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Tōnan Gyakuten

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It was a somewhat dreary afternoon. It wasn't raining, but the weather hadn't been predicted to be particularly pleasant. It didn't take some trained professional to be able to tell that there was going to be rain today. The dark clouds, the heavy air, even that strange smell that permeated the atmosphere, it all spoke of a storm.

Toshiko lit a cigarette, and inhaled. The smoke rushed in, and she took the cigarette from her mouth and blew it out. She raised an eyebrow at the paper before her. She'd received the phone call, and then a fax. The family seemed quite desperate to retrieve what had been taken...

To say nothing of what had been stolen, the circumstances were curious. The room wasn't so much a room as a heavily-protected vault, yet nothing had been destroyed. The walls were intact, so was the door... and it was tightly locked. The spells in place to protect the item were still intact, or at least that's what the family believed. There was no sign of... well, anything, really, as far as the family had been able to tell. The only difference in the entire house was that the stolen item was missing. Toshiko took another drag on her cigarette, and blew the smoke out. This... this was, to begin with, an undeniably supernatural case. And the family was quite willing to pay very well...

To be honest, Toshiko currently found herself utterly without any spending money. A well-paying case, a curious case like this...

Her employees would be downstairs by now, or at least on their way to the agency. It was time to speak to them about this case. Getting to her feet, Toshiko walked through her dimly-lit office, passing stacks of paper and the single old television. She walked to the door and pulled it open, before beginning to head downstairs.

It was time to solve a theft.

(if someone posts before I manage this I'll change the silly monologue)

"It was a gray, miserable day. The kind of day that leaves the possibility of rain hanging over your head like a piñata filled with cold disappointment...or black licorice. It had been quiet around the agency for a long time now, and our money had dribbled out and dried up just like a rusty old kitchen sink. I couldn't afford anything better than discount bento for the last two days, and the presence of sweets and ice cream at the supermarket and snacks from vending machines had begun to haunt me like cruel and alluring sirens, threatening to drive me mad each time we passed by them to go buy less expensive, tasteless fare. My mood was becoming as bleak as the skies above."

The speaker of this odd monologue was one Iwajima Jun, currently sitting slumped over in a chair that was usually reserved for guests or important clients. He was staring at the ceiling with a look of absolute despair on his face, seemingly entranced by his own monologue. Despite being indoors he was wearing a heavy trenchcoat. Even closer inspection would reveal that he had a lollipop in his mouth that he occasionally fiddled with while he spoke, perhaps in imitation of his legal guardian's smoking habit. He perked up and focused on Toshiko as she walked down the stairs, nevertheless continuing his pretend narration.

"Suddenly, my boss walked down the stairs and into my office! She was a cruel woman, always forbidding me from watching the one tiny TV in her office and filling our living space with the kind of cigarette smoke that clung to her like cheap perfume. But from the look on her face it was easy enough to tell that she might finally have another well-paying job, and right now money means hope!"

Jun hopped off of the chair and ran over to Toshiko and despite his tough-guy monologuing, was practically hopping from one foot to the other in sheer excitement. Or at least relief from boredom.

"Toshiko-nee! Toshiko-nee! What's the job this time! Are we gonna have to find a statue with a hidden message inside? capture some mage's lost familiar before it goes berserk? Ooh ooh! We have to track down a murderer before he uses all sorts of dead souls to make an artifact of evil! What is it! Tell meeeee!~"

No excuse will make you useful when you are absent.

Kei's benefactor had took to leaving notes since the first time he met him. Even though the man saved the familiar's life, he could barely imagine any image of the man beyond a murky shadow in his mind. It did not help that he had never seen him again throughout the 2 years he lived in the man's house. The only sign of his presence was his charity. A small allowance (for takoyaki. Kei didn't need to eat it, but he liked it.) and a few magical artefacts for him to feed off.

The allowance was replaced by a note attached to a job application a few days ago. It said:

Get a job. Head to the Fu Sonzai no Gensō detective agency. Talk to a woman called Ando Toshiko. I've explained everything that needs to be to her.

There this woman was, another Magi. Just like Yukinaga. He barely mentioned his loathing for magi, but any fool could have read the seething anger on his face as Kei uttered out every word during the 'job interview' to Toshiko that day. The urge to crumple up his application, pelt the woman's face with the crushed up ball of paper and leave was great, but Kei felt like he owed something to his benefactor.

