[Date: April 22, 2004. A day after lunch with Katie, Akemi gets a message on Shuffle with a link request from Murimura Yorihisa. The message is fairly straightforward, acknowledging that they didn't really know each other, but welcoming her to Shuffle and saying that as one of his constituents, he hoped she'd contact him if she needed him or she had any questions.] [Earlier, Kaede had also worked with Akemi to do a search if any of her existing contacts were on Shuffle. There were a fair number of people, mostly not Arcana as far as you know. The farthest flung was an advertising executive with a Sony account that does work in both Japan and the United States, thanks to a well planned day, Akemi had a chance to reconnect with her in New York. Notable Arcana include Yusuke and Shika. If Matthias or his people are on Shuffle yet, you aren't finding them.] [Kaede, you'd earlier mentioned a desire for a meeting with Yorihisa, how do you request it?] [Start!] * Kaede isn't so much for planning to *request* it. So much as he is for showing up. Where *is* Yorihisa these days? Probably the most reasonable way to find out. Find out how to get in touch with Shuffle Tech Support. <@Grysar> [Sure, that's pretty straightforward. They push you towards electronic help support ticket requests, although there is a phone number if you search enough for it.] <@Grysar> [Once you're in touch, what do you do?] * Kaede doesn't want to call them, per se. Though he might want to know if tech support is a landline location or a cell. Cause cell will make this harder. Anything connected with Global Personnel Services would help. Much better to have a physical address. <@Grysar> [It does connect to a multiple landlines to a building in Shinjuku. It appears to be a setup where there are multiple possible people answering the phone.] * Kaede's got a place to go down to at least then. Perfect. Time to grace their doorstep. He shuts down his computer and preps to be on his way. <@Grysar> [He has figured it out, though at this point it is after business hours. You showing up today anyways or the 23rd?] * Kaede still has some things to prepare. Talking things over with Akemi and whatnot. Sharing info. The like. They'll make sure to head out early afternoon tomorrow. <@Grysar> * Akemi was out that evening and comes home a bit tired. There's also a package awaiting her from America that arrived earlier that day. She's up for talking, though, what's up Kaede?] * Kaede tells her that he did pinpoint the building, but leaves the stuff for later, especially with a tired Akemi. They can open the package together. It's not sexy statue of liberty, though, is it? <@Grysar> [The package is actually from the New York ad exec, Sadie Edelman.] <@Grysar> [There's a note atop, in slightly rough Japanese, that she does apologize for preventing Akemi from buying any t-shirts during their visit together, but while she personally appreciated Akemi's sense of humor, she thought that without the necessary culture context, it'd just be one more thing that made her business associates think that Americans were a bunch of provincial bores.] <@Grysar> * Akemi finishes reading the note and then finishes open the bag. It's an attractively shaded shirt in Akemi's size depicting a bucolic lake with mountains rising sharply behind it. In bright orange lettering atop, about three quarters of the way up the fitted shirt, are the words "Grand Tetons" <@Grysar> [In small letters beneath the name of the park, it does read . , likewise, was in English.] * Kaede turns to Akemi and gives her a small look. As if to say "You ordered this?" <@Grysar> * Akemi shakes her head. "Sa-di, promised to find an American shirt in the style of my choosing." She looks it over again, grinning, "It's French!" * Kaede looks it over again himself, as if trying to figure out exactly what's french about it. <@Grysar> * Akemi notes poor Kaede's confusion. " is French for breasts! I was going to get a shirt from a sidewalk vendor with on it, but Sa-di is right, this is much more sophisticated." * Kaede looks at the shirt, still uncertain. "...but they look like mountains..." And no, as sharp as this boy is, he doesn't get the joke. <@Grysar> * Akemi preens, arching her back. "I am told that a lot." * Kaede is too busy looking at the shirt to notice. Still trying