2024-01-22 - Tense Negotiations
| Title: Tense Negotiations | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Akari realizes she may need additional assistance, and tries to make an enticing offer to Kyouka. | |
| Who: Akari, Strike Wolf, Kyouka Okazaki | |
| Where: Shitimachi Residential Area | |
| OOC - IC Date: 01/22/2024 - Wednesday, April 13, 2016 | |
The background drone of conversation drifted through the restaurant like a gently rolling fog, chased by an ethereal strand of piano notes. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows made up all four walls of the restaurant, affording an excellent view of the nighttime skyline. Plush back carpet helped dampened the sound, and the soft, low lightning lead a measure of privacy to the whole affair. ... Not to mention the subtle magic charms to prevent eavesdropping woven into the fabric of the building.
Most people might miss them. But not Akari. She could just barely smell them, hidden behind a gentle veil of illusory magic though they were.
She had taken on one of her more useful guises for this meeting. Mister White, a middle-aged man with long brown hair, fine features, and an always-immaculate white suit. It was an alias, it was obviously an alias, but that was how these types of meetings typically went. She had switched Strike Wolf to a much more sensible pendant form, and the device hung from her neck beneath her shirt, hidden and out of sight.
Across from her sat a small, unpleasant man, dressed in a precisely tailored suit and wearing exactly one too many gold rings for good taste. Not that Akari would say that to his face, of course. It wouldn't do to insult her host.
Akari had endured a three-course meal, making small talk about nothing and everything all at once. (It was, as always, lovely, and honestly the highlight of her trips here, but always a prelude to the main conversation that followed it.) And then, once the plates had been cleared and the wine glasses refilled, they had started on the negotiations.
There was a familiarity to the back and forth, as they discussed and haggled on what could or could not be obtained. It was mostly a formality. This was not the type of negotiation where surprises were welcome, save for the 'expected' ones that were part of the back and forth.
"... of course," said the man, "what you're asking for doesn't come easy."
The last-minute upcharge. It never failed. Mister White put on an easy, congenial smile. "Why of course not. And in exchange for the generous expenditure of your time, my employer is prepared to offer you a finder's fee. Will the usual suffice?"
The other man smiled a grin that, much like the rings, had exactly two too many teeth in it for good taste. "This is why I like dealing with you."
He made a subtle hand gesture, and a waiter materialized from seemingly nowhere. He looked like any of the countless others that had passed them by that night, save for one important distinction: he wasn't human.
But then again, neither was his host.
Mister White silently held up the briefcase he had brought, and the waiter took it smoothly without comment. They chatted for a few more moments, and then the not-waiter (it could have been the same or a different one, Akari was never quite certain with them), appeared holding another briefcase. It was offered to Mister White, who silently accepted it.
He offered another smile to the other man, moving to stand up. "As always, it is a pleasure doing business with you."
The other man did not rise, but did nod and offer another of those too-wide grins. "Of course. Come back any time."
Mister White quickly left the restaurant. One quick dimensional shift and a shedding of a disguise later, Akari stepped into her apartment while heaving a sigh of relief. She rushed to sit down on the aging couch, opening the briefcase and checking the contents.
It was all there, exactly as she had asked for.
As for what would come next...
From around her neck, Strike Wolf's inactive form, a purple five-sided gem, chimed with an inner light as he spoke. <Heart rate in excess of one hundred beats per minute detected. Cortisol levels are highly-->
"Shut it!" snapped Akari, slamming the briefcase closed. "I know what I'm doing."
There was a long silence in the cramped studio apartment as Akari put the briefcase beside her and silently fumed.
After a time, Strike Wolf spoke again. <Available assistance limited without full synchronization. Increasing probability of success will require-->
"Don't," interrupted the foxwoman. "Just..."
Akari groaned and slumped on the couch, holding a hand to cover her face. After a long moment of intense internal debate she sighed. "... Fine. We'll try it your way."
It was easy enough to find that girl. Strike Wolf knew her usual routes home, after all. Akari frowned as she observed the girl from a nearby rooftop. Her tails twitched in agitation as she thought over everything she had seen of her in action, and everything she had witnessed through Strike Wolf's logs.
