343/Smol Meets Sneaky In The Park!

Smol Meets Sneaky In The Park!
Date of Scene:	01 September 2023
Location:	Penguin Park
Synopsis:	Rashmi takes a still-recovering Chrono to Penguin Park for some fresh air and the exercise of having walked to the park! There he meets Koji, and much of the two boys' pasts is learned. Also, apparently there's a mahou fite class?!
Cast of Characters:	Rashmi Terios, Koji Silvia, Chrono Harlaown

---

Rashmi Terios has posed:
With Chrono recovering well, Rashmi -- in her capacity as Apparently In Charge Of Getting This Kid Heal't Up -- made the suggestion of getting out under the sun, if Chrono felt up to it. School's going to start soon after all, and summer needs to be enjoyed while it's enjoyable!

Receiving the all-clear, the redhead swiftly packed together snacks and drinks, and heroically refrained from old-man jokes as she hovered around the slow-moving Chrono for the block or so it takes to get to Penguin Park.

In the meantime, she sends off a message to deliver to Hanzo; << Hanzo, Koji, I have an update; the TSAB Officer is Enforcer Chrono Harlaown, and he had authority just under the captain of the ship that was lost, here. And apparently magic works in *stupid weird* ways on this world, so... If you'd like to meet someone who knows what they're doing with Devices, we're going to the park! >>

Koji Silvia has posed:
When Koji got the original message about a newcomer but with no followup for a day, he was a bit on edge, stuck alone with his room and his part-time job. Out of concern, he tried to get a Blade all the way out to the Korma Chameleon from his space in the RHA Dorms... and learned that they have a range limit.

But then the telepathic message is received by Hanzo, and there is a sort of pause from the device as it sends back before Koji can speak up,

    << Please provide the full stated rank the of Time-Space Administrative Bureau Operative, User Terios? >>

Sighing at the Device's curiousity, the young man sends back, <<We'll be there as soon as we can, Rashmi. Thanks.>>

A henshin and an Obscure later, he's roof-running on his way to the rail station and is on his way towards Pikarigaoaka and the Park.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown was NOT an old man. He was pacing himself. He at least didn't seem to mind her obvious excitement. But if he was going to rest and heal he was going to take the time to actually do it. He didn't have time to not-rest if he had to rest. Because he was a professional. Besides, his device was still hurt, he had agreed not to push himself any further than he needed to. As it was, it was the best time to recuperate so he could push himself all over again later.

Yeah, that would likely annoy some people if they knew it... but TSAB, what would you do?

Besides, the fresh air would likely do him good. And he'd had his bandages redone. The wounds were healing. So long as he didn't over push himself, he'd likely be fine. Proper healing, tending, and he'd be on his way in no time. Without even dying a bit. Perfect.

He was going to have to file such a report later. Which he didn't want to do...

Rashmi Terios has posed:
<< SUBJECT 'Chrono Harlaown' PROVIDED OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION. --file upload: snapshot.img-- CREDENTIALS MATCH KNOWN ARTHRAS OFFICER. >> ...Nico has, apparently, long ago learned the trick of 'if it isn't directly remarked upon, it's not worth adding to the conversation.'

"So I'm not sure where he got it from," Rashmi is chatting as she keeps pace with Chrono, silently offering an arm if he looks too ready to tip over. "But Koji's Device, Hanzo, is pretty clearly tuned for sneaky stuff. As in, he's the closest thing to a Magic Ninja *anyone* has seen so far, and he's helped me with using Nicomachea up to this point."

And that's pretty much how it goes on the long, slow walk toward the Park; Rashmi keeping up a steam of chatter, helping Chrono, and waiting for the two Magic Senpais to meet.

Koji Silvia has posed:
While crouched on top of a railcar, Koji sends out a Blade ahead to a building where he can Point Warp away and land easily, Hanzo suddenly speaks up of it's own accord.

    << Young Master. Enforcer Chrono Harlaown has authority to confiscate this Device. Model H-44270 is TSAB property. >>

As the Device User vanishes and lands lightly on the aforementioned building with a braking roll from the imparted velocity from earlier, he asks in reply, "Okay, so if it tries it, we can get out of there before he can do anything to you, Hanzo. You're my partner."

