2922/Who's Really It

Who's Really It
Date of Scene:	30 August 2015
Location:	Sapidor Republic <SR>
Synopsis:	Yuna goes searching for Eve and finds a surprise as well.
Cast of Characters:	385, 857

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Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
A couple of Union Elites made visual contact with a suspected 'superweapon' during the fight at Torneo Rudman's mansion last night. Yuna was not one of them. And supposedly, that little girl who can turn her hand into a sword is running around in the city.

"So," Yuna muses as she strolls along a sidewalk, "if I were a little girl who'd just busted out of a mansion, and the people I'd been chasing after disappeared, where would I go ... ?"

She's actually starting from approximately where the 'scary little girl with a sword-hand' was when the Union withdrew last night, and moving away from the villa. Elner is still trying not to get noticed by the locals, so the little robo-faerie is a good ways up, scanning ahead of and around Yuna's position for possible clues or hints of what direction to go in. Yuna's putting her eyes to work as well, of course - although she doesn't know what the girl looks like other than the aforementioned sword.

Eve (857) has posed:
    The battle was chaotic, and unprecedented in that this is the first time Eve was told to play tag with people who could actually get away. She didn't know what to expect, and for that matter Rudman had no clue either. He'd just ordered his weapon to act, without realizing the consequences. Eve for her part simply followed her targets as best she could - admittedly, not very well. The outside world is a huge mystery to her, and much MUCH larger than she had any way of knowing about. She's seen more people than she's ever seen in her life, but none of them were her target. None of them were playing tag. She's just following the rules... but she's not exactly very good at playing tag. In fact right now she's tired, hungry and lonely. Also lost. She's playing the game the way she's been taught, but the rules seem to have changed unexpectedly.

    There might be a clue as to Eve's identity, when Yuna DOES come across her. She's not dressed like the locals, and she's clearly too young to be out alone. Unfortunately for Yuna, Eve's blade-hand is nowhere in sight. She looks just like any other small red-eyed blonde child alone in the middle of a city inhabited mostly by swarthy South Americans.

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
At least blonde hair stands out, and Elner can spot THAT from the sky easily enough. The red eyes? That's an unknown, most likely, unless Zephyr's Device happened to get a look at Eve's face.

Of course, even if Zephyr *did* it doesn't mean Yuna thought to take that close of a look at any relayed images, either.

Still, between the blonde hair and the distinctively elegant simplicity of that black dress, Yuna homes in on the little girl - not running, just walking casually, but offering the young girl a bright, warm, friendly smile. "Hello!"

Eve (857) has posed:
    Eve's tired and she really should be going home. If she knew where home was, that is. If she were willing to lose the game and face the consequences. Those consequences are terrible... worse by far than being tired and hungry.

    She's travelling on automatic by now anyways, just ambling along hoping to stumble across someone who plays. Well, less hoping to, more hoping the game could be just ended, but her wants don't mean anything. That too, she's been told more than once. But she's startled by Yuna's unexpected greeting. Adults don't, as a rule, greet people like her unless introduced to her.

    Eve blinks, surprised but making no defensive or hostile moves. "H-hello." she replies with only a slight hitch to her voice. She's been trained, too, to the appropriate station of a young lady of means. Torneo wants her to be able to get close to targets after all.

    Eve doesn't smile back at Yuna however, even though she replies. She seems rather neutral, lips tight in something that might be concentration if not a frown. And as far as returning the conversational gambit... well, that's not exactly her strong point.

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
"My name's Yuna," the blonde young woman introduces herself with a smile and a slight bow. Probably she should curtsey - this is a Western setting, after all, not a version of Japan or China - but she's not sure if her sundress's skirt is adequate to that purpose. "I was just wandering around, exploring the area a bit ... it's good to meet you!"

And she means it. Even if this is the girl who sent Zephyr and Kotone running the other night, Yuna looks at her and sees a little girl who seems lost and maybe unhappy - someone in need of a friend who can cheer her up - rather than any kind of secret weapon.

Eve (857) has posed:
    It's not likely Zephyr or Kotone were scared of Eve exactly. They just weren't in a good position to fight, and probably reluctant to start a battle that could draw the attention of the entire mansion. Besides, decent people probably don't want to kill children who don't exactly sound like they've got their hearts invested in Murder Inc.

    In Eve's experience, people don't really talk to her. The servants aren't permitted to. She's talked to for important lessons, but not socially. Even the 'social' training is fake, and there's never really been anyone who seemed to mean the words 'good to meet you'. The only other person who talks to her is Torneo Rudman, and the less said of those conversations the better.

