loyal to a ғᴀᴜʟᴛ.

makoto sako (emissary) paranormal investigator, H.C.P.D. apartment t-6 icon

[makotocracy]

[ regarding my recent activity for Makoto under the cut--! ]

I had said I’d be getting to drafts today - and, indeed, originally planned to do so - but the truth is that my muse for Makoto here has...dipped a fair bit, to the point where I’ve considered dropping her. Not wanting to do that, however, I’ve decided to instead lighten the lode a bit. Thus, I will be dropping all threads save for:

the labyrinth thread with alternaterealitydetective and weaponizer

those which are close to being wrapped up -- though I’ll likely need confirmation with the partner in question

those which you, as my partner, are really quite enjoying and would feel disappointed if we were to drop them -- I’d be happy to stick it through in this case, so, again, please message me in this case! 

I’m really sorry to do this, but things over here have frankly begun to feel like a chore for a while now. I do enjoy writing for Makoto, though, so to drop her completely is the absolute last resort. As ever, I’d be happy to talk about plot things and long-lasing relationships, so if you’re interested in that regard too, feel more than free to hit me up. 

Thank you for your time--! 

[makotocracy]

( Tohru )

makotocracy

TO: Makoto Sako FROM: Tohru Adachi

[1/1] Hey there! How’s the paranormal department treatin ya?

TO: Tohru Adachi

This is something of a surprise. You don't usually check up on me like this. But the department’s been treating me well, thank you. Is there any reason why it shouldn’t be?

[alternaterealitydetective]

Hardly Official Business  [K/S/J]

[makotocracy]

( Norman )

Another day, another mystery from the depths of hell to solve.

Jayden looked at the entrance to the dungeon with an irritated expression on his face, taking in the complete absurdity of the sight before him (then again, every event that took place in Hive City seemed to go out of it’s way to defy the laws of reality). He’d been busy doing paperwork in his office that afternoon, when he’d gotten word about the sudden appearance of yet another labyrinth, this time right in the middle of the whole friggin city. Worried about the danger that it might hold for the Hive’s citizens after seeing what the last one contained, and unwilling to wait this time around for the higher ups to make a decision on what the HCPD would do about it, he’d quickly gathered his things, asked his colleague Makoto Sako to accompany him out there, and went to investigate.

When they’d finally arrived on the scene, there’d been a large crowd of people gathered outside the entrance, looking on as others went in to challenge the dungeon. Apparently, this maze hadn’t been created by the scientists to force their lab rats into cooperation like the last one, but instead by one of the other residents for an unknown purpose. Whoever dared to brave the treacherous arena and managed to make it out alive was promised treasure and untold riches, or something like that. Of course,the FBI Agent didn’t give a damn about any prize money. What he wanted to know was: Who or what was in that death trap, who the person was that had made the dungeon and for what purpose, how much of a threat it posed to the residents outside of it, if left unchecked, and how to make the city go back to normal.

And if Jayden wanted those questions answered, he was going have to traverse the maze himself…Whether he liked it or not. And make no mistake-he was not particularly eager to jump in after his previous experience. He took out the .45 Caliber handgun from his coat pocket and checked to make sure the clip inside was fully loaded, then looked to see that the spare rounds he’d brought with him were topped off as well. Jayden didn’t posses any overly significant combat abilities, or-dare he say it-’special powers’ to fight with, so it was critical that he could rely on his skill with a gun for as long as possible, should they encounter any hostiles on their way through the dungeon. Satisfied with his examination, he put the spares inside holsters of his belt, then turned to address Makoto. 

“Looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us…Ready? If this is anything like the last one, we’re in for some unpleasant experiences.”

It’s absurd.

Granted that Makoto’s said that of a good few phenomena since arriving in Hive City, but this - this grand, spiralling structure which sticks out like a sore thumb among all the other buildings - is quite something else entirely. Then again, she’s said that a good few times, too -- seems like they (whoever ‘they’ are, be they the chief orchestrators of the city or a handful of rogue citizens who fancy themselves to be the ‘big player’ sorts) only keep raising the bar when it comes to absurdities like this. 

No matter how many times she’s remarked how strange things can get in the city, though, it doesn’t subtract from her point at all: that for something like this, reportedly some sort of ‘labyrinth’, to have sprung up not only overnight, but, if their information’s correct, within a matter of minutes, is in itself quite far-flung. Independent of all other oddities, and to say the very least. Never mind how accustomed she ought to be by the curious ways of the city now, she had hardly believed the news when she’d first heart it: but now, with the towering structure looming over them, there’s nothing left for her to do but to believe the report. It’s the stuff of those fantasy role-playing video games, surely, or of the epics of ancient civilisations-- Not the stuff of a modern, generally mundane (at least as architecture is concerned) city. 

Well, any city but this one. 

Jayden had given her a run-down of the last of these labyrinth-sorts to have cropped up in the city on their way, but if anything, so much has only increased the discomfort within her. Here is something similar by the sounds of things, yes, although the fact remains that they’ll still be walking into unfamiliar territory now: there’s no way of knowing what’s inside until they’re in there themselves.

❝ Ready as I’ll ever be. ❞ There’s a laugh, short and without much humour, before she snaps her summoning phone shut. She’s got a pistol of her own - standard issue - but she would much rather stick with what she knows: and once she has checked her own familiar arsenal is up to scratch (her phone is on full charge, and she has a spare battery just in case), she gives a prompt not out of similar satisfaction. ❝ If we had the numbers, it would probably be best to cordon off the area to the general public until we’ve given it the all-clear -- because something tells me this isn’t quite the sort of innocent attraction you’d find at any amusement park. 

