[semi-open]

[boneofsword]

Who: Archer and you
What: M32 [closed to Ginia] and open prompts
When: Nov 16th to 26th
Where: Near Shore, Dún Dealgan - Caster's temple
Summary: Archer keeps himself and his fellow shinki busy with investigating the cult during Caster's prolonged sleep, brings his god up to date with everything that's happened once he's awake, and puts his analytic skills to use.



[M32 - That Old Black Cult Magic; closed to Ginia] starts Nov 16th

[Archer never does anything in halves. That's why he's going to check all the possible leads on the cultists. Checking if the draining blight circle during the yearly gods' meeting was caused by them takes priority. Archer considers the possibilities carefully.]

What do you think about pretending to be some kind of officials checking the security software in the whole area?




OTA Near Shore Nov 16th-17th

[For someone with such striking look Archer can blend in remarkably well when he makes an attempt. He's dressed in casual clothes - black coat over a button up shirt and pants, topping the look with simple black frames. While it's clear he went for a simple salaryman look, he looks anything but ordinary.

Come bother him?]

OTA Far Shore Nov 18th-26th

[While Archer can be usually seen around the Far Shore, especially in the Western District that he tends to patrol quite often, he's even more elusive than usual. If met in Western District he's accompanied by one of Caster's big white dogs and seems more approachable and less scowling than usual.]




[closed to Caster] Nov 24th; Dún Dealgan

[Archer gives his god enough time to check on all of his shinki and do some other things before approaching him. He puts a new, silver-and-blue laptop in front of Caster and drops a CD right next to it.]

Do you want a summary of all that happened so far? [that prolonged sleep took two weeks, and Heavens always keeps them busy.]

Comments

[boneofsword]

[It's a good time. Realizing that your actions matter in the long run is most important, and Archer makes sure that Ginia knows she did a good job when she checks on the kids.]

Good thinking. The footage will come handy. [It takes priority, then, since Archer wants to accompany Ginia.] This way we can also get familiar with both locations, just in case.

[unlucky7]

How do you want to get the footage? Pretend to work for a security firm and we're auditing equipment? Scope out where it is and come back at a quieter time to steal it?

[She smirks at Archer and looks him up and down. he can certainly pull off a suit, that's for sure.]

Maybe we should confirm he's regular first before we go through the trouble of stealing footage.

[boneofsword]

[Archer puts one hand over his heart and sketches a light bow. Too bad that his smug smirk ruins the image.]

Thank you for your utmost confidence in your exemplar. [his tone is joking, but he does appreciate that. His snark sense doesn't allow him to pass the opportunity for another smartassy comment, though.]

It's better to confirm if he's a regular or if it was a one time occurence. He's the main dish while the footage is a dessert.

[unlucky7]

[Some might say the smug smirk ruins the image, Ginia argues it adds to it. Charming business man, confident service worker, asshole playboy, he can pull all of them off with ease. Another reason he's the exemplar and taking the lead.

To the 7-11 then! The suburb isn't too far from their current location, an easy hop, skip, and time jump to get there. They mark out other points of interest in the area - a subway station and train station, a few restaurants and bars, a local grocery store. There's no need to stalk all of them; once they get eyes on him, it's a matter of following him and seeing where he goes.

One main entrance into the 7-11, street facing. The building on the adjacent corner wouldn't be a bad stakeout point. One camera at the entrance, another behind the counter. Ginia does a sweep of the store, studying the layout and location of everything while leaving Archer to talk to the employees.]

[boneofsword]

[It's a comfortable kind of work to have someone watch his back. Archer chats with several of the employees, selling them the story of doing a favor for his cousin who roped him into finding her ex several years prior for reasons undisclosed. One of the employees pipes in asking if she found some compromising photos, to which Archer gravely replies that he didn't dare to ask. They laugh and flirt some more; finally Archer finishes the chat, buys some canned coffee and leaves the store, waiting for Ginia somewhere out of view.]

He's a regular here, shopping in late afternoons a few times per week, and more often in the morning for hangover cure or canned coffee. Morning clerk recognized the photo as Mitsui-san. [Archer smirks.] Time to set up the gear.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia casually browses the magazine stand, burning another minute before buying two tuna mayo onigiri and leaving to regroup with Archer. Name and a regular drinker, huh?]

If he's in that often for hangover cures, assuming he isn't drinking at home alone, there might be a bar he's a regular at too. [Ginia offers a lazy smile.] If one of us has to approach him in a bar, do you think I'm more his type or you?

[Either way, there's a good building to use as a vantage point, a few good areas on the ground too. Their window for seeing him seems slim today, but they have a promising lead.]

[boneofsword]

You're more his type. [Archer counters teasingly, remembering the way cultist looked at Zelda.] Let's check the nearby bars before we call it a day.

[After all, he's fine with waking up at some ungodly hour before the sunrise, he can take the first watch.]

[unlucky7]

[It takes a few bars before they hit upon the right one. It's clear he's not well-loved and it only means the other regulars are quicker to spill information on Mitsui-san, especially when they offer to buy drinks.

Standoffish, unhappy with his life, the perfect target for a cult. Ginia turns the information over in her mind as they sit at a table, already forgotten by the other patrons. Are the other low-level grunts also people unhappy with their lives and easy to sway? But more concerning:]

If he's been in this cult for a year or so, the group might be larger and far more prepared than we thought. It's also impressive they've held sway over him for so long while telling him so little.

