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🧙 WHO: Jyuto & Riou
⚔️️ WHAT: Internet Trolls
🕒 WHEN: Evening
🗺️ WHERE: An inn room (not theirs)
⚠️ WARNINGS: Probably going overboard on this quest. Will update later exactly how.

[ It has been a long few weeks since they had arrived. The winter months had not given Riou time to prepare for an outdoor life in the winter, and though he was sure he could find a way to survive it, he didn't think that Jyuto and Samatoki would leave him be about it if he didn't at least have a place for them to sit when they came over. Snow in Yokohama was much kinder than it has been here.

And so, Riou had managed to gather a number of survivalism items in his inn room in preparation for the day when he could begin building his camp. That is perhaps why, after he lets Jyuto into his tiny inn room to see his makeshift computer set up, there isn't much room to sit besides on the edge of the bed next to Riou at the desk.]

The hacker appears to be making his moves from a small coffee shop here between the hours of 1900 and 2000.

[ He wants to do a stakeout! He's not a police he never gets to do stakeouts.]

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[ Jyuto is forced to sit too close together, like that time they'd done a drug bust together in Yokohama. Skinny limbs practically folding in on themselves, Jyuto takes a slow drag of his cigarette, eyes peering indifferently over the array of monitors and code. He gives Riou time. When he exhales, he's already given answers. ]

No less impressive than usual. [ He praises Riou, but that isn't his current focus. He tries to shift and make himself comfortable on the mattress to no avail, nearly swallowed by the dip Riou's weight makes. He sinks against him, unwillingly. ]

And what messages were sent? [ Jyuto just wants the brownie points for establishing himself on the social ladder. This hacker isn't smuggling drugs over the border in his girlfriend's fake tits, so Jyuto doesn't actually find himself very invested. ]

[ Riou is, as usual, oblivious to Jyuto being sucked into his personal space. Or rather, he's oblivious to it being a problem if it is one. He doesn't mind the closeness himself and it doesn't occur to him that he could close his legs instead of manspreading or sit on the floor to give Jyuto more room.

He finds himself encouraged when Jyuto gives him praise. He doesn't need praise, nor thrive off of it. That doesn't stop him from liking it. He's happy when his comrades are satisfied with his work.

To that end, he begins to read aloud the last few messages sent in a professional, neutral tone: ]

"Whip my ass to the full extent of the law, Mr. Attorney, then show me right where you want to stick that gavel." was directed at three different courthouse employees. "I'm a thirsty, thirsty man, please give me a sip of your milk, Daddy;" "Fuck me into the ground;" and "I've hacked your webcamera, you have good taste in porn" were sent to private citizens. And-

[ Bodoloop. The little sound for Riou receiving a message goes off just at that moment, and Riou reads it outloud. ]

"Please crush my skull between your thighs so I can die happy."

[ Ridiculous as the messages are, Jyuto doesn't seem too bothered by them. He rubs his chin, considering what he should have Riou do in response. ]

It's a little annoying, but I imagine things could be worse. Maybe we can use him. [ Riou and Samatoki are already at his access, but Jyuto wants a wider net of resources. He can accelerate his path to influence. ]

Other than the messages, is he meddling with private data?
[ Is he even worth keeping? ]

[ Riou is already a hacker you can use, Jyuto. In fact, after a moment of consideration, Riou very definitely objectively states: ]

His talents are sub-par; unless your intention is to change profile names to curse words or obtain email lists, you have little to gain from him.

[ He's the kind of hacker who would be good for a spam email company, basically. Riou is going to destroy him. ]

Ah. [ The verbal inflection of his disinterest. Jyuto trusts Riou's judgement here. If he isn't going to offer anything Jyuto can use, there's no point in dawdling.

His mouth pulls into a bored, tight line while he grinds the tip of his cigarette into a nearby ashtray. ]

I suppose we should be on our way to identify him, or at the very least have Samatoki go play fetch. [ Jyuto scoots, then slides again. ]

You'r— ... this mattress is soft.

[ Riou doesn't show any visible signs of relaxing, but he's relieved that Jyuto isn't going to replace him as his first choice hacker. If a soldier can't fully support his commanding officer, what good is he? ]

Mm. I will be rid of it as soon as possible.

[ He types some commands into the command prompt, typing quickly to try to uncover the identity of the hacker. ]

You plan to stay here?

[ It's the first time he's seen Riou on a bed at all, actually. As he come to this realization, he turns to look at him. ]

I imagined you'd already have a camp set up somewhere else. [ Hm... ]
It's probably best the three of us stay close by. Don't go running off too far.

I have not had enough time to gather supplies to clear out the snow after it has already fallen. As soon as the weather permits, I intend to move out.

