Shackled [Tenchi]

[Amane Mana]

Amane sat down and took a sigh of relief. That maid cafe was so horrendous that Amane is going to spend today trying to fix the visions that she saw. How can anyone stand those places? She lied back on her chair and sipped her miso soup as she waited for the beef bowl to arrive. It was a miracle she found this place. Amane was beginning to wonder if such wondrous places only existed in Japan.

"Well...time to think..." Amane said to herself. She was still investigating so to speak. She already made arrangements to pay someone she recently found out about to investigate the activities of the police. Not to mention she also needs to keep an eye on Ran. Amane has at least found a dependable ally in these hard times. Though she did wish what exactly was her new ally's persona powers. However, now is not the time to think about these things now that her beef bowl has arrived.

Amane was about to dig in when she heard a commotion at the door. She looked up from her bowl in annoyance. What now? Was it impossible for her to go a few minutes without some form of chaos breaking out?

[Tenchi Lui]

”That’s fifteen.”

”Yeah, yeah.” Tenchi grumbled under his breath as he searched for his wallet. Since his dad takes care of the shop and works the early mornings, it meant Tenchi had to get food by going out to places. He could cook if he wanted to, he knew how to do so, but he would rather not waste the time and energy to make a meal when it was only going to be eaten by him. Why should he? He’d rather have someone cook for him so that he can eat. It takes away the whole annoyance of having to put effort into a meal.

He had left his paint studio that was located in his father’s shop earlier that day because he had started to get hungry and in his hunger and impatience, he must have forgotten his wallet because for the life of him, he couldn’t seem to figure out where it was. ”Uh…”

”There a problem?”

”No… jus’ lookin’ for my wallet.”

”No money?” The owner’s voice questioned as it rose. Why couldn’t places as for money up front? It would save Tenchi this whole problem.

”I got money, I jus’ forgot it. I’ll go get it and pay for it, a’right? Simple fix.” He started to walk away from the counter and headed toward the door as he said this.

Where you going? You can’t leave, you didn’t’ pay.” And it was at that precise moment that two officers on their break had stepped into the establishment to see the owner chasing after Tenchi.

”There a problem here?”

”No.”

”Yes!” The owner announced, ”He’s trying to run out without paying for his meal.”

And then the argument broke out where Tenchi tried to explain as calmly as possible (which entailed a lot of yelling and insults directed at the owner) that he forgot his wallet and was simply going to go get it and pay for his meal. Meanwhile the owner was arguing the fact that he would just simply not return with the money and demanded that he get paid now rather than later. In his frustration, Tenchi thought he could just walk away and when the officers told him to stop and told them where they could stick their heads and that he was getting his wallet. Then he felt himself shoved up against the wall while his hands were getting pulled behind his back.

”Y’shittin’ me? I’mma get arrested for a god damn beef bowl?”

[Amane Mana]

”There a problem here?”

”No.”

”Yes!”

”Y’shittin’ me? I’mma get arrested for a god damn beef bowl?” Amane got up from her seat. This was only going to take a few minutes and she had extra allowance anyway. She walked over to the commotion. She looked over at the blonde boy against the wall and then clapped her hands to get the attention of the owner and the two officers. She presented the money. This wasn't too much money...she hoped. If the investigator she plans on hiring demands a high price she'll be turned off on the whole helping people thing for a peaceful meal idea and will just move somewhere else next time.

"He is with me. May I request you not cause so much chaos? Some people are trying to have a peaceful meal." Amane didn't specify who was causing the disturbance. In all honesty, she thinks all of them are to blame but she isn't in the mood to point fingers. What she is in the mood for is getting back to her meal. "So, is there a problem now?" The officers looked at each other and shrugged as they backed off and the owner went back to put the money away. Amane then looked over at the boy and scanned him up and down. "Does this happen often?"

[Tenchi Lui]

Tenchi grimaced in one part annoyance and one part pain as cuffs were slapped on his wrists a little too tightly than they needed to be. He was about to start yellow at the cops and the owner that they were all being ass-hats when someone unexpectedly spoke up for him. In Tenchi’s confusion; however, he immediately started to open his mouth, ”The hell? I don’t even know…oh.” He stopped as he realized that the person was actually just trying to help him out of the situation rather than mistaking him for someone else.

The officers were just as confused as he was as the person pulled out the proper amount for the bill and paid it for him. After a few seconds of silence the cops seemed to have re-thought their decision and un-cuffed him. The owner of the place offered them a free lunch and Tenchi almost felt like shoving his boot in their mouths to eat instead. He rubbed at his wrists and glared at the trio as they ignored him after all that commotion. There was no apologies or glance back at him, they just continued on as if it had been an insignificant moment.

”Does this happen often?”

He redirected his gaze to his ‘would-be-savior’ and scowled, ”Shit no, I usually have my wallet on me. Dunno how I left without it.” Especially since he hadn’t changed jeans since the day before yesterday… He definitely had his wallet last night when he finally went him.

