TomoFlake (Original Tokusatsu-Adjacent Quest)

Mei dreamt.

Some Say A Dream Is Fate said:

She dreamt, walking in the halls of the Hells she knew. She followed a trail of blood. Some of it her own, she knew, but most of it of so, so many others.

Her hands closed on the bat that once hung on the walls of her home, in a place of honor, like a sword. Sky-blue and spiked, made of something otherworldly. Heavy in her hands.

Her hands bled, but the bat listened, and lightning sparked along its length.

Cuprous flames roared up the tunnel, and she put her hand before her.

Asura-chan was beside her, helping her turn the flames. So were two wild foxes, the size of wolves.

And so too was she, her hand limned with power she couldn't define, a golden-red light, like the rising sun.

She walked through the field of flames. Burning with her own power, with herself.

The light of the blue sky called to her.

Her chains dragged behind her, but she would not let that stop her now.

Her heart would no longer stop.

Unchained, raw as a flame, inexorable as dawn itself.

And then, standing yet, in her way, was—

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[Hearten +Heart+Fox's Cunning: 2+3+2 vs 3, 6 STRONG HIT]
Morning came and Mei jealously clutched the arms of the person wrapped around her. She'd already spent way too much time among other women. But, what else was new?

She turned up, saw this was not her futon or her apartment, and sat bolt upright. Fuckers. Fuckers had brought her to the heart of darkness— Mei slipped into the curtain on the walls to get a better look at the grounds.

These… These were the wrong grounds. Had she been taken to a different home of the Kaneko? …. No, no, Rei would have stopped that, or Ichigo would have made a fuss, or Gumi would have pulled her to safety. So much about last night was a haze of pain, clouded over by painkillers and a lack of filter.

Her hand still throbbed faintly. The nanogel had done its job. For now. As far as anyone was likely to tell in daylight, this was her natural hand, save for the faint seams.

Still, better to take the ibuprofen ahead of the pain. Yes. Please. Let's try to not ruin our body again. For both our sakes.

Mei nodded.
[Mei regains 3 Stress, 5/5.]

In the bathroom, she looked at herself. Eyes shining, expression tired, in her shirt from last night. At least she hadn't slept in her bra again. Asura-chan appeared in the mirror beside her and started to talk. "You can thank Haru for that. Also our scorched chest."

Mei hummed, and took off the shirt to look at the damage. While there was still some dried-on nanogel, she looked and felt whole, save for the warning pain in her hand.

The 'magic item', the 'core', the 'heart', rested in its place in the sink. "Is that you in there?" Mei asked.

"No. No, this is something else," Asura-chan said, picking up the reflection of the red orb.

"What, then?"

Asura-chan's smile became self-assured and toothy. "Possibilities."

"So, you woke up before me," Rei said, from the door, resolutely looking away.

"Yes. Did I wake you?" Mei asked, slipping the shirt back on. Asura-chan faded from the mirror.

"No, no. I'm a fairly light sleeper, all things considered. But…" Rei paused. "… About… Last night."

"Yes?"

"Do… You really think the four of us were all just… Born strong?"

Mei sucked in a breath. She'd barely remembered that. Did she say that? You did. "I think… You all have something I lack. It… It used to be, I didn't know what it was. All those trials, they made you four stronger. But for me... every trial only left me weaker. I've seen how strong you and the others are. What you had—"

"— We had help!" Rei shouted, taking Mei aback for a moment. "We didn't do any of this alone! We had friends, family, loves! Some of whom died because of us! We were just as lost as you are now. And what… What kind of witch would I be if I just let someone copy my mistakes!?"

"You… Went it alone, then. For a long time."

Rei gasped.

"And…" Mei stopped when Rei took up her hand, and she wondered at the possibilities in even that mere motion.

Rei shook her head. "Please. You've already made steps. Come with us."

"… But…"

"Student." Mei looked over to find Gumi had, since she'd woken up, taken up a humanoid form similar to how Mei herself might look as a fox-woman. "Tell me, when your muscles are sore, are they stronger now?"

"No. They must have time to repair themselves and grow."

"Then don't be surprised when you do as well." Gumi sniffed the air. "Goes for both of you, by the way. I'm going down to get some breakfast. Join me when you're done."

"Eh?" Mei blinked. When they were done with what? Still. She turned back to Rei.

"Hold on, fox, I'm not—" Came the voice of Alfons, then a cut-off squeak.

Gumi had snatched the satchel. "Then you can argue with me downstairs."

Rei paused. "If she hadn't just stolen my satchel, I'd say she's a better sort than I thought."

Mei smiled and shrugged. "I still think she's better than you guys thought, but then, I… keep realizing I don't know any of you as well as I thought I did, or hope to."

"— Ha, it does go both ways, doesn't it."
KISARAGI REI [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [ ] [ ] (LOCKED. It's going to take time, and getting to know her, to advance this Connection or Forge An Iron Bond.)

"More than that," Rei continued. "I wanted to apologize. I went and poked the wasps' nest without you, and probably got us all into a whole mess of trouble."

"Ah, is that so. But…" Mei paused. "You already apologized for that. Bowing and scraping is a bad look on you, understand?"

YES. Mei ignored Asura-chan, but only because she vehemently agreed.

Rei swallowed her next words. "Ah— Right."

"It's funny. I expected you to get more aggressive as we got to know each other. You were such an intense flirt a couple weeks ago, yeah?" Mei advanced, and Rei backed away, until Mei had her hands on both sides of Rei, trapping her against the bathroom wall, staring intensely into those blue eyes. "What happened? Did all that confidence fly away?"

Rei went deep red in the face. "T-torioi—!"

Mei grinned, letting herself feel what Asura-chan felt and reveling in the lack of constriction, of burning. "Well. I hope I get to see that confident Rei-chan again, all right?"

She reached a hand for Rei's cheek, and then—

Booped her nose. "Let's go. Breakfast is waiting."
[Develop A Relationship +Formidable (Asura-chan): 4+3 vs 7, 5 weak hit.]
[Mei feels FANTASTIC right now. +2 Momentum, 4/10.]

Mei pocketed the orb and proceeded through the bedroom, there to untangle the thorny problem of where the hell in this shithole of a mansion the kitchen was.

"HOLD ON." Rei shouted after Mei.

"Hm?" Mei looked back briefly.

"Weren't you about to kiss me?"

Mei smirked. "Do you want me to kiss you?"

Rei paused. "Before that— let me ask. Was. Was last night your… First…?"

Mei found her cheeks and ears heating. She nodded.

"Then. Let's. Have another first kiss, okay?"

"— Rei?"

"That one was awful! Let me try again."

Ah. We're in danger. Mei noted that this was entirely Asura-chan's fault. Liar! "Sure then."

Mei closed the door to the hall, put her hands on Rei's cheeks, and slowly leaned in.

Oh.

Oh this was too sweet.

The shivers down her spine, the tingle in her lips, the feeling of Rei's hands over and under her shirt, the sparks as hands touched hands—

Wait.

Those were actual electric arcs. "— Are you—"

Rei gripped on to Mei's shirt. "Stop worrying about dumb shit." And pulled her back in.

They were a little late to breakfast, not least because they had trouble finding the dining room.
[Obtained: Heart ?? ??? ???? ??? (Wonder): A mysterious orb that can power a variety of objects. You made it, and even you're not sure what it can do... yet.]
[Wonders: Artifacts and useful items that are powerful in their own right, but unpaid for with XP or an Asset, rendering them vulnerable. When one uses a Wonder in a manner appropriate to its abilities, any 1 or 6 is an automatic strong hit! But any 1 risks or fully discharges the Wonder, which must then be repaired through esoteric or strange means. Wonders can be made into an appropriate Asset.]

