Session Start: Sat Aug 13 15:34:38 2005 Previously, on Hunters: The team is in the middle of an extended mission to help the US Navy as the Ningyo are bothering them evenings at USC. They just completed a little revenge mission against a certain Yakuza that had played a part in arranging the hits on dozens of magical girls. ...and this morning, they have absolutely nothing to do. Sakura gave them a congratulatory little phone call the previous afternoon, and told the team to relax for a couple of days. So it's time for... world history! [Friday, March 18, 2004 - 1210 local time] [The Agency] [Session start!] * Taki yawns and is bored bored bored... Pay attention, Taki! * LadyMallet is absorbed into it, burning all her focus on it. * Kyouko reads, and is only mildly interested. Yeah yeah... * Minami listens intently, but already seems to know most of the answers. Look, if you don't know about other nations and what happened to them in the past, how will you ever be able to be a leader in the future? History is about mistakes, and not making them again. * Minami nods in agreement as she reads ahead. * LadyMallet isn't doing so hot on knowing the stuff. But she's trying with all her heart and mind! I'm listening! Sheesh... * Kyouko reads, and is only mildly interested. * Inoue-sensei shuts her book and stretches. "Why don't you girls write me, oh, four pages about the causes of the early 18th century religious revival in North America, and some of its longer-term consequences. Put some thought into your analyses, and don't just regurgitate the textbook, all right? " * Minami glances up. "When d'you want it?" * LadyMallet nodnods, and starts rereading stuff intently. ... Can't we just like tell it to you? By... Monday? That should be plenty of time. I suppose it's time for lunch, we can do some math afterwards. * Minami puts her books down and stretches. "Right, okay then." * Inoue-sensei peers over her glasses. "Writing is half of the lesson, Taki." * LadyMallet doesn't put down her book. * Taki grumbles. * Inoue-sensei half-smiles. "Where do you want me to get carryout from today?" * Kyouko ponders pizza. Cotton candy place. What about that Chinese place with the good vegetable stirfry? I was thinking about pizza... Um. I don't know about magical girl metabolisms, but I can't keep eating that sugary stuff, Leena. Pizza's too greasy. Not if they make it right! Mina-kun? * Minami shrugs. "Whichever." * LadyMallet mutters something, and rereads a line from the book, tracing it with a finger as she does so. Okay, Chinese it is. * Taki looks down at her book again. "I wish I brought my computer..." * LadyMallet sounds distracted, as she adds in, "And cotton candy." * Inoue-sensei glances at Leena, then goes to find her coat. Don't you get sick of it? Thinking hard. Takes energy. * LadyMallet flips a page, and starts murmuring to herself again. But won't you get energy more efficiently from real food? There's a slight knocking at the door to the lobby as your tutor slips out through the back. 'swhat the Chinese s'for. ...huh. Find out who it is. I wanna know if I have to change or not. * LadyMallet sets her book down, and goes to get the door. * Minami rolls her eyes and heads to the door. * Minami lets Leena do it. * Secretary pokes her head through. "Ano..." Yeah? Um, I'm awfully sorry to bother you all with this... ... Yeah? What is it? * LadyMallet blinks. "What's up?" * Secretary slips though, and shuts the door behind her. There's a girl out here in the lobby, and... I can't get her to go away. * LadyMallet gives a quick description of Chopsticks. "Her?" ...betcha it's Sanako. There's a shout from outside - a voice none of the team recognizes. "Don't think you can just hide back there!" * Minami frowns. "Or, of course, it could be another psycho. What's she want?" ... * LadyMallet heads there. "Well, let's see what fun thing is happening today!" * LadyMallet stops at the door to the Outside World, to see who else is coming. * Taki grumbles again. Should we transform? * Taki just gets up and heads over to the office computer to type up her report. * Minami waits for the Secretary's evaluation. No, no, I'd know her. I reviewed the records on her from the Palace. This is a girl who thinks we're a detective agency, and she wants... to hire us. * Minami puffs with laughter. "Well, that's ironic." We better keep our cover, then. Oh. Did she say what for? Probably to find her stupid cat or something. If you don't help me, I'll sue or something! She said she wouldn't tell the "hired help". * Minami facepalms. "We really need one of those "right to deny service to anyone' signs--she did *what*?" Great. Snotty *rich* psycho girl. ... She sounds very rude. * LadyMallet calls up, "Everyone get into costume, then incog! I'm bringing her in to the desk area!" Let's go get rid of her. * Secretary glances down at her salarywoman costume. "Maybe I should dress down more often." Whoa, whoa... Wait, no--why in costume? This agency is our *norm* cover. And then incog! That's what I was thinking. * Girl pounds on the door. And our normal covers are all supposed to be dead, remember? No, just missing. * Minami