❝ Best watch our backs. ❞

alternativerealitydetective → makotocracy → weaponizer

[makotocracy]

Tʜᴇ Nᴇᴡ Wᴏʀʟᴅ?

[makotocracy]

( Ryoko )

Before she knew it, Makoto was trailing alongside her. That didn’t take her very long, did it? Ryoko’s pace seemed to ease up, along with her expression. With a smile, she nodded at the woman’s request. 

The amount of peace on her face made it hard to imagine that she had actually shone any form of sadness a moment ago.

"I’ll try my best," Ryoko said, already wanting to give out her 110%. “Let’s start with Sector 1. It looks like your average city here, but every few hours, something happens underneath the buildings. You might see it as we go, but sometimes they shift their foundations in their current block. They don’t seem to hurt anyone when they do so, but I’d be careful…”

The res of their walk went on in a similar fashion. Ryoko spent most of the conversation talking (if you could call it a conversation anymore). She only stopped on occasion to catch her breath, but even then she didn’t stop to get a drink or rest her tongue. When she did pause for longer than usual, it was only to let Makoto soak in the information. Offhandedly, she did mention that she really had no idea what lay outside the city’s borders. 

The blunette got the basics out of the way first (the basic descriptions of the Sectors), before actually talking about the Districts. It was as she was going on about how they were all underground in secluded spots that the change in scenery became noticeable. More green was present among the city greys and browns. 

“Ah, Sector 6! They don’t have borders between the Sectors, so you just have to take a peek at the streets to tell where you are exactly,” she briefly explained. “Your new home should be a little ways away from here. You’ll recognize it as the only apartment complex standing around in this zone.”

Drinking in the sights of this strange new city around her while listening to what information her new acquaintance has to spare is not easy, but Makoto is nothing if not capable of registering info on the trot like this. She listens in nothing short of earnest as she learns more and more about the Hive, and while what she takes in a great deal now, she cannot help but think that they’re only just scratching the surface here. From the sounds of things alone, this is an immense city, similar only at first glance to the others she knows... 

Certainly, she will have to explore the wider city for herself sometime soon, to look for any possible avenues of escape. For now, however, she appreciates all the help she’s received from this welcoming high-schooler already.

For there to be no marked boundary between these districts of the city is no great surprise to her, considering much the same could be said of many other cities; if the scientists (she still finds some discomfort in the term: as though this experiment of theirs could possibly have some noble cause) were working towards authenticity here, there would be no reason for them to have deviated from this norm. As the two cross from the first sector to the sixth, there’s an unmistakable difference between the two. 

Where one might expect only nuances between this area and that area in any other city, the difference between oo1 and oo6 - despite the fact that they’d only just set foot in the latter sector - is, in a word, incredible. She doesn’t feel strongly either way about nature, but she can already see why Ryoko took comfort in knowing Sector oo6′s as the ‘green’ sector. 

Her pace slows now, and hopefully her companion would thus take the initiative to stop walking herself. She takes a moment to study what buildings she can see in the middle-distance: there’s a number of them, although considering what has been said about it being the only apartment complex, she doesn’t doubt she can already see where she’s to live for...the foreseeable while. (It will do for now, she tells herself; how long she might need to stay there doesn’t bear thinking about right now.) 

❝ Ah-- Asakura. ❞ If the other had walked ahead some, or even if she hadn’t, she speaks up to catch her attention. ❝ I think I should be able to manage from here -- ❞ she nods towards the taller buildings in the middle distance, then smiles faintly, ❝ it’s just over there now, correct? I’ve taken enough of your time and hospitality, and there are...some things I would like to tend to myself. Thank you again for your assistance. ❞

[makotocracy]

( Hibiki )

“That…That’s…a good point!” Hibiki just laughs at himself, shoulders lifting up in a cheery shrug. He doesn’t think robbing a bank would require a demon to chase the poor soul halfway across the city, for instance, so he concedes the point and the subject—the same that he does with his gratitude for her offer. The boy tilts his head, blue eyes bright, and he hasn’t lost his smile in quite some time now. 

Makoto would probably be surprised. Seeing her has made him sincerely happier than he’s been in a while, in spite of alignment, age difference, the mere week they’ve known one another.

She orders her thoughts and Hibiki lets her do so unharried, lifting his eyes to the sky, rather than following her gaze to the ground. The bustle of the city around them reminds him of home, but it’s…different.

Exciting. New. Different. He doesn’t think he’d like it very much on his own. Hibiki realizes he keeps to himself rather frequently even as he seeks companions—even Daichi has trouble hearing his secret opinions—and it’s…actually a  bad habit from before he ever had met his best friend, or became Shining, or was even remotely special at all.

Makoto’s voice snaps him back to reality and Hibiki starts guiltily, jumping back into his easy-going air.

“Of course not! I think Yamato would understand, too, I mean…You need a job, right? When I said this place was ‘low-maintenance’-” He makes quotations with his fingers. “I meant it’s pretty easy to afford food and stuff here. Notice how many people just have a part-time job and aren’t, y’know, dying from hunger or destitute? The Chief would probably be all for you doing anything you can to survive. Since…”

He sounds a little fondly exasperated, but it’s directed at Yamato, present or not. “If you can’t sustain yourself, you’d be part of the problem or something, right? You can always just pack it up and dedicate yourself to whatever Yamato wants, if he shows his face around here. With the way people come and go, the police’d not think anything of it.”

