[Private Threads of Various Stripes]

[becomeanwarrior]

[ In which the former Chief of OOPARTS - now the Chief of Sector Security and the Lead Investigator of Sector Security's Supernatural Intelligence Division - conducts some on-the-ground beat work, without trying to attract too much attention to himself.

What're you going to do, detective? Well, let's check in and see... ]

Comments

[OOPARTS BUILDING HOLDING CELLS - SHIKOU]

[becomeanwarrior]

[ After some coordinating, Shikou, you've received a time to meet up at the OOPARTS Building - which hasn't been renamed, likely due to the confusion it would cause.

When arriving, a handful of probably fresh-ish faces. Transfers from other departments as Sector Security consolidates and reorganizes itself. They direct you to the holding cells, where Onni is waiting.

It's not hard to find him after that, the subject of your, and his, investigation is probably not entirely happy to be cooped up in what Onni coins his "D.D. Holding Cells" - special containment cells which are meant to house potentially dangerous subjects. The manta ray-shaped automaton being his latest find. ]

[ When you get there, Onni is silent - he's pulled up a laptop and is typing away. Case notes and incident reports, more than likely, while he's waiting for you to arrive. ]

Re: [OOPARTS BUILDING HOLDING CELLS - SHIKOU]

[observershikou]

*I definitely don't recognize a lot of the people here, but they all seem to know what they're doing so far, so I allow myself to be directed to where Onni is, giving a wave when he spots you.*

Keeping busy, it looks like.

Re: [OOPARTS BUILDING HOLDING CELLS - SHIKOU]

[becomeanwarrior]

The promotion has put a lot on my plate. And that's before we get into the fact things have gotten really active as of late - more active than I've seen in years.

[ Closes the laptop after a moment. ]

Hope you've been holding up alright, Shikou. The automaton is in the cells just past me, generally contained, but there's only so much I can make of its behavior without you to give me context.

Re: [OOPARTS BUILDING HOLDING CELLS - SHIKOU]

[observershikou]

I've been holding up fine, other than, well-- the ill feeling, before. But I've quelled that more than enough.

And... I guess I've been just trying to process all I've learned about what's happening, so far.

Re: [OOPARTS BUILDING HOLDING CELLS - SHIKOU]

[becomeanwarrior]

Eugh, you and me both, Shikou.

[ Closing the laptop and standing up to guide you to the cell. ]

Every new thing I learn about what's happening threatens to drive me off a cliff to caffeine addiction.

How're you holding up on your end, processing it all?

Re: [OOPARTS BUILDING HOLDING CELLS - SHIKOU]

[observershikou]

More, mmm...

*he tries to think of the word as you guide him through*

... Annoyed by the circumstances? I keep feeling a little like on some level, something is trying to... push me, to be something I'd rather not be, so this coming up certainly doesn't put me into the best of moods.

Re: [OOPARTS BUILDING HOLDING CELLS - SHIKOU]

[becomeanwarrior]

You mean the uh, 'mantle', yeah? I can't exactly relate, but I get how having that choice forced on you has to suck.

[ The holding cells are... well, you and Onni have traded notes before - Onni's tech is in a very different field from yours but they're no mistaking the more souped-up holding cells are cutting edge of what Onni can do.

That said, it's a brisk walk to the back where the 'really' dangerous stuff is held - like an autonomous manta ray-shaped construct. ]

With any luck, we can avoid anything happening that further forces that on you.

Re: [OOPARTS BUILDING HOLDING CELLS - SHIKOU]

[observershikou]

*indeed, it is impressive at least, and he'd be in a better mood from it if not for the circumstances...*

We can hope, but this whole situation puts undue stress on Suzume, as well. Having someone with her name running around, causing trouble like this...

Re: [OOPARTS BUILDING HOLDING CELLS - SHIKOU]

[becomeanwarrior]

Yeah, and if I could have nipped it in the bud without you two getting involved, I would've. But things are kind of going haywire all of the city of late.