mutters as she heads out, something about "dingbats". "Mine's not. I'll take care of it." * Taki transforms and retains her normal clothes. There. Happy? * LadyNightshade types at the computer. "I should be able to finish this stupid thing in about an hour..." * LadyMallet cracks open the door, just enough to talk through. "Quit that, you'll hurt your hands." What kind of lousy detective agency is this? What kind of lousy client are you? Stop screaming and settle down. What do you want? If you think it's so lousy, why're you coming here? It's the only one I know of... * LadyMallet opens the door the rest of the way, and takes a look at her. * LadyNightshade sighs heavily. * LadyMallet snickers. "I feel so honored. What's wrong?" * Rin enters the lobby from the front door, still dressed in her school uniform. She snaps her tessen open to cover her face at the sight of the unfamiliar girl, and studies her quietly for a moment from behind before nodding a silent greeting to Lady Mallet. * Girl is of junior-high age, just on the far side of adolescence, and every little thing about her is perfect. She's wearing a local school uniform, but it looks tailored to fit her perfectly. Actually, wait. Name first. Then your woes of the world. * Minami quirks an eyebrow at the girl. "Well, c'mon. Unless you spent so much time throwing a fit that you forgot what it was you wanted." I'm Meiko Hayasumi. And my sister is missing, and no one is doing anything about it. Including the police? * LadyMallet gives Rin a 'Why me?' look in response, after hearing the woes. * Rin 's eyes smile over the open fan. "Now, now, Mina-san. Let us not be rude to our guest. Manners are best taught by example, after all. Shall we invite her in, or should the two of us remain standing out in the lobby until after lunch?" * Girl sniffs and steps back into the living quarters. * Minami *glares* at Rin. My parents have forbidden me from contacting the police. They did not tell me not to find other help, though. * LadyMallet sighs. "How long ago did this happen, and what makes you think she's missing, and not just somewhere else without telling you?" * LadyNightshade avoids looking at her at all. * Minami follows and takes up a post leaning against the wall, arms folded, face neutral, listening. By the way, nice outfit. ^_^ * Rin seems not to notice Mina's glare as she almost sweeps into the room behind Meiko. ...wait a minute - what is this? Where's the detective agency? We are the detective agency, Hayasumi-san. Right here. A bunch of teenage girls in a well-lived in apartment? If you will excuse me, I wish to get more comfortable, and out of this costume. Please, have a seat and tell us all about your troubles. Yeah. What, don't you ever watch those mystery shows? Young teenage girls can solve anything! ^_^v and we have wacky hijinks! Or something like that, anyway. * Meiko opens her mouth, closes it, and shakes her head. "It's just not what I was expecting." * LadyMallet shrugs. "And?" Seriously, though. Answer the questions. How long ago did this happen? * Rin steps into one of the rooms that have been used for changing in the past, and spends a minute or so in there. When she emerges, she is in a fine blue kimono with a sakura-blossom motif, with her hair done up in an old, elaborate style that bares her neck. ...and I suppose a bunch of girls might be just right for finding another girl... wow! That's an amazing kimono, and you wear it well. Thank you. *nods head politely* Would you like some tea, Hayasumi-san? * LadyNightshade yawns again and types some more. * Meiko sits in a chair at the conference table and unconsciously smoothes out her skirt. "No thank you." * LadyMallet mock-yawns. My sister, Yuki, has been missing since Monday. Hey, Meiko? The only one here who's psychic is Akira, and he's off in Canada on an assignment. Verbal question. Verbal answer. Ya'know... the whole 'telling us what happened' thing? As you wish. *takes a seat at one end of the table, almost enthroning herself* Lia-san, please do not disclose agents' locations to customers who need not know. *looks at Leena with mock-severity* * Meiko snaps back at Leena, "What about the politeness thing?" *sniff* * LadyMallet waves a hand at Rin, and 'pshaws.' "He'll be fine." We have to show them that we are a model of discretion. *nods mock- seriously* When did you last see her, on Monday, Hayasumi-san? * Meiko turns back to Rin. "We got out of school last Saturday, and her graduation ceremony was on Sunday. We were going to take a trip to Hawaii this week, but Monday, as we were finishing packing, she was gone." The whole bit about your parents forbidding you to tell the police about it is worrisome. Tell us more about that, too. No one saw her, as far as I can tell, on Monday. She does not live with you? Which school? * Rin continues to talk in a soft, steady tone. * Meiko squints in seeming distaste. "My parents, due to... remarks I made earlier, are thinking she may have run away. ...eloped. " Oh, she does live with us. Does she have a boyfriend? Maybe? ... eloped? ... if that's all it is, why are you worried? Is this maybe-boyfriend someone