It’s funny, it hasn’t escaped her notice -- how...close - for want of a better word - the two of them are, despite circumstances. Despite her professionalism, despite that divide in ideology, despite the short time they’ve known one another. Were she less uncertain about using the term, she might even know Hibiki as a friend, as understanding as he is.

She does not regret asking him, she realises now. She couldn’t have done, knowing just how insightful the young man is for his age. And so, as he gives his suggestion, she bids him her full attention, brow yet set in a mild frown as she considers her circumstances -- there is nothing disagreeable with what he is saying; not by any means, no. If she finds fault with anything now, it is with her own character, surely, because perhaps she is just too stalwart for her own good. Nothing she was not hitherto aware of thanks to the one who stands before her now, but it’s at moments like this that had made her conscious of her folly in the first place, during their first several days together. 

If truth be told, Makoto finds herself thinking that he probably isn’t quite representing the Chief’s ideals correctly here. Regardless, she can certainly appreciate the underlying sentiment of his point: questions of potentially betraying her loyalty aside, finding no occupation at all in the city will do her no good. ‘Low maintenance’ or not, she’ll still need a means of supporting herself.

Soon enough, then, she resolves to cross that bridge when she comes to it, if ever. She exhales quietly, relaxes her shoulders (only now does she realised they had been tensed slightly in the first place), then directs as nod of affirmation towards him. ❝ ...Heh. I suppose you’re right again. In any case, I’ll not be helping myself by not doing anything at all. It could only help me to keep active, too, even if the work’s a bit different. ❞ Even if she - they - were return home some day, she’d be no use to anybody if her skills had dulled.

The gentle curl of her lips remains only for a moment longer, however, before something in particular stands out among what he had said, at which point the small smile falls from her lip. What was that he had said? ‘Come and go’--?

❝ --Wait. What do you mean ‘the way people come and go’...? ❞

[sinisternocturne]

blood's run stale // starter for makotocracy

[makotocracy]

( ??? )

“It’s not what I want, strictly speaking. But…” 

Edward lets out a deep breath that he didn’t realize he was holding. He clasps his hands behind his back, and when he next speaks, it’s in an even more measured tone than before. He sounds like he’s reciting something he’s memorized, a very long time ago.

“What doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” he repeats.

He smiles, wanly.

“I’d much prefer my freedom. But I have an obligation to higher powers.”  

His smile does nothing to sway her.

If anything, it only encourages further suspicion from the officer. Her eyelids twitch and her eyes narrow as she searches the face of this one, this one who is yet undecidedly neither wholly monster nor wholly human-- She’d let him speak perhaps with the hope - whether conscious or buried somewhere deeper within her - that he’d slip up somehow, that he’d do nothing to help his case and instead only incline her more towards treating him no differently than she does the demons and other paranormal threats to humanity. And yet he’s done no such thing, not only to her disappointment, but to her dismay, too. 

She shouldn’t really want to admit so even to herself, as much as she would rather have this over and done with sooner than later. Vampires might not be the only creatures casting shadows over the long night, and being the sole member on the paranormal investigations team, there’d be no-one else to hand if something else were to arise... 

Maybe it’s a certain fatigue which weighs heavily on her now, which seems to close her eyelids and make her arms go slack. Working to the bone for a woefully understaffed department does that to you, she supposes -- but she’ll be damned if she’ll let such an excuse mar her handling of this situation now. When she opens her eyes again, she can’t even say she’s surprised that the murderer hadn’t made a run for it during her moment of human weakness. No, she rather hesitates to say it, though the truth of the matter seems to her to be - more than anything else - that he’s too...too righteous for that. 

A righteous vampire. She has to scoff to herself then -- this city really does make the possible out of the impossible.

Makoto shakes her head in clear failure to understand: she’s not sure whether he’s doing this on purpose now, muddling her sensibilities like this, or whether there’s some truth to this apparent humanity of his. ❝ And what do you mean by that? ‘Obligation to higher powers’--? ❞ She is far from keen to begin discussing morality from the divine (or morality at all, even) with one such as himself, if not because she feels simply that the field isn’t her forte, then because it would only distract her more from delivering the deserved punishment. 

--But then, what is the ‘deserved’ punishment here...?)

[unprotector-deactivated20160903]

switcheroo, if I may!

“Our new Dead Counter’s a bitch.”

“Water’s wet, Rolston.”

“Fuck’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that it’s obvious.”

“Oh. Aren’t you cranky.”

“Fuck off, Briggs. We just spent six hours dredging up plaguers from a sinking barge. She had us knife them all. Must have been a hundred of them.”

“Every single one?”

“Yep. And she damn near knifed me when I moved my mask scratched my chin! She almost stuck me in the brig for that.”

“What, really? Old Whitcomb’d never have done that.”

“Neither did Whitcomb have daily gear inspections. City goes to shit and we get assigned the only Dead Counter who actually does her job.”

“Ah well. If we’re lucky, she’ll catch plague… or a promotion! Here’s to her, our beloved Dead Counter!”