[ He wants to go outside, but it's much easier to prepare for winter than to start in it and he didn't have enough time to gather what he needed before winter because of lack of money here.. ]

The fairies sell a totem that brings you back to Camelot in the blink of an eye. I intend on purchasing the directions for it from them, so regardless of my location, I can return quickly.

I haven't looked into their wares yet.

[ It's been a struggle to reorient himself. The three of them are together, at least, but the circumstances are unusual. He probably shouldn't be surprised that of MTC, Riou is the fastest to adapt and readjust. ]

Maybe I'll join you. They may have something I could use, too—
[ But he'll need the funding. How annoying, to have to build himself from the ground up again. Foreseeing that wall that's ahead of him, his facial expression visibly sinks into one that's not the happiest. He's frustrated about having to start over, and about the detour they're taking from their home world. ]

[ Riou stops typing and looks over at Jyuto, for a brief moment looking surprised because he thought he meant he wanted to join him when he moves out. Then he mentions something he could use and Riou understands. He gives a nod. ]

The traders appear at the end of each month. We can go together.

[ Eye contact for the moment Riou takes to process the meaning. Oh? ]

All right. I'll try not to forget in the mean time.
[ He passes a look to Riou's monitor. ]
Do you think we've a chance of catching the hacker today? You managed to find him at the coffee shop, so maybe we can save ourselves time by tailing him on his way home.

Yes. He doesn't appear to have identity information on his laptop, but I was able to pull the model. If we can find someone with the correct model, there is a high likelihood that he will be the culprit.

[ It's like having 2/3 of the clues in a Clue game. Someone did it with the Dell in the Coffee Shop. ]

And how do you imagine we make him confess to his crimes?

[ Jyuto wants a second opinion here. Without a license to work with yet, he feels as if he has to be more firm-handed. It's unlikely the hacker will default to cooperating when accused. ]

I suppose you could intimidate him. [ Him big. Jyuto looks Riou up and down, also implying him big. ]

[ Sometimes Him Big is enough. Riou nods in agreement, understanding that his size is often an intimidation factor. ]

If that doesn't work, I know a number of interrogation techniques that will yield results.

[ Though those may be a little intense for some nerd, but Riou doesn't seem to realize it would be overkill. ]

Very well. I'll leave it to you.

[ Jyuto grunts, trying to get out of the bed. Sunken against Riou as far as he is, it's a struggle, and doesn't take only one attempt. ]

hrf—

[ Riou notices after the first time and looks over at him, then puts a hand on Jyuto's shoulder to hold him still while Riou stands up first, so Jyuto doesn't get sucked into his spot while he leans forward to stand and Jyuto can get up more easily. He does stand there waiting for Jyuto to stand up and walk out in front of him though, since he's the leader right now. ]

[ Much easier. Jyuto rises not too long after Riou does, without any sounds of strain this time. Tidying the way his suit sits on his body, he thumbs at the lapels of his jacket and sweeps off his shoulders. ]

Shall we? Where is this small coffee shop you mentioned?
[ Riou should lead the way, since he's more certain of pinpointing the hacker's location. ]

[ Once they get out of the confines of this bitty inn room with all Riou's gathered equipment, he intends to walk side-by-side with him. But for now, Jyuto can go first. ]

It's a couple of kilometers from here. We can call a carriage if you do not want to walk.

[ It's just a brisk run for Riou, but Jyuto's smoker lungs... ]

[ Jyuto pulls one dress shoe on after the other and steadies himself in the doorway of the inn room. Stepping out into the hallway, he waits for Riou to join him and considers their options.

Truthfully, he doesn't want to walk. While he retains a good figure and is in shape due to police conditioning, he prefers to drive when he can. Though Riou is neutral, there's certain guilt in calling a carriage if the location is close enough by— ]

Either is fine. [ At first, unhelpfully. Then he comes up with an excuse: ]
But carriage may be faster. We don't know when he might leave the scene.

Agreed. I'm calling one now.

[ Riou pulls out his phone and starts putting stuff in the app. He's called one once or twice for convenience when things are far away.. It certainly is a time saver, especially now that Jyuto doesn't have a car. ]

It says it's a few minutes away.

Excellent. [ Easy enough. They'll be waiting for that carriage, then— ]

The lack of vehicles here is frustrating. [ It's on his brain, again. ] You haven't happened to encounter an alternative that doesn't involve horses, have you?

As an animal magic specialist, I have the ability to transform into animals. Once I have advanced my skill in that, you can request any animal you would like to ride and I will fulfill that.

[ How is that for an alternative? ]

Edited 2021-02-11 02:28 (UTC)

I suppose we've no choice, then. Either a carriage pulled by an animal or the animal itself— [ But at least riding Riou into the city prevents them from spending any currency, and it's far less commitment than needing to board a personal horse, or anything. ]

I find it oddly fitting that you'd have animal magic.

[ Riou looks at Jyuto. ]

It's inconvenient for me.