Damn, now this was awkward. ”Uh yeah.. uh…” He was placed in an unusual situations and uncomfortable spot, like having a sudden itch at his crotch but couldn’t scratch it because he was in a crowded subway and it would be weird. This was weird. ”Y’didn’t have ta do that. Woulda jus’ been fine an’ all.” Damnit, that’s not what he meant to say. He scratched the back of his head and felt his brows knit together in aggravation at himself. Why was it so hard to just say it? ”Uh.. yeah… but it was cool so, y’know… there’s that.” Yeah, that was about as close to the word ‘thanks’ as it will ever be to get out of his mouth.

[Amane Mana]

”Shit no, I usually have my wallet on me. Dunno how I left without it.” Amane's eyes titled toward the officers. Tehy were rather quick to pin him against the wall in an attempt to handcuff him though. ”Uh yeah.. uh…” The man appeared to be nervous now. ”Y’didn’t have ta do that. Woulda jus’ been fine an’ all.” Amane was wondering if she should be polite and say nothing...

"Fine...with your face against the wall and those handcuffs about to be placed on your wrist."...but Amane is not one for sugar coating. "Look, I was just here for a peaceful meal to get away from trouble too alright? I just wanted to make sure I get that peaceful meal."

”Uh.. yeah… but it was cool so, y’know… there’s that.” Amane blinked in response to his words. Not exactly sure what to say in this situation. She wasn't even sure if she even had a sarcastic remark for that. Amane scratched the back of her head.

"Where was the last time you saw your wallet?" Amane started to head back to her table. She would rather this incident not repeat itself eventually.

[Tenchi Lui]

”Fine… with your face against the wall and those handcuffs about to be placed on your wrist.” Eh… she sort of had a point but Tenchi would never admit it. No, he was content to be under the false assumption that he would have managed just fine without the help

He tried to thank her, he really did, but he was too awkward an individual when it came to gratitude that he didn’t really come out and say it straight out. He turned his sights over to the police as the girl walked back toward her table and they were watching him; as if trying to see if the claims that he were with the girl was actually true. He groaned and followed the girl and slipped into the seat on the opposite side of the girl.

”Where was the last time you saw your wallet?”

”Uh… in my pants.” He had assumed it was still in his pants when he had come here but they weren’t and he could imagine a dozen or so different scenarios where he pulled the wallet out but he couldn’t tell if they were real or not. ”Prolly jus’ left it in my room or sumthin’. Woulda gotten it, and if I couldn’t find it, woulda still gotten the money for it. Uh.. I’ll give you the money for it instead.”

[Amane Mana]

”Uh… in my pants." Well it isn't in his pants right now being the huge issue here. ”Prolly jus’ left it in my room or sumthin’. Woulda gotten it, and if I couldn’t find it, woulda still gotten the money for it. Uh.. I’ll give you the money for it instead.” Amane was comforted she was going to get compensated seeing as how she needs to be stingy about her money since now she is dedicating all of her funds to investigating these incidents.

"If it is in your house I can help you look around." Amane said finally starting her meal. She sipped her water and looked over at him. Come to think of it, it was annoying for Amane this place doesn't use school uniforms. Harder to tell who is a student or not. "I'm Amane, who might you be?"

[Tenchi Lui]

She was offering to help him search for his wallet? As in she being in his house? She being in his house while his dad is over at the shop? Should he be concerned about such a thing? Wasn’t it improper or some other crap for him to bring a girl over? He felt incredibly awkward all of a sudden at the idea of bringing a girl up to his room, even if it was to help him search for his wallet so he could pay her back. He never brought anyone to his house or his room, not a guy or a girl. It just wasn’t heard of. The only other person who had ever been in his room had been his old man from time to time when he needed to ask Tenchi a question.

Oh god… was his room guest ready? Did he have dirty cloths scattered around? Maybe he could just tell her to stay at the restaurant while he ran home. No… that would be inconvenient for her he’s certain and it would be super convenient for him if he didn’t have to run back and forth but then it would be inconvenient for her again if she had to get to his place, only to head walk off; likely starting from a place even more out of her way.

Damnit…

"I'm Amane, who might you be?"

”Uh… Lui, Tenchi” He had a reputation, or rather, he used to when he was younger. He doubts most people remembered the stories that circulated around him but he was still a pain in the ass for the police… like a canker sore. He had a record but it was petty crap: disturbing the peace, failure to listen to officers, misconduct, public disturbance, fights… lots of fights actually. Mostly fights with other things slapped on by the end of it.

”Uh… I dunno if y’wanna follow me home. It’s kinda far an’ I sorta walk everywhere.” Motorcycles were dangerous, he avoided riding his as much as he could.

[Amane Mana]

”Uh… Lui, Tenchi” Tenchi? That will be easy for her to remember. ”Uh… I dunno if y’wanna follow me home. It’s kinda far an’ I sorta walk everywhere.” Amane continued to eat as she watched him speak nervously. This boy was odd. She figured he wouldn't be the type to care about such things but preconceptions hinder one's ability to see the truth.