[makotocracy]

[ Okay, I think I can afford to pick up a couple more threads with Makoto here! I’ll be capping this at two, so if you’re interested in a longer, plotted thread, please like this post and I’ll get in touch with you shortly! ]

[makotocracy]

( Mitsuru )

The woman blinked at Makoto as their silent stroll was broken by the question. How long had it been? To be honest, she had lost track between everything that had her thoughts preoccupied. “You’d be correct in that assumption. I believe it’s only been a few weeks since I’ve arrived.” And what a long few weeks it had been.

It hadn’t been long since she finished talking when a scream suddenly pierced the chatter of the crowded streets, shortly followed by a stranger rushing past Mitsuru and and making her stumble into her new acquaintance. “What is the meaning of—” Her words were cut short by the same voice crying “He stole my purse!” and the redheaded woman sprung into action.

Drawing her wooden sword, she rushed through the crowd after the man who was running so frantically and jostling everyone in his way. It was unfortunate that one of those people had to be Mitsuru Kirijo. Despite the head start he had, the woman closed in on him— he didn’t seem to be the most physically fit purse snatcher, perhaps he smoked. Whatever the case, his breath wheezed more and more each time their foot hit the pavement. “Artemisia!” Mitsuru cried as she summoned her persona mid-stride; she had about enough of this foolishness. Her heels dug into the ground as she came to a sliding halt, then aimed a bufu at the thief’s leg.

Predictably, the resulting icy formation did the job of making him trip and fall flat on his face, while the pavement soaked up any blood that dribbled out of his now-injured nose. Before he had a chance to scramble to his feet again, Mitsuru’s intimidating presence loomed over him and pointed her sword at his neck. “That’s quite enough. You’re coming with me.”

A few weeks... Yes, that sounds just about right. The other has an obvious confidence about her despite her circumstances (that it’s likely a part of her character notwithstanding), but she doesn’t seem to have her bearings entirely about her quite yet. That’s fine, though, she’s about to admit, because it would appear that most become accustomed to the ways of this artificial city and its society before long-- 

But she doesn’t get the chance to offer these words of comfort. 

It happens so quickly. Ever on her feet as she is required to be, however, she isn’t far behind at all in following the example of her new acquaintance -- a new acquaintance who’s surprisingly quick to act herself, she doesn’t fail to notice. She gets caught behind in the mundane bustle despite attempts to clear her way through the crowd, and the distance between them - purse-snatcher and pursuer, and herself - increases gradually: but, fortunately for her, her company seems to be well-equipped to handle the situation herself, if not with her sword, then with that... 

A demon--? It’s difficult to tell at her distance, which she is only able to close after Mitsuru has wrapped things up herself. She rejoins her some moments after the chase has concluded, the slight frown on her face expressing her mild confusion as well as her concern. She has a number of questions for the other now, but they ought to first tend to the thug at their feet.

❝ Calm down, please. You’ve already got him -- I don’t think that’s quite necessary any more. ❞ Her tone is only gently scolding, if even that: Makoto can’t deny that she is grateful for Mitsuru having been that bit quicker on her feet than she was to apprehend the petty thief. Still, as ignorant as she is about her profession beyond what she has stated, the commander is inclined to believe that it is she herself - of the two of them - who has the official authority to see to the rest of this. With an outstretched hand, she gestures for her companion to stay her sword, wooden though it is.

Although she now turns her attention to the culprit, her words are still directed to the woman beside her. ❝ ...I’m sorry to have to put our plans temporarily on hold, Miss Kirijo, but it would be best that I deal with this first. ❞

[sinisternocturne]

blood's run stale // starter for makotocracy

[makotocracy]

( ??? )

"I don’t know."

Edward’s face contorted. 

"I don’t know. What would you have me do? I can’t die easily. If I don’t feed, I’ll go into a starvation frenzy. And all the animals I’ve seen here talk. I can’t live morally, and I can’t die.” 

His voice was growing snarlier, and hitched up weirdly as he grew more agitated. Being seventeen forever had its disadvantages. 

"In your situation? I would seal me away somewhere where I can’t hurt anyone until I starved to death. It’d be … neat. Elegant, you could say."  

There’s really something not right here. 

Of all things, she finds herself now recalling something she’d said to an old acquaintance of hers a week or so after she’d arrived in the city. The demons - and all other supernatural beings similarly inclined - are, comparatively speaking, the easier ones to deal with. Evil was in their very nature, and so they could be dealt without remorse, because there is no question whatsoever about their motivation behind killing people or otherwise doing ill against them -- that’s just what the do. No, it’s the people who do bad things, the two had decided between them, who cause more trouble: not because they have a greater ability, and so a greater capacity for harm (nine times out of ten, anyway), but because a certain amount of care and compassion must go into handling their business. 

But then what’s to be done with somebody not quite monster, and yet not quite human, either...? 

His expression of emotion does nothing to change the fact that he has killed. She’s irrevocably certain of this much. What punishment should be meted out to this vampire, however, remains an issue of great contention within her. Something more like instinct, if not instinct per se, pushes her to rid him as she would any other demon, never mind what he says about the scientists ‘disallowing death’. On the other hand, as he seems to almost beg her to bring this to an end--  Well, there’s something of an irony in her hesitating to do so, considering what usual procedure had been. 

As if swayed momentarily by habit, the commander lowers her phone, if only then to lift it to her ear as if to seek orders -- but she’d tried calling him before, and she highly doubts, as reason returns to her, that circumstances will somehow create a miracle and allow her to get in touch with the Chief.

