[2011-03-07 20:28:18] <Axel_Wildfire> = =
[20:33:12] <Axel_Wildfire> "Haruka, come on, wake up. You're the one with the keys." Ake nudges the older lady she's half-carrying to try and get her coherent enough to unlock the front door of Scarlet Devil Mansion. "Haruka, come on."

[20:37:31] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Nnnn...ohhh." Haruka shakes herself awake enough to get the door unlocked. "Was starting to dream already...so nice and warm..."

[20:43:12] <Axel_Wildfire> "Yeah, let's get you to a bed before you fall down..." she helps Haruka through the door, letting the older Fangire lean on her. "Jesus, Haruka, look what you're doing to yourself..."

[20:46:58] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Give me SOME credit, Ake. I'm overworked, not invalid." She wriggles out of Ake's grasp and turns toward the kitchen. "Fairly close to adding 'dehydrated' to that mix, though, let's fix that. Want anything?"

[20:49:27] <Axel_Wildfire> "Just... water's fine. And you were moving towards asleep on your feet." Ake follows, concern stamped on her face.

[20:56:10] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "I know, I know..." Another yawn as the white-haired woman throws open the fridge door, withdrawing a water bottle for Ake and briefly considering a can of Cherry Vanilla Tau for herself...before putting it back and grabbing a second bottle. "Caffeine not gonna do me any good like this..."

[20:58:16] <Axel_Wildfire> "It's really not." she drinks half the bottle in pretty much one go. "... look, you need to take it easier."

[21:05:17] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "I'd like to, Ake..." Haruka sips before starting for the stairs. "I really would. But I have responsibilities - to my family, and to this city. I might be resting for a few hours 'cause my body needs it, but after that..."

[21:08:02] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake follows. "Hello. If you don't relax a bit more you're going to be too exhausted to be useful when we *need you*."

[21:13:01] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Please. This is nothing." Another swig as Haruka pushes open the door to the massive master bedroom. "All these last couple days have done to me is stagger what'd normally be a good night's sleep. I'll be fine in the long-term."

[21:18:05] <Axel_Wildfire> "Haruka. It's hardly past midday and you're already trying to fall asleep." She pauses in the doorway. "Just..."

[21:26:11] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Then let me 'stead of whining about how I ought to. Jeez." She flops onto the oversized bed, wriggling out of her jacket as she takes in a deep breath of...well, what usually goes on in this bed.

[21:27:11] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake blushes and turns away. "I'll leave you to it?"

[21:27:56] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Unless you'd rather take a sick afternoon with. I can still feel how you're practically burning up from here."

[21:29:05] <Axel_Wildfire> "Hm?" she turns back, frowning. "Burning up?"

[21:32:07] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Yeah, ever since you brought the Chinese in at base..." Now Haruka's laying spread-eagle on the mattress. "Thought it was that, but then I felt how hot it was all through the ride home - the parts where I was lucid, anyway. It's you, Ake. You're putting off wicked body heat, and..." She trails off, beginning to curl up.

[21:33:55] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake blinks and moves to kneel by the bed. "... really? I hadn't noticed..." now she looks worried.

[21:37:05] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "I've got a good idea what it is, and I'm sure you do too...and that's all the more reason you need as much rest as I do." The commander pats an open patch of bed. "Long as you're putting off that kind of heat, we may as well..."

[21:39:46] <Axel_Wildfire> She turns bright red. "I have no idea what it is!"

[21:44:53] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...we can discuss it later. And you clearly need as much R&R as I do. C'moooooooon." Haruka swerves toward a more playful pleading, childish rather than seductive.

[21:46:26] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'm fine!" Ake sticks her nose in the air, 'hmphing' somewhat. "So what if I'm hot! I don't feel any different from usual...!"

[21:51:53] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...you put down four foam boxes of chicken and rice and you don't feel bloated. That's different from most ANYTHING."

[21:55:10] <Axel_Wildfire> "I was hungry!"

[21:59:16] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Not gonna bother doubting that. In the meantime, your attitude's making it hard to fall asleep..." Haruka rolls her head about.

[22:03:31] <Axel_Wildfire> "... now you've got me worried." she complains. "What about me running hot?"

[22:08:22] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Your body's putting off a fair amount of heat, and...OK, I'm gonna be frank here." Haruka blushes. "I like it. It's just right for curling up in bed on a lazy afternoon..."

[22:09:55] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake rolls her eyes and finally cedes to Haruka's demand, leaving her shoes and hoody behind and crawling onto the bed beside her. "Fine..."

[22:16:26] <@Haruka_Emmerich> The commander starts inching toward Ake. "Don't worry. Not gonna do anything crazy unless you want to. Just wanna... *yaaaaaaaawn* ...enjoy this warmth..." A grin plays across the Fangire's face as she idly unclasps her belt.

[22:17:50] <Axel_Wildfire> "... sex doesn't really interest me." she admits quietly, tugging nervously at the collar of her insulting t-shirt.

[22:23:03] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Sure seemed interested a few weeks back..." Haruka starts to happily retract into the fetal position, one arm pawing for a pillow.

[22:24:26] <Axel_Wildfire> "... that night with you and Yukari was amazing, I'll admit... that's the first time I ever actually enjoyed it..." Ake mumbles, burying her blushing face in her forearms. "I'm just... so used to it not meaning anything."

[22:26:03] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Really?" She finds her pillow, clutching it against her (still corset-clad) chest before turning back to Ake. "Do tell."