    << Model H-44270 is TSAB property. However.. Young Master is our User. >>

The silence that followed from the Device was almost ominous, and Koji just mutters to himself, "Well... that's reassuring."

Instead of trying to let a surge of worry overwhelm him, he instead starts using his Guidewires to pull himself from building to building on his way to the Park, making good time as he looks for where Rashmi and her new 'friend' might be.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown cocked an eye. "A... ninja. Uh huh," Chrono said. "So I imagine it's attuned for illusion magic, then. There aren't a lot of mages who focus on such magic. I know a handful who can perform them, and a few devices used to cast them."

He didn't say it, but there was a hint of worry that this wasn't a device just attuned to such magic. That it was actually the user... and if the user was a danger, attempting use Rashmi for his own nefarious plots... It could be trouble.

He wished his device was fully repaired. He wished HE was fully repaired. Fighting an illusion based mage was difficult enough at the best of times. Especially when he was already vulnerable. Still, he was stronger than he had been. He could... probably take him. Maybe.

"Hanzo and Koji? Have you known him for long?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I mean, about a month or so," Rashmi says, leading Chrono toward a bench. Once the boy's settled, she starts setting out the drinks first. For Chrono, a bottle of some sports drink or another -- lychee-passionfruit flavored -- a melon Ramune for herself, and a pear Fanta, set on the other side as if awaiting the one to claim it.

"He's the one who introduced me to Hannah, and he's a good guy from everything I've seen. Like... he doesn't like to be The Big Winner, but he's good at helping people do their best. And, y'know, I kinda have to respect that. Sometimes I wonder if he's trying to make it all look more effortless than it is, but..." Shrugging, the redhead chuckles. "He comes through when he's needed, and that matters."

Koji Silvia has posed:
That's quite the line to walk in on, but sometimes you just have to take the queues you are given.

Which is why, predictably, he appears in henshin... just walking out of nothing but a ripple in the air across from the bench. Walking casually, like it's completely normal for someone dressed like him, with a mask covering the lower half of his face no less, to just be on a stroll in the park. Reaching down, he picks up the Fanta and turns to sit in it's place. With a hiss, it's opened and he takes a drink through the mask, proving it's just another illusion.

With a sigh, he lowers the can, and tilts his head to look at the pair now, "I suppose some introductions are in order?"

He looks pointedly at Rashmi, "Unless of course you already told him who I am?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown took a seat on the bench. Waiting. Watching. He reached up to his throat and the small, blue gem around it. He really missed his device, but he supposed he was lucky he had ones he could 'guest' for at the moment.He took the drink with a grateful smile. "Thank you," he said before slowly opening it and drinking.

However, he nearly choked with Rashmi said 'Introduced me to Hannah'. "Wait, he's not Belkan as well, is he?" he asked. He was in NO state to meet a belkan. Welp. Looked like it was too late. His eyes narrowed on Koji. It was a little concerning that this man was taking such efforts to hide himself... Did he suspect trouble?

<<Hanzo, was it? Have you registed this man as your master?>> Chrono asked the device directly. He'd actually considered attempting to take administration command like he had with Rashmi's device... but frankly? It wasn't worth the effort in his mind if the man had. And unless Koji proved himself a threat, he didn't see a reason to.

More importantly, though. He had no record of a device with the designation 'Hanzo' on the Arthra at the time of the crash. So, likely, it wasn't one of theirs.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I figured actual legal authority over our magic trumped 'operational security,'" Rashmi replies merrily, actually using her fingers to make quote marks. "*My* introduction, *my* policy. Koji-kun, Chrono-kun has been as helpful and honest as I could possibly ask for. Chrono-kun, Koji-kun's already saved my life three times, and if not for him I'd still be flipping through Nicomachea's pages. Just in case those suspicious looks are what I think they are."

It's really difficult to pull off mic-drop energy when drinking from a bottle with a clinking glass ball on it, but dammit Rashmi wanted melon Ramune so now she's obligated to try.

