[open] climbing out the back door didn't leave a mark

[scythersergeant]

Who: Shinoa and you!
When: About 4/4? Backdated to before Gilgamesh's rescue catchall!
Where: In and around a bar in a shadier part of Capablanca.
What: Shinoa narrowly escapes getting kidnapped, and decides to warn fellow Heroes about it. If someone wants to go in and beat stuff up make sure no one else fell for it in this particular establishment, Shinoa is all for it.
Rating: References to human trafficking, violence



[You don't hand a teenaged girl a drink and expect her to drink it these days. Considering that in this case you're a stranger, and that this is a shady bar, there's really no reason to take anything other than a 'no' for an answer.

But the bartender seems to disagree, because he's not taking Shinoa's refusal well. Shinoa stares down into the plastic cup she's holding, smelling innocently of grape juice, and repeats that she'd rather finish this outside thank you very much.

"Oi, I'm bein' hospitable!"

"Do you want the drink back? You can have it back." She offers the cup with one hand, while her other hand slides to a ready position across the handle of her scythe. Her clothes are not the standard uniform, but no one's pretending they're not uncomfortable about the Hero in the room anymore; it's just too hard to hide a scythe twice your (small, but still) size. She's not about to walk into this kind of place unarmed, though, which is clearly a good call considering how the adults to her left and right are eyeing her with a hostility that rather implies complicity.

"I'm a Hero and quite experienced with my weapon, for the record." Shinoa informs the bartender, and then marches out.

If you're also around the entertainment districts tonight, whether investigating for Blanc or simply taking time off, you might find a girl clearly armed and clearly uneasy circling a particular row of taverns. If you're recognizable as a Hero, she might pull you aside and point out a certain bar-]

Be careful about that place. I think they tried to drug me in there.

Comments

[scythersergeant]

[High-cut armor isn't 'undercover', Minato.]

Okay. We'll look for a storage area- that's where they'll keep any hostages- and anything that might provide information on their plans?

Let's stay together, but call if you get jumped and need me.

[In case that sort of thing ever happens to a protagonist. Shinoa pushes the door a bit wider, hears no response, then moves to slip into the darkness of the back rooms.]

[burnmydread]

[ It isn't? It always worked for him. And by him we mean his teammates of the female persuasion. And by that we mean they put it on because he's the leader and apparently abuses his position. Whoops.

Protagonists are never the targets of anything, why would she think that! Nice of her to offer, though. Minato nods in turn, before following suit behind her.

So, one of the doors must be storage, right? He keeps alert as they make their way down the hall, pausing just by the kitchen. A half-door hangs in the arch, giving a clear enough view of the kitchen. He sees feet shuffling back and forth, but doesn't hear much. Something smells, good, though. ]

...Beef?

[ No, now is not the time for food. ]

[scythersergeant]

[Doesn't everything go for you because you're the protagonist? They just never succeed because they take too much time doing monologues about their plans, or offing background NPCs.

Also, she's in charge where she comes from, so don't expect her to-

Shinoa is already a few steps forward when she realizes that the presence behind her isn't there anymore. She glances back, hissing under her breath when she sees Minato trance-like by the kitchen. Food, the folly of all men. Her whisper-scream is angry and urgent.]

(What the hell!! Stop being distracted!!)

[Just then, someone calls out from inside the kitchen, noticing Minato.

'Oi, Trevor, get me a crate o' booze, will ya?']

[burnmydread]

[ It usually does. Except for the tragic backstory and, arguably, equally tragic ending. But, you know, who's counting? He's kind of the outlier, anyway. She should see his sister from another mister. (A.K.A. Souji.)

But that's right, that sure is Minato kind of peeking over the door. He can definitely smell something. Maybe they can take out the bad guys, rescue everyone, and get a reward at the same time? Bad guys being the chefs, of course. Or he's hoping they are. That would be the most convenient.

He turns to look at her with that harsh whisper, only to snap back when he's addressed.

Oh...is he Trevor?

Minato coughs, lowering his voice. Because that's what Trevors sound like. ]

...You got it.

[ He looks back at Shinoa and mouths "Where's the booze?" ]

[scythersergeant]

[Why would incriminating evidence be in the kitchen????

She sucks in a breath, starting to do that anime girl thing where they get agitated and fluff up. No point ducking around these trope conventions since everyone's in the know.]

(How the hell would I know???)

[This is not going too well. She motions angrily for Minato to move, they've already attracted attention and someone's going to get suspicious when "Trevor" doesn't come back with the goods.