[22:26:47] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake half-rolls to look at Haruka. "Look at my car, Haruka. There are few lines I will not cross to achieve my goal. Selling my body is a small price."

[22:33:22] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Must be a hell of a goal." A squeeze. "...I couldn't bring myself to do it for profit."

[22:34:21] <Axel_Wildfire> "Information is the most valuable thing in this world." she says as if quoting from rote.

[22:35:35] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Funny, I always thought love was..."

[22:38:29] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake goes silent and inches closer to Haruka, almost hopefully. "I wouldn't know."

[22:45:43] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "And yet you hang around Haru. She's known from the start what love can do, can become."

[22:50:57] <Axel_Wildfire> "... that's just cause she actually looks at *me*." she mutters quietly. "Miyuki and Korin want her anyway."

[22:59:31] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Pffft, like that's ever been a problem. Open-covenant's been legal since ten after VH, and I'm sure if the two of you warm up to those kids, they'd be OK with it." She sighs. "Haru tends to bend over backwards to make other people happy, brash as she might seem off the bat. But it never feels like it's that much of an effort for her."

[23:03:02] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'm not... entirely sure I like that." Ake admits softly. "I'm sure you'll find it selfish, but I want..." she trails off, as if too embarassed to say it.

[23:06:19] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Ah. Also acceptable. And I'm sure the other two have their own plans on top of that. Even just seeing them happy will satisfy Haru."

[23:07:15] <Axel_Wildfire> "I just... want something to call mine alone for once..." she mumbles out. "Even though it's immature and selfish and stupid."

[23:10:12] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Don't start me on..." Haruka's hugging her pillow rather tight. "...selfish desires being stupid..."

[23:10:52] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake reaches out to rest her hand on Haruka's hip, squeezing gently. "Sorry."

[23:18:43] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Hn." The pillow's now covering her chest and face, the woman grasping it as if pressing Ake's body against her own. "...ahhh...."

[23:21:03] <Axel_Wildfire> "Oh for..." she sighs and tugs the pillow away. "Come here." Ake somehow contrives to sound both exasperated and amused.

[23:23:25] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "A-all right..." Haruka lets out a weak giggle. "...but only cuddling. Too sleepy for the rest." She sluggishly scoots toward her guest.

[23:25:00] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake lets her hand slide to Haruka's back, drawing her closer with gentle strokes. "Now what does that say about you pushing yourself too hard? Idiot."

[23:31:49] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Or maybe I'd rather just be close right now. *yawn* Nothing special...about that..." She turns over, eyes already shut as she presses her head against Ake.

[23:37:18] <Axel_Wildfire> This leaves Ake in the unusual position of slowly sending her own CO off to sleep in her arms. She quietly chews on her lip. /... this isn't good... she's pushing herself so hard even though she pretends she's not. I gotta work harder so she doesn't get like this.../

[23:46:36] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka's only response is a tired murmur in Ake's arms...and an aura of contentment slowly permeating the air.

[23:49:35] <Axel_Wildfire>  /Aw, fuck it... she's right, I'm tired too, actually./ she shifts almost uncomfortably, still gently stroking her fingertips down Haruka's back. /And it *is* hot. And I've been ravenous ever since I... what did Senpai call it? 'Vamped out'... damnit. I think I'm starting to get where Senpai is coming from./
[23:49:42] <Axel_Wildfire> "Haruka?" The word is quiet, barely audible.

[23:55:26] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...saa..." She's clearly knee-deep in dreamland by now.

[23:57:55] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake draws her closer, whispering in her ear. "... I'll do better in future."

-------------------------
[2011-03-08 00:01:12] <REDAdventFalls> A light cough came in from the direction of the door. Yukari Arukama was there.
[00:01:48] <REDAdventFalls> It was evening now, and the two looked fast asleep.
[00:02:21] <REDAdventFalls> "Haruka. Ake."

[00:02:43] <Axel_Wildfire> "Mmnf?" Ake stirrs quickly, cracking open one eye and yawning sleepily. "Hey Yukari..."

[00:04:20] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka was still fast asleep, oddly enough. Well, about as odd as her still sleep-murmuring.

[00:05:00] <REDAdventFalls> "Haruka! Wake up!"

 

[00:05:30] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake shakes Haruka gently. "Hey, sleepyhead. Wake up."
[00:05:54] <Axel_Wildfire> Clicking to something, she smirks and leans down to whisper in Haruka's ear. "Your queen is calling for you, Saanaito."

[00:12:34] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Saaaa..." This manages to pull Haruka out of her slumber. "...h-hey."

[00:12:52] <REDAdventFalls> "...So.... we went to the warehouse."
[00:13:07] <REDAdventFalls> "And.... we've ID'd Tenpai."

[00:13:07] <Axel_Wildfire> "Feeling better?" Ake extricates her arm from under Haruka and rolls to one side, stretching out. "... and? What'd you find? Did you get Becca back?"

[00:13:53] <REDAdventFalls> "No. ....Haruka. It's Wyll."

[00:14:06] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake freezes, going white as a sheet. "What."

[00:14:12] <REDAdventFalls> "Wyll Ascher is Tenpai."

[00:14:20] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "WHAT?" Aaaaaaand crazy wide-awake Haruka is back.

[00:14:40] <REDAdventFalls> "Aelita confirmed it off a note we found at the warehouse- which was abandoned."
[00:14:50] <REDAdventFalls> "It gets worse."

[00:15:16] <Axel_Wildfire> "... how much worse?" Ake asks cautiously, starting to sit up; she's trembling to the point where Haruka can feel it through the mattress.

