Information Hunting (Beep/Dani)

It had taken a moment for Oki’s mind to settle. After it had been awaken to its new power and then shortly after that had its name pretty much shouted out on all channels and radio waves by the strange reporter who claimed that she wanted to help itself and others like it, the being had been quite frazzled and at a lost on how to approach the clues given to it. But then…it had bumped into Dani and got a chance to speak out its plan. It helped clear the being’s mind and in turn solidified what it needed to do. It need to go to the other side and hunt for information.

With Dani at its side, Oki had stepped up to the rift not minding the other getting flustered over holding its hand. Unlike with Hyde there was no connection here. Dani was simply a friend and a potential partner in this information finding business. Hesitating for a only a moment the being would take a breath to steady itself before it slipped into the strange hole and went through the strange tugs as it transitioned from its world to the other.

Within the a few seconds the San Maralus that Oki knew vanished and was replaced by the cool darkness of the other world. Simple buildings and old shops were replaced with towering sky scrapers way ahead of the current time mixed with the ruins of collapsed buildings and odd machinery. The area was semi-dry, the rain being held at bay by the clouds above, but the scent of the water remained in the air as the moon casted its blue light upon the world.

There was a chill in the air as the wind blew, but Oki hardly paid it any mind as its green orbs scanned the streets around it. They were mostly abandoned, but it didn’t allow this deter it from what it had come here to do.

Letting Dani decide if he wanted to release its hand or not, the being held the other’s hand loosely as it looked carefully around the new surroundings. It was hard to tell where to start here, but perhaps the buildings would hold more people and clues. It was definitely a start.

“Come on,” Oki said before it started to walk towards the nearest building with steady steps as its eyes scanned the area cautiously for danger.

Dani let go of Oki's hand as they started walking he was wowed this place looked amazing. Dani was amazed this place looked nothing like he thought it would. Dani observed the area taking in his surroundings while walking he and Oki were walking towards the nearest building, and saw the place looked like San Malarus but as a more Metropolitan area. The moon was shining a different color them it was supposed to an eerie blue moon. Dani saw that lights were coming through some of the windows on the meaning that people might live here even though the place looked desolate. Dani sighed "these poor people this place is nice but they hide away in their homes are they scared for some reason I wonder why?" Dani questioned. Dani continued walking behind Oki.  Dani looked at the street lamps some were flickering adding to the oppressive atmosphere. Dani's footsteps echoed through the silent streets as he walked behind Oki at a brisk pace.

Dani shivered as he got a cold chill down his back. Dani's usual frown went upward into a smirk things were getting interesting. Dani's smirk disappeared quickly he had a gut feeling someone was watching him. Dani knew it was probably just him so he decided to not point it out. Dani was still wondering what was going on here collapsed building yet lights in houses and street lamps were on so people had to live he was confused by the matter. Dani sighed again the place was desolate yet it wasn't he decided to not think about it anymore. Dani decided to not talk since in this sort of situation his rambling wouldn't be helpful. Dani looked at some buildings some had bars on them while others were boarded up. The barred and boarded up windows made Dani assume there must be a lot of crime in the area or maybe it was something else he honestly didn't know. Dani sighed as he checked his pill bottle it was almost empty that wasn't good at least he had already taken one recently, he'd need to go to Standasen to get his refill soon.

Dani was nervous but at the same time interested in what was going on. Dani was a curious person even if he didn't show it much. Dani sighed again why did it feel like it was taking so long he increased his pace, so he was at walking side by side with Oki, he honestly had no idea were they were going and he didn't like it one bit. Dani scratched his chest he only usually did that when he was nervous this place which he was first wowed at was now giving him the creeps with how empty the place was. Dani almost forgot but he was still holding on to the blank pill bottle, so he put back into his pocket. Dani took off his glasses using the sleeve of his shirt to clean the lenses, Dani put the glasses back on. Dani continued and wondered if they were almost at their destination even though it had only been a few minutes the place just generally made him feel uncomfortable. Dani had another chill go down his spine maybe they really were being watched.

Dani hummed in annoyance he really didn't like it when he didn't know what was going on. "This place is pretty creepy huh Oki?" Dani asked Oki. Dani was still blushing but wasn't stuttering anymore. Dani gathered his all his thoughts basically  the people were hiding in their houses from criminals or something else nothing added up to him he sighed clicked his tongue it wasn't worth worrying about he supposed. Dani slowed down a little so he was trailing behind Oki again he continued following. He looked up at the eerie blue moon, then looked back in front of himself and sighed.

