[center] [b][color=b22222]"Ugh, fine, I’ll be your snake charmer, if you promise not to laugh."[/color][/b] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/30c767b1-d77d-49e1-a955-71a97411b659.png[/img] [color=ffa500]"I make no promises."[/color] [/center] It had been a few days since the reported gas leak caused Hibusa High to blow up in such a spectacular fashion. Once the news got over the fact that there were miraculously no casualties, they started asking bigger questions. How would thousands of students continue their education? Hibusa High was a huge school. Pretty much every highschooler in Hibusa went there, and the smaller schools didn’t have enough room to take everyone in. One proposed idea was to send all of the students into the City of Light to resume their education. Parents and students alike protested the idea. The city was already a congested space, and it was an hour trip just to get there via bike. But that would never really happen. Even if the club room was gone, the Detention Club still held tremendous influence over the school system, and by extension could influence where the authorities chose to station their new, temporary place of learning. Rei had called for a meeting. Rather than assembling at the club room, Rei, Kiyo, and Roche all met in front of a random mansion in the same neck of the neighborhood as Norika’s house. Despite all that had happened, Rei was looking rather pleased. [color=2e8b57]"Think I found a place that will take us in."[/color] The club president had her hands in her pockets. [color=2e8b57]"A rustic mansion would make for a nice club room, wouldn’t it?"[/color] The Rulekeeper met the mansion with a flat look cast from a face withered from the absence of sleep and the stress of the school’s destruction. One didn’t fully grasp the relief of their vices till they were absent, and the Track team wasn't going to have any meets with circumstances as they were. Dark circles were prevalent even on her skin and those eyes slid from the mansion to their illustrious leader. One who she couldn’t help but consider under a new light in the wake of Sink Queen’s parting words. [color=ffa500]"It would, but if we could afford a mansion we’d be living far better then most of us are."[/color] Roche sighed, knowing that as little sense as it made, Rei had already decided and pulled the mansion out of her perky ass. [color=ffa500]"So are we haunting this place as Magical Girls or did you inherit this from a wealthy uncle? Can’t see the funeral business paying for all this and we aren’t making cash off Miseria."[/color] Kiyo glanced tiredly between her two superiors and the mansion. With the school out of commission, she'd finally ditched her school uniform for black camo jeans and a brand new leather jacket: small, non-committal steps towards the vision of acquiring a new bike. [b][color=b22222]"It's nice."[/color][/b] She grinned like an appeased crocodile. [b][color=b22222]"It's no smaller a target than before, and being out of the way of collateral civvies might embolden light girls to attack—but at least it's roomy. Do they allow pets?"[/color][/b] She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at her own joke. [color=2e8b57]"They will if I ask them."[/color] She side-eyed Kiyo. [color=2e8b57]"Though I can’t recall the light girls ever attacking the school. At least, not damaging it in the process."[/color] She looked at the mansion again. [color=2e8b57]"We are in a well to do part of the town. It wouldn’t be good for the normals if it got attacked."[/color] To Roche, she turned completely. [color=2e8b57]"We aren’t buying it."[/color] Then, without elaborating further, she walked away from the house. The other two naturally followed her. Though the first thing that Roche noticed was that she was getting closer to Norika’s house. In fact, the plot that Rei had selected was behind it on a different street. [color=2e8b57]"We’re going to convince someone else to do that for us."[/color] She folded her hands behind her back. [color=2e8b57]"Rich people like their tax breaks. There’s something we might be able to work here. Not that I know the law that well."[/color] Her smile widened. [color=2e8b57]"But it should be doable. Roche has been helping their daughter with their tuition, and is one of the few people who can get her to learn anything. It is in their best interest to keep students like you in Hibusa."