[ His food can suddenly beg for its life. He's used to that from people, but from food... :( ]

It isn't the opposite?

[ Jyuto is an evil man who does not understand why it might be inconvenient without elaboration. ]

It is more challenging to eat something that begs you not to eat it. I have made more than a few agreements after capture to let my potential meals go.

[ He keeps making friends when they get a chance to eat... :( He has no mission or purpose to kill them besides eating, so if he doesn't manage to kill them from a distance, he sometimes gets to chatting with them... it's very difficult, Jyuto.. ]

[ Ah. He sees now. ]

They say there are health benefits to going vegetarian. [ He might feel more at ease eating Riou's cooking if he knows it's all plant-based. Samatoki, however... ]

It's fine. It is a good chance to re-sharpen my skills as a sniper now that guns are not banned.

[ Don't worry, Jyuto, he doesn't have to go vegetarian.

Oh, look, there's their carriage... it pulls up and Riou opens the door for Jyuto to get in first. ]

Edited 2021-02-21 13:04 (UTC)

[ Jyuto isn't sure if he's impressed or disappointed. The good thing is that his reaction isn't being looked into, either way. Letting himself into the carriage, Jyuto takes a seat close to the window on the far side. He waits for Riou to join him, the other's weight shifting the carriage when it's his turn to follow through. ]

You're right. We've only been without the guns for about 3 years, but it's certainly felt longer. At least to me, anyway. [ He's licensed to use one loaded with rubber bullets, but he doesn't recall the last time it'd been needed. Not since the gangs and yakuza also switched to hypnosis microphones. ] I should have figured you wouldn't give up hunting so easily. Would you say it's a hobby?

[ Despite there being two seats facing each other in the carriage, Riou sits next to</> Jyuto. 'u' ]

It's the same for me. [ He also has his rifle with rubber guns, but it's not the same. The weight of bullets is both literally and metaphorically heavier. ]

More than a hobby, it's necessary for survival if I am to continue to live on my own terms.

[ It's part of how he wants to live his life.. he doesn't think he can go back to living off of rations or, god forbid, fast food. ]

Mm. You've made that point clear enough.

[ Jyuto fingers around in his pocket for a cigarette, knowing that by this point Riou doesn't mind the smell. ]

I meant the question as more of... as if you didn't see it as a necessity. I wonder if you would still enjoy hunting.

I do.

[ He pauses for a moment, then clarifies: ] I have certain sources of finances in our world. It has never been an issue of necessity since I moved to Yokohama.

[ He simply wants to do it... his own terms is just how he wants to live, because that's the way he feels he can still enjoy life. ]

Would you like me to show you how sometime?

I had that feeling. Dice Arisugawa certainly made it clear that you had been so generous with your funds. [ There's a tinge of wary salt in that sentence, but it isn't necessarily because he's upset with Riou, but more so with the fact that Dice is so comfortable mooching. Jyuto doesn't think Riou should enable it so easily, but it also isn't his money.

What if Riou is sitting on more money than he'll ever even use? Given his lifestyle, Jyuto can almost count the number of times he's seen Riou make a purchase because he's so self sufficient... ]

I don't think I'd mind shooting the animal, but I imagine that preparing it to eat is messy... [ It's hard to say no completely. There's a strong curiosity and desire to be closer to his team mate, but when he thinks of himself skinning a carcass or getting his clothes dirty while butchering it for a meal he can't help but feel like it'd be too much of a chore. ]

I'm confident I could hunt, but not confident that I'd be very good at the meal prep.

If you want to hunt, I will prepare whatever meal you catch.

[ Riou isn't thinking about the money at all anymore. He only brought it up as a means to emphasize to Jyuto that this was a choice- something he wanted to do. That Jyuto seemed interested in hunting at all is exciting to him, like Riou is getting to share a part of him most people don't understand. It's meaningful, and it's obvious there's a bit of excitement in his stature. (He probably thinks it's more obvious than it actually is, though.)

Once they're all settled in, he tells the driver where to take them. He doesn't think it's necessary to stop a block early to prepare an ambush, given that the hacker doesn't know their faces or that they're looking. It's a short drive, so it won't be long. ]

In that case, why not?

[ So long as he isn't the one having to chop off any heads or anything, he's fine with the idea. He'd gone through police training prior to the H era after all, so he doesn't imagine he'll miss a target when they're out there. ]

Maybe a duck or something. [ He thinks of the kinds of meals he likes to eat when his paycheck first comes in— duck with red wine sauce, and the like. ]

I know a good place to find them.

[ Riou is decidedly excited now. It's been a long time since someone wanted to partake in this process with him.

The carriage finally pulls to a stop and Riou gets out first to hold the door for Jyuto before transferring the funds to the driver for the trip. He asks that he stay, this shouldn't take long. ]

It's going to be odd for me not to have authority in making an arrest.

