bakerstreet | Nursed back to health - and a little something more!

[I CAN ROLL WITH ANYTHING but maybe a phantom heist gone wrong? one/both of them fouls it up and gets hurt and they have to deal with the fallout? i'm cool with auing him as a purse owner.]

[ THAT WORKS FOR ME! Want me to write something up for us? ]

[go for it! i'll follow your lead. :|b]

[ Palaces can be long and drawn out, and the one that they'd been busy infiltrating was no exception. Ann -- Panther -- swears that these Palace Rulers are getting smarter each time, too; this particular Ruler had figured out a way to literally divide and conquer; the Phantom Thieves generally operate as a group. Blah, blah, strength in numbers. But they'd been meticulously separated, and really, she'd been fortunate to bump into Seto again at some point. It wouldn't have been that hard to find one another and regroup, either, considering that their communication hadn't been cut, but that wasn't the problem.

The problem was all of the enemies. The Shadows were relentless, and it soon became clear that they were all very much outnumbered and getting their asses handed to them. So when Joker's voice cam through to tell them that it was time to regroup outside, there had been absolutely no resistance. At the very least, they'd managed to map part of the large place out and get a feel for it. They're on a time constraint as they are with every Palace they infiltrate, but that's fine. They have a few days left to steal what they need to steal and change the Palace Ruler's heart.

This had all gone down a few hours ago, and never has Ann been more glad to be outside of the Metaverse and back out into the literal realm of reality. It's a shame that injuries and fatigue carry over, but it is what it is and this is what they've signed up for. Now, it's time to lay low and rest up. There's inevitably going to be reports on every news station about their group again anyways, something about causing mental shutdowns and being murderers. Please.

For the moment, the group has mostly gone their separate ways, as they are want to do once they leave the Metaverse. It's unwise to stay together so soon, after all. They can meet up again tomorrow, try again, but to keep suspicions down, it's better this way. ]

Well, that sucked. [ She hums, trying to fix her hair to the best of her abilities. At the moment, no one seems to be paying attention to the pair of them, even with how disheveled and clearly injured they look. ] ...How are you holding up?

[ Read: How sore are you? ]

[grumbling:]

I'd call that a serious understatement.

[it sucked and, to put it more frankly, was a colossal waste of time. among all members of their group, kaiba was by far the most impatient; as to be expected of the newest recruit and the biggest brat. it also meant that he was the most prone to injury, and while he was arguably the toughest thief in their group, he was still human. and thus still susceptible to scrapes and cuts and bruises.

seiryuu had shielded him as much as he could, at least preventing an untimely demise. but outright collapse wasn't much better.]

I survived. To what end, I wonder.

[at least he was feeling well enough to dole out the sarcasm. that was better than nothing.]

[ She can't complain. At least he's not snip snapping about the whole thing being a bunch of "hocus pocus mumbo jumbo" anymore, and has pretty much embraced his role within their team. And they certainly needed that extra boost of power, and undoubtedly Seto is a force to be reckoned with, both within the Metaverse and without. ]

This wasn't a bad thing, you know. It usually takes a few days to get deep enough in to be able to find the treasure anyways... and now at least we know what we're dealing with.

[ A smug psychopath who needs to be taught a fucking lesson or ten, but, Seto already likely knows this. Giving up on fixing her hair, she takes a glance over at him and frowns. ]

...Hey. You're looking a little rough, we should take care of that.

[kaiba was far from fond of their comrades and took quite a bit of convincing to take up their righteous cause. ann, however, was by far the least annoying of the bunch and thus the most likely to be helpful as opposed to insufferable. her alter ego was also terrifying, even for a man who commanded a dragon as his persona, so he knows better than to harass her. at least without due cause.

she was also right in that tackling an entire dungeon in one day was not reasonable. even for an already unreasonable man.]

Yeah, I guess so.

[tilting his head, kaiba offers on a whim:]

I've got business back home, so if you need some patching up...

