Kidnapping (Plot Thread)

[Ayame Li Britannia]

“Anderson…Anderson…where the hell are you, Anderson?” Golden eyes scanned the pages of an old book, a long thin finger following the flow of the text. After about a few seconds, that same book was slammed shut, following an aggravated growl from its holder. “GAH! Why are these books filled with utter, useless crap!?”

“Ssshh!”

“Sorry!” Ayame Li Britannia, held her hand up in apology as a librarian gave her a stern glare before storming off to the backroom. Once the woman was out of sight, Ayame sighed heavily as she placed the book back on the shelf. Yup. That was a Japanese for ya. No care whatsoever for who she was…which Ayame liked. Made her feel more like a normal person. Only downside was that she couldn’t get away with being a loudmouth. ‘There’s nothing here…might as well check the next area…’ she thought to herself as she skipped out of the old library and into the grimy streets of the Shinjuku Ghetto.

Now as for why someone such as herself would be doing in such a place was quite simple. She was snooping around. More specifically, snooping around for anything regarding her beloved Wounded-san. Apparently he was MIA from the hospital…somewhere she had been only a day ago. Somewhere she had met two very iffy looking people, one of which she actually knew the name of. Anderson. Aka: Quack-san. (there was Oba-san as well…but Ayame highly doubt she would find any information on her) It did not take a super genius to figure out what had happened. Tristan had been captianapped from his lovely room…as for why, Ayame had no clue. But what she did know was that Captain-san was someone who was special, both to her and to Sylvie-neesama…to have someone dear to her kidnapped was something she had no tolerance for.

Ayame had read about Anderson somewhere once upon a time, but not enough to do any help in finding Tristan. So she had decided that since it was her day off from her lessons, she should make use of her time and go to Area 11 to see if she could find any information regarding Quack-san’s history. After all, Area 11 was the place to go if one wanted to find underground info. So Ayame headed out by herself, in hopes of finding some potential useful information. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for the third princess to off exploring by her onesy. She often went around during her free time, so it wasn’t as if the royal guards would accompany her. When she first started going out beyond the palace border, Slyvie-neesama had tried to send some guards to accompany her in secret. Ayame lost them within five minutes. This happened about 3 or 4 more times until the first princess finally gave up and let Ayame be.

Yet today, Ayame couldn’t help but feel that she was being followed. She crinkled her nose at the thought. She supposed that in light of recent events, perhaps her elders thought it would be best for her to be followed. Ayame frowned slightly. “But that presence…it doesn’t feel like a guard’s.” Rather, it felt almost…stalkerish? Ayame shook her head. Nah, she was thinking too much into it! Besides, why would she care? It wasn’t as if some creepy fanboy was going to stop her from being a nosey parker.



“Now where in heaven’s name could I find anything about that Quack-san, Anderson…any ideas, Pon-Pon?” Ayame glanced down at the large stuffed panda in her hands. Despite being used almost everyday as some form of a boomerang, Pon-Pon was in very good condition. A bit dirty on the edges, but still fluffy and squishy. Yet when thrown at a certain angle, he was as hard as steel. Ayame smiled fondly down at her toy and patted its head twice lovingly. Oh how she was forever grateful to sensei for letting her go to that Valentine’s Day festival…

“Ano…Ojou-san?” A voice called from one of the side alleys. Ayame paused mid-step and glanced back, her eyebrow quirking upwards. Was he talking to her? “Ojou-san…” Apparently so. Ayame took a step forward, her eyes widening as she recognized the poor man’s face. She had met him on several occasions, shared a box of Pocky with once or twice. He was a good man…not one of them psychos.

“What’s up, Oji-san?”

“I couldn’t help but over hear you speak of an Anderson…I think I may have some information that may help you…” Immediately Ayame’s ears perked up. Atta Oji-san! Always had the info she needed. Ayame took a few steps forward and crouched down by him, balancing on her back of her heels.

“I’m all ears.”

