When Kirito heard the shout and the subsequent crash from the floor above, he was just greeting Caramella at the foot of the stairs. Both Faeries froze as they processed the noise. For a moment, his mind had been behind his accelerating body in reacting. Then he'd realized what he had just heard and the fact that he had just heard it within an Inn, and he became a blur of motion, memories of a different case in a different world flashing through his head.
The interior of the inn was too confined to use his wings, even if they would work properly in an indoor space. He didn't bother trying to fly, but he did the next best thing as he kicked off from the ground floor, taking the stairs in only two bounds before ricocheting off the second story wall and running for Argo's room, Caramella was right behind him, hand reaching for her sword.
Doors opened down the hall, occupants poking their heads out to learn what the noise was about before ducking back inside as Kirito streaked past.
Argo and Caramella's room was at the far end, there was no time to slow down, no time to take it safe.
"Caramella!" Kirito barked as he drew [<Onyx Arbiter]>.
"Right with ya!" The Swordwoman shouted.
Kirito dug his heels in, slowing just enough to not be a danger as he lead with his right shoulder. Faerie Swordsman met hardwood, and though the door didn't buckle, he still managed to tear the lock free from the door frame. Kirito was barely slowed down as he skidded to a stop within the confines of the inn room, ready for anything, or so her thought.
"Ar . . ." He began to shout out, only for the name to die on his lips. " . . . go?"
"We're . . . here?" Caramella stumbled to a halt behind Kirito.
"Nice for you to join us, Kii-bou, Caramel-chan. Looks like someone wanted to join you guys for dinner." Argo said from the floor, one strap of her nightshirt hanging from her shoulder and damp hair falling over her eyes. The Cait Syth information broker looked unamused as she sat atop another shape, straddling it from behind as it squirmed about beneath her discarded cloak.
The squirming intensified, causing an irate Argo to push down on a lump at the front of her cloak, causing the form to sit still. Both sword users stood, taking in the scene before them.
Kirito sighed, re-sheathing his sword and gesturing for Caramella to do the same. The Swordswoman didn't look so sure, so he explained. "I think Argo has it under control." Resting hands at his side, Kirito let his pulse slow. "So, what exactly happened?"
"What happened?" Argo looked annoyed. "I was just going over my notes with Suisen when I heard something outside my window. Good thing too, otherwise this," she pushed down angrily on the lump, "Would have landed right on top of me."
Looking past Argo, Kirito noticed that the window frame was hanging only by its bottom hinges, the jam broken off and fallen to the floor.
"Mmmph?" The lump under the cloak rose and twisted from side to side. "Mmm! Mhmhm?!"
"Seems pretty talkative." Caramella noted. "You wanna get that, or should I?" The Swordswoman sighed as she returned her own sword to its scabbard.
Kirito gave Argo a hand hauling the captured intruder to their feet, finding the slight figure to be surprisingly compliant as they set them down on the side of the bed nearest the window.
Reaching up, Argo tore her cloak away, and the Faerie trio got the first good look at their captive. What they found didn't leave Kirito feeling very impressed.
"Wow dudes, you really know how to make a girl feel welcome!"
Argo's intruder was a Cait Syth, and none to imposing even by Cait Syth standards. [<Dorky]>, that was probably the best way for Kirito to describe her, and even using that term made him feel incredibly uncool by proximity. Short and thinly built with rosy cheeks, bright brown eyes, and brown hair tied up in pigtails.
Her equipment appeared to be designed for a ninja build and was far more professional and intimidating than its wearer, snug, form fitting, dark blue body glove under lightweight fabric armor, all sized to keep any loose bits from rubbing or catching. A pair of grappling claws hung from the straps attached to her wrists, a large wood splinter still stuck to one of the claw tips.
"Okay, time to talk." Argo spat out venemously. It had been a long day, and whatever [<Good Humor]> the Cait Girl usually had was by now completely spent.
The girl's lips thinned. Did she think she was being brave by not talking? Argo's own stare bored into the girl until she finally cracked. "I wasn't doing anything!" Three neutral faces stared at her without a hint of amusement or belief. "Okay! I wasn't doing anything illegal! Technically."
