The War in the Shadows IC [Still accepting]

[The Wanderer]

Tokyo, Japan.

A nice place to visit. Great food, great stores, almost great everything.

That is, if you don't think about the place's extra populations.

Contractors and Ghouls.

Basically, years ago, two anomalies appeared. And soon after their appearance. The night sky and the stars in it disappeared, and were replaced by fake ones.

But, taking the stars away wasn't the only thing to appear. Shortly after the fake stars formed, people began to gain almost supernatural powers. Powers that could kill or do something impossible. But, as a cost for getting these powers. These people lost their humanity, and smothered any unnecessary emotion with cold rationality and self perseverance.

As for why they're known as Contractors. Basically, they have to pay a price of sorts after using their power. The cost can range from the mundane to harmful.

Contractors are also known by their messier code. In other words, the letter and number of their star. And in the case of a Contractor dying. One can see their star falling.

As for Ghouls, no one knows how they came to be. All that is known however, is that they are extremely dangerous. As they wield superhuman strength, speed, stamina and endurance. They can't eat human food, instead they have to feast on human flesh in order to survive. Normal weapons don't faze them, unless said weapon could pierce a tank or was similar to a building falling on them.

They also wield predatory organs, called Kagunes, that they use in combat, typically against another Ghoul or a human that won't die easily.

Agencies around the world use both populations as Assassins, Spies or even Ground Soldiers to stomp out rivals. Due to the, nature and danger of these populations. They're criminals by law, and anyone of the military/law has permission to use lethal force if necessary, unless the Contractor in question is under employment of a official military organization. This little side permission does not apply to the Ghouls. As their endurance is quite handy against bullets. Instead, the authorities are required to contact the CCG to have a small team deployed. As the CCG wields weapons that are made from the Kagunes of Dead Ghouls. These weapons are the best way to kill a Ghoul. As they are the only thing that can pierce their flesh.

Anyways, due to the rising activity of the two populations. The government has categorized several parts of the city into Wards.

Despite the CCG and the government's works, a war was brewing. As every underground faction, Contractor and Ghoul alike, had experienced mysterious deaths in their ranks, with clues pointing to a rival faction being the perpetrator .

Though, how soon the war would begin was left to fate.....
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A man was walking down the sidewalk. The morning air had a slight chill to it, the man was carrying a large duffle bag, wearing casual clothes with a green jacket on top. He had black hair and dark blue eyes. His gaze was locked on a piece of paper that had an address written on it.

To anyone around him, he would look like an ordinary person. Perhaps someone new in town.

But, that wasn't the case. Infact, under the disguise lied a killer, a liar, a Contractor. He was Hei. BK-201. One of the Syndicate's top agents.

But, as he was in public. He was acting under one of his covers. Li Shengshun. Exchange college student. A nice and humble person.

He had multiple ones, but he liked this one better. As with this one, he could feel someone human. Mostly because of the cover's background being somewhat similar to his. Chinese, had a sister. The works.

But, personality and things aside. Hei was facing a conundrum. As, seeing as it was only his second time in Tokyo. He would've had the place mapped out in his mind, but due to the Ward system being set up. It made things confusing, such as the address of the provided safehouse/apartment the Syndicate had arranged for him.

As the note had only the name of the apartment complex and the Ward it was stationed in. That being, "Harvey's Apartment Complex, 20th Ward." And he didn't exactly know where the every Ward began or ended. Hei would've asked Mao, or Huang to give him directions. But, the two were out gathering reconnaissance on things. Such as shortcuts, possible threats or just good information in general. There was Yin, the other member of the team, but she was most likely doing her own thing. Or possibly assisting one of the two mentioned with recon.

So he was left alone.

Hei paused, looking around for anyone that could assist him. But, hardly anyone was out and about due to how early it was.

He soon saw a building that was a tea or coffee shop that had the name of Anteiku on a sign above a door, and looked to be open. So, with no other option, he decided to stop inside for directions.

Walking inside, he would put on his Li Shengshun "face"

Stepping inside the shop, he saw that only two people were there. One was an aged man, that appeared to be talking to another man. Though the older man stopped when Hei walked in.

