Operation 014 | [Action; Backdated to Saturday.]

[claim_my_place]

[He'd managed to post the notice.]

[It's a hot evening, and Asch is mentally cursing himself for wearing the cloak and hood. Not to mention the uniform and sword underneath. The ensemble is, in a word, stifling. Even so, Asch wants to remain anonymous for as long as possible

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6:00 Meeting | Eiffel Tower

[claim_my_place]

[It was the same as before, only there's no rain. What Asch wouldn't give for rain right now. Heaving a sigh (it's more like a snort), Asch starts towards the metal structure and in time makes his way to the top. He's a little winded and it takes him a few moments to catch his breath.]

6:00 Meeting | Eiffel Tower

[acceptedburden]

[Kaldur approaches somewhat reluctantly. He has lost several members of his team over the course of a week and he was not at all happy about this prospect. He knew there was nothing he could do, they had apparently simply just returned to their world, but it still troubled him.

Even worse, he was not sure he had any new information for the mysterious informant than he had when he had first arrived. It frustrated him to no end, but he wanted to know if perhaps the mysterious figure had learned anything or had more to share]

Hello.

[claim_my_place]

[A brief nod. Asch has finally managed to catch his breath, and though he hasn't fared much better in the information-gathering department, he just might have a few ideas.]

[He, too, is frustrated, but unlike Kaldur he's got a host of newcomers from his world to deal with now.]

So you've come.

[acceptedburden]

I have but I do not come with much new information I am afraid. However, I hope that does not deter our relationship as I am still hoping to continue this network of informants along with you.

[he tries not to convey his disappointment in himself]

Did you question my commitment?

[claim_my_place]

No, if you'd found anything of substance, I'd have expected to hear about it before now.

The locals have been involving themselves even less than normal; they didn't show up at all during the attack a little over a week ago. That may have brought some information, but obtaining workable facts is still problematic at best.

...My goals for the network haven't changed.

[Asch refrains from giving a direct answer to the question. Committed? Probably so. Trustworthy? He's not sure yet. The fact still remains that even together there isn't a whole lot to work with.]

[acceptedburden]

[He nods]

I had noticed that the locals seem to be withdrawing. It is odd, though, considering that so much violence occurred and I have been informed several times of their disdain for such actions.

It will be difficult to prove anything without facts, that is certain. However, I do not believe we should let that deter us as that is the point of such a network and it would be for nothing if we simply gave up now.

[He knows the mysterious figure is aware of this but he states it anyway]

[claim_my_place]

The same. Not only that, but numerous victims were killed. For something they seemed so adamant about preventing, the attack just exploited a loophole. If we knew the cause, that loophole could potentially be applied to something else.

[He does. Asch heaves an aggravated sigh. It's probably the first clear sign of how this cloaked figure feels about things.] ...No one said anything about giving up.

[acceptedburden]

That might take some time to figure out...but I will see what I can do and perhaps once more try to weed out the locals if it is possible.

[He smirks slightly] I was only checking to make sure our resolve for this is still the same.

[claim_my_place]

I know, but there aren't a whole lot of leads. Not with the locals shut up even more than usual. Aside from the attack, things have been quiet.

So you'd weed them out? [He's had similar thoughts in the past.] And just how would you go about it? [Curiosity.]

[Snorts quietly.] Humph... There're still things I have to do. My resolve is fine.

[deviltale]

[ Asahi makes her way to the Eiffel tower slightly hesitantly. In all honesty, she hasn't learned much new since the last meeting, and hearing about the... massacre that had happened was terrifying. This place really wasn't any different from home. Wishes or not, there were still criminals and murderers. ]

Hey.

[claim_my_place]

[So it seems. Asch has mixed feelings about the attack, but all-in-all it managed to bring him more answers than anything else. Overall, though, he's been unlucky as far as progress is concerned, and he's not about to get his hopes up now.]

[At the top he pauses to lean back against the structure. Now that the sun is lowering in the sky, the metal's cooled off considerably. Along with the wind, he doesn't feel quite so much like he's suffocating.]

[A nod. Then he gets right to business.] Last time you said you were telling a friend. What became of that?

[deviltale]

I told him. [ there's a slight pause as Asahi recalls that particular conversation. then she lets out a sigh and folds her arms. ] He said he'd support me, whatever that means, so I guess he'd rather not be involved directly.

He won't blab or anything though, I know that much. [ this is added still as resolutely as ever, if not a bit disgruntled. ]

[claim_my_place]

[Asch isn't much for taking someone's word for something, but he nods again slowly. If not satisfied, he at least seems willing to accept her explanation for now.]

...Fine.

You also mentioned your intention to look into links between the people Splendor brought here.

[deviltale]

There doesn't seem to be any! [ she sounds a little frustrated. ] Aside from the music box, everyone's from all kinds of different worlds. Magic, non-magic...

[claim_my_place]

[The universe sure does like choosing things at random.]

...And I'm guessing there's no pattern in the number of nobles as opposed to common people. Or fugitives, war heroes, farmers, merchants, scholars, or otherwise.

[deviltale]

[ she shakes her head at that. nobles? common people? the place this guy came from must've been something like hundreds of years ago. ]

None. I've met- scholars, students, rich people... I think I heard a princess on the Seal a few times too.

[ then a slight pause as her expression darkens a bit. ] Good people... criminals.