[It looked as generic as rented-out office building could possibly look. Riki hadn't planned on going in alone. Sure, the 'Lone Wolf' thing was cool in action flicks but it sounded like a quick way to get killed through carelessness. Maybe even a spell of bad luck would end it all. So, while he might have been hardheaded every other day of the week, that time he had a plan, rudimentary as it was. The gang was supposed to surround the building and go in through a bunch of different entrances to try and corner a few of the bigger cult leaders in town. They had to get as many leaders as they could and try to get their hands on as many computers as possible. 30 guys from the gang could handle that.
The only concrete part of the plan was to sweep the first floor and meet in the lobby. They'd ditch if anyone pulled a gun. With only two real directions, everyone thought it was nice and simple enough for all them to understand and, had their targets been who they thought they were, it might have gone off without a hitch. Riki did his part and entered through the front lobby, courtesy of a park bench he tossed through the front doors. Aside from the screech of metal dragging against marble and glass, the place was dead silent.
The whole lobby was emptied out and silent. Eerie. Pushing his way through a number of offices, he found his way to a conference hall. He couldn't comprehend what he'd been looking at. Glassy-eyed, his friends were all standing in a straight like atop the speaker's stage. Surrounding them, a dozen men and women in suits, carrying some degree of canes, staves and knives. One in the front with a cane made of gnarled wood pointed it straight at him and began chanting in German. A few sentences in, a ball of fire erupted from the staff and careened his way. Incantations, runes, hypnosis, magecraft. He didn't know what any of it was but he recognized a strange, glowing line that ran up his forearm that precluded those flames. Rather than trying avoid it, he braced himself and hammered it with a punch, breaking it apart into motes of ash.
A nervous grimace crossed the guy in front, subsiding and becoming a twisted grin as Riki approached without waiting for him to talk back.]
I dunno who the hell you are but me and my boys have business, here. Either you get outta here or I start punchin' heads off.
[The rich-looking foreigner in front tapped his staff against his boot to loose ash from it, his twisted sneer becoming a reflection of newfound confidence. Clearly, they were dealing with an imbecile that didn't have the experience to think before rushing in.]
Good. It wasn't a false lead. Now, shall we take him apart and split the ingredients?
[That smile of his quickly lost its quality when Riki knocked his front teeth out. Unlike his heated introduction, the rest of the 'fight' didn't go quite so smoothly for him. They expected a brute but he came at them with dark light. Mixed in with his simple punches and kicks, he'd conjure twisting light and dark to catch them off guard, swinging wild and missing more often than not. Once in a while, he got lucky and managed to connect a punch or kick despite the invisible walls getting in his way. Even with all that fury, he didn't stand a chance at winning. A clay mannequin kept hammering him with punches and kicks. A wolf made of metal came out of the floor and nearly bit him. Feathery darts stuck into him and started draining his stamina. Spheres of light battered him from all sides and chains made of water and air clung to his legs and waist. Eventually, he slowed down. Fell to the ground. He could barely breathe under the array of spells crushing his chest and pinning him so he couldn't move so much as an inch. It had taken less than thirty seconds and he had no idea what he was even fighting but he knew without a shadow of doubt that he had lost, struggling to take in air and keep it there.
Anger that he lost. Anger that the guys who trusted him were under some kind of spell. Anger that those guys would get away with it all. Riki grit his teeth and tried to claw his way across the floor just to swing at one of those smug assholes one more time. He knocked four of them out but there were still over half a dozen of them standing, including...
The rich-looking guy he decked at the start of the fight approached from the back of his lineup, a handkerchief covering his blood-soaked mouth. Muffled in fury and his own blood, he issued a new command for his associates. Among them, a number had already begun unfurling rope to bind Riki from head to toe. They needed to make sure he couldn't move an inch.]
Cutting you into pieces won't do me good at all. You, I'll dissect and heal as many times as it takes for me to be satisfied!
[It is days (nights) like these that it pays to follow the rules. To hang back and observe carefully rather than be a team player chipping in. She watched silently as Riki and his gang infiltrated the building, and kept quiet still even as the poor young man became overwhelmed.
It was necessary, really, to let that happen. She needed it to. Fuel for her fire and evidence to a case. Tohsaka is perched up high. Nestled safely in a vent as she watches and takes stock of what happens. It's only when the bloodied man makes his final threat with Riki pinned does she make her move. In a loud clatter she kicks off the grate for the vent (which promptly falls on the ring-leader of a mage) and leaps through the newly made hole to land by Riki's side on her feet.]
Oh my, what do we have here? A group of magi wielding magecraft in front of normal humans? Tsk, tsk, tsk — what would the Association say? Sure, this young man here may be exempt, but his followers are clearly not all like him.
[A murmur of uncertainty spreads among Riki's assailants. Some of the suited magi become nervous as they clearly recognize her — while others seem pissed that such a tiny young woman would think she has the right to interrupt them.
Yet before they can reply, she continues:]
What's even more funny is that I recognize some of the magecraft used here... Derived from the patents my family made, no? Especially you.
[She gestures to the man with the gnarled staff as he recovers from the metal vent cover having hit his head.]
Curious, though... typically more than one language is used — are you biased? It means your magecraft will be less potent, you know. Perhaps you should have been a more attentive learner.
[She speaks with confidence. As the overseer of this district she has full rights, and here they are without having announced themselves and performing magecraft in front of simple humans... oh, she could have their heads for this. She will have their heads for this.
Some of the group begins to break formation. Riki will feel a few of the magics that held him down start to let up. However others are poised to fight. Waiting for an order from their head.]
Edited (a couple word changes) Date: 2022-12-31 10:29 pm (UTC)
[A hoarse, dry laugh split from Riki's lips when the vent cover nearly concussed the guy in front. The twisted son of a bitch had earned much more than that and he wasn't sure what spur of luck had crossed him but he was going to take advantage. At least, he was thinking about it until Rin landed beside him rather quietly. The foreign magus in front was dazed, lifting his handkerchief from his mouth. He had stopped the blood flow from his broken teeth but Rin's presence alone put him on edge. Whether he was shaking from fear, rage or pain wouldn't matter. The rest of them were put on edge just by the sight of her.]