"Uh, hello? Do you guys by any chance know where the address on this piece of paper is?" He said, holding up the piece of paper.

@Victor Markov @Shadow_Snow_Storm @Chewy Rabbits @SoleStride​

 

[SoleStride]

Hamasaki Sayuri​

Smoke billowed through the air, creating a trail of thick musk following the woman that was blowing it from between her lips. A cigarette was balanced there on the pale pink petals, the white stick sparking a lively orange whenever she inhaled. Sayuri wandered purposefully down a side street between buildings, plucking the cigarette from her mouth to let out a slow exhale before placing it in its previous spot while she lifted her bag and began to dig through it. Her feet cut the corner onto the main sidewalk, slowing to a stop as she stepped in front of the shop she had been coming to. The young woman pulled the cigarette from her lips again, stuffing it out in the pocket ashtray she carried and huffing the last of the smoke out of her nose before stepping inside.

Her second step within Anteiku took her headlong into the body of someone who had been standing just inside, and she collided with the left side of his back and bumped her nose on the guy's shoulder. She blew another breath out of her nose, accompanied by minute tendrils of the remaining cigarette smoke, and stumbled a step back. Blue eyes shot up to see what had gotten in her way and she was met with the frame of a young man. She looked him up and down for a moment, wondering why he was holding up paper to the owner. She muttered a brief "sorry, sorry" in a bland tone and then moved to the counter to ask for a cup of coffee. She scooted onto a bar stool at the counter and dropped her bag to the floor at her feet. Unfortunately, the only two people were occupied by the man she had bounced off of on the way in, so she leaned an elbow on the counter and pulled out her pack of cigarettes to stick one in her mouth. She did not light it, pulling out her phone instead and checking through her emails while she waited.

It was hard not to take a glance back at the guy she'd slammed into, and she let her still shower-wet hair hide her face while she took that sidelong look in his direction, trying to see what he looked like. Dark hair, dark blue eyes, tall. Nothing too interesting. He smelled human though; she definitely got a good enough whiff while running into him to know that he surely wasn't a ghoul. The thought made her stomach growl, her look almost becoming longing. She was hungry and would probably have to go out tonight to find food. Maybe she'd go with Renji to collect tonight. The woman bit down on her cigarette repeatedly in thought, turning her eyes back to her phone to delete a few emails. How long would it take for this guy to get out of here so she could order some coffee.

 

[Victor Markov]

The elderly man was talking to his newest employee, Mr Erick Jaeger, giving him instructions on how to brew the perfect cup of coffee when the young man walked in. Yoshimura politely excused himself and walked over to the young man in time to see a regular customer walk in "Erick, please serve miss Hamasaki some coffee and see if she would like something to eat." he said before he gently took the paper and gave the address a look over. "Ah, that apartment complex is not too far from here. if you go down the street to the intersection and hang a right, it'll be halfway down the road and on the left. feel free to come by anteiku for coffee anytime." with a warm, kind smile

"Yes, manager." Erick said before he approached the counter and said "what can I get you today?" the man had a thin, yet strong frame, piercing blue eyes, long raven black hair and a complexion that could be compared to moonlight. almost as if he was a creature of the night.

 

[The Wanderer]

Hei would've replied to the lady who had bumped into him with a slightly embarrassed smile, still acting as Li. "Sorry." Before turning to the elderly man.

Hei listened intently as the elderly man gave him directions.

"Thank you very much, sir. And I may pay you guys a visit in the near future." He said before turning to leave.

He was being somewhat honest, as some of the missions he went on left him exhausted, and if anyone asked why he was so tired, he could easily use his cover as a collage student and just say he was up late studying.

He followed the directions given to him, and before long he arrived at the complex. It was a decent looking place. Matched up with what a collage student could land. It did take a few to find his room, but once he did. He carefully looked around, all the while putting on an act of looking for his key. A helpful tip for when you wish to be inconspicuous.

Thankfully, no one had followed him.

Taking his key, he unlocked the door and walked inside. Where a familiar voice greeted him.

