<@Ciara> [Date: Tuesday, March 16th. Time: 8PM] <@Ciara> [Katie has invited people over to the Soratandrews Apartment to discuss Council of Mysteries, both the officially released first volume and their bootleg copy of the second volume.] <@Ciara> [It's like a Book Club, only probably with less gossip. Probably.] <@Ciara> [Katie and Kyon are already there, by virtue of hosting at their apartment.] <@Ciara> [Others have arrived, and still others are on their way.] <@Ciara> [What's everyone up to?] <@Ciara> [Session Start!] * @Haruko has just arrived and ritually apologized for the inconvenience of her presence. She's carrying a sphere, less than a third of a meter in diameter, wrapped in a simple blue furishiki with a repeating white plover pattern. The knot on top is not particularly ornate, but was robust enough to manage the journey. She holds it ready to present to Katie. * Kyon is in the kitchen, finishing preparing some tea. He's in a crisp light grey button-down shirt, and black slacks, along with his slippers and armwarmers. * Taki arrived on time! And brought cake, which is probably sitting on the table waiting for everybody to arrive and get hungry again. She, on the other hand, is curled up in on of the chairs and reading a Book 2 binder. * Katie is there, by virtue of living there! She's the one who opened the door. "Hi Haruko," she says with a small smile. Katie is dressed like an apartment Katie, which is to say she's wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and no scarf. She was good about avoiding too many art stains, though. * Kyon calls out to Haruko, "Hey. Tea?" * @Haruko smiles. "Hi Katie." She's wearing a simple cyan sweater with a v- neck and a decorative fold that spirals down from it to her side than around her back. She's also wearing black tights and a short skirt. "Yes please." * Kyon clacks another cup down onto his tray. * @Haruko had already removed her shoes, she's quick. She exhales slowly. "So it's ready for you at last." Despite her cheery attire her eyes look a bit red and she is slouching a bit, though maybe that the sphere plus the satchel bag hanging from her side. * Taki is wearing blue jeans and a long sleaved shirt that may have been black once, but is now more a of a mottled grey. * Kyon takes the whole tea set, with the four cups and the teapot, over to the table. * Katie blinks, and she looks down at the sphere. "It is?" * @Haruko grins. "I took so long that you forgot, huh?" She continues to hold it out then. "Well, a better surprise then, go ahead and open it." * Kyon looks at the tea set for a beat, and then goes to get some tea candies, too. "What is it?" * Katie takes the sphere in both hands and looks it over. "I'm not sure," she says, in an unintentional Jin impression as she takes it to the table. Once she's there, she opens it. * @Haruko snorts at Kyon's question but keeps her attention on Katie. * @Haruko's present is probably quickly discerend as a motorcycle helmet by holding alone. It's a little heavier than the one's she's worn in the past, but the balance seems quite good. * Kyon brings back a couple plates of candies - some red bean paste, and some little colorful sweets, and takes a look at the present as it comes unveiled! <@Haruko> [Unveiled is a sky blue motorcycle helmet with a tinted visor that protects against sun glare without obscuring the riders face. It's a smidge larger than Katie's past helmets, but is well balanced with adjustable padding on the interior.] * @Haruko follows along to the table, not noticing Taki yet. <@Haruko> [The standard issues holes meant to enhance hearing are present, but just a facade. Katie can notice that the interior insulation and embedded bluetooth is not native to this helmet but has been painstakingly adapted.] <@Haruko> [The single decorative note is a centimeter wide band of clouds that runs in a circle around the entire helmet, starting about one centimeter above the base. The cream colored clouds are given definition by stenciled brushwork in the traditional East-Asian spiral pattern. The clouds face forward on both sides of the helmet, clashing in the front and disipating in the back.] * Wataru sends a text message to Katie. "5 mins away! Gomen ne, please don't wait up!" * Kyon looks down at it, and reaches a hand towards the helmet, but he's going to wait for Katie to respond first, since it's her thing. * Taki looks up when she hears Haruko and Katie talking. "Hey. What's that?" * @Haruko starts slightly. "Oh! Hi Taki." * Katie turns the helmet over in her hands. "A motorcyle helmet." And then she smiles, running her finger along the inside. "It's really nice. Haruko, this insulation is custom, isn't it?" About now, her phone buzzes and she reaches