[The red string vibrates… You have a clear idea of what an Iron Bond with Kisaragi Rei will do.]
[— Shine Spark: This is an enhancement to the Tangled Red String Asset, and is to be discarded along with that Asset. Once you Forge an Iron Bond with Kisaragi Rei, and she is in the party, you may burn momentum to Take Decisive Action. If you do, in addition to any other consequences, take +2 Momentum on the reset and choose one:
- Rei suffers Companion Takes a Hit (-1).
- You suffer Endure Harm (-1) AND must roll the Endure Harm move, regardless of current Body.]

Surprisingly, for a house so large, the dining room was right next to the kitchen the others were using, and was a carefully minimalist table with
Ichigo, Hiroshi, and Ayumu were already talking animatedly, with Gumi leaning on one hand and indulging them and Haru looking incredibly bored.

"And anyway, she's my best friend, you know? I can't believe you expected anything less of her."

"Hmph. Regardless of her achievements on the sport mat, direct combat is always another matter. Still, I suppose she did all right."

"I can't believe you're both talking about this without talking about how much it did to her! Of course she's one of us! She bled for us, didn't she!?"

"That's not the point, Ayumu—"

"Thank you, for making breakfast," Mei said, causing all three of them to jump out of their skins. Their voices ran over each other with general cries of alarm.

It was cute, in its own way; and it also left her open to steal a thick slice of bread and the eggs and lettuce.

Gumi laughed so hard she had to take a moment to maintain her balance on the chair she was sitting in. "This is exactly why I made you my student."

"Thank you for the kind words, Gumi." Mei sat down opposite the three of them, who had all sat next to each other. Ayumu was in the middle today.

Meanwhile, Haru took one side of her, and Rei the other.

Hm. That was possibly concerning. "So. What were you hoping to talk with me about?"

"Mm." Hiroshi nodded. "We were discussing allowing you to join the team."

"Hiroshi's being stubborn about it," Ichigo said. "Reminds me of you, honestly. You obviously are able to take on Ryuuroids with us, and have a pretty good network of people to talk to. At the very least, in a support role—"

"Support role!?" Ayumu shouted. "She literally pulled a Dragon's Eye out of a Ryuuroid! She's one of us as far as I'm concerned—"

"However," Hiroshi said. "While your capabilities were never in doubt, what is in doubt is your commitment and stability within the team."

"What?" Mei said, about as rude as she could get away with saying.

Haru and Rei both scooted away. Gumi's grin just grew even wider.

"You have had no concern for what your curses are doing to you. You've lived with it, and I understand the urge to… bite down, when things shake you."

"You know about the curses?"

"Even if I hadn't seen your actions at the Fushio Ryokan, and later examined Ichigo for myself," Hiroshi said, over Ayumu putting a hand over his mouth, "It was a friend of mine, Asamiya Yuki, who introduced me to Kaneko and Ayumu. And she will not cease in venting her frustration at me that you have yet to ask her, the miko, to look into your curses."

"Hiroshi, it's been less than two weeks since I learned Ichigo can become a dragon, at the same time I learned of you and Ayumu," Mei said, not even sitting down, leaning forward against the table. "I barely knew what you were fighting, never mind how hard you've been trying. And even then— even then! I understand wanting to talk to Asamiya, I do, but—"

"And that's all leaving aside the matter of your hands." Hiroshi glanced down to them. "Before, it took the greatest surgeon I know of to help you regain their use. That gift did not last a week."

Mei showed her hands, whole in appearance if still slightly painful. "Longer than a week."

Hiroshi, Ayumu, and Ichigo all looked at each other. Ichigo in particular paled a little, while Gumi desperately tried to maintain her composure just as Ayumu had earlier.

This, then, was the scene when Asamiya Yuki slipped in through the back door, accompanied by someone Mei didn't expect.

Haru went paler than usual. If she'd had her mug in her hands, she would have dropped it. As it was, she weakly slapped the table. "… No way. That's impossible. Ridiculous!"

Gumi's eyes and expression lit up with hope.
[Progress checks: ? Vs. 6, 1 weak hit. ? Vs 3, 7 weak hit. Automatic miss. ? Vs 1, 5 weak hit.]

The Iron Devil smiled. She was still in her idol's spectacle of a sukeban's modified uniform— long skirt, lightning-themed hair decs, and all. Inexpertly hidden in a small bag, she slung a baseball bat. Across the strap, there was a holster for a lightning-themed microphone, still crackling static faintly. And in her hand, was— "My bow!"

Indeed, there it was, an arc of silver near as tall as she was, embellished with golden ribbons, and right in the middle of the arc, directly where Mei used to aim, was the same hoop she remembered. This was the bow that her father had made for her; she could feel it.

"My, my~" fell out of the Iron Devil's mouth, in that menacing way that only Torioi Hifuumi could manage. "You two already forgot how Torioi Hifuumi looks? I'm disappointed."

Gumi looked into her eyes, and sniffed the air, and tilted her head at a cant, as if to hear something at the edge of vibration.

"So. Much as I like the idea of there being three flavors of Mei, you gotta have a reason for bringing her, right?" Rei asked.

Mei's own question was choked off by the one-two punch of being called by her given name by Rei, and the idea of there being various flavors of herself.

"Mei…?" Asamiya looked at Kisaragi, with a gigantic smirk as if she was about to tease the both of them mercilessly.
[Face Danger +Resolve: 2+2 vs 8, 1 weak hit]

"L-look, you have another Torioi here, so obviously—"

"There's no need to lie. We saved each others' lives at least three times over last night," Mei said. "It's… Difficult, not to be familiar with someone, after that."

Rei suddenly looked at Mei, and the expression was of both surprise and gratitude.

"Mm, very well, I'll want to hear about this battle a little later," Asamiya replied, and with that same knowing smile, added, "When we're alone."
[ah poop. -1 Momentum, 3/10.]

"But that brings us to why I decided to come here. Hiroshi, forgive me for intruding." Asamiya looked to the Iron Devil. "You were the one who wanted to come here, and I'm just as eager to learn what you want as everyone else."
[Compel +Heart+Detective Miko: 5+2+2 vs. 6, 3 STRONG HIT]

"I wanted to check up on her, of course. After all, we're a lot closer than I think she realizes." The Iron Devil taps her cheek. "Nnn, but how to check up on her, exactly? I know I'm likely not welcome…"

"No, I understood entirely why you stepped in at the dance hall," Mei replied. "You can't have just anyone going back there, even if they're the founder's daughter. You have to make sure I'm someone you can trust. But… you're right. Under these circumstances, it's hard to say if anything I tell you, or you tell me, can be trusted…"

"… I have a way," Asamiya said.

"— You do?" the Iron Devil replied.

"Yes. I can enforce a contract between a spirit and a human, using my position as miko of the Kasuga Shrine."

There was a moment where Ichigo's expression calmed, then rose to levels of ruffled Mei hadn't seen since his mother had told them both they would be marrying each other. "— In Ibaraki?"

"Yes."

"The warship shrine?"

"Is there any other?" Asamiya paused. "I know it's a mark of shame, but we're getting off the topic, and I refuse to look away from the Pacific War or the Long War that came on its heels. It has nothing to do with my proposal, but those spirits are the power by which I act."

"… I understand. Continue."

"Using that power, there is a game we can play. 'Questions'." Asamiya raised a finger. "A game of riddles, 'Questions' is an exchange of information between a petitioner, and, traditionally, a wind spirit."