you know? Has he, too, disappeared? See, I've seen her with the same guy a whole bunch of times, but she never would tell me about him. I don't know who he is. I mentioned him to mom and dad once, and they were... keen on the idea that she might have a serious boyfriend. So the best case scenario is that she eloped... ... how old was the guy, how old's your sister? She just GRADUATED, dimwit. The guy is highschool age, maybe? Does he have any distinguishing features? His age, his height, his weight, and any other descriptive details would all be helpful. You didn't say from what. School. High school. * LadyNightshade listens though she doesn't look like she is while she continues typing her report. He's just this... guy, not bad looking, but not... remarkable? Congratulations on her accomplishment, Hayasumi-san. I know this is difficult for you, are you sure you do not desire some tea? It can be calming. No, really, thank you. Anyway, *I* don't think she eloped, or ran away. She was really worked up about this trip, and was saying that she wanted to meet some cute American guy on the trip. A specific one, or merely one in general? *smiles indulgently* A'right. She ever been gone or missing before? But mom and dad seem to have totally missed that bit, and... they don't want to embarrass us by going to the police. Been out late nights, come home wet, been missing before? I think she had said something about looking for something cute and poor. Oh, yeah, what's her name? * Rin 's smile does not change. "I see." She... well, sometimes she'd just skip supper after school, and not tell anyone about where she was, but she never went really missing. ... something cute and poor? May I have a pen and some paper, please, Lia-san? Wait, it was Yuki. Hrr. Hayasumi-san, when you discovered your sister missing, had her bed been slept in? Um... I... think so? And there was no sign of struggle, or that she had left in any hurry? Was anything missing, aside from her? I remember my mother gathering up the sheets that morning. No, she just wasn't around. We figured she had gone out for a quickie manicure or coffee or something before we had to leave for the flight. And all her stuff is at the condo. * Rin quirks an eyebrow. "The condo?" * Meiko sniffs. "We have to live somewhere." * LadyMallet gets up, to dig up some pen and a notebook, tossing those to Rin. Ah. Your house. This business is all about specifics, Hayasumi-san. I am sure you understand the need if we are to assist you. Of course. Of course. * LadyMallet ducks out of the living area, down to the lobby, hunting down the Secretary. Yes, Leena-san? It would seem, from what you have been able to remember, that she left your home sometime after she went to bed, but before anyone else was awake. If there was no sign of struggle, it would seem she left willingly. Whether her intent was to disappear or not is now the important question in determining where to look for her. Hey, could you do a quick check to see if... 'Yuki Hayasumi' is.. *glances at the door, making sure it's shut* ... an MG? That we know about, at least? * Meiko sighs. "I suppose it is. ...and there is one bit that might be important - she's a magical girl." Has your sister a favored manicurist, coffee shop, or other morning haunt that she might have visited, if she were--oh? ... That's very important. What is her title? Who is she? ... if she is, dig up everything you can. Taki finds the record instantly, and Leena, peering over the Secretary's shoulder, sees it at the same instant. I don't know - I only know she is because I saw her transform once. * LadyNightshade scans the info she finds. "Well that was easy..." She was running off to fight a Ningyo, I think... but she *really* wouldn't talk to me about that. * Rin laces her fingers, the tessen vertical between them and touching the table as she leans forward. "I can understand why. They do seem a secretive kind of people." Obviously, you have not told your parents this. Nor that you have come to see us. The computer records indicate that this girl is Lady Peavine. Another plant-manipulator, probably... * LadyNightshade looks to see if she has a team and what her assigned area is. * Rin observes Meiko silently for a moment, as if thinking carefully. No... there has been so much in the news about magical girls being hunted down, I really didn't want to tell anyone who could not keep it confidential. * LadyMallet lets the Secretary dig up what she will... * Meiko looks stricken. "You WILL keep this quiet, right?" Yes. Of course. Confidentiality is a very important part of our business. Few of our customers want anyone knowing what we have done for them...or found out for them. Lady Peavine had been assigned to a team working just north of this district, but was in the process of reassignment for college. I do believe we will help you. There is, of course, the small matter of fees. Money is not a problem. * LadyNightshade looks up info on her team then, getting names and addresses and such. * Meiko hands across a credit card, notably with her name on it. "I have a... generous allowance, and overages are between me and my