He's not actually going to try to deliver alcohol to the chefs, is he?]

(We are not interested in the kitchen right now!)

[burnmydread]

[ Why wouldn't it be, Shinoa?

He is totally going to try to deliver the alcohol to the chefs. But he figures he's got a little bit of time before the kitchen staff start wondering where Trevor went. He falls into step behind her, but can't help himself.

"What if there's captives in there?"

No. No there isn't.

Either way, there is the door just a little ahead and opposite of the kitchen. He glances at her with a tilt of his head. Are they trying it? ]

[scythersergeant]

(They wouldn't keep captives in the kitchen!)

[What had she said about 'look for storage space'!! She's not from his place so she's immune to his wily protagonist charms, he's just making excuses to get at food!!

That door doesn't lead to a kitchen, so why not try it. Shinoa cracks it open- darkness- and after listening to make sure the interior is silent, slips within.]

[burnmydread]

[ She sees right through him...what a cruel twist of fate this is...

Minato follows suit, slipping in after her, sadly without any snacks. It's dark in the room, but there doesn't appear to be any noises. So...he might as well try a light, right? Padding his hand against the wall, he finds a switch and flips it.

Which shows...hey, storage! Shelves of different boxes and ingredients, most of them not labeled. ]

maybe they discover evidence of heroes recently moved out? since npcing kidnappees is a bit weird

[scythersergeant]

See if you find anything suspicious!

[Chances are there might be booze in here somewhere.

Shinoa immediately goes to check through the room, peeking around corners in the search for any hostages. Minato is unattended- he could make a grab for his kitchen fetchquest if he wants to.]

that works for me!

[burnmydread]

[ He actually considers looking for the booze. He's not sure if Travis is the sort of guy who would just sod off when given an order. Minato's Travis may be.

...Yeah, he does browse a bit. Through the shelves, ducking around one of the units. But he spots something suspicous when he does. ]

--Hey. C'mere.

[ What he sees is a wall of pipes, a few with rope hanging off of them. It's clearly not to keep them together. ]

Re: that works for me!

[scythersergeant]

If you found booze-

[The warning note in Shinoa's voice disappears when she sees the pipes. Since they don't have DNA processing technology anyway, she goes forward to examine them.]

The ropes feel slightly warm....

Can you see any other signs of hostages? Gosh, it's dark. [She steps back so Minato can have a look.]

[burnmydread]

[ Booze is surely around here somewhere, Shinoa. But he'll get that on the way out. Minato crouches down, touching the wall behind the pipes, then feeling along the floor.

He does come upon something. He picks it up, inspecting it closer when he stands. A button? It might not seem like much, but it's distinctly the same kind found on their Hero uniforms. He holds it out to her. ]

[scythersergeant]

[Do you know what this means!!

Shinoa looks up at him, her face grave.]

Some of us have probably been here before... we need to find out where they've gone.

[burnmydread]

[ He nods in agreement. There doesn't appear to be any other immediately clear clues, though. ]

Was that door the only way in here?

[scythersergeant]

[She does a quick circuit of the room, waving Minato over to a dark corner. There's a worn wooden door here with its fair share of cracks, but there's no light outside to let in.]

There seems to be a side door here.... outside looks like where the cargo deliveries go.

[burnmydread]

Hmm...

[ He walks over to see what she's talking about. ]

That could be a way to transport them out of this place without anyone in the front knowing. Should we check it out?

[scythersergeant]

Hmm. Yeah, why not.

[Shinoa peeks through the cracks in the door again, looking out into the gloomy alleyways. ]

I was hoping to find an administrative area with documents listing their plans but.... that's probably more guarded than this, anyway.

Let's check this out first.

[burnmydread]

And strobe lights leading us to the captives?

[ That would've been pretty convenient. But he's plenty ready to go wheeeen...the door opens-- ]

Hey, Travis! What's the hold up?

[ Uh oh. ]

[scythersergeant]

That would be nice, but I don't think-

[oh shit.

Shinoa glares at Minato, as if this is all his fault.]

(We should get out of here!!)

[burnmydread]

[ It's...only kind of his fault! Right?

He looks at Shinoa, then at the door. Luckily there are some shelves in the way... ]

...We're out.

[ A pause. Then a sigh! ]

Figures! Wasn't it Gary who put in the order last week? That's last time we let him do inventory...

[ He kind of mumbles to himself as he walks back out. Minato sighs.

Then gives Shinoa a thumbs up. ]