As if this were a signal, the Iron Devil carefully swapped the positions of the bat and the bow. Mei recognized the spiked, sky-blue bat— it was the one hung up in her house, above her mother's work desk. "— wh— how— when—"

"All will be revealed, if you are thoughtful, and lucky," Asamiya said. "The petitioner must ask the right to ask a set of questions, whose number is determined before any questions are asked. In return, the wind spirit may take the opportunity to ask the same number of questions, or request a small favor, equal to the information given. Lying, if found out, brings punishment, usually from the parties involved and the pacts made, but I won't hesitate."

Both Mei and the Iron Devil swallowed, the stakes clear.

"That said, answering with tricky riddles is just as traditional, or so I am told," Asamiya added. "Not that either of you have much use for tradition. When all questions are answered, the game is over. My question to you both, therefore, is:"

Asamiya spread her arms, gesturing to both the Iron Devil and Mei to come into her reach. "Will you play?"

Mei paused, swallowed, and looked to the side. I don't know why you're asking me, Asura-chan answered her silent query. You should know by now we're not exactly the jealous type.

Mei nodded. There were only a very few things she really wanted to know out of the Iron Devil, and if Asamiya thought she would be helpful to Mei— then she must know some form of curse-craft. She stepped forward, and extended a hand, raised up in an invitation to dance. "Spirit, I challenge you to a game of Questions. I shall ask four questions, and you, in turn, may ask me any four things worth that time and information."

"Very well, mortal. But know this: should your answers be not worth my time, I shall kill you."

"Let it be done," Asamiya said, and for a moment, an unnatural wind picked up from her, carrying with it the smell of purified water and machine oil. "Petitioner, you may begin."
[Let it be done. +1 Momentum, 4/10. Mei's next Gather Information is at +1.]

Let's start with something that puts her even more off-guard. Mei nodded. "My first question, then, is this:

"Is your name Torioi Mei?"

---

I'll just leave you all to speculate. Happy Chrasmas.

Fabricati said:

"Is your name Torioi Mei?"

Click to expand...

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The Iron Devil pulled her lips into a grimace. "I am if you are. I noticed your heart was captured by the beat. I wonder-- Are you related to the creator of the dance hall, or its manager?"

Mei's eyes narrowed for a moment, before she realized who must have helped her mother build it. "Both."

The Iron Devil grinned. "Quite a feat! I hear they were both very reclusive. Did they get together in the end? Who knows. But, it's your turn."

"What's your relationship to me?"

"I'm a 'you' that might have been, the lucky shot carried by the wind, the lightning whose fingers stretch to the future." The Iron Devil paused for a long moment. "Ha! And that's all I need to say."

Gumi tapped her cheek in thought, brow knotted. "Hm… Now I begin to wonder something. You say you're Torioi Mei, but…"

"You can think what you like~" The Iron Devil said. "How long have you been training as shinobi?"

The question took Mei aback. She could feel the pressure on the back of her throat to answer honestly— the game was enforced-- but if the Iron Devil could dress the matter in a riddle, so could she.

[Face Danger +Thoughtful+Fox's Allure+1: 3+2+2+1 vs 4, 10 weak hit]
"Since a little before I was declared Kaneko Mei."

"My! So they wanted you married! That's a tall order…" The Iron Devil tapped her cheek. "Personally, I'm opposed. It's no fun."

Right!? Asura-chan said. Mei found herself nodding along.

Hiroshi let his anger get the better of him. "Just what do you think the relationship between Torioi and Ichigo is!?"

Mei raised an eyebrow at being familiar with Ichigo, but didn't want to ask a question she didn't want the answer to.

The Iron Devil rolled her eyes. "Ask her yourself. I'm not answering questions from the spectators!"

"Tied by fate and curses, they were intended to be a fulfillment. So far as I know, they're friends so close you couldn't stick a knife between them." Gumi looked at Hiroshi with a grin. "And what is Kaneko Ichigo to you, then, Black Cat of Ibaraki?"

Hiroshi turned from Gumi's gaze, sour. "My <<partner>> and comrade."

"Ah, is that so~"

Haru opened her mouth. "I wonder where this Devil's red string leads…?"

"You can shut your mouth, Heavenly Dragon. I'm not interested in your romantic speculations, even if it is your job."
[So Haru is a Heavenly Dragon? That's interesting, but the game continues. +2 Momentum, 6/10.]
[Gather Information (Detective) +Thoughtful+Miko Detective: 4+2+2 vs 1, 10, 7 STRONG HIT]

Haru clenched her fists, and pulled in her lips, and then, at last, unable to let anyone else get in the last word, added, "Yes! It is my job! And now that I've learned there's still more than one Torioi Mei, that's a problem!"

"Yep! It's your problem," the Iron Devil added.

Gumi couldn't resist leaning over. "So, which one are you working with?"

"That's not important!"

Mei paused. "… Asamiya, I don't know what a Heavenly Dragon is."

Asamiya nodded. "It's mostly politics. Who they work for, where they hang out, and why. Heavenly, Hellish, Earthly, Rivers and Lakes and Seas, the dragon's blood washes over and sustains the world."

"… That's pushing it," the Iron Devil said, with an irritated hum, but also a hint of pride in her voice.

"You're the one who agreed to the terms, and it wasn't a question," Asamiya said, now with more innocence in her voice.

"— Though as long as we're talking about uncomfortable questions," Rei said, leaning on one fist, "you should ask her why she's so interested in your descent from Hifuumi and whoever else built the place."

"… My, my~" The Iron Devil said, staring Rei in the eyes. "You must be quite brave, considering that tower you've built on sand."

"Might as well ask," Haru said, "Why, if you're so interested in Shirogane Nezuka, you didn't just go down and get that information yourself. You've mastered your Flame, wouldn't that make it easy?"

Rei paused. "No. No, facing someone like that purely head on is suicide."

"… Kisaragi…" Asamiya said.

"If you people keep interrupting the game I'm going to start throwing burnt toast at you," The Iron Devil warned.

"Well… as long as that thing is on my heart, Mother can sing her fury and put a stop to both of us," Ichigo said.

Mei blinked again, and her hand moved, of its own accord, to where her heart lay, beating as it ever did. "… What would it take, to free us from our curses?"

"Hm. … I'll allow it! Both of you, stand next to each other?"

Mei stood up and beckoned Ichigo over.

"Ah. Still up to your old tricks, eh? Zhuge Maguii…"
"Did you—" A piece of toast lodged itself in Gumi's mouth, a penalty slice thrown from the Iron Devil.
[ZHUGE MAGUII FINDS YOU 0/6]
"I want to find out the legal situation surrounding my parents and any inheritance they may have left me, monetary or otherwise."
Difficulty: EXTREME
TRACK [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [X] [] [] []
MENACE O O O O . . . . . .

"Shush! I'm talking. He already knows where I am. He probably already knew what I was doing. He strikes me at his peril." The Iron Devil rubbed her chin. "Well, there's two ways. One of course is to defeat the old bastard, but good luck about that, he's paranoid and mostly works through proxies now. And even if you did… Well. I think it'd take all of you together to even survive one of his proxies.

"The other, I think, is one that young Mei here is already working on. But if you want my advice—" She looked into Mei's eyes. "You have given your service, once, without fear or hesitation. You shall blossom under their service, should you do so once more."

"As for you—" she turned to Ichigo. "Stop thinking with your claws. They'll fail you one day, anyway."
So the Iron Devil somehow knew of the one that cursed her, too? Mei paused. No, this definitely wasn't a piece of her. The Iron Devil was something else entirely.
[Momentum +2, 8/10.]
"I want to find out the legal situation surrounding my parents and any inheritance they may have left me, monetary or otherwise."
Difficulty: EXTREME
TRACK [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [] [] []
MENACE O O O O . . . . . .