"You sure about this?" she muttered.
<Affirmative.>
Akari scowled. "I'd better not regret this. I'll give this a shot, but you let me do all the talking, got it?"
The device was silent for a moment before he finally acknowledged the command with a simple <Affirmative.>
A bright green magic circle appeared under Akari's feet, and she vanished with a soft flash of light.
Kyouka hummed to herself as she walked home from school. She was still in her school uniform, a pair of earbuds in her ears, and a bag full of groceries in one hand. She was already planning out her afternoon. Feed Wolfy and take him for a walk, dinner prep, and in between... yes, she could probably get a couple of assignments done. And after dinner... maybe see if Yumi-chan wanted to hang out for a bit.
Yeah, that'd work.
She stopped, as something tickled at the edge of her senses.
Magic.
And it was close.
Her entire body tensed as she yanked her earbuds out of her ears, letting them dangle by her side. Tinny music blared from the dangling earbuds as she slowly canned her surroundings. Not many other people on the street--this was good, because it meant less people might be in danger, but also bad, since it meant less eyewitness for someone to worry about.
Kyouka tried to latch onto the magic residing within her linker core, to tease it out, hold it ready to do... something. She could cast a protection spell or a barrier, but would either be enough?
It would be a lot easier if her heart wasn't pounding so hard.
Akari stepped out from around a corner. She had hidden her animal features, and was dressed in a simple black dress and flats, with a white lab coat. Kyouka whirled around to face her, and Akari held up her hands in a placating gesture. "Please, Miss Okazaki. There is no need to be alarmed. May we talk?"
It was only then that Kyouka realized she'd slipped into a fighting posture: Legs spread for stability, right arm drawn back in preparation to strike. She forced herself to take a deep breath and stood back up again. One hand reached into her pocket to pause her phone before stuffing it and her earbuds back into it.
Kyouka studied the other woman, eyes narrowing. "You want to talk? Now? It's been a month! What happened to our deal, huh?"
Akari's smile vanished for a moment as she nodded. "You are right, of course. It has been far too long, and for that, I offer our most sincere apologies." She bowed deeply to Kyouka before standing upright again. "Please understand, with our lab having been compromised, reestablishing security has been something of a priority for us. It would not do for Strike Wolf to be stolen a second time."
"I guess that sounds reasonable," said Kyouka slowly as she considered that. Something about that struck her as being a bit off, but... she couldn't point a finger at anything specific. Maybe it was just her jumpiness getting the best of her. "So... how is he?"
Slipping her hands back into her lab coat pockets, Akari's smile returned, bright and cheerful. "I'm happy to report that Strike Wolf is doing just fine. There were some minor underlying structural issues we were able to correct, and Strike Wolf should operate just fine. We haven't been able to commence with completion, but..." She sighed, softly. "... these thighs take time, as I'm sure you can imagine."
"Yeah, I guess..."
"But I'm afraid I do not have only good news to share," said Akari, her smile fading into a grim expression. "We have lost contact with Strike Wolf's intended partner. At present, we do not have anyone capable of forming a partnership with him. This leaves Strike Wolf somewhat vulnerable."
Kyouka drew in a sharp breath. "But... can't you and your master unlock his full potential?"
"We have full access to all of Strike Wolf's functionality, certainly, however, we were not his intended partners, so we are not fully compatible users for Strike Wolf."
"So... what are you planning to do, then?"
"Actually, that's where you come in."
The teenager blinked as she processed that. "W-wait. Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Akari nodded. "Yes, Miss Okazaki. We need someone who can utilize Strike Wolf's potential--and someone whose full potential Strike Wolf is capable of unlocking--to help keep him safe. While it may be possible there are, and I mean no offense, more experienced mages who could be compatible with Strike Wolf, none of them would have the personal experience working with Strike Wolf that you have. Given that such a search could take considerable time, as well, and... we believe that at this time, you would be the most suitable person to wield Strike Wolf."
Kyouka was stunned into silence. She'd get to work with Strike Wolf again... it was almost too good to be true.
No, it was exactly too good to be true.
She stared Akari in the eyes. "What's the catch? You put up all this fuss before, and now suddenly you're turning to me for help? I don't buy it."