In his mind, Kei mentally made a note. He would hold onto this position for 2 weeks, at least before making a decision about staying on.

Three days had passed since the application. And another note was on his table-side in his room in the morning.

Stop hiding in the house. You're a living being, get used to it. Get to the detective agency.

Kei grumbled, scrunching up the piece of paper and throwing it out of the window. A living being didn't randomly get sick or fade in and out of reality. And what good was he in a detective agency anyhow? Sighing, he curled up in his bed, using the blanket to shield the sunlight from his eyes. For a mysterious man offering him assistance, the housing was nice (though he had hardly any experience with this), and the sheets were soft.

All that mattered to him was the grogginess in his head and the heavenly feeling of the bed. Kei smiled like a sleeping cat.

And yelled like a rudely awoken cat when a brick flew in an arc into the room and struck him.

Jerking out of restfulness, Kei's hand reached for the brick. He paused, however, as an odd sensation coursed through him, like a little electric shock that didn't hurt. Familiars, at least familiars without masters, suffered from this sort of thing. Reality was rejecting them, and this was him, as a living sentient creature, trying to hold onto the only realm he was born in. He could see the brick even as his hand covered it, and a note attached to the brick.

Go. Now.

The flurry of action Kei took in utter surprise when he saw that led him to be ready to leave in 10 minutes. From his pyjamas (His benefactor bought it for him. Strangely, it was a perfect fit.), he slipped into his normal clothing and shoes.

"No wait," Kei looked back, at he stood at the door entrance. "I forgot something."

He reached back and grabbed the small jade necklace, sitting atop the flatscreen TV in the living room. He smiled as he stared quietly into the artefact, bathing his hand in the lukewarm radiation of its mana. It was enough for 2 days, if he didn't do anything much.

Hopefully, this detective agency would have a boring day ahead.

---

The cold air of the day made him regret the first moment Kei took a step outside his lodgings, but bricks flying in from windows were greater things to fear. The trip to the detective agency was uneventful, other than a small moment of 'familiar' nausea that passed by quickly.

The shady office building that was the Fu Sonzai no Gensō detective agency loomed into view, and his heart sank just as quickly as he remembered the smell of the place. Cigarette smoke. A desperate lack of hygiene. A rat that bit Kei. And the damned Magi woman.

With clenched teeth and a held breath, Kei shoved open the door. He imagined her red hair and ruby eyes, and how he would counter that smug, cigarette-chomping face of hers with a look of utter disgust. Kei was employed here, but he wasn't going to make her enjoy his presence.

But he could hardly hold onto his angry expression when he saw the back of the head of a black-haired kid. Kei smiled unconsciously at Jun.

It was only when the door behind him slammed itself shut did Kei wipe his own smile off his face quite visibly with his hands.

"Err... hello," Kei mumbled. His hands went to twiddling his fingers. The mere presence of Jun's attention towards him rushed his thoughts and was tugging his mind into the depths of incoherence. He hated human adults. But he didn't know what to feel about children.

A gray, cloudy day that meant it was most likely going to rain. Dark clouds loomed overhead, waiting to unleash their gift upon the unsuspecting victims below, drenching them in a cold, wet, downpour of rain. Not that she minded. Rain was one of the few things the Homunculus actually enjoyed these days. Not only because she enjoyed the sound of rain hitting the ground or other things such as roofs or pavements, It made her abilities much more...powerful. Not that it really mattered. She was still going to be relatively weak in that field no matter what she did. That good for nothing human Magi was at fault there as far as she was concerned.

She was sitting on the edge of the roof of some abandoned apartment complex, her home. Well, what could be passed off as a home. It had a bed, electricity - most of the time, a TV, Fridge...most were...'borrowed' of course, since she didn't have money to pay for such things. That all went to her alcohol problem, food, or other things she deemed more important. She downed the last of the vodka in the bottle and gave a heavy sigh.

"Didn't I have something I was supposed to do today?" She asked the bottle in her hand, but of course it didn't reply and she already knew the answer to that question, so she had no idea why she even asked it. "Of course I do....Damn it." She grumbled. The damn agency had wanted her for some reason. She wished she had never had the unfortunate accident leading to working for that damn Magi woman. Her, working for humans. Hah, that thought amused her. As far as she was concerned humans were worthless beings. How they survived thus far without killing themselves somewhat amazed her.