"I have nothing to do for tonight after my dinner and it'd be a good time for me to think about a few things. Besides after that display I'd like to cease repeats of it." Amane placed her chops sticks down to take another sip of water. "This place has enough chaos as it is..." Amane said thinking back to the lock down.

[Tenchi Lui]

Damn, it looked like she was still intent on going with him since she had nothing to do after this. He was weary of the fact. Maybe he could just… distract her or something at his place while he runs up to his room to find some money. Tell her to search the kitchen area or something since it was totally possible that he might have left his wallet somewhere in the kitchen… like the freezer. People lose wallets in the freezer all the time! Just like people lost their pants in the bathtub all the time. It’s just a matter of circumstances and shit.

”Well.. uh… if y’insist, I ain’t gonna stop ya since I sorta owe ya the money anyway.” Tenchi didn’t keep debt. Didn’t’ sit right with him, be it monetary or principal. He didn’t like owing people because he never felt like people should do him any favors. He doesn’t necessarily need the help often. ”Place might be a bit… messy. No one has time to keep up with the crap.” Actually he had plenty of time to clean up the house if he wanted but he just didn’t. He was too busy doing… stuff that involved not cleaning up after himself and his old man.

[Amane Mana]

”Well.. uh… if y’insist, I ain’t gonna stop ya since I sorta owe ya the money anyway. Good, for Amane's future arrangements she is going to need some. ”Place might be a bit… messy. No one has time to keep up with the crap.” Amane blinked as she continued to eat through her beef bowl. She finished off what little soup she has left and then looked at him.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'll only search the entrance halls, kitchen, and living room. I won't go into any rooms." Even someone who considers herself to have a mind set for investigating had a sense of personal space. "I just wanted the money. I have to arrange a high payment soon." Amane started to finish up what's left of her beef bowl before start drinking the water. That was certainly fulfilling even if it was double the cost.

[Tenchi Lui]

”Kay.. that’s good. It ain’t proper to be bringin’ ya in my room, y’know?”[/colo] At least this ‘Amane’ seemed to catch onto the reservations that Tenchi was feeling about the whole thing. Although he did find it the phrase ‘I just wanted the money. I have to arrange a high payment soon’ sorta funny to hear. In his mind, it made her sound like a drug dealer and she didn’t fit the criteria of being a drug dealer. She wasn’t wearing all the flashy jewelry or really baggy pants that hung loosely off her ass.

”Uh… sounds like sumthin’ illegal.” He would know, he had enough hands dipped in shady places. Not that he actually participated in things, but he generally knew where the crowd was or who was involved. He knew because he’s gotten into brawls with those kind of people more frequently then others.

[Amane Mana]

”Kay.. that’s good. It ain’t proper to be bringin’ ya in my room, y’know?” Amane nodded in agreement as she placed the empty cup down. She doesn't know this Tenchi well and it would be unbecoming of her...then again this man doesn't to be one for common standard seeing as how the police were rather quick to ready their handcuffs. ”Uh… sounds like sumthin’ illegal.” Amane can't help but to twitch in annoyance of the statement. She placed a hand upon her face. Come to think of it it did sound like something bad.

"It's not illegal. I'm just hiring an investigator to look into the weird stuff that's going on." Amane placed her arm down as she started to stand up. "I'm just a school girl so I can't do much myself...but I refuse to let myself live in ignorance in this lock down."

[Tenchi Lui]

What was a school girl doing hiring an investigator? It seemed a little odd to Tenchi and what was this about weird stuff? What was weird going on? Aside from the military putting up the perimeter around the city to keep people from heading outside the boundaries of the city there wasn’t much he took notice of that seemed out of place. He wasn’t really the greatest person to really notice much though considering he didn’t pay much attention to what was going on in the city. He kept to himself for the most part.

”Uh… weird stuff?” Tenchi questioned, ”Dunno how much they’d help ya, though. My experience with the police leads me to believe that they’d be pretty useless.” He didn’t even try to whisper it because he didn’t care if the cops heard him speaking. Freedom of speech and all. Everyone had their own opinions. ”Uh… sides. Ain’t hirin’ an investigator kinda… pricey?”

[Amane Mana]

”Uh… weird stuff?" Amane nodded. ”Dunno how much they’d help ya, though. My experience with the police leads me to believe that they’d be pretty useless.” Guy wasn't on the ball when it comes to investigators huh? She's hiring them because they're not police but Amane can explain that later in the conversation. ”Uh… sides. Ain’t hirin’ an investigator kinda… pricey?” Amane nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, hiring someone is pricy, I'm more or less using my entire allowance on this person I found." Amane decided to clarify some details. Giving away too much isn't exactly beneficial and besides he doesn't need to know about the true chaos that lurks within the lock down. "I was hoping to get the investigator to dig a little into why we're locked down. Just want some answers for myself that is all." Amane got up from her chair and looked at Tenchi. "So...shall we get going?" Amane is going to make sure this goes by fast.