"There is no 'catch', Miss Okazaki," said Akari gently. "However, we would like to establish something of a... working relationship. We all have a vested interest in Strike Wolf's safety and continued operation, do we not?
"What we are proposing is that we support both you and Strike Wolf, and in exchange, you assist us with various matters. Testing Strike Wolf's capabilities, helping us recover other stolen property, or providing protection when relevant. We won't take up all your time, of course; we have no wish to detract from your studies, of course."
Akari slipped the necklace holding Strike Wolf's standby form up over her head, and held it out to Kyouka. The purple gem glinted in the afternoon sun. "What do you say?"
That all seemed reasonable enough. An exchange of services.
Her hand started to lift.
Think of all the good she could do. The people she could help. She could support her friends again, and not be a liability.
Strike Wolf was almost within her grasp.
She'd have to fight again.
From the depths of her doubts and uncertainties, something cold and clammy--five somethings, in fact--suddenly burst out and wrapped themselves around her heart. They squeezed tightly, and suddenly Kyouka was short of breath. Her heart was pounding and the rest of the world seemed to fade for a moment. The hand that had been about to accept Strike Wolf withdrew, going to her chest instead as she recoiled.
Kyouka stumbled a few steps back, gasping for air.
Akari frowned, still holding up Strike Wolf. "Miss Okazaki, are you quite alright?"
"W-wait," Kyouka managed to choke out. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She forced her nerves to steady, as best as she could, and with several more breaths her heart finally calmed down. No, it was still jittery, but she could breathe. Her mind was racing now, though, and replaying every part of the conversation back in crystal clear detail.
"Wait," she said again, more firmly, though there was a tremor in her voice that she couldn't quite squash. "If... If I'm going to do this... I want to speak with your master."
The other woman's frown deepened. "I assure you, Miss Okazaki, that I am duly authorized to speak on my Master's behalf."
Kyouka frantically shook her head. "No. If we do this, we make it official. I deserve to meet her if we're going to be working together."
Akari's expression grew more strained. "My sincerest apologies, but as I am sure you are aware, the dimensional tremors will make that exceedingly difficult, if not impossible to arrange."
"Video, then. Or telepathy," insisted Kyouka. "You're still in touch with them, after all."
"W-well, yes, of course, but--" Akari started to protest.
"Then you can arrange for me to speak with her."
Akari's left eye twitched. "If you want some assurances that things are on the up-and-up, I'm sure Strike Wolf would be more than willing to do so."
Strike Wolf remained silent, hanging from the end of the necklace cord.
Kyouka watched her former partner in silence. "You haven't said a word this entire time, Strike Wolf." Her gaze switched to Akari. "What did you do to him?"
It was Akari's turn to take a step back from Kyouka's accusatory glare. "Why--nothing, I promise. Strike Wolf is perfectly fine, I promise. Aren't you?"
There was another tense moment of silence as Strike Wolf failed to respond.
Snorting in disgust, Kyouka turned away. "I don't know what you've done to him, but if you want any kind of deal, get me a meeting with your Master. Until then, I'm not falling for whatever game you're playing." She walked away, leaving a flabbergasted Akari sputtering on the street.
A moment later Akari vanished in a flash of light.
"Augh!" exclaimed Akari, slamming the door behind her as she entered her dingy studio apartment. "What is with that girl!?" She looked down to Strike Wolf, who hanging around her neck again. "And a fat load of help you were. What happened out there!?"
After a moment to process the order, Strike Wolf's device form lit up as he spoke, <Conflicting directives issued.>
"Conflicting!?" Akari paused in her pacing to stare down at the gem-like form of Strike Wolf. "I told' you, very clearly, to back me up!"
<Directive 1: 'Let you do all the talking.'>
Akari's jaw went slack as she stared in disbelief. Finally a low growl sounded from the back of her throat. "Are. You. Serious!?"
<Affirmative.>
Letting out a growl of frustration, Akari stomped over to a small, yellowing refrigerator and pulled out a pint of ice cream. She then threw herself onto the couch and started to dig in, muttering to herself.
Fine. If she couldn't get that brat to support her, she would just have to handle things herself.