❝ ...But what good would even locking you away and throwing away the key be, if death is as impermanent as you say it is? ❞ In time, at least, she finds the will to speak again. Her eyes are forever fixed on him, on this blood-sucking killer, and yet she has not raised her phone to train it on him once more. ❝ Depriving you of blood would put an end to you, yes, but... That wouldn’t be any different to you dying in any other way. You would still-- ❞ Makoto’s brow quirks into a deeper frown then, one indubitably more troubled despite he best attempts to keep herself from being won over by what could well be false emotion.   

❝ --Or is that what you’re suggesting? That you want to be locked away and the key to be thrown away, while you’re left to starve -- not just once, but over and over again...? ❞

[perfektionists]

Laying Down the Law || makotocracy

[makotocracy]

( ??? )

If Franziska had experienced more competency within the precinct of her world, perhaps she would not have introduced her questions in such a bold fashion. As it is, however, she draws upon those experiences as well as the misfortune she observes within this miserable city. So, despite the activity, despite this woman’s obvious preoccupation, Franziska persists in her questioning.

Still, this gap in understanding troubles the young prosecutor (if she can still claim that title in a place where it means little). She exhales impatiently and crosses her arms.

“Well, as far as I am aware, there is no legislative body in this city. I have heard nothing about any written laws which state what citizens can and cannot do, and to my knowledge, there is no system in place to punish wrongdoers. To reiterate, however, ‘wrong’ is not even defined. Unless I am mistaken?”

She lifts her chin in a haughty display of self-importance.

“As such, I was wondering how, exactly, this police department is able to function.”

To this bold woman’s credit, Makoto herself hadn’t previously given much thought to this matter of the absence of formal legislature in the city.

She recalls now, in fact, that there had been no particular qualifications nor examinations needed to join Hive City’s police department: so had bee the case for her personally, although she admittedly cannot imagine the process of application was too different for any of her colleagues. No, the procedure was really rather straightforward, the more she lends her mind to the issue; more straightforward that something of this serious nature really ought to be. Granted that she had yet to encounter any...misendeavours amidst the ranks of the force, and yet that it’s now been brought to her attention, the facts of the matter don’t quite sit well with her.

Whether she can divulge this sort of information - that there wasn’t so much as any vigorous applicant process to ensure the enrolling officers themselves were lawful - to a seemingly faithless member of the public, however, is doubtless. Not only because it isn’t her place to tell her, but also because it’s far from likely to alleviate her concerns.

She is hesitant to answer, understandably, and part of her reason why is because she needs to first order her thoughts, phrase them in such a way that remains loyal to her profession while also expressing her sympathy for the visitor’s indignation. ❝ It is true that there is no legislative body within the city, yes, ❞ -- she begins with at least that much. ❝ It isn’t a faculty that has been provided by the...scientists running this city, but it would seem that most citizens have an inclination towards whatever laws they had been subject to during their own worlds. ❞  

There’s now a moment as she lowers her gaze in contemplation. It’s fortunate that this is the case, needless to say -- but then she cannot say she is certain that the everyday person on the street is as aware of the situation as this woman seems to be, and so remains oblivious to the absence of any written law. ❝ ...I quite agree with you, however. The absence of a legislative body is certain-- worrying, but unless a group of qualified people were to come forward and form one... ❞

[makotocracy]

Sᴇɴsɪʙɪʟɪᴛʏ Lᴏsᴛ

[makotocracy]

( Kagura )

Nope, not a word. She wasn’t gonna get the satisfaction of being right now either. He just stood there, arms crossed and his trademark grin. Now don’t get Kagura wrong, he loved being right and rubbing it in peoples faces as much as the next person but a time and place for everything.

Right now he rather earn the beautiful lady’s favor. 

He simply drummed his fingers against his biceps. Kagura started to figure out the girl was trying her best to make do in this city, no need to be rough on her about that.

“ So…. Where we heading, chief? “

Rather than rubbing it in, he was gonna give her a shot to face with it her own way. 

So that’s that, then. 

Really, she can’t find it within herself to be particularly surprised. (What else should she have expected from a unreliable source, or in this case merely potential source, after all?) In spite of this, however, it’s still difficult to not be somewhat disappointed, that she should have known better notwithstanding. 

It’s only after she’s pocketed her phone that Makoto affords to take a glance at Kagura. It’s none of his fault, she knows, and yet she cannot help frowning still.

❝ ...We’re not heading anywhere. ❞ She means it in the politest possible way -- that’s she’ll not be heading anywhere specifically with him, granted, but fundamentally that she’ll not be heading anywhere full-stop. There’s nothing to be found in pursuing this matter besides a waste of time, it becomes wholly apparent to her now; this is a lost cause, and she can’t imagine that whatever information she’d be given even if she were to continue this wild goose chase would be significant enough to compensate for her wasted time. 

❝ I should think all that’s left for me to do now is head back to the station. ❞ It’s a lament to herself more than to him, though she’s soon to address him immediately thereafter with a small bow. ❝ Excuse me. ❞

[makotocracy]

Iɴ Tʜᴇ Dᴀʀᴋ

[makotocracy]

( Kurapika )

               ┈「 ❦ 」┈ ► Their current relationship truly was, in his eyes, nothing more than a temporary business partnership. They were going to disband the second they finished exploring the last lab. There was no doubt about it. While she did appear to be the type of individual he could hold a decent conversation with, he knew it would be troublesome to befriend someone who could possibly be tied to the law. While he respected and did his best to uphold the laws himself, he had no choice but to walk down the path of corruption for his goals. If she found out, she would attempt to stop him and become a hinderance.