Argo cocked an ear, listening to the commotion in the hallway and on the floor below. The noise of the girl's entry and being subsequently subdued, combined with Kirito's own rushed entry, had drawn plenty of attention. The Information Broker looked back to the girl on the bed whose look of indignation was starting to fade as she realized that she was in [<Real Trouble]> now.
Argo's expression turned into a spiteful little smile. "You know, the watch has been on the lookout for people like you, right? Lots of people have been caught using their wings and magic to spy on others while they're changing clothes or bathing. I guess the lack of porn is driving some perverts off the wall nya. You have thirty seconds, a minute tops, before the Innkeep gets up here. That tis how long you have to explain why we shouldn't turn you over to the Watch. Now spill sa!"
The threat did its work, eating away at the girl's confidence and resolve. She exchanged horrified looks with Kirito and Caramella. "S-she's joking right!"
Kirito rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It is pretty suspicious, I can't think why else you'd be hiding outside a window."
"Tell us what you're doing here, or get called out as a pervert to the entire city." Caramella emphasized with a mocking smile.
"Clocks ticking . . ." Argo added with a nasally hiss.
The girl trembled, face contorting as if she was about to burst. "Urrghh okay! I'm called Netzel, I'm a reporter for ALfheim Daily!"
"A reporter?" Three voices asked as one.
The girl nodded eagerly. "That's right! You got a problem with that?"
"No . . ." Kirito said. How to put it? Actually looking at her, she did look suspiciously like the stereotypical female reporter despite her attire. All she needed was a beret stuffed with a pres pass and a camera.
Argo groaned rubbing at her eyes as if she had just been presented with an unappealing complication. "Netzel." Argo said. The girl nodded eagerly. "That Netzel."
"So you've heard of me?" The girl almost beamed. "Sweet!"
"No, tis not sweet sa!" Argo bit off a less ladylike reply.
"I'm guessing you know about her?" Kirito asked, the sooner they got this sorted out the better.
"What is going on in here!" The faintly nasal shout of a third Cait Syth came from down the hall, signaling the arrival of the Inn keeper, a Cait Syth with steel gray hair whose appearance was that of a woman in her early thirties, the far end of the age range that was common among randomly generated characters. She gave the damaged door one look and then gaze imperiously into the room as if daring anyone to answer. A few of the braver or more curious guests peered out from behind her apron, wielding swords, axes, and even a few cooking utensils as improvised weapons. None of them actually looked at all prepared to fight, in fact, with the exception of the inn keeper, they all looked terrified.
Kirito's shoulders sagged, they really didn't need to go out of their way to put people on edge. The whole city was as sensitive as a cat right now . . . and he wanted to punch himself for even thinking that. "We're sorry but . . ."
"My friend Netzel here was just coming to visit and she thought she could surprise me by coming in through the window." Argo said casually. "It didn't occur to her that it be locked, and well . . . " She gestured pointedly to the window frame to explain her story. "Kii-bou here thought something bad was happening and rushed in while Netsu-chan and I were still in a heap."
Kirito flinched when the Inn keeper turned her attention to him, the look in her eyes threatened obliteration if he lied. So he very carefully didn't. "That's right, I was just concerned for my friend." He turned, smiling tightly, "You really shouldn't have done something that stupid Netzel-san."
"Ah, ah, sure thing, yeah." She raised her hands apologetically.
The Inn Keeper took a few moments to decided if she was satisfied before nodding reluctantly. "Then tell me . . ." The Cait woman closed her eyes.
"Ah, uhuh?" Netzel smiled feebly.
"Just who exactly will be paying for the repairs?"
"Ah? Uh . . ." Netzel began to look nervous when a deep, low voice came from farther down the hall.
"Don't worry Ma'am, we'll cover it under Watch expenses." An approaching Undine in a dark blue trench coat said, his partner close behind him.
"And you are?" The Inn keeper gave them both suspicious looks.
"Jensen, and this is Vakarian-san." Jensen said. "We're with the Arrun city watch, here to investigate the murders of Watch Captain's Liliana and Tobi. These three are also on assignment from the Faerie Lords." The man removed his sunglasses and gave Kirito a curt look. Somehow, Kirito didn't feel like they were being rescued.
"The murders?" A severe looking Cait asked. "Have you learned anything yet?"