[00:15:33] <REDAdventFalls> "Becca's effectively defected. He has *two* anti-Rider weapons now."

[00:18:41] <Axel_Wildfire> She's struck silent by this, simply hugging herself as her shaking increases.

[00:19:12] <REDAdventFalls> Yukari shook her head. "I don't need to tell you just how bad this is."

[00:19:33] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...I'm not going to have to break out my big guns, am I?"

[00:20:19] <REDAdventFalls> "You may need to," Yukari nodded. "He took out Kenoko with half a dozen blows and managed to tank a Kingstone Flash."
[00:20:35] <REDAdventFalls> "He *built* the damn thing."
[00:23:20] <REDAdventFalls> "And the worst part is.... I'm not sure what kind of action we can take."

[00:24:20] <Axel_Wildfire> "I -" Ake ventures and then immediately clams up, bowing her head.

[00:25:15] <REDAdventFalls> "Finding him will be a bitch and a half, not to mention fighting him. Nevermind the fact we'd probably have to fight Becca as well, I just don't know if we have the manpower. Between Ikaruga and the 3WA, I just don't know."

[00:26:23] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka grits her teeth. "Fighting him won't exactly be the best way about it. Think, Yukari..." She starts crawling toward her jacket. "...everything Wyll does, he does with something to prove in mind. Now, what would Wyll prove with Tenpai?"

[00:27:06] <REDAdventFalls> "He's essentially got a Rider Belt that can curbstomp every belt before it," Yukari sighed. "It's Decade all over again, swear to g-" Her eyes widened.

[00:28:22] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...don't even."

[00:29:09] <REDAdventFalls> "Haruka, we really *ARE* looking at a potential Rider War here. The question is, what's Wyll got to prove?"

[00:29:32] <Axel_Wildfire> "... that he's right." Ake speaks up, still shivering.

[00:29:50] <REDAdventFalls> "Ake, you studied under him. What's he want to be right about?"

[00:33:40] <Axel_Wildfire> "I... think... given that he's only focused on denying people their Rider Gears..." she takes another breath, her voice just as shaky as the rest of her body. "... I'd guess he's looking at averting a Rider War. He'd call it 'taking the children's toys away'."

[00:35:54] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Classic Wyll, him and his bitterness about the past." And then Haruka withdraws a certain something from her breast pocket - the face of Proto-DCD is far more vivid on the smoky Ganbaride card. "...and then me and mine..."

 

[00:46:27] <Axel_Wildfire> "But that doesn't explain why he broke out those two from Ikaruga..." Ake puts her hand over Haruka's, hiding the card, but making her own shivers all the more apparent. "I'm sorry."

[00:46:41] <REDAdventFalls> "....He's going about it wrong."

[00:47:02] <Axel_Wildfire> "... maybe this is what he meant..."

[00:48:19] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka glances at Ake's attempted save. "...she knows, Akebara. Not about this one, but in general. I'd rather not remake Mugen no Diend, but if it comes down to it..."

[00:49:01] <Axel_Wildfire> "I guessed." Ake mutters. "I just... you don't need to think about it." she starts getting up.

[00:50:02] <REDAdventFalls> "...I just don't get it. Wyll's doing this all wrong."

[00:53:43] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Meaning there's more to this than just the disarmament motive. Anything else in that note your team found?"

[00:54:45] <Axel_Wildfire> "'All wrong' by your standards, maybe, but when has he ever held himself to those?" Ake snorts quietly, pulling on her JUNKER hoody and getting to work on tugging her shoes back on.

[00:54:50] <REDAdventFalls> "No reason to believe that he's got any ill-will towards JUNKER. Note claimed he only took Becca to spur Kenoko into getting off her ass."
[00:56:14] <REDAdventFalls> "Also claimed Becca staying with him past our break-in was not part of his plan."
[00:56:58] <REDAdventFalls> "And Ake- I'm not bringing morality into this. I'm trying to think logically."

[00:59:05] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Huh. I saw Becca's file when I evaluated her for BLACK in the first place...if I know Wyll, her defection was just another opportunity falling into his lap."

[00:59:41] <REDAdventFalls> "Did she show any psych problems? Questionable loyalties, anything?"

[01:00:39] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Confidence issues and nebulous grounds for transfer from Los Angeles to Tokyo. If anything, this incident is a damn good reason to re-evaluate JUNKER International's conduct and operating procedure."

[01:01:33] <REDAdventFalls> "....So we've got a mentally scarred Rider being taking in by one of the craftiest people to survive Void Hour."

[01:02:13] <Axel_Wildfire> "Sounds like the formations of RSF all over again." Shoes on, Ake stands, already drawing her Proto Driver from inside the hoody. "I'm sorry."

[01:03:58] <REDAdventFalls> "You're not to blame for this, Ake." Yukari shook her head. "....Best case scenario is someone smacks some sense into Becca while we try and isolate Wyll- the former will be near impossible, the latter God himself would call impossible."
[01:04:48] <REDAdventFalls> "Worst case scenario is Wyll manages to take away the Gears from people undeserving, letting 3WA and Ikaruga swoop in for the power vacuum. He stops one war, only to start another."

[01:05:42] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "And Wyll wouldn't be in the market to do that." Haruka grins. "Because THI's in that same party of power players. If he wanted to piss 'em off, they'd be halfway to Osaka by now."

[01:08:03] <Axel_Wildfire> "You think he's that stupid?" Ake looks annoyed.

