Knights And Reapers

Knights And Reapers
Date of Scene:	10 November 2012
Location:	Manhattan - Twilight Detective Agency
Synopsis:	The Church Knight Faruja comes to the Twilight Detective Agency to meet with Mercade and offer him a job to investigat the dangerous Reaper organization.
Cast of Characters:	Faruja Senra, Mercade Alexander

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Mercade Alexander has posed:
Welcome to the Agency.

Of Twilight Detectives, not just an Agency. That would be /boring/.

Right now, the lobby of the Agency is empty, even though there's a cup of warm coffee on the main desk (and an open pizza box. Extra cheese, anyone?) Smooth Jazz plays on the stereo system, just like always.

The rummaging ends, and from the archival room, Mercade shows up with a stack of manila folders that he sets down on the desk, carefully keepig one of them from sliding off onto the pizza. That would be messy! Looks like the Detective is in, and in the middle of some research!

Faruja Senra has posed:
Faruja looks down at the business card in between his claws, then up to the building. A single fuzzy brow lists, the rat tapping his toe-claws on the concrete sidewalk. "...Right address." He mumbles to himself. Not the most glamorous of buildings, when matched against the enthusiastic personality of the business' owner. A shrug from the rat. Pocketing it in his distinctly Catholic-priest like vestments (though horribly green), he taps on the front door a few times before entering the lobby. It pays to be polite.

Sniff sniff. As Faruja finds the lobby empty, his nose quickly picks up the sent of delicious, delicious extra cheese pizza. Temptation! Sidling closer, the Templar stares, frowning. Be good. Be good, rat! Stomach grumbling in protest, for the moment he simply clears his throat.

"Ahem! Good day!" he calls out, just loud enough to hopefully be heard by a certain person in the back.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Mercade looks up at the knock, and then smiles as Faruja enters. He stands at the desk, walking around to meet him. "Ser Faruja! A pleasure to see you." He must have been studying or something. He's /pretty/ sure that's right... "Please, come in, sit down. Would you like some pizza or coffee?" He leads Faruja to one of the client chairs (as noted because they look significantly comfier than Mercade's own). One of them seems to have been repalced with a raised-back model so people with tails can have them hang out the back. Seems he's been adapting to more... unusual clientele.

Faruja Senra has posed:
By the rather pleased smile that Faruja flashes the detective, it would seem he has the title right! A bow is given, before the rat's tail sways just that much more. It takes all of five seconds after the offer that the Templar has abducted a slice of pizza. Another ten, and it's gone, victim of rat-teeth.

"Ser Alexander, the pleasure is all mine. Lord bless you Ser, and keep you well. Yes, yes, I think I surely will. And without a Heartless breathing down our collective necks." Mid-way to the chair, he pauses, and glances about as if expecting one to pop out of nowhere. With a small sigh of relief, he sits, trying not to smile /too/ much at the accomodations. Knight is pleased mightily!

"How fare you and yours? Healthy and uninjured I pray?" he starts, leading in with pleasantries. Coffee, too, is politely sipped as he takes a moment to get a better look at Mercade since their lives aren't for once in peril.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"We've been fortunate enough so far to have no Heartless attacks within the Agency itself." Mercade says, acquiring coffee and the customary additives if he likes. Mercade sits down himself then, folding his hands.

The detective himself is somewhat scruffy at a glance. His hair is a bit unkempt as if he seems to have a hard time keeping it combed. He seems to have an eternal grin on his face and his eyes are bright and active, always working and seeing more, perhaps, than people might think.

Such abilities, however, remain within the realm of mortal man. If one were to examine him magically, Mercade is utterly normal by any mage's standards. His magic is that of intelligence, perception, and ballistics. Also, being able to talk to people. Friendship is, to hammer the old saying, magic.

"The members of the Agency are going rather well right now, though if you know any princesses who would be interested, one of my clients could use their help i breaking an evil voodoo curse." He mentions, gesturing over to the posh terrarium where Prince Naveen is relaxing in froggy style, probably watching TV.

"But besides that, I'm basically trying to do some research. What brings you to the Agency, Ser Faruja?"

Faruja Senra has posed:
That scruffiness is certainly disarming, as is the grin! But thankfully, Faruja has seen enough of such in his own superiors to look past it. Those eyes of Mercade's catches his own. Cue mental note to not get on Mercade's bad side. At times, intelligence is worth more than any army.

