910/Meeting 'The Counselor'

Meeting 'The Counselor'
Date of Scene:	21 December 2023
Location:	Administrative Office
Synopsis:	Chrono Harlaown, TSAB Enforcer, finally meets with Kyouka Inai, RHA Counselor. Can these two professionals manage to keep their emotions in line long enough to not murder each other?! ... Yes. Obviously. Why... why would anyone even ask that? Who WRITES these things?!
Cast of Characters:	Chrono Harlaown, Kyouka Inai

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Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown had, ironically, been guided here by a few of the other sparkle skirts. With all that had been going on, he just hadn't had the... well. The time. The energy. Any of that, really. But he'd finally decided to take the plunge, visiting the office of the woman after making an appointment.

He was, of course, on time. Giving a few quick knocks on the door. He was... possibly in the neetest, tidiest uniform Kyouka had ever seen. Everything was ironed out, his shirt perfectly tucked in, an undershirt with the collar perfectly fixed, even his tie was hand tied, not a clip on. Perfect posture and all.

And well. The way he walked was like a soldier... and the look he'd given her. "You are the one they call 'The Counselor', correct? Of a magical nature? My apologies if too blunt, but if you're not I'd like to know quickly rather than risk causing you harm."

Kyouka Inai has posed:
    Kyouka wasn't even unfamiliar with Chrono, at least by reputation. She had seen him at the big meeting prior to the Soryuu Shrine incident, but even before that she had been hearing his name from others, primarily Naru. It's not that she hadn't wanted to speak to him or was avoiding him- more just that there's been a lot going on, and she only has so much time for appointments that serve no purpose beyond introductions.

    However now that that whole situation is resolved, there's a little more breathing room. When he had requested an appointment, it had seemed like an easy and logical thing to grant it, and be here when the time arrived.

    Behind her desk, looking vaguely amused by the kid's uptight appearance (especially given her own much more casual vibe), she wastes no time in answering him. "I prefer Inai-san.. or Arbiter, if you're looking for titles. Counselor is just my day-job. But yes, that's me."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded and then there was a light flash. And... he henshined. Right in front of her. Standing in his black uniform, rod in hand, spikes coming out of his shoulders. He held out his left hand and a holographic display ID formed. "Ah. Then this will be fine. I am Time-Space administration bureau enforcer, Chrono Harlaown. If you wouldn't mind me asking, Inai-san, how aware are you of the TSAB?"

He walked forward, taking a seat in front of her, sitting at full alert. Resting his staff over his lap.

Kyouka Inai has posed:
    Kyouka doesn't seem terribly shocked by Chrono's henshin- after all, sensing magic is part of her basic kit. She does regard his uniform, and the holographic ID presented, with some interest though. "I know they're the type of organization which thinks giving kids legal authority is a smart move." She says wryly, with a lopsided smirk.

    She holds up a hand quickly. "I'm kidding." I mean, she's not, because the evidence is right in front of her, but what she's trying to say is that she doesn't find that as objectionable as her smart-ass statement might have led one to believe. "I've heard of the TSAB. But my jurisdiction, by and large, is Tokyo. So there's not a whole lot of overlap, in my experience."

    She tilts her head. "Are you here on official business, or is this more of a ... holiday?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown just stared at her. If he was offended, he showed no signs of it. He had that calm, relaxed, business smile on his face. "You're not incorrect. Normally, the TSAB attempts to avoid this space, it's very.... anti-TSAB. Our magic doesn't function as well, our ships are destroyed when they arrive and any agents that end up trapped here are considered MIA at best."

"... In fact, we weren't nearly as aware of the magical situation until now. But no, this isn't a holiday. I was in pursuit of a Lost Logia, one which could destroy this dimension, as well as many adjacent, when our ship was destroyed upon arrival. I am still working on a way to return home, though I am, honestly, unsure if such a thing is possible."

