[center][h2][color=a2d39c]Franz Steiner[/color]
[color=76c0f0]Lucretia von Königsmähne[/color]
[color=a36209]Bunga Kurniawan[/color][/h2][/center][hr]

[@Jumbus] [@Izurich] [@Kumbaris]

[hider=Preparing to catch a Bat]
[color=76c0f0][b]"I see..."[/b][/color] So this stakeout operation to uncover the truth about Solomon wouldn't just involve Franz and herself, it seemed the Austrian's companions would be coming with them, well, companion, singular. It had come to her knowledge that a certain Bunga Kurniawan would be assisting them, now that's an individual that Lucy had personally met before - even if briefly - during her search for Sukuro Jinga. Aside from her physical features and voice, Lucy didn't really know much about the Nusantaran Egoist. Then again, there were thousands upon thousands of Polymaths in this island, surely she couldn't be expected to be aware of every single one of them. 

Right now, the German Technologist was just sitting on one of the many park benches dotting Bermuda's streets, her petite legs not even long enough to reach the ground as they hung idly in the air. [color=76c0f0][b]"I've met Frau Kurniawan before, she aided my search of Herr Sukuro yesterday. Therefore, I think she'll be a useful contributor to this endeavour, Herr Steiner."[/b][/color] Lucy quipped in Deutsch at the Mesmerologist.

Franz lay on the park bench next to Lucy, his posture far less formal than hers. This was not how he wanted the day to pan out. He hoped Solomon would just be upfront about things. Franz could have concluded his business there and still have time in the day to study. Instead, he would have to track him down in the veil of night.

Staring up at the surrounding trees, Franz let out a sigh while waiting for this new Egoist. Perhaps he could have spent the time on research. But he was unwilling to do so in front of Lucy, who seemed determined to see every part of his day. The situation was less than ideal. The only bright side being the ability to meet yet another Egoist.

Franz turned his attention toward Lucy when she spoke and replied with a smile. [color=a2d39c][b]"Oh really, that is quite the coincidence. Do you have any idea about her adaptations? I assume none are bat-like."[/b][/color] He joked.

Bunga looked at herself in the mirror. Her body and herself looking rather plain. She has taken off her kneesocks and evening gloves, leaving her bare legs and arms visible for everyone to see. On her right palm lies a brush, and on the table below the mirror some black ink.

[b][color=a36209]"Baiklah. Jadi... ah, oke oke. Gambarinnya disini, dan disini, dan disini ya..(Alright so... ok ok. I draw here, here, and here. Right.)"[/color][/b] Bunga quipped in Trade Malay as she looked at the book right beside the ink. A mess of scribbles and writings she had made during her time studying at the University of Palembang. Most importantly, however, was the fact that the drawings for her Animalistic formulizations are present.

And all she did was draw those drawings from the paper straight into her bare hands and legs.

[b][color=a36209]"Hmmm..."[/color][/b] Bunga sighed to herself. Doing the chore as black ink started covering her hands and legs, patterns upon patterns repeating itself in some mysterious equation only she herself knew intricately. As her legs and arms were filled with ink. She can feel extra appendages forming behind, on top, and besides her.

By the time she finished. Bunga smiled at her efforts. A horn protruding from the side of her head, fox ears on top, and a bushy tail on her backside. The woman couldn't help but indulge a little bit, so she decided to use her new appendages to feel herself. [b][color=a36209]"Ahhh. Lembut banget...(Ahh. It's so soft)"[/color][/b] Bunga smiled, hugging her own tail. It really is as soft as one would expect, little wonder why Bunga liked sleeping hugging her own tail.

Indulgences finished. She put on her kneesocks and evening gloves back. Covering her Egoist formulations. [color=a36209][i]Right, time to meet Ryuuko's friends now[/i][/color] Bunga guessed. Heading towards the park Ryuuko told her. She hoped that Lucy and this... Franz fellow can be relied upon. She knows Lucy well enough, but Franz? All she's heard from him is that he's a fraud, but let's not judge a person right before meeting him.