[ Jyuto thinks aloud. As his feet make contact with the ground, he angles himself so that Riou can go first— mostly because he's estranged from the task without his position as sergeant to carry him through. Riou has more direction. He knows which laptop to look out for, and is more outwardly intimidating without a squad of police henchmen behind him. ]

If you need my magic, let me know. Maybe I can erase the memories of the bystanders afterward, so that we don't make too much of a ruckus. [ ... Except that he hasn't tried. He doesn't know the limit of his powers yet, truthfully. Theoretically, though, he thinks it may be possible. ]

Do you have a pair of handcuffs? I do not know if citizen's arrests are legal here.

[ They certainly aren't in most modern cases despite what television would have people believe, but this is Camelot. Citizen's arrests were a Thing back in medieval England, perhaps here..? ]

How developed are your skills of hypnotism? Perhaps we can lure him out of the cafe and seize his laptop as evidence.

[ Then they can avoid anyone being held hostage, perhaps? ]

That much I can manage. I'm confident with hypnotism. [ And Riou's idea is a good one— dealing with the suspect outside the cafe will draw far less attention to them than the alternative. They should stick to that strategy— ]

I have handcuffs, too. [ They were on his person when he arrived. ] —But I wouldn't know either. Should we even bother trying to make it into an arrest?

[ Riou thinks about it for a moment. ]

My means of obtaining his location will not hold up in court. If you can keep him distracted out here, I can confirm that there is proof on his laptop of his harassment. Once we have that, he will be worth arresting. There is no law against looking at an open laptop in a public space.

[ But it's probably not great to hack and stalk someone like prey without a warrant. People can say what they will about Riou's methods, but he gets the mission completed. ]

Creating a distraction?

[ There's no reason he shouldn't be able to. It's a question of what kind. ]

All right, then. I'll just need you to signal to me which customer I should have come out.

Understood.

[ Should he disguise himself? He doesn't think it's necessary, considering the otherworlder status gives everyone unique fashion and makes it hard to identify anyone who hasn't made a name for themselves. So he simply heads in and goes to order a coffee, using the opportunity to check out the computer models anyone in the shop has. There are a couple of people who have them, but they're all different thankfully. Once he has his coffee, Riou walks behind their target to draw Jyuto's attention, looking as if he's looking around for a seat. He takes one after that signal and waits for Jyuto to make his move. ]

[ That one? Jyuto hesitates a moment, just to make sure that the guy he lingers by has a laptop. He makes certain that there are no other alternatives in Riou's steps, and when there aren't any, he hones in on the target. There's a faint green glow in his eyes when he activates the hypnotism, but it's not noticeable given the distance. It's unlikely anyone other than Riou will any mind.

The hacker in question gets up from his table upon seeing Jyuto, simply forgetting to lock his laptop. From the way he trots to the front entrance as if he's moving to greet a longtime friend, there's nothing unnatural about the hypnotism or suspicious in its execution.

Meeting Jyuto out front, Jyuto's eyes aren't even on the target so much as they're looking past him to make sure that things on Riou's end are rolling over smoothly. As for what he's hypnotized the man to do—

Compliment after compliment tumble one after the other, praising Jyuto for nothing other than existing. ]

[ Riou quickly goes through the device, but it doesn't take him long to find evidence. The man was in the middle of his act of obnoxious anonymous trolling as they spoke, and so Riou doesn't even have to put on gloves to prevent his fingerprints from transferring onto the device. He simply takes photographs of the screen and uses a normally gloved knuckle to click to other screens for further proof.

Once he's done, he puts his device away and notifies the manager that he noticed the laptop was left open and spotted clear criminal activity in a glance. He took photos, but they should notify the authorities to come pick up the proper evidence.

In other words, Jyuto and Riou won't have to leave the spot for Jyuto to take credit for the capture as the authorities will roll up shortly. He doesn't know what Jyuto's intentions are, but there is no bad PR that can come out of this unless Jyuto plans on becoming a criminal-- and that's something Riou can't see happening. He gives Jyuto a firm nod as soon as he's able to make eye contact again to indicate the job is done, and tells the coffee shop staff that his friend will apprehend the man so he doesn't get away before the authorities arrive. ]

[ Seeing another signal from Riou, Jyuto waves the criminal off. With the hypnotism broken, the man is hit by a wash of embarrassment. He’s unsure as to why he’d approached Jyuto, a complete stranger, at all. Turning to go back into the cafe, he seems immediately fearful when he notices his missing laptop.

Jyuto, in the meantime, waits for Riou’s return. He lights a cigarette to smoke, pleased with how simple it’d all turned out to be. ]

And now? [ He prompts Riou when the other’s returned to him. ]

The authorities will be here shortly. I suggest you apprehend the criminal as they arrive.

[ Then Jyuto gets all the clout for a citizen's arrest. :) ]

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