to figure it out. <@Grysar> * Akemi coughs, and preens again, give him time. Mimi also helpfully provides that Grand Tetons is the name of a national park in the mountainous west of the United States. <@Grysar> [Image reference for a similarly designed, albeit singular Teton in that case http://shop.grandtetonpark.org/v/vspfiles/photos/190679-2.jpg ] * Kaede squints again at the shirt. "So you're wearing that...?" <@Grysar> * Akemi removes her shirt and then slips on the t-shirt. It is well fitted. <@Grysar> I wanted to show off that I've been to America. Do you like it? * Kaede blinks. He's still getting used to Akemi changing in front of him so quickly. "...I don't think I'm the best to ask as far as fashion..." <@Grysar> [Incidentally, now that she's tried it on and been through the packaging, Kaede can actually see that the letter has a backside. Sadie says to feel free to send it back if you don't like it and she'll cover the shipping. "If you do like it, kindly send a photo. Look forward to seeing you next time I'm in Tokyo. Let me know if I can do anything in terms of crossing Japanese-American boundaries. Your manager sounds like he has a great sense of humor and if he's interested I'm up for most anything."] <@Grysar> [Kaede, incidentally, gets a string on this American ad exec contact.] * Kaede reads that, looking confused, then glances up at Akemi, even more confused than ever, mouthing 'I do?' <@Grysar> * Akemi laughs and doesn't otherwise reply. * Kaede idly looks at things, figuring out who to expect when they actually go down there, talking to Akemi about setting up lunch with Yusuke, maybe doing some light reading. Tomorrow, they go out. <@Grysar> [Date: April 23, 2004.] <@Grysar> [And the next day arrives swiftly enough. Yorihisa's company appears to be operating out of a few floors of a skyscraper. There's an elegant lobby and publicly facing building directory. That said, the elevators are behind a security desk with a sign-in book for visitors.] * Kaede comes up to the lobby, Akemi was invited. Whether she came or not, up to her, but it was an agreed on first step. He looks at the secretaries, well dressed himself, but in more a business casual. <@Grysar> * Akemi is wearing a pastel print spring dress with a wide brimmed hat to match. She mentioned being curious what Yorihisa had to say. <@Grysar> [Kaede isn't getting a lot of attention from security. There's a lot of different companies in this building and it's too tall to really track all the employees. There's a single woman sitting at the security desk, there for talking to or bypassing.] * Kaede nods as he gets closer to the sign-in sheet, looking at the woman behind the desk. Then gives her a brief nod. "Is Murimura-san in today?" <@Grysar> * She looks up with feigned cheer while appraising the two visitors. After a few quick keystrokes she replies, "He had not sent down word regarding any guests, but if you like I can call up to see if he is in the office and available." * Kaede gives a half-smile, yes. "Tell him an old friend from high school is here to see him." He emphasizes the word "friend" <@Grysar> * She dials up and briefly confers with someone at the other end. "He's in a meeting, so they aren't sure if he's expecting you. What name should I give?" <@Grysar> * Akemi bounces on her heels, if she had any reaction to Kaede's "friend" comment, she's not showing it on her face. * Kaede responds. Calmly. "Fairly certain he's not." He draws back a little. "Takeuchi. Business associate." <@Grysar> * Secretary confers again. "Very good, please sign in and then head to the 22nd floor." She hands both Akemi and Kaede visitor badges. * Kaede signs in and does so, yes. <@Grysar> [The elevator ride up is uneventful, although it does look like the security desk had to enable the elevator to take the trip. A short time thereafter, the door opens on the Shuffle's eponymous software company. A young gentleman, not much older than either of you, meets you at the elevator. "Takeuchi-san, welcome. Murimura-san didn't realize you were coming and is trying to wrap up his meeting now. Can I get you any tea?" * Kaede gives a thin smile. "Course he didn't. Didn't really give any indication." He does take a seat though, preparing his bad cop routine. "Tea would be wonderful, thank you. <@Grysar> [The place