up in a piss poor neighborhood and my current house is more on the American side of things..."-He said as he examined a succulent set by his bed, the pot in fancy talavera work.
"Maybe I should redesign my whole place...ah well, fuck it, i'll do it if I remember to"
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Post by HungryHunter on Jun 17, 2021 23:01:51 GMT
“Oh come on…” Eve grumbled when the loudspeaker went off and Aria left. All her conversational partners were gone. The middle eastern guy talking to Aria stayed, but she didn’t even know who he was, and he was immediately pairing back up with his bodyguard. “Oh, you’ve made a friend? I knew taking you out was a good choice.” He chortled. “I think we can give you another minute or two if you’re having fun.”
“I am fine. I just type slowly! That is why I sign.” Ava did indeed take an eternity to type every sentence she spoke. She wasn’t just not used to the layout for Japanese, their shared language, but her fingers were tipped with short claws. She could only retract them partway, and she had to be careful not to scratch her screen. “And before I was just worried cause we might be in trouble. It seems fine now.” She shrugged. Dranten was equally unconcerned. He simply lacked the instincts to know when something was wrong. Marceline on the other hand was staying as far as she could from Toramaru after picking up weird vibes. She had seen the fire dude around before and hey, he had nice abs and seemed like a decent dude, but in her experience, she really should just run the other way when she was attracted to somebody. Marceline had been fucked over too many times by not following her instincts. She was staying well clear of anything they had going on.
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Post by TimePuppy on Jun 19, 2021 22:03:46 GMT
Morgan took the card offered. A brute, he gathered from the man's words. Barely above hired muscle, working for an organization with about as much value as the weeds Morgan's daughter fretted over in her garden. No wonder he hadn't heard of him before.
Morgan pulled out a card of his own. Instead of his name, it said Scorpio, Head of AI research. "Flipside," he told Paulo, just in time for Ophiuchus to show up. He offered a minute to wrap up the chat. Morgan looked at Paulo through the corner of his mask.
"No need. If he needs me, he can contact me." He slid the card over to the rogue and got up to escort his charge. --- Remilia was glad Ava was alright. She waited patiently for her to sentences, noting the difficulty her nails presented. Probably rude to bring them up right now. "Yes, it is lucky Toramaru-san was given that letter." She glanced toward him, getting an uneasy feeling as she looked on but she couldn't tell why. Why was he the one given the letter anyway? She shook her head and turned back toward Ava, thinking perhaps she was suspicious for no reason. "I hope we are not only introduced to the bureaucratic aspects of the JHWAB. Office work is not what I was hoping to learn more about today," she told her companion.
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Post by Vapovile on Jun 21, 2021 0:26:53 GMT
When the announcement came across the intercom, Aria glanced over and saw Tomoe leaving Mia’s table and heading out. Turning to Ophiochus, she made a small bow.
“Excuse me, but it appears we must leave now. It was a pleasure talking with you.” Aria held out her hand for the man to shake.
“So it does. Have a wonderful day. I saw great things from your father, and you seem quite capable of living up to his reputation.” With that same honest smile, he took her hand, skin totally dry on hers, and gave it one good shake.
This statement made Aria lower her right eyebrow slightly in confusion. “Thank you, but my father and I have fundamentally different leadership philosophies. Good day, sir.” Turning around, Aria walked confidently toward the exit, her heels clacking against the ground. Mia soon followed, flashing a glance his way before leaving.
---
"Ok...dude." Sid blinked when Toramaru joked with him, feeling a strange tingle of nervousness in the back of his neck. He reached back and scratched it to see if a bug hand landed on him. Shrugging, Sid followed the group right behind Remmy and Ava. He was about to try and make his way back into the conversation, but fate would steal him away from the cute mute once more.
He looked over at Raisa and tapped his chin thoughtfully. "The dude does seem a little weird...was aggro about me looking at that paper he brought. Bailed me out though. So..." Sid shrugged his shoulders. "You're closer to the dude than me. He like, fall in a pit of black goo yesterday?" He asked half-jokingly.
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Post by Kuma on Jun 27, 2021 23:29:36 GMT
50 Minutes before the opening Speech
-I don’t know Toramaru Nagare enough to know if something is off about him.- Raisa said, whispering to avoid getting any attention. -But I can feel an uneasiness in the air Sid Renen.- She sighed. -I wish Gen Shishioh was around, he knew him much better than myself.- The Shindo of Katanas tried to keep a low profile as she continued talking.
-Keep an eye on Toramaru Nagare, will you?- She asked. -I need to return to the front of the line.- Raisa added before leaving towards the top of the line, as Norio kept explaining everything as plainly as he could possibly do.
At first, it seemed like he was trying intentionally to bore them, but to anybody attempting to pay attention, it seemed almost as if the Senior Inspector was in auto-pilot.
