thenearshore | [Closed] Process of Elimination (Mission)

Who: Aymeric and Ryoma
When: December 1st (backdated the waaaay back)
Where: Far Shore to start then Near Shore, various households. It's B & E, what else is there?
What: A follow up Mission to their first one. Sometimes Good Boys gotta Crime to find the truth.

[They had lists and now they need to follow through on investigating these people involved. There is just one problem: neither man are not the type to sneak around so much. At least, Aymeric isn't; who knows what kind of crazy shit Ryoma got into before. Not counting their previous stint. But this is different; they simply cannot go barging into a cultist's place of residence without a plan and not to simply grab anything that looks spooky and 'HEY I USED THIS TO TRAP SPIRITS AND SUCK OUT THEIR ENERGY BECAUSE I HATE MY LIFE WAHHH'.

Or something along those lines. Who even knows. The point being that these people willingly hurt others and that's something Aymeric cannot stomach. Besides, one cannot seek out the truth by being so idealistic in hopes that the clues will fall into their laps. Sometimes the rules need to be broken in order to seek knowledge. Hopefully some will be understanding. Maybe.

Aymeric then calls up Ryoma with his list in hand, looking at the names listed. Figured he'd be waiting at his temple entrance just so it would be easier.]

Are you prepared, my friend? There are quite a few places to explore but I am willing to search them all if needs be.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Ryoma had people to do his sneaking around for him, and by people, I mean Saizo. That is, however, neither here nor there; there are no Saizos, nor any memories of Saizos for Ryoma to call upon and apologize to as he undertakes his current mission... because somebody has to, frankly. If you're going to have an occult phase, it shouldn't hurt anyone around you.

Ryoma arrives dressed down, since armor is not conducive to wiggling into tight spaces and being inconspicuous--the willing mortal blindness to the other world's presence only goes so far, and considering these mortals in particular... well, the more normal they look, the better they likely are. ]

I am. I'm willing to look for as long as it takes until we find something of substance.

[ He ate a big breakfast and has his sword on his hip. ... sometimes, inconspicuous doesn't stab people the right way. Maybe someday he'd invest in a shorter blade, but Raijinto would do for now. ]

[Aymeric would have brought Naegling but it's too big so a smaller dagger will work that he has hidden in his satchel. Gotta need something to hold loot.]

And we will find something. The most cautious of men hold capabilities of slipping even small. But we will need to start somewhere...[Making sure he shows the list contents to Ryoma as well.] Do any of these names stand out as a good jumping point?

[ Broadsword or bust. Don't let practicality turn you into a coward. Ryoma has a pack of his own slung over his shoulder, fidgeting with the strap as he leans to look at Aymeric's list with a studious frown. Once he settles the strap, he pulls out his phone and taps into Google's maps, typing in the addresses to see where each of the houses stand relative to each other. ]

... Maeda Shinnosuke seems to be the furthest from their potential fellows, if we want to work our way inwards.

[Sounds like someone from the yazuka. That poor kid growing up...or maybe he was a badass. Definitely bad now since Aymeric nods and peers at the location. Bad Boys Bad Boys, what'cha gonna do when they come for you~?]

I see...taking care of the outside factors first. Logical and sound; let us be off and hope he is not at his home when we visit.

[Seriously, that would be awkward as hell. Tine to pop to the Near Shore and get to work.]

Precisely. Starting in the middle of the web seems ill-advised, especially with how swift word travels in this world.

[ Ryoma follows, dutifully, head up and alert as he looks for any sign of... something. Traps? Wards? Lookouts? If Ryoma were part of q nefarious cult waging a subtle war on a higher power, he'd take precautions. Like now, he's walking slow as they approach their first address, trying to be subtle as he scopes the building out. ]

And it would only make the others strengthen their defenses and much harder to gain access.

[Along with what Ryoma is looking for, Aymeric is taking a look at the place itself. Are they at a house or apartment building? Is there a way to get in such as a key under a rock or someone watching the entrance? Or is this guy so dumb that he left the door unlocked? Is there any animals to watch out for? Never know if the guy has a watchdog.]

[Maeda Shinnosuke has a very messy bachelor apartment in an inexpensive concrete-block building. He owns no pets, and he keeps his door locked, but the two of them could easily teleport onto his balcony or directly into the apartment. Inside the apartment, they'll be able to find old work pay stubs from the Yamada department store construction site, a pair of hiking boots still caked in forest mud, a couple handfuls of paper charms of the same design as the ones in the forest tossed on his kitchen table with his junk mail, and a black robe (also still muddy) draped over his sofa.]

I'll be right back. Keep an eye out.

[ With that, Ryoma makes his way into the building. He keeps his steps soft--he knows mortals don't really notice him, but prevention is a hardy medicine. He finds the door with little trouble, returning to Aymeric's side at a quicker clip once he's taken notes of the apartment's orientation. ]

His unit is over here. [ He waves for Aymeric to follow him, pointing at yhe balcony once they've circled around enough. ] That one.

Excellent. Let us see if we can enter a much quieter way.

[He hates using it but he sees the balcony and doorway so teleporting inside should be no issue, right? He puts one hand on Ryoma's shoulder and focuses for them to both enter the apartment...and is greeted with a mess. Seriously, this screams bachelor.]

This is...quite a sight.

[Translation: 'This is a fucking mess'. But there is some good sign as Aymeric takes notice of the muddy boots and robe, quickly taking out his phone and snapping some pictures (making sure to have the light on).]

We can confirm that he was indeed in the forest that day. I will be taking these photos as proof.

The less mess we leave, the better. [ Ryoma stays still when Aymeric touches him--and in the space of one breath to the next, they're inside the apartment.

... ah. ] Though perhaps the man living here wouldn't notice the mess.

[ Ew. While Aymeric busies himself with the demon brick, Ryoma starts picking through things. He takes a few of the paper charms from the bottom of the pile and puts them into his pack, and then turns to pick through the other rooms--maybe there's something hiding in a closet or a bedroom? ]

Thankfully no one else seems to live here.

[Meanwhile Aymeric will check in the bathroom and kitchen areas quietly. If the place is one big mess, it wouldn't surprise him if the other rooms are as well. What's next, finding a shoe in the freezer?

Hey, you never know.]

[ One of the dresser drawers in Maeda's bedroom has been left slightly ajar. There are pairs of socks unceremoniously covering it, but they can find another charm*, although this one appears different than the others. It is more ornately crafted, with no dirt or grime to indicate it had been in the forest.

The rest of Maeda's significant effects - that they already found - are all near the front door and main living room, as if he returned and immediately left them there. As it is a small apartment, it doesn't take the pair very long to search the rest of it and find no other clues.

*OOC: This charm can be one of their items, if you so choose. ]

[Closed] Process of Elimination (Mission)

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CLUE REQUEST

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Clue Request!

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