"For the time being, I've adopted the role of student here, and have worked things out with the Headmistress. Not many on the faculty who I can make aware of the situation, but I hear you are one of them. I felt introducing myself before the next big disaster starts was ideal."

Kyouka Inai has posed:
    "If this place liked to play by the rules, it wouldn't need Arbiters, now would it?" Kyouka says, with a dry laugh. It's very difficult to tell if that's supposed to be some kind of joke (an Arbiter being, in legal terms, someone who resolves disputes) or some kind of cryptic statement about her magical origin.

    She does look interested at the news of a Lost Logia that is capable of destroying dimensions. "Is that so?" She muses, idly twisting her fingers together. "And what exactly is this Lost Logia, if you don't mind me asking? If it's that dangerous, you should at least give me a description so if I happen upon it, or upon news of it, I'll know what I'm dealing with."

    She then nods her head in reply to the fact that he can make her aware of things. "I have the Headmistress' confidence." Perhaps a bit of an overstatement, but at least in the vicinity of truth. "And I like to think I can be trusted when disasters start rolling in. So I'm glad we finally found the time for formal introductions."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown just stared at her. Barely blinking. He had the soldier smile down perfectly. "Is... the type of magic you wield known as 'arbiters'? I will be honest. In the dimensional space the TSAB monitors? Things like sailor senshi, pretty cures, puella magi and countless others do not exist or, if they do, are considered little more than myths. So if that is a reference, I am afraid it's not one I am familiar with, aside from the legal term of arbitration."

"The jewel seeds are crystals of great power that are from a lost civilization that... well... to be blunt? Extincted themselves. There are a few people currently on this planet I can trust to bind them, but in general when they go off? It will alert myself and any operatives in the vicinity. In that event, the best goal is to try and remove any bystanders before they get hurt and bind the jewel seed before it can go critical."

"On the note of 'trusted', however... I was under the impression that adults were unable to know about magic. I take it that you are another loophole? From what I can tell, you don't appear to be an ageless entity."

Kyouka Inai has posed:
    Kyouka actually looks somewhat interested at the notion that the various types of magic-user so common on Earth, or at least in Tokyo, are unknown in the wider universe. She's fairly certain the Senshi at least exist throughout the rest of the solar system, although perhaps not recently- or until recently again, as the case may be. "It's a bit complicated to explain," She says evasively, playing it off as though it's not a big deal, "But yes, the type of magic-user that I am is called an Arbiter, and yes, we are another sort of loophole. There are only two of us, and we play a specific role. Part of that role is networking, which is why I consider it important than we're having this discussion."

    She considers the information about the Jewel Seeds, and gives a little shrug. "Oh, I see. Yet another incredibly dangerous magical device that could wipe out humanity if it falls into the wrong hands. Got it, check. If I happen to find any, I'll be sure to let you know." That last part might seem flippant, but she's dead serious. She doesn't want humanity wiped out, either, y'know.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small nod. "A matching set of two? I see. I don't suppose that means there is yourself and then your support? Or would you say there is you, and one opposite you?" he asked. He hoped for the former... but... considering the time he'd been on this world? He suspected the latter.

Chrono then gave a sigh that would have made any airline pilot proud. "Indeed. I must admit, I expected there to be one, maybe two world destroying artifacts on this planet. It really has come to my surprise that this entire world seems to be positively brimming with artifacts that can rewrite the very rules of reality. I imagine you have seen enough at this point to make even my own career seem tame in comparison. I do hope that the two of us can work well together, Inai-san. Networking is always very important in situations like this."

Kyouka Inai has posed:
    "Let's just say that our boss likes to ensure that his influence is.. evenly available." Kyouka says, with a little sigh. "Opposite? Maybe, though that seems a bit harsh. My colleague and I are more like siblings who don't see eye to eye on a lot of issues. I'm sure you'll meet her eventually.. or maybe not." A mild shrug. "It's not really important."