Still, it wasn't that bad, she supposed, since it gave her something to do other than drink or sleep all day with the occasional...'borrowing' of other peoples properties. Okay, maybe it was bad since she hated working. She said she'd help them though, so she might as well get used to it.

She grabbed her mask that was sitting next to her on the rooftop, and quickly put it on. It wasn't like she actually needed it, but it made her feel safer with it on. She'd feel better if the agency didn't know about her either, but Anonymity was harder and harder to keep in today world. Used to she could just live out in the woods and not see another person for weeks, maybe months. How long ago was that?....Meh, didn't matter.

She stood and walked over to the fire escape that was on the side of the apartment. She'd make use of the alleys and roof tops to get to her destination. No sense in going out on the roads unless needed. Most people would probably be more than a little surprised at seeing someone dressed the way she was. She didn't want that kind of attention. She quickly made her way down the fire escape, and with the skill of an acrobatic professional, she jumped from the second story, rolling when she hit the ground to keep her momentum and from hurting herself.

The trip through the alleys was quick, aside from the occasional obstacle that was easily dealt with through various use of acrobatics. The Agency wasn't that far away now, she could see it. Slowing her pace from a jog to a slow walk, she pulled opened the door....

And was immediately assaulted by the smell of cigarette smoke and some kid loudly talking.

"Oh for the love of the gods Tosh," She said, not using her full name. "Do you think you could open a window or something? Better yet quit that annoying habit." She complained, placing a hand over her mask covered nose as she stood in the doorway. She probably didn't have much room to talk, since her home probably smelled like a bar after a bar fight and someone spilled all the alcohol on the floor. Or smashed a keg over someones head. Several times. She roughly shoved passed the familiar boy and ignored the human kid, who she didn't so much as look at and took a seat in the first place she could find. "I mean come on, this place is going to give anyone cancer who so much as inhales a single whiff." If there was one thing she detested most about Toshiko, it was her smoking habit.

As Toshiko proceeded down the stairs, her eyes(and ears) fell upon the small form of the boy, one of two children in her care. She raised an eyebrow, inclining her head to the side as she listened to his very external monologue. She couldn't help but find it rather amusing. Cruel woman? She supposed that was true, to some people. And she couldn't argue the cigarette point. It wasn't as if her smoking habit had particularly dropped off. Still, they were useful for more then satisfying cravings. Holding her cigarette to the side, angled away from Jun, she replied to him.

"Unfortunately, you're going to have to wait until everyone's here to learn about the case," she replied, to the boy's question. To be fair, his guesses weren't exactly outlandish. In fact, she'd experienced some stranger situations prior to founding Fu Sonzai no Gensō. So the enthusiastic suggestions from the child weren't actually out of the realm of possibility. However, the case Toshiko had received was both more mundane and more outlandish, just in different aspects. "I will tell you that it's going to be a surprise for you, given that none of your guesses were the right one."

Her eyes drifted away from the child and upwards, towards the older boy. Or perhaps younger. His nature as a familiar made it difficult to gauge whether or not the age difference was only skin deep. What was certainly clear that, in spite seeking her employ, the familiar certainly didn't like her. It was impossible for her to ignore the look of disdain he harbored when she had been interviewing her. Oh well. Toshiko was certainly familiar with being disliked. To be fair, several of the people who had shown such dislike for her where... indisposed, but she would not do that to one of her employees. Or anyone, if they didn't give her a reason.

"Oda-kun," she began, addressing him, "It's good to see you. You'll be on your first case, today."

There was no reason, as of yet, for her to treat him with the same disdain. That said, there was also no reason for her not to be aggressively polite and friendly towards him as a response to his dislike.

And... there. The next arrival was another new recruit, the icy homunculus girl. Complaining about her smoking habit. Oh, well, it's not as if Toshiko cared. She did her best to keep the smoke away from others and that was that. "... It's nice to see you, too, Kurosawa-san."

She considered the request to open a window for a moment. Of course, Toshiko did smoke rather a lot. And certainly, she didn't want it to affect anyone here. She could deal with it herself, but hardly wanted to inconvenience her employees or the children in her care. After a few moments, she made her decision.

After all, she certainly wasn't going to be quitting... ever.

"I suppose as long as it's not raining..." Toshiko gestured to the window, her voice becoming a quiet mutter under her breath. With a creak, the window slide open, allowing smoke to escape into the air. "Anyway, I'll begin briefing you on our new case as soon as everyone's arrived."