But before she could formulate a question, Gumi spoke up instead, a smirk on her face. "What keeps the man from simply reasserting his curses?"

"PENALTY!" The Iron Devil said, picking up a slice of toast, burning it, and throwing it directly at Gumi's face.

Gumi laughed as she leaned out of the way.

"Next time it's a knife!" The Iron Devil shouted at Gumi.

Mei tried to take stock, but Haru rose to the occasion even more.

"Really? Why are you even teaching Mei?" Haru scolded. "That's basic stuff! The Skein of Fate doesn't like to repeat itself! Just like the Will to Evolve can't bring forth a future that doesn't follow from the present, or the End of All can't fix the things it breaks."

"Why teach her that sort of thing when someone like you will shout it from the rooftops if I just act like a moron?" Gumi said, laughing.

Mei's brow knotted as she put together all this information.

"For my third question: Where is your childhood friend, Takayama Naoki?"

"I don't know. She wasn't there the last time I visited Takayama Kei. … I miss her." She answered the question rapid-fire, and as the words crossed her lips, she and Asura-chan realized at the same time, we've never told anyone about Naoki, except for those who were there—
"… I miss her too," Ichigo confessed.

Mei took a breath in. Naoki, the club, the training-- who else would ask what she asked, and then say a lucky shot to the future?

We know who she really is.
We know what question to ask, then, don't we?
"My last question is…"

---

[BONUS] Every answer gets Mei one Momentum. If anyone gets a correct answer, it will earn her one tick on the Mysteries track and an XP. Anyone who, against all odds, guesses the reasoning behind said correct answer gains her another tick and another XP.
— Who does Mei think the Iron Devil represents?
— What is the true identity of the Wonder?
— How do Gumi and the Iron Devil know each other?
— How do Gumi and Haru know each other?

At the Night Market… [We'll attempt to do all these things, as time permits, but there's a clock, and the more complications there are, the longer the night wears on…] Choose up to 3.
[ ] [NIGHT MARKET] We should focus on following up regarding Fujii's lead about our father. (Attained the Wonder "Heart ?? ??? ???? ???": Guaranteed to advance the parents' whereabouts quest if this wins.)
[X] [NIGHT MARKET] We should fulfill our promise to Auntie Takayama Kei. (Teaches us more about our legal and magical situation.) (This must be done first.) (WE MADE A PROMISE.)
[ ] [NIGHT MARKET] We should work on setting ourselves up as a courier. (Advances our prospects and gets us closer to standing on our own two feet.) (Advances the parents' pride quest if successful.)
[ ] [NIGHT MARKET] We should spend some quality time with the people we're going with. (That's GUMI, Rei, and Haru.) (Maybe something interesting will happen!)
[ ] [NIGHT MARKET] We should investigate the Heart we just made. (Slightly risky; we don't know of any reputable or powerful crafters.)
[ ] [NIGHT MARKET] (Asked the right questions) Ask around about that goddess we released. She should be around, right? (Will start a special quest.)
[ ] [NIGHT MARKET] Write-in. Any write-in must contain a plausible explanation of why it would be at the Night Market.

---

Vote opens in two hours and lasts until Sunday.

Voting is now open.

"My last question is… What were my father's wishes for me?"
THE IRON DEVIL (Bird-Hunting Echo) [XX] [XX] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[Bird-Hunting Echo: The Iron Devil is an informant. When you are seeking information or knowledge of the past, she is someone who can reliably tell Mei the youkai perspective.]
"I swear upon the iron in my knife that I will learn the ways of mysticism and allure from you, Gumi, the seven-hundred-year kitsune and freed slave."
Rank: Formidable
PROGRESS [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [] [] [] [] []

The Iron Devil stops, her lazy smile frozen. "What— how would--"

"If you don't know, say so!"

"… To reach for your own fate, instead of following your mother or father directly," the Iron Devil said, with an increasing grimace. "To reach the skies and stars. To see all the beautiful ruins of the Moon, our own and others'. To escape Kaneko Chou's revenge. To defeat the Star Trapper the only way he knew how."

"… Your last question."

"… Not a question, but a charge. Since you have stabbed to the heart of me, my price is this. Set my heart to rest, Torioi Mei. I no longer desire to be the future that could have been! I have not rested these three years! I am tired." For a moment, the weight of all of her father's years stared back through those eyes, and The Iron Devil seemed drawn and pale, like she was already dead. "Show me your future! Let me no longer be necessary!"

"… Yes. Of course. Thank you." In truth, Mei had already been looking for a way forward. A way that didn't include Kaneko Chou's wrath, a way that didn't include the murderous heart and the baleful Eye.

"Don't you sit there and say words at me. I know that's not how you promise, anymore. Swear it in steel."

Mei considered her options. A piece of steel that would work for this, would remain hidden from the servants who were watching, and wouldn't reveal anything people here didn't already know.
[Check Gear +Supply: 4+4 vs 1, 1 MATCH]

She opened her hand, and Rei deposited a broad, black arrowhead in it. It felt strangely heavy, and slightly wet, like it had already collected dew despite being warm. Do not be assertive; but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.

Mei recalled the quote Asura-chan was making and closed her eyes. Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water in the cup, it becomes the cup. Put water in the pot, it becomes the pot. Water may flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend. "Where did you get this, Rei?"

"— Where else? Your old place."

"When?"

"… Not long after it burned down," she admitted. "When— No, it's not important right now. The Iron Devil looks ready to throw a knife at me. I'll tell you later."

Mei nodded, and gripped the arrowhead tightly enough for it to threaten to cut into her palm. "I'll find a future for myself. Let it cut me if I don't."
[Swear an Iron Vow +Rapport+1: 1+3+1 vs 3, 9 weak hit]
[Find a future for myself.]
[Difficulty: EXTREME]
[+1 Momentum, 10/10.]

"… Shit. You just do this all the time," Ayumu said, with a hint of wonder in his voice.

Haru looked Mei up and down for a moment. "Interesting~ She's done this before, then?"

"Yeah, when she stopped the Youkai Inn," Ayumu nodded.

Asamiya paused and tilted her head, eyes narrowed at Mei. "Is that so? You didn't seem like the sort to add to your chains while cutting them off."

"I'm guessing that's more important than I think, but first--" Mei slipped the arrowhead into her ribbon and breathed a sigh of relief as it didn't hit anything. "Is there anything else you want from me, Iron Devil?"

"Don't be a stranger 'round the Dance Hall."

"— Ha. I do have classes, remember?"

"Then the game is ended," Asamiya said. "Do you want an escort back, or—"

"Why, do you wanna come with me?" The Iron Devil said, swaying her hips. Mei's ears burned. "I think there's a lot more questions that have to be answered here."

"Not here," Mei said. "You've all forgotten the servants."

"The… Servants?" Hiroshi said.

"The ones who cleaned up after last night?"

"There are no servants here," Hiroshi said, firmly.

"Bullshit," Rei said.

"Yeah no I agree with Mei, someone's watching us," Ayumu continued.

Ichigo, pale as he ever got, put a hand on Hiroshi's shoulder. "I think, perhaps, we should listen to her, regardless. Shall we go?"

Slowly, Hiroshi nodded. "Let's get you out of here."

Once they had left the grounds, Hiroshi paused. "But what did you mean, 'servants'?"

"She said. The ones who cleaned up after us. In the bathrooms, in the bedrooms, it was like we'd just collapsed into the beds," Rei said. "Things don't get that clean without effort. Someone or something was there last night in between sleeping and waking. Who knows how long it was watching?"