“There’s a man…he lives about 4 alleys down…left hand side…go down, and then make a sharp right. You should see him there. I’ve shared a few drinks with him…I remember him mentioning the name ‘Anderson.’ I don’t know if it’s the same man you are searching for, but you might as well go and try. Tell him that “the phoenix has caught the moon”…he will know that I sent you to him and he will tell you all that he knows.” Ayame’s face blew into a full blown smile as she hugged the beggar, tossing him a new pack of Pocky as a thank you before bolting off in the direction she was told.


Hopping down the street, Ayame eyed the desolate area she was in. It was so…sad…that these people had to live in dingy houses such as these. And those were the lucky ones. Those not so lucky ended up like Oji-san and lived in the shadows of the side alleys. She frowned slightly. Made her wonder, what was the point in all of this? Why did her family insist on controlling these people, when clearly all they wanted was to be able to breathe by themselves? Ayame sighed slightly. No matter how many times she asked, she was never given an answer…just ‘go with the flow.’

Glancing to across the street, Ayame watched several cyclists and cars go by. The presence that was following her was gone. Ayame frowned. ‘Wonder who it was?” Perhaps she had been imagining it all along? It wouldn’t be the first time she spontaneously played make-believe. She scratched her hat with one hand before stretching loudly.


“Maybe Sylvie-neesama is right…maybe I ought to cut back on the Joe…either that or quit watching The Twilight Zone before I go to sleep…” All the while not realizing that the trouble she had been sensing was very, very close

[Cadian Armana Virria]

The Shinjuku Ghetto still had its fair share of orphans who needed to be looked after, but it was a fraction of the number from a century ago. That didn’t make the children’s predicament any less tragic now. It would be so nice to think that the world today was more civilized, more accommodating, more peaceful, but that was hardly the case at all. The world wasn’t perfect, and it was… is largely Britannia’s fault if not entirely. But history was forever destined to repeat itself so Cadian held to no illusion that the world would ever be free of war. Free of war was a child’s naïve dream. Free from Britannia was an attainable goal.

A rare smile curved Cadian’s lips as he left the orphanage he had been volunteering at. It was earlier than he usually left, but he’d cut his hand preparing lunch for the children and had been sent home by the social worker who ran the orphanage. The wound hardly bothered him; he didn’t feel it after all, but he understood the woman’s concern. Cadian had no intention of heading to the apartment he currently resided in right away, and instead decided to walk around the Shinjuku Ghetto. It looked much different than the century old pictures in the history books, but there were echoes of the tragedies it had witnessed.

Not much could frighten Cadian anymore, or at least not much that he cared to admit to, but through the soft hum of general conversation one name reached his ears. “Anderson…” Blue eyes widened and Cadian froze where he stood. Memories flashed before his eyes, and it took Cadian several minutes to snap out of his trance. When he did, he looked for who had asked about the man. What Cadian found was the Third Princess of Britannia. If he had had any doubt that the Anderson he was recalling and the one she were interested were different men, lessened considerably. But why was the princess looking for the doctor?

Having recovered from his fright, Cadian quickly but quietly started to follow the girl, making sure to keep out of sight, not wanting to take the chance that she knew his face. He didn’t know why Ayame was looking for the doctor or why he would even be in Japan, but if he was, Cadian needed to be aware of it. Plus, he couldn’t deny that he was curious about what a princess, even the tomboy, was doing in the ghetto.

[Aoi Akuma]

Aoi sipped at her drink as she sat in the bar. How long she had been there had escaped her. Things went by as fast as they appeared. Anyway she couldn't much concentrate on past memories with this injury.

Throb

Chuckling darkly she downed the drink and looked at the bar tender. "Another scotch please." She handed him the right amount of money as she spoke. No White Russian today. Not when she was in pain and pissed. "Here." She heard the gruff man say as he sat the glass by her. Giving him a small nod in thanks she drank it. That damned man Anderson did this to her. Gripping the glass firmly she felt another wave of pain wash through her. She had refused the stitches...they wouldn't have done her any good since it had started to somewhat heal when she had gotten to base. That and she didn't need anyone seeing her scars. Too many questions would come up that would go unanswered. People would start snooping and she did not need that. "I swear I'll kill that man....Anderson."