Tohsaka? Hey... perfect timing...
[Had she been planning to help out or was she just passing by? It didn't matter. It was a cool entrance and he spent just about all his energy just to throw her that cheeky line before the weight on his back forced him down again.
His voice had been soft from breathlessness as the binds on his body were fighting to keep him from breathing. They didn't turn their attention back on him. Downed, he was less a concern than the Overseer they had taken great pains to avoid. Naturally, their broker had warned them against pursuing ingredients in Fuyuki but their leader had been so confident they would skirt just under her radar. There was no way she could monitor the entire city with one household's resources. Having that proof shoved in their faces left a great number of them thinking about what they could do to skirt away. There was no winning at that point. If she knew what they were up to, she'd be prepared. Their confidence with Riki had been so high simply because he was easy to exploit. A superpowered bull with no momentum was nothing more than vulnerable.
Their ringleader stepped forward, speaking lowly. His voice carried a whistle with the ventilation Riki gifted him and he had a rivulet of blood running down his temple from Rin's gift. With a false appearance of confidence, he leveled his staff toward her. He changed his tone and switched to Japanese, conveniently enough. In trying to regain his composure and retain an air of authority, he tried to speak down to her and play up the advantage of numbers.]
That elitist ideology... I will not be spoken down to by a brat! I! I!
[Something came over him and he calmed, although it took a moment extra for him to lower his voice and smooth his hand over his face. The staff in his hand still smoked from the two blasts he fired before but his hand had been shaking even then. Even dizzy from a lack of oxygen, he could see insecurity from a mile away. It didn't take a detective to understand that Rin outclassed the whole group, probably several times over. She was the expert in the room.]
Ah. I apologize. Overseer. We've prepared for the collection of a modern Mystery. Do you think we're not prepared for a single magus, however talented? Besides. A peaceful resolution can't be guaranteed given our target. We've already reached that point of no return and must simply ask that you remain silent.
[As confidently as he might have said it, the ringleader didn't inspire hope in his associates. As they had been shaken simply by seeing Rin, her unimpressed expression made them considerably more wary. Riki, cheek still shoved into the carpet by the familiar on his back, felt for a moment that he could breathe. When the confidence in the pack lessened, his bonds did as well. He found enough space to place his hand on the floor and began lifting himself up. The metallic hound on his back shuddered and its owner in the back of the group yelped in pain, his nerves nearly igniting when Riki finally managed to take in a deep breath. It ignited the well of strength in him once again.
It was also was enough to set off their leader. He hadn't been sure he could outmaneuver Tohsaka's heir if she were ready but it would be even worse if Riki somehow escaped. In his panic, he switched back to german.]
[The two who had been binding him screamed in pain when Riki picked himself up to stand, ripping apart the ethereal chains wrapped around him and holding down the metallic hound so he could stomp its head flat under his shoe. That fried their nerves. He could see the lines of their magical circuits flash and dim over and over as if they couldn't control the switches anymore. Once he was standing up straight, the extent of his injuries became much clearer. Head to toe, Riki was covered in bruises and scrapes. There were traction marks on him from the bindings and a painful-looking series of bite marks littered his shoulder and neck. Even with all that, he found his comb in his jacket and ran it through his hair just to preserve his look before meeting Rin's eyes.]
Thanks. You know how to deal with wizards, Tohsaka? I'm thinking these aren't the scammers I was looking for.
[In all honesty Samejima was quite impressive. More so than she ever expected. Watching him put up a fight changed a bit of her view of him, and then seeing him pick himself up through sheer force of will? Yes, granted the other magi backed off because her entry, but his brute strength was terrifying.
Rin finds herself a little concerned about their relationship now. Worry settles in as does paranoia. All the cold and calculating tendencies of a magus infecting her opinions and shaping her views. But now's not the time to be reconsidering. No, not when there's an enemy to be dealt with.
For now she only acknowledges Riki with a glance before takin a couple steps toward the ring leader.]
Silent? How dare you. It is my responsibility to patrol and oversee Fuyuki, and you do not even have the courtesy to announce a hunt on my land? Have you not considered that I have already staked my claim? You offend me, sir — no. You openly spit on my authority and challenge my position. You seek to insult me and steal from me. I hope you understand the gravity of the sins you have committed, and how the Association will consider your actions.
[A soft glow begins to radiate in her limbs. Those magic circuits that Riki had seen before light up even through her clothes. On top of that she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a beautiful ruby gemstone sliver the length of a stick of gum. Every movement a threat, every act a warning. The look on her face clearly saying, "This is your last chance to leave." She wonders how many may know her, or better yet her family. The Tohsakas have made most of their money in patenting their signature magecraft abilities so she wouldn't be surprised.
The group already injured by Riki, their nerves aflame and their prides hurt, take off. It was only worth it if they could get away unnoticed, but now their standing with the Mages Association was at risk, and wasn't the Tohsaka heir close to Fuyuki's representative of the church? (shh they don't have to know about the complicated relationship with Kotomine)]
Will you apologize for your mistakes, or will I have the Association keep you accountable? Well, what will be left of you, at least.
[Riki grew silent when Rin stepped forward. It wasn't that she lacked confidence but he realized he hadn't seen her in her real element. There had always been that divide between what she was willing to say and what was the whole truth. The more he listened to her, the more he understood exactly why that had been the case. She was some sort of authority and she was making old folks quiver just looking at her. Hell, he came down on them with righteous fury and they thought they could take him. One look at her and they were rethinking their careers. Well, whatever their careers were. Every word bore into the man leading the charge and it looked more and more as if he couldn't stand up to the simple logic that he was outclassed and treading too close to someone's possessions.