[/color] It didn’t take a genius to see what Rei was prodding at and Roche’s expression curdled like milk. She stuffed her hands into her wind breaker, knuckles brushing along the 8-Ball. [color=ffa500]"They make it sound like she’s some kind of idiot, but Norika just lacks a solid foundation. Really, if they hadn’t kept cooped up and isolated, she’d probably be…"[/color] Honor roll? Maybe. But she’d certainly be leagues more well adjusted. Might not even be a Dark Girl if she’d had the chance to form more attachments then just her brother. [color=ffa500]"Che. If we’re taking her family’s money, I’m for it. Real bastards."[/color] The rule keeper spat out, turning aside to feign interest in the high end neighborhood, finding it easier to swallow then Rei’s flattery. [b][color=b22222]"That bad, huh?"[/color][/b] Kiyo replied with vague interest. She wasn't really familiar with Nyxia's circumstances. Roche looked after her, and that was where she'd left the matter. The girl was convinced Kiyo was a terrible person, and she didn't care enough to change her mind for her. [b][color=b22222]"I won't say no to spending somebody else's money. I'm still broke."[/color][/b] But not too broke to splurge on a nice jacket, it would seem. [color=2e8b57]"Let’s have a game plan, then."[/color] Rei tipped her head side to side in apparent thought. [color=2e8b57]"Roche is the diligent tutor, I’m the head of the detention club, what sort of sympathetic role could we cast Kiyo in?"[/color] Kiyo had just been wondering if she should have come wearing her best 'honor student' look when, finally, Rei got her eyes to widen. [b][color=b22222]"What."[/color][/b] [color=ffa500]"Treasurer? We can plan out the tax incentives and Kiyo reads them off to make it look more put together. Sprinkle in some tripe about the prestige and optics of it all, and they won’t think twice."[/color] The rule keeper posited, something close to amusement passing over her flinty facade. [color=ffa500]"Can’t be me since I’m the Tutor."[/color] [color=2e8b57]"Treasurer? Of what?"[/color] Rei looked at Kiyo and the smile ran from her face. [color=2e8b57]"Could she pull it off? That sort of thing is usually left to adults and not delinquents, no?"[/color] She tipped her head [color=2e8b57]"The leather jacket really isn’t doing it for me. The camo pants aren’t much better."[/color] [b][color=b22222]"Just reveling in my last ounce of freedom, here,"[/color][/b] Kiyo growled back like a cornered alley cat. [b][color=b22222]"I was held back for vaguely-defined 'attitude issues,' not being stupid. Have you forgotten I can hypnotize people?"[/color][/b] [color=2e8b57]"No, I’m just making sure you’re paying attention."[/color] Rei winked. [color=ffa500]"Can you make people be lesser assholes? Or maybe just extremely careless with flaunting money? We’re going to need something that holds up for a long time here. With the school like it, we might not even graduate there."[/color] Roche pointed out, not keen on relying entirely on keeping someone hypnotized for a long time. [color=2e8b57]"Hypnotizing someone for an extended period of time could be problematic."[/color] Rei ‘s eye wandered the sky. [color=2e8b57]"But using it to guide someone to an outcome they would have arrived at anyway should be fine. Don’t the rich like to invest their money in property anyway?"[/color] There were likely better plots than anything in Hibusa town, but that wasn’t a concern for the Detention club. [color=2e8b57]"You still need a reason for being here, biker girl."[/color] [b][color=b22222]"Or I could just fuck off,"[/color][/b] Kiyo muttered under her breath, but the trio didn't seem very likely to let her go without some token of humiliation. Perhaps it was payment for letting Michi into the Club. Willow floated out from behind a bush and hovered on the other side of Kiyo. [color=ff1493]"And it can’t be as Rei’s lesbian biker girlfriend. I’ill eat your eyes if you do that!"[/color] Rei looked past Kiyo at Willow with a raised eyebrow. [color=ff1493]"Oh! I’m just getting my exercise in. I figured I’d say hi since you were here."[/color] Her smile was so sweet it could rot the teeth of onlookers. [color=ffa500]"What if we say you’re an Arts tutor? You’re plenty creative. Bring in some water colors, some oil paints, maybe a pottery wheel, and you’ve got yourself a role that isn’t too front facing."[/color] What humor she’d found was flung off the nearest cliff by Willow’s entry, and she thanked what fortune she had she’d never held a torch for the most public ally embarrassing member of the club. [color=ffa500]"Hello, Willow. Please don’t talk to Norika’s parents."[/color] [b][color=b22222]"Ugh, no biker girlfriends."[/color][/b] She resisted the urge to cringe. [b][color=b22222]"They're probably old-fashioned, so they won't go for it if it involves a school that churns out lesbians. Just tell them I'm homeless or something."