[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Kushiki Kioko

Today had a decently sized crowd!

Busking was one of a few ways Rhea made a living, biding her time until she could execute her revenge strategy; maybe she might even get help in the Lion's Den to hide away. But that was a future Rhea problem. For now, she needed to ensure she was capable of managing these people. And also ensuring they were giving her money.

"Thank you! Thank you! Be sure to leave a token of your appreciation before you leave!~" She felt the barbs in her throat rub against one another, and she knew she hit the right frequency for some people as a few reached for their pockets. Today was going to shape up quite well, which meant she might be able to make rent!

She'd be in one of the sundresses that Lilith had 'acquired' for her, something that was both cute and flashy for a day like this. As a few people paid their tithes she'd put on the backtrack for her to start up her next song, something that people always liked here for reasons she wasn't sure.

0 Victims

OWL

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

“Drive to the next street. Out of sight of this one,” Kioko ordered from the passenger seat as she caught sight of her quarry through the tinted window. Nothing had seemed to change about the dark SUV or the man that drove it. The familiarity of it all was nearly overwhelming to Kioko in its absurdity. The only things keeping her steady that evening were purpose and the fact she had sat in the front seat instead of the back where she had ridden almost every day for about eighteen years before her life came crashing down.

The driver obeyed, maneuvering the large vehicle through light traffic until it was well past the small gathering of people milling around a street musician. No, musician was generous. Or perhaps lacking. Kioko knew the term and alias of Siren to be more fitting given the nature of the woman’s Quirk—one she had dared to use on Kioko at an underground meeting months prior. A meeting at which the other woman did not hide her identity. Kioko found that foolish, but it certainly made tracking her down easier. Especially when compared to the hoops Kioko required people to jump through to find her when she bore the mantle and moniker of Meliora.

“Here. Turn.”

The SUV slowed to a stop within an alley nestled between various businesses that made up exactly the kinds of surroundings one might find in Shibuya. The engine was left idling. “Will you be okay here?” Kioko snorted at the question. “Please, Rhys. According to the news, I would be the threat one bumps into in an alley, no?” He didn’t seem convinced, but he opened the door and slid out, closing it behind him before he disappeared in the direction they had come from.

So it was the Rhys, not Kioko, approached Rhea on the street as she crooned away. He waited for her to finish with arms folded across his expansive chest in a pose reflective of his past employment as a bodyguard in the Kushiki family’s employ. Only rather recently had he informed Kioko that was no longer the case. Now he was once more at her personal beck and call for a price that far outweighed the value of money—revenge. Once Rhea finished, he’d draw closer and address the songstress.

“Excuse me, ma’am. My employer would like a word with you.”

Notes & Tags: rhea | Rhys is in a black suit. | Outfit + No Mask Yet

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Kushiki Kioko

As the backtrack on her speakers began to wind down Rhea gave a bow, repeating her earlier sentiment and a few more people added a few more bucks to her tip jar. This was a point where she had to take a minute to drink some water and massage her throat, relax a bit as even when she was normally singling the barbs had a tendency to grab onto one another. It was one of the more annoying aspects of her quirk.

Though on this break a man had approached her, and she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. A million questions flitted through her head with at minimum five conclusions being drawn. She glanced back at the crowd, letting out a small hum before leaning forward. "Normally I would be inclined to accept an invitation, but as you can see I have a means of making a decent amount of money today. These people want a show, and I'm inclined to give it to them."

As dangerous as it was, she adjusted her vocal cords and posed a question: "What is your employer willing to give for this lost time?" She wasn't expecting much, maybe this person was crazy. Either way, she needed incentive to walk away from a hot streak like this.

0 Victims

OWL

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

Rhys had been warned of the woman’s abilities in advance. Knowledge to refine will. Whether or not it was successful in aiding his would be unclear from anyone gauging either his physical or verbal response. He remained rigid and alert, yet provided Rhea with a direct answer to her commanding query.