[ Stops at the cell holding the Obsidian Construct - there's a good view of it. He has no clue if it's docile or not so he's not turning off the security field juuust yet. ]

Here it is. Do you need to actually get hands on with it, or is just looking at it from here fine, Shikou?

[THE ARBORETUM - SADAME (ANOTHER)]

[becomeanwarrior]

[ This investigation promises to be... a little more feisty.

Sadame - or rather, the alternate Sadame - was skittish even as they helped defuse the situation with the tower in October, and now, thanks to a tip-off by their non-alternate counterpart, Onni knows where to find them. Mostly to grill them about all the other alternate-world counterparts running amok.

He's keeping in mind that he doesn't want to menace this Sadame, for various reasons of both practicality and security, but it's a little hard to reconcile the fact that he might get eaten by a plant dragon if he's not careful.

Even still, he's making his way into the Arboretum, in hopes of finding either this elusive other-Sadame or a lead to them. ]

Re: [THE ARBORETUM - SADAME (ANOTHER)]

[timesflow]

*well, it's a nice time to visit the place-- the warm weather is in full swing, so the plants are thriving well. The trees are full and lush. It's, all and all, a pleasant moment to have.

Of course, it does make finding this Sadame a bit more of a challenge... it's not like they're going to pop out anywhere, nor be anywhere near the entrance, but-- well, there's maybe some signs around.

Such as an area further in seeming more overgrown than others, given the mid-spring weather.*

Re: [THE ARBORETUM - SADAME (ANOTHER)]

[becomeanwarrior]

[ I really should bring Shiroko and Ichiro here, when I get the chance... and when it's not an active investigation.

Perhaps an overgrown area wouldn't be a tip-off to some people, and it does make for reasonable cover, but, well. I do know what dragon this Sadame seems to be partnered with. And it makes sense that a Black Rose's Dragon's domain might be a little more out-of-control than normal.

He's making his way over, stepping off the beaten path and probably starting to truck through the overgrown foliage. It's a good thing I wore one of my tougher jackets - I have a feeling pushing through is probably going to merit some resistance. ]

Re: [THE ARBORETUM - SADAME (ANOTHER)]

[timesflow]

*yes, of course it is. even the loveliest rose bushes have their thorns, and there's definitely a number of roses amongst the overgrown plantlife that seems to have formed.

To it's merit, it takes a while before it becomes obvious that something has truly affected it-- you have to push through quite deep before it starts becoming less like an unmaintained area, and more like a shelter that's been formed, light peeking through the canopy to make it almost ethereal. Like you stepped into a dream and didn't realize you fell asleep. Better hope there's no dream-hopping murderers around.

But more importantly: you're starting to notice the tracks where someone's had to move through the vines growing on the pathway that's formed.*

Re: [THE ARBORETUM - SADAME (ANOTHER)]

[becomeanwarrior]

[ I can definitely see why Sadame chose this as their go-to-ground spot... it's got a comfort to it. And it's well-hidden, all things considered. If I didn't know, I might have been talked myself out of assuming this was the spot.

Though, yes, I would prefer not to be murdered in this psuedo-dreamscape, if possible. That would be a significant inconvenience. Holding a hand up to stop the light flitting down from blinding me, as you do.

He does spot the tracks, kneeing down to examine them. So, that's the path you take in and out of here, huh, Sadame...? Well, he's made it this far. The only way out at this point is forward. It's possible Black Rose Dragon has already gotten a whiff of the intruder, after all. ]

Re: [THE ARBORETUM - SADAME (ANOTHER)]

[timesflow]

*if Black Rose Dragon did, those vines would likely have constricted you already.

No, they probably think you're one of the Arboretum workers getting lost. At least to a point.

You eventually get to a spot that seems solidly covered by plant-life, but the tracks stop in front of it. Blossoms growing all along the outside, giving off a calming but heady scent.