"Did you get lost on the way? Had to pry your window open so I could get away from the neighborhood cats." Hei turned to see one of his compatriots. Mao. A Contractor with the ability to possess animals and sometimes people. But, Mao often maintained being a dark purple cat almost ninety percent of the time.

"I thought you were assisting Huang with scouting out the area." Hei had dropped the Li act, his voice and gaze cold and emotionless.

"I did my share of the work. Perks of being a cat. Huang is currently using his Syndicate perks to find out more about any notable underground people and places. Said he was going to give you a message when he was finished." Mao said, shaking his head, which also shook his bell. "Since it's going to be your first time being here for more than a few days. The Syndicate has decided to give you simple, quiet missions that hopefully won't catch anyone's attention, thus raising suspicion on your cover. But, after a few days. It'll go from simple and quiet to possibly complex and loud."

Hei listened to what Mao said, as he went about checking the room's essentials. There was a medium sized TV, kitchen and a area possibly meant for a table. The bathroom didn't have a sink, but did have a shower and toilet.

The whole thing was average. Afterall, Hei didn't need a ten star place to stay.

He set down the duffle bag, opening it up. Inside was some spare clothes he needed. Next to those, laid his gear. Several bulletproof coats folded neatly into small squares. A set of knives. His 'tactical' clothes, and a metal box that contained his masks.

He had recently started to carry around several masks due to how easy they could break.

As he was putting the gear someplace safe, Mao continued talking. "Speaking of missions, your first one is an easy one. Meet a man by the name of Uta, and pick up a package from him and deliver it to an address he'll provide."

"What time?" Hei said as he finished hiding his gear. "In a few hours. And don't worry about the whole thing being in broad daylight. We're due for heavy rainfall in a bit." Mao said, standing on all fours, before making his way to a open window. "I'm sure you'll find something to do in the meantime."

With that said, Mao leapt out the window, landing neatly on a fence.

After Mao left, Hei went to close the window. With the window closed, Hei sat around. Wondering what he could do in the meantime.

A part of him remembered what the elderly man at the coffee shop had said. Perhaps he could visit them once again. Get a coffee, or perhaps get something to do, so time could pass faster. But, at the same time. He didn't want to out and about when Huang messaged him.

Eventually, Hei decided to leave his apartment. Not before taking one of his bulletproof coats folded into a small square, placing it into his pocket and the belt/mechanism that held his wires. He used his untucked white shirt and green jacket to cover up the belt.

He just walked around the neighborhood.

Looking at all of the sights and whatnot before arriving back at Anteiku.

Walking inside, he soon saw the elderly man from before, but behind the counter, possibly making something. Walking over, Hei said, now back behind the cover as Li. "Hello, sir. Thank you for helping me out. I hate to bother someone who is possibly busy such as you. But, do you by any chance need help with anything around the shop?"

​

 

[SoleStride]

Hamasaki Sayuri​

Sayuri looked the new guy up and down as he approached to take her order. "Anything dark roast." The clearly Western-looking woman looked back down at her phone, going through emails until the unknown human had left. As soon as he did, she turned in her stool, sitting one elbow on the counter and resting her chin on the same hand. "Manager Yoshimura… Can I go with Renji tonight? I think my turn is coming around anyway." The woman did not smile or give any sign of internal emotion, instead, continuing to chew on her unlit cigarette. She wanted to light up so bad but knew the old man probably wouldn't like it. While she was waiting for a response, she gestured at the glass container of supposed 'sugar cubes', turning to talk to the newbie. "I'll take some sugar too." She turned back to Yoshimura to await her response.

Unfortunately, it didn't take that human too long to find his apartment and wander on back in to the shop. Sayuri gave him a onceover before spinning back to the counter in hopes that her coffee would be there. She managed not to flinch at the idea of a human working at Anteiku when the man offered. She smirked to herself, but held back any laughter she wanted to let out at the thought. There was no way they'd hire a human to work here; ghouls were too common here and this was a haven for them. If a staff member was a human, the ghouls wouldn't feel comfortable any more. The woman hooked her bag with her foot, considering that it might be time to take off soon. She really wanted that coffee though. Just the smell of it permeating through the shop was making her drool. Or was that the nicotine she was currently chewing on and wishing she could inhale?