[01:08:41] <REDAdventFalls> "No," Yukari nodded. "But I'm stretching to see what his immediate gameplan is."

[01:09:10] <Axel_Wildfire> She catches Haruka's eye. "... on the other hand..."

[01:11:56] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...methinks it's time we revisited the Ikaruga lead. It's obvious by now that the jailbreak was a challenge to us." She tosses the card on the bedstand. "What needs to be seen is whether said challenge is Wyll's or merely Ikaruga's. Merc work will suit him if it furthers his goal, even - ESPECIALLY - if it isn't readily evident."

[01:14:33] <Axel_Wildfire> "I guess so..." Ake seems downcast, and she's still pale like she's scared out of her wits. If anything she's grown hotter than before, too.

[01:16:01] <REDAdventFalls> "One lesser problem- how we going to deal with BLACK? Even if she's not even on the same planet as Wyll, she's got anti-Rider techniques and just left JUNKER."

[01:16:40] <Axel_Wildfire> "With a stick, while she sleeps."

[01:16:53] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "NO, Ake."

[01:17:03] <Axel_Wildfire> "Not *literally*."
[01:17:19] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake folds her arms, trying to force herself to think. "I just don't think it's a good idea going head-to-head with a Kingstone."

[01:18:01] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "True, it's not." Haruka turns back to Yukari. "So Hill's left JUNKER. Any indication of where she's headed TO?"

[01:18:38] <REDAdventFalls> "Note implied she's still with Wyll."

[01:21:43] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "But where is she GOING? Staying with Wyll is one thing, what she plans to do with him is another."

[01:23:01] <REDAdventFalls> "No idea. She might think he's right, might be training, I honestly don't know. All the note said out of her was that she wasn't sure how to be a Rider, what she was supposed to be, why she'd never questioned her orders...."
[01:23:35] <REDAdventFalls> "All I could get out of it was that she had no faith in her own convictions."

[01:25:19] <Axel_Wildfire> She shivers. "... I'm... kinda scared."

[01:25:30] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...believe it or not, this narrows down Wyll's options considerably."

[01:26:27] <REDAdventFalls> "What you mean?"

[01:28:58] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Wyll has two options for removing Rider Gears from the hands of the irresponsible: take them by force, or make their users responsible. Tenpai and BLACK, for all their anti-Rider capability, don't have the manpower to go up against three corproations' worth of organized henshin equipment. This means Wyll has to operate as is best for him...and as is best for Becca. Now, think about what'd be best for Becca."

[01:29:56] <REDAdventFalls> "I don't know. I've only read the files and the debriefings."

[01:33:08] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake shrugs. "Getting back on her own two feet, I guess?"

[01:33:42] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Bingo, Ake. Or rather, being pulled onto her own two feet for the first time."

[01:35:08] <Axel_Wildfire> "... so what?"

[01:38:54] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "So Wyll's gonna prop her up, which means for all his 'above mortal morality' brouhaha, he can't do anything inherently WRONG for a Kamen Rider. Leading by example is volatile stuff in hands like his, meaning his movements are limited by what can further his philosophy - that being, stopping irresponsible shows of force, whether by JUNKER or anyone else."

[01:39:41] <REDAdventFalls> "Are you suggesting her defection is a good thing?"

[01:43:38] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake gives Haruka a disapproving look.

[01:45:40] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "A good thing as far as letting BLACK go wild? No. But for reining in Tenpai, it couldn't be better. Think, ladies, what's the most decadent and cutthroat display of henshin tech out there? One hint: it starts next Monday."

[01:46:13] <REDAdventFalls> "...All-Riders."

[01:46:13] <Axel_Wildfire> "... All-Riders."
[01:46:20] <Axel_Wildfire> "Jinx."

[01:46:27] <REDAdventFalls> "Fuuuuck."

 

[01:46:35] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Dibs!"

[01:46:34] <Axel_Wildfire> It's completely immature and just slips out, Ake covers her mouth, embarassed. "Sorry."

[01:47:22] <REDAdventFalls> "So what, you think it'll stop Wyll from attacking during All-Riders?"

[01:48:25] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka a-hems before continuing. "To the contrary. While personnel proper won't be targeted, likely story is that the two will be wary of whatever new toys are paraded about that have any potential for abuse. And luckily...we have the perfect lure for them, ready to go."

[01:48:35] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake snorts. "More like that's a perfect opportunity for him... which lure?"

[01:50:08] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Only an infuriating shotgun marriage of THI Gear and TSPD surplus: our decoy is Shizuo Takarai and KB Den-O." A smirk. "The scent of timecop will send Wyll running."

[01:52:06] <REDAdventFalls> "So you'd throw Wyll against *that*?"

[01:53:16] <Axel_Wildfire> "You don't think he'd see it coming?

 

[2011-03-09 23:07:34] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake moves back and sits by Haruka again, still shivering.

[23:07:57] <AdventFalls> "This could be a nightmare."

[23:09:14] <Axel_Wildfire> "It already is." she mutters quietly. Haruka can practically smell how scared she is.

[23:09:50] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "You imply it ever ended. Trust me on this, though: as rational as Wyll may forever be, he still has his fears, his hatreds...KB Den-O will stoke them, and draw Tenpai's attention accordingly."

[23:11:41] <Axel_Wildfire> "I think you're underestimating him." Ake mumbles, more to herself than anyone else; she seems withdrawn.

[23:12:42] <AdventFalls> "I agree. For all we know, he could easily have something rigged up to take out KB Den-O from afar."