The Conference Center gradually empties out as different groups go towards their designated lodging inside the Dome. The elegant hallways grow silent, the chatter from minutes ago vanishing as if never happened. The blue carpet lining the floors was being washed, cleaned, and dried by a set of three elementals working bound to different Omnyo Practitioners, students of Roshi.
The squad of Omnyojutsu students weren’t just in charge of cleaning, but also checking for any irregularities in the barrier protecting the Conference Center or if any modifications were done to it. But the preparations were more than just checking for mystical interference, as Dansei Kikken, the high tech/alien tech specialist of the Intelligence Branch. He walked among the students in characteristic his light summer yukata with a vacant expression.
-Everyone, if I could have your attention.- He said, yawning lazily. He had been doing his usual patrol of the Japanese Air Space during the early hours of the morning so he didn’t sleep a lot.
The students turned around, stopping their activities to listen to Dansei.
-Sorry to bother you for a moment, but I’m about to use my skills to detect any technological interference.- He pulled a green crystal from his yukata sleeve. -Please turn around and don’t watch me while I do, firstly you might be blinded by the light.- He then smirked. -And secondly, I’ll be stripping, because my armor would rip my clothes apart if I don’t take them off.-
The Omnyojutsu practitioners nodded and turned around, some even when to the extra effort of covering their eyes with their hands or their black clothing, used by all members of staff.
Dansei lifted the Green Crystal over his head and a blast of green light surrounded him, a blinding radiance that soon passed revealing his new armored form. An alien suit of armor covered his body, composed of insect-like white and red plates with yellow energy accents and the crystal crowning his helmet.
ᏕᏖᏗᏒᏖᎥᏁᎶ ᏕፈᏗᏁ
A digitized voice proclaimed something in an alien language as waves of green energy radiated out of Dansei like a series of concentric domes phasing through the walls and everyone around him.
ᏕፈᏗᏁ ፈᎧᎷᎮᏝᏋᏖᏋ 0 ᎷᏗᏖፈᏂᏋᏕ
-All clear!- He said with an electronic-sounding voice, as he powered his armor down and quickly covered it with his Yukata before the students turned around. -No technology interference detected, all green.- Dansei turned around to meet Roshi walking towards him.
-Kiken-kun, is a shame you can’t stay for the conference, we could use the extra security.- Roshi looked around at several of the technological devices that served to disrupt communications and espionage. Even if he acquired them at a very affordable price from the Garyuu Trading Company, Roshi didn’t like to depend on technology, he was a mystic puritan.
-I have a duty, not only with the Bureau but with the World.- Dansei replied. -But if I notice that anything is off I’ll rush back.- With that said he bowed and walked towards the staff teleport circle to leave back to the surface.
Roshi looked at him leave and shook his head, hoping that he could send more people to help Dansei in the future.
40 Minutes before the opening Speech
Eien no Ha, the leader of the Military Branch was patrolling alongside a group of agents. Among them was Shin Bushitora, son of Norio. They were doing a secondary sweep after the mystical and technological scans. The agents had varied power sets and skills all being used for this patrol. Shin wasn’t particularly talented when it comes to sensing things beyond the veil, but he was pretty handy with Ki, so he was able to perceive any spikes on that particular kind of energy.
-This would’ve been easier if Nomene-san was around.- The Blazing Swordsman said out loud and Gara, another of the Military Branch rising stars commented on it.
-I don’t know what you guys see on him, he is an unknown Drifter who is halfway decent at fencing and nothing more.- Gara was a bit jealous about Callis’ blazing career, as he had climbed faster than anyone from being a trainee until full-blown Agent, even faster than him, as he had the record before.
Not only Shin, but other agents turned around to glare at Gara, who felt a bit intimidated by the glares.
-Let’s see…- Shin started talking. -He is by far one of the most skilled swordsmen we have around, even the boss said so.- He started enumerating, gesturing towards the leader of the Military Branch, who actually had sparred multiple times against Callis.
-Yeah but wha- Gara attempted to interrupt, but Shin replied in kind.
-I’m not finished yet.- The Blazing Swordsman continued. -He has more experience than most of the Agents, he knows how to lead people and he is actually a nice guy, kind of uptight though.- Shin smirked as he said that.
-You finished, or do you want to keep dictating your love letter to him?- Gara rudely mocked Shin, but took it in stride.
-You kidding me? Even if I wanted to write him a letter and declare my everlasting love for him.- He smirked. -Which I don’t.- And continued. -Do you think I would have the chance? He bagged one of the Musashi princesses, that’s out of my league, your league, and everyone’s league.- Shin shook his head, still smiling. -I don’t know how he did it, but man I need to ask him some pointers.-
The rest of the agents nodded in agreement, making Gara even more pissed off already.