"I don't know, if even Toshiko-san can withstand all that smoke, we can tolerate this amount with no trouble," commented a teenage-looking young man, carrying a small tray with several teacups into the room. His small glasses dully reflected the light in the room as he set it on a nearby table, "not to mention, this is quite idyllic compared to my normal duties.

Said normal duties for this particular butler included the constant fending off of his true employer's advances, guarding her from the numerous enemies she seemed to collect on a whim, and having to deal with said whims of hers. The latest of which being 'you're a detective now! Come back when you can out-Sherlock someone!" And while Tomoya Kurosaki had noted how strange it was that she ordered him to do something that involved him not sticking to her like a conjoined twin... it was kind of hard to pass up the opportunity for a small break.

"However, if the stale smoke dissatisfies you, allow me to take your mind of it," Tomoya offered, a kind, flirtatious smile on his lips as he produced a flask from within his tailcoat jacket, swiftly pouring tea into a cup. He held said cup out to Etsuko, continuing with a barely-contained, boastful tone, "My tea is known to help consumers momentarily achieve a state of true Nirvana with its perfection. Perhaps that is a slight exaggeration, but rest assured, this can help you, no matter your mood.

Tomoya was apparently of the opinion that there was nothing better than tea, especially his own brew. While he was certainly awesome at making the stuff... it was still tea, after all.

Of the many poor qualities a person could have, one that would rate highly on the irritating scale would be having what many would describe as "fish breath." Meet a man with a gap in his teeth and stains in his under-arms and nine times out of ten the smell that wafts from his lips is fish. In japan, such is life, and it was something that Hirako was undoubtedly afflicted with. Luckily however, he had the worlds strongest defense if anyone had a problem with this particular trait.

He was a cat.

Though even that's not quite right. Hirako (or "Koh" as some of the agency's younger patrons would call him) was actually a bakaneko, a cat yokai. For reasons he was either ashamed, embarrassed, or otherwise unwilling to share to each visitor into Ms. Ando's business - he was stuck in this small and admittedly adorable form. There were some days he struggled with his affliction, cursing the fact that most of his magical latency was sealed away forever. Today was apt to be one of those days. The agency would be crowded as his (employer/owner/friend) Ms. Ando gathered the detective group together for a new case. Chances were good at some point he would be needed, and being at the center of attention was not always his most favorite thing in this body.

Still, he would do whatever Ms. Ando would ask of him. Though secretly he hoped he would not be required to go outside in this rain. Cats hated getting wet.

Now, Hirako trotted lightly on four black paws, and in one swift leap was atop the bookcase in the room that was now slowly filling up with junior detectives. Some of these people brought out Hirako's cat-side. That is, he couldn't help being moody and either wanting attention or storming off to sleep in some crevice. The loud young boy who yelled out caused Hirako's fur to stand up slightly, but they were all relatively harmless. The other boy, the familiar...Hirako wasn't so sure about.

Hirako however was noticeably excited when the dancing dressed Butler, Tomoya, arrived. This was a more relaxed being, and he more than once had given Hirako a small saucer of the most delicious tea he had ever sipped. Hirako also enjoyed his company, despite his vampiric heritage. For now however, Hirako simply sat, giving Ms. Ando his attention as she addressed them all. Cats were more of a behind the scenes type creature.

"Thanks, Tosh." She replied when Toshiko opened a window. "Now maybe I can actually breathe instead of choke." The comment was unnecessary, but it made her feel warm and fuzzy inside. Its sole purpose was to get some reaction out of Tosh, though it wasn't likely to get one. No harm in trying. Well, actually, it might hurt. Her specifically. She might not like Tosh personally, but she couldn't deny the Magi had some power. Still, waiting was not something she liked doing. Oh sure, she could wait around all day doing absolutely nothing. But waiting to do something was annoying. She'd rather go ahead and get it over with so she could get back to doing nothing. Giving a dissatisfied grunt, she crossed her legs and folded her arms.

However, when the butler Tomoya approached her and offered her tea, her disposition seemed to improve a bit. Mainly for the reason she though he was a bit on the cute side, and the fact he wasn't human. "Well," She said, returning his flirtatious smile. "I think I'll take you up on that offer." She took the cup from him and gave the tea a sip. Admittedly, she had never liked anything but alcohol, and soft drinks were a good substitute if she couldn't get her hands on any, the tea he had brewed actually wasn't that bad. "Well, not what I normally drink, but its not that bad." She said with a continued smile.

