[center][color=f49ac2]Sakura Level 11: 048/110[/color] 
Location: Esaka’s High Tier (Thursday Night)
Word Count: 3197
Points Gained: 5
New EXP Balance--- [color=f49ac2]Level 11: 053/110 [/color]

[color=D34C25][b]Primrose[/b] - [u]Level[/u]: [b]11[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 326/110[/color] 
[color=BC8DBF][b]Therion[/b] - [u]Level[/u]: [b]10[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 383/100[/color][/center]


Sakura didn’t have to worry about an awkward trip after the three Seekers departed from the zoo. Even if she got the sense that Therion found some amusement at her expense he was not the type to rub it in, and though Primrose enjoyed some good teasing every now and then she refrained for now, perhaps until she got to know the girl a little better. Instead, they all focused on reading landmarks and street signs as they made their way to their next destination. Although none of them had been to the UN headquarters and were none the wiser if they’d even passed it while traveling the area before, all they had to do to find it was simply read the delivery receipt Sakura had grabbed from Anji before they’d started all this.

Sakura kept her face in the receipt, looking extra stern and serious so that if anyone even thought about teasing her she could remind them to focus on the mission. She studiously checked it against every address they passed by.  [color=f49ac2]”We’re getting closer. Infact–”[/color] She did some mental math and looked a few buildings ahead.

[color=f49ac2]”I think that’s it?”[/color] She pointed at it.

Of course, when it came to that particular structure, ‘building’ undersold it enough that each Seeker was more than warranted a double take. They now stood within a stone’s throw of the single most massive establishment in the High Tier, if not all of Esaka itself: its biggest (and only) hospital, the [url=https://i.imgur.com/zlHBDlr.png]Jeon Ryok Residence[/url]. With many tears defined by the huge, extravagant red clay giwa tiles of the distinctive Paljakjibung hip-and-gable roofs, and enormous brass ornamentations everywhere, it looked a lot more like a palace than a medical facility. Was this the right place? And even if it was, surely the whole thing wasn’t the UN’s headquarters.

Once the awestruck Seekers entered, handfuls of staff could be seen wearing surgical masks, hats, and turquoise garments somewhere between robes and scrubs, with medical stations and equipment in evidence, like the wheelchairs and gurneys used to transport patients between rooms and operating centers. Still, there were plenty of more traditional and decorative elements on the walls. If most of Esaka embodied elements of either Chinese or Japanese heritage, then perhaps this was the stronghold for Korean culture.

Near the front desk, an [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a8/2a/d1/a82ad1169c8cc3c893f9cc7c42727792.gif]incredibly muscular old man[/url] with a huge white beard and eyebrows happened to be waiting with his arms crossed, while nearby a [url=https://i.imgur.com/6iEW5zA.png]strange doctor[/url], emaciated and unnaturally tall with a paper bag on his head, spoke to a [url=https://i.redd.it/u75zliek9ma71.jpg]blonde nurse[/url] toting a massive syringe as tall as she was. A [url=https://i.imgur.com/5muI2DM.png]very pixellated woman[/url] with red hair and a white dress sat behind the counter.

It was all a little overwhelming, particularly for the more medieval-esque Seekers, whose adventures even within the World of Light had not shown them anything of this blend of aesthetic and modern technology. It certainly didn't look like the headquarters of an organization of international spies either. Could they be in a basement level perhaps, or maybe the office suites at the top?

The Seekers looked at each other. Therion's tail twitched every few seconds as he glanced around, squinty-eyed. This place was totally unlike the sanatorium in the Home of Tears, and yet somehow that mild antiseptic smell and the shady looking doctors (even the yellow haired woman gave off that vibe despite the innocent looking face) reminded him of it. After a few moments to take in the exquisitely decorated exterior and the spacious, clean interior with its patients and staff, Primrose set her eyes upon the desk and its clerk. 

At present she didn't think there was any need for theatrics, she approached the angular woman with a small, casual smile and the receipt in tow. Assuming that the package's intended recipient wasn't planning to make them jump through hoops to deliver it, then just asking after the information on where they should go was undoubtedly the best option. 

[color=D34C25]"Good evening,"[/color] she greeted first, prompting Sakura to show the receipt second. [color=D34C25]"We're looking for this man, at this address. Are we in the right place?"[/color]

“Good evening.” When offered the receipt, the receptionist glanced at it, then turned her attention to someone else. “Kum Haehyun?” As she fluttered the receipt, the huge old man -who had been meditating with uncanny stillness- came to life suddenly, as if jolted with electricity. If the elderly master lacked any composure, though, it was only for a split second. His pupil-less white eyes practically glowed beneath his heavy brow as he turned his head the receptionist’s way. “The deliverers are here to see Mr. Chevalier.”