    "Eve." the girl says simply, once again speaking the absolute minimum necessary, as if rationing her words. Behind the relatively empty word is an empty stomach however, which speaks for her in unmistakeable fashion. The grumble of hunger is loud and insistent, and Eve doesn't exactly look the sort of girl who is particularly overfed in the first place. When it comes right down to it, with her almost pure white skin and scrawny frame, she's almost the sort you'd expect to see through.

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
"Sounds like you're hungry," Yuna observes with a faint wince. Fortunately, she has some local cash - not enough for a full-course meal in an upscale restaurant, but she can certainly afford to grab something to keep hunger pangs at bay. She debates asking what Eve's favorite food is ... then spots a hot dog vendor working out of a cart in a nearby park.

A few moments later, Yuna has procured a pair of hot dogs (with mustard and a little bit of relish) and a bench that she and Eve can sit on. One hot dog has been offered to Eve; Yuna is munching decorously on the other one. "So are you from around here, Eve?" Yuna asks between bites, mostly just to make conversation.

Eve (857) has posed:
    Once again, Eve's 'training' provides an easy response. Had Yuna asked what she wanted to eat, Eve would only be confused. She's used to eating whatever's served to her, and Yuna just handed her some food. She's a bit confused at food that doesn't come with a plate or with cutlery though. She stares at the hot dog until she sees Yuna eating, then copies her with obvious trepidation. Then, once the initial concern is out of the way... with obvious haste and hunger. Decorum isn't exactly the term one might use with Eve right now. Sure, she has a certain grace to her... but she also has a bit of relish on her nose and a glop of mustard on her hand that she seems to either have no clue about or no idea what to do about them.

    At the question, Eve looks around, puzzled. Around here? She shakes her head. After a moment, she adds an uncertain "No."

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
Yuna has to fight not to giggle out loud, and offers Eve a couple of paper napkins to deal with the stray condiments. "Where are you from, then? You're really young to be wandering around a city like this by yourself. Did you get separated from your parents or something?"

Elner - currently lurking out of sight among the branches of a nearby tree - experiences a moment of *intense* exasperation. Either Yuna is playing this up way too hard or she's actually forgotten that the girl is presumed to be a weapon.

In actuality ... well, if the napkins confuse Eve, Yuna is prepared to help wipe the stray relish off Eve's nose. The mustard could be licked up - it's not like they're at a formal dinner party or anything - but wiping it off is probably still smart, and straight mustard can be pretty spicy if you're not used to it.

Eve (857) has posed:
    While Eve may not be familiar with the intricacies of hand-eaten food, not to mention the problems inherent in rushing a messy meal, she's fortunately familiar with napkins. She even blushes when the mess is pointed out... seems our little weapon has feelings after all. She's quick to mop up and make things right, and by the time she's done the blush has faded as well. Mostly. She's still got a faint bit of color in those otherwise albino-pale cheeks.

    It takes Eve some time to decide how to answer that odd question. Not a lot of time, but it's a question she really has no good answer for. She shakes her head. Then she nods. Two questions, two answers. And yet she seems to realize she's contradicting herself. "I don't know where home is." she says. "I was playing tag." she adds in explanation. Such a simple answer, delivered without a hint of playfulness or subterfuge. There is, however, the faintest hint of something there. Worry, or perhaps regret. Not enough emotion shows past her carefully-blanked mask to be sure of what it is, just that there's something underneath that calm almost inhuman delivery.

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
"You got lost playing tag?" Yuna grimaces sadly. "That's ... well, some friends of mine said they ran into a little girl kind of like you."

Okay, so she didn't TOTALLY forget what she's doing here.

"There's a thing I don't get, though. They were looking for some mob boss's supposed superweapon, and you don't look like a weapon to me, Eve. You look like a cute little girl - one who could probably use a friendly face in her life," she adds, smiling. "Or several of them."

Eve (857) has posed:
    Again that lightning-fast calculation. Her instructions are clear... anyone who came to her home is playing tag. What she does while playing tag is unarguable. Anyone she catches, she kills. That's the way of the oni. "I... I am oni." she claims. It's not just because she's thinking it... in part it's refuting Yuna's kind words. An oni, not a little girl. And of course Yuna, with her background, ought to be able to see precisely the intended meaning of oni, particularly in relation to the game of tag.

