A Place I've Never Known [Day 9, LA, Moriko's]

[Kuni Koyuki]

Never one for a great deal of words when using her communicator Koyuki's messages were simple. Asking for help, and upon receipt of the affirmative answer from both sending them the location for where to meet her. Of the two, Yurei might have heard more from Rei himself. Having not at first considered calling in for help on this from the young woman as she'd felt the debt settled with her prior request. Hato, however, Hato had no such debt. Of the names she was familiar with she was just among that small sorting that Koyuki considered because she felt they would and nothing more.

Koyuki wasn't far from the building, and sat nearby on a bench with her hands in her lap while she waited for the two women to arrive and she might fill them in more. In her hand some fancy drink from one of the tea shops across the World of Dreams. Sipping at it like this was the most casual meeting she could have asked for. A strange feeling bubbled inside of her that she wasn't quite sure what to think of.

On her comm, Yakumo's number rested on the screen for a moment. Thinking to send her a message, but not yet. Everything would be fine and she could do this. Right now she needed the steel.

[Yūrei]

A rather well turned out young woman in flowing black silk pants with a vibrant red blouse sits down next to Koyuki. It's almost too respectable to be Yūrei until she turns and beams at Koyuki.

"Kuni-sama, blessings upon you. I stand, uh, sit ready to repay my debt to you. You lead and I shall follow."

[Hato]

Hato spotted the white-faced Kuni sitting with a tea in hand and a wolf by her side.

She approached and bowed deeply to the Crab, with a casual nod to the wolf.

"Good afternoon, Lady Crab. It is an honor to share your company once more." she said.

No singing, no Lady Koiyuki, just another ronin ready for the task at hand.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Looking between them both there was a brief moment of relief that passes over the disquiet that otherwise plagued the neutrality of her features. Breathing in deep as a method of relaxing herself prior, she leans forward and addresses them both in turn before shifting herself so that they were both vaguely before her. Unfortunate for Yurei the ease of sitting of Koyuki hid the fact that the bench was in fact still holding onto a little moisture from the rains much earlier in the day. With the moisture hanging in the air it had no time to dry completely. This, of course, didn't seem to Phase Koyuki at all.

"Yurei-san, thank you. Hato-san, thank you," she says, the slight twitch of her lip noticeable. Business attitude, she briefs, "I need to get into the apartment of a Scorpion. I doubt she is there, but it is possible. Should she be here know that it is likely she would respond violently to my presence. If she is, I do not wish either of you to risk your lives and so we will leave as quickly as possible."

A breath, "Both of you are here because I will need to rely on your skills, and because you will remain quiet about this."

Looking between them both, she met each of their eyes to get one final confirmation that they accept the risk.

[Yūrei]

Yūrei winces slightly. She'd assumed the bench was dry, only a Crab would sit on a wet bench.

With a slightly pained smile she bows her head in greeting to Hato before refocusing on Koyuki

"Of course Kuni-sama, it seems a simple enough matter. And after it is done, well, I have had a busy day after all. I can hardly remember where I was and when."
She leans back, forgetting the back of the bench is damp too and sighs quietly. Benches, never again.
"Does our target have any ability to speak to the kami? If not it should be relatively simple."

[Hato]

So this is the virtuous ronin, hm? I wonder if those rumors were spread by a ghost. Hato wondered

Hato had no debt to the Kuni, and no real reason to want to needlessly antagonize the Scorpion.

Still, Koiyuki had done well by her thus far, and she was willing to extend her that much credit.

"This one's skills are at your disposal once more Lady Crab." she offered.

[Kuni Koyuki]

"Thank you both," she nods, and rises. Starting their walk toward the building in question Koyuki goes through a fair deal of activity at once. Communicator up to double check exact location and room number. An answer to Yurei, "She does not." A pause for a few beats and she also speaks less directly between the both of them, "If she is there, try not to hurt her if you can avoid it."

A last reminder before they'd commit that sank in her heart a bit, and forced her to cut it off for a little while longer. They would approach to see what they were dealing with.

[Yūrei]

"Of course Kuni-sama."
Yūrei represses any curiosity she might have about the mission, concentrating instead on examining visible security, possible entry points, escape routes. All the normal ronin stuff.

[Boogiepop]

The home in question was a condo building at the edge of the district, perhaps some blocks away from where most of the heimen and ji-samurai were found to reside in the district. It was a white building with its exterior walls looking like they were individual panels of a terminal or console. The architect might have limited ambitions with their design but it was still a nice-looking building. The district wouldn't be a place where anyone would brag about but the real estate was respectable, a diamond in the rough of a heavily populated city. According to records, Bayushi Moriko and her wife, Bayushi Seki resided on the 5th floor of what looked like a building with only 10 floors in total. It seems the way in would have to be through the front door, or if the party found a way, climbing up.

