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JuokasKurvas Vice Captain
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 Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 1:59 pm
'Well that's generally what Domon said as well,' Seto replied, hesitating before finally suggesting, 'though, well I suppose if we don't have any better leads, whoever holds the contract might be persuaded - or coerced - into talking. If he can summon a shikigami perhaps he might also know how to kill the beast or at the very least break a contract.'
Seto was not looking to go chase down shikigami essence, and Hirutani might be their best lead, not just because he was their most likely summoner but because he quite possibly knew - or had family members who knew - more about these things than anyone they'd come across currently. He definitely had connections at least a century back, at the very least a grandparent one one side of the family might know something. Not that he'd be willing to help them regardless of if he held the contract, but he was their best option at the moment. However, Seto wasn't sure how comfortable Jounouchi would be bringing this up with the whole room, even if all his friends were already aware of his past. Beyond that, Jounouchi might rather confirm Hirutani was their guy before bothering to reestablish contact no matter how useful the guy might be. Still, he wouldn't be able to assess any of that without talking to the man, and that would best be done alone. Grasping for an excuse he finally decided, 'I need to make a phone call, Jounouchi come with me. Sen if you could please outline the logistics of capturing essence or whatever to the rest of the group while we step outside that would probably be the best use of time at the moment.'
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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 2:44 pm
"R-right." Sen quickly nodded, still wanting to help, but not used to people being so demanding of her... nor using such... show-offy language, was the only way she could word it in her head.
Jounouchi looked at Kaiba in mild surprise, wondering what the phone call could be about. He simply shrugged though, at this point having no qualms about being alone with Kaiba or working together with him, following the other man out of the room.
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Kitsune Ketz Kwineight Captain
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JuokasKurvas Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 10:58 am
Seto turned to Jounouchi when they were alone, 'it sounds like we have run out of 'what next' options, so unless you think Isis has anyone else up her sleeve with a bit more spirit killing know-how, it sounds like we are going to have to pursue the contract holder. I just wanted to ask how you wanted to handle this before bringing it up with the whole room. We did agree Hirutani is our best lead, but I'm not sure how much your friends know about your past and if you want to get into that with them. Again he's just a lead, we aren't 100% sure, so we could just go for that essence wrangling the priestess suggested, though that sounds unnecessarily dangerous. Even if Hirutani isn't our guy the Hirutani family might be worth talking to anyhow as they quite possibly would have more information than anyone we've spoken with thus far. What I'm trying to say, is what do you want to do and how do you want to tell people?'
((Sorry, forgot to say I was going to a conference for 3 days and wouldn't have much WiFi access. Back now though, feeling a bit rough, academic conferences are exhausting, but got some useful feedback, met some interesting people and etc etc. But yes, back now, and no plans to go away again anytime soon.))
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Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 3:12 pm
Jounouchi was silent as he listened, eyes going down as he thought his options over. "...Honda, Yuugi, and Anzu know about Hirutani. Yuugi's been put in danger from him before. I think our only option at this point is to find him but... I don't want them coming along. The others would be safer here." he looked up at Kaiba, figuring he would agree for Mokuba's sake. He hesitated, remembering how Kaiba had chastised him for keeping Shizuka out of the loop earlier, but... this was just something he couldn't live with her knowing. How messed up and stupid he used to be... "Shizuka doesn't know what I used to be involved in or who he is at all... I want it to stay that way." he rubbed his neck as he swallowed, "If we tell the others it's Hirutani, the three who know him will insist on coming." Jounouchi didn't want to lie to his friends, but... "I think we should pretend we think it's someone else. Someone less dangerous." he finally said.
((No worries, I've been quite busy myself. Good to hear you got through it though.))
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Kitsune Ketz Kwineight Captain
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JuokasKurvas Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 1:47 pm
Seto nodded, listening to Jounouchi's musings patiently.
'We have implied that we have thought pursuing the contract wasn't a viable option, I don't think anyone will suspect we have leads to give them another story about who we should pursue. What we need, however, is a plan to justify splitting up again. I think...the best course of action would be to have one group that will both learn about this 'essence' capture from the priestess and then potentially confer with Isis for further contacts and/or ideas. The two of us will go after Hirutani, but we will say we are going to discuss the book with Domon which shouldn't give anyone reason to panic. We already justified seeing him alone last time on the basis he doesn't like women - which rules out Shizuka and Anzu - or children - which takes care of Mokuba. I think it would be logical to have Yuugi working with the research team, both on the basis that as far as Domon is concerned he might, umm, look like a child still. Moreover, he probably knows Isis the best and is very good with making connections when it comes to all things magical. Honda, I think, should come with us, unless you object. Of course we'll tell him as soon as we leave that it's Hirutani and not Domon we are visiting. There is no arguable reason why he'd be lumped in under the annoyance of women and children that Domon has no respect for, nor is he a particularly - umm - diligent researcher. Beyond that, numbers couldn't hurt and you have mentioned that Honda would have a similar sympathy for this background. He would definitely want to go and it wouldn't make it quite so obvious we are just trying to protect everyone and throw ourselves in harms way. What do you think?' Seto asked.