Mei nodded, and gripped her bad right arm with her good left. "So. Just another home I can't return to."

---

Next update Tuesday.

The Kasuga shrine, it turned out, was a disused place, largely poured from concrete and bounded carefully by the wooden torii.

"So… This is where you'll put us up?"Rei asked, rocking back and forth on her feet. "Swanky. You can feel the spirit, huh?"

"Wash. All of you." Asamiya's tone brooked no argument.

As Mei washed off the impurity of the outside world at the trough, she looked to the torii and blinked as she saw the colors within shift from the more normal colors she would expect of a concrete shrine built next to a former golf course to something far more vibrant and lurid.

"— Spring's coming, is it…?" Asamiya hummed, looking at the colors. "Good, it's been a while. Maybe that woman really was…"

"Eh!? That—" Mei bit back on her surprise, and calling any spirit 'weird'. Offending spirits was a bad idea. "I honestly saved that woman because she was in trouble and living."

Gumi laughed, uproariously. Slapping Mei on the back, she said, "Are you sure you need my help?"

"I said allure and magic, teacher," Mei said.

Gumi snapped her finger. "I'll get you one day."

Rei noted the similarity of their smirks as they crossed the torii, and leaned over to Asamiya. "Are we sure those two are gonna be okay…?"

Mei couldn't hear Asamiya's response as they headed up to the offertory, where several bales of rice and casks of sake sat untouched, underneath pictures of a warship and the Mercury-3 and the Vengeful Dragon, all of them presumably protectors of Ibaraki and Osaka, all of them years gone. She turned back to see them, all of them, as they stepped more into the spiritual world than the prosaic one.

Gumi, of course, was back to being her slightly monstrous, fox-woman self, as at home in this place as any other, red-furred and teeth gleaming.

Rei was almost non-existent. A strange, wire body, piloted by a blossoming pink flame.

Asamiya was… Radiant. Herself, but glowing faintly with inner purity and strength.

Ichigo emerged as much more the golden dragon, scales on his arms, his legs, his face.

A blue dragon girl walked next to him, but much more scaled, less human. By process of elimination, Mei had to guess this was Haru.

And beside both of them, a crane with gently regrowing feathers and scars to match, and a black cat with shining blue eyes. Ayumu and Hiroshi, respectively, then. Slowly, they started to become slightly more human, stretching out as if their hearts were unused to being free to act.

Mei knew the feeling.

"Wasn't your mom a pilot, Mei?" Rei asked, suddenly.

"She didn't like to talk about the Long War. She especially didn't like talking about the Mercury-3."

Rei nodded. "I understand."

"And I wasn't there. Not… Not yet, anyway."

"I could tell you," Gumi said.

There was a short silence, and Mei floated into it, staring directly at the three Fierce Protectors, "If you think it would help us remember them."

Gumi nodded. "Some other time, then." After another pause, in which they both clapped in prayer, Gumi said, "You're acclimating well to your iron soul."

"Making praise of necessity isn't like you," Mei replied.

"Just counting the progress until you're ready to release me," Gumi said, her foxier spirit-self opening her mouth slightly in a self-styled grin.

"Ah, truly, a final exam worthy of both of us: don't get eaten."

"You'll surpass me one day, student," Gumi said. "I'll make sure of it."

"How many students have you had before me, anyway?"

"You're the first," Gumi admitted. "But the child of a frog is a frog. You'll surely have what it takes."

"I'd prefer not to kill you."

"What a coincidence. I'd prefer not to die."

"Would you two stop!?" Ichigo finally said, and Mei cracked a smirk away from where he could see it. "Mei, you know we care about you, right?"

Suddenly, that didn't seem so funny, anymore.

"And you!" He said, presumably to Asamiya. "Isn't this destroying the peaceful necessity of this shrine?"

"Eh, it's honestly a daily occurrence, here," Asamiya said. "This is where the spiritual world and the prosaic world meet. And the Fierce Protectors were hardly kind sorts."

Rei put a hand on Mei's shoulder, and she felt a shiver up her spine at the warmth there. "I know you really like playing the idiot, Mei, but isn't this a little far, even for you?"

Mei breathed in. "I— It's one of those times when you gotta laugh or cry, you know? If I knew I'd be without a home again as soon as I went to college…"

"It didn't sound like much of a joke to me," Ichigo continued.

Mei took a deep breath in that strained her iron chest, then turned, her arms barely swinging despite how swiftly she spun on one heel. "And what am I supposed to do, then!? Despite what we swore to ourselves, the position's still the same. All it would require is your order, and I would not be allowed to disobey! Letting you come to too much harm means all my support for University flies away with you! I am forced to help you!"

"Mei—"

"But you and your friends won't let me! And you won't explain what you're doing. Why—" She reached into her pocket and found it easy to fish out the Heart. "Why you're collecting something so horrible that I have to work a miracle to survive touching it! Nor why you're deciding they're good things for you to absorb into your body!"

Ichigo took one step back. "Come on, it's not like that…"

"And I could forgive all that! I could! I trust you, deep to the soul of me! I know your judgments are sound! I could be a knife in your hands and have no complaints!" Mei stepped forward and took his hands in her iron grip. "So, please. Tell me what those judgments are!"
[Test Your Relationship +Rapport: 4+3 vs 2, 2 MATCH]

Suddenly, the Heart in Mei's free hand, and the Dragon's Eyes in Ichigo's chest, lit at the same time.

Rei's flame flickered against Mei's back, like a breath had shocked it. "Shine…?"

Ichigo nodded. "Well… It's like that other you said. I thought that if my magic was stronger than the curse's, I could break free of it."
Into the silence, he added, "Shit, that sounds so stupid now I say it out loud."

"We were— are— desperate. Anything we can get, right?" Mei found her giggle hollow and slightly metallic, like it was trying to shout up a particularly long bit of ductwork. "I just wish it wasn't so familiar."
KANEKO ICHIGO [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[Spirit +1]
[Forge an Iron Bond vs 7: 6, 2 STRONG HIT]
BONDS [XX] [XX] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
+2 XP.

Name the form of Ichigo's Iron Bond.
[ ] Shining Together. Gain a +3 bonus to any physically intensive situation where Ichigo is directly involved. (You already have a +2 Bonus when Ichigo helps you in a physically intensive way.)
[ ] Bird and Dragon. Whenever the two of you investigate a matter together, gain a +2 bonus. This is in addition to his role as part of your Combat Party.
This will affect the form of his interaction with Tangled Red String.

The lights in her hand and his chest dimmed, and Mei and Ichigo let go of each others' hands. "Well, now that we know that's not an option," Ichigo said, "Why don't we come with you to the Night Market? Whatever that is?"

"It's…" Mei paused.

"It's where the monsters meet," Gumi said, with a large, toothy grin. "If you wish to fight them, by all means!"

"It's where the magical girls go, to talk shop," Rei added.

"It's where I first met Yumeno Sakura," Asamiya admitted. "I'd advise against fighting anyone there. You'll find all hands turned against you. Immediately."

"But it would be interesting! Until you died," Gumi said.

"If he dies, I die," Mei reminded Gumi.

"Piffle. Your little fancy curses are no match for what's in that iron head of yours. So let's see this house you've brought me, Asamiya Yuki."

It wasn't much. The tatami were slightly torn up from the winter, and rot where the rain had seeped in from a loose tile in the roof. The air had a slightly stuffy feeling to it, as if someone hadn't set foot inside for ages. Being in the spiritual world, it turned out, brought a host of its own problems.