"Thank you. I think I'll be able to stop myself from making snarky comments for now." Pfft. Like that was going to happen if she was bored. Which she was.

The quiet sound of bare feet on bare wood preceded Hanako, Wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and thus matching the season if not the weather, the child came down with her rabbit plushie under one arm and a few sheets of paper in her free hand. At the bottom of the stairs, she stopped and looked at the surprisingly crowded room, then to her aunt, and then to the people. She recognised Jun but the others were complete strangers to her.

Ignoring all the strange new people for a second, the child walked forwards and placed her papers--maths homework, as it turned out--on the table, and then turned back to look at the smoking redhead. "Are they clients, Toshiko?"

Kei's twitching face betrayed his inability to keep his disgust under wraps, but it seemed like the feeling was not mutual yet. Toshiko treated him with basic politeness, a little courtesy that was mostly lost on him.

"Yes, Ando-san," he replied curtly.

Then, there were others. The strange purple-haired woman dressed up like a kunoichi was the first to complain about the cigarette smell, though her boisterous manner left a negative impression in Kei's mind. How did someone who dressed up like an anime convention cosplayer (Yukinaga once brought him to convention.) considered for a job here? Then again, a familiar wouldn't be the first choice for any normal job.

The young man who spoke with a grace and dignity of those decades older made Kei feel a tinge more positive, even as he was loathe to admit any positivity in the foul-smelling run-down detective agency. Kei wanted a cup of tea too, but speaking out wasn't his forte. And he was definitely sure that the office didn't have iron cups for him to hold. He could possibly convert a few utensils into a makeshift cup, but his employer would probably flip her lid. Still, there was one thing that irked Kei about the butler. This man didn't feel like a human. He didn't smell like a human. He looked like a human, but so did Kei.

The young girl softened his hard, guarded expression even more, something he didn't notice and would outright protest if noted out loud by anyone else. She was probably older than him technically, but she was... adorable. There was her cherubic face. The giant black rabbit plushie she held. And her brown long hair. All the familiar could do was hold himself back from adoring the little girl's angelic cuteness, though the little innocent smile on his face made his attitude towards her and Jun quite clear.

And then there was the cat. Kei didn't hate cats, but there was something off about this one. Something he couldn't put his finger on. Kei kept a schedule of feeding a local stray cat, and he made some observations of feline behaviour. Enough to smell something fishy about this cat, other than the fishy breath it had.

Kei took a seat on a wooden chair. Toshiko mentioned something about a new case. He hoped that it was something minor. The allure of curling back up in bed in the afternoon dominated the rest of his waking thoughts.

Today was an odd day it seemed, for today, Mearii was yawning out of a lethargic exhaustion that frankly did not make any sense. After all, she was still technically a youkai. Why would something that doesn't even truly have a physical body have the capability of being tired? It was the same logic that made vampires nocturnal beasts who only slept during the day due to a dislike of sunshine, or ghosts who wandered around regardless of time. Was this a sign that she was slowly becoming more human, as her changed diet began to change herself? Or was it simply because the dark-haired gumiho was running short on mana again?

It was tiresome to think of, and it was ultimately something that she decided would not bother with that day. After all, today was a work day, after a small dry spell from the last assignment from that chain-smoking magi and her eccentric crew of part-timers and weirdos.

Taking in a breath of the slightly humid air, she recalled the weather forecast as she walked through the streets. That falsely cheerful anchorwoman had promised 'cloudy with a 30% chance of light showers' that day, and the gumiho briefly wondered whether the dark jacket that hung over her shoulders would be enough to keep her from getting wet. Hot showers were alright, but cold showers reminded her too much of those uncivilized days. Hitching up her hood over her head, more as a precaution than anything else, Mearii patted her side, and then yawned once more.

She was back at her temporary residence.

Having no identification, sadly, made it impossible to legally obtain housing, so she simply slept in that cigarette-filled place under the pretext of staying overnight to review cases. Ah, someone like her could probably get some shelter through shadier realtors, but it wasn't like it would be an improvement, regardless. At least the water was clean here.