The thing was, that doubt turned into full-blown panic once she pulled out that Ruby. It was one thing for them to rile themselves up and claim their plans were beyond her talent and another thing to actually see it presented and look her in the eye afterward. It was a gem that represented a history they couldn't hope to be a part of and, in her hand, it was enough to make them take further steps back. The twitching metallic hound Riki had stomped on dissolved into clay. The bubbling water collapsed into oil. The mannequin broke apart into clumps of bone and ash. No hands were raised in surrender but they had cut off their output and magecraft completely. With all that occurring behind him, the furious magus in charge refused to look away from her. He understood the gulf of difference and that she would likely only need one word to cast and do away with them. The rest of them were afraid on principle. He was afraid because he actually understood the concept.]
If he's yours. Then. It would be a complete invasion of territory. We aren't here for that.
[Seething. The man was past the point of fury. With his resources, he wouldn't be able to take her on directly. The best he could hope for was a break to escape and get out of the country. It couldn't have gone any worse than that. Even if he fought her and managed to make it out alive, he'd have a target on his head, so easily identifiable thanks to Riki's pummeling. He bent the knee and the others followed with him with no conflict at all.]
On behalf of my team, I apologize for the intrusion upon your quarry. We'll surrender this Mystery to you, Overseer.
[There wasn't an ounce of respect in his voice. Impotent rage, maybe. Not that Riki cared. He turned to look back to his friends, each one lined up and still looking very dizzy. When he looked back to see the group still kneeling, he sighed in frustration. Earlier, Rin had ignored him. He understood why but he couldn't get the better of his mouth in moments like those. Not admitting it was amazing would be worse than looking like an idiot.]
A bunch of wizards bowing to you? If you opened a Honkr account, that'd be an awesome wallpaper. Kind of a shame I didn't bring my phone.
Edited (extra nail in the coffin) Date: 2023-01-01 05:24 am (UTC)
[What is she going to do? Now that the enemy has conceded her concern has shifted from 'now' to 'the future'. Is she going to wipe Riki's memory like she should have done with Shirou, or because of his power is she going to keep him around? Having him swear secrecy sounds nearly impossible, but she can't have someone running around telling the real world about magi.
Tohsaka keeps her guard up as the intruders leave. Her magic circuits will continue to glow the entire time. A constant reminder that she was still ready to make a move if any of them tried anything. Which does happen — the prideful magus attempts to spit on Rin on the way out, but she ends up teaching him a lesson by breaking the arm he likes to use for his magic staff.
The twisting of tendons and the crunch of bone when it snaps... it fills the mostly empty building until the man's terribly cry in pain overrides it. Tohsaka orders the suits to take him away. They fearfully comply. And like that? All should be well.
Should be. Rin turns back to the grouped line of Riki's gangmates. A little hypnotism. Will most likely be easy to fix.]
[He didn't need much convincing to behave so long as she was serious and, for all intents and purposes, Rin hadn't humored him for a moment since she arrived. The entire time the group convened to lick their wounds and prepare their exit, he noticed there had been an understanding among them all that they couldn't let their eyes off of the two of them the entire time.
As they made their way out, he found Godai first so he could check and make sure he was still breathing. The distant look in his eyes had freaked him out initially but since he could breathe, it couldn't all be bad, could it? They came in looking for trouble and got it but he likely hadn't even gotten a chance to take a swing. The thought alone made him feel defeated and they hadn't even found the group they were looking for in the first place.
He whipped around, bewildered as he heard a scream. He found himself watching the rude guy who started the whole thing doubling order and getting dragged out, clutching his arm. Rin was already on her way over by then, seemingly inspecting the lineup of delinquents. Crossing his arms, Riki stayed quiet for the most part and only interrupted when it looked as if Rin had come to a decision on something.]
Vow of secrecy?
[He played games and seen plenty of movies and shows that always started a story off with something like that. Riki could see that talk coming a mile away.]
[The fact that Riki is the first to bring it up between him catches Tohsaka off guard. Her attention pulls away from his gang members to instead give it to him — undivided.]
You sure you can resist posting it to the internet?
Yeah, easy. I may not get any of it but I don't wanna ruin your cool job or anything.
[Besides, he knew the difference between teasing and making someone genuinely upset. Messing with that 'Overseer' job seemed like a bastard thing to do.]
I could just tell the boys they got gassed and I had to deal with some randoms but... how do we wake 'em up?
[She puts her ruby back in her pocket and fishes around in it again. Out comes a moonstone. It's semi-transparent look making it seem like a "watery" opal meant for awakening and clarity. The cabochon in her hand is roughly the size of her thumb.
When she begins chanting it's in multiple languages — most of them Eastern European. Slowly she passes the moonstone over their eyes — it glows with the mana she had previously stored in it. It will only take a minute or two for Riki's companions to come to their senses. Though they will be tired, and groggy. Like taking a bad nap.]
[He played it cool that whole time. It was his job to be tough and keep everyone in line but seeing the lot of them lined up like zombies had him dealing with bundled nerves, hoping it could be fixed. Tension gripped him when Rin pulled out her stone to cast her spell or undo the spell that been going on. He couldn't tell which it was but he had been holding onto a bundle of tension in his stomach that came undone as he started seeing them all hit the ground as the hypnosis had been the only thing keeping them upright. He was seeing blinking eyes as they all sat up. Fatigue and clarity.
It was one thing to hear she was to be respected and another to see it. Between the threat of the ruby and the cleansing property of the moonstone, he was relieved. Voices came up as his rebellious pals started looking between each other, adjusting to the sudden clarity. He touched his cheek, grimacing at the feeling of moisture at his fingertips. It wasn't blood, either.]
The hells going on? Is the fight over already?
Boss, are you crying?
Shut the hell up, Godai. You idiots got hit with gas cannisters and I had to beat their asses myself.
[Murmuring between the lot of them. Some fake boasts that they managed to land a punch before getting knocked out as they began to notice Rin.]