               "… Then I trust you are adept in battle." His words were devoid of any emotion; but he was being more subtly considerate in his own way. Warning her was his method of showing concern. The last thing he wanted was her to get injured or worse, be put out of commission. As expected, she was affiliated with the law. If they were outside of Hive City, then he would be fighting against her; not with her. "… I’m Kurapika, a private informant."

               "I’m fairly certain we will find something, but not sure we will find the one who’s been using the labs for their own benefit." Surprisingly, even though the fog was blocking his field of view, he was able to navigate around with ease. Emerging from the fog, they arrived right in front of the lab he mentioned. Pressing his finger against his lip, he could hear the disgruntled voice of an angry man. There was definitely someone in there; and they were in a bad mood.

Any concern he might have as regards her being able to hold her own in a potential skirmish, she simply nods once -- ‘I am’. She has her demon to hand, of course, as a hand moving to her hip - where it rests a moment - reassures her. If not that, however, she has been adequately trained to engage in hand-to-hand combat: less ideal than summoning Athena, perhaps, but that she also has that avenue open to her cannot be a bad thing. Inclined to think the same of her companion by virtue of his clear confidence (otherwise he would surely be stupid rather than brave to wander these streets as he does, his aptitude for keeping to the shadow aside), she has no need to return to question to assure herself.

❝ A private informant...? ❞ While Makoto receives his name contentedly enough, it’s the occupation that goes with it which is some cause for concern now. Where his loyalties lie, or if he indeed has any, she cannot know: as could be said for any other chance ally like this, she realises shortly thereafter. If nothing else, he is at least honest about it, although she isn’t beyond making a note to herself to watch out for him still -- not just in the case that he finds himself in trouble, but also in the case that he tries to do something at complete odds with the law. 

For the time being, they have an allegiance. The grounds are more uncertain than she would like, though she is far from ungrateful to have this opportunity to look into the abandoned lab.

❝ Finding at least something will be enough. If I find reasonable grounds inside, I should be able to hand this one over to another team to investigate. ❞ She realises the use of ‘I’ rather than ‘we’ not long afterwards, but will not apologise for the separation of the two of them: they are working together only temporarily, she knows as well as he does; while that should mean that whatever one finds, the other would also find, while it does mean that-- 

Well, the officer is sure he’ll understand what she means by that implicit professional distance between them. 

As they approach the derelict building, she falls silent by instinct: she doesn’t need to be told to keep quiet by Kurapika, but she reassures him with a firm nod nevertheless. The voice within surprises her, however, prompting her to open her mouth as if to say something. She does nothing more than exchange glances with her company before edging closer to the laboratory, pressing herself against the outside wall and drawing her phone again.

[makotocracy]

( Hibiki )

"Man, ain’t that the truth? Demons are kinda…demons, but humans are a whole ‘nother level." He acquires this look of heavy ceontemplation. "Maybe we’re the true monsters? Or something like that? There’s something deep and philosophical here, right?”

Her kind offer is met with a look of surprise. Hibiki gives her a real smile then, something a little rarer from him—it’s smaller but more genuine and much less gently teasing. “You’ve got it. I appreciate that, Makoto.”

Apparently his simple question has sparked a deep musing within her. That’s fair enough. Considering what he knows about her, he can guess what’s crossing her mind, in hindsight. Hibiki folds his arms and tilts his head. Thoughtful.

"Well, no need to jump on that just yet! This city’s pretty low-maintenance, if you get my drift. Economy here is insanely good.”

In a bid to gently prompt her to talk about her thoughts a bit, Hibiki rambles a little on something he finds relevant. 

"There’s a police force around, always looking for new employees, I hear. Casino’s a little iffy about their presence. I don’t know if they’d let a kid like me join, electric tiger demon powers or not…"

At the least, she hadn't meant for their conversation - generally casual in tone, as if they were (or, indeed, actually are) old friends catching up with one another after an absence - to take a turn towards the philosophical. She has to shake her head a bit then, lest he take that slight misunderstanding of his and run with it, but the gesture itself is nothing if not good-natured. ❝ I suppose I was thinking more practically than theoretically myself. Rather than in terms of morality, I mean. Wrongs done need to be rectified, undoubtedly, whether done by demon or by human -- but it wouldn't be entirely within the bounds of the law to use demons to settle matters with non-tamer criminals, if you understand. ❞ 

Hibiki's explicit thanks now are not necessary, and she holds out a hand as if to gently stay them. While her offer is not given without a certain kindness, first and foremost she is simply repaying what is owed to him by JP's; she wouldn't have felt comfortable with herself if she'd given no such caution at all, certainly. 

Before long, she is owing more thought to this issue of a job. Precisely what the young man means by the city being 'low-maintenance', she cannot yet be sure, but she shouldn't think that these scientists would be so cruel - if not so poorly-planned - to bring a large population of people to the Hive for their experiment just to starve. Even so, she doubts everything will be simply handed to them, either, and the few days she has gone without that routine work had given her was-- rather unsettling somehow, if truth be told. 