As she downed her glass she saw another one come in front of her. Looking at the bar tender she gave a small smile before picking the glass up. Though of course things like this always happened. People died,people were in pain, life was a bitch. Didn't mean she was any less pissed. That man would pay for screwing with her. Smirking slightly she downed the drink again. Nobody who got on her hit list was alive anymore anyway.

Looking around at the people in the bar she noticed she was the only female. Figures First looking towards the bar tender she spoke quietly.

"Have you seen a man named Anderson? Blonde. Arrogant little Bastard." She watched as the man turned to her debating something. No doubt he had heard her say she'd kill Anderson.

"I haven't but some of these men might have," he pointed at a group of men in the far back "They get around a lot so if anyone would have seen that man they would have."

Giving a small thanks she walked towards the table. Feeling all eyes on her she walked towards them. The men were talking in quiet dark voices. One of them finally noticed her standing and sent a gaze towards the others. The talking ceased and all eyes were on Aoi. Seeing one drunk idiot coming towards her she 'calmy' took her knife out, pressed him against the wall, and growled at him. Seeing the color drain from his face she smiled. Walking back towards the table she smiled darkly.

"As anyone she a blonde arrogant man anmed Anderson recently?"

[michael]

Michael just grimaced the entire time he was with his commanding officer. Her attitude wasn't his favorite quality about her but regardless he had an obligation to fulfill as one of her subordinates. He kept a calm head whenever they went out for any reason, their attitudes balanced each other out so it was a good choice on Zero's part. But he often wondered who Zero was but Michael only figured that the identity of Zero was just a mystery of the Black Knights. At the present moment their mission was to find information and if possible a man named Anderson.

He just incoherently followed Aoi when he spotted Ayame Li Britannia wandering the streets. It perplexed him why she would be in the ghettos instead of the Tokyo settlement. His heart raced as he scanned the surrounding area to find any form of guards available. He nudged his captain in the ribs to get her attention.

"Aoi isn't that Ayame Li Britannia wandering the streets? How do you plan on advancing I'm sure this is more important than trying to find a lead on this Anderson person after all we can use her a political bargaining chip especially considering that it seems like no one else is guarding her."

[Ayame Li Britannia]

Ayame yawned loudly, rubbing her eyes slightly. Meh. She still hadn’t recovered completely from her all-nighter the previous night. Rather, she was working on complete autopilot right now. “Need coffee…now.” Ayame groaned out as she slumped along the streets. Four alleys down…then make a sharp right…

Ayame sighed slightly. While the distance wasn’t too far, the fatigue was beginning to get to her. She yawned loudly, glancing over to see a coffee shack nearby. She paused for a moment, her head tilted in thought. Should she? She shrugged. Meh. Why not?

Strolling inside, Ayame waved to the waiters, who only glared at her in response. She laughed nervously. Sheesh. Talk about tense. “Hey, um…could I get a cup of Joe. With two shots of espresso? And three sugars?” The waiter merely blinked at her dryly for a few moment before biting out a

“very well.” and handing her the drink. Ayame smiled her thanks as she paid the woman and took the steaming mug. Before taking her first sip, Ayame’s nose quickly sniffed the mug, out of sheer reflex. Oo. Coffeeeee~ And no trace of poison….perfect~

After she had drowned her coffee, Ayame hopped out of the shack, her energy completely restored. Yosh! Now she was ready to meet than Oji-san! Walking down the instructed path, Ayame soon came face to face with an elderly homeless man, much like the previous one she had met.

“Um…Oji-san?” she said, not sure if the man was awake, seeing that his head was still titled. His head slowly bopped up straight, and he glared hard at Ayame.

“I don’t have anything left. Go away.” Ayame smiled sadly.

“I’m not here for that…um, another Oji-san from up the street told me that maybe you could help me find someone…his name is Anderson…he told me that if I said ‘the phoenix has caught the moon,’ you’d tell me.” The old man’s eyes widened slightly before a hoarse chuckle came from his throat.