The man gave a stiff nod, then beckoned to the trio of Seekers to accompany him toward a flight of stairs. “This way.”

[color=f49ac2]”Uhh. Thank you.”[/color] Sakura said. Another powerful old man with glowing white eyes. She was almost used to them by now.

She looked back at Primrose and Therion. [color=f49ac2]”I must’ve been in here before. Not from this side, though. It’s all one giant building… insane.”[/color] Sakura said. Then she tapped her chin.

 [color=f49ac2]”Still, everything’s a bit smaller looking now that I’ve seen Midgar.”[/color] Sakura thought aloud. Now that was the megastructure to end all megastructures. 

[color=D34C25]"I can scarcely imagine a city larger than this one,"[/color] Primrose said. Esaka's massive bottom layer was already nearly on par with Orsterra's largest cities, but when taking into account its ascending tiers... and this hospital alone could encompass the smaller villages. It was incredible that Sakura had been to even bigger places.

[color=f49ac2]”Yeah, me neither. That place was nuts.”[/color] Sakura nodded. 

They followed their unlikely guide up the stairs. Ahead of the girls for once, Therion glanced at one of the posted directories as they moved. Using a hospital as a cover for their base... the thief couldn't decide if he found it smart or entirely too reckless.

After a couple minutes of travel, the old giant who plodded ahead of the Seekers cleared his throat. “So, you’re some of our new allies?” He stopped at a set of double doors, then glanced back at the trio, his gaze severe and unblinking. “Mr. Chevalier has already put a great deal of faith in you, to bring you here. Despite your group’s failure to apprehend Lucky Chloe, I might add. Still, if you’ve the strength to take on G-Corp at full strength, it’s a moot point. All that matters is whether you can be trusted.”

When he turned to push open the door, Therion glanced back at Sakura and Primrose with a roll of his eyes. Sakura frowned, confused. None of the three of them had even been part of that Chloe mission, with the girls not even present at the meeting that had outlined the UN's plans. Leave it to a pretentious organization like this to act like they had the high ground. There was a twinkle of mirth in Primrose's eyes as she caught Therion's, but ultimately she understood it wasn't actually the other group's fault for questioning the trust worthiness of the Seekers. They still had wool pulled over all of them. 

Inside was a classic operating theater, roughly semicircular, with a multi-layered, curved observers’ gallery that could seat a couple dozen people looking down on an operating table. The Seekers’ entrance opened up to the very top level of this gallery, but even from here they could see that this was no ordinary medical room. Each of the seats featured a country’s flag draped across the back, many of which Sakura -but not the Orsterrans- would recognize. The operating table way down at the bottom was completely bare, and on the opposite side -under the glow of two freestanding surgical lights- was a wheelchair where Mr. Chevalier sat. After following the Seekers in, the old master shut the door behind them.

“Ah, welcome,” the head of the UN greeted the newcomers in perfectly understandable French. “Please forgive the pomp and circumstance. I wanted to offer a somewhat dramatic first impression of our special room. This is the United Nations’ General Assembly Theater. A mere fraction of our former glory, but a testament to our enduring spirit.” Chevalier stood.

The old master tried not to bump into the trio as he shuffled past them. “Mind if I step out for a bit?” he asked, addressing Chevalier with less gruffness than usual. “It’s getting hot in here.”

“Sounds like your AC needs a tune-up,” Chevalier replied with a shadow of a smile. “Of course.”

With a grunt, the giant knelt down, bowing his head as he closed his eyes as if to meditate. Then his chest opened like a cockpit door, revealing a mechanical interior and a teenager seated inside at a set of controls. The [url=https://i.imgur.com/wwazf7o.png]girl[/url] had wine purple and white hair, a white hanbok outfit, and eyes as pink as the infinity symbol on her garment (beneath Galeem’s red glaze, of course). Wiping her brow, the girl climbed out of her mech and let out a sigh of relief as she fanned herself. “Well, there you have it,” she told the Seekers rather casually. “Allow me to reintroduce myself. Kum Haehyun, agent of the United Nations, seat of Korea. This hospital is my family residence, so…welcome to my home.” With a polite nod, she climbed down the gallery to seat herself at the chair with the Korean flag.

