Ran-Ran-Ru! feat. Ayakuchi by (Akira)

[Ayakura Alisa]

No, seriously. What was up with Ran-Ran-Ru? What a weird name. Anyway, I got what I came for, but I did mean to ask... Something seemed rather artificial about that smile. I almost had the feeling she wanted to call me stupid for being down here. Then again, I had already survived an encounter with shadows. Okay, so I almost got shocked to death in the process, but whatever doesn't kill you certainly makes you stronger. I blinked after I took the piece of trinket and paying up the 700 I said I offered. Anyway, she made some money out of it, I got something I'd put to good use later on. "...Thanks, miss. Hopefully, we'll do business again sometime in the future." I decided not to bring up our rather shaky first meeting, considering the girl had decided to treat me as if she had never seen me before. Though, when you're wearing something like I was, it was impossible not to recognize me. I wasn't sure if she was being professional or if she just wanted to forget I was taking this seriously.

Did she expect me to have died out there or something? That was not entirely out of the question, after all if my current appearance and the fact there were visible signs of me having been shocked by electricity were any indication that I had already survived run-ins with something dangerous. "...By the way, where'd the name Ran-Ran-Ru come from? That the name of a weird song or something?" I shrugged. That name was utterly ridiculous and I wanted to know who could come up with something that sounded so silly. I also didn't know her damn name. She didn't know mine either.

Awkward.

[Akira Nakajima]

”Of course. All are welcome here, so long as they have money.” A slight bit of tongue stuck out at that line. It matched the overly cute high school girl shop-clerk stereotype, he figured. Yes, he just stereotyped something that didn't occur too-too often. That, and the “Richer-than-thou” merchant archetype that didn't care who someone was, so long as they had money. In truth, though, he had no reason to implement his personal feelings in a business environment like this. Money was money. He needed it. They needed what he had. Everyone ended up with a shard of happiness and they went on their way.

And then she asked a silly question. Well, he could certainly answer. And it would serve to potentially get more information. Another win-win.

”My friends call me Ran.” He calmly noted with a nod. ”So I took that, doubled it over, and added a pleasant-sounding syllable that fit. Thus, Ran-Ran-Ru.” A matter-of-fact explanation, finalized by a simple nod. Not much else to say about that. ”So, I just introduced myself. May I ask you your name, esteemed customer?” With a shift to the left of the waist, he fired off that question. Casual and easy. Just the way to go. And if the woman though he was just some goofy teenage girl, then, all the better.

[Ayakura Alisa]

She was acting, and pulling out all manner of subtle theatrics. I deigned not to make too much of it, no sort of goofy person would be out here... Not intentionally, anyway. Good work on trying to make things casual, but you weren't fooling me. Yeah, stick to your business gig, that works better for you than trying to shoot me down simply because I do not possess a 'Persona'. I've got my eyes on you, kid. Anyway, it turns out she was called Ran. Well, that was her nickname. She probably had her own reasons for hiding her actual name. I can get down with that. I don't care. A nickname will do. I, on the other hand... "...Alisa. Ayakura Alisa. I'm conducting a long-term investigation to add information to my network alongside... what I originally set out here to do." That was all I was going to say. The image this Ran tried to portray would do fine, but it didn't change my opinion of her. ...That much. She was less infuriating now as she was the first time I met her. Then again, the environment and the fact she had something useful for me to buy probably changed that as well.

[Akira Nakajima]

So he finally got a name out of the suicidal girl. Ayakura Alisa. Probably half-Japanese. He already figured she had something to do with investigating, but verification was still okay to have. He just learned a good bit about her. Could potentially run a search on her using a cafe's terminal. Maybe. If she was any good at her job, just searching a name wouldn't show any immediate results. Regardless, he was still pleased.

”I can't say that I deal in information. Something with varying value doesn't make for a good sell. If you have information, the most I can offer you here is more information. Just like you don't know if your information would be valuable to me, I can't guarantee mine is valuable to you.” A slow shrug came from the boy in drag. ”Of course, that's a risk for investigation. Some leads just aren't useful.” He concluded his statement with a smile before both hands met near his waist. He had no other customers. Looking pretty, which he did quite well, was his only main responsibility while he rested there.

Holding a conversation and potentially getting new info was okay, though.