Koji Silvia has posed:
There's an arched brow from Koji, and he just has that dubious expression on his face as he's told that the rules he's tried to established are just tossed to the side. It's about a five-count as he considers this, but Hanzo speaks up for it's own part.

    << Model H-44270, Time-Space Administrative Bureau Intelligence Division. Designation 'Hanzo'. Status: Decommissioned. Registered User: Kojiro Silvia >>

Oddly, if anything, the Device sounds a bit... defensive about giving it's model, former division, and status to Chrono.

There is a ripple and a glow around the Barrier Jacket, and it vanishes, leaving the young man bare before the pair, adjusting his glasses a bit as gives an assenting nod, "No, I'm not Belkan... and..."

And it's almost a bitter pill as he glances at Rashmi and adds, "According to my... mother... I'm half Firstraumen. Whatever that's supposed to mean."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded. "Currently, there's no investigation going on, so you have no need to be so nervous. If I was intending to arrest you, I would be open about it. However, I am going to need to ask you some things."

He did, however, glance towards Rashmi. She seemed protective of him. More to the point, while Hanzo seemed annoyed at the question, he answered it. The data was registered. More importantly, though... Koji removed his barrier jacket. "Well. Perhaps not so much you, as your device."

<Hanzo, I require your logs since arriving on this planet. Authorization: TSAB Enforcer-CH01. I also-->

Then something else he said finally clicked. "Wait, you're... firstraumen?" he asked, barely resisting the urge to stand up. He was as calm looking as ever, sitting straight, putting his drink down... But his eyes were flickering slightly. Trembling. Something caught his eyes. "Your mother told you?"

<Hanzo, I require most recent scans of your user's and prior user's linker cores.>

"How old is your mother? Is she able to access her magic? Does she remember things from outside of this world? Has she managed to contact anyone from the TSAB since arriving here?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
The change in demeanor is startling, but Rashmi doesn't comment on it. While she has a *feeling* that Chrono's determination has something more than duty behind it, she hasn't and will not press for information. However, the flood of questions *does* prompt a bit of clarification.

"Koji-kun," she says gently, "every survivor of the crash Chrono-kun's found so far... they don't *remember* their magic. They're adults. Which makes things... difficult, when your entire life has been *soaked* in things *we're* destined to forget when we get out of school."

And once again, there's a feeling of... pressure, at the back of her mind. The feeling that if she's to see herself as worthy of this gift, she needs to do as much good as possible with the incredibly short time limit placed upon her.

Koji Silvia has posed:
Standing up as the barrage comes from Chrono, and then the follow-up from Rashmi, Koji turns to face the paid and just holds his smartwatch mounting Hanzo's Standby Form, a blue gem snugged into place. There's a faint glow from it, and not only does the data begin to download on command to Chrono, but a picture of a 16 year old girl with a serious and rather familiar expression on her face, with vibrant pink hair, and a TSAB uniform showing her as Ground Force 2nd Captain, and an Intelligence patch.

"I'll tell you what I can."

Looking back and forth, again, there is some pain obvious there, like it's part of something else eating at him.

The pause lets Chrono see the basics of what he was looking for.... <Former User: Shia Skyline. Mage Rank: A. Specialization: Dimensional Magic. File appended.>

<"Second Captain Skyline, this is TSAB Headquarters. This message will not repeat. Transport to Earth is one-way. Recovery unlikely. Once your mission is complete, you are to decommission your Device per protocol, and blend into the populace. Message ends.">

The second part comes, <Kojiro Silvia. Designation: 'Koji'. Current Registered User. Approximated Mage Rank: B. Specialization: Unknown. Shows aptitude for dimensional magic. Run-time activity: 8 months standard. Downloading all operations now.>

He finally speaks up, "Mom is 36. And she can't use magic anymore. She... tried... at least she says... being a magical girl as we call them, to try and fight some threat that she saw until she was around twenty. At that point, her magic began failing her... just about the time I was born. But, she remembers what it is and how to use it. She taught me what she could, but she says that without being able to 'show me' I couldn't learn some things. Hanzo and I have been piecing it together, but he seems to have some holes in his programs. Like... I can't do Enhancements or make a Time-Space Barrier."