[/color][/b] Her comment was flippant, but then she smirked. [b][color=b22222]"Actually, I'm the only girl in the Club with a driver's license. There we go, all set."[/color][/b] [color=ffa500]"I’d argue that but I think Rei’s the only one here who held a boy’s hand."[/color] [b][color=b22222]"Really? When?"[/color][/b] Kiyo replied, skeptical. Will raised an eyebrow. [color=ff1493]"I too am interested in this information."[/color] [color=2e8b57]"They’re not going to be interested in the love lives of teenagers, and we shouldn’t bore them with such details."[/color] Rei’s brow was noticeably pointed. [color=2e8b57]"Driver works. It would be better if we had a vehicle on hand. Doesn’t matter though, we have hypnotism for that, right?"[/color] Before long, the four girls were in front of the gates. It was all very grandiose, with a cast iron archway big enough to fit a semi if it pleased them. The property was a lot longer than it looked too. For such a giant house, it was at the very back of a large plot of property and surrounded by trees. Quite unlike the ‘modest’ sized mansion they had been looking at before, which was right by the road. [color=ff1493]"Welp, this is where I depart."[/color] Willow prepared to fly away before looking back at Kiyo. [color=ff1493]"I have something I need to tell you about, but it can wait until you’re done with the boss. You’re not getting away from me that easily."[/color] And just like that, she faded from sight. [color=2e8b57]"Hmmm."[/color] Rei rolled her shoulders and fluffed up her jacket. [color=2e8b57]"Ready?"[/color] [color=ffa500]"As we will ever be."[/color] [b][color=b22222]"As I'll ever be,"[/color][/b] Kiyo replied in unison with Roche. She sighed, certain that whatever Willow wanted to talk about was not going to be a pleasant conversation. [b][color=b22222]"And just call me next time!"[/color][/b] she shouted after her. Then, she also adjusted her jacket. [b][color=b22222]"Alright, if either of them ask about me, just pretend you don't know me very well. That way I can keep my story straight."[/color][/b] [color=ffa500]"So we would bring a stranger to this? Let’s not complicate things. You’re the driver, and we have you certified to handle Norika’s transportation needs so they see some value. These aren’t deep people, philosophically speaking."[/color] [b][color=b22222]"I meant that if they ask the kind of nosy, personal questions only old people feel the need to ask,"[/color][/b] Kiyo clarified with a hand wave. [b][color=b22222]"Stuff you wouldn't need to know, and probably don't, anyway."[/color][/b] [color=ffa500]"Then you hypnotize them if they get nosy and give simple, uninteresting answers. As long as you don’t wave a neon sign saying you kick puppies or plant cameras in bathrooms, they will be all too happy to dismiss you."[/color] [color=ffa500]"I’ve barely talked to them since I’ve started giving Norika lessons, and unless she bombs hard I don’t see that changing."[/color] Rei cleared her throat with a single cough. [color=2e8b57]"I think Kiyo knows how to use her powers."[/color] She stepped in front of the gate. [color=2e8b57]"The goal is not to make the school look good for their daughter. These rich types don’t enroll their kids in public schools for a reason. That, and if they really hate her that much we’d be wasting our time."[/color] The gates swung open slowly, likely due to some machine that wasn’t visible. [color=2e8b57]"It just needs to look like a good investment. And to that end, I think we can make such a purchase look… Interesting."[/color] … … … There would be no spotting Norika from the windows as they approached. Her window had been shattered, and was boarded up while a custom replacement was on order. They went through all the rich people rituals that people like Norika’s parents liked to go through. They met with a beautiful maid, who guided them to a spot where they could take off their shoes before passing through a massive garden. After witnessing an immaculate garden filled with expensive (but not necessarily beautiful) statues, the trio was guided into a lounging room filled with western style furniture. [b][color=ffffff]"Mr Tsukishima will be with you shortly."[/color][/b] she said before swiftly departing. Rei took a seat on the center of a couch. [color=2e8b57]"Now we wait."[/color] [color=ffa500]"He’s a busy man, after all."[/color] Roche replied, sitting stiffly on one end, a stick firmly shoved up her backside as she made the effort to look every bit the dignified tutor she’d sold herself as. [color=ffa500]"Be mindful what you say aloud. The staff likely expect us to steal the silverware."[/color] Her voice was low and soft, the feeling of being watched by cold, merciless eyes something she expected from the Tsukishima residence. [color=b22222]"Indeed?"