is bustling with activity, although it's very much not an open office plan, so you don't quite have a feel for how many people are working here. There is a call center down one hall and a high walled cubicle farm takes up a significant portion of one side of the building. There are also a variety of smaller offices, by the look at it, but that's hard to judge at a glance.] <@Grysar> [Not long thereafter, two older businessmen emerge, looking a bit annoyed but polite about it, from the glass windowed conference room to your left. Yorihisa follows shortly therafter, giving them a polite bow and a few standard apologies before looking over to the two of you.] <@Grysar> [He's underdressed compared to his visitors, wearing a stylish black turtleneck and fitted dress pants. He no longer wears his hair in a pony tail, instead it hangs just above his shoulders. It's freed of its prior oily nature, though one persistant strand of hair has fallen in his face and he has to wipe it out of the way. "Takeuchi-san, Shiraishi-san, welcome."] * Kaede stands up and gives a polite bow, voice even. "Of course..." There's a small glance to the office space. "Presuming we would not want to just meet in the open lobby." <@Grysar> * Yorihisa also looks to the receptionist. "Clear out the wood conference room, I'll need it for the coming hour or so." <@Grysar> * Yorihisa returns the bow, slightly awkwardly due to a hand in his pocket, as Kaede notes that Yorihisa's cell phone was just hard shut down. "Glad we're finally having a chance to do this." <@Grysar> * Yorihisa leads the two of you away from the programmers to a somewhat smaller conference room with a heavy looking wooden door and maple lined walls along with an polished central maple table. On the door, there's a sign with a cell phone in a circle with a dash through it. For those missing the meeting there's text below reading "Absolutely no electronics." There's an exterior set of small lockers, each with their own key. Yorihisa takes a moment, deposits his phone in one and locks it, taking out the key. "I prefer our more private conference room for this sort of meeting. That said, it does have its rules, I apologize for the inconvenience." <@Grysar> * Akemi glances over at Kaede but takes her phone out of her purse. * Kaede tilts his head to look at Yorihisa for just a moment. "There a reason for it?" <@Grysar> * Yorihisa glances around for a moment, but no one is in the immediate vicinity. "We do sweep it for bugs regularly, but to really ensure privacy, going both ways, best not to bring anything in." * Kaede gives a shrug and deposits the phone. "Healthy dose of paranoia?" <@Grysar> * Akemi does the same. <@Grysar> * Yorihisa nods. "I like to think so." He leads you in. Once he's entered, he glances down and snorts to see that there's a series of cards lying on the table as part of an in progress game of Netrunner. "Sorry for the mess and please close the door once you're inside." <@Grysar> [Yorihisa lays out coasters for your tea cups. It's a really nice table.] <@Grysar> * Akemi comes in and sets her tea cup down on a coaster. She glances around. "Classy." * Kaede steps in as well, coming into the conference room, walking over to where the tea is. Netrunner. Huh. Now he looks up at Yorihisa. "Competitor? Really?" <@Grysar> * Yorihisa snorts again. "Takeuchi, it's been two years. A little more context please." He walks over and closes the door. <@Grysar> [Kaede examines the room with all his senses and finds it to be remarkably quiet. Quiet in a way he has likely only rarely experienced these past few years. There don't appear to be any machines at all in the room, short of simple ones in the wheels beneath the chairs and the like.] * Kaede is bad at context, looking up at Yorihisa. "Business demeanor doesn't suit you, but I'll cut right to the point. This entire 'council' piece is a farce and you know it. What kind of governing body steps in without consent of the governed?" <@Grysar> * Akemi glances over and then watches Yorihisa. <@Grysar> * Yorihisa looks over. "We've managed to bring together a couple dozen Arcana without anyone getting killed and now are opening our elections to everyone else. By the standards of historical governments, I think we're doing pretty damn well." * Kaede snorts. "Sure. After all the difficult