Not Quite 109 [Alisa]

[Ayakura Alisa]

"Those troublemakers aren't local. I can make an assumption that they came from outside long before the lockdown occurred. I know one of the did for certain, because he told it to me himself," I shrugged. "Yes, it means I talked to them. I don't like engaging in combat when I can get the information I want through just talking. One of the Shadows causing trouble there was formerly a human I knew and fought alongside, but he lost himself, and got taken over by the Shadow. How sad for him." I yawned and rapped my fingers on the table.

"They may appear as time goes on but I am pretty sure they have nothing to do with this. If they attack, it's because they feel like it or have a need to attack humans. Thus, we must be prepared and ready at all times."

[Kaitou Nagano]

"Huh... I suppose it's not all that surprising to hear that there are Shadows with little interest in antagonizing us. The upper echelon of their species appear to be as intelligent as we are." Kaitou mulled over the idea of Shadows co-existing with humans. After all, that's exactly what they had been doing up until now. 

'And then they put up the barricade. Right. It's still unlikely.'

"Too bad about your former... comrade? Acquaintance? In any case, I'll be on guard from here on out. It was easier in the past when I didn't bother socializing with any other Users, but I realized after the shrine battle that continuing to fight alone would only kill me faster. It's a relief to know that I've run across someone trustworthy today." That was a bit of a loaded statement-- the two had only met a short time ago, and while Alisa did indeed seem like someone to be trusted, only time would tell. Still, it was nice to meet someone else from Shibuya after all his time in Mosaic.

[Ayakura Alisa]

Kaitou seemed to consider my theory that there were in fact Shadows who didn't give much of a damn about humans. Good to know. Furthermore, he mentioned that he would be more careful about things and seemed to consider me trustworthy. Odd, considering we had just met, but I was pretty sure that same thought also ran through his mind. This Nagano seemed to be smarter than he seemed. And it was to be expected from someone of his family and stature. "You catch on quickly," I said, shooting him a small compliment. "It's best to try and seek out other allies and such. On that note, didn't I catch you snapping pictures of some people on your phone when we finished as well? I know those two, actually. One of them I've been fighting alongside for a while now, and the other I only know by name, as I worked with her briefly on a mission in exchange for funds."

[Kaitou Nagano]

"Heh. The business world is just about as ruthless as the Shadowlands. Surviving in either plane requires shrewd thinking and a sturdy wall to plant your back against." Kaitou smirked, thinking back to the absurdity of their situation and how maybe he would have preferred to be striking deals behind the president's table than fighting for his life against Shadows. In a sense, it was the same thing. Sort of.

Her remark about the photos caught him off guard. Though it wasn't as if he did not expect someone to see him whipping his phone out, he simply didn't think it'd have been her.

It's funny how coincidences work, Nagano.

Where was the mute button on this guy? "Mm, so you did. Holly Mason and Shirako Tachibana. I've yet to speak to the former, but I've had the chance to take a mission with the latter. What's your opinion on miss Mason?"

[Ayakura Alisa]

"Eh? My opinion on Holly? She's a little loud, but she's reliable and a good ally. She seems not to care too much about what others think of her. That said, it's worth to get on her good side," I said to Kaitou. "I can't say too much about Shirako, other than the fact she's probably one of the oldest people I basically know who's in this fight. She seems like the kind of person who's tired of anything and is just in this to end the whole crisis. Seems like in her 30's..." I concluded.

"Though, I think that you should try to stick to the sidelines meanwhile unless you want to get chewed out by either of them. They don't strike me as the kind of people who would take to civilians engaging in demon or Shadow combat lightly..."

[Kaitou Nagano]

"Meh..." Kaitou nodded begrudgingly at the advice, drawing more circles on the table's surface. "At the very least I'll attempt to get in their good graces. Staying on the sidelines is hard when you've been spending the last... six or seven years fighting Shadows without a Persona, y'know? Sometimes I wonder if I just lack the potential for it."

He soon waved his hand dismissively, leaning back in his seat. "Sorry. I wound up rambling for a bit. In any case, I will continue my own investigations of the Shadowlands, but if the next full moon approaches and I still lack a Persona to defend myself with, I'll keep away from the commotion. Stubborn as I may be, I'd prefer not to be laid out by another demon like that. It was pretty fucking painful."

[Ayakura Alisa]

"Six or seven years? That's ridiculous. Shadows only started appearing in this city a few months ago, which means you're telling me you were fighting these way back home, and I was unable to find any such evidence pointing towards the existence of Shadows back in our area. Don't bullshit with me and then call it rambling, you're talking to someone who does investigation for a living here..." I looked sheepishly at Kaitou, before shrugging.

