479/Subtle Inquiries

Subtle Inquiries
Date of Scene:	21 September 2023
Location:	Penguin Park
Synopsis:	The unflappable Chrono meets the equally unflappable Naru. Shenanigans ensue! ... Well, okay, they talk.
Cast of Characters:	Chrono Harlaown, Naru Osaka

---

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown was incredibly subtle. In fact, he was known to be one of the most subtle of enforcers in the TSAB. One who often knew how, where and when to apply pressure.

He did not care about subtlety right now. Instead, he cared about finding the people who depended on him. Which was why he was in the middle of the park, in full henshin, with a strange holographic display held in his right hand. The information flashing across it was almost too fast for the eye to see, but it appeared to be... the internet?!!

Wait, no, maps of the local area. Less impressive. Darn space soldiers coming to earth to use google earth.

Naru Osaka has posed:
Subtle. That's the first word that Naru thinks off when she's walking through the park and spots someone in henshin. Looking at something holographic.

The veil is honestly the only reason that he doesn't have a whole pack of people asking when the release of whatever he's playing is coming out.

Instead he has just Naru coming closer. "Hi." She smiles, friendly, looking from the hologram, to the boy.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown glanced up at her for a moment, cocking an eye and... "Magic, I take it?" he asked. Ah. It seemed he was well acquinted with the veil. "Hello, I am time space administrative bureau Enforcer Chrono Harlaown, did you need anything?" he asked, flashing his ID on the display for a few moments.

Probably for the best, though. After all, he was dressed like some kind of final fantasy villain. The spikes REALLY didn't do much for making him appear... not evil. And his super serious face.

The fact he was tiny likely helped, though. So that was something.

But definitely. Super subtle. The subtlest.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Magic enough." Naru doesn't quite confirm, nor does she get into /that/ can of worms.

She does, however, consider his flashed ID while its there, and then turns her attention back to Chrono. She's basically the same size as he is, only an inch or two taller. "What are you looking for?" She's hardly all that subtle herself.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small nod. "People. Survivors from the Arthra's crash," he said. Honestly? He might have been more subtle about it... but with no actual leads and the fact, in general? Most people he'd met with magic seemed to be nice here, he'd become a tiny bit more... hopeful in that regard.

The screen he was looking at faded and, a moment later, 8 faces appeared. "I don't suppose you'd be able to recognize any of these people?" he asked. He sounded... incredibly stern with just maybe a tiny bit of hope. A smidge. But only a little. Hope didn't allow for serious business, after all.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I suppose this isn't a great time to ask what the Arthra is? Although if you're looking for survivors, I'm sorry to hear about the crash." Naru's brow furrows as she freshly starts to put pieces of a whole new puzzle together.

She looks at the screen at the eight pictures. A slow shake of her head. "Out of context, none are looking familiar."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small sigh and nodded. "Thank you. And... I... imagine it wouldn't. Sorry. I... I shouldn't bother you with this," he said gently.

"... I should probably not be quite so open either. But well... you're obviously aware of the goings on, if you notice me. So... perhaps you could help me with something," he said before the image disappeared and he looked up at her. And then asked, in the most serious of tones.

"Do you know what a 'final fantasy' is?"

Naru Osaka has posed:
"It's alright." Naru smiles gently. "Clearly it's important to you, and you're just asking me if I know anything. I wish I was more help."

"I am generally aware, yes. Although curious about what the Arthra is." Naru pauses at his last question. "Um. I know of a series of games by that title, does it have another meaning as well?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
"My ship. Well, our ship. A TSAB ship. It crashed, there's... really not much else I could say about it. It's... gone, for the most part. In pieces across time and space. There shouldn't be any loss of life, though, assuming I can find these eight." Nine, truly, but he did find one.

However, her comment on final fantasy made her sigh. "One... other... question... do... I look like a villain from one of them?" he asked. Okay, so what Niji said kind of stuck with him, okay?!

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I'm very sorry to hear that. I hope you find your shipmates soon." Naru gestures a little. "Could I see them again? I meet a lot of people."

Naru blinks a moment and then takes a step back, even as she's asked him to see pictures again, but she's considering his outfit now. "I mean.. kinda? But in a cool, 'I meant to do that' kinda way?" She grins, stepping closer again. "You look good. Just own it."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small nod, holding out his hand and forming the image once more. At least her comment made him smile somewhat. "That's, uhhh, actually not what concerns me. As an enforcer of the TSAB, my duty is to protect and defend people. If... people are frightened by my appearance, then it... may make them uncomfortable. In most worlds, the TSAB is well known and trusted, so the uniform isn't as much of an issue."