[color=76c0f0][b]"Nein."[/b][/color] Lucretia shook her head exactly twice, the twin black ribbons hanging from her beret swaying with the movements, [color=76c0f0][b]"Not only she lacked any wings and extra arms, she possessed vulpine ears and tail instead, and although she had horns, they were of completely different shape than the Man-Bat's. Frau Kurniawan looked more like a human with animalistic traits rather than a humanoid monster, in which our quarry presented himself as. Furthermore, her Latin fluency was rather lacking, she used odd choices of words that aren't necessarily wrong, just off, whereas I'm confident that the Man-Bat is fluent in the Lingua Franca."[/b][/color] The white-haired girl gave her concise explanation regarding the matter. Only a delusional lunatic would suspect that Bunga is the Man-Bat. 

...unlike Solomon here, in which Lucy could still be convinced that he's the same one that she met that night. That's why she was here, aside from making sure that Franz wouldn't be successful in his defence of Jeanne of course. Right now, however, they could only play the waiting game until the tanned Egoist's arrival.

And sure enough, like clockwork. The tanned Egoist quickly showed herself. Bunga was wandering around the park a little bit, looking for a petite German woman and a man from Austria, when she slowly turned her head and saw the duo. She's not really familiar with the guy, but one can see Lucreatia's white hair flowing in the wind. It's almost like a signature of hers now that she thought about it.

Quickly walking towards the group. Bunga bowed her head. [b][color=a36209]"Hello everyone. I'm Bunga Kurniawan, an Egoist, I've heard that Ryuuko told us that we should meet in the park yes?"[/color][/b]

To say Franz was caught off guard by Bunga's appearance would be an understatement. If she hadn't directly stated her name, he would be questioning whether she was the one they were waiting on. Nevertheless, they needed protection for the upcoming nightly event. He wasn't about to drive her away by being rude and... staring.

With a composed and polite smile, he addressed the Egoist. [color=a2d39c][b]"Yes, you would be correct. We have some nightly duties we must attend to in order to further the investigation."[/b][/color]

[color=a2d39c][b]"By the way, I must inform you that it does get cold being out after curfew, speaking from personal experience. You may want to have clothes on for it."[/b][/color]

Soon enough, the third and last member of their little squad of investigators had arrived, a familiar face that Lucy had only met once, but she's pretty good at recalling faces, and remembering things in general really. The oldest student then introduced herself in Latin, mostly for the benefit of Franz, also hmm... she didn't sound off this time, had she been improving? Lucy only met her yesterday tho... so twas' most likely due to her speaking a simple sentence, just an introduction. Her not-quite-fluent offness only became apparent in more nuanced expressions, such as Bunga's insistence on using the words "woman" and "man" to refer to every single individual, even though a lot of those individuals mentioned were still just girls and boys, merely a single example of many.

Meanwhile, Franz seemed to get along well as he replied to the Nusantaran Egoist, now the conversation had switched over from the mother tongue of the Germans to the Academia Lingua Franca. [color=76c0f0][b]"Greetings, Miss Kurniawan."[/b][/color] Lucy kept her own reaction short, content to let Franz coordinate things.

Bunga smiled at both Miss Königsmahne and Mister Steiner. Smiling politely as she sat on the park bench alongside Lucy. [b][color=a36209]"So, are you two my companions in this little escapade of ours? I can assure you that I can see and hear a great many things, especially when everything is quiet and calm. Which I imagine this night's going to be."[/color][/b]

[b][color=a36209]"And don't be so judgemental Mister Franz."[/color][/b] Bunga turned her head towards the Mesmerologist. [b][color=a36209]"Looks can be deceiving, but I have the heat protection from the Red Fox's fur coat inside me due to my Egoist equations. I can handle the cold just fine."[/color][/b]

Franz's last remark was certainly less about the cold itself and more a reminder for the girl to put on some clothes. But to press the matter would be rude and he wasn't so blunt as to just say it directly.

[color=a2d39c][b]"Yes I believe this is the team provided you are a capable fighter, Ms Kurniawan. But I must ask before we go any further. Where do you stand on this Bordeaux trial?"[/b][/color]

[color= 76c0f0][b]"Yes, we are."[/b][/color] The youngest of the trio confirmed Bunga's inquiry, that she had indeed found her companions. She noted with keen interest how the Egoist was able to stay warm despite the lack of coverings, interesting, this... Egoism major, had she been too close-minded about its boons so far? While Lucy could see that Egoists elevate their bodies to mythical levels, one thorn remained, the fact that they were sterile meant being an Egoist is an evolutionary dead end. Such a peculiar conundrum...

This was a topic that was currently occupying Lucy's mind even as Franz conversed with Bunga.