[/color] Kiyo replied, her voice seeming a bit strange, but in a way that was hard to pinpoint when she'd spoken only a single word. She reached behind herself, as if to flatten a skirt that wasn't there, before sitting on the other side of Rei with her hands in her lap, knees together and back straightened in impeccable posture. She'd made it all look perfectly effortless, but it was clearly a practiced motion. They didn’t have to wait long. Mr Tsukishima showed up after just a few minutes. [b][color=ffffff]"Greetings."[/color][/b] Rei bowed her head when they were addressed, and so did the others. He took a seat in an armchair across from them, [b][color=ffffff]"And it is especially good to see you again, Miss Hananami. Though I doubt the three of you have come to tutor my bothersome daughter."[/color][/b] [color=2e8b57]"Afraid not."[/color] Rei gave the man an amused smile. [color=2e8b57]"We spoke earlier on the phone. I’m Rei Ishiko, president of the detention club. I’m sure you’ve seen the news and know our predicament."[/color] [b][color=ffffff]"The gas leak at the school."[/color][/b] He practically groaned the words. [b][color=ffffff]"You said it would be a good idea for me to buy the property adjoining mine and to let the school use it for a time. Though you seem a little fuzzy on how that would actually benefit me. I’m not a charity, as I’m sure you’re aware."[/color][/b] [color=ffa500]"Perhaps not, but you are just as much a pillar of the community. Just as your business and investments support countless in our fair city, we would ask you to consider being a patron for the school in our time of need. It is a task you are singularly suited for, and one that would confer the respect of the city upon you."[/color] It was a miracle she didn’t look as though she bit into a lemon, but knowing Rei would appeal to greed, she made the effort to flatter his ego. [color=b22222]"The incident could have been a tragedy,"[/color] Kiyo interjected, and now it became clear what was strange about her voice. She was speaking formally, with a smooth Italian accent, and a warm smile. It was like the Kiyo they knew had been replaced by another from a totally different world. [color=b22222]"But since no one was hurt, it is an opportunity to build a better school in its place, with more buildings, given new names—not those of mourning families, but hopeful investors from our community."[/color] She tented her fingers hopefully and met his eyes with hers. [color=b22222]"As for the villa, we would truly only need it for a short time. During that time, we will, of course, do all that we are able to accommodate your wishes for its upkeep, to protect your investment. The tax writeoffs are also worth your consideration."[/color] [color=2e8b57]"Additionally, the property borders your own."[/color] Rei added. [color=2e8b57]"It would be a good way of protecting your existing investments, provided you have the funds. I apologize if we’re asking you to do something that’s outside your means."[/color] [b][color=ffffff]"Well that’s not a problem, I assure you."[/color][/b] He laughed, but his brow twitched. [b][color=ffffff]"I’ll strongly consider it. What’s owning an extra house in this town? But why is the ‘Detention Club’ before me right now?"[/color][/b] Rei smiled. [color=2e8b57]"We were well respected at Hibusa high."[/color] The large man dropped his hand on his knee. [b][color=ffffff]"I’m well aware of that, young lady. But last I heard, Hibusa High is no more. Relocation of the school is a government matter, which should be well above the station of some school club that doesn’t exist anymore. So why are you here instead of some government representatives?"[/color][/b] Roche answered next, head slightly bowed in deference to the man they were shamelessly buttering up in one breath and negging with the next. [color=ffa500]"That would be because a government representative would imply the government is even planning the reconstruction. In the face of such a disaster, efforts appear focused squarely on finding someone culpable over resolving the issue of a destroyed school. It might be years before they even break ground on the building process if it were left solely to elected officials, and in doing so the city may have to export its youth abroad."[/color] [color=ffa500]"The traffic and lost work hours would be staggering, but not nearly as unpalatable as the shame of being incapable of providing for our city’s families."[/color] [color=b22222]"Fufu."