“Old bastard’s still alive, eh? Well, sit down Ojou-san…I’ll tell you everything I know…


Ayame left the alley, her mind spinning. Was what Oji-san told her true? Was Anderson and her brother involved in some weird scientific experiment? Oji-san did not know the details, just bits and bobs…all somehow connecting to 100 years ago? Made no sense whatsoever. Ayame sighed dejectedly. In all, the old beggar did not have any leads as to where Anderson could be found directly. Just some oldwives tales…not something Ayame was hoping to hear.

As she turned a corner, a sudden rustling, caused her to whirl her head around.

“Whose there?”

[Aoi Akuma]

Aoi began to talk to the men...before being interrupted by one of her members. "Aoi isn't that Ayame Li Britannia wandering the streets? How do you plan on advancing I'm sure this is more important than trying to find a lead on this Anderson person after all we can use her a political bargaining chip especially considering that it seems like no one else is guarding her." 'Hm?" Turning around she saw that it was indeed the Third Princess. What's she doing around in the Ghetto? She thought long and hard about what Michael had said. ".....True." she replied reluctantly. Staring at the men she gave them a look that said 'Stay'. Getting up from her seat she walked out towards the streets.

Following the young Princess she was a little confused. "What would posses her to come around here. Especially now." Shrugging slightly she kept her hand on her knife. Even for Japanese sometimes these Ghetto's were dangerous. And Aoi didn't need to attract anymore attention then what she already had. Walking around with a cloak and an aura like hers definitly attracted attention.Finding herself going down an alley she had to question if this girl knew where she was going.

She got her answer when she saw the princess stop in front of an old begger.

"Um Oji-san?" Aoi heard the princess question. She saw the glare the man gave her.

“I don’t have anything left. Go away.” That's all Aoi heard of their conversation. This saying though let a low growl escape Aoi's lips. "The japanese have suffer far too long. This old man is a prime example of this. They can no longer afford jobs and the Britannians treat them like crap." Aoi muttered furiously as she watched the two. She had know just how hard life was in the Ghetto's. Especially for the childeren. Another growl escaped her lips.

Seeing the Princess thank the man and leave Aoi quickly dispersed her thoughts and followed her. She saw her round a corner at the end of the alley way. Just as Aoi was about to follow she felt another sharp pain go through her shoulder and towards her body. She leaned briefly against the wall rustling a can. "Damn Anderson." Was all that escaped her lips before she saw the princess stiffen.

“Whose there?”

[michael]

Michael scurried behind his Captain with a rather depressed look he had really hoped that his captain wasn't going to injury the hostage. But to his dismay he watched Aoi pull out knives. Following his captain along he tried to decide what the best choice in capturing her was . If they continued to sneak up on the Ayame than there was a chance that there would be any needless violence. He pulled out his pistol and kept pace with Aoi until they spotted a homeless man.

Aoi kept following the third princess but Michael was frozen. He felt the overwhelming sensation of sorrow wash over him. It filled every fiber of his being this was a broken man all due to the long bloodstained heritage he shared. He felt ashamed of being Britannian every time he saw someone who had their lives destroyed by the Holy Empire of Britannia. He dug through his pockets until he found some money. He bent over and gave the man the money before he gave a warm smile and left.

He had lost site of his Captain and the third Princess and searched frantically to find her. He pulled out his communicator and tried to contact Aoi.

"Hey Aoi, I lost you and the Princess. Are you still on her tail or should we fan out if you lost her as well?"

[Ayame Li Britannia]

Ayame’s eyes scanned the alleyway, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. No one. She frowned slightly. ‘But I could have sworn…’ Shrugging slightly, Ayame continued off on her little walk down the street. Maybe she was becoming paranoid…thinking that people were following her. She shook her head to herself. She shouldn’t be wary of the people here. They were all good people, even those who occasionally pick pocketed from her-so far she had been the ‘victim’ twice (in truth, she kept money in an easy access spot on purpose.) There was no need to be suspicious of them.