He sniffs once, and adjusts his glasses, "Mom says she occasionally has lapses. Things just go missing from back then. Things she knows she did but she can't always recall what. It's almost like she's fighting something."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown narrowed his eyes. He definitely seemed to be focusing on... something. He was going through the logs, his eyes flickering from the left and right. Trying to learn what he could. He almost tried to look into more information about what the 'mission' was. But stopped. No. That wasn't his business.

"She broke protocal," he said after a minute. He didn't sound angry or like he was judging her for it. Just a fact. She had broken protocal, she hadn't disabled her device. Instead, she gave it to him.

"There's something on this planet, something dangerous," Chrono said. "That could mean twenty is the cutoff." He glanced up, but not at them. He lifted a hand up to his chin, seemingly focused in thought.

<Hanzo, send me a diagnostics report.>

"Your device may not have holes at all. There are limited spells that can be stored onto a device, especially an intelligent device such as yours. The more programs for additional features, the fewer space for actual spells. Especially as yours appears to be an older model. Not too old, just older."

Once again, that serious look was on his face. "Terios-san is correct. The survivor of the crew I met seemed to be suffering from severe amnesia. It's quite possible your mother would be in a similar situation if not for the fact she had her device to help, even if her linker core is no longer... properly functioning. That, combined with the fact so much of her life likely revolves around magic is likely why she has memories at all."

Once again he found his mind drifting to his mother. Was she here, somewhere? Was she safe? Could she remember anything? Was she lost somewhere, confused, unaware of who she even was?

"My current objective is to locate all of the surviving crew from the Arthra. From there, my secondary objective is to get them off this planet. That... could include your mother. It could include you. Firstraum is a nice planet. It's... where my mother is from, though I've only been there twice. However, such a trip would likely be one way, if it happened. Returning to this planet will likely never happen again."

There were... other objectives. But for the time being, he didn't see a reason to weight them down with those.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"So," Rashmi says, speaking up for the first time in a while, "in the near-term, that means we have to find the survivors. Hospitals, shelters... They'll all have the same problem you do, Chrono-kun, they won't officially *exist* as far as the government is concerned. Some of them might be homeless..." She trails off, gnawing on her lip as a thought occurs to her. Nicomachea, Chrono said, was *definitively* part of the Arthra's Device complement. Chrono had a registration file for him.

And Nicomachea has been on this planet for almost thirty years.

"...Or they haven't even crashed *yet,*" she continues, choosing -- perhaps in a moment of cowardice -- to concentrate on the possibility with the most room for hope. "So we'll want to keep an ear out for emergency-services traffic, maybe police reports."

She looks up, from Chrono, to Koji, then down at the yellow sunburst charm around her neck. "I can patrol during the night, see if I can locate any of them for you, Chrono-kun?"

Koji Silvia has posed:
According to Hanzo's logs, Koji is very MUCH learning on the job. Consecutive nights of small scale combat against beings that seem near-human, and some that pass entirely as human. It's only Hanzo's own Sensor system that allows it to discern the real people from these beings composed of some kind of dark dimensional energy. There are several larger fights, just like Rashmi's several of which they have attended together, which is allowing you to see the battles from the other perspectives. The user's operation seems to be to prioritize civilian safety first, before engaging the enemy, using staying back while these other 'magical girls' go in for the assault. Chrono also sees him using a toned-down field-version of Healing marked as Regeneration. Slower wound-healing, but also restorative enough to get someone up and going in an emergency and mana-efficient... but taxing to use on non Linker Cores.

The Diagnostics come, and the confirmation is that the installation of the Cartridge System which happened shortly before arrival on Earth, came at the cost of the standard Enhancement Spells, Flight Spell, and Time-Space Barrier. These were chosen at the previous user's request. There is also an entry on a Self-casting. A new Spell not in the database marked as Guidewire. Strings of dimensional mana with a striking end for transportation and binding. A clever small-scale combination of solutions created by Koji.

"Mom has Dad, and a life here, and I don't know if I'm so keen on ditching on things when they're as bad as they are right now... so how about we hold off on any promises of seeing another planet for now. In the meantime we have other concerns."

