Grief In the Shell: Madokapunk IC Thread

[strawberryman]

[Neo-Mitakihara, Ward 3]
(Zeal Technologies Board Room)

Nadica blinks. Then has a coughing fit, followed by a 'wth' stare. But... no, this wasn't the place to get answers. She had "friends" in the police force, she'd get information from them. She sends out a few messages idly, pulling a cigarette from a compartment on her wheelchair and lighting it. By this point nobody really said anything, just letting the filtration systems handle it.

So, old man, who'd you finally piss off enough to blow a hole in your skull?

Spoiler: Message to Reaper Satou

Show

need everything you know as soon as you know it

[Neo-Mitakihara, Ward 6]
(Yumeiji Tower)
[Earlier-6:04]

A light jostling at a teenage girl's feet is the catalyst to the first waking thought of the day, but a tired groan is the usual first response. Then, a few minutes later, the feeling of a cold damp end of a muzzle on her face, and the light scraping of a rough tongue. Koizumi Rio groans again, pushing Kin's head away before sitting up slightly, rubbing her eyes. "I'm uuuup..." Kin tilts his head before padding over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, jumping up slightly to hit the blind control with his paw, the windows' built-in darkening shifting to half strength. Still more than enough to turn the twilight of the room to a more proper (if somewhat blinding at this point) brightness.

"Ah! Gin-chan, you're so mean." Rio mutters this, rubbing her eyes even more frantically but turning to shift out of the bed, clad in luxurious striped pajamas of various shades of blue. Stretching a bit, she touches the surface of her nightstand, activating an intercom system to the kitchen. "...tou-san, I'm up..." Koizumi Akio's gentle tone rings back.

"Oh, good! I was just starting breakfast. Salmon and herb omelettes! I'll tell your mom you're getting ready."

There's her usual moment of hesitation before responding. "Hai." She shuts the intercom off with a second tap, then walks to her wardrobe, pulling down a clean, ironed school uniform, as well as a clean set of undergarments. Everything was neatly organized. Her dad helped, but it was an expectation as part of her daily routine that she would keep things in order. The same with her room... everything as close to spotless as possible. Her shelves of books (fully more than half of it being various manga) had little oversight in content, just in organization. Really... it might seem a little overboard, but it did help Rio feel a little calmer. Perhaps just because she'd always been in a clean environment, but it's a chicken and egg kind of thing.

With her clothes gathered, she enters her personal bathroom (as she grew into teenage years, her parents actually changed apartments just so she could have her own bathroom), just as orderly as her bedroom. Kin sits dutifully outside the sliding door as Rio locks it and steps in the shower. After over half an hour of bathing, grooming, and clothing, she steps back out, giving Kin a pat on the head and a smile before heading to the kitchen, german shepherd padding after her at a respectable pace.

The Koizumi's apartment's kitchen is just as luxurious as the rest, with classy marble counter tops, and state of the art appliances and other accouterments. All the better to keep Akio, a stay-at-home husband, occupied. The brown-haired, clean shaven man turns with a smile from the stovetop as Rio scoots onto a stool to sit at the kitchen bar. Kin sitting at his empty food dish as usual. "Ohayou!"

"Ohayou." Rio's response is a little flat, but she gives a bit of a smile. "Breakfast sure smells good, doesn't it?" The aroma of salmon, eggs, and a mixture of herbs can certainly attest that fact. Rio nods. "Mm. Mom is getting ready?"

"Yeah, she has to go upstairs soon." Being part of Yumeiji Entertainment had its perks, like getting an apartment just a short walk and elevator ride's away from work. Rio nods, just... quietly waiting before Akio slides a delicious-looking omelette in front of her. "Well, enjoy as usual! And don't think I've forgotten you, Kin-chan~" He slides a few scraps of salmon into his bowl, giving him an affectionate scratch behind the ear before setting half of an omelette out for Chiyo, taking the other half for himself.

Rio cuts in quietly and chews, honestly a little glad for a break in conversation.