[Ah. Tears from a man... It's actually quite endearing, and Rin would love to stick around to tease him about it. However when glances start being thrown her way she puts the moonstone away and silently makes for the exit.]
[The tender reunion between thugs and delinquents ended with a whole lot of punching when they kept insisting he was crying in earnest.
Roughly a week passed and Riki kept to himself, not willingly, but because he'd been grounded for 'nearly getting his dumb ass killed'. His mother's face had been like stone throughout it but his father, giant and gentle, nearly wept himself into a puddle. He started building up energy and frustration until the moment he was allowed out of the house for something other than his teams. Even that took a lot of convincing.
They were out of season for baseball, so he was left with the batting cages. The place was pretty empty. Not many people came by in the winter and it was a bit closer to the evening. It left the place mostly empty, save for one person in her cage, swinging away.
He sat down on the bench just outside of Rin's cage, watching her pop them out with swing-to-miss rate that would have put half his team to shame. He watched, not speaking up until the last ball came and went right back, clear over the machine.]
[ Let it not be said that Kodachi was a woman without a plan. She had plans. Plenty of them. Not necessarily plans that one needed in life, but let us not say that either.
Whatever her plans were at the moment, she needed muscle, and therefore hired one guy - yes one - to cart hundreds of crates into a warehouse. What was in them? He was free to look if he was curious, and he'd find an assortment of fireworks, grease, caltrops, silly string, nets, rocket launchers, an occasional flower pot or two if he found the one crate she'd set aside for gardening supplies.
The owner of said warehouse arrived on scene just then, suddenly descending from the ceiling on a swing adorned with flowers. ]
[There were ups and downs to jobs like that. Heavy-lifting was par for the course and a total lack of equipment for moving around crates had been a hard sell for just about everyone else asked to assist but really, the only thing Riki disliked had been needing to fill out insurance forms whenever a crate exploded seemingly out of nowhere. It was nearly the end of his first day and it even happened twice. The feeling of a pen between his fingers was an aching pain.
When his boss descended from the rafters and made her appearance as she had earlier in the day, Riki found himself setting down the crate he'd been making room for. He looked from Kodachi to the open door in back, recalling for himself what he hadn't done yet.]
I just got three more left. Then, I just gotta sweep the dock.
[So far, she'd been one of his better bosses. As he combed black rose petals out of his hair--]
Is your dad really okay with you hiring somebody with a record?
[He just moved several tons of explosives for her.]
[ Her father had only been concerned with Riki's hair and had tried to shave it off multiple times. Criminal records and whatnot were but trifles to a man who had a coconut haircut.
Kodachi launched herself off of the swing and landed lightly on a large crate that had been labelled "feathers". "Tar" was beside it, she noted with satisfaction. ]
I see that you've organized the crates according to use. That certainly saves me a lot of time.
[ She clapped her hands together with excitement, letting out a soft "ohoho~!" ]
[He didn't expand any further on it. If she didn't look into it, that was fine. Riki went about moving over to grab the next box and returned in the middle of her inspecting them.
This one was labeled 'Caltrops'. No mystery behind that one. As he set it down, he took a break to fix his hair, feeling the tickle of a rose petal he hadn't gotten to yet. He was about to head back for the next box when he came to a clear mental halt. Riki leaned over to murmur to Kodachi, not sure if he should have been quiet or not.]
Oh, right. Some shinobi snuck in earlier and I clocked him. Should still be tied up in the office.
[If there needed to be an explanation as to why poor Sasuke hadn't answered her texts in quite some time.]
Why aren't you boasting about it? Is it a record for something like "the most spicy ramen bowls eaten in 1 minute" or... [ Kodachi paused to think about other impressive feats. ] "Most pomade used for one hairstyle"?
[ She raised a brow as he leaned over to mutter the news. ]
So that's why my brother was distressed. He's absolutely codependent on Sasuke.
[ That was a new word she'd learned in college. She momentarily beamed, proud of herself for using it in conversation. ]
He'll find him sooner or later.
[ With that, she moved on to inspect the crates of duct tape. ]
I don't do pomade. Too much work. I just use mousse.
[The spicy ramen bowl challenge went to Kunio, too. As it was a bit of a sore spot for him he refused to elaborate.
At mention of her brother, he nearly cracked a smile. Tatewaki. That dork. Riki set down the next crate of 'festive livery', whatever that meant, down on the floor beside the duct-tape. He wasn't ready to leave it where it was, trying to piece together where it belonged thematically.
It exploded.]
Speaking of. You wanna grab ramen after this?
[Half-covered in soot and ash, now combing the burned curls out of his hair.]
[ Kodachi instinctively somersaulted out of the blast radius of the explosion, landing perfectly in the rafters above them.
Some moments later, she tumbled down gracefully in a flurry of silk ribbons, hanging upside down from her silks with her face right in front of Riki's so that they could hold a proper conversation. ]
That's not enough to pay for the box of cherry bombs you destroyed.
[ If he listened closely, he could hear the melancholy tune of a koto being played as black rose petals swirled in the random breeze... ]
[Well, it was one less thing to itemize and one last form to complete... except his predecessor was keen enough to fill them out ahead of time and just leave the 'date' and 'content' fields blank since they all somehow exploded roughly the same way.
Once Kodachi touched back down, he lifted his brows and peered around, trying to figure out where the music had come from. His brows scrunched together once he gave up.]
Just gotta order more. Whatever weird gimmick your dad came up with gets you guys more money than you paid through insurance claims.
[It was a wonder there were any insurance companies brave enough to support Nerima's industries at all. Riki offered Kodachi a weary look.]
The last one's just labeled 'Revenge'. You still want me to move it or do you think it's just gonna explode on the dock?
[ It was "I'm-sorry-please-don't-shave-my-head-and-spread-incriminating-photos-of-me-from-a-helicopter" money. Principal Kuno liked to do things with thoroughness - something his precious daughter learned from the best.
