[He frowned, curious. They snuggled under blankets a lot- why would his coat not help?
But after a quick peer around he scooted in closer, and pulled a small memo pad from his coat pocket along with a pencil. He flipped it open and huddled in closer, as if ready to confide in a little gambling.]
Hmph... so we should find out how much to put down n' see if we can't come out that much richer, eh...?
[Meanwhile, he wrote: Bets bets bets let me know if Chroma helps with the chills bets bets bets Barberisk Barbarossa Babalooskie]
Maybe I should sign up, see what all the hype's about. Maybe win some cash, yeah? We could use a new car to celebrate the season.
[She's glad with the cover, placing a hand on her chin to consider the offer while ignoring her shaking hand still holding her glass. Already just being within closer proximity helps and she nodded.]
A car? I was thinking a new airbike...
[She made a motion for the pencil, borrowing it to added several names, but then 'Drinks', 'Moon', and 'Cycle' between some people she was noting might be tough contenders as well...]
[He neatly passed off the pencil. The names were mostly foreign to him, but two of them rang a bell. He needed to keep his eyes peeled for when those names come up, so he knew what to be ready for. Looked like he needed to fight without his Persona... pfft. Like he didn't wreck a biker gang on his own, right? Then again, these bikers weren't potentially hopped up on funky space drugs.
But he squinted a bit. Drinks Moon Cycle? Drinks... for moon cycles, maybe?
He looked up. The glasses many of them drank all around them. Another round of cheers erupted as someone chugged down a bright red drink and hiccuped a gout of flame. Naoto's was blue. He'd finished something purple. Hadn't they just shaken off the effects of the dragon flower tea?
[Naoto wasn't sure who among them right now might be a user, supplier, or shipper. Where they are is just the supposed base of the operations so they had to act consciously of their surroundings.]
[Ah, looked like he caught on. She continued writing, talking about the amounts to probably bet and maybe waiting to see how the numbers changed.]
[Iris. Heat does draw attention. Meanwhile, might need hug.]
New season, new ride. Been a while since we took a drive through Level 2 n' 1.
[Amicably, because this was a guy talking to his client, he lay an arm over the smaller figure's shoulders. His ears perked when he heard a gruff voice lifting. The one taking all the bets, according to his sharpened hearing, was just going over the odds. Looks like Barbarus' odds were somehow increasing, like they needed the help. Yet the barker didn't seem to mind, nor did those making the bet...
Definitely fixed. It's like these people don't expect to lose money if they bet on Barb. Usually you'd get pushed to bet on the opponent in case of a surprise and come out filthy rich.]
[Yes, this was fine. They're talking as it is so they could bother being closer. Already, the shivers were dying off... but what should she do with her drink? Besides the side effects, it was good. Humming, her eyes narrowed.]
[That's Naoto for ya. He knew he couldn't fully convince her he'd be fine, and to be honest he wasn't sure himself. He just had to find a way to survive, or even throw the match somehow.
Having you back me up makes me feel more confident. Thanks.
Then, he nodded.]
...And that's just the beginning of what I'll do to 'em. But more after I hit the bathroom.
[He looked out into the crowd again. He needed to make another round and see if he could pick up anything else, or check in with the others.]
[He would sneak a kiss to the temple before he rose, fixed his coat, and 'looked for the bathroom'. He needed to see what the others had to say, or maybe plant the rumor that he was entering the Crystal Fist tournament. That'll perk some ears.
Maybe he wasn't so bad at this investigation stuff...]
[It would perk some ears alright, but she doesn't think she likes the look of those now whispering about his entry. Still, she said nothing, waiting patiently for him to return from the 'bathroom'.]
[He settled back in his seat, carrying with him a basket of skewers of various meats, seafood and vegetables. They weren't the fanciest-looking foods, however; they seemed more greasy-spoon levels.
He offered her one.]
Called it. They don't talk to anybody but fighters.
[Looking over at him once he returned, she eyed the plate. Nothing like what they made... and she doesn't know if she wanted to have any of it. Still, her 'bodyguard' was offering and she should have something.]
[It's pretty uninspired. Just seafood with a little lemon juice kicked on for a little kick. Fortunately, she wasn't going to be suffering any form of food poisoning. Kanji helped himself, naturally, to the crunchier skewers, ones cooked a little too long. He liked a little crust on the steak.]
Barney's on a shitload of Glow. He trains with it, he lives with it, and they pump him full of the shit before every single match. It makes him huge, almost godlike. Nobody knows what he was like before the circuit.
[He lowered his voice.]
Tried askin' who manages him and they got cagey. Nobody will gimme a name, only tellin' me to quit asking if I wanted to be able to walk outta Level 3 in one piece.
[Ugh... They need to cook something after this was over. This practically flavorless junk wouldn't do. Meanwhile, she also scowled over the information on Barbarus, not liking the odds and made a mental note to be present when Kanji faced him.]
It would. However, at the same time, getting a chance to see this happen isn't likely. I expect his locker or where ever this will be handled is going to be under tight surveillance.
Hmm, damn, you're right. I kinda hoped with whatever they got that bans magic, they'd put it on and maybe there's a bit of shit-talk between me n' Barney before the match.