❝ Maybe-- ❞ This first word is spoken more so for her own benefit than for his, as she still tries to order her thoughts. ❝ --The line of work certainly wouldn't be unfamiliar to me, even if it tends more towards the mundane than I'm used to. Even then, though... ❞ She glances up from her idly-fixed spot on the ground then, her gaze returning to his as she looks upon him in earnest. Over the past week or so that she's known him, he's shown himself to be an understanding person, despite his oft-misplaced sense of humour, and so she has to wonder whether it would be entirely wrong to...confide in him now, in this alien city when she has nobody else.

❝ Tell me honestly, please, Kuze: you don't think me enlisting in the local police force would compromise my loyalty to the Chief and JP's...? ❞

[makotocracy]

A Gʀᴀᴠᴇ Mɪsᴜɴᴅᴇʀsᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ

[makotocracy]

( ??? )

The accusation that she makes toward him causes for him to fall silent. No cop could infer about his occupation, usually it was waved off to be some myth. But he had to give her credit for being able to hit the nail on the head. No reaction could be seen, but if she looked close enough Asutsuo’s eyes had widened a bit in surprise only to return to the size they once were. Though, unfortunately she didn’t know everything about necromancers–– at least the ones who came from his village anyway.

Even if he wanted to preform necromancy on a living person, it honestly wouldn’t be worth his time nor did he think Stolas would be able to preform it with him. His feathery friend’s abilities were reduced greatly, much to his dismay. He didn’t use it often enough, only in emergencies anyway.

"Well, aren’t you a smart cop, ” He remarks, with a chuckle, ” …I didn’t know the police were taught about the dark arts in their training regimen. Unless, your expertise lie else where, or you have outside knowledge where you have dealt with thing before….? ”

Asutsuo was merely taking stabs in the dark in regards of this mysterious officer. He knows, perhaps she could be posing as one? He has run into some people who tried to do that before which never worked out in the end. He begins to shrug, with the same look of indifference can be seen. He does a good job to keep up the act, for now at least. Showing that he cared about the unconscious young woman’s safety would likely be disregarded, and it would likely make him more suspicious.

"Quick to judge, but sharp as knife aren’t you? Officer? Though, I believe you’ve forgotten what happens when someone is brought to this city, yes? The people who run this city restrain a person’s abilities, which applies to me and also you.

Unfortunately. "…But yes, you’ve caught me red handed, actually not quite, fufu. Like I mentioned before, I was trying to assist this young lady. I can not wake the dead presently, but wake the unconscious instead.”

❝ With due respect, I'm not here to discuss my qualifications and particular field of expertise. If you're especially concerned about the legal caveats, I would be quite happy to give you my identification as proof of my position once you've given yourself up. ❞ 

However much she takes a disliking to his high-and-mighty tone (he's just a kid -- but then again, those of his age are often known for their lip), however, she listens to what he has to say. He is co-operating, at least, if not quite without some reluctance; the confrontation could certainly be going worse than it is -- he could have lashed out at her, or tried to make a break for it. Instead, he's-- actually rather talkative: nothing something she's sure she really likes, although she hears him out all the same, as ideal as it would be to not have to summon her demon.

But something doesn't quite make sense. She's aware about the limitations of powers upon arriving to the city, yes, having been left with only one demon in her stock herself: and yet what he says now isn't entirely clear to her. 

❝ Unconscious...? ❞ She parrots the word first, hoping to prompt a concise and straightforward explanation of what it is he means by that, exactly -- and then it clicks. 

At long last, she grants the unconscious woman the attention she requires, casting just another cursory glance at first before springing into action. Upon closer inspection now, she can indeed see the chest rising and falling: gently, granted, but it's a sign of life nevertheless. The young man and his ominous companion all at once become just background as she drops to the ground beside the woman. Her injuries are far clearer to her at this position, and it becomes obvious to her that she has gotten her priorities wrong after all. The commander is quick yet careful to review the condition of this unconscious stranger, checking her pulse and readjusting her into the recovery position.

She curses her quickness to judge, true enough -- but she would still stand by her word and confer on this mysterious stranger a degree of guilt. It wouldn't have cost him anything to tell her straight what he was doing, and so it is for this reason that the glance she shoots him now is unmistakably irked.

❝ Why didn't you say something sooner--?! ❞

[perfektionists]

Laying Down the Law || makotocracy

[makotocracy]

( ??? )

Amid the grit of the crime-stricken Sector oo3, a young woman strides into a building near the area’s center. The interior lacks grandeur, yes, but the uniformed figures add some semblance of order. At the very least, Franziska finds comfort in the presence of at least a bit of structure in this chaotic city, though her opinions of the police have been strongly shaped by an array of incompetent individuals in her own world. It would certainly be preferable if this place had a prosecutor’s office, as she could surely find trustworthy and intelligent allies there. Still, as it is, the police department seems a natural place to go for information.

She glances about the building before noticing a young woman who, at the very least, appears potentially knowledgeable. The heels of her boots click authoritatively against hard tile, and even without her whip raised and ready, the petite prosecutor manages to stand formidable before the stranger. Franziska stretches a gloved hand towards the woman and begins her questioning.

"You are an officer here, I presume? What information can you tell me about the law enforcement in this city? More precisely, how are you able to enforce a law which does not exist?"