-Whatever, you don’t come running back to me when he ends up being a traitor, or a sleeper agent.- He said, almost pouting and turning around dramatically to continue his work elsewhere.
Shin looked at him leave and couldn’t avoid adding. -I bet that he would fucking end us if he was a traitor, unlike you, if you were one, I think one of the guys from the Cultural Branch could kick. your. ass.- The rest of the agents cackled at the joke as Gara left flustered.
-Amusing yourselves-de gozaru?- A voice with a slight metallic echo behind it called the Agents to attention. All of them turned around to see Eien no Ha, the leader of the Military Branch.
Everyone stopped laughing and looked at him, towering over them with a furrowed brow.
-If you have time to laugh, you have time to work double shifts next week, right-de gozaru?- He said and all the people there begrudgingly nodded and whispered accepting their fate.
-I can’t hear you-de gozaru.- Eien no Ha exuded authority and killing intent that only comes with age and honing of its skills for centuries.
-YES SIR!- All agents replied as one.
-Perfect-de gozaru.- With that said he left them to work on their patrols. 20 Minutes before the Opening Speech
The P.A system connected to each individual lodging for every single delegation turned on at the same time, with the same voice as before proclaiming.
[Estemeed Guests, please ready your delegations representatives and send them towards the main gate of the Lodging Dome]
Waiting at the door of the Lodging Dome was a large group of clerks and guards ready to distribute badges to enter the main conference room and to escort the delegations towards it. Leading the group was Yukio Shiraginu, the leader of the Culture Branch of the JHWAB. He spent all the time since his arrival talking to different Asian Hidden Organizations, many smaller organizations were afraid of the announcement.
The previous incarnation of the JHWAB, the Densetsu-Cho (Ministry of Legends) played a dirty trick to many organizations during the times of Japanese Imperialism, gathering them in a conference such as this one and killing them off to weaken them before the Japanese country invaded them. It took a lot of diplomacy and assurances to get most of the smaller HWO to come, but it was worth it, as hopefully, the extra manpower that this conference would bring might solve the crisis at hand.
-Sir, we’re ready for the delegates.- One of the clerks said, already sitting at a series of booths that would do check-ups to corroborate the identity of the delegates and store their weapons. The JHWAB promised to also have minimal weapons in the Conference Room, but for safety precautions, they needed to stop the attendees from bringing any foreign objects that could disrupt the spells creating the dimensional barrier.
-Perfect, let’s hope nobody makes this more difficult than it should be.- Yukio sighed, hoping this wouldn’t turn into the mess he feared. HWO weren’t particularly keen on cooperations, with notable exceptions, and most of these kinds of meetings always ended up having old wounds being re-opened by people lacking diplomatic common sense.
The tour guided by an increasingly laconic Norio continued, as Toramaru, who was standing walking surrounded by a group of friends was looking around as if he was searching for something. The Senior Inspector stopped once again to explain something in a monotone voice. His eyes were sunken and his brow was sweaty.
-As you can see this location serves as a temporary correctional facility for…- He trailed off for a moment. His eyes blinked lazily as his whole body tilted from side to side until he collapsed, letting out a soft yelp as he fell to the floor. Some of the students closest to the Senior Inspector approached to see what was happening and during the commotion Toramaru sneaked through a side door, moving so fast the door was left ajar as he rushed through the hallway behind it.
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Post by othus on Jun 28, 2021 4:07:23 GMT
"mmm What was that?"- Tomoe said as she peeked from under the sheets.
"I...think they want us to get ready, we have like 20 minutes left at best, so we should probably ah-"-Yamato replied lifting the sheeds slightly to see her, but something shut him up.
"Well it's fine, looks like we'll be done here shortly anyway, won't we?"- She told him as she went back under the sheets.
As Daniel began dressing up, he couldnt help but feel he had wasted his time alone in such a fancy room
"That woman seemed quite into the story I was telling... uh, should have invited her back here, bloody waste of Japanese hospitality"
Daniel, Tomoe and Yamato went out of their rooms almost at the same time, Valeria gave the way to Tomoe, who smiled at him and proceeded to walk past the guy. Yamato quickly bowed at Daniel before chasing after Tomoe.
As Tomoe and Yamato arrived to their booth, they presented their wepons and showed their Musashi badges to prove their identity, Daniel also showed his Ashen Corp badge and handed over his Ashen Morpher and Electrocaster.
"Bureaucracy, am I right? like they gotta double check it's us"-Daniel joked at Tomoe. Musashi looked at him lifting a brow, but ultimately chuckled.
"Certainly, if an enemy is already here, there's little this double check can do in terms of safety. You are....the Ashen corp Director, correct?"