 

[Victor Markov]

"Coming right up." Erick said before he went about gathering the proper grounds for a cup of coffee she would enjoy. He grabbed some beans from Columbia, Guatemala and Brazil before he put them through the grinder in that order for them to fall into the filter that sat below the device. As soon as the beans were ground, he put the basket over a cup and started pouring the hot water over the grounds in slow circles just like the manager had shown him right before the human and Sayuri had walked in that morning.

"Yes you may, Sayuri. Be safe when you go out." Yoshimura said a moment before the door opened and the human returned. The manager then returned his attention to the young man and said "It was my pleasure to help you. As for work, I may have a position behind the counter for you, but first I would like to see how you prepare a cup of coffee. Please follow me." he then seen Eric making the grounds for Sayuri's coffee and said "Be sure to wash the grinder between each kind of coffee bean you put in there or the coffee won't taste quite right. I know it's your first day here, Mr. Jaeger, but please keep everything your co-workers say in mind. Tolka should be here any minute to help you along with the rest of the staff." before he moved to the door at the back of the room to conduct his interview with the young man. He knew he was taking a risk bringing on a human, but the customers should know better than to cause trouble in his shop. After all, Anteiku served humans and ghouls and they showed some restraint when there were human customers in the shop with them.

"Yes, Manager." Eric said before he served Sayuri her cup of coffee "Here you go, miss. One cube or two?" he asked with a smile.

 

[The Wanderer]

Hei followed the elderly man to the room. Still acting as Li.

"Thank you very much sir."

Meanwhile in his head, Hei was filling in parts of his story so it wouldn't sound suspicious. As for the mentioned task the manager had for him, Hei could handle it. Afterall, back in South America, during the Heaven's Gate War, sleep was a privilege meant for those who were too wounded to fight, or was part of their remuneration as a Contractor.

So, he and the others had to learn quickly how to make coffee.

Yet, he slept, as rare as it was. Typically it was back at camp, where he knew that both he and his sister would be safe.

For a single moment, Hei thought of his now missing sister, and his Li cover slightly faltered, his expression taking on a more sad one, but his expression quickly went back to the Li smile and attitude, since he realized he was still in public.

​

 

[SoleStride]

Hamasaki Sayuri​

Sayuri gave Yoshimura a nod before swinging back around in her seat to face the newbie. He was trying so hard to make her coffee correctly, it was kind of nice to see people working so diligently for something so simple as coffee. She listened absently to the manager speak to the human, flipping through her phone. In surprise when she heard the manager actually agree to interview the guy, she dropped her phone on the counter, fumbling with it for a good twenty seconds before she got a grip on it again. "My bad." She commented without looking up, her way of apologizing for the loud sound her phone had made when hitting the counter. She tried to cover up her surprise and confusion, holding herself back from giving Yoshimura a 'what the hell?!' look.

"Two please." She responded to Eric's question about the 'sugar' cubes, keeping her eyes down as the manager took the human to the back to interview him. As the door to the back room closed, Sayuri's eyes were nailed to it. No… Don't hire a human. It's one thing to be around them as other customers, but for one to work here and be here all the time is different. If the smell wasn't bad enough, it would be even harder to keep their private matters private. Speaking of humans. She waited until the new guy was standing at the counter and took a deep inhale of the air to discern what he was and pretending to just be sighing as she let the air back out her nose. Human? Ghoul?

 

[Victor Markov]

Once the manager and the human were out oh the room, Erick hoped that Yoshimura knew what he was doing. "I hope the manager knows what he's doing. he's opening Pandora's box right now if he brings him on board." the kakuja chimera said as he took two cubes of the so called sugar and gently put them in the cup to prevent it from splashing "if you're wondering if I'm a human or not, the answer is not." he said, noticing the sudden sigh and figuring she was trying to sniff out what he was. and since they were alone, he could reveal his being a ghoul to her.