He rubs the back of his neck in thought, and then after closing his eyes, he gets a frown, "Take him to see the Guidance Counselor. I don't know if she knows, but I think she knows."

As if that wasn't convoluted enough, he looks back at Chrono, "The other thing that happens here is... interesting. Those people who have powers, they can go around in their combat forms and not be recognized for it. I met Rashmi twice as myself and four or five times as Hanzo before I revealed my identity to her. I didn't know Rashmi was who she was until she introduced herself to me either. So until you know, you don't know."

Getting that out of the way, he looks around, "Looking for the crew... what you need is commonalities. Strangers in military clothes who appeared out of nowhere reported on social media, people talking about the same thing like a conspiracy. the strong memories that still come up to the surface. News reports that specifically talk about people being unidentified. I'll show you how to use your Devices to access Earth machinery... after we see about getting you into school. If we need to lie, we can tell people you're my second cousin from America. It'll hold up."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown glanced up at Rashmi. "Huh? Oh. Actually... that's not a bad idea. But its only been a few weeks. We'd have all arrived about the same time, separate from the rest of the... things that have arrived," Chrono said. "Our arrival was... slightly different. While bumpy, it would have likely gotten us all here at the same time." He hoped. "The issue is where. They could be anywhere on this planet. As much as I would like to believe they all ended up here, in Tokyo, the truth is I will likely need a grander method to search. I'm the only one currently with magic, after all."

The comment, however, on them being homeless... that made his eyes waver again. He did keep up a hell of a poker face... but it wasn't made of stone. The fact he was upset at the idea of others being trapped or... worse... Obviously worried him.

"Guidance counselor?" Chrono asked. "And... ah. Delightful. Some kind of memory spell? Or perhaps illusion. Likely tied to the lost of powers and memories after the cutoff."

"I can access earth machinery already," Chrono admitted. After all, he'd been eating a LOT of vending machine food lately. "However, I'm not familiar with social media. As for school... well... we'll see. It's not exactly a priority for me. I've done it once already. But a cover may be necessary," Chrono mumbled. He gave a small, long suffering sigh. "If for no other reason than to get the truent officers to leave me alone... Hm. What grade would I be in, Terios-san?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Grade 9, right behind me," Rashmi says immediately, glancing up at Koji. "...He's 14." This, said with a vaguely quelling tone that brooks no comment or joke. Probably because she accidentally did that herself.

"So... it wasn't just like an escape pod, but *everyone* went in the same direction all at the same time? That... hm. Kind of simplifies things. Koji-kun... You're way better at being where you're not supposed to." From anyone else, that might be a dig, but the redhead's face is one hundred percent earnest and trusting. "Could you keep an ear out for reports of, like... suddenly a *lot* of foreigners showing up confused and lost?"

Koji Silvia has posed:
Giving a faint shrug, Koji says, "It's doable. But it will take some time. It would be easier if we had a database of all the people from the ship, something that we could match face IDs to, or general physical stature. The more we get, the better chance we'll find something."

He reaches down and picks up his still cool soda, sipping it once more, and then takes a moment to regard Chrono, "The school is the best place for you to start from. You'll get shelter, food, education on Japan's culture and the world. There's a class held semi-regularly specifically for our kind, to learn how to fight. You'd be able to study them."

That guarded expression he has... actually falters a little... and then he asks says in a much more gentle tone, "And don't feel for a moment like you have to get involved in our fight. You're not beholden to anyone to pick up your Device and get on the front lines. You have your goal... and we'll help you as much as we're able. None of us asked to become soldiers in this, but we're going to do our best for the time we have... for everyone we can."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded, looking thoughtful. Admittedly, there was a *reason* he'd asked Rashmi. He didn't want Koji to guess his age. That never went well. And while he could accept his... condition... It didn't mean he liked to invite the comments.

"I'll see what I can do. But... here," he said. Sending two images to both their devices. A man and a woman. Why them? Chrono didn't say.

"Yes, a school would be efficient in terms of acquired resources. The largest issue is time wasted. I'll have to weigh the pros and cons once I'm fully recovered."

