Scene #1404:

Owner	Pose
Naru Osaka	"It's an interesting theory.. don't you think?" Naru is asking of Adrien as the pair of them step into the Shed, clearly in the midst of a conversation. Naru had been chatting with Kyouka about theoretical magic earlier in the day, and apparently the idea hasn't quite let go of her yet. "I mean.. sure, neither of us know of any 'glimpsing the past' magic, but it feels like a niche that's probably out there. It'd sure make history classes more interesting. Naru opens the door of the Shed, stepping in and turning away from chatting with Adrien. A gasp and Naru stops dead in the doorway. The same girl who isn't at all phased by a wide selection of monsters. Who calmly chatted with the various demons trying to kill her via the pre-redemption Shitennou. Frozen, with wide eyes as she stares at a new addition to the Shed.
Adrien Agreste	"From what little I know of String Theory," Adrien adds as he steps up behind Naru, arm extending to catch the door of the shed as she preceeds him, "It'd be easier to look back to the past than it would be to the multiple possibilities of the future. It would be interesting to see certainly-- Naru?" His gaze was down toward the top of her head as she stops completely with that little gasp forcing him to stop lest he walk right into her. Concerned, he lifts his glance to look past her into the room only to see the ominous sight of a coffin. No, not a coffin. A mirror shaped like a coffin with someone trapped inside. His arms instantly drop down to wrap around Naru from behind. "It's okay, Naru," he murmers against the top of her head placing a gentle kiss there. Even though he offers such words he has to wonder if it really WAS okay. That was... Not okay. In a lot of ways.
Sugata Shindo	Also in the Shed is one Sugata Shindo, leaning against a desk, examining the magical device Guardian Daifuku had managed to recover. At the sound of gasping and reassurance, he looks up. "We're fairly certain she's alive. Some boy with lightning powers did that to her, though, and breaking the mirror didn't work, so we decided to bring her here in the hopes someone else would know how to fix her. Guardian Daifuku went looking for a sheet to cover her up with; we imagine it'd be less gruesome that way."
Naru Osaka	"Wh.." Naru is still staring at it as she leans back into Adrien as he wraps his arms around her. "What.. why.. what is it doing here?" As if Adrien is likely to know. She gives a shudder. Right down to her toes. "Ugh.. is that what it looks like from the outside?" It takes Naru a moment to realize that someone else is talking to them and actually answering the question she asked. "I.. yes. She's alive. If the gods are kind, she'll be unconscious by now."
Adrien Agreste	Adrien Agreste tucks his chin on top of Naru's head just allowing her the time she needs to lean in against him. The presence of Sugata is noticed as well with a quick flick of his green eyes toward the other boy whom he flashes a small, tight smile at by way of greeting. "Naru's been caught in mirrors before. It's not a pleasant experience," he explains, and with a gentle tone he adds toward the girl in his arms, "She looks like she's asleep. I don't think she's aware right now, dear." Hopefully that would reassure her just a bit. Hopefully. Since the girl in question is still very much leaning against him and they're lingering in the doorway he straightens just a bit. Enough that he can bend his knees to catch his arm beneath hers before standing again tucking her in against his chest. Who cared if Sugata saw him treating Naru with kid gloves? He steps inside taking care to angle Naru's face away from the mirror as he moves to a seat to gently place her into it. "Want me to get you anything? Coffee? Croissant? Cat?" It's offered teasingly but... Well. He was trying to get her mind off it a little. Looking over toward Sugata he introduces, "I'm Adrien Agreste, this is Naru Osaka. We're 'in the know' but not powered ourselves." A lie. For him at least, but that was his 'cover story.' That he was like Naru.
Sugata Shindo	So she was alive. That was good - a relief, that the coffin was a gaudy display rather than a real promise. Sugata hadn't been willing to raise the suggestion with the other two, given the sight they'd seen together, but having more information was never a bad thing. He's not going to judge someone's weak stomach, nor the helper offering them support; Takuto was too quick to help the weak and suffering for him to do it without hypocrisy, and besides - "Sugata Shindo," he dips his head in greeting. "Wako-chan's told me about Osaka-san." A pause, and then he says, with a grimace, "Ginga Kingu." Galactic King, and also, obviously fitting with Ginga Bishounen and Ginga Otome. "Takuto and Wako picked it."