"Yes, that's right...I'm a bit impressed to see you know who I am"
"Oh, I was in Mexico last Septermber. Never expected the Director not to be fond of bureaucracy when Ashen agents made me go through a mountain of paperwork just to enter your country"
Of course, when Tomoe said they made her go through a mountain of paperwork, she meant Yamato, but that was a detail nobody needed to know.
"Yeah uh...I apologize, as much as I'm the director, I don't control the procedures, please do call me next time, I will make sure you don't through that if you ever visit our country again, Lady Musashi "-Daniel replied as he scratched his head.
"Don't worry about it, I had a good time at the beach. I'll take your word for it tho. Until then!"
"...but we had hurricane season last September."-Daniel spoke to himself as he saw her leave for her booth
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Post by HungryHunter on Jun 29, 2021 20:42:41 GMT
“Yeah, delegation of one.” Eve mumbled. She wasn’t sure who would bother to send extras. She was just here for networking and clout. Being seen at the meeting was the important part. She dusted off her jacket and made her way to the gathering place. When she was asked to hand over her weapons, she sighed. “Okay, hold on, uh…” She unfolded her arms, showing how her weapons were integrated. “Look, the cannon’s not loaded, I don’t have any powder or shot on me, and you can have the battery for the stungun. It’s all built into me. If I take them out, I won’t have any arms.” She did end up giving up her kneecaps and parts of her foot, the parts with hidden knives embedded in them. It made her walk like a fucking duck, but at least she still had arms.
Whether she had to give those up or not, she eventually got in and made her way to her seat. She awkwardly slid into it and took a glance around the room to see who she recognized. There were all the expected faces, but there were also some standouts, some she recognized and others she didn’t. A blue-haired young man drew her eye largely for the fact she had no idea who he was. He looked East Asian, but she couldn’t say much more about him. He certainly looked official, with that weird military uniform. More familiar was the wrinkled old man a few seats up. She didn’t know him in particular, but she knew who he was with. He seemed human enough at a glance, but his wrinkles were more like one of those weird dogs than an elderly human, and his neck sloped forwards too far.
Most likely a rokurokubi, and most likely the representative of the Inhuman League. Composed of species with unfortunate dietary needs, social incompatibility, or appearances that simply repulsed humans, in other words monsters, the Inhuman League fought for the rights of its various species across the world. They had offered her membership until they learned she employed Huntsman. Turns out they had a hit out on him for riling up extremists among monsters and humans alike. They weren’t the only people with a bounty for Huntsman of course, but they were the first she had any contact with. She couldn’t really blame them, but it didn’t really endear her to them either.
Just coming in was another old man, hunched and bearded. An oversized turban seemed to weigh his head down, and what seemed like a star of David on his robe was a Seal of Solomon on closer inspection. That would make him a representative of the Heirs of Solomon, a Middle Eastern wizard’s guild dedicated to harnessing the powers of djinni. He reluctantly handed over the sparkling gem that topped his staff, likely where he was keeping his own genie. Only one other newcomer caught her eye. Pale and wretched-looking, a woman slowly limped in. Her hair covered her eyes, but as she handed over a lumpy crocodile-skinned pouch and snake-shaped dagger, Eve caught a glimpse of a green glow. Necromancer. That would make her the representative of Friends of the Dead. They were mostly known for their corporate front, but they also licensed and trained practitioners of necromancy. Eve was amused by the amount of corporations they had. Even she was private rather than governmental. The power balance might be shifting in her preferred direction.
Ophiochus had no weapons to surrender. He shrugged and pointed their attention to Morgan before finding his seat. He too took a glance around the room. He had less thoughts on the others here, but he gave the Heirs of Solomon representative a solid glare. The man in the turban glanced up and noticed him. He looked confused and uncomfortable, looking around nervously before fixing his gaze elsewhere. “New religions.” Ophiochus scoffed. “The old country was never for them.”
Marceline wasn’t paying attention at all by this point. Clearly Norio wasn’t interested, so there was no benefit in pretending she was. The weird robot kid next to her was perfectly alert, however, listening intently to every word. Was he a suckup, or was he just a nerd? Ava wasn’t paying much attention either, although in her case the cause was excitement more than boredom. “Office work isn’t so terrible. I could-” She wasn’t finished typing when Norio suddenly fell over. She let out a surprised honk and jumped a foot in the air, landing alert and ready. “Oh hell.” Marceline backed up. She wasn’t getting involved with this. Dranten, on the other hand, immediately stepped up. “I have been programmed with basic first aid. I can help.” He knelt by Norio’s side to take his vitals. It didn’t detract from his alertness. “Toramaru has left.” He noted.