The truth was, they didn't need any insurance money. They just liked knowing that there was someone to torment if things didn't go their way. ]
Go ahead and order another crate, then.
Oh! [ Kodachi's dark eyes glimmered. ] That one contains a cursed relic - the bridal kimono of a girl whose groom-to-be jilted her at the altar. She was so sorrowful, so vengeful, that she placed a terrible curse on this kimono in exchange for her life. It is said that anyone who wears that kimono will find themselves unable to marry their true love...
[It was still marginally better than the yakuza. When Principal Kuno took over a school, he didn't actually try to bulldoze it rather than turning it into a shrine to himself.
He returned with the crate just as she began recanting the story, not quite sure if his brows could grow closer together without fusing. Something about it didn't quite make sense.]
Does it stop you from dating anybody? I heard marriage isn't really as popular anymore.
[ Her father was no less of a megalomaniac that way.
Kodachi was enjoying telling her story, her voice curling in delicious anticipation when -
She stared at him wide-eyed, so startled that she decided to flip back upright and land en pointe to face Riki. ]
Marriage isn't popular anymore? What is the world coming to?
[ She let out a dramatic sigh, falling to her knees and holding a hand to her forehead as she looked to the side, the very image of a distressed lady. ]
You owe me more than a bowl of ramen for delivering such horrid news - on top of having to replace that crate of bombs!
[Nonplussed, Riki lifted his chin, watching Kodachi nail a backflip from a stationary standing position nigh perfectly only to collapse just for the sake of theatrics. Mid-flip, he'd pulled out his phone to start scrolling down to see which places would be the busiest at that point in the evening.
His brow twitched when she pulled out her well-worn card. He wasn't going to fall for the dramatic despair for a fifth time.]
More than a bowl of ramen? Most of these places do water for free.
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sforzinda
for erbe [A substory]
Date: 2022-12-30 11:25 pm (UTC)The only concrete part of the plan was to sweep the first floor and meet in the lobby. They'd ditch if anyone pulled a gun. With only two real directions, everyone thought it was nice and simple enough for all them to understand and, had their targets been who they thought they were, it might have gone off without a hitch. Riki did his part and entered through the front lobby, courtesy of a park bench he tossed through the front doors. Aside from the screech of metal dragging against marble and glass, the place was dead silent.
The whole lobby was emptied out and silent. Eerie. Pushing his way through a number of offices, he found his way to a conference hall. He couldn't comprehend what he'd been looking at. Glassy-eyed, his friends were all standing in a straight like atop the speaker's stage. Surrounding them, a dozen men and women in suits, carrying some degree of canes, staves and knives. One in the front with a cane made of gnarled wood pointed it straight at him and began chanting in German. A few sentences in, a ball of fire erupted from the staff and careened his way. Incantations, runes, hypnosis, magecraft. He didn't know what any of it was but he recognized a strange, glowing line that ran up his forearm that precluded those flames. Rather than trying avoid it, he braced himself and hammered it with a punch, breaking it apart into motes of ash.
A nervous grimace crossed the guy in front, subsiding and becoming a twisted grin as Riki approached without waiting for him to talk back.]
I dunno who the hell you are but me and my boys have business, here. Either you get outta here or I start punchin' heads off.
[The rich-looking foreigner in front tapped his staff against his boot to loose ash from it, his twisted sneer becoming a reflection of newfound confidence. Clearly, they were dealing with an imbecile that didn't have the experience to think before rushing in.]
Good. It wasn't a false lead. Now, shall we take him apart and split the ingredients?
[That smile of his quickly lost its quality when Riki knocked his front teeth out. Unlike his heated introduction, the rest of the 'fight' didn't go quite so smoothly for him. They expected a brute but he came at them with dark light. Mixed in with his simple punches and kicks, he'd conjure twisting light and dark to catch them off guard, swinging wild and missing more often than not. Once in a while, he got lucky and managed to connect a punch or kick despite the invisible walls getting in his way. Even with all that fury, he didn't stand a chance at winning. A clay mannequin kept hammering him with punches and kicks. A wolf made of metal came out of the floor and nearly bit him. Feathery darts stuck into him and started draining his stamina. Spheres of light battered him from all sides and chains made of water and air clung to his legs and waist. Eventually, he slowed down. Fell to the ground. He could barely breathe under the array of spells crushing his chest and pinning him so he couldn't move so much as an inch. It had taken less than thirty seconds and he had no idea what he was even fighting but he knew without a shadow of doubt that he had lost, struggling to take in air and keep it there.
Anger that he lost. Anger that the guys who trusted him were under some kind of spell. Anger that those guys would get away with it all. Riki grit his teeth and tried to claw his way across the floor just to swing at one of those smug assholes one more time. He knocked four of them out but there were still over half a dozen of them standing, including...
The rich-looking guy he decked at the start of the fight approached from the back of his lineup, a handkerchief covering his blood-soaked mouth. Muffled in fury and his own blood, he issued a new command for his associates. Among them, a number had already begun unfurling rope to bind Riki from head to toe. They needed to make sure he couldn't move an inch.]
Cutting you into pieces won't do me good at all. You, I'll dissect and heal as many times as it takes for me to be satisfied!
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Date: 2022-12-31 10:24 pm (UTC)It was necessary, really, to let that happen. She needed it to. Fuel for her fire and evidence to a case. Tohsaka is perched up high. Nestled safely in a vent as she watches and takes stock of what happens. It's only when the bloodied man makes his final threat with Riki pinned does she make her move. In a loud clatter she kicks off the grate for the vent (which promptly falls on the ring-leader of a mage) and leaps through the newly made hole to land by Riki's side on her feet.]
Oh my, what do we have here? A group of magi wielding magecraft in front of normal humans? Tsk, tsk, tsk — what would the Association say? Sure, this young man here may be exempt, but his followers are clearly not all like him.
[A murmur of uncertainty spreads among Riki's assailants. Some of the suited magi become nervous as they clearly recognize her — while others seem pissed that such a tiny young woman would think she has the right to interrupt them.