One part he said made him glance up. "Wait. On 'our kind'? A class, specifically to help mages? Or do you mean those with magic?" And that just made the class rise in his view. Did they have a connection to the TSAB?

Koji's comment on 'getting involved' made him actually chuckle. He slowly got to his feet. "I appreciate the sentiment, however. I am a TSAB agent. I chose to get involved in your fight long, long before you knew what magic even was, Koji-san," he said politely. "The battlefield may have changed, the enemy may have changed. But it is still my duty and I wouldn't be an enforcer if I let a small thing such as this stop me from performing it. There is a stark difference between you and I."

"You may not have asked for any of this. But I had the choice. Even now I don't regret it."

He then glanced towards Rashmi. "Now, while we did leave all together, the magic we used seemed to have separated us. Otherwise I would have arrived with them. The chances of them being together is... incredibly slim. But... for now..."

"I'm feeling the weariness taking hold again. I should return to resting. The sooner I recover, the sooner I can continue my own search. I appreciate your aid, Koji-san. You as well, Hanzo. Thank you for your continued aid in this operation."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Wait, *there's been a class for that all this time?!*" Yes, *that* is what Rashmi's been focusing on, in this exchange. "I've been flinging barrets in the park under Barrier at midnight and *there was a class?*"

Priorities, priorities..

"...Um. He probably means 'all kinds of magic people,' but yeah there's a few Device mages around. I wonder if we can get all the ones at school together," she says, wandering off on yet another train of thought for a moment, before pulling herself back. The receipt of the image is acknowledged, and after a moment Rashmi nods, confirming she's seen them. "Okay... I'll keep a lookout, Chrono-kun. But, yeah... let's get you back to the couch. Being able to walk around at all's a *really* good sign, though. I'll book an appointment with the Guidance Counselor--" and she gives the title the ominous tone that Koji did "--And hope she can help. ...While I'm doing that I need to see about getting you a guest pass, Chrono-kun, but... hm. Okay, things to do..."

Perhaps the most disorganized organizer around, but once Rashmi has a mission, she definitely tries to solve all the problems about it at once.

Koji Silvia has posed:
Koji stares at Rashmi for a moment rather intently, the light shifting off the reflective surface of his glasses, and suddenly her regular old smartphone gives off a chime, and then a voice almost like a girl saying 'New Message!'.

Grinning, just a little, he turns to walk away, "Just call her and tell her to meet you here. I'm sure if she's any good at her job, she'll come running."

And yes, there was a minor hint of distaste in his tone as he looks over his shoulder a the pair, and then starts walking off, finishing his soda and dropping it in a recycling bin. Putting up his hand, he waves... and as it looks like his Barrier Jacket is reappearing, he also just vanishes from view!

Chrono hears, << See you around Chrono. Welcome to Earth. >>

At the same time Rashmi hears, << I just learned about the class recently myself. Hannah was attending it and she dragged me along. Information's on your phone. >>

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown glanced over towards Rashmi, before narrowing his eyes on Koji. He waited for a little bit to be certain they were alone... Then glanced back to Rashmi. "I get the distinct impression he may dislike me. But, well. I'm not from here. Perhaps I am misreading the signs."

He wondered if he had issues with those who gave his mother this mission. In which case... he couldn't blame him. He may not accept them. But he could not blame such feelings.

"If the school is supporting a... training class of this sort, it will likely be best if I visit the student counselor after I've recovered. In the mean time... it is likely best that I meet with those in charge of the school first. The ones authorizing such classes. If I end up attending the school, it will be a circumstantial stay. Especially with my current... state," he muttered, lifting a hand to his forehead. "Maybe I should make a familiar to aid in these matters... Here's hoping they have some connection to the TSAB."

He'd then, slowly, start walking. He was walking on his own at least now. And between Rashmi's little 'sessions' and the healing, his back was mostly healed. The wound on his chest, however... that one was taking longer. He'd still have a few days, at least.

"Thank you, Terios-san. You have been an incredibly generous host, despite my situation. It was incredibly fortunate that I came across you first."