Naru Osaka	"It's /awful/." Naru confirms. "Well.. it's awful when you're awake in there." She is tiny enough to be easily scooped up into Adrien's arms and deposited into a seat where she's not staring at the mirrored coffin. It's for the best. The teasing is excellent distraction and Naru manages a little smile. "Are you only offering things that start with C?" She asks of Adrien before Sugata's introduction penetrates her somewhat more hazy than usual thoughts. "Oh! YOU'RE Sugata!" Naru turns then to look at Sugata more fully, considering him from top to bottom and then nodding, as if confirming things that Wako has shared.
Adrien Agreste	"'C' is a very good letter. I could go down the alphabet though if that would help." Adrien is very much teasing over this, but it got a grin from Naru, and that was a start. With her seated he pulls over a chair for himself to sit next to her letting one arm slide around her shoulders just on the back of her chair. He doesn't hold her tight, or pull her closer: That's up to her. It does allow him to face Sugata more without twisting around all over the place. He was also acting as a further block to Naru turning to look at the mirror by how he positions himself. "Ah, Sugata! Yes, they spoke of you quite a lot. Welcome to Tokyo. I'm sure they're happy to have you here." The grimace at his name gets a sympathetic smile. "It's not so bad, honestly."
Sugata Shindo	Hm. If Wako and Takuto knew one half of this obvious couple, wasn't it likely that they'd know the other? Adrien is giving a long glance, studied for a moment, before recognition dawns in Sugata's eyes. "You're the model my fiance and boyfriend took to the spa," Sugata says dryly, "You're shorter in person." But,,, Sugata,,, he's tall,,, "It's terrible; you don't have to spare me - they knew what they were doing when they chose it. It was my own mistake, letting them choose my name." He knows what he did, and it's not like either of his partners regrets their choice for a moment. Given that the two of them are seated, he steps over to join them, pulling a chair from one of the old desks. Right now, he's dressed down, in slacks and a pale green button down, a deeper green vest completing the ensemble. He holds out his hand, revealing the compact. "We're fairly certain this is her magical device. Either of you recognize anything like this?"
Naru Osaka	"I mean.. C IS for coffee." Naru points out to Adrien as she twists in the seat to lean generally towards him. Added advantage of being able to not look towards the coffin. Mirror. Mirror. Naru looks at the compact and frowns a little, shaking her head. "I don't.." She looks to Adrien, he might have more insight than she does. "The device of the girl in.. the.. mirror?" Naru asks, curiously. There's a little laugh, even if its a little shaky yet and Naru gestures between the pair of them. "Both of you are tall from this perspective." She is, truthfully, tiny.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien Agreste accepts the remark about his height with an easy going laugh at the very least. "If my father is any indication I should end up fairly tall, but I'm not in a rush." Amused, he adds to clarify the position on being taken to the spa, "I was actually there on my own and ran into them. Naru was visiting her mother that day. I'd never been to a Japanese spa before and wanted to see if they lived up to the hype." When Naru leans in against him he dutifully acts as a resting spot for her to lean against. The arm that had been on the back of her chair wraps lgihtly around her back and shoulders to help support her. The fact that his smile deepens is purely coincidental. Then things become serious again causing his smile to slip to a more serious regard. Unfortunately he can only shake his head in response. "It's not familiar to me. It's not uncommon to have an item of some sort that allows a transformation though. Like jewelry or..." His free hand gestures lightly at the decorative device. "That looks like one of those compacts I've seen advertised that you can decorate to look like cakes." "Did you see who did this to her?"
Sugata Shindo	At Naru's point, Sugata has to smile a little, shaking his head. Score one for Naru; compared to her petite frame, they were both giants. "Yes, the girl in the mirror. By the time I arrived on the scene, she was already in there; another girl, Cure Fortune, was battling a boy with red hair in a white coat, while another Guardian Daifuku tried to break the mirror to free her. She wasn't successful, and neither was I." Yes, he had King's Pillar'd the mirror after the fight, yes, he does need to rest up before he can transform again, what about it? "I'd never seen him, and neither had Sailor Mars. The other girl - Cure Fortune, I believe Daifuku labeled her - vanished before we could question her about the matter."