Gumi made sure to take some of the amazake from the offeratory and spread it around like one might water plants. Maybe she was. In any case, the musty air soon left the place, and Mei could swear she heard a faint grumbling, especially when they rolled up the old tatami to burn, then a quiet sound of comfort as the new tatami were rolled out.

"That's…?"

"That's the young spirit of the building itself." Gumi gave the wall a gentle touch. "It's developing well, given its origins."

"Hmm." Mei sat down. "So I could leave this world through any torii, right?"

"You could," Gumi said, with another smile. "Do you want to?"

Mei flopped back and stared at the ceiling. "I'll talk with Ichigo about it, but I want your expertise. If I leave through a different torii, will word get back to that woman any sooner?"

"No. But no later. Remember that your enemies know many things about the world, at least as much as you do."

Mei raised her hand, in the dim light. She turned the Heart in her good hand, watching a sunbeam filter through it. "Then she is welcome to come here, and learn why shrines and temples are not so easily burned."

"Well!" Ichigo said. "We've certainly lived in worse, eh?"

"… Speaking of…"
[Compel +Heart+Fox's Cunning: 1+3+2 vs 1,2 STRONG HIT]

"Pfft, of course I've got your stuff. What do you take me for?" Gumi said. "But you're going to have to find out where I've—"

Mei, all several hundred pounds of her iron, casually rolled atop Gumi. Asura-chan cheered, Get her! "Gumi, are you asking me to strip you in front of Ichigo?"

"— Ah I just remembered I have them right here!" Gumi produced several round rocks, with drawings upon them.

Mei relented. "… I'll trust you to see to your comfort, if not all of ours."

---

Vote begins in one hour and finishes next Monday.

Mei arrived at the Takayama Ramen Shop around the back at 5:30 PM precisely, and with Ichigo in tow. She'd told the others to meet her there before the night wore too long. She knocked, politely, at the back door.

"We're not taking any new workers— Oh, right." Auntie Kei paused, looked to Ichigo, and sighed. "Get in here, quick."
TAKAYAMA KEI (The Ramen Shop Heard 'Round The World) [XX] [XX] [XX] [XX] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[Gather Information +Thoughtful+Detective+Bird And Dragon: 1+2+1+2 vs 3, 10 weak hit]

"Right. You're just in time. I'd ask how your parents are, but I think we both know the answer to that."

"— About that, actually. There's been rumors around the Night Market that my father is there."

"— Oh hells, I think I've actually heard about that. But if it is, it's a hell of a comeback. Siddown, what're you havin'?"

Mei ordered big, and Ichigo followed suit. As this was somewhat related to the matter she'd been employed by Yama for, she didn't feel bad using the Underworld Card.

"… Shit, you actually went into the dead man detective business?" Kei said, staring at it. "I remember your mom waving something like this around."

"You'll note this one is mine," Mei replied. "You understand why I'm eager to look into the rumors about my father."

"This… Is related. You might not think so now, kid, but I have to level with you: You're under a curse."

Mei stared at Auntie Kei with all the tact and level-headedness of someone having just been told to eat a lemon by a superior. "I am sure that you have heard this recently, given my activities, but—"

"Not the chains," Auntie Kei said, waving that aside. "Your romantic entanglements."

Mei blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Look, I understand that just like your old man you're a bisexual disaster," she said, waving at Ichigo.

"— What?" Ichigo said, a little annoyed.

"You need to understand," Auntie Kei continued. "Your grandfather, your uncle, your father-- they all got swept up in too many romances and they died for it."

"Look—" Mei tried to get in, more than a little irritated. Really?

Auntie Kei continued regardless. "You think I'm joking?"

"— Is that why you won't let me see your daughter?" Mei asked.

There was a slight pause while Auntie Kei filled the bowls. "My daughter's well away from you, thankfully. She's getting a technical education; she didn't make it to Osakyu."

"So she's not here. … I'd wanted to apologize to her," Mei said. "We got out of middle school, and…"

"No, I know." Auntie Kei nodded. "… I was really rooting for you, kid. Maybe this would be the time the curse didn't land— they were all men, after all. But… Between Gumi and the Four Witches…"

"— Eh? Four Witches?"

"You know who they are. They hang around you enough." Kei took a moment to make an extra bowl for the both of them. "Funny thing— they didn't used to agree on much."

Mei stared at her bowl while the implications and Asura-chan piped in. Hey. Hey, don't despair. We're making a career out of breaking curses, right? Maybe you'll be able to break this one, too. And fucking around with it now, with so much else going wrong—

Mei nodded. "So. to review: you think I should become bitterer and lonelier than I already am. And you're certain that whoever it is that is claiming to be my father is an impostor."

"Yes," Auntie Kei said. "I'll even tell you where his usual haunt is in the Night Market. He's been operating for about… Six, seven Markets, now? Since February, with one night off."
"I will discover the whereabouts of my parents' wayward spirits."
Rank: Formidable
[XX] [XX] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

"Same stall every time?"

"You need a building for that, but as close as he can manage. Speaking of, if you wanna join me in the Market, you gotta help me with the ritual. Both of you."

This did take some time. Mei had to use a straight-edge for the marks, and three candles sat before the door. She patted her pockets.

"What, you don't have a lighter?" Auntie Kei opened a few drawers and suddenly looked sheepish.

Both Mei and Auntie Kei looked sweetly at Ichigo. "Do an old family friend a favor?" Auntie Kei asked.

Ichigo blinked and then said, "— I have a lighter!"

Mei covered her mouth to hide her amusement.

Ichigo lit the candles, then backed away.

Auntie Kei chanted, and the candles suddenly sprung into blue-white light, blocked by a field raised by the chalk. Outside, the area of the door shifted and melted, wildly, as impossibility fit itself into a dozen different shapes.

---

NEXT UPDATE HINT:
"mecha."
It'll be up Tuesday.

[Face Danger +Hard: 1+3 vs 7, 5 MISS]
FAILURES [/] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Immediately, in the light of the spell, Mei felt her body slowly shift to its iron self.

Too slowly.

Unlike at a torii, where the transition was instant, and noticeable, if no longer completely debilitating, this was slow, stiffening, and torturous. She couldn't breathe in or out. Her heart couldn't pump through now inflexible veins, her stomach refused to turn and her meal sat, horribly uncomfortable, between wanting to go further down and wanting to come up.

Her skin was iron, and her legs couldn't bear the weight, and she clanged to the floor.

"Mei!" Ichigo reached for her, to help her up, and as he did she felt something twist in an unnatural way, creaking strangely, and a sharp pain ran up her back, which faded as the muscles turned into iron, then her bones, and then, blessedly, her internal organs. She gasped, grateful, for air, and blinked as she realized she barely felt Ichigo's touch.
[Well, that was exceedingly unpleasant, but Mei's none the worse for wear— physically, at least… 4/5 Stress.]

The candles winked out, and Mei's desperate gasps for breath and groan of pain and relief drew Auntie Kei's attention. "Mei-cha? Are— fucking shit, who the hell did this to you?"

"Name me a man," Mei said, in riddles, "an archmage, who would devote all his time to overcoming a bloodline curse with alchemy, who would be a match for all the Four Witches and Ichigo."

Auntie Kei's head tilted in confusion for a second or two as she pondered the riddle, then sucked in a breath. "That man."

"Yes."

"Don't ask around about him. You'll find him if you do."

"I've been so warned," Mei said. "That goes for you too, Ichigo."

"Two days after reaffirming a vow and now I'm getting ordered around," Ichigo said, with mock offense. "But yeah, yeah, I'm not eager to face him either."