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 3:07 pm
Jounouchi listened quietly in turn, waiting for Kaiba to finish as he thought his words over. He didn't like the idea of even putting Honda in danger of Hirutani, but he couldn't think of any justifiable reason to leave him behind without arising suspicion or objection in the others. Honda had never been involved with Hirutani's gang, but he knew them the best of any of Jounouchi's friends, and he was certainly most capable of defending himself or providing backup.
"...alright, we'll bring Honda then. That plan works for me." he nodded, then thought a little more, "Do you think we should tell Futata our plan? She might have more advice to offer on specifically interrogating or stopping Hirutani as the Ommyouji, but I'm not sure how good she is at keeping secrets."
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Kitsune Ketz Kwineight Captain
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JuokasKurvas Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 3:22 am
'Well, we don't really know Futata at all, she was helpful when Anzu was possessed but I'm not entirely sure she would appreciate being told to keep secrets from the group of people we are leaving with her. I'd like to think she also would have mentioned she had plans for what to do with the ommyouji when she suggested going after him, but she seemed to stumble a bit on that. I think she's winging this as much as we are. I mean it's up to you, if she can't keep a secret it's you who has more to lose in this case,' Seto answered thoughtfully.
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Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 3:23 pm
Jounouchi nodded slowly as he thought it over, "Yeah... she probably would've told us by now any other advice she could have. So we'll just keep Honda in on it."
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Kitsune Ketz Kwineight Captain
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JuokasKurvas Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 4:46 am
'Great, then let's tell the others the plan. You know, we can kind of feel out whether Futata has any further knowledge by saying we both want to discuss the book with Domon as well as if he has any 'helpful' advice on how to approach an Ommyoujui. Not that Domon ever seems to want to be helpful, but potentially if she has anything she'd share it then. Guess we really could go see Domon again, though I think I'd rather actually go chase after the shikigami,' Seto said as they started to walk back.
Before they re-entered the room he reached out an arm to stop Jounouchi briefly, 'hey, I know you aren't happy about taking Honda, but unfortunately this problem doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon, and it's touching the people we care about. We can't keep them in the dark forever, trying to protect everyone is how we ended up with a possessed Anzu and captive Shizuka who had no idea to be on guard. I think it's too much for either of us to bring our siblings into danger yet, and who knows if Anzu is still feeling any ill effects from having just been possessed. In terms who to 'break in' first it's Honda or Yuugi, my guess is Honda will handle this kind of thing better, and probably can hold his own in a fight better than Yuugi. Not that I want it to come to that. My guess is we aren't going to necessarily find Hirutani alone though are we?'
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:45 pm
Jounouchi brought his gaze down, frowning, "I'm really not sure if he'll still have his gang or not. Last time we faced off against him, well... they all ended up pretty beat up. I kept my ears open, but never heard anything about them reforming after, and never had them come after us again. The other guys may've decided Hirutani was too dangerous and crazy with his revenge schemes. But he's also... he's really charismatic, and good at getting people to follow him. So we should definitely keep our guards up, but..." he shook his head, "Honestly, even if we brought Yuugi and the others for backup, they wouldn't be any help. Yuugi is useless in a fight; he'd sooner run in to take a hit than deliver a hit himself. And I'm not going to let him do that." he met Kaiba's gaze now, "And we obviously can't bring Mokuba or the girls into that either. But if there are others... if it's the same gang, I've almost taken them all out on my own before. Between me, you, and Honda, I think we could handle it. But maybe it couldn't hurt if, er..." he flushed slightly, not sure how comfortable he or Kaiba would be bringing up this old subject, "If you've still got some of that hired muscle you used to have..."
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Kitsune Ketz Kwineight Captain
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JuokasKurvas Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:14 am
Seto smirked a bit at Jounouchi's discomfort over certain members of Kaiba security before answering, 'I don't think it'll help our interrogation to come in with hire suits, but, I can station them outside and have them ready to enter at the click of a button. It would give us a bit more security without necessarily inciting violence as turning up with our own armed forces would likely do. Would that be sufficient?'
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:46 pm
Jounouchi's shoulders relaxed slightly, not having exactly liked the idea of waltzing in with a bunch of security guards himself, "Yeah, that works."