    She doesn't attack though, despite those intense pink eyes - not red, not really - focussing sharply. She doesn't know if Yuna was in the house. If she knew Yuna was there, she'd have to play tag. And if they were to play tag, with Eve so close.... well, she doesn't think of that. There's a part of her who doesn't ever want to think of things like that again. But then, since when do the wants of a weapon matter?

    Eve very definitely does not return Yuna's smile... but she's also not manifesting a weapon, not lashing out. Curious.

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
"An oni?" Yuna raises her eyebrows. "You don't look like a monster to me," she says, her voice still kind, but also serious. "But even so ... well."

She finishes her hot dog, wipes her hands off with another napkin, then sits back on the bench. "Let's say for the moment that you're an oni, rather than a human. That doesn't mean you can't also be a little girl with friends and hobbies, favorite foods, favorite places. I've got so many friends that *aren't* human in the usual sense: androids, cyborgs, ponies, dragons, unicorns, robots, ghosts, plant people, insect people ... and yes, there are some demons who've been allied with the Union. I'm even friends with some people in the Confederacy, and that faction is mostly 'bad guys'."

A sad look crosses her face, interrupting her smile like a cloud passing over the sun. "That's ... the Confederacy's been making things a lot worse lately. Some of them attacked Rudman's mansion the other night too - they're the reason things turned violent so abruptly, as far as I know ..."

Yuna lets out a breath, then looks over at Eve again, her smile somewhat wan but back nonetheless. "Anyway. Human, oni, or whatever ... that doesn't mean we can't be friends, and a cute girl like you shouldn't have to be a killer. Not unless you *really* want to be that man's weapon ... and if he's the one who made you a weapon," her smile ebbs again, "then next time we visit, I'm going to *have* to have some words with him. Probably loud ones."

Eve (857) has posed:
    Of course Eve knows nothing about Union, Confederacy, or even any of the nonhumans Yuna mentions. It all goes well over her head, but she seems fascinated by the words even if she doesn't understand them.

    For that matter, Eve doesn't even know what Yuna means by the word 'friends'. She really understands only two things Yuna says. That she knows who was at Rudman's home, and that she intends to visit again.

    As much as she might want to learn more of the baffling things Yuna's saying, she's been trained not to ask questions. Not, that is, unless they have something to do with her mission. "If you come to father's home, we might play together." Eve states. Statements aren't really encouraged either, but Eve's trying to give Yuna a warning. It's a broken warning, but it's a warning nonetheless. "Do you know where the people I'm playing tag with are?" she asks finally. If she can continue hunting, or if she returns home... well that's proper, right?

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
Yuna hesitates briefly at that. "I do ... but, does your idea of playing 'tag' mean trying to stab or cut people? Because if that's what you want to do to Zephyr or Kotone, then I'm not going to help you find them."

She reaches over, trying to affectionately tousle Eve's hair. "Is this what you want to do, Eve? Do you want to be a killer for a criminal like Torneo Rudman? Or does he have such a tight hold on you that you can't make a decision for yourself?"

Eve (857) has posed:
    When Yuna reaches out, Eve flinches from the contact. She doesn't move though. Whether she's scared or just nervous, she remains seated. It's not like she's used to people reaching out to touch her affectionately after all.

    She's confused though. Once again, it's all about asking what she wants. Her wants aren't important. A weapon doesn't have wants. She's a weapon, an oni. Oni kill when they catch their target.

    It would be easy to simply say she doesn't want to kill. They're very easy words, but they don't come out. She's had a lifetime's conditioning, and such things simply aren't something one can set aside simply for words. When it really counts... then maybe. But not for this.

    Eve's eyes shimmer slightly, but tears don't fall. Instead she shakes her head. "Then I need to go home." she says. If Yuna refuses to help find the other players, then Eve has no choice and no way to continue playing. She never even thinks to try to threaten the information out of Yuna.

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
Yuna winces, another look of sadness intruding on her usual friendly smile. Eve didn't even try to answer her question, although it seemed to tug on a nerve or something as it went past. "I'll walk you home, then," she offers. "Not all the way to the door, but into sight of it, at least ... If this is what you want," she stresses that word a bit, "then I can at least help you with that much." She gets to her feet, offering a hand to Eve ...

And deliberately ignoring Elner. The robo-faerie is quite upset now - Yuna KNOWS Eve is the 'superweapon' from Rudman's mansion, and yet she's willingly going to take Eve back there?

Then again, that's kind of Yuna's track record ... and Yuna was very serious about needing to have words with Rudman. Eve's reaction is just reinforcing her determination to pencil that discussion into their next encounter.