work is already done..." His eyes raise passively up to look at Yorihisa. "Sometimes, I think we should have just let him end up coming after you. Let you handle it all yourself..." <@Grysar> Ah, yes, what would I know of hard work? Those days were just leisurely programming contests for me as well as discussion of game design principles with Ashikaga. Oh, how I miss them. <@Grysar> [Yorihisa, while being heavily sarcastic there, actually seems to be enjoying himself here. This is a moment he's been readying for. It's probably no coincidence that his probably lead lined conference room has a *maple* facade. That said, he's also fairly relaxed and seems curious as to how much Kaede actually has figured out. Oddly, this actually reminds you of Yorihisa in his early days when he was enjoyed seeing just how good the members of the Computer Club were.] * Kaede snorts as he takes the moment to maybe stall a little. Look at the surroundings. Take it all in. Think about everything he knows about Yorihisa and Shuffle. "Sarcasm. Yes. You always did like to get into ego-fighting contests..." * Yorihisa snorts. "I'm far from the only one in this room with pride." That said, pride is an issue here. Yorihisa actually wants some acknowledgment for the things he's done and some respect from someone he sees as a peer at his level. There's a few ways to use that pride, possibly make him prove his worth or show a few cards that get him to show some more of his own. <@Grysar> [Either way, with the right approach, he actually seems somewhat liberated in a way he rarely has in the past. That said, there's still a sense that there's certain things he'd like to talk about and other topics he still wants to avoid.] * Kaede hisses as he swivels on the table, slamming his hands down. "*Pride*? You think this is about *pride*? You're dealing with dangerous *people* here..." <@Grysar> [Kaede thinks back on some of his prior interactions with Yorihisa. The man was regularly hunting down those involved with black card or drug gang activity in particular, although a couple incidents do stand out.] <@Grysar> [From the fight where they saved him: * Yorihisa lets out a deep breath, and pushes up his glasses. "I still don't know. I've been attacked without reason." * Scyther growls, "Lies! I know you know where she is. You will tell me." * Scyther doesn't answer! * Yorihisa does! "I have no idea."] <@Grysar> [From an encounter with Saki: * Saki growls at Yorihisa. "I don't know how the hell you know that, you little freak, but back off if you want to live." * Yorihisa grimaces, but has a slight smirk on her face. "Or what, another bomb?" He winces more as Saki tightens her grip, choking him. * Taki blinks, and finaly speaks up, "I don't think killing him would help with...whatever he did to deserve <@Grysar> that."* Saki blinks and looks over at Taki. She lets go of Yorihisa, who falls to the floor, coughing. * Yorihisa does pull himself to his feet after a few minutes, though. "She says hello." Who? * Taki looks at Yorihisa. * Yorihisa smiles, an annoying mocking smile. "If you change your mind, you can usually find me in the computer room."] <@Grysar> [Finally, there was that one time when Yorihisa called Kaede to update him that Saki was going to try to rescue Katie from Ryo and he shared the IP address and locations that Hirokazu was able to hunt down.] <@Grysar> Dangerous people? What exactly do you think I was doing back then? <@Grysar> * Akemi is primarily in tennis watching mode at the moment. * Kaede looks him over, his gaze not faltering for a bit. "What do I think you were doing? Mostly being an over-confident idiot. And some things never change.." He sighs, fingers going up to his hair. "To think I expected to have a rational conversation with you..." <@Grysar> * Yorihisa leans back and sighs. "No, the overconfidence was mostly gone after the Emperor left the Tower Reversed elevator the hard way." <@Grysar> * Akemi glances over to Kaede. First she's heard of this. * Kaede doesn't bite to that. He glances now at Yorihisa, lot more vulnerable than he's ever seen him. He gives space, but pretty obvious it's an encouragement to continue here. <@Grysar> I had one job. Make sure the Magician stayed sufficiently in check that he didn't bring his full power to bear. At least not until we killed