[ As far as she's concerned, he doesn't need to be fond of anyone. So long as they can work as a unit to get things done, that's really what matters, and apparently, other than a few ~~Ryuji~~ of them, everyone generally agrees with it. Mostly, she feels like they're very lucky to have even gotten him on board, so, she has gone out of her way to do her best to not irritate him. So far, so good. ]

I promise, tomorrow or the next day, we'll get it. It's only going to get harder from here on out, unfortunately.

[ Because of course it is, it always does. His offer has her blinking in surprise, however. ]

Yeah, sure. Thanks!

[ Granted, she doesn't think she'd taken near the beating that he had -- not to mention she's 100% using makeup to cover some of these marks for the next few days. When she's not helping to steal hearts or attending classes, she's a part time model... she's got a whole arsenal of makeup at her disposal for such trying times. ]

[kaiba had already been warned that his public face as the most powerful man in japan would have to be scaled down a bit. at the very least, they couldn't all disperse together, as easy as it would have been to regroup in a single space. so ann should consider herself lucky that kaiba has extended such an offer, as he demonstrated from the start that his generosity was pretty limited.]

I'll find a female attendant for you, back at the mansion. As soon as I find a chauffeur.

[and given that the chauffeur was the ever loyal isono, it doesn't take long at all. he mutters into his receiver...]

Bring the four door around. No, not that one. Not that one either. No, I don't care what color it is, I just need enough seats and...

[...and winds up getting into argument about said car. #justrichthings.]

[ Yeah, if anyone even knew he was in any way, shape, or form associated with their merry little band of thieves, that'd look really bad business wise. Especially with 'murder' now being added to the list of things that they have not, in fact, done. Not to mention it would look extremely suspicious to see the aforementioned most powerful man in Japan suddenly hanging out with a group of seemingly random school boys and girls, considering that most people know just how Seto Kaiba's personality typically is. ]

That's really kind of you, thanks!

[ Even if she's still pretty sure that he's taken the most damage out of everyone. Wait, chauffeur? Oh. Right. Money. Ann's so accustomed to walking or taking the subway everywhere she's almost forgotten that car rides are a thing. The only other person in their little group who has access to this sort of thing is Haru, and that's because she's the heiress to another major corporation. Granted, her parents are fashion designers. They have money, just not the sort of money that Seto and Haru have. Also, they'd ditched her in Japan years ago and went home to Finland, and she's been expected to take on side jobs and the such to get the things she wants. Something about work ethic... that's what she's assuming, at least. It's not often that she talks to them or sees them, honestly.

She just sort of stares tiredly as he gets into an argument with whoever it is that he's talking to right now, an employee she'd imagine, and she's having a really hard time fighting the urge to start giggling. Somehow, she doesn't think he'd appreciate that, even if it is a hilarious sight. ]

Edited 2021-01-22 03:52 (UTC)

[eventually isono stutters a r-right away sir! before the two decide upon a stylish sedan. not exactly the classiest car, but cruising around town in a convertible or a luxury vehicle was definitely going to attract too much attention. as ann warned him the first time. there may or may not be some slight downsides to his status and his wealth when he was supposed be incognito.]

Sorry about that. He means well, but...

[kaiba just shakes his head, then motions for ann to follow to the nearest rendezvous point.]

As do you, I'm sure. No need to snicker at my expense.

[yeah, he saw that, you little vixen. he may not be a navigator but he can still sniff out your sassy shit.]

[ It's not every day that Ann gets to see a powerful young CEO get into an argument with an employee about which car to bring, and there's something so ridiculously hilarious about it that she's not even trying to hide her amused smile at this point. Ah, but she's been caught. ]

No, I'm sorry! Not snickering at you, I promise. Just the situation.

[ Not many people get to see Seto Kaiba getting into debates about vehicles, after all. As he gestures, she follows at his side, tugging her jacket a little tighter around herself. She's stiff and sore and it's going to be worse in the morning. And there's still school in the morning, and... hey. ]

You tested out of high school early, right?

[ That's what she's heard, at least. And it would make sense, considering how intelligent he is... and also the fact that he's got a multi billion dollar company to run. ]

Sorry, that was random. I just sort of realized that you probably don't have much time for things like school.