As Oki began to walk towards the nearest building, its eyes would scan area as it took one step at a time forward. The distance between them and the building wasn’t that far, but as Dani’s hand slipped from Oki’s and the young man took to walking behind the being, that small distance seemed to grow to an unimaginable size. The roads were silent. The windows lit with shadows occasionally moving out of sight when Oki looked in their direction. There was a great tension in the air that suggestion this world was in the middle of a great struggle or perhaps waiting for something bad to happen. There were eyes everywhere and yet…no one came out to greet them or harm them. The eyes just watched them as they moved across the street, the street lamps sputtering at times as a strange scent that Oki could not quite described filled the air. Something wasn’t quite right here.

Staying on guard, Oki would hear Dani’s question and shake its head as it drifted into the shadow of a building and looked up just in time to catch a pair of eyes looking down upon them from the window above. Strange green eyes glowing from the shadows of the room above. It was unnerving, so Oki looked away.

“We do not know, but the air suggests that perhaps a struggle is occurring and we have just arrived at a clam. Or the storm is on its way and we are here just in time to catch the start of it. Whatever the case is, the people here are adapting to it. Otherwise they would not hide and watch us like they do,” Oki responded calmly to Dani as it continued to walk forward listening to the odd world around that was filled with the sounds of their shoes hitting the damp pavement.

The silence continued to follow them occasionally broken by Dani’s sighs of impatience or annoyance as the boy went from trailing behind the old being to walking next to it. He fidgeted nervously messing with the pill bottle in his hand, his glasses and generally looking around the area as if he was waiting for something to jump on them. Oki couldn’t blame him, this place wasn’t exactly somewhere to choose for a vacation now was it?

When Dani asked his second question, Oki simply nodded lightly to the words. “That is one way to describe it. Yes,” the being responded back in quiet tones as it continued to drift across the street. When the other decided to drop back, Oki did not complain as it took one step at time towards the building that didn’t seem to get any closer the more they walked…or at least it felt that way.

The seconds ticked by as Oki continued to observe the area taking note of the signs that had Hyde's face one them with a high reward for him.

Dead or alive…Hyde….

Oki felt the ping of worry within it for the young man it had slowly grown close to. Had that broadcast come here too? Were the people in their houses and the air so tense because they knew about them? An unsettling thought, but not improbable in this situation. Regardless of this, Oki would keep quiet as it kept moving forward as above them the clouds flowed on briefly covering the moon, casting the area in a state of darkness and glowing nights. Then the moment was gone, the eerie blue light back and with it the first drops of rain.

Plop.
Plop.
Pour.

The rain came down in a gentle waterfall that caused Oki to quicken its pace to get under the overhang of the building. As the being stepped in the safe zone, it pause for a moment to shake some of the water off and to wait to see if Dani had kept up. As it did this, the small bear charm that hung off its clothing and had been still and quiet up until now, shook on its little hook before detaching itself and floating away from Oki a bit. With a light spin, the small charm revealed its true self as it wrung out an ear with a light sigh.

“Leave it to San Maralus for rain. I suppose it could be worse though. At least this section is more upgraded,” Persephone said with a light chuckle before looking about and spotting the PDA.

“Oooh. Look Oks. Data bits,” the creature said as it floated over to the machine thankfully under the cover. As it came to the computer, it stopped near as it raised a claw to its chin and studied the screen for a bit debating what she wanted to do. As Peresephone debated, Oki who was not phased by the bear’s appearance or actions looked over at Dani with a sheepish smile.

“Persephone. A good friend of mine,” Oki said in a small introduction before the being looked away from Dani and drifted towards the PDA where Persephone was. As Oki neared the bear floated to the side allowing the being to analyze the thing more in-depth as the bear talked.

“These are actually pretty useful data bits. Phone, maps, internet…pretty much everything that you want is right here. Pretty neat, huh?” Peresphone said beaming at the handiwork of whoever made this.

“Very helpful indeed. Hmmm…let’s see here…Where to start? ” Oki said as it looked at the screen for bit as water dripped from its hat and hair before running down the face. “Maybe this one?” Oki said as it reached out a damp gloved hand and pressed an icon that looked like it might get them in touch with the AI system…hopefully.