into her pocket to pull it out. Aaah. * @Haruko nods. "Custom and adjustable. No matter what it dramatically lowers the decible of sound, but you can experiment to fine tune it." * @Haruko is relieved by Katie's smile. She relaxes a bit and takes a seat on the couch, further relieved to be off her feet. * Kyon reaches the rest of the way for the helmet, laying his fingers out on top of it. "Can I see?" * Katie passes the helmet to Kyon. "Sure." And then she looks down at her phone and types out 'ok' at Wataru. There, she's the best at text messages! * Kyon takes the helmet, and turns it over, looking at it from a few angles, inside and outside, before saying, "It's good work," to Haruko. * @Haruko reaches into her bag and takes out a few alternative pieces of insulation. There's also an annotated instruction manual for the bluetooth headset with technical diagrams drawn by Haruko that aren't half bad but don't show any real attempt at artistry. She blushes at Kyon's comment. "Well, the proof will really be in the riding." * Kyon nods curtly. "Can test it tomorrow." Yes! * Katie smiles at Haruko. "Thank you." * @Haruko looks up to Katie with an eagerness she is a bit too tired to properly contain. "You're welcome." She looks over to Taki. "Sorry for being a distraction..." * Taki shakes her head. "It's not like I'm going to finish by the time everybody gets here anyway." * @Haruko then takes her tea and sips it, hoping for caffine. She thanks Kyon for the hospitality. * Kyon nods curtly back to her, and pours cups for the others, too. * Taki thanks Kyon and takes a sip before trying to find her place on the page again. * Katie sips tea. And then sets her cup down and puts the helmet on her head. Sure, they'll try it tomorrow, but she wants to try it on now. * Kyon watches her impassively. How is it in there? Cozy. You're a lot quieter. * Katie wanders off to look at herself in the mirror. * Wataru arrives, a little breathless, at the door! He's carrying a bag from the conbini and is wearing loose grey jeans, a plain black t-shirt, and a cushy black-and-white hoodie whose broad stripes have a bit of a designy paint-roller look to them. And whoa, this building has a doorman! Intimidating yet awesome! He tells the guy that he's here to see Katie Andrews and Sorata Kyon, and gives * Wataru their apartment number! That's what you do, right? * @Haruko grins widely and watches Katie quietly. <@Ciara> [There is a call on the building intercom!] <@Ciara> [Assuming that Kyon answers it, the attendant says that there is a Yamada-san here to see them, and shall he be admitted?] * Kyon goes over to answer it, and then curtly allows that he should be let up. <@Ciara> [You may proceed, Yamada-san!] * Wataru proceeds up to the appropriate floor, and within a couple more minutes arrives to knock at the appropriate door! Jeez, this place is swanky. Flippin' Kyon. * Kyon hangs up, and then turns to look at the helmeted Katie, before saying, "So we'll start. Now that he's here." He smirks. "You want to get the door?" * @Haruko giggles at that suggestion and puts her arm on the couch back, leaning and laying her head down on it. She takes a moment to retrieve her copy of the first book and the the alligator clip bound printout of the second. She also pulls out her phone and unlocks the app where she stored some notes. * Katie grins at Kyon, then goes to get the door! With a helmet still on her head. Well, why not. * Kyon goes to stand in the passageway by the entrance to the kitchen to watch. "Ojama shi---" Wataru looks at Katie. "" he says, amused but wholly without malice or teasing. " Ojama shimasu!" He announces his appropriately apologetic intrusion to the household! * Katie laughs. "" She steps back so Wataru can come in. * Kyon smirks, and asks, "Tea?" * @Haruko has a toothy grins, despite fading slightly at the lack of conversation, she watches them from her perch on the couch. She didn't catch some of that, but Wataru thinks the design is punk, and punk is cool, so that's a win. * Wataru steps in, taking off his shoes! "Yes, thank you," he says to Kyon. "I brought, ah, it's nothing really." Out of the bag comes three small cube cardboard boxes announcing a product named 'Melty Kiss', which upon further inspection appears to be chocolates. Green, for green tea, pink, for strawberry, and white for basic truffle. And then, "," he says to Katie. * Kyon goes off to grab a cup for him, then. Katie can probably handle the boxes. * @Haruko smiles. she recognizes from the "learn idiomatic english" column in the highschool paper. * Wataru waves to everybody else when he steps in further, smiling! He looks shy and awkward, but somehow less than he has in the past. * @Haruko waves back. "Hi