 

[SoleStride]

Hamasaki Sayuri
​

Sayuri nodded in agreement with the new guy's words. "That could cause some serious problems in the future." That told her what she needed to know without sniffing him out, but it was good to know for sure. Then the guy straight up just told her that he was a ghoul. She smiled and pulled the unlit cigarette from her mouth, picking up her coffee and taking a long slow sip. When she put the cup down, she let out a long, pleased sigh. "That's nice. Good coffee." The woman took another drink and offered her right hand out to the guy across the counter to shake. "Hamasaki Sayuri. And you are, newbie?" She sat the mug down and slipped the cigarette behind her ear, noting that her hair was finally starting to dry out, showing that it was a dark blonde color and curled up about half way.

 

[The Wanderer]

As Yoshimura led Hei into the back room, He said to the elderly man. "I don't exactly plan on being hired full time, sir. I only wish for a part time thing, so I may study for my upcoming collage exams."

"Ah, what are you learning at the university?" The manager said.

Hei quickly thought of something that was hopefully unique. "Psychology." Nailed it. Internally, he chastised himself, as if this line of questioning continued. He would have to hope that the excuse of, "I am still new to it." Would work.

But, the manager only gave a nod. Before stopping on a small table with two chairs. Taking a seat, he motioned for Hei to sit. Which Hei did. Making sure he didn't expose his belt.

"So, let us start off with the basics. Your name?" The man asked. As reflex, Hei replied with. "Li Shengshun, sir." The elderly man chuckled a bit, before saying with a slight smile. "Please, call me, Mr. Yoshimura.....So, what is your story?"

"Well....I was born in Beijing, China. My parents later moved to the countryside when another baby was announced. I was excited, as I was going to be a big brother. After a few months, my little sister was born. My parents named her Pai. We got along amazingly, with minor scuffles between us. But, that was to be expected with siblings. Eventually, one night. We were out, stargazing when a great flash of light blinded me. When my vision came to....My little sister was gone. And despite all of the efforts of the police, they weren't able to find her....My parents think she is dead, but a part of me hasn't given up hopes of her being alive...I've been trying to find her ever since, while at the same time advancing in life.....Which brings me to the present." Hei said with a small hint of sadness on his face.

After he finished. Yoshimura had a emotionless face, before he said. "Sorry to hear about your sister. I hope you find her one day......As for what you can do around the shop......How does dish cleaning sound? Nice, simple and quick. As studying could take a while. Not to mention, you need your sleep."

Perfect. "That sounds great sir. When do I start?" He replied. Yoshimura didn't waste a second. "In a few. I'll go get you a apron."

With that said, Yoshimura stood up. Walking to a locker, rummaging around before he pulled out an apron. Holding it to Hei, whom took it. Taking off his green jacket, he put the apron on. After he was done, Yoshimura led Hei back to the one room, but before entering, he gave a slight knock at the door to signal the others to drop any conversation that would attract attention.

Hoping they heard the message, Yoshimura entered the room with Hei right behind him. The elderly man pointed at the sink where a few cups and plates laid. "Let me know if there are any problems." He said to Hei, before walking over to Erick and Sayuri. Most likely to engage in a conversation.

Meanwhile, Hei was busy cleaning cups and plates extremely fast. Prepping for the day's customers.

A part of him wondered when Huang would contact him. And how, cause he didn't have his phone on him. Yin could be used to send Hei a observer spirit. As only other Contractors and Dolls can see them, with Ghouls being able to sense them, but not see the spirit.

​

 

[Victor Markov]

"Eric Jaeger. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Hamasaki." Eric said as he shook her hand just before the manager walked in with the human "And the box has been opened." he muttered to the young lady seated at the counter. "we'll have to keep the customers happy and him out of sight. tomorrow if you want, you can accompany me on my hunt. caught wind of another criminal that needs to be taken down."

 

[SoleStride]

Hamasaki Sayuri
​

Sayuri shook Eric's hand back, nodding her head in a bow of greeting. She then nodded her head again at the following comment, but tried to say nothing now that the human was back in the room. "I may take you up on that offer." She muttered in response before finishing off her coffee and pushing the cup across the counter. She pulled the cigarette from behind her ear and tucked it back between her lips, laying her money on the counter for the cost of the coffee, and grabbing her bag up off the floor. "I'll be stopping by after work for more coffee. See ya."