Yet before they can reply, she continues:]
What's even more funny is that I recognize some of the magecraft used here... Derived from the patents my family made, no? Especially you.
[She gestures to the man with the gnarled staff as he recovers from the metal vent cover having hit his head.]
Curious, though... typically more than one language is used — are you biased? It means your magecraft will be less potent, you know. Perhaps you should have been a more attentive learner.
[She speaks with confidence. As the overseer of this district she has full rights, and here they are without having announced themselves and performing magecraft in front of simple humans... oh, she could have their heads for this. She will have their heads for this.
Some of the group begins to break formation. Riki will feel a few of the magics that held him down start to let up. However others are poised to fight. Waiting for an order from their head.]
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Date: 2023-01-01 03:16 am (UTC)Tohsaka? Hey... perfect timing...
[Had she been planning to help out or was she just passing by? It didn't matter. It was a cool entrance and he spent just about all his energy just to throw her that cheeky line before the weight on his back forced him down again.
His voice had been soft from breathlessness as the binds on his body were fighting to keep him from breathing. They didn't turn their attention back on him. Downed, he was less a concern than the Overseer they had taken great pains to avoid. Naturally, their broker had warned them against pursuing ingredients in Fuyuki but their leader had been so confident they would skirt just under her radar. There was no way she could monitor the entire city with one household's resources. Having that proof shoved in their faces left a great number of them thinking about what they could do to skirt away. There was no winning at that point. If she knew what they were up to, she'd be prepared. Their confidence with Riki had been so high simply because he was easy to exploit. A superpowered bull with no momentum was nothing more than vulnerable.
Their ringleader stepped forward, speaking lowly. His voice carried a whistle with the ventilation Riki gifted him and he had a rivulet of blood running down his temple from Rin's gift. With a false appearance of confidence, he leveled his staff toward her. He changed his tone and switched to Japanese, conveniently enough. In trying to regain his composure and retain an air of authority, he tried to speak down to her and play up the advantage of numbers.]
That elitist ideology... I will not be spoken down to by a brat! I! I!
[Something came over him and he calmed, although it took a moment extra for him to lower his voice and smooth his hand over his face. The staff in his hand still smoked from the two blasts he fired before but his hand had been shaking even then. Even dizzy from a lack of oxygen, he could see insecurity from a mile away. It didn't take a detective to understand that Rin outclassed the whole group, probably several times over. She was the expert in the room.]
Ah. I apologize. Overseer. We've prepared for the collection of a modern Mystery. Do you think we're not prepared for a single magus, however talented? Besides. A peaceful resolution can't be guaranteed given our target. We've already reached that point of no return and must simply ask that you remain silent.
[As confidently as he might have said it, the ringleader didn't inspire hope in his associates. As they had been shaken simply by seeing Rin, her unimpressed expression made them considerably more wary. Riki, cheek still shoved into the carpet by the familiar on his back, felt for a moment that he could breathe. When the confidence in the pack lessened, his bonds did as well. He found enough space to place his hand on the floor and began lifting himself up. The metallic hound on his back shuddered and its owner in the back of the group yelped in pain, his nerves nearly igniting when Riki finally managed to take in a deep breath. It ignited the well of strength in him once again.
It was also was enough to set off their leader. He hadn't been sure he could outmaneuver Tohsaka's heir if she were ready but it would be even worse if Riki somehow escaped. In his panic, he switched back to german.]
Don't lose focus! Oz, Trible! Re-inforce it! I'll...!
[The two who had been binding him screamed in pain when Riki picked himself up to stand, ripping apart the ethereal chains wrapped around him and holding down the metallic hound so he could stomp its head flat under his shoe. That fried their nerves. He could see the lines of their magical circuits flash and dim over and over as if they couldn't control the switches anymore. Once he was standing up straight, the extent of his injuries became much clearer. Head to toe, Riki was covered in bruises and scrapes. There were traction marks on him from the bindings and a painful-looking series of bite marks littered his shoulder and neck. Even with all that, he found his comb in his jacket and ran it through his hair just to preserve his look before meeting Rin's eyes.]
Thanks. You know how to deal with wizards, Tohsaka? I'm thinking these aren't the scammers I was looking for.
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Date: 2023-01-01 04:01 am (UTC)Rin finds herself a little concerned about their relationship now. Worry settles in as does paranoia. All the cold and calculating tendencies of a magus infecting her opinions and shaping her views. But now's not the time to be reconsidering. No, not when there's an enemy to be dealt with.
For now she only acknowledges Riki with a glance before takin a couple steps toward the ring leader.]
Silent? How dare you. It is my responsibility to patrol and oversee Fuyuki, and you do not even have the courtesy to announce a hunt on my land? Have you not considered that I have already staked my claim? You offend me, sir — no. You openly spit on my authority and challenge my position. You seek to insult me and steal from me. I hope you understand the gravity of the sins you have committed, and how the Association will consider your actions.
[A soft glow begins to radiate in her limbs. Those magic circuits that Riki had seen before light up even through her clothes. On top of that she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a beautiful ruby gemstone sliver the length of a stick of gum. Every movement a threat, every act a warning. The look on her face clearly saying, "This is your last chance to leave." She wonders how many may know her, or better yet her family. The Tohsakas have made most of their money in patenting their signature magecraft abilities so she wouldn't be surprised.
The group already injured by Riki, their nerves aflame and their prides hurt, take off. It was only worth it if they could get away unnoticed, but now their standing with the Mages Association was at risk, and wasn't the Tohsaka heir close to Fuyuki's representative of the church? (shh they don't have to know about the complicated relationship with Kotomine)]
Will you apologize for your mistakes, or will I have the Association keep you accountable? Well, what will be left of you, at least.
