Negative Investigations [Openish]

For once, Tsurinai Soki had headed out without her entourage of body guards that would bring attention to her. One could ask why, and the reason was simple. She had read online that the last victim to go missing was last seen in Nadashiki, so she decided to do alittle investigation work to get some information on what could have possibly happened to the woman. So far all she knew was women were going missing, which was strange since Shadows didn't differentiate between humans to prey on. Could it have been possible that the Shadows weren't solely behind this, and that someone else could have had a hand in the disappearances of these people? That was a very good question to ask herself, and the pale faced Tsurinai closed her eyes in thought. In her numerous thoughts she found herself walking deeper and deeper within Nadashiki. It was becoming rather dark, and as such, the stool of the town was beginning to make themselves known out on the streets. They harassed women and openly went about without any regard to the law. Though they were so shameless, Tsurinai Soki did not judge their lifestyles. After all, why should she? They were all humans, and as such they all lived on an equal plain in this world. Fate had mapped out their lives the same way it had mapped at her own, and as such no one really had a choice when it came to how they would turn out. This was what the woman believed as she continued to make her confident stride down the side walk with a half asleep expression on her face. For whatever reason, she looked bored. In actuality, that was simply how she was these days.

As she stumbled about, even her dulled senses could feel the eyes of the would be gangsters falling upon her. Perhaps they thought she had money on her because of her attire? Or perhaps they were looking to flirt with her or something? Whatever the case, the young woman continued on with the dull expression on her face. Her silver eyes looked further down the street towards the police station, and she would suddenly stop and place a hand on her side. Obviously she was in thought, and the three men who were attempting to speak to her was blocked out. They weren't hostile, and were actually just attempting to speak with her. However, Soki's attention was always based on business before anything else. Her thoughts would lead her away from their words, and her eyes shifted to their corners. "Ah.. I forgot to buy tea." The woman rubbed her head and gave a half assed yawn. The three young men before her looked confused before looking towards one another and walking off. She was too confusing to even respond too.

A figure turned the corner out of an ally; it was that of a woman’s. The figure walked down the side walk and towards the police station. The figure was Shi, who had gone to explore this new territory she had been forced into. This city was supposed to be the bad part of town, but it looked to beautiful.  The buildings were fascinating. The view from a top a building was marvelous. The real word was wonderful, although Shi did wish her emotions worked so she could cherish the moment of happiness that should have been there.
 
After wandering aimlessly for hours, she came back to that same police station. As she continued down the street, her eyes stopped on a woman with silver hair and silver eyes. Shi hid in an ally, peeking around the corner to catch glances at the woman. She was a persona-user, which wasn’t a surprise, but she was not human herself, she was a shadow, or a shadow like presence. How can a shadow wield a persona? Or was she fused with a shadow, was that even possible? Given Shi’s curiosity, she slowly pulled out of the ally and approached the woman, looking her straight in the eyes, although she forgot she wasn’t wearing contacts but golden eyes won’t freak out a person-user. “I’m sorry to intrude but…” Shi looked around and noticed no one was around but her and other female. Coming out as blunt as she could “… Are you a persona-user?”

Tsurinai Soki was lost in her own little world of tea, almost as if she were in a day dream. For those walking by, it would appear as if she had fallen asleep standing up and with her eyes open. However, a soft yet blunt voice suddenly snapped the young business woman out of her trance. Her silver hues shifted to a young female before her with almost glowing amber eyes. Soki's own narrowed gaze simply looked back into her own, and the drowsy looking scientist would begin to think to herself. Of course she wondered why this random person had just approached her, but her main thoughts went to her eyes. They were the spitting image of her own, when she was not wearing her contacts. Could this have been a connection to the experiment Soki had participated in years ago? The only side effect she had known about, from the failed experiment, was the sudden change in eye color. It was a strange occurrence and this young woman was bringing up old memories just from appearance. The silver haired woman would raise a gloved hand to her chin, pinching it between her index finger and thumb. She still had yet to say respond, but when the strange looking girl mentioned something about a Persona, the drowsy looking woman raised a brow. How did this person know of Personas? Also how did she even know Soki was one? There were many questions to be asked, and alot of probing to do, but for some reason the young woman didn't attempt to apprehend the female. Instead she leaned towards her and place a hand on her head. Soki's previous blank expression turned to a wide smile as her cheeks turned red like a rose. "Ah, you're adorable." She spoke with a childish voice as she continued to rub the mysterious Attendant's head. "To answer your question, that is surely classified. I'm not entitled to share such information with those who are not associates of the Tsurinai Group. But my, you are so cute."

So began to pinch the mysterious female's cheeks while making cute expressions. For someone as pale as her, when her face became tinted red it surely was easy to notice. "Maybe if you answer some of my questions, I could answer yours aswell. Equivalent exchange at its finest. For starters, what is your name?" As the Tsurinai heir asked the question, she continued to fawn over the young looking woman before her. It was strange seeing Soki actually displaying some unneeded attention to something, and even stranger to see her giving such a wide grin about something.