With a wave to Erik and Yoshimura, Sayuri stood up and headed out, stopping briefly outside of the door to light light up again before heading toward her office. She wasn't necessarily looking forward to work, but it was something to spend time on and a way to get paid so it was plenty.

 

[The Wanderer]

As the day went on, Hei assisted with cleaning as some customers came and went. Afterall, it wasn't a giant shop and was more of a neighborhood thing. While Yoshimura took orders, and helped Erick along with the coffee.

Though, midway through the day, a strange customer came in. To Erick and Yoshimura, he was a complete stranger. He ordered some coffee with no sugar or cream, stating he didn't need anything sweet at the moment.

But, to Hei. This man was his compatriot. Huang.

When Yoshimura and Erick weren't looking, he gave Hei a subtle nod. To which Hei nodded in return.

When Huang finished his coffee, he paid the necessary cash, even leaving a small tip, before exiting.

Fifteen minutes after Huang's departure, Hei turned to look at a clock, which read "3:20." Before he looked at Yoshimura. "Sorry, Mr. Yoshimura. But my classes is going to be starting soon." He said, taking off the apron. Yoshimura merely said. "Don't worry at all, education is very important. Go onto your classes. Have fun!" After that, Yoshimura went to chat with a customer.

Hei quickly grabbed his green jacket before quickly exiting the shop. After he was some good feet away, he slowed down. And his expression changed as he looked up to the sky. It looked like rain was just waiting to fall. He returned his gaze to normal, spotting Huang holding a rather large briefcase. He motioned to an alleyway, before entering said alleyway. Walking over, Hei looked around to make sure he wasn't being followed or was noticed.

Before he followed after Huang.

"Took ya long enough....Got your gear right here." Huang said, handing the briefcase to Hei, whom took it in his hands. They walked alongside one another down deeper into the alleyway. Well away from prying eyes.

Hei took this isolation to step between two dumpsters. "So, where does this Uta person want me to pick up the package from?" Hei asked as he began to change into his outfit.

"At a nearby rooftop. Right under the neon sign that is advertising for 'enhancements,' if you know what I mean...." Huang replied, lighting a cigarette.

"And what is the package?" Hei said as he put on the harness that held the sheathes for his knives. Before putting on his bulletproof trench coat.

"Don't know. All he said was that it was going to be light and easy to transport with just one person." Huang said as he took a deep puff of the cigarette.

"Anything else?" Hei asked, as he put on his gloves and check his belt mechanism to make sure the wires and retract ability worked flawlessly. He then picked up his mask. Putting inside a pocket on the inside of his trench coat.

"Yeah. This Uta guy is a Ghoul. So, best you keep that mask on when receiving the package. And keep your wits about you...." Huang said, as Hei walked out from behind the two dumpsters. Handing the briefcase that now held his cover's clothes to Huang.

"Be sure to keep in radio contact until the mission is complete." Huang added before giving Hei an umbrella, then walking back to the sidewalk. And walking out of sight.

Without another word, Hei walked to the sidewalk as well. Opening the umbrella and proceeding to hold it in such a way that it'd be hard to see his face unless one were to bump right into him or purposely crouched to recognize him.

Soon after his departure for the alleyway, it began to rain lightly.

But, the weather didn't hinder his progress as he walked to his destination. Which he soon found after a brief search for it. Walking into the back alley behind the building. After closing the umbrella, Hei would proceed to look around once again to make sure no one was looking, before he drew one of his wires. And throwing it with extreme precision. Where it would wrap around a railing on the roof.

Reaching down to his belt, he pressed a button, activating the mechanism that soon pulled him up to the railing. Which he climbed over, and reclaiming his wire. Afterall, best not waste them. Seeing that Uta wasn't there yet, Hei took out his mask, slipping it on.

With his face now covered, he reopened the umbrella.

Waiting for Uta to show up......





​

 

[Victor Markov]

"Hey, Boss. can i talk to you for a moment?" Erick asked as soon as the human left. he had waved goodbye to Sayuri and collected the money before putting it in the register. he wanted to be sure the manager knew what he was doing. hiring a human could be detrimental to keeping their secret of being ghouls. and if he found out, the hunter would have to kill him.