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[He blinked and raised a hand over her head, feeling for an air conditioner of some kind. When he felt no breeze, he lowered his voice.]
...You okay? My coat's thicker...
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[Peering at him from the corner of her eye, she did her best not to blush. Geez, he noticed.]
No need. I actually don't know how much your coat would help.
[But looking back at the table, the colors... are finally beginning to click.]
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But after a quick peer around he scooted in closer, and pulled a small memo pad from his coat pocket along with a pencil. He flipped it open and huddled in closer, as if ready to confide in a little gambling.]
Hmph... so we should find out how much to put down n' see if we can't come out that much richer, eh...?
[Meanwhile, he wrote: Bets bets bets let me know if Chroma helps with the chills bets bets bets Barberisk Barbarossa Babalooskie]
Maybe I should sign up, see what all the hype's about. Maybe win some cash, yeah? We could use a new car to celebrate the season.
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A car? I was thinking a new airbike...
[She made a motion for the pencil, borrowing it to added several names, but then 'Drinks', 'Moon', and 'Cycle' between some people she was noting might be tough contenders as well...]
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[He neatly passed off the pencil. The names were mostly foreign to him, but two of them rang a bell. He needed to keep his eyes peeled for when those names come up, so he knew what to be ready for. Looked like he needed to fight without his Persona... pfft. Like he didn't wreck a biker gang on his own, right? Then again, these bikers weren't potentially hopped up on funky space drugs.
But he squinted a bit. Drinks Moon Cycle? Drinks... for moon cycles, maybe?
He looked up. The glasses many of them drank all around them. Another round of cheers erupted as someone chugged down a bright red drink and hiccuped a gout of flame. Naoto's was blue. He'd finished something purple. Hadn't they just shaken off the effects of the dragon flower tea?
Kanji gulped.
Fuck. I drank a purple one.]
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[Naoto wasn't sure who among them right now might be a user, supplier, or shipper. Where they are is just the supposed base of the operations so they had to act consciously of their surroundings.]
[Ah, looked like he caught on. She continued writing, talking about the amounts to probably bet and maybe waiting to see how the numbers changed.]
[Iris. Heat does draw attention. Meanwhile, might need hug.]
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[Amicably, because this was a guy talking to his client, he lay an arm over the smaller figure's shoulders. His ears perked when he heard a gruff voice lifting. The one taking all the bets, according to his sharpened hearing, was just going over the odds. Looks like Barbarus' odds were somehow increasing, like they needed the help. Yet the barker didn't seem to mind, nor did those making the bet...
Definitely fixed. It's like these people don't expect to lose money if they bet on Barb. Usually you'd get pushed to bet on the opponent in case of a surprise and come out filthy rich.]
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[Yes, this was fine. They're talking as it is so they could bother being closer. Already, the shivers were dying off... but what should she do with her drink? Besides the side effects, it was good. Humming, her eyes narrowed.]
[Do you still want to sign-up?]
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[He hesitated before writing his reply:
Have to. Noticed competitors are getting lots of attention. Might be our best in right now. I'll get to meet Barney.
What the guy was like, he wasn't sure. But he had to find out.]
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[Her face remains neutral, but she doesn't like this. Just... a bad feeling with all these numbers.]
[Be careful. When you sign-up, I can't go with you for that.]
[He'd be going into territory without her for Moonlacing, and there's no guarantee who else might sign-up too.]
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[He leaned closer. Rather than take the pencil back for a message, he briefly lay a hand over hers.]
...
I know. I'll be careful. I got no plans to push up daisies.
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[Leaning back, she squeezed his hand.]
Even if you did, I would have to interfere.
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Having you back me up makes me feel more confident. Thanks.
Then, he nodded.]
...And that's just the beginning of what I'll do to 'em. But more after I hit the bathroom.
[He looked out into the crowd again. He needed to make another round and see if he could pick up anything else, or check in with the others.]
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I'm already liking this plan... Well, go then. I'll wait here.
[She'll watch the crowd while he checked the parameter.]
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Maybe he wasn't so bad at this investigation stuff...]
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He offered her one.]
Called it. They don't talk to anybody but fighters.
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Makes sense. What did you learn?
[And she'll try one of the seafood skewers...]
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Barney's on a shitload of Glow. He trains with it, he lives with it, and they pump him full of the shit before every single match. It makes him huge, almost godlike. Nobody knows what he was like before the circuit.
[He lowered his voice.]
Tried askin' who manages him and they got cagey. Nobody will gimme a name, only tellin' me to quit asking if I wanted to be able to walk outta Level 3 in one piece.
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... Our main target then.
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So I'm thinkin', if he gets juiced up before matches, he might need to check in with his boss to approve a dose and oversee the process.
I mean, why have some lackey do it and potentially screw it up, and money goes down the drain, right?
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But that's the movies. This is real.
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Beside that, Glow sounds like a steroid. If anything, that amplifies physical strength so whatever they use to ban magic will have no effect.
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[He nodded, thoughtful. Or maybe to comfort himself. He couldn't help smelling a whole lot of blood emanating from the arena.]
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