Stepping through the door and murmuring a 'tadaima' to no one in particular, Mearii spotted Jun first, and sighed. The kid was here. No, the kid was allowed to be here, and thus, that meant that it wasn't a dangerous case this time. No food, unless the nature of the case changed to something darker. She scratched behind her ear and then felt her stomach. Though it was full from that katsudon she was treated to earlier on, it still felt empty.

Low mana reserves was never something fun to deal with, after all.

Finding a seat and unceremoniously plopping down onto it, legs spread apart in a comfortable, if unladylike manner, Mearii eyed the cat for a moment. If one was what they ate, Hirako should taste like fish. But she didn't like fish, and the bakaneko was pretty small regardless. Glancing up at the boss-lady, the girl asked, in that dead-serious tone that was the only voice she ever used, “Bright Child, planning to explain, or are there still more people we're waiting for?”

There were lots of people, but if Jun's here, it shouldn't concern death and gore. So a large-scale hunt for something? A child spirited away, perhaps? As Mearii began to speculate absent-mindedly, she stroked her thigh. Normally, she'd be toying with her Glock, but for someone who loved to slowly poison the lungs of nine year olds, Toshiko was sure against letting Jun even SEE a gun.

And here were more of her employees. The vampiric tea-making butler was actually the more obvious of the two... given that the other was a cat. Cats were not often employees, even magical ones. However, when they were youkai, that made things just a little bit different. She elected not to respond to the ninja homunculus' comments, not in this case at least, nor the blatant hatred from the familiar. Seriously, he was pretty obvious about it. It at least meant he hadn't signed on with any ulterior motives. Someone intending to try and kill her wouldn't make their hatred so obvious if they were attempting to be subtle. Toshiko took another drag on her cigarette, calmly blowing out the smoke after removing it from her mouth once more. The smoke was immediately sucked out the open window, in a manner that certainly was not entirely natural.

Ah, her niece. She must have heard the commotion and come down to see what was going on. Toshiko passed her cigarette between her hands as she turned to face her, angling it so all the smoke was unnaturally funneled out the window. She wasn't going to go blowing it in her niece's face, after all, and the window at least offered an easy place for it to go.

"While I do have a new client, it's not these people. No, these are my employees, Hanako-chan," Toshiko said, inclining her head to the assembled figures as she did, "And remember, it's Aunt Toshiko."

It was a light correction, but still present. They were in company, after all.

Speaking of company... the gumiho had arrived. The circumstances surrounding the Korean equivalent of a youkai(admittedly, Toshiko's knowledge of that particular area was somewhat lacking compared to other subjects) were... strange ones, to say the least. However, they also made her a somewhat useful employee. As long as she didn't cause any incidents, Toshiko found herself accepting of such circumstances. "We're waiting on a few others, and I'd rather not repeat myself."

"Such is the power of tea," Tomoya replied with a smile. He couldn't remember the last time he was able to speak to a female without his associate reacting with murderous rage. It really was quite the relief, not having to bat her away from anything. "If you need any more, I'll gladly supply you," the butler continued with a small bow, one hand placed on his chest as he did so.

He returned to his tray shortly after, swiftly filling several cups with the tea in his flask, which was promptly replaced in its original resting place. Tomoya then walked around the crowd, offering his hot drink to everyone present. If there was one thing the bespectacled night-walker was proud of, it was his tea. The reasons why were unclear, especially given the massive patience he also adorned, but hey, he had decided that was his best feature.

Once more, the door opened, as a young woman clad in a floral kimono stepped inside. Hanging from her hip was a wooden sword, and as she entered she was accompanied by the soft clopping of sandals against wood. Almost immediately after entering, she bowed deeply at Toshiko.

"This one apologizes for her lateness, Ando-sama," Ryuuzaki said, speaking in an almost reverent tone. Toshiko was her employer, after all, and as a samurai she was honour-bound to treat her with respect. "Worry not, for it shall not happen again." And then, with the smallest hint of a smile breaking across her usually serious face, she layed a hand on Hanako's head and ruffled her hair. "This one trusts you fare well this dreary noon, little one."

Employees? Her aunt had succeeded in finding interested employees, and so many of them? That was odd. In fact, the idea of Toshiko employing anyone at all was baffling, since it had just been the two of them for most of Hanako's life. Well, Jun had moved in, and there was that nice girl that was always visit—

The nice girl that was always visiting had arrived and ruffled her hair.

"Ryuuzaki, did you come to play?" the brunette said excitedly, as the butler offered her a cup of tea. The child picked it up, wondering why they had a butler anyway. Surely that was too expensive?