Wataru." * Kyon puts a cup down on the table for him, and then pours tea into it as any good host should. * Katie handles boxes. They're chocolate boxes! She goes, helmeted, to array chocolates on the table. * Wataru thanks him as any good guest should, and says hi back to Haruko - and eee, it's Taki! "Hey Taki-san," he says. "How's it going?" Hi, welcome to the disection of every bad decision we made during my freshman year of highschool, plus the bits he just made up. * @Haruko picks up one piece of paper. "I actually did make a diagram of resemblences focused on the main character. There's actually fewer in the second book, for either Katie, myself, or even Taki, but that ending is a big exception." * Katie takes the helmet off her head, finally. "I hate that ending." * Taki nods. "I'm dreading getting there so much it's making the whole thing hard to read." * Kyon cocks his head and looks at her. "Even though you already know the ending?" * @Haruko nods. "Yeah." She slides a paper over in Kyon's direction. "There are elements that could draw even from some of the people we rescued. But so long as it's up in the air it's easy to fill in the blanks in some bad ways." * Wataru looks between them. "I've only read the first one. What's this ending you're talking about?" * @Haruko had written out a list of things that apply to herself, Katie, Taki, and other female Arcana. The last section is described in some detail. "Yukiko is kidnapped, it's a cliffhanger." * Kyon takes the paper and starts reading it over, taking a seat at the table. * Taki nods. "It... makes me remember how badly I screwed up, and that's not something I want to dwell on." * @Haruko looks over at Taki carefully taking her measure. She's not going to be that much good if she's focusing on guilt about the past rather than the material we have to work with. * Kyon snorts. "You can read without dwelling," he says, without looking up. * Wataru will take a seat near Taki, if there is one. * Taki lifts the binder so that Kyon can see how far she's gotten. "We'll find out when I get there." * Katie just gets a copy of the book, printed out and in a binder, and hands it to Wataru. * Wataru takes it. "Thanks. What's the plan for right now? Are we doing some reading or is this for later?" * @Haruko sighs. "I'm in a hard position to judge. Battle in that conflagration in the middle of the second book just seemed to real to me and I have a real time reading it closely. It's stupid, I don't even remember anything like that in real life but it's so evocative." <@Ciara> [Yes, this is important: about halfway through book two, there's a fight that takes place and a fire breaks out.] * Kyon looks up from the paper at Haruko, with a small smirk. "Might be a bad guy, but he's not a bad writer." "Past life, maybe?" Wataru asks, conversationally. <@Ciara> [The fire breaks out in the school auditorium, but there's a field - or field equivalent - involved so there's no lasting damage. At least no lasting physical damage. Psychological is another matter.] In the auditorium? They're just deciding to search there again. * @Haruko looks to Wataru, thoughtfully. "Maybe. I don't know if Isao-sama shares my fears." She indicates faded burn marks on her temple and down the side of her face, pulling back her hair to make them obvious. "I figured it was just from my past, sort like the mysterious event in Yukiko's." <@Ciara> [Weird that someone was waiting for them in the auditorium then, wasn't it?] * Wataru's brows go up. He clearly had never noticed those before. "Uh... Can I ask, how public is the knowledge of the accident?" * @Haruko frowns. "Mine? Mechanics club, this group. That said, when you fall asleep in a garage and there's a fire and you wake up naked some distance away, probably a few rumors get around. The administration did a pretty good job there though." <@Ciara> [There is no Mechanics Club or equivalent in the books so far, for what it is worth.] <@Haruko> Also, while I confess it scares me, that might just be a coincidence. The big auditorium fire isn't one I remember, but the makes it a lot more dramatic and gives him an excuse to have those flashbacks. * Wataru nods, thoughtful. "Uehara, he had a plausible way of knowing? Or is this one of those things we don't like thinking about too hard but sort of have to today?" * Katie listens while she picks up a green tea chocolate. It goes with her not-chocolate green tea! * Kyon sets the paper down, and says, "The latter. Either way. It's not obvious how he'd know that, but it's not the hardest one." * @Haruko picks up her tea, staring at it breathing in and out slowly. "Yeah. I mean my accident *wasn't* like Yukikos. Hers looks like it might have been cuased intentionally. And