[Ginia sips at a chuhai as she looks over the small bar, marking out the ins and outs. If Archer's concerned about the fact she hasn't turned down a single drink offer since they began searching bars, maybe it's more concerning - or impressive - she's still completely sober.]

Do you want to stay here and see if he comes by or start over at the 7-11 tomorrow morning?

[boneofsword]

[The more information they gather the worse it looks. Archer notices how Ginia doesn't hold out on drinks but trusts her to know her own limits. There are more concerning things right now.]

He's either getting something out of it, or he believes he's getting something. [Archer puts an accent on the word, already not liking the implications. Holding sway over a human for such a long time isn't going to work if the guy doesn't get anything aside empty promises.] I admit that he's been rather passionate about his beliefs when we've had a chat.

[Religious fanatics aren't his forte, though Archer knows those are much easier to control once taken hold of. He takes a sip of his drink and decides.]

I want to stay here, though it's best if he doesn't see us together.

[unlucky7]

What can you really believe in when you don't even know what you're putting faith in?

[He's a drowning man clinging to a plank of wood, unaware of the rot and cracks and how easily the next big wave can drag him under. But if anyone is to blame for setting him adrift, it's the cult who pulled them in.

He is a stepping stone to a greater target. If they can help him find a better path for his life, fine, but he is ultimately a means to a greater end.

Ginia finishes her drink and stretches her arms over her head.]

I'm going to scope out the immediate area and find a good place to observe the entrance from as well as what kind of pathways the rooftops offer.

[godsoffortune]

[Mitsui doesn't show up that afternoon at the bar; he doesn't show up until later in the evening, slipping in alone in a plain gray suit that shows wear. He's clearly in a dismal mood; he orders himself whiskey and starts drinking with the grim air of a man who's there for drinks, not company.]

[boneofsword]

[Archer notices him almost immediately. He's chosen a spot with a good view of the entire bar for this sole reason. A quick glance ensures him that Ginia has noticed their target; they've already decided on a signal in case she needs help. Everything is set, and all he has to do is to observe patiently.]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia spends time scoping out the area to learn its street-level and rooftop-level escapes, trusting Archer to let her know if he's arrived.

By the time Mitsui arrives, Ginia is back in the bar. She gives him space and time, observing him as he drinks. When he's near through his first drink, Ginia orders a repeat of his drink and goes to join him, sitting down next to him and setting the drink down.]

You look troubled.

[hopefully he isn't too troubled by the fact she's speaking through her phone.]

[godsoffortune]

[He looks up, glancing at her phone with a frown of brief confusion, then up and down her body with appreciation as he reaches for the drink she brought.]

Yeah, sure. You're new here.

[He pauses, looks over at the phone again, and then tries in badly accented high-school English:]

You speak Japanese?

[Maybe that's some kind of translation program the mysterious hottie's using. Who knows?]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia shakes her head, slipping into a bashful smile and slight lowering of her eyes as she types her next message.]

Sorry, I can't speak at all. But I understand Japanese.

[She glances up at him, treading a fine line of confident charm and shyness.]

I moved here a few months ago and I'm still learning the area. A coworker suggested this was a good place to drink.

((ooc: Spoke with Archer's player, he's going to watch and will jump in if Ginia needs help or the cultist leaves.))

[godsoffortune]

It's not bad. Cheapest drinks in the neighborhood.

[You know, if "cheap" is what she's looking for in a watering hole. He nods at her comment, and glances at her drink, checking to see if it's threatening to get empty. She bought him one, after all.]

The company's not usually as good as this, though. What's your name?

[unlucky7]

[There's half a chuhai left, one she's been nursing for the last hour. Without anyone paying much attention to her, there's been no need to order a second drink or rush through it.

Ginia laughs softly, turns her head and covers her mouth in feigned embarrassment, mind racing for a name.]

I'm Emmy. You?

[Sorry, Emiya Archer.]

[godsoffortune]

Mitsui Ryou.

[He picks up the drink she brought for him and takes a sip.]

What brings you out here?

[unlucky7]

Work. Isn't that always the case?

[Ginia gives a thin smile over the edge of her glass as she sips.]

But I'm at this bar to get away from my boss and coworkers. What about you?

[godsoffortune]

Same, Emmy, same.

[His smile in return is broader than hers.]

But I won't have to put up with mine a whole lot longer.

[unlucky7]

[There we go. Ginia feigns surprise and a friendly smile.]

Getting a promotion or changing careers?

[godsoffortune]

[He clearly thinks his expression is suave and mysterious. Really, it's more like a squint than anything else.]

It's not set yet, but you could call it a change of careers, sure. You'd be amazed.

[unlucky7]

[...Well, he's trying. Ginia leans forward, relaxes her smile to give the impression he's just the most fascinating and charming man! She reaches out and gives his hand a very light pat.]

I'm happy for you. I keep working hard and praying but

[She glances upward and shrugs, smile turning wry as she finishes her message.]

no one is listening.

[godsoffortune]

They never do.

[He scowls briefly, in a flash of what looks like real temper.]

Don't bother praying to them.

[unlucky7]

[A real touchy subject then. Ginia considers him for a second longer as she picks out her next words. Is this a man desperate for change and willing to do whatever it takes knowingly, or is he being taken along for the ride?]

Who should I pray to then?