parents... who should be paying for this anyway." * Rin does not change expression. "I did not think it would be. The base fee for taking a case is one million yen. An additional fifty thousand yen per day, as well as any expenses, until such time as we or you deem this investigation to be fruitless. If successful, an additional five hundred thousand will be the final fee." * LadyNightshade raises an eyebrow at Rin. * Rin ignores Nightshade's eyebrow, for now, looking right at Meiko. * Meiko winces a little, thinks for a moment, then nods. "That is acceptable, though somewhat higher than I anticipated." I trust you will not be disappointed. We are -very- good at what we do, Hayasumi-san. *smiles archly* At that cost, you had better be. * LadyMallet pats the Secretary on the shoulder, says, "Anything you can find," and goes back up to the others. If you will leave your contact information with the secretary, we will keep you apprised. You, of course, know how to contact us should you have any further information. Yes... * LadyMallet waves as she comes back into the room proper. "Hey, guys. We're taking the case." Yes. Yes we are. Good. * Meiko pulls a small notebook out of her purse. "I made notes on her friends, and how to contact them." That will be most helpful in expediting this investigation. * LadyMallet eyes the girl for a moment, as she pulls out the notebook. * Meiko stands up, turns around, then turns back. You know, I never did see her *talking* with that guy. Just them walking side by side, or even him close behind her a bunch of times. ... * Rin nods, allowing a small amount of concern to show in her face. * LadyMallet shivers, hugging herself. We have...handled cases like that before. * LadyNightshade suddenly feels sick at the thought. * LadyNightshade gets up to find the projector thing in order to take her mind off it. My heart goes out to you, Hayasumi-san. We will find her. I'll be waiting for word from you. * LadyMallet finds a wall to sit down next to, and hug her knees, still shivering. * Meiko gathers herself once more, and strides out the door. ( hugs ) * Secretary walks back in and plops down on the couch. ...It has to be him. * Rin rises to her feet, her beautifully made-up face darkening. "The abusive Lord." * LadyMallet doesn't respond. She just shivers. So did you just like pull those prices out of your ass? Definitely a magical girl. Lady Peavine. * LadyNightshade turns on the projector thing and displays what she has on the screen. * Rin 's make-up hides any blushing. "I have read a detective novel or two." ... prices? Yeah. Here's her teammates and stuff. Wait, what? * Rin looks at it. "We will have to contact them, of course." * Rin looks to Leena, eyebrow raised in question. Indeed. * LadyMallet gets to her feet. "You're fucking CHARGING her? A little girl like that? Her sister is a MAGICAL GIRL." Yes, she is. * LadyMallet says coldly, and flatly, "So why the hell are you charging her?" And Hayasumi-san believes us to be a detective agency. Detective agencies charge for their services. This isn't like books. We wouldn't take cookies for services or anything. * LadyMallet continues, in that cold, flat tone. "... that's not good enough. You better transform, or come up with a better answer, or I'm about to throw you through a fucking wall." Get over it Leena. We don't have to actually charge her. When we find her sister we can explain everything to her. That is a matter we should leave to the Princess's discretion. * LadyNightshade goes to find her clothes to get dressed enough to go out. We do have to maintain our cover, Leena-san. ... if you charge her, Dorkmoon, I -will- kick your ass so hard you'll be breathing out of it. * Rin nods to confirm the Secretary's statement. Lord Darkmoon deserves that and more from you, Leena-san. I will not argue nor fight with you. Anyway, let's head out after lunch gets here. ... At least we have something to do. * LadyMallet snorts, and stalks off back to the lobby. And DON'T touch my report file. I don't want to type all that again. * Rin hides her face behind the tessen for a moment, staring in the direction Leena just left. When she removes it, she's got her calmly polite smile set with doll-like permanence on her lips once more. "I will not, Taki-san." Well you're not really the one I'm worried about. * LadyNightshade looks over to where Leena went out. Perhaps you should save and print it. Well I'm not quite done yet. I gotta find some sources I pretended I used. Saving progress prevents catastrophic loss. *shrugs* But it is your report. Did you order enough food for me as well, or should I prepare something for myself? * Secretary pulls off her tie and loosens her collar. "We should check on her current status with the Palace. They like to keep track of what is going on with all of you - I have to file forms every day you're not around." I'm not sure how much she's going to get. Probably just a couple of boxes of various stuff. I'm sure there'll be plenty. * Rin whirls in a swish of silk and satin. "You do?" she almost exclaims before settling her mask back in place. I'll call Sakura! * LadyNightshade tries not