// Devour everything in the world, today is a special menu...

[bornfromdeath]

Who: bornfromdeath and topslug
When: July 20th, afternoon
Where: A pleasant little diner in Sector 4.
Summary: Kimihiko needs to sound out Yako Katsuragi regarding her "assistant" and sacrifices his wallet as an offering for the satisfaction of her stomach. Yako wishes to avoid talking about Neuro. Awkwardness ensues.
Warnings: TBA

Comments

[topslug]

[ The warmer weather was a good excuse to wear something more suitable for the season. It was after some hesitation that Yako chose to don the outfit Kimihiko had been kind (or simply generous) enough to purchase for her on their last shopping trip. Whether it was meant as a sign of her goodwill or simply to deflect his attention was debatable, even to her.

She had her own reasons for feeling reservations about this meeting, and most of them revolved around a demon with a grin full of too many teeth. While she'd normally do her best to shake that feeling off, she had a sinking feeling Neuro was going to come up in the discussion one way or another. He always seemed to, these days. It was just a small mercy he hadn't insisted on tagging along this time, presumably preoccupied with sniffing out his next meal ticket. He'd find her when he needed her.

For now, she waved back at Kimihiko, scuttling across the street the moment the stoplights changed. ]

Hey, Ooe-san. Sorry to keep you waiting.

[bornfromdeath]

[Kimihiko flashed her a casual smile, stepping away from the wall he was leaning on. Oh yes, his thoughts were on that man as well.]

Hey. It is fine. I had plenty of time to think while I was waiting.

[He waited for her to reach him before indicating the right direction to go to the diner.]

Shall we?

[topslug]

[ Yako's nose wrinkled, a sheepish chuckle slipping out of her before she could help it. ] That just means I kept you waiting for a while, doesn't it?

[ Still, she nodded at the question. ] Let's go-- I'm starving. [ Which was more or less a warning for how much money Kimihiko could expect to spend today. Poor Kimihiko ]

[bornfromdeath]

[Inwardly he groaned. Outwardly, he just laughed and shook his head. Ah, well. He'd come prepared. Besides, a well-fed Yako might be easier to get information out of. He headed down the street towards the diner he'd chosen, glancing over at her as he walked.]

Busy day?

[topslug]

A little. [ Probably more than he'd ever know, considering most of her days were now spent dreading the next moment Neuro would drop in out of thin air and invade her life. She grinned at him; having someone willing to treat her to food more than once in a lifetime was a rare enough event that she knew there had to be an ulterior motive behind it, but she couldn't quite bring herself to care. ]

What about you?

[bornfromdeath]

Not bad. I switched from one part time and one full time job to two full time jobs, so it's been a little hectic. Good thing I don't need much sleep.

[A light shrug and he flashed her a smile.]

It definitely hasn't been boring.

[topslug]

Anything you can talk about, or is the job a secret? [ Her tone was light enough, but the glint of fleeting curiosity in her expression was just as unmistakable as it ever was. She did like keeping on top of what her friends were doing, after all. ]

[bornfromdeath]

[He laughed a little, recognising that look.] Ah- I got recruited to working for Violet Systems. I was talking to the owner and I told him about the adaptations I had to make to my NV to get it to have the functions I needed. He invited me to an interview.

I can't talk about what we're doing, but... it's a lot of fun.

[topslug]

Violet Systems? [ The name perked her right up; after all, it wasn't so long ago that she was there herself. ] That's a robotics company, isn't it? I've spoken to Mr. Chaolan a few times-- and I've been to the place. It seems like a pretty high-tech operation.

[ A grin. ] If you're working with technology, I can see why you're having fun. He said the same thing about his projects to me. Company secrets and all, right?

[bornfromdeath]

That's right. It's definitely interesting, though. [He flashed her a smile, stopping and pointing.]

Over there.

[topslug]

[ Yako might have been about to say something more about that, but the prospect of food is (as ever) an effective distraction. She promptly makes a beeline for the place, though she keeps just a step or two in front of Kimihiko, waiting for him to catch up before she steps inside and finds a seat. ]

I get the feeling you aren't going to be eating much yourself. Are you?

[bornfromdeath]

You know how much I eat, Katsuragi-san.

[AKA: Nothing.]

Just relax. Enjoy yourself. [He sank into a chair opposite her, leaning back.]

Sky's the limit today.

[topslug]

[ Yako grins at that. ] Your wallet isn't going to thank you for that, you know.

[ Not that it stops her from ordering everything on the menu. Even then, it's conservative; normally, she'd order two of each. When she's done rattling off her order, sending the rather dazed waitress on her way, she leans back in her seat, making herself comfortable. ]

I'm guessing you didn't just invite me out for fun, did you? [ Her tone is almost wistful. ] What's on your mind, Ooe-san?

[bornfromdeath]

Well, when my wallet gains the ability to earn money for itself, it gets the right to say what I spend it on.

[A cheerful grin and he stretches, cricking his neck. His body feels tense.]

Katsuragi-san used to be a detective, right? At least, that's what your assistant said.

[topslug]

That's right. [ She remembers quietly listening in on that conversation on the network. A wry smile, and she rests her elbows on the table. ]

Didn't I ever mention it? Technically, before coming to the city, I was still a detective, but I haven't done a lot of real investigative work for some time-- it's mostly acting as a negotiator, really.

[bornfromdeath]

I didn't know you were that famous. Maybe you should look into helping Kazuhiko with his detective business.

I have to wonder... which Katsuragi Yako is the real one? The ace detective, or the brilliant girl?