Curling his tail about a chair-leg, he crosses one of his own, starting to make his coffee in a measured manner. When it's mentioned, he turns to the frog.

"A...Princess? Unfortunately, naught but a passing acquaintance with one do I possess. Though, I fail to see how one would lift a curse."

And then, down to business. Sitting a touch straighter in his seat, he reigns in the smile a bit. "So much as I wish this was but a social call, 'tis business that has me impeding upon your hospitality. Simply put, I wish to offer you and your agency a job." A single hand vaguely sweeps towards Mercade before being once again clasped in front of himself, occasionally picking up the coffee and sipping. Sip. Pause.

"However, before I give you the details, you should be aware of what it may entail. Would you hear of it?"

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"It's an old legend in our lands, wherein the power of true love can dispel evil magic. Apparently, the cursed one hopes to leverage much the same." Mercade smiles, leaning back in his chair. The fact that Faruja is horrible burned and bandaged doesn't seem to affect Mercade's demeanor at all. Either he has a poker face from hell when he chooses to, or he is getting used to unusual appearances. "You're a man of honor and goodness, Ser Faruja. I would be doing you a disservice if I would not hear your request." He seems to be slipping into a mode of speech more in line with what Faruja might be used to hearing. "Please, tell us what you need."

Faruja Senra has posed:
Browquirk. "Mmm, how unfortunate. The lifting of curses is not my specialty, but, should I become aware of a person fitting your requirements I shall direct them to you." Always helpful, this Templar.

So many stoic personages. It's quite refreshing, especially after being around his new companions so often. A slow nod.

"Ahh, but you do me far too much credit. Should I die worthy of half of the praise you grant me, Ser Alexander, I shall consider myself satisfied."

Siiip. Wetting his tongue and throat, the rat then continues. "My superiors and myself have become aware of a certain group. We suspect them of summoning Heartless, as well as manipulating innocent souls to their own twisted ends, whatever they may be, and murder most foul. This group is powerful, mobile, and capable of blending into human populaces quite easily as far as we have been able to ascertain."

Mercade might notice a clenching of the rat's jaw, despite his attempts at sounding distant and professional.

"We need information. Normally, this would be handled by agencies within the Church itself, but larger threats take precedence. Thusly, I turn to you, Ser Alexander. Your works, your honor, and your bravery, in my estimation, are more than sufficient for this task. However, before I say more, I must reiterate that this group, both as individuals and a whole, are powerful. Though you will be undertaking a mission most Divine, and surely the Lord will protect your souls, it shall be a risk to life and limb. So too, until the whole of this threat can be understood, we shall require your silence. To act hastily here, so much as it is galling to wait, may invite destruction." A small breath, and the Templar's red eye gazes into Mercade's.

"What say you? Are these risks acceptable? You shall be compensated well, of course. Forgive my theatrics, and lack of specifics, but I shan't put good men and women in harm's way without appraising them of danger."

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"You are modest, Ser. It seems you have many virtues to call upon when needed." He smilrs at that, but then, he's almost always smiling.

Mercade listens, observing Faruja's actions as he explains the outline of the problem and the dangers. "We of the Agency are often used to risking our lives to gain information needed to protect others. While we are most certainly not as august a force as the Church itself, we are capable of engaging in dangerous tasks."

Mercade rubs his chin. "The Agency is at your service in these matters, Ser Faruja. We will gladly assist, since this seems to be a matter most dire."

With a nod, the Detective continues. "These beings appear to cause you great distress. Have they struck at something close to you lately? Please, the more information you give, the more successful we can be."

Faruja Senra has posed:
Faruja nods, accepting the answer as he shifts his legs to cross the opposite one. Gathering his thoughts, he takes another measured sip of coffee.

"Then I see I have not misjudged you. Yes, quite, I merely had to ensure your willingness. Now then."

Reaching into his clothing, he pulls out a folder not dissimilar to Mercade's own manilla ones, though stamped with a red seal in the form of an Ajoran cross. It's depressingly thin.

When his own involvement is brought up, the Burmecian goes silent for a moment, eye searching. Eventually, he sighs, dropping the stoic act. "I shall be asking much of you, you deserve the full details. Yes, a dear friend, one Lady Shiki Misaki has been the target of their depredations for some time, it seems. Allow me to elaborate."

Inside the folder, the few pages within will contain dossiers on two individuals; Uzuki Yashiro, and Sho Minamimoto. Sho's has a full description, and picture, while Uzuki's merely lists a description as well as a few details.