if he did pick up on the... fear, it could have been from someone we battled. It uh." She drinks slowly regaining courage. [A buzz on the intercom indicates Kaede's arrival. Or somebody's. Probably Kaede.] * Katie goes to get that as she nibbles on her chocolate. * Kyon nods curtly. "Right. Just need to have it on the table." <@Haruko> Some of the reversed knew, it came up in the battle with them... And Masaru had those moltov cocktails. * @Haruko shivers and curls up. "If I'm... if I'm really honest with myself, anyone in the Band that was paying attention might have notice, you know, how I responded." She looks apologetically to Kyon. * Kaede enters in when Katie lets him in, in full business suit mode. Probably didn't change after work. He's still carrying his laptop case as he slips off his shoes. "Forgive my tardiness..." * Kyon gets up, and looks down at Haruko. "So it's a possibility. Did the best you could with it." He goes over to the cabinet to fetch another teacup. * Katie waves for Kaede to come with her and leads the way to the table, where everyone else is. Also tea and chocolate and print outs of the books. * Taki drinks tea. * Wataru pulls out his notebook and pen, and writes down, 'Masaru - Molotov cocktails?????!?' * Wataru also greets Kaede, looking up briefly from his note-taking. You're not the only busy man here, Takeuchi! <@Haruko> So no, all the stuff that might be about me, even the attraction to swordsmen-- swordsman. Nothing that couldn't be figured out by a few different vectors. <@Ciara> [As a reminder, Kensuke is the primary sword-wielder here, and in book two it's revealed that yes, he can pretty much just pull his sword out of thin air when he needs it. Swordspace!] So what in here is the stuff we're really weirded out by? * @Haruko hasn't really registered Kaede's arrival yet. * Kyon smirks. "So we just need to figure out who could have seen all that." He pours Kaede a cup of tea without asking him about it. * Kaede heads over to the table and looks at the chocolate with curiosity, totally missing the clearly very busy Wataru. The print out is slid a little closer as he slides into a chair and totally doesn't take offense to being offered tea without his consent. * Katie slides back into her seat and says, quietly, "The Page of Swords Reversed would have." * Taki gets wide eyed. "But she's absolutly not around for him to have interviewed." Still. Has to be someone close to her. * @Haruko bites her lip. "I think... yeah. But if she'd left field notes or the like, the books could be a lot more vicious." * Wataru continues to take notes. "Who was close to her?" * Taki closes the binder and sets it on the ground. * Kyon looks over at Wataru, and frowns. "Mostly dead people." * Kaede pauses, to make sure he's tracking this appropriately, though his voice is quiet as he picks up the book. "We are trying to identify the information source?" * Wataru looks at Kyon, direct without being confrontational. "Mostly." * @Haruko shudders but pushes through. "Like, I think Kensuke is kind of a mocked Kyon-analogue. But I don't think he knows Kyon *that* much beyond some public profile things and stuff a lot of Arcana would know." * Katie spins her tea cup. "It's really hard to say who was close to her... the core group she was in is dead, but any more..." She shrugs. * Kyon nods back to Kaede. "Or sources. But the author's probably just one guy." He looks at Wataru, and scowls. "Mostly. We didn't go around killing everyone." * Kaede calmly adds, "Mostly the attempts went the other way around..." He taps the book here. "Whoever it was, the interesting thing...I don't know if it is interesting or not...but whoever is trying to portray me knows *of* me, but it's barely mentioned at all...as if there's not much information at the source..." I'm kind of the same way actually. * Kyon nods quickly, and taps the printout. "So who do they know well? For sure? Besides Katie? Or at least Katie's situation?" * Kaede doesn't comment on that. Nope. Clearly this is a sign of agreement. * Wataru grows quiet, looking at Kyon and then not looking at Kyon. He scribbles a little, but it's just loops - just something to do. * @Haruko goes quiet for a bit. Not the time for killing talk. "They recognize me. I mean, Aka, he knew me. I think there was art too, right?" * Kaede pauses, frowning. "...we assume...well maybe not. But that is presuming there is simply one source..." He glances at Katie for a moment. "Not to reopen old wounds, but how much of it *was* discussed with Masaru- san?" * Wataru perks up again at the mention of Masaru. Seriously, that guy. He watches Kaede and Katie, pen ready. * Taki says, mostly to herself. "You, Katie, Haruko... Ryuji? I don't