capeandcowl | [video]

Entry tags:

minako arisato | the wild card

[video]

[Minako is at the Pie Hole, of course, taking a moment in the midst of getting ready to open... but that has nothing to do with the reason she's posting to the Network right now. She looks uncertain, and troubled; she should probably have shared this information sooner, but she's had her doubts about what to say, and how publicly.

She still has doubts, so when she speaks, it's hesitant and very brief.]

I think... I might have found out something about Atropos.

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[Minako is standing by a table chatting with a customer, but she's been keeping watch on the door out of the corner of her eye, and it isn't long before she spots Gil's arrival. Once she does, she politely excuses herself and steps away from the table, lifting a hand in a little wave and starting towards him.]

Thank you for coming. Please sit anywhere you'd like. Can I get you anything? A coffee, at least - my treat, since you had to come out here.

[She is maybe a little bit keyed up.]

[ He nods in greeting, but then shakes his head to politely decline her offers. ]

No, thank you. I'm fine as is.

[ He vaguely gestures to the customers around them. ]

I can wait until you've finished your shift.

Oh - no, if you wait until I'm done for the day you'll be stuck waiting for way too long.

It's okay. I'm not the only one here now, so I can spare some time.

[ He nods and waits for her to lead them somewhere either private or to a seat distanced away from the other customers. ]

[After a quick look around, she comes to a decision and leads the way to a corner table, one without anyone sitting nearby, and where they can both keep a clear view of the rest of the dining area.]

If this is all right, then please, sit. I'm really sorry to have to make you go to all of this trouble...

[ He does as she asks, hands resting neatly in his lap, although he can't help the occasional bounce of his leg. He's antsy about whatever it is she has to share with him. ]

It's hardly any trouble. [ He shakes his head. ] What is it?

[Minako takes a seat herself, placing both hands on the table, and draws in a deep breath as she organizes her thoughts.]

I met someone who used to work as a recruiter for Vulcanus. He didn't know all of the things that they were doing, or how much it was hurting people - this was more than a year ago, before Vulcanus got themselves into trouble over what they did in Venezuela.

A recruiter?

[ He nods though, to show he's following. ]

How did you come across this man?

[She shakes her head, a brief, quick motion.] That part's not so important. He isn't working for Vulcanus any more. I can't be sure that everything he remembers is what really happened, but I'm sure that he wasn't trying to trick me.

The important part is, after Vulcanus got into trouble here for the things they were doing, they started trying to look in other worlds for recruits, and for sources of power for new Meta-Men. He said they were especially interested in memory manipulation abilities.

[ Now it starts to go a bit beyond him, but he listens closely, his brow furrowing. ]

They lured in innocent people to do some of their work for them. [ He bites down on his lower lip. ] Given we've been sent to various worlds in the past year, it makes sense.

[ Wherever they attempt to exploit resources, Lachesis sends them to follow. ]

Memory manipulation for what or for who?

[Minako shakes her head again, this time more slowly and with visible regret.]

He didn't know. Or else he didn't remember. [She hesitates, biting her lip briefly. The significance of that in the context of Vulcanus's interest in memory manipulation hasn't escaped her.] He only went on one expedition... to a world made of darkness, he said.

[ A world of darkness. His stomach sinks at the idea.

But he swiftly recalls the times he had attempted to contract Raven and what that had felt like. A "sea of darkness" he had said. ]

What did he mean by that? Did he say?

He... wasn't very clear. [She ducks her head a little. She hates not having better answers, but it can't be helped - the state her source was in, she felt like it'd be best not to push too hard.]

He said they encountered something there. That was all he could say about it, "something." But it knew Lachesis and Clotho by name.

They made it angry.

[ A measured pause. ]

The third sister?

...I don't know. He didn't have a name for it, so there's no way to know for sure.

But, it would make sense, wouldn't it?

[ His eyes drift toward the table's surface, trying to make sense of it all. ]

Does this mean they've obtained the third sister's power?

I don't know. I don't think they did then, at least.

My - friend [she says it with a hesitation that makes it clear that's not the right word, but it'll have to do] was the only one from his team who made it back. And he doesn't know how. Just, words in his head, and then white, until he woke up again.

Whether it really was Atropos or not, I don't think Vulcanus would've been able to get control of her power easily.

[She looks down, expression troubled.]

...but, that doesn't mean they haven't figured out how.

Or that they won't stop trying.

[ If there's anything they've learned about Vulcanus, it's that they're too stubborn for their own good. ]

Would this person be willing to talk to anyone again?

[At that question, Minako goes still. She doesn't answer right away, and when she does, her eyes remain downcast.]

I'd... rather not bring any more attention to him. He's hiding from Vulcanus now. Or, he believes he is.

If they're still keeping an eye on him, then...

Maybe someone can offer him protection. If he's by himself, who knows what might happen.

[ Vulcanus has apparently eliminated loose ends before and he carries no doubt they'll do it again if they see it fit. ]

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