 

[Victor Markov]

Hei didn't have to wait long. "You're early. I like that. thanks for taking the time to run this errand for me." a man in a blank mask said as he jumped up onto the roof "it's a very simple job. I have a pair of letters that need to be delivered. I trust you're enough of a professional not to open the letters. now one is too be delivered to a man called the dragon while the other is to be delivered to a man called Jason. the dragon is alright, shook long as you aren't a wanted man or piss him off. Jason on the other hand, you have to watch out for. he's one crazy son of a bitch. he'd sooner torture and kill you than look at you. I suggest slipping it into his pocket carefully as you walk past him. he'll be easy to spot. just look for a tall blond haired man in a white suit, broad shoulders and try not to make eye contact or draw attention to yourself. the dragon can be found wearing all black including a trench coat. I can't tell you where Jason is, but the dragon is in the 20th ward."

 

[SoleStride]

Hamasaki Sayuri
​

As the business day was reaching its end at an office building a few blocks away, Sayuri stepped down the stairs toward the ground floor of her work building. Phone in hand, she kept moving despite the rush of people around her trying to get out and get home before the big rush started. Her eyes were glued to the cell in front of her and people bumped and pushed her on the way down. Didn't these people normally take the elevator down? Normally the stairwell was so much calmer than this. Just as she was reaching the landing to the ground floor, the screen on her cell blinked with a red battery sign and then went black. "Shit." The woman pressed the home button repeatedly, trying to get it to light up again. Damn, she would have to charge it, the thing wouldn't come back on. She moved to a corner and reached inside her bag, searching desperately for the pocket charger she knew should be in there. When her fingers came up empty, she recalled back to the moment that she'd tossed her bag in her desk drawer. Twenty bucks says it fell out in my desk. The woman heaved a loud, peeved sigh, startling some of the coworkers passing her to get through the door back into the main lobby.

She waved off their dirty looks and started the journey back up the stairs, trudging her way up there. Her floor was not empty when she returned, but the herd was thinning significantly with every minute that followed. Sayuri found her desk, pulling open the bottom drawer, and spotting her lime green portable charge there at the bottom. "There you are… asshole…Damn… Make me come all the way back up here…" She began to mumble to herself in annoyance, plugging her phone into the charger and dropping it into her bag. How long would it take to charge? With another sigh, she was ready to head out when something that sounded like moaning caught her attention. She turned her head to the side, frowning and glancing around. None of the stragglers seemed to hear it and if they had, they probably wouldn't care. Office affair? I HAVE to see this. But there better be some nudity. She pulled the strap of her bag over her shoulder so it would hang across her chest, and took off in the direction of the sound. Please be boss Kanzaki, please be boss Kanzaki, please be… Her thoughts trailed off as she rounded the corner and spotted a lumpy shadow through the boss' hastily drawn blinds. Whoa, that lump was really going at it. She snickered and stepped up to the window, peeking through one of the blinds that didn't quite make it shut.

Her heart jumped up into her throat at the image on the other side and before she could stop herself, the woman was bursting through the door to her boss' office. The man she'd worked for for how many years now was sprawled out on his desk, blood everywhere marring what used to be a pretty handsome face and his right leg was ripped off at the knee. The mass standing over him was apparently too consumed in consuming its meal to realize that it had been interrupted and continued to eat. Sayuri got a good look at the woman's blood smeared face while she shoved bits of leg meat into her craw. But it didn't matter. Would she turn this woman, ghoul, thing into the police or the CCG? Nah. Instead, before the ghoul could realize that she'd been made, Sayuri drew her right hand back, the white kagune bursting from her elbow like a stream of ice. It covered her forearm, extended past her fist in three long, jagged spikes, fully forming its shape only a second before she drove it into the back of the other ghoul's head. The ghoul woman shuddered and then went limp, falling forward onto her victim and then sliding off to land on the floor with a loud thump. It took a moment but the killer's eyes finally went dead and Sayuri moved her gaze from hers to look at her poor, delimbed boss. He was still sort of alive, his eyes staring in her direction, his breathing erratic. It was obvious that he'd already lost too much blood and would die soon; there was no way an ambulance could make it there in time. Sayuri's eyes bled black into red, the smell overwhelming her for a frightening second. He was right there for the taking, bleeding out and almost dead already. And she was so hungry. What could a little bite hurt? Right?

