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[head_bancho]

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for erbe [A substory]

[head_bancho]

[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!

[erbe]

[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.]

[head_bancho]

[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.]

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.

[erbe]

[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.

[head_bancho]

[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.

[erbe]

Samejima, now is not the time.

[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.]

[head_bancho]

You got it.

[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.]

[erbe]

[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?

[head_bancho]

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?

[erbe]

Good question. Give me a moment.

[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.]

[head_bancho]

[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.]

[erbe]

[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.]

[head_bancho]

[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.]

You like it here?

[erbe]

[She was happy to have made it out without getting introduced to the whole crew. Slipping away without having to explain a single thing was preferable, and honestly the whole day was a win for her. She had known the presence of other magi on her territory, but had difficulty tracking them down until following Riki's gang. They were useful to her, and for that she was silently thankful — though she didn't feel like she owed them. They got their payment in getting their asses saved. The true upside was not actually having to use any of her precious gems to chase off the intruders.

Well, she's also glad Riki hasn't tried reaching out to her. After "claiming" him in front of a group like that? Embarrassing! Really, she almost never wants to see him again. Even if it means she may have to stalk him like she stalks her sister—

Her frustration is let out through the bat, and at her final swing she puts plenty of power into. Tohsaka wipes the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand before taking a deep breath, and—

Screaming as she leaps forward and away from the unexpected visitor and his voice.]

D— don't sneak up on me like that!

[head_bancho]

[Blinking rapidly, Riki looked from side to side to make sure no one else was there. The whole time, he expected that she'd finish and do that cool thing where she said his name without looking away from what she was doing as if she knew he was there the whole time. Instead, she flew apart instantly and he nearly choked.

He cleared his throat, trying to recover from his own sort of shock over it and kept his eyes off her for a moment until he recovered. Nevermind that she looked cute while she was in the zone and deep in thought but he couldn't say she didn't look cute when she was flustered as well.]

Sorry. Sorry. Thought you'd have seen me coming.

[He rested his hands on his bat, trying not to make eye contact as he didn't want to see if she was mad.]

[erbe]

[Tohsaka clutches the baseball bat like a dear lifeline. She could only be cool when someone else's well being was on the line. If it's every day or for her own gain? The universe likes to pick on her. Ironic how she wants to be a magus who cares about no one, but seems to shine brightest when she steps in for the benefit of others.]

How?! I was busy focusing on balls coming toward me at high speed!

[head_bancho]

[Riki realized it was even more important that he didn't interrupt her until the end for that precise reason. Rolling the handle of his bat between his palms, he finally looked at Rin and tried to play it cool too.]

Fine, that's my bad.

[He was thinking about apologizing for getting in the way of her investigation but he wasn't even sure if it was hers or if she was there deliberately back then. Instead, he just went with the thing he could say without any misinterpretation.]

I was thinking about texting you to say 'Thanks' but I was hoping I'd see you at some point to say it in person, instead.

[erbe]

[His thanks spurs something in her. Like a cat catching sight of a mouse. Wanting to pounce on it and take it as an opening to further use him to her advantage.

Yet despite that urge Tohsaka shrugs it off.]

The night ended in a mutually beneficial manner. I suppose you understand now why I wanted to hear about the superstitious gossip?

[head_bancho]

That's how it is?

[It brought a smile to his face. He shook his head in some disbelief.]

I don't really get it. The kind of gossip I get into isn't half as cool as the stuff you did the other day.

[erbe]

Cool? All I did was chase out a few trespassers. You're just lucky they weren't smart enough to curry favor by getting me to grant them permission to search my territory.

[Tohsaka sets the bat up against the chainlink cage before stepping out to speak with Riki face-to-face.]

[head_bancho]

[He really did owe her, so he didn't push the topic. It was one thing to intimidate and another to command respect. The guy in front had been furious and rude all by himself and the rest had known better than to test her by the end. Stone-faced and as softly as he usually spoke, Riki met Rin's eyes easily. Days after coming close to being cut into pieces and he was absolutely fine.]

Chase. Sure. Anyway, not that you need to give me a whole rundown but. [He didn't speak german, so the guy running things went without being understood until Rin arrived. He knew full well what would have happened on instinct alone.]

What's up with the claim you mentioned?

[erbe]

C-claim? If I hadn't said you belonged to me they would have kept us all night trying to bargain for you. They wanted to take you away and experiment on you like a lab rat! And I — I didn't save you because I disagreed with them! Okay? I did it because Fuyuki is my territory and they need to come to me for permission to be on my land!

["Didn't save you because I like you, b-baka" or something along those lines.]

[head_bancho]

I'm not ungrateful when somebody helps me.

[The seamless transition from calm and collected to losing it over one word was a little too natural. Riki furrowed his brows, leaned in and left a kiss on Rin's cheek before he stepped into the cage.]

I figured they were going to kill me but experiments? That's a new one.

[erbe]

[Like a comedic record scratch moment, Rin freezes up the second his lips touch her cheek.

Riki is warm. His lips softer than she had expected. He doesn't linger, and he's kind enough to just continue on afterward. Yet Tohsaka can't take advantage of that grace because it's a Blue Screen of Death event.]

[head_bancho]

[Coming close to just continuing the conversation, Riki glanced over his shoulder to catch Rin in a moment of shock. He leaned against the fence with his shoulder, eyes on her just to check and make sure she was alright before giving in and trying to help her reboot.

He just assumed she was annoyed with his ignorance, sounding a little guilty as he tried to apologize, looking a little downcast over it.]

Hey, Tohsaka. You stuck your neck out for me, so I'm sorry if it screwed your work up. Didn't mean to. Promise.