[miraculously, kaiba does not limp. he wants to. he probably would if he was alone. but as the self-assigned "tank" of the group, he has to take the blows and has to make sure nobody worries on his account and that nobody gets hurt on his watch. he may have been selfish in business, but he won't let anyone die. not now, not ever.]

You don't have to apologize. In fact, I'd prefer you didn't.

[he gets enough groveling at work. and in a strange sense, she was sort of beautiful just as she was: fierce and fiery.]

And I tested out of college. I'm working on my third degree, but as it turns out, literal rocket science is kinda tricky.

[did he just smile? maybe, though it was a blink and you miss it sort of moment.]

[ It's a damn good thing Seto is so strong. The hits and blows he's taken are enough to knock the rest of them down and out. He's strong and smart and keeps them safe -- if their esteemed leader ever decides to call it quits, she's pretty certain that Seto would make an amazing replacement. He'd have her vote, because he's the obvious choice. ]

If you say so~.

[ Apologizing is something she does an abundance of, even when she doesn't necessarily owe anyone one. Some habits just die way slower than others. But that doesn't matter right now, not when his response has her full on attention. ]

Wow, that's amazing! Congratulations! I'll bet it is, but something tells me that if anyone can grasp it, it'll be you.

[ He should smile more often, but it's still nice to see that ridiculously quick one, at least. ]

I wish I could be as smart and dedicated as you. I can't even grasp simple algebra, though.

[ She could, if she really applied herself. Mostly, she just wants to get through these last few years of school and be done with it. At least models don't need a college education... probably. ]

[oh lord. you are pretty cool, ann, but maybe stick to your day job. and not math.]

I'd offer to tutor you, but I've got a company to run and it sorta sounds like the start to an awful porno.

[so maybe they should avoid that dynamic. or any dynamic, even if he doesn't mind her so much.

when you were rich and when you were powerful and when you had a serious need for speed, specifically to make it to work on time, hidden tunnels and entrances and garages were all but required. so when the ground opens up and spits out a car, kaiba does not look at all surprised. just a little annoyed.]

...that was the ugliest one he could have chosen.

[kaiba pretends not to hear the "sorry mr. kaiba!" isono shouts out the window...]

[ Some of the shit that comes out of your mouth sometimes, dude-- ]

Thanks for the thought, but I agree. Also, that particular career is one I'd like to avoid like the plague.

[ After being blackmailed into dating one of her teachers, the last thing she needs is more rumors, thanks.

This. Is new. Ann's seen a whole lot of weird stuff in her seventeen years of life, but she's never seen a car come up from the fucking ground. Holy shit. ]

What-- no, no! I think it's very nice! It's very... [ ...Blue. And metallic. If she looks at it under this bright sun for too long she thinks her retinas are going to burn out. ] economic! Very economical.

[ Listen she is clueless about cars other than they are very pretty. Mostly. Even this bright ass blue sedan.

...poor Isono. ]

[poor isono indeed. at least climbing into the car was easy enough; his pride would live to fight another day.

kaiba instructs their faithful driver to call ahead and make certain that medical attention was available, as soon they stepped into the mansion. neither of them were dying or anywhere close, but this time it was more prudent to attend their injuries -- especially since they were headed into the exact same danger tomorrow. he also desperately needed some sort of sedative after all that pain.

slipping into the backseat beside ann, he heaves a heavy sigh as they take an access road home.]

Don't tell anyone I have this albatross in my armada.

[hey, looks count. a model should understand that.]

[ It's been such a long time since the last she's been in a car. She's so used to obscenely packed subways and buses -- the last time she'd been in a car had been when her parents sent her to Japan from Finland, and that's only because she'd been twelve at the time and they hadn't trusted her to be able to make it to her destination via the subway system (spoiler alert, they were absolutely right, that shit is confusing). It's so nice to not have people bumping into her or snapping at her to 'get out of their space' even though there's no space period.

She slides in next to Kaiba, politely thanking poor Isono as she buckles in. #safetyfirst! ]

Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.! Anyways, it's not that bad. A car is a car, right?

[ He's got a little brother, she remembers him stating this at some point. Maybe... this was his little brother's doing. Either way, she's not going to complain. ]

So, what do you make of all of this so far? Still glad that you decided to join our group?