Mei paused. "I won't say you're safe, here, but you will not be physically harmed. The prices are strange and there will be a lot of youkai and magic people."

"I remember." Ichigo nodded, and the two of them exchanged a tap of their forearms against each other.

Mei and Ichigo reached for the sliding front door of Auntie Kei's together, but between the iron and the residual ache, Ichigo got there first.

"Still, there's nothing against asking about Shirogane-Nezuka, right?" Ichigo said, smiling. "I'll be back before long."

Mei nodded, and patted his cheek. "See that you do."

Ichigo nodded, and left the ramen shop-- and then paused in shock at what he saw. "— Mei!?"

Mei and Auntie Kei turned towards each other, and then Mei followed out after him despite the pain. She didn't quite run— no need to make a scene so soon after the Night Market began.

First, Mei looked around. This was... Near Kobe. Her home-- had it not burnt down-- would be directly near to here, wouldn't it? The buildings were strange, but she knew it by the fact that the crater left by Mercury-3 stood tall, a fifteen-meter wall that obscured everything to the east. To the north, the beacon-light of the Eva Ray Research Center pierced the sky. There was no doubt about it-- though the shops were similar in arrangement and tone to the time Gumi had taken her to the Night Market in the Osaka Industrial District, this was definitely near the line between Kobe and Nishinomiya. She supposed the shops must all slowly build the Night Market, like a sort of migratory city. She touched Ichigo's shoulder, gently. "What is it?"

"Look up!?"

All this supposition was stopped when she looked up.

She had heard that the frame of a mecha was very similar to a human skeleton, but even then, the thing in the crater should not have had teeth. It should not be staring at her with glowing red eyes. It certainly shouldn't have, wrapped around it, the corpse of KELGAN-99-5, the last of the alien kaiju, the fifth and last sent by the Kelgan Empire that year. For a moment, it felt like it was staring past her soul, identifying her.
[Face Danger +Rapport+Tangled Red String: 2+3+1 vs 6, 10 MISS]
FAILURES [X] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

"What the fuck?" Mei whispered, quietly, but with feeling.

The corpse of Mercury-3 rumbled, ominously, for a moment, and then, despite Mei feeling like it could get up and walk at any point it damned well pleased, it once more lay still.

Ichigo and Mei let out a sigh of relief at the same time. "Well, I guess I'd better go do what I said."

"… Stay safe out there," Mei said, half an order, half a plea.

Ichigo nodded, and put up an arm, and Mei followed suit, and they touched fists, gently.
[Well. That could have gone better. Momentum -1, 9/10.]

Mei watched him blend into the crowd, and then walked back in to Auntie Kei's shop.

"Back so soon?"

"Mercury-3 surprised both of us."

"Oh, this is your first time seeing it?" Kei paused, and looked at a slip of paper, and nodded, packing things up into boxes. "It's been there in the spirit world ever since it blew up. No one knows quite why."

"I see." Mei nodded. "Before I go. Auntie Kei, could you spread the word that I'm looking to take on courier work, at least within Osaka?"
[Compel +Rapport: 4+3 vs 1, 10 weak hit]

"Nnnn… Normally I ask for a favor for that kind of thing, you know?" Auntie Kei said. "Though, given how you've been working lately, I suspect someone would approach you for that sort of work, anyway…"

"You've been listening to the rumors, then?" Mei said.

"Mm. Your little stunts in Shirogane-Nezuka and in the Steam Tunnels have spread quite a ways already." Auntie Kei pondered. "Y'know what? Sure. I have a delivery order, would you mind?"

"— Ah— yeah. That works fine."

Mei read the delivery strip. Torioi blacksmithing stall. She looked up in shock.

Auntie Kei grinned. "Well? Get to it, courier!"

---

Next update Tuesday.

Today's Expedition said:

Objective: Reach the Torioi Blacksmithing Stall
Difficulty: Troublesome
THE NIGHT GROWS LONG . . . . . . . . . .
MEET UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS ON TIME . . . .
Reminder: THE NIGHT MARKET (ENCHANTED EMPORIUM) -- A market that is only organized every FULL and NEW MOON. You won't find it at any other time. There, a strict truce is enforced between all the disparate supernatural elements present in Osaka Prefecture, and the general tone is one of conviviality and conspiracy. You can find anything your heart could desire, here... If you're willing to pay the price.

Click to expand...

Click to shrink...

The sun was barely threatening to set, and already there were a wide arrangement of people, youkai, and more ephemeral spirits in the shopping arcade. Most of them were setting up for the night, still, but a few were already available.

Mei still couldn't shake the feeling of being watched by Mercury-3. Something about it unsettled her. Even if it was a mecha, it was still given funerary rites. There was an entire crater dedicated as its gravesite. Why was it awake? Why had it not passed on?

Show someone the Heart. Mei paused and looked around and—
[Lucky? 47— No]

"Torioi?"

Mei turned to see a man in blue-black dragon scales and a smug expression. Ah, it made perfect sense that if Haru was like that-- "Ah, I thought it was you! I'd heard the rumors, of course, but quite another thing to see an iron soul in the, uh, flesh?"

"Ah, good evening, Kuro. Your sister is coming along soon?"

"Huh? She doesn't usually come to the Night Market. Is there a special occasion?"

"I promised to meet her in front of Takayama Ramen. Unfortunately, I didn't realize tonight's Night Market was…" Mei gestured at Mercury-3.

"Ha, yeah, I suppose we would be nervous… You've got a delivery?"

"Yes! I don't suppose you know the smith who's taken to working on magical gear lately?"
MEET UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS ON TIME O . . .
KURO'S INTERACTIONS WITH MEI 4/8
[Gather Information +Thoughtful+Detective+Tangled Red String: 5+2+1+2 vs. 6, 1 STRONG HIT]

"Oh, that's not you? I'd heard the rumors, but… Having met you, I wouldn't have denied you anything." Kuro nodded his head, and Mei began to follow him. The sound of air drills mixed with traditional carpentry. Paper lanterns advertising services from FOOD to CURSES lined the road they walked.

"It's not. I take it you already know where the stall is? Only, I've got hot food."

"— Ah! Yes, I at least remember what it looks like."

"You come to the Night Market often, then?" Mei asked, walking with him.

"Mm. I have a job here. Don't much involve myself with the stalls, but I help maintain the Truce."

"Ah, is that so? Must be an interesting job."

"It is, it is! Why the last time I was here I had to make sure the Emperor's Sparrow stood by his ban for that Market. He'll probably be back this market, too…"

"I take it he tries to skip his check often?" Mei asked, thinking back to the last time she was in the Night Market.

"Ah— Yes! Just so, just so." He paused. "Ah, here we are."

Mei took what time she could to stare at it. A makeshift awning over a heat-blackened wooden counter proclaimed it TORIOI BLACKSMITH, with an added MAGIC— REPAIRS— CONSTRUCTION— WE SHOE YOUR ANTS. Wow. It really just screams 'shady, makeshift magic shop', eh?
Before Mei could respond to Asura-chan's snark, Kuro walked up to the counter and called out, "Oiiii! Delivery for you!"

He preferred <delivery>, in English. Mei would have preferred to be announced with demae.

"In a minute," came a gruff woman's voice. "I'm still setting up."

Mei heard the telltale hum of an electric forge starting to come to life. It was oddly nostalgic. Her father did love his fancy machines.

"Are you sure? There's someone here I'm sure the master would love for you to meet!"

"Get off my ass, Raimoto," the woman's voice responded.