“She said, and I quote: if that harpy asks for payment, offer aid in helping her track down certain individuals previously mentioned provided an accord of mutual assistance is arranged with a chance of further compensation in a more traditional sense based on future circumstances.”

Depending on the type of people Rhea rubbed elbows with, it was unlikely she encountered many that spoke as pompously or as formally. Especially ones she had mentioned her own hunt to recently. Kioko had hoped that would be enough to pique the other woman’s interest without having to accost her in public herself.

Notes & Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Kushiki Kioko

The response was not something Rhea was expecting, and one of her earlier conclusions, not to mention fears, struck true. Whoever this man's employer was knew what Rhea was ultimately after, and that vulnerability was awful. With the color drained from her face she inclined her head a little. "Give me a moment to collect my things, and I'll be right with you."

It was an awful feeling, but she obviously couldn't pass up this opportunity. Would she lose money? Probably. Could she lose more? Absolutely. But someone knew her goals, which meant she had to investigate who they were and how they knew. Turning back to the crowd she explained that something had to leave, but that she'd be back later in the week. She had learned a few tricks from Lilith, so there was that. And even better was she travelled light; throat mic that doubled up as a choker, which she could just turn off, a pair of nice speakers, and she just had to collect the jars she laid out for people. With everything packed up she'd approached the man again, clearing her throat. "So, lead on."

0 Victims

OWL

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

Rhys returned the gesture with a nod of his own before waiting for Rhea to put away her things. Gentleman that he was, or perhaps used to serving a different serpent, he reached for her collected belongings to carry them. “Allow me.” Given his offer was met only with minor hesitation, he took up the burden and began to lead Rhea back to the viper’s temporary nest.

Kioko saw their approach from the rear view mirror she had watched like a hawk since Rhys’ departure. Her maw opened to allow a stream of quicksilver to spill past her blackened lips. It twisted itself into an ornate mask that she donned to obscure a portion of her visage. Her particular brand of Villain conducted itself akin to a masquerade of mystery, unlike Rhea who saw fit to move more openly.

When performer and cargo carrier arrived at the vehicle, Rhys set the parcels down to open the back driver’s side door. He lifted Rhea’s gear one more time and slid it across the leather seats before stepping aside so that Rhea could get in. “After you.” Kioko continued to watch the proceedings through the rearview mirror as she spoke, “You’re remarkably easy to find. Shouldn’t that concern you given your other line of work?”

Notes & Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Kushiki Kioko

The offer for Rhys to carry her things was met with some hesitation, but Rhea relented; if it was offered she was going to take it. A million thoughts ran through her head as they stepped into the alley and towards the waiting car. She had to be honest with herself, she was scared. Though as she wracked her brain an encounter came to mind she had a little while back. She was, without a doubt, blatant with her identity and in the process spoke to few people there. However, there was one person in mind as they approached that she remembered speaking to that night.

As she slid into the car (what other choice did she have that didn't result in death?) she adjusted herself, looking at the rearview mirror to make eye contact with the person that had summoned her: Meliora. "Believe me, it is something I am paranoid about," she says, crossing her legs as she leaned back. "It is the reason why my criminal acts are on a small scale, or subtle enough to go unnoticed. For the time being I prefer being a fly on the wall." Despite the smile she gave the woman, Rhea was uncomfortable. She never expected to be singled out like this. "It has been quite some time, darling. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

0 Victims

OWL

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

“A mask and an alias go a long way,” Kioko offered in what was either a piece of helpful advice or sarcasm as it was the easiest and most obvious solution to Rhea’s paranoia. It was difficult to tell with Kioko. Her tone was as cold and stoic as ever. The only person there that might know her intent beyond herself was Rhys as he made his way back into the driver’s seat and put the car back into drive, maneuvering them out of the alleyway before anyone got suspicious over their idling.