him. <@Grysar> * Yorihisa walks over to a cabinet, a liquor cabinet as is clear once he opens it. "And thanks for that by the way, fancy a drink?" * Kaede looks at the man. "Thanks for what? Killing him?" <@Grysar> * Akemi looks over, "Nothing too strong, I've got work later." <@Grysar> Well, yes. * Kaede pushes his glasses up, closing his eyes ever so slightly. "Gratitude doesn't become you, Murimura-san. What gives?" <@Grysar> * Yorihisa holds up a bottle of plum wine. Akemi nods, slightly warily. "Magician's dead. The younger Shinjo is still alive, but the nature of his threat doesn't require the same level of healthy paranoia." * Kaede turns his attention to the man. "That just leaves one question..." He gives Yorihisa a hard stare. "You said you had one job. Who hired you?" <@Grysar> * Yorihisa pours two glasses and then sets a third upside down by Kaede. There's additional coasters for these. "Trade secret I'm afraid. That said, I rather think it was a job worth doing. Don't you?" * Kaede snorts. "Spoken like a true politician. *Again*. Not really instilling much trust here in this process of yours..." His frown unfolds, arms dropping as he relents to "Which brings me to why I'm here." <@Grysar> * Yorihisa laughs, "First time that's been said of me, I think." He then offers a cheer to Akemi, "To the man Sho Shinjo could have been were his life his own, to the death of the Magician, and those that brought it about." She clinks glasses and the both drink. He then looks back to Takeuchi, "Go on, as I've said, you've earned that." * Kaede nods, then keeping his calm. "I am putting my name in to be judge." <@Grysar> * Yorihisa coughs for a moment and sets his cup down. "And here we went to all the trouble of making a form for that." He looks at Kaede for a moment. <@Grysar> * Akemi smiles. "You should let him do it. He's good at judging." * Kaede coughs and then gives Akemi a *look*. You did that on purpose. Then back to Yorihisa. "Yes. You did. You put in all the work to make things impersonal. Except we were kind of being hampered from being invitees, weren't we? Would have made that rather hard..." He tilts his head to now look at Yorihisa. "Why *was* that, Murimura-san?" <@Grysar> Take what we said in the FAQ and read between the lines, I'm surprised you want me to spend the time to spell it out for you. <@Grysar> [Yorihisa does enjoy withholding information, but he does actually seem to be testing Kaede on what his interpretation is.] * Kaede gives Yorihisa a hard look. "Yes. I read. A bunch of self-important people decided that certain people don't deserve to have a say in their governance." He adjusts his glasses slightly. "It's almost as if you want all of the power of leadership and none of the actual responsibilities." <@Grysar> * Yorihisa shakes his head. "So wrong. You think getting a few dozen Arcana to do *anything* isn't a massive pain?" * Kaede turns on the man. "Then tell me. What purpose does it serve? It only makes those who helped you suspicious and throws the whole system into question. We've had *more* than our share of people withholding information for their own benefit..." <@Grysar> We were excluding enough people that we could get a critical mass before we had to deal with hard cases. That's not you, to be fair. But if we brought you in and kept the rest of the gangs out, cards said there'd be violence at this stage. * Kaede snorts. "So you decided what was best before drawing in the people who may not have thought it was for the best. Brilliant strategy." Absolute chess master here. <@Grysar> * Yorihisa smiles, "I'm sensing sarcasm here, but you know, I'll take it. But here's the deal." * Kaede sucks in his breath. "Cards said there would be violence. I apologize. Revolution is hard." <@Grysar> I'll give you observer status. You don't even have to join Shuffle if you don't want to, unless you want to vote. Come make sure we run a clean election and tell the people if we do or don't. * Kaede folds his arms. "I didn't come for a bargaining chip. There's something else you're not telling..." <@Grysar> You came to sign up to judge. I'm offering you that on your terms. <@Grysar> * Akemi isn't quite sure what her move here is at the moment, so she drinks more plum wine. * Kaede tilts his head. "On my terms?" <@Grysar> I assume if you wanted to