    She gives a dry chuckle. "Well, I wouldn't go quite that far. Destroy the world? Yeah maybe. All of reality? Probably only a couple of those. It's true we have several apocalypsi a year around these parts, but look on the bright side- so far we've survived all of them. I'm fully confident we will continue to do so. And if we don't, then I suppose we'll all be dead and beyond caring anyway." She grins. "That's a joke. I have no intention of dying, or letting anybody else die on my watch. I know I saw you at the Shed, so you're aware of it. Please feel free to make use of the facilities."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown cocked an eye at that. Don't see eye to eye? "Ah... is she your Catra then?" Pause. "Ah, nevermind. That's just... a term at this point. There seem to be many on both sides. So much easier when arresting the criminals and getting them proper mental care was the goto way to deal with this. Dark energy truly does make it more difficult."

Chrono gave a small shrug. "Reality, at least here, seems to be an ever shifting thing. I've found myself stuck making quite a large number of adjustments since my arrival. But I've been fortunate enough to be able to keep up for the time being. I hav no intentions of letting this world die. Or any other. I am just grateful the reality warping seems to, for the most part, be on our side."

He slowly got to his feet and then offered a hand. He wore metal gauntlets. Who did that? And why did he look like a final fantasy villain? What was the TSAB thinking?

"I look forward to working with you, Inai-san. I'm sure we'll find there's plenty for us to offer each other."

Kyouka Inai has posed:
    "If you want to try and arrest Fuyuko and give her proper mental care, you have my full support." Kyouka says, deadpan. "Girl's been in need of that for a decade, I just don't know any good psychologists. Either way, I'm sure I have no idea what you mean. Suffice it to say that our interests are both aligned and in opposition, and generally it depends on the time of day." She smirks. "But as far as you need to be concerned- I am genuinely invested in helping this school and its students. You don't need to worry about that."

    She quirks a brow at the notion of reality warping, wondering perhaps if he's being literal. Or maybe he's just not used to miracles.

    She doesn't seem to find the metal gauntlets strange. Maybe she thinks they're cool. She takes his hand and shake sit. "I'm always happy to have competent help." She says, with a smile, in a way that absolutely does not make it sound like she just hired Chrono at the end of a job interview.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded. "If I meet any, I'll direct them to you to get her in contact with," he offered.

Still, it was a relief to know somebody else at this school was able to... interact with magic in such a manner. And since she was aware of the shed and everything else... well...

"Same. Competence is something the TSAB has always valued highly... regardless of its age, species or appearance," Chrono said, with just the slightest hint of teasing to his tone. A response to her earlier comment on hiring children? Certainly not from mister super soldier! Definitely.

He certainly wasn't used to miracles, at least.

"If you need to contact me, my number is XXX-XXX-XXXX. My device is emulating a cell phone for the time being. It was a pleasure, Inai-san. If there's nothing else, I'll let you return to your other work."

Kyouka Inai has posed:
    Kyouka nodded her head, then reached into her desk and pulled out one of her business cards. "Here, take this. If you need to contact me." The card has her name, position, and phone number on it, over and embossed RHA logo. She takes a moment to write his contact information down as well, before glancing back up at him.

    "No, it's been a pleasure, Chrono-kun. I've heard good things about you from some people I trust, and I expect I will continue to do so. I hope we can be useful to each other in the future."

    She smiles. "Have a good day, and don't work too hard, huh?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a nod, taking the card and... then stared at it for a moment. Was there... magic on it? He only hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Thank you," he said, sliding it into his sleeve. Gotta love that magic sleight of hand.

"And I've heard plenty of good things about you, Inai-san. Hopefully things will be a little calm before the next storm. At least for a little bit," he said before giving a light chuckle. He held now doubts that another storm was on its way... but hopefully there was a tiny reprive.

"I assure you I will work no more than I can bear and, fortunately, I have managed to accrue enough of a support network here that I can even take the occasional day off. Good day," Chrono said before giving a small bow and turning, heading out from her office.