"Then again, you hardly seem frightened by me, so perhaps it's not as dark as I could fear." He then took a long, slow, lingering breath. "So... which... form of magic are you?" Planet flyer? The colorful ones? Outside-linker-core-ites? Well, not punchy so at least not belkan.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Soo.. I'm not really a good judge of what's frightening and what isn't." Naru explains as gently as she can, in what is possibly the understatement of the week. Perhaps the term. "Also, I get the sense that with the .. mmm.. diversity of people we have around here, that perahps the TSAB isn't quite as well known as where you're from, so you may need to do some education alongside things."

"I'm Naru, by the by." She smiles warmly, confirming the lack of fear. "I.. that is an excellent question. And one I don't usually get asked. I have no idea. How about you?" What's good for the goose, is good for the gander.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a light chuckle. "Oh, that's something I'm learning is different from my expectations for a lot of people and things in this world," Chrono said. "And yes, on this world the TSAB isn't known well at all. But then, how could it be? When most people can't even see magic or remember it after it has appeared in their faces?" he asked.

And then his eyes wavered. Just for a moment. As she asked that question. What... type of magic is he? He wanted to say 'real' magic. But it wasn't that way, was it? Here he was.... another user of midchildian magic. But there were so, so many different types and styles. "Midchildean," he said though, answering her question.

... But even that didn't feel right. Was he? Truly? Midchildian? The magic, even his magic, worked differently here than it did back home... "It is a pleasure to meet you, Naru-san. And... you... have no idea?"

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I've always lived here, so to have magic as the exception rather than the rule feels normal to me." Naru explains with a little shrug. "But I can imagine how it's very jarring to those who grew up elsewhere to suddenly be in such a different culture and environment. Does it inhibit your own magical abilities to be stuck here?" The curiosity is endless, it seems.

The answer of 'real magic' wouldnt have surprised Naru, but she takes a moment to file that in with her mental rolodex. "Ahh yes. I've heard of that one before. Thank you."

Naru shakes her head at his question back to her. "No, I have no idea." She considers him a little more. "Are you at Radiant Heart?" She takes a guess, seems about the right age.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small nod. "Somewhat. Or... expands them. Alters them? It's... hard to quantify the result. If you don't mind me asking, why the curiousity? Not that I mind, I'm just surprised. Usually I'm the one asking the questions. You seem to be a curious sort," he said with a small smile. He obviously didn't mind that she was, it was just a thought in his mind that perhaps there was a reason she wished to know.

"You've... heard of midchildian magic before, but not the TSAB?" he asked. "That... is interesting. Wait... I don't suppose you've met a belkan by any chance, have you?" he asked, eyes narrowing slightly. Not hostile. Just... wary. Hannah always made him wary, now.

"Yes, I have been attending Radiant Heart, we've come to an arrangement. I take it you do as well? and... would you mind if I scan your linker core?"

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru blinks and then laughs softly. "Because it's absolutely fascinating." She declares. "I find the interactions between different forms.. or flavours.. of magic super interesting. Especially as the more people I talk to, the more unusual we seem to be here in having various forms working together. Most people who arrive here already comfortable with their magic are only generally familiar with their own type."

Naru's smile grows wry at that narrowing of his eyes at her. "I have, indeed, met a Belkan. I am given to understand that there's some level of .. rivalry."

Naru considers the request, answering the easy part first. "Yes.. I'm also there. Grade nine. I don't even have your name, let alone what grade you're in." She nods after a moment. "You may, provided you tell me what it says."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah. I uhhh... imagine the age barrier does make it a bit more difficult for... most... to attain the level of expertise and training that one such as I have. Considering, well... I had teachers. And an academy to learn at. Most were not quite so fortunate to have such things and I... admittedly... have likely taken it more for granted than I ever realized."

Honestly, he likely hadn't.

"I wouldn't call it a... rivalry, as it were. I hear most midchildians and belkans get along well. I've just... met very few who didn't desire to punch me or challenge me to an honor duel." Pause. "Not in a violent manner. Just... friendly. Intentioned." He gets punched by belkans a lot. Or did. He... always seemed to run into the vocal outliers.

He blinked... "... Time... space... administrative bureau... enforcer... Chrono Harlaown," he said. Before flashing his ID a second time. "I suppose that is a lot of information to take in all at once though, isn't it?"

Naru Osaka has posed:
"As best as I've determined, there's no actual magic lessons." Naru confirms with a nod. "It makes learning, especially between different forms, absolute chaos." She pauses a moment, thoughtful. "Anyhow.. yes.. you were very fortunate."

"Ahhh." Naru accepts that the Belkans tended to say hello with their fists. "That makes a lot of sense based on the Belkans I've met." Even just the one.