Ayame bit her lip slightly. But still…that presence…it was really starting to become more and more prominent. She clutched Pon-Pon closer to her. She was positive it wasn’t the guards…they would have grabbed her and hauled her ass back by now. But it didn’t feel like a beggar’s presence…beggars rarely tailgated someone for as far as this person did. They were quick about their business, out of fear of being caught. Besides, this presence, overall, had a feeling of…danger? For lack of a better word. There was just something off about it, like it didn’t sit well in Ayame’s stomach, similar to the way she felt when she first laid eyes on that Oba-san. Only this time, the danger flag wasn’t as bright. It was dangerous, but not in the ‘I will eat your soul’ fashion…more like ‘mwuaha, I shall kidnap you’ way.

Ayame froze mid-step. Kidnap? She tilted her head slightly. Could it be? Well…she would be lying if she said it wasn’t possible. After all, she was a princess in the Ghetto for crying out loud! There was always a risk of being taken hostage…it was just, the chances were never high for her. She shrugged. Meh. If it was some kidnapper, so be it. As of now, that kidnapper wasn’t doing much…and he/she/it had better remain doing so. She wasn’t done snooping around yet…she wasn’t ready to be kidnapped.

Choosing to take a breather on the steps of an orphanage, Ayame took out a box of pocky from her bag. Opening the box, Ayame was about to pull a stick out when a young girl and a younger boy approached her. Ayame smiled kindly down at them.

“You’re little bro?” she asked, indicating to the small boy. He looked no more than five, the girl herself being at most nine. The girl nodded hesitantly. Ayame smiled and held the box out to them. “Here ya go, squirt.” she said giving the boy the box, who immediately accepted it, a wide smile on his face. The girl smiled her thanks and was about to leave before Ayame stopped her. “Oy, catch!” she said as she threw the girl a second box.

Watching the pair walk off, Ayame sighed slightly to herself before slapping her cheeks in the motivational way. “Yosh. Sitting around like this isn’t gonna help me find anything…” she said as she skipped down the steps and resumed her stroll. After a few minutes she stopped and let out an aggravated sigh. “GAH! But where to go?” she asked to no one in particular as she scratched her hat, her face crinkled in thought. “Where the hell can I find any info on Anderson…mo this Quack-san is proving to be such a troublesome guy, ne Pon-Pon?”

[Aoi Akuma]

Tensing up she leaned against the wall on baited breath. Waiting until she heard the princess walk away she then pushed herself off the wall. She could not wait until this wound healed. It was giving her way too many problems. That and it was interfering with her work and training. Sighing she continued to follow the princess.

Curiously the princess clutched onto that little animal she had been carrying. Humming slightly as she saw this amused. So she had caught her prescence did she. Didn't matter, as long as she was Aoi's target she wouldn't escape so easily. No matter if she knew she was there or not. It was just easier to be unseen then to come out directly and say 'I'm gonna kidnap you'. Either way it was more Aoi's style to stick to the shadows then in the open.

Aoi watched her stop in front of the orphanage. "Hm" humming slightly she studied the place. It was run down, like all the places in the ghetto, but it still had a quaint 'homey' feeling to it. Nostalgic is what Aoi would call it. She could vaguely remember this place in passing when she was a child. She would sometimes walk by there when she was on her way home from exploring. That was before she saw the harsh reality of the world. Before she had expirenced how truly cruel the Britannians were and before violence had truly been invited into Aoi's world. Before her parents were.....

Snapping out of her painful thoughts she turned her attention back to the princess. She saw her kneal down to a duo of orphanage kids and handed the boy a pack of pocky. As they turned to walk away she saw as Ayame threw another box to the girl. So she's not entirely like her siblings.

Yosh. Sitting around like this isn’t gonna help me find anything…”

Aoi watched as she clapped her cheeks and walked down from the steps of the orphanage. Curiouser Curiouser. Aoi sood behind the corner and proceded to watch the girl let out an angered sigh as she walked.

“GAH! But where to go?”

Watching the girl scratch her hat Aoi hummed to herself. Little princess liked to walk through the Ghetto did she now. That was a bit...odd for a royal but it mattered not to Aoi. Any royal would've done but the Third princess was there a waiting. How could she pass this up after all. Though the thing she said next definetly caught her attention.