think most of the Swords actually have the power of having swords." * Katie looks back at Kaede, then down to her tea. "That time with Masaru, it was... I told him about the Band and what they did to us. About how Taro was obsessive, and how I don't believe in a benevolent higher power, and how I'm afraid of everything, and..." She takes a breath. "My time in the closet. How I felt." * Wataru thinks about how this fits in with the book. Then, suddenly: "-- Katie, I'm sorry, but... You said he was pretending to be a therapist, right? I mean... Did he do this for a while? Did he do it with other people?" * Kyon nods quickly, and wraps his hand around his cup of tea. He looks at Katie questioningly. I don't know. * Kaede gives a small nod, poking the book. "The Band doesn't show up much...it's briefly mentioned...but not really treated as important..." He sighs and leans back. "Part of figuring this out is identifying as much of what *isn't* there than what is..." He then replies at Wataru, though not looking directly at. "...Masaru pretended to be a lot of things..." I don't think Masaru's the key. He probably gave Aka some information but... like Kaede said, multiple sources. And we know some other Arcana are tangentially working with him. * @Haruko nods after having quietly taken it all in. "Masaru may just have been a student, but I think he recognizes the sanctity of that information." * Wataru looks at all of them then. "But, I mean... All this time, I've been thinking Masaru might have some magical Arcana way of collecting information. But being an unscrupulous fake therapist with no real committment to patient confidentiality? Shit, I mean that's a kind of power of its own. You don't think he could have just been doing this for kicks? Did I get a wrong angle on him?" He looks at Haruko, now, who seems to be defending the guy. <@Ciara> [The band bit to which Kaede is referring is a scene that takes place at a concert, but the band isn't described in much detail.] <@Ciara> [Yukiko goes with Shigure, and they talk some, but that's really it.] * @Haruko uncurls herself. "He was an oddball. Scattered. He did hang out some with Zein. But he never really acted malign and so many others did." He seemed nice enough, and helpful. Just very distracted by whatever he was doing. * Wataru hmms, leaning back a bit. "So that's not as likely, then." Bummer. * Kyon shrugs quickly. "But he could easily be part of the source." He looks at Kaede. "Problem is, what's not there could also be saved for future books." * Kaede shrugs. "Duress is duress. We never know. But it's something to consider..." He then looks at Wataru. "Doubtful though...as the others said..." He closes his eyes. "It does seem as if it is gearing up towards something...but I would hate to wait till the next book to find out..." He nods to Kyon. His thoughts. * Wataru nods, thoughtful. I mean... * @Haruko smiles slightly at Wataru's comment. "Yeah, I mean not impossible. And, sure, part of the source. He seems like the most likely 'ín' for Aka." * Kaede is calm as he simply interjects "Is there a Sho? Or even a Saki?" <@Ciara> [There is at least one mysterious figure who shows up at the end of the fire fight, though none of the characters seem to notice him/her at the time. Or the narrative doesn't say that they do. Perhaps one of them did...] <@Ciara> [That's the closest thing to a Sho analogue so far.] <@Ciara> [There's no real Saki analogue in the sense of "trying to eat you." does seem to have the ability to generate fields, or analogues to them. Kekkai, let's call them.] * Kaede points out the page. "Here. It's a sideline thing...which I suppose is fair for a big mysterious villain..." <@Haruko> There's also the antagonist swordsman in the first book and second. The one that's cloaked in shadow but might actually be kind of short. Part of that is familiar.. oh, that's a different guy. I was assuming it was the same bad guy. <@Ciara> [Things definitely seem to be gearing up for some sort of Big Reveal at the beginning of Book Three.] <@Ciara> [Maybe a series of them, even.] <@Ciara> [And yes, the swordsman antagonist is not the same as this guy who shows up after the fire fight.] <@Ciara> [Because the swordsman was involved in the fire fight.] * @Haruko reads that part in more detail, fortifying herself with sweets and thanking Wataru as she does so. * Wataru looks up, momentarily confused, from what had been a very engrossing episode of thoughtful frowning at his notepad. <@Haruko> Although the shadows are an unfamiliar power. The way the mysterious figure isn't noticed also doesn't immediately ring a bell either. * Kaede sighs. "It's a metaphor. Me being a female is entirely unfamiliar, but that does not mean