A short bespectacled girl rushed into the building. "S-sorry I'm late!" Kaede announced, panting heavily. Running, well, athletic activity in general wasn't her strongest suit. She paused for a moment to catch her breath before continuing. "I would've been here earlier, but my friends needed some help rescuing a kidnapped princess from a dragon."

This explanation for her tardiness was given completely straight-faced, which was understandable when one considered that it was technically true. She honestly didn't see the part about it being in a video game as worth mentioning though. Without another word to anyone and without making eye contact with any of her co-workers, the teen moved to a corner, opened her school bag and pulled out a Nintendo 3DS.

Then, something occured to her. She looked up from the screen at her employer. "Toshiko-san? If you're down here...do we have a case? Is a powerful sorceress trying to collapse time on itself? An evil emperor out for world domination? A clown?"

Kei managed to smile at Tomoya when he offered a him a cup of tea. He accepted it happily, though he said nothing. While Kei wasn't phasing in and out of reality yet, he did not believe that reality granted him the pleasure to savour tea for any period of time.

With his free hand, he slip his hand into his jacket, rummaging for one of the little things he brought along. His fingers prodded the little iron sheet he brought in, and a little self-satisfied grin appeared on his face. He concentrated a little of his mana in his fingers, and the effects of his affinity bulged out of his jacket. Still smiling, he removed a makeshift iron cup, shaped a little larger than the teacup (but otherwise shaped just like cup) and in perfect form to him to grasp onto. The teacup slid into Kei's little creation with a harmless cling, and Kei finally took a sip of the tea.

It wasn't takoyaki, but it was nice.

He was about to take another sip of the tea when he heard the unique sound of wooden sandals on wood. Kei could hardly believe what he saw. Another girl who looked like a cosplayer, considering that very few people carried a wooden sword with them in public. Kei only just lived for half a decade, but he already was thinking that the girl wasn't just born in the wrong decade, but in the wrong era. Then again, all his knowledge of Japanese history came from the video games Yukinaga used to play. He wanted to rub Hanako's hair as much as the little girl was happy to see this samurai maiden, but all he could do was watch. Like a puppy watching a piece of meat placed on its nose that it was trained not to touch.

All those thoughts were kept in his head, of course. Technically, they were called 'onna bugeisha', but that didn't roll off the tongue quite as quickly as samurai.

Next, there was the girl with pigtails that came in, holding some sort of video game device in her hands and a ridiculous story on her tongue. And out of her mouth came out even weirder suggestions for their current case, none of which Kei wished to go near. Not even the clown. Who was she, anyway?

The mere possibility of this strange girl being a magi sickened Kei. Either that, or it was his 'sickness' popping up again. The grubby, darkness of their little gathering spot would have barely illuminated the fact that light could find its way through Kei's body for that few seconds. He was glad that he was still holding onto the cup, though.

The somewhat better mood Etsuko found herself in after Tomoya gave her some tea, was quickly soured again by the sheer number of people that came into the room. The most of which were humans, and most of those were Magi. Even the two kids present were probably Magi. She didn't like that at all. Kids were not something she liked. For whatever reason, she just did not like the little brats at all. They were like little, more annoying, versions of adult humans. She already didn't like humans, and making them come in smaller, annoying, sizes just didn't sit well with her. She kept that opinion mostly to herself though, most of the people here probably wouldn't take well with her saying that openly. So instead making some nasty comment, she managed to keep to herself and took another sip of the tea. The second sip helped only a little, and whatever calming effect the first two had, was completely gone in the third. She should have brought some Vodka....maybe some rum. That'd keep her occupied and distracted while all the slow pokes filed into the room. Might not be the best of ideas though, Tosh would probably not like her drinking right before a job...though that's what she was doing anyways before coming here.

Giving an irritated sigh and setting the unfinished tea down on the floor next to her, she began tapping her foot on the ground restlessly. How much longer were they going to have to wait? And how many more of these little brats were going to be coming? She hoped she wasn't going to be working with them directly. All she could do now though, was wait.

"I'll have to pass on the tea, Kurosaki-kun," said Toshiko as it was offered to her, waving her hand slightly. They would be departing for the investigation soon, and so she wouldn't really have much time to enjoy it. And she could hardly have a cup of tea while driving. However, her attention was quickly grabbed by the next arrival.

