Party of One [Shirako]

[Kaitou Nagano]

Exploring the sewers, huh? Well if that was Shirako's sole condition to get her attention for a chat, Kaitou could roll with it. It wasn't like he didn't already reek of the city's underbelly. This would hopefully provide him with some clues as well, for he had yet to explore the sewer depths.

The two walked side-by-side, keeping an eye out for any Shadows. For the moment, none seemed to hinder their investigation so the heir took this time to speak up once more.

"...I didn't get to see you fight during that battle--I didn't exactly last very long against the wolf--but I caught a glimpse of your eyes as you were leaving the battlefield," he started, glancing over at her. "I've seen that disappointed look many times in the past. If you allow my conjecture, it's as if you entered the fray expecting something more out of the rest of the Users. I wound up becoming curious."

By now, they'd reached a fork where the main sewer tunnel split into two paths. He paused, turning around to face the older woman fully. "Are you perhaps fighting alone here, Tachibana?"

[Shirako Tachibana]

They had moved in silence for a time. However, the young man did stir that air. Nagano spoke, but Shirako focused on their surroundings, checking for signs of anything that seemed remotely human in nature- minus, of course, the natural waste and defecation that originated from them. Conjecture or not, the woman would have liked to think that anyone who was not an enemy would be disappointed with the scene from that battle. Minus, perhaps, misanthropists or sadists, she could not think of many that were not inherently opposed that would have delighted in such a nonsensical display of misplaced emotions and hormones.

All the same, what could she expect from a force that likely consisted mostly of youths with no training in organized combat?

The youth turned to face her. The woman only slightly turned her neck, watching the boy's movement out of the corner of her eye. Seemed like he thought his next point was especially important, or something. And then came a rather silly question. Fighting alone would have suggested she was fighting for a purpose greater than herself. Every action she had taken since she arrived into this bubble of hell was inspired by her will to clean up her own mess. While it was nothing she planned to verbally share with those fighting for their survival or freedom, the woman had little interest in helping them save the city. If she happened to do so, it was purely because it furthered her along her own goals- or because her marks were not there. Then again, one down and traces of another made things look very favorable for her.

”That would be my intent, yes.” Simple and to the point. There was no need to snip off potential leads by saying more than was necessary. All she needed to do was provide answers while cutting off any undesirable ideas he might have had. ”Why do you ask?” With that, the woman straightened her neck and proceeded down the right path slowly, observing the filth for any signs of habitation. The chances were small that her marks had utilized the area, but she wanted to be absolutely sure. Until that building opened up further, she doubted she would be able to make too much progress. Not with her current leads, at least.

So, for the time being, she would humor this young man. She had a few ideas of where it would lead, but maybe he would surprise her. Either way, she was just killing two birds with one stone- at best, he was an excuse to linger down there long enough to clear her suspicions of the place.

[Kaitou Nagano]

The woman's reply was concise and she wasted no time in returning to the investigation after answering. Her confirmation served only to raise more questions in the brunet's mind-- particularly, 'why'? Watching her fight alongside him and Tatsuma made it clear that she was one of the stronger Users in the city, If she were to fight alongside the rest of the Users, they could probably create a formidable band of fighters...

But what were the chances of that happening? At best, the optimists and hero-types would come flying to answer the call of justice. What then of those with more dubious ambitions? Or those who didn't care for the plight of the city at all? What of those who enjoyed engaging in mortal combat with these Shadows? Surely they would prefer to have the lockdown continue so that they could keep sating their bloodlust. The possibilities stretched on and on like a piece of taffy, and Kaitou wanted to know where Shirako fell in the scope of things.

They continued down the sewer path, with her inspecting every nauseating nook and cranny while he simply kept an eye out for any attackers. Kaitou had not yet replied to her counter inquiry, figuring he could take his time chatting with her as neither seemed to be in a rush. When he was finally ready to answer her, the waters behind him churned and a Maya leaped out of the sewage, sendings bits of waste and decay flying all around. Disgusting. Turning around, he drew his katana and sliced the Shadow across with a rising cut, bisecting it cleanly. Unfortunately, the two halves wound up falling and making a big splash before dissolving, creating more of a mess. Fun.

After flicking the grime off Ikusaba's blade and re-sheathing it, he returned to his place behind Shirako, speaking up. "I'm looking to make allies. Dependable allies. And to be candid, I'm merely curious as to knowing what your motives are for fighting the Shadows. ...I don't expect answers, though. Talking about yourself and your agenda has nothing to do with this investigation, so you wouldn't waste your breath for a stranger, yeah?"

[Shirako Tachibana]

The boy had engaged a Shadow while either ignoring or contemplating the return question. Given time, the boy proved that he was simply thoughtful. All the same, though. The boy was one of the flock, it seemed. He wanted safety, or a force to mount against enemies. He wanted her motives, then proceeded to arrive to his own conclusions regarding her. While he spoke, Shirako had focused on observing things. A little more and she'd consider the sewers a no-go in terms of leads. Nothing unexpected, really, but it needed some level of evidence before she could just entirely exclude it from the realm of possibility.

”I'm here solely to rectify my own mistakes.” She ignored the boy's other words, instead cutting through the situation and taking care of the matter in question. ”That is as far as my interest in Shadows goes at the present.” In truth, that was really all that she cared about Shadows. Once she killed her marks, ending her life might not have been an entirely bad thing. Of course, it would have been a waste of resources. Perhaps assisting with the liberation of the city would give her at least some purpose to continue breathing. Whatever the case, that was something off in the future, and it ultimately depended on what she found in the city. Should one of her marks have proven to not be around, then it went without saying that she'd have to help liberate the city, either way.

”The most you'll get with me is a symbiotic informational relationship. For now, I don't plan on involving others in my pursuits. Similarly, so long as I am focused on my own goals, I have no time for others'.” Though she spoke plenty, she never did stop looking about. The conversation was just an add-on to the situation, really. Nothing more. ”Was that the only reason you sought me out?” She then went on, focusing, again, on reasons. If that was the only reason, then she had probably sufficiently addressed the boy's concerns.

Perhaps she had said too much. But, either way, she said what she felt was necessary. Maybe it'd block a potential source of information in the future, maybe not. She just needed to focus on the present and her final bits of evidence.