Eve (857) has posed:
    Eve nods, ignoring that odd phrase again. What you want. What she wants isn't important; she needs to go home. Still, it gets a little start from her. Not much of a reaction, but still obvious enough to someone watching for it.

    She takes the hand, apparently without hesitation or mistrust. She doesn't know where she's going, but it seems Yuna does and Eve is used to being led. She's quiet during the walk... but at the same time she stays close. Perhaps even a little closer than she needs to; close enough that were either her or Yuna to be less than attentive they'd risk bumping each other in the many little shifts of walking along city streets.

    As they get closer to the estate, a long black car with mirror-tinted windows pulls up with a faint screech of tires. Doors open, and two men come out. Men with suits that really don't match their scruffy hair, loose ties, and sunglasses. If Elner's senses aren't enough to spot that they're armed, well, the loose fit of the suits make it clear enough.

    "Mr. Rudman has been worried about you." One of them says, his voice rough and not at all sympathetic. "Get in the car." he adds, looking from Eve to the woman with her, frowning.

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
Yuna squeezes Eve's hand gently, looking at the men. And even if Elner wasn't warning her that they're carrying weapons, or if she didn't suspect them to be armed due to their general appearance, she would still *expect* them to be armed if they work for Rudman. "I promised that I would walk her home," she says politely to the two men. "If one of you wants to walk along and confirm that I'm not going to run off with her, I'd rather keep my promise than abandon her here."

By contrast to the guards, Yuna is COMPLETELY unarmed and couldn't possibly be hiding a weapon anywhere she can get it. ... Except maybe down the collar of her dress, but that isn't really enough room for anything useful. (She could transform and have the weapons which come with her Light Suit, but that would still let the gangsters shoot first.)

Eve (857) has posed:
    The guard nods to Yuna with a passing semblance of politeness. It's nothing personal, and he has no need to be hostile with her. He's a professional after all, if a particularly loose sense of that word. He turns back to the car, leaning towards one window which cracks open only the tiniest bit. "She says she promised to walk the girl home." he says, softly enough that it probably won't easily carry.

    The window glides down some more and a loud, deep voice calls out from inside. "Eve." the voice says. "She was in our house last night. Finish the game. It's time to go home."

    The words shoot through Eve, and she stiffens. Slowly, not letting go of Yuna's hand, Eve looks up into her eyes. Eve's own eyes are dull and empty... completely unlike when they had been speaking earlier. The little girl looks down again, then throws herself into Yuna with surprising speed and completely unnatural strength for such a tiny girl.

    She's not throwing her arms around Yuna though, much as it might look that way. She's striking, focussing all her intent on one tiny target. As her hand comes around, the blade extends. Not the curved blade from the other night but one with a needle point and a narrow, straight blade leading out from her extended fingers.

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
That's probably Rudman's voice, isn't --

The noise Yuna makes when Eve suddenly stabs her is more of surprise than of pain or terror. It certainly hurts, and getting stabbed in her untransformed state is DEFINITELY frightening, but ... Yuna is still more taken by surprise, and possibly disappointment. But she saw the look in Eve's eyes just before the stab: somebody who just had to switch off her own emotions in order to do something awful, something heartbreaking.

It's a look Yuna has seen in the mirror a few times, usually AFTER she was forced to deliver death upon somebody whose survival could no longer be permitted.

"Eve ..." Yuna whispers, then gives the little girl a wry look. She really has *GOT* to teach Eve how to play games that don't involve sharp things.

Maybe after a little nap. That stab wound hurts a lot for such a little hole all the way through her.

Eve (857) has posed:
    Eve continues holding Yuna's hand, even after striking that blade into her. There's no sign where the weapon came from either. It simply seemed to form, nearly instantly, out of her own skin. She keeps her head lowered too, after that first soulless look. Eve's face remains pressed in against one of Yuna's arms.

    As Yuna whispers her name, the girl looks up. This time there's not just a simple shimmer in her eyes. Tears spill. Even shutting off her own feelings to do this, even so... this might have hurt Eve almost as much as it did Yuna. She abruptly releases Yuna's hand, spins away, and carefully doesn't let the bodyguard see her face as she allows him to lead her back to the car.

Yuna Kagurazaka (385) has posed:
Only after Eve lets go and pulls away does Yuna's body crumple to the pavement.

And even then, Elner forces itself to wait until the car is gone - completely out of sight - before Yuna's body vanishes in a flicker of light; Elner vanishes the same way, relocating both itself and Yuna to the local warpgate. They'll be picked up from there so Yuna can get medical attention.