"Not yet." Jensen said, raising his hands to ward off any more questions. "I understand that this has you all on edge. But our investigation is still ongoing. Everyone, please return to your business."
"You heard him." Vakarian added lowly. "Move along people, there's nothing to see here. These aren't the Faeries you are looking for."
The small crowd, uncertain at first, began to gradually return to their own rooms or head back down the hall to the dining room until all that was left was the Inn Keeper herself. "And how exactly am I going to be reimbursed for this?" She waved at the damaged door and window.
"Aren't you just a squatter who settled down here like everyone else? Maybe you should figure it out . . ." Vakarian began, only to be silenced when his partner raised a hand.
"I'll sign off on the damages. Just get an estimate to Freelia Tower and they'll release the funds."
The Cait Woman allowed her expression to soften. "If that's the case, then thank you. This Inn . . . it's all I really have right now." She put hand lightly against the wall. "I want to take care of it like it's been taking care of me."
"We understand Ma'am." Jensen said softly. "Sorry for the damages and for the inconvenience."
"Un, I was reckless." Kirito added without prompting. "We're all on edge right now."
The Inn Keeper thanked Jensen again, lingering a few moments longer before hurrying off to get a replacement key. There were still a few spare rooms and she claimed she couldn't have guests staying in a room without a lock.
After she had left, Jensen and Vakarian had turned their attention to the nervously smiling Netzel.
"Oh, hell, not you again." Vakarian groaned.
"You know her?" Caramella grabbed one of the room chairs, seating herself backwards.
"Unfortunately." Jensen confirmed. "She's got something of a reputation with the Watch. Getting into trouble where she isn't wanted."
"Hey!" Netzel countered, voice rising as she half rose from the bed. "The Public has a right to know dude! And this is breaking news. You really think you can keep this all under wraps?"
"Like I was saying." Argo spoke loudly enough to silence the nascent argument. "Netzel, tis a member of the guild [<Ad libitum]>, for the last three weeks she's been employed independently as a freelance writer for the ALfheim Daily. They're the people who have been keeping the message boards in all of the town squares up to date if you haven't noitced."
"Wow, you've done your research. Kudos dude!" Netzel grinned widely. "Now it's my turn. You're Argo, one of Alicia Rue's top assistants and currently part of the murder investigation being conducted on behalf of the Faerie Lords. Everyone seems to think you're highly trusted by Alicia Rue and the other Leaders." She then pointed to Kirito.
"That over there is the Black Swordsman Kirito, he's a top rate Spriggan Sword user, but he's not a card carrying member of the guild Kurotaka. The big news about him was that he helped to kill the traitorous viscount of Wardes during operation Dunkirk. Also, word on the street is that Asuna of the Knights of Blood is his wife and that their daughter was logged in with him when the transition happened."
Kirito opened his mouth, and then thought better of it. It was probably best that people thought of it that way for now.
Turning next to Caramella. "You're the Faerie Swordswoman Caramel, one of Asuna's three hundred SAO survivors, I've heard some juicy gossip that you're really close to a certain last Prince of Albion. A friendship or something mo . . ."
"Just friends." Caramella cut her off with a dangerous look that promised retribution if speculation ever appeared in print. "And it's Ca-ra-mel-la!"
"So you know about all of them, good." Jensen said gravely. "Then you must know plenty about us too. Now tell us what you're doing here Netzel and maybe this won't come back to bite you."
The girl's expression soured and she looked ready to clam up again. "Like I told Argo, it's nothing illegal. I was just trying to get up to date info as the story unfolds."
"You mean you were spying." Caramella said. Once the facade was stripped away, it really didn't sound too pleasant actually.
"I was investigating." Netzel corrected. "Good journalism depends on info that a reporter can trust. And where better to hear it then from the horse . . . err . . . Faerie's mouth. I just didn't expect the eve to give out like that. Guess I should lay off the Dew Milk."
It was starting to make sense to Kirito. In the end, he should have expected something like this, much more innocent, and also, much more stupid.
"You do realize, that this is an ongoing investigation, right?" Vakarian asked casually as Jensen paced beside him stroking at his goatee. "What you're doing could tip off the criminals we're trying to catch."