[/color] Kiyo seized the moment of silence to politely laugh at Roche's remarks. [color=b22222]"'Good enough for government work' is the saying, yes? That is why we are taking an initiative. It would hardly be the first time. Tough but rewarding work,"[/color] she repeated as a mantra, releasing a weary sigh. Her eyes turned wistful. She wasn't sure where Rei got the confidence that casting themselves in a sympathetic light would work on this man, but she decided to follow her lead. [color=b22222]"If nothing is done, I too may have to leave Japan."[/color] The unease and disappointment of one delivering bad news to her friends on the couch was uncannily genuine. [b][color=ffffff]"Hmph! No need to act like that. I was just curious."[/color][/b] Mr Tsukishima stood up. [b][color=ffffff]"Even if it’s a small amount of money for me, it’s still enough that I should think about it. But you girls have presented some good points. Was that all you needed?"[/color][/b] [color=2e8b57]"If you’re done talking, so are we."[/color] Rei stood up, as did the other girls. [b][color=ffffff]"Very well. If you had stayed much longer, I’d have been forced to have the kitchen make us something."[/color][/b] [color=2e8b57]"Good thing it didn’t come to that."[/color] Rei nodded at their host, and saw herself out with them in toe. A maid accompanied them out the front door, and their trip was far less touristy in nature on the way out. As soon as they got outside, the maid bowed to them and departed. But Rei kept walking without turning around. It wasn’t until they got halfway between the exit gate and the mansion that she finally spoke. [color=2e8b57]"That went really well. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t buy it."[/color] The Rulekeeper kept stride, breathing a little easier as she ran a hand down her face. [color=ffa500]"We asked him to spend his pocket change in order to earn acclaim and prestige in the city. This is legacy grade ego material here, and he can lord this over his peers till the day he dies. A real Japanese Rockefeller."[/color] If there was any Justice in the world he wouldn’t get to enjoy it for too long, but they all knew better then that. [b][color=b22222]"I hope you did enough groundwork that this won't come back to bite us,"[/color][/b] Kiyo groaned, leaving her rich girl persona behind as if she'd handed it off to the departing maid for safekeeping. [b][color=b22222]"If I'd known what we were doing, I'd have dressed the part. Getting him to look at me was harder than it needed to be. I'm not sure if my eyes really affected him, or if we just got lucky."[/color][/b] [color=2e8b57]"There was another angle to this."[/color] Rei kept her smile up. [color=2e8b57]"That man believes Misoka has stolen from him, and has pressed to have the money recovered. Normally someone like that would want to make an example of the thief, but he’s been very discreet. He hired a PI, he’s talking to Misoka’s family privately, it’s all out of the public eye."[/color] Rei put her arms behind her head. [color=2e8b57]"He’s attacking the school’s most promising student. It wouldn’t be a good look for him I think. Helping the school is good insurance if something like that gets out. But turning us down as well as going after Misoka? Not a good look."[/color] She shifted her eye to Kiyo. [color=2e8b57]"Knew Roche was going to do a good job, but I liked your foreign student."[/color] After walking out of the gate, Rei moved her hands back into her pockets. [color=2e8b57]"Wanna give it a look? The attic is spacious and secluded. Think it’ll be our new club room."[/color] Having an entire attic for the club would be fantastic, offering them to come and go as they pleased. It was a shame, then, that her mind was rather focused on the little factoid Rei dropped like it wasn’t liable to get several mansions burned down. [color=ffa500]"Yeah…let’s go…take a look."[/color] The Rule Keeper murmured distantly, her soul leaving her body as she realized that no matter how bad it was, it could certainly get worse. Repeatedly. [b][color=b22222]"I see. No wonder Misoka looks like hell,"[/color][/b] Kiyo remarked. She nodded her assent along with Roche, with no further comment. She thought about telling Rei that was her real accent, but didn't see much of a point to it. Nyxia's old man had gone along with their scheme so easily, there had been no need to involve her family connections. She was grateful for it. She should have been happy about it, but for some reason, she felt nothing. The three of them were together, but each seemed to Kiyo to be in their own little world. Rei's was full of some abstract reason for all that smiling, Roche's was filled with her usual strain of anxiety, and hers was filled with... what, exactly? She wasn't sure what this feeling was. She just knew that she hated it.