the analogue does not still exist. Why am I even female in here?" Wait, which one are you? <@Ciara> [Involved in the fight: Yukiko, Shigure, Keiko, Kensuke.] <@Ciara> [Not involved in the fight: Mei, Daichi.] * Kyon looks at the paper. "So whoever it is knows more about the reversed side than the rest of it." He shrugs at Kaede. "The writer likes girls with glasses?" <@Ciara> [: Mysterious Swordsman from Book One. Mysterious Figure at End. Someone setting the fire? It's kind of unclear how the fire happens, actually.] * Katie flips through one of the binders quietly. <@Ciara> [It's like, wait a second, things are on fire?] <@Ciara> [So it's possible that there are more members around and just offscreen.] <@Haruko> I've been kind of wondering if Daichi is up to something. He does seem to have a secret and it would complicate one of the main possible romantic pairings. What, the Satoshi guy? <@Ciara> [Daichi's role in the second book seems somewhat diminished from his role in the first one, actually.] * @Haruko nods. "Right." <@Ciara> [Like the first book was kind of setting up Yukiko/Daichi maybe but book two seems to be going in the direction of Yukiko/Shigure.] He's the only one I could really tell was based on one of you, actually. Hockey is pretty transparent. <@Ciara> [Perhaps fan feedback?] * Kaede nods to Kyon, ignoring Wataru's question. "Right. So the point is that not everything has to fit perfectly. Or will. Some things are fairly detailed. It's who or what they represent..." His lips thin as he adds, much quieter, adding in... "...like a tarot reading..." <@Haruko> A tarot reading told by an unreliable narrator. * @Haruko frowns. "So, what do we have from outside the books?" <@Ciara> [Hey, I am perfectly reliable. Honest.] * Wataru looks down at his notes.... "Listen..." * @Haruko looks to Wataru. * Kyon sips some tea. * Kaede pauses, sipping his tea and waiting. Though he does give Wataru the floor. * Wataru looks between them again, not expecting to actually get their full attention. He clears his throat. "So, I mean... I mean, back to the source thing, cause I've been thinking. Is anyone else thinking that these books, and Shuffle, could be connected?" * Kaede snorts, sipping his tea. "Of *course* they're probably connected." Why wouldn't they be connected? * Katie doesn't look up from the binder. * @Haruko looks over to Kaede. "So what's the connection again? Because there was one we found, I think?" Haruko's feeling a bit sleep addled and it shows. * Katie sighs, annoyed. She closes her binder. "My classmate." * @Haruko nods. "Right, he's the artist." * @Haruko grabs her notes. * Katie looks back at Haruko. "Yes. Who was my classmate at Sakuragaoka, too. He gave Aka information. Then he gets a job doing art for Shuffle. We checked the scanner. Kaede said he felt guilty about it." But he also doesn't seem to remember much anymore. Temperance probably got him, before she went out of country. * Wataru blushes, feeling completely ridiculed. He clenches his jaw briefly. "No, I mean, I think that both the books and the site might be trying to get the attention of previously undeclared Arcana. People like I was, not too long ago." He takes a breath. "And it's not just him, Katie," Wataru says, carefully. "I think there's another connection. Aka Uehara's girlfriend, or maybe-girlfriend. The politician. She could be involved in the voice coaching that Murimora got." Ugh, how much recruiting do they need to do? * Katie nods to Wataru. "Right. I remember. I did the research." And Shuffle did reach out to you, so it makes sense. *And* they're blocking us, and we're pretty clearly copied in the books, so it makes even more sense. * @Haruko nods along with all of this and reviews her emails. * Kaede sets down the book. "Very guilty. Almost..." He frowns a bit. "...don't recall you mentioning Temperance in this...that's..." He silently contemplates. * Wataru sighs. "Yeah." He looks around. "I think you all know that now, except for maybe Taki-san, right? That Shuffle sought me out?" Wait, what? * Wataru nods, slowly and dourly. * Kyon nods curtly. "Yeah." That sounds like both a very good and very very bad thing. * Katie glances at Kaede, but more isn't immediately coming, so she goes back to flipping through the binder. * Kaede nods. "Plus we have the fake account...well, not fake account." He looks up, pushing up his glasses. "Who wants it?" * Wataru swallows, and nods again. "We can talk more about that later, if you want." But then he cedes the floor to Kaede! * Kaede then calmly adds, pulling back the book. "He should go in for it." * Taki shakes her head. "I'll let somebody else have that honor." * @Haruko frowns. "Well, I'd like to see that art. I'm game for the