"The group itself is known as 'Reapers', seemingly based in a land known as 'Shibuya', a city not unlike this one. They possess the ability to summon Heartless that Lady Misaki has informed me are known as 'Noise'. These Heartless are far stronger than your average abomination, seemingly resistant to most blows, though not impossible to slay with sufficient force. The Reapers are in charge of a...contest, for lack of a better word, known as the Reaper's Game, in which they challenge certain persons known as 'Players' to different tasks. Failure to do so invites 'Erasure', as Lady Misaki puts it. Death."

He'll let that all sink in for Mercade, and give the man time to shift through the file. It seems to contain all of the information he's giving out at the moment, though in a less long-winded format.

"To what ends these Reaper stage these contests is currently unknown. So too do they seem to involve those outside of their 'Game', by sending their Heartless against them. Unfortunately, Lady Misaki could tell me little more regarding the group as a whole. She, being one of these 'Players', seem to be kept in the dark regarding rules of the 'Game' in a larger sense. And some members are more than willing to twist these rules."

A claw reaches out, tapping the papers on Uzuki and Sho. "The group does appear to have some ranking structure. These are the names, and what we can piece together of the descriptions of two members that have been spotted; Uzuki Yashiro, and Sho Minamimoto. Uzuki has been referred to as a 'Harrier' Reaper. Some form of assassin, according to Shik...ahem, Lady Misaki, and our rulebreaker. /This/ one, Sho, appears to possess a leadership role; 'Game Master'. This would, of course, imply he is the ultimate head of this group. However, we know so little that I do not wish to make assumptions. I also have fought this one myself. Quite formidable, though he seems ill inclined to personally take action, instead relying on his demons instead. Coward." Hmph! The rat can't help but raise his nose a touch in contempt.

"That is all we know. Motives, structure, duties, their numbers, exact abilities of each person, weakness, any headquarters...the Church must know as much as possibly can be discovered. Nothing is irrelevant in this matter. The more discovered, the more can be done to stop them."

Siip. "As well, we must learn of their targets, the 'Players'. Names, locations, what it means to be a 'Player', how they are chosen, why they are so valuable to the Reapers, and any and all ways to protect them. As to the Players, given their ignorance, all we currently know is that they have the ability to use a certain form of magic by use of foci in the form of metal pins." The rat takes a long breath. Quite a lot to say, even for him.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Mercade nods, listening intently to Faruja's information. He takes the folder, and opens it, scanning the script inside, which matches the information given. He nods again, closing it. "One moment."

He stands, and walks into the archival room. There is some rummaging, and a minute later, Mercade comes back out, another folder in his hand. This folder is marked 'Reapers'. He sits back down and opens it up.

It is also thin, but it does possess several things of note. First off is a picture of a pink-haired woman in black clothing, wearing a corset. He picks up the picture and hands it over to Faruja. "I've been doing a little research on the Reapers already. This is Uzuki Yashiro, the Reaper. We met her the other day when she was here in Manhattan. She was... extremely single-minded in her pusruit of Players and her Games."

He pauses, folding his hands for a moment, looking down at a sketched depiction of a little girl wearing a bell and a skull-beanie. "I've learned a few other things as well." He picks up the paper and shows that to Faruja. "I met this girl recently in Traverse Town. She wouldn't give me her name, but she did identify herself as a Player... And also told me one other important point."

He pauses. "She is already dead."

Faruja Senra has posed:
The folder is taken with a pleased smile, all pretenses dropped by the Burmecian, his cards on the table as it were. Flipping through it, he nods, already getting to work burning the image of Uzuki into his brain.

"Well done. Mmm...another girl? Lady Misaki implied she knew of others, perhaps this one is an acquaintance of hers." He throws out, before moving on to the sketch.

"...So young." An empty hand clenches in anger. To threaten a mere /girl/. The height of cowardice!

It evaporates, though, when Mercade again speaks. "P...pardon?" He nearly knocks over the coffee cup as he bolts up, staring incredulously.

A minute or two passes before the Templar regains his composure. "...Dead." His single eye closes. "It seems then, through whatever blasphemous means, the Reaper may well be able sustain a person after death. Thank you, Ser Alexander, for informing me of this. Did the young Lady seem adversely affected by her untimely departure? Signs of undeath?" A pause. "Is this a singular case, or an...affliction shared amongst the Reaper's victims?"