And then, there she was. The family resemblance with Takayama Kei was unmistakable— the thick figure, the cheerful, bright, expressive face, the tied up hair that had a hint of red roots underneath the black dye, the muscle from what must have been weeks of wrestling metal and pounding it into shape all day, the gloves and dirt and sweat of it all.

Mei stood, transfixed, while Asura-chan said HOT DAMN. You NEED to talk to her. Go go go! "Ah! Right! Delivery for the Torioi blacksmith stall, courtesy of Takayama Ramen?"

The woman blinked as the message slowly filtered in. "O-oh… Uh— Yes, set it down, I'll sign for it."

"Sure!" Mei set it down. "Um… I do have some questions about the place."

"I'll try to answer, if I can…" Mei looked at the signed name, and her heart sank.

Takayama Naoki. Yeah. This was definitely her.
[Gather Information +Thoughtful+Detective: 5+2 vs 8, 8 7 PLOT TWIST]

"Nnn, well, to start… If this was his father's place, wouldn't it be Kurokawa blacksmithing?" Mei said it in a way she hoped was innocent-sounding enough.

She laughed, a rich, sonorous laugh that filled the air. "Ah, well... I don't know about that. You'd have to ask the master."

"Is he not in yet?"

"Ah— Is there an issue, Takayama?" Came a man's voice from the back of the stall.

If Mei had a picture of her father as he was three years ago, it would surely look something like this. A little taller than her, around fourty, black hair in his habitually close-cropped mess with a carefully-kept tail, in a braid. He had a slightly soft, tanned face with brown eyes; his clothing did nothing to hide a body long-suited to the work of steel and hauling pre-fabricated plates of mecha armor around a shop. He had the slightly gormless expression of someone who didn't quite realize what he'd gotten himself into when he'd stepped forward into the light.

Torioi— for surely that was what he was playing at-- eyed her, appraisingly, and his brow knotted, like there was something he was trying to shake loose.

"Hm? Ah, sorry, Torioi-sensei. The delivery-woman's curious about the shop."

"Oh, well…" He looked at the receipt. "Oh, from your mother? A good choice, a good choice, she always did make the best."

"If I could have a moment of your time." The fact that he did not recognize her already told her this was an impostor. The question was, how to prove it?

"Ah— do you not recognize her, Torioi-sensei?" Kuro said, brightly. "I suppose it has been a few years, after all."

"Leaving that aside," Mei said, carefully. "I have some things I'd like to ask you, if I could. I've… Come by an object that I was told you could help me with."

"Eh? But, Torioi…" Kuro began.

Both Naoki and the impostor's breath caught in their throats. Mei knew they knew. But how to get them in it?

"I'm sure you have business to attend to with your duties, placing the Truce, yes?" Mei insisted.
[You've lost some Momentum as a result of this. It's not like how you planned it at all. 7/10 Momentum.]
[Compel +Thoughtful: 1+2 vs 4, 1 weak hit]

"Don't worry about it, don't worry about it~" Kuro said.

GODS both of them had that irritating tendency, and Kuro didn't even have the decency to be cute.

"Raimoto, can't you read the room?" Naoki said, leaning on the counter.

No. Wait. There was a way to turn this to her advantage.

"… No, it's okay. I think he can be there for this." Mei produced the Heart. "I hear you have worked on many tools and devices, right? This is the item I came by. I'm told it's a Heart, used to power magical items."

"— Yes, that's correct," Torioi said.

"Mn. So. You've worked on these sorts of things for a long time, right? Could you tell me who it belongs to? I don't want to use stolen objects, and would rather see it returned to its owner." Mei knew it was hers. All hers. But if... If he was telling the truth...

"— Well, first we have to identify it. That's a matter for my apprentice. Once that's done, I'm sure I'll be able to remember whose it is."
MEET UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS ON TIME O O . .
[Face Danger +Resolve; You're Made Of Iron Right Now(reroll any dice): 5+2 vs 8,9 4, 6 STRONG HIT]

Mei barely avoided raising an eyebrow by dint of the fact that her face was made of iron and took a little more effort than usual to change expression. But if Takayama kept doing the work like that, she knew her in. "Well, then, if you would do the honors, please?"

Takayama nodded, and held out her hands, and the faint glow of magic suffused her features. "It's… The Heart of the Wild Fox. I sure haven't run into one named that, but I've only been here a few months. It should be pretty adaptable, but a little temperamental. Nn, you're probably a little unlucky, to have found it without a Tool, though. Something like this would need a purpose-built magic item if you haven't bonded with it…"

Mei thought of the wild fox she'd befriended already, and nodded. "All the more reason to find its true owner soon."
[WONDER GAINED: Heart of the Wild Fox. A Heart that is truly Mei's, that laughs, gambols, and gekkers as it escapes chains and bindings alike. At any point, she may use this WONDER to power a magical or magitech device and aid Mei in a task. If she does, and the Action Die (the one you add your stats and adds to) rolls a 6, it's an automatic strong hit. On a 1, it's also an automatic weak hit or better… But the Heart of the Wild Fox will need time and care to recharge. With time, care, craft, and knowledge, this Wonder may become an Asset.]
Set a general policy for the Heart of the Wild Fox.
[ ] With Courage. It is our heart, and we should use it. How else can we learn what it's truly capable of? The world is infinite, and so are we. (The Courageous approach, focusing on using it in moments where the power will be useful. Focuses on HARD or RAPPORT approaches.)
[ ] With Forethought. It is our heart, and we should use it, with an eye to understanding its properties and our own limits. (The Thoughtful approach. Slowly tease out the mysteries of the Wonder, with an eye for seeking out new things it can possibly do. Focuses on THOUGHTFUL and RESOLVE approaches.)
[ ] With Care. It is our heart, and we should use it, with care, sparingly. It is a wonder that is difficult to risk. (The Shady approach. Use the Heart as a secret weapon, drawing it out only when absolutely necessary. Focuses on QUICK and RESOLVE approaches, though this policy will use any approach in a pinch.)

"Oii, found it yet?" Came the voice from the back.

"Yeah, but I think we'd better let her in."

"Sure, sure…"

The area was a wonderland, to Mei. Some machines, like the sander and the forge, she recognized. Others— the distant ring with several red orbs floating within it, the strange scanning device, the weird clamps with gauges, the presses— they were less familiar.

"So, what is it?" Torioi asked.

"It's the Heart of the Wild Fox. I don't suppose you've heard of it?"

"Tenkou… Nnn…" He glanced at Mei and then said, "Yeah, I think I remember. Was about ten years or so ago, I gave it to a nice high school girl with ambitions of becoming an idol."

Mei had her proof. "Do you know where I can find her now?"

"Uh… I don't exactly keep their addresses, you know? It's good ettiquette to not talk about that kind of thing. After all, the truce only holds so long as the Night Market is on…"

Mei nodded, and walked towards the front of the stall. "— nn, thank you! You've been super helpful."

"You're quite welcome! I hope you find her!"

"So do I!" Mei knotted her brow and decided to clear something up before she left. "Oh! Before I forget, there's one more thing. Hearts are pretty unique, right? How often do you find one of the exact same kind?"

"Oh, that's so rare! I've never come across it. If you ever find a pair, let me know! I'd love to study it."

"Mm. Thank you again! I hope your night goes well!" Mei took the reciept and left them to their meal. Thankfully, Takayama Ramen Shop was easy to get back to…
[Race To The Scene +Supply: 6+4+1 (10) vs 9, 8 STRONG HIT]

"… Wait you're just going to leave them alone?"

"They've told me everything I need to know." Mei idly tossed the Heart of the Wild Fox up and down in her palm, giggling. "That man isn't just lying, he's an impostor… And I can prove it."

"COLUMBO!?"

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