"Sorry, yes." Naru looks apologetic as she looks at the ID again. "I admit I mostly was catching that it wasn't Obsidian without really catching your name on it. When you're not familiar wiht the TSAB, it's a lot at once. I've got it now, though. Thank you."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown couldn't help but agree with her. While he kept that gentle, soft smile on his face when he said it... he couldn't help but agree with her. There really wasn't any magic lessons. In fact, magic in this world seemed entirely off the wall and he had no idea how ANY of them figured it out. His required so much complex math algorithms as it was and sometimes it felt like even that was getting too difficult at times.

Still, he kept that gentle, public facing smile on his lips. "Indeed. It is part of why I have been trying to spread what training I can about midchildian magic to others who practice it, as they may require the advantage."

His smile did go up just a hint at her mention of his summarization matching the belkans she'd met. He kept his comments on it to himself. His head STILL hurt after her 'honor of house steiner' skull colided with his own.

He did, however, tense up when she mentioned Obsidian. "I see. Are you... a part of that organization?" he asked. "And if you need it again, that's no problem. You may call me Chrono or Harlaown or Enforcer, whichever is easiest for you, Naru-san."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"No, I'm not part of Obsidian." Naru shakes her head, and for any other tactful niceties that they might be dancing around, that answer is an easy one. "It's a pleasure to meet you Chrono."

"If I've met other midchildian magic users, they haven't identified themselves as such in our conversation." Naru is thoughtful and then holds up her hands. "Granted, most are much more circumspect about sharing their alteregos with me, which is absolutely their right to privacy."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown was, at least, relieved to hear that. He wasn't certain that everyone in obsidian was bad... but he suspected that the organization had its fair share of less than moral people.

"You haven't? If you don't mind me asking, where did you hear of us from, then?" he asked. "And that makes sense. Perhaps in the future I'll try and create such a thing. It feels... strange, however. My duty is to protect others and be there for them to call on. The notion of making it... harder... to find me? Feels foreign and dangerous. Not an idea I consider fondly."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"From a Belkan." Naru flashes a grin. "And based on your expression, I'm going to make a guess that its probably the same Belkan who also goes to Radiant Heart. She's amazingly .. enthuisastic."

Naru gives a shrug. "You are under no obligation to, there's some people who are very protective of their alter ego, and some who are very free with their magical selves. The ones who are very protective view it as a means of security, such that they are not unduly targeted while they are in math class, for example." She considers and then notes. "If you are looking to be available to be called on, just give people your phone number to text you. It comes to you regardless of what form you're in, as long as you haven't lost your phone."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small nod, his smile wavering slightly. "Ah. Yes. Enthusiasm. That is certainly one thing many could say she is filled with." There were other things but he wasn't going to repeat them here.

"Speaking of numbers, however.... if you require mine? I've managed to imitate one using my device, it's XXX-XXX-XXXX. If you are ever in danger or require asssistance," he offered. What? he was an enforcer. ALWAYS ON DUTY.

He then took that moment to scan her and.... "Huh. Your linker core appears... normal. Not very strong, not entirely dormant, either. So... possibly capable?" he offered.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Thank you." Naru digs out her own phone and enters his number. She even sends a quick text so that he has hers as well. Complete with a smile emoji. "You probably dont want me harassing you /quite/ that often, but I appreciate the sentiment."

Naru mmms and nods. "That tracks with your scan. Thank you for that. I'm always curious as to how I'll turn up on various scans." She considers him a moment. "You're welcome to contact me as well. I"m not much help if you're in danger, but I am available if you want to chat."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown took the number and then blinked when he received an emoji. What... in the world? Why would she.... oh, that brought back weird memories he didn't want to focus on right now. "I'm happy to help when I can," he said with a gentle smile to her.

He was, admittedly, a little... confused though. He'd yet to meet someone with an active linker core but.... did she not have magic? Huh. Perhaps.... that was still a thing here. A rare thing. He glanced towards her after a moment. "Naru-san... if you'd like, I could share some information about Midchildian magic with you. Assuming you... don't... already have something you use. And as long as you agree to only use it for good." Also, something about her... core... confused him. Just a hint. Was it truly active? He wasn't... entirely... sure.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I would be very interested in sitting down and talking in more detail about Midchildian magic with you." Naru's smile is warm. "Regardless of my own magical abilities, I find magical theory to be a topic that is quickly becoming near and dear to my heart." She reaches a hand up to flatten against her chest as she speaks it. "I have no plans to go dark side of my own choosing."

Naru's magical signature, making people go 'hunh.. wait what?' since 2023.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded. Well, that at least was comforting. The fact she didn't want to use her powers for evil. Unlike some people. "I'd be delighted to speak with you about such things once I have more time available to me. As it is, I really should get back to my search. I wish you the best, Naru-san," he said before giving a polite bow and then taking off, flying away! She.... seemed nice. He kind of liked her. An interesting young lady.