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Post by Vapovile on Jul 8, 2021 8:22:44 GMT
Aria and Mia walked into their quarters, seeing it decorated with a usual west coast style that their own offices were decorated with. Aria sat down on one of the couches and folded her legs over each other, staring at her phone.
"That was bold, you know? Telling Tomoe about who you are." Aria commented, Mia letting out a huff.
"Like I said, she seemed trustworthy. I'm not too worried about it." Mia responded, Aria leaning over to look at her bodyguard.
"Just making sure you know, you know how annoying it is to get another new identity." "I know, I know. I still find stuff with the incorrect name." Mia complained. She took a seat on a nearby rolling chair and skated it across the wooden floor.
"So, if you don't mind me asking, have you two decided on if you want another kid yet?" Aria asked, Mia stopping her roll with her foot. She looked at Aria with an indecisive look.
"We want to...but I also want to be there for that first year. But I can't do that." Mia looked down at the ground, but Aria nodded. "I understand. I will do everything in my power to find you a replacement for that year, ok? I know you deserve a peaceful life." She reassured. Mia cracked a smile.
"Thank you. Though..." She narrowed her eyes at Aria. "You know you deserve that too, right? You've been president of this company for like, 15 years now. How much longer can you run yourself ragged like this?" Mia asked with concern, Aria staring up at the ceiling.
"It's hard to let go of something you've known for so long, especially when you know what it was like before." Aria explained. "Who could even replace me? I don't trust Alex and his hardline sense of 'justice'. No, I need to train a replacement at some point. Someone who will continue reforming this company's culture after my father's toxic policies were repealed. Until that point, I can't even think about stepping down." Aria trailed off toward the end.
Mia folded her arms and smirked. "I suppose that makes the both of us irreplaceable, doesn't it? Just remember that you promised I could come visit whenever you decide to join the motherland. Though I guess you need to start dating before that." Mia gave a sly smirk, Aria waving her hands.
"I'll tell Marty to pencil dating into my schedule. But yes, I'd be happy to have you over when this is all settled." Aria nodded her head, and Mia gave an affirmative wave.
Soon, they were called to the main room. Mia handed over her scabbard, while Aria informed them she didn't have any weapons. The two of them then strode into the hall, ready to meet the other organizations.
---
Sid wasn't paying much attention to Norio's speech even before it became disjointed, but he immediately took notice when he fell over. Per Raisa's request, he immediately glanced around and spotted Toramaru fleeing the area. The kickmaster heard someone point this out and nodded. "Seems that way my dude. I'm going to see what's up if anyone wants to join." He said casually.
Kicking off the ground, Sid raced after Toramaru and tried to grab him by the shoulder. "Hey dude, where you off in such a hurry? Bathroom's that way." He motioned toward the door, unsure of where it actually was but wanting to try throwing him off if he wanted to use that excuse.
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Post by TimePuppy on Jul 17, 2021 21:21:28 GMT
It felt like Morgan and Ophiochus only just got placed in their section yet meeting time was there already. They went to the conference hall and the security demanded their weapons. Morgan first stripped off a bracelet and a few random technological gadgets, none impressive when observed up close. Then he handed over a black dagger that showed various traces on it. Magical, drifter, and temporal energy signatures.
He moved on without removing his mask. It wasn't a weapon, so he felt like he could wear that comfortably. --- Remilia was somewhat bothered by the lack of enthusiasm from their tour guide. Surely the students weren't that much of a bother. And then he collapsed.
"I will go check up on him. Ava, please keep an eye out for dangerous in our vicinity." Remilia ran over to Norio, just behind the robot. Dranten started providing first aid and Remilia knelt on Norio's other side.
"What can I do to help?" she asked.
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Post by Kuma on Aug 8, 2021 3:51:01 GMT
As the guests began to take their places in the massive conference room, each one with their own table, Roshi was backstage talking with the different heads of the JHWAB departments, getting every bit of information he would need for this presentation. The room was as secure as it could be, resting inside a pocket dimension protected by the strongest spells and artifacts the JHWAB could find.
-Are you sure this is what you want to do Yasumori-dono?- Subaru Yukishiro, the half Yuki-Onna head of the Intelligence Branch asked. -We’re giving sensitive information for free.-
-You keep saying that Subaru, but we are getting overwhelmed-de gozaru.- Eien no Ha, the immortal blade, commander of the Military Branch retorted. -You know that I mean you read the reports you forced all to write each damned day.-
-Can we just get along?- Yukio Shiraginu, the Silken Playboy, stepped in-between them. He was the chief officer of the Cultural Branch, which was usually ignored by the others but was dangerous enough for the other two to stop bickering. -Yasumori said we need to do this, so we’re doing it unless any of you want to be the leader of the Bureau instead of him.-
The trio of high-ranking members looked at Roshi for a second, who was reading his notes. The Omnyojutsu master looked up from his papers and glared at them. A blast of localized killing intent hit them like a ton of bricks. Roshi was controlled enough to avoid letting it slip into the main room, to avoid getting the guest nervous.