to sound too too happy about that. *cough* Yes. Yes, that's a good idea. Oh, yes. You think I just sit out there and look pretty? * LadyNightshade pulls out her cell and dials. Well you're so good at it... * Rin smiles amusedly at Taki's observation. * Sakura answers on the fifth ring. "If this isn't an emergency, I can't talk now." ... Oh. Um, we just wanted to get some info on a missing magical girl... I guess it could wait. * Kyouko amuses herself. * LadyMallet comes back in, breathing deeply, pointedly avoiding looking at Rin. I'm in a meeting with Squeej and our, uh, friends in uniform. I can't help you right now. ...who's missing? Um... Lady Pea-- uh... *looks at the screen* Lady Peavine. Been missing since Monday. This might be connected to uh... that Lord. ...I haven't heard anything abou- aiyah. Right. Do what you need to. Okay. I'll call records then and see if they've heard anything. Keep me in the loop. *click* * LadyNightshade looks over to the Secretary. "What's the number for records?" * Secretary gets up and dials, waits, then dials an extension. * LadyMallet sighs. "... what if it's not him?" Someone answers, and she punches it up on speaker. It's... too good to be true, almost. Even though the circumstances suck. Well we'll burn that bridge when we get to it. If it is not him, we still find and rescue a magical girl. If it is... Darkmoon will deliver his head to you, Lady Mallet. Pfft. Palace frontdesk, Lady Blue. I'm not trusting that to delivery. I want to take it myself. * LadyNightshade turns to the speaker. "Uh... hi. This is the Hunters. We're looking for info on a Lady." There's a shuffling of papers... Your number is authenticated. I need to know who is speaking. This is Lady Nightshade. Lady Nightshade... yes. How can I help you? We're looking for the status on a Lady Peavine. Lady Peavine, okay... * Rin steps into the kitchen, finds the best nerve-calming tea she can, and begins brewing it. This time you hear typing for a few seconds. Lady Peavine is not assigned to a team currently - she will be attending college out of town. When's the last time she checked in? She just... graduated, but has not moved yet. She is, however, on vacation somewhere in the US. Mmmmm, I could use a good trip myself. The last recorded activity was last Friday, when she confirmed her plans with her old team leader. Nothing on Monday? No, but she had a flight out at noon, so I wouldn't expect she would. * LadyNightshade looks up at everyone else. Alright, thank you for your time. Hm. * LadyMallet shakes her head. * Lady hangs up. We should find out if that plane ticket got used. ... confirm that, even though I can probably tell you now that is hasn't. * Rin steps out of the kitchen, holding a tea cup and sipping lightly. "Still, Kyouko-san's suggestion is a wise one." We should still cover all our bases even if we know what probably happened. Well her sister was flying with her, so I doubt she ever made it to the airport. Confirmation would be ideal. I can work at that... Thank you, Secretary-san. I'll just pretend to be their travel agency. Well if Friday was the last they heard from her then I doubt she went to fight a Ningyo on Monday by herself. * LadyMallet nods. So either she was kidnapped or she disappeared on her own. ... what's our next step? Talk to her team, or check out the area? Speaking to her friends. Both mundane and magical. We should go talk to her old team. Fieldwork! We should see if any of them saw her with the boy who may or may not be a friend. ... right after eating, anyway. Indeed. * Inoue-sensei barges in through the garage entrance with a Chinese-smelling bundle. Rin-san! How pleasant to see you. Did tests go well? * LadyMallet waves at the teacher, and bounds over to her, to help her out with the food. "Hi!" ^_^ * Rin sets down the cup to bow formally. "Good afternoon, Inoue-san. My tests went as expected. I believe I shall do my family honor when the results come in." * LadyNightshade heads over to the computer to save and close her report and all the everything else. We're going to do their math lessons this afternoon though, so maybe you won't want to stick around... Oh about that. We have uh... work. That we have to do. Now. ... I dunno about that. Something's come up. * Inoue-sensei looks suspicious. "Really?" Really really! Yeah. Missing girl. Really important. We can't talk about it. That stupid Lord is connected to it somehow. It is true, Inoue-san. A girl has gone missing, and we must find her...and, possibly, someone else. *looks predatory at that last bit* * LadyNightshade digs through the bag of food for her vegetable stirfry. * Inoue-sensei makes a mental note to check this with Sakura-sama. * LadyMallet gets a scary, fierce look for a moment. "When I get my hands on him..." ...Leena, this job is not good for your mental health. Leena has mental health? * LadyMallet grabs her Chinese, and her cotton candy, sticks the cotton candy in her mouth, and looks up, cutely. ^__^ Lord Darkmoon will hold him down for you, Leena-san. But she looks so happy! Isn't it fun? I hope I hold together through all of it! * Inoue-sensei facepalms. [End session]