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"Not at all. She looked perfectly normal to me. No signs of being raised from the dead, no appetite for human flesh. She was a very bright and happy young girl Boundlessly optimistic, even. Judging from Uzuki's behavior, she didn't consider us Players. Thus..." Mercade gestures to Faruja. "You do realize this means Shiki's probably dead too, right?"

He thinks. "Anyway, their fixation on conducting this Game... Consider the terminology. When you play a game, you can win or lose. If you lose... As you said, you're eliminated. Erased. What do you get if you... win?"

Faruja Senra has posed:
Frown. Sigh. The Templar nods. "Though it troubles me greatly, that is the most likely case. Normally, I would be obliged to see them both to their eternal rest." He can't hide a shudder. Slaying a friend, dead or not, wouldn't be a welcome task.

"...But, being much acquainted with Lady Misaki, 'Dead' may not be accurate. I too, even as a Holy Knight, detect no such state. Quite alive, in fact. In all aspects, this seems very much a true miracle. That is what I would like to believe, at least, until evidence proves otherwise." When in doubt, blame divine intervention.

A raised brow. "A most interesting question. And one I have no answer to. But, if I may speculate...should it truly be that these Reapers are able to manipulate one's state of Death, perhaps the opposite may hold true?"

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Mercade Alexander shrugs. He doesn't judge this kind of thing. If undead are around and they're not hurting anyone, he doesn't give a damn. "It... COULD be possible? I mean, why go through all this trouble to sustain the existences of dead people and make them play games and accomplish tasks? There's some meaning behind it, I'm sure, but I can't fathom it... Though Uzuki wouldn't crack when I tried to inquire as to the nature of the Reaper's Game. She is incredibly loyal to her powerbase... And if this Game Master is a figure of authority, he is probably of another class entirely."

Faruja Senra has posed:
"'Twould be useful to know why this Uzuki is so loyal, but, it seems that may not be possible. Do as you can, Ser Alexander. To be frank, 'tis all quite the mystery. So very complicated, rules, organization, manipulation of forces better left to the Almighty. These are not mere serial killers out for a thrill, that much we can be sure. As to what purpose..." He shakes his head. It seems the rat is as lost as the detective.

"Indeed. It may well be possible we were not engaged personally due to a great difference in strength. Thus, given so many unknowns, I must caution you to not engage him if you can avoid it. No playing the hero, no rushing to your deaths, understood? Oh. And do not allow our association to be known in this matter if possible. Surprise shall be key in defeating these Reapers, if I am any judge. And this includes the Players themselves, unless it is to save their lives...or what passes for it."

Reaching into a pocket, he pulls out a small hand-portrait, clean and cared for lovingly. It's handed over. "A cover story may help, if it comes to that. You are searching for my sister, Anna." There's a slight quiver in his voice, but it's gone quickly.

Mercade Alexander has posed:
Mercade nods, accepting the small portrait and looking at it. "I will keep it safe. I promise." He puts the portrait into his coat, safely tucked away. "I will be careful, I promise. I will work to find a way to gain the information you seek about this group. We'll see if there's a way to break this case open. If there is... We'll find it. That's what we do." He grins. "Keep the faith, Ser Faruja. We'll get to the bottom of this yet. For all our sakes. The Reapers might not be directly antagonistic to our goals, but they pose a threat nonetheless, to others and to people close to us. We'll find a way to stop them."

Faruja Senra has posed:
Faruja stands, offering a bow. "And you, Ser Alexander. May the Lord bless all of your endeavors! You have my full confidence. Now then, I trust you have one of Ser Xanatos' interdimensional communication devices? Contact me here, when necessary. Should that prove impossible, contact this number, and ask for Lady Priestess Adrastia. Tell her the mouse sent you." A smirk, and shake of the head.

"Thank you once again, I shan't take up any more of your time. Good day to you, Ser. I shall be in the City for a day or two. Let us have a few drinks some time, hmm?" With that, the rat's off!

Mercade Alexander has posed:
"Thank you, Ser Faruja." Mercade stands, bowing slightly himself. "It's an honor to help you. I'm not normally a very religious person, but I will certainly accept any help at this point." He doesn't mention that he's probably going to need it. He takes the number, glancing at it and pockets it. "Assuredly. I've been testing his designs for him."

He grins. "We'll totally meet again. Hopefully, I will have good news for you!" He opens the door, and sees Faruja off.