Naru Osaka	"I.." Naru starts as she frowns thoughtfully, leaning into Adrien. "I have absolutely no idea how they got me out of it. I might have been mostly cocscious, but only mostly and it's really hard to see what's going on outside." She shivers again, the memories are not good. Not even a little. "I know there was a fight though, and then I'd end up falling out wickedly drained." "It was different each time, on how I got into it though." Naru makes a face. "Maybe you need to defeat whoever summoned it?" She speculates but by her tone, it's wholly that. Speculation.
Adrien Agreste	"The one that I was there for they defintely defeated the youma that had captured you, Naru." The information is supplied casually though he doesn't exactly explain how he was there at the time. She would know. "It's as good a guess as any. If there were that many of you there though, it sounds as if this person is very strong." He pauses considering, before shaking his head a single time. "The only one I know of that wears a white coat also has white hair. Riventon wasn't it?" It's Naru he looks at questioningly for that answer. She knew EVERYONE. Or close to it. "It sounds like we need to find this 'Cure Fortune' or someone who may know, though."
Sugata Shindo	"I doubt he was that strong," Sugata says bluntly, "He ran like a coward when he realized it wouldn't be easy to make off with the girl. The bigger problem is..." And he falls silent for a moment, thinking of how to phrase this. The subject is alarming, but that doesn't mean he wants to panic anyone... "When he escaped the battlefield, it was through a portal. And for just a moment, as he was entering, we saw - what appeared to be another location. With dozens of mirrors, just like this. The ones closest to the portal, we could absolutely confirm were filled with people like her. I can confirm it ''wasn't'' Riventon." A scowl. "But aside from that? Cure Fortune may be our only lead, unlesss someone else turns up with information."
Naru Osaka	"No.. it's not Riventon's style at all." Naru shakes her head and then Sugata confirms it. "He doens't toss people into mirrors. It was something about terrible? Or terrors?" She frowns again, trying to remember. And then Sugata drops his reality bomb and Naru just blinks at him. And blinks a second time, freshly shocked into silence. At least for a moment. "Doz.. dozens?" She asks quietly.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien Agreste squeezes his arm around Naru a bit tighter at that revelation. The smiles that came so easily to him had faded entirely as he just stares at Sugata letting all that was revealed sink in slowly. Dozens. A portal wasn't big to begin with typically so to see that many from such a small area meant there might be more. "That is serious. Finding out who this person is should be a priority, as well as how to free the others." Hopefully they COULD be freed. "Do we know any other of these 'cures'? If we can't find Cure Fortune perhaps another could help." His attention shifts back to Naru with a clearly worried frown as the topic wasn't a great one. "... Are you going to be okay? I can walk you back to your dorm," he offers quietly. "You don't have to be involved in this one."
Sugata Shindo	"Dozens, if not more. It could be a front, a powerplay to make us question if we really want to fight him, but that isn't the impression I got." No, unfortunately, he doesn't think this is a bluff. "I don't know any other cures, but Guardian Daifuku left a note on one of the boards," he gestures. "We're hoping someone will have ideas on what could help. I'm going to ask Wako-chan to try purification, but if that doesn't work, we're officially out of ideas."
Naru Osaka	Naru settles back against Adrien as she shivers anew just thinking about many girls trapped in many mirrors for.. well.. possibly forever. Yeah, that's a hard no. "I dont know many Cures.. Cure Wukong, but I'm not sure how to get a hold of her." For once, it's someone that Naru doens't know both identities of. Naru gives a little shake of her head to Adrien. "It's okay. I mean.. its not okay that people are trapped, but I'm okay." She's only mostly okay, but she's willing to fake it. Naru nods to Shugata at the mention of the note. "Hopefully someone will have more ideas."
Mamoru Chiba	'Someone will have more ideas' -- on cue, the door opens to admit another CLAMP noodle, but this one doesn't have red or blue hair. This one's just Chiba Mamoru, who, on opening the door, pauses. He looks at the gathered teenagers. He looks at the mirror coffin. He surveys Sugata for a puzzled moment, then looks at the mirror coffin again. Then he looks at Naru. "Are you okay?" is the first thing he asks, actually. He closes the door behind him.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien Agreste doesn't look as if he outright believes Naru's remark of being all right. "Still. You don't have to." He was trying to think of ways to help when the door opens and Mamoru steps in. He's really not surprised to see the tall dark haired boy who was found often in the dorm next to his here of all places. "I think we were just about to go get some coffee perhaps," he remarks casually with a half-smile as he gives an excuse that isn't 'get Naru away from this horrible thing.'