[23:16:00] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...not gonna make it easy for me, are ya..." Haruka rubs at her temple. "Dammit...regular lures won't draw him in. And we don't have anyone so blistering incompetent that we could maneuver them in for Tenpai's stated mission to come into play."

[23:16:54] <AdventFalls> "Agreed on that point. We've picked out our candidates *far* too well for W-"
[23:16:58] <AdventFalls> "....I have an idea."

[23:17:33] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Please share. I've only got the ONE."

[23:17:41] <Axel_Wildfire> "Got nothing over here..."

[23:18:14] <AdventFalls> "We make sure that someone who hasn't gone through the proper channels gets ahold of a belt. Similar scenario to Kuuga, but make sure it's someone that we wouldn't normally consider."

[23:18:56] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...manufacture an Aoki. Jesus fucking CHRIST, Yukari."

[23:19:08] <AdventFalls> "Or at least make it LOOK like an Aoki."

[23:19:25] <Axel_Wildfire> "... who do you have in mind?"

[23:19:33] <AdventFalls> "He doesn't literally have to be Aoki, he just needs to be out of his depths..."
[23:20:00] <AdventFalls> "....I say we go with two people. One within JUNKER, one outside."
[23:21:34] <AdventFalls> "First candidate is Osu 7- Alexander Winger. Nice guy, really wants to do well. But he's not quite ready for the big-time."

[23:22:52] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Hmm, he DID have Osu 7 get bricked. We'll use him as the internal." Haruka temples her hands. "Now...who or what will we need for an external?"

[23:23:29] <AdventFalls> "We're gonna need to do some reconnaissance on that one. I should have a couple of people worth looking at on your desk by tomorrow."
[23:25:20] <AdventFalls> "But I'll try and get Xander some training behind the scenes. He'll be nervous by the time All-Riders rolls around, but he won't be helpless."

[23:25:32] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Perfect. Now all we need are Gears of inordinate value to issue them."

[23:25:55] <Axel_Wildfire> "... Decade."

[23:26:21] <AdventFalls> Yukari blinked. "That's a THI gear, not to mention one close to the Chairwoman's heart. There's no way we'd get our hands on it."

[23:26:51] <Axel_Wildfire> "More like close to the Chairwoman's cunt." Ake mutters darkly. "But it'd *really* get his attention."

[23:27:23] <AdventFalls> "Fair point," she nodded. "I'll pass the info along the right channels. Now... I think I have a Gear that REALLY would set Wyll off."
[23:27:32] <AdventFalls> "Super-1."

[23:27:49] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake practically jacknifes to her feet. "You're insane! Don't demean her name like that...!"

[23:28:04] <@Haruka_Emmerich> That gets a whistle out of Haruka. "That's kinda what we're TRYING to do here."

[23:28:34] <AdventFalls> "Perhaps. But it would get Wyll's attention. If you can pick out another Gear, one that would produce the same kind of reaction, I'm all ears. I don't WANT to use Super-1, but I'm not seeing options."
[23:29:12] <AdventFalls> "It's not like we can pull out Shin or Scissors or something like that."

[23:30:06] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "RX Unit 2? Its own world was abhorred by the other Rider worlds within their merger, who knows if Wyll's reaction to it would be the same."

[23:30:24] <AdventFalls> Yukari blinked. "...Masked Rider. You honestly want to use Masked Rider."

[23:30:43] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "See? SEE! It gets that reaction out of YOU!"

[23:31:04] <AdventFalls> "Because Masked Rider is possibly the WORST Rider Gear in existence. We're talking Scissors-tier effectiveness."

[23:31:12] <Axel_Wildfire> She thinks damn hard, but eventually just has to shut up and sit down. "Wyll likes Masked Rider."

[23:31:26] <AdventFalls> "....You have to be joking."

[23:31:36] <@Haruka_Emmerich> Haruka's turn for a deer-in-the-headlights look comes hot on Yukari's heels.

[23:31:51] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake fires up instantly, though the reaction is obviously because she's terrified at the entire situation. "DID I FUCKING STUTTER!?"

[23:32:07] <AdventFalls> "No, I'm just trying to figure out what else we can use!"
[23:32:30] <AdventFalls> "...Wait."
[23:34:03] <AdventFalls> "Ake, what other Riders did Wyll like? Not the people using it, but ones he either respects or likes."

[23:34:50] <Axel_Wildfire> "Mostly ones in THI's inventory, like Gaoh." she sighs.

[23:35:30] <AdventFalls> "Okay, let's try and see if we can't get a respectable one that actually has some oomph in it..... What about Shin? I know I bash it, but it's still Showa."

[23:36:17] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "If I don't get Masked Rider, you don't get Shin." Haruka offers a jab at her husband's arm.

[23:36:45] <AdventFalls> "...You have an unhealthy like for that shitty, shitty Gear."
[23:38:24] <AdventFalls> "Anything else?"
[23:39:14] <AdventFalls> "I'd recommend Double, but there's no one I know of that could seriously do it."

[23:39:35] <Axel_Wildfire> "He likes Shin, too." Ake mutters.

[23:40:14] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "H05 series, maybe? Undead in any hands but Kaoru's would scare anyone shitless."

[23:40:36] <AdventFalls> "That would mean Garren or Leangle."

[23:40:46] <Axel_Wildfire> More muttering. "Actually you don't want to hear what he thinks about Kaoru."

[23:41:22] <AdventFalls> Yukari's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure I don't.... which leaves Shin and Masked Rider for our best options, Super-1 if THI shoots us down."
[23:41:50] <AdventFalls> "Anything else, or should I shoot for those?"