The officers lowered their heads and gave way to Roshi when he silently left the room. They had their reservations about the situation, but all of them knew it was getting out of hand. Even Roshi disliked the idea, at least they thought he did because it would be the first display of weakness ever for the JHWAB since its inception.
Roshi had a very close-minded and traditionalist view of Japan and its Hidden Community. But that wasn’t born out of sheer stubbornness or hatred for foreigners. He had experienced the horrors of war and how bad could the community be hit by foreign interventions, like during WWII.
He made a vow of never allowing foreigns to get influence over Japan and that gradually mutated into a general distrust and disgust with foreigners acting in his country. He didn’t mind factions inside the country carving pieces of territory if they had the means, right, and mentality to protect them, like the Musashi, that more often than not were a pain in his ass.
But he would have taken a hundred Musashi clans over allowing a single foreign organization to exert any kind of authority over Japan. Now, in this hour of need, he was about to open the proverbial floodgates and allow cooperation with almost every single organization on Earth to solve a problem he was too stubborn to ask help for before.
As he waited for everyone to take their seats, he reminisced about easier times, times when he never even heard the word <Gainen>
As the meeting was about to begin something else was occurring on a completely opposite side from it, nearby one of the entrances to the Military Branch offices inside the HQ.
Toramaru left the tour group going out a side door like most of the students, Raisa included, were attending to Norio, who was on the floor convulsing. But Sid Renen, contrarian as always, didn’t join up and decided to give chase to the Half-Oni.
Toramaru snapped the moment Sid put his hand over his shoulder, attempting to pull him. The Myth Soldier threw his whole weight forward, landing in one hand and raising both legs in an arc, attempting to connect with the Kickmaster’s chin using his two flame-covered feet.
-Leave before you end up hurt.- Toramaru roared at Sid as he stood up after his acrobatic kick. He was already in a fighting stance, with both his bare feet and hands glowing red hot and covered by flames.
Norio was convulsing on the floor as Dranten, Remilia, and Raisa arrived at his side. The Shindou of Katanas pulled a handkerchief from her jacket and used it to make a gag for Norio.
-I’m stopping him from swallowing his tongue, my uncle had Epilepsy and when he convulsed there was a risk of that.- She explained while holding Norio’s shaking body. She looked at both of them as she did, attempting to remember their skillsets from the school paperwork for the tour.
-Dranten-kun, right?- She asked the Cyborg. -Do you have any kind of scanning equipment or enhanced perception to allow us to see what’s going on with our tour guide?- Raisa hoped whoever kitted out the emotionally inept Cyborg at least equipped him with something useful for this situation.
-Remilia-san, can you connect to anything close by and get some help?- Raisa had a very basic understanding of computers, her relatively poor eyesight never got along with any kind of screens, but she understood Remilia was much more well versed than her.
The room filled soon and Roshi took to the stage prepared. The whole room had more of a “Rakugo” theatre feel, looking slightly rustic in comparison to the high-tech luxury of the lodgings. That was easy to explain, all tables and chairs were made out of wood from a sacred grove, which would increase protection and in fact, also served as anchors for the dimension.
Each set of legs on each chair and table worked as a Torii gate, being markers of this pocket dimension, separating the holy from the mundane. It was both symbolic and actually important for the array of spells.
Roshi kneeled on a simple cushion, in actuality just a disguise for a really powerful seal that could create a barrier if needed, and without much preamble, he started talking.
-Steemed denizens of the Hidden World, welcome to this council among those in power.- Roshi began talking without any kind of introduction, he knew most if not all knew who he was and what he was doing.
-I come to you with a request for cooperation and an unprecedented release of information.- He added, feeling his stomach sink lower and lower with each word. -Some of you might know the story I’m about to share, as information has leaked in the past, but some will not, so please be patient.- Roshi took a deep breath and continued.
-Back in the ’50s Eiyu Shomei, a fringe scientist studying ancient archeological sites in Hokkaido discovered the ruins of a civilization long forgotten, he called them the Kazanjin, a powerful empire built out from a single power, a creature from another dimension called a Gainen.- A large hologram-like projection accompanied Roshi’s story, showing the ruins, the scientist, and a wall painting of a demon-like creature chained and being pulled by four men.
-Shomei decided to replicate the technology used by this empire and improve on it, using certain materials he obtained from the ruins, in particular, a mineral we currently know as “Benkeinium”- A large piece of black mineral floated in front of the audience.
-In the ‘60s Shomei resurfaced with a small army of Gainen bound to his service. Thankfully his student escaped and joined with the JHWAB, bringing the latest prototypes Shomei had developed.- A new hologram appeared, this time displaying a series of large metal disks engraved with kanjis.