[Ayakura Alisa]

I sighed, but it wasn't necessarily one of annoyance. I nodded, that was a fair point to make. That's how it was in the world. Things were either useful or useless... Regardless of their actual value. I think, it's one of those things out there that has absolutes. I noticed that Ran made a seeming effort to try and look good. I didn't particularly care. If she wanted to look me up on a search engine, she was free to try. My network wasn't particularly easy to find. Definitely not on the first few pages of hits. You'd have to dig down pretty deep to find it. Of course, there are apparently BBSes that link me, so whatever. Not my problem. "That's fine," I said, wincing slightly. "Besides, it's not like I know anything you don't already know. I am looking for other people who may have gone out here. I know they exist, seeing as I have already met a few."

[Akira Nakajima]

Apparently, Alisa was still in that one-track mindset that she had been when they first met. It was saddening, really. Was she a professional? Or was she just that easily distracted? Either way, Akira wasn't quite sure how to evaluate her. He just knew it'd be safer for her topside. Offering a slight shrug at her dismissal of her worth, he just stared at her for a moment before shaking his head. There was plenty he could say, but he didn't feel like entering an argument. Instead, he'd just open a new venue of information for himself. At least, that way, he could profit from their exchanges.

”I'm not necessarily looking for the major info at all times. All kinds of information is useful. I'm one person, and there's a lot of ground to cover. Can't be everywhere at all times. Can't move at the speed of light, either. Information on what can be found in other places- Shadows, supplies, interesting things- is also useful to me. You're looking for people. I'm looking for anything that can be of use, or any leads to squishing this plague. Pretty simple, even if we only share what seems relevant.” No need to keep the shopkeeper persona anymore. Hands went behind his head, folding together.

”Here's a freebie. Old Saints Hospital doesn't look as though many, or any rather, people have been through there. Shadows are still pretty thick there, and medicinal supplies are still pretty prevalent. Even if some are ruined by the destruction. While not a direct lead, it at least saves you time.” Of course, that's if she even believed him. He honestly had to wonder if he was wasting his breath at that point.

[Ayakura Alisa]

From the way this Ran carried herself it was still clear I hadn't earned a shred of respect from her. Fine, suit herself. I don't need to give a damn about some annoying prick, even if there was something I could potentially get out of this. Ah well... The things I do for some people. "I'll keep it in mind. I'm making preparations to make sure I don't have to do this alone, anyway." I shrugged. I had no reason not to believe her at the end of the day. I just really didn't like how she behaved towards me. It must probably because she thinks I don't belong here. Whatever. Think what you will. That's not going to stop me from trying to finish what I set out here to do. Prick.

"...Thanks. It's something."

[Akira Nakajima]

Yep. Akira just saved her some time, and danger. So that was something. Either way, the boy just rocked on his heels, offering a business-like smile. Hands slid from his head and into his pockets. The crossdresser just stared ahead. It just so happened that Alisa was within his perspective of “ahead”. And he finally noticed- or, rather, paid attention to -the smell he had been trying to ignore for most of their exchange. Smelled like burnt flesh. Damage dealt by either lightning or fire. Given the fact that he didn't really care which- he mainly hated the smell- he unzipped his hoodie. Without warning, he produced an evoker and planted it against his temple, pulling the trigger.

”Imp, Dia, there.” Attention, order, direction. Just like that, the cloaked midget clung to the boy's body before pointing at Alisa with a bony finger and giving off a greenish glow that then shot towards the woman.

Call it what you would, he just hated the smell. He wasn't trying to help her. Helping her would have just given the air that he supported such recklessness.

[Ayakura Alisa]

I blinked. That was completely random. Then again, I probably must have smelled terrible. Burnt flesh never helped anyone. That... implement. Ran called forth her Persona, and ordered some... thing, and I felt an oddly familiar warm light wash over me, and soon I found myself feeling less like trash. I didn't want to make too big of a deal out of that, but I did find myself wondering... Just what kind of powers did having a Persona grant? Aside from... increased endurance, and of course the ability to use magical powers. "...That was healing magic, wasn't it..." I murmured. "...I guess I should be more careful, huh. Teaches me to go out there alone." I shrugged. There were many things I could have said there, but I wanted to be the better person here. For all I know she could go on her goddamn spiel about how I shouldn't be here in the first place. No, don't expect me to be a passive coward simply because I'm 'weak.' If there's a way for me to get through here, I will find it. Even if it means having to risk my life. That is why I have been searching for contacts. Thank god I have a network that people willing to help actually pay attention to.

"Call it recklessness if you'd like. I don't give a damn. But thanks again."