"Eh, whatever. Well, do what you will, as long as you don't do something stupid and get yourself badly hurt, or worse, get yourself killed. It doesn't matter how long you've been fighting Shadows without one, they're still strong. I have training in killing people and very little of those skills would be useful or applicable in Shadow combat." I shrugged."

[Kaitou Nagano]

"Whoa, whoa, no need to get defensive," Kaitou scratched his head, frowning a bit. "I'm not trying to undermine your capabilities or anything-- it's just that our family has been dealing with Shadows for a long time now. At the very least, since my grandfather was young. It takes a lot of money and discretion to keep any outbreaks isolated. The government would have hell to go through if the public found out about the existence of the Shadows."

"Ah, but that's bordering on more confidential information within the Nagano Group. I honestly don't mind sharing some of it with you, but I have to go back and double-check what is and isn't allowed to be discussed." He offered an apologetic smile, shrugging back.

At the mention of conventional killing techniques being mostly ineffective against Shadows the brunet could only nod and point to the sword bag slung across his back. "I've been trained in various sword styles over the years and my grandfather even took the time to train me to fight Shadows, but you're absolutely right. They defy standard laws of physics... for the most part." Man, blowing that turret up felt pretty good once he got over the scathing pain from his injuries. "Regardless, I'll make sure to stay in your good graces. I prefer my spine aligned and my neck straight, thanks."

[Ayakura Alisa]

"So it goes," I said, shrugging and looking away. "It looks like I have to step up my game if I missed all that back home. On top of that, you probably don't want your neck slit either," I joked, giving Kaitou a glimpse of my sparkling silver knife that seemed almost legendary in make. Yes indeed, it was easily in the top class of close combat weaponry. "I used to use a katana a very long time ago, but my mother deemed it wasn't stealthy enough, so she made me use a knife instead. Ever since then I've become accustomed to that. I guess it's turned out pretty well for me."

I rapped my fingers on the table more. "I'm good with keeping secrets, just so you know. I might be a private investigator, but I'm as professional as one as you can get."

[Kaitou Nagano]

"Well, we Nagano folk are a secretive bunch--with or without the government's support, we've been good at keeping things under wraps. And for the record, I'd much rather avoid death in general, hah..." One look at that knife was enough to reinforce the idea that Kaitou was not going to cross this woman...

"For the record, you do seem quite professional, Ayukura. That's both a blessing and an issue for me. As you know, secrets are powerful weapons, especially in the hands of one whose job is to collect and often times barter information. Right now we're basically indirect allies, fighting against the same enemy. But the future makes no promises. A day may come where we could be at odds with one another, so I've got to keep bases covered." Noting how his expression had gone somber, he quickly wiped the frown off his face and replaced with a quirky grin. In a moment he'd pulled out his wallet, presenting Alisa with one of his business cards.

"Sorry-- didn't mean to get so serious there. Have my card. The fax machine at home's broken and I don't see why you'd be sending me any faxes, but my cell number's there in case you ever wish to contact me. Given the nature of our occupations, however, I'll probably be the one trying to get in touch with you in the future."

[Ayakura Alisa]

I shrugged as I pulled out one of my own cards and did an exchange with Kaitou. "Okay, well, as I said, do as you wish and take care... All I can seem to manage nowadays are just fights with Shadows and Reapers and all that jazz," I said, shrugging casually. "Also, my fax machine broke and I haven't been able to get it fixed. Eh, it doesn't matter. There are other ways to keep in touch after all." Yeah, this was getting to be a bit serious, but I was used to this kind of business after all. Eh. I have been a bit behind on my investigation and progress but I hope to kick things off more quickly in the following days. I have to keep up with everyone else.

[Kaitou Nagano]

Reapers... He'd heard the name before-- they were the among the most powerful Shadows. Just hearing the rattle of their chains nearly ensured one's death. If Alisa had defeated one, then she most certainly was one of the more powerful Users in the city. That was reassuring, if not a bit intimidating. 

"Mhmm. One way or another, we'll be meeting up again. Maybe." He glanced at the number on Alisa's card before copying it in a new contact form on his phone. "Ah, and don't mind this-- I tend to remember faces better than names." With little other warning, the man lifted his phone and took a quick snapshot of her, setting it as the contact photo before placing her card and the object away. Pushing back, he then stood up, stretching out before bowing once more.

"Well, it was a pleasure meeting you today, Ayakura. Hopefully the next time we meet, I won't be knocked out and getting dragged around. Take care." With a light wave, the man turned and walked away, hands in his pockets as he considered where he would explore tonight.