[b][color=a36209]"Oh, umm. Yeah! Yeah yeah, I'm a pretty capable fighter. Don't worry about me, being the daughter of spice traders meant that I get access to all kinds of trainers. I'm not sure if you know anything about what I'll talk about next, but I know Silat pretty well."[/color][/b]

The woman stood up from her bench and showcased some pretty easy, but nonetheless indicative moves for the martial art, before stopping to answer Franz's second question. [color=a36209]"As for Miss Bordeaux, I'm a firm believer that one has to have their deserved day at the trial, and I want to help Miss Bordeaux gather all evidence for her defence. It doesn't seem to make sense to me that Jeanne would burn down a library all willy-nilly like that."[/color]

Franz smiled at Bunga's satisfactory answer. It was more than satisfactory. Due to the Egoist's expressiveness, it wasn't difficult to have a decent read on her personality. Her being loosely on the side of the defence was a bonus. At least on a surface level, the two shared the same side. Although Franz seriously doubted the two had much overlapping morality. That could cause a conflict in the future, best to avoid the chance of it during this mission.

[color=a2d39c][b]"I am quite happy to hear that you support the defence. I think tonight offers to present the evidence we need in the case. I imagine we can share that excitement."[/b][/color] Franz delivered in a cheerful, friendly manner then turned serious [color=a2d39c][b]"However, I can't say a 'pretty capable fighter' sparks much confidence. I'm sure you are aware of our target. Correct me if I am wrong Lucy, but this Bat Egoist seems to be on the stronger end of Egoism. If it came to that, what chance do you think you have of fighting him?"[/b][/color]

[color=76c0f0][b]"But the fact still remains that she burned down a trove of knowledge, some which might've been irreplaceable."[/b][/color] Lucy quipped, the mention of Jeanne prompting her to return her attention to the matter at hand. Furthermore, regarding that, Franz already mentioned his reasons why he still tried to defend Jeanne and as much as she wanted otherwise, she couldn't help but see the logic in it, even if it was rather sentimental. Bunga seemed to be in agreement that whether Jeanne was guilty or innocent, the Frenchwoman still deserved a fair trial, let the verdict be done under the watchful eye of Lady Justice.

However, that was for later as they had a more pressing matter at hand, one they couldn't ignore as being careless when facing an Egoist as competent as the Man-Bat would mean none of them would be present at Jeanne's trial anyway. [color=76c0f0][b]"Hmmm..."[/b][/color] Lucretia pondered with a hand on her chin, [color=76c0f0][b]"I do not know of his prior reputation so I can only speak from my experience the night before. Observation suggested that as strong as he was, he wasn't powerful enough to take on Schwarzritter directly as its durability and destructive potential were simply too much for a being of flesh and blood to sustain, so the Man-Bat opted to evade its attacks instead, making use of its limited operational capability due to my irrational state of panic, hence severely dampening my ability to direct the drone properly."[/b][/color] The German Technologist explained. 

[color=76c0f0][b]"Our most effective method in the best-case scenario would be Frau Kurniawan restraining or distracting him so Schwarzritter could land a blow, I think one solid hit will be enough to put him down."[/b][/color] Yet, she frowned, [color=76c0f0][b]"However, as you can see, Schwarzritter isn't present at the moment... so it all falls to Frau Kurniawan should a physical altercation occur."[/b][/color]

[b][color=a36209]"Hmmmmm."[/color][/b]

Lucy's description of this Manbat person intrigued Bunga. It is to no surprise to her that this Manbat is very strong, but not strong enough to put up against a Technologist automaton, yet this Schwarzi-thingy is not present with Lucretia for the moment. Which brings up an unpleasant conclusion for Bunga.

She has to fight this Egoist herself when blows come to blows, and in terms of pure, raw strength, Bunga knows she's on the backfoot here. As an Egoist scientist, her research is pretty up there, as an [i]Egoist herself?[/i], Bunga's capabilities do rank at the lower end of the scale.

Nonetheless, there are still two possibilities for Bunga, and one of them intrigues her the most, so she's going to ask Lucy and Franz for their opinions on her first thought.

[b][color=a36209]"Lucretia, Franz. How about we just... ask the person?"[/color][/b] Bunga proposes. [b][color=a36209]"Could this manbat person injure you Lucy? Because I'm kinda confused why this Manbat person didn't go for the kill immediately after seeing you. So I'm kinda holding on the possibility that he could be reasoned and discussed with."[/color][/b]

[b][color=a36209]"Also, are you getting your automaton tonight Lucy? I don't see how a lone technologist, without her technologist invention, can be of much help tonight no?"[/color][/b]

Lucy had taken another appeal to justice which Franz simply ignored seeing little value in such a thing. Additionally, her admission that Schwarzritter won't be present for tonight was already known to him. 