-With the JHWAB funding the prototypes were perfected and users for them were recruited. These “Gainen Hosts” could fuse with the creatures trapped inside the medals and gain their powers for limited periods of time. The 6 recruits formed the Gainen Satsu Tai and helped us capture 108 Gainen into medals. Most of them died during their final battle sealing the breach Shomei was using in Sakurajima.- An aerial photo of the island was displayed.
-With Shomei defeated the JHWAB attempted to get the medals, but one of the survivors of the Gainen Satsu Tai took them and quarantined himself in Sakurajima, rebuking any attempts from the Bureau to secure the medals.- Roshi wisely avoided the topic of Reiji refusing to hand them over as he didn’t trust the JHWAB to keep them secure and in fact, he accused Roshi of wanting to use them.
-For years the whole situation lied dormant, but the JHWAB was infiltrated.- Roshi stopped talking for what surely would be a wave of whispers. -The good relations we managed to maintain with the guardian of the Medals fell apart and the medals were lost, thanks to this individual.- A very blurry photo of Kuro-san was shown to everyone.
-We have no name for him, no records, and no idea of his precedence.- Roshi explained, pointing at it with a closed paper fan. -What we do know is that he has gathered criminals from all over the world.- Images of one of the forms of The Herald, Shikishima, Kago, Lazarus, Sakka, DGT, Falken, Ikari Fukushi, Marika Arachne, and several others appeared floating over the crowd, with some groups letting out whispers of recognition.
-He is in possession of most of the Gainen Medals, he posses the ability to alter and create memories, and finally that he was involved in an incident during another Hidden World Organization Meeting, years ago, in which he warned those present about a “Drifter” known as the “Ashura King” but no evidence of it or the dimension it comes from has been found.- Roshi continued already knowing that the next part would be the worst to admit.
-This criminal and his accomplices have been running circles around the JHWAB for years and in fact, even I was compromised at one point, prey to the powers he holds.- Roshi sighed. -This is more than enough evidence to showcase that almost anybody might be prey to this.-
-Our investigations have only caught glimpses of this criminal and after heavy consideration the JHWAB…- Roshi, who had been on his knees all this time lowered his head until it touched the floor. -Humbly requests the assistance and cooperation of all Hidden World Organizations to find this criminal, his accomplices, and bring them to justice!-
Roshi waited for a moment in silence as his magically amplified voice echoed in the room and finally went back to an upright position looking at the audience. -If you have any questions you might ask them now or request a private meeting later today.- He added, waiting for anybody to ask for further clarification.
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Post by othus on Aug 8, 2021 5:41:10 GMT
When Roshi bowed and requested cooperation, Tomoe took word. From the Musashi standpoint, this was preposterous, and proved the JHWAB never fully trusted the Musashi clan from the get go. The idea of transparency between the organizations was gone.
"You have put me between a rock and hard place here, Yasumori Dono. Our best agents already have their hands full against a horde of extradimensional Gods. The fact that there is no intel on this man is rather disturbing and should have been disclosed to The Musashi a long time ago, this entire situation is a great sign of disrespect to my clan"
Tomoe straightened herself and sighed.
"Having said that, I will mobilize agents from the Koga branch to aid in this task, we will...discuss the details later in private" -Her eyes narrowed, not managing to completely hide the frustration she felt out of this situation.
Daniel raised his hand and Tomoe ceded the word to him
"Uh, just to double down on the words of Lady Musashi, we are stretched thin as well, The Ashen Corps have been repelling the invasion of an intergalactic sorceress for a good while now, we can't put that many agents on the field to this task, but, having said that, we will assist with intel gathering"
Even as he said that, he knew adding agents from the Moth division to this task was gonna hurt the budget bad. Which to pick? that was for later.
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Post by Vapovile on Aug 8, 2021 20:32:08 GMT
Aria carefully listened to Roshi's speech, taking down notes on a pad of paper in front of herself. The HWIC has attempted on several occasions to extend their assistance to the JHWAB, but were roundly rejected each time. Aria couldn't help but feel a small amount of annoyance at Roshi's pride, and how it's led to this situation. She remembered that meetings years ago vividly...interrupted in such an ominous manner. Once the Ashen Corp finished, Aria stood up to address the room.
"Thank you, Mr. Valeria, Mrs. Musashi." She nodded toward each of them as she addressed each. "As always, the HWIC is committed to helping all reputable Hidden World organizations keep their people safe. If the JHWAB agrees to be transparent with their intel, the HWIC will extend our hand in cooperation to face this threat. We would also request cooperation with certain past events that the HWIC believes may be of importance." She said. The incidents Aria was thinking about were the events in Osaka several years back, and Kyoto more recently. Aria only heard about these through Elyssa, who was told about them from Haruko, who was apparently there. A small pang of guilt ran through Aria when she remembered her sister's tense relationship with them...but now wasn't the time to address it.