Weakness:

Cute… She called her cute. Shi’s face was non-expressing as she stared in confusion at the other female. Her checks were being pinched. She felt like a child, she was not adorable, or cute; She was dangerous and creepy. “My name is Shi, which is my entire name; you may call me that if you wish.” Shi would again stare at the woman “I am an attendant in the Velvet Room… Well, At least I used to…” Shi stared at the sky for a second then back at the woman. “And likewise, what is your name?”

"Attendant in the Velvet Room...? What is that supposed to mean?" Soki thought this to herself as she continued to pinch the cheeks of the adorable young woman before her. Those who were walking by gave the two odd looks, yet continued on their way. This mysterious young woman was surely shrouded in mystery. Well ateast Soki had a name to go off of now. She planned on looking up information on this "Shi" in their database, but most likely she would find nothing. After all, Attendants weren't attached to the modern world like humans. They resided in the small drift between consciousness and subconsciousness. Too bad Soki knew nothing of the Velvet Room or the Attendants to begin with. She had only become a Persona-User earlier that week, and before that she was still attempting to do experiments involving Limbo. She had no idea multiple plains of existence existed. Regardless, the silver haired woman would narrow her eyes and reclaim her bored expression. Her cheeks remained red and rosy as she placed a finger on the top of Shi's nose. "I am Soki. Tsurinai Soki. It is a pleasure to meet you, Shi. You speak of Personas as if you're familiar with them. Could it be possible that you, yourself, own a Persona? I am truly curious." The Mistress of Death spoke in a rather calm tone, as she soon ushered a yawn and rub the back of her neck with a dull expression. It seemed as if she were calming downfrom her initial attack on the cute Attendant before her.

“I have no way to summon a persona naturally. There is no possible way to obtain one. I am familiar with them because the others like me can possess multiple ones. Well we possess the personas of everyone we ‘link’ or ‘bond’ with although we don’t steal it, we use it and they may use there’s too...” Shi stood straight and looked at the woman once again. She must have been new; did she not see the scattered doors to the velvet room everywhere? I mean, just today Shi had found them, although she probably wouldn’t be able to open one of them. “Did you just awaken recently? There must be something going through your head about those blue doors? Haven’t you seen any, and they look like they open to nowhere, that is the velvet room. It’s a place like Limbo but no shadows; we help with development of the persona and other stuff. An attendant is a person who governs power. We guide persona-users, not interfering directly although, lately some of them have...”

The Tsurinai heir would tilt her head to the side with a raised brow. Was this young woman serious? Multiple personas? Velvet Room? Well, Soki had seen those doorways recently, she simply did not care to go through them. After all, she had no business with them, and was more focused on the doors to Limbo. These Attendants sounded rather interesting if what the girl was saying was completely true. Soki would place a hand on her hip while raising the other to bat her mouth as she yawned. Once done, she'd stretch her arms and tilt her head to the side. "Shi, was it? I'm not sure if I should take what you say as fact or not. Perhaps you'd like to accompany me to my next meeting, and we can speak more of this over tea. We have fine china and imported tea cups, so the quality will be rather astounding. It'll be like something you've never tasted before." The dull faced woman would give a thin smile towards Shi, even though her eyes looked faded like she were half awake. "You look like someone who would enjoy green tea with a hint of honey in it. And contrary to belief, I do not live here, my estate is in Nokawia. Just a town over."

“I’m actually more of a Lavender Tea type. And tea sounds nice. I wouldn’t mind to go. I don’t even have anything to do anymore; I was banished from my home. But any time you want to invite me, I’ll…” Shi paused for a long moment, thinking out what could even happen next. “… There’s no way for you to contact me…” Shi spoke before muttering under her breath, “Until I get those three bonds… But… I have meet two different people since the coming of myself. One more and I can go home.” Shi looked up at the woman once again, this time, a smile could be seen forming, although, it was small and after a few seconds, it was gone, she was reduced to her normal expressionless face. “I’ll be in the neighborhood, don’t you worry… Now I’m looking forward to tea.”

"Banished from your home? You poor, cute, adorable girl." Soki gave a tired smile while embracing Shi and petting her head. "Let's not cogitate over it anymore. You are welcomed to accompany me back home, and I will be sure you're taken care of until you can return home. No matter how long it takes, the Tsurinai estate is yours aswell." The young heir would release Shi from her embrace and reach into her jacket to receive her cellphone. Typing in a few numbers, she'd raise the phone to her ear. "Hello? Yes, this is Soki. Yes, I understand. My current location is Nadashiki, about thirty meters from the police department. I'd like to request transport, please meet me here in fifteen minutes. The drive should be relatively short. Also, I'll be returning with a guest. Tell Francis to begin preparing my tea sets. It is important. Also cancel the 3 'o clock meeting with the Yachiru group. Tell them something has come up, even though I am positive they will be woefully perturbed." The pale faced woman would hang up the phone and place it back within her jacket before ushering out a tired yawn. Looking back towards Shi with her tired gaze, the Tsurinai heir would begin to speak. "So, Shi, those blue doorways do have a purpose, hmm? Perhaps I'll pay a visit to this room soon, though for both our sakes, it better not be some sort of deplorable trap."