[color=f49ac2]”Uhhh…”[/color] Sakura wasn’t sure what was going on anymore. [color=f49ac2]”Thank you, uh,”[/color] She glanced between Kum Haehyun and Mr. Chevallier, but pulled herself away from the bizarre sight and went towards Mr. Chevallier.

At the same time, Primrose was beginning to put things together. The lack of true context had only hampered her a little, but seeing the collection of marked seats and the variety of members (some she'd only heard about from the other Seekers), she now understood that the United Nations was a very literal name despite her earlier skepticism. And if she wasn't mistaken... made up of mostly nations that came from the same world. Was that coincidence, or design? Surely the latter, since Sakura had been familiar with the organization itself. A spy organization, she'd said. That really did seem to be the case, though she got the sense that the group really did have the city's best interest in mind. 

Still, it interested her less than the woman stepping down from what turned out to be a very convincing humanoid robot. Both Primrose and Therion looked at Haehyun in surprise before the dancer spoke. [color=D34C25]"Thank you for having us. Primrose Azelhart. Charmed,"[/color] she said, returning the dip of her head. 

Now the hospital as a base made a little more sense, too.

[color=f49ac2]”I’m hoping there hasn’t been a misunderstanding,”[/color] Sakura said with a little nervous giggle. [color=f49ac2]”We’re here to deliver this food to you?”[/color] She extended the package towards Chevalier. 

He accepted it gratefully. “Thank you. It was, in part, a pretext to bring a smaller group here so as not to arouse suspicion. Although I am looking forward to trying it. One cannot subsist on French cuisine alone.” 

Therion cut a subtle look at Sakura as if to say, [i]it really was food??[/i]

Sakura shrugged, grinning. 

After setting down the package on the table, Chevalier looked between the assembled Seekers. “Since now we’ve more or less shared a meal, let us formally establish our companionship. Your group and the United Nations can continue working together for the common good, to eliminate the threats posed by G-Corp and the Four Kings, and bring about real change. To that end, this hospital is yours to visit whenever you may need, with reduced charge. Think of it as being insured. In addition to standard healing, the staff here are skilled enough to purge diseases and certain other afflictions. If you’re sick or suffering, the Jeon Ryok Residence is here for you.”

At that point, Haehyun also raised her hand. “By the way. If you or your friends are up for it, I can ‘tune’ you. Tuning your ki will strengthen your body, helping you realize your combat potential and safeguarding you from illness. It’s a…” She paused, putting a hand to her chin as she thought. “‘Rigorous’ process. But if you can take it, you won’t regret it. Just another benefit of being the UN’s friend.” She shrugged. “If you’re fighting in a tournament, it’ll definitely come in handy.”

[color=f49ac2]”I see.”[/color] Sakura crossed her arms. [color=f49ac2]”Well, uh, thank you for the assistance.”[/color] She did a little bow. [color=f49ac2]”Forces of good uniting and all that. Totally cool.”[/color]

[color=D34C25]"We're hardly the representatives of our group,"[/color] Primrose reminded them, though she didn't seem opposed. Especially after Therion added, [color=BC8DBF]"but we already practically agreed to it."[/color]

So the dancer folded her arms loosely in front of her, turning her head and making a show of taking in the gallery once more. [color=D34C25]"And it is a generous offer. [i]Real change[/i] is just what we're after."[/color]

She smiled disarmingly, though whether it fooled someone like Chevalier didn't really matter. The outcome was the same either way. [color=D34C25]"Then we'll let everyone else know. And I suppose we'll have to come up with an easier way to keep in touch."[/color]

Sakura nodded along to Primrose’s words. Then she considered the latter part of the reward. [color=f49ac2]”Ki tuning, huh? I guess we’d be a fool not to, right?”[/color] Sakura scratched the side of her head. [color=f49ac2]”Is it like, a permanent upgrade? Or just for the tournament?”[/color]

[color=BC8DBF]"At least ask for a demonstration first,"[/color] Therion muttered to her. The girl was so strong that she apparently lacked a sense of self preservation. He had to admit that the group did seem to be what they claimed, a force of good, but that tuning thing seemed a little suspect. Maybe he was still projecting prior experiences, though.

[color=f49ac2]”Uh, right.”[/color] Sakura chuckled apologetically. She turned back to the two UN members. [color=f49ac2]”Also, what is that? And what does it look like?”[/color] She projected her voice louder. 