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Date: 2023-01-01 05:23 am (UTC)The thing was, that doubt turned into full-blown panic once she pulled out that Ruby. It was one thing for them to rile themselves up and claim their plans were beyond her talent and another thing to actually see it presented and look her in the eye afterward. It was a gem that represented a history they couldn't hope to be a part of and, in her hand, it was enough to make them take further steps back. The twitching metallic hound Riki had stomped on dissolved into clay. The bubbling water collapsed into oil. The mannequin broke apart into clumps of bone and ash. No hands were raised in surrender but they had cut off their output and magecraft completely. With all that occurring behind him, the furious magus in charge refused to look away from her. He understood the gulf of difference and that she would likely only need one word to cast and do away with them. The rest of them were afraid on principle. He was afraid because he actually understood the concept.]
If he's yours. Then. It would be a complete invasion of territory. We aren't here for that.
[Seething. The man was past the point of fury. With his resources, he wouldn't be able to take her on directly. The best he could hope for was a break to escape and get out of the country. It couldn't have gone any worse than that. Even if he fought her and managed to make it out alive, he'd have a target on his head, so easily identifiable thanks to Riki's pummeling. He bent the knee and the others followed with him with no conflict at all.]
On behalf of my team, I apologize for the intrusion upon your quarry. We'll surrender this Mystery to you, Overseer.
[There wasn't an ounce of respect in his voice. Impotent rage, maybe. Not that Riki cared. He turned to look back to his friends, each one lined up and still looking very dizzy. When he looked back to see the group still kneeling, he sighed in frustration. Earlier, Rin had ignored him. He understood why but he couldn't get the better of his mouth in moments like those. Not admitting it was amazing would be worse than looking like an idiot.]
A bunch of wizards bowing to you? If you opened a Honkr account, that'd be an awesome wallpaper. Kind of a shame I didn't bring my phone.
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Date: 2023-01-01 06:45 am (UTC)[What is she going to do? Now that the enemy has conceded her concern has shifted from 'now' to 'the future'. Is she going to wipe Riki's memory
like she should have done with Shirou, or because of his power is she going to keep him around? Having him swear secrecy sounds nearly impossible, but she can't have someone running around telling the real world about magi.Tohsaka keeps her guard up as the intruders leave. Her magic circuits will continue to glow the entire time. A constant reminder that she was still ready to make a move if any of them tried anything. Which does happen — the prideful magus attempts to spit on Rin on the way out, but she ends up teaching him a lesson by breaking the arm he likes to use for his magic staff.
The twisting of tendons and the crunch of bone when it snaps... it fills the mostly empty building until the man's terribly cry in pain overrides it. Tohsaka orders the suits to take him away. They fearfully comply. And like that? All should be well.
Should be. Rin turns back to the grouped line of Riki's gangmates. A little hypnotism. Will most likely be easy to fix.]
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Date: 2023-01-01 06:10 pm (UTC)[He didn't need much convincing to behave so long as she was serious and, for all intents and purposes, Rin hadn't humored him for a moment since she arrived. The entire time the group convened to lick their wounds and prepare their exit, he noticed there had been an understanding among them all that they couldn't let their eyes off of the two of them the entire time.
As they made their way out, he found Godai first so he could check and make sure he was still breathing. The distant look in his eyes had freaked him out initially but since he could breathe, it couldn't all be bad, could it? They came in looking for trouble and got it but he likely hadn't even gotten a chance to take a swing. The thought alone made him feel defeated and they hadn't even found the group they were looking for in the first place.
He whipped around, bewildered as he heard a scream. He found himself watching the rude guy who started the whole thing doubling order and getting dragged out, clutching his arm. Rin was already on her way over by then, seemingly inspecting the lineup of delinquents. Crossing his arms, Riki stayed quiet for the most part and only interrupted when it looked as if Rin had come to a decision on something.]
Vow of secrecy?
[He played games and seen plenty of movies and shows that always started a story off with something like that. Riki could see that talk coming a mile away.]
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Date: 2023-01-01 06:24 pm (UTC)You sure you can resist posting it to the internet?
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Date: 2023-01-01 06:42 pm (UTC)[Besides, he knew the difference between teasing and making someone genuinely upset. Messing with that 'Overseer' job seemed like a bastard thing to do.]
I could just tell the boys they got gassed and I had to deal with some randoms but... how do we wake 'em up?
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Date: 2023-01-01 06:52 pm (UTC)[She puts her ruby back in her pocket and fishes around in it again. Out comes a moonstone. It's semi-transparent look making it seem like a "watery" opal meant for awakening and clarity. The cabochon in her hand is roughly the size of her thumb.
When she begins chanting it's in multiple languages — most of them Eastern European. Slowly she passes the moonstone over their eyes — it glows with the mana she had previously stored in it. It will only take a minute or two for Riki's companions to come to their senses. Though they will be tired, and groggy. Like taking a bad nap.]
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Date: 2023-01-01 07:12 pm (UTC)It was one thing to hear she was to be respected and another to see it. Between the threat of the ruby and the cleansing property of the moonstone, he was relieved. Voices came up as his rebellious pals started looking between each other, adjusting to the sudden clarity. He touched his cheek, grimacing at the feeling of moisture at his fingertips. It wasn't blood, either.]
The hells going on? Is the fight over already?
Boss, are you crying?
Shut the hell up, Godai. You idiots got hit with gas cannisters and I had to beat their asses myself.
[Murmuring between the lot of them. Some fake boasts that they managed to land a punch before getting knocked out as they began to notice Rin.]
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Date: 2023-01-01 07:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-01-01 10:08 pm (UTC)Roughly a week passed and Riki kept to himself, not willingly, but because he'd been grounded for 'nearly getting his dumb ass killed'. His mother's face had been like stone throughout it but his father, giant and gentle, nearly wept himself into a puddle. He started building up energy and frustration until the moment he was allowed out of the house for something other than his teams. Even that took a lot of convincing.
They were out of season for baseball, so he was left with the batting cages. The place was pretty empty. Not many people came by in the winter and it was a bit closer to the evening. It left the place mostly empty, save for one person in her cage, swinging away.