Sugata Shindo	CLAMP noodle looks at CLAMP noodle. A long moment of silent contemplation - this boy, Sugata doesn't think he's seen any particular photos of, so no memory sparks, but he's in the know, and so he shrugs. "There's a notice on the board about the situation, but we're getting a sheet to make her less of a shock," a nod towards the mirror in the corner.
Naru Osaka	"I mean.. I'm not in there." Naru doens't look at the mirrored coffin in question at Mamoru's query. "Soooo.. yes? Ish? Not really. But ther'es /dozens/." Naru looks up at Mamoru, not explaining, because apparently he somehow is just going to know what on earth she's talking about. She gestures towards Sugata, because somehow that is going to help make it all make sense. Naru glances to Adrien and then nods to him. "Coffee sounds good."
Mamoru Chiba	"--yes go good go get coffee," Mamoru says to Naru and Adrien firmly. There's a mild amount of 'what the hell are you even still doing in here' to that, and he comes in the rest of the way and bows very slightly to Sugata. "Mamoru Chiba, grade 11. Would you help me move the tree in front of the mirror? It's a little awkward."
Adrien Agreste	"Absolutely." Adrien leans in to press a kiss to Naru's cheek gently before he rises holding a hand out to her in offering. He's still doing his utmost to keep himself bodily between her and the mirror so that he can at least be a physical buffer. "Apparently there's a post on the board, but Sugata here knows more about it as well." The tall noodle in question is given an apologetic glance. "It was good to finally meet you. If you ever need to find me, I'm usually around the dorms or at fencing practice," he offers. "When I'm not at a shoot at least." With that, he nods toward Mamoru as well with a flashed smile and a promise of, "I'll take care of her."
Sugata Shindo	"...Sugata Shindo, also grade 11," Sugata says after giving Mmaoru a look over. Interesting. Tokyo really does have everything. Monsters. Candy shops. Long-long heirs who show up out of nowhere and attend your school." At the request, Sugata stands to help. "... it will help to cover the sheet, so we might as well. POnce Daifuku-san is here, it'll represent a second layer of protection to keep peopel from tripping over themselves in shock." Naru and Adrien get a curt nod in farewell. "The girl inside was imprisoned by a boy with red hair, a white coat, and red lightning powers. Sound familiar?"
Chiyo Sakai	As Naru and Adrien head out, it's only a moment before another figure returns. Chiyo slips inside just before the door shuts carrying with her a bag and looking a bit flustered. She pauses a moment, leaning to peek out the door before finally just shutting it. Firmly. And twisting the knob a few times to make sure it was indeed SHUT. Finally she turns around shaking her head a bit. "I'm sorry I took so long, Sugata. I ..." Ah, and Mamoru was here now as well. She sucks in a deep breath, and lets it out slowly. "I think someone was following me for a bit. It took me awhile to shake them." Her fingers fiddle with the bag as she watches the pair moving the tree. "Sorry. I should have gotten back sooner," she says with another sigh as she finally withdraws a sheet. A hot pink sheet with Hello Kitty all over it. "Don't laugh," she demands of the pair looking a bit red-faced at the reveal. "It's an old one but it was the only solid color one that I didn't think would make it easy to see through to the mirror." And the girl within.
Mamoru Chiba	"Sounds like Inai-sensei, but she's not a boy and she's on our side," Mamoru says, crouching down next to the tree. "I'll get the base if you make sure it doesn't topple. What is it with red hair and white coats--" he starts as he also starts moving the tree. "Hi, Chiyo-chan! A sheet, I see, I see... someone was following you? What fresh hell--" Once the tree's actually ''moved'', Mamoru brushes dust off his hands and eyes the tree distrustfully. But then he looks to Sugata again, eyebrows up. "Shindo-san, pleased to meet you. I'm also Tuxedo Kamen, for what it's worth, and I used to be Hematite, but I'm feeling better. If... any of that means anything to you. What's this about dozens? Should I just read the note?"