[23:42:22] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake rubs at her temples. "I'm sorry, I've got nothing."

[23:42:33] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Only other options I can think of are gonna need a TSPD co-lease and some DAMN good plausible deniability."

[23:42:48] <AdventFalls> "The Den-O Line?"

[23:43:01] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Specifically, Zeronos."

[23:43:13] <AdventFalls> "Zeronos? Why Zeronos?"

[23:43:36] <Axel_Wildfire> "He wouldn't roll for that. He never considered Mister Jin a part of SEES."
[23:43:59] <Axel_Wildfire> "You might like to remember that Jin was only there because Wyll invited him to SEES." Ake adds, surreptitiously inching closer to Haruka.

[23:44:14] <AdventFalls> "Hell, I'm not even sure Jin considered himself part of SEES back in the day."

[23:44:55] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Fine. Kill the sentimental route, then. Even so, same mechanics behind using KB Den-O. Temporal travel and editation in the hands of idiots."

[23:44:56] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'm not sure anyone with a brain would want to consider themselves a part of SEES 'back in the day'." she mutters darkly. "Mister Jin certainly had nothing to do about it other than to bring Wyll news from the past and try and drink the memories away."

[23:45:30] <AdventFalls> "So Zeronos is likely out of the running then, nevermind the paper trail."

[23:46:05] <Axel_Wildfire> "... and do you really want Wyll to potentially have access to it? If he takes it?" Ake asks quietly. "There's... one thing I know he never forgave himself for."

[23:46:19] <AdventFalls> "I'm listening."

[23:46:37] <Axel_Wildfire> "Miss Aelita died," she says simply, "and he wasn't there to stop it."

[23:46:56] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "And she still has ZX to herself. What then?"
[23:47:08] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Wait. Idea."

[23:47:13] <Axel_Wildfire> "... no, Haruka. She died *in the past*. *Think*!"

[23:47:26] <AdventFalls> "....He'd want a TSPD belt to stop it."

[23:47:32] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake hisses at her. "'Temporal travel and editation'... in the hands of a genius with a failure knight complex."

[23:47:47] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Oh that's a LOT better than what I had."
[23:48:07] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Was gonna suggest trying to make a new Gridman."

[23:48:32] <AdventFalls> "So Zeronos *is* an option. But I'm not willing to put someone through the Zeronos system. It would have to be another TSPD Gear. ANY TSPD Gear."

[23:48:36] <Axel_Wildfire> "Right, but if I follow the logic, Aelita dying freed her from her villainous programming or whatever it was. If he went back and fixed that, then he in-the-past would have no motivation to fight SHOCKER, and a paradox would ensue. So we're *not* doing time-travel *anything*."

[23:50:47] <AdventFalls> "By that logic.... the real question is if Wyll would be smart enough to realize that."

[23:51:18] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Oh I think he would. Which means he's not gonna try to fix Aelita as of Void Hour."

[23:51:45] <Axel_Wildfire> "No, I think he thinks he's smart enough to get around it." Ake mutters.

[23:52:07] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Indeed. And I know just where and when he would." Haruka smirks.

[23:52:21] <AdventFalls> "So TSPD-tier Gears are now in the running. If I can't get Shin or Decade, I'll try for Gaoh."

[23:52:46] <Axel_Wildfire> "No... I've heard him say 'If I could go back to the Void Hour, I would'. A lot."

[23:53:06] <AdventFalls> "...I'll try for Gaoh on the same level then."

[23:55:14] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "OK, so for consideration: Masked Rider, and Super-1, which we have. Gaoh, Shin, and maybe Decade, which we don't. And the third option of cobbling together something recockulously overpowered and putting it in irresponsible hands."

[23:55:51] <Axel_Wildfire> "Isn't Gaoh time-travel as well? I only know he thinks the design is cool." Ake chimes in.

[23:56:04] <AdventFalls> "Gaoh requires TSPD clearance."
[23:57:21] <AdventFalls> "Building a Gear like that would tip Wyll off. THI would have to build it, and they're not stupid. A million things would have to go wrong."
[23:57:48] <AdventFalls> "The only way the third option goes gold is if one of THI's projects goes rogue."

[23:58:01] <Axel_Wildfire> "... I can make a million things go wrong for THI."
[23:58:06] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake speaks up quietly.

[23:58:18] <AdventFalls> "Ake. I literally mean a million things."

[23:58:24] <Axel_Wildfire> "I *know*."

[23:58:34] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Pfft, you, Kenoko, and anyone else who wants a hot-drop into Osaka."

[23:58:42] <Axel_Wildfire> "Kenoko. Exactly."

[23:58:46] <AdventFalls> "You'd need a R&D guy to go rogue, you'd need to get *out* of THI QUIETLY......"
[23:58:54] <AdventFalls> Yukari's face paled.

[23:59:49] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake folds her arms tight against her body. "Wyll had an alliance with SEES' Autovajin, you know. He got it whatever it asked for and it gave him free unlimited access to what it recorded, which included the SEES footage. He has an entire collection of what amounts to bad porn in a folder lablled 'NEVER SHOW KENOKO'."

[2011-03-10 00:00:13] <AdventFalls> "Ake. Kenoko's in a mentally fragile state right now. She *just* lost Becca."

[00:00:34] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "BAD porn? Why, the nerve!" Haruka puts on a haugty face before the realization hits. "Oh. OHHHHHHH."

[00:00:49] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake is just silent, waiting to see what Haruka thinks.