While Oki waited to see the result of its action, Persephone easily drifted behind the being before it plopped downward and hung on the beings shoulder leaving only claws and its smiling head visible. Oki did not react to this or the glance that the bear gave Dani as she began to analyze him quietly while her master worked.

Dani sighed as it started pouring down rain. Oki ran ahead by herself. Dani smiled as the rain relaxes him  a bit he got completely drenched but wasn't to bothered by it. Dani saw the wanted poster for Hyde on it and glared why was Hyde wanted it had to be for a good reason. Dani sighed he  decided not to think about it  would just make his head hurt. Dani was still in the rain finally catching up to Oki. Then he saw Oki's bear charm floating yep Dani decided to not pay any attention to it. Dani bent down on one knee seeing the PDA with Oki touching it she messed immediately touched it Dani sighed. "Ya know you really shouldn't just touch things without permission... never mind to late now to change anything of importance"   Dani sighed so much for teamwork was he really needed here he felt like a third wheel. "Am I really needed here I'm kinda useless aren't  I?" Dani questioned with honesty in his voice. Dani was useless his Persona didn't even feel like it was naturally his and the fact that he had no idea what was going on really made Dani feel useless.

Dani pinched the bridge of his nose he didn't know what was going on since this place was total creepsville and there was no one that could answer questions that have been piled on top of him he felt like there was no end. Dani felt very uncomfortable just waiting for something to happen. Dani pushed up his glasses this sucked he felt pretty useless he was very confident in his own abilities either. Dani waited for the PDA to load he sighed again. Dani spoke up again "man I really whish I knew what Persona even are or why mine was trying to kill me and what's going on with civilians seeing the rifts and many other question there are so many to answer hopefully can fin  those answers"   Dani said with little hope in his voice. Dani simply waited the only noise the rain pouring outside.

It appeared that Dani was in no hurry to get out of the rain as Oki looked out at him casually drifting over. While it was true that Oki had no issue with rain on most days, today the cold water was a little bit uncomfortable and so it had made its move to get to a dry area quickly. As it watched the other move through the rain, it saw the young man throw a glance at the posters of Hyde and wondered for a second just how Dani was reacting to such posters. Was he against Hyde or with him? Or maybe didn’t know him at all? The questions went by, but as the other approached, Oki pushed the questions away as Persephone appeared and shortly afterwards pointed out the PDA.

Dani didn’t seem bothered by the bear’s appearance and simply followed them over. Even as Persephone observed him with her analytical gaze, the other didn’t pay her any mind. The bear didn’t seem to mind as its strange black and gold eyes drifted from Dani and began scanning the area as Oki and Dani both focused on the PDA. Oki being itself automatically analyzed the PDA and looked for the best possible solution to the problem of gathering information. It scanned the icons and made a guess without asking input from Dani. A slight error perhaps, but one Oki didn’t realize it had made until the other made his comment.

He was suggesting not touching things that wasn’t its own? But….the thing was out in the open….surely anyone that was curious enough could touch it, but then again they didn’t know about the world, so it could’ve been set there as trap…Considering how the people were acting that was possible, but not really probable in Oki’s head.

“This is a public PDA system designed to assist those who approaches it with information and maybe even a bit of pleasure. It is has maps, the internet, and other things that suggests this. While it is true we should think before touching such things, the probability of this being dangerous is close to zero. At least that is what my analysis of this system tells me,” Persephone said as she looked at Dani and gave him a toothy grin that was supposed to be reassuring….although it could come off as creepy too.

When Dani said his next set of words, Oki frowned lightly at what it was hearing.

“No. We do not think you are useless at all. While it is true we did perform a move that was perhaps rash and without consulting you first, you must not see this as a strike out against you. We simply acted on impulse. We will try not to repeat the error in the future,” Oki told the other in calm tones before becoming highly distracted by the screen that had changed under its touch.

“Ouch,” Persephone muttered as she watched the blue figure smash into the screen before drifting to the bottom and becoming active with chat. Beep 2.0? How cute! Oki couldn’t help, but to smile as it looked at the figure.

“Nice to meet you Beep. I suppose you can say we are new to the area,” Oki said easily enough as it choose its words carefully not sure just how much on their side this AI was, but not really disliking it either. “We are searching for information. Uh….where to begin?” Oki said shaking its head and looking up at Dani.