"And leaving everyone in the dark is going to start a panic!" Netzel countered with a huff of indignation. "Jeez, don't you even realize how starved everyone is for info? If you don't throw the Public a bone they'll start chasing their own tales." Never had a turn of phrase been more literal as the Cait Journalist carefully held her own tail close to her chest.
"Just look at the stuff Regin and Ryo are saying right now. You gotta fight speculation with facts! There's nothing I love more than sinking my teeth into a story, and there's real headline stuff here. But I'm not stupid."
"You seemed pretty happy to get in the way back in Arrun." Vakarian glowered unkindly. "How many times have you been caught trying to eavesdrop in Arrun tower? You know there's a war going on."
"And loose lips sink ships. I know." Netzel defended. "But listen, you know how much I eavesdrop, and you know that I've also never published anything really sensitive." She pressed her hands together, pleading.
"Maybe, maybe not." Jensen looked on suspiciously. "All I know for sure is that you were eavesdropping outside a certain Cait's window tonight while there's a murder investigation in progress. That doesn't look too good, Netzel."
"Wait." Argo raised hands to her temples as if trying to banish a boss level migraine that had developed in the last few minutes. "Netzel, just what are Ryo and Regin saying, I'm guessing their latest letters got posted today."
"Totally Dude!" The journalist answered. "ALfheim Daily has exclusive rights to post their letters on our boards." The girl fished around her person until she found what she as looking for in a thigh pouch. It was a thin sheet of cheap, locally produced paper, but that wasn't what was important. The important thing was the rows of perfectly spaced, perfectly regular katakana and hiragana script mixed in with the occasional kanji. "We even got our first batch of movable type finished so we can bulk print! This just went out to everyone."
Argo scanned the offered page and started cursing, fervently. "Everyone?"
"Everyone." Netzel confirmed. "On at least one board in every city."
"What is it?" Vakarian asked. Argo handed him the sheet before answering.
"Ryo's screaming his head off like an idiot, so that's normal." Argo rubbed at her eyes. "But it looks like Regin tis acting really regretful about the two latest murders. He's asking how the Faerie Lords plan to keep everyone safe when they can't even protect their own Watch commanders."
"Boys and girls struggling to be Lords and Ladies." Vakarian read, grimacing all the while. "He's saying this shows why we need firmer leadership then Sakuya and the others can provide."
"I can't say I don't disagree." Jensen said, stroking his goatee. "But then again, who is qualified?"
Argo narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Is Jen-san admitting he's a flawed human like the rest of us?"
"Just that nobody is trained for this, Ma'am." The Undine nodded once.
"Yeah, well that's what Regin has been saying." Netzel butted back in. "He and Ryo have been trading letters back and forth, and now they've got a big meeting set up in Arrun next week. They're going to have a debate in front of the whole city and set up moonlight mirror relays so that people in the other Cities can watch too."
"They can try, Lord Mortimer would never allow this." Vakarian said confidently.
"But Lady Sakuya would never allow Mortimer to censor them." Argo countered, ears twitching as she thought. "And neither would Alicia Rue."
"I doubt Thinker would let Mortimer do it either." Jensen added in. "He seems like a pretty upright guy."
"He is." Kirito and Caramella confirmed simultaneously.
If there was anyone among the Lords who he held in equal regard to Sakuya and Alicia, it was Thinker. The man was an idealist, it was something Kirito admired a lot.
"Yeah, it's not Thinker's style to shut anyone up." Caramella thought out loud. "But Yulier can get pretty scary if she thinks someone is stepping out of line."
"So I guess it depends how much he listens to his Secretary." Vakarian observed.
"They're engaged." Kirito answered. Or at least, they had been when last he'd heard. He knew that one of the girl's from Asuna's three hundred SAO survivors had been hired to make the weeding dress, but like with most things recently, nobody had quite gotten around to setting a date.
"Oh." The Salamander's tone went flat. "Well then, I guess we know how Thinker will vote. All hail Lady Yulier."
"You joke around, but this couldn't come at a worse time." Argo muttered under her breath.
"It was inevitable." Jensen said. "You'll see as you get older," the Undine investigator continued without noticing the way that Argo bristled, "People are never satisfied, and they're especially not satisfied when there's an emergency. This sort of thing always happens at the worst times."