[00:03:52] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Remember, this is WYLL's idea of 'bad' porn we're talking about. Which means the happenings that got in the way of us getting shit done. Which means Tomoe getting it on with the dropouts instead of Kenoko."

[00:04:18] <AdventFalls> "...Alright. I think I've got a gameplan."

[00:05:05] <Axel_Wildfire> "Wyll doesn't know I've seen it. Everything is bad porn after that night with you two." Ake mutters, having the grace to blush about it. "Remember, Wyll. Not much for the sex."

[00:05:40] <AdventFalls> "Okay. Here's the gameplan, guys."
[00:06:05] <AdventFalls> "Tomorrow, I'm going to Osaka to do a Gear Exchange. Tomoe's wanted Den-O for a while, I think I can get ahold of Decade that method."
[00:07:45] <AdventFalls> "I'm also going to bring them Kaixa. That might be able to swing us either Shin or Gaoh. At absolute minimum, it'll score us Decade."

[00:08:18] <Axel_Wildfire> "... *Kaixa*? *Really*?"

[00:08:42] <AdventFalls> "There's some old sentimental value in it," Yukari nodded. "One of Tomoe's old servants."
[00:10:07] <AdventFalls> "Now then. Ake. IF you can, I want you to try and get one of THI's R&D projects out into the open. See if one of their R&D guys is having some more.... mercenary thoughts."
[00:10:21] <AdventFalls> "I'm leaving it between you and Haruka if we want to bring Kenoko into it."

[00:10:42] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'm just questioning the wisdom of handing over such a powerful Gear..."

[00:10:59] <AdventFalls> "Which Gear?"

[00:11:19] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Den-O, clearly. Kaixa's just an outdated tank by now."

[00:12:00] <Axel_Wildfire> "Both!"
[00:12:38] <Axel_Wildfire> "I mean, I understand Den-O requires TSPD authorization - even though *that* ended so well *last time* THI had anything to do with it - but Kaixa is still damn powerful." Ake points out. "In the hands of a skilled fighter..."

[00:12:56] <AdventFalls> "Not so outdated that you couldn't update it.... and Ake, remember what we're trying to get in exchange. Decade. The original anti-Rider belt. And I will personally be training Xander."

[00:14:53] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake exhales, almost fuming. "That doesn't mean handing over that much power!"

[00:16:02] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Would you rather Wyll keep indulging his little revenge fantasy piece by piece?"

[00:17:55] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'd rather we stay on level footing or greater footing than them for when this all goes to shit..." she looks at Haruka meaningfully.

[00:18:58] <AdventFalls> "...Alright. But that means no Shin or Gaoh. We'd have to go with Masked Rider."

[00:20:22] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Masked and Decade. The scourges of Kamen Rider, opposing one of their own..."

[00:21:43] <AdventFalls> Yukari nodded. "I'll have prospective candidates on your desk by tomorrow. I'll leave the 'how' up to you. Which leaves the R&D Gear."

[00:24:28] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Could always restore Mugen or something. Would need some serious limiters to cut down on backlash, though."

[00:24:29] <Axel_Wildfire> "I'll see what I can find out. That's what I'm here for." Ake cracks her knuckles.

[00:25:21] <AdventFalls> "Alright. Figure it out a gameplan between the two of you. I'm off to find candidates for Masked Rider- eeegh, I practically GAGGED at that."
[00:25:26] <AdventFalls> And with that, she made for the door.

[00:28:01] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "So." Haruka turns to Ake after a few seconds of wistful staring at Yukari's departure. "Game plan. How do we tie this whole ploy into fixing Kenoko? That's our goal as much as Tenpai's. Bonus points if we fix Becca and convince her to come back at the same time."

[00:30:34] <Axel_Wildfire> "Look, all I'm saying is, if you give Senpai a target, she charges at it. That'd kick THI in the ass." Heedless of her shoes, Ake starts curling up on the bed again, still shivering.

[00:38:28] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "But would that, in and of itself, make her better? Once she's done blowing off sixty years of pent-up rage - possibly even up and embracing Nigo as she goes - what's left for her to do?"

[00:54:53] <Axel_Wildfire> "I wasn't supplying a way to make her better." she mutters, almost more to herself than Haruka.

[01:00:05] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Dammit, THI's not the enemy anymore..." Haruka grunts as she fishes for her long-forgotten pillow.

[01:01:28] <Axel_Wildfire> "I wasn't looking at it that way, either. Just a way to 'make a million things go wrong' for them." Ake scoots closer to Haruka. "I'm scared."

[01:04:12] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "I know." She rests a hand on Ake's thigh. "I am too."

[01:04:50] <Axel_Wildfire> Her shivering, if anything, intensifies. "He taught me everything. I can't fight that."

[01:08:43] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Then maybe it's time we learned something new..." I just wish we knew what that something was, Ake...please...be all right...

[01:09:50] <Axel_Wildfire> "Such as...?" There's a little note of hope in Ake's voice.

[01:11:35] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Such as how to defeat someone without actually defeating him."

[01:14:20] <Axel_Wildfire> "I don't get it." Her shivering is abating, though.

[01:15:58] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Wyll's on a mission to see if we're truly responsible with the power we have. The easiest way about this...is to prove it."

[01:17:35] <Axel_Wildfire> "... *are* we being responsible with it, though? Or are we just enforcing our will?" Ake shifts closer to Haruka, eager for the security the older woman provides.

[01:20:47] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "If we were just enforcing our will, we'd have folded ages ago. I'd...I know we're doing the right thing. I just wish..." She falls silent as she scoots practically into Ake.