Bunga brought up a good point about how much use Lucy could really be in tonight's endeavours. If Franz hadn't already experienced the displeasure of curfew, he would be inclined to ask the same question. But no, a technologist was vital to this mission.

[color=a2d39c][b]"Although I have not been given the choice whether Frau Konigsmahne is present or not, she will be unexpendable to our endeavours. From experience, the doors are locked during curfew via some Technologist invention which I don't know the finer details. Being able to pass through doors at night is vital to keeping us safe from the rumoured monsters."[/b][/color] And breaking into Antidevula's home, Franz amusingly thought.

[color=a2d39c][b]"As for yourself Bunga. I agree with you. I certainly think that talking should be our first plan. From all reports, this Bat Egoist is not above reason and one could argue he is peaceful."[/b][/color]

[color=a2d39c][b]"However, I do not put myself in a cage with a peaceful lion. I will take your avoidance to answer to mean that you are uncertain. I am fine with uncertainty, a little risk is needed in something like this. And my mind is put at ease from how you have answered the questions, you aren't the type to just leave us for dead if things go wrong."[/b][/color]

[color=76c0f0][b]"Ja, a diplomatic exchange will be the best case scenario as the Man-Bat is a being of reason, not some kind of savage beast that his appearance initially suggested. In fact, I was the one who attacked him first under the false pretence that he was hunting me, like a predator, whereas he’s merely observing. Furthermore, he assisted my return to the dorm after my exhaustion overcame my consciousness."[/b][/color] The Technologist explained at length, making sure that Bunga understood that physical conflict as a last resort that they should have a contingency plan for, and not the primary method of engagement. 

Lucy blinked once at Bunga's inquiry, [color=76c0f0][b]"Schwarzritter is not a true automaton, he still needs manual instructions from a handler to function. However, true automation is indeed what I strive for in the future, but right now, he's not. I had also lent him to Herr Sukuro for a few days so no, he's not even in my possession right now."[/b][/color] To be honest, she was still thinking on how to best answer the tanned Egoist's next point, because a part of her agreed with the assessment, she'd be much more useful with Schwarzritter around, but then Franz came up with an answer that was quite satisfactory. 

[color=76c0f0][b]"Starsteel Formulization, Sukuro Jinga's magnum opus, yes, I have encountered it before, [i]almost[/i] succeeding at unravelling it before that contemptible bell chimed in the morning and deactivated the formula, undoing all of my work."[/b][/color] Genuine rage bubbled underneath the surface of the white-haired girl's otherwise stoic tone, [color=76c0f0][b]"I'll certainly be more than willing to tackle the challenge again tonight."[/b][/color] Well now, why didn't think of that before? Now she could add one more reason to her participation. 

Oh, speaking of Starsteel, [color=76c0f0][b]"In exchange for Schwarzritter, I have acquired a Starsteeled small chest designed for experimentation. I may as well use the time until the curfew begins to practice. Shall we rendezvous tonight near the Atelier du Moor?"[/b][/color] Once she had gotten her confirmation from her fellow mischief-makers, the petite polymath would immediately depart for her dorm, intent on rigorously honing her skill at solving the labyrinthine formulae, every second mattered since the upcoming trial was merely two days away.

[b][color=a36209]"Atelier du Moor huh?"[/color][/b] Bunga wondered, knowing what her answer was, but still interested in visiting that place, even though she has no idea where it is. [b][color=a36209]"Sure, I might not know where the place is, but I can look around. And this island isn't so large that I'll spend hours upon hours trying to search the shop. I'll meet all of you there when curfew hits. Until then."[/color][/b]

[b][color=a36209]"Selamat tinggal semua!"[/color][/b] Bunga spoke in Trade Malay once more, before standing up. [b][color=a36209]"That means see you later in my language."[/color][/b]

[color=a2d39c][b]"Yes, Atelier de Moor sounds adequate. I will see you all there. As for myself, I have other matters to attend to."[/b][/color] Franz said his farewells as the two left. As for himself, he sat there a little longer taking in the park air. But he too departed, off to his room for study.
[/hider]