“Where the hell can I find any info on Anderson…mo this Quack-san is proving to be such a troublesome guy, ne Pon-Pon?”

Ignoring the question in the back of her head that asked who the heck Pon-Pon was she smirked at the name she said. Anderson eh......this is better than I would've thought of. Maybe she could help her find 'Quack-san'. Then another name would be gone from her black list.

"Hey Aoi, I lost you and the Princess. Are you still on her tail or should we fan out if you lost her as well?"

Hearing her subordinate's voice from the communicator surprised her. Oh....I wondered where he was. Turning on her com. she whispered into it. "I've still got her....do you know where that old orphanage is. If so come around the north way got it. We can corner her.....hm she also seems to know Mister Anderson," she strained the word Mister in dislike "Or as she likes to say Quack-san. We might actually be able to find out who this man is."

Finishing she turned off her end of the com. and turned back her attention to the princess. Seeing the two kids from before come out on the front of the orphanage, which was a few feet away from Ayame, she smiloed softly. Seemed like they could not open the pocky. Walking to them she kneeled down, took out her knife, and slowly pried the top of it. "Here" she muttered softly. Hearing a small thanks they both ran back inside of the orphanage.

Looking at the princess from the corner of her eye she smiled. And the fun begins.

[michael]

He frowned slightly as he heard the voice of his officer. Captain Aoi wasnt the type to sit around and wait for back up from anyone especially when it came to missions. He exhaled and ran off to the nearest strret sign he had to get to the princess before Captain Aoi. His thoughts came back to Nia as he ran, for quite some time thats all he had been able to think of through and through he knew realistically nothing between the two of them could ever happen it still did not deter him from day dreaming about it. He was smiling for a while and his heart began to beat faster when he tried to focus on his mission again. He came up to one of the street signs, it was broken but that was to be expected from the ghetto's. It was still readable and it pointed him in the direction of where he needed to head to.

He quickly saw a path that seemed to lead him to the orphanarium by going through the ruins of the old buildings that were there. "Im on my way Captain Aoi, it wont take me long." Crossing through the rubel as fast as he could he tripped over one of the buildings rubbels. He fell forward hard and scrapped his knee. Picking himself up he ran with a limp as fast as he could to the place he was suppose to ambush Aoi. He checked his coat pocket and gripped his pistol. His sprint slowed down as he saw the princess. Creeping in the shadows of the orphanarium he saw Aoi standing in the center of the street a few yards behind the princess Ayame.

Crouched down he moved carefully to be in perfect range to fire a warning shot at her if she tried to run when he took a moment to think about what options he had. He could always immobolize her with one of his bullets, but that was the sort of needless violence that other Black Knights did something he was against. When he heard Ayame say out loud something about Anderson, if it was the same Andetrson Captain Aoi was lucking for he wasnt sure how far his captain would go to get the information out of the young girl. He sighed and put away his pistol in his coat pocket.

He pulled out his knife and began to cut up his clothing as fast as he could, he tried his best to make it look as if he were one of the elevens who riseded her. He took off his boots and gloves and threw away his communication device as well. His Blazer was tattered up as well as his pants he picked up some of the dirt and sprinkled it over himself. He walked out of the building limping and spoke weakly, "Did you say a man named Anderson..... young miss? I know something about that devil."

[Ayame Li Britannia]

Ayame continued to bop down the street, her consistent hopping causing the bag around her shoulder to bump lightly against her hip occasionally. Staring up at the clear sky, Ayame’s eyes squinted slightly at the sun’s glare.

“Meh.” was all that came out of the young princess’ mouth as she turned her gaze back down to Pon-Pon. Honestly…what the hell was she supposed to do? Here she was, all pumped up and ready to go (complete with caffeine boost)…but with no leads. Ayame sighed dejectedly. ‘Maybe I oughtta just go back…’ Ayame quickly shook her head, lifting Pop-Pon slightly outwards in front of her. Only to bash the fluff ball’s head against her own. “BAKA! BAKA! BAKA!” Ayame shouted to no one in particular as she repeatedly continued to clonk her head against the stuffed panda’s. “Mo..What the hell is wrong with you, Ayame? Giving up so easily! Tch.” Ayame said as she sighed , feeling a slight bump on her forehead, courtesy of her self-inflicted punishment. She looked back down at Pon-Pon, who only stared back up with big black eyes.