Ah, Ryuuzaki... she was a less recent hire, to say the least. An investment that Toshiko was very satisfied with, for multiple reasons. The least of which being her skill in combating supernatural threats. Which was sometimes rather necessary in this line of work. Of course, Toshiko herself naturally was quite capable in that particular area, but it always helped to have another. And, well... to put it simply, there were other reasons she had hired the samurai girl. But now was not the time to focus on those reasons. Now was the time for business. Smiling slightly, Toshiko spoke once more. "Ah, it's nice to see you, Ryuuzaki-san. And don't worry, you weren't late enough for me to be concerned."

Perhaps if one of her employees had been more then a few minutes late, she might not be too happy. But a few minutes wasn't enough to make her angry.

... And then she was given the utterly baffling explanation by the newly-arrived Kaede. It took a moment for Toshiko to realize just what she was talking about. Video games weren't one of the redhead's areas of expertise. No, she spent her money on other things. Other things that absorbed it and left her in less-then-advantageous positions when it came to money. "... Well, you're here, Nakahara-san, and that's what matters. Now... I think that's everyone."

Pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose and taking the cigarette out of her mouth, she her explanation of the case.

The cigarette was returned to her mouth, and she took a drag on it before blowing out the smoke. It curled through the air and out the window. "About a day ago, the Daidouji mage family was alerted to a presence in their home. When Daidouji Kenji, and his wife, Daidouji Tomoko went to investigate, they found nothing amiss. Nothing was different, there was no sign of an intruder, nothing was changed. Not the slightest thing had been altered. That was, until they checked the room their most precious item, a family heirloom, was held. It was gone entirely. But there was no sign anyone had been to the room. Even the spells cast on the room to keep it secure hadn't been disturbed."

Another drag on her cigarette. Toshiko held the beginnings of the case report out, for her employees to take a look.

"They want us to track down the perpetrators and get their precious family heirloom back. Now, I'm sure some of you are aware of the... history of the Daidouji family, but I'll give a quick rundown for those who aren't. The Daidouji Mage family has splintered into many, many branches. Every single last one of these branches hates the other. And when I say hates, I mean backstabbing and murder aren't out of the realm of possibility when it comes to one branch to another. Our suspect may be the member of another branch."

A reasonable explanation, Mearii decided. Toshiko was too lazy to explain things multiple times, and thought that no one else would be kind enough to explain it to anyone who came late. Plausible, but at the same time, the gumiho was pretty sure that there was going to be at least one nice person amongst the many employees of the detective agency that would care to explain. Nevertheless, she kept her mouth shut and accepted a cup of tea from that vampire-butler. It helped take her mind off her lethargy, if nothing else, as she sipped the hot liquid, careful not to burn her sensitive tongue. Quietly enjoying the tea by her lonesome, not interested in speaking to her colleagues just yet, she dully noted the last few late arrivals, before opening her ears as Toshiko prepared to explain the case.

Her nose twitched ever so slightly as more cigarette smoke filled the room, before drifting out of the opened window to poison the lungs of even more people in the city.

Then, as the redhead began her explanation, Mearii took out a well-worn notepad and a pen, scratching out notes in Korean like the good student she was.

Yesterday, heirloom stolen.
Time is (?)
Daidouji Kenji and Tomoko went to investigate home. Were they out? Or just in other room?
No change, except for family heirloom gone. Spells weren't disturbed.
What is the family heirloom? Any actual power, or just sentimental value?
Who else was with them?
Assumption to be confirmed: Kenji and Tomoko are of the main branch.
Many branches in family, each hating the other.
“Backstabbing and murder”
Suspects should be in the family.
Why steal the heirloom then? Ransom? Psychological attack? Voodooism of sorts?
Other possibility: outside Mage family that wishes to destroy whole of Daidouji, by encouraging conflict.
How would they bypass the spells then? Were the spells regularly recast? Insider help?
Other possibility: Kenji and Tomoko hid it, plans to frame other branches for robbery
Explains why no spells triggered, since they stole it. Where hidden then? Who framed?
What IS the heirloom?


She was still writing for a good five minutes after Toshiko finished her explanation, her tea going cold. Finally closing her notepad and storing it into her jacket-cape's pockets, the gumiho sighed, and asked a simple question, “Will we all be heading to the scene to investigate? Or do you plan to do some division of labor, Toshiko-san?”