---
Sid was taken off guard by Toramaru's quick reaction time, and was sent stumbling backwards from the kick, rubbing his jaw in pain. "Ooooooooow...the heck, dude? Have a bad breakup or some'thin?" Sid asked in exasperation. He stopped rubbing his jaw and got into a fighting stance himself.
"Welp, guess we gotta do this the hard way if you don't wanna chat. Sorry I guess." Shrugging his shoulders, Sid kicked off the ground and aimed a roundhouse kick for Toramaru's head, but at the last second, shifted his weight downward and planted his feet onto the ground, pushing upward to try and deliver a upward kick aimed directly for Toramaru's own chin. Things would be a little more annoying without his medal, but Sid thought he could take Toramaru enough like this.
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 9, 2021 6:56:37 GMT
Eve’s fantasy was confirmed. She was really on the same page as all these major government organizations. This is why things had to be left up to the free market! Eve was furiously taking notes. Gainen medals, mad science. Perhaps there was too much magic involved for her, but the idea was fascinating. Of course, these medals were only part of the concern. “I do have a question, Roshi-Dono.” She called out. “This is all well and good for your governmental agencies. Their job is to defend the public. But what of us private organizations? It isn’t our responsibility to get involved with world matters like this. Surely you have some compensation planned?” She asked with a smile, leaning on her podium. Of course she’d lend some assistance even if she didn’t get anything out of it. She wasn’t a total sociopath, or a maniac like Huntsman who would benefit from the chaos. But still, why do something for free if you could be paid for it?
Ophiochus chuckled at the boldness of the woman above him. The greed of mortals! It tickled him! Still, it was best to undercut her here. No need to bankrupt this organization just yet. You could always get more by bleeding somebody slowly. “You have Flipside’s full resources. No need for compensation. I think our friend from the Wild Hunt underestimates the severity of this situation.” He smiled up at her. Eve frowned. He had placed her in a difficult spot. Either she denied the danger and looked foolish, acknowledged it and looked callous, or gave up on payment.
“Of course not. It is because of the danger that I ask for compensation. There is a personal risk to my life and that of any employees involved, and of course I am using my own resources, from my time to my ammunition. Depending on how long this fuss lasts I could suffer a good hundred thousand in lost revenue. Perhaps you could take that out of your executive bonus this year, but I could be taken clear out of business.” Eve played the small business card in response, keeping eyes on Roshi the whole time. She didn’t need to convince this prick, just the man who could sign her a check.
“Father implanted me with many medical devices.” Dranten said, pausing a moment before he continued. “I removed all of them for superior combat capacity.” The slightest touch of red painted his cheeks. “However I have retained superior senses and an in-built x-ray for the function of detecting weak spots.” Dranten blinked to switch to x-ray vision, but paused for a moment before using it. “I need you to consent to this procedure. Risks of x-rays can include a heightened risk of cancer, especially without proper-” Dranten’s speech to Noro was interrupted by Marceline slapping the back of his head.
“Dumbass, he’s unconscious! He can’t consent! Just do it!” “I cannot initiate medical procedures without-” Dranten got halfway through his explanation before Marceline lightly tapped his head. “I challenge you. Use your senses to find my weak spots, fuckwit.” Marceline sat behind Norio. After a moment, Dranten understood and activated the full range of his senses. Beyond x-rays, his ears could naturally pick up sounds inaudible to regular humans, not just the softest palpitations of the heart but noises above and below their range of hearing. It wasn’t much, but he hoped it would help.
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Post by TimePuppy on Aug 15, 2021 21:28:17 GMT
The lack of transparency was exactly something Morgan would've expected from the JHWAB. He wasn't surprised it came to bite them in the ass of course, but he was definitely amused by the dramatic request. Roshi was a true traditionalist, no doubt about it. The gathered organizations were a bit more modern though. The most interesting reaction was Eve's, of course. A mercenary approach. Morgan definitely preferred it to Ophiochus's approach. Advertising or not, promising their help for free for as big an undertaking as this was a serious financial risk. Eve didn't give up though and defended her stance, provoking a smile under Morgan's mask. Yes, there was a reason he liked Eve. --- With Raisa's knowledge and Draten's equipment, there wasn't much for Remilia to do on the first aid front. Instead she nodded at Raisa's instructions and ran over to the nearest computer-like device. Figuring out how to contact someone shouldn't be too hard. If she managed to contact someone quickly, she'd also try to access any cameras in the area and see what's going on with Toramaru and the group that went after him.
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