Argo paced to and fro, tugging at the hem of her shirt. Finally, she stopped and turned back to Netzel. "Did you mean it"
"Huh?" The Reporter cocked her head.
"Fight speculation with facts, neh?" Argo pressed, urgency tinged her voice and she took a step towards the other girl.
Netzel grinned. "Sure did Dude!"
"Good." Argo said. "Then maybe we can share some of what we know." Her eyes narrowed, both eyelids, and the cat like slits of her irises. "Just so long as you don't put words in our mouth."
"Argo." Jensen grunted. "This isn't a good idea."
"Just hear me out sa." Argo took a discarded notebook from the writing desk and began to flip through the pages. "She's right, one way or another, people are either going to hear the truth, or they're going to start to speculate, and they're likely to believe whichever they hear first. Better they hear it from us, than someone like Regin twisting it for political gain."
"This sounds like a bad idea masquerading as a good idea." Vakarian observed.
"That's because that's what it is." Jensen told his partner. "Miss Argo, you know you can't say anything that will endanger the investigation."
"You're right, I can't." Argo agreed, flipping pages until she found what she was looking for. "But I can write a letter of introduction to Alicia Rue. If Netsu-chan wants answers, she can get them straight from the Faerie's mouth. Then at least people can hear both sides of the story."
"You'd do that?!" The journalist looked up, eyes brimming with wonder. "They won't even let me in the front door of Arrun tower anymore."
"Well maybe if you acted more like an actual journalist and less like a spy." Argo retored. "At least you're writing tis up to snuff. I liked your piece on the Government of Tristain, it tis a pretty good primer on seventeenth century nations sa."
"You mean you read that?!"
Argo shrugged. "I kept a copy when they were refreshing the message board. It saved me a bundle on research time." Argo ripped a page from her notebook and gave it to the journalist. "Here, this should at least get your foot in the door with Alicia."
Netzen looked at the note and then back to Argo. She looked like she wanted to hug the Information Broker. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. This is going to be huge, I can just smell it!"
"T-tis nothing." Argo stammered out. "Now if you'd let go of me."
"Oh? Oh! Right, sure thing Dude!" Netzel released her grip on Argo, sitting back down on the edge of the bed.
"Can she really do that?" Vakarian asked with a hint of disbelief.
"Comes with being in good with Alicia Rue." Jensen explained. "In the meantime, Miss Netzel, if you'd come with us."
The Cait, starring at the letter of introduction like a new toy, had barely even notice Jensen speaking to her. "Neh?"
"One way or another, you did spy on an investigation. We have to be sure you don't do that again or you might pose a security risk." Jensen elaborated.
"Er, uhm."
"We're going to have you spend the night at Freelia Tower, under Watch observation. We'll have an officer from the morning patrol assigned to escort you back to Arrun tomorrow, you can be a pain there until we're done here."
"We suggest you come along quietly." Vakarian added. "Jensen-san here is pretty good with binding spells. I think it's how he expresses all his kinks."
An indignant but cooperative Netzel was led away by the Salamander Watchman, Jensen stopping at the door long enough to signal to Kirito. The Black Swordsman saddled up close to listen.
"Just out of curiosity," Jensen nodded over his shoulder to where Argo was gathering up her notes belonging to move to the replacement room, "Is there a reason why she seems to hate our guts?"
Kirito paused in his reply. It really wasn't his question to answer. But, he could say this much. "I guess . . . She's had her trust betrayed by the authorities before. And I think she she blames them for being the reason we were all logged in when the Transition happened."
"Sounds like a hell of grudge to keep bottled up." Jensen decided. "She does have it bottled up, right?"
If it were anyone else, or anytime else, Kirito would have answered 'Yes, definitely.' But this was Argo, and he knew her well enough to see that she was losing her cool. "I don't know." He admitted.
"Well then." The Undine retrieved his sunglasses from his pocket, masking his eyes once more. "You better keep a close eye on her." And then he was gone after his partner.
"Well, that was some interesting evening entertainment." Caramella snarked. "Anyone want to do an encore?"
Hiss came from Argo as she grabbed her pillow and stumbled out into the hall in search of their replacement room. The last little bit of excitement had expended her last bit of energy. "Do me a favor and feed Suisen. I'm going to bed."
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