OPEN; SUB-STORY THREAD

[roombamastermind]

Who ⬤ Croix Meridies and you [OPEN]
What ⬤ Substory: Can't Download a Clue
When ⬤ September
Where ⬤ Executive's son's internet cafe
Content Warnings ⬤ Theft? Will Update as needed.


This was almost too easy.

Security at this cafe was, frankly, as embarrassing as its attendance. All Croix had to do was show up and claim to be from the "head office" and explain that someone had complained about one of the computers malfunctioning. She was here to provide "tech support", but she had to take it in to the "head office" to ensure it was working properly.

And so she was walking out of said place of business carrying a box with the computer tower, monitor, and all associated accessories in a box, and was being trusted to bring it back. This had gone off without a hitch, and Croix was practically almost home free.

It'd be a bad time for someone with reason to question her to immediately question her to walk in, wouldn't it?

Comments

[long_live_the_queen]

[In truth, Kaede had only half paid attention to the briefing. Something something rich kid stocking an office (arcade...?) with computers and needing help with something about it.

So when she walked to the location, she didn't bat an eye at the sight of someone with a moving box. She did pause a moment at the doorway, though. Kaede didn't recall any moving experience being required, but. Maybe the kid was having something replaced? This place was a mess, it could use it.]

That what we're doing here?

[Kaede? Aiding and abetting crimes (unintentionally)? Why, she'd never.]

[roombamastermind]

[Croix stopped, and ended up staring at this young lady. Was she for real?]

Yes, actually. Ah, if you could assist me...?

[Time to see how far she can take this.]

[long_live_the_queen]

[She may have skimmed the assignment. Anything to keep her hands busy and her thoughts quiet.

So, Kaede just shrugged.]

Sure.

[Accomplice: acquired.]

[roombamastermind]

[Croix grins, and passes the box over to Kaede.]

This way, then.

[Why carry it when you can have someone else do it for you.]

[long_live_the_queen]

[At first, Kaede's shoulders stiffened like a cat about to hiss. It's automatic, she can only help it sometimes. But the thought occurred to her that she was getting huffy at a box, and that was stupid. With a sigh, she accepted the thing.

Her knees bent a bit more than she liked; Kaede's physical frame was never particularly impressive, and without her vectors to prop her up, getting very far with this cargo would be bothersome. But she was nothing if not stubborn.]

The hell did you put in here? It's heavy.

[The horned girl had no hope whatsoever of seeing over the box, and leaned around the side of the box to scowl a bit.]

[roombamastermind]

It's a computer, along with the monitor and keyboard.

[Croix smiles sweetly...she won't let Kaede suffer much. Not for long anyway.]

[long_live_the_queen]

[Briefly, Kaede's brows furrowed. Weren't they supposed to...?

Whatever. She didn't remember. The horned girl sighed.]

Where do you want this thing?

[Sure hope no one else walks in, that'd be dreadful.]

[roombamastermind]

Where do I want it? My dear, we're taking it out.

[Upon which she opened the door, so Kaede could carry it through.]

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede huffed out an exasperated sigh like a bull pawing the ground.]

Where?

[But, before waiting for an answer, Kaede started out through the doors on her own. There was an inkling in her mind that this just may be Crime. But...petty theft was pretty low on a serial killer's spectrum of Crimes. She'd done worse drinking milk out of the carton.]

[roombamastermind]

To where I'm staying. I'm repairing it.

[At this point, she decides to take pity on Kaede, coming up and lifting the box on the other side.]

I'm afraid we've a ways to go.

[long_live_the_queen]

[The box was suddenly lighter, and the diclonius peered around the side again. She didn't know Croix, or why she was helping again, but for now didn't feel like snapping at that offered hand.]

Fine. Whatever.

[Her temper was all over the place today; short and snappish one moment, swinging back to understated and sullen the next. Today, yesterday, from the moment she was fished out of that river.]

Don't call me dear. I'm not nice.

[roombamastermind]

Duly noted.

[Croix began guiding them as they walked, making sure to give Kaede directions as they went along. Eventually, they reached the building where Croix had been staying.]

Now all we have to do is get up the stairs. You go up first, I'll support from the bottom. Bear the brunt of the weight.

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede was quiet as they walked; most of the sounds she made were scuffles of her feet when they turned a corner. She responded readily to the direction; when she slowed, it was mostly due to her glancing around for followers, bystanders, witnesses, or just people busy window shopping across the street.

It felt so...normal. Even seeing a man with a horse's head jaywalking was losing its strangeness. It was making it too easy to think about other things, recent things.

Dimly, she realized someone was speaking to her. Kaede started a bit, nearly stubbing her foot on the stairs in question before she stopped.]

Fine.

[Her voice was level and neutral again as she started up the stairs, a little more tentatively than usual. A lot of a little. Her vectors were still not answering her, so Kaede didn't have any handy whiskers guiding her as she backed up. She needed to stop often to re-collect her footing, and started to grumble to herself after the first few.]

[roombamastermind]

[ Croix wasn't unobservant. She could tell this young woman was having trouble getting around. She felt bad about using her like this now, but they were already on the stairs. So she did her best to help guide Kaede, as well as telling her to take it slow.

They finally reached their destination, upon which Croix motioned to help her lower the box to the ground. ]

You did well. You deserve a reward for your trouble. Come inside?

[long_live_the_queen]

Huh?

[Kaede blinked, set off balance at the invitation. The stony, neutral mask her expression was in most of the time slipped a moment as she peered quizzically around the box. There wasn't any sarcasm or sharpness in her voice, either.]

Me? [???] Why?

[Kindness confuses the Kaede.]

[roombamastermind]

Because you came all this way and did a good job, that's why.

[ A bit brusque for a former teacher, but that's how Croix is. ]

I hope you like ramen.

[long_live_the_queen]

[Honestly, Kaede appreciated the bluntness. It left less room for doubts to wiggle in.

It still took her a moment of standing and blinking before the ache in her arms set in again and reminded her she hadn't moved yet.]

Uh. I...guess.

[Feral cat she might be, but she'd still accept little things given to her.]

[roombamastermind]

[ She led Kaede inside, in what was very much a Sutoku starter apartment. It was small, only had room for a futon, and the kitchen area was attached to ever where else. Nevertheless, she bade Kaede to go and sit. ]

I'll get the noodles started. Have a load off on my futon.