[01:23:31] <Axel_Wildfire> "Wish?" she buries her face in Haruka's shoulder, doing her level best to stop shaking.

[01:26:18] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...wish I could be done with it. Wish I could know that the world's nice and safe, that nobody's gonna bitch 'bout who we are or what we do..." A hesitant stroke of her hair. "...and just spend my days like this. With my family."

[01:27:09] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake mews hesitantly. "I'm... not your family."

[01:27:42] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Is it wrong that I'd...like you to be?"

[01:30:52] <Axel_Wildfire> She blushes and shuts her eyes tight. "... I... I think..." Ake stammers it out slowly, piece by piece.

[01:35:21] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Hm? Think what?"

[01:38:10] <Axel_Wildfire> "... I'd like to have a family..." she mumbles, and almost instantly retreats into herself - she doesn't physically move, but there's a sudden tension in her body that lets Haruka know the girl's suddenly withdrawn.

[01:43:30] <@Haruka_Emmerich> ...I get it. It's all right, Ake. We can be...your loving family, if you'd like.

[01:48:05] <Axel_Wildfire> Ake relaxes just a little. "... you've got Haru to look after." she mumbles.

[01:49:35] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Doesn't mean we don't have room for more."

[01:50:56] <Axel_Wildfire> More mumbling. "And I don't want to impose on you..."

[01:51:33] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "You won't. On the contrary, even."

[01:52:37] <Axel_Wildfire> Haruka can feel Ake stiffen against her in surprise. "What?"

[01:56:26] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "I mean as in, you wouldn't impose on us at all. You're just like us, and not in, well, THAT sense." More random traveling for Haruka's fingers. "Your heart's scarred up, just like mine and Yukari's and even Kaoru's...but we still bear those scars because the pits and gaps help keep us together."

[01:59:28] <Axel_Wildfire> "Nn..." she trembles, and this time not in a bad way. "But... you all seem so happy here..."

[02:00:30] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "No reason we can't share it with you, right?"

[02:02:00] <Axel_Wildfire> "I wouldn't spoil it...?" Ake asks quietly, nuzzling into Haruka's neck like she's afraid to miss out on her chance for something.

[02:02:58] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Nope." She cranes to give Ake a peck on the forehead.

[02:05:16] <Axel_Wildfire> She sighs almost explosively, nearly melting against Haruka. "I just... my entire life came crashing down in two pieces between yesterday and today." Ake sounds confused.

[02:08:53] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "It's all right. All of us...we've had everything break down for us, too. But we figured out how to pick ourselves back up, and we can help you do it, too."

 

[17:44:13] <Alexis_Weaver> Ake's fingers curl into Haruka's side, almost possessively. "That's asking a lot of you."

[17:45:33] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Nothing we can't give. Nothing we haven't given before."

[17:57:01] <Alexis_Weaver> "I know. I want to say yes, but..." she trembles. "I just... I just... I'm scared."

[18:01:49] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Yeah, I know." Haruka lets out a low sigh. "These past few days, and everything else...just keep it in mind, all right?"

[18:05:41] <Alexis_Weaver> "No, I'm scared... that I won't live up to what you want of me..."

[18:10:26] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "That's what happens when you hang around someone with impossible expectations all your life." Another exhale. "If there's anything my family prides itself on, it's letting people become their greatest without anything holding them back. Not even their own doubts."

[18:13:46] <Alexis_Weaver> "... you want more of me than Wyll did." Ake mumbles into Haruka's neck.

[18:14:55] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "And I have the utmost faith you'll deliver."

[18:17:41] <Alexis_Weaver> "*You* do... I don't want to disappoint you."

[18:18:41] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "It's not like we won't help you. JUNKER looks out for its own. *WE* look out for our own."

[18:19:13] <Alexis_Weaver> "I just... this is big. I really don't want to fuck this up..."

[18:20:47] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "We're taking every step to NOT." Haruka offers a stroke of her thigh. "Right now, we're dealing with something bigger than just you. So let's get everyone's help, OK?"

[18:26:58] <Alexis_Weaver> "... right now?"

[18:27:34] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "Kinda late, and I'm still kinda sleepy. Your call."

[18:29:15] <Alexis_Weaver> "... I haven't been hugged like this before..."

[18:34:37] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...wanna stay like this, get a fresh start in the morning?"

[18:35:08] <Alexis_Weaver> If possible, Ake presses herself tighter against Haruka. "Oh god yes."

[18:36:08] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "All right then..." The white-haired lady squeezes nice and tight. "I'll be right here for you..."

[18:36:35] <Alexis_Weaver> There's silence from Ake, bar gentle tremors that rock her body - she's crying.

[18:38:31] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "It's all right. I'll be here." Haruka found herself whispering this into Ake's ear multiple times as she relaxed her grip, each iteration punctuated by a psychic reverb of the same.

[18:42:35] <Alexis_Weaver> It takes a few minutes, but eventually Ake drops off - not into the same gentle doze as earlier, but the deep sleep that comes when there's nothing left in you. And she snores in three stages.

[18:47:22] <@Haruka_Emmerich> "...sweet dreams, Ake." Haruka finally shuts her eyes, letting herself press against the young lady and backfeed her own mental assurances. "...be here for...naito..."
[18:48:42] <@Haruka_Emmerich> She's out like a light promptly after, silence filling the Scarlet Devil Mansion as the two Fangires unconsciously intertwined.
[18:49:11] <Alexis_Weaver> = =