join, you'd have done so already. So right now, Shiraishi is my constituent and you are not. If you join, you can judge and vote. If you don't join, you can play the same role while not being part of us just yet. <@Grysar> So poll watching either way, the difference is just whether you're participating. * Kaede glances at Akemi for this. "Somewhat watching the watchers...as it were." <@Grysar> * Akemi glances back and then looks to Yorihisa. "So you're not going to try to crack down on people that don't join?" <@Grysar> If they aren't starting trouble for my constiuents? No. * Kaede tilts his head over to the side. "And the World? Her part in all of this?" <@Grysar> The World is one of the Majors that participated in the fight against the Magician and has registered to vote in the Council Election. <@Grysar> In the larger fight that is, along with the Heirophant, the Hermit, Justice, and others. ::He raises a glass:: And Judgment of course. * Kaede scoffs. "Toss aside the canned responses. You know as well as I do it's hardly that simple..." <@Grysar> I never said it was. But everything I said was true. The Arcana Council isn't going to magically fix all past agreements and get everyone together to sing kumbaya. Disagreements and politics will continue. But our votes will be fair and it's far better than our high school days, let alone the craziness of the prior generation. <@Grysar> Has anyone ever tried actually getting everyone together to sing kumbaya? Like, I think we dismiss that possibility too soon. Who also had a council, I'll point out. It didn't work well for them either. <@Grysar> * Yorihisa laughs, "Ah, yes. Attempting self governance. That was their mistake." * Kaede sighs. "Point. I'm merely stating that this alone isn't going to fix everything either. And some will still not want to be a part of it..." He sighs. Like him. "You are still keeping a lot close to the chest. Like always. Does not instill a lot of confidence..." <@Grysar> So take your time. Join or not. Your choice. I'm honoring your request to be a poll watcher either way. I am legitimately attempting to provide a communication system that protects us from the world's intelligence agencies and can help root out Reversed if they try something again. ::He finishes his plum wine:: And yes, I'm proud of that. It needed to be done and it took a metric fuckton of work. * Kaede nods. "And I'll trust you at your word. For now. But I'm more than willing to bring the system crashing down if it does not seem to be on the level. You well know that..." He stands, then bows at this. "Thank you for your time." <@Grysar> * Yorihisa nods and bows in return. "Thank you for coming in." He then bows to Akemi, "And please let me know if I can do anything for you as Council Member." <@Grysar> * Yorihisa closes up the remaining plum wine. Still early on a work day you know. <@Grysar> Oooh, constiuent services. Can you get me a tour of anywhere cool? Or like, concert promotion? <@Grysar> I'll see about the tours, but yes. We'll give you advertising on Shuffle at cost, if you like. * Kaede chimes in at this point. As her *manager*. "We'll think about it..." And then with a glance, he moves to the door, then pauses at there. "...one last thing." <@Grysar> * Yorihisa snaps his fingers. "Ah, that reminds me. All of the Coke machines in the halls are free. Please help yourself on the way out." He then looks over to Kaede, "Yes?" * Kaede glances back at Yorihisa. "How's Okui-san?" <@Grysar> * Yorihisa thinks a moment. "Near as I can tell? Never better. I'll tell her you said hello." <@Grysar> * Akemi glances over at Kaede. What's this then? * Kaede gives a smile with no trace of humor in it. "Didn't exactly say hello though." He then sighs. "But if you must..." He glances to Akemi. Ready to go? <@Grysar> * Akemi is in fact ready to go. <@Grysar> [As you head off, Yorihisa actually does lightly backhand one of the Coke machines, causing it to vend a small glass bottles. He pops off the top, and gives a wave goodbye, and then heads off to his next tasks, jauntily humming an old ad tune.] * Kaede gets out of the building, then comments, with a slight grumble. "Could have went better. Could have went worse..." <@Grysar> * Akemi laughs, "You say that after any meeting where you didn't manage to double our rate." <@Grysar> [End!]