Even within the smaller branch of the police department in the sector most sorely in need of a bit of law and order (and even then, that's to speak the truth mildly), there's a damning sort of stasis in Sector oo3's station. Oh, sure enough, there's activity, there's bustle, which is already more than can be said for those in the other sectors -- but there yet remains a question of efficiency about this activity and bustle. After all, the energy which buzzes about the place is essentially wasted if it achieves nothing. 

Which, suffice it to say, does nothing to help the force's case in the face of public opinion -- and just as well in the fact of any lone, outstanding challengers to their overal effectiveness.

❝ I'm...sorry, ma'am -- I don't quite understand your question. ❞ She isn't especially intimidated by this newcomer into the station (the extravagance of her address is admittedly...striking, if rude), though that doesn't mean she pays that certainly formidable front of hers no mind at all. This woman, whoever she might have been back in her own world, is obvious one of self-confidence; she knows what she's talking about, never mind the commander's resultant bemusement. For her to almost march in here, address the first officer she laid eyes upon, and to question their practice (or, perhaps, lack thereof), however... 

Well, it's curious, but - as honest as she can be with herself concerning her beliefs and her work ethic - her apparent indignation is not wholly unfounded. 

Regardless, Makoto herself is resolute in face of this seeming challenger, wavering only slightly as her brow creases as she readjusts the files in her arms. Now isn't the most ideal of times for such a discussion: but then it never really is, considering how busy - if rather ineffectively so - this branch always seems to be. Perhaps she might be able to send her to someone else, or shortly alleviate any concerns herself. 

❝ I am an officer of the Hive City police department, yes, and would be quite happy to answer your question if you explain quite what it is you mean by-- enforcing a law which does not exist. ❞

[makotocracy]

A Gʀᴀᴠᴇ Mɪsᴜɴᴅᴇʀsᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ

[makotocracy]

( ??? )

The necromancer doesn’t obey the officer right away, instead he idles in his crouched position. His gaze rises toward where the dark feathered owl is perched, and he frowns toward him which is obscured from Makoto’s view. The owl perched on the barrel looked like he was saying I’m sorry. His focus returns toward the young woman’s bruised face, and he is careful to move her hair away from her eyes. He could sense the officer’s eyes boring into his back, which prompts him to rise from his position and away from her body. He makes sure he doesn’t accidentally step one of her more bruised limbs and within a few seconds, he now away from her body.

He didn’t think he would be put into this position again, especially with the law enforcement. He had already gotten into much trouble with them already, and he happened to be off on such a good start in Hive City. Alas, some good things come to an end. He pondered whether this person was any different from the police he had already dealt with or at least understanding. He didn’t even know what this person looked like, because he hasn’t turned around.

"Fufu~ quick to make judgement, I see."

It isn’t long till he leans the wooden staff near the owl readjusting himself on the barrel. He steps away from that also, taking his sweet time to reveal his face toward the officer. Like her, he straightens himself to his full height as he scrutinizes her. The look in her eyes, it reminded him of her to some extent, when they had first met again anyway.

"I’m under the impression this is apart of one of your patrolling routes, officer?”

He speaks with nonchalance, as if he no regard for the unconscious woman presently. There are some notable cuts seen on his face and hands, which he gotten from the man earlier. Without Stolas’ abilities to teleport or to shield him, he was practically defenseless; being armed with a wooden staff could only do so much.

"Unless you came here because of something else?"

The teen tilts his head to the side, while a ambiguous smile can seen on his face. Every minute that rolled by, the more suspicious he probably seemed. Even after all of these years, he has continued to regard the law with little to no respect, save for a few individuals. She was no exception, especially with that familiar look in her eyes–– a look of judgement but not… scorn.

"To summarize why I’m here–– I got involved in something that I wasn’t apart of. I was trying to help this poor woman, but you’ve interrupted unfortunately.”

Perhaps she is quick to make judgement, but she had long-since learnt to know this as no inherently bad thing. Where they are no direct orders from above, it is advised that members of JP's should follow their intuitions, if only because they had been trained in such a way to tend their intuitions to the overall ethic of the organisation: as holds true for the commander even here, a month since from her last contact with anybody else in the service, and a great physical distance too. When hesitation can mean the difference between life and death, it is always best to err on the side of caution and strike first, gain the upper hand. 

So she would readily enough raise her hand to the crime of prejudice, but - as the present stands - it is not something she would lament. 

She has had no prior engagement with his particular criminal sort -- necromancers, that is to say. (Even if the grounds for her belief are false, the belief itself is true.) By her rationale, then, she has all the more reason to act quickly and on intuition here, knowing not what he is capable of; indeed, she knows, at least, that necromancy is generally accepted to be bad news. It's a practice of demons, although she isn't yet certain whether they would ever actually lend their dark power to huma-- 

The owl. She'd known something was off about the creature, and her thought process now only inclines her to suspect it more. 

Eyes narrow as she regards the young man before she cautiously steps closer to him, and to the body -- while she casts the unconscious woman a cursorily glance, however, she has to accept that she is not her primary concern here. Pausing to tend to her could give the young man the opportunity to escape, and so, as aware as ever that compassion needs to be sacrificed sometimes, she returns her steely attention to the allegedly guilty party.

❝ 'Unfortunately', yes. ❞ For you. ❝ Whether I was here on patrol or was otherwise alerted to your presence here specifically is irrelevant: the fact remains that I am here to intervene. How were you going to help her--? ❞ Her frown sharpens still, ❝ As far as I'm aware, necromancers aren't known for their medical knowledge as concerns the living body. ❞