[Akira Nakajima]

As the spell faded from sight, so too did the little Imp riding on the crossdresser's shoulder. Akira reached back inside his hoodie, putting the evoker away again. Zipped it up nice and snug, he did. She gave her thanks. That was fine. The boy shook his head, though. No reason for him to act like he cared. No, best to just play it straight. A merchant cared about one customer as much as the next. He'd just play that role again. It was easier that way. For both of them.

”A merchant needs customers, that's all. I won't tell you to be careful, but there is safety in numbers. There are some things out there that force even Persona-users to band together. Just keep that in mind. And stay away from functioning vehicles out here. They're. . . not really vehicles.” He rolled his eyes, remembering the subway train. That. . . that was a pain in the ass.

[Ayakura Alisa]

"I understand. I've already... made contact with some. Might look about trying to have a get-together, y'know? If during the course of my personal agenda I can contribute to the over-arching problem, then that's better for everyone. ...And thanks for the warning." I spoke, softly but audibly. I didn't want to ask about that gun contraption she used. It looked like some sort of catalyst for calling out one's Persona. I figured it out easily, because she did it right in front of me. As for the warning, I had better take that to heart. The Shadows I encountered looked like masks, which were perfectly normal human implements. I saw no reason why Shadows couldn't also take the shape of other things such as cars. Demon cars sounded kinda weird. But also pretty dangerous. Shouldn't underestimate Shadows and I should keep my guard up at all times.

"Not really vehicles, huh... I guess you had a bad run in, eh? Will take that to heart." I nodded in acknowledgement. "Shadows are strange, dangerous things..."

[Akira Nakajima]

Good. Seemed some degree of sense could be beaten into her. With words. The boy nodded as she spoke. A compilation of like-minded individuals could certainly get things done- if not directly, then indirectly, through the creation of ideas. The boy understood that plenty well, given his status on the council. When she finally commented on the vehicle bit, the boy snorted slightly. Not so much at her as the state of things. His gaze was averted- pointed towards the direction of the subway. Then, he nodded ever so slightly.

”Dangerous, strange. Call 'em what you want. The day a subway train smiles at you, you know the world has gone to shit. And back.” See, “Ran” was supposed to be cute. Cursing was not cute. Whether the woman's nature was rubbing off on him, or simply because the train was not exactly a favored experience for him, he voiced his full annoyance at the very existence of such an opponent.

In a feminine voice, of course. He wasn't so hung up over the past that he would forget the present and his disguise.

[Ayakura Alisa]

I idly cracked my knuckles. "Doesn't sound exactly very pleasant." I continued, stretching in place. The subway wasn't very far away from here. I don't think I could consider myself spooked or afraid that there was such a thing in there (but, it's probably taken out by now), rather, I seemed rather unamused. If there was a Shadow shaped as a train, there might be a Shadow shaped as a computer. Or a Shadow shaped like a strange animal, or a Shadow shaped like a sword... The possibilities were endless. Soon I decided that there was no way I just was going to ignore this. How could such things be right outside of civilization's doorstep? Hell, why haven't they already overrun the city? These things just made no damn sense. "What do you think's stopping them from just steamrolling everything, anyway? We're still alive, after all." I shrugged again. Something was most certainly strange here. Well, I'd like to find out. Maybe my parents are connected somehow. Really would like to know...

[Akira Nakajima]

Alisa presented a decent enough question. It was one that Akira still lacked an answer to, himself. Why were they all still alive? It was a solid question. But it was on the same level as “Why are there other planets?” really. It was a solid question, with a definitive answer, but it did nothing for the situation at hand. Because of that, he just shrugged. The boy in drag just, really and truly, did not care. Well, not at present, at least.

”Intolerance to massive amounts of body odor. Fear of large crowds. Your guess is as good as mine. I don't know. I don't intend to question that fortune, either. If they flooded into the other half of Mosaic, we'd be wiped out. Knowing that, I do what I can as best I can and await the results.” A simplistic view on it. And, frankly, that was all he needed.

[Ayakura Alisa]

I simply nodded in response. "Fair enough. Well, I'm sure something will be discovered sooner or later. Hopefully, it won't be when they suddenly start storming us. That would be rather unfortunate." I simply heaved out before I looked for a place to seat. Though, is waiting and just doing what we can the best solution? Oh, well... There's not a whole much left to talk about though, is there? I just sort of ended up spacing out and trying to relax and ease the recovery of my wounds. Ran looked like she didn't quite seem to care, either, so I supposed I wouldn't push the issue. That wouldn't be very clever and it would make me look bad. Hum.