[ She wishes that she'd had more energy towards the end. At the very least, her own Persona, Carmen, had kept everyone from entirely dropping dead, but there's only so much she can do when her user is fatigued. ]

[wow, would you look at this lack of taste all over the place.]

Maybe if you're an undiscerning buffoon.

[oof. sorry, ann, no offense meant. not that time anyway. he was just a very particular man with very particular preferences.

but better they find another subject that doesn't involve him flexing his snobby muscles. he has to think on it too; he hasn't been with the group long and at the beginning he had his doubts. now, however, there was a certain thrill in the danger. it was a welcome break from sitting in boardrooms all day and though he would never admit it, it was nice to pal around with people his own age.

so he strikes a balance between contempt and compassion, shrugging his broad shoulders -- which were now unpleasantly achy.]

I guess that depends on how you define glad. But all in all, it isn't the worst use of my time.

Guilty as charged.

[ No offense taken, dude. She likes shinies too, but mostly she's just. Glad to not be walking. ]

Well, you've been a really big help, and we're really happy that you joined.

[ Hilariously, at one point, Kaiba himself had been discussed as being a potential target. Except they really couldn't find any dirt on him, no employee complaints other than the typical things employees tend to complain about, everything had checked out... so, that idea had been dropped pretty quickly. Now, he's a valued asset to their team, with the intelligence and brute strength to figure things out and get things done that the rest of them wouldn't be able to. And whether he likes it or not, they do enjoy having him around in general, too. Who would have ever thought that the most powerful young man in Japan would end up joining a semi-criminal (very, VERY light grey on the moral scale, at least) organization?

Funny how things work out sometimes. ]

Actually, I think out of all of us, you've handled this really well. I was the third person to join, and after the adrenaline wore off after my first fight, it kind of weirded me out.

[ You know. Shadows, palaces, the stupid Metaverse... also, the fact that their 'mascot' of sorts, Morgana, is a cat. A talking cat, in fact, that only they can understand. ]

[it's no fun when you agree with him, ann. and in a way he can't really call out or criticize.

admittedly, however, it feels good to hear you've been a really big help and he relaxes a little. shuts his eyes and for a moment, just one, pretends that he could have friends and that he could rely on anyone but himself. the moment passes, of course, as it always did and always will, but it isn't the worst use of his imagination. mokuba would be proud, at least, of the progress he has made.

funny how things work out sometimes. risk his life, get banged up, then decide it's totally worth it to do it all over again.]

I have to. Running a company has its own share of risks.

[and it could be dangerous in its own way. literally lethal in some cases.]

Anyway, just forget it. I consider it another job, so as long as I get it done, I'm content.

[ See? She saved you the trouble. You should be thanking her! ]

I'll bet. I don't know how you keep up with everything.

[ No, seriously, where do you get all of that energy from, Kaiba? The fact that he is basically raising his little brother, running a company, still gunning for another degree, and still finding the time to go gallivanting off with them is seriously impressive. ]

Yeah, but it's not like this job pays very well. Or like, comes with a benefits package.

[ Unless you count beating the hell out of giant douchnozzles and then watching them go crying to the presses to confess their crimes a shining benefit, at least. ]

Aren't you going to make it big anyway?

[listen. this is kaiba being nice. even as he says it with an insufferable smirk.]

You can be your own boss and make your own benefits. Then you won't have to worry about it.

That's the plan. Maybe. This chick keeps lying and getting me fired from the gigs my agency books for me, though.

[ Mika is a total bitch, but she's lit a fire under her and now Ann wants nothing more than to grapple her way to the top so she can smile from her billion fucking dollar mansion all the way down at Mika who will clearly live in a dumpster.

That's not really what she wants for Mika, mostly she wants her to back off or finally get caught in her bullshit. This was supposed to be a hobby originally, okay... ]

True enough. And that day can't come any sooner, honestly. You know, assuming that the aforementioned chick doesn't totally ruin my reputation.

[hm...]

And what was the name of this woman?

[you know. totally asking to sate curiosity and nothing else.]

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