fake account. There's no need for Wataru to rush the decision." * Kyon looks at Kaede, and then nods curtly. "But his account doesn't have to be fake. He has a real invitation." Mmm hmm. * Kaede gives a nod. "No." Then without missing a beat. "But he should still do it." And then he gestures to Kyon. Kyon gets it. * Taki nods. "It's an opportunity... and a bigger risk than I want to take right now." She then stands and gets some strawberry chocolate. * Wataru nods. "Yeah," he says, sounding tired. "Satoshi and I talked about it. I... It'll take some preparation, and I'm pretty terrified, but I'll do it. It's our best shot for an in." Well. No. We should try multiple ins. But it is definitely our "legit" in. * Wataru gets strawberry chocolate too. Good call. * @Haruko ponders. "Hirokazu may also be going for it, I've discouraged him though. Matthias and the Sumire are similarly doing his own research but may or may not get accounts." She looks to Wataru and nods. <@Haruko> That's brave of you, I know you've benefited from obscurity in a way that isn't really an option for most of us anymore. * Wataru nods. "But it's spent now, anyway. They found me. They don't seem to know I know you all," he glances around, "but they know I'm the Hanged Man, and they know where I work, if not where I live." If we do, though, we should minimize knowledge of contact with us as much as possible. If there's wind of you communing with us, that is when the danger is most likely to fall. * @Haruko nods. "Yeah, remember that it isn't all spent. Be careful about giving them anything you don't absolutely know they already have." * Kaede ticks off his fingers "So...one legit source, one illegit source, and one source through another's eyes..." He nods. "That gives us the benefit of triangulation. It would be our best option..." he pauses. "For Shuffle at least." * Katie nods. * Wataru sighs. "That's kind of all I've been able to think about lately, yeah. I'm building a plan, but I'd deeply appreciate the assistance and advice of all of you, if you have the time and willingness. Not right now, but soon." * Taki nods uncomfortably. Let me know, Wataru. * Kyon nods curtly. "We can help with that." * @Haruko nods, "Of course." * Taki starts to nod, and then makes a face. "Some of us more than others. I think if I started to ferry you from your house to here so nobody could see you travel, I'd start showing up in readings." "Thank you. And, I meant more for information and preparation," he says, smiling to Taki. "But we can have another wacky molecule adventure sometime soon anyway." * Taki laughs. "Next time I'm going to stick the landing." * Kyon smirks, and then looks at Wataru quizzically. * @Haruko smiles at that. "So, to allow time for information and preparation, I propose that we use one of the other accounts to get the art." * Katie looks at Wataru and Taki curiously, too, then nods to Haruko. "Yeah, that makes sense." * Kaede nods to Haruko. "I can get on that. It would be best if I handle the true fake. The odds are that would be the one Murimura-san might be looking into..." He takes a moment. "The question then is...what to do about the other one?" <@Haruko> I'm still up for it. No cover, and if Hirokazu pokes around I'm the obvious vector. * Kaede shakes his head. "No. You wouldn't have enough computing skills to pull it off. Someone like Murimura would wonder who your accomplice was. At least I would be able to look at when someone is probing and pull out if it gets too hot." * Kyon looks at Kaede seriously. "But do you have time for it?" * Kaede looks at Kyon, equally serious. K&K staredown! "I'll *make* time for it." * @Haruko's eyes narrow. "Ah, so, then I misunderstood your question then. So you are not looking to have someone other than you in this group use the account? Instead you are pondering what to do with it?" * Kaede shakes his head then glances at Haruko. "No. There is a third account." Uhm, I missed where it came from then. There's the one that you hacked, the one that Wataru was offered, and...? * Kaede sighs, but more of a deflation then an irritation. "One Wataru was offered, one with a totally made up name, and one...well...that I identified a current user already. I have their account." * Wataru looks up. He had missed this information somehow, too. * Katie hehs softly. "Nice. Can they catch you logging in?" * Kyon twists his lips to the side. "Isn't that the more dangerous one to use, then?" <@Haruko> The true fake and the fake fake. Ahh. Wow. * Kaede nods to Katie. "That's the risk. The *actual* user may catch on. But it's less likely Yorihisa will..." * @Haruko checks her phone, pulling up the Tarot time thread. Is it somebody we know...? <@Ciara> [Session Break!]