Shi tilted her head; someone wanted her to stay with her? It was weird, she had just met her, and also, she had said so many points that may confuse a new persona-user, why would she allow someone who had the possibility to be mentally unstable. Was she just being ‘nice?’ “I don’t want to intrude; you don’t need to do this because you feel bad.” Shi half ignored the hug and then when it was over, Soki began to call someone, she spoke for about a minute, apparently calling for a ride home. After the woman hung up she asked about the velvet room doorways. “The doorways lead to the Velvet Room itself. They are only seen by Persona-users, Attendants, and the occasional Persona wielding android. “

"I'm not doing this because I need too. I'm doing this because I want too, mon cher." Soki would raise her gloved hand and begin to pet Shi's head with a thin smile. "Whatever the case, we'll be sure to talk more in detail about this over tea. I would also like to learn more about your past, Shi." The pale woman would give a slight nod as the sound of tires began to pull up beside the two. A long stretch limo would stop by their side, and a man dressed in all black would exit the vehicle and give a bow towards Soki and her guest. "Ah, it seems our transportation has finally arrived. Well then, Shi, should we be on our way?" Soki spoke with her usual dull tone, even though she was curious on how the transportation arrived so shortly after her call. Was it possible that they were already out searching for her? Perhaps orders from her Father or Miki? Whatever the case, the young woman would fold her arms beneath her chest and narrow her silver hues. The driver would make his way towards the back door of the vehicle and open it for the Mistress and her guest. Soki would not waste time in getting within the car and taking a seat. She'd pat the seat next to her for Shi to sit down aswell. Folding one leg over the other, the silver haired woman would stretch her arms outwards and give a tired yawn. It was like she was always tired, wasn't it?

That car arrived very quickly; maybe they had been just around the corner, watching Soki from a distance. In any case, the other sat in the car faster than expected and motioned as if for Shi to enter. Shi entered, sitting next to Soki, looking forward with her dull expression. “My past isn’t that interesting. I don’t even know if you would believe it…” Shi’s eyes focused on the other seats in the automobile she was sitting in. The ‘car’ was unbelievable, how could you have a car but no blue. “You really don’t have to do this; I’ll be home in no time. I do appreciate this, but, I feel like I’d owe you something…”

"Oh, I wouldn't say that, mon cher." Soki gave a tired smile as she closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat. "I find alot of interest in the past of others. It helps me determine just what sort of person they are, and if they can be of any use to me in the future. Though, I have also heard it is possible to learn alot about a person by the type of tea they drink." The Tsurinai heir looked towards her guest with a dull expression. "Also, you will owe me nothing, Shi. Your adorable presence here is enough pay back." The young woman would place a gloved hand on the Attendant's cheek while giving a sly smile. "Even since I was a child, I was never able to indulge in things I, myself, wished to invest interest in. My Father would not allow it, and I'm always sure to please him. However, in this case I think I'll keep you a secret from him. This may be the first instance I have gone against his teachings, but you are far too cute to ignore." Soki turned back to look forward while raising her index finger to her lips. For Shi to be able to stay with her, she'd need a title. The Tsurinai would make it appear as though she was hired for a task, and not just there for her pleasure. If her Father was to learn she was wasting resources and time on selfish pleasures, then she'd surely be punished utterly. As she thought, the driver would close the door behind the two young women and would then reclaim his own seat. The vehicle would begin to move into a slow roll before speeding up to get on the main street towards Nokawia.

The silver haired woman would give a slight yawn while thinking. Suddenly it came to her. "Shi, darling. How are you with children?" The question may have seemed random, but there was purpose behind it.

“I don’t want to intrude; truthfully, if your father doesn’t want more guests I’m fine with the streets.” Shi looked at the other who had clearly not given up on trying to touch Shi as much as she could. It was weird, like awkward kind of weird. But again, Shi tried to ignore it, her face still as expressionless as always, “Children? I don’t think any child would like me, as you can tell I’m not a fun kind of person…” Children? Why would she ask about children… Did she have one? Was there a million of them running around her house. Does she have children as workers? “Why do you ask?”

"I've made my decision, and more importantly I've given you my word. You will not live on the streets any longer. Also when it comes to children... well, you'll see." The young woman looked forward with a dull expression before slowing closing her eyes. She would place both of her hands ontop of her lap, staying rather quiet as the vehicle headed back towards the Tsurinai estate. Soki wondered if what the young woman said was true. Although the female Tsurinai seemed quite smitten with Shi, she didn't trust her completely, as of yet. She still had to keep some things at a business level, and so she'd be sure to show some self control during their encounters.

[Heading to Nokawia - Topic end]