Sugata Shindo	"I've got the top then. Let's go -" and with a heavy, they get the tree across the room and into place, blocking most of the mirror by the time Chiyo is in the room and the Shed's door is closed. The Christmas tree is eclectic and odd, and it's no longer the season, but Sugata isn't bothered by it. It's big enough to hide most of the mirror. "Ginga Kingu," this time he says it stoically, as if it doesn't hurt his soul, "Wako-chan's fiance and Takuto-kun's boyfriend, as they'll probably have described me." It's an accurate description! "The note would be helpful, but we were both there. The red haired boy presumably attacked the girl in the mirror, we drove him off, and as he was leaving, we saw that the portal he travels through had dozens more of these mirrors. And it seemed like they might all have a victim."
Chiyo Sakai	Chiyo Sakai steps forward with the now-unfolded sheet draped over her forearms. The tree did hide a good deal of the coffin shaped mirror, but it was rather large since it was holding an actual person inside it. The tree tapered thinner at the top and larger at the bottom while the coffin-mirror did the reverse. It was mostly hidden. Mostly. "Here," she offers lifting the Hello Kitty sheet in offering. "The least we can do is give the girl some privacy so she's not on display." 'Like an object' goes unsaid. "The tree does help too," she has to admit. For now she doesn't bother focusing on that unnerving feeling of being followed as the topic is on this issue instead. She just nods with her lips pursed together tight. "There were a lot of mirrors in there. I'm not sure where the portal went or how large the area was." Which is to say it could have been very large. An shiver runs through her recalling. "It reminded me of a Witch Maze only just full of mirrors."
Mamoru Chiba	"Oh, I haven't really met Takuto... Tsunashi, right? But Wako-chan put up with me a lot more than I deserved when I was working for the wrong side," Mamoru says cheerfully. He does ''not'' laugh at Ginga Kingu. It would be ''terribly'' hypocritical. "I'd give you my other name, too, but the last time I did that it got me lectured. It ''is'' very good to meet you." That said, and said again, Mamoru takes the sheet from Chiyo and carefully puts it over the coffin-shaped mirror. "Sorry," he tells the girl in the mirror, "we're not going to forget you, it's just probably less embarrassing if people aren't staring, isn't it?" Then he sticks his hands in his pockets and straightens up a bit. "Full of mirrors that have people in them. But Naru's been in mirrors before, and it's definitely someone who's in Obsidian, so if we can't find out who the guy is by asking around hero-side, there are some options later when certain things have cooled down. I don't think I can ask my brother right now, he had my old jacket and it turned into a youma and tried to catch me."
Sugata Shindo	"It's a cute sheet," Sugata says genuinely. "And... given her compact, she might like cute things. I'm sure it's more comforting than a white sheet would be. More humanizing, too. It sounds like, worst comes to worst, we just have to defeat the boy who did this." Why does he say defeat like it's something more permanent? Don't worry about it. "And yes, Tsunashi. He and Wako made Tokyo sound interesting enough to come check it out." Oh yes, that's all it was, and that's all anyone is getting. "...and if your brother isn't going to be of any help, it'd be wise not to tell him there's a problem in the first place." A longer pause, as something finally clicks - "...you said someone was following you?" This isn't Southern Cross Island, and their enemies aren't also the children they grew up with, wanting to break Wako's seal and take power. It's... not normal, actually, to run the risk of getting followed.
Chiyo Sakai	"You're right, she probably does like cute things." Chiyo's attention shifts to the compact device that had been picked up during the fight to regard it a moment. It was the girl in the mirrors, after all, and she wanted to make sure it was kept near at the very least. "I'm not sure if it's better or worse that we don't know who she is. I can be calmer about the situation this way, but I also feel as if she deserves someone to be angry for her." A step back is taken until she feels her legs bump up against one of the tables. She knew it was there, just hadn't been paying attention, but she was intending to sit anyway. Her hands rest against the sides taking up a little bit of a lean instead. Sugata's question draws her attention out of her thoughts with a soft, "Mm? Yeah, I think so. I didn't really notice anyone until I got to the shop but when I left again I felt like I was being watched." Here she pauses uncertainly, "I thought maybe I was just being paranoid so I took a few different streets and then changed my direction quickly to make sure, and I'm certain I saw someone duck out of my sight. Mostly a shadow." With a sigh she mutters, "Nothing happened. It was just creepy." Looking to Mamoru her eyebrow raises with an amused grin. "Wait, that old green jacket of yours? I thought Usagi-chan burned it or turned it into a body pillow or something."