If there was anywhere that someone would need to go to calm down from constant prediction feedback, this would be a place to be.*

Re: [THE ARBORETUM - SADAME (ANOTHER)]

[becomeanwarrior]

[ I guess the one benefit to dressing an acting sensibly is I don't seem very protagonist-coded to a big scary plant dragon. The smell -is- nice, though, whoof. Very strong.

He's going to attempt to push through. He might be stopped if they feel he's suddenly a threat, but he's taking pains not to be too destructive as he tries to make his way into the innermost sanctum of this hideout.

But it does feel a bit like he's the bull in the china shop. He won't lie about that. ]

Re: [THE ARBORETUM - SADAME (ANOTHER)]

[timesflow]

*you gradually manage to push through it, though you could feel the tightness, the strength of the vines, trying to keep you out. They were thickly made to act as a shelter.

Once you get through, however, you can tell that the space past them is more open. the heady scent is still present, but there's more room for it to space out "inside", though there isn't much "inside" there at current.

Some vines acting as surfaces where clothes are. Packaged meals more for their shelf life stacked up short, along with water. And what seems to be the equivalent of a bed-- which you assume it must be, as the person you've been trying to find is laying atop it, eyes closed, but breathing focused.

You can tell instantly they're not asleep, but they seem to be meditating.*

[LOCATION UNKNOWN - FUNAKO]

[becomeanwarrior]

[ He can't help but think about how many people told him that harboring Funako was, perhaps, not his greatest idea. But, well, he wanted to - and still does want to - give them (her?) a chance.

Which means that sometime during his busy, busy afternoon, he's tracking down the Warp refugee, where-ever she might be posted up. He needs at least some answers, and hopefully she (they?) has (have?) them.

If not, well... he doesn't want to get rough about it, but he accepts that's a part of his job. ]

Re: [LOCATION UNKNOWN - FUNAKO]

[rottenofshurilane]

::Your tracker leads you to her Jewelry store, which just has her, and a young blonde woman in a summer dress she's talking to. They seem to be idly chit chatting, woman's gossip grade stuff.::

Re: [LOCATION UNKNOWN - FUNAKO]

[becomeanwarrior]

[ Well, he might be here on business, but he isn't going to be rude about it. You do seem to be going about your business and acclimating quite well. Which... makes this harder. ]

[ He'll actually give a polite wave to catch your attention, as he idly browses the shop. ]

Hey, Funako. Things working out okay?

Re: [LOCATION UNKNOWN - FUNAKO]

[rottenofshurilane]

Of course. Talking to my friend.

::Motions to the blonde in the white dress.::



::She waves to you.::

Can I help you with something today?

Re: [LOCATION UNKNOWN - FUNAKO]

[becomeanwarrior]

Your... friend. I see. [ Taper your paranoia, Onni. Taper it. Taaaper it. ]

I was actually hoping to talk to you in private. It's a uh... sensitive subject. If you catch my meaning.

[ Smiles embarrassedly at Funako's friend. Like he's trying to downplay he's buying his wife a gift, or something. Typical salaryman behavior. ]

I-It can wait until after you two are done, though. There's no rush...!

Re: [LOCATION UNKNOWN - FUNAKO]

[rottenofshurilane]

Oh no. We can finish up or at least pause.

::Writes down something and slips it to her friend. Who reads it and nods her head before walking over to a corner, pulling a smartphone out of a purse, to check something::

We can go to my back office, if you'd like, Chief Haita. I think is your current title?

Re: [LOCATION UNKNOWN - FUNAKO]

[becomeanwarrior]

[ Hrm. No. Save it for later, Onni. ]

Thank you, I appreciate the discretion, Ms. Funako. The back office would be best, I think.

Re: [LOCATION UNKNOWN - FUNAKO]

[rottenofshurilane]

Of course.

::Walks over, not wiggles, and opens the door. It's a pretty standard back office you'd expect of a small business owner.

She sits down on a chair by a somewhat messily maintained computer desk. And motions for you to close the door::