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Kitsune Ketz Kwineight Captain
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JuokasKurvas Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:00 am
'Great, let me do the talking,' Seto said, leading them back into the room.
Shizuka was the first to notice them return. 'Is everything alright?' she asked with concern, keen as ever. He slightly worried she would just somehow innately discern that he was lying, but shrugged it off. That's why he was talking, the only person in this room who knew him well enough to guess anything was Mokuba, and even Mokuba was no great expert at reading his very private brother.
'Fine, I decided we needed to call Domon again. As loathe as I am to meet that character again, if we think finding our vendetta holder is the best course of option we might want to discuss the book in translation. To that end we'll of course have to split up again. Jounouchi and I thought the best course of action would to have Futata to teach half of us what she knows about an essence capture, in case it has to come to that and then perhaps contact Isis again, see if she had any further ideas. The rest of us will meet with Domon,' Seto outlined.
- - -
'I suppose as a woman I am not invited along with the group meeting a man notorious for hating women and children?' Shizuka asked, wondering if Seto really meant half. It was worrying how much Seto and Jounouchi seemed to be trying to throw themselves in danger to protect everyone else, if they were just running off alone again she had a sinking suspicion it wasn't to Domon they were going.
- - -
'Afraid not, it'll be Jounouchi, myself and Honda,' Seto said, noting Honda perking up at the mention of his name out of the corner of his eyes, 'you, Anzu and Mokuba would not likely be welcome in Domon's home. Yuugi, your research skills and knowledge of the paranormal are unmatched here, plus you probably know Isis the best, it just seems the most pragmatic option that you remain here. Does that make sense to everyone?' Seto asked, hoping that nobody would muster up any intelligent objections to the plan.
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 2:17 pm
Anzu hadn't known about Domon before, so hearing about a guy that hated women and children really bothered her, "...who is this guy anyway?" she crossed her arms, "What kind of person hates women and children?" She had half a mind to insist she come along, just so she could tell this guy how wrong he was.
Yuugi smiled nervously, knowing Anzu's heart was in the right place, but having a feeling she wouldn't go over very well with Domon, "Apparently he is not a very nice guy but... he knows a lot. If Jounouchi Kun and Kaiba Kun think they need him, they should go and try not to upset him... however unreasonable he may be." He did somewhat wonder if the real reason he himself was being excluded was because of his height and frame, but decided to keep his mouth shut on that.
Anzu muttered something and made a face, but went quiet, not arguing the point any further.
"I'm hardly a child anymore." Mokuba added his own token protest, mostly because he was tired of his brother seeming to put effort into keeping them separated lately.
Jounouchi, meanwhile, was examining his sister's reaction. She seemed upset, yet not in the (completely justified) way Anzu was. She seemed more suspicious, and he wondered if she was catching on. He had always seen his sister as sweet, innocent, in need of protection. He didn't see her as the type to question things or not trust someone she knew. Not that he saw her as weak or compliant, but just... the type that let others take the lead, that let him take the lead and look out for her. But more recently, he felt like she was starting to be the one looking out for him here and there. She was growing up, changing, gaining more confidence, as well as maybe a bit of cynicism. She wasn't his innocent little sister anymore, but rather a mature, intelligent young woman. Kaiba was right, in some ways... he needed to stop protecting her so much. Start treating her like an equal. Just... not quite yet. "Yeah, the guys' a sexist jerk, and like Yuugi said, we need to get on his good side." he rolled his eyes good-naturedly, going over and putting a hand on his sister's shoulder, "We'll be back soon though, I promise. Okay?" he smiled at her.
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Kitsune Ketz Kwineight Captain
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JuokasKurvas Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 10:56 am
'You're not a child Mokuba,' Seto responded seriously, 'but we don't have the time to either educate Domon or prove him wrong. If we all get out of this alive then I will happily take you and Anzu to his hovel where you can properly lecture him about the pitfalls of prejudicial biases. However, that's only after and only if we all survive. So could we please hold back on the indignation until then and just focused on the many tasks at hand? Will come meet you back here when we are through with Domon, is that acceptable?' Seto really hoped there wouldn't be further complaints or objections and they'd be able to set off immediately.
It was only then that he remembered he was supposed to subtly try and get more information out of Futata before heading off, if they could do so without directly telling her anything. Turning to the priestess he said, 'oh, before we go, we want to discuss the book and how to use it with Domon, but we also were planning to ask him if he had any further insight into how to best approach the contract holder once we find out who she or he is, unless you already have some idea of how to go about that?'
- - -
Honda didn't respond to Seto's query, but he had no reason to complain. He really wanted a chance to talk to Jounouchi without a crowd - preferably without Seto but he had a feeling that wasn't happening anytime soon. Plus he had not been lumped into the women and children group so that was another bonus.
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