Mamoru Chiba	"Nah I left it in Riventon's lab the day I left. Couple hours later, half the city's worth of mahoujin came after me, so I had bigger things to worry about," Mamoru says breezily, and he waves a hand at Sugata. "I won't ask him about the red haired red lightning guy in the white coat until it's somewhat less of a stupid idea to do so, don't worry. When it's time to make a problem a bigger problem, I'll do it, then let you know so you can do all the defeating you think is necessary." His tone is mild. Then Mamoru squints at Chiyo. "Do you want an escort next time you leave campus in the evening? There ''is'' a vampire, drinks blood ''and'' energy, and he's really unfairly strong. He managed to pin me in henshin. Granted, I was tired, but still."
Sugata Shindo	"It might sound cold but the fact that this happened to someone we ''don't'' know is our only benefit. Now we know that there's someone coming after people like us, trapping people in a state of suspended animation, and hiding them away in a storage site? Alternate dimension?" Sugata shakes his head. "There are too many people who go missing in Tokyo for us to have a hope of identifying which one she is. But it might be possible to start identifying who could be possible victims, now." She was their early alarm system. A warning for the rest of them to keep on their guard. A pause. A long one. "Your brother tried to steal Wako-chan's soul, so unfortunately, I imagine we're going to be on opposite sides of that, if you're the sort of sibling who prefers to keep their sibling alive." He's only ever known one person with a sibling, actually, so he's not sure. "Not a threat, but it seems fair enough, if we're plausibly allies." And that said, he focuses on Chiyo. "Next time that happens, you should consider hitting them with your hammer. And if you need back up, I'll give you my number. Wako and Takuto's too."
Chiyo Sakai	Chiyo Sakai actually pales a little when Mamoru reminds her of that particular individual stalking through the city. "I forgot about that," she murmers looking far more uneasy than she had before. Even if she was a magical girl there was still something creepy about being followed given she was still a girl to begin with. Mixed with the fact that she'd almost managed to convince herself it was in her head? The reminder there was something actually out there stalking people, twice over, leaves her looking more than a bit uneasy. "... Yes, I think I might want an escort next time," she admits with a firm nod. Sugata's suggetion as well earns a nod of agreement. "Okay, yes. Yeah. I'm so used to living at home but now I'm living in the dorms and traveling more at night. Not as Daifuku, even. I should be more careful." She does grin though, adding, "I'll be sure to knock whoever it is out if I get the chance." For now she shifts back to her feet properly and turns toward the door. "For now I think back to the dorms. Unfortunately there is school tomorrow."
Mamoru Chiba	"No, that's fair," Mamoru says reasonably. "He's either going to stop being the way he is or he's going to get himself killed. If it's the latter, you'd be doing me a favor by preempting, say, my girlfriend or boyfriend doing it." A beat. "If he ''does'' divest himself of all the dark energy and come to understand what a phenomenal prick he is and ''stop being one'', and you still try to kill him, I'll end up fighting you... but that's a pretty big if." Finally, Mamoru goes over to a corner desk and picks up an ebook reader. "Left this here," he says. "I'll ask around about the attacker and if I find anything out, I'll put it up on the board too. And-- yeah. I'm supposed to have an escort whenever I leave campus these days, so if the timing's right, we can escort each other. It'll be great." He starts for the door, too, then hesitates for a second. "My number's on the board," he tells Sugata, then. "Text me if you want me to have yours. I told my roommate I'd be back five minutes ago. See you around."
Sugata Shindo	A man of wisdom. Sugata inclines his head, accepting that agreement. "If he did all of that, Wako and Takuto would be disappointed if I didn't back down." Notably, that doesn't mean he will back down. "If the two of you can escort each other, that works. And if not - don't hesitate to call, Chiyo-san. Worst case scenario, I could call a car for you. No reason to stay alone if you're ever nervous." Coffin mirrors, vampires, and mad scientists. Tokyo has everything. Not that everything's settled and done, he'll be making his leave too - after taking down the phone numbers on the board. He doesn't add his own; he doesn't want to talk to that many people. But he'll keep their information, in case he needs it.