 

[The Wanderer]

"Understood." Hei said with almost zero emotion. As he took the envelopes in hand, carefully putting them into a pocket on the inside of his coat. Before walking away to a railing. Pulling out a wire, he would leap over the railing. Waiting a few seconds in freefall before he threw the wire at another building. Though, rather than pressing the button on his belt, he used the momentum gained from his descent, to be on the same level as a bridge that was in between a parking garage and a office building of sorts.

After landing on the bridge, he pressed another button that caused the wire to release it's hold, before retracting back to his belt.

After that, he walked into the parking garage, as it seemed to be empty. He quietly spoke into his ear piece. "Huang. Can you get me any Intel on this Jason person, as well as this Dragon?" He looked around to make sure he wasn't being followed.

"Nothing on the Jason character......As for the other one, reports claim sightings of a large creature gliding around a particular area of the 20th Ward. A little bit north of your current location....I'll try and see if the Syndicate has any info on the location of the other guy..."

"Roger that...." Hei said as he made his way north. Taking side paths, back alleyways. And as he took a path on a rooftop. He could be seen from the office window for just a few seconds before being obscured by a wall.

Eventually Hei ended up on another rooftop, though, only difference with this one was that he could see Anteiku from here. He merely looked at it, before deciding to wait for this 'creature' to make an appearance.
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"Yes, Mr. Jaeger?" Mr. Yoshimura said as he walked over to Erick.

​

 

[Victor Markov]

Erick moved to the door leading to the back of the coffee shop and once they were alone he turned to look his boss in the eye and said "You know you're opening Pandora's box right? how can we know if he is not working for the doves? they've become extremely careful these days especially with Rize's little binge eating episodes. then Kanaki and Tolka going to the ccg. they've put those rc scanners at the front door just in case a ghoul tried to infiltrate them." his cause for concern was a legitimate one, they knew nothing about Li and Erick was cautious of new people.

 

[SoleStride]

Hamasaki Sayuri
​

The sight of her boss bleeding out in front of her was briefly chilling. At least before the smell took over and Sayuri thought she might lose control and just eat the guy. He looked so terrified of her in this moment, his wide eyes clearly noting her black and red ones as well as the partial kagune on her arm, covered in the blood of the ghoul she'd killed. Did he not think about the fact that she'd just shelled out justice for him? Probably not, not when another hungry looking ghoul was standing over you and you were one leg short of a full set and bleeding to death.

Sayuri was certain this guy was going to die, not just because he was losing too much blood, but because she'd shown her true self and if he lived, she would be reported. The woman was about to move in for the kill, but a flash outside the window caught her attention and her gaze diverted to the side just long enough to see a glimpse of a person. He was gone almost immediately so she turned her attention back to Mr. Kanzaki. She really didn't want to kill him herself, but either way she would have to watch him die, even if it meant just standing here and waiting for the blood loss to do its job. She had to be sure that he couldn't report her.

Her back pressed against the wall behind her and she slid to the floor, her eyes steadily watching while he struggled to stay alive. Won't be long now, she thought absently, licking at the ghoul blood on her kagune before letting the weapon retract. Gross, it tasted nasty, but she continued to lick his off her hand until her skin was clean again. By the time she was done, Mr. Kanzaki was a lifeless corpse on the desk in front of her. She checked to make sure he was dead before exiting his office and closing the door securely behind her. Someone else could find the remains, it was best to look like she wasn't around at the time.

Casually, Sayuri made her way out of the building, pulling her partially-charged phone from her bag and scrolling through it as she made her way back to Anteiku. It only took a few minutes to arrive from her office which was nearby and she shoved the door open and immediately walked through the door to the back, not bothering to wait for a greeting. Where had that ghoul come from? She had never seen it in the 20th​ Ward before. "Manager…?" She called out lightly, trying to see if she could talk to the old guy.