He drove slowly through traffic and seemingly without purpose or direction. It was a stark contrast to both Rhea and Kioko who were already getting to the point of their less-than-impromptu meeting on Kioko’s part. “You sought aid not so long ago. Now I seek the same in a different situation. One that your particular skillsss would be useful for.” There was a slight hiss to the way Kioko said the word skills. An involuntary expression from her forked tongue of her lingering irritation over Rhea using her Quirk on her.

“If you help me with this, I will do what I can to assist you with your own quest. Quid pro quo. If you’re interested, I’ll explain more details on the way. If not, my companion here will pull you over and let you out near a potentially more lucrative corner given the type of daytime clientele you’re after.”

If anyone knew where the well-to-do were, it was Kioko.

Notes & Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Kushiki Kioko

Gee, why didn't I think of that, she thinks, trying to bite back the sass as she felt the metaphorical blade pressed against her throat. The feeling of helplessness intensified as they drove off as her heart sank to the pit of her stomach.

At least, initially. The offer that Meliora made, on top of requiring her skills, gave Rhea pause. She looked out the window as she felt torn between two things she desperately needed. She was effectively stranded in Japan, a stranger in a strange land that had to scrape and scrounge just to get by. If she had not been blessed with the quirk and talents God had given her, then it was likely she and her father would have been on the streets years ago. She needed a way to continue to keep her financial situation afloat. But there was also that burning desire to strike back at the world that had slighted her, unwilling to struggle forever. She was hesitant, because she knew the moment she started to make moves then she would be exposing herself, showing the entire world who and what she was.

And in the end, this was the part of her that won out. "What is it that you require me to do?"

0 Victims

OWL

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

“Acquire information through your particular brand of coercion.”

The real metric Kioko had for the mission at hand was by any means necessary, but that was a task that fell to Kioko if Rhea failed with her Quirk. There was no concern for Rhea’s well-being in not putting her on the more violent path to achieve their now shared goal. Kioko’s concern was success, and she simply didn’t believe Rhea would be up to more forceful methods. Not that Kioko wanted to dirty her own hands with it. Hence trying manipulation first.

“Route A,” Kioko said to Rhys, who turned the blinker on to merge into the lane headed toward a highway on-ramp. “How do things like lust or inebriation affect a person’s resistance to your Quirk,” she then asked of Rhea, as if abruptly changing the topic or if she was making Rhea the actual subject of the interrogation. If Rhea was following along properly, she would know that Kioko wasn’t. The shift was an indicator of the type of place they were headed to ferret out the source she wanted Rhea to interrogate.

Notes & Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Kushiki Kioko

Well, that was an interesting way to putting it. Rhea shouldn't have used her quirk that night, but it was a nice way to learn Meliora's name. How much that mattered in the long run was yet to be seen.

She pulled out a water bottle, taking a small sip as she considered the question, and how much she was willing to give away. "It depends," she says, glancing over at Rhys before focusing her gaze on Meliora again. "There is a great deal I still don't know about it. I would take steps to learn, but in order to do so I would have to expose what it does exactly. I worry that if I do, especially here, my crimes will be much more readily exposed. Based on my own observations, it follows the same rules of hypnosis." She took another sip, the liquid soothing the mild irritation she was currently experiencing with the barbs. The general rule of thumb with hypnosis was if a person said that they couldn't be hypnotized, then the procedure wouldn't work. It all boiled down to a person's susceptibility to suggestion.

"If the person is drunk, it is possible that it doesn't work as well, but mainly whenever the person in question becomes much more obstinate in said state. Conversely, if the person in question thinks they can get laid, then they may become more pliable. It is something that I will admit I've used in the past."

0 Victims

OWL

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

The rules of hypnosis. Kioko stifled a snort. Were they well and truly the same, the Siren’s Quirk would have had no effect on Kioko previously. Hypnosis only worked on those that willingly opened themselves up to being commanded. People predisposed to being gullible. Kioko was hardly that, yet the Quirk had found a small foothold to compel her into offering her name once before. However, it did lend credence to the question she had asked. The more susceptible the mind already was to outside influences regardless of origin, the more effective Rhea’s Quirk should be. In theory and a theory from her well-educated mind was nearly scientific proof in and of itself.