Immediately, Ayame’s eyes watered. “I’M SORRY, PON-PON!!” she wailed as she clutched the giant panda of doom to her, completely oblivious to the strange stares she was getting from the citizens around her. Though she vaguely heard one ask if someone should call a shrink. She ignored them. After all, how could she? How could she have gone and abused her precious Pon-Pon like that? It was unforgivable. She would have to make it up to him. Via chocolate coated sugar cookies. Pon-Pon’s favorite.

‘Yosh! Once I get back, I am barricading myself in that kitchen until I make enough cookies to feed the Britannian army!” Feeling slightly better about herself, now that she had a way to atone for her sin, Ayame continued to walk along the street, no direction in mind. She sighed again. This seemed to be the trend nowadays. Walking around aimlessly, that is. ‘But it’s not like I can help it…there’s just nothing here on Quack-san…wish I knew what Oba-san’s name was…’ Ayame bit her lip slightly in thought. Perhaps someone here knew of her? After all, how many creepy-green eyed-platinum-oba sans were there? Someone was bound to have known her. Maybe back at the hospital….

"Did you say a man named Anderson..... young miss? I know something about that devil."

“Hm?” Ayame stopped mid-step and turned her head to the left to see a young man limping out of one of the abandoned shelters. Her eyebrow rose. Wow. ‘Tattered’ was an understatement. Hell, ‘dirt poor and living with pigeons in a ferry terminal’ wasn’t sufficient to describe this man’s appearance. Prime example of what a poor man looks like. Ayame felt her stomach knot in that ‘I’m a loaded princess, he’s got crap…insert guilt here please’ kind of way. Loverly.

Then the man’s words finally reached Ayame’s ears. ‘I know something about that devil.’ The words echoed in Ayame’s head as slowly her face began to brighten up, her eyes staring up with supreme wonder at the stranger in front of her. An Angel! He was a freaking angel! Ayame’s eyes began to tear up again as she swore she saw a halo appear behind the beggar’s head. The sound of angels singing ‘Hallelujah’ was loud and clear in her eardrums. A wide smile had already found its way across her face as Ayame crouched slightly.

And pounced.

“I LOVE YOU!” she screamed as she fly-tackled the poor man, the height difference between the two resulting in her clinging firmly to his waist. As Ayame remained clung to the man’s waist, a faint scent itched at her nose, causing it to twitch slightly. Gunpowder? Was that the smell of gunpowder? Releasing the man, Ayame stared up at him with curiosity, her head tilted to one side. Well…he was built solidly enough. He looked like he could handle a fight or two…so maybe he sold guns or was involved in some kind of shady business that used them? Did it involve Anderson? Clearly the man did not think highly of him, seeing that he referred to the doctor as a ‘devil.’ Maybe there was more to this man then met the eye. Ayame mentally shrugged. Meh. Didn’t matter. Dude could be a freaking terrorist for all she cared. Fact was that this dude had answers. Answers she was dying to have.

She grinned up widely at him. “Hiya! You say you know somethin’ about Quack-san? I’ve got six boxes of Pocky and moola.” Her eyes flickered slightly.

“Name your price.”

[izumi]

He crouched down, and stayed pressed against the wall. His hand maintained its grip on a silencer equipped pistol.
He'd followed the princess here, via a tracking device he'd planted inside her teady bear. He'd been lying in wait this entire time, listening to the princess and her odd ramblings. Seriously, she seemed the most sane person he knew, yet she reached a 10 on the oddball scale everytime. Especially the recent 'I love you' line, hopefully that wasn't in the literal sense, or her brother was so gonna have a field day with this.
"Name your price."
Izumi facepalmed, she just hit oddball level 11! Didn't she realise that some people would jump at that question in some of the most wrong ways possible? Especially in a deprived place like this?
"For the love of god I hope noone heard that."

