<@Brett> [Some time later, Kaede gets to Natsuko's apartment. Police are all around it, keeping anyone from entering while they investigate. KAede spots Akemi sitting on a bench outside the apartment.] * Kaede frowns at all the police but lets them do what they're here to do. Instead he walks up to Akemi. "Shiraishi-san?" <@Brett> [Akemi looks up, then darts from her seat and strangles Kaede. Or at least, wraps her arms around his neck. "Kaede! Oh God..."] <@Brett> ( orz ) (The back I hope. o.o Otherwise "DEAR GOD, AKEMI'S A VAMPIRE.") <@Brett> [Her arms are indeed around the back of his neck. And her boobs are like totally mashed against his chest. That's a bonus, I guess.] * Kaede 's body tenses for a moment with a start, unsure of what to do. But his hand jerkily moves to pat her back. "Akemi. I'm sorry. Tell me again what happened. How did you find out?" <@Brett> [Akemi pulls back a bit. "Shika, she... she wanted to deliver the news to Natsuko. About Tenjirou. When we got here, we... we saw..." She sniffs. "Shika ran off. I don't know where she is! I'm really scared for her! What if she does something to herself?"] * Kaede blinks slightly, then puts his hands on her shoulders. "Wait. How'd Natsuko find out before Shika told her?" <@Brett> ["Probably the news. The TV was on when we went in."] * Kaede doesn't sound completely convinced, but lets out his breath. "Okay. Where's Shika now?" <@Brett> [She shakes her head. "I don't know!"] * Kaede sighs. "I'm sorry, Akemi. Let's sit down and give you a chance to calm down, alright? I haven't been fair..." <@Brett> [Akemi nods. "Okay..." She sits back down, slowly, and cups her head in her hands.] * Kaede sits down with her and puts an arm around her shoulders. For the first time in a long while, he actually looks lost... <@Brett> [So does Akemi! Lost and depressed, too!] * Kaede reaches out for a moment with his other hand tentatively, then pulls it away, but finally gets brave enough to take one of her hands then looks down. Almost whispering, he croaks out, "..losing people." There might have been a first part to it but it was inaudible. <@Brett> [Akemi looks at him! Even with tears on her cheeks, she's still the hottest girl in this game.] * Kaede isn't even looking back at her! The cad! Maybe he needs to make a soul roll or something. But he repeats himself, still a half-croak, but this time more audible. "It's never easy...losing people." (And damn you, Brett. Now I imagine there's a tear-moe out there somewhere.) <@Brett> [Akemi nods. "I hope Shika doesn't hurt herself. If she didn't feel like she failed Natsuko before... Oh God." She starts crying again.] * Kaede takes her other hand. He doesn't sound as forceful as last time, but now he is looking at her. Soul roll failed! "Akemi...think. Where do you think Shika would go?" <@Brett> [Akemi shakes her head. "I don't know... in this state, she could be anywhere.] * Kaede nods. "Which direction did she go though?" <@Brett> [Akemi points. Down the street, roughly north.] * Kaede nods slightly and stands up. "I'll help you look." <@Brett> [Akemi nods. "Okay. Thank you."] * Kaede sighs slightly. "Akemi. Do you really think you need to thank me?" He reaches down to help her up. "Let's go..." <@Brett> [She does!] * Kaede starts heading in that direction and pulls out his phone. "Does she have a cell by any chance? Going to try something." <@Brett> [Akemi nods. "Yeah, but she isn't answering."] * Kaede gives his phone to Akemi. "This might work even if she doesn't as long as it's ringing. No guarentees though." <@Brett> [Akemi looks hopeful. "I hope it does."] * Kaede nods. "Dial it." <@Brett> [She does! And it rings!] * Kaede takes the phone back from her and concentrates on his power. Pray this works. <@Brett> ( Roll for it! ) (Soul-Powerusage?) <@Brett> ( Sure, that works ) (Make by 3.) <@Brett> [Kaede follows the signal! It goes north, all right, leading to a section of town he's never been in during this game.] * Kaede opens his eyes slightly, but it seems like he's half paying attention to something else. "Follow me." He starts running in the direction of the signal before Shika shuts off the phone or something loses the signal. <@Brett> [Akemi does!] <@Brett> [End in here.]