He sat down on the bench just outside of Rin's cage, watching her pop them out with swing-to-miss rate that would have put half his team to shame. He watched, not speaking up until the last ball came and went right back, clear over the machine.]
You like it here?
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Date: 2023-02-19 05:58 pm (UTC)Whatever her plans were at the moment, she needed muscle, and therefore hired one guy - yes one - to cart hundreds of crates into a warehouse. What was in them? He was free to look if he was curious, and he'd find an assortment of fireworks, grease, caltrops, silly string, nets, rocket launchers, an occasional flower pot or two if he found the one crate she'd set aside for gardening supplies.
The owner of said warehouse arrived on scene just then, suddenly descending from the ceiling on a swing adorned with flowers. ]
Oh? You aren't finished yet?
[ It was his first day. ]
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Date: 2023-02-19 06:13 pm (UTC)When his boss descended from the rafters and made her appearance as she had earlier in the day, Riki found himself setting down the crate he'd been making room for. He looked from Kodachi to the open door in back, recalling for himself what he hadn't done yet.]
I just got three more left. Then, I just gotta sweep the dock.
[So far, she'd been one of his better bosses. As he combed black rose petals out of his hair--]
Is your dad really okay with you hiring somebody with a record?
[He just moved several tons of explosives for her.]
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Date: 2023-02-19 06:22 pm (UTC)[ Her father had only been concerned with Riki's hair and had tried to shave it off multiple times. Criminal records and whatnot were but trifles to a man who had a coconut haircut.
Kodachi launched herself off of the swing and landed lightly on a large crate that had been labelled "feathers". "Tar" was beside it, she noted with satisfaction. ]
I see that you've organized the crates according to use. That certainly saves me a lot of time.
[ She clapped her hands together with excitement, letting out a soft "ohoho~!" ]
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Date: 2023-02-19 06:41 pm (UTC)[He didn't expand any further on it. If she didn't look into it, that was fine. Riki went about moving over to grab the next box and returned in the middle of her inspecting them.
This one was labeled 'Caltrops'. No mystery behind that one. As he set it down, he took a break to fix his hair, feeling the tickle of a rose petal he hadn't gotten to yet. He was about to head back for the next box when he came to a clear mental halt. Riki leaned over to murmur to Kodachi, not sure if he should have been quiet or not.]
Oh, right. Some shinobi snuck in earlier and I clocked him. Should still be tied up in the office.
[If there needed to be an explanation as to why poor Sasuke hadn't answered her texts in quite some time.]
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Date: 2023-02-19 06:54 pm (UTC)[ She raised a brow as he leaned over to mutter the news. ]
So that's why my brother was distressed. He's absolutely codependent on Sasuke.
[ That was a new word she'd learned in college. She momentarily beamed, proud of herself for using it in conversation. ]
He'll find him sooner or later.
[ With that, she moved on to inspect the crates of duct tape. ]
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Date: 2023-02-20 03:56 pm (UTC)[The spicy ramen bowl challenge went to Kunio, too. As it was a bit of a sore spot for him he refused to elaborate.
At mention of her brother, he nearly cracked a smile. Tatewaki. That dork. Riki set down the next crate of 'festive livery', whatever that meant, down on the floor beside the duct-tape. He wasn't ready to leave it where it was, trying to piece together where it belonged thematically.
It exploded.]
Speaking of. You wanna grab ramen after this?
[Half-covered in soot and ash, now combing the burned curls out of his hair.]
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Date: 2023-02-20 04:04 pm (UTC)Some moments later, she tumbled down gracefully in a flurry of silk ribbons, hanging upside down from her silks with her face right in front of Riki's so that they could hold a proper conversation. ]
That's not enough to pay for the box of cherry bombs you destroyed.
[ If he listened closely, he could hear the melancholy tune of a koto being played as black rose petals swirled in the random breeze... ]
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Date: 2023-02-20 04:15 pm (UTC)Once Kodachi touched back down, he lifted his brows and peered around, trying to figure out where the music had come from. His brows scrunched together once he gave up.]
Just gotta order more. Whatever weird gimmick your dad came up with gets you guys more money than you paid through insurance claims.
[It was a wonder there were any insurance companies brave enough to support Nerima's industries at all. Riki offered Kodachi a weary look.]
The last one's just labeled 'Revenge'. You still want me to move it or do you think it's just gonna explode on the dock?
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Date: 2023-02-20 04:53 pm (UTC)The truth was, they didn't need any insurance money. They just liked knowing that there was someone to torment if things didn't go their way. ]
Go ahead and order another crate, then.
Oh! [ Kodachi's dark eyes glimmered. ] That one contains a cursed relic - the bridal kimono of a girl whose groom-to-be jilted her at the altar. She was so sorrowful, so vengeful, that she placed a terrible curse on this kimono in exchange for her life. It is said that anyone who wears that kimono will find themselves unable to marry their true love...
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Date: 2023-02-20 06:49 pm (UTC)He returned with the crate just as she began recanting the story, not quite sure if his brows could grow closer together without fusing. Something about it didn't quite make sense.]
Does it stop you from dating anybody? I heard marriage isn't really as popular anymore.
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Date: 2023-02-20 06:59 pm (UTC)Kodachi was enjoying telling her story, her voice curling in delicious anticipation when -
She stared at him wide-eyed, so startled that she decided to flip back upright and land en pointe to face Riki. ]
Marriage isn't popular anymore? What is the world coming to?
[ She let out a dramatic sigh, falling to her knees and holding a hand to her forehead as she looked to the side, the very image of a distressed lady. ]
You owe me more than a bowl of ramen for delivering such horrid news - on top of having to replace that crate of bombs!
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Date: 2023-02-20 07:23 pm (UTC)His brow twitched when she pulled out her well-worn card. He wasn't going to fall for the dramatic despair for a fifth time.]
More than a bowl of ramen? Most of these places do water for free.
[It was definitely what she meant.]
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