[michael]

He had met some rather bizarre people but never anyone quite as bizarre as her. She just seemed to perky either way he was close enough to finish is mission. But what he needed to do was secure a few things first off he had to get Ayame to Captain Aoi, second he had to make sure that none of the Royal Britannian guards were nearby her that could intercede their Kidnapping. He stared calmly down at Ayame when he saw her sniffing him. He had forgotten the smell of gunpowder from his pistol, that was the only thing that could have made her sniff him.

"No, i don't need any food myself, in fact would you mind it if we talked somewhere else its not exactly safe here." He leaned in closer to her and whispered directly into her ear. "You see Anderson has people every where the things he has people do are cruel. Some of the people in the ghettos are infected with strange micro listening devices. There was someone who...who.." He paused as he began to falsely shake with fear, "Some of the people here were experimented on and were implanted with bombs inside their bodies. So much of the chaos here was not created by Britannian force or by the Black Knights but by That Devils mad hands! I was going to be next on his chopping block but I managed to loosen my bonds enough to escape from that hell."

He pulled back his head and gave Captain Aoi the signal to hide with his eyes. Michael wasn't quite sure how accurate his information of after all most of the information he had was from the stories his Captain had told him. He graved her arm and lead her to wards the direction Aoi might have been hidden.

[Aoi Akuma]

Seeing her soldier come out in ripped clothing Aoi raised her eyebrows. Now she knew that he had to look poor....but her really did overdue it a bit. Living in the Ghetto for so long Aoi knew that for a fact. Luckily she doubted the princess did or at least thought he was extremely poor.

"Did you say a man named Anderson..... young miss? I know something about that devil."

Hm convincing. Especially when it concerned Anderson. She watched from where she sat on the steps outside the orphanage. Guaging as much as she could of her reaction from the back she at least knew she was happy. Though she didn't quite expect what the Princess did next.

“I LOVE YOU!”

Soundlessly blinking she watched as the Princess attached herself to his waist. Speachless she just watched the scene. Not entirely surprised by the action itself but the fact that she did it to someone who looked dirt poor. She looked Michael up and down. Literally. Well I guess that showed that she didn't act like her other siblings. Which would make it easier to handle her when they got her to base. Though Aoi had a suspicious feeling that the girl could fight she shrugged it off. Not even her and her.....'Pon-Pon' would be able to fend off two Black Knights. At least not easily.

“Hiya! You say you know somethin’ about Quack-san? I’ve got six boxes of Pocky and moola. Name your price.”

"Hm." Not bad for a Princess, At least she knew what most beggars would reacte too to give information.

"No, i don't need any food myself, in fact would you mind it if we talked somewhere else its not exactly safe here."

Then she saw him whisper in her ear. Probably the things she had found out from walking around the Ghetto. They weren't pleasant things either and without a doubt Aoi would make sure they stopped.

Seeing him pull away she glanced at his eyes. They were telling her to hide. Smirking widely she nodded and slinked off so she wasn't visible if they looked for her. Hearing the footsteps of the two she braced herself. Soon she would finally get some information on why the Princess wanted Anderson so badly. Hopefully then Aoi could actually find him. And make sure he was like all the others on her blacklist. Dead.

[izumi]

Izumi watched as the ghetto resident began to whisper something in Ayame's ear, something he himself could hear due to the transmitter in Pon-Pon (He remembered he best call it that as the princess seemed to have a sixth sense about those who didn't) which doubled as a microphone.
"Some of the people here were experimented on and were implanted with bombs inside their bodies. So much of the chaos here was not created by Britannian force or by the Black Knights but by That Devils mad hands! I was going to be next on his chopping block but I managed to loosen my bonds enough to escape from that hell."
Izumi raised an eyebrow, he 'escaped'? Then why did he seem so eager to go back? Or worse still with a princess in tow, wouldn't a ghetto resident of all people know the consequences if anything happened to her? The military would raze the area to the ground, and this guy would have to worry more about suddenly having to wear a blindfold in front of a firing squad than a chopping block.
He went around the buildings in the area, the rubble only moving slightly in response to his light touch.