“Why don’t you go first?” Oki said letting Dani start off the conversation. Perhaps Beep could help them with the Persona issue and the reporter…provided nothing like that set off anything. Ah well. Risks were necessary to gained something, yes? Suppose it would all depend on what Dani did now. Oki could adapt,

Dani sighed why did Oki have to put him on the spot like that, and Dani simply didn't no what to say to the cute A.I. Dani then sighed again. "Well Little-Beep can you tell me what these pills are I know what they do to control my persona and secondly why did my Persona try to kill me it doesn't make any since, and thirdly we aren't from this world if you believe anything I said that's fine too" Dani pulled out the pill bottle and taking one pill out to show Beep. Dani looked at Beep who he deemed Little-Beep she reminded him of a cute clumsy anime character it was quite endearing to watch. Dani sighed as he decided this was the best way to go about it he didn't want to give away the information about the reporter just yet he wasn't as sure as Oki and Persephone, this still could be an elaborate trap he didn't know how advanced the people of this world were. Dani observed the A.I. Dani looked away embarrassed, it was too cute it was ridiculous. "Okay Oki this is the moment of truth isn't it this way we can tell how much Little-Beep actually knows she's an A.I. so she only knows what she is told or see for herself If our world is anything to go by or maybe she the most advance A.I. ever who knows" Dani said adverting his attention to Oki for a second.

Honesty was…a terrible thing at times wasn’t it? While Oki had did its best to leave what it said vague, Dani on the other hand was just up front about everything. Without any hesitation, he asked the AI about the medicines and his persona trying to kill him. While he had got lucky with Oki to not have a bad reaction to state something like that doing the same thing here? Maybe not so good, but wait it got better didn’t it? Dani also mentioned they were from the other side to boot to the AI. He was a lot crazier than he looked or simply rash. Oki didn’t exactly know what to do nor did it approve of this, but what was done was done now, so when the other spoke to the being, it just gave him a quiet stare as Persephone facepalmed and shook her head with a light sigh.

Perhaps Oki would’ve spoken to the other; however at that moment Beep moved and began to act a bit weird…then that siren. Oki automatically ducked as Persephone became alert as Beep began to speak in an odd fashion and flicker about until she finally just shut off. Ah lovely. And look the whole place was shutting down too. Oh, this could only get better, ya? Oh yeah…

The siren went off and now three people strangely geared and design had come out and surrounded them. They didn’t look like the friendly type at all and quite frankly Oki didn’t wish to fight anyone. It had simply wanted information, but instead was dealing with this. Ah well. Life was life.

Standing back up slowly, so as not to set anyone off Persephone stayed on the being shoulder as her eyes scanned the three before them. Oki would hear the talk the others had amongst themselves and heard the far off sirens and shouts. It also took note that the rift they came in was effectively blocked by these guys and with a wall at their back there was really no escaping. As Oki made a quick analysis of the situation, it locked its eyes upon the one who was speaking. Personas were unwelcomed here…ah well that left itself out, but then again it couldn’t back out on Dani and trying to explain Persephone away would only dig a deeper hole. But at least the words made sense and some clarity came to it as to why Hyde’s face was plastered all over the place with a bounty on his head. So…he was a persona user then….assuming he had come here before hand and worked up the folk by doing something, then the rest fell into place nicely. It was only an assumption, but the only good one Oki had right now. Still Hyde and what not was a topic for another time. Right now the being had to deal with the hunters and the choice given.

With a light sigh and a shake of the head, Oki tilted its head at the one who had spoken as a light smile crossed its face devoid of warmth or hostility.

“Alright. Alright. You caught me, so I won’t make a fuss about it,” Oki said in calm tones, remaining non-hostile and cooperative for now. As long as the three didn’t do anything or Oki didn’t feel threatened it had no issue with doing what it had to survive. Praying that Dani wouldn’t do anything else rash, Oki waited to see what was going to occur here.