“I see.”

Kioko reached into her overcoat. There was a vial clutched within her hand when it resurfaced. Suspended within the glass was a small silver bead. Kioko passed it back to Rhea.

“As an educated guess on my part, we’ll run with lower inhibitions making your Quirk more effective depending on the request. Body and mind are innately connected. Lower the body’s defenses, lower mental resistance. What I just gave you will help with that and in turn, help with our goal.”

That Kioko could sense and monitor the liquid metal was just a boon in this case. One of which she felt no need to inform Rhea. “You’ll want to either have them ingest it somehow or have it make skin contact with the target. I suggest the former. You don’t want to accidentally touch it yourself.” Kioko didn’t want Rhea to touch it either. The last thing she needed was her temporary partner getting sick in the middle of a job.

Notes & Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Kushiki Kioko

The statement was sound enough to Rhea. People in weakened states were more susceptible to people with power over them: starving, injured, sick. A tale as old as time.

How it applied to this situation, she wasn't entirely sure. Meliora had some sort of plan that Rhea fit into, and this vial was part of it. She took it and held it up, looking at the singular bead within. "I cannot tell if whatever you intend for me to do involves an allomancer, or if you intend to give someone mercury poisoning. Which, if I recall correctly, takes a long time to go into affect." There were a lot of things Rhea didn't understand, but she sensed there was much for Meliora to gain from her help. While there was an exchange taking place, she had to have some level of trust that Rhea could deliver. Granted, that couldn't be much.

"I will see what I can do. I am going to assume that whoever this person is has a hardy will?"

0 Victims

OWL

[Kushiki Kioko]

I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

"We'll both be finding that out shortly."

Rhys’ eyes shifted to Kioko when Rhea mentioned mercury. The Quicksilver Queen herself gave no indication of a reaction to confirm how close to the truth the other serpent had slithered. Her assumptions held errors born of ignorance. Not that she could know better. The heavy metal toxic that formed the foundation of Kioko’s Quirk and body was far more potent than what was found in nature. Reactions weren’t delayed. They were instantaneous.

“The mechanics of how are irrelevant. Your best chance is to add the substance to a dark liquid or food that could obscure it. It has no odor or taste, but the texture could be detected if bitten into. I’ll leave that to your discretion. As earlier stated, physical contact is also an option if you can figure out a method for delivery in that regard. It must directly touch skin if you do go that route.”

The sound of the blinker interrupted Kioko’s instructions. The dark SUV took an exit, removing it from the steady stream of highway traffic in favor of no-less densely populated streets. They were in a business district. A high-end one at that. Kioko reached into the center console, this time retrieving a small earpiece to hand to Rhea.

“You’ll want this too. Your entry into this establishment is through a job interview. I’ll walk you through the process. This is also your best method of calling for extraction should it come to that.”

Notes & Tags: rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Kushiki Kioko

Rhea pressed her lips together, pulling out a purse from among the objects in her bag and slipped the vial in. While she made good grades in high school, there were many things that existed outside the realm of her knowledge. She remembered Meliora mentioning she was a manufacturer, so maybe this was some form of nanomachine she had developed. There was no use speculating, so she'd instead begin planning how to feed this bead to her victim. Or just get it on them in general.

At least, until she was handed an earpiece and told that this was a job interview. Oh dear. She reached out and took it, hiding her irritation once more as she immediately began thinking how to even handle that. "Seeing as this is as good a time as any, I'm going to rattle off some questions. Assuming I'm using this on my interviewer, who is the person in question? What is the position? What information am I fishing for?" There were a lot of other questions, but she had to pause as they might not be questions she should know, or even care about. She fit the earpiece in, tapping it a few times. "I will assume you will also be able to pick up the other person's statements with this."

0 Victims

OWL