[Kuni Koyuki]

Seeing the building, as building of a building as it was to Koyuki's eyes in the simple mechanical nature of it all. There was so much more to it with the understanding that this was the building. Koyuki was a woman who could keep herself composed in most situations but here it was getting harder the closer she got like walking deeper into a pool filly with honey. Something that was noticeable in all those small little ways she struggles forward, the ways she's learned to conceal it as best she can.

"I am not the expert here, my f-" she chokes on the work, and swallows that difficulty. "I rely on your insight every step of the way, but I will be entering through the front it appears."

[Yūrei]

Yūrei gives Koyuki a full blown look of worry before quietly responding.

"Let us at least take a moment to examine everything before we go inside, neh? Some things are best not rushed."

With a bow she steps back and starts making her way around the building, trying to spot any alternative means of entry.

Day 9 LA, investigation/perception to spot any ways up that aren't the front door | 6k3 ⇒ 25 (TN: ?)

[Kuni Koyuki]

Offering no surprise, Koyuki nods assent to Yurei and takes one step backward as if to show truly that she intended to listen. Arms crossing over her midsection while she waits, index and thumb fretting with the edge of her own kimono sleeve.

[Hato]

There was a quick glance at the Kuni.

I'm too open huh? she wondered

While Yurei wandered around the perimeter, Hato went to examine the front door. It wasn't that weird for a wolf to be wandering around. She wondered if they could really just walk in, or if it was a locked building.

[Boogiepop]

Yūrei gives Koyuki a full blown look of worry before quietly responding.

"Let us at least take a moment to examine everything before we go inside, neh? Some things are best not rushed."

With a bow she steps back and starts making her way around the building, trying to spot any alternative means of entry.

Day 9 LA, investigation/perception to spot any ways up that aren't the front door | 6k3 ⇒ 25 (TN: ?)

Taking a look around the condo building without actually going inside, Yurei could see the front door would lead to the lobby. There was likely a front desk with some security staff or reception inside. The design of the walls would make it climbable, which a few handholds based on the design of the walls but it was currently daytime with the place likely having its share of cameras within and without. It took some looking and there were other doors leading inside found, although they were likewise looked at. They could be doors to the maintenance areas or merely a fire escape. It seemed those are only accessible from either the inside or a keycard.

[Boogiepop]

There was a quick glance at the Kuni.

I'm too open huh? she wondered

While Yurei wandered around the perimeter, Hato went to examine the front door. It wasn't that weird for a wolf to be wandering around. She wondered if they could really just walk in, or if it was a locked building.

There was indeed a panel next to the front door, it had a touch screen with a built-in camera to address visitors. However, her best guess was that the door was likely open at the moment for walk-in visitors. It was early enough in the day that some deliveries were made and they weren't going to buzz everyone in. Likely the front door would be locked during night hours and each visitor would need to be screened before being allowed in.

[Yūrei]

Yūrei returns to the other two.

"The fire escape door is locked, but we can probably open it if we have a few uninterrupted moments with the console by the door. Kuni-sama, if you approve I'm sure between Hato-san and myself we could have it opened for a more discreet entry and exit."

[Kuni Koyuki]

Considering for a moment, she looks from Yurei over to where Hato was. There was a bit there that she was concerned with. A fire alarm going off wouldn't be horrible, but it also might set off a bit of a worry that it would tip off Moriko. Koyuki's brow was knit while she thought. Other entrances could likely be used other times, and right now from her judgment of these two this might be the best shot.

Nodding, "I assent to your discretion. It sounds wise, Yurei-san."

[Hato]

Hato frowned a bit at that.

It was awfully bright out for such antics. Then again, walking past reception in bright white face paint was going to be difficult.

Hato had a thought, once she too a moment to realize that she wasn't working this alone.

"Perhaps it makes sense to split our forces on this? Conceptually this one could walk in the front entrance claiming to be delivering a package, and look for a way to open the way from the inside while Yurei-san seeks access from without." she suggested.

[Kuni Koyuki]

"I trust your and Yurei-san's judgement. If we can avoid leaving too much of a trace, it will be for the better. Splitting forces does seem it would be far less conspicuous," she nods, and grants that certainly.

[Hato]

There was a quick glance at the Kuni.

I'm too open huh? she wondered

While Yurei wandered around the perimeter, Hato went to examine the front door. It wasn't that weird for a wolf to be wandering around. She wondered if they could really just walk in, or if it was a locked building.

There was indeed a panel next to the front door, it had a touch screen with a built-in camera to address visitors. However, her best guess was that the door was likely open at the moment for walk-in visitors. It was early enough in the day that some deliveries were made and they weren't going to buzz everyone in. Likely the front door would be locked during night hours and each visitor would need to be screened before being allowed in.

Plan in mind, Hato goes looking for the nearest thing she can find or buy that one could reasonably make a delivery out of: A cardboard box, a bunch of flowers, takeaway food, or at worst a book.