"All right I'll turn myself in but you have to let Oki go she has nothing to do with this so don't worry I'll go quietly if you let Oki go she doesn't have persona and she didn't know I had one" Dani eyes showed determination it would be better if he was the only one that got caught after all he wasn't important. Dani knew they were going to get jumped he wasn't important if Oki got away that would be fine with him. "So take me away after all it's just business now Oki I'm going to get arrested now go away all right don't worry about me I'm worthless after all man that's surprising that I'm worth any money after all it will just be better to go to jail by myself" he hoped Oki would play along this wasn't what he planned but it might be the only way to get the information he needed so he put his hands up high in the air so he couldn't do anything, then Dani marched over to the mercenaries with arms high in the air he knew what he was doing was stupid but if one of them could get out their was still hope, or maybe not it depended if Oki wanted to save him or not he wouldn't blame her is she didn't want to. Dani was now standing directly in front of the mercenaries hopefully they wouldn't knock him out. Dani heard sirens and smirked maybe  he could hold nah they were to far away. "What are you waiting for and invitation cuff me I'm not going to do anything stupid I think I've done enough of that for today" Dani said their was no fear in his eyes and this was probably the dumbest thing he's done in his whole life, and to be honest this was the only way to change the Majority opinion of the people here was to get arrested then so be it. "Oh so it's a crime have a natural ability how strange oh well the law is the law" Dani sighed and was now just waiting to be cuffed or tied up.

Oki was impressed that Dani would make a bold move and try to protect it and even give it a potential way out as he did what he could to negotiate with the hunters; however, instead of even bothering to play the part of the scared innocent or what not, Oki remained quiet with a neutral expression on its face as it watched the situation play out, preparing itself to fight if Dani’s upfront move set anyone off.

Luckily for them, these hunters were of the reasonable type rather than the rash. They didn’t react negatively to the boy’s action. They simply appreciated their catch being so easy. When the strange woman open her mouth and spoke in response to Dani’s deal, Oki didn’t react in any fashion. It figured it wouldn’t be let go so easily. It had already surrendered and it was sure that Persephone didn’t do anything to help the problem. Heh. No matter, it hadn’t planned on going anywhere anyway.

When the trio moved in closer, Oki remained still as the lady approached and went behind it and then reaching out would grab its arms to pull them back behind the being. Remaining as neutral and relaxed as it was, the woman would find binding Oki relatively easy and when those strange cuff were put on, Oki let out a hiss of discomfort as it instinctively turned its head slightly to look at the lady behind it with narrowed green eyes. Green eyes would analyzed her annoyed for a second, but then it began fell drained. Oki’s usually bright and alert eyes dulled as something within was sealed off. Around the same time this sensation was felt, Peresphone let out a light sigh before slipping off of Oki’s shoulder and falling to the ground. In a poof of blackness she vanished as the small charm reappeared on the hook that it typically hung from on Oki’s clothing. The being wasn’t quite sure what was happening, but understood that whatever was to occur next it was on its own since Persephone had seemingly gone off line for the moment.

Agitating, but perhaps this move should have been expected from hunters that were looking to catch a user of some mythical power. Still it made the old being wonder briefly who these guys worked for to have such equipment, but then that thought was pushed aside as they were given the command to move. With the lady and the armed man behind them and the Legged Man in the lead, Oki began to walk following the strange trio along the building and into the darkness.

They walked and walked with darkness pushing in all around. Oki wasn’t sure how long this trek went on, but it did remember the lady pushing Dani as they moved along. Oki would’ve snapped at the woman, but at that moment the man in the lead decided to stop as he turned to face them. He said a simple line of words that at first, Oki didn’t understand, but before it could even pick apart such logic a heavy blow was dealt to its head from behind.

The dull pain the blow caused was replaced by severe dizziness that had the being swaying and falling before its brain could command its body to cease such an action. Oki fell into something strong, warm, and solid, but it was in no state to tell if that was a person or something else that had it now. In its daze, the being felt itself being picked up and moved somewhere, but then everything became dimmer…dimmer…dark.

**

Oki wasn’t sure how long it was in the darkness, but in time it would come around to the unfamiliar setting still bound…and with a headache that it hadn’t felt in ages. It world was still spinning, so sitting up with a wince, the being shook its head slightly to clear as it glanced around trying to figure out where it was now, but even more importantly than that to find Dani and see if he was okay.
_____________________________________________________________________

Condition: Slightly dazed still, but functional and still bound by Sealed Cuffs.

Dani sighed this was going to suck he saw them knock out Oki. This was going to be a lonnng day. Dani felt as one of them hit him on the back of the head he tried to stay awake but he fainted. Dani saw blackness, he dreamed of the murder again his ultimate failure. Dani's nightmare quickly disappeared. The dream turned to inky darkness and Dani was running around in it this was getting annoying the dream ended. Dani awoke in a place he was unfamiliar in an unfamiliar place.