Haehyun fielded the questions seriously. “Nothing lasts forever, but it should be a good long while. As for how it looks…” She paused, thinking. “Well, ki is invisible unless it’s being ‘ignited’ for use, but I visualize it as the strings of a musical instrument. Specifically, those of the guqin, a Korean instrument and a favorite of mine. They can be tightened, straightened, cleaned up, and made to sing.”

Sakura hummed thoughtfully, and observed her own outstretched arm as she imagined something happening to it. 

Maybe it was easier to visualize for the actual martial artist among the three Seekers. At least the Orsterrans grasped that it was some kind of physical process, especially with Haehyun's mention of it being 'rigorous.' Perhaps... like an intense massage? 

Therion didn't look at that convinced, but far be it from him to stop anyone else curious about it to get 'tuned.' Maybe after a few successful procedures he'd be more interested.

[color=D34C25]"I assume an exacting process like that won't be a quick one, so you'll have to pencil us in for another time,"[/color] Primrose said. The hour was getting late, after all. Therion's tail flicked and he nodded. This hadn't turned out to be the total waste of time he initially thought it was, but now that they'd found the place and cemented this alliance, he didn't think there was much use in sticking around. 

Though one thing did occur to him, and he glanced at Chevalier. [color=BC8DBF]"You're gonna let us know when you get some intel on Kazuya?"[/color] he asked. The Frenchman had disregarded the bounty reward earlier, but as it sat unclaimed it was still on the thief's radar. 

Haehyun nodded at Primrose. “Sure. I could use a meal myself. Do you have phone magic?” To show what she meant, the girl raised her hand to her ear and a magic glyph manifested, similar to Sandalphon’s miracle phone but apparently different.

“I can also offer my own phone number, if you’re more accustomed to conventional communication,” Chevalier added.

At the second offer Primrose shook her head lightly. Only a couple of Seekers had those small, handheld communication devices, and she was not among that number. Instead she looked at Haehyun and said, [color=D34C25]"we can learn it."[/color] Even if the Seekers already had link pearls they could communicate through, giving out too many and in multiple linkshell colors would get complicated - and a handy spell like that seemed like it would be useful to have regardless. 

[color=f49ac2]”Also, are we still getting paid for the food thing?”[/color] Sakura asked. [color=f49ac2]”I think if I rent one more hotel room, I’m flat broke.”[/color]

With a snap of her fingers, Haehyun got Sakura’s attention. “I can fix that second part. You can just stay here at the hospital. You’re Japanese, right? Just tell the staff you have Ki Overflow Syndrome. Nobody will bat an eye.”

Sakura blinked hard. [color=f49ac2]”Eh? Really?”[/color] 

As she spoke, Chevalier had produced a wallet that he began to rifle through. After a few seconds, he pulled out a handful of crisp notes and approached the observation gallery to offer them to the Seekers. Altogether, they amounted to fifty thousand zenny, the equivalent of five hundred dollars. “I always tip generously to those who deliver,” he told them.

Therion still found it hard to tell if the guy was genuine or poking fun. Money was money though, and they [i]had[/i] gone through with the food fetch quest. He accepted the payment, quickly and efficiently forking a third over to Sakura.

[color=BC8DBF]"Nice doing business with you,"[/color] he said dryly. Odds were it wouldn't be long before they did business again, too.

[color=f49ac2]”Amazing!”[/color] Sakura accepted the money with a big grin, shoving it into some interior pocket of her fancy streetwear jacket. As she did, she looked up. [color=f49ac2]”Ki Overflow Syndrome, huh? I kinda feel bad about lying to a hospital…”[/color] Then she reached inside the pocket with all of her remaining money, and did the mental math as to how much she would go through just for one night at a motel in Esaka.

[color=f49ac2]”Then again..!”[/color] Sakura would end up waving goodbye to Therion and Primrose for the night. 

Once everything was wrapped up, the Seekers bunking elsewhere got a move on. The encounter from start to finish had been a relatively casual side quest, even including the stop at the zoo where their only real opposition had come in the form of an evil bird (which might even still be out there, somewhere). It hadn't been unpleasant, and was much preferable to the usual life threatening situations the Seekers found themselves in. Coming out of it with a new group and new resources to work with was a boon, too. 

Once they reached their resting places the remainder of the night passed without incident, and the next day began with a familiar call for the Seekers of Light to meet up. 
 
Primrose took her time before answering said call, making sure she was presentable to her usual standard after waking. If even her small group had some developments to share, she wouldn't be surprised if the other Seekers had some news as well. [color=D34C25]"Just say where~"[/color]